Verse Six, Backdated to 4/26, [Video/Action]

[stopmjolnirtime]

[He has had to shift his usual schedule and means after his brother did see fit to move all the books from the Library to the school- taking up a post in the courtyard just out front to ensure that no Owl nor fox nor creature of magic saw fit to attempt to return those books to the Library. Tis a strange post to take, a strange stance in and of itself but this is something his brother chose to believe in. Something he chose to do that resulted in no bloodshed and it would be remiss of him not to support that in some way.

Besides. He had not cared much to find foxes in his home attempting to retrieve the texts on astrophysics any more than anyone else that suffered their attentions.

In stead of his usual walk around the village he kept his vigil in front, smiling kindly to those that would pass for education or to make use of the relocated library. As is his custom he lifts his hand to the air at least once in the morning and once in the afternoon, willing his hammer to him.

As of yet, there has been no effect.

He has become so accustomed to not feeling the resonance that answers his call that when he chooses to reach for it this morn, he is in the midst of speaking to the network.]

Good Morrow, citizens of Luceti!

I know well that all are aware of the current conflict regarding the contents of the Library. I would ask for those who would aid me in my vigil to stand with me. To aid me in guarding against those that would hoard books and prevent their free and fair distribution and enjoyment.

[There's...something in the air that he feels. Familiar but distant. For a moment he frowns, eyes going to the middle distance, hand yet outstretched. He blinks, the sensation passes, and he continues.]

As I am limited in where I might wander I have taken to reviewing basic techniques taught to me by the Einharjar and would be more than pleased to-

[That familiar sensation is back- and stronger than before. There's a rush of wind, a crack of thunder in an otherwise cloudless sky- and Mjolnir whistles through the air to land in Thor's waiting palm. So great the force of it's return and so ill prepared is he that though he does grasp the familiar grip of his hammer readily the momentum forces his hand, striking himself a glancing blow across the temple ere he slows the force. Tis but a bruise.

He is, for a moment, stunned.

Then he beams brightly into the journals.]

Mjolnir has returned to me! I require mead to celebrate!

[With that he sets the journal aside, closing it. And very, very carefully finding somewhere to sit and massage the bruise to his skull the impact caused.]

Comments

[selfhelp]

[Thor, you just made his day.]

Okay, I'll be right there! Don't leave until I get there!

[And he will be running.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

[As he is standing vigil, or rather sitting vigil, he has no intention of moving. When Billy arrives he is once again on his feet, hammer swinging on his belt as he walks. Slowly. He walks slowly.]

Young William!

[selfhelp]

[Billy's a big hard of breath - not a speedster, so not a speedster - so he takes a second to respond, though he's still grinning.]

Hah... hah... hey! Look at that- in the flesh! Er. Metal. Yeah. [HUFF.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

[He makes no mention of William's breathlessness- merely takes it as a sign of how eager he is to see something of which there have been legends so long as the Aesir have visited Midgard. With a bit of a flourish he pulls Mjolnir from his belt, holding it in his hand so Billy might have a better view.]

It is a fine weapon, is it not?

[selfhelp]

Oh geez, yes.

[Billy can't help but stare, leaning in to take in every inch of it, from strap to handle to glorious metal to every single rune and engraving on the surface. It looks so deceptively old and used, but he can feel the power of it, standing so close. God. The stuff of legend, and he's staring right at it.]

God. Oh my god. Can I- oh my god. Can I hold it?

[stopmjolnirtime]

I know not, Young William. Can you?

[He comes from another realm entirely- he is a good and just man as he has known him, patient and tolerant if excitable. Without any better way to test he flips Mjolnir in his hand and offers it to him, haft first.]

Perhaps you can.

[selfhelp]

[Oh god. Oh god. Thor is actually offering him Mjolnir. It's so tempting to accept and to take it, but he is about 99% certain that the hammer would drop like a stone and go right through the floor. Alternatively - and worse - his foot. So instead of accepting, he reaches out and just... touches it. Runs his fingers tentatively and briefly over the smooth, worn metal surface, grinning wildly, and steps back again, hands lifted.]

No, um... it's okay. I am most definitely not worthy. But thank you, really- it means a lot that that you'd let me.

[stopmjolnirtime]

[He has long sense set aside the notion that he might be the thing that judges a man worthy or not; Mjolnir's ability to choose exceeds his understanding in many ways. Better to see, to wonder, and to hope that even his young comrade may be considered worthy of this gift. That William is reluctant to take the haft? Speaks well of him.]

I have seen nothing that would deem you unworthy of it's power. [Spoken much like he would state the color of the grass or the sky. No grand gesture, simply a statement of fact as he slips Mjolnir back onto his belt.]

[selfhelp]

Well, there's more to me than meets the eye, and not all of it's good. But that's nice to hear, anyway.

[It's humbling, that this hero of his childhood might think him worthy of anything, nevermind holding his legendary weapon. Billy can count the people who've been able to carry it on one hand, people like Captain America, people who are just... good. He knows what he is, and while he's past the point of believing himself to be some kind of uncontrollable evil with too much power, 'good' is still a word he dances shyly away from.

Teddy could probably do it. But not him, not yet. And the rejection, if he tried, would hurt even if he expected it.

Looking is enough for him.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

There have been times when I, myself, have not been worthy.

[The longer he thought back on the lesson his Father attempted to teach by hurling him to Midgard, the more he wondered how long he had been so self absorbed, so brazen, so careless. So crude and unworthy of the power provided by Mjolnir.

There are times when he wonders if he is worthy still; it only serves to push him to be better. To be worthy.]

[selfhelp]

Man... that's hard to imagine. I grew up loving Norse mythology- you guys were always my heroes. I actually- oh man, this is embarrassing now, but- I kind of... modelled myself after you. When I first started the whole... super-hero-ing stuff.

[stopmjolnirtime]

Even the greatest of us is still but a man. We all have our darker moments. What makes us great is learning from them and pushing through them- or knowing well enough to seek aid when we are unable to manage it ourselves.

[Well that, that's more than a little flattering. Thor does not preen he simply...basks in that adoration.]

Truly?

[selfhelp]

Yeah, you can even ask Teddy. I still have the little headwings here.

[He gestures needlessly to his head, fingers poking upwards just above each ear.]

We were trying to get the attention of the real Avengers, and it seemed like a good idea at the time.

[stopmjolnirtime]

Were you successful in your endeavor?

[selfhelp]

Technically, yeah. Though not in the way we really wanted- they thought we were too young for this stuff, so they tried to shut us down.

['Try' being the key word.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

There is no one age that makes one worthy of being a warrior. But...wishing for those that are yet young to have an unburdened youth for a few years more? I can understand that desire well.

[selfhelp]

Oh, for sure. I'm positive they were just trying to protect us. But we were determined, and... in a way, we didn't have a choice. Someone was coming after a friend of ours, and we were fighting to protect him.

[stopmjolnirtime]

I can think of no better cause to take up the fight than in defense of one's comrade. You and your friends acted justly.

[selfhelp]

I guess we must've convinced Cap of the same thing, or at least something similar enough that he's not trying to shut us down anymore. We've got the Avengers seal of approval now.

[Or at least, they did until the SRA went live. But that's not a good thing to talk about here.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

Captain Rodgers is a wise man, no matter the world. I cannot imagine a realm where he would not have my full support, nor where he would take a foolish side.

[selfhelp]

Yeah... same here. It's always a relief to have him around.

[Even back home, with the SRA making everyone act a little crazy, Captain America always made him feel more protected than not.]

[stopmjolnirtime]

It is gratifying to know that there are some things that remain the same, world to world.

[selfhelp]

...What about you?

[It's out before he can stop himself, and he looks almost surprised by it. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.

Too late to take it back, though, so tentatively he expands on it.]

Do you think you'd be the same, in another universe?

[stopmjolnirtime]

I would hope that were I not the same that I might be better. A better warrior, a more patient prince, a kinder man. [ Not that he's any kind of slouch at the moment- but it never hurts to strive for more. ]

[selfhelp]

That's... a really nice way of thinking about it. If I ever meet him in person and end up back here, I'll be sure to let you know.

[Well, maybe. Tony never cared for the comparison, but if Thor's a good person in another universe - which Billy is certain he is - it would be good to know, right?]