Blót in the back

[hellomajortom]

The goats in the hotel had nearly sent Tom into a downward spiral. Especially, when Vars informed him, they were going to slaughter them in a bathtub and start a bonfire on one of the balconies. It had taken time for the ex-astronaut to discover what was going on. Apparently, the twins were somehow at fault for this by putting the idea of a full Blót into Aarne’s mind at some point. He wasn’t particularly surprised by that part though he was surprised that they thought they could get away with this without him finding out. Aarne’s innocent look when questioned about starting a fire had the Fin glancing at Viktor and Tom shaking his head. Of course, the Brit singer would be the one to start the fire.

Tom had eventually given up and decided the best course of action was to direct, rather than try to deter, the Scandinavians from the task they were set on. He put a hold on the whole outer patio, thankfully fenced in with a high privacy fence, with the hotel to be theirs, undisturbed for two days. The musicians knowing, they would have to clean the place and return it to the state it was when they rented it. It was the only way Tom could imagine keeping this in some kind of control. Controlled and directed chaos was what the Brit did best these days. He watched them clear out all the furniture and tables. Things were getting strange, at least to Tom. He kept hearing chanting and saw more knives than he knew the musicians were traveling with. He did know about the traditional instruments and was less surprised to see those.

Music was forgotten which was an odd thing on the tour, to the point Ziggy postponed two tour dates to later in the month. Everyone threw themselves into some part of it, at least all the Scandinavians, and they dragged along their non-Nordic partners. There was cooking and prepping. The three goats housed out in the patio were tended to like royalty, fed apples and groomed all day. Tom wasn’t sure what to make of all of this though he did set out to ensure there was a proper iron firepit. Maybe not proper to the Nordic traditions but one to keep the fire from spreading across the patio. All he needed was Viktor to throw something flammable in it and set the whole side of the hotel alite. He had seen Rik teaching some how to sing and then watched as Ollie and Torden took turns slowly hand carving a large wooden bowl. Tom had no idea what any of this was for, but his sweet tooth told him the food smelled amazing. Omenakakku and Æblekage, Finnish and Danish respectively, were the sweets he kept smelling that made his stomach rumble. Tom loved apple pie and just how this was described to him sounded even better.

He was fascinated and worried in equal measures. Worried the hotel was about to be set on fire. Not to mention having to pull a tight noose to keep unwanted press out of the way. Damien ended up on paparazzi patrol. It was well into the night when he saw Aarne in full face paint and some antlered headpiece. Tom knew that things were happening. He was curious, it outweighed all of his reservations. Tom had once been a very devout Christian, funny how nearly dying in space had changed that. His wife had changed his perspective even further. That spiritual void only fueled the curiosity.

He wasn’t sure what to expect when he stepped out on that patio, but it felt like he had walked on to a movie set or stepped into the past. Most of the Scandinavians had at least partial traditional gear on or something that blended the two like Var’s long punk leather jacket with the fur collar and studs, the huge wolf painted on the back obviously Fenrir. Even Tom knew that now when he saw the broken chain hanging off the shoulders. It was nice to see Rik on the harp again. The music was soothing but noticing the pile of axes and the wooden target Tom knew this would get rowdy as the night went on. There was a table laid out with sweets and vegetables, but the selection of knives caught his attention. He wondered if Rekker was around and wondered if someone should watch the Brit. Maybe the situation would keep his hands off the blades. The variety of apples was incomprehensible but he had heard talk of some goddess of youth and apples. At least the apples made sense and the whispers that Mikkel would lead this Blót. The youngest for a celebration of youth wasn’t a hard connection to make even if he didn’t have much understanding of the intricacies of the religions or this event.

He wasn’t expecting to see Dee all painted up with her hair in braids, apparently in charge of sharpening the knives. After some thought he remembered that she was some sort of pagan, Wiccan he thought or one of the modern branches. He noticed Aarne and Mikkel with the goats, singing to them. Why that seemed the strangest in this whole landscape of new situations, Tom couldn’t pinpoint, though he wasn’t surprised at all to see Thomas in the background wide eyed and watching. Thomas was obsessed with human culture, and this was a chance to see it firsthand. The Anthean would never pass that up.

The patio went silent all the sudden, in unison, and it startled Tom, as an outsider with no true understanding of what the night would entail. Tom looked around for what was happening but noticed that every eye was on the two with the goats. Mikkel was singing in Danish that Tom couldn’t understand. He had a good handle on Swedish but hadn’t even started Danish yet. However, he didn’t miss the knife being passed around nor the bowl of water out of which everyone was washing their face. He hesitated and glanced at Raev beside him, who was offering him the two items.

“Witness the sharpness and cleanse your face.” He instructed quietly. It wasn’t appropriate to talk, or that was what Tom gathered from the situation. He felt like a child where everyone else knew what they were doing, and he didn’t. Being the oldest in the group, aside from the Antheans, the role reversal put him ill at ease. The ex-astronaut was rarely in a place where he was completely clueless.

Tom took the knife and wondered what to do, he ran his thumb on the cutting edge just like he would test a kitchen knife. He had no idea if that was the right thing to do but no one said anything. He then splashed the water on his face and handed both things off to the next person. Tom was counting musicians and noticed everyone was around, including Ziggy and he swore he saw the twins in the hotel earlier. Isamu better be here if he was the one that started this trajectory.

The knife made its way to Aarne who spoke in Finnish to Mikkel, a language Tom knew even less about. Mikkel responded in Danish and then took the knife while Aarne picked up that wooden bowl that he had seen the Vestergaard brothers making the day before. The way he held it out and Mikkel squatted with the goat Tom knew what was coming. The knife cut like butter through the neck and the blood came flooding out, Aarne catching it in that bowl. The animal barely struggled or made a sound. The kill must have been clean, precise. All three goats were slaughtered in turn before Aarne stood and held the bowl of blood overhead. It sloshed and Tom watched it rain down on the white clothing Aarne and Mikkel wore.

Tom was staring and couldn’t blink. There were words coming in more than one language he didn’t understand. Viktor, Harald, and Vars being splashed with blood before Mikkel offered them the dead goats. A thought ran through his head about the young, feminine boy offering the sacrificed animals to the older, masculine, warriors of the group. He wondered about all the cultural meaning he was missing. Like a midnight mass, the movements were practiced and mechanical so they must have all meant something even if he was clueless. Tom felt like a play by play would have been helpful but he would have to make due with remembering and asking later. The goats were taken to a table beside the fire pit which was blazing hot enough he could feel the heat. Someone had to have stoked it up while he was transfixed on the goats. Tom watched with awe as Devon also joined the three with Dee and the animals were quickly cleaned and beheaded. He’d seen animals butchered before, but this was something else, parts separated out into piles for reasons he didn’t know. Tom only came around when something wet touched his face. He looked over to see the Dane and the Fin standing there. Mikkel’s red hand slipping from his face, and he could feel the cool wetness left behind.

Mikkel spoke in Danish and then Aarne repeated, or Tom thought he did anyway, the words in English. “Will you join us?”

For a moment he could only imagine he was about to be treated like some village elder. In this village of a tour, he was the elder and the leader even if everyone went their own ways on a personal level. Tom was stunned, not by the invitation but the drips of blood rolling over the white paint on Aarne’s cheek and the mess of red in Mikkel’s bleach white hair. The details felt overwhelming, but he found himself nodding and then jumped as blood was splattered on his face. It was still warm and caused him to step back. Glancing around he noticed he was the first to be anointed, was that even right but it did remind him of holy water in that midnight mass on his mind. The thought of being treated like a village elder came around again. His focus had been so driven down to one thing that he missed the fact that the Danes were singing. Rik on the harp and Ansgar on some war drum while Ollie and Raev sang. What they were singing was lost on the Brit who didn’t know the language though he did pick up a couple of god names, all Norse. It didn’t even sound like Danish. Maybe it was something else? Vars spoke Old Norse and Tom wondered if there was an Old Danish or some equivalent. Truth was he was well outside his area of expertise or experience. This coming from a man who had lived with aliens. Tom cracked a smile with that thought, interrupted by Aarne kissing his cheek before they went off to find others. He noticed the elder feeling had some merit when Hexed and Robert were the next approached. The oldest of the group.

Tom glanced at the spitted goats and realized that the intent of this was to go on until food was ready to share. Tom took a breath and decided he was going to need a drink to survive this. No mule though. He had seen enough people huddled in the bathroom from the Danish liquor. Maybe Hunter had some wine, surely he wouldn’t be caught at a party without it. Tom didn’t move from where he stood near the middle of the patio. His eyes were trying desperately to take this all in but there was simply too much. Tonight wasn’t going to be like any other experience. Another notch on his belt of strange things he’d lived through in his life.

Comments

Torden/Ulfen/Ansgar

[tordenvejr]

Torden had been here awhile with Ollie before Ansgar arrived. There was a soothing quality to Ansgar's drumming that had Torden slouched down in cushions beside him. Eventually, Ulfen came over to lay with him but he did get up to bring Lars over to meet the other two and he hoped they got along. He also wondered where Hjalmar was though at this party at least he would be safe if he passed out. He also had it in his mind to get Devon over with a few drinks. He and Lars should talk, if nothing else, to see if they liked each other. Lars sure liked Devon but the Hexed drummer was quiet and stayed to himself a lot.

Lars

[terte_trommeslager]

Lars was dressed in a Japanese style silk robe with flowers adorning it along with white heeled boots and silken pants. He wasn't wearing a shirt underneath due to the fact that people weren't wearing shirts as was the custom. The whole blood smearing thing though---that caused the prissy drummer to cringe slightly because Harald liked the whole traditional thing more than him.

"Torden?"

The Norwegian wanting to meet the other Danes, feeling nervous and a little awkward but knew he'd have to being Torden's lover, or one of. Harald seemed right at home and Lars knew the drinking, blood smearing, axe-throwing and food would please him.

Re: Lars

[tordenvejr]

Torden is relaxing with Ulfen, drinking, and thankfully for Lars most of the Danes are only lightly blood splattered.

"Lars." Torden motions for the drummer to come sit on the cushions with him and Ulfen. Ulfen sits up and focuses on the drummer because he wanted to meet Lars too. Friendly, as Ulfen is, he's already pouring Lars a glass of mead. Surely, it is sweet enough for Lars to drink it.

[terte_trommeslager]

The Norwegian offered Ulfen a shy but friendly smile as he sat down on the cushions with the other Danes, taking the glass of mead offered to him. Sipping it slowly he found that he liked the taste often choosing a sweet cocktail at the bar.

"Thank you. It's sweet and I like sweet drinks."

A slight blush tinged the drummer's pale cheeks as he watched Torden and then found himself glancing at Ulfen. The man was very attractive and hairy just like most of the Danes. Weren't Rik and Mikkel the only non-hairy Danes?

[tordenvejr]

Ulfen leaned past Torden and kissed Lars' cheek as he was taking the drink.

"Torden tells me you're sweet without the drinks." Ulfen was a flirt, always, and Torden smiled while rolling his eyes and slipping an arm around Lars' waist to pull him closer. He was more than happy to lay there with both of these attractive blondes while listening to the other Danes play and sing nearby.

[terte_trommeslager]

Lars blushed and giggled softly at the kiss since Torden was so masculine and attractive to the drummer who loved men like him. His perfect type of man was strong, hairy and with a big heart. Ulfen though---he seemed like a sweet flirt too.

"Oh well---perhaps. I do love a fruity cocktail and sweet things. It's nice to finally meet you, Ulfen."

The Norwegian was a little nervous at meeting Torden's life partner but so far he was enjoying talking to Ulfen, who seemed outgoing and friendly. The man was hot too but Lars wasn't about to mention that as he leant into Torden, giving the Dane a gentle kiss on his cheek.

[tordenvejr]

Ulfen leaned against Torden's other side while Torden wrapped his arm around Lars.

"I love meeting the people Torden likes." The Dane grinned. "He should've warned me about how beautiful your eyes are."

Ulfen was definitely a flirt but it was playful for the moment and not sexual. He could see that Lars was tense and might need to relax. Torden thought this was all adorable and gave Lars a sweet, gentle, and quick kiss on the lips.

Johan

[alskar_musik]

Johan had arrived and was now walking over wearing his tight tiger pants, offering broad smiles to the other Danes. The guitarist didn't have his signature guitar with him as he often did since this was a party and he didn't want his instrument covered in blood. There would be plenty of time to play afterwards. For now, it was about meeting the others and having a good time.

"Torden? Ulfen?"

The guitarist gave each of them a nod and a smile, sitting down on the cushions, wondering how they both were. The last time Johan met up with Ulfen was when they texted each other. That was fun.

[smidig_ulv]

Ulfen was snuggled up with Torden, drinking and laughing. Ulfen was down to just his speedo style underwear and knee high boots with tassels of silk.

"Johan." Tordan motioned for the Swede to join them. "Do you want a drink?"

Ulfen is giggling and obviously a bit drunk right now.

[alskar_musik]

"I would love one."

Johan was now staring hard at Ulfen's speedo style underwear and knee high boots. The handsome Dane was near naked and the guitarist couldn't help but smirk and want to kiss Ulfen but knew that was a bit forward with Torden sat with his partner.

"Nice attire, Ulfen. It shows off your legs and handsome body."

Some harmless flirting couldn't go amiss could it?

[tordenvejr]

"Mule?" That was what Torden and Ulfen were drinking. The way Johan was staring didn't go unnoticed while he was pouring a glass for the Swede.

"Why don't you sit here with us?" Torden offered while handing Johan the drink. "Ulfen's drunk and getting to be too much for one man to handle."

Ulfen still giggling grabbed Torden's thigh and made his eyes flutter closed for a second. Ulfen was a flirt but drunk he could get downright lewd and erotic.

[alskar_musik]

"Thank you, Torden. Mule will do fine too."

Johan was still getting used to how friendly and communal all the Danes were. The guitarist had never loved a man who was already with another so it was different for him. Ulfen was so devilishly handsome though. Becoming drunk was the norm being a rock star so Johan nodded and laughed softly.

"Nothing wrong with enjoying yourself."

The thigh grab caught Johan's attention a little but he didn't think too much of it since these two were partners and the Swede was the incomer so to speak.

[tordenvejr]

Torden watched his reaction and then chuckled. Johan, like the others, had a lot to get used to.

"You should be here enjoying yourself, too." Torden reached up and grabbed Johan's wrist, tugging, to get him to come sit down with the Danes.

[alskar_musik]

"I know I'm just not used to the openness you boys have going."

Johan had fucked Ulfen in Torden's bed but that was just them alone in a room not like now with all the others watching. The guitarist had respect for others and wanted to be polite as always. Moving to get up, Johan then sat down with the other Danes, holding his drink.

"Am I to be splattered with blood for this festival?"

The question had to be asked because Johan wanted to get into the spirit of it.

[tordenvejr]

As soon as Johan sat down, Ulfen leaned over and kissed the Swede. Torden only laughed and sipped his drink. They were very open, not all the Danes worked quite this way but Torden and Ulfen found pleasure in knowing that the other was happy, even to the point that seeing each other with a different partner didn't effect their closeness or affection for each other.

"You'll have to find Aarne or Mikkel. They're the ones with the blood bowls." Torden looked around to see if he saw either of them nearby.

Billy to Rik

[shutyour_frettingmouth]

Billy was wearing just a pair of faded blue jeans as he often did holding a mug of mead in his right hand, taking a few large gulps from it. Where was his smukke? Rik had to be around with the other Danes because Torden seemed to be collecting his harem of hot men again.

"Rik? Is there a Danish pastry around here somewhere?"

The Brit was slightly drunk already and had a rose tinge to his cheeks against his usual pale skin. The mead was good, too good and Billy was finding that he wanted to drink more of it.

[riff_razor]

Rik was still playing harp, siting with Ansgar who was drumming and Ollie who was talking with them. Ollie gave Rik an elbow when he heard and saw the Brit coming their way.

Rik was drunker than he thought he was by this point because Ansgar kept filling their glasses. He manages a smile that turns to a blush.

"I'm glad you Brits are joining us." Ollie mentioned friendly while Rik collected himself. He knew his former partner was pretty drunk by this point.

Hans to Ollie

[swedish_rocker]

Hans was into traditions just like every other Norse here at the celebration so was dressed in just a pair of blue jeans, shirtless and barefoot. He had noticed Hunter's rather exuberant leopard robe and had waved to his ex-lover, which caused the singer to wave back giggling. Gilly would soon find out what it was like being partnered to a Norseman.

"Hello, boys. Mind if I join you? Is Ollie around?"

Addressing some of the Danes the guitarist was holding a small mug of mead because he knew this was part of the celebration so would break his fast of no booze just this night. Of course tea would come later because the Swede didn't drink vast amounts like he used to. As for having his body caked in blood---Hans was totally fine with that.

[tordenvejr]

Torden looked up from where he was lounging with Ulfen in his arms. The two drinking while they laid around listening to the music.

"Hello, Hans." Torden's smile got wider. "He just got up to get us more drinks. You can sit here until he comes back."

He didn't mean down on the cushions but there was a couch there and some other pillows by where Ansgar was drumming.

[swedish_rocker]

"Hej, Torden. Good to see you again. I hear you've had some more hot boys added to your---well, group of lovers."

Hans wasn't sure what the relationship was with most but he did know Ulfen, Lars and Ansgar were his lovers weren't they? There was another drunk guitarist but Hans wasn't sure what was going on regarding that. Sitting down on the couch the blond sipped some of his drink while he waited for Ollie.

"Are you enjoying the celebrations so far?"

[tordenvejr]

"You hear?" Torden chuckled but he wasn't sure about some of them. Hjalmar? And now Johan? "I'm dating three.. maybe four? I don't know."

It sounded so strange to say he didn't know. Maybe he should ask at some point. For now, he laid back on the cushions while Ulfen cuddled up next to him. He could tell the dancer was probably going to take a short nap from drinking.

"I am. Are you?" Torden was watching Ollie who was on his way back in just jean shorts, and they were short. Torden felt himself grinning because Hans probably wasn't ready for his brother's short, torn jean shorts. He waited for the Swede to notice.

Hjalmar to Torden

[avlagsen_stjarna]

As per usual, Hjalmar was drunk and nearly trashed as he stumbled into the celebration, clutching a half empty Jack bottle in his hand. He'd been drinking all day and hadn't slept much the night before, hardly eating anything and just collapsing on the tour bus couch most of the time. He spotted Torden with the other Danes and smiled drunkenly, moving to press a soft kiss to the Dane's neck.

"I hope I'm not missing any of the party. Is there booze here too?"

This was the high priority for the drunk guitarist, who was already scouting at the food and drink table just ahead of him. The whole blood thing didn't bother him and he was dressed in just a pair of black silken pants with a small tie at the waist.

[tordenvejr]

Torden sighed and got up from where he was sitting with Ulfen and Ansgar when he saw the Swede coming in to the party. Despite the worry, he smiled and wrapped his arms around Hjalmar's waist while returning the kiss to his cheek.

"You're just in time to join us for some food." Though the words were kind and sweet sounding, Torden was not going to let the guitarist drink any more until he got some food and rest. The Dane was rarely forceful but when it came to taking care of a stubborn drunk, Torden was a pro. "Why don't you go sit with the others and I'll bring everything over?"

[avlagsen_stjarna]

"Food? I haven't eaten since uh---maybe two days ago? I can't fucking remember."

The drunken guitarist just laughed a little and then sat down close to where Torden was. If the Dane wanted to feed him then who was he to say no? He was actually starving hungry but too trashed to realise. Sven had attempted to shove some food down him back on the tour bus a few nights ago but Hjalmar was too out of it to even eat.

"You're looking hot tonight, Torden. Fluffy uncle."

Hjalmar offering a flirty glance before waving to the other Danes. Wasn't that Ulfen there? Torden's other boyfriend or partner. The Swede got a bit confused as to who the model was actually dating. He wanted to be friendly though so drank some more Jack and then waved to Ulfen.

"You're Ulfen? Nice to meet you. I'm Hjalmar, guitarist for Skökorna."

[tordenvejr]

"I do." Torden countered. He remembered because someone needed to look after the Swede. For the moment he held the guitarist and then shook his head.

"You're going to have my brother calling me "dirty uncle"." Ollie would in a heartbeat too. Torden knew it.

Ulfen leaned over and gave Hjalmar a cheek kiss. He knew exactly why Torden was caring for the Swede and it was one of the reasons the Danish dancer loved him so much. Torden had a huge heart. "I'm Ulfen, dancer usually. Why don't I get us all something to eat?"

Torden nodded to his partner. After years of looking after Ansgar, Ulfen knew exactly what was going to happen; the booze would go, Torden would feed his poor drunk, and then, probably, said drunk would pass out. Ulfen was good natured though and knew this all came from a place of love. Kissing Torden's cheek quickly, Ulfen bounded up and headed over to get some food for them all.