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“Everyone hates clowns," Otis said. "Even other clowns hate clowns.”
― Rick Riordan, The Mark of Athena

“They'll torture you for months before killing you if you run" Otis shrugged, as if this was an everyday occurrence.”
― Heather Brewer, Twelfth Grade Kills

“I'll sit on him,' Otis says and laughs like it's the funniest thing in the world. He twirls a small ball of fire in one hand and a Desert Eagle .50 Caliber in the other. If Seven didn't know him, he'd probably be running away as fast as he could. It's a big gun.”
― T.J. Klune, Burn

“I always keep thinkin' that maybe I could find a place where you nevah have to get mad, and then I'd be cool. My daddy told me before he died that that place was called Dead.”
― Walter Mosley, The Awkward Black Man: Stories

“I mounted the stairs to my pavilion and sank onto Hlidskjalf, the magic throne from which I can peer into the Nine Worlds. The seat cradled my posterior with its ermine-lined softness. I took a few deep breaths to focus my concentration, then turned to the worlds beyond.
I usually begin with a cursory look-see of my own realm, Asgard, then circle through the remaining eight: Midgard, realm of the humans; the elf kingdom of Alfheim; Vanaheim, the Vanir gods� domain; Jotunheim, land of the giants; Niflheim, the world of ice, fog, and mist; Helheim, realm of the dishonorable dead; Nidavellir, the gloomy world of the dwarves; and Muspellheim, home of the fire giants.
This time, I didn’t make it past Asgard. Because goats.
Specifically, Thor’s goats, Marvin and Otis. They were on the Bifrost, the radioactive Rainbow Bridge that connects Asgard to Midgard, wearing footy pajamas. But there was no sign of Thor, which was odd. He usually kept Marvin and Otis close. He killed and ate them every day, and they came back to life the next morning.
More disturbing was Heimdall, guardian of the Bifrost. He was hopping around on all fours like a deranged lunatic. “So here’s what I want you guys to do,� he said to Otis and Marvin between hops. “Cavort. Frolic. Frisk about. Okay?�
I parted the clouds. “Heimdall! What the Helheim is going on down there?�
“Oh, hey, Odin!� Heimdall’s helium-squeaky voice set my teeth on edge. He waved his phablet at me. “I’m making a cute baby goat video as my Snapchat story. Cute baby goat videos are huge in Midgard. Huge!� He spread his hands out wide to demonstrate.
“I’m not a baby!� Marvin snapped.
“I’m cute?� Otis wondered.
“Put that phablet away and return to your duties at once!�
According to prophecy, giants will one day storm across the Bifrost, a signal that Ragnarok is upon us. Heimdall’s job is to sound the alarm on his horn, Gjallar—a job he would not be able to perform if he were making Snapchat stories.
“Can I finish my cute baby goat video first?� Heimdall pleaded.
“N´Ç.â€�
“Aw.� He turned to Otis and Marvin. “I guess that’s a wrap, guys.�
“Finally,� Marvin said. “I’m going for a graze.� He hopped off the bridge and plummeted to almost certain death and next-day resurrection. Otis sighed something about the grass being greener on the other side, then jumped after him.
“Heimdall,� I said tightly, “need I remind you what could happen if even one jotun snuck into Asgard?�
Heimdall hung his head. “Apologetic face emoji.�
I sighed. “Yes, all right.”
― Rick Riordan, 9 From the Nine Worlds