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Medusa and her sister are a well traveled pair, and given the physical variety incorporate in their people, the presence of so many outcasts doesn't seem to bother her overmuch. There is no hiding her own unusual features, or rather, singular feature is worthy of notice, though she does her best to keep her hair's more effusive behaviors at a minimum. She walks in alongside Crystal, very comfortable with the beatnik black she's decked out in and perhaps faintly envious of those who can pull off berets. "What an intriguing locale." she remarks with a grin to her sister.
*
"I've visited it often," Crystal admits to her sister with a small smile, raising a hand to the bartender in a friendly wave as she walks in. "When I was searching for you, it seemed like a good place to come across people who would mark the unusual." She reaches out to briefly twine a finger into a lock of her sister's hair, smile wry, as she makes her way to a table.
She's dressed in one of her nicer things, a close-fitting mid-calf sheath dress with elbow sleeves and a wide neck in dusty blue silk. It's not the first time she's worn it, and it might be more at home in a well-heeled office than a club, but it's at least more formal than her usual dresses.
*
There really isn't anything particularly different that would set the Thunderer apart from those in this Realm. He wears his hair differently, certainly.. its length is a few inches further than most men's styles, which may cause some stares. He is a touch taller than a good number of people as well as broader. And there is the bass of his tone when he speaks.
Okay, Thor does stand out.
This was the club, the time and place. Thor is trying, he really is, to fit in a little more with Midgardian ways. He doesn't fly to the club, and he wears something a touch more stylish than the casual button down shirts, even if it needed tailoring to suit his build. The door opens, then, and brilliant blue eyes search the dark interior of the club, the dim lights making it a touch more difficult to see any who might be darkly attired.
*
Indeed, Thor does stand out. Medusa's gaze narrows in on him like an arrow hitting the bullseye. "Well," she says delicately as the pair settle down at a small table, "You weren't making a joke when you said he's blindingly handsome." The remark is rather clinical, though. Less Tex Avery, more like she's appreciating a Klimt. "Do you want to let him know we're here, or wait and see if he manages to find us?"
*
"If that were all he were, this would be an easier choice," Crystal murmurs, brushing a hand to her sister's forearm as she sits. Rather than stand and wave, she stays where she is. She doesn't wait either, though. Instead, with a slow spin of one finger, she weaves a light breeze across the floor of the club, the brush of air wafting over his shoulder with the faintest hint of ozone. He is, as Amora says, the Thunderer. How better to draw his attention?
*
Dark.. and the music? Loud.. so the first few steps into the club are slow and deliberate as he gets his bearing. It's obvious, then, when the scent of ozone hits him, and brows rise as he searches the room yet again, though now with more purpose. The moment he catches the familiar form of Crystal, there is a wide, lopsided smile, and he begins to make his way towards the table. Of course, the course is diverted a moment when he asks the waitress for 'an ale' before he finishes crossing the distance.
"My lady," is rumbled in greeting first to Crystal before he turns his attention to Medusa. There's a quick glance before he inclines his head in a 'setting proper' sort of acknowledgment, "Your majesty," follows before he's back to the pair, "The evening finds you both well, then?"
*
"It does, thank you." Medusa inclines her head, her hair wafting back and forth like koi fins underwater. "I appreciate that you've provided my sister with assistance. Do join us." Not that he wasn't going to anyway, of course. She seems pleasant, if reserved as she regards him. A few locks of her hair seem to subconsciosly, flutter against Crystal's bicep protectively before settling back into place.
*
"Your highness," Crystal rises as Thor approaches, smile faint. "May I introduce my sister, Princess Medusa. Medusa, his highness Prince Thor Odinson, of Asgard." With proper introductions made, she settles back into her seat, smoothing a hand over the tablecloth in an absent gesture. "Thank you for meeting us here," she adds. "It's…easier than trying to meet at the Institute, I'm afraid."
*
Thor bows once again at the introduction, and once invited to join them, pulls up a chair with the following apology, "I'm afraid I cannot stay long, as much as I'd like to. I have received word that one of my friends is here on Midgard and, well.." Here, he chuckles again, the sound boyish, "while he is an excellent sword and I would dream of no other beside me in that hour of need, he is…" Beat. "He bears watching." Thor is quick to add, however, "And not in a bad way, mind.."
But…
Thor looks to Crystal, this time his gaze lingering just a little longer and he shakes his head, "This is fine. A fine.. what is it? Mace.. no.. club. Yes, a fine club."
Though, it's back to Medusa, and his expression takes a shift as he lowers his voice so it's only for the table. "I would speak to you on a personal matter, but I fear that I have not the time. I hope you can pardon me that it cannot be done this evening." Thor looks back to Crystal and he adds, "I would like to leave for Asgard on this Sunday."
*
"I look forward to our discussion." Medusa replies affably, crossing her legs demurely at the ankles and leaning slightly to one side. "Good luck with your fellow." She then looks between them. "Ah. Yes. This foray into Asgard. Good luck with that too." There's a faint smile as she inclines her head. "Have a good evening, Prince Thor."
*
"I will be ready," Crystal dips her chin to Thor, smile flickering. "If we have an opportunity to discuss plans before then, it might be wise. I had a conversation with Amora that brought up a few potential issues we should consider and prepare for, I think." She's not even going to mention the threats? Apparently not yet. "I wish you well with your friend, of course."
*
A personal matter, as opposed to a matter of state. A matter of the heart.
"Should she agree to accompany me, she will be well looked after. There is naught in Asgard to harm her. She will be treated as the Princess she is." Slowly Thor rises, gaining his feet, and he inclines his head in a subdued bow once again for the Princess Medusa before he looks to Crystal. He holds out a hand to her to wish her a good evening and freezes, "You had a conversation with Amora.." and the words come slowly and deliberately. There is that moment in time before his expression changes, and it's very much the look of an annoyed Prince that suddenly has business thrust upon him in the middle of a time of relaxation.
"I see.. thank you, my princess.. I will speak with her, and if there is extra counsel to be gained from you, I will await your word." Thor looks to the pair before standing straight, to his full height, and turning to go out the door.
*
A single one of Medusa's brows lifts ever so elegantly over the course of his declaration, her smile remaining attentive and polite as he departs. Once he goes though, she signals the waitress with an upraised hand as she turns to Crystal and regards her intently. Years of learning to read Black Bolt so intimately has left her a pretty good interpreter of other people's body language, and she wants to see what of Crystal remains unspoken.
*
"There is no need for concern, your highness," Crystal laughs softly at Thor's reaction. "But she did bring up some good points. And she has your best interests at heart. It would do no harm to listen to her counsel as well." Medusa knows Crystal well enough to know she's taking a page from her sister's book, keeping something close to her chest and letting others dig their own graves. "Enjoy your friend, your highness. Do try not to rampage too far across Manhattan," she winks.
Only once Thor departs does she let out a breath, turning a rueful look on her sister. "Amora, the Enchantress," she says ruefully. "Who is, it seems, quite in love with the prince and did not care at all for the idea that I might interfere."
*
Medusa's mouth twitches. "I think I may have to tell you what I think as your sister, and what I think as the future queen of Attilan. But I'm not altogether certain they won't have some degree of alignment, if I'm honest. It's probably best I meet the other one." She studies Crystal closely. "Yes, I'd definitely best meet the other one."
*
Crystal sighs, pushing a hand through her hair and pausing to order a martini from the waitress before turning a weary smile on her sister. "Either way, I think I'm going to have to send Lockjaw back into Attilan for a few gowns. Amora obviously had her own motives, but she was quite right in her assessment of my current wardrobe. It's nothing suitable for introductions to royalty."
She and Medusa have claimed a table in the back of the club, hardly standing out among the unusual people who patronize the establishment. Crystal is wearing her blue silk sheath dress, one of the few things she owns that is actually close-fitting and of a nicer material.
*
Medusa has the proper beatnik black dress, but the prerequesite black beret is missing, mainly due to having six feet worth of psychokinetic hair. Once the waitress walks by, she orders a martini, because that's what you do, right? "Take the opportunity to assess Asgard. Especially its technology and military assets. And don't commit to anything, Crystal - no matter how hard he tries to sweep you off your feet."
*
Erik was told to be here at a certain time. Typically not one to go any place without knowing exactly why, things are a bit different where a certain red-haired Inhuman is concerned. The Black Cat's unique mixture of clientele doesn't bother him, though it's worth noting he has to try very hard not to throttle a man with telephone wire on the streets outside for utilizing a particularly ugly slur in regard to the place.
For his part, Erik is dressed nicely, glad for the blast of cooler air that's been sweeping into the Five Buroughs of late. A brown blazer with matching trousers, a light tan turtleneck sweater, and black frye boots, complete with a pipe and tobacco tucked away inside the blazer. Just in case.
Upon entry, keen eyes scan the interior, a piercing sweep that goes well with his straight backed stance and confident aire.
*
"Permission to court only. Nothing more." Crystal nods to her sister, glancing up at the latest entry. Her reaction to this arrival, though, is entirely different. To Medusa, used to subtle changes, it's clear as a flashing neon light. The smile that curves is entirely genuine, crinkling the corners of her eyes, and there's a softness to the way she looks at him.
"It seems you may get your wish, Medusa," she murmurs, nudging her sister's shoulder before she raises a hand to catch Erik's attention. It was a breath of air for Thor, but for Erik, there's the slightest tug at something metallic in his outfit, nudging him in their direction.
*
Medusa's hair continues to float around her like an aura, but something about it becomes more relaxed, less constricted, as she follows Crystal's gaze toward the door. "Ah." is all she says, in a tone possibly infuriatingly knowing, of an older sister with regard to younger. Her martini arrives, and she lets a length of her hair coil around the stem of the glass rather than use her hands.
"It'll be interesting to see how this one is different." Medusa remarks as a soft aside to Crystal. "Truth be told, it won't be difficult to be improved upon."
*
It is the tug that draws Erik's attention toward the proper area. Normally he might have formed a rueful grin, but the sight of Crystal in such attire draws his mouth to part just so.
"Hey handsome."
Erik casually looks toward the young mutant who's become caught up by him. "Yes?"
"Buy you a drink?"
Erik is about to dismiss the young man, when he notices the webbing between his fingers and the gills upon his neck. For a moment, the mutant earns the full measure of his attention. "Another time, perhaps," he answers, with earnest. "I'm afraid I've been… summoned."
Thats one way to put it.
Moments later, Erik has left one disappointed mutant behind and is drawing near Crystal and Medusa's table. "Good evening, my dear," he tells the former, attention full upon Crystal for more than a moment. "I do say, you look marvelous." He reaches down to take her chin, gently but with purpose, and turns her cheek so that he might kiss her. Only then does he turn to the latter, allowing himself to be introduced, as should come next, of course.
*
"Oh, shush," Crystal chides her sister, shaking her head. "It takes all kinds, after all." Still, there's no mistaking the way she watches Erik, smile warming as he pauses to answer the other mutant. She meets his kiss with only the slightest flush to her cheeks, hand settling over his free hand in a gentle touch.
"You look quite sharp yourself," she replies after, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she turns to her sister. "Medusa, this is Erik," she introduces, much more casually. "Erik, my sister Medusa, finally returned to us. You can see why I said the hair stands out, yes?"
*
The martini glass is set down as Medusa stands up and extends her hand. "Erik. A pleasure to meet you." The corners of her mouth turn faintly upward, and for a moment the relationship between the two women is fairly obviously. "I've heard no few things about you and as a result I've been quite eager to make your acquaintance. Will you join us for a drink?"
*
Now, Erik doesn't blush easily, and this is no different. However, there is the slightest of heat that comes to his face, difficult to discern in such dim lighting. "Danke schoen," he answers her compliment, before fully giving his attention over to Medusa.
"Remarkable," he answers of Medusa's hair, an earnest smile coming to his lips. "Well met," he greets, and takes Medusa's hand with a firm yet polite grasp. "I've come to understand the differences between your people and mine, but I will never cease to be fascinated by our unique gifts," he tells her, before gladly accepting the invitation.
It doesn't take long for a cocktail waitress to come. "One Old Fashioned, neat," he requests.
*
Crystal seems comfortable around Erik, casual with physical contact. One hand reaches for her martini, but the other reaches for his hand once he's settled. "You make it sound as if there's been nothing else to discuss," she smirks back at her sister. "Erik and Charles - the man who runs the Institute - are old friends," she explains. "Though Erik doesn't work at the school."
*
"Our gifts do not come without some risk of misfortune." Medusa confesses, "But the same can be said of your people. And we have learned to accept and celebrate such differences. In such ways, our people are alike." Of course, the Inhumans have - did have - a safe haven. "Do I?" Medusa asks innocuously of Crystal as she retakes her seat and lets her smile curve just slightly into a smirk. "Are you?" she asks of Erik regarding Charles. "Professor Xavier has been very kind to us, despite the possibility that doing so puts him and his at risk."
*
TO BE CONTINUED…