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We're both bipedal humanoids, true, but I doubt that's what you mean.

No. No, not quite. [It's all well and good to bring science into the equation, to define and label and set to rights all those things that can be measured and quantified. Made to make sense. But Odin, who has perhaps seen too much in his long life, knows there are some things in this vast, ever changing universe of theirs that simply cannot be explained away. That simply are.] We transcend merely our physical similarities, do we not? We are both more than perhaps we first appear.

It was still worth a shot. [ Science has a very special place in Bruce's heart. It's part of how he makes sense of the world; the aforementioned measuring, quantifying, giving names and dimensions to things. Curiosity is a huge part of that. The why and who and how. He's not quite ready to throw in the towel and admit some things are completely beyond the scope of comprehension. Call it a human arrogance. ] If you're speaking of our races and cultures, I'd have to agree, even though yours is more advanced in some respects. Humanity has a knack of surprising those who underestimate us. Even if it's ourselves.

Edited 2013-09-13 00:09 (UTC)

In some respects. [But not in all things. Humanity has taught Odin a great many things since even before he first banished Thor to Bruce's realm; humility for one, the consequences of all their actions for another. He doesn't expect they'll stop now.] But, as you say, humanity has strengths to which Asgardians can only aspire. Only a fool can't appreciate that.

I hope no longer to be that fool.

(ooc: going post-avengers here if that's okay with you? odin's trying to make amends ~~with the wrong people!~~, so i figure the time's about right? :3)

That's not what I said. Humans are -- we're good at adapting. It might take some time, but eventually we learn from our mistakes. Some of them, anyway. [ He frowns, caution threaded visibly into his body language. Bruce has met two of his kind; one with a good heart, and the other ... well, Odin might be angry about Loki's treatment at the Big Guy's hands. ]

I also think we can learn from each other, if there's willingness on both sides.

[ooc: i generally play bruce post-avengers, so that's perfect. couldn't resist tagging odin even if he's not who the all father needs/wants to talk to. :D]

Are you feeling well, Odin?

No. No, I suppose we aren't.

It may be presumptuous of me - [And it is. How many hundreds of year - or is it thousands now? - has it been since Odin last set foot on Midgard?] - but I would suggest you reassess your faith in the ingenuity of your people. To stand against the tyranny of an Asgardian warrior - [Because despite Loki's parentage that is what he was raised to be.] - and live to tell the tale is no small feat.

[Midgardians have certainly surpassed Odin's initial expectations, exceeding their shortcomings in ways he could never have imagined.]

And I would hope that, in spite of circumstances, we've learned a great deal already.

Well enough. All things considered. [But Loki. As always, it all comes down to Loki in the end.]

[What was done on Midgard was monstrous and Odin is always the first to condemn any acts of war but, monster or no, Loki, despite his continued protests to the contrary, is still their son. Their responsibility.]

[Odin sighs.] What am I to do with him?

And isn't that a comfort? [There is surely nothing more terrifying or mind-numbing as the thought of being alone in this vast, varied universe of theirs? Theirs to share and wonder at.]

It is, actually. Personally, I think there are more species with similarities to other species than we might think.

[She knew precisely what was on his mind. Mostly because the same thoughts haunted her own mind and echoed through her heart.

Loki. She might not have carried him within her womb, but he was her son nonetheless. Had been ever since he had smiled when Odin had placed him in her arms]

Be patient, but firm. His transgressions on Midgard cannot be dismissed. Perhaps we should imprison him?

[She knew his actions warranted execution or torture at the very least, but she couldn't bear to watch him suffer]

By rights, he should be executed.

[And even that seems too lenient in the face of his attempted genocide when Odin could so easily devise more suitable tortures for him. But Odin, for all his callousness, cannot bring himself to harm his youngest son more than he has been harmed already.] He will remain here, under my protection, until a decision is made. He will be punished. [He must.] But how am I punish the actions of a boy? He is more a child now than ever he was. Spiteful. Cruel.

I'm aware of that. [ Is he arguing with a god? Sort of. Bruce is well aware of how clever his people can be. How resilient in the face of extinction. Human might be able to out stubborn most other species in the universe. But (and it's a big one) they're more than capable of treating one another horrifically, and that's what the scientist has trouble with.

He worries about that aggression. Wishes it could be eradicated as thoroughly as that portal. ]

I think, at the very least, some of us are willing to call you allies. If we're lucky, those similarities you mentioned outnumber our differences.

You say that, but at least I still have both of my eyes, Patches.

[He smirks like he's all that and a bag of fresh chips as he leans on his cane and a hand reaches up to adjust his sunglasses.]

Of course, that is not to say that we are all exactly alike. We aren't. [Clearly.]

[Odin hasn't made a habit of spending any great deal of time on Midgard - he leaves such endeavours to his sons, for better or worse - but, already, he's aware of just how... colourful its various cultures and individuals can be. And how outspoken.]

[He graces Freyr with nothing more than a patient blink and the barest firming of his jaw.] There is more, as I'm sure you're aware, to an individual than what meets the eye.

[Very outspoken.]

Last I checked, I didn't tap my way into a library, so no need to sound like a fucking encyclopedia.

[He doesn't see the blink and jaw firming, not that he'd really care. Elderly people (or those that seem to be) don't really scare him when all it takes is a swat with his white cane and they're down for the count.]

What makes you so damn special? Is it the faux gold eyepatch you've glued to your face?

[Yeah, he took a quick peek over his sunglasses, but he can't look too long. Sensitive eyes and all that.]

Hardly. [Once being a casualty of war hardly makes him an anomaly. Quite the opposite.] Though, if I may say so, I find your fixation with it somewhat... Ironic.

[Freyr snorts a bit rudely, straightening up and holding his cane in hand. He doesn't realize just who this guy is.] Alright, I won't focus on that shining thing on your head. What's with the get-up? One of those weird-ass costume conventions in town or something? Don't you have fucking prune juice and Price is Right to go watch?

[Fortunately for Freyr, Odin firmly believes that ignorance, in all of its many guises, can be both forgiven and cured. He'll overlook Freyr's trespasses for now, graciously though perhaps a little unwisely.] This is the standard dress of my people.

[When they're visiting other worlds, that is. But, oddly enough, it isn't the full battle armour, complete with vambraces and shoulder guards, that seems to invite people's stares but the sweep of the heavy red cloak trailing behind him.]

[In the picture books he'd seen though from his grandmother as a kid though, Odin looked different.]

Standard...dress. So it's fucking standard to wear a cloak like you're so sort of king or god or some shit? Is it like one of those year-around things? Where the hell do 'your people' come from?

Yes, I'm afraid it is. [For Odin, at least. He can't really say for a certainty that the rest of Asgard - his smith, for example, or his cook - would quite agree with the practicalities of such things but, yes, as a visiting dignitary he should at least look the part.]

[And, perhaps frustratingly for Freyr, he doesn't seem inclined to elaborate further.] As I'm sure you've probably guessed by now, a long way from here.

Now. Are you quite finished scrutinizing me, sir?

Sir? [No one's ever called him 'sir' before.

Nevermind that.] It doesn't look like it'd be from this planet. Are you from some other fucking planet like on that show called Star Trek? Fiona can't stop watching it back at the damn Academy. Tells me to shut the fuck up when I tell her to turn it down.

[No one should have to hear Shatner shouting 'KHAN!!' all the way down the hall.]

[ There are few things that can strike the words from Loki's tongue, fewer still that can surprise him into honesty. Now his eyes are wounds in the empty canvas of his face, too sharp, too green.

His mouth twists. ]

To whom do you speak, o mighty king of kings? [ he murmurs, already returning to his baseline of contemptuous mockery. ] To the earth below our feet, perhaps? To the sun, trenchant above?

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Odins are so rarely played! O: (or at least to me XD)

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