Hela's arrival was earlier than expected, but she still complied with the rules set forth by S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Sanctum- rules that were posted in a pop-up message visible only to extraterrestrials outside Earth. The regulations stated that all extraterrestrial guests must wear Earth clothing. And it appeared that Hela had gone further than this, for her clothing looked to be deliberately coordinated, in stark contrast to Thor and Sif, who simply used magic to conjure up something passable to wear.
The streamlined figure of the Netherworld goddess was clad in a tailored black pinstripe turtleneck sweater, a Louis Vuitton classic print shawl, and a peplum-style figure-hugging long skirt. Slightly velvety matte leggings, which were Chanel's new design for the year, and pointy-toed, somewhat professional high heels, completed her lower half.
The most eye-catching feature, however, was her magnificent pure white mink fur shawl. The shawl was wider in the center and narrower at the edges, shaped like a bamboo leaf. At the ends of the shawl, dazzling gemstone tassels hung, the shawl tails were held loosely in her arms. Even her nails sported a black and gold design. They extended just a little beyond her fingertips, making them a sharp aggressive weapon.
Her black hair was twisted into a semicircular bun at the back of her head, secured with a hairpin studded with a ruby. Two curls framed her face on both sides, her skin luminously pale with a touch of morbidity.
"Don't look at me like that, I used to visit Earth frequently as a child." Hela's voice was rough. When she opened her mouth to speak, the hoarse tone, as if seared by fire, was expelled first, followed by a substantive tone that seemed to be squeezed out with great difficulty, it sent chills down the spine.
"Absolutely stunning, ma'am." Nick sincerely admired. He then patted Thor on the shoulder and said, "Look at her, every time we ask you to dress in human clothes, you act like it's the end of the world."
"Enough, I always remember your cumbersome rules only when I am about to reach Earth, and I just use magic to throw something on." Thor complained, "You should post the regulation at the entrance of the Solar System, or at least at the entrance of your dimension."
"You want me to return to Asgard? Interesting." Hela's tone was very flat, just slightly rising at the end.
"We're discussing that matter." Thor lowered his head and stomped his boot on the ground, saying, "I know it's rather abrupt, but Asgard has been having one problem after another recently. Although these aren't major issues, they are consuming too much time and energy of too many people."
"Previously, I never thought of Asgard as such a complex country." Thor shook his head, frowning, "I also never knew that ruling Asgard would be this hard."
Listening to a ruler speak about his challenges is an unusual domestic affair. Most kings usually portray their strength and perfection, displaying an attitude of having answers to all problems. Thor used to indulge in similar practices.
But recently, the situation in Asgard seems to have left him somewhat perplexed. As he said, the incessant petty tribulations stick like a deeply seared wound. Yet, there isn't a single enemy for him to fight against among all these issues.
He couldn't charge toward the enemy with his weapon raised and fight a hearty battle, like he used to. Instead, he had to spend all day in the affairs hall, scrutinizing financial statements, monitoring construction progress, listening to tidings from the socio-economic quarters, keeping an eye on the movement and reactions of staff in different departments after a reformation.
Under this ruling model, there were no personnel references for Thor. The prior half of Asgard civilization was engaged in warfare. Ironically, during Thor's era, it seems sociology and interstellar situations comes forward. The martial rule and cultural rule are fundamentally different, and Thor can't comprehend it all alone.
Hela might not have experienced cultural rule either, but she at least had journeyed to the brink of martial rule, making her opinion still worthy of consideration.
"It has always been filled with contradictions in Asgard, the country has never, ever been simple." Hela's sensible voice echoed, more rational than imagined, "War got rid of these contradictions, because in the process of external expansion, everyone would be occupied with fighting for interests outside."
"If you abandon the path of war, you only can let them keep each other in check and continually wear each other down amid internal conflicts. That's the only way to stabilize your rule."
At this point, Nick spoke up, "If there's only one interest group within a class or crowd, they're doomed to make trouble for you. If you split them into two, then they will make trouble for each other. What you need to do is shift from dealing with the trouble they cause you, to continually balancing the confrontations between the two sides."
"The issue The Fairy Palace faces right now is, Frigga exited too early. She did not come into conflict with Sif at all, and power directly fell into Sif's hands. Hence, interest groups who obeyed Frigga then are now busy causing trouble for Sif."
"You mean I should split them up?"
Nick gently shook his head, "You should establish another group outside of them, thus enabling them to form a balance of power. That is also why I advised you to find Hela. If Frigga couldn't play the role of the leader of the other group, then it should be done by Asgard's Crown Princess."
Thor gasped a little, but Nick continued calmly as usual: "Some conservatives will gravitate towards Sif out of fear for Hela. And those who think they could have a great future following Hela will naturally rally around her."