maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

WHO: Billy Kaplan, Loki, Kate Bishop, John Mandrake, and some girl who goes by "Lizzie"
WHERE: At a stakeout which is actually a confrontation
WHEN: Saturday;
WHAT: Billy and Kate are tired of being lied to, Loki is being a stellar teammate, Mandrake is around to deal with his world stuff, and Lizzie is being confronted.
WARNINGS: Will add as needed

[Billy is there with Mandrake, half of his focus going to keeping the disguise - yes, he picked Teddy, but that's because he is really familiar with Teddy's face okay there is no other reason stop implying there's another reason - on Mandrake up and going, and the other half of his focus looking out at the place where Kate implied the Hornet might be.

The Hornet, of course, not being a real Hornet at all, but being a certain young Asgardian god.

He looks over at Kate, his eyebrows up a bit.]

Here's to hoping this works.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ there are a lot of feelings there, Mandrake. Loki can see them in your tears. ]

Yes, well, I can't say that there would be those that would call me "good" exactly. Perhaps even downright no-good dirty lying cheater. I've heard that one before.

But not all things can be solved with kittens and rainbows, you could say. It seems she does.

[Ah, but "no-good dirty lying cheaters" are something Mandrake's familiar with, at least. That's familiar ground. He can work with that. It's altruism he doesn't know what to do with.

Belatedly, he realises with not a small degree of horror that his eyes are leaking and goes to wipe at them surreptitiously. Why is this happening now? In front of someone who is practically a stranger to him, of all people. He hasn't cried in front of anyone else since he was twelve. How shameful. Even if this Loki fellow is polite enough to pretend it isn't happening, it doesn't change the fact that he knows. That thought fills him with dread. Ugh, he has to speak. Say something.]

No, it's not-- I mean. Her ideals are naive, yes. But I think she has more than demonstrated that she is willing to get her hands dirty. Capable of it, even. I will not deny her that credit.

[ Loki takes Mandrake around another corner as he wipes his eyes and they're on one of the main streets, the lamps already lit as it's past dusk. there's a light fall of snow and a very crisp nip to the air, it's enough to blame the tears on the weather. (and a much better excuse than rain.) ]

Then what you said was true. She carried out a rebellion.

[ he had a hunch from Kitty's constant "I'm just a commoner!" mantra. ]

... Well. She tried, at any rate. She was not successful.

[Even Mandrake is impressed with how clinical and unattached he made himself sound for that sentence. Yes, congratulations. Good job being a robot, me.]

Odd. She seems to have tenacity pumping through her veins.

[ he says, not incredulous but maybe just a tad surprised. ]

... To call it a proper rebellion is perhaps somewhat misleading. That brings to mind a picture of widespread discontent, riots and suchlike. In actual fact, her co-conspirators were not that numerous. Rather, a small number of extremists making a large amount of trouble for everyone else.

[ ah, wordplay, his bff. even though there were few people acting on a revolution, there were times when the discontent that fueled it ran deep. generally, those that felt powerless kept it to themselves. extremes by those who meant to act was essential. of course, he wasn't sure what to expect from Mandrake, but he's getting the political vibes. ]

Ah, the extremists.

[ better than calling them anything else. ]

Always doing things to the extreme.

[ there's a cafe not too far up. it looks almost picturesque in the light flutter of snow. ]

[Yes, well. He doesn't want to lend any legitimacy to her claims.]

That is why they are called such, yes.

[He follows Loki to the cafe, not saying much else. He doesn't trust himself on the subject of Kitty Jones, not really. Better to remain tight lipped.]

[ being dressed in horns and armor definitely get Loki some looks as they stroll right on in to the cafe. Loki, not able to pass up an opportunity, gives those who stare too long a wiggly fingered wave. ]

For someone who had a lot to say when you saw her, you seem to be lost in your own thoughts. Did you want something, or shall I order for you?

I've gotten the whole mixing syrups thing down to an art.

I apologise. There is a long history between Ms Jones and I. There is a lot to think over.

You may order for me if you wish.

[ YOU ARE GOING TO REGRET THAT, MANDRAKE. ENJOY YOUR MINT-PUMPKIN-SPICE-CHOCOLATE LATTE. ]

A coin for your thoughts?

[Excuse you, that sounds delicious.]

I... owe her a debt. That is all.

You don't seem like someone that owes many debts.

Indeed. I try not to at all times.

Hers however is one that cannot be repaid.

You don't have to leave me in suspense.

[Mandrake is able to smile at Loki, now that he's gotten his emotions back under control again. It's not a genuine smile, though. Closer to an understated smug grin, really.]

I shall leave it up to your imagination, shall I?

That only means that it's enticing enough to leave to my imagination.

[ he says smoothly in reply, looking all to happy when they're delivered their drinks. ]

[Mandrake takes his with a distracted, murmured "Thank you" to the server, then just holds it in his hands for a moment, warming them.]

Yes, well. ... We do not exactly know each other that well, do we? I cannot really go divulging the details of my debts to every stranger I meet.

Aren't you coy? I am in the middle of it, regardless of whether or not you know me.

[ there's a hint of amusement in his voice, but he's still light. he nurses his plain coffee. ]

Ah, but it wouldn't really be fair, would it?

How about we make the playing field more even? I will trade you one of my secrets for one of yours.

[ Loki looks a little exasperated before folding his arms on the table and leaning in. ]

Listen. While we play games here, this Kitty of yours is most likely in front of the Porter giving some black-and-white sobstory to Kate and Billy. While I don't want to assume overmuch of your relationships, I would say that you most likely would like to keep Billy's company. He is the demiurge, after all.

The problem lies where her straightforwardness will be key in winning her alliance. You're a bit lacking. It's the whole cagey thing.

So you can give me some kind of ammunition in your favor when we revisit this issue, or we can play quid pro quo that ends with you getting the unfortunate end of the stick. I want to listen to you.

Edited 2014-12-22 00:01 (UTC)

... That is exactly the problem. The issue at hand here-- the debt that I owe her-- it is not in my favour. It is in hers.

She saved my life.

[ he shakes a package of dark sugar into his coffee in a paper cup. ]

A compassionate revolutionary. It seems like she hated you.

[ or, at least, had very very passionate feelings there, Mandrake. ]

She does.

I've never really quite been able to understand it. I always thought, if we crossed paths again... I should quite like to ask her why she did it. Certainly... her lot would be much easier if I had died.

[ once upon a time, a long long time ago, Loki constructed a plot to remake himself. in addition, he had schemed his own death. the entirety of his plot hitched on his brother's whim to return him; that Thor would not see it as an opportunity to be rid of chaos, but a necessity to bring him back into his life. there are many reasons he could theorize to Mandrake, but he doesn't. ]

Some ideals outlast death. [ and there's a shrug. ] Perhaps you can negotiate your debt.