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It was noisy outside, but Atreus has already gotten used to it. Those Einherjars and Thor have always been rowdy, even if Atreus covers his ears with either his hands or pillow, the noise outside would still persist. Of course, Atreus already know that the Aesir loves their parties in their mead halls. Drinking and fornicating He remembered what Mimir had said in his stories.
To be perfectly honest, he's curious about what the mysterious drink tastes like. Fimbulwinter didn't allow him any chance to care about trying out said drink. There was that one time when he and his father were fighting against a whole raider party on their camp to find something, Atreus found a bottle of mead and showed it to his father. He asked him what does it taste like, being curious and all. Mimir babbled on the fine tastes and premium mead that he have tasted, all the while Kratos simply told the head to shut up and grabs the bottle and poured it into the cold snow. You don't need it yet, Atreus He simply said as he walks back to the camp.
If his father said so then he trusts him, that's why he didn't push further on the matter. However, he's still curious about the taste of the drink. The way Mimir described the taste is as if it's something more precious than gold. Atreus sits up on his bed. Another night of insomnia is now replaced with curiosity. He's not here right now, maybe for once, I can do what I want! A sudden giddy feeling bubbles up in his chest. Aside from his meeting with Angrboda, he hasn't been alone by himself in a long while. His father always has eyes on him.
Of course, he understands he's just simply worried about him, but it doesn't change the fact that he's been so restrictive lately. Atreus jumps off the bed. Sleeping on the bed just feels so weird since it previously belonged to someone who tried to kill him previously. Putting on his footwear, Atreus decided to go out and see what the ruckus is all about. I think I head Odin outside too. Maybe he's joining in tonight. He ponders as he pushes open the heavy wooden door of his room.
The halls are fully crowded by a mass of Einherjars already dead drunk. He might not know the taste of alcohol, but the stench is surely there and it's almost unbearable. At the long table's end, there sits Odin, accompanied by his son and his son's betrothed, Lady Sif. Thrud's not here, so she must be training somewhere. Behind them, keeping a watchful eye at the festivity is Heimdall, uninterested yet watching.
"There he is!" Odin gestures at Atreus where he's standing. So he's drunk too. Kind of hard to believe that the all-father himself is drunk on mead. To be fair, it's already past 12 now, and they have been partying since who knows when. Thor looked at Atreus, and then at his wife. Lady Sif seems to be indifferent and doesn't even register Atreus' presence. Probably for the better. Heimdall looked Atreus' way when the all-father mentioned his arrival, and in an instant, he gave a disdainful look.
Okay, tough crowd. Atreus starts to feel awkward after Odin mentioned his arrival. He's beginning to think that maybe going out is a mistake.
Odin however, while swaying his hand to gesture to him to come closer disagrees. "Nonsense, you are our guest! You're welcome to join our fun! Come, Come!"
Atreus comes closer, not to follow the all-father's command, but simply to cool off the awkward chill. The other Einherjars seem to not care for his arrival. They're either already passed out or uninterested. Odin then offered him a mug of mead. "Here you go. I can see the look on your face, you're curious, aren't you? Go ahead." His words are a bit slurred here and there, but still understandable.
Atreus looked at the offered wooden mug. It's giant when compared to his hands. In fact, he probably would need to hold it with both his hands. Wait, I am deep within enemy territory. Who knows what would happen if I'm intoxicated here? Pushing the offered drink back, he shakes his head. "I'm sorry, I don't think it's right for me to drink."
"Nonsense boy! You know Thor here started drinking when he was just a wee little child!" Odin said while whacking his humongous son's back. It looked like he was hitting it hard because he probably can't control his full force while drinking, but Thor could handle it. Thor didn't even flinch at his father's use of force. He however gave out an annoyed grunt, probably objecting to his father's statement. "What are you so afraid of? Your dad isn't here to stop you, you can-"
"He's scared that he's going to get done in while he's out drunk" Heimdall appears behind Odin in a flash, and the all-father gasps in surprise.
"Don't- Don't do that!" Weirdly enough, whenever Atreus thinks it's hilarious whenever the all-father gets sneaked up from behind. He chuckled a bit internally, even if the one who made him smile a bit was Heimdall of all people.
Heimdall crosses his arms, annoyed at Atreus's reaction. "Oh, you think that was funny, didn't you? Now, who was it that was scared of being drunk just a second ago?" His face turned into a wide smirk. "You're scared that I am going to kill you while you're passed out like the Einherjars here? Don't worry, I don't need to stoop that low to kill you, little Jotnar."
Atreus' mood soured immediately. What is his problem seriously? He could just never get along with him. His attitude to him aside, his high and mighty act is just the worst.
"Now see, no one is going to lay a hand on you." Odin offered the drink again. "Now come on, I'll make sure that if anyone harms you in any way tonight, I'll make sure they'll pay threefold! Can't let my little helper get hurt."
Being called his little helper made Atreus realize, he's been helping out the person he's been trying to undermine this whole time. Sure, his goal here was just to gather information on Odin and the other Aesir, but along the way, he became Odin's little helper.
"What's this? You're realizing that you've been helping the one you've been trying to betray? Took you long enough." Heimdall scoffs at Atreus' thoughts.
"Stop that Heimdall. You're not helping him at all. How many times do I have to say, don't my guest uncomfortable?" Odin reprimanded his own son, surprisingly.
The golden-toothed Aesir clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Guests, do not plot the house master's death while living under their roof, all-father."
"Now stop that. He's helping me out with my project. As long as he completes that and I get what I want, I don't mind him killing me in fact!" It was probably some drunken ramble, but Atreus couldn't help but feel a hint of truth in his words. For Odin, someone who pursues knowledge above all else, his life ending is simply a price worth paying to know the secrets the mask could unravel.
Heimdall was unamused by the response. Thor and Sif were clearly uncomfortable at the all-father's statement. Perhaps it reminds them that if Odin's life is expendable, then the life of others is even more. Their perturbed reaction is definitely the product of his actions that brought about the end of Magni, Modi, and maybe even possibly Thrud in the future.
"In fact," Odin let out a loud hiccup. "I think it's high time that you both learn more about each other. I am sick of you hounding him all the time. Tonight, make him feel more at home. That is an order, Heimdall." As he said those commands, he forces the drink onto Atreus' chest, forcing him to accept the drink already.
"With all due respect," Heimdall still kept on trying to be respectful to his father, but his tone and face betrays his intentions. "I can already see his intentions from a single glance. There's no need to know more about this mongrel when he's clearly out for-"
"I will have no more word on this. I gave you an order, and I expect you to follow through with it. If he's injured in any way tonight, even you'll be in deep trouble, Heimdall." Odin said in a low voice, but clearly serious. "Besides, everyone knows you're terrible at parties. Let loose for once in a while and be nice for once. Make sure he knows that the Aesir" He spreads his arms, meaning to talk about his kind. "isn't only known for war, but we also know how to have fun." After saying all that, Odin sat down again, continuing to drink, not wanting to be bothered by whatever Heimdall had to say in objection.
Thor gave out a drunken chuckle for Heimdall's little mission.
Heimdall curls his hand into a fist but then softens up. "Yes, all-father. As you command," he said while bowing down. In a flash, he moves behind Atreus and grabs him by the back of his shirt, picking him up and dragging him to the seats. Atreus couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at how easily Heimdall carried him. "Now, the all-father said to make sure you have fun. Start drinking and get to it then."
Atreus sniffs at the drink in the mug. The smell of alcohol was strong, yet also had a hint of sweetness. "Ugh, you like these things? Smells like medicine."
"What? You're telling me that a giant can't handle Aesir mead? Here I thought you're kind are known for your fortitude." Out of nowhere, Atreus notices that Heimdall has a mug in his hand now. He then proceeds to down half of it in one gulp.
Atreus looked at Heimdall annoyed. "Odin's right, you are terrible at parties."
Heimdall sharpens his eyes at the half-giant. "Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me if I am not licking the boots of someone who's plotting to set about the end of the all-father's rule. Guess I am out of line." Not feeling like drinking anymore, Heimdall proceeds to throw his drink out behind him, mead hitting an einherjar passed out drunk behind him.
If only Thrud was here. I think it would be more fun. Then Atreus remembered that Thrud does not like the halls due to the amount of alcohol consumed. But one mug won't kill me right? Atreus then proceeds to take a small sip of the drink. The taste is certainly interesting, it's sweet yet he can feel the alcohol. Trying his best to swallow it, Atreus decided he couldn't do it and spits the drink back out to the mug. "Blegh, you like to drink this?"
"Weak. Let me show you how it's done." The Aesir refills his mug to the brim and downs them all in one chug. "That, little Jotnar, is how the aesir drink. Do try to keep up, or are my expectations for you that high?"
Atreus became annoyed at the remark, but he knows that in many books, drinking is part of being a man. Gulping to ready himself, he tries his best to drink the whole mug. The alcohol burnt his throat, but he's keeping up due to sheer tenacity, and not wanting to lose behind Heimdall. When he can see the bottom of the wooden mug, he stops and gasps for air, while coughing.
Heimdall pats his back. "Come on, almost there. Can't just leave it hanging when it's just that little left." though it's words of encouragement, if it's coming from the golden-toothed aesir, it's nothing but a sarcastic mockery.
Atreus couldn't handle it anymore. His throat still stings and he can feel the alcohol burning his insides. But, he still wants to prove that he can handle this. If father was here, he'll easily drink this and asks for another round... I think. He tries to imagine what would happen if Kratos were in his situation in order to brace himself. In one swift movement, he pushes the rim to his mouth and finished the drink. Banging it on the table, Atreus gasps for air.
Heimdall claps his hands slowly in a fit of mockery. "Bravo, bravo. You're just a little bit closer to impressing me." Grabbing a jug nearby, he proceeds to pour more into Atreus' cup. "My personal best was 10, sure I couldn't beat Thor when it comes to drinking, but if you could beat that, who knows, I might call you master and kiss your boots."
Atreus looked at Heimdall, still with a wide and mocking smile planted on his face. He knows that he couldn't handle any more drinking. He's starting to feel dizzy and tipsy, it's probably for the best that he should head back to his room. But, he's losing his sense of reason. Besides, Odin said that no harm will happen to me tonight... His words aren't trustable but... He's really pissed off at Heimdall's words.
Not thinking straight anymore, Atreus starts chugging the drink.
<----->
"Uuuuaghhh..." Lying his head on the table, he's on the brink of passing out. Aesirs... Sure can drink a lot... By now, Heimdall is already at his 8th cup, while Atreus only managed to drink 2 more.
"Wow, I am actually surprised. The amount of time you have disappointed me is definitely a new record out of all the people I met." Feeling done playing around with the half-giant, Heimdall puts down his cup and stares at the dead-drunk boy. He then slaps his face repeatedly, but not with that hard of a force. "Asgard to Loki! You doing okay there?"
"Vuaah... Gimme another... minute... father..." Atreus mumbled while slurring his words.
Dead drunk, great. Heimdall stood up from his seat, seeing his job done. By the time they finished their little drinking competition, Odin, Thor, and Sif already left the hall. The all-father probably already sobered up and researched some sort of epiphany he got from drinking. Looking back at the half-giant, the all-father did tell him to show how the Aesir have fun, well what other fun does the Aesir knows if it does not include giant-hunting or drinking?
A crow flies to his shoulder. Muninn Heimdall immediately knows. The crow opens its beak, and the sound of Odin comes out of its mouth. "Where do you think you're going? You can't just leave him here. Go get him somewhere, get him to his room."
Heimdall groans in annoyance. But he'd rather finish the task given by Odin, might as well since he already wasted his night with the half-giant. Grabbing Loki by his back collar, he picks him up with no effort and starts walking to Modi's room, or perhaps it's more precise to be his drunk guest's room now. Kicking the door open, He then unceremoniously throws the half-giant onto the bed. Crouching down at the bedside, Heimdall looks closer at the half-giant.
Even as his little mouth mumbles some half-drunk rambling, he can see cities burning and the all-father's death. Yet this little ball of the chaos of an archer is let in by none other than the ruler of Asgard. The all-bumbling goat seriously has no sense of self-preservation. His sense of curiosity outweighs his responsibility of averting Ragnarok. Heimdall can see Loki's thoughts and mind as clear as day, and of course, he knows about the prophecy that he always keeps in thought of all the time. Imagine his surprise when Odin accepts the one who hopes to lead Ragnarok.
"But guess what, you little runt. Ragnarok doesn't start until when I blow this horn." Heimdall twiddles with his white horn in his hand.
.
Loki, on the other hand, was too passed out drunk to understand what he was saying. In a daze, he mumbled a few words. "Father... Why won't you... just trust me..."
Heimdall is unsurprised that he's mumbling all about his father. His emotions always were driven by his drive to be out of his father's looming shadow. It's always hilarious seeing him try so hard far from home, a one-stop entertainment is all that Heimdall thinks of Loki, nothing more. Yet, he couldn't help but feel a little endeared at how unreadable he is. What did I call him, chaos in a spiffy archer suit? Everyone he meets is so predictable and easy to read. However, Loki is someone who's easy to read, but hard to understand. Simply due to the fact that one moment he can see Asgard burning, and suddenly he can see Odin thriving the next second when looking at him.
"I must say, you certainly are an enigma. But you are one fun ball of chaos bundled up." Even as his chest heaves heavily in his clothing, he can see Asgard razed to the ground, yet prospering just a second after.
Then a thought, something that he is genuinely surprised to have, formed in his head. Maybe I'll stay here a little while longer.
<----->
Atreus wakes up with a killer headache on his head. Suddenly he have the urge to vomit out the mead he drank last night, but he kept it in. Quickly he grabbed some water from the jug on his bedstand and gulps it all in one chug. Short but heavy breaths slowly made him regain his footing.
After his breathing became even, only then Atreus realizes there was something new on his bedstand. A small book, easy to miss. This wasn't here before, right? Taking the book he looked at the title. "Of Asgard's History: The Walls of Asgard" He read aloud. Probably a history that's been bleached clean on the crimes the Odin has done... but still useful to know their point of view. After all, Atreus loves any kind of book, even those with differing opinions as it tests his knowledge skills.
His memory of last night was foggy at best, after he drank with Heimdall, he remembered someone dragged him by his shirt's collar to his room, so he assumes that probably Odin ordered an Einherjar to bring him back to his room. Still, why would Odin leave this book specifically? "Weird." Atreus said as he opens the book to start reading it.