"That's the thing about Nix. Sometimes she's cruel to be kind." Lyrata told Kara with a quirky smile that communicated that Lyrata had some mental gymnastics of her own in her past to get over the Valkyrie's manipulations.<br/><br/>"Of course I'll give you my number. I'm sure we can arrange for something." The dryad said warmly as Kara proposed that the two couples get together once a month. She nodded at mention of the two men having enough time.<br/><br/>"Yes. I think we should go check on them. We don't want them to get too much in too fast." Lyrata said, nodding at the wisdom of it. And she shared a look with Kara that showed that she missed the company of her man as well.<br/><br/>When they returned to the living room, the two brothers were standing in front of the fire place. Each had their hands clasped behind their backs and they were quiet, but it was not a hostile gap between them now that they were that way. As soon as Lyrata entered the room Helgi traced to her side and his arms found their way around the dryad, openly seeking comfort while he worked to process the intense emotions of the night. He put a head on one of her shoulders and Lyrata stroked his head soothingly.<br/><br/>Hallbjorn walked to Kara's side, and he nodded in acknowledgement to her. He took her hand in his own but kept himself controlled.<br/><br/>Lyrata looked up to Hallbjorn. "Let me give you my number. Kara's suggested we try to plan a couple's night once a month. Board games and bowling were discussed." The woman said with a playful tone and conspiratorial look at Kara. Hallbjorn nodded and handed over his phone to the dryad. Helgi recovered and watched while Lyrata programmed their numbers into Hallbjorn's phone: a cell for her and Helgi, and a landline to the house.<br/><br/>"I'm sure that Lyrata's said it," Helgi began, voice heavy and thick with emotion, "but you're both welcome here. No matter what. Whether you just want to drop by to visit or if you need a place to stay or if you're in trouble. Especially if you're in trouble. You're our family and I want to be there for you." He swallowed and forced himself to smile through roiling guilt that was visibly gnawing at him.<br/><br/>Hallbjorn nodded. "Maybe I can leverage a family discount at the nymph coveys." He remarked in a dry tone tone. Lyrata and Helgi were quiet at first, and then they laughed when they realized that Hallbjorn had cracked a joke. Lyrata placed a hand on Hallbjorn's bicep and smiled.<br/><br/>"Of course. Anything for my mate's brother." She said. "I'm sure you two have a busy night planned, and I can tell Kara's eager to see the Big Easy. I'm sure you'll show her a good time."<br/><br/>Helgi and Lyrata bid the two their farewells and Hallbjorn and Kara made their way to the truck. When they were inside Hallbjorn let out a long breath and relaxed a little.<br/><br/>"Thank you for giving me my brother back." Hallbjorn said. He knew that he did not have to tell Kara how important it was. He put his hand on her knee as he drove them to the French Quarter. One of the first places he took her was to Cafe du Monde, where they could get the infamous cafe au lait and beignets. With those treats in hand he walked easily along the street and paused at a jeweler's shop that was still open.<br/><br/>The shopkeeper was a rather tall fellow with a slim but powerful build, like an Olympic swimmer. He had fair coloration and strikingly handsome features, very regal and out of place for this sort of establishment - it had a sign outside that said they bought gold with no questions asked, which seemed more than a little shady. The clothing he wore also seemed ill-suited to him: a blue polo shirt with a name tag that read 'Tom' and a pair of blue jeans. "I don't want any trouble, Berserker." The shopkeeper said as Hallbjorn entered, ushering Kara in with a hand on her back. The door hit a little bell that chimed beautifully.<br/><br/>"And I bring none, Ljósálfr." Hallbjorn said easily. It was one of those moments where he looked neutral but Kara was able to tell he was bothered. The shopkeeper relaxed a little and a hand beneath the counter relaxed. "I wish only to engage your services. I gave my mate a ring, but it does not fit." Hallbjorn walked up to the counter with Kara, guiding her with the hand at the small of her back. He removed the chain that she wore it on from her neck, and placed the ring on the counter for the elf to examine.<br/><br/>"An easy enough task. The gold is very pure." The elf commented, squinting just a little. "Let me see your hand, dear." Tom asked Kara. "Which finger do you wish to bear this ring?"