Touching the Viking - (Part V/?)

[animangod]

Authours notes: This is mostly an omake/filler chapter that wanted to be include. The next three to four chapters have quite a bit of the next plot point.

Enter your cut contents here.Taking a detour to visit Rasetsu, His wife, and their three children, Fai gave them a plethora of gifts for the three young ones as Rasetsu welcomed them into His home. Fai had stayed at Rasetsu's for the rest of that day and a night. Everyone seemed to be doing something; Fai played with the new child, taking special care of her. Kurogane had mostly just observed, leaning against a wall, not wanting to get involved any more than He already was, until one of the toddler Boys fell atop His foot, and began to tug at His leg. Kurogane grunted quietly. He bent low, and Helped the little one up, gentle in His handling of the Child. Fai smiled lightly as He saw Kurogane help the little one after all, as He played with their daughter. For how standoffish He normally was, Kurogane could be a really cute Father as well. The Toddler couldn't quite say His 'l's just yet, as He tried to speak, "h-harr. Harr." Sea, the boy ended up saying, and Kurogane looked at Him, with the faintest quirk of eyebrows. Even though He was most likely trying to say 'Man', the Boy said 'sea', instead. Kurogane faintly smirked kindly. "Yeah, … that's right Kid."

 

As Fai was playing with the daughter, and subtly observing Kurogane be paternal with the toddler Son, Kujaku, Rasetsu and Yama's occasional child entertainer, was watching Fai while playing with the youngest Son. Kujaku wasn't oblivious to the attraction between the two, but wasn't going to push it; He was more a voyeur and a teller of tales.

 

While they played in the large room, Rasetsu's wife, shara, was in the kitchen receiving help from Syaoran as sakura gathered flowers to give to her when Yama, Rasetsu's brother, came over with His fostered teenage Sons, Shura and Naga, to give their best wishes and congratulations on their third child. Yama Himself couldn't have children of His own like Rasetsu, but it never stopped Him from supporting His brother's fortune and foster Fathering other children. Shura and Naga were His two right now. While one was orphaned, the other was a runaway.

 

Dinner was very lively, and the food more familiar to Kurogane. here, too, rice and fish were a huge staple. The food was mostly bland, seasoned with herbs for flavor, and was extremely filling. Over dinner, conversation was made between the older Males there.

 

"Slow down, you eat like horse; betimes, where do you store food?" Naga griped at Shura, whom had already finished off two helpings of food.

 

"I can't help I'm hungry… " Shura retorted back, mouth still full.

 

"Shura, don't talk with your mouth filled. Wait until your mouth [is] empty."

 

"So tell me Fai, how fares your travels?" Rasetsu asked turning from His side with Yama and His adopted Sons to where Fai was, seated next to His wife.

 

"The trade has been well. Though of recent news is the Fates did lead us to taking in the Father and Syaoran around our children's birthday."

 

Fai idly brushed some blonde strands behind an ear, faintly blushing, as the others boasted about 'Her' accomplishments. Kurogane, seated beside Him, watched Fai carefully as the others spoke. Fai seemed uncomfortable, receiving praise for His accomplishments. And the sudden jerk of surprise, hinted with relief that flickered on His face, when Shura slammed His hands on the table, announcing for everyone to hear, "I will marry Yama when I am older… and there is nothing you can do to stop me!" While the adults have been discussing Fai's accomplishments with blasé boasting, Shura and Naga had gotten into another verbal scuffle. Kurogane was the most surprised at the outburst before the teenager ran off and out of the house, while most the others seemed unconcerned. Yama apologized curtly before following after the sixteen year old.

 

The rest of the evening was rather quiet, and everyone retired to a set of chambers, before in the morning Rasestu and His family bid His guests farewell.

 

Back on the ship, Kurogane confronted Fai when they were alone about His claims of using His womanhood to hide that He was attracted to men. After the dinner with the Yasha brothers, it seemed there were quite many who were still supportive of same sex. Not only, but it seemed the younger brother was possibly having an affair with His own child, adopted or no.

 

Kurogane waited until they were back on the Mokona before he brought up something. "Tell me something, Witch."

 

"What do you want me to tell you, Kuro-quest?"

 

"You don't hide you are Man because you like Man, do you?"

 

"Why would Kuro-ask think that?"

 

"You had no problems with those two men marrying. You were relieved."

 

"I was relieved everyone stopped discussing me in front of me."

 

"They were saying was true," Kurogane said, pausing. "I read those books you have. Don't your peoples value fair-praise?"

 

"We do value fair-praise," Fai began, shifting hair behind an ear, seeming a bit uncomfortable, "However, after a time, it … [is] partially mortifying. I do not [do my] deeds to be praised."

 

"If you don't want [to be] talked about, then shouldn't you do [those] deeds without detection?"

 

"Now that just wouldn't be any fun at all, Kuro-boring."

 

In the end, Fai never quite answered Kurogane's inquiry of why He hid He was Man.

 

HISTORICAL NOTES:

 

When a couple has children, it is often custom for friends to visit and bear them gifts due to the children.

 

Another common custom was to bring extra food to the table of a friend so not one family was burdened by it all.

 

There are multiple words Vikings might use for the word man.

 

gumi, halr, ho̧lðr, ho̧ldr, karl, karlmaðr, maðr, rekkr, and verr.

 

For the word sea, these are the variations.

 

ægir, haf, harr, sær, sjór, ver, and viðir.

 

Relevant verses from Havamal

 

Verse 8.

 

Happy is he who wins for himself

fair fame and kindly words;

but uneasy is that which a man doth own

while it lies in another's breast.

 

Verse 32.

 

Oft, though their hearts lean towards one another,

friends are divided at table;

ever the source of strife 'twill be,

that guest will anger guest.

 

Verse 35.

 

A guest must depart again on his way,

nor stay in the same place ever;

if he bide too long on another's bench

the loved one soon becomes loathed.

 

Verse 39.

 

I found none so noble or free with his food,

who was not gladdened with a gift,

nor one who gave of his gifts such store

but he loved reward, could he win it.

 

Verse 41.

 

With raiment and arms shall friends gladden each other,

so has one proved oneself;

for friends last longest, if fate be fair

who give and give again.

 

Verse 67.

 

Here and there to a home I had haply been asked

 

had I needed no meat at my meals,

 

or were two hams left hanging in the house of that friend

 

where I had partaken of one.