Beginnings Amidst Loss
Trees swayed in the gentle breath as flowers blossomed around the royal gardens. Sunlight shown brightly on sparkling golden apples and other natural wonders of Asguard. As the bird songs filled the air, the day felt more and more perfect to the garden's visitors.
Beneath the largest tree, spotted with Idun's golden apples, sat a small picnic cloth and its three small guests. Each spent the afternoon with their own activity, but none seemed too far away from the others. The most energetic of the group was a boy with blonde hair and brilliant blue eyes, bounding all around the tree, swinging around a large stick. While he was still young in age, none could question his potential as he jousted with imaginary foes while keeping his stance proper for battle. Behind him, sitting quietly on the cloth was his younger brother who showed little interest in such games. Instead, his dark hair was pushed behind his ear as his strikingly green eyes scanned the pages of a philosophy book many would think beyond a child's comprehension, but he did not seem at all confused by its contents. Lastly, a small girl sat beside the younger boy, idly weaving various flowers into the shape of a crown. Her chestnut hair was already adorned with a flower crown of her own, but she continued working on one of a similar design.
Reaching over, the girl's fingers grazed across the grass next to her, small flower blooms following in its path. She smiled as she plucked each petalled beauty for her project and began weaving them in. Beside her, her friend's eyes strayed from the pages of his tome and he turned to look at her. "Your magic has been coming along well, Salvia," he said softly.
Salvia jumped slightly at the sudden break of silence and she blushed, continuing to look at the flowers she had grown. As a minor goddess not yet of age she was only able to control smaller plants at this point, but hoped to one day be in better control of the world around her. She finally looked up at her friend, her cheeks still dusted with pink. "Not as well as yours, my Lord."
The boy merely shook his head, a kind smile on his features. "Illusions aren't the same. You can actually give life, whereas I merely pretend." He said before returning his attention to his book.
Distantly, the clatter of something falling to the ground was heard, followed by quickened footsteps. Both Salvia and Loki turned to look at their last companion but found only his stick, discarded in the grass where he once stood. He was now racing towards the footpath of the garden, and towards a line of troops, led by the king, that was at the head of said path. Salvia smiled instinctively before it faded on her lips. The troops were mostly smiling, a sure sign of their victory, but their armor had clearly seen its fair use. Within seconds not one, but three small children ran towards the progression, their activities left behind in the grass.
"FATHER!" Called out the oldest boy, bounding up to the king. "How went your battle?"
Odin, king of the gods, didn't answer, instead smiled at the boy and pat his head, but kept walking, a sullen air about him. The prince's brows knit together as his father passed by and the soldiers kept following. Out of the way of the troops, the second prince and his companion came to a stop, side by side. They were more restrained typically and favored giving the soldiers as much space as they needed. Odin walked up to his second son and pet his hair as well before turning to Salvia. Salvia gave a polite curtsey to the king before looking up at him with a polite smile. Odin seemed to bite his lower lip as he sank to one knee before her, his demeanor serious. Salvia tilt her head at the king, confused by his action, and shot a quick glance towards her friends who both shrugged in response.
"Salvia..." The king started but trailed off. Taking a deep breath, he instead reached to his side and into a pouch. He kept his eyes down and he retrieved something and then held it out toward the girl. Salvia's heart felt as if it had fallen out of place, and her eyes widened as she looked upon the offering. In the king's hand sat two small metals, both familiar to the pair as one belonged to her father, and the other to her mother. Salvia slowly reached out and took them into her small hand before giving the king a solemn nod, silently thanking him.
Odin nodded back at the girl and put a hand on her frail shoulder, trying his best to bring her some form of comfort before he stood and started walking with the troops again. As soon as the king and soldiers had left, many of them unable to even look in the girl's direction, Thor came up to join his friends again, with his mouth twisted in confusion. Loki on the other hand looked at the items and then down at the ground in solace. Salvia's eyes were still staring at the metals, her mouth wobbling a bit. She closed her hand around them and brought it up to her chest before looking towards the younger prince, hoping he could explain to her what she wasn't really wanting to grasp.
Silently Loki looked at her but couldn't keep eye contact, instead, he reached out his hand taking hold of her free one and giving it a quick squeeze before letting go. Thor stayed silent as well, looking at his feet. All three were now in a quiet huddle amongst the roses of the garden. Salvia looked up towards the brilliant blue sky and almost caught herself praying for rain, as maybe then, the world would feel with her.