Freya had more trouble sleeping this night more than any other. She knew Endy was coming to visit, but she also knew that she should sleep, and the owl would be there in the morning when she woke up. Just like last time. She had classes in the morning and the last thing she needed was to be staying up all night waiting for an owl to come bring her good news.
No, she should definitely be asleep.
So, of course, she laid in her bed, stared at the ceiling, and stayed awake until she heard the telltale swoosh of feathers in flight. As soon as she recognized it, she sat up straight in her bed, flung the covers off of her, and hopped to the window like a scareling on All Hallows Eve. Endzela was just about to enter when she held her arm out, and the owl landed happily on it. This time, Freya had come prepared - she was wearing a sweater, and the sleeves of the thick garment took the brunt of Endzela's claws as they clamped down on her arm.
Like lovers reunited, the two of them butted heads, rubbing them with affection. It was saccharine in nature, and Freya was glad she was in her room alone to truly express her love without regret. "Endy!" She breathed out, pulling away and squishing her expression in glee as she bent in and bumped her nose against the owl's beak. Endzela nipped at the offering, and butted Freya's head again, much to her delight.
"See, I tolds yeh we're in love." She chuckled to herself, bringing the owl over to a counter and setting her arm near it. Endzela hopped off and stretched her leg out, which held a small attached pouch and a little note. Freya's fingers untied the ribbon holding them to the leg, and immediately Endzela pulled the leg up within her, then stretched it out. Apparently, this particular visit had been a bit of strain on the animal.
"Awww, yeh poor thing, let Freya sees it now.." Freya put the satchel down and reached out to brush her fingers down the leg of the owl, in a comforting motion. Endzela would have probably pulled her leg away, but the owl seemed complacent, and perhaps just a little pleased by the reapers attentions. Freya ran her fingers through the owl's backfeathers, and Endzela fluffed happily at the touch. She arched into Freya's hand, and let out an embarrassingly cute little hoot. Freya giggled, and tapped the owl's beak, then took the satchel and note and turned to walk to her bed.
Before Endzela could lift off to follow her, Freya's voice stopped the owl. "I found yeh a snack yeh might appreciates more than seeds, little hooter." Nearby, three lovely little dead mice were sitting on the counter, and Endzela's attention was lost. She flapped her wings mightily and came down on the mice like the true bird of prey she was, as Freya untied the satchel and stretched it open. She turned it around and dropped the gift on her lap.
Freya picked the trinket up gingerly in her hands, letting it fall between her fingers and hang in front of her face. Her mouth hung open, as she looked at each detail. And there, at the very end of it, almost unseen, was a single pink bead.
Once more, she was glad she was alone, because the thoughtfulness of that tiny little added gesture made her blush, and she really didn't want to try to explain why. But as soon as she'd touched it, she heard a screech from behind, and Endzela was on her shoulder, trying to bend in and peck the pink bead right off the necklace.
"NO! Nononono Endy, please, I loves it! Look! Yeh sees? Yeh sees I loves it?" Freya quickly put the trinket around her neck, and hid the pink bead behind her hair so that Endzela couldn't see it anymore. Satisfied, the bird let out one final screech, and got comfortable on her shoulder. She leaned her head to the side, rubbing her cheek against the soft downy feathers. Her fingers reached up and touched the feathers of the necklace, comparing them idly. She turned and gave Endzela a wry glance.
"So, now I will carries yeh with me everywhere I goes, right here, hah?" She set the necklace down against her chest, and pressed it firmly there. "Is this yehr weddings gift to me, Endy?"
The bird nipped her nose with her beak and flew back to the counter. Freya laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes."
There was still the matter of a note to read, and she assumed this would be another one of Kettil's funny little quips, determined to make her laugh. She unfurled it, a grin already planted on her face, but as she read it, the grin slowly faded away.
She'd fired him last night on Groanspring, but it had been a joke. Now, with the way he'd worded his reply, coupled with the present Endy had forced him to make, Freya felt conflicted. Freya liked Kettil. She liked him a lot - and she absolutely loved Endzela. She didn't want to lose either of them to hurt feelings.. but maybe she was just reading too much into this. Maybe.. maybe he just..
She folded the note back up, and stared at the paper in her hand. Her other hand refused to leave the necklace that it now compulsively touched. A screech had her looking up at Endzela, who had just finished her snack, and was hopping onto her bed to make herself comfortable.
It looked like someone planned to stay the night.
Freya laughed, and her laugh turned into a yawn, and her yawn had her leaning back until she flopped onto the pillows of her bed. As soon as she hit the pillow, her body reminded her that she hadn't slept a wink all night, and her eyes closed instantly.
She felt the warm shuffle of a little feathery body digging under her arm, as Endzela laid claim to her body warmth and curled up to sleep nestled against the valkyrie for the rest of the night.
--> Event: Terror Warrior!
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