lokkja:

Trepidation and caution always the first reaction to his presence, it came as no surprise in this instance. Wariness was wise given the many warnings that came along with his name, wise to heed them.

                           ”Shall we call it curiosity, for now?”

                                            “I am intrigued. You need no more answer than that.”

A more beautiful piece of mortality he had never set eyes on, strength beyond measure,  she persevered though each trial laid before her. Worthy of his coming offer in every way. 

        _{a step, then two, carried the shieldmaiden forward tentatively.
        no matter the station she would hold, Lagertha would be the
        warrior her father had raised her to be. & even with the closing
        wounds upon the flesh of her countenance, her head remained
        high, straightened vertebrae steadfast as if constructed of more
        than just meager bone. honour, regality, & strength seeped from
        her pores, desperate to not dwell on the words he had uttered upon
        his arrival.}

                                                     _{had Fяєуנα truly been so ignorant
                                                     to her wishes? had her pleas at Uppsala
                                                     fallen on deaf ears? was it not punishment
                                                     at all?}

                           _{& yet … was it not a trickster’s duty
                           to spark doubt in those she had strong
                           faith in?}

                        _{❝ and just who are you?
                                i have not seen your face among my people before. ❞}

        _{she may have had her assumptions but it was confirmation she
        sought —- a compulsion to hear the words leave his very lips.} 

                                                                   _{❝ —- i am curious as well. ❞}

                                                                                          _{( … speak it ; echoed within
                                                                                                her mind, azure irises unable 
                                                                                                to waver from his visage. )}

lokkja:

“I hoped I would have the honor of one day meeting such a woman, you impress me, shieldmaiden. I have watched you for a time now… ”  Voice like velvet he spoke her praises. “The Gods laughed at such petty prayers, but, not I. No I see strength in you beyond measure." 

        _{the voice, unfamiliar with a lilt of idle amusement,
        warranted muscles to tense, cautious & on her guard
        no matter the praise he showered her with. there was
        something far beyond praise at work in this moment,
        taking his compliments with a grain of salt as well as
        a gentle bow of her head.} 

             _{❝ i thank you …
                              … though i don’t know the reason for this attention. ❞} 

        _{humble she would always be in the presence of anyone,
        even those who reeked of divinity. T R I C K S T E R
        was what her psyche cried in his presence but she could
        not be sure, not when a deity had yet to visit her on Midgard.}