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]

"When you break the law, the penalties are named and understood. When you break custom, they are more subtle."

[alicornucopia]

"What happens if people break this custom, then?"

[pythbox]

"Shame and dishonour," says Frigg. "And many enemies."

[alicornucopia]

"What actually happens, though - with the shame and dishonor?"

[pythbox]

Frigg hesitates, then shakes his head.

"I don't know, child. A princess of Asgard has never done such a thing before."

[alicornucopia]

"Oh," says Loki, and she sighs. "I don't really want to be a boy, but I want to be allowed to learn whatever I want."

[pythbox]

"You cannot be a boy," says Frigg. "And if you were determined to learn sorcery, I am sure I could not stop you. But I am also sure there would be consequences, and perhaps grave ones."

[alicornucopia]

"I don't like that," Loki says. "I want to fix it."

[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."