testing out yet another au

[ophis]

My, my, my.

What a quaint headspace you have, miss writer. A few too many ... familiar faces, I must admit. I cannot imagine getting along with a single one of them. They seem rather distressed.

You do see the mistake you are making here, yes? Stepping forward into something with a simple notion, and naught the faintest of ideas where to take it. I've sit here for quite some time now, waiting for a little attention, and here I am now with only a name and a tentative story behind me.

The others did say you were the type to rush into things. I suppose it's better of me not to be surprised about it, hm?

But I appreciate the effort. I even get to have a little fun, which is more than what I can say for the rest of them. Perhaps you like me best.

Comments

(Hooray!)

[coffeemugsmash]

[ Thor walks beside him, following Loki's lead more than anything. He didn't exactly know how to access any of the worlds he knew of. It wasn't as though there were anything such as the Bifrost to be had. ]

I would not go so far as to call him a terror. He is just...fond of mischief.

[ophis]

We may yet have something else in common, then. [ Mischief, that's a good name for it. It isn't much further to the hotel he's currently staying in, but there's still plenty of time until the sun rises. ]

Do you need to return to your duties right away?

[coffeemugsmash]

[ The question was such a rapid shift in topic that it surprised him, and took a moment to recall what Loki was referring to. ]

Eventually I will need to return, but there is no rush. Is there a reason you ask?

[ophis]

[ No rush. This is good. And Loki decides to grasp the man's arm again, remembering that he was supposed to be a bit inebriated from their drinks. ]

I merely wanted to see how much more of your time I can monopolize.

[coffeemugsmash]

[ He looks both amused and confused by this. Mostly for the fact that there were not many things he could think of that they could do to pass time before he had to return. ]

What is it you would monopolize my time with? Would you like that I perhaps teach you a few ways you may protect yourself in my absence?

[ophis]

Conversation, I was hoping. You know about where I come from, and I know so little about you.

[ But then he considers it, and offers the man a small smile. ] Though I would not object to a lesson in defense, if you are offering.

[coffeemugsmash]

Then a lesson it shall be!

[ He gestures wide with his free hand, loving this idea. He knew of just the area they could go. Somewhere they could fight and not risk hurting anyone. He turned at the next street, taking the lead now. ]

And you may ask anything you wish about me and the world from which I come!

[ophis]

[ This time, Loki is the one following, his hand's grip on the man's arm tightening just a fraction. He's not sure where they're going, but he doesn't mind as long as he has Thor for company. ]

Asgard certainly sounds fascinating. And you said your friends were warriors. Are there many battles and wars fought in Asgard?

[coffeemugsmash]

[ His mood has shifted so dramatically that it's a wonder he's not charging off to his destination. His pace is noticeably faster, though. ]

At one time, there certainly were. Though most battles of late have been fought elsewhere. The closest being Nornheim, but there are battles to be hand in almost any realm.

[ophis]

[ Goodness. Loki is a fairly quick fellow himself, but he wasn't expecting the sudden quicker pace, and almost feels like he's being dragged along if he doesn't pick up his feet. ]

Ah- so you must be a great warrior yourself, as well. Am I correct?

[coffeemugsmash]

[ Whether it was the beer impacting his rash decisions, or just his general nature, it was difficult to tell. He had a mission in mind. A purpose. He had direction. Always a good thing for him. ]

One of the best any of the nine realms has ever seen!

C-C-C-COMBO BREAKERRR!!

[ryoushi]

[ Well then, Thor, it's time to test your warrior skills because out of the shadows steps one of the very hunters Loki told you about, sharp steel drawn and ready. He also looks disconcertingly familiar.

He blocks their path, frowning and focused, addressing Loki directly. ]

We must stop meeting this way. Release him.

OH SHIT!

[coffeemugsmash]

[ Without hesitation, he puts himself between the newcomer and his new friend. Only once he's ready to fight does he realize who he's looking at. And his defense drops slightly. ]

Hogun?! I thought I would never see you again!

[ophis]

[ ... shit. Loki takes a step closer behind Thor, grasping the back of his shirt. But he pauses when the man seems to recognize the hunter. His heart would be panicking if it was beating. ]

You know him?

[ryoushi]

No. [ Hogun spares the blond man only a glance. He looks the type who might run in his line of business, but Hogun's never seen him before. Still, it's possible that he hunts this strange in-between world of the minds and has been trying to lure this particular beast into a false sense of security. Hogun had been following his prey all night, not wanting to let him slip away again after their last encounter. And yet the unknown maybe-hunter had made no move yet, so Hogun decided it was time to step in.

He addresses Loki again. ] I said, release him from whatever spell he's under.

[coffeemugsmash]

[ Thor watches Hogun, perplexed. Was this one of the hunters Loki had spoke of? But Hogun and Loki were friends. Why would that not bet he same for other versions? Then again, Loki had said there was no version of himself in that reality. How much of a difference could that have made?

Trying to figure it out was making him dizzy. And the man with the face of a friend and a very lethal sword were far more important right now. ]

I am under no spell! What reason have you for threatening my br-- my friend?!

[ophis]

[ Watching the two exchange words - or rather, Thor make an attempt and the hunter pointedly ignoring him - only lead to one conclusion. Like Thor's brother, the hunter must resemble a loved one from the other man's own world. He wondered how many more there would be.

But there was little time to contemplate on it. Loki only takes a step further back, keeping Thor between him and the hunter. He doesn't speak to the man ready to drive a stake through him, he only speaks to Thor. ]

You said you would protect me ... you will, won't you?

[ryoushi]

[ Hogun doesn't believe the bit about the spell. The victims rarely notice that they're entranced, so he ignores the blond man's claim. He glares at the beast as it continues to play the part of a weak and innocent man. ]

You do not understand the true nature of this ...friend. You would do well to ignore his words and get away from him.

[coffeemugsmash]

Of course I will.

[ He said this over his shoulder, to Loki, without taking his eyes off the man who wore Hogun's face.

He was without armor and without weapons. But that wasn't going to stop him from defending himself, or his friend. He took up a defensive stance once more as he addressed the man before him. ]

You stand there with your sword drawn on two unarmed men! What reason have I to believe your word over his? You may bear resemblance to Hogun the Grim, but you do not share his honor!

[ophis]

[ Thor is much larger than him, a mighty shield to protect him from the approaching hunter. Still, he can't fight his instinct to flee, and he takes another step back.

His eyes are focused on the hunter, darkening in his gaze. Accursed hunters, always out to ruin his existence. ]

There is little room for honour among men so ruthless. They stop at nothing to achieve their goals, no matter how much blood must be shed to reach it.

[ryoushi]

[ Something about that comment triggers something in Hogun, making him grip his sword tighter and step forward, leaning to glare at the offending creature. ]

Blood shed? Blood shed?! You have no right to speak about what blood is shed. Yes, stranger, I stand here weapon drawn, but it is not drawn on you, and the other in our company is no man, nor is he unarmed.

[coffeemugsmash]

[ Thor felt torn. Both of these men wore faces he knew and trusted, yet he knew them both very little. One only an hour more than the other. He wanted to trust them both, but they spoke at such odds it was obvious he needed to choose a side. The more the man before him spoke, the less he resembled the Hogun he knew. Which made the decision somewhat easier. ]

First you threaten us, now this? You have refused his attempts to make amends for his wrong doings! You have no right to peruse him further!

[ophis]

[ Oh dear. The hunter was dangerously close to revealing the truth. Loki takes two more steps back, apprehensive as he is fearful. He wonders what Thor would think if he knew what he was, but also knows he can't afford to waste thought on it now. If Thor can't stop the hunter, he needs a quick escape. ]

If I recall correctly, you and your fellow hunters care little for the more innocent ones who get in your way.

[ryoushi]

Enough!

[ Hogun has a hard enough time reconciling his lifestyle with his own conscience, he has no desire to defend himself to this monster or any other. He hunts to protect humanity at large, and sometimes that comes at a cost, such is the balance of things. He knows that, his target knows that, and if the blond stranger knew, surely he would see that Hogun is in the right. He does not relish killing, but it needs to be done. ]

I do not wish to fight you, but if you will not stand aside, you will get hurt. If not by me, then by him.

[coffeemugsmash]

[ If he needed any other proof that this was not really Hogun, that was it. And it made him so very angry. Not that he was being threatened--that he could deal with--but that his new found friend was. He took a step toward the hunger, hands curling into tight fists. He was without his hammer, without his power. But he would still fight. ]

I grow tired of your words! Let us pass, or it is you who will be hurt!