14725/Ice and snow don't always equal cold.

Ice and snow don't always equal cold.
Date of Scene:	20 April 2023
Location:	Arctic Ice Sheet
Synopsis:	Frigga arrives to speak with Lady Kelda upon her request. The pair find common ground and understanding easily and begin to formulate plans.
Cast of Characters:	Kelda Stormrider, Frigga

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Kelda Stormrider has posed:
It is a frigid scene of tumbled ice roiling in a dark sea beneath a low sky. On the horizon the winter sun unsuccessfully tries to break through the steel grey sky and light the white expanse where Kelda has built a throne hewn from blocks of ice.

An open robe of white fur stirs in a light breeze, the Queen of Blizzards sits at her ease, slender knees crossed beneath a gossamer gown fit for a spring garden. Though she divides her time between Midgard and Asgard, the Ice is her home and comfort. Facing the throne is another, elevated to pay homage to the visitor she awaits. Her high guest: the Queen of them all and mother to Princes.

Frigga has posed:
The burst of light without sound can be disturbing to some; the multi-hues that fill a rainbow and more casts it brilliance upon the floor, leaving behind that which it almost always does. The runic symbols that have meaning to both Asgard and the children that it has produced and visitors. In this case, it is one. This one fears not, however; there will be nothing that might be amiss or go awry that would require guards or a retinue.

All are left behind, and the Queen of Asgard arrives solo. Dressed in a blue long dress with coverings of gold fabric with embellishments of clasps and brooches, Frigga appears, a cloak wrapped about her shoulders as the only proof against the cold. A cold that others would feel keenly.

A step forward is taken, and a warm smile comes to her easily, the tone holding the same ease for her greeting, "Lady Kelda."

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
The mage rises and sinks into a curtsey to honor the Queen. When she straightens, Kelda answers Frigga's warm smile with her own equally warm as well as full of respect.

"You do me great honor, Your Majesty. I've taken you away from your son, so lately returned to us, I understand."

Gesturing to the throne behind Queen Frigga, she stands, straight as a spire of ice, hands folded gracefully at her midriff for Frigga to seat herself before doing the same.

Once they are both seated, her ice blue eyes contemplate the Queen a moment before saying, "I regret not being at the battle but have heard much about it. Still there are things I do not understand and hope I may address my questions to Your Majesty."

Frigga has posed:
There is an understanding born of centuries of court-life, millennia, and once obeissance is given, there is a gentle nod that beckons she who does honor to rise. No words need be spoken. And still, the warm, kind smile remains. If she's upset or the least bit concerned about being asked, there is no hint of it in neither manner nor mien.

"I certainly could not find it in me to refuse your request, Lady Kelda. For you to have asked me here, there must be something that weighs upon you."

Frigga turns to take her seat, her expression curious, her head tilting slightly in askance. A dismissive wave is given, though not //dismissive//, and at the mention of Thor, there is that light within blue eyes. "Yes, yes he has returned to us. But as any may know, he does have more to do than to indulge the whims of his mother." Her tones are affectionately amused, her expression echoing the sentiment easily.

As their conversation gently turns, the Queen of Asgard does incline her head in acknowledgment, adding, "We all play a part. That which held your attention was undoubtedly just as important and allowed the rest to do what they needed to." Her hands fold upon her lap, her legs crossed simply at the ankles as she takes an expectant pose. Brows rise in prelude, "Please. If I can answer them, I shall."

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
"You do me great honor, Your Majesty." One hand smoothes the front of her gossamer gown while Kelda considers her words.

"I will launch straight into it, then. Malekith," the courtly serenity of her face darkens at the name, "the Accursed worked great magic at Midgardian Starport. He killed many to fuel his spells. That in and of itself, is troubling."

The Ice Mage takes a breath through pinched nostrils, "But a darker magic was performed or so I have been informed. Both Malekith and a Midgardian woman, a Jane Foster, were taken from the Realm. Under whose spell, I know not." She halts again, loathe to speak of her own spells, though the Queen has always treated her fairly and without suspicion.

Frigga has posed:
The hint of hesitation isn't lost on Frigga, and she is open, attentive, and supportive. She is not Odin, and there are times when there are whispers in the Great Halls that there have been certain... differences of opinion between the pair. And when it comes to magic, particularly cold and ice? Let it be said that she holds no ill feeling regarding those who wield such an element. Her own beloved son holds such an ability.

"So I understand." Frigga's words hold great meaning, underscoring the truth. She does fall silent once more, her head nodding almost imperceptibly at the words, both in agreement and acknowledgment. "So Thor has said as such." Her expression has a tinge of sadness to it, the memory etched in her soul. The pain, the hurt, all within those words her son spoke to her upon greeting her for the first time since his return. 'Jane is gone'.

"I thought Malekith was no more. Dispersed never to have form and figure again, even within the realms of the dead." It's as much question as it is statement, and now.. there is a decided need to know more. "What do you know of this?"

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
Subtly, Kelda relaxes, reading Frigga's response underneath her words. She dips her head acknowledging her trust, "I know only that a great imbalance has rocked the Underworld. And, I suspect, Your Majesty, that the great boon of Malekith's final demise has not been given us. Though, I am sure, I am not the only one who wished it."

"My thought was to find Jane Foster." Her lips press into a brief sad frown, "Tell Prince Thor that I am sad for his loss. I thought to find her and ask her what I could concerning that moment. And, I would need your intervention to do so."

Frigga has posed:
"I am certain that he'd feel better if he knew that she'd been taken to the Hall of Valhalla, but it is not the case," Frigga offers softly, that tinge of sadness held not for herself but absolutely for the pain of her son. "Sadly, I do suspect you are correct. We are without the benefit of that dark elf's departure." There is a pause before she continues softly, conspiratorially, "Though I do not wish that to be common knowledge." Beyond any who //must// know, anyway. Surely Kelda understands!

Frigga sits up a little in her chair, the impeccable posture gaining just a little more graceful; regal. "Really, though? It was my impression that she, too, is beyond sight." Heimdall's, the Norn's, perhaps? There are whispers that the Queen does consult with them, and they she. Nothing is every confirmed, however. Ever. Frigga pauses, her head quirked slightly in consideration, or perhaps she is simply listening, hearing something that none but her may perceive. She is silent for those few heartbeats before she finally nods her head once. "You understand that it may not be easy, and that my ultimate focus must be the safety of Asgard. But, I can see in this a double duty, and a path that should be taken."

Kelda Stormrider has posed:
Back straight, the Queen of Blizzards leans forward, betraying her eagerness when the Queen of Asgard confirms her suspicions. Her lips part but she remains silent, answering the Queen's request for her discretion concerning Malekith the Accursed and Jane, once Thor's beloved, with a hand over her heart and a bow of her head.

Voice lowered, "I have no desire to broadcast this news. There is much to set right in this matter. It affects all the Nine Realms."

She sits back, a troubled expression knitting her brows,"As for Jane Foster... I cast runes and their reading confused me, Your Majesty. She is not in Valhalla, and therein lies a mystery and a shadow cast by I know not what."

Hands clasped tightly in her lap, she leans toward the Queen again, "But I wish to find out. Fully knowing that it will not be an easy path to tread."

Frigga has posed:
"Then we are in agreement," is stated simply and not without that warm undertone. It is always so much nicer to speak and plan with those who understand subtlety and not bluster into the paths that might not be the correct ones upon which to tread. Perhaps that is why she feels for Loki so much, and finds herself frustrated with Thor, who has a great deal in common with his father? No, no.. she loves them equally, even in their differing of approaches.

Frigga inclines her head; she's known that Jane did not pass into Valhalla. "No Valkyrie escorted her there." The words are spoken softly but succinctly. "Where she is seems to be the mystery of the Realms." A soft 'hmm' escapes her lips in a staccato'd note. "No, it will not be an easy path to tread, but we can make our own preparations, can't we." A decision is obviously made and she rises to her feet gracefully, and holding out a hand in offrance, she nods towards the area before them. "Come, walk with me and we shall talk more. I find that ideas come more readily when one is on the move, as well as soothing." There are plans to be made!