Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 13:14:33 GMT -7
This was one of those occasions that had never happened. Sigyn was doing something behind Loki's back. And it was not just looking for a nice present for his birthday. No. It was sinister and dark and possibly, the most dangerous thing that she had ever doen. For her body and her soul and for them as a couple. So why now? Why not sooner? Why had she waited all those years? Sigyn had not had a choice so far. Hela had refused to see her or Loki. The forlorn daughter had taken great pleasure in torturing Sigyn, a woman she had only met once. Or maybe, Hela had not cared. Sigyn did not know. She tried not to hold a grudge, yet she could not. How cruel, a daughter of her beloved husband, bearing the power to fulfil her most desired wish, yet unwilling to do so. Truth was, the loss of a child was something you'd never overcome, let alone the loss of two. Sigyn had managed to live with it, but the pain had been ever-present. She had just gotten used to it. When night had fallen and she was by herself, she dressed in the blackest of black she owne, sat down in her little magic room and started to chant, started to speak that spell that would take her astral body to Hel, over and over again. For a single second, she felt dizzy, but that was exactly how it was supposed to be. Sigyn closed her eyes and drifted off into nothingness, blackness, a bottomless pit of death. Right where she craved to be. No sound was echoing in the vast, stone hallways she was walking. She did not know in which corner of Hel she had landed, or if she had even landed in that particular destination. She could onle hope to find Hela, or anywone who'd take her to Loki's only daughter. Sigyn had a purpose and she would not return before she had met it. Loki'd find her body in that chamber, sleeping, in coma. She had to hurry. In her hand, a glowing ball of light illuminated her way. Sigyn walked proudly, for every sign of weakness might be her demise. outfit
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Loki Laufeyson
Villain Staff
God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 14:08:36 GMT -7
Hela Lokisdottir Although she saw no one around her, heard no footsteps echoing, Hela knew someone had intruded upon her realm. She had ruled over the realm for so long that it had become a part of her, and she of it. Since the day of her coming-of-age had she resided here, away from all others, with only the souls of the dead to keep her company. And some company they were.
The Allfather had seen fit to grant Hela power over two realms, the realm of the dishonored ead and that of the dead who were neither honored nor dishonored, deceased by things such as illness or old age. Hel was the more boring of her two realms, but also the most densely populated, and it required her attention much more than Niffleheim.
What she really wanted - and would never have, she was fairly certain - was control over Valhalla, the realm of those who had died honorable deaths. Odin had kept that one for himself, however, and none of her attempts at taking it over had worked thus far.
She was musing over things great and small - mostly small, if she were fully honest - when that feeling of intrusion crept over her. The giantess peered from one side to the other cautiously, without moving her head. She sat comfortably on her throne, and did not rise from her seat. Soon her guest appeared from one of the hallways that led into her throne room, a wide, open space as though carved from a giant cave.
The figure was guided by a ball of light, a good choice, for this realm was dark and foreboding. Hela liked it that way. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she recognized her guest. They had only met once, but she remembered Sigyn well. Why should she forget her stepmother, a woman whom she currently held much power over?
Hela was well aware that her half-brothers were here in the realm of the dead. She had expected Sigyn and her father to arrive and beg for their sons back, and had barred both of them from ever visiting her for that express purpose. However, Sigyn appeared to have found a loophole: She cast herself as a projection, rather than traveling in her body. This gave her the added advantage of not being able to be killed physically by Hela. A shame.
"Why, hello, Stepmother," Hela cooed, raising a hand to her chin. The giantess was dressed in her usual green and black attire, a revealing black bodysuit matched by the green cape that kept her strong. The black pointed crown adorned her head. "I cannot imagine what brings you to my home."
Her words dripped with sarcasm and loathing. She leaned forward, still seated, towering above Sigyn on her throne. Her lips were twisted into a vaguely familiar smirk, so reminiscent of her father when he schemed. Yet Hela had no scheme, no plan. This was quite unexpected.
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 14:20:12 GMT -7
How horrible it was to know that her beloved sons, her little boys, so innocent and pure, had spent all those years right here, in this dark realm. Narvi had always been so afraid of the dark, if he had been alone. Oftentimes, she had found his brother snuggled up against him in bed, in order to keep him safe and protect him, make him feel good. Sigyn wondered whether they'd do this here, too. Snuggle up against the other in order to feel warm, instead of cold and abandoned. The thought almost made Sigyn cringe and cry. Somehow, she ended up in the throne room. Had she found this way by instinct? Had Hela guided her, subtly? The giantess had Sigyn at disadvantage, for this was her realm and Sigyn had come to make demands. She knew, this must be Hela's personal victory, her stepmother coming to make claims. You did not become the queen of the dead, because of your tender heart.
But Sigyn held her chin up high, kept her act together, even as Hela used that amount of sarcasm on Sigyn. In fact, the goddess had never held an ill will towards Loki's daughter. She had once told him that she loved all his children, because they were his. And she had meant that. Oftentimes, she had regretted not having gotten in touch with all of them. She visited Sleipnir, for sure, but coming to Hel was not easy, especially when its ruler did everything to avoid seeing you.
"I bid you good night, Hela. It has surely been a while," Sigyn said, keeping her cool She did not sound cold, neither fake. But Sigyn was surely nervous. "Alas, I do not want to insult you by pretending to have come just for family reunion purposes, as I assume you are well aware of my reasons to visit you.", Sigyn said. Hela was Loki's spawn. If she had anything from her father, lying or pretending something that was not the case would irritated her much more than put Sigyn into her fancy.
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Loki Laufeyson
Villain Staff
God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 14:49:44 GMT -7
Certainly, Hela knew what it was that brought Sigyn to her realm. Even if she had not, the goddess did not waste time with pleasantries. She was right in thinking Hela would only be annoyed by falseness. As far as Hela knew, Sigyn held no love for her, and Hela most certainly held no love for Sigyn. If there was anything between them, it was nothing but jealously.
Sigyn had managed to attain something Hela never had: Loki's love. Of course, Loki loved all of his children, but he had not learned to show it in time to raise the children he'd had before Sigyn. Thus Hela had been raised assuming there was no such thing in the world as love. Especially not from Loki.
Then she had observed, from afar, just how much Loki adored Sigyn, and, later, their two sons. Vali and Narvi had had everything Hela had not. They had been raised by their father, they were not giants, they were fully loved by their parents. Outwardly, Hela cared nothing about love and attention and such frivolous things. Yet, how different could things have been….
Though Hela had not caused the death of her half-brothers, she had not felt any remorse for collecting their souls when the time came. How Sigyn and Loki had mourned! Seeing the pain turn Sigyn nearly mad and Loki into a shell of his former self had brought an odd joy to Hela. As for the boys themselves, she had not bothered them while they had been in her care. No one could say she had been spiteful to her siblings.
"Indeed," Hela mused. Would she grant Sigyn her wish? Perhaps, for Hela no longer cared either way. But, ah, there would be a price….
"It has been eons since their deaths. Their bodies are burnt and decayed. Why should I trouble myself to raise them again? It would be more work for me - and for yourself as well, though I care not - than I am willing to exercise." She leaned back in her seat, thoughtful, waiting for Sigyn to persuade her. She would hear what Sigyn had come equipped with, for certainly the goddess had come up with a plan before venturing here, before presenting her own offer for Sigyn to consider and accept.
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 15:01:54 GMT -7
If she knew about Hela's inner struggle, Sigyn would possibly react differently to what Hela expected. Yes, she would never defy Loki, but his fatherhood had been a topic discussed between them. Sigyn remembered how she had talked to him about his other children often, slowly warming his heart for them. Did Hela knew how much remorse he felt for his past failure as a parent? Did she expect Sigyn to whole-heartedly agree and offer Hela to make amends? For Sigyn would have done exactly this, even if she had not come with her claim.
The princess of Asgard had a hard time not to wince in pain as Hela explained the status of her son. Their bodies burned. They were no more. Oh, but they were! Here! For her to take home, if Hela agreed! She had the power to resurrect them. Sigyn hated herself for not being able to do it herself, even though she knew that no one should be ble to necromance the dead. Sigyn, who had once been impulsive, had learned from Loki. She had learned to plan, to scheme even. Yet, she had come here without any of that. Driven by the burning wish to take her sons back into her arms, Sigyn had taken off to a journey she had not planned beforehand. And now, she was facing the queen of the dead without knowing how to present her inquiry. "Indeed, it has been eternities," Sigyn managed to bring out, her jaw trembling instantly. It was the one soft spot, the one thing Sigyn failed to make a pokerface about. She did not even bother, for her agony was visible on every inch of her body. "Make no mistake, Hela. I have not come to pretend you and I were on good terms, even though I regret the path our encounter has taken. I will not sweet-talk or flatter you, for I know it is not what you wish me to do. I am aware of all those ill-feelings, yet you are the only one I can turn to about this. And I respect your standing, believe me, I do. I have not come as your father's wife. I have come as a mother in pain. I'd kindly ask you to respect that, if you could.", Sigyn explained, struggling to keep her voice from shaking. "I want my sons back." she added, her voice turning thinner as she spoke. Hela was superior. It would be foolish to deny this. "And I'd do what it takes. I know you have the power to do it, so I'd respectfully ask you for your price." Everyone had a price. Everyone. Sigyn dreaded what was to come. The price or worse, the possibility of Hela denying her wish for good. She had for millenia.
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Loki Laufeyson
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God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 19:15:50 GMT -7
With a level of interest that could have been mistaken for patience, Hela listened to Sigyn, and watched the goddess closely. Hela saw the tension and agony in Sigyn's frame, heard the pain in her voice. Such a treat, for Hela, to see this woman brought so low that she must ask Hela for help. Bringing the boys back would need a heftier price, though, not just Hela's temporary enjoyment. A few ideas were floating about in her head already as Sigyn made her request.
"No." Hela uttered the single word with a straight face, and held the look for a few seconds, just to see what Sigyn's reaction would be. Then she grinned and laughed. The sound rang out in the wide, seemingly empty hall. Something, or some things, began to stir, the room came to life though its appearance did not change, as the spirits in the room moved, displaced by the unusual sound of Hela's open laughter.
"Truly, my father chose well, for you are as convincing as he. I daresay you have learned the gift of the silver tongue. Tell me, what part has he in this? What plan is so detailed and intricate that it required him to send you alone? So alone and… afraid?" Her lips curled into a cruel smirk. Whether Sigyn truly was afraid of her, Hela could not tell, but she liked to think so.
In any case, Hela held the cards here. It was clear that whatever she told Sigyn to do, the princess would do it. And Hela had an inkling of what she wanted. As things stood now, Loki would one day be condemned to Hel or perhaps even Niffleheim. That was what Hela wanted; for her father to be under her rulership, under her power, if even for only a short time. But Hela recalled what he had been like with his children around. He had become a different man for his sons. So considerate, so loving. So honorable.
She folded her arms. It was clear she believed hardly a word the princess had uttered. "Well, then, mother-in-pain, have you considered what your next step would be if you did somehow manage to convince me of this foolishness? You have no bodies for those sons; as I have said, those bodies lie in ruin. Do you expect to play with them as ghosts play?"
Throwing her head back, she chuckled for a moment before looking at Sigyn again, her eyes narrowed. "Answer me those questions, my Princess Sigyn, and I will tell you what kind of price I will require."
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Jul 30, 2012 22:15:42 GMT -7
Sigyn would not be so foolish to believe any of the things Hela put down, may it be by speaking or means of body language. Sigyn had been married to the greatest trickster the nine realms had ever seen for too long to fall for any of it, yet she could not remain calm, either. This was about the most important thing in her life, the thing she wanted most, the thing she needed most. It felt bad being at someone's mercy with a thing like this. But she was and now she had to act wisesly in order to make her plea.
Of course, Sigyn winced, her heart hurting as if a stroke had just hit her. She could feel the pain of her emotional agony in her body. She always had and it was here for everyone to behold, when the spirits appeared. Sigyn struggled to look for her sons in the mass of ghostly faces. She had to keep her focus on Hela and Hela only. "He knows nothing of my journey to your realm, Hela," Sigyn explained, gathering some control over her voice back, "I came alone. Nobody knows I am here." Hela knew this was not Sigyn's body, it was an astral projection, showing the hint of the goddess' might. However, she did not take Hela for a fool. Loki's daughter would not bow to greatness. And Sigyn would not try to subjugate her, risking her quest to go unsatisfied. Hela was clearly mocking her. But Sigyn had to swallow her pride. For a greater good.
She closed her eyes briefly. This was the problem with her instincts, with her broken heart. In this regard - in the most important one - she had not thought things through. She could curse herself for having been so naive. Yet, the answer came naturally to her for what Hela needed of Sigyn was natural to the goddesss. "No, Hela. I have the power to resurrect and compose their bodies as they were when they came to you. You have the power to revive them." How frustrating, how painful must this be to a mother, knowing you could maintain your sons bodies for eternity if you wished, yet they'd remain nothing but bodies. "If you took my soul, my fate when I pass as a reward, as a price, I'd gladly give it to you." There, she had said it, on a whim. Yet she could not have been more earnest. Sigyn meant what she had said. If it took her to give herself to Hela, then so be it. Possibly, she would have ended up here regardless, or would she? For her support in Loki's wicked plans did not exactly prove itself honorable. Or was her loyalty to the man she had married exactly the reason she might go to Valhalla? Sigyn did not know. But negotiating was a start, was it not? Some ghostly faces swirled around Sigyn, but she kept her face straight on Hela. This was important. She had to focus.
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Loki Laufeyson
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God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Jul 31, 2012 10:15:12 GMT -7
The cruel goddess of the dead gave Sigyn a dark smile as Sigyn explained Loki's cluelessness regarding this plan. Well, that was an interesting twist. It was almost enough to make Hela agree to release the boys. Almost. She still would require her price, of course….
"No one knows you are here? How unwise. For if something were to happen to you - though I should hope not-" Hela's grin deepened "-then how would your precious husband ever know what had befallen you? He would have no way of ever exacting revenge. It would be so easy…." A few spirits brushed past Sigyn, their ghostly forms like teasing caresses.
"You must excuse the behavior of my charges. We do not often have such royal visitors." Hela clapped her hands twice, lightly, and the ghosts around Sigyn disappeared. The others remained at a distance, watching with soft murmurs rising from their throats. Hela smiled again and looked down at Sigyn once more.
"I do have the power to revive them, if I so desire. I must say I would miss the company of my dear half-brothers…." She curled a finger, beckoning someone forward. From the crowd of spirits came two small figures, that of Vali and Narvi. Initially they looked up at Hela, unsure what she was going to have them do, as she had paid them little attention before. But then their eyes fell on their mother. It almost seemed they wanted to run towards her, but they remained in place, uncertain, perhaps even frightened.
"I will take your soul…." Hela smirked at Sigyn, and leaned forward, having presented her two bargaining chips. She was certain Sigyn would accept now, no matter what price she levied. "On the day of your passing, and not a moment earlier. Whether you are meant to ascend to Valhalla or not." Of course, Sigyn would be well aware of what this deal meant, but Hela felt it necessary to explain, due to what she was going to say next….
"But for the souls of two princes of Asgard, I require more value. So I will have your soul, honorable one… and that of your husband." Hela grinned. At least the two lovers would be together… if Hela decreed it.
"I require your word forthright, that your souls will be mine. However, I still require more. In time, when it is possible, you will bring me the Thunderer, Thor Odinson…." She narrowed her eyes. "Not his soul. Fear not, I do not ask you to kill him. Neither do I expect you to bring him to me straight away. I know of his current strife. It is not the mortal healer I want. I will give you time to accomplish this, but beware - if you do not bring me Thor within a year's time, I will take back your precious boys, and you will never have them back."
Her smile became deceptively pleasant. "So, then. Swear me your soul and Loki's and promise me you will bring me Thor, and you will have your sons. Do we have a deal?"
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Jul 31, 2012 10:29:31 GMT -7
"You know how I traveled here, Hela," Sigyn said, for the first time, her authority sounded in her voice. The Queen of the Dead had nothing on Sigyn in this shape. If the goddess so wished, she could disappear right here, right now, no harm done to her. But she would not vanish, for she had not gotten what she wanted just yet. Sigyn - who was usually stubborn and might react to sarcasm with an equal amount of the like - kept it together. One word put wrongly, one gaze that irritated Hela and all her hopes would be gone.
Briefly, Sigyn looked to her side as the ghosts retreated. She could almost feel the beating of her heart up in Asgard, in her body. She felt like throwing up, like crying, like yelling, like destroying something, all at the same time. Was this a good idea? Bargaining with a being like Hela, moreover, someone who so obviously held a grudge towards her husband, herself and possibly, her boys? It did not matter. All that mattered were her sons. They did not deserve this. They never had. They deserved to grow up, grow into man, have families and be happy and in time, pass, looking back on a happy life. No parent should surpass his children. No child should be taken before they even had the chance to live.
Hela played her cards well. Had Sigyn not sure to make any deal that the Queen of the Dead suggested before, now that Vali and Narvi were showing up, Sigyn would do anything. Her knees trembled. Naturally, she closed her fist over her heart. Sigyn actually cried out. She could not move forward. Her sons could not move towards her. They were ghosts in this moment, yet they looked exactly like Sigyn remembered them. Moreover, they recognized her. Narvi and VAli were insecure, scared, intimidated. And they wanted to seek comfort in Sigyn's arms. She bit her lips, locking her gazes with her sons. Oh, if she could just touch them, cradle them, make it okay! It took every bit of control Sigyn had to lift her gaze up to Hela as she proposed her deal towards Sigyn. Sigyn trembled, inhaled and closed her eyes. She needed to think. "Will they be with us for good if I fulfil all your claims? I want them to not remember Hel. Will they be exactly like the were when they passed?", Sigyn added. And when Hela agreed, she did not hesitate to speak the following words. "I, Sigyn, Princess of Asgard, swear to you, Hela Lokisdottir, Queen of Hel, that you shall have my soul and that of my husband Loki, Prince of Asgard, on the day we pass. I will bring Thor, Prince of Asgard, to you within one year's time or you shall take my sons from me again for good."
So close. They were so close, yet so far away. Lots had to be done. Sigyn had vowed for Loki. Was that enough? "What do you need me to do in order to receive Loki's soul?", Sigyn asked. "You need to take away your ban, for I cannot bring the Thunderer to you in this astral form.", Sigyn explained.
She had not thought this through. She had been driven by the wish, by the instinct, by the most primeval need to be with her sons. And now, it was done.
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Loki Laufeyson
Villain Staff
God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Jul 31, 2012 19:36:36 GMT -7
Leaning back again, her hands folded, Hela only gave a nod of acknowledgement to the very good point Sigyn had made. Hela could not hurt Sigyn in this form, not physically. Both of them were aware of that fact. Still, Hela could not resist throwing out the occasional threat. It was in her nature, even if such threats could not be fulfilled at present.
"They will remain with you for all their natural days." Hela's lips curled into a smirk. She had no intention of taking the boys away before they were due. What good would that do her? For now, at least, the boys were mere children. One day, they would grow up to be warriors and tricksters, but until then, the only worth their lives held for Hela was the control over Sigyn and Loki. And now, with access to those two souls, she had even more, direct control.
For a moment, Hela looked mildly irritated, but she responded fairly to Sigyn's next point. "Their memories of Hel will be erased, yes. They will know of their past deaths, but they will not remember their experiences here." They had experienced nothing untoward while in Hela's care, and the suggestion that they had - though that was not at all what Sigyn had meant to suggest, most likely - was almost offensive to her. Yet she would come away with three things she wanted in this deal, so she would not complain over such trifles.
The princess was quick to make the necessary oath. The result surprised Hela a bit, until she considered it. Usually, she would have needed the owner of the required soul to make the promise, but this was an unusual case. "I need the word of one who possesses Loki's soul. Fortunately for you, he seems to have given you just that. He has entrusted his heart and soul to you." She gave Sigyn a wickedly saccharine smile. "How sweet, and how useful for me."
Finally, Hela rose, stood her full height and made her way down from her throne. she placed a hand each on Vali's and Narvi's shoulders, as though they had full bodies, when in fact they were still spirits. "The ban will be lifted, as it has no more use to me. And you will have your sons."
She allowed the two boys to run towards their mother. "I present them to you as they are, their spirits in full health. Any further health defects will be your responsibility, not mine. You will not come to me with your complaints."
Turning away, she climbed the steps to her throne and took a seat, watching the reunion from afar.
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Aug 1, 2012 6:23:44 GMT -7
Sigyn nodded. She had no idea whether Hela had treated her boys especially bad, just because she was jealous or not. And now that Narvi and Vali would not remember Hel, Sigyn would not find out. It probably was for the better. If Sigyn learned about Hela having mistreated Narvi and Vali, she'd make Hel break loose, one way or the other.
All the while she was negotiating with the Queen of the Dead, she had to make sure not to look at her sons. If she did, she'd break. Break and crumble. Most likely, Hela would use anything she could against Sigyn. In this regard, the goddess already struggled to keep her composure. She would not give away than she already had.
Coming to think of it, the deal was not too bad, was it? Most likely, Loki would end up in Hel anyway. Given that Sigyn had supported even his most wicked causes, that she was not a warrior that'd go to Valhalla, she'd end up here, as well. The only thing she had taken from him was his chance to redeem himself, if he even wanted to. Hela seemed to have wanted assurance, that both Sigyn and Loki would end up here regardless of their future behaviour. So be it. The deal about Thor was something else entirely. She had just promised to bring the Thunderer here, nothing more. Thor could hold his own, could he not? He might be mad at her. Odin would be. But Sigyn's reason did not work when it came to her boys. She'd pay every price possible. She had been loyal to Loki for all those years, no matter how much she had disagreed with his plans. She had never betrayed him. Now, she had. But what was the cause? It was a cause doing him good, too. Sigyn could only hope for his forgiveness, for he had asked for hers often.
And then, finally, Hela released her sons. They came running towards her instantly. Sigyn trembled. There were tears running down her face as she crouched down and welcomed Narvi and Vali. This was cruel, as she could not hold them, hug them and put all the kisses on their faces that she had not been able to give for so long. Narvi and Vali seemed to be well aware of their ghostly state, as they did not even try to hug her. They only stopped in front of her and talked at the same time, a confusing mess of children's voices. It was the most beautiful serenade she had ever heard. "Shhh, shhh, my loves, I can't understand you talking all at once," she said.
"Mami, Mami, are you taking us home now?", Narvi hurried to speak. Both boys had usually called them mother and father. Only in rare situations, very emotional situations, had they called them mami or papi. Nightmares, cuddling, the like. It almost made Sigyn cry even more than she already was. "In a while, my love, in a while. I just need to prepare your arrival. You'll be home soon,", Sigyn said. She had yet to rearrange their bodies. It would not take her long, though. Besides, only her astral body was here and Sigyn could not put their spirits into their bodies. That was going to be Hela's doing. "Mami don't cry," Vali said, "If you take us home, it is a happy thing. Not a sad one!" How smart could a little boy be? "I'm not crying sad tears, Vali, I am happy.", Sigyn said. Oh, how she wanted to tousle their hair and cuddle and touch them. Sigyn straightened up, cleared her throat and looked at Hela. "I do what needs to be done to compose their mortal forms," she said, trying to sound enough of an adult for Narvi and VAli to not understand that she was talking about their bodies. "I will have gathered them within the hour. Meet me at the clearing close to their graves then, so you can fulfil your part of the deal.", Sigyn said. Taking them out of Hel and putting them into their bodies was not only Hela's duty, but she was the one who could do it. The only one.
"You'll stay with Hela for just a little while longer and then, you are going with her as good boys. Be polite and nice, can you do that for me?", she told her sons. They nodded eagerly, being excited about going home. It seemed like they had remained who they had been: Carefree little boys.
There were many questions that had to be answered. How come their age difference was suddenly only three years? How come they were in Asgard again? What had been the price? A lot of questions and different answers for different people. Sigyn did not think about this right now. She only thought about reuniting with her sons.
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Loki Laufeyson
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God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Aug 1, 2012 10:47:37 GMT -7
As Sigyn spoke with her sons, Hela watched passively from her throne. She considered her task completed, though she still had to move the spirits into the bodies. Explaining how the boys had come back to life, recomposing their bodies, and especially telling Loki what she had done were all for Sigyn to accomplish. Hela would have no part in that.
Now, it seemed, she was the one taking instructions. A smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. Did Sigyn think she had acquired any sort of control over Hela? More likely the princess had grown used to giving orders, she decided. Until the spirits were fully transferred to the bodies, Hela still had the upper hand, and both women knew it.
She was impressed that Sigyn agreed to everything without question. For her plans for the thunder god were known to herself only, and she preferred to keep it that way. She did not plan to kill[i/] Thor, certainly. That was all the princess needed to know. Though certainly, it was now too late for Sigyn to object to anything.
"I will meet you there," Hela replied. She had not been to the boys' graves, or if she had, she did not recall it, but they would be easy enough to find. The amount of dark magic that would have to be expelled for such a task would lead her to the place.
Now that she considered it - was it nighttime in Asgard? Hela would not travel to the realm unless night had fallen. Thinking to herself, for a moment, she calculated that yes, it was nighttime. Sigyn had chosen to undertake this in darkness. A wise choice.
The boys reluctantly remained behind as Sigyn prepared to leave. "Oh, Princess," she cooed. Hela was not finished with Sigyn yet.
Once she had the goddess' attention, Hela continued, a strange expression on her face, "I would not suggest trying to make any more of those. Your mother's curse is broken for these two sons, but it still holds true for anything else produced in your womb."
Having shared that piece of advice, Hela settled back into her seat, curling her hands under the armrests. How satisfying.
"Safe travels."
The sound of Hela's cackling echoed and reverberated within the chamber, a much more familiar sound, chasing out the silence and nearly shaking the hall with its power.
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Aug 1, 2012 11:16:22 GMT -7
Sigyn had no idea which of the upcoming tasks would be the hardest one. Making Loki forgive her, maybe? She was not so sure. He had seen her after her children had died, he had almost felt her pain. Sigyn had never been that devastated, heartbroken and weak. It had been a miracle she had not died from her broken heart. Moreover, she had never betrayed him before. Even when he had been at his darkest and worst, she had stayed true to him. Vali and Narvi were her achilles heel. Maybe, he had empathy for that. On the other hand, she was the one person he had trusted. They had done everything together, made most decisions together. Now, she had done it on her own. She could not have risked Loki trying to stop her. As much as she knew him, she could not possibly have known whether he would have agreed on this or not. She'd see.
Finding an explanation for the boys return for the public to accept would be more difficult. Sigyn could not possibly tell the realm she had sold her soul. But that was something she'd figure out together with Loki. She had cleaned up many of his messes. Now, would he help her clean up this one? The reward would be incredible.
They'd have their sons back. The greatest accomplishment of their lives.
Sigyn nodded and turned around to her boys. "Vali, Narvi come here," she said. Naturally, she lifted her hand, yet she could still not touch them. The hurt in her eyes was impossible to hide. "I will see you in an hour. And then, we'll be together for good." Narvi and Vali nodded. She'd give them all the hugs she wanted later. Actually, two hours from now, she'd have her sons back entirely. She'd feed them and put them into a bath and then, once Loki returned tonight, she'd have to carefully tell him. It'll all be good. "I'll see you then," Sigyn said, turning around to leave the hall and vanish there, not wanting to freak her sons out. But Hela called out to her once more. For a single second, Sigyn froze, thinking that the queen of the dead might have changed her mind. But it was not like this. Instead, Hela informed her of something that nearly made her sick. If this was a lie, it was the most morbid, horrible thing she could have said. If this was the truth, it was even worse. Sigyn choked, trembling on the inside, while she remained totally calm on the outside. "I will look into this," she said, letting Hela know that she did not believe her right away and just like that. A curse? Her mother's curse? Her womb? What did that even mean? Had her mother cursed her womb, making everything that came out of it die early? Had Narvi and Vali died, because of that curse? Had her mother been that distant with the boys, because she had known they would not live long to begin with? Sigyn shook and she was still shaking when she woke up in her body, in her chamber. Sigyn gasped. She just wanted to gather her sons' bodies and reunite their family. And now, something else was on her mind. Freia.
Suddenly, Sigyn felt quite ill. She barely managed to run into their bathing chamber, where she threw up twice. She turned angry, hopeful, sad, disappointed, scared, all kinds of emotions. The scariest thing? Everything would make so much sense. Everything would fall into place. Her mother's jealousy, her wrath, the distance Freia had executed towards her grandchildren and family.
If not for the task she had to perform, Sigyn would march right into her parents' home and grab her mother by her throat, ask her about this curse. By now - thanks to practice and Loki's support - she was a mightier sorcerer than her mother, who rarely used her magic. How ironic, Freia using her magic for a curse like this.
She'd look into this. And consequences would have been taken. She'd share this with Loki, because he had a right to know. If the boys' death had been her mothers fault, it affected him, too. He should know who murdered his sons.
For now, Sigyn got herself together, cleaned herself up, threw her cape around her body and pulled her hood into her face.
Sigyn had arrived at the boys' grave in the woods ten minutes later. She did not hestitate, there was no time for sadness and walking down memory lane. Sigyn knelt down on the ground, put her fingers into it and closed her eyes. She started to mutter and mumble one spell after the other, making sure everything would work out perfectly. Gatehring little things worked without a spell. But this required concentration. She did not want to make any mistake. She felt how her magic was working, how it put together what she needed to get together.
Suddenly, Sigyn straightened up and inhaled sharply. After a second of composing herself, she started to dig. It was foolish, for she could easily remove the soil with her magic. Upon realizing this, she started to add magic to it.
The sight that lay bare in front of her minutes later was horrible. Vali and Narvi, in the ground, looking exactly the way they had looked when they had been buried. Pale and lifeless. Sigyn sobbed once, biting her lip. It'd be all good in just a few moments. A single tear ran down her cheek as she continued working in order to keep busy. She lifted the bodies out of their graves and put the soil back in. She had brought fresh clothes and a cloth, cleaning them up best she could for now. Eventually, Vali and Narvi were arranged next to the other, looking fairly decent, if still dead.
Now, the waiting would commence. If Hela had fooled her, Sigyn....no. She did not know what she'd do if the queen of the dead had played a prank on her.
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Loki Laufeyson
Villain Staff
God[M:0]
Why did you choose to lean on a man you knew was falling?
Posts: 357
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Post by Loki Laufeyson on Aug 1, 2012 17:44:21 GMT -7
Fortunately, and unlike her father, Hela was not one for playing pranks. She would have loved to see the look on her stepmother's face as she waited and waited in vain, but Hela was too businesslike to do such a thing. She had a reputation to uphold. Besides, she would not risk the goddess' wrath, which she figured was on par with that of her husband. One did not successfully live with the trickster god, and indeed, win his heart, without learning a few things.
So Hela made herself present at the requested time. Stepping out of the shadows and into the clearing, she quickly spotted Sigyn and the bodies. If Hela had cared more, she might have felt sorry for the princess. It was a sad sight, indeed.A mother in mourning. That would be cured soon, though, would it not?
Hela never minded causing a bit of misery. This plan, however, had all the makings of it, without Hela's need for interference. How she would love seeing Asgard's two greatest lovers fight! And how she would love having Thor at her beck and call… when the time came. She must be patient.
On each side of Hela were Vali and Narvi, in spirit form. They would not remember this either, for certainly the sight of their own bodies was a frightening experience. It was almost a shame to Hela, that none of this would remain with them. A bit of fear was a healthy thing.
"Are you prepared, Princess?" Hela sneered, stepping forth from the shadows. Dressed in all black save her cape, Hela blended into the shadows well, but looked sinister beyond them. Not that she minded. This would be a quick visit, as she had no further business in Asgard at this time. Appear, give over the spirits, and leave, only to return if she needed to collect her debts. For now, Asgard needed fear nothing from her.
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Sigyn Laufeyson
Neutral
Goddess[M:0]
If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.
Posts: 337
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Post by Sigyn Laufeyson on Aug 2, 2012 0:17:45 GMT -7
The more time passed, the more Sigyn's mind was running, chasing, torturing her. What if Hela indeed did not show up? What if the Queen of the Dead failed to return the boys' spirits to their bodies? What if Loki would never look at Sigyn again, what if he refused to speak to his sons? But then again, Loki was fond of dark magic, that was a good start, was it not? It would be dark magic achieving this resurrection, but the boys would be as they had been. Pure. Sigyn was reliving so many past memories during the short time she was waiting. The first sight of her babies, when she had still been in bed, sweaty, exhausted, in pain, but the happiest she could have been. Loki cooing as he had taken his sons into his arms for the first time. Contrary to common habit, Loki had refused leaving Sigyn alone with her maidens during childbirth. He had been with her every step of the way. The boys' first words, their first steps. That cheeky smile on Vali's handsome face, Narvi giggling. The way they had almost disappeared in their parents' vast bed, whenever they had come to visit. Loki and Vali practicing sword fighting by the lake, while Sigyn had been nursing Narvi, watching them. How Narvi had fallen headfirst into the lake once, giving his parents a good scare. She remembered every little detail, every little piece of happiness her boys had given her and Loki. But there was also the shadow of their illnesses, the tremendous pain their deaths had caused, a pain lasting to the present day.
It'd be over in a few moments.
But Freia was also on Sigyn's mind. What had her mother done? Assuming Hela's little hint was the truth, had her mother been so full of wrath and jealousy, that she'd do this? Curse her daughter and every possible grandchild she was going to have? Had she done it by herself? Sigyn had rarely seen her mother practice magic at all. Freia had claimed it did not suit a true lady, you could either become a sorceress or a maiden of Asgard. Sigyn had never thought the two to be mutually exclusive. Her mother would have needed help for such a venoumous, dark magic spell. How had she even cast it over Sigyn, without her or Loki detecting it, finding out about her? Sigyn felt sick to her stomach thinking about all of this. She even felt poisoned. Even if this was not her fault, she was a shell of decay and death, her body producing only misery. She needed this curse - if it even existed - gone, regardless of future family planning or not. That was, if Loki forgave her. By now, their bond was so strong, that Sigyn doubted he'd leave her for good. But their relationship might suffer from a crack that neither of them could fix. This was one of the scariest thoughts, actually.
Sigyn had never felt this weak. Weak and at other's mercies. Hela's, to begin with, and eventually, her husband's. There was something to live for, though. Two little boys that needed their mother.
And those two little boys - or rather their spirits - appeared next to Hela. Sigyn rose as she saw the three. The horror on Vali's and Narvi's eyes as they took in the scene was obvious. This needed to happen quickly, Sigyn could not stand this. She smiled at her children, but quickly lifted her gaze up to Hela. "It is all set for you to do your magic, Hela," Sigyn explained, presenting the bodies with a wave of her hand. "Fulfil your duty and our deal is sealed." She would let Loki in on everything as soon as she saw him tonight. Giving away their souls, giving away the Thunderer. She might even need Loki's help to fulfil the last part of their bargain. Not knowing how he would react was painful. For so long, she had known his innermost, could guess what he'd do. With this, Sigyn was entirely in the dark.
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