princex

[purposeful_glory]

In the largest city on Asgard is the second-largest marketplace. (There is a smaller city with more of a commerce focus. Still.) In it, Asgardians are buying and selling objects. The aesthetic is premodern but the technology is high and the magic subtly prevalent; everyone is LARPing their very hardest that they are primordial forces of nature with only pointy sticks and their wits, and the electronics are gracefully hiding while the spellcraft props up the illusion.

Here is an Asgardian with a pointy stick, her wits, and more magic buzzing along in her than any other person for miles around. This is particular notable because she's a she. The more conventional amounts of magic locally had are all found in men.

She's not doing any magic right now, though, she's talking to a paper-seller.

Comments

[disregards_the_lines]

Raiden is wandering aimlessly through the marketplace, looking at the people and catching fragments of conversation.

He sees her through the crowd, the ripples of her magic are strong enough to pass unobstructed through the throng of people. Curiosity provoked, Raiden begins moving towards her.

[purposeful_glory]

Apparently she wants a bunch of notebooks, same as last year's order, and is annoyed that the salesman doesn't have them ready for her.

She notices Raiden's approach, looks him up and down like she's assessing him for some combination of threat and beddability, without breaking rhythm in her sentence.

[disregards_the_lines]

Raiden comes up to the stall, leans against the counter, and cuts her off mid sentence to ask, "Who are you?"

[purposeful_glory]

"It's rude to interrupt people," she tells him.

"That's - that's Princess Loki," adds the paper seller, blinking confusedly at Raiden.

[disregards_the_lines]

"Princess? Well, that explains the magic."

[purposeful_glory]

"What are you talking about?" asks the paper seller.

"I don't care what he's talking about," says Loki, turning away from Raiden as though he's beneath her notice. "You'll have my notebooks tomorrow?"

"I - yes, Princess."

"Good."

And she stalks off into the crowd.

[disregards_the_lines]

Raiden follows her.

[purposeful_glory]

She ignores him. Like he's not even there.

[disregards_the_lines]

He continues to follow her. This is the most interesting thing that's happened all week. The princess is overflowing with magic and Raiden hasn't had a chance to get a good look at the local variety. He's not going to let the opportunity slip by.

[purposeful_glory]

Eventually she has led him away from the crowded market and into a run-down residential area, deserted this time of day.

[disregards_the_lines]

Raiden increases his pace to catch up with her, "Honestly, is magic so taboo in Asgard that even mentioning it causes great offense? I mean no harm Princess Loki."

[purposeful_glory]

When he's within a few feet, she spins, weapon in hand, to place a blade at his throat, though she doesn't cut. "If you were a girl I'd have thrashed you as you spoke in the square for the suggestion. As it is, likely no one will credit your ravings, but there's no call to tempt me. Wherever are you from?"

[disregards_the_lines]

He shrugs, unconcerned by the blade.
"Nowhere in particular. I wander."

[purposeful_glory]

"And how did you come to Asgard in particular?"

[disregards_the_lines]

"I have heard tales of Asgard many times throughout my travels. I was intrigued."

[purposeful_glory]

She shrinks her weapon back to a small knife, puts it back on her belt. "Well," she says, "on Asgard, women do not perform magic, but perhaps you noticed the enchantment on my blade. How might you have done that?"

[disregards_the_lines]

"That is not a very clever lie. There is a little magic on your blade, but it is insignificant compared to the magic coming from you. If your magic is forbidden, why do you not hide it?"

[purposeful_glory]

"I don't know what you're talking about."

[disregards_the_lines]

"Well since it's a rule you so religiously obey," Raiden pauses briefly to inspect Loki and amends, "Or decided to obey since this morning, why do women on Asgard not use magic?"

[purposeful_glory]

"It's unfeminine."

[disregards_the_lines]

"How so?"

[purposeful_glory]

"I am not a cultural guide for impolite tourists."

[disregards_the_lines]

"Fair enough. I suppose it can't be too great of a taboo if a member of the royal family so casually breaks it."

[purposeful_glory]

"I'm reconsidering beating your head in to drive home the point."

[disregards_the_lines]

Raiden laughs, "You are welcome to try."