4727/Ragnarok pt. 6: The Nations United

Ragnarok pt. 6: The Nations United
Date of Scene:	22 June 2018
Location:	United Nations
Synopsis:	Thor addresses the UN, supported by T'Challa and Diana.
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Wonder Woman, Black Panther
Tinyplot:	Rarnarok

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Thor has posed:
    Just on the edge of the river, the United Nations building is abuzz with activity. Whenever the ambassadors gather en masse security is heightened. Barricades are activated and rise from the ground, there are more detectives and security officers within as well as without, and the news vans are often seen parked a touch haphazardly along the streets and ways around the tall structure.
    But today things are different. Oh the security is high, for outside checkpoints are briskly accepting and passing on those seeking entrance, but there is a palpable feeling of tension in the air. Inside, however, that tension seems to have escalated. Inside the General Assembly the representatives of their countries move freely about the large sweeping room. Different factions form small knots of ambassadors who all murmur quietly, the noise forming a low level sussurrus in anticipation.
    An emergency session had been called, backed by most of the members of the security council. And for now, the people in the room are filled with anxiety for they do not know the reason why. But when the call for order comes, the ambassadors move back to their seats and make ready for the address.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana Prince was a regular presence at the United Nations as she'd often come here to speak on behalf of her people, and on behalf of the Justice League itself. As such she's well known and 'most' enjoy having her around.

As of right now, she'd come down from her office here at the U.N. to find her place within the main hall and to meet Thor (and anyone who may have come with him this afternoon). The Princess of Themyscira is dressed in a royal blue blazer with a white shirt beneath and a black skirt with simple black shoes.

Diana moves about the room shaking hands and greeting those who she knows and some she doesn't know... these kinds of Assemblys are generally like this, chaotic at first with all these people together.

Black Panther has posed:
Dressed in black with silver and gold embroidery, T'Challa works some of Wakanda's closest allies, doing his best to make sure they will vote to give the Asgardians asylum and resettlement. It takes convincing. There are concerns, and he does not have answers for all of them, but he remains steadfast in his support and forceful in making the case for supporting the Asgardians. He even makes a point of engaging with the Americans and Canadians, with whom relations have been tense of late, promising more information on the Wakandan space program and a possible treaty governing agricultural technology sharing if they support Thor. It is a difficult sell, but it is what he can do.

Eventually, T'Challa makes his way to Diana's side. "Ms. Prince," he says with a broad, if tired, smile. "We should make our way to the staging room. The Secretary General will call for us very shortly." He turns slightly as if to walk with her, not offering an arm to the Amazon, knowing how inappropriate that would be to one of her people.

Thor has posed:
    Outside that staging room things seem to be relatively calm despite that tension. And the efforts of the diplomats are received well though ever present is that 'at arm's length' manner of most of the nation's representatives. For it is ever the way of the world for the politicians to bite and gauge the lay of the land before setting one foot towards policy. The murmur of the crowd continues even as Diana and T'Challa work the crowd, performing the needed meet and greets.
    Yet inside that staging room, a glorified green room though the furniture is a touch nicer, the atmosphere is thick with what can only term anxiety. Two guards are present for some reason, one standing at each door and keeping their eyes forward as he other occupant inside paces nervously. Thor Odinson had arrived earlier that was needed which seemed wise, but it led to him waiting all the longer and pacing the confines of that room like some captive feline tracing out the border of its cage.
    "Five minutes, Mr. Odinson." A well-dressed intern in a blue jacket peeks her head inside and smiles to the tall man, then here eyes drop to what Thor is wearing. It's not his usual armor, for the breastplate has been left aboard the ship. He wears no helmet, and his boots are rather clean. "What is amiss?" He asks of the girl.
    "Pardon? Oh nothing, sir. Five minutes." She ducks back out even as Thor frowns and looks up at the small mirror nearby and adjusts the hang of his cape to over one shoulder. His frown deepens.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana knew of T'Challa and could pick him out of crowd quite easily, but she'd never actually met him up to this moment and when he approaches her and speaks to her she offers him a reserved smile, her red lips turned up pleasantly at the corners to him. She gives the man a soft nod then and will move to walk alongside him. "I am very glad that you have offered your aide to the people of Asgard." Diana says as they walk, letting her blue eyes glance over to the King of Wakanda. "It will go a very long way in making others feel comfort in all of this."

Diana continues to move to where the man of the hour is located and she steps in to the 'green room' moments after the intern exits and in time to see the man fussing with his cape. Diana's lips turn now into a slight grin and she walks toward him to sidle up beside him and behind his left shoulder to look at him in the mirror and he'll likely see her there in the reflection now.

"Capes need to come back into style more often." She says, teasing him just a little... Her eyes go up to him and she grins. "At least on some people."

Black Panther has posed:
"As will the offer of Themyscira. I fear the short-sightedness of some on the Security Council, but," he spreads his hands. "We can only do what is within our power."

When they enter the green room, T'Challa watches the interaction between Diana and Thor. "It will go well," T'Challa assures Thor. "Your passion for your people is infectious. Let them hear that, and I believe many will be moved."

Thor has posed:
    Thor turns slightly to consider the approach of the others, his good eye meeting Diana's gaze and then shifting back towards the mirror's reflection. His brow is knit, consternation and anxiety clear on the tall man's features as he lifts a hand to the cape's hem and adjusts the way it hangs another time before casting it back over his shoulder. "Bah, this ill suits me." He says, perhaps meaning the cape, perhaps meaning something else.
    Rounding back he looks between the two of them, a small half-frown marring his features as he then gives a single nod. "I would thank you both again, my friends. Were it not for your efforts I would not be here to consider all of the many..." He frowns and glances back at the mirror then adds, "Many... ways this could go wrong."
    It's back to them his one good eye returns and then he nods to the words offered by T'Challa. "I will endeavour to take your advice to heart, King T'Challa." He looks upwards for a moment to the clock on the wall, "Are we certain the clock is correct?" He asks of Diana. Three minutes.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana steps away from Thor a moment later after speaking to him and she moves to stand near to some of the furniture but she doesn't seat herself because she knows they will not linger here for long. Her blue eyes go over thne to T'Challa and she nods once to his words before she looks back to Thor. "King T'Challa and I have been through similar situations here before." She tells Thor, to help give him confidence. "When I came to the U N to present the case for my people becoming officially recognized by the council, I was... in the same condition that you are in now." She shows thor a reassuring smile then. "You will do great. Just as I said previously, just show them your passion for your people and everything else will fall into place."

Diana's eyes glance then toward the clock. "And yes, it is a bit slow, but it is mostly correct." She glances back to both of the royal men she shares the room with and offers them both a smile. "I am ready to do this."

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa stands with his hands clasped behind his back and nods in agreement with Diana. "As am I," he says as the moments tick down.

Thor has posed:
    Thor has time enough to glance between them as if seeking the answers in their gaze, but at Diana's words he gives a slow nod as he accepts her advice and then the words of T'Challa as well. He takes a deep breath and for one moment his right hand shifts to his hip instinctively as if seeking something that was no longer there.
    "Very well."
    Then at the next instant the other door opens, the one that leads inwards to the General Assembly. The Steward steps in and says with an air of formality, "They are ready to receive you now, sir."
    "Aye. Excellent." Odinson starts towards the door and then through.
    Outside that room, in the grand sweeping hall of the General Assembly, it is silent. The tall man in the cape emerges and he looks across the room to find stony faces, controlled features, the representatives of many many countries all looking upon him as he advances towards the podium that has been erected in front of the table used by the officers of the United Nations. He pauses for a moment to glance behind himself, then he moves on up the steps.
    The two pictures in the gigantic monitors above the podium show Thor, a close up of his features as he seems reserved but much less pensive than moments ago. His steps carry him a step behind the podium where he had been instructed to wait for the formalities to reach the time when it is his turn to speak.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana steps up to the podium in front of the council of Nations and she takes a second to let the moment settle. Her eyes glance over toward Thor as he gets a chance to settle in himself before all of this begins and then she looks back out toward all the eyes upon them.

Diana's hands go to the edge of the podium and she speaks. "Today is a great honor for me." She starts, her voice spreading across the room through the mic. "Today I get an opportunity to officially introduce a new society, a new culture, to all of our wonderful own. We live on a diverse world, with diverse beliefs and diverse dreams. But as we all gather here, we know that our dreams are all rooted in the hope for peace and safety for our people, and our world as a whole." She turns a little and motions toward Thor with her right hand. "This individual is no stranger to Earth, and Earth has many stories of his exploits throughout history. We know the stories, some of us better than others." Diana shows a hint of a grin then. "But now, the world knows the real man and no longer just the myth. He has put himself in harm's way to help our world, why? Because he sees the same beauty and greatness in it that the rest of us see. He has fought to protect it just as we have."

With a slight breath, she pauses for just a moment. "Asgard is in need of Earth's help now. So today, I introduce to you Thor... son of Odin, new ruler of the Asgardian people. I hope that you hear him well and know that his desires, are not that different from our own." Diana's eyes glances away then and she adds a soft. "Thank you." Before she steps away from the mic and glances toward T'Challa, moving to stand beside where the King of Wakanda is with Thor.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa nods to Diana and then steps up to the podium. No matter how many times he spoke here, he could not forget this was where his father died. The memory always came back to. But as always, he pushed it aside to focus on the matter at hand. His face is grave and he takes a moment to survey the assembly.

"Mr. Secretary General, Madam President, world leaders and distinguished delegates: We are gathered today in the wake a terrible tragedy. The Asgardians, people of the hero Thor, have fought a terrible war and won, but at a great cost; their homeland. Now they come to us, the assembled leaders of Earth, asking for mercy, dignity and peace.

For years now, we have relied upon Thor for protection. From the schemes of beings we did not know existed, from invasion, and at times even from ourselves. Without recompense and often in the face of fierce critcism, Thor has saved humanity.

Now the survivors from Asgard have come to Earth, and the eyes of history are upon us. We will be judged by our actions here today, by our countrymen, by the assembled nations and by powers as yet unknown to us beyond the Earth. What will Earth be known for? Friendship, grace and gratitude? Or fearful, xenophobic, small-mindedness? I urge you to choose the former and support the request Asgard brings to us today.

And now to address you is a man who needs no introduction, and to whom we all owe the greatest debt. Thor, ruler of the Asgardians."

Thor has posed:
    There is a low murmur from the people at the words granted to them by Diana first, and then T'Challa. They'll each see the eyes of those many delegates following them, intent, as they listen. For some of those representatives they might well see hints of smiles, encouraging looks of reassurance, but others there are neutral and stony visages that offer little warmth. It is ever like the times each of them have given voice before a crowd such as this. Much rests on what they say, what is to be said, but for some the decisions might well already have been decided.
    But then the Princess and the King have had their say and the cameras return to Thor as he takes those last few steps to climb before the podium. The monitors above zoom in on his countenance, focusing upon the man's visage and showing that strong profile with the strapless eyepatch. He looks out upon the room, then begins.
    "I come before you first to offer thanks." Thor looks upon the room and then turns his head to the side to look upon where Diana and T'Challa stand. He turns his gaze back upon the general assembly and continues. "To offer thanks for the warmth of the greeting that has been gifted unto my people."
    He rests his hands on the edge of the podium and he leans slightly forwards. "In this, our most dire of times and our darkest hour. We were left bereft and grieving at the loss of our home. The beings we faced had fallen, but in so doing our home fell as well."
    The tall man's lips part, as if he were about to say something but he pauses for an instant. Then resumes as he lifts a hand. "Earth has ever been a place I have held with warmth in my heart. It is why we have come, why I am here now. And I admit when our ship entered orbit I was touched with trepidation..."
    Then his smile comes and when it does it's a heartwarming thing as it reaches his eyes when he looks out across the crowd. "But almost from the first moment we arrived, the people of Earth welcomed us. With aid, repairs, the healing of our sick. People from all across this world rose to our aid... and I was struck with such a feeling of gratitude..."
    "That I now would offer my thanks. You have given me... you have given /us/ the gift of hope and in our time of loss it has been a great comfort."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana remains where she is now seated in a holding chair beside the podium, a place where people sit aside from the main speaker and are either waiting for their chance to speak next or to offer counsel to whomever is already speaking. She glances to Thor now and then, but otherwise is looking out over the onlookers of the General Assembly. She sits straight up in her chair and doesn't shy away from any cameras or pictures being taken, she just does her best to remain regal as Thor makes his speech.

Thor has posed:
    "Asgard is no more." He looks around slowly, "But Asgard lives on in our people. For a time their flame wavered, our hope dimmed, but now... with your help it has grown stronger. There is a future that beckons, a continuation beyond the loss of our home. It is my hope that we can greet it together."
    The Asgardian straightens, his brow furrowing as he looks out across the room at the many diverse faces of the people looking upon him. "To do that, however, I am afraid I must now ask you for your aid." His features shift pensive as he looks towards the representatives, as if trying to get some idea as to their thoughts, "The ship we used to flee our dying home is old and was barely able to make the journey. It is unsafe for my people to remain aboard, but I wished to speak here... to you. To the people of this world. To let you know that we wish you no harm. That I want only for a place where my people can rest. Can be safe. And when it was set before me... to choose where our path would lead us...
    "I chose here, the land of our ancient brothers and sisters. The land that has been so kind to me."
    "I know this is no easy thing," He says, "I know what I ask of you and the great weight behind the decision I would have you make. And for that, I am sorry."
    Another pause, then a deep breath. "Thank you for hearing my words." That said he steps back and then down away from the podium, then towards T'Challa and Diana as if for some sign that he did not entirely commit some kind of faux pas.

Black Panther has posed:
T'Challa rises, puts one hand on Thor's shoulder and shakes hands with the other. He nods approvingly and leans in. "Well done, Thor. You represented your people well," he says quietly, then leans back and gives another shake of the hand and nod of approval. He makes a show of shaking hands with Diana as well. It is clear much of it is meant for those watching. Then he steps back to walk with him and Diana to the green room while the world delegates prepare to speak their responses, rebuttals and snipes at each other in the interminable round of follow-up speeches that will follow.

Once they are in the green room, T'Challa congratulates both on their speeches.

"Now, we will see how far the Earth has come."

Wonder Woman has posed:
When Thor's speech comes to an end, Diana looks up to him and offers him another reassuring smile so that he will know that his words were well spoken. She knew that this portion of the process was merely for the man to get a chance to state his case, and then the Council would spend time speaking out all of their concerns before it could continue further where there would likely be questions for the King of Asgard.

After they return to the green room, Diana strides in and places her hands together with her fingers lacing between one another. A nod is given to T'Challa's words. "They will see to reason on this. As I said before, their biggest concern will be the dangers that struck Asgard... will they be coming here next. And that is a firm 'No'." She looks then to Thor as though she's awaiting a little confirmation on that.

Thor has posed:
    Once they are away from the assembly, Thor looks to them both and there is an element of... shellshock to the Asgardian. His good eye flares a touch, eyebrow raising as he looks between them and he murmurs, "No, Diana. Malekith and his people. Surtur. They all perished when our home was lost. Earth is safe..." But then he lifts his eye towards the monitor which is operating without sound for now, thankfully. "Safe from them at least."
    The weight of the moment weighed heavily on him, and ever in the past he always had the support... the seemingly eternal immovable foundation of Asgard's existence upon which to view the world. Now, that is not the case. He takes a deep breath...
    And then seems to at the least shed some of the stress of the moment. His smile returns though small as he looks to them. "Come, my friends. 'Tis a day of great portent and it should be celebrated as such. There are but six bottles of Asgardian mead left in this galaxy, I would you share one with me."
    And that said he turns towards the door. This one leading out.