riverviewlogs | [closed] There is a terrible cost to dark magic, but you know what they say

Yes, but your world does not seem standard.

[ Bullshit fantasy world is a new one but Loki smiles faintly. ]

Up to you. I have no preferences.

Straight it is.

[Though he gets tumblers, rather than shot glasses, and adds a little ice to each one.]

And that's true, but we've still got dipshits running around in armor, swinging swords and drinking magic potions when they get hurt.

[He's gathering "supplies" as he talks: putting together a little antipasto plate with what he's got in the fridge, along with a loaf of bread and a bowl of dip, because even if Loki isn't all that into eating, being a good host is still important to Taako.]

We have those as well.

[ A whole realm full of them. Loki watches Taako bustle around in amusement. ]

I never understood the appeal myself.

[Once Taako is satisfied with the spread, he picks up the glasses, gestures for Loki to grab the bottle, and starts towards the living room.]

I mean, listen, I'm not exactly some big bruiser-- don't laugh. [Because lbr, that doesn't even need saying.] But it is kinda satisfying to wreck someone's shit.

[ Loki does so, trailing behind. ]

Oh, certainly. It is difficult to find an outlet for that in this place.

God, tell me about it.

[Everything is set down on the coffee table except for the glasses, which Taako holds out for Loki to fill.]

Sometimes there's shit to blast out in the forest, but it's not the same, you know?

No, it rarely comes close.

[ Thankfully, Loki has kept himself busy enough to deal with his pent up frustrations, but it is a bandaid at best. Loki dutifully fills the glasses before taking a seat. ]

I did get an unusual offer though. For . . . drag-racing?

[This is part of why he likes Loki; there's never any judgement or fussing over morals. It makes it easier to talk freely.]

Oh, yeah, I talked to that dude, the whole illusions thing came up. Cause I've done it before, been in a drag race, although it's kiiinda different when magic is in play. Normal drag racing doesn't involve anyone compelling you to throw yourself off your vehicle.

[He says that like it's happened before. Because it has.]

Normally, I would have no qualm about it. Though his deal bored me. As if I cared much for money.

[ He stretches, loosening the tension in his shoulders. ]

But I am surrounded by men from my universe. One "presumed" dangerous slip up by me and they'll slit my throat.

[ Well. Thor probably won't let them, but still. ]

[Taako nearly asks if the dude unmasked, but he's distracted by the whole throat slitting thing, not sure if it's hyperbole or serious. He takes a considerable sip of his drink while he mulls that over.]

This place is chill as hell, and I'm into it, but I really wish it was fucking bigger.

[They're trapped behind a barrier, there's no room to move, no other cities to disappear to and become a complete unknown.

More seriously, though:]

Are they actually capable of that?

[Of hurting Loki. Because like, he'll kill a Tony if he has to.]

[ Loki nods. He appreciates the comfort this place offers, the relaxed atmosphere. But it is still a closed space and Loki chafes against any kind of enclosure. None of his memory of such spaces have been pleasant. ]

No. At the most, they can stop or bruise me heavily. Thor is most likely the only one here with such power.

[ Or Angela, but Angela likes him. Maybe his other self, but that's a tricky subject. Basically, only Loki's family can hurt him. The irony isn't lost on him. ]

But it is a situation I am not interested in finding myself in.

[A little tension had crept into Taako's posture, but it eases with that reassurance; while he gets the sense that Loki and Thor's relationship isn't as easy as say, his and Lup's, it's hard to imagine Thor hurting him.]

I get that, for sure.

[No one needs to get into a fight with a bunch of superheroes.]

I'll be real with you, I don't think there's any kinda solution for this. We just gotta live with it 'til we go home, get our kicks some other way.

[They're both adaptable.]

[ He huffs. Loki knew that to some degree, but it annoys him all the same. Sometimes people just need to let people do dangerous and terrible things while Loki watches! Or set things on fire. Either way. ]

What do you know of this Dodger character? I have spoken to him a few times. He is easy to read.

[Taako was waiting for that question, but he still almost winces upon hearing it.]

He's a fucking piece of shit and if he comes near me again I'm gonna do a lot worse than slit his throat.

[So... he knows Dodger.]

[ Loki blinks but he still smiles at that statement. ]

Well now. I'm sure that can be arranged.

Trust me, if I thought I could get away with it, he'd be dead already, but Eddie knows I got shit with him - mostly because of Eddie, but let's not fucking go there right now - and if Dodger goes missing I'm gonna be suspect number one.

[He realizes he has a death grip on the glass, and after knocking back the last of the contents, he carefully sets it down.]

[ Loki eyes Taako thoughtfully. ]

So death is off the table. But is there anything else you'd like to do with him? He wants to prove himself to me. You may not need to lay a hand on him. He could do it himself.

[There are things Taako could do with magic that wouldn't leave a trace, but there's always a risk, always the possibility of a spell failing or a person getting past it. But this is different than that; if anything, it's better.

A lot of people he cares about here would probably be disappointed in him, if he does something with this, but maybe they just don't need to know.]

I'm really not a fan of assholes who make me scared. [It's an admission, or an explanation. He doesn't think he needs to justify himself to Loki, but maybe it'll make more sense of it, if he knows that. Dodger made him afraid in a way very few people have] So that's a real fucking tempting offer. Lemme think on it?

[He hasn't been this level of cruel for a while, he's out of practice.]

[ Loki is in that boat. He hates it too. But at the very least, Loki will offer Taako that. Finally reaching for his glass, he takes a quiet sip. There's no real judgement or frustration in him at that. These plans need to be given thought, especially in a place like Riverview. ]

Take your time.

[ He's quite sure the minute he makes contact with Dodger again, Loki's request will go through smoothly. ]

[Taako uses mage hand to top up his own glass, then seems to almost visibly shake off the shitty mood, flashing Loki a grin that's... mostly genuine.]

So like, are we celebrating the masquerade not blowing up in anyone's faces or is there some other reason for the booze?

Do we really need a reason for drinks?

[ He takes another sip. Loki is slowly getting used to the idea of eating and drinking for pleasure. ]

[In the interest of not getting completely wasted, Taako starts idly picking at the food, taking the occasional olive or prosciutto, or dunking a broken off bit of bread in the dip.]

In theory, no, but it doesn't seem like your kinda thing, you know?

[It's something Taako would do, but Loki isn't nearly as sociable as he is.]

It . . . is not.

[ Loki swirls the liquid in his glass, thoughtful. ]

But it seemed like something I should do.

[It takes him a second, regarding Loki curiously, before he smiles.]

Oh, is this cause I got dumped?

[He sounds so fond, a little teasing, but mostly fond.]

[ Loki huffs, looking away. ]

Let's not read into it too deeply.

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