Chapter Text
Memories, like smoke and mirrors are a reflection of our thoughts and triggered by sights and smells; for Lyf the smell of pipe tobacco was a strong familiar trigger…
One of Lyfrassir’s earliest memories was sitting on their Móðurafi's lap in front of the fireplace. He was their favourite babysitter, because he'd tell them amazing stories.
Leif, Lyf’s Móðurafi, had been an Asgaurdian prison warden in his youth and had been in close communication with several higher ups in the All Mothers court, in an attempt to help tear it down. One might even go so far as to say that being part of rebellions against tyranny has run in the family for generations.
He would tell stories, After meticulously preparing his wooden pipe with sweet smelling tobacco, he would let Lyf climb onto his lap, and while they gazed at the fire enjoying the warmth he would tell such stories that one would have a hard time believing they were true and not myth. Even to this day sometimes Lyf still wonders about the truth and is left awestruck.
~~~~~
Memories of tobacco and rain...
If there was anyone to blame, Lyfrassir would likely pin Lukas as the culprit.
As to douse any suspicion from the surveilling authorities, the meeting had been set up as a potlatch get together for the community. Their Mor and Móðir were the leaders of the small group of resistance members and needed to head it up. Their lighthouse home was filled with nearly half the community, the kitchen and living area on the ground floor were practically standing room only and there were several people sitting on the stairs leading to the upper floors and into the cellar. Bridgid (their older sister) was mature enough to be involved in planning now, and refused to entertain the other children of the resistance. Astrid (Their little sister) was too little to play outside without adult supervision, so Lyf took to the cliffs on their own.
There was a benefit to living in a lighthouse, and that was the cliffs that it watched over overlooked the black sand beaches. It was a beautiful view. though there would be a storm rolling in soon.
Lukas, Randi, and Ulf were the only other kids at the meeting close to their age. they were decent kids, Lyf just didn’t often care for the others company. but that never stopped them from seeking Lyfrassir out. Tonight was no different.
Lukas dropped down to sit next to Lyf as the other two continued their argument. He was only a year or so older than Lyf and enjoyed bragging about it whenever he got the chance. “Hey wanna try somethin’ cool?” Lukas nudged Lyf in the side to ensure that he had their attention, as if the clashing green and orange of his voice hadn’t torn the younger from their peace.
“What?”
“I snagged these from one of the Asgaurdian cops, they’re imported!” He pulled a small box from his heavy coat to show Lyf. the writing was asgardian, no real surprise there, but Lukas opened the box to reveal its contents. He’d stolen cigarettes off an Asgaurdian cop. Lyf could already smell the difference from the other cigarettes they’d been around. These had a slight sweet aroma not the dead leaf smell they had come to associate with other cigarettes.
“No thanks.” Lyf made to move away, wanting to enjoy the hour or so before the storm in peace and quiet without other colours screaming at him as Lukas and the others talked.
“Oh, so you’re afraid your Mor will find out? Guess you are a chicken after all.” Lukas stood up to move away.
In all of Lyf’s 16 years they’d never been called a cowered, and yes they had never turned down a challenge no matter where it came from, Lukas knew how to push the right buttons. They sprang up and snatched the box before Lukas could react and managed to grab the cheap lighter as well.
To be perfectly honest, the first drag was horrible, Lyf took in too much too fast and choked on it, but they refused to look weak in front of their peers. The second and third tries were better, and by the fifth they actually took a moment to try and figure out the taste, surprisingly sweet, with little to no burn afterwards. Then Lukas lit up one and gagged on his first puff too, making Lyf feel even better. Randi, and Ulf looked on, proving they were scared and in the long run smarter than Lucas and Lyf. Then it started to rain the smell of fresh rain with the cigarettes mingled and gave a pleasant aroma, plus as they walked back to the lighthouse the rain rinsed the smoke from their clothes a bit; but it still lingered with them. Lyf knew their mothers would probably figure it out and they prepared for the worst.
When the four of them returned to the lighthouse in the rain, Lyfs Móðir scolded them for getting soaked while their Mor chewed them out for smelling like a dirty fireplace. Later that night they slipped the box of cigarettes into their bedside table. It could be their little secret for now.
~~~~~
Memories are mirrors to the past…
Lyf sat in front of a large round mirror in the temple. Today they were officially coming of age, 20 years of life had led to this.
They’d been instructed to undo all of their braids except their family plait. The only other time they had done that was when their Móðurafi had died and the priests had put mourning plaits in theirs and their sisters’ hair. Now the holy woman was weaving new braids with silver chains, one on each side of their head.
They stared at the reflection in the mirror and tried to distract themself from what waited for them later, a session with the high priest, who would give them their first tattoo, and none too gently. (Bridgid had complained about the aching for two months after hers.)
No, it was better to focus on the pretty and intricate braids, so they would know how to recreate them later. Because now being of age they were supposed to be able to plait their own hair. Yet, their mind wandered; the mirror was a simple circle but as they stared at it they realized it was a bit more oval than round but just ever so slightly. Framing the mirror in simple elegance was silver that had been hammered and plaited ornately and the incense burning on the side table let off a small twirling strand of smoke that twisted and followed the edge of the mirror before dissipating, maybe this was the reason Lyf was drawn more to silver for their plaits.
The holy woman may not have been extremely gentle but she was kind and explained how to do the braids and the special meaning behind them. She also taught them a special tune and song to hum or sing while braiding so they would always have the right mindset when doing their hair. When she finished she smiled and it was the only time they remembered seeing the woman smile, it was genuine and heartfelt and put Lyf at ease that day.
~~~~~
A new chapter and new tobacco…
“So class, we have a lot to be grateful for when it comes to Yggdrasillian unification under Asgard!” Their professor finally finished her lecture, “I’ll see you all at your graduation this weekend!”
All the other cadets left the lecture hall chatting about all the ‘good’ Asgard had done for the system and how happy they were to be joining the ranks of the enforcers of that ‘good’. Lyf and a few others knew better, though Lyf seemed to be the only one not actively trying to blend into the government sanctioned status quo. Their hand went to their vest pocket and pulled out a familiar box. There were only a few things that came from Asgard that Lyf would admit to. First was Loki, though it had been revealed that She had been part Jotun as well. Second being their Móðir, one of the most wonderful women they’d ever met. and third was their damned cigarettes. They weren't as cheap as the midguardian variety but they tasted better, and now they would be able to afford them more easily with this job.
When their Mothers had found out that Lyf had started smoking, though they had assumed to was somewhere around 22 not the 16 they had been (and Lyf was more than happy to let them think that) the two of them had given Lyf the verbal lashing of a lifetime, but ultimately it was their choice, and after they fulfilled the motherly duties of explaining the evils they gave them hugs and said “just be careful”.
Lyf was 35 five now, still a young adult by the Yggdrasil systems standards, and they had taken their mothers words and love to heart. They didn’t smoke often, only when the stress was really getting to them. like finals, or graduation, or another class absolutely filled with propaganda. All in all there were worse vices they could have.
Soon they would be a rookie within the New Midgardian Police and hopefully they’d be able to help change the system from the inside out. A new way to lead rebellions, not protest but work hard and show that another way could be possible. Oh the dreams of youth were a good place to start but the mountains don’t move easily. The cigarettes were calming and helped them think, for it was amazing when they lit a cigarette people usually quit talking around them, and it was peaceful.
~~~~~
Mirrors a reflection of reality…
Their apartment mirror wasn’t huge by any means. it got the job done and that’s what mattered. A small mirror that was practical just like they were at work, extravagance was a distraction. The only extravagance allowed was the price of those cigarettes. The small crystal claw on the sixth and newest ring in their career plaits signaling their promotion. Inspector second class. they’d worked hard for this. and maybe now they’d be able to set the ball rolling for actual change. or at least stop innocents from being prosecuted. Keep as many resistance members safe as possible.
Now they had to get going, else they’d be late.