"Is he there?"

Alexander quickly peeked around the corner and stole a look at Loki sitting at the library table calmly browsing through a stack of books. "Yep, he's there," said the teen, running a hand through his bright red hair, "I can't believe the guy who tried to invade New York with an alien army hangs out at the public library while he's on parole." Shaking his head in disbelief, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"No need to be nervous, Alex. It's not like your future rides on his answer or anything," said a disembodied voice from beside the boy.

"Be quiet, Puck," the boy grumbled.

"Just try to imagine you're a cocky all-powerful demigod," Puck's voice recommended cheerfully, "So basically just act like you normally do."

"Shut up and let me concentrate," Alex said, rolling his head from side to side like a boxer loosening his muscles before a match, "You've got the easy part. All you have to do is stand there being invisible."

"Make sure to remember the shoes this time," Puck's voice added.

Alex's body slowly began to expand. His meager frame morphed into a muscular build. His sharp youthful features transformed into a strong masculine face. His shaggy red hair became long blond locks. Soon, an exact duplicate of Thor in a simple T-shirt and jeans stood where Alex had been moments before.

"Perfect. Break a leg, kid," said Puck's voice.

Thor's form nodded and rounded the corner towards Loki.

As Thor approached, Loki put down his book and looked up in annoyance. "I know you and your friends are tracking me," Loki said in a hushed voice, "but you could at least have the courtesy not to approach me in public. I'm trying to keep a low profile, you know? And you don't exactly blend in, even in those stupid Midgardian clothes."

"I've been invited to a party," Thor announced.

Loki sighed, "And this concerns me how?"

"I want you to go with me."

"You can't be serious..."

"It would do you good to get out and socialize, brother."

Loki glanced around as curious eyes were already starting to turn their way. "Fine, fine," he hissed, "Just promise never to visit me here again."

"Cool," Thor answered, "It's tonight at 8. You'll need a suit and tie."

Loki looked questioningly at Thor and echoed, "Cool?"

Thor suddenly looked embarrassed, "Ah, I meant 'good.' Just trying to blend in."

"Well, you can blend in better by going away," Loki spat.

"Right," Thor said quickly, "See you tonight." And with that, Thor rushed away, almost knocking over an empty chair on his way to the exit.

Flustered, Loki sank into his chair and attempted to hide behind the book he was reading.

Once he was out of sight around the corner, Thor heaved a heavy sigh of relief, and his impressive physique melted away revealing Alex's lean form.

"That was close," said Puck's snide voice.

"Shit, I know," Alex said to his invisible companion, leaning back and letting his head fall with a thud against the wall behind him, "But we're set now. He's coming."

"Leave it to you to almost screw up the inevitable," Puck's voice continued.

"Hey," Alex grinned, "I always get what I want."

Puck sighed and whispered to himself, "Just like your father..."

Loki shifted uncomfortably in his suit, absentmindedly adjusting his tie, "I can't believe you convinced me to attend this abhorrent event."

Thor examined the array of buttons in the elevator and pressed the one at the top for the floor marked "Castle," then looked sideways at Loki. "You were the one who begged to come, brother. Something about needing to get out of your 'prison' at Stark Tower."

"What are you talking about? I didn't-"

But he was interrupted as the elevator doors opened to reveal an already tipsy Tony Stark who turned around smiling and yelled a greeting to them. Tony put his arm around Thor's shoulder and led them into the crowd. "This is crazy, huh? Who the hell puts an actual castle on top of their skyscraper? This David Xanatos guy is worse than me. And all this for his son's 18th birthday?!"

Loki sighed and looked out into the huge room that had once been the banquet hall of a medieval castle, now filled with a sea of suits and evening dresses milling around a cocktail party, already regretting his decision to attend. He made a meager attempt to socialize along with Thor, but soon got sick of it all and left Thor's side for the bar, the one place he assumed he could be on his own without attracting much attention.

As if on cue, the moment he sat down, he was approached by a smartly dressed man with short blond hair and large wire-frame glasses. The man stood stiffly with his left hand buried in the pocket of his suit jacket.

"Enjoying the party?" the man offered dryly. With his solemn countenance, he might as well have been asking about a funeral instead of a party.

Loki repressed a groan, "It's hard to enjoy when your reputation precedes you."

"The name is Owen Burnett," the man said, offering his right hand to shake, his face remaining expressionless.

Loki hesitated a moment, but took the offered hand, "Loki. But I assume you knew that already."

"As you said, your reputation precedes you."

"Well, I have to give you credit for being the first person I've been introduced to in this loathsome realm who hasn't looked at me with either revulsion or terror."

"Give it a few months and they won't even remember your name," Owen said, sliding onto the bar stool next to Loki.

Loki found himself strangely insulted by this statement.

As if reading his mind, the blond man continued, "Don't take it the wrong way. It has nothing to do with you. They wouldn't even remember months later if giant bat-winged creatures were found living in their city."

Loki just stared at him for a moment. Owen looked away and adjusted his tie anxiously with his right hand while his other hand remained firmly in his jacket pocket.

"Am I making you nervous?" Loki smirked.

"On the contrary," Owen cleared his throat, "Let's just say it's been a long time since I've met a kindred spirit."

Loki could have laughed out loud, "Kindred spirit?" Then, he raised an eyebrow, "Wait, you're not a 'fan,' are you?" He had already had an unfortunate encounter with a group of crazed women trying to kneel and propose to him on the street.

"No," Owen stated bluntly, although for some reason he avoided Loki's gaze. "However, I must admit that my motives in speaking with you are not entirely personal."

For some reason, Loki was not surprised.

"I have a business proposition-"

"I'm not interested," Loki turned away abruptly.

Owen grabbed hold of Loki's wrist to stop him from leaving his seat and lifted it between them. "In return, I can do something about these." He tapped his finger on the metal bracelet Loki wore before letting go of his wrist. The magic-suppressing bracelets were part of the deal Loki made with SHIELD that allowed him relative freedom while living in New York.

Loki quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching them before turning back to Owen. He was undeniably interested, almost licking his lips with excitement. The offer was way too good to be true, but nonetheless worth further investigation. "What is this proposition?"

"You're currently living in Stark Tower, correct?"

Loki nodded carefully, but he didn't like where this was going.

"My employer would like assistance in procuring a certain object from your residence."

Loki's eyes narrowed, "And who is your employer?"

"Mr. Alexander Xanatos."

Loki snorted, "The child being celebrated by this absurd event?"

"Indeed."

"And who are you? His baby-sitter?"

"No, I'm his personal tutor and bodyguard."

Loki laughed out loud, "Bodyguard? You?"

"One could hardly compare your physique to that of your brother, but I do not presume to underestimate you."

Loki raised an eyebrow, somewhat intrigued by this curious comment. He was unsure whether the man meant to insult him, flatter him, or threaten him.

Owen looked unfazed as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a business card, handing it to Loki. "If you're interested, we can meet in a more private location to discuss the details. As you have no doubt gathered, a certain level of discretion in this matter would be greatly appreciated."

Loki looked over the business card, but his gaze was drawn to his metal bracelets. He looked back at Owen critically, "How do I know you can really do something about the bracelets?"

"I work for the Xanatos family," Owen said matter-of-factly, "Do you really think Mr. Stark is the only ambitious billionaire in New York with a secret research laboratory and a keen interest in advanced weaponry and technology?"

Loki's imagination kicked into high gear. Perhaps making an ally out of Alexander Xanatos was not such a bad idea. After all, he was the young son of a powerful family who at least seemed to have more flexible morals than Stark.

"Additionally," Owen continued, meaningfully placing both hands on the counter, right hand clasping his left fist, "We have had some experience dealing with magic as well."

Loki stared in shock at the man's hands. His left fist appeared to be made of solid stone. Clearly, he wasn't lying about encountering magic.

"I see," Loki said slowly, "Where can we meet?"

"The address is on the back of my card."

Loki turned over the business card Owen had given him, confirming a hand-written address on the back. He frowned slightly at the thought that Owen had so much confidence that he would accept.

"Does tomorrow at noon work for you?" Owen continued.

Loki nodded.

"Excellent. Alexander and I will see you there," Owen stood and gave Loki brief nod farewell before moving back into the mass of people.

From his seat at the bar, Loki's eyes followed Owen as he made his way over to a red-headed teenager in an expensive-looking suit towards center of the crowd. Owen whispered something into the boy's ear, and the boy nodded.

Loki looked away and sat pensively for a moment before standing up and looking for Thor. He figured enough time had passed that he could leave the party without too much complaint.