video; @fromTV (with bonus Loki)

[spellslots]

[The scene: the central room of the ice maze, cleared of gifts and drinks, replaced by an oversized throne that looks as though it belongs in some nightmare castle. On the throne sits Loki, in full Asgardian regalia, while Taako has managed to find a perch on the side of the throne, legs dangling off the side lazily, with an arm draped around Loki’s shoulders. He has no regalia to fall back on, so he’s gone for something black and striking, to match the theme of this little spectacle and to not clash horribly with Loki; his hair is braided tightly and his long nails are tipped with silver jewellery that he likely stole from Rin. In the background, there are faint sounds of panic; no screams yet, but questioning, worried voices, the sounds of people who are just starting to realize they should be afraid.]

Citizens of Riverview, [ Loki speaks in a low, lazy drawl that does nothing to hide the menace and power in his voice. ] We have lost our patience with you. So we will be taking over your charming little city. Freedom, after all, is life’s great lie. We will bring order to your messy lives.

[In contrast to Loki’s almost lazy indifference, Taako’s grin is sharp, a slight manic edge to his tone.]

Let’s not be too generous, calling it charming is a stretch and we could do so much better for ourselves, like say, the Capital World. We’re fucking sick and tired of playing nice with a bunch of idiots who wouldn’t know magical power if it bit them in the ass, but maybe the rest of this universe will have some more sense. Which is where-- [In the background, someone screams something about being let out, and Taako sighs deeply.] I wasn’t fucking finished.

[He raises a hand and what looks like black lightning seems to crackle over his fingers, spreading out across the ice and off screen as the background sounds fall deathly silent.]

I know they say to never work with children or animals, but honestly, it’s people that really get to you. [He pauses, lifts a shoulder in a lazy what can you do? sort of shrug] As I was saying, what we need from you is a shuttle to get off this shithole once we're done here.

Comply with our demands . . . or else the rest of you will suffer the same fate that befall those who rebel against us. Succumb to your natural state, your desire for subjugation.

[ As if on cue, a few sparrows fly past them, frost already spreading on their wings. ]

Comments

[evasives]

[he shrugs too.]

It could not have more obviously been a show. Maybe people were looking for a fight.

[dothelokimotion]

It is possible.

[ Though he knows why. To many, this would seem too real. Ridiculous. ]

People like to be contrary.

[evasives]

[different worlds and different evils, he supposes, even if it still makes no logical sense to him.]

They also hate to be wrong.

When they realize their mistake, even the backpedaling lends itself to an argument.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Hmm. An interesting one. ]

I assume that applies to all of us. There are some flaws within that do not bear well under scrutiny.

[evasives]

Why wouldn't it? Everyone likes to assume they are correct, even when they are objectively in the wrong.

Some people are just better at hiding their flaws.

[dothelokimotion]

Are you one of them?

[evasives]

Why would I tell you either way?

[dothelokimotion]

Why not? It's not as though I know who you are or any context for your words.

You could easily lie and no one would be the wiser.

[evasives]

It's a public forum.

And there are a lot of ways to pick apart the truth regardless.

[dothelokimotion]

Then you can lock it.

Or say no. Either way, I was merely curious.

[evasives]

The answer remains no.

[dothelokimotion]

Fair enough.

[ And it's an answer in itself. Loki got what he wanted. ]