2352/The More Things Change

The More Things Change
Date of Scene:	06 September 2017
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Black Knight, Thor

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Black Knight has posed:
    His IDentity information was still valid to get him onto the grounds. That is a positive thing. No doubt, someone has been alerted to his arrival. After a year trying to remember who 'Dane' is, rather than 'Eobar', Dane Whitman's quiet, measured footfalls tread the floor in the mansion again. His features are drawn into a quiet, faint frowning line that keeps threatening to start to turn into a smile. His fingertips trace over a spot on the wall where a picture used to hang.
    Pushing his left hand through his hair, Dane Whitman waits a moment. He quietly reminds himself, "You were one before. You will be one again." Its important to him, but what is weird. So little is, anymore.

Thor has posed:
At first, all is quiet, Dane's welcome to the mansion... well, a silent one. Nostalgic, maybe. A little lonely, even?

And then, all of that changes as a loud greeting fills the hall, echoing from wall to wall as if threatening to burst from the space. A voice, appropriately enough, like a boom of thunder: "My friend! Hail and well met!

The sound, although it fills the room, does have a point of origin, found in a man who appears at the top of the foyer staircase. A figure that is recognizable no matter where in time or space he appears, in what name he has taken, on whatever quest or task his all-seeing father has set before him. Thor looks as he ever does, unchanged by time or the vicissitudes of the world around him.

Descending the staircase, he offers an outstretched hand and forearm. "I sensed thou tread this realm once again, returned from whatever quest did call you hence. How fare thee?"

Black Knight has posed:
    It is a warm clasp. Dane is not a small man, but he is dwarfed by Thor. His hand clutches Thor's forearm with the strength of a formidable warrior of Midgaard, which is paltry to the Odinson, but the callouses are those of a warrior. "Thor, son of Odin, well met!" Dane's smile emerges for just a moment. His brown eyes are warm."It is truly wonderful to see you again, Thor."
    his shoulders straighten. "I call myself Dane again. You might shrug off identities and other lives as if they were nothing, my friend. I needed to remember who I was. I went to England, pulled a sword out of a stone, did some minor heroing, met the lady of the lake..." Dane pauses. "You know. Tuesday afternoon stuff, eh?" His smile emerges again.
    it is an expression that comes to him easily here. Maybe that is why he missed it so.

Thor has posed:
After exchanging a proper warrior's clasping of arms, Thor stands back, shoulders straightened, and regards the man before him. "Friend Dane, then- and nay, I understand thine desire to remember. I would not say it is nothing, even for me, to live another life, and sometimes even to die, and live again. I do not always remember the full of them, but the whole forms the picture of the man I am, always with a single anchor binding all together. Thy sword defines thee as does mine eternal quest to prove worthy of great Mjolnir. It is good thou taketh it up again."

With this said, he turns and ushers the man along with him, to wander the mansion halls, perhaps with some destination in mind, or perhaps not. Perhaps he leaves it to the whims of fate. "Thou speaketh of minor questing, yet thine travels carry thee here, to the new port of York. Is there some purpose in this, or is it, rather, that thou seekest a place of greater adventure, for whatever might come? If the latter, I say thee, 'tis a wise choice. There is ever much evil brewing here."

Black Knight has posed:
    "Well, the castle that I live in is just north of the city." Dane says lamely, but Thor deserves more than that. Dane has to hustle a little to keep up, due to the difference in stride length. His head tilts to the side as he considers Thor's words more seriously. "I miss it." Dane says finally. "I feel like what I do matters here. I know in a lot of ways, I am the least of us, in terms of power, but I think that frailty can be an advantage. I might not be the best at anything, but I am second best at a lot of things. I can do science in a pinch, look things up in another pinch. I can fight. I can lead. I can dance, and no one knows who I am thanks to the helmet." Dane is quiet as he considers. "I am an asset. I also really miss it. Some of the best moments of my life were here, however short a time that was. I need to do this again. At least for a few years. I like belonging to something better and bigger than I am."
    His tone is still thoughtful. "You, all of you, push me to be better. I am a better man when I am here, and some days... I really feel like I need to be a better man."

Thor has posed:
Thor is clearly not impressed with mere geography as an explanation. "Castles can be moved, my friend!" Well, when you're Thor they can, at least! Space and time are always poor excuses to him. But in listening to the actual reasons the other man gives, he seems to judge these sufficiently worthy. "Thine reasons ring true in mine ears. Thou seekest warrior companions, the comradery of the hearth-hall, as it was known in the time of my earliest human followers. There is a great bond there, between those who stand with one another in the shield-wall, who undertake great journeys in joint company, scale mountains, sail oceans, travel far and wide to seek out their destinies. 'Tis a glorious thing, and though it is not practiced now as it was then, the spirit lives on here."

"Worry not over thine powers, for it is thine spirit that bolsters the warrior-band," he declares. "And it is on such merit that the Valkyrior do judge one's worth. While it is not mine to render such judgments, thou art surely amidst the worthy, in mine eyes."

Black Knight has posed:
    "Your opinion matters a great deal to me, God of Thunder." Dane uses the title like an honorific. "I would not mind meeting another o the Valkior, if I am perfectly honest with you." Dane deadpans as he considers. "But aye. I miss it. I miss battling a foe that might end me and doing it with honor, and fighting with men and women I respect and admire. I have no family left. The Avengers were my family. I miss all of that." His smile is faint and reminiscent. "So, if it is all good with everyone. I want to come home. I want to get back to work. I can contribute, and when i cannot anymore, I will either be dead or go teach at this youth initiative I have heard about. I have traveled the world, and traveled time. I think I am here now for a reason, and I think fighting evil and darkness at the side of the Avengers, well... it is a glorious death."

Thor has posed:
A good roaring laugh follows that admission, and a friendly backslap that only *mildly* underestimates Thor's own strength. "Of course thou wouldst look toward such a meeting with great enthusiasm! The shieldmaidens are not only the bearers of the most honored dead, but they are doubtlessly among the most lovely of Asgard's hosts. 'Tis a challenge, to imagine more pleasant company, in this life or the next." And here, a divine... wink, rare as such things are. "But I expect, friend Dane, that mine words are no new knowledge to thee!"

"In any case, if these are thine fondest wishes, thou chooseth correctly, to return here. It seems as if thine former alliance remains intact, as far as the baubles which guard this hall are concerned," and he gestures around vaguely, in reference to the man's apparently still-valid identification. "So I think little further is required. I do not know if our brave Captain may require anything further, yet I shall offer mine own word of thine worthiness nonetheless. For now, I bid thee welcome."

Black Knight has posed:
    It is a slid smack. It stings, and knocks the breath out of Dane for a moment. Dane Whitman clears his throat, shaking his head warmly. "Well, yes." Dane admits, his cheeks flushing a little. "If you like tall, amazingly lovely blond women who fight and ride horses." He clears his throat again. "They are alright." He smiles broadly. "I did give Brunnhilde my horse." He admits. "Thank you, Thor. You and Steve saying something like that, well, it makes me proud and happy like few things do." Dane's smile is broad. "My sword is ever at your disposal."

Thor has posed:
Thor glances sidelong to give the other man a look. A 'who doesn't?' look, and a wide grin with it. "Far more than alright! But aye, she is quite fond of the steed! Though I've not the need, I have shared a ride on occasion!" Is it awkward, how shamelessly open and forward he is about these things? Blame northern European culture. Or... maybe northern European culture actually should be blaming HIM. Things to ponder!

Oversharing aside, he again takes up the warrior talk. "And mine hammer, friend Dane. Now, let us see who else is about, that we might celebrate thine return in drink, and sing songs of war and women!" This is the one thing about Thor overseeing one's return to the team: you get a hell of a welcoming party.