[ the picnic may be a more sedate affair than it had been in recent years, but there is one corner from which raucous laughter can be heard, full-bellied and loud. it comes from a (seemingly) young man with long blond hair and an equally blond beard. he's tall, even sitting down as he is, shoulders brought and eyes very blue. even hidden under a flannel shirt as they are, his biceps are impressive and his thighs muscular when he slaps them.

the perfect example of an all-american male, you might think. ]

— and in return, I smashed his nose. [ he's saying, and laughs again. a moment later, he gets to his feet. ] More beer! Who's in?

Who here has heard of the Norse Gods?

[ a perfectly innocent inquiry. ]