Iris (Sigyn)

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was enjoying a relaxing day away from her studies and job by visiting the Botanical gardens. It was a nice way to just get away from everything that was on her plate right now like figuring out what she was going to do once the summer was over. A job opportunity had eluded her thus far, well any that seemed halfway interesting and wouldn't bore her to death within the first week. Such was the problem with her inquisitive mind, the more mundane but stable jobs would just leave her wanting.

Despite it, she found herself quite at peace within the gardens, a sort of tranquility overtook her. It reminded her slightly of home at the Xavier Institute, secluded and different from the rest of the world around it. It was majestic and beautiful, serene in every sense of the word, but it was just a facade. The sound of the other guests were ever present and though she could ignore the chatter and annoying background noise for lengths at a time, it was still there. That fact alone left Nydia with the very rare frown of disappointment, that was quickly replaced with a smile of amusement as she watch a squirrel chase a bird off of a tree.

The smile remained as she departed the gardens, having found enough of the serenity that she was looking for. Now that her batteries were charged up, she could get out and do what she actually had set out from her dorm to do, and that was to go shopping! Her budget was now in a position that she could afford to go shopping in something that was not Storm's closet and face the wrath of her former teacher or one of those icky plebeian multi stores. While it might have cost her to have those standards, such was the price of quality outfits and gowns.

Her outfit for the day clearly showed how much she was in need of a wardrobe upgrade. Still wearing college print tee shirts and not even in the smallest of heels, it was a completely and utter travesty for Nydia! However, by the end of the day, she would hopefully had spent the money she had been saving up the last few months from her TA position and be looking a whole different woman. Maybe one that screamed not just nerd but nerd chique, well that was the hope. Somehow Nydia always felt she ended up looking a bit too sexy or crazy when she tried to branch out of her normal beauty norms. Ah, the problems of being a good looking woman who was a massive nerd at the core.

Amazingly the walk from the gardens to the department store went relatively quickly for a early afternoon. Maybe it was just that Nydia was in such a good mood about the prospects of the day that time was no concern for her today. Stepping into the store, she brought her finger up to her chin for a moment as she tried to decide where to start. "Dresses!" she exclaimed to no one in particular with a quirky grin on her face and began to move towards that section of the store, completely unaware that she was being followed and had been since she had left the gardens.

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Midgard, oh how pleasant. Talking about happy places...of course, the lake in the woods back in Asgard was still Sigyn's favourite place. She knew it by heart, every path, every clearing, every little creek. She could blindly draw a map of the place.

However, there was something fascinating about Midgard, too. She didn't travel over the bifrost too often. But ever since having become a princess of Asgard - and over the millenia she had lived already - her standards had increased. Every so often, she'd travel here by herself and indulge in the mortal ways. That meant several things:

Sigyn had started the day by visiting a place called 'Starbucks'. She had already learned that it seemed to be a tavern that maintained more than one store. The most common drink to be purchased was 'coffee'. Sigyn loved it. It was bitter and dark. Kind of like Loki, she thought, and had to chuckle. Her breakfast had considered of a drink called Caramel Moccha Venti and a kind of pastry that involved berries. It had been very delightful.

She wanted to get some shopping done, a gift for Loki maybe. She would be looking for a little something for Erik, too. He was the son of her handmaiden Greta. Sigyn had seen him grow up. By now, he had turned into a young man, honorable, with a good heart and ambitions. He was working at the royal stables with his father, but planning to become a warrior. Erik was like a little brother to Sigyn.

After a stroll through different stores that sold shoes - shoes that Sigyn had to learn to walk in, learning to fight with her double ended spear had been easier -, she chose a department store and started to browse through the aisles.

She was quite attentive. Some things did not slip her sight, even if she hadn't been concentrating on them. Or maybe, those two men were just too stupid to disguise their mission. Of course, she had no interest in putting up a fight in Midgard, but the young girl those men followed seemed to be unaware of their presence. Sigyn was not exactly a feminist, but she had been a mother. Who knew what those men were after? Clad in black, with hard lines on their faces, they did not look like they were up to any good. Swiftly, she browsed through a rack of dresses, until finally, her side hit the girl's body. "I'm very sorry, madam," she said out loudly, gave the girl a smile.

"You either have chosen the most inept guards or you are being followed," she said in a much lower voice, whispering, while she was staring at the dresses, instead of looking at the girl.

outfit

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was enjoying the selection that the store seemed to have, a good variety of the summer's colors. There was also some of the more popular spring colors and a few fall gowns sprinkled here and there, for those wishing to buy in advance. The store was surprisingly not overly crowded given that it was summer and the early afternoon. Perhaps the crowds had made for an early lunch break, whatever the case Nydia was enjoying being able to parouse the wares of the store without much hassle.

Nydia nearly squealed as she found an absolutely darling dress that just spoke to her. "But where would I wear something this fancy my dear Nydia? It is so beautiful though, we simply must get it, we should." Nydia argued with herself as she held the dress up against herself and took a look in the mirror. It absolutely made her look stunning, but she was right, there really was nowhere for her to wear something as wonderful and beautiful as the gown. If only she was not as much as a nerd and attended more of the formal events that her looks could get her into.

With a bit of the pout she place the dress back onto the rack and began to move once more through the racks. All of a sudden though she was bumped into by a pretty young woman wearing the most darling of emerald dresses. Nydia was about to compliment her on her well fashioned look and choices, as her shoes also we quite to die for, when the woman said that Nydia either had inept guards or was being followed. Without being obvious, Nydia scanned the the store and sure enough there were a pair of men that Nydia could have sworn she had seen at the gardens earlier there among the dresses and other feminine articles. Well, there was two ways to handle this little problem, the nice way or the explosion way.

"Thank you so much for letting me know. I must have been followed from my earlier endeavor, but I can not for the life of me wonder why. However now that I am aware, I can think of a few ways to rid myself of this problem. If you would be so kind, could I see your shoes?" Nydia asked with the biggest of grins. This strange woman's answer would determine how Nydia was going to handle this would be perpetrators of a crime unknown. Poor sods didn't realize that they had picked the absolutely worst woman to follow and try whatever it was that was peculating through their minds, if there was any minds there to have thoughts at all! They did not exactly look the sort to be of the highest of intelligence, nor with any decent sense of fashion sense at all. If not the real police, the fashion police should have been after this pair, but Nydia would have to do!

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

None of the clothes she'd buy here - or anywhere in Midgard, for that matter - would be suitable for Asgard. Of course, the long gowns - especially the one Nydia had picked - were very beautiful. However, a princess of Asgard could not attend a public event in the great hall, dressed in earthly fashion. Rarely did Sigyn find dresses that were so similar to Asgardian attires, that they'd work fine for these purposes. However, that did not keep her from buying things here. After all, she made the trip down the bifrost every now and then. And frankly, Loki was quite fond of the small attires the shop called Agent Provocateur sold. Oh well,....

If they were in Asgard, she would not be particular surprised about the girl's reaction. Most Asgardians had been trained in self-defense at least. They were warriors or very proud of their warriors. However, she had not expected Nydia to almost shrug the information off, let alone planning to take care of the matter just like that. And just like that, the girl proceeded to ask Sigyn about her shoes. Now, despite being flattered that her choice of footwear was appealing to Nydia, she was a bit confused. Sigyn raised one brow, but smiled and nodded. "Of course," she said, stepping back, lifting her left foot a little, so Nydia could properly see them. "I must disappoint you, though. I bought them in Paris half a year back. ", Sigyn admitted.
"If you need any help or someone to escort you home, I'd be delighted to be of assistance," she added, talking in a lower voice yet again.

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia noticed something as this woman spoke, she seemed from a different place... almost a different age, the way she constructed her sentences. Or maybe it was just Nydia not really knowing what was considered "normal", so she had been so often told by friends and instructors. Okay, so she was a little quirky, there was nothing inherently wrong with that, right? Plenty of people had little quirks and things that made them not like the others, why should hers make her stand out? It just was not fair!

But that was not any concern right now, as the lady presented her foot with her pretty shoe as well, saying that she got them in Paris half a year ago. Hrmm, this lady was likely quite rich, as they were designer heels of the highest quality. Nydia almost felt a pang of regret for what she was going to do, almost. With a smirk on her face, she pulled the heel right off of Signyn's foot and gave her a wink. "That won't be necessary hun. Nydia is about to teach these men that they should not stalk women like they have done to Nydia! Now if you'll excuse me, these men need a lesson."

With the shoe in hand, she pivoted and began to make her way over to the men. As she did so, she began to draw in the energy around her and charge up the heel in her hand. The men were going to certainly be seeing fireworks tonight, but probably not the kind that they were hoping for. That thought made Nydia giggle a little bit, just before she reached the rack of lingerie that the two men had gotten to by the time Nydia had cut them off. "Going somewhere are we boys? Maybe looking to get a little lucky and need some sexy underwear and a great dress? Darling, that red is just your color! But I think you need something with a bit more spark!"

With the smile of a Cheshire cat, she pulled the charged up heel from behind her back and threw it at the men. The heel traveled through the air with a brisk pace until it hit the first of the two men, exploding on impact, sending the perpetrators flying back into the wall. "And that is why you should always treat a lady with respect and courtesy, cause a devil have no fury like a woman scored."

Walking back over to the now one shoed Sigyn, Nydia tilted her head and gave her a quizzical look. "What does Nydia called the one shoed lady? And will she forgive her for losing her shoe?"

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Nydia was lucky she had surprise on her side, that way, she managed to steal that fine piece of Italian footwear off Sigyn's foot. The goddess' eyes widened and she was about to object and actually go after Nydia, when the girl was already taking off.

What happened next was anything but what Sigyn had expected. The girl went after her pursuers in a fashion that had no rival. Nydia was confident, cheeky and actually, succesful. Sigyn only watched her finish those followers off. She didn't know how to feel. On the one hand, she was extremely annoyed about the act of thievery that had just happened. Sigyn did not take to being disrespected well. As a princes and a goddess, she was used to be treated differently. On the other hand, she was very much intrigued by the backbone of that young girl. Especially since Nydia was a mortal Midgardian girl.

The event did not go unnoticed, of course. Other customers screamed and fled, staff hid behind their counters. Most likely, they'd be calling for the police, part of the Midgardian executive authority. Sigyn was not scared she'd get arrested, she'd overpower them anyway and leave to her home again. However, she didn't fancy too much attention, either.
When the big explosion faded, Sigyn exhaled a breath she had been holding. She remembered her bare foot. Her eyes changed color, turned golden for the blink of an eye and as they changed back, the shoe Nydia had stolen was back on her foot. As Nydia approached Sigyn, she reacted on instinct. She grabbed Nydia by her upper arm, a firm hold and started to drag her out of the scene. "Sigyn. I'm not sure about my forgiveness yet. You're lucky I took care of it, otherwise you'd owe me five hundred euros.", Sigyn said, surprisingly calm for her quick pace. She could technically restore the wall with her magic, yet the only thing happening were the surveillance cameras exploding.

She had no idea where exactly they were headed to, but for now, it was important to get away from the scene.

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was feeling good about herself as she made her way back to Sigyn, having put those weirdos in their place. She even got to have a little fun at their expense while she was at it, there was not much that could have gone better as far as Nydia was concerned. However she nearly stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Sigyn's eyes flash gold for a moment, eyes were most certainly not supposed to do that! Who was this strange lady she had just borrowed a shoe from?

Eek, she was not a happy lady, that was for sure, as she gripped Nydia's arm tightly and began to pull her out of the store. Nydia did the only thing that came to mind as they moved through the racks, she grabbed the dress that she had put back up and clutched it to her chest. If she was going to be dragged out of this place, she was definitely taking something pretty with her, she didn't care who tried to stop her! Though she might send them a check later for the gown itself.

"Sigyn... that's a very pretty but unusual name. Where are you from strange lady with gold flashing eyes and where is it that we are going to now?" How did the strange lady have a replica shoe on her foot now? This was getting quite peculiar, even for Nydia, all she had wanted was a nice relaxing day out shopping. However it seemed as if it was turning into quite a bit more than that, as she saw in the corner of her eyes that the security cameras were blowing up, as was the control station. This Sigyn lady was some sort of mutant like Nydia was, Nydia was sure of it!

"May that you release me from your grip now that we are gone from the scene of the event? I can walk on my own Lady Sigyn."

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

If she didn't know any better, Sigyn might think that Nydia was mocking her, the way she put her words. She'd look into this and if necessary, reprimand the girl. Or worse, she didn't know just yet.
"Shut your mouth and keep your head down for a moment, dove," Sigyn said, despite the harshness of her words, still sounding rather calm. Being married to a man like Loki and having been mother to two boys did that to you, you grew more patient.
The police were coming, sirens were sounding and people were rushing to the crimescene, craving to witness misery that was not their own. Once more, Sigyn's eyes changed color. The girl had made a shoe explode, she probably was not a stranger to magic. Either way, she did not care to hide anything right now.
In fact, Sigyn was casting an illusion over them just in this moment. On the outside, they looked like an elderly couple of friends walking down the street. She just needed to make sure they'd be out of the picture quickly. There was no need for Sigyn to take care of Nydia, but she was not thinking that far right now. In some ways, the girl reminded her of herself when she had been a teenager, throwing temper tantrums, rebelling against her mother's harsh way of bringing her up with every possible instrument handed to her.

After a couple of minutes of walking, they passed a small backalley, which Sigyn considered suitable to release the girl and get rid of the illusion.

The moment they were by themselves, the goddess let go of Nydia, put her hands into her hips and exhaled. "Your performance lacked pertinence.", Sigyn commented.

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was shocked by the way that Lady Sigyn was treating her with such language and intent. What was wrong with this strange woman that she would be using such harsh and mocking language with the Nydia? What had Nydia done to deserve the treatment from the lady with the strange glowing eyes? Reluctantly Nydia did as she was told and kept quiet as Sigyn continued to pull her towards the exit of the store.

As they left the store, Nydia still clutching the dress tightly to her chest, Nydia examined her surroundings. Nydia did not understand why people were acting in such a fearful matter as they were doing so. It was a small hole in the wall, and she hadn't even directly caused it! The hole was only made because those pair of idiots were thrown backwards by the explosion. Hell if it were not so quiet in the store from the lack of customers, no one would have even heard the ruckus over the crowd noise! Nydia silently bemoaned that poor luck.

Nydia was surprised though that as they walked the streets no one was paying them too much mind despite Nydia being pulled along by Sigyn. She could also hear the sirens of the police in the distance, whatever nearest precinct sending a unit or two to investigate the matter. Well at least they had a fast response time, even if they were not overly good at their jobs once they got there, or so was her belief.

Nydia wondered what was going to happen next after Sigyn pulled her along for a few minutes but eventually into a back alley. Was Sigyn about to turn the tables on Nydia and attack her now that she had lead her away from would be witnesses? Back alleys were not exactly the places for discourse but rather action and usually that of the illegal or negative types! Though that Sigyn had released her from her grip was a minor relief.

Sigyn however went into a posture that showed more annoyance than any actual hostility and Nydia calmed down a bit. She was still clutching the dress to her chest with both hands but she sighed with relief as Sigyn spoke. A verbal reprimand was far better an outcome than what she had been fearing after being dragged into this alley by this odd lady.

"Nydia had not intent to amuse or entertain others with her actions. Nydia was made aware of a threat and dealt with the threat as she thought was right, disabling the threats ability to cause Nydia harm. Was that not what Lady Sigyn's warning was for?" Nydia tilted her head curiously at Sigyn wondering why she had warned her if she had not meant for Nydia to deal with the unsavory characters.

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Sigyn was not of Midgard. But she was old. She had seen times and places in this realm that most natives had not seen and would not see during their entire life. Sigyn knew the basics about politics, she knew something about mortal morals and she knew how weird their law enforcement system was working. In Asgard, nobody would have paid an action like Nydia's as much regard as the people here had done. Of course, you could not just run around and magically throw people into walls, but magic was not a secret in Asgard. Had Nydia performed magic? Sigyn was not so sure. It was commonly unknown to Midgardians and somehow, it hadn't felt like magic. She'd have to look into that.

Poor Nydia apparently thought the matter had not raised too much attention or, shouldn't have. It had. And in a world like this, after a public stunt like this, the police would be after you. That was not even fair, Sigyn agreed. Those men had followed Nydia and most likely, their plans with her had not been pleaseant.

Nydia continued to be strange, talking about herself in third person. Sigyn managed not to raise a brow. If the girl wished to do so, the lady would not object. "I don't think your act was that bad. It was a decent performance. But you will get yourself arrested if you proceed putting your skills out there in this manner.", Sigyn said. Her annoyed glance vanished as she looked Nydia into the eye. Now, she almost looked caring. "Do as you wish with this advice. You're free to go," Sigyn said. She gave Nydia a once over and a tiny smile and passed her, about to leave. The girl was safe, that had been all Sigyn had wanted to make sure.

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was confused by this lady's strangeness still, she reprimanded Nydia for her actions but did not condemn them. Instead she spoke almost out of concern for Nydia and her well being, with regards to her being arrested. That was strange coming from a complete and utter stranger whom for the most of their experience seemed to have taken an annoyed stance with her. Just who was this Lady and why had she indeed taken a caring stance, though Nydia was glad she had. The Professor would likely have more than just a verbal reprimand had she found herself under arrest.

Yet now the Lady was going to take her leave, even telling Nydia that she was free to go and do as she pleased. Well that was obvious, Nydia was always free to do exactly what she wanted and when she wanted to do it. It was not that Sigyn had dragged her away from the scene of the explosion but rather that Nydia allowed herself to be moved away from the gathering crowd and scared people. Nydia did what she wanted to do.

"Nydia has questions she would like to ask of the Lady if Sigyn would allow her them. Nydia also wishes to make amends for her brashness earlier and over eagerness in taking her Lady's shoe as a weapon. Would the Lady allow it, Nydia not only would have inquiry but also provide the Lady with new footwear." Nydia asked with a bit of hopefulness in her voice. Finding out more about this very strange woman seemed quite like an interesting endeavor to Nydia, but the risk of risking her ire also stood.

Yet Nydia was intent also on doing a bit more shopping before calling the day a waste. Such a trifle matter as this turned out to be was not going to keep Nydia from updating and augmenting her wardrobe. It would take an event of great travesty before Nydia would allow one of her few shopping days to be so easily ruined. What better way to spend that day than with someone to help her make wise purchases, even if that someone was dressed a bit oddly themselves. Surely they could provide a bit of better insight into the world of the pretty and give Nydia a friend? Nydia did not have too many of those and any of those added to her collection was a major boost!

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

Sigyn's morals were so much different to Nydia's. So much different to Midgard's. Of course, Sigyn was not comdemning the girl. She had defended herself with the assets she had. If Sigyn was put in danger, threatened, she'd do the same. Magic was sneakier than whatever Nydia had done, so much was for sure. But when in Midgard, Sigyn was not afraid of getting arrested. She'd depart before that'd happen or disguise herself. And even if the authority got a hold of her, she'd get out of that, too. She was not from here, she'd never be. Hence, no worries. In Asgard, she had to be more careful of course. Sigyn was royalty, she could not do as she pleased all the time or rather, publicly. But had some strange men followed her in Asgard like this, she would not get arrested for charging them, for defending herself. Those men would have gotten in trouble, princess or not. Nydia seemed either oblivious or ignorant to the consequences her actions would have. Much like Sigyn when she had been very young. Perhaps, at Nydia's age. Yes, she sympathized. But that didn't mean Nydia and her were girls now, bound together by some feminist bond.

Nydia however, did not let Sigyn depart that easily. She caught up and tried to convince her to stay. The way the girl talked about herself in third person was confusing, yet Sigyn did not bother commenting on it. If that was what Nydia chose to do, then so be it. A matter of habit, for both alike.

Sigyn stopped, brushed a strand of hair out of her face as she turned to Nydia. "I accept your apology, but you don't need to worry. I have my shoe back," Sigyn explained. It had been easy magic. The substance of the shoe had still been there, it had just changed into ash and exploding matter. Gathering it, putting it back together had happened quickly and easily. "You may ask your questions, because I have an inkling you would do so anyway. But if you expect to receive answers to everything you crave to know, you might be sadly mistaken, Nydia."
Sigyn knew what this was about. In contrast to Loki's magic, hers had that nasty habit of blazing in her eyes at least for a second. She had tried to keep it out, but it had never worked. Of course, given how little magic was popular in this realm, she was not exactly expecting Nydia to identify it as such. But the girl had surely taken notice of something. After all, the shoe Nydia had stolen was back in place, looking as new as ever.

[Nydia Jordan]

Lady Sigyn continued to perplex all logic Nydia thought, as she stopped to accept the apology and listen to her questions but not necessarily answer them. What sort of person allowed the questions but did not provide the answer to them if they could provide them. And why was the shoe that Nydia had turned into a weapon right there upon the Lady's foot again? Nothing that Nydia knew would allow for it, not even a mutant's power! Oh how this was frustrating, to have such mysteries at hand and the answers to them dangled in front of her but potentially kept away.

"Nydia will take what she can get if this is the matter of discourse that the Lady prefers. Though Nydia will most likely be left wanting she suspects." The last was spoken soft, almost as if a whisper that she had not meant for Sigyn to hear. There was the hint of disappointment in her voice that Nydia was feeling, it would last for so long though before excitement as some answers could be provided. The rest she would simply try to have to deduce herself, she was a scientist wasn't she?!

"Why does the Lady's eyes change colors from time to time? It goes into such a bright flash, it makes you look like an ... angel almost. And how is the Lady able to resseruect her destroyed shoe and disable those cameras at the mall? That is nothing the likes of which Nydia has ever seen and she has seen some very strange things in her life." Nydia said while skirted the issue of being a mutant. While many mutants were out there and it might have been possible that Sigyn was one of them, Nydia was not about to out herself on a whim. The professor always said to be cautious, that the world was not entirely ready for mutants to be known yet. Though the time for that was coming soon Nydia thought and the professor sometimes hinted at, but how soon that was Nydia was quite sure was not now.

"Would it make Lady Sigyn more comfortable if I were to speak normally? I prefer the third person but I know that others can find it... confusing or odd. I can speak in normal discourse if it so pleases you Lady Sigyn." Well, if she wanted answers, then Nydia could do her part to make Sigyn more comfortable and maybe by doing so getting her to provide the answer Nydia sought. So was Nydia's dear hope, though she was fully prepared to feel the disappointment of walking away with no or few answers. Some simply did not appreciate the pursuit of knowledge.

[Sigyn Laufeyson]

"That will not be necessary," Sigyn objected, even raised her hand so that Nydia would abandon the suggestion of talking differently. If this was what the girl chose, then so be it. After all, Sigyn had always disliked being told what to do, so she would not put it on Nydia, if not absolutely necessary. As long as she was being treated respectfully, everything was fine with her.

Of coruse, the girl asked about Sigyn's eyes and the measures she had taken in the shop. Sigyn had no interest in ridiculing Nydia by telling her she must have mistaken something. The girl herself had taken uncommon action. Sigyn put her hands in her hips, watched the gril in front of her. Obviously, Nydia was curious. But was she dangerous?
"I do not have witnessed someone turning a shoe into explosives, either, Nydia. Some things just ....are.", Sigyn explained. Even if she told the girl about magic, it was likely Nydia did not believe her. And if she did, no one else did. But Sigyn didn't even want to tell her. Nothing of use would come out of it anyway.

"Some things just don't require to be elaborated, Nydia. Take it as it is."

[Nydia Jordan]

Nydia was disappointed but not surprised by how Sigyn responded to her inquiries. If she was a mutant or some other sort of being, then it made perfect sense that she would like to keep her abilities a secret. It still didn't brush off the disappointment though of not knowing what it was that Sigyn had done back there in the shop. Such was Nydia's inquisitive nature and how it handled not knowing the details. It was just something she would have to endure.

"If such is Lady Sigyn's answer, then Nydia shall not pursue the subject further. Nydia would also point out that shoes and cameras simply just don't explode of their own though, an outside force needs to act upon them to create such an event." Nydia merely smiled at Sigyn as she teased at such possibilities using her scientific terms. It was a fun way of mixing the two worlds that she was a part of and in many ways helped explain one another. Whenever she was able to talk about them of course.

"Perhaps if Sigyn is not too exhausted from the events, she might join Nydia in looking for a bit more garments per chance? Nydia came well prepared to spend quite a bit and gather quite a new collection for her wardrobe. It would be most fun to have someone to bounce ideas off of, if a lady would be so inclined."