Loki had spent his time ignoring the mortal as best as he could. He was well used to annoying creatures who would not leave him alone, Thor was one of the best examples of that, and he had come to love the oaf. But there was something more irritating about the human, perhaps simply because he was human, and by the time they reached the feasting halls he had grown weary of the chatter.

"Silence," he said, the first words he had deigned to actually speak back. "You may ask me one question while we bathe, and after that you will hold your tongue."

He gestured to where the baths were, a huge chamber with three pools. One with lukewarm water for sluicing, a super heated bath for soaking and cleaning, and a chill bath for the final rinse. Bathing was a communal affair in most of the civilised realms, and Loki did not intend to disrespect Asgard by showing up to the feast without preparing before in the appropriate way.