Seeing the smile on her face and hearing the pure joy in her voice was worth any and every risk he had taken coming back home. He hugged her tight and pressed a kiss to her head. “You’re welcome, love.” He pressed a final kiss again to her brow and glanced around, making sure that Queenie and Spot were alright. He scratched the cat’s ear affectionately and watched as the pup played with the fish near the banks of the river. He glanced back over to Avalin and smiled softly. He waved his hand and muttered a few words, watching as Avalin’s appearance slightly altered. He also conjured a deep blue cloak for her to wear. Doing the same to himself, he laced his hand with hers and started walking to the city center, glancing around nervously, hoping that no one would recognize them
She watched as he waved his hand and a cloak appeared over her shoulders. When he did it a second time and his features changed slightly, she guessed he had done the same to her, letting them blend in with others so Thor wouldn't find them. Queenie settled back in with him, tucking herself under the blue cloak and watching as Spot led the way into the city center. Avalin couldn't believe they were back, especially since it was so dangerous for them to be here. She loved it though, taking in the sights she hadn't seen in forever and letting a content smile settle onto her face.
Loki followed close to Avalin’s side, taking in the sights of his familiar home as well as keeping a look out for any royal guards that were patrolling the city. Though he absolutely hated it, every time he spotted one, he’d avert his eyes and bow his head to hide his face with the shade of the hood. He knew it was it was dangerous to be there but he was also very glad to be back home, especially now with his queen.
Avalin wasn't as cautious, looking around the city and taking it all in again, though she was sure to copy Loki's lead and look away from any royal guards they saw. Asgard was her home and she knew that wandering the city was the best thing they could do right now with Thor looking for them. She hoped that eventually he would calm down and they could go back to the palace, but that wasn't going to happen for a while so she took in the sights, admiring the city.
(How are we going to reintroduce Thor? I had a vague idea of him just casually being in the town and him recognizing Avalin or Loki somehow through the glamour or by one of the pets. Let me know if you have any ideas)
Loki relaxed more and more as the night went on, taking in the familiar sights of home and all it's wonders. It felt right to be here, not like it did on Midgard where he was still, despite visiting and being there for years on end, still didn't feel like he quite grasped the concept of mortal life.
(I like that idea! Otherwise the only other thing I could think of is maybe one of the guards recognizes them and it causes a scene when they try to bring the two of them to the palace?)
"Do you want to stop somewhere and eat?" Avalin asked after they had been walking around for a while, seeming to relax and realize that they were back home to stay for now, "I missed the food here." She brushed a hand over Spot's back as she talked, the dog taking up a spot walking right alongside her.
(I feel like yours makes a bit more sense)
Her voice broke him from his thoughts. "sure." He smiled softly at an idea and took the lead this time, guiding her through the shops and down a few narrow pathways. He stopped and pulled her into an alcove when a few guards marched by, holding close and peeking out the side to make sure they were gone. WHen he heard everything was quiet, he stepped out and carefully continued walking until they made it to a small restaurant, warmly lit from the inside
(Alright :) Do you want me to start it off and play the guard/ guards?)
Avalin let him lead happily, a spring in her step that didn't even vanish when they hid from the guards. While she had been happy on Earth, she seemed even happier to be back on Asgard, especially with Thor not knowing they were back. She looked up at him when they reached the restaurant, walking over to the door and opening it for him, "Lead the way."
(sure!)
He made sure his hood was concealing his features when he walked, having spotted a few guards from the window when they arrived. He pulled Avalin close to his side and made sure spot was near as they walked to a back table and waited for waitress to come. "I'm surprised you havn't recognized this place yet love, he said softly with a smile, glancing around the place
"It's been a long time since I've been in the city," She admitted, an embarrassed smile appearing on her face as she tried to figure out why she would remember this place. The hood was getting quite bothersome, the fabric limiting her view and so Avalin glanced around for guards before pulling the hood off. She told herself it was just temporary and that she would put it back up in a few minutes, before anyone recognized her even with Loki's changed to her appearance, "I give up, what is this place?"
Loki smiled softly, pushing the hood back but never pulling it off completely. “This was were I took you on our first date.” He said, leaning back on the chair and looking around, his eyes filling with nostalgia and happiness, the only think he couldn’t really change about appearances. He looked back at Avalin and saw over her shoulder a few guards talk to themselves quietly before standing and starting towards them. He gently took Avalin’s hands in his and looked away, hoping that they would walk past without a second look.
One of the guards, the one Loki recognized as a highly decorated general, came up to their table and stood unnervingly still, almost not wanting to confront them. “Drop the glamour Loki. We know it’s you.” He said softly, never raising his voice. His words sounded heavy and tired. “We have the place surrounded, if you try to use magic, you’ll be trapped under the field. And don’t think about fighting, I do t think even you can fight off this many men and get away with your wife.”
The memory flashed back once he explained where they were, keeping her tangled up in her thoughts until he took her hand. She smiled at him, unaware of the guard appeared at the table and started talking. Instantly she knew that they had been caught, but she pushed the thoughts away, feigning confusion. She knew it probably wouldn't work, but she didn't want to have to do what they said. The guards would take them to Thor, and then who knew what he would do with the two of them. Avalin said nothing though, just looked to her husband to see what he wanted her to do.
loki shut his eyes and slowly dropped the guise. He gently squeezed Avalin's hands and glared up at the general "he doesn't know when to quit does he?" he asked, swiftly standing and pulling Avalin to his chest as a burst of his magic sent the surrounding guards flying to the walls. Loki gasped at the tension in the air and looked out a window to see a bluish tint, what he assumed to be the field the general was talking about. He wouldn't be able to use any means of magic, non that would serve them any purpose without getting hurt. he hugged Avalin close and watched as the guards got up, pointing their swords at them. "I won't lose you again." he promised Avalin, watching as the general came up to them once again, this time brandishing chains that looked oddly familiar. Loki's eyes widened at the sight of them, his eyes flaring with hatred. "don't you dare put those on her." he growled.
"They aren't for her. they're for you." The general stated simply
The sudden movement shocked her but she didn't try to hide from whatever fight was going to happen as Loki pulled her to his chest. She only turned in his arms so she was facing the guards, her back pressed against his chest. "You're not putting those on him, no," Avalin growled, seeming much less like her gentle self as she matched the look on Loki's face, "I won't let you." Even though she was shorter and weaker than the general, the anger in her eyes showed that what she said was true. As long as she stood with Loki and was able to fight back, he wouldn't be able to put the cuffs on him.
The general sighed softly and nodded to his guards, “I admire your loyalty to each other and your need to protect. And I wish I didn’t need to do this but his Majesty has instilled strict orders that, should you come to Asgard, we are to bring you in.”
A few guards surrounded Loki and Avalin, one coming up behind him and snapping an iron collar kind Loki neck while the other three pulled Avalin out of his grasp. The remaining two guards shackled his hands.
“Let her go!” He yelled, lunging by forwards but quickly being held back by the chains attached to the shackles. “I swear in Valhalla, you hurt her in any way and you will have hell to pay!” He growled, eyes glaring red and his skin around his hands and arms started to turn blue, the air around them turning cold and crackling with tension.
“No harm will come to her.” The general promised, nodding for his soldiers to start walking with the prisoners.
He had fallen silent in their walk to the aircraft as well as on the flight, the only thing that could remotely break him from the silence was when they allowed him to be close to Avalin on the flight to the castle. He wasn’t mad at the general nor was he necessarily mad at his brother, he was mad with himself for being so naive, thinking that he could just come back to Asgard with Avalin, only to risk losing her again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered to her, the bluish tint subsiding but his red eyes remained
The minute she was pulled away from him, she found to get back to his side. She was held back by the guard though, and even as she put up a fight, she was no match for three professionally trained guards. "Take those off of him, right now," She snarled, only going silent when no one acknowledged or answered her. Even with being silent, she still was visibly pissed, her eyes full of anger as she was led to the aircraft.
As soon as they let her near Loki again on the aircraft, she seemed to relax slightly, though didn't hide her anger. "This is my fault, you have nothing to be sorry about," Avalin murmured, shooting a glare at her guards before scooting as close as she could to Loki, "I was the one that wanted to come back..I'm sorry." The three that guarded her glanced between each other, questioning if they should move her, but they didn't do anything. It was her fault, she knew that. Loki had only brought them back here because of her homesickness.
"No my love, don't say that. It's not your fault." he pressed a kiss to her head and glared up at the guards, daring any of them to separate them. "I'm proud of you, love.Here ou had me thinking you so sweet and innocent." she smirked and nudged his head against hers. "I shouldn't have been so naive, thinking that we could return without consequence so soon." he sighed softly and shut his eyes, keeping them closed even after they had landed, wanting to stay with Avalin as long as possible. He only look up again when she was pulled away from him and hauled to his feet. He looked up as they walked, seeing the familiar golden doors of the castle, watching as they swung open into a large foyer, a door at the end of hall that led to the throne room. The only sound on the floor were their shoes and the door at the end of the hall creaking open to reveal the throne room. Loki kept his gaze level, not looking at his brother directly in the eyes but also not submitting to him by looking down
"I am sweet and innocent, I just don't like seeing you get hurt, you mean too much to me for me to just sit back and let them get away with treating you like a criminal." She whispered back with a smile, leaning against him and pressing a kiss to his cheek. The rest of the ride she was quiet, trying to soak in as much time with him as she could before they landed. "I love you," She murmured before the guards pulled her to her feet, fighting their grip just long enough to sneak in one more kiss to his cheek. The guards pulled her away from him roughly after that, their grip on her arms tighter than cuffs.
In other circumstances, she would've been smiling ear to ear to set foot back into the castle again, but now her face was set in stone. She was angry and also slightly scared, but it was the anger that was showing on her face. Avalin kept her head high as she was led into the throne room. Even as the guards stopped her in front of the throne, in line with Loki but nowhere close to him. Her eyes never landed on Thor as she took in the throne room once again, seeing as she was thoroughly furious with him. It was something small, but just enough to show that he didn't even deserve enough of her time for her to even look the king in the eyes.
His brother looked just as he did only a year ago, his golden hair reached past his shoulders, his features stoic and expressionless. The only main difference was that he donned a gold band at his brow, different runes engraved into it's side that depicted the names of king's past, the more recent on being their father Odin. Loki only had so much self control within himself to suppress a laugh though the smirk on his lips was enough to show everyone in the room that he wasn't in the least bit intimidated by his brother.
"I see that you've grown quite comfortable on the throne of Asgard. I presume that this life is to your needs?" he tilted his, the smile still playing at his lips as he regarded his brother, the red now gone, replaced by a vibrant green.
"It's been some time, Thor. I was starting to wonder what was taking such a long time for you to come find us." he narrowed his eyes slightly
Avalin listened to the brothers silently, drawing no attention to herself. The tactic paid off within seconds, as the guard's hands loosened enough for her to feel the blood start to flow back to her lower arms. She knew the guards would never let her go, but even just a loosened grasp was good enough for now. Until she figured out what Thor was going to do with them and how to get Loki out.
(mind playing Thor after this response?)
His brother just stared at the two for a few moments, never reacting to Loki's taunts, just thinking.
When he realized he wasn't getting a reaction from Thor, Loki's smirk dropped and he straightened slightly, all forms of taunts and playful demeanor gone from his appearance. "I've said it once to you and I'll say it again. She has nothing to do with this."
(Sure! No problem)
"She's the reason you left, Loki, she has everything to do with this," Thor responded straightening on the throne and looking down at the two of them, "Don't try to bargain your way out of her not getting a punishment as well. I won't give in. I'll end up lengthening her sentence if you do." He didn't wait for Loki to shoot back with a response, just sighed barely and looked at his brother to try to think of a good punishment for him.
Loki was going argue that the only reason he had left in the first place to look for Avalin was because of Thor stopping the search but when he heard him speak of a punishment for her. He suppressed his urged to yell and curse him to the depths of a fiery hell for fear that he'd raise the consequence. His breathing became hard and ragged, his suppressed magic causing him to shake from effort. He stole a glance at Avalin and then at his brother, waiting for his decision.
(Oh gosh, I just looked back to see how long we've had this RP going for and it's been going for well over a year straight now. It's officially the longest-running RP that I've ever been in lol. Also, I didn't realize just how bad my responses were when I first started doing these things XD)
"Loki Odinson, you are a disgrace to the royal family, and have broken almost every rule set in place. For that, I should sentence you to nothing less than a life sentence." Thor finally said, glaring down at him, "But you are also my brother, and the fact that you did all of this for one woman has to count towards something. For that, I sentence you to a length that I will decide as time goes on, in the royal prisons." He waited silently for Loki to say something, expecting something in response.
(XD No! They’re not bad! I’m glad we could keep this alive for so Long!)
Loki narrowed his eyes at his brother as he spoke but kept his mouth shut, knowing better than to contradict everything his brother had said, especially since Avalin’s sentence would be affected by his actions and words.
“And for her? You said there was a punishment for her.” He said, nodding his head towards his wife, his hands tightened slightly, hating that she would would be affected because of his wreckless actions
Thor turned his attention to Avalin, seeming to think for a while before finally talking, "Avalin, since you have also broken a considerable amount of rules, you should receive a long sentence, but you are also family to me in a sense, so I can try to lighten up your sentence as well." He didn't look over at Loki, knowing too well that this was going to make him quite mad, "You will start in solitary isolation as a baseline sentence. If I decide that you will behave well enough to go to a regular cell, then you will be transferred and can start working off whatever your husband still has on his sentence by going back to your job as a servant."
Avalin's eyes widened at the thought of solitary confinement. Even just the words brought her back to the five years she had been nothing more than ashes, eternally alone. And Thor wanted her to spend more time in a situation like that, in punishment for wanting to be back with Loki. She absolutely hated Thor now, though that feeling was hidden by her visible unease and worry as she thought about solitary confinement.
Loki held in his arguments and anger as much as he was able to when Thor mentioned Avalin's punishment. His eyes started to turn a coal black around the green iris, only brightening the color to a emerald. Was his brother so much of a coward to not look him in the eye when speaking about his wife, the one he knew full well he would give his whole life to? The air around him hummed with suffocated power, his hands as well as the chains trembling with effort as he tried to keep himself controlled for his wife's sake.
"Leave her to be a servant. I'll take on whatever allotted time she has in solitary confinement as an add on to my punishment." he offered, finally finding his voice admits his anger and hatred. He was glad hat it was strong, instead of wavering and weak, glad that he sounded like he had some authority.
"She spent five years alone. She doesn't need more time like that ever again. Let her be free at least in the castle as a servant and let me take on that portion of that punishment." He didn't look up at his brother, knowing that what little control he had over his anger would be lost if he looked up at him. He wouldn't risk snapping, not when he had a chance to reduce her sentence.
"Loki, no," Avalin protested, forgetting for a minute that she had guards around her as she went to walk to him, "I won't-," She could see how much control he was putting towards not having an outburst, at how hard he was trying to stay calm for her.
"Quiet, Avalin," Thor shot back as the guards grabbed her and yanked her back to where she standing, their grip on her arms anything but light. He thought for a minute then studied his brother, "Let me tell you now, if you take on that part of the punishment, she will not be able to work off that part of her sentence. If you try to escape that part, she will immediately be put in solitary and will have to endure the full length of what she's supposed to spend in there. If you agree to this brother, you won't be able to reverse it. Choose carefully." He leaned back on the throne, seeming unbothered by how much power was thrumming around his brother.
"No, I won't let him take on my punishment," She fought again, both arguing with Thor and fighting against the guard's grip. It would be torture to spend time in solitary, but she didn't want to let Loki take on her punishment, no matter how much it would save her from things she didn't want to remember. "Please, don't do this," She pleaded, her attention now on her husband and trying to get him to not agree.
(Haaaah this breaking my heart! )
Loki's hand's clenched at his font as Thor snapped at Avalin, as he saw out of the corner of his eyes the guards yanking her back into place. He would kill them himself if he ever found out that they so much as bruised her. He returned his gaze to the dais and nodded slightly "I understand."
He looked back at Avalin when she started to protest again, his anger easing in a soft smile. "My love, I must. You don't deserve any of this. If i can reduce that sentence then I will." He looked back up at Thor, his smile dropping almost immediately. "I agree to the sentence. I only ask one more favor. Let me have five minutes alone with my wife without chains. If you wish, you or a guard can stay to make sure nothing happens." he requested, eyes dulling to an olive green as he spoke, showing that his power was unstable yet still alive. "what have you become Thor? The brother I knew would never have done something like this." he shook his head slightly and looked back down at the ground
Thor nodded, "You can have five minutes with her, alone, but guards will be right outside the entrance and this room is spelled so you can't escape. If you attempt to, Avalin will be put in solitary even with our deal." He waved his hand and all the guards but the ones holding Avalin left, then he answered his brother again, "I'm king, brother. I have to do what's best for Asgard, no matter how much it hurts me to do it." Slowly, he stood, watching as one guard walked to Loki and unlocked the chains before he left the room, trailed by everyone but Avalin and Loki.
"No," Avalin whispered as the brothers sealed the arrangement, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe what was happening. The guards released her arms and she just sat on the floor, rubbing the sore part of her arm that they had been gripping onto. "You shouldn't have taken on my punishment," She choked out, looking over at Loki and trying to imagine what solitary was going to do to him, how long Thor was going to keep him in there.
