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[The whole thing's fishy. Stinks of it. And obviously, that means something's up, right? He can't be the only fucker suspicious of an old man dying in the woods. Which, yeah, probably happens sometimes. Maybe that's all it is.

No issue poking his nose into it, then. He'll leave a few flowers, wish the poor bastard a good afterlife, and be out of there.

If that's all it is.

He's got his new sword strapped to his back (and yes, he gave her a kiss when Wanda offered her), humming to himself as he's on his way out towards the woods. Thor's there, doing his -- his big, sweaty, handsome guy thing -- and Nero considers.

Look. He works alone. He doesn't need backup. But it'd be kind of funny to waste his time, too.] Hey, Wonder Boy. You busy? Joke's on you, I know you're not. Wanna come check out some cult shit?

[It's likely what it's gonna be. Cult shit, or boring. Either/or.]

It's Wonder God. [ Thor shoots back dryly.

He walks over to grab his tunic from where he'd tossed it over a fence post. If Nero is hoping he's going to get dressed, he's out of luck - Thor mostly just uses it to mop at the back of his neck. Working in the field isn't difficult, but it does get uncomfortably warm after a few hours.

It is also, as Nero has already surmised, tediously boring.

He could have suggested that they go tip cows for a while and at this point, Thor would have agreed. Still, seeing Nero kitted out with a weapon and asking for company - even in his annoying Nero way - isn't something Thor takes lightly. ]

Yes, let us go check out the cult shit. [ He claps Nero on the shoulder, perhaps a little rough, but no more so than he might be with someone like Steve. He has no idea what this is about but he's game anyway. ] What would I do with myself if you were lost to the woods and I finally knew peace?

[Nero moves on as if he didn't hear the correction, 'cause he totally didn't. And there's not a chance he's gonna acknowledge this god thing, unless Thor does something really cool, which he won't.

Look at him. Walking around like he's on an ad for Sprite during a heatwave.

Nero doesn't flinch at the clap, but he does roll his eye. Don't worry, Thor, he's shoving you in the first sacrificial pit they find.]

Yeah, you'll never know, 'cause I'm never letting you have it. It's just hell, forever. [Nailed it!!] There's giant boars and shit out there. You might wanna bring something with you. [Since this guy is just gonna. Walk around. Like that. Nero nudges his shoulder, pointing out the sword. Since it's hard to miss.] Some stupid god weapon? What do you use, a hoe? Giant fork?

[Yeah, he knows they're called tridents.]

[ Thor rolls his eye as if he's terribly put upon by the idea of Nero sticking around.
For Nero, this grousing about weapons is practically fussing - Thor has to wonder what it is about this cult activity that has him so worked up. He hasn't noticed any dire turns of events. ]

Well, I had a magic hammer that I shared a special bond with, but my evil sister shattered it in front of me... you know how it is. Nothing lasts forever. [ He's not tearing up a little. He's fine, it's fine. It's not like he misses it every single day and dreams about holding it again and has it with him in the Horizon. That would be weird.

Nero has a point about the weapons though. When he nudges his shoulder, Thor nods and takes a couple of steps away. Where the sky had been clear and blue before, it darkens with storm clouds in an instant, just over Thor and Nero and the farm. Thor holds up his hand. In a flash of lighting, he's dressed in his black armor, a red cape billowing down from his shoulders. A few errant sparks scatter across his armor and the grass beneath him is scorched, but none of it will harm Nero, even up close.

The clouds remain, bringing a gentle rain down upon the farm - and also Nero, wherever he goes. Right beside him, Thor remains completely dry. ]

So, new sword. From Wanda, I presume? Does it have a name?

[Unfortunately, the answer to that is as simple as "past experiences."]

Your -- wait, what --

[Okay, first of all, he is debating asking what could be special about a hammer to the idea that he could bond with it in the first place, but then. Pauses. Doesn't really consider the idea that, hey, he hounded Wanda with demonstrations and blueprints to create the Red Queen, not just any sword --

Anyway --]

Uh. Sorry your sister is... evil? Sounds like it sucks. [Actually, now he's looking at Thor, he's pretty sure he's getting mopey over the hammer, not the sister.

Hah. Oh, wait. Evil dad. Fuck.

He is not making parallels with Thor. Like. Look at him! He's. He's a caricature. Of something. Something really stupid.

Look at him, even being stupid. Showing off his stupid lightning and shit. What, does he think someone's filming this right now? Nero's not impressed. At all.] You know, last time I saw somethin' like that, it was giant, evil armor encapsulating a lighting-wielding lady. Way more badass than you, though. [He sniffs. Cavalire Angelo was a hell of a guy... lady... armor. Thing. Whatever. Trish had seemed cool, even if Nero was still confused as hell about the Gloria thing.

What is it with blonds and lightning, anyway?]

Well, yeah, I didn't pull it out of my ass. [He does not care that Thor, for whatever fucking crazy reason, can make armor (and a cape???) out of lightning. Some people just do weird shit. It's fine. It's lame.] Red Queen. [He reaches back, giving her a pat on the hilt, just above his shoulder.] Made her myself. So be nice, or I'm gonna insult your broken hammer. Speakin' of -- why don't you ask Wanda for one?

[Why did he ask? He steels himself for the "it's not the same" speech -- the same one he'd make about Red Queen if he was asked. There are no parallels here! None!

And why the fuck is he getting rained on? Nero glares at the clouds, reaching up like he's gonna shoo them off.] Hey, fuck off. We're doing some real shit here.

Edited 2022-08-01 06:40 (UTC)

[ Sounds like it sucks. Thor nods, more weary than anything. It's difficult to find grief for someone he never knew beyond her worst moments, someone who had caused nothing but pain and destruction her whole life -- someone whose mad reign he had benefited from.

All of it, as Nero says, sucks.

Thor raises his hand and slowly squeezes it into a fist. In response, the cloud hanging over Nero wrings itself out, attempting to drench him in water, then disappears. That's what he gets for even implying that he would be mean about Mjolnir. ] I would never insult a fine weapon, only the hand that wields it. Red Queen looks like a special sword so I'm sure you understand... Mjolnir was special, too. A copy just isn't the same.

[ And in truth, he shouldn't need it. He can control his power without it. But a a part of him misses the weight of its company, the assurance that as long as it came to his hand, he was still worthy.

Thor starts toward the forest, though he has no idea where Nero is actually planning to lead them. He figures Nero will just assert himself if he starts going the wrong way. ] What about you? Do you have any family back home? Or is it just you and the sword ogling the cool lightning lady with the evil armor?

[Nero gives a level glare to Thor -- he's clearly the one making it rain, and even if that's weird as shit, it's hardly the weirdest thing Nero's ever seen -- but it's just rain, and he's just wet, so who cares.

Let him have his fun. He makes sure to shake his leg fast enough it splashes back on Thor, anyway.

(Maybe, for a second, he got a glimpse of that real grief. The grief that comes with having an evil family member.

God. That sounds stupid.)

Nero turns his back on him, heading towards the forest. He shrugs a single shoulder.] Maybe I get it.

[Red Queen's been with him his whole career. He knew her grooves, the roar of her systems, the burn of her fire. The nicks and gouges where she got caught on demonic horns, or bones, or the occasional scythe.

Nero gives a sigh, a shake of his head, as they step into the shade of the trees. It's not the first time he's navigated through one, but he'd known those trees his whole life. Not that he's worried about getting lost; he's gonna bet Solvunn isn't exactly geared for air defense.]

This is really what you wanna talk about? Family? Man, I barely know you. [And, all right, he only knows Himeka and Wanda a bit better, but he didn't exactly ask to share his memories with them, either.] I didn't oogle, by the way. She'd have killed me, and I got a girl. [All right. Maybe he doesn't mind talking about Kyrie.] Back home. She's not here, far as I know.

[He shoves a branch out of his way, considering holding it back so it thwacks Thor in the head. Next time. When he doesn't see it coming.] I was on my way back home to her when they dragged my ass here.

Edited 2022-08-08 05:05 (UTC)

[ Maybe I get it, Nero says, and Thor watches his back as he turns away. In a strange way, he thinks that maybe Nero is one of the only people who really does understand. Maybe that's why the argue so much -- too much in common. Not that Thor would ever admit that aloud, least of all to Nero.

He lets Nero lead the way, content to fall into step beside him. He can't say he's glad to know that Nero is prickly about his family as well. Thor loved his family -- even Loki, even at his worst, and that was what had made it so painful in the end, to lose them one by one. To be betrayed by them. It isn't something he would wish on Nero who, as far as Thor can tell, is a good person despite his bad attitude.

But what does he know? Maybe Nero's family all love him and he just finds it embarrassing. ]

Wait wait... You have a girlfriend? A real one? [ As opposed to, you know, a sword.

Thor claps him on the shoulder, genuinely delighted. ] What is the lady's name? What is she like?

[Nero's glare, normally, could boil lava, but maybe it's just -- it's a fucking weak moment, bringing her up in the first place, and it's the first time anyone's asked about her. Nero wasn't exactly keeping her a secret, but they all had. Shit going on. And Wanda lost her robot-husband. He wasn't exactly thrilled with the idea of bringing up his current, still-living significant other.]

Of course she's real. [Nero pushes his hand off, but maybe it's more an accepting annoyance than real anger.

He really does want to talk about her. He misses her, and it's not... he doesn't know what to do with it. He missed her during the months he spent in Redgrave, too, and he'd been on the way to see her again, to see the kids --]

Kyrie. [Nero is completely ignoring this is definitely becoming a bonding moment, holding a branch just to spring it on Thor as he moves closer to try to thwack him in the face. The forest closes quickly around them, growing darker, only shards of sunlight making it through the canopy. Not as hot as the jungles in Fortuna, luckily. Even in the middle of summer. (This is probably summer, right?)]

She's... she's nice. I mean, everyone loves her. I don't know a single person who's ever hated her. You just can't. She'd probably apologize if you did. [And he means that. He can't imagine not liking Kyrie; what isn't to like?] Known her since we were young. Her family took me in. [He stops it there, thinking, when I didn't have anyone else. And that holds true now. They don't really have anyone else anymore. Not from their family.

Guess they built a new one, huh? (And now he has his own? He still doesn't fucking know what to do with it.)] She takes care of kids. I mean -- we both do, I guess. Lot of orphans where we're from. She used to sing, but... well, she sort of gave it up for them. She'd take care of every problem on the whole damn island if she could.

[It doesn't really matter it's here, in the forest, or it's Thor. Maybe he'd even spill to Wanda, though he bet she'd think he was making her up. It's just --

Shit. He really misses her. Even just being able to give her a call would be enough.]

[ Thor, following a step after Nero, immediately gets slapped in the face by a branch for his trouble.

He shoots Nero a scowl, but he's long come to understand that this is Nero's annoying way of expressing his feelings, especially the soft ones, of which he has plenty. It isn't the worst, Thor supposes, pulling a pine needle out of his beard.

His years of friendship with Tony Stark have worn down his defenses when it comes to this sort of thing, so Thor accepts that, somewhere along the line, friendship with Nero became an inevitability that even he couldn't fight against. They're bonding now. This is the endgame. He's processed all of the other stages of grief.

He feels a pang of empathy when Nero talks about Kyrie. With everything that's happened recently, he hasn't thought of it so much, but even so... He had never really stopped missing Jane, or wondering what could have been between them. He hears an echo of that in Nero's talk of Kyrie -- the love, the wonder at her, the longing to be home.

Perhaps a part of him is jealous, but even so -- he doesn't begrudge Nero this. ]

So where you are brash and irritating, she's lovely inside and out. I would say that I hope to meet her, but considering our circumstances... I hope that instead you are able to return home to her. I'm certain that she misses you, so she should have you back, and I can finally be rid of you. [ Thor gives him a light shove and keeps walking, pulling ahead. The forest around them seems to get thicker and darker with every step, but the sounds of wild birds are plentiful, as is the occasional rustle of small game scurrying away somewhere underfoot.

Still, this forest is old, and rich with magic, Thor suspects. Perhaps Nero is right about something strange happening out here.

Thor stops suddenly and holds out an arm to (hopefully) stop Nero. ] Do you know of anyone who lives out here?

[Aloy has been aware of people in her general vicinity for some time now--even without the focus, she's an adept tracker, which means that any out-of-the-ordinary sound (something that's not the usual noises of the forest, or the animals in it) gets her attention.

It doesn't take her long to find them, mostly because they're not doing a very good job of keeping stealthy. Despite the fact that she knows she has nothing to fear and should probably reveal herself sooner rather than later, she definitely eavesdrops on the latter part of the conversation. It's only when Thor seems to pick up on the fact that they're being watched does she push out of the bushes, bow on hand but not nocked or raised.]

Yeah, me. I do.

[Which, of course, begs the question of what these two are doing out here.]

[Haha. Nice. Unfortunately, he's way too somber by the time it comes for him to really enjoy the bit of face-slapping. Maybe next time.]

Brash and -- [He sighs, shaking his head.] Yeah, actually. Guess she'd agree with you there. [And he'd agree she was -- okay, he wouldn't use the word lovely, but. Something like it.

Nero gives Thor a look. Less like a dog about to bite.

Guess he's not a total asshole, huh? (Thor, not him.)]

I mean, this place has probably got some weirdos --

[He jumps a little when a face pops out from the forest. Not because he's surprised (only a little, all right?) or because he's threatened, but because for a second, all he's seeing is long red hair. Just like Kyrie's. His heart skips a beat. But only one.]

You're gonna give someone a heart attack, poppin' out like that. [Totally not him, though. He gives Thor's arm a pat, lowering it. Yeah, he stopped.] Hey, didn't I give you a brochure? The one that said not to fuck around in the woods?

[ That Nero doesn't protest his own description just goes to show how far gone he is for this woman. It is... sweet. For Nero. Thor thinks about teasing him a little, but for better or worse Aloy appears just then.

Thor blinks in surprise. He had expected to run into something or someone, but not her. He drops his arm when Nero pats it, recovering somewhat. ] I don't know, she seems to be doing alright for herself. Not even a little bit kidnapped by chicken houses.

[ Thor looks her over; even at a glance, it's easy to see that what she carries has been scavenged or made by hand. ] Do you live out here by yourself, Aloy?

[Aloy is used to being called much worse things than "weirdo"--though she's more revered than not, nowadays, she finds the relative anonymity of Solvunn to be slightly freeing. She might like it better if being here didn't mean being removed from everything she needs to do back home. In that sense, living out in the woods is preferable.

At the mention of the brochure, she rolls her eyes.]

I can take care of myself, thanks.

[Luckily, Thor seems to agree with that, to the point where she does not bother to affirm that she lives out here alone. As far as she's concerned, she finds her living situation to be nobody else's business.]

If the woods are so dangerous, what are you two doing out here?

Man, you don't know! [That's about the kidnapping. Maybe she escaped? To be fair, he only knows about the chicken house because of Himeka, and he's at least 80% sure she wasn't fucking with him.

He looks between them.]

Oh, yeah, of course you know each other. Cool, introductions out of the way -- you know, that's probably what the last guy who disappeared in these woods said.

[He has no idea if that's true.]

We're out here because neither of us give a fuck about listening to our own advice, and apparently we're not the only ones. [Nero shrugs a shoulder, giving a point of one finger to his back where his sword is. Look, I'm prepared.] I'm looking for -- something. Someone. A guy. [And here Thor came without even needing much of an explanation.] Guy from the main settlement. He went out with a group and didn't come back. Said he died out here, but, you know -- seems kinda fishy, huh? [And if she's living out here like some kind of off the grid yahoo, then --] You see anything a couple of days ago?

Edited 2022-08-25 08:17 (UTC)

[ Thor raises an eyebrow at Nero. Granted... it's true, he has no idea. Maybe she's out here fending off chicken houses every day.

She doesn't dignify his question with a response, but he takes it as a yes anyway. Thor folds his arms and lets Nero explain the gist of their little adventure. He's dressed for the occasion in his armor and cape but, Thor himself isn't carrying any weapons to speak of.

He seems to zone out a little bit while Nero speaks, his gaze cast toward the forest, but he picks up the thread of conversation near the end, turning back to Aloy. ]

Or before, or after that, really. If it is as we suspect, it may have triggered... disturbances, magical or otherwise.

[Well, the good news is that Aloy is an expert tracker. Sure, the loss of her Focus has been frustrating, but it's just a device--she has her own skills (and, perhaps, something she's recently picked up from the Horizon, though she isn't sure how effective it will be, if this man is long gone).

As for what she's seen in the last few days, she shakes her head.]

The forest is big. They didn't cross paths with me, but I might be able to help you look for a body.

[She's not optimistic, given the amount of time, but at the very least, maybe she can help put this mystery to rest.]

Where were they last seen? What direction were they heading?

I mean, no shit. But there's paths the people from the settlements take for the most part. All interconnected.

[Not hard to find out after a few stints in the woods looking for -- well, demons at first, but he's still swallowing the idea that maybe, just maybe, this place doesn't have them. Not out here in the woods, at least. Ghosts, maybe. But not what he's used to.]

It's down this path. It veers off a couple times, just gotta mostly stick to the bigger one. [He jerks his head towards one leading northeast, deeper into the woods.] I know the way. I've been past it before. I just wanna see what they left, if anything. Might not even be a body. [He shrugs. Body's not the worst thing he's seen, it's just... yeah. This whole thing is fishy.] Pretty thick back there, though. Might wanna bring your machete.

[Would be nice. He's tired of branches slapping him in the face. With that, he gives a tip of his head and heads off. She can come or not; doesn't seem like Aloy's gonna be a liability, at any rate, if she's livin' out here alone.]

[ closed ]

[end of july, prob. before the local family sacrifice]

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guess who forgot to set up notifs for the thread :)

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