Chapter 43 — Hotel Reservation
Thor watched as Jack Frost flew off into the distance, laughing freely while entertaining a group of children in the snowy streets. The sight made Thor's lips curl into a small, quiet smile.
— Who would've thought this world would be like this… — he murmured under his breath. — Well, at least now I know exactly where I am.
He turned away from the fading trail of frost left behind by Jack and started walking along the snow-covered sidewalk.
— Time to find a hotel for the girls to stay in when they arrive, — he thought.
The city around him was lively despite the cold. Christmas lights hung from lampposts, glowing softly under the falling snow. Storefronts were decorated with wreaths and ornaments, and people walked briskly past him, bundled up in thick coats and scarves. Each exhale created small clouds of steam in the freezing air.
Thor wandered for a while, his boots leaving crisp tracks on the untouched layers of snow. The cold didn't bother him, but he found the atmosphere strangely calming. Eventually, after turning a corner, he spotted a tall, warmly lit building — a hotel with a decorated entrance and golden lights outlining its snowy roof.
He stepped inside, and a pleasant wave of warm air greeted him. The interior was cozy, lit by soft yellow lamps, with garlands wrapped along the banisters and a decorated Christmas tree near the entrance. The smell of chocolate and cinnamon lingered in the air, instantly giving the place a welcoming feel.
At the reception desk, the young woman behind the counter glanced up — and froze for a moment.
In her entire life working at the hotel, she had never seen a man that handsome walk through the door.
Thor offered a polite smile.
— "Hello. I'd like to make a reservation."
"O-of course!" she answered quickly, trying to keep her composure. "How many people?"
"For four," Thor replied calmly. "My sister, my fiancée, her friend, and myself. Do you have any rooms available? I noticed the city is pretty full because of the Christmas celebrations."
"One moment! I'll check for you right away. In the meantime… you can wait on that sofa over there. And if you'd like, there's hot chocolate available for guests."
Thor nodded.
— "That's a tempting offer. I'll gladly accept."
He walked over to the sofa and took a seat. The cushions were soft, and the warmth of the place made him relax almost instantly. He picked up a cup of hot chocolate from the nearby table, the steam rising gently as he blew on the surface before taking a sip.
Through the large glass window, he watched the slow snowfall outside. The white flakes drifted down silently, covering cars, benches, and rooftops like a blanket. People on the streets hurried along, clearly eager to reach their homes before the temperature dropped further.
Thor let out a quiet breath.
— Looks almost like my old world…
The sun was setting behind the buildings, casting a soft golden glow over the snowy landscape. For a brief moment, everything looked calm — almost too calm for the world he suspected he had entered.
— If this really is the world of "Rise of the Guardians," then that means the villain is here too… Pitch Black.
— Let's just hope he hasn't gotten stronger the way the Dragon Queen did… otherwise things might get complicated. And knowing my luck…
His thoughts drifted for a few more seconds until the sound of footsteps brought him back. The receptionist approached him again, holding a small tablet.
"Sorry for the wait," she said politely. "But… we only have two rooms available."
Thor smiled lightly.
— "That's fine. My fiancée and I can stay in one room, and my sister with her friend in the other."
As he spoke, a brief thought crossed his mind:
— If I say Shiro is also my fiancée, that'll sound strange in this world… especially with her appearance. The last thing I need is trouble with the authorities.
The receptionist noticed the momentary pause in his expression but didn't comment on it. Instead, she motioned toward the counter.
"Then, shall we proceed with the check-in?"
"Of course," Thor replied, standing and following her.
The check-in process was quick — filling out names, choosing the room types, confirming the dates. The receptionist handed him two keycards with a smile.
"Your rooms are on the fourth floor, sir. If you need anything — extra blankets, towels, or directions — feel free to call the front desk."
"Thank you," Thor said, genuinely appreciative.
He headed toward the elevator, the doors closing softly behind him. As he rode up, gentle instrumental Christmas music played overhead, blending naturally with the soft humming of the elevator. When the doors opened, he walked down the hallway, the carpet muffling his footsteps.
Inside his room, Thor set his things down, removed his boots, and let himself fall onto the bed. The mattress was soft, far more comfortable than he expected. He stared at the ceiling, feeling the fatigue of the day settling in.
— Tomorrow, I'll explore the city and figure out exactly where the story is at this point… After that, I'll go back to pick up the girls before they start worrying.
His eyelids grew heavy, and he finally allowed himself to relax.
— "Sleeping alone sucks…" he muttered quietly to the empty room. "Without Shiro or Astrid to hold, it's going to be hard to get a good night's sleep."
Within moments, the quiet room, the warmth, and the soft bed began pulling him into a calm, dreamless rest.