4766/Ragnarok pt. 10: Amazon Detente

Ragnarok pt. 10: Amazon Detente
Date of Scene:	29 June 2018
Location:	Themyscira
Synopsis:	Thor speaks with Queen Hippolyta and the two people come closer to understanding one another.
Cast of Characters:	Wonder Woman, Thor
Tinyplot:	Ragnarok

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Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana Prince had come through on her promise to let Thor come to Themyscira and meet with her mother, the Queen. The Asgardians still need a place to stay and Themyscira is an isolated location where they can find peace and comfort without being exposed to the modern trappings of the wildly different society that Earth is from Asgard's own...

So the trip was made, aboard Diana's mysterious Invisible Jet. Of course once you're riding inside of it the jet can be set to be entirely visible to those within it, or to be phased out in its translucency... off-putty to some, but others rather enjoy it!

The jet eventually came to land in a grassy field on the island dubbed Paradise.

The Princess and Thor were met by an entourage of Amazonian Warriors on horseback and the two were lead back to the city proper and through its streets.

Along the way, Diana of course rides alongside Thor and offers him a tour of the city--at least in some part--pointing out various shops and homes, temples and other points of interest. She proud of her home, and the women who populate it. The women? All stare at Thor with questioning gazes along the way.

Once they reach the Council Chamber, the women of Themyscira spread out across the rows around the central platform. They all stare down at Thor who's ushered to stand in its middle to await the Queen.

Diana stands off to the side of Hippolyta's dias, dressed in the armor of her people.

Thor has posed:
    The man that rides through the streets of Themyscira has the look of one of those age old warlords who had been a bane to the Amazons so long ago. The way he rode the fine steed, sitting stride it as if he were born to the saddle. The way his eyepatch gave his normally handsome jovial countenance a more grim facade. And the way his hammer hung at his hip along with that winged Sakaaran helm rested upon the other. It all came together to create the image of something that might well be depicted upon a tapestry if not here in the city then somewhere in the past of the warriors of Greece.
    But then one might catch the smile. Or the way his remaining blue eye twinkled with a hint of mirth when he would offer some rejoinder or observation to carry along with Diana's words granted him. He greeted those who offered the same to him, and introductions always went well for he rarely forgot a name uttered in his presence.
    But then the time comes where they are split off and Thor is left to himself as the Amazon court is made ready. He is brought to the middle of that room when they are ready and he stands with an easy demeanour to him. He wears his armor, true, so there is a martial presence to him. But the red half-cloak over his shoulder adds something of the formal to the Asgardian.
    Once there he awaits to be called up and addressed, as is proper for one monarch before another in their court.

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's hands rest together in front of the tan skirt she wears, her armor is a dark polished brown leather with golden shoulder caps on either of her shoulders... not her traditional Eagle Armor she's become legendary around the world for donning, but instead the armor of the Princess, a set that is more appropriate for this council. Her hair is changed as well, tied back into a tightly briaded ponytail where-as before she'd had it set loose and long about her shoulders.

Diana makes eye contact with Thor and gives him a reassuring smile, mere moments before Hippolyta arrives.

The Queen arrives with little fanfare, she'd ordered that sort of thing to stop centuries ago. She was a woman who liked to cut to the chase of situations, especially ones that involve outsiders... especially ones that involve male outsiders.

A trail of six other women follow along behind Hippolyta and fan out on either sides of her as she approaches her throne. She settles onto it and turns to first glance to her daughter...

Diana nods once to her mother, and recieves a very faint nod in return before the Queen's gaze now goes to that of Thor. Hippolyta speaks out to him. "Thor Odinson." She starts, her voice is accented the same way that Diana's own is, but it is a more aged voice, calm however. "Your exploits are too large for a word such as Legendary... This is why you are here today. This is why you are permitted to be within our home. But not all the stories of you are of a heroic nature... So this is why you are not yet trusted." She pauses for a moment. "What say you?" She asks of him then.

Thor has posed:
    "I say that you are wise to pay such heed for the good of your people, Queen Hippolyta." He says her title with the reverence needed, though he remains tall and does not bow for such is the way of his people at the least when two heads of nations meet. "Were I to arrive at your court as conqueror, or envoy, or supplicant."
    There's a pause then as his eye shifts ever so slightly towards Diana, but then back towards Hippolyta as he draws himself up marginally and adds, "Yet I am here as the leader of Asgard and her peoples." He rests one hand upon the belt around his waist, shifting his stance slightly o the other foot. "To address the generous offer your daughter, Princess Diana, has made unto me and mine."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Queen Hippolyta had never expected to see her daughter again, the night she said goodbye to her over a hundred yeares ago, the night that Diana fled Themyscira with Steve Trevor to help fight in the war to end all wars. And she hadn't seen Diana for almost that entire century... it wasn't until Diana became a public figure that she returned to Themyscira and made her plea to her mother to open an Embassy for their nation, to work with the governments of the world to make this Island more transparent to the people of Earth, so that they could know that the Amazons were here, and were hoping to help however they could.

Hippolyta had eventually accepted Diana's wishes, because... she loves her child more than anything. But it certainly wasn't easy!

The Queen's eyes leave Thor and go to Diana, who glances back to her mother. "She makes many generous offers. A better woman than I am, she." Hip says before returning her stare to Thor.

"I have heard of the fate that has befallen your people. My sympathies are with you, and with them even more-so. You are a capable man, you can survive such tragedy I am quite sure... but the people... The people just wish to live a simple and peaceful life, yes? It is harder for them, I am certain."

Thor has posed:
    "Aye, Your Majesty," Thor shifts his weight again, the armor silent when he moves and contoured to the lines of his form. "The turmoil that my people have survived has cost them dear and I would ease their suffering as I can." This time there is no snuck look towards Diana, though she might well read the firmness in his manner and the solemnity with which he speaks.
    "Yet, despite the generosity of such an offer I am afraid I must refuse it." His brow furrows, the eye-patch shifting as he does so but then he continues. "I have spoken with the other rulers of this realm and their sentiment seems to be strong against the idea of my people remaining, and such feeling would extend to those who offer safe harbor. And though I have no doubt that your country could defend itself should war make another demand upon your people... well I would not be one who would see another war start nor more lives lost."
    The blonde Asgardian seems to hesitate there for a moment, but then resolve is tightened and he adds, "Though if I could, I would ask a boon."

Wonder Woman has posed:
Again the Princess and the Queen share looks as Thor turns down the offer of asylum on the shores of Themyscira, Diana hadn't even know he was going to do that. She thought it was the full reason they'd come here and this is what she'd told her mother.

Hippolyta looks back onto Thor then as he asks that last request and she gently nods her head a single time toward him. "You may." She tells him.

"But let me say that your people are the reason I have agreed to this meeting entirely. Three thousand lost souls looking for a place to rest and recuperate. But if this is something you wish not seek here, then we will not speak on it again."

Thor has posed:
    "Please do not think I take your offer lightly." It is then that he looks openly towards Diana and then back towards Hippolyta. His jaw tenses for an instant before he goes on, "It was with great depth of reflection upon which I set myself to consider your daughter's words. I would not endanger your people lest I had no other choice."
    His hand lifts form his belt and uncurls towards the Queen of the Amazons as he gestures, as if asking her to believe him with this entreaty. "But matters are such, Queen Hippolyta, that it is possible our ship would fail us. If that should occur I would ask that only then would we be allowed to pass your borders. If the situation were to reach that most dire outcome."
    "Your homeland would be the best location for this portion of Midgard if our engines gave out while our orbit took us past. Only then would I take that risk. Is that aught acceptable?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
Diana's gaze levels on Thor, she listens to his request while remaining perfectly quiet and still in her standing position to the side of the Queen.

Hippolyta registers the asked question and glances away to one of her Councilors. With an intake of air she softly exhales again a moment later. "We will be here for your people should that time come. But understand this... Even if we generously offer your people a place to stay here on our world... they will not be staying amongst the rest of the Amazon. We will be establishing them a new settlement on the south western shores of our island. There is the remains of a village long since abandoned by our people. It is in need of repairs and maintenance, but it can be brought back to livable conditions within a matter of weeks."

A few whispers roll across the crowd surrounding the assembly, Amazonians sharing gossip? The prospect of another culture living on this island is pretty monumental for these warrior women.

"Your people will also be kept under ground by detachments of Amazons. We do not do it out of a lack of trust for your kind. We would guard them out of a necessity for our own way of life."

Thor has posed:
    "I understand and appreciate the steps you must take you protect your people, Queen Hippolyta." The tall blonde man gives a single nod in that recognition as he shifts his weight to the other boot causing the leather to creak curiously loudly in the so quiet throne room once the crowd's murmur ends. He quirks an eyebrow and glances to the side but then his one good eye returns to meet Diana's mother's gaze.
    "Though if matters proceed and the bidding of the Fates precludes our taking you up on your generous offer, I would propose that wherever we settle, that our peoples come to know one another as we can." He tilts his head slightly, turning his gaze towards the artwork, the craftsmanship that is so present in the very city that he had traveled through, and moreso even here. "For I see a shared past in some ways, perhaps a distant hint of camaraderie if not kinship."
    The tall man looks back and lifts his chin to look up towards the ruler of this realm, "Though I would not presume to know your history."

Wonder Woman has posed:
"Nor would I presume to know yours." Hippolyta responds after him, her eyes having not left the hulking Asgardian ruler. "Your name is mentioned in our history books as well, but as I have come to learn, those books are often flawed in many ways." She passes on that subject then and her gaze switches to that of her daughter, who looks back to Hippolyta in return.

"You will contact Diana to let her know when and if you should ever need to take up our offer. She will inform me and we shall began preparations toward receiving you and yours."

A nod is given to Hippolyta from that of the Princess who now looks back onto Thor. Hippolyta does as well and speaks further. "Again, my condolences for you and your people. You are welcome to stay an evening here within the City, but you must remain here within the Council House. A dinner will be arranged, to honor your people's loss and allow the Amazons to show their respect." An invitation to stay and feast with the Amazons? It would likely be unwise to turn such a thing down!

Thor has posed:
    "I would be most honored, Your Majesty." Thor lowers his head again in that form of bow that is allowed between sovereigns and then he looks back up as the pomp of the court begins to unfold before him while preparations are made. He will be guided as they wish, and follows when bidden. He is sure to give smiles in return when they're offered and generally... try to keep from under foot.
    It's while he's awaiting the table and seating to be brought forth that he finds himself standing beside Diana as they both must wait. He lifts a hand to acknowledge an offer of drink when one of the Amazons shows him a bottle, and then he keeps smiling that calm and magnanimous smile.
    But then, the Queen's daughter might well hear his voice as he murmurs to the side without moving his lips too much nor being too loud. "So. How did I do?"

Wonder Woman has posed:
If it were any other many they might feel intimidated by the eyes of so many women falling upon them, but since its Thor... it probably is little more than rain against a rock. Not often does the male side of the genders end up on Themyscira, let alone get invited to a grand dinner within the Queen's own home.

After speaking with one of the Councilors, Diana turns then to Thor and she hears his murmered question. She flashes him a smile and then looks out across the hall as the evening is settling in. "I have seen worse." Diana responds to the God of Thunder, making it a slight bit of a tease as is her nature. A second or so later and she's smiling more warmly and shaking her head right to left. "You did well. My mother feels a great deal of sorrow for you people... this is why she was so kind to you today. I feel she sees the fears within herself, having come to pass for you and yours and its softened her some." a short pause and she looks away again. "Some." She repeats, a little softer in tone.

Thor has posed:
    As she answers him, Thor then signals his approval with one hand to one of the other Amazons who steps by granting him a view of the meal perhaps in some ritual of acceptance that is held for the guest. Thor does not know exactly why it is done, nor whether or not he's making the proper response... but nobody has challenged him to a duel yet so at least he has that going for him.
    But while he nods he answers Diana sidelong, "She seems a formidable woman."
    That having been said once the seats are arranged and he is set into motion moving around the large table, following the signals given as to where he is to sit. He at least remembers not to pull a chair out for Diana when she takes a seat beside him. But his smile gives him enough cover to tell her, "If I start to use the wrong fork do be so kind as to kick me under the table." And then he looks back to Hippolyta and smiles as well, lifting a hand in acknowledgement to the honor she is bestowing upon him.

Wonder Woman has posed:
The Queen sits across from them at the table and she looks back to Thor as he regards her. She nods once but doens't smile, she rarely ever smiles and especially not when the concern/burden of having a man on her island is upon her shoulders... even if he was a welcomed visitor. Hipplyta greatly feared the altering of her people and their society, in any shape or fashion.

Diana shows a faint smirk at Thor's words and she shakes her head side to side. "I will not miss such an opportunity." She replies, showing a little grin then before she points at the proper utensil. "This one." She indicates to him, to be polite and provide the much needed guideance. "The real challenge will be after dinner, when you are going to be approached by the rest of the Council to be... asked questions of." She shows a more wicked grin and lifts her cup up for a drink.

Amazonians prying questions for the God of Thunder!