"Ah. So you saw then..." Ceres laughed nervously. She always got blushy when it came to this sort of thing "There's not a lot of us on Midgard. A few of us fell from the heavens a long time ago."

"There were rumors of something happening, many many years ago" Siv admitted, "but most of us thought it to be merely myth. In fact, it was one of the reasons why we visited Midgard when we were younger. We wanted to see what made the place so special, but all we found were simple little mortals that did not understand the things they saw us do."

"Yes, I recall reading about that." she pulled out her diary. "My sisters and I were not in the places you looked however. And the families who guarded our soul gems were very secretive at the time."

"Fair enough" Siv nodded.

"M'ladies" Thor nodded his head to them as he approached, "I trust that you are treating our guest well, Siv" he smiled at her.

"Well she has at least been good enough conversation to not throw off the balcony" Siv chuckled, obviously jesting. "How did it go with your father?"

"He will have an audience with Ceres" Thor nodded to Celeste, "and he will hear what you have to say on behalf of Loki, but I caution you not to become too hopeful" he added, "It is more likely a courtesy to you than anything else."

"Likewise." Ceres said looking at Siv with a smile. "Very well, thank you Thor. I believe I need to speak with Loki once more before I speak with your father."

Thor hesitated, "... very well" he sighed, "I will take you to him."

"Thank you Thor." The book she was holding disappeared and she turned to Siv, "Thank you for showing me around, I enjoyed our little chat."

"It was my pleasure" Siv bowed her head to Ceres and then Thor lead her away.

The dungeons were a less than beautiful part of Asgard. As they descended the steps to where the enemies of Asgard were held, Thor cautioned her, "Do not look or speak at anyone else." and it was good advice because as they walked passed the cells the degenerates within them either taunted Thor himself or called out to Ceres in various tongues-but they all seemed to carry the same crude message.

Each cell was secured by a magical force field that could only be seen when it was touched, so by appearance alone it was as though nothing was stopping these monsters from coming out at them. Thankfully Loki had been placed in one of the nicer, corner cells that was not far from the entrance. His cell in fact differed from the others in the fact that it was larger and actually had some very nice looking furniture within. There were several books on a low table, a small couch and a lounging chair that currently had Loki's butt residing in it as he read.

"Loki." Ceres called out.

"Hm?" Loki blinked, looking up from his book to see her. He smiled, "Ceres, what are you doing in this dreary place? Tsk tsk brother, I thought we agreed not to bring her down here" he gave Thor a disapproving look.

"I'm bringing you to see Odin father, so that Ceres may speak on your behalf" Thor explained, "she desired to speak with you first."

"My my, you do work quickly" Loki replied, glad to hear the news.

Ceres walked up to the force field and took a deep breath, "Loki, I have a question and regardless of your answer I will still speak to Odin on your behalf. But I want you to be honest with me. In the forest, I told you that I may be..." Ceres looked back at Thor and then back at Loki, "That I'm falling in love with you. My question is do you love me in return just as I feel for you?"

Loki found himself glancing at Thor as well. It was always easier to speak to people one on one, you never had to be so careful as to word things just right for two different sets of ears. As it was however, Ceres was the key to getting out of this prison for good, so when it came to Loki's pride in front of Thor, he was going to have to suck it up.

At least, that was the trapped god's initial thought process. Just when he thought he had found the right way to answer the question his own mind betrayed him as he thought about the fun the two of them had over the last little while. It had been brief but at the same time, Loki had been able to really relax. And so his silver tongue ended up fumbling out honest words, "I don't know."

Ceres smiled, "Thank you for being honest with me Loki." She said softly. She turned to Thor, "Alright, I'm ready." She clapped her hands and her outfit changed to one similar to one she wore as a Celestial Being the only big different her gem was covered.

((Loki's coming up with them. It's sort of a retrial))

Post edited

Thor nodded and stepped forward, waving in a few guards who looked just about ready for anything. They lowered the force field and put Loki back in cuffs before heading out of the dungeon. Thor allowed Loki and the guards to lead so that he could keep an eye on his brother but when it came to entering the grand throne room of Odin, it was only proper etiquette to have the future king of Asgard lead the way in.

They walked across the vast hall up until several feet from the stairs and lead to the great throne. Thor immediately bowed, as the guards did as well-which of course forced Loki into a bow to.

"Odin Old Father" Thor spoke, and his voice echoed through the great golden hall, making it even grander than it had ever sounded before, "It is my honour to present to you Ceres of Midgard, goddess reborn"

Ceres curtsied low and Coco bowed low, "It is an honor to meet you, All father Odin, and it warms my heart to see that under your rein of this land it has flourished beyond my people's expectations." She spoke humbly.

Odin rose from his throne, his one good eye surveying the room for a moment before he actually descended the stairs down from the throne so that he might approach Ceres. This, of course, was unheard of. As ruler of the nine realms, Odin All father stood above all and it was his duety to assure that none saw fit to change that.

However Ceres was no ordinary girl and he felt it was also his duty to appreciate that as well. "The honor,Ceres of Midgard and goddess reborn, is mine" he took her hand gently and bowed his head to her. It was a show of mutual respect, to have two rulers bow to one another. A way of showing that neither saw themselves as superior to the other.

With that said and done however, these nine realms were still his to command and so he returned to his high throne and spoke again, "We are here to discuss again the crimes against the realms committed by Odin son Loki." he took a seat, "Let it begin."

"You are too kind." Ceres said after Odin bowed.

Ceres took a deep breath, "Odin, All father, I have come to learn that your son Loki is wanted for treason and committing unthinkable acts toward your people, leaving a deep wound in their hearts. But your people are not the only one's who had felt betrayed, to feel a dagger plunged into their heart.

Loki, although always a trickster was raised in your fine and loving home. But, because you hid the truth of his birth right from him, Loki felt overwhelmingly betrayed; Traumatizing him into acting out against his kidnappers, against a family he had always thought were truly his.

I am not trying to say that Loki's actions were purely just but I believe that both sides have to share the blame. For a prince of Asgard to learn not from his parents but from other means that he is not theirs.

A similar thing happened amoung my people, my True father, punished my brother who has tried to change how we create worlds. He gave my brother one chance to mend the damage he had done.

All father, I humbly you heed my words and counsel. Give Loki a second chance to change his ways, just as my father gave Hope a chance to change. Punish him for the the crimes against your people deserve it.

But please alter his punishment. Loki has been a most wonderful traveling companion. He has changed, grown and matured. Many people would not give him a chance. But I believe everyone devices a second chance..."

Odin's frown did not break as he listened to Ceres speak and when she was done he turned his disapproving eye upon Loki, "It would seem that your silver tongue has summoned pretty words from another, and yet I very much hear your tone in them" he looked back to Ceres, "He has a way of twisting truths to make himself the victim, even when it is others who paid the price of his betrayal with countless deaths. Tell me goddess, what will you do when he betrays you next?"

"I understand Loki has done terrible things and he should indeed pay for them. I told him I would speak to you. I have not known Loki for as long as the rest here so whether you take my counsel or not is, alone, you choice. CoCo turned into her staff and she turned toward Loki," If or when Loki betrays me, He will wish he hadn't. True, I have been reborn in this mortal body but I have many lives ahead of me. And with each new life, I will return to remind him just how much of a fool he was to even dare trick a goddess." Her eyes were glowing dark pink and her hair was fluttering about her, her staff point at Loki's neck. She held it there for a moment and then her eyes returned to normal and she turned back to Odin.

"That's all." She smiled warmly, Coco turning back into a cat.

Odin turned his gaze back upon Loki to gauge his adopted son's reply to this.

Loki, as it was, excelled when all eyes were on him. He lived for moments like this and so he smiled one of his more charming smiles, "What can I say? She has a way with words." he commented, "and even I know better than to cross a god." he smirked at Odin, "you should to." he added in more of a strong whisper but of course, with that last comment he wasn't referring to Ceres, but himself.

Odin was silent for several moments as he contemplated. Finally he broke the silence with a tap of his staff on the floor that vibrated throughout the hall. "Loki, for your crimes against the nine realms I should have taken your life but then your mother spoke for you and so you live. Now another speaks for you, speaks of how you have changed but this I do not see. Still, her council is heard and her words are valuable. Perhaps with her continued guidance she can show my eyes what she sees and so I sentence you, Loki, banishment to Midguard for the next five thousand years. At which point we will revisit the matter."

Loki didn't seem terribly pleased with it but it was better still than the alternative, except Odin wasn't finished there.

"I also strip you of your magic for that term, so that you must live among the mortals as you are, with nothing but your Asgardian aging to set you apart."

"What?!" Loki looked alarmed, perhaps even terrified but before another word could be said, Odin struck the floor again and a section of it opened up. A beautiful clear gem rose from the floor and suddenly Loki began to exude a green smoke that seemed to fall from his pores and float into the clear stone, turning it green.
The guards stepped back as Loki fell to his knees again, shrouded in the smoke as it was stripped from every orifice. His body trembled and he looked sick.

When every last bit was sealed into the stone Loki was looking even paler than usual and was a drop of self control away from hurling but there was no way he give in to that urge. The guards stepped forward to hoist him back up and it took a moment for him to find his footing as his vision swam before him.

"The matter is settled then" Odin proclaimed and the hand cuffs were removed from Loki's wrists, "Report to Heimdal immediately to return to Midgard."

Ceres was rather surprised by the second part of Odin's sentence and held her hand to her chest as if feeling the pain of having your magic ripped from you. What Loki just endured was not a pleasant experience at all.

Ceres collected herself before turning back to Odin, "Thank you Odin, All father, for your generosity in this matter. I hope the next time we meet, it will be on lighter terms." Ceres said, curistying low with a warm smile on her face. She turned to Loki, "A- Are you alright?" She asked softly.

No magic.

Loki's eyes stared at the stairs ahead, not really seeing anything. His magic was everything, it was the only thing that made him different, that made him special in any way and now... now...

No magic.

Slowly his eyes rose to see the green stone float over to Odin and embed itself into his staff. The staff that never left his side. Loki felt like he couldn't breathe as he stared at the ruler of the nine realms. It was not his voice that spoke, but that of a small lost child that came from his lips, "Father?"

Odin's response was simply to turn his back and walk out of the chamber through the doors beyond the throne. The guards also turned to leave, now that Loki was no longer a threat. The devastated god turned man looked down at his hands. Simply hands and no longer fingers that wove intricate magic. He felt faint from the ordeal and before he even realized what was happening Loki had fallen.

Thor was quick to catch his brother, lifting him into his arms, Thor looked at Ceres with worry, "We need to get him out of here"

"Agreed." Ceres lay a hand of rose light on Loki's head and walked briskly beside Thor, never losing her touch on Loki.