Loki (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
complicatedliar) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
revivalproject2019-09-01 04:02 pm
complicatedliar) wrote in revivalproject2019-09-01 04:02 pm
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.]
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:
~ LINGORMRThen 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.]
no subject
There's a definite reaction to the mention of Clint being his puppet, like a spasm of pain crossing Loki's face, gone almost as soon as it has appeared. He doesn't like being reminded of that time. But his voice is very firm when he says, "I can think of nothing I'd like less."
no subject
Loki's reaction is unexpected, but Clint tries not to let it faze him. "Now you're just trying to trick me. It's not going to work. You didn't hesitate back then, so what's making the difference now?" He gives Loki a second look, as if trying to find something that's different. From where he's standing, this is the same Loki who had him under his thrall. "Why should I believe that you're any different?"
no subject
His lips twist into something almost smile-like. "That's the best part, isn't it? You've absolutely no reason to believe I'm a different sort of monster than the one you knew. I've had this argument far too many times, and with far too many people, to think I can wag my silver tongue fast enough to undo someone else's past."
no subject
Never mind that the kind of closure that would really help is the kind that can't be reversed once achieved. If he can believe what Loki's saying, then it probably wouldn't be fair to try and take his revenge.
"Yeah, I bet you have. And gee, how'd you know?" He is feeling startled, and very rattled, and it kind of irks him that Loki picked up on that. But then again, he hasn't exactly been hiding it either.
"Okay, so now that we've established that much, is this the part where we just go our separate ways and try not to get in the other's way? Because I'm good with that." He'd just as soon pretend he never saw him.
no subject
Loki's presence will worry at Clint like a stone in his shoe, of this Loki has no doubt. And the fact that Clint is here, and so angry at the Loki from his universe, is like a finger pressing on a bruise. Perhaps it might not feel so bad if Loki had ever had the fortitude to apologize to Clint; that's not a particularly helpful thought either, no matter how many excuses he might wrap it in.
They could pretend, he supposes. Let Clint pretend if he likes. But Loki has decided that he's through lying to this particular friend... unless it's absolutely necessary.
no subject
"As far as I can tell, this is a pretty big area we've got here." Maybe it's not the most expansive place ever, but surely there's enough room for two of them, if they keep to themselves. "All I'm saying is, I don't particularly want to be in the same room as you, and, well- Maybe that's not fair, but I don't see a point in lying about it." And yes, Clint realizes he could probably be a bit more diplomatic about this, but again, it's hard to overlook the fact that the Loki from his world used him, and hurt a lot of people in the process. Unfortunately, he's not thinking too much about how best to spare this Loki's feelings.
no subject
But would it really be that pleasant? Not as such. But this is one of those situations where there is no good answer, and no healing, and no absolution. Of that, he's fairly certain.
He waves a hand as if it doesn't matter. "I don't think you often see a point to lying, which is one of your better qualities. Diplomacy has ever been my job, not yours."
It's an odd fact to drop in, but he figures it's a seed worth sowing. One of the things he knows, after a great deal of listening to people from other universes, is markedly different between him and the more villainous versions of himself.
no subject
He crosses his arms and tries to put on a less hostile air. Diplomacy might not be Clint's strong suit, but he can at least dial back the hostility a little bit. "What makes you different? Everyone says the Loki from my world was a trickster. Does that apply to you too?"
So much for wanting to put as much space between himself and Loki as possible. But then again, he can still ask some questions and then work on distancing himself. In theory, anyway.
no subject
He considers the question as a fair one. "Trickster. Silver-tongued liar. Dog of Asgard." He shrugs. "I am my brother's shadow. I go where he needs, and I speak sweetly where he would be a bit too... loud." His lips twitch. "I am the velvet glove that precedes the impact of the fist."
It's a very sunny explanation of what he does, but that has always been his story. He's not interested in admitting to the world that he's Asgard's assassin. Not even Thor knows the extent of that.
no subject
He does listen to Loki's assessment of himself, because he really isn't the most objective when it comes to him. He just sees Loki as a user and a murderer; knowing what he thinks of himself won't really do any good, but for some reason, he wants to hear it anyway. "The velvet glove, huh?" Clint's laugh is dry and humorless. "Funny, I never heard Thor put it that way."
But then again, why would Thor tell him of all people anything? Yes, they have the sort of camaraderie expected of teammates, but they're not the closest either.
no subject
Well, to say he doesn't understand them would be a lie. He does understand them. He just thinks they're pathetic.
"I have found them wanting," he says delicately. Not quite conscious of it, he nibbles at one fingernail. Talking to Clint is unexpectedly stressful. No, that's a lie. He expected it to be bad, but perhaps not like this. Loki has never been good at giving people honest explanations for anything, and finding himself wanting to do so is extremely disturbing. He also isn't entirely certain where to even start on his supposition. Finally he says, "Jealousy is a terrible drug for weak men."
no subject
He shakes his head, letting out a sigh as he does. "Wanting" is an inadequate descriptor, but it's Loki in a nutshell, in his rather colored opinion. But then he lets out a dry laugh. "I'll say it is." Loki's statement is kind of a loaded one, but in general, it rings true for most ordinary humans.
And then since he's not sure what else to say, he just kind of shoves his hands into his pockets and shrugs. "Well, that was a good talk, I guess." An awkward one, but not as terrible as it could have been.
no subject
So he offers Clint a sweeping bow that's just a little bit mocking--he's still Loki after all. "I shall look forward to our next."