OOC: Sorry I haven't posted in a couple days. Classes started again this week and it's been kind of hectic readjusting to them after a month and a half of sitting around doing nothing. I should be more reliable from here on out, though. Also, watch out for some color changes. The bold letters have been kind of annoying me lately, so I'm just changing stuff around. I'll make sure to indicate who's speaking for this and the next few posts.
IC: Thor and Dane walked around the embassy, checking on things. Sif had managed to tell a few magic-users about Desak, but as was so often the case with adventurers, many were impossible to get in touch with. Valkyrie was numbered among the latter, and her potent Asgardian weapons made Thor worry that Desak might have already gotten to her. He told Dane as much.
"Beyond which," Thor added, "Brunnhilde has e'er been a loyal servant of Asgard, and thus, 'tis my duty as prince of the realm eternal to ensure her safety. I would, of course, have thee by my side, Dane Whitman."
Dane shrugged and spread his arms incredulously. "Thor. Buddy. Like you even have to ask!"
"Very well. Sif, stay thee here and manage the embassy in my absence. Continue thy efforts to contact the others who may be in danger, as well."
"Excuse me? I am not some groundskeeper that you can leave in charge of your house while you run off and fight bullies!" "Sofia Blake" slammed her bracelets together (perhaps a bit rougher than she needed to) and transformed into her true Asgardian body. "I am a warrior born of the golden realm as surely as thou art! 'Twould be unfitting for me to dawdle here while evil roams yet unchecked!"
"My wife, I didst grow up with thee. I know well the proof of thy mettle, but 'tis merely a search and rescue mission that Dane and I endeavor 'pon now."
"So I would obviously ne'er be of assistance in a search? My eyes are merely for seeking weaknesses in foes? My hands merely for clutching a sword to exact vengeance?"
Thor nervously eyed Dane and the other embassy personnel who were admirably playing it off, but could obviously overhear. "Sif. My life, my heart," he said with strained patience, "we must merely find Brunnhilde and assure ourselves that she is safe. Thou know the strength of Desak; 'twould be sheer folly for the Knight and I to e'en attempt a confrontation alone. Let thy mind be at rest. I fully intend to have thee at my side when the day of battle comes. But for the time being, thou art the only one whom I would entrust the operations of the embassy to in my stead."
"Aye, and that is supposed to make me feel better? Thou art truly insufferable, Thor. First thou drag me down to Midgard using our marriage as a leash! Now thou would foist thy earthly responsibilities 'pon thy lowly ball and chain? Not e'en among the coarse and uncivilized frost giants hath I witnessed such unmanliness--"
"By the bristling beard of Odin, woman, 'tis THEE who art insufferable! Thou wouldst make a mountain out of a molehill--nay, a mountain is too small for thee! Thou wouldst make HILDSKJALF ITSELF out of the tiniest speck of NOTHINGNESS! And for what?! To prove to me, thy e'er-faithful husband, that thou art worthy of thy hard-won title of shield maiden?! 'Tis wholly unnecessary and pure stupidity besides!! Now HEAR me, woman, and hear me WELL! Thou shall SIT thy rump down 'pon yonder chair, SEE to the operations of this facility, and CONTINUE attempting to contact our allies until I return, for so help me, if I hear one more word from thee, ODIN HIMSELF shall have to forgive me for what I might do!!"
Dane, shocked at Thor's harsh words, rounded on the thunder god. "Hey, settle down, goldilocks! That's no way to talk to a lady--"
Before Dane could utter another word, however, Sif grabbed Thor and pulled his lips to hers in a kiss full of fiery lust. After many seconds, she finally pushed him away so savagely that he nearly stumbled despite his well-honed warrior balance and grace. "Get thee hence, then," Sif panted with fire in her eyes. "And husband? Do not delay in thy return," she whispered breathily.
Thor grabbed Dane by the arm and hurriedly pulled him out of the embassy. "Come, Dane. We must be done with this mission. Quickly."
Dane shook his head, trying to comprehend just what the hell had happened while Thor dragged him along. "Wh--Bu--I d--" was all he could sputter out.
"Thou art naturally confused. Suffice it to say, the courtship rituals between gods and goddesses are vastly different from thy earthly ones."
"Whew!" Dane breathed with his eyes wide. "Apparently they are." Dane looked around. "So, uh, what now?"
"Now we find Valkyrie."
"Well, yeah, but how, exactly?"
"In truth, I know not. Come, perhaps the newly-reformed Avengers might assist us. I have been meaning to visit them anyway, and I know they would appreciate seeing one who so honorably filled their ranks for so long a time once more."
"Well, I don't like to brag," Dane blushed.
"Nonsense!" Thor said, slapping Dane so hard on the back that Dane's teeth rattled. "Come, let us hie to Avengers Mansion."
"Ow. Uh, yeah. Hey, wait a sec, wasn't the mansion destroyed?"
"Aye, the Fantastic Four's Human Torch didst reorganize the Avengers after the recent tragedy involving Wanda. Best thou hear as little about that as possible. They have been reconstructing the mansion whilst thou were recovering from thy injuries."
Something happened with Wanda? the Knight thought. Oh well, can't worry about that now. To Thor he said: "All right, let's check it out." Dane put his helmet on and whistled. A horse with a gleaming white, almost silvery coat shimmered into view beside him. "Hey there, Strider ol' boy." He stroked the stallion's mane. "Yeah, I know you've been cooped up in... well, wherever the heck you go when you're not here. But don't worry, we're gonna stretch your legs good now. We're going for a ride." He hopped on Strider's back. "All right, Thor. Lead the way."
"Alas, my hammer doth take me across the city at great speeds, Dane. I fear no mere winged steed would be able to keep up."
"Oh, don't you worry about Strider and me. We'll be all right," he replied with a knowing smile.
"Very well." Thor took off with a boom. He was traveling well over the speed of sound. He looked back to see how far back Dane was, but was astonished when he had to stop his head halfway. Dane was perched on Strider's back and flying right beside him. "A flying mount who can exceed the speed of sound? Truly, friend Dane, the Lady of the Lake didst bless thee with fine gifts!"
"Don't I know it!"
The two heroes raced towards the newly reconstructed Avengers Mansion...
