15333/Beach Asgardians

Beach Asgardians
Date of Scene:	07 July 2023
Location:	Asgardian Embassy
Synopsis:	Sif learns volleyball. Thor steals the Thunder. Hilde wants to take a bow for a spin. It's beach with the Asgardians!
Cast of Characters:	Brunnhilde, Sif, Thor

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Brunnhilde has posed:
It's summer time and of course that in Manhattan it's a scorching heat. Unbearable perhaps to a certain former valkyrie...

"I am done waiting for Thor to return from Asgard like some waif." she announces to whoever wishes to hear it, which in this case is poor Sif, catching Brunnhilde in her worst mood. Specially as she hasn't even had a drink yet today. At 8am. "It's too hot to be indoors today so ..." and those blue eyes glint as if they had gotten the best of ideas. "Let's go to the beach." with the kind of tone that shall brook no dissent from it's planned destination.

And so it is that the Asgardian duo of Sif and Brunnhilde find themselves at a beach in Brooklyn. Scorching sand. Good waves. Brunnhilde chose to come in a rather diminute dark blue bikini that does little to hide curves, sitting on her towel and watching a beach volleyball game not too far away. She laughs at a fumble from one of the teams which has one of the men there look their way, irritated.

"What, you two girls think you can do better?"

Was that a challenge to the Asgardians?

Sif has posed:
That had been unexpected. Particularly since Sif wasn't sure she ever had been to the beach. Not for any amount of time. She'd seen them in passing but that didn't really count for having visited. But let it not be said she wasn't up for new adventures.

Thus she was laid back on an oversized towel, more like one of those bath sheets, wearing a black two-piece bathing suit. She had a sundress off to the side along with some sandals, the dress having been carefully folded atop the shoes to keep it mostly sand free. Not all because that was impossible unless she put in in a plastic bag. Even then, she suspected it would still find a way in.

She was watching the game curiously, asking a question now and then of her companion. Since this was not a game she was familiar with. But then Hilde laughed and the men looked over at them. Then the challenge was voiced.

Sif smiled. A wicked edge to it. "I would certainly hope so. Considering how poorly you seem to be doing thus far in your competitive endeavors."

Brunnhilde has posed:
"What my friend here is saying is that you guys suck ass." Hilde had perhaps been exposed too much to the vulgarities of Midgardian life and that came out in the choice of a rather rich vocabulary that intended to just flare things up. Mission accomplished as the guys now look angry. "Come on then." one of them says, "Come and teach us how to play." the other one laughs dismissively.

"Sounds like a challenge to me.." Hilde starts getting up to her feet. Slowly of course, no need to show off her athleticism just yet, "Are we putting money in this challenge?" followed by a quick response by the angrier guy. "100 bucks."

Hilde finishes getting up and winks down at Sif, "I am buying drinks tonight apparently.." once they get 100 bucks richer, that is. "Let's go.." and she starts walking over to the field.

"Remember, just can't let the ball fall on the sand. And we got three touches to send the ball to the other side. Spiking it in their faces is bonus points."

Sif has posed:
Sif rose to her feet once the bet was made and she got the wink. Then she followed her old friend toward the squared off area that was the volleyball 'court'. Though it was basically just a net like was the norm. "Three touches, spike in their faces is a bonus." She had no idea if these were actual rules for the game but she was trusting her friend.

"How durable is the ball in question?" she asked softly as they reached their side of the net, the area now vacated by the previous players when the challenge had been raised. They were as curious about this as the ones who did the challenging. Though they were more amused. "Side bet, 50 on the gals," one of the guys muttered to his friend. "I'll cover that," came the response from his partner.

Sif did walk up to touch the net, testing it to get a feel for it but not yanking the thing down. The top would take a little jump, even for her.

This was going to get interesting. "Are there additional bonus points if they are knocked out by the spike?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
And who wouldn't trust a friend like Hilde? She had her best poker face on right now too, nodding at Sif's questions in that serious manner of hers. Which might be telling something was up. "The ball isn't that durable ..., just enough." she tells Sif, "So using our whole strength might not be a good thing." besides that whole problem of killing people with a volley ball. No bueno!

"Hey, we want a percentage of that.." Hilde pointing at the guys betting on them. Yep, she's clearly a hustler!

And then the game is about to start, Hilde moving to take position, "Knocking them out means we win." she tells Sif, "But don't do it right away or it won't be fun."

Legs bend, hands rest on knees. The serve comes from the other team, received by Hilde who puts it high to the net. "Go! Spike'em!"

Sif has posed:
Don't let it touch the ground.
Three touches only then it has to go over the net.
Spiking was bonus points.
Knock out opponent to win.
Don't kill anyone.

Pretty sure she had the rules down now, Sif took up a position as she had seen the others do when observing. The sand was more challenging than one might expect but having Asgardian strength helped with that. She could see that it might wear a human down in time.

The ball came and Hilde bounced it up into the air. Sif took that opportunity and jumped, slapping her hand against the ball and sending it speeding at high velocity down toward the man who was jumping up to try to spike it himself. She won. He narrowly avoided getting a ball to the forehead.

"Definitely not durable," she muttered to Hilde as she turned back after they had gained their first point. Not through any actual skill on Sif's part. She just had the ball fed to her perfectly by Hilde.

"This does not seem that challenging. Am I missing something?" she asked.

Brunnhilde has posed:
And the most important rule of all:
Have fun!

The two opponents look at each other at how easily they scored and grunt, one of the commenting. "Bah, beginner's luck..." he specifically eyeing Sif as that one is implying she hasn't played before. That just makes the guy grumble further. There's an exchange of signals between them. Then they eye Sif. Oh, they are up to something..

Hilde starts moving to the back to do a serve to the other side, chuckling at Sif, "You will see.." ball goes up, then hit so it flies over to the other side. The guys are ready. Receive. Pass. Then the last one jumps up to spike the ball!

And of course they are aiming it at Sif, trying to have her taste some of her medicine! Oh if only they knew who they were messing with ...

Sif has posed:
It has to be a scam, right? Who doesn't know how to play volleyball? Certainly they might not know every single rule but they know how to hit a ball over a net and about spiking. It was in every movie that had volleyball in it, so even if she didn't play, she likely had seen it at some point!

Sif did catch a look between the guys and she narrowed her eyes slightly. It was like someone on the battlefield. One looking to distract while the other flanked perhaps. But she was used to watching for such subtelties. Course, not during a game like this.

Thus when the man went up before Sif had the opportunity to close, she was prepared for it. Sort of. In that it didn't hit the ground. But she didn't have that skill of putting her arms together and popping it skyward on her side of the net in the direction of her partner.

Instead, Sif took the ball to the face.

If she were human, this would likely have her on the ground gripping a broken nose. Or at least falling over, stunned. But she was not human. She was Asgardian and they were made of tougher material. Thus when it hit, her head did snap back from the impact but immediately she jerked her head toward the ball, sending it flying over in the direction of Brunnhilde.

And then she smiled. "I see! Though...Are we allowed to strike directly over the net? Or must the ball be used?" Yes, Sif wanted to know if she could punch someone to interfere with a spike.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The hit right to the face gets a 'Oooohhhh' out of the small crowd that is now watching the game. Perhaps they expect the game to be over with that hit! But when Sif seems to just brush it off, and even smile about it, there's a cheer from one of them.

As for Hilde? She just laughs. "Ah! So they want to play hard ball! Good." that kind of mischievous look that's telling. She's ready to rumble.

"You can only hit the ball!" She exclaims, lunging over to receive that pass from Sif. A dive into the sand and the ball is sent up once again, sorta half-way close to the net. Not the best of passes but it's not like Hilde is a pro either.

Of course that's right when they hear someone in the crowd. "Thief! Running away with my bag!" the small crowd meant some people had gathered to watch. It also meant some valuables had been left behind which an entrepreneur thief was taking advantage of, running through the sand.

Which meant now Sif had to choose between continuing the game or actually interfere with the thief! Probably with a ball to the head. Are there rules to hitting people outside the game?

Sif has posed:
Sif was about to send the ball over the net. She didn't want to try to keep it airborne since Hilde had to hit the dirt and they only had one more touch left. It would give the other team an opportunity to setup a good strike at the Asgardians, but there was no help for it.

Until Sif heard those words. Immediately her free hand slapped her right hip, where a dagger might rest normally. Instead she hit bare flest and the material of the bikini bottom. "Dammit." And that left the only weapon she had handy if she didn't want to run off the court.

A quick gauge of distance and speed, a moment to spot the ball and the angle it was coming down at. A perfectly timed and measured pressure to the SLAM she applied to the ball, sending it spiralling directly for the head of the would-be-thief.

"I believe that should be worth extra points," she murmured as she watched it fly toward the target.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The ball spirals at speed and hits the thief right in the back of the head with a *thud*. Followed by the man falling. Then not moving. Clearly unconscious.

People just stare for a time, watching what just happened here until Hilde sits up, sand all over, "Bullseye!" she calls out, shaking a fist. It's followed by the people on the outskirts cheering as well with the woman that had her bag stolen running off to retrieve it (and kick the unconscious guy in the process).

Extra points though? Their two opponents look between themselves, them to the Asgardians with a gulp. If she knocked out someone at such a distance what would happen if one of those balls hit one of them? "Erm, yea, I think you win.." Hilde replying, "I want to see the 100 bucks.." one of the men tossing it over towards the net with a grumble.

"I told you, volleyball -is- the fun stuff."

Sif has posed:
When the victim takes a moment to give the unconscious man a swift kick, Sif had to smile. "Much better reaction. If only she knew how to do that before the theft instead of after." And that had some little thought going off in Sif's mind, something she stowed away to consider for the future.

She offered a hand to Hilde, to help her get back to her feet after the unceremonious sprawl when she had saved the ball for Sif to hit. Though, no hitting had happened. Well, unless one counted hitting the thief.

"I had no idea they had sports of this caliber. It is very pleasing. Though the rules seem...lacking in physical contact." Since she did like hitting things. But alas.

Though they seem to have lost their opponents now.

Thor has posed:
    "Is something amiss?"
    The deep gruff tone of yet another Asgardian is heard, a memorable voice brought forth from the man known as the Thunderer to some, Thor to others. A voice that might well be recognized for in the past he had been seen on various forms of media speaking to some effect. And smiling. For when facing the public it was always good to smile.
    Though in this moment that smile had a hint of curiousity to it, a measure of trepidation, as he stepped up through the crowd to stand over the fallen man who lies there with volleyball nearby. The Asgardian Prince was garbed and ready for a day at the beach for unlike his comrades he has been to a few festivities based around the shore. Which might well explain the blue flip flops, the orange and white surfer shorts, and the loose blue and red Hawaiian shirt that hangs open, revealing the supple contours of the muscular man's athletic physique.
    Though if some were to recognize him, they might well pause when their attention finds that eyepatch. And surely a man like Thor wouldn't be just here. At the beach?
    Then he kneels beside the fallen, "I do believe this man is injured."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The first signal that something is amiss is the absolutely shrill scream that escapes some woman or three not too far from the 'deed'. It's the kind of scream that Sif and Hilde might be aware of, specially when they bring Thor to somewhere public.

The ugly sound of adoring fans.

Because if Thor thought his 'Asgardian bro' look was going to fool anyone then he'd be mistaken. Someone pipes up. "It's Thor!" "Ow Emee Gee, this is getting too hot for me." "Did you see that ball throw? That was totally a Thor move." "Just like he throws that hammer." "It's an axe now!" and so on and so forth.

And they may even spot someone fainting at the sight of him. Or maybe it's just a really hot day at the beach and they didn't have enough fluids! Beer doesn't count.

Hilde takes Sif's arm when it's offered and she gets up to her feet, raising a brow. "Well, look at what the cat dragged in eh?" she says of the Asgardian Prince.

Sif has posed:
It wasn't long before police officers arrived on scene. They were the beach patrol so they were on four-wheelers and they quickly moved to assess the fallen man. Which is of course when the woman who had been mugged helped fill in the blanks. For though the man had been injured, it had been due to him stealing her purse.

Immediately the offers were all smiles and trying to shake hands with Thor. "Great job! Can't wait to tell everyone how a real Avenger took down this thug for us!"

Sif's lips pursed ever so slightly at the standard response that seemed to happen whenever Thor arrived on scene. Though she focused on the man and not the situation for the moment. "Indeed. I hope he has quite the headache later for his trespass. Stealing from defenseless people at the beach." Then she looked over at Hilde and back to the fans, letting out a soft sigh. "This is ever the way. What is the Midgardian phrase?

"Never can we take him outside?"

Thor has posed:
    As the thief starts to rouse, there is Thor standing over him, a slight half-smile upon the Asgardian warrior's lips as he says, "You should be more careful." No idea of what perfidy the other fellow had been up to. Yet of _course_ some of the people nearby laugh.
    A young woman in a one-piece swim suit grins, "Ohmigod that's such a Thor thing to say! Take out that guy and then tell him to be careful."
    An high school couple already have their cellphones out and are recording, one of them saying, "Guys we just saw Thor take out this thief guy with like no effort at all. We didn't even see him and then BAM!"
    While the hot dog vendor nearby offers his own insight, "I was watching the volleyball game and then the woman screamed. I looked over and I see this guy on the ground and then Thor's right there. Hah!"
    Which is when the police rolled up onto the scene even as Thor was shaking his head slightly as he held up a hand, his other holding a cooler under his arm. "No, I have only just arrived..."
    Though that was when a hefty man with glasses steps in front of Thor, "Hey man can I get a quick selfie?" That phone rises up, Thor remembers to smile.
    But soon enough...
    Things just have a way of getting away from him.

Brunnhilde has posed:
Rookie mistake! Accepting to take that first selfie... It means soon enough there's a plethora of beach goers wanting just the same. Surrounding him. Demanding, waving their phones. All the usual jazz when an Avenger tries to go out a bit and decides to fight crime!

Hilde is just watching for the moment, hands on her hips and letting out a tsk, "Is this what's been going on then? Sounds like this isn't the first time it happens.."

Sand gets brushed from her arms and chest and belly, eyes going back to Sif, "I don't know any Midgardian phrases. The only one I know is the Drink, fuck, love." she pauses, frowning. "No, that isn't right. Sleep, pray, drink?" she shakes her head again and then just shrugs.

"Let's go save him. He clearly needs an intervention." in more ways than one. And then she is making her way through the crowd. After having collected THEIR 100 bucks from winning the game of course. She slips it on her bikini top. Because they should invent bikinis with pockets sometimes.

"Excuse us, the Prince is with us. Please give us room." and she has a way of making room with a movement of shoulders that makes some people get pushed off. So rude! Maybe she's eyeing that cooler that promises to have some drinks.

Sif has posed:
"Funny how all your versions have drink in them," Sif teased lightly. Though she then fell into step with her friend, moving through the crowd as tall, muscular women often were able to get to where they wanted to go in a group setting.

"Please, Thor is wanting to have some leisure time on the beach. I am sure you all understand if he would like to do so. Feel free to take pictures of him. At. A. Distance." She made sure those words were super distinct.

She hooked an arm through his to start tugging him away from his adoring fans. "Everytime we go out in public, if feels like," she offers to Hilde. "People wanting to show their love for him. And the authorities believing he is the savior in all criminal activities. Even when someone /else/ does the work." Bitter? Naaaaah.

Thor has posed:
    "Ah, Brunnhilde." Thor says, now seeing them both, "And Sif..."
    He manages to offer that small greeting even as an older woman from Jersey sweeps in and wraps her arms around Thor's shoulders, giving him a hug and flashing up a peace sign while her husband is taking the picture. Though a few others seem inclined to move in, their progress is checked by the arrival of the other Asgardians.
    Which suits Thor just fine. Especially as they manage to fend off the crowd somewhat.
    "Tis good to see you both, I trust I am not too terribly late?" Those words offered with a small smile as he looks between the two of them. And when he espies Hilde eyeballing the cooler he casually tosses it to her underhand, half-grinning at her manner. Then Sif is muscling him off and along the way toward where they had their gear.
    He catches the words Sif murmurs and he tilts his head, "What did I miss?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
Thor seems to know just the way to Hilde's huh ..., heart? Something? Tossing that cooler towards is worth a lot of bonus points. Points she will make sure to put to use soon enough when she's spreading the love of a nice, cool beer under the scorching sun of the beach. "Isn't that his way?" she asks, looking across Thor's solid muscles towards Sif, ".. to steal the Thunder?" oh look, apparently she knows more than one midgard saying!

It's followed by a wink to her friend and she hooks her own arm on the other side of Thor so as for them to drag him out from the oncoming assault of midgardian beachgoers. "These people are vicious. Who knew walking around with barely any clothes on took off inhibitions too." she comments.

And to Thor she finally says, "We were playing some beach volleyball. Sif had never played." she grins, "She's a natural."

Sif has posed:
Sif continued to guide Thor over to the towels that they had laid out earlier, before choosing to try the volleyball court. Well, before they were challenged due to Hilde laughing at the players. But that was just details that were unnecessary to the tale.

"Indeed. It seemed an interesting game though I do not understand why one cannot punch the person on the other side of the net to prohibit them getting to the ball first. It seems that would add more interest to the game for the onlookers. And the participants."

She settled down on her towel, sitting comfortably for now so they could talk more easily even as she looked to see what might be within that cooler. If Hilde let her peek. She was not going to try to reach to take the cooler to look as she liked her limbs attached to her body. "The man who was felled was trying to steal a woman's bag. I was forced to use the volleyball to stop him. They are quite a formidable weapon when propelled with force."

Thor has posed:
    At the thunder comment Thor gives the required snort of mild amusement and partial feigned annoyance even as he shakes his head while walking with them further on the beach, heading toward where they had set up. When they both take his arms he smiles to them, and the trio wander along the sand. And for a moment Thor's smile widens, a hint of warmth in that one good eye.
    "Ah, I've played volleyball before, back at the mansion." He confesses, "You would be surprised at how competitive some of the Avengers can be." A pause... a slight beat, then he adds. "Especially Clint."
    Once they had reached the spread out towels, Thor takes up a place opposite them both, settling on the sand without a towel for himself, at least for the moment. He looks between them, smiling as he draws his knees up slightly, resting his arms upon them. His shirt hangs open and assuredly in the future there will likely be some social media posts about the revelations of particular angles that those Midgardians are viewing and filming the man.
    And no shortage of inquiries in those threads about the 'babes' that are in his company.
    When Sif relates what happened, Thor's lips part. "Ahh, I should have known. Even in recreation she is ever the hero." The Thunderer had turned to Brunnhilde as he said those last words, as if sharing with her a revelation that they both had already known. Almost admonishing her for her heroism, but in a wry friendly way.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The precious cooler is set down between them reverently before it's opened to reveal the beverages inside. And one should never accuse Hilde of not sharing, for the first cool drinks are offered over to both Thor and Sif. (Mostly because she saw there's enough for all of them within)

A beer is finally taken by the Asgardian Valkyrie and she tips the glass bottle to the other Asgardians, "To volleyball with friends then." she toasts, "We will have to go play with these Avengers one day. And Clint..?" she pauses to consider it. "The only one of them that still uses a real weapon." yep, bows are real weapons. "Give him my number, I wouldn't mind taking his bow for a spin." is she for real right now?

She takes one long swig out of her drink. Which means she drinks it all in one go, head tossed back before she exhales, satisfied. "Next time we go for beach football then. Lots of contact there."

Sif has posed:
"Football? The one with the foot or the hands?" For there are two and it is very confusing why a game is called football when they use their hands. "Or Rugby! That seems a fine sport."

At the comment about Clint, Sif has to laugh even as she twists the top off her beer and tosses the cap into the little bag laying nearby to keep their garbage together while they enjoyed their day. "Perhaps Thor should warn this Clint of your interest first. Being human, they are quite breakable. Unless he heals quickly?" Since that is the case with some of them, in her experience. "He may not wish to let you take his ...bow for a spin, after all. Some men are very touchy about who handles their weapons." And there is that smirk still on her face as she glances over to Thor.

Speaking of men and their weapons. "When do I get to wield your new axe?"

Thor has posed:
    Thor accepts the beer given his way, smiling crookedly as he shakes his head toward Valkyrie. "I shall be sure to mention it to him." He offers and then twists the cap off the beer and takes a sip. And with such a proposition given to memory, the Thunderer looks between the two of them.
    Then as Sif offers her insight, the Asgardian Prince gestures with his bottle. "Barton is not one to be dissuaded easily, he can handle himself. If we were to express concern for his well-being in such a... capacity. You can be assured he would. Ahem. Rise to the challenge." Thor half-smirks a little, not unaware of such a thing as innuendo.
    When Sif asks after Stormbreaker he says, "Ah as to that, that you will have to ask it yourself. The Breaker of Storms has accepted me and we are bonded. But it is... not like Mjolnir. It has not been ensorcelled or enchanted in a similar way. It is more... free."
    That said he looks between them, then lifts his chin slightly. "So what inspired this desire to come to the beach on this day?" For a moment he turns his gaze toward Sif and quirks an eyebrow, expecting she might she some insight upon the matter.

Brunnhilde has posed:
"Psheh, you might be right." Hilde takes another beer from the cooler, popping it open with that practiced motion of someone that has done this thousand of times. "I still have to find the first human man that can go the distance. No matter how much they try to rise to the challenge.." a smirk. Oh, she knows well that kind of innuendo. She has lived for a few years amidst mortals in the worst dregs of society. She has heard that .., and a lot more.

"Also, I was talking about the one played with the hands.., but sometimes with the feet too. I admit it's a bit confusing... Like that rugby, yes!" she grins as Sif seems to know that game at least. "Won't have to teach you the rules on that." another drink from the bottle and she lies back on her towel, stretched.

"Sif. You have ONE beer and already asking about wielding his weapon? Shameless!" She teases her friend in that very direct way of hers, letting out another laugh. The question about why they came to the beach goes ignored. She's too busy. Getting a tan.

Sif has posed:
"Tis not the first time I have asked that question," Sif returns to her friend in that suggestive tone. But then she quickly moves past it, glad that after thousands of years she doesn't blush anymore. Because otherwise she might for being called on that one. Better to laugh it off and move on though.

"I will be certain to ask it. I do not wish any disrespect but it seems a magnificent weapon and, if I can actually pick it up, all the better." If it lets her. Which is now going to be a thing she wonders.

She swigs down her beer then adds the bottle to the trash before grabbing another one. "Twas Hilde's idea. To enjoy the warmth of the summer sun and find some leisure. We have been running endlessly for months. Nay, over a year now. We deserved to allow ourselves a moment of respite. All of us do." A pointed look at Thor.

Thor has posed:
    "You are incorrigible." Is Thor's answer to Brunnhilde, half-smiling and lifting his chin as he looks to her. He even goes so far as to look at Sif, quirking an eyebrow over his patch as if to say, 'This gal.' Then shakes his head with such condemnation. Yet he takes a deep breath and turns back toward Sif as his attention returns to her.
    She gives voice to her reasons to wish to 'wield' his weapon, and he nods in agreement. "I cannot say what it will do, Mjolnir has existed for many years, and has been strengthened by the magicks given by mine father and the craftsmen of Nidavellir. Stormbreaker is young. Its legacy has yet to be written."
    That having been settled he listens to Sif's explanation about why the beach on this day. She mentions it was Hilde's idea so he looks to her again. "Aye, I can understand that sentiment." Yet he does not say he shares it as well. Perhaps feeling it best he hold his tongue.

Brunnhilde has posed:
"Maybe we both can wield your weapon, o Thor." Hilde returns after that comment about she being incorrigible. And then some! Not that she seems to care, finishing her beer and setting the bottle aside on the sand. She sits up, hand brushing through her hair, "Though I am busy enough getting reacquainted with Dragonfang for the moment. The blade isn't happy for having spent so long in Amora's clutches.." a roll of her eyes following.

"Can you really understand it?" Hilde joins her pointed look to Sif's, now like a hawk as she looks at their friend, "I know what it is to become overwhelmed with grief of loss, spiraling into nothingness." she says, "Thinking over and over on what we could had done differently." she shakes her head and brings one knee up to her chest, arm wrapping around it.

"It's not something we will let you get drawn into. Even if we have to drag you."

Sif has posed:
"No good comes of such thoughts. We do what we can in the moment and that is that. For good or for ill."

Though Sif knows that Thor has been suffering greatly. They have spoken some, spent some time, yet she has been unable to bring him back. Though he hides it well. And perhaps that was the best course. What was that term? Fake it til you make it. Perhaps she was finally coming to understand it.

"You will arrange for us to face off with your competitive teammates in the Avengers. A sport if they prefer. Or a combat if you think them up to it." A quick change of topic back to lighter things. "Though we must understand the rules first."

She glanced to Hilde. "Rugby does not seem to have them other than keep throwing the ball to your teammates as others try to drag you to the ground." Were there actually rules?!

Thor has posed:
    Curiously, though he is not looking at her, Thor mirrors Brunnhilde's posture somewhat. His head is down and to the side a little, his one-eyed gaze distanced as he brings his knee up and rests his arms around his shin. He still has that scruffy haircut though it's grown out a good bit, yet not enough to come close to what it had been before. And when she offers her insight and tells him their plan, his lip curls up a little just at the corner of his mouth.
    Thor looks up, then between the two of them. That slight curl turns into more of a smile as he says, "Thank you for that kindness. But trust I will be fine." A pause then he adds, "I _am_ fine." A look to Sif, then back to Brunnhilde. "We have grieved before, and we will grieve again. It simply takes me time for I do tend to let my thoughts wander inward. You recall during the war... when we rode the waves on the Barden?"
    The ship that they sailed upon those many years ago, when the Svartalfar first menaced Midgard. Such a time of their youth and so long past. Yet as if to speak its name and conjure it was too much, Thor then says. "But indeed. Rugby..."