ataraxion | two ❈ video

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two ❈ video

[The video comes to life in a flourish of black feathers.

There's the caw of a raven, and when the device is adjusted better so that its audience can see the broadcaster, Loki can be seen standing with his arm extended. The aforementioned raven sits on his forearm, head cocked to the side and seeming to look into the feed with something akin to curiosity.

Another ruffle of feathers, and a second raven sits seated on Loki's left shoulder. The sight would be almost comical if not for the fact that there is something oddly imposing about the birds -- large in size, to be certain, but something about their demeanor exhibits a certain cleverness of thought that most ravens would not possess.

Loki smiles. Anyone who has met him before may notice that his hair is a bit longer, but other than that he appears the same. The backdrop is those of the oxygen gardens.]

I've returned to the ship, and yet I've not been gone that long at all, have I? Strange how time is twisted into something incomprehensible in an instance such as this -- but I hardly have a right to complain. Asgard was a reprieve, even in confinement. Svartalfheim was... [He trails off, choosing the right words.] Well. Lacking in a certain glory, but the dark elves were never ones for gilded appearances. I suppose it's a fitting enough battlefield for a glorious death.

I'd like to call it that, at least. Sacrificial. [A twist of his lips, irony escaping his mouth.] Mother would have been proud. Perhaps Odin, as well.

But I digress. [Both ravens then caw loudly, as if on cue.] It seems that despite everything, I've been granted a couple of friends from home. Meet Huginn and Muninn, the King's ravens. Huginn is the one with the annoyed look in his gaze, and Muninn is the one without it. Say hello, the both of you.

[And then (as if also on cue), both birds simply fly off to make their perch in a nearby tree. Loki only laughs, as if this was to be expected.]

Ah. Well. There is always room for improvement, as they say.

[private to mcu!Thor; not really encrypted at all because lol Asgardians encrypting things]

I take it you're still here. In which case I think we may have things we wish to discuss.

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[When Loki sees Thor approach, he can tell from one glance that the same has happened to him -- he had returned home to Asgard, experienced the same battles and tribulations, only to be brought aboard this ship again, much like himself. If there was any lingering doubt in his mind, the forceful hug that Loki finds himself caught would wipe them all away.

It's enough to make the air expel from his lungs, but Loki manages to give a short, surprised laugh, his lips curling into a smile. He is receptive as he can be, but Thor cannot see the way the Trickster's fingers curl in tension, the way his shoulders stiffen slightly upon contact.

This is a delicate act, one he must keep alive; they may not be in Asgard any longer, and they may remember nothing of the Tranquility if they are to return home again... but Loki would rather not take that chance. If the truth were to influence Thor in any way if they did return (and undoubtedly in a very angry way, if he knew), he does not want to risk such a truth dislodging his new place on the throne from beneath him.

So he will act the brother and comrade. It is preferable that way. He has the advantage if Thor dwells in ignorance.]

Thor. It seems I cannot escape your presence.

[Thor finally releases Loki and steps back, laughing a little at Loki's wry comment.]

Then it seems I must thank the ship for bringing you back to me, brother.

[His expression quickly grows more serious though, and there is sadness and regret in his eyes.]

Loki... [There are so many things he wished he could have told his brother. Hopefully now he will have time to say them. But there is one thing that he needs to say first.]

Thank you. You saved my life. I was able to return to Midgard to stop Malekith because of you.

[He already knows this much. But his face becomes more serious as he pretends to hear the news for the first time, brow knitting and grin turning into a frown.]

Did you kill him?

[He nods solemnly.]

Yes, he is dead. Asgard is safe and your deaths have been avenged.

[His composure cracks a little as he thinks of Frigga. He still hasn't had time to come to terms with her death.]

I still cannot believe you are truly here. I thought I would never see you again.

[There is something solemn about Loki's response that isn't all an act. He is, of course, forever grateful that the one who murdered Frigga has paid for the deed. This won't ever change.]

I see. You will certainly have to share the details with me at a later point, but until then -- well. I suppose I have you to thank for it.

Yes, I must admit I did not expect to be brought here in death. Though I do not know if Valhalla is reserved for one such as myself, after all is said and done.

You died in battle and with honor, in the defense of another. I cannot think of a death more deserving of Valhalla.

[If he seems a little vehement, it's only because the thought of Loki and Frigga together in Valhalla was the only thing that made the grief at all bearable.]

What do you remember?

[Oh, Thor. Forever drowning in sentiment, as Loki has said with disapproval countless times before. Fortunately he does not voice his opinion on the matter this time.] I suppose I have taken something of a detour, then. We shall see what awaits me -- if anything -- if I ever leave this place.

I remember everything, up until my body went cold and the world went black. Then, I remember the frustrating familiarity of waking up in a pod.

Well, that is a worry for another day.

[In other words, Thor doesn't want to dwell any further on Loki's death.]

It seems the ship is not ready to be rid of us just yet. No time has even passed since we were last here. Everything in my quarters was just as I left it.

[Not that he had much in the first place.]

And it is the same with myself. [Yes, Loki took some time to get settled before he even bothered trying to contact Thor. He had to find the time to calm down, after all, since he had to contend with the fact that his current position in Asgard is a moot point now that he's here.]

Though we do have extra company this time around.

[He motions to the ravens, who are still perched on a tree branch nearby. They both look at Thor curiously.]

[... Oh right. There was something about birds in that message too.

He looks up at the ravens and nods his head in greeting.]

Welcome to you both.

[He turns back to Loki with a puzzled frown.]

I have to say I'm surprised to see them here. Do you think Father sent them?

[Loki just raises a brow in return.] I do not know if Odin's power reaches this far, if even simply to send them here.

If he could reach this far, surely he would have brought us home already.

I don't suppose they have said anything to you?

[The ravens have certainly never spoken to Thor, but they are clever and sly things. Maybe they liked Loki better?]

Do they ever? [He says this bluntly, as if Thor should already know the answer to this question. Neither of the birds ever shared their secrets with Loki, something that he found irritating at best. He can only imagine the things they see.]

Perhaps they will now, since Odin is not here.

[He speaks directly to the ravens again.]

We seek a way to escape from this ship and return home. You see much that we would not, and any help you could provide would be appreciated.

[Huginn (or possibly Muninn) cocks his head at Thor, but there doesn't seem to be any other response.]

[a ghost of a grin plays on his features, and he says:] I see they are the same as ever. Silent for all except the Allfather.

[He looks at Muninn and Huginn directly, and he teases.] Naught but decorations for the gardens, the lot of you!

[The ravens both caw back at him loudly.]

[Thor gives Loki a smirk.]

Perhaps you should transform yourself into the image of the Allfather. Maybe then they will speak to you.

[He's mostly joking. Loki's illusions are convincing, but the ravens are too smart to fall for that.]

[Ah... ha ha ha.

Loki is silent, for a brief moment, studying Thor. He can tell from simply looking at him that he's joking, but. It's awful close to the truth, and Loki's innate wariness kicks in.

He pushes it aside lest Thor see his strained smile.]

I am sure I could. But as you said -- they far too clever for that. Only a dullard would utterly and completely fall for such a trick.

I don't always fall for it.

[Only most of the time.]

[Loki is quick to correct regardless.]

Only often.

[Thor frowns at Loki, but it's all for show. It makes him happy to be insulted by his brother again, which he knows is ridiculous.]

Perhaps we should stay on the ship, instead of seeking to leave it.

[Aaand here comes the frown.]

I admit I did not expect to hear such words ever come from your mouth.

[Thor just shrugs.]

For what reason would we need to rush back home? The Bifrost is restored and the Nine Realms are no longer in immediate danger. The Allfather can watch over the realms without us.

[And if they leave, Loki might end up dead again. That's not a chance he's willing to take. There are certainly reasons for Thor to go back, and he will miss Jane and his friends, but he won't trade his brother's life for his freedom.]

[He cannot help but scoff at that -- he has his own reasons, of course, for wanting to go back, but his words speak of other things.]

I am simply surprised, is all. When one grows up having the ideal of duty stuffed into one's skull, I do not expect it to leave so on a whim. What of Midgard? You were always so fond of it, for whatever unfathomable reason. You would trust that realm in the eyes of an ambivalent Allfather?

Midgard has defenders of its own.

[Loki's reminder about duty does bring up guilty feelings though, and Thor looks away. But it's not enough to change his mind.

Loki probably already knows his real reason for not wanting to return, but he'll say it out loud anyway.]

If I return home, you will be lost to me again.

[He looks over Thor for a long moment, before letting himself sigh. It's exasperated, to be sure, but he reaches out and puts a hand on Thor's shoulder.]

I am dead either way, brother. [Perhaps not the most consoling thing to hear, but at least he speaks it with the faintest of smiles.] This ship cannot change what has already happened.

two ❈ video

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