13893/Discordants: The Grand Forge

Discordants: The Grand Forge
Date of Scene:	11 March 2023
Location:	Hyperspace
Synopsis:	Thor and the Ravagers reach the World Forge and Stormbreaker is brought to life.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Elektra Natchios, Yondu Udonta, Kraglin Obfonteri

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Thor has posed:
    In the old fortress hall there had been food and drink given.
    For travelers across the universe it was strange and exotic even for them, curious comestibles that were composed of strange objects, shapes, scents, tastes. There were a variety of supplies given, casques that were cracked open, and a spread on the table that was curiously like a celebration despite the somber atmosphere.
    For the dwarfs and the dwellers there were subdued, despite ample beer being made available. The warrior-like figures in the runic armor spoke to each other, at times seemingly communicating purely through the flashes of light between their visors. Other larger figures from seemingly different planets and backgrounds all conversed, each paying respect to Sindri as he sat at the end of the table with his twisted metallic staff, holding a court for them. So many languages were spoken, so many voices shared.
    At one point Thor had raised his voice, asking. "Surely this is not a celebration of our arrival, nor am I aware of another occasion, what passes that your people are so dour?"
    To which Sindri had answered, smirking as he sat on his makeshift throne at the end of the celebratory table. "We celebrate, Odinson, because I am taking my leave with you and your comrades. We depart soon." He looks to them, his voice rising as he speaks to the clamoring multitude of beings that have filled the hall. Some looking as wild and wicked as the marauders that assaulted the town. While others wre refined and courtly, as if they were aliens that would not look out of place in Queen Aelsa Featherwine's court.
    He then looks to one of the armored warriors, and thump thump thumps a pat-pat on the Dwarf's armor. "And I mean not to return."
    He motions to the table, "Take what supplies you wish, we leave shortly. We have to lay a claim upon a fate, with a dash of destiny to go with it."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Luna found herself curiously introspective during the celebrations, not making use of her sharp tongue too much. Instead she had been observing, perhaps taking in the various revelations at play here. That this was Thor of Asgard. That he was lost and without memories. And what would they be doing now with that information?

All questions that she was still considering, picking here and there at the various alien minds surrounding them. The dwarves were dour and stout but seemed loyal enough and she saw no ill-intent. All for the best really.

She is going through her second mug when Sindri reveals he will be joining them. That makes her arch a brow. And then look at Yondu and Kraglin.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
To say that Yondu is surprised is likely an understatement. His brows have been lifted high as he looks at the man with open curiosity. "Oh, y'are? Funny, don't remember havin' that conversation." Being he was the captain and all. And it was his ship. And no one got on his ship without permission.

He scratched lightly at his chin then picked up his mug of beer. It was really good beer. And the hospitality had been off the charts. Though admittedly he could only pick up about half that languages around them with the translator unit he had tucked into his ear. Thor--nay PRINCE Thor--of Asgard seemed to have no such troubles, despite the dozens of languages in the room. Just like when he had joined the crew. Nice gift that.

"Lay claim to a fate? You meanin' Ste--Thor's? Since you said he disappeared?"

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
'Taking it all in stride' might be one of Kraglin's mottos along with 'Staying Alive.' The latter having a few conditions on it - one being, keeping the Captain alive as well as don't let the crew get stupid and die if you can help it. Well, keeping the crew alive ain't all that easy.

Weird shapes or colors have never kept him from trying a dish once. 'Course, some things could kill ya but the Doc is along for the ride so he digs in. One dish has numbed his mouth and made his eyes stream tears, but in a good way. Nothing a half a tankard of beer won't agreeably chase away.

When he puts the tankard down, damned if the Doc isn't staring at him. He wipes his mouth, just in case, and only then puts it together. His glance flits from Thor to the Sindri guy then back to her with an elaborate shrug and a tilt of his head to the Cap. The Cap will likely have a plan.

And, the Cap doesn't fail his expectations. "Looks like it's fate, Doc."

Thor has posed:
    "Do not worry," Sindri says as he walks down the length of the table. "The paths between the stars are fickle, and to return you to your ship will take some doing." He looks over at one of the armored figures that had accompanied them, "Where did you find them?"
    The armored dwarf hisses a mix of static and flashes of light from his visor, which causes the dwarfish king to nod solemnly. "Ah, well it will require... a good bit of effort. But you shall be returned."
    He walks along the table, his metal staff and his own armor clinking and clanking slightly, his grey beard being drawn out and smoothed with one hand in a thoughtful gesture. "It may be in a roundabout manner, but we will get you there." He smirks to himself, then even goes so far as to chortle as he taps the butt of his staff on the ground. "Are my bags ready?"
    One of the more ethereal beings in that old fortress seems to float across the distance, setting down from its slithery tentacles a backpack and a rough woolen sack, far from what one would imagine a king would use. It floats back as Sindri pulls the pack on over one shoulder, then the other.
    He points at the sack and tells Thor, "Get that for me, boy. Must you be told everything? I'm old!"
    To which Thor steps forward and takes it up, though he looks at the others Ravagers with a puzzled gaze. Yet he does as bidden, moving to stand beside the elder dwarf. He says, "King Sindri... you speak of Fate. But these souls who have stood with me should not be so bound against their wishes. I will travel with you, but see them to their home if they wish not to come with us."
    To which Sindri looks at the three Ravagers who had arrived with the raiders and the Asgardian. His bushy eyebrows rise, "Well then. What do you want? Are you coming or do we send you back with the next journey in... a month's time?" He says as he looks toward one of his advisors who nods in agreement.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
Big eyeroll back at Kraglin when the man gets talking about fate. Or maybe it's the way he was eating that food as if he had no care for his health, "After all you have eaten I wouldn't want my fate being in your shoes tonight." ominous words those. Or is she just teasing the Ravager? Hard to tell with Luna!

But then Sindri starts with his antics. Another eyeroll. Dwarves and being subtle? Not really. She does lean closer to Yondu, "Think you are being out-conned, Cap." which is telling. But it's true that Sindri literally has the knife and the cheese in his hand. Though staying a month idle amidst dwarves? That would drive ANYONE insane.

So it's perhaps without too much surprise that Luna speaks up, "I am going. I have an idea where you are going and ..., it's been a while since I have been there." where exactly does she think they are going?!

Yondu Udonta has posed:
Yondu really should've asked more questions.

But one would think that if it was going to be difficult to get them back to their ship, especially when they were so excited about the Thunderer, that they /might/ have mentioned that before dragging them off. Voluntarily. But apparently one needed to have asked very specific questions. Like when dealing with demons. He'd remember that for future dwarf encounters.

"A month?" His voice went up a little bit incredulously. "The trip is gonna take 'some doing'." One could almost hear what would be air quotes on Earth. "And potentially time but we can start it now or we can start it a month from now. Seein' as Ah got a crew waitin' for me to come back and there ain't enough alcohol in that town to keep them busy for long, not really a choice. And next time, lead off the conversation with that whole we could take you but might be difficult to get you back."

He looked to his crew members, frowning now. It was never good when the Captain was frowning. A pointed look at Kraglin. "If Tazerface has taken mah ship..." And he just left it at that.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
Kraglin smirks at the doc then down at his dish, shrugging, "I got plenty a space inside. 'sides, you'd take care of me, wouldn't ya, Doc?"

Looks like when the old guy, okay the King, makes up his mind, things start moving. Kraglin, who runs on the thin side, always needs more calories. He takes a few more hurried bites of some sort of a mystery meat and then washes it down with the remaining beer. All the while chewing with a bemused look at Thor snapping to Sindri's order and picking up the bag.

One eye on the Cap, he grabs a final piece of bread to stuff in his mouth then rises from the table. His eyes narrow when the Cap gives him that murderous look, glad that he isn't its object. "We can do Tazerface. I'm with ya Cap'n all the way, month or two months, from here to the next Galaxy and all."

Thor has posed:
    Sindri's cackle is a wicked little thing, his lips spread and wry as he clink-clinks across the floor with his staff leading the way. He adjusts the hang of his backpack, then gestures sharply at Thor for him to follow after. He murmurs something low with a chortle about the 'fine print' but then snaps at the Asgardian, "Come along, boy. You have obligations."
    Some of the other alien beings in that old fortress' grand hall raise their limbs upward in ululation. Some of the dwarfs thump their steins upon the table, while the elvish folk bow. Which for some reason... seems to irritate Sindri. He rounds on them and points with his staff.
    "None of that! I'll have none of that! Now when I'm gone you will have to choose another. Stay away from Nidavellir, that's not yours! If anyone comes looking tell them nothing. Nothing!"
    The mood in the court turns somber again, and one of the dwarfs in armor even scuffs his boot on the floor unhappily.
    It's then that Sindri moves to the side of the hall, starting to undo some length of rope that holds a heavy mass of cloth against the wall, something that might almost be a tapestry if it had more artwork on it than dirt. He undoes a few loops and pulls down on it, revealing two more of those large silver pylons, though now as they light hits them they start to hum softly with that low reverberating roil of energy that they felt when they passed through them on their way here.
    Sindri then turns, waving at Thor and the others a little to come closer. He looks out across the throne room then says. "Well. As your former king. I have never been one much for goodbyes."
    The room of creatures from across the universe shuffle forward a little in anticipation.
    Sindri nods. "Well."
    "Goodbye."
    He turns and then steps between those pillars and instantly disappears.
    A moment later Thor looks back at the others, between them he quirks an eyebrow, shrugs a little... then steps through as well and disappears.

Elektra Natchios has posed:
"No."

Short. Dry. To the point. Heart breaker! Poor Kraglin. But then Luna is busy stuffing some food into a bag she gets from one of the dwarves. Better make sure they have some just in case there's more 'fine printing'. What's next? Having to work for Sindri for food. Nope!

"You should had killed Tazerface already." She casually says back to Yondu, "He's just been waiting for a chance to take over." a beat, "But you already know that, don't you?" oh yes, she expects the Captain to know exactly how his crew works. Specially their faults in character.

"We only live once." She tells the other two Ravagers, even managing a faint smile on her usually dour expression before she rushes into the portal to follow after the other two.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
Sindr is well respected by all these people obviously. But that doesn't really help in Yondu's situation. The fine print was heard and that got a frown from the captain. Yet, there wasn't any other choice here really. Their 'choice' was a non choice. Thus, he had taken an offered bag of goods since who knew how long this might take. At the question about him already knowing Taserface's intentions, he gave a smirk over to Luna. Cause she's figured it out.

Along with some food, he added a couple of skins of beer to the mix in the bag then slung it over a shoulder. As Thor just stepped through, Yondu let out a little derisive snort. Damn dwarf stole his crewman. Ordering him around and Thor jumping to.

"The Doc seemed a bit eager. Dunno if Ah'll ever figure her out," he muttered to Kraglin. Yondu took that step through the portal as well.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
The doc's refusal puts a bit of a grin on his face. "Your bad luck," he quips good-humoredly. Still, he takes her lead and stuffs his jacket pockets with more bread, wondering if being fed figured in whatever the hell kind of contract they signed. Kraglin watches the cranky old King command the room with a sure hand. No one looks happy at his going, and a few of the ones that aren't hidden under a helmet seem to give him a dirty look as if it were his fault that the King is going. He's all for short goodbyes, which makes the dwarf King go up even more in his estimation.

"Women, who can figure." As it should be, the First Mate follows up as the group's dog tail. He throws a glance behind him, habit and caution at play, then walks through the pylons singing with energy.

Thor has posed:
    As soon as they step through the two pillars, there is no sign of transition, no tunnel of light, no rush of distance. There is simply a change in scenery. One moment they are in a dark and grimy fortress with sad aliens all around them. The next...
    They are in an orrery of the universe.
    It is a spectacle so majestic that Thor stands there but a step through the pillar and his eyes are wide and his mouth just ever so slightly open. For the sight that greets them is beautiful.
    The sense of scale is impossible to fully perceive, for it is as if they are looking out across... the depths of space, of the universe, seeing small metallic looking arms and thin threads of light touching each beautiful star. Entire galaxies seem to be held aloft by brass and bronze metal arms that lift them and raise them and lower them all in time together as the entirety of creation moves with that clockwork precision. They stand in a hall... or upon... a platform? For there are no walls, there is no ceiling. There is just eternity in all directions. Though those directions are filled with so many moving objects, clockwork automation, twisting displays of things that could be replicas of planets and stars... except they seem to perceive them at such great distances. Which would make those metal arms... immense, light years in size. And yet they see them move, can perceive these incredible ranges of motion with eternity moving in ways that should signify them being there for thousands of years, hundreds of thousands...
    Sindri, seems nonplussed.
    There is the sound of his staff clicking and clacking as he walks across the distance of that platform. He walks to the edge of the platform and simply walks off and over the side...
    Yet as he's about to walk straight off into the nothing, metal platforms rise up on metal arms, providing steps for him. And as he walks up those steps another platform seems to just flow in upon another arm, as if the support structure were being built in the same moment as the dwarf king was climbing up it.
    "This way," He gestures to them, "Time is best not wasted in the World Forge."

Elektra Natchios has posed:
The fabled World Forge isn't something that many mortals have had a chance to witness. So Luna is somewhat star struck at being in this place. Of course that she was no MERE mortal (at least not where her huge ego is concerned) but you know, it's always a shock to be in such a place.

So for once her mouth is slightly ajar and she isn't sending sharp barbs at anyone. She just ..., looks at the place. Then goes up the steps to move after Sindri, "This is where Creation is made..." a look behind her to both Kraglin and Yondu.

"A place that not many people like us having been in..." she looks across to Sindri and asks him directly. "What are we doing here, Sindri?"

Yondu Udonta has posed:
There wasn't alot that surprised Yondu. He was the ultimate 'been there' sort. Like his First Mate. The strange food and beings back at the keep had been nothing to bat an eye at. Finding a being floating in space alive when he should be dead? Sure, no big deal. Aliens destroying planets willy nilly? Happened all the time!

But this had him stunned. He managed to keep his jaw from dropping. He had taken a few steps, mindful that Kraglin would be coming through behind him, but that was as far as he got. He looked around at the sheer scale of what was before them and for possibly only the second time in his life, he felt very small.

Sindri was acting like he'd seen this a million times. Maybe he had. It still took a moment for Yondu to get his brain to communicate with his muscles again. Finally he took a step. Slow. Hesitant. Then another. A bit quicker on the next. And soon he was walking, trying not to keep swiveling his head to take everything in especially when he saw Sindr walk out onto nothing. That turned into something.

"Don't get too far behind. We don't want the floor just goin' away on us." Since he had no idea how it triggered. Was it automatic or was Sindri doing something? He moved to follow the dwarf. At the explanation from Luna, he gave a terse nod then waited to see what Sindri's answer might be.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
So much for 'taking it in stride.' Some strides are just too big. Kraglin, head craned back in an attempt to grasp what he sees, stumbles into the Captain's back and mutters, "Sorry, sorry," without looking down. Then, mouth still hanging open, dazed, he follows the group, head swiveling from left to right as they pass galaxies.

"Damn, just damn," he exclaims under his breath.

" Creation?" He nods several times, "Could be. Dunno why -we're- here."

Thor has posed:
    "Fate to be forged." Sindri says as he shuffles up the steps, the rise of them a little too high for his legs, yet he manages them with the aid of his staff. After a few moments Thor starts to walk after, still carrying the woolen sack over his shoulder. He spares a momentary glance at his comrades, gaze ending on Yondu... though only after smiling slightly to Kraglin and Luna.
    The elder dwarf gestures, "Everything is here. Everytime is here. _huff_."
    He breathes heavily as he ascends up those rising platforms that as they reveal more and more of the World Forge they create what almost might be considered a structure. For many panels and consoles and displays drift in from the edges of reality. Yet they do not cut one off from the great grand orrery as one can still see it beyond those objects. It is like eternity is ever in the nooks and crannies and gaps through which one can see.
    Until finally Sindri reaches what could be considered the top platform, where almost all of it is enclosed save for one end that faces a burning blazing orange star held up by a gargantuan arm. Four planets orbit it perfectly, slowly rotating around it at times. While the rest of this 'room' that has been created has an open ceiling to the darkness of eternity, but on the platform itself... there are all sorts of arms and tendrils, data displays with writing that might be only considered hieroglyphic in nature. A circular pad rises from the back of the platform.
    The elder dwarf places his hand on one of those displays and yet more hieroglyphics cycle through and float into the air. A deep resonant /WHOOOOOOMMMMMMMM/ is heard that seems to shake the entirety of the structure they stand on. Glowing flames seem to encircle the console that Sindri touches, yet they hold no heat. "In times past we Nidavellins held some measure of dominion here. It is here our great works were made. Here that we bound ourselves to Fate. Here that our souls would resonate with the World beneath the World."

Yondu Udonta has posed:
For a time, Yondu has been silent. He simply followed along and tried to keep his eye on the ground to be certain it didn't just disappear from beneath him. As though staring at it would force it to remain in place. But he couldn't help looking around from time to time at the expanse of the World Forge spun around them.

Upon reaching that final level, he didn't go to close to the burning sun. Which seemed insane. Was he insane? Had he finally cracked under life as a Ravager after his early history?

He glanced to Luna, who was very silent and that wasn't the norm for their new doctor. Then to Kraglin. And finally to Thor, Prince of Asgard.

As Sindri explained, that brought up the question. "Bound yerselves to Fate." A scritch of the chin as he eyed that burning star and felt that pulsing feel to the structure around them. It seemed to thrum in his bones. An unpleasant sensation in some ways just because it was not what he was used to. "You can...bind people to Fate?" A glance to Thor. "Even when they've been cut off from it?"

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
Walking behind the Captain, even as long-legged as he is, Kraglin has to look down occasionally to avoid missing a step. When the stairs level off, strangely enough, the room with all its gadgets, dials and weird writing reminds Kraglin of a cockpit. But that didn't prepare him for the whole place shaking as if Sindri had just lit the engines of a big assed rocket. He takes a hurried step back - Kraglin's lizard brain reacting first, telling him that the dwarf had just set them on fire, and he pats himself. Then, clearing his throat, he looks around nonchalantly, pretending the noise and flame hadn't startled him.

Fate, that word comes up again, making the Captain get all mystical sounding. "Sounds like Sindri wants to fix Thor right up, Cap'n. Maybe he can give us some good fate with our ship."

Thor has posed:
    That sun seemed to be... millions of miles away, and yet it looked as if he could just run to the edge of the platform and leap at it... and he might be able to catch it. Or even hang off of one of the planets floating around it. Spatial relations were challenged merely by the existence of such a place, and it defied the rational mind's attempt to cling to the strictures and bonds of what one could call sanity.
    Sindri pointed toward Yondu without looking at him as those holographic fires danced around him. "In so many words, yes." He continues to adjust the display and then suddenly the entire platform seems to be moving, whirling at... insane speeds considering the reality they perceived roared around them. Yet what is more that sun that smoldered outside that 'window' that the hodge podge clockwork platform displayed. The entire sun seemed to move with them along with its planetary system.
    High above on a gigantic metal arm an entire other solar system slowly fell into place in front of that first star, aligning with it perfectly, now all of their planets moved together, circling around in a figure eight about those two suns. The dwarf king cackles to himself as he cracks his knuckles, "Oh they speak of Fate as if it's a good thing. Did you tell them your Fate, Thunderer? Did you tell them of Ragnarok?"
    Yet Thor stands there, setting the satchel down. "I... do not know what Ragnarok is?"
    "So severed." Sindri hrmms, "You have a unique chance here, child of Odin. You are free. You can make your fate your own. Leave this place. But no you can't can you? Perhaps you're still bound?" Sindri says with a smirk, as if he knew Thor would not.
    Thor did look at the other Ravagers then, frowning, as if seeking some explanation. Finding none.
    Sindri then hopped off the control panel he was using, and walks with a click-clack of his staff across the platform. "Not so free. Now what will you sacrifice..." He points at Kraglin and Yondu, "Your friends? Your future is already spoken for. Your past of no use."
    His lips part as he points at Thor, "Ah. You have already made your sacrifice. I see. For Wisdom as your father did once." He sets the staff down then takes up the woolen sack and slides it across with him toward the small circle of metal and electrical surges on that platform. "Well, here's to it then."
    A third solar system seems to now emerge from beneath the platform, rising up to align with the other two. Sindri then points to another platform that slowly twists into place with a metal clank-ka-clank-ka-clank. "Go," Sindri points at that lower platform that rises up, hundreds of smaller mechanisms twisting together to create it, a large circular platform with a rise in the middle through which a single solitary tree rises, seeming to grow in that instant and thrusting out a myriad of branches.
    "Find your fate." He laughed a little as he then stood there beside the console on that small circular area. He took a deep breath. Looked at Yondu for some reason.
    And then suddenly disappeared.
    Or rather his body disappeared, the clothes and armor he had been wearing falls with a clatter to the ground, and whatever was in that woolen sack is gone as well as it falls flat.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
All this talk was starting to make Yondu's brain hurt. He was a simple man with a simple life. Steal. Sell. Repeat.. Sometimes there was some killing in there but that wasn't always required. They spent much of their time as salvagers as opposed to anything really criminal. Yet, here he was in the middle of the World Forge with a dwarf babbling on about Fate and sacrifices.

When it was asked if /they/ would be the sacrifices, Yondu's lips pursed ever so slightly. If someone tried to sacrifice any of them, he'd be taken down fighting. But then it was moved beyond to ...something about Thor's father?

He wished he'd learned more about Asgard outside rumors and speculation.

But when those instructions were given to go to the platform, where the tree had appeared, Yondu looked over at Sindri just as the dwarf king looked back at him. And before Yondu could ask, he was just gone. The clattering of armor on the platform prompting speech. "What the hell?!"

A look to Thor and the others, wondering if they had a clue. "We ain't got a choice here really, do we?" Because it didn't feel like it. And thus, he took that first step in the direction they had been bidden.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
Things get crazier and crazier. Fortunately, that old Ravager-go-with-the-flow kicks in, as planetary systems move and revolve overhead, seemingly within reach. For a moment, Kraglin feels sorry for the Steve...Thor being cackled at and taunted by the old dwarf.

He shakes his head and shrugs when Thor glances at him, feeling strangely moved for the big guy. That is until, his name comes up as a possible sacrifice. The look on the captain's face is reassuring, he wouldn't be fighting alone.

Kraglin shifts in place, not hiding his relief when Sindri declares that Thor had already paid something.

Adjusting to crazy, he merely stares hard at the tree growing in space and blinks harder when the old dwarf up and disappears on them. Shaking his head, half in bewildered wonder and half in agreement, "Guess not. So what now? Thor you got something in mind?"

Thor has posed:
    Then Sindri's voice seemed to come from everywhere, reverberating through the very structure of the World Forge. It was only then... as his life force infused the great mechanism, that it finally came to life.
    << There. That's better. >>
    No longer was it dark and moved with a clanking and slow ease. No longer was it slow and ponderous in its motions. Now it was life. It was vibrant and surging with light as all of the consoles and arms and the very planets seemed to surge with vitality. The three aligned suns all thrummed with such power, their planets moving faster and faster from one orbit to the next to the next.
    Thor looked around, slowly turning a full circle as eternity spread before them, so many moving objects, so many mechanisms churning. And no longer was it dark beyond the platform. But it seemed that it was on a large green, white, and blue planet that seemed to somehow rest in the middle of all of creation. Light from those suns focused then, coming together as all of the planets aligned, all starting from that brilliant orange star, and then growing brighter and brighter still.
    "I have no idea what passes, Captain." Thor says as he looks at the growing power that surges forth from those stars, all of that power going _into_ the planet that they now stood on. The entirety of the platform grew brighter, bathed in light as that tree seemed to grow and surge.
    << Seize a branch from the World Tree. Hold onto it if you value your life. >>
    Thor looked to the others, then ran to the edge of the platform and leapt off of it, hurling himself onto that lower panel. He rolled with the impact, then he stood before the tree that seemed to grow into an ancient ancestral oak, its many boughs reaching up toward the heavens. He took a moment to look toward Yondu and Kraglin, as if unsure what he should do in this moment. But it was when the World Forge spoke in the voice of Sindri that urged him on. A single word it said.
    << Now! >>
    He reached up and touched one of the branches of that tree. Which was enough for it to snap free, enough for it to cause the rest of the tree to explode into dust.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
As all the planets and systems began to swirl faster, Yondu had a single insane thought. What if time was passing that quickly in reality? What if, should they actually make it back from this place, it was thousands or millions of years in the future? It was terrifying and he frowned darkly that he'd even considered.

He needed to just accept and cope, force himself to just be instead of letting the minutia drive him toward madness. The fact that this place now seemed to be Sindri? It was chalked up to stuff to consider later. But he had mentioned they once had some sway in this realm so this was perhaps simply him demonstrating that in his attempt to help Thor.

The look from Thor was met with a moment of compassion. A moment to let the younger man, or so he appeared, know that he had the support of the captain and, with him, the crew as well. What was here in this place at least. He didn't vocalize but it could almost be understood that Yondu was saying 'You've got this, boy.'

And when Thor ran and leapt to the tree, grabbing the branch, Yondu found he was holding his breath, heart beating, ready to leap in and help save the man if it was necessary.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
How much weird can a body take? Kraglin looks up searching for the disembodied voice, while the universe seems to shift into high gear, growing the tree with super powers. All of it for their castaway crewman.

Later, thinking back on the moment, Kraglin remembers the sense of relief sweeping through him when he realized that he didn't have to leap and grab a branch to save the guy.

"Well, would you look at that? Did he bust it?"

Thor has posed:
    The branch was in his hands, held in both of them. The blond man's brow furrowed as there was still the blaze of light. Though now it broadened, coming form the floor, from somewhere above. It captured him in perfect illumination as from the tall platform where the other Ravagers remain two massive arms formed out of a myriad of brass and bronze constructs. Two great arms that thundered upon the ground while the three suns surge their power into the surface of the planet beneath their feet.
    Those mechanical arms twisted around and then _SLAMMED_ over that branch, over the Asgardian's arms, creating a bronze cage through which the light from the suns blazed. Such power, immense and staggering, so much so that it became too much to look at. At first Thor tried to hold on. He endured. His eyes narrowed, his expression tight. Then one could just _read_ the agony in his face as he shook his head, then tried to hold himself in check. His entire body rippled, that powerful muscular physique taut as he looked at what he captured his hands, his arms. He turned his head, the light too bright.
    The heat, the radiance, it reached such a point that the entire platform below began to suffer as small sparks and crackles appeared. One of the arms sizzled as a capsule on the side fractured and burst into flame.
    It grew hotter, and hotter.
    But when Thor's body caught fire, that is the only moment when he gave voice to a roar of pain.
    And then the arms exploded.
    A final burst of light, loud and powerful that sent him hurtling back into a bank of those clockwork consoles and displays. The heavy arms dropping to the sides, the lights abruptly going out as somehow...
    Silence grips the world forge. With a heavy clang, that metal cage opened. And from within something fell to the ground.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
"SINDRI! What the hell is going on?"

Because now Yondu was not happy at all. This seemed far less like helping and far more like torturing the man. Which, honestly, SteveRogers had been through enough! He didn't need this added to the mess.

And in that moment as the heat was starting to rise and the arms appeared to move toward the Asgardian, Yondu took two steps forward. He was about to go in but then the wash of heat and light was there and he couldn't move forward, couldn't do anything but witness.

Then the explosion of light and sound, the armatures destroyed, the man being thrown clear. Then the cage that had been created opening and dropping something.

Yondu blinked and rubbed at his eyes, trying to clear the white spots dancing there after being exposed to so much light.

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
"Guess not," Kraglin says, answering his own question as the light grows around their crew mate, capturing him in its heat. Kraglin squints, shielding his eyes with his hand, not liking one bit the heat Thor is subjected to. He widens two finger to peer through them, just in time to see the Captain take two steps into the searing heat. Like Yondu, it drives him back, helpless to lend a hand.

He makes a noise deep in his throat when Thor cries out. When the heat abates, he takes a few blind steps forward to put a hand on the Captain's shoulder. "I can't see. Did he make it?"

Thor has posed:
    Sindri's voice is heard, but there is a warmble in the sound of it, as if power were slowly running down. It murmured in a rough timbre, << There. That... wasn't... so... bad... >>
    The last word was accompanied by a faint squeal of metal and the sound of one of the displays falling off its heavy brass arm. The World Forge slowly creeps to a halt, its systems shutting down one after the other as various parts of... the universe, seem to wink out of existence.
    Then there is a shuffle of metal and debris on the ground of that platform below where Thor had stood, some of the pieces of equipment sloughing off to the side in melted fragments as that tall man slowly pushes himself to his feet. Deep heavy breaths are taken as they can still see him from the faint green illumination of the emergency power that seems to be left on around them.
    Then there's his voice, heard with a strength to it as he calls. "Captain? Kraglin?" The tall man coughs as he shakes his head, his clothes still torn and burnt but still at least reasonably together. He coughs a few more times as he starts to climb up the steps toward them.

Yondu Udonta has posed:
"Ah can't see a damn thing," Yondu lets his first mate know as he continues blinking blearily, trying to bring the world into focus. The sounds of things was changing and that didn't bode well.

Then he started to see more silhouettes at least, vague blurry images. And he heard those words from Thor. "Guess he made it."

And as his eyesight continues to improve, he sees things have stopped. Which doesn't bode well. "Ah'm feelin' like this is bad? Sindri, is this bad?"

Even as he rushed to those stairs, moving down a bit to meet Thor partway and offering a shoulder should the man need it for support. "Ya look like shit. Again."

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
"Wow!" he exclaims into the darkness, not leaving the Captain's side. He fervently hopes the platform they're standing on doesn't crumble into dust or melt.

Peering over the edge of the platform into the faint green light he searches for Thor and points. "Leastways he made it. Though ain't so sure about Sindri."

In a loud voice, "Stev...shit...Thor, you need a hand there?"

Thor has posed:
    At Yondu's words strangely enough the warrior leaders of the ravagers heard something they hadn't heard very often from the man they had known as SteveRogers. They heard him laugh. Not a simple and self-conscious thing, but a broad deep laugh that came from low in his chest as he emerged from the shadows, singed but unbroken.
    "I have already replaced one hand, luckily I need not another." He smiled a little at Kraglin, then at Yondu, that blue eye glimmering with a warmth that seemed to come easily to him. "I am afraid I must trade upon your good will, my Captain." He rests a hand on Kraglin's shoulder and says, "For I must take you into harm's way one last time. This is my battle, I do not expect you to fight it with me. When we arrive, seek cover. I shall do my best to protect you."
    As he says that he turns his head, brow furrowing as he looks into the dark toward that platform. His expression tightens...
    Then there is the sound of something unheard before. It is the sound of Uru metal that slides across the ground, then leaps across the distance. A low /whom/ heard as it cuts through the air and suddenly there is an axe of silver and oak in his hand, as long as his arm and its edge gleaming bright in that dim light.
    He looks between them, "Are you ready?"

Yondu Udonta has posed:
Something had changed. Battle. And he knew where he was going or needed to go. Thor's memories were restored? Did he know what had brought him to the edge of space now and it was time to get some payback?

Yondu was obviously confused but he did eye Thor a long moment, looking him over critically a bit surprised that he didn't seem harmed after all that. Just the battle scars he'd already had.

The sudden sound from the thing that had appeared and it flying to his hand gave Yondu a momentary fright and he stepped back, the edge of his coat flipped back to reveal the arrow though there was no shrill whistle to follow and calling it to flight. It remained at his side, ever ready.

"Ya think Ah'm gonna go hide somewhere while ya protect me like some infant. Ya got another thing comin'. But Ah really would like an explanation. Over a beer after we're done."

Kraglin Obfonteri has posed:
Shaking his head, Kraglin can't help but smile at Thor's hearty laugh and the hand weighing on his shoulder. But, he startles and huffs an angry breath when something smacks into Thor's other hand. Unknown to him, it would not have missed.

"Yeah, what the Cap'n says. You fight, he fights, I fight. So put that in yer pipe an' smoke it."

Thor has posed:
    Thor's smile was firm, there was a look of seriousness to him as he looked between the two. "Over many such beers." He then gave them each a nod. "Together then."
    And as he said that he took a step back, the axe was held aloft, the Breaker of Storms, the Feller of Giants, the weapon that held what fate there was before them. It gleamed with a golden haze and then suddenly above them there was a roil. A rush of energy distant, then seeming to just explode from the nothing above them, a rainbow-like cascade of energy crashing into the platform around them as the Bifrost was summoned.
    It surged, gleaming with power as it glimmered about their bodies. Then with a rush of motion they were hurtling through the air, through the universe, through the stars. Faster than any being had the right to travel, entire galaxies rushing by them.
    For the Bifrost carried them to their destiny.