After Kara presented herself she was subjected to Hallbjorn's scrutiny and appraisal. He looked her over with a darkly possessive look on his face, walking a slow circle around her to see her from every angle. His approval was already secure and unconditional, of course, but he made a show of looking over all of her for his own delight and because she had gone to effort to make herself look nice. That effort deserved notice and acknowledgement.<br/><br/>"Oh yes." Hallbjorn said in the richly sinful voice he typically used to give her commands. He traced a finger over the part of her back that the white dress left bare, moving it in a random pattern that swept his warm, rough finger pad over her skin.<br/><br/>"In honesty," Hallbjorn said in a softer, sweeter tone, "you could wear a garbage bag and roll around in the mud and I would still find you beautiful." He leaned and kissed on of her shoulders. "Tonight I will be the envy of every unmated male who sees you." The Berserker told her, and took her hand, leading her from the bedroom and out to the truck, pausing only to grab keys and wallet on the way out.<br/><br/>As they got into the truck Hallbjorn felt a measure of anxiety. And some fear. He imagined the pair of them showing up at his brother's home and being rebuffed by a brother who wanted nothing to do with him. He was quiet as they drove, touching Kara sporadically. He was not sure if he should let her see it or shut himself off entirely.<br/><br/>Helgi's home was a nice, large red brick building in a suburb of uptown. It had a large fence overgrown with vines and flowers, and the large lawn had many tall trees that seemed unaffected by the hurricane that had ravaged the city. The lights were on inside and a pair of sedans were parked in the driveway. Hallbjorn parked on the street, and did not immediately get out. He looked over at Kara for a moment, showing her how much he was worried about how he would be received, and then he let the mask of neutrality fall over his face and there was no feeling to see upon his face at all. He stepped out of the truck and walked up to the front door with Kara. The light sound of easy jazz was available to Hallbjorn's immortal hearing but it might be too soft for Kara's ears.<br/><br/>Hallbjorn raised a hand and pressed the doorbell. It chimed and he heard murmurs within wondering who would be calling at this late hour.<br/><br/>The door opened and Helgi and his Bride looked out in surprise. They looked first at Kara, and then up at Hallbjorn.<br/><br/>Helgi looked a lot like Hallbjorn. There was a lot of similarity in the face, but Helgi was much less . . . severe. He lacked the edge that Hallbjorn had and was softer in manner. He was also not as tall - though at six feet and four inches Helgi was still a tall man. His build was leaner, but then, most men were in comparison to Hallbjorn's muscle-packed body. Helgi's hair was a champagne blonde that was shorn short in a monkish cut. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a grey t-shirt, his feet covered in a pair of woolen socks. This was what Hallbjorn might have been, if fate had laid out a different path for him.<br/><br/>Helgi's bride was roughly Kara's height. The woman had rich dark brown hair and her skin had light copper tan that helped to set off her green eyes. She wore a plain summer dress of green and was barefoot. Her figure was a great deal fuller than Kara's, and her features were more classically considered beautiful - but Hallbjorn did not gaze at her with anything except acknowledgement. Helgi, though, looked at his bride and kept a protective hand on her in an echo of the way that Hallbjorn looked and touched Kara.<br/><br/>The interior of their home was a cream colour, with the lights slightly dimmed to give everything a cozy atmosphere. There were paintings - water colours and oils - in view hanging from the wall.<br/><br/>"Greetings Helgi, Lyrata." Hallbjorn said, breaking the silence. "This is my mate, Kara." Helgi and Lyrata glanced between the two, and Helgi was the first to lay eyes upon the bite mark on Hallbjorn's neck. "Kara, this is my brother Helgi, and his Bride, Lyrata." The blond Berserker said in introduction.<br/><br/>"Hello." Helgi said, and he and Lyrata took a step back, opening the door further. As they did there was a small glint of light on metal, and the sword in Helgi's hand was briefly visible. "Please, come in. This is . . . this is unexpected. But not unwelcome!"<br/><br/>"Yes." Hallbjorn acknowledged, ushering Kara inside with a hand low on her back. Lyrata smiled at Kara, but when she regarded Hallbjorn that smile did not reach her eyes.<br/><br/>"Please, make yourselves at home." Helgi said, putting the sword back into a sheathe hidden in the vase of a potted plant near the door. He held out an inviting and leading arm towards their living room. Inside there was a fire burning in a fireplace, and the flames danced merrily, giving off warmth and heat. There were several large love seats and a couch arranged around a coffee table and set up so that it could view a large flat screen mounted against a hardwood wall. The television was displaying a paused recording of a current crime procedural. There was a small plate of crackers and cheese, with one cracker paired with a piece cheese showing nibble marks where it was left mid-bite. A wine flute filled with blood-infused wine sat nearby.<br/><br/>"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kara." Lyrata said to the young woman.<br/><br/>"Yes. Yes, very nice to meet you." Helgi said, looking as if he was worried putting the sword away was premature. "And Hallbjorn, it's been so long . . ." Hallbjorn walked over to the fireplace and took a poker from the stand, and moved the burning pieces of wood around.