"Commercial building? What is a commercial building?"
"It's... a place where very wealthy people work."
Thor's eyes lit up again.
"Then why don't you live there, Big Sis?"
"Because I like where I live now."
Thor scratched his head.
"But..."
"No buts," Mavuika said. "We're here."
She led the two of them to a gentle landing, finally touching down on the street in front of a brownstone Villa.
The gold and red Fire dissipated, and the three figures appeared under the streetlights.
Thor stood there, looking up at the three-story old building.
The grayish-brown exterior walls and mottled masonry looked somewhat ancient compared to the bustling modern glass high-rises.
Thor looked for a long time, then turned his head, the expression on his face too complex to describe.
"Big Sis," he spoke, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty, "is this where you live?"
"Yes," Mavuika said, taking out her keys and walking toward the main door.
Thor followed behind her, looking around as he walked.
"This... this is too small, isn't it?" He finally spoke his mind. "This house isn't even as big as the Asgard stables!"
Without looking back, Mavuika said, "Asgard's stables are for Sleipnir; don't you know how big Sleipnir is?"
"Even so—"
"And," Mavuika interrupted him, "on Earth, this is already a very good place to live. Ordinary people might not even be able to afford such an apartment after struggling for a lifetime."
Thor was stunned for a moment.
"Ordinary people?"
"Yes. Those ordinary people without divine power, without magic, and without family backgrounds. They work eight to ten hours a day, and the money they earn in a year is only enough to pay a small portion of the down payment for this house."
Thor fell silent.
He looked at this old apartment building, then at the surrounding equally old buildings, and then at the pedestrians coming and going on the street—those mortals dressed plainly, looking exhausted and in a hurry.
He suddenly remembered what he had just said.
"Too small," "too ordinary," "smaller than the stables of Asgard."
To an Asgardian, it was indeed just the truth.
But to these mortals...
Thor scratched his head.
Mavuika had already opened the door and looked back at him.
"What are you dazing for? Come in."
Thor quickly followed, with Loki walking last.
Mavuika opened the door and stepped aside to let the two of them in.
Thor was the first to rush in.
Then he stood in the entrance hall, stunned.
Loki followed behind him and was also stunned.
The two stood at the door, looking at the small space before them—the living room, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom; combined, they might not even be as large as a single bathroom in the Asgard Golden Palace.
In the living room sat a fabric sofa, a solid wood coffee table, and a bookshelf stuffed with books.
The kitchen was open-plan, with the stove, sink, and refrigerator crowded together.
The bedroom door was open, revealing an ordinary double bed and a wardrobe inside.
A few pots of flowers were on the balcony, the glass door was open, the night breeze blew in, and the curtains drifted gently.
Thor opened his mouth; his expression was somewhat dissatisfied, then turned from dissatisfaction to indignation.
"This is simply outrageous!" He suddenly raised his voice.
"Where are the rulers of Midgard? Where are they? Big Sis, you are the sun goddess of Asgard! The eldest daughter of the All-Father! A hero of the Nine Realms! How can they let you live in a place like this?!"
Mavuika raised an eyebrow.
"What's wrong with this place?"
"This place—this place—" Thor waved his arms, unable to find the right words for a moment.
"This place is too small! Too ordinary! There isn't even a decent palace! How can they treat you like this?!"
He became more and more agitated as he spoke.
"No! I have to find them! I want to ask those rulers of Midgard if they know anything about manners! If they know anything about hospitality! My Big Sis—"
"Thor."
Mavuika's voice wasn't loud, but Thor immediately shut up.
"Listen to me first," she said.
Thor stood there obediently.
"First," Mavuika said, "the situation on Earth is completely different from Asgard. There are no so-called 'rulers' here, no kings, no emperors."
Thor was stunned for a moment.
"No rulers? Then how do they manage so many people?"
"There are many countries," Mavuika said. "Each country has its own government and laws."
Thor scratched his head.
"That... that's too chaotic."
"It is a bit," Mavuika said. "But most of the time, it's quite good this way."
Thor was thoughtful.
"Second," Mavuika continued, "I didn't come to Earth representing Asgard with great fanfare. I live here as an ordinary person; not many people know who I am."
"Third," Mavuika said, "this house is quite nice."
She looked around, her gaze falling on the fabric sofa she had sat on for over a decade, the bookshelf piled with books, and the glass door leading to the small yard.
"There's sunlight outside the window, I can plant flowers in the yard, the neighbors are very friendly, I can go to that cafe on the corner every morning for coffee, walk in Central Park in the afternoon, and ride my bike to the outskirts on weekends."
She turned back and looked at Thor.
"I live very comfortably."
Thor opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he just slowly lowered his head.
Loki watched for a long time from the side and finally spoke.
"So," he said, his tone carrying a hint of thoughtfulness, "Big Sis has been living as an 'ordinary person' for these past few centuries?"
Mavuika nodded.
"Sit down first," she said. "I ordered some food; it should be here soon."
Thor's eyes lit up again.
"Food? What are we eating?"
"The food here is very abundant," Mavuika said. "And of course, there will definitely be wine."
Thor rubbed his hands together.
"Great! It's been a long time since I've had a drink with Big Sis!"
Thor sat down on the sofa, leaning against Loki, and craned his neck to see the movement in the kitchen.
"Big Sis, how much longer?"
"What's the rush?"
"I'm hungry!"
"Soon, soon."
Loki flipped a page of his book beside him and said without looking up, "Can you have some patience?"
"I don't have patience."
"I know you don't. But can't you pretend to have some?"
"Why should I pretend?"
"Because—never mind."
Loki gave up communicating with him.
Mavuika poked her head out from the kitchen.
"Thor, the delivery will be here in a moment; help me open the door."
Thor immediately stood up and strode toward the balcony.
He pushed open the glass door and stepped onto the balcony.
The night breeze blew, carrying the atmosphere of the city—traffic, lights, the aroma of food wafting from distant restaurants, and some mixed, indescribable scent belonging to the night.
Thor stood on the balcony, hands propped on the railing, looking at the scene before him.
In the distance was the Manhattan skyline, with high-rises brightly lit.
Nearby was a quiet street, with occasional vehicles passing by, their taillights trailing red light streaks in the night.
The cafe on the corner was still lit, and a few scattered customers could be seen through the glass.
He took a deep breath.
This is Midgard.
This is the place where Big Sis has lived for hundreds of years.
Although it's small, although it's ordinary, although it can't compare to the glory of the Asgard Golden Palace—
But it seems... it's also quite nice.