(no subject)

[gods_that_haunt_me]

A very tall, lanky Viking enters the bar.

Floki's first reaction is genuine surprise, because even though he's been here before, it's been at least four years since any of his doors opened up to the magic place.

His second reaction is...well, more surprise, because what in Hel's name are all these little blocks doing everywhere?

A screen at the bar is even more startling. A voice explains that today is a holiday, and that he has three days to choose to change into another form.

Why would he want to do that? This magic is strange.

But he looks at his options anyway: a spindly robot; an aye-aye; a stork; or some kind of dragon called a Velociraptor.

(Is someone trying to tell him something?)

Fortunately, he doesn't have to make a choice right now, or at all, if he doesn't want to.

These blocks, though. They fit together. Like little bricks without the mortar.


omfg he can build things with them


Floki will just be over here, building all the things.

Comments

[sunbaked_baker]

"Don't worry, she recovered perfectly," she giggles. "We had milkshakes, after."

"What sort of promise?"

[gods_that_haunt_me]

"Well, if milk-shakes are enough to settle things, then I suppose I can let this one go," he says with a wink.

"But the only promise I would have you make is to never forget your magic." And here he becomes completely sincere, turning to look at her with earnestness. "Even if you must keep it secret, do not let it die within you. It is a part of you. Use it for good things, and the gods will smile upon you."

[sunbaked_baker]

The girl's lips press together and she swallows, giggles gone.

"I... don't know if I can promise that," she says with difficulty, knowing this isn't enough. There isn't really anywhere safe to use it, back home, that her mother couldn't find out about. The cabin by the lake had been a sanctuary where she could go with her grandmother and not worry about being caught.

And her mother is already under so much pressure, with the new baby and the coffeehouse and with all the fears the Wars have brought. Rae doesn't want to make it worse; she doesn't want to make her mother upset with her any more than she has already done. He is asking more than he knows. She is genuinely not sure it is a promise she can keep, and it isn't the sort of thing she would promise off-hand, knowing that. "But I'll try."

[gods_that_haunt_me]

He senses her hesitation, and the uncertainty in her whole being, and he wishes it didn't have to be that way for her.

But he nods.

"Yes. Try. That is all. Keep the magic in here--" He gestures at her head, his fingers fluttering at her brow as if blessing her. "--and in here--" He points two fingers at her heart, circling them as if stirring up a spell. "--and it will live on. You can do it."

And he smiles encouragingly, the black lines around his eyes deepening.

[sunbaked_baker]

The girl looks up at him, solemn and sincere, and nods.

"All my dad's family had magic. My grandmother was teaching me in secret each month, for a year or two, but... they all disappeared, just before the Wars started. I've not heard from my gran or my father for nearly half a year now."

She doesn't want to think that she might be the last of that family.

[gods_that_haunt_me]

Floki kneels down on the ground so she doesn't have to crane her neck looking up at him.

And she doesn't have to explain what the Wars are for, or why people who know magic are disappearing. That is her reality, not his, and if she wants to say any more, it's her choice.

"I am so sorry, Rae," he says, heartfelt.

[sunbaked_baker]

The girl nods, trying to smile despite the feeling gnawing at her heart. Trying to put a brave face on a difficult situation that seems to grow darker by the day.

"It's... easier, here. I can talk about it."

The disappearance of her father's family, so prominent and well-known in society, had been on the news for days when it happened. Kids who were openly from magic-handling families had gossiped about it in hushed tones at school.

Her mother never so much as remarked on it, and Rae hadn't dared ask.

[gods_that_haunt_me]

"Only if you want to."

He pauses, looking hesitant.

"I know that some things might be difficult to say, or to explain. My own family-- we used to not talk about certain things, so-- it's all right if you don't want to. I will understand."

[sunbaked_baker]

"I know," she nods. That is what she meant, and she believes him when he says he would understand. She ducks down, plucking a blade of grass. When she opens her hands, it is a small, smooth feather in light reddish-tan, touched with tiny stripes of black like Floki's eye paint.

"I can't talk about any of it, back home. Mom's so worried already. It makes it easier, not as... bad, knowing I can talk about it here. If I need to."

"And sometimes there are boats to sail," the girl smiles a little, not needing to try so hard. The little ship is still tugging on the line, eager for the horizon.

[gods_that_haunt_me]

Floki looks down at her cupped hands and marvels again at what she can do. He plucks up the delicate feather between his thumb and forefinger, holding it up to the sunlight, twirling it. Childlike fascination is in his eyes and his delighted smile.

He then looks at her, and nods firmly.

"You are safe here."

And he tucks the feather behind the girl's ear.

Gathering up the string, he gets to his feet. As soon as the string slackens a little, the boat bobs further away along the shore.

"Come! Let's see where she wants to go."

[sunbaked_baker]

"Mm-hmm," she nods, smiling. "Let's go!"

The boat is on a journey. The tall Viking and the little girl can follow to see where it leads.