closed to starters;

[inlaid]

who: bryn zethir, taako taaco, loki, thor odinson, kára styrdóttir
what: bryn returns to riverview
when: this week
where: taako's house, bryn and thor's house
warnings: will updated as needed

[ooc: see below for starters ♥]

Comments

[inlaid]

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.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ 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.

[inlaid]

[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.

[dothelokimotion]

[ 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.

[inlaid]

[Loki isn't the welcome she'd expected but...in light of the circumstances she's glad he's here looking after Thor.]

No, not what I expected, but it's...not as rough or rocky as it could have been. Eight months passed for me in my world, not three. I...thought I would have more change to come back to. More to catch up on or adapt to.

[She pauses a beat.]

Though I admit a sickness didn't exactly enter into my considerations when I thought about it either.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki makes a quiet sound of agreement. ]

Thor rarely falls sick. But I do not think a lot has passed for us.

[inlaid]

Mm.

[It's a quiet sound of acknowledgment, and Bryn takes the opportunity to have another sip of her drink. She leans back in her chair before long and watches Loki once more.]

Have you had enough to eat, or should I pull out some more for you to enjoy while you tell me how to look after Thor while you sleep?

[Because sorry, Loki, she's going to make you at least TRY to sleep.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki frowns. ]

Asgardians do not need that much sleep. I can manage.

[inlaid]

[Bryn merely raises an eyebrow at him.]

Will you humor me and try to rest at least, if not sleep?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His frown deepens, but he knows if Bryn is here, Thor should be fine. ]

All right. For a few hours, at least.

[inlaid]

[Alright. Good. Bryn visibly relaxes, sighs.]

That's all I ask.

[Reaching up, she runs her fingers through her hair and offers him a small smile.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki huffs. He doesn't like it but he understands, at least. ]

How have you been otherwise?

[inlaid]

Mm, do you want the long version or the short version?

[She'll understand if he wants the short version. If she was taking care of a sick brother or parent or something she wouldn't want to be dragged through a long story.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Ah. He can understand this much. ]

Whichever one you prefer.

[inlaid]

[Bryn decides to go for something in between, and begins ticking off the points on her fingers.]

I returned to the point where I had originally been picked up, which was running for my life in a hostile territory in a neighboring country.

Made it home in time to track down my father before he was killed on the job.

Had a very awkward conversation with my parents in which I told them...all about this place here. And that I wanted to leave them behind to return.

[There's a pause there, letting the weight of that statement settle in. The smile she offers him now is slight, wry.]

It took a while for them to understand and to accept it. Many, many discussions. I don't think my higher ups debriefed me as thoroughly as my mother and fathers did, honestly.

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is amazing that Bryn was willing to do it. Leave her home to return here. Return to Thor. Steve loves him, Loki knows that. But neither of them will fully part with their family to stay together. It doesn't make their love lacking, but it adds a dimension of sadness to them both, despite their promises. ]

It must have been difficult for you as well.

[inlaid]

[The difference, perhaps, is that Bryn's life back home, while productive and successful in serving her country, it's personally fulfilling. Her lifespan is short by comparison, and she's given ten years of it to Askoupur. Leaving her work...that was easier. But he's not wrong, leaving her parents was difficult, and she flinches a little, averts her gaze.]

Very. Perhaps the most difficult thing I've done in my life. But eventually they did come to see why I felt--why I feel the way I do. Why I wanted to come back.

[She looks up then.]

Perhaps someday they'll find themselves here as well.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki notes the flinch. ]

Do you truly believe that?

[inlaid]

[There's more hesitation, before Bryn answers at length.]

I know that they understand. And...I think there is still the possibility that they may find themselves here. Perhaps if there's some way to ensure that either they all come or none of them.

But I suppose I'm not holding my breath. Most people from my country tend to get homesick for it. There aren't many interested in traveling beyond the borders.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki's gaze trails off. ]

We have someone from Asgard here in Riverview. He died in Hela's attack, but has no memory of it. Talking to him is . . . pleasant but difficult.

[inlaid]

[Bryn glances over to Loki curiously.]

I can see why that would be. On a personal level because he's on a friend but...conversationally navigating land mines isn't an easy task either. What is his name?

[dothelokimotion]

Friend is a strong word to use.

[ Thor's friends were not his friends. Still . . . Fandral and Loki had always gotten along. Similar humors made for good bedfellows, so to speak. ]

His name is Fandral.

[inlaid]

Fandral. What would would you use for him if not friend?

[She misses the context, wondering if this Asgardian is an uncertain sort of ally, or someone who perhaps can only be trusted so much?]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki's lips curl. ]

He's Thor's friend. So he has his uses.

[inlaid]

Mm.

[And while this isn't exactly what Loki was veering toward, Bryn fixes him with a curious look.]

You know that even if we don't talk often, I consider you a friend of mine also, don't you? Not because you're Thor's brother but just...you because of you?