A/N: Read this note, would you kindly? First, I'm still alive!
Here's a nice loooong chapter to make up for my absence. Hope you're ready, this one's got a lot of personality, in all sorts of ways. But onto other topics.
You want this bad boy upgraded to M? Gotta let me know.
Next, a health update. Pacemaker problems related to my heart had me running around the last two days, and I'm dearly sorry for worrying everyone. but its sorted now -no surgery needed at this time- after spending the better part of the day being poked and prodded at. Tests up and down the board, you name it, I dealt with it.
It took them. An entire day. To tell me I was fine. Ffs...
Leg/back problems I can live with. Nothing a cane or walker can't fix. But my heart/pacer? Gotta take care of that. I ain't as young as I used to be; coming up on my fifteenth anniversary here on the site, and I'm really starting to feel my age.
Hopefully my long-lived tenure here will continue...if the site doesn't break once and for all.
I'll say it plain, if this email opt-in business with the site doesn't get resolved soon, I'm probably going to retire.
It HURTS to say that; but with this new system, reviews and readers have dropped to an all time low, authors are leaving the site in droves, and it feels like the end of an era.
If you're not already aware of it, ever since the 16th of November, you now have to turn ON your email alerts in account settings-MAKE SURE YOU CLICK SAVE SETTINGS!-else you won't be notified when anyone updates. No alerts, no email, no nothing. Apparently that's a thing we all have to do every ninety days or so, now. Alas, not many are aware of it...which is a problem. As things stand this new "fix" as it were, has cut everyone's viewership/reviewers in half because most folks don't know about it. Authors are leaving/quitting because of this.
Sometimes opting in works. Sometimes it doesn't. Really depends. Hopefully the devs can fix tweak/update this system before everyone leaves.
So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this story, and all others.
I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
As ever, the Embers rule remains. If folks don't like this story, POOF! Away it goes. Gone forever. With two jobs and the holidays here, my free time is...well, at an all time low. I'm lucky to have four hours to write a day. I can't afford to pen stories that no one enjoys. So by all means, speak up! Every bit of feedback matters here! Truly, it does! That's no joke! My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact.
Only a few questions this time:
Q: Timeline?
A: As stated, we're still somewhat in the "Golden Age" of Asgard before everything went mad. Naturally, we'll reach the games in this story...and its going to be insane.
Q: Greek gods in this?
A: Yes. Won't say where or when, though the story tags clearly gave some of the "whom" away.
Q: Where are we in the timeline?
A: At present, we're still in the golden age of Asgard, before Odin mucked everything up. Ty's still around obviously, as are Magni and Modi, Thrud's still a runt at this point, and the Ax hasn't yet been made by Brok and Sindri. But the Hammer has.
Of course, we won't stay in the "Golden Age" forever. That wouldn't be any fun!
Q: Freya, no!
A: Freya what? She just wants to look after her son. Surely nothing can go wrong with that. Its not as though she'd do anything foolish or...oh.
Q: Is Naruto still...Naruto?
A: Naruto is still Naruto, moral and all...just without that crippling "I have to forgive/save all my enemies" hangup he had in the show. That's about the long and short of it without spoiling anything. Freya doesn't care what he looks like, neither does Odin.
Alright, then. I've kept you long enough. As ever, I own no references, quotes, memes or themes. Not a wit or a one.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
In other words...its up to YOU, the reader. Do let me know~!
"You said it yourself. We're brothers, aren't we? Means we look out for each other."
"No good deed goes unpunished, eh?"
"Aye, something like that...
~Meeting of Minds.
Make Merry
Hammet met anvil.
Once, twice, thrice now; time and time again it crashed down to strike the metal beneath; battering smoldering steel into the desired shape; banging out a steady cadence with speed and skill that would've been any sane smith's wet dream...or nightmare, given how quickly the dwarf before him was working. Come to think of it, any sane smith would've been head over heels to have an Aesir god in their shop, too.
But these two were far from sane now, weren't they?
Their work was famed across the Nine Realms, their craft legendary, their wit unparalleled, despite their...peculiarities. They had forged all manner of things throughout the years; wonderful weapons and terrifying tools, amazing armor and splendorous shields, known by kings and gods alike. Had he a say, Odin would have happily locked them up and forced them to smith for Asgard all day.
Which was precisely why he'd sought them out here, in their little home away from home.
He had no need of bootlickers or lickspittles.
These were neither.
"So you're that Aesir pup what been runnin' around the realms with Tyr, eh?" said smith set his latest project to cool in a battle of water and squinted his way, uncaring of the geyser of steam that followed. "Whatcha want with us?" he didn't miss the hostility in that gaze. "We already made that blasted bloody hammer for yer idjit brother and I ain't about to make another for some up-jumped runt who think's he's gonna be the next king of Asgard-
An open -and gloved!- palm collided with his back, cutting him short. "BROK!"
"Bah!" the blue dwarf shrugged off his brother's hand. "Sod off, Sindri. Ain't no point lying to this lot, might as well be honest."
"The last time you were "honest", you got yourself kicked out of Alfheim!"
A mighty guffaw answered him. "Ain't my fault the buggers didn't know what a juicy nokken was-
"Setting that aside!" Naruto-Baldur!-coughed into a fist and thumped a fist against his tattooed chest before their story could fall into lurid territory. "You must be Brok." he glanced toward the more squeamish of the duo with a small smile." And I take it you're Sindri."
The latter smartened up and puffed out his chest. "We certainly are! The Huldra brothers, at your service~!"
Hopefully so.
Naruto planted his feet, swept one hand down to his belt, tugged an item free, and lobbed it their way. A heavy sack of hacksilver landed on their workbench with a heavy thunk; causing the worn wooden frame to creak beneath its weight. Both brothers balked. He took the chance to get his foot in the door, as it were. "I'd like you to make something for me. Well, me and my nephews."
"Thor's brats?!" leave it to Brok to cut to the meat of the matter. "They're a damn menace!"
He fought down a rueful smile. "Magni and Modi are...better these days."
"Better he says...
"I do say so." laughter escaped him at the last." I'm their uncle."
Those brats damn well better be behaving after the thrashing he'd given them last time. They would've killed that Vanir god if he hadn't stepped in. Magni had a good head on his shoulders; it was just a matter of steering him in the right direction. And if Modi was acting up again, he'd have words for him. Wish for peace, prepare for war, as Tyr said. But that was neither here nor there. Work to be done and all that.
Brok sniffed. "What's in it for us?"
Aha! Curiosity! That was the way to their hearts. "Besides money? Fame. Glory. A chance to correct your mistake."
The Huldra Brothers exchanged a terse look between one another. Naruto couldn't help but commiserate with them. Theirs was an old argument. He could see it in their eyes. It wasn't unknown to him. Thor was getting a little too swing-happy with that hammer of his these days. Mjolnir was a famous weapon to be sure, but unfortunately it was also a very powerful weapon. In the hands of the God of Thunder...well. The less said about that the better. He had his hands full trying to keep his big bugger of a brother from slaughtering every giant he could get his mitts on.
Hence the reason he was here; indeed, he could already see Sindri warming to the idea. "You're not the first to suggest that, lord Baldur...
No? Interesting. He could broach that topic later. For now, he had a task to attend. Best be quick about it while Odin wasn't watching. If he asked after his trip to Svartalfheim, he could claim he'd tasked Brok and Sindri with making new weapons for the young Sons of Thor. A pliable excuse and something his so-called "All Father" wouldn't be able to see through, should he come a'knocking.
Kurama grunted his agreement. "He won't see this coming. There isn't a single raven near here."
Right. Ravens. Odin's little spies. And wasn't that just another can of worms!? Really needed to find a way to free those poor, poor souls...no, no, one step at a time. Weapons and armor first. Then he could go about doing a little soul-severing of his own when dear old "Dad" wasn't looking.
"None of that lord stuff." he waved a hand quickly to silence his anger as much as the dwarves. "Magni and Modi aside, I'd like you to make several things for me. First...
.
..
...
He spent the better part of five minutes explaining what he was truly after; and then five more specifying what had to be used.
By the end of it, Brok whistled. Sindri, however, wrung his gloved hands. "That...might take awhile. How do we let you know when its ready?
"Nothing simpler~!" Naruto tapped a hand to his belt and tossed a scroll their way. "Open that when you need me. I have its twin right here," he held up another small roll of vellum, "They're connected. Mine will pulse blue when you do. As to how I'll find you...well. I have my ways.
Brok planted both hands on the table. "...we'll be needing the blood of a god for all of those things you mentioned. 'Specially last one."
Naruto made to bite his finger.
"Nuh-uh." the azure vulgarian waved him down. "Gotta be fresh. Lady prefers it that way."
"Oho? Awfully demanding, this Lady of yours. When do I get to meet her?"
Brok shook a fist at him. "When she's good and ready, bucko!"
"Alright, alright, sore subject. I'll let it be." He'd expected as much. The Lady of the Forge could be eccentric. Not even Odin knew what she looked like. Yet another thing he'd talked his "Father" out of. Honestly, it was like watching a child. Take your eyes off him for one second and he could get to all manner of trouble. If this was what Mimir had to deal with everyday, he pitied him. Hopefully he could keep him occupied until he returned. Which he should. Soon.
He set a hand to his hip. "We're all set, then?"
"Should be." Brok shrugged. "Come back when its done and you'll get yer money's worth."
Sindri perked up suddenly."Speaking of which...might I have a moment of your time?"
A blond brow rose. "We're talking now, aren't we?"
"Not here."
Brok grunted his acceptance. "Fine, fine, make me do all the work...
Naruto let the germaphobic dwarf lead him to an adjacent room; one a good distance from the forge. An ugly feeling rose in the pit of his stomach. More secrets. Yay. As if "Baldur" didn't have enough to juggle already. A cursory check confirmed there weren't any Ravens hiding in here either at least, living or dead. Good. He'd sense the little buggers if they were.
"Alright." he crossed both arms before his chest as said dwarf tugged the door shut behind them. "What is it?"
Sindri didn't answer, not right away. He wrung his hands instead. Took a deep breath, and...
...is it true?"
A blond brow arched. "Is what true?
"You know." he gestured expansively. "The stories."
"I'm afraid you'll have to be a bit more specific. There are an awful lotta myths about me...
Kurama yawned in the back of his head. "More than I care to remember. You've been busy."
"I was asking after the happier ones!" Sindri flung up his arms with an exasperated cry. "You know. Where you, ah, help people?"
"Really?" Naruto felt his brow furrow. "Do you have any idea how little that narrows it down? I could tell you the time I shook hands with a many-armed giant, the day Freyr and I got ourselves soused and fell into the light of Alfheim, or the night Skadi and I-
"Wait, wait, wait!" Sindri raised a finger. "Skad? The Skadi? As in lady of the hunt? Pale skin, hair white as snow, and ice blue eyes? That Skadi?
...we've met."
Kurama guffawed openly. "Met, he says. As I recall, it was a fair bit more than that...
Naruto coughed into a fist again-this time to hide his burning flush. The Lady of the Hunt had proven rather...persistent, for a Frost Giant. Almost frightfully so. He'd never met a woman more determined in his first life or his second. Nor more beautiful. Try as he might, he just didn't know how to deal with someone like that. Surely she wouldn't think to search for him here in Svartalfheim. No, surely not. He'd be in and out again before she so much as got a whiff of him.
"Don't give me that. You're fond of her; wouldn'tve healed her old man if you weren't. Small wonder she's after your hand."
'Much to Odin's chagrin...'
Kurama laughed at him. "Chagrin, was it? I believe he said the two of you would make beautiful children together...
Only because Skadi turned him down, first. Freya had harsh words for him after that.
"Can we get back on topic, here?" Sindri's voice plucked him from his musings. "What I'm asking is...well. You can heal people, can't you?"
His face closed down. "No, I can't.
"Yes, you can." Sindri remained unmovable as a stone. "I've seen you do it before."
Blue eyes flashed red. "When?"
Sindri stepped back, balking beneath his now-slitted gaze. "...er, Midgard. You helped a sick wolf."
He rocked back on his heels. Gah. That was a closely guarded secret. How'd the little devil find out?
"Realm hopping, of course. How else? Blasted dwarves."
"I can." he admitted after a moment's pause. "Provided I get to them within a timely manner."
"How timely?"
Nosy little dwarf.
"Very." Naruto frowned. "Very. I can't bring back the dead." And just as well he couldn't; Odin wouldn't let him out of his sight if he could! "Is there a point to this?"
"My brother," Sindri stole a quick glance toward the closed door, as though he half-expected Brok to come bursting through the damn thing at any given moment, then glanced back to him. "He's been taking risks lately. Doing foolish things. Might have something to do with all the silver he's touching; its already turned him blue, but the other day he almost-
"Sindri."
"Alright, alright. I need a favor, your ah, godliness."
...he was going to regret this, wasn't he? Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained. He waved him on.
"If anything happens to him," Sindri wrung his gloved hands together fretfully, "if he gets hurt, promise me you'll help him. Do that and I'll make anything you want, whenever you want it. Free of charge. We might bicker, even fight at times, but he's my brother. And I can't bear the idea of living without him. I know that sounds cowardly, stupid even. But you have to understand-
"Stop." Naruto held up a hand to silence him. He didn't want to admit just how much the words had touched him. "There's nothing wrong with worrying about family. I've got brothers of my own." he hardly squabbled with Tyr and Thor the way the Huldra Brothers bickered, but he wouldn't want any harm to come to them, either. "No need to explain that. Not to me. What about you?"
The dwarf's bearded mug twitched. "What about me?"
"If you get hurt in the future." it seemed an obvious question. "Do you want me to heal you, too?"
"No, no," Much to his alarm, Sindri shook his head. "I don't matter. Brok does. If worst comes to worse, I'm sure he'll do fine without me."
He wouldn't. He'd seen folks lose siblings before. A certain Uchiha came to mind. It was not an experience he cared to repeat.
"That...is an alarming lack of self worth. We'll need to work on that, going forward."
"I mean it!" An edge crept into Sindri's voice a she stared him down. "I don't know what lies ahead, but if you ever have to choose between saving him or me-
"No."
Sindri recoiled. "No...?"
"It means no." Naruto shook his head, stifling further protests. "If you're acting for my help, then I won't choose between either of you. Our agreement will extend to the both of you-although I'll keep an extra close eye on 'ol Brok all the same. There will be no arguments." he bit the last word out, running a hand through his messy hair. "But tell your brother to be more careful going forward. Not just around the forge, but in general. Life is a precious thing. Don't go wasting it."
"I...alright." Sindri faltered, then rallied. "I'll do that."
So long as he understood. "See that you do. Wanna shake on it?"
Sindri eyed his bare hand, offered halfway now. "Begging your pardon, but I'd rather not. I don't know where that thing's been-urk?!
Naruto reached the rest of the way to clasp his hand. The dwarf gave up and shook his palm...though not before muttering about needing new gloves.
"Its a promise, then." he managed a small, tremulous smile. "You'll keep your word, won't you?"
A touch of Naruto's old Aesir blood stirred in him. "I never go back on my word, dwarf."
"Of that, I have little doubt...
"Oi!" Brok's voice bounced off the door, muffled by distance. "If yous' two slack jaws are done jabbering in there?! I need help over here!
Sindri scarpered out the door. Naruto didn't miss the spring in his step. "Coming, coming...
Naruto trailed after him at a sedate pace, letting the distant clamor of the dwarves wash over him. He found it oddly peaceful. To be so consumed by the desire to create something -to protect someone- that you lost sight of everything else in front of you, well. Truly, he envied the dwarves their single-minded work.
"The hell were ya talking about anyway? Brok asked.
Sindri intervened quickly, bless his worrying heart. "Just ingredients.
"Speakin' a' which, project like this needs some quality skap slag. Might have to get our hands dirty...
Sindri gagged. "Oh gods, I'm gonna be sick...
Naruto smiled as their banter carried onto into the inane. He didn't miss their smiles.
At the end of the day, you didn't choose your family. Family chose you.
"I'll leave you two be. See you soon."
(.0.0.0.)
Another day, another disaster averted.
Naruto cracked his neck as he emerged from the realm gate. He barely paid mind to those he passed; more than a few Asgardians bowed his way, others shouted his name and he waved halfheartedly to those in return, but his thoughts had already turned inward. His feet carried him forward on an unerring path home. He was glad to put Svartalfheim behind him; glad to have commissioned the Huldra Brothers while he'd the chance; glad to be one step closer toward his penultimate goal in securing peace for the realms.
Now it was just a matter of waiting. Brok and Sindri hadn't said how long it would take and the list of ingredients he'd given them were...extensive. Could be days. Weeks. Months. He didn't think it would take a year, but then again, time was always funny up here in Asgard.
Dwarves were nearly as ornery as the Aesir themselves come to think of it, but he enjoyed their bluntness. No subtle words or veiled threats to worry about, no pesky Heimdall to eye for fear of the bastard trying to stick a dagger in his back, just good, simple conversation. It had felt...well, wonderful to speak his mind for the first time in awhile. Or perhaps that was just Sindri and Brok. He really didn't know any other people of such size to speak of-
"Uncle Baldur~!"
Belatedly, he realized where his feet had carried him. He'd made it back to the Lodge alright; but in his haste to return home, he'd forgotten something.
Or rather, someone.
Wuh-oh.
He had all of an instant to plant his feet, open his arms, and brace himself for impact. Even then he nearly found himself bowled clean off his feet as a bright blur cannoned into his legs. He reeled backward as his back hit a wall-the impact of which drove a short pained laugh from his lips.
"Aha!" he looked down to the little bundle of joy in his arms. "There's my favorite niece."
A merry giggle answered him. "I'm your only niece, silly."
He tousled her bright hair. "Why, so you are."
Say what you would about children being rambunctious but little Thrud was strong; far stronger than any child her age should be. Only seven years old and she already packed a punch. He supposed that was testament to her parentage. Damn girl was gonna be powerful when she grew up. Hopefully he'd be around to see it.
"You just missed uncle Tyr." she raised her arm, and he glimpsed a silver, round discus of metal there, inscribed with foreign runes. "He got me a shield."
Sounded like something Tyr would do. Always on the move, that one. "And where did he go?"
Her little face screwed up, trying to remember. "Um...he said something about Alf...alf...
"Alfheim?"
"That!" She bobbed her head in agreement. "He said the dark elves and the light were being icky again, and he wanted to put a stop to it."
That sounded just like him. The ghost of a grin touched dimpled his face. "I very much doubt he used the word icky...
Little Thrud huffed. "I can't understand being words, okay?! 'Sides, its not important. He always gets me the best toys. That's what matters."
Only because he traveled to all the best places. "Well, if he's your favorite, then I guess you won't be needing the gift I got you...
Her eyes widened. "Gift?"
"Yup." Naruto mussed the wild mane of her hair one last time and plucked another pouch from his belt. "Fresh sweets from Svartalfheim. But if you don't want them...
"I do, I do!" she hopped in place, little arms reaching, grabbing, fall just short. "I want! Best uncle ever! Please, please, please!"
He held it just out of reach. "Better than Tyr?"
"Way better!"
"Thatta girl." he let the bag drop. It fell right into her hands. Said sweets were massacred in short order. "Speaking of which, its awfully quiet in here. Where's your mother?"
"Mommy and daddy had another fight." Thrud said between bites. "She's sleeping."
Ouch. "And your brothers?
"Midgard!" She chirruped happily. "They're looking for someone with grandma Freya!"
Trying to prove themselves to daddy again, were they? There wasn't anything worth finding down in Midgard...was there? "Well, isn't that nice. Any idea who that might be?"
"Mmm!" her little head bobbed. "The Norns!"
His smile soured. "I see...
"Irksome witches!"
On that, they were in agreement. He and Kurama had some tangential knowledge of the trio; enough to know that they didn't care a fig for what they said or thought. Sadly the same couldn't be said of their "Mother" in this lifetime. Freya wasn't quite so obsessed with the notion of prophecy as Odin but she was concerned with him. He couldn't count the number of times she'd tried to keep him from harm in the past.
All because these so-called "Norns" had said that "Baldur" would die a needless death. Pah! What did they know?! That could mean any number of things!
For instance, from a certain point of view, Baldur was already dead. He might have adopted the namesake, but he still clung to his previous identity. From the moment Odin had called his soul into this new, stronger body, the real "Baldur" may as well have ceased to exist. There was no destiny. No grand design. No script. Only the choices he made.
He had chosen to accept Odin's offer. He chose to grow up here. He decided to use his influence to make things better, not just for Asgard, but all of the nine realms.
And if he was to die someday...Hel would have only him -and Kurama!- when she earned them. Not before, not after. He'd died more times than he could count in his first life. He didn't fear death. If by some foul miracle they did die-well! The solution was simple. They'd claw their way out the underworld, bonk Hel over the head and come right back to Asgard, whether She liked it or not.
He did, however, dislike the idea of the Norn's twisting his mother's paranoia into ugly knots. Time and time again she'd to visit them. Time and again their "prophecy" remained unchanged. Made him want to go down there and knock some sense into them, it did. See if they saw that coming!
Which begged the question, why on earth were Magni and Modi accompanying her this time? Did Odin fear she would run off if he left her alone? Possibly. Or did they simply want to know their own fates and were using her as an excuse? Bloody boys were obsessed with inhering Thor's hammer. He'd have to ask old man Mimir the next time he saw him.
Thrud's tiny hand tugged at his tattooed arm, drawing him out of his bleak reverie. "Uncle?"
"Enough about your brothers and the Norns." he patted her cheek. "They're pricks."
His brother's daughter blinked up at him, guileless as ever. "What's a prick?
A hand settled upon his back.
"Yes, Baldur," a familiar voice crooned just behind his ear with silken menace. "What indeed?"
He looked over his shoulder and stared into eyes colder than Fimbulwinter itself. "Oh, heeey Sif. Didn't know you were up from your nap."
"I am." her voice radiated saccharine sweetness. "And I'll thank you to watch your mouth around my daughter, Baldur."
"Was just an accident, ya know." he brushed her off and stood. "No need for the knives to come out."
"My husband said something similar.
Naruto's smile thinned. "Heard the two of you had another fight."
"Did you, now?" Her gaze sought Thrud, only for her daughter to look elsewere. "That's not your concern."
"Of course its my concern. We're family, aren't we?"
Sif planted a fist on her hip and glared his way. Thor was a right lucky bastard to have a wife like her. Sure she could be a little scary at times, but at the end of the day she was a good woman and doing her damndest to be a better mom. If not necessarily for her sons, then for Thrud's sake an those to come. Having a daughter had done much to mellow her out over the years. Better to see her like this can carrying another bun in the oven. A pregnant Sif was a scary Sif. Almost made him wonder what a pregnant Valkyrie would be like...and dread the day he became a parent himself...
"Baldur. You're spacing out again."
"Am I?" he looked back to her, absently patting Thrud's head. "Sorry."
"Speaking of sorry, you might want to have a word with Heimdall." some of the ice thawed from her eyes. "He was looking for you."
Looking for trouble more like. "Where is he?"
"With the All-Father." her tone said it all...as did her slight smile. "I heard you knocked him into Asgard's wall.
...I may have."
Thrud cooed. "That was you?! It was so loud!"
Was it? He hadn't really paid attention at the time. Humiliating Heimdall had become something of a weekly exercise for him, if not daily; so much so that he hardly ranked their encounters. Why focus on that vicious little prick when his time could be better spent elsewhere with Gna and the Valkyries. Come to think of it, he'd promised tonight to Hrist and Mist...
"You've got that look in your eye again. Sif batted his arm. "Stop that. You're setting an absolutely horrid example for your niece."
"Tell you what," He winked her way, "Thrudie can do the same when I've got rugrats of my own running around."
Thrud perked up. "I can? Wait, does that mean I'll have cousins?!"
Sif paused. "What are you implying?"
"You're our resident diplomat." Naruto slipped between them with a merry hum, not trusting himself to hold his tongue. Best not to give the surprise away. "Be diplomatic and figure it out."
She shouted at his retreating back. "That's not what that word means and you know it!"
"Lalala! Can't hear you~!"
His peace said, the reborn Aesir sauntered away before Sif could speak further. His smile didn't last long in her absence. He'd had his fun now, no point in putting this off any longer. Odin's chambers weren't far from the lodge; rather, they were just underneath it. Right around the corner really. A hop, skip and a jump and he was there. He almost wished they weren't; if only for more time to gather his thoughts...
.
..
...well, no time like the present.
He approached the door at a brisk pace.
A faint noise reached his ears from within, rising through the worn wood. "...!"
"Well, well. Two guesses as to who's already in there. First two don't count."
His stride slowed. Paused entirely now, as he heard words muffled through the wood. With but a thought and a wave of the hand, he concealed his presence.
From there, here set one ear to the door and listened:
"He broke my nose!" That was undoubtedly Heimdall in there, stirring up trouble again. Didn't he have anything better to do?
"Eh." Odin's voice radiated amusement. "You're alive, aren't you? Walk if off already."
Heimdall raged. "Allfather?! He means to do the same to you! Or worse!
"And yet he's made no moves against me." Odin's retort was crisp, measured even. "This isn't the first time you've accused him of such, Heim." The pause that followed was ominous indeed. "One might think you're lying to me. Have you lost your touch?"
"O-Of course not."
"Good. We wouldn't want any...misunderstandings now, would we?"
"You favor him!" Heimdall's voice rang with accusation. "Why?! He drinks and eats and whores himself out to any woman that's willing! Why keep such a creature close to you?!
"Why?" a patient-albeit-parental sigh answered him. "You want to know why? Fine. I'll humor you. Because I'm the one that brought him here. Because he's my son. Because he's my successor. The people love him, and his reputation, is my reputation. Do you have any idea of the power he possesses?
Heimdall scoffed. "He charms others with his silver tongue and his strength. What more is there to understand?"
Naruto nearly laughed.
"No." that lone word silenced him through the door. "He's a talker like me, sure, but unlike me, he could squash you like a gnat, and you wouldn't be able to do a thing about it. Ha! He could match Surtr himself. Yet for all that, he's on my side. Our side. Even his children, my grandchildren, will be the stuff of legends. Powerful beyond measure. Just think; years from now. Imagine how well prepared we might be with more of him running around come Ragnarok. As far as I'm concerned, he can bed whomever he pleases; any child of his will strengthen our ranks...unless. Your constant antagonizing will ruin that. I won't have it, y'understand?"
Naruto bit his tongue until it bled. "..."
"And what have you done for me recently, Heimdall? Hmm? You haven't been the one amassing knowledge for me, making allies for us, he has! Thanks to him, the secrets of Jotunheim are nearly in my grasp! And you? You've been here. In Asgard. Putting your recent, ah, incursion to Vanaheim last month aside, which, need I remind you, ended with Freyr sending you home with your tail tucked between your legs...well. You've been less than useful as of late.
"I have served you faithfully in all things, All-Father." Such slavish devotion. It made him sick. "I beg of you, do not doubt me."
"I don't doubt you, Heim. Maybe if you spent less time trying to find threats where there are none and more time bettering yourself, we wouldn't be be having this conversation."
A strangled snarl answered.
"For the love of...listen to me," sure enough, Odin adopted a conciliatory tone. "I can see you're worked up about this. But if Baldur wanted you dead, you'd be dead. Like everyone else whose ever gotten in his way." he could just imagine him waving a hand at him, not looking up from his desk. "Now get outta here. I have work to do, and I'm sure Baldur's tired of eavesdropping. Dismissed!"
"What? I didn't hear him-
That was his cue.
Naruto placed both hands against the door and flung it open. He took dark relish in the brief flicker of surprise that flitted across Heimdall's face. "You heard him. Dismissed."
"Baldur...!"
Heimdall's wild violet eyes glared hatefully into his serene blue orbs. Ah, if looks could kill...well, he'd be a smoldering pile of ashes on the floor and they'd not be having this conversation now, wouldn't they? But his glare, however furious, could not and they both knew it.
Odin made a shooing motion. "Go on, now. Get. I need to talk to my boy. Alone."
Heimdall barged past, trying to smash him aside with one shoulder. Naruto made way, grinned when the sullen Aesir tried to hit him anyway, and tripped him before he could react. The bearer of Gjallarhon faceplanted into the wall with an awful crunch, further mangling his nose. A none-too-gentle shove send him stumbling out the doors on all fours, which summarily closed on his sprawled form.
"There. Now what did you-
Odin held up a finger. Waited until the angry Aesir seemingly departed. Another moment more. Sighed, now. "I know you're still there, Heimdall!"
Silence reigned. Naruto chuckled into it. "Want me to shave you bald again?
An angry snarl echoed behind the door, punctuated by a slam. Footsteps stalked away. This time there could be no denying his departure.
Only then did a crooked grin tug at the corner of Odin's mouth. "You're a vicious little shit when you wanna be, you know that?"
Naruto planted both hands in his pockets. "I learned from the best."
"Ha!" The All-Father clapped him on the back. "So you did. How was your trip?"
He couldn't be sure if it was a trap or not, maybe a test. Best to run with the story he'd crafted and hope for the best.
"Better, now that their world mill's finally up and running." he ran with his given excuse. "Svartalfheim will prosper thanks to that."
Odin pulled a face. "Will it, now?"
"Dad, no." he drew him back before he could reach for one of his ravens. "You promised to let me handle this. Marching an army down there will only make you more enemies. We have enough of those. Give it time. Let them see you for who you really are."
Monster. Coward. Killer. But he didn't need to know that.
Odin planted a hand on his desk and looked away. "Time's in short supply these days, Baldur."
He lifted his chin to stare him down. "Then we'll make more."
Odin's good eye met his neither moved.
Not for the first time, Naruto wanted to give the All-Father a good hard shake. In many ways Odin could be like a child at times. His first instinct was to destroy anything or anyone who dared oppose him. Often, but not always. Other times he could be clever. Subtle. Insidious. It often fell to him and Mimir to protect the man from himself. And if they couldn't...well. Sometimes you had to put old dogs down. Time would tell if it came to that. And besides, he'd heard every bit of his conversation with Heimdall.
'Make weapons of my future children, will you? I don't think so...
When -if!- Ragnarok came about, any heirs of his would fight because they chose to, not because they'd been gaslit into it by their mad grandfather.
"You're right, you're right." beneath his glare, the elder god yielded with a sigh he didn't entirely trust." I just worry sometimes. C'mere," he beckoned him to the desk. "I want to show you something."
A blond brow rose. "And what might that be?
"What, would you rather spend the rest of the day pummeling Heimdall?
His brow crept higher still.
Odin laughed. "Alright, alright, stupid question. Here. Have a look at this, will you?"
"...?"
He circled over to the man's desk and found himself looking at a mask. An old, broken, wooden thing, carved with runes he couldn't comprehend. Odin waved a hand at it. He picked it up. No response. Though it hummed under his touch, the runes did not glow. The mask remained inert. It was not meant for him.
"You're aware of Ragnarok?"
"Hmhmm." he tilted the mask end over end, trying to get a better look at it. "It starts after Fimbulwinter, which begins when I die."
Kurama bridled. "You won't die. I'll not let it happen."
'Don't worry. I'm in no hurry to kick the bucket.'
Odin tutted, blissfully unaware of their inner dialogue. "Awfully blase to talk about your own death. Even for you."
"Mom's busy with the Norns. She won't mind."
...your secret is safe with me." Not even a hint of surprise on the raven-pecker's face. Odin knew where she was, then, which implied he'd been the one to send Magni and Modi with her. "Even gods don't live forever, boy."
"True." he set the wooden mask down with a sigh. "Reckon I've got a few hundred years until I'm anywhere near old enough to kick the bucket.
"Prat." Odin nudged him with an elbow. "That mask there is the key to preventing all this, to averting Ragnarok. With it, we can finally look into the abyss. Have our answers.
"You're talking about that crack in the world. Down in your cellar."
"I am." The All-Father slung an arm around his shoulders. Its not a sin to crave knowledge, son. We all want to know our place in the world. There's nothing wrong with that. Mortals find meaning in praying to us, and perhaps there is, at the end of the day. But you and I? Where do gods -or demigods- go when we die? What does it all mean? That's the answer I seek."
Answers he likely wouldn't find, but that was his battle to lose.
...you say that now," his brow furrowed. "but I've seen what too much of one thing does to a man."
"That's what I've got you for." Odi tousled his hair as he hadn't done in years. "To keep me on the straight and narrow. You're my best tracker, after all."
One that hadn't done his bidding for ages, but how was he to know that.
He could do it. Right here. Right now. They were alone. Just shove his fist through Odin's chest and squeeze. Any threat he ever was and would be
Killing him was certainly an option, but he wanted to help him. The All-Father could be so much better, if his paranoia and thirst for knowledge didn't outweigh his wisdom. Maybe once he had his answers he'd finally man up and start acting the the father -and grandfather- he was meant to be.
And if he didn't...well. He'd burn that bridge when they came to it.
"Alright." he shook his arm off. "So long as your quest doesn't consume you...I'm in."
"Good, good, Your brother was asking after you, by the way.
Naruto found himself perking up despite his best efforts. "You mean Tyr?"
Odin made a face. "Not that preachy stiff. Honestly, he's useless. He can stay in Alfheim for all I care.
There it was again. The casual disparagement. Unbidden, he recalled Sif's words. "Thor, then. Is he drinking again?"
"Define drinking...
A distant crash rattled the whole of Asgard.
"So that's a yes. Alright. You want me to drag him out of his cups?
Odin clapped his shoulder. "If you wouldn't mind. I need him somewhat sober today.
...sober for what?"
"Don't you worry about that. Just snap him out of it."
He did. He worried very much. "Fine. But I want Ingrid in exchange."
The All-Father quirked a greying brow. "Don't you already have a weapon? I thought you liked Skofnung."
"I do." He patted the inert hilt wrapped in his belt, a silent reminder of another task that needed doing. Needed to tend to those spectral Berserkers with Mimir. But for now, he had a brother to save and a bargain to make. "Most weapons aren't sentient."
"Fine, fine." he capitulated at last. "She's no loss. Just, be careful. From what I've heard, your brother's on a right bender...
(.0.0.0.)
He found her in the study, just as before.
Bound by a magical cord to that infernal wooden pillar, the poor sword couldn't move, even now.
"...!"
She started struggling the moment she saw him, just as always, trying to get to him-to freedom. Time and time again he'd thought about breaking the poor girl out, only to refrain under Odin's watchful gaze. He'd avoided antagonizing him for so long, but here, now he had the perfect chance. She'd been here for as long as he could remember. He didn't even know who her original owner was, save that it wasn't Odin; the old man always got awfully embarrassed whenever he brought the subject up.
None of that mattered now.
Sure, the Huldra brothers had agreed to forge him three things, but in his experience one could never have too many weapons...or armor. And besides, he rather liked his little talks. In many ways her consciousness reminded him of a small child...which made her captivity all the more distressing. You didn't tie a kid to a pillar.
"Hey, sweetheart." He rand a hand over her trembling hilt. "Still here, eh?" Ingrid chimed mournfully. and his heart went out to her. "Wanna get outta here?"
She perked up, all but vibrating in place.
"I'll take that as a yes, then...?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" Her words rushed his mind in a series of happy chirps he could barely understand. Sentience to be sure, but not fully grown. Definitely didn't feel right to leave her like this.
"Alright, alright, hold still." He flicked a knife out and set her free.
She shot upright, bobbed in the air with a merry cry, then cut circles around him, humming happily. Freedom~!
He held out her sheathe, given to him freely. "Hop on in."
Ingrid all but leapt into his grasp. Thank you!
"You're welcome."
Kurama grumbled deep inside him. And just like that we've picked up another stray.
He slung her over his shoulder with a rueful smile. Hope you don't mind noise; its gonna be rowdy where we're going...
(.0.0.0.)
The boy was false.
Heimdall knew he was, just as he had known for years now.
He knew even know, as he watched him stalk through the streets of Asgard.
So the All-Father had given him that sword, had he? No matter. It changed nothing. One look was all it took to read his mind; to know the dark designs within. He was not of this world, no matter what he might claim. He held no loyalty to Asgard; likewise, he cared more for the other realms than their own. He was false. A fake, a fraud, a trickster who was "loved" by all, but only because they failed to see the real him. Time after time he had tried to warn the All-Father. Time and again his warnings had been dismissed. He would not be deceived, not like the others; no matter what he said or did.
But Heimdall knew. He knew. It was just a matter of proving it.
They would find a way. Somewhere. Somehow.
He would destroy him.
(.0.0.0.)
Black Thunder was a fine mead hall.
Named after the God of Thunder himself, there was no better place to drink in all of Asgard; really. Everyone gathered here when they wanted to cut loose; be it Asgardians, Einherjiar, Valkyries, even the Gods themselves. Most thought of it as a Valhalla away from Valhalla-for all manner of revelry could be found here. Many a man and woman were busy drinking, reveling, or in some cases, outright fornicating in some of the darkened corners, heedless of anyone or anything or anybody at all. And why not? It was a time of peace. Best to make merry and all that.
...if they kept at it like that, Asgard might have some new warriors running around in the coming year.
The bouncer took one look at him and Ingrid, grunted, then summarily waved them through without checking them. Youngsters might have to drop their weapons on the table with the rest, but not the Sons of Odin. Godly privilege and all that.
Crowds parted before him as he threaded his way deeper into the mess. Hands clapped his back. Warriors chanted his name.
Nor was he the only one here.
He spied more than a few unmasked Valkyries among the gladdened throng. Gna was arm-wrestling a brute twice her size and winning handily for it; while Hildr danced drunkenly atop atop a table, golden braid swaying with her hip, wings drooping, a tankard in each hand as warriors cheered her on. He even spied young Eir near the entrance, patching up a poor bastard who'd had one too many and bashed his head on a table. Not one of the Einherjiar, but a mortal at that. Bless her heart.
But they weren't his goal, and so he pressed on.
His patience was rewarded soon enough...though he wished it soon wasn't.
Sure enough he found Thor in the middle of it all, hunched over a table with tankard in hand.
"Right where I thought you'd be." He plonked down on the seat beside him. "Had a bit of a rough day, did we?"
"Baldur?" Bleary blue eyes blinked up at him. "What're you doing in here? You shouldn't be here.
"Yet here I am." he spread his arms. "What are you doing?
Thor glowered at his mug. "Drinking."
"I can see that. Might I ask why?"
Thor ignored him. He tugged at his arm. We should get going.
Up came the flagon. Down it slammed. Thor grabbed another from a passing server.
Naruto felt the beginnings of a grimace tugged at his whiskered face. "C'mon, big brother, don't do this.
"Its already done!" Thor thumped another tanker down and the mead hall fell silent around him. "Let it be known that the God of Thunder is good for two things." his words boomed out, hearkening to all. "Killing giants, and pissing mead! Anyone who disagrees," his hammer thumped down on the table beside him, "Will greet Mjolnir with his face.
Damnit, he really was in his cups, wasn't he? Best try for the gentle approach. "Thor...this isn't you. Why don't we talk-
A low growl pierced the space between him. "Quiet. Done too much talking today already."
Don't get mad. He was drunk. Not his fault. "Listen, I'm here for you."
Anger flashed across his face. "I said quiet, runt!"
"I am not a runt." Naruto took the insult in stride. "I am your brother and-!"
A full mug of mead splashed across his face.
Ale trickled down it to stain his blue tunic and ruin his new boots. Ingrid squawked indignantly in her sheathe, having been thoroughly doused as well. Huh. Strong stuff. A mortal would've been soused on the spot. As an Aesir, he barely felt the buzz.
All around them, the mead hall went silent.
Naruto took a deep breath, swallowed...and wiped his face with the back of his hand. "I'm going to pretend you didn't do that."
Exasperated sighs and groans went up from the mortals, gods, and Valkyries alike. They'd expected a fight. Pity they weren't going to get one.
"Where's the fire in ya?!" Thor must've realized it too; because he harrumphed and shook his now empty mug his way. "You've been hanging around with Tyr too much. You used to love fighting; you were always good for a scrap."
He sighed. "I still do and I still am."
The God of Thunder sulked. "Got a funny way of showing it.
Ingrid peeked out her sheathe and trilled Thor's way. "Rude man! You're mean!"
"Ha?" Thor couldn't understand her language, but he heard the noise all the same. "Is that who I think it is? When'd you get her?"
"Just today."
"Heeey, Baldur." A bleary grin stretched across his brother's face. "I've got an idea. Wanna see which is stronger? Your sword or my hammer?"
Mjolnir perked up on the table.
Ingrid tried to wriggle out her sheathe completely.
"No, no, no." Naruto pushed them both down. "We are not doing this."
"Aren't we?" A stray Einherjar made to sit down beside them as he spoke. Thor snapped his fingers without so much as a glance and Mjolnir swept up, obliterating the woman's head. A burly hand shoved her corpse off the bench and sent it flopping to the floor. "Seat's taken. Buzz off."
Naruto sighed. "Was that really necessary?"
"Einherjar can die all they like. Ain't like they stay dead. She'll be good as new by tomorrow."
"That doesn't mean you can just walk around caving their heads in-
"Why not? You won't let me kill anymore giants."
"For good reason!"
"Enough talking!" Thor raised his tankard of mead and drank deeply. "Yer thinking too much again, little brother."
Naruto slammed a hand down atop it. "And you not enough. You said you'd stop this."
Sparking blue eyes met his. "I did stop. Now I'm starting again. Sif's fault."
...you two had another argument again."
Thor tore his arm free and kept drinking. "She told you?"
"Your daughter did.
A bleary grin. "Ah, Thrudie...she's got a good head on her shoulders. Smarter than her old man...
He lifted his mug to drink again.
Naruto swatted it out his hand with a lazy backhand.
It flew across the mead hall, bounced once, and shattered. The Einherjar fell silent.
Thor growled and lurched to his feet. "Listen, you-
"No!" he grabbed him by the beard. "You listen to me! Look, I get it. You screwed up. But you can be better than this. You have to be! Think about little Thrud."
"Easy for you to say. You're the favorite. You ain't a father." Thor glowered down at his hands. He could still see hints of dried blood on them from some endeavor or another. "You don't know what its like."
Yes, yes he did. And he wanted to punch him so damn hard for making him think of Odin right now. But doing that wouldn't change anything. Everyone was watching them, waiting for their argument to dissolve into an brawl; one he wasn't in the mood for. A fight here would drag everyone else in, mortals, Aesir, and Valkyries alike. And then where would they be? Hungover and regretting their decisions.
"No," instead, he released his brother's beard and shoved him back, "But I'm about to."
That sobered Thor right up. "The hell you say?"
"Well," Naruto scratched the back of his head. "Apparently Valkyries can bear children after all. Who knew?" Not him! "I may have been a bit...overeager."
"No way." Thor shook his head, drunkenly defiant. "Can't be true. Yer messing with me. Gotta be."
A faint rustle of feathers was his only warning; then Naruto felt Gna's arms encircle his waist from behind, her body spooning up against his back. Her heavy wings encircled him protectively; her chin came down upon his shoulder as he glimpsed a smile on her dark face, bright golden eyes dancing with mirth, her triumph thinly-veiled and exultant. "He speaks truly. I carry his child. As do-
"Shh!" He reached around to clamp a hand over her mouth. "Don't go spilling that bit just yet!"
"Sooo..?" Thor blinked at the Valkyrie. He blinked hard. "I'm gonna be an uncle?"
Gna preened like the proud mother-to-be she was. "You are indeed."
Naruto sighed. "That's the part you take away from this?!"
Thor continued to stare at the two of them.
Naruto sighed and took his hand from the Valkyrie's mouth. "Yes, you're gonna be an uncle."
Gna laughed into his shoulder, body quivering with mirth. He reached around and tweaked her hindquarters for it. She kept right on laughing. Insufferable girl.
"HA!" Thor burst to his feet, nearly fell over, then righted himself on a table. "This calls for a celebration!" He flung his mug backward with a roar. "Everyone, drink and make merry!"
CLONK.
All eyes turned toward the sound.
Eir, sweet gentle Eir, righted herself with a growl. A pale hand rubbed her forehead, patient forgotten at her feet. "That...hurt."
Thor had the good grace to blanch in the face of her fury, if only a little. "Erm...sorry about that?"
Too little, too late. The Valkyrie kicked the mug away and dove at him. "You will be!"
"Ha!" he grabbed her and smashed her through a bench."A fight with a Valkyrie! How I've missed this!
Neither saw said shards of said table wing away to strike an unwitting Einherjiar in the arse. Said warrior yelped, fell over and crashed into three of his fellows, causing them to spill their mead and ruin their meal. Angry accusations were thrown. Harsh words exchanged. Bodies were shoved and oaths of drunken vengeance sworn, which in turn jostled yet more bodies, and...well...
It was the straw that broke the camel's back; domino effect at its finest.
In hindsight, Naruto never knew who threw the first punch. Only that someone did, which in turn drew a shout, and the mead hall went mad. Tables flipped. Bodies hit the floor and in a matter of moments, everyone was swinging for the fences, all semblance of silence and civility forgotten. Somewhere in the madness Gna let go of his back to tackle someone away from him, and quite suddenly he found himself face to face with the same brute she'd been wrestling only minutes before.
Celebrate, eh? Screw it. Maybe Thor was right. Nothing wrong with a little brawl every one in awhile.
Naruto waded into the madness, fists swinging.
Blood Upon the Snow.
A/N: Happy times for all~!
We'll get more romance next chapter.
Would you like this story to be upgraded to M?
Do you want this to remain a story? Yes? No? Maybe so? Make yourselves heard!
Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this particular story, and others. If folks don't like this, it won't be continued. Meaning that if the story itself ain't popular? POOF! Gone. Completely. I'm working two jobs -might need a third soon!- so I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.
So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.
Aaaand there we go. As ever, reviews keep me alive. Without them, I cannot write. So...in the Immortal Words of Atlas...
...Review...Would You Kindly? And have some previews.
Well, potential ones. And of course...
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
SPOILERS AWAIT THEE~!
YE BE WARNED~!
(Previews)
"Tyr? You alright, there? You're acting strange.
...just thinking of the future." A heavy hand settled on his head. "Look after them, won't you?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
Freya opened her hands. "Do you trust me, son?"
...don't do it."
"I can't read you." Skuld blinked at him. "Why can't I read you? Say something?"
Naruto eyed her as one might a rabid squirrel. "Um...hello?"
"Yes, that!" the youngest Norn thrust a finger in his face, all smiles. "Do it again! This is fascinating!"
His ally stepped up. "We wish to know-
"Quiet, you." she flicked a hand at his companion. "You I can read. You're predictable. We already know what you'll do-
"That's not possible!"
"That's not possible!" she sang in unison, talking over him. "Not you." gleaming golden orbs swung back to him, wide with mirth. "Your choices! Unpredictable." much to his annoyance she began to skip around him as a child might, not a young woman. "Erratic! Chaotic!" her face thrust against his, forehead to forehead. Baldur, yet not Baldur! But we don't know you! We don't know what you'll do-
"You're too close!"
He smacked her hindquarters with an open palm, desperate to force her away.
Skuld jolted with a yelp, clutching her flank...and still smiling!
"Lovely! I didn't see that coming, either!
A hand planted itself in the wall, stepped forward, all but pressing herself against him.
Ice blue eyes met his. "You're a difficult man to find, Baldur."
He gulped. "Hey, Skadi. Fancy seeing you here...
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because." Naruto palmed his face. A red eye peeked through his fingers. "My name, my real name, isn't Baldur. I had one before this, a life long before this.
If you try to take this life away from me...I'll let the monster out. Then you'll see. Just how dangerous. I really am."
"Papa!"
Mimir, you old goat. What're you up to this time?
...you haven't heard? Someone made off with Thor's hammer in his sleep!
The Lady of the Forge beckoned silently.
"I don't understand." Naruto tamped down the uncertainty in his chest and stared at her. "I already gave her more of my blood for the damn weapon. What more does she need?"
Brok coughed into a fist and grinned ruefully around it. "She, er, wants you in the water. With her."
Oh? Oh! Realization dawned, his face reddened. "...good thing I can hold my breath..."
"You and mermaids...ugh. Kurama groaned in his head. "I hate getting wet.
Ingrid trilled indignantly in her sheathe.
"Here, lad! Watch this!"
"Mimir, I really wouldn't recommend thaaaaaand he fell of the cliff!"
He leaped after him with a sigh.
"Haha! There they are! There's my nieces! C'mere! Gimme a hug!
Burly arms closed around the twins. There was no escape.
The youngest growled. "Uncle Thoooor! No! Not again!"
"Put me down, damnit! You're messin' up my hair!"
Naruto smiled in the background.
"Honestly, I liked you better as a drunk."
"We must be better!"
"You said family comes first!
She jumped him.
"You don't talk! You don't think! I think! You kill! Its a simple concept!"
EDIT: Hey, you made it!
As ever, the Embers rule remains: If people don't like this story? If they don't enjoy it? Well...I' won't be able to continue it. That's no joke, folks. I'm so busy these days with two jobs; holidays are HERE and basically, I don't have time off. Not anymore.
My free time is limited and as such, I can't afford to focus on something folks don't like. Reviews keep me writing in these times, and keep the daily updates flowing. Silence...silence only hurts. I hate having to beg for feedback, but without it...well, it feels like I'm not making an impact...
Looking forward to chatting with you all when I get back from work~!
Warm regards,
~Nz.
R&R~!