"They usually are, Sweetling. Save your strength." Because if this was a test, there had to be a way to pass it. Which likely meant dealing with the trolls. "You've whittled their numbers, and crippled one. I'll handle the rest."
He wasn't sure where this certainty was coming from either. It was like a half-remembered dream, feeding him clues. "Be ready to shield yourself, Christine." Because she'd done the work she needed, and now it was his turn.
It's entirely unconscious on his part, but the link is flooded back. Pride and joy and protectiveness and worry and care and concern and trust...and that undercurrent of love. Hiding under all the rest, as though to keep him from noticing it.
With a nod, Loki gets to his feet more fully. His breathing is better, and any bruises that remain will heal rapidly anyways. They need to finish this and get out of the cold for her sake. A moment to be sure she has her shield ready, before he's stepping away from her. Moving to the side, studying the remaining two trolls.
"Over here you galumphing piles of stone-for-brains." It's called in challenge, grabbing their attention. Dagger summoned to one hand, and his other held out--summoning something else. A short sword, golden in blade--that a moment later lights on fire.
His distraction gives her time to put up a new shield to keep herself safe. She does send a little confusion to one of the trolls in hopes Loki will get a moment between the two.
He summons his dagger and then something new. The flaming sword is a surprise.
It's a bit of a surprise to him, although he wasn't showing it. Again, remnants of a forgotten-dream were guiding him. But they were working, so Loki would question it later.
Christine's projecting confusion does help, as they'd started to charge only to slow again for a moment. Which was what Loki needed, sweeping wide with his sword and casting an illusion of a circle of flame around them all. Which the trolls did not like, with some grunts of annoyance. Allowing Loki to dart in, stab at a joint or two, duck the remaining arm and twist to bring the sword around to cut off the troll's head.
At least it was a clean-wound, so to speak. thanks to the fire. The other troll roars a challenge of it's own, arms swinging and moving to grab at Loki again. Who seems to back up a few steps, before the troll reaches him. And grabs an illusion. It's clearly confused, and tries to grab the being who had backed up and stood in defensive stance.
Only for there to suddenly be the tip of a blade covered in flames pointing through it's chest. Both hands on the hilt, as Loki'd had to fight that stone skin a bit even with the sword.
"Are you?" Loki asked, dismissing the flames and illusions. "It took a lot out of you to heal me, didn't it?" Dagger vanishing, he considered the sword for a moment, before shifting his shoulders and conjuring a sheath and holster for it. Then he's moving for Christine.
"I'd rather you rested away from all of this cold." He still looked like a Jotunn, after all. Wrapping his arms around her in turn, and thinking. "We need to get out of here."
He is still very blue. In all the commotion Christine couldn't feel the cold.
"Do you have any way to get us back? I don't know if I can do a portal to another world." The only sorcerer she knows of who can cut that sort of distance is Stephen.
"I don't, but I think we can cut a portal." It would have to work--but where would they go?
To Thor...they had to get to Thor. It was a gut feeling, but Loki trusted it. "I believe in you Sweetling. Form the portal, but use me for energy and guidance." Along their link, a mental hand was extended so to speak--once more drawing her past his outer most shield if she took it.
Loki moves to stand behind her, hands at her wrists. A physical support as well as providing energy. Focusing on his brother--all the complicated and complex feelings that come with. Trusting Christine in a way he hadn't trusted anyone--ever. So many ways she was a first for him.
A different tangle of emotions, that he set aside for now. Thor--infuriating, amusing, annoying Thor. Pride in his brother, surprise that his brother cared, a want for approval and to be seen as an equal, a hatred of how things seemed to come so easily for his brother-combined with a knowledge-now that was almost pity at how he'd suffered. Familial love.
Christine's energy was now a mix of familiar orange with a green gold-corona. Showing them a cold and dark place in the stars.
All those emotions flow through her to get to the portal, and she realized the amount of trust Loki is putting in her to let all these emotions cross through her.
Loki is there to catch her easily. Picking her up, cradling her close. That link is still open and now the emotions are all focused on her. Worry and concern and pride and admiration and care and protectiveness and love too. Loki doesn't seem to even realize that's what he's feeling. More concerned and looking around before spotting a tree creature.
Then the link is closed as he's striding forward to the being....who's playing a video game mini console of some kind? "You. Where is Thor Odinson?"
"I am Groot." The being responds, with casual teenage apathy and arrogance.
Because that is so helpful. It's Nidavellir, but why is it dark? Where are all the dwarves? Loki needed answers, and a place for Christine to rest.
When she wakes up, there will be quite a story to tell her... She'll be lying carefully out of the way of the main action, but as comfy as could be made in a forge built around a neutron star.
2 voices in unison, and one slightly after. Thor and Loki are both soon at her side, though only Loki is reaching for her to help her sit. There's also a talking bipedal raccoon and a taller living tree being looking at her too. "I am Groot?"
"Loki is my brother, sweet rabbit" Thor says in answer to the question. "Christine, how do you feel? We've little time to waste..."
Be honest Sweetling--yes, time is of the essence but *you* are more important to me.
"Glad I am to hear it. Your own quest was successful?" Thor said, smiling at his friend.
"Despite the Norns being as cryptic as ever, yes." Loki responded, blue-green eyes (once more) studying her carefully. "We're probably headed into a battle--are you sure you're alright?"
"I am Groot."
"No, sure, nobody's asking if we're alright with it..." Rocket said sarcastically. "What's the fuss about a human?"
"She is my friend and a powerful sorceress and healer. We'll likely need her aid as much as we need yours. Or are you backing out now?"
"I am Groot!"
"Hell naw we ain't backing out, Thor. You should know us better than that."
"I only met you a few hours ago, sweet Rabbit."
While they were carrying on, Loki was focused on Christine. "Will you be alright?"
"'s the 2nd time I've been called a raccoon. What's a raccoon?" Rocket asked.
"Apparently you are, and a mean one at that." Loki retorted, glaring.
"Brother, please...we're all on the same side." Thor said. "I am Groot." "Yes Groot, I know, Rocket lacks manners sometimes." Turning his attention to Christine, and offering her a hand up even as Loki was doing the same. "Forgive my new friends, Christine--we've all been under great duress. The Mad Titan is even now on Earth most likely, and we must stop him from gathering the Infinity Stones."
"There had better be a plan and 'Get help' had better be nowhere in it, Thor." Now Loki was glaring at his brother. "'Get help?'" Rocket asked, with a grin. "I dunno what that plan is but I like it. From the sounds of things we're going to NEED to get help."
no subject
He wasn't sure where this certainty was coming from either. It was like a half-remembered dream, feeding him clues. "Be ready to shield yourself, Christine." Because she'd done the work she needed, and now it was his turn.
no subject
"Ready." She's prepared to drop the larger shield to create a smaller one.
no subject
With a nod, Loki gets to his feet more fully. His breathing is better, and any bruises that remain will heal rapidly anyways. They need to finish this and get out of the cold for her sake. A moment to be sure she has her shield ready, before he's stepping away from her. Moving to the side, studying the remaining two trolls.
"Over here you galumphing piles of stone-for-brains." It's called in challenge, grabbing their attention. Dagger summoned to one hand, and his other held out--summoning something else. A short sword, golden in blade--that a moment later lights on fire.
no subject
He summons his dagger and then something new. The flaming sword is a surprise.
no subject
Christine's projecting confusion does help, as they'd started to charge only to slow again for a moment. Which was what Loki needed, sweeping wide with his sword and casting an illusion of a circle of flame around them all. Which the trolls did not like, with some grunts of annoyance. Allowing Loki to dart in, stab at a joint or two, duck the remaining arm and twist to bring the sword around to cut off the troll's head.
no subject
She's never seen anything being decapitated, and watching the trolls head hit the ground makes her a little sick to the stomach.
no subject
Only for there to suddenly be the tip of a blade covered in flames pointing through it's chest. Both hands on the hilt, as Loki'd had to fight that stone skin a bit even with the sword.
no subject
Only when it hits the ground with a thud can she actually breathe a little sigh of relief.
"Are you okay?" She drops her shield.
no subject
no subject
"I'll need to rest. You helped a lot with your energy."
no subject
no subject
"Do you have any way to get us back? I don't know if I can do a portal to another world." The only sorcerer she knows of who can cut that sort of distance is Stephen.
no subject
To Thor...they had to get to Thor. It was a gut feeling, but Loki trusted it. "I believe in you Sweetling. Form the portal, but use me for energy and guidance." Along their link, a mental hand was extended so to speak--once more drawing her past his outer most shield if she took it.
no subject
"Focus on your brother." She nods. Even with Loki's help the energy required will be immense for Christine.
She uses Loki's emotions and her desire to get off this planet and funnels it into the circle she is casting.
no subject
A different tangle of emotions, that he set aside for now. Thor--infuriating, amusing, annoying Thor. Pride in his brother, surprise that his brother cared, a want for approval and to be seen as an equal, a hatred of how things seemed to come so easily for his brother-combined with a knowledge-now that was almost pity at how he'd suffered. Familial love.
Christine's energy was now a mix of familiar orange with a green gold-corona. Showing them a cold and dark place in the stars.
no subject
The window is open and it looks stable.
"I can't hold it for long."
no subject
no subject
no subject
Then the link is closed as he's striding forward to the being....who's playing a video game mini console of some kind? "You. Where is Thor Odinson?"
"I am Groot." The being responds, with casual teenage apathy and arrogance.
Because that is so helpful. It's Nidavellir, but why is it dark? Where are all the dwarves? Loki needed answers, and a place for Christine to rest.
When she wakes up, there will be quite a story to tell her... She'll be lying carefully out of the way of the main action, but as comfy as could be made in a forge built around a neutron star.
no subject
It's not too long before she wakes, she just needed a bit of a rest. She stirs slowly and looks around.
"Loki?"
no subject
"Christine!"
"What's a Loki?"
2 voices in unison, and one slightly after. Thor and Loki are both soon at her side, though only Loki is reaching for her to help her sit. There's also a talking bipedal raccoon and a taller living tree being looking at her too. "I am Groot?"
"Loki is my brother, sweet rabbit" Thor says in answer to the question. "Christine, how do you feel? We've little time to waste..."
Be honest Sweetling--yes, time is of the essence but *you* are more important to me.
no subject
"I'm ok. We found you then." She says to Thor.
I'm a bit tired but I'm okay.
no subject
"Despite the Norns being as cryptic as ever, yes." Loki responded, blue-green eyes (once more) studying her carefully. "We're probably headed into a battle--are you sure you're alright?"
"I am Groot."
"No, sure, nobody's asking if we're alright with it..." Rocket said sarcastically. "What's the fuss about a human?"
"She is my friend and a powerful sorceress and healer. We'll likely need her aid as much as we need yours. Or are you backing out now?"
"I am Groot!"
"Hell naw we ain't backing out, Thor. You should know us better than that."
"I only met you a few hours ago, sweet Rabbit."
While they were carrying on, Loki was focused on Christine. "Will you be alright?"
no subject
"Why is the racoon so mean?" She can't help herself. If she's just a human, he's a glorified rat.
She turns her attention to Loki and she nods.
"Yes, I'll be alright."
no subject
"Apparently you are, and a mean one at that." Loki retorted, glaring.
"Brother, please...we're all on the same side." Thor said. "I am Groot." "Yes Groot, I know, Rocket lacks manners sometimes." Turning his attention to Christine, and offering her a hand up even as Loki was doing the same. "Forgive my new friends, Christine--we've all been under great duress. The Mad Titan is even now on Earth most likely, and we must stop him from gathering the Infinity Stones."
"There had better be a plan and 'Get help' had better be nowhere in it, Thor." Now Loki was glaring at his brother. "'Get help?'" Rocket asked, with a grin. "I dunno what that plan is but I like it. From the sounds of things we're going to NEED to get help."
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)