Originally, Garfield had intended to swear silently in his heart that he would never think about that thunderbolt again.
But after some thought, he decided it was better to forget it entirely.
A good orange cat never suffers immediate losses and besides, this was Kamar-Taj. His master, the Ancient One, was right here.
Garfield refused to believe that an old man like Odin could really do anything to him.
With that confidence, Garfield looked up and said casually.
"Maybe that lightning was an accident. If you have something to say, just say it."
Odin fell silent.
He pondered for a long time, then finally spoke.
"Garfield." He said gravely, "You are responsible for my daughter."
PFFT
The Ancient One sprayed tea across the table.
"…?!" Garfield.
Then, in one fluid motion, he launched himself forward, clinging to Odin's leg and wailing loudly.
"Father Odin, no, Grandpa Odin! You can't do this to me!"
"Do you know what kind of temper your daughter Hela has? She'll smash me into the ground!"
"Besides, I'm only an orange cat! Cross-species relationships are immoral! They violate feline ethics, feline life values, and basic cosmic decency!"
"If this spreads across the Nine Realms, won't Asgard become a universal joke?!"
Odin's face darkened.
With one hand, he tore Garfield off his leg and firmly held him in place before the cat could pounce again.
"What nonsense are you thinking?" Odin said seriously.
"Hela was perfectly stable before. She was simply waiting for Ragnarok, waiting for my death, so she could return and reclaim Asgard."
"…But now." He continued slowly, "Things have changed."
Garfield immediately grew cautious. "What… kind of chang?"
Odin sighed. "She called me Father."
"She admitted her mistakes."
"And she said she wants to leave Asgard, travel the universe, broaden her horizons, and learn knowledge and skills."
Garfield scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"So… a rebellious, willful princess who never knew the hardships of the people has suddenly reflected, decided to start anew, and plans to leave home to study, grow stronger, and one day return to serve her kingdom?"
He nodded. "That sounds like a good thing. Let her go."
"You think so too?" Odin smiled faintly.
Garfield met Odin's strange smile and immediately sensed a trap.
"No." He shook his head decisively. "I think we should understand the situation more carefully."
"Pulling her out rashly, if she provokes enemies she shouldn't, will only bring disaster to Asgard."
"Besides." He added earnestly, "Even if a girl looks strong, parents still worry when she travels far."
"What if she gets bullied by some cosmic scumbag?"
"In my opinion, it's safer to find an honest man nearby, get married, settle down, and raise children."
After hearing this, Odin's expression softened with genuine relief. "I'm glad you said that."
He turned to the Ancient One with a smile. "From today onward, Asgard and Kamar-Taj are family."
The Ancient One nodded slowly, her smile… odd.
"Yes." She replied lightly. "We're family now. Haha."
Odin immediately sensed something wrong.
He coughed helplessly. "Ancient One… let bygones be bygones."
The Ancient One lifted her teacup and took a leisurely sip, pretending she hadn't heard a word.
Odin sighed, rubbing his temple.
"…Fine. That's on me. Past matters aside, let's settle Hela and Garfield's situation like this."
The Ancient One hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Very well. I understand."
Sensing the atmosphere turning dangerous, Garfield quickly curled himself into a tight ball and began inching away.
Slip away. Slip away.
He absolutely did not want to be present if his master suddenly pulled out the Book of Vishanti and started fighting Odin. Kamar-Taj might not survive that.
Just as Garfield was about to escape.
Odin grabbed him by the scruff.
"Ancient One." Odin said calmly, "Keep an eye on this slippery little fellow."
"Also," He added, "Explain things to him properly. I'll return to Asgard now. In two days, I'll send the child over."
"He can come and pick her up." With that, Odin disappeared.
Garfield slowly turned his head, then wrapped himself around the Ancient One's leg.
"Master." He said pitifully, "What exactly is going on?"
"At least… let this disciple die knowing the truth."
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream