Owner	Pose
Nuala	Borrowed boots rest on the stonework of the steps that lead down to the docks of New Asgard. Some stars are out, but the majority of the sky still clings to the red fading hues of the sun. Borrowed pants are connected to the boots, sitting on the higher step. A borrowed coat keeps Nuala warm. And by garb, she looks just like any natural born Asgardian. Her knees sit, tucked up, arms folded across them, and chin resting on the arms as she stares at the fading light, as if the sun itself has somehow betrayed her.
Thor	The rumble of a voice some small distance behind her is heard, the Thunderer's tone curiously human and conciliatory as he advances from the town square, just walking down that stone pathway and pausing at the top step. "No matter how much preparation one makes, the event... when it comes, it can still feel as if it came from out of nowhere."     The lights are still on in the square, many of the Asgardian warriors are still discussing what has passed. Several camps have formed, harboring particular thoughts on what should be done. Some are more severe, others are more aggressive, but all in all there are two sentiments that are universal throughout the settlers     Asgard has been insulted. And something must be done.     A proud people who have lost much grow protective over what small areas they consider theirs ever after. And thus the wound taken has been considered great. As for Thor's thoughts, he curiously has kept them to himself. Listening, considering the speakers during the moot some hours earlier. Yet now he makes his concerns known as he simply asks her,     "How fare you, Nuala?"
Nuala	Nuala doesn't look up, but the edge of her lip tucks in to be bit by her teeth. ""Well, considering my stupidity and carelessness may have just led to an interplanetary conflict, I am doing just fine," she says. She had pointedly ignored the comments and discussions. She finally turns her head toward him, the silver inhibitor in place as usual, head couched in the fur lined collar of the coat. "I should have just let them take it," she says. "I should not have gotten back on board."
Thor	A hand lifts as he settles down beside Nuala, as if waving off her concern. "I would agree you should have let them take it, aye." Thor draws his boots up and rests his forearms on his knees, dusting off his ands with two short slaps brushing them free of whatever grime of the day may have marred them with. "As for the conflict. In truth, I expected something along these lines to happen."     He tilts his head away from the alien-raised mortal and says, "Many of the cultures beyond will view us as weak. One or the other of them were bound to test us." Thor looks back and gives a small shrug, "Now is as good as later." He is perhaps... minimizing it a touch, but the sentiment is there and sincere.
Nuala	"Why did I have to be so insistent on trying to hold on to the Sea Song?" she asks, unfolding her arms in exasperation. "It was unwise to try to build it anyway, to risk the humans having hyperdrive because of it? Do you even /know/ what destruction a kinetic weapon using a hyperdrive could be capable of? It was selfish. Whatever the conflict, Thor, I should not have been the catalyst. I have done your people wrong." She refolds her arms, and returns her chin to them as they were previously.
Thor	"Well, there you have it then. I'll have Bjarke build us a catapult and we'll throw you out of the settlement into the sea." Thor's lip twitches as he settles back a little, letting his eyes drift to the side and the bay in question. But he turns back towards Nuala and says, "It was a worthy gamble for there was much to be gained if you were able to maintain your equipment."     The Asgardian monarch waves his off hand to the side, crinkling his nose a touch as he murmurs. "But did I not e'er say that your liberty was all the more important?"     Then he affixes her with a quirked eyebrow attached to an admonishing one-eyed gaze. "How many times must I pronounce you friend of Asgard for you to realize what that means?" A small chuff is added as if to chide her further.
Nuala	Nuala tries to resist the smile. "I know," she says. "You are an amazing man." She momentarily considers how the statement comes out, and seems to accept it. "I am far more accustomed to helping rescue than being rescued, I suppose. Thank you." She takes in a cold breath of air, and the fog of her breath releases it. "I do not know what I should do now," she admits. "Before the ship was taken, I was in a frantic pace to make certain I gained all the information I needed. Now..." She shrugs, "I am just here. It is strange."
Loki	"/Amaaaazing/," Loki helps in full deadpan, fading into appearance with an elegant reveal of illusion sweeping away. Loki is dressed 'comfortably' but still impressively, with a lot of gold elements and intricate work through the dark tunic he wears. Long sleeves compliment his sleek look, as does his swept back dark hair.     "You've found a new source of compliments, I see?" Loki teases his brother. In that moment, it may be apparent even to the stranger that despite the snark in the tone, there's something deeper there, for these siblings. It just is not apparent or shown in company very often.
Thor	"Loki," Offered in greeting even as Thor shifts on his seat a touch to bring the trickster into view. He does him the honor of not throwing something at him to make sure he's truly there and instead adds, "I trust you shall not grow jealous, brother. E'er have you been the source of such pleasantries given me. Surely there is room for another well-wisher?"     He then turns to Nuala but continues to address his brother. "You come at a fortuitous time, for I was about to tell Nuala that we have need of such talent."
Nuala	As Loki's voice arrives, Nuala raises her head, moving quickly from casual, personal Nuala, back to professional Nova Corps Officer Nuala. The arrival takes her by surprise a little, and she suppresses the internal alarm, only a flitting glance at Loki as if she's a child with her hand in the cookie jar.     "Is that right?" she asks, in a far more task-oriented tone. "I cannot say that I understand all of his skills," she says, "But certainly his magic is very impressive. It was yesterday, at least."
Loki	"I'll leave you this one human worshipper," Loki says in amusement, as if it were, indeed, quite a small thing. And reminding of the distance between Gods and Humans. "Your ...fondness of humans has never been something I'd say promotes jealousy." Loki doesn't bother masking his contempt for humanity. The tone is similar to someone suggesting Thor has too many pet cats. It's weird, and Loki will judge, but it isn't a critical flaw. Yet. His manner adjusts as he looks to Nuala, though. He wasn't directly insulting her, more giving Thor a hard time. He relaxes where he is, hands loose, no defensiveness in his posture. He tips his head to the side, considering Nuala, and then Thor. Loki's sharp, particularly with subtle cues. His smile turns gentle, but Thor might find it dangerous. "I like her so far, except for the physical assault," Loki tells Thor. And then returns his gaze to Nuala. "I still have the ability to destroy that ship, among other things," he says, unable to not brag, as if it were a small thing.
Thor	"It is an option," Thor says towards Loki, about the destroying the ship. "But I am not sure what our next move should be." He pushes himself to his feet as he confides that small bit to the both of them.     "I mean..." The Thunderer smiles to them both as he steps to the side and leans back against one of the large stone pylons that mark the path to the harbor. "There is the part of me that is called to battle. And I, of course, would answer that siren's call. But I do not think that would be the best path for our people."     He tilts his head towards Loki, "Though I think my brother and I are agreed that this cannot go unredressed." He motions with a hand towards Nuala. "But what of you, Lady Duvall? Were you Thor Odinson, what would you do in this moment?"
Nuala	Nuala stands after Thor, so that she is not in such an informal pose amongst royalty. She tugs briefly at the base of the coat, and arches her brow, "I would make a terrible politician, your highness," she confesses. "I usually gather just enough data to know how to eliminate my target. Politics are far more complicated, and I have already shown I am not skilled in them." She shrugs, "But Nova is one of the largest Galactic powers in the Galaxy. I do not think they would enter open war, for their politics would prevent them from taking actions on terran territory. They want to keep the humans in the dark as much as they can," she says. "And with good cause, humans tend to do stupid things when faced with the unknown." As if she wasn't one, but then, maybe she's recently become the sample example. "But Asgard does not have nearly the power to engage in open battle against their forces, with all due respect. Particularly not in the current state. Destroying the ship would not do anything to help the matter, but perhaps deliver a spiteful response on my behalf." She looks away at the sunset again. "I do not feel the need to respond in spite."
Loki	"I may be willing to go, and parley about the situation," Loki says, but tehre's a skeptical note in his voice. "As politics /are/ my 'thing'," laughs the mischief god quietly. Poking around in the political system of a galactic superpower is, of course, a very appealing game to him. "I'd agree that approaching with war in mind is not a good option, but there are other more subtle ways to get what you want, naturally," Loki says, smooth as ever. His smile warms towards Nuala. "And simple retaliation out of insult is rather beneath Asgard, isn't it. I'd need to know more about Nova and their inner workings to devise an appropriate approach," Loki wheedles.
Thor	Arms now folding over his chest, for this has suddenly become a council on possible war, Thor tilts his head to the side as he listens to both Nuala and Loki. For a moment he chews the inside of his cheek thoughtfully, then he offers his own view. "If the worst occured and we did engage in open hostilities our weakness would also be a strength."     He uncurls a hand towards Nuala as he speaks, "By the nature that we are so few and have suffered during Ragnarok would make it so that if they struck out at our home they would be truly villainous and their peers would view that poorly."     He shifts his attention towards Loki, "So we can operate with some measure of assurance that they will not strike out at Midgard and our presence here for what repercussions there would be. In essence that would free the strongest of us to wreak what havok we may upon their holdings. Which would make such a conflict extremely costly for them to wage considering what little they would gain from victory."     "Conversely." Thor's manner shifts a touch as he looks to Loki, "If they did lash out at our home they know they would be harried forever by those of us who survived. The only aspect we do not know for certain is... are they aware of this? Or do they feel they can do as they will?"     The Thunderer shakes his head, "And for that I think that yet, Loki." He tilts his head to the side, "It may be best for you to shift your focus to this. We need to know more."