It was hard to know that they couldn't enjoy each other fully until she had finished her transition, but the knowledge that Kara could give Hallbjorn such pleasure when she fed from him helped to  ease that ache from unbearable to something she could handle. She found that she really enjoyed helping him release. The long, low moan made Kara shiver with delight. Even though she felt his body tremble, she had faith that he would not drop her. Not even when she was writhing so wantonly against him.<br/><br/>Kara was content to be carried by Hallbjorn. As he strong along the first floor, she planted soft kisses on his cheek as she tried to relay how utterly head over heels she was for him. It was only when they started to descend down another staircase that she looked at their surroundings. She had read enough about Louisiana to know how rare basements were. It was a testament to how old the house was, since from what she could recall, they did not include basements in newer homes. Kara loved the house all the more because it would have a long history.<br/><br/>The basement was so sparse, that she wondered what he could want to show her. But then  Hallbjorn made his way to huge vault door. Kara looked on with growing interest when he  used a hand scanner. With the door, the technology, and the way the basement had been reinforced, he had to have something very interesting locked away.<br/><br/>Despite those thoughts, she was not prepared for what they walked in to. Kara's jaw dropped when she saw a room filled with gold and platinum bars. The wealth in that one room alone had to be staggering. She couldn't even conceive how much it was all worth. In fact, Kara wondered if they had actually entered into Fort Knox.<br/><br/>They passed by another room, and she could feel the power given off by the weapons Hallbjorn kept in there. Kara glanced around, wondering which one was the sword that had freed him from the hell realm. Then she spotted some kind of reptile skin that had the loveliest shade of blue. She was sure there must be a story behind it, as well as the crystal skull and the huge fiery feathers.<br/><br/>Yet Hallbjorn did not slow down, as if the items held no interest for him. Meanwhile, she was still trying to pick up her jaw. One thing was for sure. Her mate was a fascinating man. What he had accumulated spoke of a very eventful life.<br/><br/>When he carried her inside of another room, Kara gasped at what she saw. The drinking horns, the banners and shields, and so many other items stood out to her, because she had seen the like in her dream of him. Hallbjorn had kept these things for so long, and he clearly treasured them. That meant that she did as well.<br/><br/>Kara looked down as Hallbjorn raised a glass cover, her eyes finding the charm that reminded her of Thor's hammer. She remembers that he wore it when he was just a young boy. Kara longed to touch it, to feel connected to his past, but she dare not. It was so old that she worried about damaging it in any way, even if it were from the natural oil on human skin.<br/><br/>Hallbjorn reached for a ring, and Kara's heart squeezed. She forgot to breath for a moment. It didn't matter to her that the ring was plain. She had never been into flashy jewelry. What mattered to her was that Hallbjorn was giving her an actual ring.<br/><br/>Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as love swelled inside of her for Hallbjorn. “I will treasure this always, Hallbjorn. You've had it a long time, and it means much to you. Because of that, you could not have gifted me with a more beautiful ring.”<br/><br/>Kara handled it delicately, even though it was clearly sturdy. But it meant so much to her, that she didn't think she'd ever treat it lightly. Unfortunately, it did not fit on any of her fingers. But she did know another way she could wear it. Kara unhooked the golden chain that wrapped around her hips. She looped it through the ring several times, then doubled the chain up before slipping it over her head. The shortened length allowed the ring to nestle between her cleavage.<br/><br/>When she looked back up into Hallbjorn's eyes, Kara cupped his cheeks with her palms. “Hallbjorn, you have given me the world.” She didn't mean that in the sense of money. He could live in a shed and have no money, and she would still love him with her whole heart. What Kara referred to was the love Hallbjorn felt for her, and the way he was with her as she experienced every new thing, the way she knew he watched her as she delighted in whatever new experience. Also, with Hallbjorn, she felt brave and free, and ready to deal with anything.<br/><br/>When she kissed him again, Kara poured her entire heart into the kiss.