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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So, your brother makes lightning...

...and you make chairs?

[ Aoba is confused. That seems so unfair... ]

[ Someone save Loki from this. ]

I can create almost anything with magic.

[ It's too late for you, Loki. ...Okay, so that's not true at all, but Aoba taps his chin. Alright, so he's not limited to seating. ]

Except a shuttle.

[ He's putting it together. ]

What about parts of a shuttle?

[ He sighs. ]

The kind of parts needed cannot be found here.

Hm. Well, if you say so.

[ Aoba doesn't look all that convinced, especially given some of the people he works with. But he'll stop here. ]

...I'm glad you're not bent on moon domination. That would've been bad news for most of us.

You were deeply concerned for a moment there.

[ DON'T REMIND HIM ]

Of course I was! It was... really convincing.

It was like a scene out of a VR game or a big budget film...

[ Loki has no idea what those are. ]

That was the point. To sell the part but make it so people can see beyond the guise.

[ Oh. ]

...Out of curiosity, how many other people did you trick with this stunt?

Hmm. Five, perhaps? Maybe more.

[ Five or more? WELP at least Aoba's not the only gullible one. ]

I think maybe you sold it a bit too well. Isn't that going to be problematic? I mean, we have superheroes here.

Superheroes fight villains. [ Isn't that dangerous? ]

Superheroes need more than theatrics to fight a villain.

[ They need things like proof. ]

[ Aoba knows he's no expert on superheroes, especially not the ones he's seen swooping around quarantine. ]

But they make mistakes too, right? Because they're really just like anyone else on the inside, aren't they?

What if they see this and get the wrong idea?

[ Loki shrugs, nonchalant. ]

Then I will deal with it. I am still a God and most heroes are mortals.

I'm sure you do. And I guess Taako can probably take care of himself.

[ Aoba scrubs at the back of his neck. He looks worried, because he almost made a big mistake himself - in fear, he almost had used 'that'. ]

...What are you the god of anyway?

[ Loki raises a delicate eyebrow. ]

Mischief.

[ Aoba's jaw drops. ]

Haaah?! [ This... really answers a lot of questions Aoba hasn't been able to reconcile, just with one single word. There has to be an achievement for that. ]

So this is normal for you?!

In a manner of speaking, yes. Why would I go against my own nature?

[ He smiles. He doesn't have to worry about things making sense or not, not when the whole purpose was... well, causing mischief. ]

Well, now I think I know what to expect. [ It puts him a little at ease. It really, really shouldn't. ]

So you really don't think our natural state is to be subjugated.

[ That's an unusual reaction. But Loki doesn't dwell on it. ]

Not particularly, no.

[ It used to be, but circumstances during that time were different. Loki right now really could not care less. ]

[ Lukewarm response aside, at least Loki doesn't seem as terrifying as he did earlier. ]

I'm not saying I'm okay with what happened but... I admit. You got me pretty good. I guess that should be expected from a god of mischief.

[ For some reason, it leave a sour taste in Loki's mouth. Perhaps, because Loki still has no idea who he wants to be. Where he is meant to go. God of Mischief and more? How vague and useless. ]

People should not expect more from me.

[ Ah, shit. Something in the way he says that instantly makes Aoba fluster and backpedal. ]

N-no, I didn't mean to imply that! [ He just doesn't know what he's talking about, who he's talking to, he's just some anxious human who doesn't know how gods and superheroes and normal people are supposed to live together in quarantine. It's hard enough just talking to normal people. ]

It's just... this is the longest conversation I've ever had with a god! So I really... I'm not... sure how to talk to people who are on a completely different level from me.

[ Loki merely looks him over. ]

Implication or not, there is truth to it.

[ Wh-why does he suddenly look so crestfallen? Aoba can't deal with this emotional whiplash! He feels really guilty and he's not even sure why! ]

What makes you say that?

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