(no subject)

[selfimage]

WHO: LOKI and OPEN
WHERE: Various locations. (Maurtia Falls, Heropa.)
WHEN: The evening of June 9th.
WHAT: Loki's been ported back. Terrible things happened, and now he's sulking everywhere.
WARNINGS: Spoilers, and Loki. Mostly Loki.


1 | sulking, Heropa

A wave of relief washes over him when he re-arrives. He knows this place.

While freedom brings its own comforts, the fresh memories of shackles carries weight, and the breath that he had unaware that he had been holding comes out in a sigh. It happened in what seemed like hours ago, but the memory itself was at distance as the others returned. Fresh, but like he had been watching himself. A story yet to be written in this universe—a universe, for the most part, entirely free of a Loki. There are small comforts that come along with that, especially after the shock and dissonance of his departure.

Loki goes over the events in his mind again, looking for holes or untruths that he hadn’t seen during his confrontation with himself. He curses when he finds none.

There’s an overhang that keeps him dry from the rain. He thinks about it—picking up and moving, leaving the government housing (he wondered if they realized he was missing, there was still that thing with Danger he needed to follow up on), leaving Norman Osborn (though they were currently mutually benefitting off one another, Loki doubted that Norman even knew that he was gone) with one less cosmetics salesman, and taking off to start something new. The urge to run was strong.

He slips a hand in his pocket, searching for his phone. When he doesn’t find it, his face contorts and a small ugh comes from his throat.

“High and dry, I’d say.”

At least he was still joking.

2 | sulking in the club, Maurtia Falls

It was a bar that he hadn’t been to before. He thought about heading to one of the more (or less) popular imPort run bars, but he vouched for keeping himself off the grid before he decided just how much of what he was going to cast away. What better way to stay off the grid than in a deafening, blinding, drunken club full of young hipsters in an eclectic array of loud clothing that was more like a parade of the retro-funk that he couldn’t place. (That, somehow, was also comforting.)

There was enough circling in his mind to keep it off of the music (Noh-Varr would complain later, he was sure). His phone was still missing, which mean that he was still cursed and blessed with still being missing.

It was a good time to figure out a next move.

3 | closed to David

Retracing his steps to find his phone had been difficult. Luckily with a little sorcery and some help from a nice gentleman in electronics, he’s able to track and pinpoint the location of his phone in no time.

The only problem is that it’s with David. Ugh, David.

With a few choice teleportation spells, he finds his way back to the Heropa government housing and off to find David. Unlike every other mission that he underwent ever, this one is more than a little easy and more than a little annoying. Of course David would be the one to find his phone; he finds himself both cursed and lucky in the ways that he wouldn’t like to admit.

Instead of using the front door, he raps his knuckles on David’s windowpane. If this was any less annoying and any more comical, he’d choose a few lines from a Wes Anderson movie to set the mood.

“Knock, knock,” he mumbles. “I refuse to end this with a punchline.”

Comments

[xpostate]

The sun has gone down, but David's curtains are still closed. He has been nursing a hangover all day, sitting in the dark and putting together his laptop from the best parts he can afford. He's in the middle of debugging a few changes to his custom OS when he hears the knock.

Lazily pulling himself off the bed, he peeks through the curtains, half-tempted to just leave it, when he decides instead to open the window.

"Shouldn't that be a promise more than a refusal?"

[selfimage]

A hangover is exactly what he deserves—but for now, details get swallowed by larger issues, and Loki could care less if he knew. There were more pressing things on his mind, and in the light of convoluted missions and schemes, and what lay within the barrier of his new memories.

"I could weave something convincing for you, but I thought that you'd appreciate something a little more straight-forward," Loki replies, maybe a bit dryly. "You have my phone." He relates the latter with a sigh, tucking his hands into his pockets and giving David a lift of the brow.

"I won't ask how much of my privacy you thought to invade. I am Loki, after all."

[xpostate]

He casts a glance back toward his bed, of course it's still where he left it. Why wouldn't it be? He reaches under his visor to massage the bridge of his nose, he probably shouldn't even be wearing it now except that he never takes it off. At this rate, he'll have to add the prescription again.

"Yeah, I have it. I was trying to find you, but you weren't with it." He leans his elbows on the windowsill, looking about as tired as he feels. "Unless you'd rather I left it unattended. Who knows who else might have picked it up."

[selfimage]

It could be a clever Loki trick where it's a hologram illusion phone (it's not, but the possibility is always there).

"A curious and unanticipated vacation that turned sour," he says a bit hotly, meeting his eyes (a good way of showing someone you mean business when every other thing you say could and usually is a lie). "Welcome back Loki, yay." That was probably the most unenthused 'yay' ever to be heard from him.

"Those who would know my nefarious secrets, no doubt. You're as good at avoiding the point a I am." Loki looks more resigned than offended and accusing.

1

[transuniversal]

It's not that Noh-Varr was necessarily offended by Loki ignoring him (if that's what happened.) That would require a more human social aspect that he fakes but doesn't necessarily possess, although it is irritating to try to talk to somebody about serious issues and have them blow you off. Actually the fact that Loki didn't have anything to say about margaritas (or Kate) had been more troubling than anything else, and Noh-Varr can't help feeling kind of relieved to spot him sulking.

Definitely sulking.

He knows what sulking looks like.

"Yes. It's a good thing there were no heroic do-or-die moments you missed."

[selfimage]

Well, the ignoring hadn't necessarily been intentional. Maybe some parts of Noh-Varr's texts had been worth ignoring (maybe every four or five had some good content worth replying to), but he can't say that he didn't enjoy the usual barrage of attention that he offered. It was fun shooting back pointless quips and wit back and forth when there was hardly anything better to do (and sometimes when there was).

Of course, he managed to show up at the worst moments.

Not that there were many good ones to come (dramatics, Loki).

"Yes, what a shame that would've been."

He was still missing his phone.

[transuniversal]

Shooting back pointless quips is the whole point. This seems to be an essential part of the human experience and human communication, even though both of them were immensely far from being anything approaching human, physically or in outlook.

They are not the sort of people- friends? Acquaintances?- who have serious talks. Noh-Varr knows Loki has an agenda, just, as he suspects, Loki recognizes Noh-Varr's capacity to operate on several levels.

"You're being facetious. But if something had happened to Billy or David, you would be even more upset."

And so Loki will understand what's being said there, if not so directly.

[selfimage]

Noh-Varr had always been part of the plan—though Loki didn't know the specifics, he knew that there were points in the algorithm that he could exploit for his own purpose, and he did. There were points of unpredictability, but the plan was never fun without them.

"Hello to you too."

That didn't mean that Noh-Varr didn't know how to have a good time. Of course, it was only until after everything happened and he was bent on leaving did he really learn to appreciate it.

Best to not let Noh-Varr know that.

"Then I suppose you can rest assured of their safety," he says almost hotly, as if he's not going to answer that directly. "You've kept everything warm without me, haven't you?

1

[the_human]

"You need help?"

It's raining, but the only allowance Finn has given to it is to remove his hat and tuck it into his backpack. Blond hair is plastered to his forehead, his shirt and shorts soaked through-- but that's all right. The rain is warm, and he likes it better than the heat. The flower growing on the stump of his right arm likes it too; it curls up into the rain, drinking it up.

He gives the other boy a look, friendly and a little concerned, and tips his head. "You kinda look lost."

[selfimage]

The a lot taller other boy, who's wearing a pair of horns (but things were odd in this part of town with the arrival of the imPorts, anyway). He doesn't bother to cloak himself because the tourists who find themselves enamored on the other end of the camera have retreated to their hotel rooms for the evening. Rain keeps away the crowd.

There would normally be a quip or a witty joke to put here, but he's feeling decidedly unwitty and unquippy at the moment.

"The opposite, actually."

[the_human]

"So . . . what, you mean you don't need help? Or . . . you want to help others? That's kinda confusing." He stares at him for a few seconds, contemplating that, before shrugging. Coming forward, he edges under the overhang next to the boy.

[selfimage]

Loki quirks his head toward him with a sigh. He's entirely not in the mood to be all that jerkishly witty, which is good for anyone that manages to come across him. "I'm not entirely lost." In some ways he feels like he's been found, but it's uncomfortable enough of a feeling that he doesn't necessarily feel like voicing it.

"But I'm not in need of aid. Do you usually go around offering such things to strangers?"

His eyes go to the flowers and then to his face, curious. It was easy to spot an imPort.

none ... of the above ...?

[selfequipped]

When the knock comes, Kate is in the middle of putting together a file on someone for Matt. It seems like a good idea to collect this information for the two of them, though she wishes that she could provide it in a format that would make it less obvious that he had superhuman abilities. Still, that isn't an ability she has at the moment—but she intends to look into it in the future.

As it is, she neglects her work for the moment, stuffing it into a file so that Billy doesn't see it while she rises up. She trusts Billy, but confidential information is still confidential information. And this is her idea of downtime these days.

She grabs her drink (a fruity bottled alcoholic something) as she heads toward the door, and she peeks through the hole on the door and quickly steps back, opening it to Loki as quickly as possible. It's immediate that something has happened to him. That much is apparent. The way he stands, the way he looks—even if Loki is sometimes a master of trickery, he can be rather theatric about the way he carries himself.

Her free hand reaches out to grab him by the wrist to pull him inside. "I'm relieved to see you back," she says, and her tone is genuine.

Even if he can be an asshole, he's still a friend.

[selfimage]

Some emotions were definitely ones that managed to get the best of him, despite how much he wished it were different. His penchant for theatric responses once earned him the fetal position on the floor of one Mother's universe. He doesn't really like to remember it.

She had been his next stop after David—and he argued that it was because David had his phone, not necessarily because he wanted to talk to him, or anything.

He concedes and lets her take his wrist and lead him in. He's still damp when he shrugs off his jacket to hang it unceremoniously over one of the less water-damage susceptible chairs.

Going one way also meant you went far the other way. He sort of melts into the couch and lets out a sigh. "As am I," he says, with a hint of bitterness. "Odin forbid this place is better than our own universe."

He was really in a bad mood.

[selfequipped]

His words aren't encouraging in the least, though she knows there is little good waiting for her. Her last stop in their world included a crash course in the horrors of Los Angeles, and she's now an even better expert in using foundation to cover up black eyes. But she hasn't referenced it with anyone here, viewing her stay in Los Angeles as an unsolved case; she intends to deal with it when she gets back. She knows she has to.

It hasn't escaped her imagination that what she returns to might be terrible. That's not discounting their fabulous lives as superheroes.

Kate deliberates over sitting beside him, but she remains standing, throwing a glance toward the kitchen. "Do you want something to drink?" It's a way to let him settle, because she wants him to be comfortable before she asks him to launch into his story.

[selfimage]

It was an uncomfortable feelings to return and find that he was more comfortable in this new universe than he did in the events leading up to that catastrophic travesty in their own. New beginnings kind of were this thing, and being back was kind of like taking a deep breath of fresh air. There was a gap around what had happened, and while it seemed very real, it also was like he kept replaying it in his mind. Each time it hit the same hollow pangs.

He waves his hand to dismiss the offer, and in the same motion brings it to his forehead.

There he had left them, turned tail and rain. It was easier to disappear. Here, he had been dragged back, and he still was conflicted over the decision.

"Not even a glass of that cheap sangria," but his usual whimsical tone was replaced with something that was a bit heavier. The whole thing came off a little awkwardly.

[celestialpervert]

He hasn't been in town long, but Balthazar is learning to spot a fellow 'import' when he see's one. Walking down the street he pauses several steps away, hands in his pockets and strangely he's dry despite standing in the rain.

He cocked, he speaks.

"Bad day?"

[selfimage]

And oh, how much of an imPort is he? Between the pair of horns, snake-like amor and the tacky jacket, he's regular imPort material. Where there would normally be the barrage of tourists clamoring to get a good picture with him (and him enthusiastically obliging), they're replaced by the hollow sound of the rain. It's good, because he doesn't feel creative enough to come up with an appealing illusion.

"To say the least," he says, though there's a bitter ring to it. "Mounting issues on a matriarch that ended in tragedy. Mostly for me. I'm collecting myself as we speak. Something about bitter feelings."

[celestialpervert]

Balthazar saunters closer. He himself looks normal. Middle aged, tanned skin and stocky frame with an accent that's a blend of French and Scottish. Even his blue eyes look ordinary.

"Well I can hear that much." He says joining the other under the overhang.

"I'm guessing close enough to be family without actually being blood?"

1

[larker]

If Loki's paying any kind of attention to his surroundings, he'll notice the bright orange umbrella first. It's garish, old-looking, but at least it's doing the job of keeping Gabriel dry enough. When one's reality manipulation powers are halved, one has to make do with what they get.

That and Gabriel likes his umbrella.

Spotting Loki off to one side, looking miserable, the archangel saunters over. Doesn't matter that he's not invited, Hell would probably freeze over if he had to wait.

"Better than low and wet." Gabriel pauses, eyebrows raised. "Okay that unintentionally sounded bad. But you catch my drift. Sup?"

[selfimage]

It's some small details that he can pick up, and a bright orange umbrella against a weary sky is one of them. Of course, he can spot that from a mile away.

Of course he could count on him for approaching, even with the theatrics.

"I thought you came to make a pass at me," the idea is always sort of amusing. "You could say that I was a victim of a very unfortunate glitch."

[larker]

"Glitch in the system huh? So do you prefer torches, pitchforks, or both?"

Gabriel takes a moment to stand under the overhang with Loki, shaking the umbrella off to one side. So much for Florida being the sunshine state, more like "puddles and mud ditches everywhere" state. The look on Loki's face is quite dejected for the youngster, and Gabriel can't deny he's curious. He remembers their conversation a good while back, about how the name "Loki" was cursed, attached the bad things.

"Alright, what crap do you need to stick onto your name this time?"

1

[shutterbugged]

"You're welcome to my umbrella, if it helps." The voice came from overhead, where said umbrella (plain, silver-grey) appeared to float above the overhang. Then Spider-Man's head popped into view, and with it his hand on the old-fashioned, hooked grip. "It was a loaner, anyway."

There's an easy loaner - loner pun to be made there, to be sure, but Spider-Man's a bit wary of Loki in general. This particular one seems to post-date the one he remembers and has actual (though limited) experience with. The one who died right before Spidey came to the City, but that sort of thing rarely stops anyone in the cape-and-spandex set, let alone an Asgardian god.

Still, Loki 2.0 has been hanging with the Young Avengers, so he's either not all bad or there's some sort of long con in play. Either way it's time they get reacquainted.

[selfimage]

Well, if this wasn't a bit of a surprise.

"A loaner for a loner, you mean to say." Well, if Spider-Man wasn't going to make the pun, then he would be the first one to it. He had been beaten to a pun already, and he wasn't about to let it happen again. There's a cock of his brow and a crane of his neck upward.

"Hello."

He had seen him here around the network just as Spidey had seen him. They weren't acquainted enough for a "hello," and honestly, Loki found no immediate reason to do so. It had been a while, but he wasn't about to admit that.

"I think the rain suits me well."

Sad, sad Loki and his theatrical solemn expression of ... well, sulking.

[shutterbugged]

"You said it, I didn't. But jeez, kid. On a self-pity scale of one to me you must rate at least an eight." Since Loki got there first, Spider-Man figured it was safe to get in a little gentle ribbing.

He dropped off the wall almost soundlessly, the umbrella staying upright as he twisted and flipped to land in front of Loki with barely a spatter.

"Listen, I don't know about you, but when the weather's like this and even the muggers are tucked away somewhere I'd rather be inside getting a cup of coffee. You can stay out here if you like, or you can come along. Coffee's my treat, and I'll even throw in a listening ear if you want one."