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]

"We can," says Frigg. "I have done it. You can touch my cloak of feathers if you like, but you cannot use it, because it is not yours. And you cannot make your own, because you are not a sorcerer."

[alicornucopia]

"I want to fly," says Loki. "Sometimes I have dreams about flying and I'm not clumsy at all."

[pythbox]

"We all have dreams," her father sighs.

[alicornucopia]

"What do you have dreams about?"

[pythbox]

"Complicated adult things."

[alicornucopia]

"Not flying?"

[pythbox]

"Not anymore."

[alicornucopia]

"I guess now you can really do it, so you don't have to have dreams about it," muses Loki. "Is it wonderful? Flying?"

[pythbox]

"I have not flown in a long time."

[alicornucopia]

"Why not? You don't have to be womanly, so you could."

[pythbox]

"I have my duties to attend to."

[alicornucopia]

Loki sighs sadly.

"How come it's unwomanly to do magic-that-doesn't-want-eyes anyway?"

[pythbox]

"Because that is how it is," says Frigg.

[alicornucopia]

"But why is that how it is instead of it being some other way?"

[pythbox]

"Because that is how it was when things began, and next you will ask me why it was that way, and I will tell you that I was not there and do not know."

[alicornucopia]

"Why doesn't anyone change it, then?"

[pythbox]

"And how, little one, do you imagine such a thing would be done?"

[alicornucopia]

"If everyone agreed that it was okay for anybody to spear their enemies or magic themselves into birds, would that be it or would other things have to happen?" asks Lokibell, tapping her chin.

[pythbox]

"I cannot imagine everyone agreeing to that," says Frigg.

[alicornucopia]

"Why not?"

[pythbox]

"Because they do not believe it, and they do not want to believe it, and so they won't."

[alicornucopia]

"Why don't they want to? They could do more things, then."

[pythbox]

"But they do not want to do those things," says Frigg. "Most women do not want to be sorcerers. They want to be warriors."

[alicornucopia]

"I don't think they should have to do them, but do people like not being allowed?"

[pythbox]

"There are many things people are not allowed to do, that they accept because it is better to live that way than not," says Frigg. "We are not allowed to steal, or murder, or disobey our queen; it is dishonorable to lie, to cheat, to betray friends and allies. And it is against the nature of women to do magic, and against the nature of men to take arms except in great need."