Zecond

"YOU… where in Helheim have you been? It's been months since I last saw you! You old fool, how dare you leave me alone for this long!"

Lilith was speechless at the scene before her: a giant woman furiously pounding on a small, scrappy squirrel. Wait… was that Ratatoskr? And wasn't this his home?

The skirmish raged on as Lilith watched, bewildered, while the towering woman continued to pummel the little creature. At some point, the giant stopped, turned to Lilith with a beaming smile, and said, "Greetings, little one! Welcome to my home. I am Zecond, the young bride of this old fool—a maiden in love, a devoted housewife."

Ratatoskr huffed, coughing as he muttered, "Young? Maiden? More like a gorilla…"

Without missing a beat, Zecond's fist came crashing down on his head once more as she resumed her relentless pounding. "Just because I'm tall doesn't mean I can't hear your mutterings!" she shouted between punches. "I know you too well, Ratatoskr, and I know those thoughts in your head are rude!"

After another thorough beating, Zecond turned away from the battered squirrel, her massive form towering above Lilith as she flashed a wide, almost motherly smile. "Now," she said in a warm, honeyed voice that did little to hide the strength behind it, "what has my husband done this time? Don't tell me he's caused you any trouble!" She cast a stern, scolding glance back at Ratatoskr, whose fur was ruffled, and his eyes wild with frustration. Then, with a raised brow, Zecond looked back at Lilith.

Lilith, slightly taken aback but amused, returned the smile and offered a small bow of respect. "I am Lilith," she began, her voice soft but confident. "And I apologize if I've caused you any trouble. I might be the reason Ratatoskr wasn't home… He's been teaching me teleportation magic."

Zecond's eyes widened with a glimmer of surprise and something like pride. She looked back at the squirrel, who was still catching his breath and grumbling under it. "Oh, I see now," she said slowly, a teasing tone seeping into her words. "Teleportation magic, no less." Zecond shook her head in mock exasperation, her large hands coming to rest on her hips. "Always meddling, that one. I can't let him out of my sight without him getting involved in some grand scheme. And here I thought he was taking time to 'reflect.'"

Ratatoskr scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Reflecting? Really?" he muttered, looking up at Zecond with a mix of defiance and embarrassment. "I don't just climb the World Tree and deliver messages, you know! I have skills to pass on!"

Zecond sighed, exasperated, though a spark of pride lingered in her gaze. She shook her head, almost as if she couldn't believe it herself. "Well, I suppose it's good you're putting that big, troublesome brain of yours to use. But I'll be watching, both of you," she added with a wink toward Lilith, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Just don't let him talk you into anything too outlandish. And if he starts getting cheeky, you know where to find me."

Ratatoskr, still trying to regain some dignity, cleared his throat and puffed out his chest. "As if I'd ever lead her astray! I'm an ancient messenger of the gods, not a mischief-maker!"

Zecond laughed, the sound rich and hearty, filling the space like a warm fire. "Oh, of course," she said, grinning as she reached down and ruffled his fur, despite his protests. "You're just a harmless little squirrel. My apologies, ancient messenger."

Lilith stifled a laugh, feeling a warmth spread through her as she watched the two bicker with such a deep, playful familiarity. In this strange world, it was a comforting sight—like watching an old couple who'd spent lifetimes together, laughing and arguing all the while.

Zecond looked back at Lilith with a spark of excitement in her eyes. "So, little one," she asked, her tone softening, "are you hungry? I know my husband doesn't eat, but I do love to cook. With you here, perhaps I can finally share a meal with someone again."

Lilith grinned, her eyes lighting up. "I'm like your husband in that I don't need to eat," she explained, "but I'm a foodie at heart. I still love to cook and eat, even if it's just for the joy of it. It relaxes me like nothing else. And sharing food with friends? That's the best part."

Zecond's face broke into a delighted smile, her earlier sternness melting into pure joy. "Oh! A kindred spirit!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together with enthusiasm. "You love to cook? Then let's do it together! Follow me—I'll show you my kitchen." She extended a hand toward Lilith, her towering form moving with a grace that was unexpected for someone so powerful.

As they walked, Ratatoskr muttered from behind them, "Good luck keeping up, Lilith. Zecond's recipes are… legendary, to say the least."

Zecond turned and shot him a playful glare. "That's right. And if you're very lucky, you might just get a taste of them tonight, my grumpy little messenger."

The kitchen was massive, with sturdy wooden counters and shelves stocked with ingredients Lilith had never seen. The scent of herbs, spices, and freshly picked vegetables filled the air. Zecond immediately began gathering bowls and utensils, her face glowing with anticipation. "We're going to make a feast, little one," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "Nothing's more relaxing, as you said, than cooking with someone who truly appreciates it."

Lilith's heart swelled with gratitude, and she eagerly joined Zecond, rolling up her sleeves. "Then let's get started. I can't wait to see what flavors we'll create together."

As the two began cooking, Lilith's curiosity got the best of her. "So," she asked, glancing over at Zecond, "how did you and Ratatoskr meet?"

Zecond's cheeks flushed slightly, and she paused, taking a deep breath. "Well, little one," she began with a fond, nostalgic smile, "I met that squirrel back in my own world, quite some time ago. I was minding my own business, tending to my garden, when out of nowhere, a group of young Asgardian troublemakers appeared. They were gods, yes, but not the powerful kind—not like the Thunder God or Odin, the so-called wise, all-knowing one," she added with a smirk. "No, these were barely more than children. They started mocking my size and hurling rocks at me, trampling over my plants, laughing as they tore through my garden."

Zecond's smile faded, replaced by a spark of lingering irritation as she stirred the pot before her. "I was furious," she admitted, her voice growing dark with the memory. "They'd destroyed my garden—the one place I'd poured my heart into. I didn't hold back. I fought back with everything I had, and I was very close to giving those young gods a lesson they wouldn't forget."

Lilith's eyes widened, captivated by the intensity of Zecond's tale.

"But just as my anger was about to get the best of me, that old squirrel appeared." Zecond let out a gentle laugh, her face softening. "Ratatoskr, of all creatures, was there to stop me. He spoke to me calmly, reminding me that they were just children, that they didn't know any better. And he was right. The young gods scattered and ran, but Ratatoskr stayed. He helped me clean up my garden, even praised its beauty. He told me how much it saddened him to see it in ruins."

Zecond's eyes shone with the memory, a warmth spreading through her voice. "That evening, though, the Thunder God himself showed up, furious and ready to fight, yelling about how I'd hurt 'his kin.' I was about to march out there and give him a piece of my mind, but Ratatoskr stopped me once again. He said he would handle it—and handle it he did." She chuckled, recalling the sight. "He scolded the Thunder God like a child, told him to raise his kin properly so they'd learn to respect other people's property. And then, he whacked him on the side of the head for good measure!"

Lilith let out a laugh, imagining the sight. "I can see why you were smitten."

Zecond nodded, her face softening further. "He's been a surprising soul, that one. Beneath that grumpy exterior, he has a heart as vast as the World Tree itself. And that day, well... I knew I'd found a friend. Eventually, more than that."

She looked back at Lilith with a warm, knowing smile. "Now, let's not let this stew burn. After all, you and I have a feast to make!"