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[ It's been a little while now, since Floki arrived in this world. He's had a lot to deal with, emotionally when it comes to the Gods here. Believing that any interaction, involvement or acknowledgement of them is a direct insult to his Gods, the real Gods!

It's also taken him a while to get used to the communication devices. Floki is fluent in Runes, one of the lucky and knowledgeable Vikings that managed to teach himself how to communicate through them. Floki could read and write, understand and create tales through this means, yet the phone device he was given? This was all new and strange.

So, here he was. The first appearance over the network sat in what looked like a beautifully crafted, ornate wooden Viking boat. The head was of Fáfnir, the mythical Midgard Serpent. Floki slumped against he neck of the dragon, a smirk-like sneer pulled over his lips. He placed the phone on the side of the boat, freeing his hands so that he was able to pick up a rather large wooden statue he'd handcarved himself. ]

May the Alföðr himself, bless my boat.

[ Raising both arms to the sky, fingers twitching in random movements, a strange chirp of a giggle left his lips before he stroked the statue with one hand, a gesture of praise with his other, moved down his forehead before kissing the knuckle of his thumb. ]

The true Gods should be pleased to see someone still worships them. I shall be blessed a bountiful life so long as I reject these false deities... And you should all be wise too, turn your back on their lies, for Odin is forgiving of the ignorant and blind but not those who will turn their backs in blasphemy.

[ Turning his head aside, Floki spat at the ground as if he was so disgusted in what he was saying, disgusted that people here fell for the glamour these so-called Gods had them under. ]

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Never heard of Odin, but I can tell you I sure as fuck don't worship the things that call themselves gods here. No one with common sense would trust those assholes.

It's cool that we actually have someone around here who can build boats just as we need it, though. What if we wanted to join you on that very fine boat? Would booze be good payment?

Things? Are they not Man of flesh and blood like us? Has anyone slain one yet? Do they determine what you can and can't do here?

[ This is very interesting indeed! So it seems they call themselves Gods simply because they each have some kind of powers? - Her question caught him off guard. He wasn't ready to be asked such a thing and from a stranger too. ]

... Maybe you could join me... Maybe you couldn't. Can you fight? Do you have a shield and what kind of booze?

[ Because they are the important questions, really. ]

I can fight, with two blades. And I have a really big war dog. [There's a deep-sounding bark from not too far off.] As for booze, it depends. Do you care more about flavor or getting hammered?

[As for the 'gods'...]

They can be killed, sorta. It happened to Sorrow; not by us, but by the Null, and that's a whole other can of worms. He was resurrected a few months later, which sucked because that resurrection blanketed the city in his signature emotion, so there were a lot of messed-up people. But that's what they do; once or twice a month, they jerk us around and make us feel whatever so they gain power from our emotions. It's shit.

[ Floki liked the sound of her. He too fought with two weapons though his were his boatbuilding tools, his Adze and Axe. ]

A wolf and a Shieldmaiden? I would be happy to be in your company during a raid.

[ Floki pulled a funny face, being asked if he wanted to drink for flavour made him think of the terrible wine the people in Wessex kept in their places of worship. ]

No, I definitely just want something strong, like a good mead... I am Viking after all you know.

[ How interesting... The Gods could be killed and had been before. He would wait to ask more about the Null at another time, there was so much he was learning already he didn't want to overwhelm his curious mind. ]

'Shieldmaiden'? Heh, I like that. But what's a Viking, aside from some kind of human? [Not usually one for manners, but as they keep talking she decides to switch to video. It's not like she has any reason to hide her appearance. She nods in approval at his choice.]

Mead sounds good to me, I can get behind that. Dwarven brews are shit, so I didn't get anything decent until I came to the surface. Don't ever try mosswine unless you like punishing yourself, it's like drinking dirty socks.

What is a Viking? Te-hee! Viking is a people, hardened by harsh weather and the splash of the sea-

[ As he spoke, Floki was very animated. Letting his hands and expressions paint the picture he was talking. ]

-We are a people who live and die by the Axe. We fight and kill and should we die a glorious death in battle, then the Valkery come down with their beautiful wings and armour, Odin's maidens of war, and they usher us into Vallhala where we drink and feast! The fight and die only to be brought back to life and do it all over again!

[ Such pride and joy were in his tone as he spoke of his people and the way of their life.

Now that he could actually see her and the fact she said a certain word, Floki smiled. He believed he knew her kind well, but mostly only in legends. ]

Are you Dwarven? Then you must be as rich as all the merry men here! The drinks shall certainly be on you, my friend!

[The way he speaks so passionately about his people and way of life entrances her, for all that she's used to endless battle herself.] You have a good sales pitch, I'll give you that. Dwarves are hardened, too, but since we don't have weather below it's more about lava, darkspawn and each other.

[She snorts in amusement at the typical dwarf assumptions, though. It's tempting to let him think that, but she'd never be able to keep up coming from wealth even if she wanted to.]

I can pay for them, sure, but usually being a dwarf doesn't mean you're rich unless you're a noble. I didn't even have a caste, so I was nothing to them. Everything I have, I fucking earned. [And yes, she is smug about that.]

[ Floki is a very proud man. He lives by his Gods and would die for his friends and family. Its been hard for him here, having to see beings playing the part of Gods, knowing all along how terribly rude and offensive it was to his own Gods.

As for assuming she was rich because of her race, Floki only knew of the Dwarves from his world- And there they were a rich, stubborn people with wealth beyond comparison. ]

Forgive me, I couldn't tell that you weren't noble.

[ A compliment and a smile. Floki must have liked her? ]

You should be very proud then, to work so hard for your own good. A true honest way to make your way in life.

[That seems to tickle her, and she chuckles.]

That's one way to put it. I was always a thug, I just learned how to put it to good use. With some help, I'm not asshole enough to claim all the credit.

[The head of a large muscular dog gets in the way and offers a curious grunt, wanting to see who his mistresses is talking to.]

Barkspawn, say hi. [After she nudges him into backing up, he wags his tail and barks.]

[ He was about to comment on her being a thug, say something about it being more of a skill to be proud of- then the huge head of a beast-like dog filled up the screen and Floki pulled back with wide eyes. ]

What a beautiful animal.

[ A tilt of his head and curious expression. ]

What kind of beast are you then? Spawn of a Direwolf? Bear and hound mix?

[Barkspawn runs around in a happy little circle, and she pats him to calm him back down. When he's lined up with her, it's easier to see he's just as tall and just as wide as the dwarven woman.]

He's a mabari! They're a renowned war dog breed from Ferelden; in battle, they're at least as smart as the soldiers they fight with. Off the battlefield, they're pretty social and loyal as fuck. They pick one person to follow and stay with them for life. Remind me to show you his war-paint sometime, it's pretty cool.

[Barkspawn's quick to agree perking up and letting out an eager whine.]

[ Floki was pleased to meet a fellow warrior! Aren was cool too ~~joke!~~

The information she offered was so very interesting. Imagine an animal such as that, loyal following you around for life. They could do with beasts like her back home. ]

Is her soul bonded with yours then? What a beautiful fate. To forever join one in battle and beyond.

[ Floki made a sign at his forehead, with his fingers and thumb, a kind of a blessing in the honour of his Gods for her. ]

His, but yeah. I saved Barkspawn when I first met him, and he later saved me. We've been together ever since, saving each other's asses.

[Barkspawn lets out a pleased grunt in response to Loki, tilting his head at the sign made. Aren is curious about it, too.]

What does that mean, what you just did?

[ It was a moving story indeed. Often when a wild beast is able to warm its soul towards you, they end up being companions for life. Floki liked the idea of having a huge battle dog like Barkspawn.

His musing was interrupted though when she asked about his hand movements. ]

I don't know what it means. It is a feeling, something compelling me to move that way. An acknowledgement to my Gods, for their blessings and for them to watch.

[ It was indeed Floki's religious reaction to something outstanding. ]

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