5098/A Few Weeks Later

A Few Weeks Later
Date of Scene:	04 August 2018
Location:	New Asgard
Synopsis:	Vin and Astrid give Thor advice over some venison.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Vintridr, Astrid

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Thor has posed:
    The makeshift docks just off of Kvalvika Beach have been active every day since the Asgardians had made landfall. At first they had been constructed from pre-fab emergency kits and containers, but with the craftsman and the powers of those remaining Asgardians left they were able to set the deep cement supports and the structure for a more permanent dock in short order. Only capable of handling at the most six modern vessels at a time yet the Bjarke, as the temporary harbormaster, had kept the ships moving steadily as they off-loaded cargo and moved on.
    For most visitors the docks would be the first thing they'd see, then up along the curve of the rising path inland will be the living areas that have been cobbled together from storage containers and what construction the citizens have made. For now function is all the more important than form yet when the Asgardian craftsman have taken the time and given their efforts to the fabrication of new structures... that ancient aesthetic has come to the fore.
    Off beyond the living area and further inland is the quarry that had been built in the side of the mountain, as well as what to some might look like the beginnings of a Christmas tree farm, hundreds of pine trees carefully being cultivated nearby with a gentle touch from Kelda's efforts.
    But what dominates the landscape and stands tall over the settlement is where a part of the mountain has been shorn clean off like someone took a great slice from the mountain top and leveled it out. It's there that the first white stones have been placed in an effort for a fortress structure of some kind, complete with a series of walls being built around most of the settlement giving generous room for growth.
    It's here that many Asgardians have been living and working, and it's here that Thor, Son of Odin, has been laboring. Perhaps the gift of Mjolnir was not given for purely use in war... but for rebuilding as well.

Vintridr has posed:
    One problem with culture shock to this degree is that most of Asgard's people, even its craftsmen and craftswomen, are wholly unfamiliar with Midgard's tools. Vintridr has been holding informal classes every evening to demonstrate how one piece of Midgard's technology or another works.

    The craftsmen were less than impressed with the electrical generator, but at the moment none of them has the time or the resources to engrave the runic enchantments to control the area's climate, so they grudgingly accept the electricity it supplies to generate heat and light in the temporary shelters. Water filters, arc welders, Frigga have mercy, even the /lavatories/ needed explanations and demonstration.

    It's no surprise that by the third week or so of this, Vintridr is more than overjoyed to help test the first batch of honey mead...

Astrid has posed:
    One of the ones that had taken the most easily to midgard was Astrid. She had marveled, however it seemed backwards, the technology was, she still did a bit of looking into it. The warrior, however, had taken up the role of hunter for the asgardians as of late. In this case, she was taking out small hunting expeditions to get food for them. Thankfully, she had returned with food. Mostly venison for them all.

She carried the meat, along with a few other asgardians, to a place where they could begin to cook the food. She waved to thor and Vintridr as they went about their own business as well.

Thor has posed:
    The supplies provided them were well and good, but many Asgardians had grown a touch tired of those foil wrapped items in the MREs. So when they were given the small gifts of the land, such as fresh venison or the first batch of honey mead, it had been reason enough for impromptu celebration. Amongst the converted containers and the makeshift living structures, a 'town square' of sorts had formed. It was where in the evening many of the travelers from a distant land took to gather and to share words and the stories of what had passed.
    It was there that the Broken Antler came into being, just a cobbled together dwelling that was expanded with stonework and welded containers, with a bar and chairs and tables though heavily reinforced for the difference in building materials and Asgardian physiology. Out in the open area there were bench seating around a blazing bonfire where the venison is roasted. And there's even an old boulder that when they had first arrived Thor had stood upon it and addressed the people as to what to expect. Ever since that speech nobody had cleared that stone even when clearing the land and it had become known as the King's Stone. Small beginnings. But enough to be shared.
    But tonight, with the mead and the venison, Thor arrived in the clearing with the usual chorus of greeting. He looked ragged in some ways, dirt-smeared and grubby from working in the quarry and at the fortress. But he seemed for once happy with the work. "Vintridr, what is this I am hearing?" He asks as he steps through the crowd, slapping a few shoulders and moving towards the bonfire.

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr looks... Actually slightly cleaner than the Thunderer does at the moment, but that may have had to do with the fact that she'd been helping explain manual laundry to people who were more used to self-cleaning enchantments tonight. That said, she appears somewhat puzzled at Thor's declaration. "... You may have to be a bit more specific, my Lord," she replies.

Astrid has posed:
    Astrid had taken a piece of meat for herself and speared it on a stick to roast over the bonfire. When it was nice and cooked, she began to eat it from the stick. She had meandered her way over towards Vintridr and Thor in her walk. "Hail Odinson. Hail VIntridr. How do you both fare today?" Though she may not have heard Thor's initial question.

Thor has posed:
    Under the various light sources, Thor stops to lean over a washing trough that is used at times for cleaning and he splashes a few handfuls of water onto his face. Wiping at his brow with a forearm he grimaces as he unhooks Mjolnir from his waist and sets it down beside him at the end of one long bench. Currently he's not wearing a shirt, most likely having come straight from the quarry but he does avail himself of a tunic that had been set aside earlier.
    It's while he finagles with pulling it on over his head that he answers them both. "Firstly, the mead. Secondly, venison? Whose arrow felled the beast? I would grant them my thanks."
    But that is the moment when Astrid approaches as Thor draws the tunic down and adjusts it with the sweep of one hand. "Astrid," He nods with a half smile.

Vintridr has posed:
    "Hail and well met, Huntress," Vintridr greets the other woman, then turns to Thor. "You're adressing her now, as it happens. Astrid has taken it upon herself to organize hunting parties to take what wildlife we can without disrupting the balance too much. Unfortunately, Sæhrímnir was lost to us when Asgard fell, and we lack even the skills needed to recreate its miracle, so cherish the meat while you can. We'll have to start trading for it at some point..."

Astrid has posed:
    "You are very welcome, Odinson. I have a few requests though. Mostly, if we are going to eat the meat from these animals...that we eat it all. If you do not like the cut of meat....give it to someone else. Do not throw it away. For if we are to all survive, we must work together to remain strong."

Astrid does smile to Vintridr though. "It's more difficult than you may think, Vintridr. Most warriors of asgard expect an animal to attack when someone makes their presence known and fight to the death. It took us no less than six encounters with these animals......the first time with all of the hunting party screaming for battle and rushing after the beast....for it to run away and outpace us easily in the forest. It wasn't until we managed to encounter a beast that was.....magnificent....in posture, grace and stature that the rest of the party fell silent in awe. I loosed the arrow that felled it and brought it here to cook the meat.

"VIntridr.....do we have skinners and leatherworkers? The skin of it must be kept to protect a warrior"

Thor has posed:
    "Ah," Thor's smile broadens as he turns back towards Astrid upon Vintridr's revelation. He gives her a light thumping pat on the shoulder with one hand as he steps past her. "You have suddenly leapt to new heights in my esteem, Astrid." He steps around the pair of them and starts to make his way towards the bonfire where the meat is being tended to.
    Once he gets there he seems to share a few words with the youth holding some of the skewers and for some reason they both laugh. It's enough time away, however, that the two young Asgardian women who had taken up the role of servers for the Broken Antler began to circulate offering half-filled mugs of the honey mead so most people here can at least get a taste for the new batch.
    It's only after a bit of time that Thor returns to them, holding up his bounty of a strip of flank speared by a skewer. "I had a question I would ask the two of you, by the way." Thor takes a seat upon the bench and then looks up at them, "First because you, Vintridr, have lived here for a longer time. And Astrid you have taken to Midgard better than most. If there is something I could procure or share with our people, something pointedly of Earth... what should it be?"

Vintridr has posed:
    "Coffee," Vintridr replies without so much as missing a beat. "I'm fairly sure your allies among the Avengers have sung you its praises more than once, especially in the morning." She smiles. "Jests aside, one advantage we do - or rather, will - have over Midgard's technology is in agriculture. The enchantments that kept Asgard's weather stable are well known, and we /do/ have the knowledge and skills to re-implement them. With your permission, I would like to consult with skilled Midgard botanists about the requirements for what they call 'greenhouses', enclosed but transparent buildings with an internally maintained climate to enable them to grow plants which normally the land's clime would not bear, even the depths of winter or driest of summers. If we could join Asgardian magic with their knowledge..."

Astrid has posed:
    "Vintridr is correct. If we can get these 'greenhouses', we'll be able to bring many of our plants back to 'life' after Asgard. I would not offer them weapons, armor, or fighting abilities since, sooner or later, we would end up facing said weapons, armor and fighting abilities. Someone would wish to turn them against us. Of course, if we learn agriculture, we would end up having more bountiful feasts, and become excellent cooks."

Thor has posed:
    Eyebrows rising, Thor's good eye distances in thought for a moment before his attention returns back to Vintridr. "You know, you may very well be right. I had not given the drink too much thought entirely, but it is sworn by as a delicacy in some circles." He then, finally, leans forwards and tears a strip off the meat and chews for a time, his cheek filled while he chew-chew-chews, and then says while still not quite having swallowed. "Ah, but which kind?"
    He nods solemnly at that, as if offering yet another riddle for the ages, though on some level a plan is forming in his thoughts. Then Vintridr speaks on the combining of magic and know-how and his brow furrows, "We must be wary on that point, however, Vintridr."
    He turns and listens to Astrid speak when he hrms slightly, "I say we should embark on such, show those of Earth what is possible with our efforts. But we must be vigilant for ways their politicians could interpret them as something dangerous or threatening."

Vintridr has posed:
    "I already posess several strains of coffee beans," Vintridr replies. "I had a small greenhouse constructed in the coffee house when I first opened it. Given my prolonged absence, the latest harvest will likely have failed entirely, but I always made sure to store the seedlings safe. They'll be viable."

    She nods as Thor continues. "As ever, you strike to the heart of things. But no matter /what/ we do, there will be those who'll have concerns -- both legitimate ones, and ones made under pretense. Even with something as simple as agriculture we'll likely have to address some very worried ecologists who'll want to test the outcomes before they'll risk allowing Asgard-Midgard hybrid plants out into the wider ecosystem..."

    She sighs. "I detest politics; given the choice I'd have nought to do with it - but that is not a luxury we'll have for a long time to come. The only advice I can give... Be honest. Be sincere. But make /no/ explicit promises. One possibility might be to extend an open invitation to architects and builders - help us rebuild Asgard, and as we work we'll share the techniques used."

Astrid has posed:
    "I agree. No matter what, there'll be those that will focus upon the negative." Astrid takes a deep breath. "I also detest politics. Hence when we were able to come planetside, I assisted against the mushroom menace that was about. I was going to help and there was nothing to politicians could do to stop me. And yes, be honest and do not make explicit promises. Also....if you hear something that is too good to be true....it probably is."

Thor has posed:
    Another torn piece of meat is chewed on for a time as Thor gives Vintridr's words due consideration. She's seen that look on his face before, the distanced gaze with that thousand-yard stare and the way he chews on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. It was at times like this that he would appreciate Loki's input for it was ever his forte navigating the minefields of politics. Unfortunately he was not an ambassador anyone on Earth would accept.
    At the last he looks up at Vintridr and Astrid, half-smiling, "Fortunate for me then, that the best choice is to in essence be myself." He shakes his head slightly then offers, "If we make such an open invitation for others to come and aid us here in exchange for what could be considered... an edge over others. That could well be portrayed ill. Perhaps there is some way we can... allow insight into what passes here."
    Another bite from the meat on the skewer and he hrms, "I shall have to ponder this."

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr nods. "That would be the case with whatever knowledge we choose to share, unless we somehow create provisions that /all/ nations of Midgard are to have access to aught we choose to share... And even then, it might make existing imbalances worst even if it didn't create any new ones..."

Astrid has posed:
    "Before we go and offer up trade, Odinson, perhaps we should worry about caring for ourselves first. It seems Isolationist, but it is the predators that look to attack when we are our weakest. Look at what happened while Frigga's Mercy was in orbit. Most of Midgard didn't want us to land, and if it wasn't for the nation of Norway...we would have still been on the ship when it crashed. You had defended Midgard many, many times....and they still saw fit to not allow us to land when we needed Midgard the most. It seems negative of me to say this, but I look at Misgard as a fair weather friend. When we need them the most, they will not be here. With notable exceptions of course. Be Avengers being one."

Thor has posed:
    A grunt slips from the Thunderer as he accepts Vintridr's words for being likely true. He offers a smile of thanks to the young lass that hands him the mug of honey mead and gives her a nod as well once she's on her way. But then it's back with his attention full upon the two warriors. His features darken a touch as Astrid speaks and he gives a nod at her words as well.
    But as if a door had shut, the conversation from him drops. He grimaces and pushes himself to his feet, now holding the empty skewer in one hand and the mug of mead in the other. "It seems I have much to think on. Give my regards to those yet to come if I am not present." A nod to each, "Until later." That said he starts to step away through the crowd.

Vintridr has posed:
    "It is more complicated than that, Huntress;" Vintridr responds. "Midgard is not a singular entity as was Asgard or even Niflheim or Surtur. It consists of many nations, most of whom compete first and solely against one another, for until recently they were not even /aware/ of any threats from beyond the skies. This is the lens through which they now regard us..." She trails off as Thor rises. "Of course, Odinson. We will await your commands."

Astrid has posed:
    "Whom will be divided when someone is in trouble, and shall remain divided if an enemy comes to wipe them all out. We shall see how things go as we grow, VIntridr, but you are wise council, as always." Astrid then bows to Thor. "Take care, Odinson." And she takes a drink of mead on the way back to the table.