Spring Reading (tag: Hedylogos)
Bragi was, and always had been, a bit of a roamer. There was so much to see, experience and record, that it was hard for him to sit still for long. He'd slowed down once he'd married Idun, however he'd been unable to stop. It was a mark of her perfection that his wife was understanding and generous enough to let him continue his wandering ways. His habits had shifted a bit after The Thing with that Greek goddess though. He'd been staying closer to home, and far closer to Idun. In truth, he may have grown a bit clingy.
It had been some months since he'd been away from Idun and the orchard for more than a day or two. Though Bragi could not say that it was his ideal, given that there was something deep inside him that still pushed his curiosity, he somehow could not quite manage to tear himself away for long. So he'd been practicing, starting with a two days, then three. He was currently working up to a week. Eventually, Bragi was certain, he'd get back to his normal routine.
It helped to find things to distract himself while he was out and about. And there was no better distraction than a good book. Or two. Or twelve. So when he realized that he was near one of his favorite cities, at the right time of the year, Bragi decided to put off returning to Asgard for at least another day. It was late spring in Minnesota, so while there was still a chill in the air overnight, everything was turning the bright green that signaled new life. And down by the Mississippi River, in the city of Red Wing, there was a book fair at Levee Park.
Bragi strolled down Broad Street leading from the St. James Hotel and plaza to the lovely strip of manicured green lawn that spread out beneath a canopy of leafy trees. Small tents and canopies had been erected, and beneath them, tables that were filled to overflowing with books. Everything from paperback romances to leather-bound westerns, from instructional books on home improvement to cook books, tomes of classic literature and poetry, science fiction and fantasy, mysteries and self-help, fiction, non-fiction, anthologies of artwork, it was all there. A wide, happy smile broke over his face at the sheer volume and selection being offered. Yes, this was a wonderful distraction.
Bragi was sure he could spend hours here without ever once thinking of any Greek.