Right to a Bear's Arms, Ch. 13 (Patreon)

Hera's head felt like it was spinning.  Ingrid, Idona, Eric, and Cory had swept her through the massive interior of Leod Hall, showing her each and every room in great and explanative detail.  The younger ones had joined them partly the way through, apparently having been off helping prepare for some event but now more interested in escorting the newcomer through their incredible home.  Unlike how it at first appeared from the outside, the Viking mansion on the inside was a near maze of interconnecting rooms and hallways.  At least two living rooms, numerous bedrooms and guest rooms, sitting areas, as well as an actual, if downsized, Nordic dining hall with a pair of carved wooden tables, dozens of personalized chairs, and ornaments hanging all over the walls.  At the head of both tables, connected at the center so that it was modeled to appear like a giant horseshoe, were the 'clan' leader's seats, stylized to appear like a Viking King and Queen's thrones.

The only detail that perhaps spoiled it all was the foldout plasma screen TV on the ceiling, surround-sound speaker system, and numerous other electronic devices that were otherwise normally concealed by the various other decorations.  Hera was not a sports enthusiast, but she could imagine that such an event whilst seated here would be a game to remember, no matter what it was.  Everywhere she looked, there were details of their modernized Norse heritage and lifestyles.  And that not to mention the vast assortment of skills, trades, and professions each of the Leods had to boast about.

Idona was a high school student, soon to graduate the following year with honors, as she was proud to explain.  She was a volleyball player, ran track, as well as played drums in the school orchestra.  She had multiple trophies for martial arts, spelling bees, as well as a championship award for winning the regional Volleyball tournament.  She had gestured dramatically to the nearby photograph, lifted up high onto the shoulders of her teammates, most of whom she was shockingly shorter than and wore a different colored uniform.  Her position was libero, a defense-specialist prized for quick reflexes.  Hera, who had dabbled in such sports because her adoptive parents had suggested it during high school, had congratulated her, which surprisingly made Idona flush.  When she did so, she looked remarkably like Kelin.  During the whole tour, the young woman had stayed very close to Hera, constantly caught staring up at the Ursid with an indiscernible look in her bright eyes.

The pair of boys, Eric and Cory, were also both athletes and had quite a few awards between them, which they not-so-humbly tried to play off as 'no big deal', while also making sure they were the ones that pointed them out.  Like Idona, they were constantly staring at her, although rather than their cousin's inscrutable gaze, theirs came from a very macho persona they constantly were exuding.  Given their fields of athleticism, however, it made sense.  Eric was a fighter in the MMA, heavy-weight division, specializing in wrestling inspired by his Nordic faith and ancestry.  His proudest possession was a poster, detailing his fighting against, to Hera's shock, an Anthro Feline, for the championship 2 years prior.  The Leopard was harsh in feature, and the match had nearly been a tie, as dictated by a newspaper clipping attached to it.  The Anthro had come out ahead in the end, but Eric did not mind the outcome, since he had won the next one the following year.  He'd even become good friends with his rival.  Cory, meanwhile, was a member of the NHL, and he pointed out himself, a Goalie, lined up with his fellow hockey players, also for a championship which they had won.  The helmet he wore in the photo was even sitting in the display case, detailed with a ferocious-looking wolverine, scuffed on one side by a stray puck hit.  Hera was dutifully impressed, and the boys played it off, their ears glowing despite seeming so cool and collected about it.

While Hera knew about Theo's background, since the house was so well furnished and stocked, partly because of his personal touches whilst working out in his woodshop and forge, it was still incredible to see so many hand-crafted items.  She had been awe-struck by a rack of real Viking shields, oak wrapped in period-tempered iron, with a variety of emblazoned sigils and markings painted onto their faces.  Every chair, bed frame, table, and bench in the house bore the Leod family insignia, and as a result, the whole house smelled of rich timber and treated wood.  Her sensitive nose could even tell which were more recently made and which had apparently existed since Kelin's grandfather's time.  She eyed a framed picture hanging on the wall as she passed the dining room again, on their way to the second floor, which showed a much younger Theo and Ingrid at their wedding.  Dressed in traditional Viking ceremonial attire, they were resplendent and joyous.  Hera had told Mrs. Leod such and been given another hug as a result.  There was another couple on either side of them, a burly, bearded man carrying an ax, and a very tall woman who had a shield.  The smiles on all their faces made Hera's heart swell.

Her greatest surprise, however, came when she saw a small alcove set far apart from any display cases, ornamentations, or wall hangings.  It was seemingly dedicated, almost like a shrine, solely to a single hand-painted portrait hanging underneath a black shawl.  It was surrounded by numerous picture frames of wrought iron and sterling silver on a black wooden alter.  She approached it cautiously once she had received the nod to do so, whilst noticing that everyone else had grown quiet at her question for permission.  She inspected the portrait.  The tall woman from the wedding picture was detailed there, her facial features long and graceful, unlike Ingrid's rounder ones.  Blonde hair done up in a gorgeously intricate braid, she almost looked like a Viking princess.  Runes were etched into the wooden frame.  She traced them with the tip of a claw, unable to read them.  It was probably a name.  She turned her attention to the other pictures.  These were just as shocking.

She recognized Ingrid, maybe only a little younger than she had been in her wedding photograph.  The large man and tall woman were there as well, but the subject material of these photos was drastically different.  Ingrid was posed in one, nearly hanging off the end of a stage and dressed in the strangest outfit Hera had ever seen: a shawl of dark cloth over her shoulders, festooned with animal bones and a mask made from a deer skull over her face.  The huge man nearby was hammering at a guitar, face coated in war-paint and snarling like a berserker.  The tall woman stood between them both, garbed in a combination of chainmail and dress, holding onto a microphone and looking as if she was holding the mother of all high-notes.

Another photo showed them at yet another location, still playing.  Ingrid was banging on a ceremonial drum in this one, barely recognizable as she was a whirlwind of limbs and bare feet.  Anklets and other jewelry flashed in the flat picture.  The man carried no instrument this time, instead wielding a real axe and shield.  He was locked in mock, yet incredibly intense, combat with a man who was the spitting image of Theo, who wielded a similar shield and sword.  The singing woman posed behind them both, dressed to appear like an actual Valkyrie, as if acting out the warrior spirit being present to a duel and ready to escort the loser to Valhalla.

A third picture, much calmer, showed the four of them in front of a battered old tour bus, posing victoriously while they each held part of a banner in their hands.  They wore mostly dark clothes, leather jackets and such, appearing like any other adorably posed metal band riding the high of their friendship and love of the same kind of music.  "Odin's Hyrd" Hera read off softly, eyes tracing the stylized letters on the black banner they were holding between them.

She turned to look back at the others questioningly.  The two boys looked detached and as if they were trying not to get emotional.  Idona just looked from Hera to her mother, and Ingrid stepped forward after wiping her eye.  She smiled, sad and sweet, up at the Ursid woman.  "That's Ursula, but we all called her Ulle," she said, voice quavering only the slightest bit, concealing a vast ocean of emotion.  "My sister-in-law.  Me, her, and Rolf, that large man, used to be in a Viking Metal band in our youth.  She was the kindest and yet the most hardcore woman I'd ever met, and she inspired me to embrace my heritage, both as a way of life as well as a way to make money.  She was Rolf's wife and even introduced me to Theo, her brother, who went on to join the band with us since we needed a bass player.  We all moved into the Leod Hall together when she got pregnant with the boys.  Life on the road wasn't what she wanted for children.  We raised them as a family; Theo and I got married shortly after, and then I had Kelin, then Idona.  We settled down from the chaos of our younger days, found other trades, and became one big happy family.  People in town call us the Crazy Leods, but we treasure the bonds that tie us together."

Hera glanced back at the portrait.  "May I ask...?" she asked, trailing off meaningfully.

Ingrid looked down, tears glittering in her eyes.  "She got very sick.  I'd never seen her sick before in my life, but apparently, she had been for a long time, hiding it from the rest of us so it didn't make us upset.  She was like that, happy to suffer so that everyone else could be happy, never a thought for her own wellbeing.  We tried everything, but her cancer had spread too far for doctors to be able to do anything.  She fought as long and as hard as she could, a Valkyrie to the end.  Rolf hasn't been the same since.  It feels like only yesterday she was still with us, but it's been almost five years.  Rolf and Kelin became very close after she passed."

Hera's eyes panned back to the series of photographs.  A portrait of Rolf, clean-shaven and nearly unrecognizable, and wearing thick glasses of all things, stared back at her, wearing the ceremonial white uniform of the Navy.  A miniature portrait of both boys, both wearing Marine dress blues, was attached to either side.  She looked back at Eric and Cory, who traded deep, respectful nods to her for the military understanding that flashed between all three of them.

"The boys were stationed away from home during that time," went on Ingrid.  "Both asked for their discharges and came home to grieve.  Kelin was maybe 14, Idona 12.  We keep all of that there to remember her, celebrate the lives we lived, and how this whole family came together."  She wiped at her eye with the hem of her work shirt, then cleared her throat.  "But let's go, we have yet to show you where you're staying!"

Hera nodded, turning to follow them away.  She gave the portrait one last look, blinking away a tear or two of her own.  It brought everything into perspective for her, and despite the burning jealousy of a functioning and loving family that Kelin had possessed his whole life, she could not fault him for it for one second.  He was the way he was because he had been raised in a house completely soaked to the woodgrain with love, acceptance, exuberance, and energy.  Every house had a smell, and Leod Hall was by far one of her very favorites, and not just because that the family was probably richer than she could ever imagine a family being.  Nothing frivolous was here other than being up to date on all the latest technology for their appliances.  The Leods worked with their hands on every detail of their lives and there was nothing but respect possible for such kinds of people.

Leaving behind the somber corner, Hera was escorted to the basement, descending an only slightly cramped feeling stairwell.  Supported by massive concrete pillars, the majority of the open area down here was retrofitted, shockingly, to what appeared to be a mock combat area.  Wooden and foam weapons lined the walls, as did more of the Viking shields she had seen upstairs.  These ones, however, were all slightly battle-damaged.  Video cameras were set up on tripods all over, and she cast a curious eye towards Ingrid.

The Matron of the house just laughed.  "We...make family videos," she explained.  "It was Kelin's idea, and the boys all took to it.  We also have family jam sessions just for fun, although I am mortified to see it all so jumbled and messy when we have a houseguest over.  I promise to get it straightened up for you during your stay."  Hera told her that she did not mind it at all, to which Ingrid just waved her off, blushing just like her daughter and son did.  "You're too sweet; Kelin was absolutely right about you.  Boys, please go get her luggage!"  Eric and Cory clapped their fists to their armrings and climbed back up the stairs, leaving the trio of women alone.  Nodding as the door up above closed, Ingrid continued to walk down the hall away from the large performance room.  Another door on the right opened to a similar one, although this one was comprised of four different computer desks, each with multiple screens.  "The kids' gaming rooms," she explained.  "The walls are soundproof for the most part."

On they went down the hall.  A smaller pair of doors opened up to what looked like a recording studio set up in what amounted to a closet, compared to the other rooms.  Instruments lined the walls in the performance area, while a fully-equipped sound station was separated from it by a glass wall.

"Kelin records in here," explained Idona cheekily.  "I help!"

Hera's eyes sparkled, giving away her excitement.  The other two women giggled.  "How long has he...?" she asked, trailing off.

"Been performing?" finished Ingrid helpfully.  Hera nodded.  "Ever since he was very young.  We might have all left the band life behind us, but Kelin has loved music since he was just a little kid.  He would dance around to CDs of our band, and when he turned eight, Theo and I bought him his first guitar.  From there he got a drumset, a sound mixer, a keyboard, the entire works.  He's practically a band by himself."

"He does this amazing guitar-piano combination!" went on Idona.  "You'd never think it from listening, but he does it all by himself, usually in one sitting."  At her mother's proud nod, she plucked out her phone, pulled up Youtube, and found a video.  Hera took a listen, immediately blown away by the speed and complexity of seeing Kelin switch between both instruments back to back.  The sound was throughout, despite that the video clearly had a LIVE description.

"How in world does he do that?" she asked, staring as the miniature Kelin on the screen nodded along to his own playing, counting out beats in perfect synchronization as he kept switching back and forth.  His face was rapturously concentrated on his work, eyes closed, for the most part, playing as if he could feel the complicated sound of the dual notes by his fingertips alone.

"He has these little...foot pedals?" said Idona, looking at her mother who shrugged.  "They save sections of music to the buttons and keep playing them.  He taps one with his foot and it picks up the notes, then when he pushes it again it replays it.  I have no idea how he keeps it all coordinated."

Hera nodded again, impressed.  She had never met someone like Kelin.  It was not just talent; it was a love of music, pure and real.  His mother and sister beamed as Hera watched till the end of the video, upon which point she returned Idona's phone and they continued the tour.  The last room at the end of the hall was rather empty, looking mostly like a recreational relaxation room.  A huge sofa, not unlike her own back in the apartment, rested against one wall.  Other appliances and various pieces of seating were scattered around.  Hera nodded, able to stand up fully in this room and with space to move around, as opposed to the lavishly decorated but cramped feeling guest rooms upstairs.

Ingrid quickly moved, almost as if she was embarrassed, to unfold the couch into a bed.  It was probably a bit short for someone of Hera's size, but it was definitely wide enough.  She and Idona put sheets on it as well as a comforter and pillows.  "I am very sorry that there isn't room upstairs," she said, face flushed.  "I don't mean at all to sound or appear..."

Hera grinned wider.  "Mrs. Leod...Ingrid...I completely understand.  Most likely, I am largest houseguest you have had in Leod Hall, and at such short notice.  This is more than fine for me.  Your hospitality is second to none, and I cannot believe to have such warm welcome by most wonderful people."

Ingrid blushed even harder and smoothed her overalls, then glanced at her watch.  She balked.  "Idona, go make sure the truck is fully ready with the equipment, then go check on your uncle in the forge, let him know we need him and the boys to go down first and help set up.  Hera, I do apologize for this."  Hera watched Idona flash out of the room, then turned to look down at her diminutive and flustered host.

"Whatever could you be apologizing for?" she asked.

"When we found out Kelin could be showing up soon, we had to try and space out an event we are doing for Theo's museum pals in town.  We do stuff like it all the time for charities and such, fundraisers for schools, that kind of thing.  We are a local favorite for Halloween parties!  Not hard for people who wear costumes all year round."  She chortled, still seeming embarrassed.

"An event?" encouraged Hera, sounding hopeful.

"Yes," went on Ingrid. "We may not be a family band anymore, but when Kelin got us into the video business, we were approached by Theo's museum friends for historical reenactments, shows, and performances.  What started out as just a family playing around with weapons to Viking metal and folk music turned into just another way to keep us all involved and active.  We don't ever let them interfere with our personal time, but it's so much fun that we find ourselves booked all the time.  We tried to see if we could push it off until tomorrow, but we wanted Kelin's birthday to be special and without obligations.  Today was the only day we could still have done it.  I would understand if you'd like to stay here for it, after driving for so long."

Hera shook her head, hair waving behind her.  She could have sworn that the older woman had been staring at the rippling, silver waves with the same kind of fascination that Kelin so often was caught doing.  "No!" she exclaimed.  "I would love to come see!"

Immediately, Ingrid beamed up at her.  "Well then!" she said, then turned at a clatter down the hall.  A second later, a heavily puffing Eric entered the room.  In both hands, he was hauling her huge suitcase.  "Oh, Eric!" she said, nodding.  "Thank you, dear.  Put it down there, then go help Idona.  Have you seen your father?"

Nodding, Eric actually took a second to pant after putting down the cumbersome object.  Hera noticed that the handle was still pushed in, meaning that the boy had hauled it by hand rather than wheeling it.  The stubborn but adorable machismo shone as brightly as the sweat on his brow.  "Yeah," he said a moment later.  "Dad's in the forge making sure all the tools are ready.  He loaded half the van by himself."

"Please go get Kelin's equipment too then."

Eric arched an eyebrow, first at her, and then up at Hera.  His smile spread beneath the heavy stubble on his face.  "They coming too?"  Ingrid nodded.  "Hell yeah!" he proclaimed, pumping his fist.  "Cory!" he bellowed then, turning around and yelling down the hall.  A distant 'What?!' answered him.  "Help me get Tyr's stuff!  Him and his girlfriend are coming too!"  An acknowledgment of excitement came, and the boy raced off back down the hall and pounded up the stairs.

"Do they need help?" asked Hera.

Ingrid waved her away.  "I couldn't possibly ask a guest to assist in the heavy lifting, even if said house guest could probably do it all by herself."  She winked.  "Men of the Leod House always seem to pick strong women.  My Kelin has wonderful taste.  Just go wait upstairs for us.  Someone will come get you when it's time to go, but it shouldn't take us much longer.  We were still prepping when you and Kelin drove in.  Feel free to watch TV or read whatever you see laying around up there if you like!"

Hera nodded, shrugging, then turned and walked up the stairs to the ground floor.  Various members of the house raced around her, holding variously sized cases of unknown equipment.  Hera took a seat on the main living room couch, plucked up a photo album that was laying on the coffee table in front of her and settled in to wait.

***Meanwhile***

Outside in the woodshop, Kelin's steady hands helped sand down the carved railing of the longship.  He went slow and smooth, watching for any deviation in the polished wood.  It was nearly finished, a labor of love on his father's part for the last six months.  Everyone in the family had at one time or another helped contribute when they had time and not involved in their own interests.  As they worked, he and his father had chatted about small, mundane things, catching up on stuff Kelin had missed out on during his time at college.

"So," said Theo, putting down his chisel and sipping at his water bottle.  His father always started the more serious conversations this way.  "Tell me about this girl."

Kelin's face flushed and he hid it in his hanging strands of hair that had escaped his bun.  "She's a girl," he lamely retorted.

"Trust me, I noticed," chuckled Theo.  "A very beautiful, sweet, thoughtful, complex girl who I cannot help but notice that my son is utterly infatuated with."  Kelin growled and made sure he had his back to his father, face glowing.  "Your mom wouldn't talk much about everything that's been going on recently other than you two were dating, so I wanted to ask you about it myself."

"There's...not much to talk about dad," Kelin tried to deflect with, bent over double to try and sand out some nonexistent flaw in the wood.  There was a long silence as Theo waited for more.  He sighed, thunking his head against the railing.  He closed his eyes.  "Dad?  What was it like when you first realized...you and mom?"

Kelin glanced behind him to see his father's back turned to him just as he had been, but he had a distinct feeling that his dad was grinning that usual, self-satisfied grin he always had on.  "It's a hard thing to describe," he stated, skating around it as his son had so he didn't get too flustered.  The two men were alike in many ways.  "Realizing you feel that way about someone else isn't just when you like them, or like to spend time with them.  It's when you realize that, without the thought to do so, you've put yourself out there for them without ever needing to be asked, often without them ever knowing or being willing to ask you to.  You catch yourself thinking about them all the time, wondering and imagining their presence in every factor of your life, weighing your own interests and worried that they might judge you for them.  You want their happiness, more than your own, and you're consumed by this incredibly selfish feeling that you want to be part of it.  Maybe it actually makes you feel depressed a little bit, wanting to provide for someone you respect so much but knowing they might not need you.  It's hard."

Kelin turned back around, eyes locked on his hands.  He nodded, knowing that his father knew he had.  His vision flashed back over the last few hours, thinking about the trip up here and everything before it.  All the way back to his first meeting with Hera, where he had tried desperately to imagine what to even say or do to approach a woman trapped inside her own mind, ready to scare off anyone who dared get near her.  He remembered the first time he saw her smile, first heard her laugh for real, the feeling of their first true hug.  So much had happened in such a seemingly short time.

Theo continued speaking.  "I'll admit, it's been a long time since I've seen you this happy."  His voice had dropped to a solemn tone.  "Ever since Christine, I worried about you.  My mind has always been firmly set on that for every soul on Midgard, there is one other person meant to be our other half.  You and her were like two peas ever since you were little, and when you started dating I felt, to me, like it was meant to be without me being just an overly dramatic parent.  When I met your mother, I won't lie to you and claim it was love at first sight;  we had to work at it.  Sentient beings are not that shallow to see someone and absolutely know that they've found the perfect mate.  No two people are just meant to fit together like puzzle pieces.  There have to be differences along with similarities.  If someone seems perfect, they're lying to spare your feelings, or you've blinded yourself to things you think might push one of you away.  Relationships aren't just about being happy, not if they're meant to last.  There's risk, conflict, compromise, and trouble.  Because love has to override them all.  You're happier with them because they don't just do the things you happen to have in common.  You love them because they love you, and you both make the choice to be together through the hard times, not just the happy and simple."

Kelin looked away and out across the cramped yet tidy workshop.  He sighed deeply, closing his eyes yet again.  "Yeah," he grunted, not sure what else to say.  He wasn't sure what there even was left to say.

Theo's heavy hand fell on his shoulder and Kelin turned to face him.  Wordlessly, his father turned his head to the side and lifted Kelin's hair from where it hung over his scratches.  He said nothing, staring hard at the aggravated red lines on his son's otherwise fair skin.  He let go of the hair he was holding up and recovered the cuts.  "You really are my Tyr," he said, eyes glowing with warmth and pride.  "You put your hand in the wolf's jaws, knowing how dangerous it was.  You put more credence to doing the right thing, without regard for your own wellbeing and safety.  I'm not saying you were foolish to do so, nor that you had to lie to do it.  You've never been the type to lie, Kelin."

He faced his dad, looking up into his face and trying to keep his own straight.

"Would you have done the same for anyone in need?" asked Theo, both hands falling to his son's shoulders.  "I don't doubt it.  But that doesn't take away from that you saw the woman you treasure in danger and moved to help her without a second thought."  His hands clenched.  "Do you love her, Kelin?"

Shuddering hard, Kelin fought to not look away or close his eyes.  His face burned for an entirely different reason than being flustered, heat building behind his eyes.  He opened his mouth to answer, but something caught.  Regret and worry nagged at him.  "I..."

Theo's eyes softened.  "Saying it, feeling it, doesn't take away from how you still feel about Christine, Kelin."  His hands squeezed.  "  She was a beautiful girl, inside and out.  We all loved her, and what happened was a tragedy that any of us would have dropped everything if we could have done something to help.  She wouldn't want you to be miserable.  You can say it, but only if you really do feel it.  If it was easy to say, it wouldn't be real."

That struck him especially hard.  He stared right into his father's understanding face.  "She told me something...last night."

"What was it?"

"I don't know," he said, shaking his head.  "It was something in Russian."

Theo nodded.  "I spent a few years in Russia, but I can't say that I know the language entirely that well.  It's a harsh but beautiful place, the people even more so."

Kelin thought back to how Hera had said that phrase.  "It was...ya...tebya..."

"Lyubylu," finished Theo, eyes widening a bit and his smile growing wide and teasing.  Kelin nodded, confused.  Theo leaned back, groaning and popping his back.  "Well, we better get ready for the event at the museum.  You okay with helping out with it?  Awesome."  Theo turned and made to climb down the mounted ladder that led to the floor.

Kelin's eyes went wide and his eyebrows furrowed.  "Hey!" he called, running to the edge of the boat and looking down at his dad who had already descended.  "Dad!  What's it mean?"

"I'll tell you after the thing," the man shouted back cheekily.  "Come on!"

"Dad!" Kelin called, face heated and angry.

Theo leaned back into the shop, face now stern and serious.  "Hurry up, boy!" he shouted, using his most commanding voice.  "Get the hyrd out and move your ass!"

Kelin groaned but followed suit.  He grumbled but couldn't resist a grin.  His father, just like his mom, had a bit of a mischievous side to him to go along with the understanding and lovingly patient parts.  He closed the workshop's doors behind him, then turned and ran smack into something large, burly, and covered in hair.  At first, he assumed it was Hera, but when he took a step back, his eyes went wide.  "Uncle!" he yelled happily.

Rolf Torsten-Leod looked down at him.  His craggy, bearded face was split in a grin that showed off his white teeth.  Long hair was combed and braided back behind his face, bushy eyebrows overshadowing glittering eyes.  The over 6'5" man was shirtless, wearing ox-hide leather chaps over a pair of jeans and combat boots, and he had a folded, lumberjack style shirt draped over one hairy arm which bulged with muscles, scars, and tattoos.  Thor's hammer hung around his neck by a braided cord.  "Kel!" he rasped.  One arm reached over and ruffled his head of black hair, messing up the bun there.  "There's my favorite nephew!  When'd you get back?"

Kelin laughed, trying to wave off the heavily knuckled paw.  "Just a little bit ago!" he chuckled.  "I brought my girlfriend with me.  Dad said something about a thing?"

Rolf leaned back, flipping the shirt he was carrying open and pulling it on.  He began deftly doing up the seemingly tiny buttons.  "Yeah, at the museum.  Mr. Livings asked your old man to have us do a little show since they're rolling out a brand new exhibit.  Girlfriend huh?" his eyes twinkled brighter and he grinned wolfishly.  "Sure this family raised a Baldur, rather than a Tyr, charmer you."

Flushing, Kelin at first grumbled at the teasing, then caught onto what else had been said.  He saw Eric and Cory loading a series of heavy crates into the back of the family van.  He recognized some of them as his setup.  "And I've been recruited huh?" he asked, folding his arms and grinning.  "And before you ask, her name's Hera, although I don't see her anywhere..."  He craned his neck, looking around.

"Hera huh?" Rolf asked, folding down his shirt's collar and sniffing once.  "Haven't met her yet.  Was working on the weapons and such for the show.  You go fetch her, I'm heading up with the boys to get set up.  See you in town."  He tapped Kelin in the chest as if he had something on his shirt, flicking his nephew's nose when he looked down.  Guffawing, the large man stomped off, climbing into the van with Kelin's cousins, and rumbled off down the road.

Rubbing at his nose, Kelin turned to see his dad, mom, and sister were also loading up stuff into the truck.  "Where's Hera?" he asked, walking over.

"Still inside," responded his mom.  "Why don't you go fetch her and follow us up?  We're running only a second or two behind, but you know Mr. Livings, he's called almost five times already."

"Talking my damn ear off," grunted Theo, loading a heavy box into the back of his flatbed.  He turned to give his son a wink and then leaned down to kiss his wife.  "Come, my Vulva, we have to get going."

***Vulva in Norse culture refers to a Shamaness or Wisewoman***

Blushing only a tiny bit, Ingrid swatted Theo on the butt, making both Kelin and Idona groan.  "As you say, my thegn," she teased back.

Kelin traded a look with his sister.  "I'm gonna go get Hera before I vomit," he said and began walking back towards the house.

"Take me with you," Idona grunted, hurrying to catch up and leaving their parents behind to continue being sickeningly adorable.  "They've been like that for a while.  We're gonna end up with a new baby brother or sister at this rate.  Thank you so much for letting me crash in your room while you've been gone.  The soundproof walls help a lot."

Kelin's face scrunched up.  "I do not need to know this!"

"Suffer, big brother!" Idona said, voice going raspy.  "Suffer with me!"  She hung onto Kelin's arm dramatically.

"Get off me, you weirdo!" he laughed, trying to shake her incredibly strong grip off.  They walked into the living room, seeing Hera immediately.  The Ursid turned at once, ears twitching, and upon seeing her Kelin's stomach clenched hard.  His smile spread into a goofy grin, which Idona seemed to notice easily.  He hurried to speak before his sister could tease him.  "Hey, Hera, we're all ready.  Sorry about this, my folks roped me into it."  He turned to eye Idona.  "Shouldn't you be riding up with them?"

The gravel crunched outside and Kelin glanced back, seeing his parent's truck going down the road.  He grumbled.  Idona shrugged innocently.  "Well no choice now," she said, voice as sweet as honey mead.

Hera chuckled, making both siblings turn again and look up at her as she stood, putting down the family album that their mom kept on the coffee table at all times.  It was opened to a side-by-side graduation photo of Kelin and Idona's most current school picture.  The Ursid crossed over to them easily.  Her hair caught the natural light of the bay windows up above, seeming to shine and sparkle like it was studded with gems or made from pure starlight.

"It is no trouble," Hera said, voice soft and eyes warmly glowing down at the pair of them.  "I can drive us to museum, long as I get directions.  Gives me more time to talk to Idona for embarrassing stories about my Kelin."  She winked down at Kelin, who flushed and glowered up at her, butterflies dispelled.

Idona snickered.  "I have so many," she said nastily.  "Kelin, you picked the most fun girlfriend ever.  My Kelin," she cackled, quickly scooting away from her brother who tried to flick her in annoyance.  She batted her eyelashes at him teasingly.  "Do you two lovebirds also need a minute?"

Kelin growled but a large paw touched his back and he glanced up at Hera who had plucked out the keys to Rico's truck.  He smiled without meaning to, and she returned it.  "No," he said sheepishly, looking away.  He noticed Idona's teasing expression had dropped off, replaced by a warm approval if not a touch of jealousy.

Together, the three of them walked outside after shutting the doors to the house.  Hera looked at him confusedly when he made no attempt to lock them, even though he had a ring of keys from inside now at his waist.  He glanced up at her.  "We have a home security system, don't worry," he said, winking.  "Besides, everyone knows us, so who would try and steal something?  They know dad would just give it to them if they asked."

Hera shrugged, and then both turned as Idona tapped a white box mounted to the outside of the home.  "Mimir," she said, putting her thumb over a scanner.  "Lock the house, please."

An automated voice responded immediately.  "Aye, me wee lassy," it said robotically, using a synthesized Irish voice.  "Nay a troll nor enemy raid shall invade whilst I watch the castle!"

"Thank you, Mimir!" chirped Idona, blowing the box a kiss, then shut the panel and walked back over to them.

"You talk to home security?" she asked, walking with them to the huge, black truck and opening the passenger seat.  Idona quickly shot past Kelin and climbed up into it.  She chuckled, turning to look back at an annoyed Kelin.  "Don't worry, you got shotgun whole ride up here," she teased, then bent down and kiss her boyfriend's nose.  "Take backseat."

Kelin grunted but kissed her back before she had stood back up fully, which he noticed made her growl slightly.  He did as she suggested, taking the spacious backseat for himself.  Idona winked back at him and he wiggled his head at her childishly.  He wasn't quite sure why his sister was acting this way.

Hera climbed up a moment later and Idona turned to answer the Ursid's question.  "We believe that anything that moves or speaks is alive, so we treat tools, technology, and animals like people.  They're just as much a part of the family as we are.  Also, just in case the robots try and take over the world, it helps that they might remember you as one of the nice ones."  She cackled.

Kelin rolled his eyes.  "Sorry, Hera, my sister is completely insane."

Hera glanced back at him in the rearview mirror, eyes glittering.  "I do not know, Kelin, she has point.  Who knows when Terminator becomes real or not?"

He groaned playfully as they set off down the road.  Behind them, the pack of dogs barked and howled goodbye from their large enclosure.  "Oh gods, not another one," he said in a mock-exhausted voice.

The two women stuck out their tongues at him and he settled back, arms crossed and chuckling.  He caught Hera's eyes once more, stomach returning to its tightly clenching norm.  He couldn't remember being so nervous and happy around anyone else before in his life.  He turned his mind to thinking about the event they were driving towards, shooting his mother a quick text to get the details.  Her answer had him actually getting a little excited.

"I hope you're ready for this, Hera," he said teasingly.  "You're about to see the Crazy Leods at their best."

She beamed back at him.  "I can hardly wait, my little Viking."

"I'm starting to wish I'd taken Mom and Dad's truck," groaned Idona.  "You two are sickeningly adorable, just as bad as them.  So!" she rubbed her hands together eagerly.  "Embarrassing stories!"

Hera looked over at her eagerly.  "Yes!  Tell!"

Kelin pointed warningly.  "Careful, Idona, or I'll tell her the same kind of embarrassing stories about you too."

Idona flipped her hair at him dismissively while Hera chortled in the driver's seat.  "I'm perfect and you know it."

"The short hair phase?" asked Kelin scathingly.

"...Fine you win," she said, crossing her arms and grumbling.  She leaned over to whisper to Hera then.  "I'll tell you some later, promise."

Hera giggled and glanced back at a glowering Kelin.  "I already saw baby photos, Kelin," she growled.  "What else, more damning than bare baby Kelin bottom, could there be, I wonder?"

His face flushed and he looked away from her.  "Turn right here," he growled back at her, trying to hide his excitement for what was to come.