Re: Far-off thunder...
The Allfather had hoped Strange's visit would be one of joy and good tidings. It was, after all, the close of Jol and the Odinsons had just weathered a terribly trying time with a wonderful resolution. When the Sorcerer mentioned his wife's triumph, Thor beamed with pride for the woman wearing a beautifully peacock gown. The reinstatement of Baldr and the pardoning of Loki were both occasions for celebration, but both simultaneously? Unheard of, bards would write epics for years.
Thor's eyes narrowed on the Midguardian after his final sentence and readjusted in his throne. "Why would the Sorcerer Supreme of Midguard have to worry about the affairs of Helheim?" the king asked what he considered to be quite a reasonable question.
"Because as you know better than I, the realms are connected," Dr. Strange explained forcefully but chose his words carefully. He did actually like Thor and Eva, even if he had his own way of showing it. "And the dysfunction of Helheim has started to spread to other lands, I'm sure you've noticed it," he challenged.
"There have been odd occurrences in other realms, but we have contained them," Thor explained with confidence.
"Well, they are only going to get worse," Stephen warned. "Midguard is filthy with foreboding omens and dark magic," he continued. "The realm of the dead is creeping into places where it doesn't belong."
The Allfather settled back into his chair and glanced toward his queen, "Then we shall meet this challenge head on and as a family," the new Odinson way.
"That's a lovely sentiment," Dr. Strange added only a bit sarcastically, then searched for Ms. Keech's eyes. 'Really?' they seemed to say. "Mind if I stay in the mean time?" he gestured, "Wong has orders to report to me if anything new happens on Earth."
"No, you are our honored guest," Thor insured Stephen. "But I hope you do not plan to wear that to the Jol ceremony."