The thoughts that pop up in Tony Stark's mind during the short five seconds ride across the cosmos go something like this: 'Alien abduction, baby!' follow by 'I want one of these!' and finally, 'Oh, shit! I'm actually going to another planet!'
As soon as his footing felt grounded and all the whooshing dissipate, Tony feels blindsided by what he saw and mutters with reverence to himself, "Sweet Tesla, goodbye New Mexico, hello Rivendell."
He landed in the middle of a large stone balcony overlooking part of an alien terrain with a waterfall flowing down into a delta towards the ocean. The midday sun is very bright yet gentle as the breeze that touch his skin. Two moons, one gibbous, the other full, loom above the palatial castle before him. The intricate wood carvings of the lintel, frames the presence of his host and her entourage. To say the scene before him was majestic and beautiful would not have done the surrounding justice.
This is it. The meet and greet. Howard should be proud of him for once if Tony can pull this off.
His inner Tolkien wants to fanboy over the nearest elf and give their pointy ears a tug. They are thinner then he'd seen and taller too. All present were feminine, waifish and fair skin in coloring. They look delicate to the touch. But Tony has seen footage of their warriors in training. They are fast and deadly creatures with inhuman strength.
He feels out of place with his SHIELD issued blue uniform compared to their earth tone dress robes. Fortunately, his decade long training kicked in and Tony barely stumbles over his rehearse script. With his right arm, he places a close fist over his heart and bows at the waist in greeting. Upon straightening, his host, a genteel handsome woman with a crown of gold ringlets framing her face, returns his greeting with a smile. She was more tanned and seem heartier than the others. As she speaks, her attendants dip their knees to curtsy and bow their heads in respect.
"Welcome to the Halls of Gimlé, home to the Ljosalfar, Prince Anthony Stark of Midgard. I am Frigga, your host for the evening."
Tony likes her immediately. Believe it or not, he's done his homework prior to coming here. Frigga, the Queen of Asgard and sister to Frey the ruler of Alfheim has just downplay her role and made his stay less formal.
"I thank you. It is a pleasure to meet you, your majesty." Then just to be cheeky, he hesitates a moment before he points towards the sky. "However, is there a possibility to do that again?"
Frigga remain compose despite her visible effort to stifle a smile. With a twinkle in her eye, she replies instead, "If you ask prettily enough, I am sure my son, Thor, will indulge you readily."
So, she made him blush. Tony hadn't expect that. He look sideways for a moment to collect himself then deflect, "Yes, well, will King Frey and Prince Thor be joining us?"
The Queen flash him a knowing smirk before she motion one of her attendants to gather his luggage then stretch out a hand for Tony to join her. Taking his cue, Tony moves to stand beside her and allow her soft footsteps to guide him while the rest of her entourage follows discretely behind despite their clear display of excitement. He knew he is being stared and gawked at, but suppose that he is as much a novelty to them as this whole experience is for him. Luckily, Tony Stark is used to being in the spotlight.
They pass through the wooden arch and into an enclosed courtyard with high grey flagstone walls. Framing the wide pathway towards a smaller archway that leads to separate part of the castle is a multitude of foreign flora and fauna. Tony knew for a fact that his science bro, Bruce, would give his left nut just to be here and examine these samples of astrobiological lifeforms. Not that Bruce hadn't tried approaching some of their more extraterrestrial dignitaries with such curiosity. Tony make a note to himself to collect some clippings for his pack mate later.
"Amongst ourselves, I grant you, no formalities please. We are soon to be family."
Her playful tone from earlier remain. Tony finds no difficulty following her lead. Steve would be so proud of him.
"Will do, ma'am."
Frigga gives him a measure look before she relents and mischief makes way back to her lips. Judging from the laugh lines on her face, Tony finds he doesn't mind the perpetual teasing. He only hopes that the Crown Prince has inherited similar traits.
"Come now, Anthony. We have barely converse and yet I see your eyes dancing every which way since you arrive. You must be convulsing with curiosity. You are both a scholar and warrior, are you not? However, I believe you are more interested in your surroundings then making a contingency plan."
Chagrin by her keen observation, Tony shrugs and reach up to scratch the back of his head.
"I feel like a kid in a toy store, not knowing what to see or touch first."
"Ah, you are very much like my other son, Loki, only he would not have such restraint as you do. Tis only through centuries of indulgence that he is jaded enough to pretend so."
Easily, Frigga recounts the exploits of her children as they traverse the eastern halls until they reach a set of large dark grain wooden doors that reach over ten feet tall.
"This will be your quarters for the remainder of your stay. Our tradition dictates that I, as your host, attend you to bathe away the weariness from your travels. I would be much oblige, however, I suspect that will only discomfort you. Should I send Thor?"
She pauses for confirmation and see Tony's cheeks bloom with healthy color once more. He's never heard of THAT protocol before.
"I thought so, it would be most inappropriate is it not? Well then, a bath awaits as well as a change of garments. Would a servant in attendance be sufficient?"
It wasn't like she was flirting with him, only teasing. He'll have to nip the coloring in the bud first thing. That is if he can find the off switch. Tony suspects he'll have a hard time finding it from now on if her son was anything like her.
Tony bites his lip to hold back a snicker before he replies cordially, "Thank you."
"You are most welcome."
Frigga then signals the servant behind her and like a well choreograph dance, the tall blonde elf glides her way to Tony's left side and curtsy while another servant hands her Tony's luggage as she train her eyes to the floor.
"Tanna will attend to your needs. The sun sets early here on Alfheim. She will escort you to join us at the dining hall when you are ready. We will see you then."
With the Queen's departure, Tanna walks around Tony and push the doors open. She then gestures for him to enter as she waits at the threshold. She is all business unlike a few of her fellow servants who seem to be itching with curiosity over the human. He should be grateful he suppose.
Barely making five steps into the room, Tony stops to take it all in. Wow. The room, a paltry use of the word, is naturally well lit from the wide opened balcony that spans one wall of the room and overlooks the ocean. Framing the view, hangs diaphanous silk curtains that drop to the floor. At the middle, a few feet from the railings, sat a green embroidered chaise. Tony can definitely imagine himself lounging the day away and enjoy the view. It feels like home in a way since he had the Malibu mansion newly built just for that purpose.
The rest of the room was equally beautiful to admire. The bed, if he would even call it that, looks very much like a scoop out wooden burrow piled on with fur and cream silk beddings. Situated on the opposite wall is a large wooden trunk. Tanna has already placed his belongings next to it. Besides the trunk and closer to the balcony is a vanity with an oval shape mirror and a matching wooden chair. On the other side of the trunk, a few feet away is a large slab of shale, oddly shape but well-polished, place over an egg shape stone base with two wooden chairs beside it. A carafe of water and a crystal glass tumbler sat atop it.
Tony is still admiring the foreign décor when Tanna addresses him.
"Prince Anthony, your bath is waiting in the adjoining chamber. I will be preparing your clothes if you should need me."
Tony feels pressure to bathe until he remembers the large blaring fact that a few of the dignitaries from other realms seem to have a keen sense of smell amongst other enhancements. The annual summit with most of the representatives from the nine realms and their neighboring allies consist of war plans and negotiations over resources. Any cultural exchange was largely accidental and reluctantly explained except for protocols. Furthermore, facts regarding who's who in the realms and their history were freely given, along with the assertion that interspecies bonding were sanction and encourage after the war. Steve had surmised it would most likely be up to Tony to act as emissary and make his own observations. Tony though, interpreted his marriage as the first of many for Earth-Realm relations.
Regardless, he must smell horrible or something for them to keep insisting he bathed. And perhaps it's just a weird custom they have. When in Rome, Tony supposed.
With a courtesy nod, Tony adjoins to the other room and greatly appreciates that he can close a door behind him for some privacy. Not surprising, the en suite bathroom is very much like the ones from Earth. He supposes there isn't much variation any humanoid beings can do for the same basic functions. A stone toilet with no seat cover is situated at the corner of the room. There is also no toilet paper. Upon a closer look though, Tony sees a spout squirting constant water upwards. Huh, a bidet. A few feet away from the toilet, is a round granite basin protruding from the wall with running water also flowing constantly. Ignoring that for now, the hot bath prepared is in a sunken round river stone tub with a decent size bath towel folded beside it. The hot bath looks inviting and large enough to fit two people.
Quick as it came, the thought of a still faceless Thor joining him was kick back to the gutter. Tony began to disrobe.
Squeaky cleaned and soften from the unscented bath oils, Tony now realize he has a problem. Clad in only a bath towel large enough to cover from his waist to mid-thigh only, he is all too aware of his defect. After all, the arc reactor is a shiny beacon. If he walks out dress in his uniform, he would probably offend them with his stench again. But if he walks out in only a towel, Tanna would see his glowing chest jewelry. Would the servant girl be horrified? Would she tell the royal family? Would the Alliance be called off? These thoughts aren't new, but still it doesn't erase the fact that he's self-conscious about it. Only a handful of people have seen it so far, not while he's half naked though. It's not like SHIELD wasn't informed.
Alrighty then: fake it 'til you make it.
Tony casually opens the door and waltz back into the room with only a quick glance at the waiting servant. Her eyes are downcast. Thank goodness. He sees the native clothes already laid out on the bed and move towards it. The garments seem simple enough. A light red silk, long sleeve tunic with a mandarin square collar embroidered with gold trimmings. To be worn beneath it is snug tan leather pants with matching lace-up hunting boots.
So he wears the tunic first. Thankfully, the length hits pass his crotch and a few inches above his knees. Tony quickly drops the towel on the floor before he pulls the pants up his legs. With the lacings done up, the pants sits low at his waist and showcase the V of his Apollo's belt. He felt indecent wearing that all on its own if not for the tunic covering it. Sitting on the bed, Tony slips on the boots and takes his time lacing them too. Upon finishing, he stands and takes a few steps to move around in his new garments. Surprisingly, they felt good, formfitting without feeling stifling.
Tony does a quick turn around by the vanity before he faces Tanna. Instead of her gaze downcast, she looks at him up and down with an appreciative eye. Not the admiring lustful kind, but more of a tailor appreciating her work.
"Prince Anthony, we will have most of your new clothes be ready for you in the chest by tomorrow eve. If you would follow me, King Frey is expecting you at the dining hall."
Hearing that, his stomach rumbles in approval. It reminds Tony that he only ate breakfast and had two shot of whiskey when the day started. There was nothing but butterflies since. Hoping that the noise wasn't heard by the servant, Tony chances another glance and sees a fleeting smile before she reverts back to her business self. Huh, very much like Pepper then. Deciding not to comment, Tony merely nods at her to lead the way.
As far as first impressions go, Thor is freaking huge. Not the overly done Mr. Universe huge or the overdose steroid huge, but through years of honing huge; equally proportioned and not a silly caricature version of a muscled man. He'd thought Captain America is well built but Thor got Steve beat by a few inches everywhere. Tony felt like a dwarf in comparison. And believe him, he'd seen the footage; the description is apt.
The Crown Prince is tall too; he's 6'4" of blond Viking beefcake. He even towers over the already tall elves. Not really what his years of wondering had imagine. He knew about the Viking mythology tie-in to Earth, the whole ancient astronaut theory proven, although, most of the stories were utter nonsense according to one dignitary. But he never imagined this. This is something Tony would have to get over soon though. His Betroth isn't unattractive per se. Thor is a warrior first and foremost despite the Prince wearing what Tony suppose are civilian clothes. Strong, masculine features well carved through training and living life to the fullest. An Alpha male if he ever saw one. Tony knew many typical Omegas would have swoon at the sight. Frankly, he doesn't feel anything like that though. Maybe he is broken.
They are gathered by the raise dais where a large rectangular table cover in a smorgasbord of food fit for a renaissance fair had been lay out. Below the dais, several long rows of tables are lined with elves of all shapes, sizes and colors. Some of the oddest ones are smaller in stature and resembled cats while a few are blue-skinned. Tony assumes they must be different races of elves just like humans and tries not to gawk. Rather, he tries not to gawk back.
Conversations and general merriment had stopped as soon as he appeared.
Tony repeats the fist-over-the-heart bow to the Royal family and remembers the protocol mention by one of the dignitaries. He waits to be acknowledged.
Queen Frigga gives him a nod to come forward and Tony makes the trip with some trepidation. The closer he got, the more intimidating Thor seem. Did he establish that his Betroth is huge?
"Brother, Thor, I would like to present to you, Prince Anthony Stark of Midgard."
Tony nods his head in deference to both, takes a deep breath, and finally makes eye contact. Thor is nervously smiling back at him and he suddenly has the feeling that this marriage thing would work out. He could do this.