whose_son_am_i | Labyrinthum IC Inbox

[Puck appeared on screen, foregoing a mile of introductions.] Meet me at [directions to the forest], we need to talk.

[Loki didn't even bother to confirm, just nodded to the screen and prepared to go out. He could make a few guesses as to what this was about if the other was being so curt. It would not take him long to arrive at the forest, whereupon Loki moved more cautiously.]

[Puck was resting against a tree, an open notebook in his lap as he looked between his device and the page, writing furiously for a second. He glanced up, and then nodded.] Good, you're here. We have a lot to speak about.

[Puck nodded to some waterskins.] If you need it. We might end up speaking longer than our throats would like.

[Loki likewise had a satchel and some supplies, but was pleased by the thought.]

I will say, if this is about the mistletoe I hope you're not regretting it. I actually enjoyed the banter.

[Light amusement in his voice, but it was easily seen in his expression and eyes that Loki knew that wasn't why he'd been asked here. Coming to sit by the other, long legs folded under him.]

Are you scheming against our most gracious host too?

[Puck laughed] No, that was very fun. And you're not bad at kissing.

[Can't compliment him too much.]

Is that what we're calling this? [Puck's eyes widen in mock surprise.] Because if our host asked, we were overwhelmed by our newfound feelings, and took to the forest to discuss them. [Puck gave Loki a very pointed look and wrote on the page "Cover story", before flipping it over to a fresh sheet.] But sure, if the term of the season is "scheming", then I'm doing so.

[Oh good--and Loki, while he appreciated the compliment, was far more pleased to find the other was prepared. Tapping the page, he deliberately nodded though his words were something else.]

I'm always scheming, if you listen to my reputation from some people. I can just as easily be scheming to make you fall madly in love with me.

[Loki reached into his satchel and brought out a notebook of his own.]

[If this was going to be sold, Puck would play the part enough.] Oh no, I've already been caught. [He deadpanned] A shame, that I find myself the target of such affections.

[As he was talking, Puck wrote again: Spells were used. Some I recognize for the type, but none I recognize by the casting. I know they were weak compared to my own and the last one fought back against being broken.]

But what does my pursuer think of such things?

[Loki smirked, and opened his own noteboke to share his notes with the other.]

Hoping you might've played more hard to get, but not unpleased to be disappointed. As you can see, I was composing love poems.

[OOC:Loki is not nearly so obvious in his note-title as I was.]

Edited 2023-12-14 01:38 (UTC)

[Puck took in the notes quickly, committing them to memory the same way he did reports for Xanatos. Easy.]

Oh, I thought the challenge was to get you to write poems? Be careful with that request to play hard to get, I can run farther than you think and then you'd have to chase me down in more ways than emotional.

[On paper: Good, we're both following similar ideas. I'm actually impressed a little.]

True, a chase can be fun, but you're quite clever and crafty yourself. Do I want to put in that kind of challenge? Are you truly worth it?

[The tone was playfully dry. Loki wrote on the paper in turn. I feel like I should be insulted that you're impressed, but mostly I'm glad we're both thinking similarly.]

[Oh it's full theater at this point. Puck in contrast sounds wounded, tears immediately springing to his eyes as his voice comes out almost choked.] Am I not? Then may I cry enough tears to adorn you with instead of diamonds, as those are obviously more valuable and cherished.

[More writing as Puck wipes at his staged tears with his free hand. There are mortals who strive for such approval for their entire lives and you've earned it in less than a calendar year. Feel free to brag on that, I won't mind.]

Though your tears are lovely, they are not so wanted as is your company and heart. Would that I had diamonds I would drape them over your platinum hair to make it further shine.

[Loki does like his theater, and just like the night of the ball, very much is enjoying the banter and game.

I'm honored? I do not give approval--true approval--often, but you have earned it too. To planning however. I spoke with Meryl Stryfe on the network. Suggested that it was being watched probably. But that we'd work better as a group and coordinating our efforts.]

I would accept that and put the moon herself to shame.

[Puck frowns, his expression not quite matching the banter as the comment about the moon jogs his memory. Then we should do so. The more knowledge shared, the more everyone has to work with. Speaking of the moon- ask people about that. The invitational card said "Giving thanks to the moon". A lead? Why not "Give thanks to our ruler"?]

[Loki keeps his tones in the game although his serious expression unbends enough to allow a quirked grin with his next words.]

So long as you do not swear by the fickle moon as lovers are often wont to do, then shame away. You would kindle jealousy in all the celestial entities of the sky.

[Ah, so someone DID know some Shakespeare. Writing though... I'm not afraid at all to do research or spend time in the Library. We should also coordinate with Webbigail Vanderquack. She's overly friendly and a tad too eager to want to be liked, but she's intelligent and clever. Not sure how much to trust with secrets, but she's also been researching solo. He tapped Webby's name for emphasis.]

[And it looks like Loki didn't make it everyone's problem. What a novel way to approach the bard.]

Then let their jealousy come as easy as my love for you.

[Puck looked to the notebook, expression kept much like Loki's, on this whole charade. He might as well be looking at something that tugged at his heartstrings by his expression. The library would be easier than the forest. No one would suspect anything. Contact her then-- if she knows you, then she'll be more open to meeting me by association. We need to start putting pieces together and taking apart this living Gordian Knot. We'll build out from there.]

Their jealousy is as so much dust in the wind, for all the care I give it.

[Tapping the page, Loki nodded before writing. This would be why I am scheming. I'm rather good at it. Centuries of practice. Vaeros had made a rather large mistake, in pissing off the two of them.]

And like dust may it scatter.

[Hah! Then we'll all work together and see what happens. He really had picked the wrong group of people in general to get angry. Oberon might have even lifted a glass to him in celebration for it.]

[I do have direct experience, on the other side, in how powerful and effective a determined group can be. Story for another time. It was half-a-decade or so removed from Loki now, that disastrous invasion of New York. But he had learned valuable things from it, for all he'd been brought back to Asgard in chains.]

As it scatters we shall pay it no mind, for my mind is consumed only for how best to woo you.

[Oh? I'll hold you to hearing it. For now, let's head back.]

Then come- I'll help you by showing my favorite items and where to find them in town.

[Puck stands and offers a hand, selling this to the final scene.]

I shall treasure them, and plan how to gift them to you accordingly.

[Notebook of his own placed back, Loki took the hand. More than willing to sell this, as he got to his feet and bowed over the hand.]

You busy? I have something for you.

Not so busy. I can meet you. Where?

( She sends directions to what looks like the castle courtyard. )

There is fine. I'll be under the willow tree.

I can find that easily enough. On my way shortly.

[SCENE TRANSITION!!!]

[Loki had made good time although he hadn't rushed. Still adapting to life and responsibilities here to enable that life. But he did enjoy the other's company and wondered what she could possibly have for him? They barely knew each other really.]

Somehow I expected you to live in a tree house or one of the hill houses, if not a giant mushroom.

[Speaking enough to alert her to his presence, with a smile and wave.]

( Night Sky was lounging in the grass under the tree, fiddling with one of the teardrop branches and looking up only when Loki made himself known.)

I used to, but my paramour invited me here back when we first started dating- and how could I say no when I get the whole courtyard to myself.

( She sat up. The dryad was clad in only a few pointedly placed leaves and vines around her limbs. ) How have you been since the party?

I suppose it does count as wild enough to suit you, and creature comforts are clearly near enough.

[The first time had been curious, but now Loki was picking up on a pattern. Which he did not object to really. She was lovely, and if she was comfortable, then he wouldn't judge.]

Thinking a lot. Writing things. Putting pieces together. I'm not one of those affected by whatever tried to get us to stay here and forget who we are, but I've helped those who were. Yourself?

[Standing and waiting for an invite before he'd let himself sit. He was the guest after all.]

Ah. Neither was I. Memory loss and I are... well acquainted you could say. And I do my damndest to avoid it. ( And she had managed. Thankfully. Vaeros' magic could not outweigh the Green Knight's apparently.)

I've been fine though. You can sit down - I wanted to give you something anyway.

[Now he moved to sit, stretching out long legs and leaning on his arms.]

Yes I admit, I'm a bit surprised by that. In a good way, but usually people don't like to give me things.

[Tilting his head, blue-green-eyes studied her with an easy smile.]

I'm glad it gave you no trouble. I've never had my memories tampered with, but I have had ...manipulations before which sit ill with me. I would rather they not be repeated.

No? I like giving people things.

( She leaned over and pulled out a small box, handing it and a bouquet of orchids over to him.)

I'd prepare yourself, just in case. We were manipulated and fucked with not long ago. Vaeros either causes it or just doesn't care to help when it goes down.

( inside the box was a handful of green stones and a wooden charm attached to a black cord. It was not made of the same material she used for a few other gifts, but it was still handmade.)

[Now Loki is surprised, and truly touched actually. She has no reason, to his thinking, to want to gift him anything. She had no pretenses nor guile that he could detect. Yes, they had interesting conversations and shared kisses that were casual. The smile though, was genuine as he took the flowers and box carefully. One hand reaching out to brush her cheek in thanks.]

I'd like to hear more, as part of arming myself with knowledge.

[But then, he's further surprised. The stones and charm are lovely, and oddly remind him of Asgard. Of his childhood and stories and better times. The box is carefully closed and Loki has to remind himself he was not one for sentiment.]

( She leaned into his touch, eyes shut for a brief moment before fluttering open again. She would assume his lack of a response meant he didn't hate the gifts, at least.)

About what happened? Sure. A month or so ago - maybe before that? I'm never good with time - something called the Waning was happening. The locals were acting strange, telling us to adorn these sigils on our skin with graveyard dirt. Anyone who didn't was possessed by ghosts. On top of that, everyone was seeing visions and hallucinations of their worst fears for days.

[Loki absolutely did not hate the gifts--he was truly touched and unsure how to respond. he had...not been shown kindness like this before. Not in a very long time and not by a stranger. Keeping the box held close, he listened and did not remove his touch. Taking in what she said, before he moved. Shifting though, box carefully placed in his satchel, to come and loop an arm around her. Other hand taken and raised up and kissed.]

The gift is very unexpected and kind. I'm not used to it, certainly not from strangers who barely know me. And the warning is appreciated. ...I am without my magic, thanks to my arrival here. But our host could not take away my knowledge. And I fully intend to find out more about everything going on here.

( She leaned into him, fingers flexing in his grip. )

Strangers is a strong word. ( A laugh. She would not call them strangers at this point, but she understood why he might. ) Well... good luck with that. I'm not going to be snooping around unless I have to. Totally relying on go-getters like you to solve all the problems that crop up.

[The hand isn't lowered, her fingers nuzzled where they were held. Encouraging the embrace if anything while he enjoyed the closeness.]

I'd ask why, but honestly? I'd likely snoop around even without the mystery. I dislike being bored, and curiosity is one of my strengths as well as a flaw.

[He wasn't judging either, though he was curious. She seemed at ease with things here, and that could just be her personality...]

There are plenty of others like you here, so I'm sure you can all put your heads together. ( She closed her eyes and gently brushed her thumb over his cheek. ) I just don't see the need, to tell you the truth. It might all be bullshit and Vaeros is absolutely fucking with us, but if he holds up his end of the deal, I can hold up mine and I'll be... free of my world once and for all. Maybe. Probably.

Edited (COMMAS IMPORTANT ) 2023-12-23 02:11 (UTC)

A fair answer. From what you've told me, you've also been through enough bullshit. It can make one tired really, when one has no time to process the things happening to them.

[Leaning into that touch more, still nuzzling her hand.]

( Night Sky nodded. She had been miserable for weeks prior to the party, and this conversation could easily take a turn in the same direction. So she didn't say anything else - just loosened her grip on his hand so she could stroke her fingers over his cheek and through his hair. )

[Loki was happy to sink into the affection, to lean into it like a cat almost. Idly letting his own fingers stroke skin where his arm was around her.]

It's funny...probably good that things took a turn for the interesting. I tend to work best when my mind has something to focus on and can deal with other problems in the background.

[Aside from settling in, and now the ball, this actually was the first time Loki could possibly start processing all that had happened. He'd dealt with some of it, even while hiding under an illusion as Odin and ruling Asgard. But since his deception had been discovered, it had been one thing after another...]

I'm sure this place will keep you on your toes, whether you want it to or not. ( a soft chuckle, though there was hardly any mirth in it. She was content to stay so long as her wish was fulfilled; but that didn't mean it wasn't a fucking nightmare sometimes. ) But, you know, I'm always a pretty good distraction.

Pretty? Good? A distraction? I'd say so, although being 'good' can be over-rated.

[Teasing with a smile and a kiss to her forearm if he could. Y'know without dislodging her fingers where she was stroking his hair and cheek.]

One of those, huh? ( a more genuine laugh this time, right along with a small, shuddering sigh a thr gentle kiss upon her skin. She curled her fingers inward to knead into his scalp. ) I try to be good. It's hard - but it's worth it, usually.

Depends on how you define good.

[Oh that was lovely, and Loki pressed another kiss to her forearm, before moving to sink down against her if she'll let him. Just slide down, eyes closed, to rest against her and let her play with his hair.]

I've been the villain before. It was...over-rated. Complicated. Not what I thought it would be. Though I didn't consider myself as such at the time.

[It's all said meditatively, though of course Loki is aware of what he's saying.]

Hard to define. But I try to help people if they need it and I can. I go out of my way for others. ( she shrugged, shifting so he could rest his head in her lap if he sank down far enough, fingers still kneading his scalp and toying with the long strands of his hair.)

Why were you the villain in that scenario?

Invaded and tried to conquer a planet.

[It's said simply, with no sugar-coating.]

I was angry. Hurting. Lashing out. A whole host of messy emotions that had not been dealt with at all well before ending up in the service of another. One of those desperate bargains.

( She laughed.)

You and my paramour both! I must have a type. ( clearly this was not a devastating revelation. The next part is less funny, and Night Sky frowned down at him as she continued carding her fingers through his hair. )

Ah. I know exactly how those bargains go. You don't sound like a villain to me. Sometimes people do things when they're hurting - it's hard to think. Hard to know what's wrong and what's right when you just want the hurt to stop.

I also tried to wipe out an ancestral enemy people. Trying to make father proud, after all.

[There's some bitterness in his voice. Well he's glad she's not going to kick him out at least. He's perfectly willing to stay where he was and let her play with his hair.]

Mind, that was before I was in the desperate bargain. Before having to survive a year on my own with no one to help me nor kindness given to me. Just myself and my skills. The first time that happened no less.

Edited 2023-12-24 00:05 (UTC)

That... also sounds familiar. ( The 'making father proud' part anyway. Would it be good or bad for him and Red Son to meet? Maybe she'd ask her later... )

It happened more than once?

Suddenly being dropped somewhere and having to survive? Yes. Being here is not my first time, although it is the first time I've had to do so without my usual ablities or magic.

[It might surprise her that they've already met and got along pretty decently.]

The last several years have been rather chaotic, although they're the anomaly considering I'm over 1000 yrs old.

[Loki reached out to brush his fingers over her arms though, just soothing touch as she played with his hair.]

( Surprised and pleased, honestly! )

Ah. Faerie also took people's powers away. Earning them through sex was a little more... entertaining though. Not that this isn't, of course. So I'm used to it. I also don't mind it, but maybe I'm biased. ( being that she was not born magical or anything.

She smiled at the touch, letting her free hand rest on his chest. )

Oh, only a few centuries older than me. Here I thought you were some endlessly old god being.

To those whose myths and legends we inspired, we are. They often have a lifespan between fifty to ninety years.

[His own free hand moved to twine with hers.]

The second time I had been kicked out of the bifrost by my here-to-fore unknown of psychopathic sister, which essentially sent me to a planet where the trash usually ends up. Any and everything, and a sort of society had formed based around the whims and desires of a being known as the Grandmaster. He held gladiatorial games for sport, among other things. I was there for a few weeks before my brother showed up. Despite that it had only been a few second for him.

True. Humans do not live long at all.

( she let him, half tempted to note how affectionate he was being in that moment; and how vulnerable while he spoke to her. She let him speak though, fingers threading through his hair. )

Time is messed up no matter where you go. But I'm sorry you were forced into that - any of it, really, this place included. You don't seem like you hate it, but... I assume you don't like it either.

Asgardians can live up to the mid thousands for their lifespan, as can the Jotnar, that is, the frost giants of Jotunheim. It would not surprise me to find that others in the nine realms or beyond are similar, as I believe the Vanir are long lived and sturdy as much as the Asgardians. The dark elves...well, they existed before the Asgardians did. Back before the world had light.

Humans are a young species, where I'm from.

[Blue-green eyes looked up at her, and he offered a soft smile.]

I shouldn't be troubling you though, although...thank you for listening. I have not had that in a while--someone to simply listen. Here is better than the alternative, unless Vaeros really can fulfill the contract.

My people - my original people, the Sylvan, can live into the thousands. I didn't make it to two-hundred - and now I think I'm... I don't know. Closer to six? There's also the Lunari, who are immortal. And the dwarves... almost everyone but humans are long lived back home, too.

( she smiled back at him; raised their joined hands, and gently kissed his knuckles. ) You're welcome. Did you figure out what you wished for?

Edited 2023-12-24 01:56 (UTC)

I can make some educated guesses, but no--I still do not remember. Knowing what was happening though...

[Trailing off, moving his fingers gently in her grip.]

I'm not used to people gifting me things without wanting something in return. Or expecting some kind of favor or privilege.

( She nodded. Uncertain if he wanted her to let go, Night Sky simply lowered their hands back down and loosened her grip slightly. )

I'm not going to ask for anything if that's what you're implying. You don't have to pay me back - not unless you really want to.

Why?

[Blue-green eyes were studying her, filled with a myriad of emotions that were hidden. Curiousity in his tone though, no judgement.]

I mean, I certainly can think of some ways to repay your kindness. But why be so kind to me in the first place?

[No, he didn't want to let go--although Loki did move to sit up once more. To face her, while still keeping their hands joined.]

Also, your paramour doesn't mind?

Oh? Like what? ( a very obvious hint of flirtation in her own tone, eyes bright. ) and because I don't give people things expecting something in return. That's just fucked up.

( she laughed. )

Doesn't mind what? Me giving people gifts, sleeping around, dating, or all of the above? Because either way, he's encouraged me to seek people out- I'm needy, he's busy and needs space. He doesn't mind.

Gifts are many faceted things, as fucked up as that might be.

[There's a laugh with her continued words though, and a smile. Bringing their joined hands up once more for him to kiss her fingers.]

Well, I'm glad I don't have to dodge a jealous suitor. What would you want from me though?

I suppose.

( She cocked her head quizzically. )

Really depends on what you're willing to give. I'm never opposed to a tryst... or several.

I'd enjoy that, whether you gave me a gift or not. I do recall saying I prefer privacy.

[With a soft chuckle, inviting her closer if she wanted.]

Seems like we both get something out of if though. Which I don't mind at all.

( She would indeed ease closer, leaning into him with a soft chuckle of her own. )

I have a room inside, too, don't worry.

Would you rather we move? Out here is quite nice too. Suits you, in several ways.

[She is very much allowed closer and to lean. He's just gonna encourage their joined hands up, and hers around his neck.]

Oh, I don't mind staying here. ( She looped her arms around his neck as silently instructed, leaning up to kiss the tip of his nose. ) I just figured if you wanted more privacy is all...

The garden isn't nearly as populated or as public as the one the other night.

[It also likely wasn't enchanted, which had been the other reason he was wary at the ball. His eyes closed in a slow blink at the kiss, smiling before tilting his head up. To catch her lips in a kiss of his own before she could pull too far away.]

( With nothing more to say and his lips on hers, Night Sky returned his kiss eagerly. She gave an insistent tug to urge him down as she lowered to the ground, a hand freed for only as long as it took to shift the drooping branches of the willow tree like a curtain around them; casting them into shadow only dimly lit by what sun could peek through the leaves, and assuring no one would see them whilst they did their horizontal dance. )

[Outside Loki's door is a little silver box with a blue ribbon tied on it. Inside is this inside with a note.]

Just a little something to remember me by.

-Jackie

Good morrow, Loki, I've been thinking about the song you shared with me and I've found some art that will fit it nicely. I know composing can take time, so don't feel obligated to come and see it right now. But when you're ready, it's in my cottage hanging on the south wall.

I'll make it a point to stop by then. Been doing some writing myself, though I don't know that it'll be up to your standards. If you like it though, I'll make you a copy.

I'll swing by after my shift tomorrow. I've secured employment at Clotilda's. It's not the first time I've had to work, but it is not how I usually do things. Still, her style is impeccable and it's fairly easy.

That sounds a fair trade, then.

Oh, congratulations! I've visited her shop a few times, and Essek used to work there.

I'm not terribly skilled with a needle, but that isn't necessary for a salesperson. It's quite amusing actually, if a bit repetitive at times. Some people just need a little nudge one way or another to decide on a purchase too. I'll see you tomorrow afternoon--lateish.

Fine, you'll be expected.

[And the next day, Eilonwy is waiting at her cottage. There's a pot of fresh tea and some snacks on the table in preparation.]

[Loki is prompt at least, heading from his shift to visit Eilonwy. Once more with the satchel (and his notebook) inside. It rarely left his side and was hidden when it wasn't with him. That was the best way he could secure it for now. A knock on the door, and a half-bow in greeting when she answered.]

I'm to play art critic now, am I? Only fair since I'm having you play poetry critic.

Are you? [Eilonwy blinked at that] I was simply wanting you to see it. [She stood aside and motioned for him to come in.] I've also made some tea, in case you're cold.

[Stepping inside, Loki waited until the door was closed. As well as just for her.]

I regret to say I am, which is annoying. Usually the cold is not an issue for me. First...

[Back to serious mode for the moment, as blue-green eyes studied her.]

You're still well? or well-enough, anyway?

[Eilonwy closed the door and locked it like usual before she looked back to Loki.] Yes, I still feel like myself. A bit sore, but that's nothing from what we all experienced. Are you still well?

[She nodded in understanding as she went to pour two cups of tea.] Traveling anywhere new includes adapting to the weather.. But it doesn't make it easier. Do you like your tea sweetened?

I have a sweet tooth, so please.

[Loki made no move to help, but did stay out of the way.]

You didn't suffer any ill effects while in costume did you? Some of them have left some interesting enchantments on people.

That's a little surprising, actually.

[But honey was added to his mug and stirred in.] Please, make yourself comfortable. And.. it's odd you asked- I felt very anxious most of the night, but it seemed to come and go at its own pace. I was also more aware of how many people were in the room.

[She frowned.] Like a deer would. Of course. I'd even remarked it was more stylized. Did you?

What, that I enjoy sweets?

[That made Loki chuckle softly.]

I enjoy any number of luxuries, and have only come to appreciate them more over the least few years.

[With the invite, Loki moved to take a seat. But on the subject of the masquerade and their costumes...]

I did not have any influence that I could tell from my outfit. Likely because it was not an animal. But it's another enchantment to be added to the list as a piece of information.

Yes? It seems we're both being surprised here.
[She giggled.] It's just that you don't strike me as the kind who would be first to a candy store at the start of a season, that's all. But that doesn't mean that you don't enjoy them.

[His mug of tea is handed off before Eilonwy takes a seat across from him.] I'll add it later, then. But not right now, my hands are still sore from all of the moving I've done on that painting. [Some of her tea is sipped.] I was trying to find the best wall to hang it from first, and then the best angle.

I'm a hedonist, if that helps it make more sense.

[Loki takes the cup with a nod of thanks, just letting it warm him for now. But he turns his attention to her, then to looking around the cottage. Mostly to see if he can spot the subject of what they're talking about.]

Wanting to get it just right, hmm? I can understand that--although there are worse things out there than crooked paintings. But you'd want to get the right light, but not so much that it'll fade the work either. And of course there's the view from which you want to see it, hence angle and wall placement.

Oh! Yes, I've heard of that term!

[The cottage is utilitarian but also has some personal touches. On the south wall hangs a painting of gardenias at night in inks and watercolors.] I think it looks fine on the south, and the paint is dark enough in some spots that it shouldn't fade very quickly. [Eilonwy has some of her tea] With the 'Petals from the sky' line, I had a bit of fun finding the right painting to work with it. If it does start to fade, I can touch it up as it's needed.

Now do you know what it means?

[Loki took another good sip of his tea as he studied the painting.]

I think it's lovely. Did you paint it yourself? I do particularly like the combination of Gardenias at night, considering what the flower often symbolizes.

[Loki smiles around his tea cup.]

I'm fairly sure I could write a poem or two about it.

Pleasure or happiness above all.

[Eilonwy nods.] I did, yes- plants are a common subject in Prydain-- and that's why I painted it like that. Well, that and to contrast the colors I used for the petals. They're very layered towards the middle so I needed to have enough contrast around them for everything to work together.

[She giggles] I'd be glad to see those poems.

Well, once I write them I'll have you give them a look over.

[Reaching into his bag, Loki pulled out a familiar notebook.]

I've added a few starters, but nothing really fleshed out yet, if you wanted to look.

[OOC: The highlighted section is new and what he'd point her at specifically.]

[Eilonwy looked over the "starters", eyes narrowing a bit as she took in the information.]
There's promise, I think..

[All of the new information is quite a bit, but Eilonwy absorbed it easily.] A lot of promise, yes. You're very skilled with your words!

I should hope so, as I've had quite a lot of practice. Still, it usually wasn't with an eye to poetry as that craft is new to me.

[Letting her have care of that notebook for now, as Loki set his tea down to go look more fully at the painting. Examining, confirming a few things--like what was hidden behind it--discreetly. Studying it as if he really was looking with an eye for how it fit within her decor.]

[Eilonwy holds onto the notebook and watches as Loki goes to observe things.

The painting is actually fairly decent but the faint outline of a notebook can be seen at the correct angle towards the darkest part of the painting near the flowers. Eilonwy has some tea and remarks] Really? You write with confidence-- I think that must count for something.

[Still, it is a good hiding place and Loki approves. Coming back to his seat, he hmms to himself.]

I've had lots of practice to learn how to play with and manipulate words. It's rarely been appreciated though, so I thank you for your praise.

[Bringing his tea up and taking a sip before asking his next question.]

Would you be interested in learning runes?

Odd, being good at writing is usually seen as something to praise in Llyr.

[Eilonwy blinks, the tea forgotten for a second.] Runes? Yes, that would be.. Well, different. But it also sounds fun.

Oh I do appreciate the praise, it's just not unexpected. Is writing itself common in Llyr?

[Loki smiles around his cup.]

Runes can be considered a form of magic all on their own, moreso than just an alphabet might be considered anyway. I believe the myth that came to Midgard was that Odin hung himself from his own spear, Gungnir, on the trunk of Yggdrasil for nine days to learn of them. A sacrifice of himself, to himself.

We're not young enough that it's new, if that's what you mean.

[Eilonwy listens as he explains, brow furrowing at the end.] ..But if he sacrificed himself, how was he alive to learn? Unless it-- Well, no, if he hung himself, then.. [She rubs her forehead and tries not to make logical sense of it. Prydain had as many mythologies that were equally confusing if someone really considered them long enough.] Aside from that, you know these runes, then? I hope your learning them didn't follow the myth's story!

[Her trying to make sense of it just makes him laugh softly as he places the cup down.]

I learned it as one learns the alphabet.

[Taking out his notebook once more, Loki pulls out a pen and blank piece of paper from the book fully. Moving to sing as he writes, and pointing out each rune as it's named in the song.]

[Eilonwy looks very relieved to be given the okay to just quit trying to make sense of it. As he starts a song, she leans forward and pays attention, idly tapping one of her feet in time to the beat and memorizing things as they're pointed. It's nothing like any language she's seen before, but Eilonwy appreciates the challenge.]

[She'd heard him sing before, as he'd sung it at the tavern when they'd met up too. This time he also wrote the pronunciation of each letter under the rune. And what each roughly corresponded with in the more 'modern'ish alphabet. Then the page was passed to her.]

We can go over the meanings beyond simply letter correspondences some other time.

[Eilonwy took the page and looked it over, murmuring some of the pronunciations before she nodded.] Yes, of course. I don't expect to pick up a new language fully in the span of a few minutes. That song seems to be a favorite of yours-- it's the second time you've performed it.

"Less that it's a favorite and more that it's easy to remember. It's essentially a short teaching song for the runes, after all. Before when I sang it, you were asking for examples of what our songs are like and I gave you that and a lullaby. Here, it was to aid in your learning. Would you prefer something else?" Loki wouldn't mind singing again honestly. Eilonwy was good company, and respected him. Seemed to value him and his talents too, and that went a long way in his eyes. Not just in satisfying his ego either.

Eilonwy considered the offer for a long moment and then framed it as a teacher talking to a student. "I think this will serve for what I want to learn. But if you'd like to sing again, I wouldn't say no to it. You have a good voice, it's very clear. That can be hard when performing." Eilonwy put a lot of value in general on her friends, more for their personalities than their talents. Loki had been nothing but open and encouraging, and likewise that went a long way for her. But she also just liked him in general. It was a great show of strength to wake up in a new world and not let that drive you mad. Or to isolation.

"I see what you did there, Your Highness." Loki teased lightly. He'd had no reason to not be encouraging to Eilonwy, and the open-ness was all on his own terms so far. He'd given nothing to anyone that he hadn't intended them to know.

But he'd been treated with respect here, and kindness--and it had made his adaptation here easier. SO he would match like with like, as it also was useful to make allies. Loki had played the 'villain' before and it was not worth it. He might never be a hero either, however.

"I wasn't trying to hide it, so I'm glad you did." Eilonwy answered with a chuckle. Knowing how to speak to other people in general came in handy, and Eilonwy hadn't been short on lessons. But also she was still a young woman who genuinely enjoyed her connections. Loki would be another one, and barring some very specific and impossible for her to picture circumstances, Eilonwy didn't see that suddenly changing.

Connections built relations, and that built strength. Even if she wasn't in Llyr.

Diplomacy and networking were essential parts of being a monarch, even for warrior people like the Asgardians. Loki was no stranger to the skills needed to talk to a wide range of people. It was actually one of his specialties, weaving words and crafting lies both necessary and not. His silver tongue often made things go more smoothly in tense situations.

What was new for him, was that he was enjoying some of these connections more than just as a pleasant and useful alliance. Whether it would turn out to be 'friends' or allies, depended on how things went when things went wrong. After all, supposedly his 'friends' were quick to be suspicious of him and turn against him after he'd saved all their lives. He hadn't known Thor would be banished--had tried to speak up only to be roared down and risk Odin's wrath himself.

"Well, I have taken up enough of your time. Unless there's anything else--more art you wanted to show me?" A polite cue, as much as Loki did enjoy talking with her. About business or about 'business'.

She did give a little chuckle. "No, no more art, I'm afraid. I haven't thought of any other flowers to paint just yet."

Eilonwy fell quiet for a second as her expression shifted to more serious. "I didn't want to bring this up at first, but you do need to know. I didn't remember it at first, but it did come back to me the more I tried to remember." She took a breath and sighed. "Do you remember when I mentioned that while I was at the party, that I kept feeling like it would be okay if I forgot things? That it didn't matter if that happened?"

Well, his idle and casual posture and manner didn't change, but Eilonwy could see it in his eyes. Blue-green were now focused on her and alert. "Is this something I should be remembering you telling me?" Meaning should he get out his notebook?

Eilonwy nodded. "I do think that's a very good idea, yes." As she'd remembered things, Eilonwy hadn't had enough stamina to write it down herself. It had taken time to sort it out in her mind, and to begin processing the emotions tied to what had happened.

She most definitely had his attention now, as Loki pulled out the notebook and a pen once more. "Sit. Have more tea, then tell me." He likely couldn't prevent someone spying on them via scrying, and there was no easy way to disguise this conversation...but it was a risk worth taking.

Eilonwy did both of those things and had some tea once she had sat back down. At this point, she wasn't concerned about trying to disguise this as anything. She just wanted to get it out.

"While I was on the balcony, I started forgetting my friends, like I had mentioned before-- that it wouldn't have felt wrong to forget them. But then I remembered something else that happened. A friend, Inigo, joined me and we had started talking. Small talk, you understand. He asked if I was having fun and it.. It felt right to say that it was. We continued talking and the subject changed to how many people there were. I'd remarked.."

Eilonwy trailed off and took another drink of her tea as she frowned, falling quiet at the memory she'd relived. "I'd remarked that it didn't seem like Vaeros had thrown the party from the goodness of his heart, and again that felt.. right. Even normal."

"...You were being encouraged to forget, and to enjoy yourself there. To not worry about things. To not question why." Loki was fairly sure he was following the thread, but seeking confirmation. While writing down in the notebook, scratch of pen on page.

"I was, yes." Eilonwy took a deep breath and had another drink of tea. "Inigo was surprised by my statement and asked why I thought Vaeros would have had alternative motives to begin with. It wasn't said in anger, like he was refuting me, he truly had no idea why I would think that. He was confused."

Eilonwy's shoulders shook a bit. Her grip on the cup tightened. "I was equally as confused! I replied that Vaeros had never been that kind of ruler-- Even with my short time being here, I know that! I knew it then! But after I said that it felt like I had buckets of rocks on my shoulders. Everything felt heavy and I suddenly.. I didn't want to.. I knew how disconcerting it felt--" Her eyes burned with angry tears as she clenched her teeth for a moment. The next sentence came out with a mix of frustration and hurt.

"I know I fought back."

Oh, Loki could get to like Eilonwy. Quiet for a moment as he made some quick notes, only taking his eyes from her to do so.

"So we teach you how to do so more effectively, in the future." It was a statement, said as if it was fact. Loki would make it a fact. "I am, obviously, brought down to human rather effectively at the moment. If I can regain my abilities however, I am a Master of Magic or Sorcery, however you choose to view it." A hint of a smirk, and some pride. "I've hidden myself and others from the guardian of our borders who can see the smallest goings on in any of the Nine. For once, I am not bragging. I can teach you, in time."

"By your hands, my victory. By my hands, your will." she replied almost immediately. It was said at the start of beginning a new area of combat in Llyr and it seemed fitting. The anger was ebbing but just slightly. "There's nothing but time, so.. Whenever you're ready, I will be also."

She had some more tea to steady herself. "After.. After whatever that was, after my fighting didn't work, I felt calm, even embarrassed that I'd acted like that." Eilonwy looks up from her cup. "I remember agreeing with Inigo that his idea on Vaeros being kind was correctly. Specifically, I remarked that 'Good rulers just wanted their subjects happy', and I was sure I was mistaken." Eilonwy looked sick at the memory and set her cup down. The tears finally spilled over, and she angrily reached up to wipe at them.

Loki put down the notebook and pen and got to his feet. Coming over, he laid a hand on her shoulder in support but also with some formality. "I...I've betrayed everyone who ever trusted me before, but it has only been recently that I've used that for good ends instead of ill. It is up to you if you will continue to trust me knowing this. But I am also not one who swears oaths lightly."

There was a ring of formality, this was a monarch talking as well as a being many would consider a God. Loki's emotions were volatile, but he was sure of this as much as he was sure of how he felt about Alice. He wanted to help Eilonwy do this, to keep her safe. "By my hands, your victory, as my knowledge I will give you."

Eilonwy looked up at Loki as he spoke and nodded. Sure, people were multifaceted. Of course gods would be the same. But the fact that he mentioned that she had the choice of trusting him solidified the decision. "I'll do that, yes."

As he adapted her oath back to her, Eilonwy gave a surprised and choked laugh, the tears still falling, but not as moved on by anger. It was an odd mix of emotions, with one of them being a spark of hope. "Accepted, and to be remembered by those ahead of me as a gift shared." A slow exhale as it was done. Eilonwy gave a small nod.

"Then that's what we'll do. Thank you, Loki."

That he'd given her the choice was also a sign of his own growth. Encouraged by Thor, but also those here who had shown him kindness and valued him positively. It...encouraged the good within him, the want to make his mother proud of him even if she was not there to tell him so. To make his own place, outside of the shadow of his elder brother or father. Small steps, but they were all adding up.

"Thank you, Eilowny. For believing in me." That hand stayed on her shoulder, but no longer was it formality and for binding. This was to be sure she was steady, and okay.

She felt steady enough and the anger was on its last legs. She nodded again. "You're welcome. Thank you for letting me share that. I thought I had gone mad when I started to recall it."

A lot of small steps could lead anywhere. Even out of a shadow, or away from an evil king. Or towards retribution, or redemption. She reached up and rested her hand over his, giving a more regular smile. "I'm starting to feel more like myself."

"Good. I rather enjoy who you are already and would not like to see that changed much." Holding that for a moment, and letting her hand rest. Letting the moment be felt, before it was broken gently as he moved to put away his notebook and pen once more.

"I wouldn't like that either." Eilonwy watched as Loki put the notebook and pen up and then finished her tea. "I'm glad you're taking things down. I need to update my own notebook. Just.. not right now."

She was too drained from all of the talking, and didn't want to try to dig the energy up.

"Mental and emotional exertions can be just as taxing as the physical. I'd recommend you rest. Have more to drink, have some solid but light food, and read or do something relaxing." She was a strong person, but even the strongest would find something like this draining.

"As much as the network isn't secure, use it if you need to contact me. Or visit. I'll start putting down notes for some basic techniques that will help lay a foundation for you to learn magic. As well as some questions for you about it."

All of it said as Loki packed up to take his leave.

Eilonwy nodded and did what a good hostess would do. She followed after him and held the door open once he was ready to go. "I'll do all of that, then. Safe travels, and thank you."

[Awaiting under the giant Christmas tree with Loki's name on it is a little Christmas Pixie with a darker green cap to match the green Loki likes.

Made out of yarn as best she could is a little stuffed snake and to go along with it, after learning about it, a Yule Goat though it's got some hay and straw sticking out here and there.

Attached is a card, inside is delicate handwriting:]

Merry Christmas Loki!
I know we've only just properly met but I'm so glad to have met you all the same.
Thank you for teaching me about Yule.
I had to rush on the goat so please forgive the pokey parts!
I'm so glad you're in my life.
I Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Again, Merry Christmas!

Love,
Alice Liddell

[Loki was and was not surprised, and was touched. Alice had very quickly wormed her way into a heart Loki guarded very very closely. It had only been in the last month or so that, well, he'd have claimed to have a heart. To care about others beyond himself... He was still learning to make sense of his emotions and feelings; emotions that were often volatile on a good day.

But Alice was a delight, and he had no regrets in 'adopting' her. The pixie and snake are placed on his bed, the goat in the tree--sticks sticking out and all. Then he's going to hunt up where Alice had gotten to; both to give her a hug and to make sure she'd found his gift to her as well.]

[Y-Yeah, so...Loki, he respects you enough to work with you on a common goal, but that doesn't mean he likes you, man. You haven't really maxed or even hit two slots on this young Hero's Social Link or whatever - it's still hovering at a solid one star. So, needless to say...he doesn't really go all out for you, o-oops?

The gift is set under the Christmas tree when all the others are, since Loki lives with Gamora and Alice, Katsuki can just come and go as he pleases (likewise with the young girl at his place), so it was the easiest to place. It's really not much, a basic baggy tied with colorful ribbon that holds an assortment of frosted holiday cookies which are stupid good. Soft, moist, and almost silky in texture and a ripe balance of sweet and a little buttery. They'd go great with tea or coffee...or cocoa, honestly. He doesn't stick around long, to see Loki open them or anything - the day is for Alice mostly, and she was the one who got utterly spoiled by the explosive blond, but...

There you go. I guess?? \:|/]

[The little shit! Considering Loki wasn't expecting anything at all from Bakugou it was a surprise. Made him chuckle, and the cookies were greatly appreciated. It was hard not to indulge and eat them all right away--but Loki made himself be 'good'. For now. These would be a pleasure to be savored. He also had much to think about, regarding the younger blond.]

[Gamora waits for the storm to pass. Alice is a clever girl. If anyone can resist an implanted thought, it's her. The fallout is no less painful than hers. She may not have been pushed to do anything terrible. The opposite, she thinks. She allowed people who cared for her to play roles that didn't seem too out of character. Gamora is her family. She sees how fond she is getting of Loki and has been with that boy.

It still hurts to be forced to believe something that is not true. Gamora is giving Alice space at the moment. Readjusting to reality is never easy. She rather the girl make sense of things before running to comfort her. She needs to settle something else in the meantime. Being cast the role of mother to his father left her without a chance to talk.

Like it or not, she must speak to him. He is close to the one person she loves. Her anger with him is based on something he cannot possibly know. She knocks on the door to his room and waits with her hands behind in what passed for a parade rest back when she was with Thanos. Some things never left her.

When he opens the door, Gamora is immediately to the point.]

Are you willing to speak with me? [Cool, professional. It's a sharp contrast to the warm albeit confused mother.]

[Loki is keeping a discreet eye on Alice, but otherwise doing what he can to be...normal. Interact with her no more or less than he usually did. OTHER than when she'd approached him to apologize; he'd told her that it wasn't needed. The memory modification was not her fault, and he was sorry she was hurt by the breaking of it. He could not replace her father, nor could he necessarily say he'd be a good one in substitute, but if she wanted it then he would happily be her papa while here. Would be honored if he had a daughter like her. It was up to her and he'd respect whatever choice she'd make.

Deep inside, he is furious with Vaeros--but Loki knows how to play long games. There are other things to deal with in the day-to-day anyways. Some things left unsettled, so it isn't entirely a surprise when there's a knock at his door and Gamora is there.]

Is there a reason I shouldn't be?

[Because Loki is well aware there are things still in an undercurrent after the ball. Things not necessarily to do with Alice directly, but relating to her. He had been cast as Papa yes, but Gamora had been mother and that had to have left a mark on the woman.

His expression is pleasant if neutral, blue-green eyes studying her as he steps aside if she wants to come in to have some semblance of privacy. His own posture is casually relaxed. Not a parade-rest, but a similar 'waiting' style of stance that one might adopt during long talks.]

[Gamora takes her cue to step inside his room so they can have some privacy. This is an adult conversation. Alice has enough trouble without having to wonder what is going on between the adults in her life.] I've been told in the past that it is 'not cool to leave someone hanging' especially when dance is involved.

[She delivers it without any humor that others might inject into it. Gamora makes no effort to get comfortable and opts to stand.] Are you offended by my actions?

[Stand or sit, it's not as if he doesn't have a comfy chair in there besides the bed too. For reading and writing in. His posture does not change.

It takes quite a bit more to offend me these days, if that's what you're worried about.

[There's an eyebrow raise in silent question.]

[Gamora frowns deeply. She hates that he gives her the room to get to the point this time. She wants to beat around the bush. Unfortunately, she has to get to it now.] You offended me without meaning to.

[She explains with a soft huff. She doesn't elaborate on what exactly. It's pretty irrelevant for Ms. Repressed.] Alice cares deeply for us both. I would like to have peace between us for her sake.

Well, that is also not entirely new for me. To offend when I do not mean to. Or perhaps you're simply being too kind.

[Still keeping himself neutral and even toned.]

I've offered to adopt her, formally, while here. I can not, nor should I, replace her father. But she deserves some stability in this place and I would be honored to have a daughter like her.

[Now Loki was certain to meet her gaze.]

The memory modification was cruel, but clearly she desires a family here. Deserves one, and that means you need to be a part of it too, from how she cares for you. You say you care for her, then start being more active about it.

[But Loki wasn't out to be cruel right now intentionally.]

I can't know what it was like, growing up with Thanos. Anymore than you might be able to know what it was like growing up with Thor, or Odin. We are not our parents though. We can do better here.

[Gamora can't say she cares for the way he challenges her yet again. It isn't unfounded. A wiser, more experienced person would point out how depressed she is. Gamora falls into the last category. She lacks the vocabulary for what she is experiencing. She muddles through life until a kind girl reminds her who she once was and this annoying man pushes her to do better.

Fortunately for everyone involved, she loves Alice more than she hates the way he calls her out.] What you said requires you to know something only myself, the guardian of the soul stone, and Thanos know. I know you do not so your cruelty is accidental. I can be too kind, but not in this instance.

[She hasn't cut out his tongue for irritating her again. Gamora takes a deep breath in and steadily releases it. This isn't about her feelings. She knows he is right. Alice needs stability. A woman who hides behind a title she refuses to define is the opposite of stable. It took her so long to admit her love for Alice. It's unacceptable.

Loki wanting to be a father in this scenario is unexpected. She doesn't know him so she keeps that to herself. Gamora's gaze lowers as she admits to something most do not know about her.] I was a mother once. I can be one again. Perhaps I'll even do better since I only have one father to keep track of this time.

[A joke even if she does a poor job delivering it.]

[Get used to those challenges Gamora, it's part of what Loki does. Push at people. With her first words, Loki studies her. Assesses, as blue-green eyes scan her and then look her in the eye.]

...correct me if I'm wrong, but then you have also perished at Thanos' hand.

[He's guessing, and not meaning to be cruel so much as seek confirmation. It would fit for her manner and how she behaved. Loki is also offering her a 'bone' as it were--he said 'also'. Indicating, if she wants to pick up on it, that yes--he is dead too.]

I shall try to make keeping track of me not too much of a challenge. Although I'm curious now--despite apparently myths and legends stating I have children, I have none that I know of.

[Gamora doesn't confirm verbally right away. She sighs silently and moves towards his bed. She takes a seat there because this is a story she has carried with her for so long. It is a heavy burden that has sucked all the joy from her life. She needs a moment to find the words to express the profound amount of pain that has been inflicted upon her. She preferred when he ripped out her bones and spine to make way for the enhancements. It was easier when he put her in a position to harm the one person she did dare to love under his gaze.]

The price of the soul stone is to end the life of the one you love the most. A soul for a soul. [Gamora repeats evenly.] Of all the children he has stolen, tormented, and turned into weapons, he favored me the most. Thanos truly believes he loves me. He wanted me to rule the grateful universe of survivors even after I betrayed and tried to kill him. He considered it a child's rebellion. Nothing worth getting upset about.

[She scoffs at the dismissiveness of her attempt to live as a free woman. Gamora smiles bitterly.] He dared to cry about having to kill me. Can you even imagine it? The Great Mad Titan crying like a child for his daughter. He wept for his great sacrifice to the universe and how it cruelly stole his little one from him.

[Gamora has to laugh at it. It is so unbelievably stupid and cruel.] He is insane. If there is any justice in the universe, he'll receive nothing for my life.

[The dark humor of the situation doesn't amuse her for long. She finishes somberly:] But, we both know there is none so I wished for him to die with me. That is my gift to our grateful universe. I will take his insanity with me to my grave.

[Gamora finally stops to see if he has anything to say about this information.]

[Loki lets her move, and speak, and just waits. Listening, and eventually moving to the other chair in his room. Sitting but still attentive as he leans forward.]

He would have to be mad, to consider that a form of love. A twisted form, perhaps. Why not wish for him to die, while you live? Save a lot of trouble that way.

[Quiet for several moments, before Loki let himself speak. Looking out the window from the room, rather than at Gamora as he had been.]

What few all told that we saved from Asgard, and refugees from Sakaar, he killed half of. Whether he'd have found us sooner or later I do not know, but find us he did. Coming for the tesseract, which should have been destroyed along with Asgard under Surtur's wrath. He tortured Thor, making me watch.

[Making him break, and Loki still regret it. The breaking, the torture, his decision to take the tessaract--he could not say what he regret, only that he did.]

I did attempt to kill him, and was killed for my treachery. No illusions this time, that I'm aware of. My wish would be for that to not be the end. To not die at his hand. There has to be a way to stop him, because I have seen what determined groups of people can do. As determined as the Mad Titan is, there are those just as determined and mad enough to stop him.

[She considers his suggestion. It is reasonable. Gamora knows that is what she should have asked for. She does have a family that wants her back. The Guardians. Nebula. She slowly explains where the mindset comes from if only because the truth is out now. Why not go all the way with it?] I wished for that because that is what being near him does to me. From the moment he recaptured me, I have tried to either prevent him from torturing my sister further or trying to kill myself to escape him or lessen the damage he will cause others. By the time he reached me, he had too many stones for me to kill alone. It felt like the only way at the time.

[Gamora's shoulders sink. Since he offered her something, she returned the favor.] For whatever it is worth, Thor will be among them. I rescued him with my team before Thanos captured me. We were trying to answer the distress cry sent out.

[She briefly looks apologetic. If they had found it sooner, perhaps they would have lived. There's no use speculating now.] I sent Thor away with my son and one of the finest members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. They will not let him fail in his quest to stop Thanos. If there is one thing I learned from being with them, there is no shortage of allies you can collect when you intend to save the galaxy.

[Understandable, in its way. Loki has been in that kind of desperate pain and despair before, though not from Thanos. His had been from disappointment, and knowledge he would never be the son his father wanted. It was why he had let go of Gungnir those years ago. Part of how he had ended up in the Mad Titan's service to begin with.

But Loki let's his gaze come back to her, listening--and nodding with her words.]

When I first arrived...there were bonfires. Thor and I were at one, although we did not talk about it. Not beyond my confirming that I was, in fact, dead. It wasn't an illusion--although he has not been here since so perhaps the joke is on me? Maybe he was little more than an illusion this time. One that felt all too real.

[Pausing, and now Loki let himself sit back a bit. One leg crossing over the other and his hands going to his knee. Thoughtful...]

We're neither of us able to do much about it from here, unless Vaeros is as good as his word. But I do believe that there are people out there who are determined enough, like the soldier or the widow, or mad enough, like Stark, to stop him. So...I intend to focus on things here where I can be effective.

[Her heart aches for him. She likes Thor. Gamora can imagine how devastating it would be if the roles were reversed. She cups her hands together, toying with her rings as she mulls over the future. The secret is out. It's freeing. She isn't healed today nor will she be tomorrow. The weight has lessened because at least one other person can understand what she is going through to some extent.

She's reminded of Kate suddenly who loved Peter in another life and world and misses her bitterly. Perhaps this is the universe's way of giving her something close to what she shared with that woman. Loki may not understand her love, but it is something that he can grasp her pain. It may be what she needs more in the end.]

How do you get past the injustice of it? I don't know how to focus on here outside of caring for Alice.

The universe is full of injustices. Something I learned long ago, even before my life came unraveled. I would not say I've made peace with it, but I've accepted it.

[He wasn't really the type to celebrate 'justice' anyways. It was a weird concept to him from his upbringing and experiences. What was 'just' to one could be very 'unjust' to another. So Loki would leave it to the hero-types for now. If wronged, he would do what he felt was appropriate to make it 'right' instead. Revenge was not off the table either.]

As for focusing here...start involving yourself in more than just Alice's life. We have no way of knowing for certain whether this is all a sham or a dream or some dying lunacy or if Vaeros really can't grant our wishes. The contract did however say to 'live here', and that is not bad advice.

[Now Loki got up, and moved over to where Gamora sat. He did not reach out, as he might've done were this Alice, or Kaiba perhaps. But he could offer his closer presence as some kind of reassurance or comfort at least.]

Let yourself mourn. Rage. Grieve. Whatever you feel is necessary, but do not let yourself die here while you're still able to live.

[It isn't that he is saying anything she has not thought herself at some point. Nothing here is guaranteed. This may be a fever dream she is having to cope with bleeding out on some lonely mountain while her abuser murders half the galaxy. It is the only reality she has now. She must live in it as best she can.

Hearing it from an outside voice does help. Gamora reluctantly glances at Loki to plainly state as much.] Thank you. You did not have to be kind about any of this.

[Neither did Thor. Something the brothers had in common, she supposes.]

[An eyebrow raised at her statement, but Loki simply nodded after a moment and moved to return to his seat. Neither assuming she would leave or stay, Gamora was welcome to make her own decision.]

Do not think me kind as a habit--but I do not necessarily enjoy cruelty either.

[There's a soft laugh, and a sardonic smile.]

I may no longer actively be playing the villain but I assure you--I'm still no hero-type.

[This? Mostly for Alice. Perhaps a tiny bit for Gamora as well, for her not deciding to be an enemy to him. But Loki found that he didn't really mind this bit of kindness. It had been productive after all.]

[Gamora shakes her head gently. She hears what he is saying. She doesn't expect anything of him other than to treat Alice with dignity and respect. She can't help reminding him:] I didn't become his favorite child for my capacity for kindness.

[She is objectively worse than Loki in her mind. Most of the galaxy would agree on that though saving it twice has earned her some forgiveness from a few parties. Few are actively hunting her for her crimes under Thanos' rule.] I have spent my short time between escaping Thanos and my recapture trying to be better than what he made me to be. I appreciate you reminding me of that. If you prefer I pretend you have done me no good today, I'll allow it.

[She raises a brow and lightens the mood by pointing out playfully.] Unfortunately, my partner did the heroic speeches. I can't play hero to your villain. You'll have to find someone else for that.

Perhaps, but you never lost it even though you were the 'favorite' all the same. That says something about your strength of character.

[Her words and actions show that, as she confirms herself. Loki isn't quite sure what he wants--but he was not generally as a rule kind. Not anymore... He was also no longer as wounded and conflicted as he had been though--so perhaps some kindness would be allowed.]

I suggest we find new roles than hero or villain. They can be rather overdone and constraining.

[Although one corner of his mouth quirks up in a hint of smirk.]

So "Mother", anything I should know in particular, to help play "Father" more fully?

[The words are a balm. Gamora will likely never like herself. It helps to hear someone else doesn't think of her as a monster. While there could be an angle, she appreciates it all the same. She smiles in faint amusement. She agrees about the roles being constraining. She's never fit into them either.] I'll allow you to lead the charge on these titles. Aren't words your specialty?

[She points out playfully. The rest she suspects she is overthinking. Gamora is someone who spends a lot of time in her head so little surprise there.] That would depend on what you are seeking. Parenting advice on "our" child or how to avoid killing each other when we disagree on how to raise her?

Both, although I do suspect that latter might be especially important.

[It was easier to focus on the topic of Alice. But...Gamora seemed more at ease. Which was a good start, and would be good for their 'daughter'.]

[Gamora smiles warmly as something comes to mind. She thinks of the day she finally admitted to Alice who they were to each other.] Children love when you share something from your past with them. Peter shared his music with our son Groot. Now I've done the same with Alice. I let her listen to the songs Peter shared with me and our son. Before Peter, his mother shared the same music with him. It brought her great joy to be a part of that legacy. Share parts of yourself with her.

As for the rest, as long as we can both come to an understanding on what's best for Alice we'll survive each other. I constantly fought with the men who helped me parent Groot, especially the man I later took as a partner. We always did what was best for him. That was why it worked.

[Gamora adds:] I still think bringing a baby into battle was foolish.

I'd think it depends on the age of the 'baby', but then--Asgardians were a warrior culture. I believe I even heard some whispers about Frigga having taken Thor out when he was very very young, into battle. Given what I know of Mother, I'm certain she did so with a very good reason in mind.

When I first met Alice, I did tell her that I won't necessarily give her 'good' advice. But I shall try to not give her bad advice. We were having a conversation involving choosing our trouble. The 'good' advice would be to 'stay out of trouble' all together. But neither she nor I would likely follow that...

That father was from a warrior culture as well. He insisted on it being vital for proper development. [Gamora still sounds annoyed about it to this day. She looks back on it fondly as well. She can't help the soft laugh that escapes her. It sounds like the family she may build here won't be any less complicated.]

It's just as well. I can make a habit of getting you both out of it. It's what I did with the family I found after Thanos.

That is part of why I suggested as such, and offered to advise her--which lead to her inviting me to live here. That I'd do what I could to get her out of it too.

[There's a slow smirk, a hint of pride but also amusement, with his next words.]

I'm rather good at getting out of trouble, whether it's my own or other's, as well. At least you and Alice seem the types to appreciate trickery and illusion being useful instead of always depending on brute force.

[Once again the conversation brings up good memories. Loki is right of course. She values those skills. They got far on Peter's and Rocket's trickery alone.] Believe it or not, that's how the Guardians managed to save the galaxy twice. Ronan and the celestial Ego were far more powerful than us. We were more clever than each of them together.

[She wistfully and decides to state plainly:] I do appreciate the skills you bring to this home.

[That had surprised him, and it showed for a second or two in his expression. Then he was chuckling softly.]

Well, they weren't often appreciated much growing up. Magic, and illusions and tricks, were not seen as becoming of a warrior, much less a Prince. But they served well enough to get us out of trouble as often as we got into it too. Nor was it all my own fault for the trouble either.

Until I regain those skills though, we'll have to rely on my intelligence and cunning. But I value your wider experience with things among the universe.

[That is disappointing to hear. Gamora doesn't look surprised to hear that. Thanos had her kill a fair share of kings with similar attitudes.] Some warriors can be narrow-minded. Even Drax occasionally forgets it's not our blades that win the larger battles. Those skills will be more than helpful to us. We have our share of battles here. Godslayer will only take us so far.

[She doesn't have her enhancements back yet. In all fairness, she hasn't asked for them. She only swallowed her pride to get back her sword when they started going after the dragons. It'll take something just as big for her to try to get back all the changes Thanos made to her physiology.]

Asgardians were the strongest beings in the nine realms--it made it rather easy to value brute force and strength. Magic was often seen as a woman's art too. I was doubly disadvantaged because of my magic, but also by not being an asgardian. I'm a Jotun--a frost giant.

[There's a long pause, as he's clearly considering something. Before making blue-green eyes meet her own.]

It has been a new experience, being here--and having people respect and value what I can do. To not treat me as wrong, or different, or the eternal tag-a-long. I was never 'enough'. Never 'worthy'.

[Gamora listens without comment. The attitudes are not new even if she never had to suffer it. Thanos was a great believer in equality to a horrific and mundane extent. The girls he tortured had as much possibility to become great warriors against their wills as the boys. She is empathetic all the same. It is unfair and ridiculous. That is the life he lived. Being a prince didn't spare him.

The Jotun have never been popular among the greater galaxy either. Gamora takes these things into careful consideration as she forms a reply. It means something he has trusted her with this. Much like Peter before him, she doesn't betray or dismiss that vulnerability.] There are prejudices everywhere but, not among us as far as I can tell. Take this as the opportunity it is. People here will continue to see you as you are.

[She twirls one of her rings, forces herself to maintain eye contact, and decides to elaborate.] To me, you survived Thanos with your soul intact. You still allow yourself to care for someone as vulnerable as a Terran girl after seeing his horrors up close. You have enough wisdom to understand that very few wished to be in his service willingly.

I will not speak ill of the people you lost and were meant to lead once. I can only say I cannot agree with them. You have shown honor and strength under circumstances that have destroyed others. That has great value in my eyes.

[Loki was normally very good at controlling his expressions from others. But the more she spoke, the more she would see he was...surprised. Confused, and surprised, and oddly vulnerable. No one had spoken him to this way before other than his mother, in a long time. Despite his age, Gamora can see how 'young' he is as well, in blue-green eyes. For several moments, before he swallows and his expression is neutral once again.

But he is the first to break the gaze, his head tilting down and slightly to the side.]

You do me a kindness. Thank you. I...have done terrible things before ending up in Thanos' service, but I would not speak of them now.

[Then back up to meet her eyes.]

Someday. And you are stronger than you think, to not lose yourself in his service either. You were trying to survive. Lay the blame where it belongs, on him. Not on you--your choice was taken from you the minute he kidnapped you.

[Some would call her a fool for having any empathy for this man. Gamora has seen the worst life has to offer. She has lived horrors that are better left unsaid. What else can she do but, feel the pain of others? She gives them the mercy she never knew. She offers them the grace she stubbornly refuses to give herself. Gamora nods in response to his thanks. She doesn't pry into his past. It doesn't matter. Both their hands are soaked with blood.

The rest has her looking down at her rings again. She ponders his words carefully.]

I do blame him for stealing another man's child and forcing them to call him 'Father.' I blame him for ripping me apart and putting me back together countless times in the name of making me stronger. I blame him for all the death and destruction he has brought to our people and countless others. My choices... that is more difficult. Some would say the honorable thing to do in my position would be to die. I agreed with them at points.

[Hence her comments during their dance. She won't spell it out for him. It seems unnecessarily cruel.] I am glad to be free of him now. That we both are.

Dying is the easy way out, unless it's in battle. Better you should live and perhaps suffer by attempting to make amends. Think of that as an alternate viewpoint--although suffering itself without purpose is no more nobler or honorable than dying as an easy way out.

[He understands well what she's saying. Ultimately it's her life, but she has done him a kindness or two. So he'll attempt to do so in turn--and Kind was not always 'nice'.]

[Gamora's brows knit together as she truly takes what he is saying to heart. It is a bitter truth, but one she accepted once. Grief made her lose sight of it until now.] That is what I thought before he took me again. I have spent the past few years trying to make it right. Every time I confronted someone like Thanos, I stopped them with my family. I could not stop him. I must make peace with that.

[Her eyes meet his sharply.] That is not your concern. Thank you again for listening to me. I know I have taken much of your time. I think now we are prepared to do this together so it isn't wasted.

Yes because I have so many demands on my time now.

[There's sarcasm in it, but he hadn't minded.]

Whether we like it or not, we have common interests and investments. Better we work together than at odds with each other towards common goals.

[Loki tilted his head up, letting some pride in his features and also some challenge.]

Be stronger than he made you to be, by being yourself and your own person.

[That startles a laugh from Gamora. It's true. He doesn't have people to rule. No one is expecting her to save the galaxy. What else do they have to do?

He makes a point she can agree with. They are better off doing this together considering what they share in common is love for a young girl.] Is that an order or challenge, Prince?

That would be "Your highness" to you, peasant.

[He maintained the haughty attitude and posture, but there was mischief in blue-green eyes.]

A challenge, since you'll likely respond better to that. But if it needs to be an order, well...

[Gamora's smile betrays her. She is having fun.] Careful, Prince. I am a warrior and an assassin. We are known for toppling royalty when it suits us.

[She adds generously:] I am willing to accept a challenge.

I too am a warrior, in case you forgot. Also a god thankyouverymuch. I don't die that easily.

[Loki might be having a bit of fun himself. With her acquiescence to it being a challenge he just nods. Then lets some of that haughtiness drop.]

More seriously, was there anything else you needed or wanted to discuss?

There is nothing else. [Gamora rises to her feet with a smile still on her lips.] The peasant will be working on tea to lure little girls out of hiding. I trust you have a strategy of your own.

What makes you think I'm not the one helping her get better at hiding?

[With a chuckle and smirk. Alice was more than clever and intelligent enough to hide on her own. She didn't need Loki's help, though she'd have it if she wanted. Still, he escorted Gamora out at least.]

[ In the morning if Loki steps outside his home, he will find a dried flower wreath hanging on the door, delivered by the mail mice. Attached to the wreath is a tag. ]

To Loki,

Happy Holidays!

- Willow

Hello Loki, meet at my cottage in an hour from seeing this. Luz will be attending, this matter concerns you both.

Understood. I won't be seen or detected.

[ Loki likely noticed that Seto went quiet after the sleepr interaction for a bit...some time that evening (after work), he'd show up at the cottage with a pensive expression. A tentative knock, and he'd hope Loki answered---but he was prepared to greet Gamora and Alice, at least. ]

[Hopefully Kaiba won't mind that Loki was finishing up post-spar cleaning up. He'd just visited with Blake in the snow for a sparring match, but Loki wasn't also surprised to find Kaiba wandering his way over. So the other is invited in, although Loki's pulled his hair loosely back and has only his base layers on. Gesturing, as they head up to the god's room.]

I had a feeling you might show up or ask me to visit at some point. Gave you some things to think about, didn't I? And if you want help writing your profile next time, ask.

That's just it. I don't know what I would've written. It seems to be mostly intended as a dating app, and though I'm not interested in that....

[ He looks around a bit, folding his arms. Looking unsure of himself again. ]

It sounds ridiculous, but I'm not a hundred percent sure how to accurately define myself anymore.

Edited 2024-01-13 04:25 (UTC)

[Loki's room was fairly sparse in some ways as he was building up more creature comforts. Bed, along with nightstand and wardrobe-dresser, a spare comfortable chair and a rug, some tapestries on the wall that were patterned. Window closed firmly, and cleaner clothes laid out on the bed. On top of thick blankets and a good number of pillows. There was a bowl of water and a washcloth on the dresser part of the wardrobe, along with a comb and small jars of toiletries.]

Why does that sound ridiculous?

[Because it made perfect sense to Loki, knowing what he did of the younger man. Door closed behind them, he turned to the other.]

I spent the afternoon sparring with Blake. Do you mind if I wash up a bit while we talk?

Oh---of course. I should have called.

[ He looks flustered, awkwardly walking over to the chair and sitting. He takes a little breath. ]

It's that...I always knew who I was. CEO. Big brother. High-ranking duelist. Manipulator of a massive economy. But none of that's relevant anymore. I'm just one human against the wilds of whatever's out there.

Edited 2024-01-13 04:39 (UTC)

We have shared a hot spring, I didn't think you'd mind.

[Kaiba had already seen a lot more of Loki than just removing his shirt would do. At least he wasn't going to change fully.]

You were ten when your current life at home was mapped out for you. I'm not surprised you didn't go through the usual adolescent troubles of figuring out who you are.

[Shift off, Loki is taking a moment to laugh.]

Mind, for an age comparison I'd be in my mid twenties so I'm not entirely that ancient in some ways. You're also far from the only human here.

Hah...that makes some sense.

[ He raked a hand through his hair, still a bit agitated. ]

Well, how did you figure it out then?

What makes you think I have?

[Not the answer Kaiba wanted, Loki was certain.]

My life turned upside down about 6 years ago after a prank on Thor. That prank had effects and consequences I couldn't predict and altered both of our lives in ways that...I'm still figuring out. Remember what I told you about Thor and the frost giants and Jotunheim?

[Loki focused on that washcloth and basin now, moving to give himself a sketchy wash as he talked.]

Thor was banished to Midgard, and deemed 'unworthy' although Odin sent Mjolnir with him. Should Thor prove himself worthy once more, he would be able to lift it. Meanwhile, Father was asleep and I was next in the line of succession. They gave me the throne, though I wasn't sure I wanted it. Once I had it though, I thought of a way I could solve things and make Father proud of me. But I needed Thor to stay on Earth.

I visited, keeping myself and my presence unseen except to him as he'd located Mjolnir in the middle of a secret quick compound set up by a government of that nation. He'd been unable to lift it, and so they were questioning him. I told him about father, but lied about whether he could come home. His friends--who had always been his friends more than mine, and Sif... they petitioned me as King to allow his return. I refused it, as it would not do for me to countermand Odin's order as my first act as ruler of Asgard. They had always been suspicious of me, distrustful. They hadn't appreciated that I had saved our lives on Jotunheim by telling a guard, before we left, to get Odin.

In any case, they went to Midgard to find Thor and bring him back. I sent an advanced Asgardian weapon known as the destroyer after them. I also went to Jotunheim, secretly this time. To pretend to betray my people, by inviting Laufey to come and take his revenge on the vulnerable Odin. I knew the einherjar could handle the frost giants easily, and Laufey took the bait. I was there to intercept him once the threat was real--and I killed him. It would have been perfect if only Thor hadn't come back. Somehow he'd become worthy again, wielded Mjolnir, and returned.

[ Kaiba bowed his head as he thought this over. ]

It's painful, to have to pretend to betray people when things matter. I've had to do the same.

But you'd built up to this one big purpose and...he tore it down?

Just by returning home, he ruined it. We fought, as he tried to prevent me from wiping out the Jotun completely. It was a great fight, but even were I wanting to stop--what I'd started couldn't be stopped. Except by destroying the bifrost, which Thor did. It took us both by surprise, dangling on the edge of it though Odin had awakened and caught Thor. Who held onto Gungnir, the spear--which I held on to. I pleaded with my father for approval...but was denied it.

I let go.

[A pause, and Loki pulled out the band from his hair. Cupping his hands in the water, cloth placed aside, he splashed it through and over his hair. Ruffling the black mane with his head tilted so that Kaiba couldn't see his expressions.]

The Bifrost was what allowed inter-realm travel between the nine. With it broken, there was no set way to know where it might drop one. I let go...and fell into a wormhole that transported me somewhere else in the universe. I had not expected to survive.

Into the unknown...

[ He looked down at his hands, imagining what being backed into that kind of corner would feel like. ]

And where did you land?

Nowhere good. I spent a year effectively moving through the dregs of the galaxy with only what I had on me and my wits and skills to survive. No kindness was shown to me that wasn't ruthlessly bargained for and often at great cost. Eventually, I found my way to a being known as the Mad Titan. Gamora knows of me from my time in his service, but it was the a desperate bargain I'd made. He offered me a thrown--to use his army and conquer Midgard, if I would only secure a certain relic known as the Tesseract for him. I took the offer and invaded New York. Not outright at first, but more subtly and by taking control of a few government agents in good places. I infiltrated and caused what I had hoped was an irreparable rift among their defenders. In the end, I was defeated and sent back to Asgard by my brother in chains. Father sent me to prison, though I told him if it was to be the axe for me then to hurry up. Instead...prison. Denied my mother's presence as well, although she found her ways to talk with me. Made me as comfortable as she could. But the last time I saw her alive we fought, she and I.

[Now Loki raised his head up, and took up the comb. Turning so that he was in profile to Kaiba. Comb in his left hand, he filled with it with his right as the pair were brought up in front of his waist.]

I wasn't freed until Thor needed my help to rescue Jane Foster and stop the Svartalfhar. That is, the dark elves. The other ancient, and thought to be extinct, enemy race to the Asgardians besides the Jotun. His desperate plan worked almost. We freed Jane Foster, from Asgard and from the Aether that the dark elves sought inside of her. Thor obviously did not trust me after my invasion of Earth, and we used that to an advantage. I pretended to betray him, to get the Dark Elf Wizard Malekith to free Jane from the Aether, and then I helped protect her. I nearly died again. Thor had already thought me dead once before I showed up in New York seeking the Tesseract. Here he thought I died again, but einherjar had come looking for us--followed my secret way to Svartalfhar.

I killed and changed one of them, to take my place--went home, told Odin that Loki was dead while Thor went to deal with the Dark Elves on Midgard presumably. How he got there I don't know. Father figured out that I wasn't the einherjar he'd sent rather quickly, but I had no desire to go back to my prison cell. I enchanted him by modifying his memory, and found him a home to live in for elders on Midgard in New York. He stayed there for 4 years while I ruled Asgard, pretending to be him. Thor was, again, the cause of my being found out by his return to Asgard. We went to Midgard to find Father, and he'd broken the enchantment at some point but had stayed where he was.

[Loki's eyes look down, and his expression was decidedly neutral.]

He said mother would've been proud of it, my spellcasting.
I was young, angry and hurt and confused.

Edited 2024-01-13 05:47 (UTC)

...I see. It's been a long, perilous road.

[ He wouldn't say any more than that for now, patiently listening. No judgment here. ]

There's more that I could go into, but the part that I think you'll find most relevant is when I was again knocked out of the bifrost while we were traveling in it. I fell through a wormhole again, and ended up on what was the Universe's planetary trash-heap. There was only a pocket of civilization, otherwise you were left to cannibalistic gangs of raiders. That pocket of civilization was also ruled over by a mad god-like being know as the Grandmaster. His tastes in entertainment ran towards parties and bloodsports, with his ego being massive and his moods volatile and capricious to an extreme. Trying to gain and stay in his favor was like constantly dancing on a knife's edge. I was there for months before Thor showed up again.

[Loki gave a snort.]

In any case, Father had talked with Thor and myself, before the trip to Sakaar. He was dying, so had little time. But he said he was proud of us both, using 'sons' plural. I...was not sure how to feel about that. I'm still not. During our escape from Sakaar, as well as by a bonfire here, Thor and I have talked--and he gave me even more to think about.

[That was the point he was getting at really. Face still down turned slightly, although he realized he was fidgeting. A small frown, and he moved to start combing through his hair instead.]

Who I thought I was, and who I had expected to be... It all changed, and is changing still. Here, my situation was better than either previous time I'd been dropped somewhere, despite my being brought down to human initially. At first, my helping others and playing the good neighbor and all that? My survival strategy--it's unwise to make enemies unless you have to, when you have no real way to protect yourself from them. That later goodwill of others can also be valuable as many people don't want to see someone whom they view fondly as capable of a great many things.

[Pausing, to be sure Kaiba was following along.]

Mm...I see. I don't think you need me to say it, but...my goodwill toward you hasn't lessened. It's grown, if anything.

[ Seto briefly smiles at Loki, then glances down at his phone to view the profiles again. He reads Loki's profile again in this light, then what the Oracle had chosen to expose in his own. ]

The power I had before isn't the kind that can be reclaimed in this world. My role has changed...I guess if there's one thing I have to hold onto, it's being stubborn enough to keep digging.

"I'm known for betrayal and a talented liar. I've killed many before, several whom weren't involved directly in the conflict." Loki pointed out, just in case Kaiba wanted to rethink things. "I am, ultimately, on my own side first at all times." But was that latter really true, considering he'd adopted Alice officially?

"You hold on to what you choose to hold on to. But think of this as a place to find out who you want to be."

[All while getting the worst snarls out of his hair as he half-watched the other. Starting from the bottom and moving upwards with the comb as the strands got less knotted.]

Seto would keep it in mind, but...no, he'd refuse to worry about it. He knew he wanted to stay by Loki's side, and he was a stubborn dude.

"...Mokuba begged me to let go of my bitterness about losing my title before. I'd staked everything on winning a rematch and reclaiming my glory, and failed again. It felt like a knife to the heart, but. My 'father' had been wrong. I'd lost, and was still alive."

He'd heard echoes of that in Loki's story, and it heartened him a little. He looked up, a little brighter.

"Mokuba asked me to remember how to smile, to work on our old dreams to make other kids like us smile. Maybe I can find something small and build on it. Share some dream, somwhere."

"Scars can be harmful, or helpful. They can stay with us, and remind us of our failures and our wounds. But they're meant to be healing, to remind us we survived, to help us grow." Loki was glad to see the other look a little more stable and happier.

"So yes, take being here as an opportunity. Learn what you can, and do what you can and what you want." Hair back in some semblance of order, Loki turned to the clean clothing on the bed and slipped into the undershirt.

"As for the dating aspect? No one says you have to use it that way. Use it to find enemies via the fight option, if you want. Or don't use it at all and pay it no mind."

Not just the physical scars he bore...but the mental ones two. They told his story, but he could be more than that?

He nodded, snorting as he tucked his phone away once more.

"I'm not just starting fights for no reason. It'd be a fool's errand. An intellectual competition, maybe...or I could throw caution to the wind and press the friend button?"

It wasn't usually his thing. He still had to suppress cringing at that word. But he could try.

"Presumably they want us to be more conversational than just pushing a button alone. Otherwise why have the option?" Loki pointed out reasonably. "It's a tool. Tools are only as effective as the person who knows how to use one."

Busy? We should talk- and cuddle, honestly, but mostly.. No, both in equal measure.

Of course, although those words usually bode no good. Do you want me to head to your place or will you be stopping here?

"I'm going to cuddle you for a change, but also I want to make sure you're doing okay with what I said about protecting you" seemed to be less.. romantic, honestly. My place would be easier!

Oh Loki is glad this is over text and that he has time to think. Especially since he does send a quick response text before getting ready to head out. Less romantic, and yet he had a feeling it had to do with that. Especially since Loki himself wasn't sure still how he felt.

It was still similar, in some ways, to the conundrum he was wrestling with in other ways. It was not as strong with Night Sky or Klaus--they were clearly in the 'companions with benefits' category. A type of friend to be sure, but not a 'peer' as it were too. And the other close bonds Loki had were all easier to deal with because of age and maturity or role. And here he was, pacing like some befuddled maiden...

Well, if he was playing that part, might as well make it fully.

So Puck might have a surprise, as the figure at his door is still tall and overall lean. Still Loki, but decidedly not the appearance 'he' usually had. "I thought this might make it easier for cuddling. I do enjoy positive affection, especially with those I count as honored companions."

Puck was used to seeing other Oberon's Children switch forms at seemingly blink and you'll miss it levels of speed at times. He was also trying to sort out what the relationship he had going on with Loki qualified as before giving a shrug. It didn't entirely need a label, but Puck understood that others struggled with that idea and other things. Love could be complex.

As he held the door open for Loki, Puck smiled. "I was going to cuddle you regardless, but whatever is most comfortable for you, obviously." Once she was inside, Puck closed the door.

"So. Let's get this frog handled first-- Does my wanting to protect you bother you, and do I need to modify that goal to be anything else so you're comfortable?"

"I'm comfortable either way, but it has been a while since I've gone out like this." A brief gesture to herself, and then Loki was pulling off the coat. She was still dressed the same, seeing no need to bother changing.

Nor would she be able to lie to herself that she admired Puck tackling this head on. Braver than she might've been, despite all her perceptive nature and tendency to poke at others. "Would it matter if I were uncomfortable?" It was the automatic response, but Loki knew it wouldn't be enough. Her voice was slightly higher, though still low for a woman's. Moving to bring her hands up in front of her, blue-green eyes were carefully neutral. "I have not had anyone who wants to protect me in....a very long while. Certainly not for any reason other than that I'm useful or similar."

Thor had protected Loki often enough, but it was complicated then. The elder brother had also left Loki to fend for themselves just as often, as siblings were wont to do. Each watched for the other, but also each ribbed and made things difficult for the other. Then those bonds had been damaged, if not broken. Had only just begun mending...

Puck looked at Loki as she explained things and nodded. "In order-- Yes of course it would matter. I'm not going to do something that you don't like, that's why I'm asking."

But he listened and nodded. "But you don't know why I want to do that. It sounds like you're leaning into the past for a reason. I do want to protect you, but-" Puck gestured back with one of his hands. "I don't have to, especially if you're not comfortable with it. I'm not the monarchs I serve. If you want me to simply fight beside you and trust your powers in whatever form they take, then we fight together. Simple as that."

"But I won't put you into a role that you don't want to satisfy myself." Puck's eyes went to the floor for a minute. "I know how that is. I won't repeat it."

The vehemence and look made Loki laugh, with a slightly sad smile. But she listened, as Puck explained. Fidgeting, she was silent for a moment but was sure of one thing. "If I could, I would take revenge for you, on whoever put you in that position. It is not one anyone should be in, and you are...wise." Loki had been put in a role that they may never have wanted before too. A few times over, though never like this.

"It..isn't that I don't want the role either. I'm trying to figure out why I'm bothered by it. You're one of the people here, even powerless, I respect and think of very highly and as something of an equal. Simply based on how you comport yourself and what you've shown me so far. If you're a liar and actor, then you're a far better one than I've ever met because as much as I can tell you've been genuine every time you've needed to be. I can tell when it's a game, or for show, or when it's not."

Puck just inhaled for a moment and looked off to the side. "It's not, but it's also the past." As long as he could stay ahead of Oberon at least. Manhattan was a big city, and Earth a big planet. Lots of places to hide.

"I'm a fae." he said simply with a point to himself. "We're supposed to be confusing on the best day, and-" Puck shook his head. "No, that's about it. I'd hope I'm a good actor-- Shakespeare took enough from Oberon's whole court for that play. I'm not going to demand to know why you're bothered, but I'm going to respect whatever your decision is around this. I'm a good actor, but I'm also honest about my relationships."

Puck straightened up and slapped off some invisible dust from his tunic. "I'll still play around with deals and all of that, but never with those I care about. Not with intent to hurt, anyway."

"It is the past..." Loki murmured, looking away now. Expression carefully neutral, posture alert but casual and still with her hands up in front of her and clasped. "....I am not used to caring, at least anymore, about others besides myself. Or rather, I've suffered for it before so closed myself off. Things were starting to mend, and I was trying to be better, when I came here."

It was a hard admission to make, and a sign that Loki did respect and trust the other to give the fae that much. "I do not see a fae as anything less than a type of being. Much as I'm a frost-giant, or Luz is a human. You've kept my interest and companionship because of who you are, as Puck. Not as a fae, for what it's worth."

"It can be a challenge, living. Living and trusting? An extra challenge."

Puck gave Loki an understanding look as he adjusted the chair of his reading nook. "It's worth something, yes. But it seems that we're on some kind of understanding with each other-- I won't push you to define what all of this is, and I'll-" Puck paused and chose his words carefully. "I'll enjoy what this is regardless. I don't have to protect someone to care for them, it's just what I'm used to doing. Who expects a jester to be good at fighting?"

He grinned and sat down. "Not a lot of people, which makes it fun. Now, with that done, what would you like to do with the rest of this visit?"

"I expect a jester to be good at many things. People always overlook the fool, that's why he can speak the truth to a king or God." Loki said, coming over and reaching her hands now to gently stroke Puck's face. "I want to protect you as well, so we'll see how it call goes. Whatever we have, as confusing as it can be--I fully intend to enjoy it as well." With a smile.

"It also helps that I've got a good personality." Puck joked before he smiled back. "Good, then we'll enjoy it. For now, make yourself comfortable. And no laughing if I'm not wonderful at cuddling. It's technically my first time being the one doing it."

"Whereas I have plenty of, shall we say, physical experience." Loki countered, moving to smooth her hands up and fingers playing against his hair and scalp. "If I laugh, it will be with you, Puck." Certain he was ready, she slid into his lap on the comfy chair and nestled close.

"I did tell you, before, about the frost giant thing, didn't I?"

"I think you did, yes. And is that what it's called now? I missed that memo." Puck waited until she was comfortable and then let his arms rest around Loki's shoulders, holding her but with a loose grip. He idly ran one of his hands through her hair.

"Huh. I get why you like doing this." he said thoughtfully and more to himself.

"Isn't it nice? Both receiving and giving. And you do have lovely hair yourself, though I like your eyes best. Even when they were Owen's, I could see you if I looked, once I found the humor in it all." Loki's blue-green eyes were sparkling with mischief and affection.

"I'll have to work on that. Maybe." Puck let his hand continue to essentially comb through Loki's. "Or maybe not, who knows?" he winked. "I've got options."

"Best thing about being a shapeshifter." Loki agreed with a contented hum and let herself relax. "And we'll get your magic back soon too. I'm looking forward to all the ways we can surprise each other."

"I'd agree with that." Even though Puck stuck to his usual form for centuries at a time, he understood the appeal. "You just want me back in a business suit, I knew it." he joked.

"He did cut a dashing figure, and you would too." Loki agreed, leaning in to nuzzle against Puck's cheek in affection. Then a thought, and the fae would feel the smile and low laughter. "That's actually an idea for how I might learn to be Owen better. Something he's possibly familiar with. We can give each other job interviews. I'll wear a suit too."

"Do you notice I'm not correcting you?" Puck replied before Loki's idea was spoken. There was a thoughtful hum. "We would need snacks and some form of 'How to grow your business' presentation to really land the business conference idea. But since that isn't what you're suggesting-- and I'm not looking for it, don't get any ideas!" Puck said quickly with a grin. "Since that isn't what you're suggesting, then.. Fine. An interview would probably be the easiest way for information to be shared. I can write papers about Owen's entire characterization without much of a struggle, but it'd be easier to hear it directly from him."

Puck's hand continued to run over Loki's head. "Job interviews would work. Owen could answer and ask some questions, I get to see you in a nice outfit, we might even have fun if we're lucky." There was a playful wink.

"Spoilsport." Loki murmured with a mock-pout, but continued to lean into the touches. And just against Pucks' shoulder and neck, it was nice. Soft little nuzzles against his jaw. "I do cut a good figure in a suit. Besides, if it won't be fun why would we bother doing it?"

"A complete killjoy, that's me. Never know a day of fun in my life, the job of court jester was a lie." Puck agreed flatly as he grinned at the nuzzling. "That's a fair enough point. By that logic then we obviously need some more fun in our lives. Maybe." Puck fell quiet for a minute in thought. "Wait. It's February soon, I have to get some things ready."

"See, you say that, but you and I both know one of the best roles can be that of the straight man in comedy." Only a bit hesitantly, Loki let herself brush through his hair by his ear. She already knew from her experience with Sky they could be sensitive, and wondered if that would be true for Puck as well. It was definitely affectionate touch, as Loki always enjoyed positive affection--but there was another layer with Puck that, while confusing, she enjoyed too.

It was just...nice to be cuddled, but also to be able to depend on someone.

"What does February have to do with it?" She hadn't visited Midgard often enough to get the 'valentines' concepts.

"You're right, someone has to act as the second part. Otherwise it's not a duo." As Loki's hand ran through the hair near one of his ears, Puck inhaled sharply and bit his tongue to keep from saying anything suddenly. His cheeks went momentarily flushed, the question answered loud and clear. His ears were in fact pretty sensitive.

But as surprising as it'd been to suddenly be giving Loki that information on a silver platter, Puck was entertained by all of it. Loki felt comfortable enough to try that out, and to let herself lower her guard for a bit. A decent pair of gifts for both of them. Puck cleared his throat and refocused.

"Oh it's an entire thing on Earth! The fourteenth is celebrating some saint of love- you're encouraged to get your lovers gifts and take them out. Make them feel special, the usual." Which didn't happen much for Owen. Or for Puck, really. He mostly spent the night keeping an ear out for any wishes or he would just travel around and observe others. "I'll need to finish getting my plans in place, and then start putting them to work. Which means a lot of writing practice."

He smiled and ran his hand through Loki's hair again. "But I don't mind. If anything I need to figure out what else you'd enjoy."

Puck should be entertained, as Loki was not usually hesitant about that kind of thing. Exactly as the fae figured, Loki did feel comfortable to try that with someone she was lowering her guard around and actually cared for. At the very least as friend-and-companion, but possibly other layers too. Layers that Loki herself was only starting to have glimpses of.

Again, she leaned into the touch with the hair petting, and nuzzled against his cheek and jaw. Behaving with her hands for now, though they also moved to pet white strands of hair. "I enjoy the challenge and playfulness that I have with you. That, more than anything, is what drew me in. I rarely meet my match." It wasn't the honeyed words themselves or the grand romance, but that simple joy and pleasure of finding someone who could 'play' on an equal level. Who was entertaining and interesting and could keep up. Usually Loki also had her superiority complex, because most people didn't measure up in her eyes and view.

"I'll look forward to the surprise, and have to think about what I can do for you in turn. Do you have any preferences, or should I just see what comes to me?"

Puck was fine with things moving at whatever pace worked. But he was also glad Loki had stopped touching his ears. It hadn't been on his list to re-discover that about himself. Puck wasn't mad at the fact just more surprised than anything.

"Oh?" Puck answered with a surprised blink. "That's a bit of a shock. Some humans can be surprisingly playful when they want. But not so much with romance, I've found-- not like this, at least. They'll have fun and then leave before it actually gets entertaining." Play came with a lot of levels to it, especially for the fae in general. A lot of his interactions with humans and non-humans alike had been the equivalent to starting a good book and having to return it after the first chapter. Puck didn't have as big of a superiority complex, but he hated the contrast.

"Give you the go ahead to do whatever you want, or try to think of something..?" Puck gave a playful hum. "Let's surprise each other, sure. Gifts are more fun when you don't know what to expect."

"It's not even in the romance sense--I've woo'd people before, but often it wasn't serious. I believe the phrase is 'friends with benefits'. Or they've wanted more, and I've lead them on until it was inconvenient. Or they had something I wanted." There was a sigh, and Loki hid her face somewhat. "As I said, caring about others is...new. But I am able to manipulate people."

Then more softly, but with a tight hug. "I'm not doing that with you, by the way. Or anyone here. I don't see a need or want to." but Loki would do a lot to further her goals, depending on what those goals are. Puck seemed to be the lighter shades of grey than Loki herself was overall.

"I think I can come up with a good idea or two for you."

"Ahh." Puck's eyes lit up in understanding. "Casual dating is the term I've heard more often, but it seems to be the same concept."

He smiled at the sudden hug and nodded, returning it. "No, I know you're not. I've seen enough manipulation to be very good at telling when it's happening." Oberon's court wasn't heavy on it, but Oberon absolutely did manipulate where he felt it was needed. Puck's morality in general was skewed towards what kept his freedom and what didn't hurt others as much. Pranks, misunderstanding wishes, all absolutely fair. But the more.. well, human, really, ideas applied to Oberon's children, that they were just waiting for a chance to be horrible? It didn't apply to him, and only applied to Oberon based on his mood swings.

"Oh? Good, I'll have to do the same. I might even throw together a business proposal just to keep you on your toes."

"Are you so certain? I've had centuries of practice." Loki asked, trying to tease but it came out too honest a response. Still with that hug and a bit of hiding. "Now I AM curious though. What kind of business?"

"Yes." Puck answered simply. "I've had centuries of living." he joked, but then his expression softened for a moment. "Oh I was just going to opt for a generic one about a fictional stock market. But I could go ahead and think of something else. 'How to admire your romantic partner without needing to take breaks for things like rest'" He winked. "The joke would involve coffee."

Loki laughed, head leaning on Puck's shoulder and she loosened the tight hug. "Is this where I should point out that frost-giants have what would be considered superhuman stamina compared to a human?" There was an impish tone in the question.

Puck laughed, picking up on the tone, which made it funnier somehow. He hadn't been expecting a stamina joke of all things, so the element of surprise also landed nicely. "That's quite good to know, and your timing is excellent." Puck answered as he caught his breath.

"Well, I have to know the cheesy ones as well as the bad ones, to be able to tell good ones right?" Loki's smile was smug, and chuckle low in her throat. "Frost Giants are superhuman compared to a human in all ways, including with a regenerative healing factor. I've been smashed repeatedly into a corporate tower floor by a brutish behemoth and...well, I was mobile again after perhaps less than a half hour?"

"That's a fair point." That blush on Puck's cheeks was obviously there for absolutely no reason. But at Loki's comment about how fast she healed, his eyes widened. "Wait--" When there wasn't another laugh or a wink, Puck's hand stopped moving through her hair for a second as he looked at her in surprise. "No, you're not joking about that. I usually need at least a few hours of rest for fights, and longer for magic depending on the spells used. I don't want to think about trying to get up again in such a short time."

She didn't want to, but Loki pulled back enough to look at him seriously. "I'm not joking no. It was a little over 5 years ago or so. I had...been through a year of hell, quite frankly. Found myself in service to a being called the Mad Titan. He promised me an army, and that I could rule Midgard if I only delivered him an object known as the tesseract that was kept there. Gave me a scepter with a reality stone, the mind stone, within it." A pause...

"There are 6 stones formed at the beginning of the universe known as the Infinity stones. Time, space, force, mind, reality, and soul. The tesseract housed the space stone." Being certain that Puck was following, although blue-green eyes lowered a bit. "I was...hurt. Very hurt. And angry."

Edited 2024-01-27 05:14 (UTC)

Puck listened, following easily enough. Magical things weren't in every corner store in Manhattan but they were present enough, as they were in Avalon. "So this.. Titan, saw your hurt and anger and manipulated you into working for them."

Puck frowned and moved his hand from Loki's head to one of her shoulders. "If you want to stop telling me about this, you can. I won't press."

"He did. Gamora is also familiar with him, as he is her 'father' in a way though there is no love held for him. I was not entirely without choice, but I had just spent a year going through the dregs of the galaxy after..." Loki stopped, mouth shutting up. Face suddenly an emotionless mask and visibly making herself take a deep breath. There were clearly signs to see that it had wounded her deeply, if one wanted to look. Nor had whatever had happened been dealt with properly perhaps.

Shaking her head, the mask stayed in place. "In any case, after arriving on Earth and attempting to steal it, through various ways I ended up in New York." A hint of wry-tone there. "Manhattan, actually. A portal was opened using the Tesseract to allow the army of Chitauri through as we started to attempt conquest. But a group of heroes, including my brother Thor, were of a mind to stop me. Eventually I found myself on one of the floors of the Avenger's Tower, and confronted by a being known as the Hulk."

Loki unwound one of her arms and held up a hand to form a tiny illusion of the being.

"I'd already been thrown through a wall, after being thrown from an explosion to the Chitauri chariot I was riding, and taken a beating from my brother. I'd had enough, so I confronted him--but he grabbed me and smashed me into the ground somewhere around...5 times? It's a bit fuzzy. I just kind of lay there stunned and in pain for a while. When I tried to actually get up, well--the 6 heroes were there, one with an arrow pointed at me, and I was captured."

Puck was quiet, still listening but taking mental notes. He noticed how she went quiet and filed that away. There was some deep hurt, but it wasn't the time or place for Puck to try to figure that out. Now was the time to just listen.

"Oh, no wonder we get along." Puck joked lightly before he refocused. He looked at the illusion of the Hulk as he was called, eyes narrowing. And then he heard the rest and Puck forgot to breathe for a second before he exhaled.

"You say it so casually. You were already weakened and they needed to-- what? Make themselves feel better?" Puck pulled his hand away from her shoulder before it could clench. He ran his other hand through his hair. "So the heroes of one world sound like the villains of another." Puck took a deep breath to steady himself and then returned his hand to Loki's shoulder, forcing said hand to remain steady.

"That's disgusting behavior for heroes." Sure, Goliath and the others did get the better of Xanatos, but there was always an element of just being fair with it, or at least it being an evenly matched fight. Xanatos didn't fight nearly as dirty as what these six heroes sounded like they did, and Puck followed suite in his own fights. They were hard, but they weren't impossible to win. Just a constant match of strength against strength, with the occasional advantage. But nothing unsportsmanlike. Manipulative, yes. But still with an element of fairness, even if it was miniscule. What was fair about beating someone who was already hurt?

Puck closed his eyes for a minute and forced out some memories that threatened to come to the surface. Oberon was cruel, controlling and power mad, but even he at his worst--. Puck opened his eyes and looked at Loki.

"Thank you for telling me that."

Loki tilted her head and looked confused for a moment. "You're....angry...for me?" That was a new concept. She had been the invader after all, and had killed quite a good number of people and wounded who knew how many more.

"To be fair to the heroes, I think they were simply making sure I wouldn't get away. My brother handled most of it, cuffing me and then putting a muzzle on me as well. Not that I was making it easy really, considering my verbal taunting." That emotionless mask was back, but Loki was finishing up before she'd go back to being confused.

"I'll...tell you sometime about what happened when Thor and I were back in Asgard. I believe I'm considered a War Criminal by the US Government at least." Loki might also tell Puck about the events before the invasion too. Where it had all started, and the wounds that still weren't healed in some ways.

"You were already detained and then they piled on top of that. Why wouldn't I be angry?" Puck sounded almost as incredulous. Obviously it had been some sort of conflict and Loki had been seen as a threat enough to need to be detained but that didn't make their methods right.

"Only when you're ready." Puck answered quickly. "And if that never happens, that's also fine." Puck fell quiet for a long moment and then seemed to remember what his hand had been doing. He resumed running his hand through her hair, trying to give some comfort.

With Puck's reaction the emotionless mask fell. Nor was Loki able to hide her emotions again quickly enough. Surprise, confusion and surprise and a hint of...hope? Also something like despair--that this was unexpected and new for someone to be angry FOR her and not at her. She made herself take a deep breath, and only after that, did that mask go back up.

Before Loki turned to lean more into the hair stroking, hiding her face a bit, wanting and needing that comfort.

Puck was very in tune with his emotions and his loyalty was unwavering, even outside of Owen's persona. He listened as Loki took a breath and quietly noted that mix of emotions that ran across her face.

He sighed and continued to stroke her hair, adding after a long moment. "I understand." It seemed the best thing to say, all things considered.

Loki was quiet herself while leaning into the touch, before letting herself sink back down to rest against Puck's shoulder. Face against his neck, arms around him. "I don't understand why you would. Or why you'd...not be angry at me." It hadn't meant to come out with the emotions in it either--the worry and the confusion and the hurt and the hope and the long years of always being 'wrong'.

Puck smiled slightly at that. Those were a lot of questions being asked in a very succinct fashion. Questions that Puck had an idea that Loki needed an answer for. So, continuing to give her comfort as best he could, Puck started doing that. "You don't have a monopoly on terrible life experiences, unfortunately. They're in abundance. I'm also not in the habit of getting angry at someone for being mistreated, even if the intentions were probably justified by the ones doing it. That doesn't make it right, in any circumstance."

Puck sighed. "Like I said, not the rulers I serve. Showing you sympathy and understanding but then getting angry at you is absurd, even for a trickster fae." he joked.

Loki was quiet for a bit, before nuzzling in and pressing a kiss to Puck's cheek. "For what it's worth, I only know of your rulers because of what you've told me, and what filtered through Shakespeare or the occasional myth. And even then I'm not that familiar. I judge you for you, Puck, and you've been far more of an honorable being than I could've hoped for. Trickster and all."

It wasn't just a 'thank you'; it was much more than that alone.

Puck smiled softly at the kiss and the statements that came with it. It was actually something he'd worried about- how much of his mannerisms were himself, how much had he taken from Oberon and Titania, even with the extended absence. He respected them as anyone would respect their rulers, but he didn't necessarily like them. Being a trickster and almost as powerful as the two of them, he also got away with being quick with his words and speaking casually for the most part. But Oberon had a reputation for having a temper for a good reason, and Puck had seen firsthand multiple times what that did to both those around him, and to Puck himself.

Hearing that he hadn't picked that up, or their superiority complexes was calming. Honorable? It was one of the highest compliments he could be given. Puck hesitated for a second before he moved to pull Loki into a full hug. The message behind the words hit a bit hard, and Puck returned the kiss with a laugh, his cheeks going red.

It was more, and Puck had been surprised by it but he welcomed it as easily as he'd welcomed Loki into his inner circle. Puck had meant what he said, there would be no pressure to say things behind the statements given, or pressure to put a label to this entire relationship they had going. But that didn't mean he couldn't be pleasantly surprised.

Loki melted into that full hug, and sighed contentedly at the kiss, nuzzling closer still. Once again, she'd allowed herself to be vulnerable and it had...worked out okay. She let herself take the safe anchor he was offering, and would return it as best she could while figuring out all the confusing and conflicting emotions.

It was a bit, before she spoke very quietly. "For all that I was loved, and a prince, growing up--I've always felt different... 'Wrong' in a way, as it were. It was not an easy life at all."

Puck was used to seeing others vulnerable. Rarely did someone call on him because everything was going well in their life, and they just wanted something new. He would be a safe anchor for as many as he needed to be while he was here.

He nodded and affirmed simply, "It doesn't sound easy." Puck continued to hold onto her, providing that anchor as long as it was needed.

He'd feel a nod from where Loki had her head buried against him. "I was a runt, the son of the Frost Giant King Laufey. Left to die though, when Odin found me. I never knew however, until 6 or so years ago. I did not find out in a good way either, and the frost giants are..." A pause in her voice, which had been quiet and soft the whole time. "They're one of the two ancestral enemies to the Asgardians. They're the monsters that feature in our bedtime stories. I was another one of Odin's stolen relics."

With the full hug, Puck could feel the deep breath in and out again, and the puff of air against his skin. "But, while a single Frost Giant is no match for a single Asgardian, they're well known to be fairly a fairly sturdy and strong race compared to most others. I'm immune to the cold, with my heritage, in addition to what I told you before.

Puck kept his grip steady and rubbed Loki's shoulders as she shared some more of her history and the trauma involved with it.

He smiled at the comment about cold immunity, but stopped himself from making a joke. "Mhm. I remember you mentioning this-- the number of years specifically. For what it's worth, you are a treasure, but nothing that should have been stolen." Puck sighed.

Changelings were, for the most part, a myth humans had made up about Oberon's children. They existed, sure, but they weren't out to scare anyone or replace humans. Halflings, however, were much more common. Oberon and Titania both played with humans and that often lead to romance and the occasional child as a result of that union. He knew of one specifically in Xanatos' social circle. Puck was sure there were others, but until their magic activated, he would never know any of them by sight.

"I'm hearing 'Don't challenge me to a snowball fight', and ignoring every bit of that advice, you realize." Puck joked. "You've already shown you're very strong in a lot of ways, of course it's in your blood."

"It is the kind of advice you'd ignore. I'll also warn you I'm an expert marksman, and I expect you to ignore that too." There was a smile at least, and Loki nuzzled herself further into the hug and hold. "Odin had hoped to ally the realms through me and Thor, but considering I'd grown up never knowing I was different... Each of us had been lead to believe only one could take the throne of Asgard someday."

Another tight hug, but then Loki let herself relax. "A proper frost giant is about 2-3 heads taller than I am with the bulk to match. They have blue-grey skin and red eyes, with various ridges occasionally at their brow. They often times have patterns in their skin as well, and prefer not to wear much in the way of clothing. They're capable of forming ice into weapons for themselves, and their touch burns one with frost-bite." A pause. "Which I suppose is another advantage I've had with those blasted snow angel's swords, although a sword strike still hurts."

"Sorry, all I hear is 'Yes Puck, this snowball fight will be a lot of fun', my ears must be acting up." Puck answered with a cheeky grin before he shook his head. "That's quite the plan to hoist on both of your shoulders. I'd say he should be ashamed but I've known enough egotistical monarchs, I doubt he even considered the idea."

Again, Puck returned the hug, listening to the description given. "They sound strong and assuring to have as an ally in a battle." Puck said simply before he nodded. "I haven't been struck by them, but for being made of snow they move surprisingly fast. I felt like I was running a marathon."

"Oh? Do I need to check them and make sure they're clean?" That was all mischief in Loki's voice as she had caught that they were sensitive. A moment of mirth, in the midst of more serious and a somewhat wandering conversation.

"They're considered brutes honestly, by most of the Nine and beyond." A pause, and at least Loki was still relaxed enough for now. "The other ancestral enemies are the svartalfhar, known as the dark elves." Now Loki did pull back, but only so she could cup Puck's face affectionately with a smile. "And your manner and who you are are NOTHING like them, but they do resemble your form visually. You though, are too much of the....light, as it were, to be one of them who lives and and craves the dark and the return to that state of the universe."

"Do you?" Puck tried to keep his tone casual as he laughed a little. He'd earned the joking, really.

"Well, you're no sort of brute that I've seen." Puck said with a straightforward tone. As Loki cupped his face, Puck smiled back and opted for a bit of a joke.

"The only dark I like involves late nights. Or theaters, depending on whichever happens first. But no.." Puck gave a slight shake of his head. "Oberon's children aren't about extinguishing light. We're too busy with other things, like being bullied but enjoying it."

"I am a dreadful bully, aren't I? And yet you still want me around." Loki leaned up and in, and nuzzled her nose to Puck's in affection and thanks. One hand settled at the nape of his neck, while the other was careful and gentle as it stroked his hair, then his ears once each time.

"Both of those things are true, yes." Puck grinned at the nuzzling and then inhaled sharply. Loki was in fact being a dreadful bully all things considered, and that bullying was rewarded nicely. Puck's face went red again, and almost matched the shade used in his tunic. He opened his mouth to say something and his color deepened as he gasped instead. Puck took a breath to compose himself and found his voice a few seconds later.

"You didn't hear that." he deadpanned, looking off to the side.

"For you, I'll pretend I didn't this time." With a kiss against the side of his forehead as Loki settled back down to cuddle more. "I...hadn't intended to get so...." Emotional? Vulnerable?" Loki wasn't sure what word she wanted, which was a rare occasion. "As I mentioned, I haven't had anyone who wants to protect me in a long time."

"And that's called delayed gratification." is all Puck would say in response with a grin. He settled back into cuddling. "That kind of thing can happen when you least expect it. But I'm glad I've been able to break that streak for you." His grip tightened slightly in assurance. "However you want to approach this, I'll work with you."

"That...means more than you might suspect, to me. Thank you." Very softly, but she knew Puck would hear. Content to just sit there with him, on him as it were, and be cuddled. "I...very much want to work with and protect you too."

Hey. I think we need to talk about some things. You have a few minutes?

I do. Did you prefer in person or like this?

... In person, I guess.

This hardly sounds like a good talk to come then. Am I heading to you?

It doesn't have to be bad...

Yeah. I'm in the garden.

Edited 2024-02-02 02:02 (UTC)

If you're in the garden in this weather, then I know it's important. I'll come find you.

Red Son cleared most of the snow for me. It's tolerable with clothes on.

See you soon.

[Loki gets that text while he's on his way, and he's bundled up against the cold when he does arrive even though the cold doesn't bother him. This time he went for speed more than anything else. It may not have to be bad, but Loki was still wary of this conversation for some reason.]

( Night Sky's regular spot under her willow tree was shaded by bowed branches with a small opening parting the leaves. She was inside, sitting on a blanket with the cloak Loki had gifted her draped over her shoulders. When he arrived, she looked up and patted the spot beside her. )

That was quick.

It seemed better to not wait, especially if this might go badly.

[But he smiled and came over to sit beside her. Offering her a hug and embrace even, to help against the cold.]

Glad you decided to be optimistic... ( Night Sky frowned, catching herself only a second after, returning the hug with a squeeze of her arms around his middle.)

Did you see Tayrey returned?

I did. I've not interacted with her overmuch so I confess I did not know she had left. Which sounds very mean, but is not meant as such.

It's fine. ( Night Sky didn't expect everyone to know everyone else in the world, even if it was small. ) She went home. Got her wish granted- and made another one to come back here. ( She gave him a pointed look. Emphasis added on the second part she mentioned. )

[Loki was quiet for a moment, expression neutral in the face of that pointed look, before he spoke.]

So you wish me to stop whatever plans I have to deal with Vaeros I'm guessing, as we now have proof that the wishes have been granted.

[It was a statement, and he kept himself neutral through it all.]

I don't wish for anything. I'm suggesting that you either tell me what this plan of yours is so we can figure out how to go about it without fucking everyone over - or you consider... alternatives.

Right now, the plan is simply find out more about him. Try and find the history of this place, figure out his role in it, and how it all works. I've no intention of fucking everyone over, but I highly doubt he's always been this generous ruler he's portrayed to be.

[That mask was still in place, blue-green eyes unreadable.]

Honestly it's nicer than some are planning, as I'm aware a few want to just kill him outright. No, I will not be telling you whom.

Probably not. But if he is just bored and toying with us, and he is capable of bringing gods here without any of their powers, who is to say he couldn't just kill all of us if he finds out what we're doing?

( Night Sky crinkled her nose in annoyance. ) Why not? What do you think I'm going to do?

I'm hardly the only one planning and investigating Sky. He could also just decide to kill us all on a whim, or take out the specific targets.

[Loki kept his tone measured and even.]

Because it's not necessarily my place to share. For all I know you could simply try to talk them out of it as well.

Obviously. I'm not fucking stupid. ( Of course there were people plotting against him. She assumed most dreamers were. But there were also people, like her, who didn't want to start more shit than already had been - and who just wanted to get their wishes granted and be left alone. )

And what's so bad about that? Maybe some people will see reason.

[Loki let part of his mouth tilt up in a small smile. And reached up to brush her cheek with a hand.]

You're very much not stupid, but I did worry if you'd blinded yourself unconsciously. What you think is reasonable is not always what others will. This was proven at the council meeting recently where I'm quite sure every party felt they were being quite 'reasonable' amidst the disagreements.

( Night Sky exhaled a deep, frustrated sigh through her nose and reached up to gently brush his hand away from her face. She knew her weaknesses- a soft touch from someone she cared about could break her in an instant. )

Including yourself and your friends who want to start shit, I'm sure. I just want my wish - everyone does. Sometimes it's okay to just shut up and deal. Yeah, this place sucks and yes, he is probably manipulating us and watching us squirm with all the shit that happens - but he knows we're plotting. How the fuck could he not?

Edited 2024-02-04 22:15 (UTC)

[That was fair, and Loki didn't protest.]

If he knows we are, then why should we stop? It's probably all a game to him if he's that all powerful. He could stop us at anytime himself, so why doesn't he?

[Still keeping himself even-voiced and measured in tone.]

Sky, believe it or not, you already have gotten me to modify things. I am sticking now to investigating, and trying to figure this all out. What will come of that I don't know, nor am I making a specific plan for.

Because we're not a threat and, frankly, I'd love to continue not being one.

( She frowned, fingers fiddling with the hem of her sweater. ) What about the people who don't want to investigate? Not everyone is patient enough to wait it out and figure out all the clues and, fuck, Loki, we shouldn't be messing with powerful beings anyway! He's lawful enough to keep his contracts, but who fucking knows how much shit he'll throw at us if we keep messing with him.

What is the council's plan? Or are you not going to tell me that either.

You assume I know their plans? Honestly I'm still unraveling everything from the meeting.

[With an eyebrow raise.]

I can't control others Sky, or what they'll do. Only myself.

[A partial lie. He could influence people's thoughts if he wanted. But Sky didn't know that or need to know it.]

Do you really want me to stop investigating? Because I'm only one. I'm not even trying to 'mess' with him per se.

Right. ( Incredulous. She didn't believe that for a second. He had to know something. Gods. Was she going to have to go the council meetings herself? )

You can sure stop me from trying to talk to them, though. Funny how that works. ( she frowned harder, brows furrowed. She couldn't look at him because she was so... mad. So furious. So fucking terrified and angry and helpless. )

No. Just do whatever the hell you want. You and everyone else will.

The talk was mostly about how to deal with a possible repeat of werewolves and the blood moon and the shadow wolves. Of how to deal with villagers who clearly are on the side of Vaeros. Of who to trust and what actions to take, in general.

If you want to talk to them, you could take to the network yourself and plead your case. That would likely be faster than my trying to name everyone I suspect of being involved.

[She was clearly furious and scared, and he could read it like a book.]

Feel better, venting your anger and frustration?

[Again that neutral expression was back in place as a mask. It wouldn't be the first time he's been the target of someone's ire.]

( Night Sky had a lot to say and honestly, she doubted anyone would fucking care to hear it. From what little she knew of the council, it was already filled with people who had plenty of power back home or knew how to speak at such political get togethers. She also knew Red Son had gone - so, really, all she had to do was ask him, or even Meryl.

Loki, however, refused to name names or even elaborate on the vague answers he offered, and it gave her a good hint as to how little he might be telling her. Night Sky may have seemed simple and content with the whole wish granting thing and not getting on Vaeros' bad side, but she truly was not stupid and she noticed far more than she suggested. )

No. ( she said flatly. ) But at least I know now that it's pointless to speak to you about it anymore.

[It was odd, as again--he was used to being the target of ire. It did not necessarily sit well with him though, having Sky's. Quiet for quite a bit, before he sighed.]

If it helps at all, I have...changed, since being here. Am still changing. I can not say that my plans might not change too.

[Letting her have some distance, and some distance himself.]

I had made clear at the beginning that I do not do emotional attachments, yet I've found a few here that I very much want to keep. You are part of that, as I consider you my friend beyond any physicality we share. And...I do not like having a friend angry with me. I am still unused to having friends however, and those I've had before turned on me quite readily when they were upset with me too.

Maybe yours will, but others won't. ( And she knew how easy it could be for one person to fuck things up for everyone else.

She had been that person once before. )

I could be an asshole and say that I'm not surprised the god of trickery and deceit told a lie and is actually emotionally vulnerable. But I'm not- an asshole, nor am I surpised.

It doesn't matter, Loki. I'll get angry and upset and nothing will change. I don't even know why I bother.

[Asshole or not, her words struck a nerve and an open wound. His first impulse was to return barb for barb, lash out in anger. But...he was changing. So while the anger and pain pierced his neutral mask, Loki did not lash back this time.]

I can't say I know why you bother either, although I suppose I should be glad you're talking with me and venting rather than just bottling it up.

[Proud of himself that he'd kept his voice neutral.]

Do you not think I don't want my wish granted too, Sky?

Because I trust you, for whatever fucking reason. ( and maybe that was on her, given everything. )

I don't doubt you do. But we can't be stupid. I know you're investigating, I know people are making plans. But if none of those plans align it's all going to blow up in our faces.

[Now Loki was very confused. She'd just pointed out who he was--god of mischief, lies, and deceit. But she trusted him? The confusion was also clear on his face and expression, as he was quiet for a few more moments.]

I don't know why you would, when you yourself pointed out who I am a moment ago--being an asshole or not.

[It did not come out as an accusation, which is part of why Loki had been quiet. He wanted to be calm for this. It was rare that he wanted to keep people's trust, but here...not just with Sky but with others too, he found he did.]

You are correct, we can't be stupid. But I'm not certain how we would get everything in alignment either. You're also not wrong to worry about it all blowing up in ways we can't control.

Because I trust everyone until they prove me wrong. Even gods of lies.

( She can't imagine it would ever be a boon to lie to her anyway. She was no one. Nothing. Powerful as she may have been - in the grand scheme of things, if he wanted to manipulate her, he surely would have already.

And if he was, he probably wouldn't be so shocked to hear any of the shit she said. He would have anticipated it. )

The council meeting is a start, but it's nothing if everyone doesn't go to it to voice their opinions. I don't know how to get everyone together otherwise.

Edited 2024-02-04 23:59 (UTC)

Start with the network, use it to call a meeting in person if you must because there will be those who don't trust it's not monitored. The counter to that is that if Vaeros can see and spy on us all at anytime anyway, then what we say over the network shouldn't matter. As you say, if not everyone goes to voice their opinions, then nothing will get done.

[That was easier to answer, and deal with for the moment, than her statement about trust. On the one hand, she was a fool to do so. Even so, Loki did not want to prove her wrong. Hoped that there would not come a time he would need to. "Friends" was such a difficult concept and he both hated it and was desperate for actual genuine companionship that friends provided. Especially since he'd gotten tastes of it here.

He did not reach for her, but did offer his hand if she wanted. Perhaps he needed the anchor too.]

I understand your frustration. It's hardly the first time I've been the target and recipient of ire whether earned myself or not. I won't tell you comforting lies, either, for what it is worth.

[Then, much more softly, after a breath in and out to be certain he wanted to do this.]

I want to remain friends, Sky. I want to keep your friendship, and to be one in turn. But I'm very new at it all, and it's never turned out well before for me.

I'll... think about it. ( Night Sky wasn't a leader. She did not make decisions for big groups of people nor did she rally to troops beyond those she may have worked with back home. The fear of just... pissing people off or stepping in toes was high, and it would not help anyone if they went down that road.

She looked at his hand, taking it after a pause. ) You're still my friend. We can disagree and not hate each other.

I hope that remains true. The 'friends' I've supposedly had before have all turned on me and suspected me of treachery. They were...not entirely wrong, but they also were not correct in the scope of my mischief. Then again, I was often not seen as much more than a tag along, the younger brother who played tricks and was far from a proper prince or warrior.

[Loki couldn't really keep the bitterness from his tone. He'd been convenient, saved the day a few times and yet it had never seemed to be valued by Thor, or his friends.]

If you assume I'm not going to be your friend because of this, then I'm disappointed you think so little of me.

Continue to prove me wrong then, please. I am honestly asking you to. Consider that I've not had good examples of what friendship is, at least, not directed at me.

[Okay, that came out a bit more bitter and snarky than Loki had intended, but he still held on to her hand.]

I'll do my best. ( she squeezed his hand once and then slowly released it. ) For now... I need time to think. Before I say something I regret.

[The morning of Feb 1, Loki will find a letter delivered. In calligraphy is the following, and nothing else on the letter to show who it's from: Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,]

[Much like Feb 1, Loki will find another letter with another line: But sad mortality o'ersways their power,]

[Another letter on Feb 3: How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,]

[On Feb 4th, the next letter contains: Whose action is no stronger than a flower? with a drawing of Gardenia- "You're lovely", in Victorian flower chat here.]

[On Feb 5, the next letter has: O! how shall summer's honey breath hold out,, but nothing else included with it]

[On Feb 6th, the next letter: Against the wrackful siege of battering days,]

[On Feb 7, Loki finds: When rocks impregnable are not so stout,]

[Feb 8th's line: Nor gates of steel so strong but Time decays?]

[Feb 9th has: O fearful meditation! where, alack,]

Edited (wrong line number whoops) 2024-02-09 13:53 (UTC)

[Like others, the morning of Feb 10 has another letter with the line: Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid? with drawings of emeralds along the page]

[Feb 11 brings: Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?]

[Feb 12's letter contains: Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?]

[Feb 13 brings: O! none, unless this miracle have might,]

[On Feb 14 the last letter is delivered: That in black ink my love may still shine bright., with an attached page of an ink sketch of Loki, signed simply "-from Puck"]

Care to join me for a meal at my cottage and a chat about the Gathering? My usual "get lost in anything else" attempts at managing things haven't been working as well.

It was quite the meeting, wasn't it? I'm on my way.

[Dinner may be provided, but Loki's bringing dessert at least. Along with alcohol.]

It was, yes. Good, you'll be expected.

[Bless him. Puck will be finishing getting the meal reheated from the tavern by the time Loki arrives.]

[Loki had known at the time that something had not sat well with Puck, so this kind of message had not been unexpected. Soon enough he's knocking on the other's door, barely bundled up in his coat and with dessert and a stopped clay pitcher of mead with him.]

I half-expected that was how it would all go, to be honest.

[Puck makes sure Loki is inside first before he closes the door with a casual,] A bunch of humans and human adjacent beings talking in circles? Honestly, it almost made me homesick. All that was missing was the flat coffee and a pie chart talking about investments.

[He takes the items and sets both up to heat steadily.] If that's what a normal meeting is like here, do forgive your Puck if he suddenly finds anything else to be busy with in the future. Make yourself comfortable, the meal will be ready soon enough.

[Don't think Loki isn't studying every move the other is making, while taking his coat off and putting it where he'd been shown. While in some ways Loki does not know the fae well, in others he is certain he does. And he's very certain that the other is bothered far more than he's letting on. Now, will he come to it in his own time or does he need a push...]

I've seen it happen before in various ways at court. Whether it's normal or not I could not say, but it was not unexpected. I intend to keep up with it, but you're more than welcome to be anywhere else you'd like. If you'd rather put in an appearance but be elsewhere yourself, I can do that for you as well.

Oh, it's nothing new to me, either! [Puck sighs and looks down for a moment.] I just shouldn't have brought up the Gathering, because I don't want to explain it or have it misunderstood. Or Oberon or Titania, or anything else around Avalon.

[Puck smiles a little and even laughs at the idea of Loki posing as him.] No, I don't think I'll be that missed. Besides, I've never hidden the fact that I'm a fae. Let them wonder for a while, or come to ask me directly if their curiosity gets the better of them. [He gives Loki an appreciative smile] Thank you for offering, however. And for what you said about fae in general.

You're my Puck. That means mine to help protect, as well.

[It was as simple as that for Loki. He was still figuring out the layers of that and what it all meant, but wanting to help keep the other safe was the easiest and most obvious of those layers and emotions. Long strides brought him over, and he folded the other into a hug.]

You're also still a terrible liar, at least to me. You're more bothered than you're letting on.

Yes, well.

[Puck was pulled into the hug and his arms moved to return it almost immediately.] Stop being good at it. [He joked with another small laugh, but then Puck exhaled and his grip tightened after a moment.] I am.. It's. It's not as easy as what it might have sounded like. The fact that our being here is reminding me of it is just.. A bit hard. I need to explain it properly first.

[But Puck's hands were shaking, and so was his voice.] Give me a minute.

[Loki nodded, and held the other--gauging things in the kitchen for a moment before there was another nod to himself. Pressing a kiss to Puck's forehead, Loki moved swiftly to just pick the other up. Scooping under his legs, and just gonna carry him to the comfy chair and settle them both in a cuddle. Letting the fae take his time, while Loki kept an eye on the stuff in the kitchen too. Arms wrapped around him, and one of loki's hands smoothing through Puck's hair.]

Wha-

[Well, Puck hadn't been expecting that at all. As he found himself suddenly being cuddled in the chair, Puck took a second to sort his thoughts.] You've already swept me off my feet, you realize? [Ah humor, the ever present defense mechanism. But Puck forced himself to put it aside and focus. He wouldn't dismiss Loki's kindness.] Anyway. To the Gathering. It's.. First, to understand, I've been away from Avalon for one thousand and one years. All of the children have been. I think I had enough time to decide on this form and personality before Oberon and Titania were throwing everyone out.

[Puck steadied himself, remembering the complete upheaval.] 'All of you need to learn humility.' they'd said. [An edge of anger crept in.] 'It won't be long, and when you know it, you'll be welcomed back.'

So they made you all leave, to learn humility hmm? That certainly sounds like something that should apply to them as well.

[But Loki settled in to listen, aware this would not be easy for the other to share. Privately, Loki also wondered if he was best suited for this--comfort, actual comfort, wasn't usually his strongest point.]

The hypocrisy was as lost on them as a human in Avalon's forests. [Puck sighed.] It didn't stop there. We're all expected to return home and tell Oberon and Titania both how much we want to serve them. To pledge our lives to them entirely, and without care for anything or anyone we've known in our time away.

[Puck's eyes stung with tears suddenly and he inhaled sharply.] That would have worked then, I suppose. Back when all of the children were being treated like diversions that just happened to be able to speak and think. Being told to ignore my own ideas and opinions on the two of them and to simply- [Puck coughed and forced his voice to go deep for a moment in a mimic of Oberon] Obey, that's what you exist to do, Puck.

[That proved to be a bit too much, and Puck's shoulders began to shake as his tears spilled over. He cried softly, remembering the level of emotional abuse he'd suffered. It had been horrible, to put it lightly. Puck took a breath.]

So to think that.. That this ruler is trying to do the same thing--It just.. Brought back some very unpleasant memories. I made the mistake of helping myself think of them.

[Puck was folded closer, Loki leaning his head against the others with soft kisses and nuzzles against his hair.]

You made no mistake--these being brought up was not your fault. Lay the fault where it belongs, at Vaeros' feet.

[His voice and tone were firm.]

Gladly. [Puck answered as the crying ran its course. He leaned into Loki as if he were worried the other would vanish, holding tightly, but not enough to hurt.] I've been avoiding going back for as long as I've been perfecting Owen. But I know that won't always work, and if I were on Earth as I know it, I would expect Oberon to just.. Show up, ready to drag me back so he could tell himself what a great ruler he is, that all of his court pledges so easily.

Because the versions of he and Titania in the Shakespeare play ignore every bit of cruelty they wield, so why would anyone here know otherwise? The loving couple with a court full of cute characters calling their praises and dancing? Even I wanted to believe it for a split second, at first. I won't let some other ruler tell me how I need to listen to him. I know my mind, and I know it's my own.

[He sighed, the fight starting to die down.] I don't think I can squeeze all of that into a short and nice speech as a learning aid for those not aware of fae politics.

Then don't. You needn't be the fae ambassador. There's at least one or two others here as well.

[Loki continued to hold him, offering stability and a solid presence.]

It helps that while I've heard of Fae as you describe, I've also heard of how they can be just as cruel. Again, their morality is not always easily understood by humans. You've pointed it out yourself as well, in how to play with words.

[Much more quietly, mouth against Puck's hair, Loki also held the other tighter.]

They were and are wrong to hurt you.

[There was an implication in the voice too, that if either showed up--well, Loki would make it very clear how displeased he was at their treatment of his...friend. Definitely a friend and something more.]

[He chuckled a bit at the compliment on his wordplay.] I won't be. I shouldn't have mentioned it.. But you're also right. I'm not the only fae in the world.

[Puck gave a nod.] They can be. Good wordplay is the least of what they can do. Most humans should consider themselves lucky if that's all they're given.

[Loki's final comment had Puck inhaling sharply. It had been wrong, and Puck knew that deep inside of himself, but having it confirmed touched him.] They don't care. But you do, and that balances things.

[Puck smiled lightly into Loki's shoulder. He would also have words for the monarchs if they ever showed up. Loki's tone and the protectiveness in his voice came through clearly.]

[Puck was welcome to hide, especially since Loki was 'hiding' a bit himself.]

I do--and...I am not used to that.

[A sigh, and hiding his head against Puck's hair.]

I wonder if you realize just how new and rare that is for me? Until very recently, I...somewhat cared for my brother, and did love my mother very much. I wanted my father's approval, but I'm not sure that's caring for him. Familial dynamics are all very complicated with emotions.

[Keeping that hold and cuddling the other, for himself now too as well as for Puck.]

Then my life went under a great upheaval 6 years ago, and well...I cared only for myself. Until the last few months and mostly while here. You are a peer and my friend, and something more as well, Puck--and I am still figuring it all out. But...I do care for you, and I'm sad that you've been hurt.

[Puck moved to run one of his hands through Loki's hair in turn.] They are, unfortunately. But the fact that you both care, and continue to do it in spite of how new and rare it might be is..

[Puck adjusted himself to where he could kiss the top of Loki's head.] Kind is too small of a word, but it is kind, and doesn't go unnoticed. Another treasure to care for. On the same hand, I'm also sorry you were hurt. Neither of those should have happened to us, but.. [He lifted his shoulders in a quick shrug.] But unfortunately they did. Like I said before, take your time figuring out all of this. [He gave a playful smile] Fae can live for centuries if they're smart enough; and I'll wait as long as I need to.

[But the tone was.. Not forced. Puck did mean what he said, but Puck was also struggling. Revisiting Avalon as a whole, even just mentally, had shaken him pretty deeply. Puck fell quiet and pulled Loki back into being held. He steadied his breathing and let his eyes close for a moment.]

Are you getting hungry? [He asked suddenly. The fire in the hearth was low enough that there was no risk of anything burning, but Puck wasn't about to be a poor host.]

[Loki let Puck shift as he wanted, and move as he wanted while keeping him in a loose hold. Listening and grateful that Puck seemed to understand, and then he was being pulled into the hold too. Letting the fae pull himself together.]

I was, and am, but this was more important I think. [And he leaned in to give Puck a quick kiss, before pulling back and letting the other up. He'd follow to come help set things up.]

[Puck finished pulling himself together and laughed a bit at the kiss before he stood and began to work on setting things up. With Loki helping it was short work, and they were seated in front of the hearth, Puck having pulled the table and chairs in from the kitchen.]

Not quite candlelight, but it's going to work. [He checked on the wine and poured two glasses before he put the cask back into the hearth. The meal was simple but hearty- roast meat with vegetables and a brown gravy. Fitting for winter, all things considered. Puck took the seat across from Loki and would wait for him to eat first.]

It was, but I wanted to check before we got everything set up. Never a bad guest, or a bad host, that's one of my mottos.

"I suspect you'd have to do much worse and actively try to be a bad guest or host where I'm concerned. Bullying aside, I hope that I am the same to you. Neither a bad guest nor bad host." Loki had an impish smile while raising his glass to the other.

"It was interesting though--seeing who held what position, as well as who was there or who wasn't. It can tell one a lot about the state of things here. Mostly that Vaeros needs to do very little to foster divisions between us. Not that I'm surprised by that."

"I can over salt the food next time." Puck lifted his glass in like and smiled. "You are, yes. Even the bullying is a bit charming. Probably because you seem to have so much fun with it."

Puck had a sip of his wine and nodded as he considered that. "I'm not either. In the best scenario, more would realize that if we work together, we have a better chance of.. Of both living here and surviving whatever Vaeros throws at everyone. Instead of simply surviving while arguing about who's right and who isn't." He had some of the roast and spoke after.

"It reminds me of the myth of Eris and the golden apples. But instead of 'To the most beautiful', it says 'To the one who's right', and everyone is busy pulling the fruit from the tree themselves. Quite interesting, really."

"I think I've heard a version of that, but it was long ago. I was certain they were mixing up Eris with Idunn, whose golden apples serve a different purpose. I'd enjoy hearing the version you know." And Loki would likely share the story of Idunn in turn.

"It's not as popular as some others!" Puck cleared his throat and spoke again. "A hero in Greek myth, Peleus was getting married to his sea nymph beloved, Thetis. The goddess of discord wasn't invited." Puck paused for some more food and drink, and grinned as he recalled it.

"In retaliation, she made an apple of solid gold and carved 'To the fairest one' on the front of it and attended anyway. When she was close enough, Eris threw the apple into the wedding party and watched as three goddesses- Hera, one of marriage and women, Athena, of wisdom and war, and Aphrodite, of love and passion-- began to argue amongst themselves."

"I've a feeling I would get along with Eris. And really that kind of occasion isn't the kind where you snub someone important. Whether you like them or not, they get invited because otherwise it's simply impolite. Retaliation is almost expected with that kind of insult." Definitely raised a prince in a court and aware of how the games were all played.

"The golden apples I am most familiar with are from a Vanir named Idunn. The vanir are a sister race to the Asgardians who live in Vanaheim. Many humans and mortals viewed them as gods and goddesses too. Her apples are known for their healing properties--in that they regress age, enhance vigor, and extend one's life. Mind, Asgardians, Vanir--and Jotun as well, are already likely to live in the low thousands of years as a life span if not taken down in combat." Loki finished, and then there was a pause before he smiled and chuckled to himself. Remembering an incident many centuries ago--and a bet and drinking contest that resulted in the bet, between him, and his brother, and the warriors 3, about those apples.

"She does sound fun, yes." Puck agreed. He nodded, also aware of court politics even if Oberon's court was more in the realm of being whatever Oberon wanted at the time. It was still a game being played.

"Oh, as far as I know this apple was simply made of gold and looked nice. The myth didn't mention any kind of magical properties tied to it." Puck noticed the chuckle and made a note to ask about that later. "The myth continues, though! None of the goddesses could decide what to do and asked Paris of Troy-- another hero, to pick the fairest. But Aphrodite bribed him with the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta, who was married to a king, Menelaus." Puck paused for some emphasis, enjoying the retelling.

"Helen was taken to Troy that evening, Paris having agreed that Aphrodite earned the apple. Her husband lead an invasion of Troy shortly after, leading to the Trojan War."

Puck chuckled and had some more food.

"The parallels are quite glaring with it spelled out like that. Or I'm reading into things. Who knows? Speaking of-- What had you laughing about the apples as you know them?"

"Now I do remember hearing about that war and the adventures related to it. Quite the to-do really on Midgard. Tales of it had reached the areas where I visited on occasion." Loki was glad to hear it told by Puck though, as he enjoyed the story. Also more food and drink.

"A bet between my brother, myself, and some friends. The drinking before hand and the bet that resulted. I'm not entirely Idunn's favorite person really, but it was not entirely my fault." Absolute mischief was in blue-green eyes and the smile. "I think that story might actually have filtered down in some form to Midgard, actually. They left out the warriors three though."

"I wasn't in the area when it happened, but likewise. It was popular enough to be a myth, so it traveled, as stories do."

Puck listened and chuckled. "It's not ringing any bells-- but I'm just hearing that your popularity has had a long time to establish itself." The mischief had Puck's attention almost as much as the smile that was going with it. "What were the conditions of the bet? Or is that on a need to know basis?" Puck had some wine and grinned.

"Oh that one isn't as entertaining as some." Loki demurred, chuckling a bit. "Would you rather hear about Thor having to play a bride? That was a fun bet, and entirely my fault. That one also filtered down to the myths in a slightly different way than it actually happened. It's more accurate than some however, aside from who the real bride was supposed to be."

The bet was instantly forgotten as Puck leaned forward slightly. "It sounds like a comedy based on your description of it being a fun bet, and I could stand some, if you're being so good to offer." Puck's mind went to bets made during drinking, but he grinned, having some of his food and waiting to hear about it. "Wait, how was it your fault?"

"I've a way with words and manipulation, as you've no doubt picked up on." Loki said around the glass of wine as he took a sip. "It was shortly after Thor had been first granted Mjolnir, which you should know bears a spell on it whereupon only those who are 'worthy' may wield it. If you are not worthy, you can't even lift it or pick it up."

Another pause for some food briefly, but Loki wasn't going to draw this out too badly. Teasing Puck was fun, tormenting him was not. At least not in any way to cause true harm.

"So, Thor, the warrior's three--that is Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun, Lady Sif, and myself were all out drinking to celebrate. Nor were we being particularly quiet or subtle about it, when we earned the attention of another group of young Asgardians, lead by one who was a mountain of a man named Thrym. Not a 'giant' as in the race, but a giant of a man none-the-less. He stated how his own hammer was superior, and thus he and Thor began a bragging contest. At some point, Lady Sif excused herself. I suspect she were disgusted by the drunken speech and euphemisms that a 'hammer' might imply." There was amusement in Loki's tone and secrets and lies in blue-green eyes.

"Well, Thor had not been paying proper attention to where he kept Mjolnir, at one point placing it on the floor near the table's edge. It was a trifle to veil it and prevent it from being seen. Nor was it hard to conjure a likeness but without the worthy qualifier, which Thor had also forgotten about thanks to the drink and boasting. As suspected, he picked up that hammer with no awareness that it was not his own. He challenged Thrym to take it, were he 'worthy' of it. Then was quite stupidly surprised when Thrym did just that."

"I have." Puck confirmed, having more of his own food as he listened. He grinned, picking up on the fact that Loki didn't draw things out. It was a fine balance, knowing when to pause in a story and when to go ahead. Puck appreciated the lack of torment-- human television shows were notorious for doing that, as Xanatos had pointed out during the development of one of his own. It kept people watching.

Puck pictured the scene as Loki described it, filling in people he didn't recognize as best as he could. Eyebrows lifted at the giant description and Puck gave an understanding nod as the bragging war started and a sympathetic "Of course, there's a time and a place." to Sif's reaction. If he was lying, Puck didn't pick up on it, instead focusing on the tone.

"It sounds like you'd been drinking for at least a few hours, I'm surprised Thor could remember anything." Puck nodded, eyes lighting up. "Right, I've seen you veil things before." As Thor was surprised at Thrym's worthiness, Puck stopped himself just in time from having another sip of his wine. He would have choked on it otherwise, because he laughed at the mental image of everything playing out.

"I'm sure! Was Thrym just as surprised? How did you keep a straight face during all of that?"

"He was, but he recovered quickly enough. Bragging that clearly Thor was not so mighty, though crown prince he might be. Our friends were just as baffled, and Thor too concerned that he'd been found unworthy to remember all the qualities Mjolnir had which might've solved this easily. The blood was up, and young Asgardians can be quite....aggressive if wanted. Things started to go south, when I stepped in as peacemaker."

Considering it had been Loki's fault...'peacemaker' clearly did not mean he intended things to go smoothly.

"'What, oh new friend Thrym, will you do with your newfound worthiness?' I asked, as Thor let out a roar of despair and anger. 'Why, your highness, I would ask the lady Sif for her hand in marriage'. He replied, and was met with laughter. 'You would ask, and she would likely cut your tongue out for the offense!' Fandral replied, with Hogun agreeing with him. This of course was not the reply that Thrym wanted, whereupon he pointed to Thor."

Another brief pause for some more food, but again--Loki was not given to torment in story telling.

"'Your Royal Highness, I have proven myself by Mjolnir's worth. Have your friends hold their tongues!' Well, you can imagine just how well that demand went down." Loki's tone was highly amused and dry as a desert. "Before blows could be struck, I interjected again. 'Ho there, Thrym, my brother---peace a moment. I've a way to solve this.' All eyes were on me now, and so I laid out that if we were to persuade Lady Sif to agree to marry Thrym, he would give up claim to Mjolnir and give it back to Thor, provided he could lift it. It would need to be done with most haste to avoid a big to do as Lady Sif was a noble."

Puck nodded and then gave Loki a pointed look. "No, that does fit a trickster." Puck nodded in approval, thinking back to some of his own jokes. As Loki steered the talk in the story towards marriage, Puck inhaled and looked off to the side in anticipation for a moment. With the story moving at a steady clip, Puck had some of his wine and again pictured everything. It must have been perfect bedlam.

He would have to remember to compliment Loki for it afterwards. "Oh? I thought the title of Lady was simply you being polite. But yes, it sounds like everything needed to move quickly. How very fortunate." Puck grinned. "And did that qualifier help things move, or were there objections?"

"Well, there was the little fact that we also did not want the Allfather involved, lest Thor be embarrassed further." Or the game be given away too early, as Puck probably would guess.

"There were, but they were able to be squashed. We agreed to meet again in one hour away from the tavern. Thrym and his group to prepare, and us to persuade the Lady Sif." Loki calmly took a sip of wine. "Of which none of us had any intention of doing. Thrym was well known to use a hammer because it wasn't a weapon that required good eye-sight. The original bragging had occurred because while Mjolnir is mighty, it has too short a handle and is too small compared to other war-hammers." Puck could likely see it all coming together now.

"'but Brother, why do you not just use your illusions to make me look like Lady Sif?' Thor asked, unwilling to further hurt his pride by pretending to wear a dress. Fandral was equally as unwilling, even to the point of preferring to involve Odin which Thor was not willing to do. 'I'm very full, oh brother of mine--would you risk my magic in such a state? I might transform you into something completely different by mistake!'" A little chuckle. "So, we convinced Thor to wear a bride's dress, and a veil with a dark-haired bunch of fabric strips to mimic hair beneath. The warriors three and I played at being dismayed because our dear friend and brother was overwrought to see Sif married so and humiliated besides, hence his lack of presence when we thus met up with Thrym and his friends again."

Edited 2024-02-03 02:54 (UTC)

"Oh, of course." Puck replied with an understanding nod. It was a viewpoint Puck shared. Why end a game early if you didn't have to?

Puck noted what was being said, eyes lighting up again, and laughed at the 'very full' comment. He had never heard the expression but with context it was easy to figure out. As Loki explained how the costuming went, he had some more of his meal. "I don't think I've ever tried using magic after drinking, myself." Though the idea gave Puck some food for thought. It probably wouldn't be a good idea. He laughed at the explanation given on Thor's absence.

"Thrym was probably so excited to see Sif that he didn't give it much thought. Though with the amount of alcohol I'm assuming it would take for someone described as a giant, thoughts were probably in scarcity long before all of this."

"I have. It depends on what you want to do and how well you remember it. As Drinking dulls the senses, it can dull that sense too." At least it had been harmless, if embarrassing, the one time he'd tried? Loki had learned from that adventure.

"Wits had been dulled extremely, yes. Thor glared at Thrym so fiercely, that he got nervous. I soothed by explaining that Sif was so pleased she had wept heavily and so her eyes were so fierce now. As part of our marriage customs, a family's ancestral weapon is usually exchanged and pledged over, but since we were in a hurry, Mjolnir would have to do." A shrug, but what can you do, right? "Anyways, as soon as Thor found he could lift 'Mjolnir', he moved to attack Thrym. Thrym fought back and soon enough the fake hammer was destroyed in the brawl between parties. With a roar of despair, Thor screamed his weapon's name to the sky--which kicked in one of the qualifiers that makes Mjolnir special. And annoying. It returns to him when summoned."

Another pause, and another sip of wine. "Well, it certainly made short work of the brawl, though any left semi-conscious was too embarrassed to own up to any of it all. It was agreed that tempers had flared, and we were all very full, and so let bygones be bygones for this time."

Edited 2024-02-03 03:49 (UTC)

"I think I'll hold off on that for now." Puck chuckled. "Especially as it might be hard to undo a botched spell."

As the story wrapped up, Puck temporarily forgot about the rest of his meal as he pictured everything and the fight that ensued. He laughed, throwing his head back. "I'm sure it did! But it sounds like everything ended well enough. That's quite different than most drinking nights I've known."

Puck finished his wine with a grin. "Most humans who I've shared a cup with have simply found something else to do with their time after it. Or they'd get into their emotions and just talk." Puck exhaled and looked down to his plate.

"Something else I've got in common with them. At least the second part."

"You've listened to me talk before, and I would be a horrible guest..." Loki paused for a moment, before nodding to himself. "Or partner, to not do the same." It had been deliberately chosen, and recognizing that if nothing else they were partners besides friends.

"Our drinking nights often go to songs and stories as often as brawls depending. Usually brawls based upon bragging and one-up-man-ship, but that's because Asgardians are one of the sturdiest races in the nine realms. I found what my limit was that would dull my wits, and avoided it thereafter that first time."

Puck smiled at both the word choice and Loki's comfort at using it. "Mhm. Partners do that for each other." he confirmed softly. Puck didn't want to put anything else on that term, so he didn't. But Puck needed to acknowledge Loki's step forward.

"Oh, I've heard some tales and the occasional song, it just depends on the crowd. Oberon isn't a fan of drinking, and most humans who drink in a group are enjoying a game or some companionship. Or both." Puck shrugged and finished his meal.

"There were plenty of games and companionship too. Of the intimate and non-intimate variety. It all depended on the occasion." Loki said, lagging behind on the finishing his food part because he'd played storyteller.

"The warriors three were Volstagg the Svelte, although he was anything but. At least Fandral could occsaionally BE dashing, and Hogun was indeed the grim and silent type." To give Puck more context for who else had featured in the story besides himself and Thor. "Thor also looks nothing like Lady Sif. Would you care to see what he looks like?"

Puck was fine to just relax as Loki had his meal.

Puck nodded, filling in how the trio looked as he could. "Oh, then it wasn't as easy as I'm picturing. Well that makes it even more entertaining-- but yes, I'd like to see!"

Good because Puck'd have to wait a bit more as Loki got to his feet and took a step away from the table. A wash of green over him, and the man who now stood there was an inch taller, but much broader even without the armor and cape effects. He held a hammer in one hand, and the only thing that resembled Loki was the blue eyes. More pure blue than Loki's own blue-green though. A stormy blue however.

"Lady Sif has dark brown, almost black hair, that falls past her shoulders. You can understand now, why the idea of Thor in a bridal costume is so funny though." The voice was even changed, as 'Loki' stood tall and carried himself differently. A bit more ready for action, more prepared to face head on whatever came his way and with the strength to back it up. "He is the elder brother by a little under 500 years."

Puck watched as Loki transformed, and he nodded in understanding as Thor stood in his place. "Clearly, yes." He grinned. "The hair isn't nearly as long." Puck joked, though he tried to picture Thor in a wedding outfit and nodded again.

"That's interesting, because from first glance I'd assume him younger. Probably from the way you described him in the story." It had given off the idea of a younger brother who was headstrong, instead of an older one.

"Oh he was quite the headstrong and arrogant one. There really was never any question as to who would inherit the throne, even if Father had said we were both born to be kings." Mjolnir vanished in a shimmer of green as Loki-as-Thor brought his hands together, right fiddling with the left. "I'll..tell you about that some other time. He did care for his friends and his people, but never learned humility until much later. Long long after our drunken shenanigans."

"That's what's sending the idea of him being younger." Puck said with a nod. "Right. Being headstrong can certainly do that." Puck noticed that hand fidgeting and gave a gentle nod. "I'll wait until you're ready then, and not a second earlier." he said gently.

He looked at his glass and then towards the hearth. "Would you like some more wine? Or dessert?"

A shimmer of green, and Loki was back to his usual appearance, with a grateful expression that had flashed across his face right before the transformation. "I will not turn down wine, nor dessert either. I hope you're okay with fruit pies with honey." Loki moved to take his seat again, since the pies could be gotten by Puck alone. They were half a normal size, which was more convenient for traveling.

"Glad to hear it, I'd hate to drink alone." Puck joked as he stood and worked on getting the pies and wine out. "I'm okay with both! Fruit and honey is a common gift in Avalon. Fruits of the land, and all of that."

With the pies plated and the wine refreshed, Puck sat the bottle near the middle of the table and then took his seat.

"Thank you, again." he said softly.

"I've mentioned before I have a sweet-tooth, right? And if you've not been introduced to Mead, I'll call that a tragedy and then seek to remedy it." It was a promise, as far as Loki was concerned. Settling in to finish his food, and raising his cup to the other. "You've done the same for me." He murmured softly.

"Then I'll thank you in advance. I've never had it, but I've heard the term." Xanatos was more of a wine drinker if anything and that seemed to be the case for most humans Puck had shared a cup with. Oberon likewise drank, but Avalon's version of alcohol didn't really have an Earth equivalent to compare it to. It was usually served cold and had enough ingredients in it including alcohol that it could render a mortal near dead by the end of the first cup. Oberon's personal best was three during a celebration.

Puck raised his cup in return. "We'll continue to repay each other." he assured Loki before having a drink and then cutting into his pie. "Or at least I'll continue to do it. Either way." A shrug and some of the pie was had. "A sweet tooth does fit you."

"Alcohol made with a honey-base, so I think you'll enjoy it. Fairly common in Asgard and on Midgard too." Loki explained, making a few mental notes now. "That almost sounds like some of Asgard's wines, though we don't tend to think in 'mortal' vs. 'immortal' terms. I've little doubt it could render a human drunk with one cup however, if not close to passing out."

Loki was close to finishing his meal, but didn't let that stop him from taking a slice of pie anyways. No 'cleaning his plate before dessert' here.

Puck's eyes lit up at the description. "Oh, that does sound nice!" before he nodded. "The ingredients are much stronger than what I've had on Earth, and some of them can't be found on Earth. I'm sure it could-- a very strong sleep aid compared to tea or medicine." Puck gave a thoughtful hum. "I don't even know that it would import safely. I mean it's alcohol so it should but I've never tried doing it. Owen's not one for an after dinner drink."

The clean plate club was very overrated, Puck could agree with that.

"I'm not sure true Asgardian wine or alcohols could be found here, or on Midgard, either. We had some flora and fauna that the other realms did not though Vanaheim was the most similar." Loki took another sip of the wine, meditatively. "Mind...Asgard in my universe is destroyed so..." He wasn't sure if he'd shared that with Puck yet, or not.

"I would be very surprised to see anything else from Avalon here." The joke of fig pie topped with sugared wild flowers at the masquerade banquet had gotten Puck's attention, even if he didn't have any of it. But that was brushed aside as Loki mentioned the destruction of Asgard. Puck paused, his next bite of pie halfway to his mouth. He sat the loaded fork down and gave Loki a surprised look.

"I.. I didn't know that." Puck said, brow furrowing. "If you don't want to answer the mountain of questions that statement has seen fit to build, I'll pretend I'm not interested. But I'll do that anyway, if you'd prefer it."

That right there was a gift, as far as Loki knew. Puck restraining his curiosity that is. And he was quiet, while he considered it, before shaking his head. "It wasn't just 6 years ago that my life under went an upheaval." At that moment, Loki moved his food around more than looked like he would eat.

"It wasn't more than a day or two, prior to my coming here. But it starts a few months ago, from my perspective. I mentioned how I'd put a spell on Father, modified his memory and stashed him in a home on Earth, right?" Puck knew that part. "Well, Thor decided to come home. He saw through my charade, and we went to Midgard. The home had been torn down, and then we were kidnapped by a wizard. I was left to fall for 30 minutes, while Thor talked to the upstart. Their conversation must've been fruitful though, as Thor and I headed for Norway. At some point, Father had broken the spells. Told me Mother would've been proud." There is a very sad, and slightly bitter smile at that. "But his time was short, as he was dying, and with his death one of his oldest spells would fall."

Puck could actually do that when needed, in spite of being a fae. Or perhaps in tandem with it. As Loki spoke, the food was ignored for the time being.

Puck nodded as Loki reminded him of what he'd mentioned before and then listened as Loki expanded on things. He took a slow breath as Loki finished speaking and offered one of his hands if Loki wanted to take it. He picked up on the slight bitterness to Loki's smile, but like before, kept his curiosity shelved.

At least about that. "You don't have to continue, if you feel you've said enough." Puck said gently. Like their earlier date, Puck was treating Loki's sharing of his past gently, much like the delicate gift it actually was.

Loki did reach to take it, both as an anchor and comfort and reminder to keep him grounded. This was his choice, still, and it hadn't betrayed him yet to share. Perhaps Puck still would, but Loki hoped not.

"It turns out that Thor was not father's first born. Before the Asgardians had turned to peacekeepers and guardians, Odin had let a bloody war of conquest over the nine realms, with his daughter Hela at his side." There's a snort-laugh. "I'm given to understand that in some versions of the myths, she's rumored to be my daughter, but that is not obviously what happened in my world. She was the Goddess of Death, and did not agree when Odin tired of all the bloodshed. So he sealed her away, and that seal was to break with his own death."

Loki couldn't speak yet, share, that his father had said he was proud of his sons. Sons--plural. That he had not seemed angry at Loki for bespelling him, but instead was amused. It was odd enough and still perplexed him that Odin had mentioned Frigga would be proud. It wasn't as if Loki had done much in the past several years that would've made her proud after all.

"In any case, he faded away to join the stars, and Thor and I were left to confront our here-to-fore unknown older sister." Loki could remember still the confusion, the concern and wariness--but also with the memory, something else struck him and he laughed. Couldn't help but find the amusement in it, and had to wonder yet again at Odin's purpose in adopting him.

It wasn't exactly a nice laugh, one of joy. This one was pain and one laughing because they might cry otherwise.

"It's...funny." He managed to get out. "I'm adopted, and yet...I looked more like this elder sister we never knew. Perhaps that was Odin's fault as well since I don't look like a proper frost giant after all."

Puck held onto his hand and continued to listen. Betrayal wasn't in his standard card deck when dealing with anyone. Trickery? Sure. But betrayal? If Puck knew Loki was worried about that happening, he would exhaust himself showing otherwise. But Puck would do that anyway, by his nature.

He nodded as the spell was explained and continued to listen. The pained laugh felt like an ice shard in his heart, which was probably a millimeter of the pain Loki was feeling.

"It's.." Puck fell quiet and then simply acted. He stood and moved until he was in front of Loki and with about as much ease as Loki had done earlier, Puck pulled him to his feet and into a tight hug. "It could have been his fault, yes. But it wasn't yours. At all."

Loki went with the motion without fight or protest, his arms going around Puck and head to the Fae's shoulder. Tight, clinging, although still aware that his strength was greater than a humans. He didn't want to break the other, just--needed the stability, and to cling, for the moment. The support. There was so much that Loki had not dealt with yet. Had simply had no time or space TO deal with, nor felt safe enough to show just how deep the wounds ran. Even when telling Sky, or Gamora bits and pieces of the tapestry, Loki had not let them see just how painful it had been and still was.

"I'm a replacement and stolen relic, a tool for the Allfather." Murmured quietly, a bit brokenly. "...but he claimed to be proud of us. He said sons...." Loki needed to believe he'd heard right, that his fault or not--that he wasn't completely wrong.

Puck just held on and let himself be held. His partner needed support, Puck would be that. He realized that Loki felt safe enough to share that and his heart warmed as much as it threatened to break.

He tightened his grip on Loki. Puck wasn't sure what to say to the first two statements, but he opted for, "You're yourself, first. A treasure, who should have been treated better." Puck knew that Loki needed to hear confirmation and so he helped Loki help himself.

"How good that he said he was proud of his sons before leaving. How good that it was that you heard that!" Puck moved until he could position himself to give Loki a kiss. "You heard correctly-- you heard he was proud of both of you. That you were his son, as much as anything else." Puck's eyes shone with assurance and a mix of love and hurt.

"You did hear that, Loki."

It hadn't been an entirely conscious thing on Loki's part, to suddenly have the dam break. Which was itself a sign that he felt 'safe' around Puck enough. He listened, and moved to try and gain control of himself again. Breathing, old exercises he'd learned long ago to keep calm as he learned magic. He wanted to believe Puck, and well--Puck only know because of what Loki had said. So he must've heard correctly, right?

Loki had never called himself Laufeyson, as would be his rightful last name. Even when fooling Malekith, he had claimed to be Loki of Jotunheim. It was why he went by Loki of Asgard most often. Because the only time since his life had gone mad, he'd claimed 'Odinson' as his last name, had been to try to clue Thor in. To reassure his brother, that this betrayal wasn't real. It had mattered, and while he'd...failed. He'd failed, but Thor--if that really hadn't been some feverish dream and trick of this world with the bonfires--Thor had seemed to understand. To still claim him as brother.

Could he be Odinson?

It was all too confusing right then, as emotions ran through him in a messy jumble that left him feeling unstable. Too many too quick, and all tinged with pain that he hadn't yet let himself deal with on top of it all. The loss of his home, all the deaths, the failures he'd had...

He nodded though, as blue-green eyes were at least less lost looking. Still full of a myriad of emotions, but Loki was pulling himself together. Leaning forward and resting his forehead against Puck's own. "...Thank you. ...as you may've guessed, I've not had a time or chance to really deal with, well, anything. Normally my control is also much better."

That was the thing about emotional walls. They decided when they came down more often than the people they were attached to. Puck continued to stay where he was, hands moving in small gentle circles. A soothing motion he'd adopted from a human he'd been following on earth named Anastasia Renard. One of the rare things he'd felt like holding onto, considering who she really was.

He rested his forehead against Loki's for a moment and then knelt down with a little half smile as he shapeshifted into Owen. He had to kneel to make sure he was in the same position, and it looked a little odd, but it worked. Puck's lack of his other magic meant that he couldn't simply cast a spell to help Loki continue to calm down, but Puck could turn into his own form of a wall to help protect Loki and the others he cared about.

"You're welcome, and control is fickle." he said softly. "I'm not judging you. If anything I'm very touched that you wanted to tell me." Puck gave him another kiss. "That's a great deal of trust, I'll continue to show you it's not placed foolishly."

Loki blinked, startled by the transformation and the affection and reassurance. But he leaned in all the same and hugged Puck-as-Owen. Recognizing why the other had changed, what he was saying besides the words. Loki didn't really feel he was worthy of it. He'd never felt worthy of so many things though, so why should this be different?

But he held on, and let himself hide a bit while he calmed down. Tried to let himself be a bit vulnerable, in this instance. He was changing, so maybe the patterns of old could change too.

It's a deep breath in, and out, and that tighter hug once more, before moving to take Owen's hands. "Maybe I do need a bodyguard sometimes." It was a weak joke, but Loki was smilingly faintly. He felt more stable, for the moment. "And I should finish telling you, at least."

Puck's grip didn't waver, and he smiled faintly as Loki worked on getting himself together. He returned the second hug, equally as tight but not enough to hurt before Loki took his hands.

Puck thought of a joke in response but smiled and moved to kiss one of Loki's hands. Not quite what a butler or bodyguard would actually do in the situation, but it worked. "I know someone who can provide that well." he joked back before straightening up. There was a shimmer of blue magic as Puck turned back into himself. "Again, only speak on it if you want."

Edited (fixing a word there) 2024-02-04 18:34 (UTC)

"You should know, so I will speak." Loki said simply, with a tired smile. Another breath, and the masks were back but less as defense mechanism now and more as focus.

"Our sister, Hela, appeared before us. She demanded we kneel. Claimed Thor looked nothing like Father, but that I sounded like him when I tried to bargain. In any case, a fight ensued. I called for the bifrost to take us to Asgard, which was a mistake as Hela drew her power from there. We all 3 fought while being transported, and I was knocked out of the bifrost mid transport. I ended up on a planet called Sakaar where most of the trash and detritus of the universe ends up. It was a relatively lawless place for the most part save one pocket of civilization ruled over by a being known as the Grandmaster. His moods were more volatile than mine and getting into, and maintaining, his favor was like dancing on a knife's edge over a fire. His taste in entertainment went to gladiatorial games and blood sport and his appetites to excess even for a hedonist. I was there for months before Thor showed up, and it having only been a few seconds for himself.

Puck nodded and listened, eyes flickering with something as the masks slipped back on.

His eyes widened for a moment as he pictured everything-- being isolated but finding what could have looked like the quickest way to survive, only to be met with another tyrant. Puck exhaled and tightened his grip on Loki in a mix of sympathy and a sting of anger on his behalf. Going through any one of the situations he'd described would have been a test of.. Well, everything. But to hear Loki, it had been a steady line of trials. Ones he didn't ask for, and to be frank that Puck didn't agree with. A mad ruler who's moods could change as easily as the seasons, and who never reached the apex of having enough, turning to simply finding more to satisfy? The parallels between the one calling himself the Grandmaster and Oberon weren't just quietly there, they were in bright neon paint, waving their hands and jumping up and down.

Puck inhaled. He and Loki were really similar in a lot of ways. If it weren't so sad, he would have chuckled.

Puck found his voice again and spoke. "That all sounds horrible. I'm glad you didn't go mad from any of it. Did Thor help you escape this grandmaster character?"

"Thor has a way of messing things up without even trying." Loki's tone was dry, but he was glad Puck remained close. "It was...difficult. He was not content with the slow or longer way that would guarantee success. Eventually he escaped, along with the last of the Valkyrie, and one of his allies who had ended up on Sakaar from Midgard. They headed for Asgard, to face Hela and try to stop her." Telling that Loki didn't mention going with them, but he wasn't going into that just yet.

"I followed him, in a larger ship, along with those of the gladiators who rebelled and left. We arrived in the middle of battle to save what refugees Heimdall had managed to find and help of our people. I joined the battle while our people headed for safety, but it was endless. The Goddess of Death drew her power from Asgard, in addition to slain Einherjar old and new. We provided a stop, but not an end. Thor came up with an idea though, and had me implement it."

A pause, and a light chuckle. "Sakaar may have driven all of us mad, actually. The plan was to fulfill a prophecy or a promise, by one of Asgard's great foes. I placed the crown of Surtur on the everlasting flame and revived him, king and ruler of Muspelheim and he destined to destroy Asgard. We fled, leaving Hela and Surtur to battle and destroy each other. Asgard was no more, and Thor was pondering taking us to Earth as he claimed his spot as King."

Puck gave slight smile. "Ah, I've met ones like that before." He'd also played the part a few times when deliberately acting obtuse around wishes he was obligated to grant, but this didn't sound like some well timed acting on Thor's part. He continued to listen, picking up that Loki didn't mention traveling along.

When he mentioned a ship and gladiators, Puck nodded in understanding. "Maybe you all realized what needed to happen. If Hela drew power from Asgard then.." Then the decision to simply take Asgard out of the equation made sense. But he doubted it had been easy for any of them. "That doesn't sound like madness. If anything, it's grim. Sometimes you have to make a grim decision to cut off a threat before it can grow worse."

He wouldn't think he could just comfort everything out of Loki-- he was a lot but not that naive. Emotional and physical presence could help, and did seem to be working, but Puck knew that this was a long term situation. Luckily being a fae he had the stamina to match. He would continue supporting Loki until he either wore himself out, or until it was finished.

"Is that when you came here?" Puck asked, tilting his head slightly.

Loki was quiet, having drawn in a breath as he should've expected that question. He did at least let it out slowly, and... Chose to leave part of the mask down. "No. We were intercepted before we reached Earth. The Mad Titan, who had enabled my earlier invasion of it five years earlier, came calling. He was hunting for the infinity stones, and one had been on Asgard. It...should have stayed and been destroyed in Asgard, but I'd taken it." Now Loki did pull back, closing himself off in preparation for a blow of some kind.

"He killed half our remaining people, Heimdall included. He would've killed Thor if I hadn't given up the stone. We fought. I also...tried to kill him. To seemingly betray my people and my brother to join his service." A pause, and now blue-green eyes dropped. "I failed. I was going unconscious, with his hand around my throat, when I next woke up here. I have vague memories of an owl, but that's all."

Puck blinked in confusion as Loki pulled back suddenly. Puck was no stranger to the idea of just taking something-- humans provided endless examples of doing that in their lifetimes. Puck also played with words around the concept itself.

As Loki explained everything that had happened after, Puck's breath came out in a shaky exhale. "You.." He'd tried. He really had tried to go against what sounded like an enormous threat, even with the risk of destroying his relationships. When Loki described dying, Puck cleared his throat and then began to first cry-- slow tears, before it turned into steady weeping. He took a few breaths to steady himself, which did help, but didn't stop the tears in the slightest.

Fae had higher empathy by default, but this also just came with Puck's personality. Hearing that a loved one had gone through so much and tried one final time to right things had proven too much. Puck found his wits after a moment and looked to Loki steadily before opening his arms and leaving the decision of whatever Loki needed in Loki's hands.

Loki hadn't been 'taking' any of this. At least, he'd been trying to not just take but to give as well. It was why he'd come originally, and insisted that Puck get comfort before dinner. He hadn't planned for any of this to go this way. There was confusion in blue-green eyes as the fae cried, his mouth twisted too and head tilted. Loki had expected rejection, blame and a blow of some kind to come his way.

After all, while destroying Asgard was not his 'fault' in many ways, the subsequent slaughter by Thanos was. That was even supposing an infinity stone could be destroyed. Even his own 'death' was a way to make amends, wasn't it? Or had that been just as futile ultimately. Gamora hadn't thought so, but neither of them had survived the Mad Titan's quest.

Then Puck was clearly indicating that no blow would come. Comfort was actually being offered, and Loki was only all the more confused. "...why? I...don't understand why you're not angry with me, or..." He didn't know. Loki just expected some kind of censure instead of this. The swirl of mixed and chaotic emotions and uncertainty were all over his posture and in his eyes.

Fae ran on a different set of rules in a lot of ways, but Puck was also just.. not a human. He didn't have a fully human viewpoint of most things. He didn't apply his own morality to everything he came across, or act like it was his place to judge except in a few specific circumstances. Circumstances that Loki hadn't met and probably never would just by the fact that they were from different worlds.

"Or.. what? Yelling at you? Demanding why you did or didn't do something?" Puck found his voice easily and asked around a surprised half laugh. "It's empathy, Loki!" Puck shook his head as he just went ahead and said what was needed. It was empathy, yes. Puck reached up to wipe his eyes.

"It's empathy, and it's love. It's because that I love you. You need to hear that."

Well now Loki really was confused and a mix of emotions. Chaotic and overwhelming, and he didn't even seem to realize that his face was showing all of that. Or that he was crying now, one hand coming up to feel the wetness on his cheek. Looking at his hand like he didn't recognize it before turning blue-green eyes to Puck.

He couldn't find words--except that was a lie. He had too many, Loki had so many words he wasn't sure what ones to use or how to say them or even to make them make sense to himself much less to anyone else. He felt adrift, and in a way, also offered an anchor. Did he, could he take that anchor? Would it really be alright to do so?

Always so perceptive about everyone but yourself.

Remembered words and a pained parting, and he shook his head to wipe away the memory and reached for Puck. This time he wouldn't deny the anchor offered. He needed it, clinging to the fae and letting sobs from deep inside wrack him.

Puck watched the emotions and tears play out and smiled softly. Emotions could be overwhelming, and Loki didn't seem to be immune.

As Loki clung to him and sobbed, Puck held him tightly. His hands resumed rubbing small circles and he said gently into Loki's hair,

"Your Puck is right here."

It was helping, though this storm was awhile coming and was draining. It needed to happen though, and Loki just clung to Puck. Arms around him tightly, curling and hiding against him and taking the anchor that was offered. It was several moments before the sobs stopped, and then more still before he could speak softly.

"...I turned away the last person who ever truly loved me." Whisper quiet, and slightly hoarse from sobbing. "I didn't want to this time. You keep saying I'm a treasure--I'm not. You are. I've done horrible things, and been wrong my whole life, and when I try to do better I fail at it. But the gift you give me..." All kind of a babble there. "I don't feel worth it." A long and tired sigh, but Loki brought his head up. So Puck could see blue-green eyes that looked very young and lost but desperate too. "But I will protect it and keep it safe. I'll find away to be worth it, Puck. For you."

It did need to happen, and Puck was fine to remain that anchor as Loki went through everything. He continued his soothing movements, to show that he wasn't about to stop offering comfort.

"Then don't, this time." Puck said as quietly. At Loki's comment about not feeling worth it, Puck met Loki's gaze and felt his heart break a bit. Humans, it seemed, weren't the only beings who held onto the idea of needing to be worthy of love. It was a sad fact of things. But Puck would meet Loki where he was.

He leaned forward and pulled Loki into another tight hug. "Thank you. I know you'll do all of that, because you've already shown you can." Another kiss to Loki's head. "We'll protect each other, like we spoke of earlier."

Loki needed that tighter hug, and returned it. Leaning into the kiss too, and staying close as he nodded. Puck believed in him...loved him. That was so very precious to him, and Loki was promising himself he would be worth that and honor it. "We will." Agreeing with the other, before he gave a tired laugh. "I was originally supposed to be here comforting you. I didn't intend to..." Break. To be so vulnerable. "Thank you, though."

"It was quite the dinner, yes." Puck agreed with a laugh of his own. It had been a lot for both of them but Puck felt better that he'd been able to both give and receive comfort as well as tell Loki how he felt. Things felt much clearer, emotionally.

"You're welcome. Would you like to finish dessert, or do anything else? Or do nothing at all?". Puck caught the tiredness in Loki's laugh and didn't want to push, but he also didn't want to assume anything either.

"Oh we are finishing dessert. That sounds like the perfect comfort after all of this that isn't just what we're doing already." It was an emotional and mental tired, more than a true physical tired. A relieved kind of tired, really. "Honestly I'd like to just spend more time with you. Whether we do something or nothing. I've enjoyed your companionship from the start, and that has not changed, only gotten stronger."

Not that Loki'd be moving in together any time soon. He loved living with Alice too much, and did still want his independence. But he was glad and enjoyed when he was in the fae's presence and he wanted to keep that a bit more. Especially now.

Puck laughed and broke the hug, collecting the plates long enough to rewarm everything. He sat the heated plates back down and waited for Loki to sit before he took the seat across from him as before.

"I'll just barely hold off on making a very bad joke about the sweetness of all of this. But yes, we should spend more time together in general-- there's never anything wrong with good company, and you've demonstrated a great skill at it."

Puck likewise wouldn't suggest living together. He loved his friends and his loved ones, but also liked his privacy. He lived separate from Xanatos in Manhattan, and he didn't see that changing while he was in Somnius. But Puck would absolutely make time and space for Loki, either when asked or when Puck had the idea himself.

"I'll have to make sure to keep up." Puck gave a playful wink. "But I trust myself to do that."

"I do have quite a bit more of a sweet tooth than you." Loki remembered their experimenting with overly sugared punch at Webby's party. "You do keep up already, but I have had good several centuries more experience at it." The wink made him smile, genuine and fond.

"We can share stories, or read, or just do nothing. All sound like good ideas to me, as does just talking with you. Though I'll try to avoid bringing up anything else that might be disturbing."

"You do, yes." Puck remembered the punch and returned Loki's smile with an equally genuine one.

"Even if you did, I'd be all right with it." Puck assured him simply. Puck understood that it wasn't always going to be lighthearted banter, and was fine with that fact.

"I'll recall some stories, then." he said after some of the pie. "Or maybe I'll look for some more things to decorate with so it's more comfortable. Or both! I've done worse for places."

Loki wouldn't have been alright though. His world had just shifted quite a bit and he needed some time to adapt and process. Not processing had been part of why it had all come now. Loki also made it a point now to finish his food, as that had been tiring. And to especially enjoy some pie. "What kind of decoration would you be thinking?"

Puck considered the question. "Mood lighting, mostly. I like how the fireplace casts, and that's fine for reading and ambience, but.. I want it to feel calmer. Like you're leaving everything else outside when you come in. The antithesis to an office, where you'd go to work." Puck looked around the room.

"Kind of like taking the reading corner and stretching it."

Hmmm. Loki could work with that, and thought he had an idea or two. Motioning that Puck should stay seated, Loki stood and moved to where he had a good view of the interior of the small house. Taking in the layout and potential obstacles, before moving to one of the walls and putting his hand on it. A shimmer of green swept over everything, and now besides the fireplace, there were candles on the tables and walls burning brightly. Plush rugs and tapestries as well, and the reading corner had indeed been 'stretched' in a way. Mostly in that it's design was mimicked in other furniture where Loki could. Aiming for Cozy, and comfortable. It was a very complete illusion, as he took his hand from the wall and smiled. Turning to see Puck's reaction.

Puck blinked in plain confusion for a moment before Loki cast his magic. It was cozy but also open and inviting, the rugs and tapestries working together with how Puck had already decorated. The decorating equivalent of a door being held open and being welcomed in. He laughed softly at first and then loudly as he stood and stepped into the illusion properly, eyes widening as his feet sank into one of the rugs. Puck's own illusions could be just as lifelike, but it felt different- nice to not be the one casting it.

He smiled at Loki, plain joy on his face. "It's wonderful!"

"Oh good." Relieved that he'd gotten it right more than anything. Loki knew he'd be able to cast an illusion quality enough and large enough. It wasn't even that complex compared to some that he'd done. But it was a way he could show that he cared, and valued the other, and valued their time together. Valued being together. "I can find a way to set it for at least a day, if you'd like."

Puck nodded, moving to take Loki's hands. "A day sounds very nice." It really didn't seem that complex but Puck appreciated the messages being sent with it. "Thank you, Loki, that's very kind of you." He laughed again a little, still enjoying all of it. The illusion, spending time together, and having the security in his feelings.

Puck pulled him into a hug. "I'll repay you ten times over, you realize?"

That hug was returned and it was Loki's turn to kiss Puck's hair. "Be you. That's all I need in payment." His friend, and partner, and definitely something else too. Loki was content to hold that embrace too for several minutes. Sweets could wait, as this was feeding a different kind of hunger.

"I'll do that, then." Puck said with a nod. Easily, and happily. As he was held, Puck smiled and got comfortable. The illusion was certainly helping. The pie was forgotten for the time being-- but it was as sweet, if not better.

Hey, Loki.

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm not hurt. I've heard some people had it worse than I did in the labyrinth, but all my partner and I saw were some weird mirrors.

Are you all right?

I'm quite fine. I went in with Webby and Jenny, one of the new arrivals. In our own way, we all went in prepared for the worst--but ended up in an interesting room. I have pictures from it, if you'd like to see.

Hm, well if it was interesting enough for pictures then I'll have to see it. Nothing bad, then?

No, just a bit surprising. You'll understand when I tell you about it. Also I want to hear about your venturing in too. Do you want to meet?

Sure. Should we head into town?

We can do that. Where did you want to meet? I'm always fond of the tavern, despite it's occasionally questionable food.

Works for me. I'll meet you in about twenty minutes? I've been training with others---I know I likely won't get so lucky in the labyrinth next time.

[ He takes the time to get freshened up, and off he goes into town. He's been busy lately between work and training, but he can make time for a break. And there he is! He steps up to join him with a little wave. ]

It's good to see you. So did you enjoy your trip?

[Loki has been waiting, and nods when Kaiba joins him. Then he's scanning for a free seat, before heading the way over to one of the smaller tables against the wall.]

I'm not sure enjoy is the right word, but yes overall. Webby and I were, as I said, prepared for the worse. In our armor and everything. Jenny proved to be suitably prepared, if a bit talkative overall.

[Neither Loki nor Webby had minded though, really.]

Like I said, we eventually came to a strange room, with a camera symbol etched into the door.

[There's a sly grin on Loki's face, before he holds out a hand and conjures up a small envelope to pass to Kaiba. Inside, the other will find photographs. Different styles of clothing and poses, of Loki, Jenny, and Webby. There's even one where Loki obviously changed himself into a duck like Webby (albeit still a tall one).]

The room was covered in clothes along all walls but one that was white, and there were cameras and screens everywhere. We couldn't find an exit at first, nor were we attacked, so we let ourselves have fun. I even added to the illusion by doing a few different backdrops to the white wall, and creating a crowd to cheer and applaud us. Once we had pictures of us all, then we found an exit.

[Indeed the backdrops in the photos don't look like a white screen but have different backgrounds, and there are occasional hints of people. As if it were a real catwalk fashion show.]

So strange, but not unwelcome.

[ Seto settles in comfortably, flipping through the photos with a curious expression. It soon turns to a smile as he takes it all in. What an interesting time. He grins and carefully puts the pictures back in place before returning the envelope. ]

Looks like a party. My trip...started out similarly, but it was a little different. Our hall was full of mirrors. At first it made us look tall or short, or gave the illusion of animal transformations. We didn't actually change, it was just in the mirror.

[ He sighs. Deep breath. ]

But then it showed us scenes from what we could only guess were alternate versions of our lives if we'd made different choices. I saw myself staying in the orphanage until I aged out, as if I'd never challenged Gozaburo to adopt us.

I still had Mokuba, but I had to struggle a lot more. We lived in a small apartment, I had a much less prestigous job. I had to help neighbors to scrape enough to get by. But...Mokuba was thriving with a group of friends. We had a cat. I smiled and laughed with him more, there were happy pictures of us all over that tiny apartment. Mokuba's told me before that he wasn't happy with the person I became with Gozaburo for a father...and now I've seen the alternative.

[ He bows his head and folds his hands for a moment, sighing deeply. ]

My partner had something similar happen to her. I can't remember all the details, but...it hurts, knowing what you've lost. What you could've had if you'd made another choice.

Who'd you go with?

[Idle curiosity on Loki's part, but he was quiet as he studied Seto some more. That was a clever trap, and Loki privately hoped he'd never go to that room.]

I'm not surprised it hurts, my friend. But think of it as an illusion and nothing more. You can't know for certain that's how it would've turned out. Just as likely that you both would've starved or been at odds with each other for how hard the life was.

[Trying to offer some comfort, and a counter.]

I believe I told you about the invasion? When I was taken back to Asgard, I was thrown in prison. I spent a year in there.

Venat. She's...a tenacious woman. I've helped her before, and she pulled me out of it this time.

[ He finally looks back up when he can muster a neutral expression. ]

Were you alone? I've heard what even short periods in solitary can do...

She's something, alright. I've helped her myself.

[Loki didn't dislike the woman, but he wasn't sure what to make of her. Other than his fears at first that she was a dark elf somehow. But on to the more pertinent topic.]

I was the only one in my cell, compared to others. What you need to know is that Asgardian dungeons are very very old. Almost as old as the vaults that came to be Odin's.

[Which was saying something, if Loki was calling them old.]

Things have been upgraded, obviously, but the cells themselves are rooms set into stone, but bordered in white on the inside. There are no bars, as we are kept within via a force field that is transparent but for the shimmer of light where it connects to the stone around us. They are sterile white within, with a view to the hallways outside. I was lucky, as I had a corner cell--and also a mother who insisted on making me 'comfortable'.

[Loki's expression was somewhat neutral, expressionless as he spoke. Not entirely closed off, as he was sharing and he trusted Kaiba. But it was not easy to deal with all the same.]

She would visit, via an illusion cast that is similar to what you might know as Astral Projection. She is also the reason I lived, and was in prison instead of executed. But that's not my point. Despite all the books she sent me, or as comfortable as she could make it...I still indulged in creating illusions. Of myself usually, taking the throne rightfully, cheered by the masses. Being lauded as proper king and heir, and worthy of Mjolnir as well.

She visited once, interrupting one of these illusions of mine. Inserting herself into it with ease, to ask what I was doing. She asked if it made me feel better. I told her it did not make me feel worse.

[A pause, and Loki flagged down a server to place a quick order. Two drinks, one non-alcoholic, and food. It was a needed break.]

She reminded me, that if you cast enough illusions, you risk forgetting what is real. At the time, that was precisely what I wanted, given my reality. Potentially 4000 or so years in solitary, essentially, never visited nor thought of except by her.

[ Kaiba listens intently, interest and a hint of worry in his expression. It must've been hell. Prison existed to punish, sure (at least in his reality) but it could be cruel.

He let the message sink in a moment before answering. ]

I needed her help to snap out of it. I kept hearing Mokuba's words in my head, about how he'd hated who I'd become due to my choices. But...I have to take responsibility and move on, there's no way to that reality. And even if there was, it wouldn't be so perfect. Right?

Exactly.

[Loki was pleased to see the other figure out what Loki was trying to say and teach him. There was pride in the statement and smile for Seto.]

Take any lesson from it you can, take what suits you and what you want that won't hurt you, and then treat the rest as no more than an illusion. And I'm here to listen, if you want to speak about it.

[One half of that smile turned wry.]

If you'd like, I can even muse with you on the nature of fate versus free will, or tell you of the wyrd, and we can conjecture all we like about the various possibilities.

I've never liked the idea of being controlled by fate.

[ It's said quickly, like he thinks about this a Lot. ]

For a while my life was plagued by...ancient magic. I hated acknowledging it, but I was cursed by it often enough. A whole war from ancient Egypt started up again when the relics the ghosts were sealed in were unearthed. A classmate was possessed by the spirit of a trickster pharaoh...who claimed I was the reincarnation of the priest who'd been his devotee and rival, and that the priest's influence created me.

I've seen visions and I sympathize with the priest and his fallen lover, I guess. But the idea that everything about me was decided thousands of years ago...I hate it.

[Loki listens, and then chuckles softly. Reaching out to clap Kaiba on the shoulder affectionately. Keeping that hand there.]

This is part of why I like you, by the way. I'm very much not fond of the idea that my life is not my own and subject to my own choices. I'm not surprised you're similar.

[ Seto looks up and smiles. It's been intimidating to get here, but it's nice to understand and be understood. ]

Same here. I'd love to hear your philosophical thoughts if we have the time, by the way.

[That made Loki chuckle more, and a squeeze was given to Kaiba's shoulder before he pulled back.]

I should probably worry about how often the Wyrd has come up lately. It's difficult to explain though. We do not have gods, in Asgard, the way you would think of. We have clergy, though I didn't interact much outside of official duties. But the powers we looked to were the Norns, who would be priestesses essentially with three principle ones being closer to myth and legend and 'god' as you might think of it, and then the Wyrd.

[ Seto was content to listen...hey, they were here for a meal. They had time. ]

The Wyrd...what were they like?

The Wyrd isn't a they. It's...a hard to explain concept. It can be translated as Fate, or Destiny, but those are too simplistic for it alone. Those terms also imply an active control, which there is and is not.

[This would make sense in a bit. Promise.]

The norns are beings who are of the Wyrd, in that they interpret it and potentially create it or manage it. There are different types of Norns, and one can be appointed to the position, but they are always female. There are three principle norns of legend though, who are the closest I'd say we had to gods the way other people do. Urdr, Verdandi, and Skuld.

[There waiter approached with their drinks, non alcoholic for Kaiba but ale for Loki.]

Mind you, I'm no fan of the idea that my life and choices are not my own to make or control.

Ah.

[ Seto takes his drink and has a thought or two. ]

Then...a strong enough will must be able to write its own story, right? To make one's voice heard over the noise. It has to be possible.

So one can hope.

[Loki had already made his view on it known; twice now even.]

As I've also said before, I see parts of myself within you, and would rather you not make some of the mistakes that I have.

Kaiba was incredibly relieved to see the cottages come into view. Surely it'd be fine as long as they didn't touch any mirrors, right?

"...thanks again," he said softly. "I thought I was dead meat."

Oh Loki intended to take precautions with the mirrors by covering them if he could. Better safe that way. "You were reacting well, I just have more experience. And you quite nicely shocked it." Loki pointed out, stride quicker to get them to the cottage and in through the front door. Hopefully without more nonsense to divert them.

Seto hurried right behind him, doing his best to wring the water out of his clothes on the way. It was rude to drip on carpet, after all.

"I'll keep training. That was still too close. My sting didn't leave any lasting damage, did it?"

"No, and I should probably share some things about Frost Giants with you." The floors were wooden with lots of rugs, so Kaiba needn't have worried too much. "Let me get you some towels, and a spare set of my clothes if you don't object. I also am going to cover the mirror in the bathroom. Once you're warm again, I can explain if you want."

"Thank you," Seto rushed out, visibly relieved. "Yeah, I'll tell my housemates to do the same. Hopefully the worst that's happening is annoying spells on their food."

It's been...an annoying day, all around. But he's grateful for this small respite.

"Right, follow me." Loki lead the way, heading for one of the bathrooms. Towels were located and passed to Kaiba, and Loki just conjured up a dark green cloth to cover the mirror. Making sure not to look too carefully in and at it while he did so. "If you're alright with me just dropping the clothes in here, you can leave the door unlocked. Otherwise I can find something for you now."

"I'll leave it open, not worried about it. And I won't be long," Seto agreed, eager to warm up as soon as possible. He wouldn't be rude and take too much time---he wasn't aware of the hot water having any sort of limit around here, but Loki had been running about too and might like to relax.

Once that was settled, he rushed to get out of his wet clothes, hang them over a towel so they wouldn't drip everywhere, and jumped in for a quick shower. He'd gladly bundle up in a towel after that, leaving a towel over his shoulders once his hair was ruffled into a drier mess.

"So what was this about the Frost Giants?"

Edited 2024-02-17 01:49 (UTC)

Loki left him to it and took the time to get his own change of clothes ready. Out of the armor, which went in a sort of neat pile against the wall. Into comfier clothes himself that were dry, and he had a spare set folded and ready for Kaiba. Trousers, shirt, tunic. If the other was cold still, he could add to it if needed.

"Well, I thought you might like to know about them, so you're less worried about me. Some of the not so obvious stuff, besides that I'm resistant to the cold." His room was not far from the bathroom, and he'd left his door open so Kaiba could join him.

Seto didn't mind that the clothes were slightly too big...he was close to the right height, but lacked bulk. But that was okay. He shuffled over to Loki's room and sat, looking much more comfortable.

"All right, I'm listening. What else should I know?"

Loki wasn't all that bulky, but Kaiba was still more of a stick than the other. But the clothing was clean, dry, soft, and warm. Loki liked his creature comforts when he could have them. "Well, we're one of the sturdier races in the galaxy. I did not know I was NOT an asgardian until relatively recently after all. Asgardians are one of the sturdier races across the universe too. They're baseline superhuman in strength, speed, reflexes, agility, and very hard to hurt. I've been smashed into the floor of a corporate tower quite a few times, after being blown off what was an air-chariot and through a wall. I was down for about an hour, although it did hurt. We are fast healers, both Asgardians and Frost Giants alike. A single Asgardian is easily able to overpower one or two Frost Giants easily. But in groups versus one, it gets harder."

Loki smirked in amusement. "Which means basically I'm very hard to hurt and I heal very very quickly. I'm also the adopted brother to a Thunder God, so I've most certainly been zapped a few times like earlier."

Seto listened patiently, exhaling. It really was impressive, imagining what Loki could handle.

"So...basically, if something can give you more than a scratch, I'm already dead," he joked. "But that doesn't mean I want you to have to test all that. This place works to wear a person down."

A chuckle, and the smirk became a smile. "Just thought you'd like to know for certain and have the reassurance. If allowed a natural lifespan, both races can live somewhere into the 4 or 5000s." A pause. "Now, because I'm a frost giant instead of an Asgardian I am also immune to the cold basically. I can do fine in basic heat, but prolonged exposure will affect me the way it would anyone in extreme heat. It's...not something I care to test that thoroughly."

Seto nodded, filing that information away. It was good to know that he could focus on what needed to be done the next time they were in danger. He shuffled a little closer, looking up at Loki with a thoughtful expression.

"Even if it's not easy to wear you out physically, there's still mental strain. Not that I put up a great showing in the land of illogic either, but---" Embarrassed laugh. "I want to be strong enough so that you don't have to shoulder the burden yourself."

"Think of it less as illogical and more madness." Loki replied, but the smile remained. "I've had some practice. Alice and I regularly engage in riddle games, in addition to other activities. I suspect my exposure to her, and my own familiarity with wordplay and manipulation, have given me a small advantage. One that I don't think I'll be able to keep for long."

Loki reached out though, with that hand on Kaiba's shoulder once more. "BUT, I do believe you can be creative enough to survive it. You're certainly intelligent enough. Hopefully with your Pharaoh and your little brother here, that creative side will grow and show how clever you can be."

And above all, Loki was...welcoming? Kind? Seto smiled at him, spurred by his relief at how warm he felt to lean on Loki's arm, briefly brushing against him affectionately.

"I'll take you up on that challenge sometime. I'm usually reading at the library between shifts...and I still owe you a game of wits, right?"

"That's what Riddle games can be." Loki agreed, squeezing Kaiba's shoulder gently in acknowledgement and affection. "How are the Library shifts going? Also, please feel free to have a seat." Removing his hand to gesture to the made-up bed (with lots of blankets and pillows) or the comfy reading chair."

"The idea of riddle contests and similar go back very far."

Seto sat on the bed, feeling more comfortable here than before. He folded his hands in front of him as he thought on his library work.

"It's not as bad as I expected. Most people are quiet, and Puck isn't bad company. And speaking of riddles, over the past while I've been thinking that the library could use some expansion. If we had a game room, it could be a community gathering place that's calmer than some of the ones we have already"

He tapped his knee as he thought. "I'm saving my shards to wish for a few different games. Boards, cards, puzzles."

"Thinking back to you and your brother's dream, hmm?" Loki sounded approving though. Which he was. "Let me know if you want some help with shards. I'm willing to donate to the cause."

Seto nods, reaching up to squeeze his locket. "It's a lot smaller scale than the theme park. But...night clubs aren't my scene. I wanted to build a quieter place for people to socialize."

"I've never actually been to a night club, although Klaus intends to take me sometime." Loki commented with some amusement. "In this type of town and era, most people socialize at the tavern or market. So you'll have to work to bring something 'new' in."

Kaiba laughed softly as he pictured Loki in a night club. Honestly, the god of mischief would probably be a better fit than most people.

"No, I'll start small. Take over a corner of a room at the library first. If I can gather enough interest, then I'll work on building my own space. I just thought Mokuba and the other kids around his age could use a space.

"I think it's a good idea, and if I can help, I will." With a grin. "And not just by helping come up with good tricky games."

Edited 2024-02-22 03:46 (UTC)

"That'll be one of my next shopping trips, looking for games from home," Seto nods to himself. If he could gather games from other worlds, it could truly be a library.

"But there are more important things to spend shards on. Maybe I should wear armor if things are going to hunt me."

"Only because things are going to hunt you?" Loki asked with a raised eyebrow. He'd actually already been thinking about it for the younger man he'd taken on as protege. Even if neither he nor Kaiba expected him to be in prolonged battles, they were in a medieval world and it was likely trouble would find Kaiba. Better he have at least some basic armor, much as Loki also believed it better the other know how to fight. Even if he viewed that latter skill as the more important.

"When I'm strong enough, I'll be more proactive in fights. But yes," he nodded. "I would've been shredded like tissue paper if those teeth had caught me."

It was too close. "I know it'll be harder to move and I'll have to build more muscle to compensate."

"It shouldn't be harder to move in per se. That's often a sign of ill-fit and ill-maintenance." Loki pointed out as he regarded the other. "Do you know what kind of armor would suit you, even?"

Seto had to think about it.

"I don't really know. If I'm using a throwing knife and always trying to create space...lightweight and smaller is better, right? To hide more easily."

He'd known some guys who really like leather, and he had his metal arm bands, but that was about the extent of his experience.

Loki was quiet while Seto thought, and could see his reasoning. But this had also likely never come up for the other before. He'd lead a dangerous life but it was in a different way than Loki had. "And if you can't hide but have to fight? What kind of style will you be wanting to use in fighting? I know your hand to hand is solid enough for your age and level of training."

Seto imagined the battle from earlier. What would he have done if one of the creatures had caught him earlier?

"Use the knife to disable it. Hit the eyes, maybe. Claw my way out any way I can if I have to...hand strike, knee. Depends how I'm caught."

"Do not be 'honorable'. If you can not overpower it, strike however you can, aim to do damage and do what you must to stay alive." Which is not necessarily how a normal Asgardian might advise Kaiba. But Loki wasn't exactly a 'normal' Asgardian in so many ways.

"Would you like my advice and input?"

"I will. I've had to escape desperate spots before," Seto promised, and he knew he'd have to fight dirty again in the future. There were people he didn't want to leave.

"...yes. I know you know far more than me about this stuff."

"I was raised a prince in a more martially-minded society, that for all our advancements also bear similarities to this realm we find ourselves in now. Had you been in a different era in your world, you might be more familiar too." Just pointing that out.

"Now, what I recommend is you go for something similar to what I wear, but with your own tastes and customization. I actually have two sets of armor here, and will be showing you a third and explaining why I think they would be good guides for you. You'll be using daggers and knives, much like I do, and only hand-to-hand when you need to or it's convenient to blend in with the knife-fighting. That's much of what I do, hence why I'm recommending similar to my own." Laying out his reasoning. "Questions or comments?"

"I think I understand," Seto nodded, eyes darting around and committing details. He could probably manage a fit like that.

"Is comfort something you have to consider with all day wear?"

"Comfort is a malleable term. Your armor should be comfortable enough that you can wear it all day and all night if need be. But that is mostly achieved by good fit and material that suits, as it does depend on the type of armor." Loki got to his feet.

"You recall what I was wearing earlier, or shall I show you again?"

Seto nodded along, picturing it in his mind.

"I remember. Felt how sharp it was," he snorted softly. "Not that I can count on my enemies to clumsily crash into me at high speeds."

"I am sorry about that." Loki murmured. "It's a combination of leather and light-mail. Easy to move in and fight in, and different from my brother's own or the warriors three, or Lady Sif." Loki let a shimmer of green was over him, placing in an outfit that Kaiba had seen before. If he remembered, from when they first met. "This is also armor, in that it's entirely leather, and I have indeed fought in it. The other is more suited for a winter climate, which is why I wished for it to be returned."

Loki turned his head a bit, then back to face Kaiba with a wry smile. "The cape is optional, really. There is one more variation I would show you, mostly because I will suggest we model any you look into after it."

Seto waved a hand with a little smile. It was all fine. "It's in the past, we lived. I've had worse."

And then he took in the next set of armor with a wild smile. "I like that...but I've always liked a dramatic silhouette. The flared coats are more my thing."

That made Loki laugh. "Funny you should say that." HE replied with a wink.

There was another shift of green over his form, putting him in yet another form of armor. "This is probably the look that I am most infamous for, especially with my helm and cape."

Seto nodded approvingly, taking mental note. "I prefer silvers and blues, but...I can work with something similar. But I wonder if the cape might be slight overkill."

A fond, gentle tease.

"Oh I do think if you go for the cape, you get your own look. Be as dramatic as you can." Loki teased back with a smirk, and let green wash over him. He had no scepter, but standing to his full height with correct posture and a slight change to how he carried himself, and it was very clear how commanding and dramatic this look could be.

Seto took notes once more, wondering what he could do with a look like that...

"Mm, you're an excellent teacher in that regard. I don't think the helm's for me, but...the rest, I like."

"Oh this place hasn't seen me be dramatic." Loki said with a wicked smirk. But the wash of green faded overall to leave him back in his normal clothing for Somnius. "Truthfully, unless you're used to it, I don't recommend a cape for you. What I recommend is like that armor over all though. A base layer with some maile and some leather armor, sturdy boots, bracers for you, and a long leather overcoat that doubles as a layer of protection."

Seto flashed a matching grin. He had to wonder what that was like...

"I can work with that. So I'll drop by the tailors' as soon as this nightmare's over?"

"There are parts where a blacksmith might be involved as well. In which case I do recommend Red Son's forge still. We'll have to look into it all, since I doubt you've ever had to deal with arranging armor." A more natural smile.

[The first call for mosh pit buddies went pretty well, so now Erwin is calling his other friends who he thinks might enjoy this. It helps that he's three--maybe four by now--Long Island Iced Teas to the wind, and at his absolute most persuasive.]

Loki! Hi, Loki! I'm at the club and Crowley is coming and Dolph and Levi are already here and you should come too!

[NTS NTS NTS in the background, flashing lights in the video. Who could resist such a siren song? Never mind that Erwin didn't actually get confirmation that Crowley is coming. In his heart, he did.]

[Loki blinks at the video, but doesn't let the full extent of his surprise show. Not just at the invite, but by whom. He didn't dislike Erwin, but he hardly considered them close. Still he smiled, actually a genuine one.]

Hello Erwin. My apologies, as I promised Klaus he could take me to my first night club. But it seems you're having fun. Is this your first experience?

[They're not terribly close, no, but when Erwin was scrolling through his Oracle to find people to call, Loki's name popped up and it just felt right. He seems like the type of guy who would enjoy this kind of night club.]

Who's Klaus? Call him and get him to come too!

[More new friends? Yes please!]

It is. We don't have anything like this where I'm from.

[Puck pops onto the feed with a charming grin]

I mentioned you-- but not by name, to the woman hosting the upcoming Valentine's tea party as a tester for fruit pies in Autumn. I would have offered, but I have too much of a bias towards sweet things and sweet gods of mischief I know.

Ah, Mistress Vex, as she likes to shorten her name to? I'm not sure I'd be a good tester either, considering I have yet to meet a fruit pie I dislike.

[Puck laughs] Something else we share! I'll have to remember that for the future.

It doesn't mean we can't be good critics necessarily though.

A fair point. I'll have to tone down my "It's my favorite, so that makes it automatically good" mindset and be as partial as I can manage.

It does mean that we know both what we like, but also what a thing is SUPPOSED to be. So we can tell how different or varying say, an apple pie is, done by baker A versus by baker B.

That's true. I'll prepare accordingly, I suppose.

My magic is fully back, you should come see it!

Shall I track you down before or after the angry mob fails to form?

[Sorry Gamora, there is no response. Mostly because Loki is ignoring his Oracle and doesn't even have it on him. Might have to come find him, although it won't be too hard. He's actually out in the garden.]

[Gamora does in fact seek him out. She watches him from the doorframe. She's feeling raw herself. It's buried like all complicated feelings. She leads with:] I left my pitchfork back home. Would you like me to come back later?

[That gets a snort, and blue-green eyes turning to watch her warily. Studying her, assessing... Loki is withdrawn, but he's...not lashing out. Not yet. He does not want to be hurt again, but he also doesn't want to hurt them first, so to speak.]

I'm not the kind that usually has mobs come after me with pitchforks and torches. It's subtler and yet more cutting, how the mob usually reacts to me.

[Gamora stares at him thoughtfully. She wonders if he is worried she is trying such a thing now. She's always prided herself on being straightforward since her escape. Some things are worth saying aloud.] Alice dismissed the only thing I could hold against you.

[So she isn't really here to fight. Gamora adds:] Let them come if they have an issue with your past. You're not alone.

[A reminder she thinks they both need at the moment.]

Alice responded?

[Because he hadn't seen that Gamora. He'd seen the profile pop up, and then thrown his phone at the wall. There was a bit more disarray in his room than usual, along with that device, still. Blue-green eyes had widened though with her words.

Another moment or two and then he sighed.]

So I've been told before, and yet I've always ended up so.

[He's not necessarily fighting her. Just stating it as a fact.]

She did. She likes your nickname. [Gamora doesn't apologize for spying. It's for the good of the girl they love. She takes the rest of what he says to hurt, nodding to herself to concede his point.]

Then I promise you nothing. I am here now. Do you welcome the company or would you prefer to brood on what none of us can change?

[No judgment. Just curious.]

[Loki doesn't expect Gamora to not have spied. The posts are public unless one makes a ridiculous effort to try and make them private. He breathes out a sigh of relief though, that Alice is not upset.]

I honestly did not really know I could care for others, as I've come to here. Alice makes it very easy, as a delightful and wonderful child. I'm honored to be her papa while we're here.

[All kind of in a ramble there. Gamora had hopefully observed them enough to see that yes, Loki truly did care for Alice.

To her other question though, Loki wasn't certain of his answer. He wasn't lashing out ahead of being attacked himself, seeking to protect himself from harm that way. That was progress, yes? But while he was withdrawing, and prepared to withdraw further...he was tired of being alone.]

I don't know that I welcome the company--as right now I'm feeling a great many conflicting things. And trying to not give in to old habits. But I accept and would not mind yours.

[A pause, before he added with a wry smile.]

Should Alice ask, I'll answer her questions. I won't lie, or make things seem less than they were.

I understand. Meeting Alice likely saved my life. She was hope when all I felt was the crippling weight of my failure. It is easy to imagine why you could grow to love her. You are more than your mistakes, Loki.

[Gamora argues gently. Count on Gamora to think of being kidnapped by her abuser and murdered as a personal failing. As for the rest? She can only nod in approval. While she guards her past like the dragon daughter she still misses, he can be free with his. She wouldn't discourage Loki from it.]

Be as honest as you can. She endured so much before either of us arrived here. She can handle more than I suspect either of us can imagine.

Having been with her in the Mirror-world, I know she can.

[Murmured softly, but he knew Gamora would hear. And he was so proud of Alice--facing the danger even though it was scary. It was also why he wouldn't let her go alone, whether it was her fate or not.]

I've always been judged harshly for my mistakes. Whether it was also fairly or not, it's always been harshly. I...am hoping here will be different. It's been different than anywhere else so far.

[A pause, and one leg brought up so he could rest on his bent knee.]

My normal response, at this point--is to lash out. Hurt others before I can be hurt again. Or hurt for the first time. Also to withdraw. But I don't want to do the first, so...am trying the latter for now. My device is up in my room where it fell after it hit the wall.

For what it's worth, I believe the judgment here has been reasonable. The Doctor's crimes were exposed once. No one turned against him to my knowledge.

[For better or worse. She knows it's easier for her to say. No one knows she was the favorite killer of a maniac. She isn't advertising it. Gamora does empathize with him. She tries as best she can to talk him through this while standing like the statue she is, propped against the doorway.] I understand that. When I first came to the Guardians, it was how I dealt with things. I was violent and angry. It was all I knew how to be.

[Only Groot inspired any softness initially. Peter and the others came with time.] I changed. You will too far more easily than me if you wish to. There is no shame in taking time before seeing their reactions.

It is time I need, if for no other reason to control myself. To avoid giving into old habits and patterns. Especially as I've...never really had people I've cared much for before. Not the way I do here. [It had always been more complicated, in the past. Especially with his family.

He sighed, then shot her a wry smile. Amusement in blue-green eyes, even if it was also tired and wary.]

I appreciate you not coming to lead the charge against me.

[She doesn't argue his truth. Thor came off as a good man during their time together. His mother has been spoken of with great love and respect. She knows families can hurt each other regardless of how good or bad the individuals in it are. Gamora has zero interest in trying to undermine what he is saying.] It is the least I can do. You've done right by Alice. You have been a good friend to me. I am long past the days when I betray those I care for to survive.

[At this point, she would only do it for Alice. Considering how much they love the girl, he'd probably give her tips on how to do it more effectively to keep her safe.]

[Loki found it slightly ironic that she were now not quite being therapist to him. But it wasn't unwelcome, as he'd have argued with her if she tried to do argue herself.]

I've no desire to betray those I care about. Even when I seemed to betray Thor to Thanos, it was meant as a ruse to attempt to get close to kill him. I had worded it such that I hope Thor had picked up on it.

[And then Loki had failed anyways.]

It wasn't a bad attempt, but Thanos stopped my knife before it could get to his throat.

[There is empathy and pride in her gaze. It was the correct way to handle the situation. It's sad to hear he failed even knowing that is the likely outcome. It explains a lot about how Thor conducted himself. She doesn't have to imagine the guilt he must feel given her relationship to Nebula.] For what it's worth, he made me go through an altered reality where I did kill him just to see how I would react to that. He was very pleased with my response.

[She doesn't bother hiding her disgust with him and herself. Gamora quickly shifts the focus back to Loki.] You did the best you could. That is all any of us can do when he is the opponent we are facing.

I could've done better. I could've left the tesseract to be destroyed along with Asgard.

[Yes, Loki regret that. Thanos might have come for them anyways, or for him at least, but he might not have found them so soon. Or slaughtered half their people, if Loki was able to get away.]

He's not a God, and he can be defeated. I just...if I'd had more time. I know what the heroes of Earth are capable of, what Thor is capable of. When they all work together.

[Bringing his knees up, to loop his arms around them. It seems that this is stirring up a lot of feelings in him.]

[It's tempting to be angry with him for not doing exactly that. It may have spared her life along with half the galaxy. Gamora has been killed by her abuser. She's long past the anger stage in her death. The what-ifs have never haunted her the way they did her Terran lover. They made mistakes and now they are dead for them. It's as simple as that.

She nods slowly, knowing her trauma clouds her mind. If Thanos had not held her prisoner for years, she would clearly see how to kill him. Alas, that isn't the case.]

I know what the Guardians are capable of. We slayed a celestial being together. Two of them are with your brother. [She leaves unsaid they will do better without her trauma holding them back.] They will win between the two. The Terrans delayed him once. My death will give my team all the motivation they need to do so with prejudice. Right now we can only imagine it.

[It was helpful, and nothing more than he knew about the hero types. It hadn't been the core though, as Thanos was only part of the symptoms. It was Loki regretting and feeling guilty over his actions. Even though he'd tried to make amends, to fix things, it still often came out wrong.]

That still leaves us, stuck here unless our wishes really can be granted. Or rather mine, as you're content to stay dead so long as he is.

[Loki knew that might hurt. Would sting. He hadn't stopped the words anyways as this boundary was pushed at. How could she stay his friend? Truly.]

[The look Gamora gives is hard and withering. He is trying to get a rise out of her. If Peter had said this, it would have worked. She can see the game here and refuses to play it.] Not all of us can be so clear-headed when our abuser abducts us again and finally murders us to gain the power to murder half the galaxy. I cannot go back and change it.

[It's cool and brutally honest.]

[Outwardly, Loki met that look with his own hard mask, offering no quarter nor hint of it affecting him. Inwardly was another story, as he tried to remind himself that Gamora had proven herself to be a friend. He really didn't want to hurt her.]

In theory, you could--just as I could, if we get our wishes and aren't just stuck in this place as some kind of alternative to the afterlife.

[Shot back just as evenly, almost an instinctual response before Loki shook his head, and turned away.]

...lashing out at you gets me nowhere. I'm sorry.

[Ever mercurial, though as of late his moods had been far more stable. She was not his enemy, and if he were to fight and hurt, he wanted it to matter. To be at the rightful target.]

[Gamora exhales audibly. She can practically hear Nebula right now. She'd remind her that Gamora always wanted to win. Is she pleased with herself? No, anything but. She closes the distance between them, tentatively reaching out to touch his arm.]

I am sorry too. I know my actions will hurt my family deeply. I do regret allowing Thanos to bring me so low that ending my life became the ideal scenario. I could have wished for anything and instead allowed his poison to warp my mind one last time. You are my friend and I am yours. I am sorry that knowing how low being near him brings me has harmed you. If I ever get the chance to set it right, I will for my family, friends, and me. You have reminded me I deserve better than to be another corpse at his feet. I am grateful for that.

[That had not been what Loki was expecting. He looked at her hand, but when she was done speaking, he placed his own over hers.]

You deserve better, than to be a corpse or a living dead woman. You're far stronger than he is, and far better. Seems only right you should fight for that, in my eyes.

[Then more softly.]

Thank you. Before here, I've never actually had friends of my own.

[Puck doesn't even bother sending a message. He shapeshifts into Owen and approaches Loki's cottage with the cool assurance of any businessman. Someone he loves needs to see that Puck is there for him so Puck will be there for him in both aspects of himself.]

[With the knock, Loki frowned to himself before schooling his expression to be more neutral. Closed off, giving nothing away. He was curious, as much as he'd been keeping to himself since the Oracle had written his profile. Besides, it might be for Alice or Gamora.

When he opens the door, all that he allows is an eyebrow raise. And an up-and-down look. He knows who this really is, but if Puck is risking coming here as Owen... Best to act as if the man is a stranger, yes?]

Afternoon. A pleasure, Mr. Burnette--would you like to come in?

[All perfectly composed and giving nothing of himself away, as if here were dealing with a near stranger. To help preserve Puck's dual identity, but also to protect himself for now.]

[Puck shows no reaction to the eyebrow raise or the glance over. Owen wouldn't, and right now he's in character. His head inclines slightly at the offer.]

Good afternoon. Yes, thank you.

[With that exchange done, Puck as Owen steps inside. He allows his gaze to take in the cottage for a moment as if seeing it for the first time, but his expression remains neutral. He clears his throat softly and speaks again.]

With my work finished for the day, I wanted to see how you've been. It's been a while since we last spoke, my apologies for being scarce.

[100% business professional. Apologize, even if you don't mean it, state your intent clearly. Puck could almost do the routine in his sleep.]

[Loki is translating those statements and trying to read beyond them. The cottage looks as it ever does down in the main areas. It's up in Loki's room, that some things might be obviously different. Not that Owen is going to see that room.

Ultimately, Loki is not sure what to trust as his reading of the situation. Of 'Owen' being here instead of Puck, and of the business formality that was practiced and part of that role. It could be as simple as Puck using this form as a way to start to distance himself from Loki. At least he wasn't intending to hurt Loki? Although it would hurt anyways.

Or it could be that Puck was trying to communicate with more than words and more than he as himself would usually say. Layers, and usually Loki was perceptive enough to see all of them. Especially since while 'Owen' had been scarce, 'Puck' had not. The dual identity just lending itself to more layers and complexity.

Loki didn't trust himself to read them all correctly right then. He was already fighting old habits. He was hurt, afraid--now that others knew, surely they'd turn on him. Right? Never really trusted, nor accepted for who he was. Only when he was useful, or could keep things hidden and play the smiling and charming trickster people enjoyed the company of.

But he was tired of being hurt, and looking for the ways others would do so. He wanted to believe things might be different here. It was why he was fighting his old habits to lash out and withdraw. Well, no, he was withdrawn--but he wasn't lashing out before he could be hurt more. Progress?]

I quite understand. This time of year is usually busy for small villages like this.

[Puck understands-- to a point, what Loki is going through. While he's not a mind reader, he knows people. He knows the fear that comes with what sounded like a lot of internal dialogue and fears being dragged into the open and the want to just start going into a defense mode. Puck had been through similar enough in Avalon, it's why he doesn't like Oberon and Titania in spite of serving them.

Owen smiles lightly at the comment, softer than usual.] I'll take your word for it, I don't usually spend my springs in them.

[The cottage seems empty enough and Owen removes his glasses to put them safely away. A flash of green light and Puck is standing where Owen had been a second ago. He looks at Loki and then speaks gently,] How do I help you through this?

[Now Loki really was confused, even if he wasn't showing it. One corner of his mouth lifted in half-smirk.]

Alice and Gamora are out, so your identity is preserved.

[Keeping any of his feelings from showing, although he's staring at the other for a while with Puck's words. Turning things over a lot in his mind.]

You're not here to reject me.

[Despite the statement, it's a question.]

The profile is true, if painting me in the worst light. But...you're here. I'm confused.

[Another pause, and now Loki looked away.]

This is where, before, I've always been turned on. Those who already distrusted me take it as justification, and those who weren't certain just take it as a sign that they've been fooled and betrayed. So they turn on me.

[There is a long and weary breath taken in and out, and Loki's next words are so very honest it's painful.]

I'm so tired of it.

I figured it was empty enough. I'm fast, I could duck into a room if needed. Or turn invisible.

[Puck picks up on the question under the second statement.] No, not at all. [A simple confirmation and a grin, but then Puck's expression softens.]

Hey-- [The honesty hits Puck hard and he moves to what was going to be his ace up his metaphorical sleeve. He could talk about tabloid reporters and people or in this case, bitter kings, saying whatever they could to get a reaction but none of that matters. Puck closes the distance and reaches out to take Loki's shoulders with a firm gentleness.]

You sound tired. You do. But you also sound like someone I love who's gotten used to being hurt and who expects things to go wrong more than they expect them to go any other way.

[He sighs. It's not a fun way to live. Puck had seen it in others, all sad in their own ways. Floating into the air slightly so he can be eye level with Loki properly, Puck speaks again]

My love of you isn't conditional, Loki. It never has been. That's part of love- you see the good and the bad, and you help, and you're there for your partner. That's what I was trying to say by coming as Owen-- I'm here for you, in any form that you need, because I love you.

[Then Loki had been reading at least one of those layers correctly. That, and everything else Puck said... It was true, and it was new and somewhat scary but also very much a relief. Part of Loki was still scared to trust it. Knew well that words could lie--but Puck had always backed up those words with action, as he was doing now.

Loki could not deny the hands on his shoulders, the way Puck was making it so very obvious he was here. And not to hurt or reject Loki, but to try and help him. Blue-green eyes hesitantly met Puck's gaze, and had tears in them. The mask Loki had been wearing dropped, and allowing Puck to see all the conflicting emotions and worries and fears and relief.

A swallow, and Loki reached up to put his hands over Puck's.]

I had hoped, but wasn't sure I was reading things right.

[It's soft, and a bit wavery. But with such relief and hope in the voice.]

[Puck met his gaze, held it and smiled when Loki put his hands on top of his.]

Then I'll work on making sure those messages come through clearly.

You and hope make a good pair. I'm glad I can help you find it.

[Puck tightened his grip on Loki's shoulders slightly. He wasn't sure if Loki wanted anything else physical, so Puck wouldn't assume.]

[He may not assume, because Loki also was going to make it obvious. Moving to hug Puck, and hide against him a bit. Loki was trying to let himself be vulnerable although he was so scared to as well. But Puck hadn't hurt him yet. The Fae was making it clear as he could that he would NOT hurt Loki.

And Loki wanted so very much to believe it, because he cared for the other. In ways that were more than friendship. As a partner, certainly, and likely it was love. But Loki was unsure, and not ready, to use that word yet. It was complicated.]

[Short of a giant flashing sign, Puck was, yes. As Loki hugged him, Puck pulled him close and adjusted his position so Loki could hide as needed. He let one of his hands find Loki's hair and ran through it slowly.

It was complicated, but Puck wasn't a stranger to that idea in any capacity. If Loki wasn't ready to put a word to his feelings, Puck meant what he had said about not pushing him to do so. There was no rush, because Puck metaphorically wasn't going anywhere. He chuckled a bit and joked,] Oh good, I wasn't sure if you wanted a hug.

Liar.

[There was no bite, but more that playful teasing--if very tired--in the tone. Relief in it as well, as Loki hid and tried to let himself be soothed. This had not been at all what he'd expected to find or have. It was part of how this place had changed him. Loki wasn't complaining though, as the changes had been good so far. And feeding the good within him.

So he held onto Puck, and let himself be held. Let himself cry a bit quietly in relief and hope. He'd apologize for it later, and-or get Puck a new tunic or whatever. But right then, Loki was right where he wanted to be--with Puck backing up those words with actions.]

[Puck didn't mind the crying-- he never would with friends or lovers, or really anyone else. But he would hold off on any requests for a new tunic. As Loki cried, Puck stroked his back in encouragement and chuckled again at the teasing.]

Bully. [He said equally teasing] But I don't mind.

At least the Oracle didn't call me that too.

[Said with a small hiccuping chuckle. Not that Loki couldn't be a bully if he wanted, albeit not in the way Puck meant. But he'd likely do it for different reasons now, than he had in the past. Tightening the hug a bit, trying to let Puck read his feelings that way. His gratitude, his care for the other, his trust in the other too.]

[The feelings were being pretty loud, and Puck tightened his hug in turn.] Well it wasn't trying to be kind-- I know that calling you that is a joke we have between us, but like anything else if it bothered you, I would immediately stop doing it. [There was some more combing through Loki's hair idly.]

It amazes me how well you read me sometimes, and also that while doing so--you still like me. Love me. It's....very new.

[The only time Loki had felt anything like this had been with Frigga. And obviously maternal feelings of love were different than lover-partner feelings of love. He leaned into that hair-combing, not realizing how tense he'd been as he started to relax again.]

I did work at the library for a bit, and I've been around others long enough to be good at reading them. It'd be near Oberon levels of cruel to pull my love back based on how you were acting or not acting.

[Puck felt him starting to relax and in turn Puck made sure that he didn't.] No conditions-- except for my hair. [A beat.] That sounded so much better before I said it. [He chuckled and nuzzled Loki's head]

[It was such a cheesy joke and the timing was absurd, and Loki couldn't help himself. Laughing at it, at all of it, while still clinging and hiding against Puck. How could this being still be just such a balm to him and a gift? Loki was sure he didn't deserve Puck, but he was keeping him anyway. Would fight to do so, even with himself.]

You have absolutely lovely hair. You already know you're very handsome and very pretty though.

[Puck laughed along with him, still holding on. Sometimes a badly timed joke helped break the ice. Sometimes it fell flat. Usually a little of both. Likewise Puck would keep Loki as long as the other would have him.]

The secret actually isn't conditioner! [Another mild joke, Puck felt his own shoulders shake from laughing] But thank you-- some of that comes from being fae. [But most of it was also by Puck's design] Likewise, if I ever stumble while looking at you, it's because of your equally good looks.

[Puck would also probably hide in his cottage for at least an hour and pretend it never happened.]

Is that a request I dress up more often?

[Loki moved to nuzzle Puck's hair by his ear. The grateful sigh of breath in and out would be felt as well as heard. And despite that Loki was going to be whispering in Puck's ear, he wasn't meaning it to tease or bully this time. More that it was private and personal.]

Thank you, Puck. You mean more than I can properly put into words or figure out.

It could be!

[Puck knew, for the most part, when Loki was doing some good natured bullying or teasing and when he wasn't. At the more private words being shared, Puck smiled.]

You're welcome. [He said softly, hugging Loki tightly before he added,] You don't have to put it into words. [Sometimes they weren't needed. After a moment, he resumed running of his hands through Loki's hair.]

[Loki let himself be further soothed, and was committing all of this to his memory. So he'll have it as a counter to old fears and insecurities that still could be strong.]

I know the power of words as well as actions though. So it's important I do both.

[Puck smiled.] It is, but I also trust you to do both. [Puck continued to soothe him, glad to be able to provide that strength that Loki could use when he needed.]

[Loki was grateful too, and was slowly starting to feel better. So it wasn't too much longer before he gave one last tight hug, then started to pull away slowly. Not least of which because he liked the soothing the other was doing. His eyes were a little red from the crying, and he was a bit paler than usual, but there were no masks up. Even able to give a faint smile.]

...obviously, if you have any questions about what it said...I'll tell you.

[As Loki pulled away, Puck watched to make sure he was okay. He smiled back at the statement and shook his head.] No, I don't want to know anything because you've already shared enough. I prefer not to give mud slinging computer programs or their authors the time of day. It would be the same with a gossip magazine.

[He chuckled at a sudden memory] I learned Owen could break a camera once, that was a very fun afternoon.

I suspect Owen can break a lot of things really. I'm sure you could as well if you wanted.

[Loki sighed, but reached up to take Puck's hands again. Wanting the anchor.]

I did spend a year in the Asgardian prison, after the failed invasion. Apparently the only reason I was spared the axe was my mother. She tried to make me comfortable in the cell, as I had actual furniture and all the books I could want. She visited via projection, as I've done with you before.

[A slow blink, and a sad expression.]

I was in prison when I found out she'd died. I did not take it well, although my illusions came in handy for hiding that from everyone. Thor came eventually, as he needed my help--and he suspected. But my furniture was in pieces, I was disheveled in various ways... Signs of a rather epic tantrum really.

[Puck took his hands, held onto them, and listened. When Loki described what to his ears sounded like deep grief as a "tantrum", his expression went equally sad.] Is that what you were told? It was a tantrum, and not.. You mourning the loss of a loved one? Whoever told you that is wrong. Even now.

[It was a statement, not a question. Puck couldn't imagine being so harsh.]

No one called it that. No one visited except for the einherjar who told me. And no one visited until Thor came seeking my help. It wasn't as if I hadn't had emotional outbursts before. Or that Thor hadn't either. When his coronation day was spoiled by frost giants invading, he flipped a banquet table completely over and made a mess of things that way.

[And then decided--albeit with some subtle goading from Loki--to go invade Jotunheim.]

[Puck sighed, keeping hold of Loki's hands] Then it's sad in other ways. [His grip tightened slightly] They're both ways of expressing hurt, though. [Puck tried to picture it and took a breath before he could start crying. He needed to be strong and while there was always strength in tears, it wasn't the time.]

In any case, after helping Thor I seemingly died. Because if I had gone back to Asgard as myself, it would be back in prison for me. SO I essentially usurped Odin's throne by bespelling him, putting him in the home in New York City, and ruling as him for about 4 years or so.

[Loki wanted to finish that, to let Puck have all the context he could.]

I was...used to being hurt, as you guessed correctly. I was always different, and could never seem to measure up. Or be appreciated truly for what I could do.

[Puck nodded as the context was given. It wouldn't change his opinions of Loki, but he appreciated that Loki wanted him to have the context. To make his own decisions. It was touching and showed trust. Puck felt his heart metaphorically warm a bit.]

A shame, because I think you have several gifts.

Frigga taught me a lot, seemed to value what I could do. But she wasn't Odin, who I wanted to be proud of me and never could seem to manage to make proud of me. Or Thor.

[A sad inhale and exhale, and a sad smile.]

It was important you know though.

[Loki raised his head to meet Puck's once more.]

People here have...helped me learn to change. Because you all do seem to value me, for me. For what I can do, and who I'm becoming.

[Puck listened and nodded in understanding. The want for specific approval could be a very long waiting game. Sometimes you won, sometimes you never did. He did understand it. As much as Puck hated to see Loki so upset, Puck wouldn't stop being a source of strength.

He smiled softly at Loki once Loki had looked at him.] Good-- because we do value you. All parts of you.

I suspect there'll be parts it'll be harder to value than others. But I take your meaning. Thank you.

[Loki was feeling more stable now, at least. Less a need to withdraw and prepare to be hurt. He wasn't being hurt, but was getting comforted. And that was new and a bit unsettling but also something he wanted very much.]

In a day or two, I'll check my device. Right now it's staying where it landed after I threw it at a wall in my room.

Good.

[Puck liked comforting his loved ones. It deepened the connection he had to them, and it just felt good to know he could. He nodded and moved to give Loki a kiss on the top of his head.] That's as good of a place for it as anywhere else. Now, is there anything else I can do?

[Loki leaned into the affection, moving to hug Puck once more.]

Actively, I'm not sure. But you being here--being here--is doing a lot to help. Thank you.

[Loki tried to say so much more with those words, but his emotions were all a jumble and there were some he was still trying to figure out for himself.]

[Puck again hugged him, and held onto Loki tightly]

Then I'll stay here until you say otherwise.

[Puck had planned an extended visit as needed, a few hours away wouldn't hurt anything or anyone. Puck idly ran his hands over Loki's back as they hugged.] I'll even hold off on more bad jokes. [He promised with a little chuckle]

"I think I can forgive more bad jokes, just to keep you here with me Robin." Loki said quietly, leaning into the hug again. Just grateful and trying to soak up the affection. The trust and care and love. Taking the safety offered, and Loki was grateful for it. It had been a long time since he had felt able to take that safety.

"You'll get at least an hour without them, as a show of kindness." Puck would have stayed either way, and he felt Loki knew that in some capacity. For the time being, Puck continued to hold him, adjusting his position slightly as needed. The safety, trust and love, could always be drawn from. Puck's emotional well was deep if not nearly endless. He was fine to allow those he trusted and loved to draw from it.

"Liar, you're always too kind to me." Loki murmured before soaking up more of that love, and safety, and trust. Trying to project that in turn, and that he did trust Puck. Cared for him, in ways that Loki was only beginning to figure out and to realize.

Content to stay like that for awhile, too.

After not getting a response, Seto waits a bit. He'd sensed Puck should probably go first on...this. But he starts looking around for Loki as soon as he feels ready. The house, further out...he won't give up.

Edited 2024-03-13 04:17 (UTC)

Loki is, thankfully, not all that hard to locate. He's at the cottage, either within or in the garden. Mostly keeping to himself while he wrestles with some things. His oracle has been left up in his room for now, possibly laying where it had fallen after being thrown at a wall.

This time, this time he's in the main-room of the cottage. Far from the window, but in a corner. Just kind of tucked to himself and solemn. He'll watch Kaiba warily, a bit stand-offishly, when he notices the other. But there's no hostility. It's more a sense of 'waiting' to see how Kaiba's going to react.

Seto can see that the vibe's a bit...different. He gives Loki a little smile and walks in, settling nearby. His expression's serious, warm with a fire of righteous indignation on his friend's behalf.

"I'm not leaving just because our overlord plays dirty. None of that nonsense matters to me. And...there are a lot of others it doesn't matter to either. "

"It should." Loki bit out. "It's all true, even if it's not the whole story." Retorted almost in a challenging way. Clear enough in some ways that Kaiba had thrown Loki both on and off-guard. Off-guard in that the other was clearly expecting scorn and to be hurt, and that was not happening. On-guard in that Loki was still wary, and while he was not lashing out to hurt first, he was still challenging the other. Pushing that boundary, testing it.

"You told me some of it before. I was prepared...mostly. But I don't think it knows you as well as it wants to claim it does...not the you that exists now, anyway."

He took a deep breath and stepped a little closer. "I've spent most of my life holed up in a tower, trained to not let people in because the stakes of betrayal were so high. Make no mistake, if you did betray me or my brother I would do everything in my mere human power to fight back. But I don't think you will."

He smiled a little. "Look, I'm a businessman with some dirty dealings in my closet. I know about using people, about forging a shield. I've done it before too. But I've looked at our relationship from that possible angle and I just...don't see it. I care for you, and believe it or not I'm sure you really care too."

Loki watched him, blue-green eyes studying Kaiba closely. Looking at all angles and layers, trying to read what was there. Also a bit confused, and certainly a bit paranoid. Could he believe, and trust this? That was part of why Loki was withdrawn. He was trying to protect himself.

If he were falling into older bad habits, he'd be lashing out before others could hurt him as well. But...he was trying hard not to. He had grown, and changed. Was still changing in many ways.

"From our first meeting, I've seen pieces of myself in you. And they weren't good pieces, and I didn't want you to make the mistakes I have. Not if I could help prevent them now. It's why I reached out." Loki sighed a bit, sounding tired more than anything. "I did invade Midgard with intent to conquer. I've tried to kill Thor repeatedly, although I'm over that. I did enchant Odin, modifying his memories and putting him in a home in New York, to rule in his place for a couple of years until found out. I have killed before, including innocents though not directly by my own hands and blade. I have never had people who were truly 'my' friends, and have always been regarded with suspicion because I am different. I am a trickster, I use cunning and cleverness where others use strength to overpower. I have manipulated people, and likely will again."

A snort, and a bit of a wry smile, though he wasn't looking at Kaiba. "I can't say I won't be an antagonist if it's needed, but I've been the villain and found it severely lacking. I hate being predictable as well, so I'm not likely to try that here."

"Right. The darkness of the past exists, it can't be changed...but in a way it was also from another lifetime. And here we all have the same goal: to be free of the manipulations on us by an even more powerful god, right?"

He looks at Loki, still trusting. Still here.

"Our paths in life are both changing...and if you're going to keep supporting me in that, I'm supporting you too. It's only fair."

"Oh I very much doubt that Vaeros is, himself, a god." Loki did let himself lash out with that statement. But it wasn't at Kaiba, the desire to hurt not aimed at him. It was the most Loki-like thing he had done in this whole conversation, in terms of 'normal' for Loki.

But that outburst aside, he was studying Kaiba again. And Seto would see when the mask dropped. When Loki let himself come back from being so withdrawn. To see the relief, and worry, and all the conflicting emotions this whole situation had inspired in him. The scars he'd dealt with growing up that still pained him.

There was a tired sigh, and then a more natural (if tired) smile. "How is settling in to the new place going?"

Seto will file that away for later. Oh, they'll bring Vaeros down someday. He's sure of it.

But he soon lets out a sigh of relief and smiles. "It's nice. I thought Mokuba might find it weird to adjust to such a small space, but he likes it. Atem too. It's...been different living with others. Not bad. But a few odd things have been happening there."

Now that he thinks about it...

"The water and electricity turned on, but none of us went to the crystal about it. And a laptop appeared in my room recently. Does that sort of thing happen in this house?"

"I can't speak about a laptop being part of the welcoming package. Nor can I really say about the power and water--Alice offered, pending Gamora's approval--to let me live with them shortly after I arrived so I didn't have to worry about the utilities. My contribution, and my testing of the 'wish' system, involved us having a proper hearth and fireplace."

Seto nods, content to leave the mystery alone for now. Someone cares about him...or someone's out to trick him. Hm. Weird.

But he just smiles. "I'm making some progress on getting interest for a game room. I think we might start with a chess tournament to get attention. Maybe I can even go back to making video games someday..."

But back on topic. He's here to look out for Loki. "Your family's standing by you, right? No awkwardness here?"

Loki blinked and looked surprised; his family wasn't he... Wait. His mind remembered a conversation he'd had with Laserhawk recently, about how one defined a family. Seto could see that Loki was having some realizations hit him now, he wasn't as withdrawn and the mask was down a bit.

He did have family here, of his own making. Alice certainly, with her official adoption--and he was very proud of his little princess and honored that she let him be her papa. But Gamora, and Puck, and Seto, and Eilonwy, Webby, and others who were in the strangeness of friends and 'family' of a sort. It just hadn't quite fully hit him until now.

Always so perceptive, except about himself, his Mother had scolded him once.

Finally Loki gave a little soft snort, and a resigned-but-not-unhappy smile. "They are. And thank you for reminding me of it, and being part of it too, Seto."

Seto watched him with a warm sort of satisfaction. He was still a little worried, but Loki would be all right. He'd be back to his magnificent scheming self soon.

But then he listened to those next words. No one ever his birth name to address him, save for Mokuba. It was a remnant of his life before...everything. And maybe it was a part of his true self, beyond the Kaiba way of life.

But the other word floored him more. When he'd said 'family' he'd envisioned Alice and Gamora, and probably Puck...but that he was part of it was astounding. The surprise was clear on his face, eyes widening. He froze, blinking, and then...

Seto decided it was worth risking. He hesitantly stepped forward to offer a hug, the awkwardness making it clear just how unusual this was for him. He'd take it slow and not force it, just in case Loki wasn't receptive, but...

"Yeah. I'm staying," he whispered in either case, head bowed as he made that promise.

Loki could tell Seto was awkward about it, but he definitely wanted and appreciated the hug. So he moved to do so, embracing the other fully and warmly. Acknowledging and recognizing, and smiling when he heard the whispered words. Holding it for a good moment, before letting it fade. Letting the other pull back if he wanted.

"...You're a bit too old to be offered adoption like I did with Alice, but I would count you as part of my family here. Your brother too. No strings on either of you."

Seto relaxed into the hug just a moment later. He did it right, it was fine. And he felt the warm sort of peace that could only come from finding a place to belong.

When he pulled back, he was still smiling. "I'm actually at the right age for what my country calls adoption, though those work more like apprenticeships than anything. And I guess I'm already in one."

He laughed a little. "But names and labels don't matter much...yeah, you're family to me. And I doubt Mokuba will have a problem with it, but we'll ask."

"It's also more that you're...hmm." Loki pondered his words. "You're too grown up in so many ways, to need the same kind of 'adoption' as one would have usually for a family member, were you to be my son so to speak." Hopefully that made sense.

"But the family tie is there for you all the same." Then more quietly. "Your clarity on the matter, and reminding me to see that, really does mean quite a lot to me. Thank you."

There was a brief pondering of what could've been, but it didn't last long. He smiled again and reached out to squeeze his arm.

"Family's the only word needed. I haven't had one other than Mokuba in ten years, and...some childish part of me always wondered what it would be like. I don't have to wonder anymore."

Loki shifted that squeeze of the arm, so that it was a formal handsclasp for them both. "Family it is." With all the solemnity of an oath. "And I was just conversing with one of our other residents the other day about family, and various definitions thereof. Blind of me to have not seen the parallels myself sooner.

"Agreed," Seto answered, squeezing Loki's hand firmly with a smile. He held the oath for a good moment before letting go. His heart felt a little lighter today...and he was relieved he could return the favor for once, after everything Loki had done for him.

"Hey, I didn't see it either," Seto admitted. "Like I said before...where I'm from, family is a rigid concept defined by bloodlines and strict roles. The concept of adding an outsider to the family is inconceivable for most people. But I think I like this better."

"I am certainly happy to have you be part of mine." Loki affirmed, before letting Kaiba pull back if he wanted. "Thank you, also. Those two words are inadequate, but I can't think of how to put the feelings out in any other way."

[A few days after Sleeper, Eilonwy hand delivers a letter for Loki to his cottage. In a very "I'm getting used to this specific alphabet" hand is the following letter in runes:]

Hail, Loki!
I hope this letter reaches your hands sooner instead of later. With the unpleasantness of the last few days, I'd thought about writing you a letter on the device itself but then realized that wouldn't satisfy either myself or what I wish to say properly.

First, I meant what I said in my comment defending you and your character. I still do. Secondly, thank you for taking the oath you did to help me learn to become stronger. I didn't expect to hear one of Llyr's oaths spoken back to me in a moment of self doubt and fear, but hearing it along with the promise you gave helped me in ways I can't properly put into words. Know that they helped, and I won't dishonor that by being anything less than a good student in our practices together. If you ever wish to reach out, I'm usually at my cottage, but I won't keep the burden of communicating on you, so I'll visit again in 1 day hence.

May you continue to remember how many of us here consider you a friend.

With health and good fortune sent,
Princess Eilonwy of the House of Llyr, Prydain

Edited 2024-03-13 04:24 (UTC)

[The letter is surprising both for its existence, and what it is written in. Opening it, Loki can't help the smile that comes when he sees the runes. It is a letter that is so very proper, but also so clearly "Eilonwy". It could always be a trap--and part of Loki's brain was still paranoid, still wary of being hurt again and betrayed.

But his time in Labyrinthum had also helped, giving him more reasons to fight that paranoia and old hurt. To want to take chances again, perhaps find friends--real friends--of his own. This letter was proof of that, and Loki tucked it carefully away to hold onto in times when he worried about slipping into old habits.

As it was, the time between it being sent and received, and when Eilonwy would call again was short enough that Loki would wait until she arrived. There to greet her knocks, with a small but genuine smile on his face. Easily inviting her in, as Loki had prepared tea and snacks.]

Thank you, my friend. And welcome.

[Eilonwy smiles back as she steps inside.] You're welcome, and thank you for seeing me.

I am fortunately in a better place than I was initially, thanks to some very dear people who have more faith in me than I myself had. And I count you among them.

[It's all said softly, with no bragging or ego. If anything, there's honest relief and a bit of astonishment in the tone. As if this was and is all new to Loki in many ways. Because it is and was. Still, he leads the way to the main room, and holds out her chair.]

I am not familiar with Llyr, but your oath was not hard to adapt. And I do not make them lightly, so I also take it seriously. You've been nothing but a good student and I don't doubt that'll continue.

I'm glad to hear that.

[Eilonwy smiles, follows in and takes her seat.]

Of course! I have a few things I never joke about-- learning or studying under someone is one of those.

"Sometimes a good joke is called for, or at least a sense of 'fun'. If it's not fun, why do it?" Loki said, as he took his own seat and moved to pour for them both. "I have been reminded that I do have actual friends, and family, here. I am grateful for that, and your letter is well-hidden and will be kept safe as a reminder of part of that." Acknowledging that he was doing better, and she had been part of that.

"I would like this to be a social call, although we can briefly talk about your studies."

"That's true- some fun does help as much as being serious." Eilonwy brightened a bit at hearing she had helped. "You do, yes-- sometimes remembering that can certainly pull you through hardships." It had helped during her adventures with everyone in Prydain.

"Oh, of course! Would you like to talk about them first or later?"

"First, so it's out of the way." Loki said decisively, then brought his cup up. Pondering how to approach it. "You have the basics of grounding, centering, and shielding concepts and decent practice. I think more practice, but also with a new step, is in order." It was a good start.

Loki took a drink from the tea before continuing. "I do have some affinity for mental magic, though it's nothing like when I had the scepter during the invasion." A brief allusion to the damning profile. "I can somewhat influence someone's thoughts to go the way I prefer, and I can also make someone relive their memories. What I propose next mostly involves the former skill. So that we can build up both your shields and your resistance to others trying to modify your thoughts."

Eilonwy nodded as she picked up her own cup of tea and had a drink. It was pleasant, and not too sweet.

"That does sound like the next logical step in things." Eilonwy's diplomacy kicked in and she breezed past the mention of the profile, but not to the information around it. Some more tea was had before she spoke. "I look forward to learning, and it sounds like a fine challenge. I like my thoughts as they are, so it would be best to know how to keep them that way." Eilonwy didn't want to go through everything attached to the masquerade again if she could help it. Having another weapon in the form of strengthened magic was just a smart move. She smiled.

"I'm excited to learn. Thank you again."

"I am honored that you still trust me, considering what has recently come out. It was at least 5 years ago, if not a bit more. I am a different person, and I... Being a villain was not satisfying nor worth it. It caused a lot of harm. I've no intention of trying that again." It was important she know, even if Loki really didn't want to answer all the questions right then.

"I would start obviously with suggestions for you, and then we'd get subtler the stronger your own defenses became."

"You're not the first I've met who's changed, and you won't be the last by the nature of growth itself. But I'm likewise honored you've told me. Thank you." Eilonwy smiled warmly and then helped herself to some of the snacks, eating idly as she listened.

"Then for the first time, I should expect something.. perhaps not obvious, but not subtle, either." She nodded. "Like any other training session, but with less sword work." a bit of a joke, which she laughed at.

"I mean, we could spar while doing so. It would make things more interesting and certainly keep you sharp." Loki said with an eyebrow raised, and mischief in blue-green eyes. Smiling around the rim of his tea cup.

"But yes, I'd start with unsubtle suggestions. Like 'I think I'll stand up' to stretch my legs." Which was about all the warning she'd get, before there was the very strong and not at all subtle suggestion that she do just that. The thought twisting and weaving against her shields and mind and obvious. Something in his voice, and the faint feeling of a shimmery evanescence against her thoughts.

Edited 2024-03-22 14:01 (UTC)

Eilonwy missed the mischief at first and was considering how that would work out before it clicked that Loki had been joking. She shook her head. "Not to start, but maybe in the future!"

It was a fair warning-- one that fully matched a starting point for a sudden exercise. As the suggestion carried in his voice headed towards her, Eilonwy physically braced. Her shoulders pulled back, tense suddenly, as she went into the training they'd been doing. She pictured a series of shields lifting as if they were being held by an Order of Chivalry, each knight pressing against the magic.

A good effort, for a beginner, but Loki had the upper hand even if he was being kind by making it as obvious as Bauble's flashing red for danger. As the suggestion pushed past a weaker section, Eilonwy felt herself standing. She exhaled and looked to the ground with an irritated huff. "..Close." she said after a moment to collect herself.

She sat back down and rubbed at her head with a wince. "That was a very strong first lesson!"

Edited (fixing tense first few lines!) 2024-03-22 16:25 (UTC)

Loki was watching her carefully, expression neutral and somewhat closed off. She'd done very well so far in fighting back, as he had an inkling of her struggle. It had been unexpected, and with very little warning--but had been what they were training for.

"...you're neither angry with me, nor distrusting of me, still?" As much as he was feeling more stable after the Sleepr incident, Loki needed to ask. Wanted to ask, and trusted Eilonwy to be honest with him.

Eilonwy had some of her tea and shook her head. "No? You promised to teach me, I don't expect learning something more advanced to be easy." She smiled. "Even if you're kinder than what I expect Vaeros will be if he ever tries that sort of thing again." Another snack was had.

"Being angry and distrusting of you for using your skills would defeat the entire purpose of learning and I can't just stay where I'm at and hope that Vaeros or anyone else decides to show kindness in case they feel like changing someone's thoughts. I'd only be angry if you didn't trust me to handle the lessons, and if you kept giving me gentle ones instead of moving forward."

It was an honest answer, Eilonwy knew that learning anything came with challenges but she trusted Loki to provide those. Likewise if Loki needed to hear it in so many words, Eilonwy had just shown she was fine to say as much.

"If I didn't trust you, I wouldn't have accepted your oath, Loki. I don't play lightly with them, even here."

"...I wish I'd had a friend like you growing up Eilonwy. It might've saved me from some mistakes." Honestly he wished he'd had a friend of his own, period. But especially one like Eilonwy. A nod of thanks to her as well.

"I'm quite certain Vaeros would be both subtler and use more direct magic. I admit, with time I've come to wonder also if it is not that he was using multiple spells at the feast and ball not because he is weak, but perhaps as a fail-safe and/or to make us more pliable by using many routes to get to us. Should one method fail, there had been another. If multiple angles of enchantment also happened to make us weaker to overall to the attempt, that would also serve his purpose."

Bringing a snack up himself, Loki looked at it for a moment. "Damn that I didn't have my magic then." The bite of snack might be a bit vicious, given the statement.

Eilonwy smiled at the sentiment and then had some more tea as she listened as Loki explained things.

"It's a smart strategy, if not a bit heavy handed. You have to make very educated guesses at how your attacks can work and assume a lot about your targets, especially if--" She paused mid sentence, eyes narrowing as Eilonwy realized something.

"Especially if that was your first time fighting them. If the masquerade was nothing more than a glorified training session, then.. Then Vaeros could have more planned, with better strategies for the future." Eilonwy sighed.

"No, you shouldn't blame yourself like that. You did help after everything. We all did what we could, and there's no shame in that." But it was still a bit scary to think about. Eilonwy resolved to learn as much as she could in the meantime.

"Heavy handed does not surprise me, given all we know about him." Loki murmured, letting this all turn over in his mind. "It is not unlikely, that of it being a training session and trial run so to speak. But it's also not certain. And we shouldn't assume it is the obvious when there are other possibilities too. We do not know that Vaeros views us as adversaries to be fought and conquered."

Oh, that raised an interesting point. "It brings to mind something one of my co-conspirator's mentioned too. And something I've pondered." Especially since if Loki was right, he saw a parallel between himself and Vaeros and didn't like it.

"He wants us to love him. He could easily make us be his subjects, considering how easily he brings us here and strips our abilities. It would be an artificial love, an imposed one--not 'real' as it were." And if you spend long enough in that kind of illusion, you lose sight of what's real eventually. "But if he has been deeply hurt and wounded before... If he's trying to not be hurt like that again, but also wants to be loved for who he is...this all starts to make sense. He's trying to beguile and woo us, but also not above trying to alter and use illusion to make that all come to be real entirely."

It made sense to Loki, and he wasn't sure he was explaining it well, but it all made SENSE.

Eilonwy absorbed everything and nodded at the mention of not assuming Vaeros saw them as enemies. At the mention of love, she looked off to the side in thought.

"Wooing by showing off magic, and instead of showing one's entire heart, especially if you've been hurt before, you keep it hidden. You hurt others by writing cruel things about them or by removing their abilities.." Eilonwy trailed off as she looked back to Loki.

"It's.. That idea isn't uncommon, but I've never heard of a ruler working that way. You don't gain the trust of your subjects by being mercurial." It clicked, and Eilonwy rubbed between her eyes with a sigh.

"But you would do that if you were a fairy. Because that's how they operate. All we can do is prepare, then." It did make sense, but from Eilonwy's tactical viewpoint, it was just badly planned. Loki's mention of it being 'real', stuck out.

"...The townspeople. Their love for him isn't real. What if everyone here is part of the second test?"

"We're still assuming Vaeros is a fae, and not all rulers who are volatile or mercurial must also be fae." Loki pointed out, not mentioning that he himself was often known for volatile emotions. Actually, aside from grandiose egoism while pretending to be Odin, he'd been a not too terrible ruler by some metrics.

"It may not be, or it could be by this point if it's been in place long enough. We also don't know how recent Vaeros' reign started. If it was a generation ago, then it could be starting to become natural and real, by the townsfolk, as it'd be all some of them have known."

"That's true.." Eilonwy agreed with a sigh. It was hard to let go of the idea that Vaeros was at least some kind of fae, but Eilonwy also understood that by not doing that she was limiting herself. Like ignoring a map in favor of your own sense of direction, but never actually moving.

She had some more of her tea and considered that last statement. "Another good point.. If I were somewhere for a generation and suddenly had others questioning what I knew as reality, I can't say I'd be happy about it." But the entire thing still didn't sit right with her. Eilonwy put her cup down and studied it for a moment in thought.

"I'll sort my thoughts about that later. For now, other things."

"It is always good to discuss this with you. You're one of the few who even knows my actual notebook exists." Loki said with a faint smile. "Thank you, for your support. I am...pleasantly surprised, and no little honored, that people are continuing to be my friend. To trust me."

A bit sad and wistful there, but it was true all the same.

"The accusations and deeds in the profile were true, but without full context. I have tried to kill Thor, my adopted brother, repeatedly. I have also invaded Midgard with intent to conquer, when I was young and angry and hurt. I was also manipulated, though I still made the choices to do so. I did indeed spend a year in prison which did little to reform me in some ways. In others...it changed things completely."

Eilonwy smiled back. "You're welcome, but you don't need to thank me." Another snack was considered but Eilonwy held off for the time being.

"Most rumors are like that, I've found. Insults can sometimes be very sharp words meant to strike where people are the most vulnerable." she thought back to the fight with Taran and how quickly it'd escalated. Eilonwy offered one of her hands towards Loki and spoke with a soft authoritative tone.

"I'm a princess, not a member of the court. I won't judge you on the past, because I wasn't there for it and didn't know you then. That would be insensitive to the you I do know. People change, and you've given me no reason to think you anything but what you've shown me." her tone shifted to sounding more like herself than a princess using her own understanding, "Even if those statements are true, that's not all that you are. You're showing that right now."

"The last decade, or just under really, have been very...chaotic for me in many ways. It was change or die, in some ways. Adapt or die really, though I've been trying to adapt in good ways." Loki said with a soft laugh. "I have been trying to learn to do things differently. Even when I might do something the way I've done it before, the motivation is often different now. I am still me. I will never not be a curious being who likes to look into things others won't, to ferret out secrets, and occasionally cause trouble or poke at things others won't. But that doesn't mean I have to be the villain either."

"Curious people are often called scholars in Prydain." Eilonwy remarked. "They're also well read." With a bit of a call back to the way she'd described him before, Eilonwy hoped to keep showing her emotional support of Loki. Upheaval could be hard for anyone and she couldn't picture what it would be like for any god; but she could imagine it was many times worse.

"You can do all of that and not be a villain. If secrets were never explored or trouble caused, how would one grow except by getting taller?"

"See, most people don't like it when others cause trouble. Even if it's useful. Mischief isn't often appreciated." Loki countered, but he caught the support. It was very much appreciated. "I've...seen for myself too, how it can spiral out of control in ways one never intends. So I understand somewhat why it's not always appreciated."

"There's a time and place for it, I agree. But it's still useful, even in smaller doses." Eilonwy thought back to the end of the adventure in Prydain; the wood troll showing he was alive by digging in Taran's vest pockets for apples and suddenly had a much clearer understanding. No one had been mad at Gurgi for the joke, but it hadn't been the best response to things.

"Even if it's not always as funny as it may seem." she added with a little laugh.

"That can be part of it, yes." Loki said cautiously. Time and place for it, and whether it was funny or not, often seemed to be in the eye of the beholder.

"If you have questions, I shall try and answer them. Give you context, as it were, to what was in the profile."

Eilonwy spoke with gentle but firm assurance. "I don't spend my time thinking on barbs, except on how to disarm them or how to shield either myself or my friends from them. The context is appreciated, but I don't need it. Or want it."

Her shoulders relaxed a bit as she smiled. "Unless you mean questions not related to that, then I can think of at least two that I'd love to ask."

Loki smiled; it wasn't a large one, or mischievous or anything. Just an upturn of his mouth, but a relaxing into it. Like he was grateful, and tired, but had needed to hear that. Which he did, honestly.

"Thank you, and go ahead."

Mission accomplished. Eilonwy returned the smile. "You're welcome. The first question is easy, I think. With your height, do you ever accidentally run into frames coming into a room?" Eilonwy could imagine herself doing it easily and had been curious for a while.

That brought a chuckle, and Loki let himself lean into the amusement. HE could use it, even if he was mostly feeling... More on balance again. Or if not balanced, as he was aware still that there was a lot he had to deal with, then at least more in control of himself.

"Not really,as I pay attention to the details. I pay attention to a lot of things, honestly. It's how I find out things no one wants me to know."

"Of course, it would be odd if you didn't." With that curiosity settled, Eilonwy thought of her next question. "Hm.. Then for my next and last question. Speaking of details do you ever have layers to any mischief you do? Or does it involve doing just one or two things?"

"Define layers" but that wasn't an answer. "It depends on what I'm trying to do. Some can be very simple, like turning a cup of wine into snakes. Others are more layered. I once did two copies of me, in different places, to fake out and trap my brother in a glass prison-bowl."

"More than one step, so you can reach whatever your goal is." But then Loki was explaining and Eilonwy tilted her head slightly. "How can a bowl-- well, no, if it's a very large bowl, then one could be trapped in it." She thought back to the masquerade's invisible barriers and almost stuck her tongue out at the memory.

"Why did you want to trap him?"

"At the time, he was trying to stop me. This was during the invasion. I was young, angry, hurt. I had a clear goal and also a sword hanging over my neck as it were. I couldn't let him stop me."

"Oh! Then it wasn't so much of a joke as it was a defense tactic." Eilonwy folded her arms in thought and then unfolded them as quickly. "Have you ever done it for fun?"

"Put him in a glass bowl? Not yet." Loki answered, and was sad that he likely never would have a chance. "I did turn into a snake once, when we were younger. He picked me up, and then I turned back and stabbed him." Y'know, like brothers do.

Eilonwy sighed. "Not all animals are your friends, I learned that early enough before being allowed into the forest." She imagined Loki as a snake trying to hold a knife in his mouth and laughed suddenly.

"Well yes, but you have to remember. Asgardians are some of the sturdiest and strongest beings in the nine-realms. Add to that the devil-may-care attitude that can come with youth..." But he might've been grinning. It was a fond memory.

"I do remember you mentioning it before, yes." Still, even at her most devil may care levels, Eilonwy didn't think it was a great plan to just pick a snake up. "A different kind of youth, I wouldn't have heard the end of it if I'd tried to collect a snake!"

"We were also a warrior people, Eilonwy." Loki reminded, but shrugged. "Perhaps our parents would've been different with a girl, but I doubt it. Especially having seen what our heretofore-unknown sister was actually like." Loki frowned, but really didn't want to dwell on all of that too. Bad enough he'd had his past brought up on Sleepr.

"In any case, what other questions can I answer? Preferably not about my family, please."

Eilonwy nodded. "Apologies, I said I didn't want details and then.." she shook her head, aware of the faux pas. She fell quiet for a moment in thought before she found another question to ask.

"You're well read, but do you ever write things yourself? Poems, short stories? Songs?"

Loki waved off the apology, but was glad she understood. He was a bit surprised by her question, but smiled. "Occasionally. My Yule gift to Puck was actually a play version of our shenanigans at the masquerade ball under the mistletoe. I've not done much writing lately for fun other than that."

"An entire play!" Eilonwy exclaimed. "That must have been a lot of work. But I haven't done much writing for fun either. Most of mine in Llyr involves record keeping or notes on what I'm studying. Maybe I'll try some later, to see how I like it."

"It wasn't terribly hard, as our shenanigans at the ball were very theatrical. It made it easy to adapt." Loki demurred, but still had a proud smile on his face. "What would you write for fun, while here? Besides notes of various kinds."

"Besides just notes.." Eilonwy trailed off and thought it over. "I think I'd try copying some of the myths from Prydain as a whole. But if you also mean besides copying things, probably poetry? It can be fun to write, and it's almost like writing song lyrics."

"I would love to read, or hear spoken aloud, myths from your home." Loki was not as well versed in many of the details of the various myths of the nine realms (especially Midgard) but he had at least learned the basics for most. It was fascinating to him, and not leastwise because of how one part of Midgard had viewed him and his brother and others as Gods.

"I'd be speaking for at least a day if I told you all of the parts of the four branches of the Mabinogi! But I could start with the first part since it explains everything and covers different characters."

Eilonwy knew enough about Prydain myths to fill at least two journals. Most of the other legends were passed down by word of mouth, as people traveled and shared between them. "Should I start now?"

"Whenever you'd like, written or spoken. I always found it interesting to learn the mythologies and legends of other cultures. Midgard in particular had a wide range that was quite impressive in variety." But Loki also didn't want to pressure Eilonwy. Having her there, in many ways reaffirming that yes, she was his friend and student, and she trusted him, was helping quite a bit.

Eilonwy thought back for a moment before she spoke again. "You'll need to know the first for any of the rest to make sense. As a whole, the branches make a connecting tree tying bloodlines together and relationships. Each branch covers a different collection of who we know as gods but are also figureheads for Prydain as a whole." She started to recall the names of specific figures as she explained things.

"The first covers Pwyll, a prince of Dyfed-- a kingdom in the southwest. In Prydain we call the after life Annwn. It's paradise-- there's everything you'd want, your loved ones, and no one ever gets sick or runs out of food. This is ruled over by King Arawn."

She stopped to sort out the next section but also to give Loki some time to ask questions if he wanted to.

"Tree symbolism is used in a lot of cultures. Including in Asgard, given Yggdrasil." Loki murmured, but also paying rapt attention. He nodded when she was finished, and idly wished he'd brought a notebook. Not his NOTE-notebook, but something write all this down with and on.

"So this first branch deals with Pwyll, and likely the afterlife Annwn yes?"

"Only for a little bit, actually! Pwyll and Arawn met and had the idea to swap places with each other. Arawn enjoyed the time away, and Pwyll got to see Annwn ahead of his own death. But King Hafgan, the other king of the afterlife wasn't pleased by any of it and challenged Pwyll to a fight." It really was more of a very nice backdrop for some interpersonal drama, and Eilonwy felt herself getting into the story as she recalled it.

"What was the difference in the afterlives? and I could see the king enjoying a break from his usual duties easily." But Loki was listening, and trying to not disrupt but more put things together for himself.

"Oh no, there's just one, but it has two kings!" Eilonwy explained. "They're always fighting, and this ties into things. Before Pwyll and Arawn traded places, Arawn told Pwyll that if Hafgan ever challenged him to a fight then he would need to make sure to end it with precisely one strike. No more, no less. Pwyll remembered this as Hafgan again challenged him to a fight, offended that Arawn had left in the first place. Pwyll accepted and prepared himself."

Loki listened, and held his question about why two kings? It could wait, and he was already pondering reasons why. Why Hafgan would need to be defeated in one blow. Was that a condition only for Pwyll? Was the other honor-bound (or otherwise) to accept the challenge?

"Hafgan held off on actually starting the fight, and the two met one year later. Pwyll was disguised as Arawn and the two fought properly this time. Pwyll still remembered the warning about Hafgan needing to be felled in one stroke. Arawn had explained that in the past when he had fought Hafgan and almost killed him, Hafgan had begged for one more hit. But this was a very clever trick by Hafgan! By taking anything more than one strike, he would recover as if he'd used magic and be able to fight again at full strength the next day."

It really was a smart strategy, and Eilonwy had asked how that had worked, but had never gotten any kind of explanation that worked for her.

"Ah." Loki said, in understanding. He could think of a number of reasons how that might be done. "I suspect I'd have to know more about the stories and delve deep, to determine just how Hafgan may have done that. But it is not impossible." A soft chuckle. "Not that I meant to interrupt, please continue."

"Honestly, I think it's some kind of spell, but no one has ever answered." Eilonwy answered before assuring him with, "No, that's fine! To continue; the fight began and Pwyll made very short work of brutally injuring Hafgan. As Hafgan lay on the ground wounded, he begged Pwyll to finish the job and strike him again. But since Pwyll had been told about Hafgan's trick, he refused and told Hafgan that even though it might be something he would regret in the future, Pwyll would leave him alive.

Hafgan was stuck-- he couldn't use his trick to heal, but his lords had just seen him be nearly defeated and in their mind, begging to be defeated instead of fighting and showing his courage. Hafgan told his lords that his death had been met, even if it wasn't physical and he would stop being their king. That's how Annwn went from two kings to one, with King Arawn being the only one recognized moving forward."

[Eilonwy pops onto the screen, looking equal parts surprised and a little pained] Hail again, Loki. I know we're currently practicing my mental magic for protecting against suggestions, but I should also tell you that my ability to speak without moving my mouth has returned-- at least some type of it.

[She shakes her head and winces a bit] It's different in that Bauble, what I usually talk to, isn't with me. I don't sense it, so I shouldn't be able to feel that ability; but.. [Eilonwy trails off and lifts her shoulders in a quick little shrug, at a loss for how to explain all of this.] But you should know, as my teacher and friend. I may ask others for advice, but I haven't decided yet. Most of today has been spent just readjusting and fighting off a headache.

[With a wave, she ends the message]

...Telepathy. That would be the likely term, and we can test that theory when I get there. Stay where you are--assuming you're at home, and get comfortable. A headache does not surprise me.

*************************************************************************************************************

It was a while before there was a knock on Eilonwy's cottage door. A quiet one, more of a tap. An accompanying text was sent via the oracle as well. This was an interesting development though, but first he wanted to make sure that Eilonwy was safe, and not hurting further. Possibly also, depending on this new talent, to keep others safe from her as well.

Loki waited patiently though, bearing a basket with him.

Edited 2024-03-25 23:57 (UTC)

I'm home, yes.

[BAM it's a transition!]

Eilonwy had spent most of the time after that message lying down with her eyes closed. Her eyes hurt, like they often would if she spent too long working by candle light in the evenings. With a groan she forced her eyes open long enough to let them adjust to being open. At the soft knock and a beep from her oracle, Eilonwy pulled herself to her feet and made it to the front door. It was eased open and Eilonwy gave a faint smile as she kept her eyes focused on the green in Loki's tunic. Anything that absorbed light was currently her friend. The curtains in the main room had also been drawn and knotted in place in the center.

"Please come in!"

Loki was halfway moving as she said the words, sliding in easily and then shoo'ing her back to a comfy chair. Let him get the door and deal with this. Then he took a moment to observe the surroundings. Nodding to himself, as that made sense. Holding out a hand, and sending a soft green mage-light or two up to the ceiling to provide some light, but just a bare one.

"So, when did this start. Also please remind me of Bauble and how you communicate with it." Keeping his voice low, but there was a hint of authority in it. Moving to a table as he started to bring stuff out of the bag. A stoppered gallon jar, and small tea-bags, along with some cloth-tubes filled with...something.

Eilonwy couldn't help giggle a bit at being shoo'd. She took a seat on a chair near her bed and watched as he worked before she started to answer.

"The headaches? A few hours ago, but I've felt the telepathy since about this morning, after I finished my chores. The headaches have been coming and going, so I pulled the curtains and put myself to bed for most of the afternoon. Oh-- yes, of course. Bauble is a gold ball-" Eilonwy held her hands up long enough to make roughly the shape of a softball.

"About this big that can float around and use telepathy to speak to me. Usually in short sentences, or repeating words. It can also flash red when there's danger or when it's angry. If I want to talk back to it, I simply close my eyes and think in its direction. It's hard to explain, but when I do that I can feel like it's listening."

"That sounds like Telepathy for certain, although to be certain we can test it." Although he didn't sound too happy about that. "In any case, you might be having a reaction to a new sense and skill opening, and you're not somewhat 'aware' of the presence of everyone else's mind. Everyone has natural shields, as we've gone over before, and it doesn't seem to be strong enough that you're leaking thoughts or they're leaking to you. We want to avoid that. But it's like suddenly using a muscle you haven't before, and over doing it. Hence..your headache."

By now he at least knew the basics of where Eilonwy kept things. A kettle was set up first, and a cup, for tea. Then a pot, as the gallon stoppered jar was revealed to be a broth-starter. The key was to dilute it a bit.

"Avoiding the light is good, but not a long term solution."

Eilonwy picked up on that tone but didn't comment on it. As Loki explained she shook her head. "No, I'm not hearing anything and I don't feel like I've been sending my thoughts out-- but I'm only used to doing it with Bauble, that's what's surprising me the most. I shouldn't be able to do it without it." The muscle analogy made her laugh a bit, in spite of the headache.

"Like running after being used to walking. At least leg cramps don't hurt as badly!" Eilonwy was fighting the urge to keep her eyes closed, but it was a fight she was winning for the time being.

"I figured it wouldn't be one, and I don't want to simply get used to only being awake at night." she joked.

Loki chuckled softly, and the authority was unconscious on his part. Mostly because he was taking charge of the situation. "You can keep your eyes closed for now if you want. I brought a light broth for you, and some teas that will help ease the pain. I've also brought you some cloth-tubes filled with herbs and small pebbles. Wrap one in a wet towel and set it on a grate over a fire--not within distance to catch the flame, obviously. Keep it there for a few minutes, and then you can place it on your head or your neck or over your eyes. You have two."

Definitely something he'd picked up from Frigga, and had been looking into already for her or himself.

"Now, the easiest way to test and be certain this is telepathy, is to use it. It's...not my preferred choice. Mostly because I've been on the receiving end of it involuntarily and no one gets to ransack my mind like that again while I have any control over it." There was a fierce undertone there, and a bit of a growl, that meant there was a story. "BUT. You and I are familiar with each other, and...I trust you. So, to be certain--if you want, I'd like you to try and 'talk' to me, as if I'm Bauble."

Loki took a deep breath in, and out, as this would be tricky and he was making an effort to lower his own shields.

Eilonwy closed her eyes almost immediately after Loki had given the okay. She listened "Two tubes.. Right, I'll plan when to use them." Eilonwy filed the instructions away for the future and continued to pay attention.

Aware that Loki's undertone and growl wasn't being directed at her, Eilonwy wasn't upset as if it had been. There was a second of hesitance. "You're asking me to, and you've said you trust me. It would be foolish not to treat that kindness well." A diplomatic, but also very true, answer. She turned herself towards Loki's voice and concentrated.

The thought formed in her mind and Eilonwy pushed it forward. It would reach Loki after a few seconds, unfolding into something he could understand. "Thank you for the help!"

Loki grimaced, not because it had hurt or because it had done something else. Mostly to express the unpleasantness even though he was doing this. As soon as it had come though, his own mental shielding was snapping back into place hard and almost with an audible sound.

"That...that is telepathy. In theory, you'll be able to talk to anyone that way. And if they 'think' at you, you could probably pick up on it. I don't think you want that yet though." No more upset in his voice, but there were soft steps as he came closer. Moving slow, but to place a hand on her shoulder and squeeze softly. Reassuringly, also a sign of friendship-affection.

"The good news is that much of the work we're already practicing and doing will serve you well with dealing with this. The other good news, is that I can help reduce the likelihood of you having pain from it until you're ready to deal with it." Soft-voiced still, and much more reassuring.

Eilonwy felt the connection snap like a thread and she opened her eyes after a moment, looking over Loki in concern. "Did I hurt--?" He didn't seem hurt, and his tone was soft. She relaxed and reached up to rest one of her hands over Loki's in kind.

"No, I don't want that. With Bauble it was only the one series of thoughts, and they're so short that it doesn't bother me. I can't imagine suddenly having someone's thoughts coming into my mind. Not easily. Not right now, at least."

As he mentioned an option of reducing things, Eilonwy looked relieved. "You can? Is it through the teas you brought?"

"They'll help, but this would be a form of mental manipulation that requires you to work with me." Another squeeze, and Loki moved to sit on the floor nearby. "I...spent a year or so in the dungeons, as a prisoner, in Asgard. My punishment for invading Midgard. I was only broken out, so to speak, by Thor because he needed my help. Once that aid was given, it would've been back to the dungeons with me, likely to rot without Frigga around to try and make me comfortable. She was killed, earlier--and was part of why Thor needed my help." Giving her the brief version.

"In any case, I aided Thor, but faked my death. I did kill the einherjar who came to investigate or capture me, and took his place. I confronted my father, and did manipulate his memory and his mind to forget who he really was. Then I put him in an elder-care home in New York in Midgard, to stay for a while and I ruled while pretending to be him."

None of it was said with any bragging or overt pride. "It was hard, as he was very strong willed and did have magic of his own. But mother taught me well, even if she didn't teach me this." A sigh, and Loki briefly let himself remember. That Odin said Frigga would've been proud. Letting a sad smile come to his face.

"I'm sharing this though, because what I can do is similar but you'll be an active participant instead of fighting me. With your permission, I can place a shield on you that you'd have to 'fight through' to speak to anyone else. For now. I have no telepathy of my own, but we can continue to work with this new wrinkle with our lessons anyways."

Eilonwy listened and nodded, picturing some of it as best that she could. "Faking your death sounds like it would be very hard to do." Eilonwy remarked softly. "I'm glad it was only faked."

She listened to the rest of it, and gave Loki a small smile in return. "If it helps at all, I wasn't born with telepathy-- it only came on after I'd had Bauble for about half of a year. That could also explain why I'm struggling so much.. But the shield does sound like a good idea." Eilonwy folded her arms in thought as he explained how it would be done.

"Then it's the opposite of our lessons. I wouldn't be fighting having you inside of my mind. I can do that."

"You'd be extending a mental hand, so to speak, and I'd be building you a shield. You'll know how it's constructed, how to take it down, but it'd be mine in terms of the resources used so it won't tax you. It'll act as a sort of insulation or cushion you have to fight to get your telepathy past for now unless you take it down. But that way you're not having that 'muscle' get more injured from using it while you get used to it." Loki hoped that would make sense.

"As for faking my death, I'm very skilled with illusions." That did bring a smirk though and a hint of smugness.

"Then it's like hiring a free lance." Eilonwy managed a giggle at the idea but winced as another jolt of pain hit. "That sounds better than my trying to remember not to use it." That was the problem with the link with Bauble, it was always active and Eilonwy had simply gotten used to telepathy on that specific level. This was just new enough to be a challenge, along with returning after months of not having the power.

She rubbed between her eyes and took a slow breath. "Well, pride in ones powers is never a shame." she remarked as the pain ebbed for a moment.

Loki chuckled softly with her statement, but got to his feet. "I've spent centuries in practice. And I do think it's a better solution than relying on memory alone." Which wasn't to say her memory wasn't very good. But this way would be less taxing on her and easier for her to deal with.

"I'm going to place my hands against your head. Your hands will go over top of mine, and you can stay seated for this. Once you extend that mental hand and I've 'taken' it, you'll be able to observe what I'm doing so to speak. You and I may also catch stray wisps of thought, as the mind is often busy even when it's focused primarily on one task. Is that alright?"

Loki made a very good point. Having a guaranteed way of stopping would be much easier. Eilonwy listened as he explained what was going to happen and nodded. "Yes, that's fine." She took a breath to steady herself and made sure her hands were open.

"When you're ready."

"Alright. This also gives time for the tea to boil." Because it was likely Eilonwy would need it, after this. But Loki moved, to place his hands at either side of her own--just above her ears and parallel with her temple. Closing his own eyes, as a green glow came softly from his hands.

Just waiting for her to make that connection physically and mentally.

Eilonwy reached out and stopped her hands when they met Loki's. The mental shields stirred for a second but she forced them to stay down and kept her breathing steady. As Eilonwy concentrated she pictured herself reaching out to Loki. There were sudden dashes of light at the corners of her mind's vision, some vanishing faster than others.

Smiling a bit in reality, Eilonwy followed after them and watched as they shifted into formless blobs for a few seconds. She reached for it and watched as the light wrapped into a tall and familiar figure. Loki-- or at least some form of himself. Concentrating, she thought towards it.

"If this didn't work, then I'm very good at imagining things."

"I'm aware you are." Heard in reality as well as the thoughts 'forming' for her to read. Loki's 'figure' was all shifting light and shadow, play of reflection and refraction and ever-moving. Hard to grasp, hard to find. He was reaching out as well though, with magic, which meant she could find him more easily. Much like when he was training her in mental magic.

"Now, we build the shield." Much as he'd described it, Loki started shaping energy around and just at the inside of her own shields to cushion. Building up layers that were soft and flexible, but strong. Hundreds of hundreds of tiny little pieces that interlocked to create that flexibility and softness out of what was diamond hard bits. Showing her how he layered it, so she'd know how to take it down when she wanted. All made of ever shifting green-light with hints of varying degree of 'cold'. And a conscious effort to sand down the edges, to make them less jagged and sharp.

Tedious work and hard on the mental muscles, but that was why Loki was doing so, and not Eilonwy.

Eilonwy's figure wasn't much different than how she looked in reality. A bit transparent, but not constantly moving. She watched as he worked and made sure the shields were kept down. It reminded her a little of watching gem cutters. There was a stray thought of a box of cut and polished gemstones being displayed for a second before Eilonwy concentrated.

"Is it easier to build with smaller fragments? It seems like you're making more work for yourself."

"It can be, but I've had practice. My own shields are many layered and I will change them up occasionally as well. This will provide you the best support for now that I can give you. But you know the 'chinks' and holes to get through, if you need or want to." Again the words were heard in her mind as well as aloud.

There was even a faint ripple in his image that might've been laughter at her stray thought.

"Not too much longer though."

"Right.. That does make sense." The laugh caught her off guard and Eilonwy found herself laughing in return a little.

"I feel like I shouldn't be surprised at how fast you can work considering you just mentioned having practice, but.." There was some unspoken surprise. Eilonwy idly looked herself over and then back to Loki, suddenly curious.

"Could I learn to change how I look when we're doing this? Or is it something that's decided once the connection has been made?"

"Do you mean change your mental appearance?" Conversing was making it take a bit longer, but it wasn't so distracting Loki couldn't do so. It meant that she might pick up stray wisps of half-formed thoughts from him. Now there were hints of curiosity and amusement, a faint half-image of a room full of books and someone saying words that were not remembered against a backdrop of warm golden lights and brown.

"You're the one in charge of how you appear. In theory, I could change how I look to your mind's eye but that would be harder. However I look is based on both my own shielding and however you conceptualize me. This is part of why we have the physical connection for the magic to work; so that I'm not having to fight your own shields, nor you mine, to do this."

The talk of shielding and mental appearances also brought a stray wisp of thoughts leaking to her. Feelings of caution, and also protectiveness. That latter was tinged especially towards her with a hint of possessiveness as well. Images accompanied these feelings, but the image also shifted from the darker-tinged to lighter-emotions. Seen in visual shifts for a second of Loki in armor. First one, that seemed harsher and grittier while still regal, commanding. Then another that was lighter, polished, more balanced.

"Yes!" Eilonwy answered as Loki's stray thoughts showed themselves for a moment. Words-- rendered in silence instead of anything she could hear. The light felt a bit like the sun.

She listened as he kept talking. "Then your shields are like oil paints, but the way I see you is working with that. A good team effort." A bit of a joke, but it was also a little true.

The mix of emotions were met with surprise, especially at the dose of possessiveness. The first image caught Eilonwy off guard a bit and she was too busy taking everything in to think about anything else. As the emotions shifted again along with what she was being shown, Eilonwy found her voice.

"It's very fitting armor-- I think the second fits you much better."

There was a ripple in the 'form' again, surprise coming through easily before Loki took a deep breath and refocused. "I did warn you that stray thoughts might be easier to catch like this." Fortunately he was setting the last few pieces in place. Being certain she could see it, feel the shield.

"I'm going to pull away now, and if you want to try testing it you can. It should feel more difficult to reach out at all." Warning her, again words and thoughts saying the same thing. Before Loki let the green glow of his magic fade, and moved to pull away from that 'hand'. Retreating entirely and taking a deep breath once he opened his eyes.

"Your head is likely going to remain sore for a bit, but that's why I brought tea and broth. And comforting hot packs, in those fabric tubes." He'd get to the stray wisps of thought in a moment.

Eilonwy watched as the vision of Loki in her head dimmed out. She tried sending a thought out and watched as it essentially reached the shield before returning back to her like a gently tossed ball.

Her eyes opened and she took a second to readjust before Eilonwy smiled softly. "It is, yes. I'm glad-- I can manage all of the pain well enough. I was just concerned about the spilling over as you phrased it. I've never had that happen with Bauble, so if it can be held off, then that's all the better. Do you ever get headaches from using your magic?"

"I have before, yes. Both with plain magic when I over-extend myself, often when I was younger, and also if I'm doing a lot of mental magic work." A quick visual check, before Loki was moving to her kettle and preparing a cup of tea for her. This was why he'd come prepared after all.

It took him a moment also to think about what images of him in armor she had caught as he'd been mostly focused on his shielding. "The first armor is more recent, as the second more golden set was when I was in Asgard. I do not have either anymore, however."

Eilonwy was still dealing with the headaches and her skin was slightly more pale. Besides that, Eilonwy felt as normal as one could with a headache.

She watched as he worked on making a cup of tea and moved to stand to help. She wouldn't be a bad hostess. "I've never had armor of my own, but I've seen different kinds in Prydain and in books. It--" There was a wince as the headache found a new dose of strength. Eilonwy frowned and tried to push through it as she headed for the kitchen. "It's nice to think about what mine could look like."

"Go sit back down. Yes, it's your house and no, you're not being a bad host. This is a teacher helping his student, not a guest doing for themselves." Loki turned his head enough to give her a look.

"The first was mostly ceremonial although it was functional in combat. That is, the more golden set. The other was made from it when I spent a year in the worst parts of the galaxy on my own, with nothing to survive by but my wits, my powers, and what I had on me."

Eilonwy met his look for a long moment before she sighed and returned to her chair. He was right, but it was hard for her to put aside her hosting manners. "..Fine." she said with a bit of a huff.

Once she was seated again, Eilonwy listened. "I'm glad all of those served you." she remarked gently. She didn't know the details but the way Loki was succinct about explaining it as being the worst parts of the galaxy left little to imagine.

"You can be mad with me all you want on this, but you'd be telling me the same if the roles were reversed." Loki pointed out, watching the tea brew.

"I survived. It has been three times now, with my arrival here, that I've found myself somewhere new and strange. Often unceremoniously, on my own, and with only what I have on me to survive. This place has so far been the kindest, the lack of powers at first notwithstanding."

"I'm.." Eilonwy sighed. She was mad, and there was nothing wrong with recognizing that. Her expression softened as the pain took a momentary break and she allowed that annoyance to pass. It really didn't make sense to dismiss someone's kindness, and she knew that. "I'm aware of that." Eilonwy said with a sigh. "My apologies."

She listened and then spoke again. "I've never traveled to other worlds, or met people from different times." Eilonwy looked towards the floor for a moment. "It was a shock, and--" She looked back up to Loki properly.

"Yes! Waking up without my own power was also surprising. I've been telling myself to stop comparing this place to Llyr or Prydain, but it's hard. How have you traveled so often and not.." Eilonwy trailed off and tried to find the right way to phrase what she was thinking. "Not simply been confused each time?"

Loki let her work it out, and watched her. Listening as well, before finishing preparing her tea. Picking up the cup, he came over and put a hand on her shoulder. Squeezing affectionately, before guiding her back to her seat.

"For all you are an adult in many ways, you are also still young and growing my friend. And you've been dealing, here, with things that older adults than you have trouble with." Keeping his tone and expression comforting, but not condescending at all. "Asgard acted as peacekeeper for the other 8 realms, and my sudden jaunt across the dregs of the universe was not the first time I'd traveled thankfully. Raised as I was, with Asgard's role, we also made it a point to learn about the other 8 and some of the realms beyond that. I had met people from a different 'time' only because of my own long life."

Once she was settled, then Loki'd take his seat on the floor again and was untroubled by it. She was friend and peer, student and ally. His friend and peer and student and ally, as she'd gotten a glimpse of. Which meant he would protect and do his best to care for her as well.

"In some ways, you can compare this place to what you know. There'd be no way not to, especially if they are all you know." The rest of the question though required some more thought and he took his time with it.

"Confusion is somewhat normal. I think it helps that I AM a trickster, and so I'm very used to adapting and making things up or working as they come at me. Plans I have need to be flexible, and so do I. But it's... That doesn't mean it can't be difficult. It can still be frustrating too."

Eilonwy took the cup of tea as Loki handed it off and then made himself comfortable on the floor. Taking a small sip, she nodded at the tea and found it pleasant.

"It's.. it is difficult, yes." Another drink of tea as it started to work on her headache. "I don't feel ashamed by that, I just feel.. Suddenly very aware of myself compared to some adults that I know. I've heard about things I could never even fathom, spoken of easily! Even hearing that you've traveled no less than three times to entirely different areas is.."

Eilonwy looked at the tea, but didn't have more. "It's amazing, and confusing both. So I try to compare all of this to Llyr or Prydain where I can, which has helped, along with the friends I've made." There was an appreciative smile.

"Those three times were not by my choice really, if that helps at all?" Loki offered, although he had a feeling it wouldn't. The first honestly might or might not have been choice, as he had been certain he was going to die from letting go of Gungnir. Not be flung to the far corner and worst parts of a universe.

"Honestly you've shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, and that's something to be proud of. Yes, you may be very aware of yourself, but that makes it all the more remarkable. You are not breaking; you are, in fact, coping very well. You're not turning hateful, or distrustful, or mean. You're not giving in to fear from that confusion. It speaks to a strength of your character which I'm not at all surprised by."

Eilonwy had another quick drink of her tea. "It's.. It wouldn't be kind of me to reduce what happened to 'it was still traveling', so I'm not going to do that." she said simply. The headache wasn't fully gone but the tea was noticeably helping along with the mental shields.

With a faint smile at the sudden compliment storm, Eilonwy fell quiet for a moment. "I'm proud of myself!" she assured him, "But my strength comes from my character as much as it comes from my title. A leader needs to know when to use their heart along with their head." She giggled suddenly. "Even if there's telepathy involved. Your compliments are very kind, Loki, and honestly something I did need to hear."

The cup was warming her hands and Eilonwy shifted her position very slightly to make sure the heat was somewhat evenly distributed.

"I'm not surprised by your strength either--" a beat. "No, that's completely not true. I'm very surprised by your physical and magical strengths. But not by your emotional strength at all."

"Not all leaders are so responsibily-minded or trained so well. They can be arrogant, or prone to letting their emotions over-rule them. They can insist they are always right and correct, as that is part of why they are the ruler." But Loki was proud of her, and nodded. He'd thought she might need to hear the compliments and reassurance.

On the one hand, she very much was an adult--certainly by her people's standards. At the same time though, she was still a child learning to be grown-up. And not simply because Loki was very much older in years by several centuries. So he walked a delicate balancing act, but was trying hard to do so. He respected and liked Eilonwy, considered her a friend.

Then it was his turn to raise an eyebrow, and look somewhat surprised. "Oh? Any of that, I will credit to you and other friends I've made here. I was not very strong emotionally before arriving in this place."

"They can be, it's true." Eilonwy had met a very good example of that kind of ruler in the Horned King, but she'd also met other arrogant monarchs. It had been a very good test of her communication skills. She smiled at the nod and took another drink of the tea. The headache was getting quieter by the moment like an ebbing current.

Loki wasn't the only one dealing with balancing acts-- as much as Eilonwy was herself first and a princess second, she rarely allowed herself the luxury of forgetting what being a princess meant. She could rarely afford to, but she also equally liked Loki and had respect for him.

"Then I'm very glad that all of your friends have helped." Eilonwy smiled at the surprised expression Loki wore and had some more tea. "I hope we're able to continue to do so." She looked towards her bed for a moment and then back to where he was sitting on the floor.

"Would you like a quilt to sit on?"

Loki blinked, looked at the floor he was sitting on, then laughed to himself. "Right, I'm indoors and can make myself more comfy. I was a bit distracted." Getting to his feet, Loki twisted a hand and a large green cushion appeared. Which he then proceeded to settle on, still on the floor and grinning at her mischievously.

Edited 2024-03-28 19:57 (UTC)

"That does--" Eilonwy's sentence stopped before it could finish as Loki just pulled a cushion out of thin air. She watched as he did in fact make himself comfortable and laughed, thankful she hadn't taken another sip of her tea.

"That does happen, as I was going to say. But I also don't think I should be very surprised!" Eilonwy had seen her share of traveling spellcasters and performers who were just skilled at slight of hand. She shook her head. "You're the god of mischief, and that also fits."

That brought a good chuckle and he winked at her. "I'm a god of many talents, if you couldn't tell. Any you want me to pull out to amuse you, currently? While you're resting and recovering, since the hard part has been completed."

"I did have an inkling, yes." Eilonwy answered with an amused smile before she thought for a moment. "You've already shown your skills in medicine and conjuring objects.. I know you can also sing but it'd be rude to ask you do that after you've made yourself comfortable, so I won't request a song."

Eilonwy finished the tea in her mug and nodded as she thought of a topic. "Since I'm having tea, do you have any favorites you like? Ones you can't find here, maybe?"

"I'm not actually that skilled in medicine, this is just what I remember my mother and the healers doing. For me or others, but especially for me when I had headaches of the kind you describe." Loki explained, entirely comfortable. "Tea has always been just a drink for me, so no real favorites other than those that have a hint of fruit to them. It was always something to be drunk when sick, or when you were avoiding Mead or Wine for whatever reason. Which was rare. Do you have any favorites?"

Eilonwy listened, smiling at the mention of fruit. "That does sound familiar-- but most of our teas don't have as much of a flavor to them. If anything it tastes like light citrus, but I had one before from a neighboring kingdom that tasted like flowers and honey, it was very pleasant!"

Eilonwy thought back for a moment and laughed a little. "It did feel very different to be eating flowers instead of admiring them."

"Some of the floral ones are nice, but all tea with honey is good." Loki grinned, reaching out one hand to touch the floor. Letting it glow green, and giving Eilonwy an illusion of her cottage having a meadow with small wildflowers growing in it.

"How is your head?"

"It's very true." Eilonwy agreed. As her floor was replaced with a meadow of wildflowers she leaned forward a bit to admire them.

"It's much better-- the pain isn't fully gone, but it's lessened. Thank you again." She looked up from the flowers and smiled.

The illusion was very realistic visually and for how it felt, but there was no scent. "The tea should help, as should the shield, in keeping you from the worst of the headaches. You might still have a mild one here and there, but it'll lessen as you get used to things." Loki was smiling too, glad she was feeling better and glad to have made her smile.

"Good.. Hearing that does help me feel better about it. I'll just take the next day very gently to be safe." Eilonwy sat back properly in the chair and idly watched some of the flowers. "It must be quite fun to be able to do magic like this. I'd get nothing else done for at least a few days if I had the ability." She pictured covering her castle with flowers and laughed again.

"The castle would be at home in any forest."

"Would you prefer a different illusion?" Loki asked. "I won't say it's not fun, because I'd be lying. It comes in handy too, as I can make copies of myself and others as well."

"No, this one is very nice and I don't want you to strain yourself." Eilonwy blinked at Loki's last comment. "Copies? Are they like drawings? Or can they move and talk?"

"I'm nowhere near straining myself, Eilonwy." Loki reassured. Except it wasn't the Loki sitting on the floor cushion in the field of flowers, smirking to himself. This 'Loki' was over by her kitchen, moving to examine the broth things before turning to her with a smile.

"And no, not like drawings. Give me more credit than that." Yet one more 'Loki' said, sitting on her bed and crossing their arms. Close enough to reach out and touch, if she wanted.

"I'm glad, but..?" Odd, Loki wasn't speaking. She followed the voice and saw Loki in her kitchen. She gave a smile, a little embarrassed to have thought a god would be straining himself in the first place.

Eilonwy turned to look at her bed and jumped a bit in surprise at seeing yet another Loki sitting on it. She reached out and blinked as her hand looked like it was going to touch his arm but cut through it harmlessly. A small halo of green light came around her hand and faded out as she pulled back from the Loki on the bed. Eilonwy looked at her hand for a moment and then back to the Loki sitting on the floor.

"That's amazing!"

Edited 2024-03-29 01:14 (UTC)

"Thank you. It comes in handy in combat, as you might imagine." Loki--on the floor--replied. Letting the illusion copies both vanish as if they'd never been. "I could also visit you that way, if you ever felt sick but didn't want to have someone over. It's a form of projection I learned from my mother."

Eilonwy pictured the scenario easily enough, a weapon or a hand gliding through Loki instead of striking him and nodded. "Perhaps-- that would be a very good way to have company but without having to worry about getting you sick." She paused for a brief moment and then asked simply, "Can you get sick?"

At the mention of a parent, Eilonwy's expression softened. "How nice that must have been." she remarked, a little quieter.

"Probably, though I haven't in a very long time." Loki replied, then reached up to place one of his hands on hers. "My family is...complicated. But...my mother loved me, as if I were her own son. I see that now, and I regret heavily that my last time with her before she was killed, was with me denying her." Loki only hoped that if Frigga somehow were watching him, could see him, that he'd be making her proud now.

Eilonwy nodded softly. "I've heard that about families. My parents have been dead for longer than I want to think about, honestly. But they are, and my being aware of that is simply how it is." Eilonwy didn't know Frigga at all, but likewise she wondered if all of her work honored her own parents. She used that as one of her driving forces.

"Regret is a terrible thief."

"It is. I'm sorry for your loss, but I think they'd be proud. Their daughter is a skilled ruler with a kind, but firm, heart and a calm mind. I'm not sure they could ask for more." Loki did not feel quite so paternally towards Eilonwy as he did Alice usually. But he could, thinking about it, say that were she his daughter--he would be proud.

"I think they would be, yes." Loki's comments helped along with Eilonwy's own reminders to herself. She worked hard, both for her subjects and friends and every time she did it felt like she was honoring them. Eilonwy loved that she could work hard, even if she pushed herself sometimes. But that was what resting was for.

She smiled again. "Thank you. I'm likewise sorry for yours." As the headache calmed down for a few moments, Eilonwy sighed. "There-- I think it's stopped for now. I've never had tea that's been able to do that, come to think on it." She looked back to her mug.

Loki gave a smile at her headache receding, but it only lasted for a moment, before his expression turned sad. Looking down, swiping his hand through the flowers of the illusion. "how...long ago did yours pass?"

She sighed. "Six years ago. Seven, technically, after my birthday passes this year. There was a bad winter when I was younger and they gave as much of their own food as possible to guarantee the kingdom would survive it."

Eilonwy idly swung her feet and then crossed her ankles, fidgeting a little. There had been a funeral, she remembered that as much as she remembered what they had been like. "They were mourned afterwards, but their efforts did help."

Edited (including cw for starvation) 2024-03-29 18:10 (UTC)

"Asgard never worried about starvation, so I'm sorry to hear it." Loki said, bringing one leg up to wrap his arms around and lean on. "My mother was murdered about four and a half? five? years or so ago. It's a bit tricky between here and where I was before here. My father passed a couple of months before I came here." A sigh. "His death, apparently, released our heretofore unknown Sister, who is the goddess of death. She set her sights on conquering the nine realms. We...had to destroy Asgard to stop her." a pause, and he was looking at all the flowers again. the illusion. "We evacuated our people, but half of them were slaughtered by the mad Titan Thanos. It's...likely I was killed by him too, as I was dying when I came here."

"Thank you. It's not a common enemy, but there are losses each year. If not from that, then from illness, or age, or battles." Eilonwy watched as he changed positions slightly and listened. Waking up in the garden had been confusing enough, Eilonwy couldn't picture doing it in the middle of death. Or in the middle of the fear of the Horned King, of worrying about her friends.. Before her thoughts could just spiral into an entire wellspring of ideas she didn't want to picture, Eilonwy was moving quickly.

She eased herself to the floor and moved until she could manage to hug Loki. It was awkward with the height difference between them both, but not by much. "I'm sorry. What heavy burdens."

Loki was only slightly surprised, moving to adjust so she could hug him. Unsure for a moment, before he let himself hug back and lean against her. "As far as I know, my brother lives. So do half our people. " But Loki had been repressing a lot, and now... Well, it was a sign that he felt safe, and trusted Eilonwy, that he let himself hide against her for several moments. Not crying, but letting himself feel. Hopefully so he could get himself back under control.

"That's something." she remarked quietly, not putting a name to it. It wasn't her place to define what that meant, if anything. After a moment of silence as she remembered the lyrics and beat, Eilonwy took a breath and began to sing, a little hesitantly at first but that eased up as she went ahead.

Singing would help her sometimes, and it was a gambit that it would help here, but it was the easiest thing Eilonwy could do without possibly restarting her headache.

Oh. Oh. It helped, but also made the fight against tears harder. There may've been a tear or two, but Loki was keeping himself remarkably under control while he listened. Honestly he was also very touched, and grateful. Somewhere along the way, Eilonwy had become more than his student, and she was still friend. But...now...now she felt like family. And that made him smile at least a little bit. Perhaps he could be that for her, as well.

The song finished and Eilonwy was quiet for a long moment. "Thank you again." she said simply. She pulled away from the hug but didn't move otherwise, and idly looked at the illusion. "Flowers are nice, aren't they?" she remarked with a light smile. "Maybe I'll see about planting some over the season."

Loki let out a little chuckle. "And here I was supposed to be comforting you." Murmured, but he reached out for and squeezed her hand gently. "Thank you, my friend. You're a treasure and a gift, and I am honored to be your friend."

"You have? You've done quite a lot to provide comfort." Eilonwy smiled at the hand squeeze and let her other trail in some of the illusionary grass on the ground. She looked over her shoulder, back towards her kitchen suddenly. "Should I check on the broth? You-- well, not you, but." Before she could get a headache from trying to sort out if an illusion was the same as real person, Eilonwy took a breath. "You were checking it earlier."

"You should sit. I'll get it." A teasing smirk came to his mouth. "It's not every day I act as serving boy. Enjoy it." Managing to sound like his usual self too, as he got to his feet and offered to help her up.

Eilonwy took his hand and stood up slowly. "As you're acting like one, should I request bread?" she joked though she was glad to see Loki back to acting like his usual self. She went with him to the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

Loki chuckled, and lead her to a seat, pulling it out for her. All courtly manners, before he shifted slightly. Posture, attitude, a hundred little cues. "You're highness, for tonight we have a lovely hearty broth designed to nourish body and mind. It is recommend to have bread and butter with it. A jug of it has been left, which one adds to water to as the jug is concentrated broth. The tea is also recommended, for dealing with headaches and light pain. If you do not feel well at any time, I can summon a nurse. But one hopes that this will all suffice for now?"

There was a sparkle in blue-green eyes that showed Loki was enjoying playing the role of servant. Play-acting, fun, mischief. With a friend.

Eilonwy giggled at the act Loki was doing-- it was accurate but had a nice mix of fun to it. She sat up straight, as if she were back home in Llyr and nodded as the meal was explained with a remark of; "That all sounds very good, and yes I'm sure it will."

To sell the entire game they were playing, Eilonwy smoothed her dress and folded her hands politely. She wondered if Loki was hungry himself, but since he was playing a part and Eilonwy didn't want to dampen his fun, she would hold off on asking.

"Very good, your highness." Loki nodded and gave a half-bow, before heading to the kitchen. When he came back though, with broth and the bread and butter, he was more himself. No playacting of roles. "This should help, and I'd suggest it for a few days while you're still dealing with the headaches along with rest. The tea should help most of all though." Going back to the kitchen, and coming back with more tea, before he took a seat to keep her company.

Eilonwy waited until he'd sat down before she picked up a spoon and had some of the broth. She'd expected it to taste plain, but it had a very nice mix of flavors alongside being easy to eat. Nothing that seemed like it'd upset her stomach, but likewise nothing bland. "Do you make this often? It's very good-- most broths in Prydain only taste like one or two things, sometimes even with adding ingredients." Eilonwy had some of the bread, chewing thoughtfully and swallowing before she spoke again.

"Thank you, again. This was very kind of you to put together on such short notice."

"I had actually already started putting it together, given our training. So it wasn't quite such short notice." Loki murmured. "The tea I've had for some time myself though, so was also easy enough to get."

He did his best to not study her while she ate. To be polite, and he was clearly being company, but not to be rude or obtrusive.

"I had hoped the broth would help. I remember my mother had made it, and I was studying her on occasion for how to do so. Obviously some of the herbs are different, as this is not Asgard." There was a fond smile, as Loki seemed to sketch out something on the table. No marks, just tracing something only he could see. "It's for when one overdoes it with magic, as their whole self can be affected. But no one likes having their lunch come back on them, so this is easier. It stores well while kept cold, and can last a while."

Eilonwy's table manners were decent and her movements were confident if not a bit slowed down to account for the energy that had gone into dealing with the headache. "But it's still kind." she remarked before she listened to the instructions. Some more broth was had and Eilonwy put her spoon down for a moment. Her appetite was returning, but she didn't want to eat too quickly.

"It also isn't Llyr, I can tell you about some of our food easily, but I don't know if I can make it here." She watched as he traced on the table and assumed he was just letting his fingers follow the wood grain, or trailing shapes at random. Eilonwy shook her head at the remark about a repeating lunch.

"Oh, that would be awful. I didn't know magic can be overdone." She picked up the spoon again and had some more broth. "It does make sense, thinking on it. You can overdo any sort of physical work, and I've stayed up very late a few times studying things!"

Loki was giving her a look, though he wasn't really upset. "Yes, magic can be overdone. It takes energy, and concentration for your will. So not only is it using reserves most people don't know how to tap into, it also uses your brain in a way most don't bother with. The brain is a muscle, it can be over-worked like anything else."

Her comparison was not unwelcome though.

Eilonwy had some more food. "Speaking of.. Is there a way to tell when those reserves are empty? Besides simply feeling tired. I guess like.. Like when you're painting, and you realize the paint is running low because the color starts fading out?"

There probably wasn't, short of the physical symptoms, but it couldn't hurt anything to ask.

"The fatigue actually is your first sign. There's no real clear way to measure that I know of beyond when you first start to feel tired, or drained really, and then when you've overdone it. At least until the headache starts, and sometimes your nose will bleed. Those are certain signs you've overused the muscle and also gone past your limits to drain yourself. At that point, you rest--sleep, and eat filling but gentle for your stomach foods. Because the body needs to recover from the injury and replenish itself."

No sugarcoating here for Eilonwy, as this was serious and Loki was treating it as such.

Eilonwy appreciated the candor, took the information given and committed it to memory. She had overworked herself a few times in weapons training and had been met with a similar discussion about things. "Then I stop at the first sign, as much as I'm able to. Thank you for being so open. I'd rather hear what I can expect, than assurances that I don't need to worry about the side effects." She gave Loki an appreciative smile. "You can't become good at something if you're not aware of the risks." The bread, in the meantime, had been finished and the first bowl of broth was halfway gone.

"You're also not a child, who needs to be spoken to with caution lest they get too scared. I will warn you, there are ways to mitigate the overuse but they are not healthy nor should they be considered in any thing less than a life or death situation. Especially since using them you can die." Still not sugarcoating it at all.

"In my experience...first comes the fatigue, then the headache, then a nosebleed. I've never gone further than that, though I have had my stomach rebel rather violently if I am not careful with it while recovering."

It really was reminding her of sword training. She'd had it metaphorically drummed into her head that a sword could work both ways, and that respect for it and other weaponry was the top priority. To dismiss it would be inviting death and that seemed to be how this new... well, both ability and means of defense, would best be handled.

"It's like recovering from an illness. I don't want to rely on pushing past the overuse-- that would be as smart as trying to walk on a broken leg." Eilonwy finished the broth and sat the spoon down. "I'll keep aware of things and act accordingly."

Loki nodded, and was clearly proud of her. "If you ask, I can tell you ways to go past overuse, but only if you ask. I hope you never will." But again, he respected her and her judgement and sense.

"Now, how else can I help while I'm here?"

"I'll do my best not to." It sounded like a last resort option. Eilonwy also understood that if she took the viewpoint that because she could have the ability to push beyond her physical and mental limits, she could get complacent. There was a difference between confidence and idiocy, and Eilonwy wasn't in the mood to be foolish. Not about this.

She looked back to her empty bowl in thought. "Let me think.. You've brought food and medicine, and you're being very good company." With her migraine easing off, Eilonwy grinned lightly.

"Do you have any games you like to play?"

"I play chess, and do riddle games, with Alice regularly. I also play chess with others. I've started doing riddle games with Kaiba." Those were the easy answers. "I tend to be fond of games that require one to use one's intelligence, but also to be clever and surprising. It's very in character for me, really."

"It does seem to fit, yes. Would you like to play a riddle game, then?" Eilonwy knew riddles, and it sounded like fun.

Loki laughed softly, but was smiling. "That won't tax your poor suffering head? Because I would not go easy on you. I certainly don't with Alice."

"It's not suffering as much. I think if it were strong enough to cause another headache, you wouldn't sound like you're agreeing to it!" Eilonwy countered with a returned smile.

"Perhaps I'm relying on your good judgement to know yor limits." Loki replied with a soft laugh. "Again, I won't go easy on you."

Eilonwy knew a confirming question when she heard it, and reconsidered. "That's fair. We'll do it another time, then." She wasn't afraid of a challenge, but her good judgement was kicking in. "I won't expect you to go easy on me."

"I'll look forward to it, but definitely don't want to undo any good we've already done." Honestly, he figured that Eilonwy would resent it if he DID go easy on her. That just wasn't his way really. At least, not without a purpose to it.

"That would defeat the purpose, yes." Eilonwy agreed. Loki's thoughts were also right, Eilonwy had her pride about her wits and intelligence. She moved to stand and collect her bowl. "Would you like something to eat while you're still here? I'm going to have another bowl."

"No, but thank you. I'll probably leave soon. I want to make sure you're settled and doing better though, before I depart." Loki was also enjoying the time with her.

"Then I'll have the second bowl after you leave." The bowl and cup were put in the kitchen for the time being and Eilonwy headed back into the main room. "I'm doing much better, I might rest a bit before I eat again. I don't want to stay up much longer, I'm worried it could make sleeping through the night harder."

"I don't think you'll have trouble with that, personally. Even if you're feeling better your body and mind need to recover still. Rest and sleep are the best cures for that." Loki gave a soft chuckle. "I won't stay too much longer either. Any more questions or assistance I can offer?"

"It's true." Eilonwy agreed. Both were often suggested along with any medicines used in Prydain. She shook her head. "No, I can't think of anything else right now. You've answered the questions I had already and you've also helped."

"Then I'll show myself out, so you can continue to feel better. Please keep me updated if something changes. And don't be afraid to go to the clinic either. I'm not really medically trained, but this is all based on what my mother did when I'd overuse my magic and cause myself pain." Loki said while getting to his feet. Then he paused, before adding "...I am honored, that you came to me with this. Thank you."

Eilonwy smiled as he stood. "You're welcome. And of course I did, because I trust you. Safe travels, Loki. I'll lock the door back afterwards."

[ It's training day again. Seto's still working hard, as he always does, but his mood is...different. Instead of buckling down and grumbling when he makes mistakes as usual, he's taking things in stride more. There's a little smile to his eyes. There's something else on his mind, but he's doing his best to focus anyway. ]

...Sorry 'bout that. I can go again.

Edited 2024-03-28 01:57 (UTC)

[They were doing basic drills today, as they'd done before. These should be almost second nature even if Kaiba was still learning. But Loki had noticed the distracted state, and had some suspicions. Studying the other for a moment, before he vanished his dagger.]

I'm sure you could, but I think today we'll be doing something different. Endurance. Put your dagger away, and we're going to go get lost in the woods for a bit.

[It'd be easier to draw Kaiba out, and to talk, that way.]

...Right.

[ He's uncertain, but cleans and carefully puts away his equipment. Not long before he's following behind. ]

Where did I falter?

Oh I'm not focusing on that.

[Loki said conversationally, not at all upset and his tone decidedly pleasant.]

I was more curious about why you were faltering. We've done these exercises plenty, to the point that you're starting to gain the muscle memory and don't have to 'think'. Which is good.

Mm. So I should be ready...

[ He exhaled. ]

I had something else on my mind. I need to put in more work to clear those thoughts. I will next time.

I'm not mad, or upset, if you couldn't tell. I'm also willing to listen, as sometimes getting those distracted thoughts out is the best way to deal with them.

Appreciate it.

[ Seto waited a few moments longer, using the walk to clear his head a little. He thought through a few possible ways to describe what was going on with him, and settled on: ]

...do you remember the night at the party with the mistletoe? You told me that human teenagers value their first kiss. I didn't get it then.

I do now. I'm both...happy, and afraid of losing him.

[This is why Loki had suggested a walk. Still exercise in its way, but it would allow Seto to come at this in his own way.]

Ah. Your Pharaoh? Congratulations as well.

[Smiling and reaching out to squeeze Kaiba's shoulder in encouragement. This couldn't be easy for the younger man.]

[ He relaxed visibly, smiling a little. The support really helped. ]

No one else ever inspired that specific feeling in me...heh.

But he's my first relationship. I'd like to think culture taught me enough about how it works, but...you seem to have a good relationship. Can I ask how you keep it going?

[Loki was flattered, and chuckled a bit.]

Well, I have experience in relationships, but I will say that having one with Puck is the first time I've honestly cared in the way I think you mean. But it's not easy--as you've seen, and understand, I have trust issues.

[Another shoulder squeeze.]

Fortunately, you and he and my friends here are helping me to be better. To not let those get to me as much. So are you asking for what to do when you honestly care, or what to do culture wise?

[ Seto didn't need long to think about this. ]

Caring's the most important thing. I want to give him everything I can without pushing him away with my worrying about love being a weakness.

[Loki nodded, quiet for a bit himself as they walked.]

So, this is based on my own small experience with caring, but also on observation of others over the centuries. Keep that in mind.

[A small caveat there, but he'd still do his best to help Seto.]

It's hard, but talk to him. When you're unsure, or nervous. Really converse with him. I doubt he's entered into this relationship with no idea of what you're like, so he probably understands better than you might think.

I've been lucky, as Puck has had relationships that were more than just casual before. Although he's had those too. But it means...he's been patient, and willing to meet me where I am. Honestly? I know I care for him as a partner, as more than a friend. But I'm still trying to tease out the specifics and to get to know that larger emotion. It extends to you, and Alice, and Eilonwy, and Gamora, as well. But I'm not used to loving others. Especially not as a lover beyond the physical side of things.

[ Seto listens appreciatively, knowing he has a lot to learn. They're both learning...in different places, in different ways. He feels a surge of warmth at the reminder that he is loved, and smiles. ]

I'm not that experienced in the different kinds of love myself. But I agree...and.

Attraction's one thing. Respect, helping him understand how much I value him. But to me, one of the most important aspects of all kinds of love is loyalty. I'd give so much of myself to help him...or my brother, or you.

Loki was honestly touched, tilting his head and smiling at the other fondly. "Thank you. Just so your loyalty is not misplaced. That's what I'd worry about, but then...loyalty to others than myself is kind of new to me."

"It gets easier with practice," Seto admitted softly. "I didn't have to practice beyond Mokuba before, but now..."

He still smiled. "I've been picking up stray books in the library on my breaks at work. They're all full of flowery prose that makes me cringe, but it's at least giving me a guideline on how to romance. Touch, gifts, listening, appreciation...it's just figuring out the balance."

"Well, let me ask you this--and I can probably predict your reaction." Loki said, and there was a spark of amusement in blue-green eyes. "Are you trying to seduce him, or are you trying to show that you care for him?"

Seto sputtered, his cheeks heating up a bit. Yes, they'd gotten a little...involved, as teen boys tend to do. But he wasn't that obvious, was he?

"...can't we have both? But caring's the priority, yes."

"You can, and that would be the 'correct' answer. Not that there really is one, other than maybe don't be an ass." Loki said while chuckling. "Well, the caring is somewhat easier. Or at least will be for you, considering your blush." Seto you need to get used to being teased affectionately.

"It can be as simple as just doing a nice thing for him. Letting him know, and see, and maybe hear, that you appreciate and care for him. The simplest way is just spending time together, and that's often the most fun too."

Seto scrubbed at his cheek. He hated that his feelings around this particular subject were so obvious. But as he calmed down, he could think.

"...cooking a meal for him, maybe? I'm not the best chef, but I've learned more in my time here."

"I think that's a good start." Loki agreed, then reached out to squeeze Kaiba's shoulder in affection. "I'm proud of you, too. It's not easy."

Seto grinned at him. "Thank you, but we'll be all right. Part of what I love about him is that we're both into challenges. I won't let a simple meal defeat me."

The old confidence was back as he forged ahead. "...I don't know Puck as well as you do, but we work together. I know he likes to flex his mental muscles too. A good game can be an avenue of bonding."

Loki chuckled and grinned. "Oh I know he does and he can. He matches me well." Easy enough to let his fondness for the fae show through. "We challenge each other. Even just to be playful." Loki raised an eyebrow though, with mischief in his smile. "Unless you're suggesting a game for all of us. I'd be careful playing with two Tricksters though."

"Three tricksters," Seto corrected, a little grimace crossing his face. "It's Atem's style too, and he's used magic to his advantage before...but always for a noble reason, where I happened to be the antagonist."

He still had those hints of his past kicking around, but it didn't bother him so much anymore. "So I'd need everyone to agree to play fairly...but I think I'm at the peak of mere mortals in keeping up."

"You might also have to define 'fairly'." Loki said with a soft chuckle. "You do keep up well. You just need a little nudging sometimes to let your imagination and creativity flourish more. You're certainly intelligent enough." All things Loki approved of and valued in the other, in case Kaiba didn't realize.

Seto grinned at him, determined now to play.

"I can do that. I'm used to dealing with contracts. I just..."

His steps quickened a little. He latched an arm around a tree to half-swing around it, leaning on it for a bit. "Can't believe I ever thought I hated him. All the fixation should've been a clue at some point."

"Oh there'll be times you'll hate him still, but love and hate are complicated things." Loki said, honestly smiling at how the other was letting himself be happy. Good. "But so long as, overall, he makes you happy and you have each other's backs and enjoy spending time with each other? I think you'll be alright."

"We...enjoy each other a lot," Seto admitted, still looking sheepish. "And I'll work through it. I already lost him once, I don't want to lose him again."

His conviction was clear. He certainly looked brighter and more confident.

"...Heh. I should probably let you go if I'm not actually going to train today," he added. "I talk about him too much."

"You assume I'm so busy that I'm not enjoying this time spent with you?" Loki said with a grin. "I assure you, if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't. But I am honored you trust in me to confide this." A pause, and Loki looked at the trees around them. "I am new, when it comes to having the emotions actually mean something. I know how to play the game, the moves and words and motions. But actually having it mean something is..."

Loki wasn't sure still how to frame it all.

Seto nodded. He stepped closer again, looking up thoughtfully.

"...I think I understand. I was trained to view emotion as a weakness, and Gozaburo always hated my love for Mokuba. He did whatever he could to discourage it. And I avoided connections with others for the same reason...the more ties that existed, the more weak points I had. But I didn't exactly perform emotion, I performed...distance."

He shook his head and laughed. "Maybe it's not that similar. But I don't need precise definitions. We're in a mutually agreeable situation, that's enough."

"Were you taught all emotion was weakness, or only certain ones?" Loki was curious. "I've viewed sentimentality as foolish and weak before. I'm still not given to it very much, though I can fake it well. But I've stopped trying to fight that I do have moments of it." He explained, with a wry smile. "I'm used to it not over-ruling me, thankfully. It just means I'm more dangerous."

But the laugh was very good and had Loki brightening. "Then let you and he just be that. Who cares about other definitions but the ones you both use. SO long as those align, you'll be good."

Seto's steps were lighter, like a burden had been lifted from him despite the continued serious subject matter. "Only the positive ones. Anger, hatred, and paranoia were encouraged. Anything that kept me isolated and driven to attack was good for business."

Now that he spoke it aloud, it sounded...pretty bad. But that was the past now.

"I was supposed to keep the family business going, to make the heirs he couldn't. I radically changed everything else about it...so I guess my being gay doesn't add much to my list of crimes."

Edited 2024-04-10 23:03 (UTC)

Loki made a noise of affirmation then, when Kaiba confirmed which emotions he was 'allowed'. Nor was Loki surprised, given all he'd learned. It just made him sad for the other and his lost childhood. Things Loki was trying to help give the other now, so that creativity wouldn't die.

"I doubt they're crimes to others, only to him. And frankly he doesn't sound worthy of merit other than being a greedy warmongering piece of bilgesnipe droppings." A pause. "You're far better than him, and worth far more."

Edited 2024-04-10 23:13 (UTC)

The creative string of insults earned a surprised laugh from Seto. He shuffled closer, gently nudging his shoulder against Loki's in appreciation.

"It's an honor. I'm...really glad we found each other."

"All it took was being effectively kidnapped to a world we never imagined, hmm." Loki mused, but accepted the shoulder nudge. He was smiling though, and glad he could provide guidance and help for the other.

Labyrinthum IC Inbox

Post the Masquerade event at Lab- video message

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

text; @warden

UN: SilverTongue

no subject

Moving to action!

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

Wrap with a fade to black soon?

Sounds good

Fade us out maybe?

👍done

Gift for Loki

post masquerade event/chatting with Bakugou- text

Text, UN: SilverTongue

Re: Text, UN: SilverTongue

Moving to action?

action/60s batman transition goes here

/makes transition sound-effect

Re: /makes transition sound-effect

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject