Chapter Text
Chise and Elias were going to a ball. Not just any ball, but a ball in Niflheim. Hel had cordially invited them, taking special care to put Chise’s name on the invitation with in her lovely hand.
“It seems she remembers your encounter.” Elias said, looking over the invitation. Silkie was measuring Chise for a dress, despite the girl’s many protests.
“Why do I need a special dress for this?” Chise asked as Silkie poked and prodded with pins and measuring tape.
“It would be rude to show up in anything less than our Sunday best.” Elias said, sounding a bit offended. “Especially if we’ve been personally invited by a goddess.” As much as she hated it, Chise had to admit he had a point there. It would be rude to show up in her everyday clothes when it was a party thrown by an honest to goodness goddess.
“I expect many important figures will be there.” Elias continued. “The Erlkonig is a friend of hers so he’ll likely be arriving, Titania and Oberon for certain, perhaps even her father and brothers.”
“Who is the Erlkonig?”
“A faerie of great power. However, I do not think you should be concerned by his presence. You should, however, be careful around Loki. He has a penchant for mischief that I would rather you not get caught up in.”
“Alright.” Chise smiled to herself at his worry. “You be careful too.” She was sure he was just as likely to get into some kind of trouble. It was then that they realized Silkie had moved on to Ruth, prodding him until he’d turned into his human form.
“Ah, yes, it would be best Ruth come as well.” Elias said.
“I don’t want to wear a suit.” Ruth said, rather matter-of-factly.
“If I have to wear a dress, you have to wear a suit.” Chise said. “Besides, you’ll look great.”
.
Chise ended up in a simple red evening gown. Nothing too form fitting. Elias had remarked it reminded him of a red dress from a movie called Pretty Woman. Chise had then asked how he knew what that movie was and Elias had essentially gotten flustered and changed the subject. He himself wore a 19th-century styled suit while Ruth went with a normal tuxedo. He hadn’t wanted anything too flashy. The three of them had been greeted at the entrance to Niflheim by a small dog that looked like a mix between a Pomeranian and a husky. Chise couldn’t help but feel the dog should be a lot bigger.
“Garm.” Elias inclined his head.
“Thorn Lord.” A deep voice echoed out of the tiny tiny dog. Chise nearly jumped out of her skin. Ruth growled. Garm’s head snapped around and his tail wagged.
“Friend? Dog friend!” His voice suddenly a lot higher and happier. “Sniff butt!”
“Garm!” Hel’s voice echoed out from the hall. “We do not sniff guests butts!”
“Yes mistress.” Garm’s tail drooped and his voice returned to the deep one. “My apologies. I was excited by the presence of another dog.”
“No worries. It was cute.” Chise leaned down and scratched Garm behind the ears.
“You can pet him later.” Elias said. “We must get inside.” He ushered them in, leaving Garm to greet the other guests as they arrived. The main hall was swarming with people of all races and species. Elves, faeries, some creatures Chise had never even seen before. She spotted Hel making her way from guest to guest, greeting them and making conversation. Titania and Oberon were indeed there, off in a corner with some other faeries. Hel had just reached them and started up a conversation with Titania. Chise didn’t notice as Elias separated himself, heading for the refreshment table.
“You’re a cutie.” Chise turned around to see a man grinning at her. He was small and a bit rat faced, with flaming red hair and the same green eyes as Hel. She could only assume that this was Loki. Ruth growled next to her.
“Thank you.” She said, squeezing Ruth’s hand to calm him.
“So, what’s a little human like you doing here?” Loki asked, a grin ever present on his face. “You’re not one of my little pumpkin’s wards.” She could see little scars around his mouth, as though thread had been pulled through the skin at one point. Ruth remained upset and wary.
“I’m Elias’ apprentice.” She said, careful about her choice of words. “Hel invited us both.”
“Just Hel, huh?” Loki’s smile widened. “You must be the girl she met in the snow. She’d never let just anyone get away with calling her by her first name.”
“She didn’t tell me to call her anything else.” Chise immediately began to close herself off. “Why did you come over here?”
“I was curious about you.” Loki shrugged, his smile faded a little. “Look, I’m sorry if I freaked you out or anything. It’s been awhile since I got out.”
“Loki, you better not be bothering her!” A woman strode up to them, her arms folded. She looked like something out of a fifty’s pinup with her long honey hair and rosewood skin. She was dressed tastefully in a simple green evening gown, which complimented Loki’s green tuxedo. She made him look a little less ridiculous by association.
“No, Sigyn, I was just saying hello.” Loki said, smiling in a tired but good-natured sort of way.
“Well, alright then.” Sigyn held out her hand to Chise. “I’m Sigyn, Loki’s wife. It’s very nice to meet you Miss…?”
“Hatori.” Chise shook her hand. “Hatori Chise. And this is Ruth.” Up until this point, Ruth had been hiding behind her, almost becoming a shadow again.
“Oh! You’re Elias’ apprentice! Hel has talked about you a few times.” Sigyn clapped her hands together. Chise flushed a little bit. Every supernatural creature she’d met seemed to know her. It was a little embarrassing since she knew virtually nothing about most of these people.
“And I can only assume you’re her familiar.” Loki turned his gaze to Ruth.
“Yes.” Ruth said.
“You remind me of my eldest son.” Loki said. “He’s just like this with Hel. You two would probably get along pretty well.”
“Mm.” Ruth lapsed into silence, intent on staring Loki down. After a few minutes though he turned his attention back to Chise, beginning to discreetly fuss over her.
“Yep. Just like Fen.” Loki laughed to himself.
“It’s a shame he couldn’t make it.” Sigyn sighed. “He would have loved to see his sister. We should bring him some food after this.”
“Jorm too. Although maybe we shouldn’t wake him up. Wouldn’t want another tsunami.”
“Don’t joke about that, dear.”
“Alright.”
.
Elias stood off to the side, near the punch bowl. He thought it best to avoid Loki as soon as he saw the god darting his way through the crowd. The man always gave him a headache.
“I apologize in advance for anything my father says.” Hel’s voice came from beside Elias, and when he turned she was standing next to him, a champagne flute held between her fingers.
“I’m sure Chise can take care of herself.” Elias turned his attention back to Chise and Loki.
“Is that a hint of pride I detect?” Hel asked, raising an eyebrow. “My, you really do care for this girl.”
“Of course.” He took a glass and filled his with the beverage Hel had provided in the punch bowl. It turned out to be just that, punch. There was a mead bowl right next to it. The two of them made small talk for a few minutes, but Hel could tell there was something on the mage’s mind.
“Something’s bothering you. What is it?” She asked. Elias fell silent, avoiding her gaze.
“Would you be able to save her?” He asked, keeping his voice low. She should have known it would be that. She’d known this would come ever since she’d heard news of Chise’s illness.
“Elias, my touch brings nothing but death.” Hel sighed. “Much as it pains me to say, I cannot give her time she does not have.”
“I had expected as much. You are nothing if not fair.”
“I take no pleasure in this, Elias. I know how much you care for each other.” Hel touched his arm gently.
“You do not need to explain yourself to me.”
“Elias, don’t sulk.” Hel said.
“I am not sulking.”
“Yes you are.” She pursed her lips. “You’ll find a solution, I’m certain of it.” Elias certainly didn’t feel any better though. He couldn’t lose Chise. Not now.