"Not much. Stories, sometimes. People, yes. But mainly fighting and weaponry and being groomed to become a ruler." Loki shook his head.

"So what did you do?" Amy asked. "I mean, learn magic, obviously, but..." She trailed off.

"I heard all the same stories. I was raised very similar to Thor, but he always had a natural way with people that I have never had." Loki shrugged. "I was groomed to become ruler in case for some reason he couldn't be."

"You haven't done too badly for yourself," Amy said. "Aside from trying to take over Earth, but that seems like it was an anomaly."

Loki shrugged. "My magic is for the large part locked away, I have nothing to my name, and I'm spending much of my time on Earth in the company of the very people who defeated me," he said dryly.

"You're not dead, dismembered, lobotomized, or outright banished," Amy pointed out. "Still a prince, still welcome at home for the most part, and not being hunted down for the moment. I don't think you're doing too badly."

Loki shook his head a bit but didn't argue. He had fallen quite a bit from his previous state, but then, nothing was as it had been before.

Amy could see that he was unhappy with the topic, and she surprised herself by wanting to offer him comfort. She just wasn't comfortable enough yet to just invade his personal space like that.

After a few more moments of silence, Loki looked around the garden and smiled a bit when a fat, lazy-looking cat ambled over to them and flopped at his feet, clearly demanding attention.

"So you are still hanging around here. I thought Mother would have gotten rid of you by now," he murmured.

Amy blinked at the cat and then looked at Loki, raising an eyebrow a bit.

"Old friend of yours?" she asked.

"Indeed. He has been here for some time. Mother has cats to keep the rats out. But this one has not hunted for himself in years."

"I can tell," Amy said, grinning a bit. She glanced at Loki teasingly. "Perhaps a bit too spoiled by a certain prince?"

Loki just smiled and didn't deny it as he rubbed the cat's belly.

"You know, I never did look further into getting a ferret."

"You should," Amy encouraged. "I think you'll enjoy having a ferret for a pet." She grinned a bit.

Loki snorted. "Well then, perhaps you'd be willing to assist me in finding what I need?"

Amy nodded.

"Of course," she said. "Any pet store will usually sell ferrets, and have the supplies you need for them."

Loki nodded. "When we return, then," he said, petting the cat one last time before he sat up straight again.

Amy nodded. Hesitantly, she leaned a bit closer to him, turning a bit pink as she did so.

Loki slowly wrapped an arm around her, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. He really hoped she didn't, though.

Amy tensed up at first, when he put his arm around her, but slowly relaxed into the embrace. It felt nice, having someone hold her like that. And even better because it was him.

Loki relaxed when she did, not doing anything else, just taking the time to relax and enjoy the company. It was, after all, very good company.

"This is nice," Amy murmured. "Just sitting here together."

"It is," Loki agreed quietly. "This is peaceful. Unlike the court for the next week or so." He made a face.

Amy made a face, too.

"We'll have to grin and bear it," she said. "It's only for a few days, right?"

"Indeed, fortunately," Loki said with a faint sigh. "Starting tomorrow night."