ᛚᛟᚲᛁ has a silver tongue. (the_trickster) wrote in avengers_logs, @ 2019-10-17 09:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | -backdated, -complete, loki laufeyson, sif |
Who: Sif, Loki
What: consulting on the building project in New Asgard, and Sif and Loki are on better terms.
When: First half of Oct
Rating/Warnings: Green, backdated. Posting before appt!
The groundbreaking for the underground dungeon cells was already in progress, on the side of the village near Sif's home and the children's school that was a former church. This would afford the greatest safety for the most vulnerable among them, and such a project wouldn't arouse any suspicion where it could be excused away as a project to improve the water and sewage pipes.
So that the project wasn't interrupted by increasingly cold winds and rains from the sea, they had seen to shoring up the large tents used for the wedding feast, and the workers were toiling away underneath. At a table off to one side of the dig, Loki was finishing up going over the day's plans with Korg. He was the new co-regent of Asgard with his new bride, and he was acting the part. Nothing went unnoticed, including the displacement of a soil to one of the nearby farms, and the stones to help act as breakers to either side of New Asgard's harbor, should any relics controlling the tides turn up again.
As for the honeymoon, it went about as well as could be expected...which meant he ended up rocking the proverbial boat. It abruptly ended a few days earlier than intended, and thus Loki was taking solace in the work project. He looked weary but fully focused on the task at hand.
To keep Sif aware of developments, an invitation to look in on the project was sent by messenger. It was an attempt to make peace after what was a foolish disagreement on his part, now that his temper had cooled.
Sif had been leaving Loki be until his feelings had settled, and had hoped the wedding and honeymoon would improve his mood. She'd got what she really wanted at the council meeting, which was freedom to pursue the knowledge of what was going to happen to troublemakers of a realmswide nature. And the knowledge that Thor was planning an emergency contact with the rest of the Avengers and SHIELD had soothed some of her concerns. So she was more than ready for Loki's invitation when it arrived.
After a morning session of fitness and "sparring" (exercises to strengthen wrists and teach basic sword and shield moves) with the children and a mid-day judgement on guard tryouts (one to join, one sent off for further training and practice and a suggestion to reapply in a season, and three dismissed completely with as much kindness as Sif could muster), Sif came over to the tents in which Loki's crew was working. One of the workers led her to where Korg and Loki were conferring about plans.
"Milord Regent," Sif said at an appropriate break in the conversation, "and Korg," who won a smile from her, for Sif had come to like him in their short acquaintance, "I am here as Your Highness requested to review the works. And if you wish it, to report on the royal guard and how the children are doing with their training."
"Hi there," Korg said, with a little wave of one rock hand. "We're digging a hole. As you can see. Lucky there's a lot of solid stone here, but it's a little rocky digging through it. That's a Kronan joke I made there. Hope you liked it."
Sif grinned as if he'd actually said something funny.
Loki was staring at the side of Korg's head like he was attempting to burn holes into the pebbles with a stare alone. He softly cleared his throat and directed his attention to Sif.
"Hello, Lady Sif," Loki said, nodding in greeting to her and keeping his tone light. "I would very much like to hear your report, as well as show you the current plans."
"The children are doing very well, and it's clear that they're keeping up their exercises even on their days off. Their speed with the practice blades is increasing, and none of them are having trouble holding up their weapons." Building wrist strength was a key factor in successful early weapons training. Children who didn't develop it properly had a hard time with it later, Sif had found.
"And," she continued, "I have another candidate for the guard, and one more whom I asked to train for another season and reapply." Sif named the woman she'd accepted and the man whom she'd asked to come back; in a village this size everyone knew everyone else. Unsurprisingly, the gender of the applicants made no difference to her. "I hope to present a full dozen for inspection in two weeks, though of course they will need more training and practice after that."
Brunnhilde had an idea that he should train the children in magic, or at least those who were adept in it. But it hadn't been brought up yet, and such an idea didn't appeal to Loki as much, knowing how well it went over being the lone male mage in the midst of predominantly male warriors. Many of those warriors did not look favorably upon those considered ergi...and he was certain that Sif heard her fair share of derogatory comments as well. He bit the inside of his cheek and nodded as he listened to the report.
"This bodes well," he said, pensive but pleased. The names were definitely familiar and Loki, by virtue of being a sorcerer and a shapeshifter, was not one to focus on gender either. "I thank you for your time and attention in handling this matter."
After Korg went back to the dig, Loki slid the plans over toward her on the table, so that she could see the depth of the dungeon.
"I have been at work creating the machinery for the shielding. Once we erect the building over it, it shall look like naught more than another house. The same as the others. Thus, the guards may dwell within. If there is someone to imprison."
"Let us hope all these measures come to naught for lack of need."
Sif devoted herself to examining the plans, considering how she would attack the building and bring the security measures to naught if she wished to free a prisoner Loki was holding here. In general it seemed to be in order, though of course there were a handful of points where she found possible weaknesses. "It's a good plan," she told Loki after a few minutes of perusing the blueprint. "I see no flaws that we cannot overcome with well-trained guards. It is always possible there would be a power we cannot foresee that would breach it, but against those troubles we can foresee, this dungeon should suffice." Her smile was genuine to Loki's eyes.
And it was, though the look of him told Sif he needed a rest and some hearty food, not necessarily in that order. She knew better than to make a lewd joke about the Valkyrie wearing him out on their honeymoon. But she was sure something had left him so pale and exhausted.
"The shielding spell will be the most powerful in existence, in both universes." Loki was certain of this fact, and seemed assured. It wasn't every day that one obtained a Valkyrie's tears as a magical component. Although he cast a wary eye at Sif for doubting him, his voice and expression softened when he next spoke. He realized where Sif was coming from, and that her smile was real and freely given. "I know you say so out of concern, thus I will not be offended by the insinuation that it might somehow fail. I am certain the guards will defend Asgard admirably, given your training and recommendations."
For someone who tried to tout his own self-importance so often, Loki was still rather insecure about his place in Asgard or on Earth. It was a major reason why sleep was elusive.
"Since Thor has given you the freedom to do as thou wilt with SHIELD and the Avengers, will you be splitting your time between New Asgard and New York?" he asked.
It wasn't that he wanted Sif gone. He did not. But he did want a plan in place to guard their isolated village over the next six months. "If you choose to or are in need, then Brunnhilde can oversee things in your stead. You have only to let us know. She has been keeping watch in the sky for any threats."
Sif had been thinking about these very questions. "Once I have the guard chosen prepared sufficiently, I expect to split my time between New York and New Asgard. And following that itch that makes my sleep uneasy. I would rather be wrong and overprepared than ignore it and find out there was something to it. And I trust you and the Valkyrie to keep New Asgard in good order, though you have but to call and my blade will be at your service."
"There is only one mild concern I have, Your Highness," she added, lowering her voice because it was for his ears alone, "and I hope it will be resolved before I leave."
He would rather have more help than less, so this was a disappointment to him, but not wholly unexpected. He drew in a deep but silent breath, letting it out slowly as he shuffled the plans over the table. At the mention of that itch, all movement stilled and he squinted slightly. He wasn't sure what she might have in mind.
"You know that I can not undo the will of Asgard's king," he said slowly, as though cautioning what was asked for, "much as I could not undo the will of the Allfather when last you asked it of me. As long as you observe Thor's wishes to keep the Asgard and Midgard's business separated, then all will be well."
He did not want any further rift between them, although he never believed Sif liked him. It felt as though Thor's friends often barely tolerating his presence, only because Thor dragged him along on adventures. Regardless, as regent, he was curious to hear what it was that Sif wanted resolved. He couldn't brush it off or dismiss her concerns, since it would be one more thing weighing down his already burdened thoughts.
"I would very much like all to be well betwixt us," he told Sif, while fighting off that nervous tick of rubbing at the palms of his hands. "Whatsoever your concern is, please, share it with me."
"I would not ask you to undo the King's will, and I am content with his ruling," Sif hastened to reassure him. "My concern here is quite different. One of the key members of the royal household is overextended, and I would see you order a day of rest and recuperation, with good food, so that they can regain their strength. I fear they will not listen to me, and I would have our leaders set a good example." Loki was clever; he ought to know exactly who she meant, even if he resisted the idea.
Oh, he knew, and his jaw tightened a little bit, his expression dry as a bone on some far flung desert planet. He rolled his eyes a little and looked off to one side, as though the words skittered in through one ear and tumbled out the other. The words did leave some footprints on the precarious path between, so it wasn't like he could ignore it entirely. He wasn't used to hearing anything of the sort past Brun being the one saying it, and even then, he was shifty and avoidant.
"There is much to do," he finally said. He wasn't touching on the 1001 things left to do, including those things that he couldn't tell others about. "I vowed this task would take three days, and it shall. Once I am satisfied that all is well, then I shall rest." He smiled then, and it was not at all unkind. "I thank you for your sound council, Lady Sif, and for your concern."
"You're welcome, Prince Loki. If you find yourself in need of someone who can handle minor tasks so you can concentrate on sorcery, I remain at your service. Nothing I'm working on is so pressing that it cannot be put aside for a time," Sif reminded him gently.
His lips parted as though he wanted to say something of import, and quickly pressed together again as though he was stopping himself. This concern and gentleness was very touching, but it was also like the slow twist of a dull knife into his heart. Instantly, he wanted to say that he appreciated the offer of aid and thank her for her concern. He wanted to apologize for all the misdeeds of before, to ask for all the help he could get since things seemed daunting lately....
The problem was that gushing wasn't a princely thing to do, and he wasn't sure how long all of this good will would last before he inevitably ruined everything again. Thus the hesitation. Some of this hesitation was over not wanting to lose face, due to boasting of finishing a dungeon in three days!
"If you see fit to offer further aid, far be it for me to refuse," was Loki's mindful response, each word carefully weighed and measured before being uttered. "If you have a spare moment away from Midgard's messes, an extra set of hands for building the outer facades or moving items would be most welcome. That way I can focus on the means to power the shields and piece together the machinery for the Bifrost."
"I place myself at your disposal for the rest of the day," Sif told Loki easily. This was something she could do, and she thought Thor would be pleased to hear that they were working well together. It would relieve everyone's mind, including her own. "And if there is time before you must begin the work on the Bifrost, perhaps I could get something from the kitchens for you? I know little of sorcery but 'twould seem wise to be well-fortified before starting in on a difficult task."
"I...I would like that, I think." The offer was welcome, and his silvertongue nearly tripped over itself. Having been anxiously focused on everything else going on, Loki felt his face growing warm and was hoping it didn't show on the surface.
It didn't help that he spent many decades sighing from afar at Sif as she sparred on the training yards. Nor that the way she spoke strongly reminded him of mother trying to coerce him to eat lest he, in his exuberance, ended up in a state of seidr sickness. Casting spells was like drawing water from a well. The water didn't automatically fill up as fast as it was drawn away. Not unless there was an underground spring, and this area had no such bountiful fount. While he was powerful, there were still limits, and Asgard's considerable energy was no longer there to draw from. It was taking a while to adjust.
"I am most grateful. I shall require a few day's rest after this task is completed. I thank you for your concern, and would very much like...." His voice trailed off as he tried to think of anything that sounded appealing. "...a small fruit tart and cup of tea, perhaps?"
"I'll see that it's arranged. By your leave," Sif said, and, once Loki had given his permission, moved off to ask the kitchen to ready some sweet things for Loki, and some meat and vegetables that were nominally for her but that she suspected Loki would dig into once he'd noticed he was starving. Someone had to make sure the Regent didn't starve himself, and from the look of things it wasn't going to be the Regent.