Zap smiled, knowingly, then grinned at Karen's interjection on her husband's hands. "It wasn't too long ago mine were just as tough," the queen insisted. Or, at least, well-worked. "You'll have to compare with my father later," she offered before fully embracing the embrace of Mrs. Zale. She squeezed the other woman in return and gave a quiet laugh at her compliment. "I'll put you in touch with my stylist..." she smirked. "Scandalous?" Eva questioned, too quickly. Oooh, right. It was Nate. "Yes, I seem to be the exception and not the rule..." Grumpy wizard. Her sweet potato.
California? That was a new one. Efficiency? So romantic. Now... onto the topic at hand...
The queen was quiet at first, letting Nate do the talking for his parents' benefit, but then she decided it was time to help him out. She nearly clamped a hand over her mouth when Richard asked 'What's wrong with Thor?'. Oooh, Nate probably just loved that. She smiled politely though and spoke in unison with her husband. "Nothing." Her nods of encouragement and approval hopefully guided Nate through, but she was quickly enveloped by Mrs. Zale again, and she laughed. "I am too," she informed the older woman. So happy. She whispered to Karen, then: "I love him so much."
"I've... noticed," Zap grinned at Richard about their women being more extra than themselves, then gave a knowing, conspiratorial glance to Karen to show her that they were kindred (fabulous) spirits. While Richard seemed to be enjoying her birds, Nate was concerned about her air intake. "I'm fine, you know I'm a hugger," she gave a final squeeze and then stepped back a bit so she was in line with Nate once more. "I have a peahen on a clutch right now," she directed at Richard, "if you think you'd like to take a pair home?" There was a smirk on her lips, but her eyes were filled with mirth and admiration.
She leaned over and rose up to kiss Nate's lips at the corner before she turned back to the parents. "My husband's gotten a promotion, recently, that I feel like he probably hasn't mentioned yet..." Her eyes went wide with excitement to amp up the mood. "He has done Asgard the honor of accepting the bestowal of a godhood, as well as rule over his own realm, which had gone without reliable, loyal leadership for far too long. He's King Nathaniel of Helheim, God of Darkness, now." Her beaming expression would hopefully be contagious. "And Brayden is a prince, of course." Eva closed her eyes fondly for a moment, at that revelation. Her sweet, cute little weirdo. "Unfortunately, most people can't travel to Helheim, so we had some of the elements of his new kingdom brought up to Asgard and displayed in a courtyard to show you two what it's like where he's ruling. We can take a look after you've rested if you'd like. And eaten. We have food set out for the family - unless you'd like to dine in your rooms?"