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

[spellslots]

I didn't think you were scared of a little work?

[dothelokimotion]

I didn't become king so I could expend my energy.

[spellslots]

You know what, fair point.

[He frees Loki's from his clutches, which mostly just involves moving his leg back to where it was.]

Pretty sure if Steve caught me like that he would straight up try to hit me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki chuckles. ]

He's a little excitable, that's all. Things have been in flux of late.

[spellslots]

Excitable, huh?

[That's not even remotely what Loki meant but Taako is waggling his eyebrows anyway.]

[dothelokimotion]

I like how you heard a partial half of my statements.

[spellslots]

I made a decision to not like, uh, wade into the deep waters of any relationship troubles.

[very metaphorical]

[dothelokimotion]

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

I wasn't expecting you to.

[spellslots]

You said flux, I wasn't gonna touch that with a ten foot pole.

[he has a self preservation instinct!]

[dothelokimotion]

It's not that kind of problem.

How are you and Rin, by the way?

[spellslots]

[God dammit, now he has to pretend to be all cool and stuff instead of looking terribly fond.]

Apparently we're in the murder business now, moving on up from petty theft, so that's cool.

[He likes Rin a lot it's going great.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki nods. ]

I approve.

[spellslots]

[true]

I had no idea my relationships needed your approval.

[he's teasing.]

[dothelokimotion]

It's important to have some approval when it comes to murder.

[spellslots]

You know, pretty sure you and Rin are my only friends that are down with murder.

[Why are all his friends goody two shoes?

Not that he's planning to go on a murder spree or anything, but it's sort of funny.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ It's the worst. Loki sympathizes. ]

It is because we are diverse and interesting people open to possibilities.

[spellslots]

That sure is one way of putting it.

[Honestly, sometimes Taako struggles to tell how much of Rin is... real, but that's not something he feels comfortable discussing because he knows Rin wouldn't like it.]

If we start a murder business or whatever, we'll cut you in.

[dothelokimotion]

It is deeply appreciated.

[ Sometimes you have to keep your options open. ]

I cannot say I miss it greatly though.

[spellslots]

Yeah, I mean, it's not super fun.

[Jokes aside, it's unpleasant business, even if he's good at compartmentalizing.]

[dothelokimotion]

I cannot say I miss this a lot too.

[ Though the joke is still funny. And he's an asshole. ]

[spellslots]

Trying to take over the world?

[just to check]

[dothelokimotion]

No, though I suppose that could be part of it.

[ He lapses into silence at that. ]