2315/The Disappearing Troll

The Disappearing Troll
Date of Scene:	03 July 2020
Location:	Upper East Side
Synopsis:	Sara's questions to Thor about the recent invasion of goblins are answered.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Sara Pezzini

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Thor has posed:
    For the people who run The Coffee Bean on the Upper East Side, this time of day makes or breaks them as a business. Not that it happens every day, and not that it is a thing that they can entirely count on. But it happens often enough that the little bistro has become known as one of the places in the city where one can reliably see an Avenger. Or even meet one fairly regularly. Sometimes one of them will wander out wearing their baseball cap and glasses, trying to be subtle. Other times some will just show up without any hesitation nor hint at hiding who they are.
    And The Coffee Bean banks on it.
    There's merchandise for the Avengers on the wall, signed autographs, video snippets on a monitor. All of it a rather fine thing for them. And today, as the hours of the morning grows long, people are in that shop and waiting.
    Which might explain why someone like Sara Pezzini might be there and perhaps ready to intercept the Avenger on his way over there. For it's on the street outside the gate of the Avenger's mansion that his presence is first realized. At a glance he would seem normal. Tall assuredly, with thick blond hair tied back in a pony tail.
    But then one can see how the people around him are reacting even as he smiles pleasantly to those who greet him. Yet he stands there, waiting for the light to change. Just like a normal person.
    Madness.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Pezzini is not a fan for a lot of reasons. New Yorkers are rough on their heroes and don't love the hype. They consider themselves egalitarian to the bone. This barely scratches the surface for the woman detective, homicide, no less, at her tender age.

Going uptown has her relatively dressed up, a well-fitted black jacket over stovepipe pants and a turquoise silk t-shirt with matching Converse shoes. She can trump the other 'fans' that hang out giving the coffee shop much needed trade, she carries a badge. Whether that will allow her to cut the line will remain to be seen. Luck is on her side, she catches the big man before the light turns green.

"Sir, Thor," she says, looking up at him, standing a little closer than the normal person waiting for a light. "I'm Detective Pezzini from NYPD. Can I have a moment of your time for some questions?"

Thor has posed:
    She easily gains his attention and at first Thor is smiling, likely thinking she is inclined to ask for an autograph or something along those lines. But then she introduces herself and his features somber a little as he nods. "I bid you greetings, Detective."
    The light changes and people start to walk, but it is perhaps a testament to the man that he does not join the mass. Instead he stays there standing and instead continues the conversation. "Of course, I am at your disposal." He looks around at their surroundings, the coffee shop where some people are watching with bated breath. But then he uncurls a hand to the side indicating they should move down the sidewalk. "Walk with me, and in due time your questions shall be answered."
    That said if Sara glances in the direction of the coffee shop she will see /so/ many disappointed faces. But that doesn't stop Thor who walks along with a gait that might speak as if he had not a care in the world.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara is braced for pushback. Most famous people couldn't be bothered with the likes of her, warding her off with the 'I'm busy' card or talk to my legal representative with a firm whose card would make most of NYPD roll their eyes and get obstinate. She takes a step back and nods, hoping to hell that he didn't see that moment her eyes widened. Moving interviews have advantages and disadvantages.

"I was going to say, maybe we could go someplace we can talk. But it looks like you've got a lot of people waiting for you across the street. Where could we duck your fans?" She indicates the coffee shop with a thumb, never taking her eyes off of the man who looks much better in person than on television. The aura that emanates from him comes across on the screen but up close it is magnified.

Thor has posed:
    And this up close the way he smiles, the openness of his expression, it's a thing most people believe is saved for the camera. But no, this is simply how he is. So Thor tilts his head to her and says, "Well, if you are not adverse..." He looks to the side, then back to her as he asks, "Are you afraid of heights, Detective Pezzini?"
    And as he asks that he extends a hand out toward the side. Distantly. Fairly distantly she might hear the slightest sound of shattering glass.
    Then silence as they stand there on the sidewalk.
    A little bit longer.
    "Sorry, it usually doesn't take quite this long."
    And then suddenly from above the hedgerow fence that surrounds the Avenger's mansion, Mjolnir flashes through the air with a low /whom/ and lands in his hand with a whap of impact. He extends a hand toward her.
    "Will the rooftop of yonder building be suitable?" Thor asks even as the hammer begins to spin.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"Well, alright," she manages, eyes narrowed against the dazzle of his open smile. People surge around them, two rocks in the river of people returning to work or out shopping. Sara stands looking up at him, her eyebrows edging into a frown as her eyes shift once looking for the source of the sound that she feels more than hears. The Witchblade pulses on her wrist as though recognizing something as other worldly as it is.

"Jeez," Sara rocks back and shakes her head. Aside from the fact that a hammer just obeyed his call, running back to him like an errant pet, she can feel it or rather the Witchblade does. Unwilling to look overawed by the situation, she nods, "Yeah, right. That rooftop. Let's, um, go."

The spinning hammer is the clue to how. Now, she asks herself whether she has the stomach for this. "Right in front of everybody?"

Thor has posed:
    "Of course, why ever not?" And as he says those words, there is no hesitation, no hint of trepidation. One large arm encircles her and pulls her close rather abruptly. And suddenly that whirring grows louder, a rush of wind from the swirl of that hammer as it slices through the air, and then he hurls it forward with one sweep of his arm...
    Instantly they are in the air. Pulled forth and up, not quite flying. More like a looooong leap into the sky, arcing over the street, over several buildings, and then alighting with a soft thap-thap of his boots then his arm releasing and relaxing to let her draw free.
    Until there they are, upon the roof, with the gravel underfoot, a cage of pigeons nearby... and an industrial air conditioner unit that seems to be working overtime.
    "Here we are, I trust this will serve, Detective?"

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Up close and in the air, Sara, busy trying to see the street from the sudden vantage point of a pigeon, forgets to panic over whether he will drop her. When it does occur to her they are already descending to the roof, the muscular arm around her not quivering once. She is aware of him smelling like freshly washed cotton, warm masculine skin and manna. It is likely the first time outside of church she has ever thought of the word but it fits.

She takes two steps back and then turns in place looking at the wheezing air conditioning system, the caged pigeons which generates a question and searching for a place to sit. Taking notes standing is doable but she'd rather sit. Someone else likes to sit up on the roof, so she heads for the chairs and table near the pigeon coop.

"Yeah, this will work. Mind if I sit?"

Thor has posed:
    "Be at your leisure," Thor says with a wave of his hand in that same accented tone though perhaps a touch softer than his usual public speaking voice. As for him he walks over and perhaps having no idea what it is he chooses to sit on, he thumps down upon the edge of that air conditioner, causing it to creak faintly. The hammer, however, is set to rest upon the gravel rooftop, leaving an indentation in the surface of those tiles.
    "Now to what is it you would speak to me about?" A glance is given back toward the mansion, then to her. "Something regarding the embassy? The festivities? I thought we had followed all needed laws."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"My leisure. Right," she snorts softly to herself and takes a chair, orienting it toward the man, the god. The whatever. Silent laughter tickles her like someone breathing on the back of her neck; the Witchblade normally quiet on her wrist is awake to this man. A slight breeze ruffles her dark hair as she seats herself and pulls out a small notebook and a pen.

"Oh, we heard about that over in my precinct lots of chatter over the radio but no big complaints. No, this is another thing that you might be able to help us with. First, thank you for your time, sir. Should I call you Thor or do you have another way you'd like to be addressed?"

Thor has posed:
    Strong arms fold across his broad chest as he watches her with those calm blue eyes. He smiles easily again and offers a nod, "Thor is acceptable." For truly what other Thor could there be? But he shifts his weight a little, causing that industrial air conditioner to creak again with the change of posture.
    For a moment his eyes drift to take in the entirety of the woman before him, gaze wandering along her clothing, that interesting bracelet, her features. But he seems entirely at ease with whatever is passing in the moment.
    "I am glad that we did not cause o'er too much disruption to that night. In truth..." His smile broadens eyes narrowing to slits in a heart-warming way, "It was quite the celebration."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
A quick smile flashes across her wide mouth, warming the neutral expression, making her look younger than her age. "So, I heard. I hear the Avengers know how to party. Well, considering what you all have done for New York and the world, people shouldn't be too heavy on the ordinances, right?"

His inspection earns one from her, here is where she acts older than her years. She doesn't pretend shyness that she doesn't feel, she knows how fit she is and how well she can defend herself. Leave it to other people to underestimate her. Besides, Thor is very easy on the eye.

"So, have you all been busy lately besides partying? Maybe had a run in with someone?"

Thor has posed:
    She has all of Thor's attention, which is considerable. He is not one to let his thoughts wander, nor one to check his phone while he's questioned. He simply watches her, listens, and lets his thoughts be guided by her words. Though the roundabout trip they take, might cause a hint of confusion in those eyes as he straightens up a little, brow furrowing.
    "Ah, you mean the... battle with the Juggernaut?" Since indeed that was a thing. "Or do you mean the arrival of the Angel Sera from the realm of Heven?"
    A pause as he cocks his head the other way, still looking a touch puzzled or unsure. "Perhaps you mean the encounter with Ulik and his minions in Central Park?" For really any of those could fit the bill as far as she describes it.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
The man is not a product of the digital age, nor, she reminds herself of this world. Aware of the formidable attention turned on her, Sara clears her throat and schools herself not to shift nervously under it.

A little eureka chimes in her head as he gives her news that she wasn't aware of: Sera, then adds a piece of information that is most likely classified being in the hands of the Feds, then arrives at what she thinks might be what she is searching for - the Ulik. "Ulik? And his minions? That's what it's called?" She deliberately doesn't add what she might know.

Thor has posed:
    "Aye," He says at first and lets that single syllable hang there as if that was all that needed to be answered. Yet as the moment drifts on and his blue eyes hold hers his lip twists and he considers perhaps a more elaborate answer.
    "Of late there have been... surges in the power that is created by powerful methods of travel such as the Bifrost. Great bridges between realms shared." Another thing she likely may have to follow up on. He takes a deep breath and then uncurls a hand from one bicep as he gestures for her to accept his words. "Some time ago," As time tends to blur a bit for Thor now and again, "I was made aware that there was another power surge, I left with mine comrade, Colonel Rhodes. We leapt into action to find the source of this signal. When we came upon it we found madness. Ulik, the troll chieftain who raids upon the lands of Asgard like some great plague, he had somehow made the crossing to your realm."
    Straightening up he frowns then continues, "Him and his goblin raiders set upon the good people of Manhattan and it was only due to the efforts of some fine heroes that nobody was slain. Eventually we gathered our might and repelled him, his minions fallen and with him captured I took him to Asgard where he languishes even now in the depths of our dungeons."
    There, he gives a single nod. That should cover it.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
It is, in fact, a lot to take in. Rainbow bridges between worlds being exponentially more dangerous than hoodlums jumping subway tracks. Valiantly, she follows Thor through the thickets of other worldly. Eyebrows arched in interest, the well-timed nod to encourage him, one tennis show tapping the gravel as if to underline some of his words.

"So the goblins are gone?" She says the word goblins like it might bite, "And, the Ulik is no longer a threat?"

Thor has posed:
    The corner of Thor's mouth curves up slightly, "Ulik will e'er be a threat until he is finally slain, but even then one is never truly sure if he is never to return." The way he speaks of the monstrosity, there's likely a story there. But one he does not elaborate upon. At least for now.
    "But aye, he is imprisoned, held and bound in the depths of Asgard's dungeons. I believe his way to Midgard was achieved purely through chance, as he had no ability to flee or return from whence he came no matter how much he wished to do so." Which was a considerable amount.
    But then Thor turns his head to the side thoughtfully, a hand rubbing at the back of his neck. "Though, upon reflection. I cannot say for sure we accounted for all of the goblins. They are not subtle creatures, I doubt they would have rushed off without being noticed. But it may have been possible."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
After making cryptic notes to herself, Sara looks up the man making a dent in the air conditioning unit. She likes the man, much to her surprise, despite how full of himself he seems at times. There is a lack of apparent guile that makes him seem easy to approach and transparent or so it seems. The detective in her doubts this initial reaction to him.

"There have been some strange things going on in Brooklyn. That's why I'm here. Things sighted in the sewers that might be these, these goblin things. People are real unhappy about it. A manhole cover was found bent in half. So, I was sent to ask if there might be a relation between your fight with this Ulick guy and his minions and what's going on in Brooklyn. See?" See how transparent and easy she is about sharing information she seems while blinking those big baby greens?

Thor has posed:
    Lips parting with a silent 'ah', Thor gives a nod as if he understood, and to be fair he likely does, though perhaps not the full extent of it. Straightening up he hrmmms to himself, looking to the side and then back. "I do not know. It is possible I imagine, I had thought that we had responded quickly enough and that the creatures would not defy their chieftain. But then I have been at times mistaken."
    A half-smile, "Albeit rarely."
    That said he looks to the side and away, "If such has happened it may well be something at the least, something out of the norm and best to handle it with caution. Contact me if you need aid or the like."
    Another nod is given as he considers, "It may be goblins, could be some aught else, for there are many creatures in the world that walk fly or crawl these days."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Going counter to the suspicion that runs deeply in her character, one of the attributes that makes her a good detective, Sara shares another piece of information with him. "Vampires."

She nods slowly and emphatically. "I wish I wasn't saying that word. It's not one my captain loves to hear as a possible point for investigation. We've been having a lot of strangeness in the 11th recently. Maybe they are the ones bending manhole covers. Can goblins do that?"

Thor has posed:
    At the mention of vampires Thor just nods along with her, clearly unphased by that revelation as if he had encountered such before. Yet it is the latter question he focuses on asking as to the capabilities of Goblins. He tilts his head one way, then the other, then back as he murmurs. "It would depend on the goblin you see."
    Thor uncurls a hand toward her, "They are creatures that come in many shapes and sizes, a sort of catch all term perhaps for smallish angry monstrosities that embody the... darker aspects of existence. They are creatures that inflict pain for its own sake, kill on a whim, laugh at misery..." A pause then he adds, "I shall not go on."
    For likely there are worse things they may be known for.
    However, Thor then murmurs. "Whomever you have investigating such, make sure they are cautious and please contact me if you need aid."

Sara Pezzini has posed:
Sara keeps the eye roll to herself. The day the captain of her unit invites an Avenger into an investigation will most likely be the day that he bumps her up two, no, three pay grades. Unlikely.

Goblin. The Witchblade manifestly does not like the word because it seems to tighten around her wrist. Her left hand covers the blood red stone, twisting and worrying at the bracelet as though her arm pains her.

"In other words, they come in all shapes and sizes and are very bad news. The vampires don't seem much better. My department wouldn't likely contact you officially."

She pulls a card from the back of the notebook, holding it between two fingers. "But, I'm going to leave my name and number. How can I get in touch with you, Thor?"

Thor has posed:
    As the Asgardian gains his feet he extends a hand and instantly the hammer leaps into his palm with a low /whum/. He holds it light in one hand and spins it around once as he smiles to her then accepts the card. "You seemed to find me well enough today? And you know where I live."
    That grin spreads over his face as he takes a few steps over towards the edge of the building. A glance down is made and then he turns to ask of her, "Would you care for a lift back down to the ground or can you handle it from here?"
    Because for now, apparently, the interview is at an end.

Sara Pezzini has posed:
"Handle it from here? What, I can fly now?" The accent of Brooklyn thrums through the question as she returns his smile.

"I will take a lift, if you don't mind but maybe put me down someplace a little more discreet. Please," she eyes the hammer and the man then reminds herself what she shares her life with now.