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]

"I don't know," she says slowly. "I don't think I do anything worth laughing at."

[alicornucopia]

"You don't," agrees Loki. "You have it much easier than me, you see? I'd much sooner not do anything to laugh at, only I can't."

[pythbox]

"But you're a princess of Asgard," says Thor. "You have to."

[alicornucopia]

"I know, I'm trying," says Loki. "It just doesn't work. And teasing me doesn't help."

[pythbox]

"It isn't meant to," says Thor, still with that puzzled frown.

[alicornucopia]

"Is it meant to do anything?" asks Loki.

[pythbox]

"I don't know," Thor admits, scrunching up her face. "I just do it, I don't think about why."

[alicornucopia]

"Can you stop if you want to?"

[pythbox]

Thor contemplates this question.

[alicornucopia]

Loki waits patiently.

[pythbox]

"I don't know," she says eventually.

[alicornucopia]

"I hope you will try," says Loki earnestly.

[pythbox]

Thor looks uncomfortable and shrugs.

[alicornucopia]

Loki decides to quit while ambiguously ahead, and goes off, looking for Father.

[pythbox]

Her father is working at his loom.

[alicornucopia]

"Father?" says Loki. "May I talk to you?"

[pythbox]

"Of course, child," he says, glancing up at her with a smile. "Come here."

[alicornucopia]

Loki approaches, and sits, and puts her scepter down. "I asked Thor to stop teasing me for falling, but I don't think she understood me, and anyway I don't like to fall. Is there magic that would make it stop?"

[pythbox]

"There is no such magic, my dear," Frigg says affectionately. "I have done what I can for you already."

[alicornucopia]

Loki thinks about this. "Could more magic be invented?"

[pythbox]

Frigg shakes his head.

[alicornucopia]

"Then where did the magic that already is come from?"

[pythbox]

"I don't know, child," he says. "It is far older than I."

[alicornucopia]

"If I learned it perhaps I could find how it is made and how to make myself stop falling."

[pythbox]

"The magic I work is men's magic, and not suitable for a young warrior," says Frigg, kissing the top of Loki's head. "And you are young and do not know it, and I am old and know it very well."