Owner	Pose
Thor	The return to Midgard was rougher than the departure, the bonds of illusion and dimension loathe to release their hold upon the form of the Thunderer... so that when they finally did he returned with a great crackle and snap of lightning as he once again manifested upon this plane in the center of the settlement of New Asgard. It caused a ruckus, guards called out and lights illuminated up and down the road around which the makeshift town grew up. A youthful Asgardian with spear in hand rushed forwards offering challenge at first, and then stopped in mid-step.     "Who goes!?" The blade on the spear gleamed for an instant with eldritch power only for it to go out as Bjarke's attention fled. "Oh it is you, milord!" He stops, haft of the spear striking the ground. "Should I inform the council of elders of your return."     To which Thor, garbed in armor and crimson cape held up a hand. "No... leave them to their rest, Bjarke." He says as he starts to step off and away even as many civilians looked on.     Yet his step faltered, "On second thought." He turned and focused upon the youth who had served in his guard since the Asgardian ship entered Earth's atmosphere. "Yes, summon them. Tell them I would know all of what they can tell me of Hela, daughter of Odin."     "Milord?" The youth blinks a few times, looking back up the path towards where she had made her arrival only a day hence. He had heard rumors, though this cements them. But Thor hurries him on his way with a glower that has him responding with, "Yes, milord."     To himself now, Thor stepped away and began the climb up the pathway towards Kvalvika's heights, to where the castle remains unfinished, to where his father passed.
Hela	True to her word, Hela does return after having taken some time to consider the situation. Sat on her throne in Hel, in the company of Fenris and her advisors, she had the time to consider a cooler, more sensible approach. Her brothers, Thor and Loki, she knows nothing of them. Sure, they apparently know nothing of her as well, but charging into battle with zero knowledge of a mighty foe is a mistake. Sure, she values herself very highly, but Thor and Loki are also sons of Odin, they are no mere Asgardians. Ultimately, she would need to stall, learn better of the changing conditions, and than go from there. So for the time being, war of succession is on hold. Just as she had the other day, she steps out of a portal gate, appearing out of an ethereal green mist, before fading in her wake as she steps out by the path leading to Kvalvika's heights. She looks towards the unfinished castle, standing in the glorious view of Kvalvika. The location is fitting, but the need for it...? That much she has yet to learn, though she can take a gander, what with her strong connection to Asgard telling her the answer without words.
Thor	Far off in the depths of space, that feeling of warmth that may well have been a comfort to her in her long years of isolation, it was no longer there. No synergy to touch upon, no distant power that was so easily drawn upon. Those ancient rites binding Asgardians to their homeland were no more just as that homeland was naught anymore... save a swirl in the dark void of space. A swirl of what some would call a black hole or a singularity, though upon its edges there was a hint of crimson such that led it to be named Odin's Eye.     But here, when she steps out. She might feel a similar vibration in the world, a similar possible connection that she was not bound to yet but it was there. Under the leylines, the fabric of Midgard that bound those of Asgard to their newfound home. And it was strong. Stronger than wielders of magic would imagine for such a short time of bonding.     It was there that she found him, as those mists brought her forth with him having ascended that path and with his 'kingdom' behind him, small as it was.     When she gained her bearings he seemed a touch different. There was still that inner strength, almost so easily perceivable now that she knew him and had known him with the hints of power lingering. It was clear he had seen battle, scorchmarks still marred the chest plate he wore and Mjolnir had that healthy glow of such /satisfaction/ as if it had been wielded well and found its fill of battle.     But as he stands there, a smile comes to his lips, smile... weary even as the armor fades from him leaving him there in the jeans, sneakers, and even a t-shirt of this realm though with the grey hooded sweatshirt over it she can see no logo or advertisement upon the front. "I was just talking about you." He says, the tone light, bordering on the amused though tired.     A nod is given, "I bid you greetings, Hela. We have much to talk about."
Hela	Hela turns to look at Thor's way as he approaches, sensing him much as he likely sensed her, though her arrival likely drew enough attention all on its own. "....Thor..." she greets him by name, having considered 'brother' but the feeling was so odd and alien, it takes getting used to. No wonder, after a millenia of being an only child, it's not easy to contend with siblings appearing as if of thin air. If anything, she at least knows enough and senses enough, to accept it at face value for the time being. "So this is to be the New Asgard..." Hela muses, turning to look upon the construction, "tell me, brother, what has happened to the real one?" Yes, 'brother' certainly felt odd on the tongue. Having asked a question, her gaze turns to Thor, looking over him, appreciating the signs of usage on his armor, and lingering over Mjolnir. Thor is likely the only one who could truly understand what she's feeling at the sight of the hammer, were he to learn of her history with it. "Good to see Mjolnir is put to use," she remarks without a trace of emotion, though she does look aghast when Thor takes on the modern clothing of Midgard, "what, are these?" She asks while looking with suspicion at his 'jeans'...so unwieldy for battle, so weak of function. "Oft when you speak of the devil, he makes an appearance, that was a saying on Midgard...and I do agree, talk we must." She leaves it to him to decide whether to have it there and then, or shift to a more proper location.
Thor	"That..." Thor says again with that small smile but it's twinned with a furrow to the brow that speaks of the distant pain connected to it, held at bay forever with task set upon task placed before him. Ever onewards he pushes as he replies, "Is a tale that requires time in the telling and is best accompanied with drink." He steps forwards and to the side, though below there is still the distant ruckus of activity as the settlement comes partially to life at the Thunderer's behest.     But he answers her other questions as offered even as he walks towards what may well be the foreman's tent where some of the construction of the castle is directed from. "Aye, Mjolnir has e'er been at my side save for some time in my youth." But then he's distracted, "Ah, Midgard's current aesthetic. You may come to like it, though Loki's taste is different than mine."     At that he disappears into that tent, though she can likely see him now and again as the tent rustles a few times before it settles back into position. Only or him to reveal himself once more, emerging with a bottle in one hand that sloshes with liquor. "This may serve, if it is not to your liking then we shall hunt down some aught else."     The stopper is undone and he takes a long draw from the bottle letting it slosh into his mouth just a swallow's worth then he replaces the stopper and extends it towards her. "So, Asgard. Shall I start there?"
Hela	"I trust any place who holds Asgard to its name, new or otherwise, should at the least carry some decent mead?" Hela asks as she looks at Thor quizzically, no doubt being a willing partner to the token of conversation over drinks. It has been a while since she was able to party in the proper halls of Asgard. Sure, she has galas in her honor held in Hel and Niflheim, but those realms are cold, and not many in them are ever jovial. "Is that so? Stolen from you?" Hela teases, before offering the sting, "or lack of worth?" The words still echo in her ears 'you are not worthy' the insult. Quite hard to swallow after all the glories she won her father. Taking the bottle, Hela nods, "please do," as she takes a swig of her own.
Thor	A small exhalation through his nose is what she's given for the implication of unworthiness, true though it may be. "Harald saved some of his stock and has had success with his process here on Midgard. It is not the same as what was at home, but it still has a strength to it. Rough though it may be in some places." But enough about the mead. And, when she does taste it, it does seem a harsh thing compared to the smooth and robust memory she may well have. But there is that warmth to it that comes through.     A few steps takes him away from the tent and to a place where the white stone has only recently been laid, the framework for a tower that has risen only three feet from the ground but will serve as a circular place for them to speak. But then Thor nods at her request and his good eye distances for a time, gaze far off before returning to the now.     "I do not know if the Asgard I knew was the one you recall. But I shall tell it to you as I have experienced it. The Asgard I knew was forever at war. Perhaps not a burning blazing war, but always there was the need for watchfulness, to protect the nine realms and to keep our enemies in a state of weakness."     He pauses, brow furrowed as he looks to her, "Did you know of Svartalfheim in your time?"
Hela	Hela spends a moment, as unlikely as it is, to measure the mead sample in her mouth. From the look on her face, it is adequate, as she follows the sample with some actual drinking, before corking the bottle again. "It'll do," she agrees, before moving with Thor to the circular area that will one day soon become a proper place for such discussions. There is a sinisterly grin on her face when Svartfalfheim is invoked, "I should say Svartalfheim got to know of me," her memories clearly may not be aligned with others, but from the look on her face she relishes those memories. "I will grant them that they are no weaklings. They fought back. What of Svartalfheim...?" She asks, realizing it wasn't mere jest that brought Thor to mention that realm of all places.
Thor	"When I was young," Thor says, leaning forwards and reaching for the bottle to take it from her should she allow. He takes it and considers taking another swig, eyeing it sidelong, but instead sets it to the side as he gathers his thoughts. "There was a measure of peace, but often Asgard's armies were brought forth. We faced the Jotun and they paid the price though they sued for peace. Muspelheim we kept weak for they had their uses. Even Vanaheim rebelled. But when Malekith rose to power with the Dark Elves..."     Thor stops there, shaking his head, frowning as he looks away. He looks back and tells her, "His dark magics were vile, and he laid waste to several planets as he gathered his people to him. He embarked upon a war of no half-measures. The entirety of his people were turned to the effort of destroying us and his talents for magic formidable. So much so that even when Odin destroyed Svartalfheim they continued their war here, upon Midgard."     A breath was taken as he turns and gestures one hand towards the mainland of Norway some long distance off across the sea. "It was there that we faced the remains of his army. And where we had thought him defeated. All of his peoples' ark ships, his warriors, his citizenry all he hurled into the crucible of war and we..." He pauses then looks to her, "And we ground them into gristle."     Another breath drawn, "But Malekith had survived."
Hela	Hela certainly can partake in the ancient Asgardian tradition of sharing a drink, she readily hands Thor his fair swallow. "Malekith..." Hela whispers the name, assuming it was given as a person that just might need to be on her list. Hela looks at first disgusted, than upset, and than outraged as Thor details just some of Malekith's deeds. She listens quietly, not breaking into Thor's words with remarks of her own, though it looks she goes to great lengths to keep her quiet. "Is he still among the living...?" Hela asks, in a way that suggests she will help that Malekith get there if he wasn't already. "Don't tell me an upstart from Svartalfheim is behind Asgard's destruction..." so she understand that much at least, the reason she is feeling a great void, is because New Asgard is being made to replace what is no more. A travesty of the greatest measures. Something unheard of during her time as Odin's Executioner. This could only come out of weakness and those idle dreams of ruling through peace and understanding. Hela is outright seething as she hears of so many things she was denied the chance to stop. Knowing that even as Asgard was facing doom, Odin was still too stubborn to ask for her hand to aid Asgard's defense. She is beyond livid.
Thor	"Not any longer," Thor frowns as his brow knits together sternly, his gaze lowering as he considers the bottle that's taken up once again, stopper undone. "He and the remains of his warband hid under the fabric of our reality and he studied the magicks he discovered there. He gained control of a dark force that gave him great power when he returned, emerging above Asgard."     His words slow for a moment as if trying to find the correct words to account for the tumult and madness of the times. "He somehow was able to seize control of the power that Asgard provides to all of us. Perhaps it had to do with... our father's passing. And then it was he who took Frigga's life."     With renewed anger he looks up at her, "He destroyed our army, killed our heroes. I tried to buy time for our people to withdraw into the mountains but I was struck so hard I was sent hurtling through the cosmos." He shakes his head, "It seemed hopeless. But I did all I could to return to try and stop him. For we had learned his intent was to unleash this power upon all of the nine realms. It was no simple spell, this. It seemed to... eat at the very structure of the thing it came in contact with and it did not stop eating until all it had come into contact with was but ash on the wind."
Hela	"Stupid, proud Odin, forces Asgard to pay the price for his folly!" Hela snaps, and in her rising anger, her dark antlery crown manifests over her head. It makes for quite the staggering look. One that casts fear in the hearts of the denizens of Hel and Niflheim. It's not meant as a threat to Thor, so much as an instinctive reflex when her fury spikes in such a manner. "His death is likely what caused Ollerus to dare stand against me...," Hela hisses to herself, what she had already known. Although hearing the tale spoken out loud, makes her all the more furious. If anything, it seems to follow her claim of being Odinsdottir. "I assure you Fenris and I would have seen to this Malekith's swift and most agonizing end..." Hela snarls as her hands clench to tight fists, "such insult...and to have Asgard in ruins, by one such as this Malekith? It would have never happened in the glory days of Asgard." She has heard of Thor's action when all was dire, but one name she didn't hear, and so she asks, "this brother of yours, Loki, where was he while you were trying to fend Asgard and its people?"
Thor	The look Thor gives her is what is known in these parts as incredulity. But he gives a small wave of one hand to the side as if saying that they will likely never know what may well have happened. Which is true. Instead he presses on and tells her, "Loki stood with me and was lost, ending in the same place I did when struck. A curious place known as Sakaar." He takes another swallow of mead and sets the bottle down part of the way between them though within arm's reach. "We escaped from there and we hatched a plan to try and stop him."     A breath is taken and he frowns, "Surtur had been slain and his crown rested in Asgard's vaults along with the Eternal Flame." He opens a hand towards Hela, merely gesturing as if trying to lend his words greater strength as he tells her, "We fought Malekith, though with the power of Asgard behind him his will was... indomitable. Yet while I held him, Loki was able to sneak into the vaults and place the crown within the Eternal Flame."     There's a longer pause there as she may well know what that would cause. It's the space of several heartbeats that pass before he continues and he says, "Surtur rose again, and began the destruction of Asgard. With Malekith so distracted, Loki and I and several others, we were able to get Asgard's people upon a ship we stole. And we fled..."     For a moment it seems like he might be done, but then he adds. "Here." He gestures to the side indicating the settlement. Then he says with a faint smile, weary perhaps he says. "Though the arrival was no smooth thing."
Hela	"Sakaar...?" Hela asks, scoffing somewhat, but at least she is seemed appeased to learn that Loki was there to offer his share in the battle to defend Asgard. Then Thor relates the 'master plan' to defeat Malekith, and Hela looks as cold as ice, suddenly all of her anger dissipating into incredulity. "You geniuses sons of Odin, put the crown of Surtur into the Eternal Flame..." she opens her mouth, then closes it again, she has no words for this kind of audacity. There's also the matter where it had already come to pass, and she has zero affect over the dreadful tale she just heard. In her mind, it's further proof of Odin's failure, and vindication for her, as being the one who was right. The proof is in what had come to pass, pity that it was Odin who was Allfather, Odin whose word reigned supreme beyong contestation. She should know. Hela takes a good several moments to recover, with a titanic effort, she also manages to avoid sharing her opinion of that spectacular plan. "So...Surtur was the one to destroy Malekith? Not an Asgardian?" Hela sounds disenchanted at the thought. She then levels her gaze where Thor points, "I can imagine...not like the people of Midgard truly have a say, do they?" Yeah, she's yet to learn of Thor's affectations to the people of Midgard.
Thor	Arms folding over his chest, Thor looks at her levelly and says with a sternness. "Know you that the decision was not made lightly. Easy to speak from a place of relative safety imagining how matters may have gone with your presence. Asgard was lost already, infected with his magics eating its core from the inside out." He shakes his head and holds her gaze, the single blue eye strong with such a sternness as to almost be disconcerting. "We had but the choice to save her people and the other realms, or save no one at all."     He does not look away, features grim as he says, "We came here and have settled with the permission of the mortals of Norway. We shall not rule, we shall not conquer. We are here to live beside them, and in time perhaps we shall rise again. Five, six hundred years at the most."     A hand comes up, "But ultimately, all of this is immaterial for you Hela. What matters is what role you wish to play in this if any at all? I know you not, but I know my father. If it is as you say and he held you away... then there must have been a reason."
Hela	"You fools...Valhalla was on Asgard," Hela notes, her voice much more collected now that she's had a moment to hear the explanation and calm herself. It's ill advised to get worked up by something you cannot affect. "You would think that..." she mutters, displeased with the suggestive tone, "if we are siblings, and time proves us capable of being brotherly and sisterly, perhaps I shall regale you with the tale. Have you decide for yourself, but for the time being, I recognize the obvious..." Hela pauses for a moment, turning to look at the castle being constructed, before proceeding, "that being...should I challenge for a throne I feel is mine by right of succession, Asgard will pay the price, and no one else." She speaks the words with a level of distaste that suggests it is a great pain to her to relinquish what she feels she ought to fight for by right. "I do not wish to see the people of Asgard suffer any more than they already have, the royal family has a reputation to uphold, such as it is..." yes, she loathes all that has come to pass. But she's no fool, Asgard destroyed, New Asgard only being rebuilt, and the stance here is not of conquest to claim all of Midgard, but the same old pathetic diplomacy that Odin turned to in older age. There are no victories to be had here. "When last I spoke to Loki, he suggested we come to an agreement. Surveying all that is, I recognize it as truth." She now turns to fully face Thor, looking him straight in the eye. "I am the Goddess of Death, I will not see the souls of the worthy floating in a void. You are the King of Asgard, grant me dominion over Valhalla and the Valkyrior, and I shall reconstruct Valhalla in all its glory on my realm. It shall be as it was, as the worthy deserve, and I shall task the Valkyrior with gathering their souls back to their rightful place." She pauses to let Thor consider, before adding, "grant me this, and recognize me once more as a Princess of Asgard, and in turn, I shall recognize you as rightful King of Asgard. I shall also put forth an oath. The Valkyrior, if assigned to me, shall never be used for anything beyond their fate given duty. Gather the souls of the worthy to Valhalla, and protect the royal family of Asgard. They shall not be used as soldiers in petty wars that have nothing to do with them. Do you accept?" She asks, holding out her arm towards Thor, looking at him with intense curiosity. The answer shall be the first true thing she will learn of her brother Thor, King of Asgard, and God of something he has yet to disclose to her.
Thor	Gaining his feet, Thor meets her gaze and says firmly. "If you have the ability to save our fallen, to bring them the peace they should have, then I would not stand in your way." He points to her with his left hand, the right opening partially, "Though some of the Valkyrie yet live. Before I could grant you dominion over them I would have you speak with them. If they choose to stand with you... then you shall have what you wish."     There's a pause as his right hand draws back slightly as he says, "Does this satisfy you, Lady Hela?" And it's then that his hand is offered fully, the forearm firm and strong and should she accept it she will feel that strength. Not aggressive, but more akin to stone and unmoving.
Hela	Hela listens, and looks a bit surprised when Thor suggests the Valkyrior would be hers to gain, but only with their consent. "You are truly Thor Odinson," naturally, she means the latter Odin, but there's no point in punctuating the sentiment, for better or worse, being compared to Odin is never an insult. "It is settled then? I am given permission to restore Valhalla? You recognize my place in title claim as Odinsdottir, and the Valkyrior are mine to convice to serve their duty?" She takes firm hold of Thor's hand, and he will find she herself is far stronger than she looks, perhaps they are truly siblings. "Then I accept, Thor Odinson, King of Asgard." A surprising turn of events, to be sure, particularly with the undertones sounded in their first meeting. But it seems Hela isn't blind, and wouldn't sacrifice all of Asgard just to win an empty title. It is better to rebuild and forge anew, than to burn it all to nothing.