ataraxion | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, I do see what you mean to ask now. In that case, my answer will be a simple one.

They are with me because I grew up with them in the palace. You may think of them as part of the family -- [and here comes the part that sounds rather forced to say, but he speaks for the sake of clarification alone] for I was once considered an Odinson, a prince of the realm.

[The part about Odin sending them to Loki is oh-so-laughable, but he makes no comment on it.]

I didn't realize it wasn't clear the first time.

[ if this was video, the smile she'd give when she said that might be a little tense, as it is, all it sounds like is a sweet sort of smile happened when she said it. ]

And they went to the first thing they knew from home who they liked and decided to perch near you. [ a small hum. ] There's worst company from home to have. You won't use them like he does, will you?

And now you are. [He cannot... not quip back... sometimes.

Still, he continues:]

I am someone familiar to them. Do we not all flock to familiarity in a strange environment? [It's rhetorical, he doesn't expect her to respond to that.] Would it bother you if I did?

And I have you to thank for enlightening me. Whatever would have I done without that. [ Yeah, she's not even sorry for that. Could be! Definitely isn't though. ]

Depends on how much you like the familiar things. You aren't always familiar with things because of good reasons. [ It was rhetorical and yet the temptation was there to answer and she gave in. ] Define bothered.

[He answers with relative ease, tone lined with vague amusement.] You would be against the idea.

Did I say that?

[ Which is to say, if her tone is anything to go by, she's not technically bothered by the idea. ]

It all depends on what you'd do with the knowledge gained.

You did say give you a definition. I provided.

[BUT that's not really the point, is it.]

Which depends upon the nature of the knowledge I gain. I have little use for tedious gossip, and far more interest in the goings-on of the true nature of this vessel.

That's pedantic and you know it.

[ She's just saying. ]

If you manage to get anything about the true nature of this ship, I'm pretty sure most people would do horrible things for that knowledge. It's not really in— excessive supply.

Of course it isn't. Which makes it all the more mysterious and something of a challenge -- difficult things for one to ignore.

And all the more frustrating when you reach dead ends. I appreciate a challenge as much as the next girl, but there's no real fun in something you can't actually defeat. Or top. Either word works in this case I think.

And are you certain our situation cannot be defeated? One shouldn't be so quick to despair.

I've been here a while, any despair I'm feeling hasn't been all that quick. [ a pause. ] You have to discover what it is first to defeat it. I wouldn't say it cannot at all, but there's a difference between a challenge and potentially beating your head against a wall before you get to a challenge that isn't that.

And am I wrong, or does it seem as if you're speaking from experience?

Would it matter if I was?

Merely curious. Do you always deflect questions you do not wish to answer with more questions?

No, I just don't answer them. I deflect questions with more questions when I want to see just how much someone wants me to answer it. Making a person work for it, so to speak.

[By Odin's beard, this mortal. (Or at least he assumes.) Fine, Loki can do this all day.]

Hinging upon the fact that said person truly even cares that much to begin with -- and is not merely humouring you with politeness?

[ Does a banshee count as mortal? She's mortal enough. ]

They could be humoring me, I'll give you that one. But you're assuming I necessarily mind that. Or can't recognize it.

[That is a tricky one -- but to Loki, you're either a god or you're not. So "mortal enough" probably constitutes as mortal for him.]

If either of the two are true, I would have to call you much more versed in subtlety than the majority of those I have spoken with.

[ Rude, Loki, hasn't anyone told you not to be speciesist. ]

Admitting that either one of those are true takes the subtlety and mystery out of things, doesn't it?

[ Which, really, should actually give the answer. ]

[Probably. But he never listens, that Loki guy.]

Very much so.

[And it does! To the point that Loki has lost a bit of interest concerning their initial subject and would rather ask:]

Allow me to dispel some of it regardless. What is your name?

[ Maybe things would work out better for you if you did, just saying.

Lydia just smiles. ]

Lydia. That's not much of a mystery, though.

[Loki? Listen to people? Never.]

But exponentially less of a mystery than it was before. I've made progress.

[ Wishful thinking, clearly. S i g h. ]

Only a minuscule amount, if you only do that much each time it'll take a long time to figure it all out.

two ❈ video

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