Disclaimer: I do not own the these characters, they belong to history, mythology, religion, and in some respects Broccoli.
Note from Author: Where to start. Yes there is some mention of modern religions that people practice today (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc.). Please note that although they are used in this story as a trigger of a bigger conflict, I do not intend to pose them in any negative light but more take a historical reference between the modern religion and the older gods. If that makes sense. I guess, to sum it up: I do not mean any offense.

Prose 1

The seasons were in order…supposedly. It was late in the year, about the time a chill would grip the gods and the snow would dot the soft cloudy sky. But Zeus being Zeus would have none of the wonders of a winter wonderland. The gods of the North were used to this by now. That didn't mean they liked it.

Veturland…

Spring and Winter were a big deal to most cultures and specifically to the Norse. But to be deprived of what to them made winter…winter really got to them. At least their dorms could be converted to replicate that of a snowbound Scandinavian land. But to Loki it felt hollow.

"We need to see if we can't get Ahollon to convince his pops to give us the real thing," Loki moaned to Thor, who said nothing.

The two stood by the outside of the school waiting for the bell to ring for class. Thor kept Loki close. Loki just needed to go to one more class before the end of the year and shirk probation, which wasn't…pleasant.

"Hey, you two."

The two turned and found their human classmate and pseudo-mentor, Yui Kusanagi. She had a wide smile on her face and papers in her hands. She approached them, glad to see that Loki was at least in the vicinity of the school.

"What is this? More homework," Loki whined before nudging Thor. "That I won't do."

"No," Yui shook her head, "I know Zeus wants to hold a Winter Solstice festival, and wanted some ideas."

"And? A marathon of naked Greek wrestlers? No thanks."

"W-wait? What?"

Loki nodded and mouthed, "Trust me. That's what they do."

"What is your idea?" Thor finally spoke.

Yui handed him the papers. Thor's expression didn't change, but he said softly, "Yule?"

"Well, generally humans celebrate the Solstice on the 25th of December and they have Christmas trees and hollies and mistletoe—"

"No mistletoe!" Loki and Thor said in unison. Yui shook her head, cursing herself for forgetting.

"Oh, right, sorry I forgot. No mistletoe—"

"That's not something you'd forget—" Loki complained before being cut off.

"Gift exchanges and a holiday meal. You know. Christmas."

Loki crossed his arms and inhaled looking concerned.

"I thought you guys would like it…"

"It's not about liking—"

Thor nudged him and the look he gave Loki read "Shut up."

The bell rang, signaling that the students needed to get to class.

"Alright, Loki, make sure you're in class," Yui said, wondering what the grim faces were about.

Did she make a mistake? She had heard Apollo talk her ear off about Winter Solstice festivities. If the gods like him were only exposed to naked men getting in very awkward positions in the name of Zeus as celebration of winter then there was little wonder they had limited knowledge of the modern human.

Apollo was ecstatic to have something new, and he was always curious about what the Norse…did. Balder didn't do much "Norse-like" things in front of them. With the exception of No-Shave November—and interesting story in and of itself and all but confirmed that the Norse gods were pretty hairy…all over—Balder always seemed to go with the flow of the current trend.

Tsukito didn't seem to care about it much. He may have been glad of a change, but it was hard to tell. He was willing to aid in setting the idea up. Balder must have heard the idea but he hadn't said anything about it. At least not to her. He was how he usually was.

Days went by and everyone "seemed" to be on board for a Christmas themed Solstice. But it became clear as the class filed in for the day's lesson, that at least one god felt…uncomfortable.

Thoth started the lesson by putting symbols on the board: a crescent, a star, and a cross.

Immediately Loki's rather smarmy face froze, his jaw quivering. He stared at the back of Balder's head trying to get a read on his friend.

"Today we will be discussing the modern human belief system. With the upcoming Christmas celebration we will be briefly discussing the Abrahamic system and its braches," the instructor pointed to the symbols, "Islam, Judaism, and Christianity."

Loki raised his hand and didn't even bother to be called upon to say anything, "Hey, is this really necessary? Can't we learn something else like…what they do to get rid of goiters or something?"

Thoth pounded on the table, "Yes, Dunce. Humans evolve, people's beliefs change, and culture changes with it. Now either pay attention or be stuck here forever."

That seemed to do the trick as Loki shut his mouth and leaned back in his seat, hands clenched on the desktop in tight fists.

"Now," Thoth continued, "The first of the Abrahamic belief system arose from the Middle East, called as such after the founder Abraham. Most modern humans call this first concrete system Judaism…"

The first session of the class seemed to be going well, but Yui took note of Loki's rather anxious expression. As if he was anticipating something…bad. She had seen it in the past when boys who were caught doing something bad in class would sink in their seat and hunch their shoulders like a tortoise retracting its head into its shell.

Thor seemed even stiffer than usual, his mouth working as it seemed it was dry. And Balder…he may have had some facial ticks, a rigid posture, or something but something seemed…off.

Yet it wasn't until Thoth uttered the words, "It was around this time that the sect of beliefs evolved into what is now called Christianity…" when the strange body language became noticeable. Especially to Dionysus.

Dionysus zoned out during most classes, but this lesson at the very least sounded interesting, despite the rather dull voice relaying the lesson. Human culture? It was so…undefined. A mix of everything to create one unique thing. Like a fine wine.

And yet, once Thoth went into a captivating story about a son of God creating a set of principles that the world would attempt to follow, the blond god next to him reacted like he had an agonizing itch to scratch. Balder's breathing increased only slightly but enough for Dionysus to realize that something wasn't quite right.

It seemed that Balder's attention span was shrinking by the moment. He would glance out the window at the sky, at the clock, at the board, everywhere. Dionysus gave it a pause, before turning back to the lesson, thinking it was just Balder anxious to leave. Perhaps he had to use the bathroom. Dionysus remained moderately tuned to the lesson, until Thoth drew a map on the board of the world.

"It was around this time, with the rapid expansion of the Late Roman Empire, that Christianity spread to the north…"

Balder's nails scratched the surface of the desk as he clenched it into a tight fist, as Thoth colored in the areas of the Eurasia region that the particular religion spread, including the North Seas, Britannica, and Scandinavia.

Balder closed his blue eyes, the dull tone of Thoth fading into a muffled rumble. An uncomfortable blistering swell developed in the back of his head and in his chest. Better to ignore. He found himself staring at that image of a cross with a mixture of emotions that he so desperately wanted to keep in check.

As ringing began to penetrate his ears, Thoth let out a rather resounding, "Now."

Balder snapped out of his rather embarrassing stupor as Thoth moved on.

"Much later, arose Islam…"

The pressure seemed to lift and Balder became all aware of Loki gently rubbing a small portion of his back with the end of his pen, as if trying to soothe him. The storm passed…or so it seemed.

Finally Thoth finished the lesson abruptly, and began erasing the chalkboard as the students readily filed out. Loki and Thor left to start their "Going Home Club" activities-whatever they were, and Yui followed them to ask more questions about their cryptic conversation before class.

Meanwhile Apollo held Balder back, "You know, Bal-Bal, Loki-Loki keeps on hitting me with charmed paper cranes. He wants me to do the impossible and convince Zeus to let it snow."

"I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not your fault. Besides, he's right. Dad has to realize that a good portion of world associates Winter Solstice with cold and snow. But telling that is next to impossible without him jumping to the conclusion that you are criticizing his very existence."

"He goes that far?"

"It's partially true. Thor's a way better god of lightning and thunder than my dad since he spends most of his time...you know," Apollo admitted and gave Balder a strange look.

"Know what?" Balder responded.

Apollo stared at his friend and shook his head, "Really? Sexual innuendo is lost on you?"

They noticed Thoth still organizing his books, growling internally at the two of them.

Apollo nodded at Thoth, "What's cookin' good lookin'"

"What?" the grumpy God of Wisdom glared up at Apollo.

"Nevermind, Thoth."

Thoth gave his student a pointed and disapproving look. Apollo rolled his eyes and corrected himself, "Thoth-sama."

"Better," Thoth pushed a sheet towards them. "This is the sign up for the activities during the holidays. Basically you all will be helping getting this place ready for the winter holidays. It's the duty of the student council."

Apollo analyzed the sheet with a cheery smile on his face, "Great!"

"Not so fast. It is your challenge to get all the gods to sign."

Balder and Apollo paused. It didn't sound like a big deal, but something in Thoth's tone showed that there may be an extra challenge.

"Umm…okay," Apollo said sheepishly.

"There are other gods in the gardens now."

"What!?" the gods in the classroom turned incredulously to their instructor.

"W-what do you mean 'other' gods."

Thoth smirked. Boy did he love to see his students quake in their boots, "Zeus has been doing a few Supreme Gods some favors. Taking particularly bothersome issues and…incarcerating them."

"To learn about humans," Apollo finished. Thoth shook his white head, "No. They won't be in classes with you lot. They are imprisoned here as punishment for the whole year. And then…after evaluation, they may learn what is taught here and return home."

Takeru nudged his brother, "Good to know we aren't the worst gods in the world."

"Yes, you twit!" Thoth yelled. "You lot are terrible gods. These new gods are here for causing trouble within their respective pantheons, not neglecting their duties. There are four of them, and if you want the Solstice festivities to be complete you must get them to participate. As well as everyone else."

Apollo glanced at the paper, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the "new" challenge ahead. Might as well start with the easy part.

"Regardless, I guess I should sign," Apollo scratched his name onto the parchment and handed the quill to Balder to do the same.

As Balder leaned over to sign, a song began playing over the voice system of the school. Soft angelic voices of a choir with a clear female voice began singing and it caused the gods to pause.

'Christmas comes anew, oh let us sing Noel

Glory to God, now let your praises swell.

Sing the Noel, to Christ the newborn King…'

Apollo's eyes widened, paying little attention to the lyrics, "Who is this goddess singing? It's like an orgy in my ears, it is so glorious."

"Julie Andrews. And yes I have to agree," Thoth replied, for once voicing his pleasure for…something.

Neither of them noticed Balder going stiff. His jaw set tight as he straightened, "What is this?"

Apollo turned, hit by the darkness of his voice, "What?"

"This song?" Balder seemed to be getting restless. "I hate this song."

Balder's voice was shaking in fury as he stared directly at Thoth, "Turn it off."

Thoth shook his head, "I don't control what's played. And don't insult Julie Andrews. She is a saint."

"I don't give a damn, just turn it OFF!" Balder's restlessness became white-hot fury as he violently knocked the papers and objects off the desk.

Apollo was stunned, "Balder, calm down…"

He made the mistake of touching Balder…

Outside in the hallway, Yui met up with Loki who was followed closely by Thor.

"If you think we're gonna take time to convert this place into a Christmas town you can forget it," Loki replied immediately before Yui could say anything.

"I don't get it. Is this offensive in some way?"

"No." Thor said over Loki's "Yes."

"Well then how do Northmen celebrate winter?"

"Quietly, by ourselves," Loki said with a toothy smile. "I mean as in we Norse gods have our own little celebrations. No Japanese humans allowed."

Loki was teasing, trying to get Yui upset, but a song started playing in the hallway. Loki and Thor looked at each other, the distinct look of fear in their eyes.

"Oh listen, Zeus actually listened to my idea."

"This was your idea?" Thor said, worry blazing in his normally stoic eyes.

"Yeah, why?"

They didn't answer, but Loki gave an exasperated "Oh shit!" before sprinting down the hallway towards the classroom. They burst through the doors of the class to see it a mess. The front desk where Thoth was sitting was overturned with the God of Wisdom on the floor with a bloody lip. Apollo, Takeru, and Hades were all trying to wrestle with…Balder?

"Balder!" Loki yelled, as Balder elbowed little Takeru square in the face with a bloody crunch. Loki and Thor grabbed Balder to take him away from the other damaged and confused gods.

"Get off me!" he yelled, his eyes blank gold and crazed. He hadn't turned into his god form yet, but it was Loki's fear that in one step he would...and then nothing would go right.

Loki and Thor were at a loss of what to do. It was impossible to hurt him, but Balder was unnaturally strong for his size, even for a god. He grabbed Loki's arm and flung him to the ground and slammed his foot on Loki's shoulder. Loki cried out in pain and hearing the cry Thor solidified his hold on Balder pulled them both to ground. Thor wound his arms around Balder's neck and arms and pinned him in a submissive hold. Thor couldn't do much to harm him, but it was his hope that Balder's energy would wind down enough to calm him down.

Loki recovered but winced and got close to his friend, whispering in both common language and in a mixture of Scandinavian, "Balder, its over. That song is over."

Balder's struggling slowed, but Thor was getting tired, so Hades, who may not have been big but was tall, used his weight to help Thor out.

"Would a sedative work on him?" Hades asked.

"No idea," Loki breathed, "But right now I don't want to find out unless we have to."

Balder's breathing evened out and almost went full stop. His eyes once flashing in anger and rage, were now unfocused and drowsy. He quieted and stilled, going limp and numb. Thor nudged Hades, motioning for him to get off and that he had it under control. Thor grabbed Balder by the back cuff of his uniform and pulled him up, immediately helping him out of the hall without further contact to anyone else in the classroom.

And then, silence. Uncomfortable silence. Perhaps some heavy breathing.

Yui had her hand over her mouth in shock at what she had seen. Apollo looked like he thought he was in some surreal dream, Takeru and Thoth were nursing their wounds and Hades was torn on what to do next. Even Tsukito's mouth hung open. Loki was the only one who dared to move. With labored breath he stomped towards the doors where Thor took Balder, but paused beside Yui, giving her a practically hateful glare.

"You WILL get Zeus to stop playing that crap over the PA."

Loki moved on without an explanation. He's known for saying teasing things but never ever having a vicious bite. Nothing about what happened, was normal.

A/N: There is SOME humor in this story, hence the Julie Andrews reference. I like to imagine the gods worshipping her voice.
The song referenced is her version of "Noel Nouvelet." Any suggestions on how to move on is welcome.

Party On.