riverviewlogs | [closed]

Entry tags:

[closed]

who: Ava, Loki (MCU) and Steve (616)
what: Going on a Mission
when: 10/20
where: SkyTram & The Reactor
warnings: Monster fighting? I'll add if anything comes up.

She tells both Loki and Steve to meet her by the gate.

It's near the SkyTram line she pieced back together which should make for a fast trip out to the reactor. She knows this isn't a coincidence, and isn't something that's going to be quiet and . Somehow the pulses of her powers while she was working the line must have tripped something? She wont know until she goes to investigate. Loki will make sure she doesn't actually blow anything up if something goes wrong; she's sure there are going to be monsters out that way, and a fight always kicks her heartrate up, makes her powers more unstable than she likes to admit to. Although she is doing better on that, well, she still needs work.

There are the emotive reasons she wanted Steve, about the fact that she likes him, that he knows what she can do, what she looks like when she does it and that's one less worry to deal with. And then there's the practical fact that if something goes wrong, it can't hurt to have someone actually on the Perimeter Guard on her side.

She reaches the gate not long after she gets off the phone with Steve, and takes a brief moment, trying to center her thoughts. The fallout from this did not look small, but she was trying to leave that for later. She was a survivor, whatever happened, she'd get through it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Loki continually questions his presence (or for that matter, why he was requested in the first place. Not that he has any reason to be nervous. Except that he and Steve had never discussed anything about how they should be in public. Or . . . anything for that matter. Which is fine. But Loki always strays towards paranoia and doubt.

It'll be fine, he tells himself. He hasn't done anything wrong, not to his recent recollection. His armor appears and Loki adjusts his vambraces quietly. ]

[ It's a mission and Steve takes the invitation like a good soldier, without question or hesitation. Certain things are just truth to him. Helping out the community by answering the call is one of those. He is at home with the thought of fighting off monsters and resolving the issue with the reactor. Sure, he's not really the technical type, but between Ava and Loki, Steve is confident things will work out. He's there as support and finally he's starting to feel better about being involved again. These two can trust him. That much he knows.

So he ends up jogging up to the gate, approaching them much like an enthusiastic dog ready for a walk, dressed in his navy blue uniform and looking quietly eager for the mission to get underway. ]

Were you two waiting on me? You should have told me.

[She knows her way around tech fairly well, and her powers cover the gaps there fairly well. She's pretty confident that they can get this sorted out with just the three of them. Two people she trusts and who she's not worried about getting weird about her powers, when she all but disappears into the power that always hums through her. She's getting better with it, but she's still self-conscious.]

We weren't waiting long.

[Ava says with a smile, looking up at Steve as he comes into view. She's wearing her black and white SHIELD uniform instead of the Red Widow outfit, just because for the moment she wanted something a little less symbolic, a little less eye-catching.]

I got the SkyTram line up and running last week, so we can take that out to the reactor. Should be faster.

[You know, unless Loki can magic them over there or something.]

[ Loki eyes Steve's suit before his lips twitch in faint appreciation. ]

I can get us close enough, but we will have to make the rest of the way on foot. I am not familiar with the relay so perhaps the Tram is a better alternative, lest magic or anything else interferes.

We haven't gotten a chance to ride it yet. Maybe we should take the long way. Save the magic in case we need it.

[ Steve smiles faintly as he catches Loki's gaze on him. He is pleased despite himself, ready to go on a mission to break the feeling of stagnation that has settled over him. ]

We might see something on the way. You never know.

[She smiles, because she is not blind enough to completely miss that look. Although, appreciating Steve in that uniform is really just a matter of having eyes.]

Well, it's not far. It goes right up to the waterfall the relay's on, so there's definitely a view, if nothing else.

[There's a twitch of her lips, looking at the other two.]

Though I've never traveled by magic. Can't really say which would be more efficient.

Edited 2017-11-01 02:27 (UTC)

[ Loki carefully breaks his gaze off, clearing his throat. ]

It'll be quicker, but little else should change. I have enough magic to transport us there and defend us from any . . . potential surprises.

This is your mission, little spider. You decide.

[ Ava seems excited for the chance to try out magic. Steve smirks, turning his gaze away as if he doesn't notice the way she's sending off excitement in her posture and the way Loki was looking at him. It's not the best act, but it's an attempt at innocent. ]

We'll follow your lead. Loki's right. It's your mission, and I'm not going to be any good with figuring out the reactor. If you two want to take a shortcut, I don't mind.

[She'd been less than amused the first time Loki had called her little spider, but now it only earned a brief flicker of her blue eyes and a twist of her lips. Sana had spent three years calling her little mouse, so it's not too unfamiliar.

When they both leave the choice as hers, she smiles a little, considers.]

Alright, well, should be able to handle the reactor fine. We just need to get through the monsters, clear out the paths in the relay, and make sure the commotion doesn't attract any other attention.

Sooner is better under the circumstances. [A flicker of her gaze, looking up at Loki. Also travelling by magic sounds neat, okay.] We can take the SkyTram on the way back.

Very well.

[ His eyes narrow briefly at Steve. Loki gets the distinct feeling he's being teased but he has no time to follow up on it. He holds his hands out to both of them. ]

When you're ready.

[ Steve looks to Ava as she makes her decision. He thinks this is probably the best choice, letting her lead and giving her the opportunity to call the shots. As a younger hero, he assumes she probably ended up primarily working alone or with less flexible people who wanted to be in charge. And he does catch that maybe her interest in taking the magic route isn't just for efficiency. He smirks as he takes Loki's hand, humming softly to himself in thought. ]

It can't be worse than flying in a plane, right?

[ Steve is only wrong in pieces; she’s led on occasion- when it was just Alexei and her, that One Time when she was in the SHIELD Academy and they let her lead a field mission, that ended with her answering questions about jumping in front of a train and the New York City Subway system. But mostly, it was trailing after Nat, standing in her shadow. Never being good enough because she wasn’t the same. And her first mission here had been with Tony and Bucky so she’d ended up feeling like any whisper of leadership fell away by the time they made it to the fence.

It’s a nice feeling. Also, the idea of traveling by magic is kind of cool. There’s a smile the curls her lips as she reaches out, taking Loki’s hand. She likes new experiences and she believes he won’t slam them into a rock wall or something.]

I guess we’ll see.

[ But her tone is light, almost playful. ]

[ Loki rolls his eyes at Steve before summoning his magic. Wisps of gold and green curl around them as they move, the scenery flickering around them, taking them closer to the Reactor. Once they appear, Loki carefully removes his old, mindful of not keeping his touch lingering on anyone longer than necessary. He's particularly sensitive about that. ]

We are here.

[ He frowns, glancing at the Reactor. ]

I sense . . . I am not sure. Power, I believe.

Power's a good sign.

[ Steve's grip lingers just for a second when they arrive and he feels Loki let go. Then he's focused on the mission, his posture tall and alert as he surveys the area around them. ]

You think that monsters out here would want to attack the reactor?

[ He asks Ava, since she mentioned the monsters. He does know there are creatures out this far, but he doesn't really know how interested they would be to the reactor. Then again, any source of power makes a good target. He also might be mentally prepared for a fight. ]

[It's a strange feeling, the way his magic curls around them in gold and green, the scenery moving, and then when it falls away, they're here. Loki pulling his hand away from hers, and her eyes flicker around, taking in the scenery. It was honestly a little less disorienting than she'd expected.]

Yeah, we like power.

[There's a twitch of her lips. Hopefully something for her to get a read on just how she did this. Perimeter Guard wants it fully on-line, too, but that's secondary for her.]

The reactor is on the waterfall, the generator uses the natural force to power the turbine. But water sources tend to be gathering spots for the local wildlife. And, yeah. The power attracts attention, too. Warmth, light, sound-- I'm not exactly expecting a swarm, but never hurts to be on guard.

[Ava's mentally prepared for a fight. Also, her fingers linger near the swords on her hip. Not just mentally. There's a shrug of her shoulders and she starts heading toward their target.]

[ Loki isn't used to working with others. Even now, he struggles not to speak up or simply move forward to his own will. Know your place, brother, echoes in his head and he bites his lip hard to push it aside. He made his peace, tentative as it may seem. He'll not be dictated by his grudges any longer. Loki watches them go forward as he moves. At the back. ]

It seems like a straightforward run. In and out. Let's get you to the waterfall, then. It might be a quiet walk after all.

[ Steve is in good spirits as he walks alongside Ava, treating the trek almost like a hike. He's still on the alert for the creatures she mentioned, but compared to a lot of jobs he's done in the past, this one seems relatively easy. No egomaniacs threatening the world with super weapons or armies. Just some local creatures that might or might not even be that hostile. ]

We should come out this way again on our time. I bet the waterfall has a great view.

[Ava spares a glance back at Loki as they start moving. He's being quiet, but she doesn't push, just lets him follow. But she's not ignoring him, either. She lets her attention focus on Steve as he talks instead, a slight curl of her mouth.]

Pretty much. And just hope that nothing goes sideways. But I certainly wouldn't say no to a quiet walk.

[By which she means her. Her powers. Playing with a system of generators is going to be interesting. And as much as she wouldn't mind the quiet, she's not against fighting, either.]

That would be nice. Could bring my sketchpad. I've been thinking about getting some paints to experiment with.

[She's totally an art nerd, okay.]

[ His lips tick upwards faintly. Loki was no artist though he could draw as well as any. The basic skill of rune-drawing along with geometrical designs lent itself to his innate magic and abilities. But it is not something he broadcasts. ]

No doubt you and Steve could make a outing of it.

[ Not him though. ]

[ Steve has noticed Loki has taken the back, but he figured it was more a dislike for trekking and possibly getting into fights. He hadn't minded the two of them leading, but hearing the way Loki says they could make an outing of the waterfall makes him slow down an raise an eyebrow at the god. ]

We could all enjoy the nice scenery. And probably take the chance to cool off once we get there. I think that's a good idea. Ava can draw us a picture and we'll hang it up. Loki, you can pick out the best spot.

[Steve isn't the only one that pauses to give Loki a look, either. She's about to say something herself, but she's glad that Steve beats her to it. She's always a little awkward about these things, but she can hear Loki excluding himself, and she doesn't want that.]

I think it'd be better if you were there, too.

[Is what she settles for, a slightly sideways touch of a smile as she looks up at Loki. She likes Steve's suggestion, even if the prospect of hanging up one of her drawings makes her a little self-conscious. It sounds nice. She likes the idea of it, an afternoon out by the waterfall that involves drawing. Even if she likes the exercise and the goals of things like this too, there's something about doing something just to be around people she likes. That's still a strange thing for her.]

[ Loki opens his mouth to give a scathing reply before closing it abruptly. Isn't this what he wanted? To be a part of something? Is he really going to let his own paranoia and doubts destroy this too? With herculean effort, Loki forces his negativity down. It is difficult, especially when he feels so out of sorts with these sorts of endeavors. He has always explored on his own and while he enjoyed his hunting trips with Thor, that mood had soured once Thor gotten other friends.

Steve says we and Ava says it is better he was there. Loki has to trust that. ]

Then I shall be there.

[ Steve folds his arms, watching Loki work it all out in his head. He's gotten used to the silence meaning something, even if he's not sure what, but since Ava also seems concerned, he probably isn't imagining things. The answer doesn't quite satisfy him, and after a moment Steve adds: ]

You don't have stay. If you don't like it, we'll find something else to do. But while we're out here, give it a shot, take in the view, and see what you think. You can tell us after the mission if you want to come back later.

[ He turns to Ava next. ]

I'm going to scout ahead. You two take your time. You said it wasn't far.

[ And the blond is off at a jog, eager to get his run in. ]

[She watches Loki, quiet and seeming like he struggles with something, and she lets hims work out whatever it is. In the end he agrees, and that's nice, but Steve's correction is better. She honestly didn't think of Loki as someone prone to doing things he didn't care for, but it's still good to have that made clear.

Ava nods, voicing a soft agreement as Steve runs ahead, and she can't help smiling softly as she watches him as he goes.

She has her own doubts, her own fears, but having Steve around somehow makes it easier to see past them. She does pick up her step a bit, not willing to let him get too far ahead, but she doesn't run after him. She looks over at Loki, a little curious.]

Is there anything you'd want to do? Steve seems like he really wants to make sure you'd enjoy yourself, too.

[ Loki huffs despite himself. It was such a typical Steve response that he's not sure if he's pleased or a little annoyed with it. Probably both to some degree. Definitely some form of exasperated fondness. He doesn't run but his long legs make the strides easily enough. ]

It is his mission of late.

[ And yeah, that fondness is very clear in his voice. ]

But I suppose I'm not entirely sure. I am still trying . . . new things.

[ While the other two follow and talk together, Steve explores ahead. He is walking with purpose despite technically letting Ava lead, poking through the brush and trees like a dog on the hunt.

It's really no surprise that he ends up flushing out the creatures around them. A flock of birds and some small scurrying creatures flee as he breaks a branch, and the noise gets the attention of some other locals--ones with sharper teeth. A few more steps and there is an angry noise as a few large beasts snarl and block their way. Steve holds his ground and is waiting when Ava and Loki catch up. ]

We get to see the sights after all.

[She catches that fondness, notes it quietly. She doesn't have Loki's long legs, but she doesn't have any trouble keeping up. She hums softly, thoughtfully.]

I've heard that's supposed to be a good thing. Lets you find out what you like.

[She's heard it often enough herself. But then Steve stops, and Loki and Ava manage to catch up and there's some very nasty looking beasts blocking the path. She can't help smiling a little, flicking her blades up into her hands. Her eyes starting to glow as her powers course down the lengths, first like lightning, then coating them in blue energy that seems to solidify.]

Well, wouldn't want to miss out. I'll take left.

[And then she's moving.]

[ Loki pointedly rolls his eyes. How are people this enthusiastic about fighting? He could easily cloak them out of sight and walk right by. With a sigh, he summons his daggers, eyeing the creatures with trepidation. The last time he was out here on his own, he got a lot of wounds for his efforts. He glances at Steve and Ava, to note their positions (not because he cares) ]

I will take the right.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[closed]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject