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

[dothelokimotion]

I was not aware such things were synonymous. Should I simply refer to you by your species name then? Seems rather droll.

[imperceptus]

Charm or intimidation tend to be the usual routes. We're pretty good with either.

[ Then, brightly: ]

You barely seem to know who they are, so I'm not that worried.

[dothelokimotion]

Mostly due to a lack of interest.

Should I fix that?

[imperceptus]

I don't actually care what you do. You responded to me, if you fail to recall.

[dothelokimotion]

I was merely taken by surprise. As you said, I am unfamiliar.

[imperceptus]

We've spoken before, you know. Perhaps you are such a social butterfly as to have no memory of your conversations, but I am not.

[ He has absolutely not forgotten that day by the fountain, nor Loki's oddly tense attitude towards him. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I have not forgotten.

[ He weighs his response. ]

Dark Elves killed my mother. Hence the, ah, reaction.

[imperceptus]

Sorry for your loss.

[ His tone is flat. He hates his own mother; she's a terror who wants him dead or worse. So: can't relate.

But does have plenty of experience with feeling like an outcast everywhere he goes. ]

But it doesn't have a damn thing to do with me.

[dothelokimotion]

I am aware.

[ He's not particularly bothered. ]

Hence why I stopped. But I am, as they say, an asshole by nature.

[imperceptus]

[ He shrugs, his expression tight. ]

Well, I guess we can only be what we are.

[ It's a response that neither confirms nor denies Loki's own statement. ]

[dothelokimotion]

And what are you now?

[imperceptus]

[ Rin's voice is toneless; his expression like frozen glass. ]

Me? I'm not anything at all.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Sighs. He tried. Best not to push his luck so he closes the connection. ]