[Hammerbase] Ghost of Asgard Castle

Deep winter has always been Thor's most hated season.The training ground in the castle has long been frozen, and all outings have been cancelled.His friends also returned to their respective family manors, and he could only wander around the castle alone, trying his best to kill a lot of boring time.

This year's winter is still cold, but it is not very difficult.Because he has a younger brother by his side.

A few weeks ago, after relentless efforts by him and his friends, Sif finally started talking to Loki again.She still refuses to apologize, nor accept Loki's overtures.At least on the surface, the two of them didn't quarrel again, which was almost the best result.

As his companions departed from Asgard Castle, each said goodbye to Loki.Although when Sif shook hands with him, his eyes seemed to take off that arm entirely.

"We're the only ones left now, Loki." Thor looked at the few carriages leaving in the dust, and said with some disappointment. "Looks like you're going to spend more time than usual coming up with some crazy idea to keep us occupied."

"We don't have nothing to do in the winter, brother. Two full months of grammar, followed by math and geometry. We've got half a shelf full of books we're going to finish before the end of the month." Luo Key points out to his fun-loving brother the daunting task they face. "Mr. Heimdall said he would urge us to complete all the courses. Didn't you spend every winter like this?"

"Of course not. My father never forced me in this regard, so Heimdall just turned a blind eye. I'm not as good at books as you are. Make me sit behind the pile of books every day You might as well just jump into the frozen pond and freeze at the bottom with those catfish right now, and spend the whole winter in hibernation, instead of reciting those damn ancient words and numbers," Thor said.He was suddenly curious, and asked his brother casually: "Then how did you spend the winter before? Did you just sit by the fire and read a book every day?"

Loki smiled softly when he heard his unintentional question.

"There is only winter in Numhaydon. And I have neither a fire nor a book in my room," he said quietly. "Like my brothers and sisters, Laufey threw me a fur when I was very young so I could keep it until I was 14." place, it's not even in the royal castle, but on the ground floor of some ancient tower.In order to withstand the severe cold, the walls made of huge stones cannot penetrate a ray of light even in the daytime.The severe cold season is always the majority. When going out, be careful not to bump your head against the icicles hanging from the low eaves.In the short warm season, you can find soft and moist moss, short and fat fungi, and small animals willing to play with him for a while in the corner.At other times, he preferred to sneak into the basement, where the musty bookcases were comfortable enough to stay there all day with a small lamp on, and no one could find him.Since his biological mother died, he had spent most of his childhood alone in that empty room.

Thor's mouth fell open, trying to find a hint of playfulness in his brother's face.But Loki's expression was undoubtedly serious.

"...you are his child. He doesn't care about you at all?" Thor suddenly regretted bringing up this topic.But he continued to ask.

"You've never been to Nyumhaydon, you don't know what it's like there." Loki looked at his brother and explained to him patiently. "Every day in Numhaydon is colder than the coldest winter here. I've heard that in Asgard newborn babies are bathed in salt and roses before they are carefully swaddled in soft swaddles In Nummhaydon, newborns are scrubbed with snow water and strong wine. They will be thrown in the cold wind for several hours until the parents are sure that the child's vitality is tenacious enough." Said in a tone of voice: "There are not many children who can live in that environment. If parents pour too much affection into their children, it would be too stupid for them to die before they know it."

"madness".If he hadn't heard it with his own ears, Thor wouldn't have believed that Loki used the word to describe something he took for granted.

He seems to understand now.

Loki's favorite quilts, mattresses, candlelight, stories read together before going to bed, a chest he can lean on at will, his father's hand rubbing his head when he passed by, and the kiss on his forehead when his mother said good night.He has known Loki's greed for "warmth" since before, but he has never heard him mention the reason for it.If he hadn't inadvertently asked, Loki would probably never have told him what he just said in his entire life.

He stepped forward and put his arms around his brother's shoulders, feeling a little stronger than when he first arrived, which was somewhat of a relief.

"Loki, I've changed my mind. I won't spend the winter under the pond this year. I'm already tired of seeing those guys with tentacles who can only spit bubbles." Regardless of Rocky's surprised eyes, he half-twitched He was pushed from the cold outside into the well-heated castle hall. "This winter, I will stay with you in the castle. You can teach me how to read ancient Chinese, but don't expect too much. I don't think I can hold on when you do your arithmetic homework. The loud snoring wakes me up I will accompany you to the kitchen to eat pudding at night... Don't interrupt, I know that it was a good show that Vostagg directed and performed, but after you came, the loss of the kitchen has become more serious." He finished the sentence in one breath , I was satisfied to see the surprise and hesitation in those eyes gradually disappear.He admitted that Loki had a good-looking smile and almost caught up with him.

"Brother, let's not talk about other proposals... Do you really want to learn ancient Chinese?" He put his hand into his arms, took out something from his pocket close to his chest, and handed it to Thor. "We can start now."

That was the first gift Thor gave him in this hall.

Thor took the book, the cover looking the same as when he first got it.The inside pages of the book have become a bit older due to frequent flipping, but the rest of the book is still very well preserved.

"Loki, I want to understand this story. You must teach me how to read it." Thor looked at his brother and solemnly made his request.

"If you spend all winter trying to make a new pet happy, it will be annoying to you too." Fandral looked at the dejected Thor sympathetically, knowing his misfortune well.

"Locky has been unwilling to sleep with me recently. When he first said it, I thought he was just being angry. But when I went to knock on the door yesterday, he locked me out, and I stood there for two full hours. Hours," Thor said gloomily. "But he still agreed to do the math homework for me. This is the last time this week... He also increased the pudding as a reward to two a day."

"You really should take a break. I know winter is boring, but you can't use your brother as a new toy." Fandral patted him on the shoulder and showed him the scratch on his right hand that hadn't healed. "Just like raising a cat, you need to leave him a little space at this time. Otherwise, it will end like this."

"That guy hurts more when he's angry than this, I'll pay attention." Thor nodded approvingly. "But every time he accidentally lifts him up and throws him out in a gladiatorial fight, I always feel that he should grab him a few times to relieve his anger."

"Are you sure you're talking about Loki and not the cat... Forget it, just pretend I didn't ask." Fandral had already come to the conclusion that there was absolutely no way to delve into the daily life of the brothers.

"If you really want to please someone, you should think of more ways." Sif, as a member of the "what should I do if my brother ignores me again" temporary team, seemed very reluctant.But she really didn't want Thor to scratch his head every day because of this little thing. "Hogan, is it almost time for the fleet to set sail?"

"Yes, the port will be unsealed by the end of this month at the latest." Hogan nodded, and quickly understood what she meant. "Thor, take Loki with you this time. He hasn't seen the sea yet."