( 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

[knifedances]

So I've heard. You're hoping to meet with him, perhaps?

[gameplaying]

Unless Utgard allies itself with Asgard, we will be the soldiers his forces are pitted against. He'd be a fool to pass up a meeting — although later would be preferable from a personal standpoint.

[knifedances]

A fool to pass up a meeting perhaps, but given that we're little more than foot-soldiers in this up-coming war I doubt a meeting with any of us would be considered a high priority.

Though I suppose that all depends on your angle of approach.

[gameplaying]

Does it not always depend on approach?

[knifedances]

[Not the answer he'd like, but it's not as though he expected to be given any more. Things are rarely so easy, and if they were life would be a lot less interesting]

For the most part, sure.

[gameplaying]

But whatever the case, I can wait; Ragnarök is no quick event and patience— I seem to recall patience being regarded as highly virtuous.

[knifedances]

Ha ha, virtuous or not it's always a useful trait to have. You know what they say about good things.

[gameplaying]

Much is spoken of good, but I admit to finding wants more interesting.

[knifedances]

Perhaps because the concept of 'goodness' is nothing but a social construct, while wants? Those are infinitely more real, true to human nature. Or just the nature of people, though I really can't speak for anyone besides humans with any level of accuracy.

[gameplaying]

Even gods have wants they'd place above all else. Humanity isn't quite alone in that.

[knifedances]

You learn something new every day.

[gameplaying]

I'd be surprised if it truly comes as news to you.

[knifedances]

Well, this is my first time speaking directly with a god, but it doesn't exactly come as a surprise.

[gameplaying]

You have no need to speak; the evidence is all around you.

[knifedances]

Though that's a matter of inference; there's no guarantee that any of this can be described in terms of wants based purely on my subjective understanding of the situation. It's never quite the same as having the evidence presented to you in concrete terms.