whose_son_am_i | Meme-shenanigans and Continuations.

"Yes you do. But knowing just what you're vulnerable to will help you build those shields. You need to focus not simply on stray thoughts, but on emotions. Build your shields with emotions, so that they aren't a point of weakness."

He didn't bother to point out that he had a key through the very shield he'd put up.

"Jeg liker å få deg til å knuse." Murmured against her hair, softly. Affectionately. "Du er min for å beskytte"

She nods. She can easily add emotions to her shield.

"I'm going to learn Norwegian so you won't be able to whisper secrets at me." She teases. It's obvious enough that whatever he is whispering is sweet and affectionate just by the tone.

"'I like making you shatter'." He grinned. "Aside from linguistical shifts, the difference between it and Asgardian seems to be in accent." Pressing another kiss to her forehead. "'You are mine to protect.'"

Letting her know just what it was he'd said for once.

"I still need to be stronger myself. You won't aways be around."

Since they both have quite a lot to do on a regular basis. This week is really going to be a luxury.

If it was anyone else saying they'd protect her she would huff and argue she doesn't need it.

He nodded, and gave her one last kiss before gently pulling away.

"We should get going. It's not a long walk, but it is a walk." They had a dinner to attend, even if it would be an informal one.

"Sure." She just has to put her boots back on and straighten her hair a bit, adjusting the little headpiece that he made for her.

"To dinner."

He offered his arm as usual, once they were in the hallways proper. Through the ship, and into what were clearly more common areas rather than private or business suites. Loki also simply veiled their presence once more, so no one gave them any looks. Whether she detected the spell over them this time or not...

"Tomorrow it IS likely you'll be introduced formally, which will mean giving a purpose or relationship beyond simply So-and-so's guest. Our other guests do have passable English and are all diplomats, but...." Most of the conversation would be in Norwegian, and there would be curiosity about who she was. "I would rather they not realize you are connected to my sudden departure." Best that no one knew or infer just how important she might be, per se. Not when his presence on Earth was still mostly a secret.

It sounds like it could be a nightmare depending. Christine isn't a fan of having people talk about her.

"How are you planning on introducing me then?" It will already cause speculation that she's with him at all.

She's smart enough to understand reasons for keeping her purpose there as something neutral. They are doing delicate negotiations and she doesn't want to pull anymore focus then she will naturally.

"That's part of why we'll likely discuss over dinner. I will advocate for going with the less is more approach. People will wonder anyways who you are, and why and how you know us. Especially me." His unofficial role as 'troubleshooter', to put it politely, wasn't yet known either.

"If it would make you more comfortable, I could put you under an illusion as well. Make up details."

"I'm not worried about being known. We can probably use me being a doctor to our advantage for a reason I'm here."

It's so often a good idea to bring a doctor to consult on various things anyway. And it makes her sound more professional overall.

"You are both brave and foolish." Loki said, but with no bite to it. "Officially I am...leashed." And it was clear he was not fond of that idea. "It is known to be so, among those who are aware of my presence--it's a necessary condition of such." Not that the Norwegians could stop him--he was the God of Mischief after all. "So I am under Thor's rule and guard. In that sense, it would only make sense for me to be escorting you since he can not."

Thinking while they walked. "Although some will wonder why mine, and not the Valkyrie's. Granted, she is supposed to guard the royal family..."

"In sometimes equal measure." She knows he's not as leashed as they make it look.

She has no doubt he will figure out the best way to phrase her being here. He's a wordsmith afterall.

He is very much not as leashed as people would like. Officially, he has not been let out of the Statesman without eyes on him, much less New Asgard. Unofficially, he'd been acting on his own since their arrival, with Thor only slightly aware of what he'd been doing at best.

"Regardless, he has also stated himself you are under his protection, and he'll make that official. If you are here as liason as a Doctor, then there will be those among our people who want to talk to you in that capacity too."

"I am happy to help however I can." And she will have something to do while Loki is working. Granted she might need a quick run down on the differences in Asgardian physiology, but she would still be a capable doctor in most contexts.

"I figured." With a smug grin.

They'd been walking steadily though through the hallways, and now came to what was clearly a small dining area. Part of a larger set of kitchens and supplies and a larger communal dining room. This would could be partitioned and closed off by expedience of closing a door. It was still not fancy or formal.

To their credit, neither Heimdall nor Brunhilde looked surprised by a sudden appearance of them. Brunhilde just rolled her eyes and snorted. Heimdall moved from his seat, and offered to help Christine in to her own.

"Damn." Brunhilde said, with a crooked smile when Christine was seated. "I kind of hoped he'd be more bothered with what I chose for you. He looks too smug though."

"Of course he's smug, Brunhilde. First of all, he always is and second of all, he has a charming guest." Heimdall replied. "One whom I think is a good influence on him."

"Oh he SORELY needs that." The valkyrie replied, reaching over to offer her hand to Christine. "PLEASE take him and make him not my problem anymore? I'm the one who usually has to keep an eye on him."

"I really don't like being referred to as if I'm some misbehaving child, thanks."

Edited 2021-08-20 13:55 (UTC)

It's a bit intimidating at first to suddenly be the center of attention.

She thanks Heimdall and takes her seat. Christine will shake any hand offered and greet people as needed.

"The clothes are nice, thank you. I doubt I'll be able to take him off your hands completely." She responds to people in turn.

"There's a genral theme of talking about you while you're right there." She glances at Loki, amused.

"I've noticed." Loki said dryly. "Dr. Christine Palmer, you've met Heimdall. This is Brunehilde the Valkyrie."

"As long as you know what you're getting into." Brunehilde responded, her handshake firm. "You do know what you're getting into right?"

"Will you be attending the formal dinner tomorrow? No one suspects any connection between the timing of your arrival and the sudden departure yesterday so far." Heimdall said. "And no doubt Loki already has plans and contingency plans to explain away why he and Thor vanished."

"I have a decent idea." Christine has seen Loki try to take over her planet, she has some idea of what he's capable of.

"I will. It would probably draw more questions if I didn't go." Enough people have seen her that it would likely be worse to try to hide her away.

"Then we should figure out what you'll be doing here, besides keeping my brother on his toes." Thor said as he came through the door. "I will make it known you are our guest and under our protection." Taking his seat.

"Not that we expect anyone to try and harm you. So far we're confining this all to Norway, but there will be reports eventually." Brunhilde said, addressing Christine. "Not to mention I've seen the news and am aware that we're a rather complicated subject in world affairs currently."

Now that they were all there though, there was no real protocol to who ate or drank first. Mead and water were both provided, and the meal itself was simple but plenty. Spiced meats with seasonal veggies and tubers, a hearty bread. Nothing fancy, but all delicious.

"I am happy to be off assistance medically. I know our physiology is different to some degree but a lot of the basics will likely still apply." She can't help but to try to be of use. It's why she's not great at vacations, she always feels like she could do more.

"You all did arrive rather dramatically, and humans are still overall a bit wary about those from other worlds."

Christine does have a unique view at this table about it, especially coming from New York.

"We're very aware." Thor said, almost as dryly as Loki would have.

"I have discussed with Dr. Palmer the idea that she might be here to help consult medically in integrating our people. Acclimating them to Earth, and figuring out how we could assist as well." Loki said. "It would explain her presence here nicely, explain that she is our guest without a formal proclamation of protection needed, and be welcomed. As for why her, and not necessarily someone straight-away from our host nation--she's from New York City. Which regularly deals with trouble from those with enhanced abilities and natures."

"That's not a bad idea." Brunehilde said after a moment of thought. "I know Ingrid has been trying to keep track of who among us has healing skills, and wanted to talk to those among the Midgardians too."

She didn't expect the dry reply from Thor and she almost feels a bit bad about it.

In the long term it wouldn't hurt to have Asgardian healers and human doctors who are versed in both.

Her mind reaches out to Loki.

you're so much better at this than I am.

At navigating all these details and personalities.

"And how long are you expecting to be with us, Doctor?" Thor asked, good humor not hampered too much. "What arrangements would we need to make, that we haven't already? I can also reach out to find further contacts, so that you are just the first of many I hope."

That would also take some of the spotlight off of her.

I've had to learn, Sweetling. It's part of who I am. Reassurance and amusement in the overtones of his mental voice.

"Starting with the trade of medical care will also help put us in several nation's good graces as well as support the idea that we are not an invading force." Loki added to the general conversation.

"For the week. I don't think I'm in need of anything besides clothes."

She's always been good at getting by with the minimum. She let's that reassurance wash over her. She's fine at groups and fancy events when it's for work, this feels different.

Of course this was different; it was family and friends, so to speak.

"We'll provide for you what we can. We are lucky in that we haven't been too taxing on resources, beyond the suddenness, for our neighbors yet. My people also are curious and not afraid to help and work hard, which has eased relations too." It hadn't been easy, but it also hadn't been as difficult as it could be. The Statesman did have some resources too.

"What can we offer you in return, Dr. Palmer? Besides our hospitality." Heimdall asked gently. "And our friendship, though you have that already."

What do you want to do while here, Sweetling? Besides me, that is. Loki clarified for her.

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Yay work meeting, sorry for the delay.

no worries

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