[h2]Astrid Tavast, New York City[/h2]

Nails scratched at the blank space where a name had yet to appear on her wrist. Would one ever? Did she even want one to? Would having a soul mate change anything? In truth, she doubted it would change much unless... What if her soul mate was some foul misogynistic beast? With currently nothing to occupy her mind worries filtered through about who this guy actually was. Never had she taken the time before to sit down and ponder all the cons he'd have. 

Anxiety set in as black boots continued on a straight path to nowhere in particular. Just when she decided that walking this way proved futile a loud commotion caught her attention. Ears help guide while fierce sapphire hues pinpointed the location, which turned out to be a bar, of course. Hands pushed open a wooden door with frosted glass etched with the name of the establishment. Senses had pulled her here just in time to watch a ruggedly handsome man receive a rather extensive beating.

Something compelled the Valkyrie to intervene. Usually she would have shook her head and walked the other way but this time was different. Why? She wasn't sure. He seemed like just another troublemaker but before anything could be said his body was thrown out back like trash. Long eyelashes blinked a few times not really expecting that to happen. He must have really pissed off these people.  

[b]“Was that really appropriate or even fair?”[/b] Astrid stormed over casually avoiding pools of fresh blood. 

“Don't worry your pretty ass.” One man said while wiping a bloodied lip.

“Uh, what can I get you miss?” The bartender cleared his throat not wanting anymore trouble.  

Not many can match the intimidation that a Valkyrie is capable of inducing. Besides excellent fighters these women can inflict fear. She's not sure what these people see when they look at her but it causes hallucinations. When it works it's terrifying. Depending on how much power she puts behind projecting said fear, the end product ranges. Some have pissed their pants. She's even made grown men collapse to the floor sobbing uncontrollably. Quite hysterical.  

[b]“Oh, I am not worried but you should be.”[/b] Inch by inch she closed in on the man who had so rudely refereed to her ass as pretty. No doubt it was but he had not been given permission to observe such a thing to begin with no less speak about it.

“I am not in the mood bitch so why don't you fuck off?” When he yelled this Astrid closed her eyes and  turned her head to the side in order to avoid his putrid breath.

She was not pleased especially when two others stepped forward to circle around her. His tone was certainly inappropriate and called for immediate punishment. Truthfully, she hadn't used her abilities in quite some time but one can never forget how. These men would be her test subjects and Astrid needn't wait long before knowing that she still had it in her to dish out some revenge. 

Loud mouth, the one in favor of using naughty words began to shake as if losing control of his body. His brows furrowed in confusion before catching a glimpse of his hands. Rough flesh began rotting away, slowly decaying until ivory bones were left, and a pile of bloody tissue gathered on the sticky floor. He began screaming feeling the sensation of skin peeling off his face. Fingers hurried, trying to put back oozing clumps that continued to fall like heavy raindrops. Unsuccessful, he ran for the door and left hollering in the street. Cabs angrily honked their horns at the crazed man. All the while the remaining guests turned to Astrid with terror filling their eyes. 

[b]“He'll be alright, it's just in his head.”[/b] She let her index finger tap her temple twice.

“You fuc--” One of the others, in absolute horror, grabbed a pool stick ready to swing toward the woman but he stopped mid swing... because no one was there. 

Darkness engulfed his entire body and arms outstretched in an attempt to grasp for anything. Words echoed as if he had fallen down a crevasse when he tried calling for help. Pleading for help the man tried to run but tripped over something not visible to him. When trying to stand claws dug into his clothing causing him to tumble back to the pitch black ground. He yelled for help but no one responded and fighting these talons only made them begin shredding into his skin. Covering his mouth the hands pulled him down, and he slowly vanished into the abyss. 

The poor fool hadn't really gone anywhere. His body laid sprawled out on the beer stained bar floor, passed out from believing he was actually dying. Poor soul. 

[b]“I am a bit rusty.”[/b] A sarcastic tone followed by a smirk was given to the rest of the onlookers who stared in silence.  

A hand scooped up an untouched shot glass atop the bar from one of the patrons. Within a second flat the liquid was swallowed before her body confidently strolled out back. Curiosity about the man thrown into a pile of rubbish seemed to be controlling her movements. Why didn't she just go home?

[b]“There you are. You ok?”[/b] Arms folded against her chest as she looked down at the man with genuine concern. 

[b]“I think you blacked out. They're gone so...”[/b] Suddenly Astrid's nose scrunched up in pain due to his badly beaten features. 

[b]“You may want to get that checked out... Looks like it hurts like hell.”[/b] Suddenly the sides of her mouth upturned unleashing a beautiful pearly white smile.

Surely others would not have interfered let alone sought out the commotion at the bar, the Valkyrie was different. Also, instead of panicking about the health of this stranger Astrid could not help but find all this a little funny. This sort of thing happened all the time at the tunnels. After an agonizing defeat most would throw a raging tantrum but there were those few who laughed it off. They were the ones that came back and had improved overnight. He seemed like the type. Troublemaker. 

[@Dark Light]