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Thor struggled for a while to decide what he was going to wear to the Therapeutix Annual Gala. He had never been to one before and instead of going as himself, as Donald Blake, he was going as Thor. Though taking in account recent realizations, he was going as himself. It was still difficult to wrap his head around the fact that he was [i]the[/i] mythological god of Thunder. Until now it was just a persona of his. An alter-ego that he had so that he could still live a normal life while being a superhero. But now he wasn't sure which side was the alter-ego.

He decided to reach out to Coulson for help and through whatever means he was able to provide him an outfit that was perfect for a Gala, but still made his heroic and godly presence known. Though he could personally do without half his chest out.

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[color=AFE1AF]“Well, I like it.”[/color] Jackee called from the bathroom as if she were able to read his mind. It wasn't hard. She almost knew him better than his parents did at this point.

[color=17dbcc]“You don't think that it's too much?”[/color] He asked, wondering if it was too late to change.

[color=AFE1AF]“I think that's the point.”[/color] She replied before stepping out of the bathroom wearing her dress for the evening.

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Thor turned around to face her and for a moment was left speechless before finally mustering up the strength to speak. [color=17dbcc]“Wow.”[/color] He was all he could say.

[color=AFE1AF]“A man of many words.”[/color] She giggled.

[color=17dbcc]“You're stunning. You look like you're wearing the galaxy.”[/color]

[color=AFE1AF]“Thank you, Thor.”[/color] She said with a wink. [color=AFE1AF]“Thank you for inviting me as your date. I know we haven't really put a label on what we are, but I appreciate this. I hope you're okay with it. There'll be a lot of eyes on us.”[/color]

[color=17dbcc]“There'll be a lot of eyes on you.”[/color] Thor said as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist. [color=17dbcc]“They won't even notice me.”[/color] He leaned in to kiss her.

The two pulled back and Jackee turned her head to call out to their mutual friend. [color=AFE1AF]“Kori, how are you doing back there?”[/color]

Getting ready together had been Jackee’s idea, really, and Kori had welcomed it. She had attended plenty of events with the High Evolutionary - he was always schmoozing - but there was no guarantee anything she knew translated from parties on space stations and luxury cruisers and other planets to a gala on Earth. Jackee had helped her pick her dress, buy makeup, and even sent her a few video tutorials posted online. Kori had practiced her makeup several times leading up to the event, partly because she wanted to look like she belonged and partly because it turned out to be fun to do makeup.

As they all got ready for the gala - Kori and Jackee commandeering the bathroom because of the mirror, and kicking Thor out to get ready in his room - there was a sort of air of nervousness from the two heroes, though for entirely different reasons. Kori still felt like she was finding her footing on Earth Prime; belonging still hadn’t quite set in. The impersonal nature of the open invitation from Therapeutix didn’t really help her feeling out of place as a guest.

Jackee’s voice calling her from the other room shook her out of her heavy thoughts. Kori looked at herself in the mirror, doing a half-turn to make sure the zipper had been pulled all the way up, and smiled. She might have been an alien princess, but Thor had welcomed her to call Earth home, and Jackee had already stepped up as a true friend. What did she have to worry about her place amongst them? 

She swiped her thumb along her lower lip, sharpening the edge of her coral pink lipstick before strutting out to find Jackee and Thor wrapped up in each other’s arms. It was cute. They were cute. She couldn’t help a smile at seeing them; they were a perfect couple even if they hadn’t made anything official yet.

[color=F5276C]“Well?”[/color] Kori asked as she stepped out, giving a slow twirl that stirred the sequined waterfall of deep purple chiffon. Somehow, she and Jackee had managed to cobble together enough bobby pins to twist her fiery hair into a rather elegant updo. [color=F5276C]“Will I fit in at a fancy Earth party?”[/color]

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Jackee had already seen Kori in her gown while they were getting ready together in the bathroom, but she was even more mesmerizing with the makeup. You wouldn't have been able to tell anyone that she was new to applying it herself. She whistled at her and said, [color=AFE1AF]“Wowww. You look gorgeous, Kori. Doesn't she, [i]Thor?[/i]”[/color] She nudged him to get him to speak.

Kori left Thor almost as speechless as Jackee did. He was seeing a new side of them both, but this was the first time since her arrival that Kori looked like the princess that she was. “Yes, she does.” He gave her a light bow. [color=17dbcc]“Your majesty, you'll do more than fit in. You and Jackee will absolutely steal the show.”[/color]

A warm flush bloomed across Kori’s cheeks at their reactions. It’s the exact response she was hoping for - the one she wanted - but somehow it still felt like a little too much. Maybe it was being referred to with a royal honorific. It had been so long since the status of her birth had been acknowledged with anything more than sarcasm at best. It wasn’t like it was the first time Thor had done it, yet every time he did it made her insides twist in the best way. 

[color=F5276C]“I believe we are already late,”[/color] Kori noted, [color=F5276C]“Shall we go then?”[/color]

[hr]

Coulson had arranged a limo for the three of them. If nothing else, it did preserve Jackee and Kori’s hair from the wind while flying. The ride was lively with chatter - speculation of which heroes might show up, whether the heroes would show up dressed in formalwear or their costumes, what the party itself would be like… The ride went quickly and before they knew it, they’d pulled up in front of the venue and the driver was opening the door for them to exit. 

As Kori stepped out, she was surprised by the opulence of the place. Clearly this was not where the real research happened - this was just an event space, but it seemed no expense had been spared whenever it was built. One thing that had surprised her by Earth was the lack of unity in style. Even different buildings on the same street might look wildly different. Homogeny was rare - something she was used to being far more common especially with the more advanced space-faring worlds she had visited. 

When she was done taking it all in, she reached back to offer Jackee and Thor a steady hand as they got out, standing slightly to the side to give them enough room as they exited. She was glad they didn’t seem to be late as there were other cars just arriving with guests as well, despite the fact that the party sounded to be in full swing inside already. 

Thor took a deep breath to get the last of his nerves out before reaching for Kori's extended hand. He stepped out of the limousine and looked ahead at the red carpet leading into the Gala and the numerous fans and reporters behind the velvet ropes hoping to get a glance or shot of their favorite heroes. This was all overwhelming to him. He reminisced on the days where he fought crime in the shadows of Metropolis while wearing a simple hoodie. Tonight seemed a far cry from that.

Thor turned and extended his hand for Jackee's to help her out of the limo. She held it as she stepped out into the night air. Last year she would've never imagined herself being at an event like this, especially as a superhero's date. Her life and career had taken a drastic leap that no one would have expected. She was happy, but wondered if her life would have ever turned out this way if she hadn't managed to save Donald that day after his first bout with Toyman. She shook the thought out of her head and put on her best smile.

Thor extended his left and right elbow so that Jackee and Kori could lock arms with him. Jackee was his official date, but he also didn't want Kori to feel alone. [color=17dbcc]“Shall we, ladies?”[/color] He asked. Jackee stood to his right and looped her left arm into his right and nuzzled into his shoulder.

Kori snaked her arm through Thor’s, smiling at him and then looking past to Jackee as she cozied up to him. She’d been relieved when Thor had invited her to join them in attending. She’d gone back and forth on whether she wanted to attend alone. She’d never been to anything like this sort of party on Earth, and she’d learned from experience that much of the generally accepted customs on other worlds didn’t translate to interactions on Earth; she didn’t want to make a fool of herself in front of whoever might be in attendance. 

[color=F5276C]“Yes, let’s,” she agreed.[/color]

Reporters sidelined by velvet rope clamoured for the perfect shot and shouted questions as they passed. It was a cacophony of “look here” and “who are you wearing?” and whatever else they thought was worth knowing about the two heroes and Jackee as they passed. Kori caught a few shocked expressions amongst the reporters, though she figured it was the fact one of their own was on the arm of the now infamous Thor.