( 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

[gameplaying]

I'm afraid it's a touch complicated.

[needlebearer]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up anything awkward.

[gameplaying]

I merely said it was complex, not that it was awkward.

[needlebearer]

Oh. All right, then. [She'd previously taken 'complex' as a cue not to ask any more about it, something that she'd learned often before with her too-inquisitive nature.] I know my share of complex families, too.

( private. )

[gameplaying]

Housed within Odin is the Thor of my world. We were called brothers once, and as such, I do not wish to speak ill of him but— [ silence; fleeting hesitation and regret. ] I will warn you, Arya, if you speak with him to be careful of his words and of his stories, and try not to be swayed from what you believe to be true in your heart and mind. He can be cruel even as he speaks of valiance and honour, although I don't believe it's a cruelty born of malice.

[ pause. ] I believe you'd call them delusions. Please, try not to hold them against him.

( private. )

[needlebearer]

Thor? [She looks alarmed now.] Like the Thor whose house I live in? [That makes her feel even less safe here.]

( private. )

[gameplaying]

As I differ from the Loki of this world, the two likely differ. I imagine you've nothing to fear on that front, at least.

( private. )

[needlebearer]

[She nods in understanding, sighing with relief. Not that she trusted the Gods that reigned here at all anyway, but if the one responsible for where she was residing was as dangerous as Loki said... She figured that she'd work on her training even more, although she didn't know what chance she'd have against them anyway.]

Thank you, by the way. For helping me see this place for what it truly is. You've warned me now, and when I first arrived here.

( private. )

[gameplaying]

We all have our parts to play, Arya, and as subjects brought here against our wills, we've nothing but each other. I'm only doing my duty — you've no need to give thanks.

( private. )

[needlebearer]

[She smiles.] I still appreciate it. Things were ... complicated ... for me even before I arrived here. It's nice to think that I might someday have control over my own life again.