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The residence chosen by the Asgardians is nothing if not uppercrust. The appointings are just so and look centuries old without having the dust and crust upon them. Fashion-pieces and museum-ready for when their services are no longer required. There are servants upon each floor, present but not in the way.. with each word, they come forth, perform their desired service, and then blend back into the life of the building.
Within these walls, normally walks a man in plainclothes; t-shirt, jeans.. barefoot.. but this evening, he is dressed in court finery. Armor pieces though not fully bedecked are worn with reds and blacks. He spends most of the beginning of the evening pacing until the servants acknowledge there are visitors at the door… and the request is made to have them escorted to the study where he will await their arrival.
Once in the study, which is more Loki's domain than his own of course, Thor spends part of his time pacing and the other part looking at the spines of the books.. and looking away. The moment they appear, a smile, albeit nervous now, rises to his face, though he remains in place. "My Ladies, greetings and well met once again. I trust it wasn't bad outside. I'd made sure the weather remained dry for your travel, even though the forecasters declared storms for this evening."
*
There's no real royal couture associated with the Attilan Crown. The closest that comes to it are the bodysuits they train and maintain their day to day efforts in. And these are hardly suited to the daily use amongst the humans of New York City. For her part, Medusa is wearing a black dress no doubt inspired by a certain Miss Hepburn, her hair indeed quite dry and up to its usual antics. It does make way for Crystal however, a far cry from the antics of their childhood.
"You are too kind, Prince Thor." Medusa inclines her head in appreciation. "It was quite manageable. I do have to keep my visits to the city limited, but I enjoy them while I have the chance. I had been eager to see what manner of host you'd make."
*
Crystal is relatively informal, or at least as much as she ever is. She wears one of her usual dresses, a green sleeveless silk number with a full skirt and colorful embroidered flowers. "You look handsome," she compliments him as she follows Medusa in, offering a small smile as she brushes a hand over a vambrace. The smile quirks a little deeper when he mentions the rain, brow arching. "No doing of yours, I'm certain," she teases.
*
Just after the ladies enter, a couple of staff enter with trays with food and drink upon them; meat, fruit, bread, cheese.. mead, wine, ale.. and they are set upon a side table away from the trio but within the room. They bow deeply to the three and depart once more, closing the door.
The compliment from Crystal goes far in helping Thor relax a little as he bows to the pair, giving him a hint of a lopsided smile when he looks back at her. It's back to Medusa, and Crystal that he responds, then, "I apologize then," he begins self-deprecatingly, "as it is my mother and the ladies of the Hall that organize gatherings of which stories are told through the centuries. Creatures of myth and legend built from flowers and fruit of lands far distant, where the wine flows unceasingly… sadly, none of that here." Thor chuckles, "Here, three bachelors live." Granted, they're Princes, but.. "And none of us have half the skill Mother has."
He steps forward, though there are no cloaks to gather, so he pauses.. still a little nervous. Thor chuckles at the suggestion, and he shakes his head. "The rain? No.. this, their forecasters have divined. I have no hand in it." He pauses, before he offers, "Hardly, anyway. I may have overhead someone who might have complained that he hadn't seen rain in a fair bit.. just a good, soaking rain." Beat. "May I offer you something.. mead? It's of Asgard, so be warned. As is the wine, and the ale."
*
"I think when discussing such matters as we are about to, it might be best that all concerned keep their wits about them." Medusa says, admitting, "I may be able to manage an entire stein of good German beer, but as I understand it, even I would have a great deal of difficulty in keeping myself on my feet." There's a smile at that. "And do not feel any need to apologize. I wasn't expecting a grand affair, just a quiet evening in which we all might talk frankly and hopefully all step away pleased with our choices."
*
"You would," Crystal assures Medusa, covering a small smile with one hand and a fake cough. "It's, ah. Powerful stuff. And this is all just fine," she assures Thor, moving to take a seat and put everyone at ease. "We've been in exile for the better part of a decade, and even before that, Attilan is…not so lavish as all that. We were originally intended to be warriors, and we've grown to be scientists. Luxury isn't usually our main concern."
*
When cultures collide, they slam into each other and explode, very much like a trainwreck. Here, here lies the beginning. Only in the All-Father's court does one not have some sort of drink in hand when discussing matters of import. And they are far from there.. but..
Thor exhales in a soft sigh as he turns his back on the drink. He, of course, can keep his wits about him with one drink, two.. three.. but to get into the cups further? "Then upon our conclusion," is offered before he finds a spot, first allowing the ladies to find their rest before he takes his. "As was Asgard, my Princess, but we travelled a different path to the present. While we do have our people that may be considered something like your scientists, as I understand the word, it is not our focus. Granted, we perhaps have had more time to get to where we are than you have.. and I'm sure that once you have control over Attilan once again, she will find her way."
*
"Do not let us prevent you from enjoying yourself as is your custom." Medusa insists, but only to a point. "At your leisure, let us get down to business. That's what the humans say, isn't it?" She looks at Crystal for confirmation, adding, "I know you're eager to reach a resolution, Your Highness." As is she, and likely Crystal as well.
*
Crystal's smile quirks at Medusa. "Yes, that is the saying," she agrees, amused. "Though business may not be the best way to describe this. Still. Let us move forward." She looks to Thor then, brows rising slightly to urge him to continue.
*
Thor looks relieved, and he rises once again and wanders towards the table to take a glass of mead and some fruit, setting it on a small tray for the ladies. "That is what they say, I have heard." Some cheese and bread set aside as well, and he wanders back to settle it upon a small table. Now, at least, he has a glass that can keep his hands still when needed.
"Yes, right.. well.." Thor looks to the ladies before he glances at Crystal for a lingering heartbeat of a moment, steeling himself. This is harder than court, where the formality is in place, tradition is set. "I.. well, it is with some thought that I came to Midgard to seek someone who would be worthy to become my wife and eventual Queen of Asgard, and the Nine Realms. It would be through her that I could finally assure the All-Father that Midgard and her people were worthy of consideration, of being raised above the level of children. My father hasn't visited Midgard.. this realm, for over a thousand years, and how mortals have changed. And then I met Crystalia."
Thor looks at her now, and while he speaks, blue eyes remain upon her, "Lovely. Intelligent. Wise. Calm. She fills those spaces where I have nothing and helps guide my thoughts and words when I am lost within them. A Princess as well, in her own realm. And with no small ability. I asked her if I could seek to court her, and while she told me her heart belongs to another, she encouraged it, and my heart.. and thus, I asked my Father, Odin, and my Mother, Frigga.. and they agreed." Which was no small feat!
"Now, I ask you," Thor turns to Medusa fully, his expression in earnest, "Queen Medusa, if I may court your sister with the intention of making her my Crown Princess and eventual Queen of the Nine Realms."
*
"I would like you to clarify upon your meaning when you speak of courtship." says Medusa, shifting slightly in her chair. He hand reaches out, brushing gently over Crystal's before resting against her bare palm and giving Thor her fullest attention. "By most definitions that I am aware, courtship involves the process of wooing, of bringing the circumstances to the potential course of proposal. What I have seen of your interactions with my sister seems to suggest what you truly desire is an affirmation of betrothal rather than a courtship. Now," Medusa's hair slithers around her in an almost hypnotic rhythm, "I am ignorant of a great deal of Asgardian culture beyond what we learn of myth, and perhaps I have misread the situation. So as it would please you, Prince Thor, clarify your intent for the benefit of myself, and my beloved sister."
*
Crystal could probably use one of those drinks. Why didn't she take one of those drinks? She smiles gently back at Thor as he speaks, reassuring, even as she gives Medusa's hand a squeeze in return. She's been upfront with everyone - it's her sister's turn to learn where things stand.
*
Thor's started pacing without even knowing it, cradling his glass of mead as if it was some sort of lifeline. Once he's said his piece, it's lifted for a swallow, and lowered again, watching and waiting to see how his words are received. Why exactly can't Loki be doing this for him right now?
"Your Majesty, I am in a position where courting women at a whim is long past. Dalliances that last a year, fifty years, a hundred years.. those are gone. Now, I'm in a position where I may have to take the throne at any point, and my people expect that I would have someone beside me that would rule at my side. Do I wish to win her heart?" Thor looks at Crystal and there's a ghost of a smile on his face, blue eyes echoing there, "I do. Do I press my suit in earnest?" He looks back to Medusa and he inclines his head, "I do. This is no trifling. I do not seek this lightly. At the final end, unless there is something to bar the way, I would ask her to be my Queen."
Thor exhales in a sigh and he shakes his head. "I am no diplomat, your Majesty. That is my Father. Words escape me, and my brother Loki is master of them. Word of love fail me, as that is my dear friend Fandral's position. I.. am the Prince who speaks simply, but with honest truth."
*
"So you are asking for a betrothal. Not an opportunity for courtship." Medusa frowns a touch, glancing askance at Crystal. This changes the direction of Medusa's thoughts, and it takes her a moment to consider this changed perspective. "I appreciate your candor. I was not prepared to consider the level of commitment you wish to undertake at this time. I'm not sure I am prepared to allow movement to such a stage." Another glance at Crystal. "I'm not sure you are either." This, directly to Crystal herself before she looks back to Thor. "Attilan betrothals last a long time by human standards, though by Asgardian ones, I expect it would be merely a blink. They also involve genetic scans, to insure the offspring of the parties involved will not result in a potentially dangerous offspring, but rather an optimal one."
*
"Not necessarily a betrothal," Crystal speaks up softly. "Not really. Betrothal implies a level of commitment that- A betrothal is a binding agreement. Courtship isn't, even if betrothal or marriage is the ultimate goal." She glances away from both of them, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. So much awkward. "This potential arrangement…It would chance many things for many people. For kingdoms. Time to be certain, to know what we are doing, would be…prudent."
*
Medusa's words crush the Thunderer, and he hasn't yet learned the art of a poker face like his father has. At least not in the matter of his head. He can see all of this disappearing; all of it, and he's near helpless to stop it.
"If she did not wish to continue, it would not be pressed," Thor's trying, he is. "It is so that you understand that I do not ask for this lightly, as if in the next moment, there is no care. I would not play with her heart in that manner."
The chances are good that everything takes a little longer in Asgard; after all, Thor himself is a little over three thousand years old, and has managed to appear late 20s, very early 30s. He's still a 'young adult' in his Realm. Even with all of his experience.
"A.. genetic scan?" He's not familiar with that, and he looks to Crystal before he shifts back to Medusa. "Should we have children, they are of Asgard. They would be Asgardian princes and princesses. Would they have a place, role and title in your court then? That.. that we have no history of."
*
"Your offspring would be as much of Attilan as they would be of Asgard." Medusa counters, leaning forward. "Perhaps we may find a way to compromise your expectations with ours, however. I am not prepared to release my sister into a betrothal when she is uncertain of her own heart, but I also know you need her for the stability you wish to accomplish. And since time is far more subjective to your kind and ours as it otherwise might be…I would be prepared to allow you a single, mortal year to court my sister. For this honor, you will provide aid in securing Attilan along with any you care to recruit to the effort. At the end of the year, we will conduct the genetic scan as per Attilan protocol, and beyond that…at the end of the year, my sister owes you an answer."
*
"Genetic testing is a way of looking at the things that you're made up of, basically," Crystal clarifies in a low tone. "It's important for us. Because exposure to-" She pauses, glancing to Medusa before she looks back to Thor. "When we go through our change, it alters our DNA, so it's important that we know how it may be changed before we undergo the process. Matches that would result in offspring that would respond poorly to the process are discouraged, basically. Though…" She catches her lower lip between her teeth. "As it would be an alliance and any children would be heir to Asgard, I imagine it would not be a complete loss if they were unable to undergo the process. But that's- That's well ahead of us, really."
*
Thor cants his head, working out the ramifications of those words; any children would have sway in Attilan court, but the reverse is not so. There will be no control of Asgard by any outside courtier. Even Thor wouldn't allow it.
"Need her, your majesty.. I.. I do have those to whom I can turn for counsel, but.. she is a quiet confidante. Not always right, not always wrong, but always for the best interest of those involved. Her compassion is beyond others." Thor is ready to start pacing again, and the time scale is given. One year.. that he can deal with, and he inclines his head in a bow before he looks to Crystal for her response to it. He has one year. "Is that acceptable to you, my princess?"
The explanation that he gets for 'genetic testing' does clear matters up. It's nothing that he's ever had to consider; that was for the healers. He nods slowly, though it only brings up more questions.. and some particulars for the matters of state. His children, as far as he's concerned, won't be going through such a thing as their primary concern will be Asgard.. and they will be raised as such! "Aye.. well ahead of us."
Thor inclines his head to Medusa; he's heard everything, and understood, so he does follow up with, "Attilan will be freed and you will find your place once again."
*
It's at that moment that Loki steps through the pair of glass-paneled doors, opening them with both hands and smiling as he holds them apart bracketing his entrance. He meets the gaze of each individual inside, his smile easily given and then he turns back around to close the doors behind him before he steps further into the room and to the quaint gathering of individuals.
"I beg your pardon," the trickster offers to Thor primarily but as he speaks his green eyes slip to the pair of women. "Thor, Crystalia, your majesty?" A space of a single heartbeat passes then he adds, "Please, do forgive the intrusion, but I am afraid I must borrow my brother for a moment. If you would be so kind."
Perhaps a few words are offered in rejoinder, perhaps not, but whatever the case he leans down and rests a hand upon Thor's shoulder then leans in to whisper a few quiet words into the man's ear. It's only a brief murmur and it causes the tall blonde thunderer to perhaps offer a double take. Loki's answer is a small shrug and he gestures to the door behind him.
"Do not worry, brother. I will see to the entertainment of your guests while you are away." As he says this he straightens even as the warrior price of Asgard moves back to that door… and then beyond.
*
Medusa nods in assent to Thor's acknowledgement, eyes narrowed a touch. After being able to read Black Bolt for so long, some inkling of Thor's thoughts may occur to her. But she perhaps wisely leaves it be, and instead turns her attention to his brother as he arrives. "It is no trouble. I'm sure he has many obligations." A look back toward Crystal, and she murmurs softly, "I just want to do right by you. You don't have to be in the same situation as I am expected to be."
*
"It is agreeable," Crystal assures Thor with a small smile, watching as Loki draws him away. There's a glimmer of concern in her features then - whether or not she loves the prince, she cares enough to be concerned for him. Enough not to entirely trust his brother, too. Although her sister's words get an equally concerned look. "But I thought-" That this is not the place for that conversation. Instead she looks back to Loki, smiling politely. "Nothing too pressing, I hope?" she asks, glancing after Thor.
*
"A message from the Jotun," Loki offers to them even as he steps towards the small cart that offers a place of storage for a variety of liquor. Liquor that he avails himself of by pouring himself a glass and turning to make a silent offer to them with a quirked eyebrow and a lifted glass, clearing seeking if they'd like to partake as well any further. If so then he'll pour them some wine, if not then he'll simply prepare himself a glass.
He then takes up his drink and crosses the distance to rather unceremoniously drop into the seat so recently vacated by Thor, the wine sloshing a bit but to Loki's credit not spilling a drop. Crossing one leg over his knee he casually takes a sip and looks between them. "I trust matters proceed apace, aspects of state being negotiated and discussed. Please, do be kind with my good brother. He is a being of such utter sincerity that in the arena of the life politick it's as if he has chosen to fight one-handed."
A look to Crystal, then to Medusa. His smile is so terribly earnest, so open, even as he murmurs, "Yet we are all terribly concerned with his well-being here, none would consider taking advantage of him."
*
Medusa's brow his her hairline. This is an impressive feat when one considers her hair. "I can tell you're exceedingly protective of your sibling." Medusa drawls, and it's all she can do not to bite her thumb. Looking back to Crystal, her hair falls over her face briefly before turning back to Loki. "Is the liquor of Jotun as potent as that of Asgard?"
*
"A good thing, then, that he doesn't fight alone," Crystal smiles faintly back to Loki. "He is a good man, though." At Medusa's question about drinks, she laughs softly. "If we've finished negotiating, Medusa, one drink should be all right. I had one, and while it was a heady drink, I was able to make it home all right unaccompanied. Just one, though," she cautions.
*
"Unlike most Asgardians, I can recognize the benefits of the inebriants from other cultures." Loki seems pleased at the thought of the ladies joining him in a drink or two. So much so that he leans to the side to draw the cart towards him, one hand reaching and pulling it a touch until it rolls with a faint clatter to take up a place between them. "Oh we proclaim the superiority of our ale, our mead, even our wine." He gestures with the glass as he speaks, taking a sip even as he turns over one glass, and then another.
"And, in part, s'truth that our drinks are stronger. Yet if all you are wishing to do is become as utterly ravaged by drink as quickly as possible, then aye… take up the flagon from Asgard." He takes up the wine bottle in his hand that he poured his own drink from, and proceeds to turn it on its side so crimson liquor can gurgle faintly into each glass.
"But for flavor, taste, I prefer some of Midgard's vintages. For the Jotun…" He sets one glass down before Medusa, then one for Crystal. "Well, let us say that at the least you will not need to ice them?" He offers that last as if truly scraping the bottom of the barrel for praise.
He settles back into his seat and smiles as he take another sip of his wine, which while unlabelled is actually a rather fine Ferreiran Red.
*
Medusa is eyeing Loki like if he was a snake he might have bitten her. But she does pick up the glass, looking over at Crystal with a grin before lifting her glass in salute to their host. She takes a ginger sip, clearly expecting…something.
*
Crystal doesn't seem worried about taking a drink, sipping without a pause. Perhaps she trusts that Thor is nearby and wouldn't let anything happen to them. Perhaps she just thinks it's far too obvious a ploy for Loki. Or maybe she's just too stubborn to show fear. "Very nice," she smiles politely back to Loki. "How goes the search for the Jotun? I was going to visit Mutant Town with Balder, but I didn't want to interfere with his duties, of course."
*
Loki's free hand lifts, splayed fingers gesturing to the side as if brushing away the notion of the Jotun. His nose crinkles slightly as he takes another sip of his wine. "There are some curious notions being advanced hither and yon about what is passing in the other realms. Factions growing amongst normally unified societies. Fractious discussions and even warring between tribes."
The trickster takes another drink which empties his glass, he reaches forward to refill with another tilting pour from the bottle. "A realm divided cannot stand and all, yet it can do much damage as it falls." He then looks between the two of them. "So did you and Thor choose a date?" Loki half-smiles towards Crystal, then looks to Medusa. "Shall we join them, your Majesty? Bind our realms together all the more? Make it a double wedding?" His smile is a wry thing, amused and perhaps curious how Medusa will react to such a casual jape thrown her way.
*
Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth." Well," says Medusa idly, her hair undulating back and forth in a lazy manner, "I might consider it…of course, you would have to convince my current fiance to give up our betrothal and you might find that he's rather mum on that subject." She all but bats her lashes at Loki before casting a sidelong grin at Crystal.
*
Crystal pauses, then suddenly laughs. Not a muted, polite laugh, or even the low laugh of amusement. No, instead it's a sharp, sudden laugh of surprised humor that has her clapping a hand over her mouth with a conspiratorial look at her sister. "Well, you have to admit, it would be a rather ironic pairing," she grins once she lowers her hand. "The Silver-tongue and the man who must not speak. Though Blackagar has much less patience for too many words than Asgard does, I think."
*
"Bah, but one suitor stands between me and such bliss? Grant me his name and I shall face him on the fields of honor at dawn and then we shall break our fast together and decide which stores in Soho we'll register with." But Loki's smile is wry and amused even as he offers a wink to Crystal as if sharing at such silliness.
He takes up the bottle again and gestures to them should they wish a topping off of their drink. He then settles back into his chair and takes a sip. "But let us depart from this topic. What have you heard of these mortals disbanding their defenders, the supposed Avengers? For some reason when I heard of such it remained in my thoughts beyond its deserved time."
*
"I rather like Scarlett." Medusa notes blithely, "I'd rather hate for her to be cross with me." With a cheerful wrinkle of her nose she admits, "I'm not acquainted with them at all, not well enough to really know any details about why they were disbanded. My attention's been on other matters. Crystal might know more."
*
"It is as I was telling Thor and Balder," Crystal shakes her head. "Humans fear power greater than their own. If they think they can't control it, then they'll destroy it. That's what's happened with the would-be avengers. The only thing these nations could agree on was that they didn't want a powerful group of powered people potentially being controlled by one of the others. So they disbanded these avengers. It's why we keep our secrets," she adds with a pointed look at Loki. "One human is rarely a threat. But humanity? That is another matter entirely."
*
"Whysoever would she care?" Loki cants his head to the side curiously at Medusa, seemingly perplexed. But then the conversation moves past a he turns his attention back to Crystal and her words. "Truly? Hm. That is a poor way to think for a people that it at the crossroads of realms." He shifts his weight to the other arm of the chair, propping up his chin partially with one hand while he continues to imbibe with the glass in the other.
"There are much too many dangers without for them to worry about, than to push away the weapons at hand out of some fit of pique."
*
Medusa furrows her brow. "If these Avengers truly wish to be of service to humanity, they will find other means to do so." She seems content to leave it at that. Not her circus, not her monkys.
*
Medusa furrows her brow. "If these Avengers truly wish to be of service to humanity, they will find other means to do so." She seems content to leave it at that. Not her circus, not her monkeys. Taking a final sip of wine, she admits, "I must take my leave, with regret. Crystal, you're welcome to come with or not as you see fit. "Prince Loki, a pleasure." With that, the redhead withdraws."
*
Medusa has left.
*
Crystal watches after her sister as she leaves, then turns back to Loki with a quiet look. "Do you really wonder why Scarlett would be bothered by that?" she asks, taking a sip of her wine.
*
Rising for a moment to offer Medusa the appropriate half-bow, he retakes his seat and his drink back in hand. That eyebrow lifts again as he then looks towards Crystal even as he tells her levelly, "No." But that smile remains. He lifts a hand and tells her gently enough, "I mean I was tempted to play coy. But no." He looks back towards where Medusa departed and he frowns for a moment in reflection as he cants his head to the side.
"My brother is another creature than myself, one of the reasons I love him as I do. But myself… love… a wife." He shakes his head. He sips.
*
"Good. I didn't think you were that blind." Crystal takes another sip, absently tucking one leg beneath herself as she settles in her chair. "Less good for her, I suppose. A wife, I understand," she muses, tipping her head to one side as she watches him. "For as long as you live, why go through all of the pomp and circumstance? Why tie your fate so tightly to someone else's?" One finger taps at the bowl of her glass, thoughtful. "Not even a lover, though?"
*
"Oh don't be silly," Loki crinkles his nose at her, "Of course there are lovers, and even children." He tilts his head to the side as he rubs a fingertip over the bridge of his nose thoughtfully. "Even grandchildren." He leans forward and tilts the bottle over the other side to refill his glass with a faint gurgle.
But then he looks back to her, "My brother, however. He believes all that nonsense. He is the crown prince. You are fortunate in that." He swirls the wine in his glass, "To him this is emotions, honor. To me, mathematics." He then meets Crystal's gaze and smiles that half-sardonic smile as he murmurs, "And, to be entirely fair, Crystalia, when you are plugged into the equation your side of it is terribly wanting."
And should that cause her a moment of perhaps trepidation or being taken aback, he capitalizes on it by downing his drink and setting it down with a resonant glassy clink. He stands and points at her with that same smile as he tells her simply, sharply. "Get your shit together." Yup. He totally said that.
*
Again, there's that surprised laugh. "Your highness, if you think I am unaware of that, you are sorely mistaken," Crystal replies, rueful. Her smile quirks, faint. "And yet, as unbalanced as the equation may be, still I am here. Thor, it seems, is using completely different math from everyone else. So what is it that makes you think I don't have it together?"
*
"Entertaining some other lover than Thor," He waggles a hand somewhat, "Or some drag upon your heart." He spreads his hands as if it was all so terribly distasteful. "I don't care too much as to the details. But the sentiment is there." He starts to the door, reaching for the handle as he reaches it and drawing it open.
"Feel free to finish the wine, or take it with you if you wish." A hand is lifted over his shoulder, "Til next time, Crystalia."
*
"If I were trying to hide it, I would agree," Crystal replies quietly, taking a last sip of her drink as she stands. "I suppose it is a good thing I'm not trying to keep any secrets from him. I sense he would respond poorly to that. I imagine you would know." Her smile is tight, smoothing a hand over her skirts. "I know the way. Good day, your highness."