Everyone had their own version to tell but it seemed just as good as Glima training. One Valkyrie brought over a cask that was on her shoulder and she carried it with one arm. She put it on the table.
"I believe this occasion calls for the good stuff," she smiled as she turned it to have the corked center face away from them.
"You brought out a cask that was meant for Valhalla!" one of them interjected.
"We've been through enough, just one cask should reward our troubles," she winked.
The mead for Valhalla flows from the udders of the goat Heidrun that eats the mystical leaves from the tree Laeraror. This mead that is produced is the finest mead, it is clear and without residue. This mead was strictly for those in Valhalla.
"Speaking of which, what will all the souls who were worthy to fight again do?" One of them thought out loud.
"What do you mean?" Brunhilde helped shuffled cups over to the Valkyrie who was filling them up.
"Ragnarök," the one continued but hesitated to glance at Sigyn before continuing on. Sigyn glanced away. "Happened. Asgard is gone. Those who were worthy were supposed to fight against the end of our realm. We gathered more souls to Valhalla. No one left."
"I didn't even think about that," Val was handed her cup. She took in a whiff which brought a big smile to her face. She looked up to see the others giving her curious stares. "Sorry. I didn't think I would be able to get a sip of this again."
"They didn't even come out when Thanos was gathering the last stones on Midgard," another interjected.
This made Sigyn think about the books more she just read. "Has anyone checked on those in Valhalla?" Everyone became silent as she glanced around. "No?" There wasn't a reply. "I know we can't go into Valhalla, but we do guard the doors. The hall doors open wide every time and they are slow moving. This gives us some time to see in, getting glimpses of the famous hall where everyone keeps themselves ready for battle. No one has asked a soul if those souls have been taken?"
"Why would those souls be turned to ash, they are dead?" Brunhilde set her cup down. "Same with all our souls that got to Hel or the other realms of the Dead."
"I did ask Hela if the lost souls came to her but I never asked if the souls of the dead were gone as well, maybe since they are dead, they can't be taken, but Valhalla," Sigyn placed her hands on the table. "Wouldn't they be reborn or gifted back their bodies once again when it comes time to fight?"
"That is peculiar but we were never given information on that, only to grant and gather them," Val contemplated. "There were no teachings about the battle for Ragnarök, how it was going to play out since the Norns only spoke that it was going to happen and that we must fight alongside."
"There was only one person who would always cause Ragnarök," Sigyn's lips quivered as she steadied herself. "He and I had both knew about it from the Norns. Only certain few knew about who was the cause. The Norns didn't tell everyone."
"Fitting," Val was about to take a sip. "No offense."
Sigyn waved her off. "None taken. He actually had Surtur's protection."
"You also gave him the Valkyrior protection," Val set her cup down.
"And both my sons," Sigyn's hands started to shake she clasped them together. She didn't want to keep thinking about the end of her world. This struck a thought with her. "Ragnarök is about the end of the world, Asgard, but Odin has always said Asgard is its people. If Thanos did try to end all of our people, maybe that would have triggered the final battle."
"What about the rest of the realms?" Brunhilde passed her cup for another round. "We have gathered those in the other eight realms to Valhalla. Why didn't the final battle happen when the Dark Elves came back for the Convergence? That did threaten all of the realms."
"We could ask the Norns again," someone commented.
"Or we could ask one of the souls from Valhalla," Val did think that was the better option. The Norns always weirded her out.
"That seems most logical," Brunhilde agreed. "The Norns information is usually vague and like Sigyn spoke, certain few are only allowed to know some of the fates. We always have two guards on duty by the doors, let's make sure everyone knows so whoever grants and gathers the next worthy warrior to Valhalla, they can ask." Everyone agreed upon that idea.
The group drank a few cups only to get wasted upon it. The purest mead had a different effect on the living then it did on those who were in Valhalla. Sigyn helped take ladies back to their dorms to sleep it off or else they would be passed out on the benches or the table, sometimes even the ground. Brunhilde and Val were still buzzed but it didn't affect them as the rest.
"Not a lightweight," Val was impressed before downing another full cup. This would be her fifth.
"Have to outdrink everyone, show them that their leader is formidable," Brunhidle filled their cups to the brim.
"It's a standard," Val toasted her cup before gulping some more down. "I still wonder why Sigyn chose Loki. I mean she did choose the horniest one." She started to laugh at her own joke.
Brunhilde joined in laughing with her. "Supposed to be after one of the All Father's helmets but it did make him a bit insect like." The two started to laugh again. "A bit buggy." They started to snicker and their laughter started to turn into wheezes. They were pounding the table. The wheezes turned into silence as their laughter started to hurt their sides. It took a few moments for them to regain their composure.
"And I saw his colors were green, gold, and black, either insect or horned snake," Val tried to take in some air. "Even though he wore blue and gold on Sakaar."
"That is his symbol though," Brunhilde started to become serious. "Two snakes intertwining, almost an 'S' shape. Sigyn though, hers is a fox. Two cunning creatures."
"You made her an Eternal so she could access this whenever she wanted," Val had sensed it.
"The Bevy wanted us to wait, but I had presiding choice, so I influenced them a bit," Brunhilde winked as she took a swig. "Sigyn is a woman of victory but she is most known for her fidelity. I wasn't going to let that slip by when I know she could come to us anytime. Why cast her out when we could grant her a higher status, that she obviously deserves." Brunhilde chugged the rest of her drink. She set the cup down.
"I thought that was a great decision," Val agreed. "Seeing her as All Mother and how she interacts with the people, I'd say she is a fitting choice." Val was staring off into the distance thinking about it.
All of a sudden, her chin was grabbed, moving her head towards Brunhilde, only for her to be kissed by Brunhilde. Val had her eyes open as it was too much of a surprise then she started to close them but the kiss ended just as abruptly as it started. Brunhilde took back her head. She hung her head in guilt and shame.
"My sincerest apologies, I don't know what came over me," she apologized.
Val was perplexed. Whether it be at Brunhilde for surprise kissing her or at herself that she didn't want it to stop.
"I was drunk," Brunhilde hurried with an excuse. "I have read my sister's diaries so many times and the way she wrote about you, I began to love you as much as she did." Brunhilde started to get it. "That's probably the last thing that you want, a look-a-like who makes it seem like she's a replacement.'" Brunhilde started to walk away.
Val grabbed her wrist. "No-no. Sit down. Sit back down." She commanded. Brunhilde did as she was told but didn't look at her. "I will always love Hildegarde. That cannot be changed. She is my first love. I had no idea she had a little sister. I had no idea that she would sacrifice herself for me or that I would fall into the abyss afterwards and land in Sakaar where I tried to drink away the pain and earn money as someone who brought in beings from all over the universe who fell into the same desolate place to fight in a Midgardian gladiator style combat for their lives. I earned money catching beings so I could buy any type of alcohol to numb her memory. To numb everything.
"After Hulk, Thor, and Loki," she continued as she grabbed Brunhilde's other hand. Brunhilde stared at their hands. "Came into my life, I would still have been going down that path. Time is different there. Speaking of Loki and his trickery, it was because of him that I remembered her sacrifice. It was time that I face my guilt and to enact my revenge against Hela. You're not a replacement for your sister. You're not her, she is not you. I do see a lot of her in you, but you are sisters. You're also so much different from her." Val chuckled. "For one, she could never drink as much or hold her own like you. She was more quick, nimble." Brunhilde finally looked into Val's eyes. "If it allows, I would like to continue this." She raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
Brunhilde tried to speak but the words weren't forming she was just speaking sounds. Val grabbed her chin this time and gave her a sweet peck on the lips. Brunhilde was surprised this time.
The two made it back to the dorms at the fastest they could go allowing interruptions each time they paused. Brunhilde brought her to Brunhilde's room.
"Yours?" Val peered inside.
"You room with hers is sacred," Brunhilde explained. "I could never disrupt that, even if she was someone else, would never disrespect the past." Val entered and Brunhilde closed the door.
It was around the afternoon, Sigyn and Val parted from the training grounds. They said their goodbyes for now but will come back to visit later.
Val didn't speak of anything, just a faint smile upon her face. Sigyn could sense she had a great time but it was none of her business to ask.
They were heading through some of the portals before Val spoke up. "You haven't asked?"
"Not my business to know," Sigyn replied. "However, you seem in good spirits."
"That I am!" Val let out a laugh. "How, how did you two deal with the long distance?" She looked towards Sigyn.
"We both have an affinity with spells," Sigyn declared. "We spoke with projection using the fire." Sigyn was about to tell her that she had several powers too but that's for later.
"I'll have to use the Destroyer from time to time then," Val concluded.
"That's what he is there for," Sigyn agreed. "Everyone needs to take a break."
The two didn't speak much more when Sigyn departed from one of the portals to go back home. Sigyn had Val promise her that these portals would be kept secret unless there was another disaster where New Asgard needed to escape, then these portals could be used for that. Val agreed. She didn't want the people to get lost since Sigyn took her through several portals. It was hard enough to memorize the route.
Val didn't see Sigyn again until the next holiday. Thor only came out for his rations and never took the invite to go to the holiday. It was another great time with everyone. It was getting colder, so Sigyn would limit her time coming through the portals.
When it was getting closer to Loki's birthday, Sigyn decided that she wanted to reminisce her time with him instead of staying home alone. She decided to head to the Avenger's tower in New York.
Sigyn changed into Midgardian clothing. She had on a green felt over coat with black and gold clothing underneath. Sigyn wanted to wear his colors to keep his memory going. It was a clear day but there was snow everywhere.
It seemed as if years went by instead of a few months. She walked past the alleyway where Dr. Strange was interrogating her. That seemed like it was ten years ago instead of the past few years. Sigyn walked to the tower. It made it seem like yesterday that the three of them were taken back to Asgard on a snowy day. Here she was now, on a day where the snow sticks and she is coming back to it.
The elevator still worked. It brought her to the top loft where she once lived at. A female voice came over the intercom instead of Jarvis. "Welcome, voice activation required."
"Sigyn," she spoke aloud.
"Welcome, Snake Charmer," the elevator doors opened for her. Sigyn let out a sigh but chuckled at the end as she stepped out.
Tony was setting up some technology in the nursery.
"Sir, a possible Avenger has entered the Avenger's tower," FRIDAY informed him.
Tony paused for bit. "A possible Avenger? FRIDAY, did they enter correctly?"
"Yes, they passed voice activation," FRIDAY explained.
Tony scratched his head. "What is their possible Avenger nickname?" He couldn't remember who would be a possible Avenger.
"Snake Charmer," FRIDAY was curt.
The screwdriver in his hand dropped. It couldn't be. She's alive! "FRIDAY, is it man, woman?"
"Woman."
"Red hair?"
"Yes, about to the midback," FRIDAY described.
"What is she doing currently?" Tony tapped on his watch, trying to bring up live stream.
"She is wandering through the place," FRIDAY continued.
"Wandering? Why would she be wandering-oh-OH-OH!" It dawned on him. "Shit! Didn't Thor tell her?! Of course not! He didn't seem right this whole time. FRIDAY, get my car ready, don't let her leave."
"Don't let who leave?" Pepper stood in the door way. Tony clicked his watch off.
"No-no one," Tony tried to lie. Pepper gave him a knowing look. "Okay, Sigyn is supposedly at the tower wandering about."
Pepper's jaw dropped in surprise. "She survived?! You have to bring her back!"
"I don't know how she is going to feel," Tony explained. "Did Thor even tell her about you know who?"
"We won't know until you ask, I'm coming with you," Pepper crossed her arms.
"Oh, no you're not," Tony disagreed. "You have to stay here and stay well rested. We can't have you stress out."
"I will stress out if you don't bring me along," she almost glared at him.
"O-kay, well let's get our coats and get going then," Tony was not going to fight her on that one.
The two headed to the car to get to the tower. Steve didn't hurry and was super safe on driving. Pepper felt that he was being over protective but she wasn't going to say anything. She could defend herself and her body was strong but she didn't want to turn him away, not after thinking she would lose him.
Sigyn made it over to the two rooms they stayed in. It took her a moment to open Loki's room. It smelled like him faintly. It was just another guest room though. His things weren't there. The products he used and the suits he wore were gone. Sigyn headed over to the room where she stayed. It was the same. There was a faint smell that brought back nostalgia but nothing visual wise. Sheets were a different color. Everything was mostly different.
Sigyn headed towards the holding cell that was for Hulk but held her and Loki instead. A wave of emotions coursed through her. She felt like she got hit by it. It was too much. Sigyn headed away. She made her way over to the gym. It didn't help either. Sigyn headed back up to sit on the couch where her and Pepper watched a movie together.
Tony had FRIDAY keep updates on what Sigyn was doing. "She's now sitting on the couch."
"What is she doing? She wandered to both rooms, then the cell, then to the gym, and now she's on the couch? She really is wandering," Tony was using both hands on the steering wheel.
"I think she might know," Pepper started to get emotional.
Tony glanced over before jerking his head to see her. "FRIDAY take the wheel. Oh no, don't cry. Don't cry. It's bad for the baby if you cry. No crying." He cupped her face. "No crying. When we see her, we will do lots of crying then, but not now. Only certain times you can cry."
"Tony, that's not scientifically proven that its bad to cry when you are pregnant," Pepper tried to keep her cool. "Only severe depression can."
"And crying can lead to that, so only tears of joy, no sad crying," Tony reprimanded. "That's why I took away certain books, movies, and tv shows so that you don't cry out of sadness."
"Oh, Tony," Pepper placed her hands upon his. She rubbed them. It was thoughtful in his own way.
FRIDAY parked them in the secret garage. "Arrived."
"Let's go!" Pepper unbuckled herself and practically launched herself out of the car. She was so happy to see Sigyn again. Tony did not know how he was going to keep up with her.
The two entered the elevator. Pepper rested her head on Tony's shoulder. "I should go first, you stay behind me, she may feel a bit hostile."
Pepper rolled her eyes. "She'll be fine. It will be fine." The elevator doors opened and Pepper jumped out. Tony quickly followed her. "Sigyn!" She called out.
"You can't just call out like that," Tony was looking around. He hadn't really visited it after the Ultron fiasco.
Pepper headed to the living area. She spotted Sigyn who was walking towards her. Pepper opened her arms wide wanting to give her a hug. Sigyn stepped back. Pepper titled her head. She dropped her arms and kept her distance.
"I am so happy to see you," Pepper smiled.
"So am I," Sigyn agreed.
Tony stopped by Pepper. "It's been a long time Sigyn."
"It has been," Sigyn nodded.
"You doing okay? Wandering in the Avengers tower in the middle of December," Tony was worried about her.
Sigyn glanced away. "I just was walking down memory lane."
Tony crossed his arms. "No hug?" Sigyn didn't meet their eyes. "So, you know then?" Sigyn nodded. "Stay with us then. It won't help staying here."
Sigyn looked up finally. "Yes, maybe it will be good to be with company." She moved towards them.
"Alright, FRIDAY, get the car ready, we are going home," Tony announced. "Also lock back up when we leave."
"Yes, sir." FRIDAY made sure to lock up after they left certain areas, before locking up the whole building.
Pepper and Sigyn sat in the back with Tony at the wheel. "Ladies, I am your chauffeur, please let me know if you want to stop at some place to get some food. Little take out?"
"Are you not sharing food with everyone?" Sigyn was confused.
"You didn't read my mind?" Tony was taken aback when he glanced back in the rearview.
"You wouldn't either if you kept seeing the same thing over again," Sigyn explained.
"And you are distancing yourself because of that," Tony saw her nod.
Pepper placed her hand on Sigyn. She could feel the warmth and thoughtful feelings from her. Sigyn made sure to close herself off.
"Where have you been?" Tony asked. "Besides roaming around."
"I have been mostly between New Asgard and my home," Sigyn answered.
"New Asgard, how is that going?" Tony was curious.
"It's getting better," Sigyn nodded.
