[video]; thunderer

[worldsaway]

[The video begins in the swampier edges of the jungle. Thanks to the flooding, the water is up to Thor's waist and he has mud up his arms and on his face. He holds the camera up at a selfie angle, smiling into it and waving with a muddy hand.]

If anybody happens to know where a big, fat crocodile went, let me know. He's got a scar over his eye and his legs are very stumpy. Embarrassingly stumpy.

[Thor looks about him, holding the camera out so the audience can really appreciate the view of the overflowing river and not the fact that he's wearing a wet singlet.]

And if you've lost anything in the floods, let me know and I'll keep my eye out for-

[He cuts himself off when he catches sight of something making ripples on the water. His arm whips out of camera, snatching the tail of a snake that he brings into view.]

Look at this! Did you know snakes could swim?



[The snake hisses, flicking its tongue at Thor even as it coils around Thor's arm in a lithe, slow crawl. When Thor's hold lessens though, the snake rears back slightly like a mirage before vanishing and revealing a grinning Loki who very casually slides a small dagger into Thor's side.]

Oh dear. Was that me?

[Thor grunts, mostly in surprise but there's pain in it. The little blades sting, and it's a miracle that he can hold onto his camera (lopsidedly) when he drops to his knees and grips his side.]

You've done it now, brother. [Thor growls, with a clenched jaw.] It's all going dark. Dark and cold. I see a light, it's calling me. I'll bleed out before they find me.

[And with his final breath, he musters the strength to try kick Loki into the mud along with him.]

Comments

[livingsymbol]

You would.

[And now he's being salty because he's uncomfortable with being called out. Loki's ability to play with Steve's feelings is hilariously on point.]

What happened to you showing off?

[dothelokimotion]

I'll do that for you. In private.

[livingsymbol]

[Steve's wry look shows that he seems aware that he's never getting the conversation back on track.]

You say that like I'm not already proud of you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Oh. Loki melts. ]

Maybe I need a demonstration. To refresh my memory.

[livingsymbol]

We can talk about that later. I'm still waiting for you to show me everything you've got.

[He's going to make Loki like himself one way or another.]

[dothelokimotion]

Right now?

[livingsymbol]

I meant magic tricks.

[Stop avoiding the subject!]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki flips his hair. ]

I don't perform on video.

[ Loki, you have performed on video several times. ]

[livingsymbol]

Don't be shy now.

[dothelokimotion]

I have never been shy.

[livingsymbol]

What do you call this then?

[dothelokimotion]

The neutral ground between shyness and pride.

[livingsymbol]

Neutral ground, huh? You sure that's all it is?

I thought you'd like to demonstrate your skill.

[dothelokimotion]

Well. I suppose I can. On request.

[livingsymbol]

So I have to ask for it. That's what you're saying.

[He's trying to encourage Loki in his way. This is the way he knows how.]

[dothelokimotion]

Precisely. I need to know there is demand for it.

[livingsymbol]

You mean a demand for you?

[dothelokimotion]

Yes, obviously. That's my primary concern.

[livingsymbol]

I did ask. Does that count?

[dothelokimotion]

You always count.

So I suppose I must give away.

[livingsymbol]

I just want to see what you can do.

You keep a lot of that to yourself.

[dothelokimotion]

[ A pause. ]

Force of habit, I suppose.

[livingsymbol]

Well, I think more people appreciate your abilities than you know.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Yeah no that sounds fake. ]

It's a short list.

[livingsymbol]

Give them time. I think you'll surprise yourself.