What the Blind Man Saw (Open)

[Hodr]

Hodr was grateful that he landed on his feet. It was yet another kindness from Hel. Had he fallen, he would have a hard time finding his ground. He would have a hard time figuring out where he was. As it was he had no idea where he was. There was a strange humming noise in the background. It was probably something electrical. But it was otherwise quiet. There was a scent of dust and a bit of dirt in the air, but they were lingering scents. It smelled fairly clean for the most part.

Hodr took a step forward, swinging his staff carefully as he went. It crashed into some and sent it flying. "Oh," he said softly. It was light but also sounded like something there was metal on it. Perhaps it was one of those Midgardian chairs. They were light and cheap to make and easy to maneuver. Carefully, he poked with his staff until he found the chair, then he bent down and righted it. It was likely that now it was in the middle of the room, but any person with eyes that worked would be able to see it. 

Hodr turned around, his free hand outstretched, wondering where the table was. If there was a chair there were likely be a table too. Taking careful steps he tried to locate the table, but he stepped to far and crashed into the table. "Hel has made this much more difficult than I imagined," he muttered.

[Snow White]

Snow was humming as she skipped through the building. There were a decent amount of people around, which was nice. Company made her feel giddy. She had met so few people in her life. She sang a hello to most everyone she passed, birds resting on her shoulders and small creatures chasing her heel. Somewhere along the lines Snow realized that she hadn't eaten in quite a while. If fact, she realized that she hadn't been hungry in quite a while. Perhaps all the excitement was to blame. Sure, she wasn't sure when she'd see the dwarfs again, but she was far from the Queen now and she could make new friends in the time being.

She should find something to eat, regardless of what her stomach told her. "Eating is quite important" she said, wiggling a finger at one of the chipmunks below her. The problem was, she didn't know where food might be. She thought to ask someone, but realized she had wondered into an area with no one nearby. Like on cue, she heard a crash from the room beside her.

Looking a little concerned, she crept over to the door and gently pushed it open. "Hello? She said, tip toeing inside. She was very light on her feet. There was a man there, picking up a chair. That must have been the crash. She raised a hand to her cheek, eyeing him curiously with big doe eyes. He had a cane in his hand. Was he injured? Snow was a bit nervous, she hadn't much experience with other people, let alone men. Still, she could see no reason not to trust him to answer her question.

She moved forward into the room and waved a hand, hoping to catch his attention. She opened her mouth to speak, but he crash into the table and she simply said "Oh!" instead. She all but floated toward him, was he hurt? "Oh my, are you alright?" she squeaked, her birds twittering anxiously. She wanted to put a hand on his arm, to comfort him, but she wasn't certain it was appropriate for her to do so alone in a room with a man.

[Hodr]

Hodr was focused on his task and he hadn't heard feet. He had thought that he'd heard a voice, but then he was crashing into the table. And then the voice was much closer that he had realized. Someone was in the room with him. He righted himself, leaning on his staff, turning towards the voice. "Yes," I'm alright," he told the girl. At least, he assumed it was a girl. She sounded young. "Happens a lot in new places."

Carefully, Hodr gestured to the room at large. At least, he believed it was a room. "I can't seem to find my way out of this room. Is it room? I can't tell." Though now that he was speaking, it didn't sound like a hall, just a room. He rubbed at some of the carvings on his staff, feeling for the one he wanted most of all. The world tree Yggdrasil was carved there and it was comforting to have that in his hand.

He tilted his head. Had he heard a bird? He thought he heard a bird. "Is there...sorry, but do you hear a bird?" Hodr was quite sure he wasn't crazy and his hearing was fairly exceptional after all. Being in this completely new place that he didn't know was unnerving. He didn't know where he was.

[Snow White]

He said he was alright, which was good, but somehow Snow didn't feel convinced. She kept her face fixed in one of concern as he spoke. Her hands hovered near him, but did not touch. She didn't want to be rude, after all. She looked him over. He had on rather odd clothes in her mind, but so did a lot of people here. What did she know, anyhow? These clothes could be normal outside of her home. He had a beautiful staff, but her eyes didn't linger long, she was too concerned with listening to what he had to say.

He couldn't find his way out? Snow looked around the room when he gestured to it. The door was just over there, she'd just come from it. How could he not find it? She studied his face. Could he not see it? Had someone cursed him? Snow had never met a person who could not see, but she could imagine someone evil could make a person unable to do so. What horrid person would do such a thing to this man? Snow felt terribly sad for him, but what could she say? Was it unkind to ask a person why they could not see?

"Oh dear, well you are certainly in a room if that is where you intended to be." She settled on. She certainly hoped this is where he had meant to be, if not she would be sure to help him find where he was going. Well, she would try. She didn't know the school all that well yet. She opened her mouth to address this, but before she could continue he asked about the birds twittering above them. "Oh yes!" Snow giggled, holding out a finger to let on land. "These are my little friends" She nuzzled one with her nose. "Would you like to hold one?" She asked with a smile. "They are also very happy you are alright."

[Hodr]

Hodr almost laughed. He hadn't intended to be in any kind of room where there hadn't been any people. But she sounded so sincere. He couldn't laugh at her when she was being so sincere with him. It made her sound so young and innocent. It made him want to protect her. "No, I didn't intend to in a room. I was sent here," he explained. "Hel sent me here. I didn't know where I'd end up."

Hodr listened to the birds. They sounded small. But if they were the girl's friends he wondered if they would allow him to hold them. He liked animals. They were funny little things to hold in his hands. "Would your friends mind?" he asked softly. "I'd like to hold one if they don't mind." He held a hand out for one of the little birds. He wondered what it would feel like in his hand. "Do they like to be petted? That's the best way I can see them."

[Snow White]

Snow couldn't quite understand what he was saying. She didn't know who Hel was or how he couldn't know where he was end up, but she knew what it felt like to find yourself in a strange place all of a sudden. One moment she was in a cottage with a lot of friends and the next she was in a field with a stranger. It was certainly a kind stranger, but a stranger all the same. Snow liked friends. Most of them where animals, but she liked the idea of them. The dwarfs where her friends, but who knows when she would see them again. Tut tut, there is no good in feeling sad, she must look forward to making new friends. New friends like this kind man in front of her.

"Well I am quite new here too," Snow uttered melodically "but I would be happy to help you as much as I can" She offered kindly. She would love to help him. It would give her purpose and make her feel wonderful again. She had to admit she hadn't quite felt herself since she had arrived. Perhaps this is all she needed: a new friend.

Snow giggled softly when he asked if they minded. Of course they did not mind, the little birds loved to be held. She shifted one of birds from her finger so her hand was around its wing. It would be easier to give it to him this way. "They do not mind" she cheered, excited that he wanted to hold one at all. Snow liked people who liked animals. She tried her hardest not to dislike anyone, but she particularly liked people who liked animals. "They would love to be pet" She assured him "They-" She raised her hand with the bird to give it to him, but for some reason it wasn't chirping anymore. It wasn't moving at all. That was strange. This wouldn't do. Birds should moved and sing. She dropped it and it fell to the floor with a soft thump. She raised her hand and another bird took it's place. She blinked a few times. This was much better. What a pretty little bird.

"Here we are!" She said, very carefully transitioning the bird off her finger and into Hodr's hand. "Just pet him gently" She instructed. She thought to show him, but how would he know what she was doing. It wasn't so improper for her to touch him now, right? She had spoken with him. He did not seem to be after her virtue or anything so extreme. Resolved, she reached for his other hand. "Like this" she said, using just two of his fingers to stroke the bluebird's back.

[Hodr]

The girl, this little maiden, was very sweet. She seemed very kind and it was very nice of her to offer to help him out. Of course he wasn't sure how much help it would be if she was new here too, but she had eyes that could see which would be helpful. "I would appreciate any help at all, thank you. We can be new together."

He waited patiently, listening carefully, a smile unfolding on his face. He wondered if birds would mind that his hands were calloused and rough. Probably not. They were birds. He was very excited to hold a bird. She stopped speaking for a moment and then there was the sot thump of something falling. "Did you drop something?" he asked. But then he was distracted by the bird in his hand.

It was so light and small. He didn't know how that was possible for it to weigh so little. He moved his staff so that it was leaning against his body when Snow reached for his hand. And then she was helping him pet the bird. This had to be the most precious thing he'd ever done in his life. He petted the bird gently as directed. "What kind of bird is it?" he asked softly so as not to scare the bird. "What does it look like?" The bird's feathers were so soft on his fingers and the little bird seemed content to just stay there and be petted. He loved it.

[Snow White]

Snow giggled "New together" Snow repeated. "That sounds just wonderful." It really did. She could use some company. She could particularly use someone to explore with, she felt quite terrible asking for help too often anyway. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone. This way she could find new places and not be alone and help someone all in one. It was just perfect. Perhaps this place could make a lovely new home after all. All it needed was a little love and care and a good friends or two.

She didn't hear him ask if she'd dropped something, it didn't make any sense so it didn't quite make it into her brain. She had been busy getting a new bird anyhow. Once it was cradled in his hand and she was helping him pet it, all previous confusion was lost. The happy little bird nestled down into his palm, closing his eyes to enjoy the attention. He let out a few happy chirps, unaware of what had happened to his companion. All three were happy to be in the presence of the other and it was like the other bird never existed.

Snow smiled as he asked his question, her eyes lingering on his despite knowing he could not see her. He had a kind face and, dare she say, quite handsome. Thought she was careful not to linger on that thought long enough to blush. "It's a bluebird" she cooed. "He has blue all along here" She said, moving his hand to the top of the bird's head and running it along its back. "And here" She moved his fingers to touch the bird's chest. "He is orange and white." She removed her hand so he hand the freedom to pet the bird on his own, he was doing a wonderful job at it anyway. She couldn't help, but notice his hands were far rougher than her own, yet he was very gentle and kind. What could he be doing to make his hands so rough? Whatever the case, she smiled to see him so happy with the bird.

[Hodr]

"New together," Hodr repeated. The wya she said it, it sounded so pure and innocent. It sounded like something she would genuinely enjoy being new together. It made him chuckle softly. This maiden was so kind and sweet. She was nothing like the women of Asgard and it was refreshing. This place with its people was a refreshing change from Asgard. "What's your name?" he asked softly, irrationally afraid that being loud would somehow break this moment. That being loud would make the little maiden less innocent or sweet. It was stupid, he knew, but still relevant.

He listened carefully as she explained the colors on the bluebird. He was glad that it was in fact blue, otherwise that would be quite the let down. He expected the bird to be all blue, but it was three different colors. Of course, having always been blind he had no idea what colors looked like, but they were important to people who could see. They helped in describing things. So he liked asking what colors things were.

He continued to pet along the bird's back, the part that was blue and listened to it chirping quietly. This was like something out of a dream. He was this god and now he was petting a very small bird. He brought the bird close to his face and leaned a cheek on the bird. It was so soft and warm. "Thank you," he told the little maiden. "This little bird is wonderful."

[Snow White]

Snow smiled dreamily as she watched him, She had never seen another person so happy to be in the company of a bird. It made her heart feel a strange sort of ache, a good pain, like when you've been cleaning all day. Cleaning made her very happy even when it made her sore. This made her very happy, though she wasn't sure where the soreness came from.

"Oh, you must think me very rude!" Snow chimed apologetically when he asked for her name. How could she have forgotten to introduce herself? It was very poor manners to not introduce yourself. "My name is Snow" She said, pulling her dress out into a small curtsy, forgetting that he couldn't see it. "Snow White." She hoped this meant she would get to learn his name. Surely he must be some kind of prince from far away. Even if they never meet again, she would be glad to at least have his name to remember.

She hummed softly, approvingly as he pressed his cheek against the bird. "He likes you too" Snow said, addressing the happy look on the little bird's face. They made a lovely pair. The bird and him. He was so gentle and sweet. Snow felt like she wanted to blush, but her cheeks did not grow red. For some reason unknown to her, they could not. For, however, now everything was beautiful.

[Hodr]

Hodr could never think that this particular little maid was rude. She was sweet and kind and they had been rather caught up in the whole blind man thing that they hadn't exchanged names. He smiled. Snow was an odd name, but he liked it. It suited her he thought. "I do not think you are rude, little maiden of snow," he told her gently.

He bowed forward just enough that he wouldn't fall over. He was holding the little bird so he wouldn't be able to catch himself if he did. "My name is Hodr, son of Odin, brother of Thor and Baldr." He straightened and smiled. "But you can simply call my Hodr. Everyone does."

He kept stroking the little bird. He loved it. The softness beneath his fingers was unreal and he wanted to keep it for as long as possible. He cooed at the bird, attempting to make the sounds that it has made. "Does the bird have a name?"

[Snow White]

Little maiden of snow. Snow clapped her hands together gently and pressed them against her face. She turned from side to side slightly, unable to contain her joy over being called such a dear little name. She let out a breathy giggle. She was no maiden of snow. A maiden of snow sounded like she was in charge of snow for some reason. Still it soundly like a lovely thing to be called coming from him. He could call her a maiden of snow if he liked.

Snow listened to his name intently, becoming quite serious for a moment. She furrowed her brow slightly, trying to lock his long title away in her brain. Hodr brother or...or was it son of... Snow breathed a little sigh of relief when he concluded that she could just call him Hodr. She would prefer to call him by his full name, of course, but she was afraid she might get it rather wrong.

"Hodr" she confirmed with a smile. "It is a pleasure to meet you Hodr" she chirped. She nearly curtsied again, but then remembered she'd just done that. That would have been silly. Why was she feeling so silly? Luckily Hodr brought her attention back to the bird so she didn't have much time to dwell on it.

"Well birds don't really call each other names" Snow said seriously. They didn't have much use for them like humans do, after all. "But I think he'd be delighted to have one" She said, leaning forward and giving the bird a stroke oh it's head. The bird twittered excitedly and snuggled further into Hodr's hand. Snow giggled again. "He says you may call him whatever you wish."

[Hodr]

Hodr listened to the giggle. It was breathy in a way that meant that she had enjoyed the title instead of loathing it as she might have. He was glad that she had liked it. Perhaps he would continue to call her that. Or perhaps she could simply be the Snow maiden. That would suit her too he decided.

He smiled in her direction. She was so sweet. "And you, little snow maiden. It is a pleasure to meet you." It was refreshing to meet a maiden who was so unlike the women of Asgard. They would have eaten her for breakfast.

He chuckled. He knew that birds didn't give each other names. He had wondered if she had given the birds names. That sounded like something she would do. She would give her animal friends names.

He snuggled the little bird close to his chest. "How does he like the name Tomek?" he asked. "It's a good strong name."

[Snow White]

"He likes it very much!" Snow cheered happily as Hodr named the bird. Tomek twittered joyously at his new title. "Are strong names important?" Snow added, curiously. She was nervous that her name was not strong enough. Would he dislike her if her name was not strong enough? Snow would be terribly sad if he didn't like her name. She wondered if she could change it. Then again, she'd always been Snow and she had always liked it just fine. She'd never even considered if it was strong enough.

She watched him hold the bird with gentle hands and felt a strange pulling in her chest, a desire to hold those gentle hands again. "Hodr?" Snow said, feeling nervous and shy. She took a breath, trying to gain her confidence. "Hodr, would you like to be my friend?" She said softly. "I could show you the places I know so far and you can name as many of my animal friends as you like" She insisted, trying to sell her friendship. Snow hadn't had many friends before, outside of the dwarfs.