video;

[subecho]

[ Oh look, it's the not-'Asgardian'!Asgardian! And he holds his hand up, palm outward in silent greetings. ]

Friends, newcomers - [ ...and Malekith... ] - well met. I shall keep brief: we have faced war. And we have had our dead and our wounded to show for the victory.

[ And now, he turns slightly more somber. ]

I do not ask whether you fight for this land or its people, for your pleasure or your lives alone. Whatever your reasons, we do not die here. In this, I think, we all agree. Yet...

[ He has the grace to look sheepish. ]

...apologies, but many of you walk as if targets. You know nothing of battle, and the gifts given to you in this land do not serve. The meager war crafts would be of help to you: shield bearing, the handling of sword and hammer. I do not speak of great ability, but enough that you can bide yourselves the time to run.

[ Firmer, now. ]

So: those who wish to learn, give say of what weapon might suit you. Those who know of battle and wish to teach it, name your skill and offer service. And those who once held sorcery alike to the one gained here, volunteer counsel of how to improve it.

For my part, I wield the hammer. I lack in patience, but do not scold unfairly. What knowledge I have is yours to take.

[ Is the part where he riles half of Asgard done with? OH THANK EVERYTHING, time to offend the other half. ]

Past every man's care, we can seek to defend the city. Who here runs inventory? Have we cannons? Rams? Horses? If anyone wishes to learn, or organize legions - you have my aid in this. There lies opportunity. Another is with our fellows, the grey ones. A frail-bearded man wrote that we do not give them thought or time. Perhaps he is wise, and there is more to be done in alliance.

[ And then he stares at the camera for a long moment of rather stupid blinking, before dissolving into laughter, because - ]

That... was not brief.


[ ooc: woah, tl;dr. iiif you'd like to get involved, just have your character volunteer to teach their faito skills, and I'll have Thor send some/all of the characters who want to pick up said skills their way o/ . ]

Comments

[subecho]

...but I hear you, Loki. I share in your doubts and your anger. But a slaughter is past my bearing. I cannot close eyes and allow it.

If you are able, so be it. You are of harder make.

[asofwar]

He does not have heart for cattle anymore. A brave attempt.

[tradire]

It would fare you well to cease your obsession with cattle, Sif, lest you desire to mirror friend Volstagg.

[ :) ]

Sif the Substantial. Seems to have a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say?

[ :) :) :) ]

[asofwar]

Whose helm resembled a cow? Certainly not mine.

[tradire]

Whose braying voice resembles an ass? Certainly not mine.

[asofwar]

Certainly yours.

[tradire]

Oh, yes. Such wit returned.

Really, Sif. It would do you well to expand your repartee.

[asofwar]

Because yours is so mature and varied.

[tradire]

You know what they say about matching the wits of those you are with.

[ He's doing you a favor, sister. ]

[asofwar]

Please - you do not reach the sole of my boots and quickly retreat beneath the comfort of petty comebacks.

[tradire]

Were I to not offer such petty comebacks, you would beat upon the proverbial door with heavy fist, screaming for the attention you believe you deserve.

You and Thor are much alike in that regard. I engage you because I must – the lesser of evils, as it were; just as you engage because your foolish sentiments.

[asofwar]

They are quickly dwindling, have no worry.

[tradire]

How quickly my welcome runs dry.

[asofwar]

[A silent pause, and quietly - tiredly.]

What do you expect, Loki? You frown upon sentiment, so I will give you none.

[tradire]

[ His attitude has rapidly changed, the video function is off, his voice distracted. ]

I expect nothing, that way I am never disappointed.

[ Except he always is and, sorry bro. Ending this one, too. ]

[tradire]

How much only mere years have changed you, brother.

[ And yes, that look of disdain that flickers across his face is meant for some reason. ]

Even you cannot hope to inspire strength in these poor mortal masses. Nevertheless, I suppose I should enjoy the entertainment it will undoubtedly supply.

[subecho]

There is... much help. We could reap. If you lent hand in aid, Loki, we could -

[tradire]

[ Oh really. Come now. Is Thor truly suggesting– ]

You. Are seeking my aid.

[ He lets out a bark of a laugh. ]

You are serious, aren't you?

[subecho]

No. I am desperate.

[tradire]

Music to my ears, brother. Such desperation as of late; how the golden son has truly fallen.

What form of repayment shall I receive if I relent to aid you once more?

[subecho]

You...

[ Briefly silent. ]


Nothing. Be gone from mind and sight. We have done.

These are games, and I do not play them. I lose, Loki. I lose before you, and I have no more patience for loss. Think it my foolishness to ask and be gone.

[tradire]

Have I not already left your sight, brother? [ Yeah, that's a cheap dig, but he's doing it anyway, because he can and that sort of stung. ] I can do nothing of your thoughts, I'm afraid. That would count on you.

[ He turns the bracelet, covers it to block him from sight. Now, now he will not allow Thor to see the emotion that flickers across his face. ]

Fine. I concede to the mighty Thor once again. I shall vanish from sight and seek not another moment of contact.

1/2

[subecho]

You have left - ...the abyss take you, Loki, what do you want?

It is not kinship, it is not estrangement, it is not alliance, it is not enmity, what is it? A plaything? You have it. Have you not always had it? Have we not all danced as you have played? Ask Fandral - ask Sif - have we not all?

[subecho]

But I cannot - allow you - to interfere in battle. I cannot pay for hours beside my brother with the lives of hundreds. You do this because you wish it done, or you do nothing at all.

Whatever is between us - that is nothing of theirs and nothing of this war.

[tradire]

[ Trust that there is much Loki could say back to this. In fact, he has it all planned in his mind near immediately. But, he knows that his silence means more than his words. He knows that no matter what he says they will dance around this topic as they are meant to do, locked eternally within the footwork.

He would have helped, if only to be contrary. His words were only meant as jest and (as usual) they were taken to heart far too closely. There's little that can be done of it now as Loki is not one to backtrack or make apologies or quiet Thor's ill temper. Not anymore.

Loki is hurt now. Once more Thor finds the soft spot to stick in his own knife and twist it much too hard. Loathe as he would be to even think it to himself, he knows he must retreat to privacy once again to lick his wounds in peace. ]

I meant as I said. Not another word, Thor.

[ And he terminates the feed there. ]