VOICE TEST ❅ Possible spoilers for Avengers, which uh. I'm working on seeing for the third time.

[slaegr]

[ It should come as no great surprise that Loki isn't so much as looking at his mun at this point. What had been new, perhaps even worth his curiosity, has faded into something bland, dull, and ordinary — he stands straight and still with his hands clasped behind his back, lashes low over clear blue eyes. ]

I would ask what you expect to achieve by bringing me back to this trembling planet; a place so plagued with sickness of mind and heart that refuses to yet be healed. Happiness, perhaps? Entertainment?

[ The narrow fold of his mouth pricks at the corners, lips curling into a smirk as wry and cool as the lilt of his silken voice. ]

... Or perhaps you seek something more.

[ And now those eyes lift, slow and steady, to reveal just a hint of amusement. ]

Tell me, little Midgardian.

[ Nonchalant as always. ]

Tell me what it is that only I can give you.

Comments

[coils]

I'm sorry; are you lost, little one?

THREADJACKS hi

[worldserpent]

[ o h hi he remembers you. putting hands.. on byakuroku's coils again.. because it's always so nice to see this snake-person. ]

A.. version. Different. Version of-- father.

huuufffffsssssssssssssssssssssss

[coils]

Oh? [Byakuroku tilts his head slowly, considering.] He seems... distraught.

[slaegr]

'Little one'?

[ No. No, Loki doesn't like that at all, and the tail-end of an eyebrow lifts a little way as he glances over this newcomer. Still, the smirk doesn't fade, although there's a sharper edge to his expression that mightn't have been there before. ]

—And in what way do I seem little? I would very much like to know.

t o u c h e s

[worldserpent]

[ a long, quiet, thoughtful moment, swaying slightly as if he's still in his serpent form. ]

.. Yes. [ a puzzled tilt of his head. ] Bad things.. have happened. I think.

[coils]

[Byakuroku's life is just one long string of saucy-mouthed children. He twitches the end of his tail good-naturedly.]

In form. [Though he would stand tall among humans, he is still quite dwarfed by Byakuroku.] You are... [He regards him unblinkingly, tasting the air and reading the temperature of his body and the mood of his spirit.] old. But you are not yet old enough to be considered wise.

coils around slowly u////u

[coils]

He is uncalm. [His forehead furrows faintly.] Perhaps he should rest...

[slaegr]

[ Loki's lips are in the verge of twisting into a sneer, but there's something slightly too strange and still about this looming serpentine ... thing ... that keeps his mouth fairly neutral. Unlike his brother, Loki doesn't like to rush into confrontation without having some kind of plan behind him, although confrontation may prove itself unnecessary this time around. ]

Much as you are not yet in the position to make such assumptions.

[ But his tone is dismissive and unconcerned. There are, of course, more pressing matters at hand: ]

If I may — what are you?

o-o h //////

[worldserpent]

[ a helpless, somewhat stilted shrug. he doesn't know his own version of his father all that well, much less this version. ]

'Calm'. Not a-- word that any.. any version of Father knowsss well.

[coils]

You are uneasy. Is something wrong? [Ill will sluices off him like rain water, and though this man, this creature radiates both power and a slippery sort of aura, Byakuroku offers him a mild sort of smile.]

I am a serpent. [As though that offered all the illumination that anyone could desire.]

[flickerember]

[Now that's a good question. Hard to answer, though. Meinal clears her throat gingerly and stands with her hands folded in front of her.]

Erm... begging your pardon, but, uhm...

[slaegr]

[ Curtly, and somewhat sardonically: ]

Surprising as it may seem, I had noticed as much. My query is in what lies beneath the ... [ He gestures vaguely towards Byakuroku's tail, making no attempt to hide his unspoken criticism. ] —handsome pattern of your scales.

[ Ink-black hair shifts ever so slightly as he tilts his head just so, a deflective smile crawling its way back across his mouth. ]

And please, let me assure you that my state of ease is nothing to be concerned about.

[slaegr]

Do you have something to say? Or is your miserable stuttering supposed to be some kind of endearing personality trait?

SOBS

[godofabs]

... You live.

UGLYCRIES

[slaegr]

I live. Does it disappoint you, Odinson?

/working on third cinema trip tomorrow, sobs

[purplepants]

She probably enjoys those thespian speeches you like to give.

he is post movie okok

[godofabs]

You still live in a grand delusion where you are not loved?

/just clutches and weeps with

[slaegr]

As yours must harbour some fondness for the way you turn into an drooling monster.

my poor wallet

[purplepants]

Mine accepts both. Though I'm sure you'll be more than happy to tell the other guy that he drools when you meet again.

r a d

[slaegr]

Grand, perhaps, but certainly no delusion. The vast lie that was my life is now my only truth.

PS I have a gif of the Lokismash and I just can't stop watching it.

[slaegr]

[ Just. Endless weary sarcasm. ]

... How kind of you to offer me something to look forward to.

Oh God, best scene ever I nearly ruptured something in a weird squealing laughing combo.

[purplepants]

[That's okay, Banner can do sarcasm too.]

I'm sure he'll be just thrilled to see you again.

[Ugh, one day he'll have a conversation with someone about himself and not the other guy. One day Though obviously not with the guy who's meaner than a bag of rattlesnakes.]

[flickerember]

[Huff.]

Well, that was rude! I was just going to say that that was a good question you asked.

.////.

[coils]

[He nods slowly. That is unfortunate. To not know calm is to not know balance, and to not know balance is to lead a discordant life.]

I see. But you... [His expression warms.] Have you been well?

The look on Loki's face afterwards is just p r i c e l e s s.

[slaegr]

Why wouldn't he be.

[ Measured, calm — that calm that unsettles so many people who come into contact with him. Loki pauses for a moment before letting that trademark smile crawl across his lips; ]

Although what I'd really like to know, Doctor Banner, is how you feel about seeing me again.