There was nothing more startling than a voice breaking a perfect, natural silence. The deep notes of said voice were familiar, and when Idun looked up from her flowers, and around until she found the source, she realized why. It was the god from the tree! The god from the tree with all the smirks and words and definitions and smirks. Bragi. Idun was supposed to still be annoyed. Any other goddess in her situation would've found it in themselves to hold a grudge for at least one day. But his last words rang in her ear. Not the bit about nicknaming her Rosy, she'd gone over that already before she started picking flowers, but the epiphany part. The playful whispers that hinted at fate.
What were the chances of her getting lost on the same road he would stroll down that same afternoon?
Idun was a romantic at heart. She loved the tales that ended happily, she loved when stories drew to a close with a passionate kiss full of hope and promise, she loved when the Norns saw fit to wrap everything up nicely with a bit of ribbon. But what Idun loved more than all those things was when fate decided to toy with her for a while. Rather than sparking new flames to her fire of annoyance, the sight of Bragi excited her. She didn't know what his being here meant, but she was curious to find out. Once was a coincidence, but twice? Two random meetings in two random places in just two days?
"I'm lost," Idun said. In a subconscious attempt to improve her appearance, she lifted a hand, brushing a few strands of messy hair behind her ear. Had she realized what she was doing, Idun would've frowned at her own behavior. What did it matter if her hair was tangled and scattered with bits of grass? What difference did it make if her messy appearance bothered him? But she didn't realize, because she was too busy fighting off the sweet makings of a smile. "But you found me." Saying as much lost the fight for Idun. She smiled, a gentle tug, nothing more, and now she moved on to her next losing battle against the striking notion of being lost, then found.
Had she been lost all along? Was there now a stamp in her personal history that divided her life? Before Bragi and After?
She was thrilled by the silly jump in her thoughts. Idun was getting far, far ahead of herself, and she recognized that. Her smile became a grin, and she plucked another flower to add to her bouquet. Her direction of wandering was the exact opposite direction Bragi was walking in. She turned his way anyway.
"I might be persuaded," she said. Well, there might be cosmic meddling afoot, but Idun didn't need to lay all her cards out at once. She could be cautiously curious, rather than boldly so. That was what she decided. "Why should I walk with you?"