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

@ciscodelamancha | video

[franciscoramon]

[ Two can play this game. ]

If you're so magic and we're all just idiots and peons, why don't y'all just... magic yourselves up to the Capital World, hmmm? I mean what kinda supervillains need a lift? I'm just saying...

[dothelokimotion]

I suppose we could just build a staircase of bodies.

[franciscoramon]

First of all, gross.

Second of all, you'd definitely need a population that was several thousand times larger than what we got here to even get ya halfway.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shrugs. ]

I could turn them into something else more durable. Or use them as . . . [ A dramatic pause. ] magical fuel.

[franciscoramon]

Double gross.

[ Cisco's not sure if that's actually a thing or part of the joke and he's not sure he wants to know, either. ]

[dothelokimotion]

Evil has no bar for "grossness".

[ He's really stopped caring. It's a good thing he can actually pull off the evil look. ]

[franciscoramon]

Ain't that the truth. Nice self-burn, there.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki gives him a flat look. ]

I'd like to see you do better.

[franciscoramon]

[ Okay Loki is way too good at the whole deadpan thing here, if Taako hadn't texted Cisco to reassure him this was all a joke he would definitely be starting to wonder. ]

A better plan for escape, or a better burn than saying you're down for limitless grossness?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki gives his best evil smile. It's full of teeth. ]

It is not about the ethics. It is about how far one will go.

Do you want to know how far a God can go?

[franciscoramon]

[ That is sure a whole lot of teeth. Also... it's a little hard to joke back at this one because isn't Loki technically a god, or something like that? So he probably shouldn't make fun of that... he doesn't want to pass fun banter and end up actually saying something shitty. ]

Not particularly.

[dothelokimotion]

You possess some wisdom after all.

[ He gestures magnanimously. ]

Perhaps we can spare your life.

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco mirrors that gesture, clearly trying very hard at this point not to laugh, he doesn't want to give away the fact that he knows this is all pretend. It's a struggle but he manages with a semi-straight face. ]

Thanks, dude.

[dothelokimotion]

You had better work hard. There are plenty of people vying for your position.

--> text

[franciscoramon]

[spellslots]

[Hey Cisco.

Hey.]

It sounds a lot like you're asking for a demonstration of our power. Don't forget I know how to find you, Ramon.

--> text

[franciscoramon]

[ Cisco doesn't want to sabotage Taako's fun prank too much, really he doesn't, but he just can't resist... ]

[spellslots]

[God why can Taako only teleport once a day!! He doesn't want to miss Steve coming to ~defeat~ them]

You're brave when you're feeling safe in your workshop, huh? Why don't you come over here and play?

[franciscoramon]

Hmmm, I think I'll pass. Have fun storming the Capital.

[spellslots]

[Taako hums, thoughtful.]

You know, we could use someone like you to help our cause.

[franciscoramon]

I'll have my people contact your people.

[spellslots]

You have people now?

[Taako be nice.]

[franciscoramon]

[ Wow, rude!!! Cisco lays a hand against his chest, sending back a wordless reply that is just him making a mock-offended look, that he has to cut off quickly because he's about to start laughing and ruin the whole game. ]