revivalproject | Message in a Bottle

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Message in a Bottle

Who: Loki and... you?
What: Getting the lay of the land
When: 5-6 days after people started arriving
Where: Proximal to the fountain, areas nearby
Warnings: None at this time; will update if necessary

It's a sad commentary on Loki's life that this is not the first, second, or even hundredth time he's awoken in a place with no idea where he is or notion how he got there. Until the last few decades, such awakenings had normally involved Thor, Sif, Iofast, and a lot of mead. In more recent times, it had gotten distressingly less about being tricked into drinking too much and more about being kidnapped, or having his mind overtaken by something, or worse.

His first reaction on opening his eyes is to feel frantically at the back of his neck as he sorts things through. No port. And here is his magic, still hot in his blood. And this is most definitely no ruined Proles, despite any outward similarities; the lack of dome makes that abundantly clear even before he gets a good look at the buildings.

And then there's that glowing sphere...

He finds himself up on his feet and touching the thing before he's processed that it might be a bad idea, and that takes his estimate of the situation from one of concern to near-emergency. Even as information floods his brain, unasked for and unwelcome, he's tearing himself away from the thing.

No matter how angry he is, this at least answers a few questions. He has to admit that in the privacy of his own head, even if he hates it. Loki retreats to the top of one of the nearby ruined buildings, hiding in an illusion, in order to brood.

He isn't the only one here. He hears the voices of others, even observes a few from afar. But he has no way of knowing how friendly they might be. Are there others from home about? Others from Proles? He can hardly dare hope. But standing in the square and shouting Hello is most certainly not his style. And this place appears to lack the convenient internet of Earth or network of Proles, which had made anonymously testing the waters much safer. His bread and butter is paranoia, and nothing that's happened to him in recent years has done anything but strengthen that feeling.

So, best to leave a calling card and see who might pick it up.

He waits until the square is deserted and returns to the fountain. It seems the best source of fresh water, so it will no doubt be visited often by whomever is around. After some consideration, he's decided that the assumption that most of the people he's observed are some format of human seems fair, so that's the best language to address his message in.

Using a bit of magic, he leave the following emblazoned on one edge of the fountain:

~ LINGORMR

Then he retreats back to his observational post to see what happens, again cloaked and hidden. The magical effect of it is obvious to anyone who has the skill; it would do well for him to see what compatriots--or enemies--he might have around.

[ooc note: the equation is the time-dependent, one-dimensional version of Schrödinger's equation.]

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Stocking up on some water so he can go back to trying to repair the power plant, Delta stops suddenly as he recognizes Schrödinger's equation - and then drops his jug altogether at the signature on it. No way. No way.

And yet.

It is very likely it's not his Loki, he has to admit that much. (The 'goat-killer', his Loki had called the other version.) But there's an easy enough way to figure that out. He digs out a charcoal stick from his pocket, because that's the best they've got at the moment for writing supplies, and makes a quick sketch of a tabby cat with Euclid's exact markings next to the equation, followed by the Greek letter delta.

And then he refills his jug and backs off to the shadow of the nearest building, not sure if there will be an instant response.

The moment someone who looks and moves like Delta comes into the square, Loki's paying very close attention. He silently descends to the ground to watch the man.

And he certainly does seem to be Delta. The little drawing of the kitten and the Greek letter confirm it. By the time Delta's retreating, Loki's already waiting in that shadow.

The illusion he's used to render himself invisible shreds away as he says, "Hello, elskede."

Normally, he would be cautious on seeing what looks like a familiar face out here on this strange planet. He's well aware that people can come from different versions of the same timeline, and that they do not yet know the extent of the Agrii's powers. For all he knows, this could be an illusion.

Hell, knowing Loki, this could still be an illusion.

But he doesn't care. Delta gasps in delight and rushes forward to grab Loki in a tight embrace. It's him. He's here. The relief Delta feels is almost overwhelming, and it takes him a long moment before he can say anything.

Even so, he notices one obvious difference, and he comments on it as soon as he's done squeezing Loki.

"You do not have your ports."

Delta, very clearly, still does. He also still has his hair braided in Asgardian fashion to mark him as a member of Loki's household and is wearing the silver dragon bracelet given to him as a gift.

Loki gladly wraps his arms around Delta. Yes, all of his lover seems present and accounted for, and not notably different from when he last saw Delta in Proles. For Loki, it's been several months, however.

"Nay. I awoke back in Asgard mercifully back to my former physical state," he says. "With all the benefits that entails."

Like, you know, magic. "Did you mark that I was missing?"

He shakes his head, still buried in the comfort of Loki's arms; already Delta feels better about everything. Jack's not here, granted, but at least there's someone who cares about him and knows what he's been through. "No. I went to bed like any other night, and when I awoke I was here and alone, save for others who had been taken from different times and places - much like the Immune, except that we are not...immune to anything in particular here." He's still not sure what to call themselves.

Finally he lets go of the hug, though he still holds Loki's hand, and takes a deep breath. "I am still human," he points out, and sure enough he still has his ports and everything. Yes, Loki would have noticed if Delta were not, but still. "But you have regained your abilities?"

Magic that he'd only ever had described to him, a shapeshifting power, a better sense of smell....

"Interesting." It does make him wonder if there was some sort of timeline split, perhaps, or if they were nonsensically taken at the same time, by different forces. It's functionally just an intellectual exercise to pinpoint, however, since it will not make a concrete difference.

Loki's lips curve in a sharp, familiar smile. "I am most definitely not human." Thank goodness for mercies of any size. "And yes. I am as I ought to be."

That smile. Oh, that smile hasn't changed, no matter Loki's species now.

He looks down and bites his lip. "I would be curious to know what that entails. And I am glad for you."

Unsaid is that, of course, Delta is still stuck as a human. He wonders if Loki's disappointed by that. Then again, there are certain possibilities that being stuck in a body has, like being able to snuggle up against Loki.

His eyes flicker back up to Loki's face, and he smiles shyly. "I have claimed a room in the hotel area. Euclid is here as well. Would you like to stay with me?"

"I'm certain you will find out." Delta's inquisitive and a keen observer, after all. And not above just asking questions. But Loki will definitely make him ask, for the sheer amusement of it.

Loki laughs. "I have become very enamored of this rooftop. But if you insist..." Of course he'd rather stay with someone he knows to watch his back. And... other things. It's been months since he's seen Delta, which is both no time at long, and quite long depending on the angle from which its seen.

Oh yes, he's familiar with this game - it's one Delta likes to play, picking at a mystery piecemeal until he has a conclusion. Although there is one thing he wants to know up front. "Please let me know if anything has changed with regards to your health or safety; a mistake made in ignorance can still be harmful."

Delta nods and bites back a smile at that laugh. It puts him at ease, having something familiar among all the strangeness of this situation. "It has only been a few days," he admits, "but I have missed you."

And then he pauses.

"The days are approximately sixty hours long."

He laughs. "What has changed is that I am far less physically delicate." Which will be very useful in this sort of situation, he's certain.

"I find myself selfishly glad to have been so missed," he says. He nuzzles into Delta's hair.

"....sixty hours?" Well, that's certainly a thing.

Delta finds some tension release that he'd only been peripherally aware of when Loki nuzzles his hair; physical contact from someone he trusts will do that. Up until now he's been relying on his cat, which, while it works to cuddle the little guy, isn't always what Euclid wants to do. Still, it's been better than nothing. Now he might actually be able to sleep for a good stretch at a time.

Well. Knowing Loki, eventually sleep, anyway.

"I will request a demonstration to verify your claim," he says, "although I remain at the same level as previously." Loki would have noticed if Delta was an AI again, okay.

"Yes," he confirms in response to the question. "I am not certain if we can properly adapt to it with human physiology; it seemed strange, in my home timeline, that we discovered so many habitable planets with a similar diurnal cycle to Earth, but in hindsight they were most likely modified by the Forerunner civilization for their own use long ago."

"I'm certain you shall have ample opportunities for demonstrations," he says, amused.

Humans are very limited creatures in many ways. It hadn't occured to Loki that this would be one of them. "Perhaps it may work to divide each day into two," he says. "Though I think I shall not be so troubled."

Has he mentioned he's glad he's not human any more?

Delta makes a face to express unfairness, though he's still clinging rather close to Loki. Just because he has a certain amount of envy toward nonhuman physiology doesn't make him any less profoundly grateful to have a familiar face here. Especially this familiar face.

"Do you still require sleep, but in a more adaptable fashion?"

"From time to time."

Which is not entirely a lie. He doesn't need to sleep as much as a human. He just needs to sleep more often than he ever does. But with no one from home here, there's no one to nag him to stop reading and come to bed.

He misses the nagging, a bit. It's nice to be cared for, even if he'll never admit it even under torture.

"You'll find I'm much more adaptable in a myriad of ways."

Delta might be able to help with the nagging, if they ever manage to find enough reading material to keep them up late at night. But he'll probably need just as much help keeping his daily calorie intake to at least minimum until they can a device he can write an app for that will do the nagging for him.

Delta smiles up at Loki, still showing a bit of shyness despite everything. "That is no doubt going to benefit you greatly in this environment. And yet, I find myself more curious as to what you might share with me first."

He squeezes Loki's hand. "I have been spending my time attempting to repair the power station nearby. There are additional data points in a number of locations, and the one there provided me with additional understanding of the technology of this place. The data seems to be safe, but I would understand if you do not prefer to download it firsthand."

Loki wrinkles his nose. "Download." He knows exactly what Delta means, and that's a big, big no. So what if it seems safe? Having one other person in his brain was far too much already and he never wants to do it again. Not willingly. "I'll figure things out on my own, I think."

Delta nods, unsurprised. "I will be certain to share any relevant information with you. I hope to have a network established soon." He pauses, intensely missing Jack for a moment - and why not, if there was a network there would be a place for a network administrator - but instead he chooses to focus on being happy with what he does have, namely Loki.

"Shall I show you which quarters I have claimed?"

"I'll happily aide you with that project." A network would be extremely useful, since they all need to wander about and look for things. The utility of it in Proles had been marked.

He smooths his thumb over the back of Delta's neck. "Yes, that would do well."

Delta shivers involuntarily at that touch, even though he's perfectly aware Loki is doing it intentionally. And so.

"Come with me."

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Message in a Bottle

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