5405/Post Putt Putt

Post Putt Putt
Date of Scene:	19 September 2018
Location:	Avengers Mansion, New York City
Synopsis:	Thor grouses about Midgard
Cast of Characters:	Thor, Spider-Woman (Drew)

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Thor has posed:
    The idea of Putt Putt sounded interesting, at the least how Jessica Drew advanced the idea. A sport of Kings, played both by the meek and the mighty for which all can participate. A game of finesse. A game of skill. And a game that entirely had escaped Thor's grasp for a bit of time.
    At first they had been trying to keep quiet, a low profile to prevent the other golfers from looking towards the tall man and the brunette. Though there were points where he definitely got some strange looks, usually after some exclamation in a voice that sounded entirely regal and perhaps a touch too loud.
    "Why must this giant monkey confound my every shot!"
    "What possible purpose does a tyrannosaur serve!"
    "This 'loop-de-loop' is impossible!"
    It was the last one that drew the ideas, particularly because it was accompanied by the clang of the rented putter being thrown to the ground after a rather unspectacular shot that failed to even loop one of the loop-de-loops. And from that moment on it was recognition that drove the crowd and not the joys of perfect tiny golf.
    "That's Thor!"
    "What, here in Jersey?"
    "Can I get your autograph?"
    And from there it was all down hill, though at the least the Thunderer had been gracious and friendly with the crowd. It happens often when he goes out, that whatever he's doing falls to the way side as he stands for selfies or offers an autograph here or there. Until eventually they're forced to depart and make their way back to the mansion.

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
The idea of sharing stories of the Mighty Thor on the miniature golf course is just as fun as the event itself. Jessica had explained to Thor that it was a right of passage here to play Putt Putt. If Thor took that to mean it was a sport that separates the men from the boys, so much the better. Because NOTHING can beat the image of Thor as he majestically swung the tiny putter to sink a hot pink golf ball in a clown's mouth. Nothing.

The trip home is filled with protests, naturally, about how legitimate this whole sport was when determining the greatness of a man. Jessica's driving the rental car, a luxury SUV given her by the insurance company while her own car is in the shop, after the joyriding imps took it for a fast trip into a concrete barrier.

"But..." Jessica tries to edge in between Thor's rants and revelry for having completed the 18th Hole. "But you looked so CUTE out there with that putter. It was so tiny, and you're so BIG." It is entirely possible that Thor has not yet figured out that this was just an excuse to get him out of the mansion and get his personal struggles off his mind. Nevertheless, Jessica is the one to benefit from the irony of the entire day, and she couldn't be happier.

Thor has posed:
    As they'd brought the vehicle to a halt and both departed it, he took that time to answer her. One hand was lifted as if to stay her from such a statement, affecting him with such a descriptor as cute. It caused him to crinkle his nose a touch and then it was through the partially aware AI gate that they walked, the security systems recognizing them and swinging open to grant entry.
    Into the back yard, Thor stepped and then turned towards her to eye the Spider-Person sidelong. "I handled it with deft finesse, yet the obstacles defied my wishes." Thor scowls a touch but it's clear he's placed the blame square upon Mr. Winkles, Dr. Kong, and that blasted Toby Tyrannosaur. A few steps inwards then he pauses near the fountain around which are arranged the statues of the First Avengers, though he pays them no mind at this point.
    "In any case, I appreciate your efforts, Lady Drew. I know them for what they are and it was a pleasant enough distraction, though forgive my ill mood."
    A pace to the side as he turns around and considers going back into the mansion, but he pauses. Instead of entering he turns back to her and asks, "Did the experience match your expectations?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"Why my Dear Lord Odinson, I have no idea what you're insinuating," Jessica declares, tilting her head and leaning in to nudge his shoulder with her own. "If my expectations were to be beaten, and soundly, at miniature golf, then they were met with glowing results. But mostly because you kept chipping the ball over the obstacles." She raises her both hands to him. "I'll allow it. And if my expectation was to pit a god against a fiberglass dinosaur, then I have likewise been sated."

She turns to him, biting her bottom lip thoughtfully for a moment. "And if my expectation was just to get you out of the place and out to do something besides look at four walls? I guess that my expectation has been met satisfactorily." She half-smiles and reaches up to rub his shoulder, a friendly and affectionate gesture. "You smiled today. That's enough for me."

Thor has posed:
    There's a short half-smirk there as he accepts her chiding in the spirit with which it's intended and gives a small nod of acceptance. He rests a hand on hers for a moment to give a squeeze of thanks if not the words, though in the next instant he is stepping away. Yet only far enough to take a seat upon the edge of that fountain that continues to trickle alongside him, the water's spray casting a small rainbow behind him curiously so though the clouds far above have a hint of the ominous to them.
    "And for such a distraction you enjoy my thanks. It has simply been that matters proceed apace and I find that the need for patience, the waiting, the... lack of action. It does not sit well with me." He shakes his head and lets his eyes shift back to her then he pointedly looks away. "The matters with the Jotun, with New Asgard..." That last has him scowl a bit, his eyes distancing. "The line of succession. I miss the days when I could do as I wished."
    That hangs there for a moment, then a wry chuckle slips from him as he looks back at her and adds, "Yet do not all beings have such thoughts. Eventually?"

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
"I can assure you that I have never once considered my line of succession, unless you count the DMV," Jessica replies, raking her fingers through her hair and stretching before seating herself near Thor at the fountain. "I understand though. The hurry up and wait. It can be maddening. And all the rest that's been raining down on you? Well...I've been a little worried. Maybe even more than a little. A man like you can be consumed by his concern. You need a pressure release at some point."

Thor has posed:
    A small snort comes from him, unflattering assuredly as he leans forwards, resting his elbows upon his knees. It's still perhaps curious in some ways to see such a man straight out of an adventure novel dressed in a hoodie, sneakers, jeans. His good eye looks off past the confines of the garden distant upon what thoughts might prey upon him. Then a faint curve of a smile is given as he looks sidelong, "Is this not that?"
    But before she can answer he waves a hand to the side and murmurs, "But no. I am fine. I will endure." He lifts a hand to rub at the line of his beard just beneath his lower lip, looking thoughtful. "When I look to the future what I see is surmountable, so that holds not my trepidation. Perhaps small facets which could bode ill."
    A turn and he looks towards her, and for a moment it might seem like he'd let that sit there. But for some reason he goes on, offering explanation. "With the resettlement, and stability drawing near it has been brought to my attention that an heir is needed. If not that then some declaration of successor to rule Asgard in my stead should I fall." He looks away, still scritching at his beard thoughtfully, absently. "Bjarke would have me find a suitable Queen and wed. Loki seeks not that but simply I make him regent, though that brings with it difficulties all their own."
    Silence remains there for a time, brow furrowed. Until finally he adds, "And all of this has brought my thoughts back to Jane Foster and the loss such entails."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jessica watches Thor narrowly as his thoughts cloud him, and his gaze rests beyond the fountain or anything else in this material setting. "It's my hope that this is that, certainly." Jessica's expression is a little more relaxed, and stays that way until he begins to delve into the loss of Jane. This is something that neither she, nor anyone else in this world, can cure.

"I'd take your pain and loss in a heartbeat if I could. So that you could just live and be fulfilled and happy. It's the way you were meant to live. Not squabbling and scraping like the men of ...Midgard." Jessica sighs deeply, considering the weight that Thor bears on his shoulders.

"For all the responsibilities and weights you carry, you should be entitled to happiness and love and light, as well. It shouldn't have to be a one-or-the-other position. If there's anything that I can do to make things easier for you....well, I'm here for that. For you."

Thor has posed:
    A hand lifts as if to stay her from such sentiment as he tells her, "It is my burden alone, and in truth the lot of others is weightier. In some ways." He furrows his brow and she can tell his thoughts are once again gone for a few moments. Absently a fingertip runs along the edge of that strapless eye-patch, but then he shakes his head and returns to the here and now.
    "In truth she is better off without me. She deserves happiness and an ease of life that I cannot give her for tumult follows me wherever I go." He lowers a hand to his knee and rests it there, then adds. "And, in truth, the last time we spoke our words were hard. I made a choice between myself and my pride and her wishes. Perhaps it was poorly done, but the worst part of it..."
    He straightens up and frowns to himself as he pushes himself slowly to his feet. "I know not that I would make that choice differently. So I have naught but myself to blame." But then there's a pause as his brow furrows as he looks curiously at Jess. "Forgive me," He slips his hands into his pockets and offers a half-smile, "I tend not to ramble so. I know not what has affected my mood so."

Spider-Woman (Drew) has posed:
Jess presses her lips together and folds her arms, exhaling as she, too, stands. "Thor, sometimes you /do/ just have to talk. Sometimes you need to. You can't keep all this stuff bottled inside. First of all, you can never sort out your beads in a bottle. Sometimes you just have to pour it all out and see where it all goes. And secondly, it's our nature to reach out. If you were drowning, you'd reach for my hand. There's nothing different here, except that the tide is emotion and not the sea." She tries to reach out and brush the back of her finger up his cheek beneath that eye patch. "But that makes the current no less powerful. Just...know that I'm here.""

With a resolute expression, Jess looks Thor in the face and allows her gaze to linger there. "I'll try to help you forgive yourself, the misgivings that you have for how it all unfolded. But the universe knows better what is best. If, as you said, you would not have done differently, then as you let go, new things will take hold of you. And perhaps...in time...you'll find one that holds you as lovingly as you deserve."

Thor has posed:
    A small smile, then Thor looks sidelong in her direction. That one good eye bright and blue but then he lowers it as he nods. "A kind sentiment, Jessica." He looks back, smiling easier now as he lifts a hand. "And forgive the burden I have placed upon you." As he says that he steps back and then turns to the side. "I have taken too much time away from matters of import."
    His stride is purposeful as he walks a few steps, "Thank you for the distraction of the Putting." He extends a hand out to the side and focuses for a moment even as he says, "And the kind words as well."
    Distantly there's a faint crash of sound as something glass or ceramic within crashes. The there's a thump and a thud as wood gives way. Then a crackle of stone being struck, only to end with a low 'whom' as Mjolnir flies through the air and into Thor's hand. At least has the good nature to look a touch sheepish as he murmurs, "I had thought it was..." He points to the side, but then doesn't elaborate. "In any case, fare thee well." He says as he sets the hammer twirling and in a few moments it lifts him off the ground and into the air, disappearing in a blur of movement.