12010/Meeting of the Gods

Meeting of the Gods
Date of Scene:	14 July 2022
Location:	Asgardian Embassy
Synopsis:	Thor, the God of Thunder, and Balder, the God of Light, reunite. Thor has a task that he thinks Balder can help with.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Balder

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Thor has posed:
    The Embassy is always fairly hectic during the day. There's often a good amount of foot traffic that wanders in, people seeking an audience or offering a petition. Sometimes there are journalists looking for interviews or information, repeated requests from researches. Thankfully Helda has a good head for these things and handles most of the appointments, so very few get passed on to the Princes in residence or the other prominent Asgardians.
    It leaves them with the free time they need for important pursuits.
    Such as Thor seems to be pursuing a steady gaze at the mirror before him in the main hall. Tilting his head left and right, frowning as he rubs fingers over the stubble of what will become his beard, then along the curves of his head with the prickly rise of hair follicles leaving him mostly bare. That brush with dire flame had definitely taken its toll on the Asgardian Prince. Or at least his hair.
    "Bother," He could be heard to say quietly as he scritches his chin, then tilts his head to he side while behind him the grand hall lies empty. He eventually shrugs his shoulders and consigns himself to his fate.

Balder has posed:
"Brother."

The call reaches Balder's ear like a prayer of the old days. He stood atop a tall peak, looking upon a small village he has blessed with sunlight after feeling as though they had been in darkness forever, banishing a millenia-old curse upon them. Though Balder did not choose to be worshipped, they decided upon him as a Sun God. But the call of Thor Odinson, the Thunderer, summons Balder like a beacon. Though the great hall was empty, there would be a bright light that grew from a single spark.

Balder, in all of his glory, entered. He wore armor of black leather, leaving his arms bare. Gauntlets came up to his elbows. Gold and purple trim lined his outfit and a fur cloak curled itself around his body. On his back was his mighty axe, Svraden, the Uru metal almost chirping in response to Thor's own weapon.

Brothers reunite.

"You called for me, Brother?" He lowers his head reverently to the lord of this hall.

Thor has posed:
    "Balder," Turning smoothly, Thor's smile broadened into life and he stepped across the way to extend a hand to the other Asgardian. And once near enough forearms are gripped and a hearty shake is given along with Thor's free hand thumping hard upon his sibling's shoulder.
    "Tis good to see you," He steps back and sweeps a hand to the side, gesturing toward one of the long tables where a tray and bottles were already at rest though likely for another purpose but now conveniently at hand. "Come, sit with me, I have some small matter to discuss."
    That said he'll move toward the table and pull one of the benches out a bit before he settles in place. A motion to the opposite seat is made. It is still clearly Thor, though he is sans beard and hair, a price paid in recent battle. "We have undertaken a small project here and I was thinking if you had the time and were so inclined you could be of aid."

Balder has posed:
The oft-forgotten prince steps forward and grips Thor's forearm heartily, giving the crowned one a smile that reflects the sun itself. "Thor, it's always a pleasure to see you." He takes a glance at his hair, singed as it was and forced short. "What happened to your mane?" he smiles. Balder was the lord of prophecy, but not even he could dream a dream where Thor had lost his hair.

Though beckoned to sit, Balder follows Thor until they can come at rest at one of the tables, a bench pulled out and Balder takes a seat then. "A project? And what project would that be that I could assist you?"

Always the first to volunteer. It appears Thor has captured his brother's interest.

Thor has posed:
    "Ah, battle, of course." A bit of fire and foes.
    Once they're settled Thor reaches for two upside down mugs on the platter and flips them over, placing one before himself and the other before Balder. Then the bottle is grasped and he tilts it on its side letting it gurgle caramel liquor into each then setting it aside.
    "But that is a different matter." He straightens and smiles easily enough, "What I would speak to you on is that some of us here on Midgard, we have decided to make an effort to help the people here establish some... safety considering the amount of travelers that use this real as something of a crossroads."
    He straightens up, "Often beings from one realm or another pass through and in so doing there is chaos, mayhem. It occurred that perhaps there was a day to ease this passing? And so we have come up with an enchantment that is possible to do so. Though it will take quite a lot of effort to acquire the needed elements."

Balder has posed:
"Seems you have kept away from Valhalla, brother. Shame it came at the cost of your hair. The ladies will be upset." Balder teases Thor, but it doesn't distract him from the task at hand. Brotherly duties completed, he does not ask about the whereabouts of Loki, though he was somewhat scarce as far as Balder was concerned.

"Midgard has been a source of strange dimensional activity, even moreso of late as the Old Gods awaken. After the conflict with the Demiurge, I departed Midgard and travelled the Nine Realms for answers." He hums. "Being back here...this would be a good task to return to form." he smiles at Thor.

"I'm interested." Balder was one of Asgard's best enchanters and magicians. He ewasn't as great a sorcerer as Loki is, but they're comparable. "I imagine you'll need anchors."

Thor has posed:
    A quick nod is given by Thor as Balder suggests the need for anchors. "Aye, items that have a strong connection with each realm." He takes a deep breath, "We shall acquire them over time, in the meantime we are looking for a suitable location..."
    Straightening up, Thor takes a sip of his drink and then nods toward the bank of windows that look out toward the city, the skyline prominent and beyond. "A place strong in magical focus, but also one we can defend. It will take some doing, but perhaps you can be of aid along either path."
    That said he rubs at his chin and grimaces. "Or you could also be of aid in picking up in other areas as with my attention so focused I will be unable to give other matters the time they deserve."

Balder has posed:
"I see. You may need one for each realm that we know of, and it can grow as we learn of other domains." Balder suggests to Thor, though he has no doubt the Thunderer is already aware of such things. "Brother, as you know, I have no fear of overextension. I shine best in it, thy work is heavy. Allow me to take as much weight off of your shoulders as I am able."

He tells him with a small smile on his face, that almost seems to light up the room. "I can help you in finding these places of magical power, and take pains to set up warding enchantments when he find them."

Thor has posed:
    "That would be good." Then there is a pause as Thor's gaze distances a little, even as he bites his lower lip. Clearly whatever he is about to impart tests him so. Yet he takes a deep breath and then looks sidelong to this brother.
    "I have not told Loki of this," Though likely it is that Loki knows. And might well already have taken umbrage. "And I know that the Sorcerer Supreme feels it may no be a positive thing to have him working on this matter." Which is understandable considering Loki's past.
    One hand lifts to rub at the back of his head, but then lowers to his neck as he grimaces slightly. "So some delicacy might be in order at points." Though, to be fair, of the two of them Balder is the better hand at diplomacy.

Balder has posed:
Balder nods softly. Though he looks at Thor as if curious what seems to be disturbing him so. He could take a few guesses, but- ah, Loki. As always, the brothers of polar opposites strike a strange chord. He takes a deep, deep, deep breath. "It may have been wise not to tell Loki of this. Our brother is intelligent, maybe the most intelligent creature we know besides Father, but he will have many chances to cause harm or mischief."

He hums. "I can try and see the Sorcerer Supreme, see if he's willing to bend. Loki's insight may be needed - provided he's watched...if that is your wish, brother. I understand it's a difficult matter."

Thor has posed:
    "If you can negotiate that, it might be wise." Thor says as he again scritches the stubble on the side of his cheek, frowning distantly. "Though do not push, the good Doctor Strange has done well for us and has been a strong support. If it comes down to having to offend him to appease Loki..."
    Thor shakes his head, "Then Loki will have to be displeased." A grimace is seen on the Asgardian Crown Prince's features.
    Then he murmurs with a small smile and thumps Balder on the shoulder, "Ah, these days. A far cry from he adventures of what once was, aye?"

Balder has posed:
Balder heeds Thor's words. It is better not to upset the Sorcerer Supreme and leave Loki in his displeased state. They need all the help they can get and Loki...well, Loki has always been somewhat unreliable. In the meantime, Strange has supported the Asgardians through every circumstance and trial.

"I will try, brother." the thump on his shoulder does not make him waver, but he chuckles. "Brother, each adventure has been better than the last, but for all the different reasons one can muster." Balder returns the thump to his brother's shoulder, lifting his drink.

"To adventures, past and present."

He'll drink after that toast. "But it is strange to see you without your weapon, brother. Where is Mjolnir? I remember a time when it never left your grasp."

Thor has posed:
    The toast is accepted and met with the thunk-clink of those mugs together. Then they drink and he leans to the side a little smiling at the remembrances of those adventures past and present. Another sip then he sets the mug down with a thunk.
    One singed eyebrow quirks as he looks sidelong at Balder, then his lips part in a silent 'ah' at his question regarding the Uru hammer. "Mjolnir? It is at hand." Though not at his hip at the moment, nor even visible in the room.
    He uncurls a hand, "An acquaintance had mentioned a little time ago how at times my presence with Mjolnir terribly visible unsettles some of the older or more infirm of mortals who call upon us. The children still like it it seems, but when meeting with their parents they do seem agitated. Especially when one tries to pick it up. So I sometimes set it aside here or there within the Embassy."
    Which, if one were to notice, in the hall there might well be a suspicious looking umbrella.

Balder has posed:
Balder looks across the room, that 'umbrella' does not escape Balder's sight. He sees with more than eyes and were it his weapon, he would summon it to his hand. But he has never once tried to discover if he was Worthy. Never once tried to test his worth against the weighing measure of Asgard's mightiest weapon. He looks at it for a long moment, before looking back to Thor.

"I see. I'm sorry it unsettles some of them, though it would be somewhat alarming if one with no ability was standing in the room with a mighty warrior - and one of the most dangerous weapons in the universe. Though, their inability to pick it up may be seen as insulting." Balder suggests.

But he humms. "Perhaps if you set it up where it could be visible? In your office, maybe, or up on a stand in the Hall?"

Thor has posed:
    "Bah," Thor says simply, dismissively, "You are granting it more thought than it deserves." And, to be fair, if he ever needed it he often had no qualms about summoning it to hand. They have had many a repair crew in the embassy after all with the only reason being that Thor had needed his hammer and it was in another room.
    "But come, Balder." He takes another drink then presses his hands flat on the tabletop, "Let us see to your quarters and reacquaint you with Lady Hedla, she will be most pleased to see you returned."
    And with that said he gains his feet, stealing a second last drink from his mug then turns to walk toward the door leading out of that grand room. Though he can't help but rub a hand over his scruffy growing back hair. "Bah."