For the Sake of Mythos

Chapter One

Another plaster-wrapped skeleton of some deceased reptile is wheeled into the main hall of one of New York's newer museums. "Anything other than old bones? Maybe a vase. Some form of classist jewelry continuing to prove the introduction of sedentary agriculture led to a divide in people?" Leigh's facial expression and tone hold some degree of contempt for the paleontology wing of the Memento Mori Museum she stakes her pride in. It was all anyone cared for, beasts. Human culture didn't seem to matter to most tourists unless it had some form of fairy tail intertwined in the woodwork of whatever it was being shown, not that she would ever admit to finding fantasy more attractive than science. "First off, way to sound pretentious. Second off, I don't know what it is you expect. These bones are what keep the lights on, whether you like them or not. Honestly, Leigh, whatever it is you pull from the ground next will reflect your reputation. Now can I get back to hauling these in for those rich assholes in there or do you need to say something else I've already heard?"

Leigh's nose scrunches at the disinterest of her colleague's response, the interaction leaving a sour taste in her mouth. But, they were right. Who wanted to look at paintings or read an old text when there was a Plesiosaur hanging from the ceiling in the next room? Chewing on her bottom lip with squinted eyes, the archeologist's only response is a huff, smoothing down the red dress she wears as a symbol of trivial interaction. At the end of the year, the museum gathers its highest-performing professionals and has them host a funding party. Leigh always found it embarrassing, mostly because somewhere in her head remained the childish notion that she would be able to find the next big story to humanity's past without help, but that of course is unrealistic and she knows it, putting on a smile when pushing open the doors to the anthropology display floor, taking a drink in hand off a tray as not to seem to standoffish.

Scanning the room for anyone she knows held no luck and with a hushed, exasperated groan- her attention turns back to the works she'd spent her life on. Record keeping had always been her favorite branch of archeology, something about people had always fascinated her... And as her search for someone to talk to continues, interest peaks when looking to her left. In a corner away from many of the guests, Leigh's brows furrowed. Someone she hadn't seen before stands before a portrait of Odin, and without giving it too much thought she moves beside them, not looking at them but rather sharing a gaze with the eyes of one of Odin's ravens. "Odin... As the people of the eighteenth century saw him. I found this in a Norwegian manuscript. Are you interested in the Norse mythos?"

O O O O O

Loki had only pulled the suit out of the dress bag and put it on out of hopes of possibly seeing if he pulled the picture of his best friend out of mothballs again and he was startled when a voice sounded that close to him and his system hadn't warned him that anyone, especially a woman, the woman he was here for, was standing three feet from him, he unfolded himself, "You might say I'm interested in Norse Mythos."

Loki chuckled and pulled out his pocket square to dab at the corner of his mouth and his bright blue-green eyes. His hair, an almost unnatural firelight red, dangled dangerously close to his waist in thick heavy braids closed by metal and ceramic beads and locks and he smiled again, "I'm Loki Bannish and I was hoping that if I threw enough money at this particular project you'd go back to digging... there was something there I lost a long time ago and my Nephew said you were close the last time he was there."

He shifted again, a heavy emerald sat on his left ring finger, but not a wedding ring... the Norse wore their rings on their right hand. He smiled and he watched her as she took him in. "Would there be a quieter place to discuss this perhaps? Maybe your boss too?" He touched her to make sure she was alive. "Are you okay?"

O O O O O

Leigh's lips turn upwards into a pleased smile. Finally, someone interested in her endeavors. Turning her gaze to the person beside her, the expression on her face quickly changes to confusion and almost a sort of shock. This man looked as if he stepped out of a portrait of some kind. Of one of the many tales, she'd covered in her years of record-keeping and research. Intricate craftsmanship in all senses of the word... The only thing that brings her back to reality is the subtle touch from the same person who'd sent her into a daze.