"Your faith in me is astounding." Thor replied dryly, but it was spoiled by the truth that seemed to permeate the words, and the softness of it. His shoulders sagged a little, the clouds above them growing slowly thick and dark.

Thor wasn't one to be cowed by difficult questions, but he found it hard not to avert his gaze again, if only because he saw too much of what he felt reflected back at him. "I... It is more complicated than I knew. I very nearly did spoil everything." He tried to grasp the shape of it again, at least what he understood. "I went to Father to explain what I had done, but Loki came before I could finish. He lied. He said he had manipulated me, and everything that had happened was a part of his plan. Father would have had him flogged." He bowed his head. "I couldn't allow it. It was some game to please the court. I know that it was important but Sif... it was not right." More quietly, and perhaps more truthfully, he continued. "I couldn't see him hurt again for my sake."