2897/Mead and Cupcakes!

Mead and Cupcakes!
Date of Scene:	13 August 2020
Location:	Asgardian Embassy
Synopsis:	Heidi celebrates surviving another year while her friends cheer her on.
Cast of Characters:	Heidi Ingerdottir, Sera, Thor, Cassandra Cain, Chizue Nakamura, Jessica Drew, Kaminari, Sally Houki

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Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Originally, Heidi wasn't planning a party. For about two seconds she thought, maybe, she'd make a batch of cupcakes and she'd just hang out at Sally's house and enjoy her time there. But she started making the cupcakes and two seconds later she'd already started planning on how she could throw a party for herself /and/ get everyone to try her cupcakes. While the Asgardian Mead infused ones were still in a state of experimentation, they were thrown in with the vast quantity of ones she had brought to the embassy. After all, why have an embassy if you couldn't use it to foster goodwill between cultures and have excuses to party.

Most of it had been organized by Heidi herself because she had ideas for what she wanted. There was food (mostly cupcakes) and drink (mostly mead) but enough of other food and beverages that anyone who came would be able to enjoy. There was some casual lute music in the background as Heidi had discovered that there were actual residents of New York that knew how to properly accompany written poetry. She may or may not have written anything. It depends on how drunk she gets. Eagerly, she waits near the entrance so that if people show up they can get the most ridiculously cheerful greeting ever.

Sera has posed:
Asgardians are the closest thing to home that isn't home that she's got. So she's been making friends with them. Well, trying. There are some big culture gaps. But she's fond of Thor's easy manner and is still weirded out that he's the son of Odin. But, a party - well that's something Angels and Asgardians certainly agree upon. Sera looked up birthdays. There seemed to be a few odd rituals but she figured she'd wing it. Pun intended.

Entering the embassy she smiles as she sees Heidi. She's holding a case for her lute in one hand and a gift wrapped up in the other. Upon hearing lute music she blinks a few times and peers past Heidi and then back to her, "I brought my lute. I guess great minds think alike. Also, as is the Midgard custom on a birthday party, I have brought you a gift. It is wrapped so as to remain a surprise for as long as you wish it too."

She offers a small box to Heidi, black wrapping paper, black tape. Within, a strange shivering black leaf pierced with a silver necklace - a necklace! "But I'm terrible with suspense, it's a leaf from a tree of necromancy that was barfed up by a sorcerer in my basement."

Thor has posed:
    If ever there were two who had enjoyed Heidi's baking, then the two guards who stand at the ready during the day for the embassy, Bjorn and Bjarke, both had expressed great positive feelings for her efforts. So it is no surprise that they are amongst the crowd while people in the stately reception room mingle and move about.
    The Valkyrie in training has matters well in hand, with the festivities underway. Her presence a beacon that draws people forth and each greeting she gives luminescent. Yet it may surprise her to see Thor arriving from without than within, stepping through those great double doors into the foyer with another at his side. His smile blossoms.
    "Ah, Heidi. Even on your day of celebration you stand duty. Admirable." He steps to the side and gestures with one hand to the woman accompanying him, "I thought it fitting that I extend invitation to Lady Drew, for if you recall..." He turns back with a warm smile spreading.
    "It is through her that we first met, although we had spent such time on Midgard our paths had not crossed." That said he will step forward, giving them room as he moves in...
    Then grins and waves in Sera's direction once he catches sight of her.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
The person who arrives next is unforthcoming. By far, really, though the fact that she's from China is obvious in her mode of dress. A chinese shirt, chinese lettering upon it, shows that she is dressed well in a celebratory red. Female, short'ish compared to those who've already arrived, but the walk speaks of warrior.

Unfortunately, there's not a lot else to say. She has nothing in her hands, her mouth is empty of words, and she steps into the doorway as if uncertain where she is. It could be true. Mortals in this doorway are likely to be a bit...confused.

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    Usually when courtly orders came down it involved cutting some dude's still beating heart of their chest, which is dramatically better than actual social interaction as far as Owari is concerned. Yet orders are orders, and so she comes. Arriving as a Ninja ought to, which is to say not through the door but absolutely on time. Stepping out of the shadows with an audible single -clack- of those tall single toothed wooden geta, before coming to a pause. Slowly lowering her Umbrella, and lifting a gloved hand to pluck that broad brimmed straw hat from atop her head.

    The dull brown and black lacquer Tanuki mask hiding her face has clearly seen better days, bearing no small amount of burn marks and the odd slash that's cut through it's surface. Her Kimono is in good shape at least, cast in a deep dark blue and Decorated only with a Golden circle containing three bright blue Diamonds. This being Owari, theres's of course a pair of swords thrust through her Obi.

    Anywho she delicately hoists a rectangular (sword box), decorated with bright yellow and white floral silk onto one shoulder as she takes a glance about. "I apologize, I received notice only at the last moment. I do hope I haven't arrived at a poor time?"Masked face tilting to one side as she unshoulders that gift, and looks for a place to deposit it.

Jessica Drew has posed:
Any excuse for a cupcake or Asgardian mead, the latter being very heady stuff even with genetic enhancements brought about by naive scientific parents. Thor's invite came as a delightful surprise, no need to appoint herself as a representative of SHIELD; Jessica could be more or less official. His heads up gave her enough time to find a present, unaware that Midgardian customs like birthday presents didn't exist in Asgard.

Much more than the cupcakes, the young agent is happy to renew her friendship with Valkyrie. It has been months since their last adventures in Central Park.

Dwarfed behind Thor's Asgardian majesty in the doorway, she grins at the title he gives her. The grin widens on seeing Heidi greeting guests.

"Happy birthday, Heidi Ingerdottir!"

Kaminari has posed:
Despite the Japanese propensity for punctuality Kaminari is seldom 'on time'. It helps with the mystique when one never knows if she is actually going to show up or not and she also loves to make an entrance.

She would not dream of missing her friend, and favorite bodyguard, Heidi's birthday though. And so it is that the doors to the Asgardian Embassy are blown open by a gust of wind and there is a crack of thunder despite an otherwise clear weather day. Thor would have sensed her long before she arrived, the gathering weather magic and familiar divine presence.

When she actually becomes visible her attire is far from courtly splendor, she is more dressed for a festival in a happi coat and fundoshi, like she has declared today to be Heidi Matsuri. Her long white hair streams behind her in a conjured wind, what looks to be a massive bottle of Japanese rice wine as big as Thor carried over one shoulder as if it were weightless, while in her other hand is a long rectangular silk wrapped box, no doubt some manner of present. "Happy Birthday Heidi!" she declares, her powers over noise causing the words to boom for all to hear, "May all celebrate this festival in your honor!"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"HAIL, WELL MET, AND WELCOME FRIENDS!"

It's basically impossible not to hear Heidi's very energetic greeting from just inside the door. She beams in Sera's direction, especially at the lute. "I am certain they will step aside and allow you to play or face my wrath. It is a very nice gift to have someone play you a song and this is certainly a very exciting occasion." After all, this isn't something that she's experienced before... a Midgardian birthday? Surely a strange first experience for anyone, even with having over twelve-hundred years. "I am pleased to have the rejected leaf of a terrible person, it is an honor." She's not at all sounding like she's offended. That's just how it is. It's a gift. She likes it.

If anything, Thor's presence is both welcome and nerve-wracking. While it's not hero worship, it's certainly the experience of one individual greatly respecting the other and being /incredibly/ embarrassed when attention is called to it. She beams proudly at Thor. "Ah, it is good you invited her! It will be good to--FRIEND JESSICA." She doesn't finish the sentence as she spots Jessica as she enters, beaming proudly. "You honor me with your presence. It has been some time!"

It's Kami's display that catches her attention next, though, and she claps in excitement. "I honestly hadn't expected any of this." While she's not in possession of any mystical power over noise herself, she's got a good strong voice. "PLEASE ENTER FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE BOUNTY OF ASGARD THAT I HAVE MADE IN SALLY'S KITCHEN THANK YOU SALLY." She then proceeds to grab a cupcake and thrust it in the general direction of Cassandra. It's the bounty of Asgard!

Sally Houki has posed:
"Hi, Kami!"

Sally has been here, yes, and while she's present here in the embassy alongside Heidi, she has been a sort of wall flower. Kaminari's arrival is enough to make her wave enthusiastically at her, a thing she simply can not resist doing.

Hair adorned with pink bows and done up in pigtails and an equally pink dress, she is not actually all *that* easy to miss, even if she had been shying away from too much attention. Still, she's returning to lurking a bit, near enough to Heidi that her presence is notable, but she's just sort of wide-eyeing at all the varied people who are arriving to give Heidi their well wishes. Especially Thor. Sorry, Kami. You might be her best client and friend, but that's /Thor/ over there.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
A shuffling to one side suggests that one of the newcomers hasn't a clue what's going on. So when she finds the hostess planting a cupcake into her hands, she sidesteps. And finds the cupcake there nonetheless. Her eyes widen, and she looks up at the lady of the evening. And slowly nods in response to the event, the Asgardian Pastry clearly more than she was expecting to have this evening.

She flicks her eyes about, taking in newcomers, but only for instants. Sally arriving, she's glad she's out of the way? It seems so. And yet, she kind of smiles at the way the youth is acting. There's something endearing in her eyes, for a moment.

Then she takes a nibble of the pastry and starts to cough, eyes dilating.

Thor has posed:
    With that greeting given, introduction made, Thor is quick to vacate from the foyer for the arrival of the many others who appear. It is a veritable cavalcade of the courageous and the curious with the beings of such myriad power taking the time to celebrate the time of Heidi's survival for another year. Though it is not common for Asgardians to celebrate such, those that have come to Midgard seem to have adopted the custom...
    And it is a rare thing for Asgardians to deny any reason to celebrate.
    So with Jessica now before Heidi, friendship rekindled... it's clear that the Odinson's smile is a warm genuine thing. He walks across the ballroom floor, meeting and speaking to those that offer him greeting. Dressed not in any true formal manner, more at ease for today is Heidi's place of prominence. Instead he wears but black slacks and a grey collarless shirt that hugs the contours of his strong frame. His hair is tied back, his beard neatly trimmed. A handsome silhouette in passing as he heads towards...
    The large kegs of mead of course. Cupcakes? Perhaps later.
    It's his turn to lift his voice, smiling in Sally's direction when he catches her glance and lifts a hand in greeting. "Now, who shall drink with me? Our first five toasts must be on the many fine qualities of Heidi Ingersdottir."
    And with that he /smacks/ the side of the spigot letting a steady stream of mead fall into a flagon he had taken up. Filled. And suddenly he is handing them out.

Sera has posed:
Glomp. Cupcake gone. Nom. Very gone. Much eat.

Sera winks to Thor and says loudly, "THOR!" Hah, well, she can't help herself sometimes. She grins to Heidi and says, "I can teach them a thing or two." The sudden change in weather causes her to reflexively draw magical energy to her eyes. She turns to look to Kaminari's arrival, her eyes glowing brightly and then she relaxes - nope, not a random magical attack but another guest to the 'birthday party'. She sets her lute down near the other players.

Sera joins Thor at the kegs of mead, offering a hipbump to the tall blonde. "Ladies first." Yes, she will totally drink with Thor. She lets out a small song and holds out her hand toward a flagon. It wibbles and then flies to her hand. Upgrades. She fills it with the mead and then lifts it up high, "To Heidi Ingersdottir, baker of delicious cupcakes! Huzzah!"

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    Kami's entrance is noted, because well now she's not saddled with shouldering the burden of representing the court all by herself. She circles around, more than happy to let Kami's entrance go unopposed before filtering into view with a deep bow. "Greetings."And a slow rise before presenting that sword box to Heidi. "I, The Kunnoichi known as Owari come on behalf of clan Haga and the Honorable Jade court. I thank you for your kind invitation to the court, and wish you to have this."

    "Truly, I am honored beyond words to be apart of this celebration."Worst anxieties confronted with a nearly whisper soft voice and an unsteady little nod. "I'd have come earlier, but I was unfortunately detained by combat. I do sincerely apologize for my lateness."

Jessica Drew has posed:
In her happiness at seeing Heidi, Jessica nearly matches her volume. "I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU AS WELL, FRIEND HEIDI," she wishes her then takes the liberty of clapping her on the back, unwarily.

More well wishers are piling up behind her so Jessica moves on toward the table groaning under the weight of so many cupcakes and mead. Grabbing a flagon from Thor's willing hands with a thank you, she moves to a corner where she can watch the flow of guests. Certainly it is the most interesting guest list at any party in the City.

Thor has posed:
    For Sera's efforts she is rewarded with a flagon even as Thor snorts with a laugh, hip checked so elegantly by the angelic. Yet it gains her her drink as he extends it toward her, having to move quickly to fill and pass around. Oh on the table there are assuredly many mugs and flagons and even glasses and shotglasses... for those who choose to partake may indeed only wish to indulge in it a little.
    But Sera is served, then the next, her toast is made and that brings a righteous laugh. "Indeed, I fear that she will one day return to Asgard and realize the prominence she would gain if she set her will toward baking there. The Valkyrie would lose a fine warrior that day."
    But then when Jessica wanders over he lifts his eyebrows and withholds the flagon momentarily, head tilting to the side. "Are you certain?"
    Yet it will take just a nod for her to gain herself the drink.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
By the gods, he was suggesting toasts. Not again! Heidi, with her terrible track record of embarrassment from toasts, is doing her best not to cover her face. It seems that toasts have rapidly become her one weakness, and Thor has suggested not one but /five/ death blows. "All-father preserve us..." She mutters, mostly to herself. She does, however, hold her fist up to join the toast. She'll be embarrassed about it, but she certainly won't refuse. Thankfully there's the distraction of Chizue and her sword box. She turns her attention fully for the moment to Chizue. "Ah! It is very kind of you to attend. It is also very kind of you to offer a gift, as none was expected but it seems Midgard has a custom of it. Thank you ver much." Midgardian birthdays are certainly a new thing.

The Asgardian takes the offered swordbox, looking for a useful spot to rest the presents as she spots a nearby unoccupied table to rest it upon. Now there's a present table! She lets her gaze shift to Jessica. "Friend Jessica, you should know that all of those cupcakes I /made myself/." Clearly her skillset has been growing since arriving on Midgard. Who knew. "THAT IS RIGHT ALL OF THESE CUPCAKES ARE MADE BY THE HANDS OF A FUTURE VALKYRIE OF ASGARD." She's certainly feeling shouty today. It must be the mead. There's the teeniest peek in Sally's direction and her voice is actually softer towards her. No shouting there. "You should say hello to everyone, they will love you, and if they don't I will punch them." She pauses. "More than once."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Thor's motions get attention. She raises no glass, eyes still on those around her, but something in Thor has her gaze coming back again and again. And no, it is not his well-defined posterior. She seems to react to what he says, and then to Heidi. It's almost like a sunrise lifting its head, her face lighting up as they speak.

She spots Chizue, of course she does. The others of her type, they're noted. But not ..not so desperately noted as the way she does Thor, and Heidi. And then Sera! She turns her head about almost as if needing to see all of them, all at once, not miss an instant.

Something's happening to the young woman, and it is apparently something pretty epic. In her little world anyway.

Kaminari has posed:
The massive bottle of Japanese rice wine is set down in the middle of the room with a loud thud. The labeling is ornate calligraphy rather than any commercial brand, "This is the finest Ama Sake from Takamagahara!" Kaminari pronounces, "Not my favorite place to visit, but for such a festival it was necessary. You will drink this and you will drink this." She informs Heidi and Thor specifically, two of her favorite drinking buddies, "All should drink this! You will never taste it's like in any of the mortal realm."

The silk wrapped long rectangular box is offered to Heidi. "This is for you, a treasure to celebrate our friendship, and empower my favorite bodyguard to ever greater heights."

Once her entrance is finished and gifts presented she begins unpacking a series of sakazuki drinking vessels the size of dinner plates. It would seem the one famed as the Oni of Storms is not going for half measures today. What basically amount to bowls of the potent divine sake are first offered to Heidi and Thor before pouring more for anyone else daring enough. She also eats a first cupcake and then a second, a look of abject bliss on her face at the taste of Asgardian Mead mixed with cupcake glory, truly she has been waiting for these.

Sera has posed:
Sera turns around to step before Kaminari and tilts her head, grinning with delight, "What are //you//?" She looks with admiration, not such what Kaminari is, not familiar with the Japanese lore of Earth yet. But, she offers her fore arm to her, "A friend of Heidi it seems, which is all I, Sera of Heven, need to know. It is a pleasure to make your acquiantence." Her eyes are still glowing, her other hand holding a flagon of mead. She looks a bit like an Asgardian, though shorter.

"Nice entrance. Are you a sorcerer? I haven't seen you at the Ladies Book Club if you are. You should join us. We drink wine. Lots of wine. Sometimes whisky." Her eyes catch sight of Chizue and she takes in just how capable she appears to be for combat and nods with appreciation. "Impressive."

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    Kami gets a proper full bow once she slips inside, because not doing so is unthinkable. Then well, she's able to slip amongst the little crowd gathering and flee to a spot along the wall where she can survey things carefully. Cassandra gets a little wave and a nod, but well she's more than eager to slip out of the way and get some breathing room.

    Sera's praise however gets her full attention, and it's enough to illicit a polite bow. "You honor me with your kind words, I'm merely a Hobbyist."Or so the Ninja says, anyway. "I am nothing of concern in present company surely, I do tech support for the Jade court."Which is, -technically- correct right? Still she offers Sera her hand, somewhat awkwardly. "I am the Kunnoichi known as Owari, you're most kind."

Sally Houki has posed:
Sally Houki looks flustered when Heidi speaks to her. It's calling attention to her in a way that she's not sure how she feels about just yet, but then, it's hard for he to be here, it seems! She's a bit squirrely. "She makes the /best/ cupcakes," she loudly concurs, a bit more loudly than she had perhaps intended. Thor gets a little wave too, since he smiled in her direction. She seems to be avoiding the ASgardian mead cupcakes, of course, instead settling for a different one and remaining near enough to Heidi. Arms reach without really *hovering* over her or anything. She squirms restlessly from foot to foot, her eyes big and wide. Unbridled enthusiasm is radiating off her. Excitement!

Jessica Drew has posed:
Juggling a flagon of Asgardian mead and a colorful cupcake leaves Jessica's hands full. Her eyes widen almost comically at the size of the sake bottle but her real wonder is reserved for Kaminari. As accustomed to people with mutations and powers as she may be, divinities are still outliers for her. She takes only a small sip of her mead and eyes the sake, more discreetly watching the gods cavort with alcohol and cupcakes.

Thor has posed:
    It does not take much effort to get Asgardians indulging in fine drink. The line for the mead has grown, the toasts are being made, and when Kaminari comes by the Thunderer's bright blue eyes light upon her as he accepts the bowl of sake and he laughs.
    "Lady Thunder, our paths cross once again." He now has his flagon, his bowl, and he drinks from the latter at her behest with eyes widening in appreciation. "A fine drink, you are most welcome in our company." Which is true.
    Smiling still he looks across the way, then back to the other Storm God, "Here, indulge and make sure none know thirst. Can I trust you with this, Kaminari?" His lips twist as he eyes her sidelong, as if charging her with some great supreme duty. But the laughter that reaches those blue irises let her in on the joke shared.
    That said he steps away and starts to move once again through the crowd. Working through it, meeting with people, smiling as he strolls. Until he eventually draws near toward young Cassandra and he greets, "And you, good lady. Is there aught I can get you?"

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Approached by Thor, the eyes on the 'young lady' widen, almost dilating. She nods vigorously, a small motion with her hands on the cupcake she still grasps shifting toward things in the room. She lifts her eyes, glances at Heidi, and then bites her lip with a timid glance.

Then she lifts her jaw the tiniest bit, eyes hardening, but with respect. She doesn't damage the cupcake, but her fingers tense. Tiny things, all things that most miss. And yet...

Allspeak.

I have been given this gift, good sir. I've never eaten anything of the sort, it isn't what I've tried, though it is quite tasty so far. But the woman, over there, Heidi, she seems to have made it herself and I would never disresespect such a thing. She is a warrior and I know what that means.

She adds, with a bit of a blink of an eye, to please thank her for me? So much in context. So little in her words.

Kaminari has posed:
Chizue's bow is returned with a nod and Kaminari grins at Thor he takes the large drinking vessel and praises it's contents, "All will drink, if they are able... Sally probably shouldn't." Whatever that is supposed to mean, "I felt it only appropriate after your lovely flask at Tony Stark's birthday party Enjoy the finest Takamagahara has to offer."

When Sera offers her forearm, Kaminari clasps it and gives it a firm shake, she has spent more than enough time around Asgardians to have gotten used to this. "I am not a sorceress, no. I am Kaminari of the Amatsu-Kami, Goddess of Thunder and Noise, though these days some call me the Goddess of Rock. It is nice to meet you Sera of Heaven," she seems to think it is the English use of the word which is often transposed on to any number of places. Even Ama the alternate name for Takagamagahara where Amterasu holds court translates literally to 'Heaven' in English. "I see you drink," she says looking at the flagon in Sera's hand, "You should try some of this." and with that she offers her one of the large dinner plate sized sakazuki full of the mysterious alcohol from Japanese Heaven.

Her gaze does turn sideways a bit to keep Heidi in view as if waiting for her to open the box, she also returns Sally's earlier wave. "It is so good to see you Sally." she favors both Sally and Sera with smiles, "Have you met Sera of Heven?"

Sera has posed:
Sera returns the shake firmly. Like Asgardian's, she's made of sterner stuff than humans. "Goddess of Rock. That sounds utterly awesome. I write music and play the lute and sometimes slip them in to alternate timelines, though that is a bit of a misnomer." She taps the side of her nose and then looks at the selection of sake. "Why thank you! I would be delighted. I'm not acquainted with this kind of alcohol yet." She puts down her Asgardian mead and picks up one of the sake, then takes a sip. Her eyes widen a touch and she spies Cassandra talking with body language past the rim of the wooden square cup. "Now that is curious," she mentions at both the taste and also Cassandra's mode of speech. She licks her lips and smiles to Kaminari, "Very delicious, thank you for sharing."

Once again regarding Chizue, "I think perhaps you are very modest, a noble quality. These Asgardian's love to fight but I bet you'd best most of them. I can see it in your posture, you're still ready for a fight - they're not. Neither am I for that matter, but I was never trained as a warrior and I'm not Asgardian. I'm the black sheep of my homeworld."

To Sally she smiles and offers her arm, "It's a pleasure to meet the one who provided an oven for these delicious cupcakes to be created. How do you know Heidi?"

Thor has posed:
    The gift of Odin, the All-Speak, is a truly wondrous thing. For communication is the bridge that brings people together. And it may be a fine thing here today for it to allow the tall blond man to tilt his head and observe the normally mute Cassandra Cain, and to perceive an understanding of her wishes. Yet also recognize that this... is out of the ordinary. For him assuredly at the least.
    His smile takes on a hint of puzzlement, but when she makes her wishes known it returns to that easy open way of his. "Of course," He says to her, and then he turns. The flagon is set down then with that one hand gently resting on Cassandra's shoulder, he gestures to her with the bowl of sake.
    "HEIDI!" And Thor does shout well, though not 'too' loudly. "Our fine guest she speaks highly of your baking, and would have you know that you enjoy her thanks." He beams happily.
    But then he turns back to her and tilts his head, "How would you have us know you, my lady?"

Sally Houki has posed:
And then Sally is being introduced to Sera!

She stares at Sera for a moment, about to say something, but she instead sort of stumbles over her words. "Oh, oh, uh. Yes! I'm Sally. It's very nice to meet you!" A beaming smile as she reaches out to take her hand in her own and give her a polite shake. That's wht you do, right? She's just seeming a bit star-struck at the nmoment, and then, why shouldn't she? She's in a room full of Superheroes and Gods.

"I'm Sally," she says again, still shaking hands. SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO NEXT.

Sera has posed:
Sera has a mighty super power, she made Thor cry once. Oops. She smiles kindly to Sally and pats the back of her hand as she shakes it. Mead is returned to her hand and says, "I celebrate you Sally and am glad Heidi has such great friends as you." She lifts her flagon up in the air and says, "I intend to play some lute music for Heidi soon. I know she hired a band of lutenists, but you've never heard me play lute. Would you think she'd prefer to hear something from Heven, something from Earth's ages past, or something new?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
It seems like Heidi's having a great time. One arm comes to rest on Sally's shoulder as a reassurance that as overwhelming as a party is, the excitement can be shared with everyone. She does scoot a little closer towards the rice wine as, of course, she couldn't just ignore that sort of gift from Kami. She's more than happy to receive her portion of sake and takes a long sip with a sound of approval. She does after a moment, proceed to open the box Kami offered her with a bit of a grin. "My friends are too kind, I fear, but they will not be disappointed." She offers Kami a wink before she looks between Sally and Sera. "Oh, this is the one I am seeing in a romantic sense. Midgardians like to say 'dating' but I am fairly certain you can date your friends without it being romantic."

Her attention is directed to Thor as his shout and she directs her own towards said 'fine guest'. "I am pleased you enjoy! Please enjoy whatever you would like as our guest here!"

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    "You are most kind."And a pause as that mask tilts just a degree off to one side to study Sera. "I am merely a servant of the Honorable court, I am but a gifted amatuer. Kaminari has seen our honored elders in action, she is far better equipped to tell you tales of great swordsmanship."Theres a little shrug there, as she gives the hilt of her blade a delicate tap-tap. "A Ninja is not a warrior, merely one who knows how to use what they have at hand."

    Owari rocks back on those tall geta, touching her shoulder to the wall as she watches somewhat passively. "Though Thor has seen me with sword in hand, as has the Goddess of course. I appreciate your praise greatly, but I assure you it is wholly misplaced."

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Attention turned away from her, Cass Cain waits for Thor to tell Heidi what she's said. She waits, her heart racing, and shifts slightly when Thor says of her appreciation. She looks askance a moment, a hint that she may have slightly fudged on her opinion. But she does smile, which adds a touch more to the meaning, though she glances to it, then to the fresh vegetables and fish on display with a teeny bit more longing.

Then when she's addressed again, she looks up at Thor. Up, and up, and up some more. The looking is a message in itself, and she visibly relaxes as she does so. No smile on her face, purely a calm and ease that's clearly a choice. Then she shifts her hands, touching her throat with a finger and then a shake of the head as the fingers make 'talky' motions.

I prefer vegetables, she's said. And fish. But it IS yummy. Also I don't really know how to talk words. But my name is... "Cassandra," she says, her voice clear...but also clearly unused. Gravelly, as if she's not said the word before. Then her attention is shifted, a glance returned to Sera. Something happened there.

Owari's words go unnoticed, sadly. Being in English. :( But she does wave to Heidi appropriately, then stops herself and bows, hands clasped in a warrior's grasp at her center.

Sally Houki has posed:
When Heidi announces that she is, in fact, dating Sally... Sally just sort of pinkens. If this were an anime, a giant sweat drop would have appeared over her head. Fortunaqtely, it's not, so she just sort of restlessly shifts hwe weight from one pink boot to the other.

"Yes! Hi! I'm Heidi's girlfriend. That's why I'm here. Haha. And meeting all the amazing people." She smiles big-time. It's the kind of smile when you realize you're acting like a total dork but it's way too late to stop it.

"and it's SO cool to meet all of you and especially Kami again, hi Kami, and you Sera, you're SO COOL and also THOR! Oh my god I can't believe I get to meet THOR." She squees. Her hands go up to either side of her face.

Sera has posed:
Sera smiles at Sally's enthusiasm. She pats Heidi on the shoulder, "Dating. I've heard the term. It's a cute word." She approved and lifts up her flagon, then takes another sip. "Excuse me, there is someone who I must meet." She puts down the flagon and walks over to her lute case, opens it up. While the lutenists take a break, Sera looks over to Cassandra, intimately familiar with the way she is communicating. She begins to play John Dowland's Lachrimae (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZYzuIGDYGs).

In bodily speak she invites her over to talk, to listen, to get to know her. Though as she plays her eyes begin to glow bright white and glowing magical wings erupt from her back. She curls them about herself, looking for the better part a renaissance portrait of an Angel, albeit one wearing jeans and a t-shirt that says, "We will Ragnarock you" across her chest.

Her body moves emotively to the tune as she plays, her lute is a master piece made here by a master luthier and gifted to her because she plays it so heavenly. The other lutenists who played marvellously pause and listen to Sera's rendition of the classic piece - the piece that ultimately began the musical movement known as Opera with 'Flow my tears' adding lyrics to this song years later.

Kaminari has posed:
"It is quite awesome." Kaminari agrees with Sera, "You will have to come to one of my concerts sometime, on me. It's also great because it makes my sister really angry that more people know my name than hers. She gets really hung up on that shit." Kaminari shrugs like she could care less about her number of worshippers in a true rock attitude. She seems quite pleased that Sera enjoys the drink and then turns her attention back to Heidi and Sally when Sera's attention shifts to Chizue for the moment. Though she does aside towards Chizue and Sera after perhaps catching a snippet, "She is very modest." Praise from the goddess.

She grins when Heidi opens the box, "It is called Totsuka no Tsurugi, or rather that is what this type of sword is called. They are very ancient from the time before Japanese blades had curves when I was still young, nobody remembers the name of this one so it probably won't be missed from the vaults of Takamagahara. Maybe it can gain new purpose in your hands though and perhaps even remember its name."

She grins at Sally's enthusiasm, clearly enjoying her friend's reactions to everything around. It helps that Sally and Heidi are just so adorable together it melts even Kaminari's wild and fickle heart.

Thor has posed:
    The man is tall, that is for certain. And he does not lean down just because he speaks with someone not at quite the same altitude as he. But as Cassandra makes her thoughts known, she can see Thor's expression eases a little from celebration... to understanding. And then a little more towards sympathy as if he perhaps gains some insight into why the young woman expresses herself so.
    "Cassandra," He says, as if that name carried such weight of regard. He nods slowly, committing it to memory. "I am Thor, Son of Odin. Heidi is a good friend. And now we are your friends. It is the way of our people."
    He gestures to the side, espying the gathering around Heidi as is her due and he smiles, pleased at the circle of friends she has forged around her. Then he looks back to Cass and says, "Come, walk with me. We shall find you a fine fillet to enjoy, fresh from the ocean. And some accompanying vegetables."
    He then turns his head, to perhaps catch the attention of the crowd as he calls out loud enough to gather the attention of any others who might not be partaking. "And then I intend to tell the tale of Heidi Ingersdottir at the Battle of New York."
    It's then that he notices Sally's enthusiasm and her words as she looks across the small distance to him as he adds in reply, "Indeed, Lady Houki. Any friend of Heidi's..." He lets those words trail off even as he shoots a glance at Heidi as she perhaps realizes he's going to tell the tale of her, but also checking with her. To make sure he got Sally's name right.
    Yet when the gift of Sera's song is given, Thor will step back slightly, smiling for the song of the one from Heven is no mean thing to ignore.

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    "Praise from a Goddess" may well best be described as a "Critical hit". Owari recoils almost as if struck, shoulders tighten and it takes a moment to force her hands to fold themselves oncemore in an appropriate fashion. Her tone hushed and tinged with a touch of actual anxiety perhaps. "Please you are far too kind, I just do what is requested of me."Thankfully, then Sera gets going and nobody is paying attention to her for a few precious moments.

    It's all the time she needs to calm a racing heart, and release the tension in her shoulders. Oh how she would rather have a swordfight.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Cass' eyes listen, though she could be deaf and still enjoy this evening as well. She actually pauses and shifts into the slightest change of stances, one built for a punch from the left, but without any malice. She seems to lean away, making no attempt to strike. A joke of sorts, then, and she lets herself be led, the food looking ...looking...

Cassandra's eyes widen with an eloquence one does not need anything but eyes to grasp, and she looks at Sera with a power and force that beggars her. She glances up to Thor, the God of Thunder who has just proclaimed friendship, and pauses in clear uncertainty. And need.

And then with the impulses of youth, is before Sera almost in supplication. She moves her hands, sometimes too fast to believe. Her body shifts, she touches her lips, her eyes, then reaches toward Sera with disbelief evident in everything.

YOU SPOKE!

I mean, of course you spoke, you've been speaking all night, but you get my meaning. You...SPOKE!

And she seems to have forgotten everyone else in the room.

Sera has posed:
Sera finishes the piece of music and cants her head ever so slightly, with a nod to Cassandra. She is rusty speaking like this, it's evident as she tries to remember the right way to express herself, the way that she and her fellow prisoners would talk together, and the sadness that comes with the torturous rules imposed upon them, not for their own good but for the good of others. She touches her lips and smiles just a touch, then touches her lute and chest, with some careful gestures in the air and an inviting raised eyebrow. Her fingers walk through the air a moment.

Come, touch my lute and my chest for I shall sing and I wish you to feel my art. I grew up forbidden from speech. I it strange to talk like this again after so many hundreds of years.

Now that she has acclimatised the ears of the audience to Lachrimae she begins to play it again, though this time she sings too. She sings Flow, my tears. ~~ "Flow, my tears, fall from your springs! Exiled for ever, let me mourn; Where night's black bird her sad infamy sings, There let me live forlorn....." ~~ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYgzjjBdaBI)

It has been a while since she has performed publicly, but doing it for Heidi seems appropriate. ~~ "Down vain lights, shine you no more! No nights are dark enough for those- That in despair their last fortunes deplore. Light doth but shame disclose....." ~~

Kaminari has posed:
Kaminari finds a place to sit her her dinner plate sized sakazuki that has easily been refilled at least ten times now as she demonstrates her drinking prowess even with divine booze. Someone might want to make sure the boats in the marina are secured tonight...

She sits facing Sera and the Lutists performance listening to the music with an expression of deep appreciation as she enjoys her drink.

Thor has posed:
    As for Thor he smiles as he steps back and away, knowing when the performance and those with bardic talent draw the eyes and give life to the spirit. It is uplifting, drawing forth the people here and lending with it a quiet to the crowd that allows such full appreciation.
    The Thunderer takes up a place there, smiling across the way at Heidi and if she looks long enough he'll even give her a half-grin and a thumbs up. For in truth, her party has been a wonderful success.

Sally Houki has posed:
Sally Houki reaches down, aiming to take Heidi's hand in her's for the moment while the other Valkyrie-in-Training is busily sampling cupcakes she made and drinking mead and what not. The music...

... the music transfixes her. She stares openly in wide-eyed awe, if one's honest about it.

She is struck wordless for the time being. Even Thor isn't pretty enough to hold her attention over the music.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
Much more than that, Thor. The Cassandra's attention is torn, not for the music, but for the way that Sera speaks. The fact that she speaks, as nobody else ever has in her entire life. She sighs, a soundless motion of the body, but her eyes and her habits do not allow her to stay on one target for long.

An instant and she motions to Chizue, her finger tripping over each other. She wraps her hand around the place where a blade would be if it were at her waist, then motions again, worry upon her face.

But it is quick, and she does so as she reaches. The other hand touches, and she hears...music.

Torn. Between a person she thinks of as a friend, and this. Hell, she just left Thor for heck's sake.

Chizue Nakamura has posed:
    With the sort've stealth only a Ninja can muster, Owari slips back towards the Kitchen. Content to watch and listen from a safe distance of course, where she can score some of Kami's Booze without drawing attention to herself. Then well it's hardly any great effort to secure a seat and finally make an earnest attempt at relaxing and enjoying herself, of course the alcohol helps.

    Swords are pulled up to rest in her lap, and well Cassandra's gaze finds her never the less. Theres a cocking of the head for a moment, before simply holding up her hand in a flat "No". Theres a flash of sign language, albeit somewhat stilted without her entire AR rig present to help translate but it's easy enough to understand.

Sera has posed:
Sera lets out a long breath and smiles to the gathered crowd, but then also to the other lutanists. She begins to play a much more energetic little piece called La Volta. The hired lutists gather around and join in. Quickly they are taking turns doing their own variations of the piece. After a few rounds, Sera puts down her lute and bows to the audience. The band take their seats again and begins to play once more, since they were paid to do that.

Sera smiles to Heidi, "Happy birthday, I believe, is the customary thing to say on Midgard, Heidi Ingerdottir." She looks to Cassandra and lifts her shoulders just a touch, then glances over to where Chizue disappeared, then to the door and cants her ear just a touch. The subtle language of the body. She taps her foot to the floor.

She picks up her mead once more and takes a long draft. She seems happy she could share her music with the gathered crowd and especially Cassandra. She casually whispers in to Thor's ear, "You know, the lute was invented in Heven."

I wish to talk to you more, excuse me awkward speech, it has been so long. I am not from this world, but Asgard has adopted me. If you need to talk to your friends I am easy to find.

Cassandra Cain has posed:
The sudden drop if worry for Chizue is...somehow obvious. She smiles, a relief on her face, and just...enjoys. She actually does something almost impossible for her, and for a moment closes her eyes.

Sera must know, how damaging that is for her attention. She relies on her eyes. She would know, this is a sign of absolute trust. She only holds it for a moment, and then she's looking about again. And lowering her hands, looking a little...embarrassed? Like she just did something a bit socially awkward. In front of everyone.

Then she backs away, looking up to Thor again. And suddenly her eyes open wide, and she motions frantically, something about an apology and how she didn't mean to and she's not really ....

So she's suddenly remembered that she blitzed on Thor, the God of Thunder. In person. Yiiikes.