422/Stupid Emotions

Stupid Emotions
Date of Scene:	10 March 2020
Location:	Josie's Bar, NYC
Synopsis:	Alexander and Heidi talk, share nachos, and play truth or dare (mostly truth).
Cast of Characters:	Alexander Aaron, Heidi Ingerdottir

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Alexander Aaron has posed:
    << Heidi. Something seems wrong. There's no Asgardian hanging around my school! >>

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
<<I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS ONE EXPECTED. WAS THERE SOME KIND OF INVITATION?>>

Alexander Aaron has posed:
<< I just got used to you showing up! Now my day is empty. Void of merit. The bell rings and I am sad. But! If you would like, Mel and I were thinking of going out tonight if you would like to come? >>

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
<<I THOUGHT PERHAPS YOUR EDUCATIONAL PEERS WOULD FIND THE REPEATED APPEARANCE OF A STRANGE TALL WOMAN WAITING OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOL A LITTLE CREEPY. I SUPPOSE IF THIS IS AN INVITATION I MAY ACCOMPANY YOU BOTH. ONLY IF IT IS NOT AN INTRUSION.>>

Alexander Aaron has posed:
<< I give a fig for my educational peers! But ok yeah maybe a little creepy. ;) But it is not an intrusion. Feel free. And bring the mead. I'd like to try some. If you think that's wise. >>

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
<<I HAVE FRESH FLASK. FOR EMERGENCIES. I WILL SHARE SHOULD YOU PROMISE TO BE CAREFUL, ALEXANDER.>>

Alexander Aaron has posed:
<< Of course. One sec, address and time to follow. >>

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Josie's is hopping tonight, a steady drone of country music sounding through those old speakers hung up high on the wall. The place has almost a full clientele, all along the main aisle that runs the length of the entire bar, then spreads out to the back rooms with the pool and the music and the lotto machines. It's somewhere back there, in the haze of smoke an twang of music that a number of people all sit at their tables, laughing, sharing words, offering tales. It's not really so different from Asgard in its own way.
    Just the music is worse.
    There at one of the tables, a tow-headed youth named Alexander Aaron sat there, yet was leaning forward animatedly and gesturing with one hand, holding the pencil in his hand and motioning with it. "Ribald? Tybalt? Piebald? I can't think of anything else that rhymes?"
    It's clear he's not the poet in their small group, leaning forward and grinning a little his features flushed and his expression just so taken with amusement. "Ok so those didn't rhyme. Maybe we move on, Staggered, Knackered, Ragged?"
    Dropping back down into his seat he blinks at her slowly, but smiles. "This is harder than I thought."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
The bar is certainly an area that really doesn't feel too different. It's at least somehow familiar. It's an environment Heidi understands the social rules of. Poetry, too, is something she knows the rules of. So, at the moment, she's actually pretty relaxed where she's sitting. "Usually I spend a bit more time on them than this. Rhyming is also not always the easiest of methods..." She doesn't have a pencil, just a crayon which she'd somehow found on one of the tables. Which is weird, because it's a bar.

She offers him a smile. "You're doing well, though. We'll make a poet of you yet, young Alexander." The young part is a tease this time. She's making it clear it's not some kind of demeaning term.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Scratching his chin a little, Young Alexander indeed smiled across the way at her, digging fingers into the basket of boneless chicken wings and fishing one out to dip in the dressing nearby. He takes a bite and looks at what they've come up with so far and murmurs, "Maybe we should go more free form, yeah." He tilts his head on way, then the other, movements a little more exaggerated as it was clear he had tasted a bit of the Asgardian Mead (without Josie noticing, thankfully) and was feeling its warming effects, though pehaps not as intensely as poor Mel had felt.
    A deep breath is taken as he chews on his lower lip then says, "A first touch, light upon the lips."
    "My senses slip, departing bending twisting."
    "I turn, grizzled features I see..." His voice rises a bit as he looks upon a particular biker shooting pool.
    "What price it is I pay."
    "What cost shall I expend."
    "To allow this moment shared."
    "This brief glimpse of bliss."
    "I say unto thee," His lips twist, amused, perhaps teasing her with that word choice.
    "It is the morning that cost I shall... owe? I'm trying to say I'm gonna have a hangover?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi leans on the table a bit. She hasn't had any mead, just a beer which she was unimpressed by but drank all the same. "You could keep going with that if you want to resonate with the earlier mention of the word 'price' from before, or you could make a different imagery of 'you reap what you sow'..." There's a shrug.

The crayon is used on his paper, just sort of coloring in the edge. "I can't imagine it's easy to think of /poetry/ right now."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I thought it might be nice," Alexander fwumpfs back into his seat and then leans forward, resting his head in one hand and looking across he way at her, "We put together a poem and then read it to Mel and she could laugh at us and make fun of us. As is her wont." There's a smile there as he looks to the side, then back toward Heidi.
    "But you're probably right, should give it a rest for now." He glances to the side, the pool table, "We could play some pool." It's curious how he does seem a bit tipsy, but he's maintaining. At least for now.
    "Or..." His eyebrows lift as he extends a hand toward her and lightly taps hers and then says, "You could tell me why you... made yourself so closed off for so long."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I am not certain she would enjoy this poem. I do not think poetry is her thing. Perhaps if we wrote her a song," Heidi suggests instead. But his words poke at her just a little bit and she scowls. It's not a serious scowl, that would look different. It's the I'm-still-slightly-amused scowl. The safe one.

"We could try that 'pool' game you suggested," she says, not really wanting to get up from her spot currently. But she's eyeing him carefully. "I do not think you want to tread onto such dangerous territory, Alexander." Emotions are hard.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There's a brief glimmer of empathy there in his pale hazel eyes as he nibbles on his lower lip. He takes a deep breath as he looks around the room, the song switching up from something modern to an old Wynona song that echoes some sappy sentiment about relationships. Though it isn't that bad actually.
    But Alexander doesn't notice so much as he looks around the room then says, "We could trade." He looks back and then tilts his head a little. "You could ask me something hard, something difficult you don't think I'll answer. And I will." He reaches a hand out for he small flask and twists the cap off slowly, clearly perhaps needing drink to do this.
    "Or a dare." As he says that last he perhaps realizes what he's proposing and gets a wide grin, entirely amused at the premise. And then he takes a swallow of the mead. Long enough that by the time he finishes he has a hooded look to his eyes. But still... in control. All good.
    "A travail for a travail. If you're willing."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi is still eyeing him suspiciously. This seems a dangerous game. One she stands to lose in. "I don't know if that is worth a risk. To be able to ask anything, pry within the depths of my heart and receive an honest answer to a question you ask? I am honest already and if I do not answer it is because I have a good reason for that. You would wish to stir up trouble and open closed wounds for a game?"

It's a serious question. She's not sure she understands where the fun is with this one. "I would also like to think if I asked you a question you would answer me unless it was too personal. No tricks needed."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I think," Alexander touches a finger to the flask, then pushes it away towards her. "Because sometimes there are things that we sort of deep down want to talk about, or share, but we don't want to impose on the people around us." He looks up toward the ceiling, at the low black metal ceiling fan that continues to twist and whir not too far above them.
    "Or because asking these questions can be considered impolite, and it's our way of creating a social setting so the other person knows that it's okay to ask in this moment."
    "It's not so much the truth, as the choice of topic." He turns his head to the side and takes a deep breath, perhaps the liquor hits him a little as he exhales and says, "Like I know there are some things from my childhood. Or when I went to war. Or about the people that I've... had to fight."
    Alexander looks away brow furrowed, "I sort of want to talk about them, but there's never a chance. And so I mean. That's why I ask about you. Because I like you, and maybe the talking about it can help. But if you don't want to talk about it."
    He smiles and takes another piece of chicken from the basket, then tears it into two pieces, handing her one. "Then that's ok."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Maybe it is you that is the one that needs to talk, Alexander," Heidi offers, leaning forward a bit. She's gotten the impression that maybe he needs it. She reaches over and takes a sip from the flask. "Alright, I will play your game. But I will not ask you questions unless they come to me. I would prefer you say what your heart troubles you with."

She's not sure how much he'll say and how honest it will be, but she is begrudgingly accepting this offer in order to allow him the socially acceptable chance to talk about his past in a context where he's safe to be vulnerable. Again, emotions are hard.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    His features contort a little with a small smile that takes up place at the corner of his mouth, pale hazel eyes drifting away as he looks thoughtful, if a little fuzzy. "Well traditionally we take turns." He says lightly, casually. "And you ask the other person if they'd like a truth or a dare. Then that person says 'truth' you ask them a question that you wish to know the answer to. If you say dare, they have to perform some small task that sometimes is embarrassing or whatever."
    "Ok? Ok."
    Of course as Alexander speaks, the room continues to bounce and thump with music, and that group of men playing pool seem to be enjoying themselves. But there's one man, tall, red hair and not entirely unattractive who is leaning against the wall and trying to make eye contact with Heidi. Not overly aggressively so, but he's there, and been there for twenty minutes at the least. So perhaps she's noticed.
    "You understand the rules of the game?" Alex asks and then eats the half of chicken tender she did not take from him.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Perhaps Heidi has noticed or perhaps the man is entirely ignored. Perhaps both. He seems to be last on her list of things to be focusing on. "I suppose this is a game I understand, yes." She pauses, a little curious. "Is this a common drinking game? Are people fond of prying into the lives of others?"

It seems a little invasive, but she's hesitantly agreeing--because he seems to need to talk. Her hestiancy, though, is from her end of it. She's pretty sure touching on personal issues are going to bring about confusing emotions again.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "It is," But then his eyes light up and he murmurs, "Or hey, we could play 'I never' but that's... usually you need more people." Alexander straightens up, turning his hips in the booth and bringing one of his legs up on the seat beside him, gaze drifting over one way, then back toward her. "But the rules of that are you go around the table and each person says, 'Never have I ever...' and you say something that you haven't done but you think someone else has done. Like..."
    He reaches for the flask and holds it up to say, "Never have I ever... ridden a pegasus."
    Then he hands the flash to her and he says, "And then you'd have to drink. And then you could say like, 'Never have I ever...worn stupid t-shirts.' And then I'd have to drink."
    Perhaps Alexander is being loud, too loud, broadcasting what he's saying without a care in the world. The red-headed man pushes off of the wall, stating to walk around the table with his hands sliding out of his pocket as he advances toward Heidi, clearly intent on talking with her.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Perhaps she is still oblivious, but Heidi is certainly not paying any attention to the red-headed man. Instead, her attention is on Alexander. They, after all, are about to play a serious game. "I believe the 'I Never' game is a little unfair to play with people of different realms. It would be very easy to determine what I have or haven't done simply based on your perceptions of Asgard."

Sometimes, if you ignore a problem long enough, it'll go away. Heidi looks out of the corner of her eye. She /is/ aware someone is there. She makes no motion other than a glance to even indicate such.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Oh, you're probably right," Alexander stops and falls silent for a moment, rubbing at his chin thoughtfully as if trying to think back over the last few moments, pondering his train of thought and making it backtrack somewhat. Until he eventually nods, "Alright then. Truth or dare?" He asks and offers a smile, though it's given a little blearily.
    Of course that's the moment when the man arrives, blue jeans, a grey overshirt upon a white t-shirt, strong features. There's a faint scent of tobacco to the man as he sets his drink down on the table and says, "Excuse me, miss. I was wondering, if after you got done babysitting here, you might want to join me for a drink?"
    He shoots a smile over towards Alexander, who looks a little curiously at the arrival of this fellow, eyes narrow a touch, perhaps an element of confusion. So his answer is a light, "Hm?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi is about to answer the question to begin the game when someone she doesn't know shows up. She doesn't bristle or seem annoyed by the interruption, instead being her usual cheerful self. "Hail friend! I'm afraid you're mistaken. This is a dear friend of mine in need of no one's keeping. Your offer of a drink is appreciated, though I am afraid that I will probably return home after I am done in my friend's company. Perhaps another time?"

If she's aware of what the implications of /buying a drink/ in this context are, she doesn't say so. Instead, she keeps things in the level playing field of politeness without making promises.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    There are some glances sent over, some wry comments made, a little ripple of laughter that races up and down the aisle from one point to the other as eyes are slide sidelong. A lot of people are considering Heidi and Alex's booth at the moment, and to be fair had been for a time as Heidi drew a lot second glances. And a few third ones as well.
    But her current beau doesn't take that entirely easy as he adjusts his hat and smiles a little. "Now don't be too hasty, beautiful. You gimme some time, a few words, and maybe old Mason can put on the charm and I'll bet you in three drinks we'll be leavin' here together. Whaddayasay?"
    Though he does turn to the side to look at Alexander and casually flips a quarter on the table, "Here kid go call your mom to come pick you up."
    A few more laughs while Wynona still sings on the hardships she's had to face, the guitar twanging away soulfully.
    Alexander, though, he sort of looks up. Looks at the guy, and to be fair he's not /ugly/ and his brow quirks. He looks across the table and gestures, "You wanna talk to this guy?" He sort of gestures at himself and then over his shoulder, as if saying he'd be okay to leave if she wanted to get her groove one.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"The compliment is appreciated," Heidi says. She doesn't always take compliments well, but she takes them politely. "Also you are quite mistaken if you think it takes only three Midgardian drinks to put me in whatever sort of mood you're implying, though I still appreciate the kind offer." She pauses. "In case you are confused, I am politely rejecting you."

She glances across the table at Alexander. "As I mentioned to him, I am in a dear friend's company and plan on staying there."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "This," Alexander says a little louder as he nods to Heidi, "Is a little awkward."
    As Mason straightens up and shakes his head, "That's a pity." He nods, but then says sidelong to Alexander, "Shut the fuck up kid, later on in life you'll learn a smart ass mouth gets you into a ton of trouble." And then he has the gall to take his quarter back off the table and point at Alexander with one hand, "But keep talking and see what happens."
    The young Olympian looks at Heidi, then at Mason, then back to Heidi. "You know, I've never been in a bar fight? Do you feel this is like... sufficient motivation? Or should I let him go?"
    And though Alex is speaking as if the man isn't there Mason lifts his voice, "Fuck you, you're lucky I'm letting you go, kid." And with that he starts to turn away.
    Yet Alexander tilts his head towards Heidi for guidance.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"While he has been polite to me, if you are interested in punching the man, he /has/ insulted you," Heidi points out. She looks between the 'gentleman' and Alexander and leans forward conspiratorially. "He has maybe not insulted you a lot, but if you were to engage in a fight, I would obviously have your back, Alexander."

She allows just the tiniest grin. "I haven't gotten to punch anyone yet on Midgard."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Alexander's smile broadens, just opening with a gleam of mirth in his eyes as he says, "Why Heidi, you naughty gal." And, to be fair, he seems ever more charmed with her, but he sits up and says to the side while the guy's still walking away.
    "Hey!"
    There's a pause as Alex looks at Heidi as if for suggestions on what to say next?
    Then he turns, "Umm, asshole?"
    Mason squints, "The fuck did you just call me you lil fuckface rattoothed motherfucker!" And already the guy is charging, an empty chair at one of the nearby tables is kicked out of the way, even as Alex slips out of the booth and holds his hands up.
    "Did you ever read Cyrano De Bergerac?" The Olympian Teen asks perhaps Heidi, or heck perhaps Mason.
    "Who?"
    And suddenly a punch is thrown, though it doesn't connect as Alex leans back just enough.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Well, it certainly didn't take much for the 'gentleman' to turn hostile, simply from the 'asshole' comment. Heidi gets to her feet. She did offer to back him up, after all. Part of her desires to verbally smooth over the situation but she was certain that this was the intended course of action. She, of course, also does not know the name.

"Read? Is he a poet?" It's an odd conversation to have during some kind of fist fight.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Mason, scowling, steps forward and continues to menace Alexander, trying to grab his shirt and reaching, footsteps shuffling on the ground and the sawdust. People are quickly clearing out of the way as the aisles around the nearby tables clear. Some of the people at the pool table are laughing and pointing, taking long drags on their cigars. And through it all Alex is just taking it easy, stepping back occasionally slapping the man's fist out of the way as if the two were just sparring.
    "He was. Back in France, a few hundred years ago."
    /WHAP-WHAP!/ A few more punches thrown.
    "There was a play written about his life. He was brilliant, could write amazing poetry off the top of his head for any situation."
    Mason scowls and grabs one of the pool cues off the nearby table and _swings_ it at Alexander, the stick breaking on the wall as the youth steps back and then ducks around that strike, ending up behind the man.
    "There was a point where he was dueling with another nobleman, and he decided to create a poem in the middle of it. Ah man, how did it go?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Oh," Heidi says in response. Then her face lights up. Poetry? While /dueling/? Be still her heart! "I am sad I never got to meet this fellow," she laments, glancing between Alexander and Mason. She doesn't interfere--she's there for moral support and physical if necessary. "You've got this?" She asks, just to be sure.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    The blond youth grins and widens his eyes as he tells Heidi in answer to her question, "I don't know. Maybe... maybe I'll die! Maybe he'll kill me!" Letting a quaver into his voice even as Mason... he's busy swinging away and grunting and scowling.
    "Little bastard, stand still and fight!"
    "But here, it was called...Ballad of a Duel in the Hotel Burgundy." Alex retreats and then casually grabs, Mason's wrist, pushing that hand out of the way with an easy graceful movement, a circular hand gesture that slaps the wrist away like sticky hands from Kung Fu. A quick twist and a retreating step.
    "He starts off something about his cloak, his hat. Taking them off showily." As Alexander says this he spins and boots a chair into the way.
    Of course by this time the bartender yells from far up in the front of the place...
    "CUT THAT SHIT OUT OR I'M CALLIN THE COPS!"
    Nobody seems to listen.
    "Then he goes on all,
    'elegant as Celadon,'
    'agile as Scaramouch,'
    'I warn you now, dear Myrmidon,'
    'at the envoi's end,'
    Alexander swirls to the side and casually sweeps the man's guard away. He steps in and is suddenly chest to chest with the man and boops his nose with two fingers. "I touch,"
    Mason blinks and backs off, stepping back quickly, "Man fuck this."
    Josie yells again, "CUT THE SHIT!"
    The other man scowls at Alexander and then starts to step backward, then turns and moves away quickly. Some people laugh, one young woman who had been eyeing Alexander for a time claps a bit, and Alex gives her a wink, but then he's sitting back down in the seat.
    "We should watch the movie some time."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Oh, no one's going to kill you, Alexander," Heidi scoffs. She doubts it'll even come close--she has faith in his skills in the first place, even if he's a bit tipsy. But this whole situation is /delightful/ and she's enjoying every second of what has now turned into a performance. "Do not fear, we shall not make further mess," she calls towards Josie.

Her attention, bright-eyed and excited, turns back towards Alex. "I've never seen a movie, but if it's half as good as what you just did I shall certainly enjoy it. Well done," she even gives him a small clap as she slides back into her seat.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I'm..." Alexander smiles as he settles into the seat, leaning a little to the side and looking across the way to her, "In too good of a mood to hurt anyone." He looks after where Mason wandered off to and shakes his head, "If my dad was here he'd be all, 'your honor was impugned! these mortals will never take you seriously if you don't gut a few dozen now and again!' Or something."
    Then he leans forward and quirks an eyebrow at her, reaching for the flask as his eyebrow quirks at her, as if asking for permission. And if she grants it he'll take the stopper off and take a... not a small sip. A few swallows actually. He closes it up and hands it to her, the bridge of his nose reddening a little as his eyes hood.
    "But seriously, lately I prefer to just practice or spar or whatever."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Well, your dad would be proud because you impressed an Asgardian and that does take a little bit of doing." Heidi pauses. "Even me, I am easily amused but not often /impressed/ and you certainly did that." She happily slides the flask back to him. He deserves some for that little display. She looks positively joyful.

"I would offer to spar but..." She gestures at the flask. "Probably wise to wait for later."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "That..." Alexander says as he smiles and looks away, "Is probably a bad idea. And I do not plan to go into it..." He says as he leans against the table and then blinks, a touch blearily. Then he laughs, "Though hmm... see right there, /that/ is the sort of thing you use truth-or-dare for. Because I suddenly am feeling all, 'aww gawrsh,' and embarrassed. But if you wanted to know then you could be all, 'truth or dare!' and then I'd have to do all dares cuz I'd /know/ you'd ask about that."
    As Alexander explains the depth of strategy that could go into that oh so socially complex game, that's the moment the waitress comes back and sets down another round of drinks for them, though not quite as nice as the Mead. She looks at Alex and then Heidi, "What was all that bustle about, darlin'?"
    "Hey thanks, it was. Umm nothin. Stuff."
    "Which was it, nothing or stuff?" The waitress grins as she chews her bubblegum, but she waves and turns away before he can answer.
    Looking back to Heidi he shakes his head, "Anyways..." Then his brow furrows. "What were we talking about?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"You're getting admirers now," Heidi teases as she nudges him with her foot under the table. "Look at you. I'm not the most impressive person in this room anymore." She's probably joking about that. She leans against the table a bit to study him. "I don't even remember," she mutters, but takes a moment to figure out what she's doing. "Oh right I was going to play your game."

Given the amount of excitement that just went on, she thinks the choice should be a little less exciting. "Truth?" She does, however, try to check and make sure the alcohol isn't hitting him /too/ hard.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Truth truth truth," Alexander's eyes lift upwards and his smile is broad and open, looking entirely a good bit tipsy, that pleasant level when one feels they've lost a touch of inertia to their movements, where they become subtly just a little too broad and wide. He takes a breath and asks, "What... when you were a youthful Asgardian fresh to blade and saddle," He smiles as he remembers that phrase, as if it somehow pleased him, "Was the most embarrassing thing that happened to you, or that you caused?"
    He then nods and gestures one hand pointing at her in that way as if saying that he's got her number now.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi is certainly keeping a close eye on him in case she decides the alcohol is a bit much for him. She is, however, content to play the silly Midgardian game. She tries to think of the idea of something embarrassing. "I fell off a horse because I hadn't saddled it properly, once. That got a few laughs that I wasn't actually hoping would be directed my way, but I was uninjured and laughed it off myself."

There seems to be a trend for her using happiness and humor to deal with harder issues.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "That's it?" He's disappointed, it shows clear on his features, "I was hoping for something like," He then modulates his voice to sound squeaky-high-pitched as if he were imitating her voice, but clearly not, but definitely implying that she has this horrible screech of a girl voice, "'One night I was returning home from battle, and I mistook a pair of boots for the boots of my nasty rival Cindy the Valkyrie, so I put horse poo in them, only to learn in the morning that they were Prince Thor's boots!' or something."
    He grins then and casually nudges her foot with his, as if in complete reprisal.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I am afraid, Alexander, that you think me for more exciting than I am. I had no rivals. I tried to be fair to everyone and for the most part that was respected." Not that it worked every time. "If you want an exciting story, ask Lady Sif. She could tell you all kinds of stories about Loki that are embarrassing." She pauses. "Don't ask about her hair."

That last bit is Heidi issuing a warning. She leans forward. "Now it is your turn to pick a dare or a truth."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "Mmm," He nods a little then he grins and looks to the side, one eyebrow quirking up as if considering if this girl, if she got game. And if so, how willing is he to risk it? And so he starts with this to test the waters, "I'll start with a dare. Just to see what you got." As he says this he grabs the last chicken tender, but he holds it protectively away from her, giving her the squint-eye glower of possessiveness, since he remembers what happened last time with her stealing his bread!
    He then smiles and takes a bite, sitting up a little as he looks around. "Can be anything, but hopefully won't end in jail time. Alright?"
    He meets her eyes with that grin in their green-blue depths. "Alright."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I have no idea what I am supposed to dare you to do, Alexander. I do not wish to see you do something stupid or embarrassing, as I would not wish to see you unhappy because of it." Heidi looks around, seeking some kind of possible dare to pop up. Then she notes the nugget.

"I dare you to give me that." She gestures at the half-eaten nugget. Then, while he might be distracted by the bold demand... she attemts to reach over and steal it anyway.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You can't dare someone away from their propety!" Alexander says with his tone indignant, but then she's /reeeeaching/ across the table and he gives her arm a lil 'whack!' as if aghast at what she's doing, but then he laughs and rolls his eyes, "Ok ok, fiiiine." He then hands the half of the chicken tender to her and extends it her way, then says. "But it's got my germs and all all over it. So there, maybe I have a cold, you ever think of that?"
    Yet as he teases her she can hear in his voice that he's utterly at ease for the moment, just enjoying her company and the moment. He then asks as he eyes the flask and starts to lightly pull it toward himself, fingertips flicking just aintly. "Your turn, Truth or Dare?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I am unafraid of your feeble germs, Alexander," Heidi gives him the eye, taking the nugget and tossing it effortlessly into her mouth. She's enjoying this too much. She eyes the flask, then eyes him again. "Careful." She warns, watching him very closely.

"Dare."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I... Alexander Aaron, Son of War, God of Fear, Child of Battle. Dare you, Heidi Ingerdottir, Soon of the Valkyrior, Lady of Asgard, to stand up." He motions to the side and points right next to their table. "And demand everyone's attention, then sing the most ribald, wicked, tavern song that you know of from Asgard."
    That having been said and pronounced with such authority, the youth nods slooooowly as if she had done it now. Then he leans back and folds his arms over his chest, then tells her, "Now that. That's a dare." He points at her again. "And that one is for stealing my bread the other time."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi raises an eyebrow. A drinking song? "Alexander, you make it sound as if that were supposed to be an embarrassing thing." But she does, standing up next to the table. "I now present to you the Asgardian tavern song, 'The Rod of Unknowing'." The song that she proceeds to sing is certainly a bawdy drinking song. While never explicit, it is full of euphemisms and metaphors that imply the idea of things happening that don't. There's a magic staff, an evil sorcerer trying to woo a young maiden, and somewhere there's a goat. It's odd, but she does it.

While she's not a trained singer, Heidi has a nice voice and she's a clear /performer/. She knows how to rouse a crowd, to invite them to participate. Usually it's not her singing, but she'll make do in this particular case. Once it's over, she slides back into her seat as if nothing happened. "Did that satisfy?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    When Heidi gets up, the voice that's perhaps strongest in support of her song is Alexander's. He'll sing along as he can, though slow at first until he picks up the lyrics, and makes up for his lack of knowledge with gusto during the chorus. He grins and at one point even steals another pull on the Mead, laughing at the part when the Goat leaps out to steal the staff and run away much to the sorcerer's chagrin.
    The people around pick it up as well, though it's a weird and curious thing, but as she goes on, seemingly utterly without any hint of self-recrimination nor self-consciousness, her enthusiasm is infectious until the last chorus and mugs are swaying and swinging...
    And then she settles back down even as Alex applauds her, hands clapping a few times resonantly then softer when she's at her ease.
    "It was alright. I guess."
    "But okay. My turn."
    He tilts his head, "Truth."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi is settled in at the booth again, though she does give him a bit of a glare at his remark about the song. It's a tease and she knows it, but it doesn't stop the glare and roll of her eyes. She leans forward, however, as soon as he makes his choice. It's barely out of his mouth before she's asking it.

"Were you trying to impress me?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "When?" He asks at first, his eyes finding hers, that eerie pale gaze brightening. But then his gaze softens a little and he adds gently with a tilt of a smile. "Always." That's all he says there, just a single answer given, but perhaps she may wish to know more as he doesn't elaborate. Though for a brief moment the toe of his shoe touches hers. He looks away.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"With the duel," Heidi elaborates, but his answer of 'always' doesn't seem like an answer to her, more of an attempt to brush it off. She crosses her arms as she leans on the table. "Were you trying to impress me?" She echoes it again, now that she's being more specific. She's watching him carefully now, as if trying to sort him out visually.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A look to the side and he laughs a little, "No. To be honest, no." He seems so cheery and at ease, with that little darkening of his skin over the bridge of his nose, clearly well into drink though far from drunk. "It was... several lines of thought coming together at once."
    He extends a hand on the table, gesturing with it though broadly and perhaps a little too greatly. "I didn't want to hurt the guy. Though I didn't like him talking to me like that, but I didn't want to like... really hurt him. But the situation reminded me of that scene from the play about Cyrano and it clicked with me, that he was a poet and perhaps you would like him. And so..."
    His eyes lift upwards, then back down. "Hm, maybe I was trying to impress you. But more... by introducing you to something that is cool."
    His lip twitches then he looks away.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi gives him a gentle nudge with her toe, then offers a genuinely warm smile. "It /was/ impressive and even if it wasn't your intent, I am pleased that you thought about me in the middle of it and thought to share it. I am honored that you shared with me something that you enjoy and thought I would enjoy. Please continue to do that." It's a small ask, but she doesn't seem to be too worried about him refusing.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    For a time the young Olympian leans back against the wall in that booth, enjoying the sound of the crowd, the feeling of mild inebriation, and the smile of the too nice Asgardian opposite him. "I think I can see why people drink. It's... a form of freedom, the inhibitions thing? Maybe."
    His eyes lower and he nods, "But, alright, I'll try to keep on sharing cool things." He looks back and then tries to get the waitresses attention with a lifted hand, but she keeps on going by. He crinkles his nose, but seems content to wait.
    Then he looks back at her, "Alright your turn," His lips twist, "Truth or Dare?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi, while she's had a bit of alcohol, is nowhere near that contented level of inebriation. "Alcohol lets you have the freedom to be you without worrying about what people might say. Sometimes that is good, sometimes that is bad." She certainly errs on the side of good. She offers him a smile.

"I'm going with truth." She's hoping he won't give her anything hard.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    A small smile is there as Alexander tilts his head the other way. For a time he just looks at her as he bites his lower lip, pondering the situation and what he might ask. Then he straightens up and takes a looooong breath. He holds it, considers, then lets it out as he hrrrrrrms. Until finally his smile broadens, "What... is the most romantic thing someone has ever done for you?"
    He nods slowly, and she can likely read in the smugness of those hazel eyes the satisfaction as he likely tells himself that was a good one.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
An odd look comes across Heidi's face and she stops to try and think. Her thinking takes a long time. A very long time. Finally, she folds her hands on the table to give her long sought after answer.

"I don't know."

She seems to think that's just fine to leave a truth or dare question with. /I don't know/.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Shaking his head, Alexander says with a smile, "That you /know/ of then." Then his head tilts to the side curiously, as he tries to gauge her expression, measure her reactions. And after an instant of consideration he leans forward a little, supporting his chin in his hand as he adds quietly, "Or that you suspect." And as if that might open the lock of Heidi's past he'll smile a little as he looks away.
    "Though, you can always accept another dare if you're afraid to answer." Oh yes, he just brought up the word afraid. That tiny 5'11" jerk.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
There's a cold look from Heidi as he suggest she's afraid. "I am not afraid," she says, simply, but she looks back across the table at him. "Is that what you want to know?" She's asking if that's his final answer.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    Narrowed-eyes, grim expression. Like a pair of gunslingers at high noon in front of the salloon. They just need a tumbleweed to roll on by. He sits up and then says, "Yeah. That's what I wanna know." He squints.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
He asked. So she answers. Heidi leans her back against the booth, creating a small amount more of distance between them. "I don't know because I don't remember. I don't remember anyone doing anything for me more than perhaps a gift. Because that is not something done. Not to me, not for me." He's trying to get her to open up about things, so she just pours it on him. "I work in a stable. My mother has gotten us the honor of a title but it is barely more than that, no real social standing. I fight, but I have not won the title of Valkyrie. Do you understand that? In essence, I am no one. Insignificant. Worthless."

How much of that is true may be hard to suss out, but it's certainly what she believes to be true. "Truth or dare?" It's verbally shoved towards him, as if she were disgusted by the question.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As she speaks, as she offers that verbal onslaught of twinned words and feelings, Alexander's eyes hold hers and slowly he seems to focus more and more on her. Sobering up a little in manner, in attitude. He meets that aggression as she lashes him with that view of herself, that lack of social standing, that past. He sits up and takes a breath, his head lifting from his hand as he folds them in front of himself...
    And then he extends a hand toward her, fingers open, palm up. Offering as he tells her quietly. "Truth." Nothing more is said, nothing more for right now. But he offers that vulnerability in word, and that quiet support in gesture.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi is watching him closely. Her expression's hard to read, it mostly registers as blank. Each movement he makes, she's watching him. Her eyes fix on his hand when he puts it out on the table. There's a moment or two more before she moves her own hand and places it atop his, though she doesn't speak on that. Instead, she focuses on what he said.

She tilts her head to the side. "Why do you care?"

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    His fingers curl around hers, but just holding as he looks across the way at her for a time. then away. She can likely see his features shift a little, as if having thought of something that makes him exhale a breath close to a laugh though likely aimed at himself. Then his gaze returns and he says, "Promise not to hit me until after I finish talking. Ok?"
    And he'll pause for a moment to wait for perhaps some sign of acknowledgment. Even if it's silent staring straight ahead at him. But then he takes a breath and says...
    "A lot of reasons. When I think of you, I think of someone so pure in heart and intent, so good, so kind, that I want to protect you. From the world, and from others. You cause me to slip outside of myself sometimes, just taken with the feeling of who you are. You seem to be a person who just wants friends, good experiences, closeness, happiness. And it seems a rarity as far as I have seen."
    He looks to the side and murmurs, "When I first saw you, I thought you were radiant and bright and beautiful, even if... I was not feeling charitable. You seemed the perfect counterpoint to Sif. And after getting to know you, I just. I don't know. Maybe that's why I cared so much about what you thought about me. Since other people..."
    He shakes is head and waves a hand, "Most other people I don't care about. I care about... my father. Melissa. And you. I care what you guys think. Everyone else..." He shrugs and takes a deep breath.
    "I care about you, because you are worth it."
    "Ok, I'm done, you can hit me now if you're gonna."

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
While it's no longer a blank look, Heidi's face is hard to read. There are certainly emotions swelling in there, they're just not bubbling over. "I'm not used to people wanting to protect me," she admits. "I'm a warror. They want to fight with me or against me, but never protect me." But protection isn't just physical. She knows that as well as anyone. There's a lot of things in what he says that are hard to take in. Compliments aren't her thing. So she just suffers through the onslaught of positive things, and gets caught up on the last one. Worth it?

"Okay," she says slowly. She's not sure if she agrees, but that's his answer, his opinion.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    As easily as that, Alexander looks to the side, then back and he says with a warmth in his voice. "So glad to have your approval." He leans back a little but leaves his hand there, shifting to the side to lean against the wall, still that warmth to his features from the mead she brought along. He looks again toward the waitress and waves, this time snaring her attention.
    "Your turn to ask a question." He says even as the server arrives.
    "Hey, could we get some nachos?"
    "Sure thing, honey." The waitress grins, popping her bubblegum and strolls on off back down the aisle. Distantly Mason's seated at the bar, speaking animatedly with a few people, but otherwise keeping a low profile.
    Once the order is placed he looks back to her expectantly.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"It's actually your turn to ask me. I asked why you cared. Now, I pick truth," Heidi doesn't know exactly what he'll ask after /that/, but it's certainly less silly than a dare. Which, she's guessing, he'd try to embarrass her with. "You just want to talk about yourself." There's a tease.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You know, you're right." Alex says as he straightens up a little, head tilting the other way, "Maybe I'm actually getting drunk. Ish." But he squeezes her hand a little and then chews on his lower lip thoughtfully, gaze drifting to the side. His brow furrows with consideration before he looks back to her and then lets those brows rise, "Though you're right, I am my own favorite topic of conversation."
    He grins and then seems to perk as something strikes him and so he asks, "When you feel your legacy is due to be written, how would you rather be remembered? As a great warrior who had a wondrous end. Or a poet who created something that would endure well beyond them? Or something else?" He asks with curiousity even as he shifts in his seat a little.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"If I get the choice, I would like to be a warrior-poet," Heidi says as she seems honestly thoughtful about it. Her hand remains where it's at, seeming to ground her in a way. A security blanket? "I want the world to know I am strong, that I can face enemies and protect my realm and my skills will shine through. But I want to be known for my words, for the lives I've touched, for what I can leave behind for those who come after me. I want to mean something to people. I do not want to be forgotten." She pauses. "Besides, legacies are best written now. I could die in battle tomorrow."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    It creates a silent connection, a stabilizing effect, an illusion of privacy shared even though around them there are dozens of people. Though they are people entirely taken with their own worlds until forced to acknowledge something of the 'other'. And Alexander listens as she speaks, his eyes dropping subtly to follow the movement of her lips as he watches, then looks back to her eyes. "So, like a typical Asgardian, you want your cake and to eat it too." His lip twists up a little, teasing.
    But then he draws his lower lip between his teeth and worries at it a little before he gets a wry smile and offers, "Alright, truth." Since the dares seem to have been left behind. At least for now.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"I don't know about Midgardians but I thought wanting to possess and eat cake was a universal idea," Heidi doesn't know who wouldn't want cake. Still, she's interested in asking him more questions. This one takes a bit more thought. "What's your favorite thing about Melissa?" She pauses, offering her own. "I like how she both doesn't care and does. She is strong and doesn't let things get to her, but she was kind to me. It is admirable." She gestures for him to answer.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    His lips twist to a smile that settles on his features and she can just see that body language change. The way he looks down and his lips turn up. His cheeks broaden a little as he takes a small breath then lets it go with a hint of a sigh. His smile twists a little the other way when he finally does look back up and meet Heidi's eyes. "My favorite thing is her wildness. Her full intensity thrown behind everything she does."
    There's a look to the side as he squeezes her hand, his thumb lightly drifting over the side of her hand as if sharing that sentiment. "When I first met her I was just... I've never met someone to just go from standing and into motion so quickly and so fully committed."
    Then his lips part as if he remembered something and was about to tell it, but then stops himself and smiles. "Anyways..." He bites his lip again, then nods to her.
    "Truth or dare?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Truth," Heidi says. It's not as if she's going to pick dare anymore. Yawn. "I would like to see more of that. Her wildness. I have not really met someone like her and I enjoy meeting people who are different. Unique and interesting. It's as if you learn something new every time you see them. People like that are a joy."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "You should train with her then," Alexander says with a nod, "Just her style of fighting and all. It's..." He shakes his head and he grins, then he murmurs, "It fits her."
    That said he looks upward and then asks Heidi, "Oh hey," His smile widens and a small mischievous look touches his features as he takes a deep breath, "So you're walking along a beach and you find a magic lamp that when you rub it out pops a genie that offers you three wishes, with a few caveats connected to them like the usual stuff of no wishing for more wishes, or things like that."
    He straightens up with a haughty air and asks, "What do you do?"
    But then as he says that the waitress comes by and sets down the plate of nachos, she's grinning and has somewhere along the line lost the gum, "Here you go, kids." But then to Heidi she says, "You take good care of him, darlin'. Or else someone else might."
    Which gets Alex to snort a little as he only then draws his hand back for the purpose of munching on nachos. "So ok, three wishes. Genie. And... go!"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi looks thoughtful. "Do you think she would train with me?" She almost sounds a little timid about asking. It's probably due to the fact that she has great respect for peoples' physical abilities, their prowess in battle. She does, however, glance over at the waitress and grin. "He is very good at taking care of himself, but I will watch his back." She offers before reaching over and taking one of the nachos.

The question, however, is hard. What does she want? Ah! "The first one is for me to have a battle that I can prove myself in." She doesn't want the title... she wants to earn it. "The second will be... a set of armor I can call forth with will alone." Good choices. "The third would be that my friends will always have some kind of happiness in their lives, even if their lives aren't always happy."

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "She would definitely train with you, Heidi." Alexander says as he resumes that slouched posture with his head held up by the hand that he had given to her. He pokes around at the nachos, casually exploring and seeking a choice bit with the right ratio of cheese and meat and jalapeno. He eventually looks across the way at her with one chip and /bites/ taking the whole thing in one go.
    And chewing.
    And chewing.
    Then he swallows and lifts his napkin to dab at his lips before he grins at her. "She's always looking to improve. And when we train together in hand to hand she sometimes gets the edge on me because of her talents, but also she's very good at impromptu techniques and improvisation."
    That said he nods along with her answers, smiling at the last as he shakes his head. "See, you use a wish on your friends for happiness. You are ultra nice."
    A deep breath is taken as he heaves a sigh as if her niceness was a problem. But then he grins and murmurs, "Ok. Truth." Since dares... are less interesting.

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
"Alright, tell me, if you could buy me any present in the world, what would you buy me?"

Heidi seems pleased with her own question, leaning on the table to look at him as she does, eating another nacho, giving no particular glance towards which one she snags.

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "BUY you something!" Alexander says with a laugh as his voice raises, enough to intrude upon the conversations around them as he then abruptly blushes a little looking around while people give him a glance of annoyance. He waves a little but then grins and lowers his voice. "I don't..."
    His eyes lift upwards and he shakes his head, "I don't think I'd /buy/ you anything, Heidi." He rubs his chin a little bit thoughtfully as he turns his head, "I figure you'd... I dunno, more appreciate my time and effort. Or you'd rather I like, spend time with you teaching each other fighting techniques, or trying..."
    He grins and reaches over for their folded up placemat with their poem, "Or trying to finish our poem. I can't think of anything I could buy that you'd like. Except maybe like tickets to a Cyrano play? So you could see it first hand?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
His answer seems to cause a smile to creep up. Heidi glances at him. "I believe you have chosen as good of an answer that could be chosen." She seems pleased. "You will have to do some sparring with me soon. When you aren't slightly drunk." She eyes the flask still sitting there, and takes another nacho. "I like these a lot. Probably one of my favorite Midgardian foods so far." She looks to him. "I obviously pick truth." As if there were an option!

Alexander Aaron has posed:
    "I dunno if that's a good idea," Alexander says as he looks to the side, then he looks back. "Unless it's somewhere busy and crowded. Then sure. Ok, yah that's a good idea." He offers that with a nod as if that would solve the problem. Then he straightens up and takes a deep breath. "So ok, truth."
    He hunkers down and seems to focus, eyebrow beetled in the middle, his lips pursed, his eyes squinty. He nods slowly as he goes over the possibilities and then he says, "Five hundred years from now..." He smiles a little, head tilted to the side, "We're both older. Both probably wiser. Probably sadder in some ways. Happy in others. We meet back here, if it's still standing. We see each other across the way, we smile. What do you do?"

Heidi Ingerdottir has posed:
Heidi smiles, seeing a clear picture in her head of the event. "First I will hug you, and then I will tell you that you're terribly old. But then I will call you young Alexander because you are younger." She's definitely smiling, though, trying to imagine just what would be the same. "And then... I'd probably hug you again."