The Ragnarok

Braggart and Infidel

Helen took a look around before passing through the shadows of the kitchen to place the food in the proper locations. It was a task that was quickly completed and allowed her then to give Jordan a convenient way inside the house too. Fen was already digging into the hotdogs she had grabbed not caring to warm them up at all of course. 

“Stress eating or hungry eating?” Jordan laughed watching Fen’s teeth tear through the package with rage. 

“Bragi tried to call on Lottie,” Fen grumbled through large bites of food. “She’s falling for that smooth-talking harp dicked bastard.”

Helen c****d an eyebrow watching her brother happily eating away like it was the first meal they had ever had, “I highly doubt Bragi would be the one Odin sent.” Helen turned to Jordan, her finger brushing across her lips to signal him to keep quiet. “What makes you think it was him?”

Fen glared up at her, “No thanks to your little spell, but I could smell him a mile away even as a mortal. Also, he thinks I’m going to assume a wolf form. He was asking Lottie if she’d seen a wolf-like black dog around.”

“Well,” Helen nodded, “She is a fairy. So Bradi might think she is aware, which would explain why he was calling on her. The guy sticks it in more fae folk than his wife.”

Clenching his fists again Fen squashed the remaining hotdogs in the wrapper, “She won’t listen to me. Those Aesir think any lesser life is alive for their pleasure.” His nose got another whiff at his brother and sister as his eyes narrowed looking them up and down. “You’re keeping something from me.”

Jordan and Helen tossed a look back that was far less convincing than they had intended. It certainly didn’t fool Fen who got up leaning into Jordan’s back taking a long sniff. “You ran into Sol.”

“NO!” Helen snapped, “We just saw her. Which isn’t any business of yours. She’s completely on Odin’s side, or do you need reminding?”

“Where is she?” Fen lowered his head, his hand resting with nails digging into the back of Jordan’s chair.

“She’s probably long gone by now,” Jordan answered, hoping to give Helen a few moment’s peace. 

“Where?” Fen glared turning to Jordan so their faces were inches apart.

“What’s going on?” Coming down the stairs Lottie broke the tension rather quickly.

“Nothing.” Fen growled, throwing down the food, “Don’t you have a date with some stranger?”

“His name’s Brice,” Lottie called after him but he was already slamming his bedroom door. 

“Yeah, Lottie.” Helen smiled walking over to her to place a hand on her shoulder, “We kind of know him, he’s not a good guy.”

Seemed like strong words coming from these three who always seemed to be at each other's throats whenever Lottie walked into the room. “I appreciate the concern.” Lottie began, “But honestly I know you guys just about as well as him. So if you could, please don’t offer me advice. I think being roommates is good enough, we don’t need to make it more than that.”

“Well the young lady has spoken,” Jordan laughed, “Seems she doesn’t want to know that this Brice fellow is married.” He directed everything toward Helen who was smirking at his sarcastic tones.

“Wait wait wait,” putting her hands up Lottie inserted herself back into their conversation, “So you actually really know him?” This whole time she was making it out to be something it wasn’t. As far as Fen was concerned she was kind of hoping jealousy was the cause. 

“Helen knows him better.” knocking his arm against her he smiled happily, making some ground.

Nodding Helen looked down trying to weave this tale into something more mortal rather than godly, “He’s the son of one of our dad’s friends.” Calling Loki and Odin friends was the biggest stretch, but knowing Bragi he was bound to assume some younger mortal male facade, so more than likely she could hope to pass for closeness in age.

“So what brought him here all of a sudden?” Lottie looked between them, “And why was he claiming to be a college student?” Something didn’t feel right about what Helen was saying.

“Well,” Jordan jumped in, “We don’t get along well at all with him. Brice is kind of a difficult person. You know the type, selfish, bit of a braggart, way too into himself. Thinks he knows what’s best. Loves the fact he’s the wisest guy in the room and boy will he let you know it too.” he felt accomplished throwing in braggart, if nothing else that inside joke was well worth it.

“He’s married?” Lottie crossed her arms, still having a hard time believing it, but the warnings were still getting to her. A whole lot of hatred was just tossed around, and there had to be a good reason. 

“Married, kind of happily,” Helen shrugged, “She’s not really his type, but I mean Brice kind of just likes to boast really, he’s all talk.”

“Oh, well thanks for the warning I guess.” With her head hanging low she took her leave to the living room. There was hopefully something on TV that could hold her over while she pondered whether to heed their advice. Honestly, she didn’t really like him that much, the allure of Fen hating him seemed to be the driving force behind still considering his offer. 

“So he’s going by Brice as a mortal?” Jordan whispered.

“Apparently so, I do worry for Lottie though.” 

“Eh, she can take care of herself.”

“Maybe, but she still assumes she is a mortal. Bragi or Brice is going to take advantage of her. If he really sets his mind to it Lottie won’t be able to save herself. With Fen being worried about Sol right now though he’s no help.”

Jordan clicked his fingers together as an idea circulated in his thoughts, “Not necessarily. Fen’s got a sweet spot for Lottie,” he looked over at the back of the couch, “If you didn’t notice.”

“I noticed, but I figured it was better to not encourage it,” Helen whispered back, crossing her arms. “Don’t tell me-”

“Encourage it.” Jordan spoke plainly. “Gets Fen’s mind off Sol, and keeps Lottie away from whatever manner of gods come calling.”

“Which makes me uneasy in itself,” Deciding to change the subject was the best course of action. “Two gods in one day?” 

“Sol doesn’t count. Bragi being sent by Odin is also a bit of a stretch. I think they’re going around anywhere that has any kind of Aesir, Jotunn, or other unnatural presence. I mean that’s why we came here right? The unnatural air hides us really well.” Gesturing around he smiled, “Apparently better than you thought because two gods couldn’t find us and they were less than fifty feet away.”

“Sure, the lesser gods couldn’t find us. Let Tyr, who has spent several hours every day with Fen, come into town. If you mean to tell me he wouldn't know the face of the guy who took his hand you’d be sorely mistaken. We cannot give them a reason to bring in any more gods.” Helen snapped her fingers at Jordan glaring and flaring her nostrils, daring him to put up another fight. Once she was content he wasn’t going to bark back she went up to her room. She had several things still left to do today, and she needed to check in on Garmr again, chances were high that Odin found some way to search her world and the last thing they needed was for Odin to confirm she wasn't in Helheim.