[ Loki's food is good, probably not the best in the Ten Realms, or even the best in Drabwurld, but the cheese is creamy and the chicken is crunchy and it has its own Midgardian comfort food flair that he had managed, somehow, to retain.
out of all three of Loki's imps, Moe's probably the meanest, occasionally digging through Loki's pockets unhappily or taking his things until he's satisfied. they're useful, and they listen as much as imps can listen. (better when they're offered little gifts.) Moe hisses and makes a grab for the fork, holding on to the stem until he's shaken off. after that he slinks around the corners and stares at Hiro with possibly murderous imp intent (that really doesn't mean much of anything while Loki's there). Loki just scoots him out of the way with his foot in his pursuit of a bowl. ]
If you were interrupting something I wouldn't have shown up. You would've gone sad and cookie-less for another few days. [ he makes a halfway sign with his hand. ] Depending on what.
[In all fairness, Loki's food could be the best in the Ten Realms, the Drabwurld, and the entire existence of existing and Hiro would still be slotting it at second-best. Nothing compares to Aunt Cass's food but this is definitely a close second. Considering how he's barely pausing between bites it's most appreciated (and also probably the first real meal he's sat down for in days.) There's a hiss right back at the imp as he shakes Moe off of his fork, narrowing his eyes at the creature before returning his attention to Loki.]
I wouldn't call it sad...[Though that's exactly what it was.] But I'm honored that you deemed this important enough to actually do in the meantime. [Another bite of mac and cheese, and then--] At least I'll have something to take back to the castle. I didn't bring enough gold to buy anything else while I was out.
[ maybe Hiro will die by starving, irony to us all. ]
You speak as if cookies are of little importance. Who are you and what have you done with Hiro?
[ really now.
true to being himself, Loki hefts Hiro's bag from one of the chairs and begins going through it to find those chocolate chips that he's heard so much about. he doesn't seem at all fussed about riffling through his things like a bandit. ]
[There's a pause as he watches, apparently not at all bothered by Loki going through his things. Jason has before. He has no room for argument. He'll find a lot of books, supplies that are enough proof he hasn't been home for several days, a stack of papers clipped together, some school supplies, a few weapons, half a bottle of sleeping draught…normal things. The chocolate chips are near the bottom, just recently opened. And as Loki goes through his things, Hiro settles for poking his fork into another piece of chicken.]
I might have killed him. [It's a casual statement meant to be taken lightly, completely unaware of any implications that might come from it but it's true. He's not the same anymore, and yet there are pieces that are still entirely the same that he's trying to fix. But that's admitting too much so it's easier to make jokes about it.] I'm recreating Hiro 2.0, the Hiro that actually looks both ways before crossing the street. The Hiro that has the old Hiro's memories and experiences but is...you know, better.
[He looks up again, a small smirk on his face and just gauging how Loki will respond to that. It's an answer that isn't an answer and he's well aware.]
[ Loki rummages without much care, digging out the chocolate chips and tossing them up before catching them in triumph. the go sliding across the counter before he starts mixing the dough together. chocolate chips were great. it was like he wouldn't have to take a hammer to a bar of chocolate. (not that such activities weren't cathartic.)
I am the crime
there's a pause in stirring where he looks at him, like he's searching for something. guilt, it's guilt that takes a hold of him; it passes, brief enough that it might've not happened at all.
that will not be forgiven
the spoon starts again and he dumps the entire bag of chocolate chips in the dough, because you can never have too much chocolate. ]
A better Hiro, hm? [ hero. that's clever. he eats some cookie dough off the spoon. ] Fortunately for Hiro 2.0, no one needs to die for that one. Consider it more of an update.
Just don't pull a Firefox on anyone, you'll hear the collective groan when their add-ons cease to function properly.
[He locks his eyes with Loki's for a moment, trying to read the expression and also letting himself be read. It's a strange type of honesty there but still completely guarded and waiting for Loki to say something. Anything.
And then the moment's lost. It's gone and he grins a little because no, you can't have too much chocolate. It's also the one time he doesn't mind the hero pun, making a grabby motion with his hand for the spoon. Even though the fork is still in his hand. Share, Mom.]
Trust me, I'd rather be a Chrome. Updating and compatible with a bunch of different apps and extensions. [He frowns slightly in thought.] I told Jason I don't want a death wish. So I'm doing things differently this time.
he dips the spoon that he licked back into the dough and hands it to Hiro casually. they've shared worse, and now the cookies bind them as spit brothers. ]
Knocking yourself into the same wall never wields desirable results, especially when it's burning and covered in spikes.
That's why we change. That's the point, you could say. A better Hiro, a better Loki, so we do things different. We try again.
[Like he's never done this with Tadashi before. Or let Mochi eat off of the same spoon he's eaten off of. There's a bright grin and he's promptly setting the fork down, snatching the spoon to shovel the cookie dough into his mouth.]
I know. [Said around the spoon.] ...I think maybe you were right. About being afraid of change even though it wasn't change I was afraid of, it was about not controlling that change. We can't control everything, right? We just focus on the things we can control and do our best to make sure we're in a good position for everything else. Adapt as we see fit for each situation. Don't do stupid things and be smarter to stay ahead. That kind of thing.
[He pulls the spoon out of his mouth.] ...I want to be a better Hiro. People in this court are starting to trust me more though. The new shardbearers and everything? I can help them. I've been helping them.
[He's eaten about half of the mac and cheese and the chicken he had on his plate, but he's eyeing the dough again.] ...plus...you know...some important people in the military have started approaching me for jobs, too.
[ Loki puts another spoonful of dough in his mouth and slides it out. he globs some dough onto a tray, then puts some in his mouth. one for the tray, one for Loki. one for the tray, one for Loki. ]
Ah—important military personnel. That sounds like a conspiracy. [ he waves the spoon in a circle. ] All in a day's work when military and jobs are involved.
So, you're a hot commodity, are you going to take them?
[ Hiro "needs to help everyone" Hamada, even at the expense of himself. he can pinpoint the desire to be needed and wanted. he knows, because he has it, himself. he doesn't like it, and most of the time he ignores it, but sometimes it breaks from the front in desperation. ]
[Unlike Loki, Hiro has a much, much harder time ignoring that desire and in the end usually stumbles right into traffic anyway.
Once upon a time, a very important person said to Hiro: 'Eventually ... you'll get it. You'll get how to make your actions all work together. But you aren't there yet.' It's true. It's true enough but he finally sort of feels like he's starting to get it.
His eyes remain on the spoon before glancing at the cheese-covered fork and debating how well it'd settle to stick it in the bowl to get some more dough himself. Instead, he chooses to answer.]
I kinda already did...[Whoops.] I just got back from Redgate. [Hence the fact he was starving, wanting cookies, and looking a little more sleep-deprived than usual.] This was just kinda on the way back to the castle.
[ not as if R&D wasn't a military operation, but something strikes him as a little different with this. enough that Hiro felt the need to point it out. ]
Then you've already made your decision. You do know no matter how you frame it that you get to the same end?
[ the racks of cookies go in the oven and Loki hopes for the best. there's not much here to gauge temperature except for, well, himself, and he wasn't always the best judge that he could be. (see: he could be, if he wanted to be.) ]
[He's uncertain if this is something to tell Saber at a later date. As it stands, he's quiet for a moment, watching Loki shove the cookies into the oven.]
That's the part I'm not really sure about. If it's the same end, I mean. I mean I guess it kinda is since the quartermaster told me that if I succeeded he'd help me with some of my projects but that's only if he likes the report.
[A small pout follows.] Besides, they're just dwarves.
Ah, the dwarves. Cagey, bearded and usually covered in five kinds of grime. Do they ever see the light of day? Dwarves hold many secrets—I did tell you the story of how they forged Thor's hammer.
[ Loki leans back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest casually. occasionally he'll tip back on his toe, leaning back up again. ]
I'm not sure if you're trying to tell me I'm disgusting, or that I don't see the light of day. Either way, dude, shut up. [That's so rude, Loki, how dare you. Nevertheless he's just going back to eating what's on his plate because it's there and he's still hungry, but he'll continue the thread of conversation.]
You told me that and that's just part of why I wanted to go see them. You're right, they've got a ton of secrets locked up and they've been known to build some really cool stuff. Graves wanted me to learn about them so we can build a better relationship with them...which makes sense. I mean Redgate's their first line of defense but they're only teaching Seelie about their craft? It's messed up. So I'm learning as much about them and Troichean Beinn as possible.
One of those is on point. [ the hasn't seen the light of day one. that one. ] Unless you decide to grow some beard ... [ he eyes Hiro. ] ... fuzz. [ so, that fell flat, but was not incorrect. ]
[ who knew such a tiny creature could consume food three times his size. Loki watches, mildly impressed. ]
A shot in the food is what it is. Despite Seelie involvement, Redgate is Unseelie-held territory. Alas, the stubbornness of dwarves. [ he says, his voice sourly mocking. ] It would be bad for the Unseelie if the Seelie meant to seize redgate through the tunnels inwhich the dwarves shroud themselves.
[He lifts an eyebrow, his expression indicating that he's fairly certain he'll never be able to grow facial hair even if he tries. A hand comes up to subconsciously pat his own face, a little frown of disappointment before it's back to food. Here we have a wild, human teenage boy in his natural habitat, a bottomless pit that will probably have to have things physically taken from him or wait it out until he decides he's full.
But his eyes light up as soon as Loki speaks because...yes. Yes, that is exactly the conclusion he'd drawn himself. It takes him a few tries to swallow the amount of food in his mouth before he sets the plate aside, digging in his backpack for a stack of papers.]
We cannot lose Redgate. And we're not gonna. That's one of the things I was hoping Graves could talk to the dwarves about as soon as he figures out a proposal for them. Redgate's their first line of defense and it's ruled by our guys. Wouldn't it make more sense to make nice with us and teach us their secrets so that we could better protect Troichean Beinn? After all, if the Seelie decided they wanted to overthrow us and control Redgate, it'd be a battle and enacting a battle would mean getting them involved and who wants to do that? [There's a crooked smile following, a slight lift of his eyebrows as he thumbs through his notes at an alarming rate.]
The dwarves will do whatever it takes to protect themselves. Don't you think that means aligning with their true allies instead? That's why Graves sent me out there. We needed some insider info so that we can formulate a new strategy to rebuild an alliance with them. [A hand comes up to run through his hair as he reads.] You'd be surprised what you can learn from the dwarves over some drinks and a few rounds of poker.
[A beat.] By the way, if you know anybody who could teach me to be a better poker player I'd appreciate it. I kinda lost some of my gold.
[ well, it was nice to hear that kind of conviction come from him. he had almost forgotten that Hiro could muster it. it's one of those moments where he reminds him of him: the scruffy-haired little trickster that he once accompanied. that Loki had a lot of ideas, most of which were awful, but he never stopped trying to fix what he had wrought. he saved a lot of people in the long run of his career as the god of chaos. ]
Weaseling your way in is best done with good drink and a few games.
I'm not the best for it. I play a better cheating hand at poker than I play an honest one. I've even played with dwarves before. [ there's a pause. ] It ended badly, but they were cheating too. They were a bit sore because I did it better.
[ he clicks his fingers after a moment. ] My brother has secured Asgardian mead from a boon that was given to him by the monarchs. If you want to impress your hairy new friends, you could certainly persuade Thor into generosity for a noble cause.
There are secrets that the dwarves hold. I'd quite like to see what they've got down there.
[In truth, it's taken time for Hiro to remember that himself. Things have been...very trial and error, especially these last few months. There are a lot of things going on inside his head that he thinks he's much better off not discussing (or journaling for himself so that the thoughts never see the light of day) and they're things that have been getting in the way. However, this last mission with key pieces of advice firmly set into place really managed to bring him back to the way he was.
But best not to bore Loki with any of those things running through his head.]
You really think the dwarves are going to trust a 15-year-old with mysterious mead that came from somebody else they don't know? [Then again...he makes a face of consideration, one that says something like "actually that's probably not wrong."] Actually, I think it's more a question of if Thor'll be willing to share. [A slight grin follows, but then something occurs to him.]
...Jason said something to me before I left. Does your curiosity have anything to do with what he was hinting at?
I'm sure Thor could be convinced with the proper argument and a few pretty pleases. [ says the one who's very good at convincing Thor of bad ideas.
it's not a matter of trust as much as it's a matter of desire. dwarves were greedy little things, and having something desirable in his possession was a better bargaining chip. once it was proven of worth, that's when the whole trust thing came in.
Loki turns to check the cookies before snapping the oven shut to prevent the loss of heat. ]
And yes, it has exactly everything to do with that. [ there's no point in hiding it. Hiro's involvement was convenient, actually. ]
Question, does the puppy-dog expression work on your brother? I've been perfecting it to use on people not my family. I could use the practice. [He's partially joking but all the same, it sounded enough like Hiro could definitely use the leverage...if Thor wanted to give it. The dwarf-friends he'd made seemed to like him enough. It wouldn't seem that out of place to bring them a present.
He leans forward, eying the oven curiously before Loki shuts the door and he sits back, finally putting his plate with only a few spare remnants of his meal aside.]
And one of you could actually tell me what "that" is. Should I let Jason do the honors? I haven't exactly told him I'm back home yet since he was going somewhere, too. [He's careful not to say where or with whom, just in case Loki for whatever reason doesn't know.]
[ Thor could be soft, but he could also be stubborn. once he had an idea firmly planted in his head, it was harder to move it from him than move Thor, himself. Loki could sway him, but only because they had history and Loki knew exactly what to pick apart in his brother's thinking.
despite all of that, Thor liked to share, and he would bet on Thor's willingness before his decline, even without the puppy dog face. ]
I could give you the basics, I'm sure Jason would rather do the honors. After Diasbaile was attacked, I sought out an audience with High-Queen Morla. She gave me directions. You can guess what was on there.
As I said, the dwarves are greedy, secretive creatures. The hold fast to what is theirs.
[A brief sigh of annoyance, but he's not arguing. Hiro has as much willfullness as Thor has willingness. It's a combination that may be dangerous, but also one that will hopefully help him in the future. Now it was a matter of convincing Thor to share with a child.
That can come later though. One step at a time and he folds his arms over his stomach, fingers tapping against his hip as he absorbs what Loki's saying.
A second audience with Morla after the first one. If it was after the first, after Diasbaile...knowing what he knows about the attack on Ariadne's spire and knowing what he knows about how the Cult not only got into Ariadne's head but Loki's, too, he could only guess what he'd asked the high queen. His eyebrows lift and furrow all in one fluid motion as he puzzles it out, thinking closely on the way Loki's phrased it. He's come to learn that Loki's emphasis on certain words usually means there's a different meaning than one would usually think. If one were unused to Loki, perhaps they would think he meant Morla gave him directions like instructions. Instead though...] She told you where to look for information, didn't she? What to look for in the four major compass directions. [He doesn't even wait for confirmation before he continues.] Jason said that the dwarves have some information that could turn the tides for our side, but we don't have a way to achieve it yet. Whatever Morla told you, you told Jason and now Jason thinks this could be a way to get whatever it is you two are talking about.
[And another short sigh.] I'll let Jason tell me the rest since I'm pretty sure he's waiting for me to tell him I messed up. But that's it, isn't it?
[ Jason didn't just mean against the Seelie, he meant in the broadest terms of "favor" toward "our side." it was also against the Cult, possibly against the Avatar of the Void. he doesn't talk about the rest, even the slight mistakes here and there. Hiro figured out the bulk of it.
there were problems with dwarves and their natures, however. ]
I think this could be a very good way to get what we're looking for.
[ Loki says, waving a hand. ]
And it could be your chance. That's what you wanted, isn't it? A chance to make a big difference, and a chance to make a change. Whatever those dwarves are hording to themselves could affect the outcome of everything in a big way.
Don't you want to find out what it is?
[ he pushes from the counter to go take the cookies out of the oven and set them on the stone counter top. ]
[A sharp look follows that statement and he's left looking at Loki's back, momentarily distracted by the scent of freshly baked cookies. That distraction doesn't last long because the weight of Loki's words sinks in again.
It's true, isn't it? That's been his entire…everything, really. It's been his running argument since he set foot in the Drabwurld, it's been his biggest goal since he became a hero, even, and time and time again he keeps screwing up those chances or being told those chances aren't chances he should take. Jason and Hiro had an argument about his role as head of the R&D right before he left for Redgate and that still sat at the front of his mind. But this?
Loki knows exactly the right things to say to get the right kind of response.]
Well duh. [To both of those. He wants to find out what it is and he wants to be part of that change. He wants to prove himself and actually make a difference. Keep up with the rest of those he'd slowly attached himself to. He finally gets up to approach the counter, hovering over the tray of cookies but not quite snatching one yet.] But it can't just be about what I want anymore. That's how everything keeps getting messed up. It's gotta be what's best for all of us or it's not gonna work. [He leans on the counter just a few inches from the tray, making sure not to burn himself but keeping close enough in grabbing distance.] So I think the real question is, do you want to give me that chance?
[As much as he wants to run in with as much fervor and enthusiasm as anything else, even he knows when to back down and approach things carefully. Then again? He also knows he is the perfect person for the job. He made the connections. Now they just need to play their cards right.]
[ Loki is absolutely casual as he goes along, loosening the warm cookies from the hot tray. admittedly, the cookies never really turned out to be anything stellar. instead there was always some kind of inconsistency that made them fall below the line of anything that could be made with modern cookware. they were too crumbly, they flattened out too much, there wasn't enough crisp, they didn't spread—this time they were a little doughy, but Loki would take that. ]
Do I?
[ he wiggles the spatula under a few of the cookies. ]
Were I to deny you, we'd be back where we started. We've gone from the realm of chance and choice and into do it or lose. We're no longer afforded the former luxury.
[ heavy words for someone who's nibbling on a cookie. ]
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out of all three of Loki's imps, Moe's probably the meanest, occasionally digging through Loki's pockets unhappily or taking his things until he's satisfied. they're useful, and they listen as much as imps can listen. (better when they're offered little gifts.) Moe hisses and makes a grab for the fork, holding on to the stem until he's shaken off. after that he slinks around the corners and stares at Hiro with possibly murderous imp intent (that really doesn't mean much of anything while Loki's there). Loki just scoots him out of the way with his foot in his pursuit of a bowl. ]
If you were interrupting something I wouldn't have shown up. You would've gone sad and cookie-less for another few days. [ he makes a halfway sign with his hand. ] Depending on what.
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I wouldn't call it sad...[Though that's exactly what it was.] But I'm honored that you deemed this important enough to actually do in the meantime. [Another bite of mac and cheese, and then--] At least I'll have something to take back to the castle. I didn't bring enough gold to buy anything else while I was out.
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You speak as if cookies are of little importance. Who are you and what have you done with Hiro?
[ really now.
true to being himself, Loki hefts Hiro's bag from one of the chairs and begins going through it to find those chocolate chips that he's heard so much about. he doesn't seem at all fussed about riffling through his things like a bandit. ]
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I might have killed him. [It's a casual statement meant to be taken lightly, completely unaware of any implications that might come from it but it's true. He's not the same anymore, and yet there are pieces that are still entirely the same that he's trying to fix. But that's admitting too much so it's easier to make jokes about it.] I'm recreating Hiro 2.0, the Hiro that actually looks both ways before crossing the street. The Hiro that has the old Hiro's memories and experiences but is...you know, better.
[He looks up again, a small smirk on his face and just gauging how Loki will respond to that. It's an answer that isn't an answer and he's well aware.]
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I am the crime
there's a pause in stirring where he looks at him, like he's searching for something. guilt, it's guilt that takes a hold of him; it passes, brief enough that it might've not happened at all.
that will not be forgiven
the spoon starts again and he dumps the entire bag of chocolate chips in the dough, because you can never have too much chocolate. ]
A better Hiro, hm? [ hero. that's clever. he eats some cookie dough off the spoon. ] Fortunately for Hiro 2.0, no one needs to die for that one. Consider it more of an update.
Just don't pull a Firefox on anyone, you'll hear the collective groan when their add-ons cease to function properly.
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And then the moment's lost. It's gone and he grins a little because no, you can't have too much chocolate. It's also the one time he doesn't mind the hero pun, making a grabby motion with his hand for the spoon. Even though the fork is still in his hand. Share, Mom.]
Trust me, I'd rather be a Chrome. Updating and compatible with a bunch of different apps and extensions. [He frowns slightly in thought.] I told Jason I don't want a death wish. So I'm doing things differently this time.
[Finally.]
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it's really gross
he dips the spoon that he licked back into the dough and hands it to Hiro casually. they've shared worse, and now the cookies bind them as spit brothers. ]
Knocking yourself into the same wall never wields desirable results, especially when it's burning and covered in spikes.
That's why we change. That's the point, you could say. A better Hiro, a better Loki, so we do things different. We try again.
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I know. [Said around the spoon.] ...I think maybe you were right. About being afraid of change even though it wasn't change I was afraid of, it was about not controlling that change. We can't control everything, right? We just focus on the things we can control and do our best to make sure we're in a good position for everything else. Adapt as we see fit for each situation. Don't do stupid things and be smarter to stay ahead. That kind of thing.
[He pulls the spoon out of his mouth.] ...I want to be a better Hiro. People in this court are starting to trust me more though. The new shardbearers and everything? I can help them. I've been helping them.
[He's eaten about half of the mac and cheese and the chicken he had on his plate, but he's eyeing the dough again.] ...plus...you know...some important people in the military have started approaching me for jobs, too.
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Ah—important military personnel. That sounds like a conspiracy. [ he waves the spoon in a circle. ] All in a day's work when military and jobs are involved.
So, you're a hot commodity, are you going to take them?
[ Hiro "needs to help everyone" Hamada, even at the expense of himself. he can pinpoint the desire to be needed and wanted. he knows, because he has it, himself. he doesn't like it, and most of the time he ignores it, but sometimes it breaks from the front in desperation. ]
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Once upon a time, a very important person said to Hiro: 'Eventually ... you'll get it. You'll get how to make your actions all work together. But you aren't there yet.' It's true. It's true enough but he finally sort of feels like he's starting to get it.
His eyes remain on the spoon before glancing at the cheese-covered fork and debating how well it'd settle to stick it in the bowl to get some more dough himself. Instead, he chooses to answer.]
I kinda already did...[Whoops.] I just got back from Redgate. [Hence the fact he was starving, wanting cookies, and looking a little more sleep-deprived than usual.] This was just kinda on the way back to the castle.
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Then you've already made your decision. You do know no matter how you frame it that you get to the same end?
[ the racks of cookies go in the oven and Loki hopes for the best. there's not much here to gauge temperature except for, well, himself, and he wasn't always the best judge that he could be. (see: he could be, if he wanted to be.) ]
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That's the part I'm not really sure about. If it's the same end, I mean. I mean I guess it kinda is since the quartermaster told me that if I succeeded he'd help me with some of my projects but that's only if he likes the report.
[A small pout follows.] Besides, they're just dwarves.
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[ Loki leans back against the counter, arms crossed over his chest casually. occasionally he'll tip back on his toe, leaning back up again. ]
It sounds right up your alley.
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You told me that and that's just part of why I wanted to go see them. You're right, they've got a ton of secrets locked up and they've been known to build some really cool stuff. Graves wanted me to learn about them so we can build a better relationship with them...which makes sense. I mean Redgate's their first line of defense but they're only teaching Seelie about their craft? It's messed up. So I'm learning as much about them and Troichean Beinn as possible.
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[ who knew such a tiny creature could consume food three times his size. Loki watches, mildly impressed. ]
A shot in the food is what it is. Despite Seelie involvement, Redgate is Unseelie-held territory. Alas, the stubbornness of dwarves. [ he says, his voice sourly mocking. ] It would be bad for the Unseelie if the Seelie meant to seize redgate through the tunnels inwhich the dwarves shroud themselves.
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But his eyes light up as soon as Loki speaks because...yes. Yes, that is exactly the conclusion he'd drawn himself. It takes him a few tries to swallow the amount of food in his mouth before he sets the plate aside, digging in his backpack for a stack of papers.]
We cannot lose Redgate. And we're not gonna. That's one of the things I was hoping Graves could talk to the dwarves about as soon as he figures out a proposal for them. Redgate's their first line of defense and it's ruled by our guys. Wouldn't it make more sense to make nice with us and teach us their secrets so that we could better protect Troichean Beinn? After all, if the Seelie decided they wanted to overthrow us and control Redgate, it'd be a battle and enacting a battle would mean getting them involved and who wants to do that? [There's a crooked smile following, a slight lift of his eyebrows as he thumbs through his notes at an alarming rate.]
The dwarves will do whatever it takes to protect themselves. Don't you think that means aligning with their true allies instead? That's why Graves sent me out there. We needed some insider info so that we can formulate a new strategy to rebuild an alliance with them. [A hand comes up to run through his hair as he reads.] You'd be surprised what you can learn from the dwarves over some drinks and a few rounds of poker.
[A beat.] By the way, if you know anybody who could teach me to be a better poker player I'd appreciate it. I kinda lost some of my gold.
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Weaseling your way in is best done with good drink and a few games.
I'm not the best for it. I play a better cheating hand at poker than I play an honest one. I've even played with dwarves before. [ there's a pause. ] It ended badly, but they were cheating too. They were a bit sore because I did it better.
[ he clicks his fingers after a moment. ] My brother has secured Asgardian mead from a boon that was given to him by the monarchs. If you want to impress your hairy new friends, you could certainly persuade Thor into generosity for a noble cause.
There are secrets that the dwarves hold. I'd quite like to see what they've got down there.
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But best not to bore Loki with any of those things running through his head.]
You really think the dwarves are going to trust a 15-year-old with mysterious mead that came from somebody else they don't know? [Then again...he makes a face of consideration, one that says something like "actually that's probably not wrong."] Actually, I think it's more a question of if Thor'll be willing to share. [A slight grin follows, but then something occurs to him.]
...Jason said something to me before I left. Does your curiosity have anything to do with what he was hinting at?
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it's not a matter of trust as much as it's a matter of desire. dwarves were greedy little things, and having something desirable in his possession was a better bargaining chip. once it was proven of worth, that's when the whole trust thing came in.
Loki turns to check the cookies before snapping the oven shut to prevent the loss of heat. ]
And yes, it has exactly everything to do with that. [ there's no point in hiding it. Hiro's involvement was convenient, actually. ]
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He leans forward, eying the oven curiously before Loki shuts the door and he sits back, finally putting his plate with only a few spare remnants of his meal aside.]
And one of you could actually tell me what "that" is. Should I let Jason do the honors? I haven't exactly told him I'm back home yet since he was going somewhere, too. [He's careful not to say where or with whom, just in case Loki for whatever reason doesn't know.]
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[ Thor could be soft, but he could also be stubborn. once he had an idea firmly planted in his head, it was harder to move it from him than move Thor, himself. Loki could sway him, but only because they had history and Loki knew exactly what to pick apart in his brother's thinking.
despite all of that, Thor liked to share, and he would bet on Thor's willingness before his decline, even without the puppy dog face. ]
I could give you the basics, I'm sure Jason would rather do the honors. After Diasbaile was attacked, I sought out an audience with High-Queen Morla. She gave me directions. You can guess what was on there.
As I said, the dwarves are greedy, secretive creatures. The hold fast to what is theirs.
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That can come later though. One step at a time and he folds his arms over his stomach, fingers tapping against his hip as he absorbs what Loki's saying.
A second audience with Morla after the first one. If it was after the first, after Diasbaile...knowing what he knows about the attack on Ariadne's spire and knowing what he knows about how the Cult not only got into Ariadne's head but Loki's, too, he could only guess what he'd asked the high queen. His eyebrows lift and furrow all in one fluid motion as he puzzles it out, thinking closely on the way Loki's phrased it. He's come to learn that Loki's emphasis on certain words usually means there's a different meaning than one would usually think. If one were unused to Loki, perhaps they would think he meant Morla gave him directions like instructions. Instead though...] She told you where to look for information, didn't she? What to look for in the four major compass directions. [He doesn't even wait for confirmation before he continues.] Jason said that the dwarves have some information that could turn the tides for our side, but we don't have a way to achieve it yet. Whatever Morla told you, you told Jason and now Jason thinks this could be a way to get whatever it is you two are talking about.
[And another short sigh.] I'll let Jason tell me the rest since I'm pretty sure he's waiting for me to tell him I messed up. But that's it, isn't it?
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there were problems with dwarves and their natures, however. ]
I think this could be a very good way to get what we're looking for.
[ Loki says, waving a hand. ]
And it could be your chance. That's what you wanted, isn't it? A chance to make a big difference, and a chance to make a change. Whatever those dwarves are hording to themselves could affect the outcome of everything in a big way.
Don't you want to find out what it is?
[ he pushes from the counter to go take the cookies out of the oven and set them on the stone counter top. ]
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It's true, isn't it? That's been his entire…everything, really. It's been his running argument since he set foot in the Drabwurld, it's been his biggest goal since he became a hero, even, and time and time again he keeps screwing up those chances or being told those chances aren't chances he should take. Jason and Hiro had an argument about his role as head of the R&D right before he left for Redgate and that still sat at the front of his mind. But this?
Loki knows exactly the right things to say to get the right kind of response.]
Well duh. [To both of those. He wants to find out what it is and he wants to be part of that change. He wants to prove himself and actually make a difference. Keep up with the rest of those he'd slowly attached himself to. He finally gets up to approach the counter, hovering over the tray of cookies but not quite snatching one yet.] But it can't just be about what I want anymore. That's how everything keeps getting messed up. It's gotta be what's best for all of us or it's not gonna work. [He leans on the counter just a few inches from the tray, making sure not to burn himself but keeping close enough in grabbing distance.] So I think the real question is, do you want to give me that chance?
[As much as he wants to run in with as much fervor and enthusiasm as anything else, even he knows when to back down and approach things carefully. Then again? He also knows he is the perfect person for the job. He made the connections. Now they just need to play their cards right.]
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Do I?
[ he wiggles the spatula under a few of the cookies. ]
Were I to deny you, we'd be back where we started. We've gone from the realm of chance and choice and into do it or lose. We're no longer afforded the former luxury.
[ heavy words for someone who's nibbling on a cookie. ]
Either it's done, or we fail.
[ and he doesn't like to lose. ]
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