I bathe in sacred waters. [open]

[worldsaway]

who: Thor and ota
what: Mushroom collecting/Monster fighting/Mushroom tripping and TAVERNFEST
when: the current week idk
where: Beyond the walls, in the jungle and then TAVERNFEST so, taverns?
warnings: unintentional drug use, descriptions of hallucinations and general tripping ballsness



i. There is not mushroom for monsters
[Thor didn't take the job out of necessity, although he really ought to start investing in moving out of his dorm like so many of his friends and family insist he should. He takes the job because he's been so listless lately, so full of restless energy and boredom. He's going stir crazy without real excitement, so it's with pleasure that he aligns himself with a friend, ally or family member and heads into the thick of the jungle with his hammer in his hand.

Thor almost wonders if the promise of beasts had been a trick to lure adrenaline junkies such as himself into a simple, cushy job. It's been a while, he's filled a sack with the glowing mushrooms and he's wondering if they ought to call it a night. He glances around the remaining glow of the jungle while his partner works on gathering mushrooms, almost missing the pair of glowing eyes staring them down in the thick of it.

He gives his partner a gentle smack on the head with his sack of mushrooms, so he can draw attention to the eyes in the distance. When he moves, however, it ceases to be a pair of eyes in the distance and becomes a pair of eyes rapidly approaching. It's a large beast, aggressive from the get go and obviously looking for a fight.

Thor has his hammer at the ready, but he's not sure whether to drop his sack of mushrooms or not. He spares a final glance toward his partner before he throws mjolnir at the beast's antlers, striking it hard and setting it momentarily off course.]

ii. Feed your head, feed your head.
[It's been a long, long evening of pillaging mushrooms and fighting off monsters. Thor has caressed every surface of the jungle. He's tousled in it, rolled on its floors and inhaled its scents. He feels fine, if not a little weary. He needs a drink, and he needs a moment to clear his head.

He finds a relatively safe looking body of water, be it a pond or a river, and he dips his hands in it to drink and wash his face. He stares down at his reflection for a moment, and he swears his reflection winks back at him. Naturally, Thor squints back at himself, only to find his reflection is grinning in return.

The best course of action here is obviously to smack his watery reflection, making his face disappear in vibrant, colourful ripples that seem to twirl and dance like the shapes of a kaleidoscope. Thor smacks the water again, and as it flies to hit his face it seems to shimmer in the moonlight. Like beautiful stars, like watery crystals.

The beauty is beyond Thor's comprehension, and before he knows it, he's weeping softly by the water.

It might be a good time to tap him on the shoulder and ask if he's alright.]

iii. TAVERNFEST
[It's been a while since Thor donned his armor in public. He's become quite comfortable in board shorts and soft, cotton hoodies as of late. He enjoys embracing culture, however, and he's always excited to represent Asgard.

He's delighted to find that the different ales of different taverns are increasing in strength, and he barely needs to tamper with them by adding Asgardian ale to them. As such, he has a good buzz going and he's in a better mood than he's been in for a few weeks now.

He hasn't done this for a long time (to his memory) since he's learned it's something of a faux pas. However, if they're sharing culture here, Thor doesn't feel shame in smashing his mug to the ground after polishing off his drink.]

Another!! [He declares, and after a while, people are starting to catch on and copy him. Maybe he should have taught them another trick.]

iv. TAVERNFEST for Asgardians
[With some badgering from "little" Loki and Thor, they've managed to pull a dour Loki from his skulking and into the festivities. Thor has nabbed a table for all three of them, plus Angela, and he's managed to encourage a steady flow of alcohol and food to come toward them.

It's nice, and it almost feels like home, even if home never had two Lokis and an Angela. Thor feels warm and fuzzy from it all, and it's only a little bit because he's had a lot to drink tonight.]

It took them long enough, but I believe they may finally have my good opinion of their ale.

Comments

iii

[realimperfect]

[Tavernfest seems a lot like the party district of whatever alien planet she'd last been on before she'd gone from the Eluvio to the Quarantine. Re-L doesn't seem to be complaining, though, a rather large stein she's managed to charm off of some bar tender in her hand, who knows how many drinks of different things (hell, she'd try whatever was offered her way at the moment) she's managed to knock back by now. With her strange biology it takes a good few drinks to get her in to that fuzzy feeling mood, and yet here she is, drinking on.

Twenty year old will do as they do, right?

A mug smashes against the ground nearby her feet and suddenly she's much happier that she hadn't bothered with a nicer pair of shoes, jumping back slightly at the impact. The voice that lead all of it though -

Well, that's familiar, even if the armor isn't. ]

What the hell, Thor?!

[ Well.. at least most times she's pleasant with a little alcohol in toe... ]

[worldsaway]

It's tradition! [Thor defends, spreading his hands as if this is totally out of his hands. The barmaids seem to know the process, since they're quick to scurry in and vacuum the glass and remaining liquid up with their machinery before they scurry off again.

Thor gestures, and his pitcher is replaced with two new ones. It's an obvious invitation, but he gestures for her to take a seat alongside him all the same. If she doesn't, it's no loss, he'll drink both of them anyway.]

[realimperfect]

Tradition that's about to ruin a good pair of shoes.. [ Her eyes narrow slightly at that motion before rolling as viciously as ever. Of course, she thinks, he'd act like that kind of thing is totally normal. What wasn't, when it came to Thor and odd things? At least they're not going to be walking all over glass with the quick clean ups, but she makes a mental note to be careful of where she's going.

(Not easy, considering how little she can feel her face in the moment.)

His offer is obvious enough, but of course she can't let herself be seen being too eager, and instead jabs a finger at what he's offering her - ]

What is it? [ Doesn't matter she's already got a half empty glass in her hands already, not one bit. ]

[worldsaway]

[Thor feels little sympathy for her shoes, since he has almost no concept of what constitutes a good shoe beyond one that will keep his toes from being crushed.]

It's ale. Not traditional, Asgardian ale, but it has.. presence. [Which makes him think..] Do you drink often?

[realimperfect]

I wouldn't know what Asgardian ale tastes like anyway, remember? [ A little looser lipped thanks to her drinks, but this is still Re-L, who's going to remind him of even small things. His question garners a shrug, pale fingers flicking on her open hand as if to say it didn't really matter - ]

Not without a very long lecture about appearances from grandfather. Which is why I'm taking advantage now since I won't have to endure it.

i

[unmakeme]

A mission together, a task to complete - not exactly like what they've done back home, but it's a good first step. Thor is a friend. One of only three (possibly four) that she feels she can still be certain of after everything that has happened. To lose that... well, it would be the loss of something more than just friendship. So, while they haven't spoken about what happened (or much at all, truth be told) she's still hoping for the best. The quickest way to bury something in the past is to create the present, after all.

The gentle smack on the back of her head is rewarded by an instant elbow to his kidney. Not hard. He probably hardly even felt it, but it's the principle of the thing. A little jab, no pun intended, at who they used to be. Even if her eyes are instantly scanning the area, on alert for whatever caused him to call for her attention. It feels normal. It feels like relief.

She sees the eyes as they begin to move closer, hears the snapping of undergrowth and the straining of trees as they're crashed into. Thor may be indecisive about the mushrooms, but Natasha is not. She grabs the sack from his hand, wanting both of them free for the fight to come. She has just enough time to toss it into the air near one of the sturdier looking trees, shoot a dart from her Bite to pin it in place above their heads. It should be safe there, for the time being, and running from the creature barreling toward them has not even crossed their mind. They will stand their ground and fight, of course they will. She has her guns in her hands in a flash, unloading both clips into the beast while it's still at enough of a distance, hoping to at least slow it down a touch, to make it slightly less intent on killing them if she can steal even small part of its focus with pain.

[worldsaway]

Thor is steal dealing with the wake of embarrassment his amnesiac self left him to deal with. Some of it ranges from only vaguely remembering people he'd met during that time to more complex, emotional situations.

He can't say he regrets what they did, and he doesn't fault either of them for it. His only gripe is that it's making him aware of a chemistry between them that he hadn't properly considered before. It feels wrong to sleep with a fellow Avenger, especially when their team is already divided. He knows better than anyone that sex can be purely casual, but he also knows that it can be distracting.

It's played out well, thus far. Sans the occasional glance, seeing her in a new light and readjusting his thought pattern. It has been pleasant to spend time with her and casual conversation has been enjoyable.

He doesn't fault her for the elbow to the ribs, but he's glad to see her snap into action. He raises an agreeable brow at the mushrooms, pinned in place, holding his hand out for mjolnir to return. The bullets are distracting to the beast and successfully slows it down, but it has an incredibly thick hide. This is all the more apparent when Thor charges a bolt of lightning toward it and it fails to properly disengage the beast. It stops to shake off, but it's no less angry.

"It's a strong one." Thor declares, and he seems almost delighted by it. "We may need to get a good crack of its skull." He contemplates. "Will you distract it while I attempt to mount it?" He raises a brow at her. If he can get one good hit in, past those antlers, it might be enough to kill it.

[unmakeme]

Natasha is pretty sure this would all be so much easier if the sex had been bad. Or even mediocre. They'd utterly destroyed that hotel room, though, and one another. Sex is distracting. It's always distracting. Even when you don't have sex, the not having it is distracting.

Being here with him, she'd almost decided against it. She could really use the extra cash, though. She's sick of living in the barracks, and she absolutely can't go back to the communal housing building. Not after the fire. She just can't. If she is honest about it, and it's so much easier to be honest in her own mind, she can't think of many people she'd feel safer with out here. She knows she can count on him to have her back. He has honor. He has integrity. Besides, she knows he likes her. She can't say that about many people right now. It's the entire reason that the touch of the bag to the back of her head caused her to be instantly on alert. There is trust here. A lot of it.

She'll also be damned if that great hulking beast tramples what they've already gathered. These are worth way too much for that.

Thor seems so thrilled at the promise of a fight, she can't help but smile. It's like old times, in a way. She misses it. Which isn't really all that surprising. She just tries not to think about it most of the time. Her guns are re-holstered and her charged batons out in one smooth motion. More than ready. "Wouldn't have thought you'd need any help mounting anything." It's out of her mouth before she really thinks about it - the joke, the ease, and before they'd put a rather sizable dent in a hotel wall, it might have been easy to dismiss as just a quip. Of course, one of the last things he mounted was her, so that does change things somewhat.

Thankfully not much time to think about it. She's got a charging monster to distract. She puts one hand to her mouth and whistles, sharp and loud, to call attention. "Here, piggy." She's already off and running, breaking left so that Thor can head around right. Her batons crackle loudly, throw off a visible charge, and it catches attention as hoped for. Hundreds of pounds of snarling, enraged, wild fury turns on her and she is ready to meet it head on.

[worldsaway]

Natasha need not regret her words, because Thor isn't the type of person to cringe or make it uncomfortable for her. He laughs, loud, and though he's already smiling, his amusement is clear in his expression.

"Just this once." He requests, but Natasha is already prepared for business. He knows he can rely on her, so he's not concerned in that regard. He is, however, concerned about making a fast approach before the beast can harm her.

She's formidable, but it's a big creature.

Thor makes an easy leap toward the beast, grabbing onto one antler and bracing his foot against the beast so he can try to wrench himself upward. His grip is a little precarious at this moment, only amplified by the fact that the beast is running wildly. It's getting a little too close to Natasha for his comfort, so Thor wrenches its head by its horn as he pulls himself up.

[ iv ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki hates this. He hated it when he got the invitation and the moment Thor and his other self turned up on his doorstep with matching expressions. Firm as he was, Loki knew that he was pretty much doomed. Which didn't mean he made it easy for them, but it still grated how easily he caved. Some battles were doomed from the start.

His expression was mostly sour. Everyone was jeering or belting some tavern song and it was all he could do not to have his hackles up and drown them all in the ale they cherish so dearly. His own mug has been barely touched. All of this brings up bad memories. ]

To think you only had to drink them out of house and home to prove it.

[ikols]

[ Maybe he has been vanishing his ale instead of drinking it but who r u to know that, Thor?? Angela?? Maybe the godling of memes taking another bow for downing a fifth tankard is really just that good. ]

I propose a challenge, younger siblings versus their elders.

[hevenly]

[ Angela doesn't drink often, but when she does she holds her alcohol well. Though she prefers wine over ale, she doesn't mind drinking the stuff if it means spending time with her siblings. She's on her third glass, and simply raises an eyebrow at Loki's suggestion. ]

What sort of challenge?

[worldsaway]

If I drink them out of house and home, they may consider it a compliment.

[Hashtag blessed by Thor. He can sense that his Loki is not at all comfortable, but he hopes at least having the others here sets him at ease somewhat.

Thor is also raising a brow, but he's obviously already decided to agree.]

I'm listening.

iii.

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Of course Magnus shows up to Tavernfest. Of course he does. And he’s not surprised to find that buff dude from the gym here, either—somehow it seems all too fitting. When he catches Thor slamming a mug down into a counter and shouting for another!, he knows he’s gotta strike the guy up in conversation. He’s been too intimidated to talk to him anywhere else in town (especially not at the gym—you do not interrupt a guy’s routine at the gym). But somehow this demeanor and Thor’s garb, reminiscent of things Magnus seen in the worlds that he came from, make Thor seem approachable.

It is worth noting that Taako has picked out this beautiful monstrosity for Magnus to wear to the festival. And he wears it proudly.

Magnus takes a seat next to Thor at the bar.] Hail and well met, my dude! [The folks at this festival seem to love that line. It’s just normal for Magnus.] How’s it hangin’? I’ve seen you around at the gym but never had the chance to talk.

[worldsaway]

[Thor has also vaguely noticed Magnus around town, but he notices him now more than ever in that outfit. He dares not mock traditional dress, though it is ridiculous in many ways, he also finds it impressive.]

Well met. [Thor returns the phrase with a raise of a freshly provided drink.] It hangs well. Each festival has become more appealing to me than the last. My only worry is that I will want to live here forever. [He chuckles, then gives Magnus an appraising look.]

You do look familiar, but I don't seem to recall the horns. [He holds out a hand.] Thor.

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Magnus has to wonder how much of this speech pattern has to do with the festival and how much of it is just how the guy talks. It's funky.]

Thor? Magnus. [He accepts Thor's handshake. That's... dang, that's a strong handshake Thor's got.]

Oh, the horns are fake. I'm mostly just wearing them because my buddy told me to. Taako wanted us all to look festive or whatever. [He shrugs.] But actually, I kinda don't hate them.

[worldsaway]

Taako! You're a friend of his? [Thor seems delighted by this.]

Could it be you're from the same world? Is this.. er.. [He looks Magnus up and down, he's not even trying to be polite about it.] Traditional?

ii

[livingsymbol]

[Steve took the task in good humor, even if it was a little more mundane than the usual jobs he had on the Guard. With everything generally quiet, though, he's restless and wanting something, so picking mushrooms is a good excuse to explore the jungle at least. He isn't surprised to find Thor on the hunt as well, predictably drawn by the promise of fighting off monsters rather than finding plants. The work goes well either way, and during a break at the end of the job Steve is thankful for the rest. He finds Thor kneeling by the edge of a pond and is about to suggest they head back when he sees the man is actually crying.]

Thor?

[Something is up. Steve reaches out, touching the god's back, concerned by the sudden tears.]

Did something happen?

[worldsaway]

[Thor is, obviously, very engrossed with his thoughts and feelings right now. The water is all colours and light and he's never seen something quite so spectacular.

When Steve touches his back, Thor straightens upward and tenses. When he recognises the voice, his posture softens. He barely realises he's weeping, so he doesn't wipe away the tears in his eyes when he looks up at Steve.]

Nothing has happened. [He says, plainly. Steve looks perfectly normal, no lights or colours. It just seems like the longer Thor looks at him, the stranger the texture of his face seems.

Gradually, it seems as if Steve is melting before him. Like a popsicle left on the counter.

Thor stands up fast, grabbing Steve by the shoulders with panic in his expression and tone.]

Can't you see that you are melting?

[livingsymbol]

[When Thor raises his head and turns to look at Steve, the soldier is surprised to see tears streaming down his face. He seems distracted and confused to Steve, half-responding like he's caught in a dream. And then he speaks up, and Steve is the one that's confused.]

What?

[He can't turn to look at his own face, of course, but for a moment he really tries. Then he reaches up to touch himself, squinting at Thor as the situation becomes more surreal.]

I feel fine, Thor. Are you sure you're okay? You look... Did you eat anything weird lately?

[worldsaway]

Did I eat something? [Thor repeats, tone increasingly frantic and confused. He can't comprehend why Steve would ask him something like that.]

What I ate doesn't matter. We're running out of time, we need to get you somewhere cool. A freezer.

[Thor doesn't want to waste anymore time, so whether Steve likes it or not, he's going to come toward him and try to lift him up into his arms.]

iii

[ragnarsson]

[Where there is alcohol involved, there are Vikings. Ivar figures this is just the type of festival he should go to. Despite being a prince back home, he's never cared much about wearing fancy clothes, so he's in his usual Viking attire, dark clothes that are clearly archaic with the pieces of chain mail on the outfit. He's gotten himself a nice corner table and has already polished off two mugs of ale when Thor comes in. It isn't long before the entire tavern is smashing their mugs to the floor and Ivar is hard-pressed not to start cackling with laughter. He raises his own third mug up.]

Skoal! [He says happily, the Norse word a combination of something like good fortune and bottom's up when drinking among companions. He drains the tankard dry and throws it to the floor with a satisfying Crash!]

[worldsaway]

[Despite his new attire, Thor easily finds Ivar in the crowd. He's approaching him, drink in hand, when Ivar starts to knock back his mug of drink.

Thor steps forward as Ivar smashes his drink to the ground, and in turn he pounds his fist on the table and cheers in response.]

It's really catching on, hm? [He slides into a seat across from Ivar.] Enjoying yourself?

[ragnarsson]

People know a good thing when they see a god doing it.

[He orders another mug to be brought over. This is number four and he's clearly starting to feel the effects of this much alcohol. Fortunately, Ivar is a fairly pleasant drunk, rather than becoming even more grumpy than he usually is on a day-to-day basis.]

Immensely. Any holiday to do with alcohol is a sensible one.

[worldsaway]

This is why I love vikings! [Thor declares, which is nonsense because he has many reasons to love vikings.]

It's certainly one I can embrace. [Thor agrees, folding his arms on the table so he can lean in and make their conversation a little more intimate.] How has life in the Quarantine been treating you?