[ open to all ] rest in the silhouettes our fathers and mothers laid before

[dothelokimotion]

who: Loki + You
what: Monthly Prompts + Daily Stuff
when: May
where: All around the city
warnings: N/A, will update if necessary


[ i. floating lanterns]

[ Loki remembers.

It almost feels like another lifetime ago. He had come here just after he snatched the throne (or had it been a few years? Time still slips through his fingers) along with Thor. Their conversations had been rough, abrupt. Loki had taken a lantern and hidden himself in the night, a testament to his weakness. A testament to his mother. That wound may never fully heal. But Loki has many wounds like that one and they have eventually lost their power over him. Or their power remained, but they no longer scatter his head with doubts and recriminations. So, he doesn’t hide himself this time, though he may linger at the back. One lantern for one person Loki has not taken the time to mourn. He draws a black crown of thorns with a steady hand. When it’s done, he pulls back, turning it over with his fingers before igniting it with a small globe of light which he conjures in his palm. Both of these combined, Loki lets it bob briefly before lifting it into the air with a murmur. ]

Goodbye, sister. You died a glorious death.

[ ii. sharing life ( and magic ) ]

[ In many ways, Loki was easy. He doesn’t like to admit it, but a little flattery, smiling, buttering him up can go a long way. Of course, not everyone can pull it off. There are only a scant few whose opinions truly matter to Loki and even then, he wavers. It is a dangerous thing, trying to earn a person’s regard. Loki only had to look at his own father to know that it is a treacherous path. But he has also been softened in time, the edges going a little blunt. Laura had asked for a magic show and Lucy wanted to know more stories. Both of which Loki is more than happy to combine. On the steps of his theatre, he holds a tiny street play.

With puppets. Yes, puppets.

Though he’s not moving them with his hands. There are small bursts of gold sparkles and sometimes, the puppets change size, voice and colour. The children clap in delight as Loki hangs back, letting the show play out. ]

[ iii. a boy and his lying cat ]

[ Recently, Thor had gifted him with this . . . animal which meant Loki was partly saddled with it. He says partly because for the most part, the creature itself doesn’t seem to need more attention. It mostly spends its time, slinking around Loki’s legs, yawning and —

— and mocking everything Loki says with a low drawl, constantly uttering Lying at him. What was he even lying about? And it was worse in public when he is talking to someone and almost immediately — ]

Lying.

[ Loki lets out a hiss, turning away from whoever he was speaking to, to address the cat. ]

I will strangle you.

[ The cat blinks, licking his paws, not the least bit perturbed. ]

[ closed - to alex ]

[ True to his word, Loki does make an appearance at the coffee shop. It is fascinating how many life-changing or important moments have taken place here, he muses briefly. Here, he started talking to Steve as an equal. Where he slowly forged an (uneasy) connection with Tony Stark. For this, he dressed in his black suit, waiting at a table politely, his hands folded on his lap as he watches the people pass by. For once, he doesn’t feel quite so . . . apart.

Was that wrong? These people would be gone. He could close his eyes and forget they ever existed. But Loki struggles with wrongness and his ability to tell such things apart has long eroded away. ]

[ wildcard ]

[ Loki mostly spends his time at Gramarye, working his magic or answering queries. The Odin's Odeon is also a location where Loki spends most of his time, so if anyone is interested in hosting an event/play/the arts, Loki will support it. If you have an idea, pm this account or hit me up at captainkink ]

Comments

i

[scholiast]

(She's not watching him so much as she happens to be nearby, holding her own lantern, and watching other people release their own into the night sky. There is no rhythm to it, no schedule. Lucretia finds it difficult to know if she should say something meaningful, or simply release the lantern and hold a moment's silence, but... it all feels so performative.

She draws closer as Loki lets his gently alight into the air, giving his elbow a little brush with her fingertips to let him know she's there.)

Is it better, that it was glorious?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki glances at her briefly. ]

Yes. Valor in battle guarantees you a place in Valhalla.

[scholiast]

What is Valhalla like? Will she find peace there?

[dothelokimotion]

[ He swipes his thumb over his chin. Loki doesn't like talking about Valhalla. This was a small peace he could offer Hela. But it is a topic he knows he's ill suited for, as he continues to have doubts he'll ever make it there. Hela, for all her flaws, was Odin's blood. ]

It is said to be much like Asgard. Golden, bright. A place where you would have all your family.

[scholiast]

(She nods, glancing down at her own lantern. It sounds like a wonderful place to have to rest, and almost hypocritical that Hera had made it there, considering what she had done to both Thor and Loki. Lucretia doesn't know if such a remark would be acceptable to say given the circumstances, though.

Instead, she lights her own lantern with prestidigitation and floats it gently up into the air, and away.)

I've never been to anything like this before.

[dothelokimotion]

No?

[ He chuckles. ]

I did this when I first arrived here. It was similar enough to our customs to join in.

[scholiast]

Not really. I've observed death ritual before, but this is different.

(It's... nice. It's still sad, of course, but softer some how.)

What are your customs like?

[dothelokimotion]

We have a ship prepared, which sails off the Falls of Asgard. There, it will continue to sail until it is lit on fire, turning the boat to stardust. We usually put all their treasured belongings with the body so they may have use of it in Valhalla.

[scholiast]

Wow.

(That sure is a lot.)

And this is offered to everybody, no matter their social status?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shakes his head loosely. ]

It was not about your place in the system. It was about how much you fought against the tide. How much you sacrificed.

[scholiast]

Right, right.

(It's a strange concept to wrap her head around.) What of those who sacrifice nothing?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki looks at her. ]

Do such people exist?

[scholiast]

I'm... not sure.

(She doesn't know anybody who hasn't given up something.) Is sacrifice measurable?

[dothelokimotion]

I believe the amount of it in service of honour assures you a greater place in Valhalla.

[scholiast]

Sure.

(Everybody from the Starblaster would make it into Valhalla, is her first thought. If they had such a thing. Maybe they do, she doesn't know.)

It's... kind of you to honour her.

[dothelokimotion]

Considering what she did?

[ His lips twist, wry and bitter. ]

I haven't forgotten. But I recognize that she was a product of her upbringing. Like I was.

[scholiast]

Uh, well.

(yes. Lucretia coughs delicately.)

Is she the only one you had a lantern for?

[dothelokimotion]

Yes. We sent off the others a few months back. It was a private ceremony.

[scholiast]

(She nods. It's a mark of their friendship that she doesn't ask if she's irritating him with all the questions: Lucretia has long come to accept that Loki won't answer her if he truly doesn't want to.)

I'm sorry for your loss.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He blinks. Sometimes it surprises him that people realize it is a loss for Loki as well. He doesn't always recognize that. Loki knows he lacks the core of pain Thor carries. He loved Asgard. He hated Asgard. Both emotions exist in tandem, perfectly balanced. ]

Ah . . . thank you.

[scholiast]

(Loss is complicated. Lucretia looks at him for a moment, then rests her hand momentarily on his arm, giving a little comforting squeeze before she lets go.)

Of course.

Loki, could I ask a favour of you?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Favors. Loki weighs this before shrugging. ]

What is it?

[scholiast]

(This is weird to have to ask Loki; Lucretia hesitates.)

Would you check in on Taako, and make sure he isn't alone?

(She'd thought about messaging Lup, but Lup wasn't here this time last year, and Taako had been alone and... well, she just doesn't fancy the idea of him sitting there and stewing in his memories, that's all.)

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki's eyebrows go up. ]

As favors go, you're not asking much of me.

[ If Loki doesn't get a text from Taako in three days, he would bust in like the Kool-Aid Guy. ]

[scholiast]

I try to keep my requests small, so as not to owe the god of tricks too much.

(Jokes aside, this is important to her.) Will you?