A few thousand feet above, a remarkably average day turned unexpectedly overcast. In the tunnels of Vanaheim, far beneath the mountains, Perun's mood was just as dark. It took all his self control to keep his hands from balling into fists and slamming into the stone walls as he passed; bad things often happened when he allowed his temper to flare.

Far enough from the chamber to be confident that his sister's abilities did not pose a danger, he halted and pulled the bronzed helmet from his head, blinking as the dim light of the corridor assaulted his previously blinded peripheral vision. Helm cradled in one arm, he ran the gloved hand of the other through his hair, the film of sweat and condensation allowing him to convert his flattened coif of hair into inadvertent spikes.

His now-moist palm lingered over his eyes, both unpleasant and soothing at the same time. He let them close, reaching deep into the recesses of his mind in search of the soothing voice that always whispered what he needed to hear to keep himself under control.

Moments passed before his eyes opened again, his self not immersed in total calm, but far less incensed than before. A small hint of a smile tugged at his lips as his keen senses picked up on a familiar approach. "Trying to sneak up on me, huh?" he half-muttered, his smile blossoming as he turned to settle his eyes on the one woman in all the world who made everything better.