I might have a stalker and I found the books
At the seamstress, Frigga and I spend all day picking out different fabrics and styles, as well as trying to decide every element of my ball gown. I also request training attire while I’m at it, because hey, I’m staying in the palace, they must have the best of the best training facilities in the universe. The fabric we pick for my ball gown is stunning. It’s an inky black with colorful shimmers, depending on the lighting, representing my colorful fire powers. My daily-wear dresses are fairly similar, with a very light flowy material that almost reminds me of the way Grecian clothing is typically depicted. Does this mean that other mythological deities are real too? The thought randomly pops into my head and I wave it away, deciding it can be pondered another day.
Surprisingly, the next morning when Nora comes to get me ready for the day – definitely something that will take some getting used to – she brings me to my giant closet to find that all my dresses – and training gear – are waiting for me.
“Well that was fast” I say, half to myself.
“Her Majesty had them as top priority for you my lady,” Nora explains. She also informs me that today is mainly a day for me to get settled in, so I’m free to do as I please and to ask if I need anything. I decide to put on my training gear and start my morning off with some good old-fashioned training. Nora shows me where the training facilities are and tells me to help myself to whatever I like. I make my way into the little armory shed to see what I have to work with. I’m able to find a decent sword, and after looking around for a while, some pretty nice daggers, which are my favorite. I go back outside and find a training dummy and note that I’m the only one here at the moment, which is rather appreciated.
As I continue training, I begin to feel as though I’m being watched. During a pause in which I’m retrieving the daggers after throwing them, I try – as casually as possible – to look around and see nothing. I’m just being paranoid. New place, I’m on edge a little bit. I tell myself. I swear I hear a chuckle. I decide I’ve clearly just overworked myself and call it quits for the day. I’m not sure how I manage to find my way back to my quarters, but I do, and I have an amazing bath and grab a not-super-fancy dress, since I’m not sure casual is a word in Asgard, with some surprisingly comfy flats and my hair still down while it dries and go to explore the palace a bit.
I’m pretty sure they could even make a gargoyle beautiful. I think as I wander slowly around what I’m assuming is the gardens. This truly is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. Granted, I hadn’t exactly been sightseeing whilst trapped with Hydra, but, you know. I waltz down a random hall, lost in thought, and bam. I run into someone. Of course I run face first into someone and books fall to the floor. I immediately feel my face get hot, no doubt bright pink, and crouch down to pick up their books. They do the same and I finally look to see whose books I’ve just murdered. It isn’t someone I recognize, shocker, considering I’ve been here for all of one day, I know. But he doesn’t look like a guard or servant or anything, which leaves me a tad puzzled.
“I’m so sorry – lost in thought – mind got the better of me –“ I spew out as I help him pick up his books.
“It’s quite alright darling –“ I have no idea if he says anything after that because by the gods his voice is silky smooth. He starts walking away and I remember a question I was going to ask whoever I saw next.
“Oh! Might you point me in the direction of the library? I’ve only just arrived here yesterday, and I am in dire need of a good book” I ask, mildly dramatic. He tells me it’s just around the corner, on the left and I go on my way, walking quickly to avoid further embarrassment, and I swear I feel his gaze on my back until I round the corner.
Finally, solitude. I think as I breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of so many books. Gods now I really feel like Belle. It’s absolutely stunning – something I’m discovering is a very common theme in Asgard – rows upon rows of books, tall ceilings, two stories from what I can see from where I’m standing. I inhale deeply at the smell of all the books. If this is heaven, Valhalla, Elysium, whatever the hell you want to say, I would like to stay here for all eternity.