video, un: LOKIOFASGARD

[ikols]

[ He misses Stephen. One of his best friends (if he could consider himself as having them) for months, a backbone to lean on and firm supporter of the Loki Isn't A Total Shitbag club, is gone, and while the Sanctum actually is larger on the inside than the out, it feels somehow emptier. He smashed several priceless artefacts with no repercussions, no sorcerer appeared to put him in time-out or ask with strained patience what he was doing, which is how he knows Stephen really has returned through the portal. That, and Loki's private alarm went off as Stephen left the dimension; his finger pricked with blood on its own, a warning.

So he sits in Stephen's main study in a theatrically winged armchair because this house is nothing if not extra, dust motes floating through lazy afternoon golden light. He does so with arms folded, frowning, ignoring the giant green viper with its head resting over the back of the chair upon his shoulder (Freyja is sad too). He takes a breath. ]

Stephen Strange from Earth-616 has returned home, albeit leaving his actual house here. The Sanctum Sanctorum is hereby officially all mine until he returns, fight me for it, etcetera. [ The unnaturally large serpent boops his cheek with her huge nose, supporting and prompting him to continue as he scratches under her chin. ] Er, I guess Avengers are still welcome if you ever visited Stephen in the first place, whatever. Come by if you have any magical problems, I ...

[ He pauses (maybe for effect!!) and pulls the Cloak of Levitation into shot, draping it around his shoulders. What is more impressive is the cloak lets him.

(It has instructions to babysit a certain godling, not that Loki knows that.)

He sets his jaw, sitting up straight. ]

It happens in our future anyway, he said. I suppose I'm this realm's new Sorcerer Supreme, for now.

Comments

[alfa]

Yeah, I figured. [ He shrugs, patting at Loki’s leg. ] But it’s fun to tease you.

[ Kinda hard to get one up on the god of mischief, after all. He finishes his beer, then tips his head. ]

You want something to eat?

[ikols]

Yeah, feed me.

[ When he bares his teeth they're pointy foxy fangs, and he pats the belly of his hoodie like the brat he is. His tail swishes all over Owen's lap just to be aggravating, because that is pure joy to Loki and how he rolls. Feeling frisky. May nip. ]

What've you been eating all the way out here?

[alfa]

[ Owen snorts, grabbing that tail and tugging at it. Not hard enough to hurt, just hard enough to be a pest. ]

Meat, mostly. Fruit I can find around the forest, a few things I bring with me from the Quarantine. I'm trying to get some greens planted nearby too.

[ He slides from between the couch and Loki's legs, getting to his feet. ] What are you in the mood for?

[ikols]

[ Pulling a face when his tail is tugged, it vanishes as Owen gets to his feet. He shrugs to the question, slipping out his phone to browse his apps. ]

Meat is always good. Do you have any bacon?

[alfa]

I do, as it happens. [ He takes his empty beer back to the kitchen so he can whip them up a quick meal. ] Something with bacon it is.

[ Since he figures Loki will wait in the living room, he'll try to come up with something quick to make, probably along the lines of eggs and bacon with some bread. Plenty too, since Loki seems to work up an appetite sometimes. ]

[ikols]

Thanks, buddy!

[ He waits until Owen is out of sight before tossing his phone aside and working on conjuring a little raptor fleet, all glowing green like living translucent holograms. Ten in total shimmer their way around as he gives them voices, chirrups and snaps, then after all looking at him as one unit they rush into the kitchen calling their mini warcries.

Loki reclines with a smile, finding his phone to act nonchalant. ]

Whoa, think I found you those dinosaurs you wanted!

[alfa]

[ Halfway between frying the eggs and bacon and getting them a couple of new beers, a familiar sound reaches his ears, and he turns around just in time to see a pack of raptors hopping their way into the kitchen. They're not real, he can tell— projections of some sort, he's guessing.

He grins fondly, though he doesn't reach out. Unsure if they're even tangible at all. ]

How did you do that?

[ikols]

[ Upping his score on Space Invaders, his smile cocks up. Happy that Owen sounds pleased. ]

I can create constructs that are part of my magic, they can be fully sentient and tangible when fully formed. It's happened before by accident. I wasn't sure what to make those ones look like but if you have any suggestions ...

[ Infused with mischief, the sparkly babies rush around the floor and enjoying skidding, a few snapping intangibly at Owen's laces. Two intrepid raptorlings hop onto a counter, investigating the eggs but pushing their noses through. They want to eat! ]

[alfa]

[ There’s some nostalgia lingering in his gaze, as he watches the baby raptors run around fhe kitchen. He debates on asking Loki to make one of them in Blue’s likeness, but it seems too personal. Too close for comfort. ]

They look perfect.

[ He grabs the plate and pulls it away, hand retracting on instinct when one of the raptors jumps at him and tries to bite him for stealing their food. ]

So I can’t touch them yet?

[ikols]

Not unless you tell me how to make them more realistic.

[ Ooo, hi score ... ! ]

Think of them in their current state as Will'O the Wisps. Ghosts.

[alfa]

[ He glances at Loki, reluctant. Sounds like a move to get him to share, but— fine. ]

Alright... well, first, their heads are bigger when they’re this young. The size of the eyes is good, though. Claw on the hind legs is bigger than that, more curved.

[ He looks at one of the projections on the counter, currently staying still and looking up at Owen. ]

Can you make... blue streaks on this one? Starting on the eyes and going along the length of her body and tail.

[ikols]

Okey dokey, Loki ... !

[ He continues innocently playing his game, a subtle glance all the attention he grants the gaggle. Outwardly, at least.

The changes happen easily and grey skin akin to the raptors he remembers from the movies stretches over the glowing skeletons, giving them form; one gets her blue streaks, as requested. All Hel breaks loose a moment later as the babies realise they can now touch things, hurrying to steal bacon and eggs and anything else they can get their little teeth on. Except for Blue, who looks up at Owen from the kitchen counter for guidance.

Loki smiles serenely at his game. ]

[alfa]

[ You know, this would be a much nicer and more peaceful moment if not for the nine other raptors trying to destroy Loki’s kitchen right now. Owen flinches briefly when they start leaping around, stealing food, one of them trying to bite his shoe off.

He shakes her off, standing up straighter. ] Hey, hey— hey!

[ He whistles loudly, once. The ghost of Blue is quick to hop onto the ground, moving to stand in front of him obediently. She utters a series of noises to the others, though it remains to be seen if they will listen to her and do as she does. ]

[ikols]

[ Aware of his constructs and how they view the scene, he takes his cues from Owen and so too does Blue. The wild raptors stop and blink at her, then seem to reluctantly start helping instead. One spits its slice of bacon back in the pan, head bowed, while another picks up a fork to offer it.

As Blue preens, Loki whistles the Galaga theme. ]

[alfa]

[ It’s no less amazing to see these raptors obey him, now. He’s vaguely aware that Loki’s likely controlling them, but... well, he doesn’t care. He won’t pick at the details.

Taking the offered fork, ] Thank you. Now, floor. Come on, hop. [ He motions for the raptor to come down from the counter, then he crouches in front of Blue’s projection, smiling a little. ]

That’s a good girl.

[ikols]

[ Nine raptors hop down, stealing a tea-towel as they go. It becomes their nest as they settle in a corner for a nap while Blue, the current focus of Loki's energy, chirrups happily and looks how she can help with the rest of Owen's cooking. She's far smarter then the real thing, knowing to bring a salt shaker over in her teeth and the like, but she retains all the familiar qualities that appear to put Owen at ease.

Loki's game goes silent as he joins the other raptors in a nap, disconnecting a little from Blue. He'll recharge while she plays. ]

[alfa]

[ It's an indulgence, he knows. Loki will eventually have to break this spell, but for now, while the god rests, Owen quietly enjoys this time with this replica of Blue, watching her with a smile on his lips as she fetches things for him, and helps him get the meal ready.

Eventually he's making his way to Loki, resting a hand on his shoulder gently. ] Hey... meal's ready, sleeping beauty.

[ikols]

[ He wakes up at the prodding, hitching a smile into place as he gets to his feet. ]

Something smells great! Is it all for me?

[ Waggling his brows. ]

[alfa]

[ Arching an eyebrow at Loki, he pulls back a chair so the god can take a seat in front of one of the plates laid out on the table, with some scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon on it, and some slices of bread he can help himself to.

Blue's on the floor, rushing around the chairs, looking up at both Owen and Loki and calling out for attention but not trying to jump up onto the table. ]

Being a little greedy, aren't we?

[ikols]

You know my appetites well. [ Snerk. He seats himself and happily tucks in, humming appreciatively as he does so. ] It's all so good! I didn't realise I was so hungry ...

[ It's only been two days since he had a meal but still, wow. Ravenous godling is suddenly ravenous. He flicks some sausage to the floor for Blue. ]

[alfa]

Smartass. [ He says after a snort, nudging Loki's leg with his knee. He digs into his own plate, eating with a little less excitement than Loki, but then he hasn't spent nearly that long without eating himself. ]

Glad you think so. [ Far from gourmet, but what matters is that it tastes good. Owen glances down at the tiny raptor taking the piece of sausage, smile waning. ]

You should take them back. Will them away, or... whatever.

[ikols]

[ Nine raptors chirrup a goodbye and fade but Blue runs over and hides under Owen's chair. Loki eyes the construct, sharing a look with it without missing a beat as he cuts his bacon. He shakes his head. ]

She can stick around if you want, she's no drain on my magic.

[ Leah was different, she sucked Loki's magic out to use it as her own. All of her gang were a massive tax on his power ... but little Blue, she's just. There. It's as easy to let her stay as it is to banish her. ]

[alfa]

[ Owen glances at Loki, then the raptor, and finally back to his plate. He digs into the food in thoughtful silence, mulling that offer over in his head as he chews and swallows down his food. ]

So how does that work? [ He says at last, turning slightly on his chair. ] Do I feed her? Will she grow up?

[ It’s not like she’s a real animal, after all. ]

[ikols]

You can feed her if you want but she won't grow. She's as-is. I'm not telling her what to do but I could, she's like one of your human AI robots but smarter. The ones that learn on their own and gain independence, just ... through magic, instead.

[ Not that Loki is watching Owen from under his lashes as he nonchalantly explains. ]

The constructs I made accidentally before, I did so without my own knowledge. They could eat, fight, their actions had consequences for those around them.

That's what I do, with things like her. [ His eyes lower back to his eggs, fork poking at his food. ] I lie so well that the universe believes me, too.

[alfa]

[ He finishes most of the food on his plate before pushing it away from him, turning sideways on his chair properly. He tilts his head at Loki, studying his profile silently before saying anything at all. ]

Is it really a lie if even the universe believes you?

[ He looks down at Blue, then pats his own leg. She hops up onto his lap, screeching up at him, and he scratches under her chin. She's much tamer than the actual Blue, but— well, it kinda works, given his current situation. ]

She's not a lie. She's here. Doesn't matter what she's made of.