Bloom Odindottir
Two young men approach a group of girls standing in a field. One with long blonde hair and the other with short brown hair.
"Hello, ladies," the brown haired greets. "Brandon mentioned that we were going to some party. It's not hear is it."
"Oh, Sky," Stella was quick to run up him and give a quick peck on the cheek. "We're just going to Bloom's place for some sort of special dinner. What was it called again?"
Tecna tells them, "Haustblot."
"Bless you," was the Solarian princess' response.
"Haustblot," comes the voice of Bloom. The redhead is approaching them wearing a fancy blue dress while finishing putting on some earrings. "It's a feast held on the Fall Equinox. It's usually not that big of a deal but my parents were very insistent that I attend this year. So much so that my father agreed to let you guys come. Considering he's not fond of mortals, that's surprising."
"Alright then," Sky shrugs with a wide smile. "I'm a special guest at a party in another kingdom."
"Not exactly," Bloom ensures that her hair is still set up right with us of the jeweled hair pieces. "My father was insistent that I bring Brandon for an audience with him. I tried to get out of it by saying that as your squire, he cannot just leave his duties. He then extended the invite to you."
"So, I'm the plus one. I don't think I've ever been a plus one before," he comments before taking a better look at what the redhead was wearing. "Either you're overdressed, or we're all underdressed for the occasion," Sky looks down at his own plain outfit.
Brandon turns to the prince. "Sky!"
The rest of the Winx then examine themselves. Flora then looks to the Bloom then back over to her fellow fairies. "Perhaps we should head back to change."
"You guys are fine," the redhaired fairy explains. "The dressed code is come as you are. I'm wearing this because it's what's expected as the daughter of the All-Father. Plus, I'm uncertain my father would exactly approve the attire I've been growing accustomed to."
At this, Stella shrugged. "Your old man does seem like the strict, harsh type. I thought for sure he'd fry me for accidentally bringing an Ogre into his home."
"You're just lucky that he was more impressed that I took it on and won. Now," she turns to everyone. "Get ready and stay close."
The group huddles together.
"Fair warning," Stella addresses everyone. "This trip will be a bit rough for first timers."
Brandon then turns to Bloom. "How are we get—"
He gets cut off by the redhead as she shouts. "Heimdall!" at that, the entire group is surrounded by an intense multicolored light. Everyone gets the feeling of the rush as they seemingly fly through a rainbow. Once the light died down, the uneasy teens look around to find themselves in some sort of golden sphere.
"Welcome, friends of Bloom," a loud voice booms throughout room. Standing in the center is a tall, armored man removing a large sword out of a pedestal.
Bloom walks towards him. "Greetings, Heimdall."
"Welcome home, Princess," Heimdall bows. "I've been watching your growth from here."
The redhead shakes her head with a smile. "Orders by my father, I'm sure."
"I will not lie, Bloom. But it felt more like a suggestion. I watched over you out of my own worry. It was after all your first venture beyond Asgard," the man smiles. "Of course, by the way you've been handling those Trix I can see that it was unnecessary."
"Thank you, Heimdall. Are my brothers present."
"Thor is currently on Midgard assisting its own warriors in battle," he smiles. "But he swore to be here once his duty is done," the smile then falters as he gains a stern look. "As for Loki? He's in his room."
Bloom closes her eyes to keep her composure and nods. "I understand," she then starts to walk away. "I'll be meeting with the All-Father." Her friends start following her.
"Good luck, Princess," he regains his smile that falters as he glares at the passing squire, causing Brandon to flinch. "You'll need it."
As Tecna goes to follow she lets out a shout as a blade is placed in front of her. "What the!?"
Everyone turns to see Heimdall seemingly threatening the Technology Fairy.
"Heimdall!?" Bloom shouts as everyone braces themselves for a fight.
"I do believe that there were specific instructions that no non-Asgardian technology will be allowed beyond the Bifrost?"
Everyone turns to the pink haired girl who gives a sheepish smile.
Stella then accuses, "Tecna?"
"I-it's just my computer," she removes the device from her pocket. "I didn't think it hurt." The girl soon finds a large hand being held out in front of her. "Uh?"
"I'll keep it safe, Ms. Tecna," Heimdall tells her. "You have my word as guardian of the Bifrost."
The tech fairy glances at the hand before sighing and hesitantly passes along her computer.
Heimdall smiles as he pockets the device. "If it's knowledge you seek, just look around you. Though, I insist not until after the feast as there are to be no distractions from the festivities." He announces as the teens leave the sphere.
The group walks across a bridge emitting bright multicolored lights and the kids look in awe upon the buildings in front of them.
"Hey, Bloom," Brandon walks up to the princess. "What did Heimdall mean when he said that he watched your growth? He seems to know a lot about us. Even our names."
"Oh! What makes Heimdall perfect to watch over the Bifrost is his gift of All-Sight," Bloom explains. "He is able to see throughout all the Nine-Realms and beyond. It allows him to see any oncoming threats before anyone else," she then gives a sad sigh, "My father used to have him keep an eye on me when I was little as I tried exploring the gardens. It was hard for me to have actual fun."
"So, he can see everything?"
At this, the redhead shrugs, "He can see everything. Hear everything. Know everything."
Hearing that, Brandon falls behind as he now has a bad feeling about the glare Heimdall gave him just moments ago.
.oOo.
As everyone reaches the palace gates, Bloom turns to her friends. "You're all guests here in Asgard. You are free to go anywhere within the palace or in the city. I would not push your luck, though. Especially if you favor your hand." The group seemed uneased by that statement. "I'll be meeting with my parents. Please enjoy yourselves until the Festivities end," she then leaves her friends to be on their own.
The teens look among themselves before splitting up. Stella started to do some window shopping as she had always been interested in Asgardian fashion after her first visit. Musa heard some music and wanted to learn some of the local tunes. Flora spotted some plants that she was not familiar with. The guys just wandered around, occasionally stopping at an armor and weapons shop.
Tecna just moped for a while as she had no technology in what seemed to be a primitive world. She then catches sight of a flying boat.
.oOo.
Bloom takes a deep breath before entering the throne room. The guard who has been escorting her since entering the palace.
"Princess Bloom as requested, your majesty," the guard bows.
Odin sitting upon his throne, with no emotion on his face. His wife Frigga stands by his side.
"Leave us be," the King addresses everyone other being present other than his daughter and wife. Guards, servants, even visiting dignitaries empty out of the room.
Frigga was quick to go and hug her daughter. "How are you doing, dear? How are your studies? Are you eating well?"
"I'm fine, Mother," the redhead smiles as she accepts the embrace. "I'm passing at least. Still getting used to the difference in culture. You know that there is an age requirement to drink? I haven't had any wine or even a decent ale since leaving. And the food? By Odin's Beard! I need to bring some pizza for you to try. There's nothing like it."
"Sounds like you are doing well in a world outside the Nine-Realms," Odin speaks with no change in his monotone voice."
"I am father," Bloom bows. "I have made many friends who aid me against the few enemies I have."
"It's good that you made allies in an unfamiliar world. In Especially one where you've made enemies."
"You honor me, Father. But I'm still rather surprised you allowed me beyond Asgard."
The All-Father with a still face, rises from his throne to approach his daughter. "One child pushed himself away due to greed and envy. Another refuses to come home often because I disapproved of his life choices. I do not want another one of my children leave and not wish to return."
"Thank you, Father," Bloom smiles sincerely and Odin smiles in return.
"Now, then," the King of Asgard returns to his throne. "I do wish to hear about your time in this realm of Magix."
"I'm sure that Heimdall has informed you of my doings?"
"None at all. I only asked Heimdall to keep an eye on you and inform me whenever you're in trouble," her father reassures her. "I am glad to know that does not seem to be necessary. What I truly wish to know is about this squire. The one called Brandon."
Bloom nearly lost her composure. "What about him?"
"Bloom," Frigga smiles and shakes her head. "Since you first mentioned him in your letters, his name starts appearing more frequently with each one."
"it seems," Odin starts. "you're much like your brother than I thought."
At this, the teen's face starts reddening to a similar shade of her hair.
.oOo.
Brandon soon left Sky as the prince decided to join Stella for an impromptu date.
The Squire made it back to the palace to look for Bloom. The Specialist managed to get lost but some servants kindly gave him directions. But he's pretty sure he made a wrong turn as the part of the palace he's currently in seems less welcoming.
"Hello!" a familiar voice shouts. "Anybody there? I need some assistance!"
"Bloom?" Brandon turns down the corridor to follow the source of shouting and soon comes into a room with what he recognizes as a prison cell. Right in the middle of a cell that has some extravagant decorations is Bloom.
Bloom looks him up and down with a smile and seemingly questions, "Brandon?"
"Bloom," he approaches the cell. "What are you doing in there?"
"Oh, Brandon. I was trapped in here by a vile and cruel man," she seemingly swoons. "His magic is far too great for my own."
"Hang on!" Brandon turns to leave. "I'll go get someone to—"
"Help?" Bloom smile grows. "You can do just that. All you have to do is place your hand on the panel to the right," she points at a pad on the outside of the cell.
The squire walks up to the pad as he glances back up at the redhead. Something feels wrong, but he can't just leave her in there.
"Go on," the girl nods. "Just a simple, light touch and I'll be free."
Just as Brandon's hand was a mere inch away, another hand grabs his and pulls it away from the panel. The boy turns to see who the other hand belonged to and is shocked to see who is there.
"Bloom!?" he looks at the girl in front of him and then back at the look-a-like in the cell. "What's going on?"
The redhead ignores Brandon as she addresses her double in the cell. "What do you think you're doing!?"
Other Bloom just smiles. "You can't blame me for trying," the air around her shimmers around her and in the double's pace is a tall, thin, darkhaired man wearing green and gold clothing. "Lovely to see you, Dear Sister."
"Loki," Bloom sighs. "Do I even want to know what you did to end up back here?"
"Oh, you know? Just the usual," Loki says as he goes to sit down in a fancy chair. "Raising a small army so I can usurp the throne and become the rightful king of Asgard."
"Brother, I love you and I do not wish for you to be different. But I do wish you would stop landing yourself here," she gestures to the cell. "I wish that you were more like—"
"Like Thor?" the prince of lies shouts. "Like I don't hear enough of that from our Father!?"
"Like me," Bloom finishes. "We don't need another Thor. No realm needs that," she jokes.
Loki blinks for a moment at the jest before looking down. "Other than magical talent, we are more alike than you think, Sister," he then regains his posture. "Speaking of? I know that you have that fairy magic you've been studying, but please don't tell you have not let my own teachings slip from your thoughts," he then gestures to the left side of the cell. "Show me."
With a sigh, the air around Bloom shimmers as she vanishes and ends up inside the cell. In the area that Loki had gestured to.
The God of Mischief rises from his seat to examine Bloom. "Perfect," he announces with a nod of approval. "Almost perfect."
"What do you mean almost?" Bloom's brows furrowed. "I practice this nearly every day."
"If that were true, Bloom…" Loki smiles as he leans in close. "…then how come your ear is flickering?"
The redhead lifts her hand to the side of her head. Her ear is indeed flickering in and out of existence. "Rrrgh!" that Bloom vanishes and reappears next to Brandon.
"Were it not for that, I would have believed you were actually in the cell with me," Loki laughs. "You may be talented, Dear Sister, but you have a long way to go to become as good as I," he boasts.
Bloom turns to walk away, dragging Brandon along with her. She stops when her brother calls her.
"Bloom," Loki gives a sincere smile. "I look forward to you next letter."
The redhead turns to give a smile of her own. "I look forward to the next time I'm able to share a hug. You always give the best ones."
"Yes, well I do imagine Thor's would threaten to crush your spine."
Bloom lets out a laugh. "Farewell, Loki."
"Until next time, Sister," the trickster walks back over to his seat and materializes a book in his hands and starts reading.
End
NOTE: I'm not dead! Just gotten real busy with work and haven't had as much time to for any of these stories. Still don't. I'll get done with what I can when able.
Funny story with this entry. It was getting too long and decided to cut it off. Might publish the rest as a part two. May not be as long as long as this one though.
Also! Originally I was going to do a Bloom raised in the DC universe. But I wasn't feeling it. This one actually sounded better. Might return to the DC one later once I figure out a better way to tell the story right.