The sun is bright and the air crisp as Lya eagerly walks out the door and takes a deep breath. "Man... I could get used to this," she mutters to herself before the others follow suit out the door with Alex bringing up the rear.
"Look at you, already sporting the latest Asgardian fashions, eh?" Lya kids as she whistles at Alex's new clothes.
"Those clothes I was in were already half burnt... I figured it was about time to finish the job," Alex jokes in reply as they walk down the path.
Phoebe smiles as she walks past Alex. "It suits you, son of Tyr."
"Gives me hope that we can find some good clothes," Lya chuckles as they soon hear the tell-tale sounds of merchants and their wares. Various tents and lean-tos line the main path into the village, some of them dealing in food and bolts of fabric, with many others manned by blacksmiths showing off their trade by hammering away on their current orders. Fortunately for Evie there's one with a friendly older blond woman with tables full of already made clothes for her to peruse through.
Evie walks up to the table and smiles at the shopkeeper, offering a cheerful, "Good day!"
"And a good day to you," she smiles in return, looking over Evie's rumpled, dirty, and still unevenly dry clothing. "Did ye fight an elemental and then take a bath, because that's what it looks like, lass." The woman's voice is warm and full of humor and her eyes twinkle with mirth.
Evie kind of tilts her head to the side, seeming to think for a minute before her face splits in a wide grin, ""You are not far off the mark!"
The detective looks over the woman's wares, running a hand over the cloth, judging its comfort and sturdiness. After a bit, she settles upon a dark undershirt and a long, light brown tunic that could pass as a dress. The sides are split all the way up to the hip, allowing for pants underneath and much greater movement than a traditional dress.
"How much for these, ma'am?" she asks politely.
The shopkeeper cites a perfectly reasonable price.
"Shieldmaidens, all of you?" she asks. "You'll not be wanting trinkets, then."
"Not unless they're practical. Bullet ... I mean, arrow-deflecting bracers or the like," Orithia smiled.
"Boo-lets," the shopkeeper repeats. "Ah, not just shield maidens. You'll be with the All-Father, mayhap?"
For a moment, Evie considers picking up a trinket or two. Ian would absolutely flip if she were to bring back something from Asgard for him. That would be like showing up on his doorstep and saying, "Here. I brought you the holy grail!"
Unfortunately, Ricky wouldn't care for anything. Oh, he'd appreciate the thought but any gift aside from a full blown weapon or set of armor would wind up in the "How nice of you to think of me!" box in the back of his closet along with every terrible shirt Aunt Celine ever bought him.
Saul. Hmmm...she would get something for him but, honestly, this money isn't hers to spend on frivolous stuff. This needs to be used to supply the team with necessities.
Thus, she smiles and shakes her head at the shopkeeper, as well, "Just the clothes. Thank you."
Evie opts to not address the question about the All Father because she just doesn't know. What is the next step after Beer o' Clock? Will the All Father talk to them? Will she get a chance to talk to Heimdall? Will they be politely escorted out of Asgard? Can they find Loki and stuff hot peppers up his nose? (Because, honestly, she'd like to do that...)
"Lya's about to spend some of that coin getting shitfaced tonight, so I think you can get yourself something Evie," Toxic snorts as she walks up and admires a green tunic with gold piping around the collar and sleeves.
"Hey, do you have anything for a woman who needs protection but needs to be able to move fast?" Lya asks a tall red-headed man with braids in his beard as he finishes dunking a sword in a bucket of water for it to cool.
"No warrior looks to stand still and be struck," he replies in a booming voice as he walks up to Lya and wipes his brow as he sizes her up. "But, aye, I think I have something suitable for a wee shield maiden such as yourself." He turns to look over his shoulder as he yells out "Sigurn! Grab that scale mail order that never got picked up!"
He turns back to Lya and grins as a younger blonde man runs up with armor in hand. "Olaf had ordered it for his wife before she bothered to tell him she was pregnant... but I think it'll fit ye." He waves his hand at Sigurn who lays out the armor on the table.
"Bright and shiny..." Lya whispers to herself as she runs her fingers along the scale shirt and admires the simplicity and sturdiness of the breastplate and bracers that go with it.
"It will suit you," Orithia says as she peers over Lya's shoulder and points out the buckles. "These won't be too difficult to handle... you should be able to put it on yourself with some practice."
"Well then... it looks like we'll have a deal..." Lya says cheerfully as she pulls out a few gold coins from the pouch and looks up at the blacksmith. "If you can add a little something to it for me."
"Here we go..." Orithia mutters as she rolls her eyes and walks away to look at some short swords.
"Seeing as this was made for someone who isn't going to use it and I'm taking it off your hands so you don't get stuck with it... can you guys do some engraving? Nothing too fancy... I just want to pay tribute to my father, you get me?"
"Feh... hagglers..." the blacksmith mutters as he crosses his large forearms and looks down at Lya, "but honoring your father is something I cannot deny. SIGURN!"
The younger blonde rushes up to his side again. "Yes, Ralf?"
"You've got the small hands for the job... see if you can help the woman with her decorations while I finish up this other order," he barks as he takes the coin from Lya's hand and turns away with a snort.
"So have you guys ever seen grapes before..."
Evie smiles and pays for her clothes, thanking the kind shopkeeper. She then wanders about and looks at other wares while Lya orders her armor.
"So did you guys get anything?" Lya asks as she leans against the table and turns to the Furies while waiting for her armor to be completed.
Phoebe smiles and turns as she shows Lya her new leather quiver and short bow strapped to her back, Klepto strikes a pose and flexes as she shows off her new studded leather gloves and gauntlets, Toxic smirks as she flourishes her new sword and Orithia just smiles.
"What... didn't you get anything Orithia? I mean when are we going to have the chance again, right?" Lya asks with a raised eyebrow.
The blonde Amazon reveals a leather roll from behind her back and unrolls it on the table to reveal a set of six simple yet elegant throwing knives. "Thanks to Hrofgar I've pretty much got what I need... but I did find something I thought you should have," she explains. "When bullets run out and guns jam you need a back-up."
"Why Orithia... I didn't know you cared," Lya chuckled as she admires the knives and takes one out to test its weight. Phoebe had not been remiss in her training of Lya when it comes to ranged weapons, so she knew these could be quite effective in a pinch.
Orithia snorts. "I just don't want to have to explain things to your father if something happens."
The blonde viking named Sigurn walks up behind the women and lays the armor out on the table with a thump and rattle of scales. "Finished! May it honor your father as you intended."
"Woo!" Lya exclaims in excitement as she claps her hands together and turns around to check out the bunches of grapes that are now inscribed on the breast plate and bracers. "Perfect!" She picks up the armor and makes an exaggerated straining look before Klepto takes the armor in hand and slings it over her shoulder with a sarcastic snort.
"Come little one... let's return to our room so we can get you looking like a warrior."
Evie follows along in their wake, smiling happily at the chatter going on between the women. She had opted to not get any armor, since what they had already gotten from Hrogar more than met her needs. She did, however, pick up a pair of comfortable pants to go under her tunic.
When they reach the inn, Evie changes into her new clothes. She smooths the cloth over her body and grins at how comfortable and natural it feels. And, she looks pretty darned good in it, if she does say so herself!
While the Furies are busy getting Lya into her new armor, Evie slips downstairs and finds a seat at a table where she just sits and enjoys watching and listening to all the people. It's nice to be surrounded by all this normal bustle of everyday life. Granted, this is quite different from Vegas, but it feels like...well...home.
She smiles and lets her eyes drift to the window, watching birds flit from rooftop to rooftop, singing their songs. A cat slinks along a fence, trying its darnedest to make a meal of of one of the songsters. To the side of the road, a group of children play something akin to marbles, it looks like.
"Can I get you something?" a waitress comes over, wiping her hands upon her apron.
"Water, please. And, maybe some bread and cheese," Evie says.
"Nothing hardier? Maybe some meat to go with that? I think we have some venison left from last night. Or, if ye want eggs, we have them," the waitress says.
"Oh! A slice of venison would be nice, now that you mention it," Evie's eyes light up. She hasn't had venison in ages. Not since the last time Saul went hunting and made venison chili for the two of them...and the local homeless shelter. There was no way the two of them were going to eat a whole deer, so much of the meat got donated.
When the lady comes back with her meal, Evie sits and enjoys her food. Right now, there is no rush. Well...there might be a rush, but she doesn't know about it. As far as Evie knows, there is no immediate, overwhelming threat that needs to be addressed. And, thus, this meal is the first in awhile that she's been able to savor.
Evie leans back in her chair and looks at the mug of water in her hand. It's a hefty, sturdy thing. It has small ornamentation, but nothing elaborate. And, that's when it occurs to her that this is perfect...
"Excuse, me!" Evie waves to the waitress when the lady is not busy with other customers. "I know this is going to sound strange but...could I buy one of these mugs?"
The woman looks at her curiously, obviously a bit baffled as to why someone would want the mug itself, "I can check with the owner and see if he'll part with one."
Evie smiles, "I know it's seems weird. It's a gift for my brother. He's an anthropologist...a scholar who studies different cultures. He's never been to Asgard and this...well...this is a representation of everyday life, here. It's something that everyone uses...young, old, rich or poor...and it has been used! This has been touched by many hands. It would mean more to him than if I bought him something fancy, straight from the crafter's table."
"Oh!" she adds. "And, maybe I could buy a bottle of mead? My other brother is a barkeep. He's constantly making new drinks for people to try and I don't think he's ever had mead. It's something that he would use and appreciate."
Now, if only I could figure out what to bring back for Saul, she thinks to herself. Unfortunately, a gift for him continues to elude her. Honestly, the man is a giant nerd, just like she is. She could probably bring him back anything and he would be delighted. But...it has to be something perfect.
"Never had mead?" bellows a man sitting at a nearby table. "By Ymir's beard, what backwater do you hail from where such a travesty is possible!?"
"Psst. Hama, she's from Midgard. A Wanderer," someone hisses with some urgency.
The loud fellow blanches.
"I beg your pardon, my lady! Please forgive my ignorant words and coarse manners," he says. "Regardless of what Gerra offers, let me add a bottle from my own hearth."
He waves to one of the waitresses and nods. A bottle of crystal-clear amber liquid is brought forth and presented to you reverently. A second bottle is at hand and broached to pour a sample for your enjoyment.
It's a sweet wine, almost like a dessert wine or sweet sauvignon blanc, not too cloying or heavy on the palate.
Hama gives you an expectant look. "What does my lady think?"
Evie laughs and waves off the man's apology, "It's quite alright. Back home, I'm a guard. 'Backwater yokel' is probably one of the least offensive things I've been called." She's sure that they probably have some station that equates to 'detective' but she doesn't know what that is. 'Guard' is probably close enough to 'police officer' to pass.
"And, my name is Evie. There's no need for formalities," she blushes and fidgets a bit at all the attention. She's not used to being treated special. She's just a common, working gal.
"Thank you," she accepts the glass and takes a sip. Her eyes light up and she grins with delight. "It's delicious! I haven't tasted anything this fine in...ever! Oh, Ricky will love it. Thank you!"
She continues to sip the drink, enjoying the way it tastes and feels. She chuckles, "Lya will love this, too!" She turns back to Hama and asks, "Do you make this yourself?"
"Did I hear alcohol and my name in the same sentence?" Lya chuckles as she walks down the stairs into the inn with a smile and jingle of her new armor. She's soon followed by the Furies as they all nod at Evie and take their places around the table with her.
"Any kind of stew or venison would be great," Toxic tells the waitress as she walks by. "Oh... and we're going to need quite a few mugs," she chuckles.
"Come on, pass it over," Lya gestures as she sits on the bench with Evie and leans her back against the table. "If you don't mind," she says to the man as she takes the bottle and peruses the label. "At home I've been known to be a bit of a connoisseur."
Klepto snorts. "Is that what they call it..."
"Works better than 'daughter of the God of Wine' anyway," Lya chuckles as she takes one of the mugs set down by the waitress with a grateful nod and pours herself some of the mead.
"Lovely bouquet..." she mutters as she rolls the mead around in the cup and sniffs it before taking a drink. "Ah... smooth... with a taste of honey and fruit at the end. My compliments!" She raises the mug and toasts the gentleman before finishing off the rest in the cup.
She then stands and removes her flask from her belt. "Now if you would... try some of this on for size. I'd say it'll put hair on your chest... but it looks like you've got that covered, eh?" She grabs another mug and pours some Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Whiskey into it before handing it over.
"This is one of the top Whiskeys from Midgard, my friend."
"Good color," Hama says as he swirls the whiskey in his mug. "Smells like late summer harvest."
He takes a deep swallow.
"Oh, gods," he coughs. "Aegir's daughter, is it? I'd sing your praises, but my talent runs to the still and the sword. I'm told I sound like the cows out back."
He quaffs the rest of what you poured and slams his mug on the table. "Ah! That's a worthy draught, indeed!"
Evie grins and leans back in her chair, lazily sipping upon her mead. With Lya here, things will turn into a party soon enough. She chuckles softly, happy to simply bask in the glow of companionship.
"I wonder if there's the equivalent of an ABC store, here? We could have a tasting!" Evie suggests.
"Well, about time you showed up!" laughs Alex, dragging a stool over to join you at the table. "Now we can get down to some serious drinking!"
"_Serious_ drinking," laughs Lya. "My father warned me about men like you."
"Then we should start with the good stuff," opines one man. "Not this flowery tea Hama calls mead. Trudy! Tap a round off my keg for these good folk!"
... and so it begins.
For her part, Evie enjoys the time she spends with her friends. She joins in any singing and laughter, is quick to poke fun and happy to accept any friendly jabs that are thrown her way. Heck, if there is any dancing, she will gladly join in that, as well! (Evie mentally thanks her martial arts master. Though it may not be dancing, per se, it has trained her to be light on her feet.)
However, she doesn't partake of the alcohol like the others. Oh, she drinks some. Just enough to give her a light buzz and nothing more. She simply does not have the constitution of Lya or Alex and is not able to burn through the alcohol. As much as she is enjoying this, she still feels that bit of caution that tells her, Don't overdo it...just in case.
"Keggers! Now that's what I'm talking about," Lya laughs as she slaps her thigh. "Now if only we had some music to go with... my friends are accomplished musicians back in Midgard, you know... if we had some... I don't know what you guys have up here... lutes? Mandolins? I'm sure we could get a rousing drinking song going. Gods know when I'm about to out drink a bunch of strapping warriors like yourself I like to have musical accompaniment." She winks and playfully punches Hama in the shoulder.
The merriment is quick to kindle and spread, reminding you the Aesir are a people who treasure artistic expression as well as courage and loyalty. Various brews, from the guest house's stores as well as the private stock of some of the regulars, are brought forth and decanted.
It is an impressive table that is set forth, lacking neither drink nor sustenance. Roast fowl, ribs, carved roasts, venison ... and mead, ales, wines, liqueurs, and brandy-like offerings to quaff.
"What are the rules, my lady?" Alex smiles. "One of everything?"
There are more than a few warriors who chuckle at the notion of Lya going glass-for-glass against men (and a few women) who are closer to Alex's build than hers. A crowd gathers to watch, and some beckon to others to join in the friendly challenge. You're certain there will be coin wagered once things get rolling...
Lya smiles slyly as she pulls out a quarter from her pocket and deftly bounces it off the table before it rattles in the bottom of the mug.
Toxic laughs and passes over a mug full of mead to Alex as Lya says "Consume!"
"I can do that," Alex says. He takes a sip of his mug. "Nice flavor. Not too sweet."
A longer pull from his mug. "So how many mugs of this stuff does it normally take the rest of you to get sloppy drunk?"
He drains the rest of the mug. "That's one."
"I'll never get drunk if I'm the one doing the quarters," Lya pouts. "Phoebe! You taught me the game... how about every one you make we all have to drink?"
Phoebe scoots over to sit next to Lya with a smile as she pulls her hair back into a pony tail and takes the quarter from Lya. "All right then..." she sizes up the mug carefully and puts a backspin on the quarter so it bounces off the back of the rim and into the mug. "Consume."
Evie laughs at the game and leans over to Orithia. "Really? She taught Lya?"
"This is going to be a long night," Orithia chuckles as she passes mugs of ale down the table.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Lya laughs joyfully as she takes the mug and downs the glass to a chorus of "Chug! Chug! Chug!"
One of the waitresses comes over to Toxic with a lyre in hand. "Bjorn said you were welcome to try your hand at his instrument."
Toxic snorts. "I'll be the did." She then moves over to sit at the hearth and begins tuning the instrument as Klepto is handed a small drum.
The second mug is another mead, with a stronger overtone of honey, which only seems to make the potent beverage slide down the gullet more easily.
"Easy, friend, the night is young," advised one regular. "At that rate, you'll be on the floor far too early for a summer's night."
"He's good for at least six," smirks Toxic, plinking a string to underscore the jibe.
There's a howl of amusement.
"Sounds like that's junior league around these parts," Alex said. "Oh, well. In for a penny ..." clink
Phoebe gives Alex a smile. "Bottoms up."
"Trust me you'll have to kick us out," Lya chuckles as she downs another mug and wipes her chin with the back of her hand.
Evie settles back into a chair and grins as she listens to everyone around her. She considers...maybe...telling some of the blokes betting against Lya that she's the daughter of the God of Wine, but...nah. Where would the fun in that be? Instead, she kicks back in her chair, stretches her legs out, and nurses her glass of mead.
"Aren't ye getting in on the action, lass?" asks one laughing, young man as he leans against the back of her chair (thoug he is careful not to upset the balance so that Evie falls.)
She raises an eyebrow, grins and says, "Psssh! Nope. I know my limitations. There's no way I can stand up to those two. Besides, at least one of us has to remain sober. How else am I going to tell them about all the embarrassing things they do later in the day, if I don't remember, myself?"
"We're open as long as our patrons wish to enjoy our hospitality and hearth, though our full menu is not available during the early morning watch," assures Gerra.
More quarters and more mugs of mead and ale come and are consumed in turn. Lya, Evie, and the Furies are well aware of Alex's ability to consume alcohol and not be affected, but the festivities are not about contented contemplation over a good mug of stout. It's about endurance - something the Aesir hold in high esteem.
After about the 17th mug of ale... or at least that's where Lya lost count... Phoebe runs out of quarters and Orithia grabs another lyre to sit with Toxic and Klepto by the fire as the tell-tale sounds of one of Lya's favorite drinking songs begins to till the air.
"Oh! I love this one!" Lya exclaims in giddy delight as she grabs another mug off the table and only sloshes a little bit of it onto the floor as she spins around to join the others and begins to sing.
"I play in a band, we're the best in the land... we're big in both Vegas and France..."
Toxic picks up the words next. "I play one mean guitar and then score at the bar, there's a line of men waiting for their chance."
Lya laughs and continues, "So come on now honey, I'll make you feel manly, those other guys mean nothing to me... let's finish these drinks and be gone for the night, cause I'm more than a handful, you'll see!"
She leans back and takes another drink and loses her footing before Alex steps up and wraps an arm around her to keep her from falling on her ass. She smiles and pats him gratefully on the cheek as she dips, downs her glass, and continues to sing with the Furies backing her up in the chorus...
So kiss me, I'm shitfaced
I'm soaked, I'm soiled and brown
in the trousers, he kissed me
And I only bought him one round!
Lya then stands up straight and spins out of Alex's arms to continue with her hands over her heart...
But just give me a chance, 'cause deep down inside
I swear I got a big heart of gold
I'm a monogamous gal, no more one night stands
Come on, honey, let me take you home...
Phoebe stands and Lya wraps her arm around Phoebe's shoulders with a wide grin as they rock back and forth and all finish the song with a belting chorus...
So kiss me, I'm shitfaced
I'm soaked, I'm soiled and brown
in the trousers, he kissed me
And I only bought him one round!
The song is met with raucous applause, all the more impressive as half the crowd is in a bit of a drunken stupor.
Alex simply raises his mug and indicates he's ready for a refill.
"Another?" bellows a fellow drinker. "By the gods, where are you putting it?! I can knock back a dozen, and that's no boast, but this is half again as many!"
"I once served in a very hot and dry land," Alex laughed. "It left me with a permanent thirst."
"And fair Lya?" asks another. "If she fights as well as she drinks, may I never meet you in battle!"
"I much prefer drinking my friend," Lya chuckles as she slaps him on the back and clinks her mug with his before taking a long gulp, "and try offering my flask before the edge of a sword."
She leans in toward him and stage whispers as she gestures toward Alex. "You have to watch that one though... Loki could attach a hose from the ocean to his drinking horn and the tides might go down."
"Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes, the dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!" Alex mutters. "Yeah, yeah, heard it all before. But first, another drink! The night is young!"
"The night isn't that young," muttered one drinker, rousing himself. He'd backed off after eight rounds.
Evie long ago finished her glass of mead. The glass sits on the table at her elbow, turned over and untouched since. Instead, she has been (relatively) quietly enjoying the raucous crowd, stomping and clapping along to songs, laughing at jokes and generally enjoying the merriment.
As everyone else continues to partake in the joyous activities, Evie stands and slips out of the tavern. It's not that she's not enjoying herself...she is! It makes her heart glad to see Lya and Alex free from worry for a time. However, Evie is who she is. The itch to get up and patrol the area...just in case...has kicked in and it's not going away until she does so. What she expects to find outside is nothing more than a quiet evening, fresh air and the sound of night birds in the distance.
The sounds of Asgard are not those of Las Vegas. It is different, and refreshing. The night sky is absent the skyglow of the Strip, and the stars shine in their full glory, a Milky Way-like band of stars arcing across the sky.
It is past midnight, but dawn is still hours away. The sounds of merriment from inside the guest house are muted. The air is cool, but not cold.
The night continues on as revelers come and go till all but a few who have passed out with their heads on the tables remain. Lya looks over to the hearth to find that Toxic and Orithia are leaning on each other as Klepto yawns , with Phoebe resting her head on her hands as she leans on the hearth in slumber.
"Damn... you think maybe we should give these guys a break?" Lya asks Alex as she nudges him on the shoulder and nods towards the sleeping Furies. "I think we've had our fun," she chuckles into her glass before downing the remnants of her mug of beer.
Evie takes a deep breath of air, finding it refreshing. She hadn't realized how stuffy it had become in the guest house with all the people and the hearth. The night air feels good against her skin.
She reaches towards the sky, stretching all the kinks out before setting off down a random street at a leisurely pace. She simply wants to walk for a bit and is not at all worried about getting lost. Thanks to her gifts, she knows her way back to the guest house.
For the most part, the town is asleep, at this hour. The vast majority of buildings are dark, businesses either closed or residents already in their beds. Light spills forth from an occasional window, indicating a night owl or insomniac is awake, but there aren't many.
Evie looks up at the stars as she meanders, taken by the beauty. The last time she saw the night like this was when her family visited Four Corners and she lay upon a blanket at the top of the mesa. That had been wonderfully free of light pollution, as well.
As she nears what seems to be a small park with trees and bushes, she hears a muffled sound. Curious, she steps lightly in the direction of some sheltering trees. What greets her sight is a pair of lovers, softly speaking sweet words and kissing.
Heimdallsdottir smiles to herself and backs away just as quietly, not wishing to intrude. The two should have their privacy. After all the violence and destruction that she's seen over the past few days...errr...months...damn Hel for screwing up time!...it's good to see moments of tenderness. And, it's just as important that they not be disturbed.
Evie continues her circuitous stroll, eventually starting to wend back towards the guest house. As nice as the walk had been, it's about time for her to get to bed.
"Yeah," Alex grins. "I'm surprised I'm not floating away. And when did you start being able to pack it away like that?"
It is with some relief that the server tasked with tending to guests realizes you're calling things at an end, even as they laud you for your epic feat.
"I wouldn't be surprised to hear your names praised by innkeepers and professional drunkards alike," she smiles. "You made a few of the regulars some good money, you did. Sleep well."
Alex pays out several gold coins. "For your kindness in staying up through the night."
"My Lord, I cannot accept that! It's too much!"
"Please," Alex reassures her. "I made a bit of coin, myself."
He gently gathers Phoebe up in his arms; she only murmurs in her sleep and buries her face against his shoulder.
"Do I need to make several trips?" he asks Lya.
"After our last outing I couldn't let the fact that you out-drank everybody stand, Alex. It was a matter of familial pride," Lya laughs as she walks over to the others and nudges Toxic and Orithia. "Come on guys, either you make it back to the room on your own or I take photos of Alex carrying the both of you over his shoulders."
Toxic snorts and jerks herself awake at Lya's words, leaving Orithia to catch herself before she falls over. "I'm awake damn it... I'm awake..."
"Yeah I thought so," Lya replies with a smile as she offers Toxic a hand and helps her up. Klepto yawns and stretches as she stands before offering a similar hand to Orithia. "Let's find Evie and call it a night."
"For the mess and letting us use your instruments," Lya calls out to the waitress as she exchanges the cup full of quarters that would be of no use to them with some extra gold coins.
"Well, that's good. I hate drinking alone," Alex quips. "I think Evie stepped out for some fresh air. I can wait up if need be."
It's not too long before Evie pushes open the door and strolls back into the now empty guesthouse. Spotting Alex still sitting at a table nearby, she grins and jokes, "It's true! I am the life of the party. I step out for a few minutes and BAM! Party death."
She plunks herself down into a chair beside him and looks around, "Huh. I guess everyone else has already gone to bed?"
"Yeah. The others went upstairs just a few minutes ago," he chuckles. "Though Gemma wouldn't say it, I think she's pretty happy that we finally called it. People were getting tired."
"Ah, well...I'll settle up with Gemma and Hama for the mead in the morning," Evie yawns and stretches. "Come on. Let's get some sleep. Who knows what tomorrow holds, eh?"
"Yeah, I think the last time I slept was six months ago. And that ended with my house getting blown up and being turned into a mystical anchor," Alex grumbles. "Even just four hours would be nice."
"That's right," Evie pauses as she stands and slides her chair under the table. "The Alex we had wasn't you."
She makes a small, irritated sound...it's a sound that she's making more and more often as Hel crosses her mind. Before, she had figured that the Underworld deity was just messing with them because...why not? But, she's starting to wonder if Hel has a true stake in what happens.
Wiping out all humans on Earth would net her a relatively small number of souls for her realm. Earth's population probably doesn't hold many that follow the Nordic religions. Of course, what with Fimbulwinter almost happening, that could've changed but, still...not that many, she would wager. But, if Asgard were destroyed...
She shakes her head, pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind. She will think about it tomorrow. Tonight is a night of rest.
"Come on," she gently pushes Alex between his shoulder blades, nudging him towards bed and sleep. "Grumblepants must sleep now!"
Or, she thinks as the two of them mount the stairs up to their rooms, ...or, was Hel actually helping us in a weird way. By giving us alternate Alex, we had an 'extra' to break the anchor. What would've happened to Lya or me if we had done the same thing?