1434/The After-After Party

The After-After Party
Date of Scene:	29 April 2020
Location:	Avengers Mansion - Kitchen
Synopsis:	PG walks in on the tail end of something adorable, but delivers her gift all the same: A fantastic tale for Thor to hear on his birthday. A joke hammer plays a role somewhere.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Karen Starr, Diana Prince

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Thor has posed:
    The evening has wound down, time drifting on as it is wont to do, and the Avengers celebration has settled into a more sedate affair. It was a lovely time, with the comings and goings of the various celebrants, the three casks of Asgardian ale that had been at the least fairly well partially consumed, and that large spread provided by Stark's people.
    But now the music has quieted down, while people have broken up into smaller groups for more casual conversation. A few people are floating in the pool hanging off of various flotation devices. There are still a group of people in the conversation pit chatting about the events of the last few days. As well as staff wandering around starting their efforts to clean up the mess.
    But that mess... is likely going to take an appreciable amount of time as several young men work on gathering plates, glasses, mugs, all going into large plastic bins. But then there's a rush of wind in the air...

Karen Starr has posed:
    Today had been a hell of a day. Karen had intended, all things considered, to arrive on time. There was an event in a private calendar, she'd done quite a bit of work preparing... And then everything fell apart. The nebulous and constant nature of things she lets take her attention away from being a person had gotten the better of her, and she'd spent perhaps half of the evening swatting down trouble.

    Karen figured she'd just do a sort of tentative visit to New York. Nothing too hopeful- but could hear the activity in the mansion. She hadn't figured the party had continued, but...

    There's a reason she'd done that "tentative visit" while holding a delicately wrapped package.

    The rush of wind heralds her arrival- whether it's caused by her or not, the speed at which she approaches the mansion isn't negligible, despite that she's calmed her approach as soon as she crosses onto the grounds.

    From there, it's a simple thing. She's recognizable enough- even the people of New York are at least cursorily aware of Power Girl. Guided to the kitchen by the help, she's all billion-dollar smiles as she strides in that direction. Nerves don't play a factor, necessarily. She has this way of entering a room that almost makes it seem like she belongs there, at nigh-upon any gathering of heroes, despite that she doesn't truly belong, as yet, to any of them.

    In one arm is a cradled package, a large box, that isn't dimpling around the edges like it would were it cardboard. Keeping her manners about her, the blonde searches for the Birthday-Asgardian, and once she's spotted him, she makes her way. This will be an introduction of sorts- but that's just another reason to have brought a gift.

    "Thor! Son of Odin! Heard it was an occasion." she calls, lifting the box up to show it off.

Diana Prince has posed:
Diana had come to the party tonight, a fringe member of the Avengers but a member nonetheless. She'd partaken in the festivities and gotten to wish both of the April birthday boys a happy happy one.

But as the night had passed on the others had filtered off. Diana had gone to the kitchen to help do some cleaning up but with the Asgardian mead being served she'd found herself a bit tipsy.

What Power Girl finds when she steps in to the kitchen might sort of surprise her? Maybe? There's a quickly vanish glowing light and Diana steps out from behind Thor's large presence, She's stepping back and away from the Asgardian Prince and she's lowering her chin down while the muscles of her cheeks work side to side.

Karen, hold on to your assets, because you just seem to have caught Diana and Thor kissing!

Quickly, Diana looks to Power Girl and flashes her a big grin. "Power Girl!" She says. "It is so good to see you... I uh, was... though, sadly. Just on my way out." The golden lasso is relooped and placed inside of her leather jacket as the Princess starts to walk across the kitchen toward one of the exits. She glances back to Thor, then back to Power Girl. "We shall have to talk soon!" She says to Power Girl before she moves for the doorway and smiles to her, waves to Thor and then steps on out!

Thor has posed:
    Indeed, there is no mistaking Thor for once she steps through the doorway and into the kitchen proper of the Avengers mansion it is easy to espy him there leaning against one of the counters. Though it likely is also in turn easy to spot the good Lady Diana who in that moment stands so close to him. So very close.
    And then abruptly Power Girl's voice is heard, with Diana straightening and then seeming a touch flustered, the Asgardian ahems, and clears his throat. Then /turns/ around and raps his hand upon the counter beside it. He calls after Diana. "It was good to see you, Lady Diana!"
    A lift of his hand and a wave given, "We shall speak again another time, of course. About many important matters!" He coughs again, into his fist, ahems, and straightens up to meet Power Girl's arrival with an open if thin-lipped smile, but it slips almost instantly into a genuine one as he murmurs.
    "Ah, Power Girl. Good of you to come." His eyes drift after Diana a little bit as she makes her departure, but then his attention returns to the visiting well-wisher. "A kindness that you have joined us. I trust matters pass well for you and yours?"
    That said he closes the distance and offers her his hand for a forearm shake granted between warriors true.

Karen Starr has posed:
    There's a raise of her brow as she comes into the kitchen and, well, stumbles- almost literally- across that particular sight. She blinks a few times, and cranes her neck, looking towards the roof. "No mistletoe, definitely isn't the season." she remarks, before offering this roll of her shoulders and friendly smile.

    "Now I'm -sure- my gift won't be particularly impressive. Still, all the same."

    She reaches forward, clasping her hand around the wrist and giving an... Intensely firm shake. She's stronger than she -looks-, which is, frankly, saying something.

    "I got some good news recently, but I had one hell of a day getting down here. Sorry I'm so late." Her attention shifts to the fleeing Diana momentarily, and she has a rather mischievous look to her. "Oh yeah, I'm sure, a -lot- of talking." she comments, in jest- playful ribbing that borders on impolite considering that this is the first she's ever met the pair- though, admittedly, she seems a little friendlier to Diana than one might with a stranger. "Have a good night, and uh- maybe we ought to... call an invisible cab?" she jokes, her tone playful yet again.

    Once the handshake was broken, Power Girl hands over the wrapped package to the man she'd come here to see.

    "Glad of you to have me. I haven't exactly been introduced." she shifts back to Thor, with that, "I know it's probably a known thing at this point, but I'm Power Girl. I came by some time ago to see about lending a hand to the Avengers. Tony was pretty welcoming."

    The box, when Thor hefts it, is -heavy-. Not anywhere near something that would strain the Asgardian, but it's a couple hundred pounds or so of heft. A bit more than a full sized person. There seems to be something moving around within it. Of course, when he opens it- the box itself is metal. Brushed aluminum, because the object within would tear paper or cardboard apart. Within, is a pretty accurate replica of Mjolnir. The craftsmanship is quite intense, but it's not perfect- recreated from photos that aren't all in perfect detail, and Thor himself will likely notice immediately that it's not balanced as a weapon, should he choose to hold the thing.

Thor has posed:
    There's a small smile that plays across Thor's lips as he nods and listens to Power Girl, her manner infectious and gregarious, a larger than life presence that he can appreciate. But then she hands the box to him and his eyebrows lift a bit at the weight of it. Not something too heavy, but more heft to it than one would expect from something so wrapped.
    The brushed aluminum box is set upon the kitchen table and he cocks his head sidelong toward her as she looks on, "You shouldn't have gone to such trouble, Power Girl. Such effort given to one you barely know."
    But as he says that he starts to work at one end and pulls it apart easily enough to expose to the light an edge of the interior, and then he reaches in to produce that replica in hand. His lips twist, amused as he hefts it and it feels rather curious. He takes it in hand and tosses it into the air!
    Where it flips end over end a few times but lands all wrong, causing Thor to reach out and catch it with both hands, staggering a little awkwardly. "Very nice, a rather strong effort." He shifts blue eyes back to Power Girl and half-smiles, "Now I can rush around with two and terrorize my foes."

Karen Starr has posed:
    Power Girl watches that display, setting her hands on her hips for a moment. She's smiling all the while, idly making considerations towards improving the design- making a better replica, despite that that isn't necessarily the point. She even offers a chuckle, folding her arms across her middle. There's a cock of her hip, that follows.

    "There's a little more to it. Press a couple inches from the head on the handle." she offers, "On the side closest to you. Then set it down." If he follows her directions, there will be no tactile sensation or noise, but when he sets it down, it remains in the position that it rests- even if it does so off-kilter, as long as the metal is in contact with a surface.

    "Interior is a mixture of a few hyper dense materials, and some mechanics. But if you press one of the buttons and set it down, it doesn't move. There's a sort of adhesive, activated by a low level current." It's... A little scientific, but Power Girl expects that Thor will understand.

    "I heard a rumor, from a mutual friend." Tony, of course, because who else? "That nobody can lift the real thing unless they're worthy. Thought it'd be pretty funny if you had one that you could turn it... Off and on."

    At that point, she clears her throat. "The hammer's heavy enough to fool most people. When the current's running it's about... Three-fifty?" she offers, doing some mental math.

    "And you can also hit people with it, it's not -great- for that, but it'll stand up to it."

Thor has posed:
    A wry chuckle comes from him as Thor examines the fauxlnjir and twists it around in his hand, affecting a stern face and making himself look so heroic as he hefts the hammer one way and the other, striking out at illusionary enemies. But then he sets the weapon down upon the kitchen table and ponders it for a time before lightly touching the hammer once it clicks into place.
    And definitely seems heavier. He pokes it with a fingertip and laughs a little as he shakes his head. "Quite nice, lovely engineering."
    But then he extends a hand behind him and distantly there is a small /CRASH/ which causes him to wince, something likely suffering an ill fate though only... one something for there are no more crashes as out into the foyer, down the spiral staircase, down the hall, and then rushing into the kitchen to join them, Mjolnir flies and slaps into Thor's hand with a faint /whom/ of sound. He then sets it down by its mate and smiles at the comparison.
    "Truly fine work, a few differences... but still."

Karen Starr has posed:
    Nodding, Power Girl also twitches slightly, wincing herself as Thor summons Mjolnir. She's somewhat acutely aware of how much damage it did, but at the same time, the owner of the mansion is wealthy enough that it won't be anything more than a momentary problem.

    She wasn't, really, aware that he could do that. At least, not in that fashion. She was aware the hammer would return to him when thrown, but that it could be summoned was different altogether. She looks upon the both of them- noting the differences, no matter how minute. The engravings in the replica are deeper, though they're impressively accurate. The handle isn't exactly the right length, being a little longer... Because Karen had, to her chagrin, estimated Thor's height incorrectly.

    "I'm honestly really glad you like it. I prepared it in a bit of a rush, but I did put a lot of effort in. Happy that's paying off." For what amounts to a pretty high tech gag, Karen really did put in a lot of legitimate work- it's just that she can do that so -quickly- thanks to, you know, all the cheating.

    "I hope, as well, you've been having a good birthday. We'll really have to set something amazing up in a couple years or so." When it's on a Thursday. "And I'm happy to have the chance to finally meet you- even if I was really late."

Thor has posed:
    "It is a thoughtful gift, Power-Girl." The tall man turns to meet her gaze levelly and his smile is warm when his gaze meets her eyes. He gives a small nod, still smiling as he extends his hand to her and should she accept it he'll give her hand a shake while patting her shoulder twice as if they were old comrades who had just reaffirmed that friendship.
    "I look forward to using it for perhaps a small joke or two, and if you wish to borrow it to tease your friends then please feel free." His lips twist with a hint of that mirth, as if they were sharing a joke between them, which they were.
    That said he starts to walk with her toward the door, "Come, good lady. There is assuredly still food and drink to be shared, sit and talk with me. Tell me all that I have missed in us not having embraced such friendship earlier."
    And with that said he reaches the door, pushes it open, and is set to step outside with the other hero.

Karen Starr has posed:
    There is no hesitation in her acceptance of a second handshake, nor the patting of her bare shoulder. She is readily embracing the concept not just of friendship, but of teammates- something she'd hoped to become when she first visited the manshion.
    "Could leave it out, hang a little sign on it. 'Free to a good home' and get Tony to set up a camera or two." Following her joke, she offers a friendly laugh, not as boisterous, but all the same, not particularly reserved. "I'll keep that in mind. Would make for a good entrance or two, I'm sure." A pause, and she smiles a bit. "Tony doesn't know about it yet. He probably ought to be first on the list." Not hers, of course, but Thor's.

    She takes to pondering a few moments while they walk towards the door, though considering their frames, she lets the man whose day it is go first. Admittedly, the thought does cross her mind to just walk through it, but that would be needlessly cruel despite the momentary amusement.

    "I'm all about food and drink." she comments, making her way through. When finally there's a good opportunity to take a seat, she'll do so, posture relaxed. As suddenly as she's seated there, she is gone for only something of a fraction of a second. When she returns, there's cake for both of them. Her slice is a conglomeration of several, though. Kryptonian diets aren't fair.

    "There's... A lot, really. Been doing this sort of work for about a year. Honestly- What do you want to know?"

Thor has posed:
    In his own seat now, Thor sets his cake down with a small chuckle and crosses his arms over his chest. His gaze rests level upon the young woman before him and murmurs, "That would be up to you as to what you would share?" He lifts his chin a little, "The people of Asgard, we value the telling of a tale, and would not think to guide the teller beyond the asking of their sharing what they would wish."
    But then his lip curls up a little as his eyes slip to the side, "Though, to be fair, there are some who would shout and make requests, but only out of affection assuredly." That having been said the Prince gives a nod to her and murmurs, "Tell me what you would have me know, and how you have come to view this land. It is not my own and I always marvel at how those perhaps more familiar with it or who have grown with it... how they differ in their experiences."
    That said he hunkers down in the chair and makes ready to listen.

Karen Starr has posed:
    Lounging somewhat, Karen takes a bite out of the cake. There's a pensive moment as she considers what she can tell. She comes from a different realm- and fights different enemies, often in different contexts. For her, she feels, every detail is one that could get someone hurt. Still, she's told Tony enough. It is only fair that she tells Thor the same, to some degree.

    She sets the plate down on the table, and rests her arms on the back of the chair. Should she begin with a tale of valor, perhaps? Or, rather, the beginning. That's almost what he seems to be asking for. How she views the land. There's... Some fudging. She's only been here a little over a year. "I view it as home. It's not- and I'm not implying it is for anyone- but it's not someplace I go that is adjacent. I... Belong, here. Ups and downs, violence and, well, parties. Friends and enemies. Just like any home, you want to protect it and everyone, everything that lives there. But I guess it'd be easier..." That pause might give Thor a little time to reflect.

    Perhaps it might spark some kind of recognition. The easiest comparison is that, when sitting down like this, in the quiet, Power Girl sounds a lot like Steve. If Thor is a little more worldly, more in tune with the greater superhero world though... That statement sounds a lot like something He would say. There's a statue of him in Metropolis for a reason.

    "I guess it's better to start at the beginning. There was a farm, in Kansas..."