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Lady Sif of Asgard (ladysifthefair) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2014-04-29 21:26:00

Who: Lady Sif and Eli
What: Meeting of the Scandinavians
When: 4/27, evening
Where: A park bench near Sif's home
Rating/Warning: PG
Status: Complete



Sif had just gotten out of her mixed martial arts class when dusk fell, and since she’d walked down, she figured she could walk back. Thankfully, Orange County was decently safe after dark, and really, she figured, if a mugger wanted to pick on a woman who had just left an MMA class, it was his funeral.

She cut into the park instead of keeping to the street; there were streetlamps every few feet and it just felt more pleasant. It was a lovely evening in Southern California.

Even though she was physically older, Eli still came to the park every evening to read and chitter to the squirrels who had come to trust her. She just assumed she didn’t smell human. The sunflower seeds probably didn’t hurt either.

Turning another page, she looked up when she saw a woman walking through the park, offering her a smile.

Sif couldn’t help but be amused by the sudden influx of woodland creatures around the girl. “You seem to have a way with them.”

“Oh, I simply have sunflower seeds,” Eli smiled. Her accent was obviously not American, and she couldn’t help but beam when she heard the other woman’s accent in turn.

“That does matter.” Sif chuckled, though she noticed the accent as well. “You are not from here, I gather? Forgive me if that’s rude, just I detect an accent.”

“I was born in Sweden. My father was in the military, so I grew up many different countries in Europe.” Eli smiled. “You are Norwegian, no?”

“Ja, jeg er norsk.” Sif said, smiling. “I spent time in Sweden during my first diplomatic posting. Jag talar lite svenska, but I am a bit rusty. It was my fourth language.” She didn’t say it to be rude, just as fact.

“I am the same way with Norwegian.” Eli stood up and smiled, reaching out to offer the woman her hand. “My name is Eli.”

“I am Sif! Trevligt att träffas.” She shook Eli’s hand, smiling. “What brings you out this evening? I was on my way home.”

“It is my habit to come out at this time and read. I also visit my animal friends,” Eli smiled. “It is nice to meet you as well, Sif.”

“That’s rather nice. I wish I had more time to just sit and read. I do not denigrate it - it can help us relax, as people.” Sif smiled. “Unfortunately, I was just posted here and am still getting everything together.”
“I only do when I have finished my school work. I believed I have told you about it online, if I am not mistaken.” Eli knew she wasn’t, but she was polite.

Sif nodded. “Were you the person I remember who was interested in the Edda? It’s a wonderful read. Just fascinating.” Obviously, as a Norsewoman she was very proud of it.

“Yes, I am.” Eli beamed. “Doing my own translation is absolutely my dream.”

“Then your Norse must be better than you say.” Sif chuckled. “Even if it’s Old Norse. May I sit?” There was a bit of bench open, and Sif wanted to rest her legs.

“It is simply Old Norse, and of course.” Eli moved over a bit, smiling broadly. She liked making new friends. “I enjoy coming here with my beau as well.”

“Oh? Well, that would be nice. It is rather pretty here.” Sif sat down, cracking her neck. “Pardon me. I just finished my mixed martial arts class and I grow stiff. It is a lot of fun, but a workout!”

Eli smiled. “It is a good thing to know how to defend one’s self, I think.” Eli didn’t really have to know so much; she was just raw power and speed.

“I was mugged once, and I began to learn self-defense as a result.” Sif nodded. “It has made me feel more secure. I hope you have never had any reason to experience that, though.” She looked not much younger than Sif herself.

“I’ve not been mugged, but my boyfriend was hurt once.” She didn’t mention that it was a monster or an alien that did it, nor that she’d torn it limb from limb with her bare hands.

Sif grimaced. “Jeg beklager å høre det. That must have been painful for both of you.”

“I was able to save his life. It was painful, yes, but I think it brought us closer.” Eli smiled to herself, looking down at her hands. If she’d been able to blush, she would have.

Sif saw that smile, though, and she had to laugh a little. “It sounds as though you are dear to each other. I hope it isn’t fresh to say I’m glad.” She liked seeing happy couples, simple as that. Even if it had been a while since she’d been part of one.

“I love him very much. He is very kind and his soul is so ... gentle.” He was the opposite of her, and he reminded her that she wasn’t a monster all of the time.

“Gentle people are rare,” Sif commented, sitting back. “For good or ill.” She’d known a few, but life always somehow beat the gentle out of them. “How anyone stays sweet in this life is difficult to comprehend.”

“He is simply good, that is the only way I can understand it,” Eli smiled. She didn’t understand it either. “Do you have a beau? Or are you to occupied with your work?”

“I don’t; I had one a while back but I have been too busy since coming here.” Sif smiled. “I came to San Francisco only six months ago, and I have only been in Los Angeles perhaps for a month. It is nice here, but I’ve simply not had time for any of that yet!”

“Of course you have not. I met my Athelstan quite accidentally. Perhaps the same will happen to you. I have found that is the best way to meet people.” Eli smiled at Sif and gently squeezed her hand. “That is why I hope we shall be friends as well!”

“Did you now?” Sif chuckled. “That is very romantic, I think. Meeting the love of your life in a random encounter.”

“He bumped into me on the street,” Eli smiled. “I asked him for coffee because he was handsome and had the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.” That was still true. Eli liked people she met randomly. “It is also how I met my papa.”

Sif cocked her head at that. “You met your papa?” She repeated, curious. “Truly, random meetings have been lucky for you, Eli.”

“Well. My biological father is in Sweden, he chose to not be part of my life any longer. One day I met a man, and after my mama died, he adopted me. He is truly my blessing.” Eli wouldn’t be alive without Logan. If she had to eat human beings, she’d walk into the sunlight.

“Ah, I see. I am sorry if I brought up a bad memory - but clearly, you were lucky.” Sif smiled at the genuine adoration in the girl’s tone. “I am very glad you found someone to care for, as much as he cares for you.”

“It is all right. The past is a closed book that sometimes I use for reference, nothing more.” Eli smiled, tucking her knees to her chest. “He is wonderful. His fiancee just had a baby, so I get to have a baby sister as well.”

“Gratulerer, congratulations,” Sif said, seeing how happy she looked. “And that is a wonderful way to speak of the past - we cannot entirely forget it, but neither should it be at the forefront of everything. You have insight I think many lack.” She got the impression this Eli was somehow older than her years.

“She is a lovely baby. Very happy. She is already smiling!” Of course, Eli could have thought it was just a smile in her eyes, but it was an older sister’s prerogative to be proud.

Sif’s compliment made Eli smile. “I think it is just from reading so much, and moving in my youth.” Not being a vampire at all, nope.

“Happy babies bring good luck.There is a superstition that says that babies who smile in their sleep are talking to angels.” Sif laughed. “And I know a thing or two about moving. I love my job, but I will be happy when I have seniority and can stay somewhere for years instead of months.”

Eli had never heard that, and it made her smile to herself. “Hopefully that place will be somewhere you like,” Eli offered. It would suck being stuck in a place that she hated.

“This place has not been terrible so far, aside from the mad traffic.” Sif made a face. “But I should not take up more of your time, I think. You should be allowed to get back to your book in peace.”

“We should go out for coffee or something sometime. You can tell me about your work.” Eli smiled and swung her legs. She was pleased to have made what she hoped was a new friend.

“I would like that.” Sif shook the other woman’s hand. “Og jeg ønsker deg lykke til med din oversettelse, I wish you luck with your translation!” She headed off toward home, pleased at the turn of events.