( There are men who, faced with evidence and scrutiny, might take it upon themselves to admit fault, bear the weight of it. To smile, carry on, and wear their blame with pride, determined to transgress no further.

...and then there is Thor, calmly nodding along, either with the woman's gentle despair or the hyena-like shrieking of the spirits below, and really, what more can be asked of him? He is a willing participant in this tragedy of miscommunication and culinary woes, and he has not utterly failed to assemble a base meal.

As far as he can see, he's also pacifying the crowd. )

That is so. this woman who cannot tell a joke is of utmost importance. We would not know how to proceed without her. And her absence of jests.