Universal Displacement

Finding, Plotting, Falling

Pulling back the top mattress, Vicki reached down and tried to feel for whatever foreign object was lodged below. It didn't take long for her fingers to brush against something smooth and cool. Vicki's breathing hitched and she felt around until she finally found the end of the object and was able to give it a tug. She really didn't know what she'd expected to find, but it hadn't been this. Not in a hundred years this.
Vicki staggered back against the weight of the object she'd found and stared dumbfounded. It was a shield. And not just any shield. It was Captain America's shield. She'd never been quite as obsessed- er, passionate, as Sutton about the Marvel movies or characters, but she knew what this was supposed to be unquestionably.
"What the-?"
Why was there a cosplay shield shoved under her mattress? Why did it feel like solid metal? What was going on! She stood with knees bent and both hands hefting the shield up in the middle of her room as she stared around in confusion. Nothing made sense anymore. Sutton wasn't even very good at crafting, let alone metal forming, or whatever it took to make this.
Vicki heard the door open and her head snapped to stare at the door in fear. She tossed the shield under her bed and heaved her suitcase back on top of her mattress.
Why was she freaking out? Why did this all of a sudden feel like some sort of a conspiracy?
"Victoria? Dear, the men are here to help you move your things back to our place."
Vicki sighed.
"Back here, mama."
Maybe she'd be talking to Sutton's mother again soon after all.

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Loki sat in a hand carved wooden chair as he skimmed the pages of the latest book his mother had left him. His eyes lazily scanned the page as he reclined, eyes barely focusing, with an ankle resting atop his knee. It was not that he didn't enjoy reading, because he did, but he knew he was destined for so much more than wiling away his life in mere books.

From the corner of his eye he could see one of the royal guard bring a tray with his prepared meal.

Ah. They didn't forget the wine this time. Good.

Still, he did not show the young guard any acknowledgement as his meal was left. It was only as the boy dawdled next to his cell that he finally looked up.

"Was there something else you were waiting for? I don't believe I requested your presence."

The guard shifted on his feet, the helmet partially hiding his furrowed brow.

"I was just wondering, well, we all were, if what you were saying was true. About Malekith. Do you truly believe he's back?"

Loki's brow creased, his lips turning down.

"Why would you believe anything I told you?"

The guard's spine straightened and his eyes sharpened as if he were remembering just who the prisoner was.

"No one would," he said. "But Thor was the first to make such a claim. And he does not lie. You are the only other who would know about these threats since Thor is gone."

Loki lifted one delicate brow.

"Do you believe Odin would leave Asgard in such a state of danger?"

The guard said nothing. Loki gave him a knowing look.

"I would never wish to speak against the king. He is obviously as sharp and in as great of health as ever, is he not? I'm sure his word can be trusted."

"Of course, but Thor is next to the throne, and he believes Malekith a real threat."

Loki shrugged.

"Then let Thor take action."

The guard seemed to be instantly frustrated.

"Thor is out fighting for the nine realms. There is no knowing when he will return."