Beauty Is a Cruel Mistress

The kindness she was being shown reminded Isobel that not all people are wicked. To be somewhere else let alone somewhere so beautiful made her feel more at ease even if she would not dare let down her guard entirely. She knew better than to let herself be exposed completely. Her father had taught her to always be on guard. To always have an exit within reach and never completely trust anyone unless they are family. Family was important to Isobel, to not have one any longer only saddened her. At one point she had a family, a mother, father and a brother. She would give anything to have that back but she knew it was futile to dream.

And as two days passed of her being polite while interacting with those who came to her new chambers, Isobel found herself growing fond of the land called Asgard. The healers deemed her well enough to leave her chambers and Frigga decided to send Belle a dress to wear so that she may attend a dinner feast with many of those in the royal court. Being sent a dress to be worn for a dinner only reminded Isobel of her time imprisoned. There was a time where she would be sent what to wear and then taken to a master bedroom where she would wait to be faced with the monster that took everything from her. Every time she let no tears escape, no reaction to him at all, her power developed in those dark times. Those years of torture allowed her to separate herself from her body leaving but an unfeeling shell while her astral self traveled elsewhere.

Her fingertips grazed the soft silks of the shimmering fabric that looked like liquid gold. She thought it was a beautifully crafted dress, one that she could never dream of being given the chance to wear. At her core she very much loved beautiful things although she did not consider herself beautiful. And when she was ready for the night, Isobel sat on the ledge of the open window looking out to the world that surrounded her. Somehow she still had not gotten used to her freedom, she waited for those who wished to be in her company. Her life was built on waiting, waiting alone while the world moved on without her. This was the first time someone waited for her. A woman was sent to call upon Isobel, entering the room to see the young woman looking out to the darkened skies that were filled with dark hues of blue and bright stars.

“Lady Isobel, I am here to escort you to the feast.”

“Of course,” she responds getting up from the ledge to walk towards the other woman. She followed her through the corridors, or rather alters of gold in Isobel’s eyes. The architecture reminiscent of old gothic churches with high ceilings that were concaved and engraved with incredible detail. It was almost too much to take in for her, too lovely for it to be real. When they had arrived at the doors of the dining hall there were two guards standing idle in front of them.

“Lady Isobel has arrived.”

The woman left Isobel’s side and headed back in the direction of where they had come from while the two guards turned to open the doors. Many of the others had already arrived at the dining hall, Isobel one of the last to arrive on account of the distance between her quarters to the main area as well as the fact they had forgotten to send someone to fetch her originally. As the doors opened her ears were met with the sounds of people talking quite animatedly. Thor had been listening to one of his fellow warriors when she arrived and Volstagg the large ginger man who had been telling a story stopped mid-sentence when her presence was known. He stared and it caused Thor to turn around to see what had caused the sudden break in the tale. Isobel stood unsure where she should be and what she should be doing. Thor smiled brightly, making his way towards her so that he may look upon her beauty at a closer distance.

“Lady Isobel, you wear the clothes of Asgard as if you born to,” Thor spoke upon reaching her. He wasted no time to take hold of her hand and bring it to his lips. There after he held her hand gently raised to begin guiding her towards his comrades. “Come, I shall introduce you to Lady Sif and the Warriors Three.”

She had no time to protest or properly react and she found herself being led to a group of four. One being a lovely woman and the three others men of various sizes. A large red haired man with a matching long beard smiled merrily at Isobel as did the other men. There was one with olive tone skin and dark eyes and the last a short haired blond man with boyish good looks.

“I am Fandral, I must say your beauty does not disappoint Lady Isobel,” the blond man spoke taking her hand to bring it to his lips. It was a common treatment towards a lady in Asgard but Isobel held a certain disdain for the gesture even though there was no malice behind their gestures. Just a gesture that reminded her of times being abused, unwanted kisses, displays of desire and any form of touching that went unasked for. The woman known as Lady Sif saw that the beauty’s eyes glazed over as if no longer paying attention to those around her, focusing on something else. Isobel was failing to smile but she managed to get through introductions. She opted to listen politely as they told their tales, they were seated at the table as if they were one big family. All seemed kind and lighthearted, most taking notice of her silence as she moved the food around on her plate.

“Lady Isobel share with us your insight, share with us where you have come from,” Fandral smiles brightly attempting to include her in the conversations.

“One does not reveal the details of their mother’s womb,” Isobel responds without much thought. It was the first thing she had said to the group since arriving and it was a joke. A smile broke on the lips of Thor before a throaty chuckle burst from them. The others joined in on the laugh and Isobel gave a feeble smile at the group glad to have broken the ice. She had forgotten what it was like to make others laugh.

“You have humor to you Lady Isobel.”

“Something I thought I had lost. As for where I am from, I am not sure whether you would know considering you live here but I am from Nevada, I was last in New York where I had been held captive for nearly ten years.”

“Why would one hold another captive for so long?” Lady Sif questions.

“Possession, perversion, revenge, fear who knows the thoughts of an insane man?”

“What of your family?”

“My family? My mother died when I was twelve years old and my father killed when they had come for me. He told me to run, I stayed to took down the two men sent to get me but I hadn’t counted on the police department’s corruption. I was handed over and taken away.”

“But you have escaped.”

“Yes, I have escaped,” she nods gently. Her hand cradled the glass of wine and she brought it to her lips taking a sip. It was a signifier that she wouldn’t share anymore information about her life at the very moment. The conversation went back to the others who had much more animated stories about their battles. To everyone else she seemed reserved because she chose to listen rather than talk. As the night went on Thor decided he wanted to ask Isobel if she would like to take a walk. Isobel felt obliged to go with him, however kind the others were, it was overwhelming to be around so many people. She wanted to get some air, although she preferred to do so alone she knew Thor escorting her meant she would be guided in the right direction. Frigga the queen looked upon the pair’s leave with a small smile, as the goddess of marriage she had often worried that her son would never find another to share a life with. Seeing the pair leave together brought hope to her motherly worries.

Thor lead her to the palace gardens, thinking perhaps it was somewhere Isobel would like to see. She remained quiet as they walked along the long halls. Her eyes taking in the surroundings, she had to be aware at all times, it was a habit she picked up from her father. To be polite she decided maybe she would at least attempt to ask her walking companion a little about him.

“So do you have siblings or anything?”

“A brother, but he is misguided.”

“What’s his name?” Isobel inquires.

“Loki,” Thor answers. The name resonated with her, causing Isobel to stop mid step and she looked at Thor with mild shock. He noticed this and wore a look of apology. “I apologize for his destruction he caused on Earth.”

“It’s fine.”

“Father imprisoned him to avoid anymore problems.”

“Logical but very hard decision to make,” she comments. She looked out to the gardens wondering where they had Loki imprisoned, if he was alone, stewing in his anger and resentment. Little did most know but she appreciated the seemingly insane man who had caused just enough destruction for her to get away from her prison. “I hope it turns out for the best.”

“I appreciate your hope Lady Isobel,” Thor says with a gentle nod.

“I know things are not always black and white, so I understand your tribulations.”

“You are very kind hearted,” he states as she stared at the world she was now a part of. “Perhaps tomorrow I can show more of Asgard.”

“What better guide to show me than the king’s son?” Isobel responds in an airy manner. It was more of a thought said out loud than a reply to his suggestion. Thor smiled at her.

“It would be my pleasure Lady Isobel.”

Isobel merely nodded gently, her eyes still focused on the vast land of beauty. Thor looked upon her lovely exotic features from her beautiful dark mane to her penetrating gaze. There was an air of fierceness to her that was subdued and hidden well under her outer beauty. He wondered if with time she would give bright smiles and laugh freely because he had a feeling she would be even more beautiful when she laughed. A large part of him hoped that those who held her captive did not break her spirit completely.

Thor walked Isobel back to her bed chambers and she continued to look around the place, examining the regal structure with great appreciation. Arriving at the door of her new room, they stopped at the open entrance. He reached out to take her hand for the purpose of kissing gently but she stopped him, placing her hand on his chest.

“I don’t want to offend you but I want you to stop doing that. I’m not comfortable with that sort of contact, I don’t believe I ever was,” Isobel spoke.

“I apologize, it is custom of my people.”

“I know it is and I tried to accept that but I think it might end poorly if I continued biting the bullet. My problem is that I let things that bother me simmer too long and then my temper gets the best of me.”

“I understand Lady Isobel. Although I cannot imagine you in an angry state nor do I want to,” Thor responds.

“Yes well, just don’t be disappointed if the occasion does present itself where I lose my temper,” she says with a nod. “Have a good night Thor.”

“You as well Lady Isobel.”

Isobel headed into the room and shut the door quietly behind her just as Thor walked away. Of course she could appreciate the prince’s friendly nature and handsome face but a part of her was still getting used to the fact she was in a mythical palace. The cynic in her was dubious of the whole ordeal, it was very difficult to comprehend the treatment she was receiving. It was a complete change, from caged animal to honored guest. And even though she was their guest, she couldn’t help but want to see what had come of Loki regardless of the fact he was a prisoner to those who treated her so well.

When she lied down on the oversized bed to sleep that night she decided she would attempt to come in contact with Loki, the god of mischief. Was it foolish to risk her stay at Asgard? Yes but she owed him thanks for what he had done for her. As she lied there she felt herself separate from her physical vessel and she got up from the bed. Her eyes gazed upon the body left behind, you would think after all those years of doing so she would get used to seeing herself lying so vulnerable without a mind to fight back. The thought fleeted and she set out like a ghost of the underworld to find Loki, the reason she was able to gain her freedom.