Day 5: What do you give to the Woman with Everything?
Ottar looked down at the paltry dress before him. He did not know fashion and had chosen to trust in the handiwork before him. However, he doubted that its beauty would be enough for his Goddess. It was the Christmas season in Folkvangr, and Freya Familia was working hard to find a gift worthy of their Goddess. The Bringar were already done, with a new set of jewelry fashioned. Hedin and Hogni had acquired the finest elven silks to create beautiful clothes. Even Allen had used his incredible speed to zoom around the continent, obtaining the most exotic gifts. But Ottar was left with nothing. It always went this way, every year.
Orario's King would try and find a gift unique and worthy of the Goddess but fail miserably. Usually, that's when he would ask Helun for aid because who knew the Goddess better? This year, however, Helun had refused. The woman claimed that Ottar needed to grow up and do it himself. So, Ottar had looked for things of beauty to match his Goddess and had found nothing.
The big Boaz had been staring at the dress, wracking his brain for what to do, until someone eventually found him. Hedin walked up and heaved the most tremendous sigh of his life.
"Can you truly not think of a single original gift?" asked the white elf. "You, her greatest champion, would just imitate the rest of us?" Hedin shook his head. "I must admit, it's a tad disappointing."
Ottar nodded. "What do I do, Hedin? All I know is how to fight."
Hedin almost sneered. "Please, like I would help you. No, for once, the rest of us have a chance at beating you. Which means you're on your own." He turned on his heel to walk out before turning his head back. "But, since you are looking so miserable, I will say this: try going for a walk in the city. The fresh air might clear your head."
The thought had crossed Ottar's mind, but it ran counter to his existence. He was to stand by Freya's side as the strongest, not leave for the city. Eventually, though, his desire to please her one out. So, the strongest decided to go for a stroll.
In the city, Ottar saw many things. He saw shops and boutiques with the most wondrous gifts. Everywhere, the spirit of Christmas was in the air. Decorations hung from shop windows, and snowflakes drifted to the ground.
Many people cowered from the King as he stomped by. But Ottar paid them no heed; he was on a mission. And unfortunately, he was failing. A couple gifts had caught his eye initially. One was a set of perfumes, but Ottar dismissed it. Freya smelled perfect as it was. Another was a make-up kit, but Ottar thought Freya looked beautiful in her natural form.
That was when Ottar saw it, the perfect gift. The idea had been sitting in front of him this whole time. So, he walked forward and picked it up off the street.
"WWWAAAHHHH! WHAT'S GOING ON!?"
Ottar had half a mind to knock the little rabbit out if only to stop him from screaming but reasoned that Freya would not want damaged goods. Thankfully, Bell Cranel stopped shouting all on his own. This was replaced with an eerie quiet, though. Which led to a single question.
"Ummm…Mister Ottar Sir, what are you doing?" asked Bell.
Ottar considered the question.
"I require the perfect gift for Lady Freya," he said, eventually. "You will suffice."
Then, the boy was mercifully quiet. For all of five seconds, before Ottar's peace was ruined.
"Can you put me down, please? Maybe we can find you a different gift! A better one!" said Bell.
Ottar stopped to consider his options. After all, Bell's response did merit some consideration, seeing as how his disappearance might cause a problem with other Familias. And he was the object of Freya's devotion, which meant that he might secretly know what she truly desired. So, the King nodded and put the Rabbit Foot on the ground.
"Speak now, or I will grab you again," said Ottar. "For the holidays at least, you will serve the Goddess."
Ottar watched as Bell almost fainted. Thankfully, he did not, which saved Ottar the trouble of dealing with an unconscious Odr.
"Or I help you find a better gift! Like we agreed upon!" said Bell, taking a step back.
Ottar grunted before walking to a nearby café. He sat at a table, oblivious to the stares he got and gestured for Bell to join him.
"What do you suggest?" said Ottar.
Bell slowly made his way over and took a seat.
"Well, my Goddess told me that the Deities came down here because they envied what we had," began Bell. "They came to chase pleasure. What would bring Goddess Freya pleasure?" Ottar opened his mouth. "Besides me." Ottar closed his mouth.
Ottar thought about his Goddess and everything he had seen from her. He also thought of Bell's words and what they could mean. After a long moment, where Bell was left in silence, something clicked in the Boaz's brain.
"Lady Freya…would like an experience? Like what we mortals have?" asked Ottar.
Bell smiled. "Yes, I believe that could be something. And, I think I have an idea." Bell leaned forward. "You see, there was once a story about a queen who wanted to laugh…."
()
Freya looked at the bounty of the gifts before her. Really, she had no need for them, but her children insisted on this every year. So, Freya indulged them. She let them pile their gifts as high as hills, and afterwards, she donated most of them to orphanages and those less fortunate.
Hedin and Hogni gave her the delicate dresses from ancient elven forests, and she feigned a smile.
"Ah, how wonderful of you both, my most sincere thanks," she said, covering her boredom.
With the way the two elves beamed in response, Freya figured they were happy enough. This continued until Freya noticed that only one person was left. And it was someone very important.
"Just where in the world is Ottar?" she asked.
Allen tskked with his teeth. "The trash probably realized he would never find a gift good enough for you, Lady Freya."
There were derisive sounds of agreement from the rest of the room. Freya opened her mouth to defend her champion when a distinctive stomping sound came. The Goddess smiled.
"Ah, Ottar, I was wondering where you…."
Freya trailed off as Orario's King stepped into the room.
"Ho, ho, ho," said Ottar, decked out in the finest Santa suit he could buy. "I heard that a certain Goddess has behaved well enough to be on the nice list?"
His delivery was awful. Ottar's tone was flat, and his words were stilted. He held none of the joy that a Santa should. Even his laugh at the beginning was missing the incredible warmth and power that the big man in red's did. And Freya loved every second of it. She giggled as she stood up.
"Yes! That's me, Santa!" She gestured to her seat. "Please sit; I need to tell you what I want for Christmas!"
Ottar, seeming confused, stumbled forward. Slowly, looking from Freya to the chair, lowered himself down. As soon as he finished, the Goddess of beauty plopped herself on his lap.
"Well, unfortunately," began Freya. "I've been a bit of a naughty girl. But, I still think I have some wonderful ideas!"
Freya felt an unexpected warmth that night. Never before had she felt so carefree and maiden-like. Usually, she had to resort to becoming that other identity for that. But now, looking down at her beloved Captain, who squirmed under all the attention he was getting, she felt more elated than she had in centuries.
The End
Hestia sighed, looking down at her latest square. It was a boar in red, with a Goddess riding atop it. She shook her head as she moved the quilted square.
"Well, I guess everyone gets to be happy at the holidays in the end," said Hestia before looking up. "I hope you enjoyed this madness…because I' just kind of confused. Until next time friends, stay warm!"
Whoops, finished it yesterday, forgot to publish. My bad folks.
