174 Hrod's Apology

The winter sky cast a cold grey light on Marseille, which contrasted with the playful snow that floated down from the clouds. Every so often a breeze would cause the snowflakes to dance across the window and settle on the corners of the large window frame.

Tyr picked a smoky quartz orb from their library and placed it on the reader. After infusing the machine with a small amount of energy, the relaxing sound of a harpsichord began to play. He wearily glanced over to his mother and promptly turned the dial to increase the volume slightly.

Macha stood in the kitchen. She was garnishing the last of the dishes for their dinner. While she did this, Hrod sat on the sofa, vexed at having to eat the small woman's cooking. She was used to the best foods and did not want to ingest some slop that was thrown together.

While Tyr convinced her to come and apologize, he overlooked how ornery she was. Now he wished he just threw her out of the house instead.

The trip back to Marseille had been smooth sailing. They had used the airship because he did not wish to travel for an extended time with his mother in the Outer-Reaches. Despite the favorable weather, the frostiness of his mother's attitude was far bleaker than the cold winter. When he brought Hrod into the apartment, Macha greeted her warmly, but she ignored the greeting and went to sit in the living room. Since then, her words had been clipped and to the point.

Tyr looked into the flames of the fire and pinched the bridge of his nose. His mother was giving him a headache. Being around her for extended periods of time always frustrated him.

Macha called from the kitchen, "Tyr, could you see if Luna and Krystof are in? I want to invite them over for dinner since your mother is here."

She thought it would be nice if everyone came together for a meal. It was also obvious that Hrod liked Krystof, and she always was pleasant around him.

Tyr's eyes widened, leaving the two alone did not seem like a safe thing to do. While Macha did not dislike Hrod, he knew his mother loathed Macha. He searched for an excuse that would allow him to stay.

His rich voice chuckled, "I thought it could be just the three of us. This is an excellent opportunity for us to spend time together."

In the corner of his eye, he noticed his mother's eyes narrow. Her back was to Macha, so his girlfriend did not see the active displeasure his words had caused. Hrod continued to keep her vision fixed on the city below while wearing a frown.

Since entering the apartment, Hrod tried to think about how she could even begin to apologize. The idea was so beneath her that she was at a loss for words. As far as she understood, she did nothing wrong. She and her husband had always been too soft handed with their children. They overindulged their whims too much, which is why they treated her so cruelly.

When the children were younger, she remembered that Ullr had been interested in a slave girl. Upon finding out, Thor had bought the woman and killed her. Since then, the boy had not been concerned with love.

She and her husband took that as a lesson to never repeat the same mistake. Instead, they tried to cut Skadi off, with the hope that she would come back. In the end, it only got Hymnir killed. Now with Macha, Hrod just wanted the woman to find someone else to latch onto. If Ullr and Macha hit it off, it would not have been her fault. It would have been because the girl did not care for her son. It would also solve Thor's dilemma of Ullr's asexualness.

Now that Tyr was angry with her, she worried that the small bond she formed with him was ruined. Deciding to test if her trick of being agreeable with Macha would work, she commented loud enough for Macha to hear, "The new apartment is much better than the old one."

The praise caused Macha to turn around. She asked Tyr to get Luna and Krystof because she worried Hrod would remain silent throughout dinner. "Yes, I agree. Tyr and I spent a lot of time coming up with the design."

The turn of events made Tyr eye his mother warily. His mind races as he sifted through the various plots she could be attempting. He did not understand why she would suddenly start talking in such an agreeable tone.

"Do you enjoy decorating?" Hrod asked. This seemed like a safe topic that she could converse about.

Macha brought the food to the table, "I enjoy it, but I'm afraid I don't know how to do it as much as I wish. Your house is so beautiful. Hopefully one day we can make the apartment reflect ourselves the way your home reflects you."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Hrod wondered if the woman truly understood the suttle nuances and minior details she put throughout their home.

Putting the salad bowl on the table, Macha looked up, trying to remember the small details that the Valois home had. "Well, I always saw homes as a reflection of the people who live in them. I know you must have spent a lot of time thinking about each room and all the details in them."

Hrod nodded. She was curious if Macha could give examples or if she was just saying things off the top of her head. "What makes you think that?"

"Well, I noticed the ivy leaves from family crest adorn each doorknob. You even had it on the door frames. I also noticed that Tyr's room was done with sturdier materials, probably because he's harder on his furniture. He tends to sit down heavily and is rough with fabrics." She looked up, trying to think of other examples. "Oh, you also made sure that his room had dark curtains that blocked out the sunlight because he's light sensitive. Many of the other guest rooms had sheer curtains instead."

These were details that she indeed thought about for her son. She never mentioned it to him and by the look on his face, he seemed curious as to if this were true. Hrod did not expect Macha to even notice the little details about Tyr.

She smoothed her skirt, "I see. You have more attention to detail than I expected."

Macha continued to bring the food to the table. "I like details, but lack experience. Our armor room is still not decorated because I don't know what to do with it." It had been on her list of things to do, but she could not decorate it without Tyr being home. She needed his gear for measurements and worried that she would do something wrong if she went by memory.

When Hrod glanced at her son's face, he appeared much more relaxed. This seemed like a good segue to her apology. "Tyr has brought it to my attention that you didn't like Ullr assisting you during the war. I realize it was because of my suggestion that he did so. If you wish, I would be generous enough to assist you in decorating your armory. Based on what I see, it probably does not live up to his reputation."

Hearing his mother's attempt at an apology made Tyr cross his arms. That was not an apology at all. "Mother," he began.

Macha cut him off. This was a good way for her to bond with Hrod. Although her remark had been an insult, his mother did offer to help her decorate. "I would like that. That offer is very kind, thank you."

When he heard the two agree and make plans to do an activity together, Tyr swallowed his words. He got up and pulled out a chair at the dining table, "Mother, come. Let's eat dinner."

****

"That rug is inferior. Don't even touch it," Hrod snapped as she turned her head and continued walking.

She could tell by the flow of the weave that it did not have enough knots per area in it. The company tried to hide an inferior product behind a pleasant design.

Macha thought the colors were pretty, but if Tyr's mother did not like it, then there must be a reason. She stopped her hands right above the rug and followed behind the woman. The way Hrod shopped reminded her of when Tyr shopped. Both of them did not walk around the store, instead, they passed by the merchandise without even glancing at things.

Luna was different than the rest of her family. Whenever she went shopping with Luna, they would examine the whole store, each trying to find a better discovery than the other.

Hrod made her way to the back of the store. While they walked through the aisles, she explained, "Only commoners shop in the front. If you want something done right, you must get it custom-made. Never accept someone else's vision. If you do that, then you are saying you are inferior to them."

The words made sense in theory, but Macha disagreed with parts of it.

She inquired, "Isn't it better to admit that someone else might know more than you? I mean, I asked for your help."

This comment made Hrod look up at the ceiling. She hated how daft Tyr's girlfriend could be. "Well, if you are superior, you would not need to ask for assistance. If you want to stand by my son's side, then elevate yourself. Don't you feel ashamed? He is so accomplished, yet you are so… lacking."

Macha took a deep breath. Since Tyr was called to the palace, Hrod had suggested they begin decorating the armory today. His mother's words were always so harsh, especially because the words she said struck a chord with Macha. That is what made it hurt even more.

Trying to remain level-headed, she replied, "Yes. I understand how accomplished he is. Honestly, he is one of the most amazing people I know. I really am trying my best to catch up."

Hrod entered a room and seated herself at a large wooden table. She thought, "So the woman does realize she is inferior," which pleased her. At least his girlfriend did not have delusions of grandeur.

She ran her long fingers through her hair, "What efforts are you making to become worthy?"