1963-09-19 - Moving through a Marketplace
Summary: Lady Scarlett, escorted by Fandral the Dashing and Princess Crystalia, escorted by Thor Odinson, try for a bit of shopping in an Asgardian marketplace.
Related: To be added.. Asgard stuff
Theme Song: None
rogue fandral crystal thor 


Fandral takes Scarlett's arm and then takes her down to the markplace where all manners of goods can be bought for those with coin or services to barter. Fandral is not in the market for anything in particular but does delight in starting to show the young Midgard girl the various wonders this bizaar carries within, especially the silks and cloth that could never be found on the simple hangers within a department stores, these have been hand woven by skilled hands with materials such as spider silk, griffin fur and even hellhound.

*

Rogue and Fandral are not, it seems, the only people exploring the market. Thor has escorted Crystal from the palace, where the pair is looking over just what is offered in the marketplace. "What is that?" Crystal laughs, pointing out an oddly-shaped fruit with blossoms still attached. The blossoms move as if stirred by some unseen wind. It's certainly not something to be found on Midgard. She didn't change from her fine garb, still brightly-attired, but the way she walks on Thor's arm is certainly more casual, relaxed.

*

The marketplace sings with activity, the bustle of Asgardian commerce roaring along every alleyway, aisle, and stall afforded a special place in sight of the palace. And how not, the palace standing how many thousand leagues tall?

A good sport when she has not a coin or a credit to her name here, Scarlett forges a rather clean path in the wake of Fandral. She does pause at the table with the hellhound, and taps the material. "I recall the coat being much stiffer when warm. Perhaps an effect of the origins." Let that mark her as something confounding, then, or simply mixing with all the wrong people. Nonetheless, for all her willingness to be tactile, she mostly admires by sight. After all: you break it, you buy it, is probably much different in a culture with weregeld as a concept. "Most of these cannot be made here, are they?"

*

"No, not made here, but elsewhere in the Nine Realms and then sold here," Fandral tells her as she examines the wears of the merchants, "And as your humble tour guide, I must insist that you allow me to buy you one item in the marketplace, be it cloth or jewels." He does seem to enjoy the thought of providing the gift, "No strings attached other than the pleasure of your company on this fine day." He points to the Hellhound cloth and advises her, "It does conform to your body based on heat hence why a seamstress will often sew it while the owner wears it rather than sew the garment and try to fit it later."

*

Before she can get an answer about the fruit, Crystal catches sight of Scarlett and Fandral across the way. Instead of looking at the fruit, she starts to steer the pair back toward the others. "Scarlett," she calls out, raising a hand with a swift smile. "It's fascinating, isn't it? So many new and different things."

*

Scarlett pinches her bangs and tucks the frosted weight of them behind her ears, a temporary adjustment at best. "Much the Rome or New York then, seated at the centre of the nexus. Everything comes here, and forth goes the culture, the learning, the excitement, the trends?" When the offer of a purchase is made, she laughs and raises her palms. "I know naught what to buy. No doubt I should try for something like an orange or an apple, only to find it a dear relic of some nymph's garden worthy of a small kingdom." The hopeful merchant won't find her purchasing hellhound, moving on. Too many memories, thus. A wave is cast in Crystal's way in response to her lady. "Princess! It is delightful, though I wonder how much is safe to touch."

*

Fandral trails his charge, giving Thor a smile as he greets, "Lady Crystal, Your Highness, a good day to be at the market is it not?" He then turns his eye back to Scarlett and tells her, "My dear, I would stop your hand if I thought touching something here would befall you harm." He is playing the gracious guard at the moment, "So do not hold back unless I warn you to." He then waits for the other two before continuing, "Are you seeking anything in particular?"

*

Thor makes the grand attempt to keep up with the Princess in his care, but he does make the stop to pick up that fruit that Crystal had inquired about. "Hadegismatur.." is given as explanation with a lopsided grin towards Fandral. Translated? Lunch. A knife appears in Thor's hand to open the melon, and he begins to carve a couple of pieces of the juicy green 'meat', holding out the knife with the skewered end towards Crystal.

"Well met, Fandral. My Lady Scarlett.." Thor pauses, taking a step out of the way of the professional consumers, as it were. "The markets are filling now; harvest season is coming and soon enough the market will close down."

*

"Probably safer not to touch, yes," Crystal laughs in agreement with Scarlett. "Or at least not until after it's been proven safe." She plucks the fruit from Thor's knife, taking a testing bite with the piece held between two fingers. "This is delicious. I make no judgements as to safe, though," she concludes with a wry smile toward Thor before popping the rest of it into her mouth. She dips her chin to Fandral as well, a more polite greeting for the man she recognizes as a friend of Thor's, but has yet to truly meet.

*

A smile is given to Thor; "Your Highness." She gives him his due after her supposed lady, a deep nod cast in his direction. "Winter markets adrift in light, couples arm in arm, and steaming ceramic mugs filled by that delightful, fragrant wine." An image painted vocally by the poetess with elaborate red braids carries a very slight tinge of wistfulness. Scarlett's perusal comes with a rapid purpose, separating everything mentally into categories and deciding upon what might fascinate. No obvious pattern governs her. "Antiquities," she explains to Fandral, after some thought. "A memorable souvenir to remind me of the bonds here to our own realm. I shall know it when I see it. Like as not it might be a levitating cloak or a candle."

*

"Thor," Fandral gives his friend a smile and a bow to his lady friend who he's only met in passing. He turns back to Scarlett and nods, "Antiquities it is." He looks at the other two to see if they want to accompany them, "Now, to be fair, many a merchant is just a fine storyteller of their wares and will spin a yarn that will amuse and make one wonder if they are telling the truth." He gives a laugh, "I have found it's better just to accept the tale at face value and buy what catches one's eyes."

He then moves a little closer to Thor and lets him know, "Lady Amora saw fit to gift your friend with All Speak while she is here in the city. A gift with no strings as far as I could tell." Perhaps a good word for the Enchantress that normally is watched like a hawk.

*

With everything going on, there is that courtesy that Thor's forgotten. Crystal is politic enough to be able to gloss over it, but the Prince begins to see his error. "Princess Crystalia, this is one of my oldest and dearest of friends, Fandral the Dashing. Fandral the Amazing.." He actually chuckles, and his voice drops, "One of the Warriors Three. My friends and my personal Guard. And, when required, my personal army." He cuts a bit of the fruit, and holds out another piece and finishes, "He will be one that will help fight for the freedom of Attilan."

Surprise!

"Winter markets..?" Thor's brows rise and he shakes his head, "It gets bitterly cold in the winters here. Few venture forth when.." Up above them, a black shadow passes, a *caw* sounding even as it continues further, out and away. Thor pauses, looks up, scowls, and looks as if he's lost his train of thought.

A different track, then, when Fandral whispers… and Thor looks at him, stares at him before he exhales in a sigh. There goes any chance of speaking privately… "How kind of her," is given flatly. "No matter.."

*

"Crystal, please," the princess smiles easily to Fandral as Thor makes introductions, the expression turning rueful when he mentions freedom fighting. "And Thor, I think, puts the cart before the horse. Let's hold off on the battle plans until other things are determined." Still, she takes the next piece of fruit as well, half-turning to look around the market as the men trade words on the matter of the Enchantress. In those, she's best served by some distance.

*

Surprise! Everyone will contribute to the freedom of Attilan, including those unaware they are cheerfully pressganged into the restoration of the ancient realm. Scarlett allows that much of a smile, at any rate. She dips her head towards the Crown Prince, the thin line vaporizing in the downward tip of her head. "I asked her assistance to read, whether such a thing could be done for the purpose. She decided in her fashion to pursue another course. I spoke to Lord Fandral, and I speak thus again: any difficulty this may cause, any danger it places us in, I shall present myself to my liege at the earliest convenience so steps can be taken to manage it." Her hands part. "I'm sorry. I do not have the sufficient knowledge to remove it myself. Not without risking a great deal." She's /trying/ to be nice about it.

*

"Fandral the Dashing…" Fandral insists when Thor starts to give his many attributes, "I leave the amazing piece to our crowned prince." He gives a little chuckle and then tells Crystal, "And it would be my honor to assist you, under Thor's behest, on the freedom of Attilan if you so desire." Yes, he's being a little over the top but then Thor was the one that called him amazing. He then turns to Scarlett and tells her, "My lady, have no distress on the matter. You did not force the gift. Lady Amora freely gave it and in truth, I do not mind that you now have the ability to hear what others speak of." He looks to Thor and gives him a look to say that Fandral see this new development as a good thing.

*

Thor's suddenly lost a great deal of attention to that which is before him, and he leans over to whisper something to Crystal before he gently moves to extricate himself. Most of his eye is on the sky, and he takes a step forward. "Fandral, will you please escort the Princess as well." It's not really formed as a question, nor is it sounding like much of a request. "I.. have some business.." apparently.

Thor looks to Scarlett before he exhales in a sigh. Ah well.. nothing he can do either. It's Amora's spell, and the Enchantress is the one to remove it. Unless Frigga does… and even then? "We'll see." Dubious at best.

Still, Thor takes that next step forward, reaches to slap his friend on the arm with good humor (that is quickly departing as the bird is disappearing from view), and he's off.

*

Thor leaves, heading towards Albert Chambers - Flat 906 [out].

*

Thor has left.

*

"I'm certain no one blames you for Amora's actions, Scarlett," Crystal assures the other woman with a small smile, head tilting to Thor's whispered words. She glances upward, following his gaze, but makes no other response save to nod. "Be well," she murmurs after him, watching the prince depart with a thoughtful look before she turns back to the others. "Dashing is an excellent descriptor," she chuckles to Fandral. "I shall have to guard my affections closely."

*

"No?" The wan curve of a smile touching her lips, the young woman pulls the diaphanous sash around her. Her skirt doesn't shift much, still too streamlined. "I think, as it happens, it may be ideal for me to return. Suppose we can fetch up a guard that the pairo f you might stay?" No light shines in those eyes turned skyborne, as though gauging the patterns of cloud and bright patches. "Don't let me cause any trouble more than I have. There are books, at least, for me to read."

*

"But of course," Fandral tells the departing prince as he moves off, leaving the ladies in his care. He gives a smile as Crystal claims that she might have to guard her affections, "Oh no, Lady Crystlia, I would never seek to usurp His Highness in your affections." He gives a wink at the lady, "I care for my own life too much to test his patience." And it's clear that Fandral also loves his friend dearly and would never seek him harm, "Now, I of course can not stop you if you wish to admire me from afar." He does a quick turn for the lady, "Such things are acceptable."

"And you are no trouble Lady Scarlett," Fandral tells her as they make their way to through the market, "I can find a guard to escort you back or…" He looks to Crystal, "We could all return back. I am open for either matter."

*

Crystal's smile quirks at Fandral's turn, genuine humor in her eyes. "Yes, such admiration shall surely try my resolve," she laughs, though the humor fades a bit at Scarlett's response. "Are you certain?" she asks the other woman. "I know you enjoy your studies, but if it's only over some silly gift gone awry…" The offer is there, all the same.

*

Rogue has disconnected.

*

Fandral motions for a guard who arrives to escort the young lady back to her rooms. Fandral leans over and gives some quick instructions before they head out. He then turns to Crystal and offers his arm so they can walk through the market together, "Well my lady, I appreciate your attempts to restrain yourself. I can not tell you how trying it is to fend off the ladies." He gives her a teasing glance and then says more seriously, "But know, even though you are not my beloved, you are someone I would give my life for because you are his treasure. And I offer such things without seeking reward because he is my prince, my friend and brother of arms."

*

Crystal takes the offered arm, expression softening at his words. "I should very much hope there would be no need for such a sacrifice, Fandral," she says quietly. "Though I may not be quite as durable as your kind, still I have skills of my own. His friends and family do him great honor," she adds, smile deepening at one corner. "I don't believe I've ever known anyone so loved by so many people around him. Does he even have enemies?" she asks, with a sidelong glance. "Anyone who is occasionally vexed with him, even?"

*

"Loki…and only upon occassion when he is feeling jealous of his brother's good fortune," Fandral tells her softly as they walk, "Although in truth I love both of them…just Thor a little more." He gives a chuckle and shakes his head, "And any of the Warrior's Three that you meet, myself, Hogun and Volstagg, all serve Thor out of brotherhood." He thinks for a moment and then laughs, "Lady Sif sometimes…when Thor vexes her, but she is loyal. You will find that many of us have petty squabbles here and there but when enemies rise, even Loki, puts things aside to protect our own."

*

"Well, such is the prerogative of younger siblings, no?" Crystal laughs, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear as she walks. "He is an easy man to love, your prince. I'm glad that he has so many friends. It's important that a ruler should be advisors, should have people around him who are willing to tell him the truth, no matter what. And Thor, it seems, has no shortage there. Thank you," she adds, looking back to Fandral. "I know all of this must be a strain for everyone. Trouble in the royal family has an unfortunate tendency to trickle down."

*

"Loki is a never ending source of trouble," Fandral says it in a way that is loving yet rueful, "So believe me, there is always some strife much to Frigga's worry." Thor's mother, a woman that Fandral clearly hero worships, "And in some ways enemies pull us closer so at times I do not mind the distraction." He lightly taps his sword, "I do enjoy a good brawl or adventure. It keeps things interesting." He nods to her Crystal, "And yourself. What is your family like?"

*

"Like most families, I imagine," Crystal smiles ruefully. "Although we, too, have an ambitious younger brother. Unfortunately, Maximus is…less agreeable than Loki. He's always been envious of his brother's place. But where Thor has been free to live his life, Blackagar was forced by his gifts to spend his entire youth in isolation, in training. Which only fed Maximus' envy. But there is my cousin Gorgon, who is a great warrior. And Karnak, a peerless tactician who can find the weak spot in anything. Triton, whose gifts send him to water and the sea. And my sister Medusa, who will be Black Bolt's queen. She'd been missing for many years, though was recently returned to us."

*

"I have a sister, Freyja, my twin," Fandral admits to Crystal as they discuss family, "We are cut from the same cloth and she is…" He shakes his head, "Devastating to men and women that she enchants with her beauty." He shakes his head, "Nothing like Lady Amora but a goddess in her own right and when we were younger, we had many adventures together." He gives a shrug of his shoulders, "I try to see her when I am here, in the city when my duty permits me to step away." When Thor does not need him, "I am sorry that your sister, Medusa, was taken away for so long. I could not imagine the strife it would cause me if Freyja went missing."

*

"It seems Asgard is full of great beauties with gifts for stealing hearts." From some, the words would be a sign of jealousy or concern. From Crystal, though, there's only amusement. At least she doesn't seem to be threatened. "It was difficult being without her, yes. Having her back is…In truth, I'm so relieved after searching for so long, I almost don't know what to do or how to feel now that she's back. It's like…What do you do once you've achieved the only goal you've ever known? It's an adjustment."

*

"Find new goals, new horizons to conquer," Fandral tells her with a smile, "After the celebrations of course. When you meet victory, you must toast and drink and dance till you are exhausted." He starts to take them back towards the palace now that they've circled through the marketplace, "And you have Thor now…if you wish him." He does not judge their relationship, but is honest in the matter, "He does seem taken by you and for that I am grateful." He does wish to see his brother of arms happy, "I am not one to settle down." He gives a shake of his head, "I tried that once and it was a complete disaster."

*

"I would be a fool not to have him, wouldn't I?" Crystal asks quietly. It should be a rhetorical question. Perhaps it's meant to be. But still, there's the sense that she's working it out for herself as well. "He is a good man, and kind." Prince, it seems, doesn't even factor into the equation, so at least she isn't just after him for his crown. "A complete disaster, though?" she arches a brow, all too willing to change the subject. "Is there such a thing in affairs of the heart?"

*

"Yes, and most playwrights would call it a tragedy," Fandral tells Crystal with a closed look that shows the man isn't comfortable talking about the matter, "But today should not be of dark thoughts or deeds of the past. Let us head back to the palace, partake in some light fare and then I can return you to your quarters where hopefully your intended would have returned." He then moves away from personal conversations and continues to give Crystal a tour of the city as they make their way back to the palace.

Unless otherwise stated, the content of this page is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License