*They go inside. The great hall is full of people. The flickering firelight of the hearth illuminates two long tables where Sam's merchandise has been laid out. Joel and Aidan look at the varieties of the vǫlsi. They look leathery and some are richly decorated, like wooden statuettes. Eyolf is in the middle, his silk golden gown shimmering in the fire, and people swarm around him to ask for his opinion and advice.*

Sam comes back inside and stretches, and sits beside Eyolf.

*Hakon is there and he's laughing, saying he'll buy a bunch of those and already planning with his wife and their mistress on when to use them.*

Sam: *at Hakon* Man, thanks for your business! You're a real good sport! Hope you and your ladies like it!

Hakon *pats Sam on the back*: Pleasure doing business with you, Sámr! I'll be sure to spread the word on your merchandise. Expect feedback soon.

Sam: Wonderful!

*Two young men, Helgi and Lars, have got their hands on two vǫlsis and are duelling with them.*

Sam: That's hilarious, guys! I need to join in after the day's done! I suggest throwing some of these at Eindriði! And maybe Aidan and Joel too.

Eyolf: *patting the fashionable stretch of shaggy fur adorning his shoulders as if it were a pet, whispers to Sam* Not sure that's a good idea, dear... Yngvar doesn't respond well to aggression, and you don't want this to backfire. To honeyed words, on the other hand... *winks* If you leave it to me, I might make him change his mind about their usefulness in a couple of days…

Sam: *raises his eyebrows* Good idea. You know him very well, after all! Yes, let's see what you can do, indeed…*winks* I think we might see Eindriði a changed man in a few days.

Eyolf *grins*: All thanks to you, Sámr!

Sam: I think it's probably due to you, since you're the one closest to him...quite literally!

Eyolf *to Sam*: Are you interested in trading with us on a regular basis? I could be in charge of distribution. I think we'll make excellent business partners.

Sam: That would be a great idea! Definitely! Should I whip up a contract?

Eyolf *giggles* Please do. Time is money, so let's get to it. And the Yule feast is a great time for purchasing these babies. Nothing like those long pleasant evenings around the hearth with lots of mead flowing. *wink*

*Sam agrees and does the contract.*

Sam: Oh yes, literal babies will be created, too…

*Rannveig, Malka and Katya are checking out the vǫlsi as well. This reminds Malka of the time she accidentally saw Joel naked. Katya suggests that Sam's actually awful in bed, so that's why she's buying these and she's thinking of leaving Sam, since he's irritating.*

Rannveig: I can only imagine! Did you hear him bragging about defeating Yngvar in an argument? We should be happy it was only a verbal joust they got into... or your break up with Sam would've been made much easier! *giggles* So... Do you think these are better than a man? They're certainly safer. No accidents. No attachment, quite literally!

Katya: I don't know if they are. It's true they come with no attachments, and it'll be interesting to try them, but I think they should be in another category entirely. *sighs* You're right. I should've left Sam a while ago. He was beginning to get on my nerves, and he is someone who makes himself out to be a lot more interesting than he actually is. He is quite boring and honestly, quite childish once you get to know him. Yes, he's got ambition and drive, but I never felt like he truly valued me. He was nice to me and always listened to me, but it always felt like he wasn't entirely there, almost. He's just too focused on fame!

Rannveig: I think you deserve better, Katya. You're so mature... Maybe you can stay here as my guest and let Sam go back? Maybe you can find someone better among our men. It would be a new experience, at least! And if not, we'll at least have a lot of fun together.

Katya:* nods* That's true. I don't know if I'm mature though. I guess just more mature than Sam. laughs lightly It's all a matter of perspective, however. I think I'll just see what happens next. It's hard to plan ahead sometimes. How about you? How has your relationship with Aidan been coming along? Or are you with Asvald now?

Rannveig: Oh... *she seems a bit flustered, but giggles* I'm not really with Asvald. He's not much better than one of those toys. *her gaze drifts discreetly around the hall* Aidan, though... With him, I talk about things I've never told anyone before. He's sweet and caring, and even when he doesn't understand, I know he really tries. He likes me and I like him to, but... How does one begin?

Katya: Is it the "eunuch" problem that Sam keeps on alluding to? *Chuckles* I mean, Sam's exaggerating. What he means by "eunuch" might just be reticence of shyness.

Rannveig:*smiles, stealing a glance at Aidan* I hope so. I was always afraid to initiate it, because I don't want him to think I'm a pervert, but I don't want him to see me as a prudish and fragile maiden either. 

Katya: That makes sense. Yes, it's a good idea to balance passion with prudence. Otherwise, people might get the wrong impression. They usually do.

Rannveig to Malka: How about your "eunuch", Malka? Are you waiting for him to make the first step?

Malka: I'm not sure...at this point, I wonder if he's so far gone that there's no point in waiting. He has a lot of issues to sort out, perhaps too many. Always out to prove a point…

Katya: In some ways, he's a bit like Sam, isn't he?

Rannveig: *sighs* Why do these things have to be so difficult...?

Katya: Nothing is ever so simple. Otherwise, it wouldn't be life, right?

Malka: I think Aidan is a lot more psychologically healthy than Joel is. At least he has a reason to be reticent, due to his upbringing as a monk. but Joel is doing this because he can, because of his hubris and because of his "freedom" to do so. That's much worse, isn't it? I'm almost tempted to see how far he can go…

*In the meantime, Sam looks at one of the biggest toys in the store and grins.*

Sam: You know where I got that? This bearded man on a ship - I think he might've been a god or something! He suddenly gave it to me and I woke up. It was like a vision from a deity!

Eyolf: *ostentatiously loud*: Hear that! Was it a ship that has only favourable winds in its sails? And this god, is he very fair and has a boar with him? *winks at Sam* Then, it must've been Freyr in disguise, the god of fertility! *to the audience* This is no mere toy, but a blessing of Freyr, bringing fertility to its wielders! All hail The Sámvǫlsi!

Sam: Yeah, I totally agree with you! I think it was Freyr in disguise! What a blessing it was to have met him!

*Sam gets down on his knees and bows before the Sámvǫlsi. Everyone does the same.*

~ THE END ~