Guys I'm baaaaaaaack with a new chapter! Did you miss me? :)
The first time Thor told them a story of his and Loki's adventures (mostly Loki. He was the smartest, not that he'd ever say that out loud, mind you.) he had to practically tie the others down to chairs. So it was more of a captive audience than a free of choice "story time" as the people of Earth called them. But if anything Thor's a persistent man. And he'll so just about anything to get his way, that includes tying his friends and allies to chairs. Or threatening them with his hammer. So eventually he does get them all to sit still and listen as he talks. Most look slightly pissed off (Thor was learning new Earth words.) and annoyed or scared and glanced at the metal hammer in his hand on more than one occasion.
Thor can't decide weather standing before this group of people, about to tell them small parts of him soul, is exhilarating or terrifying. He's going to make the logical choice and say both; or somewhere in between. He settles the hammer on the table and it lands with a satisfying thump. Thor decides it's time to stop stalling. After all he was the one that wanted them to listen first. To not judge Loki so fast. So he takes a deep breath and starts talking.
"When Loki and I were much younger, around nine hundred and twenty-three, I lost my hammer to the giant king, Thrym." he says. It's right about then that he gets his first interruption. It's from the one they call Doctor Banner, and he looks quite nervous. Glancing at the hammer on the table by Thor's hand in what he probably thinks is sneaky. (It's really not.)
"Nine hundreds? I'm sorry, but that just can't be true. Both you and Loki don't look any older than your mid-thirties. The oldest human lived one hundred and sixteen years, and just barely. There's simply no way you can be that old, Thor." he says.
Thor doesn't blame the man for being doubtful. He forgets that these are humans. Not Asgardians, and definitely not gods. They do not live five thousand or more years like Thor's people did. Were not nearly immortal beings. He wants to explain to the doctor how it works, but really even Thor doesn't know how it works himself. But Loki did. "I'm sorry, Doctor Banner. I do not know much of our aging process, only that it is much slower than mortals. Loki would know. If you wish you may speak to him about it."
That gets Banner weird looks of suspicion from the others and he promptly shuts up. Thor didn't mean to embarrass the man, he only said what was true. Banner looks anxious. Thor can see the small glint in his eye however that says he may just take Thor up on his word, and talk to Loki. He wants to smile. Loki may have company, for a small amount if time, but time non the less. He continues.
"I was so furious I destroyed my quarters. Ripping everything apart, even peeling the metal from the bed frames. I paced for hours. I did not know what to do. Turning to the Allfather was not an option. He would mock me and deny me my hammer's safe return. Odin is a cruel man and father. Thrym declared that he would only relinquish the hammer for the goddess Freyja's hand in marriage. I could not blame him, for she was beautiful. No goddess more so than the stunning Freyja.
"I eventually sought out the help of Loki, and he came up with a plan. To have me pose as the goddess and he himself as a hand maiden. Together we would enter the castle and retrieve the hammer. I threw myself into the guise, so desperate to get my hammer back I would do anything. Loki merely summoned a spell to twist his looks, while I dawned a wedding gown and veil to hide my face."
Clint was the second interruption, "You wore and actual wedding dress?"
Thor tilted his head. "Yes. Do men here not?"
Clint shook his head with eyes wide, and motioned for Thor to continue. So he did.
"I almost would have ruined all of my brothers hard work, with all the food and mead I consumed. But Loki's silver tongue saved us. He said I had not eaten in a weak, struck by nerves. Thrym believed him and called for the hammer to be presented. He waned to waste no time in marrying the goddess he so desired as a prize."
He thought he heard the one called Widow mutter, "Disgusting." under her breath.
"At seeing my hammer in the giant's filthy hands I lost control. Ripping it from his mitts I slaughtered them all, starting with Thrym himself."
Thor finished his tale. And not one person spoke through the stunned silence.
