(no subject)

[assistingconsultant]

After the debacle with the zombies, Joan was feeling a bit more careful about what doors she should go through. Again, despite the supernatural existence of the Nexus, she had never considered herself to be in any danger beyond what she faced every day in New York - which was more than she had ever been used to as a doctor, but still something she had come to terms with after Sherlock had come into her life. But now she realized how foolish that was, to have treated the Nexus so lackadaisically.

She had gone back to New York for a bit to work on a case, and when she returned to the Nexus again she wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she didn't think very much had. She was more wary, now, but not prepared to let the Nexus go just yet. There was too much to it for her to fully ignore it, and after all, it wasn't in Joan to get disenchanted by any one thing. There was a reason she had not left Sherlock after she had been attacked by a dirty cop, had stayed on since then beyond the mounting threats. She enjoyed the unexpected; thrived off of it, even.

She had intended to go up to her room and take a nap (it had been another late night and early morning at the brownstone) but once she was back in the hotel she found she wasn't that tired. She began to walk through the halls, looking for anyone she might know in case they'd like to grab coffee. She could use a bit of interaction.

Comments

[bornagoddess]

Tilting her head, Sif raised an eeybrow in doubt. "A force that is outnumbered so easily is not fit to protect the commonfolk, Joan. I do not doubt that they do their best, but clearly it is not good enough." Then, she smiled. "Though it is brave of you to aid in stopping crime. Or at least seek justice for the ones that occurred."

A soldier on the frontlines was a good assessment of what Sif did, and so she nodded in acceptance of Joan's supposition. "Indeed, that is what I am, though not part of an army, entirely. You are of Midg-Earth, I take it you have heard of Thor?"

[assistingconsultant]

Her head tipped, slightly, to the side, in a motion that mirrored Sif's. Joan was a genial person - she liked getting along with everyone - but that was not all there was, and Sif's easy judgment on a group of people she knew basically nothing about did cause a little flicker of irritation to jump in Joan's nerves.

"Actually, seeing as how they are men and women strong-willed enough to join their efforts together in helping people, however difficult, I would say they are more than fit for the job," she said. Her voice was calm, but there was no mistaking her displeasure; she had witnessed an ill remark against good people, and she was not, nor ever had been, a doormat. She wasn't going to scold Sif, but she would not shy from correcting her. "I wouldn't presume to cast aspersions on your set of justice, but I'd guess you come from a place that knows war. So you defend from outside attackers, but how much experience do you have fighting crime that's in there with you? Or do you not have any? That'd suggest a police state. But in my experience, where there are people, there are crimes as much as there are good deeds, and putting yourself in danger to protect against them is not considered a healthy lifestyle choice where I come from. But people do it and their own lives suffer, so I don't think it particularly respectful to deem them 'unfit'."

It didn't matter that Sif had just admitted she was a soldier, and therefore dangerous. Her body language was straight, narrow, noble; Joan expected to meet either a closed door against her arguments, an apology, or maybe even a correction from Sif herself (Joan was not so proud as to think she was, at all times, one hundred percent right). But Sif didn't radiate aggression, so Joan was not afraid to speak her mind.

Folding her arms over her chest, she nodded. "The name rings a bell," she said.

[bornagoddess]

Clearly, though Sif had not meant to at all, she had caused offense. Joan was much calmer and collected in showing her displeasure than if it had been her casting doubt on the motivations and competence of Sif's fellow warriors, a thing that had not gone unnoticed. While surprised, Sif's expression had no more hardness in it than it had before, though curiosity was gone. "You misunderstand my meaning, I'm afraid. I meant not to cast doubt upon your law enforcement's competence a second time. If you stated that they are, indeed, competent I have no reason to doubt your judgement. I meant merely the numbers. A force spread so thin has little hope to win against crime, is that not so? It is worrisome, for their own safety as well as the people at large. Is there no concern of your government for their people that they would not provide for larger numbers? Or is this not so simple? You must forgive me, again. I confess my experience with your land is limited only to a few days under very specific outside circumstances. I have not visited Midgard for recreation though I hope to some day."

She tried again for a smile, one hand coming to her breast. "I apologize for causing offense, Joan. Though I have only worked with very specific law enforcement in your land they did their most and we succeeded in what we set out to accomplish - which answers your other concerns. Though she had escaped to your land the criminal we worked to apprehend is a fellow Asgardian who had wreaked insurmountable amounts of havoc in our home before we apprehended her the first time. Of course there is crime in Asgard, as there is everywhere else, I suppose." She looked at the tiny - though strong, in mind if not body - woman apologetically. "I meant no disrespect to you or the people you aid. It is noble work you all do, I hope you believe me. Though we are a people who has waged war in defense of our and other realms for so long we breed warriors more than anything else, I know it is not only in my home that they exist, and I know not all warriors charge into open battlefield atop a horse." It was a truth she had taken time learning, but eventually it had become clear as day.

As for Thor... "Well, he is my...friend." She said after a pause. "You must know his name from legend, as I understand it some of your people long ago thought us gods. It is them we rescued from other invaders."

[assistingconsultant]

Joan relaxed, slightly, when Sif did not snap back in response. Actually, her reply was more than polite, and Joan felt appeased and also a little guilty for having jumped down the other woman's throat, so to speak. Still, she didn't apologize for it; that was a gut reaction, and she was sure she had been correct in addressing the issue.

She nodded. "Alright," she said. "Thank you - for the apology and the compliment you paid me earlier. I do appreciate it, but I don't think any flattery should come to me at the expense of anyone else, so I had to mention it. Our government is very concerned about its people, but it's more complicated than sending out troops. Because we have more than one government, as well, and they don't all get along." She wondered what Sif was used to; one single, governing body? Sounded like it. Monarchy or dictatorship? Probably monarchy.

"I've heard the name, but beyond that - not really," she said. "I think he's Norse? The deities I know about most aren't from that area of the world." Then, realizing she had rolled with that part of the conversation quite naturally, as if they were discussing a magazine editorial, she paused. "How long ago?" she asked. "Are... are you an immortal?"

[bornagoddess]

Looking at the tiny woman with a smile of approval, Sif sighed. "You are an honorable woman, Joan, and I respect your refusal to embiggen yourself at other people's expense." Putting her hands on her waist, Sif looked up in thought. "I suppose I should endeavor to learn more about your realm. But I understand governments not getting along, however."

Sif nodded. "Norse...Yes I suppose that is what you call the people whom we first aided. A long, long time ago, by your standards. Centuries." She chuckled at Joan's hesitation. "Well, not entirely. My people and I simply live much longer than yours. We are in many ways different physically, I've been noticing."