Not Quite As Planned

Nils was exceedingly grateful to be getting away from the others. Aimee and Bea had been glaring at him all through their meal, Ronnie had been flashing him odd looks, and all of them weren't quite managing to keep quite about the night's events. He got the feeling that while all of them were pleased to meet Chad, they weren't sure he should be there at that point in time. To be fair, neither was he-but he sure as hell wasn't leaving him where he could be in danger.
Also of concern was, of course, leaving Wason and Chad's cat alone in a room together. If they weren't fighting, he would be very surprised. Watson, at least, was not pleased about sharing Nils with anyone.
Once they were alone in the elevator, he stole a long kiss from the boy, venting some of his confusion and frustration. Unfortunately, the kiss was not quite as long as he would have liked, but the elevator reached their floor much too soon. "We can finish that up in the room, Chaddimus" He said suggestively, leading the way to their room. He jerked impatiently on the door, having some trouble with swiping the key card before irritably handing it to Chad and letting him do it. The door opened, he eagerly followed the boy in and wasted no time in pushing him against the wall to kiss him thoroughly. He definitely needed the release right about now.

A bare second after the two hit the wall, Nils and Chad were interrupted by a loud, awkward-sounding cough. Looking further into the hotel room, they saw two men, standing next to and sitting on the bed, respectively.

The former looked like some Hollywood sex symbol from the seventies. Just barely too long black hair brushed his shoulders, framing a square-jawed, rugged face. A drooping, luxurious mustache, rather than seeming comical, made his smile warm and inviting. He wore faded jeans and polo shirt that had obviously seen better days, with sandals and an expression of polite embarassment.

The latter man, seated on the bed, was slight, but seemed oddly familiar. His red hair was even more vibrant than Nils', a bright orange hue that called to mind candle flames. He too wore a smile that promised much, but it spoke of secret confidences and honeyed whispers. Handsome in an oddly androgynous way, he sported a grey suit that looked somewhat like a particularly stylish prison uniform.

The first man spoke aften a pregnant pause.

"Well, I guess we kill two birds with one stone here. Sorry to barge in on...things, but I heard it was time to let you in on the family secret. I just came for my boy, but I got stuck with this guy, too." His eyes scanned Chad's face for some sign of recognition, but the second man spoke before he could continue.

"As though I have any less of a burden, dragged along with you and seeing my son in such a state. Let me have this moment, son of the sea, and I promise I'll come along quietly." His eyes displayed a deep, soulful pain, pleading with the other man.

The black-haired man considered his companion for a long moment, while the two lovers looked on in silent shock. Finally, he seemed to reach the conclusion of some sort of internal argument.

"Fine, Jotunson, but you know the consequences if I have to find you." He turned to Chad, gesturing towards the door. "C'mon kid, I'm sure we've got lots to talk about."

Nils blushed bright crimson when he heard the man clear his throat. Had he gone into the wrong room or something? He jerked away from Chad like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It was only then that he realized the redheaded man looked familiar somehow. How strange.
When they spoke, the truth of the situation struck him with horrible certainty. Esperanza had said that she'd met her divine parent, and Eitre had mentioned that they were all the children of the gods. So this must be what they were talking about. Crap-he was out to his Dad before he even met the man. That was a little embarrassing.
"Uhm... Hi." He said, flashing an embarrassed look at Chad. "I think it's time we have to face the music. There's a reason I asked you here. We need to talk when you get back."
He turned back to the redhead on the bed, noticing with interest that Watson was perched calmly nearby, instead of attacking the man as per usual. "So Eitre was right, then? Who are you, anyway?"
He felt like the name Jotun should ring a bell, but he was honestly much too stunned to think straight.

The red-headed man waited for his companion to leave with Chad before fixing Nils with a rueful stare.

"You already know, son. Its written all over your face. That's something you're going to need to work on, by the way." He smiled conspiratorialy and continued.

"I'm your father Nils. Your real father. Your mortal father is a good man, don't get me wrong. I'm just sorry this is the first time we're meeting. The timing has been...less than perfect."

He paused, taking a deep breath as though steeling himself for some horrible truth, then sheepishly resumed his speech.

"My name is Loki. I don't know how much you know, but I'd wager my reputation won't give you the best impression of me. I'm hoping we can get past that. I...haven't gotten to be there for a lot of my children over the years, and I'll do my damnedest to not have that happen again. That's why we don't have a lot of time now."

He began rummaging through the pockets of his slacks and coat, retrieving several small items. He looked them over, mentally tallying them, then turned to Nils again.

"Despite my rather unsavory repute, I've garnered a fair amount of favors over the years. Through various tasks undertaken on others' behalf, I came into possession of these gifts, birthrights I'm glad to finally give to you."

He produced from his hand a coin, ancient but shining. He flipped to Nils, who surprised himself by catching it perfectly in the air.

"I won that off the Norns. They make a great sweater, but can't read a bluff for the world." He coughed, seeming to cover a small chuckle. "Being theirs, its bound up in Fate, and will do the same if future bets are made on it. It's lucky for you, son, so use it well."

Next, a twig lengthened and thickened, forming a black wooden cane with a silver head in the shape of a grinning skull.

"A little morbid, I know, but your half-sister has a macabre sense of fashion. She sends her love, and this gift. Its violent, but the blade can extract answers from the dead. I'd wager a handy talent in your current predicament." He handed it over to Nils reverently.

Loki stopped to admire the ring on his right hand before slipping it off and offering it to his son.

"It may seem pretty simple, but I'm sorry to part with that one. It was a gift to me as well, a lady who was most appreciative of my...assistance. She may have married big, but Sif has a thing for a certain small man with silver tongue. The ring's dwarf-made, repels dirt and such. Handy when you need to make a good impression." He favored Nils with a slightly embarrased and apologetic half smile.

"And, of course, the last gift you've had for some time and didn't know it. Watson, I believe he's named you. Be a dear and show your master what you are."
Loki laughed as the bird alighted on Nils' shoulder, only to be curled around them a moment later as a large, brightly scaled and feathered serpent, nuzzling Nils' cheek.

"I do believe he's smitten, son."

If it was possible, Nils blushed even brighter crimson, the color clashing horribly with his hair. "I'll do what I can." He was horribly confused and overwhelmed by the situation. He'd spent a good part of his life reading about heroes born of various gods and goddesses, and now he was meeting a god. Who was, apparently, his dad. The shock overtook him and he sat down heavily.
"Is there ever a good time for this sort of news?" He asked weakly, unable to resist getting his say even under the circumstances.
Then the full shock hit him when he heard the name. LOKI. Fricken goddamn LOKI. Of all the gods and goddesses, he had to be the child of Loki. Bloody fucking hell.
Loki must have noticed the look on his face, given his heartfelt explanation. Nils couldn't help but feel sorry for the man. He might as well listen to what he had to say.
He took the items with awe clearly written on his features. The coin went in his pocket, after an appreciative glance, the cane he examined thoroughly, unsheathing the blade an inch or two to test the edge. The ring went straight on his finger with a smile. THAT would come in handy, he was sure.
His jaw flat out dropped when Watson flew over, looking like some sort of winged snake thing. A coatl, he realized after his brain got over the shock. "Watson, you're beautiful." He murmured, reaching to stroke his pet fondly.
He glanced back up at Loki, confusion still etched on his features, but some of his standard wit returning to him. "How are you here, anyway? Aren't you supposed to be imprisoned? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to meet you, but..." He sighed. "It would be useful to know what the actual situation is, versus what I've read."
He shook his head. "This is totally ruining my thesis." He muttered.

Loki smiled appreciatively and stood, walking towards the door.

"Good instinct, not taking at face value what others have told you." He peered out the peephole for a moment before turning back to Nils.

"Well, as you've been told, there are gods. And goddesses, of course. But that, you might have surmised, implies a great deal more than some overly powerful forces watching your every move. The part that directly affects you, for the moment, has to do with enemies you didn't know you had."

Stepping in front of Nils, Loki petted Watson before putting his hand on Nil's shoulder. His knowing smile, which had been ever-present before now, disappeared as his expression grew serious. His eyes bored into Nils', worry and sorrow etched on his weathered features.

"The Aesir, and their allies, have enemies that are...more vast than can really be imagined unless you've seen them. As with most tribes, they had the arrogance to assume they had locked away or defeated any who could stand against them." He scowled, hs voice growing bitter. "They were wrong. We call them the Jotunn, but they've had many names over the years, just as we have. That fight, the larger fight, is taking place...higher, I suppose, than here. But that doesn't mean Midgard is safe. That's why you're so important, Nils. I'm going to have my hands full making sure this fight goes the way it needs to."

He stepped away, gesturing broadly with his hands as he spoke.

"The gods, they're a short-sighted bunch for immortals. They're worried about what's going to happen to them, to Asgard, to Yggdrasil. But here, mortals suffer for their failures and their triumphs alike. I can't always be here to keep an eye out, so I need you to. Son, you have a choice, like we all do, but I need you to consider what would happen to this earth if no one was watching. Those Jotunn, the enemies of the gods, they've got children too. And they're working to undermine what the gods have put in place, struggling to free their forebears."

He turned back, suddenly, again capturing Nil's eyes with his stare.

"That. Cannot. Happen. There are some out there like you, few and far between, working to stop them." He took a step closer with each sentence, his eyes never wavering. They were hypnotic, like a flame, drawing attention and promising elusive glimpses of internal and inexplicable logic. "They need your help, Nils. The world needs your help. I need your help...son."

As the door closed behind them, the black-haired man slipped his arm around Chad's shoulder, smiling broadly. He smelled, not unpleasantly, of pine needles and freshly-tilled earth. He began to walk down the hallway towards the elevators, dragging a stunned Chad with him.

"So, I heard from Eitri you haven't been told anything about all this yet." He chuckled, his broad chest rumbling. "I can imagine what a shock this is. I know its not everyday you meet a god."

He let go as they reached the elevator, the doors opening before they even pressed a button. The man turned, one hand extended to usher Chad inside.

"The name's Freyr, son, and I have a hell of a story to tell you."

Nils noticed with interest that Loki avoided answering his original question. He wondered how much he could really trust from what he was hearing. Loki was a trickster after all, was he above tricking his own son? He certainly seemed wary of someone. Perhaps that other god who was with him before?
He did listen with great interest to what his... father told him. Loki's fervor was catching, and Nils found himself caught up in his words. The tale he told did more or less match up with myth, as well as with what Eitre said.
He was startled with the way he talked about other gods, but considering what myth said about how they'd treated Loki, it didn't surprise him. The point he made was a sobering one indeed, one that his philosophical mind had analyzed all too thoroughly in the past.
"I... Of course I'm not going to stand by and let the world burn, what do you take me for!" He sighed, knowing he would be furious with himself if he didn't make his point. "You know, according to the stories you're supposed to be working WITH the Jotunn."
A thought occured to him then, one he knew he better not pass up. "So my psychometry, was that you? That's not exactly a Norse thing... Where the crap did that come from?"

Loki reeled back, turning away from Nils. When he spoke again, his voice seemed strained and hurt, like a man who'd lost his last dollar on a sure bet.

"I'm not working with anybody. That's the problem. The one person I thought I could trust...kept me in chains because he thinks I'm going to betray him in the end. Strength, sure, but the Aesir are not known for their gratitude. I'm only out because they want my help with something." He sighed heavily, facing his son again.

"As to your 'psychometry,' you're actually off. Its a rare gift, I'll admit, but not unheard of among certain old powers. The All-Father's wife herself has a penchant for conversing with the things of this world." He grinned, galncing sidelong at Nils as he paced. "It wasn't easy winkling the secret out of her, but its that secret, whispered to you in the womb, that you've unknowingly used your whole life. I understand it can take some getting used to, but I think, knowing what you do now, it might be easier."

Loki paused in mid-step, jerking his head towards the door. His head canted to the side, as though listening to something audible to none but him. An emotion perilously close to panic slithered over his features for a fleeting moment, then was gone. He closed to distance to Nils again, staring up at his son's face.

"I know you've got more questions, and soon I hope to answer them for you, but, if you want me to be able to see you more than this once, I have to go now. Besides, you're going to need some time to come up with the right ones to ask anyway. I promise, I'll aid you where I can, and you will be hearing from me again."

He pulled Nils into a short, awkward hug before retreating to the door to the hallway. His hand rested on the doorknob as he regarded his son one last time.

"I'm sorry we haven't had much time. Keep a clear head on your shoulders, and don't believe anything you hear. Especially from gods."

With that, he left, walking briskly down the hotel hallway. As the door closed, Nils thought he could just hear faint, unfettered, joyful laughter.

Nils felt horribly guilty, seeing the hurt look on his divine father's face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything by it. I'm just horribly confused. This is a lot to take in, you know."
At this news as to where his psychometry came from, he closed his eyes, trying to contain his anger. This 'gift' had been responsible for most of the worst moments in his life. "I... Look... Dad" He seemed to have a bit of trouble calling this vibrant, larger than life man in front of him Father. "Just for the record, you might not want to share that with any more of your children. It was hellish to grow up with."
He watched worriedly as Loki seemed to freak out. "What is it, what did you hear?"
He didn't seem to hear the question, and Nils couldn't help but smile a little at his eagerness. "Alright, I'll hold you to that. I'll have a whole list."
The hug caught him by surprise, but he returned it as warmly as time permitted. "I'll keep that in mind."
And with that, Loki left, leaving Nils sitting on the bed with a dazed expression. Hopefully Chad would be back soon, they had a lot to talk about.

Chad looks at the stranger and shakes his head resolutely. "I'm not getting in an elevator with you. I don't know you, and I'm not in the habit of going places alone with strange men I don't intend to sleep with. And don't call me son!"

"Fair enough. Probably a good reaction to cultivate, though I'm not happy about your tone, Chaddimus."

The elevator doors closed as the man stepped back, leaning against the wall. He favored Chad with a considering look and smiled.

"You've grown up well, son, better than I'd hoped. Its a dangerous time to be part of the family. Which, of course, you don't believe. Maybe that's my fault. It can be a lot harder to see through the lip ferret." He chuckled, leaning forward and running his hand across his mouth.As he did so, his mustache seemed to shrink, and his hair shortened. The odd transformation lasted only a moment, leaving the god with a five o'clock shadow and short, tousled hair. With the exception of hair color, he looked like an older, more muscular Chad.

"There we go. Huh, you forget how hot the hair is until you get rid of it." He ran his hand through his hair, laughing. "I hope this at least lends some weight to my claim. I didn't mean to scare you; its been a while since I had to have one of these talks."

Chad looked at the man in shock.The transformation had shaken him. At this point, his only feasible option was to go with the man, so he stepped into the elevator. "Where are we going?"

Stepping into the now-open elevator, Freyr's smile became a full-on goofy grin. "Well, I thought we'd just head for a walk. I'd love to show you the family estate and all, but I don't think we have time." He nodded back towards Nils' room as the doors closed. "I don't want to leave him alone for too long. Never can tell what he's up to."

He bobbed his head for a moment, obviously counting down with the elevator numbers. "So there's really no great place to start, so I'll just plow through." He chuckled as though he'd made a joke. "First of all, as I said, I'm your father. I also happen to be a god. I'd suggest you just let that one go. Its important, but it's going to take a lot longer than we have for you to really understand the implications."

As the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened, Freyr stepped into the hallway and smiled at a passing maid who looked easily ten years older than Freyr. She took a sharp breath and smiled back shyly before continuing on her way. Freyr gestured for Chad to follow him and began walking lazily down the hotel hallway.

Chads interest had been piqued. A God? His father? He already had a father. His father wasn't ideal, but he was still his father. Right? He had never really fit in with his family. Chad had always assumed it was because he had to hide his preference in partners, but maybe it could be because he wasn't really part of the family. At least not in the way Brad was. Suddenly feeling somewhat hopeful about having family he could relate to Chad looked at Freyr. "So if you didn't come here to explain the implications of you being a God, what are you here for? It's not like you bothered to show up at any point in the last twenty years."

Freyr gave Chad a contrite look, like a child who'd been caught sneaking desert.

"When it really hits you what all this means, you'll wish I'd waited another twenty years." For the first time since Chad and Nils had first seen him in the hotel room, the god's expression sobered. "Life's never easy for you heroes. If it were up to me, I'd just as soon you lived a blissfully ignorant life, going on to be an animal doctor and whatnot. But things arent't that easy, and they're certainly not up to me."

Freyr led Chad through the winding halls of the hotel, eventually heading outside towards the pool area. The morning air seemed to invigorate the god, who continued.

"You've inherited a lot from me, son, more than you know. In fact, I have something here for you." He reached into his pocket, producing what looked like a square of the blackest cloth Chad had ever seen. He offered it to his son, upon whose touch it twisted and reshaped into a dark-colored fedora.

"Hmm, interesting choice. It was a fine steel helmet when I took it from its former owner. So svartalf jarl with designs bigger than his means." He laughed grimly. "Unfortunately, that isn't all you've inherited. We gods, we're in the middle of a war, and those enemies aren't going to only be assaulting us. That's why I came now. I'd hoped our battles would remain that, our battles, but the children of the Jotun seem to have found their way here, now."

It tooks a few minutes of walking through the hotel grounds for Chad to realize it, but the plants seemed to...grow as they walked, becoming greener and heartier. Strange, certainly, but what wasn't about this morning.

Chad blushed at the stern note in Freyr's voice. He probably hadn't thought that last snarky comment through. The Fedora his father had given him was puzzling. It was certainly his style but definitely an odd gift for a father to give his son. And what was all that about battles and Jotuns? What the hell were Jotuns? It was then that Chad noticed all the plants rapidly growing like something out of a cheesy Batman movie, and he couldn't take it any longer. "What's the hat for, and what is a Jotun and why are you talking about battles?!?!? Oh, and what's with the plants?"

Freyr paused in mid-step to examine the plants. He laughed and waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh that. It tends to happen when I get distracted. Careful it doesn't happen to you, son. Dead giveaway."

He resumed walking, counting off points on his fingers.

"The hat's magical, obviously. Its tied in to the talents of the svartalves. Bends shadows, lets you walk through them, all that. You'll figure it out, I promise."

"And Jotuns, are, at least put simply, giants. But, really, they're more than that. They're nature at its worst; earthquake and hurricanes and floods, but smart and ancient and mean. And they hate us. And humanity, which I suppose is more important to you right now. They're too...big to fit into the World, so they send their children and servants to do their work."

"Which is why I mention battles. Being a child of the gods, being my son, they'll be coming after you. I'm sorry, but there's nothing I can do about that other than prepare you as best I can. The hat will help keep you out of trouble, and I think you can manage the rest on your own."

Freyr had led Chad back inside, towards the elevator. He stopped and turned to look Chad directly in the eyes. "Its coming time for heroes again, and you've got to be ready, son"

Chad is at a loss for words.

Freyr laughed and put his arm around Chad's shoulders to lead him into the elevator.

"Heh, that's probably the best reaction you could have right now, shock and awe. Its a lot to take in, I can imagine. But you needed to know, or it'd be a whole lot worse. Now, let's get you back to your...room."

He smiled knowingly down at Chad, a smirk curling his lip.

"I'm not gonna comment directly here, son, but Loki's Scions can be...a handful. I'd be careful if I were you."

Nils sat on the bed, lost in thought, considering the whole situation. Wondering where Chad was, he was surprised to hear a knock on the door. While worried at the thought of more weirdness, he realized hadn't had time to give Chad the other keycard. He crossed the room and opened the door wide.

He barely had time to register the sheer size of the man standing in the doorway before the man reached out, lightning quick, to wrap his massive fingers around Nils' throat.

"Lie-Smith. By Niflheim, how are you here? You'll be back and bound soon enough"

Nils had time for only momentary confusion at the appearance of the large man standing before him before choking awkwardly. Oh. THIS was who Loki was running from. Well, crap. Thanks for the warning, dad!
"I don't think I'm quite who you think I am, sir." He choked out, desperately trying to figure his way out. "Are you looking for my father? He just left. Probably trying to get away before you showed up. Can you please let go? I swear I won't leave until you're satisfied that I'm not who you're looking for."
Between the choking hand on his neck and the effort of forcing air and words through his constricted windpipe he was starting to feel faint, and he thought his vision was going dark at the edges.

"You won't be leaving at all, friend of fire. I don't know how you escaped, but I swear your reprieve will prove temporary at best."

Just then, the elevator doors opened onto the hotel hallway, giving Freyr and Chad a good view of Heimdall choking Nils. Startled, Freyr called out Heimdall's name and rushed forward. Heimdall did not look away from Nils or release his grip, but responded to the new arrivals.

"Njordson, what is he doing here? I need to get him back to his dungeon before he escapes."

Freyr calmly placed one hand on Heimdall's arm, the other on his hand, trying to pry his fingers from Nils' neck.

"Its not him, guardian, its his son. Look, you can tell. Do you feel Loki's power here?"

Slowly, hesitantly, Heimdall released Nils, lowering his arm. Freyr put a hand on Nils' shoulder, amused concern on his face.

"I'm sorry about that. There's little love lost between Heimdall here and your father." He looked further into the room and cursed. He spoke again, his words grating, "Speaking of which, where is Loki?"

Nils smiled gratefully up at Freyr. "Thank you, sir."
He sighed when the attention was turned to his missing father. "I'm not entirely sure. He acted like he noticed someone coming, then ran off. If THAT" He motioned at Heimdall, "Is what would have happened to him, I can't say I blame him, really. You've got him locked up already, is there really any reason to randomly strangle the poor guy?" He sighed, rubbing his sore neck. "But I'm being rude, now. I apologize. I take it you are Heimdall, and... You're Chadimus' father, I know, but who ARE you? It is an honor to meet you both."