'Tis a Gift (Closed)
The last lights of the rainbow bridge faded and Elena and Dietrich stared in awe at the glittering world spread before them. Asgard. For as long as they could remember, their home realm of Synsall had been at war with the Asgardians. But now, the two worlds had managed to broker an uneasy peace. And so the pair had been sent as envoys to their new ally. Or so they'd been told. Heimdall the gatekeeper nudged the incredulous pair forward, the leaves of their olive and hyssop crowns shaking. "Come along. The city is waiting." Elena bit her lip and nodded, her pointed ears twitching as she reached for Dietrich's hand while he gawked and rubbernecked at the crystal around him. As they walked, the distant sounds of the Asgardian capitol echoed around them, joyous shouts and the babble of voices. It only grew louder as the small group approached the great golden gates. Elena squeezed her friend's hand, the celebration inside somehow making her uneasy. Dietrich gave her a reassuring smile before leaning over to whisper in her ear, using their native tongue so the Asgardian wouldn't understand. "It's alright, Elgenia. We'll be home soon enough." "I hope you're right, Driekrak. Joyous Asgardians have never been good in the past..." Dietrich didn't have time to answer; with a shout from Heimdall, the gates rumbled open and the full roar of the crowds washed over them. Iridescent flower petals and golden sparks drifted through the perfumed air, thrown by smiling Asgardians from windows and rooftops, all of them out to welcome the two children. It was as if all of the city had paused their lives to come out and celebrate their peace with streamers and song. Elena and Dietrich quailed a little at the sheer size of the masses; their home world was much smaller than Asgard. They'd only held out so long through guerrilla warfare. Heimdall once again gently pushed them forward and the streets' sound swelled. Dietrich waved shyly at some younger girls, sending them into a whispering and giggling fit. Elena was more serious, observing but occasionally flashing a little of her fanged smile. The crowds only grew in size the closer they got to the palace, performers twirling and wheeling through the people. One stilt walker bent down and presented Elena with a red rose. She took it gently, her smile finally genuine. "Thank you, Sir Clown," she said, her Asgardian flawless and polite. She dropped into a curtsy as the stilt walker nodded and left and the trio continued on their way. The first thing they saw when the front of the palace came into view was the sunlight glinting off the All-Father's helmet. That gleam had been the last sight of so many of their people, and it struck that chord of unease in both of their hearts. All the festival glee faded from their eyes as the pair climbed the golden steps and knelt in front of the King of Asgard. "Odin, All-Father of Asgard, it gives us great pleasure to be with you today, and cement the new bond between our peoples. We hope our alliance shall be lasting and strong. Praise Asgard!" They chorused the oft rehearsed words in unison, heads bowed in reverence as their white robes splayed around them and their wreaths shone. And Odin smiled. He raised a single hand, stilling the cheers of the crowd before gesturing for the young pair to rise. "As do I, children. What are your names?" Elena dipped into a curtsy, her long brown hair swaying as she kept her eyes on the All-Father. He may have been smiling, but even that didn't quiet her worry. "In my native tongue, I am Elgenia. But in Asgardian, I am Elena. May your reign be long and prosperous." Dietrich bowed next, quiet for once in all the time she'd known him. "And in Synsall, I am Driekrak. A new land requires a new name, so here I am Dietrich. May health and good fortune grace your family." "Elena and Dietrich..." Odin mused over their words, studying the children with his single eye. Too young for hard labor...and they needed to be kept in good appearance and health in case a Synsallian came to check on their children. The solution came to him quickly and he stood, the crowd hushing once again to hear him speak. "My friends, the war between Asgard and Synsall is no more. As a token of this peace, they have presented us with a gift of precious value. These children shall become the symbols of the peace, serving both of our realms here in the palace. Welcome them, for from this day on, they are forever residents of Asgard!" There it was. The source of all her unease. As the crowd roared around them, Elena reached for Dietrich's hand, tears shining in both their eyes. Gifts. Sacrifices. Servants. They were never going home. Odin returned his attention to the pair once again, noting that they stood together even as they tried to hide the despair on their small faces. "Loki," he called, motioning his son over. "You've been saying you need more servants. Will these two suffice?"
