"They do." Loki's smile is sad, too. "A hive is almost a single organism, rather than a conglomeration of separate creatures. They need one another."

...Actually, bees can be pretty mercenary, and can kill off a queen that doesn't suit them, and they're both certainly aware of that, but the topic of conversation is half metaphorical now, and bringing that up aloud would be jarring. Loki reaches over and rubs Thor's shoulder lightly with his fingertips, watching his expression to make sure he's not chilled by the touch.

"And you're right, they absolutely did."

He'll just let that look of amusement pass for now.

"I don't think they birth more than one or two fawns a season," Loki tells him. "You have plenty of time. I'm not sure how long they take to grow to adulthood, now that I think of it. I'd better do some research, or maybe have Aarne over for lessons."

"But we'd better head for the tea party now, or Sigrid will start texting me asking what's taking us so long." He nods toward a narrow, packed-earth path that leads into a more wooded area. Once they round the bend, there's a dell and a hidden doorway that leads to the Hall.