Rebirth Decline 7 - Orb 4

[shorterinperson]

[ Alanna, having returned from her magical adventure in the Old City, sits in the tavern. ]

I have been here nearly a month. In that short time the moon shattered into a million pieces, a curse put half the girls in the village to sleep, a horrible beast threatened the town, and the thorns have started moving faster. On top of that, there have been two celebrations, neither of which ended particularly well. We've accomplished much, but we haven't made even a dent in the thorns.

I miss my husband, my children, my home. If we ever want to be free of this place, we need to focus on the matter at hand.

We need a plan.

Comments

[brosif]

"In a thousand years, I have never seen a force to counter the storms that Mjolnir calls. Those reasons must be well powerful.”

She looks down into her mug, and shakes her head. Resolved, she smiles again at her friend.

“I apologize – this is meant to be glad news. We may soon be able to defeat the thorns.”

[shorterinperson]

"They needn't be powerful at all. Magic is a tricky thing." Some things required a bit more finesse than a thunderbolt. But she waved it off.

"It's wonderful news. Perhaps we'll be able to return home after all."

[brosif]

"Your knowledge of it is certainly greater than mine."

Sif is as skilled with magic as she is with speeches. She shifts up in her seat, nodding. And calls for another drink.

"The sooner we can return you to your family, the better."

Sif's own plans in regards to returning home are slightly more muddled, at the moment.

[shorterinperson]

"And everyone else, of course," she added, one eyebrow raised.

[brosif]

"Of course."

She looks to the side. Sif is a poor liar, even in half-truths.

"For those who would wish it. Some may not."

[shorterinperson]

Her eyebrow lowered with the other into a frown.

"And why might 'some' not wish it?"

[brosif]

"As inane as this world is, there are worse out there."

She thinks of Sansa, now, though she was thinking of herself earlier. She has made a resolution, in her own mind, that Sansa Stark will not set one foot back in Westeros if she does not want to. She is a kind girl and they are unkind people.

“Violent worlds, where dangers are inherent in man rather than magic.”

[shorterinperson]

"And what about you?" She could tell when a subject was being danced around.

[brosif]

Ah. Sif is a poor dancer, in many respects. And yet, she attempts it still.

“The realm I come from is good. I need not fear a return.”

[shorterinperson]

"You don't sound very excited, though," she pointed out.

[brosif]

“I am…”

She hesitates. She trusts Alanna, much more than she expected to trust anyone here. But some things are not hers alone to tell.

“There are other factors to consider, now.”

[shorterinperson]

"You don't want to go home," Alanna offered, rather flatly. She could understand not wanting to return, but if it meant she was forced to stay here? That she couldn't even comprehend.

[brosif]

Normally, Alanna's directness is a trait that Sif likes a great deal. It allows her to be direct in return -- a refreshing change from the falsities that litter this kingdom.

Now, however, Alanna's directness serves as a direct contrast to Sif's state of mind.

"I am of Asgard," she says, clearly working the words out as she says them. "I will always return to it. I have long since pledged as much. But...my people live a very long time."

[shorterinperson]

It was obvious that she wasn't going to get a clear answer, and because Sif was a friend she was willing to let it go for now. But that didn't mean she wouldn't still try to help.

"Perhaps you could come to my home," she suggested airily. "You could meet my family, and King Jonathan."

[brosif]

It's not Sif is trying to be unclear -- but she has only just reached a tentative resolution with Loki. She is unsure how to lend it speech.

"I would like that very much," Sif says, honestly. Alanna's king sounds like a good man. She is sure her family must be very honorable, to have such a warrior at the heart of it.

"I admire that you have a family. I have never thought myself capable of it."

[shorterinperson]

"Neither did I," she admitted with a laugh. It would be nice, she thought, to bring a new friend into her circle. And Sif would get along so well with the others, especially Buri.

"I always thought I would never have time for something as silly as love."

[brosif]

"Yes," Sif says, quickly. Here is something she does not have in Asgard -- someone who understands her position, truly.

"Something only in storybooks. Women like me -- women like us -- they do not often fit in those books."

She leans in, confessing: "On Midgard, they actually write me as Thor's wife."

[shorterinperson]

"That seems rather presumptuous," Alanna snorted. "Is it so hard to believe there might be a powerful woman without a powerful man to stand beside her?"

She shook her head. In her world, at least, it was practically unheard of.

"Some day they'll write new stories about us."

[brosif]

"That they will."

Sif smiles at her friend, brightly.

Too brightly.

She is, perhaps, feeling the effects of the drink. She has never really had mead in this new, powerless body.

"I value your friendship. Were both of our hearts not otherwise engaged, I would even attempt to lead a hunt in your name!"

High compliments, Alanna. You have no idea.

[shorterinperson]

"Thank you," she answered with a chuckle. She could more or less guess the significance from the context. "I think," she added almost under her breath, just to be safe.

"You've been a good friend to me as well."