Varric's new hairstyle had garnered Thor's attention over their meal, but he hadn't said anything. He stared a lot, but said nothing. Maybe Varric was trying out something new? "There's a leaf stuck..." Thor wagged his index finger in the area of hair where it was, trying to be helpful.
"A rune!" Thor brightened. "That's how we Asgardians write, too! Though... I can't read what you wrote. Must be a different language." He gave Varric a nod, becoming serious again. "I've been thinking it over while we dined, and something that Yelena wrote to me on the Network... about being diplomatic. I thought we could try that first... maybe try to negotiate."
This was the sort of behavior his parents always wanted from him, instead of running headlong into every situation with a battle cry and hammer raised. A part of him cringed with the idea that he might be turning into his father (boring). "If negotiation doesn't work, then..." he let his voice trail off, giving a very obvious look, not wanting to speak the plan out loud in case the squirrels were listening.