Loki scrutinized me, smirking. "Rut, my dear, is what I'm known for. What a rut is is whatever rut will be, am I right?" he asked the audience. The crowd cackled with laughter. I continued looking up at him in confusion. Loki's grin fell a bit, as if he were disappointed by my daftness.
"I lost you at Midgard," I said faintly, backing away slowly. Could I escape through the door? But I hadn't gotten any roasted boar yet - bummer.
"No, nay, and no way, Midgarder," Loki ordered. The doors banged shut before me. "No one leaves my party unsatisfied, and that's an order. And you, clearly, are in a tizzy. Nothing a little mead can't fix, eh, love?" A glass of beer appeared in my hand. I fumbled with it in surprise. Loki winked, then looked at me pensively. "Must've been a lousy rut, if you're so disenchanted."
