Dok & Thrude & Jack & Willow [IC]

[N/A]

"Hail, Dynamo! The Lord of Lightning, who runs like the wind! Archeville's moving paintings showed me your exploits as well! It was said that you could walk the length of the Midgard Serpent's back in the blink of an eye! That you could outrun even that smirking Olympian messenger-god, who isn't half as clever as he thinks himself! I saw you bend the elements to your will, as my father and I, or the Hispanic Swordsman you fight alongside! Archeville insists that none of you are 'gods,' at least as much as he or I understand the word. Be you demigod, then, or sorcerer, or something else entirely? Regardless, 'tis an honor to count myself among your contemporaries. I look forward to fighting and dying by your side, as with the rest of your comrades."

[Dr Archeville]

Well, Thrude definitely fills the 'Big Gun' role Billy is leaving. And I suppose this 'Willow' will replace the 'Weird Fae Chick' role Lynn is vacating. Really do need to find out more about her, though.

"Ah, yes, Thrude, I do have a slight confession to make," Archeville said, Dynamo's appearance and Jack's words reminding him of his most recent shame. "You were right the first time -- I am the one who assembled these fine heroes, and who provide them shelter and sustenance, and I offer it to you. I could not tell you earlier because my patronage of them is not known to the world at large, and I was not sure you would take up my offer, or that they would be accepting of you. Well," he lightly tapped Jack on the shoulder, "I had a strong feeling this one would, at the very least."

Okay, now, truth time.

His smile quickly faded, and he turned to face Thrude fully. "But I swear to you now, Thrude Thorsdottir," he intoned, holding up his right hand, "Daughter of Storms, Chooser of The Slain, and Princess of Asgard, that that," he glanced over to the others, "is the one and only time I shall ever mislead you."

[Dariusprime]

Fulcrum's eyes misted up as well. She gently returned the bear hug. Very gently. Even though the pixie was notoriously tough! "Anytime, Lynn. Anytime. Give me half an hour and I'll be anywhere in the world you want to brunch."

After a good chuckle over the 'birthing bed' comment, the giantess offered a handshake to Willow as well. "Welcome aboard as well. I haven't seen Jack this happy in years."

Maybe Thrude had a point about omens or fate. Well, not really, but the coincidence certainly did appear striking. The Interceptors lost their de facto field commander and long-range specialist and picked up hell-bent melee bruiser. And judging by the roaring of thunder and rain, one that probably had a rather good 'ranged' ability of her own. As for her leadership ability, that was another matter entirely. Then on top of that, their pixie was leaving and being replaced by a dryad! Which brought up the question of just how complicated these supernatural societies could be.

At Viktor's confession, Mona slipped over to her beau and wrapped one large arm around his shoulders. Body language aside, the tone of his voice alone told her everything she needed. He was a very sweet guy but so prone to guilt! Smiling to him, she lent her silent support. Okay, she wanted to be close just in case Thrude went Hammer Time.

[N/A]

"For context, ladies," the swashbuckler told their guests, "Zip used to be the youngest one here until he spent a few years in the far flung future before popping back right when he left." He gave his much changed friend a broad smirk. "Which makes mature, insightful Dynamo really, really weird to hear."

"So you are a man out of time, then. I know the feeling."

"But I swear to you now, Thrude Thorsdottir," he intoned, holding up his right hand, "Daughter of Storms, Chooser of The Slain, and Princess of Asgard, that that," he glanced over to the others, "is the one and only time I shall ever mislead you."

Thrude's one good eye stared coldly and intently at Viktor, as if it were trying to bore a hole through him but didn't feel anything about it one way or the other. Her tight-lipped silence seemed to make the next burst of roaring thunder outside louder than its predecessors. Finally, she gripped his forearm below the elbow, shook his hand, and nodded. "Not a lie, Viktor Archeville. A test. You would not lie to me. You are a man of honor. I would not have thrown my lot in with you were it otherwise."

[Geez3r]

Dynamo had a nice little chuckle at Thrude's reference to Hermes, or was it Mercury? Damn Greeks and/or Romans. "Point of clarification Thrude: I'm not that fast anymore, nor am I the Lord of Lightning, as you so eloquently put it. My powers were radically diminished during my time in the future due to... well I guess you could call it an injury... I received during a fight there." he said with a shrug, unsure how to explain the phenomena to Thrude given her apparent mental disposition, as she seemed unlikely to be one of the foremost scientific minds of her generation. "If we're to be fighting on the same team, you should at least be aware of my capabilities."

[Dr Archeville]

"Many changes around here, yes!," Archeville said with a sharp clap, relieved that Thrude was not going to remove his head for his small deception, and that Eli appeared slightly less uncomfortable being in the same room as him.

His feelings are understandable, especially as there is no way I can make up for what happened. But we soldier on as best we can, and continue to do what we can to make the world a better place, one day at a time.

But maybe helping bring these two up to speed on modern technology and history will take his mind off his loss!

"More than even I had anticipated," he looked over at Willow and Erik, gave a short nod, then moved back so he could face the entire group. "but change is the mechanism of evolution, of how things become better at their tasks, and I am certain you two will help us be a better team, help us with our trials, just as we shall help you adjust to this world, help you with your trials. Thrude, Willow -- welcome to the Interceptors!"

---

That sentimental fool! He would bring every stray cur to my team! No matter -- I can adapt, too. And soon, very soon, the world will tremble and bow to the name Archeville once more!

~fin~