"I know how wear the costume
I know how to wear the mask
I even like the feel of having to ask
I'm not a junkie for your love"
— Poe, "Junkie"

One of Freya's stories (as told by Lilith Maeve):

It was dark and it was cold. Two feelings I was not particularly enjoying that evening. It was a long day and I just wanted to go home, take off my clothes and put on my nightgown. Maybe read for a little while. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy my job and it was nice to get a chance to make a visit to my Midgard office. Sorting through the problems and loves of the kids there. Guess I'm more of a social worker at heart than I like to admit to.

But still, it was getting late and I wanted to be home. I got ready to go and realized I was exhausted. And there was construction and traffic. I stepped outside and realized that it had started to snow, hard. I gathered my cloak around me tighter and stumbled into an entry hall. I knocked on the door, hoping that they would let me stay out the storm.

A very short man opened the door and stared at me with his mouth agape. I started to ask if I could be let in, but he hurried me inside before I could. Being an independent woman (and a good two feet taller), I was unconcerned. Inside, his three roommates (who were equally . . .how shall I say . . .differently heighted?) who were playing video games looked up and gaped as well before they started to offer me hot tea, scones, and a big soft chair by the small fireplace.

I was thrilled that they were so sweet and hospitable and quietly amused that they were so taken in by my braided shiny blond hair, glowing blue eyes and Yoga toned figure. I'm not going to lie to you, it never gets old feeling like the prettiest woman in the room.

"So . . .," said the man who answered the door. "We said it was cool that you come in, what will you do for us?"

I smirked inside my head, thinking how socially inept he was and said easily, "I have cash."

He snorted and shoved some take out Chinese food cartons aside and sat next to me. "No, I was wondering if you would . . .if you would, um . . ."

I rolled my eyes. I knew what he wanted. "It was kind of you to take me in, but I can try to find some place else to stay. I'm not a bridge and tunnel girl, you know."

He flushed, mumbled some kind of apology and scurried back to his X-Box.

The roommate who gave up his controller to the first guy, sat down next to me.

He looked at me for a long time and seemed to try to find the right words to say to me. It was oddly endearing. "You're just so, just so . . .," he trailed off. "Just so pretty. I'm sorry my brother is so inept."

I told him it happens to me all the time, don't worry about it.

He took out a jumble of jewelry from Tiffany's. "My brothers and I are jewelers by trade. If I gave you all if this, would you do me the honor of staying with me?" He asked shyly.

I carefully put my cup of tea down on a stack of Dungeons & Dragons books and took of my mittens to flash my own bling that I had bought for myself. I smiled gently to soften the blow. "That's really sweet of you, but I already bought enough jewelry to last me several of my lifetimes."

He ducked his head and shooed his other brother off of the other controller. The other brother sat down next to me. "I know my other brothers were toolbags, and didn't offer anything as much as you would desire or are accustomed to," he said and he reached into his wallet, "But I have a platinum card that is limitless, if would be willing . . .," he smiled. It was cute and I couldn't help but be flattered.

I reached into my Prada bag and took our my own wallet and took out my own platinum card and said, "You are very kind, but I have more money than I know what to do with."

He flushed and nodded. The last brother was reading on the couch, but did not approach me. They showed me to a guest room, which was cozy and warm. Before I drifted off to sleep, I heard them talking quietly, the fourth brother leading the conversation.

When I woke up the next morning, I saw the most beautiful necklace I had ever seen. Intricately fashioned with amazing stones. I felt my heart beat faster with that familiar feeling of having to have it.

I padded out of bed and the brothers were in the living room, eating breakfast.

"The necklace is so beautiful, I love it. How much for it?" I asked.

"Oh we don't want money for it. . .," the fourth brother said and grinned at me. "It's a gift."

"I couldn't, I really couldn't," I said, my cheeks pinkening with pleasure.

"Well . . .maybe you would?" another brother said.

I looked at them all. "All of you?" I said, faintly.

"You're the most beautiful woman we have ever seen. We would love to show you the city and take you out, where ever you wanted—"

"Dinner, shopping, the theater—"

"We could stay at the city's Waldorf—"

"Get room service—"

I started laughing. "All of that?" They nodded earnestly. The necklace was gorgeous and a one of a kind. They were really sweet in their own way and they weren't exactly bad looking . . .

"Deal," I said, and all their faces lit up.