milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Hel is far too large to fit into the bar now, but the rats remember the tall young woman who tipped so very well and information is passed along until, at the last, the even taller, not so young, woman by the lake is greeted with a pitcher of hot chocolate (with peppers), a Jaguar tooth, and a card.

Eventually she'll test the card. Eventually, when she's up to risking disappointment. For now she's just going to look at the precious items she spent so long thinking were gone.

((Tiny Tag: Loki (Marvel) ))

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She got over it, eventually. "Lítill köttur, everything changes. I have seen you again when I never expected it, and that is good." She got over a lot, and learned to take joy from her memories.

Even on her knees she has to bend to bring her face down, but she does and gently kisses his forehead. "That is very good."

He grins spontaneously, something he rarely does. It's weird when people are actually happy to see him, it doesn't happen that often. He likes being ahted but this is actually quite nice too.

'I still have the sword you gave me. I actually know how to use it too.'

He even practises. Amazing, really.

'So if anyone here gives you shit about anything, just let me know, alright?'

How could she hate him? He was the first friend she ever knew. "Good." Hel says, settling down farther, "Good, minn Ramon. I still have the necklace and bracelet you gave me." on a chain around her neck, far too small for her to wear anymore. "And, see, the Bar kept these safe."

The tooth from his fylgia, the card.

He stares at the tooth and card, smiles at the former and reaches out to touch the latter. It's cold, so it's still working - the thought makes him ache but he pushes it away.

'It's been a long time since I've had to use the gift you gave me.'

And he sounds regretful, as though he misses the things that affect him that way. He does miss them. He doesn't feel himself any more.

'But I'm glad I have it. I think the time is coming where I'll need it.' There's a short laugh. 'I wish I could give you something as useful.'

"I have your friendship." Hel states firmly, "That is all I need. My touchstone; the rage of your Man's heart to remind my dead one why not to give up and become the monster written of."

Ramon gives her a steady sort of look.

'I don't know, Hel. It doesn't seem like much of a trade to me.'

He values the friendship of the few friends he actually has - friendship as a concept in and of itself is not something he can relate to as being worth something.

'And you're no monster. I can't see how you ever will be.'

"And that minn köttur, minn vinur is why you are so very important." Hel informs him with the same smile as when she was young, but no awkwardness and no blush, "Not just to me, but to the worlds."

That just earns her a pure look of wtf? Because of course Ramon believes himself to be the most important person in the universe but he's never had anyone outside of his employ agree with him before.

'Well...you're a Goddess so I can't argue with you.' He laughs shortly. 'But again, I think there are a lot of people who would disagree with you.'

Not that their opinion is important or anything.

"Most people disagree with me, köttur. I ignore them." Hel points out, "We become what we are seen as. I prefer myself through what I have remembered of you."

Ramon laughs.

'In that case, I hope I've not become a disappointment through all the years that have passed for you, Hel.'

Not that he could ever be a disappointment, naturally.

'I still remember you as you are, don't worry. Not like you said other people think of you.'

"You still burn." Hel says, "Slow-burning coals; you are never a disappointment."

His smile dies a little and he looks away.

'Never used to be this slow-burning, Hel. Things are changing and I don't like it.'

Amazing how not having seen her for a year, he can talk to her and immediately become more honest than he is with practically anyone else.

'But I'll always be the same to you, I think.'

"Everything changes." Hel agrees, brushing his cheek again, "And that is hard to learn, and harder to accept. Everything changes, but you will always be my first friend, my first love." Because she had that crush on him, and it settled into a content kind of love, but the knowledge of it has never left. "However low your rage may go, I am colder and you burn in comparison."

'...love?'

Had he known that? If he had, he'd forgotten. Jesus.

'I don't like change, Hel.' He laughs, again it's short and clipped. 'But I think things will get back to something like normal soon enough. And I don't think you're cold at all.'

"I told you, once. We were drunk at the time. Fyrstur ást, first love. It was a very, very long time ago." She was human sized, if only just barely. "I will, I hope, be here for you. That has been my great sorrow; the loss of those few from here. I have not changed much, it isn't in my nature."

'God, did you? I'm sorry. I forget things when I'm drunk.'

Still, he feels that's something he should have remembered. Nothing to be done about it now.

'I'm really glad you're back. Most people I knew well have gone and I'm not around much to see others. And I'm glad you're out of that place - I remember how much you didn't want to go back. Are you planning to stay here for a long time now?'

"It is alright." she informs him, "The saying was important, not the hearing. Yes. I think I am. There is no pressing need to go back, and even if I only see you now and then it will be far more often than I have seen you."

'I should only be out of the bar for a short time. I've got business to see to in Europe at the moment - after that,' he shrugs, 'nothing. So I'll be around.'

He hesitates briefly before asking.

'Are you much closer to your war?'

"What help I can give, I will." Hel promises, moving her hand in a quick bleßun for him, "I am. It is not close, not by far, but it is much closer than it once was."

He'd almost consider offering to fight for her, the mood he's been in recently. But he's bound to Arithon and anyway, he might be dead long before it comes around. But who knows?

'Are you hoping to get it over with now? It's a long wait you've had.'

"I always have hoped to get it over with, minn ástvinur, but I have grown very good at waiting." Death wouldn't stop her, not in the end, not if he offered. She touches his face again, "What has hurt you?"

'A life of waiting isn't much of a life.'

But it's what it is, he knows that. Theu've talked about it before. She's a goddess and half-dead and her fate has been written for more years than he can comprehend.

Ramon just shrugs.

'Life. Random.'

"Come, sit with me and speak." Hel offers, patting the ground next to her, "I don't have much comfort to give, but I can listen to you and be here."

They have talked about it, and nothing has changed.

He sighs and nods, sitting down next to her. He's not the 'talking it over' type but not talking hasn't got him anywhere and anyway, Hel is always nice to sit with.

'He's King of Amber. I haven't seen him in almost six months. And he's married to some woman. I've got nothing to do and I still can't go home.'

The situation in brief. He hard;y needs to spell out that the crux of it all is that he misses him.

Hel can't exactly toss an arm around his shoulder for comfort, but she can gently lean him against her living side with a light push, "Oh, Ramon." she says quietly. Not in pity, no, but with understanding of just what it means to lose everyone.