Scene #1203:

Owner	Pose
Harry Dresden	The place that Harry's picked out for the event is a secluded campsite in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin. About as far from civilization you can get in the upper Midwest. A thick blanket of snow has been cleared away from the campsite, and Harry's been busy this afternoon getting rocks together for an altar not far from where a roaring bonfire crackles and drives away the chilly damp wind. Not far away, a goat can be heard bleating a little bit.
Riva Banari	Riva's here! She brought some snacks with her in a basket that she's left near the blanket. She also almost decorated the goat but she settled for hugging the smelly, loud animal and patting it goodbye. She knows what's coming. That said, Riva folds her arms and looks over the bonfire, holding her hands out to keep warm. "Whoooooo! Did you do all this, Harry? You're crazy."
Lupita Auryon	When you're letting your dad do the hunting, you sometimes wind up in -really- weird places. No, -really-, weird. Like this world with all the -snow- crap all over the place. -Ugh-, snow. Didn't they get enough of that during Gristmas? Lupita grumbles to herself over the snow as she clings to the back of the giant-ass Wolf-Cougar-Sabertoothed thing she calls dad, as they walk slowly through the trees and snow of the national forest. AB is following.. his intuition? His nose? Who the feck knows with lusii, he seems to know where he's going and even a seven foot tall monstrocity like Lupita hates deep snow, so she's willing to let the lusus, who is as big as an earth elephant, do all the snow walking. Which means they eventually come some distance away from the campsite where a bonfire burns, and the alien wolf-beast pauses, sniffing at the air. It smells burning stuff.. and food.. And ... prey? No. -GOAT-. Shuddering, the wolf starts to turn away-- "OOH, Hey, look, there's a fire over there, let's go see!" And then siiighs. Oh, great. Well, he knew she'd have to run into a goat -some- day.. He whines at Lupita, trying to ask her if she's sure, but the Troll is already trying to slide off his back. "Fire -ALWAYS- means something cool dad. Maybe there's skulls!" The lusus winces, then siiiighs, and then follows after her, ready to start fighting for his charge. Because there's almost always fighting involved when Lupita thinks something is interesting.
Inga Freyjasdottir	It is a rather mad time of year to go camping most people would believe, but what does it matter to Inga? With a tent, a blazing fire, plentiful blankets and hot, mulled wine to drink? Those who gather should not even feel the chill if they come prepared and have some of the wine. It's strengthened with a good dose of brandy, sweet and spicy with cloves, cadamom, cinnamon and orange peels. The wine sits near the fire in a large pot with wooden ladle, steaming and ready to drink. Cups are provided nearby. The campsite is alight with the large fire built at the middle, a few other lanterns lit around the perimeter. Misteltoe and holly hang from the trees and on a string of lights accross the picnic table. A nearby everygreen tree has been decorated with oranges stuck with cloves, apples, strung popcorn and colorful ribbon. The picnic table is set with food; fruit, cakes, cookies, honey roasted nuts, rice pudding, roasted lamb and boar jerky. The main course has yet to be cooked. Or even killed for that matter. It is still day, but the light is waning quickly as Inga bustles around the campsite, preparing for company. Once everything is ready, she takes a seat and begins to sharpen her knife on a wetstone, looking thoughtful as the goat bleats nearby. Inga turns toward Riva, smiling softly. "He's been quite a help," she says, turning her smile on Harry. Inga is dressed to the nines. No modern clothing for her today. She wears her best linen shift and the red wool overdress, pinned at the shoulders with large silver brooches, a string of colorful amber beads strung between them. Over this she wears her fox fur lined cloak, keeping out any chill the wind brings.
Thor	Thor is ALSO here, having heard Inga was running something out here. Instead of his royal garb the Thunderer has opted to come dressed in mortal clothing, a heavy winter jacket covering him along with scarf and gloves. With the thunderer's arrival, he comes carrying some things. A staff is in one hand, and the other contains a bundled up package intended for Riva. Upon arrival, he bows his head to Inga and co. before he takes a seat with Riva, once he presents the staff to Inga. "Well met, wisewoman. I hope this gift is suitable for your needs." He says, handing the pole to her. He hears something arriving before suddenly WOLVES. He about faces, reaching into the coat for his hammer juuuust in case as the pack makes their approach, at least until he notices Lupita among them. Then, he goes from alert to just confused as all hell while he observes their arrival.
Finna	The campsite is host to more than perhaps were expected. While this place is far from the usual climate of an Arctic Fox, one has apparently come down all the way through ALL OF CANADA to come straight towards the campsite and... lay down on her belly atop some of the snow ringing the site, far enough from the fire to not cook in her own fur but close enouggh to enjoy it. Yeah this can't be an Arctic Fox. A creature from the arctic would never be so calm around a bonfire or a human... or have any reason to be here... Come to think of it, how long the fox has been here isn't readily apparent unless someone really, REALLY thinks hard on the matter. And when she nabbed the apple she's gnawing on? Also not apparent. Finna's just waiting for someone to mentally power through the mental muddlery and illusions dissuading attention from her presence. Sooner or later, someone will figure it out...
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone is not so deatched from food that she knows you kill something for it after all, she has relative who hunt on the West Coast of North Amercia and well there was alaways fishing where she lived, fish was a major thing where she grew up as it was a source of meat that didn't cost an limb if you went out after it so here she is and she's taking in quite a few people she doesn't know and moves over to join up with Riva. "So you helped with this Mr. Dresden." She also pauses as Thor shows up there's more than a little bit of awes there as she looks at him, she was not expecting this and wait she eyes the fox for a moment either something is up, or it's Rabid which could be bad...
Harry Dresden	Harry comes out from around a tree, and is looking... respectable, even if he's in his bathrobe. It's what functions as his Wizard's Garb, anyways, a low ranking stole around his neck as he comes out, carrying his atheme on his belt and a carved skull in his hand. The skull is talking, little pinpricks of light in the eyesockets. "Honestly, Harry, I really wish you would have taken an interest in the Old Ways sooner. Does it really take a girlfriend to t-" Harry swats the skull "Shut up Bob. Hello, folks! Nice of you all to come out... gggfff hooo, this is going to get big. I should have brought more chairs.
Wuyin Tsai	Wuyin only just arrived. He isn't used to trekking through a snowy forest in Wisconsin. That isn't to say he's /unprepared/, but most of his usual stomping grounds are in a small town in Maine instead. Well... maybe he's not totally unused to the 'snowy forest' part, at least. Wu wanders into the campsite, hands in his hoodie's pockets and face concealed behind his typical glasses with the addition of a like-colored scarf. He raises a gloved hand to wave at the assorted on the approach, replacing it in his pocket shortly after -- and giving the fox a subtle little nod on the way in, too. (Dragons gonna Dragon.) "Interesting setup. Bit of a hike, though."
Harry Dresden	Harry waves at people. Riva and Kotone first. "Look at it this way, someone's got to keep the old traditions alive, and it's gonna be me and my favorite viking for now. And that's why I've got rocks and fire and blood here." Wuyin gets an even bigger grint. "Inga and I? We walked here through Faerie. I figured there was an Agartha Link here somehwere for you."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga glances toward the fox now and then, smiling lightly. She knows, at the least, that this is no normal fox. It is a spirit of some kind, and obviously a good omen. When Thor shows up, Inga pales, her eyes grown wide. She has at least started to come to terms with his existence, but showing up here, now? When she's about to make a sacrifice to the Thor of this world!? Odin's bloody eye socket, this is going to be awkward. And, he has a gift for her. She takes the staff, flushing in embarrassment at the unexpected gift. "Well met--" spilt second hesitation "--Thor. Th-thank you, this is lovely," she says. It's a stick. But it's a stick from THOR! Maybe it is good for slaying giants...? A deep breath is taken, then Thor turns toward the appearance of Lupita and her father. Eyes widen further. "Ah...if you come in peace, you are welcome to our fire. I expect the laws of hospitality will be observed," she says firmly. If Thor wants to fight the...troll? Well, he's Thor. He can do whatever the Hel he wants. Inga clears her throat, setting aside the wetstone and resheathing her knife. She looks to Harry and Bob, a grin forming momentarily. She's going to pretend Harry isn't wearing his bathrobe. Really, she is just going to repress that bit of information. Wuyin arrives and gets a welcoming smile from Inga, especially upon seeing his scarf. "Welcome Wuyin," she says. Inga turns back to the others, standing. "I will be leading a sacrifice today in honor of Yule. Many of you have been kind enough to teach me about modern ways and the ways of other worlds in the multiverse. I hope today that I will show you a piece of my world--of where and...and when, I come from," she says. Inga takes a deep breath before she continues. "First is the blót, the ritual sacrifice itself. After this, we will roast the sacrifice and feast, at which point I will hold sumbel, which is a sort of...a drinking ritual in which it is traditional to make toasts to the gods, spirits, ancestors...and what not," she says. Inga looks to Harry again, raising an eyebrow. "Do you wish to cast a cirle...? I am not sure it will be needed, but if you'd like..." she says. The hallowing of the space with a hammer is...well.. Inga looks to Thor. Gulp. She bows to him. "Though you are not the Thor of my world, you are still...Thor, and wield mjolnir. Would you do us the honor of using it to hallow this site?" she asks. In her mind, a little voice is is going 'omgomgomgomgomgomgomgomg'.
Riva Banari	Riva gets equipped with (more) mulled wine and some boar jerky. "You know, I've never had this before." She waves the jerky around, and gnaws. "It's pretty good." She mutters, her voice muffled by food. This doesn't stop her from giving Inga big hug before the formalities begin. "And you're absolutely radiant. And super wise tonight." She grins, joking. "This is going to be a night to remember!" Riva might remember it even more as she looks up at Lupita and her lusus. "HOLY CRAP THAT'S HUGE!" She exclaims. She fiddles around for a moment, about to go for her guns but... pauses, looking back at the others to see what's going to happen... And then Harry breaks the tension by being in a bathrobe. She giggles. She can't help it. She stumbles backwards, grinning ear to ear as she covers her face with the back of one hand. "Oh man, Harry..." She laughs, and just shakes her head, and thhen turns around and trips on a stray rock, falling facefirst into the snowy ground beside Finna. There is a pause as she lies there for a moment, and one hand instinctively reaches out to try to give the fox a good scruffing, Riva not really seeming to notice as she rolls over and grumbles, sitting up next ot he fox. "Hi Thor! Wu! Maya!" she waves her wine at them. This is going to be /so cool/.
Harry Dresden	Harry smiles at Thor, bowing slightly. "hey there, big fella. Nice of you to show up. More the merrier, even if this maybe isn't quite... your ceremony." He's handing the stick over, then and Harry lets Inga have her fangasm as he wink to Riva. "You're just jealous of my fashion sense." But as Inga mentions a circle, Bob speaks up. "We won't need a circle, actually. This one is older than that sort of magic, to be honest, and Inga here has the right of it. We spill theblood to thank the land and spirits of old, and to implore them to bring back the day." The eyelights cast up at the darkening sky. "And even if we're a day past the solstice, I suppose they won't mind too much." Harry grins and stands next to Inga though. This was still a two man operation.
Finna	if it smells like a wolf and sounds like a wolf it's PROBABLY a wolf. But... it doesn't quite smell or sound like a wolf. The fox is on high alert though! Her ears swiveling like tiny radar dishes, but then... the matter seems less worrisome than it should, and here's a Riva scruffling behind her ears OOOOOOOOH! A high-pitched chittery happy noise is teased out of her, and Riva is suddenly NOSELICKED. Just once. Then the fox stands, turns about, returns Wuyin's nod and VAULTS. Vaults straight towards Thor. She would be pretty silent except... "Hyaaaaaahoooooooooooooooo!!!" Except she cries out at the top of her lungs in cheer, a HUMAN voice - from a thing that was a fox and shifts rapidly from that state to young human woman with flowing white hair and fox ears... Rather than hit ground, well, she's short enough that she lands on Thor's back and holds on - piggybacking! "Look who showed up!~"
Thor	"I am happy to be here." Thor says, nodding to Harry with a smile. He chuckles at his gift, before eyeing the talking skull for a moment. As Inga addresses him, he looks to her. "I would be happy to do so, Inga." Pulling Mjolnir from his coat, Thor lets his coat fall before he pops his neck. Just as he's about to hallow the ground, he feels a fox landing atop of his shoulder, blinking in confusion for a moment until he eyes Inga. "...hello?" With Mjolnir raised, Thor then clears his throat. "By my father's grace, I hallow this land in sacrifice to the earth." Shaboom. Thor then clips the hammer back to his belt once more, and pries Finna from his shoulders as though he were holding her by the scruff. Given his strength, it's just as easy for him in any case. "Do I know you somehow?"
Wuyin Tsai	"Wisewoman." Wuyin inclines his head in Inga's direction, smiling. He eyes Dresden a little less jovially. "I took a car," he remarks. "Agartha doesn't go everywhere in the Multiverse yet. I imagine it will grow branches as time goes on. Perhaps one will end up under your house." That... they don't /do/ that, do they? Wuyin istens to the explanation, wandering over towards the tables full of food and the like. He takes a look at the spread. He really hasn't eaten well in months, all things considered. He wonders if he has to worry about having a heart attack and dying. (Heh.) "Energetic as ever." Wu crouches next to Riva, pulling out his phone for a moment and fiddling with it. "How's the wine?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga takes a deep, steadying breath, then heads over to untie the goat's lead from the tree. She leads the creature over toward the stone altar Harry had set up. The Yule sacrifice, and she has only a single goat. It is shameful, but all she could manage. Besides, there are...different rules here. It would not be like Uppsala. Could not be. For all she knows, she will never go back there. When she honors the spirits of the dead now, will she be honoring the long dead friends she'd left behind? She supposes so. Inga nods to Harry. She'd primed him on what is to be done, filled in any gaps in his knowledge of these sorts of rituals. Of course, he has Bob to help as well. Bob's done this before, she's sure of it. By the gods, Thor's probably seen such before as well, long ago. Mjolnir appears in his hand and Inga can't help an intake of breath, reaching to the hammer pendant she wears around her neck. She hopes this world's Thor and her own are watching on with approval and most likely amusement. Inga nods to Thor, smiling in approval as he hallows the land. Well, she may not have nine of each animal to sacrifice, but she has a verion of /Thor himself/ to hallow the space. Yes, that will do nicely. Upon the altar are several objects. There is a bowl filled with water, a small pine branch, a large, empty bowl, a gold arm-ring and a couple of statues. Anyone with Norse god knowledge might recognize clay statues (likely handmade by Inga) of Odin, Thor, Freyr and Freya. If everyone hasn't yet settled down, Inga motions for them to form a loose circle and shush up.
Inga Freyjasdottir	The wisewoman clears her throat, then begins. She reaches for the bowl of water, moving toward the fire with it. She tosses the water upon a bit of the fire, steam rising in a hiss. Her voice takes on a different cadence, that of the storyteller, as she speaks. "Burning ice and biting flame, that is how life began. From the void, Ginnungagap, a seed springs forth and grows Into the tree Yggdrasil from which all nine realms and all life flows. From one source we all spring, So let us greet one another, Let us celebrate, Let us ask for favour. I welcome you the powers, I welcome you Æsir, I welcome you Vanir, I welcome all Vættir All Jötnar, Álfar and Dvergar I welcome you Dísir, I welcome the ancestors, I welcome all my guests! Inga looks to everyone gathered at this point, smiling. "Hail and good luck to all! May the gods see you, give you favor and protect you." The Wisewoman turns back to the altar, then looks to Harry. Here, he (or Bob if he wishes) can say a few words about Yule if they wish before Inga continues.
Harry Dresden	Harry indeed bows and murmurs through the words, before he shuffles up to his full height and holds up his Atheme as well, tip downward. There's a bit of resonance to his words, and he intones. "Long ago, mankind shivered in fear of the dark. They cowered from the deep epths of winter, with only a hearth fire to guide them, the loyal dog to hunt with them, and the long cold dark awaiting them through the winter." "And then one of us found the spark. Whatever it was that brought out magic. Seers like Inga, shamans, witches, wise men, all calling forth the light that banishes the darkness. Lumas." The tip of the dagger glows, and Harry murmurs. "We were the protectors, those who would guide now, against the foul things in the night, against the things that stole from us and from those who could not fight. And Yule is a celebration of that first light, and this blood is spilled in rememberance of those people." A look to Inga, Harry's glowing dagger at the ready.
Riva Banari	Riva gets licked in the noise. She can't help but giggle at the hilarious fox cuteness. And then the fox bounds off and pesters Thor. Riva just shakes her head. Finna gonna Finna. Wuyin asks her about the wine, and she nods to Wuyin. "You should try it! It's Inga's special blend." She leans in and whispers, "It's /amazing/." Then Thor does the hallowing and Riva watches, eyes wide as she observes the ceremony and scoots over to get into the circle. As the story begins she watches, seemingly transfixed by the way Inga intones a very real living history for her. Harry also explains what wizards and wisewomen did during that time, when there was no Internet, no schools, just harsh living. "Wow." She whispers.
Finna	"Huu-uuurk--" Finna finds hserlf hauled around and dangling in front of Thor with her feet not quite reaching the ground. "Hey!" After pouty-facing indignantly at him, she flips around and lands on all fours... "Now you do! Finna Snowdancer, of the Haslanti, Chosen of Luna." Whatever that means, right?Well, she then flips with surprisingly little sound over to the corner in time to show at least SOME reverence for the proceedings. She bows her head once, more solemn than she usually acts. This is not unlike things her people do and would say... the specifics, ehhh, not so close. Calling to the ennead, to ancestors and a few local gods maybe. Perhaps Luna. "May day come and spring follow." She adds, some hope in her voice. That kind of living is pretty normal for her too, Riva!
Thor	Solemnly, Thor observes the proceedings with grim silence. He's well aware of what Inga and Harry speak of, and he allows them to continue with the ceremony as he bows his head. "And may Midgard and the other Eight see many more winters to the end of time." He says, reverent towards his otherworldly counterparts.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone is looking over Inga's way with a grin and she sees Wu and give him a wave. She pauses at Bob's comment about Inga and Harry. There is this look on her face this very a shark has smelled the blood in the water as it where but she does look back to Thor and was not expecting someone like that to show up she has to wonder whom he is but with how he's talking? and the Hammer? She's not clueless after all. "So it's the transport weed, humm Wu?" She watches the goat meet it's end at this point and she shushes up as requestes as Inga contiunes with the ritual. She thinks of what could she say. Her world has lost many things or maybe never had any thing. "Yes may all our worlds keep on going forward but not forgetting where they have come from."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga's eyes are on Harry as he speaks, approval and warmth in her eyes. Not all the old ways have been forgotten it seems. They have changed, but the spirit remains...and Harry /understands/. Her smile grows as he raises his ritual knife, glowing with the spell he speaks. Harry is well versed in what she would call galdr. That was well done. Inga turns then toward the goat. Her lips part as she begins a chant, a sing-song quality to her voice that holds the ressonance of magic. The goat had been restless as animals naturally are, but with the chant the creature goes still and quiet. It comes toward Inga obediently. It does not shy when she pulls her knife from her belt. A bone handle, carved with runes, an old but well maintain iron blade. A knife that has sacrificed hundreds of animals...and men. A knife she uses now in battle against the darkness, often used to wield the blood magic she's put to such use in Kingsmouth and other places in the multiverse. Inga looks toward Harry, motioning toward the large, empty bowl before she turns her eyes back toward the goat. "In honor of the gods, the ancestors and the good spirits of this land I spill this blood. We thank you for your sacrifice," she says to the goat, pulling back its head by its horns, bearing its throat. Even now, the goat does not flinch, though the veins of it's neck throb quickly with the beating of it's heart. Neatly, quickly, Inga flicks the knife across the goat's throat. It is a good, clean kill. No unecessary suffering. Blood floods from the wound, which would be collected into the large bowl Harry would be holding under it's neck. Once the goat has died and the heart has ceased to pump blood, Inga lets it down to the ground as easily as possible--this part requires strength, and if Harry lends a hand here she'd be grateful for it. Inga reaches for the bowl. The hot, dark blood steams in the cold winter air. She then retrieves the sprig of evergreen from the altar, turning toward the statues there. The sprig is dipped into the bowl then flicked toward the statues, showering the clay figures in crimson droplets.
Inga Freyjasdottir	"Now let us hail day, hail the sons of day, And night and her daughter. Look on us here with loving eyes, Waiting so that we may win victory. Hail to the gods, hail to the goddesses, And all the generous earth, Give us wisdom, wise speech, Healing hands and long life. Inga turns then to the participants and makes her way around the circle, dipping the sprig into the bowl of sacrificial blood then flicking the liquid into their faces. Hopefully, they know to close their eyes! Every person is blessed with the blood, even Bob, before it is returned to the altar. Inga turns toward everyone, smiles. "Know wisdom, intelligence and shapness of mind. Know how to create and how to destroy. Know sacrifice and it's cost. Know honor and oath above all."
Harry Dresden	Oh sure, leave the heavy lifting to Harry with his intact hips and big strong man muscles, I see how it is. Harry quite reverently lets the goat down after handing the bowl back to Inga, a bit of a grump. There's blood on his bathrobes, but he doesn't seem to mind. "It is by fire that light is given." "By Earth that life springs forth." "By Wind that we are given breath." "By water we are refreshed." "By spirit, we carry on past this world into others." "But it is by will that we shape reality, that we make our own path in the darkness." The goat is lain near the fire, and Harry kneels to be sprinkled, and then stands again. "Know that you carry that same fire in your hearts and that all of you take this gift forward. Till the sun returns and life begins anew."
Riva Banari	Even the super-irreverant Riva is awed by the solemnity and ritual of the affair. The words spoken with the fire seem to almost put her in a trance as she watches. She can't look away, and she doesn't even make a comment when the goat is sacrificed. But she does look a little sad. Even viking ritual can't make Riva not be a giant softy about some things. By the time Inga gets to Riva, she bows her head and gets spattered with blood. She does remember to close her eyes. If nothing else, working with Harry has taught her that YOU CAN TOTALLY BE COVERED IN BLOOD AT ANY TIME.
Thor	It is done, and the sacrifice is made. Thor nods stoically when the ritual reaches its conclusion, even as he is splattered in the goat's blood himself. Looking to Dresden, the tall wizard is given a nod of respect from the Asgardian before he walks off only for one thing; FOOD. He return with ale and pizza in hand, grabbing a seat. "Well done, both of you. The gods shall smile upon this offering, I am sure of it." He says. Munching pizza, Thor doesn't seem to mind being bloodsoaked for the time being. He'll get that fixed later, one supposes.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Well, that's the blot portion. Inga smiles. No, it was not Uppsala. She'd lost so much...but gained so much as well. Most of the people who stand with her are friends. People she's grown close to. Some /very/ close to. Also, THOR IS THERE. That's worth mentioning again. He compliments the ritual and Inga flushes, bowing to him. "Now, everyone needs a drink!" she says, laughing. The rather formal part is done and over with. "I have a spit for the goat...men, I leave that to you," she says, winking to Harry and then the others before she moves over to start ladling out cups of hot mulled wine or mead. Now, it is party time. Once everyone has a cup of something, Inga raises hers to start the first round of toasting. "Hail to all the gods, spirits and ancestors! Though I am far from the time in which I was born, I know that the gods are alive and well even now! To Odin, giver of knowledge and victory. To Freyr, giver of fertility and gifts of the earth, to--," small choking noise, little glance toward Thor. "To Thor, great thunderer, protector...to Frigga, may she watch over our families and our hearths..and to Freya, to whom my oath is made," she says, then drinks deeply and lets others make toasts. Indeed, the gods in this world likely haven't recieved a sacrfice like this in a long time.
Harry Dresden	Harry salutes at people as he starts dragging the goat off into the darkness. "Back in a sec, unless any of you nerds also know how to skin a goat. Get drunk. Oaths toasts and boasts, people."
Thor	"To Asgard, to Midgard, and everything in between." Thor says, raising his glass before taking a massive chug of his ale, enjoying the flavor muchly as he makes the toast.
Kotone Yamakawa	Kotone Yamakawa watch as everthing is done the blood soaked bit unintionally brings up some memories for Kotone as she looks to Inga and snaps out of it. Memories of what nessatate her coverion thankfully are raplidly forces away as she ties to cocus on what's good. "That was quite the thing. Inga and I have to ask who is your friend with the hammer?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga raises her cup again with Thor's toast, echoing and adding a 'hail!' before she also drinks again. Oh, they will all be stewed in no time. Riva's already well on her way! Inga turns toward Kotone, smiling. "Ah...thank you," then, she blinks. "My--OH. Kotone this is...this is...Thor," she says, blinking, motioning. "Ahem, Thor, this is Kotone..." This is really her life. How is this a thing.
Finna	"Hmmm! Short but honest as it gets. I like your people's style, Inga! It's close to the ways of mine. We look to different gods, but I won't shame either by trying to compare 'em! " Grinning impishly, she scoots over to grab Inga and HUGSQUEEZE her, then ruffle her hair! Plenty of friendly afection to go around today. But with all the futzing over Thor, and putting together exactly who he seems to be, Finna blinks a few times... Then scooches over towards the thunderer. And glances him over up and down, circling while her tail wags a mile a minute! "You're a god...?" Bewilderment's all through her tone. She sniffs slightly at him channeling Essence into her nostrils to enhance her perceptions, and ends up peering uncertainly at the Asgardian.
Thor	"Hello." THor smiles to the girlgenially, before taking a hefty bite of his pizza. "It's a bit of a long story how Inga knows me, to say the least. I am Thor of Asgard, aye." He says, nodding. "Somewhat." He says to Finna, giving a shrug. "I hail from Stark's world, but the worship of my people seems multiversal after all." He confirms, arching a brow as Finna sniffs him all over. There's definitely something otherworldly about him, him and the hammer both. Pizzamunch. "And what exactly might an Exalted be?"
Riva Banari	Now's the part where everyone parties and gets stone drunk! Riv'as down with that. She raises her cup of wine and calls out, "To good friends, old and new, and good times yet to come!" She laughs, toasting and preparing for a nice long night of pigging out and drinking.
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga makes a rather adorable sound of protest as Finna ruffles her hair, but the hug is returned and a warm smile shared. "I am glad, Finna, that you could come. She straightens then, as Finna questions his godhood. Even if he's not quite the Thor she knows and makes sacrifice to...he is still Thor. "He is a god, and one of the mightiest among them. A defender of the realms against those that would harm them," she says proudly. Maybe, given time, they'd both get used to each other. Riva makes a toast and Inga again raises her cup. "Skol!" she says, and drinks again.
Finna	"Chosen of the Gods! ... different gods.." Sniff, sniff. Finna leans in one last time, then folds her arms after tossing a little hair over a shoulder. ".. me, of the Moon Goddess, Luna. ... You don't smell like /my/ world's gods, buuuuut this nose doesn't lie!" She turns to Inga, smiling impishly, then continues, "You're a genuine something! And handsome enough to not mind the difference! Well met!" Apparently she hardly feels subservient to an actual god, as she sees nothing wrong with bouncing behind Thor, leaning up to lean on his shoulder and asking playfully, "Sooooo, what're you a god OF?"
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga blinks to Finna. "Gods have a particular smell in your world?" she asks. How odd. She'd never thought of what a god would /smell/ like. What does Thor smell like, she wonders? She may try to find out later. She'd need to be WAY more drunk first. Hopefully, Harry gets the goat up and roasting alright.
Harry Dresden	It's not so much 'goat' as 'meat' now. Harry's got most of the recognizable bits of the critter like skin and hair out of the way, the spit skewered through the rest of it. "Sorry, sorta... should be a more than one man job, but." A shrug, and he wipes his k-bar on a now blood stained bath robe. "Okay, time for meat." And the goat gets slapped over the spit. "Should be about an hour or so, depending on how done you want yours."
Kotone Yamakawa	This is almost something she expected yet wasn't ready for for it she sorta a nods with this sort of this is actually happening looka nd she's not sure what to think before she holods out her hand to Thor, how did her life end up to this? Seriously how did it go so. "I am ... Kotone Yamakawa of ... earth!" She almost squeeks she's meeting things far up on the food chain that's for sure. "Aye I can see that, and Iron Man's world?" Hey Thor's just protecting innocent even if they don't worship him or his fellows and that /gets/ him a lot of points wioth Kotone.
Finna	"Well, Master Winter smells like a snowstorm. A River God might smell fishy or wet... Thor here doesn't smell like SPIRITS smell... I dunno. It's just a weird thing!" Though she doesn't seem bothered by whatever the difference is. She's rather enjoying getting friendly with him. If it makes either Thor or Inga feel a little awkward, well that's just a plus!
Thor	"Thunder." Thor says, motioning to Mjolnir. "I am the bearer of storms, with the help of my hammer of course." He says, the hammer definitely giving off a vibe for Finna's senses. He continues to dine upon the pizza, before nodding to Dresden. "Well done, if you will." The thunderer says, then looks back to Finna. "I was sent to Stark's Midgard after...things."
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga winces. Poor Harry. She moves over and hands him a drink. Finna can fuss over how handsome Thor is, she has a scruffy wizard in a bathrobe to look after. Inga nudges him into a seat, then stands behind him to rub his shoulders while the meat roasts. "You did very well. Thank you," she says. This meant a lot to her. Even just to be out here, under the the sky while the sun sets and the stars appear, surrounded by the trees and sounds of the forest is like a balm to her soul. Inga smiles to Kotone, laughing. She can't help it. Finally, someone who is at least almost as shocked by it as she is. "He should smell of rain...of thunder and of ale," she says, a little wistfully. Apparently also pizza at the moment. This makes sense. In a world where there is pizza? Thor would be all over it she thinks. Inga the looks for Riva. Did she pass out drunk yet?
Wuyin Tsai	Wuyin apparently disappeared off to the side, at the edge of the firelight and the edge of perception. While not supernaturally concealed, he has a talent for just sort of fading away. Out of sight, but not necessarily out of mind. He's easily spotted, anyway; the colors give him away. He finds the red and blue kind of hilarious. He gets more to drink, stepping back to the rest of the gathering. Wuyin lifts it up. There's a little smile on his face. (Uh oh.) "To Jack of the Lantern," he says, "who could not be here tonight, but is, of course, with us in spirit." Not literally. Well... probably not literally. "May he find a fine celebration like this to hold his attention 'til well past Samhain next year." Wu quirks a brow. "Gods willing," he adds, a touch quieter. Yeah, that's about right, coming from him.
Riva Banari	"HEAR HEAR!" Riva yells, holding up her wine and drinking deep. She's not holding back tonight, it seems. Of course, does she really hold back ANY night?
Inga Freyjasdottir	Inga looks over to Wuyin, shaking her head. Well, that's fair. She raises her cup, snickering. Oh Wu. "May he indeed," she says, then drinks, looking to Riva who is already well into her cups. Riva and Wuyin. Two people who she might well spend an actual eternity with. Gods help her.