So it would appear that I’m totally wrong, which amuses me greatly. Fandom Fest last weekend was kind of a joke in its own right, but I nevertheless walked away with a few good stories. This one is my particular favorite:

I was standing at my table, minding my own business and trying to ignore the insanity of the weekend (all of that has been covered my many, many others so we won’t get into it here) when I had some random stranger walk up to the table.

He picked up a copy of Loki’s Game, then turned it over and began to read the blurb. The conversation that followed went something like this:

HIM: “Wait… wait a minute. What the… Can I ask you just one question?”

ME:  ” Sure. What is it?”

HIM: “So I’m sort of a mythology nut, and I read all sorts of mythology.”

ME: “Okay, I do too.”

HIM: “So most people don’t know that Loki isn’t a bad guy and that he’s actually the god of Night and Fire as well.”

At this point I’m starting to wonder if I missed the question.

ME: “I know he’s not evil. He’s a trickster. In D&D terms, he’s Chaotic Neutral. And I did know he lords over other aspects of nature as well.”

He’s still talking over me at this point like I don’t even exist. He’s also getting red-faced and angry. I don’t think he hears me.

HIM: “…and I’m assuming that Rowan is the descendent of a god, right?”

Finally…a question!

ME: “Technically no. [This is the point when he stopped listening.] He’s the descendent of the dragon Fafnir.”

HIM”: “THEN THERE IS NO WAY THIS GUY COULD EVER OUTRUN LOKI BECAUSE HE DOESN’T HAVE THE SPEED AND POWERS OF A GOD AND…”

I tune out and let him rant. It goes on for a couple minutes while both my husband and Kayelle McClive watch in shock, awe, and amusement.

ME: “He’s a shapeshifter and the descendent of a magical creature…”

HIM: “I DON’T CARE! I HATE IT WHEN PEOPLE ABUSE MYTHOLOGY AND…”

Again, I stop listening. I also physically bite my tongue to keep from laughing.

HIM: “I’m sorry. I just can’t believe this.”

And he puts the book down and walks away. I have to try very hard not to fall into a hysterical giggling fit at this point because he’s still within earshot. I then launch into my  very own tirade about how all of the mechanics are covered in the book and I know what I’m doing and I’ve read dozens of books on mythology and don’t take changing the stories lightly and…

Well, you get the idea.

Now it’s really funny. At least it is to me. And it’s one of those moments that made the atrociously horrible weekend that was Fandom Fest bearable.