Spoilers for TDW likely in comments.

[brosif]

There is a time to act, and a time to hold.

It does not do to act with anger in one's heart. That is a path towards actions rash and ill.

I would not act with anger. And so, I must be given time.

Hold. This is a time to hold.

Comments

[tordon]

[ there are any number of reasons for the Lady Sif's ire to be stirred, and Thor knows well it is not a thing to be trifled with. ]

Sif.

[ though it is but a word, it is seeking without being a true question, and Thor looks at her curiously. ]

[brosif]

[She does not return the look. Her knows her well enough that eye contact is a dialogue.]

Time, my friend.

[tordon]

[ his jaw clenches, a thoughtful gesture, but where another may take this at face value he instead comes to lean at her side. he does not try to catch her eye again- not yet. ]

I have known time, in some cases, to fester a thought, not soothe it.

[brosif]

I think -- [Time. Many moments pass, as she puts thoughts to words.]

I think you have not known soothing thoughts for some time, now. Years.

[tordon]

[ it is her silences that cue Thor to what may trouble her, and his gaze sweeps down before cutting sideways, watching her profile, the way she lends not to glance his way. her words ring true, though he had not meant to have this conversation throw to his thoughts and his losses. ]

Perhaps. But this is not about me. [ as soon as the words leave his mouth, though, he wonders if that is, indeed, the truth. a heartbeat passes before he adds: ] Is it?

[sonofcoul]

That's not a bad philosophy in general.

[brosif]

It is not one I often have cause to employ.

[sonofcoul]

But you obviously found one. What set it apart?

[brosif]

[Sif eyes the human, cautiously -- she remembers him, from her few moments on Midgard. But trust is not so easily given, these days.]

I would know your purpose in asking.

[sonofcoul]

Curiosity only. You don't need to answer. Or just answer in generalities, if you'd prefer.

[belovedone]

A wise course, I believe, Lady Sif.

[brosif]

[Oh that's fine Frigga, just drop Sif's heart out of her chest.]

I -- it is advice I give myself for lack of your good counsel, my queen.

[belovedone]

[Man, it's not like she tries to do that on purpose or anything...]

You flatter me. But you made good enough decisions without any need of my counsel before. I have no doubt you will continue.

[brosif]

My need was greater than I gave voice to. And yet your counsel seemed to find ways around that stubbornness, all the same.

[belovedone]

Perhaps it is I merely have much practice with stubbornness. [Brief but oh so knowingly wry.]

And any need that would be given voice is great enough in its own right. But if you would speak, then I would not have you be silenced. I am more than willing to hear of your troubles.

[lion_of_asgard]

[Beware. Volstagg thinks he is clever enough to figure out what ails the Lady Sif.]

Time shall tell, Sif, if Thor's love for this mortal girl is true. Perhaps he shall return to you, er, to us, yet.

[brosif]

[...Volstagg. Have you been drinking?]

I do not doubt Thor's affections for the Lady Jane. Would it keep the crowned prince here, I would welcome her extended stay in Asgard.

[lion_of_asgard]

[Hmm? Perhaps he has misread the signs? Perhaps his mun reads too much into things? Or perhaps a heart does not always open to words so easily? It is probably the second.]

Mayhaps. But you can hardly blame the lad for following the whims of his heart. Many a warrior has been lead astray by such.

[brosif]

[No matter where else it may look, the Lady Sif's heart belongs to Asgard, above all other matters. And it is for Asgard that she worries now.]

Warriors are led astray by many things. This worries me not, for Asgard has plenty of soldiers. What we now lack are heirs. Surely you understand the implications of Thor's departure.

[lion_of_asgard]

Aye. Should anything happen to the All-Father, the succession would be... unclear.

[under_illusions]

...A time to hold. [Loki glances aside, having difficulty already with this meeting. Sif used to be his friend and now... well. He wouldn't be his friend, either. But he must inform her of his survival, at least. So that she might tell Thor.]

So when's the best time to admit I am not dead? [The next part is more quiet, the tone bitter as he raises his eyes to hers.] I assume, not now.

[brosif]

[...she should scarcely be surprised.

And yet, she is. Visibly so. What right does he have to sound bitter?]

The moment you survived. What new game is this, Loki?

[under_illusions]

[ His tone turns icy, hurt by her words, expected though they may have been.] Enough of games. Do I seem amused?

[brosif]

I know not what you seem -- only alive.

[She goes in turns: shock to fury to relief. The latter is tamped down, parceled out by the fact that Sif knows better. She has mourned Loki countless times -- in the way one does, once a friend changes.

But Sif is not Thor. She cannot afford to assume anything good, where Loki is concerned.]

It was a farce, then?

[under_illusions]

Is that a compliment? [He asks her with a fake smile. He knows it's not one.]

[The word "farce", though... Was she trying to anger him? Or was this just his madness flaring up again? Giving her the benefit of the doubt, and attempting to force the anger from his tone by sheer will alone, he ground out,] Say not a farce. It was a lie, not a joke. A lie that hurt as much to give as to receive. And so I would retract it. Now.

[His face goes an odd kind of blank, at that. Deep pain dances behind his eyes, but he refuses to let his mouth even so much as frown.] I know it is far later than was appropriate. But then appropriateness is not really my forte, wouldn't you agree? [Another sad, almost crazed smile at that.]