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nextgen_misc ([info]nextgen_misc) wrote in [info]marvel_nextgen,
@ 2010-05-31 02:53:00


Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:cosmopolitan, iason, inactive - charlie rogers, inactive - eli paravich, plot-"12-step", ryan spector, svalin

12 Step - Viking Age
There was a flash of bright light and the group appeared on a small hilltop overlooking what would be the modern day spot of the town of Hamre, Norway. Humans had been living in this area since the Stone Age, eking out a living in the harsh climate.

The walled settlement was set at the mouth of a river that emptied into the bay. The buildings and wall were made of timber harvested from the nearby forest and a little land had been cleared for farming. Though in the cold North, most sustenance was derived from the sea and the raiding parties that went out in boats each summer.

The inhabitants of the town were gathered in a field some distance away from the settlement. A large ship sat on top a pyre and the townsfolk gathered around. Men, warriors, carried the body of their chieftan to the ship and placed him inside the tent. A young woman, a thrall, flanked by two warriors and an old woman walked to the ship. She paused long enough to give her jewelry to the old woman and then boarded the ship. She stood on the deck and was handed intoxicating drinks. Afterward, she entered the tent with six men and an old woman. The warriors outside began to beat on their shields.

The men and the old woman left the boat and grabbed torches. They set the torches to the wood and the pyre began to burn.



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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 05:33 am UTC (link)
"Okay...I'm pretty sure that's a Viking funeral pyre, but I'm also very confused," Vernique says quietly.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-05-31 05:40 am UTC (link)
Svalin nodded. "Aye it ist a funeral for a chieftain. It doth seem we art in another time period." Svalin watched the proceedings below. "We wilt camp for the night on the side of the hill away from the settlement. We wilt not interrupt."

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[info]ryanspector
2010-05-31 11:23 am UTC (link)
“Yeah it does,” Ryan said nodding in agreement. “Giving them sometime to grieve by themselves sounds like a good idea to me too.”

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[info]borntolead
2010-05-31 04:24 pm UTC (link)
Charlie nodded his head. "They don't need the interuption right now."

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[info]cosmic_son
2010-05-31 05:10 pm UTC (link)
"Agreed. Rest, the Eternals can keep watch."

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 05:34 pm UTC (link)
Part of Vernique thinks this funeral could damn well use some interruption, but it's too late anyway.

"Resting would be a whole lot easier right now if I couldn't count," she says quietly.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-05-31 05:46 pm UTC (link)
"The woman didst honor her lord and served him well," Svalin said as she watched the ship burn. "It ist the duty of a thrall to serve."

She nodded. "We wilt rest. Anon I wilt go an procure garments for all of thee. Food as well."

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 06:22 pm UTC (link)
The ritual certainly intrigued Eli, but he also thought it would be wise to let the people of this village grieve.

He hears Vernique's comment, and walks over to her.

"What's wrong, Vernique? Is something else troubling you?" he asks.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 06:26 pm UTC (link)
"I know we have different ways of looking at things, Svalin," Vernique says quietly before looking to Eli.

"Eight living people walked on the boat. Seven living people walked off the boat. I realize we're in a different time period, a different culture, but I think I am damn well entitled to be troubled by that."

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 06:39 pm UTC (link)
Eli didn't need his telepathy to understand Vernique's sorrow. There were a lot of things he could say to her, but none of them would truly mean anything. He and Iason were living proof that death wasn't actually a part of life.

"I understand why that would trouble you. If you want to talk about it, I will listen. I only ask that you at least try to rest somewhat in the meanwhile. Please."

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 06:45 pm UTC (link)
Smart boy, that Eli. Not trying to be trite about a reasonable human reaction to a human sacrifice has saved him from tiny human rage.

"I appreciate that," she says sincerely. "But I'll be okay." She walks over towards where they'll be bedding down for the night, clutching her little bag.

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 07:03 pm UTC (link)
"Very well. You have only to ask if you change your mind." he says, smiling.

Still, when Vernique does lie down for the evening, Eli makes certain to check on her a little more often than the others, as they all seem to sleep well, except for Iason, of course.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 07:20 pm UTC (link)
Vernique rests fitfully. And at some point, as he gets near her, she'll speak up.

"Somebody just committed suicide at a funeral because her society dictated she wasn't very important. I can't be the only one freaked out about this."

She knows Svalin's got all that fatalism and social roles stuff internalized. Maybe it just hasn't processed the same way for the boys. Maybe an Eternal upbringing is too weird for them to really think about these things.

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 07:36 pm UTC (link)
"I admit that this is not something I agree with, either, Vernique. Perhaps she could have aided the next chieftain as well as the previous, or been given a new role. But these are the ways this culture knows, and they believe in it." he says, gently reaching out to touch her hand.

"There are many things my people find odd about humans but, except for a few of us, we try to understand that those are the ways you know and believe. If there will be lasting change, it must come from within these people." Eli says.

He doesn't mention his own belief that humans are fortunate to pass on to whatever reward awaits them in the afterlife, and that the passing of elders allows them a freedom not shared by others.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 08:41 pm UTC (link)
"Yeah. I know that ingrained horrific social practices can't just be suddenly magically fixed. That doesn't make them any less messed up," Vernique says quietly. She'll set her hand on his, but with none of the previous occasion's flirtiness, obviously. Human sacrifice is not flirting-conducive. "I like to consider myself a flexible person, Eli, but ... " A frustrated sound. "I mean, if we don't come back from all this? We were taking down Kang to stop who-knows-how-many horrific things from happening. Because that's the kind of risk people take who know they matter, but that some things matter more. I just hate having seen a death that didn't save anybody, that just inherently mattered less. Random innocent people's lives should always matter."

And then, softer. "Thanks for listening to the rant."

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 09:02 pm UTC (link)
Eli listened to Vernique's words as she said so many of the things he thought about but could not truly put into words. At first, he figured that he was only on this mission with the Avengers due to good (or bad, some might think) timing. But the idea of stopping Kang had ceased to be about an "adventure" and was now a very real goal to him.

If they didn't stop him, many would suffer and perish, even the Eternals themselves. Vernique's words about the young woman's passing touched home with him; why should one life matter more or less than others?

"I do not consider that we will not return from this journey, Vernique. We left with six companions, and we will return with six.

However, it is a credit you that you care about the less known and even the nameless who die to preserve those who are considered 'greater' or 'more important'. Too often, in all the history I have studied, do I see that few remember those who helped the 'great' and 'mighty' on their way. Every king, every prince, every leader of men who rose above their circumstances were carried on the shoulders of those who names will never be spoken. You are a special person, Vernique, to think of those who are often not spared a first though, let alone a second, simply because it was their 'duty' or their 'place'.

I guess I am trying to say that I admire you for that." he says, remembering something his mother once told him.

History often remembers those who took the road less traveled, but rarely, if at all, does it speak of those who paved the road those people chose to walk.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 09:58 pm UTC (link)
Alert the presses, Vernique doesn't preen when admired.
She just says "That's sweet, Eli," and nods a little.
Knowing and feeling the distinction between a person and window dressing just doesn't exactly trigger the same girlish thrills as being clever and stylish and beautiful, after all.
So they can just sit in the quiet, hands on each other's, for a while until it's time to get up and talk to the others.

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-05-31 10:08 pm UTC (link)
Eli sits with Vernique quietly, saying little else unless she speaks directly. He only wants to offer some form of comfort for the time being, until she's ready to get up and address the group.

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[info]ryanspector
2010-05-31 07:08 pm UTC (link)
Ryan stays up watching the funeral and thinking about the last funeral he went to, the second funeral for his father that he had been too. It was very different from this one.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-05-31 08:29 pm UTC (link)
A few hours later Svalin set off for the encampment. The warriors would be drinking and honoring their fallen chieftan and it was a perfect time to seek out some of the women and get clothing and food for her companions.

She arrived back at the camp leading a horse with the supplies loaded on its back. There were clothing and furs for all of her companions, including a green dress for Vernique. There were two swords, one for Eli and one for Ryan to practice with and a sack containing a wheel of cheese and a shoulder of smoked ham. There was even a few leather flasks of mead and wine.

She handed each their garments and distributed the food. She took a seat on the ground and began to eat.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-05-31 10:16 pm UTC (link)
It's a beautiful dress.

Vernique still isn't over what happened the previous night. It's just not going to be something she's going to be okay with having been present for.

But the dress is beautiful, and she thanks Svalin for it and goes away to change, soon sashaying back in standard Vernique fashion: like she hadn't a care in the world.

"So, any word on possible Kang-related activity?"

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-01 01:37 am UTC (link)
Svalin nodded. "There ist talk of a fleet of strange ships off the coast. The chieftain wast a viking when they spotted the ships. There wast a short battle and the chieftain killed. The ships art made of metal and move without sails. If I art correct, ships like that doth not exist during this time period."

She saw Vernique and smiled. "I art glad it doth fit. I wast concerned I hath not gotten the size right. It doth look good on thee."

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-06-01 01:49 am UTC (link)
"Yeah, sounds like Kang's up to something. So we've got an industrialized high-tech fleet in a situation where there's nothing to face that on its own terms. Oh dear."

"Yes, it's perfect, thanks."

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-06-01 02:10 am UTC (link)
Eli is still worried some about Vernique, but he knows she will talk when she chooses. In the meantime, he's tried on his new garments and, with some help, attached the sword belt. He still carries the staff from their last trip, though.

He walks up just as Svalin is describing what's going on.

"That is strange. I am ready to investigate when everyone is ready." Eli says.

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[info]ryanspector
2010-06-01 02:30 am UTC (link)
It had taken Ryan a while to sleep. After he got up he changed into the clothes that Svalin brought then started strapping on weapons. While Ryan had never been a boy scout, he had issues with uniforms in general, he did like the motto, be prepared which he had tried to be with his weapons.

Ryan headed over to where the group seemed to be gathering. “Thanks for getting the cloths for us Svalin.”

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[info]borntolead
2010-06-01 03:33 am UTC (link)
Charlie nodded, as he adjusted his clothes, his shield in hand. It was a little out of place for the time that they were in...but it would come in handy if they faced any conflict. Which they more than likely would.

"Much obliged. Any word as to how we should interact with the natives?" As this was more her area of expertise than anything else.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-01 04:54 am UTC (link)
"Thou'rt welcome," she said to Ryan and Charlie.

"I doth not know what Kang's plans art, but these people cannot face those ships alone and win. It ist a most hopeless situation for them. It doth appear Kang doth want these people destroyed, but to what end I doth not know."

She was quiet for a moment.

"It wouldst be wise to not interfere with their customs, no matter what thou sees. They wouldst be quick to take offense and thou would find thineself with a sword or spear in thee. Mayhap be best to follow mine lead."

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-06-01 02:51 pm UTC (link)
"Yes. Figured," Vernique says with a small, wry smile, still a bit sad before she tries to shake it off again.

"Hey, Eli, figured anything out about that staff yet?" She realizes her issues of last night have probably been a distraction, but it doesn't hurt to bring the thing up.

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-06-02 12:06 am UTC (link)
"No, I haven't, and that troubles me." Eli says, his frustration about the staff rising to the surface of his thoughts.

"By the way, thank you, Svalin. These garments are very comfortable. But the cold here is the best part." Eli says, preferring the cold to the heat of Hyborea.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-02 02:46 am UTC (link)
"Thou'rt welcome." She smiled. "Indeed. It ist a more hospitable climate to be in. It doth remind me of Asgard in the summer." It was probably around sixty, but the wind was cold as it came in over the water.

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[info]borntolead
2010-06-02 07:11 pm UTC (link)
"You're the expert here," Charlie said to Svalin, "We'll follow your lead here."

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[info]ryanspector
2010-06-03 03:15 am UTC (link)
“Yeah what he said,” Ryan said in agreement.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-06-04 12:03 am UTC (link)
"So. What's first on the agenda in helping these people prepare against Kang?"

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-06-04 01:32 am UTC (link)
Eli also defers to Svalin in all matters Norse, waiting for her to direct them as to how to help these people against Kang.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-04 01:44 am UTC (link)
Svalin was quiet as she thought of an answer. It was not going to be easy. Norsemen just did not fight as a cohesive fighting unit. Getting them to would be next to impossible and it was what was needed to fight this kind of enemy.

She frowned.

"In a little while we wilt go into the settlement and try to explain the situation to them." They needed a little time to recover from the hangovers they were sure to have after last night's drinking. "It wilt be difficult if they doth not have a chieftain. They wilt be reluctant to listen either way."

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[info]ryanspector
2010-06-04 02:04 am UTC (link)
“Is there anything we can do to earn their respect that might help make them more likely to listen to us,” Ryan asked hoping he was being helpful.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-06 02:32 am UTC (link)
"There ist always combat to the death against the chieftain," Svalin casually said.

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[info]ryanspector
2010-06-06 03:13 am UTC (link)
“That could work but let see if we can think up another way without killing another chieftain,” Ryan says.

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[info]butterflybullet
2010-06-06 05:18 am UTC (link)
"Yes. I'm not standing there for another funeral, so best if we can avoid that. Scaring the living daylights out of one might be a good plan, though, if it comes to it and it's possible."

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[info]blinkandmissme
2010-06-06 05:38 am UTC (link)
"Svalin, you know the customs of these people; how would they choose their next chieftain? And how long do we have before they do so? It would be best to find and discuss things with this person so as to form a plan in tandem." Eli says.

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[info]shield_maiden
2010-06-06 05:51 am UTC (link)
"It doth depend on what male relatives the old chieftain had. It couldst be a son, a brother, or a nephew. There couldst be a challenge."

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