11986/Gods and Avatars

Gods and Avatars
Date of Scene:	12 July 2022
Location:	Central Park
Synopsis:	Balder and Layla meet and discuss the Gods
Cast of Characters:	Layla Abdalla El-Faouly, Balder

---

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
When not acting on behalf of the Egyptian Goddess Taweret, Layla El-Faouly is an archaeologist with a speciality in Egyptian history. She also happens to love wandering around large cities and trying foods from various street vendors. Which may be what's brought her to Central Park today! She's been wandering about, enjoying the oasis of green in the middle of the concrete jungle. Headed towards the zoo to see what sort of animals and exhibits they have just now, she halts at a hot dog vendor and offers a wide smile, "I'll take one dog with ketchup, mustard, and relish. Oh, and soda please, pepsi or coke, either is fine."

Paying the vendor, she watches eagerly as her food is prepared, taking both items with that wide smile, "Thank you!" Then she's off and strolling towards the zoo! While the heat isn't nearly so bad as she's used to back home, it's still quite warm, so she's broken out the khaki shorts and a cream-colored top with a linen overshirt that's left unbuttoned and tied off at the waist. The hiking boots are old, battered, and have seen more than their share of action. Taking a big bite from the hot dog, she chews happily as she heads down a path, following the signage towards the park. Her eyes lift towards the sky to see how the sunlight sprinkles down through the leaves overhead.

Balder has posed:
Balder had awoken in Asgard.

A dream perplexed him. He had been given the gift of prophecy. Whether it be by the fates, by some trickery of the Gods, or by Odin himself, Balder could see into the future. Sometimes, these visions were vague and unlikely to actually occur. Potential futures. Other times? An ill-omen. But sometimes, those rare few occasions actually bring him to people who, by themselves, are beyond the realm of possibility.

So does the Prince leave Asgard.

He had thought. Vanir magic channeled his being and whisked him away from his home plane to Midgard - to earth. Layla, in her sharp acuity, may almost see a figure coming throug hthe sunlight. It's strange...at first, nobody was there, but then there was somebody indeed. He wore a black suit with a purple tie. He looked up towards heaven and basked in the brilliance of light.

Zoo animals turn unanimously in his direction and a dove lands on his shoulder.

He looks at Layla speciically. "Hello there."

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
It's only been a few years that Layla's been an Avatar, a twist of fate brought about when trying to find her husband. So she's not -entirely- used to people just... appearing from the sky and descending to Earth without any visible means of flight. Even she has wings in order to fly. That they don't need to be flapped is an entirely separate matter!

So when Balder appears in front of her, Layla's eyes go big and she slowly looks as aniamsl start to approach him, or try. Dogs on leashes straining towards the man, barking happily, birds starting to gather. Even a horse, ignoring it's driver, starts to head in this direction, empty carriage coming along for the ride.

"...hi," her mouth still half-full of hot dog, she blinks at the muffled sound of her own voice, then quickly chews, swallows, and tries again. "Ah, hi. There. That was... an impressive entrance. Here for the zoo? I hear they got in some red pandas that are really adorable."

There's no sense of fear about her, but Layla is certainly not used to being the object of attention, and especially by such a flashy individual! She looks him over, frowning faintly, "You're not from my pantheon... hm. I'll have to remember to note this down later." Looking back to Balder, she lifts both brows, "Can I help you?"

Balder has posed:
Balder /loves/ animals. They love him. He's pretty much a Disney princess when it comes to this sort of thing. Some horses not obeying their rider start to approach Balder, but a gesture of his hand and they return to their service. The other animals are permitted to keep their advance and attempts. "Hello Kuma, Shailen, Bill, Phillip-" Balder starts naming each and every animal and they respond as if it was the name they were given upon collection, rescue, and/or birth.

Layla's words reach his ears and he turns to face her. His smile is like staring into a clear sky. A god he may be, but he doesn't act like one, giving her something of a shy wave. "Hi there. Well, I already said hi, didn't I?" He chuckles. "Sorry. No, I'm not from your pantheon. Though I hear Egypt is lovely this time of year." How did he know she was Egyptian?

"No, not really. At least, not yet." he chuckles awkardly. "I must not be making much sense. My name is Balder Odinson. It's nice to meet you." That's a better start. His hand reaches out in front of him, hoping for a handshake.

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
"Most prefer it in the spring or autumn months, when the heat is less intense and the chance for sandstorms are lower. But in my humble opinion, Egypt is lovely all year round," Layla responds with a shrug and an easygoing smile, less worried now that she's less likely to have to call up ceremonial garb and fight in the middle of Central Park.

Tucking her soda under the arm holding the hotdog, Layla wipes the condensation off on the hip of her shorts and takes his hand, giving a good, firm shake. "Layla El-Faouly. Pleasure's mine. Okay. You'll have to forgive me. I'm not extremely familiar with the Norse pantheon but the name suggests that you're one of Odin's children."

She lifts a brow at him, chuckling, "Alright, well, if I can't help you yet, then would you mind if we walked and talked? Also, sorry, but I'm going to eat. I've been wandering around all day and I'm hungry." That said, she takes another bite of her hotdog, then motions in the direction she's heading, inviting him along.

Balder has posed:
"You have good instincts. Of course, our naming conventions are devastatingly simple." Balder smiles in friendly fashion, the handshake did not linger past professional timing. His attention is maintained on her as they start to move. "Of course, of course, please eat. I'd hate to keep you from your meal. I've tried a New York-style hot dog at least once. I must say, it's fairly accurate to what they say."

It's pretty good.

"May I ask why you've been wandering? Do you have regular tasks to appeal for your God or merely just taking in the sights for your own personal time?" Balder still had some difficulty...fitting in socially. The questions may seem strange, but at least they are asked genuinely.

"I would agree with you. The sunsets in Egypt are matched by few others."

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
"The surname -did- help. I had to get through Classics in university, so I did have to touch at least somewhat on Norse mythology. Just... please don't ask me to remember what you're the God of, I'm afraid I would get it horribly wrong," Layla offers between bites, chuckling even as she flashes him a grin. "I'm used to vendors that cook the food in front of you, so having it ready-made and just needing toppings is something of a novelty."

She uncaps her soda, taking a drink, then recaps it and tucks it under again so she can get another bite of the hot dog. Glancing up at him, she seems surprised, "You've been watching me? Didn't think I'd rate that sort of attention... but. I'm just wandering and taking in the sights. I'm trying to treat this city the way I would Cairo or Giza, getting to know it through it's food and it's people. Watching them as I wander around."

She looks up at him with a grin, "If I'm doing something for Taweret, I'm not generally so casually dressed."

Balder has posed:
"Not actively. I try not to be a...what do they call it? Stalker?" Balder chuckles. "At times, I may receive visions of the future. Divination, as it's often called. A gift from...well, I don't know actually. I was born with the talent. You've been in one or two of my visions now." Balder admits. "And in each of them..you rise above and appear just as you are needed. You cahnge the tide. I can't tell you what tide or where or when. I apologize if I'm ominous."

Balder doesn't mince his words. He's straightforward. He is not his adopted brother, Loki, and he is no trickster. "I'm not so boastful to brag about my domains." He smiles at her. "I've been declared the God of Light, Prophecy, and Peace." Some scholars might say beauty, which he seems to have an unnatural supply, buth e doesn't care for his appearance much.

"I suppose you would not be so casually dressed." But now he knows whom she serves: Taweret. "Goddess of fertility, is she not?" Balder asks, his hands clasp behind him. He walks with some measure of formality, though it could be expected of a Prince of Asgard.

"Makes it easier, I think. But I miss watching the chefs dedicated to their craft and confident enough to let you watch them prepare it."

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
Laughing lightly, she gives a nod, "Good to know. God or not, we'd be having words if you were being a stalker." She finishes up her hotdog in a few final bites while he's talking, her eyes jumpiing from the path ahead to him, then back again. Showing her attentiveness while trying not to run into anyone or anything. She gives a nod, smiling at his description of his visions, "That's largely what I'm meant to do. Taweret... she's.. different, from most of the Egyptian pantheon. But no, it's not ominous at all. It's good to know that I'll be able to help others."

"Light, Prophecy, and Peace... so like a less douchey Apollo?" Here, she flashes an unrepentant grin, full of mischief and teasing. "That's actually, not at all what I would have guessed, so I'm very glad that I didn't."

There's a slight cringe over the fertility part as she rubs at the back of her neck, "Always with the fertility... there's at least half a dozen Gods and Goddesses in the Egyptian pantheon that are deities of fertility..." Sighing, she drops her hand and looks up at him, "Okay, yes, that's ONE of them. She's also a protector, aids the souls of those who have passed, either into rebirth, or into the afterlife. She's so much more than just... another fertility Goddess. Think of it. She's comprised of three of the fiercest, deadliest animals in all of Egypt. The hippopotamus, the crocodile, and the lion. Even her name means One Who Is Great or Great One... it was given to her to help keep her fierce nature pacified. She is a ward against malevolent forces." The way her face lights up, her hands moving, the clear emotion in her voice.. this isn't simply another Goddess. This is one she's come to know very well and has become close with.

"In the current pantheon, she's also one of the more level-headed deities, even if she's an insatiable gossip," this last is offered with a small chuckle and skyward glance, as if she expects to hear from the Goddess shortly on that. Looking back to Balder, she nods, "I love watching food being cooked. And you're right, it takes confidence. So many cities have laws against it these days, I love to find the corners and back alleys where that's disregarded and food is cooked openly on the street."

Balder has posed:
He seems to have upset her about the fertility thing. In his defense, there /are/ plenty of Fertility Gods/Goddesses, but hopefully he didn't offend Layla too heavily. "She guards the afterlife? Interesting...she must be like my father, who gathers the fallen in Valhalla through his use of the Valkyries." He ponders. "Do the Egyptian God's duties ever interlap?" He questions. "Though, I will apologize if my little knowledge offended." Balder is a God of peace, after all.

Best not to stir her up. Though her comments about him being a less douchey Apollo spark a laugh from the Odinson. "I feel as though you would have guessed something more entertaining though. Would you humor me with what you would have guessed?" He questions her. Yet in the light of the sun, he almost seems to...glow, like his skin is happy just to be in it's light.

"A gossip? Hopefully not gossiping about you or I." Balder smirks. "New York is a good city to find such things." but to see her face light up..not many people even remember the Gods anymore.

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
"She's a protector of the living, but her role in birth and rebirth extends beyond the living. She ensures those souls that have been chosen for rebirth are cleansed and guided to through the experience. And those that have earned their afterlife, are ferried there safely." Layla smiles faintly, "That said, sometimes even a shield has to be used forcefully. She has teeth and claws for a reason." Another laugh erupts over his question and she has to take a moment to calm herself before giving a nod, "Oh yes. There are many, many overlaps in the Egyptian Pantheon. Almost no God or Goddess has a single sole propriety over any one area."

Waving a hand, she shakes her head, "I have a PhD in archaeology, my specialty is in Egyptian history and mythology. Not the first time I've had to correct misconceptions, or taught someone about it. It will absolutely not be the last, either." Layla turns that infectious grin up at him, "I was going to say Friendship. You seem to have a way with animals and people alike, so I assumed it had something to do with friendship or camaraderie."

Chuckling, she shakes her head, "Not likely. She tends to gossip more about her own pantheon. Which is absolutely hilarious when she gets going."

Balder has posed:
"You would have been very, very close." Balder chuckles a little bit. "For Asgard, I'm often sitting at tables and discussing with leaders of realms and other Pantheons to ensure war never breaks out. I've spoken to a few, but not all. Most Pantheons keep to themselves." Balder comments with a bit of a smile. Though hearing that Egyptian deities overlap constantly, Balder almost frowns. "I suppose that means infighting is common." He sighs. Sometimes, it can't be helped. "Even protectors draw their swords now and again." Balder chuckles. "I know the feeling well."

Infectious grin indeed, he smiles right back at her. "That's good, it means you and I are temporarily safe. Though I would be delighted to meet Taweret sometime." Balder offers then.

He looks up to the heavens a moment, before he turns his attention back to Layla. "I'm afraid my time draws short. But what little I discussed with you I thoroughly enjoyed. Can I speak to you again soon?"

Layla Abdalla El-Faouly has posed:
"I have good instincts. And Taweret has been helping open me to more empathetic view towards others." Layla flashes a smile at him and tosses her garbage into a passing trashcan. She pauses, turning to face him with a chuckle, "Oh sure. I'll tell you one of the most well-known myths from Egypt next time. It's.. a doozy. But it showcases pretty well how petty and backbiting some of the pantheon can be."

Chuckling, she gives a nod, "Taweret loves to meet people, so I'm sure she'd be delighted to meet you."

Her brows jump up at his mentioning of needing to go. "So soon? Alright, well it was very nice to meet you, Balder Odinson. And yes, please do!"

Balder has posed:
Balder smiles at her. "I'd be glad to hear your story." he chuckles a little bit, though he looks up at the sky again. A frown on his face, like something troubling he was sensing. He turns his attentio nback to Layla and he reaches for her hand to give it a firm squeeze in a farewell. "Farewell, Layla Abdalla El-Faouly. I count the seconds until I can meet with you again." He chuckles.

He gives her a nod, and he looks up. "Heimdall."

A beam of energy, rainbow colored, envolopes him completely. He looks at her for a moment longer...then he is gone.