~ dinner, I am afraid.”

As much of an apology as he would give anyone.

He steps forward, coming to stand in front of the goddess.

“Have I disappointed you?”

There is a slight teasing edge to his voice. Even with the seriousness of the situation, he cannot help his nature.

~ limited interactions in a way he likely should not. At least not according to Odinn when Löptr had displeased him.

It seems the title of Blood Brother comes with stipulations. One is not to upset the status quo if one wishes to remain in the good graces of the Æsir.

“I have ruined to your ~

He emerges, standing up from the bench upon which he had been sitting.

“Lady Sigyn,” the giant greets her, bowing his head slightly.

His kind words for her back at the banquet had been genuine for she had always been kind to him in their limited interactions.

Admittedly, he enjoyed those ~

~ the Lady Sigyn.

Only then, does he regret his crass words.

Silently, Löptr takes his leave of the group once more. He could take a turn about the garden. Perhaps, that would calm his agitation.

~ “Outside. Now,” the All-Father bellows.

“I deserve . . .”

“It matters not what you deserve. You need to cool off. Take a
walk and return when you learn how to be civil.”

Huffing, Löptr nods.

He takes a step back from the table. When he turns to move, his gaze meets briefly that of ~

~ have done that.

Languidly, Löptr sets down the goblet of wine and leans back in his chair.

“Enough? I was unaware you knew the meaning of the word, Idunn.”

Perhaps, Löptr deserved the slap she delivered him. A moment later, though, Löptr is on his feet. Looming.

And Odinn is there, too. ~

~ “Or are you simply fearful that you would lose should you come up against me in a real fight?”

Bragi bristles.

“We are guests. I am not fighting you,” Bragi grumbles. “But outside . . .”

“Enough,” Idunn commands, looking between her husband and Löptr. “The both of you.”

She really should not~

~ but . . . he has never been good at doing that when others are so clearly in the wrong. Eldir and Bragi are hardly the only ones he offends that evening.

Though Bragi is a particular favorite, and Löptr is itching for a fight.

“Do you truly think gifts will satisfy me?” he asks with a laugh. ~

His toasts — all save the one for Sigyn — had certainly been filled with irritation. He /is/ irritated with the gods who insist on slighting him at every turn.

Löptr wants to remind Odinn of their bond, but that only got him a seat at the table. Perhaps, he should prove that he can be amicable, ~

~ when he was first removed from the hall. None of them are foolish enough to expect a tame evening now.

But Löptr sits and continues to sip from the goblet or taste a morsel of food.

Odinn whispers nearby — to his wife, to Bragi, to others.

Something had to be done about the volatile god.

~to the goddess. “And your good health.”

Perhaps, her acknowledgement had been the kindest, but she had never wronged him. Then again, he is not closely acquainted with her.

Not yet.

Some in the crowd chuckle at the obvious slight towards Bragi. Others know that Löptr had been slighted earlier~

~ and even going so far as to pour him a goblet of wine.

Knowing all eyes are on him — expecting him to cause mischief — Löptr raises the cup.

“To you all . . . “

And, he proceeds, indeed to list /all/ present. Save Bragi. He never particularly liked Bragi.

“And to the Lady Sigyn.” Löptr nods~

~ Æsir descended from the giants.

Sending hypocrisy is never their strong suit.

“I have a right to a seat,” Löptr bellows, gaze traveling to meet that of Odinn.

The All-Father is silent a moment but ultimately nods.

“Give him a place, Vidar.”

Vidar obeys, leading the intruder to a chair ~

~ he’s . . .”

“Not welcome here,” Bragi continues where the panting Eldir left off.

Löptr raises a hand to silence the growing commotion of the Æsir. How quickly they forget that his mother was one of them when he displeases them. Then, they see only his Jötunn blood, forgetting, too, that the ~