( three： video ＋ action for loki district. )

[gameplaying]

I trust all are having fun dancing to the tune of the gods. [ loki's voice can be heard before he can be seen, and when the video is turned towards him, it's clear that loki is away from the festivities of the olympics — he'd observed the first day and reached the conclusion that it was all he needed to see. at present, he's sat in a café; it's quiet, and primarily unoccupied if the noise (or lack thereof) is anything to go by.

his gaze flickers briefly to the glass just to one side of him — water, presumably — before turning back to the bracelet; his features are set in a primarily detached expression of mild entertainment. ]

Apparent satisfaction aside, I admit to curiosity on several matters: passage into Utgard has been granted, has it not? And the [ the briefest of pauses, a small quirk of his lips — private amusement, a joke only he knows the punchline to. ] king of the giants, Loki, he shares an uneasy truce with Odin, yes? I wish to know more of Utgard, and if there are any who would travel with me to the realm — be it for curiosity's sake or something more — I would be a fool to refuse company.

[ he doesn't truly mean anyone, of course; through a mixture of conversation and observation, there are only a few that loki would even come close to trusting, but the term is used out of a want for the appearance of inclusion, and curiosity as to who would offer. he pauses again, attention sliding from the bracelet to the table ground for several moments, expression shifting to a pointed (deliberate) look of thought and recollection. ]

Queen Thiazi. [ the name is uttered with a degree of deliberation and a hinted lack of familiarity, and after a few moments, he raises his gaze back to the bracelet. ] Ruler of Jötunheim or — I believe they call it Thrymheim here, do they not? [ beat. ] None are aware of a previous king, are they? A Laufey, perhaps, and what his fate may have been? [ a beat, and a genial smile. ] Idle curiosity and nothing more; I shan't mind if an answer is unforthcoming. [ it'd be preferred, in truth; for as much as he detests the majority of the differences between 'his' asgard and this one, the presence of laufey — or more specifically, the death of laufey — would be a particular hindrance. ] But on the matter of Jötunheim, have any been there? Or if not, have any held discourse with her or her kind, be it in person or through these— [ he waves a hand towards his bracelet dismissively. ] toys?

[ a beat, and he sits up a little straighter, leans forward a little more, and his tone gains a touch of earnestness. ] I find myself wondering: if we are here as mere cannon fodder and warriors for gods that care little for our plights, should we not be seeking to avoid the eventuality altogether? Are you all so content to sit and wait for whatever the fates bring you and [ a twitch of his lips. ] Asgard?

Comments

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[knifedances]

I have to wonder what led you to believe that many here are content with the position they've been accorded. A lack of overt resistance doesn't necessarily point to contentment after all.

As for Laufey, while I can't say I'm aware of that their fate might have been in this place, I can say that I was always under the impression that they were female.

( permavideo. )

[gameplaying]

No, but it does speak of a remarkable lack of drive. [ a moment's silence, and his brows knit together in a momentary frown. ] Then your impression would have been incorrect. Perhaps not here, certainly, but—. [ a smile; he doesn't bother finishing the utterance verbally, expecting that the meaning can be inferred. ]

permatext~

[knifedances]

A lack of drive, perhaps. Or simply a lack of direction. Sometimes all people need is a little push to get things moving.

But in your reality, at least, they were male. Which is interesting. Of course, I could be wrong entirely, given that all I have to go on are myths and legends that no-one believes in anymore.

[digophelia]

[She barely remembers much of the Norse lore, only "Odin" or "Loki" really ring a bell and that's only in part of this place. She still remembers Altair's words... About the lack of freedom. Controlling people...]

I believe not many are willing to face that reality just quite yet. Perhaps that is why so many of them are content in their position or just chose to go with what's been offered them.

[gameplaying]

Ignorance is bliss. [ a moment's pause, and a smile. ] I fear it's a trait inherent to the mortal condition. Frustrating, if not understandable.

[digophelia]

Ignorance doesn't last forever. If you're pushed and abused enough, you will fight back. Do you expect the rest of them to sit idly by as they continue playing their games with us?

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[practicality]

[ for a moment susan quibbles with the thought of speaking with him again, for their last conversation had left her with far too much thought and doubts than she was comfortable with. but then she steels herself. ]

Do you have any idea on how we may be able to avoid this... eventuality you speak of?

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[gameplaying]

Several, but none with the assurance of avoidance, I'm afraid.

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[practicality]

What are they, if you don't mind me asking?

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[needlebearer]

[She hasn't forgotten the words of warning you gave her when she arrived.] I don't want to be used by them.

( permavideo. )

[gameplaying]

And what would you do to ensure you aren't?

[needlebearer]

[She hesitates. She's still little more than a child, after all. What could she do, really? But she'd seen more than her share of men, kings, use others and throw them away, and she wasn't about to let that happen to her, not here, not even by gods.] Whatever it would take.

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[parasiteye]

Queen Thiazi? What's so important about her? [ Thinly-veiled curiosity is the best he can manage over the obvious desire to know more. fear of his new "Queen" is more than enough to keep him from blurting anything out; especially after the events of Utgard. He's been both there and Jötunheim and as far as he's concerned, the latter? Horrid frozen wasteland and a terrible place for a spider. ]

We had some frozen midgets a while back if that's what you mean. [ It's general enough knowledge. Plenty of people were around for the frost fairy attack.

Plus, he kind of also hated the last Loki. ]

( permavideo. )

[gameplaying]

She rules Jötunheim, one of Asgard's enemies. [ a pause, and he regards the feed for a moment. ] That's not what I mean. I want to know of Utgard and Jötunheim, so that I can compare them to the Utgard and Jötunheim of my realm.

[parasiteye]

Oh, that all? [ He's not entirely sure he buys it, but-- ]

Utgard's pretty decent for shopping. That's about it.

Audio

[samantha_grey]

Soon as I finish this little chit-chat, I've got an appointment to head down to Utgard myself. Some paperwork to fill out, start up, and wait to process apparently. Taking the day off work for it, since it's work related anyway.

Don't know who the hell you are, but as long as you remember I've got claws and know how to use them, that and that I have a splitting headache from yesterday, you can tag along. I'm not sticking around down there, though. Crap to do, and no time to do it.

[It wasn't actually a brilliant idea. However, while she was hitching a ride from the gate of Fog to get this paperwork crap taken care of, the option was at least available. Besides, who was to say there wasn't bigger trouble down outside of the city to begin with?]

( permavideo. )

[gameplaying]

[ whatever amusement had been present in his features becomes more pronounced at her reply, at the outward aggression — in as much as it can be termed as such — and his eyebrows quirk upwards momentarily before he speaks. ]

I'm Loki, and I'd recommend you keep in mind that I don't tag along, and that I have my own business attend to. You're quite welcome to leave as and when you like.

[ his tone, on the other hand, is quite mild. ]

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[darkbreak]

You seem very knowledgeable in Asgard and how things work. So why the curiousity in it?

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[gameplaying]

Jötunheim and Utgard are not Asgard; they're realms unto themselves. What knowledge I have, therefore, is based on my world and not this one.

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[canmakemore]

I would be interested to see if these other rulers are more willing to speak with travelers than our supposed benefactors.

( permavideo. )

[gameplaying]

I'm surprised no-one else has sought them out [ no he's not. ], when we've no reason to take the gods' word as fact.

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[minifridge]

Maybe some people think Asgard is better than what's waiting for them at home.

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[gameplaying]

I do doubt that's applicable to all, Mary.

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[equivoco]

It cannot be said we only sit and wait, with so many making plans for defense and representation. Should such things come to fruition, it may then be beyond our control when these gods may instigate where our diplomacy tries to prevent.

[ a pause. ] I would offer to join you in this Utgard, but I find it difficult to trust a man with the same name as one of these gods who hold us prisoner.

[ shrewd, and more than a little rude geeze machiavelli, but at least that's out in the open now. ]

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[gameplaying]

Representation to who? Not those that call themselves gods, I trust. [ a beat. ] I'd recommend against trusting anyone without proof; a name is the least of your concerns.