driftfleet | [ intro post ] we come from the land of ice and snow

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[ intro post ] we come from the land of ice and snow

Who: Loki + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: Marsiva
When: Right now!

[ The feed clicks on as Loki is prodding the various appliances in open curiosity before he realizes it is working. With a smirk, Loki smartly claims a seat, crossing his legs and looking smug. ]

Ah, hello. I'm thrilled to be among such a — [ His eyes flicker to the lights and his smirk drops by an iota before it comes back in full force. ] — charming establishment. But I believe you have something of mine. An acquaintance. He's rather tall, prone to running into walls and likes petting things that bite him. If you could direct him to me, I'd be most appreciative.

I have attached an artist's rendition for your perusal.

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[Okay, that confirms what Thor already knew. It does not make him any happier.]

It is true nonetheless. I cannot speak to whatever happened the first time, since I wasn't in the Fleet then. But I was here the second time.

[ That . . . is uncomfortable. For a number of reasons. It means that there are people here with impressions of Loki, impressions he did not cast or make himself.

He's never liked that. And it shows on his face, uncomfortable and awkward before Loki smooths it over. ]

I don't see how it changes anything.

[There's a reason Thor decided to make the feed private. He highly doubts Loki wants his first impression of that information bandied all over the network. Not for the first time in this conversation, Thor wishes Loki was already on another ship and he could just do this in person.]

You vanished. [God, he tries not to make it sound accusatory. The abruptness of it coming out of Thor's mouth doesn't help in that regard, so he moves on quickly.] Which happens, with a lot of people. There is much that goes on here that defies understanding.

[ Ah. That does cast enough light on Thor's mood that Loki's expression clears up and some of his previous anger dissipates. He clears his throat slightly, glancing away. ]

So it seems.

At any rate . . . I am here now.

[For his part, Thor also looks away momentarily, the awkwardness of the situation ever more apparent. His initial frustrations have burned off leaving only an odd mix of relief and chagrin. Not so dissimilar from how things were before, really.

He blows out a breath and perks up.]

Yes, you are. And while I am not glad to see you captured here, it's good to see you.

[Really. It's better than not knowing where Loki is, whether he's gone home or ended up somewhere else out of reach.]

[ His lips twitch faintly in amusement. ]

You owe me a hug.

Now . . . what else is relevant?

[As if it would take owing a hug for Thor to launch in once Loki's in a reachable location.]

The story goes that this is some form of entertainment show for the universe. Our presence is meant to be as contestants, though I don't see the value in it.

[ Pursing his lips, Loki weighs that. ]

Not for us. But for those above gods? True immortals?

You've met the Grandmaster. Is it so hard to believe? Their modus operandi is the same.

[Please don't make him think there's a Grandmaster-esque guy behind all this, it will just make him mad again.]

It isn't that I don't believe it. It's that I don't find it amusing at all. Not to mention no one has actually seen these Atroma who are behind all of this.

[A grunt.]

Smart, really. There are plenty who would challenge them directly if they had the chance.

Then it must mean they know it's a fight they'll lose.

[ Loki takes it all in, slowly connecting whatever dots he can. ]

No wonder you're frustrated, brother. You've never liked anything you could not punch.

Not if it's kidnapped me, no.

[He likes plenty of things that he could punch, if he wanted to.]

You should also know that time does not work the way it should here. It isn't exactly like Sakaar - but similar. Time is not passing back in our own universe while we're in the Fleet.

I've been here for four months, Loki. Frustrated does not begin to describe it.

[ Loki bites back a sigh. ]

Then we simply have to play the long game. We're Gods, Thor. Four months is nothing.

It's still time I would rather spend elsewhere, doing what I need to do.

[No, time isn't moving back home. But that doesn't much help when Thor feels the passage of time here, and has little option but to stew over it.

Thor is Not Good at the long game.]

People are brought from various times and universes here. There are several from our own, but none of them are from as recent a time as you and me.

[ His frown deepens. ]

Who? Don't be vague, Thor.

Rogers and Natasha. Others that you don't know. Some are from more than seventy years in the past.

[It's really the Steve and Natasha part that needs to be said. Loki has no frame of reference for the others.]

[ Loki snorts. The weaker links. Romanoff could feasibly be a problem, but Loki knows enough of her past to maneuver himself. The Captain is not worthy of consideration. He doubts either of them will cause trouble and Loki isn't seeking to do so himself. Still. It's inconvenient. ]

Ah, so it's Natasha now? Really, brother. You never learn.

Oh, I don't think that's true. And neither do you.

[As bait goes, it's low level, and Thor isn't rising to it.]

I've already let them know some of what's happened since I left Earth.

[ Loki leans back in his chair, brushing it off. It wasn't much of a jib and he knew it too. ]

And? I doubt they'll be much use. Are they going to help or simply run in circles until a catastrophe comes along?

It wasn't about asking for their help.

[It was about suddenly remembering a slew of terrible things, and having no one to talk to about it.]

All of it is on hold until we can get out of this place anyway.

[ He frowns slightly at that. ]

We could use the Fleet to our advantage. We're still looking for a planet for Asgard.

[Judging by the brief confusion that passes over Thor's face, that thought has not once occurred to him.]

We don't even know if this Fleet is in the same universe, or reality, as the one we've come from.

Even so, there are opportunities. We would be remiss not to take them into consideration. Midgard . . . may not be prepared to take on alien refugees, Thor. For many reasons.

[Thor subsides into silence for a moment. He does know that, if only because Natasha said as much when he explained the situation to her. And then Peggy said the same. Still, he isn't given to thinking that's the end of matters, just because it might be an uphill struggle.]

So I've already been told, from a few people. I never assumed it would be a simple matter.

No. But you have always believed things would work out for the better.

[ While Loki does not. He believes in the worst. Which has its own flaws, but it keeps him pragmatic. ]

[That belief has gotten Thor far in this life. It's a little harder to hold on to, following the destruction of Asgard and the foundations of his own life. It makes him that much more determined to hold on to it, though. And whatever's left.]

Things will work out. One way or another. [It's as much concession as he's willing to give.] What would you propose instead, while we're stuck here?

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