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If you're not Kairi Nightingale or Logician Extraordinaire, (formerly Morgana the Demon Queen and xxNaturalxxDisasterxx), no posting please!
Feel free to read along and watch the ships set sail~ #Sangleo, #Althena & [the bromance] #PotatoEd~

Here and there, little shops began to open up in town-a town all too unfamiliar for the hooded figure who roamed around with no true purpose. She had once had a role-to serve Odin and Freyja, transporting souls to their afterlife...Leaving some behind to heal and fight another day. But it was all too stressful and difficult for this valkyrie to choose. She hated knowing she was the singular factor in whether a mortal remained on Earth or was pulled into the following realm where they would have to grapple with the reality of their new life. So many would scream and moan, begging her to let them stay...Give them a chance. She didn't want it anymore...She had had enough.

As she journeyed to escape her life, she came upon a goddess who offered two routes. Be the servant...or be the valkyrie she always wanted to be. Now, here she was, being the happy and carefree girl she always wanted to be. Sometimes, he was the happy and carefree boy he always wanted to be...And sometimes, the valkyrie was the happy and carefree valkyrie they always wanted to be. It was easier to exist as whoever and whatever Athena wanted to be...Though few understood the entirety of their identity.

In the midst of wandering, she found a small shop that was open for breakfast time-perfect. Sitting at the counter, she ordered, "Earl Grey, a sweet roll, and some crackers please." She pulled a few coins from her coin purse, setting them down on the counter with a wide smile and nod. The valk tilted her head to the side, gently nuzzling the puff-ball of a raven hiding in the crook of her neck. "Thank you master Athena. Remember to-" "Crush the crackers and a smidge of the roll, of course dear Ed. Why do you think I order them?" She giggled after squawking softly back to him, knowing most thought her out of her mind...quite crazy to say the least. But never mind everyone else-she loved Ed more than anyone or anything else. "Master Athena, did you see the swallow chirping in the willow? Quite the feathers, eh? I wonder if he is into the whole raven thing..."

Her tea was served and she brought out a vial from her satchel, pouring the smallest portion of homemade honey she had on her. Stirring it, she nodded now and then to acknowledge Ed. But boy did that bird know how to ramble...Sometimes, she couldn't get a word in edge-wise. Such was life with him, and she wouldn't trade him for anything. He was her singular constant companion. Athena took a sip from the tea, crushing the crackers in her other hand. She held her arm out so Edgar could waddle his way down her arm onto the table-most didn't mind him on the table...After all, he was clean and harmless. Well, at least, harmless when she was keeping a close eye. "There you are dear Ed. Perhaps some peace and quiet now?" The bird chirped approval and began pecking away at the crumbs.

Taking a few sips, she looked around the cafe and out the window where the town began to get busy. Perhaps it was a market day? She sure loved to talk with people. Positive talks, of course. She almost felt as if her new life's mission was to spread happiness, laughter, and smiles. Some welcomed her positive attitude...Others thought her the most irritating. To each their own... She thought to herself.

After tea and her roll, she thanked the man behind the counter before taking Edgar back up onto her shoulder and leaving. The valkyrie wandered once more in the town, whistling softly to keep Ed's incessant squawking at bay. Sometimes, it put him into a trance, and she could have moments of quietness to herself. Less so for thinking, moreso to hear the bustle and conversations of the people around her. She was grateful not to hear souls crying anymore. Instead, she heard the laughter of young ones, the whispers between the guardians...She caught wind that some new people had arrived in the forest and were on their way here? Perhaps she could greet them! And with that thought, she hurriedly weaved her way to the entrance of the town. Athena waited patiently for the new comers, willing and able to help should they need it.

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today

Fixing her dress, Athena began to get tired of hearing Edgar go on and on about that singular swallow he had seen in the willow. For Freyja sake...How many more possible scenarios could he pose of meeting said male-bird and charm the feathers off of him? "Can you imagine the way he would feel should I bring him the feather of a crow? Oh master Athena, you cannot tell me that isn't the most charming thing... He cackled, strutting back and forth on her shoulder. Some days, she wondered why she put up with him...But after all, she couldn't up and leave him alone. He made her happy after all, and he couldn't very well fly and find himself another group of feathery companions.

"I can only imagine. Do you think you could manage to transport it? She giggled, willing to entertain him for a few moments. "A crow's feather? I would do my very best if it meant I could speak with my fellow bird. Perhaps you could lurk in the background to make sure I made it safe? Though, I don't feel quite so comfortable knowing you're watching me charm away...Assure my safety and leave, Master Athena-that would be the only way." The raven bobbed his head back and forth. Athena only knew that he was thinking he was smooth and brilliant all in one feathered package. She had heard him say it more times than she could count on four mortal appendages. "Anything for you, my sweet companion."

The valkyrie scratched him on the chest, feeling his foot shaking like a dog's would when hitting their sweet spot. She snorted in amusement-knowing he did that solely to hear her laugh...He was quite good at that. "Remind me, what was the last poultice I made?" She pulled out her book of healing as sold by a local apothecary she came across, and flipped through the few pages she knew she had done already. "That goopy brown one with the leaves and twigs you made me get. That was the most disgusting thing I ever laid my beady eyes on! And you smeared it on yourself...Sweet mother Freyja, do NOT-I repeat to you-DO NOT make that one again. You stunk up the room for days...And you look like some swamp monster's baby!"

Her conversation was quickly cut short when she heard the ruckus of some creature and his master. She felt Edgar shiver and run to her neck for protection. Something seemed...To bother him. "Edgar, what is the matter?" But as she spoke, she saw the figures come to view. It appeared...a headless man being dragged by his horse companion. The valkyrie rushed over, holding Edgar against her neck ever so gently but enough so he wouldn't fly off her shoulder and hit the floor. That had happened a few times when they first became friends...Edgar was not a pleasant bird when he began falling from so high up.

"Whoa there spirit. Pray, stop a moment." Athena held up her arms. She would have placed it on his snout if he weren't so high off the ground. Then she remembered...Duh...You have wings, silly Valk. She flapped her wings and rose off the ground, just high enough that she was still below and non-threatening to the horse. Her delicate fingers ran along his snout, and she hushed softly, a brilliant smile on her face. "You two are like a hot mess if ever I did see one. What? Did he forget that his bottom is suppose to be in the saddle? Or did you find it amusing to drag along your companion as so? If I pecked at Master Athena, she would be boiling me in a soup so fast..." The feathered creature managed to waddle his way down Athena's outstretched arm onto the horse's face. He kept walking until he found a presumably comfortable spot between the horses ears-where he proceeded to plop down and burrow. His robust body and feathers covered the traces of feet, and he closed his eyes. If birds could smirk...

Knowing Ed would distract the horse, her light feet hit the ground and she knelt to check on the headless man. Where was his head? Athena traced her way to the source of the problem, and slowly began to undo his foot. When it came free, she didn't catch it in time before it fell to the ground with a rather loud thud. "Oh my gosh, are you alright? I didn't mean for that..." She fell to her knees and looked where his head would be, and realized that she had forgotten his head wasn't attached. Heat rose to her cheeks and she helped the body of the man up onto his feet. She took a few steps back, her hands twisting into the sleeves of her cloak. The poor girl was thoroughly embarrassed...

Clumsy and forgetful-quite the opposite to Ed. When she finally found the nerve to look up, she did. The man was dauntingly tall and dark, starkly different from her light and short figure. "I meant to greet all who came by...Hi there..." She winced at her comment, feeling suddenly idiotic and childish. She forced a smile up at him before looking to the floor again. He hates me, I know he hates me...

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today

Athena blinked a few times when she realized how difficult a time he was having speaking. His mouth opened but left nothing but silence between them. He had even gone to the extent of looking over at his companion for some sort of...Support or help in the matter? Her eyes followed his gaze and fell on the horse attempting to shake off Edgar. It wasn't much of an effort, more just to make it apparent that the little feathered friend was a nuisance. That's when Athena hopped up, her wings helping her hover, and grabbed Edgar off the horse's head. "Be polite, you know he doesn't like that." She chirped softly as she landed once more on the ground, glancing over at the headless man. He thinks I'm so lunatic doesn't he? Talking to a bird as a bird would another...

"If he very well doesn't like that, wouldn't ya think he'd try a bit harder to get me off? No one can resist the charm and warmth of the ever talkative, ridiculously smooth and suave raven! Besides, that horse is a mean one. You can tell in those glowing eyes of his... The little bird shook his feathers, almost as if to mimic a shiver down his spine at how 'creepy' the horse was to him. The valk bit her lip, wanting to argue with Ed about his lack thereof manners-though she did hate to scold him. Instead, she sighed and placed him back on her shoulder, turning to the man she was speaking to.

He had hardly spoken a few words, and she nodded encouragingly when he said hi. It was a good start, and slowly but surely, her confidence and happiness reappeared. It hit her then that she was nodding to the body-where was the head? The girl perked her ears and looked around, the glint of metal catching her eye. She faced that way, hardly being able to see much more than an ear or cheek. If she wasn't mistaken...His face was tinted a rather dark shade of crimson. This made her smile even wider, and she couldn't help but shift around to get a better look. Ever so charming the way a man blushes...

"I fear if anything at all, I am the one to apologize. My companion isn't the most ideal-" "NOT THE MOST IDEAL!? Master Athena! But if my company is so tiresome to you... "Hush Ed, you know I love you. You are the most frustratingly perfect companion for me. Let me speak now, this man and his horse are distressed." "You upset me..." She could hear the pout in his voice as he attempted to flap his way back to horse. Athena felt guilty, and it showed in her face as she took him from the air and helped him back up.

Smiling once again, though apologetically as it were, she continued. "Excuse him, he throws little tantrums once in aw-" "Tantrums? You want to see a tantrum? I have hardly scratched the surface of a tantrum, Master Athena! You wait until I-" She balled up her hands into little fists, though to most, it was most likely the least threatening thing you could ever see. A five foot two valkyrie with the countenance of young one, balling her proportionately small hands into what looked to be fists...She knew one day she would be a laughing stock."Edgar, dear. Quiet as your master speaks with the gentleman. As I was saying, I apologize for his behavior. The rambunctious sort he is..." The valkyrie giggled, looking away shyly for a few seconds as she did.

"My name is Athena, and I have been in this city for two day's time. Really, I have not much a clue where everything is here-but perhaps we may explore together just what this city holds for the four of us." She said sweetly. She turned from him, stretching her wings as she ran a hand along the neck of his horse friend. She kissed him softly to keep him calm, to show that horses had a special place in her heart and mind before tentatively reaching for the reins. "No worry, dear spirit. My name is Athena, and loud as Edgar is, he is harmless. Quite sassy-you should watch out for his attitude-" "Yeah, can't say that ain't the truth..."

It was then that she heard the woman's voice, asking if they were new. She seemed to have appeared out of nowhere-and clearly unafraid of such rare and beautiful creatures as the headless man and his horse were. It struck her odd that the woman wasn't staring away in awe. Perhaps she had once come across such a unique being? Athena nodded briefly, suddenly at a loss for words. Speaking with the dullahan seemed so easy given he was more flustered and upset than she...But the moment another confident being waltzed into a conversation, her own confidence was shot to hell, her voice lost in her little throat.

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today

And before Athena even had a moment to breathe, everything crashed down on her world like the apocalypse. The cat-woman was concerned…But for what reason? The two had everything taken care of, had they not? Athena thought she was doing a wonderous job…Not until she was questioned. And that made her question herself. Was she actually doing a good job? Or was the horse still frightened? Or was the man truly hurt without her knowing or understanding? The thoughts rolled around in her head, beginning to shut down what happiness had appeared.

She saw the poor headless man look to her, and her face was pulled into a look of utter confusion and pain. Finally, for once in her short time there the valkyrie had a moment with a man so kind and sweet; despite his rather odd entrance. Her confidence had skyrocketed-even to the point of being able to converse and comfort him…All to have it shot down as more and more people joined their initial group of four.

The little girl hushed the horse, feeling his distress emanating and darkening his aura. Was it of her doing? "Dear spirit…Everything is quite-" But before she had a moment to finish, a woman ran over to the horse. "Sweet Freyja, have mercy on your soul creature…Athena froze in fear-the worst time of all to touch an upset horse would be now. Even the valkyrie was going to take a few steps away, afraid that the spirit would buck and hurt her. She wasn't one to push one to their limits, and it was more than clear in the body language of the animal that his boundaries-his rules- were well overstepped by all the beings who began to crowd around.

Almost as if time was playing in slow motion, she sidestepped as the horse shied away, making the most painful sound Athena had ever heard. She loved horses, loved them nearly more than her own Edgar; and to hear that level of anguish, that level of anxiety…It nearly broke her old heart.

She knew the two had had enough, but who was she to beg them to stay? Even for her, a being generally unaffected by others around, felt the overwhelming and abrupt succession of events. One moment she was speaking with this shy man-she had a feeling hardly ever spoke to anyone given the way he could barely utter a coherent sentence-the next, a woman appeared curious to their intentions in the city; then another man with dead animals on his back…And a brown-haired woman who clearly didn't understand the nature of distraught animals.

As she finally was able to collect her thoughts and feelings, the horse charged off into the forest with her feathered friend and the body of the dullahan trailing after. They had taken Ed, and she softly prayed for his safety before her sense of calm collapsed beneath her. "How dare you all! To rush upon two beings conversing as if you have the right to waltz in and ruin any possible moment they were having! Ever heard of manners? You all should be ashamed!" Athena's body was heaving and shaking uncontrollably, having exerted more energy on her least favorite activity-reprimanding for bad behavior. But after everything…She liked to believe it was warranted. They should be ashamed for their behavior. "Completely and utterly careless with your actions. Think about others before yourself. I pray for all of you that this happens to no one else. And should it, may Odin and Freyja have mercy on your souls. Shameless, you all are really…" Her last words were but a whisper as she muttered a string of Old Norse words in a tone sharper than a knife-presumably they were curses, and the worst of them at that.

The valkyrie ran off after the small trail they had left, feeling her rage drain, replaced by her worry for her sweet Edgar. She hadn't yet gotten the names of the man and his horse…She sure hoped he, too, was alright. The despair in his face for finally having come out of his shell, or so she imagined that is what he was conveying to her…Much like the screech emitted by his horse companion, it broke her heart. Her breathing turned into heavy panting as she frantically began to run faster, more and more concerned she might not see any of them again. Thankfully, she found the horse in the clearing.

Athena stopped short, completely out of breathe-but she couldn't help but blurt, "Are you alright? I am…So sorry." She had brought her hands up together, her fingers interlocking themselves. She looked to be on the brink of tears, the utmost sympathy in her voice. The girl kept her voice sweet and as calm as could be expected- more for the sake of the horse than anything else. She hoped to Vahalla above that he wouldn't run again. Yet, she didn't blame him in the slightest should that be his automatic reaction. "There, there boy…My Master means no harm. She will take care of you." Edgar had held onto the man's head for dear life; but since they were at a stop, the raven found enough nerve to climb back up the horse's neck. He wanted to comfort him…He may be sassy, but he wasn't heartless. The feathered friend walked up slowly, nuzzling himself against the companion's ear. He chirped softly before settling once more.

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today

The moment she heard his voice speak to her again, her eyes closed. They had welled with tears from the rollercoaster experience she had just had-leaving her the most emotional wreck she had been since the last war she had to serve in. She wiped them away before they broke the surface, still unsure whether she could open them again to look at any of the creatures now in the clearing. "Master Athena, are you crying? Don't cry!" He pushed off from the horse's head and flapped his wings, putting all his effort into flying toward her.

The valkyrie couldn't help but smile, rushing over to her raven friend. He...Wasn't much a flyer- in fact, he hardly could fly at all as evidenced by his movement one foot in her direction. That would be good...If he wasn't only a few feet off the ground at that point. The effort he put in to comfort her lightened the heaviness in her chest that she felt after the entire ordeal. Catching him in her hands, she held him tight against her chest, down on her knees only a foot from the horse and the man's head.

Looking up, she saw the sheer strength and presence of the horse she had attempted to befriend. Unsure how he felt now, the connection somewhat severed, she got up onto her feet and took a number of steps backward to give him space. It's a hard thing to rush friendships with rational human beings and humanoid creatures alike, but to rush the company of a spirit horse such as his? That was an unimaginably painful mistake-obviously.

Her head had been down looking at the ground before he had spoken. She, herself, had felt ashamed. For what reason? Athena wasn't sure; but something in her heart made her feel guilty and awful. But as he addressed her, he tried to assure her it wasn't her that was the problem, and that he should be the one sorry. The girl heard in his words his genuineness, this subtle hint of caring in his voice. He had hesitated at first, and she could only guess that perhaps he had never expressed something of this intensity to another. Well given that he could hardly speak...This must be the largest step he has ever made. Are we taking this step together? she thought to herself, feeling the tears itch the back of her eyes again.

He bowed to her, asking for forgiveness. This sent her over the edge, tears falling down her face like never before. "Master Athena...Please, Princess. Don't cry... Edgar nipped at her chin softly to calm her, squawking to get her attention. Athena bit her lip, vigorously wiping her eyes. She was making a fool of herself in front of some man she didn't even know the name of...And yet that admission of emotion felt right in the moment. "Forgive you? There is...Nothing to forgive." She whispered, moving closer to the body.

She glanced over at his head on the horse, feeling the butterflies rise to her throat. Before losing her nerve, she walked to his body, a few moment's hesitation as she looked up to the tall figure. The valkyrie's wings shook, the slightest gesture of happiness as she smiled. He made her...Happy. And to say he only made her happy would be the greatest understatement of all time. Her arms reached out, shaking though they were, and wrapped around his body. Athena leaned into him, pressing the side of her head to his chest, her eyes closed blissfully, her heart pounding against her breasts. Perhaps he knew what to do...Or maybe he didn't. But she wouldn't let go unless the horse chomped on her wings and forced her away. She felt some odd connection to him, weak and unreturned as of now... But she knew the potential in it, and hoped this little hug would do that connection some good.

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today

The girl had resolved in helping the dullahan in any way possible-and it appeared he needed aid in socialization more than anything else. Her tears had ceased as he asked his question, and she only thought for a moment before whispering a response, "Upset, yes. I cry as an expression of my sorrow. However, I am not mournful of your action; but rather the extreme anguish you and your companion felt as a result of the careless actions of others. I...Had an outburst shortly after. I do hope I am forgiven by the gods for such drastic and negative behavior. Reprimanding is the least of my favorite things. But I think it quite warranted given the way they approached someone as bewildered as you were. You'd think they'd seen a creature like you everyday..." It was then that she realized she had begun to ramble on, and frankly, did he care? Her decisions and opinions weren't much his concern, and surely, he was too frazzled to tell her so.

Athena's smile was the greatest grin the world had ever seen from such stereo typically serious and morose being. It had been small at first, just content with the small gesture of gratefulness. Albeit, he had yet to return the embrace-much to be expected. This was the most anxious, awkward, uncomfortable creature she had ever met, and perhaps even her actions were rushed. She fought herself to step back and give him space, apologize for the intimate and forward move on her part, and be on her way. After all, Edgar was safe in her care once more. What was stopping her?

His body tensed in her arms, and her eyes flew open, frozen again in fear as she had shortly before. Was he going to hit her or push her away? His kind weren't the sweetest beings on this Earth, then again, neither were hers. Had they both changed themselves to be who they wanted to be all along? She hadn't experienced his kind more than once before...Was her friendliness making him uneasy? Perhaps he needed to be taught what it was she was doing-and he only confirmed that in his next statement.

The valkyrie had felt his hand on her head, pushing it away from his chest. It was surprisingly gentle, almost as if he viewed her as a fragile doll made of porcelain. She hadn't felt this level of kindness from anyone-let alone a man- in...She never had. Men were rough 'savages' (really, they just had a more physical way of life) where she was from. There was a tender side to a headless horseman? Just the thought amused her, and she giggled as her eyes looked up to where his head would be. His head is still not on his body... The embarrassment continued, rising to show and tint her cheeks a rosy pink.

Shifting her body with his to look over at the helmeted head, she looked on at him in the most compassionate and understanding way. Her eyes sparkled in revelation, piecing together parts of him that he had exposed in only a few simple words. He probably didn't know how much those words meant something to her... "It is part of the mortal culture, and much like you, I did not know what it was either. It is an embrace to express many things. Sympathy, warmth, physical attraction, protection, and for me...understanding. It's called...Edgar, I have forgotten the term. What do they call it?" "A hug, Master Athena. If laying down together with one prone on or next to the one supine with arms around, they call that cuddling. Various positions of course..."

The raven had nestled in her neck as he so often did, the quietest thrum of happiness in his chest and throat. "A hug." She finished. Not sure if eye contact made him apprehensive, she turned back to his body. Athena unlocked her arms from him and reached up above her head where his arms were. Her hands were visibly trembling, a mixture of adrenaline and anxiety running through her. She took his arms and slowly brought them down. He was like a huge statue-in stature and inflexibility. There was, she knew, a heart in there somewhere despite all that had happened; and she was determined to make it jump start like never before.

She brought them down around her shoulders, positioning his hands underneath her hair on her neck and on her head as if to cradle her in his arms. She even managed to weave his fingers between a few of her tresses. "It is weird at first...But oddly comforting. They last for a short time, a few seconds sometimes; or can be as long as desired by both parties. If you want to stop now...It's really okay. I could only imagine what you must me thinking. I'm a lunatic, aren't I?" Her arms wrapped around his waist and lower torso once more, and she leaned against him in the same way. The girl closed her eyes, focusing in on the energy around them. She wanted to see the darkness lift from their auras, to be relieved of all stress. Simply to exist in this moment...Entertain the idea of happiness, serenity, and inner peace.

All we do is hide away
All we do is chase the day
All I wanna be is whites in waves
All we do is play it safe
All we do is live inside a cage
All I did was fail today