(Lya, Alex, Evie - Dinner)
Karen Ryder had set one of the restaurants up to serve as dining hall. Dinner was a cup of soup followed by a Salisbury steak, with rice pilaf and vegetable medley.
"Dine in, or take this back upstairs?" Alex asked.
"No housekeeping," Evie reminded him. "A table in the corner will be quiet enough."
"Works for us," Toxic said. "We're lucky to have even this respite."
Lya nodded towards a booth in the corner. "Over there looks good."
"Oh, wow!" a voice exclaimed. "You're him!"
Klepto coughed. Orithia hid a smirk.
"You're famous, Alex," Phoebe laughed.
A young boy, perhaps all of 8 or 9 years old, stood looking up at Alex. The reason for the adoration was clear - the boy was wearing a jersey with a hammer-wielding Thor charging off the pages of a comic book.
"You got me," Alex said, kindly. "How did you know?"
"They keep showing it on the TV screens," came the answer. "My parents don't think it's real."
"It's real," Alex told him. "But it's not like the comic books. We're ... well, we're more like the police and firefighters, working to make sure everyone else is safe."
"I want to do that when I grow up!"
"Be a super-hero?" Alex smiled.
"No, be like you! A sonneteer!"
"Okay," Alex said. He considered for a moment. "Hand over your heart. Repeat after me."
The young man placed his hand over his heart and snapped to attention. Alex was aware the young man's parents were watching, perhaps a bit wary that their son would be whisked away on some storybook adventure.
"I promise to never act in anger and avoid those who would encourage me to be false," Alex began, calling to mind Tennyson's Idylls of the King, correcting some of the language and withholding references to King Arthur. "I promise to never be cruel, but to give mercy to those who asks for mercy."
The young boy repeated the words.
"I will always do women honor and grace. I will not fight in a wrongful quarrel over any law, prize or possession. I will seek to redress wrongs, to speak no ill of others or listen to it, and to honor my word as if those of my God."
The boy finished the oath. His father was still looking concerned, but the mother smiled, her own concerns allayed.
"Listen to your parents, and do your best in school and in all things," Alex told him. "Now, your mother has an ice-cream cone for you."
The boy accepted the treat. Alex introduced himself to his parents, explaining where he'd gotten the words. The father nodded, understanding that Alex wasn't about to enlist or claim his son. Alex took his seat at the table.
Phoebe reached out and gave him a handclasp. "That was nobly done, Alex."
"You're becoming a Norse rock star, Alex," Lya chuckles. "Better watch out or they might start getting jealous." She takes a bite of her food and ponders for a moment. "What's the Norse version of Aphrodite, anyway? Do you guys have a goddess who's all about the adoration and the spotlight and gets jealous of everyone?"
"You mean other than Loki?" Evie replies sarcastically.
Lya coughs as she laughs while trying to swallow her food and quickly grabs a drink to wash it down. "You got me good with that one," she tells Evie as Orithia pats Lya on the back.
"You going to live there, hon?"
"It'll take more than a zinger to bring me down," Lya laughs with a thumbs up gesture to let everyone know she's ok.
"I think Freyja is our Goddess of Beauty," Alex said. "Well, at least some of the Jotun think so, according to legend. They're always trying to wed her or bed her. And, of course, Loki is usually involved somehow."
He looks at his plate.
"I understand things are being rationed, and this is still a generous portion," Alex said. "It's not making a dent. Maybe I need a mug of mead or something."
"We need to get you a few Guinness, Alex," Lya chuckles. "Loaf of bread in every bottle, you know."
"Remember when we had to make that lemongrass and rock soup when we fought on the border of Scythia?" Orithia asks Klepto as she nudges her with her elbow.
"Gods don't remind me..." Klepto groans. "This is a banquet in comparison."
"Hey, I did my best!" Toxic snarls. "Be glad I managed to make it taste like something other than warm water."
"Nothing like a warm tummy before saving the world," Lya comments as she grabs a piece of bread to soak up her soup.
"So it looks like we're pretty set when it comes to weapons and armor... is there anything else we should be packing? I realize we need to keep it relatively light and all... but we should try to be prepared best we can if we're not able to make it back here any time soon, you know?"
"I can see what I can obtain for a medical kit," Phoebe offers. "We may have to improvise considering the scarcity of supplies."
"Better than nothing when you're bleeding on the battlefield," says Toxic.
"Maybe I can scrounge up some protein bars and bottled water..." Klepto offers.
"Excellent. I need to refill my flask and give Hrofgar one more call to see if he can help us with our transportation issues before I go talk to everyone."
"There's also Baldur," Evie offers after she swallows a mouthful of steak. "He's all about innocence and joy. So, I guess you could kind of wrap love up in that, but I don't think it's officially part of his domain."
Evie glances at Alex, seeming to think of something. The corners of her lips twitch upward as she looks around their little table, and she starts to chortle softly. She clears her throat once and then starts to giggle.
"What?" Alex looks at her in confusion. "Do I have something on my face..?"
"You really are a rock star, Alex! Either that, or the main character from one of those harem anime. Look at you, all surrounded by the ladies..." she pokes Alex good-naturedly in the shoulder then gestures to all of women at the table...Lya, the Furies, herself...and Alex, the lone male.
"Harem girl?!" Toxic growls as Phoebe puts a calming hand on Toxic's fist clenched around a fork.
"She was just making a joke," Phoebe reassures her. "This would be a rather amusing sight to anyone who doesn't know our group."
"The enemy is perfectly welcome to focus all their attention on me," Alex laughed. "And while they're doing that, my 'harem' will be doing the 'in your base, killing your peeps' thing."
Evie looks to Toxic and shakes her head, putting up her hands in a calming gesture. She smiles and says, "It's just a joke. I didn't mean anything by it. I mean, have you ever seen a harem anime? They are utterly ridiculous!"
"I certainly didn't mean to imply that you or any of us (including myself) were actually anything like harem girls. I was just looking at it from the viewpoint of someone outside our group looking in."
"We've seen you in battle, Evie... we know your true nature and can glean your actual intentions," Phoebe replies with a gentle smile. "It's just..."
"Old habits are hard to break," Toxic finishes with an apologetic grin.
Lya raises her glass that looks suspiciously unlike the water the others are drinking. "Well then... let's hear it for the warrior women in our lives! Unbreakable spirit..."
"Stout of heart..." Klepto adds as she raises her glass.
"Sharp in focus," Evie offers as she holds up her water.
"Compassionate in nature," says Phoebe.
"And strong in body," Toxic finishes.
"Hear, hear!" Alex says as he clinks his glass with the others and they all take a drink.
"Lya, you can name names as far as I'm concerned," Alex says. "If an eight year-old kid knows who I am, my secret's out."
"Much as I appreciate it, you were already going to be my prime example of us existing after your heroic moment caught on TV for everyone to see," Lya replies with a chuckle and a slap to his back. "If we live through this mess I think all our lives are going to be different from here on in."
"Just as long as it's not like that Star Trek episode where the natives start asking Picard to raise their dead," Alex said. "I mean, I can see ghosts, like Evie. And I can release Einjehar the way Valeria did. Anything else is just a crazy-ass guess."
"We'll make a deal... you don't tell everyone I can heal the sick and wounded, and I won't tell everyone you're the next John Edward," Lya snorts while cutting another piece of steak.
"Deal," Alex smiled. "Not sure I want to poach more of Hel's territory, anyway."
Lya sits back with a satisfied grunt and pats her belly. "Looks like you've got a bigger stomach than I do, Alex. It's time for that after-dinner smoke while I go and give Hrofgar a call about that satchel of his and think on things while I let my food digest. "
She pushes her plate forward and scoots her chair back from the table before standing up. "I suggest we all meet back in the main lobby in 30. Once I'm done with my speech we'll head back up to the room and get our gear so we can hopefully take off from there with no one the wiser."
"Casino floor is still running, right? I'm going to play some blackjack, otherwise I'll start over-thinking this," Alex said. "See you all in thirty."
Evie knows that she should take this time to relax, but she can't quite bring herself to just let it go for a few minutes. "I'm going to go hang out in the back of the crowd while you speak, Lya. I just...I need to keep an eye on things." She laughs lightly at herself as she pushes her chair back and stands. "I blame Dad's genetics."
Her thoughts turn back to the fact that they might have an illusionist or shapechanger still running around in the casino. It could be that Maxwell was the culprit and he's out of the equation, thus all is most likely well. Or, it could be Heti is the one and she's still somewhere. Maybe here, maybe not here. Or, heck, it could be someone that the group isn't even aware of!
At any rate, Evie is determined to keep a watchful eye upon her friends.
Alex went to the cashier's cage and bought $100 of chips, adequate for spending 30 minutes at a $5 table. He sat down at one where the dealer was waiting, a patient smile on her face and a fan of cards before her.
"On leave?" she asked, noticing his battle dress utilities.
"Sort of, I guess," Alex said, realizing they'd given him utilities complete with a nametape and black insignia. The Guard, of course, recognized his rank as a matter of respect; he hoped he hadn't been re-activated in some way.
"My boyfriend's in the Army, like you," she said. "Eighteen. House has seventeen. Player wins."
Alex felt a moment of unease. He'd asked Major Fremont to make a push, and that would bring both Asatru like Jensen and Bjornsson into the fight, but other soldiers who would be fighting in the End Times of a religion not their own.
"The staff was told about what's going on," he said. "What do you think about it?"
The dealer slid another hand out of the shoe, marshaling her thoughts behind the ritual motions of her trade.
"You're one of them, then," she said quietly. "God of War?"
Alex glanced at his cards, tapped them to indicate a hit.
"My father is. I seem to have a penchant for Justice," Alex admitted. He tapped his cards again, went bust.
"I was raised Catholic," the dealer told him. "Why can't other religions be true? What you believe doesn't change what I believe, does it?"
"Not at all. I'm Catholic by upbringing myself, actually," Alex told her. "Our beliefs are part of what we are. Who we are. We're all children of the gods in some way. What matters is that there are those - the Titans, the Frost Giants, whatever - who see it differently. I'm fighting - the rest of us are fighting - because we believe our path is the right one. It's no different from serving in the Army. Preserve, uphold, and defend."
"I'm not scared as much as I am worried," she said.
"Can't win if you don't play," Alex said, tapping the table.
"That's true."
Lya, Toxic and Orithia make their way back up to the penthouse after their dinner, while Klepto heads to the kitchens and Phoebe looks to scrounge up a medical kit between hotel services and the small convenience stores in the lobby area. Toxic checks over the weapons they'd gathered from Hrofgar with a discerning eye, making sure all the blades are sharp while Orithia sits down with the armor and goes over all the straps and joints with proper care.
"I trust you guys with knowing what you're doing," Lya says as she pulls a clove cigarette from her pack in her coat pocket and grabs her staff. "I'm going to sit on the balcony for a minute while I clear my head a bit."
"You OK?" asks Toxic with a slight look of concern over her shoulder.
"Yeah... it's just, so much stuff has been happening, you know? If I can just relax for five minutes maybe I can give my mind a chance to catch up. Soon as I'm done I'll give Hrofgar that call."
With that she wraps her trench about her and lights her cigarette with a flick of her Zippo before opening up the balcony door a crack and slipping through onto the balcony in the cold night air.
"Hera's tits it's cold!" she mumbles to herself as she leans on her cane and gazes in the distance at the military encampments and spotlights pointed at Lyman's castle.
She takes a long puff of her cigarette and blows it out slowly through her nose. "So lets see... we've got Jason Lyman and the Fenris twins seemingly looking to bring about Ragnarok and kill the sons of Tyr... which kind of makes sense in a revenge way considering the fate of their daddies and all. Except it's more than that... as they build their power base here on Earth and look to outright destroy Asgard itself with missiles or whatever else they can get their hands on. So... they try to bring about Ragnarok in order to free their dads from their punishment, and then destroy Asgard out of revenge?"
She takes another drag of her cigarette. "But what about the other players? Whose kin was Maxwell? Were others on Lyman's list Scions? If they're all Norse their motivations would fit with the revenge thing... but what if they're not? Is he bribing them with power here on Earth for their help?"
"I can't help but feel like there's still a piece I'm missing that could make everything clear," she groans as she kicks at a pile of snow with her boot in frustration.
"All right, Dad..." she begins as she folds her coat under her and sits cross-legged on the balcony."If you ever saw fit to lend me your ear and give me a bit of guidance, now would be a great time." She lays the staff across her legs and takes another long drag off the cigarette before flicking it adroitly into the butt can in the corner.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she runs her fingers softly across the staff as the wooden carvings of vines begin to twist and curl in a movement of their own...
The others move off to either kill some time or make last minute preparations, leaving Evie to her own devices before Lya's speech. With nothing much else to do, she begins circulating about the casino, keeping one eye on Alex and the other on...well...everyone else.
However, her mind strays to other things even as she patrols. More personal things.
Should I call home? Should I call Saul? she ponders. Her hand strays down into her pocket as she walks, lightly touching the communication device.
She watches a few people who are mingling about. Here, a family goes over to a table that has been set up to cater to children, teaching the young ones to play things like rummy and spades. Evie smiles as she watches a youngster whose hands are still too small to comfortably handle cards try to wrangle them into order. Her eyes continue across the room and she spies a couple sitting with their shoulders touching, speaking in low tones with concerned looks upon their faces.
No, she finally thinks to herself with a heavy sigh. It's too dangerous to them.
As much as she wants to check on them, to make sure that they are okay and to let them know that she is alive, there's too much risk in that simple action. What if the enemy is watching her family and friends? If she reaches out to them, then it gives the enemy a reason to think that, perhaps, they have information that could help them.
Besides, what would be the point, anyway? The group is headed into the castle shortly. While Evie sincerely hopes that they are able to pull this off, the reality is that any or all of them could die, tonight. Why call to say she's okay when, in a few hours, she may not?
The detective shrugs to herself and tosses the thoughts aside, for now. Best to focus on the here and now and worry about such things if they are successful.
If I come back alive, then I can call them, she thinks. Until then, I have a shadow to watch for.
A whirring sound isn't quite what you expected to hear. Pop ... pop ... pop. click ...
"Rouge dix-sept ans! Red 17!" calls the croupier, sliding a stack of gold coins towards you. "Placer vos paris, place your bets, ladies and gentlemen ..."
A chill whisper of air hits you just so between the shoulder blades.
"Hera's tits, that's cold!" you complain, noticing that some inconsiderate lout is lingering by the casino's main doors, letting in the cool night air. But this isn't the Westview Grand, or any of the other resorts on the Strip. The decor hearkens to ancient Greece, Doric columns, climbing vines, laurel wreaths ...
... flashing red lights and a cacophony of blaring sirens and explosions sounds. You turn to see a young man standing before an oversized slot machine with a blazing neon marquee reading End of Days. The display is locked on five golden disks with red triangles radiating outward, stylized renditions of the symbol for nuclear radiation.
An emcee steps forward and lifts the young man's arm as if crowning the winner of a prize fight.
"Welcome to the Winners' Circle!" he calls out, gesturing towards framed photos of past winners. They are faces you feel you should recognize, though you've never met them: Soleil Hunter, Selene Chase, Douglas Maxwell, Edward McCain, James Asano ...
The young man turns away from the machine, smiling and raising his arms in victory. Hitoshi. Yes, Hitoshi Ryder, though this is a man without certain cares. He doesn't look like the CEO of a major resort. He looks ... innocent. Perhaps a bit overwhelmed, as he is greeted by a young woman whose visage shifts from one moment to the next. They embrace and congratulate each other.
"That's quite a future you've just unlocked!" smiles the emcee ...
"Somehow, I don't think it's going to be all sunshine and roses," says someone. "Come on, cousin. Let's dance."
It is Russ Keller, Arky, who leads you onto a ballroom floor that wasn't there a moment ago. He is in a white tuxedo, you in a plum-colored cheongsam. It is an elegant waltz that turns to something harsher.
I forgive the ones who hurt me, but I won't forget your name ...
The lyrics burn in your thoughts and your blood. Arky is gone, and you are spinning to face an opponent, your pistol barking once, twice. A flower of blood blossoms upon the man's white shirt.
"I seem to have ... underestimated you," Jason Lyman says, falling backwards into shadows that engulf him even as something else stirs in their depths. Feral eyes. An intimation of slavering fangs and rending claws. Something amorphous leaps at you ...
... and an American flag is falling, fluttering over a familiar sarcophagus bearing the likeness of Alex North. A stern-visaged officer lays his hand on the sarcophagus in farewell, and you realize it's the man's left hand - his right sleeve is folded over. Tyr?
"... with the thanks of a grateful nation," a chaplain is saying, handing the now-folded flag to a sobbing woman. Valeria, absent the glamours of her office, looks much smaller and frail.
"Wait!" someone shouts. Everyone turns to see Alex running towards the tableau. "I'm not dead! I'm not!"
But your eyes are drawn to the hillock just beyond, where someone stands watching.
And, in the next moment, you are standing next to Evie Cartwright.
"Where have you been?" you ask.
"Watching," comes the answer. "As I always have. As I must. Asgard is just the beginning."
"The beginning of what? If you say, 'the end,' I swear I'll knock you upside the head!"
"You cannot see it from here," she tells you.
Suddenly, the ground is receding, as if in that film you saw in grade school,Powers of Ten.
You are standing upon Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge between Asgard and Midgard. Below, of course, is the Earth, the clouds swirling in time-lapse, the sun and moon whirling by.
You are not alone.
"We'll stop this," Toxic says. She is wearing silver armor, plate and scale, and fully armed for battle.
"Or die trying," Hitoshi says. It's not the fresh-faced innocent you saw in the casino, but the shadow of a grim samurai lord.
"Dying's not all that bad," Alex chuckles. "It's quite liberating, actually."
A pressure in your palm reminds you of the coins you have been clutching throughout. Each one bears the outline of a country or countries - the United States, Russia, China, Japan, and Europe, and you understand this is where the Titans have their bets placed ...
"Fuck me..." Lya whispers as she awakens from the dream with a jolt. She opens the balcony door and stumbles in with cane in hand towards the bed where she grabs a pad of paper and quickly starts writing down what she saw with a shaking hand before it fades from memory. With the other hand she grabs another cigarette and after a few aborted attempts with the Zippo manages to light her cigarette.
"Lya... what's going on?" Orithia asks worriedly as she sits on the bed next to Lya. Toxic quickly closes the balcony door to keep the cold air from getting in.
"I... I think..." she mutters before taking a shaky drag of her cigarette. "Hitoshi has gone into the lion's den thinking killing Lyman will end this... but it won't. Lyman is just another pawn to Fenris. Soleil Hunter, Selene Chase, Douglas Maxwell, Edward McCain, James Asano... they may think they're getting revenge on the gods... but to Fenris, it's just getting them out of the way of his true purpose: total annihilation of everything. This time around he's got his claws in the major nuclear capable countries on this planet to make sure it happens!"
"Gods protect us..." Toxic whispers as Orithia moves to the bar and quickly pours Lya a stiff drink.
"Thanks," Lya whispers before taking the drink and downing it.
"We knew this was going to get bad, Lya... you have to remain strong!" Orithia wraps an arm around Lya's shoulders and gives her a hug. "The plan is still good... if we can stop them from destroying Asgard, then the gods will still be able to fight this evil and we can give this world a chance."
"I know we have to stick to the plan... it's the only one we've got, right?" Lya replies with a weak smile. "Seeing those things... it shook me hard. I kept telling myself that Hitoshi was strong enough to survive this... but now, I'm afraid he's just going to meet his doom."
"If the gods are with us, we will meet again... whether it's in this life, or the next," Toxic says as she sits on the bed across from Lya. "Is that all you saw?"
I think Alex and I need to have a talk...
"Yeah... that was about it... there's some things about Hitoshi I've got to work out though."
After two beers and three cigarettes Lya takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "OK... the world isn't going to wait for me to deal with my problems," she tells herself before grabbing her phone and swiping it open to call Hrofgar.
"I just hope he's willing to help... because I'm really not in the mood to go rock climbing."
"Lya!" Hrofgar bellows into the phone. "I don't care if you're from a different pantheon, you're an absolute goddess!"
The hollowness of the call tells you he's at the salvage yard. Clearly, he's seen the sarcophagus, and is quite satisfied with the trade.
"Glorious," he says. "Even if it was made by the Alfar."
He pauses for a long moment. At first, you wonder if the connection dropped, but it's still good.
"Let me guess," he sighs. "You want to talk about getting into the keep."
Before you can sketch things out for him, he interrupts.
"I'll do it, of course," he says. "But it's not quiet. Heimdall will see it, of course, but so will anyone who's attuned to magic or psychopop, whatever the All-Father calls it. You ready to go now, or can I run this sweet thing back to my workshop?"
"Not yet I'm not," Lya chuckles in reply. "Glad you can get some use out of it, Hrofgar." She leans forward with her elbows on her knees as she pinches the bridge of her nose with a sigh. "I trust Heimdall to look out for his daughter... but we're going to just have to take our chances, Hrofgar. With any luck they're going to be spread thin trying to take care of everything going down tonight. I've got to gather the guys and say my goodbyes to everybody... so you've got time to run things back to your shop. Meet us back in the room in 30. And Hrofgar... if we should be lucky enough to meet again after this mess... I owe you a bottle of my best."
"See you in thirty, then," he says. There's a chortle before the connection ends. "Come to papa!"
Lya hangs up the phone and looks to Toxic and Orithia. "All right then... we've got 30 minutes for final prep and then we're all going to meet back here for transport."
"I'll check with Klepto and we'll get the rations packed and start arming up," Toxic says.
"I'll get with Phoebe and we'll get that med kit too," adds Orithia.
"I'll get the gang, and after I give my little speech we'll get this show on the road," Lya finishes with a weak smile.
"Hey..." Toxic puts a hand on Lya's shoulder as she looks her in the eyes. "Remember who you are... trust in your power... and be who you were born to be."
Lya's answering smile reaches her eyes as she nods. "We can do this."
Together they turn and head out the door towards the lobby... with Lya making a quick glance in the mirror and running her hands through her unruly hair on the way.
The game floor is generally not a good place to spot someone, but it helps when the floor is mostly empty, and Alex is wearing desert digital-pattern camo in the middle of an urban setting.
Perhaps encouraged by your vision, you see Alex differently than you had earlier this evening. Before, he wasn't much more than a suit - handsome enough, with an understated athleticism, but now?
The word solid comes to mind. Power embodied in a steadfast mien. The bouncer who stops a troublemaker cold with The Look. The police officer of yesteryear, an authority figure you could trust to be fair and stand between you and harm.
He sees you and waves, getting up from the table. And the 'vibe' you've been sensing abruptly changes. Not in what Alex embodies, but in what follows ... a wave of Death, as unflinching and unyielding as the aspect of Justice he radiates. Harsh, but fair. You wonder if Alex senses any of it.
"Ready?" he asks. "I wish we knew more about what Hitoshi was planning. I'd hate to preside over his death."
A casual remark, but given what you saw in your vision, and just now, one that sends a chill down your spine ...
Lya smiles weakly as she joins Alex on the lobby floor. "Yeah... about that..." she runs a hand through her hair. "When I was upstairs having a smoke I kind of had a vision of sorts, and all of us were in it. Hitoshi was winning at a slot machine with coins labeled United States, Russia, China, Japan, and Europe when it came up all nuclear radiation symbols and he took his place among the winners with Douglas Maxwell, Edward McCain, James Asano and the Fenris twins. I shot Lyman, but he turned into Fenris and attacked me. Evie told me Asgard was just the beginning of something we can't see yet... and you..."
She takes out a cigarette and lights it. "You were telling everyone you weren't really dead while Tyr presided at your military funeral." She takes a long drag and exhales. "Tell me, Alex... how have you been feeling after we got you back?"
"I ... you know, apart from not really remembering how I wound up a prisoner being guarded by a troll, I feel fine," he says. He considers a moment, then says to himself, "No. That can't be, can it?"
You wait patiently, though it's not really your style.
"Lyman blew my house up," he says. "When I run into the dwarf, Hrofgar, he tells me she wants to see me. Hel. Goddess of the Underworld."
Alex goes a little pale.
"How'd I get into her realm if I'm not dead?" he asks. "Shit. I can't ... I'm notdead, am I? Walking, talking, thinking, breathing. But so do the guys in Valhalla. Damn it, I wish I knew where Val was, she'd be able to tell."
"But if I start turning moldy and gross, just put a bullet in my head, 'kay?"
"I don't think it'll come to that... but just in case, you've got my word," Lya says as she leans over to an ash tray and taps her cigarette. "When death appears as symbolism it isn't always so literal though. I think it's more about change, you know? Out with the old Alex, in with the new... that kind of thing."
She looks Alex over with a discerning eye as the ring on her hand radiates comfortable warmth up her arm. "Yeah... other than needing some decent sleep, you seem to be in fine health, Alex. You're just...different... and I think it's something you need to think about and come to terms with. You know... before somebody makes the decision for you."
She chuckles as she stubs the cigarette out in the ash tray. "Not exactly the pep talk you want to hear before a big battle, I know... but I figured you should know what I saw. I didn't share it with anyone else... this is something only you can do for yourself."
She sighs. "Anyway... time for my farewell speech." Grabbing her phone she sends a quick text to Evie: Getting ready for speech on the balcony... you can join us or watch from the crowd. Heading up to room to meet Hrofgar after.
She then gives Arky a call. "Cousin... if you could be so kind to rally the people into the lobby area, I'd like to say my peace before we make our final push against the castle."
As she orbits the casino in a lazy, watchful circle, Evie notices Lya sit down with Alex. However, she doesn't approach. If they need her, they will signal. She just keeps on, keepin' on.
However, when Arky comes out to call the folks into the lobby, she follows and looks for a good spot to keep an eye on Lya and the surrounding area.
I'll keep an eye on things. Since you'll be exposed on that balcony, I want to watch for snipers. I know the Furies got your back, but better to be safe, Evie texts back.
As people start to file into the lobby, Evie assesses the room, looking for likely spots that someone could strike from and still have a reasonable chance at escape. With one definite enemy unaccounted for, she's not willing to let down her guard.
(Evie)
It isn't until Lya lays hands upon Alex that you have a moment of concern that there is something serious to hand. Yet, Alex looks fine - he's taken quite a beating, after all. Still, burdens aren't always physical, as the department shrink would point out.
But then you see it. Whatever it is, and if Lya picked up on it, you can see why she's concerned.
Alex moves, and - for an instant - you have an intimation of a flowing, hooded cloak and skeletal hands. You're almost afraid he'll turn to look at you, and you'll see only a skull staring back at you.
You know that both of you can see ghosts, but Alex seems to be extending or growing into deeper powers. What was it that he'd said? That he knew how to lay Einjehar, free them from being someone else's shock troops. It might be interesting to see what happens on the battlefield.
Well, now, Evie thinks to herself, looking at Alex with new eyes. I guess we'll find out exactly what kind of Alex we brought back with us from Hel's Happy Home. She sighs softly, hoping that, for all their sakes, they chose well.
As long as we save the world and the others get a happy ending, it'll all be good, she takes a deep breath and smiles. She's well aware that that is most likely naught but a nice dream, at least for the scions. But, hopefully, they will be able to deliver a happy ending to the rest of mankind, even if there is little chance that the combatants will come away unscathed.
Lya notices Arky leading people into the Lobby and nods to herself before she and Alex make their way up to the balcony overlooking the lobby. The butterflies in her stomach recede as she sees Klepto give a thumbs up and the rest of the Furies join her.
"Found some granola bars and bottled water, and Phoebe put together what she could from the hotel supplies for first aid," Klepto informs her.
"We thank the hotel for their kind donation of sheets to use as bandages," Phoebe replies with a slight smile.
"All the gear is packed, Lya," Orithia adds as she nods in greeting to Alex. "We're ready as we'll ever be."
Lya nods. "All right then." She then turns and walks to the edge of the balcony to look down at the lobby filling with the people clinging to the threads of their old lives and looking for hope and takes a deep breath before she begins...
"Welcome everyone, some of you may know me already, but for those who don't my name is Lya Bach and this is my band, The Furies. I know you've all been going through a scary, confusing time right now. Unexplained weather, Ice Giants, warrior spirits, you name it. Some more religious people might say it was the end times... and I'm here to say they're only partially right. This isn't the time of the seven seals and pale riders, however... because there are more religions than Christianity on this Earth and believe it or not... ALL of them are real and looking for their turn."
As she speaks she feels the tingle of energy running through her that she normally would only get when using her staff and Toxic's words ring in her mind. Remember who you are…
"That thought might be upsetting to some of you, but hear me out. Last year I was just like all of you doing my best to live my life in a world that seemed to be circling the toilet. It wasn't till I met my father that I learned the truth... that I was a daughter of the Greek Gods and Dionysus had claimed me as one of his own. I learned it was my destiny to meet others like me who were born of the gods of our world... whether they be Norse, (she gestures to Alex) Japanese, Chinese, or Anglo Saxon... and it was up to us to save it from those who wish to bring about its end. It's just our luck that this time around it's not the End of Days... it's Ragnarok.
If you're with me so far you might be wondering "So what... she's going to get them drunk?" And you know if I thought it would work I'd be ordering a keg right now. What I AM going to do is refuse to give up on this world and fight for it to my last breath! Out there they are trying to wear you down with apathy and despair till you roll over and play dead so they can just walk over you and take our world from us... but I say they can go stuff their lies! I say there's something we we can ALL do... and that's believe in each other...help each other... and know that as long as we keep hope alive there isn't a creature in the universe that can break us! Tonight we must come together as one voice and face the monsters that are at our door. Tonight we are canceling the apocalypse!"
She grips the balcony tight and struggles not to jump out of her skin as the Furies roar out in unison behind her. "EUAI! EUAI! EAUI!"
Evie smiles at Lya's words, fighting the urge to lift her fist and join in the chant. It's hard not to be inspired by her. Maybe, just maybe they will be able to pull this off. Maybe they can stop Fenris and his madness. Maybe things can be put back together and maybe...just maybe...this encounter with near disaster will bring people together, have them put aside their own pettiness to stand as one. Maybe. Just for a little while.
If Lya were beside her, right now, Evie would sweep her up in a hug and dance. Because...Lya.
The detective's eyes linger upon Lya for a moment. But, she sighs with hope and lets her gaze slide off of the Scion of Dionysus and on to the rest of the crowd, the shadows and corners where someone might hide.
Alex turns away from the crowd and whispers in Lya's ear.
"If that were a closing argument, you just put the jury in your corner," he says. "That was amazing. Look at them, it doesn't matter what they believe: they simply do."
"Let's just hope it's enough," Lya whispers back as she smiles and waves to the crowd before turning to face the others. "Now it's time for us to do our part and be big damn heroes."
"Have you ever been shot before?" Alex asks on the way back to the room.
"No, but she's sparred with each of us at one point or another," Orithia said. "We're her friends and protectors, but sometimes the best instructor is a nice thwack to the head."
"Sounds like my college fencing master*," Alex laughed. "First day, he holds up this busted foil and says, 'I am not Coach. This is Coach. Coach is always watching.' So, we're all like, right, whatever ... and then after a really weak parry, he hit me across my sword arm, right on the bicep. Hurt like hell."
"But you learned how to parry correctly, yes?" Toxic smiled.
"Oh, yeah."
Hrofgar is waiting in the room. "Odin's Beard, I should have given you a scythe, North."
"How's that?" Alex asked.
"Nobody's said anything?" the dwarf asked. "You've picked up a bit of an aura. You didn't have it the first time I saw you."
"What's it look like to you?" he asks, glancing at Lya.
"Kind of a out-of-the-corner-of-my-eye thing," the dwarf explained. "There, but not there. Just a glimpse, and a corner of your mind gets to gibbering in fear. I don't have to tell you it's like when Hel steps into the room."
"That's not going to interfere with transporting us to the snow fort, is it?" Alex asks.
"Nah. Unless Laufeyson is distorting reality, we should be good to go," Hrofgar waves dismissively. "Now, let's get the ladies armored up."
Hrofgar bustles about, inspecting the fit on the various pieces he provided.
"Hmph. That's a bit loose, let me punch another notch in the strap," he says, making the adjustment.
"Better," Klepto nods. "These gloves are perfect."
"We'll talk about custom kit if you survive this," he says. "I take care of my customers."
"Lya. Trauma plate set?" Alex asks. "Sorry. Don't mean to mother hen."
Lya smiles and slaps the front of her ballistic vest.
"Nay, nay," Hrofgar frowns. He pulls a small plate out of a pocket in his coat, strips of industrial-strength velcro from another. He pops the side straps, worms his hand inside the vest, and adds another piece of steel behind the kevlar. "There. Better coverage of your guts."
He looks over at Evie. "You, too, Heimdallsdottir."
"I think we're ready," says Lya.
"Weapons out," Alex says. He racks the slide on his pistol to chamber a round. "Form a circle around Hrofgar, he's our ride. Toxic, Klepto, Lya, Evie, Orithia, Phoebe, me."
"I did some scouting," Hrofgar said. "Standard castle design. I'm going to drop us in the middle of the courtyard. North, you'll be north. Drawbridge will be to the South, any outbuildings or doors will be northeast and northwest. Unless we come under fire from the start, I'm going to pop you in and then get the hell out of there."
Lya bites her lip and glances at Alex in concern. "Alex... just remember... no matter what happens or who tries to claim you as theirs... you're still your own person... and what you do with those abilities is entirely up to you."
She then takes out her Glock and checks it as she slides it back to load. "Wounds heal..."
Toxic laughs and continues the quote. "Chicks dig scars..."
Klepto clangs her sword hilt against her shield. "Glory is forever!"
"And, remember that we're your friends. That's not going to change if Hel claims you. You are still you and we know that you'll use your powers fairly and wisely," Evie smiles and punches him in the shoulder companionably before readying her own weapon.
As she listens to Hrofgar describe the layout, she closes her eyes and mentally aligns the description with the coordinates she holds in her mind, trying to get her bearings now rather than when they pop in. She nods and says softly, "I think I got it."
With a grin, she opens her eyes and softly hums the theme to The A-Team...