Tag Archives: rp: only human

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

He grinned, glad to see he could make someone so excited. “I look forward to it.” He almost felt spoiled, being able to do all of this on Midgard. He was actually surprised that no one had stopped him yet. Surely from his post on Asgard Heimdall could see Fenrir’s every move, could he not? The once-wolf allowed the thought to pass from his head, not wishing to allow it to spoil his time here on Earth. He followed Summer out of the dressing room when they were ready to leave.

She sang for him, on the way home, the lyric and tune to every song that came up on her iPod, sometimes flicking glances at him out of the corner of her eye and laughing. For herself, Summer felt like she hadn’t had this much pure fun in ages; the chance to show someone all the things she loved about the world. She let the happiness spill out of her, let it dance along her empathic senses, and hoped the mere brush of it would brighten someone’s day.

At her apartment, she unlocked the door quickly, pushing importunate cats out of the way with her feet. “Come in!”

He had listened to her sing in the car, temple propped on his knuckles whilst his elbow rested on the car door. She seemed quite happy, and he briefly wondered if all beings in this world shared her enthusiasm for life. Surely it wasn’t just his presence that was making her so chipper. 

He was brought to a building with many rooms that all looked the same, save for some which bore decorations of welcome or mats on the floor. All had numbers on them and people came and went occasionally. He followed her into one of the many rooms and found it to be a living space. For a moment he wondered if this was what all of the rooms beheld behind their closed portals. He was surprised when a soft, warm figure bumped into his shin. Fenrir looked down to see a cat rubbing against his legs. Absentmindedly he bent to scratch the creature on the head, though it retreated from his touch. Not surprising. To them he probably still reeked of wolf—and of whence he came. 

His eyes wandered about the apartment as he stepped further into it. “Is every Midgardian in this building your family? You all live together…” Or perhaps this was a type of inn? But then some doors would not be adorned with wreaths, he suspected.

Summer smiled, scritching the head of a big, fluffy seal-and-cream cat, who kept looking up at Fenrir with big blue eyes and an absurd expression of pleasure. “Not here, no. This is an apartment complex. Each door outside leads to a little private home. I actually don’t know many people who live here, because our paths don’t often cross.”

She plucked the bag out of his hand and rummaged around inside it, pulling out a pair of jeans and a green shirt. Deftly, she popped the tags off, dropping them on the floor, and offered them to Fenrir. “Do you want me to wash what you have on now? I don’t … this is a little awkward.” She made a moue. “And, um … customarily humans are a bit … shy about unclothed bodies. Don’t get me wrong, yours is … very nice, but if you take your clothes off in front of me again I’m not responsible for my actions!” 

He nodded. A strange living arrangement, though he supposed that he had little room to talk. He glanced at the absurdly fluffy cat. The thing looked pleased where it was and the once-wolf made no move to pet it. 

He was glad to see the obnoxious tags removed from the clothing, relieved somewhat to know that he wouldn’t have to wear them about. He accepted them from her, glancing down at the rags he had scrounged up before. He shook his head. “No need. They appear to be falling apart, and at any rate I’ll have little use for them now.” He raised both brows in mild surprise. Oops. “Forgive me, I knew not that I was causing discomfort.” He smiled slightly, gesturing to the clothing she had given him. “Is there a place in which I should change? I wouldn’t wish to cause another dilemma.” 

That elicited a laugh. “Down the hallway at your back, first door on the right. I’m going to feed the cats while you get ready.” 

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

“Then I know exactly what to do.” Summer clapped her hands together gleefully. “There is this GLORIOUS Italian place just a few block away from my apartment. We’ll go back there and drop the car off, let you change, then walk down to Michelangelo’s so you can see more of what New York street-life is like.” She threw her arms up to the sky and spun in a little circle. “This is going to be really fun, Fen. I promise!”

He grinned, glad to see he could make someone so excited. “I look forward to it.” He almost felt spoiled, being able to do all of this on Midgard. He was actually surprised that no one had stopped him yet. Surely from his post on Asgard Heimdall could see Fenrir’s every move, could he not? The once-wolf allowed the thought to pass from his head, not wishing to allow it to spoil his time here on Earth. He followed Summer out of the dressing room when they were ready to leave.

She sang for him, on the way home, the lyric and tune to every song that came up on her iPod, sometimes flicking glances at him out of the corner of her eye and laughing. For herself, Summer felt like she hadn’t had this much pure fun in ages; the chance to show someone all the things she loved about the world. She let the happiness spill out of her, let it dance along her empathic senses, and hoped the mere brush of it would brighten someone’s day.

At her apartment, she unlocked the door quickly, pushing importunate cats out of the way with her feet. “Come in!”

He had listened to her sing in the car, temple propped on his knuckles whilst his elbow rested on the car door. She seemed quite happy, and he briefly wondered if all beings in this world shared her enthusiasm for life. Surely it wasn’t just his presence that was making her so chipper. 

He was brought to a building with many rooms that all looked the same, save for some which bore decorations of welcome or mats on the floor. All had numbers on them and people came and went occasionally. He followed her into one of the many rooms and found it to be a living space. For a moment he wondered if this was what all of the rooms beheld behind their closed portals. He was surprised when a soft, warm figure bumped into his shin. Fenrir looked down to see a cat rubbing against his legs. Absentmindedly he bent to scratch the creature on the head, though it retreated from his touch. Not surprising. To them he probably still reeked of wolf—and of whence he came. 

His eyes wandered about the apartment as he stepped further into it. “Is every Midgardian in this building your family? You all live together…” Or perhaps this was a type of inn? But then some doors would not be adorned with wreaths, he suspected.

Summer smiled, scritching the head of a big, fluffy seal-and-cream cat, who kept looking up at Fenrir with big blue eyes and an absurd expression of pleasure. “Not here, no. This is an apartment complex. Each door outside leads to a little private home. I actually don’t know many people who live here, because our paths don’t often cross.”

She plucked the bag out of his hand and rummaged around inside it, pulling out a pair of jeans and a green shirt. Deftly, she popped the tags off, dropping them on the floor, and offered them to Fenrir. “Do you want me to wash what you have on now? I don’t … this is a little awkward.” She made a moue. “And, um … customarily humans are a bit … shy about unclothed bodies. Don’t get me wrong, yours is … very nice, but if you take your clothes off in front of me again I’m not responsible for my actions!” 

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

“Mine is a pretty ordinary sort of life, actually,” Summer told him as they walked up to the cash registers. “I tend to spend a lot of time at home, reading, with my cats. That’s when I’m not out helping save the world, which is NOT something I’m going to take you on.” She fished a card out of her back pocket and paid for the clothes, handing Fenrir the bag.

“Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but couldn’t, for … whatever reason?”

He grinned as he followed alongside her. “Saving Midgard, as much as I like it, is not something I shall ever aim to do.” It was meant as a joke, though the implications behind it caused it to fall rather flat. He accepted the bag cautiously, as if he feared he would drop it. Rather, the crinkling plastic just sort of weirded him out. 

He contemplated her question, truly racking his brain for an answer. There were too many things that could possibly be done in one day, though Fenrir would have willingly exhausted himself trying. He touched his hand to his lip in thought, thinking over every little Midgardian thing that a visitor had told him about. He shrugged. “Never before have I eaten at a restaurant.” He offered. He was kind of hungry. He hadn’t really eaten since before his change into a mortal form. He felt somewhat bad for experiencing the world at the expense of another, but the want to move and do and experience outweighed that for now. He could always find some way to repay her kindness.

“Then I know exactly what to do.” Summer clapped her hands together gleefully. “There is this GLORIOUS Italian place just a few block away from my apartment. We’ll go back there and drop the car off, let you change, then walk down to Michelangelo’s so you can see more of what New York street-life is like.” She threw her arms up to the sky and spun in a little circle. “This is going to be really fun, Fen. I promise!”

He grinned, glad to see he could make someone so excited. “I look forward to it.” He almost felt spoiled, being able to do all of this on Midgard. He was actually surprised that no one had stopped him yet. Surely from his post on Asgard Heimdall could see Fenrir’s every move, could he not? The once-wolf allowed the thought to pass from his head, not wishing to allow it to spoil his time here on Earth. He followed Summer out of the dressing room when they were ready to leave.

She sang for him, on the way home, the lyric and tune to every song that came up on her iPod, sometimes flicking glances at him out of the corner of her eye and laughing. For herself, Summer felt like she hadn’t had this much pure fun in ages; the chance to show someone all the things she loved about the world. She let the happiness spill out of her, let it dance along her empathic senses, and hoped the mere brush of it would brighten someone’s day.

At her apartment, she unlocked the door quickly, pushing importunate cats out of the way with her feet. “Come in!”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

Summer felt her face turn hot, but stubbornly she refused to show Fenrir any other sign of embarrassment. If he was going to give her a view, she was by damn going to enjoy it. Deliberately, she looked him up and down, lingering on every inch, and finishing with raised eyebrows.

“If you’re ready?” She offered a hand. “What else would you like to do, after I’ve paid for these?”

Fenrir shamelessly removed and for a moment stood in all his glory, completely unaware of what he was doing. He set the trousers aside and redressed, donning the clothes he had walked in with; a tunic, trousers, and boots. He shrugged, his ignorance of his actions showing on his face. “I do not know. I know nothing of what mortals do on Midgard.” He just knew that he wanted to experience as much of it as he was allowed. He thought for a moment as he picked up the clothing and draped it over his forearm. “What sort of things do you like to do?” He inquired. “Perhaps you and I could do them together.”

“Mine is a pretty ordinary sort of life, actually,” Summer told him as they walked up to the cash registers. “I tend to spend a lot of time at home, reading, with my cats. That’s when I’m not out helping save the world, which is NOT something I’m going to take you on.” She fished a card out of her back pocket and paid for the clothes, handing Fenrir the bag.

“Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but couldn’t, for … whatever reason?”

He grinned as he followed alongside her. “Saving Midgard, as much as I like it, is not something I shall ever aim to do.” It was meant as a joke, though the implications behind it caused it to fall rather flat. He accepted the bag cautiously, as if he feared he would drop it. Rather, the crinkling plastic just sort of weirded him out. 

He contemplated her question, truly racking his brain for an answer. There were too many things that could possibly be done in one day, though Fenrir would have willingly exhausted himself trying. He touched his hand to his lip in thought, thinking over every little Midgardian thing that a visitor had told him about. He shrugged. “Never before have I eaten at a restaurant.” He offered. He was kind of hungry. He hadn’t really eaten since before his change into a mortal form. He felt somewhat bad for experiencing the world at the expense of another, but the want to move and do and experience outweighed that for now. He could always find some way to repay her kindness.

“Then I know exactly what to do.” Summer clapped her hands together gleefully. “There is this GLORIOUS Italian place just a few block away from my apartment. We’ll go back there and drop the car off, let you change, then walk down to Michelangelo’s so you can see more of what New York street-life is like.” She threw her arms up to the sky and spun in a little circle. “This is going to be really fun, Fen. I promise!”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

That smile had to be hidden; she did not want Fenrir to think she was making fun of him. “Have you asked your father?” she managed after a minute. Summer put her hands on Fenrir’s shoulders, very carefully, and turned him around, gently pushing him back into the changing room. “Real quick, have those off so I can pay for them, and then we’ll go wherever else you want.”

He made a rather uncomfortable face, fidgeting slightly. “No… I have yet to approach my father on the matter, though my brother has suggested that I do so.” Fenrir tilted his head at her as she placed hands on him, though before he could ask he was swung around and directed back into the small booth like a sheep. This form was utterly demeaning. To be so easily forced about by a Midgardian woman… He was only glad that certain eyes could not see such a low blow to his pride. 

Once in the changing room he turned again to look at her, he did as she bid him do and began to remove the shirt. Since he had been born a wolf, he clearly didn’t understand that one was usually somewhat bashful when disrobing before others. Summer was a friend, anyway. What would she care? “As you say.” He muttered carelessly, setting the shirt down with the other ones Summer had picked out for him.

Summer felt her face turn hot, but stubbornly she refused to show Fenrir any other sign of embarrassment. If he was going to give her a view, she was by damn going to enjoy it. Deliberately, she looked him up and down, lingering on every inch, and finishing with raised eyebrows.

“If you’re ready?” She offered a hand. “What else would you like to do, after I’ve paid for these?”

Fenrir shamelessly removed and for a moment stood in all his glory, completely unaware of what he was doing. He set the trousers aside and redressed, donning the clothes he had walked in with; a tunic, trousers, and boots. He shrugged, his ignorance of his actions showing on his face. “I do not know. I know nothing of what mortals do on Midgard.” He just knew that he wanted to experience as much of it as he was allowed. He thought for a moment as he picked up the clothing and draped it over his forearm. “What sort of things do you like to do?” He inquired. “Perhaps you and I could do them together.”

“Mine is a pretty ordinary sort of life, actually,” Summer told him as they walked up to the cash registers. “I tend to spend a lot of time at home, reading, with my cats. That’s when I’m not out helping save the world, which is NOT something I’m going to take you on.” She fished a card out of her back pocket and paid for the clothes, handing Fenrir the bag.

“Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, but couldn’t, for … whatever reason?”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

That smile had to be hidden; she did not want Fenrir to think she was making fun of him. “Have you asked your father?” she managed after a minute. Summer put her hands on Fenrir’s shoulders, very carefully, and turned him around, gently pushing him back into the changing room. “Real quick, have those off so I can pay for them, and then we’ll go wherever else you want.”

He made a rather uncomfortable face, fidgeting slightly. “No… I have yet to approach my father on the matter, though my brother has suggested that I do so.” Fenrir tilted his head at her as she placed hands on him, though before he could ask he was swung around and directed back into the small booth like a sheep. This form was utterly demeaning. To be so easily forced about by a Midgardian woman… He was only glad that certain eyes could not see such a low blow to his pride. 

Once in the changing room he turned again to look at her, he did as she bid him do and began to remove the shirt. Since he had been born a wolf, he clearly didn’t understand that one was usually somewhat bashful when disrobing before others. Summer was a friend, anyway. What would she care? “As you say.” He muttered carelessly, setting the shirt down with the other ones Summer had picked out for him.

Summer felt her face turn hot, but stubbornly she refused to show Fenrir any other sign of embarrassment. If he was going to give her a view, she was by damn going to enjoy it. Deliberately, she looked him up and down, lingering on every inch, and finishing with raised eyebrows.

“If you’re ready?” She offered a hand. “What else would you like to do, after I’ve paid for these?”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

“Here, keep hold of my hand,” Summer directed when they arrived at Target. It, too, was packed with people. Summer threaded her way swiftly through the throngs, picking up three pairs of jeans and five shirts of various colours. She shoved them into Fenrir’s free arm and pointed. “Go in there and try these on. We need to see if they fit. Clothing isn’t made to your measure any more, it’s made in preset sizes.”

Trailing behind her like a child, Fenrir kept his hand within Summer’s. The store held all kinds of things he had never seen before, as well as many people. The store seemed divided into loose sections, and Fenrir was surprised to find how many different items were sold here. It seemed that specialized skill was no longer the dictator of what the shelves bore. He accepted the clothing when it was given to him, intrigued to find just how light it was. No leather, no metal (save for on two places towards the front of the trousers). “Thank you.” He said before entering one of the little boxes and shutting the door, as another man had just done. 

Fenrir looked at the already-made clothing before shrugging off the archaic scraps he had found in his cave. The material was oddly soft and offered little protection, but it was comfortable and easy to dress oneself in. There were odd accessories hanging off of the shirt and trousers that annoyed Fenrir, and he saw no purpose to their being there. They had English written all over them, and they hung on some kind of thick string. When he was properly dressed, he stepped outside the door, looking down at himself and adjusting the clothing here or there. “How is that?” He asked, honestly not knowing.

Summer bit her lip, smiling and looking him up and down. “You look human, certainly. Very casual. Now, if you want to dress up, that’s more work. But those fit well enough for your time here. Which reminds me, when should I have you back home?”

Fenrir turned to check the mirror briefly for himself before returning his attention to Summer. “I have until tomorrow, I suspect. I’ve been looking for a solution to prolong my humanity, but as of yet there are no dice.” He had heard that human expression once before, though it made no sense. Humanity had nothing to do with dice.

That smile had to be hidden; she did not want Fenrir to think she was making fun of him. “Have you asked your father?” she managed after a minute. Summer put her hands on Fenrir’s shoulders, very carefully, and turned him around, gently pushing him back into the changing room. “Real quick, have those off so I can pay for them, and then we’ll go wherever else you want.”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

“This is a car. Humans have spread out so far we need mechanical assistance to travel from place to place quickly, and magic … isn’t really acceptable here.” Reaching in, she popped the door open and scrambled awkwardly across the gearstick to the driver’s seat. “It won’t hurt you; she just makes a big noise.” Summer petted the steering wheel. “She’s a good girl, my Lypiphera. We’ll just go really simple on the fashion, then: jeans and tee shirts. Target.” She smiled at Fenrir. “It’s overwhelming, I know. Even for me, the big city is scary.” Gently, she pushed a feeling of welcome and safety at Fenrir.

He nodded, accepting her responses. He hesitantly climbed into the passenger seat of her car, feeling odd somehow as he sat on the leather seats. The interior was cluttered with a variety of things Fenrir did not understand. Midgardians had complex means of transportation. What ever happened to chariots and goats? “She? This car is a female?” Named Lypiphera, apparently. He nodded again, not really knowing what ‘jeans’ and ‘t-shirts’ were, but willing to act like he did. “Alright, that sounds nice.” He suddenly felt much more at ease, though, and even settled back into his seat. Perhaps he was getting used to the big city after all.

Carefully pulling out into the ever-present New York traffic, Summer laughed a little. “It’s a human tradition to, hmm, personalise many of the inanimate things around them. Especially vehicles. Interestingly, the gender is usually female.” She threw a swift glance at Fenrir, admiring his profile as he gazed around in wonder, and let silence fall for the rest of the short drive.

Inanimate. The car was not alive, but it was moving and making noise. And it had been given a gender… Midgardian culture today had surely changed. He nodded, staring out the window at what they passed by. “I see.” He muttered to himself, already distracted with what he was seeing. There were people everywhere—not to mention cars flooded every road. The city was alive with movement and noise, effectively culture shocking Fenrir with everything he had missed by spending his life in a cave.

“Here, keep hold of my hand,” Summer directed when they arrived at Target. It, too, was packed with people. Summer threaded her way swiftly through the throngs, picking up three pairs of jeans and five shirts of various colours. She shoved them into Fenrir’s free arm and pointed. “Go in there and try these on. We need to see if they fit. Clothing isn’t made to your measure any more, it’s made in preset sizes.”

Trailing behind her like a child, Fenrir kept his hand within Summer’s. The store held all kinds of things he had never seen before, as well as many people. The store seemed divided into loose sections, and Fenrir was surprised to find how many different items were sold here. It seemed that specialized skill was no longer the dictator of what the shelves bore. He accepted the clothing when it was given to him, intrigued to find just how light it was. No leather, no metal (save for on two places towards the front of the trousers). “Thank you.” He said before entering one of the little boxes and shutting the door, as another man had just done. 

Fenrir looked at the already-made clothing before shrugging off the archaic scraps he had found in his cave. The material was oddly soft and offered little protection, but it was comfortable and easy to dress oneself in. There were odd accessories hanging off of the shirt and trousers that annoyed Fenrir, and he saw no purpose to their being there. They had English written all over them, and they hung on some kind of thick string. When he was properly dressed, he stepped outside the door, looking down at himself and adjusting the clothing here or there. “How is that?” He asked, honestly not knowing.

Summer bit her lip, smiling and looking him up and down. “You look human, certainly. Very casual. Now, if you want to dress up, that’s more work. But those fit well enough for your time here. Which reminds me, when should I have you back home?”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

He was pulled from his curious head-swiveling by Summer’s voice. “I shall do so.” He replied, though he already had enough questions to try the patience of the being the mortals referred to as ‘the Buddha’. They continued walking for a time before Fenrir was brought before some form of very small, metal-and-glass house. No, it was on wheels. But there were seats in it. Some form of strange cart? His brows knotted together, and he scratched his chin at the odd thing. He gave her a surprised look. “In that? What is this thing?” The marvel was not absent from his tone. “Uh… I know nothing of Midgardian fashion, so I suppose I do not. Mayhaps you would be so kind as to help me with that as well?” He asked with a tinge of sheepishness.

“This is a car. Humans have spread out so far we need mechanical assistance to travel from place to place quickly, and magic … isn’t really acceptable here.” Reaching in, she popped the door open and scrambled awkwardly across the gearstick to the driver’s seat. “It won’t hurt you; she just makes a big noise.” Summer petted the steering wheel. “She’s a good girl, my Lypiphera. We’ll just go really simple on the fashion, then: jeans and tee shirts. Target.” She smiled at Fenrir. “It’s overwhelming, I know. Even for me, the big city is scary.” Gently, she pushed a feeling of welcome and safety at Fenrir.

He nodded, accepting her responses. He hesitantly climbed into the passenger seat of her car, feeling odd somehow as he sat on the leather seats. The interior was cluttered with a variety of things Fenrir did not understand. Midgardians had complex means of transportation. What ever happened to chariots and goats? “She? This car is a female?” Named Lypiphera, apparently. He nodded again, not really knowing what ‘jeans’ and ‘t-shirts’ were, but willing to act like he did. “Alright, that sounds nice.” He suddenly felt much more at ease, though, and even settled back into his seat. Perhaps he was getting used to the big city after all.

Carefully pulling out into the ever-present New York traffic, Summer laughed a little. “It’s a human tradition to, hmm, personalise many of the inanimate things around them. Especially vehicles. Interestingly, the gender is usually female.” She threw a swift glance at Fenrir, admiring his profile as he gazed around in wonder, and let silence fall for the rest of the short drive.

Inanimate. The car was not alive, but it was moving and making noise. And it had been given a gender… Midgardian culture today had surely changed. He nodded, staring out the window at what they passed by. “I see.” He muttered to himself, already distracted with what he was seeing. There were people everywhere—not to mention cars flooded every road. The city was alive with movement and noise, effectively culture shocking Fenrir with everything he had missed by spending his life in a cave.

“Here, keep hold of my hand,” Summer directed when they arrived at Target. It, too, was packed with people. Summer threaded her way swiftly through the throngs, picking up three pairs of jeans and five shirts of various colours. She shoved them into Fenrir’s free arm and pointed. “Go in there and try these on. We need to see if they fit. Clothing isn’t made to your measure any more, it’s made in preset sizes.”

Only Human | Closed RP | @fenrir-the-monster-wolf

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

iamthefirechild:

fenrir-the-monster-wolf:

He nodded though he did not agree and felt a lopsided smile stretch his features. “Mayhaps it is not in your eyes, Lady Summer, but when one has seen nothing but cave and snow for centuries even this mere section of your world is a thing of beauty.” He gave the area one more look-about and then nodded again, eyes on her now. “I am ready. Lead and I shall follow.”

Ducking through the trees led them to a path, which after some winding led them to the street. Summer took her time, letting her hand hang in Fenrir’s and commenting on particular things as they passed through Central Park. “Just cut me off if you have a question,” she said, once.

Once to the street, a few steps along revealed a smart burgundy-and-black convertible, top off. “In with you! Have you got any preferences for clothes style?”

He was pulled from his curious head-swiveling by Summer’s voice. “I shall do so.” He replied, though he already had enough questions to try the patience of the being the mortals referred to as ‘the Buddha’. They continued walking for a time before Fenrir was brought before some form of very small, metal-and-glass house. No, it was on wheels. But there were seats in it. Some form of strange cart? His brows knotted together, and he scratched his chin at the odd thing. He gave her a surprised look. “In that? What is this thing?” The marvel was not absent from his tone. “Uh… I know nothing of Midgardian fashion, so I suppose I do not. Mayhaps you would be so kind as to help me with that as well?” He asked with a tinge of sheepishness.

“This is a car. Humans have spread out so far we need mechanical assistance to travel from place to place quickly, and magic … isn’t really acceptable here.” Reaching in, she popped the door open and scrambled awkwardly across the gearstick to the driver’s seat. “It won’t hurt you; she just makes a big noise.” Summer petted the steering wheel. “She’s a good girl, my Lypiphera. We’ll just go really simple on the fashion, then: jeans and tee shirts. Target.” She smiled at Fenrir. “It’s overwhelming, I know. Even for me, the big city is scary.” Gently, she pushed a feeling of welcome and safety at Fenrir.

He nodded, accepting her responses. He hesitantly climbed into the passenger seat of her car, feeling odd somehow as he sat on the leather seats. The interior was cluttered with a variety of things Fenrir did not understand. Midgardians had complex means of transportation. What ever happened to chariots and goats? “She? This car is a female?” Named Lypiphera, apparently. He nodded again, not really knowing what ‘jeans’ and ‘t-shirts’ were, but willing to act like he did. “Alright, that sounds nice.” He suddenly felt much more at ease, though, and even settled back into his seat. Perhaps he was getting used to the big city after all.

Carefully pulling out into the ever-present New York traffic, Summer laughed a little. “It’s a human tradition to, hmm, personalise many of the inanimate things around them. Especially vehicles. Interestingly, the gender is usually female.” She threw a swift glance at Fenrir, admiring his profile as he gazed around in wonder, and let silence fall for the rest of the short drive.