"Enjoying the view?" he asked from the doorway.
Thor turned with a smile.
"New York has recovered well after the battle with the Chitauri," Thor commented.
"Yeah, well, it took time but we're back to looking our busy, bustling, smoggy best, I suppose," Tony replied, smiling inwardly at the fact that they were already precisely on the topic that he wanted to discuss with the Asgardian.
"Jane punched Loki, you know, for what he did here," Thor commented.
"She did?" Tony asked, surprised. "Always knew I liked that girl."
Thor let out a booming laugh. "Yes, that's exactly what my brother said after she'd done so."
"I'm sorry he died," Tony tried, but he couldn't really leave it like that. "At least, I'm sorry for you that he died. I know how much he meant to you."
"I understand your sentiment, Stark and I thank you for it," Thor replied. "Loki's crimes against Midgard were many and he was punished for it. At the end, I truly believe that he was trying to make up for his mistakes. He saved my life, after all."
Tony nodded and took a sip of his coffee.
"That was on … Svartalfheim?" Tony asked.
"Indeed," Thor confirmed. "You have been learning of the Nine Realms?"
"A little. Mostly from ancient Norse texts, so there's no telling how accurate they actually are," Tony replied. "These Nine Realms, every one is a different planet?"
"Indeed. I can teach you about them if you wish," Thor said eagerly.
"Nah, that's alright. If I need to know something, I'll just come pick that brain of yours," he replied, before taking a moment to order his next questions. "The Chitauri didn't come from one of those nine, did they?"
"They did not. The Chitauri are not from any known world," Thor confirmed.
"And how many is that? Known worlds, that is?" Tony asked.
"Hundreds that I know of. Possibly thousands all told," Thor replied.
"Any that we should be worried about?" Tony asked casually.
"That is a question that has no definite answer," Thor replied, turning to regard Tony with a perplexed expression. "Xander guards the peace and will not be a threat. Both the Shiar Empire and the Kree Empire are mostly peaceful, at least at the moment, although there are elements within both Empires that can cause trouble. The Skrull, though. The Skrull are nothing but trouble. And, as I said, there are hundreds of others, but those are the most prominent."
"Any of them likely to come to Earth?" Tony asked.
"It is possible," Thor answered slowly. "While it is true that Midgard is known to be one of the Nine Realms of Asgard, it is also known that we Asgardians have not had much to do with Midgard for centuries. And when you combine that with the tesseract technology that man-kind was creating, Midgard could make an enticing target."
"Hmm, that's what I'd thought," Tony frowned.
What Thor had said had just turned the inkling of an idea that he was toying with into something that, at the very least, needed its own project file.
"Well, my coffee's done. Guess I should be getting to work. You need anything, just ask Jarvis. I'll be in my lab," Tony said. He began heading inside before pausing at the doorway. "Oh, and Thor? Go easy on the pop tarts, hmm. I don't want to have to buy the company just to feed you."
"Have no fear, Stark. I will endeavour to ensure that I leave at least one for you," Thor laughed.
ooo00ooo
By the time that Gwen was able to sit down at the table with the others, a plate and cup in hand, their breakfasts were all but finished. Harry and Peter had both pushed their plates away and were nursing their drinks, while Doreen seemed to be fixated on tearing her muffin into little pieces, eating the cake part and leaving the nuts in a small pile for last.
"Sorry I took so long," she said, sliding into the seat. "You've no idea how swamped we've been of late."
"I don't?" Harry asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.
"Well, probably not more than normal," she allowed, "but I've needed to come in here for a shift before school for the past week just so that we weren't overrun."
Harry frowned at that. "I was sure that I'd assigned enough staff to cover me being away. I take it Phoebe called you in?"
Gwen paused to chew and swallow her mouthful of eggs before replying.
"Well, she called in a panic the first day and then I sort of just rostered myself on after that," Gwen admitted.
"You weren't late for school, were you?" Peter asked worriedly.
"No. I managed to arrive on time, although I was cutting it close a couple of days," she reassured him. "Don't worry, Peter, my place as Midtown's number one student isn't in jeopardy."
"Hey!" Peter protested. "I thought I was Midtown's best and brightest."
Gwen smiled indulgently at him and patted his hand. "You just keep thinking that, Parker."
"Sounds like you've gone above and beyond, Gwen, thank you," Harry said earnestly. "I'm back now and can easily pick up the slack. Not to mention that Doreen is, too. How about you take a couple of weeks off?"
"Thanks, Harry, that's be a big help," Gwen replied.
"So, tell me about your trip? What's England like?" she asked after taking a drink.
"Awesome!" Peter replied. "The things that we saw … Not that we actually got to see a lot of touristy spots. Mostly what we visited were the magical-type places you've never read about."
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