PSL for throneenvy

[nippinatyournose]

Colorful. That was the first word that came to Jack's mind as the delegation from Jotunheim stepped into the golden observatory after their trip through the Bifrost.

Asgard was unbelievably colorful.

Perhaps he should have been more concerned about the cautious looks and glares he and the others received from the 'greeting' party of guards, and he might have been if his eyes hadn't caught on the sunny blue sky and the beauty of the Rainbow Bridge up ahead.

This was the first time most of them had ever left Jotunheim for any reason. Thanks to the ancient war between the ice realm and the one which controlled the Bifrost, inter-dimensional travel had been effectively cut off for hundreds of years. None of Jotunheim's princes had ever stepped foot on another planet, and the only contact they had with outsiders came from those who chose to visit them.

Jack himself was the result of one of those rare visits, so he'd been told all of his life. The King had relations with a woman visiting from another realm, and months later the delegation returned with a baby and the sad news that the mother had not survived its birth. The baby clearly inherited its appearance from its mother, though it could also claim cold resistance and a natural affinity for ice magic from its father. Laufey had no choice but to keep this child, unlike the other runt he'd given up for dead many years back. He could risk trouble with the other realm if he did not.

And so Jack grew up in a world of giants.

Although he never reached 6' tall, nor did he have any chance at becoming a warrior, Jack proved he had some worth in the magical arts. With a wooden crook he'd claimed as a staff, he was able to work wonders with ice that other Jotuns found impressive in its own right. These powers, as well as his vastly different appearance, helped gain him a spot in the party sent to Asgard for the next few weeks.

He was absolutely thrilled to learn he'd be accompanying his father and a few of his brothers on the trip to help negotiate better terms with the golden realm. Not because he had any interest in sitting in on long, boring discussions, but because he might be able to meet the Jotun prince who was taken away to Asgard as a baby.

Sure, most people said it was just a legend. Don't listen to that nonsense, they would say. But was there really no truth to the matter? Jack began to believe with greater certainty when he found an old journal of his father's, sneakily flipping through the pages. There was mention of an abandoned baby, and also a note that the body had not been found. Jotuns who took part in the war spread old rumors that they'd seen the baby taken away by Odin Allfather himself.

Jack had to know if the stories were true. Did he really have an older brother who was small like him? Who didn't even know his true family? As difficult as it was to contain his excitement, Jack had no choice but to be patient as the guards led the delegation down the Rainbow Bridge and toward the palace. There would be a welcome feast that evening, and they would be able to meet the King, Queen, and both of the royal princes. Soon, very soon, he could set to work playing detective.

Comments

[throneenvy]

Loki Odinson had just endured some of the most tedious months in his life.

Ever since the All-Father had announced that his unofficial truce with Jotunheim and King Laufey may be re-written into something more permanent, Thor had not stopped alternately muttering in dark whispers about how the Jotuns could not be trusted or loudly declaiming Odin's judgement. He could not see past the prejudices of centuries and could not understand why Asgard would treat with Jotunheim when it had the power to crush their old enemies once and for all. Surely making truce with them sent a message of weakness?

These arguments and many more had been Loki's constant companion for months now. No matter where he attempted to escape from his boorish brother, still Thor managed to track him down and continue bending his ear.

It made no difference that Loki could understand the wisdom behind Odin's decision. He could see that treating with the Jotuns may bring no advantage immediately, but the yield in the future could be substantial. This was a political move, and quite an ingenious one. That he did understand made it all the more infuriating when Thor did not. For it reminded him with rising bitter envy that this oaf, this fool who did not understand the first thing about subtlety, was apparently more favoured for rule than himself.

Yet he could not bring himself to properly hate Thor. He resented him, he envied him, sometimes he wished to be him with all his heart; but he could not hate him. For Thor had no deception in him, and no malice either. Whatever he did was whole-hearted and earnest, he shone like the sun and that was why everyone loved him. It was why Loki loved and hated him in equal measure. He tried to push those feelings down and away, for he was sure he need only prove himself as worthy to be seen as such by Odin.

He hoped this visit would be his chance.

Loki had argued well for his position as one of the liaisons for the ambassadorial visitors. It had been initially thought of as too great a show of respect to allow them to be escorted by one of the princes, but Loki had ever been able to get his own way when he truly put his mind to it. They did not call him the Silver Tongue for nothing.

And so it would be before the feast that Jack would get his first glimpse of the younger prince of Asgard, though he may not know it to be him. For even though he was dressed in fine soft cloth and supple aurochs leather, he had no guards tailing him and he did not possess the proud warrior's bearing of Odin's line. His muscles were lithe and lean rather than the bulk that Thor was famous for.

"Welcome." Loki's voice cut through the silence at entrance to the palace. He inclined his head the barest fraction, a measure of politeness rather than deference, and smiled. "I will be your escort and liaison during this visit, which I trust will be fruitful for both our realms. Come, I shall show you to your chambers and answer any questions you may have."

The delegation interested him, specifically the odd one out. There were five Jotun, blue-skinned and tall, towering over him. Then one just a little shorter than himself, pale skinned and white haired. A half breed, perhaps? Odd that he would be included when most half-breeds or runts were put out to die from what he had read.

[nippinatyournose]

If Laufey harbored any suspicions that the young man who introduced himself as their liaison was his son in disguise, he made no show of it. Stony-faced and cold as the frigid air around him, he offered the barest inclination of his head in return, with his sons following suit. They were all raised to loathe Asgardians, but knew the importance of standing on ceremony during these talks. Jotunheim needed them more than Asgard ever would.

"Please, lead the way," said Laufey, red eyes focused downward on the dark-haired man standing feet shorter than the others. Aside from his youngest son, of course. "We would appreciate an introduction as well."

Jack's demeanor was in complete contrast to the other Jotuns'. He was staring at their liaison with a smile, taking advantage of his first real opportunity to see an Asgardian (without armor) up close. It was difficult for him, half-breed as he was, to gather up the same sort of hatred for these people as the rest of his family. Perhaps a lifetime of falling short in almost all ways with his own people, and being made sure he knew of it, gave him a bit more of an open mind.

That, and they looked like him. For once he didn't feel tiny, and there were other people who weren't blue with red eyes. Granted, he thought all Asgardians were supposed to have gold hair, but maybe that had been way too much of a generalization.

What else might he have wrong? Jack couldn't wait to break away from his family and go exploring. Yes, he was strictly forbidden from going off on his own and nosing into other peoples' business, but since when had that stopped him? He wouldn't ruin the negotiations! Just... look for clues about his lost brother. And maybe see if there were interesting treasures hidden away.

That was all.

sorry for the wait, I am out of town at a wedding

[throneenvy]

Loki showed no sign of discomfort at the way the air around the Jotuns dropped in temperature quite severely; but then, he had never been one to truly feel the chill. He had been able to go out into the mountains of Vanaheim in his thinnest summer clothing while Thor and his companions dressed in thick furs. He had never thought on it too deeply, for it had been balanced by his inability to stomach the hot summmers as well as others. It had merely been a peculiarity unique to himself.

He had never been more glad for it than now.

Not because he feared the Jotuns. Such thinking was foolish, he was a prince of this realm and would never fear these brutish monsters no matter how they towered above him. It was because it allowed him to remain close, not to shiver, and to continue his pleasant smile. It gave him an air of control, and that was something that he enjoyed greatly.

"I am Loki Odinson, and you require no introduction in return, Laufey-King."

Loki had studied the meaning of a Jotun's markings in preparation for this, he knew that the raised and often intricate lines denoted heritage. The parents of a Jotun child could always be seen in a moment's glance with no way to lie or deceive. As such, one quick look at the remaining entourage allowed him to deduce who most of them were, but he kept that to himself for there was one he could not deduce. The little Aesir seeming creature, no lines marring his pale skin.

"Perhaps introductions for the remaining members of your party, however? You have brought some... interesting company to these talks."

No problem!

[nippinatyournose]

Loki Odinson? This was one of Asgard's princes? Admittedly, Jack was a bit surprised. Maybe that was foolish since he'd just admitted to himself that his imagination of all Asgardians was a stereotype, but he still expected more from a a son of Odin.

But this wasn't the mighty Thor, the one whose exploits traveled even to Jotunheim. Certainly he'd heard of Loki before as well, but the tales were hardly as glorious. Still, strange that one of the princes would greet them all by himself. Was that normal here?

Laufey didn't seem all that perturbed by the information. He simply gestured at the two Jotuns standing by his side, introducing them as his sons Byleistr and Helblindi. The diplomat accompanying them was called Bard, and then there was his half-breed son, Jackson. No, he hadn't picked the name, but he'd kept it to respect his dead mother's wishes.

Jack wasn't surprised to be introduced last, nor did he think much of it. Being what he was, royal father or not, meant that he was barely tolerated. He hoped he might do something useful during these talks and heighten his worth, though that prospect seemed unlikely.

"It surprises me that the Allfather sends his son to greet us by himself," Laufey said, a slight glower revealing his annoyance at the matter. Yes, a prince was better than an ambassador, but he'd hoped for Odin to appear himself from the start. The old king must not wish to show too much respect, or cause his court to whisper. All of the Jotuns knew they were far from welcome here.

"Lead us, son of Odin."

[throneenvy]

That the larger two Jotun stood barely a pace behind Laufey-King were his sons had been obvious from the start. Even had their skin not been a swirl of patterns and raised ridges that spoke of their heritage loudly, the fine material of their kirtles and the bearing with which they stood both spoke of royalty. The ambassador was of little interest for now, it was that final introduction that intrigued him.

He had not known that the Jotun monarch had been saddled with a half breed son, and he clearly did not enjoy the matter. A small child, even because of half breed blood, was anathema in the harsh environment of Jotunheim, an indicator of weakness in the bloodline. So why should Laufey display his shame so openly to bring this bastard son with him?

Sentiment? No, surely not.

That meant the boy, Jackson, had use beyond what his stature and low ranking position in the entourage suggested. He would be worth keeping a close watch on.

"I am afraid the All-Father has many pressing calls to his time. Asgard commands many realms and is needed to oversee all, I am certain you understand." Loki smiled as if his words had been meant with the politeness he spoke them, rather than the veiled insult that they were both too unimportant for Odin and that Laufey had so little to do as King in his own realm that he should dance attendance on Odin.

He led the Jotuns into the main palace and through the glittering golden ornamentation of the main corridors, down to a set of guest chambers all connected to one another.

"These shall be yours for the duration of your visit. You are invited to a feast to welcome your delegation this eve, otherwise please take this opportunity to rest and bathe. Do you have need of anything?"

[nippinatyournose]

Laufey understood, as shown through the deepening of his frown. Loki's words were far from subtle, but what could be done? Their strength had been depleted over the centuries, and Odin himself held the key to their recovery. They would have to ignore any insults as best as they could, for the sake of the realm.

The delegation thus followed behind the prince without comment, their footsteps echoing through the vast palace hallways. Even the two elder sons who had never been to Asgard before appeared only mildly interested in their surroundings, while Jack...

They had reached the guest chambers, and his bastard son was no where to be found. Laufey closed to his eyes and sighed, long-suffering. The boy had already disobeyed him, and they'd barely set foot inside the palace?

But no- Jack turned the corner shortly after the others. He was clearly distracted, however, running over to various ornaments to poke at them, or run his hand over this golden decoration or that. A few servants who had been passing by stared at him askance while Laufey clenched his teeth and Byleistr and Helblindi looked like they were trying not to laugh.

"Jackson." The Jotun king's voice rumbled through the corridor, and Jack froze in place. Oops. He hastily went to join the others, only to feel two heavy hands settle on his shoulders. His brothers attempting to keep him in check, of course.

That settled, Laufey once again turned his attention to the younger Odinson. "I shall let you know if any need arises. Until then, we will meet again at the feast."

[throneenvy]

Loki did not trust this by-play between Jackson and the remaining members of his family. Laufey-King would not be so foolish as to risk their truce by bringing along a creature who was incapable of controlling himself and keeping focus. This roving and simple-minded act was surely something agreed upon beforehand, for someone thought to be only curious and lost would be able to wander and occasion far less comment.

It had been a tactic used by himself many times in the past to gain access to places he should not have been.

This Jackson must be intended as a spy. Bring one who looks Aesir so as not to arise suspicion from those he must blend in with, gain him a reputation for being nothing more than an amenable wanderer with insatiable curiosity, and then have him 'accidentally' stumble upon items of politic significance. Perhaps they even thought to steal back the Casket of Ancient Winters and turn this truce into war.

"As you wish." His eyes flicked once to Jackson and then back to Laufey-King as he took a step backwards and issued a warning in his mildest tone of voice. "There are many here who remain nervous of strangers and protective of Asgard, to wander alone is to invite trouble. I am certain none of us wish for anything that may ruin these talks."

And with that, he slipped out of the room and closed the doors behind him.

His own chambers were only a short distance away and the guards posted outside those chambers given to the delegation from Jotunheim were instructed to direct any who wished help to him. So that was where he retired to prepare himself for the feast later and think on all he had learned so far.