14609/Challenging Homecomings

Challenging Homecomings
Date of Scene:	04 April 2023
Location:	Palace - Asgard
Synopsis:	Sif and Brunnhilde return to Asgard, and are met by Frigga and Thor upon their arrival.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Frigga, Sif, Brunnhilde

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Thor has posed:
    The solemn voice of the Bifrost's sentinel was heard as he stood there upon the dais that allowed him to not just overlook the landing area for the interdimensional pathway. But gave him the best place from which to exercise his vision, casting his awareness out into the aether and looking upon the passing events of the universe. Then his voice was solemn as he announced clearly.
    "They make ready," Heimdall said.
    Which was a kindness for him to offer as much.
    For his part, however, Thor was not impatient. He stood before Heimdall's watch, settled with his arms folded over his chest. The sweep of his half-cloak hung upon his shoulders well and framed his armor rather well. The black and the red looked good upon him, though his features were still a touch bedraggled and his hair hadn't grown in. The eyepatch gave him a roguish look yet his manner and bearing... made him seem dour.
    Though his mood was not poor.
    "That is good." He says, letting those words hang there. His brow furrowed a little then he glances at Frigga sidelong and murmured...
    "Perhaps we should..." He gestures toward the portal through which the Bifrost manifests, suggesting they should head to Midgard to aid them. But then he seemed to rethink that as his brow knit with a hint of consternation.

Frigga has posed:
The preparations for the ride out to the Bifrost were a little contentious. The guards insisting that regardless of who Frigga rode with didn't negate the fact that they needed to be present, and she insisting that she was more than safe with the returned Prince. A balance eventually was struck, and the royal retinue remains on horseback beyond the post of Heimdall, a watchful eye maintained, if only from a distance.

For Frigga's part, she stands in practical clothing, such not meant for the meeting of nobles from other realms but more comfortable, and perhaps comforting for those returning home. By Thor's side, her hands are cast forward, resting there with fingers lightly entwined, her gaze shifting from the landing platform back to Thor. She leans gently in and whispers, "They'll be here. Don't be so impetuous." It's a light tease, undoubtedly heard over the thousand plus years of the prince's life.

Sif has posed:
They had been spending time each day working out in the courtyard. Sometimes twice a day if Sif felt up to it. Brunnhilde was helping her through it all. And in return, Sif was likely helping Brunnhilde as well after the valkyrie having taken so much time away from everything Asgard. And too much time in the bottom of a bottle.

This was the first day Sif put on all her armor, for the trip back home to Asgard. They were supposed to meet at the raised area with the burned symbol from the Bifrost etched into the concrete. Sif was there and she was looking around the courtyard area, trying to spot her travel companion. For this trip home was as much about her visiting there and paying her respects as it was to get Brunnhilde to set foot in Asgard again.

If the blonde didn't turn tail and hide instead of joining her.

Brunnhilde has posed:
Brunnhilde wasn't exactly thrilled about this whole situation:

Case in point, she was drinking a lot less. And some of those muscles she hadn't really worked on for a long time were finally awakening from slumber, in the most painful ways possible. And that just made her want to have a drink even harder. So it was quite the fun spiral. Yet there was no denying the call that she had felt during Malekith's fall and Jane's disappearance. She'd need to be here.

Not that she had been around all morning. Maybe having second doubts? Saying goodbye to her favorite bourbon? But she does come up eventually, "Guess I owe you.." Yes, of course Brunnhilde had bet with Sif whether or not the Prince would come down here to see Sif being returned. "Did he finally learn patience?"

For her part she is dressed in a light blue tunic that Hedla got for her with a light leather vest atop. Her long spear is held on one hand and she sighs, stepping forward as the light starts enveloping them. "Time to do this."

Thor has posed:
    "They..." Thor begins to say, his head shaking slightly as he opens one hand to the side, "Might need help." The Asgardian prince murmurs, "Packing."
    A pause, then he adds with a touch of emphasis. "Organizing. Mayhap I could be of use." Yet she's seen him this way before. It is not that he fears they will come to some ill end. Or that he is horribly impatient. It is more, perhaps, that he dislikes holding still while others have a task at hand.
    Yet he knows the weakness of his own argument, so he lets it fall. Instead he refolds his arms over his broad chest and draws in a deep breath. Holds it. Then exhales it slowly, a hint of a rumble to his tone that is not a thing unlike when his father was ill at ease as well. Likely learned at the step of the throne.
    Thankfully he was saved by Heimdall's voice once again, sombre and deep. "They are ready."
    The sword twists in its housing and the roar of the Bifrost fires, cascading that blaze of light down to Midgard, down onto the concrete landing area with Asgard's seal burned into it from the many uses of the Bifrost. It appears before them, their gateway, and their way home.

Frigga has posed:
Frigga can't help a fond smirk at Thor's answer. "Hmmhmm," is given in humoured dubiousness. "They're more than capable of packing bags and making the trip." She shakes her head and looks back at the Bifrost dias, "See?"

The Queen holds the lighthearted smirk upon her face even as the brilliantly hued bridge between realms bursts into life under the experienced hand of Heimdall, the path sent, beckoning those others home. Blue eyes are bright; this was a homecoming that she also looks forward to. Sif is a well-loved part of her extended family, as a daughter to her. Brunnhilde? Well.. while not as close, she deserves her own honors for that which she had done and possibly will do again.

Let the circle be unbroken? Thankfully to their long lives, the time away is as a heartbeat between then and now.

Sif has posed:
"I doubt it," came the response from Sif as the Bifrost appeared, the power of it immense yet contained in that brilliant show of rainbow lights. "But I suppose it is possible after all these millennia."

And with that, Sif stepped into the Bifrost. The trip was short yet an eternity, one of those strange things that somehow was both and neither. But it was a moment later and they found themselves standing in Heimdall's chamber. A quick glance given to those gathered, a bit surprised to see the Queen herself.

Sif stepped clear and immediately moved to her brother, giving him a quick hug. Then she turned to the Royals even as she muttered an aside to Brunnhilde, "Or maybe he wasn't allowed to go?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
It had been a long, long time since she had felt those rainbow lights upon her, or the warmth of a homecoming. The feeling comes and goes and the next moment they are in Asgard. Heimdall's chambers. She takes in a breath and her first words go to Heimdall. "Thought I saw you staring.." short of calling him a voyeur. Because sometimes that's what he deserves.

Blue eyes then sweep the rest of the room, taking in both Prince and Queen. She dips her head in a greeting but doesn't speak first. Well, not to -them- at least. Because she does give her own aside back to Sif..

"There's only so much he's willing to challenge." Space pirates, dark elf conquerors bent on destruction and more. But never his mother.

Whatever they are talking about!

Thor has posed:
    "Sif." The first word out of Thor's mouth, accompanied by a smile that is a touch subdued as he looks at her advancing upon Heimdall and the siblings embracing. Then he looks to Brunnhilde and his smile lifted a little. "Brunnhilde. Good to see your return." He steps to the side, presenting Frigga to them.
    "My mother felt it important to meet you on this crossing. She wished to rush down to Midgard to aid you, but I wisely advised against it." His lip twists a little as he offers that small attempt at humor.
    Meanwhile Heimdall returns Sif's embrace, holding her close and exhaling deeply. "You had us worried." A small admission to concern, then he turns and allows her to return the greetings she's offered.

Frigga has posed:
Once the greetings to the gatekeeper are completed, there is that genuinely warm, gracious smile that welcomes the pair back to Asgard. It's the first expression that the pair are greeted with, if holding a hint of amusement due to perhaps some conversation prior to their arrival.

There is mirth clearly visible in the Queen's eyes in the shared joke that is undoubtedly shared by all present as she looks to Thor again. Brows rise, and her tones of humor tinge her words. "Oh yes. Thankfully I heeded the wise, patient and considering counsel of my son and was able to remain in place."

Uh huh.

"Welcome home, Lady Sif and Brunnhilde." Just beyond the gate, there are horses that stand patiently for their riders to bring them back to the City, and beyond to the Palace.

Sif has posed:
"It takes more than that to kill me, brother." Sif gave Heimdall's arm a squeeze and a reassuring smile before stepping away. But not before she found her lips wanting to curve up in a smirk at the comment from Brunnhilde.

Thankfully she was able to hide it with a smile, greeting her old friend Thor with a warrior's handshake which would turn into a brief grab-and-hugging if he didn't stop her. Just for a moment, a thanks that he was back in the world of the living. Though she had seen him back on Midgard in the embassy, she'd been somewhat trapped under covers and not gotten that hug.

Then a bow given to Frigga. "I am glad he was able to...give you such wise counsel." She was not going to be able to keep a straight face through this. "I would have hated to waste your time just to come and greet us. It is good to be home."

And a careful look given to Brunnhilde to see if she would echo those sentiments.

Brunnhilde has posed:
No hugs out of Brunnhilde that's for sure, the valkyrie continuing to watch the proceedings with a not-so-patient look. Maybe she's a bit nervous about being here but she shrugs it off by walking a few steps closer to the gate, watching the horses.

"You have grown, Prince. I never thought I would hear 'wise' and 'Thor' being spoken in the same sentence." technically they weren't, but everyone knows what she means.

"It has been a long time.." That's all she admits to when Sif gives her that careful look. And then proceeds to shift the subject because she's great at misdirecting. In the same way she's great in drowning her past in booze.

"Lovely horses." This said to Frigga, knowing the Queen loves her horses, "Asgardian born and bred?"

Thor has posed:
    An arm shake and an embrace was exactly in his thoughts as Thor drew Sif in and gave her a very gentle pat upon the back. They ended that embrace as he leaned back to look in her eyes, smiling with a warmth that had diminished none at all. When her attention shifts he then turns, sparing Frigga a small smile though he moves in turn toward the guards that wait beyond. Just enough to be visible in the doorway where he meets the eyes of the Lieutenant tasked with the detail of guarding his mother. He gives a nod, just enough to let the man know that they will be needing the horses soon.
    Then he rounds back to the others, giving a smile to Heimdall as he turns back to the small group of Asgardian women, stepping to stand at Brunnhilde's side. At Sif's chiding words he replies, "You see, I have learned much in my time away."

Frigga has posed:
It is difficult to keep a straight face, isn't it? Frigga's smile is more than enough in that understanding that all four, five with Heimdall included, share. It softens to see the embrace between Sif and Thor, a soft breath is released as the moment is watched, though she does turn away to regard Brunnhilde, the prodigal Valkyrie who now returns home.

Frigga regards the wayward wanderer with kind eyes, and for a long moment, her gaze lingers before she makes a quietly audible 'hmmm' sound in response to perhaps what it is she sees, or rather, perceives.

The horses?

Twisting around to catch sight of them, Frigga nods and returns her attention to the group, "They are. Hunters, really. There isn't a jump they won't take in pursuit of their quarry. I thought you might enjoy a ride before coming in, just to get some air." From her stables, obviously. "I can join you all back at the Palace when you're done, if you like. There is food and drink set for your return, as well as your rooms." Sif obviously has her own room within the palace walls. Has since she was a child. Brunnhilde, however?

"Brunnhilde, one has been made up for you in anticipation." How the Queen knows these things has been a question over the millennia. It goes far beyond 'mothers always know', and she's not telling. Never has, never will. "Please let the servants know what it is you require?"

Sif has posed:
"Mmmm," is Sif's response to how much Thor may have learned. "Learned much?"

And she moved to the horses, taking the reins of the one offered to her. The beasts were used to carrying Asgardians, much stronger than those equines of Midgard. But she had a special pace in her heart for the Midgardian beasts now.

She swung astride, the mare dancing a moment and showing she was quite spirited. It took but a moment for Sif to have her stilled and back under easy control.

"From the looks of that headband, ducking was not one of those lessons." And she gave him a wicked grin before nudging her heels into the sides of the horse to get some distance from Thor. Just in case.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The sound that comes from Brunnhilde's throat at Thor's words is neutral. As neutral as a scoffing sound whose meaning is 'see it to believe it!'. But at least she doesn't downright laughs back at the Prince. Because first, it wouldn't be good to do so in front of the Queen. And second, she doesn't want to be thrown out of Asgard ..., yet.

Horses though, got to love them. "Fearless and with a temper? Just my kind." a nod of her head given back at Frigga. Brows furrow when Frigga announces there's a room ready. It had been too long since she had witnessed the uncanny way in which the Asgardian is able to predict things. "I won't be staying long, just for how long I am needed." yet there's a barely perceptible nod of thanks given the Queen's way.

And then she gets on a run, over to one of the horses and jumps onto the saddle, taking in the reins with one swift motion. It's when Sif speaks those last words that she finally laughs. Hearty and amused. "You have gained a savage streak. I like it."

And then she gets her horse going as well. And not exactly in a slow trot.

Thor has posed:
    Thor turns and starts to walk with the others in the direction of the horses. Over near the gate the guard detail has brought the mounts around, one each for the ones so designated for the visitors, and the Queen's groomsman at the ready of course. The Thunderer gives his nod of thanks to those guardsmen and rests a hand upon the pommel of his horse's saddle before making ready to mount. "Oh this?"
    He lightly taps the eyepatch and pulls himself into the saddle with a casual grace. "I'm wearing it merely because it is fashionable. It's all the rage where I come from. I'm sure it will catch on."
    He then sits tall in the saddle, drawing rein and looking at the others. "I know you wild women may be wishing to break into a mad dash to the palace, but I am tired and sore, and I intend to take my time." Those words are then chased with a glance toward Sif as he smiles. Frigga likely knowing what he truly is doing there.
    Though of course that's the moment when Brunnhilde starts off setting the pace herself.

Frigga has posed:
Frigga watches as the 'children' approach the horses in their own, distinct manner. There is something about the freedom of the mount that helps clear one's head. Honestly, she doesn't expect any of them back before evening's fall, when the braziers are lit and the fires burn in the hearths and the night's meal and drink are set out.

Glancing back at Heimdall, she can't help a chuckle, a moment shared with the gatekeeper, the ever-seeing eye of Asgard and their people. Turning away, and towards who is left, that is, her retinue and her horse, she approaches them finally once the others are gone and is aided in the mount. With a little less speed than the others, the Queen begins her ride back to the Palace, and a few moments with her slumbering husband to tell him of the news of the day.