Re: [In between: Sif and Hel]
There was a pride and a strength to Hel, and it was easy enough for Sif to see on the other goddess. Though she'd been caught in this in-between for centuries, she was well-familiar with the others in their pantheon, having known them for an age. She knew what pride looked like, and what struggle looked like, and she knew what a brittle thing it could sometimes be. Yes, the determination was there, beneath Hel's surface, but what might happen if the determination was not enough? What would happen if the breaking of the cycle failed? Sif kept those thoughts to herself - it was neither the time nor place to voice them.
She'd never been silver-tongued like Loki or his children, and the directness came easier to her lips. Communication kept a relationship strong, communication and honesty. More than that, she had no reason to talk in circles around another. Being coy here would serve no purpose to her. "It's extremely messy," she chuckled, her smile still lingering. "That's part of the fun of it, I suppose." Sex was messy, children were messy, relationships were messy. There was no way to accept those things into a life and expect it all to be neat and tidy. "If you lean that way, at least. I know not everyone does." She leaned over, pale hand resting bird-light fingers on Hel's forearm for not even a full breath. "You are not the only one that feels that way." When she sat back, it was with a shake of her head. "It shouldn't be something forced on anyone, but instead taken up with joy and gratitude."
Sif had many more thoughts about motherhood, and the warmth of her hearth. She'd certainly had enough time to think about it over the many years. Her existence was obviously not meant for all, and Hel was a perfect example of it. And it was her belief that it didn't make either one of them wrong. They simply had their own place.
And as for battle? Sif felt herself as ill-suited for that as Hel felt about marriage and motherhood. She had no desire to wage war on any of the familiar names and faces she might encounter. Though, like many a mother, she would fight to the death and beyond to protect her children, if it came to that. She would protect her home and her people as well. Did that make her a concern? It would depend on the events to come.
She had to laugh at the question and the description of the woman in Repose. There was already the beginning of a tie between the two them, the faintest fibers being spun into yarn that would be woven into full cloth. It grew with each day, though that was hardly something that needed to be known for the moment. "They're not yet married. And I'm not certain what it indicates, quite yet. You're the one visiting me - I don't tend to go wandering from here.