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

video @chronicler

[scholiast]

(Oh, sure, this is legit. Lucretia isn't really paying attention; she's giving the voidfish a tickle with one finger. If there's a tiny uncertain part of her that is what-ifing over the possibility of Loki having bewitched Taako or something equally henious, it at least isn't apparent.)

Uh huh.

I dunno, Taako, black isn't really your colour.

[spellslots]

No?

[He waves a hand and the dress turns to a dark, blood red. Now he clashes with Loki a little, but it's only an illusion.]

What do you think? Any better?

[scholiast]

(She affords the scene a customary glance, and the corner of her mouth twitches.)

Striking. You're all set.

[spellslots]

And the hair, any complaints?

[Lucretia immediately got to the crux of why Taako did this and he's not even going to pretend she hasn't.]

[scholiast]

None, the hair is very good.

(As always. She points at Loki next.) You could tell your friend over there to, uh, get on your level though.

[spellslots]

He's more powerful, I'm more beautiful, it's division of labor.

[That makes sense.]

[scholiast]

Oh, so that's why he's wearing that thing on his head? It's all coming together now.

[spellslots]

[As an aside, which doesn't work when this is public. He even does that thing where he puts his hand up between his face and Loki:]

I think he's overcompensating.

[scholiast]

(That makes Lucretia really laugh, something she stiffles quickly behind a curled fist.)

And you're not? This is ridiculous Taako, what are you doing exactly? Are we not keeping you busy enough or something?

[spellslots]

[He bites his lip to hide a grin, but it doesn't really work.]

Clearly not, I'm bored of this place. I'm destined for bigger things.

[scholiast]

Bigger things being a punch in the face if somebody takes you seriously. How's this going down among the people who don't know either of you?

[spellslots]

They'd have to find us, first, this is a very good maze.

[And Loki is essentially in control of it right now.

He doesn't answer the second question because that would definitely break the ruse.]

[scholiast]

You can keep your maze. Looks awful out there.

(She's more than happy in her thick cardigan, house socks and Junior, snoozing on her shoulder.)

So, Quarantine first, and then what? Fill me in on all the nasty details.

[dothelokimotion]

Do you doubt my intentions?

[ His tone is low and dangerous. ]

[scholiast]

(She raises an eyebrow.)

Yours? No, but I trust Taako.

[dothelokimotion]

Ah, but what if I had him under my control?

[scholiast]

I considered that initially but came to the conclusion that he isn't. But I was stressed for a few minutes if it makes you feel better.

[dothelokimotion]

I appreciate the effort. Truly.

[scholiast]

Any time.

So what prompted this, exactly?

[dothelokimotion]

It was Taako's idea. Apparently magic is grounds for a witch hunt for some people.

[scholiast]

... Yes, that is the literal definition of a witch hunt.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shrugs. ]

I was never fond of the term.

[scholiast]

And yet you find ways to entice people into using it more, huh?

(She chins her hand, looking at him properly.) I like your helmet.

[dothelokimotion]

Sometimes, you have to weed out the idiots from the civilized people.

[ And this little experiment paid off. He knows who to avoid, who to keep an eye on and who he is willing to continue communications with. ]

[scholiast]

(Oh, how charming. Lucretia straightens a little in her seat.)

Alright.

(She rolls her eyes, and reaches out to turn her feed off.) Well, have fun in your little maze. Return Taako the way you found him please.