Who: Loki, Damian, Asgardian NPCs, and open to Thor Where: Asgard, Oklahoma When: August 17th, 2016, relating recent past events What: Loki is Asgard’s little spy and task runner, but there are times he can’t stand the want of old ways. Rating: PG Correlated with Noel.
Being grounded wasn’t really a thing Loki liked to obey. But even if he did see the merits of obeying the groundation, it soon became something he must blatantly disobey. He had orders, higher orders, and he could sustain any restrictions inflicted by Wanda and Vision after.
Repairing his relations with Asgard was much more precarious. So that had to take precedence.
So sometime ago, he had Thor take him to the Asgard, spoke to the All-Mothers, and set on his way.
Now he was back, standing before them with his hands behind his small back, the three women waiting to hear his tidings. “You look tired, Loki.”
“It is just dim in this room, All-Mother. Promise.”
“Hm. Then tell use what news you have. Leave nothing out,” Freyja insisted.
"Of course not," Loki lied.
Gaia distractedly played with her hair, seeming not too concerned about what she might hear. The third looked on, interested but reserved. Loki felt small, but a stage to tell a tale was certain a stage he took to like a fish to water, so he opened his mouth and relayed the events. He embellished on the better parts, omitted much, and he told them nothing of Damian, yet he related his recent travels accurately enough…
First he had been to the British Isles, where the gods fret about the ‘new enemy’, the Manchester Gods. Loki did not see them as harmful, not yet anyhow, but he knew that would take some careful treading. Of all the gods, those old ones of the British Isles were closest to their Nordic ‘cousins’. If they called for aid, Asgard would be seen as nigh traitorous in not responding.
Then it was to Italy, where he had plenty of time to prepare the summons and give Damian all the instruction needed to port to him. It would be pleasant to have travel companion, Loki thought (and wasn’t wrong), and very nice to be able to travel in style.
Of course, after he rest up and Damian settled into the modest hotel room, they discovered traveling in style was not going to happen. Damian’s funds had been limited. Loki thought he could send a message for the All-Mothers to send him more gold. They did tend to pay for his trips, after all, or he could ask L.L. to wire him something, but… that would be less fun.
“Then I will teach you an art I am sure you know not at all,” Loki had told Damian with a wide grin. “The art of the vagand. Welcome to Loki’s hitchhiker’s guide to Europe! It shall be great fun!”
And despite how much Damian grumped, Loki did think it fun. Damian was nothing but attentive, and would learn any skill if it was posed to him as a challenge. He would not be subjected to indignities that he thought beneath him, so the art of double-talk, entertaining for money, and telling creative, absurd and funny stories for rides mostly fell to Loki, but Loki did not mind. It was Summer, it was warm, and people were mostly generous to young hitchhiker’s looking to see the sights, especially ones that could cause them to laugh, speak to people in their native tongues, or wow them with card tricks, juggling, and tumbling about. Loki could get a crowd to clamber to give them a ride. They had their pick of free fare with little effort.
And if Loki roped Damian a few times into helping with his act, well, all the better, no matter how dire Damian would glare after the fact. In some ways, Damian’s attitude was a handicap to the traveling. Loki could get around easily in this way, ever charming, but Damian people were instinctively more leery of. Loki would whisper to not mind him, that his life hadn’t been gentle and Damian was very protective of him, so to please not fault his quietude and choleric looks.
So they fairly flew to Greece. This was where Damian got the first glimpse of Loki’s true traveling intentions. Loki went to where the veil was thin, then with as much preparation as he could manage to spare his energy, slipped into another realm.
He came back thoughtful, but cryptic. “Nervous,” he admitted finally to Damian on the road. “Everyone’s nervous, and they have reason to be. They blame Asgard. We’ve changed our story. We’ve changed our borders. The order of things has been upset, and the unknown is scary to them. The gods are old and set in their ways, so they want a familiar cycle, a familiar tale. The unrest in the East causes them ill, and all omens point to chaos.” Loki’s smile had been too large and too cheery. “Perhaps I was not the best emissary to send with all this in mind.”
The two procured a vehicle (it is best not to ask how) and Loki had to relent and let Damian drive. Asia is not like hitchhiking in Europe, so they were more cautious, yet the youths handled themselves fine even when they did run into unsavory sorts. They hopped around in China, and ventured all the way to its East coast, where Loki dared not go any further.
“Let a sea separate where I go next. The last trip the path was short, but I don’t think I’ll take my chances on a longer path after my last incident walking those ways. So I will go in a much quieter way to test the waters of my hosts. It also takes much less energy,” he had explained cheerfully while carefully scribing the circle on the floor of their suite (it is best not to ask how they got a suite, either).
He did not miss that Damian looked unhappy at this turn of events, but there was no helping it. Loki sat cross legged, assured him he would only be gone for perhaps an hour, and let his chin lower and the room disappeared.
One of the All-Mothers interrupted his gap-riddled story at that point. “You didn’t go in person?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Because the last time I traveled on the paths a long ways, I was dropped between the places and almost perished, but none know that but Stephen and Wong, and I shan’t be telling you such troubles. “As you will surely see, with a little patience, I had my reasons. May I continue, gracious lady?”
She didn’t look happy, but nodded seternly.
This one, Loki thought, I can’t figure out. One moment her gaze is soft, then pitying then insistent and firm. She’s like a well-folded blade…
But there would be enough time to ponder on that later.
Spiritual Japan is a fascinating place, and not one Loki had visited before. He only had a few of Ikol’s accounts, and of course Ikol stayed close by him for the encounter. Loki changed his appearance for the meeting. He was a chameleon, and he wished to observe some proper tradition here. He could not afford to offend these people. So he dressed in his own version of a green and black kimono with darker green flames on the edges, simple sandals on his feet. But he let his hair be thick and wild to his shoulder blades, dark tapering spikes so they would not mistake him for anything other than what he was--young and wild. Then he walked under the giant torii and into their realm, his steps the silent, light steps of those who only walked in spirit, so could be heard and seen, but not truly touched.
He kept his greetings the epitome of respect, diligent to their ceremony. He would not have Asgard accused for rudeness on his behalf. Still when he was finally seated, they accused it of him anyway. He looked to the white masked figure kneeling across the tea table from him, puzzling only briefly over whether it was a man or woman as he was questioned why Asgard did not send perhaps Thor, Balder, or Tir, gods of much more renown and more endowed with their peers’ respect.
“Please do not see it as an insult,” Loki said, with his cheeriest smile. “I have a great debt to pay my kin with my service. Your allowing me an audience honors my ability to pay that debt, so I am highly grateful.” Ikol was on his shoulder, clipping his beak in Loki’s ear what the godling already knew for the truth. ”They should say what they mean. They were hoping Asgard would send someone they could easily fool.”
The masked figure did not acknowledge his flattering words. “Let us not delay your repayment to your kin then. You are here as their emissary to exchange meaningful words, not wind. So both parties will get the most out of this meeting, I propose a game of sorts.”
Careful, careful. “I love games,” Loki cheerfully agreed. “What do you propose?”
“Truths and lies.” There was a wave of long, slender fingernails, and the table before them became marked by two tracks for each of them, one with a white tanuki figure and one with a black kitsune figure. “There are ten spaces. The game is done when one of our pieces reaches the end to the table’s center. We will exchange questions. There will be no additional speaking from either of us until the game is finished. The one questioned must reply with an answer pertinent to the inquiry and with a complete sentence. If it is a lie, the fox moves forward. If it is the truth, the badger dog moves forward.”
Loki considered the game. So one could end the game by trying to answer mostly with truth or mostly with lie, but dodging too much in the middle will delay the game ending and cause more questions, a good or bad thing, depending. And he also understood now why his audience was wearing a mask. You can’t move a mask, though. My face will lie better than your non-face. “Simple enough, so I will complicate it further, if allowed.” He held up an index. “One, we may not delay our answers by more than thirty seconds. Second,” He held up another finger. “We may not ask the same question as our opponent. Third.” He lift his ring finger slowly, his smile sunny. “If one were to end the game with the kitsune, promptly upon the game’s end an agreed upon party will chop off the game finisher’s hand. With that.” He pointed across the garden to the weapon rack, where a slender sword with a red blade was seated.
The masked face turned slowly toward the blade. “With Grasscutter? Oh-ho… You are not so innocent as your charming smile suggests, little one.” The other considered him through the eyeholes. Then Loki could hear the smile in the voice. “I agree to these terms. They will make this more interesting.” Another wave of hand, and others started to take their seats to watch and listen, and indeed, one was chosen to bear the sword if it was needed.
“As our guest, you may go first.”
The game was locked now, and even if only his spirit was here, Loki felt the rules fall on him. With the first question, the game would need to be followed through. “Very well.” Loki tilt his head to the side, his most boyish, innocent smile in place. “How are you feeling?”
The eyes definitely narrowed at him and the smile left them. That had not been a suspected question. “I am feeling confident.”
Good. Loki nodded, watching the tanuki on his opponent’s side slide forward of its own accord. Then he waited for his question.
And waited. And waited.
Ikol was the one to put voice to the prick of fear he felt but refused to show. ”Curses. We did not make that rule. We established one will not hesitate to answer, but not to ask their question. Stay still. Keep smiling. Do not let your expression falter at all, but only to look amused.” Loki did so, glad of the reminder to not let his face flicker with doubt and show how much this unsettled him. Why would they delay the game?
An hour passed, and Loki felt the smile hurting, but it stayed in place. Someone came up and whispered in his opponents’ ear. The masked face nodded. Loki wanted to glare. No speaking for either of them, but they could listen to other people and apparently signal them. But he feigned amusement instead.
Finally a question was asked. “Will Asgard aid Greece if they go to war?”
Ikol huffed. ”Not a clever question at all. Too forthright.”
Loki could only agree internally. The answer to this one was rather obvious. “It is not certain.” His kitsune moved forward. His turn. He pointed to one of the bystanders. “If I were to ask him how he felt about going to war with the Olympians, what would he say?”
There was a little murmur in the garden court at that, but a sharp look from his opponent and silence fell again. The eyes were definitely trying not to outright glare at him this time through the mask. His opponent used the full thirty seconds before the answer was compelled. “He would say we must do what is necessary.”
The black kitsune moved forward. It was easy to keep the smile now, and he did allow himself some smugness for a few minutes.
Another wait, with the masked face watching him with easy stillness. Loki squirmed inside. Stillness and stagnation were not in his nature. Sitting still was difficult. Remember what Stephen Strange taught you… And so he breathed, his spirit centering strongly, letting his face relax into a peaceful smile and let his senses subtly integrate the garden court. Just what were they up to?
But he already knew, didn’t he? He was just hoping it wasn’t the case. Ikol wouldn’t allow that ignorance though. ”You realize what they’re doing, now? the ghost magpie asked. ”They’re looking for you. They’re looking for your body.”
Damn. Damndamndamn…
“They dared?” This was again from the leading Mother, and Loki wondered if her fury was on his behalf or just on the others gods’ behavior. Gaia was looking concerned at the tale, and the other was eyeing him guardedly.
“Be seated, All-mother,” Loki pled, motioning. “As you can see, I’m whole and untouched.” he let the glint show in his green eyes. “One does not leave their body unprotected when they go for a trip. May I continue?”
She did sit, face sour, at both him and the gall of the Japanese gods.
The lie passed for now. Loki continued, and again, left Damian and his worry entirely out of the tale.
The questions were alternated thus, with Loki struggling to keep his visage and his continuing to ask questions that rarely failed to irritate his opponent, and on the rare occasion a question was asked that was confidently answered, he learned much more than his opponent likely wished. He didn’t fall to the temptation of answering all truths to try to end the game, answering lies still where best to his opponent’s displeasure. He was careful not to ask what they intended to do to him. It didn’t matter, since he could do nothing about it. He felt sick to his stomach, wondering if Damian was all right. Again, he could do nothing about it, and if he didn’t hint about Damian, Damian had a better chance of escaping.
All he could do inwardly was promise he would burn the masked Amatsu-Mikaboshi to the ground if a single hair on Damian’s head was harmed. But he was trapped in the game till it ended, helpless, and had to keep his emotions and cards close to the vest. He was, thus far, proving his mask was the better of the two’s. He was reading body language, reading how the eyes narrowed, seeing many more answers there than the words at times. And he smiled, because it was a trick, and Loki had favor if things were a trick or a lie, so his smile was absolute.
He learned a great many things. Why the war, why now, why some opposed it, how much of a chance they thought they had of winning, why they thought that was worth it, and he started to glean the tactics of it when at long last there was a whisper passed, and the ‘peaceful’ god Loki had first asked about stood from his seat.
“There is no longer a reason to delay this game. Enough of it.”
The masked face turned reptilian slow toward him. Loki decided to settle on looking a mix of clueless and curious. So… it’s done then, he thought. Their followers on Earth have found me and I can be destroyed here and now if they choose.
The final questions came fast then, and finally Loki’s tanuki had but one more space. His opponent looked displeased. Loki had been very deceptive with his use of the truth. One of his specialties they likely had not taken into consideration. There was thought given. Then finally, “If you were to advise us how to win the war, what would you tell us?”
Loki’s smile finally fell, eyeing Amatsu-Mikaboshi coldly. “Do not provoke either Thor or Ares.” He stood as his piece slid into the last place, rolling his shoulders back. “Simple questions deserve simple answers.” He was smiling again now. “But I have been rudely kept from other obligations. I was not expecting my hosts to be inconsiderate to their guest and unmindful of busy schedules. But, have no fears. I promise I’m not the grudging type.” Were they still playing, the kitsune would surely have slid forward, because on this, he was feeling quite wrathful inwardly. “May I have the court’s leave?”
The kindly god gave a nod, answering instead of the masked figure. “Yes, of course. Our apologies for delaying you.” Loki exchanged his bow with him rather than anyone else, then walked as calm and carefree seeming as he could back toward the giant torii.
Immediately he sat bolt upright in his body, ready for fight and flight. But he saw no one immediately in front of him. “Damian! Damian, are you…?!” He turned about fully, and there was Damian on the bed, focused on some paperwork with a wakizashi at his side. The short sword was a new acquisition.
“You were gone nearly 8 hours,” Damian pointed out.
Loki stared at him, then laughed helplessly. “Yes. I am so sorry, I was… Well, never mind!” He stood up quickly. “We need to pack and leave immediately. There are…” He stopped, staring toward the main area of the suite. “Damian… is that a bunch of unconscious and tied up bodies on the floor?”
Damian raised an eyebrow at Loki, "Friends of yours, I assume."
“Friends? Oh, no, these are very much unwanted guests, but you dealt with them accordingly, I see! You never cease to surprise. Amazing! Have I told you that? Nevermind, I will shower you with praise soon enough! We still should leave quite quickly. Oh, porting two people… This will be a strain, but no worries! I’ve had quite a bit of meditation time in a lovely garden, so I will surely be up to the task! Promise!”
Loki left that part out. He instead ended his tale by stating, “So when I woke up surrounded by a bunch of unconscious bodies, I made haste to return. Not an easy jump for me. The All-Mothers will be quite forgiving as to why it took me some time to come and report all this to you in person, yes?”
“Of course,” Freyja agreed immediately. “Putting you in such danger was not our intention.”
Loki wanted to keep his smile from hurting, but it did, hardening a little on the edges. Danger was part of it. Danger was why he had been there and not someone more precious to Asgard. Disposable. But that was fine. He could prove himself. Maybe with a few decades…
“At any rate, we will need to make war plans immediately.”
Gaea sighed, nodding dolefully.
Loki blinked. And blinked again. “...Did you not hear what I learned?” he asked, head tilting. “They know we’re vulnerable. Going to war when we have little power on their plane would be--.”
“Loki,” Idunn interrupted. “We do not ask for your counsel.”
Fire. Fire flicked through Loki’s emotions, his hands balling up into fists. “No, but if you would just listen…”
Idunn frowned. “Listening to you has not often worked out well for us in the past. You have performed your task. You are dismissed.”
Loki didn’t move, trying to keep his voice steady. “If we join in this war, you could unravel everything new Asgard has come to know.”
“And deny our ways? You would deny our warriors an honorable death? To die in shame of age and feebleness?”
Loki yelled back. “NO! I would like them to have something to live for rather than just something to die for! Tell me what is so wrong with that!”
“Loki.”
Loki stopped, looking at Freyja. Mother… You see, right?
There it was again. Sympathy? But the words, soft as they were, were firm. “Do not speak thus to your elder, and do not interfere with what is in people’s natures. We will discuss what is best and decide how to move forward. But you have been dismissed.”
Loki stood still as a tree before them for a few long seconds, feeling a cold creep into him. It wasn’t a nice, numbing cold, though. It burned, and made his throat tight, dipped his heart in it and made it clench from the chill. Then his eyes stung. To hide it, he dipped his head in a bow, then turned. He walked two steps before running.
Behind him, Ikol smiled before leaving his perch and flying after.