Chapter 40 - You want to do what?!

His time in Asgard were the memories Hati was most concerned about regarding his parents' reaction. After all, this would show how he was essentially manipulating his mother. He didn't think he did anything particularly bad, but they might think differently.

He wasn't particularly concerned about his actions regarding Astrid. After all, although he acted a little questionable towards a young girl as an adult, he never harmed or coerced her.

The memories also showed his thoughts and feelings, which were probably of particular interest to his parents. Although they were technically doing this to help him uncover some of the mysteries surrounding him, he knew they wouldn't simply ignore the rest.

Eventually, the memories reached the point where the disembodied voice spoke to him, and he realised he hadn't actually told his parents about that. 'Well, no matter. I wonder what they will have to say on the matter, though.' He thought.

When his adult adventures with Astrid came around, he couldn't help but feel embarrassed again. Although there were some outliers, most people would be embarrassed when their parents watched them perform such acts, regardless of age or personality.

Lastly, the memories reached his first encounter with Luna in this world and the resulting aftermath. His turmoil about possibly losing his mother versus letting Luna get bonded with another person was on clear display.

He didn't think he was coming off as particularly bad in that, even if he essentially chose Luna over Sif. 

The rest of the memories were coloured with anxiety over possibly losing Luna, Sif or both, combined with an ever-growing desire to grab his fate and that of his loved ones by the horns and never letting them go.

When his memories reached the point just before his mother initiated this memory-filled dream, he could feel himself waking up.

But instead of the simulated but beautiful scenery of his mother's dream space, he found himself in his mother's room, surrounded by shimmering shields and sitting on some kind of rune-engraved disc while being hugged from behind by his mother.

He could feel Sif had started to stir aswell, clearly waking up at the same time as him. Suddenly, he could feel the hug tightening as his back started getting a little wet.

He heard a pained voice behind him, "I'm so sorry you had to go through all that, little peanut. Your life on Earth was terrible, but it's alright; I'm here for you now."

Hati smiled gently and said, "It wasn't all bad. Yeah, the start was shitty, but things got pretty good after meeting Luna." Then, chuckling a little, he continued, "Which is not to say I'm not glad I have you now. Also, what's with suddenly calling me peanut?"

Sif lifted her head from Hati's back and wiped away her tears, "Oh yeah, that Luna. Belphi and I approved of her; she's got spunk!" She then laughed and said, "And poor Astrid, she never stood a chance!"

Hati turned to look at her while raising an eyebrow, "Spunk? And don't just brush over the peanut thing!"

Sif shrugged and responded, "I may have picked up a few words from your memories. Be careful to keep that Luna under control, though; she would be dangerous if simply left to her own devices. 

You need to win the contest to get her as a companion and then make her submit again! We'll figure something out for her memories eventually."

Hati nodded and said, "Don't worry. I have no intention of submitting to Luna." Then his voice got a little uncertain as he continued, "As for the contest, that will have to depend on father's ability to help me with my awakening problem. And don't keep ignoring the peanut thing!"

Sif was full of confidence as she answered, "You shouldn't worry either. Your father has lived far longer than even the oldest member of the Fenrir or Bönd clans. If anyone can help you, he can. 

Anyway, are you not worried about catching up to your peers? They have had six years longer to walk on their Einherjar path, you know."

By now, they had stood up again as the shields had disappeared, and the rune-engraved disc had disappeared into Luna's storage ring.

Hati shook his head and said, "I know you and Uncle Leif have saved up a stockpile of resources over the years to help me with that exact issue. So if the only problem after that is my own effort and talent, then no, I'm not worried about catching up."

Sif smiled, "Good! That confidence will help!" Her face became sterner as she continued, "Just remember not to get arrogant." 

Then she smiled again, "Now come on, we need to talk to the others about getting you out of here to meet your father without the elders finding out."

As she walked towards the door, Hati stopped her by saying, "Wait!"

She turned around and cocked her head as she asked, "Hmm?"

Hati looked at her with a deadpan expression, "The peanut thing?"

Sif got a sad expression as if on the verge of tears, "What? You don't like it?"

Hati received critical damage, especially after recent events and quickly backpedalled, "No, no! I love it! I was just confused about why."

Sif's sadness disappeared like snow in the sun, and started smiling radiantly, "Simple, because I like how it sounds! Now come on, peanut!" She turned around and walked out of the room.

Hati smiled wryly and followed her, apparently stuck with his mother's new term of endearment.

********

"You want to do what?!" Two simultaneous shouts echoed through the room.

Currently, Sif, Erik, Leif, Astrid and Hati were sitting in the library, and Sif had just told them that she wanted to sneak Hati out of the compound for a year and come back just in time to compete in the contest for spirit companions. Something that Leif and Erik did not take well.

Sif rolled her eyes at their outburst and said, "Calm down, you two, this is important. And it's not like it's impossible, as long as everyone in this room cooperates. 

I have the means to get Hati and me out of the compound unnoticed, and when we're ready to come back, we can simply sneak in among Leif's group during one of his returns from the capital."

She then panned her gaze between Astrid, Leif and Erik and said, "While we are away, all you three need to do is maintain the sensory isolation barrier at all times and pretend that both me and Hati are still inside. 

It shouldn't be too hard since most people don't know we are here in the first place. And the elders should be happy we are staying put, plus having one of their own vouch for our presence should stop those lazy old bones from getting up and checking for themselves."

When she was done talking, she, Erik and Leif were stuck in a staring contest for a few seconds while Hati and Astrid awkwardly stood to the side.

Astrid was sad at the prospect of not seeing Hati for a year, and she wanted to ask if she could come with him, but she held her tongue for now as she didn't want to get involved in the confrontation between those three.

Meanwhile, the reason for this confrontation was asked by his mother to let her handle this, and he was inclined to let her since she obviously had more pull with both Leif and Erik.

Tired of staring at each other, Erik sighed and said, "Fine. Your plan is simple, and the method for getting back still needs some work, but for the most part, it should work." 

Before Sif or Leif could utter a word in response, he stuck up his hand and continued, "But! If Leif and I are going to risk not only our position in the clan, but possibly even our lives, we are going to need to know why. And it better be an excellent reason."

He looked at Hati and said, "I bet it has something to do with what happened with you and that Luna girl."

Hati nodded, but before he could respond further, Sif started talking, "That's right, it does. As for the specific reason, t-"

Suddenly, Erik stuck up his hand and said, "Wait. It seems Lisa just entered the house."

Sif smiled and said, "Aha, excellent timing."

Leif spoke for the first time, "You invited her here? Does she have something to with this?"

Sif shook her head and responded, "I didn't invite her. I bet she is here because Mia asked her to negotiate on her and Luna's behalf. It's not surprising they figured out the truth after yesterday."

At that moment, the doors flung open, and Lisa entered in a flustered state. She didn't stand on ceremony and sat herself down on one of the chairs before she panned her gaze between Hati and Sif before pointing at Sif.

"So! First question, when were you going to tell me," she then pointed to Hati before continuing, "and second question, how in the hell is he so normal?"