Loki was on his toes as he and Gilda circled in the ring. He had been expecting to spar with Asta, but then Gilda revealed he’d be fighting her. Something about not always fighting someone your own size.

“Ok, my little warrior,” Gilda spoke up as she prowled the ring on all fours, smirking all the while. “Show me what you got.” She quickly pounced upon the much smaller Loki, immediately locking him in a grappling hold.

Loki planted his feet on Gilda’s stomach and launched her off him, turning her momentum against her and rolling back to his feet in one motion.

Gilda laughed as she got onto her feet, readying herself in another stance. “Good. Very good, my young pupil.” She lunged for him again, this time by zig zagging her foot work, hoping to confuse him just enough to land a blow.

Loki followed her movements and ducked under her punch. Putting his weight on his right hand, he swung his leg and kicked Gilda’s legs out from under her. As she fell, he pounced on her, trying to get her into a hold.

Gilda once more laughed, a smile spreading across her face. “Excellent work, kid.” She beamed proudly. Before she could counter his attempt to pin her, she felt a strange sensation on her chest. “Uh, Loki. You’re not going to get me in a submission hold by grabbing that.”

Loki looked where he had grabbed and felt a blush fully engulf his face. In his distraction, he suddenly found himself on his back beneath Gilda, pinned down by her powerful legs holding his waist in place and one of her hands holding his arms above his head by his wrists. Which also gave him an extremely good view of her chest, which he was sure was intentional on Gilda’s part to tease him.

Gilda shook her head disappointedly. “Still a bit too modest there, kid.” She sighed before she dismounted her pin maneuver. “I told you a sense of modesty will get you killed in combat. Suppose you did that with another female warrior. On the battlefield she’d take your distraction and stab you in the neck once she had you pinned.” She gently poked the side of his  neck before crossing her arms. “I can’t take it easy on you kid, and neither will your opponent.”

Loki sat up and rubbed his neck as he got his blush under control. “I know, and I’m not asking you to go easy on me, master.”

Gilda chuckled to herself before tousling Loki’s hair. “Still, I do give you credit for coming this far, kid. In just a couple of months, you’ve almost beat the champion wrestler. I’m proud of you.” She playfully nudged his arm before stepping out of the ring and heading for the communal baths to unwind.

Loki got the his feet and stretched, enjoying his teacher’s praise as he stepped out of the ring himself, not seeing Asta approach him from behind.

Asta lightly chuckled to herself as she sprung and tackled Loki to the ground, playfully locking his arm behind his back. “Gotcha!” She shouted, smiling a huge almost predatory grin.

“Asta get off me!” Loki protested as he struggled beneath Gilda’s sister, trying to dislodge her.

“Never!” Asta shouted whilst giggling. “A Daughter of Sigurd never surrenders.” She leaned in close, her beak practically meeting his ear. “You’ll have to wrestle me to earn your freedom.” She whispered with a smirk.

Loki blushed at the tone she used and shifted his hips under hers before bucking upward, knocking her off balance and twisting around to push her onto her back.

Asta laughed as she landed on her back. “Got some fight left in you I see.” She spoke before gripping him by his hair and yanking it towards herself.

Loki cried out as he let himself be pulled to lessen the pain and headbutted Asta in retaliation while trying to pin her down.

Asta let out a pained cry as well, reflexively swiping at Loki’s face with one of her clawed hands whilst gripping her bleeding beak with the other.

Loki dodged back off of Asta to dodge her claws, but felt a sting on his left cheek from a couple of scratches that bled. “Watch the claws!”

Asta didn’t respond as she stood up, carefully checking her beak to see if anything was set out of place. She could feel the bridge of her beak was a tad off center. Taking her other hand to her beak, she set it back in place, a loud crack piercing the air. “Sorry, reflex.” She replied casually, locking her amber eyes with his.

“It’s okay,” Loki said with a dismissive hand wave. “It’s just a scratch. Hope I didn’t hurt you too badly, Asta.”

Asta chuckled loudly, holding her sides together. “Oh, Loki.” She responded between her laughing fits. “I’m a Varangar. We’re some of the toughest people you’ll ever meet. A broken nose is practically a badge of honor.” She moved closer to him as her laughter died down, quickly planting a small peck on his scratched cheek. “You Equestrians are so cute when you're concerned about another’s welfare.”

Loki blushed at the kiss. “W-Well it’s just how we’re raised. To care about other people if they get hurt.”

“Aw, well aren’t you sweet?” Asta teased, lightly flicking his nose and playfully sticking her tongue out at him.

Loki blushed again. Asta could be somewhat abrasive at times, and very physical in her friendship with him, but Loki liked that about her. And she somehow managed to be cute no matter what she was doing. “I uh… I’m gonna hit the baths.”

“Aw, just when it was getting fun.” Asta replied, sounding slightly disheartened before playfully punching him in the arm. “Perhaps I’ll join you then, Loki. After all, it is good to unwind after a good sparring bout.”

Loki blushed and nodded. “Yeah. Okay. Sure.” He turned and started walking toward the baths, rubbing at his scratches a little bit. “These scratches sure sting.”

“You’ll grow a thicker skin in no time.” Asta remarked as she followed him, almost skipping in pure delight.

Loki glanced back at her. “Are you skipping?” he asked with a smirk at finally seeing Asta do something somewhat girly.

Asta stopped and immediately shot him a glare, followed by a solid sock on the shoulder. “Tell anyone about this, and I promise things will be Hel on Equus for you.”

Loki lightly rubbed his shoulder. “My lips are sealed, Asta,” he groaned before reaching the baths. It was a point of pride for him that he managed not to blush at all the naked shield maidens bathing there at the moment.

Many of the bathing shield maidens waved, smiled, and playfully showed themselves off as they walked further into the bath house. Asta, with another sly almost predatory grin, playfully pushed Loki into one of the empty tubs. She and the other shield maidens laughed as he fell in head first.

Loki coughed and sucked in air after surfacing. “Asta!” He protested while giving her a little glare that didn’t carry much weight behind it.

Asta said nothing, still laughing as she waded into the bath with him. “Relax, Loki.” She playfully chided. “I’m just kidding around. You Equestrians can be so uptight sometimes.” She swam over to him and rested her hands on his shoulders. “You need to loosen up a little. Have a little fun once in awhile.”

Loki blushed at how close Asta was to him. “I-I-I just wasn’t expecting that shove is all!” he protested as he looked away from her.

Asta chuckled as she playfully splashed him. “Gilda is right, you guys are prudes.” She teased before resting herself against the edge of the bath, letting the warm water loosen her battle weary muscles.

Loki sighed and leaned against the other side of the bath, sinking down to his shoulders in the water and letting out a sigh of relief.

Asta smiled, once more swimming over to him and wrapping one arm around his shoulders. “There, see how easy it is to just unwind.” She spoke softly as she nestled her head under his chin.

Loki blushed darkly and gulped a bit. Sparring was one thing, but he’d never been so close to a girl his own age so casually.

Over in another bath, Gilda was watching the pair with Balder. “Babe, those two are made for each other. I’m telling you.”

Balder chuckled lightly, turning his gaze to Gilda. “Asta seems very attached to him.” He replied, a small smile appearing on his lips. “Loki though….poor kid’s face is as red as blood. I’m not sure he loves her like she loves him.”

“They’re still young,” Gilda said as she leaned on Balder. “Give him time. I’m sure she’ll really grow on him.”

Vultan stood on the docking platform as the Equestrian zeppelin was being moored down and the ramp was being lowered. He grinned as Luna made her way off the zep and towards him. “Always a pleasure to see you again, my friend!” He shouted with open arms, wrapping her in a tight hug.

“Likewise, Vultan.” Luna replied as she held him in a hug of her own. They each released each other and made their way to the Amber Throne.

Waiting in the throne room was Loki and his new circle of friends. Gilda, Balder, Jottun, and Asta were all there. When Luna and Vultan entered, he abandoned decorum in favor of running to his mother. “Mother!” He greeted excitedly as he threw his arms around her.

Luna laughed as she returned his gesture. “I missed you, my little Star Child.” She replied happily, planting a little kiss on his forehead. She turned her attention to the others, politely curtseying before refocusing on Loki. As her eyes locked with him, she noticed the faint scratches on his cheek. “Sweetie, what happened?” She knelt down to him, inspecting the scratches.

“Just a sparring accident, mother,” Loki answered as he blushed under Luna’s motherly fussing. “Shield maidens can be a little rough at times.”

Luna sighed, but seeing as these were just minor scrapes and nothing life threatening, she smiled and wrapped Loki in one more hug before turning her attention back to the others. “I appreciate all you’ve done for us, Vultan.”

Vultan loosed a chuckle before placing a hand on her shoulder. “It’s our absolute honor, my old friend.” He replied before turning his attention to Loki as he rejoined Asta and the others. “Loki is quite the young lad.”

“Indeed he is.” Luna responded as she focused on Loki, smiling as she noticed how close he and Asta seemed to be. She made her way over and lightly tapped Loki on his shoulder. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your new friend, Loki?”

Loki smiled and nodded. “Of course, mother. This is Asta, Gilda’s sister. She’s the one I spar with the most.”

Asta stood rapidly and quickly bowed to Luna. “Pleasure, Majesty.”

Luna chuckled a bit before returning the gesture. “Polite, yet direct. A true Varangar reeve.” She bemused before turning to Loki. “Hope she hasn’t given you too much trouble, Star Child.” She jested, before lightly nudging him towards Asta.

Loki blushed at Luna’s jest. “Mother!” he protested. “She’s a friend. Just like Jottun or Drever.”

“Oh of course she is.” Luna coyly replied with a slight wink before once again locking eyes with Vultan. “I trust there have been no further incidents since the Hippogriff attack?”

“None whatsoever.” Vultan replied with a smile. “Now, why don’t we all just relax and go enjoy ourselves. Today is a very special festival honoring our founder.”

“Ah, yes father, Sigurd’s Day!” Jottun replied vigorously. “Best day of the year! Loki, join us in this festive day!”

“Of course!” Loki answered in excitement, looking forward to partaking in the Varangar penchant for feasting and joyous songs at near any excuse. Maybe he’d actually manage to try mead at this festival.

“Care to join us, Luna?” Vultan chuckled, lightly elbowing Luna in her side. “Perhaps free the wild mare from years gone by, eh?”

Luna blushed lightly, a few memories of younger, hard partying nights flooding back into her mind. “Well I could use a little night of fun.” She replied somewhat embarrassed. “With all the politics and searching for diamond dogs and assassins as of late I really need to cut loose.”

“Then what are we waiting for, Princess Luna?!” Balder asked as he cheerfully clapped Luna’s shoulder. “The festivities last all day and well into the night. In fact it only ends when everybody falls asleep.”

“Or falls down drunk!” Vultan replied, laughing his ass off as he held his sides together.

Freya simply sighed, shaking her head before locking eyes with Luna. “It’d be a honor to have you join our festivities, Luna.”

“Then what are we waiting for?!” Vultan replied as his laughter died down. “Let us celebrate!”

Loki looked around in awe as he enjoyed the energy in the air alongside Asta. The two had given the adults the slip and were wandering the festival, each holding a skewer of freshly cooked meat. “This is amazing!”

Asta chuckled slightly before tearing into her skewer, ravenously ripping into the meat like a timber wolf on a carcass. She quickly wolfed it down before locking her gaze with Loki. “Gaze in wonder, my Equestrian friend!” She replied with the same vigor of Jottun. “Let the spirit of Sigurd course through your veins this day!”

“It’s an amazing feeling,” Loki replied before tearing into a chunk of meat himself. “There’s an energy in the air that almost feels like more than just merriment.” He smiled at Asta as they kept exploring. “And this happens every year?”

“Absolutely!” Asta responded, slapping Loki on the back as they passed many of the vendors and partiers. “It is to us what your, oh what is it called? That holiday you Equestrians celebrate with the trading of gifts and decorating of trees? It’s a lot like that, only more wild and laden with mead and wrestling.”

“Hearth’s Warming,” Loki said. “Celebrating when the leaders of the three tribes chose peace over bloodshed and formed Equestria.”

[Rotlaust tre fell-Wardruna (0:47-4:09)]

Asta found herself giggling as she and Loki passed by a group of musicians. The band were playing on what seemed to be ancient instruments; a few drums, a horn fashioned from ibex antler. Those without instruments sang, in ancient Varangar tongue.

“Kom Austre

Kom gryande dag

kom fedre og mødre av

Høgtimbra ætter

Kom hanar i heimar tri

Kom allfader Odin

Kom moder min Frigg

Kom vise vanar

Kom utgamle thursar

Om frøa er ber

syng den song

som i fordums liv avla

Ask standande

heitir Yggdrasil

Tronar eviggrøn

yvir Urdarbrønn

Høyr meg alle

Søner åt Heimdall

Statt upp or svevna

Gjev kraft til rota

kvasst den eldest

av ormar som

gneg i grunna

Tri nornar eg ber

at liv skal du spinne

Tri nornar eg ber

at liv skal du tvinne

Tri norner eg ber

at liv skal du binde

...binde til rota...

Æsir nornir

visa vanir

thursamøyir

thrá valkyrjur

alvar dvergar

disir völvur

vordar vergar

Yggdrasil.”

“What are they singing about?” Loki asked Asta in curiosity. “I don’t understand the language.”

Asta once more let out a little laugh, finding Loki’s curious nature to be cute. “They sing of our home tree, praying to the great pantheon and the spirits of our forefathers to give strength to the roots of our home and to all of us.”

“It’s a beautiful melody,” Loki said as he kept listening. “Have you ever been in one of these bands during the festival?”

“No.” Asta bluntly replied. “I don’t partake during this time of year.”

“Why not?” Loki asked. “I bet you have a beautiful singing voice.”

Asta blushed slightly before barely tapping Loki  on the arm. “Shut up. It’s not that good.”

“Have you ever sung for someone else?” Loki asked with an arched eyebrow. “You won’t know if you don’t.”

“I do not sing.” Asta sternly replied as she once more tore into the skewer.

“Please?” Loki asked. “For me?” He tried to channel his boyish charms into his smile.

“Your Equestrian charms won’t work on me, Loki Starfallen. Asta replied, in a cheery tone. She smiled a bit as they neared a currently unused wrestling pit. Her grin spread as she turned her attention to Loki. “All right, I’ll make you a deal. If you can best me in one sparring match, then I shall sing.” She started to shed her clothes as she made her way to the edge of the ring. “But if you lose...then you shall sing and dance for me. Do we have a wager?”

Loki nodded and started shedding his clothes too. “We do. If you add dancing to your song when I win.”

“It’s a deal then!” Asta replied, grasping his hand in hers, shaking it violently before stepping into the ring. She immediately readied herself into a grappling stance, keeping her eyes firmly locked on Loki, grinning predatorily.

Loki joined her in the ring and started circling with her, adopting a low to the ground stance himself as he looked for openings.

“Come on, little boy, show me what you got!” Asta taunted as she beat her chest and let loose a war cry, a common psychological tactic amongst the Varangar.

“Too timid to come to me, little girl?” Loki retorted, having picked up the tactic in his training.

A scowl emerged on Asta’s face, her eyes turned to daggers pointed at Loki. Driven by untampered anger, she lunged at Loki, intending to get him in a grappling hold.

Loki rolled with her and planted his feet on her belly to throw her over him and jumped on top of her, grabbing and pulling her wrists to pin her arms above her head while his legs gripped her hips.

“Not bad.” Asta chuckled as she struggled to free herself from his hold. She quickly bucked her hips upwards, knocking him off balance. She quickly swept her feet against his legs, knocking him down before she straddled him, pinning his shoulders down. “But it seems I’m better.”

“Not quite,” Loki grunted as he knocked her off balance and shoved her onto her belly, pinning her arms, legs, and tail for good measure.

Asta struggled and strained, using every ounce of her strength to try and break away from Loki’s hold. When escape seemed impossible, she let out a hearty laugh. “Ok, Loki, I concede defeat! You have bested me!”

Loki let Asta up and grinned at her. “I finally beat you!”

“Congratulations on your victory, Loki.” Asta beamed, resting her hand on Loki’s shoulder. “Woden has smiled upon you this day and you have earned his favor.”

Loki grinned wider. “It’s about time, right?” He asked with closed eyes complementing his grin.

Asta chuckled a bit before, without a single word, clumsily pressed her beak to his lips, and wrapped him in a tight embrace.

Loki’s eyes widened as he felt himself pressed against Asta’s body and felt the hard roughness of her beak. He was getting his first kiss and was utterly speechless even after she pulled away from him.

“And you’ve won more than the All Father’s favor.” Asta replied in her best imitation of a sultry voice.

Loki stood there in silence as he stared into Asta’s eyes while his brain rebooted. Once he was able to think again, he reflected on the moment. Asta was crushing hard on him and he was just now noticing. Deciding to think later, he acted instead. Gripping Asta’s shoulders, he leaned in and kissed her about as clumsily as she had kissed him.

Asta once more held him in her tight embrace, wagging her tail like an excited puppy. They stayed that way for what felt like hours, at least to Asta it felt this way before they separated to gaze into each other’s eyes once more. Asta smiled as she placed her hand on Loki’s cheek. “You’ve won my heart.” She spoke, staring deeply into Loki’s eyes.

Loki smiled at Asta warmly. “How was I blind to what I was feeling?” He asked as he found himself unable to tear his gaze away from her eyes. “Ever since you licked my cheek that day.”

Asta chuckled heartily in response. “For a little boy raised in a society that prides itself on love you sure were slow getting the message.”

Loki blushed and hugged Asta. “Well I got it now, right? That’s what matters.”

Asta smiled and replied by wrapping Loki in her arms, before planting another small kiss on his cheek.

Loki smiled as he pulled away. “I believe you owe me a song and dance.”

Asta chuckled as she let Loki loose from her grip before making her way to the center of the ring. Before she could begin her private performance, a familiar voice called out. “You kids having fun?” Both turned to see Luna leaning against the edge of the ring, a flagon of mead clutched in her hand.

“Mother!” Loki protested with a blush as he covered himself with his hands, making a mad dash for his clothes. He found nothing more embarrassing than being caught naked outdoors by his own mother.

Luna chuckled a bit as she attempted to hop over the ring’s railing. She managed the leap, but fell flat on her face, spilling some of the mead. She only chuckled more as she picked herself up, stumbling around a while before clumsily making her way over to the pair. “Hey….Star Child…. *hic*....you and your new friend *hic* getting along so well….*hic*....that’s just so nice….*hic*”

“Mother? Are you drunk?” Loki asked as he finished getting dressed. He’d never seen his mother inebriated before. Not once.

“I’m….I’m *hic*....I’m just a little tip...tipsy that’s all.” Luna replied before tripping and grasping Loki in a loose hug. She laughed drunkenly before focusing her boozed up eyes on Asta, who was slipping back into her clothes as well to show her respect. “Soyougot*hic*alittlemarefriend, Lo*hic*ki? She’scutesweetie*hic*”

Loki blushed darkly as he hugged Luna back. “That’s what we are, right, Asta?”

“Absolutely!” Asta proudly replied, smiling as she made her way over to aid Loki in getting his mother standing straight.

Luna continued her drunken laughing as she felt Asta get under her arm as she and Loki got her to her feet, albeit clumsily. “Aw, thank you *hic* dears.” She slurred as she felt her legs wobble beneath her. “*hic* You’re both so *hic* sweet.”

“Mother I think you’ve had enough to drink,” Loki said as he and Asta started guiding Luna back toward the palace, wanting her to be able to pass out in a bed rather than on the ground.

After helping Luna collapse into a chair, Loki smiled at Asta and took her hand. “Want to go back to the festival, Asta?”

“Yes!” Asta enthusiastically replied, grabbing Loki by the collar of his shirt. “There is much more for you to witness and experience!” She immediately raced towards to nearest exit, dragging Loki behind her.

Gilda grinned at Balder as the new couple raced out into the city. “See? I told you he felt the same way about her, didn’t I?”

Balder grinned back, chuckling a bit. “Alright, my Valkyrie, I admit it. You were right.” Balder’s grin slightly faded as he turned to see the last bit of Asta and Loki disappear back into the festival. “I just worry about if he breaks her heart. Instead of her being scorned, he’ll have to watch for you.”

“Damn right,” Gilda replied as she cracked her knuckles. “He breaks her heart, I break his neck.”

Balder laughed as he wrapped an arm around Gilda. “But for now, you must be proud that he makes her so happy.”

“Got that right, baby,” Gilda said as she leaned on him and wrapped an arm around him. “Got that right.” She looked up at Balder with a grin. “So… Wanna slip away and work on giving the queen that grandchild she wants so badly?”

Balder replied with a laugh, blushing slightly as he scooped Gilda up in his arms and carried her down the hall, intent on giving his reeve the night of her life.