12824/Resonants: Where the Captain Dwells

Resonants: Where the Captain Dwells
Date of Scene:	19 September 2022
Location:	Steve Rogers' Apartment
Synopsis:	A Sunday evening spent in good company.
Cast of Characters:	Steve Rogers, Thor
Tinyplot:	Resonants

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Steve Rogers has posed:
Sunday evening arrives. Much of the weekend has been spent on fulfilling the type of requests that often come in for Captain America. A visit to this charity event or to record a message in support of that one. A trip up to the Triskellion to meet with a squad of new SHIELD agents fresh out of training.

It seems to Steve like he's spent half the weekend on Bessie riding from one spot to another. And the rest of it shaking hands and talking to people.

He comes into his apartment, closing and locking the door behind him and dropping the keys to the vintage motorcycle into a little dish on a table by the door. Crossing the darkened room, he just turns on a small light for a little extra illumination, then goes over to where the phonograph stands.

Thumbing through the vinyl record albums, he finally selects one. He adds it to the machine and sets the needle. The big band sounds of the Glenn Miller Orchestra start up, playing In The Mood. Steve turns the volume down to that of background noise then goes over to the fridge, pulling out a carton of juice and pouring himself a glass. His leather jacket goes on a hook as he moves over to take a seat and just relax, sipping the beverage while listening to the music.

Thor has posed:
    A Sunday night's meant for reflection.
    Considering the week that's on the way, what obligations one has, and what plans they have to deal with. Often a thing that brings forth trepidation and hesitation, but for a good many people it's also one of those few days that a measure of peace can be gained. It's a brief pause in the heartbeat of the world and gives one a chance to catch their breath.
    Which might be why Thor had hesitated on making the trip. At first he was not aware of the rhythm of the world for people of Midgard. But over the years he's gained a sense of it, been exposed to enough wry comments about the weekend and the expectations people have. Exposed enough to know that to call upon someone at this hour on this day. It can be an imposition. Can also be a wish to share a moment of that quiet with another.
    There's no pomp nor circumstance. No rush of thunder nor flash of lightning. There is, however, a rap of knuckles on the door.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve glances up from at the sound from the door. He rises, lacking any of those expressions many people might have about someone showing up at the door at a late hour.

He sets his orange juice down on a coaster on the coffee table and moves over to answer the door, just opening it rather than peeking out of it first. As he sees who is there, Steve gives one of those smiles of his that looks reserved, yet it doesn't diminish the warmth that touches the true blue of his eyes. "Thor. An unexpected pleasure," he says, opening the door wider and moving aside as Steve motions an invitation for Thor to come in. "What brings you by?" he asks.

Thor has posed:
    "Steven," Thor says and he had told himself he would be subdued, but the smile lights up his features as he rests his hands on the other man's shoulders, thumping lightly on one. And then steps past him to accept that invitation.
    Into the room he walks, and he gives the place a once over, eyes roving and roaming. For a time he tilts his head with clear curiousity on his features, one eyebrow quirked. Then he nods as if what he found fit what he expected. Or perhaps what he should have expected. Not that he knew much of Steve's era beyond the small touches of culture that's been shared. Yet there was a warmth to the room that was undeniable.
    Turning back he cocks a smile, "You do. Or rather I found I had missed your company. I would sometimes wander by the mansion under this pretense or another, and when I would find you weren't there..."
    He gestures to the side as if discarding his own words, "Until Jarvis finally spoke up and suggested I visit your domicile here. But that was some weeks ago. I've only worked up the wherewithal... well now."
    Turning back he rests his hands on his hips. "How are you, my friend?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve's smile and a similar clasp of one of Thor's shoulder returns the greeting, before he turns to close the door again and motion Thor deeper into the apartment. Not that it's all that particularly large that there's very far to go. "Ah, sorry if I'd missed you there," he says. "I stay both places. Sometimes getting away from the bustle of the mansion isn't a bad thing," he comments, eyes giving his own apartment a glance. There is a definite decorative theme lending itself towards things from his day, if still the space not seeming like a step back in time.

"I was just having some juice. I don't know if I have anything of a potency that you might offer in Asgard. I do have some beer though if one would be appealing to you," he says.

The song ends and Moonlight Serenade starts up. It's quiet though, just something in the background that doesn't drown out conversation. "Listening to some old music from my day," he says with a wry smile. "I'm good. Did a lot of public service events over the weekend so was on the go pretty constantly. Figured I'd come back here for the night and then maybe go for a run along the river in the morning."

Thor has posed:
    "A beer would be perfect," Thor says with a short nod as his eyes wander a bit more then they return to the other blond man. His lips twist up in a smile as he steps to the side to not interfere with Steve should he need to get past him to indeed acquire those beers. And after he'll likely follow in the man's wake.
    "I come to bring you warning." The Thunderer says with mock seriousness, "Clint and I fully intend to kidnap you at some point and take you drinking. Though we had a good fine talk sitting on the deck of the mansion."
    He moves with Steve toward the other room then pauses in a suitable archway to lean against it, "We talked about times past, the adventures we had, the future. Put us both in the mind of you and Tony. Created a small thought I had to call upon you."
    A pause, "And thus." He lifts his chin, "I am here."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve heads over into the kitchen, the place small enough it doesn't require much of a trip. He opens the fridge and pulls out two beer cans, bringing them back and offering one to the Thunderer. "Ah, that kind of kidnapping isn't as bad as interdimensional beings stealing Tony and Pepper at least. A night out would be appreciated," Steve says as he opens up his beer and takes a sip of it.

"We've been glad you've been able to spend as much time in New York as you've managed lately. Are you facing much pressure from your father to spend more time back in Asgard?" he inquires.

Rather than returning to his seat, Steve leans back against the kitchen island over on the living room side of it.

Thor has posed:
    It gives a good dynamic, the two of them there with that small distance. Informal with Thor accepting the beer and cracking it open, holding it with his arms crossed after having taken a sip. He nods and lifts his free hand to the side as if slipping past Steve's words as to his father speaking about his time in Midgard.
    "There are times, assuredly, when he would prefer my presence at court. But he gave his support in my efforts of late." There's a pause as his eyebrows lift, "I've been... making some efforts to help Midgard. Protect it from errant travelers across the realms. It's been going well..."
    A pause as his eyes distance and thoughts drift to some of what has passed. Something has him slightly quirking an eyebrow as he perhaps remarks to himself in his inner monologue that not all well. Yet he looks back, "Have you heard what has passed for me of late?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
"Not in as much detail as I might like," Steve says. Perhaps he hasn't done a good job keeping up on the reports from the Avengers. Or perhaps the files are a little sparsely populated at times on some of the members who are less prone to keeping up with the paperwork than Steve or Natasha might be.

Or just as likely, Steve is leaving room for Thor to be able to regale him of any the tales of the Norse God's deeds. "Or is this a tale for when you and Clint take me out to..." he says before trailing off in thought.

"I, can't honestly say where the two of you would come up with to take me too," he finishes with a quiet chuckle. "I'm not sure if I should worry now that I take the time to think about it," he says, the glint in his eyes telling the joke of it more than his delivery does.

Thor has posed:
    A low rumbling chuckle comes from Thor as he shakes his head and takes another sip of his beer. He tilts his head as he takes a deep breath and then exhales slowly as he confides. "Ah, well. Some time ago..."
    The Thunderer gestures with a nod of his head toward the table nearby, in case Cap might need to take a seat for the tale should take some telling. He then continues, "A fire giant." He says so matter-of-factly, though his smile shows he knows it's out of the ordinary. "Wished to see her niece and came through in a manner that some tend to during their travels. When the paths and ways between realms thin and they cross over at a certain time. Not an invasion, simply traveling from Muspelheim to Midgard."
    Thor takes another sip then elaborates, "They appeared and apparently there was some issue taken in the manner of their arrival, a street vendor was ill-treated, people yelled. Things were thrown. I appeared and was about to strike the giant down. Yet thankfully..."
    He pauses as his eyes unfocus for a moment in recollection, then he looks back to Cap and repeats, "Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed and we spoke. I learned of their desires and aided them in finding their niece. Things ended well."
    He uncurls a hand then, "Yet it led me to thinking. How often does such happen? It seemed a semi-regular occurrence in some ways. And I thought to myself that there must be a way to handle this better."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers does move over to take a seat. He provides Thor with an active audience, nodding along at the appropriate points, and giving a soft grin as Thor changes from smiting in the story, to other resolutions being found.

"I admit it seems to happen far more than I'd have ever thought had you asked me... you know. Back then," Steve says with a looping wave of his hand meant to encapsulate the passage of many decades.

After another sip, Steve crosses a leg, ankle resting on a knee, beer poised on the other's bend. "And have you come up with an idea for it?" he asks. "Seems like the kind of thing I'd hope maybe Doctor Strange would keep an eye out for. But then he probably already does and those are the ones below his pay grade or something?"

Thor has posed:
    "Ah!" Thor says at the mention of Dr. Strange, then he nods. "Well as to that." He says as he looks down and then to the side as he tries to mentally order things. "I did have an idea if there was a way we could perhaps help with that. Since these travelers are often not necessarily magical beings, their travels are aided by... the realms, the movement of powers, various..."
    Thor lifts his free hand and makes a vague gesture, clearly not speaking to his expertise. "Sorcerous things that the good Doctor might do better in explaining. But I spoke to him, and Jane, and several others. And they came up with a plan, I've been helping them enact it. A way to get travelers, accidental or otherwise, to find themselves at a safe place and to then in turn be aided on their way."
    He sniffs, stopping there for a time. Then takes a sip of beer before he perhaps realizes he should go on. "So to do so it was decided it would be good to gather artifacts that could aid the project and we've been doing that for a few months now."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Roger's face expresses his approval on Thor's plan. One which focuses on the opposite of smiting. "Thor, I think that's a fabulous idea," he says. "If we could avoid misunderstandings? That could definitely help avoid situations which could escalate or lead to people getting hurt."

He leans forward, both feet back on the floor and his arms going to rest on his elbows. "So how far along are you on it then? I admit I know less about such matters than I do about how Tony's armor operates. And these artifacts will, what? Make sure that visitors end up in the appropriate place, or give a measure of control of when others can come through?" he asks.

Thor has posed:
    "I am told it will not force all travelers to a particular location, more that if one is simply crossing it leads them down this path. For other more particular individuals, well, I was told it's more like showing our neighbors an open door and asking them to use it, as opposed to say..." He gestures with the beer toward the window opposite them, "Coming in through the balcony."
    A deep breath is taken, then he smiles. "We are a good ways underway. We've had to gain items that... share a connection with Midgard. Something storied and carries a... resonance between the two realms. We've gained seven of the eight we need. Mostly diplomatic missions with... some adventures here or there."
    At that his smile broadens, "Though soon we should hopefully be at the end of that journey and then, with Diana's blessing, we will enact the ritual at the Starport and hopefully it will work."
    Then his brow knits, "This beer is rather good."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers looks down at the beer. "Thanks, it's actually a brand that was around in my day. Though it's harder to find now. Never took off like some of the others did," he says. "It has a nice taste, even if it takes a lot of it to have an effect. Even on me, probably even more with you," Steve replies.

He rises and goes over to the fridge to get another pair of beers, returning with them. "Well excellent, I hadn't realized you were so far along on it. So what is the final item that you need then? Which of the Realms does it pair with?" Steve asks.

Taking his seat again, he offers Thor the fresh brew, though Steve still has a little more to go on his own.

Thor has posed:
    Giving the empty back to Steve, Thor nods his thanks at the refill and cracks it open with a small smile. Then he murmurs, "Niffleheim. It bodes ill and likely will be a challenge. But then again I have been known to be wrong before."
    He takes a sip of the beer and tilts his head, "There are good people working on it with me, if you're inclined to come you would be welcome though I know your time is..." He lifts that drink and gestures to the world at large, for indeed Cap had only just gotten home from quite a few events.
    "Though if all goes well." He says as he emphasizes that last word then adds, "We shall be celebrating the ceremony's completion. And you would be more than welcome to that as well."
    That said he smiles and murmurs, "But there, you are now caught up."

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve gestures with his free hand. "If I'd be of help on it, I'd be happy to come, Thor," he says. "And that is a Realm associated with the dead, if I remember right? Are you on very good terms with those that we're likely to run into there?" he asks. Obviously he's expecting probably not given Thor's comment on the challenge of it.

Leaning back in his seat, Steve finishes the beer and sets it aside. The record reaches the end though and he rises to move over to it. "I still use this old phonograph," he comments to Thor. "Music recorded as grooves on the vinyl disk, and then a needle that runs over them to play the sound back. I know everything now is so much more advanced," he says, eying the vinyl platter and turning it over in his hand. "I just think it's kind of nice to actually hold the song, you know?" he says with a wry, self-effacing grin. He carefully replaces the record back into its sleeve and puts it back on the shelf before returning to his seat and getting his fresh beer open.

"Are we needing to go into the other Realm then for it?" he asks of the artifact.

Thor has posed:
    "It is... a complicated situation." Thor offers about his connection to Hela and the land she holds sway over. "It could go either way." Which could be either passingly tolerable to entirely horrible.
    But then he is drawn away by the sojourn into the past as Steve presents to him the old record, his eyebrow quirking as he considers the item, then the man, then the item again. He steps forward to get a closer look with his brow furrowing. A hand lifts as he idly considers touching those grooves. Yet he does not and instead says, "I did not know such existed really. And how it is contained so?" He seems open to being told more though his train of thought is brought in to the station by the question following.
    "Ah, unless Zatanna and Lady Croft are able to research a suitable artifact we can find here on Midgard then... I am afraid we may have to."

Steve Rogers has posed:
At the question about the record, Steve says, "I'm not sure quite how they make them these days. Or, even in my day. But the very first ones, they recorded the sounds by the needle making the grooves. Vibrating as the sound did and recording it. Then when the needle passes back over it, it would reproduce those sounds. Of course now they just record it once and then reproduce the result. And, well, modern devices it's all in the computer somehow. I don't really understand how it's stored," he says with a shake of his head.

Steve turns back to the more important topic then. "Well, if we need to, you can count on me to come," he tells Thor. "Or if we need to retrieve something here on Earth."

He gives another faint shake of his head. "I'm glad that they understand those things. I've met Lady Croft before at SHIELD. Seems to know her stuff."

Thor has posed:
    "Indeed, they seem rather well together. I would assuredly be lost without them." Thor gives a nod as he hrms a little then he gestures with a nod toward the record and the player, "Put on some more music, let us listen and share a few more drinks before I depart and you can enjoy your peace once again."
    At that he smiles and steps to the side toward one of the sturdier chairs. For there are many ways to pass a Sunday night and this. This seems to be a fine one.