I must confess I feel like a monster.

Idunn caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to see a rather large, and oddly colored, wolf padding down the hallway, stopping when it saw the goddess. It was a rather large wolf too, and oddly colored, but then again large animals were not unheard of in Asgard. Odin had his two wolves, Geri and Freki, though they were not this big. There were the two goats that pulled Thor's chariot, foul tempered beasts who bit and kicked anyone they didn't like. Freyr had a golden boar that he rode, while his sister Freyja had both a boar and a chariot drawn by cats. If the gods did not have special animals to ride, they had horses, for Asgard abounded with them.

Idunn reached out her hand to the wolf, wanting to show it that she was friendly and not an invading enemy. For all she knew, Aldrif could have employed wolves in her palace guard, adding them as special troops.

The animal's growl made her hesitate, her eyes widening in surprise and mild fear. "I am not an enemy, dear wolf. Just simply someone trying to find her friend." She knew better than to run, for if this was a normal wolf, or even if it wasn't, the urge to chase her might overwhelm it and Idunn did not wish to die in that manner. Slowly, she took a few steps backwards, not breaking eye contact with the beast, but wanting to see how it would behave. "I was told she was staying in that room. I just wish to make sure she is well. Please pass on, dear wolf."

For a moment, it seemed as if the wolf was considering what Idunn was saying. Animals were intelligent, and there was the occasional story of those that had enough intellect to rival humans, but they tended to be evil, and as far as Idunn could tell, this wolf was not evil. Then it opened the door to Sif's room. She had a pet? That puzzled the young goddess. The Sif she knew had no time for pets and she only tolerated Thor's goats so long as they remained outside in their pen. But then again, the Sif she knew was not a warrior and this one was, so perhaps a pet wolf was not out of the question. The one thing she didn't expect was being nudged inside by the rather large wolf.

The chamber was empty, devoid of any sign of a person. Turning around, Idunn watched as the door was nosed shut. Then Sif's voice came out of the canine's mouth, causing the little goddess to back away. This was quite abnormal. "No, you are not like the Sif I knew. She could not change her shape." Needless to say, Idunn was clearly put off by this new bit off information and in fact was becoming nervous around Sif. "I called you friend because the woman whose name you share... she and I are best friends. We spent much time together. After all, Thor is often away on adventures. Do you not wish me to be your friend?" she asked before reaching out and putting a hand gently on her fur coat. It was thick and warm, which made Idunn smile a little. "I was not aware you knew magic. This form must make you a mighty warrior in battle."

"You do not scare me," Idunn reassured her. "I simply was not expecting you to be a wolf. And why would I not be friends with you?" That little tidbit made Idunn feel more than a bit curious. "Is it because you think yourself a monster, because you are not like the Sif I know, or because I am not that Amora woman?" In an odd way, the more Sif talked to her, even as a wolf, the less afraid Idunn became of her.

Getting up, the blonde goddess explored the bedroom, opening drawers until she found what she was looking for; a simple hairbrush. She then sat beside the massive wolf, making sure to take up as little room as possible so Sif wouldn't have to move, and gently began to brush her fur. Her gestures were soft and she took her time, keeping the strokes contained to Sif's head, shoulders, and back. Whenever the wolf shifted or made a noise, the goddess stopped, afraid that she was causing pain or making her feel uncomfortable. "I doubt you have ever had anyone do this to you, for many reasons. But I would often have to do this for the one I knew. Her hair was quite long, trailing to the back of her knees, so naturally it would need braiding." Idunn did not say this to be mean or insult this Sif. She was simply trying to relay her relationship with a past version.

"You are magic, Sif. Whether a form is natural or not. The Sif I knew could do many thing I could not and I am sure it is the same with you. You are not a monster and as for what you really are? Whether you walk on two legs or four, you are yourself." She wouldn't speak of her father, having not met him, though she suspected that was who the dead man in the forest was.

Idunn knew what Sif meant, but she still had a slightly hurt and sad look on her face. "Does that mean you do not want me here? Should I leave Asgard?" She would do it without question if that was what Sif or Aldrif truly wanted. There were other realms she could live on. She was certain she could easily find a quiet, out of the way place all to herself. "Is this Amora truly that bad?" If this was her future self, Idunn was concerned about never becoming what she was, wanting to prevent it from happening.

"I will brush your hair for as long as you like," she said with a smile. Thankfully, whether it was do to magic or not, Sif's fur was easy to brush out. It contained no burrs and had only the smallest of tangles and mats. Even without being brushed, it was quite soft and shone beautifully when the light hit it. "I think the length was why Sif never went into battle. And… just between myself and you, I prefer the length you have as a human to hers. Though hers was gold, I believe that, with the right care, I can make yours shine more blue-black than a raven's wing and have a far better luster." When Sif laid her head on Idunn's leg, the goddess leaned down and kissed her between the ears ever so gently. It was quite possible that she forgot that, while a dog might like that, Sif might consider it to be a bit indignant.

"You can become a dragon? That is….. truly special." Again, Idunn held her tongue about dragon forms and curses. Most of the time, the two were intertwined and never a good thing for the bearer. "Whether you be human, wolf, dragon, or even a Jotunn I will stay by you and be your friend… though I'll admit that if you were a frost giant, I would be a bit more nervous than I am now. You are not alone, Sif."

"That is good. While she is very beautiful and I am happy that someone is still able to wield Mjolnir after Thor's passing, I do not think I would wish to be her, even though she is so very tall." If seeing how she would change in the future surprised Idunn, hearing the news of Loki going from a mischievious prankster and troublemaker to someone who would outright try to kill the strongest on Asgard, that made her go silent. "I never would have thought Loki would want to kill Thor. True, he has done many terrible things and has been punished for them, but to call for someone's death?" That, along with the idea of her sleeping with Loki, knotted her stomach just by thinking about it. "She sounds like a wanton whore. How is she worthy of Mjolnir?"

Idunn huffed and sighed at Sif's excuse regarding her hair. "Do you think I do nothing all day but care for my hair? Do not give me such excuses as 'oh, it would get dirty minutes after you have finished'. I spend all of my days outside and up in trees, but never have I worried about my own hair being ruined. If it does, so what? And it is not just me walking around gently picking off the low-hanging fruit, Sif. I climb those trees and tend to whatever ails them. I have fallen out of branches enough times that most normal people would seek other jobs, but I do not. I dirty myself as much as you. So I will hear none of this. Besides, I know the difference between elaborate plaits for parties and a simple plait one uses for work," she explained. "Try that excuse again and I shall color your fur blue."

She looked puzzled when Sif asked about the half Jotuns. "Those... Those should not be talked about. Either they make heroes or they make nothings whose names are lost to the sagas. I do not think about them so I have no opinion, but no, I would have no fear of them. I simply would not have anything to do with them." Despite her speech, Idunn did feel uncomfortable discussing the subject of Jotuns.

"Oh." That was all Idunn said regarding Thor and Amora's bedroom proclivities. While her future self seemed to be more in tune with the carnal side of fertility, Idunn was, despite her obvious assets and casualness with touching and hugging people, a virgin. Yes, she had a husband, but that was in name only. Bragi was far to old to properly perform the duties of a husband. Their marriage was more of a precaution to ensure that no man would try to take advantage of her. At least no human man. The idea that Amora would have willingly slept with someone like Loki sent a shiver of disgust down Idunn's spine.

"Then if you are so worried about your hair being unfixable and always ruined, shave it off. It has happened before." Honestly, she had not expected herself to say such a thing and immediately afterwards, Idunn felt horrible for the comment. "I am sorry. I should not have said that. But, you are right. Dirt, branches, and leaves do not compare to blood and guts and alien goo. I but ask you this: let me play with your hair once. If you do not like it, I shall never touch it ever again." When Sif got up to change, Idunn watched the transformation until it became too unnerving to do so. As the bones and muscles shifted in and around her body, Idunn became rather interested in the floor. It made things easier that way, but in doing so, she realized that she was still clad in the same clothing she had been rescued in. She must have looked horrible and having not been given much water to clean herself with during her imprisonment, Idunn was almost certain that Sif's wolf nose had to be suffering.

Once Sif was fully clothed, Idunn looked up at her, immediately getting off the bed. "I am sorry. I am ashamed to be in your presence looking like this. No wonder Aldrif looked at me in such a manner. I should have cleaned myself up before anything else." She heard Sif's words and they made her feel a little better. "Thank you for offering to protect me. I will graciously accept." As for taking a trip to Midgard? "Has it changed much? I know that the Midgardians have a love for fighting and seem to be almost as savage as Jotuns sometimes."

Even though Sif did not growl, Idunn could practically sense her anger, making the goddess feel even worse and lesser. It was a minor thing, said in anger, but the guilt would hang over her head for a long time. She would need to make things up to Sif in some manner. "I am sorry, Sif. How may I make it up to you? Tell me and I shall do it without question."

The news of Aldrif being a warrior and hunter did nothing to sway her mind about her appearance. "She is the ruler of Asgard. It's proper to look your best when you stand before them, even if they are hunters and warriors," Idunn replied softly, not making eye contact with Sif. However, as the shieldmaiden of Asgard talked about the genocide of Midgard, Idunn found herself watching the woman as her story unfolded. Once it was finished, Idunn embraced her in a tight hug.

"I am sorry those things happened to you, but do not doubt yourself and your efforts. You are good and you did good, Sif. Their deaths are not your fault. You were wounded beyond what even the bravest of men would handle. And because of your bravery, you were given a second chance," she explained, indication her sight and her restored arm. Honestly, had Sif not said anything about her injuries, Idunn would never have thought such things would have happened to her. "I would very much enjoy visiting Midgard with you. When would you like to leave? Should we… will we need disguises?" The goddess wasn't certain what they wore on Midgard these days.