OTA Log: Sometimes People Hide

[plate_builder]

WHO: Reeve Tuesti and You
WHERE: He Row Soup Lies
WHAT: Avoiding the storm, tending to others
WHEN: November 6th-11th
WARNINGS: N/A

The Strangest Stuffed Animal

Not all of the stuffed toys lying around amid the blanket are just what they seem. One of them a bipedal, black and white tuxedo cat with a green cape, striding across the room toward the nearest person in a blanket. Somewhere in the background a man in a torn up suit, no doubt messed up by the crash, watches the stuffed animal approach, but doesn't say anything for now. Instead he watches with concern over how the doll moves, limping to whoever is there and reaching out to pat their arm with a pudgy paw.

There there, the doll seems to say. It just wished to provide comfort.

Hot Chocolate and Hiding

He hasn't been outside for days, not since he got here. It had been a burden, it had been a mess, it had been a whole thing. And Reeve, once he'd arrived, had found a place far from the door, sat down with a mug and Mini-C nearby, and watched the door.

It took a lot for him to even consider tearing his eyes from it. Outside was… too dangerous. He couldn't risk it. He had seen his own fears out there, and he didn't wish to face them again.

Reeve sips his cocoa and then jumps to his feet when he sees someone come in. The cocoa is passed off to Mini as Reeve grabs a blanket and heads for the door, ready to throw the blanket over the arrival.

"How is it getting out there? Come, let me get you a bowl of soup and some cider."

Comments

Hot Chocolate Time!

[tricksterofasgard]

The blanket is caught in mid air before it can fully reach the person entering the building, his steps slowing with a hint of caution but not quite stopping while the dark-haired Asgardian directs his attention to the peculiar man in worn clothes.

Loki has been around. A couple of days by now, maybe weeks, silently and so far unseen wandering this ruined city that has been devoid of sentient life when he first showed up.

Then the ships crashed and he has taken to observe those people, not failing to spot a few known faces. And he has taken to follow them around, hidden but attentive while dispelling pestering illusions. That he is showing himself now is more due to him growing bored of just watching combined with the absence of a certain brother of his.

"An unusual welcome." Loki remarks with a slightly raised brow while putting the blanket down on a nearby counter while pointedly observing the man's reaction.

[plate_builder]

What? Reeve is a touch... flustered by Loki catching him so off guard. And thsi was a stranger, so not someone he knew how to address. But they behavior was... Strange.

"An unusual man, to stride in here so full of vim and vigor considering the storm outside," Reeve counters. "If you've no need for assistance, then that is fine as well. There is food there, and drink. Take care of the cider, it is clearly intoxicating."

[tricksterofasgard]

The Asgardian raises both of his brow in slight bemusement, making it a point to glance towards the door with a little, playful grin before gesturing vaguely with a single hand. "Oh, I am Asgardian. I have seen worse that this."

Which at least in part is true. The rest is just a carefully crafted mask of nonchalance. Just as the notion of referring to himself as Asgardian is a means to test whether or not that term means anything to this man.

Aside from that, Loki gives himself politely. "I still appreciate your hospitality. I am Loki. Of Asgard."

[plate_builder]

The word does mean something to him, just because of his previous interactions with Thor and Banner and even Stark. But it's interesting to hear it from someone who has claimed the title.

"I am sorry that you have seen worse, Loki of Asgard. But the hospitality is not mine. It is provided by the Agrii, our patrons here."

Not their hosts, he doesn't call them that anymore. It's not them that has caused all of this.

"Are you perhaps a friend of Tony Stark. He is one of those I have met who have mentioned your people."

And, amusingly enough, who Reeve had more than a few fashion choices in common with. Mostly with grooming rather than clothes.

[tricksterofasgard]

It's curious that this man instantly asked about Stark, but Loki won't be questioning that for the time being. Instead, he gives a small chuckle. "I have never heard of this man, I'm afraid. But my kind is an ancient race that has come to be known to many worlds via stories and myths. The mortals of Midgard have woven particularly intriguing stories not only to my name. I quite enjoy those."

As he speaks, Loki wanders over to the small setup of supplies, picking up a can of what may be considered soup and slowly spins it in his hand, inspecting it while musing on. "I have gained some knowledge about these Agrii after my arrival. Though they are not a race I am familiar with. Has anyone here met them yet and can confirm that they do, in fact, require our aid to restore this planet?"

[plate_builder]

Well, if he doesn't know Stark then he doesn't know Stark. Very well. Reeve shall not bring the man up again.

"Yes, I am aware. As I said, I've heard of it from others. Thor spoke longingly of his home when we knew each other. But that was another world. Nearly feels like another life."

He follows after Loki, picking up the discarded blanket and draping it over his shoulders.

"A good number of us have met them, and they do in fact require our aid. They cannot land here without a very true risk of death. There are those who do not wish to help them. It will be your choice one way or the other, I suppose."

[tricksterofasgard]

"Thor, you say?" Loki looks over to Reeve, seemingly surprised. "Thor happens to be my brother - At least a certain version of Thor." Clasping both his hands around the tin, Loki chuckles again. "I might have enjoyed meeting him if he were here."

He sets the tin back down and turns back towards Reeve fully. "Why don't we sit down and enjoy one of these beverages. I would be interested to hear about your meeting with this Thor as well as your opinion on the Agrii."

[plate_builder]

They do not look very similar, but Reeve has seen greater differences, so he just nods and takes it in to stride.

"He is not here, but I expect a brother would be glad to hear that."

Sit down? That seems a bit over much.

"I barely knew the man when we were trapped in the Iteration, but yes, I can do such a thing. I suggest the hot chocolate instead of the cider."

[tricksterofasgard]

"I will have to trust your suggestion, for I find myself familiar with neither option." Loki answers with an open shrug and a a seeking gesture over the assembled goods. "I wouldn't even know which one I am looking for right now." At least that's not even a lie. A lot of the food and drink known on Earth still remain a mystery to Loki. Though it works well for his intention of acquiring a level of trust with this first person he has decided to interact with.

He tips his head to the side curiously. "This Iteration is another place on this planet?"

[plate_builder]

"If you've never tried either, then hot chocolate," Reeve says, moving to get a mug of it. It's a very good treat.

"Another planet entirely. Where I was before here."

[tricksterofasgard]

The Asgardian gives a musing hum and turns away just a little to give a pensive look at nothing in particular. "...and here I have been made to believe my people had explored most of the galaxies beyond Yggdrasil. The more you learn..."

And yet it isn't a lie that he has never heard of this Iteration or the planet they are on right now.

He clasps his hands together and returns his attention to Reeve, putting on an easy smile. "Hot chocolate it is, then. Hot chocolate and figuring out how to best help those that have called on our aid." With several of the Avengers around? It might be in his best interest to set up a front of genuinely wanting to help.

[plate_builder]

"If you can find a way, that would be amazing. We've been considering the problem of the storm for months," Reeve admits. "It removes our powers when it blows up, so it cannot be studied by the one here I know has magic."

So all they can do is wait and hope to stumble upon the answer. Which is hardly helpful to anyone.

He gathers the cup of chocolate and hands it over, going to get a cider for himself. One drink won't hurt him.

[tricksterofasgard]

Accepting the hot beverage with a nod and a quiet 'thanks', Loki offers a nod along with it. "I have, indeed, come to notice that my magic has been... Unreliable. Thankfully, my knowledge isn't but limited to the arcane." And given the state this planet is in, even his comparably basic knowledge about Asgardian technology might outweigh what is available by great lengths.

Taking his newly acquired hot chocolate along with him, Loki wanders over to the nearest wall and simply sits down on the floor, leaning against it almost as if getting comfortable and performs a small gesture in Reeve's direction. "Why don't you tell me about yourself - And maybe a little of what has already been achieved on this planet."

An invitation. Followed by a testing sip of his hot drink. Well, at least that one doesn't taste terrible.

ofc hanging with Mini

[in_extremis]

This was not at all where Tony meant to end up. The only person he was in any way convinced as still alive after the crash was Cal, and he had left the kid behind some time ago now to finally face the storm that wasn't letting up to head into town, determined to return to the ship with more tools and potentially some power rods if he could find them, to finally get something working.

All the walk had accomplished was make Tony doubt that Cal had made it, either. There were so many bodies in that forest, lashed by rain and wind and broken over rocks and branches, that by the time he came shivering into the first sturdy structure he spotted through the storm, he no longer felt like there was much purpose in leaving it. Without thinking very hard about what any of this stuff was doing here, he went straight for a pile of blankets, gaze darting mistrustfully and very briefly over Reeve's back, praying he just wouldn't turn around for a few peaceful seconds to reveal whatever horrors his death had inflicted upon his serious face. Tony just needed to get warm, close his aching eyes for a moment, because if he could finally get some sleep maybe it would go away and he could at least start to dwell on the isolation, instead of the loss. He sank down among some weird, furry limbs and arguably cheerful button eyes, pulling a blanket from among them to draw up over his head and curl forward into a defensive ball, too wrung out and tired to cry despite feeling the pressure threatening to overload his chest. He could hear the strange, arrhythmic patter of the soft approach and only hugged himself tighter, knowing from seeing Reeve that this had to be Mini without looking up at him, and shuddering at the touch to his arm. Very lightly, trying not to disappoint the doll he knew he couldn't stand the sight of, not wanting to know what that staccato step looked like, he muttered into his blanket, "Thanks, kitten, really not a good time, though, okay?"

[plate_builder]

Not a good time for his Uncle Tony? Not a chance. Mini pokes the arm again, intent on getting a better response from Tony. Not that he stays still. The doll starts climbing up to get closer to Tony. To snuggle him.

And Reeve doesn't approach at all. There will be time to feed Tony the soothing food after he rests.

[in_extremis]

The poke made Tony wince, but it wasn't so surprising that just asking wouldn't make these nightmares leave him alone. He'd been asking for a very long time and shouldn't expect anything to have changed just because he was pretty sure he was still awake. It was the shifting and dip of the weird toys and the blankets that Tony could feel that made him shudder, though, figuring out quickly what Mini was intending and trying to press tightly into his bow down against his knees. Tim had died in his arms so many times in these dreams, and he knew what that always meant, that Tony hadn't been strong enough to get it together, get sober, and actually help someone for once.

Tony never could just leave him out in the storm, though. He took a deep breath to steel himself, and eased up out of his tight ball enough while chanting, "Okay, okay, okay," not sure if he was trying to reassure Mini or himself. When he finally managed to brave a peek the doll's way, under the hem of the blanket, Mini looked...well, not normal. But not like what the corpse of a doll might look like. Tony went, "Okay," one more time, this time in acceptance, leaning back less tentatively to let Mini into his blanket, waiting for the horror to reveal itself.

[plate_builder]

With the blanket opened up and offering welcome, the doll crawled right on in. If nothing else, he wanted to do this. Especially since, given he was created with the body of a plush toy. Which meant that part of his nature echoed it.

Stuffed animals were comforts. Cats curled up with those they cared for when they were upset. It worked double for him. So Mini crawled in and immediately started to snuggle up to Tony, patting his chest in a comforting way.

[in_extremis]

The 'okay' loop was a difficult bug to overcome, but watching Mini get himself comfortably cuddled was an effective interruption despite Tony watching him warily. He still didn't like that limp, and couldn't pinpoint what had caused it, but the snuggling demanded a thin smile before Tony was gingerly scooping Mini up to cradle in his lap, knelt in the pile of less lively toys with the blanket draped over both of them like a shroud. "Hey," he managed to say instead and gave his own comforting kiss to Mini's soft face before trying to smooth the fur back into place. "Hey, everything's okay. What happened to you, huh? I can fix it."

[plate_builder]

In the darkness of the little nest that Tony has created, it's impossible to show Tony the tear that made one leg less secure on his little body. But the doll allows the kiss and snuggles back against him.

Reeve, of course, had the quiet question relayed to him by Mini, and so it was him that voiced the doll's answer while he tended to the soups. He'd give Tony a bowl later.

"The crash led to some tears to his fabric," Reeve provided, though he didn't near. "I do not have the materials to repair him at this moment. When the storm passes I shall acquire them."

[in_extremis]

The voice made Tony hiss, shoulders rounding further again, anticipating some awful, dying rattling and not what turned out to be Reeve's reliably measured accent. Still, he looked to Mini anxiously, hoping for some confirmation that this was entirely real, and Tony had found some kind of safe haven, and the body of Reeve he had seen outside wasn't haunting him until he finally felt guilty enough.

"Few tears aren't so bad," he murmured, "No need to get hysterical about it. Just gotta wait out the storm, you'll be good as new in no time, you're fine, what's this?" One of them had demanded a cuddle, after all, so clearly this wasn't for Tony's benefit, Tony was great.

[plate_builder]

Mini is happy to reassure, his paw gently patting the side of Tony's face. There there. It's okay. They're okay. Everything is okay.

"They are hardly inspiring hysteria in either of us," Reeve chides with that usual testiness he has for when Tony is being silly. But it soon softened, even as Mini returned his attention so snuggling.

"When the storm passes we shall all be better."

[in_extremis]

That definitely sounded like Reeve and not some nightmare Tony would make him into, making Tony finally draw himself up and push the blanket back from his head, chancing a look Reeve's way again. If he had looked immaculate, Tony thought, he would have made for a much more discordant presence, encouraging Tony to climb to his feet. Reeve had been just standing over there this whole time while Tony ignored him to have an ineffectual, selfish breakdown.

"How long have you been here?," he asked, which could have just meant Tony hadn't see Reeve when he had come in, to excuse his behaviour. What he really wanted to know was if Reeve had been cultivating this strange little haven while Tony was busy accomplishing absolutely nothing trying to get Cal's ship back online.

[plate_builder]

Well then, good thing he doesn't look immaculate. He looks liek a mess, but he's alive, that much is obvious. But he doesn't really... well, mind that the man had a break down. A lot of people had.

"Since well before you entered. Have some soup. It helps," Reeve suggests, and he'll get a bowl but he doesn't intend to force it on the guy. "The Agrii provided it, so it's weird."

[in_extremis]

"What isn't?" Tony replied, and he wasn't sure what could have been comparatively weird when up against those flavoured gels that the ships dispensed, or anything he unwillingly experiences while on the Agrii ship. He risked making his way closer, carrying Mini high against his neck, defensive and protective in case this did turn out to be an elaborate apparition. "Where is everybody else?" he ventured cautiously.

[plate_builder]

Truly fair enough, Reeve can understand that. Reeve notices Tony approaching and puts a small amount of soup into one of the bowls. And starts with hot chocolate.

"I do not know. Once I found the status of this place, I haven't left. I... am not brave enough to face my fears," Reeve admits as he holds out a bowl.

Mini, as of the moment, has buried his face in Tony's neck, clearly comfortable here. This is family.