asgardgenesis

[There was a lot of pilfered alcohol, fumbled attempts, and finally resignation that had led to this video. Jessica wasn't great at asking for help, or showing that she didn't know what was going on, but this was so far out of her paygrade, she had no idea where to start. She'd poked around the library, but there were things that she couldn't learn there. Not really.

So the network is treated to a semi-annoyed looking dark-haired woman that some might find familiar. The introduction was minor.]

The name's Jessica Jones and I'm looking for- fuck -help with something. I can do this now-

[She'd never been one to shy away from showing what she could do or trying to hide it. She'd always been one of the more open freaks. But like she'd said to Spheeris, people felt safer when they could pretend they didn't know.

So for the camera, she made a fist with her right hand. A small line of concentration creased the middle of her brow and then - Woosh - a sword made of pure fire appeared in her hand. She didn't drop it, though she did flinch because that was never not going to be disturbing. She waved it around a bit. It looked a little like a scimitar, flaring white hot in the center. Then she opened her hand and it disappeared.]

-and that's great and all, but I don't know shit about swords or weapons or anything.

[She was doing an amazing job of not looking like that freaked her out.]

Who's gonna help me figure out how not to slice my other arm off?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It sounds like you are impressive in your own right. [ He's not lost much in being here aside from people. ]

But, it sounds as if fighting is something you are accustomed to so I am sure you will pick this up quickly.

[Snort.]

I don't put up with people's shit. But the whole weapons crap isn't something I learned to pick up. And I'm not a ninja. No fighting skills to speak of, buddy. Just used to not matter because I hit hard enough.

I'm afraid that I don't know what a ninja is.

[ Most of this doesn't make much sense to him, actually. ]

Well, I am a monk and I learned to fight.

Of course you're a monk.

[There was a pinching of her fingers on the bridge of her nose. Of course she was getting nudges from monks and children. Cry.]

It's a deadlier monk.

I am...but I was captured by Vikings and I spent a good deal of time with them and learned all their ways.

[ There's not much malice there for starting it off saying he was captured but a certain affection and respect. He could tell she was having less than a pleasant time of this. ]

I see. That's interesting.

Stockholm syndrome. Sounds fun. I thought Vikings were into Thor and Odin and shit. Why would they want a monk? Unless they have monks for Norse religion?

I'm afraid I'm not sure what that is exactly but I can surmise what you mean I think and it was not like that.

[ Athelstan pauses before he answers her questions, though. ]

They do have priests. I came across some in Uppsala once. [ That had been fun. ]

But, Ragnar was a curious man and unlike most other Vikings. I could speak Norse and that's mostly why I didn't die in the raid on the monastery I was in. When he returned he kept me instead of treasure as his share because he valued knowledge.

Please. I read my history and I'm not exactly pro-rape culture. Good for you that you didn't die. Seriously. But slavery isn't a thing anymore and people aren't kept as pets outside of bondage communities and other kinky shit. Maybe it's the monk in you that likes to preach, but you're addressing the wrong choir. I met a Viking here and I'm pretty sure we both equally want to hurt each other. Good times.

Do you think they were all the same? I thought I was sharing my own experience anyway not preaching. Perhaps you shouldn't question if you don't want people to answer.

An asshole is an asshole is an asshole. Besides, I wasn't asking for your life story. Just want someone to show me how not to kill myself.

I apologize for following the course of our conversation as it was developing.

I don't get much nicer than I am now, even when I'm trying. If this is too... whatever for you, it's probably better to cut your losses now. No hard feelings.

[She knew what she was, after all. An asshole.]