thearena | You're a walking disaster. [closed]

Entry tags:

You're a walking disaster. [closed]

Who| Thor Odinson and Starkiller
What| Thor happens upon Starkiller and pretty much adopts him.
Where| Outside the Internet Cafe
When| Week 2, Thursday
Warnings/Notes| Avox stuff

It had been some time since their last meeting, but Thor would still consider Starkiller to be a friend. Perhaps not a good friend, but an admirable one. He was brave, though seemingly misguided. He was also a hypocrite, but Thor could not fault him there. He had his eyes out for him at the Cornucopia, but with so many people to worry for and search for, the Avox slipped from his gaze too quickly.

As such, it is a surprise to happen upon him on and entirely purposeless patrol through the mall, but Thor is pleased with himself in any case. His face lights up with a glad smile and he jogs toward the man, calling out to him from a distance. "Starkiller!" He'll wave before he steps into closer range, wasting absolutely no time in wrapping his arms around the Avox so he can give him a friendly hug in greeting.

"It is good to see you." He pulls back, hands on Starkiller's shoulders and a fond expression on his face. "I had hoped to find you."

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Starkiller would be pretty surprised to know that Thor is even still thinking about him. When you're an Avox, it's pretty easy to think that people can forget you. He's not exactly been a notable presence in or around tribute tower and plenty has happened since his stupid little stunt in the arena. He remembers everyone, though. It's those memories that just keep him going, even if there's a part of him that thinks he ought to just let everyone go and settle into his life of servitude.

But that's not relevant to right now. He's had to once again put himself in a new frame of mind now that he's back in an arena. As time wears on, the Avox conditioning weakens- which combined with his own stubborn will, means he's better off than he has been in a long time, mentally and physically. Enough that when the internet cafe is opened, he only hesitates for a second before going in and looking around. He doesn't quite feel like chatting much, but it'll be good for the future, when the conditioning is weaker and he feels more social.

When he steps out of the cafe a few paces and he hears someone calling his name, it doesn't take him long to recognize who it is though he stiffens at first, on guard. It's been a long time since he's seen Thor, perhaps since the day he cleaned up after him, aside from brief run-ins. He won't lie, it's nice to see a familiar face, and to not feel a sense of dread as strong as before is an even better thing. More than anything, the loneliness is the hard part of being an Avox. So now that he can be around people, things will be easier.

Though, Thor is perhaps a little too cl-

Starkiller's mind is a mass of confusion when Thor hugs him. Hans is perhaps the only one who's ever really done that, and after so long going without them, they're just as foreign to him as the very first one he ever received. A quiet grunt escapes somewhere in his throat and he goes rigid, much like a statue. When Thor pulls away, his brows are furrowed and he looks confused. He'll nod hesitantly in response, before slowly relaxing again and nodding again a little more sincerely. It's good to see Thor, too.

There are many people here with cause to make Thor worry for them. His mind hadn't been on Starkiller often, but their last interaction had given him much to consider. It had been brief and obviously no words had been exchanged, but it resonated with him all the same. He isn't sure if they've still taken his words from him, he wasn't sure if they'd send him here at all, but he wonders if he'd rather be in here than out there.

He's familiar with the surprise, and it honestly doesn't surprise him to know that Starkiller is unfamiliar with such a gesture. He keeps his even-keel expression and seems satisfied with the nod, though he's becoming certain of the fact that he's still unable to speak.

"Do you travel alone?" He tries to keep his questions simple, easy to be answered without speech.

When the hug is finished and Thor speaks, Starkiller finds himself grateful that Thor is tactful enough to keep his questions short and to the point. He's met plenty of people in his avoxed state that tend to speak far more than he can respond to, so it's very satisfying to feel like he can nod or shake his head and feel like he's answering everything that's being asked of him.

So he nods, brushing himself off lightly, recovering from the hug as best he can. It's still a strange thing, but a part of him doesn't mind too much, all things considered. Company isn't something he has often anymore and there's something about Thor that Starkiller is growing fond of.

When he finishes brushing himself off, he cocks his head to the side a little, trying to silently ask Thor the same question. A part of him, now that he's thinking about it, thinks that being allies with Thor might be a good idea.

When Starkiller gives his answer, Thor nods in turn and in understanding. He'll keep it as simple as possible, but he needs a moment to consider. He isn't traveling alone, but he doesn't particularly like the idea of Starkiller traveling by himself. He isn't sure how Sif will take to him and he doesn't doubt his strength, but it would be too easy for someone to take advantage of an Avox for their own good.

Besides, he is pleasant enough company! Thor wouldn't wish loneliness on anyone, especially not in a place like this.

"No. I travel with a woman named Sif. She is a warrior from my realm, Asgard. We are accustomed to fighting alongside one another." He offers him a small smile. "She treats me as a fool more often than not, but I've reason to believe she would trust those that I trust. Would you like to accompany us?"

When Thor mentions that he already has a companion, Starkiller immediately assumes that he won't really want another one. Large groups tend to slow people down, after all, and when someone already has a companion they don't generally want another one. So when Thor asks him that question, he's a little surprised.

He does think it over though, because he isn't sure if he wants to weigh the two of them down. He's been fairing pretty well on his own, but it isn't ideal. Still, he doesn't want to be a hindrance more than an asset.

The look he gives him is one of slight confliction, the question clearing being: are you sure?

A large group would weigh him down, it's true. It's part of why he doesn't travel directly with the Avengers so as to avoid making a bigger target of them and to spread their resources. However, he can't imagine two people being much of a hindrance, particularly when all of them are battle competent in one way or another.

Starkiller's uncertainty is not without reason, so Thor isn't offended and he doesn't brush off his concerned expression. "I've reason to believe you'll be of use to me." He admits, candid in his tone and expression. "A group of three is no hindrance between warriors."

He steps back and beckons Starkiller to follow him. "Come. You will meet Sif, at least. You can make your choice when you are ready."

Starkiller gives a brief nod in reply to Thor's statement. They could benefit from each other, he thinks. He's by no means helpless, but he's still not entirely himself just yet and it would be a good thing to have someone watching his back. So when Thor offers to let him make his choice after meeting with Sif, he feels a little better about it. Making informed decisions is usually the best course of action.

So he follows along with another nod, and along the way he ducks into a shop in order to pick up some scraps of paper and something to write with, so that he won't be entirely incapable of communicating. Then, he'll follow along until they reach Sif.

When they find Sif she is sitting on the hood of the SUV on display on the third floor, leaning back against the windshield with her eyes closed as if she is sleeping. She isn't really, this is far too exposed a place for true sleep, but even so it's nice to rest her eyes a little.

As soon as she hears approaching steps she sits up a little straighter, eyes opening to focus on Thor and Starkiller, her body visibly relaxing again as she catches sight of her friend.

The acquisition of paper is a fine idea to Thor, though it isn't needed for their trip to find Sif. He's content to spend that in companionable silence, not that it would be companionable anything else with someone who can't talk. He does wonder how Sif might take to him, but he's sure she won't have much reason to object to his presence once she can be certain he poses no threat. They're similar in that regard, though Sif will always be the more stern of the two. He probably should have warned Starkiller about that, but it's a little late.

"You do your formidable nature no favors, Sif. It is cruel to trap strangers into the perception that you are relaxed." He just barely grins, hoping to break the ice before gesturing at Starkiller. "I present to you Starkiller, the man who single-handedly attempted to destroy an Arena." He's quite clearly still impressed by that. "This is Lady Sif, the fiercest warrior in a realm known for our capable fighters." Again, the fact that he thinks highly of her is clear, but he needs to address something before it becomes awkward. He steps a little closer, voice low enough that it won't be too easy for the cameras to record it. "He cannot speak. They took that from him."

For some reason, she isn't at all like Starkiller had expected. He'd expected someone more intimidating, if he's honest. Still, he knows better than to underestimate anyone, especially someone so close to Thor. She's probably more more fierce than she looks, especially once Thor speaks. A small smile plays at his lips, and yet a jealousy forms too. He can't banter so easily with anyone.

But it leaves his mind as Thor speaks of his endeavors the last arena, and after so long with having had the time to start regretting it, it feels weirdly good to hear it spoken in such a tone. The smile grows a little, though he shakes his head slightly to try and dissuade her from believing it too much. It was an attempt, and a failed one. It's not so noteworthy.

When Thor adds in that last part, Starkiller holds up the paper and writes, But I can write. He gives Sif a nod in acknowledgement, before he holds his hand out. He's hoping that hugs aren't necessarily the custom Asgardian greeting and that a handshake will suffice.

She hops off the car and approaches Starkiller, but she does not exactly shake his hand. Instead she clasps his wrist with the expectation that he will do the same, a greeting from one warrior to another. If he is a friend of Thor, and if he did indeed do what was said that he did, then he has certainly earned such a gesture.

"Well met, Starkiller."

Oh Starkiller, you know so little. Sif looks pleasant enough, but she is hell in high boots if you so much as irritate her. Especially when you're Thor.

Thor stands back to allow them their greetings before speaking up again in his leaderly sort of tone. "I have assured Starkiller that you will have no objections to taking him on as a travel companion. I've no reason to believe he will hinder us."

Starkiller isn't used to such a handshake, but he returns it as well as he can before letting go and taking a step back. Between the two of them, he's getting the sense that both of them won't easily be hindered, especially not by him. He's capable, even for an avox. With people like them, he shouldn't have a problem or be a problem.

So it's around then that he decides to go for it. What does he have to lose?

He brings the pen to paper and writes, If there are no objections, then I've decided I would like to join you two. I've grown tired of being alone.

"I'll say nothing against it."

There is an implied unless you give me a reason to in her voice, something hard in her eyes even though her expression is pleasant enough. She has nothing against Starkiller or his company, but she will not allow him to bring harm to Thor. Not that she thinks he will, but it is nevertheless good to make sure that her position on this is made clear.

When Starkiller finishes his message, Thor smiles and puts a hand on his back to express the fact that he certainly isn't alone anymore. He can't help but chuckle at that dangerous little glint in her eyes. Sometimes Thor can be unobservant, but he knows Sif well enough to understand that look.

"Then we are in agreement." He says in a final tone. "Perhaps we should plan our approach for the coming weeks, but first- I propose that we eat." And nobody was surprised that Thor's priority was his stomach.

Starkiller catches onto the implication, and so he nods. He won't give any reason, Thor is his friend. He would never hurt the man, or even think to try. He also wouldn't hurt her, either, simply because she's close to Thor. Overall, he's starting to feel better about allying himself with them.

He can't help smiling a little at Thor's suggestion, and it does bring to light that he is a little hungry. It's been a while since he's eaten. He gives another nod, and follows along with them to get food, spirits higher than they've been in a while.

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You're a walking disaster. [closed]

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you guys wanna wrap this up?

sounds fine by me!