Chapter 4
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
As Gwen makes her way through the crowd, one of the many young men who are clearly eager to take Einarr's place in her favor intercepts her. This man, Harald, steps in front of her, blocking her path.
"Ah, a beautiful lady like you should not be wandering around unaccompanied,” he says with a charming, if somewhat cocky, smile.
Gwen smiles pleasantly. She doesn't need to be accompanied, and if she wants a companion, she has more than a few to choose from. It's like they've never met someone from Earth/Midgard before...actually, they probably haven't.
"Oh well, thank you, but I am perfectly fine."
Harald seems undeterred by her polite rejection and takes another step closer, leaning down so he's at her level. He grins again, his eyes roving over her in a way that makes her feel less complimented and more... appraised.
"Really? I think what you need is a man by your side to protect you. These feasts can get rowdy, you know." Harald is unfazed, his eyes flickering over her figure shamelessly.
"Believe me, I can hold my own." Gwen's smile shifts into one of mischief and challenge.
Harald's eyebrow arches in slight surprise at her tone. His eyes roam over her again, this time with a hint of skepticism. He clearly isn't used to a woman being so defiant, especially not one as pretty as Gwen.
"You? I doubt that, my dear. You are a little thing. What could you do against a warrior like myself?" Harald chuckles, his tone almost condescending.
There are plenty of hanging plants around the balconies off the great hall. Her powers work just as well with Asgardian plants as with Earth ones. Gwen flicks her wrist at her side subtly, growing the plants from the balcony towards him from behind. She keeps his attention on her and not the plants creeping closer and closer.
"What can I do against someone like you? That sounds like a threat."
Harald scoffs, completely unaware of the nearby plants creeping towards him.
"It's no threat, my dear. Just merely stating a fact. One as small and delicate as yourself would need protection from such strong men like me. Unless you enjoy being thrown over someone's shoulder and carried off, hmm?"
"Actually, that depends on who is doing the carrying." Her smile broadens. The plants are almost upon him. "But if that person is you...I'll have to pass." She gestures again, and the plants wrap around his ankles and wrists, holding him in place.
"Wha—what sorcery is this?!" Harald says, eyes wide with surprise. He suddenly freezes as the vines wrap around his limbs, his face twisting in shock. He tries to jerk free, but the plants hold him tight.
A few nearby warriors turn at the commotion, watching with amusement as Harald struggles uselessly against Gwen's power. Thor is laughing from across the room, clearly entertained by her retaliation.
She gestures once more, and the vines yank him back, securing him to a pillar near the balcony door.
"Why don't you get some fresh air and take a moment to think before you speak again?"
Harald sputters in protest as the vines yank him back, pressing him firmly against the pillar. He struggles but can't break free, and his face reddens with a mix of fury and humiliation at being bested by Gwen so effortlessly.
"Unhand me this instant!" Harald grunts between labored breaths.
A roar of laughter erupts from the gathered warriors, who are thoroughly enjoying Harald's comeuppance. Thor claps loudly in approval.
"Well done, little flower!" Thor shouts.
"What's the matter? You don't like being carried off? Enjoy the party!" Gwen smiles sweetly and turns away from him, leaving him there to fume.
The surrounding laughter only grows louder as Gwen saunters away, completely unbothered by Harald’s furious shouts. His ego has clearly taken a hit—being bested so publicly by a "small Midgardian woman" is something he won't live down for quite some time.
As she walks, Thor approaches with another cup of mead in hand and an impressed grin on his face.
"I must say, I do love it when they underestimate you." Thor says, offering the drink to her.
"Thank you. I love it too. If anyone else here had a thought of messing with me, that display should put them off." She takes the drink.
Thor smiles broadly, clearly amused by the way she handled Harald. He chuckles, gesturing to Harald with his mead, still tied to the pillar and shouting indignantly.
"Indeed. That should put the rest of these fools in place. Although..." He glances down at her with a small smirk playing at the corner of his lips, his eyes twinkling teasingly. ”...You could have simply said you weren't interested instead of tying him to a pillar. Poor man looks like he's about to explode."
"I don't know,” Gwen shrugs nonchalantly. “I felt threatened. Should I let him out?"
"Oh no. Let him stew for a while—it'll do him some good. He could use the lesson." Thor lets out a deep, booming laugh and shakes his head. He claps her on the shoulder lightly before leaning in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, though with Thor's usual boisterous nature, it still carries enough that others nearby can hear. "...Just don't tie me to anything later when I inevitably say something foolish."
"You? Never...unless you ask." She gives Thor a friendly wink.
Thor throws his head back with another hearty laugh, clearly entertained by her response. His grin is bright as he raises his tankard in a mock toast.
"Ah, I like you, Gwen Barkridge, you've got spirit! But be careful, one day I might take you up on that offer." He winks right back before downing the rest of his drink in one gulp.
"One day..." She responds flirtatiously. She watches him and takes a sip from her own cup. The mead is strong, and she's been drinking all night. It's only making her bolder and more playful.
Thor's grin widens at her playful tone, his storm-blue eyes gleaming with amusement. He leans in just slightly, not quite crossing boundaries but definitely enjoying the banter.
"Careful now. That confidence of yours is dangerously tempting." He reaches out to tap the bottom of her cup lightly with one finger, his smile turning roguish. "Especially when mixed with Asgardian mead."
"One day..." She repeats with a small, challenging smile. She is having fun drinking and flirting and overseeing wrestling matches. This just might be the best party Gwen has ever been to.
"I'll take it easy. Take a break." She takes one more big gulp of the mead before setting the cup down.
"Good. As much fun as it would be to see what you're like when you've had your fill of mead...I think it's best we keep you from stumbling." Thor nods in approval at her restraint, though his eyes twinkle. He casts an approving glance around the hall, clearly pleased with the evening so far. "Are you enjoying the feast? It seems you've made quite the impression on everyone here already."
"I am. Thank you again for inviting me. Your friends certainly know how to have a good time. Who knew that Asgardians and Avengers would get along so well?"
"It's not surprising. Great warriors all come together with good drink and food." He grins at the comment, clearly pleased and proud. His eyes wander to her cup, and he gives it a knowing glance and teases. "Are you certain you're done drinking for the evening?"
"I suppose I should finish this cup since you were nice enough to bring it for me." She picks the cup back up and takes another sip.
Thor smirks at that, watching with amusement as she takes another sip.
"Ah, so you are still under the influence of the mead. That's why you're being so agreeable." He gives an exaggerated sigh, shaking his head playfully. "I should warn the others. Gwen Barkridge is dangerously pleasant when she's had a drink."
"Oh, I am always pleasant. I'm just much more pleasant and charming." She flashes him a wide smile. "Now, what else do you do for fun at these parties?"
"You, my dear, have a very high opinion of yourself." Thor laughs at her response, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and interest. He thinks for a moment, a rare sight for Thor, considering he usually just charges into everything head-first, and then inspiration strikes him. "Ah, you want to have some real fun tonight, hmm?"
"You disagree?” She pouts slightly. “Maybe I should go find someone else who thinks I'm pleasant and charming... You know, Einarr was very nice...and then Loki..."
His smile drops, and his eyes narrow slightly at her teasing, a hint of jealousy flashing across his features. He crosses his arms and regards her coolly, still clearly not fond of the idea of her being around other men.
"...Loki is never 'nice', and Einarr is far too eager to impress. The men here only want one thing from a pretty woman like you." He grumbles back in a low, warning tone.
"Maybe I only want one thing with them too. What do you want with me then, hmm?"
The question catches him completely off guard, and Thor blinks at her in surprise and maybe a little uncertainty. He shifts awkwardly, clearly not accustomed to answering questions so bluntly.
"Ah... well... I... I'm not like them, of course.” Thor tries to regain his composure and fails a little. “I don't expect anything from you. I simply wanted to, uh, show you a bit of Asgardian hospitality." He runs a hand through his hair, then tries for a charming smile, though it comes off a tad nervous this time.
"You've shown me plenty,” Gwen smirks, a little annoyed but trying to hide it. ”Excuse me for a moment." She steps away from him and walks towards one of the balconies. She gestures and silently lets Harald out of the vines on her way out.
Thor watches her go, his expression briefly unreadable before he exhales roughly through his nose and downs the rest of his drink in one gulp.
Harald, now freed from Gwen’s vines, staggers slightly before glaring in the direction she walked off to. He mutters something under his breath about "Midgardian sorcery," but wisely decides against pursuing her further.
"Next time... don’t try picking up someone who could strangle you with vines, Harald," Thor tells him deadpan, arms crossed. With that final warning (and Harald looking appropriately chastised), Thor casts one last glance at the balcony where Gwen disappeared before deciding whether or not to follow...
Gwen takes a moment alone on the balcony. She is probably overthinking it, but Thor's little comment about her having a "high opinion of herself" stung more than intended. She was simply having fun, drinking and letting loose without overthinking for once in her life. He didn't realize that the comment got to her. He certainly meant it as a joke.
Perhaps she was doing too much. She's louder, bolder, more playful tonight. She oversaw a wrestling match between Thor and Loki, kissed Loki, flirted with both of them and entertained Einarr's attention.
Back home in the tower with the team, she is focused on work and missions. She has fun, but not like this. She is used to being the quiet one. Sure, she has some mischief in her, but she is the one who is always calm and steady, a wallflower.
She takes a deep breath of the cool air and leans over the railing, looking down at the gardens bathed in moonlight below.