Who: Fandral and Jane Foster, special appearance by NPC!Hawkeye What: Intergalactic guest of honor When: Thursday evening, 10:00ish after this. Where: Midgard: Queens, Flushing Meadows park Warnings: Nothing but manners
“Would it be easier if I said please?” Fandral asked as he quickly crossed the encasement of gold and light, not bothering to look at the massive guardian he knew to be standing in the center of the Observatory, omniscient as ever.
“The Bifrost is open for you to travel. Are you certain of your choice?”
Fandral wondered if Heimdall was being cryptic, usually so, instigating memories that were not needed. No reason to doubt a trip to Midgard when the choice was made for his brethren. There were many to speak with that instructed this decision, doubt had no room to fester. Heimdall kept the gate secure, watched all that there was to see beyond creation, and still had time to question motive.
While securing gloved fingers, and pulling tight a clasped, fur-lined cloak, Fandral gave Heimdall a reassuring smile. “I am.” One hand fell idle to rest atop his hilted sword, the other flourished about as Fandral commented. “Your concern is quite touching. We can speak about it upon my return. Shall I tell the others of your well being?”
The question was answered with a construct of bright energy unfolding in front of him, and then Fandral stepped through the doorway as quickly as he entered the Observatory, no need to look back. Who knew how long it would take to track down Thor, Lady Sif, and Jane Foster, but he would not return until he had done. Each of them had information Fandral was desperate to seek. The Aether made for a rather desperate topic of conversation.
The almost-but-not-quite familiar light of the Bifrost was muted in the darkness, the prismatic colors picking up some of the orange glow from the lights illuminating the park paths. Jane stood between a uniformed security officer whose name (and the names of the other three security agents with them) Jane had forgotten on the drive here, and Hawkeye. She’d met the Avenger for the first time time tonight and he seemed to be the type of close-lipped man without a first name. The security officers called him Barton, Jane called him Hawkeye, and he referred to her as Dr. Foster. There was no reason to suspect the armed guard was needed but no one had forgotten the way an Asgardian Destroyer leveled most of Puente Antigua and so they’d been dispatched as a precaution. Once Jane identified the probably Bifrost location, the guards tried to force her behind them “at a safe distance.” That hadn’t gone over well. Jane protested that out of all of them, she was the only one who’d actually been to Asgard and it might be helpful if she could see what was happening - then she applied her elbows and shoved into the line.
In the end, her calculations were nearly correct. The Bifrost opened ten feet to their left and three minutes later than she predicted. Jane recorded the event with a camcorder while the spectrometer in her other hand collected data. She looked up from the readings when the sky brightened with rainbow and waited for the traveler to be revealed as the light faded away.
“Identify yourself,” Hawkeye said. He hadn’t notched an arrow to his bow - yet.
Shadows, figures in the dark, caught from a glance almost ignored as the bridge between Midgard and Asgard finally closed. The darkness of the late hour made it harder to focus on the entirety of the area, but moving lights, and a commanding voice, intrigued Fandral to turn and face whatever adversary now stood in his way. His cloak was ceremoniously opened down the middle to expose not only his foil, but a posturing hand on the other hip.
“Hail, mortal strangers! Was I expected?” It was obvious by the silence that even though small lights beamed on his face, exposing a friendly smile, an introduction must be made. He bent enough to play a temperate bow, blonde hair swayed down over his clean face and steady eyes. And instinct brought one hand to ease carefully on top his sword.
“Loyal servant of the All-Father, Mighty King Odin of Asgard, Protector of the Nine Realms, I am Fandral Fayyaadson of the Warriors Three. Ally of Midgard.” Fandral returned to a stance of preparedness, wondering if he finally danced enough for the unknown assailants. “Also friend of his highness Thor Odinson.“ If that wasn’t enough to let him pass, he would have to find another means of dismissal. One he was sure the mortals would not like him to dispatch. Hopefully mentioning Thor, the great guardian who saved Midgard on more than one occasion, was aptly known and adored as he rightfully should be. “May I pass?”
“Oh, it’s Fandral,” breathed Jane, once the light faded and she could see.
“Right, you guys know each other. You’ve been to Asgard,” said Hawkeye dryly.
“He helped Thor and I escape from Asgard.” Barton didn’t say anything - he didn’t have to, the question in his blue eyes said it for him. “It’s kind of a long story,” Jane continued, shoving her camcorder and spectrometer into the hands of one of the agents. Security had come along, they might as well be useful and hold things.
She did know Fandral, but not well. Jane’s time on Asgard was short and she spent much of it in the healing room, under armed guard, or slipping in and out of consciousness. She hoped Fandral had arrived to visit with Thor and Sif and not, Jane thought with a sinking stomach, with bad news.
Jane stepped out to meet him. “Fandral, hi. It’s me - Jane. Is everything okay? Did something happen?”
“Jane Foster, well met!” Fandral felt increasingly agitated as the moments slipped by, knowing full well these that blocked him could not keep him long. He was trying to be cordial, and that felt useless. Yet someone slipped past, smaller and less fortified than the mortals before him. At her announcement he eased considerably, and casually threw a smirking glance up at the sky. Heimdall had delivered him well.
“Astonishingly you found me before I you.” Careful consideration was given to what Fandral could see in the nightlight, and brazen flashlight. She appeared to be the dark-haired, heart-faced girl Thor had brought to Asgard. Yet, Fandral dared not make any advancement since the figures around them kept their positions. “I’ve come to speak with Thor, Lady Sif, and you. You look well since last we met. Upright, and all that. All is well; there is no danger.”
He grinned, but the look he gave Jane through hooded eyes meant he would rather speak of more than well-wishes without the entourage at her back. He clasped his hands together -the first time he let go of his weapon- and allowed his grin to widen. “Do you seek to return the favor of the All-Father and imprison me?” The humor might be lost to all but him, but he imagined it nonetheless. Obviously the mortals were guarded from their past dealings, but Fandral would rather look at the scenario through an entertaining perspective.
“I was able to triangulate the probable position of the Bifrost site using - “ she stopped herself. “Nevermind, not important. Don’t mind them. We’re not used to having advance notice before somebody shows up, everyone was nervous it might be someone else. Something else. They’re not going to do anything.” Jane glared over at her shoulder at her armed escort for emphasis.
Hawkeye walked out to them, his bow put neatly away. “Dr. Foster, Fandral,” he nodded politely, “if no one else is arriving, we should move out.”
Jane looked to Fandral. “Thor and Si - Lady Sif are away. If you want to go where they’re staying, I can go with you?” She would have to sleep on the couch in the lounge tonight, she couldn’t leave Fandral alone. And why on Earth was he looking for her? “Or…?” Jane didn’t have another suggestion to offer. She was still in a hotel and she could hardly bring Fandral there. Could she?
Impressive. Midgard was blessed to have a skilled seeker, and it was none other than Jane Foster. If he had heard of such an incident happening before, Fandral could not remember. An exemplary mortal, and indeed one that Fandral assumed held high importance over a great many things, in the eyes of Thor. For good reason. With a glance over Jane’s head toward her company, Fandral observed the awkward few as he let the amusement once felt wash away. What would they be able to do if it had been something else other than him? Nothing that deserved the teasing he ushered about. Their bravery deserved his respect in that regard.
“I… Well. Away?” Fandral gave a curious glance to the archer that had joined the two. Where to go was a decidedly good question. Unfortunately Fandral had not considered a plan outside of finding friends and speaking with said friends. Yet Jane was also on his mission-set, so the answer was already there to be claimed. “I am at your mercy, Jane Foster. If you will have me, I shall go where you lead, until Thor and Lady Sif have returned.” His declaration followed a reverent bow at his waist, this time to show his submission towards the girl, and wherever that may lead him. The action looked decidedly refined, and dedicated, and was held a moment longer so he could give out his plan. “A spare moment to speak with you is my singular request.”
If Jane didn’t already feel responsible for making sure Fandral stayed out of trouble on Earth while Thor was away, she certainly did now. It was something akin to being given unexpected care of a goldfish...with a sword. Okay, not a great analogy. Jane looked up at Fandral and gave him the same sort of half-amazed smile she seemed to reserve exclusively for responding to Asgard manners. “We came in two cars. You and I could take one, swing by my hotel, and talk? We can figure out where to go from there after that.” She was suddenly reluctant to have whatever conversation he wanted in the public space of the Tower. If Fandral came all the way from Asgard to speak with her, Jane didn’t want to have the conversation where there could be eavesdroppers, cameras, or curious onlookers. If she had access to Thor’s room there it would be different, but she didn’t and that wasn’t a solution.
Jane didn’t wait for permission but blazed ahead as if this was the plan. The camera and spectrometer were to be returned to her lab and she pointed to Fandral to one of the cars. Hawkeye questioned her briefly but there was little he could do. Fandral wasn’t Stark Industries property. Once he was sure this was what she wanted to do, the Avenger nodded, wished them good night, and he and his team climbed into one of the pair of cars. Jane glanced once more at the familiar labyrinth of the Bifrost site and the she showed Fandral into the second car and gave directions to her hotel.
Fandral shadowed Jane’s every move, or did his best to follow directions, even when inside the tiny metal vehicle all of the different colored instruments appealed to curiosity. He kept his limbs, and weaponry, securely to himself. Unfortunately traveling felt like the least appropriate time to speak with her, so instead he only made the slightest of comments if she offered up a word or two.
Their travels led them into a building flamboyantly decorated with lights and plants, with a polished, marble-like floor. There was a man and woman standing amongst it all, smiling at Jane with expectant eyes as she walked passed. While his hardened boots marked the stride, Fandral smiled a greeting to them in return, only to get wide eyes and gaping mouths. He winked at them to ease the distress, but did not stop his pace until he met Jane inside another metal box. He noticed the woman slipped closer into view just as the box closed its doors, instigating Fandral to wave. Jane pushed a button labeled 14, and again they waited in slightly awkward silence, grinning whenever they shared a glance.
If she had mumbled any words as they entered her space, Fandral hadn’t heard. He was already busy undoing a cloak clasp, thinking he would feel cold on Midgard, but finding the exact opposite. Fur was decidedly not needed at present time, and upon walking into Jane’s place it was even worse. He kept his thick drape looped over an arm as eyes scanned the makings of her sanctuary. There was an empty chair unclaimed by personal clutter, but he dare not claim it until Jane allowed. She seemed preoccupied in her movements, so Fandral thought it best to be patient.
“You have my thanks,” Fandral said, keeping himself near the doorway, and out of Jane’s way.
"Come in," Jane said, welcoming even as she apologized. Professional housekeeping did a lot to reign in Jane's inclination to clutter but even that was slowly being overwhelmed by the chaos of an extended stay in a hotel room. Things Jane had needed and purchased the past couple weeks were around haphazardly: food and water, toiletries, more underwear. She hastily shut the lid on her suitcase where her dirty laundry was piled up. "Sorry for the mess, I'm still trying to find an apartment and..." Jane waved her hands at the room. She was making a habit of being disorganized in front of Asgardians.
Truthfully, she wasn't entirely comfortable with Fandral here. She knew she had nothing to worry but it was always disconcerting to let a stranger into your living space, even a hotel room. Jane gave up trying to pretend the room was something else and sat on the foot of the bed with a heavy sigh.
She pulled her phone from her pocket. "I sent Thor and Sif a message when I realized the Bifrost was opening. Thor asked me to check in after. I'll let them know you're here and can I tell them anything for you?"
Even the generosity in Jane’s tone did nothing to ease Fandral away from his standing until she had landed herself down to a stop. He moved to the empty chair, and decorated it with his cloak. Upon debating the idea of leisure against his true purpose, and realizing this piece of furniture would not allow his hilt any room, Fandral sat once the leather strap was unclasped and drawn onto his lap. He leaned back and tapdanced gloved fingers against the golden edged hilt of his foil, now crossing under the material of his knee-boots, bent.
“You may tell them I am here, and await their return. Also my sword should they need it as well,” Fandral stated with a fond smile. Another pleasant surprise; Jane seemed to be full of them. He had thought on their travel the wait may take some time before words were crossed between himself and his brethren and lord, but now they would know he was here and waiting. The ease of this hasty adventure found him comfort, and he did enjoy that.
“I am here for as long as it takes.” The rest of what he had to say could wait even a moment more, since Jane Foster was willing to send off a missive to Thor and Sif. Neither she, nor they, needed unnecessary concern added to his unannounced arrival.
Jane tapped into her phone, relaying Fandral’s message and adding a thought of her own. She looked over at Fandral. He and his sword looked utterly out of place in sitting in a chair upholstered in one of those swirly patterns designed to be completely unremarkable.
“Fandral, why are you here?” she asked, getting to the point. If she was going to have an Asgardian guest, she wanted to know why. “Here as long as what takes? Why come looking for me?”
Now that the time was in his favor to inquire all that he wanted, Fandral found it tricky to address the reasoning. The subject a tense one, for all involved. Anxious to find the right words, he fiddled. The sword and hilt were laid to rest on the floor, so he could press elbows to knees, and hands to face.
“Since the last, you’ve been in good health?” Fandral asked with a slightly hesitant tone. “Experience anything unusual?” Noticing that he was gesturing with gloved hands, he removed them. It bought him time to contemplate.
“An ancient magic, the Aether. The effects unknown to most, except you. Do you feel any different?” Fandral was concerned for her, they all had been, but finally seeing Jane up close gave less cause to worry. Still there could be something wrong, unseen, residual from the entanglement. Fandral had to inquire on his search for information. The All-Father wanted it found, but at what cost? The Warriors Three wanted to be prepared, they wanted to be cautious, and above all wanted the council of those most acquainted with the terrible magic. Jane was number one on that list. He hoped she had good news for him.
Jane’s back stiffened when she realized Fandral wasn’t simply asking because she’d been nearly unconscious when Fandral helped her and Thor (and Loki) flee Asgard. Fandral had come to Earth to ask about the Aether. “Oh,” Jane said, pursing her lips. “I’m fine. Thank you.” Her symptoms (difficulty remaining conscious, feeling a darkness creeping in on her mind, visions of the power of the Aether, feeling as if her body no longer belonged to her) vanished when Malekith pulled the darkness out of her. Jane still had dreams of it sometimes but rationalized her mind was trying to process what happened. She didn’t see it as a symptom. It was something Jane might share with Thor but couldn’t bring herself to mention now.
She scooted herself back on the bed, going to sit cross legged at the head with her back against the pillows. “Did something happen? They’re not..they’re not trying to use it, are they?” She wanted to think Odin would never be as mad as that but she’d seen firsthand the extent of his grief.
“If you had been lost… “ Fandral began to say, dwelling a moment over other outcomes while tracing memories. “Well. I’m glad you are here.” It would have been a devastating blow had Thor lost Jane, on top of losing half his family, and even though the others knew not much about her, they would have felt the loss. “But you are certain? There is nothing changed?”
Fandral shook his head. “Use it, no. There is no use for such magic except destruction. I inquire over concern of the past. If there is contact again, it would be wise to know more. Enough lives were lost because of that ill-fated artifact. I would see it end there.” He regretted the topic of conversation, and how heavily it weighed, but Fandral would see it through.
Jane knew a little about Asgardian dedication to a cause. Fandral had Thor’s trust and if he was here to help, it would be stupid to keep information to herself. Still, she wished it were Thor asking instead. She could answer and Thor might put his hand on her cheek in that fantastic way he had to comfort her. Jane looked down at her phone screen before she answered, thumbing down to Thor’s last comment and swallowing down the pang of missing him.
“No physical effects,” she said finally, “not that I’ve noticed. I have dreams sometimes - nightmares. I figured that was my subconscious trying to work through something I can’t understand.”
“Then I am relieved.” Fandral slipped back to rest against the chair, and let go of the anxious feeling of dread that restricted down against his shoulders. Jane’s admissions were enough to sway Fandral’s concern, even if she had just been the Aether’s host. It was more than he knew previous.
“I don’t suppose you learned of any weaknesses under its possession. Any sensitivity?” Fandral dared to crack half a smile in an attempt to steer clear the wearisome mood.
“That would be nice but if I knew anything you all wouldn’t have had to jailbreak me so...” Jane tried to return the smile but it stretched into a yawn instead. The digital face on the clock beside the bed showed it was nearly midnight. Properly supplied with coffee, Jane could work half the night on her research but she was more tired than she expected.
“Sorry,” she said, stretching her arms out in front of her. “Long day.”
Fandral sat up and pointed at the door, while leaning to retrieve his belongings. “I will sit outside for you to rest, and after we can have a better conversation. There must be stories about Thor you can relay. “ Indeed Fandral was curious how Thor was doing after so long a time in Midgard. Who better to ask. Concern about the All-Father’s command had to wait until the others returned. At least Jane had eased some of the worry.
“Don’t do that,” Jane said quickly, skipping past the offer to tell stories of Thor. Explaining that the two of them were absolutely awful at being in the same place at the same time was something she could do later. She swung her feet over to the side of the bed and stood. “They’ll throw you out if they catch you.” Her eyes drifted to Fandral’s sword. “Try to throw you out,” she amended. “Or call the cops or the feds or who knows who else. There’s only the chair or the floor but you can - but you can stay. Here.” Really, babbling now? As if the situation wasn’t awkward enough. “We can try and find something else for you tomorrow, okay?”
He was almost to his feet by the time Jane stood, but waited on her word to decide the next course of action. He would not dare debate the situation, and had already dedicated himself to her whims as he waited out his friends, so he kept still. The sword was placed back down and Fandral eased.
“The chair suits fine. Thank you. I am grateful for your help.” And to show as much he stretched himself as much as the furniture would allow and deemed it easy enough to allow rest. His hands clasped the back of his head as it tilted up to look at her. “I will stay here.”