( how the dinosaurs died )

[dothelokimotion]

Who: Loki + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: Planetside
When: Right here, right now

[ the feed turns on, though it seems to start with a burst of static and a blurry screen before it finally seems to straighten itself out. though the scene you might be seeing seems a little . . . hard to take in. mostly because it looks like everything has been frozen. plants, grass and giant dinosaurs like T-Rexs that were in mid-lunge to bite on . . . a huddled lump who has a quilt over their head and cocooned deep within the covers. And also happens to be sneezing a lot. ]

This — [ loki sneezes, looking pale, harried and a little . . . blue. ] — Is the worst. Why is everything so — [ another loud sneeze. ] — uncomfortable?! And how do you make it stop?!

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki huffs at that. ]

I doubt it has much to do with fairness and more to do with the fact that I know nothing about this body.

[sinistral]

Even so, a chance to get off the ships for a while shouldn’t have this result.

[ pHe pauses, unsure of how to ask the sensitive question without offending. Ultimately though he decides to just go for it.]

Do you want to know this body? What it can do?

[dothelokimotion]

[ the answer comes easily. ]

No. It's not — Not mine. It is a stranger's and I have to keep it with me. It stems from a father who abandoned me and I'm tired of fathers.

[sinistral]

Mmm, I think I can understand that, when you put it that way. I can only assume you're like this because they thought it would somehow boost ratings, and I wish you didn't have to suffer to do it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki sneezes. ]

It is just. Frustrating at best. It does not hurt overly much.

[ it only brings long forgotten fears to the surface. of golden men with spears and brothers with hammers. ]

[sinistral]

That's at least one good point. I wouldn't want to see you in pain.

[It's bad enough seeing the other man so inconvenienced by the planet's flora — at least, that's what he assumes is causing this reaction, though with the Atroma, he supposes there's no way to know for sure.]

Or I guess I should say more pain, on top of the inconvenience.

[dothelokimotion]

Pain is more of a, ah, state of mind.

[ he pauses, trying to find the right words. ]

It . . . does not bother me the way it would for other people. This is not a wound, just — a scar. Old and brittle. It no longer hurts but I don't enjoy looking at it.

[sinistral]

The intangible pain is bad enough without adding the physical on top of it.

[His own voice is a little reflective, words for himself as much as for Loki.]

Scars are useful, sometimes. A reminder of strength, that we’ve survived when others might not have wanted us to. They’re still not pleasant but I don’t see this as a lesser part of you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ a wintry smile touches his face. ]

I don't know how useful this scar is.

[sinistral]

I suppose it's trite, but as useful as you want it to be. If nothing else it provided a catalyst for us meeting today, so I can't think of it as entirely negative.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his lips curve further. ]

I cannot fault that.

[sinistral]

And it will take a bit more than a second form to scare me off.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his expression softens, turning the blood-red to something warmer, like sunlight on a poppy field. gently, he takes bucky's metal arm, pressing a kiss to his knuckles. ]

Thank you.

[sinistral]

[It's unexpected, especially given Loki's insistence that he's dangerous like this. He's not used to casual touch being a positive thing. But he lets his fingers curl a little around the hand holding his own, just for a moment.]

Save the real thanks for when we get you back to the shuttle and you can breathe easier, hmm?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki chuckles, his gaze flitting briefly to that movement, his smile never straying. the corners of his eyes crinkle. ]

Oh? And what should these real thanks look like?

[sinistral]

[He meets that gaze for a moment before letting his own slide away, a little awkward.]

Nothing in particular. I didn't come here hoping to get anything from you. You needed help. I could provide it. It's a nice change.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shakes his head, bemused. ]

It was merely a jest. And it is not about what is owed. But what I am willing to give.

[sinistral]

[Loki why do you put up with this fool.]

Then I guess you're the one who should answer your own question.

[dothelokimotion]

[ you know why. ]

I suppose I could find a way.

[sinistral]

Should I put myself into your capably devious hands?

[What is this conversation even]

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki smiles, feeling bold. ]

It seems you already have.

[sinistral]

I have, with one caveat: we get you to your shuttle first. Deal?

[dothelokimotion]

Deal.

[sinistral]

After that, I guess we'll see what happens.

[dothelokimotion]

[ a small hum. ]

I quite enjoy that as well.