who: bryn zethir, taako taaco, loki, thor odinson, kára styrdóttir what: bryn returns to riverview when: this week where: taako's house, bryn and thor's house warnings: will updated as needed
[Kara has dealt with a lot of situations in her long life, but very few of them involve living in a house, so this is... new, for her. Bryn has been gone for a few months, but not so long that Thor has stopped missing her. And Val and Kara haven't been in the house for enough time for it to feel like home, to them.
So:]
We'll leave, once he's awake.
[She's speaking for Val here when maybe she shouldn't, but Kara can't imagine Bryn wants two strangers in her house. SHe just isn't ready to go while Thor's in the state he's in.]
[She understands why the woman offers, but Bryn shakes her head at once. There's no hesitation on her part, no reason for Kara to think that Bryn might have doubts about her decision.]
There's no reason for that. You were invited to live here, and my being back doesn't change anything on that front.
[Bryn gestures to a couch cushion opposite hers, and turns to draw her feet up onto her own cushion, comfortable as can be.]
He probably would have invited you even if I never left. [She gives her a small shrug.] Which means, the way I see it, we have three months to catch up on.
[Kara hesitates for a moment, both over what Bryn said and the offer to sit, but she decides they can discuss living arrangements once Thor is awake. For all she knows, he may want them gone himself, to have some privacy with Bryn, which she'd understand.
For now, she unclips the holster from the back of her belt and lays it on the coffee table. Normally she'd wait until in her room, but she wants to make some kind of gesture to Bryn, and removing her weapon seems like a way to do it. Then she sits, a little stiff, but that isn't unusual for her.]
I don't know if Thor spoke of me beyond my name, but I am from an Earth where he and Loki are gods, among the others. [True gods, not... whatever they are in their own world.] I am a valkyrja, I serve my gods.
[She doesn't quite mean to be so formal, it just happens when she's trying to make a good impression.]
[Bryn's gaze flicks over to the holster as Kara lays it on the coffee table, but makes no move to disarm herself. The bracelet she wears never leaves her wrist, though it's not visibly a weapon at the moment so she hopes that it amounts to the same thing. She's armed but not armed. Bryn crosses her legs in front of her instead, putting herself in a position where it would be hard to get up quickly.
Kara's explanation is met with a nod of understanding.]
I assume you serve in ways that have nothing to do with tending to temples or performing holy rites?
[Despite the fact Kara has lived in the house for several weeks now, she's immediately deferred to this being Bryn's space, rather than hers, so she wouldn't expect any disarming in return for her own. But she doesn't miss the way Bryn sits, either, and she appreciates the gesture.]
We take those who die worthy deaths to the halls of Valhalla. We serve the All-father.
[It's been strange, having to sum herself up to people who have literally no concept of what a valkyrie is. Almost all humans she's interacted with before coming to the Quarantine had some preconceptions from popular culture. There's something refreshing about it, being able to craft her own narrative, free from outside influences.]
[As someone who has spent the last decade of her life serving the government in some form or another, as a soldier, as a spy, as the an agent who acts on their will, she at least has an understanding of what a worthy death would constitute. For those not in service there's nothing wrong with living to an old age and dying peacefully in bed.
For someone like Bryn...while she hopes to have a death like that herself, she still sees the honor in a life lost in battle, in service to a greater good. Coming back to Riverview is the first truly self-serving thing she's done for herself in years and years.]
It sounds like an honorable calling in itself, serving the All-father and...escorting those valiant to Valhalla. It also sounds like it's quite different from the kind of life you must have here now...
[That particular response catches Kara off guard; it's one thing to make light jokes with Loki about normal life but another to have to confront the fact she's utterly lost here.
After a moment of faltering, she sticks to what's easy: facts.]
I was given a position with the government of this place, as security.
[It doesn't quite address what Bryn said, but it's a response that feels safe, that doesn't dig too deeply into anything like feelings. Especially not when her thoughts go to Sif.
[She doesn't press when Kara doesn't follow up on what Bryn has said. Not exactly. There's time enough for the other woman to warm up to her, if she feels comfortable enough to do so.]
I worked for the perimeter guard as a surveyor when I was first here. As someone who was part of the military back home...it was a surprisingly easy side-step. Less flying than I would have liked but still like putting on a pair of well broken-in shoes.
[Lifting a hand, she covers her mouth as she yawns, not a sign of boredom so much as comfort and ease.]
What do you do when you're not working? What's it like here in the house these days?
[It feels like consciously given information and it's something she already had a sense of but Kara still appreciates it. She knows that what Bryn is really trying to say is we're not too different; whether that's true or not is yet to be seen, but the intention is kind.]
I hunt, explore. There is much to the forest beyond the walls. [These are her socially acceptable hobbies; telling Thor's girlfriend that she tries to fill her free time with booze is a slight faux pas. She's a bit quieter about it than Val.] It is either quiet or loud, we all keep busy but Thor and Val can be... boisterous.
[They don't fight, but they have a lot of energy. Kara was like that once, maybe, but she's far more withdrawn after centuries of relying on subtlety and shadows.]
[Bryn responds with a snort. Thor and Val? Boisterous? You don't say.]
I'm sure. The house is likely to be more so for a little while too, now that I'm back--and, well, once Thor is well again. [There's more certainty in her tone than uncertainty, but only the little flinch in her expression betrays the fact that Bryn is concerned about him. And trying to hide it.] But once he is, if you're willing, I'd love to steal you as a guide beyond the fence again. It's been a few months since I was out there and if there have been any changes I'd appreciate the insight from someone who's been out there more recently.
[Kara is absolutely certain; there are ways that her faith has been rattled here but she'll never doubt Thor. And like she told Loki, she'd know if Thor was truly in danger. Death feels a certain way.]
They've worked in the old city, to make it safer, but there are dangers further in. I could take you.
[Kara's conviction is comforting, and Bryn nods. She's certain as well, but it's her concern, her what-if fears that keep her from stating it so emphatically. In her line of work she's seen things go badly far too often.]
I'd love that, especially if they've been working on the old city...they've probably done quite a bit since I've been gone.
[An easier smile spreads on her face.]
What sorts of skills do you have? Fighting or survival or...anything relevant to heading out beyond the perimeter?
[Kara isn't in the guard, and her main connection there is gone, so she doesn't keep perfectly up to date with what's going on there, but she's flown over the abandoned city a few times and seen the work happening.]
I've been fighting and hunting since I was twelve and I am... much older than that, now. [Vikings didn't exactly keep Julian calendars, and Kara lost track of her birthday. She knows it was in winter, but the exact day and year escape her.] I can fly, I'm strong, I'm hard to kill.
[It's easier to just demonstrate, so Kara moves up to sit on the back of the couch, giving herself the room to show off her wings. They're just - there, suddenly, though she keeps them fairly close against her back rather than spreading them.]
[Bryn isn't caught off guard often, but the sudden appearance of wings does exactly that and she jolts back in her seat with wide eyes.]
Sheiva's tits-- [She's staring. She's staring a lot. And not moving while she looks the wings over from afar with fascination.] They're gorgeous. I mean--wow. You definitely have to show me everything you can do when we're out together, okay?
[Bryn's eyes sharpen at that offer, and that's what makes her unfold her legs to stand and approach. Her hands stay at her side, not reaching to touch unless she gives an invitation to do so.]
How does that work? I mean, what is the safe way to carry me and what would I need to do to make sure I'm not in your way?
[It's not an idle question, even if she's not looking for a flight right now. Her curiosity is genuine but it's her training that has her wondering the ways they could work together in the field if necessary.]
[Bryn catches the vibe loud and clear, and even goes so far as to clasp her hands behind her back, just so that Kara can see that she understands. Even so, she doesn't lean in any closer than a foot or two away from the wings, appreciating the stretch so she can see the movement and full shape.]
What about holding them under the arms, leaving them a little more freedom to move their arms?
[She purses her lips together as she straightens, glancing at Kara directly now instead of her wings.]
It would mean dangling someone more than the other carry which they might not be comfortable with but...oh--or a harness of sorts? [She grins.] I ask because it would be interesting to see what sort of effect my abilities would while aerial but I'd need some freedom of movement with my arms for the motions and for aiming...
[Bryn looks immediately mortified, taking a half step back.]
No, of course not. I'm sorry, that was...very tactless of me. [She's not usually so thoughtless.] I promise I wasn't thinking of you in that light just...in a sense of being able to combine our unique skills and abilities...
[Don't mind her, she's just going to get used to the taste of her own foot.]
[The wings disappear as seamlessly as they appeared; she's not angry, but she's ending this particular line of thought because she isn't comfortable with it.]
I can only carry the weight of another person for a short while, I'm not a hollow-boned bird.
[So there's really no need to consider things like tactics when it could only ever be short trips. Kara's flight is fuelled by magic, but it still has limits.]
[Her lips thin, pressing together out of stress as she tries to explain.]
In my world, our deities gift many of us with power. Abilities, skills, even changes to our physical form. The gift varies a great deal from person to person, so it's rare to ever meet anyone who has your same gift. Those among us with certain training--it's commonplace to discuss the nature of these deity-gifts with allies, especially if there's a chance that they may end up in the field together. Having been home so recently... [She forgot how to be an ex-pat here, and treated Kara as an ally as she would back home.]
That's all. [She gives Kara a tight smile and returns to her seat on the couch, signalling in her way without words that she can let this go and they can change the subject. Or Kara can leave. Whatever she prefers.]
[It's been a while since anyone had really reacted to her in this particular way, because most people she interacts with are allies at best and enemies at worst, and none of them care about offending her. But Bryn clearly does, though Kara is fairly sure that's because the woman doesn't want to damage a relationship with someone who's close to Thor and now living in her space.
Still. Strange.
She's aware that she could leverage it for something, even just push on the guilt, but that isn't her style. So she simply returns to sittng properly as she shakes her head. The flare of annoyance has already passed, especially in the face of an apology.]
A misunderstanding, nothing more. [It's forgiven] Are there many gods, in your world?
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riverviewlogs2018-05-06 12:14 pm
no subject
[Kara has dealt with a lot of situations in her long life, but very few of them involve living in a house, so this is... new, for her. Bryn has been gone for a few months, but not so long that Thor has stopped missing her. And Val and Kara haven't been in the house for enough time for it to feel like home, to them.
So:]
We'll leave, once he's awake.
[She's speaking for Val here when maybe she shouldn't, but Kara can't imagine Bryn wants two strangers in her house. SHe just isn't ready to go while Thor's in the state he's in.]
no subject
There's no reason for that. You were invited to live here, and my being back doesn't change anything on that front.
[Bryn gestures to a couch cushion opposite hers, and turns to draw her feet up onto her own cushion, comfortable as can be.]
He probably would have invited you even if I never left. [She gives her a small shrug.] Which means, the way I see it, we have three months to catch up on.
no subject
For now, she unclips the holster from the back of her belt and lays it on the coffee table. Normally she'd wait until in her room, but she wants to make some kind of gesture to Bryn, and removing her weapon seems like a way to do it. Then she sits, a little stiff, but that isn't unusual for her.]
I don't know if Thor spoke of me beyond my name, but I am from an Earth where he and Loki are gods, among the others. [True gods, not... whatever they are in their own world.] I am a valkyrja, I serve my gods.
[She doesn't quite mean to be so formal, it just happens when she's trying to make a good impression.]
no subject
Kara's explanation is met with a nod of understanding.]
I assume you serve in ways that have nothing to do with tending to temples or performing holy rites?
[Because, you know, the holster.]
no subject
We take those who die worthy deaths to the halls of Valhalla. We serve the All-father.
[It's been strange, having to sum herself up to people who have literally no concept of what a valkyrie is. Almost all humans she's interacted with before coming to the Quarantine had some preconceptions from popular culture. There's something refreshing about it, being able to craft her own narrative, free from outside influences.]
no subject
For someone like Bryn...while she hopes to have a death like that herself, she still sees the honor in a life lost in battle, in service to a greater good. Coming back to Riverview is the first truly self-serving thing she's done for herself in years and years.]
It sounds like an honorable calling in itself, serving the All-father and...escorting those valiant to Valhalla. It also sounds like it's quite different from the kind of life you must have here now...
no subject
After a moment of faltering, she sticks to what's easy: facts.]
I was given a position with the government of this place, as security.
[It doesn't quite address what Bryn said, but it's a response that feels safe, that doesn't dig too deeply into anything like feelings. Especially not when her thoughts go to Sif.
That did feel like home, for a little while.]
no subject
I worked for the perimeter guard as a surveyor when I was first here. As someone who was part of the military back home...it was a surprisingly easy side-step. Less flying than I would have liked but still like putting on a pair of well broken-in shoes.
[Lifting a hand, she covers her mouth as she yawns, not a sign of boredom so much as comfort and ease.]
What do you do when you're not working? What's it like here in the house these days?
no subject
I hunt, explore. There is much to the forest beyond the walls. [These are her socially acceptable hobbies; telling Thor's girlfriend that she tries to fill her free time with booze is a slight faux pas. She's a bit quieter about it than Val.] It is either quiet or loud, we all keep busy but Thor and Val can be... boisterous.
[They don't fight, but they have a lot of energy. Kara was like that once, maybe, but she's far more withdrawn after centuries of relying on subtlety and shadows.]
no subject
I'm sure. The house is likely to be more so for a little while too, now that I'm back--and, well, once Thor is well again. [There's more certainty in her tone than uncertainty, but only the little flinch in her expression betrays the fact that Bryn is concerned about him. And trying to hide it.] But once he is, if you're willing, I'd love to steal you as a guide beyond the fence again. It's been a few months since I was out there and if there have been any changes I'd appreciate the insight from someone who's been out there more recently.
no subject
[Kara is absolutely certain; there are ways that her faith has been rattled here but she'll never doubt Thor. And like she told Loki, she'd know if Thor was truly in danger. Death feels a certain way.]
They've worked in the old city, to make it safer, but there are dangers further in. I could take you.
[It could be a bonding experience or something.]
no subject
I'd love that, especially if they've been working on the old city...they've probably done quite a bit since I've been gone.
[An easier smile spreads on her face.]
What sorts of skills do you have? Fighting or survival or...anything relevant to heading out beyond the perimeter?
no subject
I've been fighting and hunting since I was twelve and I am... much older than that, now. [Vikings didn't exactly keep Julian calendars, and Kara lost track of her birthday. She knows it was in winter, but the exact day and year escape her.] I can fly, I'm strong, I'm hard to kill.
[That about sums it up.]
no subject
I'm sorry, did you say you fly? Without a ship of some sort, I assume?
no subject
Valkyrja can fly.
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Sheiva's tits-- [She's staring. She's staring a lot. And not moving while she looks the wings over from afar with fascination.] They're gorgeous. I mean--wow. You definitely have to show me everything you can do when we're out together, okay?
no subject
Instead, she gives Bryn a once over.]
You're small enough that you could fly with me, briefly.
[This isn't an offer she makes to many people, but she wants Bryn to like her.]
no subject
[Bryn's eyes sharpen at that offer, and that's what makes her unfold her legs to stand and approach. Her hands stay at her side, not reaching to touch unless she gives an invitation to do so.]
How does that work? I mean, what is the safe way to carry me and what would I need to do to make sure I'm not in your way?
[It's not an idle question, even if she's not looking for a flight right now. Her curiosity is genuine but it's her training that has her wondering the ways they could work together in the field if necessary.]
no subject
The bridal carry is easiest, gives me the freedom to move and needs little strength from whoever I'm carrying.
[Sometimes people fuss about it.]
no subject
What about holding them under the arms, leaving them a little more freedom to move their arms?
[She purses her lips together as she straightens, glancing at Kara directly now instead of her wings.]
It would mean dangling someone more than the other carry which they might not be comfortable with but...oh--or a harness of sorts? [She grins.] I ask because it would be interesting to see what sort of effect my abilities would while aerial but I'd need some freedom of movement with my arms for the motions and for aiming...
no subject
She's less fond of the line of questions.]
I'm not a horse to be harnessed.
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No, of course not. I'm sorry, that was...very tactless of me. [She's not usually so thoughtless.] I promise I wasn't thinking of you in that light just...in a sense of being able to combine our unique skills and abilities...
[Don't mind her, she's just going to get used to the taste of her own foot.]
no subject
I can only carry the weight of another person for a short while, I'm not a hollow-boned bird.
[So there's really no need to consider things like tactics when it could only ever be short trips. Kara's flight is fuelled by magic, but it still has limits.]
no subject
Of course. Again, I'm sorry, I really didn't...
[Her lips thin, pressing together out of stress as she tries to explain.]
In my world, our deities gift many of us with power. Abilities, skills, even changes to our physical form. The gift varies a great deal from person to person, so it's rare to ever meet anyone who has your same gift. Those among us with certain training--it's commonplace to discuss the nature of these deity-gifts with allies, especially if there's a chance that they may end up in the field together. Having been home so recently... [She forgot how to be an ex-pat here, and treated Kara as an ally as she would back home.]
That's all. [She gives Kara a tight smile and returns to her seat on the couch, signalling in her way without words that she can let this go and they can change the subject. Or Kara can leave. Whatever she prefers.]
no subject
Still. Strange.
She's aware that she could leverage it for something, even just push on the guilt, but that isn't her style. So she simply returns to sittng properly as she shakes her head. The flare of annoyance has already passed, especially in the face of an apology.]
A misunderstanding, nothing more. [It's forgiven] Are there many gods, in your world?
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