[ video | un: trickster ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ The feed opens up to Loki, dressed in a white shirt and black tie and slacks. He seems to be in a facility somewhere in Riverview, one that might not be familiar to most. He taps a pencil on a clipboard, his bid to look professional. Even his hair is combed back, a few strands tied together with a silver clasp. ]

Greetings. I work at the Gramarye Research Facility for Magic and I was hoping to get some examples of magic taken place in Riverview. Any will do, even ones where your own magic has clashed with the rules of this reality. If you could make it short and precise, I would be most . . . grateful.

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[dothelokimotion]

[ He blinks, the latter statement ringing oddly in his ears. Certainly, Loki would prefer minions. But he also knows the value of doing it himself. Still, this gives him an opening for the pursuit of more information. ]

And what throne am I meant to find? Considering they're all quite taken.

[ikols]

Would it bother you so much if it were not Asgard's, really? Rhetorical question. We both know the answer to that, I think.

[ Tsk. Here, even though Tony can obviously still hear them, Loki turns the feed to private. ]

Did you intend to come off as you have? A few people now seem to think you're an idiot and may be inclined to give you a wide berth, that's very clever of you.

[amelioraate]

[ Tony at least pretends not to be listening, toying with his phone with a lip between his teeth and moving over enough to brace his foot against Loki's thigh.

Yeah, totally not listening. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ There's nothing quite as fun as an inside joke. Even if it's a joke only Loki knows the truth of. He ruled Asgard for years. Even though he's been plucked from his throne, his victory was assured, it was sweet and it lasted.

True, it would be even better if he could rub it in their faces, but Loki isn't quite that desperate. ]

Is it? All I did was act like myself. Unapologetic but honest. Is that not what all you heroic types value?

Should I act more kind and fake myself?

[ikols]

[ Not acknowledging the foot against his thigh but neither moving away, he keeps his attention trained on the screen. ]

Frankly it would serve you better, yes. Hedging closer to the truth only works if you sound honest enough to create supporters, and you ... [ Eyes greener than his counterpart's narrow, looking him over thoughtfully. ] You've not had much luck keeping people around with the truth, have you.

[ Not a question. A somewhat sad, educated guess. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Stark is clearly listening, so all of Loki's responses must be measured in turn. It is one thing to talk to his . . . other self. It's another to do it around witnesses.

Though he assumes, neither of them trust Stark that much. ]

I am a living lie. It is best to embrace that truth if I cannot embrace any others.

[ikols]

I applaud your melodrama but you can't lie to yourself and, unfortunately for you, I happen to be right here. [ ENJOY THAT EXISTENTIAL CRISIS, it's someone else's turn.

Moving on with a huff, however, he decides to bring up a certain trespassing. ]

By the way, I'm afraid you called on me when I wasn't at home.

[dothelokimotion]

I'm quite sure you find that more unfortunate than myself.

[ The latter part draws his brows together before he makes the connection. ]

Ah. No, I wasn't there for you. The Viking had called for need and I assisted. I'm hardly interested in your living quarters.

[ikols]

[ At least this isn't King Loki. He's not him, this is fine. It's fine. ]

You misunderstand my point. I dwell there, it's mine regardless of the people within my wards. Meet with them outside those boundaries in the future and I'll keep away from any that you lay down in kind.

That's not a poor truce, really. Let's be peaceful neighbours, yes?

[dothelokimotion]

Now who is dramatic?

[ Fear was clearly motivating the man here. He shrugs casually. Fear can be played with. But Loki has realized he doesn't need to do anything for the fear to speak to his other self. This conversation was rather freeing, in a way. Loki hadn't been keen on meeting or even knowing another self, all redeemed in the eyes of the world.

Seeing him now . . . the trade could have clearly gone better. ]

If it is peace you want, you can have it. As I said. I have no interest in you, Asgardian.

[ikols]

My requests are reasonable, considering you stood mere feet from where I sleep. And I'm no Asgardian.

[ An assumption that he tosses back with an arched brow because technically, ah, he supposes he isn't if he's in exile. Look at his old-younger self, basking in his own cleverness! Utter lamb. ]

[dothelokimotion]

Aren't you?

[ The meaning is quite clear. ]

I'm a little baffled why you might think I would do you harm, but I suppose this must come from experience. I wonder how many Lokis have you killed in turn. Perhaps I should be the one worried about my sleep. I haven't tried to kill myself, after all.

[ Well. He has but not in the context this self means. ]

[ikols]

[ His leg against Tony's foot twitches, thankfully out of shot, and he keeps his expression steady with the strength of lies alone. (This is fine. He's going to have to get that on a jacket.) ]

You should know by now, Loki, that your greatest enemy is yourself.

[ In every context possible. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ A non-answer, a truth that is ingrained in their very being. A wasted response. It seems his words hit the mark. That was enough of a victory to satisfy Loki. Now he's willing to withdraw comfortably. ]

Since you are more Loki than I, I will take your word for it.

[ With that, he closes the feed. It's important to have the last word in the right conversations. ]

[ikols]

[ Pity. It doesn't feel like anyone won, not to him. ]