A Way Out(Open)

[Lady Sif]

(OCC: January 20th. Open for all characters. Mostly to be a introduction for Sif)

Sif hoped this was the place. She received very brief messages from fandral thanks to heimdall before he also disappeared. She was on the run for so long. Now she finally arrived. Or at least thought she did. Sif was panicking, and just about to freak out that she failed when fandral and volstagg came out the front porch for one reason or other. And even the queen herself was there. Thank Odin himself she was right. She screamed out "Fandral! Volstagg!" The two were practically overjoyed as she raced to them and they all hugged. The queen came and sif bowed before her "Your grace" Frigga then took her in and insisted people to come quickly to see her. Sif smiled as she realized, yes, she was finally back with her people.
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"And then I told mike you cannot eat it like that and he replied all earthlings eat meat like this now can you believe it?" Volstagg commented to fandral

"I can. I do. Because humans aren't savages" Fandral joked and the two laughed and conversed before fandral shockingly heard sif and replied "Volstagg. Am I hearing things or is that sif?"

"By odin himself. Yes! Yes it is her!" Volstagg went inside and reached the queen, frigga, to come for sif. Volstagg brought her out and replied "Your majesty is that sif I'm seeing?" When frigga nodded Volstagg laughed and ran. Fandral not far behind and the two hugged her "Sif, sif, you have come at last. There is hope after all" He then replied as the four of them entered the house "Everyone! Sif is here! Come say hello to her! Please give her an asgardian welcome!"

"Drinks are on me, and yes I know how to make beer" Volstagg bellowed
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Frigga was surprisingly quiet. And she was going to be quiet until she met her sons again. Until then she would wait patiently for the next opportunity. She then noticed volstagg pull her to meet sif and she replied softly with a relieved smile "Yes my dear. That is indeed sif. She is alive" Relief came over her and she gracefully met up with the three and replied "You have returned to us my child. What a blessing this is" She then welcomed her and even gave her a small hug. She rolled her eyes at the men and replied "Sif. This is the rebellion they should come shortly"

[Saga]

Soma followed the group as she spotted Sif.

"Sif! You're here!" said Soma.

She grinned hugging Sif. She'd often joked Sif was like the lost third sister to their family as they all had S names. Sif felt like a sister to her anyways and she was glad to see her again.

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Saga grinned hearing the commotion and seeing Sif. She gave Sif a quick hug. Like Soma she'd viewed Sif like a sister and an equal. She was glad she was here.

"It is good to see you. I only wish it was all good news." said Saga.

She sighed.

"It seems some of the Asgardians and Earthlings have joined Loki I'm afraid including Amira, Darius, Beron, Hogun and Thor. Maybe, even more, we don't know about." said Saga.

[Frigga]

Fandral and Volstagg smiled to sif as the two girls went to talk to sif. At the mention of hogun though, fandral made a annoyed face. Volstagg though was far more forgiving and understanding than fandral. Volstagg was more respectful of hogun's culture and was understanding that loki was his friend. Did it hurt? Sure. But volstagg knew hogun didn't mean anything by it. Fandral however was too hurt to see the light at the moment. Fandral felt betrayed to be honest. Volstagg went into the kitchen repeating "Well perhaps some asgardians are with loki but lady sif has rightfully joined us. This definitely calls for celebration. Now where is that bread?" Volstagg then made a awkward expression as fandral spoke.

"I met hogun. He said it was because loki was his friend and his culture. Hm. Didn't stop him the first time we tried to revolt against loki" Fandral said bitterly, looking down at the table. Irritated.
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Frigga turned to saga, listening as she listed people who were on Loki's side. Frigga would never fault anyone for joining loki, especially thor. But it did break her heart to see her people and earth's people be so divided. Frigga turned to volstagg and replied "Be careful with the earthling's food volstagg. We do need to be respectful that this is not our household" She then turned to listen to sif respond that she didn't fault thor but wondered why anyone else would join. Frigga sighed "It is because Loki is a man of good words. He can convince anyone of anything. It is a blessing and curse for him" Frigga then turned to fandral and replied to fandral "My dear warrior. Please do not be so angry with hogun. If it is his culture we must respect that. As hurtful as it is, maybe one day you can forgive" Frigga then turned to sit near him and patted his back gently. She felt very stuck being in the middle of all this but she would still go out of her way for her boys. They were all she had in the end.
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Sif beamed brightly at soma and saga, having a mutual affection for them as they had for her. She did feel they were indeed like her sisters and was relieved to see them also here. She hugged soma and saga tightly, laughing brightly "Ah! Soma, the sight of you and saga warms my heart" She pulled back and turned to saga who was as usual less excitable than her sister. Explaining that thor, hogun, beron, amira and darius were most likely with loki. Sif nodded, a sad look on her face. Although she was not fond of loki at all, she understood completely with thor. Hogun she wasn't sure about. But with thor she learned to accept that like it or not whether it be slavery or otherwise, thor was always going to look out for loki. Sif turned to saga "It matters not how many. To me it seems enough" She then sighed "I completely understand why thor would. They are still brothers. Regardless of circumstance. But hogun is a bit different and so are other asgardians. Why would they join this cause?" She then nodded to frigga who defended hogun and mentioned why anyone would join loki "As always all-mother you speak wisely. Fear not. This revolution will perhaps set things right for you and the rest of us. Hopefully not without harming loki. I know how much he means to you all-mother"

[Saga]

Saga chuckled at Volstagg's words.

"Probably around here somewhere." said Saga.

She paused at Fandrall's words and sighed.

"I wasn't there so I can't speak of him. But he was closer to Loki when they were children. They drifted apart. Perhaps he felt guilty for not trying harder. For abandoning him when he became king. And then...."

She trailed off looking down.

"Hogun tried to keep this quiet but I visited his realm a few times after we defeated Loki. His father ordered him to be executed for betraying the throne of Asgard. And Hogun was willing to die to regain his honor. It was only his mother who talked sense into them both. If not for her Hogun would be dead right now." said Sif.

She sighed glancing around at everyone.

"I don't know. I also feel bad I neglected Hogun. I was too wrapped up in my own training. But I supposed I didn't really spend much time with anyone for a while. Guess I didn't have much a social life." said Saga.

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Soma froze at her sister's words.

"Hogun didn't speak much of his people but his father could really be that cruel? To kill his own son?" asked Soma.

She frowned.

"I wished I'd spent more time with him. Been kinder to him. I wasn't cruel to him, but outside of battles, I didn't seek him out either. He must have felt so alone." said Soma.

Right now she was so tempted to go beat up Hogun's father but she didn't have access to realm travel. And in the end, it'd probably cause more problems for Hogun.

"I feel like I could punch a wall but I wouldn't want to damage this place." said Soma, in frustration.

[Fandral]

Fandral was a little more open to listening to Saga defend hogun. He then looked up immediately as she explained it was more than just cultural things, it was personal. Hogun was closer with loki but that wasn't what made fandral be a bit more considerate of hogun's reasoning, what made him more sympathetic was the explaination of hogun's father. Fandral wasn't aware entirely but he knew from hogun's stories that he was much closer to his mother than his father. And it was clear to see why. Considering that hogun's own father was willing to kill him for a simple rebellious streak. He then looked down more as volstagg recalled a time where hogun came with a battered body and said that it was indeed possible. Fandral felt guilty, forgetting that hogun's father was indeed quite evil in that regard.

"That is true. Hogun may have genuinely cared for loki but also feel shame for leaving him and feeling hurt from his family. Perhaps it is not as simple as I am making it out to be. No wonder he feels more for loki, they have more in common. And hogun's father is indeed a bastard" Fandral felt guilty now. Especially considering the last time he and hogun spoke fandral was angry. Now that he was seeing clearer, he began to understand.
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Volstagg though was always understanding and he wasn't surprised in the slightest when saga explained more of why hogun was with loki. Not just feeling guilty as loki's friend but feeling the pain of almost getting killed by his father. Volstagg sighed "It's entirely possible soma. I had witnessed hogun with bruises a couple times when we were younger. He claimed it was an accident but I was not convinced. He confessed to me eventually that his father hit him and threatened that if he did not return successful in war, he was not allowed to return at all. His father was indeed quite cruel. His mother was much, much kinder. I could not see how a woman could love a man so cruel. And I could not see how hogun dealt with it. I understand his reasoning. He was always more fond of loki then the rest of us were, if we were kinder to loki perhaps things would be different" Volstagg shrugged at that. He wasn't fond of loki but he didn't mind that hogun was. He understood. Hogun and loki were very similar, both quiet soft-spoken people with passion for the artistic and overall simpler things.
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Frigga looked down as Saga explained "I knew Loki was fond of hogun also. It is no surprise to me. But hearing about hogun's father really makes me so sad for the poor man. No child deserves that. I was never fond of my husband's harshness with thor or loki. I perhaps should've been more outspoken, but I wanted my sons to be successful and my husband was good at giving them success. But perhaps this is my fault" Frigga sighed, looking down wondering what the hell could she have done different. She knew odin meant well but all this was because odin was a liar and was quite cold. She wished she did more. She wished she did better. For all of her subjects. Especially her sons.
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"Oh all mother please. Do not blame yourself for this. You cannot blame yourself for everything your sons do. Loki made his choices and we made ours. Still, hogun did deserve a better father. And if we see him again we will do what we can to help or at least be there for him" Sif sighed, sitting down near soma and saga. She sighed "Besides, we are all to blame for what we did and did not do. I too could have done more for Hogun. But it is too late now. Hogun has made his choice and it is like Queen Frigga has said. We must understand, forgive and accept. And we must help the earth return to it's rightful owners and stop loki from his madness"

[Saga]

Saga sighed.

"We all had parts to play. We could have been better friends to Hogun and Loki. Loki was our prince just like Thor was. Some of us sided with Thor, and some ignored them both." said Saga.

She looked down feeling bad about that. She kept getting so wrapped up in her training she had been avoiding nearly everyone except Soma.

When Soma spoke again she nodded.

"We have to do better. Maybe we can try to reason with Loki. Taking over Asgard is one thing but he nearly destroyed this planet. The legends of Ragnarok happened but to the wrong realm. Loki practically destroyed this planet." said Saga.

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Soma sighed.

"If his father was that cruel no wonder he felt like this. His family and honor have always been important to him. Betraying Loki had got him nearly killed. Next time they could kill Hogun." said Soma.

When Saga spoke she shook her head.

"I fear it may be too late. We will have to fight them. And just put the Asgardians who betrayed us in jail. Some may be following Loki out of misguided loyalty like Hogun. I think there has been enough death myself. We shouldn't kill anyone if we don't have to." said Soma.

[Lady Sif]

Volstagg pondered at all the insults, that he originally was thought in jest, he made towards loki. He felt a bit guilty. Maybe if he was kinder things would've changed. Maybe this would all be gone. He shrugged and turned to soma "I do not know entirely. Maybe we can defeat loki and spare him so we can reconcile? Like do both perhaps? I agree loki should be punished and fought against but maybe we should be merciful and act differently" He wasn't entirely sure what would work anymore. But he did feel a need to repent. And a need to bring hogun back in his own way. He sighed "Perhaps we can fix the mistakes of our past by making our future kinder and brighter. We must fight loki but we can still be kind overall to him perhaps"

He then listened as fandral suggested for him to talk to hogun "I will certainly try. But hogun has always been loyal to loki, he might not be willing to go. Misguided or not, he cares for loki as a close friend"
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Fandral's memories of the last time he fought hogun was now filled with regret. Maybe if he wasn't so angry he'd understand better. But now it was too late. He sighed listening to saga "I see where you are coming from sweet saga, but loki must be defeated with war now. We can be kind once we capture him" He then sighed "Hogun on the other hand, we mayhaps reason with better. He might rightfully be angry with me, but he has not seen volstagg. Maybe you can talk to him brother" He then nodded as volstagg corrected him.

"Our past should not be punishment for the midgardians. It is not their curse or burden to bare. Conquering as a king or god is one thing but loki is a conquest hunter now. This is too far the humans do not deserve punishment" Fandral eventually replied. He sighed again, feeling guilt more and more as the conversation went on. He looked to listen to Frigga and sif speak more.
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"Hogun has made his choice. We have all made ours. Yes, maybe we should've been kinder in the past. But the humans do not deserve this punishment. If loki wishes to be angry about the treatment, he should've just confronted us and conquer purely asgard, not earth. His anger is understandable but does not warrant this type of thing" Sif eventually commented. She understood loki's envy and anger but she never, ever approved of how he handled things. He was too cruel and callous. At least with thor it could be repaired and fixed, this was too far. This was too much. He then smiled softly as saga suggested reason "It is too late for reason good saga, your heart is most certainly in the right place but loki lost the ability to reason when he kept thor in banishment the first time"

She then listened as saga rightfully said they wrongfully had bias and the team started making comments on being kinder or merciful "We can worry about fixing our mistakes after we defeat loki. He may have deserved to be in the royal court or whatnot in the past, I dare even say I would be content with both thor AND loki as king. But now, now I want a new better age for earth and asgard. That might mean loki live contently in exile somewhere in a different realm. If loki has allies and supporters, they can be banished with him" Sif was too concerned with the safety of her country and earth to care about what loki would want. If he changed or was a better ruler it didn't matter, there was too many innocent life gone.
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"Hogun's past is his father's burden and thing to answer for. If we can reach hogun we will punish his father if hogun will allow it. I do not know though. That boy was always so loyal" Frigga commented softly. She sighed as all, except saga, wanted to just confront loki. She replied to soma calmly but with slight defensiveness "I understand my son did very wrong and unacceptable things, but he can be reasoned with like any other man. He is cruel and a bit callous but he is no monster. I cannot say that about my own son, adopted or not. Forgive me soma, but Loki does have good in him. He just needs to be confronted on his actions"

Frigga sighed again "Loki has the right to the throne. Like his brother thor. But not like this. Not now. He must be stopped" She sighed again, sniffing a little. This was filling her with guilt and regret. She wanted the best and nothing but happiness for her sons, but she didn't know if they were now. Her being banished was one thing, having her two sons be gone from her was what really hurt her. Her husband she missed dearly too. She didn't agree with everything odin did but she still loved him. All she wanted was her sons to be content with their lives, with a partner of their choice by their side, and she with her husband all together and quiet. But this was all drama that she never asked for. She turned to the team and replied "I came here on earth to acknowledge my sons wrongdoings. Hence why I all urge you to prevent more destruction and do what is best for earth AND asgard. The humans here are innocent regardless and should be rightfully acknowledged"

[Saga]

Saga sighed.

"We were all maybe a bit harsh with him. Although the worst was King Odin. He always favored Thor. And was too hard on Loki. And we followed by example even when we didn't realize it. I can't remember even one moment I was kind to him. He was still a Prince of Asgard and we treated him horribly. No wonder he took over." said Saga.

Saga glanced at her sister and the others.

"Soma you may have the right idea. But Asgard indirectly destroyed their home. They may not want our help. I only wish with magic we could undo what has been done here. But we can't bring back the lives or things lost in his conquest." said Saga.

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Soma paused glancing at her sister's reactions and everyone else.

"We can't change the past Saga. We can only make amends. Defeat Loki and make it up to him. Return Midgard to its people and try to help them rebuild. And if we can't we take the survivors to Asgard. They may not live as long as us but we can make their lives comfortable up there." said Soma.

She sighed.

"Once we defeat Loki we will get back Hogun and Thor. But perhaps not before. Both Thor and Hogun are loyal to Loki and care about him. They may be his prisoners or working with him by choice." said Soma.

She nodded.

"If only there was a way back to Asgard. Heimdall is probably dead or imprisoned and without him we can't use his bridges." said Soma.

She paused turning to Frigga.

"If only there was another way to Asgard. Or a way to summon the bridge from our side." said Soma.

[Lady Sif]

(OCC: One more post then I'll add new characters in here)

Volstagg stiffened as Saga rightfully called out on her own behavior, as well as the rest of them. Volstagg started to get a bit guiltier as time went by. He genuinely thought his joking and ribbing around was all in good fun. Now, looking back on it, he could see why Loki found it to be hard to deal with. Fandral was the same. Fandral sighed "I hate to say it but Saga is correct with everything she is saying. Regardless of intent, we did harm Loki. At least enough to resent us" Fandral rubbed his eyes "Once this blasted war is over, we will solve whatever wrongdoings we did. We are supposed to be Asgardians' best warriors. We should lead by example and use mercy and good-will after we fight" He then listened as Sif and Frigga mentioned possible places to find transportation. He widened his eyes, replying "Perhaps this information should be sent to the other members here"
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Sif rubbed her head as Saga continued to point out Odin was not kind to Loki. That was a area she could agree with. She was too focused on the mission but Sif always did fear Odin. Sif softened her gaze "I suppose that's true" Sif felt defensive about this entire exchange. She wasn't exactly willing to accept complete responsibility for Loki. She was stubborn and had grudges against Loki. Because of this, she pointed out "Odin favoring Thor is not our fault and especially is not Thor's fault. Yet Loki has punished him, us and the earth for it. Thor was always his strongest supporter, why punish him?" Sif then listened to Soma and nodded about Saga "We can offer as much as they like, it's up to the Midgardians to accept our help. They will rightfully question Asgard because of this deed. We can only atone for it by fighting for them and, hopefully, be allowed to rebuild"

Sif pondered a bit as Soma asked about places to reach asgard. Sif hummed, admitting "I did escape Asgard through secret passageways. I do believe there are some on Midgard" She turned to Frigga "You would know better than I, my queen"
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Frigga stiffened more as Saga kept pointing out flaws in the others. Frigga and Thor were close to Loki but the queen wasn't stupid to Odin's favor of Thor. Frigga did many things to rebel against Odin without defying Odin directly. She even had conversations but Odin was immensely stubborn. He also liked to use intimidation to get his way. Frigga did love Odin immensely but, as much as she hated to say it, she did fear him like many others did. Frigga sighed, rubbing her eyes "Saga is not wrong about how my husband treated Loki. He did many things to keep Loki in line as he felt Thor was always destined to be king. That included lying about his adoption. I never, ever approved of it. I should have told Loki the truth myself when he was younger. Maybe he would feel less different or at least understand why he was not like his brother"

Frigga sighed as Soma pointed out they had a war and that worrying about Loki had to wait. Frigga twiddled her hands in nervousness "This war should have never happened" Frigga sat down, thinking aloud "I can only hope the people of this world will let us atone for the war Loki caused. He is of Asgard even if he wasn't born in Asgard. It is my duty also to exchange peace" Frigga then listened as Sif asked her about places to get to Asgard. Frigga widened her eyes, checking a small spell book she had "I have been searching for days for it. I do think I may have found a few places"

[Saga]

Saga nodded.

"I guess talking about it isn't going to change anything. We all made mistakes including Loki. We can only fix them if we end this war. Maybe move everyone on Earth to Asgard. This world has been so damaged there might not be much left to save. I do not know of the magic that can undo the damage to this planet." replied Saga.

Saga listened and nodded.

"Soma's right. If there's a way to be discreet while using these portals it will help us. If not it might be better to not use them." said Saga.

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Soma grinned.

"You know of ways back to Asgard?" asked Soma.

Her smile fell though.

"If he has control of the bridge he might know we're coming. Or have a way with his magical powers. If we use one of the portals to get back home we need to make sure we're not walking into a trap." said Soma.