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There's no hiding the presence of Xavier's Institute. For all the secrecy the students and staff try to maintain, it's still a school, and they can't hide its existence. Still, though Crystal works here, she still sees herself as a guest to a certain degree. So rather than the front door, she'll meet the Thunderer at the gate, suggesting a walk through the expansive grounds rather than going into the Institute itself.
The early fall evening air is cool without being cold, the twilight sky holding on to shades of pink, amber, and purple as it starts to deepen into night. It's relatively quiet on the grounds now, students all engaged in homework, dinner, or their own amusements before bed. Crystal wears a simple dress, mid-calf and short sleeved in a light green embroidered with flowers. "Is everything well?" she asks as she walks. "I hadn't expected to hear from you again so soon."
*
Uneasy lies the Crown Prince's, well, future crown. His arm is offered for the fair Princess to hold in their stroll, and the grounds do serve as some aid in the relief from his tensions, but it's still not enough to undo the lines drawn upon his face. Thor chuffs a soft breath in a ghost of a laugh and looks down at his companion, "If it were up to me, you would have seen me sooner," is murmured, "but things do not go the way I'd wish them." Blue eyes look out again at the trees before them, the manicured lawns being passed. "I seek counsel, and you are the only one who could begin to understand the position in which I find myself."
Thor's pace doesn't cease, but he does slow, "I have grown fond of Midgard, and oddly enough, my brother has as well. I don't know if you've ever met him, however. Now, I may have to leave it because my brother has perhaps found himself in need of my aid back home."
*
"I have met your brother, though briefly," Crystal nods. "And usually in times of crisis. But he did come to my aid when Muspelheim arrived, and for that I owe him some debt." She takes the offered arm, though there is some formality to the gesture, her steps carefully measured to match his longer stride as well as she can.
"It seemed to me as though your brother was…Well, yes. Very fond of his place here, and settled in it. I'm surprised to hear that he would have affairs in Asgard which would keep him from this world." She looks back up at him, arching a brow. "What do you think has captured him there?"
*
"Yes, of course. Forgive me." The words come quickly, "I had forgotten. It's just.." Thor finds his place once again and begins anew, "That is just it. He went to Asgard to speak to Father about the incursion of the Muspell. Perhaps to warn him, perhaps to declare the good done for Midgard, but he has not yet returned. He'd told me that if he were not back within the day to consider him lost. Yet.. he's been away such that it could be anything that keeps him. Mother, for example, will rejoice to see her son again. And as a returning Prince, there are affairs of state to which we are suited… and.."
Thor shakes his head, the long blond strands moving with the action, "Amora believes trouble immediately, but she is in exile here, commanded by the All-Father. Lady Scarlett is a mortal with special abilities who also believes ill has befallen, but she does not understand Loki. Or the court. And I fear that Amora is guided by her need to return home for whatever reason."
*
Crystal tilts her head slightly, watching him with a sharp eye. "And you wonder if perhaps he isn't missing, but has gone home to stay, to perhaps take the place which you are uncertain of yourself." She knows all too well about ambitious, clever younger brothers and crown princes with complicated personalities. "And you wonder if you wish to go home to rescue him, or if you'll find your worst fears confirmed."
She falls silent for a moment, walking along. "Well. It seems the question is, which could you not forgive yourself for? If you stayed here and your brother had taken your place? Or if you stayed here and your brother had been in need of your aid?"
*
"I am here by my own choice.. The All-Father told Amora that if she could get me to return to Agard, her exile will be lifted." Thor exhales in a sigh and looks down and looks grim, "The same can be said if I return home to aid Loki. Either way, I am home, which is what Father wants."
Another breath is forced through and he shakes his head, "If Father gives the crown of Asgard to my brother, it would be because he deserves it. Right now, two sons remain away from court, and what I am afraid of is the taking of one son in the knowledge the other will return. But, I cannot be sure that Loki is in need of aid. Amora says it, but she has purpose behind it. And Scarlett believes it, but she is in love with him and misses him."
Finally Thor stops his step and turns to look at the Princess. "Amora's plan to go in as to act as my betrothed. To say that she has convinced me to return and that she is to be Queen. That would lift her exile, it would bring me home as Odin wishes.. but I do not trust her." He looks down at Crystal's hand before he lifts blue eyes back, "Would you travel to Asgard with me?"
*
"Your father is a king," Crystal points out with a faint, rueful smile. "He will forgive or not as it pleases him, and if it suits his purpose." At his question, she stills, gaze serious as she considers her answer.
"It seems," she says slowly, "That it would be a kindness to take Amora with you, to give her the credit for convincing you to return. By the same token, your father could just as well decide that it was Loki's capture that convinced you, putting her in danger of his wrath for defying his will by returning at all. Which is leverage he could further use to convince you to stay, as I know you would not stand for being responsible for someone else's pain." Crystal, it seems, was not absent for all of her sister's lessons in statecraft.
Again, she falls silent, moving the pieces in her mind. "You have said your father does not approve of your interests in this world, your highness. What aid do you think I could be?"
*
A ghost of a smile appears on the Thunderer's face and he reaches for those hands that had been holding politely and loosely upon his arm to hold them in his own hands. "And this is why I seek counsel from you." He dips his head and bobs his head in a nod, "It would be a kindness, and not one that I'm certain she deserves. There are moments when I think that perhaps she understands that her passions rule her and she regrets such things, and then there are other times when she revels in it, much to the chagrin of others."
Thor stands for a long moment, a few moments before he cocks his head, "You could be of great aid to me. It will be a real reason to return to Asgard. To show you my home, and I wouldn't have to pretend to be betrothed to the Enchantress. After all, Mother would see through such a ruse, and I'm certain if Father would also. He would claim sorcery and it could go ill for Amora if he thinks such a thing was forced upon me." He lifts those hands, holding them gently between them, "If Amora returns with me, she could still claim to have convinced me to return, but the reason would not be for love or marriage, but because she convinced me that Loki required my aid."
*
"A kindness that costs you nothing is always something another deserves," Crystal chides gently, giving his hands an encouraging squeeze. But that wasn't his question. She takes a breath, glancing away as she considers.
"Very well," she nods as she turns back to him. "Though on the condition that you tell them you are seeking their permission to begin courting. Your father will take it as a sign that you are at least considerate to his will, which protects you, me, and the entire party by placating him."
*
Thor's smile brightens a little more, and he bows formally over her hand and lifts his gaze, the smile turning lopsided and boyish. "I bow to your wise counsel, my Lady." She's right, of course! "Mother will love you. Father, I believe, will come to approve." Given time.
Now, with that burden lifted, Thor turns and offers his arm again, and his tones turn lighter, and a touch loftier as if now musing. "Now, so far, we have Amora, Loki's .. assistant, Scarlett. There was a suggestion that I pay a man known only to me as 'a supreme sorceror' a visit. His name and where I can find him, I will have to return to the Lady Scarlett."
*
"Supreme Sorcerer?" Crystal quirks a brow. "I suspect- Yes. I'm familiar with the gentleman. He occasionally consults here regarding some of our students. If the professor trusts him, then I'm certain he deserves it and could be a worthy ally. Though you should consider how your father might feel about bringing a powerful human sorcerer to his halls as well."
*
"Aye, that was my thought too. If Father doesn't approve of mortals stepping into his Realm, how would he take to one with such a title…" Thor exhales in sigh, his gaze set to the middle distance as he slow-strolls. "But, if such a one was trustworthy; moreso than, say, Amora, he would be good leverage against my Father." Which would mean… what? treason? He shakes his head again and looks to his side, "Which would then mean I would be permanently in exile, my brother would take the Throne, and there would be nothing but myself to offer."
*
"I think that leverage against your father is something of a wasted concept, your highness," Crystal points out, practical. "There is a point at which threats are merely a waste of time, and it is my impression that your father is well beyond that point. Besides, do you have even the slightest idea how his magic interacts with your own? You've no idea what might be damaged in a confrontation."
His last statement gives her pause, her hand tightening briefly on his. "But were you in exile, you would have no obligations to be wed. Your heart would be your own to give as you pleased."
*
Thor bounces his head in a nod, "You are right, my lady. It is probably best that even should I speak with him, he remains on this side of the Bifrost." A soft chuffed breath exits the Thunderer, but with those next words from her, it brings him to still his pace. He turns to her, brows rising and he ducks his head, his expression softening, "It is my own to give as I please. I saw you before I knew you were a Princess. That, you told me after I'd made your acquaintance." A chuckle sounds deep in his chest, "It is not your title that I see, my lady Crystalia. One cannot walk with a title. One cannot laugh with a title. One cannot sit at the bonfire telling stories with a title. All things I enjoy doing and wish to do with you."
*
"Your highness…" Crystal hesitates, torn between honesty and politics, looking back toward the manor and one window in particular. "You must know that I am flattered, and that I respect you. That I am honored by your interest. But were I without obligations, without title and family, my heart would belong to another. I do not tell you this to-" She pauses, catching her lower lip between her teeth. "You are a fine- Randac, why can I not find the words?" she sighs, frustrated with herself.
"Please, I beg of you to take no offense, nor to believe that your advances are unappreciated. But I respect you too much not to be honest with you," she concludes, earnest.
*
Thor pauses for a long moment before his shoulders slouch a little, and there's a bit of a downcast to his expression. "I see," he says softly. "Well.. I.." There's another moment of silence before he exhales in a quiet air and looks as if he is making a decision behind those blue eyes. "What manner of man would I be to press upon such a thing when a heart can't be gained." Or better yet? "I would be no man at all to insist upon something that simply could not be because of title and 'duty'." The Thunderer takes a step back, though he takes hold of her hands once again to bow over them, "I am sorry."
*
"Oh, please don't." Crystal tightens her hands on his with a pained expression. "Please, I beg of you, think no-" She steps forward, reaching a hand for his cheek in a reassuring touch. "I do not tell you this to frighten you away, your highness," she says gently. "Or to make you feel as though you are any less. I know my place in the world. I know that a political marriage is my future, one way or another. Knowing that, I have yet to meet someone I could better imagine a happy future with. But I think perhaps that you…"
A small smile touches one corner of her lips. "You believe that you can avoid that fate. And I would not deprive you of the opportunity to give your heart to someone who might have no reservations. It would be selfish of me not to tell you, to hold on to you out of fear that a marriage might be arranged to someone far less agreeable than yourself."
*
Thor lifts a hand to press hers that sits to touch his face. "I thought I had, once." That hand that presses here is taken in hand and he holds it there lightly against the blond stubble that is his beard. "But you taught me that both could live in harmony… living for Asgard and my heart. If I court you, you may live to resent me, resent my station, resent your position and not be able to find it in you to eventually love me because of all that you've lost."
A deep breath is taken, and he allows the hand to slip away if that's what she wishes, and his own hand drops. Thor attempts a ghost of a smile, complete with a softly rumbled laugh, "If it is to save you from your other options, then I cannot turn my back on you."
*
"I think you underestimate my dedication to my people," Crystal smiles ruefully. "And your own charm, for that matter." Her hand lingers for a moment longer after his hand falls, reassuring, before she lowers it back to her side. "Let us continue as we have begun, then. I will help you with your family. We will speak with our families. Perhaps, having seen that you are not entirely opposed to his will, your father will be willing to grant you the time and the space you need. Or perhaps there is something more to be built between our people."
*
"I think after meeting you and my doing as you suggest, he will be speaking to Mother about when our wedding should be set." Thor can't help but chuckle at that, and he shakes his head before he bows it to her. "My charm?" The chuckle turns into a soft laugh and his manner brightens somewhat, "Do not speak of such a thing before my brother. He can tell you stories that would send anyone racing to the door, asking the Fates what had been done to deserve such a man as myself." An arm is once again offered, and Thor is content to begin walking again, "I would hear more about your people, so I know how I must approach them to ask permission. Does your people know of Asgard? Are you a race of warriors like ourselves and the Valkyrie? Or more peaceful folk?"
*
"We have heard of Asgard," Crystal nods, taking his arm to continue walking. Now that the sun has set, it's even cooler on the grounds, the soft sound of chirping crickets echoing through the grass. "As for our own nature, that is…somewhat complicated. Originally, our first people were the ancestors of humans, altered by the Kree with their own genetic material in an attempt to breed a race of warriors for their own incessant infighting. They were forced to abandon their experiments centuries ago, though, and in their absence, we built our own society. Some are warriors. Some are scientists."
History and politics, plenty of information to be shared. And more comfortable conversation than one of feelings and futures, especially right now. As the stars start to come out and the moon rises, the conversation waxes on.