asgardianhammer

[asgardianhammer]

[ ϟ ]—– Dust had not yet finished settling when the god turned gaze from beast to the man it had nearly claimed, limbs scattered, voice breathless yet spirit clearly intact. Mortal resilience, ever a marvel, at times a curse, the man's very presence showcasing a staggering amount of it.. A force to him, even when shaken, military perhaps, S.H.I.E.L.D, or some successor born from the ashes of bureaucracy and half-remember oaths. The cut of his suit suggested the guess was a safe one.

Gratitude receives only an incline of golden head as response, an old warrior's gesture, one kingdom to another, gaze moving swiftly to the creature.

It was grotesque, unfamiliar to him and not of any realm he knew, a patchwork of sinew and steel and madness, as if some reckless god had made a child of industry and hunger. Even now it pawed the ground like a bull before the charge, massive torso rippling with raw, unnatural strength. The eyes however remained fixed on the god, sliver of intelligence, calculating, a beast that had not yet learned fear.

Extending of heavy arm and raised weapon the storm is summoned with ease, splitting the skies above them with a shudder. Clouds rushed in with eagerness, black and snarling, thick with promise. Flicker of lightning hit the air, metallic and wild, Mjölnir brought down as a judge's gavel, with force.

A fork of pure white fire screamed, striking the beast dead-on, the earth cracking from the force of it. The sound of a realm suffering under the onslaught rang through the air, and the creature disappeared in the flash, its roar drowned in the violent noise of thunder...

... only to emerge again from stirred cloud of dust and smoke, smoldering, angrier. Seemingly unharmed.

Brows furrowed even further, deepening the creases upon thunderer's features. Lightning clinging to the creature sparks in an erratic burst before fading, sizzling uselessly across its hide, absorbed.

' Keep yourself out of the way.'

Warning and advice both; only a semi-turn is performed, something of a reassuring nod given to the human before massive form is surging towards the creature.

The impact of the God landing to earth pushed Sterling forward with such force he was momentarily knocked off his feet. Still, it was a far better result than being trampled by a deranged and homicidal beast of unknown origin. Knowing its origin probably wouldn't make his death any less painful, but knowledge was, as they say, power.

The SHIELD agent looked up to the crackling of lightning around a familiar figure. Though they had never officially met, of course Sterling knew of him. The New Mexico incident was SHIELD history and the formation of the Avengers was something he had taken a deep interest in since two members were his close coworkers. Still, there was a big difference between reading about the Asgardian, seeing pictures and video of him, and actually seeing him in the flesh.

He was so much taller than he imagined. Though, perhaps, that was because he was on the ground.

Sterling finally scrambled to his feet and gave the god a wide perimeter with which to work. Quickly, though mostly to feel useful, he pulled out his ICER gun and aimed it at the beast to give Thor some backup and he brought his radio to his mouth.

"Thor in the field. Engaging target." And when the radio was clicked off, he spoke so only Thor could hear. "Thank you."

[asgardianhammer]

[ ϟ ]— A breath is released, languid, thoughtful, the sound nearly lost in the hush that blankets the rooftop. Something about the way Rogers says the mortal phrase has thunderer's lips quirk, a smile threatening to form but not birthed just yet.

Gaze follows the captain's gesture skyward, the scattered silver of Cassiopeia hanging sharp and clear.

' Hm, yes, bound to her throne, if I remember the tale. Proud. Vain. Cast into the stars for daring to outshine the gods.' Here the smile emerges, utterly amused. ' They do love their punishments, the Greeks. And then they call us dramatic.'

Bump upon his shoulder is returned with ease, borne of a fondness that does not require words to accompany it. Rhythm built on trust, and war, and unspoken understanding, present even when they are not in battle.

' It seems I have yes, traded the crown for the hammer, the hammer for ... this. A warrior, teammate, sometimes a glorified lightning rod.'

The jest flows outward with ease, focus returning to the stars, the sharp W outlined above them.

' Would you like to see her up close one day?' and the query is given almost casually, tone edged with a sliver of ancient lilt, something otherworldly. ' I could take you, you know, or very close to it at least. The vault of the heavens is not as closed off as you think. I think you would like it.'

Questionable, huh? Piece of work.

“ That’s real nice of you, Thor. ”

Clearly, not questionable enough to not follow through, or show up when they need him. Their little hexagon empties out anytime one of them goes off on their own mission. Aside from the obvious one, Steve notices Thor’s absence, and it’s not because of bulk alone. Things click into place when he’s around, the three within the six falling into step with each other like little to no time has passed. It’s a kinda balance, as far as the team can manage the concept.

“ Some might say you swapped out one reputation for another, ” and he’s no stranger to that, either. No god, nor king, but expectation hangs like a shroud over him even so. Stories built around them both, like scaffolding.

He bumps their shoulders together, brotherly, points once more.

“ You see that W-shape? That’s Cassiopeia. ”

The queen. Ma’s favorite. These days, Steve wonders if it was because it’s one of the easiest to find, something simple to place wonder in little him’s eyes.

[asgardianhammer]

Do y’all ever read your partner’s reply and it’s just… so beautiful, so well-crafted, you really just have to sit back, and read it a couple more times, and wonder how in the heck you got so lucky to write with someone THIS talented??

[asgardianhammer]

(( g'day fam <3 i'm in lurk mode for a bit today whilst working on stuff. becauseee i really need to do some wording again, i got so much goodies back - holds to chest - yes, good stuff <3 i may be poofing in and out while doing so.

drafts: 39 || inbox: clean up is needed || starters: 2

i'll be back in the eve to spread menacery and love <3

[asgardianhammer]

[ ϟ ]— Mirth blooms now even more evident on the god's expression, a subtle version of pure delight, spun from joy of good company and Barton's relentless, irreverent charm. Thunderer savors the shoulder bump, welcoming it with a minute scoff. The mortal's grin is a thing of crocked brilliance, as easy as it is disarming, and it feels like warmth pressed against the curve of his ribs.

' Oh, but there is myth,' and retort comes with a glance towards the man, singular brow arching momentarily. ' You are the only utterly lethal archer I know who drinks light beers, and enjoys them.'

Soft neon glow of the bar's sign receives his attention once more, its buzzing light a far cry from Alfheimr's tavern lanterns, yet somehow more inviting. Foam and mortal music, laughter echoing in wood-paneled rooms, it was a magic so utterly Midgardian it had its own brand of charm.

Grin twists and spreads into something wide and taunting.

' Was that meant to be an insult? Unicorns are quite ferocious, and they bite violently when provoked.' Tone shifts into something of feigned indignation. ' Come to think of it so do kelpies, and sky-whales, and other horned beasts. Unicorn, hah, as if I am that aggressive.'

Sweeping hand out with some mock grandeur ceruleans are utterly bright, narrowing at the man as the nudge with a broad shoulder is returned.

HOW WE ARE NOTICED . . . definitely talking meta now . Clint snorts , plain amusement oozing out of every pore . how pretty much feels like a first world problem - one that is semi - exclusive to the big guns with masks and secret identities and whole ass legends build around them . nothing an archer from Waverly , Iowa can relate to . he's not sure if he's sad about that .

" provided there is a myth . " gotcha !

Thor may have been a bit of dick pretending he might break Clint's shoulder just there ( he's noticed . don't think he hasn't ! ) but Clint isn't above bumping said shoulder gently into Thor's then , grin still in place . puny and human , maybe , but definitely not fragile . the pile of hospital bills in the shoebox under his bed is . . . not really proof for that .

" yeah , yeah , yeah - oh , to be immortal . I get it . " frankly , he wouldn't know what to do with all that time . he's already beaten the international high score for Space Cadet 3D Pinball four times . nothing left to aspire to .

" huh ? " foam and - the penny drops when he follows Thor's line of sight right towards the illuminated sign of a bar . now it makes sense . and the grin widens for a split second . Clint scratches the back of his neck with faux indifference .

" well , I'll have you know that my time is incredibly precious to me , considerin' I have so little of it . " punk . " but ! - I can think of no better way to spend it than with foam and a friend . " and here's the truth . he nods towards the bar . " after you , you mythical unicorn . "

[asgardianhammer]

[ ϟ ]—– The quiet stretches between them, and thunderer watches Quill with the solemnity gods and mourners do, the kind who have carried too many names in their heart for far too long. There is, however, no pity in the god's gaze, only kinship, and an understanding of the struggle.

' You did go out with a boom indeed...' and it is spoken with a flicker of a smile, fainty crooked, carved into something gentle. A rare smile that was usually reserved for moments near pyres. ' And yet , here you are. Back, and not just breathing, only burning brighter than before.'

Assessing the other comes with brief contemplation. Resurrection, it could be glorious, yet also painful, confusing... And no one or nothing returned unchanged.

' How are you carrying it, my friend? This rebirth, these new gifts? Do they feel like blessing... or something else entirely?'

Voice gentled even further still, broad palms performing a mindless dance of press and rub against each other.

' The burden of powers that arrive in that way? I can imagine they feel like both an answer and a question...'

𝚆𝙷𝙰𝚃 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝙷𝙴 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙺 𝙷𝙴’𝙳      hear     ?      truth be told,      he’s not sure,      but it was evident from the moment he came forward that,      no matter who he talked to,      he’d never get to hear an answer that would take away this blooming ache in his chest.

𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆,      a small smile tugging at his lips momentarily when he hears the word   ‘brother’.      the Star-Lord takes it to heart.

❝          𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚏𝚞𝚗,          ❞           the underestimation of the century.           ❝          but i’m glad to know i’ll have a friend who’ll be there for me if it happens.      i say if ‘cause there’s still a part of me hoping i’ll go out before them.          ❞

better to brace for it,      right     ?

he should prepare himself like it’s some mission he can plan around.      but how the hell does anyone really prepare for that kind of goodbye     ?      these are his first real friends.      𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆.      maybe Thor’s used to it. or maybe he’s just better at hiding the grief.

either way                  THIS SUCKS.           ❝          i am not the kind of guy who’ll go out quietly.      i always said i’d go out with a      BOOM.      funny enough,      i did.      i didn’t think i’d come back with all these crazy powers,      y’know     ?          ❞

[asgardianhammer]

(( - rolls to bed - aight more productive stuff tmw <3 i promise <3

also, because i know someone is wondering it and the heathens never rest, yes he feels it when you touch it >>

[asgardianhammer]

wtf you genuinely write the best thor on this site

(( i appreciate you and the message nonster <3 "best" is subjective, i just have a lot of love for him, it's just expressed in a lot of words most of the time <3

[asgardianhammer]

MIR ARE YOU KIDDING ME THE LEVEL OF DETAIL YOU ADD TO THE BAREST OF HEADCANONS ABOUT THE DAMN HAMMER, THE WAY IT STRAIGHT-UP REACTS TO HIS EMOTIONS, GROWING HEAVIER OR LIGHTER DEPENDING OF HIS INTENTIONS, THIS IS INSANE YOU ARE INSANE. And all this is just for THE HAMMER! You absolutely love Thor and it shows, and I love him a little more now thanks to you.

Also – EVEN IN THESE MASTERPOSTS YOUR PROSE IS (AS ALWAYS) STUNNING AND *screams* Mir. Please. JUST SAY IT, JUST SAY YOU'RE THOR HIMSELF.

[ ϟ ]—' I am possibly, what is that Midgardian phrasing... busted?'

[asgardianhammer]

so lovely, as always. quick q though: i noticed a lot of your lore has things in 3s in them, is there a reason for that?

(( snugs joo - welll.... nonster homie... i feel 3, 6 and 9 would be deeeeply rooted in Norse cosmology? 3 primal ( 3 norns etc), 6 is balance, doubled, etc, 9 is completion 9 realms, 9 nights odin hung for wisdom. there's a lot of that happening, 3 sacred oils, 6 levels of intimacy, 9 words never spoken outside the family home etc and so forth.

also, i'm weird that way :3

[asgardianhammer]

Hello friends and friends like family. I just wanna hop on and say how much I love you guys. You're all so wonderful and talented. You're always bringing so much light to the dash and to my world. I appreciate you all so much and I just wanna shout out some lovely people.

@ppctts Ginger, you are my tumblr wife. You bring so much love and devotion to your characters and you run on good vibes and good angst and I am so grateful to have you as my friend.

@onlyarogue Noon I would not be here without you. Your talent and passion for your characters leaves me in awe every day and I could tag a million more of your blogs because they are all wonderful but you are the person who introduced me to RP and we have created so much over the last 20 years of being friends. I love you so much

@ragebuilt JJ, the utter brilliance in which you write and create lore for you kens and barbies and other dolls is so awe inspiring I am so glad to have found you on this hellsite and so in love with everything you deliver.

@asgardianhammer Mir, the way in which you write prose, the beauty in which you world build. It is the most lovely thing I've had the pleasure of witnessing. The second you drop some lore I immediately am nodding along and incorporating it into my canon. It's brilliant and wonderful. And you are an absolute treasure.

@insidemyblood Nate, my brother, my love, my twin. No Tony has ever got me the way yours does. No Tony has ever vibed as hard with mine the way yours does. The way I need to throw Teen Tony breaking the space time continuum at him is real and that's just Tony that's not even all the wonderful other muses you create and run away with. You are talented and wonderful and like Gin you run on good times and good vibes and I am always so delighted to talk to you

@nightlockrebel Kels, the light of my hunger games life right now. You have been so much fun to write and explore Katniss and Peeta with. I appreciate you so much for how unapologetic and enthusiastic you are with plots and thoughts and the amount of world building and AUs we've done with them have been AMAZING. I am so glad I've gotten the chance to meet you and get to know you and I hope this is just the beginning of a very wonderful rp friendship

@sirendrowns JANE. My chaotic sister! The way we vibed right off the bat. The way I found you on a hunger games reblog and immediately was like "She gets Annie and I wanna poke her" and the way you just RAN with everything has been so delightful. You're so much fun to vibe and talk with, you're so creative and talented. Thank you so much for being one of the first Hunger Games peeps to give my Peeta a chance and to just continue to vibe and have fun with me. I adore you so much.

[asgardianhammer]

Of Conscience & Companionship; Mjölnir

Disclaimer: As always this relates to Asgard for my muse’s MC universe, solely based on headcanons. ( * )

“In the heart of a star that sang its death throe, where gravity buckled and flame folded in upon itself, the dwarven master smiths sought the breath of creation. Mjolnir was not born of mere ore, but of a fragment of that star’s core , matter both young and ancient, dense enough to bend time at its edges.” - Artisan Hallvard Burisson of the Archives

From star's fire to Sleep

In the age before Midgard’s written time, in the dying light of a sacred star, the dwarves of Nidavellir wrought Mjolnir. They worked in silence for nine nights, binding enchantment with every strike of their hammers, until the forge itself cracked from strain. It was not merely a weapon, it was a child of elements, conscience given shape. The hammer’s heart holds the echo of the star’s final song; those who listen closely say they can still hear it hum beneath their hand.

Mjolnir’s form is deceptively simple: a short-hafted hammer of impossible weight, balanced by runes older than Odin’s reign. Every groove was carved with intent, every thread of leather bound with whispered oaths. She was never just a tool, from the moment of her forging, her purpose was known.

She was given the name Mjolnir, the Grinder, the Crusher, though she has never needed to destroy to know her purpose.

After her creation, she was placed into Odin’s vault. Not as a trophy, but as something unfinished. For she required a bond, one not of command, but of spirit.

( ad: the Uru ore Mjolnir is made of is ancient, and its inherent Seidr has evolved over time, even before Mjolnir was forged. The inherent Seidr made it semi-sentient in the sense that it recognized energy as explained here. The forging and other enchantments have made it evolve further. )

Before the words there was trust

Odin placed Mjolnir within the vault, swaddled in charms of sleep and patience, until the day one would come whose soul would stir her heart. That day came in the youth of Thor Odinson. She knew him before he ever lifted her: the boy who spoke to the winds as if they were playmates, who leapt from the palace walls and dared the lightning to strike him.

When at last Thor’s hand closed around her hilt, the bond was immediate. He was not the master and she a mere weapon, yet the bond started as companions. Mjolnir did not merely serve, she chose. She was his conscience when pride swelled too great, his comfort in solitude, the storm’s voice at his side.

"As a child, Thor visited her often. First in secret. Then with Frigga’s blessing. He would speak to her as if she could answer, and in time, she did. Not in words, but in shifts of energy, sudden sparks in his fingertips, the low rumble of storm clouds when he spoke too loudly. They came to know one another not through conquest, but companionship."

He did not claim her, he asked. The moment he first lifted her, he was not yet a god in the eyes of the Realms, but Mjolnir knew him. The boy who leapt before thinking. The boy who offered his foods to others. The boy who would wield power only to protect others, before he knew what protection truly cost.

In the centuries that followed, they were inseparable. She was not an extension of his will, she guided it. When his anger surged, she grew heavy. When he hesitated to act justly, she sang with friction in his grip.

( ad: before the fall Mjolnir was very much a moral compass already, and responded to his actions in more faint ways. After Odin's enchantment the response was amplified.)

Odin's Enchantment of Worthiness

When Thor’s arrogance threatened the peace of the Nine Realms, Odin laid upon Mjolnir an enchantment; it was not to punish the hammer or its wielder, but to protect her from misuse. The rune was carved in breath and blood:

“Whosoever holds this hammer, if they be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.”

It was not worthiness by birthright, nor strength of arm, nor cunning. It was worthiness by spirit. Mjolnir became, in that moment, a judge as well as a companion. She would not bend to anger, nor pride, nor empty glory.

And so, when Thor was cast down to Midgard, Mjolnir became still. Not because she doubted him, but because he had to become someone she could follow again.

( ad: Odin's enchantment did a few things: it removed Thor's inherent Seidr powers from his lineage, and transferred them to the hammer. It also gave Mjolnir actual boundaries to uphold. In a way it was another nudge to semi-sentience that was needed to enhance her judgement. Her purpose expanded to not only guide Thor, but to keep the balance in the Nine. )

After the fall

Since the breaking of Thor’s pride and the remaking of his purpose, their bond has only deepened. Mjolnir no longer merely follows Thor’s command, she anticipates, she guides. Each reunion (after her loss, her shattering, her restoration) has forged them closer. She is now linked to him as a piece of his soul, their Seidr bonds more entwined than ever.

( ad: despite their bond Mjolnir will never "protect" or "save" Thor in the true sense of the word. She is a tool in service of the greater good, and most of all of balance. If Thor has to die in servitude of both, she will not work against that. Her sentience is not so grand that she feels love, fear or pain, but she experiences the bond as energetically pleasant. )

On Worthiness: A Reflection for Seekers

Many have asked: how does one know if they are worthy to lift Mjolnir? Here are three questions to ask yourself:

Do you seek power for its own sake, or to serve and protect? Power is no prize. Mjolnir serves not kingship nor conquest, but purpose.

Can you lay down pride, and lift another in need? Humility is the heart of storm’s mercy. The worthy do not see themselves as first.

Would you bear the weight of the storm, not to rule it, but to shelter others from it? Mjolnir chooses those who would shield, not those who would simply strike.

( ad: important note here is that intent but also state of being matters. If someone is consumed by wrath she will not yield. Grief, regret, and vengefulness, same issue. As with everything in the universe balance matters, and intent matters. )

( ad 2: worthiness is not about being a good person, or having a good heart, although those tend to align with the above traits often. Even the worst individual can have a significant role to play in the grand scheme of things.)

Communication

Though she is forged of metal and oath, Mjolnir is not exactly mute. Her voice is not like a sword's scream or a bell’s chime, she speaks in ways subtler, older, and bound by the laws of empathy and energy. To understand Mjolnir is to learn to listen without ears, to feel beyond the hand. Communication runs like pulse between her and the wielder a constant and unbroken loop of instinct, intuition, and elemental thread.

Weight-shifting – She grows heavier in Thor’s hand when his temper rises without cause, as if asking him to ground himself. She grows lighter in moments of mercy, when he acts with heart over ego.

Humming or buzzing – A low hum travels up Thor’s arm when danger is near, even before lightning forms. She buzzes sharply if he considers striking someone unworthy of the blow.

Disobedience as speech – Mjolnir may refuse to return or move when Thor is not aligned with his highest self. Or she may arc wide, making him work for her, a silent reprimand in the dance of battle.

Electric Emotion – When Thor is deeply afraid, grieving, or full of joy, she sometimes sparks against his palm with emotion, a wordless I know. I am here.

Responses to others may be in a similar vein, at times even harsher.

OOC Notes: - considering her age and evolving Seidr Mjolnir is very much.... ancient witch vibes, sometimes harsh in her judgment and most definitely sometimes tired of Thor's ( or everyone else's) shit. - she will never ever yield in a playful and/or joking situation a la AoU party, there was a lot of what could be described as "annoyed" sensed during that. - whenever people ask, in an RP setting, if they can lift her, i have to say: what do you think? :3 i can't and won't create hcs for people's muses, but if we interact directly the above applies for my thor. ask yourself, honestly and sincerely, why your muse would or wouldn't, and plot with me <3

( * ) I can't stress enough how very MCU this is, as is most of my head canons. It is the base for everything for my muse. Whatever is mentioned in comics or other media is not applicable here.

[asgardianhammer]

(( due to increased talks about the hammer ( blame @outlawiism and @delabor ) im now forced to make the mjolnir masterpost....... pet me while i pretend to be upset abput this......

in my defense it is a monster of a post...... i need booze for this 🙃

[asgardianhammer]

Men who grab your neck to kiss you >>>

[asgardianhammer]

The archer takes a breath before he approaches the god, taking in his glory and handsomeness, uncertain if this was going to be a good move for their friendship, but he wanted to and that what drove his motion towards the other.

Silently, Clint comes close and kneels before him, slotting his figure between the fellow blond's legs and looks up to him with a smirk and a lick of his lips before he noses along the Thunderer's thigh. As he takes his time, Clint presses a kiss high on the muscled limb, his lips lingering against the warm skin.

[ ϟ ]— Night wrapped itself around them like a velvet veil, heavy with heat and thick with the scent of chlorine and sun-warmed stone.

The rooftop has long emptied, the hush of something unspoken thick in the air, and the god was still lounging where he sat, warmth of the day still clinging to his skin. Bronze expanse remained damp from the pool, gold flickering over thunderer's form gentle from nearby lanterns. The city sprawled out below, a jeweled mirage that was forgotten hours ago already.

They had been alone for a while now, their teammates scattered like the last embers of a fire, leaving only them, two men steeped in laughter and chatter, then in silence and simple contentment.

When Barton approaches Thor remains motionless, neither speaks nor flinches as he watched. A quiet anticipation thrums in his veins however, mirth replaced by mild surprise. The kneeling is unexpected, yet not unwelcome; the sight of the archer between his thighs striking at something heated in the depths of his core. There is hunger, how could there not be when lips press against skin, then a wash of another thing, more vast and aching. Tenderness, edged with appreciation.

Breath hitches gently, betrayed only by the subtle motion of broad chest, and on instinct hand finds its way into tousled hair, the urge to feel persistent.

' I know I am irresistible but...' and here he allows a pause, a prolonged moment of respite for the human to intervene, or halt.

Emerging breeze is warm and lazy, mimicking the god's state, and thunderer tilts head for a moment, allowing the sensations to wash over him, exhaling slowly as desire and affection stir in equal measure.

'... attacks without warning can be dangerous...'

[asgardianhammer]

ask the mun: do you have some fave ships on here?

( ask the mun bonanza )

(( i'm not sure if you meant my own or from other people? so pardon moi nonster, but i'm taking this opportunity to rave about some of the bestest precious beans upon this site whomst i love and appreciate and omg the shipppsss! i love reading everyone i follow but these have me so invested!

@70yearsofwinter & @xlianovna - chef's kiss winterwidow blessing

@roidesvoleurs & @roquish - otp shenanigans and blessings

@threegoldfish & @threemoonflowers - just amazing moon knight interactions, so much love ;n;

@untamedtempest & @utsxlevshiy - my fave og girlies making eachother's lives terrible and great at the same time ugh

@itsbeentwelveyears & @strangerthxnfiction - fricken rietro pain >:C

@ppctts & @wormholxtreme - pep & happy, otp since i followed maddie, like eff me all the way up tbh.

[asgardianhammer]

[ ϟ ]— The cold remains biting at exposed skin, yet it is not the weather that has broad shoulders stiffen. Too many watching eyes, a legacy carved into ash and ice by hammer by his side, old wounds left to fester without resolve, it was all palatable, and coaxing a rolling of tense muscles.

Still there is a smile, brief and crooked, nudged into being by Evelyn's teasing, the warmth behind it genuine if short-lived.

' You always do your best, and then suddenly, skulls are shattered.'

Glancing back just enough to catch a flicker of her smirk Thor huffs out the retort, yet beneath the jest rests something steel-spined, the same wariness he knows they both carry. Their closeness is a balm, even as her hand tightens around the hilt, feeling her readiness as a second heartbeat, silent, steady, deadly.

The query lingers in the air between them, caught in the drift of snow.

Watching the distant ridge, where frost clings to carved towers and movement flickers like ghosts through a storm thunderer considers options and possibilities, strategies mulled over with pursed lips.

' If violence comes, it will be through me first.'

Voice is steady and void of arrogance, only promise, the god's grip on weapon loose yet ready. She may have been a shadow and a blade, yet the burden, the first blow, it belonged to him.

' Hold your steel beloved. I am not asking you to sheath your fire, only to wait as long as possible.

Snow trailed in their wake as the quiet before a reckoning, and the seat of Jotnar's uneasy crown came into view, along with new sentinels that regarded them with evident mistrust.

the harsh white of snow nearly blinds her, the beauty of the realm is muted by the harsh past it holds.

her smile is barely there, glad to see Thor's mood improve just for a moment during this tense time. heavy is the crown he wore when peace was at stake. grey hues remain glued to his back, the appearance of calm masked her unease at being out numbered. for his sake she tamped down the urge to draw her blade.

' when have i ever been unfair..' she teased, her lips ticked up in a smirk at his boyish charm.

the taste of past bloodshed is heavy on her tongue, the air around them seemed thick with tension and unforgotten feuds, despite the soft crunch of feet to snow, evelyn is aware any moment this silence could break. despite her extensive research, the former assassin is aware how little that would help if they failed to met with their new leader.

' are you speaking of them or us?' she questioned, pulling her fur closer to her face, the harsh winds stinging her cheeks.

her eyes rolled at his words, her hand never faltering from the hilt as she prepared herself to follow his steps.

' i shall do my best, but if they seek violence then that is a different story.'