They walked for a good distance, for what felt like ten minutes. There was blissful silence, for all that time. Till suddenly he lost his footing and stumbled to where it made him wince in pain. That's when the silence ended.

"Are you okay?"

"I was perfect, till you started talking."

"Well, It's just that you… you really are hurt and I judged you before you could explain yourself."

"And do pray tell, what it was you perceived me as."

He was genuinely curious as to why she bursted out instead of giving an apology. He figured this conversation would suit him best, as it has a means to a desired explanation.

"I honestly thought your injuries weren't real, that it was all just so you can throw a lawsuit in my face to get my money. Although your heavy armor makes it really hard to believe what was really going on. What else could have been my guess? It's not everyday I run into someone out here, let alone an armored person. In the end, I figured you were making it a bigger deal out of a little bump into each other. Makeup can look so real nowadays. It made the most sense, because who could get that hurt out here unless they tussled with a bear. Which was highly unlikely considering there aren't bears in this area. Though, you throwing me was a bit harsh. In my defense how you reacted, I figured you were just an asshole out to get the money, I was just defending myself. But, after I found out you were actually hurt, I feel horrible so I'm trying to make up for that. You might still be a pompous ass but your injuries justify your actions and anger, so maybe you're not all bad if I just get to know you a little. I hope we can start over."

He will forgive the words she would fraze with, better to ignore them then be obviously disturbed by them. He can't give her too much, he doesn't need any more questions. He has to watch what he says, for she is very self aware of her surroundings. But by no means does he think he's a 'pompous ass', but one thing did puzzle him to no end.

"So, you thought I hurt myself on purpose to make it seem as though you caused my injuries, so I could get a reward?"

What a strange way to earn a reward, why would humans do such a thing? They are on a darker path than he thought.

"Yea- Wait, no! I thought they were fake cuts, I was not accusing you of hurting yourself. It's just… it's not the first time it's happened to me. It's happened more times than I would like. I thought you were one of the people that knew my story and how I came into a lot of money even though I'm twenty two. It was the only explanation I got as to why you were out here in the first place trying to start a fight with me."

"Oh, if I were to fight you, you could never best me, despite my injuries. I don't know who you are, nor care about what you have in the slightest."

"You're pretty confident aren't you, that's a good quality to have. Though, being overly confident can lead to bad life choices."

That set him off way more than it should have. Not because it was untrue, but he felt like it was targeted towards him specifically. He was confident that destroying Jotunheim would make Odin proud. In the end he ended up here. Deep down he knew she wasn't targeting him, but he was too enraged to care.

"Is that so!? Well being overly cocky that you can judge character just by a simple glance caused unwanted choices! Did it not!?"

"Hey, woah there, you are right but, I was not aiming anything towards you. It was just an honest opinion. I thought it would help in opening up. Not to make you feel insulted."

"Well maybe I don't want to. I'm fine with everything being non justified, I don't need to 'open up', I don't feel the need to trust you, you're just a pass by."

"Well considering you're going to stay in my house I would want you to trust me. I would want you to sleep peacefully knowing you won't have to be on guard every minute. Honestly, are you that uptight just to make a simple friend?"

"First of all I would never consider you anything more than a host, you are simply a means to an end. One night and I am finally rid of you! Secondly, I am not 'uptight'. Who do you think you are to think you know me?"

She seemed to be in a fowler mood than when they first met, with a slight bit of hurt in her eyes.

"Actually I think I have gotten to know you pretty well in the last 30 minutes!"

"Oh, then why don't you enlighten me, woman."

She sighed but continued.

"You are rude, bossy, have very obvious trust issues, and you're dodgy with personal or any questions. I don't care if you answer my questions, all I want is you to be healthy and safe. If you don't want me to know your past, then I don't need to know. What I can't stand, is it's either your way or no way, you think you can get whatever you want. Quite frankly, it's like you have self entitlement literally written all over your face. In other words you are a SPOILED BRAT going through a TEMPER TANTRUM, all because things haven't been going your way!"

He was utterly stunned by this woman's words, the nerve she had to dare speak such things to him. Made him want to throw her on Jotunheim and let the remaining Frost giants tear her apart. But before he could respond back angrily, the next words that came out of her mouth left him speechless.

"I'm sorry, but I was being honest. You were saying very hurtful things, you probably only meant it as a goal to push me away. You probably have trust issues because someone hurt you, that's why you are reluctant to let yourself trust someone. All I ask is for some respect, I didn't have to offer you a place to stay and a ride to town."

He hated the very thought of it, but she was right once again, completely. She does deserve some respect; he could end up sleeping outside if he kept it up. He was lucky she was still leaving the offer on the table. Everything he's been doing, shouldn't be earning the kindness she is giving him. Nor the apology. After a long silence, it was painful what he had to say next.

"You are right… Annaleise… I am sorry."

He mumbled lowly.

"Now I know that was hard, so I won't ask you to repeat it even though I could barely hear you."

He was thankful for that.

"We're here."

They walked towards a white post extended out to the road. With a faded red flag, she opened it and took out papers.

This was it, a little box…

She turned them around to find a big log house. It was two stories, plants grew on it that made it look old. He was impressed by the size but not how it was going to look inside.

"It's the inside that matters most, I've been saving up to make it look better on the outside. But sometimes I like the way it throws people off. It looks abandoned but it actually is more different than people can guess. Trust me, it's more beautiful on the inside."

This woman is either really perceptive or can read minds. He must have not realized he had a look on his face. That or his reaction is what others give off as well.

They make their way down a path and she helps him up the stairs. When they reached the door, she let go of his hand around her shoulder and reached into her bag pulling out something that jiggled. She picked one of the keys on a ring and opened the door.

Once they walked in she completely let go of him and walked to a small table to examine the papers. Once she let go he got a chance to look around and was stunned by the breathtaking view.

It was a large room with a big stone fireplace, tall ceiling with logs as support. The main light came from the sun, shining from the roof above. At its center of the room grew a small tree that almost touched the ceiling, with cushions surrounding its bottom for lounging. Everything in that room matched perfectly with the house. It was clean and neat, not messy like he originally thought. There was even a chandelier over the dining table. There were stone steps that lead to the second floor. The railings were twisted like vines of a tree. There was a doorway underneath the stairs, with a hallway if you walk past the stairwell. The only 2 exits he could see out of this room besides the door behind him. Mostly windows as the wall and ceiling, where foundation wasn't needed. The inside looked like it belonged to a Fae, full of greenery and lights. Everything Inside looked like it was made by hand from Everything outside. It was a wonderful house.

"Make yourself comfortable, I'll be back with a first aid kit."

She started walking down the hallway.

He looked around some more but found nothing that indicated she lived here. No paintings, no portraits, and nothing there to say she owned this home. Just a picture of a man, a woman, and a baby with brown hair. She had white hair, and neither of the people in the portraits had any. Of course she could have developed the hair, but the eyes don't match. They were also brown, her's were blue. Who were these people? Who was she really? Why does he even care to want to know more?

"I'm back. Sorry it took a while. I figured I'd bring them all."

He looked at her to see her carrying a large stack of boxes that were red or white.

"Why so many healing products?"

"Well when you live alone out in the middle of nowhere and the closest doctor is miles away. You kind of got to be your own doctor, that's why I study herbs in my free time."

"If you have healer supplies that are made by professionals. Why study herbs not even as a student, just as yourself?"

"You never know when there could be an emergency and you need something to save your life fast. The forest can provide lots of things that can help the human body and also hurt it if you aren't careful. That's why I study them. Besides, there aren't many schools nearby, none that teach that sort of thing."

At least she's somewhat responsible for a mortal. That does thorough research even without being provided with the education. He can admire that for he was the same, though not fully. He did it because he wanted to and enjoyed it, he had the means to be taught but chose the solo path. She does it because she has a duty to her health, but seems to be all alone and has no one to teach her.

"Well, sit down and take off… your armor?"

"What about my armor?"

"You've been clutching your side since we met. I need to check it out. If I'm not thorough, you could suffer till you get the help tomorrow."

"I would rather suffer."

He didn't want to expose himself to this mortal. She sighed looking down at the floor.

"Fine I will bother you about it later, when I give you new clothes to wear."

"What's wrong with what I wear?"

"One, they are ruined. Two, they look heavy. Three, because it's not what normal people wear. I can give you a cargo bag to carry it in when I take you to town tomorrow if you're so attached to them."

He was on Midgard now, he had to wear what they wore. it's not like he can go back to Asgard and pack. They think he's dead, he wanted it to stay that way.

"Fine, give me the clothes and I will change myself. You can care to me after."

"Alright I can agree with that, good compromise."

She placed down the boxes and ran up the stairs to the room above the one below the steps. He made himself comfortable on the sofa facing a large window with a view of the outside. It was a view opposite from which they came in. He wasn't seeing the road, only trees, grass, and vines on the edges of the window. Suddenly he feels a light pressure on his shoulder and something wraps around his neck making a vibrating sound in his ear. He flinched as it made a sound close to an infant cry.

"Cleo!"

He heard that woman shout.

"Leave the poor man alone, he's already in enough pain as it is."

She picked up the fuzzy creature off him after placing a large brown box on the table in front of him.

"I'm so sorry, she's not usually like this. She usually hates strangers... What is wrong with you? Are you thinking about betraying me now for a nice looking man? I thought our bond was more special than that, to leave me for a man."

She spoke to him then turned to the creature speaking to it as if it understood her. With a tone that sounded hurt but with a stern voice.

"Cleo?"

"Yea Cleopatra, she's my cat. I found her sleeping on my doorstep one winter as a kitten. I couldn't send her away. She had no mother, no siblings, no one. So I took her in and she's been with me for 3 years now. I named her Cleopatra cause she likes to act like royalty, she thinks she's queen of this house. Comes when she wants food and leaves as she pleases. I call her Cleo for short."

She looked down at the creature again, petting it as it continued to make vibration sounds. Though it didn't pay any attention to her and just kept its blue eyes on him. Staring at him, without blinking. He never understood why humans liked felines so much they almost worship them as much as a God. The feline had short gray fur with stripes. Though he couldn't stop looking at its eyes, it was like it was staring into his soul, judging him, and liking every second of it. Wait, did she say nice looking?

She spoke to the creature once again, this time with a soft tone, but had seriousness in her voice.

"Now go be mischievous somewhere else, you know when it's dinnertime and don't be late, since we have a guest."

The creature ran across the room and out a small little door, the perfect size meant for such a thing to go in and out of. He couldn't figure out whether that was a smart little beast or if it was just very obedient. A question that didn't linger too long before she moved into his view, gaining his attention.

The woman walked to the box once more, going through its contents.

"I think you're in luck, these look just your size."

"They aren't women's clothes are they?"

She laughed at that.

"No, they're my dad's clothes. It's not like he needs them anymore, being dead and all."

He didn't know why but that struck him, he felt… sympathy for this mortal.

"I apologize for your loss."

"It's fine, my parents died a long time ago. Ten years to be exact, I'm over it enough to joke about it. I miss them but, you gotta move on eventually. Nothing can be done to bring them back. They would want me to laugh than be sad anyway, they lived happy lives. I don't keep the clothes for sentimental value. I held onto them in case they could become useful for someone else down the road. It's not like I could use them, and I'd rather not throw them away considering they are still good clothes."

Both parents?… This woman grew up most of her life without them… without a choice. Yet, she still finds time to joke about it like it was nothing. Here he was being upset that his adopted family was disappointed in him. They were still alive and he was actually raised pretty well most of his life up until now. But she had no one for years, still has no one, and can still put a smile on her face and help strangers. Maybe, she is stronger than he ever was. Not physically, but at least on the mental side of things.

"Here, go try these on, we can't go based on sight, we gotta make sure they fit. Then hand me your armor after and I'll take care of them for you, put them somewhere safe. The bathroom is down the hall, the only door on your left."

He took the clothes without complaint and headed to the direction specified. She continued going through the clothes paying him no mind. He was stumbling but watching his footing as he went, careful not to run into anything. He walked down the hallway where three doors were present, one to his left, one on the right, and last ahead of him. Going to the left door he walked in quietly and shut the door behind him.