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[color=808080][color=a8f9ff][b]#a8f9ff[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [b]prism[/b] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://imgur.com/O25cfGl][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c]..............[/color] [color=00aeef][b]#00aeef[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/019955d1-b513-770e-b929-5ff4a855a5ab.webp][color=808080][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c]..............[/color] [b]descendant tower[/b][/color] 
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[indent][indent][indent][indent][justify][color=808080]After spending far longer in the shower than either of them needed, they finally managed to [i]actually[/i] get clean… only once the water had run cold and their fingers had long since pruned. 

[color=d6d6d6]"Good morning."[/color] J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice echoed throughout Imogen’s penthouse as she walked around with a towel wrapped around her body while water dripped from her hair and ran along her skin. [color=d6d6d6]"Given light of recent events, Mr. Coulson has arranged a training session which will commence in thirty minutes, at noon, on sub-level six. He has requested you all arrive unencumbered with any uniforms, gadgets, weapons or any other paraphernalia. Thank you."[/color] She played with the fresh dry bandage on her hand as she made her way to her closet realizing that she didn’t really [i]pack[/i] for training or anything really athletic at all. It wasn’t like she spent much time doing anything particularly active… Unless she counted the past twelve hours with Magni. She might have been hiding it well but everything from the waist down was sore and felt like jello. The last thing she wanted to do was try fighting when she could barely keep her knees from wobbling. 

She shifted her attention to a dresser that was from her time at the academy. Upon opening the drawer Imogen was surprised to find her old clothes still folded inside like she hadn’t been away for a decade. A lot had changed over ten years, including her getting past her eating disorder and accepting the natural curves of her body. While there was no way most of her wardrobe from back then would fit, fitness clothes tended to be a bit more forgiving. Imogen grabbed the track set that felt the most stretchy and prayed. 

Giving herself the best chance of success, Imogen nixed her underwear to give herself the tiniest bit of more room. She dropped her towel before stepping into the shorts. She had to jump and wiggle to get them up her thighs and over her hips. The elastic snapped sharply around her waist when she finally got them up. Imogen rested her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath while making a reminder to herself to buy properly sized athletic wear for the future. It wasn’t until she grabbed the shirt that she noticed it was more of a jacket than an actual top. The zipper made her a bit anxious but there was no way in hell she was taking those shorts back off after all that work. She was able to slip her arms into the sleeves easily enough but as she tried to fasten it, Imogen could barely get both sides of the zipper to touch. She exhaled all the air from her lungs then quickly shoved one side of the zipper into the pull and tugged it up all the way to the collar. It [i]actually[/i] stayed… until she inhaled, then came half undone. She tried closing it a couple more times before accepting that there was a strong possibility she’d be flashing everyone during training. [i]Whatever.[/i]

Imogen emerged from her closet with a pair of sneakers in her hands. She made her way to the edge of her bed and sat down. She sighed as her top already threatened to pop open as she put on her socks. Her gaze drifted over to Magni as a thought crossed her mind. [color=a8f9ff]"Did you pack any clothes?"[/color]

Magni had never quite understood the point of towels. While still in the shower, he had shook the excess moisture from his hair and body to the best of his ability. When he stepped out of the bathroom, he was entirely nude. He crossed the penthouse quickly, opening up the door to the balcony and taking a step out. His hands rested upon the railing, and he took in the morning air. He breathed slowly, willing the winds themselves to whip up and around him. An invisible vortex seemed to sweep away whatever water had still clung to his form, whisking it off over the edge and toward the ground far below. Even when dry, he chose to stay outside for a moment longer basking in the sun's rays.

He entered back into the penthouse when he heard Imogen call out. His heavy footsteps marked his return indoors. It only took one look at Imogen for his fondness for her outfit became self-evident. He did not speak on it yet, for she deserved an answer first. He instead crossed over in front of her and watched her, stretching out his shoulders. [color=00aeef]"Gods travel light… I see little need for luxurious raiments for myself."[/color] He lifted his hand to motion towards Imogen, smiling softly. [color=00aeef]"Thy figure flatters thy apparel, though."[/color]

Imogen got one of her shoes on and laced before looking up. Her own gaze slowly, patiently drifted up Magni's naked body, momentarily lingering on his evident elation, then found his eyes… [I]eventually[/I]. [color=a8f9ff]"Flattery will get you everywhere,"[/color] she teased as she worked on slipping on her other sock. [color=a8f9ff]"However these are like four sizes too small. I'll be lucky if I don't pop out before the end of training."[/color] She pulled up the zipper of her top [I]again[/I], only for it to slip back down a couple inches. 

After getting on her second shoe and struggling with her top a few more times, Imogen stood up. She looked him over once more with a satisfied sigh and grin. [color=a8f9ff]"I wouldn't complain about you training like that, but I don't know about everyone else."[/color] She held his gaze like a silent challenge while her finger lightly ran up the length of his… [I]arousal[/I]… just for a second. [color=a8f9ff]"It [I]would[/I] be entertaining though."[/color]

Restraint was never one of Magni’s talents… at least not when it came to his behavior. The woman before him was gorgeous, no matter what she wore or what she did. To top it all off, they matched each other perfectly. The only danger, he realized, was just how much in common they had. His ravenous gaze matched hers as her hand trailed his veins. She was either as insatiable as he was, or she was sadistic in her own way. The odds were that she was both. He lifted his hands to hold Imogen’s shoulders, squeezing them a little as he leaned in. His words were almost gutteral. [color=00aeef]"Thou plays a dangerous game."[/color] He cleared his throat, attempting to compose himself a little. They had training, and it would look bad on either of them if they were late. He would not mind spending every second he could with Imogen, and his imagination was running wild with the ways he could be quick about things. He spoke with a ragged tone, his voice breathy. [color=00aeef]"I may have apparel in my room… and I do not wish to dirty thy garments quite yet."[/color] He turned himself away slightly, taking in a deep breath. [color=00aeef]"I will not leave this day, nor the next. Thou shall have my company for some time. There is no cause for fear in that regard.."[/color]

[color=a8f9ff]"Alright,"[/color] she conceded with a soft sigh, letting her hand cease its teasing and fall to her side. [color=a8f9ff]"I can be good,"[/color] Imogen’s voice didn’t come out as convincing as she had intended. Between him just being [i]him[/i], the gruffness in his voice when she teased him, the way he walked around her apartment like he belonged there or just the simple way her existence seemed to ignite something in him, it was difficult not getting aroused. While the thought of pushing him back on her bed and riding him straight through training was a [i]far[/i] more enticing idea, her body could probably use the break… At least for an hour or two. 

Her brows rose as he turned away slightly to calm himself and take a deep breath. While Magni’s words were intended to be reassuring, her mind clung to [i]some time[/i] like ivy to a tree, twisting and growing as it took root. Imogen knew it was an inevitability that someday he’d have to return to Asgard and his family, but the thought of it so soon tightened in her chest. They were both from two different worlds, it made sense… But that didn’t mean she wanted it festering in her thoughts after [i]one[/i] day. She did her best to shove it away and didn’t let it weaken her smile or dull the light in her eyes. Her left hand reached up, gently turning his head back to face her and hold her gaze. She seized his chin between her thumb and index finger before pulling him in for a soft but fleeting kiss. [color=a8f9ff]"Good."[/color]

Imogen released her hold on him and searched for something she could cover him with in the off chance then ran into someone in the elevator. She scooped up her slightly damp towel from the ground and wrapped it around his waist. Instead of tucking in the ends, she gripped them in the palm of her right hand and started making her way to the lift, tugging him along like a dog on a leash. She pressed the button to call the elevator. It took a minute or two for it to reach her floor, but once the door’s opened she pulled him inside with an impish grin. [color=a8f9ff]"Which floor?"[/color] she asked while nodding her head toward the various buttons.

Magni appreciated the shift from sensual to playful, letting Imogen guide his movements at every opportunity as they made their way to the elevator. He found it a little amusing, getting pulled around by a towel at his waist. The last time he had experienced anything similar was getting pulled by the belt from a crumbling ledge in Jotunheim by a fellow Asgardian. The brief image of watching the man float away on a burning boat flashed through Magni’s mind shortly after. He sighed a little, looking over towards the elevator buttons. He couldn’t remember the floor number, but he did recall which button to push. It was like a muscle memory… especially when he was usually occupied in the elevator when pressing it. He gave a quick tap on Floor 46, noticing after a moment how close their floors were all this time. The guilt came back briefly, before he shook it off.

The elevator doors opened into a dimly lit penthouse. They stepped out into a sitting room of sorts, with wood paneling covering the walls. Electric lamps mimicked torchlight in the penthouse, with projected lights hanging from sconces on the walls. Broken swords, horns, skulls, and stuffed heads were mounted all over the walls in this room, with some sitting atop the mantle of an electric fireplace in the corner. A longboat shaped couch with a number of different fur blankets rested in a nook to the left. A small entryway in front of them led into a much brighter lit kitchen space, with tile and fake stone replacing the dark wood patterns. Magni spun out of Imogen’s grasp and ducked out of the living space to the right. He entered into a spacious bedroom. A large, thick-framed bed sat in the middle, with small portholes of sorts on two walls casting some light into the room. Animal pelts lined the walls and floors in this room, all of various animals clearly not native to Earth. A wardrobe was tucked into the corner, which Magni went to and began sifting through. There was not a hint of dust anywhere in the room. His clothes were not wrinkled, as though they had been laundered somewhat recently.

The clothes he chose were simple. A workout tank that hugged his chest and cotton shorts. Both felt a little small on him… a decade of intense fighting and feasting had somehow made him even more imposing than he was when last at the academy. He went about changing rather swiftly, leaving his wardrobe open to reveal his sparse and dull clothing. Solid color shirts, some with sleeves and some without. Jeans, basketball shorts, compression shorts, jean shorts… just practical enough for him to get by.

A small smile tugged at the corner of Imogen’s lips as he slipped free from the restraints of the towel and disappeared somewhere to the right. Her thoughts wandered as she slowly entered the space and took in the stark difference in his lifestyle compared to hers. She could have looked around while the tower was still empty, there was a small part of her that thought about it but a week ago that felt like picking at old wounds, now it was… [i]different.[/i] As she looked over toward his sofa, the image of the burning boat from his memory flashed across her mind. She never had to bury someone close to her, let alone someone who saved her life. Imogen had wanted to comfort him but didn’t know how. There were no words she could say to ease whatever ghosts that still haunted him. She was what she said she wanted to be… a prize. She wasn’t some great hero or warrior. Imogen didn’t even know where to lay the groundwork to try relating. Her gaze drifted over toward the door Magni slipped into, unable to help but wonder if she was in over her head. Was she [i]really[/i] what he wanted?

Imogen locked that thought away before more could slip out then slowly followed after him into his bedroom. She couldn’t fight her impulses and flopped backwards onto his bed, lying on top of the various fur pelts. Her own morbid curiosity wondered how many naked bodies had been there before her. Magni’s own thoughts hinted at it being a lot from the simple fact he knew his floor from muscle memory and shared moments similar to their own in the elevator. She let her head fall back with a soft sigh and looked up at the ceiling. Although, she supposed, what really mattered was if she was the last one. She had to admit the thought of sharing moments with his past cast a small shadow on their memory, but she hoped that there were some things in the future that they might be able to experience for the first time… [i]together.[/i]

While Magni got dressed, Imogen rested her hands on her stomach and spoke to the tower. [color=a8f9ff]"Hey, J.A.R.V.I.S.?"[/color]

[color=d6d6d6]"Yes, Ms. Frost?"[/color]

[color=a8f9ff]"Can you contact Bergdorfs? Give them my name, they have my information on file. Ask them to put together five or so fitness outfits and have them sent express to the tower. Please?"[/color] she asked while trying to force the zipper on her shirt to stay up. 

[color=d6d6d6]"Of course."[/color]

Imogen slowly rolled onto her side and propped her head up on a bent arm. Her gaze drifted from the nearly empty wardrobe to the tight clothes Magni squeezed into. While she enjoyed the view similar to how he liked the sight of her in her own small clothing, she imagined he was probably as uncomfortable as she was. [color=a8f9ff]"Looks like I’m not the only one who outgrew the academy,"[/color] she mused with a soft smile. 

[color=a8f9ff]"J.A.R.V.I.S.?"[/color] she called out again.

[color=d6d6d6]"Did you need something else, Ms. Frost?"[/color]

[color=a8f9ff]"Yes. Give them Magni’s measurements as well. Tell them to put together an entire wardrobe. Focus on casual and athletic attire, with maybe one or two more formal pieces. He’ll need at least three pairs of jeans, a pair of sneakers, dress shoes and [i]plenty[/i] of tights."[/color]

[color=d6d6d6]"Bergdorf Goodman says they should have the pieces you requested to the tower by the end of the day. Is there anything else?"[/color]

[color=a8f9ff]"No. That’ll be it. Thank you, J.A.R.V.I.S."[/color] Imogen flashed Magni a guilty smile before she slowly began sitting up and climbing off his bed.

Magni was uncomfortable by how tightly his clothes seemed to conform to his body. He had listened to Imogen’s conversation with the Tower’s ghost, shaking his head slightly as he rounded the side of the bed to where she was sitting. He offered a smile, standing in front of her to prevent her from getting up. [color=00aeef]"Thou dost not need to spend thy fortunes to dress me finely, but it is appreciated all the same."[/color] He lifted his hands up towards Imogen’s shoulders, giving them a squeeze as he took in the sight of her on his bed. He scanned her expression carefully. There was a word from earlier that seemed to gnaw inside him, and he felt it was time to address it. [color=00aeef]"What do we call this, if the others ask about what we are to each other?"[/color]

Imogen’s gaze slowly trailed up Magni’s body as he came to stand in front of her. [color=a8f9ff]"While I enjoy that it leaves little to the imagination,"[/color] she mused while pinching a wrinkle in his shirt and lightly snapped the fabric against his abdomen. [color=a8f9ff]"I think we’d both be more comfortable in clothes that [i]actually[/i] fit us."[/color] She laughed softly and tilted her head to the side. [color=a8f9ff]"What’s the point of being rich if I can’t enjoy spending my money on the people I care about?"[/color] Imogen had more money than she’d know how to spend in several lifetimes. It brought her joy to dote upon the people in her life. If buying Magni new clothes was a small way she could show her affections, then she’d do it without a moment of hesitation. There were already several other things she had planned on buying him… [i]Like a phone.[/i]

[color=a8f9ff]"I… uh…"[/color] Warmth spread across her chest and trickled up her pale skin to her cheeks as she tried to find an answer. Imogen cleared her throat and focused on a small popped thread in his shirt. [color=a8f9ff]"There’s a lot of different words for it, depending on if it’s open or exclusive or…"[/color] She stopped talking before she started nervously rambling and dug herself into a hole. [color=a8f9ff]"We—or I am [i]only[/i] yours,"[/color] she confessed with a hesitant glance up into his eyes. [color=a8f9ff]"Some people here would call you my boyfriend, but that honestly sounds [i]really[/i] juvenile coming from adults."[/color] Her fingers idly tugged at the cuffs of her sleeves. [color=a8f9ff]"[i]Partners? Significant others?[/i]"[/color] Her brows furrowed slightly. [color=a8f9ff]"What do you call it in Asgard?"[/color] she asked, looking up at him.

Magni looked away, mostly to keep his eyes from wandering down towards the zipper of Imogen’s top. He clicked his tongue as he considered what word seemed most appropriate. Knowing she could read his thoughts anyways, he spoke his thoughts aloud in a hushed tone, more to himself than her. [color=00aeef]"It depends on the nature of things. Bedfellows feels inadequate, we are not yet betrothed, and I do not think it fair to make thee a concubine."[/color] He mulled over other words, other descriptors, any deeper meaning to his words lost in the search. She intended to be with him, and him alone. That did not sound so bad. He chuckled softly, shaking his head a little. She had used the proper term earlier. [color=00aeef]"Lovers… that title felt fitting. We have made love."[/color] His gaze fell back towards Imogen, willing himself to try and maintain eye contact. [color=00aeef]"I do not intend to share my bed with another unless thou wills it."[/color]

His soft laugh eased some of the tension that had taken root in her chest. Magni saying that the word [i]lovers[/i] felt right made her stomach do a little somersault and her heart quicken. While he agreed to partnership the night before, the surrealness of it all stripped away and cemented itself in reality with his words. Imogen couldn’t fight the warm smile that grew across her lips at the prospect of being able to call him her lover. Magni Thorson was [i]her[/i] lover, no one else’s. There was a sparkle in her eyes as her happiness was evident across her face. [color=a8f9ff]"I just… I didn’t want to scare you away by saying it,"[/color] she admitted with an innocent smile. [color=a8f9ff]"When I called you lover this morning and then with June,"[/color] her words ran away but the meaning behind them was still transparent. [color=a8f9ff]"I didn’t want to ruin everything by saying the wrong thing,"[/color] she confided in him. It seemed the longer she was around him, the easier her true feelings came pouring out. It was a little jarring, but she felt [i]safe[/i] sharing her most intimate thoughts with him, similar to how he left his mind open to her.

[color=a8f9ff]"I’m selfish,"[/color] she confessed with a soft laugh as she rested her hands on his waist. The tips of her thumbs lightly traced the hem of his shirt. [color=a8f9ff]"I want you all to myself."[/color] Imogen could agree to share his might and valor with others, but his most vulnerable and intimate parts she selfishly wished to keep for her and her alone.

Magni lifted his hands to tenderly stroke along Imogen's cheeks with his fingers, leaning down to plant a kiss on her soft lips. He let the kiss linger for a moment, his hands cupping the back of her jaw while his thumbs stroked her cheekbones. When he pulled away, he looked down into her eyes with a soft smile. [color=00aeef]"Words do not strike fear in me."[/color] He resisted the urge to go in for another kiss, knowing full well they were on the edge of his bed. He took in a breath, his grin growing a little more knowing. [color=00aeef]"I do not mind thy selfish whims, after all..."[/color] He leaned in closer, whispering softly into her ear. [color=00aeef]"Gods do not share either."[/color]

Imogen lost track of how many kisses they had shared somewhere in the midst of their time in the elevator the night before, yet every time Magni’s lips found hers it felt like the first time. Her pulse quicked, the breath was stolen from her lungs and an elated chill ran down her spine. A soft sigh escaped into the space between their lips as he pulled away. Her hands rested gently on his forearms, thumbs lightly stroking his skin as she looked up into his eyes. [color=a8f9ff]"I should have known better,"[/color] she whispered, mirroring his warm smile with one of her own. 

She inhaled a sharp breath and her heart fluttered from the deep tone of his voice and the warmth of his breath caressing her skin. Imogen wanting her lover God all to herself made sense, but hearing him admit to being equally as selfish about her roused something deep inside her. She tilted her head towards hism slightly, letting the tip of her nose brush against his cheek as her mouth inched temptingly closing to his ear. [color=a8f9ff]"Now you’re the one playing the dangerous game."[/color] Her lips ghosted across his earlobe as the words came out in a breathy whisper. 

Finding the restraint to not drag Magni down into the bed with her took all the control she could muster. The tip of her tongue flicked against her bottom lip as she tried to catch her breath. [color=a8f9ff]"We have to get your hammer."[/color] Imogen sighed. She tried running through their to-do list like it would somehow calm her down and ground her. [color=a8f9ff]"We need to train… And [i]God[/i] do I look forward to watching you fight,"[/color] she confessed with a guilty smile while looking up into his eyes. [color=a8f9ff]"[i]Then[/i]—"[/color] her chest heaved as she took a deep breath and her smile grew more devious, [color=a8f9ff]"—I’m riding you until you see stars… And maybe a bath."[/color] While he was still close, she stole one more kiss, savoring the sensation of his lips against hers, endeavoring to be on her best behavior… For the next couple hours anyway.

The flash of frustration that crossed Magni’s mind was swift. For all the carnal delights they had engaged in within such a short time, the depth of his appetite seemed unending. As Imogen made it clear they had more pressing matters, he simply nodded softly. Her touch against his skin still felt electric, in a way distinct from the usual powerful jolts he could call forth at will. The mention of Mjolnir sent a slight shiver down his spine. Among the excitement of being reunited with his most prized possession came a temporary fear that did not materialize enough for Imogen to get a clear read. Her sultry suggestion and kiss had wiped away whatever worry had haunted him, if but for a moment. He indulged in the kiss for a moment longer than normal, before he broke it to step back to his full height. [color=00aeef]"I will hold thee to thy word,"[/color] he answered playfully.

Magni let Imogen follow him back to the elevator, letting her pick the floor for the parking garage as he folded his arms across his chest. He tilted his head up slightly, closing his eyes as that nervous energy filled his chest again. A singular thought coursed through his mind: was he still worthy? The hammer hadn’t thought so. It had grown so heavy in his hands as he shouted at the men in suits. He had lashed out at his friends and his mentors. He had called them fools, puppets, and curs barking at the heels of the weak and short-sighted. Every word, every barb, and the hammer grew heavier and heavier in his grasp. By the time he could not carry it any further, he had caught himself on black steel. No tugging could pull it free from its new resting place.

With a decade of love and loss under his belt, had he truly changed? He was still the same cad, the same rageful monster seeking another fight. He had been so eager the day prior to simply pick up Mjolnir and accept the quest to find his father. But now, as he rode down with a relative stranger, the fear of denial crept in his throat. If he could not bear his powers fully, would he stand a chance of finding any of their missing progenitors?

Imogen slipped into the elevator and pressed the button for sub-level 3. As they began their descent, she couldn't help but notice the way the silence grew heavy and the familiar stirring of nerves that emanated from Magni's mind. The memories of when the academy closed flooded her thoughts. The surroundings were familiar but the scene was foreign. She had no idea he had detested the change so vehemently that it lost him his power, that he lost his worthiness due to his wrath. What could she say to ease that burden? What could she even do? She was one woman, a relative stranger in the words of his own thoughts, and he was a God.

While he wasn't wrong, being thought of as a stranger struck a cord with her that made her want to pull away and retreat within herself. But this wasn't about her. Imogen tried her best to push aside her own insecurities as she closed the distance between them. She moved behind Magni and slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. Her body lightly pressed against his back as she tightened her hold on him. [color=a8f9ff]"You’re not a monster, or a cad,"[/color] she spoke quietly, filling the silence as she rested her cheek against the back of his shoulder. [color=a8f9ff]"I may be a stranger, but I know that you are kind, compassionate, and sincere. You've let me see into your mind and soul, and what I found was a caring and honest man."[/color]

Imogen turned her head so mouth pressed lightly into his back as she spoke, as if the words could seep through his skin and warm his heart. [color=a8f9ff]"In less than a day you've nurtured my mind and body. You’ve shown patience and understanding."[/color] Her thumb lightly stroked his stomach as she spoke. [color=a8f9ff]"You are a [I]good man[/I]... I don't need a lifetime to figure that out."[/color]

The elevator slowed to a halt, dinged and the doors slid open. Imogen peeked around his shoulder out into the garage as her hold on him loosened slightly. [color=a8f9ff]"I can stay behind if you want to go alone."[/color] Her voice was soft and comforting as she tried to be whatever he needed. [color=a8f9ff]"But I'll remain by your side as long as you wish."[/color]

The sensation of being cared for was… odd. Magni’s brow furrowed slightly as he felt Imogen’s arms wrap around him. Her soft words answered unspoken thoughts. His own hands lifted to stroke hers, taking in a deep breath as he looked out towards the garage. He nodded his head slightly, his own mind conflicted on if he wanted company. His pride won out. [color=00aeef]"I will return."[/color] He gently moved Imogen’s hands from around his midsection and stepped out of the elevator, his steps slow and methodical. He walked carefully, his mind flashing with memories of the last time he had been there. He walked around towards the black, metal plated tank of a vehicle. He could almost still see Thomas standing there with a disapproving stare. He was saying something about disagreeing with the move, that the world still needed them, that they couldn’t just give up.

[i][color=00aeef]"Let us see how you fare without your armored chariot, or how the world fares when the gods no longer answer your call. Your realm will not make servants of mine!"[/color][/i]

Magni physically recoiled at the memory. The hammer had felt so heavy in his hands. He had almost wanted to throw it at Thomas, at the representatives in their pressed suits. But all Magni could do was drop Mjolnir into the open Batmobile, breathing heavily from the effort of trying to bear it. But now, as Magni approached the open hatch, it felt so foolish. If he had stayed, if he had helped rally his friends, would they still be gone?

He reached out his hand, his fingers gently wrapping around the strips of leather that cushioned the pommel. He watched, in slight amazement, as the runes etched on every surface of the hammer began to glow with a dim blue light. The hammer remained perfectly stationary for a moment longer, just as it had for the ten years prior. Magni took a breath. He thought of his friends, his father, his brother, his new compatriots, and Imogen. He pulled.

Artifacts of great renown throughout the ten realms are often born from contradictions and the way they defy the natural order. A ring that can produce other rings from thin air. A ship fit for a whole raiding party that can be folded up over and over until it could fit in the palm of your hand. A hammer that weighed a near infinite amount to any who were unworthy to wield it, and yet as light as a stone in the hands of those who were. Magni lifted the hammer with ease, holding it up above him. The runes flashed with a bright light, and electricity sparked from a nearby light and crackled against the metal surface of the weapon. At the same time, a dark cloud seemed to swirl into existence above the tower, and a bolt of lightning impacted a lightning rod at the top of the tower. The smell of ozone filled the air around him, and Magni let out a relieved exhale.

Imogen was at a loss for what to do. He hardly reacted to her words beyond a fleeting touch, then pulled away. While there was a part of her that wanted to follow, she heeded his wishes and lingered behind. When the doors started closing she made a split second decision to slip out into the garage rather than be taken on a journey to grab someone else on their way to training. She stepped to the side and leaned against the wall, staring down at her pristine white sneakers that never got a moment’s use. Her hands slipped behind her back, pinned between her body and the concrete as her thoughts wandered.

That wasn’t the first time in their brief time together that Imogen tried to give Magni the same kind words and reassurances he gave her so freely. But where his words soothed her and made her heart ache with longing, it was almost like her words fell on deaf ears. It made her sad, although she wasn’t entirely sure why. It felt like her words meant little or perhaps that he didn’t believe her. He said he wanted to know her thoughts, she shared them, and they amounted to… [i]nothing?[/i] It left her confused. Did she need to try breaking through a wall with more kind words or should she just… stop?

As he approached the elevator, he tossed the hammer up in a spin before catching it a few times. He tossed it about like it was a tennis racket. No smile graced his lips as he entered, his brow knit in a determined stare. He gave Imogen a slight nod, the smallest of smirks tugging at the corner of his lips. [color=00aeef]"I’ve still got it."[/color]

When she saw him returning, Imogen pressed the button to call the elevator. It was hard for her to miss the hammer he tossed around with ease while there was a lighter air in the way he carried himself like one of his many burdens had been lifted. A faint smile crossed her lips as she met his gaze. [color=a8f9ff]"I had no doubts,"[/color] she replied softly, following him into the elevator. She pressed the button for sub-level 6 and leaned back against the far wall as they began their short descent.

Magni nodded, stepping towards her and wrapping one arm over her shoulders as he held her from behind. The move was quick and gentle, but the squeeze was firm. He lowered his lips to kiss the top of her head. His words were soft, the faintest of whispers delivered to her blonde hair. [color=00aeef]"I want to see what it is that thou sees in my mind that I cannot."[/color] He let loose the smallest of chuckles, reaching his right hand with Mjolnir around to show it to her. [color=00aeef]"I will not doubt thee a second time."[/color]

His hold caught her by surprise, eliciting a gasp and soft chuckle as she was pulled back against his chest. The simple embrace erased her darker thoughts like foot prints in sand washed away by the tide. Imogen hummed with content as her hands raised to rest lightly against his forearm. [color=a8f9ff]"It's my job to see the best in you,"[/color] she spoke softly as her thumbs lightly stroked his arm. She laughed softly. His blind faith in her was endearing but it also made her a little anxious at the possibility of her being wrong in the future. [color=a8f9ff]"That's a lot of pressure."[/color]

Magni rested his chin on the top of Imogen’s head, giving her another soft squeeze. [color=00aeef]"I shall lighten thy load as I can."[/color] He let out a sigh as he said this, still not entirely convinced himself. But he pushed the doubt aside, chuckling softly to himself. [color=00aeef]"For now… look forward to seeing my might in combat."[/color][/color][/justify][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent]

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[color=808080][b]interactions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]mentions[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] none [color=2e2c2c]...............[/color] [b]collabs[/b] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c]....[/color] [@webboysurf][/color]
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