No, she wasn't just happy, she was ecstatic. She was back in Fayon, almost two years ago, not long after she'd met Chaos. They were out beyond the village, the spot where they'd met. A medow, filled with tall grasses and wildflowers.
Chaos was there waiting for her.
She laughed and ran to him, and he opened his arms to welcome her embrace. They fell over.
They lay in the sun, hidden in the tall grass, simply holding each other.
Iris made a chain of flowers, then weaved it into a crown. She admired her handiwork for a moment, then placed it on the knight's head. He laughed and struck a demure pose.
'Oh Miss Irine, am I as pretty as you now?' She smiled a little,
'You really don't have to call me 'Miss' you know, Chaos...' He shrugged,
'Everyone else does.' Iris bit her thumb for a moment,
'Well...' The boy was rapt with attention now, no longer joking or easy-going,
'Yes Miss Iris?' The girl forcefully put her hand down. She tried to look him directly in the eye. She ended up staring at his nose,
'You're not everyone else Chaos. I'd like it if you just called me 'Iris' from now on.' The boy stared at her for a moment, his expression hard to read, shocked perhaps? Then it was replaced by delight,
'Sure thing Iris.' Her name had never sounded so beautiful.
She wanted to cry.
Iris opened her eyes, something had woken her up.
Damn. That was one of her favorite memories. She touched the hinalle under her pillow, and wondered briefly if there was any stock in those old wives tales. Well, there wasn't any harm in wishing was there? Iris rolled over and went back to sleep.
And she ignored the warlock in the other bed who let out a stifled sob when she was sure that Iris had gone back to sleep.
There wasn't harm in wishing, but what if you couldn't wish?
Damn. She felt guilty. It was really foolish, but Fenris found she didn't want to dream of Chaos, or of Balder, or Vermillion, whatever he called himself.
It frightened her. Did that mean she didn't have a purpose in this new life? And she didn't want to go to sleep. What if those old wives tales were true?
The warlock sat up and hugged her knees. Oh Fenris Fenrir, you really are a fool.
Across the hall the assassin couldn't sleep.
It wasn't Chaos' louder-than-usual snores, or the down matress of excess comfort.
It was the life running through his veins. The leftover energy from dancing with Fenrir earlier.
Damn...damn.
He stood up. Chaos was giggling in his sleep about flower chains. Most unbefitting of a young man. Especially one who claimed to be fighting to save Midgard.
Loki needed to take a walk is all, get rid of his pent-up energy and then he'd be able to meditate and relax.
When he opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, he almost crashed into Fenris. Well, damn. Stepping backwards into his room was not a graceful option. He nodded to her. She seemed distrcted.
"Good evening Fenris."
"I'm sure it's 'good morning' by now." The assassin shrugged. To him there was little distinction on the subject of time. It was all one long slog. He looked at Fenris again and couldn't help but notice the darkness that pressed in on them. Nor could he ignore the closeness of her skin to his. His voice betrayed none of his observations,
"...could you not sleep Fenris?" She shook her head,
"Not really.. and you?" He responded in kind, an tried not to stare at her nightgown.
Come to think of it, had he ever seen her wear a nightgown? Perhaps the luxuries of civilization weren't all such a terrible thing then...Oh damn. He wasn't paying attention.
Well he was, but rather to her body and not to her person. She appeared somewhat distraught under close inspection.
"Fenris are you allright? What troubles you?" Her head jerked up in surprise.
Damn! He could figure out everything. Even in a darkened hallway. Well then! Time for dirty tactics!
She coughed politely, "Well.. no reason really.. I was going to take a walk, but I'd much rather dance with you again instead."
Loki stared at her.
...damn. He really couldn't refuse. She was dodging the subject, and he knew it, but he also didn't care.
If it meant she would dance with him.
So they danced.