I'm sorry in advance if there are some misspellings or grammatical errors as I'm French. Weirdly, I can't seem to write in French as words flow better in English lol
Come, come, there's a wondrous land
For the hopeful heart and the willing hand
Come, come, there's a wondrous land
Where I'll build you a home in the meadow
he cottage built for the Hyades stood out beautifully in a vast meadow that was hidden by large oak trees. From its tall Ionic columns to its greek intricate details, it screamed splendor and refinement. The frieze that adorned the top of the front door showed the Olympian rain deities carelessly dancing together in a pastoral painting. It strangely looked more of a temple than a house but, as Loki and Dione came in the small entrance, they saw walls of sun-dried clay bricks which brought a homey kind-of feeling. Colorful mosaics were decorating the middle of the walls. They pictured the very history of the birth of the Hyades.
A small smile adorning her lips, Dione gently traced the tiny pieces of ceramics with her fingers. She was completely oblivious to the way the Asgardian was looking at her. Loki's anger had seemed to melt when they had entered the cottage, his eyes fixed on the beautiful Olympian. It was true she was easily getting on his nerve but there was also something different about her that appealed to him.
Happy chirps and high-pitched noises coming from inside the house startled them. Dione's eyes were full of questions as she looked at the Asgardian but Loki had no idea what or who was in the cottage. Pushing the door of the entrance, the prince stopped abruptly when he noticed that the room he had entered was actually a courtyard. A huge hole in the roof allowed rain to pour heavily on a large pond. He was trapped, having to wait until the rain stopped to go to the mere where small creatures were playing happily in the water.
« What are they ? » Dione asked, her big eyes sparkling with wonder.
« Yokais… » the magician sighed, rubbing his eyes tirelessly. « They are just vermins… A pain in the arse to get rid of… They steal. They eat a lot, like, they can eat your 2-months provisions in a day. They are squatters, almost nothing will make them leave. They like to play pranks. They also like water. Oh, and the best part, they are quite afraid of us but, since they love heat, they love to sleep on us… Like I said, vermins… They… »
« … are so cute ! » Dione interrupted him before rushing to take one in her arms.
The dozen yokais who were likely squatting the cottage for a couple of months ran hysterically to hide when they saw the woman coming to them. Only one stayed, too busy to jump in the pond to notice what was happening. Coming closer, the Olympian felt her heart melt as she took a closer look at it.
The yokai was basically a ball of fur, no higher than half of her calf. Its coat was a mix of white and brown, a touch of black shining its belly. Its puffy whitetail was looking like a jingling small pom-pom. Its big dark brown eyes seemed to be highlighted with black strikes, making them almost doe-like. Its little round black nose was twisting happily. Its small paws were as white as snow. But the most remarkable thing was its ears who looked like butterfly wings, almost half of its size. They were the color of the rainbows, the light coming to them making the colors reflected on its fur.
It squealed as Dione took him from behind, clearly surprised. It had not seen her come closer to him. The yokai's ears began to flap like wings, making the Olympian yelp.
« What is he doing ? » Dione screamed, trying her best to keep it in her arms.
« Did I forget to tell you that they can fly ? » Loki asked, clearly amused. He was leaning about the door frame, not daring to get hurt by the rain but unable to look away from her.
The Olympian shot her a murderous glare which only made him chuckle. « Would it hurt you to help me ? » she asked coldly.
« Actually, it would… » the Asgardian whispered before saying more loudly : « Would you just stop the damn rain so I can come ? »
« Why… Is the young prince afraid of some water ? Are you made of sugar ? » She taunted him but stopped the rain anyhow.
« You still didn't answer me about the power problem… » he pointed his finger at her threateningly as he came near her.
With a flick of his wrist, the creature became dry, its fur doubling size. Taking the frightened yokai at arm's length, Loki whispered an incantation. The creature stopped its squeaking and swaying as it fell asleep instantly. With a proud smirk, the prince gave it back to the Olympian who take it like a newborn baby.
« Don't worry, it is just sleeping… » Loki reassured her softly.
« I'll take it inside… Just let me a few moments to change into dry clothes and I'll answer all of your questions. » Dione said softly, smiling tentatively at the prince before opening one of the doors. She laughed as she peeked inside, closed it, and opened another. Nodding, she disappeared inside, leaving the Asgardian alone as the rain began to start again.
It hadn't taken Loki long to find the kitchen. The damn raindrops had never had a chance to touch him as he had run faster than ever to take refuge in the nearest room. Luckily, it had been the kitchen.
Sitting in front of the stove, he sighed as he waited for the water to boil, hoping to make a good impression on Dione with a cup of Asgardian tea. He had been right through. Almost all the provisions had been eaten by the yokais, leaving only stocked the pantries that had been sealed with magic. They would have to be satisfied with what little the vermins had let them. Luckily, she was only there for two days…
The sun was still high in the sky but heavy clouds made it look like it was soon to be dark. Loki frowned. It was so rare for clouds to be in the Asgardian sky. So rare in fact it only happened two days a year. Normally, the younger prince spent his two days in the palace's library, reading and researching about magic. He kept himself locked there so no one would dare drag him outside.
Something in his pocket moved and, for a second, the magician thought of something attacking him. He almost took out his silver daggers when he remembered it was just Thor. Chuckling, he got the frog out of his pocket and placed him on the wooden table.
« Before I shift you back to your former form, I must have your word you will not embarrass me, you, or Asgard in front of Dione. I do not know why Father thinks you are better suited for the throne. You must learn to think before you speak. She is an emissary, by Odin's beard. A single misplaced word and... » Loki was lecturing his big brother when the latter hopped down the table.
Frowning, the magician bent to catch him but Thor dodged his sibling's hand easily. The frog hopped fastly, jumping out of reach. It was easy to see that the God of Thunder was clearly enjoying making the magician curse and run after him. Soon, the kitchen was a mess, cutlery, plates, and pans all clattered on the floor. And still, Loki had not managed to grab Thor who was currently hiding somewhere.
« Are you idiot ? » The young prince yelled angrily, hoping his brother was hearing him. « There are yokais in this house ! You better pray that I find you before them ! You do know that they love frogs, right ?... You know, what. Forget it ! I am not playing hide-and-seek with you... And let me tell you that I will do nothing when the yokais will eat you !... By the Nine Realms, where are you ?... I swear I…. »
« Why are you screaming ? » The Olympian interrupted him, making him drop the ladle he had in his hand.
« I… » Loki started but the sight of the greek deity made him forget how to speak. The previous emissary must have let some clothes in the cottage because she was now wearing a floor-length golden dress with black embroideries. A solid gold belt was highlighting her tiny waist. A long cut let him glimpse at one of her bare legs. She had braided her still slightly wet hair and had put a shiny diadem.
« You what ? » she asked, putting her hands on her hips as she cocked her head to the side.
« You look stunning… » he let out in one breath before realizing he had spoken out loud. Blushing, he cleared his throat. « Sorry, I… It appears I lost my brother. I was about to turn him back when… »
« Why did you let him go away ? » Dione shrieked, her eyes widening in horror. « He is so small… He could get easily… »
« You are the first one I hear calling Thor small… » the prince chuckled. « And I didn't let him go away ? He hopped his way out ! I warned him there were yokais but he didn't listen. And now, he risks being eaten by these…. »
« By Zeus, we must find him ! I… » she started only to be shushed by Loki's fingers pressed on her mouth.
He winced and quickly retreated his hand as if her lips had burnt him.
« We will find him after…. First, you have to tell me about your power problem, remember ? » he smiled smugly, pouring her a cup of steaming hot tea.
« But, Thor… » Dione whispered, looking at the younger prince with an undisguised curiosity.
« First, your power problem. » the Asgardian stated firmly.
With a wave of his hand, the kitchen began to tidy up magically while he rearranged the chairs. He invited her to sit, pulling up a chair like a proper gentleman before putting her cup before her. He motioned at her to speak as he sat down.
« Well, Zeus send me here for two reasons. The first was Eudora who never wanted to come here again. I don't really know why. I only know someone named Fandrall did something to her. » Dione sighed, taking the hot cup in her hand as she savored its warmth.
« Ah, Fandrall… He must have broken her heart… He always does that. I didn't know he was in charge of the Olympian emissary, though. » the prince answered her unsaid question.
« And the second reason the King of Gods send me here is because I have a small problem. You might have noticed but… » she bit her lower lips, blush slowly coloring her cheeks. « My power as a Hyade are… Well, I don't really know how to control them. » She let her head down, ashamed. « I am a disaster ! I almost flooded all Olympia ! Can you believe it ? It's just… I know my emotions and my power are linked. That is like the first thing we are taught but… I still can not find an anchor for my emotions. They just… floods through me so I flooded the world ! Zeus said… He said that Asgard was the best place for me to learn the key to control. »
« Wait, let me get this straight… » Loki looked at her strangely. « Zeus, the Olympian God of Rain, is not able to teach a Hyade, who is basically a nymph of rain, to control rain ? »
« It's not that simple… » Dione started, already jumping in defense of the Olympian King.
« Now, I understand why the Allfather didn't warn me before ! It's just… » then, he began to laugh, his face becoming red as he couldn't catch his breath.
« You are supposed to help me, not make fun of me ! » the hyade sighed, drinking her tea to hide her embarrassment.
« Oh, I am not making fun of you ! » he reassured her. « I am making fun of Zeus !... While I know why Faher send me to help you, I doubt I can teach you in only two days. Theys ay I am the greatest sorcerer in Asgard but… »
« You will help me ? » her eyes shone with glee and excitement.
Loki smiled. He was tempted to put his hand on hers but, remembering the pain he was feeling when he touched her, he settled for nodding. Her excited squeal made his heart beat faster. The prince had never felt anything like that. Why would he…
A loud thunder interrupted him before he could even speak. Seeing him winced, the Olympian teased : « Don't tell me you are afraid of thunder too… »
« No. I am just not overly fond of what followed… » he answered, his eyes looking a the door as he waited for Thor to come in.
And Thor did come in, hopping hysterically as the yokai Dione had adopted as hers ran after him. With a graceful jump, the creature succeeded to grab the batrachian in his small mouth, its wing-like ears flapping with contentment.
The hyade let out a shriek before quickly taking it in her arms : « Bad, bad yokai ! Spit the frog out !... Come on, spit it out ! »
With a heartbreaking chirp, the yokai opened his mouth, allowing Thor to hop out. Rolling his eyes, Loki mumbled the counterspell. As the now-familiar green mist surrounded the frog, the yokai became fearful, his body shaking so much Dione had no choice but to put him down. The God of Thunder quickly reappeared in his normal form, frog mucus covering his entire face and a big part of his hair.
« Loki… » the older prince seethed threateningly.
Can't wait to read your thoughts ^_^