Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.

The day started easily enough. They would interview the person, take a few pictures for a portfolio, get a phone number and an e-mail and then send them home. Things were going well at first, they had interviewed about forty people before some problems began.

Ragnar and his friends knew talent when they saw it and most of the people that showed up did not have talent. The poses in the photos were terrible and most people were not prepared for the interview. And most of the photos were scrapped immediately by Floki.

And then there was the attitude problems some people had. There were people who thought very highly of themselves and thought that they would win the contest right away. There was no way Ragnar was going to hire someone like that.

There were people who didn't know anything about the magazine. There were fans who just wanted to meet them. Nice but not what they wanted. There were people with bad attitudes, people who were over compensating, people who were very cynical and people who were nothing but show offs.

This was not what Ragnar expected or wanted. He was sorely disappointed at the days outcome. They did manage to get some good applications. With a bit of training they could have potential. But the others just didn't have the look Ragnar wanted. He wanted innocence.

"This was a waste of time" Rollo said

"I'm not giving up yet" Ragnar told him "I won't let Haraldson win"

"Neither will I" Erik said

A few others agreed with Ragnar and decided to go to the pub, they needed something strong to drink after today.

The next day was the same and the next day and the next day. Everyone was slowly losing their confidence in Ragnar's plan and so was he. On the final day of the interviews Ragnar didn't show up. He has gone to the library instead. As he scanned the books of the library he sighed. He was done, he plan had failed and Haraldson had won.

He was glad he came to the library, it was quiet and he needed peace. He wasn't looking for any book in particular he was just browsing. He came across a small booked labelled 'The path to happiness' he shrugged slightly and picked it up. He opened it to the first page and turned around. If he wasn't so focused on the book he would have seen the person walking behind him. Ragnar and the person collided and papers scattered everywhere.

Ragnar dropped his book and looked at the person on the floor and became spell bound. It was a young boy in his early twenties. If Ragnar had to describe his looks it would be a quiet mousy type of person. He had short curly brown hair, a smooth innocent baby face, emerald green eyes, a small thin body frame and...the complete opposite of him. That's it! This person ticked all the boxes! He was the one Ragnar had been waiting for.

The boy picked up his thick black rimmed glasses and put them back on "I-I-I'm so sorry" he stuttered and began to pick up his papers. Ragnar bent down and started to help him "Ah you don't have to do that, I'm sorry" the boy said. Ragnar still helped to pick up the papers and glanced at the boy every so often.

When he papers were picked up the boy held the stack in his arms and stood up. Ragnar couldn't let him get away "What is your name?" he asked

"P-Please don't tell my boss. I really need this job" the boy begged

"I'm not going to tell. I just what to know your name" Ragnar said

"A-Athelstan" he said shyly

"That sounds exotic" Ragnar said

"Not really" Athelstan replied

"Do you know who I am?" Ragnar asked

The boy shook his head.

"My name is Ragnar Lothbrok. I'm a model for Valhalla magazine"

Athelstan's eyes widened and he said "I-I have heard of you. You been doing something for a few weeks. A contest I think?"

Ragnar was glad Athelstan knew about him and the contest...sort of "That's right. Have you thought about auditioning?" Ragnar asked

"N-No I-I could never, I'm too shy and clumsy" Athelstan stuttered and blushed

'He is perfect' Ragnar thought "I think you might be just what we are looking for. Why don't you come to the studio tomorrow and audition?"

Athelstan looked at him shocked "I-I can't do that. I'm sorry you'll have to look elsewhere"

Shit Ragnar didn't have to want to do this but he had no other choice "I'll tell your boss"

"What!?" Athelstan gasped

"I tell your boss you knocked me over unless you come to the studio tomorrow" he said

Athelstan was flabbergasted, this had to be the worst day ever "You won't tell my boss if I come?" he asked

"Nope" Ragnar smirked

"Alright. Where is it?" Athelstan asked

Ragnar pulled out a business card and gave it to Athelstan "Be there by 9:00 in the morning. I look forward to seeing you there cutie" he said and then walked away.

'Cutie?' Athelstan thought. His face turned red and wondered how this had happened to him.

Meanwhile Ragnar was racing back to the studio. He knew the auditions were done for the day which meant that everyone was in the office. He entered the office out of breath and picked up a bottle of water.

"Well, well if it isn't Mr. no show" Rollo said annoyed "Where the hell have you been?" he asked

After taking a swig of water he replied "Inviting our new model for an interview"

"What?" Leif said confused

"I found the perfect person for the magazine" he said triumphantly

"And who is this person? Where did you meet them?" Arne asked

"I met him in the library and his name his Athelstan" Ragnar replied

"What kind of name is that?" Rollo scoffed

Ragnar shrugged and said "Don't know but it sound exotic"

"What makes him so special?" Torstein asked

"He is everything I described. Small, cute, innocent, shy and the complete opposite to us. He'll be here tomorrow morning I hope" Ragnar said

"Well you better hope he shows up because if he doesn't Haraldson wins, the magazine's screwed and we're screwed" Floki pointed out

"Don't worry if he doesn't show I'll go and pick him up" Ragnar said

Everyone seemed slightly unsure but they went along with him anyway. Ragnar hoped Athelstan would show up. Floki was right he didn't, Haraldson would win. But still at least Ragnar had a backup plan. He would find Athelstan and kidnap him, if he had to.