Owner	Pose
Stephen Strange	It isn't often that there is a request sent out from the Sorcerer Supreme. No...usually there is requests sent *to* one Doctor Stephen Strange. Several requests, of varying importance, that Stephen has the unfortunate pleasure of having to respond to. It is one of the more tedious aspects of being what he is. But, for Stephen to send out an invitation to the Sanctum? That is extremely rare. To send out an invitation to solicit assistance? One might as well ask for a fire-breathing unicorn, since that would be more easily obtained. Yet...it is real. After Stephen's latest visitation of the deity variety, there is a need for assistance, as much as Stephen would wish to deny such. And, considering his Goddess-given objective and moreso, the particular destination that he must go to dealing with Asgardian issues of importance, Stephen has a favor to ask any Asgardian that will listen. It is fortunate that he knows of a few. One, in particular, that might be persuaded to provide assistance. Provided Stephen is willing to bargain. So the invite was sent. Nothing terribly fancy...just a letter that just shows up in plain sight for the Asgardian in question, Brunnhilde, with the following: 'Please meet me at the Sanctum Santorum at your earliest convenience. I have a matter of importance to discuss with you in regards to recent events and the rectification of matters within Helheim. In recompense for your assistance, whatever that may be, I will be willing to locate and reunite you with your missing possession. Sincerely, SS' Nevermind the fact that the possession in question was lost on Stephen's watch. But, perhaps...just perhaps...it will be enough to garner an audience with the valkyrie.
Brunnhilde	Invitation requests to go visit the Sanctum indeed didn't come often. And it's like fate provided, because Hilde had just been looking towards going to meet a certain Doctor again. And granted, having an invitation made things easier than going around knocking on doors protected by ages-old spell wards. So it doesn't take long for the Valkyrie to come a-knocking. Literally, for there's a knock on the door, followed by a, "I have arrived, wizard." her loud voice booming. The Asgardian looks somewhat different these days. Her long blonde hair is intricately braided in the Asgardian way. Eyes sharper. Body leaner and prepared for battle. As if the alcohol had been set aside. Or at least partially. Truth be said the talk about Helheim had peeked her interest about the same as it had the certain item missing.
Stephen Strange	And, really, it did seem that Stephen was waiting for his guest to arrive. For it doesn't take long at all for the door to open and the good doctor himself welcome Hilde inside. It is as if he was standing there, just in case. Or, more likely, the wards told Stephen long before the knock on the door. Stephen would never just be standing at the ready like a common doorman. "Thank you for coming, Brunnhilde. Please, come in." Full name, manners on display. Stephen truly is being on his best behavior. He even doesn't mention the whole wizard/sorcerer difference, either. He must really need something. It's the hat, of course. Wizards wear them. Sorcerers do not. And, clearly, there is not a hat to be found on Strange's head. "Is there anything I can offer to you to make your visit more comfortable?" No, Stephen does not mention alcohol, though it is obvious he can provide, upon request. Still, he wants to be on Hilde's good side. That much is apparent.
Brunnhilde	Using her whole name. That's polite. Receiving her so promptly. But offering her a drink? Something's up. Maybe that's why those ice blue eyes narrow just so in a cunning manner. "You are being overly sweet." She tells him directly. "You want something." that much she knew already. "But you should know that's not the way to get to my good side." Which way is it then? "Going direct to the matter is." Of course that Hilde provides exactly what she wants. Not one to waste time this one is! She has walked inside the house now, posture straight and gaze bearing fully on the Sorcerer Supreme. "And since you mentioned Helheim in your letter I imagine we are talking of something urgent."
Stephen Strange	The sorcerer nods...and doesn't drop the pleasantness. He does, however, offers a soft chuckle. "Ah, yes. Get to the point. As you wish." With that, Stephen shifts. Without a pause, he gets down to business. "It is a two-fold mission, at least for me. But, the heart of the matter is that I need to get into Helheim. As a Valkyrie, I know you have relative access to be able to pass through there. I am looking into options on how to best return there." Yes, Stephen said 'return.' He obviously has been there before...but the way he went previously may be shut. He does continue on. "That is the what. The why is more complex. However, the high level explanation is that I need to restore Hela to her reign in Helheim to restore balance within the realms of the dead. And, in the process of placing Hela back on her throne, I intend to find the soul of one Doctor Jane Foster and return her to her physical form. I have it on good authority that Dr. Foster is in Helheim as well, which she should not be. As a Valkyrie, she should be allowed to depart from Hel. As a fellow Valkyrie, I thought you might be interested in rescuing Dr. Foster from Hel, but, if not, I ask at the very least for your assistance to enter Helheim so that I may be able to do so." As far as urgency? "The sooner we can restore balance, the better."
Brunnhilde	"Usually people want a way out of Helheim. Not a way in." Hilde arches a brow back at the Sorcerer Supreme, watching him for a few moments in silence, assessing him. And then some more staring while he explains the entirety of the plan, and -why- he wants to be going there. "So that's where her soul went." she narrows her eyes at this, "Being a former Valkyrie you know how important the balance between realms is needed. Specially the ones of the dead. Yet you seem to believe there's a relation between Jane Foster's soul going to Hel and Hela not being in her throne. Explain, please." "Yes, I will help you with reaching Helheim. For that I will need my sword, I need a location of where it is." she says, "And for my second demand, you will not go alone in there. Lady Sif and Prince Thor have an interest in finding Jane's soul. And so do I. So we will accompany you. Those are my terms." Yes, Brunnhilde is very direct about things.
Stephen Strange	Well. The bluntness is refreshing. "There isn't a direct relation between Dr Foster's soul being in Hel and placing Hela back on her throne. This is what we would call multi-tasking. Or, a side-quest, if you will. I have need to restore the balance in Helheim, as requested by the goddess Persephone. I also have a vested interest in retrieving the soul of Doctor Foster from Hel. I am merely combining my two objectives together." See, Stephen can be honest and blunt, too. "I believe the term is 'killing two birds with one stone.'. In this case, I fully admit that I do not wish to go into Hel more than I absolutely have to." Still....two demands? Doable. "Certainly. I will assist in locating your sword. And I welcome the Asgardian company. This is perfectly acceptable to me."
Brunnhilde	"Persephone?" Brunnhilde lets out a snort at this, "You are treading in dangerous waters, wizard. But very well. We are settled. A location for a way into Helheim. And we will go with you." there's a solemn nod from the woman, as if what they spoke was now bonding. Maybe it is! "Do you know what made Jane's soul go to Hel?" she then finally inquires, "She never reached the gates of Valhalla. She was simply ..., gone. If you know then you also should be aware of the reason why." a beat, "And also why it's as important as it is that she is retrieved for Asgard."
Stephen Strange	Why yes, Stephen knows exactly what made Jane's soul go to Hel. "Malekith, in a word. In more detail, Malekith has used black magic to take a portion of one's soul out of their body and forcibly slam it back in. This sort of attack doesn't cause physical harm, but you can imagine what it does for the individual to suddenly have a part of you taken then forcibly thrown back in. Usually resulting in weakness and incapacitation. In Dr Foster's case, she was a soul made manifest by the power of the artifact she wielded. Therefore, when Malekith tried to take a part of her soul, instead he managed all of it. The sudden strain was too much and the enchantments that the Asgardian talisman provided snapped, causing Jane to lose her physicality. However, I do believe it was Jane herself that chose to go to Hel, for in her final moments, her soul reached out and took a hold upon Malekith's own....and dragged him down with her." There is a pause as Strange lets that sink in. Jane sacrificed herself to take out the dark elf sorcerer. "As much as you might think ill of Persephone, it was her that all but confirmed that Dr Foster is in Hel. And, the fact that you yourself confirmed Valhalla did not greet her indicates that Jane is in Hela's domain."