Bruce felt a twinge of excitement himself. It was difficult not to feel enthusiasm as a scientist when meeting a member of a race of creatures that didn't even look human. For so long mankind had looked for alien life and here it was in front of them; for some reason, even though they were also from another realm, the Asgardians didn't seem to count as much. They looked too human, they were too entrenched with folklore and religion as figures of Earth.

But this?

He wanted to vote to go, but Clint was right and he nodded in immediate agreement. "We can't risk walking into a situation we know so little about. While I don't want to offend Princess Loki, especially if her offer is genuine, we're in too much of a precarious position to risk it."

Loki wasn't offended, she was actually impressed. The one who spoke out seemed to have some tactical intelligence to him, and she could appreciate that they didn't know her word was her bond.

"I can return and ask my father to come and treat with you here, but I do not think you will trust that any further, for you might fear we return with a conquering army. I have little to offer you as surety."