5 05: meeting Sif

"What is it, mom?" asked Loki, standing with Thor on his right side. They both looked at their mother with sweaty faces. Thor's leg trembled a bit. After all, their mother had just said, "We need to talk."

The room exuded an air of opulence, adorned with intricate decor that spoke of wealth and prestige. Old and precious artifacts were scattered throughout the room, giving it a sense of history and importance. Frigga was seated elegantly on a plush red sofa, the centerpiece of the room. A feather hovered near her as if possessed by an unseen force, and it moved gracefully across a coffee-tinted parchment.

The two boys had done many things that could result in punishments, they just hoped that their mother only knew about the less worthy ones.

She lightly chuckled, seeing their unease. "Don't worry, I am not going to reprimand you both."

A small sigh of relief escaped their mouth, though it was replaced by bigger confusion.

"Both of you have become bigger," she said as if it wasn't a known fact. Loki had the urge to say, no shit sherlock, but that would only result in incomprehension and unnecessary problems.

"And it is time for both of you to meet other people your age and make friends." Loki did not expect that.

"Whom are we meeting?" he asked, intrigued as to whom their parents could think of as a good friend for them.

"Heimdall's niece and her mother," responded Frigga, a small smile on her face. Thor put up his fist in the air, he liked Heimdall and hoped that Sif would be like him.

'Ah, her,' Thought Loki, remembering the films that he watched in his previous life.

"When are they coming?" eagerly asked Thor with an excited voice. He was finally going to meet someone his age other than Loki.

"In three hours, so I need you both to prepare." Responded his mother with a wave of her hand toward their rooms.

"Prepare what?" asked Thor, confused. What did he need to do before meeting a friend?

"Yourself. Go and change into appropriate clothing." She said, thinking that she should teach her sons proper manners when meeting strangers.

"Sure, mom." Said Thor before brushing off to his room, a smile on his lips.

Thor and Loki had been waiting for three long hours for their guests to arrive. Thor's excitement to meet Sif was palpable, as he couldn't take his eyes off the door. In contrast, Loki was engrossed in a book, seemingly unfazed by the wait. Finally, the sound of a knock interrupted their idle chatter, and Thor yelled out in excitement that the guests had arrived. Frigga, their mother, joined them as they made their way to the door, eager to welcome their visitors.

—(Line break)—

"Good morning, boys." said a woman with long dark hair and semi-glowing orange eyes. "You must be Thor" she then looked at Loki, "and you, Loki."

"Greetings" politely said Loki, a warm smile on his face using classical Asgardian greetings manners thaught by his mother hours ago.

"No need to be so polite. You both are children and princes." Her eyes shone with kindness, "This is Sif. I hope you could become friends with her." Her hand went to Sif's shoulder and pushed her forward.

Sif was a charming child with black shoulder-length hair adorned with locks that framed her round face. She had dark eyes with a carefully hidden kaleidoscope of warm colors. Her chubby cheeks added a hint of rosy glow to her already adorable appearance. She was dressed in a combination of white and crimson garments that contrasted beautifully with her soft beige skin.

"H-hello" stuttered Sif, a small blush on her face, before hiding behind her mother's leg.

"Sorry, she is a bit shy with new people." Said her mother, patting her daughter's head.

"It's okay. Thor is also like that." Responded Loki, a teasing glint passing in his eyes.

"Brother, what are you saying? I am not shy!" protested Thor, outraged at that. He was a warrior, not some shy prince!

"Really? But you were stuttering as we met that new maid." Retorted Loki, looking at his brother mockingly.

"That's because of you and your tricks," loudly said Thor, his fists clenched.

"How dare you call illusions mere tricks!" said Loki, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. Teasing his brother was so much fun!

"Why can't I say that when you said that swords are trash?" Responded Thor, still hurt by those words uttered months ago.

"A spear is much better!"

"But a sword is much cooler!" said Thor, making a swordless swing movement, imagining himself cutting down armies.

"No!" Spears were much cooler, thought Loki. The way swords were cool was by gripping them in the other way with was a ridiculous way of fighting.

"Yes!" For Thor, swords were a symbol of might.

"Calm down boys, everyone has their preferences." Said Frigga with her head on her palm, a bit embarrassed by her sons.

"But spears are better!" ignored Loki, creating more mischief by continuing the argument.

"I don't care. I can easily beat you with a sword!"

"As if!" snorted Loki with a wave of his hand.

"Oh, do you want to fight?" said Thor, fuming and approaching Loki.

"Oh? You're approaching me?" said Loki, his face holding a demonic smile and his palms looking at the sky.

"Then bring it on!" yelled Thor, charging at Loki.

"That's enough." Frigga stopped Thor and gripped Loki's and Thor's hands. "I am terribly sorry. They just don't listen sometimes." She said, swearing to punish them after today.

"That's fine. It would be stranger if they didn't." Sif's mother chuckled. She found their interaction funny, and she loved their brotherly bond.

*Aha* "Yes. Even if they were strictly raised by us, they still developed those rebellious personalities" they both laughed and started talking about their children's good and bad sides.

"Don't talk about us when we are here!" shouted Thor, his cheeks tainted red.

"Then go. And take Sif with you!" responded Frigga before continuing her discussion with Sif's mother.