riverview | video; @fromTV (with bonus Loki)

[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. ]

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[... point.]

I like her anyway, and Cisco'll be pissed if she gets upset.

Then you deal with her.

I am, I just made that shit private.

[To not ruin their fun.]

[ He's a little irritated now. ]

Suit yourself.

[mmmmm not allowed]

What's the real issue?

[He even pokes Loki's cheek, as if somehow that helps.]

[ He bats at it lightly. ]

What happened to you is . . . similar to how people saw me in the past. I don't have much patience for it.

[Taako assumes that this is mostly about the frost giant thing more than the magic thing, but still.]

I made a choice to learn magic, whatever issue people wanna take with that, I can deal with it.

[Maybe if people were coming at him for being an elf or gay or whatever it'd be different, but his magic isn't an inherent part of him, as important as it is.]

I learned magic from my mother. I was weaker than other Asgardians. Using daggers instead of the traditional weapons.

What was not said to my face was said behind my back.

There's a difference between prejudice and a stupid mistake.

[This time he nudges Loki with his shoulder, a lot more affectionate of a gesture.]

Anyway, I'm not gonna listen to people talking shit about me. I know I'm fucking awesome.

[ Loki hums. ]

You were annoyed though.

It reminded me of the shit with Lucretia, when Lup dragged it all over the network.

[That's what he was really upset about it, although the magic-is-evil-assumptions are also frustrating.]

[ He nods. Neither of them like their private lives displayed in any manner. ]

You still have more patience than me. I would have made half of Riverview see spiders everywhere.