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Odin nods, eyes glossy with knowing. "You cut off your hair," he says.
Loki grins. "You don't like it?"
"I'm just wondering why you returned," he says.
"If I'm being honest, I didn't think I'd see your ugly face again either, old man. But times change. Important matters arise," Loki says.
Odin scoffs. "What do you know about importance?"
They're staring at each other with so much severity I worry they might start fighting. But when Odin breaks the silence with a large grin, I sense that everything is going to be okay. This is just something they're accustomed to doing.
"Father!" Loki laughs and extends his arms.
"Come here, you little weasel," Odin says, giving him a big bear hug. "Who have you brought to my home? It's not everyday I have visitors. This calls for a drink!"
Loki turns. "You know Heimdall. This is Ash. Apparently, he's a god, but I'm not fully sure he believes it, yet. Hell, I'm not sure if I believe it," he says.
Ash clears his throat and puts out his hand. "Pleasure," he says.
Odin looks him up and down. Shakes his hand.
"We'll talk more inside about this god thing," Odin says. "But first, who is this gorgeous little lady?"
Odin wobbles against his cane to bow like a gentleman. He takes my palm and kisses it, beard tickling my fingers.
"I'm Raven," I say.
He stares back at me and hesitates to speak. His pupils seem to grow with some type of dark understanding. "Say your name again?"
"Um. Raven," I say.
Another lightning bolt lights up his crystal ball. I jump back with fright.
"Raven," he murmurs. "Yes, yes. Well, now. Let's all talk inside."
Inside the ranch home, everything starts to feel a bit more positive. Loki is in better spirits, now that the initial meeting has passed, and Ash is happily drinking the mead that he has prepared for us. My cup sits on the table, practically untouched.
I'm not sure how to feel, yet. His house is wonderful, and the smell inside brings up old, forgotten memories. I'm suddenly connected to my childhood again, but the nostalgia makes me feel a little... numb.
No one ever wants to admit how insane this all is. Nor do they ever say how difficult it's going to be to fight the devil. It is as if we are sitting on the edge of the world, dancing around the subject of eternity.
Odin leans against the table and stares intently at his son. "This Lucifer quandary... You're telling me the truth? Understand, if this is real, major sacrifices will need to be made," Odin says.
Loki nods. "Unfortunately, everything I have told you is true, father. That's why we're here. I come to seek your council."
Odin ponders his words for a moment. The two wolves curl up against my feet. The silence is heavy. "Then the time has come for you to find your path forward. Do you remember what I told you on your sixteenth birthday?"
"Never have children?" he asks.
His father's lips curl into a slight smile. He knocks Loki's shin with his cane. "You... fool!"
Loki sighs in pain. He eyes each of us nervously. "Alright, alright. I remember. You told me that wisdom appears on earth as a raven, attracted by the scent of carrion."
Odin's eyes light up. "And?"
"And it was an odd choice of words to tell a kid after he's blown out his candles," Loki says.
"I told you this day would come. I told you Lucifer would find a way to regain his confidence. Now, do you believe me?" Odin asks.
