In the Shadow of Giants (Astira & Redneckviking)
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Astira on 26-01-2014, 09:47:56</h2>
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				Title: <strong>In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>26-01-2014, 09:47:56</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div>Sigyn Willowwind struggled down the golden hallway of the palace of Asgard, her arms laden with bundles of dried herbs, jars of medicinal paste, and a few books thrown in for good measure, as was per usual for her. She was late <em>again</em>. Loki and Thor were waiting for her in the Hall of the Healers; they had just come back from battle and had an attendant call for her specifically. This meant one of three things: Thor was injured, Loki needed to use her personal research space and her personal stores, or all three. She picked up her pace, not wishing to keep Loki waiting. And Thor too, of course. <br><br>She turned the corners left and right, going through the halls that she knew like the back of her hand. She’d practically grown up in them, much to her parents’ chagrin. Her father was a butcher and her mother a serving wench in Oldtown. When she’d expressed an interest in the healing arts, they’d all but laughed at her, telling her it was completely above her natural station in life - she was meant to take up a position with her mother at the local tavern. She couldn’t stand up to them, so she’d divided her time the best she could - during the daylight hours, she was learning how to best serve the higher nobles of the Aesir community and during the evening, she was in the Hall of the Healers, learning everything she could. <br><br>One more corner and she was at the door, which she backed through so as not to drop the items that filled her arms. Her eyes immediately darted to her secluded station and sure enough, she saw Thor sitting on a stool, his left hand clutched over his right arm. He was surrounded by Lady Sif and the Warriors Three. She was disappointed that Loki was no where to be found, but shrugged it off and put on her usual cheerful smile as she approached them. She set her items down as best she could - still clumsily and messily, but she managed not to drop anything. Thor looked up at her with a beaming smile.<br><br>“Ah! Sigyn! I am honored to see you again,” His broad smile showed two rows of blindingly white teeth, but it was so happy that she couldn’t help but return his enthusiasm. “Though it has only been two days, I confess.” He chuckled at himself.<br><br>“And you, Prince Thor-“<br><br>“Sigyn…” the tone was one of playful warning as Thor raised an eyebrow dryly at her.<br><br>Sigyn blushed. “Ah, sorry. Force of habit. Thor, then.” she said chuckling a little. “So, what happened this time?” The young woman was all business as she forced her way between Thor’s companions to get a closer look at the wound. Without any pretense or hint of disgust, she removed Thor’s massive hand and took a look at the gaping slash on his right upper arm. Fandral, Hogun, and Lady Sif all made retching noises and looks of disgust. It was bloody, to be sure, and she could see tendons - but most disturbing was the green pus that oozed from the wound. <br><br>“He got himself slashed by a Frindzher Blade,” Lady Sif responded, pinching her nose at the acrid smell. “Honestly Sigyn, how you manage to do this kind of, uhm…practice without so much as a flinch is quite beyond me.”<br><br>Hogun - who pretended to take interest in the items Sigyn had set on the table in order to move away from the pair of them - scoffed at the comment. “She is well-accustomed to all kinds of injuries, most of which are Thor’s I should think. ’Tis no surprise she is unaffected-“<br><br>“I did not ‘get myself slashed’,” Thor interrupted incredulously. “The blade was well hidden - how was I to know the beast carried one?”<br><br>“When I yelled to you ‘Thor, look out for his Frindzher Blade,” Fandral said matter-of-factly as he crossed his arms. A young woman swept past him and his attentions were immediately diverted. <br><br>Thor had the decency to look mildly sheepish. “Ah, yes, well…he was quick…” Sigyn chuckled as she began pulling out bandages and called for hot water, needle and thread and black-lily paste.<br><br>“Do not fret, I’ll have this cleaned and bandaged for you within the hour. However you’ll have to return every six hours for the next four days to redress it, else the pus shall congeal and ooze before it poisons your body first, then spreads to your heart vessels and eventually kill you,” She looked up from dipping a cloth in the hot water to see everyone’s stunned faces. “Oh, uh…sorry,” She added with a flush, cursing her blunt nature. She had not the decorum most people had when confronted with delicate situations. In fact, she was a bit awkward and crass but luckily, most people knew that about her.<br><br>Thor burst out laughing, his voice booming around the halls like a drum. “Ah Sigyn, how I enjoy that tongue of yours.” Sigyn frowned but she said nothing, focusing on her task at hand. “Go! Be gone the four of you. Clean up and rest - I shall meet you for evening meal.” Thor commanded of his companions. All of which were too eager to go. Thor chuckled.<br><br>“Be still, you big oaf, lest I stab you further with this needle,” Sigyn admonished, raising a disapproving eyebrow at him.<br><br>“Ah, my apologies.” Thor said, watching the small woman concentrate on his arm. “Have you seen my brother? He is here, somewhere, I thought.” <br><br>Sigyn’s blush deepened a great deal and she knew he saw it, despite trying to curtain her hair around her face to obscure it. “Ah, no. I’ve not been here very long.”<br><br>Thor’s face softened at seeing her blush, a small knowing smile on his lips. “Of course. Naturally you wouldn’t have seen him. I was not thinking.”<br><br>“Ah, drat. I forgot to ask for Plimpher’s Stool,” Thor’s eyebrow raised considerably at the mention of ‘stool’. “Stay right here and don’t move. I need to grab some from my private stores. I’ll return in a moment.” She stated, spinning on her heal and heading for her personal station in the far corner of the hall, her white healer’s robes flowing behind her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>27-01-2014, 07:58:58</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Another day and another battle the warriors of Asgard return from, emerging the victors against some rebellious Frindzhers who have managed to accomplish feats few could possibly imagine; they managed to severely wound the God of Thunder, Thor, in such a manner he could perish if not properly treated. The great brute that he is blindly engaged the enemy without anticipating a concealed weapon, and for his mistake he has paid the price with a very deep gash cut through his muscle tissue and impregnated with a venom Loki himself had never examined. The Bifrost, a chamber in which the privileged citizens of Asgard may travel between realms, surges with a blinding flash of multicolored light that fades to reveal the two brothers, Loki and Thor, being accompanied by Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, all of whom appear weary from prolonged battle, disheveled, and exhausted beyond comprehension. The guardian, Heimdall, says nothing to the group as he has witnessed the entire battle from across the realms with his gifted eyes, allowing the others to pass quickly to tend to their sustained wounds. Slung against his brother's left shoulder, Thor is hauled across the Rainbow Bridge and to the palace where they would deposit the wounded warrior in the Hall of the Healers.<br><br>"Your tenacity for charging headlong into battle never ceases to embarrass me, Brother," Loki comments with utter disdain dripping from every syllable. An expression of exasperation mingled with disgust washes over his dirty, blood-speckled face. His chest heaves with every breath from having to tote his heavy, muscle-headed brother over such a long distance after having expended so much energy from casting his spells and weaving magic during battle. The Warriors Three look to Loki when he spoke in such an accusatory tone, but do not react as they know their place in Asgardian hierarchy is far below those of Thor and Loki.<br><br>"It worked so cease your belligerent prattle, Brother..." Thor growls in return, taking a sharp breath as his royal blood flows from the open wounds in his arm. Loki rolls his emerald eyes and strolls out of the Hall of the Healers, leaving his brother and the others to be tended to by Sigyn Willowwind, one of Asgard's most prolific and talented healers especially when one considers her parentage and upbringing. Nevertheless, even Loki admits acknowledgement of her skills as an alchemist that could very easily rival his own which is why he spends so much time in her company. The two have long since held each other in professional esteem where mutual respect keeps them from attempting to sabotage the other's experiments. Every step he takes clicks off the golden palace walls when his heavy leather boots meet the marble floors and the remnants of his forest green cloak, now ripped in several places, billows behind him.<br><br>"One of these days that blundering brute will learn from his mistakes and actually use his head for something other than headbutting a foe. To think..Father wishes to make <em>him</em> King of Asgard..." Loki complains to himself as he enters the Alchemist Quarters where he and Sigyn normally keep their stores of ingredients and magical components. The God of Mischief looks through the shelves of jars full of floating organs, pickled herbs, congealed animal parts, and flasks of potions that have already been completed. Other shelves hold boxes of fresh organics such as animal skins, fungi, and other medicinal plants.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>28-01-2014, 07:39:03</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div>Sigyn opened the door to her personal stores before stepping inside and shutting it closed behind her, her thoughts a maelstrom within her skull. She didn’t notice Loki right away as she moved directly to where she knew the Plimpher Stool was located. <br><br><em>Let’s see, black lotus paste, plimpher’s stool, then follow up with crushed lyksha root mixed with water. That will take care of the poison. Better add some willow bark for the pain. Thor’s a big man, but a Frindzher Blade can bring even the strongest men to their knees.</em> she thought to herself.<br><br>She took the jar from the shelf and pulled herself from her thoughts to the present and looked up. She yelped, dropping the jar and wincing as it shattered on the ground. “Prince Loki! Oh, I….I didn’t see you there. I’m so sorry, I just needed to… to leave…no, I mean get something….for Thor,” She blundered, completely flustered. She was so embarrassed as she kneeled down to clean up her mess. “Was there something you need?” She asked, avoiding looking at him as she cleaned up the shattered glass, hands shaking a little.“If I can be of any help, pl-ah!” she yelped in shock and pain, a shard of glass embedding itself in her palm in her haste to clean up. Blood flowed from the pierced flesh and flowed down her palm and wrist. She stared at it, momentarily stupefied as if she&nbsp; had never been hurt before.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>29-01-2014, 08:17:35</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> "Blundering oaf! Didn't he hear Lady Sif <em>warn</em> him about the Frindzher Blade concealed behind that sentinel's shield?" the God of Mischief mutters to himself, still obviously quite annoyed and needled at the near failure of their mission to quell the rebellion in Álfheim, the realm where the fabled Elves dwell. Naturally such brilliant-minded creatures would have several stealthy tactics such as using poisoned blades to attack their foes, ensuring pain and suffering even after their own defeat. Loki cannot help but admire their underhanded tricks as they are strategies he himself would utilize as he is not as physically strong or imposing as his brother, Thor the God of Thunder and his relic <em>Mjolnir</em>. Instead Loki must rely on his illusions, various magics, and other subterfuge to swindle his enemies into harming themselves or putting themselves in a position where they are much more vulnerable to be exploited by the demigod's devices.<br><br>He continues to mutter under his breath for several minutes, taking select amounts of many different ingredients from Sigyn's private stores of alchemy components and placing them into a small alchemist's satchel he always carries at his left hip. Inside this satchel he has acquired several balisse leaves, a handful of nekkar teeth, some white myrtle flower pedals, dried bryonia, a flask of endrega venom, some essence of cortinarius, and a jar of bullvore brain that has already been quartered. All of these ingredients Loki would use in another of his nefarious experiments. Just as he turns to leave he is started by the sudden appearance of his understudy, Sigyn Willowwind.<br><br>"Oh. Good day," he replies with an air of indifference when the young lass addresses him by his title and drops a jar of plimpher's stool. Luckily enough the fungus is quite common and could be easily replenished the next time they left to gather ingredients. "No, I have all that I need. You are going to treat that blithering idiot I must claim as 'brother' I trust? You don't mind if I accompany you, do you?"<br><br>His emerald eyes fall to the floor to see the source of the woman's sudden yelp, only to see a ribbon of crimson fluid dripping from her palm. The cut looks severe and undiluted plimpher's stool spores could cause the wound to fester and seep until all her blood had drained. With nimble, highly skilled hands he draws a length of dressing from his field kit and takes a jar of ostmurk salve from the shelf. He first plucks the glass shard from her palm and wipes the wound with a piece of dressing before smearing the salve across the wound, ending the treatment by wrapping fresh dressings around her hand and tucking the end inside the wrap.<br><br>"Let's go back and tend to my brother..." he says, taking Sigyn by the hand and helping her stand up. He would follow her back to the others whenever she has procured the necessary items to treat the wounded warrior.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>30-01-2014, 06:04:30</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div>He was quick and efficient in binding her wound; it was nothing more than a quick clean and a bandage after all. But she wished he hadn’t been quick, hadn’t been efficient. She wished he had taken his time so she could feel his hands touch her skin for much longer than they were actually there. His long fingers so deft in their work; so precise. She tried not to flush red, tried to keep her breathing calm, tried not to shake…but a slight tremor gave her away. She pretended it was from the wound and he lightened his touch.<br><br>All too soon, he was helping her up and bidding her accompany him back to his brother. She open and closed her mouth like a fish, feeling like she should say something, but didn’t know what. Instead, her blush deepened and she nervously bowed her head as she went back to the stores and took the back-up jar of plimpher’s stool, along with the lyksha root and some willow bark, a blanket remedy for almost all pains. Once she had everything, she hurried out of her private stores, arms full and with Loki presumably following close behind.<br><br>Why, oh why did she always have to make a fool of herself somehow when in front of him? She was such a klutz - it was infuriating. It was like a curse! Couldn’t fate smile upon her once and allow her to keep her head in his presence just once?<br><br>They came to a halt where she’d left Thor, who was looking fairly pale at the moment and Sigyn squeaked with dismay. “I told you to keep pressure on it, Thor! You silly brute, here, let me.” she scolded lightly, back in her element now that she was able to tend to a patient. She still felt Loki behind her, but his presence was less noticeable now that she was distracted. “Hm, it would be so much easier if I had an antidote for this-“ Then she cut herself off and Thor looked at her oddly.<br><br>“Are you quite well, Sigyn? Finally met your match in disgusting wounds?” He teased.<br><br>But Sigyn didn’t pay attention, her eyes were wide and she had frozen mid-stitch. “Thor, do you still have the dagger? No-wait, why would you have the dagger. Who grabs a dagger after they’d been slashed with it?”<br><br>Thor gave her a peculiar look, then shook his head at her antics. Sigyn was too absorbed in her loss to notice as she began stitching again. “Damn - if you’d had the dagger, perhaps I could have contracted an antidote from it. Then we wouldn’t have to go through this tedious, bothersome healing process every time. You’d think the idiots would learn,” she mumbled to herself, not realizing she’d just insulted Thor.<br><br>Thor looked completely affronted but at that moment, a particular stitch made him wince and whatever he’d been about to say was lost.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>01-02-2014, 01:33:15</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Moments after leaving the alchemy quarters, Loki and Sigyn return to where Thor sat on his stool. Apparently Lady Sif and the Warriors Three had already taken their leave, much to Loki’s pleasure as he never really cared for their company, especially the hours after a victorious mission. Their blabbering and mindless boasting of their combat prowess grow wearisome, especially since many of their stories omit the finer details such as their novice mistakes and mishaps. The Illusionist looks to his brother and snorts in momentary amusement upon seeing how pale Thor’s skin had become. It seems as though the thick-skulled idiot failed to apply enough pressure to the wound, which is ironic when one considers Thor’s immense physical strength.<br><br>“Sigyn, allow me to assist,” Loki’s suave voice calls from the doorway. He approaches his brother, who is becoming more paled with every minute’s passing. For a moment Loki considers leaving the fool’s wound to fester with the faint hope of teaching him a lesson, but centuries have taught him that Thor’s foolhardiness is as absolute as the sun turning to night. He draws his dagger from his belt and presses the flat of the blade firmly against the putrid wound causing some of Thor’s blood and a thick, viscous fluid to ooze onto the blade that is quickly deposited into a flask, causing his brother to growl in pain. The cork is quickly plugged into the flask and just as quickly whisked away into his leather satchel.<br><br>“We can begin working on an antidote tomorrow,” Loki comments to Sigyn as he steps away and allows the woman to continue her work. Loki’s emerald eyes, usually locked in some calculating expression of anticipation or false compassion, now look quite neutral as he watches the Healer sew stitches into Thor’s flesh. Once or twice he thought he saw her wounded hand shake, most likely from the pain. As soon as she is finished bandaging Thor, the God of Thunder rises to his feet.<br><br>“Thank you Sigyn. Again I am in your debt,” he says, clasping his meaty hands on the woman’s shoulders before leaving the room to go attend the Feast, leaving Sigyn alone with Loki who approaches the woman and takes her wounded hand into his.<br><br>“Hold still,” the Asgardian sorcerer mutters. Though she twitches and trembles at his touch, the demigod remains starkly nonplussed by the reaction and just assumes it is from the glass shards having gashed open the woman’s pearly skin. Once the dressings have been bound and secured in place, Loki keeps a firm hold with both hands as he focuses just a tiny bit of magic through the wound, causing the air trapped within his grasp to rapidly cool and chill. This would help coagulate the blood and staunch the pain throbbing in the woman’s flaring nerves so she would have better use of her appendage. Naturally it would not be healed, just numbed where it would not pain her quite so much during the healing process.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>02-02-2014, 08:25:36</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br>She was delighted when Loki thought to take samples from Thor's wound - she didn't know why she hadn't thought of that herself, but was glad nonetheless. Once he was finished, he stepped back with a small smirk on his face - he enjoyed tormenting his brother, she knew, and nearly thought to scold him but the words died in her mouth when he turned his emerald gaze on her, signaling that she might continue her work. She did so without comment, smartly finishing the stitching - her hand occasionally trembling from the cut - before sending Thor off.<br><br>She was about to begin cleaning up her items when a pale, slender hand took hold of her wrist in a firm, but gentle grip. She jerked her head up, hand twitching a little, to see Loki standing before her with a command to stay still. She wouldn't have been able to move if her life depended on it in that moment. With him this close she was able to catch his scent - he smelled fresh and cool...like eucalyptus and mint - underneath that, she thought she detected something both spicy and smoky - was that his magic? His own unique fragrance? She could get used to that smell.<br><br>More than once she felt her hand tremble, though it wasn't from pain or his ministrations, it was the touch of his skin on hers. It was electric to her. And he stood so close to her; she could feel the heat of his body and it made her skin rise with goosebumps. She glanced at him. He was over six feet tall and she herself was barely five and a half feet - he was an imposing figure and she felt dwarfed by him. He cleared his throat and she looked away as he finished up. Thinking he was done, she went to pull away, but he didn't release. Instead a faint tingling sensation centered on her wound and she felt it soothe the irritation - she knew it was his magic. She couldn’t help the thrill of joy and honor that flowed through her that he’d use his magic on her - she didn’t often get to see him use magic, let alone use it on her. She loved it.<br><br>All too soon, he finished and released her hand. She brought it to her chest, cradling it and murmured “Th-thank you." with a faint smile and a pink blush. She turned hastily so he wouldn't see and began cleaning up her station. “I, um…guess the battle went well? Save for that little accident?” She ventured, biting her lip with nerves as she began to place the items back in their rightful places. “I wish I could have seen you use your magic - I love watching you.” She blurted, then nearly tripped when she realized how it sounded. “Oh! No, I mean…that is I only meant I think your fascinating. No! Oh dear….that isn’t it either…what I’m trying to say is your magic…I think it’s amazing, and….ohhhh,” She actually placed her head in her hands and shook it, utterly embarrassed. Her back was too him and she was glad for it - he wouldn’t be able to see the beet-red color she’d just turned. Once she got her blush under control, however, she sighed. “Shall I take the sample from you, Prince Loki? I can start on an antidote first thing tomorrow.” She turned around and chanced a small smile at him, before lowering her gaze to the ground, too shy to meet his eyes and too worried that she might make an idiot of herself (again) if she did.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 07:50:08</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> “The ‘battle’ was little more than a political dispute. Personally I do not see why Father dispatched five of Asgard’s finest warriors for such a minor rebellion. The Elves would have been routed even if the Warriors Three were sent with a small contingent of soldiers,” Loki mutters, plainly making his disdain for having been involved in the skirmish evident. Though his clothing had become damaged it was mostly due to him having to use magic against an Elvish sorcerer. “But yes save for Thor’s impropriety this morning’s events went quite well. Even with Brother’s gaffe…”<br><br>The demigod’s emerald eyes flick up at Sigyn’s floundering speech about how she enjoys watching him perform his magic. For a moment he almost smirks in amusement when the platinum blonde woman falters like a teenager about to get kissed by her first crush. Then again she has a horrid habit of falling to pieces when in his presence when he has witnessed for himself her deft skill and extensive medical and alchemical knowledge. Is the woman harboring some secret affection for the sorcerer? What yearning dwells within her heart? Are her feelings genuinely born from her soul, or is she mistaking a quelled lust for infatuation? So many questions run through Loki’s mind, but one thing remains clear. He could use the situation to his advantage.<br><br>For too long has he been denied access to the alchemist quarters to conduct his experiments and research at his leisure. Too long has he been denied adequate supplies of alchemical components. Too long has he been denied knowledgeable assistance to complete the most complex of experiments he has failed so many times. All of these deficiencies could be remedied with this single woman standing before him, making a further mess of her work station as she talks. Sigyn’s feelings, though genuine to her, would most likely not be truly reciprocated by the demigod but she needn’t know that. Over the centuries Loki has mastered the arts of deception, misinformation, stealth and guile to further his own agenda. His silver-tongue, having brought unnecessary trouble upon himself, has always had an effect of women that generally produces positive results.<br><br>“No. I shall keep the sample, but if you would like to join me you may do so. I would be grateful for the company,” he says in very soft, suave dulcet tones as he walks up behind Sigyn, reaching out to help her finish packing her supplies and putting surgical instruments away. “If you are not busy this evening, would you like to accompany me to the Feast? I would much prefer the company of a kindred soul over that of my bungling brother and his lot.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>03-02-2014, 08:35:41</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br><em>“No. I shall keep the sample, but if you would like to join me you may do so, I would be grateful for the company.”</em> <br><br>Sigyn paused in her fiddling, not sure she heard him correctly. He would be grateful for the company? <em>Her</em> company? He’d never said <em>anything</em> like <em>that</em> to her before. Usually he simply spoke to her when necessary and that was all. <br><br>She nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw him reach over her shoulder to place a few of her cutting instruments in their correct place. She’d put them with the cotton balls. She flushed, although it was more from the heat she could feel from his body directly behind her. “Uh…well, I’ll be here as u-usual, so if I can be of assistance, I’ll be happy to help,” she said, deflecting the part about company. He couldn’t possibly have meant actual <em>company</em>.<br><br><em>“If you are not busy this evening, would you like to accompany me to the Feast? I would much prefer the company of a kindred soul over that of my bungling brother and his lot.”</em><br><br>If Sigyn had been seated, she might’ve fallen out of her chair. As it was, three things happened at once - the first was her eyes widened considerably; the second was her hand, which had been reaching on the top shelf, slipped and knocked over a container of splicers, showering her with the small, tube-shaped sticks; and third, she moved backwards to avoid being hit but managed to step on one of the splicers and lost her footing. With a yelp, she started to fall, expecting a painful impact with the floor.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>04-02-2014, 08:24:17</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Once again Loki bears witness to Sigyn’s accident-prone nervousness whenever they are in any close proximity to one another, or even when he speaks to her directly for that matter. Like before he finds the habit to be trifling amusing as a shadow of a smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth. Would the woman ever learn to harness her emotions and take control? His train of thought is cut short whenever Sigyn bumps a jar of wooden splicers that cascade from an elevated shelf. Rather than break the glass container, the Healer had tried to evade the avalanche of instruments but overestimated her footing, resulting in her snagging her ankles against each other and falling.<br><br>Instinctively the demigod braces his own footing with his right foot anchoring back and at a slight angle, allowing the man’s knees to bend slightly and absorb the shock when Sigyn falls against his chest. He folds his arms around the woman and catches her against him thus preventing her from colliding with the cold, unforgiving marble floor that would surely have disfigured her attractive features. He holds her against him for a moment or two longer than what he otherwise normally would have, but something stopped him from immediately repulsing the woman; Loki hadn’t quite appreciated how well the woman takes care of herself. Her slender figure feels soft even through the padding of his armoring and robes, having such an inviting feel to his touch. She has an intoxicating aroma he cannot quite determine. His well-trained nose quickly discerns the herbs and medicines that are part of her trade, but something else about her scent eludes him. The only thing he could confirm is she has a very clean and pure scent, reminiscent of the clear air on Winter’s coldest morning airs.<br><br>“I’ll take that as a yes?” his honeyed words whisper intentionally teasing Sigyn. He knows what had happened was an accident but he cannot help but to make it appear as though she had flung herself at him. The opportunity was simply too rich to turn away.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>05-02-2014, 05:48:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br>For one, heart-stopping moment, Sigyn had thought she died and went to Valhalla, for surely she could not be in the arms of the object of her affections. She was still as a statue in his arms, tense with shock and disbelief. She didn’t look up at him at first, hoping to whatever God would hear her plea that she would wake up from this horrible, cruel nightmare. A minute passed and nothing happened. Slowly, she raised her head to meet his green eyes with her stormy blue ones. If possible, the blush on her cheeks intensified. <br><br>She scrambled back and out of his arms, dusting herself off of invisible dust and straightening out her unruly hair in distraction. “Odin’s beard, I’m so sorry Prince Loki! I didn’t look where I was stepping. I’m such a klutz! I can’t believe I-” She cut herself off just now realizing what he’d said. Her mouth formed an ‘O’ and she opened, then closed it. Not finding words, she nodded, then stooped down to begin gathering the splicers. “It…it would be an honor, my Prince,” She squeaked out, paying careful attention to her task and resolutely keeping her eyes from his. When she finished, she stood up and placed the splicers in the sterilizer for cleaning. She chanced a look at Loki to see he was watching her. She cleared her throat and went to where her satchel lay. She needed to leave the hall if she were to be ready on time.<br><br>“I, um…I should depart, my Lord. I’ll…I’ll need to clean up a bit before last meal,” She placed her satchel of notes and samples over her shoulder and finally turned fully to him. She seemed to look everywhere but at him. “I…I will see you soon then,” she said awkwardly before curtseying and rushing from the room.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>06-02-2014, 06:15:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> The sight of seeing the woman blush so deeply brings an uncharacteristically genuine smile across Loki’s lips with an accompanying chuckle. The vibrant contrast between her pearly white skin, platinum blonde hair, and deep crimson flush around her cheeks is mildly entertaining to the demigod trickster, leaving him to shake his head slightly. Though if he had to confess he would have to admit the woman has a very soft feel about her almost as if her beauty were directly proportionate to some vulnerability she had yet to discover. In the brief moments when she had literally fallen into his arms and he held her against his chest, Loki could feel the suppleness of her modest breasts and the almost tangible relaxation of her body almost as if she would willingly submit to his every whim and desire.<br><br>“No need to apologize. I’ll see you at the Great Hall within the hour. Farewell,” Loki responds with an almost too charming articulation before giving Sigyn a formal bow when she excuses herself to prepare for their outing. The demigod too vacates the Hall of Healers in a rather extravagant, overly flashing fashion just as Sigyn looks back at him. She would see his silhouette appear to glow with an ethereal, ghostly blue flame that slowly disintegrates his body into a cloud as if he were made of sand and every grain was being swept away by a ravenous gale. In reality this is a mere illusion, a way of making himself invisible so he may traverse wide expanses of territory unimpeded and uninterrupted by external forces. He uses this talent to walk behind Sigyn, indulging his masculine urges to see the woman in a more private setting without fear of detection.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>06-02-2014, 08:01:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br>As soon as she was out of his sight, Sigyn felt herself able to breathe again. She scolded herself for the embarrassing way in which she always seemed to hold herself in his presence. She dearly wished she could act normal around him - then maybe she could actually hold a conversation with the man.<br><br>“Damnit. Why can’t I just…not like him!” She mumbled out loud as she wound her ways through the palace towards the staffing quarters. The halls were dimly lit with torches, casting a golden glow wherever the light hit. It really was a beautiful palace; pity she couldn’t take it in at the moment, as she usually did. Her pace suddenly slowed, something odd about the air striking her senses. It seemed…heavier somehow. As if someone shared her presence. She turned around, but saw nothing. As a healer, her senses were naturally heightened, though Sigyn had found out early on hers were a bit more piqued. She saw no one, however, and frowned. Very strange indeed.<br><br>A few minutes later, she came to the door that led to her spacious but sparse room. She unlocked it and stepped inside. She dropped her satchel carefully on the table first before closing the door. There! Again, she felt that heaviness and she paused as she turned around to glance in her room. There was nothing. The torches had been lit along with a small fire, but besides that, everything was normal. <br><br>Sigyn shook her head and chalked it up to her highly sensitive, on-edge nerves. Now in the privacy of her rooms, she took a deep, calming breath. It had been a long day and she desperately wanted to take a bath before last meal, which she wagered was about two hours from now. Would he pick her up at her room? But no, that was preposterous - he had no idea where she resided, how then could he escort her?<br><br>Sigyn signed as she pulled the pins from her hair and went to sit on her bed. She didn’t understand why he’d asked her to last meal, let alone spoke to her on a level beyond what was professionally called for. Normally, he only interacted with her on the basest of levels, and that was only when he wanted something from her, or required her assistance. It was very out of character for him, she realized.<br><br>With the last pin, her platinum hair fell in long, winding waves around her shoulders - unbound like this, the tresses fell to just above the small of her back. It was stunning and the one feature about herself she absolutely loved. Gently, she combed her fingers through the locks as she pondered Loki’s behavior. She was enormously flattered, but couldn’t help but be a little suspicious. Not that there was anything to indicate he had ulterior motives; maybe it was just her disbelief that the object of her affections paid her any attention at all beyond what was required.<br><br>She stared at the pins in her hands for a moment, her thoughts racing until finally, she decided she could ponder until she was blue in the face - the fact of the matter was, she had to get ready. She had little time. She stood back up and unclipped the pendant at each shoulder, her white gown falling from her shoulders, leaving her in only her smallcloth. She bent over and picked up the dress, then folded it and laid it gently on her bed. She walked over to the other door in the room and entered the bathing chamber. She was very fortunate in that she had her own bathing chamber - highly unusual in the staffing quarters. <br><br>Sigyn entered, pleased to find the room was lit softly by the candles and the tub was already filled with piping hot water. Without much pause, she shimmied out of her smallcloth and stepped in the tub. A soft, languid sigh of relief left her lips. She did so love baths.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>09-02-2014, 20:24:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> “So she does harbor deeper affections for me,” Loki thinks to himself as he silently stalks behind Sigyn. Though the confirmation is nice to have it really wasn’t necessary as her body language told him just about everything he needed to know. If the way she constantly falters or drops random objects in his presence is a solid indicator then the woman’s habit of always fidgeting and adverting her eyes from him were the nails in the coffin so to speak. Still, the demigod isn’t surprised or fazed in the slightest when he hears the woman speak aloud her feelings for him. All this does is provide more tools for him to use in his ploy to seduce and manipulate her for his own needs. The trickster’s emerald eyes too glance over the palace’s elaborate architecture, but at a cost. For a moment his invisibility slips his mind and his body begins to reappear. At first he looks like the shadow of a shadow, but he quickly regains his concentration and he returns to pure invisibility before Sigyn could see him.<br><br>Loki slips through the door to Sigyn’s quarters just behind her and once again is almost detected. It would appear as though the woman’s senses are more acute than those of other Asgardians. He would have to be more careful and place his footsteps more carefully. Though invisible he is not immune to being heard or bumped into. Illusions could only do so much after all. He very carefully and quietly creeps into the room and places himself on the far side where he would be least likely sensed, making sure to move with deliberation and suffer a series of questions relentlessly attacking his consciousness. Why is he indulging in such voyeurism when he could have any number of women in his bed on a whim? Why is he going through such lengths to seduce this woman when he could just use honeyed words to charm her into giving him anything he wants? Why didn’t he accept her offer to do the work for him, ultimately eliminating any risk he would have to assume? Loki has no immediate answer to these nagging thoughts so just pushes them out of his mind for now. The movement of Sigyn’s cotton gown falling to the floor catches his eye.<br><br>Loki had experienced the sinful pleasures of sexual encounters before, but nothing he’s experienced could have prepared him for the sudden appearance of pearly beauty standing before him. The moment Sigyn removes her gown and undergarments Loki is almost mesmerized as he had not anticipated the woman to have such enticing contours. The way the candles cast feeble glows against Sigyn’s milky skin enhances every curve, giving her a brilliant silhouette as she descends into the hot water. Loki creeps closer for a better view of the woman’s perky, albeit small, breasts floating carelessly in the water. Never before had he imagined her to be so desirable…
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>10-02-2014, 02:57:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br>Upon feeling the heat on her skin, she immediately closed her eyes with relief and relaxation. Her hair she hadn’t bothered to put up and instead allowed it to soak. After a moment, she dipped her head beneath the surface to completely douse herself before rising with a small gasp. Beads of water fell down her face, her flaxen hair turning a darker gold in color.<br><br>She looked around and found her bar of soap on the edge of the tub. Grabbing it, she began to rub it between her palms and created suds. She started on her hair, soaping it up and thoroughly cleaning it before dunking once more. She then moved to her arms, rubbing the bar up and down, and then rubbing it with her hands. The oils seeped into her flesh, making it smooth and tender. It was an amazing feeling of clean. She hadn’t noticed just how dirty she’d felt after the day’s events. <br><br>Next, she lifted her left leg and lathered it with soap before doing the same to her right. It was a luxurious feeling - she had a particular affinity with water, though she couldn’t be sure why. Her face came next. And then she sat up and began washing her breasts, gentle massaging and molding, lifting and heaving the pert orbs. The air was chilled, making her nipples pucker. She rinsed her breasts, and then stood up, lathering her belly and back, her bottom and finally, her sex. More rubbing and massaging; she was very attentive, making sure she got every inch. Her breathing picked up it’s pace a little and she paused. Feeling the touch of her light fingers against her nub made her flush, and it wasn’t due to the heat. <br><br>She paused for a moment. And then the soap dropped from her hand and she moved her fingers over the lips of her sex, her eyes fluttering closed…
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>13-02-2014, 09:11:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki3_zpse731e07d.jpg)</div> A quickening thumping within the demigod’s chest beats madly against his better judgment as hormones wage war with logic. All of the man’s senses are screaming in protest against the sinful sights in which he allowing himself to indulge. Every fiber of his being pines achingly to join Sigyn in the depths of that steaming water where he would take her for his own, however much his better judgment is fighting. Simply put Loki cannot resist the temptations presented so openly. His emerald eyes travel hungrily over every sensual inch of Sigyn’s body from the waves of platinum blonde hair cascading down her back to the peaks of her hardened nipples down to the luscious curvature of her bottom. With a reckless daring Loki stalks closer so his greedy, ravenous eyes may consume their fill of the epitome of lust standing before him. Every muffled step brings him closer to the object of his sudden desire. So much so he is able to see the minuscule rippling goosebumps riddling her blushed rose areolas when Sigyn begins washing her delectable bosom.<br><br>The sudsy water trickling down her body acts as an aphrodisiac to the demigod. A gradual hardening between his lean, toned thighs gives rise to an emerging erection. The man’s swelling cock twitches and throbs randomly as the head expands with a deep maroon capping the fourteen inch love muscle. The more he lays eyes upon Sigyn the more his manhood hardens until the urge to satisfy himself overtakes all sense of caution. One hand descends to his pulsating member, gripping the shaft with such strength a bubble of clear liquid leaks from the tip. Slowly his hand glides up and down the shaft. Every stroke of the foreskins sends a trembling surge of pleasure rippling through his quivering loins as he watches Sigyn cleanse her pearly skin. Baited, rasping breaths escape his lips as he reaches out with his other hand, but stops just before taking Sigyn’s left breast. The desire to experience her flesh almost overwhelmed the necessity for concealment.<br><br>Loki’s masturbation quickens as he directs his gaze to Sigyn’s well-groomed feminine folds. Her moist, reddening lips are separated just enough to expose a cute bump Loki realizes could only be her clitoris. The sight of watching her fondle herself brings the demigod to arch his back a bit backwards, allowing himself to reach full extension with every stroke. If only circumstances were more permitting he would lay the woman upon his bed and fulfill their every sexual desire. For now he would have to be content with the situation at hand though he wouldn’t give to taste this woman, to feel her wrapped around him as they lose themselves in pure, unadulterated carnal bliss.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>14-02-2014, 02:14:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div><br>It wasn’t often that Sigyn indulged in pleasures of the flesh by her own hand; in fact, she was still a virgin. It wasn’t something she’d thought about much, however lately (particularly in the last day) her body was becoming more and more sensitive and, well…<em>needy</em>. When she thought of Loki’s eyes on her - they were like a physical caress on the part of her he gazed at. The way he smelled…fresh and clean with a hint of spice - it took her to the green forests of Asgard, the lush fields with wild flowers blooming under the sun their fragrance wafting around her like a warm blanket. Ohhh, and the way he looked - his sloping nose, his piercing eyes, his prominent cheekbones and thick ebony hair, his large stature and broad yet lithe chest - ooooh it made parts of her ache that she didn’t know <em>could</em> ache. <br><br>Sigyn slid down into the tub and turned over so her rear end was high in the air, her fingers sought to relieve that ache beneath the now-clear water. She rested her head on her elbow on the lip of the tub, her platinum hair spilling down her back in slick strands. Her slender digits touched lightly like a dove’s wing, parting her puffy labia and delving into the heated white folds; she instinctively parted her thighs wide, so wide that it spread her lips and her cheeks revealing both of her entrances. She tentatively plucked her nub and let out a soft whimper.<br><br>“Ohh-ohh-ohhhh,” she was very vocal, apparently, but as she moved her digits a bit faster, Sigyn paid no attention. The water began to slop against the side of the tub, rolling in waves and lightly sloshing over the sides a little. <br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/8b8803378cd78608ae989730d4662d30/tumblr_n0yk43VMKB1skt3aeo9_r1_500.gif)</div>She thought about Loki - imagined him seducing her, leaning in to speak sweet but naughty nothings into her ear, his hot, moist breath tickling her hair and neck. His large body pressing into her much smaller one, pushing her into the wall. His hands rested on either side of her head caging her in, the suggestion that she could not escape, that she was <em>his</em> set her blood on fire. She rubbed faster in circles. Her whimpers and squeaks increasing along with her heavy breathing.<br><br>“L-Loki….oh-ohhhh…m-my prince….” her voice practically made love to his name; the sound was so erotic and unlike her usual sweet, stuttering voice.<br><br>Her imagery in her head took a sudden turn from soft and sensual to dark and dominating as he suddenly flipped her around and shoved her face-first into the wall. His hand gripped the back of her neck firmly to hold her in place while his other hand bunched up her skirts, roughly shoving them above her waist exposing her pert ass to the world. His feet kicked her legs apart and before she’d have time to protest, he’d swipe a finger from the hood of her mound back to the puckered hole of her buttocks. And then she imagined him pushing inside her.<br><br>And she came with a guttural cry in the tub, her body convulsing and shaking as waves of pleasure plowed through her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>15-02-2014, 05:31:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki3_zpse731e07d.jpg)</div> Generally speaking Loki never indulged in such manual stimulation having a belief he is far too noble to have to resort to such labor. Whenever his sexual urges became too much to contain he would seek out a concubine or wench from some random realm to unleash his pent up desires. Now he may not have to do so if this woman..this healer..has such an intense carnal hunger for him. Though after a moment’s thought Loki comes to a revelation; Sigyn’s lustful desires, now evident, would work in his favor when the time comes to finally seduce her and achieve his goals of procuring sufficiently potent poisons capable of killing a God. For now, he will simply enjoy the divine view of both her gaping holes she is providing.<br><br>The grip he is exerting on his pulsating cock cinches ever tighter as he strokes the mighty shaft faster and faster, creating a very faint, near inaudible fapping sound with every fourteen inch stroke. With every pump of his cock a tiny bit of clear fluid leaks out causing him to lubricate himself and enhance the pleasure surging through his loins. The demigod’s emerald eyes transfix on the woman’s delectable, luscious ass bobbing like a cork in the sloshing bath water. A woman’s posterior has always been one of the man’s most desirable attributes. It is just fortunate for Loki that Sigyn has such an entrancing rear end for him to stare at while jerking himself. Though as much as he would love to plumb the depths of her puckered backdoor, those hungry, ravenous eyes fall just an inch or two lower where the real action takes place. Through the clear water he could see the pearl-skinned beauty massage herself vigorously, calling his name in moans of pure ecstasy.<br><br>Loki closes his eyes, imagining himself in another reality where this very scene takes place, but he needs not to remain concealed. A reality where he may reveal himself and join the woman in the water before mounting Sigyn exactly how she is, fantasizing and arousing herself to the mere thought of <em>him</em>. The head of his rabid cock brushes against the swollen lips of her soaking wet pussy just enough to teasingly push through the entrance of her quivering orifice. He would not achieve any penetration beyond the very tip, but just enough to stir ripples of absolute anticipation through both their bodies. His hands grip her slender waist just above her hips before he pushes deeper and deeper, inch by inch into her indescribable pudenda. Oh how does Sigyn’s tight pussy swallow and devour his manhood before it is regurgitated only to be driven in deeper and harder than before. Each thrust and buck of his hips slops more water onto the floor just as well as his ballooned testicles slapping against her pubic mound. Every thrust brings another shockwave of pleasure and ripple across Sigyn’s bubbly ass.<br><br>Suddenly Loki grits his teeth, inadvertently biting his tongue to keep from bellowing a cry of triumph as he reaches climax. At the end of his stroke his fist clenches around the head of his cock, spurting a stream of piping hot, thick and sticky stream of white cum onto Sigyn’s exposed ass cheeks two meters away. He stands there stock still, quivering and trembling from the power of his orgasm and the sheer amount of his seed spilt onto the woman’s bare flesh. Luckily she is mostly submerged in the water and with fortune on his side she would clean herself before noticing the sticky glops shining from her buttocks.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>16-02-2014, 05:32:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> Sigyn's jerks and tremors slowly died down in tandem with her languid, slowing strokes. Her eyes remained closed as she basked in the afterglow of pleasure. Her lips were parted, her breathing deep and relaxed. "Mmmm...as always, my imaginary prince," she whispered to the still air. "You were exquisite.”<br><br>Sigyn turned over gingerly, taking her hand from her sex and resting her back against the tub. The water was now luke-warm, however she didn’t take notice as she float there, regaing her strength from the explosion of pleasure. And now, as was typical after one of her debaucherous moments, she began wallowing in the onslaught of inevitable sadness. Her shoulders slumped and she looked at her fingers clasped in her lap, twiddling her thumbs as she thought.<br><br>“Perhaps one day I'll find someone <em>real</em> instead of having to resort to pathetic and desperate imaginings…” she trailed off, a sigh leaving her lips. “…like pretending you’d notice me, pretending you’d be even remotely attracted to me, pretending you….care…” <br><br>She ran a hand through her tangled, wet hair and released a heavy sigh. But then she realized that he <em>did</em> noticed her. He asked her to last meal! Which reminded her…<br><br>With a yelp, Sigyn stood, slopping water over the edge as she rushed to retreat from the bathroom. She’d lost track of time! Gods above, she would be late! She stepped one foot out of the tub onto the rug, but in her haste, her other foot missed the rug and she slipped on the tile. She squeaked and reached a hand out to break her fall. Unfortunately it was her injured hand, and though she broke her fall, it split open her wound from earlier. She yelped again, both in pain from the split wound as well as the heavy hit her hip and elbow took.&nbsp; A bruise was already forming on both. She laid there awkwardly for a moment, catching her breath and warding off the pain as best she could. When she was sure her own self humiliation was gone, she stood up (far more carefully this time) and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around her then walking into her main chamber. She avoided using her injured hand.<br><br>She sat down at her vanity and took out a spare roll of bandages. Her hand trembled a little, thick blood sluggishly creeping out of the wound. She winced, trying to unravel it and fix herself up. It was hard - for as good of a healer as she was, Sigyn was terrible at self medicating. Growing frustrated, Sigyn hurried along, skipping what she should have done in cleaning it and simply wrapped it. She really needed to get dressed! Prince Loki would be here soon!<br><br>Sloppily knotting the bandage, Sigyn then got up and opened her armoire. She didn’t have many dresses, only five, but she had one nice gown which she’d only worn once. She saved it for special occasions. It was a sheer forest green that fell in flowing waves to the floor - around her waist and neck was scaled golden metal, that accentuated her neck and middle. It was modest but very becoming on her. Particularly with her snow white skin and fair hair. She knew Loki liked green quite a lot (though unbeknownst to her, she didn’t know just <em>how</em> much) and she wished to please him. She hoped he like it.<br><br><div class="floatright">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/1f867efddda9dad8de4ba9b87606121b/tumblr_n12kw0rHPA1trc7k3o5_r1_250.jpg)</div><div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/cde23da683bec4ace2ed5be37ea563e0/tumblr_n12kw0rHPA1trc7k3o7_r1_250.png)</div>Dropping the towel on the bed, she took the dress out and slipped it over her head. It felt light as a feather, save for the metal parts, and she sighed blissfully as it fell softly on her skin. She then went back to her vanity and combed out her hair, applying a small bit of basic magic to dry it faster. Then she plaited and twisted the curls, pinning them up with pearl pins and ribbons; though a majority of it fell loose down her back. She added a bit of rouge to her cheeks, brightening her complexion a bit before using some kohl around her eyes to bring out the silvery orbs. She looked in the mirror and even she, in her modesty and shyness, had to admit she looked good.<br><br>And just in time, too, for there was a knock at the door.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>17-02-2014, 07:46:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki4_zps9f8f3a24.jpg)</div> Heavy, labored and raspy breaths pant from his heaving chest as the last driblets of cum seep from the head of his cock still clenched tightly in his right hand. Slow, constricting strokes force out any sticky remnants of his seed before his meaty shaft feels the first throws of flaccidity. Eventually he would go limp but not before eating up every word of praise Ms. Willowwind mutters from those sweet lips. His eyes, though becoming heavy from the aftermath of such a powerful orgasm, remain transfixed on the woman's parted labia and bobbing ass barely floating in the water right up until she suddenly jerks into a frantic state. It would seem as though both had forgotten the passing of time and the feast would soon be upon them. Loki's emerald eyes blink in a furled brow upon hearing Sigyn speak so depressingly about finding a 'real partner' instead of indulging in imaginary fantasies, namely those of him noticing her and treating her like she was genuinely desired.<br><br>For a few brief moments the demigod stands in silence, pondering his motives and debating whether or not he should follow through with his schemes to simply seduce his fellow alchemist. Sure it would enable him to proceed with several important ambitions, as well as grant him access to resources he would otherwise have difficulty procuring, but at what cost? Is he really prepared to destroy this innocent woman's heart for something that may result in complete failure? If he does would he be able to live with himself knowing he had crushed the hopes and dreams of one so pure? Many more questions run through the trickster's mind, further darkening his already blackened soul with the plagues of corruption and greed as he pushes his protesting conscious to the side. Right now he must take small, decisive steps before proceeding with the bigger picture, but first he must extradite himself from these quarters and prepare himself for the feast.<br><br>As much as he would like to reveal himself to Sigyn and tell her he'd rather stay with her here, at least for now, he traipses as silent as a shadow to the entrance under his veil of invisibility. Looking back he watches the woman finish cleansing herself, re-bandaging her hand albeit not quite as skillfully as Loki had done previously, then don her evening wear as well as decorative make-up. Such masks have always puzzled the demigod as he saw no point in such cosmetics, but women profess they prefer to wear it rather than exhibit their natural beauty. With expert timing he raps his invisible knuckles on the wooden door, announcing his presence to Sigyn. Upon opening the door she would see an illusion of him while he slips out of the door to meld perfectly with his phantom image, thus making it seem as though he had never spent the last hour or so voyeuring over her masturbation. As is his custom he wears his forest green and tarnished gold leather doublet neatly woven into his heavy cotton cloak, almost exactly as he had done when he returned toting his poisoned Brother earlier that day. However he now wears his golden, horned helmet and carries his golden scepter in his right hand.<br><br>"You look lovely m'lady. Shall we?" he asks pompously, standing erect and regal in his royal attire and holding his left hand aloft. It has often been said Loki enjoys being so decadent and flamboyant, and he would not deny such accusations. To him having flair and style make a person more dynamic and socially approachable. He extends his arm for Sigyn to take as a formal escort to the Feast.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>18-02-2014, 04:50:08</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>Sigyn opened the door to her room, her head turning a little when she thought she felt something brush past her, but the feeling disappeared when she saw movement and looked up to see Loki standing there, a charming smile on his face. She felt herself warm at the look. “My Prince,” she said, lowering herself into a surprisingly fluid curtsey. She might’ve passed for royalty if ever necessary.<br><br>She stood up straighter, her eyes taking in his attire - he wore his usual green and brown leathers embossed with gold patterns . He looked so very handsome - she’d never seen him in his formal vestments before. Perhaps because she’d never been to a last meal before - she wondered what it would be like.<br><br>He looked at her, his head cocked a little as she finished observing and she blushed a little. He told her how lovely she looked before offering her his arm. She hesitated for a moment, feeling for some reason as if she was about to step off a precipice into the unknown; like things would never be the same. She smiled warmly at him, her decision made as she lightly curled her slender fingers in the crook of his arm and stepped off into the unknown.<br><br>The flat of her shoes were silent as she walked, so light of step was she. Her body quivered a little, every part of her that was touching him feeling as though it was electric. She was so acutely aware of him - his body heat, his movement, his touch...She closed her eyes in an attempt to block it out. It wouldn't do for her to melt into a puddle before they'd even started the night.<br><br>A minute or two of silence passed before she cleared her throat, the need to ask him why simply too strong.<br><br>"Your Grace...I don't normally presume to ask questions and I apologize but...w-why take <em>me</em> to final meal? Aren't I..." she paused here, looking at her feet. "...aren't I beneath your station? I'm sure there are many other noble women better suited to be seen on your arm."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>19-02-2014, 04:55:05</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki4_zps9f8f3a24.jpg)</div> For a moment the demigod suffers a stab of panic when Sigyn motions as if sensing something nearby. Loki breathes an inward sigh of immense relief when Ms. Willowwind shows no outward sign of detecting his presence when inside her quarters and participating in their moments of mutual masturbation. If she had any detailed knowledge of those events he would surely spend a very extensive vacation in the Asgard dungeons locked away in a cage like some manic beast. They walk through the palace's gold and marble hallways and corridors arm in arm in relative silence for several minutes, presumably to give each other the time needed to admire the other. Loki does just that. His emerald eyes linger over the hunter green gown Sigyn chose to wear and admires the way she has it arranged in the traditional fashion with her hair only partially assembled in the back. He must admit the woman certainly knows how to please the eyes.<br><br>"This night you may ask anything you wish my dear. I asked for your company because you provide an invaluable service to our warriors. Stitching their wounds and nursing them back to health after every battle. Without you how many of our fine men and women would have perished?" the man's honeyed words answer sweetly. He has always prided himself on his skill with such a silvery tongue being able to soothe even the most savage beasts or charm the most unwilling subjects to do his bidding. "As for my 'station' I may escort whomever I desire. Nobody would dare question me for they are well aware of my..receptivity."<br><br>Loki gives Sigyn a very reassuring smile as they walk. Every step echos from the marble walls as their feet click and the bottom of the long, golden scepter thudding along the polished wood floors. If he is going to exploit this woman and betray her affections he must tread very carefully. Still in the deep recesses of his subconscious Loki battles himself whether to proceed with his schemes or to abandon them. If he chooses to continue he would have nearly unlimited, unprecedented access to ingredients and staff for every experiment his twisted mind could conjure. Should he opt to abandon his plans and pursue Sigyn's affections, the demigod would have a woman who loves him unconditionally and all the rewards of such companionship. He would never have to resort to common wenches to slake his lust nor would he ever have to be alone. Before he could finish with his internal struggle his emerald eyes flash back to the present as they are approaching the Great Hall in which the feast is to take place.<br><br>"Good evening Master Loki and..Miss Willowwind," one of the Asgard soldiers announces upon their approach. Loki merely looks at the nondescript, disposable man and nods his horned helmet, not taking the time to acknowledge the minuscule hesitation in addressing his date for the evening. Though many will wonder and converse privately about his choice of companionship, none save for his Father, Mother, or Brother would dare comment openly. Even then he doubts whether Odin the All-Father or even Thor the God of Thunder would take the time to care for they would surely be far too occupied entertaining the warriors, and Queen Frigga would be far too kind to embarrass him before the masses. Loki guides Sigyn gently through the oaken doors opened by the soldier and escorts her along the rows of oaken tables overflowing with plates of roasted pork, brazed beefs, platters of vegetables of all kinds, trays of pastries and breads of all sizes, and bowls of various fruits. Mugs of ale litter every open area of every table as their drinkers celebrate and boast merrily.<br><br>"Shall we take a place further ahead?" Loki asks the platinum blonde beauty on his arm. Occasionally he would flash a mocked, falsified smile to those brave enough to greet him from afar as the two traipse to the head of the royal table where his Father and Mother are already seated.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>19-02-2014, 06:43:33</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div>&nbsp; <br><br>Sigyn’s blush seemed a permanent feature on her face while in his presence and his words didn’t help, causing it to spread down her neck towards her chest. She looked away bashfully. “You’re…you’re too kind, my Lord. But I think your words flatter me more than I deserve,” her voice was soft, reticent. It was not in her nature to bask in attention or compliments given to her. She was a humble soul, demure in nearly every way. “There are many of us who work to save the lives of our warriors. Warriors like you…my Prince,” she spoke softly, glancing at him with a smile before looking back ahead of her. She feared he might see something in her eyes that she didn’t want him to - like her attraction to him, or the fact that she’d just pleasured herself to his image. Goosepumps rose on her flesh at that last thought.<br><br>Soon they arrived at the Great Hall, the chattering and noise gradually increasing in volume. They arrived at the entrance where a soldier greeted Loki then - with a hesitance she noticed and felt shamed by…herself. She had a feeling this would not be the first time she felt such a greeting. Without entirely meaning to, Sigyn stepped closer to Loki as if he could protect her from the stares she knew she was about to receive.<br><br>Sure enough, the moment they entered the feast hall Sigyn sensed what felt every pair of eyes fall on her and Loki. However she knew it was her they stared at. She had no business being on the Prince’s arm, let alone dining with nobility. It was for this reason that she was unable to discern the curious gazes from the wayward ones. Had she been able to, she would have seen that multiple men looked upon her with stares that were far less innocent than simple interest.<br><br>Eventually Loki led them to the higher table where sat the Allfather, Allmother, Thor, Sif and the Warriors Three. They greeted Sigyn warmly, which she returned politely (curtseying to the King and Queen) before being lead to her seat. She was grateful that they didn’t comment further. Loki pulled out a chair for her, helping her to sit before his attention was drawn a few chairs down. He excused himself, saying he’d be only a minute or two, then went to greet a Lord of some kind. This left Sigyn to sit there feeling awkward and more than a little out of place. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling politely, if tentatively at those who dared greet her eyes.<br><br>“Well well, and who might you be? Certainly not one of Loki’s numerous strumpets…perhaps his newest pet?”<br><br>Sigyn turned sharply to her left to see a stunningly beautiful woman sitting in Loki’s seat. She had thick red hair the color of fire that fell in a curled waterfall down her nearly completely exposed back. She wore a golden dress that set off her luminous skin and accented her generous figure. She clearly knew of her attractiveness and had an air of confidence and sexuality about her that Sigyn thought might bring any man to his knees. Who was she?<br><br>“I…I beg your p-pardon?” She said, trying to maintain politeness even though she felt a stab of humiliation at her words.<br><br>The woman arched a perfectly trimmed red eyebrow before crossing a shapely leg. “My my…I didn’t realize Loki fancied the young and innocent. I’ll have to keep that in mind the next time he calls for me,” her smile was intimidating, sanguine. It made Sigyn feel so inept, so inferior by comparison. “I am Freya, and although there is probably no need to tell you just <em>who</em> I am, I think I’ll elaborate just for the fun of it…I’m the Goddess of Love and Fertility.”&nbsp; Sigyn’s eyes widened and she stared slightly dumbfounded. Freya caught it.<br><br>She feigned surprise and concern. “Oh dear…he didn’t tell you? Gosh, and we’re such close…<em>friends</em> too. Ah well, maybe you should ask him about me sometime,” she said in a sickly sweet voice. Sigyn noticed Loki was on his way back to where they were sitting and Freya must have as well, for she stood fluidly, a dazzling smile on her lips. She pretended to drop something and leaned over to speak discreetly in the healer’s ear. “You cannot hope to compare, dear. I’ve seen this before - he finds a new toy, plays with them for a while and then comes running back to me. It’s always been that way. Best quiet before he breaks you and your heart. Oh! And Beware his silver-tongue…it may speak honeyed words and weave innocent webs of compliments. But they are false. He is the God of Lies and Tricks,”&nbsp; she chuckled and stood up (Gods she was tall!), giving Sigyn a wink. “Although…if it’s ever between your legs, well…there is nothing <em>innocent</em> about that…”<br><br>And then she was gone.<br><br>Sigyn sat there stiffly, her whole body on fire from humiliation and heightened insecurity. What was she playing at? Why was she here? This was far out of her league and frankly, she felt…well…<em>sick</em>. She unconsciously picked at the bandage wrapped poorly around her palm, wringing her fingers and hands until a sharp pain pierced the wound. She yelped quietly, looking down. Damn it all to hell - she’d opened the stupid wound again, splotches of deep red staining the white. She sighed, taking this as her cue to leave and not spend another minute in this hall of mighty men and women far above her station. She didn’t belong here. And so she stood abruptly and made to exit the hall before Loki could sit down. <br><br>A pair of golden-brown eyes framed by red brows glittered with triumph as they followed her from the room.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>20-02-2014, 09:33:28</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki4_zps9f8f3a24.jpg)</div> Before Loki had an opportunity to take his seat next to Sigyn at the royal table occupied by his Mother and Father, he was hailed by one of the realm’s military captains. The demigod sighs a breath of resentment at being called up at such a time and place, but he must do as he is obliged by his position as well as to save face before the rest of the Asgardians. He gives his date a sidelong glance as if expressing an apology, but he is honor bound to at least humor the captain so walks over to the man with a rather annoyed look on his face.<br><br>“Yes? What is it?” he asks irritably. He holds himself at full poise as if too dignified to be in this man’s presence and in doing so is an insult to his nobility.<br><br>“I just wished to congratulate you on another splendid victory, Lord Loki,” the captain proclaims with a very wry smirk and formal bow. Loki’s commanding, emerald eyes narrow in disdain just before he clicks his tongue.<br><br>“You called me away from my lady for something as simple as this? Could you not wait until a more appropriate moment such as during the toast or after the feast? You are an imbecile and if it were up to me you’d spend the rest of your days locked away in the dungeons like an animal. Do you not appreciate the severity of my wrath little man?” Loki scolds threateningly. All the while his eyes gleam with an ominous, malevolent confidence that every word spoken from his lips carries a heavy, burdenous weight few could wield. Should the demigod ever wish to eliminate somebody he could very well do so under the cruelest circumstances. For now in all his regal splendor and annoyance Loki allows the captain to continue his evening unmolested.<br><br>Turning with a flourish Loki traipses back to his seat. Every step taken is done so with determination as the situation doesn’t seem to sit well. Something isn’t right. Why would a captain wish to greet him and not one of the Generals, Warriors Three, or even Thor himself when they are the ones primarily responsible for the brunt of all combat? True enough whenever Loki is deployed he is the stealth fighter mostly relying on deception and similar tactics to carry him through to survival, but why single him out? He would have to investigate further, but a more pressing matter seems to have appeared.<br><br>Sigyn is gone.<br><br>She was not at her seat where Loki had left her mere moments ago. Furled brows of utter confusion hover over equally confused eyes that sweep the Great Hall looking for any sign of his date’s whereabouts, but to no avail. He sees no hint of her presence which plain means she must have left. Instead of finding Sigyn, Loki locks gazes with Freya whom he had previous encounters with. Had she said something to upset the sensitive healer? He must have details so thus begins his trek through the throngs of celebrating warriors. Their boisterous shouts of glory and victory ring in the demigod’s ears and many hands reach out to clap him on the shoulders but he pays them no heed. Within moments he reaches the fiery-haired beauty standing smugly against the wall with her arms crossed and one leg propped up against the wall.<br><br>“Yes my <em>Prince</em>?” she asks mockingly using tones eerily reminiscent to those Loki himself would use to agitate his victims. Unfortunately for her the God of Mischief has many more years of experience with such ploys.<br><br>“Where is Ms. Willowwind?” the demigod asks bluntly, foregoing any sign of using deceit and tricks. Like with the captain Loki stands fully poised in blatant defiance of these transgressions on a night he had hoped to entertain his accompaniment and perhaps help break her out of her social shell. Like with the captain, Loki holds his golden scepter tightly almost ready to strike. His annoyance with the sudden disaster of his evening is mounting ever so higher.<br><br>“Me? I did nothing Your Highness. I merely asked if she was your new pet. After all you have so many it’s hard to keep track sometimes,” the goddess quips silkily, though not quite as confident as she may appear under the baleful gaze of Loki’s wrathful stare. “I just informed her of how you are with new girls and she decided to leave. That’s all…”<br><br>Without warning Loki’s eyes widen with rage before his left hand flattens and careens across the Goddess’s face with a resounding smack. Several of those nearby stop their jubilation to bear witness but do not have the courage to actually interfere. The strength behind the slap is not enough to actually hurt Freya, but she pretends to reel in false resentment regardless, leaving Loki to turn on his heels and storm out of the Great Hall.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>22-02-2014, 05:49:21</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>As much as she wanted to, Sigyn refrained from running down the hall and fleeing like the unworthy coward she was. For the umpteenth time that evening, she asked herself what had she been thinking? She wanted badly to blame Loki, to be angry with him and and scorn him…but instead? She felt guilty - guilty that she’d left him there alone; possibly even embarrassed him! <br><br>But for once in her life, she thought about herself over another - <em>she</em> was humiliated, and quite simply, couldn’t bear to be in that room any longer. Perhaps she was overreacting or being dramatic, but Sigyn was never one for attention…<em>ever</em>. She was a wallflower - wishing to slip by unseen. and usually she did! Except for tonight. And in fact, right this second.<br><br>A hand shot out from a black alcove and grabbed her wrist in a crushing grip that would bruise her pale skin. She nearly yelped, but a hand fell across her mouth, muffling the yelp. She was pushed roughly against the wall, her head banging so painfully on the marble that she saw stars and black spots. She grew dizzy, momentarily forgetting her surroundings and current situation.<br><br>“Hush now. Can’t have anyone interrupting us, can we now?” gruff voice spoke in to her ear. His breath washed over her and she smelled the sour fragrance of stale ale. She tried to see his face, but she was too dizzy and the light was too dim. She felt sick to her stomach. Nauseous. <br><br>The man kept one large, meaty hand over her mouth (it was nearly large enough to encompass her whole jaw!) while the other swept down her body. They were smooth, uncalloused - he was a noble then, not a warrior. He sat behind a desk, not on the front lines of battle. His belly protruded and pushed in to her stomach - she squirmed in disgust and discomfort. She began struggling, her skin crawling with fear and the need to run.<br><br>The result was her head being banged against the marble wall again - she blacked out for a second, her body nearly slumping down in weakness, only held up by the protuberant belly pushing against her.<br><br>She barely noticed as the fabric of her gown was ripped at the neckline, exposing her pert breasts to the evening air. “Ahhh, now here we go. What lovely little orbs, complete with ripe cherries to pluck at for as long as I desire…” His words were cut off as his mouth descended on her left breast, swirling his disgusting tongue over the now-taut nipple. He gave the same treatment to the other.<br><br>Sigyn’s nausea increased and her movements were feeble as she tried to claw her way out - it was no use; she was too weak bothe physically and emotionally. And her head was throbbing, her vision swimming.Her brain screamed at her to get away but her body could not respond. <br><br>The man’s hands yanked her skirts up, ripping the delicate material there as well before skimming over her mound. “Oooooh, how refreshing - a trimmed venus…I do so love that in a woman,” he whispered over her breast. She felt him grin against her, his thick fingers parting her nether lips and stroking. First the labia, then her clit - Sigyn sobbed at the back of her throat. A mistake, for he banged her head once more. “I told you to be silent, girl. Do you have a wish to be unconscious for this? ’Tis no bother to me - I’ll get my satisfaction whether you’re aware or not!”<br><br>Suddenly, the man stiffened. She didn’t know why at first, didn’t really care - her head, her vision, her body….she felt like collapsing; on the brink of unconsciousness. And then she heard it - footsteps heading toward them down the hall. In naught but a few seconds, the man cursed, then released her and disappeared, but not before whispering “I’ll be back for you, girl. Rest assured, this isn’t over…” <br><br>Sigyn crumpled to the ground, landing painfully on her delicate knees with a muffled THUMP! Her cry was weak as it left her lips in response to the pain - her hands came forward automatically, attempting to lock her elbows and keep herself upright. Her hair fell down the right side of her face, shielding it from view. Tears came to her eyes and fell silently as she slowly sat back on her haunches and pulled her torn gown over herself, covering her flesh the best she could. She wasn’t sure if she was crying because of the gown, her <em>only</em> good gown…or what had happened. She didn’t care though….it was reaction at this point - she was so dizzy, so overwhelmed that her stomach gave up it’s fight and she released the minimal contents in front of her.<br><br>With a badly trembling hand (and equally trembling body), she wiped her mouth and stared, trying to fight the urge to pass out. She was in shock and probably had a concussion…if she went unconscious, she might not wake up. She needed to stay awake and she needed blankets and water….lots of it.<br><br>But at the moment, her waning strength was only being depleted the more she struggled to maintain consciousness. 
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>23-02-2014, 05:33:37</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://images.fandango.com/MDCsite/images/featured/201112/thor-movie-tom-hiddleston.jpg)</div> The great oaken doors sealing the Great Hall’s entrance burst open, unceremoniously dislodging the guards stationed before them. They stumble after having been overly burdened by their armor without so much of a warning to ready their balance, but quickly enough they compensate for their vulnerability and bare their blades at the man walking through the gaping doors. Once they realize who stands before them their blades are quickly put to rest and apologies for their brazen aggression fill the air only to fall upon deaf ears. Their Prince, the God of Lies and Tricks stands in the center of the open hallways glaring about with a look of quiet, barely suppressed anger boiling just beneath his skin. How could Freya have been so cruel and contemptuous to a woman who lives to heal others? Just how far is she willing to go to make sure her demigod lover pays for his transgressions? Would she ever let him go as he had let her go? Again such questions plague Loki’s already troubled mind.<br><br>Before he could continue his train of thought something out of the corner of his eye, at the very edge of his range of sight, stirs. Curiosity overtakes the man and he gives into the temptation to investigate. From this distance it almost appears to be two people struggling over something, or perhaps a man and woman enjoying a private moment in public. Either way as one of the Princes of Asgard Loki is honor bound to at least investigate the matter no matter how frivolous and tedious he may find it to be. He turns to follow the hallway at a casual pace, not really finding too much enthusiasm to interfere when he has more pressing matters to tend. He could be spending this time determining Sigyn’s whereabouts and find out everything Freya had told her…but alas he cannot at the moment. As Loki approaches closer and closer to the disturbance he notices something strange is amiss. The couple does appear to be man and woman, but not indulging in an exhibition of intimacy as he had originally conjectured. Rather it appears to be the man is attacking the woman for some nefarious purpose.<br><br>“Halt!” the demigod bellows, raising his golden scepter aloft and bringing the head to bear directly at the man. As if responding to the demigod’s very thoughts the scepter glows with a ghostly blue aura before releasing a bolt of magical energies that crackle like lightning but burn like phantom flames. The bolt misses the man and collides into a nearby weapon rack, exploding with a magnificent fireball and deafening crash as the wood and steel splinter and fragment asunder. The man runs from his victim, but not first without saying something to her. Had there not been a victim to tend to, Loki would have pursued the attacker with a grim relish and punished him by his own justification, but unfortunately those moments of torturous delight would have to wait for another time. As the sorcerer’s emerald eyes shift to the right a look of shock and sheer, sudden rage flood his visage.<br><br>The victim had been Sigyn herself!<br><br>“Guards! GUARDS!!!” Loki bellows like his brother about to charge into battle. The two guards that had been stationed at the Great Hall come running down the hallway, their armors clanging and their breaths panting from sudden exertion. They look at their Prince and the healer in confusion before realizing it had been Loki who summoned them.<br><br>“Continue down the hall. Any man who appears to be dressed formally with a portly physique is to be brought to my chambers immediately! Begone!” The guards do not question direct orders from one of the Gods belonging to the royal line. They charge down the hallway with their weapons drawn and eyes searching about for any person fitting the description provided to them, leaving Loki to take the battered healer into his embrace. Though his arms may not be as large or as powerful as those of his Brother’s or Father’s, Loki is still quite capable of lifting the frail woman up to his chest as if he were carrying his lover across the threshold of their awaiting home…one arm behind her knees and the other cradling around her shoulders. Sigyn’s head would roll gently against his chest and the tears flowing from those innocent, pure eyes tear maliciously at the trickster’s delicate heartstrings. For a moment he looks upon her with genuine worry and regret having brought her out of her comfort zone and into a social setting she obviously felt intimidated by. Had he not brought her on his arm maybe she never would have been attacked and she would still remain wholesome. Suddenly those cold, cruel emerald eyes flick down the hallway as Loki privately vows to make the man responsible for this pay dearly.<br><br>With a flourish of his cloak, indicating the severity of his state, Loki storms down the hallway back to the Hall of Healers with Sigyn riding atop his breast. Every step he takes clicks ominously off the marble walls despite the jubilant cheers from those still feasting try as they might to drown him out. Within minutes he finds the doors he searches for and kicks them open, not caring in the slightest to the damage he may be causing upon entry. Quickly he lays Sigyn on one of her treatment tables and begins looking over her body. Her lovely gown is torn around her bosom and the skirting ruffled around her waist. Petechial bruising is already spotting beneath her milky skin. Upon closer inspection teeth marks appear to be cut into the areolas surrounding her pert nipples. All these signs indicate Sigyn had been the victim of an attempted rape. Such crimes are punishable by death in Asgard and the perpetrator shall suffer pain beyond mortal comprehension.<br><br>“Sigyn? Can you hear me?” Loki asks her softly, giving her gentle nudges when she shows signs of wanting to go to sleep. He is not sure but the woman could be suffering from concussive trauma as well as shock so sleeping could prove fatal. Before she answers him, however, she turns her head and vomits. The little content of her stomach evacuate over his leather doublet, but he does not care. Loki is far more concerned with keeping Sigyn aware and functional until her body is able to cope with the trauma.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>23-02-2014, 07:08:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>She wasn’t attentive to much once she’d collapsed. She heard someone yelling, faintly recognized a shape that bent over her…<br><br>it wasn’t until she was being lifted that she cried out hoarsely in anguish - any little movement felt like an earth shattering quake erupting in her head, churning her stomach and emphasizing the bruises on her body. But she was too weak to protest, too disoriented to understand why she was being picked up. She did, however, feel smooth, cool leather press against her bared chest and tilted her head to place her cheek on it. It was refreshing against her heated skin and she sighed. She closed her eyes, wanting to sleep…but each step taken jolted her awake. She groaned in pain.<br>&nbsp;<br>She dimly became aware of entering a new room, and then being lowered onto a table. She&nbsp; groaned in more pain, wishing more than ever to be swallowed up by the earth and enter a blissful state of unconsciousness.<br><br><em>“Sigyn? Can you hear me?”</em> - a voice pounded in to her ears like beating drums - she dearly wished to slap whoever it was and tell them to shut up, despite the fact that his voice wrapped around her like velvet.<br><br>Sigyn’s stomach felt like it was a dry towel being rung by someone determined to force any water from it they could. It clenched and burned and felt achingly void. Her head ached agonizingly, little bursts of pain flashing white in her vision. It became too much and she leaned over and retched what little contents were left in her stomach. She dry heaved, her insides feeling on fire. <br><br>She began to sob quietly, curling into a fetal position, internally begging for the pain to go away. She scrunched up, her arms feebly attempting to cover her bare breasts. “I…I don’t f-feel w-well,” she said in a cracked whisper. She was pale and clammy, her breathing becoming shallow and rapid. The shock was setting in and becoming more serious. She started shaking and her healer’s mind reared it’s head and poked at her - she needed warmth. “B-blankets…I…n-need b-blankets,” she sobbed, tears running down her blotchy red cheeks. She was so tired, and so cold. So, so cold. Her shivering strengthened, despite her efforts to suppress it. She needed to be warm or else her body would seize and her blood pressure would drop. She’d die. There was no time.<br><br>She turned her head slowly to look at whoever had carried her, the shaking making it difficult to do so. It was Loki. She halfheartedly cursed, disbelieving her luck before a violent round of convulsions rocked through her. She gave a painful moan, her eyes squeezing shut before she opened them again. “L-Loki….you n-need to w-warm me. B-bare s-skin to s-skin. It’s the f-fastest way to transfer b-body heat.” She tensed as another wave of convulsions washed over her. “Th-there’s a p-private healing ch-chamber just th-there,” She looked over to the north west corner of the room. “It has a s-single b-bed with b-blankets,” she finished, implying he should take them there.<br><br>She swallowed thickly, her face becoming paler, if possible. Her heartbeat picked up it’s pace, making her breathless and light-headed - it was progressing faster now that she didn’t have adrenaline there to combat the effects. “L-Loki…p-please,” she feebly. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>24-02-2014, 03:15:54</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7zq1cP0zB1rsy50k.gif)</div> Every groan exhaled from Sigyn’s grimacing face feel like a dagger plunging into Loki’s heart, tearing it and piercing it anew. His emotional blood flows as concern and worry become more and more pronounced upon his face, drawing his eyes wider and rounder..his mouth to gape slightly..his brow to furl and quirk awkwardly..his breath to become more ragged and guilty as if he should be breathing for the beaten woman splayed out before him. Loki’s glassy, emerald eyes brim slightly with tears as he watches over Sigyn, noticing her convulsions worsen and her skin deteriorating into a chilled clamminess. Why do these things always happen to those who least deserve them? Is this what Sigyn would be reduced to after he realizes his selfish ambitions? No! He would not be the man responsible for such atrocity!<br><br>The pitiful, pathetic wails whimpering from Sigyn’s cracked, broken voice makes Loki feel as powerless as a newborn child. It feels as though he could do little but nothing would really make any significant difference. When she sputters the need for blankets and immediate body heat through her sobbing, something in Loki visibly changes. Realizing she is aware of his presence and in desperate need of his immediate assistance, the demigod springs into action first by fetching a single large blanket from a nearby cabinet indicated to him. In doing so several other supplies such as gauze and splints are toppled over, but he cares not. Next Loki takes Sigyn back into his arms, cradling her like a sick and frightened child against him to carry her to the private chambers where he would sit with the woman perched in his lap. With a single hand the drawstring to her bodice is tugged, loosening the tattered garment and letting it fall to their ankles. The bare, mostly nude healer clings to him desperately as his own clothes shimmer and melt away like grains of golden sand flaking into the hungry winds, leaving the two sitting nude beneath a heavy woolen blanket.<br><br>“You’re safe now my dear. I will protect you,” he whispers to her, embracing her with both arms and gently rocking her against his lithe yet muscular chest. He idly strokes her ragged, disheveled hair and begins humming comfortingly. A song from his childhood comes back and though he cannot fully recall all of the words he remembers most of the melody.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>24-02-2014, 04:44:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>She was hardly in a state of mine to fully comprehend everything that was happening around her - she was focusing hard on staying conscious, on monitoring her own reactions and what her body was doing, but it was becoming more and more difficult. What was only a few seconds felt like agonizing hours to Sigyn as she was lifted from where she’d been placed, her whole body trembling and temperature dropping lower by the second. His leather felt like ice on her skin, making her shiver even more.<br><br>And then she was in the private healing chamber, her frail body sitting on his lap as he carefully undid the laces to her already ripped gown. She tensed, trying to hold in the trembling but it was useless - she was so cold. <br><br>She placed her quivering left hand on his chest over his sternum, clinging to his garments as if afraid he would leave her. Then suddenly she became aware of heat - glorious warmth rolling in waves at the touch of bare skin to bare skin. The material in her hand disappeared so she was clenching nothing but air and so she splayed her fingers across his skin before moving up gingerly to his right shoulder. She gripped him tightly, though in reality it was barely more then a squeeze. The warmth felt so good; she pressed closer into him, burying her face into the crook of his neck. He was so soft, so smooth; the blanket felt scratchy and uncomfortable in comparison, but it held the warmth in and that was important. She closed her eyes and focused on the heat.<br><br>The longer she stayed in his embrace, the more she became aware of her surroundings. It was slow in coming, gradual…but she soon felt him rocking her gently, then humming softly in her ear some sweet melody. Her breathing eventually slowed to normal along with her heartbeat, her trembling dying down to only the occasional shake. Her body was heating up once more and she was beginning to feel the pain in stabs rather than dull aches, which meant the shock was wearing off, no longer masking it. It hurt more, but she was glad for it - she was no longer in danger. <br><br>“…mmm, Loki….” she said, her voice soft and low; it cracked from lack of use and her weakened state. Her breath was warm against his neck; so close to him that her lips occasionally brushed the skin near his pulse point. “…thank you,” she whispered, pressing in to him even more, enjoying his warmth and desiring more of it. If she had been more aware, had been functioning normally, she might’ve been utterly humiliated at how intimately they were touching, how each movement she made caused her the lips of her sex and her pert cheeks to shift against his groin. <br><br>Before she knew it, she was drifting off to a state of blissful unconsciousness, her grip on him loosening, though never moving away. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>27-02-2014, 03:26:08</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki7_zpsa303fd1c.jpg)</div> <em>Thump-thump…thump-thump…thump-thump…</em><br><br>The only sounds interrupting the silent tranquility blanketing the still air in the healing chamber are their hearts beating together and their steady, drowsy breathing. It would seem as though Sigyn’s shock is ebbing away and she had fallen asleep in Loki’s warm embrace beneath their wool coverings. Every now and then he would feel a minuscule shiver from random parts of her body as he rests his head against her hand clutching his right shoulder. Sometimes her gentle nuzzling brings her soft lips against the crook of his neck, causing him to shiver from the sensitive contact. When she thanks him for his assistance, Loki just smiles but banishes such an expression just as quickly. He cannot help but continue down his road of inner turmoil. The demigod knows the healer has strong feelings, even lustful, for him yet he fully intends to betray her innocence for his own gain. If this is indeed his true ambition, why is he going so far as to help her? Wouldn’t it have been just as easy for him to leave her to suffer the rape and assault, pretending to have been preoccupied at the Feast? For that matter, why is he so angry at his ex-lover Freya for being so blatantly rude to Sigyn? If he truly cared for neither woman what is driving his motivation in keeping either woman’s company? Freya is able to offer him deliriously intense sexual experiences, but at the risk of her prying wiles exposing Loki’s goals and actions. Sigyn, on the other hand, is able to offer him genuine love and companionship as well as her alchemical expertise. Which would be more beneficial to him in the end?<br><br>Again his thoughts are punctured by a jolting sensation from his loins, feeling the familiar velvety touches of a woman against his exposed manhood. Already Loki has witnessed firsthand the woman’s sexuality, having pleasured himself to the heavenly sights while she pleasured herself to the mere image of him. The man’s hormones rage and scream in every fiber of his masculinity to enter her, but through sheer willpower Loki masters himself and resists the near-overwhelming temptations. It is with a very heavy inward sigh the man contends himself with just laying his head on top of her’s resting atop his chest. Again his mind is flooded with the struggling war between his head and his heart. Loki had always been the type of man to never shy away from an opportunity to acquire new power no matter how minor. Sigyn is a source of power in that she could provide him with invaluable medical insight as well as highly advanced assistance with alchemical experiments. Naturally he would want to exploit her for all she could provide, but in doing so his heart screams in absolute protest. By exploiting the woman he would have to betray every ounce of trust she has in him as her Prince, mentor, and every other capacity he fulfills. Furthermore he would betray the feelings she has for her Prince that far exceed those of normal noble-commoner limitations. Could he really live with himself afterwards even though he had betrayed his own family so willingly so many times?<br><br>His troubling thoughts follow him into a light slumber that gradually overtakes him. Their shared body heat, heartbeats and steady rhythmic breathing provide a comfortable atmosphere in which Loki could find some safety in sleeping. Even while drifting away his embrace never falters, continuing to hold the woman closely against him as if he is subconsciously afraid to let her go.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>27-02-2014, 05:31:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>Sigyn woke feeling both warm and cramped. The first thing she felt was skin, though it wasn’t hers. Her silvery eyes fluttered open, the blonde lashes caressing her cheeks as she blinked and tried to focus. The room around her looked familiar…and then everything flooded back to her. Somewhere in the night, Loki must have fallen back so they were lying down, legs tangled and her torso laying awkwardly twisted on his chest. His arms were around her, still clinging to her, though slightly loosened.<br><br>Oh Gods….she’d spent the night with Loki. And they were naked. <br><br>The rational side of her brain knew it had been a survival tactic - that she’d needed the wroth in order to raise her lower her blood pressure and calm her heartbeat. He’d saved her life, really. And yet….<br><br>Sigyn was small and delicate and in this moment, she used it to her advantage. She was careful as she disentangled her legs from his and slipped from his arms. Loki was likely not the type of God to remain asleep while a woman who’d been sleeping in his arms disengaged from him, however Sigyn was no ordinary woman. She just didn’t realize any of this.<br><br>She stood, a little shakily, and grabbed her dress from the floor. She held it out in front of her and felt her eyes moisten a little - it was a dramatic reaction, but she couldn’t help it. She dearly loved&nbsp; this dress - it was the only one she’d had that was even remotely beautiful. And now, not only was it torn beyond repair, but now it held bad memories.<br><br>It was the only garment she had at the moment, however, so she put it on and covered herself the best she could. The whole time, she kept her eyes from Loki. She was so ashamed, so embarrassed. She needed to get out of there and she needed to avoid Loki pretty much for the rest of her life.<br><br>She exited the healing room, leaving Loki on the bed and went to her quarters and locked herself inside for the rest of the day and hopefully the week.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>01-03-2014, 06:58:06</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki9_zps946e6c00.jpg)</div> Loki wakes several hours later to the thunderous booms of some titanic force beating on the door to the private chambers in which he and Sigyn had spent the night in. He had been ripped away from a very pleasant dream in which he had finally acquired the throne and became King of Asgard with a likeness of Sigyn as his Queen. However it was not <em>quite</em> Sigyn herself. Rather it was a stronger, much bolder apparition of the woman having been capable of telling off Freya for her uncouth behavior at the victory feast the night Sigyn had been attacked. Her attacker had been brought before the throne to be judged, but this man too had been a blurry, darkened figure of an unknown obscurity as Loki had no knowledge of him. In his dream the man had been sentenced to death by decapitation and Heimdall was the one assigned to carry out the task despite this being far outside the scope of his guardianship and watch duties. Although quite pleasant this dream was very strange and had no bearing on the demigod’s destiny aside from taking the throne.<br><br>“Come out of there!” a deep, gruff voice shouts rudely from the other side of the door. The familiar brutality of his brother’s voice seems more commanding as if something were seriously wrong that required the God of Thunder to take action. More booms from his mighty fist reverberate within the tranquil walls of the healing chamber. Loki moves to stand, stretching the stiffness out of his arms and legs before realizing he is nude from having held Sigyn against him to protect her life from being snuffed out by the frigid shock. A second’s concentration conjures a set of black trousers and a casual hunter green jerkin out of thin air, garbing the demigod appropriately so suspicion would not be aroused.<br><br>“Where had Sigyn gone?” Loki thinks to himself, realizing she is not present and surely would not have reported him as it had been she who asked him for bodily contact. He had not been the party responsible for attacking her nor making any attempt, though he had the opportunity to do so when her nude form sat in his lap. More booms threaten to break down the wooden door before Loki opens it, looking at his brother with disheveled black hair and eyes still not rid of their dreariness.<br><br>“What do you want, you great bafoon?” Loki demands, glaring at his brother with ill contempt. Surely he could have been a bit more courteous in announcing his arrival rather than behave like an angry drunkard.<br><br>“Brother? What are you doing here? I was told we had an intruder,” Thor answers with an expression of mixed surprise and astonishment.<br><br>“That..is none of your business.” Loki moves past his brother and exits the Hall of Healers, leaving the hulking brute of a warrior behind to gape in silence. Looking around he sees no signs of Sigyn’s whereabouts or any indication of her activity. Where has she gone? Why didn’t she wake him before leaving, even if it were to just thank him for helping? Was she in good health? Loki has no answers for any of these questions but thinks it best to give her some time and space to come to terms with recent activities. He could seek out Freya and formally confront his ex-lover about her brash accusations and upsetting Sigyn to begin with, but this too is an option Loki chooses to decline. For now he strolls casually through the hallways just aimlessly meandering and taking in the morning light.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>02-03-2014, 22:01:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The plan had in place for some time - all Kryvos had to do now, was wait. Scouting missions from Asgard came once every five years to Náir; this year they were scheduled to come nigh on a week from now. Kryvos was <div class="floatright">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/e43216d778fbeaacb77ee88091c3c86d/tumblr_n12vifEJmn1skt3v6o5_r1_250.png)</div>ready. It was so simple; quiet and unsuspecting. He’d caught the captain off guard, slashed open his palm then slashed his own and joined their blood. Now, he had control of the captain’s mind. So easy, so unassuming…<br><br>Kryvos physically stayed in Náir, but he roamed through the body and mind of the captain. Patience was something Kryvos had a lot of; he had nothing but time, so patience needed to come with that. And now, as the scouting troops returned to Asgard, their mission having gone off seemingly without a hitch and none any the wiser to their captain’s altered mind…Kryvos knew his time, calculations and thousand-year patience was paying off.<br><br>He walked - or rather made Captain Grahnvir walk - to the palace.&nbsp; Having read the captain’s thoughts and memories, Kryvos knew this was routine - give the report, make his rounds to the royals, some ceremonial stuff, then he would be back to the usual duties that came with being the captain of cosmostial scouting missions. He would depart the captains body by then. He only needed to see Loki and once he got to that point, the second phase of his plan would begin.<br><br><hr><br>Five days had passed since Sigyn last saw Loki. She’d avoided him by carefully maneuvering herself around his schedule. Any time he showed up in the Hall of Healers, Sigyn would conveniently be away; whether taking a meal, on an errand or gathering herbs and medicines to replenish her stores. She couldn’t face him - she was mortified and ashamed, both from what she had made Loki do and from the incident in the alcove. She just wanted to forget about it; to pretend it didn’t happen. <br><br>“Sigyn!” she turned and saw her assistant and apprentice, Vyrek, hurrying to catch up to her. He smiled <div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/30b75c7360d1f29efcee375db2f180a2/tumblr_n12vifEJmn1skt3v6o4_r1_250.png)</div> broadly as he fell in step beside the healer. “I finished arranging the stores and was about to begin separating the samples when Prince Loki came in - he’s looking for you,” Sigyn stiffened, but only raised her eyebrow at her apprentice. <br><br>“Was he? I wonder why,” she said vaguely. <br><br>Vyrek shrugged. “He seemed agitated; something about working on an antidote to Frindzher poison? He said you were supposed to work on it together a few days ago but he can’t seem to catch you at the right time…?”<br><br>Sigyn gave a sign of recognition, as if it had been something she’d forgotten. “Oh! I’d forgotten! Is he still there?” Vyrek nodded. “Well, I need to drop off these pastes and medicines I made to the local orphanages and replenish the public healing house’s supplies first, so why don’t you go start with him and I’ll join you as soon as I am finished?”<br><br>Vyrek’s eyes widened. “Really? That’s great, but…well, I’ve heard he doesn’t work well with others…” <br><br>Sigyn chuckled. “No, he doesn’t, but tell him you are my apprentice that that I sent you directly. That should placate him for a while,” Vyrek made a noise to protest but Sigyn halted their walk and turned to him, interrupting his protests. “Vyrek, you and I have worked on antidotes multiple times so I have no doubt at all you’ll be fine if I can’t make it back in time. Do me proud, Vyrek,” She affectionately cupped the young lad’s cheek then turned and was gone.<br><br>Vyrek stared, then shrugged and headed back to the Halls of Healing to relay the message to the dark Prince.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>06-03-2014, 03:41:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Several days have passed since Loki had last set eyes upon Sigyn. Ever since the night of the feast and she had been attacked and requested his assistance in her immediate treatment. They had fallen asleep in each other’s arms in a private chamber, but at dawn’s first light or shortly thereafter Sigyn had left Loki to slumber alone. He hadn’t seen her since, but why should he care? Hadn’t the woman agreed to help him with the Frindzher poison experiment? Doesn’t she trust his expertise? For that matter why is Loki so focused and intent on seeking her out? It’s obvious she wishes to be alone or to at least avoid his company. So why doesn’t the demigod oblige her interests and cease his futile searching? Again the answers escape him but he has an inkling it has something to do with the magnitude of the time they have spent together.<br><br>Within the past week Loki has witnessed her pleasure herself to climax to his image. He has accompanied her to dinner. Both had been nude in each other’s embrace over the course of an entire night, and to top it all off he has issued standing orders to immediately arrest any man fitting the description of the man who had attacked Ms. Willowwood at the Feast. The whole affair is utterly infuriating! Unfortunately many innocent civilians have fallen victim to his predatory wrath for the most trifling offenses. One soldier had been given thirty lashings for not addressing Loki as <em>Prince</em> or <em>Lord</em>. A group of teenagers were given physical labors for being unruly too close to the Palace. Earlier today a lady had been subjected to the angered Prince’s vengeance by suffering mind-numbing illusions for preparing the wrong dish at morning breakfast.<br><br>Since their last encounter Loki has paid a visit to the Hall of Healers multiple times every day attempting to catch a moment with Sigyn, but every attempt resulted in failure. Today she was out supposedly gathering medicinal herbs when she had promised to assist in his Frindzher experiment. Her assistant, Vyrek, was ordered to seek her out while Loki waited not-so-patiently by the workstations. For too long he waits when Vyrek finally returns, informing him of Sigyn’s venture to deliver goods to the community and he was to work in her stead.<br><br>“If you value your hide you would do well to vacate my presence <em>immediately</em> and not return without Ms. Willowwood at your side. I specifically want <em>her</em> for this experiment and will tolerate no other. Begone!” the demigod’s commanding voice booms ominously from the Hall’s epicenter. Immediately Vyrek bows and leaves to do as he is told, leaving the sorcerer to simmer and stew in his boiling anger until Sigyn arrives.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>06-03-2014, 05:32:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/90409648a755c1ceea22e748f79231fb/tumblr_n12vifEJmn1skt3v6o6_r1_500.png)</div> <br><br>One of the few <em>true</em> pleasures of Sigyn’s profession was the volunteer work she did. Well, SHE didn’t see it as volunteer work, she saw it as her duty really. But regardless, one of the things she loved doing was using her skills and talents to assist in the well-being of the less fortunate. About once a month she would stop by the orphanages, public health facilities and poor houses to donate supplies that she’d made in her spare time. It was the least she could do, she thought as she exited the fourth house. So few people knew how to take care of themselves.<br><br>“Sigyn!” the blonde woman turned and saw her apprentice, Vyrek, jogging towards her. She raised her eyebrow at him, partly in curiosity, partly in concern. <br><br>“Vyrek! Is everything all right?” she asked him as he hunched over, breathing hard as he attempted to catch his breath. He gestured for her to wait a minute as he gulped down the air before finally standing back up and wiping his sweaty brow.<br><br>“I’m sorry to bother you, but…” he fidgeted a little. “Well, I gave Prince Loki your message and…well…he, er…didn’t receive it well. He insisted that you join him in order to assist with the experiment…” he looked like he wanted to say more and so Sigyn prompted him. “Well…he also said that if I valued my hide, I shouldn’t return without you,” He gave her a sheepish look at Sigyn looked at him blankly.<br><br>“Did he now?” She said, her voice even, though it was clear she was annoyed. “Well, we need your hide to assist <em>me</em> so let us journey back together. Have one of the other apprentices distribute these according to my list and have them apologize for my absence,” She handed him the basket and gestured for him to follow her back to the Halls of Healing.<br><br><hr><br>Upon entering the Halls of Healing, Sigyn told Vyrek to distribute the basket then meet her at her station once finished. He nodded and she then swept over to where she found Loki casually using some of HER ingredients for some odd end. It wasn’t out of the norm except that at the moment, it irked her quite a bite.<br><br>“I am not a servant to be summoned at your will. I have duties to attend to that are above the call of royalty and you damn well know it!” she said, crossing her arms haughtily in front of her as she glared down her nose at him. “I would have come once I was finished, though I really don’t see the need to have! Vyrek is perfectly capable of assisting you in my stead!”&nbsp; <br><br>Though she stood a foot shorter then him, in that moment she was a spitfire, feisty little thing that had the audacity to scold and glare at him. If she hadn’t been so peeved, she would have balked at the way she spoke to him. However at the moment, her annoyance far outweighed her attraction. The professional in her was rearing it’s head; she took her work very seriously and it was clear.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>06-03-2014, 06:22:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Loki's attention is piqued at the clicks of rapidly approaching footsteps echoing from the double-glass doors at the Hall's entrance. They sound most purposeful in their cadence as if the person they belonged to were in a rightly displeased state, and such an assumption is proven correct as the man turns to finally see Sigyn for the first time in days. Her expression is unmistakably irritable, most likely a reaction from Vyrek delivering his message to her and dislodging her from her rounds. Her ire is deserved for the Prince hardly behaved in a manner suitable for his nobility.<br><br>“I’m glad to see you are well,” he answers bitterly through gritted teeth. He too is very upset with her for pulling her vanishing act and treating him like diseased vermin, avoiding him at every chance encounter. His deft, skilled hands quickly assemble and stabilize the alembic containing the sample of Thor’s blood containing the precious traces of Frindzher poison. It would heat the blood to a slow boil and evaporate the poison, causing it to rise as a fine steam that condenses at the apparatus’s bulb, dripping into a separate flask.<br><br>“Tell me, <em>Healer</em>, have you gone back on your promise? This experiment is far too important to leave in the hands of mere assistants,” Loki quips, flicking a stern gaze at the woman haughtingly glaring at him over crossed arms as if challenging her to lie. While the alembic is at work the demigod begins to arrange the ponzes of ingredients in order of most to least importance. He reaches over to the athanor sitting on the far side of the station and takes from the miniature furnace a ceramic crucible of dried herbs to be diced up when needed. A mortar and pestle are taken in hand and he begins grinding away at some course powder as he turns to face Sigyn properly.<br><br>“I have been searching for you for several days. Do you not think I worry about at least <em>some</em> of my subjects? What could have become of you if you had been attacked again? Would you have preferred I did nothing and let you suffer, possibly perish?”<br><br>His gaze is stern and affronted with blatant indignity as if she had insulted him on some great personal level. Those cold, cruel emerald eyes remain transfixed on Sigyn as he continues to pound the powder into a finer powder with more force and enthusiasm than what is probably necessary. His nostrils flare ever so slightly with every breath, another sign of his ire. Why does this woman needle at him so? Not even Freya herself has ever managed to outrage and inflame him to this extent!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>07-03-2014, 06:49:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kryvos had his target. He’d been following Loki around for the last few days as various subjects he’d controlled.&nbsp; At first, he’d aimed for his brother, Thor, however that was quickly eliminated as a possibility. Loki clearly disliked Thor. Odin and Frigga were untouchable. He’d been about to pursue Sif and the Warrior’s Three, when he began to notice a pattern. Loki went to the Hall of Healers quite often and always asked for the same woman: Sigyn Willowwind. Apparently she was one of the head healers here and quite close the brothers. Curious, he’d investigated and found out some truly interesting tidbits of information.<br><br>And now, as he swept back to Sigyn in the body of Vyrek - having dropped off the basket of medicines as she’d instructed the <em>real</em> Vyrek to do - a plan formed in his mind.<br><br><hr><br><div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/30b75c7360d1f29efcee375db2f180a2/tumblr_n12vifEJmn1skt3v6o4_r1_250.png)</div>Sigyn felt a pang of guilt stab her right in her heart. She’d been so worried about what he thought of her that it never occurred to her the he might’ve been concerned for her. In retrospect, she suddenly realized that the attack she’d undergone was…well…terrifying and by rights, she should have been mentally damaged. Those are the symptom and after-effects most of the rape or near-rape victims that came to her seemed to exhibit. But for her, she felt nothing. It was as if nothing had happened; that her brush with death had been an every-day coincidence. And frankly, she’d been too preoccupied with avoiding Loki that she hadn’t had time to consider her post-attack trauma. <br><br>She had the decency to look sheepish for a moment. “I’m…sorry about that. I was…embarrassed.” Pink tinted the high point of her cheekbones and she briefly looked away as he fiddled with some of her instruments. “Regardless, I am <em>not</em> going back on my word - Vyrek is perfectly capable. He is <em>my</em> apprentice after all. To imply he is a <em>mere</em> assistant makes me think you deem ME incompetent.” she quipped, looking back at him with a frown.<br><br>At that moment, Vyrek reappeared and smiled at Sigyn tentatively. She looked at him and nodded. “It’s fine. Please go to the storage area and gather a few sprigs of ashoka, and cayenne for me, and a sharp dagger, some willow sap, and black thistle for his Highness. He seemed to have forgotten those items when he raided my stores,” Sigyn shot Loki a peeved look, before dismissing Vyrek and setting up her station in silence.<br><br><hr><br>Kryvos, as Vyrek, went to where Vyrek’s memory told him the storage closet was and pulled all the ingredients. But he also pulled endrega saliva. With deft hands, he located a new jar and took a tablespoon of both the saliva and willow sap then mixed it together. Both were a clear, viscous material and virtually indistinguishable from one another…and therefore undetectable. If it entered the blood stream, the victim would die a very slow, very painful death wrought with sickness. He then grabbed one of the sharp cutting knives and coated it with the clear mixture. Once it was dry, he placed it on the ingredient tray. <br><br>He then labeled the deadly mixture as “willow sap” and pocketed the <em>real</em> jar of willow sap to swap out once the deed had been done, then placed the endrega saliva back on the shelf, careful to make sure it appeared as though left untouched. <br><br>If everything worked out as planned, Loki would be the one to drag the blade across Sigyn’s skin in an “accident”. By his own hand, then, the person who he’d come to care for would die. And when he went back to investigate what had happened, no trace would be left for him to find.<br><br>Once everything was on a tray, he left the stores, making sure to wipe the diabolical grin off Vyrek’s face.<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>08-03-2014, 03:41:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> Loki’s emerald eyes narrow in annoyance, but his tongue remains silent at least for the time being. In some ways Sigyn is being quite insubordinate to a member of the royal family, but on the other hand the demigod cannot help but appreciate her becoming more relaxed around him even if it does mean she openly defies and challenges his command. He pours the mortar full of powder into its original ponze, taking the time to tap the sides with the pestle to dislodge any residue before depositing a small bone into the mortar. It appears to be some type of small bird’s bone, perhaps from a wing, and it too would be ground into a fine powder. Loki listens to Sigyn direct her assistant Vyrek, ordering him to fetch a dagger and some other components Loki had intentionally left behind. He had hoped it would be just Sigyn with him so they could perhaps discuss certain matters, but the lackey’s presence made that impossible.<br><br>“I implied no such accusation. Simply put I trust no other to participate in an experiment of this complexity. Tier-VII antidotes can be tricky,” Loki sighs heavily. He hopes Sigyn would be quick enough on the uptake to understand he does not desire a quarrel with her, but rather genuinely worried for her safety. Furthermore it would be to his benefit to keep the woman placated and docile while he maneuvered her in ways most beneficial to him. Over the past few days he had vowed to continue with his decision to use the woman to further his personal agenda as well as to keep Freya at arm’s length to prevent further drama. Loki had also contemplated whether Freya had any hand in Sigyn being attacked. Plausible, though unlikely..<br><br>Vyrek returns with the materials and components requested then bows and leaves their presence. Eyes narrow and brows furl at the difference in the assistant’s behavior. When he had left to fetch Sigyn he was more timid, almost afraid to be in the presence of nobility. Now he moves with confidence and deliberation. Is the man more inspired or otherwise empowered when his mentor was present? Loki dismisses the thought almost as quickly as it forms, turning his attention back to their alchemical procedures.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>10-03-2014, 04:23:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b2ce4880e27453a8b96ec16395622b3/tumblr_mu62pkKGtP1skt3v6o7_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>Vyrek set the tray down and Sigyn thanked him before dismissing the apprentice so he could see to his own duties. Sigyn began to prepare her work station in a neat, orderly manner that spoke of routine. “You did imply. I explicitly had him tell you that I sent him directly. He is my apprentice and has spent countless hours at my side and under my instruction. To say you do not trust him when <em>I</em> trust him, well…you may as well have said <em>my</em> skills are insufficient.”<br><br>She slammed down her mortar and pestle a little too hard, then began to sort out her herbs and ingredients. The ashoka was running low, she noticed, and frowned. A soft exclamation of discontent left her lips and she grumbled. “I do not understand why you simply cannot gather your own herbs. It’s a bit ridiculous that as a Prince you must rely on my stores,” she said, then added in an undertone “I really should get a magical lock put on the door. I grow weary gathering herbs everyday.”<br><br>She took the cayenne seeds and placed the first batch in the mortar and then took the pestle and began to grind the seeds into a powder. She sighed irritably.&nbsp; She didn’t understand his motives - why would he want <em>her</em> when she was <em>sure</em> he knew that tier VII antedates were covering in basic healer’s training . And what’s more was the sudden increase in his visits to the Halls of Healing - usually it was only once-a-week and even then, he only treated her as a formal acquaintance. The change made her neck crick and her suspicions escalate. Why was he suddenly requesting her presence at a feast, saving her from a would-be rapist and then lounging naked with her when he could have summoned a servant? Was he toying with her? Using her?<br><br>Her agitation grew and suddenly, she blurted out her fears without really realizing it. “You should not have invited me to dine with you,” she whispered, her grinding becoming more and more intense as she focused her anger, suspicions and hurt into the work. “It…it was not my place and I do not know why you did that. I was uncomfortable and….and humiliated,” she ground harder still. “If I’d only declined as I felt I should have…if you hadn’t insisted I…I might’ve…he wouldn’t have…” She couldn’t continue, her flush deepening as the grinding escalated to reckless pounding.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>10-03-2014, 06:53:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> A twitch in Loki’s left brow begins to develop the more Sigyn pokes and needles at his behavior and logic. Of course he would say what was needed to have the lackey dismissed as he was perceived to be unwanted baggage and potential obstacle in the demigod’s grand scheme; to analyze and replicate this Frindzher poison so he may use it against Thor and all others who opposed his ascension to the throne. Though on an unrelated note, Loki simply did not know and therefore trust the assistant to cooperate with the experiment even if he did prove to be more susceptible to the sorcerer’s manipulation techniques. He had never been the one to take unnecessary risks.<br><br>“If you can find a lock whose magic I cannot break then I shall buy you your own palace my dear,” the demigod ripostes through gritting teeth as he begins to take measured withdraws from the condensing poison. To insinuate he, the most accomplished practitioner of magic in all of Asgard, would balk at something as trivial as a magical lock is little more than blatant insubordination in the man’s eyes. The twitch in his brow becomes more prominent with every disdained-filled word rolling from the woman’s offensive mouth.<br><br>“If you grow weary of gathering materials perhaps you should make better use of your assistant.” He picks up a beaker of distilled water and incorporates a quarter of the bullvore brain, a pinch of salt, a few of the bryonia petals, and two of the measured samples of poison before corking the flask. Shaking it violently he observes the mixture corrode itself, blending into a thick, acrid gelatin he scoops out with a glass rod into a ceramic crucible. Taking the silver dagger in hand he moves as if to begin cubing the gelatin, but stops when Sigyn has the audacity to accuse him of transgressions that actually had saved her life. Perhaps he shouldn’t have invited her to the feast, but he felt it would make her more vulnerable to his manipulation. Not vulnerable to the verbal spitfire from Freya’s spiteful words or the physical brutality of her attacker. Neither incident had Loki’s involvement.<br><br>“How <em>DARE</em> you accuse me of having a hand to play in your attempted rape! If it weren’t for me deigning to your feeble request you would have died! Do you not remember <em>begging</em> me to hold your body against mine to save your life? Do you not remember me being the honorable gentleman and resist the temptation to rape you myself? DO YOU?!”<br><br>The words bellow from Loki’s mouth as he can contain his anger no longer. Sigyn had gone too far in her accusations in believing he had done anything to harm her. In his fury the man’s skin turns a very dark shade of blue and his eyes a fiery red. Small bony protrusions line his forehead as if horns were about to burst forth as he sweeps his arms across the workstation, sending their experiment across the room. Their precious supplies of alchemy ingredients..their alembic and other apparatuses..their tools like the dagger, mortar and pestle..All of it would be slung across the tables as the air itself seemed to plummet into a sub-zero chill. Loki’s darkened blue skin seems to develop a kind of aura of glacial mist, a clear indication of his Jotun half-ancestry manifesting once again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>10-03-2014, 07:48:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kryvos only had to control Sigyn for a few moments, making her utter the words that, if Loki’s temper wasn’t so easily light he might’ve noticed, were not things Sigyn likely would have normally said. Even Kryvos, who knew little about this woman could tell she was a gentle soul, kind-hearted and ever compassionate. Such a fool the God of Mischief was; so easy to pluck his strings. He almost felt sorry for the young woman in the face of his impending wrath. Almost.<br><br>Now all he had to do was sit back and watch as the events fell in to place. Just a little sweep of the table to send the dagger flying, a little burst of energy from Kryvos to make it hit it’s mark…and everything would be in place. How perfect.<br><br><hr><br>His roar snapped Sigyn out of a trance-like state and she flinched horribly, turning to him in confusion. She opened her mouth to try and stay his words, but he was unstoppable. What had she said? She couldn’t remember! And yet it seem to send him off some sort of edge. The hall seem to suddenly vacate and Loki was the only one left besides Sigyn. He turned on her, his retribution seemingly boundless as he bellowed at her. <br><br><em>“How DARE you accuse me of having a hand to play in your attempted rape! If it weren’t for me deigning to your feeble request you would have died!</em><br><br>The mortar and pestle fell deftly from her hands as she sought to back away from him subtly, as if any sharp movements would send him hurtling at her. She managed one step. Her silvery eyes were wide with fear, panic and no small amount of bewilderment. <br><br><em>”Do you not remember begging me to hold your body against mine to save your life?”</em> <br><br>She flinched as if he’d physically hit her. His words made it sound as if she’d manipulated him in to some filthy dead of debauchery, as if she’d been some whore who begged at his feet…not the act of survival it really was. Unbidden her eyes began to glisten with tears as she took another step back. She shook her head, pleading with him “No! It wasn’t like that! Please-” He interrupted her with a final blow.<br><br><em>”Do you not remember me being the honorable gentleman and resist the temptation to rape you myself? DO YOU?!”</em><br><br>That caused Sigyn to go white as a sheet, her face loosing all color and she stumbled in her next step, her heel catching her skirt and with a yelp, she fell to the ground with a painful thud. Now trembling from head to toe, tears trickling down her <div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0b7c2969a0ac595dee3f8bd1f5172957/tumblr_n27hjq9pMn1skt3v6o1_250.png)</div>pale cheeks, she looked up at him, her eyes now filled with hurt and deep betrayal. He seethed at her, his skin going a dark shade of blue, his normally beautiful green eyes turning red as blood. She’d never seen his Jotun form; no one except the royal family had. She gasped and brought a hand up to cover her mouth in shock before quickly lowering it, realizing too late that he might’ve found it offensive (funny that even when curling up in fear, she was still concerned about <em>him</em> and <em>his</em> feelings. <br><br>And then in a fit of rage, he roared, then swept his hand across the table, sending all of her equipment, supplies, ingredients and priceless herbs to the floor. Too slow, she tried to cover herself from the debris. She turned her head to the left and threw her hands up to shield her face, her eyes shut. Something cold sliced into the skin at the base of her throat and she yelped, her hand immediately covering the area of pain. She pulled it away and looked down to see crimson blood blotch her palm. She didn’t think the cut was deep, but she was in shock and adrenaline was masking her sense of self, so she couldn’t be sure. She stared at the spidery veins of red trickling down her palm as if trying to figure out how it got there. <br><br>With enormous effort, she stood, clutching her throat as if in fear so Loki couldn’t see her injury. The injury <em>he</em> had caused. She didn’t want the added distraction or attention. She stood up, trembling for a moment, trying to make sure her legs would hold her weight. She didn’t look at him…she simply waited, and once she was sure she would walk without falling, she stumbled her way out of the room. She paused briefly at the door and whispered in a small voice she knew he'd hear: "I'm sorry...for whatever...for whatever I said. I didn't...mean it," and then she was gone.<br><br>She didn’t see the dagger laying in plain view on the ground next to where she’d been, it’s blade sharp but stained with both the gelatin and her blood. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>10-03-2014, 08:23:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki6_zpsd6fe793b.jpg)</div> The clatter of all the different items slung from the workstation rings and clangs deafeningly, but simply cannot measure to the bellows resounding from the man who had dislodged said objects. In his blinding eruption of ferocity he cared not for the state of the property as he doubles his fist, smashing it through the table. The blow, though nowhere near as magnificent as what his brother Thor could produce, rips through the wood and reduces it to rubble nonetheless. His ears tune out the whimpers and feeble sobs bleating from the pitiful Sigyn. He keeps his back to her as he turns to lean with both hands against a secondary workbench.<br><br>“Begone with you…” he hisses vehemently. He must resist the temptation to transfigure the woman into a statue of ice as his fermenting bitterness would have him do. To take some measure of tangible, satisfying revenge on the one who brought him to such frenzy holds great appeal.<br><br>Though his face is contorted with a demonic rage and his Jotun-form had overwhelmed his better judgment, Loki’s heaving breast gulps air like he is suffocating. Trembling arms whose muscles support the man’s weight seem to devour the oxygen as fast as his body could absorb it. Slowly his skin returns to its alabaster hue and his eyes shifting back to emerald in tandem with his fervent temper ebbing away. With more controlled breathing and less manic animosity surging through his veins, Loki is immediately overwhelmed with regret when he notices Sigyn had fled. What has he done to the woman in his outburst? Had his hysterics at the affronted indignation driven her to summon authorities?<br><br>A glint of light from the floor steals his attention, drawing his gaze to the bloodied dagger swimming in the sea of debris. Did Sigyn inflict injury upon herself, or is Loki to blame for bringing her further injury? A cruel, choking sensation grips the man’s throat as if somebody had stuffed a sponge of salt down his gullet. He cannot seem to draw breath past the invisible, intangible obstruction as tears threaten to sting his eyes. Loki stands stunned against the other workbench trying to make sense of this foreign flood of emotions sweeping him into a current of regret and uncertainty.<br><br>What should he do now? Should he seek council with Father or Mother? Should he seek out Thor and notify him of the events? Should he attempt to make amends with Sigyn? None of the options seem to hold the capability to placate him. Instead he takes his scepter in hand and leaves the Hall of Healers in something of a daze, unsure of where he should go or what he should do.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>13-03-2014, 21:44:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The moment Sigyn had left the Hall of Healers, the barrier that had been holding back her tears ruptured and they fall in rivers down her cheeks. She wasn’t angry at all, more like confused and betrayed. She had spaced out for a <em>second</em> yes in that time, she seemed to have said something unforgivable to him and it bothered her to no end that she couldn’t recall what it was. <br><br><div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/5417068c2fe544a1eb036c29e224ae9f/tumblr_n27hjq9pMn1skt3v6o2_r1_250.png)</div>But what truly hurt was his confession said in cold determination; that <em>he</em> wanted to rape her himself. And was it not for her precarious state of health, he probably would have. <em>That</em> tore at her heart with claws of ice and steel. It was the final nail in the coffin, so to speak. The coffin that contained her affection for him. She couldn’t let it out again; she couldn’t risk more of her heart - it was too painful. He clearly didn’t want her nor feel the same for her as she did for him. Why she had fooled herself in to suggesting this was possible, she couldn’t fathom. She must have harbored secret desires for emotional masochism. <br><br>Barely into her room, Sigyn shut and locked the door, still clutching the wound at her throat, then stumbled to her bathing quarters and fell to her knees beside the tub. Her legs were sapped of the remaining strength so she partly crawled to the dials that turned on the hot water and began a bath. Still crying silently, she leaned her head against the cool stone and closed her eyes, waiting for the water to fill enough for her to crawl into. <br><br>Why was she always attracted to those who needed fixing or mending? Beings who were broken, torn down or misunderstood. Was it because she was a healer? That had to be it; there was no other explanation. She was a giver, and if it was in her power to provide, she would do so, no matter the cost to her. It was her greatest attribute and her weakest one. Often, while other’s benefited, she was the one who suffered. And she had no one to blame but herself.<br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/4a816a473e83d342c7126d9edf8f2f7c/tumblr_n27hjq9pMn1skt3v6o3_r1_400.png)</div>The tub was filled and so without changing out of her clothing, Sigyn hauled herself up and into the nearly-scalding water. She cried out in pain as she tumbled in, the heat nearly burning her, but she didn’t care. She welcomed the pain. It masked the one in her heart. For an hour, she stayed there, barely moving enough to wash and to clean the wound but that was all. Even when the water turned cold, she just stayed where she was, waiting for the hurt and betrayal to numb enough that she would be able to stand it. The face was, she needed to distance herself from him. He didn’t want her; he saw her as no more than someone to warm his bed as Freya had told her. No….rape. Right - mustn’t forget that. Bedding implied consent.<br><br>Her eyes glazed, face blank, and body shivering, Sigyn finally stood in the tub. She unclipped her white healer’s robes from her shoulders, now stained slightly pink from the blood that had seeped into the fibers from the water. With a splash, the garment fell back into the water leaving her completely naked. She stepped out, not bothering for a towel, and then shakily made her way to her bed. Once more, she sloppily patched herself up, replacing the destroyed bandage on her hand and setting a new one on the fresh wound at her throat. Then, still wet and naked, she pulled back the covers of her bed and curled into a ball beneath them, uncaring that it was still early in the evening and that she’d hardly eaten the whole day. She just wanted to forget everything; to fall asleep and wake up refreshed (hopefully) in the morning.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>14-03-2014, 03:13:32</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki6_zpsd6fe793b.jpg)</div> The deafening silence ringing in Loki’s ears is almost suffocating in the aftermath of his emotional explosion. The only sound indicating the presence of another person was the sharp <em>click</em> of the lock sliding closed in the wake of Sigyn’s silent leave. Though his skin color, breathing, and heart rate have all returned to normal, the demigod still finds it difficult to breathe without the faintest trace of a tremble. It felt as though his regret had manifested itself in physical form as an invisible obstruction lodged securely in his throat. His eyes, normally acutely shrewd and aware, are now filled to the brim with uncertainty and doubt. Fortunately those emotions had not yet materialized in the form of tears just yet<br><br>&nbsp;Loki looks around at the wreckage, the product of his outburst, and sighs in resignation. To him the debris symbolized the rift freshly torn open between him and Sigyn. The scattered and broken objects reflected the shattered fragments of feelings Sigyn may have held for him. Now, like the remains of their Frindzher experiment, they are scattered and yet to be mended. The piece of debris most significant is the knife whose blade lain still wet with the woman’s blood. To Loki this is the most painful of all, knowing the fact that it was by his hand that Sigyn’s blood had been spilled. She was an innocent woman, a woman who gave everything she could to tend to those who were hurt, injured, sick, or mortally wounded and bound for death. She knew pain beyond anybody he knew, and now he is the man responsible for inflicting physical pain that was sure to leave more than physical scars.<br><br>Loki taps the base of his scepter on the ground. The clang of gold on marble reverberates like a gong as his magic bleeds into the air from the scepter’s focal crystal. An aura of ghostly blue light erupts like a smoky haze before every piece of the shattered remains of their experiment bursts into flame. Within seconds they are incinerated and reduced to mere ash, leaving the sorcerer to look upon the ashes with such a forlorn regret one would think he were attending a loved one’s funeral. To him he was burning the destroyed hopes and future he and Sigyn could have had if he’d chosen his ambitions differently.<br><br>With another heavy sigh, the acrid smell of ash and carbon filling his nostrils, Loki leaves the Hall of Healers through the locked entrance. At first he moved in the direction of Sigyn’s quarters, but balks almost instantly. Perhaps after what had just transpired it would be ill of him to pay a visit so soon. Chances are high she would most likely not have him or wish to see him even if he were to make every effort to make amends. Then again, what <em>could</em> he do to make amends? He had just accused the woman of atrocities not of her doing and made it seem as though she were to blame for his frustrated desires. In the process he betrayed her secret affection and physically injured her. There was nothing he could do to repair the damage, emotional or tangible… With nothing to do Loki decides to retire to his chambers, but before he could take a step he is approached by one of the soldiers.<br><br>“Prince Loki. I am here to deliver a missive from the All-Father,” the soldier announces formally. Loki takes the parchment from the man and dismisses him with a wave of his hand, not speaking a word. Looking over the missive it would seem as though he is needed in Jotunheim, the land of his partial ancestors, to gather intelligence and determine whether or not the Jotuns are massing a task force. The mission briefing states there have been rumors of a possible assault on Asgard as Heimdall’s legendary vision is unable to see their activity. Suddenly the paper bursts into flames, curling into a blackened wad in his grasp before crumbling into chunks of ash before Loki turns with a flourish of his cloak to march for the Bifrost.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>15-03-2014, 19:37:41</strong>
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				Kryvos couldn’t have staged it better himself. Loki reacted precisely as predicted - all it took was a few seconds of control over the girl and have her say those few words, and&nbsp; then like a puppet on his string, the dark prince danced to the tune Kryvos had played. He was careful to make sure the knife was directed at her, though not with devastating effects - he just wanted a small slice of her skin, not her eye.&nbsp; <br><br>And when the show was over. He watched from the dark corners, his control over the nondescript guard allowing him to watch and wait until things were settling enough for him to approach. The girl surprised him a little by apologizing for what he made her say, though she wouldn’t be certain as to what it was. He could tell she truly was a pure soul and that made him smile wickedly. All the more reason why Loki would feel utterly devastated when he found out that by his own hand, he killed such purity. She left, and Loki remained. Kryvos could see the raw torment and desolation on his pale, royal features even front the distance he was at. How very interesting! It would appear that the dark prince had feelings for the girl beyond simple friendship! Oh, but his pride and arrogance stood in the way of him realizing that! Kryvos wanted to laugh. When he did realize it, it would be too late.<br><br>The sorcerer took up his scepter and tapped the ground, incinerating the items he’d thrown around the room. He heads out of the hall and Kryvos follows him, curious as to where he would go. He makes a move towards the girl’s quarters, but stops. Pity. If he had gone now, he might’ve mended the rift he’d made. Stupid young demigod. He did not know what love was. Well, now was his chance! Kryvos, as the guard, materialized and&nbsp; made himself known to the dark man. <em>”Prince Loki. I am here to deliver a missive from the All-Father…”</em><br><br><hr><br>Sigyn woke up late the next day, something she only ever did when sick. At the moment, however, she hardly cared. She <div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/0365596b069fd63c291c0a9224315075/tumblr_n27hjq9pMn1skt3v6o4_r1_400.png)</div>lay in her bed and stared tiredly at the wall. Last night’s disaster filled her head with images of Loki’s face, the destruction of her work station, whisperings of his words to her…<br><br>Never in her life had Sigyn felt so bereft and empty…and she didn’t fully understand why. Prince Loki was under no obligations to treat her as anything more than a subject of his kingdom. She might’ve been the preferred healer of the Royal Family (or at least of Thor and Loki) but she shouldn’t expect special treatment. She knew that, to an extent, it came from being around him so often given his duty as a warriors and ambassador of the realm - often injuries from his exploits brought him to her. And beyond that, her affections for him and the attraction magnified everything. So logically it made sense for her to be a little hurt. But to the extent that she was now? No…that didn’t make sense.<br><br>Her thoughts exhausted her once more and she fell into a light doze. Sometime just before noon, there was a knock on her door, rousing her from the blissful, if temporary state of unconsciousness. She thought about letting it go unanswered, but it persisted and she sighed heavily, before rolling out of bed and throwing on her heavy robe before proceeding to the door and opening it. <br><br>Vyrek, her apprentice, stood on the threshold. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words died in his throat when he saw his Mistress. “Sigyn? What happened? You look terrible!” <br><br>Sigyn let out a sharp bark of laughter, very unlike her, and ran a hand through her rat’s nest hair. She couldn’t even make it all the way through. “Gee, thanks Vyrek. I’m fine, just had a rough night is all,” she managed. It wasn’t a lie…it just wasn’t the whole truth. “What can I do for you?” she asked before he had time to comment further.<br><br>Vyrek seemed to remember he had a message to convey and snapped to attention. “Oh! Right. Last night Prince Loki seemed to have, um….destroyed your work station. The architects and servants are working to rebuild it for you today, so it’s a good thing you didn’t come in this morning.” Sigyn wasn’t surprised. The Prince had a temper. Though she had hoped he might’ve salvaged it with his magic. But why would he do that? She quickly reminded herself he was a Prince and under no obligation to her. She must remain forceful in reminding herself of that fact.<br><br>“I see. How unfortunate,” she said a bit dispassionately. “Was there anything else?”<br><br>Vyrek seemed to be taken by surprise at her lack of react not this (in his mind) devastating news. “Well…I’ve taken the liberty of replenishing what supplies and herbs were caught in the crossfire. I organized your cabinet and, well…I hope that helps.” He gave her half a smile and Sigyn’s heart melted a little. She moved forward and gave Vyrek an unexpected hug.<br><br>“Thank you, Vyrek. That was very thoughtful of you.” she said, holding on to him a moment longer than necessary. She needed to be shown kindness right now, after what happened. Vyrek was so sweet. <br><br>The apprentice was surprised but quickly returned the hug. “You’re welcome. Oh! He left, by the way.”<br><br>Sigyn pulled back and went to reply, but a wave of dizziness caught her and she slumped against the door. Vyrek was at her side instantly. “Are you all right? Sigyn, what’s wrong?” He immediately took her wrist and felt her pulse. “Your pulse is racing. You should sit down.”<br><br>The woman waved him off once the dizzy spell passed and stood up straighter, though still leaning against the door. “I’m…I’m fine. Just stood up too fast. Now, who left?” <br><br>Vyrek didn’t look convinced but responded anyway. “Prince Loki. He left late last night on some kind of errand for the Allfather. Probably won’t be back for at least two weeks. Are you sure you’re okay? You should just take it easy today. Your work station won’t be ready anyway.”&nbsp; He insisted.<br><br>Sigyn felt a wave of relief wash over her at this news. It meant she wouldn’t have to avoid him like she’d slowly been planning to. She ignored the twinge of worry and disappointment that lingered at the edges of her mind. “Yes, I think I will. I spent a little too much time last night working on the antedate. Sleep was a little hard to come by.”<br><br>At this explanation, Vyrek visibly relaxed. “You know you shouldn’t push yourself too hard, but when have you ever listened to me?” he stepped back and turned to leave. “Your station will be ready tomorrow morning. Can we work on enhancement medicines maybe?” He sheepishly smiled at her, eager to start his next stage of apprenticeship. <br><br>Sigyn chuckled and gave him a wry look. “We’ll see. Depends on how much herb-gathering you do today,” Vyrek grinned and was hurrying down the hall and towards the gardens before she had a chance to fully close her door.<br><br>Back inside her room, Sigyn stumbled to her bed, dropping her facade as she laid down on the soft mattress. Truth was, she was feeling faint and welcomed the chance to recover, particularly after last night and the recent news. One day off couldn’t hurt. If the royal family needed her, they’d fetch her. She was sure she’d be fine in a few hours. Before crawling beneath the covers, she quickly changed the bandages to palm and her neck. She didn't notice they slightly blue tinge around the wound at her neck before it was covered once more.<br><br>And then she was back in bed, dozing off to blissful unconsciousness.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>19-03-2014, 02:39:02</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/45d68364d214f4cff02094c81f600a85/tumblr_inline_n1qg6ijP441r7b28t.jpg)</div> The towering, powerful titan of a man whose dark skin stands in stark contrast against his golden armor stands in the middle of the Bifrost, clutching the handle of a hulking great sword against his chest. The man's piercing yellow eyes star into the blackened abyss separating the Nine Realms as if trying to find the faintest glimmer of light in an infinite oblivion. Heimdall, the Guardian of Asgard and the Bifrost, continues his vigilant observation of every soul in all of the Nine Realm, but only one has his full attention and has held it for nearly a fortnight. Nearly two weeks ago, Prince Loki was sent on a reconnaissance mission to Jotunheim to determine the movements of their military forces. Under normal circumstances Heimdall is able to see through to the Jotunheim populace, but something has obstructed his gifted eyesight and thus Loki was deployed to gather intelligence.<br><br>"No!" the Guardian's powerful, booming voice bellows, seeing something he does not wish. Plunging his great sword into the Bifrost's central apparatus, Heimdall creates a storm of electricity within the golden dome, activating the device's powers of transdimensional placement and retrieval. A beam of pearly luminescence streaked with multicolored bursts of light bursts from the Bifrost at a charcoal, cliffside plateau within Jotunheim.<br><hr>A man lays prostrated and splayed upon a dark, rocky outcrop overlooking a Jotunheim military compound. This lone blindspot has served as the man's silent, observational sanctuary for a fortnight where he had the perfect vantage point to record the activity of the Frost Giants' movements and activities. Lord Odin the All-Father, King of Asgard, dispatched his son Loki, the God of Lies and Mischief, to determine whether the Jotun's are massing an army and whether they are making an attempt to launch an assault against Asgard. For centuries these two realms have been at war with each other for different reasons with very few intervals that could be considered a very loose, fragile peace. After several days of reconnaissance Loki has gathered vast amounts of information, but was spotted by a Jotun sentinel and a hailstorm of arrows was immediately loosed in his general location. The demigod's vast repertoire of magic deflected or destroyed most of the missiles, but of all those that managed to survive only one found its mark. The wooden arrow shaft juts from his flesh between the ball of his shoulder and pectoral muscle, making any movements with his left arm nearly impossible and breathing labored and heavy.<br><br>Just before resigning himself to the pain, a pillar of pearly white light falls upon Loki's sprawled form, lifting him through the heavens and across the emptiness between realms. He reappears within the vast golden dome of Asgard's Bifrost in a flash of blinding white light, laying on the golden floor writhing in pain. The realm's Guardian, Heimdall, rushes over to Loki bellowing for immediate assistance for his wounds. Clutching his shoulder in his right hand, Loki blocks out most of the disturbances created by the Healers rushing to their Prince's aid, barking orders and commands at each other to retrieve various medical tools, instruments, and anesthetics to stanch the pain and bleeding. Loki is lifted onto a stretcher and carried to the Hall of Healers by two of the realm's soldiers while medical staff cantered at his side, doing their best to strip him of his leathering to better examine the wound.<br><br>"F-fetch...Sigyn...Wi-Willowwind..." the sorcerer growls through gritted teeth. His emerald eyes are wide and wild, possessed even. His raven locks, so unbelievably dark compared to his paled, alabaster skin, stick to his face and forehead, plastered in place with heavy beads of sweat as he demands the attention of the only Healer he trusts. Though any of the Healers could remove the arrow from his shoulder, Loki does not wish to see any other man or woman should other complications with the wound arise. Unfortunately his wishes are not immediately heeded until he threatens to have the next person who disobeyed a direct order executed. One of the newer Healers, a young woman he only knows as Tawny, scampers off to call Sigyn to duty. Meanwhile Loki is transferred from the stretcher and onto an operating table. General treatment has been administered such as his cloak and vests being removed, the blood being washed away and mopped up with fresh cloth, and light pressure applied to help repress the flow of bleeding.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>20-03-2014, 02:38:42</strong>
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				The days progressed since the incident in the hall and for the most part, Sigyn kept herself waspishly busy, wrapped up with patients, teaching, odd-jobs and volunteering. It was a welcome distraction and she found herself thinking less and less about Loki. Though his forbidden visage was always lurking at the edges of her thoughts. Thor had come to visit a few times, apologizing for his absence from the Halls of Healing, to which Sigyn teased that it had been his longest trek yet without coming to see her. It was easy for her to miss the first signs of sickness.&nbsp;<br><br>Initially, she just felt small dizzying spells; she’d sit down and rest for a minute and they’d be gone as quick as they came. That was the first two days. On the third, fourth and fifth day she would get the spells as well as shortness of breath. She hid it well, always managing to find a valid excuse she gave to Vyrek or Thor if they were with her before sitting down and taking first a minute or two, then five…and soon it was ten. She was so distracted by this perplexing onslaught of maladies that she never noticed the wound at her throat was festering, going from a deep blue around the edges to a decaying grey. She simply never used a mirror when changing it - she didn’t need to. It was just a cut, that’s all.<br><br><hr><br>It had been almost two weeks since Loki’s departure. Sigyn was demonstrating the effects of an enhancement potion to Vyrek on Thor. The Thunder God <div class="floatright">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/c0d86f6b38657f4174202fad84872515/tumblr_n2m0fri4jY1reflkto7_500.png)</div>had taken to visiting the Halls of Healing more often then was necessary for simple various cuts and bruises. Part of him felt responsible for her - like she was the sister he never had and it was his duty to see how she was doing and to protect her. Not to mention he enjoyed Sigyn’s company greatly - she was unmatched in the healing arts and when she spoke of them, she was a phenomenal teacher and would often explain what she was doing while Thor sat with her. It used to be a routine of their’s before he became too busy. He missed the informal lessons and vowed to begin again, as he was now sitting alongside Vyrek and listening intently. Perhaps he could impress Jane by demonstrating what he’d learned when next he saw her.<br><br>“So…if you add that disgusting paste to the base of one’s throat, it shall enhance their voice? What does that mean precisely? Will it be louder? More commanding?” Thor rose an eyebrow at Sigyn as he picked up the beaker with the brown-green paste and eyed it warily.&nbsp;<br><br>Sigyn laughed. “Yes, it will! Although I don’t think you’ll ever need it. Your voice is plenty loud enough for the entire cosmos to hear.”<br><br>Thor grinned widely and Vyrek snorted, then cleared his throat as if trying to hide he’d just laughed at the expense of a royal. Sigyn chuckled at her apprentice as she carefully measured crushed up ginger root into a vial. “Vyrek, fetch me essence of diphany, two clicks, along with powdered jax seed. Bring the jar - we might need more than what my measurements call for. Make sure you properly stew the essence before you come back!”&nbsp;<br><br>Vyrek nodded and bounded off to the stores, leaving Thor with Sigyn. The woman continued to measure out various ingredients as Thor watched. His attention, however, was mostly on her and not what she was doing. Thor’s face turned more serious and he sighed, looking at his folded hands as he leaned on the table. “Sigyn…I am sorry for what my brother did,” he said. “His behavior was unacceptable and unbecoming of a Prince of Asgard. You have my sincerest apologies for his actions.”<br><br>Sigyn paused briefly, the smile that had been on her face falling a little. “There is nothing to apologize for. It was my fault, actually. I said something out of line and it angered him. I am to blame, not him.” she said softly, setting down the ginger root and picking up a long glass tube for stirring.<br><br>Thor watched her a moment, then shook his head. “He still doesn’t know, does he?”<br><br>Sigyn stiffened, but managed a: “Hmm? Know what?”<br><br>“That you care for him. More than a friend.”&nbsp;<br><br>Sigyn’s stirring faltered and she fumbled with the vial a little before straightening herself and clearing her throat. “Uh…no. I…it doesn’t matter. He is a prince, I am a servant of the realm. You know this. It just…it can’t work. It won’t. It never will.”<br><br>Thor stood up to his full height and began toying with an empty beaker. “Jane Foster is Midgardian, a commoner, a fraction of my age and human,” he countered, raising an eyebrow at her. “I fail to see your point.”<br><br>Sigyn refused to meet the Thunder God’s eyes as she continued with her mixture. She set the stirrer down and picked up a dropper, sucking out some of the liquid before placing the vial back on a stand and picking up a beaker with what appeared to be blood in it. She signed heavily. “Like I said, it won’t work. Loki does not…see me like that. At least…not the same way I do.” she delicately dropped the liquid in to the beaker and observed the effects.<br><br>“How do you mean?” Thor asked, his brow furrowing.<br><br>Sigyn set the beaker down, dissatisfied with the results and tried another. “I mean…he is, um…only interested in temporary relations. He made that perfectly clear.” She shifted and Thor saw that she was withholding something from him. The woman was an abysmal liar.<br><br>Thor’s fist clenched and he walked around the table to stand next to the petite woman. She was incredibly small when compared to the hulk of a God. He placed his hand on her wrist and forced her to set the beaker down. His strength bore down on her and she was forced to desist with her experiment. She looked at him, frowning. “What?” she asked, a bit impatiently. She really didn’t wish to speak of this further right now.<br><br>“What did he do?”<br><br>“Nothing, I-“<br><br>“Sigyn, he is my brother. I know him better than anyone. And you have always worn your heart on your sleeve. So. What. Did he. Do.” He punctuated his words with a pause between them. His eyes were kind, but insistent. She knew he would persist until she spoke.<br><br>Sigyn hesitated. “He didn’t <em>do</em> anything. At least not on purpose,” Sigyn’s heartbeat quickened a little with nerves. She knew Thor wasn’t angry with her, but for some reason, she was feeling nervous. She moved back to experiment. “I’d rather not talk about it. Let’s just leave it at his disinterest, please?” she said, her voice smaller than usual.<br><br>Thor wanted to protest, but he saw that it clearly was painful to her, so instead, he vowed to ask his brother on his return. If he had done anything to their beloved healer, Thor would (in Darcy’s terms) <em>kick his bony ass</em>. She was such a fragile thing; so kind and compassionate - to think anyone had hurt her, let alone his own brother had Thor puffing his chest out in brotherly protection over Sigyn.&nbsp;<br><br>“He doesn’t deserve you. Not even your pinky. Whatever happened between you, or whatever he said…know that you’re too good for him anyway,” he said, trying to cheer the girl up.<br><br>Sigyn paused, a genuine smile curving her lips. She looked at Thor and opened her mouth to respond, when suddenly the smile fell from her lips. A wave of nausea hit her along with the most intense state of dizziness she’d felt yet. Her breathing became short and labored as she tried to steady herself.&nbsp;<br><br>Thor’s faced turned immediately to one of concern and alarm. The girl had gone white as a sheet and she looked about to collapse. “Sigyn? Are you well?”<br><br>Sigyn couldn’t answer. Instead, she felt a surge of weakness overrun her body and just as her eyes rolled to the back of her head, her knees buckled and she collapsed.<br><br>Thor was quick and lunged in to catch her before she hit the ground. The beakers and vials she’d been working with crashed to the floor, shattering upon impact. “Sigyn!? VYREK!&nbsp; VYREK, ATTEND ME AT ONCE!” The Thunder God roared as he lifted the frail, unconscious woman in his arms as if she weighed no more than a doll and headed for one of the private healing quarters towards the back of the Hall.<br><br><hr><br>“I am fine. Neither of you have to stay. I shall remain in bed as instructed,” Sigyn said, though her voice was soft and frail - she was so tired and felt faint. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply in and out of her nose, doing her best to ignore the men who stood at the foot of her bed like a couple of worried hens hovering over her every move.”Vyrek, go back to the Halls of Healing and assist Deirdra. Without my help, she’ll need you. Prince Thor, I’m sure you have duties to attend to,” her voice cracked but she managed to smile. “I have everything I need at my bedside. Do not worry - I’ll be better by tomorrow. Just a bit of the dizzy-sickness. As common as they come. I shall leave my bed as little as possible-”<br><br>“No, Sigyn - you cannot leave this bed at all. It may be as simple as the dizzy-sickness, but if you catch a chill or do not rest properly, it could kill you. You might black out somewhere and no one would know until it was too late!” Vyrek slammed his palm on the bannister and glared at her. Thor’s eyebrows shot into his hairline at the unexpected scolding from the slight man. His look of surprise, however, turned to one of agreement as he nodded.<br><br>“He is right. I must insist you do not leave the bed for at least three days, as Deirdra advised. Just to be sure.” <br><br>Sigyn sighed then nodded and shooed them out of the room. Once they were gone, she pulled the covers back and stood up before making her way over to <div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/1d913c67f8f6ea0f751f97ae9204b631/tumblr_n2m0gkOmkC1reflkto8_r1_400.png)</div>her vanity where a dusty reflective mirror lay unused in the corner. With slightly trembling hands, she picked it up and looked at her neck. Slowly, she peeled the bandage away and looked upon her wound for the first time. If possible, she went whiter. It was a sickly blue, grey and black color that oozed a grey puss. A faint odor rose from it - a sort of sweet, cold smell that was associated with a morning frost. It was distinctive to her, though easily missed. She didn’t have the dizzy-sickness. She had been poisoned. The blade that had accidentally cut her must have had endrega saliva on it - this wound was distinctive to that. And it was impossible to tell from willow sap unless you knew what to look for. <br><br>So. Loki had killed her. Or at least, he would in about a month’s time (not that he would know that, or even care probably). There was no known cure. She would fall into deeper sickness and dizzying spells before falling into the sleep of death. Strangely, she felt numb and detached. Her fate didn’t matter to her, but she felt her heart go out to those she knew. What a burden it would be to them, her death. They’d lose a healer she knew they needed. She wasn’t conceited, but she knew she had more expertise then nearly all healers combined. It pained her heart to leave all of her patients without that knowledge; she’d have to work Vyrek extra hard in the time she had left so no one would suffer from the lack of decent care. <br><br>A bang sounded at her door just before one of the assistants in the hall of healers came bursting through, panting. “S-Sigyn. P-Prince L-Loki requests your presence immediately,” she panted. “He is g-gravely w-wounded.”<br><br>Sigyn’s whole body stiffened, her veins lacing with an icy combination of dread and fear. This had happened a few times before, one tim in particular when she had thought he was in worser shape than he actually was, but as she recalled, the servant then hadn’t been as panicked as the one now. It made her stomach clench and churn. She briefly glanced at the bed and the items next to it. She really should rest, but that was not going to happen. Not when Loki’s life may hang in the balance. If it had been anyone else…<br><br>Still dressed the same as she was, Sigyn sprinted out the door, the assistant on her heels.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>22-03-2014, 02:35:17</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki1_zpsf2d6ecbf.jpg)</div> The Prince of Asgard still lain upon the operating table thrashed, kicked, and bucked in vain attempts to resist the clamoring of what seemed to be every medical personnel in the realm. With every feeble effort to resist, Loki becomes more and more enraged and frustrated which drew more and more attention to his plighted condition. The noise of so many people trying to take charge and control of the situation becomes almost unbearable. The clattering of metal tool trays, squishing of fluid bags, scraping of equipment, scuffling of feet, and constant chatter between patrons all weigh very heavily on Loki's already fragile tolerance. The pain searing from his wound only adds further aggravation that does nothing to improve the man's rapidly deteriorating disposition.<br><br>While one of the Healers fled to fetch Sigyn as ordered by royalty, Loki struggles to maintain any sign of composure to stifle the mind-numbing onslaught of Healers. Muscles in random areas around his face, particularly those in the corners of his mouth, around his eyes, and around his temples, begin to twitch and spasm more and more frequently as his temper rises closer and closer to the boiling point. He is in excruciating pain and on the verge of succumbing to the delirium threatening to overwhelm him, yet these peons constantly place him in absolute pandemonium. Every now and then his eyes would roll up to the back of his head and his breathing would become erratic. Blood, hot and wet, continued to ooze from the puncture wound, seeping messily through his leathers and staining his delicately paled skin a rich crimson. The pain threshold is so severely close to the breaking point...<br><br>Just when Loki thinks Sigyn has finally arrived, his fortunes take a turn for the worst for the very last person he wishes to see has entered the infirmary. Freya, the Goddess of Love and Fertility, traipses sensually in his direction wearing a very coy, almost alluring expression on her beautiful face. There is no denying she is a lovely woman, gifted with just enough endowments to make her one of the most sexually appealing women in all of Asgard, but she is a twisted mess of vindication and manipulation beneath her ravishing good looks. Every step she takes is an insult to his honor and a fresh thorn in his side. His look of disgust and contempt does nothing to deter the Goddess from making her way to his side.<br><br>"What have you done to yourself this time, lover boy?" the vixen asks silkily, taking a moment to look upon Loki's sweaty, ghostly-white face. His returned expression of deepest loathing only makes her smile anew.<br><br>"Begone with you..." he spats through gritted teeth. His facial muscles twitch more frequently and soon his whole body begins to tremble on the brink of shock due to blood loss. Unfortunately these are not the worst of the demigod's symptoms. Tinges of blue flush at the edges of his skin and his eyes begin to redden. Small, minuscule horns feel as though they are about to burst from his skull, parting through his hair like spikes through a chainmail shirt. Loki is steadily losing control over his body's natural reactions to assume its Jotun form when under extreme stress. The negativity of everything crashing down around him is simply too much to bear and his body is doing what it must to cope. Loki clenches his eyes shut and bites down hard on his bottom lip, almost breaking through the soft tissues. The metallic flavors of iron and copper police his taste buds as the man pours every ounce of his remaining concentration to focus on remaining as his true self, not to become the demonic Jotun so many people fear. At first he thinks he'll fail, but slowly the pain of the Jotun transition ebbs away and is replaced with a single, monumental tidal wave of pure, unadulterated furious rage.<br><br>"EVERYBODY. GET. OUT. NOW!!!!!" Loki bellows like an enraged, frenzied bull about to charge. Everybody, including Freya, look at him as if they'd never seen or heard him lose his temper before. Many of the Healers flee almost immediately, and Freya just slinks away unsure of what to make of the situation. The only people who remain are the senior Healers who have seen Loki behave in such a manner and are mostly desensitized to his anger. With a deep sigh, Loki's eyes fold shut and he falls back against the pillowed tabletop, unconscious and unresponsive, but alive.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>23-03-2014, 09:28:33</strong>
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				The doors flew open with a bang as Sigyn entered the private healing chamber. She was pale and had dark circles beneath her eyes, but her presence was overwhelmingly commanding and dominant. She took one look at Loki’s prone, unconscious form and knew the trouble he was in, and not just from the arrow protruding from his chest, but from the faint tinge of his skin. He was turning. If he did in the presence of those here… <br><br>Vyrek, who was in the process of cleansing the area around the wound, looked at her and his eyes widened. “Sigyn! You cannot-”<br><br>“Vyrek, you will kindly keep your mouth shut,” she said, pointedly staring at him so he caught her meaning. “And you will not tell me what to do. I give the orders here. Now, would you-”<br><br>“I beg your pardon?” Sigyn turned and was confronted by Freya, who strode towards her, hands on her rounded hips. “You do not command me, wench. I am higher ranking than you as a God and if I decide I-”<br><br>“When you are in the Halls of Healers, you are under <em>my</em> roof. You do not have a say here, you do not command <em>me</em>. I have spent my whole life studying the healing arts, dedicating every ounce of time I have to the betterment of our kind, just as you have studied…promiscuity. If we were in a brothel, <em>you</em> would have say, but when you are in my domain, you <em>will</em> listen to the orders I give. Am I quite understood?” Sigyn bore down on the Goddess, her patience thin and her irritation mounting. <br><br>Freya gaped at her like a fish, her usually porcelain skin turning a blotchy red in anger and embarrassment. Finally she got up in Sigyn’s face, but the healer didn’t move. “You shall pay for the words you speak,” then after one terrifying glance the would make lesser women shrivel, Freya stormed from the room.<br><br>Sigyn stared blankly after her for a moment. “I already have,” she whispered so softly, not a soul would hear. Then she turned back to the remaining crowd.<br><br>Everyone in the room (about eight of them) stared at the normally demure woman, mouths hanging open at her sudden change in demeanor. Everyone knew Sigyn to be soft spoken, gentle and compassionate. She was not a yeller nor was she demanding. But in that moment, she became a formidable force that made many of them quail under her gaze. “All of you, out.” she said firmly. When no one moved, Sigyn barked “NOW!” <br><br>Snapping out of their trances, every single one of them stampeded for the doors, not wishing to remain in her presence when she was in this sort of mood. Vyrek was the only one who remained. “Sigyn…you cannot do this alone. I implore you to allow me to help! It is folly to attempt this without assistance,” Vyrek paused suddenly, his eyes finding the bandage at Sigyn’s throat. it had come undone a little and he saw a grey-blue tinge on her skin. “What is…that?”<br><br>The pale woman’s eyes scanned Loki’s skin - there wasn’t much time - he would change in minutes. Not paying attention to Vyrek, she was unable to stop him as he suddenly removed the bandage from her neck. She yelped and tried to cover her throat, but the horrified gasp that fell from Vyrek’s lips told her she’d been too late. She looked at him and she knew that he knew. <br><br>He opened his mouth to speak, but Sigyn shook her head and gave him a deadly serious look.“Vyrek Galehardt, upon the oath you took when you became my apprentice and upon your word and honor as an Asgardian Healer, you will not reveal what you have seen to <em>anyone</em>. I invoke Death’s Right to ensure my command will be obeyed. Do I make myself clear?”<br><br>Vyrek blanched at “Death’s Right”. He open and closed his mouth helplessly. He was bound as a healer to abide by her wishes now. He couldn’t speak of it to anyone, not even the Allfather. It was a dying patient’s last request and by law, he could not break that confidence. He nodded with both disgust and reluctance before turning angrily from the room.<br><br>“Vyrek…” the apprentice halted but did not turn. “Do not think less of me. Please. I have to do this.” Sigyn said, her voice defeated and forlorn, but there was a note of pleading that tugged at Vyrek’s heartstrings. He nodded with a sigh, shoulders slumping, then left the room.<br><br>Sigyn turned back to Loki just as he transformed into his Jotun form. Resisting the urge to cry, Sigyn stepped forward and gently swept a lock of hair behind his ear, her touch as tender as a mother’s…or a woman deeply in love. Despite her best efforts, a tear fell down her cheek, the pain in her heart momentarily overwhelming her. “Oh Loki…”&nbsp; She allowed herself a moment to feel guilt and pity…both for herself and for the man lying before her…for her situation, for a love that would never be returned, for the pain she had caused him with words she didn’t know she’d said…if only she had kept her temper in check…<br><br>Clearing her throat, Sigyn immediately began to work. The wound was deep, VERY deep and the tip of the arrow had been poisoned if the black tissue surrounding the entrance to the wound was any indication. On top of that, it had hit the central nerves that allowed his shoulder free movement and in his Jotun form, he would be unable to retain the heat needed to keep the limb alive; he would lose his arm if she didn’t work quickly.<br><br>His body was icy cold and chilled the room to dangerously low temperatures - within minutes she had light frostbite on the tips of her fingers; she was dizzy and tired…her stomach nauseous and she felt faint. Everything about her hurt and ached - she knew that by doing this, she was speeding up the poison’s effects on her body, but she didn’t care. Only one thing mattered and that was saving his life, his arm and his pride by sparing him the humiliation she knew he’d feel at being seen this way. No one, save perhaps Loki himself, would realize the miracle she was performing, the sacrifice to both her health and her own limbs that she was making. But that was fine - she knew he likely wouldn’t care and that was okay with her. He didn’t need to care; he shouldn’t HAVE to care.<br><br>Soon her gentle massages and cooing coaxed him into relaxation, calming him enough that he changed to his human form and his skin began to heat up. Her own frostbitten toes, finger tips and nose remained tinged black though as the room was still freezing, yet on she worked. There was much to do.<br><br><hr><br>The royal family had been told of Loki’s condition and immediately, Freya, Odin and Thor all made for the Hall of Healers. Once there, Odin demanded to be let in to see his son, but after several explanations and Frigga’s soothing words, he was placated into pacing the area outside the healing quarters.<br><br><div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/1d913c67f8f6ea0f751f97ae9204b631/tumblr_n2m0gkOmkC1reflkto8_r1_400.png)</div>veral long hours later, the doors opened and a woman came out. She was hardly recognizable as Sigyn, the head healer. Her skin had lost all it’s color and radiance, turning a pasty grayish pallor; her hair was matted and tangled, falling in strings around her face; her normally silver eyes were dull and lifeless, and her usually perfect posture was hunched from weariness. The frostbite on her nose had dulled along with what was on her toes, however the frostbite on the tips of her fingers had worsened - she would lose a few of them if not heated up and soon. <br><br>Depsite all this, she managed a weary smile and bade the worried family inside. “He is just now rousing from unconsciousness. A few days solid r-rest and he’ll be fine,” she croaked to a worried King and Queen. Both of them hurried in but Thor lingered behind. The look on his face was horrorstruck as he took in Sigyn’s appearance. He opened his mouth to speak, but Sigyn beat him to it. “I am fine. You must attend your brother. Vyrek will see to me. Do not argue.” she said with a small smile. <br><br>Thor did not return it. Instead, he frowned. “My brother will know of what you’ve done for him. This I swear. I shall be by to check on you later.” He made to turn, but Sigyn stopped him.<br><br>“Please.” she said, taking an urgent step (or stumble, really) towards him. He turned back to her inquiringly. “Do not say anything. And please do not trouble yourself with a visit. I shall be under the best care and supervision with Vyrek. You need to stay with your family.” She implored, eyes beseeching him.<br><br>The Thunder God’s own eyes narrowed as he considered the girl before him, but before he could answer, a loud groan was heard from inside the room and Frigga called for Thor’s presence. With a final disgruntled look at Sigyn, Thor entered, shutting the doors behind him. <br><br>Sigyn watched for a split second, then turned to see Vyrek standing next to her. She smiled, then immediately it fell from her lips as she visibly swayed on her feet. “Vyrek,” she said, swallowing thickly. “I’m…I’m going to f-faint now. I entrust my care to only you. Upon your word, n-no one, not even r-royalty may enter my…my….quar……ttters…..” And with that, Vyrek lunged forward and caught the sickly woman in his arms as she fell into a dead faint.
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				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>24-03-2014, 07:04:54</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/Loki1_zpsf2d6ecbf.jpg)</div> The near lifeless form of Loki lays deathly still upon the operating table desperately awaiting vital treatment. The overwhelming stress of so many stimuli have forced his Jotun heritage to manifest, but was quelled into remission at the cost of the demigod’s consciousness and last remaining vestiges of strength and willpower. From the moment the sweet, blissful comfort of black nothingness had consumed him Loki felt nothing, heard nothing, and could see nothing but the void of what he hoped to be Death itself. It is with the deepest regret Loki had to enter such a state without first seeing Sigyn, the one who’d undeservingly fallen victim to his scorn and wrath, to apologize and beg for forgiveness. Now, she must see him once again in such a precarious state and without the solace of his repentance.<br><hr><em>Loki stands before a table of whirling silver instruments standing gingerly on spindled legs, gently puffing plumes of light smoke. All around him are different alchemical tools, ingredients, and components as if he had been sent back in time. Before him is the flask holding the sample of his brother’s blood tainted with the elusive Frindzher poison he and Sigyn were attempting to find an antidote for. She stood at his right side making snide comments and accusations blatantly unfounded, but something in this reality seems to be off. The world seems to be darker as if the light had been somehow dampened and all colors were saturated with darkness.<br><br>”Do you not remember me being the honorable gentleman and resist the temptation to rape you myself? DO YOU?!” Loki raged, slinging the table’s contents across the room.<br><br>Rape…rape…rape… The words ring continuously in Loki’s ears, torturing him like a needle jabbing relentlessly into his deepest sub-conscious. What had possessed him to use that phrasing? Never in his long life had he ever resorted to such crude behavior as to rape a woman, much less somebody he knew would submit to him willingly and near immediately. His words had cut much deeper than the knife that physically struck her ever could. It was almost he was making it seem she had conned him into some act of debauchery which was entirely not the case. Their night spent together was a means of survival for the shaken woman, not an act of sexual misconduct as he made it appear.<br><br>The scene backtracks as if pulling Loki through a loophole in time and space, drawing him further and further to past events as if Fate were becoming his cruel, though deserving, mistress. He finds himself standing over Sigyn in her private chambers when he watched her bathe and pleasure herself to him. Before Loki could progress through the act of pleasing himself the scene takes a horrifying tangent. Instead of Sigyn exploding in ecstatic climax, her body is ripped and torn by an invisible hand, spilling her blood into the bath water like crimson clouds. Before Loki could reach out or even recoil in horror, he is flung through the chamber walls as if an invisible string is hauling him through the realms. He lands in the Hall of Healers where Sigyn’s body lies in a glass coffin surrounded with white roses as if she were on display.<br><br>Death had claimed her…</em><br><hr>Several hours later the man wakes to the stabbing pain in his left shoulder where an arrow once called its home. Blinding white light sears his tender eyesight through the slits in his eyelids upon waking, bringing the sting of tears not as a result from the light, but moreso the nightmare he just experienced. Never before had the demigod been terrorized by his misgivings in the past, but something prickles in the back of his consciousness as if not all were as well as they seemed. Heavy, painful groans emanate from his throat as he attempts to lift himself to a more comfortable position, but he is halted by a gentle, womanly touch against his shoulders and chest.<br><br>“Rest Son. You’ve been through immense pain and must rest,” his Mother’s soothing voice says from his bedside. Loki turns his head to face her, but does not smile or really acknowledges the Goddess. Accompanying the Queen is his brother Thor and his father Odin, both of whom appear to be holding themselves in observant reservation as if debating whether to speak some painful truth.<br><br>“Where is Sigyn?” Loki asks wearily. The three share a lengthy glance between them as if hesitant to reply. After a few moments of silence, Thor finally speaks up.<br><br>“She is recuperating in her chambers. She came to your beckoning and saw to your immediate care at great cost to herself, Brother,” the God of Thunder mutters. His voice, deep and rough, seems to have adopted some notes of accusation and bitterness as if he knew something Loki did not. The warrior does not move closer to the bedside which is probably for the better considering the look of disgust and disapproval Thor is glaring at Loki with.<br><br>“I wish to see her.”<br><br>“No. It is her request nobody disturb her save for her assistant who has been charged with supervising her recovery. She sustained minor abrasions and exhaustion while tending to you, Loki,” the All-Father comments. His voice too seems to be disapproving. Had his family learned of his behavior prior to his excursion into Jotunheim? Did they know of the manner in which he had treated Sigyn and still demanded her presence? If so Loki knows their retribution, but it does not come. Instead they take their leave, leaving Loki to his thoughts so he may rest and recover enough strength to be discharged.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>26-03-2014, 00:58:16</strong>
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				Kryvos was smug with the satisfaction of how things were playing out. Finally, it seemed fate had decided to roll in his favor. That Loki had been injured and essentially forced Sigyn from her rest in order to attend him at her own detriment would be an enormous blow to the Mischief God when he found out he’d not only killed her, but sped up the process. How arrogant he was, how selfish. How utterly perfect for Kryvos. <br><br>Nothing was worse than the torture one put oneself through in guilt.<br><br>Now that things were moving along nicely, he would begin making arrangements to start the second part of his plan.<br><br><hr> <br>Sigyn’s eyes felt like sandpaper weighed down with lead as she struggled to open them. Her head was throbbing, her body ached in places she didn’t know existed and she felt sick to her stomach. “Sigyn?” a soft voice from her left spoke and she slowly turned to see Vyrek sitting next to her vigilantly.<br><br>“…Vy…ek…” Her broken voice was scratchy and pitiful sounding. Vyrek gave her a pained look and she attempted to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. “Don’t…w…rry….fine…”<br><br>But as soon as the broken words left her lips, she turned paler and barley manages to turn over before she was heaving up blood since her stomach was unable to sustain food any longer. Immediately, Vyrek was by her side, holding her stringy hair out of her way. He looked in physical pain as he stared at the weakened creature before him. “You’ve….you’ve been asleep for nearly four days, waking only to heave, then going comatose again. I’ve fed you broth and water, but you can’t keep either down. You’ve lost nearly a quarter of your body weight and you haven’t lost your fever. Sigyn, I beg you…please let me tell someone. You must!”<br><br>“Noo..” she croaked, laying back with effort as her chest wheezed with the efforts. “Vy…rk…you know…s’well as…..I that…n-moth….ing can b-be d..ne,” a sheen of sweat covered her body and she panted a little, cracked lips dry despite the apprentice’s best efforts to moisten them. The wound at her throat seemed to have reached it’s peak in terms of the worst it would get, leaving the entire base of her throat sickly blue and grey and black. <br><br>Vyrek shook his head at the woman. “That is not true! I research the poison and there is one cure-“<br><br>“Not….nuff…time,”<br><br>“But if Thor or Loki-”<br><br>Sigyn shook her head, giving Vyrek the best stern look she could. Vyrek glared, then stood up angrily and threw the pot of cool water he’d been dipping a cloth in to pat her forehead across the room and shouted. “Damnit Sigyn, don’t you get it? Your life is <em>worth</em> something here! You are the greatest healer this realm has ever known and to Thor and Loki, you are like a sister! And to me as well! Why won’t you let us <em>try</em>!” he thundered, throwing his hands up and clearing daggers at her.<br><br>Sigyn stared at him, her sunken in eyes filled with pain and remorse. She turned just as a tear slipped down her <div class="floatright">(https://24.media.tumblr.com/243e19b2b04efb15d8345cf017991e1d/tumblr_n27hjq9pMn1skt3v6o5_r1_250.png)</div>cheek, not wishing for Vyrek to see her and to continue giving off the impression that she was strong. That she wasn’t terrified and that she wasn’t in the amount of physical pain she was currently in; Vyrek never suspected. She shook her head and cleared her throat before speaking in a whisper that was smooth, but still broken in a few parts. “…I know my life is worth something. I am not saying it isn’t. I’m just being practical, Vyrek. I caught it too late. There is no time to retrieve an antidote and ever if there was, there is not guarantee it would work. Do not think that because I have accepted this I am okay with it. I want to live, to continue to help others….but that won’t happen.” she turned from him angrily and stared at her door, tears falling down her hollow cheeks. <br><br>Vyrek stood disbelieving. He was too young to understand when a person accepted death. He was too determined. Too stubborn. <br><br>Abruptly, he angrily threw down the towel and stomped towards the door. “Loki woke shortly after you finished treating him. He is recovering perfectly. He has been asking to see you, but per your wishes, no one has entered her save myself,” he stopped at the door, back stiff with anger and fists clenched with torment. He looked at her through his peripheral. “I’m getting more broth to try and keep the nutrients in your body. I’ll be back later.” he grumbled through a clenched jaw, then opened the door and slammed it shut, the force making the walls tremble.<br><br>Sigyn stared at the door for a moment, before collapsing into a heap on her pillow and allowing the tears of pain and regret to final fall.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>28-03-2014, 05:22:18</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(http://i945.photobucket.com/albums/ad297/Jubei_NFRP/Characters/loki_zps09b05c00.jpg)</div> “Prince Loki! You’re not yet fully recovered! Please return to your bed!” Tawny bawls chasing after the demigod whose baleful gaze fiercely cows the woman down. He stands at his full height, glaring at the straw-haired youth. For several days he has been confined to his bed without having seen Sigyn Willowwood at all since his return to Asgard. The woman’s incompetent assistant, Vyrek, has been seen coming and going from the Hall of Healers multiple times every day since his return from Jotunheim, always wearing a grim frown. Even his brother, the mighty Thor, has been seen wearing similar expressions as of late. Each time Loki has asked Vyrek to summon Sigyn for him, the assistant always bleats the same answer that she had fallen ill and is still recovering. What could she have taken ill with so badly she is not able to tend to herself for so long? Does Vyrek or Thor know something he does not?<br><br>“Do not presume to tell me what to do, <em>Apprentice</em>,” Loki hisses, causing the woman to recoil at the use of her position dripping with such disdain. Without another word Loki turns to leave the Hall of Healers, flourishing his hunter green cloak as he turns since he is finally allowed to wear his normal attire, leaving the trembling woman to look upon his departure with a frightened awe as if she’d never seen something so dangerous. It is liberating to finally leave the confinements of the Hall of Healers where he had not one moment’s privacy since entering the infirmary. The man’s raven tresses waft gently in the open breeze as though they were being played with by invisible hands as he storms through the Palace’s hallways, glaring about for the one he seeks.<br><br>“What in the name of the All-Father is going on around here?” Loki thinks aloud, breaking the monotonous thudding of every footstep he takes along the hallways, marching in the general vicinity of Sigyn’s quarters. He and every person in Asgard, save for Vyrek who is overseeing Sigyn’s care, has been forbidden to enter her chambers and disrupt her recovery, but such restrictions have rarely had any effect on the trickster in the past. This decree handed down by Odin himself has one very critical vulnerability in that Vyrek is allowed to see Sigyn. Within moments the two men encounter each other. Vyrek stops dead in his tracks upon locking eyes with Loki marching down upon him with obvious purpose.<br><br>“Y-you cannot…c-c-come here!” the lackey stammers in a vain attempt to show courage and stand up against one of Asgard’s royalty. Though trembling just slightly, the man shows remarkable loyalty to Sigyn in order to openly defy Loki’s advance.<br><br>“I do not seek to enter. I seek <em>you</em>, Vyrek. Please, come with me so we may speak openly between men.”<br><br>“N-no. Whatever you have to s-say, speak now for I am—” but Vyrek is cut off from finishing his sentence. The young man’s eyes seem to glaze over, become unfocused and more docile than they had been attempting bravery unbefitting a man who has yet to step foot on the battlefield. The apprentice’s mouth slackens and droops open stupidly. It would seem odd to any observing the situation as to why Vyrek had suddenly lost his resolve and vigilance when he had been so resolute in keeping anybody from disturbing Sigyn. From Vyrek’s perspective he sees nothing but a lazily drifting haze as if a mist of golden flakes have suddenly engulfed the world like a vivacious blizzard. In reality Loki had placed him under hypnosis simply by making eye contact, instantly trapping Sigyn’s apprentice and enthralling his feeble mind.<br><br>“Tell me, Vyrek. Why has Sigyn taken so ill?”<br><br>“I cannot say, Prince Loki,” Vyrek drawls slowly and dreamily.<br><br>“You have given such honorable service. It would be a terrible dishonor to allow your master to suffer so, would it not? You do wish to help Sigyn. Do you Vyrek?” Loki says very calmly as if he were speaking to a distraught child. Nonchalantly he steps closer to the assistant, holding aloft his right hand that glows with a very faint blue light. This aura of magical energies is often used by sorcerers to distinguish between truth and dishonesty by those under their enchantment. When the light withers the ensorcelled is being dishonest, and when the truth is spoken the light will brighten.<br><br>“I do wish to help.” The light brightens some, casting a pale glow upon the men’s faces that are mere inches apart.<br><br>“What keeps you from revealing Sigyn’s secret?”<br><br>“Nothing my Prince.” The light’s prior brightness dims considerably, instantly darkening the vicinity.<br><br>“You are lying to me Vyrek. What are you hiding?” Loki’s voice becomes much more stern as if trying to force the truth from the man rather than coerce it peacefully.<br><br>“Death’s..right..” Vyrek exhales quietly.<br><br>“Death’s Right?! What is Sigyn dying from?” Loki cries out in sudden shock from suddenly realizing the magnitude of the situation. All of the signs have been so obvious; Sigyn’s extended absenses, his family’s reluctance to speak of her whereabouts, Vyrek’s scurrying about on her behalf, the tales of her falling ill. All of which Loki should have recognized much sooner, but the key element still remains unknown. Despite being asked a direct question, Vyrek shakes his head with quivering lips clenched between his teeth.<br><br>“Tell me! What is Sigyn Willowwood dying from?!” Loki bellows, his temper rising to the surface yet again. Splotches of red pigments bubble along his alabaster skin in his anger. Again Vyrek shakes his head vigorously, outright refusing to betray Sigyn’s secret in spite of Loki’s powerful mind manipulation and influence. A sudden thrust of Loki’s hand rebounds from the side of Vyrek’s head, releasing a concussive burst of magic that instantly knocks the man out. He crumbles where he stands, falling to his knees and onto his side in a heap of cloth and flesh, whole and alive, but unconscious and unresponsive to all external stimuli.<br><br>“Your services are no longer required…” the demigod mutters in contempt as he steps over the broken man. The door to Sigyn’s chambers stands before him, unlocked and unobstructed. The object of his recent obsession lies within these very walls yet he hesitates. What would Sigyn say if she learned he bewitched Vyrek into divulging parts of her secret? Would her condition worsen under the stress? If so would she possess enough strength to remain alert to converse, or would she choose to pass out than to speak with him? A trembling hand reaches for the door handle, grasping the cool iron and pushing the heavy wood open. The hinges desperately in need of oiling creak with a high-pitched squeal.<br><br>Across the room opposite of the door lays the feeble form of Sigyn. The sight of her being so broken down, frail and weak strikes a heavy blow straight to Loki’s emotional side. A sickly, grayed tint has robbed her pearly skin of its luster and shine. Lanks of her flaxen hair have lost their brilliance and have thinned greatly, giving her a look of advanced age. Her body has lost much weight, a sign she is unable to eat and properly hydrate herself. A nauseating smell of decay and lethargy lingers around her person. Loki is almost too frightened to cross the wooden floor closer to her bed for fear any movement he makes could do something to drag her further into Death’s all-too-eager embrace. The few precious seconds he spends standing at the door observing the woman feel like an eternity in themselves, cloaking a sense of cruel foreboding as if he were intruding on a private moment. As he steps closer to Sigyn his pulse quickens and heart thunders against his ribs. A choking sensation grips his throat as he silently creeps to her bedside, sitting in the chair Vyrek must have used when watching over Sigyn.<br><br>Loki takes her frail hand in his own, giving it a gentle caress as if he were about to say his last goodbyes to a dear loved one. How does it pain him to see her in such a state, unresponsive to his touch after so much that had happened between them. His rattling breath wafts a few strands of her frayed hair which he places behind her delicate ear, framing her face a little better. For what feels like hours Loki merely sits there looking over Sigyn, noticing the dried trails that once were tears falling from her bony cheeks. A faint reddish tint bags beneath her eyes, a sure sign she had been weeping recently. Had she been sobbing because of the pain associated with her condition? Was she crying because of him and how he treated her? Loki owed this woman so much. It had been by her hand he was able to keep functionality in his arm and saved him the social stigma of his Jotun heritage.<br><br>“Sigyn? Can you hear me?” he whispers, giving her hand a gentle shake in an attempt to stir her.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>29-03-2014, 01:24:08</strong>
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				She didn’t know how much time had passed since Vyrek&nbsp; had left. It could have been five minutes, or half a day. She laid on the bed, struggling to stay conscious but in the end, failed. She fell asleep, into that blissful blackness she so craved more and more now. Her tears were dried and crusted on her cheeks, her hair matted and body turned at an odd angle. She’d been too weak to move.&nbsp;<br><br>In her fever-dreams she saw Loki. She saw his face contorted with pain, his body twisted in agony; blood was everywhere and no matter what she did, she could not save him. None of her skills could match what was needed to bring him to full health. The frustration and anger welled in her dream eyes, leaking out as tears in her sleep. She whimpered, reaching out to Loki but he was too far. Always too far. The blackness closed in and she felt herself suffocating. Everything was too far. <br><br>In her sleep, she whimpered; the small, marginally pathetic sound would tug at heartstrings and make many weep. Her frail body shifted ever-so-slightly. Something tickled the edge of her consciousness, urging her to wake. At first she didn’t want to, but the tickling was persistent. It even whispered her name. She wondered how it knew her. At it’s urging, her eyes fluttered open and stared into the pained face of Loki only half a foot from hers. <br><br>She thought she was still dreaming. That he fever-soaked mind had decided to keep her asleep and accordingly, her eyes glistened further with tears before they fell down her cheeks. She reached a bony, trembling hand out to his face and gently - as if he might break - touched his cheek, caressing the smooth skin as if it were the most expensive silk in all of Asgard. <br><br>“I’m sorry,” she blurted out in a broken sob. “I…tried. I…I couldn’t save you,” Anguish tortured her insides; she felt so utterly helpless at not being able to save him and it tore through her like a hot knife. Her face twisted into one of horror and agony, but it was so clearly a look she felt FOR him, not because of him. She wanted so badly to save him. Another wail as the tears fell more quickly. She stroked his cheek then cupped his chin tenderly, lovingly. “…I tried. You…you were too far…everything is so far…”<br><br>Her hand dropped and suddenly her features twisted into two emotions Sigyn rarely (if ever) displayed. Fear and uncertainty. Despite her soft nature and her timid body language, Sigyn was always sure. It was the healer in her. She could not afford to hesitate or it might mean loss of life. And now she curled into a ball, trembling with fright and looking like a small helpless child in the throes of a nightmare. “I’m so…sorry..” she whispered, eyes going unfocused as if dwelling inside her head and seeing horrific images only she could see.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>29-03-2014, 03:13:54</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/8657941f6b98b8e7ab297bda50cf50ce/tumblr_n367ddMS4M1sidjizo1_500.png)</div> Loki looks upon Sigyn with such an uncharacteristic sense of merciful sadness and empathy as if he isn’t sure of what he is seeing. The scope of the situation hadn’t yet been fully realized and the melancholy shining from his contorted face is unmistakable. For several moments he could have been entrapped by one of his own illusions as his disbelief for what he’s seeing is almost palpable. To see Sigyn splayed before him so torpid and decrepit, having to fight just to speak or keep her eyes open, and on the brink of mortality shakes the demigod to the core. Rarely has he experienced the pain and denial of losing somebody so vital to his livelihood. To look upon this woman in her ruined, frail state is something he definitely was not prepared for. His heart, normally well guarded by a pantheon of emotional barriers, rips asunder as if the hands of Fate had torn it in two the moment Sigyn’s cool hand caresses his face. An emotional stabbing jabs through his chest like a spear of ice-cold steel. If such a feeling were true his icy blood would spurt forth in great gouts.<br><br>Loki goes to open his mouth to speak, but that malevolent choking constricts his breathing, preventing him from expressing the gamut of emotions coursing through him. Sigyn has nothing to be sorry for. She is the epitome of innocence and purity, one of the most pristine souls Loki has had the privilege of encountering. She has absorbed and endured the emotional burdens of others in the course of being a Healer. She alone has shouldered the brunt of every patient’s pain and sorrow, yet remained strong and headfast, never wavering or faltering. How could she blame herself for <em>his</em> brutality? <br><br>“Tis I who should feel sorry..not you my dear,” he whispers softly, turning his face into her touch. The corners of his mouth twitch uncontrollably and his eyes water slightly. Hearing her speak of him being so far is more than the literal meaning. He knows she is referring to him being too far for her to be with. Whether she is referring to their social statuses or his constant aloofness he is not sure. Either way, she deserved so much more..so much better than <em>him</em>. Fighting back the urge to weep, he continues. “You did save me..in more ways I could imagine. You saved me.”<br><br>All that prevents him from breaking down and be swept away by a turbulent sea of regret that has been raging from the moment he stepped foot in these chambers is one final emotional barrier: The reason behind Sigyn’s deathly illness. Loki hadn’t been able to pry that bit of elusive information from Vyrek and so far he has been unable to discern anything from Sigyn’s bleating whimpers. He doubts she would tell him and he wouldn’t be able to bring himself to force it out of her. To bewitch her mind could prove fatal, and knowing he was the one to finally kill her would be too much for him to bear. Unfamiliar emotions pertaining to such a devastating circumstance made him feel utterly vulnerable. His eyes, normally commanding and calculating, are warring with bleak helplessness and petrified denial, but above all, despair as they flit across Sigyn’s delicate frame as if some sign is going to make its appearance.<br><br>The man’s alchemical knowledge and experience, having been tucked away in his subconscious this whole time, reigns in his emotions and allowing logic to take over. Some of these symptoms are indicative of poisoning, but by what means? Unless he takes a sample of her blood he would never know for sure, but some of the symptoms are exclusive only to certain toxins such as her rapid decline, the grayish tint to her skin, and the smell of something sweet yet sickly. Still these symptoms are not enough to tell him exactly which pathogen to counteract. With no other alternative, Loki decides to go for broke and simply ask Sigyn, hoping against hope she would find it in her heart to enlighten him so he may work to save her.<br><br>“Sigyn? Why have you invoked Death’s Right?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>01-04-2014, 05:53:09</strong>
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				<strong>Sigyn was far too hazy to fully interpret Loki’s reaction; that and in her dreams, Loki was a the version SHE wanted. The version that she conjured herself - what she dreamed he’d be like.&nbsp; The real Loki paid hardly any attention to her let alone taking fault willingly. So she stayed silent for a long time, not looking at him, willing her consciousness to have him disappear.When he didn't. When he remained where he was, Sigyn finally looked back at him and gave him a sad smile. It appeared her subconsciousness wanted her to answer. “Oh Loki," it was the first time she'd ever said his name without a title. It was a dream after all. "This is a pleasant fiction...you sitting there caring and attentive. My mind is cruel to play such games with me. I know you do not truly feel this way; not the real you. But in my dreams you do…perhaps it is all an effect of the poison." She tried to breathe more deeply, but a coughing fit cut her off. She closed her eyes, resigned. As if in that moment she was ready to wake up…or die. </strong><br><br><hr><br>“Delirium… She’s hallucinating by thinking she is perceiving a different reality. That helps narrow the list of pathogens at least,” Loki thinks to himself. Hearing Sigyn speak of him being so opposite of his dream-world doppelganger causes him to visibly flinch. He could not deny he has not acted rashly and oftentimes overly disinterested, but to hear the truth spoken from such innocent lips is a very harsh reality check indeed. He does not speak to refute her perception as there is no possible argument that could defend him.<br><br>“Sigyn? Please tell me which poison you speak. I could save you, and maybe atone for my transgressions. Sigyn?” Loki’s eyes widen when hers shut, hoping she had not yet slipped away from him before he could make any attempt to save her worthy life.<br><br><hr><br><strong>She frowned. Dream-Loki wasn’t usually this argumentative or persistent. It was strange, but oddly refreshing, and so she fluttered her eyes open and peered at him, deciding to play along with her subconsciousness. “I am sorry, but I cannot tell you. Besides the fact that I know it is hopeless to attempt to save me, I know that by uttering it to you in my dream will only give me false hope when I wake.” she paused, then ran her fingers over his hand, tracing the veins and bones she felt beneath the white skin. “You are so beautiful Loki. So talented and unique. You deserve someone equally as beautiful and intelligent. Do you know why I like these dreams?” she asked, reaching a hand to curl a finger in his black locks. “Because here, I can touch you freely; I can pretend that I am worthy of you.”</strong><br><br><hr><br>The weight of tears held at bay for so long finally pulls a single tear from each eye, splashing from his high cheekbones as his mouth drops open when she teases his raven tresses. The dry choking feeling returns in full force hearing Sigyn speak so casually about her own death and praising him with every word. Loki deserves no such praise for he truly is a monster who deserves nobody, much less a woman as great as she. The man’s mouth trembles as though he were having difficulty speaking the words his heart has known for some time.<br><br>“I owe you so much Sigyn. It was by your hand I still live. How great could I possibly be if I could fall so easily, yet you stand so strong in the face of Death?” the demigod stammers, fiercely fighting the urge to openly weep. He places Sigyn’s hand back at her side and stands over the dying saint, taking his time to slide his arms under her so he may lift her into the threshold position. To hold her against his chest as he had done the night to save her life..to have her next to him in her last possible moments..maybe then she could feel his heart beat and know he is not an illusion.<br><br><hr><br><strong>Well. This was unexpected - dream-Loki was refuting her. He was….detailed. She frowned, the haze in her eyes slowly starting to clear bit-by-bit. She watched him stand and wondered where he was going. But she didn’t have to wonder for long as he leaned down and took her in his arms before cradling her against his chest. She gasped, fighting the urge to whimper at how achy she was as he held her there. Wait…she felt achy. Actually felt it. She hesitantly rubbed her cheek against his linen shirt and felt the fibers tickle her cheek. And his chest was warm, and the thudding beneath his shirt…<br><br>She slowly trailed a hand up his sternum until she reached the “V” where his skin was visible. Unsure if it was bold or stupidity, she slipped her hand into his shirt and placed her palm over his heart. She gasped. "Prince Loki! You're....you're......real....?" she hesitantly raised her wide eyes to his, trembling in his arms. She was suddenly very very nervous.</strong><br><br><hr><br>“I have always been real,” he whispers with a faint smile breaking through the sadness contorting his features. He could feel his eyes begin to warm and sting slightly from the tears threatening to show themselves, but he manages to fight the urge for a while longer. He does nothing to stop her from placing her hand beneath his shirt. Perhaps the feel of his flesh and warmth of his body would do something to awaken her withered will to survive. Slowly he sits back in the chair and rocks Sigyn as he had done the night of her attack. He nuzzles his cheek against her forehead, noticing the faint, subtle hints of something sweet and sour at the same time on her person. Was it the poison?<br><br>“Sigyn, I implore you to see reason. Please, I beg of you,” he mewls to the woman cradled in his arms. His right hand takes her left in a gentle grasp, showing he truly does care and wants to help without having to try and speak the words. Already he is on the verge of breaking down himself, knowing the one woman in all of Asgard who may love him is slipping away to a place he cannot follow.<br><br><hr><br><strong>Sigyn was stiff in his arms, her thoughts racing, her emotions a maelstrom. But it was exhausting and didn’t last long. Eventually, resignation won out. Now that she was awake, she was far more reserved and guarded. Despite being held by him, her mindset was back to normal with regards to the Prince. He was a magnificent bird soaring high in the heavens and she was the pitiful creature in the shadows who always longed to join him. But he was ever untouchable and always would be. She sighed and kept her eyes averted from him. “Your Grace, it is not appropriate for use to be seen this way. I think it would be best for you to leave. Vyrek will be back soon to assist in my…recovery.” she had lied through her teeth, but didn’t wish to trouble him with the truth. She weakly moved back and attempted to slide from his lap towards the bed.</strong><br><br><hr><br>Loki shakes his head in resigned disapproval hearing Sigyn become so formal, using his title and continuing to treat herself like a mere pawn. A heavy sigh escapes his lips as she tries to wriggle free from his embrace. Has she not realized Loki cares not for the public’s opinion? Did he not make that clear when he rescued her from hypothermia’s gelid grip? Still, Loki does not quell her sliding from his embrace and back onto her bed so she may rest. Of course she had no knowledge of what happened to Vyrek, nor would he have any memory upon recovery, so Loki does not feel the need to enlighten her. Rising anger could cause more damage than she’s already suffered.<br><br>“I shall see what is keeping Vyrek,” he mutters as he bends over Sigyn to return the covers back over her so she may keep warm, but hesitates when his eyes fall upon the wrappings around her throat. A very prominent grayed taint surrounds the edges of the gauze with just barely discernible traces of blue. With all the other symptoms considered, only two poisons could fit the situation. Loki quickly regains his composure and gives the woman a wan smile and kiss on her forehead.<br><br><hr><br><strong>She crawled back beneath the covers, her movements slow and sluggish from minimal strength and shaking limbs. With trembling hands, she took hold of the covers Loki helped her with and pulled them over her frail body. She gave him a faint smile of thanks when he told her he would fetch Vyrek. It didn’t occur to her yet how or why Loki was even here. She was too exhausted to think that far. She does, however, notice his gaze at her throat and she surreptitiously attempts to hide the bandages, both out of fear for his reaction should he discover what the poison was AND out of self consciousness. She averted her gaze once more with the excuse of arranging herself when movement caught her eye and she looked up just in time for him to smile and lean forward to plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. <br><br>A soft sigh left her throat, her heart clenching painfully in her chest. Did he realize what it did to her when he displayed such careless affection? did he understand the depth of her feelings for him? If so, how could he be so cruel? He pulled away and she kept her eyes closed, willing the tears not to fall. She heard footsteps walk towards her door and pause. She blurted out what she was thinking. “Thank you for stopping by, my Prince. I know it is your duty to see to such things, but I understand your time is valuable and…and I appreciate it. Please do not trouble yourself further though. Vyrek will care for me.” she said softly, her back turned to him as she was laying on her side. The tears she finally allowed to fall since he could no longer see her and was about to leave.</strong>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>03-04-2014, 05:10:58</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/8657941f6b98b8e7ab297bda50cf50ce/tumblr_n367ddMS4M1sidjizo1_500.png)</div> “<em>Thank you for stopping by, my Prince. I know it is your duty to see to such things, but I understand your time is valuable and…and I appreciate it. Please do not trouble yourself further though. Vyrek will take care of me.</em>”<br><br>The words echo relentlessly in Loki’s ears, tormenting him with every syllable. His hand, shaking with the first waves of anger, clenched the cold, iron handle on Sigyn’s chamber door so hard his knuckles whitened. A small vein in the side of his neck pulsated angrily and in an instant he’d forgotten the woman was deathly sick. He whirled on her, rage flashing like lightning in his emerald eyes, but not because he is upset at her, but more from her misunderstanding him. The enraged demigod storms back to Sigyn’s bedside and kicks the stool aside.<br><br>“Is your sight as addled as your body?! Do you not see the pain in me?! Am I truly so heartless I cannot fathom the value of another’s life? Am I truly so selfish in your eyes?!” the man snaps in frustration. His eyes dart back and forth across Sigyn whose turned back only angers him further. Loki’s lip curls and nostrils flare just slightly as he feels the icy reception he is given. For a moment Loki’s emotions almost overwhelm him. Almost he produced legitimate tears as his chest aches as if a dagger of frozen steel had pierced his heart.<br><br>“Vyrek will not return. I will be the one tending to you from now on,” the Prince continues softly. Just seeing Sigyn lay curled up, sobbing as if he couldn’t see or hear, is far too powerful to be a mere rival to his trivial ire. Slowly his hands reach out to remove the dressings from around the woman’s neck, taking the cotton wraps from the festering wound cut into her throat. From the kit left by Vyrek he takes a fresh roll of wrappings and gently redresses the wound with the kind of tenderness one shows to an infant. Like when he wrapped the cut on her hand, Loki gently presses his hand against Sigyn’s throat and summons the tiniest traces of magic, generating a very light chill around the wound. Nearly all poisons can be slowed in the presence of cold, but he must be careful as to avoid making her weakened body too cold.<br><br>“Sigyn, I forbid you to use my title. You may only refer to me by name from now on,” he whispers to her, bending to pick up the dislodged chair so he may sit next to her once again. Cautiously he sniffs the older bandages, attempting to determine the poison by the scent of the deterioration. The scent is familiar..something sweetened yet fraught with decay and rot. Could it be…endrega venom? If so, how?!<br><br>“Sigyn? What poison is this?” His voice is direct. Commanding. She would know he suspects the culprit, but may or may not know for certain.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>07-04-2014, 23:23:37</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="floatright">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/1d913c67f8f6ea0f751f97ae9204b631/tumblr_n2m0gkOmkC1reflkto8_r1_400.png)</div> She waited for the inevitable click and creak of her door that told her he had left, but it didn’t come. Instead she heard the swish of garments as if someone had turned quickly a split second before she heard a crash from behind her. She jumped, startled, and gingerly turned her body to see what had happened.<br><br>Loki. He had kicked the poor stool clear across the room and now stood glaring at her. If that look wasn’t enough to make her wince, his words were. She gaped helplessly at him, the tears falling fresh from her eyes. She tried to speak, to tell him <em>no</em> that <em>wasn’t</em> what she had meant! But no words came out and she was left to weakly shake her head in protest. She flinched again as he finished and stared at her with open hurt and rejection. She felt her heart crack with compassion and guilt. <br><br>“No! I’m…I-” but her soft, cracked voice was weak and easily spoken over.<br><br>“<em>Vyrek will not return. I will be the one tending to you from now on,”</em><br><br>Sigyn’s eyes widened and she left her mouth open. “What did…you do?” she implored, worry etched across her face as all kinds of horrors and tricks entered her mind.<br><br>But before he answered, he leaned forward, still standing and took hold of the bindings around her throat. She protest again, her frail hand reaching to clutch at his wrist to try and stop him. She shook her head and leaned away. “Please….don’t….” but he didn’t listen and did as he wanted. Very Loki-like.<br><br>Her tears continued to fall as she lowered her face in shame. She couldn’t look at him, couldn’t see the disgust in his eyes from such a festering wound. How could she have let it gotten this far? She was so disgraced by her own lack of self-healing skills. But instead of giving any acknowledgment to the disgusting wound, he instead touched it and made her jump. She wanted to stop him but he was persistent as he cooled the skin there with his touch. She had to admit, it felt good. It was soothing on her irritated skin. She sighed, her harsh, stressed facial features gently relaxing from the relief.<br><br><em>”Sigyn, I forbid you to use my title. You may only refer to me by name from now on,”</em><br><br>Her eyes flew open at that, and she looked at him almost comically horrified at the mere suggestion of such informality. Then she saw his face and how firm and set he was on this and, with reluctance, she nodded before casting her eyes away from his. How humiliating and yet…touching that he took it upon himself to care for her like the many times she had for him. But it confused her as well. It was true they’d known each other for hundreds of years, but in all that time he’d never insisted on such…intimacy. <br><br>She laid there, still avoiding his gaze. She simply couldn’t bring herself to look at him for the moment - she was afraid if she did, she’d blurt out her feelings and blubber at his feet.<br><br><em>“Sigyn? What poison is this?”</em><br><br>There it was; the demand for what would kill. Had he asked not half an hour before, she’d’ve resolutely denied him an answer. But many things can happen in the span of thirty minutes. Now, he’d whittled down her defenses one-by-one and she suddenly found herself without a reason to keep the truth from him. What was the point? There was nothing he could do anyway. It was too late.<br><br>“It is the poison of endrega venom.” She said so low, it was nearly silent. Yet with those words, Sigyn was now resigned to her fate. It was the kind of resignation one who’d come to terms with an inevitable horror had. Sad, helpless, desolate, but firm in it’s promise.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>09-04-2014, 04:51:45</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/8657941f6b98b8e7ab297bda50cf50ce/tumblr_n367ddMS4M1sidjizo1_500.png)</div> So it <em>was</em> endrega venom… Such a toxin is one of the most lethal substances in all of the Nine Realms. Exposure to endrega venom has many stages starting with general flu-like symptoms before the victim’s strength and will to live are eroded away like a stream whittling a stone into sand. In the end the victim is too weak to continue and will fall into a coma, never to wake again before death finally takes them. It is a very cruel, unforgiving and depressing way to die as there is no known antidote to such envenoming. Endrega venom, though quite rare, is most often used as a means of torture and prolonged execution. How had Sigyn come in contact with it? Did she experience a moment of weakness and tried to end her own life after their argument? Surely she, the woman who looked after the lives and welfares of so many people, would never do such a thing. If this is not the case, what in the name of the All-Father had brought this tragic fate upon her?<br><br>Loki’s watery, emerald eyes fall upon Sigyn, taking in the remaining precious moments they are allowed to share. How much longer does she have to remain with him? The question sits uncomfortably in his mind like the creeping sensation one feels when an insect lands upon their skin. The thought of Sigyn expiring in this manner unnerves the demigod who’s witnessed unspeakable acts of brutality and the true atrocious barbaric nature inherent in every person. Some of these horrific moments have been wrought by his own hands, oftentimes for his own benefit. Still, being here with this woman who has saved his life so many times is the least he could do.<br><br>“Do not worry about Vyrek. I assure you he is fine,” the demigod whispers almost shakily. Too close had he been to breaking, but his resolve receives a bit of a moral boost when he realizes he could do a bit more to repay Sigyn. Perhaps he could even save her life.<br><br>“I will give the order to every solder under Father’s command to scour the Nine Realms for a cure. I shall send every Healer in Asgard to scavenge every possible herb and remedy and work tirelessly for days on end to cure you. I shall do everything in my power to ensure your survival! Even if it costs me everything..my powers..my birthright..my life..everything….” As these words roll from his well-practiced tongue he realizes the hollowed emptiness in every syllable. How could he promise such things when he knows full well he would be unable to fulfill them? Nobody save for the All-Father is capable of giving such commands in this situation as it involves the life of a single individual, not the security of the entire realm. Still, hopefully Sigyn would be able to find some solace in his promises that would ease her comfort.<br><br>Loki says nothing further for fear of his reputation as an accomplished liar would betray his sincerity. He truly does want to do anything for this woman, but he is unsure as to what. He knows of no cure for endrega venom, and is utterly powerless to stop her from dying. The pain of loss is slowly mounting in his&nbsp; heart and soon an avalanche of hurt and sorrow will bury him beneath the weight of all his lies and sins that have impacted Sigyn’s life. For now all he can do is be there for <em>her</em>, to comfort her and be the angel of mercy she so utterly deserves. His deft hands caress her cheek, feeling the chill upon his skin. Fingertips slip through her thinning tresses as he looks upon her, falsely smiling a waning grin as if everything were going to be fine.<br><br>How could he have been such a fool as to not realize their true relationship sooner? Men, it would seem, truly are so blind.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Astira</strong> on <strong>09-04-2014, 19:14:05</strong>
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				<div class="floatright">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/1d913c67f8f6ea0f751f97ae9204b631/tumblr_n2m0gkOmkC1reflkto8_r1_400.png)</div> <br><br>She was on her side and facing him, taking a moment to calm and steel herself before she could look him in the eye. Knowing her fate and accepting it were two different things. No one <em>wanted</em> to die. No one <em>wanted</em> to accept that their fate was sealed and they had no say in it. Sigyn was admirably strong and resigned, but it still frightened and saddened her. What would become of her patients? Or those who relied on her? Would the halls of healing fall in to ruin? She curled the blanket in her small fist and rested it beneath her chin, somehow seeming smaller in the bed, coiled like she was. She took a deep breath and finally looked at Loki.<br><br>What she saw rocked Sigyn to her core. His usually passive expression was contorted into one of such sadness and helplessness that she felt her heart crack a little. The fissure widened when she saw that his eyes shone wet with unshed tears. Were they for her? For the situation? For something else? His angry words came back to her from earlier and she knew…they were for her.<br><br>His slightly high-pitched voice cracked upon assuring her of Vyrek’s safety. It made her want to comfort him and hold him..to tell him that it was okay; everything would be fine. She parted her dry lips to say this, but he went on, his voice still a bit high and his words abrupt.<br><br><em>”I will give the order to&nbsp; every solder under Father’s command to scour the Nine Realms for a cure…</em> <br><br>Her eyes widened a split second before she shook her head softly. “Loki…” she implored. But he seemed not to have heard her.<br><br><em>“I…I shall send every Healer in Asgard to scavenge every possible herb and remedy and work tirelessly for days on end to cure you. I shall do everything in my power to ensure your survival!”</em> <br><br>With each passing word, Sigyn’s heart broke further. He was gradually losing what little hold he had on his composure and she could sense, hear it…see it. The usually unbreathable mask of impassivity or disgust had cracked and fallen away to reveal someone akin to a child. Sigyn wanted to weep for him. Such pain she was causing him. And such pain he was causing her. Did he not see there was nothing to be done?<br><br>But of course he did. It was for his own closure that he spoke these things, whether he realized it or not. He needed to help, needed to control <em>something</em>…and this was all he had to offer. Sigyn reached a hand out, shaking her head more stingily. “<em>Loki</em>…” she tried again, her voice louder but it did not break his speech. It was as if he didn’t <em>want</em> to stop, fearing that if he did, so too would end the hope that he still clung to.<br><br><em>“Even…”</em> his voice shook and cracked. Sigyn shook her head again. It was useless - she would die. He must know that. <em>“…even if it costs me everything..my powers..my birthright..my life..everything….”</em><br><br>Sigyn only barely managed to hold back her own tears, especially when she saw just how hard he was trying to stay strong. To stay in control. He is only a foot from her but he closes the distance a little so he can caress her cheek, then run his hands through her hair. Her eyes flutter shut with pleasure…the first time in a while. Slowly she brings her hand up and encircles his wrist with her fingers. She encourages his hand to move back to her cheek where she then moves her fingers to cover the back’s of his and presses her face into the palm of his hand. Her eyes remain closed for a moment as she enjoys the feel of his skin. Skin she’d only felt once before, in dire straights. Fate was a cruel master.<br><br>“Loki…” If there was such a thing as the sound of comfort and endearment, her voice in this moment was it. “…Loki, you are and always have been my truest friend and fearless defender. I know you would rip the realms asunder in order to save the ones you care for…I among them,” Her eyes opened and looked in to his now. “But you cannot promise that which does not exist. No one can. It is not fair to you to give false hope.” she paused, catching her breath a little. It was becoming hard to speak with the lump in her throat. “I know you seek to comfort me, to give me hope as well. But as you know, I am a healer. And I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable about my field,” she gave him a smile and chuckled weakly. “I know my fate and have come to terms with it. But…” and here she paused to look away in indecision for a moment. As if fearful of what she was about to ask and fearful of showing him any kind of vulnerability. In the end, she decided it would be for the best. He wanted-no, <em>needed</em> to be strong; he needed it for his own sake. She understood that. So she would give it to him. <br><br>“Loki, I am scared and…I don't want alone. If…if you truly want to help…to bring me solace, then…” she bit her lip timidly and finally (hesitantly) met his eyes. “…will you lay down with me? Will you hold me in your arms? I…need…I want the comfort of your touch and the security of your embrace. It…it would go far to abate my…fear,” she said the last part so softly, in such a small voice that she sounded like a child. And even in her desolate state, she still managed a pale blush on her cheeks as she waited for his reply, her hand still holding his against her cheek.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: In the Shadow of Giants (Astira &amp; Redneckviking)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>redneckviking</strong> on <strong>13-04-2014, 17:19:56</strong>
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				<div class="floatleft">(https://31.media.tumblr.com/8657941f6b98b8e7ab297bda50cf50ce/tumblr_n367ddMS4M1sidjizo1_500.png)</div> “<em>…Loki, you are and always have been my truest friend and fearless defender. I know you would rip the realms asunder in order to save the ones you care for…I among them. But you cannot promise that which does not exist. No one can. It is not fair to you to give falose hope…</em>” Sigyn’s words pierce through Loki’s thin veil of emotional fortitude like an arrow through paper. The demigod’s fragile stability chips away and fragments like a porcelain mask, finally revealing the man’s raw sensitivity below. He looks upon Sigyn curled up like a small child beneath her woolen blanket clutching his hand and pressing her face into his palm, desperate for the security and stalwartness he could offer her. The weight of the tears welling in his eyes threatens to break free of their optical captivity. “<em>I know you seek to comfort me, to give me hope as well. But as you know, I am a healer. And I like to think I’m pretty knowledgeable about my field. I know my fate and have come to terms with it. But..</em>”<br><br>But what? Loki says nothing for fear of completely losing all sense of composure, and merely waits for her to continue like a child avidly waiting to hear the next part of a story. He bends so his face is less than a foot from hers so she does not have to exert herself so much to speak. Already she is showing signs of fading just from the effort of speech, and Loki does not know how much longer she has before the endrega venom finally takes her. He spends the pause in their dialogue to stroke and caress her beautiful face shining with a glow only those who have accepted death could emit.<br><br>“<em>Loki, I am scared and…I don’t want to be alone. If…if you truly want to help…to bring me solace, then…</em>” What is she going to ask of him? Could there be something he could do aside from offer empty promises?! “<em>…will you lay down with me? Will you hold me in your arms? I…need…I want the comfort of your touch and the security of your embrace. It…it would go far to abate me…fear.</em>”<br><br>Finally. Finally do the remaining vestiges of Loki’s resolve crumble away and the demigod’s childlike fearful uncertainty and sensitivity is exposed. His bottom lip quivers through his attempt to bite it, to keep it under control, but the pain does nothing to stifle the flood of emotions rushing forth. His valiant attempt to smile, to reassure her that he is fine, falters as the tears that have been held at bay for so long finally cascade down his cheeks. He cannot speak due to the constriction in his throat and simply nods, granting the dying woman her request. His hand is drawn away from her cheek just so he may stand and unfasten the clasps on his shoulders, allowing the cloak to fall to the floor. Those same skilled fingers quickly remove the leather doublet he wears, that too falls to the floor in the crumpled heap of fabric and leather next to Sigyn’s bed.<br><br>Loki slides into the bed next to Sigyn, bare-chested so she may enjoy their intimate contact the same as they’d done the night she was attacked. If only he knew then how much she loved him..then it hits him; Sigyn loves <em>him</em>. If only he'd come to this realization sooner perhaps both of their fates would be different. She would be healthy and at his side, supporting him in the role of the loving wife she would be so perfect for while he finally found the one thing in his life to mitigate the monotony of his royal duties. Loki uses the back of his hand to mop away the tears still trickling from the corners of his eyes then rests his head atop hers, holding her against him as if letting her go would to literally let her go into the arms of Death. Though her skin is slightly chilled, he could feel some warmth from her blush. Gently he snuggles her against his front and strokes her hair, doing what he could to comfort her and to bring her some sense of security she so surely deserves.<br><br>“S-Sigyn… I’m so-sorry…” he whispers shakily. She would feel his heart beat irregularly and his breathing slow and deep, subconscious signs he is trying to remain strong and in control to put Sigyn to ease. Hopefully she would find it in her heart to forgive him for all of the anger and rage he’s subjected her to over the years.
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