And we're all adrift together through the cold mist, 'til we're lifeless together

[dokkalfheimr]

[The preparations hit differently this time.

Last weekend was at least an attempt at being festive, even with the light supplies they have; at being joyous, at giving people at least one nice thing to look back upon before things inevitably took a turn for the worse. And now two people are dead, and instead of trying to figure out structure placement and how best to keep everyone entertained and occupied and well-fed, the preparations now are given to much more practical purposes.

Large amounts of bottled water from the machine. Bagels and bread and muffins, light starchy things to avoid forcing anyone to keep meat or seafood down after seeing a corpse. Fruit for the sake of providing energy. Avoiding including bananas for any reason. Quietly pulling aside one of the first people she sees with any experience in the matter and asking them to help her make tea.

Once she's got one of the tables at the party zone set up and the tea is on its way to being prepared, she'll set around letting people know; the invitations are simple, written in Freyja's broad, elegant handwriting:

I think another gathering tonight would be beneficial. Not to celebrate, but to remember; perhaps more importantly, to ensure that no one is alone if they don't want to be.

Tonight is hard. There is nothing further to do but get through it.]

Comments

[dokkalfheimr]

Have you ever given him an indication that you may? Or is he utterly misguided?

[conceivesfrenzy]

The second. He knows how I feel, but he still manages to spin things like they are some kind of implication. It's annoying.

[dokkalfheimr]

[Okay, she's curious - ]

Why has he chosen to dedicate his life to you in the first place?

[...genuinely, that is a genuine question, not Alice-you-bitchy-waste-of-breath cattiness.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ She doesn't immediately reply, seemingly mulling over whether it was worth actually talking about or not before talking again. ]

... I saved his life when we were younger. I guess he figured it was the only way he felt that he could pay me back, or whatever.

[dokkalfheimr]

[...wait]

That was...some time ago, then?

[conceivesfrenzy]

Yeah, it's been... almost ten years? I try not to think about it. [ squints ] ... uh, why?

[dokkalfheimr]

[...You know what, casually under the bus Decus goes.]

I asked him how he knows you loved him, and he said you saved his life. As though it were an indication and not the inciting incident...?

[conceivesfrenzy]

What? Ew, gross. I mean, he's always been weird, but...

[ She grumbles, running a hand down her face. ]

Look, it's not that, okay?

[dokkalfheimr]

He's asked me to grant the two of you my blessing. Due to the title I bear.

[YEAH...]

I saw no reason to not humor him and say that I would, but I think it's fairly obvious that such a thing wouldn't work here, now, even if I were willing and able to do anything about that.

So you don't have to worry about...I don't know. Some sort of love spell, along with the possibility of me poisoning everyone with grenadine.

[conceivesfrenzy]

Oh.

[ Honestly, the more Freyja talks, the more she wants to crawl into a hole and die. This is so embarrassing. What the fuck does she do with this info. ]

Well. I guess I should be thanking you for the forewarning. Though I certainly hope anything you were capable of doing is better than your drink making. You'd be a poor goddess if that was the case. [ But not the worst one!

Though that makes her pause, actually. ]

Wait, I thought you were in charge of nightmares or whatever? I mean, this is basically one, for me, but I wouldn't think that'd be under your jurisdiction.

[dokkalfheimr]

I am, yes. As the queen of my realm, I bring nightmares to mortals. But I used to reside in Ljósálfheimr, with my brother. My duties were different then, and as such so was my title according to the mortals.

[Does she have the heart to tell Decus this? No. But here we are.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

So you don't do all that other stuff anymore, then.

[ honestly, that's probably for the best. ]

So, what changed, then? [ Given her profile, she can guess, but... ]

[dokkalfheimr]

Nothing drastic. A falling-out, regarding the way things should be conducted in Ljósálfheimr. So I left.

[And made her own fairy realm with blackjack and hookers.]