The Wheel Turns, The Sun Rises

[pirateangelbaby]

[OOC: Follows this prose. Posted early for ease of slowtags, but takes place in the spring. If you can't tag into this for a few weeks but still want to, feel free to tag late, I don't mind. <3 ]


Winter is slow to leave the shores of Norway, but here in the Nexus, the turning of the season is far more apparent. Snow has given way to mud and damp, squishy grass, bright green buds blossom on trees and bushes, and birds sing in the trees.

A less melodious pair of voices squawk from the crook of Thor's elbow. The god of thunder is seated on one of the park benches that overlooks a running path, the sunlight shining off his loosely braided hair, gathered at the nape of his neck. He is still dressed against a chill in a soft woolen sweater, but his attention is less on the cloudless weather than he is on the little creatures he holds. Anyone who comes close enough might be able to catch a glimpse of baby birds just beginning to grow their first plumage, ugly and wide-mouthed as they beg for bits of food.

As eager as they are to gobble up the smallest scraps of meat he's feeding them, Thor is rather glad that his prosthetic fingers do not feel any pain of those little sharp beaks jabbing at him. There's a fondness in his eye as he gazes down at them, but he's troubled also, a quiet thoughtfulness that doesn't leave when he looks up. "How important do you think names are? What power do they actually hold?"

Comments

[hybriddino]

Hello, Thor!

The Prince has thought a bit about names himself, ever since he was given one by his mother. So Thor's question resonates with the dinosaur as he lumbers forward on all fours. Thor is his friend, so he offers the Asgardian the side of his neck to stroke. He can tell something's going on, though he doesn't know what.

But he can answer the question Thor asked well enough, from the perspective of somebody who didn't always have a name. He spent most of his life without one. He knows how precious a name can be.

Names help you identify yourself in the world. Who you are. They help you feel unique. He's unique any way he slices it, as the only Indoraptor in the world, but a name gave him a sense of self. He feels more like a person and less like a weapon. I am the Prince, because I am the son of the White Queen and Blue's beta in the Wilds. So I'm what's called a Prince.

[pirateangelbaby]

Thor offers his large scaly friend a smile, and hastens to make sure the tidbit of meat pinched in his fingers makes it into one of the birds' mouths before he reaches up to scratch at the gold stripe that runs the length of the Indoraptor's neck. The chick that did not get the last bite caw-caw-caws up at him though, clearly put out that the food has stopped coming. "Greedy," Thor mutters, and gives his friend a hearty pat before he grabs another pinch of meat from the bag sitting next to him on the bench.

"So you find your pride in your name linking you to your ancestors, then?" Not an alien concept to Thor, not in the slightest. "My people do too. We're given our own names, but also the names of our fathers, or sometimes our mothers."

[welcomingembrace]

It is well known that Death becomes a presence in everyone's life, when it is time for them to walk another path with her by their side. She is there for every passing. Every ending.

But she is also there for every new beginning. For every birth.

So the baby birds are what brings her closer. Death recognizes the power of the God of Thunder easily enough. But does not react in any obvious way. It is a feeling of the rain. Of hearing drip drips on her umbrella. Of the soothing sounds of thunder.

"Names are very important." She answers the question once she gets close enough. Today, Death is emulating just a normal girl. Who wears a lot of black. There is no sense of power or strength about her. "I believe they have a lot of power. It is an identity. A calling card. A way of letting the world know who you are."

[pirateangelbaby]

Thor has never been terribly good at sensing subtler magics, not as a seidrmadr or völva would anyway. Her presence is well-masked to him, seeing her only as a stranger, someone presumably far younger than he. "Yet most are named before their parents have come to know how their children might grow," he muses, silencing the begging caws for more food with an offer of more meat, gobbled up by greedy little beaks. "Do the children grow into those names because of that, do you think?"

[skeksisheretic]

"That's a good question. Hmm...what's in a name?"

skekGra the Heretic enjoys the spring weather far more than winter, and he's taken to wandering the green places. It's a pleasant change from living in a desert, he thinks. He hears the birds chirp, and his beak turns into a toothy smile. Life's returning to the Nexus with spring.

"A great deal of power, I think. Names tell you who you are, where you came from, who you want to be - or who you don't want to be. They carry history. Memories."

Skeksis have two names, and neither one is really their own. The first name represents their divided selves - skekGra's name comes from his urSkek whole, GraGoh. The other name is the task they were each assigned by the Skeksis Emperor. skekGra was the Conqueror until he was declared Heretic, and he's happier to be a Heretic anyway. It's no longer what he wants to be.

[pirateangelbaby]

"Who you don't want to be?" Thor echoes, raising his eyebrows. He's never heard that one before.

The rest he understands well enough. Humans muddle their ancestries with a single clan name, making it difficult to tell siblings and ancestors apart, but Asgardians derive their family names from their parents, a traceable lineage as long as those names are remembered.

Ironic subject is ironic.

[mrhix]

Life spread about him and even as single minded as Jason was and despite his current apathy not even he could deny the presence of a being as powerful as Thor.

His march through the park ways had led him to disturb a few people. Each footfall splashing mud up onto his old and worn boots.

As he approached Thor from the bushes of the park he could be easily seen across the field from the god of thunder.

His machete gleamed in the bright daylight, it had killed demons and mortals alike.
Jason did not know what Thor was or even if he was up to the task but he felt the sins of the mans past and now, perhaps revitalized by the coming spring in some way, he felt renewed at the prospect of killing such a thing as this one.

[rogueinladysclothing]

The kind of fondness Thor shows for the baby birds in his arm brings a warm smile to Amelia's face as she spots her friend. She sees that he's troubled as well, but with Spring soon approaching and her own fears, worries, and doubts lingering in her mind, she doesn't want to bring to someone who's been so kind and comforting to her over the past year.

"They give a person confidence, help shape who they become," she offers as she takes a seat next to him. There's still plenty of space between them to allow the birds the room they require, but they know each other well enough now to allow the rogue to sit fairly close. "They're often given with love and in the hope that someone grows into a strong, capable person who can handle anything they come up against."

It's obvious Amelia thinks names are important, but she does offer a caveat after a few moments of silence. "Names are changeable, though, and if one simply isn't right for a person, they should have the freedom to take one that's better for them."

[pirateangelbaby]

Seeing a familiar face is definitely welcome, and Thor waves to her as soon as he sees her, more than comfortable with her presence on the bench at his side. Her answer is no less than he'd expected, thoughtful broad strokes that says she's probably thought about this herself more than once.

The second part has him raising his eyebrows, though. "I've never thought about that. Not that I disagree or anything." Changing names... he's heard of adding names, or at least titles, but abandoning a name entirely? Now that is a strange thought.

[delphicbooksandbaubles]

Aal slightly closes her eyes and takes in a deep breath..Yes, spring was oft a long time coming in certain places it could be a joy or..mmh troublesome when the frist signs of it appeared..But worth it.


Then her ears and nose perks up as she sniffs a little. Something familiar caught her attention as she did her usual scanning of the area as she went about her business and or (unofficial) patrol/walk. Well, she supposed even here a voluntary K-9 officer and ol' Healer was good for something aye? She half wryly thinks as she pads in the direction. Aww..wee birdies..and one of her fave Asgardians. She smiles and then grins as she recognizes the sounds and the shape etc of the other.

"Oh Ello there. " She murmurs warmly in greeting her eyes twinkling before tilting her head in thought and rubs her chin. Before reaching in her back for possible snacks..Right something they could easily swallow..whole..if she recalled correctly. "Well, names do have power in certain realms..weither literally or..methoricaly. " She gently replies.."So..I suppose..it depends..but what we call beings and or treat them especially can affect them all there lives..weither..well proper names..or ya know..not the nice kinds." She gently reminds.

And then asks, "ah..they prefer meat aye?" She asks making sure..she knew some had to be fed with droppers sometimes though. She was typically dealing with older kinds of birds these days though she had nursed the odd wing and such.

[pirateangelbaby]

The chicks don't seem to care much what kind of food comes their way, ready and eager to gulp any and everything down with the ravenous hunger that most babies seem to possess, mouths open wide and caw-cawing in demand for more.

"They'll eat just about anything," Thor answers, nodding a little in greeting, though his hands are too occupied to wave. "Meat, cheese, bread... berries aren't in season but they'll eat those too."

He wouldn't know for sure, of course, except that he's quite familiar with the dietary habits of Asgardian ravens.

Thor does not need to ask what kind of shadow a name might cast over the course of someone's life. Just the name of one's father is influence enough, or the absence of such in a community where lineage matters so dearly. "It's a decision that carries a great deal of weight, then."

[eumenis]

"Names are as powerful and important as the person who holds the name believes they are," Furiosa says, and sits next to him, studying the baby birds with an unusually soft smile. "Or maybe, as powerful as the person who gives the name believes it is."

"Are those crows?" She asks, because ravens are not common in the Wasteland, but after a beat she makes a soft noise in her throat as she makes the mental connection. "Ravens. Of course."

[pirateangelbaby]

Troubled though he is, his smile for her is a real one, glad to see a friend. "Or a combination of both, perhaps?" It's easy to see how one might have grown from the other, in time.

He shifts a little so she can see the chicks better, though much of what she'll is their open mouths. Thor is about to correct her when she comes to that conclusion on her own, and nods, a little pleased that her people still remember this part of their myths and legends as well. "Yes. Like the ones my father had." With someone else, he might keep his concerns to himself, or at least wait to ease into the subject. But Furiosa is a practical soul who appreciates getting to the point, without the soft, meandering niceties of many other humans he's met, and many Asgardians for that matter. "They might be the same ones. I'm... not really sure."

[debonairsharpshooter]

Misfire's not too sure he's a fan of this whole 'Spring' business. Everything's just... damp and soft. And muddy. Which is why today he's chosen not to stroll around town in his robot mode and use a holographic avatar instead! Actually he should use the holoav more often anyways. More convenient when interacting with tinies.

"Names?" he had been looking grouchy but his avatar's eyes light up at the question, "I LOVE names! Well words in general especially long strings of them but names are pretty neat. Names names names... I mean they're pretty important I suppose. Can let you know something about a bloke. Unless his name is John. What does THAT even mean? It's dumb I tell you."

He's on a fricking ROLL now. It might be evident that he doesn't need to breathe given that he hasn't paused in his tirade yet. Hopefully Thor doesn't regret his choice in asking that question around the pink haired idiot who is actually weirdly passionate about words.

"Power though, I don't know mate, no matter what meaning or sentimentality you attach to a name in the end it's just a string of sounds you use to identify an individual so we're not all calling each other 'Hey You!' Would get confusing real fast, ya?" He nods sagely and just CONTINUES, "Though I suppose there was that time I told that guy he was an Aft-sniffing Garbage Gremlin..." he chuckles and sighs fondly at the memory, "He was so mad... guess a name like that has some power."

[pirateangelbaby]

When Thor sees the newcomer out of the corner of his eye, for a very brief moment he wonders if it's Harley, the bright pink catching his attention first and foremost. But even before he gets a look at the man's face, he starts speaking, and it's very clear that this is not Harley, nor anyone else he knows.

Well, that is fine. Thor has met many people here, and found friends he would never have expected.

Although usually they let him get a word in.

His eyebrows slowly climb as the man rambles on and on, interrupted only by the begging caws of the raven chicks held in his arm. "An aft-sniffing...?" Now that's a euphemism he's never heard before.

[lanceofwar]

Abigor came down here often when duties were done just to wander in the park, usually off the path. Just off duty they are dressed like a human; tight black jeans, t-shirt, and a bright red leather jacket. That is where they human ends black furry bat wings bob as they walk, silver lance strapped at an odd angle between them. The leather straps and red silken streamer on it flopping and fluttering behind.

They were just going to walk by but the man on the bench with size and tending to baby birds gives the angel pause. It's like seeing some alternative, scruffier version of their own lord, and here that could be the reality of the situation. Not only did the appearance pull the angel to a stop a few paces away, so did the questions.

"Doesn't that depend on the people giving and receiving the name?" Abigor counters. "For mine names are incredibly important, and we have many that hold different power and sway."

[pirateangelbaby]

"That's the question, isn't it?" Thor asks, arching his eyebrows at the stranger. "Is it the name that matters, or the intent?"

He, too, is a bearer of many names, though many have been forgotten by most in the centuries since the gods walked among the ancient Norsemen. That doesn't bother Thor so much. He's not the same arrogant youth he was back in those days, nor even just a decade ago.

He didn't used to be this introspective, for one. But now that he has to make decisions of such import, and having spent months with little but his own thoughts for company, that's changed too. Naming the newest two refugees of Asgard might seem like a minor thing, but... no insignificant thing ever came of a vision.

[chiron_survivor]

Adia has not seen Thor since he came to the Nexus to deliver the news about his fallen friends, and she's relieved that this time his visit is for a much more optimistic occasion. She smiles when she sees him, then lets out a soft 'oh!' when she spots the baby birds squawking for food in the crook of his elbow.

"Hi, Thor. Who are these two babies?" Birds do not produce the cutest babies, but Adia is melting at the sight anyway.

She thinks over his question while she takes a seat next to him on the park bench, slipping the strap of her messenger bag over her head. "Names certainly mean a lot to the person giving out the name. I know I've always given a lot of thought into naming anything. I don't know how much power names hold once they're given, though." She pauses a moment, then adds wryly, "Although my name means 'Gods' gift', so maybe they do after all."

[pirateangelbaby]

It's certainly been quite some time since Thor has seen a lot of his friends. Troubled though his thoughts may be, however, he can be glad that he's here without such grave news to give this time. The winter has been more kind to him than most of the last year, despite his losses and struggles along the way.

He smiles at her in welcome. That question, of course, is a complicated one to answer, and he muses over it for a few moments. "They're my... companions, I suppose. Or they will be, once they've grown." Right now they're still very small, of course, and taking little notice of anything but incoming morsels of food.

Thor's eyebrows go up a little when she mentions the meaning of her own name, another smile touching his lips. "It's hard telling, isn't it? My own means 'thunder.' But I have no idea if my mother divined that should be my fate, or if I'm the god of thunder because my name is Thor." It's not something he'd thought about overly much before, of course, but as if often the case, he's had plenty of time to ponder new ideas in the last year or so. "How do you choose a name to give, then?"

[spacetaser]

Katiri had been enjoying the weather, strolling along the paths of the park when she spotted Thor sitting on a bench. Wearing her Optimacy Regalia (sans the helmet) rather than heavier Winter robes, she approached the god of thunder, who appeared to be feeding a group of tiny baby birds.

"Hello, Thor, how have you been?" The Guardian smiled coming to a stop next to the bench. She hadn't seen him since she had first met him in the plaza, after he had returned weary from a large battle.

Luce floated up by her shoulder, in his regular pointy shell in metallic hues of violet and blue. "Hi!" The Ghost greeted cheerfully. "Lovely day isn't it?" He drifted closer, curiously watching the baby birds.

"Interesting question. I would say names come in handy as an identifier. In my case, if I'm in a group and I hear someone call 'Guardian', it can be confusing on who the caller is trying to address since most likely, we're all Guardians." She chuckled.

"Are you trying to figure out names for the birds?" Luce asked curiously, watching the little creatures. Katiri looked at her companion, someone doubting that. There seemed to be a feel of something heavier under the question, but she wasn't sure what.

[pirateangelbaby]

How he's been is complicated, a mixed bag to be sure, so he just offers a small smile of greeting instead. "Uh, hello... Katiri, right?" It had been one hell of a day when they'd first met, so he certainly hopes he has the name right.

Speaking of names, her answer is well in line with what he'd expected from most. Not everyone attaches a deeper meaning to the word chosen to identify themselves, or acknowledges the meaning that might already be there. Thor himself may not have spent much time reflecting on his own during his youth, but he'd never been unaware of what it had meant, either. "Did you choose your own, or was it given to you?" he asks, curious. The Guardians are a special case, he knows.

He nods, looking down at the disgruntled little baby birds. "Yes, that's right. They're Asgardian ravens, like my father had. The names they're given could last centuries, so they should be good ones."

[magpiemythos]

"Names can be very important." Hello there Thor and...

Oh, what've you got there bro, let this magpie just flutter right onto your shoulder to shove his beak in to see-

Ew, it's the ravens. But tiny baby versions! Loki lifts his head as if somewhat affronted by their existence, feathers fluffing out as he peers sidelong down at them. They must be why he was feeling more magpie today.

"Especially for creatures such as us. Or the bald little loudmouths you've got there."

[pirateangelbaby]

It's not the Loki that Thor is most worried for at the moment, but it's been quite some time since their paths have crossed, and Thor's heart gladdens at the sound of his brother's voice. Not so much to see him in his magpie form, but he's talking and knows who he is, so it's already a better situation than the last time this happened. "Loki! It's so good to see you."

Thor smiles at him, a little bemused to see the elder bird puff up as if these little creatures might be a threat. "Exactly. I can't just name them anything, can I?"

[legendary_titan]

Saint had been strolling through the park, content to enjoy the early Spring weather and the nice day. He would have done the same in the Last City when he had the time. One of his favorite past times was wandering the parks and streets, interacting with the people there and seeing the smiles of the children.

The large armored Titan had a leather pouch clipped to his belt that contained birdseed. He was hard to miss as he held out his hand with some of the seed in his palm; rumbling a chuckle as a chickadee or other bird landed on his fingers to eat. Sometimes, if he was lucky, he would even be rewarded with a squirrel eating in his hand too. Of course he was always happy to be standing in a clearing surrounded by cooing pigeons - holding out both hands with birdseed for them to perch on. He always stood with a gentle patience and stillness that was rare to see in other Titans.

Of course, as a Guardian he was armed. The main visible weapon on his person was the gigantic shotgun clipped to his back: the Perfect Paradox that had been given to him by the Guardian who had saved his life. He wasn't normally seen without the weapon. However, drawing it was the last thing on his mind at the moment. For now, he was enjoying the small bit of peace; a peace that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

He was wandering down a path when he spotted the blonde man sitting on a park bench, who appeared to be occupied with something in the crook of his arm. The Exo neared just in time to hear his question.

"Hm..." He came to a stop, thinking a moment. "Names can elicit many things. Emotions. Actions and so on. I think it is the one with the name that gives it the 'power', rather than the name itself."

[pirateangelbaby]

Thor looks up, the raven chicks crying for the lack of food despite it being mere moments since he last gave them a morsel. They're still more mouth and stomach than anything else, young and needy and not afraid to let everyone know they're still hungry.

He doesn't recognize the stranger, nor his armor, since Guardian fashion seems to vary a lot depending on the person. But he seems friendly enough, and Thor responds in kind, despite his own personal turmoil at the moment. "You're speaking of matters of fame?" It's not an unfamiliar thing to a god, of course.