OPEN RP POST

[midsommaring]

𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐑𝐏 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓

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[whose_son_am_i]

Einar helps where he can, but shakes his head in amusement. "I could've helped you more, you know." Teasing her, before he mounts in front of her. "Now, arms around my waist, and just hold on. We'll be going slowly in the forest while it is dark, but then more swiftly once it's light again."

[midsommaring]

She looks around her, feeling a quiet sense of regret at leaving this place. It could have been home. But Einar is right, this isn't her place.

So she buries her face between his shoulder blades and takes a deep breath. ho-ah

"Let's go."

[whose_son_am_i]

Honestly, he'd have worried if she didn't have regrets. But Loki, as Einar, had done what he could to help her see all that the Hårga were. As much as he'd been able to, while not making enemies. But even his snooping could only go unnoticed for so long, which is why he was leaving.

And had left the choice to her, if she wanted to come with. Loki'd found no need to manipulate Dani the way the others had. If anything, he felt he owed her some kindnesses for her own compassion towards him with their grief.

There's a short exclamation from him, quietly loud in the twilight, and the horse moves off at a quick walk. Heading for the forest and out and away from the village. As he'd said, all Dani had to do was hold on. His posture was easy and steady on the horse, experienced. The scents of wind and not-quite-night, along with a hint of wintergreen and spice, were easy to pick up even with Dani's face buried against his shoulders.

As it continued to darken, they entered the forest. Einar--Loki--reached out a hand to conjure a green mage light, but let the horse pick her way. Even at a walk of the horse in the dark they moved faster than they would on foot.

[midsommaring]

"How -- " She stares at the green light in front of them. "Where did that come from? Did you do that?"

Perhaps she shouldn't be surprised by anything at this point, but Einar conjuring up a light is a new kind of bizarre.

[whose_son_am_i]

"I did. There's a lot about me you don't know." He turned his head slightly, trusting the horse to find her way still. "Want to turn back?" It had been a spur of the minute decision to ask her, words almost out of his mouth before he could take them back.

[midsommaring]

"No -- no. We should keep going. We want to be away from the village before it's light out."

She wraps her arms tighter around his waist, keeping hold of him not just to stay on the horse but also for reassurance.

[whose_son_am_i]

One hand moved to squeeze hers where she held him, offering that reassurance. Then Loki focused on the mage-light and the horse. Even with the light, she picked her way carefully in the dark of the forest. As it started to lighten again, she moved to a slightly quicker walk, and when it was full light, Loki dismissed the mage-light.

Still night, but no longer dark--so perhaps in the early early morning hours. It wasn't more than maybe than a half-hour and they were breaking through the trees. Now, Loki urged more speed and a steady gallop as they headed towards the coast.

[midsommaring]

Dani feels better now that they're away from village, through the thick forest and out the other side.

As much as she had wanted a place to call home, the village wasn't it. She had seen too much, witnessed too much death and terror there to ever fully feel like she could relax. But this? This feels more like freedom.

[whose_son_am_i]

It was perhaps a little more than another half-hour, maybe 45 minutes, before Loki was slowing the horse to a trot and a walk, as they came up to some cliffs. Dismounting, he held the horse steady and offered his hand to Dani. "Last chance to call this off."

[midsommaring]

"No, I'm -- " She does glance back one more time before adjusting her backpack on her shoulders and taking Einar's hand, holding it tight. "I'm ready to go with you."

[whose_son_am_i]

There was that warm and fuzzy feeling again, when she took his hand. "I've never tried to manipulate you, Dani." Said softly, quietly. "You deserve more freedom than that."

Then Loki was helping her off the horse, and speaking quietly to the animal while stroking the mare's neck. Thanking her, praising her, encouraging her to go home. Before looping the reins up so she wouldn't trip, and then sending her on her way with a smack to the rump and a "Hyah!"

"It's a bit of a treacherous climb down the cliff and partly through a cave. But if it were easy, everyone would do it."

[midsommaring]

"No, you never have. I trust you. I do."

She looks down the cliff and takes a deep breath. "I'll -- I mean, I don't have much of a choice, do I? I have to."

[whose_son_am_i]

She trusted him... When he'd betrayed everyone who ever had before. But that was then--and he'd been through much since. Trying new things, to be less predictable. But wasn't trust just another form of predictability?

"You can do it. Be careful of your footing and hand holds, and we'll go slowly."
Then with a small, genuine smile. "I'm glad you're coming with me, honestly."

[midsommaring]

"If I fall, you have to promise to catch me." Since apparently he's able to do magic, which she assumes would let him -- she's not sure -- cast something? To catch her.

"I'm glad I'm coming, too. Let's go."

[whose_son_am_i]

"Best you not fall in the first place. It's over-rated." Loki, as Einar, said with a playful wink. Before leading the way to the cliff's edge, and picking his footing carefully. The cliff-face lead into a more mountainous rocky-outcropping, and in the distance beyond that, she could see a ship.

[midsommaring]

When she pauses for breath on the outcropping, and she sees -- a -- spaceship?

"What is that?" she asks, glancing over as Einar. "What are you?"

[whose_son_am_i]

Loki had been waiting for the questions, and surprised she hadn't asked more before now. "I'm Asgardian." Waiting to see if that produced any recognition.

[midsommaring]

She had questions. But honestly, she hadn't had the energy to go into them. Not after everything.

But the name rings a bell. "Asgardian. Like -- like Thor?"

[whose_son_am_i]

Loki resisted the urge to wince. "Yes." It was as complete as he could give. "But our home was destroyed recently. Asgard is no more. We've been quietly immigrating in Norway, specifically settled in Tønsberg. I needed some time away though, so I went wandering."

[midsommaring]

"I understand. That's why I went wandering, too." She pauses, then throws her arms around him. "It doesn't matter. You're still my friend."

[whose_son_am_i]

Confusion along with that warm and fuzzy feeling, and a volatile mix of emotions Loki refused to identify or deal with right then. Instead, he raised his arms around her. "You'll be with all of us trying to make or find a new home. You'll make friends besides me." Although he'd try to be there too.

It wouldn't hurt to be predictable in a new way, for a while, would it?

[midsommaring]

"But you'll be there too, right?" That's the entire reason she's going, because her friend will be there.

The hug feels good, and warm, and right. She presses her nose against Einar's neck and just breathes for a moment. "Okay. Show me your spaceship."

[whose_son_am_i]

That scent of wintergreen and spices again, and Loki just held her. Let her take comfort--maybe he was taking some comfort from it too. A calm moment amidst a storm of emotions. "I will." He wasn't sure for how long--but he would be at the beginning at least.

He hadn't abandoned his people, or his brother. He wouldn't abandon his friend...

Soon enough they're moving down the cliff face and into a small tunnel through the miniature mountain. It's treacherous and slow going, but they've got the light growing stronger as night gives way to day. The ship has clearly been through some ordeals, but it still gleams in the morning light. Nor is it too long before, after a very brief tour, Loki heads to the cockpit.

[midsommaring]

"This is... incredible." So much has happened already today, Dani's a bit shellshocked. More than a little. She makes her way to the cockpit after Einar and sits in the copilot seat. Very carefully not touching anything.

[whose_son_am_i]

Loki can tell, and Einar turns to watch her settle. "You'll want to strap in. And...you're still alright? You've dealt with so much lately." There is genuine concern in blue-green eyes, and Loki was a bit surprised to find himself that he was concerned. Then again, had he ever really had a proper 'friend'?

Would Dani still be his friend on finding out the truth?