16362/Hey, you there

Hey, you there
Date of Scene:	17 November 2023
Location:	Asgardian Embassy
Synopsis:	Alex brings a letter for Sif and runs into the Valkyrie.
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Brunnhilde

---

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Whenever there was to be a sojourn to Olympus, there were many... many ducks to be put in a row. A message to the Asgardians was one such duck. And it was a reasonably sized one as well.
    This time this duck, however, was in the form of a letter that was tucked somewhere in the backpack that was slung over the young man's shoulder who was walking down the street. At least the embassy was convenient. Only a few blocks away from the Subway station, a place where the young Olympian known as Alexander Aaron had been only a handful of times before. But it was easy to find.
    Turning into the gated area, past the wrought-iron entryway, he started down the small walk toward the front door with the guards on duty. He paused and gave a nod, "Good day. I have a message for Lady Sif."
    A pause, likely as the guards conferred briefly and silently. "From Olympus. In a round about way. If that makes any difference..."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The man at the door seems new. Well, new in terms of this post due to how he blinks once when he is so directly addressed. They don't get many visits here you see? At least not from young men. But he doesn't look that young. In fact the beard on his face is telling of an hard life, a blend of a farmer's life and the way of the sword visible in the callouses in his hands. The man speaks in clear English though, because Asgardians do it just liek that, "And who might you be?" he asks.

The mention of Olympus does make them a touch suspicious. Rival Gods and all that but eventually the guard speaks up again, once Alexander introduces himself, "We can at least have you wait inside and away from the cold."

Is he saying Olympians can't stand the puny Midgard winter? He sounded too innocent for that. Regardless, he starts leading Alex inside.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Alexander. Alexander Aaron," He answers simply, those pale hazel eyes holding the gaze with no hint of hesitation, no reserved manner. The Olympian just seems so entirely earnest and yet at ease as he murmurs, "That's a kindness, thank you. I am so terribly delicate."
    As he says that he does accept the offer to wander inside. And, to be fair, he doesn't _look_ much like an Olympian. He just looks like a blond college-aged man. Perhaps those California Boy Next Door good looks might be a positive, but his shaggy haircut and rough beard make him look more like a slacker. At least today on a day off.
    Once inside he lets his backpack fall as he unzips it, starting to go through it even before he's brought to a suitable waiting room. After a few moments he recovers a small envelope and now carries it openly, tapping it lightly against his hip as he strolls.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The man pauses, looking at Alex before grunting. "I didn't mean it that way." then he shrugging. If the man wants to call himself delicate so be it. He starts walking through a few hallways, large yet spartan, very much in the Asgardian way. The more they walk the more the sound of metal hitting metal is heard and it's when they are going through a large door that a voice is heard.

"Oi! Gardar!" A familiar voice. Or at least maybe. Not that her bold tone is easily forgettable, nor is her proud bearing and the long blonde hair of the Valkyrie. The woman has a blade in hand and is pointing towards the other Asgardian, "I need you to.--"

Pause as she notices Alex. "Ah, I see you brought offerings." She grinning amusedly, "You there.." and now she is talking to Alex, "Come here, for I wish to test something. And you would be ideal for it."

Gardar just looks at Hilde, then back at Alex. All he offers him is a shrug. So much for male comraderie.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A return shrug was given and Alexander's smile was warm as he turned to look upon Brunnhilde. "You there. That was my name in school, no fair of you bringing up bad memories." As he says this he walks forward, holding his backpack in one hand and the envelope in the other.
    "Before we play, I'd appreciate if you could give this to someone who will get it to Lady Sif? It's from my father." As he says that he does take a moment to look around his surroundings, gaze drifting back and forth, left and right. He didn't fit in with the area's theme it seemed, on two levels. On the Asgardian level he was much more informally dressed than most of the ones he had passed in the hall since he was wearing jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, and a grey hoodie. But also the embassy is _nice_, it almost gives the feeling like one should dress up. And wear a hat.
    "But what's up?" He asks the Valkyr.

Brunnhilde has posed:
The Valkyrie makes a face when Alexander seems to mistake her for some kind of messenger girl, eyeing him up and down. "Bold." she snorts his way before her lips curl into a smirk. "But fair after what we pulled on you." she reaches to take the letter.

The Asgardian is dressed in combat attire, a tight vest covering the top of her body, a pair of slim pants and boots, hair in a long braid that's curled around her head like a crown. She puts the letter away.

"I am testing a new blade. The steel seems off." She tells the young Olympian even as she picks up a sharp, long blade from the side. She looks down the blade, deftly moving it between fingertips before eventually tossing it towards Alex for him to pick up, "Your opinion on it. And a test of the quality."

The kind of test in question seems to become clear when she picks up another blade from the pile. As sharp as the other.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Letter presented, secured, distributed. His obligation is done on that front.
    Then...
    Sword hurtled across the distance, he catches it lightly, though in reverse grip, holding the long blade against his forearm briefly... before bringing it back around and holding the weapon point forward. The flat of his free hand rests against the side of the blade, then he shifts his grip, using his index finger to support the weapon at the precise position of balance two inches from the guard.
    Eyebrows rise as he considers and then lightly 'plinks' the weapon with one finger and he says, "It seems well put together, though the balance is a little far forward for my taste. But then you guys did like to do a lot of chopping with your swords."
    She hefts her own blade and he starts to walk out into the cleared courtyard area. "So kind of you to give me the honor of testing it." His lip curls a little, sometimes his comments might seem as if they are things akin to the words of the Trickster. Though his smile at the least steals some of their sting.
    "What in your opinion feels ill about it?"

Brunnhilde has posed:
The Valkyrie prowls over towards the more open courtyard, almost like wolf tasting the blood of prey in the air. Blue eyes skirt over Alex, studying the manner in which he looks over the blade and tests it, already looking for those openings in his stance. As for her own? She gives little away, spinning her own blade between fingers for a few as if testing the balance, "It's not a blade made for delicate wrists." this said in way of agreement to Alexander's assessment.

The kindness of having Alex test the blade has Hilde open her arms to her sides, "Am I not a generous host?" she asks. Rhetorically. Maybe. Who knows with these Asgardians, always looking for praise.

"And that is what you will tell me. I do not wish to bias your opinion of the blade with my own knowledge." It's also when she chooses to strike, moving as fast as a viper, a wolf lunging with a mid-swipe aimed at Alexander's belly.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As she spoke she could see the corner of his mouth twisting up despite his better wishes. Even as he tried to affect a wary squint-eyed admonishing look in her direction he couldn't help but accept that subtle and not so subtle admonishment. She slashed her blade to the side as she proclaimed her generosiity which got him to chortle.
    Then she brought the blade forward and instantly quick she was on him, that blade's point slashing forward, and only barely slipped to the side with the abrupt ring of steel upon steel. A short sharp parry, then a stop-thrust instantly, forcing her onto her back foot. The first two notes of their small impromptu symphony as he smiles.
    "So how have you been since we last spoke? It was quite a party."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The blades ring with that practiced back and forth of two blade masters who have spent much of their lives honing their skill. Hilde breaks contact with a snort and again circles the courtyard, watching the young man, "Asgardians always have the best parties." she tells him matter-of-fact, "As for how have I have been..." a beat, " ... fought off a hag that was terrorizing the Asgardian countryside. Fell from the skies at terminal velocity when fighting Svartalfar. Drank and fucked in honor of our victories until none could no longer stand on their own two legs." Is all of that true? Or any of it? Hard to tell as there is no change in the inflexion of her tone as she describes her life.

Asgardians do enjoy celebrating life after all. And death.

"And you, young son of Ares?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As she went on he maintained that focus, his eerily pale eyes focused as if on the space somewhere behind her. Yet his swordplay was precise, skilled, with a strong back and forth with the Asgardian Valkyr. Yet as she elaborated on what had passed for her she saw that ghost of a smile grow more and more upon his lips, until he shakes his head slightly with a small chuckle even as their blades come together, guards locking briefly...
    They both push off at the same moment and get two paces apart, swords still raised and held at the ready. Which is the moment he replies, "All well and worthy goals and experiences." And that is all he says about her exploits before he elaborates on his own efforts.
    It's when he steps in, testing her high quatre guard, alternating angles of attack as he presses her for a brief moment, that he gives her insight into his own life. "Dealing with someone coming after my father a bit, trying to track it down. Living life with my significant other. Gearing up to visit Mount Olympus."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The tall, powerful valkyr is like a force of nature, motions unnaturally fast, skill with a blade nearly unmatched, the 'dance' they set themselves in she doing so perfectly.

And with little regards for her safety.

It's almost as if she's daring the young man to take the attempt at hitting her with the blade, for a micro-second she leaving something exposed. Either a flank, or a shoulder. Is she testing him? Still, she moves with unparalleled grace, the long braid of her hair swishing about wildly as blade spins to meet Alexander's various angles of attack, "Someone coming after Ares?" She lets out a laugh at that, "Sounds like a worthy challenge." a glimmer to her eyes at that. Did she wish she had been the one to remember that?

"What are you hoping to find on Mount Olympus?" she strikes the young man's blade forcefully to the side and rushes in suddenly for a shoulder strike.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Guilt." Alexander answers her question with just the one word, smiling as his sword slips forward, the momentum redirected as he steps to the side, looking almost as if it was angled to impale the valkyrie upon her own charge. Only his wrist eases slightly and she's able to drive in past his guard, landing a strong /thud/ of her shoulder into his chest. It's a good firm hit, though she can feel the impact, it's not as strong as she might have hoped.
    For he was already rolling with it, trading space and distance to ease the strength of the blow. It's enough that he hits the ground but rolls back and to a kneeling posture almost instantly, bladespoint flicking up back in line with her.
    "It turns out that when you're trying to find someone who might have a grief with my father, that there are no shortage of people who feel they've been... misused."
    He gets back to his feet and says simply, "In any case, only fault with this blade I can find is that it's not quite how I'd prefer it. For big clumsy Asgardians?" He tilts his head and half-smiles, "It's perfect."

Brunnhilde has posed:
"All those with greatness in their blood are bound to have caused grief in their life. Specially those who live eternal." The Valkyr remains standing even as Alexander rolls with the blow to end in that kneeling posture, blade to her side and her blue gaze steadily on him, "It has eluded me all this time. Matching blades with him." this said as if she still believes it will happen.

And soon!

"Excellent. A perfect blade for Thor." She retorts with a smirk, lunging forward right after Alex gets up to his feet, blade swift as she cuts through the air in precise motions, angled strikes. And a mirror to the sequence he attempted on her moments ago, the copy of those movements done to the detail.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "That seems rather true," Alexander says as he pushes himself up to his feet, the swordspoint easing into line once again. She steps forward and their swords nearly match, then she advances lunging forward as he barks a laugh at her wry comment about the Thunderer.
    But then she copies his motions of only moments ago, creating the same resonant 'tink-ting-ting-tating' of their blades plinking off of each other with that precise sequence. He chuffs an exhalation of breath that might be another laugh if he wasn't shaking his head.
    He quickly steps in, then spins past, sword coming back up. Once they're both in line with each other he replicates those strikes once again, the third stanza, only this time the metal sounds an octave higher striking with that subtly varied power. He steps back and then asks...
    "Would you like to play at sport with him some? I could perhaps arrange it."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The blade exchange is done in quick, precise manners. And the Valkyrie doesn't seem to be breaking a sweat yet. Or even breathing all that quicker. Maybe she is the 'I can do this all day' type. Which really wouldn't be far from the truth most likely.

Blades resonate and create a rather particular symphony of their own that only those that have mastered the blade can interpret. Yet as quickly as it came so does it end, the woman lowering her blade, "Play at sport?" the arched brow is telling of what she thinks of the choice of words from the young Alex. But then she chuckles, "You have curious ways of calling things. But very well, I could, yes." she then nodding at the blade.

"Keep it. Might give you a new perspective on things." Is she talking about his trip to Mount Olympus, or something else?

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You're too kind," He says instantly, though not that turn of phrase meant facetiously, instead there is sincerity to those words even as he takes a look upon the sword again, gliding the palm of his hand along the flat of the blade. His smile is warm whe he looks back up at her, a smile that brightens his features and steals that eerie look in those eyes away. "Oh those words..."
    His lips part as if about to offer an explanation, then he tilts his head to the side and murmurs, "It's... something I picked up in part from how my family speaks at times. It's what I've heard some say when they mean... a duel, or a brawl."
    Again his eyes lower to the sword and he smiles a little, "Think it has something to do with the Olympics."

Brunnhilde has posed:
"They don't like being direct about it, do they?" Hilde muses before her shoulders rise in a shrug, she padding towards a large pile and tossing the blade over to join the others in a careless manner, "Not like Asgardians, at least." which is very much a lie. She does enjoy her cunning ways but it's so much better to pass as a dumb Asgardian most of the times. And amusing too.

She folds her arms, turning to regard Alex again, "A duel it is then. Make it happen." a smirk to her lips, "Just make sure to return alive from Olympus. Guilt often carries a heavy toll for one to find. Though if you -do- fall who knows?"

A eery light coming to her eyes, "Perhaps I will see you in the Afterlife, mmm? Valhalla is ever in the need of worthy warriors."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Maybe Elysium allows visitation rites." Alexander answers with a smile as he tucks the sword under his arm, tilting his head to the side as he considers the surrounding courtyard and likely looking for the scabbard. It doesn't take him long to espy one settled on the table where several other newly crafted weapons are set out. He points at it as he walks over toward it, quirking an eyebrow in her direction. Just a silent question to her as if asking if that's this blade's housing. And if not if he can use it.
    Unless she seems to object he'll walk over there and sheath the weapon. "I'll tell my father though, I think he'd enjoy it." Then his brow knits and he points at her, "Though seriously, don't sleep with him." He shakes his head and shivers slightly.
    "Or if you do don't say anything about it. I prefer to imagine my father has never had sex and that I sprung from his brow like Athena from Zeus."

Brunnhilde has posed:
The chinjerk given by Hilde seems to imply there is no right or wrong answer where it comes to a scabbard for Alex to pick, blue eyes following him as he gets the blade sheathed once more. The talk of Elysium just makes her chuckle but she doesn't comment before sharply nodding about telling father about the meet.

Which evolves into a bark of a laugh at those last words. "Ah young Alexander. I will let you in on an Asgardian secret." a beat, "You can never say such a thing to an Asgardian and expect them to follow through. We ..., like to defy expectations. And a challenge." wait, was that a challenge? "I will make sure to properly ride your good father once I am done beating him with a blade." it said with a steady, even voice that it sounds true. Almost. There's a twinge of a light to her gaze that tells she may be jostling Alex's chain. Just maybe.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "See, you think I'm kidding..." Alex says as that blade slides home and he tucks it once again under his arm, though now with less chance of casual accidental bodily harm. "But I am totally not. If it happens, and I hear about it, we are going to have soooo many words."
    Though that wry smile on his lips is twisted crookedly, perhaps making light, perhaps not. But he does bite his lower lip and points at her while raising his eyebrows oh so threateningly. That done, however, he turns and says, "Are you ok getting that letter to Sif? If not I can go hassle someone else." He starts to back toward the door, grabbing his hoodie from where he left it and slinging it over his shoulder.

Brunnhilde has posed:
"I am good with words." Hilde so sagely replies back at Alex with the kind of solemn nod that is jarring to how explosive she was just a moment ago during their spar, "So anytime you want." she winking back at him, then glancing over her shoulder at the letter.

"I just hope it's not some sort of love letter. I am not the type to bring that kind of correspondence around." a roll of her eyes, "Just ask that guy ...., Cupid, isn't it?", a beat, "But sure, it will find it's way to it's destiny." she assures the young Olympian.

"I will be waiting to hear from you!" she calls to the departing Alex before she goes back to the pile of blades and brings out another one, the ring of metal on metal resounding through the yard.