Meme-shenanigans and Continuations.

[whose_son_am_i]

This post will be for Meme-continuations for drpalmer

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Vacation

[whose_son_am_i]

It still rankled Loki--and many of the other Asgardians (and some of the Vanir, who did not fully understand)--that they could not take direct action against the Earth First Groups. It did not mean they did not do all they could to help ferret out and disband them. They continued with aid, especially in medical areas and in disaster areas where it was desperately needed. Many of them adapted to Earth tech, and using a combination of magic and science and their own advanced tech, helped strike at the groups via digital means.

Loki was one of those, using the information SHIELD had given him, and finally...they'd found a link. There was one being who'd stirred the pot repeatedly, and riled things up, and they'd found him. It was not personal revenge, but it was a revenge of sorts. To find out that it was the Grandmaster, some how having come here from Sakaar, and wanting his own revenge. "Earth First" was put together by an alien. Those connected with the groups were further ejected and arrested, including a new servant on the Statesman.

On the larger scale of things, equilibrium was being restored with his arrest and exposure.

On the smaller scale, those who could not find other useful outlets for their anger (or needed simply to indulge it) were invited to train and to spar. Loki was occasionally one of these, and found that there were others who actually did want to train and spar with him. Thor was also quite in demand, though he and Sif preferred each others company.

Christine was made as comfortable as she could be, and clearly accepted as one of them as much as any non-Asgardian who'd made New Asgard their home. The Vanir were slowly coming around, finding the marvel of the planet and its people rather than viewing it through elitest eyes. Ingrid made certain to spend time with her friend too, and introduce her to some of the vanir-healers who were eager to meet her and work with her too.

But she had been promised a vacation. And while Loki could not make a portal, he did make arrangements in a more old-fashioned way. Finding a bungalow on a tropical island that they could rent for however long they wanted, among a community that was designed for just such travelers and vacationers. They were going mostly off-grid, and only telling those they needed to.

[drpalmer]

Christine was always in demand as a healer. She was often found in the medical bay in her free time, enchanting bandages to speed healing. It was a little thing, but it helped.

Christine would even spar on occasion, she needed to keep up her skills and it gave her the chance to work on new offensive skills in a safe space.

She has used portals to the Sanctum a few times, mostly to retrieve a new book of spells to work through.

Once Loki told her he had found them a vacation spot she got a bit giddy.

"I'll need you to visualize it for my portal." It's a very convenient element of the link, being able to use Loki's thoughts and emotions to portal.

[whose_son_am_i]

There was more she could do than just enchant bandages. There were more archaic potions and salves that she could help with making and enchanting, as well as increasing potency of some of the modern medicines. Things not simply to help with the initial trauma, as she and the Aesir/Vanir Healers all traded notes.

Loki had been with her on at least one visit to the Sanctum. Specifically to talk with Dr. Strange, though he didn't share what about. It wasn't any great secret so much as Loki just being private.

It was frustrating that he could not portal himself, but at least with Christine--it stung less. He was also working on figuring out his own means of doing so, even if he kept having to put it to the side.

"Whenever you're ready, Sweetling. Only a very select few here know where we'll be going."

[drpalmer]

She doesn't question Loki wanting to talk to Stephen. Christine is just satisfied they get along to some degree.

She is a little pleased to be the one making portals, there is so much that only Loki can do, it's nice to have a few things he can't.

"A little private trip." She moves close to him so she can touch him while she casts her portal, using him to paint the image.

[whose_son_am_i]

There was a measure of respect between the two, if only because of their shared care for Christine.

"Even if you didn't deserve it, I'd likely have it be private, Sweetling." Loki said, leaning in to kiss her quickly and sweetly. He had their suitcases, and his leather messenger back with his laptop just in case. Reaching out to cup her cheek with his other hand, so she had both hands free to cast. Picturing for her clearly, and sending the image along their link--a nice little private bungalow. It had already been set up to be cleaned/furnished and supplied (with enough for a week at minimum), when "Eric" had made the reservation.

[drpalmer]

Seeing the image in her mind made her excited. She easily cast the portal with his help.

She can feel the warmth coming through before she steps out onto warm sand.

"The sun feels very nice." Norway is a beautiful country, but it's not exactly warm.

[whose_son_am_i]

"As much as I know you love New Asgard, it isn't the warmest." Loki was quick to follow so they could close the portal. Their bungalow wasn't quite on the beach proper, as it was set far back enough to avoid the worst of the weather. But it was private, as was their stretch of beach, and it was theirs for a week at least. Possibly more, if he extended it.

"If I could somehow gift you with my inability to feel cold, I would."

[drpalmer]

"Now that I can put warming spells on my clothes, I'm much better at the cold." She closes the portal behind her and is practically bounding up to the bungalow and it's hammocks.

"It's so pretty." She is beaming at him. "Thank you."

[whose_son_am_i]

"You did give me an idea of what you wanted, Sweetling. I just had to find it. Which wasn't difficult." Loki followed at a decent pace, not bothering with his disguise, given the private nature of the place. In many respects, the pair were totally on their own.

The beach even had a nice little dock with a small sail-boat tied up and ready for small pleasure jaunts.

Vacation-Wreck-reation

[whose_son_am_i]

There was only so late they could sleep in and laze about in bed, if they wanted to do certain things before it got too hot. Not that time spent lazing with each other in bed was ever a bad thing. Each always slept better when the other was close, wrapped up with each other.

But she had wanted to learn how to use a staff (or spear), and Loki was willing to oblige. Dressed in comfy clothing, because armor--even light armor--would've been too hot. He conjured up two 1.82m staves, that were almost as tall as he was. "Now, do you want to try sparring against me with your dagger first so you have an idea of how this works? Or are we moving straight into teaching? Mind, I'm more used to a proper spear--which is why one end of these is marked, to indicate where the spear point would be."

[drpalmer]

It had been such a nice lazy night into morning. Loki had eventually carried her into bed where they slept cozy and cuddled together.

But they did eventually get up and eat a bit of breakfast before heading outside to spar.

Though once he hands her a stave she's playfully poking him from a distance.

"Hit them with the pokey bit." She is entertaining herself for a moment. "Lets go right into teaching."

[whose_son_am_i]

"You'll also find it a bit more tricky on the sand." Loki was trying to not let on how amused he was. As he did enjoy when she was playful. "Yes, preferably also without stabbing yourself or tangling yourself up with the staff."

[drpalmer]

"Just expect all of that to happen." She grins. At least she's a healer.

She's finally stopped poking him in the midsection.

"Right, what first?"

[whose_son_am_i]

"Well, first we're going to go over your grips and how to hold it. Remember, this is technically a spear." Loki beckoned her closer, before going over the very basics. Grips and stances, with basic moves. Then showing her some basic drills. All very beginner stuff, but necessary. Once she had the basics of the drills solo, then he had her run through them with him as partner, so she could get more practice as well as learn how to counter them.

[drpalmer]

"It also translates to sharp sticks."

She loves training with him, he's surprisingly patient with her when he's teaching and it's not long before she's moved on to countering him.

[whose_son_am_i]

They did both slip occasionally, due to the sand. He tended to recover more quickly, but that was just because he was more experienced. Fortunately the worst they received in terms of injury were some bruises. They stung, but wouldn't do much damage hopefully. Loki kept things simple, as she was likely to be picking up this kind of weapon unplanned, rather than having one with her.

"This is also another area where I would recommend you seek Sif's instruction. She uses a spear far more often than I do." It was definitely starting to get hot, and closer to lunch time.

[drpalmer]

She fell over quite a few times, the sand was rough to work with.

"Sif will happily teach me all the ways to stab you if I need to." Christine teases, pulling him close.

R&R Reading and Research

[whose_son_am_i]

Their date out in London had gone well, aside from the acolytes in the sanctum greeting Loki by immediately going on the defensive and ready to protect their newly rebuilding home. It had taken a call from Stephen to calm them down, and Loki bore it with... Not outwardly projected unhappiness at least; he was stoic, but refused to let it show at all (and tried to keep it from leaking over to Christine) that it bothered him in any way.

Once Stephen had confirmed that yes, Loki was allowed in the sanctum, they'd had a nice little tour before heading out to the streets of London for dinner. Taking a cab to their chosen bistro. It had been amusing as at the bistro, one of the waitstaff had given him a second look, before asking. "Haven't I seen you on Telly?"

"Bit parts in commercials. I'm just coming off of a role now." Loki said, planting that suggestion firmly in the man's head too.

It had been a lovely side trip overall, as part of a lovely vacation.

They'd come back ready to return to the warm-weather, and ended up once more out on the beach enjoying it at sunset.

They'd sailed, and done some more staff-work, and cleaned up, and were now relaxing in different ways. Christine working on her runes and the book, Loki reading a different book--but one she had recommended and picked out. (She owned a copy back at home in her guest room.)

[drpalmer]

It had taken a call from Stephen who both confirmed that Loki was permitted to be there, and introduced Christine as the future caretaker for the sanctum.

Dinner had been wonderful and they had only gotten a few double takes when walking around.

She had been working on translating a passage that caught her eye.

"Loki, can you read this section for me?" She offers the book to him.

[whose_son_am_i]

"Hmm?" Loki marked his place and put his own book aside. Taking the offered tome, resettling himself in such a way that he could loop an arm around Christine while he looked. "Ah, it's about Idunn and her apples. I mentioned her before. Are you familiar with the myth? You might've met briefly in Vanaheim..."

[drpalmer]

"I'm not familiar with the myth, but if I was translating right it said something about changing a mortal life."

To something longer. Which is what caught her attention.

[whose_son_am_i]

"Mmm." Loki murmured, reading some more while he mused aloud. "The common versions of the myth I've heard have it that Idunn grows golden apples that are the source of the longevity and good health of the gods, as they're not actually immortal. It also starts with a field trip where they get one of the participants wrong, the situation wrong, and I did not trick Idunn. She was in on the plan from the start." Which really didn't explain much...

Still, that hadn't been in the book; convoluted writing that was difficult translate properly, even for him. "The book does confirm that the apples are a source of longevity and good health, mostly because of their healing properties..." Murmured absently, as he kept reading and then blinked and snorted. "I, am very surprised Wong or Strange let you borrow this. Either they don't know what's in it, or mistranslated. Which to be fair, this penmanship is barely legible. Which is impressive when you're writing runes."

[drpalmer]

"Why shouldn't they let me borrow it? Besides few of the texts are in Nordic runes, most are in other magical scripts."

She rests her head on his shoulder.

"Can I get some magic apples?"

[whose_son_am_i]

"That depends on if this book is accurate--and it might not be." Loki cautioned, but reached his hand up to stroke through her hair where she rested against his shoulder. "If so though, this contains a recipe and ritual to, essentially, grant one an elongated lifespan. Although..." Reading through the ritual further, Loki frowned slightly. "It does require blood from a being already with an elongated lifespan as one of the ingredients." Which, if this book wasn't in the restricted section before--Loki would advocate for it being so.

"This could lead to some very dark places, with this ritual. But in theory?" Quiet for a few moments while he read over it again. "In theory, it's plausible."

[drpalmer]

"Requiring blood makes it sound like a bonding ritual."

Blood seemed a common ingredient when binding magics together. She leans gently into his touch.

"What's the cost? There's always something with magic this complex."