thehandmaiden | 1st Milkshake [video]

[The keepers of the dead do not sleep. It is a luxury reserved only for their charges. But some point during her forced residency in Midgard, Leah has learned to envy those who sleep. The long hours of night pass slow when there is no assignment to carry forth. Only so much of her time can be spent watching Loki's window far away in Asgardia, envious of his nocturnal rest. It is a rest she so much desires, though such a gift would undermind her duties as handmaiden. Had she not been tasked, after all, to keep watch over Loki at all hours as to ensure fulfillment of his debt to her mistress?

A little sleep, she thinks sometimes, would be of no harm. It would make instead for an interesting escape, a chance to perhaps observe her subconcious at work. Restlessness does not often get the better of her. Neither do these fancies or whims. But tonight, one does. And for a full three minute, she closes her eyes and pretends to sleep.

When her eyes open, the surroundings are not what she expects. She sits no longer on a rock outside the entrance to her dirty great hole in the ground. There is no Thori grumbling in the distance, threatening to cock his leg (tonight on the great world tree). The sky is no longer black but for the pinprick of light from stars and moons or the faint glow of Asgardia a mile away.
She is in what she recognizes as a Midgardian apartment, sitting on a twin-sized bed with an unfamiliar journal opened in front of her. Sunlight streams in from an open window and the chilly breeze of winter only faintly tickles her skin. Her arms are bare, a fact that perhaps catches Leah most by surprise. She only owns one dress, a long gown of dark green. This simple white shift is not her dress.

There is another glance down at the journal, at the words appearing on it as if it were the Stark phone Loki so foolishly brought her. Her hands ball into fists as she raises them level with her chest and sparks of neon green magic (magic that looks very much like lightning to the unfamiliar) flicker both from hands and eyes.

Leah of Hel is not amused.]

Loki Laufeyson! [The name is yelled even though she suspects the young god of mischief to be nearby, observing for himself the mischief, it seems, that he has just concluded. The hows of her sudden transport to Broxton will be puzzled later. For now, she knows no greater desire than to flush out the boy and pummel him fiercely.] Cease this joke of practical nature right now and show yourself!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

As you have previously implied. [Leah pauses, considering the face in the journal. Truth, there is little difference between this book and a Stark phone, except perhaps in the mode of operation.] Do you know how it is we have been brought here?

Abducted by an organization known as the Malnosso and imprisoned. I will send you the guidebook, a basic primer for you.

[She'll link the Guide, of course. ~~but the mun is lazy~~]

[There is no reply for some time. The guide proves fruitful and intriguing, a much more worth occupation of her time than discussion with a stranger.

But, eventually, she does open the journal again. If just to say:]

This will not work. I cannot perform my duties if I am to be trapped here.

Time stops in your world. Consider this as much a reprieve from your duties as it is for me and mine.

Though, you may yet be able to. What are your duties, Leah of Hel?

[Her face forms into a look of distaste. A reprieve from her duties? Never in her life has Leah had such a luxury. The concept is foreign and quite unwelcome.]

At the moment, I am to assist Loki in fulfilling promises he made to Hela.

Then, I take that back. I'm quite sure you can assist him here. And perhaps you can assist me as well, by keeping him out of trouble.

[Saori...sounds genuinely fond of the little trickster, if a little exasperated with him.]

For you see, I've been looking after him in your absence.

[At first, she knows little what to make of this information. That anyone sound fond of Loki outside his own kin seems foreign. And yet, there is no mistaking the fondness in the woman's voice.

And the strange tug inside Leah's own chest.]

I do not understand why you would burden yourself with such a task.

Because he's a young boy, and had no one to look after him.

[She shrugs nonchalantly]

He's not as bad as some.

He is an Asgardian. The lord of mischief and trickery. Loki needs no one to look after him.

[No matter what Hela might think.]

He's also a young boy in a strange land, who can't cook.

[There is no sympathy on her face when she replies. Loki had shown none when placing her in a dirty great hole in the ground.]

He is a moron.

At times. At others, he's very sweet.

[And rather than discuss the boy further, since she's so cranky...]

Leah of Hel, are you fond of milkshakes?

[Sweet? Loki? She almost laughs.]

I find them to be one of the more pleasing Midgardian foods.

Then sometime soon, I shall have to prepare some for you.

[A half smile. Any 'friend', no matter how dubious the feeling might be, of Loki's was worth being kind to.]

[Well, that certainly catches her attention in a way most of this conversation otherwise hasn't.]

You are capable of making shaken milk? Perhaps, then, you can tell me what befalls the cow to render the milk so.

Nothing. The cow is milked, and the milk is chilled in a refrigerator, with other things added to it.

[She shrugs]

[...she places her palm against her forehead. Really, Leah should have known better than to believe Loki in any matter.]

I appreciate your honesty, Saori Kimura of Tengoku.

Just Saori, dear.

[She knows that look all to well.]

I suppose that our young trickster acquaintance hoodwinked you, didn't he?

[Grumbling,]

It appears so.

What ridiculous lie did he spin this time?

He implied something awful happened to the cow in order to create the shakened milk.

That sounds like him. Entirely too much.

But no, it's safe.

That is most reassuring.

[Surprisingly so. Though worry for the cow had not stopped her from continuing to devour shakened milks, she did, at times, feel some guilt for the animal.]

I hope so. It's not hard to make, though.

I suppose I'll make sure to direct Loki to find you. I wish you well, Leah of Hel.

1st Milkshake [video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]