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]

True, but your counterpart here is studying Riverview's magic. Most trickster gods I've met aren't especially entrepreneurial. This is different.

[At a glance, anyway. It's still quite supernatural, and Mordred wonders what it feels like at night.]

None of that is a criticism, mind.

[ikols]

He's doing well for himself.

[ It's useful having another Laufeyson around, strangely enough, and Loki bears him no ill-will for the sake of it. That would be a tad ironic. He could do the research but it's a lot easier to pick his other self's brain from time to time, knowing he won't have learned anything pointless.

In a drawl, he asks, ] How many trickster gods have you met?

[eternalmagic]

Seems like it. He's a hard sell.

[And rightfully so, of course. Brain-picking is plenty of what he hopes to get out of his cooperation with Gramarye, and the other Loki is already high on that list. But it's better to tread carefully around gods, especially when you're still the New Guy. He leans back with a small smile.]

A few. You're the third of... yourself. [Then he tilts his head in a brief nod, eyes bright.] First with chaos magic, though.

[ikols]

[ The Lamb hasn't been through the slaughter yet, he's a hard sell but little worse. To Mordred, Loki neglects to answer until he hears of how the other Laufeysons have been doing by the mage's estimation. ]

What have they been using, their quick wit and good looks?

[ If Mordred's native version of Loki didn't meet one of those requirements, well. That would say a lot, too. ]

[eternalmagic]

[He nods obligingly.]

Plus a well-tailored suit and an absolute circus of illusions, respectively. You're never a dull acquaintance.

[ikols]

That's a nice way of putting it.

[ Mild, but he isn't immune to flattery even if it comes on the sideline of the point. A hum and a nod are given as one, his attention flicking to the other patrons for somewhere to roam. ]

You don't harbour any grievances against them that you're thinking of taking out on me, I hope. You wouldn't be the first but you seem a bit cleverer than that.

[eternalmagic]

[Mordred has the grace to look affronted.]

Certainly not. All of my interactions have been mutually beneficial, so far, and I am well invested in continuing the trend. Besides-- [with a generous, conciliatory gesture] --how vindictive would I have to be to pick a fight I can't win?

[The answer is 'very' and also 'not more than he is capable of being'.]

[ikols]

[ Loki's gaze lingers on Mordred with a sharp edge of understanding, reading him and finding he can tolerate him if not befriend this one entirely; he isn't sure, Mordred is neither a clean-cut idiot or a coward. If he turns out to be an enemy then at least Loki won't be bored.

His smile lengthens, something shifting in his eyes when he blinks and the keenness softens too. He chins a hand. ]

So what have you been doing, Mordred, wandering around every god's door with your lashes batting?

[ If Loki's heart wasn't still sore that tactic may have been snapped up and returned in short order, yet he remains polite without any overtures. ]

[eternalmagic]

[Mordred is very particular about his enemies. He's not above harassing local deities a bit if it means gaining something important, but after that he'll quickly be on his way. No reason to overstay one's welcome, after all. He comes looking for neither friendship nor trouble. Just something new.]

That depends -- how many more of you are there?

[ikols]

I'd tell you but they happen to be my siblings and I'm not sure I like the idea of you trying the same thing on them. Unlike me, they may hurt you.

[ Especially Angela ... although, on second thought, Loki would pay to see that. ]

[eternalmagic]

I guess I'll just keep my eyelashes to myself then.

[Flirting with Mordred rarely resolves the way people expect it to, anyway, and gods have less sense of humor about that kind of thing.]

[ikols]

[ That response is what prompts Loki to tell him, the easily swayed disinterest is better than if Mordred had been desperately nosy. ]

Thor and Angela.

[eternalmagic]

[He smiles, not anticipating the acquiescence and therefore pleasantly surprised to get it. An eyebrow lifts.]

Thor I recognize, but... I've never encountered a Norse goddess named Angela. She's your sister?

[ikols]

She is. Angela was lost to us for a time but her story is her own, she can decide for herself whether she wants to tell you. If she doesn't throw you over the perimeter wall, that is. [ Angela wouldn't, more than likely, but you never know.

Spreading his hands, one holding onto his phone, he arches a brow right back and affects taking offence. ]

But I thought you came here to nose around for deets on me, I'm starting to get jealous.

[eternalmagic]

[He is more than understanding about letting a person share their own story and will leave it at that; for now, he grins and leans back against the couch.]

Yes I did. And to fix you a drink, more specifically.

[ikols]

I like how you admit it.

[ Rolling to his feet he gestures for Mordred to follow him on the way to the bar. Loki waves at the barman, signalling they're going to be taking over a corner, and sits himself down on the customer's side. ]

[eternalmagic]

[Mordred rises easily and follows along, circling his host to the sacred side of the bar. For a moment or two he runs a cataloging look over the contents of the bar, the ingredients at his disposal; already he's got a few ideas off the top of his head, but this is a new Loki he's dealing with.]

Would you like to make any requests, or should I surprise you? Because I should warn you that I might be influenced by the ghost of Lokis past.

[ikols]

Make me something new.

[ He doesn't want cast-off ideas. ]

The green mile is in a bottle under the bar, if you want to get me drunk you'll have to add that.

[ Having been through a shitty break-up of his own making, or thereabouts, he isn't opposed to the idea. ]

[eternalmagic]

[Insulting; as if he would just recycle some old offering and hope for the best. But he's working off air here, otherwise. Well then!

Mordred picks up the bottle from under the bar.

It's not about getting the god drunk per se, but in his experience that is usually what they want, at least the consideration; the Loki from his world likes bad whiskey, autumn-themed beer, and sickeningly sweet things; this one likes... bacon, breakfast food, and more than a touch of the modern world.

He chooses a few ingredients from Loki's collection. Whatever doesn't appear to be immediately on hand, he conjures in delicate wisps only to be sent back where they came from (they wouldn't be missed). Mordred is good with his hands, quick and deft and detail-oriented, and alchemy lends itself pretty well to bartending; with practiced ease he puts together something with the buttery burn of good whiskey, a maple sugar sweetness, a fiery habanero kick and the strength of the green mile behind it - garnished with a piece of candied habanero bacon, because he's still kind of a smartass.

With a little flourish, Mordred slides it across the counter to Loki. It's not really about trying to get it right on the first try with gods. As long as they don't hate it enough to take it personally, you can move on from there.]

[ikols]

[ The way Mordred mixes a simple drink speaks well to his abilities as a sorcerer, conjuring this and that but never straying too far from the ingredients on hand. It's cathartic to watch as Loki plays on his phone, his attention split but never off the man for long.

The addition of bacon makes him snort under his breath, smiling as he takes a sip. ]

It's good. Very good. [ With an absent wave of his hand, he puts Mordred's name on Nico's list. ] Consider yourself VIP-material. You can snoop around up there if you want, I'm going to finish my drink.

[eternalmagic]

Much obliged.

[But he has an eyebrow raised, the pleasure of success slightly dampened by being sent off so easily. Not that he takes it personally or anything. It's just... odd.

He could get into a lot of trouble for pursuing this angle of curiosity, but that has rarely stopped him in the past, so. Mordred tilts his head slightly, prepared to be more thoroughly and/or effectively dismissed but wondering what will happen if he isn't.]

Sure you want to drink alone?

[ikols]

[ Glancing up from his phone, he shrugs. Inviting people to spend more time with him usually ends up as a pointless exercise; giving Mordred what he wants, a VIP pass, seems like the best course of action. Loki doesn't appear to have considered that Mordred would want to stick around and drink together. ]

I don't mind. Help yourself.

[eternalmagic]

[It's less a question of wanting, and more a refusal to leave well enough alone; this is interesting enough that he'll take whatever risk it is to press.

He fixes himself his own drink first, a simple bourbon and honey; it's usually possible to gauge his mood by how much honey he puts into it. On bad days, you'd think he was half hummingbird. Today is a reasonable amount.]

That was rather painless. [It would be fair to say there is something suspicious in his tone.] Not that I'm not grateful, obviously, but -- well, as far as I vicariously know you, you don't seem like yourself.

[ikols]

[ Taking note of the drink Mordred chooses for himself, the echo of a smile curls in the corner of Loki's lips. ]

I'm not another Loki, I'm me. I can stop showing you my softer side, if you want.

[eternalmagic]

[He lifts the hand not holding the tumbler in it.] That's true, you're not. And if I'm out of line, I apologize. [He doesn't really think he's wrong, though.]