Bragi raised an eyebrow. He didn't know that gloating could have an element of surprise. He thought the nature of gloating required the victim's foreknowledge. Like a storm cloud in the distance that has you on edge because it could strike at any moment and there's nothing anyone can do to stop it. Clearly Bragi needed to gloat more. “If you did start dancing now I'd give you feedback. But that would give you an unfair advantage. Of course the time to gloat has to actually come first. Maybe you should wait a few weeks after all. I'd hate for you to go to all that trouble for so long and not be rewarded for your efforts.” He had to get the topic away from dancing somehow. Bragi could imagine the gloating day in his head very clearly. Even a possible dance. He just couldn't imagine a second goddess there. It made the picture wrong. This posed a great danger to his relationship with the other goddess.
The next meeting talk reminded Bragi that an end had to eventually come to this one. His face fell a little at the thought. Usually Bragi had no trouble leaving anywhere at just about any time, but if there was any way to stall he would have taken it. The moment he left, Bragi knew she'd keep doing things and he'd miss seeing all of them. It would take more willpower to make their next meeting happen within the week rather than within the day. He wondered if he could borrow someone elses if he ever ran out. Bragi decided to dwell on the other part instead. The part where she'd basically said she couldn't wait to see him again. Progress. He grinned. “I've never gotten that response from someone I've promised to bore before.” She really was something special herself.
Bragi wished she hadn't made that suggestion. It was the nicest, most delightful one he'd ever heard, and it sparked a strong desire in him to see it out someday. She'd make a fantastic anything, but Bragi could easily imagine her as a leading lady, and the orchard would provide a great authentic sort of setting. But even if he had a play then, Bragi knew he couldn't let them do this while they were friends. He'd bring in a romance, and then Bragi would stop acting halfway through. If he made it halfway. “I'd like that” Bragi said, completely sincere. He decided that even if one day he weren't too busy for plays, he'd be much too busy for plays. At least for a long while. “Bring the pastry thing and we can make it an official welcome party,” Bragi said, “Unless you were teasing me about that. I wrote you a song. Teasing about desserts in this situation could be unreasonably hurtful.”
He shook his head, but smiled. “There is no 'too many.' Not if it's a worthy search. But even if there was, I was a long way off from it. I didn't even make it to plural. Let alone many. I barely did one a day.” The smile turned into a grin. “You have no reason to be sorry,” he said. “I didn't need directions.”