"So... when someone teleports you and says 'well that never happened before,' should I be worried?" Lya chuckles and then winces before rubbing her temple and pulling out her flask to take a drink. "Where the heck are we?"
"I bet it was because Alex is now some sort of magical anchor," Evie offers as she plops down on her butt without any kind of decorum or grace. "Ugh...bleh. Anyway, he was meant to stay in one place and keep that castle in Vegas. Even with the line cut, an anchor is still heavy as fuck."
After a moment, the detective adds quietly, "I hope Hitoshi got out of there."
"Oh, that's right," Hrofgar says. "Only these two shieldmaidens have been here before. Welcome to Hrofgar and Sons. Arms, Armor, and Artifacts for the Aesir, and ... well, anyone who can afford them."
He gestures towards a large refectory table and its chairs.
"Have a seat. I'd offer you something to drink, but none of you look like you're in a place to savor a decent summer mead," he chuckles. "Make yourselves at home while I check on a few things."
"I guess it's like cutting a high-tension wire," Alex said. "The loose end goes whipping about like a snake. I can't imagine things were any better on the other end. Hey, wait a minute - if we're in Asgard, how does Hrofgar get cell service?"
"Magic," Phoebe mutters, still looking somewhat bleary-eyed. "I mean, Lya can summon us out of thin air."
"Soon as my head stops imitating Hephaestus' forge, we can go back," Orithia said. "Worse'n a hangover."
"I could go for some fresh air," said Alex, adding, "As long as it's not Fimbulwinter outside."
"I don't know about the others, but I'm always in a place to savor a new drink," Lya chuckles with a weak wave of her hand as Orithia helps her stand up. "If I'm going to feel like this, I might as well pretend it's because I've been drinking."
She makes her way over to the table and sits down in one of the chairs with a heavy thump.
"Yeah... Hitoshi..." Lya mutters to herself as she runs a hand over her face in weariness. "I have to assume that he can take care of himself and got out... because I don't want to consider the alternative, you know? I mean... you'd tell me, Evie if you...if you saw..."
"You'd be the first," Evie whispers reassuringly as she clasps her on the shoulder for a moment and takes a seat.
"Just because I think he's a presumptuous self-righteous asshole trying to tell me how to live my life doesn't mean I don't care," she grumbles.
"Fresh air sounds wonderful," Klepto agrees. "It'll be nice to take a breath that isn't tainted with damp mold or smoke again. If you wish accompaniment, Alex, I will join you."
Evie gives Lya's shoulder a soft pat before flopping into a seat next to her. She stretches out her legs beneath the table and slouches. One hand reaches up to rub at her forehead, smearing dirt and grit everywhere. She lifts her hand and looks at it, inspecting the filth with a wry smile, "It seems that 'soil and soot' has been our look lately, eh?"
She sighs, "So, what now? I guess we rest for a little bit and then go see what's left of that part of Vegas?"
Evie blinks and remembers where they are, "Hey! If we're in Asgard, then I can go to the Bifrost. Maybe we can see what's going on from there."
"We can prop each other up, at least," Alex says. "Though I'm starting to feel better now that the room isn't spinning."
He gives Klepto a half-bow and says, "After you, my lady."
Klepto takes a playful swing at him. "I'm not wearing a crown or frilly skirts."
"You know, if we're going to start fighting mythical creatures, I'm going to be asking for some coaching," Alex said as they walked past a rack of gleaming weapons. "Fencing is not quite the same thing."
"Toxic is our sword captain," Klepto says. "Phoebe is the best archer."
"And you?"
"Pankration," she smiled. "I fight with everything from bare hands to pointed sticks."
Despite the remonstration, Alex still opened the door for Klepto. Outside, it was cool, but not a snow-covered landscape. The sun was just coming up over the mountains, and it looked like it would be a glorious day.
"I'm home," Alex breathed. "I mean, I'll always be from a suburb of Maryland, but this is home. Asgard."
"... I can go to the Bifrost. Maybe we can see what's going on from there," Evie said.
"Whoa-ho-ho, not so fast," Hrofgar says, passing back through the room. "It's not a public park. Even though you're Aesir, you'll have to get past the city guard, and they'll probably make you petition the All-Father, assuming he's not off wandering through the Nine Worlds."
"Still, if you want, I can get one of my boys to show you around."
Evie grins and laughs, "Yeah, the last time I wound up on the Bifrost was by accident and All-Father was pretty understanding about it. I'm not sure he'll be as good-natured if I just charge over there. Still...maybe I can ask Dad to help me out."
"But, yeah...yeah. Whatever happens as far as that is concerned, I want to see Asgard. I could see it from Earth, you know. And, this is where my heart is," the detective shakes her head and shrugs. "It sounds stupid and corny, I know. I mean, I was born on Earth. But ever since I laid eyes on it, it's like...it's like...it pulls at me."
"If the Gods allow it, perhaps we shall be able to show you Mount Olympus someday, Alex," Klepto replies after taking a deep breath. "Though if the price is another end of the world scenario, I would gladly learn to better describe it in words instead."
"So no asking the Gods what the heck their plans are with Fenris and Loki and why they've left it to us I take it," Lya scoffs.
"There's a plan like a sword fight has a plan," Hrofgar says. "Sword's only as good as the last thing you killed."
"I like you, dwarf," Toxic smiles.
"I wouldn't be in this line of work if I didn't have a talent for war," Hrofgar said. "It's not about just making nice weapons for the kids. Anyway, like I said, one of my boys can run you into the city when you're ready. But, friendly advice: haggle."
"Deal," Alex says to Klepto. "It's a bit unsettling that all of this may just been the other side's opening gambit."
"At day's end, it comes down to a simple choice," Klepto said. "Did you stand up for what is right? 'Should have' is written on a lot of tombstones."
Alex nodded. "Personal experience, there. When the chopper went down, I had two choices: quit or keep going. It didn't matter that the odds weren't in my favor. When it comes down to it, in the end, Lyman and I have been enemies for a long, long time."
He takes a deep breath.
"Fresh air. Really fresh air," he says. "And blue skies. It's like being in Yosemite. Wonder if there's a lake I can go swimming in?"
"Wouldn't want to chance upsetting their water gods," Klepto replies as she jokingly elbows him. "Perhaps we should see what the ones who've been here before have to say before we go wandering off."
"Well heck, I'd be kicking myself through the afterlife if I didn't take the opportunity to see Asgard while I had the chance," Lya replies as an idea hits her. "Oooo... I wonder if they'd part with a bottle or two of that mead, eh?"
She leans over the back of the chair to smile at Hrofgar. "What do they charge you guys for one of those bottles? First born kin? Memories of childhood?"
"Nothing so dire. Gold will do just fine," Hrofgar smiles. "And I'm more than willing to issue some coin off the amazing line of credit you earned with that sarcophagus. Gonna be some svartalfar crying themselves to sleep when I show them what a dwarf can do with star-metal."
"Okay," Alex beamed. "Now I can consider something to eat or drink. Fresh air - real fresh air. I feel awake, though I suppose I've been sleeping for six months while playing human push-pin. I don't remember anything after encountering ... her."
"Sounds good to me!" Evie smiles, starting to finally feel better after their jaunt. It had taken a few minutes, but her stomach has finally settled and now she just feels dirty.
"Hmmm...I wonder if there is somewhere where we can bathe? I don't know about you, Lya, but I feel like there's grit on my grit," she grins.
"I wouldn't turn away a bath!" Lya agrees.
"Hmmm...I wonder how I get Dad's attention. I feel kind of silly just talking to thin air," Evie says as she stands, her mind turning back to the Bifrost. "But, I figure he's always watching and listening. He probably knows I'm here already and what I want. So...uhhh...hi, Dad!"
Evie lifts a hand and cheerfully waves at nothing in particular. Laughing, she looks to Lya and, gesturing behind her says, "I'd be just my luck that he's back there and I'm waving over that way. He's standing back there, face-palming, thinking, 'This is my kid?'"
"Right. Well, you'll want something more than the water trough out back," Hrofgar nods. "Pol! Run our customers over to Gerry's guest house, have her bill me."
"Sure thing, Da," says another dwarf. "I'll be out in front hitching up the horses."
Shortly thereafter, you're on the road, enjoying a wagon ride through rolling hills and open fields. Just under an hour later, you're approaching the gates of an impressive city. A city-state, even.
"Taking some customers in to Gerra's guest house," Pol tells the guards. In a quieter voice, he notes that two of his passengers are the Son of Tyr and Daughter of Heimdal. The guards give you a fist-to-chest salute, and wave the wagon past.
It's like riding through older sections of Europe and the UK. Classic stonework and wood beams forming runic designs. There's somewhat of a militaristic tone to everything - even the children at play are doing so with wooden swords and shields, not a few of them young girls.
A broad circle at the end of a main avenue is an open-air marketplace, with everything from fabrics to foodstuffs. Just beyond is the guest house.
"Ah, Pol. Gods, you've gone and put some muscle on your muscles," a broad-shouldered female dwarf opines. "Welcome, friends. I'm Gerra, Pol's aunt, and this is my hostel. You'll be wanting rooms, food, and baths - from the look of things."
She looks Alex up and down. He's still wearing a mostly charred business suit.
"I'll wager you have quite the tale," she smiles. "Come to the common room this evening and share, if you'll do us the honor. Pol, I imagine you'll be off to Tally's to fetch some clothes for the lord?"
"I will. Can Trudy help me get his measurements?"
Gerra nods.
In short order, you are shown to your rooms, and informed that the bathhouse is out back. Robes are made available for your convenience.
"Well let's see if I can sum this up," Lya says to Alex with a weary smile as they ride. "We went to rescue you in the Underworld but came back months later to find Lyman and the Fenris bitches had done their best to bring on Fimbrulwinter and they want to start WWIII in order to change their fate when it comes to Ragnarok. Hitoshi disappeared without telling us to try and save the world by himself by killing Lyman and now we don't know if he's alive or dead. Oh... and I met a Chinese goddess who taught me how to heal people, and we entered the castle to break the anchor holding the castle on our world but found out the anchor was you and that the Alex we had was merely a creation of Hel used to take your place."
She stops and scratches her head as she thinks. "I think that's the gist of it..."
"Hey Pol... if we go eating and drinking here we're not like going to have to stay here forever are we?" Lya turns to ask the dwarf. "Because I could totally kill for a sandwich right now and I don't want to have to peck at pomegranate seeds like Persephone, you know?"
"Wow. Game on, I guess," Alex says. "Not sure how you can do an end run around the Norns, however. Or what would happen if you do."
"No, there are no such restrictions? Rules? You eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty," Hrofgar says in answer to your question. "Actually, around here, you drink whenever you damn want to. It's practically the national sport. But, be careful. Some of the warriors around here can really put it away."
"Oh, no. Not again," Toxic says, elbowing Alex in the ribs.
"Hey that sounds like a challenge to me," Lya laughs happily. "Come on Son of Tyr... I'll bet you could use a good dozen or so drinks after the ordeal you've been through. I say it's time to bathe, eat, and then drink until we puke so we can make room for more! In the meantime you can get caught up with all the craziness and Evie can hopefully have a family reunion."
"Is there a good bar or tavern in town?" Alex asked. "And by good, I mostly mean one where we won't get mugged in an alleyway after drinking everyone under the table."
"Like I said, it's our national pastime," Hrofgar laughed. "We have taverns like you mortals have your fast food places."
He grunts.
"Food's better, though. And we don't do ... soft drinks."
"By the time we're done they'll be lucky if they can walk let alone mug somebody," Lya snorts.
"Besides... you guys are talking like we're going to miss this," Toxic chuckles. "I learned my lesson not to compete with you guys... but it doesn't mean I don't want to watch." She winks as she walks by and nudges Phoebe and Orithia. "Come on... there's a bathhouse calling our names."
Evie chuckles, "I'm with these gals. I'm not going to feel like a human being until I get cleaned up."
"I'm still not going to compete with you guys, though, when it comes to drinking," she grins and shakes her head. "I'm thinking that would be a recipe for personal disaster."
Evie has never, truly been drunk. At the very worst, she's only ever gotten tipsy, which involves her getting giggly and a little sillier than usual. She's not sure that she wants to experience what she would be like after trying to keep up with a Daughter of Dionysus!
"I have to agree that a bath is somewhere in my immediate future," Alex says. "And some new clothes. I not only look and feel dirty, I smell like burnt toast."
"So, Pol. We just came from Midgard, where it seemed like the Scions of Fenris and Loki were trying to give Fimbulwinter a running start," he said. "Was anything amiss here in Asgard?"
"I wouldn't know, my Lord," Pol answered.
"Please. Call me Alex. I may have some special gifts, but I'm just a lawyer."
"A what?" asked Trudy.
"Advocate. I represent people in court," Alex explained. "Mostly those who have been accused of crimes they did not commit."
"Ah. Like your father," Pol nodded.
"Yes. He's still a better warrior than I, however," Alex pointed out.
"Come tell your tale in the Common Room this evening," Pol said. "Have your worth judged in the telling."
"There," said Trudy, gathering up her tape measure. "What is the Lor- Alex, what do you want to wear?"
"Nothing fancy. But not full armor, either," he said. "What we wear on Midgard is quite different."
"We'll find you something suitable."
"Blessed are the Naiads and their gifts of hot springs,"groans Toxic as she lowers herself into the steaming bath to sit beside Orithia on one of the stone benches. "I may just stay in here instead of going out drinking..."
"And miss Lya drinking Asgard under the table?" scoffs Klepto as she grabs one of the bars of soap in baskets along the side of the bath. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Someone has to remain sober enough to tell the tale," Phoebe smiles as she wrings the water out of her hair.
"Tell tales..." Lya scoffs as she enters the bath house and starts pulling off her boots. "Heck, they're going to write songs if I have anything to say about it. We've been through so much crap and managed to come out alive... I think we deserve a night where we can let loose before going back to the doom and gloom, right?"
She quickly strips and leaves her clothes in a pile on a bench before joining the others in the water. "Ahhhh... that's what I'm talking about." She leans her head back onto the bricks and closes her eyes. "Sometimes we've got to stop and remind ourselves of the good things we're fighting for."
Evie, too, strips down and slides into the warm, inviting water with the other ladies. She sighs and closes her eyes, letting the comforting heat penetrate her muscles. She hadn't realized exactly how tense she has been until now. Finally, she lets herself relax, her body and mind unknotting.
She leans her head back against the bricks for a few minutes before sliding all the way under, getting her hair wet. Evie pops back up and snorts water out of her nose as she reaches over for a hunk of soap. She then happily sets to the task of scrubbing herself, with no regard for decorum. Shampoo? Conditioner? Feh! Soap is soap is soap. The bar serves just as well for hair as it does for the body.
Grinning, she says, "Personally, I'm looking forward to getting out and seeing Asgard more closely. I mean, yeah...it's nice seeing it from the carriage, but it's better to walk around and soak it in slowly. On foot. And maybe get some good food."
"So Evie... you going to try and see your Dad while you're here?" Lya asks curiously. "If he's anything like the movies you know where he's probably going to be, right? Maybe he can help you see your family down there or something."
Once more, Evie slides her head under the water to rinse out the soap. When she surfaces, she rubs water from her eyes as she nods, "Yeah. Heh. I expect him to be hanging out on the Bifrost but...who knows? He may get called away to other places. Celestial stakeouts and the like, I imagine."
"Mostly, I want to find out what's happening in Vegas now that the castle has been destroyed. I do not want to be plopped back on Earth with no forewarning about what to expect. I had enough of that with Hel's shenanigans," Evie makes a sour face.
However, her expression softens as she thinks about her mortal family, "But, yeah. I do want to check on my family. I'm sure that Mom, Dad and Ricky are taking care of each other. I'm betting Saul is watching out for them, too. I'm really worried about Ian. If he's stuck in India, who knows what's happening over there?"
She gives Lya a reassuring smile as she continues, "I also want to look for Hitoshi. He's strong, fast and resourceful. I'm sure that he got out of there. But, I would feel better if I could find that out for certain."
Lya sighs. "Yeah... it would be nice to know that he's OK." She takes a deep breath and dunks under the water before coming back up and smoothing her her back out of her face. "I don't think Dad would be too happy with me trying to talk to Hachiman... but that Goddess of Shadows... she seemed to appreciate a good bottle of liquor just like anybody else. If we don't find any answers here... maybe I can ask her once we make it back to the Grandview."
"That's a good idea. As much as Hitoshi seemed to be wrapping himself in shadows, lately, I'm betting she's keeping an eye on him."
Alex had opted to have a servant draw a private bath, so that he would be ready to don fresh clothes when they arrived. What was left of his suit didn't amount to much - slacks burnt off at the knee, a suit jacket torn and stained. Looking at the back of the jacket, it looked like he'd been dragged part of the way to the cistern.
On top of it all, he'd gone and fought a troll.
He sorted through what was left, removing his wallet. The fountain pen that he used for signing documents, and the sturdier ballpoint beside it. He made sure to transfer the relics that unlocked his divine powers. Alex was surprised that Lyman hadn't taken any of his possessions, but that would be trouble, indeed, if he were caught with such in his keeping.
Still, the thought of Lyman being the principal engineer of his troubles, then standing before Tyr or the All-Father and showing clean hands and dutiful obeisance to the Lord of Asgard rankled.
A knock at the door betokened the return of Pol, his arms laden with parcels.
"Oof. Help?" the dwarf asked.
Alex bustled to help put the packages on the bed and an adjoining table. In short order, he was wearing comfortable boots, breeches, and a linen shirt. Accessories included a belt pouch and a dagger-like knife. A sword to replace the one his 'evil twin' had been carrying. A woolen cloak trimmed with fur completed the ensemble. He imagined Lya and the others would be ready soon, and went down to the common room to wait.
After finishing scrubbing the grime off of herself, Evie climbs out of the bath. She rubs idly at the puckered scar on her thigh as she walks. It's been years since she got it, but the weird feel of it never seems to get old.
She bends down to pick up her clothes and it dawns on her that they are filthy. Putting them back on will just undo all the good that the bath did.
Practical to core, Evie's first inclination is to chuck them into the bath and wash them out, as well. (It wouldn't be the first time that she's washed something in the tub.) However, she figures that the others might not appreciate the amount of grit that would add to the bath water.
Evie stands there for a second, "Huh. I wonder if we can get some fresh clothes?"
"Well Hrofgar did provide some spending coin if you need something," Lya answers. "For now though, I think we're just going to have to make due."
"Won't be the first time," Toxic snorts.
"Besides... with clothes and armor covered in the dirt of victorious battle, we'll probably fit right in," Klepto laughs as the others chuckle.
Evie shrugs and grins, "I'll just wait until you're done and rinse them out. I didn't want to toss them in while you are still enjoying the bath."
"And after you're going to come party with us, right?" Lya grins as she grabs a bar of soap and starts scrubbing her arms. "You deserve at least one night of fun before we get back to business, Evie. Time to get back to your roots and down a few brewskis before going to battle!"
"Absolutely! I wouldn't miss it for anything! How often can someone say, 'I partied in Asgard?'" Evie laughs and sits down on the edge of the bath, plunking her feet back in. She wiggles her toes and grins.
"Maybe, at some point, we can see Olympus, too. Oh! And then we could go to...I don't know where the Japanese pantheon resides," the detective thinks for a minute. "The Jade Palace? Jade Mountain? Something like that? Anyway, you guys could do a rockin' multi-realm tour."
"Where are you from?" asked another guest.
"Las Vegas," Alex said, automatically.
"Where is that? Vanaheim? Are they bringing in troops?"
"Midgard," Alex corrected. "I actually hadn't expected to come here."
"A merchant? Nay, you don't look like one."
"An advocate," Alex said, since Pol and Trudy seemed to understand that concept.
"One of your vassals misbehaving?"
Alex laughed. "I wish it were that simple. No, this is ..."
A young child plowed into him, bounced off, and landed on his backside.
"Ragnar, you little hellion!" chided Gerra. "Stop running around the common room!"
Alex bent and offered his hand to the young dwarf, who seemed a bit stunned.
"Ow," the boy said. He punched lightly at Alex's thigh. "No armor. What are you made of, stone?"
"Flesh and blood, like everyone else," Alex chuckled. "You must be the fearsome warrior I've been hearing about."
"You're pulling my leg!"
"Hmm. Fearless? Check. Fast? Check. Ready to stand in defense of home, land, and family? Check. You have to be him," Alex smiled.
"You forgot 'ready to do his chores,' my Lord," Gerra scolded, bustling her young charge off.
Lya's head rocks back as she laughs. "Oh man... wouldn't that be a show! Do they even have electricity in Asgard, or would we have to power our amps with magic runes or something?"
"We haven't done an acoustic show in ages," Orithia says with a wistful smile. "It might be fun!"
"Do they have guitars in Asgard?" Toxic wonders. "It's been even longer since I've played a lute."
Lya quickly dunks herself to rinse off and smiles. "We'll see if their bards are worth their drink tonight... otherwise we may have to show them how we do in in Las Vegas."
With a hop she lifts herself out of the pool and climbs out to grab a linen towel to dry off with. "Come on guys... it's beer o'clock and I'm buying!"
Klepto climbs out of the pool and grabs a handful of towels that she sets by the others at the edge of the pool. "Time to suit up, ladies!"
Evie chuckles, "Give me a sec. Oh, and don't feel like you have to wait on me. This won't take long. I can meet you in the common room in ten or fifteen minutes."
She picks up her wad of clothes and chucks them into the pool. Sliding into the water alongside her laundry, she begins to swiftly rinse them out. She's not soaping them up or anything. This is a simple swish n' twist, just to get the majority of the yuck off.
Evie wrings out her clothes as best she can then dons them. They are cold against her skin, but she knows from experience that they will dry quickly, especially when combined with sitting in front of a hearth.
"No prob, Evie... probably going to put my hair up first before we head out anyway since they don't have hair dryers around here," Lya replies as she finishes pulling on her boots and leans over to wring some water out of her long hair.
"Luckily braids are in fashion," Phoebe smiles in reply as Klepto thumps her lightly on her on her shoulders to signify that her armor is good. "I can fix your hair while we sit by the fire."
"Are we going to do our nails and share stories about boys next?" Toxic snorts as Orithia checks the buckles of her breastplate.
"But they're so dreamy!" Lya replies with a dramatic hand to her forehead before she loses it in a laugh and waves her hand at Toxic as she and Phoebe retreat back to their main quarters.
"Ah, Lya, just who I wanted to see," Hrofgar bellows as he shoulders the door open and walks into the room with a long flat rectangular box under his arm. "After your little adventure in the castle I was thinking that you might need something a little more substantial than your popgun... so when this came back into our hands I figured I'd retool it a bit for you."
He sets the box on one of the tables and turns in towards her before opening it up to reveal the telltale shine of gunmetal as she gazes at a polished M1911A with a pearl handled grip and the words Veritas liberabit vos inscribed on the side.
Phoebe whistles and Lya runs her hand lovingly down the barrel as she reads the words. "The truth shall set you free?" She looks up at Hrofgar curiously.
"Yeah... this belonged to another Son of Tyr before he died... Thomas Cardenelli. He was a lawman like the Scion of Heimdall... so I thought it was fitting." Hrofgar smooths a hand over his bald head as he smiles in memory.
"Wow... I hope he doesn't mind," Lya mutters to herself as she notices a strange rune at the base of the grip.
"What's that?"
"I mean what's this?" Lya quickly covers as she points to a rune shaped like a Less Than symbol.
"Kenaz... the Rune of Knowledge," Hrofgar replies with a chuckle. "When you point this baby at somebody, you tend to learn all sorts of things."
"Damn, Hrofgar... I don't know what to say. Thank you."
"A 'You've got dibs on the next chunk of star metal I find,' will do nicely," the dwarf laughs as he holds out his hand.
"Deal," Lya smiles as she slips the gun in her holster and they shake hands.
A still damp Evie moves to stand beside Lya. She looks at the gun appreciatively as the two of them talk. When all is said and done, Evie smiles and claps Lya on the shoulder, "I don't think he'll mind, at all. He's a good sort, more interested in making sure good is done than anything else. As long as you use it to help and defend others, he'll be happy."
"Here's hoping I never have to use it at all," Lya replies with a smile. "But if I do, I'll make sure I put it to a good cause."
"Come now, let me work on your hair before it becomes a birds nest," Phoebe says as she gestures for Lya to sit by the fire and scoots over to make room for Evie so she can dry her clothes.
"Aren't you guys done yet?" Toxic asks as she walks back into the room in full leathers and grabs her sword scabbard to strap to her side. The others soon follow suit, each with short swords and daggers as a bare minimum.
"Really, Toxic? We're going to go out drinking, not go to battle," Lya asks with a roll of her eyes as Phoebe deftly runs fingers through her hair pulling it back in sections to braid.
"When it comes to Norse warriors it very well could be the same thing," Toxic replies.
Klepto laughs as she grabs a piece of bread from the table and tears some chunks out of it that she tosses to Toxic, Orithia and Evie before taking a bite out of her own. "Gotta pad the stomach first..." she mutters.
"What, don't I get any?" Lya pouts.
"I thought you were powered by alcohol," Klepto scoffs as she tears two more pieces that she tosses to Lya and Phoebe.
"I'm a hybrid scion, thank you..." Lya replies as she catches the bread and hands one to Phoebe. "just because I can, doesn't mean I should do it all day."
Orithia laughs out loud. "You sure we made it out alive? No way I just heard Lya say that."
Evie sits quietly beside Lya, smiling as she listens to the light banter between the bandmates. After all the action at the castle, a bath and now this warm fire, she finds her eyes getting heavy. It's not like she didn't get enough sleep before they left. It's simply a case of her finally being relaxed. Once everyone starts moving, again, she'll quickly perk back up. But, for now, the friendly chatter and warmth are lulling.
"There all done," Phoebe says with a smile as she pats Lya's shoulder. "Unless you want me to weave a weight at the end for an extra weapon?"
"Appreciate the offer, but my hair is heavy enough," Lya chuckles before noticing Evie's drooping eyes as she warms herself by the fire.
"Hey now, you can sleep after the drinking," Lya says to Evie as she leans over and playfully bumps her shoulder. "Besides... we've got some shopping to do, right? I'm sure there's got to be a marketplace on the way to the bar. I can't even remember the last time I got to go clothes shopping with girls..."
Toxic makes a snorting noise and Lya looks at her with a crooked grin. "Well sure, it's probably going to be for armor and weapons... but still... I get to go shopping with all my girlfriends! How cool is that, eh?"
She reaches down and pulls Evie to her feet with a hopeful smile. "Come on, Evie... we need to get you something that lets all these guys know just who you are when you walk in that door. We're going to go out tonight in style!"
Evie laughs as Lya pulls her to her feet, "I wasn't falling asleep! Much."
"You know, it will be nice to shop. I haven't done that in ages! I used to go out quite a bit with one of my old friends but...after I joined the police force, we sort of drifted apart. Weird hours and all that," she grins and adds, "And my wardrobe has been all the worse for it!"
Evie pulls at her clothes, trying to get more air to parts that were wrinkled up and wetter than other parts, "Pus, I'll be happy to get into something clean and dry!"
"This will be fun!" she beams at her friends, goes to the door and opens it. Evie politely bows as she holds it open. "Ladies!"