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Post by Titania on Jan 27, 2017 19:27:30 GMT -5
She could feel Loki’s eyes on her. Normally, Titania was not against men staring at her, but the weight of the god’s gaze was something different. He was appraising her, certainly, but it felt more analytical than anything else, as if he was trying to see what made her tick, or even worse, explode. He was the kind who clearly enjoyed poking bears. And suddenly, there was that grin of his. That expression certainly garnered a reaction from Titania. That smile and chuckle reminded her of everyone she left back in the States. He was trouble and he knew it. He also likely knew how to skirt out of every bit of danger he put himself into, laughing all the while.
Anger turned to shock when Loki asked to call the castle his own. Why would a Norse god want a castle south of Scandinavia? It made no sense, but at the same time it was completely logical from what she knew of Loki. He was a god of chaos, ranging from massive things to the smallest of annoyances, and that was exactly what he was being right now; a damn nuisance. When the assault on the HYDRA base would come, Titania could easily lead from a position on the proverbial hill, but that wasn’t her style. She was always in the thick of things, and she knew Doom would sense that something was wrong if she suddenly decided to hang back. Structural damage sometimes happened during battles, more often than not, and usually by accident, but Titania had a feeling that Loki could be quite the nitpicker and would likely blame her for any sort of damage, whether she caused it or not. She wondered which side Doom would be in favor of; his apparent friend or his General.
“I will do my best to prevent damage, but I can not guarantee it will be entirely unscathed. For all we know, Madame HYDRA might have it rigged to blow, if it is her last stand.” Did she think the woman was crazy enough to blow herself up? Absolutely. Would she take her daughter with her? That she wasn’t sure of. However, Titania was not so secretive with the expression on her face when Doom said the castle would be a symbol of Loki’s victory, but she held her tongue and refrained from commenting on that.
“Remain in the city?” That order was the last thing she expected from her leader and dissatisfaction was clear in her voice. “I am no good to you here, my lord. Why don’t I accompany the forces to the border? If you are worried about HYDRA striking, I can, and will, stop them. Don’t leave me here, twiddling my thumbs.” She knew that Doom saw things, but he wasn’t exactly making sense at the moment. The girl was emboldened? The last report Titania was aware of, the HYDRA girl was still hiding in her mother’s shadow, being a little test monkey for their scientists. “Please, my lord. Do not make me beg,” she told Doom softly, hoping Loki would not hear.
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Loki
Neutral 
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32 
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Post by Loki on Feb 3, 2017 2:49:12 GMT -5
Loki did indeed keep his attentions on Titania, his curiosity for the woman growing by the minute. She stood confident, yet somehow nervous at the same time. He wondered if Doom saw it. There was a nervous anger about her, and the god delighted in the knowledge that he was the most likely source for her grief. Of course, he was listening to his monarch friend, and quirked a brow when Doom announced that HYDRA would be eliminated entirely. He sounded so sure. That was all well and good, but there was a funny thing about the future: You can never be sure about what would happen. It might be the most likely possibility, but Loki knew chaos better than either of these two humans, and he knew well that predicting the future was always hazardous. Though, was he about to tell the ruler of Latveria that? Of course not. He wasn't about to interfere on that level. Not for this, anyway.
Then there was that feeling of absolute delight once more when he saw the shock on Titania's face. She might have wondered why he'd want territory south of his beloved Scandinavian lands. The answer should be obvious. It was land, and he wanted it. If it was just going to be destroyed anyway, why wouldn't he lay claim to it and make it his own? Besides, it would be an interesting melting pot experiment to see how effective his rule could be. He deserved to rule something, after all. "Madame HYDRA does not admit defeat," he muttered. "She will fight until she is dead. If the place is 'rigged to blow,' as you say, it would only be after she and her daughter have made their escape, to cover their tracks. Possibly to fake their deaths, depending on how horribly the conflict goes. I think-"
He was stopped mid sentence when Doom spoke. He glanced at his friend and immediately recognized the trance. He was having another vision. Of the future? Perhaps. Was it reliable? It was entirely possible. Suddenly, this impromptu visit got a whole lot more interesting. He sipped his wine, watching Doom bark his orders at his General, then quietly waited to see how the loyal pup would take them. Being ordered to stay behind would hurt the pride of anyone with as much vanity as Titania seemed to harbor. He was not disappointed, and he did not miss her last words.
A grin stretched across his face. She was itching for a fight, but he could see why Doom would want her to stay in the city. If Heimdall's report to him had anything to show for it, there might have been a part of Doom that wanted to see the HYDRA girl in the field, to see what she could do. Titania would botch the experiment.
Like a good friend, Loki stepped forward, voice sweet but magicless. He had no desire to use trickery on a friend of his, but he did want Doom to listen. "Let me accompany the soldiers," he said, almost as if to a lover. "If you wish Titania to remain in the city, I think that's a wise idea. But if HYDRA is moving in on your borders, and if we are not sure what the HYDRA girl is capable of outside of a laboratory, let me monitor. It will get me close enough to work my magic, and maybe even plant the idea in her head to come back here."
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Lord Doom
Neutral
Doom's word is law.
Posts: 33 
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Post by Lord Doom on Feb 4, 2017 16:39:33 GMT -5
Doom took a moment to consider this, both his General's half pleading and his friend Loki's notion. He sat silent for a moment before he tilted his head up at Titania.
"General," he said in a calm tone, "Did you not assert that you knew better than to question the will of Doom?"
He moved closer to her, his eyes flickering with a perilous green light.
"It is unbecoming of you to beg, let alone in front of our guest," he continued, "You will remain in the city. It could not be seen clearly, but there is a possibility that an attack is to be mounted upon Doomstadt itself while this trickery in the night begins. It could well be a distraction. I require you here to maintain command of the city's forces. If you find you can handle such a task?"
Doom's question was dripping with a hint of contempt. Titania was an excellent soldier. His finest. But now and again she was too headstrong for her own good. He needed her to be present and collected. Thusfar she was only present. It was an irksome characteristic of hers which he found difficult to ignore at every turn, but most of the time he managed. Doom turned to Loki, considering his offer further before he nodded.
"I have a gift for hypnotic suggestion," he said, "But not nearly your level. The notion is satisfactory. Plant the idea into the girl Arachne's head that she should return to Castle Doom. What her intentions may be for returning are of little consequence. Once she is here, if that be her fate, then she shall not leave again."
He turned and looked out through one of the large windows again, breathing a long inhalation.
"It is proving a task indeed," he said, "To move this world forward into a greater future. But I believe that turning this HYDRA plot to our advantage will be a significant first step."
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Post by Titania on Feb 5, 2017 18:44:45 GMT -5
As soon as she saw the flicker of green in Doom’s eyes, Titania took a few steps backward, immediately regretting her words. It was an unusually sight to see; a woman half a foot taller than him, who could probably crush his armor with ease, was suddenly afraid. As Doom spoke, she went into an instinctive kneel, knowing it was foolish to be taller than Doom when he was angry at her. Her head remained bowed as she replied. “I apologize, my lord. I was foolish and misspoke. You are the ruler here, not I. Your word is law. I will remain in the city and protect what is yours. I will handle this task.”
She would remain in her kneeled position until Doom ordered her otherwise. Let Loki distract him and bring his anger down. As much as she hadn’t to think about that, Loki was a good distraction. However, she would not have needed one if he hadn’t have been here in the first place. She quietly listened as the god offered his plan of hypnotizing the Drew girl and bringing her back here. Titania made no outward signs of an opinion; no eye rolls, no snorts, no disapproval of any sorts. She was already on thin ice and she dared not to test her lord’s patience any further.
She wanted to remain in his good graces, so she would follow his instructions like a good soldier. Besides, what if Loki’s plans failed miserably? That would be a sight to see. Perhaps staying in the city was a good thing, after all.
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Loki
Neutral
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32
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Post by Loki on Feb 9, 2017 23:33:42 GMT -5
In the moments that Doom remained quiet, Loki had to admit he wasn't sure what would happen next. He'd have been lying if he said he didn't find some small amount of amusement in seeing his friend reprimand his general for questioning him, especially when the large woman backed away from him. The sight was really quite something to see. When she dropped to a kneel, the god couldn't help the slight smirk of amusement. It wasn't amusement in seeing Latveria's monarch questioned in such a way, but in seeing such a massive woman drop to her knee for someone smaller than her. He wiped the smirk off his face quickly, knowing Doom was likely in no mood to deal with his particular brand of humor.
When Doom spoke again, he gave the monarch his full attention, eyes twinkling with a spark of mischief. So, he was indeed to find a way to convince the girl to find her way to Doomstadt. It could be an interesting challege, and not one that he thought he could accomplish in a day. This would be a real challenge. One he could certainly have fun with. He smirked once more and stepped up to stand next to his friend. "I look forward to seeing where you lead your people," he said. "And I look forward to seeing what you might do with the girl. I hope you are not upset if it takes me a little while to deliver her to you. I can promise it will be worth it."
He glanced back at the still kneeling Titania, idly wondering how she was reacting to the conversation. Like a good soldier, she remained quiet for now. His smirk spread into a grin, finding no small amount of amusement in seeing her kneel like that. Of course, she probably only wished him ill luck with his endeavors. Given their interactions thusfar, he wouldn't be surprised if she wanted him to fail just on principle that he was going and she was staying. He decided he would disappoint her.
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Lord Doom
Neutral
Doom's word is law.
Posts: 33
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Post by Lord Doom on Feb 11, 2017 21:04:16 GMT -5
Doom was pleased by these replies. He turned to Loki and nodded.
"Very good, my friend," he said, "Bring her to me in your own fashion. The end result will be the same."
He then turned and moved toward Titania.
"For you as well. You shall be the instrument of her demise. It is close at hand, General. So very close."
Doom rested a hand on Titania's shoulder. He did not care for others in the way one might traditionally say, and his demeanor was often icy and calculating. But Titania was his most valuable soldier. His most valuable ally. The one he trusted with anything. She had her faults, all did, but she was never at a shortage of being useful. Doom liked that.
"Rise, Umbra," he said, "Your desire to be at the battle's edge should be commended. Not punished. Your unfailing loyalty to Doom shall not go overlooked."
He then looked back at Loki.
"The dark is nigh upon us," he said, looking at Titania once more, "Mobilize the troops. The trap must be laid for the vermin to seek its lure."
He whirled his cloak about himself and moved out of the room toward the parapets outside of his throne room, looking out over his city and leaning his hands on the stone.
"So...they think that they can slither by Doom unchecked..." he growled to himself, "They offer a dagger to their own throats."
This entire vision and development seemed to Doom to perhaps be a trap aimed at Latveria. But HYDRA had always been far more brash than he. It occurred to him what a curious battle it would be when TItania was unleashed fully upon Madame HYDRA's daughter. A feast for carrion fowl, he had little doubt.
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Post by Titania on Feb 12, 2017 16:10:14 GMT -5
His hand on her shoulder was a reassurance. Normally, she was never this unruly. Her behavior she reasoned was due to Loki’s presence. She hated anyone that gave her a true sense of competition without respect, and he seemed to be a prime candidate for such a thing. Standing as she was commanded to do so, Titania nodded at her orders. “They shall be mobilized, my lord.” If Doom’s words were true, her being able to end the little spider’s existence would be wonderful. However, knowing how her lord was wont to change his rulings, Titania would happily settle for beating the girl into submission until she saw the light and accepted her place under Doom’s ruling.
Taking Doom’s exit into another room as a sign she could leave, Titania turned and began making her way towards the barracks and her subordinates. She would see which garrisons could be moved strategically towards the border while making certain there were no weaknesses caused by such changes. She would also ensure that Doomstadt itself was well defended, in case HYDRA tried for a direct assault that was unforeseen. However, such an attack was unlikely. She was aware of a weapons transfer that was intended to happen tonight between Latveria and the Allies. If HYDRA wasn’t able to hurt them directly, they would most certainly go for the transfer; either to steal the weapons for themselves or to simply destroy them, ensuring that Doom would not gain further advantage against them. Unless this opportunity was such an obvious choice that it was a simple diversion.
Titania thought about that as she stopped at the tone room doors, frowning at her options. Staying here would mean Doomstadt would remain safe. If she added numbers to the troops around the transfer area, as well as have Loki perform as he bragged about doing so, it would likely prevent any mishap from occurring. It was rare that she was ever this cautionary, but Titania picked up the wary calculation from Doom. Better to be careful than reckless. That could always come at a later time, and be quite enjoyable. But there was still the matter of Loki. She didn’t fully trust the god. He was a trickster by nature, after all. Best to make him want to play on their side for the time being.
Making her way back to the god, Titania offered this small bit of advice. “Though you may take your time with bringing Doom the HYDRA girl, it might be a good idea to attend the weapons transfer that will be happening tonight. If nothing comes of it, then you’ve lost an evening. But if it is the incident that he is concerned over, it will give you the opportunity to observe the girl and to make sure things still go smoothly. She may be a mortal like everyone else, but they can still surprise even a god. I will stay in Doomstadt in case it is a diversion or a two-pronged attack. No sense in having both of Doom’s best assets in one place, don’t you agree?”
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Loki
Neutral
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32
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Post by Loki on Mar 12, 2017 0:52:06 GMT -5
Even a god had to admit, it was something fascinating to watch, watching Doom at work. It wasn't something Loki got to see often. Everything was usually kept so amiable and calm when it was just the two of them. Then, he supposed things were different now. Even Victor Von Doom used to be a happier man, but that was before the war. The First War, that Loki was aware of. Now there were two of them. Two wars and a conflict with an organization like HYDRA could certainly change a person, and that was never more clear than when he watched this unfold. As unwelcome as the interruption was, it was unavoidable now, and it had left his friend brooding on the balcony. He hated to see him like that.
He was about to do something about it when Titania had returned. He only half listened until he realized he wasn't being scolded. Then, he was absolutely intrigued. So the general DID have a mind of her own, and it wasn't a bad mind either! Wonderful! He smiled and put on his most charming grin, stepping toward her. "I completely agree, and what an excellent idea, my dear. I can go tonight and spy on the girl. What interests me, however, is if she will actually touch foot on this soil. I can't imagine HYDRA would risk the appearance of an attack by crossing into Latveria. The question remains, however ... just what is she doing?" His eyes wandered back to Doom's silhouette on the balcony. "There is, however, one more matter I must attend to."
He walked toward the balcony quietly, passing through a shadow as he crossed under the archway to the exterior. As he emerged back into the light, he had become a she. Loki had taken a female form, a face familiar to Doom from their past. Her dress trailed behind her, furs draping from her shoulders as her godly amount of gold and horned diadem glittered in the dim light. She stood next to Doom and looked out over the horizon, marveling at the sight before her.
"Lovely night, isn't it?" She didn't have Heimdall's eyes, but she could feel the battle scars of the land. Much had changed since she was last in Midgard, and it only weighed heavier on her that things weren't the same. For all she knew, they weren't the same between her and the man next to her either. Still, she looked up at him, a smile playing at her lip and a mischievous glint in her eye. "Your Titania and I think it may be best for me to spy on the HYDRA girl tonight, but I can't stand to leave you like this." She set a hand on his, brushing her thumb against his gauntlet as thought it were his own flesh. "What do you think?"
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Lord Doom
Neutral
Doom's word is law.
Posts: 33
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Post by Lord Doom on Mar 12, 2017 1:12:59 GMT -5
It didn't take Doom any kind of trance to overhear Titania's sage advice to Loki. He was pleased at her tactical prowess, considering what she had been before Doom had given her the gifts she now had. She was his most devoted servant, and she often did so very well. This proved that she continued working at her position, which gave Doom an even greater confidence in her.
As a shadow passed behind Doom, and he detected Loki's footsteps altering themselves as they moved toward him, so too did a shadow pass over his face for a moment. He detected the scent of Loki in his female form, a form he had known well many years ago when he had only recently taken hold of Latveria as his own and donned his grimacing mask. The scent and the sound of her voice stirred something within Doom that had lain dormant for a long count of time.
"It is a peaceful night, the calm before another raging storm over my land," he said, not looking at her but not taking his hand away either, "What do I think..."
He turned to face her, looking into his eyes while his own softened just a twinge at the sight.
"I am...concerned at your purpose with this form, Loki," he said, measuredly, "Is your wish to distract me from my purpose?"
He did not truly think this. But it seemed best to maintain his focus as best he could, and yet...Doom found himself satisfied, quenched from a long drawn-out thirst at last satiated. He was not one to lay with any woman he wished, for he did not wish many. Nor indeed even one, most of the time. But Loki, when they had first met, had been what Doom needed at that time. A source of companionship. A source of...something else.
But in the long years since Loki's departure from the mortal realm, Doom had hardened himself even further with conquest and the bloodshed of his countrymen. It had taken a toll on him. Yet seeing Loki in this form again...it had awoken something very faint.
Doom reached a gauntleted hand over to Loki's face and brushed her long hair out of it softly....softly, not a term to describe Victor Von Doom in almost any regard at all.
"It is my wish," he resumed, "That you remain with Doom for a while longer yet. Not merely for the purposes of assuring my victory...for other reasons you may remember as well."
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Post by Titania on Mar 12, 2017 10:35:13 GMT -5
“No, HYDRA will play tonight careful, if they do decide to attack. They’re hurting, and more importantly, the woman that runs the organization would not risk losing her daughter. I think they are both scared. If they think the odds are against them, they will run. They’ve always run in the past. They won’t dare set foot on Latverian soil.” However, Titania didn’t know what their plans were outside of trying to gain more weapons and wanting to make the girl just a bit more brave when it came to facing Doom.
Titania watched Loki head towards Doom. The two of them clearly had a history, though what the was, she wasn’t entirely sure. As she god passed through a shadow, she saw his form shift and change in the blink of an eye. One moment he was male, and in the next, he was female. The alteration stunned Titania, mainly due to how fast it was enacted. She also stayed where she was despite such a change. Normally, following the guest would not have been out of the question, but by the way this female Loki approached Doom, and by how she placed her hand on his, the history between the two of them became more clear, causing the general to take a half step back as a response.
Titania was not jealous of what was now so obvious between the two of them. In fact, she had never felt anything towards Doom other than a sense of devotion, so to say that she was jealous of their romance would have been absurd. Still, she knew it was not polite to linger during these quiet moments that Doom rarely had, or if he did have them often, the man never spoke of it, and Titania never pried. Keeping her footsteps light and as quiet as she could, Titania dismissed herself from the throne room.
Closing the door behind her, she informed the guards that Lord Doom needed continued privacy, as he was meditating on the news she had brought him. It wasn’t a lie, since he likely was plotting and thinking on whatever he and Loki were discussing… or not discussing. If any further information or updates were to come in, she told the guards to send the couriers and runners to her, and she would sift through them herself until Lord Doom was finished with his meditations. Her instructions given, Titania left to go plan for tonight’s activities.
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Loki
Neutral
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32
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Post by Loki on Mar 21, 2017 22:52:22 GMT -5
It hadn't passed Loki's attention that Doom's eyes softened just a touch when he looked at her, and for a moment she was given hope that perhaps things hadn't changed that much. Though, it did give her pause that he was skeptical of her current form. She couldn't blame him in the slightest. She was used to everyone questioning her motives, but there was a certain pang of guilt when Doom suspected her of foul play that she never felt with anyone else. It even made her question herself, something she wasn't used to doing. It wasn't like she could always control what happened. She was chaos in its purest form. Still, she managed a smile, only showing the briefest glimpse of what could best be described as self-doubt on her face.
"I can assure you, my only goal is to-" She hesitated, deciding not to tell the whole truth. "... I only hoped seeing a pleasant face would help ease your troubled mind." She gently squeezed his armored hand, shifting her weight to face him a little better.
She took a moment to appraise him. The mask was new. She remembered he liked to wear a mask when they first met, but it was hardly to serve any other purpose but intimidation. She could see now that he used it to cover himself. It conjured the memory of leaving him in the first place. The state he was in. She faltered again.
It was the oddest thing, having a different level of emotion for him in this form. As a man, Doom was a friend. A comrade in arms. They shared similar goals and even a similar past. But in this form? It was more than that. So much more. She felt a longing for his companionship that would never occur to her as a man. It was something she could never get used to, but often found herself thinking about when left to her own devices.
There was something heartbreakingly different about him now. He had always been an intense figure, but the softness she had known now seemed to be gone. The hopes she had that they could rekindle what they were faded to a dying ember, only stoked back to life as she felt his hand brush across her cheek to comb through her hair.
She could hardly resist, leaning herself toward his hand. She covered it with her own and brought his palm to her lips in an unmistakable show of affection. She dared not assume too much, but stepped closer to him. In a single step, she closed the distance between them, looking up to the monarch's eyes. Her hand brought his to her cheek, gently nuzzling into his palm. "It has been too long, Victor," she breathed. "I will gladly stay by your side, if that is what you wish." With a smile, she cautiously raised a hand to brush her thumb against his masked cheek. "My Victor .... How long has it been?"
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Lord Doom
Neutral
Doom's word is law.
Posts: 33
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Post by Lord Doom on Mar 22, 2017 0:03:57 GMT -5
Doom was not accustomed to weakness in any form whatsoever. He could not afford to be weak. He was Doom, doom itself, an iron hand clutching about his kingdom. Protecting it. He could not afford to care deeply for another. It was foolish.
And yet seeing Loki again, in indeed any form at all, brought memories flooding back. Memories of another time when he had not had the burdens and cares he did now.
The softness in Doom's eyes faded and went out. They became guarded and piercing once more, like a green sea at rest before a hurricane.
"Twenty years." he rasped, slowly moving his hand to gently ease hers away from touching his mask, "I fear much has changed, Loki. Least of all Doom."
He moved passed her and walked slowly down the long open balconyway, the slits of moonlight running through the stone ran over his figure and cast his shadow on the wall. He turned to look at it. Then looked out at the city again. Then back at Loki, clasping his hands behind his back so as not to let them be so carefree again.
It was all stubbornness, hardening himself.
He could not afford to be weak.
"Twenty years since you left me alone in the dark." he said, as if giving an exact, factual answer to a mathematical equation, "Since then I have lit many torches to stave away that same darkness. To keep it from coursing through this kingdom. I have built a world for me, and that world is spreading. I cannot yet say if that world has room for you."
It hurt to say, ever so slightly. Doom found that it also felt right. Loki had left him and he had to pick himself up by his bootstraps and carry forward with his goals. To defeat the Baron. To lay claim to his homeland. To topple the monarchy and establish himself as the Lord of Latveria. And now his goals stretched even further forward...and there was Loki come back into his life.
He did not trust it.
He did not trust her not to leave again. And so he steeled himself before her, unblinking.
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Loki
Neutral
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32
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Post by Loki on Mar 22, 2017 13:15:49 GMT -5
There was a real pain that Loki felt when those eyes she had come to love so many years ago hardened once more. "Twenty years? No, that's impossible!" Even a trickster couldn't fake the genuine shock she felt that it had been so long. "I knew I was gone for a while, but I never thought it would have been twenty years!" She took a step toward him again, but thought better of it. He had every right to be angry at her. If she was in his place, she wouldn't have wanted to even look at someone that had left for that long. The reality of it all came crashing down on her and her seductive stance melted into something more vulnerable.
Then he spoke words that may as well have been a dagger in her heart. That there may not be a place for her in this new life. Now she hardly dared to tell him the real reason she left. Had she not been taken by surprise, she might have gone so far as to lie to him to cover her own vulnerability. But she couldn't. Not with the last memory she had of him still so vivid in her mind's eye. Instead of lashing out like she might have otherwise done, she tightened her jaw to steel herself from the emotions bubbling up in her chest.
"Regardless if there is room for me in your world now," she said, her voice far more even with the aid of magic, "I will bring the girl to you. I told you once, long ago, that I was yours until you no longer wanted me, and I stand by those words. I leave it to you to decide if I am to stay with you, but I always fulfill my promises." She grew gravely silent for a moment, though it wasn't clear why. A moment later, she pulled her furs closer to her, covering herself should he not want to deal with her femininity. "I know what I am, Victor, but you must believe... I never meant to leave you in the dark. I care more for you than to leave without reason."
She exhaled softly and looked out over the horizon. Her gut told her it was time to leave. He didn't want anything to do with her anymore, and she shouldn't trouble him. But her heart cried out for her to stay, so stay she did. Until she was told otherwise, she would stay. Not even Ragnarok could tear her away from Doom's side, after finding out just how long she had been away. She had wronged him, however inadvertently, and he deserved better. But she would try to make it up to him however she could.
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Lord Doom
Neutral
Doom's word is law.
Posts: 33
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Post by Lord Doom on Apr 1, 2017 20:15:21 GMT -5
Doom did not hold cares for many in any realm of existence. People came, people went. Unless they were crafted of his own means, like Titania, he did not hold expectation for them to stay for longer than their uses provided. Loki had reinforced this expectation those long years ago. Still, Doom detected no insincerity in what she said when she spoke. But he could not afford to be weakened by his lingering emotions for the trickster god. After all, that was what she was, wasn't it? The great trickster.
But never to him. Not until she had left.
He looked out over the night horizon and took a deep inhalation of breath, not looking at Loki.
"When this foolish plan of HYDRA's comes to fruition," he said before slowly turning his masked face to Loki, "And you bring the girl Arachne to me, perhaps we will have more to discuss on this matter. At present, I find myself...so changed from the last time you had seen me. I carry so many more cares than I did then. Back then I had merely one goal, and now an ever-growing multitude."
Doom touched his mask instinctively. It guarded him and kept his mangled face hidden. What ever would Loki think of him if she saw it? He felt his heart soften. He could not be so cruel to Loki.
"It has not been easy," he growled, looking Loki up and down, "But for all of this, for all of my harsh words tonight I am glad you are here. It is good to see you again, though you have come back to find a far different Victor Von Doom than perhaps you had thought possible."
He moved closer to her, putting a hand on her arm, and running the cold steel of his gauntlet down it slowly.
"My treatment of you was hard just now," he said, nodding, "I apologize. It was not my intent to cause you pain. I am certain that on the many arenas of existence in which you occupy yourself, time matters little and ticks more swiftly or even more slowly. Forgive me."
Doom bowed slightly to her, showing every bit of respect that a god deserved.
"I am unaccustomed to bowing to any in my own land," he said, standing straight again, "But any god within my walls is worthy of all respect within my means to show.....I have missed you...."
He ran his gauntlet down her cheek again, his emotions getting the better of him again but he did not stop them. He found himself longing to kiss her, but he knew that was impossible. His grimacing steel mask prevented it, and that could hardly be removed. That would be disastrous before something of such eternal beauty as this.
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Loki
Neutral
No. Mischief is a small thing, a toy I've well used and discarded. This isn't mischief. This is mayh
Posts: 32
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Post by Loki on Apr 6, 2017 22:26:24 GMT -5
There were so many things Loki wished to say to the monarch, that she just couldn't bring herself to say. She, for once in her life, was as silent as the grave. Leaving him all those years ago had hardly been an easy choice, and it wouldn't have been the choice she made at all if she knew this was how things would end up between them. She never meant to hurt him, though she knew he wouldn't believe her if she told him that. It broke her frozen heart to see what he had become, though she was reluctant to admit it. She was reluctant to admit a lot of things, come to think of it.
When he looked out over the horizon, so did she. She wasn't sure why. Maybe he was trying to avoid looking at her. Maybe she was trying to give him some privacy. She wasn't sure. She listened to him, of course, hoping to hear anything that might suggest things weren't nearly as bad as they appeared, but again she was met with a sort of disappointment. Things had changed, and it appeared it was for the better. Maybe he was better off without her. Maybe coming back here was a mistake. It pained her to think about, but it might have been the unhappy truth she refused to see.
But then he said the words she didn't know she was waiting to hear. He was glad she was here? Her head jolted to look at him, eyes glimmering in the starlight. She managed a playful smirk, though it was clear her heart wasn't quite in it. Victor was far different than she remembered, but ... it wasn't exactly a bad change. If who he was when they met reminded her of herself when she was a child, who he was now reminded her of what she wanted to be. A child growing up with nothing could grow into a leader. A monarch. A king.
The goddess shivered slightly at the cold steel on her arm, less from the cold and more from the feeling it brought her. When he bowed, she gently raised his chin until he was once again upright, a more easy smile playing at her lips. "I have missed you too, Victor," she breathed softly. Trickster or not, she could not lie to him. She had missed him dearly. "You never need to bow to me."
She leaned up to him, pressing her forehead against the steel of his mask. It felt so impersonal, the metal between them. She pulled back and looked into the eyes she remembered so well and gently placed her hands on either side of his mask. She wanted to see the face of the man she had grown so fond of. Very carefully, she lifted the mask away and let it drop so she could see his face.
The sight might have frightened away an ordinary person, but Loki was far from ordinary. The scars were extensive, and they could almost be called gruesome. Where there once had been a nose was now a cavity, and even his lips were maimed in a semi-permanent sneer. Even so, Loki found her own true form to be more horrifying, and so found herself feeling ... nothing. Perhaps a bit surprised by the extent of his scars, but hardly scared away.
She held the mask in one hand and let the other gingerly brush against Victor's cheek, a smile spreading across her own face. "There you are." She leaned in and pressed her lips against his in a more loving kiss than she would otherwise grant a mortal. But, then, Doom was hardly an ordinary mortal.
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