twelfth bite ⧗ video ⧗ open & locked, partially

[redhourglass]

[ the woman on the video is smiling, though anyone who knows her can tell you that's a pretty scary thing to be happening. still, this isn't for people who know her; it's for the general population, and she's doing her best to not be scary. for the most part, there aren't many in asgard who know who she is - at least, not by sight. she's a nobody. and she likes it that way. ]

Everyone should come to the bar I work at.

[ straight to the point, blunt. ]

You get a nice drink, I get tips, we both go home happy. I've recommended it before, but things tend to be a bit slow after mayhem.. and honestly, I'd hate to see this place close.

[ mostly because it's a cover for her to pick up all the happening gossip in the city. but if the travelers don't come, then she doesn't have anything to listen to but natives. still, she doesn't seem untrustworthy from the video, and that's the entire point. ]

Whatever you want to drink, I can make it. Or at least, something extremely similar; this place doesn't have everything you'd expect by way of alcohol. So, give it a shot.

[ attached to her message is a map to the bar and a menu. ]

locked to the avengers: tony stark, bruce banner, thor, jane foster, sif

[ the smiley woman from above is gone, but she doesn't seem unhappy. just .. back to her normal self, now that she's not pandering to the general public. really, the transformation is kind of eerie, that she can jump back and forth from personas. creepy. ]

I know Stark may have talked to a few of you, but I'm starting to get a little cramped in the housing I was given when I arrived. I'd be open to getting a place somewhere else, if anyone would be interested. I'd need a roommate; I don't earn that much at the bar. [ don't get confused, it's not because she wants to live with you guys or anything. ]

Let me know if you're interested. Preferably as soon as possible.

[ and please, someone, be open to it. otherwise she might end up living alone with tony stark, and that in and of itself is frightening. ]

Comments

[tradire]

[ Because she's the black sheep of the Avengers. Loki knows how that feels. How nice is it to be left out of important things, hm? ]

I would not wish to make a repeat display since that is how we parted ways.

[ He smiles, oh so kindly. ]

Such courtesy extended with an unselfish hand. Perhaps I shall pay you a visit. After all, it's only fair. Everyone else has seen me already.

[redhourglass]

[ it's not her fault that they don't trust the spy assassin. still, she's going to have to have words with all of them, especially when it was becoming abundantly clear that everyone knew and no one thought she would care. ]

You like a dramatic entrance, don't you?

[ he's certainly achieved it. her lips twitch into a thin line but otherwise she demonstrates no outward reaction to his words - everyone else has seen me already. ]

Saving the best for last?

[tradire]

[ Isn't it? Enjoy that. Fun little fact: Tony saw him first. So how's that sit with her?

Loki smiles, cold, the corners of his lips prick like thorns. In all fairness, he didn't know she was there either. Not that anyone would tell him, but all the same. Just one more obnoxious Avenger to "worry" about. Now he'll just have to be a little extra cautious in doing any nefarious deeds. It's not likely Natasha will let him slip quietly by. ]

Surely you realize this is far understated for an entrance. Had I wanted the dramatic flare, I could have simply come to your room. You are in Loki house. [ The grin cuts sharper for an instant. ] Are you not?

[redhourglass]

[ you wanted to start with the most obvious person, right? still, she and tony have to have words, too. at least bruce came out and told her straight up. ]

I am. [ she admits grudgingly. ] But I have to say, I like the Loki here much better. [ not that she's a fan of the gods, over all. his implication that her house placement says anything about her is annoying. and wrong. she hopes. ]

You can come to the bar. You're not welcome anywhere close to me outside of it.

[tradire]

[ No, actually, he hadn't. If he could have, he would have avoided Tony altogether. In fact he'd like to now, considering how overly obnoxious he is.

He scoffs at the notion of anyone actually liking the Loki here. He's more annoying than Loki believes himself and a giant thorn in his side. So, he's taking that as an insult and that Natasha is just trying to needle him. But, he won't allow that to show. ]

You say that as if I hold any desire at all to be close to you at all. [ There's a brief pause as he smiles again, looking thoughtful for just a fleeting moment. ] Though, should mere coincidence have us in the same vicinity with each other, I can hardly be held accountable.

[redhourglass]

[ but loki, she is trying to annoy you. and god does she hope it is working; you're more tolerable when you're mildly annoyed, and then you tend to make mistakes. she can use those mistakes. ]

Your brother seems to think you won't come near me, [ she shrugs. ] I'd hate for you to disappoint him.

[ you do that enough all on your own, loki. ]

Asgard is a big place. Plenty of room for the both of us.

[tradire]

[ Everyone annoys him. Constantly. But, he knows better than to show it. At least right now. So, he won't. There's no way he's going to leave himself open so Natasha can claw her way in again. ]

Yes, well, Thor never has been knowledgeable to my actions. [ He smiles, because he has his own secrets right now about just how true that is. ] Lucky for me.

[ But the smile fades slightly, just around the edges as it turns into something sharper. ]

Oh come now, that's no way to have fun.

[redhourglass]

[ it's fine if he doesn't break immediately - given this place's record, she has plenty of time to wear him down before he finally gives her something. and then she can go to thor with proof. (though, if she's being completely honest, a part of her is reticent to ruin whatever newfound faith he's discovered). ]

I'm not as blind as he is. [ even if you were family, she wouldn't trust you. ] And I'm not here to have fun. I don't know if you've noticed, but there's a war going on. One that has nothing to do with our fight at home.

[ of course, that won't stop her if he steps out of line. she's capable of multitasking. ]

[tradire]

[ Then they're set for a face-off. Loki isn't fully willing to let himself break down in front of anyone. At least, not yet. He's got everyone twisted around his dexterous little finger. And he plans to use that to his own advantage. ]

Ah, so we do agree on one of the finer points. No one is as blind as Thor is.

[ Loki smiles, quickly followed by a sharp laugh. ]

This war is not of my concern. I could truly not care any less if this Asgard burns right to the ground.

[redhourglass]

[ she has to grant him that one; thor is pretty thick and so she tips her head to one side, making a face that shows he obviously has the right of it. but where everyone else is ready to trust him and forgive and forget - she's not so quick. ]

You will if it does. It's hard to conquer the universe when there is no universe left, when you're dead.

[ it's a bluff, really. she has no idea whether the gods are truly telling the truth. there's evidence for both sides. ]

You want to rule. You want to be the biggest man on the mountain; hard to do without a mountain, don't you think?

[tradire]

[ And yet it's hardly anyone else who's willing to trust, forgive, forget. No one has, besides Thor, and he's always been a step outside of the rest.

Loki shrugs impassively, almost rolling his eyes but stopping just short. ]

As I have said, this war hardly concerns me and I care not for any of these false gods or their problems. My role has been played and I'm afraid the curtain drawn.

[ Loki smiles again, waving his hand dismissively. ]

What good is a world falling apart?

[redhourglass]

If this war doesn't mean anything to you, than I don't have to ask you to stay out of the way.

[ at least, that's the assumption. she's not stupid enough to leave him alone long enough to let him make his own choices about whether or not he wants to become involved. the moment he makes a move, she'll want to know and be prepared. ]

[tradire]

[ A smile that's smug and cold, a laugh that sounds just the same is given as he stares hard at her through the bracelet. ]

You still could. It's quite polite, you know.

[redhourglass]

[ snort. is your laugh supposed to be scary? intimidating? she doesn't seem to be bothered. ]

People call me many things. Polite isn't usually one of them.

[tradire]

[ Not at all. He's aiming for nothing right now. ]

Then I suppose I'll have to stay aware. Become... involved.

[redhourglass]

You would have done that either way.

[ particularly if she ordered him not to get involved. as if he would listen. ]

[tradire]

Perhaps so. Perhaps not.

[ Honestly he doesn't care one ounce about this Asgard or their war or anything. He does hope it burns to the ground and this time, that he's actually going to see it happen. ]

[redhourglass]

[ hey, at least she'll have help this time around; the other avengers are hanging around. even if thor isn't quite on their team re: loki. ]

Let me know when you figure it out.