14374/This is a thing.

This is a thing.
Date of Scene:	10 March 2023
Location:	Asgardian Embassy
Synopsis:	Sif and Alexander catch up about the current events.
Cast of Characters:	Sif, Alexander Aaron

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Sif has posed:
At times, the Embassy allows tours and the like. Curious Migardians being led through the building with an Asgardian scholar, be they in traditional armor or more formal wear, depending on what the guide wanted. Today it was a male and he was dressed in the formal attire that one might have for a feastday.

And during these tours, those people would get glimpses at some of the people going about their days. Today happened to be a day that some of the warriors were in the courtyard area practicing.

Amongst them was Sif, fully attired in her silver armor over her red and white outfit. Her dark hair had grown back out finally, falling to below her shoulders in dark waves. It was held back by the headpiece she wore. She was moving between the guards as they practiced, giving a word of advice here or there.

Though she was also available should any official visitors be seeking her out.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The arrival of the Greek was without fanfare. None of the guards likely would recognize him as something other than just one of those many Midgardians that wander through though when he presented his identification it was clear he wasn't part of the usual fare. A SHIELD ID gave his name and a badge number that with their gift of all-speak the guards would realize is still little of interest. Though he was asking to speak with a representative and with Sif being the only one currently available...
    The announcement came at the doorway leading out to the practice yard. The guard stepped forth, thumped his spear, then announced. "Alexander Aaron, Agent of SHIELD!" A heartbeat, then he adds, "To see the Lady Sif."
    Once that introduction was given the young blond man emerged from the doorway, wearing blue jeans and white sneakers. A brown leather jacket covered the black t-shirt that hugged the contours of his chest rather well, and he had a gleam in his eye as he murmured once he was near enough. "I kinda like the sound of that."

Sif has posed:
Hearing the announcement, Sif turned her head in that direction to see the arrival of the young man. A quick scan of him, an evaluation, a moment of curiosity on her face as she moved away from the warriors practicing to get a bit closer to the guest. She didn't leave the practice field though. Instead, just taking up a spot on the edge of it as she regarded him.

"It is your name and title. One would hope the sound would be pleasing. Though I suspect you are not accustomed to having your arrival announced in such a way."

She rested her left hand atop the pommel of her sword, pale eyes openly evaluating him now. "It has been some time...Agent Aaron is it now?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I still prefer Alexander, if I may." He extends his arm for a warrior's handshake, offering a firm one given. Then the young Olympian stops and looks at the other warriors around, then back to Sif. "I come bearing gifts." He holds up a thumb drive as his pale hazel eyes meet hers.
    "Some of SHIELD's R&D people were going to hand off some of the data we got from the missile attack on the Triskelion. We wanted to.. pass it on if you and yours would be interested. I saw they were sending a messenger. I offered to take it instead."
    He takes a deep breath, "I thought I'd stop by since it's been a few years since we spoke."

Sif has posed:
The warrior's handshake was met, the firm grasping of forearms in that way of theirs. Then Sif reached out to take the drive, looking at it a long moment. Still getting used to Midgard, this was a rather new thing for her. But she gave a nod and tucked it away into her belt for the moment, instead focusing on him.

"Few years? Has it already been so long?" There was a furrowing of her brow then. Sif considered, dropping her gaze and for an instant, there was a sadness. Then it was gone as she pushed it aside, pasting on a pleasant smile. "It is good to see you again. I am sure this information will prove valuable in our continued fight." The business portion addressed at least.

"You look well. Seem to be filling out a bit more, finally growing up from gangly teen to a warrior. Though I still attest that your training is lacking since you have not Asgardian's in your history as instructors."

Thankfully Ares isn't around to hear her say such things.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Alexander's pale hazel eyes shone with a warmth as he looked at the tall woman, he gave a nod, "Two, roughly." He said as he mentioned how many years it had been. A small shrug was given, "A drop in the bucket I'm sure. But for me it seemed like a fair bit of time." Considering how most Midgardians perceive it, two years...
    He turned and started walking with her along the training yard, his hands easing into the pockets of his jeans. "Thank you, I feel well. And you?" His head tilts slightly, those last two words spoken with a slight hesitance as he knows what has passed.
    "Trying times these days of late." He doesn't press the issue, but the tone and the pace of those words offers some small hint of commiseration, but not wishing to push to force the issue.

Sif has posed:
"I focus on the work. The search for answers. The preparation for the battles ahead." Sif patted the spot on her belt where the drive was tucked. "I am certain this will give us more information to add to what we have collected. We have many allies here on Midgard and we are blessed in that way."

A little shrug and she was very careful not to let her expression slip again, keeping it neutral to pleasant. "I fear I have not allowed myself to focus on much else. Perhaps in time. The loss of the Prince affected me far more deeply than I had thought it would. After all, we are Asgardians." Meaning that death was just another step to Valhalla. But of course, he hadn't been there. Nor Hel. Which had done quite the number on Sif emotionally.

"But tell me of your time passed. You have joined SHIELD? Wishing to be a warrior in the way of Midgardians?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Alexander did not pry, he walked with her in that slow pace along the edge of the training yard. The warriors returned to their tasks, to their training, some moving to take care of the gear and equipment. It left Sif and Alexander some time and relative privacy as they spoke.
    "I have, yes." He smiles slightly, "Not so much a warrior, but of use at the least." A beat, then he adds with a faint smile, "I hope."
    He pushes a hand through his hair, then slides it back into the pocket of his jeans as they move along the way. "They helped me out when there was a problem with my family. They were of aid in a time when most wouldn't have taken steps. So I appreciated it. And they've always been fair to my father." He gives a small shrug.
    "I felt like I had to... make it up to them. If that makes sense."

Sif has posed:
"They do seem honorable," Sif agrees, though she's had not a lot of interactions with them. But the little she's had have always been polite enough. Though they were a suspicious sort, they would treat one with respect once they knew they were not an enemy.

"That is understandable. A debt owed." A hint of a smile. "Or at least in your view, if not theirs. It is ever our way. We do not like the be the one that owes to others. Better to be on equal footing in all things. You will remain with them?"

She considered, glancing up toward the sky then over at Alexander critically. "Or perhaps move to the teams of 'heroes' and help in that way to protect your world? It still confuses me how there are so few warriors on Midgard compared to the rest of the Nine Realms."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I don't know," Alexander says quietly as they stroll, about remaining with SHIELD. "Perhaps for a decade at least. I don't know if I have it in me to... _be_ an Agent of SHIELD like some who dedicate their lives to it." His eyes distance a little, then he smiles sidelong. "I might be drawn by the siren song of someone into their team or whatnot. But..."
    Alex shakes his head, "I don't feel that compulsion so many people have to... buckle swashes, or fight for justice. I don't know if I work that way. I fight for causes, or friends, people that matter to me. But for something like justice? Or out of altruism. I don't know." He smiles a little.
    "Which to an Asgardian must sound like I'm an alien to hold this viewpoint."

Sif has posed:
That had Sif's brow furrowing as she considered. "It is indeed a different viewpoint from how we are raise on Asgard. For us, being a warrior is the way to Valhalla. It is the way to live. Though some choose their paths in other ways, they still learn to fight in their youth so it is a part of who and what we are."

She motioned, meaning to encompass the world outside the embassy walls. "Midgard has no such elements. Many different viewpoints, many different methods, people have paths that have nothing to do with that path to Valhalla. It is indeed different but I see the appeal in some ways. Finding one's own way, seeking answers to their purpose." She grinned then, realizing that was a bit heavier than she probably needed to go in a chat with a visiting friend.

"Though I see such paths are open here, I would not wish for any outside the one I have already been set upon though. So perhaps it is too far ingrained in me after so many centuries. Perhaps our youth would be enticed to this world of...social media and selfies."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Ah, perhaps. It's the immediacy I think that draws people." Alex smiles as he walks, hands still stuffed into his pockets. He looks toward the interior of the mansion, pale eyes watching the progression of some of the guards. Then he looks back, "Have you talked to Heidi Ingersdottir? I haven't seen her since those years back as well."
    She had been the valkyrie in training that was with Sif when they had rushed to his aid those two years ago, and had accompanied them as they all went and ate barbecue after a battle with some satyrs.
    "Last I heard she had been doing well but had returned to Asgard." Which likely was where she was after all, but still good to ask after her.

Sif has posed:
"She is well. Her training has advanced. She is now amongst the ranks of the valkyrior. Though she still has much to learn."

Sif considered a moment, trying to choose how to phrase this. "Much like the military of Midgard. She completed Boot Camp and now is serving in the field."

Though admittedly she wasn't privy to the inner workings of the United States military forces. "She is happier in Asgard though. Midgard was too...busy." Which Sif can relate to in a lot of ways. Thus why she owned a ranch that was not in the city.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The young man's head bobs a bit as he nods, then he takes a deep breath. "Well if you need anything I hope you'd be sure to call." A look is given again to the interior of the manor before he looks back to Sif. "I should probably let you get back to it, time enough for chit chat after everything is taken care of." Such as the war.
    He smiles a little, "I'll stop by some other time when things are better, I hope. Alright?" He takes a single step back, but holds in case Sif might need aught else of him.

Sif has posed:
"Perhaps when this is all over, you can visit when you have a few hours."

And Sif turns to move back toward those training on the field. A glance given to Alexander as a smirk appears on her face. "Train with some actual warriors. Midgardians are so...soft."