Valhalla

Art by Abe

Brother!

Brother!

Tonight we dine in Valhalla!

Valhalla!

Yes, Brother. It is time to dine with our elders. To make good on our promises. To prove ourselves worthy of our family name.

Brother.

Brother?

What if we didn't?

What if we didn't what?

What if we didn't dine in Valhalla tonight?

Surely you jest, brother. Tonight is the culmination of great plans and machinations. We've talked about this a great many times. It would be a great dishonor to abandon our plans now.

But... we could?

Brother.

Think on it - is it necessary to waste time and treasure tonight on this ridiculous endeavor? To march ourselves into a certain trap that would lead to nothing but the wailing of our wives and children? All for what? Honor? Pride? The chance that our stories might outlive us?

Brother, how dare you. What are the tears of women and children compared to legacy? To prove we keep our promises? To make all our descendants proud of our family name?

Would they be proud though?

What do you mean? Of course they'll be proud.

Are we proud of our parents? Are we proud of our grandparents?

No, of course not. I detest them the same as you/

Then why are we rushing to meet them in Valhalla?

To prove we're better! To prove we're more worthy! To prove we can keep our word.

But you know we can. Our children know we can. Must we engage in this farse?

Yes, I insist upon it.

Bah, fine. But know that I retain the right to say 'I told you so.'

So be it. The reservation's at six, it's the Valhalla off route nine. I'll pick up mom and dad, aunt Jane and uncle Bill will pick up grandma and grandpa and meet us there.