text | un: medraut (pre-fire)

[eternalmagic]

Good morning. I've recently arrived in Riverview - my name is Mordred.

Suggestions are both welcome and encouraged as I learn my way around this lovely city. So is advice. [Although that could be such a bad idea. It's fine. He's accepted his choices.] In the meantime, I'll be fulfilling a position with Gramarye Magic Research.

Those of you that use magic yourselves, I sincerely hope our paths will cross while I'm here.

[And boy does he ever mean it.]

Comments

[eternalmagic]

[Son of a b--

Well. He didn't last that long after all -- not even in on entirely different planet. That smile fades and Mordred's expression closes; there's no anger, or even bitterness, for Loki being able to wrap context around his name. There's just Nothing.]

I try. [He takes his seat as well, lounging a bit, and says exactly nothing else about it.]

I've encountered Loki in my own world, once or twice. But I would have been very surprised to see him here, in Riverview.

[dothelokimotion]

[ That is hardly surprising. There is always a trickster, a chaotic godly element in almost all worlds. Whatever name is given, the nature of it rarely changes. Loki signals the waiter as he crosses his leg. He wasn't expecting such an extreme reaction and he files it away quietly. ]

Is it? I am known for my surprises after all.

[eternalmagic]

To say the least. [He picks up his coffee again, mildly.] I summoned him, the first time. The second time, we just happened to cross paths during a seiðr ritual.

Evidently I'd made a good impression, because he didn't try to feed me to spiders on the latter occasion.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shrugs loosely. ]

The real trick is to make the impression last.

[ After all, Loki can change his mind. ]

[eternalmagic]

[Well, it was a few hundred years in the interim, but Mordred isn't about to volunteer that information. Mostly out of spite for being called out already.]

I'll do my very best -- I have every intention of making an impression in Gramarye, after all.

[wouldn't be the first time]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Well, it wasn't hard. Considering the entry also said Mordred on top. His iced-coffee arrives which Loki takes with a winsome smile. ]

And what kind of impression would that be?

[ Loki is slightly overprotective of Gramarye. He may not be its founder, but he was the first and he helped manage the place as well as he could. He does not force his authority, preferring to let them act as they choose. That being said, it is his. ]

[eternalmagic]

[HEY....... that name doesn't mean anything to plenty of people.

He looks at the god across the table for a long moment, perceiving this protectiveness, not blaming him in the slightest, knowing he'd likely be far worse if it were him.]

A beneficial one. Were you imagining otherwise?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki smiles, though there's no real humor in it. Loki's imagination far outstrips most people, being both a blessing and a curse. It gives him an advantage over everyone where magic does not suffice, but it subjects him to countless demeaning thoughts and scenarios. The world is against him. Loki has never forgotten that lesson. ]

As you well know, my imagination extends to all possibilities.

[eternalmagic]

[Now he frowns. Again, not out of irritation, but the idea of someone expecting the worst of him when it comes to handling magic is personally very troubling. Even if Loki is bring rightfully cautious.]

I am an eternal student of magic. [He looks toward the city again. Through it.] I will learn so that Gramarye can learn, and whatever Gramarye teaches me, I will guard as knowledge should be guarded. [There is an edge to his next words, not directed at Loki, but present nevertheless.] Magic is not a game for children. Anyone using it must learn to respect it, one way or the other.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Hm. There's a glimmer of respect in Loki's eyes, not one easily given due to his nature. But Loki has always admired magic and appreciated the different uses that people come by it. His Asgardian upbringing only makes him cherish it more, even when it subjected him to taunts and abuse.

It was, after all, his only link to his mother. The one thing he has left of her. ]

That kind of respect is learned. Not everyone has the luxury of time to learn it.

[ It's an odd sense of kindness in a way. Or merely age that speaks. Loki does not mind a lack of knowledge so long as it doesn't result in an outright dismissal. ]

But it seems you have your priorities in order.

[eternalmagic]

[The vote of confidence is appreciated, despite knowing he's still obligated to prove it. Not remotely an issue when he would have done so even without Loki's eye on him.]

Learned better when it's taught. That is also what I intend to do.

[dothelokimotion]

And that's all?

[ It seems very . . . normal. Simple, even. ]

[eternalmagic]

[The question surprises him a little. Learning magic -- as much of it, as many kinds as he could find -- has been his life for... well, as long as his life has lasted. It's not all... it's everything. Teaching anyone less familiar with magic to treat it with the respect it deserves is just an extension of that, here and now.

But after a moment, he smiles slightly.]

Is there something else you'd like to request of me?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki merely chuckles. ]

I would not dream of it.

[eternalmagic]

Well... [He finishes his coffee, and resumes his work on the muffin.] Should you change your mind, you'll know where to find me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki grabs his coffee though he does not take a sip of it. It is merely show, a way of fitting in. ]

And yourself? Not that I hand out favors.

[eternalmagic]

[Another surprise, and one that Mordred would jump on like a wolf on a dying sheep if he weren't still treading very unfamiliar waters here. He's got time. He thinks. And if he doesn't, he doesn't, and it won't matter.]

Mmm... Just keep me in the loop, will you? [He licks icing off his thumb.] As I'm sure you've noticed, there is something going on with the magic here.

[dothelokimotion]

I will consider it.

[ Which is as close as a concession as it gets from Loki. He takes a performative sip of his coffee. ]

[eternalmagic]

[He chuckles, almost to himself, ducking his head briefly. If that's all he's going to get, and no surprise, then he'll still take it. There's plenty he can do without help.]

Good enough.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Is it? Most people aren't stupid enough to ask him for anything. Even those with no clue to his background hesitate. He has built his reputation around being caustic and reticent. But it's not his concern right now if Mordred takes his offer or not. ]

We shall see.