Freeze

Cora stands on the round platform motionless as the designers move about below her. Their mouth are filled with pins, their hands fisted tightly with fabric of every shade of red. Again and again they move about, mumbling to themselves as the poke and prod at Cora's statue like form. “Try this one on dear,” one of the designers says and she helps Cora down off of the platform. Two servants seem to materialize out of thine air and rush to aid Cora in putting the gown on. Zipping the back, the servants help Cora back onto the platform and disappear. “Breath taking!”

“Stunning!”

“So beautiful!” The designers all speak over each other and Cora laughs. She is surprised by her reflection. She never wore red in her life, she never imagined what she would look like in red and if she did, she surely wouldn't have imagined the sight in front of her. The dress was sleeveless, much like the last three she tried on, but it is very different then the others. It shows off her body and has beautiful jeweled detailing down the left side along with the bottom of the down that flares out in a flower like poof. Cora thinks the dress to be a bit much, but she has to remember that she is escorting Thor.

“Take your hair off your shoulder,” one of the designers orders and Cora quickly grabs her hair and holds it off her shoulders. The designers all praise Cora's looks and make notes on what the like and dislike of the gown before the servants help Cora out of it. Again Cora stands motionless as the designers start to get the next gown ready. Cora is hopping that this one will cover her shoulders, she will feel odd if all her gowns are sleeveless. Cora hardly wore sleeveless gowns, her father never liked them on her. He always said it made her look much older then he wanted her to be and Cora tried her best to keep that in mind when she gave her ideas to the designers...which it seemed they ignored so far.

“Here you are.” Servants help Cora into the gown and back up onto the platform. Her eyes start at the bottom of the gown and slowly work their way up. “Go you like it?”

Cora takes the dress in. It is beautiful, but she thinks there is too much showing to be considered appropriate for another realms that are not accustomed to Asgard's way. The dress is made of velvet, a deep red color with large sections of fabric cut out and replaced with shimmering lace. The dress has sleeves, which Cora is thankful for, but again the amount of skin is off putting. “I can not wear this to Nildavellir,” Cora says shaking her head. “This will insult them, will it not?” Cora questions and the designers all start talking over each other at once. In the mirror Cora sees movement from behind her and when she turns around, Cora gasps when she notices Frigga standing in the threshold of the closet.

“My Queen,” the designers all bow and Cora stands like a deer caught in the head lights. She can not bow in the dress and Frigga smiles kindly. Walking into the room Frigga looks over the work of the designers.

“These are all so elegant,” Frigga states and the designers thank her. “You will look radiant in these gowns Cora.”

“Thank you, my Queen,” Cora says softly.

Frigga stares up at Cora and looks at the dress, “I do not like this one,” the Queen admits. “It is respectable, but not appropriate for such a journey. This is more of a celebration gown, do you not think so Cora?”

“I agree, my Queen. I do like this gown very much, however I feel that it would bring dishonorable thoughts to others minds who know nothing of my and Thor's...relationship,” Cora explains and Frigga nods her head, keeping her face neutral from Cora's poor choice of wording.

“Are there any more?” Frigga asks and the designers all nod their head.

“One more.”

“Leave us and create more gowns,” Frigga orders and the designers all hurry out the room. Frigga turns to the servants and motions for them to help Cora into the last gown. Cora stands on the platform, her body clad in a one shoulder dress. “Be gone,” Frigga orders the servants away and they leave with a quick bow. “Red does not suite you my dear,” Frigga states once she is alone with Cora.

“My Queen?”

“I know it is Thor's color, but you do not have to match him everyday of your journey. You may wear any color that pleases you, my dear.”

“Forgive me, my Queen, but I only wish to strengthen Thor's appearance. Any color besides red would tell the dwarves-”

“The dwarves do not matter,” Frigga interrupts Cora and Cora bites her tongue. Frigga sees the shock in Cora's eyes and sighs, “Forgive me child...I...I am worried about Loki. What happened between the two of you? You were such good friends.”

Cora looks away from the Queen and bites her lip, “Loki...” Cora shakes her head trying to find the right words. “My Queen...it is not easy for me to admit this-”

“What is it child?”

“I...I am in love with-”

“Does Loki know? Oh child, you must tell him at once!” Frigga exclaims and Cora raises an eyebrow.

“Loki?” Cora questions and Frigga's falls.

“Well I just assumed...” Cora narrows her eyes at the Queen.

“Really Loki, your own mother?” Cora hisses and Frigga frowns before a shimmer of green ripples around her body. Within seconds, Loki stands in Frigga's place.

“I told you I would be at your fitting,” Loki states and Cora rolls her eyes. “Red really isn't your color.”

“And jealously is yours,” Cora quips taking a quick jab at Loki's colors and Loki scarfs clasping his hands behind his back.

“You think I am jealous of that oversized oaf?” Loki questions, his voice disbelieving. “What do I have to be jealous of? He is nothing!” Loki sneers and Cora shakes her head.

“He is a great warrior and will be a great King in-”

“He is not fit to rule!” Loki shouts, his face turning red from his anger.

“And you are?!” Cora asks as she stares at Loki with wide eyes. “You? The Prince who still insists on throwing hissy fits when he doesn't get his way?” Cora asks incredulously, her eyes following Loki as he walks around the closet collecting composure back. “You can not even admit what everyone knows! How can you rule if you can not admit-”

“There is nothing to admit! You stupid and naïve little girl!” Loki barks and the air thickens from the force of his words.

Cora's face seemingly turns to stone and she nods her head, “Stupid and naïve...” Loki watches Cora as she smooths out the fabric of the dress.

Loki stares at the red fabric covering Cora's body, his face twist up in disgust and he turns his back, no longer able to stomach the sight. “Take it off,” Loki orders, his voice harsh and Cora purses her lips.

“Will that vanquish the hate which you so freely speak to me with?” Cora questions, her voice challenging as she piles her hair on top of her head to see which way is better to wear it in her dress and Loki's hands ball into fists at his side.

“You've become his whore,” Loki whispers and Cora's body tenses.

Looking at Loki's back in the full length mirror, Cora's brows furrow and with a shake of her head she lets her hair down, “Do you want to tell me something Loki?” Cora questions, her voice tense, she's tired of his childish behavior. Loki turns around with his head held high and Cora rolls her eyes before she goes back to looking herself over in the dress. “You are acting childish, Loki,” Cora dismisses and Loki narrows his eyes.

“Childish? You are wearing the colors of my brother!” Loki hisses and Cora stares at Loki in the mirror, her eyes disappointed. “You've become his whore,” Loki hisses, his voice cold as ice. Pressing her lips in a thin line, Cora shakes her head.

“Thor called upon me as a friend, am I to deny his request because you hate him so?” Cora asks, her brown eyes searching Loki's for an answer. Scarfing Loki turns his back on Cora and starts to walk away. “Don't you dare walk out on me Loki!” Cora shouts, her voice taking a sharp edge that Loki never heard before. Stopping in his tracks, Loki slowly turns around, his eyes filled with betrayal. Cora steps off of the platform with some difficulty and walks up to Loki. She stares at him with a heavy sadness in her eyes, “Do not push me away, my prince,” she whispers. “Loki-”

“Do you kneel before him or he you?” Loki mocks and without warning, Cora slaps Loki across the face; the defying crack seeming to echo throughout the room. The force of the slap sends Loki's head to the right, his cheek an angry red.

“I'm helping him, Loki!” Cora snaps and turns on her heel, no longer able to share the same space as Loki. Flexing his jaw, Loki turns and glares at Cora's retreating form.

“You've betrayed me!” Loki calls after Cora and she ignores his shout. “You've betrayed me...” Loki's voice is soft as he speaks to himself, the anger in him now turned to sorrow as he stands alone.

Notes

Cora's dresses

“Childish? You are wearing the colors of my brother!” Loki hisses and Cora stares at Loki in the mirror, her eyes disappointed. “You've become his whore,” Loki hisses, his voice cold as ice. Pressing her lips in a thin line, Cora shakes her head.