✮ ( 001 ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ / ᴀᴄᴛɪᴏɴ )

[uprightness]

I knew I should have looked up 'reality shows' a few months back.

[ The man who appears on the screen is currently looking at what seems to be a little notepad before adding the word 'space' next to the words 'reality tv'. Really, he could have done this space setting if it included an inter-galactic war or helping planets in peril.

But in all honesty, Steve Rogers: entertainer has never been his career choice and it's not his forte, either. At least now the whole thing doesn't include singing and girls in scandalously short skirts. ]

My name is Steve Rogers, currently aboard the SS Pathstone. I've done a little bit of reading while aboard the Marsiva. I understand there are those who are trying to help the people on the moon we're visiting, if there is anything you need, I'd do whatever I can do to help.

[ you might catch a glimmer of red and blue and silver just behind him. A wink as the light hits metal ]

The same goes for going home. I imagine people have already looked into ways for us to leave this place. No one should be taken anywhere against their will. I'd like to hear about the information you have managed to collect and I'll do everything I can to make sure everyone will be able to go home safely.

[ you all get a little smile. he's so awkward at these things, can you tell by now. ]

I heard I've missed quite a party.

Comments

Video

[complicatedliar]

Goodness no. Rather, I bled out on Svartalfheim so that he could save his lady and the nine realms from Malekith.

I know better than to expect a thank-you.

Video

[uprightness]

You expect me to thank you after what you've done? Why would they even let you out of imprisonment?

[ Thor, you promised :| ]

Video

[complicatedliar]

Not very good at listening, are you.

Thor let me out, for I knew the way to Svartalfheim and we had mutual vengeance to pursue.

Video

[uprightness]

Thor did.

[ well that's great. ]

Convenient that he's not here and we can't ask him.

[ or if it's true, scold him for bad decision making ]

I was told you met part of my new team.

Video

[complicatedliar]

Believe whatever makes you feel most delightfully patriotic. [You will anyway.]

I've met quite a few people.

Video

[uprightness]

[ oh my god, can they vote him off the fleet ]

How long have you been here?

Video

[complicatedliar]

About half a year. Barely any time at all, but for the boredom.

Video

[uprightness]

You find being kidnapped and traced and having your mind operated on boring?

[ geez, Loki. you know what, it's not even comforting that someone at his level of power is stuck here. what does that say about their abductors? ]

Had a chance to talk to the kidnappers yet?

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[complicatedliar]

In a word: no. What is that human expression... ah, yes, "This isn't my first rodeo." Compared to my last go round, this has been exceedingly mild.

I have not felt the need to stir myself to conversation yet. [Like Hel he's telling you anything useful, Steve.]

Video

[uprightness]

[ dear god, give him patience ]

And you're taking all of this so well.

[ which is a good thing on the one and very concerning on the other. ]

I don't know what it is you're planning, Loki but the people of the Fleet are all innocent and none of us here will allow them to be hurt.

Re: Video

[complicatedliar]

[Loki rolls his eyes.]

For truth, justice, and the American way, yes?

Do you know what an utter ass you sound at this moment?

Video

[uprightness]

While stating to the person who tried to destroy my entire world that this place will not be an encore?

[ folding arm ]

I think I'll live with it.

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[complicatedliar]

Who has been here far longer than you, has done nothing untoward for that stretch, and is not even from your timeline.

[Expansive shrug. You're not intimidating him.]

Your threats and finger wagging bore me, Rogers. I've known many more of you than you've known of me, and familiarity only makes you more tiresome.

Video

[uprightness]

Yet.

[ he arches an eyebrow ]

No need for us to be familiar, Loki. Whatever it is you're planning against the Atroma, it best not involve these people.

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[complicatedliar]

[He'd make a crack about listening comprehension, but he already did, and he loathes repeating himself.

He rests his cheek in one hand.]

Are you speaking of the surprise birthday party perhaps? The free pudding? Free kitten day? The mass escape attempt? The protein concoction I've come up with that tastes like a decent peppermint mocha? Who knows what dastardly plans I have cycling about in the twisted depths of my brain.

You know Steve--and yes, I do know you well enough to call you Steve even if you don't recall it, as you're the fifth or sixth of you I've had dealings with--I haven't missed these little talks of ours at all.

Video

[uprightness]

[ it's a painful effort not to roll his eyes but he manages it.

barely so but still. ]

And yet you claim we've become familiar enough that we're on first name basis?

[ that's not weird at all, loki ]

Video

[complicatedliar]

Luceti was an interesting place. [He shrugs one shoulder.] Interesting in the sense of having one's skin cut to ribbons and then sewn back together with twine.

Video

[uprightness]

Are you being metaphorical?

[ he can never tell with you, Loki ]

How long were you there?

Re: Video

[complicatedliar]

[Loki smiles.]

Not at this time.

Three years, Steve. And a version of you was there for all of it.

Video

[uprightness]

I'm sorry.

[ it doesn't matter if it's Loki or anyone else. ]

That's a long time to spend at a place you don't belong at.

Re: Video

[complicatedliar]

[there are things of Luceti he cannot forget, because he forgets nothing. Some very emotionally important things writ indelibly on him. And some of those involved Steve even if he has no intention of ever speaking plainly about it, because this is not the man he knew and in a different lifetime called 'cousin.' This is someone who regards him as an active enemy, who deserves no hold upon him. And yet, 'I'm sorry.'

He must be cautious.

But there is still an odd note of softness in the amusement with which he regards the world and speaks.]

There is no place in which I belong.

I am over a thousand years old, did you know that? Time is a relative thing. The universe might turn upside down in an instant. Years pass in the blink of an eye. And a single day might contain an entire other life.

[It is all true, in its own way, and all an obfuscation in another, a useful fiction that plays to the narrative he wants to control. His favorite sort of lies.]

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[uprightness]

There's Asgard.

[ the one place steve considers as his and thor's home, after all. the one place loki always included when he presented himself.

so. there's Asgard. ]

Time is relative.

[ that he can agree with him on but ]

But any time spent in a place like the one you described sounds like far too long.

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[complicatedliar]

[He wonders if Steve means in the sense of the dungeons, though that doesn't seem the intent. And Asgard does belong to him now; he's won, but it's one of his greatest secrets. He's got the story he's built here, however, and slips it on like a comfortable coat.

Softly:]

Nay. Nor Valhalla.

[Hah. Well.]

'tis true enough. Though it could be and has been worse.

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[uprightness]

[ for once, he doesn't and that's when he has to catch himself. Loki lies, Thor made that much clear but worse than that, he is a good liar and Steve isn't that proficient in reading him at all. ]

Well, when we leave this place, Asgard is where you'll choose to go, isn't it? so there's that.

Video

[complicatedliar]

Nay.

[Well, actually yes. He'll return in Odin's guise and continue on as he has been. But he has his narrative here, and he is executing it with utter precision. No one can gainsay him.]

It strikes me as a particularly self-destructive intention, to return to a universe and timeline in which I am dead. While I know I am a contrary creature, I haven't been actively suicidal recently.