Chapter 5 ✒ Video

[writeswrongs]

[Hello there, Asgard. Enjoy a message from everyone's favorite mystery writer and wannabe cop. He's currently sitting in his room, his brow furrowed in thought.]

I have a question.

[He pauses, trying to determine the most delicate way to ask this.]

What if we don't want to fight in this supposed war that is coming our way?

[This place isn't that bad. He's met some really great people that he likes. But to be honest? He cares about Beckett and Alexis. They're the only ones that he wants or needs to protect, and would be willing to give his life for. What the hell does he care about the gods and their stupid war with each other? None of this is worth any of their lives.]

What are they going to do? Pull us out of the halls and drop us into a battlefield?

[Maybe he shouldn't have said that out loud because that's probably exactly what they'd do. Castle sure as hell didn't sign up for this. And wouldn't the gods want people who were actually interested in fighting?

He wonders if a deal could be struck. What would be the price for sending he, Beckett and Alexis back home?]

Comments

[corona]

[ sigh ]

most people don't have a desire to die for anything, sir. but if what we want mattered, we wouldn't be talking. and the people who did die wouldn't have.

but you're 41 so you should know that.

if you don't want to die for this city or the people in it, that's okay. but if you're not willing to do everything you can to protect what matters? then it shouldn't matter if you're dropped in the middle of a battlefield or not.

( text. )

[gameplaying]

You're sorely mistaken if you believe battle is all that makes up war. If it were, war would be far simpler.

That wasn't what I asked.

I am Loki. There's no irony there at all.

[formercheerio]

I'm not sure I want to know. [ Not if that's the answer ]

[whitelighting]

I don't suppose anyone's figured out a way to teleport? [ Or orb. Shimmer. Blink? Anything? ]

[writeswrongs]

Maybe try to find someone who looks nice?

[He's really bad at this type of advice. Castle can talk to anyone, anywhere at any time.]

[writeswrongs]

Yeah..

[A sigh.]

Maybe if I prove my ineptness they'll let me go home.

( text. )

[writeswrongs]

So, what, they're going to let me sit around and work strategy? Actually I might not be half bad at that.

[Hey, if he can craft a compelling mystery novel...]

If you are him then who's that other guy whose House I seem to be a part of?

[Video]

[writeswrongs]

... A do what now?

( text. )

[gameplaying]

Who am I to say? Regardless, I suspect your emotional turmoil over your loved ones being involved will satisfy them, and Asgard, greatly.

Another. I suggest you don't contend me on the issue of my identity.

[writeswrongs]

I plan on doing what I can to protect my daughter and Beckett. If that means following them around while they go on a fighting spree, then so be it. I'll be their bodyguard.

Or I'll try to be. Whatever.

Does that make you happy?

audio

[writeswrongs]

If we can get to Utgard, couldn't the things that are fighting us also get to Utgard?

video?

[writeswrongs]

I don't want to find out, although it appears as though I don't have any choice in the matter. I should just accept the fate that's coming my way.

[He's tired after arguing with a bunch of people about this and it shows in his face.]

[writeswrongs]

[That gets at least a little bit of a smile.]

Not that I know of, but that would be an incredibly helpful invention right about now.

( text. )

[writeswrongs]

I dunno. Does emotional turmoil combat greyness?

How are there two of you, though?

( text. )

[gameplaying]

Emotions do, or so they say.

Four. There's a Loki of Utgard, and another — a child — that claims my name. [ and remarkable similarities that aside. ] This realm claims a Loki of its own, as does its Utgard. I am of Asgard, but not this one. The child is from yet another version of Asgard, if I'm not mistaken.

All universes require gods. That is how.

audio

[parasiteye]

Uh yeah, but like I said--so far they've only ever attacked Asgard. So whatever they want's gotta be here right?

[Video]

[comeonthensexy]

A Time Lord.

[ video ]

[takes_careofher]

Yes, but you, ah, you mentioned before about having been given... telepathy?

[video] [locked]

[extraordinarymuse]

It's not really asking, since I've already mentioned it to her, but what do you think about giving her some self-defense lessons?

( text. )

[writeswrongs]

Knowing what I know about this place, that actually makes sense.

Must be pretty shitty for you though.

[Kind of amusing to Castle.]

[Video]

[writeswrongs]

.... You're gonna have to explain exactly what that is, because I've never heard of a person being a species called "Time Lord" and not "human".

[video] [locked]

[writeswrongs]

[He nods.]

I think it's a good idea. As much as I don't want her to have to face any of this, she needs to be as prepared as she can be.

[ video ]

[writeswrongs]

That I can't really use too well, yeah. I guess I need some more practice with it.

audio

[writeswrongs]

I'd be happy to give them whatever it is they want if it meant I could go home.

( text. )

[gameplaying]

And why is that?

[ on the one hand, it completely is. on the other hand, loki's not going to deny that there aren't advantages that he can and will use. ]