whose_son_am_i | Meme-shenanigans and Continuations.

Now, that he has a chance and some space, Loki lets his magic come more into play. Duplicates appear, each moving slowly back in a guarded stance as Christine gets behind Thor. Clear that Loki is playing guard, and has put himself between their opponents and Thor, and Christine.

"Stopp!" Brunhilde called, laughing to herself. Rolling her shoulder a bit, she helped a student or two up as she moved closer to the trio and Osmund. Patting him on the back, and some words in Asgardian, to which he gave her a crooked grin in return. "Doctor, I am sorry. But was best way you learn, ja?" Osmund said, offering his hand out in peace.

"My idea." Brunhilde confirmed. "Although I'll warn you if we plan any 'unplanned' ambushes in the future." She didn't look sorry. "I should've made Thor off-limits too." Thor just chuckled, having enjoyed watching that. "So next time you'll include me. And stop pouting, Loki."

"I am not pouting, I'm mildly annoyed." Loki said, arms crossing once more and dismissing the duplicates. "Honestly, Brunhilde didn't we settle this before?"

She shakes his hand, "No hard feelings."

It had been a very good test, Christine can recognize that.

"I'm not foolish enough to think I could take you." But Christine was smart enough to know that it was unlikely anyone would attack Thor when he was 'out' of the game so to speak.

She immediately reaches her mind to Loki, a gentle sort of mental hug aimed at comforting him a bit.

His emotions are a bit of a tangle--soothed by the mental hug, jealousy that she'd run to his brother, annoyance at this whole thing, pride in her and how well she'd done... Just flashes and hints of them, returning her mental hug.

"A wise healer, Dr. Palmer." Thor confirmed, stepping aside. "We hadn't expected to be part of things. I was hoping for a challenge before it's time to get changed for the formal event."

"Right, that." Brunhilde rolled her eyes. "I hope you know I'm wearing a pantsuit and if the dignitaries don't like it, tough." Turning her attention back to the others. "And good job. Dismissed." Another clap on Osmund's shoulder as he stumbled by with the others.

"I wouldn't expect less of you, Brunhilde. I expect they'll half-fear you're around to signal one of them is about to die. Have you heard the myths about the valkyrie they have?" Thor said, moving further away and drawing the other with him. One hand behind his back, he gave a thumb's up in his brother and Christine's direction.

Loki rolled his eyes and sighed, before making himself take a deep breath to relax.

She feels that jumble of emotions, and it's a struggle to not immediately move to touch him.

Once they are walking away she finally does go to him, but she doesn't touch him.

"You're incredible when you fight."

"I'm not a 'proper' warrior." But he nods to her, and smiles. "Am I wrong, or did you actually reach out with your mind back there and attack?"

"You're a dancer with daggers." Which is much sexier than a proper warrior.

"I tried doing one of of those suggestion things you do."

That had him raising his eyebrows, and looking at her with a bit of surprise. It faded quickly, into an affectionate and proud smile. "I don't think you realize how dangerous you could be, Sweetling." Because he hadn't taught her, that was certain.

But somehow she'd figured out how to make it work--at least enough to buy her that moment to escape.

She's surprisingly happy to be praised in such a way.

"Well, I'm probably not going to be stronger physically than anyone who attacks me."

But she will poke them in the brain.

it is very hard to not hug you right now.

I had hoped you'd be running to *me*, I admit. I see the wisdom in your plan however. Letting the words flow over her with a wave of affection. Thank you.

"Were you focusing more on words, or on emotion?" Loki asked, curious. He still figured her empathy was what was strongest and fueled her ability. Why and how she could be telepathic with him, he hadn't figured out yet. "Or was it more an instinctive thing, like your earlier call?"

You were busy. There's an amusement there, and a sense that she wanted to go to him.

"It was emotional and telling him to get away." There's a proud smile, "Oh, I had to lower my shields enough to do it, there was definitely some thought put into it."

Which she thinks is a bit more impressive really.

"Hmm." It was impressive, but dangerous. "I suppose I'll be teaching you this then, as well as how to use a dagger?" Because she absolutely needed training. And with any power, she needed to be in control of it, lest it control her.

"But another night. Dagny has found more clothing for you, including a small variety for you to choose from to wear tonight. It'll likely be boring, but you're invited and to be presented anyway."

"I do like a little danger from time to time." She nods and starts the walk back to his rooms. "You're going to end up teaching me a lot."

Which she will end up needing. She's stepping into a much more dangerous life. But she can at least help patch everyone up.

"It's formal, of course it will be boring."

"It's likely Brunhilde or another could teach you daggers capably." A pause, and more softly. "Were she alive, I'd have Mother teach you."

He's walking in step with her, and despite the soft tone, his expression never changed. "I understand it's to be akin to a state dinner."

She's not heard all that much about his mother. "You think she would have liked me?"

Christine wishes she could get that approval, it would mean more than any other.

"Shame it's just a dinner, I'd have loved to see you dance."

"I'll have to learn some of the more formal ones. Asgardian ones are different." It wouldn't be too difficult to pick up, he was sure. It was also the easier question to address.

As for the subject of Frigga... Quiet while he thought as they walked. Speaking only when he'd considered the question. "I think she would have." With a soft smile. "She was wise, and tried to keep peace among us. Raised by witches, she was a skilled sorceress and healer herself. She is who taught me magic."

She can hear that combination of sadness and fondness in his voice. It's obvious that he really loved Frigga.

"You took well to magic, obviously." Though he is a skilled fighter his style is very different from the other Asgardians she's seen.

"When I was young, she'd turn flowers into frogs occasionally, to amuse me. Or cast fireworks over the water from the palm of her hand." Frigga's death, and his unknowing role in it, was likely what had started him changing. "She told me I could do them too, one day. That I could do anything."

There's an amused little noise.

"And can you make frogs now?"

She shares Frigga's sentiment that Loki could do anything. Christine just hopes he uses all that power for good things.

"Find me a flower and I'll show you." With an amused cant to his head and a half-smirk. "Planning to dissect it to see if a frog made from a flower is different?"

It was likely he'd never be wholly 'good'--he would always be mischievous and a trickster. But he could turn that towards more positive ends overall.

"I don't kill things. The original frog was already dead, thank you." She huffs in mock indignation.

Very rarely is anyone purely good or evil. She accepts Loki's shade of gray.

That just brings a chuckle, and there's mischief in the smile. "I mean, I could kill it for you so you could see." But he's teasing her, and won't press it. He has many, many shades of gray.

"The frog didn't do anything to you."

Now, if he found someone trying to harm her or someone else, she wouldn't stop him from killing them. She has some moral ambiguity herself.

"Maybe you should turn yourself into a frog for a bit, see what frog life is all about." She teases.

More laughter, as he's teasing her. "I could do that if you wanted. I'm a shapeshifter after all."

Does that mean you'd kiss me to turn me back into a prince?

She joins the laughter.

Or I could build you a nice little tank and keep frog Loki as a pet.

Oh I'd just keep escaping and make trouble.

It was companionable, and all light enough. No hint of 'more' besides the conversation about Frigga. Even then, it could be chalked up to her being friendly with the royals. Her interactions with Thor had been smooth enough, and he was much more open than his brother.

It wasn't much longer though before they were back at his rooms.

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