Orb Post: 2nd of Rebirth's Decline

[thoreal]

[Many might notice a rumble of thunder in the cloudy sky, and then a single crack of lightning, hitting somewhere outside of Schwanheim.

The very keen-eared might hear a roar, almost animal-like, along with it.

But there is no further commotion, and some time later, the Orb comes on to show a man that many will already recognize: Thor. He is holding a sword somewhat awkwardly, like it's been a while since he held one, and he seems, while not unfriendly, a little tense.]

Greetings, Heroes of Schwanheim. My name is Thor, son of Odin, and I require your eyes and ears.

I am looking for two things that I believe are in this realm. The first is a mighty warhammer that will not be lifted; the second, a dark-haired man that goes by the name Loki L... [He cannot say it. Not that other name.] That goes by Loki.

It is urgent that I find both as soon as possible. Has anyone seen them?

((The hammer, Mjolnir, is somewhere in the Two-Faced Forest, and Loki is Big Bad Wolf-ing it up, but feel free to clue him in to either!))

Comments

[thoreal]

In spite of everything, he attempts not to smile, feigning offense. "It is not as though I dropped it, Lady Sif." But there's a glint in his eye when he says it, because really, it's always good to spend time with her. The last few days have been very trying, and even if he cannot tell his friend what transpired -- and he suspects he should not -- it's welcome to have her with him.

He falls quiet as she speaks again, keeping his focus on his horse so as to temper his reactions. But he can't help it: hope thrums deep in his chest, and Sif, who knows him so well, must surely see it on his face.

"An ally," he echoes, with a faint, oddly painful smile. "Words I did not think I would hear again."

[brosif]

She sees the pain on his face, and thinks that she only understands a fraction of it. She saw him in mourning, saw him as the root of his brother’s betrayal took hold. There is more, here.

She is as poor at disguising her emotions as he is. It's etched in the lines of her face: how she wants to know of his lost year. How she knows, already, that she will not ask.

"He has told me not to think of him as such," she warns. The circumstances behind such a confession, she thinks are best left unsaid.

"And yet he has twice saved my life."

Once more than he tried to end it, if such actions could ever be measured. She knows they cannot.

[thoreal]

He's not looking at her yet, because if he does, he fears he might be compelled to tell her things he should not. Things it sounds more and more would be better kept to himself, even if it will be a difficult secret to bear. The things Loki did to Midgard... The things he said...

He tightens his horse's saddle and nods, swallowing it back. "I am glad to hear it, Sif. Truly, I am." And he is. There is an opportunity here, he cannot help but recognize.

If Loki fell here, if this place is so much better for him than wherever the one Thor knows went to... Then the hope of saving him is all the higher.

"My intention was to retrieve Mjolnir, Loki, and the tesseract as quickly as possible and return -- with you as well, of course. But now I think perhaps these plans are better changed."

[brosif]

...She doesn't want to go home, yet.

Though her actions have been increasingly turning towards that direction -- focusing on missions for the kingdom, rather than information on pathways to Asgard -- it is not until Thor suggests the same that it becomes a fully realized thought.

She would remain here awhile longer.

She goes to her mare wordlessly, as careful not to lead Thor into conversation as he is not to look at her.

Loki is doing better, here. Anyone could see it. It is good to have Thor's reassurance -- it helps her feel less the traitor.

"This kingdom is in need of help," she says, leading her mare out of the stable. "It would not have called us if it didn't."

It is the closest thing to a lie she may ever tell him. One that they can both use as a shield.

[thoreal]

"Careful, Sif." There's a teasing note in Thor's voice as he follows her out. "Most of our kind do not understand this soft-heartedness for Midgardians and other mortals."

Thor doesn't really understand, not yet. He hasn't been here long enough, hasn't fallen for this place the way he fell for Midgard and its people. If pressed, he'd admit he doesn't see what's so special about it, or why someone would pick it over Asgard. But didn't they say the same about New Mexico?

He can't help but wonder if one or the other of them even has a Jane here. Wouldn't that be something?

He swings up onto his stallion, cantering forward. "I would hear what my brother has to say about it," he says decisively. "Let us away before the thorns come."