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

[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.

[ikols]

[ A smile quirks wryly in his lips. ]

As long as you're happy.

[ Not all lies are bad, after all. Blue seems like she'll do just fine. ]

She knows what she is and she can understand you because I do, I suspect she'll be far less trouble than your real daughter.

[alfa]

Well, she's a lot more peaceful, that's for sure. Smaller, too.

[ Owen doesn't really argue on the use of the word 'daughter', just skipping right over it as casually as possible. He does smile at Loki, resting a hand on his shoulder. ] Thanks. I wasn't expecting this, but it's... it's kinda nice.

[ She's not Blue, nor is she a replacement, so: ] I'll have to think of a name for her.

[ikols]

How about Loki-Two, the prettier.

[ Tucking into his dinner to finish it off, he soaks up the warmth from Owen's hand and lets it stay there as long as it will. ]

[alfa]

[ He snorts. ] Well, you're not wrong.

[ Just a playful jab as he gets to his feet, the tiny raptor following after him as he takes their empty dishes to the sink. He'll wash them later. ]

Do you want anything else? I don't have much in the way of dessert, but I can probably dig up some fruit or something.

[ikols]

[ He takes his plate to join Owen's in the sink and shakes his head. ]

I think I've trespassed on your good will long enough, but thanks. I think you have a date with a pushy girl ...

[ With a leery glance at Blue, chuckling, it eases into a calmer smile when he looks at Owen. ]

I'll have to bother you to cook for me again sometime.

[alfa]

Are you kidding? If anything I’m the one trespassing on your good will.

[ He’s taking up Loki’s cabin, and now the god’s gotten him a new friend. One meal isn’t nearly enough to pay him back for everyting he’s done for him so far. ]

Anytime you want. [ He smiles, ruffling a hand through Loki’s hair while he leans in to kiss his temple. ] And I’ll promise to stay in touch from now on.

[ikols]

[ Leaning into the peck at his temple he hums agreeably. ]

Make sure you do, you were missed.

[ He peels away to wander to the entrance, taking the steps up in a single bound. ]

May as well use the door for once ...

[ Loki heads out as a man but as the door swings shut, between one glimpse and the next a fox is bounding toward the forests. ]