We talk and drink and laugh about things [Open]

The journey from Skagerrak was a familiar one, having traveled it multiple times now to visit her brother whenever the chance arose. Yrsa was even more excited than usual, because she hadn’t seen her brother in nearly a year, and Garth wasn’t expecting her visit. Instead she was planning to surprise him for the Harvest Feast being hosted by Queen Aslaug and her sons. The brunette couldn’t possibly grin any wider as she took in the large village. It was certainly more crowded than normal, but that was understandable. Yrsa wasn’t the only one making the journey to Kattegat, and assumed there would be a large group of people from villages all over Scandinavia arriving to attend the feast.

Luckily, her Earl and his family were also attending, so it made sense for her to be traveling to Kattegat for the Feast, even if her brother hadn’t lived there.

She was hoping she might get a chance to spar with some other warriors while she was in Kattegat; It had been a long time since she’d fought anyone outside of Skagerrak, and Yrsa was always looking for new tips and techniques to learn and try. Her father had told her once that there was always someone better than you, and to assume everyone you were fighting was better than you. It was sound advice, especially to someone like Yrsa, who occasionally forgot that she wasn’t the fiercest warrior in the world.

Having debated for nearly the entire boat ride from Skagerrak, Yrsa had finally decided to wait until the Feast to announce herself to her brother. It would be more of a surprise that way, and she didn’t have any desire to hang about his shop or interrupt his work. Instead, she kept herself busy getting ready. She rarely had occasion to wear anything especially feminine and had found herself excited at the prospect.

When the Feast finally began, Yrsa was outside watching the sacrifice offered by the Sons of King Ragnar, and was every bit as enthusiastic as the rest of the crowd. Once inside the Great Hall, she immediately went in search of her brother. He had to be here. There was no way he’d miss something like this, she just knew it. She drank deeply from a horn of ale that was passed to her, and cheered loudly with everyone else, often not even knowing what they were cheering for, when she finally spotted Garth.

A large grin split across her face as she hurried in his direction. “Garth!” she called out once she was closer to him, hoping he’d hear her over the loud buzzing of the large crowd. Wrapping him in a hug once she reached him, she looked up at him, her toothy grin still firmly in place. “Surprised?” she asked excitedly, quickly downing the remainder of her drink and wiping her mouth with her arm in a rather unladylike fashion. At least she hadn’t belched. Yet.

Garth had spent the morning getting ready for the Harvest feast. Normally he would spend the day working on the many weapons that he had ordered, and needed to get done. However today was a special day. People from all over would be coming to the village to celebrate together. Although Garth was sad his family wouldn't be there, it was at least a chance to meet some new people. Garth had hoped his sister or mother would be coming to visit for the feast, but he had heard no word of such a thing happening. Maybe he could find himself a nice women to take home for the night to warm his bed. If they decided to stay more than one night, then even better. He knew there would be lots of food and ale as well, so that was a reason to go all in itself. Free food was a big motivator to Garth, well he was sure to any man really.

Once he was completely ready for the day, and his smith was safe to be left alone for the night Garth made his way down toward the manor. The streets were full with so many people that it was interesting to look around and see the difference in the way people dressed and acted. It had taken him some time to adjust to how things were here in Kattegat compared to how they were in his home village of Skagerrak when he first moved here. When Garth arrived in front of the manor he was skill some ways away from the front doors as he watched the sacrifices taking place. Even though he was a black smith, and didn't go raiding with he viking men, Garth had alway loved watching the sacrifices take place. You could just see the power then men felt from pleasing the Gods with their offerings. It was a thrilling thing to witness.

After all the sacrifices were over and Bjorn welcomed everyone inside, Garth slowly made his way in and to a table. Making sure to grab a horn of ale from a passing thrall on his way. He had almost made it to the table he had chosen when he heard his name being shouted. Turning to see who it was, Garth was more then surprised when he saw his sweet younger sister Yrsa coming his way. Before he could speak he felt Yrsa pulling him into a hug. One he made sure to return before she pulled away. Garth knew he had to have the biggest smile on his face when she said “Surprised?” to him. "Very! I didn't think you were coming." he said before hugging her once more." I am glad you did though, I have missed you greatly little sister." he said before patting her head."Where are you staying, and for how long? I hope you know you are welcome in my hut always! " he asked next. He hoped he wasn't talking her ear off. He was simply so excited and happy to see the little women in front of him. However he would have to make sure he didn't drink to much now. All thought of finding a women to take home all out the window. No, Garth would have to make sure to protect and look after his little sister now. Garth pitted the person who tired anything on her tonight. He would have to test out one of his new weapons on them.

I hope this is okay. I made the post on my phone : P I wanted to get an reply out to you tonight.

Between the ale and the ambiance, Yrsa couldn’t help but get a little giggly when Garth called her ‘little sister’ and told her he’d missed her. It was a nice sort of thing to hear when you traveled so far to see someone, after all.

When she’d been in her teens, training hard to become a Frú, and then a Thegn, she had been so irritated whenever he’d call her ‘little sister’. To the brunette, it meant that her brother refused to see her as anything other than a child, and if her own brother couldn’t see how strong and skilled she was becoming, how would anyone else? But now that she was older, more experienced, and knew exactly how strong and skilled she was, she finally cared little for the opinions of others, and accepted it as the term of endearment that it was meant to be.

Returning the hug that he initiated, she finally got a good look at him. He seemed stronger, and more confident than he had back in Skagerrak, something she hadn’t really noticed in her previous visits. He looked older as well, but not in a bad way, and given that he was older, and smithing wasn’t exactly an easy occupation, Yrsa figured that was normal.

“I missed you too,” she answered finally, reaching out to get her empty cup refilled when a thrall wandered by. “Skol!” she said, raising her cup to her brother before taking a long drink. “So, how are things in Kattegat? Your shop is doing well? You’ve made friends? Any special friends?” she asked with a smirk, her eyebrow raised. It was the most important job of a little sister, to tease and torment their older brothers, and Yrsa took this job very seriously.

“Oh, well that’s good, because I haven’t found anywhere to stay,” she replied with a cheeky grin. Honestly, she hadn’t had very long to plan the whole thing, and assumed Garth would let her stay with him. “Probably just a day or two? It was all rather last minute, which is why I didn’t give you any warning. By the time I actually decided to come, it was really too late to send word on ahead.”

She looked around the Great Hall, trying to get a look at the people nearby. She’d never really had occasion to enter the Great Hall before, and wanted to take a good look around. This was a famous home, in a famous village, housing a famous family. Yrsa was hoping to catch a glimpse of any of the Ragnarssons, but didn’t imagine she’d be getting any kind of introduction. But maybe she’d be lucky, and Garth knew one of them?

“Do you still like it here better than home?” she wondered finally, fairly certain what his answer was going to be. Though she was also certain he wouldn’t return to Skagerrak, even if he didn’t like Kattegat very much. Here, he got to be independent, and only share the bits of his history he chose to. Everyone knew him in Skagerrak. And while Yrsa still missed him terribly, she wanted her brother to be happy.

Garth Smiled at his sweet little sister when she told him she had missed him as well. It was nice to hear those words coming from her mouth. He often felt badly for leaving. He had been told by his mother how badly it had hurt Yrsa. That she had been devastated and had even almost followed after him. It had almost made him move back home, but he had needed to do this. To get away and make a new name for himself in a place where people didn't know him. Even if it did hurt his dear sister in the process. He watched Yrsa get her drink refiled before she took another long drink from her class. He would defiantly have to stay sober if she was already drinking like this and the night had just started. He hoped keeping an eye on his sister wouldn't be to hard, but only time would tell. If he had to get into a fight so be it. No one was going to take advantage of her if she decided to go and get herself drunk. Garth secretly hoped she wouldn't go to crazy on the drinking. This was meant to be a feast to celebrate and if he got into a fight be was sure that the Ragnarsson would simply dislike him and not trust him even more than they already seemed to. That that he had done anything to earn their distrust, nothing but being from another village like the other blacksmith in Kattegat.

When Yrsa started asking him a million things such as “So, how are things in Kattegat? Your shop is doing well? You’ve made friends? Any special friends? it took a lot of control not to start laughing at her. She was clearly excited, and if he wasn't use to her antics he wouldn't have been able to keep up with her questions. " Things are going well, the shop has started to pick up a lot more. So I'm making more" he said before pausing and taking a deep drink from his horn, nearly finishing it. " I have some friends yes, mostly other people who have travel to live here as well. I'll be sure to introduce you if we see them in the large crowds tonight." he said with a smile before ruffling Yrsa hair a bit. " No, no special friend. Though I have my eyes on someone. I wont be saying who so don't ask." he smirked at her before finishing his drink. looking to the crowds for a moment Garth too reached out and got his horn refiled. This would be his last he mentally told himself as he took another drink from it. He hoped Yrsa would leave it at that, but he knew he most likely wasn't that lucky.

When Yrsa spoke again she said she hadn't found a place to stay yet and she wasn't going to be here long because she hadn't planed on coming, and that was why she hadn't sent word to him before hand. He just shook his head at her. "Well, you will be staying with me for those few days then!" he said it in a way that left no room to argue with him, or at least he hoped so. She was a shield maiden now and very well could beat his ass for trying to command her to do something, but he was the big brother. It was his job to tell her what to do and protect her. He watched as she looked around the room, he felt bad that he didn't see any of his friends to introduce her to yet, but as soon as he saw one he would be sure to wave them over. Garth was brought back to her when he heard his sister ask “Do you still like it here better than home?” her question took him by surprise. Garth was fairly certain he had never once told her he liked it here better, but at the same time he had stayed. So she must have taking his staying as liking here better than where she and their mother was.

Taking a few steps closer to her he frowned before speaking. " I wouldn't say I like it here better dear sister. There are things I like here better and things I like at home better." he said to start out. "I miss you and mother, and some of my friends terribly, daily. However, I have made a name for myself here. People are starting to see my work is good work. I can be a different person here than I can be at home. But that doesn't mean I like it better Yrsa" He said before drinking his drink empty in one long drink. Garth didn't like to talk about serious stuff like this in public. It made him uncomfortable. None the less the words needed to be said so Yrsa would understand. That he didn't leave to hurt her,and his mother." Now enough about me, tell me dear one, is there anyone in YOUR life. Any man I need to rough up next time I visit home?" he said, getting her back for antics before.

Yrsa listened carefully as Garth answered all of her questions. While she did occasionally wish he was still in Skagerrak with her so she could talk to him more often, she also wanted him to do what he felt was best for him, and for him to be happy. Which she reluctantly admitted wasn’t something she thought he’d ever truly be if he was in Skagerrak. Oh good, he did have friends. Yrsa loved meeting new people.

When he mentioned ‘having his eye on someone’ the shield maiden tilted her head to the side a bit and gave him an incredulous look. “‘Your eye on someone’?” she repeated. “Does the poor girl know you’ve your eye on her? Or were you thinking you’d just catch her, like a bear in a trap?” she questioned with a laugh.

Whoever she was, Yrsa was intrigued. It was pure torture for him to tell her so little, but he probably knew that, and was doing it deliberately. “Well, whatever you’re planning, I want to meet her.” It wasn’t some sort of ‘and make sure she’s good enough for you’ sisterly thing. Garth was his own man. Yrsa was merely curious and wanted to meet the woman who’d caught her brother’s eye.

Being the reckless and slightly irresponsible young woman that she was, it had never occurred to Yrsa to find lodgings or to even consider that she wouldn’t be able to stay with her brother. Now that she was here, and he was talking about having his eye on someone, she realized she could’ve made things very awkward for him. Luckily, it seemed he was only in the planning stages of his romancing, so he still had space for her in his house. “Thank you,” she answered with a smile, taking another drink of ale.

She was getting that all-over warm feeling from the ale and decided this should probably be her last cup. She didn’t need to get roaring drunk and pass out while in Kattegat visiting her brother. That would just be embarrassing for them both.

Yrsa immediately perked up at Garth’s next comment though. She’d assumed he preferred Kattegat to Skagerrak because if he’d been truly miserable, she thought he’d come home. But maybe the anonymity of Kattegat was too important and appealing, even if he didn’t like it here. She nodded along, understanding how good it felt to finally be recognized for your talents and abilities. “Mother misses you too, I forgot to say before. She sent some food for you which I thought was silly. As if there’s no food in Kattegat or you can’t afford to feed yourself? I ate most of it on the crossing,” she admitted sheepishly, grinning at him.

When he turned the tables and started questioning her about her life, Yrsa sighed at him dramatically. She should’ve expected this, she supposed. “No, there most certainly is not. And I can do my own roughing up, thank you very much,” she punched him lightly in the shoulder. Then found herself saying more than she intended; More than she would have had she been completely sober. “I think I’m too violent for the farmers, and not violent enough for the vikings. Not that I’m looking,” she added immediately, perfectly happy to be on her own for the moment. Men had very firm beliefs about things, and Yrsa was a bit of a walking contradiction; She didn’t seem to fit into any of their preconceived ideas about women and shield maidens. “I’ve still got plenty of time to worry about such things. Unlike you, you old man,” she told him with a laugh.

Garth rolled his eyes at his sister when he heard her ask if the women he had his eye on knew he liked her. The answer of corse was no. Iliana Andsvarrsdóttir had no idea at all that he liked her, and he wasn't sure if he would ever tell her. She came from a good family, and he had no father. Sure he was making a new name for himself, and making weapons for the viking men, but he still needed to grow more. To get his forge to be better before he would think he would be even close to being a good man for her. She was certainly beautiful though. " She has no idea, and might never know... And a bear in a trap, really?" he said with a sign as she laughed at him. He didn't want to say anything to upset his sister so he made sure to not put himself down in front of her. Garth didn't need to upset his sister with his emotions, sure he knew she cared and he was sure she knew he felt that he was below some people, but he didn't want her to have to hear it out loud. It was bad enough that he had to feel that way about himself, he didn't need his families pity.

When she said she wanted to meet her he spoke again." Her name is Iliana Andsvarrsdóttir , you can meet her yourself if you like. I'll give you money and you can buy yourself some of her beautiful jewelry.... We have only met once or twice but her work is amazing.." he said before looking away and making sure no one heard him. That would be embarrassing if word got back to her somehow that a man she hardly knew was going around saying he liked her. He would want to stick his head into his forge if that happened. No, he would try and see what she was like before he tried to talk to her in a manner other than friends. If she liked him as a friend, and he liked her more than her beauty then he would try to maybe be more with her. If he felt like he was good enough for someone like her. Garth just smiled at his sister when she thanked him for saying she could stay with him. She should just know she is always welcome in his home. Even if and when he has a family of his own.

Taking a deep drink from his ale, he smiled when she spoke again. “Mother misses you too, I forgot to say before. She sent some food for you which I thought was silly. As if there’s no food in Kattegat or you can’t afford to feed yourself? I ate most of it on the crossing,” Of course his mother sent him food and his sister ate it. It was nice all the same." You know she worries about the both of us. I miss her too. Very much so some days. " he said with a small smile. Garth loved his mother so much, she had a rough start to life, but she had tried to give him so much and a good life. Plus she gave him the best sister in the world. One he loved more than anything. He smiled when she spoke some more “No, there most certainly is not. And I can do my own roughing up, thank you very much,” Garth just rolled his eyes at her. " I know, but its my job to beat anymore just to make sure they never hurt you. Even if you can beat them yourself." he said and crossed his arms. “I think I’m too violent for the farmers, and not violent enough for the vikings. Not that I’m looking,” she said and he just laughed. Sure she wasn't was all he thought. “I’ve still got plenty of time to worry about such things. Unlike you, you old man,”She called him old and he gave her a push. " I'm not old." he said before he huffed. He was older than her and getting older, but it didn't mean he was too old yet.

such a long wait I'm soo sorry.and sorry its kind of meh.

Yrsa was full on giggling at Garth’s incredulous reaction to her bear in a trap analogy. “It was the first thing that came to mind,” she admitted with a shrug, still grinning at him like an idiot. Besides, the way some men behaved around the women they fancied was downright bizarre. How was she to know if her brother was one of them? She typically tried to avoid getting involved in his love life, hoping he’d follow suit. But this time she’d been too curious for her own good.

It took her a moment, but she finally registered the rest of his first comment. ‘Might never know’ he’d said. “Why wouldn’t you tell her, though? How are you supposed to romance someone if they don’t know they’re being romanced?” Granted, Yrsa knew next to nothing of romance, but it seemed a fairly necessary step to include.

“Oh, she makes jewelry? She must be quite skilled.” Yrsa didn’t own very much jewelry, because she didn’t often have occasion to wear it, but she still admired pretty things. Especially when they were well crafted. “The jeweller and the blacksmith,” she replied quietly in a sing-song voice, nudging Garth with her shoulder. She was a nice sister, she didn’t want anyone else to overhear the conversation and make things awkward for him. But not nice enough not to tease him a little.

“Once or twice? She must be pretty,” she answered, only half joking. Yrsa didn’t believe you could really learn someone’s personality after one or two meetings. If her brother was smitten after only meeting her ‘once or twice’, it was more likely her face or… other parts that her brother was taken with. But she believed Garth was a decent man, and wouldn’t pursue someone for their looks alone.

She was entirely unable to stop the groan that escaped when Garth said their mother worried about the both of them and immediately rolled her eyes at him. “Do you know she keeps talking about me getting married? It’s like she’s fixating. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to arrange one without even telling me. I could do with a good deal less of her worrying.” It was incredibly irritating, and somewhat worrying, for the shield maiden.

Yrsa knew her mother’s endless meddling came from a good place; She didn’t want her only daughter to have regrets or miss out on anything or be alone forever, or whatever other nonsensical excuses her father had come up with when Yrsa had complained about it to him. But the only reason her mother’s prattling worried her was because she knew her father could eventually be worn down and talked into just about anything by his wife, and that didn’t bode well for Yrsa. But she didn’t want to complain to her brother too much, and ruin the few days they had to spend together.

“But you don’t have to worry about me, big brother,” she told him with a wink. “And I’ll keep the offer in mind.” Maybe one day she would need a little back up and have to come running to Garth for help. The idea of not being able to fight her own battles alone was mildly upsetting, but it was always reassuring to know someone was looking out for you.

Yrsa shook her head at him, laughing once again when he said he wasn’t old. “No, you’re not. I was only teasing. Besides, you’re only a few years older than me, and I’m not ready to be ‘old’ yet either.”

Garth took a deep breath and looked at his sister when she said “Why wouldn’t you tell her, though? How are you supposed to romance someone if they don’t know they’re being romanced?It was a good question, and he knew she was going to want him to answer her, but he also knew she might not like his answer. So he had to think of a way to sugar coat it. "Because I might not be to her taste? She is younger than myself." he worded it in a forum of a question. Not giving away that it may bug her that he is a bastard, and making it seem like maybe its because of his looks. At least that was what he was going for. He was glad the conversation went to what Iliana did and off him and why he wasn't trying to romance her yet. “Oh, she makes jewelry? She must be quite skilled.” He smiled as he thought about it. Sure they had only met a few times but she had been kind and sweet. He had enjoyed the meetings even though they were short. Not to mention Iliana is a breath taking beauty. " She is very skilled indeed." was all he said before he heard his sister sing song “The jeweller and the blacksmith,” to him.

Looking around quickly he was glad to see that it looked like no one heard her. He made sure to give Yrsa a hard glare, before he rolled his eyes at her. He wasn't mad at her and he was sure she knew that. He just wanted her to be more careful what she said. They were in public, and anything said out of the safety of his home could get back to Iliana and he would be embarrassed to say the very least. “Once or twice? She must be pretty,” his sister said next and Garth felt his face warm up the littlest bit when he smiled and nodded his head at her. "She's beautiful, but not only that she is also smart and skilled..." he said to her before looking away. If he was blushing he didn't need his little sister giving him a hard time about it. She gave him a hard time about things enough as it was. But that was what she was suppose to do as his dear little sister, and he has missed her being around him. It made him want to keep her here with him, but he knew he couldn't. His mother would kill them both, and she was a shield maiden now.

Garth had a big booming laugh when Yrsa said “Do you know she keeps talking about me getting married? It’s like she’s fixating. Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to arrange one without even telling me. I could do with a good deal less of her worrying.” to him about their mother. He was sure she was making it a bigger deal than it was, but he also knew he would never let his mother do that to his sister. She would be able to pick her husband if he had any say in the matter. He wants her to be as happy as she can be, and knows that arranged marriages don't always end up working out all that great. Some of course do, but not lots. " She is just as bad with me, the last time I came she was on my case the whole time. But don't worry, she won't force your hand." he said as he reached out and touched her arm for a moment. Garth smiled again when she spoke “But you don’t have to worry about me, big brother,” answering his offer to beat up men for her. she followed it up with “And I’ll keep the offer in mind.” "Good, I know you are strong, and I'm proud of you." he said before taking a drink and adding " But you will always be my little sister. I will always want to keep you safe and protect you." he then finished his second drink and listened to Yrsa speak more.

She smiled at him as she said “No, you’re not. I was only teasing. Besides, you’re only a few years older than me, and I’m not ready to be ‘old’ yet either.” to him, making him laugh again. He was glad she wasn't ready yet. He wanted her to meet someone and have time together before they jumped into anything. "Being old is something that will happen to us someday, but not for some time. I just want to settle down before I'm considered old. But I need to make myself better, and make sure I am worthy before finding a women." he said and then retreated the way it sounded almost right away. He hadn't meant to say it like that,or at least to her. Taking a deep sign he looked at his sister and got ready for the rant he was going to hear.

<3

Yrsa was having such a nice time talking to her brother, she’d nearly forgotten where they were. It wasn’t until some sort of drama happened at the other end of the hall that she really remembered where they were. She didn’t know what was going on but figured she was safe where she was, with Garth.

Once again paying attention to what her brother was saying, Yrsa blinked at him for a moment. “Not to her taste?” she repeated, confused. While the brunette was aware that she was somewhat bias, she didn’t know what could be wrong with Garth that someone wouldn’t like him. He wasn’t hideous, he was friendly, hardworking, moderately successful. And despite her teasing, he wasn’t an old man. When he mentioned that she was younger than he was Yrsa considered that could potentially be an issue but it was fairly common for men to be older than their wives. “Well, just tell her what a charming sister you’ve got. I bet that’ll help.”

Deciding she’d embarrassed Garth for long enough, Yrsa didn’t comment about the pretty jewelry maker again, even after he told her how beautiful, smart and skilled she was. It wasn’t as if he needed her approval anyway.

His laughing was nearly loud enough to shake the walls, she thought, rolling her eyes again at his obvious amusement over her mother troubles. She couldn’t blame him. If the situation was reversed, she’d have laughed at him as well. It was still a bit irritating, though. “You don’t understand, she’s even worse than before.” Yrsa wasn’t normally much of a whiner, but his laughing at her provoked the petulant child within her. Honestly, she was surprised she didn’t stomp her foot.

“Well, I hope you’re right. If she tries it, I’ll be moving in with you,” she announced, half joking, half warning him. She’d been thinking of trying to find her own place in Skagerrak as it was, with her mother’s constant nagging. Maybe a little distance would be good? Though she knew she'd never really want to live anywhere other than Skagerrak.

Yrsa nudged him again and rolled her eyes when he said he was proud of her, and he’d always protect her. She decided she too could be mushy and supportive if he was going to be. “I’m proud of you too, you know. Leaving home to come here and make a name for yourself, it’s impressive. You’re very brave.” She sent him a cheeky grin when she added, “And if you ever need me to beat someone up for you, you know where to find me.”

“No, please, let’s stop using the ‘O’ word,” she continued with a fake groan. But she sobered up quickly at his final comment. “What do you mean ‘better’ and ‘worthy’?” She looked up at his face in confusion. Where did these sort of thoughts even come from? Was someone making him feel badly about himself? Yrsa would break their legs. “Has someone been saying rude things to you?” Because she’d give them an earful. And then break their legs.

Garth tried to keep from rolling his eyes when Yrsa repeated his words “Not to her taste?” in confusion. He was never good at explain himself. So he chose to not say anything thing back until her next comment. “Well, just tell her what a charming sister you’ve got. I bet that’ll help.” This made him smile and laugh once more, he seemed to be laughing more with his dear sister here then he had all month. He would need to go home and visit his mother and her husband soon. That way he could see his sister more too. He would have to make plans with her while she was here. " I'm sure that will win her over very quickly." he said as he nudged her with his arm in a joking manner. If it were only that simple. That he had a charming sister. The things that came out of his sisters mouth sometimes really made Garth laugh. She is always such a jokester and he loved that about her.

When she said “You don’t understand, she’s even worse than before.” Garth rubbed her head with his big hand and messed up her hair just as she added “Well, I hope you’re right. If she tries it, I’ll be moving in with you,” to him." Then I am glad I am not living at home, maybe it is time for you to move out as well?" he said to her in a somewhat serious tone. His sister was getting older, and if she wanted their mother off her back then she should move out to get away from it. " But you are more then welcome here, even if mother would kill me if you moved here." he said with a laugh. He knew his sister knew he was right. If she moved here too, his mother would come here just to beat his ass for taking her baby away from her. Yrsa's next words made Garth's heart feel warm. “I’m proud of you too, you know. Leaving home to come here and make a name for yourself, it’s impressive. You’re very brave.” It was so nice to hear such things from her. That she was proud of him. She didn't have any idea how much he needed to hear that sometimes.

To know that he hadn't made a mistake leaving the way he did. Garth was so happy he hadn't hurt their relationship. That they could visit one another and it was like they hadn't really been apart at all. She addd “And if you ever need me to beat someone up for you, you know where to find me.” and he smiled more." Thank you Sister. That means the world to me, and I'll be sure to seek you to fight my battles sister. he said simply. He didn't want to be sappy, they were still around other people.“No, please, let’s stop using the ‘O’ word,” she then said and Garth just rolled his eyes at her again. Always the dramatic one.

Of course he had to open his mouth however and change the fun easy going setting into a weird and awkward one with his words. He could see her confusing on her face as she looked up to him. Garth could hear it in her voice when she asked “What do you mean ‘better’ and ‘worthy’?” It just made him grab her arm and start to lead her out as she spoke again “Has someone been saying rude things to you?” she asked as he slowly led her outside and away from the crowed people. " Yrsa, you are not dumb. So don't play it." he said first before taking a deep breath. " I have no father, I am an Odinsson. Yes your father gave me a good life, but he didn't like me, he didn't want me around. Not really, why do you think he gave me riches to go. Its part of the reason I wanted to leave too. To start a new name for myself. To make myself worthy of a good women." He said as he ran his hand over his face. Very much sober now, and feeling awkward to be speaking this way with his baby sister. "The women I like, she comes from a good family. I worry I'm not..I'm not good enough for her okay.." he said as he let a big breath out and looked away from her.

: D

Yrsa couldn’t help but grin when Garth laughed at her oh so helpful idea for winning over his new crush. She honestly didn’t know where this anxiety of his came from. It was true, she’d always been the more outgoing sibling, but where was the harm in being yourself around the person you fancied? If this jeweller woman didn’t know the real Garth, how was she supposed to develop feelings for him? But, she didn’t think this line of reasoning would really help her brother at all, and chose to let the topic die, if she could. While she thoroughly enjoyed embarrassing her brother, she knew there was a time and place where such things were just plain mean, and not fun any longer.

When Garth made a comment about it being about time she got her own place, Yrsa nodded emphatically. “I agree, wholeheartedly. I’ve really been thinking about it lately. Father won’t care, he knows I can take care of myself. But if I can get him to agree with me, that it’s a good idea, having him on my side will make it easier when I tell Mother.” Yrsa was mostly thinking to herself out loud here, but welcomed her brother’s input on the subject. He knew what her parents were like, after all. And while Tyr did often find it easier to his wife’s side on most things, Yrsa had him wrapped around her little finger.

“Plus, if I mention the animals…” she trailed off, still really talking to herself, but she didn’t doubt for a moment that her brother recalled her constantly bringing home strays she found. Their mother had never been the biggest fan, but Yrsa could never resist an animal in trouble. And that hadn’t faded as she got older.

She laughed loudly at his assessment of their mother’s reaction if Yrsa ever came to Kattegat to live with him. He wasn’t wrong, Inkeri hadn’t been happy when her son moved away, and wouldn’t let Yrsa go without a fight. Luckily, Yrsa had no desire to go anywhere, other than a few hundred feet or so.

“Yes, excellent. I love fighting battles,” she told him, only half joking. She really did love to fight, and she absolutely would fight anyone he asked her to. Yrsa didn’t discriminate. But she nudged his shoulder with hers again, playfully, still quite enjoying the idea that they had each other’s backs.

When the conversation turned more serious, she made a face at his reaction to her questions. No, she wasn’t dumb. And she wasn’t playing. She tried to interrupt, but Garth had a lot to say on the matter, it seemed, so she clenched her jaw, trying not to start a fight with him. When he finally finished, she was practically glaring at him. “Well I think you’re being ridiculous. Who cares if you don’t have a father? Lots of people don’t have fathers, it doesn’t mean anything. And if she doesn’t like you because you don’t have a father, she’s not going to change her mind just because you’re rich. Or, I guess, if she does, she’s not a very good person anyway, is she?”

She didn’t touch on his comments about her father, because she knew he wasn’t wrong. Yrsa didn’t like to think about the way her father had treated her brother, because it made her angry with her father, and she didn’t want to be angry with anyone. But she couldn’t help but roll her eyes and sigh at her brother’s comments anyway. “You do come from a good family. Just because you don’t have a father doesn’t mean you don’t have a good family. You’re good enough. And if she doesn’t think so, I’ve got a few things to say to her.” She knew Garth’s concerns were probably legitimate but hated the idea that someone would be mean or reject someone like him for a reason as utterly ridiculous as the mistakes their parents made. Why was Garth responsible for their mother’s transgressions?

“I don’t want to fight with you about this,” she told him finally, but was unable to stop herself when she added, “because I’m right and you know it.” If they’d been at home, and not in a strange place surrounded by strangers, she probably would’ve stuck her tongue out at him, like the fierce and mature shield maiden that she was. Instead, she kept her tongue in her mouth where it belonged, and continued to stare down her stubborn brother. Well, she could be stubborn too. So much for letting the topic die.

Garth smiled when Yrsa said “I agree, wholeheartedly. I’ve really been thinking about it lately. Father won’t care, he knows I can take care of myself. But if I can get him to agree with me, that it’s a good idea, having him on my side will make it easier when I tell Mother.” He knew his step father and mother well, so he was glad he had given his sister the idea in the first place. "Yes, your father would convince mother and it would all be okay. He I'm sure would like to have the house to himself someday with his wife?" Garth said with an shrug of his shoulder and an eye roll. He didn't want to think about those things, but they were truth. The two of them never had alone time without kids. For his mother had him when they had met.“Plus, if I mention the animals…” she said next and Garth raised an eyebrow at her and waited for her to go on, but she never did. Yrsa always had a soft spot for animals. So Garth wondered what she was up to now.

He let out a deep laugh when she said “Yes, excellent. I love fighting battles,” when he had jokingly told her she could fight his battles. The idea of her fighting at all was still not his favorite thing in the world, but he knew she was strong and he didn't need to worry about it all too much She would be able to take care of herself. Of course then things had to change, he had to open his mouth and make things change. He made the meeting with his sister go from fun and nice too awkward and uncomfortable all so quickly. “Well I think you’re being ridiculous. Who cares if you don’t have a father? Lots of people don’t have fathers, it doesn’t mean anything. And if she doesn’t like you because you don’t have a father, she’s not going to change her mind just because you’re rich. Or, I guess, if she does, she’s not a very good person anyway, is she?” had been her first reply to him and Garth already felt himself shrinking back under her attack. He knew she was going to be mad at him, but she was very mad. Much more mad then he had thought she wad going to get with him.

as she went on he just felt more bad “You do come from a good family. Just because you don’t have a father doesn’t mean you don’t have a good family. You’re good enough. And if she doesn’t think so, I’ve got a few things to say to her. at the comment about Iliana he had to make sure she knew that the women in mention had said nothing or done nothing to make him feel this way,and that it was all his own thoughts.“I don’t want to fight with you about this,” she said next and Garth huffed, he hadn't wanted to fight as well. He hadn't meant to even say something so stupid to her out loud “because I’m right and you know it.” she ended with. "Maybe you are right, and I don't want to fight as well..but that doesn't change how I feel about things." he said taking a deep breath and looking away. "My entire life I have been treated differently because of the fact I have no father, because I was born of mothers old whoreish ways.." he said before grunting again. "I'm not saying she is or was a whore...Its just what other people had said to me.. That I was born of that and that no one had wanted to claim me...I was lucky that your father gave me the life he did. He didn't have to, and he did his best to hide his dislike for you...but I knew..I knew he didn't like me..and all I wanted was for him to be my father..I had wished as a child he would have been able to claim me as his own and I could be his. I had wanted nothing more than his love...but I didn't get it. I had you and mother and that was enough, but I wanted to prove the other that I can be better. I could move somewhere new and make a name for myself..And I am..people love my work..and most of the time I just say my name is Garth and never say an last name..." Garth said and then turned. He didn't want to talk about this. He had never told anyone these things before.

He had never let himself say them out loud. "I'm sure Iliana isn't like that and I'm letting my fears and insecurities in the way. I'll try not to do so the next time i see her okay." he said as he just sat on the ground and grabbed his head for a moment. "I don't want to fight, I want to have a good time with you here." he said as he just kept him face in his hands for a few more moments before looking up at her.

:(

Yrsa was glad that Garth was now in agreement with her plan to get her own place once she returned to Skagerrak. However, when he mentioned how her father would likely appreciate having his house to himself, without any children, so he and her mother could have some alone time together, Yrsa sent a thoroughly disgusted look in his direction. Her parents’ sex lives were not something she wished to discuss, especially not with her brother. Of course she knew her parents were having sex, but it wasn’t something she liked to linger on. "Gross."

She felt a bit bad for ruining their fun evening by arguing with her brother, but she didn’t like the thought of him thinking he wasn’t good enough for anyone. Honestly, she didn’t even understand such thinking. If someone liked you, what did your last name or your parents or how much money you had have to do with it? Unless those were the only things they liked about you, in which case they didn’t even really like you to begin with?

But maybe it was different for Garth. Maybe being a woman or being a shield maiden meant things were different for each of them? She didn’t really know. Normally she thought it was easier to be a man than a woman when it came to things like finding someone to marry, but if this Iliana person was ‘from a good family’ or whatever nonsense Garth had gone on about, maybe his background meant more to her and her family than Yrsa thought it should. She wouldn’t let something like that stand in her way, at least.

As Garth explained more from his point of view, and why he believed the things he did, Yrsa felt badly for yelling at him a bit. And she was once again ashamed of her father and his behavior. “I’m sorry he made you feel that way. He shouldn’t have. I don’t know how you can love someone and not love every part of them,” she told him wanting to hug him but holding herself back. Yrsa believed that when you had a child, especially a young child, they were a part of you. Her father should have treated Garth like a son, and not like baggage he had to deal with in order to marry Inkeri. But she couldn’t go back and fix her father’s ignorant behavior.

She nodded at his statements about trying not to let his insecurities get in the way he spoke to Iliana. That was at least a step in the right direction, Yrsa thought. And she did move in for a hug when he repeated that they shouldn’t fight. “I’m sorry for scolding you,” she added, rolling her eyes a bit. Sometimes big brothers deserved to be scolded when they were doing silly things, but she could have chosen a better location for it. “We are having a good time. I enjoy all kinds of fighting,” she told him with a cheeky grin. “So, are you going to show me around tomorrow?” she asked, wanting to change the subject. It was true that she’d been to Kattegat a number of times already in the past, but hopefully that would help them put this all behind them.

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