Right to a Bear's Arms, Ch. 12 (Patreon)

Inside of Kelin's apartment, the Human raced around, mind completely flustered and nearly frantic.  He had rushed to pull out a faded suitcase from his closet, nearly burying himself in the detritus that had been piled atop of it, and started throwing in several changes of clothes before he made himself stop and try to calm down.  He viewed the jumbled mess of shirts piled inside the suitcase's main compartment.  He couldn't resist an embarrassed chuckle.  He wasn't moving back home, so why on earth did he need ten shirts?  He pulled them out and began hanging them back up as quickly as he could.  After he had finished, taking his comfiest but nice-looking outfits, he moved to his nearby dresser, where he grabbed several pairs of jeans, briefs, rolls of socks, and finally his case of Nordic jewelry.  He did not usually wear them out, most being restored by his father over the years.  One, an actual arm-ring, had belonged to his great-grandfather.  He placed the case inside the suitcase, stripping out of his rumpled clothes and changing into fresh ones, consisting of a tight t-shirt bearing the Fenrir runic logo and jeans.

With a new pair of contacts now adjusting in his eyes, he folded his glasses back up and stowed them with his clothes.  He made a quick check on his computer to make sure he had no new emails from the college, as he was nearing graduation in perhaps half a year, but to his relief, there were no updates.  His latest term papers and editing projects were all pending on the online portal.  He rolled up a pair of headphones in a pocket, made sure he had his phone charger, and finally zipped up his bag.  Hauling it up, he clicked his laptop closed from on his bedside table and stowed it with his case as well.  Sure, he might not need it, but it never hurt.  To be honest, he doubted he would even have time for much else than catching up with his family and hanging out with Hera.

He cast a wary eye over his jumbled-looking and less than well-kept, downright messy apartment, grimacing.  He was thankful to the Aesir that Hera had not asked to come in for a visit.  He was mortified by the very idea of it after seeing how clean she kept her own living quarters.  He made a solemn pledge to tidy up when they got back to Arknought.

Both arms full, he staggered out of the door to his apartment, fumbling with the keys and trying to hold the screen door open with a foot to reach the door lock.  He nearly dropped his stuff several times, making him mutter angrily before the weight of his suitcase and laptop bag were abruptly lifted from him.  He stumbled a bit and glanced behind him in surprise, to see an amused Hera holding the two bags with a smirk on her lips.  He grinned sheepishly up at her.

"Thanks..." he said, feeling a bit lame, and then hurriedly turned to lock his apartment door.  He patted down his pockets once more to make sure he wasn't missing anything.  Wallet, phone, headphones...

Content that he had everything, he let the screen door close behind him and turned around to look up at his girlfriend.  The sun caught her long, silver hair and illuminated her from behind.  He was reminded, suddenly, of the first time they had taken a walk around the park at the gym.  It seemed so long ago already.  Her beauty was radiant, even more so now to see her smiling back down at him.  His heart hammered in his chest and he had to try hard not to smile even wider than he was.

"Wow..." he muttered softly.

She cocked her head to the side slightly, ears twitching.  "Something the matter?" she asked.  Her teeth gleamed as the tips were revealed behind her dark lips.  "Cat has your tongue?"  Her eyes twinkled playfully.

He shook his head.  "Just...you.  I cannot believe my luck.  A month or so ago, I would never have dreamed that I'd turn around to see my girlfriend ready to go on a trip together with me, let alone one as absolutely beautiful as you."

She scoffed, ears twitching even faster.  Her fur fluffed up a bit more like it always did when she was embarrassed.  It was the little details about Anthros that gave their emotions away.  Someone could spend years studying them and still not know all their unique little queues to give away how they were feeling or what they were thinking.  Her eyes glowed down at him.  "Get in truck," she growled soft and low down at him, tapping his chin with a furry knuckle.  "Before I drag you inside to cuddle for the next week."

Flushing, Kelin hurried down the path from her and back towards the idling pickup truck.  He waved awkwardly at one of his neighbors, an elderly male Rabbit who was checking his mailbox.  "Good morning, Mr. Jeffers!" he called.

"Lo," responded the taciturn and strangely deep-voiced Hare.  "Goin' somewhere, Mr. Leod?"  The senior Lop was a strict professional and insisted on addressing everyone by their family name.  Still, he was friendly enough and had made Kelin feel welcome.  It was just them on this part of the neighborhood, their nearest neighbor's apartment being several houses down.  He was the only Human as of yet here.

Hearing Hera opening the backseat of the truck and placing his stuff inside, he nodded, jerking a finger at the massive vehicle.  "Going back home for my birthday with family."  He felt Hera come up alongside him, and he grinned wider just to have her so close.  "This is my girlfriend."  He said it very proudly, overjoyed to be able to claim her as such so openly.

The stooped-over Hare looked up at the Ursid, folding his newspaper beneath one arm.  He cast an eye up and down at Hera, then nodded firmly.  "Lo," he said to her.  "Raeg Jeffers."

"Hera Doring," she answered in kind, nodding respectfully to the elder.  "How are you today?"

He sniffed.  "Well enough.  Bones're creaking more.  Storm coming in probably.  Most likely just a drizzle or low-pressure system.  Should be a day or so off."

Kelin grinned.  "Hope we don't drive through it.  At the very least, maybe it'll wait to hit until we get to my hometown.  It always seems to rain on my birthday."

"Supposed to be a good sign," stated Mr. Jeffers.  He looked up at the sky then.  His pink nose twitched, his long, drooping ears hanging down over his shoulders.  "Best get to it then though.  Spirits have a foul sense of humor.  The Missus said to let you know we appreciated the help with the groceries the other day."

Beaming, Kelin bowed to the older man.  "It was a pleasure, Mr. Jeffers.  Tell her I absolutely loved the cookies she made."  The two men exchanged a professional, friendly bob of the head, and then the old Rabbit trundled his way back to his front porch.  Turning to look up at Hera, Kelin grinned wider.  "Better get on the road, as he said.  Mr. Jeffers is never wrong when it comes to the weather."

Hera nodded and the two of them climbed back up into the truck.  Once buckled back up, it took them very little time to get back into the city proper, stopping only at a fast food place to get some breakfast, and then they were back on the interstate, heading out of the city.  This time, Hera merged into the fast lane and settled back in her seat, turning on the cruise control.  Kelin was almost amused to see that she went exactly the speed limit.  The rumble of the road outside, the whipping of the wind, and the muted zips of various vehicles all around them as they either passed or were passed by them; it was a feeling that Kelin had not had in years.  The last time he had gone on any kind of roadtrip was with Christine and his buddies in sophomore year.  Back then, it had just been a jeep, packed full of awkward teenagers, sneaking out during a school day to go see a movie showing in another nearby town.

His eyes panned over towards Hera.  Facing the road, the Ursid woman was tapping a paw lightly against the steering wheel, leaning her furry cheek on the other whilst propping it up on the windowsill.  Her face was radiant, even then, and his cheeks very slowly colored.  They had made casual small talk while they ate their breakfast, but since finishing they had fallen into a strange, almost awkward quiet, other than the sounds of the road around them.  Still, just being near her made his stomach clench and flutter as if infested with butterflies and this wasn't the first time he had found himself staring at her.  Her eyes flickered towards him and he quickly averted his gaze.  He heard her chuckle.  Their truck passed a station wagon.

They rode for several long, tense moments of continued silence, before finally, it seemed to become too much.  Hera gave a long, gruff sigh.  "Is there something on your mind?" she asked.  He looked over towards her.  She glanced at him again, yellow eyes gleaming.  Her smirking little grin made him chuckle.  "I am not so good with the silence.  You seemed interested in asking more of me before, but now you are as the clam.  Strange, since never have I seen you not talking.  I was not sure you knew how to not for so long."

Flushing a bit, Kelin shrugged.  "Sorry," he said, feeling guilty.  He didn't know what was wrong, but he suspected that he might have gone the entire trip without drawing up the nerve to speak first.  What was the matter with him?  It was just Hera.  Sure, they'd spent the night together, sleeping in one another's arms, and only the day previously been going on a date.  A lot had happened over the last 24 hours and he guessed that after everything, he wasn't sure where they stood.  "I guess I'm just...anxious."

"About me meeting your family?" she asked.  Her voice was level and calm.

"Sort of?  I've never brought a girl home to them before."

"What of your ex?"

"Christine?  I knew her almost all my life, so they already knew her when we started dating.  Honestly, they just accepted it without making a big deal, and they loved her as if she was a member of the family to begin with."  He saw her sigh and look a little crestfallen.  He hurried to add, "But they're like that with everyone!  Mom's probably talked everyone's ears off about you already."

She made a humming sound of acknowledgment.  Another long pause came.  Her paw drummed on the steering wheel.  He fidgeted with his necklace.

"Any customs I should be aware of, coming into the Leod Hall?" she asked then, smirking.

He looked over at her fully.  "Like what?"

She shrugged.  "Not sure.  You say that you are very involved with heritage.  Not sure if there are Nordic customs for houseguests."

He shook his head.  "Odin tells us that we must greet and welcome all guests with open hospitality.  You also don't have an ax or spear, so you don't need to leave them at the door.  It isn't a holiday, so no goats or kegs of mead required for the hosts."  He grinned widely at her.

She arched an eyebrow for a moment before her ears twitched and she smirked back at him.  "You are joking," she stated.  He nodded, and they both chuckled.

"Just be yourself!" he said.  "My family loves honesty.  Plus, when you're just being you, what's not to love?"

She ducked her head a bit, hair hanging over her face for a second before she shook it back.  Her ears had folded down against her skull, fur having gone bushier for a moment.

Kelin leaned back in his seat, allowing himself a little bit of a smirk as well.  It wasn't often he got to make her flustered.  "Besides, this will be really interesting.  We've never had a Jotun in the house before.  Not sure how my Uncle and his boys will react, what with having someone over who is taller than them."  He winked over at her.

She cocked an eyebrow high, glancing at him before turning her gaze back onto the road.  They were fully out of city limits now, nothing but the open road ahead as far as the eye could see.  Vast plains and farmlands stretched on either side of the interstate.  When the Anthros had first begun establishing cities in the States, Wyoming had been the premiere location, given the low population.  The high elevation and open spaces had been especially welcoming.  From there, they had expanded to other areas.  Now, Anthros had cities all across the planet.  If he craned his neck to look back, Kelin could still see the fang-like silhouettes of Arknought's skyline piercing the sky in the receding distance.

"What is Jotun?" she asked curiously, merging into another lane to avoid getting behind a semi-truck hauling a covered trailer.

"Jotun is the Nordic name for Giants," Kelin explained.  "In folklore, they're one of the biggest enemies of the Aesir, or traditional Nordic gods.  However, my family is all Asatro."  She glanced at him again, so he went into more detail.  "It's a faith system based on the Norse pagan religion that the media likes to adopt and fantasize for tv shows and such.  True Asatro is the veneration of the Aesir, but we aren't like diehard traditionalists or anything.  Much of our faith comes from viewing the Gods as imperfect beings from whose mistakes their children, the Mortals of Midgard, learn and grow from.  It isn't the textbook definition, but that's what faith is to my family: the lessons you take from the mythos.  We also venerate the Vanir, Jotun, actually all 9 realms of Norse come into play one way or another.  My grandfather was really devout.  When he died, he left specific instructions that he wanted a funeral at sea, with a boat, a flaming arrow, and everything."

Hera listened intently as he spoke, and for once he didn't feel embarrassed explaining his family's unique view on religion and mysticism versus history.  "I had no idea that that kind of religion was still practiced," she admitted when he had finished describing details about the nine different realms.  "All I knew of Vikings was tv and anime.  Japan really loves Norse stuff, and when I was over there, it seemed like every other show had influences from that area."

"No kidding?" asked Kelin with interest.  "That's really interesting, although I guess it's like the American fixation on Greek and Roman mythos for a lot of our media.  So did you live in Japan?"  She nodded.  "What were you there for?  I thought your family lived primarily in Russia?"

"They do, but we have vacation home in Hokkaido," she explained.  "Poppa's job has him travel a lot, and since Japan is so close, we used to make lots of trips back and forth.  When the government started getting too crazy and controlling, Poppa even thought of moving there permanently.  I've no idea if that is so or not right now."  She grinned, looking out the driver-side window, face obscured by her thick head of hair.

"That is so cool," sighed Kelin.  "I've always wanted to go there.  Tokyo is supposed to be amazing.  Plus the food..."

"Food is amazing," she agreed.  "Nothing quite like true Japanese sushi or hotpot.  Local culture is wonderful; everyone is usually polite and respectful.  Entirely different than it is here.  Also, Japan was first country to openly accept Cohabitation."

"Figures," snickered Kelin with good humor.  "Japan adopts something and pretty soon the whole world does it.  They pretty much dominate the entire media too.  Can't complain, I'm a hopeless fan of anime, depending on the type."

She shrugged.  "Growing up with it, is just cartoons.  American shows are good too, depending on what watching.  Every place on Earth is different.  I served on some Japanese airbases during time in military.  Our unit's Captain was born in Osaka.  Captain Noishi.  Super serious Rabbit.  Your neighbor, Jeffers, could have been his father."

Kelin chortled.  "Wow," he said.  He looked up at her again, and they traded small smiles.  This felt nice and much more open.  He looked out the window on his side then.  "He...was in Estarof too wasn't he?" he asked carefully, not wanting to ruin the mood but unable to keep himself from asking.

Hera, strangely, didn't even seem phased.  "Da," she replied.  "Said it was too dry.  He was used to humid places."

"I can imagine!" Kelin said quickly, happy that she had not gotten sad from him bringing up such a sensitive subject.  "Isn't most of Japan on sea level?"

She nodded.  "Some mountains.  Once took hiking trip up Mt. Fuji with friends.  When sunrise hits the top just right, is as if whole mountain is on fire."  She beamed at the memory.  "I remember...Monay was miserable.  She hated waking up early."

"Monay?" he probed hopefully, but then saw her flinch and look nervous.  "What's the matter?  Was she in your unit too?"

She shook her head, looking away and her ears folding down.  Her fur bunched up again, obviously not upset and instead embarrassed, as if she had let something slip that she hadn't meant to.  "No," she said very quickly.  She cleared her throat.  "Just long story."

He nodded, accepting that.  They transpired into another long bout of prolonged silence, broken only by sparing comments on the scenery.  He checked the GPS after he had pulled up their destination, but they had over an hour still left to go.  Nothing but the open road and each other's company.  It still felt a little awkward, so much of her past seemed locked behind walls, either formed by secrecy, awkwardness, or grief.  He didn't want to probe too far too fast.  They had been through a lot in the last 24 hours already.

Hera cleared her throat then, after another 10 minutes or so.  "Would you mind if I turn on radio?" she asked.  "I like driving to music."

"Absolutely not," he replied, giving her a dry, unamused look.  "I hate music."

She glanced at him, then snorted.  "Careful, little Kelin.  I will lean over and bite you for such sass should you poke the bear much more."

He snickered.  "Sure, what station?" he asked, reaching for the button.  She told him one and he tuned it in.  Immediately, the blaring sounds of heavy metal began to blaze through the speakers, and he settled back with a grin.  "Damn, you just keep getting better and better," he commented.  She gave him a toothy smile in return and flashed him the rock-on devil horns symbol with a paw.  He returned it and they settled in.

The song ended quickly.  The announcer's voice took over then.  "Hey everybody, all you hard rockers out there!" he shouted.  "This is Ivan Richards, your voice in the steel, here on KRQU 98.7, the home of Cheyenne's Classic Rock and Metal!  For those just now tuning in, we are in the midst of our Metal Power Hour!  Settle back and pump those devil horns, because we got more hard rock and head-banging music heading your way!"

"Hell yeah!" Kelin beamed.  He grinned over at Hera, who wiggled her eyebrows in return.

Another voice joined Ivan.  "Hey Ivan, I got a question for you and all the other listeners out there!"

"Hit me, my man Coyote-Craig!"

"How's about we up the stakes and have a little competition?"

"You know how we metal-heads love a competition," responded Ivan's tinny voice.  "All you folks at home and on the road ready for this?  Lay it on us!"

"We're gonna reach out across the seas of antiquity and play a little playlist of songs from a few obscure bands that we haven't heard anything from in the last few years," explained Craig.  "As this is our Metal Power Hour, it's gonna fit right in with all those awesome guys and gals and however you classify yourself who want a blast from the past!"

"Awesome, my man!" crowed Ivan.  "You got a few in mind?"

"Oh you know I do," returned the other announcer, trying to add to the hype.  There was a long pause.

"You are a goddamn genius," commented Ivan then, sounding overjoyed.  "I fricking love these guys.  All right loyal listeners!  Open those ears and pull the gunk out of them!  If you can call in and name these bands, you'll win a very special prize from your very own Radio-Heads here at KRQU 98.7, an all-expenses-paid meal at any of the restaurants that sponsor our station!  True metal fans, get those phones ready!  We will be right back after these messages from our sponsors!"

Kelin glanced at Hera, actually excited and intrigued.  She raised an eyebrow, also looking interested.  "Want me to pull up their number in case we know any of them?"

She nodded.  "No hurt in trying," she agreed.  He quickly looked up the station's contact number and sat back, eager and ready.

Ivan and Craig returned a minute later after a few commercial advertisements.  "Hello and welcome back to the Metal Power Hour!" they said together.  A wolf howled in the background.  "Fangs out and horns up, because our competition starts now!"

A long lull came, followed by the opening notes of a heavy guitar riff.  Hera nodded along, narrowing her eyes.  "I know this one..." she said.

Kelin rapidly began typing out a message to the station, making her look over at him in surprise.  "Sonic-Dragon," he explained rapidly, pressing send.  "Prelude to Purgatory!"  He settled back smugly, fingers strumming along his seatbelt as if he were playing along to the guitar.  He glanced then at Hera to see she was beaming at him, biting her lower lip.  "What?" he asked, chuckling, feeling his face heat up a little.

She shook her head.  "You are just so cute when you are into music," was all she would say, and then they settled back, nodding their heads to the beat of the music, trading off on singing along to various parts.  They kept the volume high enough to still be able to hear one another, and he always loved looking over at her whenever it was her turn.  She had the voice of an absolute angel.

Eventually, the song ended.  "Welcome back fans!" declared Craig.  "Wow, you all really know your older Metal!  That indeed was Sonic-Dragon with Prelude to Purgatory.  Some of you didn't need more than a couple seconds.  Looks like we're gonna have to step up our game, Ivan!  Fun fact, this band was based entirely out of Vermont for the entire running time of their performances.  They never made it far in the music industry due to changing interests and fanbases, but we love them regardless. Let's get to something a little bit more obscure.  Ivan, are overseas songs allowed?"

"Some of the best music in the world comes from overseas," replied his fellow announcer.  "And I think I know which one you're thinking of!  This one here, fans, comes from a Finnish band known for their controversial themes and haunting Latin phrases!  See if you can guess who they are!"

And so passed a good twenty minutes.  Kelin and Hera sang along to every song that they recognized, constantly rattling off the names and Bands to the station.  Even the ones they didn't know they enjoyed.  Kelin couldn't remember having more fun on a drive before.  Finally, as the hour slowly wound down, the announcers spoke up once again.

"Wow folks, this has been absolutely fascinating to see how many of these obscure bands y'all know of!" stated Ivan.  "We got one more for y'all, and this is for all the apples!  I'll be honest, and let's get real for a second."  The background tones of the station dropped away.  Ivan sounded as if he were leaning in closer to the microphone.  "This is probably one of my favorite bands of all time, and serious props go out to anyone who recognizes them.  It ain't hard to, they were all the rage about ten years ago.  Only call-ins will be accepted for this part, and only at the end of the song.  Craig, hand me the questionnaire!  This one'll be a bit different.  All of you listening, I will read off a list of details about this band, and the first to call in with the correct answer gets the point!"

Kelin grinned over at Hera excitedly.  He had been checking the radio station's page, and an open poll had started.  He and Hera were tied with another listener, from the profile name he had picked being "Gym-Junkies".  The other person was called "Black Money" apparently.  He showed her the phone.  "We are so close," he exclaimed, having gotten really into the event.  "Imagine if we actually win, a dinner just for the two of us."

Hera returned his smile with a gleaming grin of her own.  "Sounds like fun!  Am not usually for restaurants, but for you, I can be convinced.  Let us see if we can recognize the band."

They turned their attention to the radio.  There was a long lull, a tense pause as the station milked the anticipation to its utmost.

Finally...

"This band, premiering first in South Korea, was well known roughly 12 years ago as one of the most up-and-coming dark Asian folk bands of the time," began Coyote Craig.  "Shocking everyone with their incredibly surprising main singers and unique, traditional music style, they soon added a full band to their roster and even a new lead singer.  They were even sponsored by other metal icons such as Horkos Hortens from Karnage-Killers.  Taking the metal world by storm after their rebranding with their upbeat personas and amazingly powerful music, they remained one of the most highly ranked bands to top the charts for more than three months in a row, both international and overseas.  However, due to mysterious circumstances, we have not heard much from them in recent years."

Kelin thought long and hard, trying to remember which band they were talking about.  He felt like the name was right on the tip of his tongue.

"All right Ivan, pump that song!" exclaimed Craig.

Immediately, the blazing riffs of a guitar blasted through the speaker, followed by a gruff voice calling out unfamiliar words.  Kelin's heart hammered in his chest.  'I know this song!' he thought, eyes wide and beaming.  He wracked his brain hard, trying to remember.  It wasn't a very old band, one that he had stumbled onto only half a year ago.  They really had been on top of the world during their time, taking their market by storm, but vanishing into obscurity after a while when they mysteriously stopped performing.  Rumors of band deaths, drama, and tv show deals were rampant, but no one knew for sure.

The music tore through him to his core, making his blood sing.  The voices were incredibly harsh and he felt goose pimples rising.  And then the lead singer started.  To no doubt countless, less knowledgeable people's minds, it was a girl, a young girl!  She sang in Japanese with perfect cadence, backed up by several others.  He pounded his head to the beat, looking over at Hera.  He paused, arching an eyebrow in confusion.  Her eyes had gone wide, lips moving slowly to the words.  She looked over at him.  She grinned, almost looking sheepish.

"Do you know these guys?" he asked incredulously, almost sure he was the only one around that did.  He wasn't afraid to admit he was a bit self-superior about his musical interests.  A male voice took over singing, rapping along to the heavy metal with perfect flow and making them both bob in place despite the conversation.

"I've...heard of them," she replied.  "You do too?"  Her paw flicked in a gesture as the male singing shouted the main chorus right before the girls took back over.

"Hell yeah!" he said, pounding his fist at his side.  "They're part of why I got into metal in the first place!  I just can't think of their name off the top of my head.  You know it?!"  She nodded.  "Call the station then!" he gushed, unable to contain his excitement.

Numbly, Hera plucked up the phone and tapped the call button as the song began to wind down.  As the final notes blazed through the speaker, the phone line rang.  There was a long, tense, pause, Kelin's heart hammering from anxiousness and excitement before the radio clicked.

"This is Coyote Craig!" bellowed the announcer.  "Name that band, lucky caller!"

"They're called We-Three Honou," Hera said, voice starting off hesitant but becoming a bit more confident as she cleared her throat, echoing through the speakers of the truck.  "In America, they used to be called We-Three Firebirds!"

There was a buzzer sound.  "Oooh, so close, that is the original name of that band, but this song comes from the time during their time underneath a different one.  Can you name that one for us, Gym-Junkies?"

Hera sighed heavily.  She glanced over at a beaming, anxious Kelin, and seemed to glow a bit.  "Heraru-Chan and the Idolz," she growled.

"THAT IS CORRECT!" boomed Craig.  "It's amazing to hear someone know the name of the band, hell both of them at once!  What's your name, lucky contestant?  You've won a paid trip to the restaurant of your choice, next month, on the weekend of the 8th to the 10th, in Arknought City!"

She paused.  Kelin arched an eyebrow at her.  "Go on," he said, grinning.  "Something wrong?"

She glanced at him, almost looking nervous.  "Can my friend give his name instead?" she asked.

"Oh, sorry darling, but you're the lucky winner and we have to know from a first caller basis.  Come on, lay it on us!" Craig shouted, sounding endlessly energetic.

Hera grumbled and cleared her throat.  "Hera Doring," she said eventually, voice flat.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Hera Doring!" said Ivan from the radio.  "We have your name and number saved to our registry.  For all our other listeners, better luck next time and thank you for playing.  I do have a question, if I may, Ms. Doring."

"What is that?" she asked.

"Well, given that that band never came across from overseas to the States whilst known by the Idolz, not many know the mysterious origins behind the change in name.  Could a real metal fan enlighten us?"

Hera groaned softly.  Kelin eagerly held out his hand, to which she gratefully nodded and handed him the phone.  "Sure thing!" he began.  "This is Kelin, Craig, longtime fan.  Can I answer for her?  She's driving right now."

"Sure, bro!" Craig said happily.  "Lay it on us!"

"The reason for the name change was that the band added a new member in 2016, when the lead singer decided to leave the singing world to go along with her recently becoming a mother, instead working as a manager for a while.  She rejoined the band as a backup singer a while later, but they kept the new name because of their explosive popularity after becoming a metal Idol band instead of staying as the Dark Folk band.  I don't know all the details why they stopped performing a couple of years later though."

"That is all very correct," commented Ivan proudly.  "You really know your metal, Kelin!  Props to you.  The new name they used 'Heraru-Chan and the Idolz' took over the whole brand and the entire world seemed super excited until their mysterious vanishing. If I do remember right, there was some controversy about it all but we aren't talking about that. Thanks again for calling in!"  The line beeped and Kelin put down the phone.

Hera grunted, thunking her head back against her headrest and giving a long sigh. "Good job," she said, giving him a small smile.  "I do not like being asked questions over public radio.  Very stressful."

He shrugged, still unable to stop grinning like an idiot.  The words of the song still resonated inside of his head, making him mouth a few of them despite not knowing Japanese.  A thought struck him then, and he turned to eye Hera with interest.  "So, can I ask you something?"  She nodded, although she seemed focused on driving.  A car was right beside them, almost as if trying to race them before they were forced to slow down or risk rear-ending a slower-moving vehicle.  "You lived in Japan for a while, and I know the Idolz were based out of there.  Did you ever get to go see them?"

She paused, glancing at him, and her fur slowly began to become a bit bushier.  "Once," she relented eventually, ears folding down and a sheepish smile on her face.  "My brother, Tyrin, introduced me to their music.  I watched them for weeks, then found out they were doing a competition for fans.  Sing a cover of their work and go get to meet them.  Tyrin, Marissa, and Momma convinced me to try.  So I sang a cover of Senbonzekura, their best song."

Kelin listened attentively, eyes wide and grinning from ear to ear.  "And you won?" he asked, voice excited.  On the radio, another rock song played dully in the background.

She nodded, looking embarrassed but also a touch pleased with herself.  "I always liked singing, did some in school.  World felt calmer when I was doing it.  Like you: music was always a way to get away from pain, anger, sadness, loneliness.  Could imagine self on hundreds of different worlds, living hundreds of different lives."  He nodded, reaching over and gently touching her arm.  She switched paws on the wheel and took a grasp of his fingers, winding her much larger digits around his own.  "Momma loved to listen to me sing when they adopted me, and I sometimes sang for special things."

"I cannot blame her," he said, stroking the inner pads of her paw.  She wriggled, looking pleased with his touch.  "You've got an incredible voice."

"You are one to talk," she shot back, winking at him.  She turned to face the road but did not let go of his hand.  "So I sent in video of my cover.  A week later, Tyrin races into house and tells me to pull up band's website.  My song had won.  Me and him had to fly to Tokyo to meet the band.  Poppa did not want us to go, but Tyrin and Momma helped convince him.  I met the band, took photos; they were all such wonderful girls, even if older than me by few years.  There was Nana, Kiko, and...Monay."  She looked down at the wheel, eyes nostalgic and warm.

Kelin beamed, then blinked.  "Wait...Monay from your story about Mt. Fuji?"  She nodded.  He huffed out a breath.  "Wow...I cannot even imagine.  Meeting your favorite band like that, getting to go sightseeing with them.  What were they like?!  I've only ever heard the music; finding actual music videos of them is so hard now."

She thought about it, passing a very slow van.  "They are mixed species band.  Nana is Rabbit, sweet as mochi.  Her nickname was Mochi-Nana actually.  She would play shamisen for the old band stuff before they hired backup artists and they three could focus on just singing.  Then was Kiko, she is Squirrel.  Full of life, energy, came from a family of life-time Kabuki actors.  She was made for stage, played flute.  Mt. Fuji was her idea.  Monay was...Human actually."  She glanced over at his surprised face, nodding.  "Older than other two, more mature.  Real name was Monica Yugo, Japanese-American girl.  Band was her idea.  Her voice was so regal, but she sang for so long she damaged vocal chords.  We hung out in Tokyo for the weekend before it came about time to go back to Russia.  Then they surprise me by asking for big 'favor' they called it."  She paused.

Dying to know more, Kelin hung on her every word.  Her pause was agony to him.  Eventually, he couldn't take it any longer.  "And then?" he asked.

"They..." she said, fur going even bushier and her nose twitching.  "Asked me to join band.  They said they loved my voice, and was kind of fresh talent they had been looking for.  Hanging out with me was all part of seeing if I fit in with band.  Met all the other backup members, musicians, even Mr. Nagi.  Very scary man, band manager.  Was all...test, suppose is the word."

Kelin's eyes felt as wide as dinner plates.  "No way..." he breathed.  "You said yes, right?!"

She shook her head.  "Nyet.  Was so sudden, had to ask Poppa, did not even speak good Japanese, not enough to be in Japanese band for sure.  Was so nervous but they understood.  Asked me to think about it.  Tyrin and I went home, talked to Momma and Poppa about it.  They were supposed to go on big tour of all Japanese provinces as rebranding.  Poppa was very against it, but when he saw how much I did want it, he finally agreed.  Was crying whole time as I packed and called Monay.  Got flown down to Hokkaido, Poppa took two weeks off work for leave and I learned Japanese, how to perform, songs.  Even wrote some of my own.  Met guest stars who were part of specific parts of tour."  She chuckled then.  "Funniest thing, they had such trouble pronouncing my name.  Not many R sounds in Japanese, does not flow as well.  So they struggled to think up nickname.  Finally, because was so young, they settled on one."

Hera turned her golden eyes down at him, grinning in a combination of nervousness and amusement at his amazed expression.  He thought about it hard, putting two and two together.  "Wait..." he said, speaking slowly.  "You mean...Heraru-Chan and the Idolz..."

She nodded, biting her lower lip hard as if to keep from laughing out loud.

"They renamed the band after you?!"

"Well...da."  She broke, chortling at his flabbergasted face.  "We did first show in most western province, Okinawa.  Immediate fanbase change, went from oriental dark folk to Japanese Girl-Metal.  Girls took over back-up singing once I got used to it.  Monay came back to help manage and then was another voice."

"How old were you?"

"16?" she said, seeming as if she wasn't entirely sure.  "Toured Japan with them for six months, even went overseas a few times.  Played my last big show in Toyko.  Parents and siblings came to every event they could."  Her eyes gleamed as she remembered the no doubt chaotic, energetic, and happy times.

Kelin settled back in his seat, almost feeling drained at such revelations.  "Wow...so my girlfriend was a teenage Japanese Idol...ten years ago."  Hera actually giggled, seeming to preen herself at his reverent words.  He furrowed his brows then as a thought occurred to him.  "So...why did you stop?  Did you not like being an Idol?"

She took a while to answer, eyes becoming withdrawn as she did when thinking about something painful.  "I did, but was very stressful.  Did not get much sleep sometimes, always giving 100% at every show.  The girls and I were close as could be, excellent staff and security.  Last show in Tokyo...it drained me.  I got migraines, had to go sleep in the tour bus while the rest of them did signings.  Woke up to someone breaking in through a window."  She looked down, deflating and crestfallen.  "Crazy fan, Human, carrying a knife.  He came after me, claiming I destroyed the original band.  I was never so scared before in my life, hiding behind door while he tried to get through it.  Some Ursid  I am...  Eventually, security heard screams, came to help, pulled him out of bus right before he got through door.  I was terrified.  Monay did press conference, trying to make people aware of attack.  At first...was good, people sympathetic.  Then, turns out he was not alone.  Lots of angry fans started yelling at me, calling me all sorts of names.  Lots of Humans, horrible words.  Hurt so much.  Reporters everywhere, cameras clicking, flashing.  I had nightmares for months."

Kelin's eyes were wide for a wholly different reason now, staring at her in shock and horror.  She tried to pull back her paw but he clung to it, stroking the fur and eventually she calmed.  She glanced at him gratefully, although she appeared sad to see him so upset.  "What did your band do?" he asked once she nodded, indicating she was okay to continue.

"They defended me," she said, facing the road again.  "They called out angry fans, telling them that this was no way to treat a member and that they were sickened to hear such hate from people who claimed they wanted the old Honou back.  I told Monay I never wanted to perform again, and they all told me it was okay.  I went back home, and the girls shut down the band.  Stayed in touch for long time, but is hard after so many years.  Back home went through lots of therapy, didn't go out much to avoid risk of being recognized.  Grew out my hair, started working out.  Stopped singing for while.  Finally, I tell Momma and Poppa I want to go to college, American college, to get away.  They understand.  But funds tight, Poppa's job going through cuts of budget.  Joined Transnational Anthro Armed Forces to help pay.  Ended up going to America after all.  Visited family as much as I could.  Spent 8 years there, good years.  2 years active duty, went all across the world, saw things, met people, did some things very proud of, some things not proud of.  Eventually transfer to become National Guard, stationed in lots of airbases.  Finally end back up in America, Estarof division.  Riots.  Called in for peace-keeping."  She glanced at him again.

He nodded, holding tightly to her paw.  "You've...been through so much," he said quietly, and she nodded.  She almost looked worried, as if he would feel pushed away, but instead, he just clung tighter.  "You've lived such an amazing life, Hera," he exclaimed, but softly, stroking her fur with both hands.  "You went through so much, and ended up as the most beautiful, complex, and wonderful woman I've ever met."  She shrank a bit from embarrassment but he didn't let her brush it off or deny it.  "You could have grown up hating Humans, but you didn't.  You let the world in and experienced it.  And you let me in."  He sniffed, blinking away mistiness from his eyes.  "I have the coolest, most wonderful girlfriend in the whole world."

She looked away from him pointedly, quivering slightly, and sniffled herself.  Her ears folded down but her paw closed tight around his hand.  "You are just as wonderful," she said softly.  "You brought me back from dark place where I saw no light.  You became my best friend with no expectations for more.  You let me learn to trust again, to love myself and others again.  There is nothing I can do to repay you for that."

His eyes twinkled.  "Well, there is one thing..." he said, voice dropping down slightly.

She looked back at him, her own eyes wide.  "Kelin?  Are you implying...?"  She glanced at the backseat ponderously, almost as if weighing something.

He blinked, face going bright red for a second.  "No!" he said firmly, which made her chortle.  "My god, woman, control yourself."  He waved a finger at her in mock-chastisement.  "No, what you could do to make it up to me, not that I'd ever have expected you to, is show me one thing."

She arched an eyebrow at him, then grinned slowly.  "This shirt does not have good v-neck," she said.

He smacked her paw, making her laugh out loud.  He did too, even though his ears felt like they were burning.  "I'm talking about a picture!  Of you!  In the band!"

Her ears perked up and she fixed an eye on him.  A slow smile, hesitant but amused, spread across her face.  "That is tall order," she said as if being defensive, then chuckled again and plucked up her phone.  She swiped through a few folders in her gallery, glancing from the screen to the road several times, and then unlocked one set of pictures.  She waited for it to load, then passed him the phone gingerly.  "Do not laugh," she said, pointing at him with a claw.

He eagerly took the phone, turning it sideways to enlarge the image.  His heart raced.  While he had been a huge fan of the band ever since he had discovered them, he had never actually seen a real photo of the band members.  He stared, heart hammering, at the screen and at what was imprinted on it.  A group of women, one a Rabbit with dappled fur, another a white Squirrel, and an Asian girl, all crowded around a rest station.  The Human looked annoyed but still amused, surrounded by the energetic smiles of her Anthro friends.  They all wore thick coats, evidently it had been cold, and the lights were dim, as if dawn was a ways off.  Behind them, head leaning over all of them, was a very young-looking but still tall Hera.  Her hair was shorter, her features softer.  He gaped.  He glanced at her, and she made a swiping motion.  He mirrored it.

The picture paned to another shot of the foursome of women on top of the mountain, this one facing a gorgeous sunrise that rose over Tokyo.  He swiped again.  He saw a stage.  The three slightly-older women all wore black and red outfits, impossible frilly and authentically Japanese school-girl in style.  Their makeup was thick, hair done up adorably, and looking as if they were singing their hearts out, posed in playful fashions that somehow perfectly fit the dark costumes and intense scenery around them.  At the forefront was Hera.  Her hair was short and spiked up like an anime character.  There was dark makeup around her eyes, young face full of life, hope, and joy.  She wore a kimono in black and red, contrasting her bright, white fur.  Holding onto a microphone, the gorgeous, curvy teenage Ursid was pumping her fist, singing a song that he swore he could almost hear.

He looked up from the photo to her again, his eyes shining.  She beamed back at him before retreating back into her now much longer silver mane.  "Stop looking at me like that," she said sheepishly.  "You are making me feel self-conscious.  I looked so silly back then.  Almost deleted that photo so many times."

He held her phone away from her as far as he could reach, eyes shocked and reproachful.  "You will do no such thing!" he exclaimed and began rapidly typing something on her phone.

"Kelin what are you doing?" she demanded.  He ignored her, continuing to tap away.  "Kelin," she said, voice dropping to a warning growl.  "Give me back my phone."

"No," he declared, grinning as his phone glinged.  "This is mine now."

"What did you just send yourself?" she asked, voice dark and dangerous.  "Kelin?!"

He flipped her phone back into her lap, leaning back in his chair and relaxing.  "Oh, just sent that whole folder to myself so I can gush over it to everyone I know," he declared cheekily.

Her eyes went wide and she mock-snarled at him.  "You did not!" she growled.  She swiped with her paw at the pocket holding his phone, giggling despite her husky snarl.  "Give me phone!"

"No!" he shot back, rolling his hip to the side.  "Focus on driving, you psycho!"

"Give me phone, Kelin!" she said, voice breaking due to a bubbling laugh.  She kept pawing at him.  "I will crash truck into oncoming traffic if you do not!"

"I will take those photos with me to my dying breath!" he shouted back at her, leaning as far away as he could manage.  He even began to roll down the window.  "Hey world!" he shouted as loudly as he could, half-leaning out of it while Hera clawed at him to pull him back inside.  "My girlfriend was a teenage Japanese metal Idol!"  He gave a crowing whoop before finally letting her haul him back inside, rolling up the window.  They both were breathless from laughter.

Hera somehow had maintained a solid grip on the wheel without weaving in and out of traffic.  She gasped and coughed for breath, reaching up with her paw to smooth her thick hair.  "Spirits," she choked out.  "You are absolutely horrible, worst-best boyfriend ever!"

He stuck out his tongue at her.  "Well you're the coolest girlfriend ever, and I want the whole world to know."

She leaned over quickly and nipped his tongue, kissing him and then sitting back up straight.  "You are a jerk, and a goober, and so adorable that I want to squish you," she chortled.  Her paw found his hand and they gripped one another tight.

The phone in his pocket chimed and a moment later a muffled female automated voice called out, "At the next intersection, make a right, and continue on county road 545 north for 5 miles.  Your destination will be at the end of the road."

Kelin beamed up at her in excitement, stomach clenching hard as she took the turn off the interstate and onto a rough, county road.  Dust plumed up around them as they drove, heading towards a copse of trees barely visible in the distance.  Far off, mountains loomed.  Hera whistled beside him, huge truck shuddering slightly as it went into off-road mode.  "This place is gorgeous..." she commented.

He nodded.  "My cousins, sister, and I all used to run up and down this road as kids.  It's amazing.  Barely any traffic ever came through, and we played all sorts of games and ran races.  Soon as we pass that bend in the trees, you'll see the house."

Eyes obviously peeled, Hera kept driving.  Sure enough, as they rounded a turn, they came in sight of the only hill for seeming miles.  He heard her gasp audibly as she beheld the ranch in all its glory, and the glorious building erected on the center of the low hillock.  Leod Hall.  Even growing up there, Kelin had to admit even he was starstruck to see the old house every time he came home.

It was built like a traditional Norse longhouse but many times larger.  The sloping roof was thatched to look authentically Nordic, carved dragons dominating every peak and arch of it.  Stone columns and pillars marked the road on all sides, detailed like statues of warriors, beasts, monsters, and trees.  An incredibly large, flowering oak towered on one side of the vast garden near a greenhouse.  On the other side was the family shed-shop, also built like the house.  Outside of it, a real metal forge had been constructed.  Everywhere one looked, there were signs and details of a family dedicated to a rich history that dated back centuries, all with modern touches that flowed seamlessly with the nostalgic and rustic elements.  Hera slowed the truck as they neared the driveway to the house.

The truck finally slowed to a stop, dust settling around them, and Hera leaned forward in the driver's seat, gazing up at the massive building before her.  Her eyes were as wide as he had ever seen them, mouth hanging slightly open.  She shook her head softly.  "Leod...Hall..." she muttered.  "Were not kidding!  I half expect Grendel the Troll to come roaring in when moon is high, and Beowulf and Geat allies to defend it!"

Chuckling, Kelin undid his seatbelt.  "I'll take that as a compliment.  My grandfather helped build it from the ground up.  My father and uncle refined it, my mother built the greenhouse and garden, and every generation tries to add a little something else."

She turned slowly to look at him.  "What does your family do for living to afford this?" she asked in amazement.

Kelin beamed.  "Well...Dad actually has, probably, the coolest job ever.  He's an active historian and restorationist of ancient artifacts, teaches in town, and furnishes exhibits for the local museum.  Half of the stuff there he helped restore, build, or arrange himself.  He makes incredible money doing it, even takes trips to Scandinavia, the Orkney Islands, Ireland, Denmark, you name it.  Anywhere a Viking clan was rumored to live or conduct raids, he's been.  He even went to Lindisfarne!"  At her confused look, he explained.  "The very first and most famous Viking raiding site ever, an ancient Anglo-Saxon church that was attacked by the first documented longship ever to arrive in England!"

She nodded, suitably impressed.  "So when you said family is very in touch with roots...you meant it!" she looked up, eyes going wide again and actually flinching.  A great baying came from outside, and Kelin glanced forward in time to jump.  A lunging dog was leaping up and down outside of his door, furry face panting and barking in excitement.  The Wolfhound was covered in long, shaggy, grey fur.

"Bjorn!" he exclaimed, tapping the glass as the dog landed from possibly the dozenth jump.  "Hey buddy!"  Yet more dogs began to circle the truck, all barking like mad with joy and interest at the new vehicle.  "Torvalt!  Viggy!  Ragnar!  Ivar!  Sigrun!"  He opened the truck door and quickly jumped down, burying himself in a pile of scrabbling furry bodies.  He laughed as they all leaped onto him, licking and sniffing and rubbing against him in delight.  A deeper-pitched barking came and he looked up.  A truly massive Great Pyrenees, pure white in color, was loping towards him, scattering the half a dozen or so somehow smaller dogs in her wake.  He opened his arms wide and she bowled into him, knocking him flat.  "Skadi!" he howled, rubbing his hands into her massive coat, scratching just where she liked it most.  "How are you girl?!"

He heard the other truck door slam shut and he looked up, past the bulk of the huge, white dog, to see Hera hanging back, looking nervous.  He beamed and climbed up to his feet, waving away the frantically energetic pack of animals.  "Don't worry!" he cried, waving Hera over.  "They're all absolute sweethearts!  Hunden!" he called in a brusque, commanding voice.  The dogs one and all halted where they were, turning to face him with bright eyes and wagging tails.  "Stans!"  As one, the pack sat on their haunches.  Hera met his eyes, her own wide with amazement.  He waved her forward and then, very gently, he pointed from the dogs to her.  "Hera!" he said, very firmly.  "Ingen hopping! Bark en gang for ja?"  The dogs all barked once in unison.  He turned to smile up at her.  "They won't jump.  Go ahead!  Pet them!"

Hera actually gulped and then bent over slowly, reaching out a paw as if trying to meet a fellow Anthro.  He noticed she moved slow and purposeful.  Skadi was first to sniff at her.  Her tail wagged.  Hera's eyes softened and she kneeled down.  Her huge paws stroked the thick coat, tickling the ears, scratching at her jowls.  Skadi woofed in joy.  The other dogs nosed at her, wanting attention as well.  In seemingly no time at all, Hera was swarmed by the seven dogs, all wanting their turn to sniff and be pet by this new and interesting furry person.  Hera looked up at Kelin in delight, several of the dogs trying to nose their way into her arms.

He put his hands in his pockets, beaming down at her.  "Never had dogs, did you?" he asked.

She shook her head.  "No, but they are wonderful!" she stated, then turned, addressing the assembled hounds in Russian while using a simpering baby voice.  Without understanding her, he suspected he knew what she was saying, and the dogs did too.  Their tails wagged harder and they squirmed even more to receive her pets.

A whistle broke through the air, loud and shrill, and on command, the dogs all leaped to their feet and loped off.  Hera stood up, looking to where her new friends had gone.  Her eyes went wide and she actually took a step back and slightly behind Kelin.  Her paw sought out his hand and he took it happily, then turned to wave at the crowd of people standing at the double-doored entrance to Leod Hall.

His father was the first to walk down the carved wooden steps, long legs eating up the cobble-stone path.  His dark hair was bound in a braid over one shoulder, short, thick beard plaited across his chin, and his weathered face broken in a grin that stretched from ear to ear.  "Kelin!" he shouted joyously, arms stretched out wide.  He wore a traditional Viking tunic, green, and britches.  The image was only slightly spoiled by the Army-issued combat boots on his feet, and the toolbelt around his waist.  Dark tattoos decorated his bare arms and throat.

Kelin threw open his arms and stepped forward to embrace his dad.  They traded a firm, shoulder-slapping hug.  Theo Tors Leod was a very tall man, half a head taller than his son, body corded and firm from a life spent in the woodworking shop and hauling heavy materials.  His fingers were calloused, decorated with runes on every knuckle.  He leaned back, slapping both of Kelin's shoulders, bright teeth gleaming.  A symbol of Heimdal the Horn Blower hung around his neck from a woven cord.

"Dad!" laughed Kelin, trading grips of their forearms then.  "We didn't expect the welcome wagon!"  He turned then as a pair of hulking boys lumbered towards him.  He grinned, eyes twinkling, and he sank down into a half-crouch, hands out like a wrestler.  The two mimicked him, grinning widely.  They rushed one another at the same time, although he was quickly lifted up off his feet and passed between the two of them like a football.  He laughed and slapped at them until they put him down.  "Erik!" he exclaimed, trading grips with one.  He had blonde hair, shaved on half of his head and the other left to hang down to his shoulder and no beard, although a healthy amount of stubble.  He turned to the other.  "Cory!"  They too gripped one another's forearms.  Cory had reddish hair, cut short to his scalp but with a single small braid coming off a patch of hair at the very top of his head, and a modest beard.  Both boys had tattoos of military service, as well as similar runic ones like their uncle, Theo, did.  Both wore regular t-shirts and pants, but on each of their right biceps was a carven arm-ring.

Right behind the two boys came a long-limbed, pretty-faced girl with blonde hair that hung to her throat.  She wrapped her arms around him and he lifted her feet from the ground, spinning her around once.  His sister laughed the whole while.  She was as tall as he was, slight and athletic.  He put her down and measured them both with his hand.  "Are you trying to outgrow me, little sis?" he demanded of her.

Flipping her hair back behind her head, Idona Lagertha Leod met his eyes evenly and beamed cockily.  "We aren't all cursed to be as short as you are," she countered.  Her eyes flicked back towards Hera and went wide.

"Now!" exclaimed a voice from the very rear, and the whole group turned and made room.  "What's this about short being a problem?" demanded Ingrid, Kelin's mother.  Truthfully the smallest of the entire clan, barely coming up to Kelin's throat, nonetheless she remained the matriarch of the Leods.  She walked forward, arms open wide, and embraced Kelin fiercely, pulling his head down to her shoulder and stroking his hair.  He hugged her back just as hard.  Wearing her usual overalls and striped shirt, as she usually did when working out in her garden, she was strong and solid.  Her hair reached down past her shoulders, bright blonde and gleaming in the sunlight.  They separated after a moment more of hugging it out, and she beamed up at him.  A delicate but also weathered hand stroked the long cuts on his face worriedly but she still smiled brightly all the same.  "My handsome boy," she sighed, patting his cheek, and then extricating herself from him and turning, along with her family, to face the newcomer to their home.  "And this!" she proclaimed, "would have to be Ms. Hera!"

Hera nodded, looking nervous.  "Yes ma'am," she said, clearing her throat and standing at attention.  She towered over any of them, and Kelin had to work hard not to snort as especially the hulking Erik and Cory tried not to swell themselves up as a reflex, trying to match her incredible height difference over them.  She looked sheepish underneath so many scrutinizing gazes.

Kelin's mother walked forward then, beaming as wide as she ever did, and opened her arms.  "Welcome to Leod Hall!" she exclaimed joyously.  "We are so absolutely honored and delighted to have you!  You're even more beautiful in person!"  She leaned up on her tiptoes and hugged Hera as tightly as she could, as high as she could reach.  Hera looked, shocked, over the woman's shoulder to Kelin, who nodded, and then bent down to return the hug.

"T-thank you very much!" she said, voice growing stronger.  She even tightened her grip, making the entire group of men chortle.  When Ingrid finally let go, the rest of the clan walked forwards to make their introductions.  She exchanged handshakes, arm-grips, even another hug from Kelin's mother who stayed by her side the entire time.  She glanced over the assembled humans at him, face split in an ecstatic grin that conveyed such radiant delight in the warm welcome.  He nodded at her approvingly.

He cleared his throat, drawing the others' attention.  "As great as it is to see you all," he said, smiling widely.  "I think maybe Hera would appreciate getting shown where she's gonna be staying, since you insisted she come here, Momma."

Mrs. Leod clucked, looking flustered.  "Oh of course!  How rude a host can I be?" she reached up and took one of Hera's paws.   "You follow me, dear, and I'll show you a room where you can put your stuff!  We have a big family announcement to make but you should make yourself comfortable first!"

Hera glanced at Kelin, who nodded warmly, to which she returned the same, then ducked her head as she was practically dragged inside the house.  The others turned to look at him, various eyebrows raised curiously.  He crossed his arms, matching their stares.  "Something to say, anyone?" he challenged.

Erik and Cory traded looks.  "You picked a real interesting girlfriend," Erik said eventually, grinning along with his brother.

"Yeah, little cousin!" agreed Cory.  "Mom talked our ears off about her all morning, but seeing is something else."

"Yeah, mom didn't mention how absolutely gorgeous she is," commented Idona smugly.  "And we all used to say that Kelin didn't have good taste."

Chuckling hard, Theo raised a hand.  "All right, you three, get back to preparations.  We don't have long before the event, and with our guests of honor finally here, we need to get everything ready!"  The others nodded and loped off back into the house.  He met Kelin's questioning gaze with an open laugh and a beaming smile.  "I'll explain in a bit.  It's good to see you son."

"Good to see you too, Dad," Kelin replied, grinning up at his father.  They walked together out toward the shed at the older man's beckoning.  "Where's Uncle Rolf?" he asked, not having seen the other member of the clan be present for the welcome party.

"Working in the forge," Theo said.  "I wanted a bit of a father-son talk first before we go inside and freshen up.  You haven't been home in a while, and I've missed our talks.  You mind?"

"Of course not!" Kelin said happily.  He set his eyes forward as Theo opened the shop doors, and once again the neatly cluttered interior greeted his bright eyes.  He took in a deep breath, smelling fresh pine shavings and the well-polished gleam of woodworking tools.  The mast of the longship was coming along wonderfully.  Everything in its place, and a place for everything.  He was home.  Gods, did it feel good to be.