Not long after Gullveig left, Vanaheim's weather suddenly changed. Like Earth's tropical regions in summer, the rain always came without warning.
Raindrops began striking the fountain in the courtyard, blooming into tiny silver flowers and scattering gleaming pearls.
A light breeze swept up a mist. The ground seemed to bloom with little smiling dimples, while the drifting raindrops pattered against the leaves with a beautiful sound, like an accomplished pianist playing a melodious tune.
Yet the vines in one corner of the garden greedily drank in the moisture. The rain beat mercilessly against the leaves with a crackling sound, while water striking the roof flowed down through the gaps in a surging torrent. Its unbroken roar, like a river, echoed through the room.
No one knew how long the rain had lasted. Perhaps several hours, perhaps an entire day and night.
The thunder gradually faded, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sky cleared.
Rainwater had collected in the garden's low-lying spots, forming little puddles that reflected the white clouds in the sky and the blue heavens behind them.
The air after the rain became especially fresh. Birds called to one another and came out to breathe it in, lining up on the broad windowsill as they watched the two people embracing beneath the sheets.
Their glossy black eyes darted about with their quick-turning heads. They wanted to hop into the room and steal the grapes from the plate, but did not dare, and could only jump back and forth tentatively on the white windowsill.
Then, as the people in the room began speaking, they all flew away.
"God, even though I've tried several times before, I can only give up now. I'm afraid I'm the only one who isn't your match."
Gin half-closed her eyes and lay lazily atop Su