414/The Grand Court of Asgard

The Grand Court of Asgard
Date of Scene:	10 March 2020
Location:	Palace - Asgard
Synopsis:	Thor seeks wisdom from his father Odin and comes away with a course of action.
Cast of Characters:	OdinChar, Thor

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OdinChar has posed:
The glittering spires of Asgard are as such that mortal minds might dream only the mildest fraction of their grandeur. Even to the lauded Asgardians who call it home, it is still a sight to bolster the heart and fortify the spirit. The rainbow bridge of the Bifrost leads to the Palace gates, and within the Grand Court is bustling with men and women of the warrior caste. The skalds recite the poetic retellings of great deeds, while the great mosaic of the All-Father and his two princes serves as a wring for two young warriors wrestling boisterously to the cheering and admiration of the assembled throng.

Upon the high dais, seated upon his great throne, sits Odin All-Father. His countenance grim and foreboding, single eye staring with such fierce intensity at the games before him that it seems to slice through it all like a hot knife. One hand clutches Gungnir, the great Spear of Heaven, while the other supports his bearded chin upon a balled fist.

Thor has posed:
    When Thor arrives there is no fanfare to greet him, his name is not announced to the great hall for the moment as he lingers but an archway beyond. That single golden line upon the floor, twisted in mosaic and edged with hints of subtle inlaid figures of what might well be apples representing the line between the 9 Realms and the Great Court of Asgard. It is there that Thor, Son of Odin, stands in his courtly regalia. His tall armored form likely still noticed by those nearest the entryway, perhaps even sending murmured words spread throughout the throng gathered today.
    Yet he is not announced.
    Turning to one of the guards on duty near at hand, Thor addresses him with a nod. "Bjarl, good friend and soldier true." The words of the court return easily, that pattern of speech so held within the Golden City. "I would speak with mine father, words shared between son as to father, though if it must be so then let them be from prince as to king."

OdinChar has posed:
"Bring mine noble son before me, door-warden," Odin announces across the din of the Court, voice like the distant slamming of crypt lids bringing the festivities to a sudden halt, "I would hear his words."

As though by the All-Father's command, the sea of people that fill the room part. A wide path now runs straight as an arrow to terminate at the great throne, the lords and ladies of Asgard watching in silent curiosity and reverence from either side.

Odin himself does not rise from the throne, nor does his chin lift from the fist he has rested it upon. His body still as a statue, save for the glittering blue eye that watches the Thunderer from afar.

Thor has posed:
    The Thunderer's eyebrows raise and for a brief instant there might be a touch of commiseration shared? Perhaps not. Thor turns and steps into the court, all eyes upon him as he makes that approach to the grand dais for the throne upon which his father sits. His stride is steady, purposeful, chosen for the precision of it, the pace of urgency but not appearing beholden as if one were leaping to obey. It brings him before Odin there, with the higher ranked nobles closer to hand.
    A quick look to the others by the throne before Thor lifts his chin and his voice, "Father. I come seeking counsel for I am beset upon by ill omens and grim tidings in my travels. You have exiled Loki to Midgard and there he rests in my charge with his strength taken and abilities bound."
    A pause in case this may be news to some of the court, likely it is not. He continues, "I would know your mind if you would honor me with its sharing. For I fear that much has happened you may not be privy to, so holding here in the halls of Asgard seeing to the protection of all nine realms."

OdinChar has posed:
If Odin hears the words, he makes no immediate sign of it. He remains still in his throne, regarding Thor with total stillness and silence. The court follows suit, even the Skald tugging warily upon the sleeves of his tunic. The courtiers dare not to even whisper amongst themselves, though weighty stares are shared amongst them.

Finally, Odin shifts in his seat. His head lifts from its perch upon his fist, hand coming to rest instead on the arm of the throne. The other hand still supports his spear at his side, though his fingers shift about the haft - knuckles crackling audibly and the leather bindings creaking in protest.

"Tell me," the All-Father begins, voice soft yet carrying with all the weight of eternity across the hushed court, "Is it Thor Odinson who gave his eye to drink of Mímisbrunnr? Is it Thor Odinson who wears Draupnir upon his hand? Is it Thor Odinson who rules here? Am I seated upon his throne?"

Thor has posed:
    A look of confusion lights upon Thor's features as he draws up short.
    "I..." Thor stops and abruptly he is without words.
    The warrior prince looks up at the king above, then down a space as he tries to focus. His brow knits together and he takes a quick breath, lifting his voice again. "It is not, father, no. You are ever wise I only ask that you help me understand so I may fulfill your will and best serve Asgard."
    For a time he stops there, and in truth that is the proper point with etiquette. To answer one's liege and reaffirm loyalty. Then allow your liege to continue should they so wish.
    But Thor is ever Thor.
    "Only those on Midgard, such ills have befallen them. Many of their people have been slain, and for Loki to be there now amongst them..."

OdinChar has posed:
"Then let not Thor Odinson question the wisdom of the All-Father before his own throne!"

The words are bellowed, ringing against the lofty ceiling as Odin rises with all the swiftness of an adder to his feet. He cuts Thor off mid-sentence, regarding him with that single piercing eye. The eye remains on the prince for a long, agonizing moment before it sweeps across the gathered courtiers who, as one, seem to recoil from it as it passes over them.

"The revels are ended," he commands them, "Go now."

As though to punctuate his point, he lifts Gungnir and slams the haft against the dais upon which he stands. The sound is far louder than it should be, like the tolling of a great bell that sweeps out across the land. As the courtiers begin to depart, the All-Father steps down from the dais and at once his expression seems to soften just slightly. As a stony edifice inevitably gives way to the passage of time.

"Walk with me," he asks Thor, in a voice kindlier than before. He does not wait, passing from the hall through a door at the base of the dais that a guard quickly opens as he approaches.

Thor has posed:
    There's that flash of ire, that flicker of a gleam that to some would speak of lightning and the storm. It matches well the grim visage that the Thunderer holds, mouth closed, teeth grinding against each other with the clear tendons in his jaw visible. It is clear that something roils in him.
    Yet unlike years past, when such had touched him, he did not speak. He held his tongue, watching, holding the gaze of his father as the man's words ushered action into life. Then he lowered his eyes, brow still beetled with withheld words and severe emotion. Only to look up once the hall has cleared and to watch his father with that steady blue-eyed gaze.
    And then he is bidden by his king, and so he accepts. Moving to his father's side and falling into step. No more words come from him for now, instead he focuses on the man beside him. And when he does so... his own features soften, but there is still that hint of confusion that mars his countenance.

OdinChar has posed:
"You learn well," Odin begins as they walk, passing through the door and out into a long portico that overseas the spires of Asgard below, "When first I banished thee to Midgard, thine arrogance was legend. It was said throughout the Nine Realms that one needn't listen for the sound of thunder as the Thunderer himself would go before it in boast."

The words themselves spur a mischievous smile in the old man, his mercurial temper shifting from anger to humor so swiftly that it threatens whiplash. A moment later her is speaking again, voice quieter and more subdued.

"Then question not the wisdom of thine brother's exile," he continues, "Instead look to him and see thine own faults now overcome. Counsel him. And then, when the time is right, you may return to him the power I have stripped from him."

Thor has posed:
    A small chuff escapes him, rueful, but still a thing that would be a laugh if his mood would allow it. Yet it does trigger a look, to the side at his father. One accompanied by a half-smile that is tinged with a sadness as ever there is when they must speak of Loki.
    "Father, I can... I can see some of the wisdom of your words." His voice is gentle and when Thor is so thus troubled it is clear in that palpable sincerity as he speaks. "Yet the people of Midgard feel so misused by our people now."
    He stops their walk and takes a step ahead, as if trying to draw rein if only for a moment. "They feel we already feel we rule them. That their wishes matter naught. And now they have suffered so. I fear they will look on our people with such ill will that there would come a time they would raise arms against us. I know it to be so if they felt their freedom was at stake."
    He swallows, lowering his eyes, then he looks up. "There must be some other way."

OdinChar has posed:
"Midgard has served thus for generations in the measure of its people," Odin answers, tone suddenly curt, "Do they bemoan the God of Thunder and all he hath done to aid them? Would thou have even set foot upon Midgard without the All-Father's intervention?"

He pauses along the portico, turning to rest his hands upon the ornately carved railing. He stares out across the spires of Asgard, his gaze intently fixed on some point in the far distant. After a moment a raven alights next to his hand, tilting its head and letting out a croaking 'caw' as it peers with beady, black eyes at Thor.

"Why now do they question mine wisdom? Has it not always been in service of their good fortune?"

Thor has posed:
    "Father, the last thing in their minds that I aided them with was the predations of mine brother." The way Thor says this, it's in a tone more at ease, more of son to father as if letting his father know that his sibling had been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "They think well of me, and in truth I do hold the people of Midgard in high esteem. So many of them are... just wondrous souls."
    Such sincerity there in those words as he pauses and takes a deep breath, "And I know that when last Asgard went to war it was to save their people. But that for them was generations upon generations ago."
    A glance is spared for the raven as the Thunderer's lips purse faintly just an instant before he worries at his lower lip with thought. "They are a vibrant people, who march ever onwards. Only one hundred years ago their entire world was different. Now they have great cities in some ways rival our own. They grow and change, and for them what we did against the Svartalfar? It is but stuff of myths that their great ancestors may have known."
    "But now..." He shakes his head, "They only remember the monsters Loki set loose in New York. They know us as some great distant power that can do as it will without thought to their wishes."

OdinChar has posed:
"That the memory of Midgard is short is of no consequence to the All-Father," Odin says haughtily, reaching into his robe to draw out a small pellet of feed which he holds in one outstretched palm to the raven, "This changes not the debt owed for the service rendered."

"They have not the wisdom of the All-Father. They still dwell as fractious bands, ever at one another's throats over the petty differences of land and philosophy. They balk at the presence of thine brother yet would cry foul were I to forbid thee from setting foot within their realm."

The old man snorts noisily, shaking his head and causing his great golden helm to catch the light of the distant sun: "The word of the All-Father is as law. Let Loki dwell there 'til he hath shown his brother his quality and not before."

Thor has posed:
    "I will do as you bid, father." As ever. Thor takes a deep breath, "But I fear ill will come of this. You ask these people to accept a murderer of their kith and kin amongst them, unbidden, unable for them to voice their concerns nor take action to further their interests."
    It is then that Thor says, "Perhaps..." He looks to the side, then back. "Perhaps it is time they are due an elevation in status. Perhaps grant them the rights of Vanaheim, of Alfheim. Of allies of the people of Asgard. Let them have a presence in the Court, and perhaps we in turn an embassy that they grant us on their lands."
    He spreads his hands, "Then you would be able to grant them your wisdom directly and they would feel they had a voice with which to share their concerns. Surely that is not too much to ask?"

OdinChar has posed:
"Unable? Thy petition is on their behalf, is it not? The folk of Midgard speak to Thor, and Thor in turn shall speak to the All-Father. This is the way it will be, my son."

For what it's worth, Thor's question seems to reach him. He lifts up a hand, stroking his long beard thoughtfully. The raven nearby darts its head, as though questing for more treats, but flutters away with a protesting caw once the All-Father waves a dismissive hand at it.

"I will consider this," he finally allows, reluctance dripping from every word, "I task thee with finding he amongst Midgard's folk worthy to treat with the gods. Bring him before me and we shall speak."

Thor has posed:
    "'Twould be best, father, if the one to speak on their behalf be one of their own. They think well of me, but I am not of them." But he nods at the wisdom of his father's words. And then, even as the raven seems to gather of itself and take flight, Thor's attention drifts to it, only to return to the All-Father.
    He listens pensively, but it is when Odin speaks of considering this act that Thor smiles, openly, brilliantly. "That is excellent news, father. I will do as you wish." He takes a step back and to the side, as if about to rush off, but not turning his back on his father for that would be rude.
    "I shall return to Midgard at once. By your leave."
    Then he backpedals again, the needed two more paces and unless his father bids him stop he will turn and retreat back to the court and likely through straight to the Bifrost.

OdinChar has posed:
Odin does not look up as Thor departs, his attention once more returning to that distant spot. Perhaps a thing so far and shrouded by the mists of time and space that only his eye can perceive it. Regardless, it captivates him for the moment, and he does nothing to bid his son to stay. The audience is ended, and the All-Father returns to his contemplations.

Some time later he turns to the raven, returned now to perch upon his hand. It twists its head, peering up at him quizzically and cawing noisily in the otherwise silent walkway reserved only for the King and his closest kin.

He draws the bird up, whispering something to it, before shaking it from his arm. The raven lets out another caw and flutters away, soaring upwards to the starry vault of heaven before vanishing from sight in the gathering twilight.