the cuckoo's child, by invitation

[purposeful_glory]

It is obvious from the time Loki learns to walk that she is not going to be very good at it. Normal toddlers fall, and often; she does it more, and longer. She has been practicing at walking for years before she can cross a floor smoothly nine times of ten, even if she does not sprawl completely every time she missteps.

She winces when she trips, not so much out of embarrassment or because she's hurt herself, but because the reactions are never good.

Falling is not a princessly thing to do.

Comments

[pythbox]

"One day," says Frigg, "you could be a queen, and perhaps you will be able to do something about it then."

[alicornucopia]

This appears to have been the exact right thing to make Loki's day; she grins from ear to ear.

[pythbox]

Frigg smiles indulgently at her.

[alicornucopia]

"But, I don't know how to impress Mother," she adds, suddenly sobered. "She doesn't like me."

[pythbox]

"Your mother hopes you will grow up to do great things," says Frigg. "Great and honourable, as a princess should."

[alicornucopia]

"I want do do great things," Loki says.

[pythbox]

"Then perhaps you will."

[alicornucopia]

"Maybe you'll figure out how to unclumsy me," says Loki hopefully.

[pythbox]

"I hope that I do."

[alicornucopia]

Loki sighs, and looks thoughtfully into the middle distance, then hops up and tap-tap-taps along.

The palace is big. She's lived in it long enough for her explorations to take her through almost all accessible parts of it, but sometimes years go by before she revisits a particular corridor. She chooses such an uncommon destination, unpopular because its doors are mostly locked. She taps them with her scepter, as she goes.

One of the doors has been left open.

She looks around. Heimdall sees all, but by default she isn't a tattletale.

She slips in.

[pythbox]

The room is almost empty, save for a single pedestal on which rests a glittering blue cube.

[alicornucopia]

Oh.

Oh it's pretty.

She wants it.

She's pretty sure she can't have it, but maybe she can pick it up -

Loki reaches out with both hands.

[pythbox]

The cube declines to be moved.

The glow expands - brightens - fills her mind and body completely, like water overflowing a bowl. It's not entirely pleasant, but it is entirely wonderful.

And when it fades, it leaves new knowledge behind.

[alicornucopia]

Loki finds herself sitting on the floor, scepter beside her where she put it when she reached - and she - knows things.

Itty bitty things, and how to build them up into bigger things -

That is amazing.

She pauses to catch her breath, but she is considering trying it again.

[pythbox]

The door to the room slams open.

Odin, Queen of Asgard, strides in and picks Loki up by the back of her tunic and carries her out of the room.

[alicornucopia]

"Ack - Mother - the - the door was unlocked -"

[pythbox]

"It should not have been," Odin growls, setting her down in the hall with a little shake and yanking the door shut behind them. "You could have died, girl. I have seen those who touch the Tesseract with their bare hands burn up from the inside. The artifacts of my treasure rooms are not a child's toys. Do not enter this hall again."

[alicornucopia]

"It didn't hurt me," Loki says. "I'm - I'm fine - it told me - I mean -"

[pythbox]

"Of one thing I am certain," says her mother. "You are not fine. Go to your father and see what his magic will make of you. Speak to no one else of what you have done."

[alicornucopia]

"Yes, Mother -" Loki touches the wall for balance. "My scepter...?"

[pythbox]

She points to the end of the hall and growls, "Go."

[alicornucopia]

"Yes, Mother," Loki murmurs meekly, and she goes as best as she can without its support, hand on the wall.

[pythbox]

Her father, of course, is at his loom.

[alicornucopia]

"F-father," stammers Loki, "Mother said - I should go to you and - 'see what your magic would make of me' - I don't understand - there was an open door, in the hall I was going down, and a pretty thing - and I'm not supposed to tell anyone else about it -"

[pythbox]

"Come here, child," he says, turning away from the loom and holding out his arms. "Start from the beginning."