[log] OTA prompts

[variantl1130]

Who: Loki Laufeyson and anyone
When: August, generally
Where: around Gloucester
Summary: Just an open post for some Loki introductions!
Warnings: none yet

[Never one to sit idle, Loki will be spending his first few days in Gloucester anywhere he can get to, soaking in all the information and culture he can. Here are just a few of the locations he'll be causing a ruckus...]

A. ADI HQ

[Loki's first order of business is to find out what information he has access to in his new obligatory workplace. He'll be asking anyone who looks official enough, or walks with enough purpose, or holds a hefty enough keyring, if they might be willing to let him poke his head into some of the more locked-off areas. Sure, he could probably break in, but he'd like to maintain a good rapport with the company for now. This shouldn't cause so much mischief as it might... annoy. Maybe you're one of the people he's elected looks smart enough to bother?]

B. THE FLOPHOUSE

[Working with the ADI is something Loki can manage. Living under their egregious rules and curfew is absolutely not. Unfortunately, the alternative to this is to bunk up in the smallest, most cramped building he's ever been in, and he is not happy. Most of his time in Bonnie's Flophouse is spent in his room, or in a hurry to his room, or eating food that someone has been kind enough to share. (Whether or not he asks for food is up in the air.)

On top of his standoffishness, he is not very fond of... helping. He's never been anything like a flatmate before, and he very obviously doesn't spend a lot of time on chores. Nor does he realize he should contribute some supplies or groceries. The only thing he does spend a lot of time on is taking up space that should be shared. Do you have issues with his behavior? Do you, for whatever deranged reason, want to befriend him? Why not march up to the third floor and tell him so?

Don't worry, he'll surely earn his keep soon. There's just... a learning curve.]

C. COFFIN BEACH

[Loki's research has brought him to exploring the beaches in Gloucester, namely Coffin Beach. Rumor has it that shortly before his arrival, things had gone awry over here... something to do with shapeshifters, maybe? Or sea creatures? In any case, if these creatures had meant to cause harm, then they're exactly the people Loki wants to meet. For reasons.

If he sees anyone else out on the beach, they'll receive a quizzical look from him.] I thought no one came out to this beach. Isn't it dangerous?

D. WILDCARD

[Loki will be lots of places, so if you have any other ideas, feel free to hit me up on discord or my plurk! I can definitely write a more specific starter if anyone wants one.]

Comments

[variantl1130]

[He stops, only momentarily, to shoot Strange a sneer, but he continues his work. Has he really gone so soft as to take orders from a Midgardian?

As he works, he retorts,] And when are you going to start asking questions? I’m listening, but I might stop listening if you keep me waiting.

[sorser]

[He turns to face Loki, sweeping at some dust underfoot.]

Impatient? [A farce. Stephen’s curiosity is gnawing at him, too.] Then I’ll start with the most burning questions first.

How is it you know your own future?

[variantl1130]

[He'd expected to be annoyed by the question, but he isn't. Turns out Dr. Strange asks the good questions. He briefly looks up from his work to actually face the doctor.]

Have you ever heard of the Time Variance Authority?

[sorser]

[There’s a part of Stephen that’s impossible to hide when faced with something unknown. As though he’s still but a student at Kamar-Taj, rifling through the library to learn and understand the new reality of his new world.

Because this Time Variance Authority? No, he never heard of it. He stops sweeping, visibly straightens.]

I can’t say that I have.

[variantl1130]

[Though it wasn't necessarily his intention, Loki feels a satisfaction in knowing something that Strange doesn't. It certainly makes it a lot easier to deal with Strange knowing Loki's future better than he does... Feeling useful once again, he smiles. The story he's about to tell is filled with wide gestures and facial expressions befitting pantomime.]

There's a reason for that. The TVA is--or rather, was, I suppose--the secret authoritarian regime that decided which actions would be allowed and disallowed across all of time. They decided that after my attack on New York I was to be taken back to Asgard and imprisoned or... something. [His eyes flit to the side for just a moment, as he pretends not to know what happens next.] So when I saw a chance to escape that fate, I took it; but then they found me, kidnapped me, reset the timeline, and took me back to their little hive beyond the reaches of time or what have you, and had me tried for "crimes against the sacred timeline," blah blah blah. Anyway, that's where I saw what should have been my future. Or, at least, parts of it.

[He punctuates his story with a waggle of his brow. As one does.]

[sorser]

[Okay… wait. What.

Stephen’s brows only furrow deeper, and he shakes his head and holds up a hand, as though to say “wait a minute”.]

Hold on. Just—

[He scoffs on a half facetious laugh.]

You’re telling me that there’s an organization beyond the reach of time, policing time? The timeline itself?

[The TVA. Are there books in on the TVA, back in Kamar-Taj’s library? The Sanctum’s? Surely he would have read it; surely he would have remembered.

The gears turn in his head.]

No, see, you did return to Asgard as far as I’m aware. That’s where you came from when I— [Threw him in a continually falling dimension? Sent him and his brother to Norway to see Odin? His thoughts stray, and he shakes it away with a hand.] Nevermind. You’re saying that you created an alternate timeline by avoiding that fate, and that was… what, against their rules?

[Sacred timeline?]

[variantl1130]

[Loki doesn't interrupt as Strange pieces it together. He'd had just as much trouble when he was given the run-down, and doesn't fault the doctor for for his confusion. When he's ready, he finally answers Strange with a nod.]

Exactly, against their rules. There was this whole to-do about timelines crossing and wars breaking out, and... so on.

[More than he wants to think about. In fact, much of which is currently up in the air... he hates not knowing. He maintains his civility in front of Strange, but his face betrays some uncertainty.]

...Anyway, [he says, his smile planting itself right back where it belongs, masking any fear;] I am what the TVA call a variant of the Loki you know. A version that escaped before I could even be escorted out of Stark's castle... and wasn't allowed to continue my timeline.

[sorser]

[A variant. This is not exactly the Loki he knows, but an anomaly — a Loki that had taken a different route than the one he had met and split the timeline in an altered direction. While it makes sense, the implications are both complex and potentially overwhelming. His concern about the timeline knotting itself up by all of them simply being present on this world was already prowling around his head like a predator; now what could it possibly mean, that he’s meeting a Loki altogether different when they probably should not have met at all?

Moreover, was that a flicker of uncertainty crossing the tricker god’s features? He wonders what else he knows, what truths he’s stumbled across during his time at this TVA.]

Not allowed to continue your timeline, but existing outside the bounds of time itself — you said you were tried for your crimes against a “sacred” timeline. How did that pan out for you?

[He’ll get to the war bit later, too, because that’s very worrying, and possibly very relevant to his responsibilities as Sorcerer Supreme.]

You have a reputation for getting yourself out of difficult situations.

[variantl1130]

[And what a great reputation it is. That comment brings a smile to his face.]

I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you.

[But back to business.] I was found guilty, obviously, because I'm always the bad guy, even when I'm not trying to be. But as they carted me away to blip me from existence—[not to look weak, he interjects,] and, to my credit, magic doesn't work at the TVA, otherwise I would've gotten out all on my own, easily, obviously, but anyway—

—someone... vouched for me. [His demeanor softens as he remembers This Person.] He did me a great kindness, really... Convinced the TVA that I was worth having around. I, er, offered my investigative services to them for some time. Helped keep the Sacred Timeline sacred, you could say.

[He punctuates his speech with a very matter-of-fact look, hoping Strange takes the cue to stop asking questions oh my god please can we be done now.]

[sorser]

[Okay. Listening to this, the verdict is out: Stephen is in a lot of dark where the inner workings (management? authoritative state?) of the multiverse is concerned, and considering it’s his job to be aware of any threats that might one day end up on Earth’s doorstep, none of this is comforting.

A shadow crosses his face at the word “blip”, but he assumes that’s just very unfortunate verbiage.]

Vouching for you; you must have really shown that you’re not a “bad guy”. I wonder if I should be impressed.

[Here’s something Loki is no doubt going to learn about Stephen: he is a stubborn sorcerer who doesn’t like holes in his knowledge. Thus, the questions keep coming unless halted completely.]

You mentioned war. Is this something Earth is going to have to worry about?

[variantl1130]

[Impressed? Ha. Although he’s since grown to be thankful for Mobius’s insight, he knows it was never the show of goodwill that Strange thinks it is. He smiles dryly.]

I wouldn’t be if I were you. No, I was only saved because I was useful. Even the man who saved me was smart enough not to trust me.

Now, as for that question… [His smile falls. There’s a moment where he can only stare at the floor, planning how to address it.]

Maybe we should finish sweeping? I think we may need to sit down for that conversation.

lmk if this tag is ok!

[sorser]

[There is so much here left to the imagination, it’s as though Stephen can see an untold tale in the expressions crossing Loki’s face. A wryness at being saved only for one’s usefulness. The way his eyes fall to the ground at the mention of war. Not a particularly promising gesture.

He’s quiet for a moment, brows pinching, then shakes his head.]

Don’t worry. You’ve just gotten yourself out of sweeping duty. I’ll finish up here.

[Sweeping is suddenly less important than hearing this story. Than learning what Loki’s been through, and how that might affect them all; this god has a tendency of making that happen.

Stephen releases his broom, twisting his fingers. It falls, threatening to clatter to the floor.]

But first, let’s talk.

[A spell is cast. Magic ripples invisibly in the air. The scenery changes.

They’re on the first floor now, deposited into the common area. Stephen is nice enough to have seated Loki onto one of the chairs, while he stands with his back facing the counter of a neighboring kitchenette, pouring himself a cup of coffee in a white mug.]

Sorry if that’s… disorienting. We’re not supposed to use our abilities in this world, given the consequences, but I prefer to make sure all my magic works properly before I become economical with my casting.

[And now was as good of an opportunity as any. He turns, lifting up his mug.]

It’s a little late for coffee, but do you want any?

[variantl1130]

[Fuck fuck fuck—

—well, that was certainly jarring. Loki instinctively grips the nearest solid surface, which turns out to be the table. It doesn’t take long for him to reorient himself, but he’s not exactly impressed.]

Yes, I did think it was odd that you were using your magic so trivially. For someone so concerned with the state of the multiverse…

[Wait.] Do you mean to say you didn’t know how that was going to go? You teleported us and just hoped it would all be fine in the end?

[Yes, he’s going to catch Stephen up to speed, but not until he chews him out.]

[sorser]

[Yes. He sure did.]

You are fine, aren’t you? All in one piece, nothing out of place.

[He moves to the table, pulling out a chair for him to sit opposite of Loki.]

Better to test it now, than to discover any complications further down the line when it’s more imperative. Don’t tell me you haven’t been using your magic at all?

[He looks doubtful.]

[variantl1130]

[He's still visibly ticked off, but he does chuckle at Strange's question.] Of course I've been using my magic. Albeit less than usual, but if you do know me as you claim to, you know I won't let some shadow organization tell me not to use it.

[...He figures at this point it'd be hypocritical to call him out further. The subject is dropped.]

I could go for tea, actually.

[sorser]

[Wow, just when he was about to sit down, Loki!]

…Right, you’re the last person I expect to play by the rules. And I’d be lying if all the figurative red flags in my mind weren’t flying in the wind the moment I saw you.

[He retreats to the little corner of the kitchenette to gather what’ll be needed for tea — a mug, fresh tea bag. A hot water dispenser is conveniently plugged in and ready to go, so it’s smooth sailing from here.]

That said, I have a feeling our goals might align in this place. [He glances over his shoulder at Loki. The tea is already steeping.] Correct me if I’m wrong?