[Cupid's Arrow] A Stronger Heart (Thor and Rogue)

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

It was a normal part of her love life that she and Remy were on the outs. While their passions were everpresent, their actual status ebbed and flowed. Sometimes it was both, sometimes her, and sometimes him. Currently it was him. It wasn't Remy's fault, she hoped, but currently he was a monstrous creature in the thrall of Apocalypse. She would have to punch sense into her boyfriend eventually, but as often happened with Rogue, her heart needed more, so her attentions strayed. 

The Southern bombshell as a lark decided to try her hand at a promotion of AlterEgos, which was doing a dry run of a spinoff dating app. So, because of this, based on the nature of her summons, her attentions currently strayed to Asgard.

It wouldn't be her first time there, but it was probably be the first she came without trying to punch something. Well, unless the summons was from Loki. The X-woman crossed from Midgard into another realm.

Her current fashion was vintage on Earth but wouldn't exactly be long in the tooth for unaging immortals. She wore her hair down. Her earrings were each composed of two rhombuses, one inside the other. Rogue's emerald green dress reached from her neck to knees. It had long sleeves with five buttons on each arm in a row from the wrist. It featured a high neck and a modest bell-shaped keyhole. This was paired with white gloves and chocolate-colored open-toed flats.

She stood before that great watchman, the guardian of the rainbow bridge.

"Ah suppose Ah don't need t'tell ya Ah'm expected if y'already let me through, huh, sugah?"

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Heimdall's stern face was the first that many saw when travelling to Asgard. Indeed, few had the ability to travel between the realms without the power of the Bifrost that he directed, so this was all but inevitable. As Rogue emerged from the temporary gateway between worlds, he stood motionless, just... watching. As she spoke though, he replied with all the courtesy that was due an honoured guest of the royal family, even a slight inclining of his head, something which . "Indeed. Soon your companion will arrive to guide you onwards from here. I hope you have a pleasant visit, and it is good to have such a formidable warrior as yourself visit in peaceful times."

As he finished talking, the sound of hooves colliding with the mystical stuff of the rainbow bridge could be heard, the illumination of it making it difficult to determine any details of the source of the noise. Soon enough though, the approaching figures resolved into a pair of ferocious looking abnormally sized goats, both pulling a chariot on which rode the crown prince of Asgard, The God of Thunder, Thor.

The chariot pulled to an easy halt a few metres away from the two figures, and Thor hopped down with a grin, closing the distance before bowing to the lady before him. "My lady. Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder await to convey us to Asgard, where you shall be the guest of honour at a great feast, there shall be games, contests of might and skill, and other entertainments. At your command we shall away!" He held out a hand to her - apparently to assist her onto the chariot, his other resting on the side of the vehicle.

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

Heimdall was the first of the Asgardians that she saw. Unlike the Asgardians, she hadn't really grown up wanting to be a formidable warrior. That came later in life after she permanently absorbed the superhuman strength and toughness of Ms. Marvel as a young adult.

The master of the bifrost was soon followed by the thunder god. He was riding in a chariot pulled by a pair of goats. It was certainly different from the beat up red pickups she was used to growing up.

Thor promised a feast and games. Rogue smiled.

"That's a lot of fuss just for me."

Rogue had the foresight to wear gloves, so Thor's chivalrous aid wasn't a danger to him. She wasn't a stranger to that sort of thing. Remy tried it a lot. Sometimes he wasn't even trying to make up for some foolish thing he felt guilty about either.

Asgard itself was a thing of wonder. Of course it was. It was thought to be the seat of gods once upon a time. An old medieval city state sat among verdant hills. It was wrapped in walls and lined in gold.

The whole place was lost in time. In addition to the citizens known to mankind, there were hundreds more who lived a life of quiet, the everyday people of an otherworldly place. Being immortals, some knew Rogue from her travels to this realm. All, of course, knew Thor. 

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

As he held her hand whilst she climbed onto the chariot, Thor chuckled and shrugged slightly. "In truth, Asgard loves to... as you say... get its party on? A reason would have been found I am sure, but today, your presence is the finest cause the gods could think of to celebrate. Now onwards! To your honour and the glory of Asgard!"

With that he stepped up beside her and took the reins in one hand, a quick cry of Yah! and they were away. Not only forwards, but up as well. Soon they were well above the ground, able to look down on the fields, the Rainbow Bridge, and in the steadily diminishing distance, the city itself. It was apparent very quickly, especially to someone used to flying, that they were not taking a direct route but a slow curving one that was undoubtedly the scenic route. Even so, it was only a minute or two before the chariot touched down in a courtyard, an attendant running forwards for Thor to hand the reins to them, before stepping down onto the cobbles and offering his hand to Rogue once more.

"Later, there may be contests of skill at arms in this courtyard, depending on how many express an interest in taking part. But first, we should head inside where my mother is no doubt waiting to meet you. Hopefully my father is otherwise occupied. He is... not socially inclined in the way of most Midgardians."

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

"Still seems like a bit of a fuss."

Ever egalitarian, the X-men didn't really do titles and rank. When you're busy fighting for a world that hates and fears you, the individual was a bit less important. It could be said that as an outsider, and one specifically without title, this wasn't an example of that. The locals bowing and scrapping before their prince, even one as benevolent as Thor, was a bit of a different matter.

"Might early to meet y' momma, dontcha think?"

It may be a sort of chicken and egg thing between the Midgardians and Asgardians. For Rogue, meeting the parents was an event for the late stage of a relationship. It was a show that something was serious and not just a fling or passing thing. For an Asgardian, it may be that a Midgard-type date wouldn't ever occur unless it was something serious to begin with.

They entered a very tall and intricate building. It had an atrium that had plants and trees far beyond and alien to the world of Midgard.

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Ah, Midgardian values still seemed confusing to Thor, no matter how much he learned about them. To look at a feast such as they would be holding, and focus on the effort that went into preparing it, rather than the enjoyment that would be derived from its attendance. In reply he simply shrugged before speaking in a relaxed tone. "Mayhap it seems a fuss to your eyes, but to Asgard it seems only right that a celebration be grand." When you spent much of your time in a state of war with at least one of the other eight nine realms, as he reminded himself that the discovery of his sister Angela confirmed there were, then something to lift the spirits was necessary. Many warriors fought all the harder knowing such an event would be held in their honour if they fell in battle, and that they would attend an even grander one in Valhalla until the day of Ragnarok.

As they passed through the atrium, Thor paused to look closely at one of the strange plants. Whilst not anything ever seen on Midgard, it was nonetheless still familiar enough to retain a degree of beauty to most Midgardians that had seen them before. After a few seconds Thor seemed satisfied with what he saw and turned back to Rogue with a grin. "My apologies. The Fireblooms have been struggling of late, but they seem to be improving again."

And with that, once more they continued towards the entrance to the palace, Thor thinking through what he knew of both Midgard and Asgard, and what warnings or advice his guest might benefit from. "All will know you to be from Midgard, and will likely treat you like you are as fragile as any from your world, but in truth you are stronger than almost any in this realm. Only myself, Heimdall, and The Allfather are physically stronger, that I can think of. Show respect, but what Midgard calls politeness, most here would see as weakness. Take pride in yourself and do not hold back in showing it. And if you look ahead to the doorway, the lady standing there watching us is my mother, Frigga." A little lifting of heads... heads up? was intended to give her a chance to prepare herself for this meeting that was apparently a bigger deal for Midgardians than the rest of the nine realms. Whether it came across that way remained to be seen, of course.

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

"If Ah had more of a green thumb, I might be able to offer some sorta somethin' even for an extra-dimensional plant."

She peered at its mouth-like pedals and brilliant red and orange coloration.

"It actually spit fire or is that just a name?"

In a world of giant multi-legged goats, it wasn't an outlandish question to be honest. Back on Earth, it wouldn't exactly be given the more out there examples of botany among heroes and villains, albeit something never found in nature.

They entered a very tall and intricate building. It had an atrium that had plants and trees far beyond and alien to the world of Midgard.

Rogue nodded when he mentioned strength. She was about as strong as Thor's trickster brother. Among the mortals it was enough to be classified a powerhouse.

"It might seem strange to a god of thunder, but sometimes it's nice for people t' treat me like Ah can't lift a semi over mah head." In a world that hates and fears her, being mistaken for human could sometimes be a relief, even though it shouldn't be.

The meeting parents stage was one that she didn't hit all too often. She knew Cody's parents in the sense that everyone knows everybody in a small town. Rogue's contact with Remy's adopted parent was less than his with her own and she usually only showed up to shoot at them. Joseph's parents were long dead, murdered years before she was even born.

Rogue held her hand up in a wave.

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Thor chuckled at Anne-Marie's comments on the flowers, understanding all too well the unknowns of the many realms. Indeed, aspects of Midgard still gave him trouble, especially their idioms and metaphor. Though he suspected that Stark made some of them up just to confuse him. "Nay, 'tis only in their native realm of Muspelheim their nature shows to that degree. And whilst I am known best in Midgard as a Thunder deity, I also watch over fertility. A good harvest depends on the mercy of the storms, after all. Mayhap I shall get to surprise you again, afore the end of the day."

Perhaps this would prove of amusement at some point, to mention the Asgardian deity of fertility and the harvest, and see if circumstances would lead an Avenger to make a foolish boast or challenge. There were a few of their number who deserved a lesson in hubris, about as much as Thor would need a lesson in hypocrisy if he truly planned to do so.

Her desire to be treated as any Midgardian, though? Thor nodded in response to that, finding a curious resonance with his own life that many might not guess at. "Aye. 'tis like Spider-Man likes to say. "With great power comes great duty." Or something like that. Well, it is my duty and honour to ensure your time in Asgard is free from obligation to any but yourself."

As they had been walking onwards through the courtyard, they finally covered the remaining distance to the grand archway which lead into the great hall. Thor stopped a few steps before it, addressing the queen of Asgard in a formal tone that he rarely used even in Asgard. "Mother? May I present to you Anne-Marie of Midgard. Anne-Marie? this is my mother Frigga, wife of Odin, and the only reason Asgard ever has a moment's peace."

For her part, the regal lady seemed unfazed by her son bringing a mortal girl to the realm of the gods as his guest, and offered a friendly hand of welcome and a kindly smile. "A delight to meet you, dear. As our guest, we welcome you into our home, and bid you tell us of your slightest desire that we might hope to provide the hospitality you deserve. Oh, and when my husband meets you? don't be surprised if he is... less eloquent than myself. I'll do my best to distract him, and I apologise in advance for any offense he causes once he has a few meads too many."

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

There were many strange places in the universe. A fire-bathed place with plants treat molten lava as earthly water was the type of place she never would have known of, even second hand, before her life as a hero.

Thor then mentioned a time free of obligation.

"Ah don't need to be waited on, Sugah."

It was the sort of thing that was an impasse because of their different outlooks. Rogue didn't want to be treated as if she were some high born royal, especially by someone she didn't feel was below her. This was even so on a date. It always made her a bit uncomfortable. Thor would claim that he and the Asgardians would fuss over even an ice troll brought among them. Still, it was a relatively minor thing. The pair soon moved on to a different activity and topic.

That included speaking to the Queen of Asgard, Thor's mother, Frigga. The woman held out her hand for a shake. It was decidedly less formal than she expected of a goddess, even given the friendly nature of her son. Rogue readily accepted it.

"It's nice t'meet you." The queen then warned her son's guest about her husband. "Oh, Ah'm sure it'll be fine. Ah ain't all that delicate. Takes a lot to rile me up if you ain't throwin' punches." He's not going to be throwing punches, is he?

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Thor knew he was somewhat out of practice when it came to courting women, and when you added in the differences between the realms, he was surprised it had taken this long for Rogue to suggest any dissatisfaction with his demeanour. Rather than making a deal out of it though, pledging to act in whatever manner she desired of him, he simply... remained silent. Perhaps this was not something people thought normal behaviour of him, but when the alternative was yelling loud battle cries and hurling literal thunder bolts at people? The occasional moment of tact was easily overlooked.

As she asked about the possible actions of Odin though, he felt it was time to return to his usual self and speak out in a combination of reassurance and warning. "If he raises a hand to a peaceful guest, there is no doubt that more than just myself would stand in his way. I have never known him to do so, though. If he is in a particularly foul mood, he has been known to provoke the other into the first blow. If he - or any other - does this, I suggest asking him if he is challenging you. They must either say yay, or nay. Regardless, your honour would be preserved, and the rules of hospitality remain. Though it should be made very clear, that I would absolutely not find any such exchange to be entertaining in any form, and should it occur, beseech you not to relate the tale to the book of faces, or any of the other bards of the entire-net."

Was he smiling at this? Almost certainly, though his facial hair made it a little difficult to tell. His mother, however? No doubt whatsoever could be held that she found this of great amusement indeed. Still, she tutted and spoke one last time. "Now Thor, no encouraging our guests to take the All-father's all-ego down a notch or two. What would your brother think if he learned someone was usurping his duties? Anyway, I must go and attend to the final preparations, you should take your seats soon; the feast will soon commence."

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

They sounded like knights in a way, with all this talk of challenges and honor. The South in times past dueled, but that was more a rich thing than a poor thing.

"We use to do that in mah . . . realm. We held onto all that the longest. Still ain't had duels in generations."

Thor hadn't picked up on her hyperbole. She didn't seriously expect Odin to start throwing right hooks. One of the Warriors Three? Maybe. Thor himself? Maybe. Not Odin.

The pair then made their way to the banquet hall. It was, of course, decidedly opulent. Its gilding was as elaborate as its masonry. It was large enough to seat an army and likely did. A band played lively tunes on a balcony above them as they entered. Weapons of many kinds lined the walls. Four tables arranged as a sort of inverted W could seat just under eight score and at this moment practically did.

Befittingly, there were representatives from all the realms not at war with Asgard there. Some were among the common and some were seated at the table of honor flanking Odin. Rogue was the only one from Midgard.

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

Her point was a valid one, that duel by combat was not a way that worked well for all realms, and Midgard had certainly found itself a new way instead of that of its past. "Aye, I believe your arenas of battle are courts, and your champions lawyers, yes? Fighting with words, not steel. I hope it may endure, and mayhap it will spread through the realms over the next few centuries."

Was this going well so far? Thor honestly had no idea. His familiarity with mortal courtships was woefully lacking, extending only so far as Jane Foster, and that had obviously not gone as well as hoped. In some ways the various heroes of Midgard were similar to Asgardians, and in others, the same as any other mortal. That always ended up confusing him trying to figure it all out, hence the scarcity with which he had even considered a human partner.

Any such thoughts soon passed from his mind as they entered the hall, the eyes of just about all present soon turning towards them, though most conversations continuing, so there was no awkward silence as they walked towards their seats at the high table. Once there, Thor paused and turned to the elderly man seated adjacent to his spot, clearly on the most impressive chair in the entire hall, and spoke in a well rehearsed tone. "Father, may I present to you Anne-Marie of Midgard, champion of the X-men, and my guest for the evening's festivities. Anne-Marie? It is my pleasure to introduce you to the All-Father Odin Borson, ruler of Asgard."

With that, he turned to one of the serving wenches, taking two flagons of a sweet scented almost certainly alcoholic beverage, placing one on the table for Anne-Marie, and keeping the other in his hand, though not drinking from it quite yet. Until his father gave some reaction one way or another, he wasn't sure if he could relax, or had to endure and resolve another one of the all-father's stubborn tantrums diplomatic eccentricities.

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

There was of course a formality in it all. To a certain extent, it was hard not to be drawn into it all. Even if it was meant to be a simple sort of date, simple had a very different meaning when you had access to a great dining hall. It still wasn't enough to avoid at least a minor faux pas though.

After Thor introduced her to his father, the X-woman said, "It's a pleasure to meet y'sugah." It was probably an epithet that the All-Father was not exactly used to. She did not try to shake his hand. Given the more formal trappings, she curtsied. It was obvious it wasn't exactly a natural behavior for her.

There was a pause. A pause as long as time itself. When he did speak, the one-eyed god's voice could practically be heard in Mímisbrunnr. "ALL OF YOU: EAT OF MY FOOD, DRINK OF MY DRINK, AND ABOVE ALL, BE MERRY!"

Following a rousing cheer, the Lord of Frenzy spoke to his son in a more ancient tongue. If Rogue could understand it, she certainly didn't show that she could.

While Odin was indeed wise, the specifics of Thor's mortal allies were generally not his concern. "Which is this one? Is she the one that becomes small?" 

Meanwhile, Rogue sampled the local ale. In particular it was something called "Volstagg's Lament". She declared with a shake of her head, "That'll get your fight goin'."

Template adapted from Silv.

[aquarius]

When Rogue called the All-father 'sugah', Thor half expected an explosion of fury in response. But he was far more familiar with Midgard expressions than Odin was, or perhaps he was simply expecting things to end badly like most of the times his two lives mixed. Regardless it seemed the All-speak had left Odin as clueless as Thor still often was around mortal idioms. Small mercies, though it was likely he would have to explain its meaning later. That would be troublesome...

Still, the king seemed in a good mood for once, and maybe Thor could relax and enjoy the evening that he'd thought a good idea when they had made the plans, and only later regretted. Loki's influence no doubt, though the Lord of Thunder had no inkling of how he'd achieved it. Still, there was the declaration that signalled the beginning of the feast, and all through the hall people variously cheered, raised their flagons, filled their mouths with food, or in the case of Volstagg, all three at once. It was a familiar sight to the Prince of Asgard, and yet one every bit as dear to him as the words 'Avengers Assemble'.

Odin's question to him was probably not entirely serious, though his humour was difficult to predict at times. Best to play along just in case. The Odinson answered in a measured voice that few would even notice beyond their table. "Nay, father. I believe you think of Ant-man. Anne-Marie is dubbed 'Rogue', she is a mighty warrior, though should you wish to learn more of her, you shall learn best from her, not myself."

Hopefully Odin would be uninterested in conversing with a brief mortal and instead let his attention wander elsewhere. If not, then maybe he'd actually learn a little of how Midgardians were full of surprises. Such as sampling the ale without even a warning and managing to avoid retching. Few Midgardians had such fortitude. "Indeed, milady. 'tis a favourite of Volstagg over there. Thor pointed at a massive warrior who looked a little like if The Blob was into cosplay and had been on a reasonably effective diet. He loves battle and feasting in equal measure. As such, his name has been honoured by being shared with a few delights of the dining hall."

[Martyr]

HEY, SUGAH!
⦻

"TIS CALLED VOLSTAGG'S LAMENT BECAUSE WHEN I DRINK IT, I USUALLY DON'T REMEMBER HOW EXACTLY I GOT TO MUSPELHEIM, BUT I DO KNOW I BATTLED A LOT OF WARRIORS ALONG THE WAY!", he let out a belly laugh as loud as his holler.

"You'd havetav crossed the rainbow bridge, rahght, sugah?", she said with a smirk. After the initial wallup, she stayed with lesser libations. Who knows what she'd have done at this table if she didn't drink. There was hardly a drop of water on it.

Odin still tried to grabble with the ends and outs of his son's strange allies.

"A fierce warrior? We shall end this meal with feats of strength, then. She is one of thy Avengers too? I do not see thy insignia on her." If Rogue was uncomfortable by the conversation in languages she didn't know, she didn't show it.

It was in that moment that Odin was suddenly called over by his wife. She knew well that their son was on a date and that fielding endless questions from the All-Father was probably not the best use of that time.

Rogue ate some food. It wasn't all too different from food on Earth all things considered.

Template adapted from Silv.