12580/Resonants: Jotenheim Part 1

Resonants: Jotenheim Part 1
Date of Scene:	06 September 2022
Location:	Jotunheim
Synopsis:	The next step in the Resonants plot is Jotunheim! There the heroes are challenged to the most deadly of combats: The Tug OF WAR!
Cast of Characters:	Sif, Clint Barton, Jimmy Hudson, Lara Croft, Zatanna Zatara, Jane Foster, Colborn
Tinyplot:	Resonants

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Sif has posed:
The world of Jotunheim was a frozen wasteland. Everything seemed to be sharp and unforgiving. Ice and snow covered every surface. The wind swirled, howling like a beast through craggy passages. The temperatures were well below freezing in this world that never thawed, never warmed. It was also protected by the people who lived here, with a zealousness one might admire if they were not the uninvited.

The Frost Giants were literally that. Beings that rose up in height to far above that of a human being. A six foot human might come to about the knee of most Giants. Yet there were those who were bigger. It all depended on many things. There were also beasts that roamed these places, some that served the giants. Some that preyed on them.

It was to this desolate place that the Bifrost deposited the heroes. Their mission? Attempt a diplomatic option as the Frost Giants were ever hungry for war with the Asgardians due to their hatred. Though at the moment there was a peace agreement, such things were fragile when tempers flared.

The wonderful Helda had assured everyone was equipped for their trip. No horses or mounts. Just a few supplies in case things went poorly as this would hopefully be settled within the day. They were also given suitable warm attire, although it would be Asgardian in style. Though they also could have provided their own if they preferred something commercial to furry.

They were desposited onto an area about halfway up a mountainside. It was the main entry point that the Asgardians used, a known location that was guarded by two Frost Giants at all times. As soon as the light appeared, before the people were even deposited, a runner was sent to inform those in power.

Strangers had arrived. One Asgardian who was known to the Frost Giants, causing them to grip their weapons more tightly and take up their position blocking the path that would lead further into their territory. The others were unknowns, which was equally threatening from the point of a Frost Giant.

Clint Barton has posed:
See, Clint's seen Asgardian winter attire and he while there's definitely a place for that many furs, they just weighed him down too much. By all accounts that he's ever heard of Giants, they're big as actual houses, so he was going to need to be faster than them. Which meant packing his own cold weather gear. SHIELD issued gear had some fur lining, but was made lighter for him specifically, with tall boots and gloves that had the draw fingers on his left hand cut off. And a scarf.

Because he doesn't want to catch a the sniffles.

Once again they arrive by bifrost and be damned if that never gets easier.. People can say it's beautiful all they want to, but being hurled hundreds of miles an hour through a perverbial void of multi-colored stars was not Hawkeyes idea of fun...

Supposing as they land, welcomed by a few massive frost Giants, that it's better than driving to Jotunheim.

At least he doesn't vomit this time. Instead, sharp eyes watching the big ol Jotun-greeters. "Someone told them we were dropping by right?"

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    James Hudson didn't take Sif's words lightly. Nor Helda's efforts for granted. The provided Winter gear that was on hand was used and accepted with thanks after Jimmy had made sure to introduce himself as needed. Since by the time he was done wrapping himself in the heavy fur-lined jerkin, the bear-skin cloak, and the hefty wolf-helm... he would rival a certain Ralphy of wintery fame.
    Though perhaps not quite as restrictive.
    Yet it was clear he was not taking the weather and the cold as a joke.
    The Bifrost, however, snuck up on him this time. With a flash and sizzle and a crash, the powerful force that connects the realms deposited the Canadian mutant emerging from that rainbow energy with a staggered step that became a quick stumble...and then he stops himself from an ignominious fall with one hand. "Oof."
    A glance sidelong at Clint, "A raven or owl or sommich?"

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had come in her cold weather gear, save for a jacket that had been rolled up in to her rucksack. Now, the jacket was worn with her tac vest underneath it, and a scarf around her neck. Her hair held down by a dark grey beanie cap over her scalp, and her goggles up over its edge. She exhales softly when they arrive, letting her eyes wander the wilds around them, before she hears the others speak. Her gaze goes forward then, and her gloved hands flex their fingers at her sides.

"I sent an e-mail. I'm not sure if it got received..." She dryly jokes back toward Clint and Jimmy.

"I guess we go up and say hello?" She questions then, before glancing down at herself and adjusting some of the gear strapped around her form. "Right then." Lara looks to the others. "Are we good?" She asks of them all.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna pushes back her hood to scan the icy landscape below them and immediately regrets it. Vicious cold stings the inside of her nostrils and bites the tips of her ears. With mittened hands, she restores the hood to its place and pulls the red scarf higher to keep out the freezing fingers of air. Instinctively she moves closer to her companion, Jane.

The Asgardian Embassy had offered cloaks to the party, but she brought her own furs, magically made. Fur-lined boots warm her feet, and the hooded coat falls just above her knees, giving her freedom of movement.

She turns to Jane, "Have you ever been this cold?"

She lifts a mittened hand to Lara, giving her a thumbs up, "As well as I can be! Shall we?"

Sif has posed:
"Wait." Simple and concise, the instruction came from the Frost Giant on the left. He was tall and built in a muscular way, wearing what basically would be leather armor. Leggings, a chest piece. Blue-skinned, hair white and beard white. Only they didn't really look like hair either. In fact, it looked more like icicles. They wore helms of some sort of metal and the weapons they carried looked deadly, in the form of giant war hammers and spears for this pair.

It was not much of a wait. Indeed their coming had been expected. However, the Frost Giants could not simply be there waiting for them. That might make the Asgardians feel they were the ones calling the shots. Thus the power move was to make the visitors wait, for a few minutes. Not enough to become insult. Just making a cold point.

A large group of Frost Giants appeared, walking to join those in attendance. Interestingly, they could see some were smaller. Almost the size of humans. Though the majority were the massive creatures one would expect with the name giant. One at the fore wore a bit fancier armor, though he was only about 15 feet tall. This set him apart slightly from the others. Likely the one in charge. They all stopped about twenty feet in front of the visitors, close enough they could feel the cold that emanated from the Giants.

"Lady Sif. Travellers." His voice was rough and deep, like the sound of an avalanche crashing down a hill given the ability to speak. His pale eyes flicked to the others, each in turn getting a momentary meeting of the gaze. Then he was back to the Asgardian. "I am Uttir, slayer of Valkrul. You sought audience. What do you want?" There might be peace between their people's but it was obvious he had no interest in dealing with an Asgardian.

"Uttir, slayer of Valkrul, we thank you for allowing this visit. We are traveling the nine realms, seeking items that resonate with the world of Midgard. I believe this was explained by our courier?"

"Aye. It was. Though we have no interest in striking deals with Asgardians this day." He looked at the others. "Nor their friends. Thus, we are at an impasse."

Jane Foster has posed:
The last time that Jane ended up anywhere as cold as Jotunheim, it involved an impromptu trip north of the Arctic Circle to monitor a Kree device. Or possibly that jaunt into high orbit, not that it exactly counted. Suffice to say she has cold weather gear fit to her, suitable for the icy climes that the home to the frost giants throws at her. Add the necessary blue and grey-tinged accoutrements to help her blend in, and the squishiest of Asgard-Midgard Raid Party Time is actually very well suited to stealth. At least stealth by scientific standards, not the sidelong looks that Sif or Clint surely would offer.

Her gift to Helda is an immaculate set of different honeys and homemade jams collected from far and wide, a box of wood and a note of thanks. Not exactly the flashiest gift, but certainly meant to go nicely with a fine angora scarf.

Angora won't do a bit of good out here. "Honestly," she murmurs to Zatanna, "I have. I don't recommend it." Death by hypothermia, about 679 times. Not worth the price of admission. She follows Lara and Sif's leads, no armour or weapons to positively speak of. Unless things go horrendously, utterly wrong.

Thus, the nod to Uttir, polite as can be.

Clint Barton has posed:
"Flip some pigeons?" Clint offers to Jimmy with a smirk behind the shaw worn across his face, then again over to Lara.. but whatever he was going to say is cut off by the arrival of the massive Giants who run the roost. Uttir, Slayer of Valkrul. Clint blows out a sigh and puts the tips of his fingers in the front of his jacket to help keep them warm. It's not working very well, but every little bit helps...

Doesn't look like negotiations are off to a very good start though.. At least not from where he's standing. Peering at the other companions before glancing up.. and up.. and up... at the Giants they're here to convince. His wrist turns enough to see the ticking hands of his watch, which doesn't read Jotenheim standard. He keeps himself nice and quiet, since there's all this tension in the air anyways, and he's just a tiny little human with nothing productive to add except a few arrows.

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    A half-grin is given sidelong after Clint, though no further words given in rejoinder as the snow crunches under Jimmy's boots. That harsh crackle and crunch of footsteps was heard as he had walked along and with the others to take up a place beside Sif and a touch behind. The two sentinels got his gaze drifting up. And up and up. Then he shook his head, though it looked like with him it was a wolf's head making that slight twitch. Not to anything in particular, more likely just to the fact that these beings are so damn tall.
    Then the Giant and his entourage arrive. At the greeting he takes his lead from the others and half a moment later raises his gloved hand open palm toward the giants in greeting. For now, however, he keeps silent.

Lara Croft has posed:
A quick nod is given to Zatanna, and Jayne before Lara looks forward again, only to see their welcoming party on their way. "Ah... well... that's, something." She softly says to the sight of it. As they draw closer, like the others, Lara is soon to look up at the very tallest one of their party. She doesn't react to it openly, beyond shifting a little from boot to boot in the snow around her feet.

When it's spoken that there is to be no arrangement between Asgard, or its friends, Lara exhales softly as she tilts her head to the right ever so slightly.

"We've come all this way. If nothing else, all we ask is that you listen to us for a few moments, if our case is plead, and you still see no merit in it, then... we'll, of course, honor your disinetrest in what we are proposing."

Apparently she doesn't stay quiet for the time being!

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Not three minutes into their mission and already the Giants are calling negotiations to be at an impasse. Zatanna presses the side of her face into the silken black fur wondering what the Giants want.

It is impossible not to stare at the Giants, there difference in sizes translates to nothing she has any experience with. They are like motile icebergs, the cold flowing off them rivers of death, inviting numbness and sleep.

It is no surprise to her that the intrepid Lara speaks up to their cold hosts. She exchanges a glance with Jane and then moves a few steps to stand next to Sif. In a voice pitched to be inaudible to their unwelcoming hosts. "What do you suppose they want? What could we offer them that would change their position?"

Colborn has posed:
    Jotunheim. Tales have been heard of the place. Tales told by Vikings back in the day, and then written down in later years. The fun part was the fact that every story shared in the oral tradition had tiny differences that diverged the more it was told. Talk about religion via the grapevine game. But the core principles remained. Either way, Colborn is a quiet traveler. He doesn't talk just for the sake of filling a void with some sound. He only speaks when his words are needed. So it's quite normal to almost forget he's been here. And when others talk and talk and talk, he's quite happy to let them while he remains quiet and observes.

    But with the Jotun declaring that there is no point to even bother speaking, his brows lift. Yet, he doesn't just speak up. He does however, instruct his Mother Box to prepare for him to withdraw a few of his weapons from its spatial storage. Not for combat. But for potential trade or proof of workmanship. HE steps forward a pace or two, getting into easy conversation range with Sif. "Perhaps they may trade information for something material? I have heard tales that the Jotun prize well made weapons...." His voice trails off at that.

Jane Foster has posed:
The cold response from the frost giants probably doesn't surprise Jane in the least, given her unchanged expression when the diplomatic forays shrivel like a tender orchid exposed to the biting gales roaring off glacially-crowned peaks. Her dark eyes, shrouded in frost-tipped lashes, remain focused slightly above and beyond their primary spokesperson on the jotun side.

"What you excel foremost at. Proffer an exchange of studies under the banner of Midgard. We're here for that, after all." Her words are low and soft, measured to gift the raven-haired magician all the discretion she offered in the first place. It could well be a particularly easy matter to fashion.

"ELsewise, a secret."

Sif has posed:
Sif knew the people of Jotunheim well, after years of battling them. They were more often enemies than allies. Yet it gave her insight into their culture and what may or may not help to get them to act. At Zatanna's question, she replied just as softly, "Sadly, they are not ones to negotiate. There is a reason we have been enemies for millennia." Diplomacy wasn't really the best of options in her mind. Sitting for hours trying to convince them would just lead to an annoyed disposition and a frozen backside. She had to try another tactic, one that could go poorly or wonderfully.

"I issue challenge. We will compete. Should we win, the item is ours with no further negotiations."

That caught the attention of all the giants and a little murmur of noise went through them. Uttir raised a hand and they fell quiet again. But his eyes seemed to shine suddenly as he /almost/ smiled. "Challenge has been issued and is accepted. Terms to be be set by the challenged." Translation: He got to pick what their challenge was.

He eyed the group with her again. One Asgardian. Several from Midgard. One was...different. He eyed Colborn for long moments, that unknown quantity being weighed. He also took in the words from the man. Then he looked at Jane. More importantly, at Jane's arm.

"When we win the challenge, we claim the artifact that woman wears."

Which has Sif frowning. "That is not Asgard's to bargain with. Though our ally has offered weapons of the finest caliber. We offer that instead."

Uttir considered then gave a terse nod. "Accepted." Then he did smile, and it was probably one of the most frightening things ever.

"A friendly battle between allies." He looked to each in turn then stood to his full height, to better look down on them all. "Tug. OF WAR!"

Which has the entire Frost Giant gathering beginning to shout, raising weapons in the air, slamming fists on shields to create a cacophony of noise.

Clint Barton has posed:
Clint doesn't know a whole lot about Asgardian diplomacy, but he was pretty certain that if Thor was here, they'd already be fighting. He peers side long at Lara and can't help snickering, then over to Jane when her arm is mentioned. Heck, everyones offering up all kinds of really good suggestions and he's just standing here with his hands in his pocket blowing 'fog breath' rings through his shaw.

Right up until the challenge is issued.

Nice.

He reaches back for his bow, but stays his hand when the challenged offers up the terms... "Did he say tug of war?" He murmurs, looking at Jimmy. Then around to everyone else, "Please tell me they use rope and not a deer or something?" His fingers flex a few times and drops down from grabbing his bow to adjust his face covering.

"I'm pretty excited, I haven't dong Tug of war since '94 field day in Fifth grade." He might even be grinning behind his shaw. "Never mind these guys are as big as god damned houses and have hands bigger than me... this is fine. Hey, maybe after we can play some flag football."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "I think he said, tug. OF WAR."
    Jimmy's voice manages to carry beyond the scarf across his mouth, muffled but the incredulity hanging there a bit despite. Then he tilts his head as he looks over their crew as he lifts a gloved hand to where his jaw would be in that mass of fabric.
    "Well, good thing ah've been workin' out." Since if there is a fella that is aware of his limitations in a situation like this... well Jimmy's likely him, or one of them.
    A look sidelong at Sif as he seems to consider saying something else. But doesn't.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara's eyes go over to Sif, who naturally knows better ways to illicit the proper reaction out of these Giants. She exhales a puff of white steam from between her lips as she sweeps her brown eyed gaze back over to the varied-sizes of Giants from this realm then.

IT's when the suggestion of 'tug of war' comes that Lara exhales sharply again, a sudden, short, laugh coming from the Briton. They had some pretty strong people on this expedition, but with a glance to her companions, Lara raises her brows up, then reaches for her snow goggles, to adjust them down over her eyes, their orange reflective shields covering her eyes for the moment.

"I'm not sure that... will properly be an even challenge..." She mutters loud enough for everyone to hear, though she's not entirely sure about Sif, or Zatanna's ability to adjust their strength. She does eye Jane's arm though, at what the Giant showed interest in...

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee turns her head sharply at Lara's laugh and pulls down her scarf to exchange a faint smile with her. The smugness rolls off the Giants like cold air. Zee is certain that they measure strength by size and apparent muscle mass. Lips pursed, the magician nods to herself and asks Sif, deliberately avoiding the word magic, "Can we use anything we've got?"

Mentally, she calculates their real strength and potential. Sif, Colborn, Clint, Jimmy. Jane? She has only to murmur a spell under her breath to become the Woman of Steel. Would the giants detect the magic?

Zee avoids looking at Jane not wanting to call more attention to her than she has already received.

Jane Foster has posed:
A good thing Sif answers the question to the artifact hidden on Jane's wrist, an unobtrusive bit of dull gold chain under base layer, sweater, and coat sleeve. Nothing to see. Really, there isn't -- and the fully sentient storm intends to keep it that way, being the simplest of 10k gold concealing, oh, hi, uru. That there ought to alert everyone to Jotunheim playing with fire, considering X-ray vision isn't a common giant trait!

The mortal raises her eyebrows blandly at the inquiry. If she's got two bracelets, then what? Such unsurpassed mysteries will never be faced. She simply breaks into a smile about tug of war. Instead, she claps her mittened hands together briefly. "Right, I'm with you," she announces in Lara's direction. "Interesting times, aren't we?"

Colborn has posed:
    Lifting both brows, Colborn goes kinda quiet once more. He nods in support of Sif offering his wares as a part of the challenge. But then he steps back a half pace to plant himself. He doesn't do much more than that. But he -does- incline his head as the Tug of War is brought up by the Jotun. He smirks and shakes his head. Now he speaks.

    "I would think that the Jotun would prefer a challenge that was a -challenge- and fair to both sides." Though, he says that mostly at a volume for Sif to hear it, not projecting across the field.

    But his eyes turn to look towards Jane, and then he looks back to the Jotun. Huh. Do the Jotun have the ability to sense magic? Or did someone tell them about the artifact?

Sif has posed:
As everyone reacts to the challenge, Sif's expression has gone dark. No smile. No amusement. "This is indeed a fine challenge for warriors." Which may have her allies wondering if the Asgardian has lost her marbles. She glances back at Colborn's words and the laughs of her allies in obvious confusion. Then she turns back to Uttir. "Standard rules for the Tug. OF WAR?" And oddly her voice has that same stress and power given to the two last words.

"Of course. Teams of equal number. First forced over the line loses." Uttir assured her even as he turned, motioning for them all to follow. The Frost Giants parted to give them space to pass through then fell in behind the heroes. Uttir answers Zatanna's question as they walk. "Magic may not be used by anyone on the rope nor on anyone on the rope. This is purely a challenge of strength." Which is indeed why it was chosen because Midgardians were not known for their strength.

They seemed to be climbing higher into the mountains then they came to a giant chasm. It started as a crack where they were standing then expanded out to about twenty feet across in the distance. Boulders of many sizes are on both sides of the chasm. And at that twenty foot spot there was a rope. Secured at both sides.There was no flag on the rope. No way to mark if the center of it crossed a certain point. The chasm itself was deep. Deep enough the bottom could not be seen from the surface.

Perhaps this Tug OF WAR was not quite the game the Midgardians were used to.

"Choose your number on the rope and we will match." Then Uttir led his people to the left side of the rope. Leaving Sif to lead their group over to the right. The mountain itself was ice but it was so thick and strong, it was unlikely it would ever break, even with the might of giants and gods. Though there was snow and ice covering that which would be tricky for footing. Once they were away from the Giants and in place by the rope, she turned to her friends. "I would suggest perhaps one person or two on the rope. I am willing to take a position there with you providing support."

Clint Barton has posed:
"She's not laughing." Clint says of Sif while everyone else is having a fine ol'time, including himself until he sees the dower expression on Sif's face. He points up at her, glancing over her shoulder, "She's not laughing..." That bares repeating. This should definitely be something she's laughing at. Right?

Because now they're going up into the mountains where's cold.....

Trying to look like none of this is bothering him, but something about the dower faces and seriousness with which they keep saying OF WAR has his eyes shifting between Sif and the giants when each speaks. Saving any questions for when the Lady is sorting out their teams.

"So, here's my thoughts... I don't know the traditional rules of this variation of Tug OF WAR, but if they'll match numbers to whoever's on the rope, it just seems that maybe I should sit this one out? I'll fight them all day... bows, arrows, swords.. heck, if we were playing Red Rover? I'm in.. sold, but I'm not as strong as a Frost Giant."

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    "Uh," Is the first sound Jimmy makes as he follows along. They start that climb into the heights of Jotunheim, boots crunching the snow and footsteps steady, yet with the give and take between Sif and Uttir... the young mutant starts to take exception.
    "I'm thinkin' somethin' might be gettin' lost in translation here." Since that emphasis was indeed apparently a thing on those last two words. He shot a glance at Clint and Lara, then at the others there. "So magic can be used on people not... on the rope?"
    Since there seems to be some implication there and that they're not getting the whole picture. Yet his misgivings haven't taken form beyond that suspicion that he's uttered. Then he gives a nod in Clint's direction, "Yah, thinkin' mebbe... just our strongest folks. Wait..."
    He lifts his head a little and raises his voice loud enough to carry more as he for the first time speaks loud enough so the giant can perhaps hear as well. "Is there another role during the contest for... warriors not on the rope?"

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara had looked to Sif at Clint's beckoning, then she just quietly accompanied everyone on the trek...

When they arrived at the site, Lara is soon to step toward that chasm, carefully looking over its edge, as she's not exactly new to such things, and peers down toward its depths. She exhales again, still wearing her sport goggles, she looks back to the others.. then toward the Giants.

She has a bad feeling about this.

Stepping back toward the others, Lara exhales from the long walk. She sweeps her covered gaze around them. "This seems... well, I don't really have to say it." She notes, glancing toward the chasm, and back again. "I volunteer... though I am no super powered person. I am a good climber, though, so if anyone should accidentally be pulled down there... Well... I probably have a good chance of catching myself before falling entirely."

Does that count as something? Maybe?

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The climb up the hill is arduous. Zatanna's scarf freezes with water vapor from breathing hard. She warms her face with her mittens while considering how to help her teammates. A few steps closer to the edge of the chasm assures her that it as perilous as she imagined. She steps back and takes a deep breath.

"What is there to laugh at?" she tosses out to Clint. "Nothing yet."

What do lawyers and mages and certain mutants have in common? Both groups are adept at finding the errant comma, the misplaced word. Hence her interpretation of the Giant's injunction against magic. No magic used by anyone on the rope. Fine, she would not be in the group. Nor anyone on the rope. Strictly speaking if the magic were used before they were on the rope, they would be within the terms of agreement. Wouldn't they?

"So who is on the rope besides Sif?"

Jane Foster has posed:
"Of war. Not a singular phrase, something to be mindful of." Jane's statement is fairly soft, presiding over a degree of mild warning. "The battle is not only on the ropes. Arrows and stones lobbed from the cliffside add to the difficulty of the venture." Strands of her umber hair stream beneath the heavy hood drawn over her face, and therein lies the trouble. "Anyone standing on the sidelines won't be an idle bystander, they will be hurtling several tonnes of rock at those unable to defend themselves without sacrificing quite a bit of the field and possibly ending up as a broken body at the end of a crevasse several hundred feet deep, by my guess. Thus we've a few variables to take into account, foremost that someone has to intercept or break the damn things. Anyone not engaged on holding the line holds a critical role supporting them from perishing."

Light-footed though she is, there is a peculiar lightness to her pace that attests to not really worrying too much about where she lands. The climb is arduous, but her preoccupation actually makes it easier to fall into a rhythm. "Therein we need to play to our literal strengths. If we lose, you die."

Colborn has posed:
    Following along, Colborn falls silent for the trip up into the mountains. He seems unperturbed, unworried. His breath tends to be hot. So it is coming out in puffs of steam as he moves along. He is not the least bit tired out by the walk. Not winded or anything.

    Once up to the site for the event, he rolls his neck and shrugs, "I am strong enough to compete here." he says simply as energy flows through the cells of his body, infusing his muscles. Really, nothing extra. That's how he -has- super strength in the first place. "I will anchor if allowed." he adds as he begins approaching the designated site. "It should also be known that if I am pulled over the edge, I can actually fly." His shoulders shrug, "If that is important." And he steps up beside Sif, ready to go.

    But then Jane speaks, and his brows both go up. "Well, that is interesting." he says. "Mother Box. Large shield please." he says.. and then a tiny rip in space opens and a heater shield floats out of it before it closes... affixing itself to Colborn's left arm. He pulls his helmet on as well, and then nods, "I am ready." hge says.

Sif has posed:
Sif and Uttir answer at the same time, looking in confusion at Jimmy as he asks that question. Uttir rolls his eyes and laughs, turning his back and talking to his men which has them all laughing at the silliness of these Midgardians. Not knowing the rules to Tug. OF WAR.

"Of course! They are most important. They are the ones to support those on the rope," Sif answers Jimmy more politely. When Jane explains more, she nods and her brow is furrowed. "Is this not how Tug OF WAR occurs on Midgard? You seemed familiar but scoffed, which I thought was an intimidation tactic on your part."

Now she's not quite so certain. She thought everyone knew the Combat Rite of Rathshar. Yet they seem to be surprised by the rules that are being revealed.

"The first person to be pulled over the edge is the losing team." So yes, to answer Colborn's statement, perhaps being in the spot closest to the edge is best for someone that can fly. Not that it matters to Sif. "I will take the spot by the edge. Colborn will be anchor. Lara may be in the middle, unless you wish to support."

She looks to those gathered. "Those not on the rope are responsible for being on the offense and defense for us. There will be rocks and weapons sent our way. They will try to hit those on the rope, to make it easier to win. But they may also aim for the supporters who are the more dangerous to their own team. You will attempt to knock people off their rope. Or counter those firing at us."

Then she smiled. "It has been an honor to fight at your sides."

Clint Barton has posed:
"I grew up in Iowa, this is absolutely how we played tug of war." Clint doesn't seem surprised, but neither does he seem particularly thrilled by the idea of people getting pulled over that chasm. Even if Colborn says he can fly, which definitely makes the act of falling off easier..

Casually, he unslings his bow and taps a button on the side at the same time as he jerks his wrist, extending it out in the super hero fashion. Another button and the base of his quiver twists around and sets an arrow head to one of the empty shafts, which he pulls and nocks with a grin.

A decidedly pleased with himself grin.

Jimmy Hudson has posed:
    At Jane's information and Sif's further explanation Jimmy looks at them steadily, listens, takes it in. Then he nods and makes a face. No casual wry comments are given, nothing approaching a quip. Suddenly things got a touch more serious for him as he gave a nod. "No back home fer me it's... less formal."
    A grumble then he murmurs, "We keep 'em off our folks. Can do that."
    Though it's clear he's sizing up what they'll need to do to get across to the other side. Which has him in turn looking toward Lara, since she often carries a good number of answers in her gear.
    "Or we play interference." Then under his breath he growls something uncharitable about kids games. Until Sif smiles and says her thing which has him tilting his head to the side as if about to chide her but instead just resting a hand on her shoulder and giving a squeeze before he starts to step back and away to get set.

Lara Croft has posed:
Lara starts to feel a measure of impatience at all of this. She shifts around on her booted feet in the snow, before she looks toward Jimmy, then to Clint... She glances back to the others and starts to walk toward Zatanna.

On Zatanna's right side now, Lara leans over to her to whisper something to the mage.

Her eyes look back toward the Giants across the gorge, and she nods toward them gently when they all turn their backs on their group for a moment.

It's then that Lara says something else to Zatanna and takes a step back from her afterward...

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"An honor to be in your company, Lady Sif!"

Zatanna eyes Lara surreptitiously after she whispers her idea, then nods and makes a decision.

"Jimmy!" she calls, "Hold still a moment."

She straightens to her full height, arms to her sides, palms outward, and whispers a command.

"!.deromra dna tnaig a sa llaT"

The match is quickly approaching and on the spur of the moment, Zatanna mouths a spell, silently augmenting the adventurer's natural strength- a few puffs of frozen breath disappear into the frigid air. .stnaig eerht sa gnorts eB

Jane Foster has posed:
Jane isn't sticking with the rope, since that would probably be complete and utter madness. Clint has his arrows. Lara has whatever plans she's got going on in Zatanna's ears, which turn Jimmy about twenty feet tall at least. That should certainly prove impressive for the blue monsters on the other side of the chasm, facing them through chill winds and the lonely drop.

She upnods Sif and Colborn, and then takes her leave of the field with that slender strand dictating so many fates. Her backpack has no weapons, at least not those potentially understood to be weapons. Not the least when procuring what amounts to an unimpressive grey tube the size of a toothpick relative to a giant. That goes to Jimmy. "Take this, please."

A rolled package vacuum sealed and marked by a tiny blue, blinking light comes out for Lara. "You'll want these. Hold onto them until something threatens to hit you."

Medkit? Maybe; she is a backup physician to Jemma Simmons in SHIELD on more than one mission. SHIELD does arm its occasional agents well, and it's not that impressive she would retain a small cube for herself out of whatever gear is in there. The quality gloves protecting her hands from the cold also permit a remarkable amount of overall finesse, intended for Antarctic expeditions or Himalayan jaunts where people performing actual science might require a full range of motion. Never mind that she casually might toss a bit of rocky detritus out over her shoulder in the point of repacking her kit neatly. Nope, nothing to see there. A girl armed by a pair of batons, how unimposing.

Colborn has posed:
    Helmet, armor, and shield made of ultra-tough metal... metal capable of taking tons of force and not collapsing, Colborn plants himself. He angles himself so that the shield on his arm will be forward, and his right hand and arm will be the anchor for the rope. His left hand will grip it at the edge of the shield.

    He takes a deep breath and then braces himself, feet planted a bit more than shoulder-width. His feet create impressions in the stone under him, and he is as ready as he is going to get. It is a good thing that he has zero actual magic. Just celestial cosmic energy and tech. That, and well yeah. Not magic.