Trickster's Shadow

[tricksterofasgard]

WHO: Loki, OTA
WHERE: Various
WHEN: 20th - 25th October for the shadow plot and then onward
WHAT: Shadow!Loki is around and will be a quiet, creepy kid looking for friends, hugs and acceptance
WARNINGS: Violence; Creepy shadow!kid is being creepy and will be stabbed and killed in closed prompt. No blood, no gore, but some trauma all around.


1 - Meet the quiet kid [ OTA - Nonah || 20th - 25th October ]

Throughout this week, people visiting or residing in Nonah may encounter a boy, roughly at the age of six with black hair and blood red eyes. The boy doesn't speak and seems to appear out of nowhere, wordlessly walking up to strangers and look at them with something akin to tentative expectation.

At times he will extend a hand to them, other times even both arms in a quiet plea to be held. He may even take hold of a stranger's pant leg, sleeve or the edge of their coat.

This little boy is the shadow of Loki, born out of deeply set doubts and denial and manifested when the fog appeared. When the shadow is around, Loki isn't far, though he may keep himself out of sight in hopes of landing a successful ambush on this entity he can't fully make sense of.

The one thing Loki knows, is that the shadow has to be destroyed.

2 - This wasn't a great idea after all [ OTA - various || 27th October onward ]

After having managed to destroy his shadow, Loki has permitted himself a day to rest. Oddly enough he still feels as if he is the one who has gotten stabbed in the back, though he berates himself upon his own foolishness. The past week has simply been a little too busy for his liking.

But now matters on this terrible planet can return to normal, also for this Asgardian.

Or can they?

It appears that destroying a not entirely unimportant part of yourself can leave a being in a little bit of an imbalance. Even more so if said part is that bit of them that seeks such trivial things like companionship, acceptance or love. Loki himself may be oblivious to that detail, though it may be obvious that something is amiss with the Asgardian.

For one, he does not bother with human clothes any longer and much rather wanders the streets in full Asgardian armor, horned helmet and everything. People standing in his way are roughly being shoved aside or even into nearby walls. He is particularly easy to aggravate and quick to threaten anyone giving him an odd look.

One may want to make sure to watch out for those throwing knives too, for those can quickly become deadly in his hands.

3 - Shadow Destruction [ closed to Jane Foster - Nonah || 25th October ]

This has been going on for too long now. Days. DAYS he has been chasing this horrid creature around and it just keeps escaping him - Even getting him into trouble while avoiding his attempts at getting close enough to end this miserable existence.

The sun is already setting and few people are left outside, so Loki figures that his shadow may not make another appearance this very day.

But then he spots him - And he spots her! The scientist. Jane Foster. And his dreadful little shadow is walking right up to her. Right. Because he needs that to happen.

Comments

1.

[usaf]

Carol's in Nonah running an errand. But her plans change all of a sudden when there's a small child grabbing her sleeve. She turns, curious and concerned. He's quiet, not like most of the kids Carol has interacted with. And with eyes like those, he can't be human.

"Hey there." She kneels, placing a strong hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Where'd you come from?"

[tricksterofasgard]

The child may not speak, but his expression is very open and obvious. He looks afraid at first once noticed by Carol, but that moment of fear is replaced by a hopeful look when she doesn't react negatively and there may be the slightest hint of a smile when she kneels down to his eye level.

But that smile is very short-lived. Sadness takes its place and the boy casts a quick look of renewed fear around before shaking his head. That's when the first tears fall.

[usaf]

Carol smiles back at him, but the smile vanishes when he starts looking scared and crying.

"Hey-- hey, it's okay. Shh..."

Monica was a robust, brave little girl who rarely cried, but Carol had always been there to comfort her when she did. She takes the boy under his arms and lifts him easily to hold on her hip, hugging him tight and rubbing small circles on his back. She looks around, trying to figure out what's got him so spooked.

[tricksterofasgard]

While he doesn't entirely stop crying, the young Loki does calm down notably and is quick to cling to Carol with his hands, not wanting to lose that comfort.

As Carol look around however, she might catch sight of Loki - the adult Loki - walking up to her and the boy in her arms with purpose in his step.

"I hate to interrupt." The Asgardian speaks up, his voice instantly catching the attention of the child, who also flinches and attempts to hide while still clinging to Carol. Loki simply scowls, then points at the boy.

"I might need that back."

1.

[detectivedwloki]

There have been a lot of very strange things going on but when the small boy approaches Detective Loki, his immediate feeling is not of danger but of concern. Yes, there were those unusual red eyes but by now he well knew that there were other beings here aside from humans and that didn't mean the boy was a threat.

His voice is gentle; comforting.

"Are you lost?"

[tricksterofasgard]

The boy stops before the adult and looks up at him in silence for a few moments, then slowly, cautiously, reaches for the man's hand.

This one is tall, maybe he will help?

[detectivedwloki]

After a moment, he takes the hand reassuringly, giving it a pat with the other.

"What's your name?"

[tricksterofasgard]

A hopeful look comes to the child's face and he even smiles a little when his hand is being taken. Upon being asked for his name however, the shadow looks sad and looks down to the ground.

3;

[bifroster]

Jane had noticed the shadow a day or so after it had appeared, unlike her own shadow, which had been hanging around her (and others) almost immediately. It took her all of three seconds to figure out whose shadow this was and that Loki would likely be trying to destroy it.

But the shadow was not like most of them that appeared. Of course, it was odd seeing a child version of Loki running around, but he seemed to be like any other person at that age, if not a little needier than others. Jane could not help but wonder why, but she always managed to push those thoughts away, especially when they ran into one another.

This was hardly the first time.

“Hey there,” she greeted, extending an arm for a hug. “Still wandering around?”

God, she hoped Loki never found him. The shadows would go away eventually. All of these so-called events eventually ended.

[tricksterofasgard]

Jane's is a face that the shadow has come to know and consider a friend. And while the child doesn't speak, he does react with a smile. An open, genuine smile that would normally be followed by a bout of happy laughter as he moves to accept the embrace.

There is warmth and comfort and so much less loneliness in being held. Especially if that person in a friend. Something the young Loki had hoped to find.

Which is something that his adult self refuses to accept.

When had he lost sight of this little pest long enough for it to get close to Jane? However, if she can distract the shadow long enough, this might be his chance. And so, hidden from sight, Loki slowly approaches his shadow.

[bifroster]

Jane hugs him back, glad to hear him laugh, though he does not speak. It seems to be a feature of some shadows. Perhaps they were meant to represent something else other than inner fears or opposite personalities. She's dealt with hers and seen dozens of others and he is hardly like any of the malicious ones out there.

"Come on, I have that book I promised you the other day," she said.

She doesn't notice the older Loki approaching them, too focused on his younger counterpart.

[tricksterofasgard]

And Loki will make sure it remains that way. A quick spell makes him vanish before either Jane or his shadow can notice him. Though he can tell by their behavior that his shadow has had way too much free reign those past few days.

The child reacts with excitement at the promise of the book and only hugs Jane again. The moment isn't meant to last, though.

Without any warning, the small body jerks and drops backwards, eyes wide and limbs going slack. As the body drops away, the tip of a blade can be seen protruding from the boy's chest. A moment later the young Loki fades from existence. At the same time his adult counterpart flickers into view, crouched directly in front of Jane and his hand still on the dagger that just stabbed the little shadow.

The Asgardian's expression isn't quite as victorious as he would have hoped to feel at this moment. Instead, he wears a face of what might best be described as sudden dread mixed with unexpected pain and unwanted realization. Loki grimaces against an involuntary shudder and drops his blade in favor of at least attempting to steady himself with his hand against the ground. Which might turn out to be a losing battle. Nausea and dizziness are already swapping over him.

2

[prophesiedone]

Anakin is a bit foolish when it comes to approaching strange looking men on the street. He had done so with Mysterio and now here he is striding towards Loki, a faint, confused frown on his face.

"Where are you off to?"

There is enough trouble in the cities that he begins to wonder if there is a battle he is missing. That really won't do. Sitting on the sidelines has never appealed to him and while he might feel unsure of his power that is no reason for him stop trying to protect people.

"You look like you are ready for battle."

[tricksterofasgard]

"Should I not be?" The Asgardian retorts without missing a beat, a fine tread of annoyance woven into his voice. Just why are humans such annoying beings.

Loki does deign to turn his head towards the young man regardless, if only to cast him a frown himself.

"And where I am off to hardly is any of your business, mortal."

[prophesiedone]

"If there's a battle, I want to know about it." he crosses his arms over his chest, meeting Loki's frown with one of his own, "You don't have to be so prickly."

Anakin is an annoying human being and one that is hard to shake once he sets his mind to something. Blame the Force for his existence.

[tricksterofasgard]

The Asgardian gives a short, humorless laugh.

“Prickly, is it now?” Well, that’s a new one at least. He takes a single step forward, raising a single finger in warning “You do not want to know how prickly I can get.”

The finger comes back down and Loki’s posture shifts into one of condescendence.

“And merely because you want something does not mean it is simply given.”

1

[pushygirl]

Kira feels the tug on her sleeve and instantly stops walking. She doesn't tug her arm away, though she wants to. She scans the nearby crowd looking for any signs of a parent.

"Did you get lost?"

[tricksterofasgard]

The child doesn't respond verbally but rather looks up at the unknown woman with a mix of curiosity and expectation.

Unless prevented from doing so, he will proceed to try and take her hand.

[pushygirl]

She let's him and frowns as she realizes she can't find a parent. Most adults would likely take the kid to a police station at this point. For Kira, that doesn't feel like an option. She'll need to look for the parents on her own. The first thing she needs to do is get the kid to talk to her so that she'll have some help with that.

"Are you hungry?" She did spot an ice cream store earlier. "I could get you some ice cream."

1

[rebelarrow]

[Once, Judd would have simply stared down at the boy currently tugging on his pant leg, unsure of what to do or what they wanted. Today, however, he immediately crouches down to the boy's level.]

Are you lost?

[With the boy's red eyes, he figures he must be an imPort, but given his age, he sincerely hopes he's wrong.]

[tricksterofasgard]

[ This man is tall and may look intimidating to some, yet the small shadow doesn't show any fear or being worried about approaching even him. The one he is scared of currently isn't around.

So the moment Judd crouches down, a tiny smile plays around the boy's expression and he easily reaches out with his small hand to hold onto the adult man's much bigger one, feeling a certain security even with this complete stranger.

He looks up at the question, frowns for a single moment and then shrugs while shaking his head.

Lost. Probably. But he isn't sure. ]

[rebelarrow]

[Judd closes his hand firmly around the boy's, careful not to squeeze too hard. The boy shrugs and shakes his head. Is that a yes? Maybe?

Perhaps rephrasing the question a different way...?]

Where were you off to?

2

[frankensteinian]

Someone who's not giving Loki an odd look? Erik, who's been known to dress in a similar fashion himself from time to time (although with a different color scheme). He's not making a point of staying out of Loki's way, either, mostly because he's not afraid.

Which doesn't mean he's provoking Loki, either. Mostly he's just watching Loki pass curiously and calmly, trying to figure out what to make of it all.

[tricksterofasgard]

At the very least Erik will not have to bear witness to an Asgardian going on yet another Murdered spree on yet another human city. Loki may be a lot easier to aggravate and does literally not care whether or not he is making personal enemies, but he still knows better than to put his standing with the government at risk. This he still has use for.

He’s still being remarkably rude, pushing people aside and in some cases cause bruising for certain. Or simply use the already occurring anomalies as an excuse to cover up some mischief.

Just as he is now, drawing the moisture from the surrounding air with one hand by his side to leave frozen patches of ice on the sidewalk for his fellow pedestrians to slip on. Which several of them do, much for the Trickster’s amusement.

[frankensteinian]

"That's a clever trick." He won't say it's a good trick, because even he doesn't do things just for the sake of doing them. But it is a new way of using a power of that sort.