001 | Awkward Video

[deemedworthy]

[He recognizes this place for what it is, at least: a lab. Between the S.H.I.E.L.D. helicarrier and the temporary facility that had been built up around Mjolnir in New Mexico, he's seen enough of sterile environments like these to know what they are and what they're for, though he's mildly confused about the contents of this particular lab. The camera is jostled as he fumbles with the device bearing it, giving a blurry and crooked shot of the plans, both foreign and familiar, that fill the hydroponics lab.]

These runes...

[The camera is pointed at the floor as he leans in to examine one of the nearest plantbeds, where Nordic runes have been etched. It's held steady long enough to give the viewer a clear shot of his boots.]

Health and prosperity. Someone has cared for these.

[His voice is low, uncertain; the familiar etchings aren't enough to assuage the anger he feels at being dropped, somehow, into some unknown facility against his will. No mortal prison has ever been able to contain him for long, and this, he is certain, will be no different.

He turns the camera back on himself, but clearly lacks understanding of exactly how it works, as it's not only upside-down, but also zoomed in so close that all it projects is an extreme close-up of his right eye.]

I wish to know who dares to toy with me! Whatever game is being played here, I do not find it to be funny.

Comments

[tryingitall]

Seconding the request to be kind to our plants! Also, don't go into the room across the hall. I've put the spider there. It's cranky.

[And large. Even compared to Thor.]

[deemedworthy]

Spider.

[His expression darkens, angry -- the camera's been pulled out a bit now, enough to give a full view of his face.]

Do you mock me?

[Spiders are puny things, after all.]

[tryingitall]

Not yet. I generally like to get to know people better before I make fun of them. [See, and that's at least one big difference between Balthazar and Gabriel, right there.]

Take it easy. You're not the only one trapped here. [Hell of a temper on this guy. It's like Michael all over again.]

You can look at the spider if you insist, but don't let it out. She's the size of my fist and quite venomous. I'm thinking of calling her Judith.

[deemedworthy]

[The joke seems to go over his head, though not so much that he doesn't wrinkle his nose and appear vaguely offended.

He'll like Balthazar more when he's in better spirits, but for now, nearly everything seems to be an affront of some kind.]

I have no desire to look upon this spider of yours. Is her size somehow significant?

[It's almost impressive, how angry that question managed to sound. Someone needs to relax.]

I have gathered that this is a prison. How many captives are there?

[tryingitall]

Only in that it's unusual for spiders where I come from. I don't know, maybe they get bigger in your world.

[Arguably, he doesn't owe any newcomer any answers, and he's not completely sure he appreciates this one's attitude. Still, it's a simple question, even if the answer is tricky to be sure of.] Thirty or forty, I'd say, but I can't be sure. People come and go all the time, just not of their own volition.

[deemedworthy]

There is sorcery at work here.

[He says that with certainty. Once he's made up his mind, there is little that can be done to change it.]

The mighty Thor will not stand for this foul trickery.