Owner	Pose
Hermione	The last time she was in a park after sunset, Hermione had met a trio of thugs that seemed intent on mugging her. Or worse, according to the gentleman that came to her rescue. Hermione, ever the optimist, decided that something that wouldn't happen again. After all, you always hear about muggings in New York city, but how often do you ever meet someone that it has happened to? Besides, having taken a couple of bullets earlier in the week, Min is a little overconfident in her abilities. And so, a few weeks after the last time she was in the park, Min is again walking in a park after dark, humming softly to herself happily as she makes her way to the subway to get home.
Balder	He feels more princely now. Far, far more princely. he has an income (from his father) and he has duties to engage in, and a purpose other than just looking for his brothers and helping them out. The newly minted ambassador and the prince of Asgard fears nothing in Midgard, save perhaps boredom and loneliness. Wandering the park after dark does not scare balder the Brave. Indeed, it is a chance to be a bit introspective in the quiet.     He saw the two unsavory sorts earlier. One larger than the other. he thought nothing of them. They are the same wherever you go. A pair of greasy haired young men. One acne scarred and pale, the other smaller, swaggering and swarthy.
Hermione	Hermione has to admit that the new clothing her boss bought for her are kind of nice. And prettier then the things she usually wears. True, they show off all the features she usually tries to hide, but this is New York. Girls with voluptuous curves are almost as common here as in California. Right? She walks along, enjoying the quiet of the park at night. SHe's happy she doesn't have enough charge to be glowing at the moment. It would make it harder to enjoy the beauty of the city at night. Hermione stops, turning when she hears a wolf whistle behind her. She looks disappointed as two men come out from a side trail, smiling at her. "Really? Do I have 'mug me' written on my forhead? Why is it every time I go for a walk in a park at night, I meet the local... wildlife?!" Yes, she said it! Take that! She pouts then, not wanting to get into a fight with these two, worried about her new clothes. She knows she should just fly away, but maybe they aren't going to mug her after all.
Balder	The one speaks to her in spanish. >You want to party sweetheart? My friend and I? We like to party. This is a party place.< His 'friend' a far larger fellow pulls out a switchblade. "I think you really should do what he says." He says in a messed up voice. He has rotten teeth, and one can almost imagine the breath having stink lines. meth breath. His twitchiness now makes some sense. "Hate to fuck up your face.' He says, his hands shaking in anticipation.     <Hey, prince.> The little bunny tells Balder as it is on its way home. "What is it, dear rabbit? how might I help thee?" The rabbit blinks at balder a couple of times. <That dame over there? She's in trouble!>     Balder looks in the direction the two unsavory fellows went. "I shall return tomorrow with succulent treats for thee and thine family, madame rabbit." he tells the rabbit. The rabbit's nose just twitches as she dashes off to her burrow. Balder pushes himself to his feet and begins to make his way over towards the disturbance. Those with keen senses might hear the faint rattle of his armour as he approaches.
Hermione	Any hope that Hermione had that the two men weren't actually muggers is gone now. Still, if they are resorting to stealing, they must be in need. "Gracias, no. No quiero ir fiesta," she responds in perfect Spanish. Thank you, no. I don't want to party. She starts to open her purse. "If you need some money though, I can give you what I have," she offers, switching over to English. She ignores the threat of fucking up her face, really not wanting this to turn physical. Her eyes plead with the two men, her hope that they will not make her have to hurt them possibly mistaken for fear that they will hurt her.
Balder	"No baby." The one says in spanish. "You will like how we.. hrk?"The figure, seeing the weapon ran at just stupid speed. Armor jangling, but even that was not enough warning as the big asgardian, the middle-sized prince but still powerfully built by human standards grabs the mugger by the arm and starts to shake the ever-loving heck out of the guy. "Thou shall not harass this lady." "Aaaiiee!' The swarthy little guy shrieks, somewhat like a girl. the big guy turns his attention from the pretty little lady and stabs at Balder. There is a horrible 'snap' of metal as the knife breaks against Balder's face.
Hermione	Okay, each time Hermione has gone for a walk in the park at night, she has both been threatened and rescued. So perhaps it says 'damsel in distress' on her forhead instead. And while the gallantry of someone coming to her rescue is nice, she's pretty sure no one ever felt the need to come to Wonder Woman's defence. Some apprentice Avenger she's turning out to be. The snapping of the knife breaking in half causes her to blink and then smile. She rises into the air a couple of feet. "Now perhaps if you two 'gentlemen' are done trying to invite me to your 'party', you would like to go. Now. Before someone actually gets hurt."
Balder	His smile is broad as he tosses the swarthy man into the bigger man with contemptuous ease. To his credit, tall, blond, and pock-marked catches his buddy and the two run off. "Freaks! Fucking freaks!" Meth break shrieks as he runs off. Balder makes as if to chase after them, but nearly runs into the now flying girl. He pauses, taken aback by the bosom in his nasal region. He takes a respectful step backwards so he is not not bodice diving. "My apologies, my lady." Balder says in his resonant baritone. "I didst not mean any offense. Had I known that thou wert not in danger, I wouldst not have intervened." he inclines his head. "My apologies, shield maiden of Midgard."
Hermione	Hermione sticks her tongue out at the two for calling her and her rescuer freaks. She's about to tell her gallant knight not to bother chasing the two when he turns smack dab into her cleavage! Okay, problem with flying in the new clothing! Must keep the height reasonable. The petite woman blushes and raises a hand to her chest, hiding it as she lowers to the ground. "You had no way of knowing I wasn't in danger. I guess New York really is as bad as they say. I thought it was just rumors, but this is the second time this has happened." She smiles up at the tall man then shyly looks away. "I don't have a shield," she tells him, shaking her head. "Though maybe someday."
Balder	"Nor do I at the moment." Balder rubs his nose tip. He coughs, delicately. 'Forgive me." he reaches forth a hand to offer it to her. "Balder, Prince of Asgard, Ambassador to Midgard, Son of the All-Father, Odin, King of Asgard, younger brother to Earth's champion, Thor." He sill kiss her hand if she allows him. "Tis an honor to meet thee. Shield maiden tis less an official title, and more an honoriffic bestowed upon a beautious maiden who can defend herself and her holdings. A term of respect for a warrior maiden."
Hermione	Taking the offered hand, Hermione gives a brief curtsey, her smile growing as she hears the titles. "Wow! Mr. Stark still hasn't introduced me to Thor. I hope to meet him soon. I'm ..." She was about to give one of the usual names she uses rather then her actual one, but what are the chances a Prince of Asgard will know about Harry Potter? "My name is Hermione and the honour is all mine." Upon hearing the definition of shield maiden, Min nods with satisfaction. "Well then, I will wear honorific with pride, Mr. Balder, Sir."
Balder	"Like the girl in the book!" Aww, crap? Balder seems charmed. "Lady Rogue told me I should read them if I wanted to know what a 'Muggle' was. They are rather clever works of fiction." Balder leans forwards, "Though I assure thee, Lady Hermione, that magic most certainly not work as it doth in those droll books." He barks a little laugh. 'Expelliarmus indeed! Quite droll!" His smile widens. "Thou art an Avenger? Captain Marvel perhaps? Thine coloration is more to the dusky like a smoke colored camp maiden, but I understand that children of Midgard can do such things once their power doth awaken?"
Hermione	Hermione winces and groans as Balder brings up the books that she has the love/hate relationship with. She is starting to wonder if JK Rowling's superpower isn't having her books read on every planet in the universe. "Yes, like the girl in the book. My parents were big fans." She smiles as he laughs about the magic being different. "I've not met anyone that can do magic yet. But, the Tri-cities are full of interesting things, so that may change." She has to think a moment on how to answer that question. "I'm not really an Avenger. But Mr. Stark and the Captain have both offered to train me. So, I guess if anything, I'm an apprentice Avenger? And, I haven't figured out what to call myself. I thought Glowbug, but that sounds kind of childish."
Balder	r    "Glowbug? Though hast powers over light?" And his attention is on her like it was not before. "Balder is the god of all light, lady Hermione. In a manner of speaking, that makes thee my shieldmaiden. Be wary, for though I am generous to those who call me lord, I am also one who demands great nobility and bravery from my subjects." What?     He reaches for her hand again, and should she allow it, he leaves a kiss on her knuckles. "Radiant." he assures her, perhaps complimenting her, or suggesting a name.
Hermione	"When I'm at my full power, I glow. Enough to light a small room. I usually have worn through my full charge by dinner time though, so it's not there when it would be the most use." She blushes as he talks about being the god of light and that she's his personal shield maiden. She can't help but let out a shy giggle as her hand is brought to his lips and kissed. "I thought that men like you only existed in fairy tales," she tells him. She gets a thoughtful look on her face and starts to nod. "I like that. Radient... Or Radience. That's.. That's actually kind of nice! I'll mention it to Mr. Stark."
Balder	"Though I am not certain, I believe that thine people also use it to describe a beauty. Seems even more fitting now, my lady?" Balder suggests. "I am impressed by thine restraint. To not simply better these men was a most impressive feat, my lady." He gives her a little nod. "As thine poet Milton said; "What use is strength without a double share of Wisdom?'" So, in his time here he read a little Harry Potter and John Milton? That is a little varied, but his smile is thoughtful. "I think tis Tyranny. Tis something I ruminate on."
Hermione	Blushing again, Hermione dips her head and brushes some hair over her ear. It wasn't in her face, it's just a nervous habit. Due to his much taller height, as they continue to talk in the moonlight, Min unconciously rises to be at eye level with Balder. "I suppose it is. Thank you, that's very sweet of you to say." She turns to look behind her, in the direction that the men ran. She shakes her head. "I was hoping that they weren't as bad as they were trying to make me think they were. I was willing to let them have my money, but... if they pushed things beyond that... Well... I may punch like a girly girl, but I'm a rather strong girly girl." She chuckles softly. "You do a lot of reading?"
Balder	"It is all new to me." Balder answers. "I find it passes the time when I am abed with little else to avail myself of." Balder replies quietly. His shrug is full and rather full. he is a big guy. She has likely seen and met larger, but few have his gravitas. His large hand pushes his hair from his face with a small scowl as he looks the way the men went. "They are disarmed and frightened. i doubt it will be all too likely for them to make another attempt for some time."
Hermione	Hermione looks over the god before her and bites her lip. New York is rubbing off on her as she almost says something about how she is certain he could avail himself with any number of ladies to help him wile away the hours. She closes her eyes and bites at her lips as she gets that thought out of her head. "Well, just in case, would you be willing to walk me to the edge of the park?" She winces at how obvious that sounded, considering Balder knows perfectly well that she doesn't need his protection.
Balder	"Only if I might avail on thee to put thine number in my phone?" he reaches into his pocket. The most basic, easy to use, safe, did we mention easy (?) smartphone is withdrawn. One of Oliver Queen's Q-Phones. "Along with thine picture?" He offers her his hand. "I am jealous of thine power of flight. Tis not in my purview." He makes a slight face. "Balder must walk or ride."
Hermione	Biting at her lower lip, she looks at Balder for a long moment, even letting her gaze drift down to look him over. She blushes over her own boldness and nods. "Okay. But only if I can have your picture too?" She takes her own Stark Phone out of her purse. "Well, if I'm your shield maiden, I could always fly you to where you want to be. If you don't object to being carried by a slip of a girl like me."
Balder	"Balder hath ridden slender women before, dear lady Radiance." Balder answers with a slight quirk of his lips. he adjusts his hair. "As you with, my lady." he primps, but only a little. If he is to have a picture taken, it will be a good one.
Hermione	Hermione eyes Balder for a moment, not entirely sure that Balder meant that in a completely innocent fashion. She flies closer to him and holds out her phone, apparently wanting a picture of them both together. With a snap and a flash, the picture is taken. "Thank you. You're the first Asgardian I've met. I... wait... are you really a ... god?"
Balder	His left brow tilts upwards. "One of many." Balder answers her in a quietly assured way. He pulls in a breath. "I have yet to meet or here of a false God. If I might borrow some language, my lady? Try not to think about it too much. If thou art a Christian, know that that wilt not go to Valhalla but rather to some other realm where I have no sway. Is that enough to quell thine existential dread?"
Hermione	Hermione looks thoughtful as she ponders both the existance of more then one god as well as how this man seems to so easily see into her thoughts. Hopefully he wasn't looking at her thoughts when she was wondering about the meaning of his riding slender women. Oh dear, there's that thought again. She closes her eyes, telling herself that it's this city. "It may take a bit more thinking on it, but that does help, yes. Thank you, Mr. Balder, Sir."
Balder	"Now thou art wondering if I canst read thine mind?" balder asks gamely. He regards her. "I cannot. Rather, tis a human thought process. Thou art concerned about thine status in the after-life. Let me assure thee? one doth exist. Merely worry about going to the correct one. Fear becoming entangled in the affairs of gods and heroes, lest thee awaken after a battle to discover thineself a comely maiden serving mead in Valhalla." His smile is warm. "Thine appearance as a dusky hued woman would garner thee quite the following there."
Hermione	The look of shock and worry on Hermione's face as he mentions the reading of minds is almost comical. "I'm so sorry! I assure you, I don't normally think things like that! Especially about men I've just met, no matter how handsome you might be!" And then he reveals he *can't* read her mind and she clamps her hands over her mouth, squeaking like a mouse. "I... I think I should probably fly my way home. Before I say anything else that puts my foot farther into my mouth."
Balder	"Thou canst put thine foot into thine mouth? Most interesting." he checks his phone to make certain he ahs the number. 'This is thine?" he asks, making blessedly certain that it is the right set of digits.
Hermione	Hermione looks confused and then laughs. "No, it's a saying. It means you said something embarrassing. Nevermind." She looks at his phone and nods her head. "That's my number." She then double checks her phone. "And I have yours." SHe ponders a moment and then smiles. "Thank you again for coming to my rescue, even if I didn't need it."
Balder	"And I thank you for a lovely bit of time to my evening, lady Radiance." He warns her again. 'careful to not entangle thineself too much in the affairs of gods, lest thee awaken in Valhalla serving mead to the glorious host, aye?" Balder's smile seems to make the stars twinkle a bit more. "Thou art certain thou canst get to thine home insisted?"
Hermione	Hermione nods her head, resting her hands on her cheeks to try and hide her blush. "I have enough juice to fly, just not much faster then the subway. But that is how I'd be getting home anyway. So... you have my number. I'll hear from you again?"
Balder	"Though doth fly on nectar?" Balder asks. 'Or is this another turn of phrase." Balder inclines his head. "Indeed, Lady Radiance, thou wilt hear from me again. You have my word upon the matter. Balder's word is worth more than gold, i give thee..." His word on it. He pauses. "I guarantee it.' he decides to say.
Hermione	Laughing, Hermione nods her head. "Yes, another turn of phrase." She bites her lip and the swiftly flies in to give the man a kiss on the cheek, quickly hovering out of his reach and rising into the air. "Good night, Prince Charming. Try not to find any glass slippers while I'm gone." She waves and then turns, flying off in the direction of Hell's Kitchen
Balder	Surprised, but pleasantly so, Balder can only lightly brush his lips against her cheek. He inclines his head in a little bow, then watches her fly off. "be well, my lady."