riverviewlogs | closed to starters;

[ Loki purses his lips in a querulous line. He likes Bryn. Their tastes were similar, she had a good handle and knowledge for magic but, as it is with most things to do with Thor, Loki isn't all that keen. But he recognizes her claim and Thor would be upset with Loki if he messed things up here. ]

I have not heard of any severe symptoms beyond flu-like symptoms and the coma. And I have no doubt Thor will wake up.

[ Actually, he has every doubt, but Loki isn't going to say that. Thor has a week before Loki starts getting out the knives. ]

My magic has not worked and I doubt anyone else would.

[For a moment, Bryn stops thinking and starts looking at Loki. Really looking at him. He's always been very good at masking his emotions, she could tell that from the start, but when it comes to Thor it's a little different. If she hadn't been standing next to him when Thor and Taako had their duel, perhaps she wouldn't have sensed it.

Wouldn't have looked for signs that Loki has probably been worrying more about Thor than taking care of himself. He was straightening his appearance earlier...]

Why don't you let me come in and I can spell you for a bit? You can get a meal, take a nap or something and I'll keep an eye on Thor.

[It's her home, and Loki knows that, but she also knows that she doesn't have centuries of history with Thor that Loki does. So she gently asks permission to enter and help her care for him.]

[ Loki shifts on his feet briefly, hyper-aware of the state he's in and the kind of weakness he'd be allowing before stepping back to let Bryn enter. This was her house and technically, Loki has outstayed his welcome. ]

I rather not leave but it is your decision.

[She shakes her head at once.]

I don't want you to leave, I just mean...take a shower. Get some food in your stomach. Maybe take a nap in the same room. Take some time to take care of yourself and let me take care of your brother for a bit. Alright?

[After that, she manages another small smile.]

It's only been a few months for all of you here but it's been eight months for me. I already saw Taako on my way in, so we can take some time to catch up too?

[ Loki slowly nods, letting himself reluctantly relaxing, inch by inch. ]

Of course. Whatever you need.

[Bryn hauls her bag up onto her shoulder and takes it in through the front door. She leaves it just inside the door, shutting it behind her.]

What I need is to not worry that both brothers need looking after. So let me start by asking if Thor needs someone constantly by his side or if he's okay for fifteen, twenty minutes on his own?

[Because if he lets her, she's shoving Loki toward the bathroom for a shower and then cooking him something to make sure he eats. If Thor is in a coma...well, she wants to see him, desperately, but she also knows the minute she's by his side she will find it hard to leave. Better to keep her hands busy, better to look after Loki first, then move onto the patient.]

[ Loki grimaces, feeling called out. ]

He hasn't needed anything. No real disruptions in his patterns, sleep or breathing.

[She's absolutely calling him out. Giving him a hard time out of care and understanding is easier than worrying about Thor right now. Worrying about Loki gives her time to process and...not lose her head over his brother. Not yet.]

Good. Okay. You? You are going to go upstairs and take a hot shower and clean yourself up. I'm going to go into the kitchen to make you something to eat. And you will eat. And while you do that you can tell me everything about what's happened with Thor getting sick and what kind of care he needs. After that, we'll...play things by ear. Agreed?

[ Loki briefly considers protesting before audibly shutting his mouth with a snap. Finally he nods, giving in and touching his hair unconsciously with a frown. ]

I will return shortly.

[ He then turns on his heel in a brief sulk to get himself cleaned up. ]

I'll be in the kitchen.

[She's glad he doesn't argue, because she just...she doesn't have the heart or will to do it. Not when he's been good enough to look after Thor. With Loki heading to the shower, Bryn goes to the kitchen to raid it. It doesn't take much time to work up a plate of fixings. Cold-cut meats, cheeses, fruits, a few thick slices of bread and a beer besides. It's probably not enough to fill him up but it's better than nothing. She can make sure he's got an appetite and either send him off to get a real meal or call in some take-out. Something.

And until he returns, Bryn enjoys the quiet of the kitchen to herself. She didn't have any warning when she returned to Riverview. One moment she was arriving home, the next she found herself bag in hand on the other side of the portal. She's spent a little time with Taako but it doesn't even really feel like she's back yet. She hasn't processed it. Walking in to find Thor sick and Loki looking after him only makes the whole situation feel...more unreal.

She wonders how long it will take before it all really sinks in.]

[ Loki reappears, toweling his hair and dressed in soft green linens. He's not sure he feels better, but at the very least he feels clean. Fretting over Thor had clearly made him lose part of his mind. He drifts over to the table, eyeing the food with marked interest. ]

You work fast.

[Bryn glances over at Loki, and gives him a little nod of approval. Good job, Loki, you showed you were capable of basic self-care after all. Time for test number two.]

Not hard to get a little placeholder together until you can get a full meal in your stomach.

[She sits with a beer of her own and plucks a couple apple slices off the tray.]

Do you want to talk about Thor or your last three months? Or would you rather eat and I can catch you up on my time back home?

[ Loki hates self-care. He's a "treat yourself or bust" person. ]

There isn't much to say. Thor moped for a bit, wanted to adopt all the animals. He had this insane idea of keeping a crocodile so I stabbed him.

[It's okay they'll get back to that after Thor is up and going again. She responds to Loki with a little smirk, biting into her apple slice.]

Naturally. For the sake of my dog I appreciate that.

[She tilts her head, leaning back in her chair.]

But what about you? Your last three months?

[ Loki wonders if he should bring up Thor sleeping with Taako . . . but Taako would have mentioned that with glee. ]

Adequate. I have my own theatre now, though it is slow-running.

[Taako definitely did, and she'll get to that...soon. When there's an opening.]

Movie or stage performances?

Stage. I was never too fond of the movie medium. It lacks spontaneity.

Seems more your style.

[Bryn sneaks a hand forward for a morsel of meat, watching him still.]

Was it spontaneous when you punched Thor? Heat of the moment sort of thing?

[ Loki chokes on his apple slice before shooting her a look. ]

He had it coming.

[Bryn holds her hands up defensively.]

I'm not judging here. I officially have no stance on the matter since I wasn't even here.

[And she's only heard about this from Taako. Not from Loki. Not from Thor.]

[ Loki's eyes narrow briefly. ]

None whatsoever?

Does approving of that gift of diamonds you made to Taako count as a stance? And wishing I'd been there to see the punch?

[Because that's really the only stance she can take. She left, without any certainty that she could ever return. Thor was in the free and clear as far as she's concerned and if Rin left, well, Taako was too. From what Taako said they were both not in a good place and...again, she wasn't there. She can't judge one way or the other, and really doesn't have the right to.

As for how she feels about it, well, she's very carefully trying not to feel anything about it at all.]

[ Loki still feels taunt and tense. He hadn't been pleased about it, he had been downright upset and furious. As well as ashamed and castigated for it. Rationally Loki was aware where he stood. Where he's meant to be. ]

I suppose it can.

But I suspect you wish to know more.

[Again, there's silence from Bryn, considering his statement with care. Not even just his statement, but the way he holds himself. The way he speaks. She hadn't anticipated this from him, or she never would have brought it up.

She should have guessed, if Loki had been upset enough to punch Thor for it. Stupid, Bryn. Very stupid.]

Unless there's something you think I should know, I think I'm okay with the level of information I have.

[ Loki raises his eyebrows at that, but he relaxes unconsciously. ]

My apologies. It's not quite the homecoming you were expecting.

[ And Loki makes for a poor welcome.

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