Previously:
Yui and Otr looked to the side and saw the male elf Yui met before she ran into Otr.
"Who are you?" Otr asked the elf.
"Relax, dwarf, I met this little human earlier today when she was looking for a way to remove that curse of hers." The elf explained as he got closer. "And look at you now, your clothes are bloody and you look even more weak than before."
"The ice has spread." Yui explained. "Fafnir's blood healed my wound but did nothing to the curse."
"Blood? The dragon Fafnir's blood?" The elf asked in surprise.
"Yes." Yui answered him. "I have some of it in this bottle."
"You're a brave one, that's for sure. You must be really desperate if you entered the dragon's cave willingly. Give me that bottle and I'll do something for you."
Before Yui could answer, Otr spoke up. "No way! If she receives more wounds because of the curse she is going to need that blood."
"That's too bad, I was hoping I could have some of it since dragon blood is so difficult to get a hold on."
Yui thought for a moment and turned to the elf. "Can you make portals?"
Otr and the elf turned to look at her.
"Yes, I can."
Now:
"Is it possible to connect it to the portal in my cottage?"
"It's possible if the portal in the cottage belongs to you. But I will need a little of your blood to connect the portal I make with the one in your cottage."
"I understand. Will you accept half of the blood in this bottle in exchange for a portal?"
"Yui-san." Otr uttered.
The elf smirked at her. "I accept."
"Thank you. How much of my blood do you need?"
"Just a little." The elf said and kneeled down beside Yui. "Give me your hand."
Yui held out her hand to the elf who then grabbed her finger and brought it to his mouth. And bit it.
"What the hell!" Otr exclaimed.
"Calm yourself, she hardly even felt it. Now, be a good dwarf and pour half of the dragon's blood in this bottle." The elf told him and threw a bottle made of wood at his feet.
Otr picked it up and threw a look at Yui.
"It's alright, Otr-san." Yui smiled at him.
The elf then took out a piece of white cloth and held against her bleeding finger.
"What's your name? I don't think I asked when we first met." Yui asked.
"My name is Einar, the female elf you met before is Astrid."
"She was very kind."
"Indeed. There, we're done." Einar said before he removed the cloth, folded it and brought it close to his mouth and started whispering words Yui couldn't quite make out. It sounded like a chant of some kind.
Then, the cloth disappeared from Einar's hands before anyone could blink and in front of the elf appeared a big, floating, round-shaped white light. "There you go. You can only use this portal once but it will take you home." Einar explained before he turned to the dwarf. "The blood, please."
Otr seemed hesitant but gave him the wooden bottle anyway. This was Yui's choice after all.
Yui stood up slowly, careful not to reopen the wound. "Thank you, Einar-san."
"My pleasure, Yui-san." Einar grinned, pleased with the blood given to him. It was a good deal.
Yui turned to Otr. "Thanks for everything, I'm afraid I have to go now."
"Don't die, alright. I won't forgive you if you do." He was holding out the bottle for her.
"I won't give up, I can promise you that." She smiled down at him and took the bottle. She was just about to turn around and walk towards the portal when a hand on her arm stopped her. "Otr-san?"
Before she knew it, Otr had placed his lips on her hand.
"O-Otr-san?" She stuttered, clearly surprised by his actions.
Otr let go of her hand and looked her in the eye. "Come visit me, alright?"
"... Y-yeah, of course…"
Then she walked up to the portal. "Thank you both, I'll never forget you."
"Come and make a deal with me any time you want, my dear." Einar said while playing with the bottle in his hand.
Yui smiled at them before she took a step inside the portal and disappeared. The portal itself disappeared soon after.
Einar looked down at the dwarf. "A human, huh? Don't get your hopes up, she lives with the gods and probably has many admirers already. Besides, she probably won't last long."
"... Don't underestimate her." Was Otr's reply before he changed into an otter and ran off.
Yui felt relieved when she found herself back in her cottage, now she wouldn't have to explain where she had been if she had walked into the village instead. If anyone asked she could just tell them she was in the human world. 'I really need to change clothes, my sweater is so bloody.' She thought and went to her wardrobe. She needed something that could hide the line of ice right below her throat or else everyone would see it. She didn't have much to choose from though, most of her clothes were kind of "revealing" but she did have a long dress that would cover at least half of her throat. It was a light pink one and its sleeves went down to her elbows. So as long as the ice didn't travel down her arms she would be alright.
It hurt to move, even if the star Regin had made for her relieved some of the pain.
When she finally had managed to change she was exhausted and a little sweat was running down her forehead. "That was hard…" She sighed to herself. "I can hardly even put on my clothes anymore and I've only been cursed for two days now."
She looked outside the window and noticed it was slowly getting darker. She had been gone all day. 'I hope I haven't made everyone worried.'
She now had two things she needed to think about. One, get some well needed sleep before continuing her search. Two, show herself to her friends so they won't think she's avoiding them.
It was a hard decision, even with Regin's star she didn't know how her body would react if the ice started spreading while she was with her friends. Could she risk it? But then again, they would definitely wonder if something was wrong if she didn't show herself, especially if she fell asleep now and left again as soon as she woke up. Then she wouldn't have had any contact with anyone for almost two whole days and they wouldn't know where she had been either. If she stays away for too long they will worry and go search for her. She wanted them to think she was doing just fine, not thinking she was hiding something.
She made her decision, she was going to see her friends.
As she was walking down the road she was greeted by a few gods and goddesses. None of them asked anything, they just said hello and continued their evening. 'So far so good.' She thought in relief.
"My little flower!" She heard someone call from behind her and turned around.
Freyja was running towards her and walking behind her were Dionysus and Hades.
"Hello, Freyja-san!" Yui greeted as cheerfully as she could.
Freyja was smiling widely as she ran. She was ready to throw her arms around Yui the moment she reached her, Yui could tell. But she couldn't allow that to happen, too much pressure on the ice and she would start bleeding again. She didn't have the dragon blood with her either, she had put it inside her wardrobe to hide it before she headed outside.
"Where have you been all da-! ?"
"Wait, Freyja-san!"
Freyja froze right in front of her. "Huh? What?"
"I- uhh, I'm not feeling so good right now, so…"
"You're unwell?" Freyja asked, a little surprised.
'Oh no, what should I tell her?'
Hades and Dionysus had caught up to them by now. "What was that? Are you sick?" Dionysus asked.
Yui smiled innocently at him. "I think I have a cold, so it's nothing serious. But I am feeling a little tired."
"Then you should rest, you have been in the human world all day, right?" Hades asked out of concern.
"That's right, I just thought I should at least visit you today before I head home."
"How thoughtful of you, Yui-san!" Freyja giggled. "Always thinking about others."
"Look who's back!" A familiar voice called from somewhere above. The owner of the voice then landed behind Yui and placed a hand on top of her head. "What have you been up to all day? Having fun without me?" Loki grinned down at her.
"Loki-san!" Yui exclaimed in surprise.
"She has been in the human world." Freyja informed him. "She just wanted to see us before she's going to return home and rest because she's coming down with a cold."
"A cold? Must be because you were playing in the snow with the kid, right?" Loki smirked.
When Loki mentioned the boy Yui couldn't hide her sadness. If only they knew they both were in serious trouble.
"Kusanagi-san?" Dionysus uttered.
"Are you alright?" Hades asked.
"Umm, yes, I'm fine." Yui replied. "I'm just trying to get over it. He's where he belongs now." 'Not…'
Loki grabbed her hand. "That's right, and now that- Holy-! Why is your hand so cold? !"
Yui had completely forgotten that her body temperature had dropped dramatically since she got cursed and quickly pulled away from Loki's warm hand. "It-It must be because I'm sick right now, so I better get home and warm up!"
Loki blinked at her.
"Good idea, we don't want you to walk around when you're not feeling well." Hades agreed.
"Come see us again when you feel better, alright? We will inform the others about your condition so no one will bother you." Freyja told her.
"Thank you, guys. See you later." Yui smiled and turned to walk back the same way she came from.
Loki stared after her as she slowly disappeared out of sight.
"Loki? Are you coming with us or are you just going to stand there?" Dionysus asked.
"She was cold." Was his only reply.
"Obviously! She is coming down with a cold, remember?" Freyja pointed out.
"Her nose isn't running, she hasn't a cough and nothing seems to be wrong with her throat."
"Since when did you become an expert on symptoms?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Look, she's going home to rest. She'll feel better in no time." Hades said calmly.
"Right, I don't think we have to worry, let's just go tell the others." Dionysus agreed and turned to walk away.
Hades and Freyja followed close behind.
"Come on, Loki… Loki?" Freyja said and turned around to see why he wasn't following.
"Aaaand he's gone…" Dionysus sighed.
'That was close!' Yui thought as she closed the door behind her. But at least they understood and perhaps they really would leave her alone for awhile. Now she could read more about the mythological creatures in peace, after she had slept for awhile. But there was one tiny little problem, she didn't have any useful books in her cottage. The ones she needed were in Odin's castle and she couldn't go there because everyone is thinking she's going to rest at home. She couldn't just go outside right after she had told them she wasn't feeling well.
Knock knock knock
Yui turned around and stared at the door. 'So much for being left alone…' She grabbed the furry blanket from her couch and wrapped it around her cold body before she went to answer the door.
When she had opened it she found herself face to face with Loki.
"Loki-san?"
"Kitten."
"... Do you need something?"
"You sure you're alright?"
'He came here to make sure I'm okay?' "Yes, I really think I'm just coming down with a cold. There's nothing to worry about."
Loki dropped his serious look and smirked down at her. "Oh I don't know," He said and touched her cheek with his right hand. "you look like you need me to take care of you."
Yui's face turned red and she didn't know how to respond.
"Your face is red, is it because of the cold or because of me?" He teased her.
"Um-I-I-Uh-!" She stuttered.
Loki burst out laughing. "I'm just playing with you, you don't have to get so nervous!"
After that, he walked right past her and entered the cottage, leaving her alone in the doorway. '... Stupid Loki-san…' She thought and closed the door. 'I don't like it… Playing with my feelings when I'm like this… I wonder what he would do or say if he knew I was dying?'
"Why are you here, Loki-san?" She asked as she made her way over to the couch where he was sitting.
"Oh, me? I'm trying to be a good friend here. You're sick, aren't you?" He grinned back at her.
Yui only sighed, turned to her left and walked towards the bedroom. "Thank you for being so thoughtful, I'm going to bed now."
She couldn't deal with this right now, her body was hurting, she was freezing, she hadn't come up with a new plan yet and because Loki was there, her heart hurt too and unfortunately, it wasn't because of the ice…
A hand on her shoulder made her freeze. "Look, I know you're not feeling well." Loki said. "But, are you sure it's because of a cold?"
At first Yui didn't know how to answer him. He had a pretty firm grip on her left shoulder, the one that had a line of ice over it. And it freaking hurt! He was unknowingly making the ice tear on her skin, not much but it still hurt. She feared she might start bleeding if he didn't remove his hand. "Yes, I'm sure. Maybe it's because of the boy too, I don't know… But I'll be fine once I've slept for awhile."
Loki didn't let go of her shoulder. "That's a relief!" He laughed and squeezed her shoulder a little with his hand.
Yui's whole body became tense, she couldn't let him know he was actually hurting her. "U-Um, Loki-san?"
"Yeah?"
"You came to take care of me, right? There is something you can help me with."
"And that is?"
"Get me some books from the castle."
"Books? I thought you were going to sleep?"
"I am but I need to entertain myself with something once I wake up. And it's pretty relaxing to read before you fall asleep."
Loki sighed and removed his hand from her shoulder. "Fine, what sort of books do you want?"
"The ones about the outcasts, please. They are very interesting to read and perhaps a few about cures and medicine as well."
Loki blinked at her. "You're interested in that?"
"Yes, I can't stop myself from wanting to know more about the world I now live in."
"If you say so." Loki said and turned around to leave. "See you later."
"Yes and thank you! " Yui called after him.
Once he was out Yui hurried inside her bedroom and let the blanket fall from her body and landed on the floor. She inspected her shoulder but couldn't see any blood on the fabric of her dress and sighed in relief, that was a close one. She moved to open her wardrobe, just to make sure the bottle of dragon blood was still there in case she needed it.
It was right where she had left it.
She closed the wardrobe again and walked over to her bed. 'I really should sleep…' She thought and carefully sat down but she would have to wait for Loki to come back with the books.
It wasn't very hard for Loki to find the books Yui wanted but it really was strange. Why would she want to read about the outcasts and medicine? She never seemed to be interested in them before.
"Alright, that should be enough." He sighed and put the books on the table. 5 books about mythological creatures and 2 about medicine.
Apollon, Balder and Tsukito entered the room.
"Hello, Loki-Loki!" Apollon greeted cheerfully.
"What are you doing in here?" Balder asked.
"Playing servant." Loki answered.
"... What?" Both Apollon and Balder asked in unison.
"Loki Laevatein, I don't think now is a good time to play." Tsukito pointed out.
"I'm bringing Kitten these books. She's not feeling well and wanted to read and rest."
"Yeah, uncle just told us about it." Apollon remembered.
"How is she?" Balder asked.
Loki picked up the books from the table. "She seems fine but looks tired, her hands were very cold, too."
"Poor Fairy, I hope she feels better soon." Apollon said.
"Yeah." Was Loki's reply before he walked towards them to leave.
"She wants to read all of those?" Balder asked as he and the other two followed Loki out from the room.
"For some reason she wanted to read about the outcasts of our worlds and medicine."
Apollon stopped in his tracks. "She does? Why?"
"She just said it interested her."
"Interesting combination." Tsukito uttered.
"Indeed, indeed." Apollon agreed. "Why the sudden interest?"
"That's what I was wondering as well." Loki said. "She doesn't have any symptoms of a cold."
"Really?" Apollon asked. "But uncle told us she told you she thought she was coming down with a cold."
"Look, it's probably nothing. Even if it isn't a cold she's still unwell, right? Perhaps she doesn't know what it is she's coming down with herself and just assumed it's a cold. I'm sure we'll find out what it is soon." Balder calmed his friends.
"You are probably right, Balder." Loki said. "I'm going to give her these books and let her rest."
"That's good, Loki-Loki." Apollon smiled. "You really do care after all." Balder pointed out. "Loki Laevatein is very thoughtful." Tsukito added.
"After I have had some fun with her!" Loki grinned and picked up the pace.
His three friends stopped in their tracks and stared after him with their mouths open.
"Loki-Loki!" Apollon called after him as they started running.
"I don't think that's what Yui-san needs right now!" Balder shouted.
"Loki Laevatein is not a thoughtful god." Tsukito stated.
A/N: Aaaand done! Yui is getting worse and 4 of her friends are heading for her home, what's going to happen next? ;) Find out when next chapter is out (in about 2-4 days)!
