|
|
Post by Artie Cade on Jun 9, 2017 22:59:28 GMT -5
After returning to Mystique's side, Artie wore a smile on his face. He was pleased with the fact that Mystique had been seen as something more than some horror...even if he knew she had various notions of what to do with these people.
He'd certainly be happy to help. Actually, more like eager to help. He may be a regular human, but he fully understood the desire to pull apart people you didn't like, regardless of reason.
Something pulled at Artie's attention. He turned at the crowd, looking around through it....did he see....no, that couldn't be.
He limped closer to the man he saw, the one trying to mingle into the crowd.
"Loki...?" he half whispered.
Was that his old friend...? Really? Here? No that was impossible. Wasn't it?
He finally caught up to the man and put a hand on his arm to gently get his attention.
Artie looked up at the far taller man and his expression immediately warped into wide recognition.
"It IS you!" he cried out, dropping his cane and embracing the man, "What....! What're you DOING here...! How did you...??"
He laughed, excited and giddy as a kid. He didn't know what to do. What NOT to do. He could cry, this was his oldest friend he thought had left him for the rest of eternity! And yet here he was! It was incredible. As if the night could get even better, sure enough it did.
|
|
Cheetah
Villains 
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129 
|
Post by Cheetah on Jun 13, 2017 6:07:58 GMT -5
“A little carried away? Whatever would give you that idea?” Barbara asked with a chuckle. She watched him with contented eyes. This had been quite the experience, one that she wouldn’t forget any time soon. Thankfully, Barbara was not the type to be clingy in the afterglow, not that she would ask Loki to stay afterwards. This had been a one-time thing; something that likely satisfied both of their curiosities. She laid there, watching the god get dressed and taking in every inch of his skin as he covered himself up. She knew the routine well enough; let there be plenty of time between his exit and her own, so she was not particularly worried about hurrying to fix her hair and makeup.
Nor would she need to, apparently. She was grateful for Loki to do such a thing as restyle her hair and cover up any telltale marks of their little get together, but she found it funny that there were no marks on him, despite knowing for certain that she wasn’t exactly the most gentle a one point. “I wouldn’t blame you if you did slip away after a point, Loki. Though I should probably call you Casanova,” she smirked, mirroring his own.
She did wait a few minutes longer before stretching and redressing herself. Likely some of the guests, if not Mystique and Artie, were wondering where she had gotten to in this past hour. After checking her appearance in the mirror once last time, Barbara reentered the party to find the atmosphere greatly changed. Mystique was blue, a fact that surprised Barbara more than a little bit, but for the most part, the guests were taking it all in stride. Grabbing a champagne flute as a waiter passed by, Barbara skillfully slipped into the grab that was conversing with Mystique, giving the redhead a little smirk, tempting her to ask where she had been for the last hour. “It seems that the cat is out of the bag with you, my dear. I assume everyone has been civil while I’ve been away? The last thing I want is for a colleague and friend to be treated differently by guests.”
|
|
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
|
Post by Loki on Jun 13, 2017 13:06:02 GMT -5
Loki could feel forces pull his attention as his name was whispered. He glanced around for who might have said it, but didn't immediately recognize anyone. He was about to brush it off before one of the people in the crowd touched his arm. He turned and saw someone he almost didn't recognize.
"Artie?"
He beamed and bent down, picking Artie up in a bear hug. One of his only real friends was here. What were the odds? He swung the gangster around in his excitement, garnering a few odd looks from the people around them, but it wasn't Loki's job to care what they thought right now. His best friend in all the Nine Realms was here!
"ARTIE! IT'S BEEN SO LONG!"
He set Artie back down on his feet and almost let go before he saw the discarded cane. Then he noticed the mask. What had happened to his friend?
"What happened to you?" He said it before he could stop himself. Without permission or waiting for an explanation, he lifted the mask off Artie's face and looked at the scars.
He looked shocked. Disgusted, but not at the scars. With himself, for not being here to help heal them. He wasn't a healer. That was his mother and his wife. But he might have been able to do something, if he had only been here.
"What's happened?" he asked again, more concern in his voice.
He had all but forgotten about Barbara and what he had done with her. His mind was consumed with what might have happened since he last saw Artie. It had been years, of course, but how long? He didn't know. Anything could have happened. From his face, it looked like a wild animal attacked him. From the cane, it looked like he was in a horrible accident that left him crippled.
Why the hell hadn't he been here to help him?
|
|
Mystique
Villains
Raven Darkholme is not a woman to be trifled with.
Posts: 107
|
Post by Mystique on Jun 14, 2017 14:04:40 GMT -5
Mystique was still entertaining by the time Barbara finally made herself known again. She was laughing and doing impressions, much to the amazement of the small crowd surrounding her. She had certainly made a good impression on those that had given her a chance, though the ones that couldn't see past the blue skin still grumbled in the other room.
She didn't mind that. If she had her way, they would have been kicked out for their bigotry. But that didn't send a very good message. She wanted the illusion that she was just as accepting as any human could be. Though, she did notice a congressman or two muttering under their breath with the bigots. They had no idea how much she could ruin their careers, and she would. For no other reason than to make the point, mutants are not to be trifled with.
When Barbara came to her side and smirked at her, Mystique smirked back. She knew what that smirk meant. "Oh, it's been no trouble," she said. "I'll have to thank Artie for convincing me to let the secret out. It might be one of the best decisions I've ever made." An exaggeration for the sake of the humans, of course, but there was a nugget of truth to it. She could see who among high society she could lean on, and who needed to be taken down a peg.
She leaned in closer to Barbara, still smirking. "And where have you been for the last hour?" She could tell Barbara wanted to ask her.
She glanced up, though, to see where Artie had gone, and saw a familiar face beaming down at the shorter man. Now that was interesting. She hadn't seen him in more than a hundred years. It couldn't be him, could it? But ... Artie had called out Loki, and the man had answered.
"Wait.... Loki?" She started to move toward them, excusing herself as politely as she could, and starting to walk toward them.
But she stopped.
She looked at Barbara, realization on her face.
"WAIT. LOKI?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Artie Cade on Jun 15, 2017 2:07:01 GMT -5
The bear hug only made Artie laugh more, and more party guests awkwardly shuffle away from the reunion to continue their conversations and revelry a bit further away. "IT'S SO GOOD TO SEE YA!" he laughed, clinging to the man, "I can't believe it...!" When Loki set him down, Artie's smile faded steadily when he heard that tone of concern creep into his voice. Then he took off Artie's mask. He stumbled a step backward, covering his horrific scars on impulse before slowly letting his hand drop, turning away with his back to the crowd. "It....uh...." he slowly replied to the question, "Well....you've been gone a long time, Loki. Twelve years, actually...almost thirteen." He managed a small smile on the side of his face that still had lips. "A lot has happened," he said, trying to revert the conversation back to more pleasant things before his eyes brightened, "  You'll have to meet the rest of the...well, family really! Barbara and Mystique and...and my daughters!" Artie laughed and clapped Loki on his back, keeping his hand there. "I wouldn't say I've settled down, you know I can't do that, but I certainly-" His train of thought was interrupted when he heard Mystique's voice, he turned back to look at her, bewildered, then back up at his friend. "....wait, you've met?" he asked him, clearly baffled. |
|
Cheetah
Villains
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129
|
Post by Cheetah on Jun 23, 2017 21:11:34 GMT -5
Mystique looked happy, which was most definitely a good thing. Had she not, Barbara would likely have laid into whomever it was that troubled her. Well, perhaps not laid into, but severely reprimanded them and politely ask that they leave, although she assumed that those who were uncomfortable with a blue woman would have already vacated the premises, feigning headaches or an early morning the next day. Taking Mystique’s hand in her own, she leaned in closer, whispering softly. “I’ve been privately entertaining a foreign guest for the past hour.” She felt as if this was one of her parent’s get-togethers and she had been off galavanting with a few of the young guests, returning only when she felt she would be missed by those smart enough to notice. Thankfully, since no one else seemed to be concerned about her disappearance, Mystique’s little stunt caused an appropriate bit of distraction.
However, her friend’s own attention seemed to be wandering and stuck on something else at the moment. Barbara followed Mystique’s gaze to find Loki gazed rather intently at Artie. For a moment, Barbara fear the worst; that Artie had insulted or done something that would cause Loki to punish the poor man. But then something extraordinary happened; Artie laughed and slapped the god on the back, in a clearly friendly manner. Then came Mystique’s reaction, only it was to Barbara, not Artie. And, as if one other person knowing the Asgardian god of mischief wasn’t enough, Artie just had to chime in as well.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Barbara said, rubbing the bridge of her nose slightly as she walked towards Loki and the others, hoping that by doing so, she would keep this bit of discovery and reaction small. At least that was the obvious hope. “You know all three of us? How is that…?” She let her words trailed off. This was a bit much to be a coincidence. The odds of that were astronomical. “How is it that you know both of my friends, Mr. Odinson?” she asked, using the surname he gave her upon introducing himself. Should any people overhear this discussion, which due to Mystique’s outburst, likely wouldn’t be that hard, hopefully they wouldn’t think the guests at this party were getting more peculiar by the minute.
|
|
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
|
Post by Loki on Jun 24, 2017 2:18:18 GMT -5
Loki slowly replaced the mask upon realizing that Artie wasn't going to tell him how they came to be, and smiled when Artie change the subject. Until he mentioned the two names. Barbara and Mystique? Surely he didn't mean the Barbara he'd just slept with. And ...
Sure enough, Mystique was calling his name in a bewildered tone. He could tell, by the tone, that she was asking Barbara if that was who she was spending her time with.
Loki put on his most charming grin and crossed his arms over his chest almost proudly. Well, this was an interesting development. He couldn't orchestrate this kind of chaos if he'd designed it himself.
"Well, of course I know all of you," he gloated, grinning. "I can now say I've slept with all of you." He winked at Mystique and took her hand, kissing it gently. "My dear, it's been a while. I'm glad to see you in your natural skin." He slid an arm around Barbara, since now the cat was out of the bag ... so to speak ... and grinned widely at Artie and Mystique. "The two of you make an adorable couple. I saw the way you two were batting eyes at each other."
Of course, being the God of Mischief, he wondered if Mystique and Barbara knew that Artie was dating the two of them. He knew Mystique well, and knew that she was mostly monogamous. It wouldn't even enter into her mind that Artie would think about dating someone else. After all, the way they were acting at the party together, he had given her no indication that there was another woman.
And from what he had gleaned from Barbara in the short time he had known her, she seemed to be very focused, and might not have realized that the would have been another woman.
So he took a great amount of joy in possibly being the one to bring all of this to a boiling point.
|
|
Mystique
Villains
Raven Darkholme is not a woman to be trifled with.
Posts: 107
|
Post by Mystique on Jun 27, 2017 12:42:18 GMT -5
Mystique didn't trust that Loki was here, nor did she trust how he was talking. She eyed the way he wrapped his arm around Barbara. So he was her entertainer for the last hour. She was right. Okay. So, why was he making a point of talking about her and Artie?
She suddenly felt the impulse to hold Artie to her, as though she was worried Loki was going to take him away.
"Barbara, Loki and I ... we were involved a great many years back. I never thought I'd see him again. He has a habit of disappearing." She said it as more of a warning not to get too attached. Not to let Loki sink his hooks into her. He was good at doing that and breaking hearts as he left. But then how did Artie know Loki so well?
She looked between Loki and Artie, trying to figure it out. They spoke as thought they had been friends for years. But that wasn't Loki's way. He usually took and left. That was her experience, anyway. She resented him for it. The disdain on her face gave that away. Her heart had been broken, and she was bitter. It wasn't often she let herself get her heart broken. Usually it was the other way around. It wasn't any better that way either, now that she thought about it.
She clung to Artie, completely oblivious to what Loki was doing. All she knew was that she was completely falling in love with Artie, and it seemed like he was doing the same with her. Right now, she needed a little bit of a crutch.
"What are you trying to accomplish, Loki?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Artie Cade on Jul 24, 2017 20:23:35 GMT -5
"Batting our eyes at each-?" Artie stammered in reply to Loki, his eyes widening a bit, but glad that Mystique held him, "W-well I uh..."
He was a deer in the headlights. He hadn't mentioned his...feelings for Mystique to Barbara.
How would she react? How could she react? Was this bad? Nooo, it couldn't be. What's wrong with spreading his feelings around? Hell not like it happened very often. With anyone. Ever.
He couldn't help if he felt so amazing around Barbara and so incredible around Mystique.
"I happen to uh..." he continued, "Mystique and Barbara are..."
What was Loki prodding at...? He didn't usually...
Wait.
Artie's gaze fixed on Loki and his expression became more annoyed.
"I see what you're doing. And I don't know what my private doings have to do with you anymore, Loki," he grunted, "As Mystique said, you have a habit of disappearing. Been rather a loooong time since you've found it convenient to bother with said doings, let alone be a part of them. I'm not entirely sure you deserve any explanation. What are you even doing here? What brought you back? You're a little late. You've missed some things."
He tapped his tin mask with the ball of the cane he held before leaning on it again for support.
In truth, he wasn't angry at Loki. He thought he was sometimes, but it wasn't Loki himself.
It was that Loki was always...eternally...Loki.
And what was Artie anymore? A half broken tin soldier. In many more ways than physical.
The idea that Loki could just...disappear....
But he wouldn't say any of this. Merely look up at Loki with half a scowl forming on his face.
Artie Cade did not like to be played with.
"So why are you here?" he growled, still trying to hide the hurt on the maskless side of his face as best he could, "I'm sure we're all curious."
|
|
Cheetah
Villains
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129
|
Post by Cheetah on Jul 24, 2017 22:46:21 GMT -5
All Barbara could was stare as Loki explained himself. He had slept with all three of them? Surely he was exaggerating. Barbara looked around at Mystique and Artie, trying to judge by their expressions what the truth was. Unfortunately, Mystique’s face was never and easy one to read, having spent God only knew how long perfecting that incredible pokerface of hers. But her words were telling. They held a warning that didn’t lie and apparently spoke from experience. “I wasn’t about to run off with him, Mystique,” she reassured the woman. “I know the sort of person the Mr. Odinson is. I know the stories.” She would have continued on, but Barbara’s words died away as she saw how Mystique was, for lack of a better word, draped all over Artie.
The display was obvious, and one that seemed to flaunt a relationship, angling it towards Loki, as if to say ’I’m taken now’. Barbara could have brushed it off as Mystique playing up and act, but the look in Artie’s eyes said that she would have been wrong. He looked scared and nervous, like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. What had they been doing while Barbara had been indisposed for the past hour? She had thought that they had been exclusive, that Artie was a one-woman man, but then again, perhaps this was due to her little bit of fun she had with Mystique the day they met. After all, Artie had kept tabs on her long enough that he knew they went back to the apartment together. Perhaps this was just his way of getting back at her.
But that still didn’t explain Loki’s statement about sleeping with all three of them. He couldn’t have actually included Artie in that statement, could he? It just didn’t add up. Not for a moment did Barbara ever imagine Artie to be gay. He simply didn’t act like it.
Unfortunately, whatever bewildered or contemplative look Barbara had on her face was quickly wiped away once Loki put his arm around her waist. Eyes widening, her anger flared at his touch. It was one thing to have a bit of fun together, but it was another thing entirely to hold her close while bragging or teasing her friends, no matter what the subject matter was. And at a party in her own honor, no less.
Her hand was raised and lashing across Loki’s face before she even realized her action. Not that it would matter. She didn’t care about hitting a god. He had overstepped his boundaries. Manners always superseded immortality and godhood. Pain quickly blossomed all over her hand. Slapping his cheek was like hitting wood or stone, but Barbara refused to show weakness. “Get out,” she told Loki, pointing to the door. “I don’t believe we ever invited you to this party, Odinson. Get out before I have you thrown out.”
|
|
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
|
Post by Loki on Aug 1, 2017 12:06:40 GMT -5
As Artie talked, Loki's expression fell. He hadn't quite expected this reaction. Anger, yes, but not this quiet fury. Much had changed since he had last seen his friend, and it hurt to see what he had become.
"Artie, I...."
The words had barely gotten out of his mouth when he noticed Barbara's hand flying at his face. He felt no pain, of course, but he knew what had happened.
Slowly, very slowly, his eyes turned to look at Barbara, anger burning in them.
He grabbed her hand and used his magic to make the pain blossom ten fold. If there was one thing he did not tolerate, it was a show of disrespect, and this was nothing if not that.
"Miss Minerva," he hissed, almost snakelike, adding emphasis to the lack of title in her name. "In case you were not painfully aware before, it is rude to slap a god. I am a Prince of Asgard, and you will treat me with some respect." He let out a scoff, hateful light burning in his eyes as he stared into her own eyes. "I'm sure the lovely people at this party would be less than pleased if I ripped your lungs out through your back for your disrespect, so I want you to listen to me very carefully."
He leaned close to her, using his voice to slither into her ear and nestle into her mind where he could manipulate her thoughts and feelings.
"You are going to lower your hand, put on a smile, and you are going to be a gracious host. Accept my deepest apologies for the scene I've caused and kindly let Artie and I talk before you act again." He shoved her hand down, but didn't move away from her, his eyes flashing a soft green light. "The next time you think of raising a hand to me, we have a way of dealing with disrespect where I come from."
The image of the Blood Eagle being performed on her consumed Barbara's mind for a few seconds before it disappeared. He manipulated it so if she ever thought of slapping him again, that would be all she would see.
When he turned his attention back to Artie, his demeanor shifted almost completely. He was smiling again. He didn't often get angry. In fact, he wasn't sure of a time Artie had ever seen him properly angry. But, then again, Artie tended to treat him with the respect that was due a brother of sorts.
"My friend, I might suggest that your taste in women needs improvement. Dating a girl that strikes a god without a care for her own safety? Tsk tsk." He looked at Mystique and smirked. "Not you, of course, darling. You know how fondly I remember our time together. I'm so glad Artie has found you as well."
Clearly he wouldn't rest until the two women were made aware of the arrangement Artie was keeping them in the dark of. He loved Artie, but he remembered Mystique fondly enough that she didn't deserve to believe one half truth. Not from someone it was clear she was growing to love.
"You're right," he said to Artie. "Maybe it's none of my business. After all, I was merely trapped by a giant for the past several years and unable to escape, but fuck me right? I came to see you at my first opportunity, and clearly I was happier to see you than you were to see me." He materialized a hat out of nowhere and bowed to the three of them, tipping the hat to them. "The lady wants me to leave, I've caused enough damage, perhaps it is time I departed. Unless, Artie, you have something to say?"
|
|
Mystique
Villains
Raven Darkholme is not a woman to be trifled with.
Posts: 107
|
Post by Mystique on Aug 1, 2017 12:42:16 GMT -5
Mystique felt almost helpless, watching all of this. It had been decades since she had seen Loki, and so she didn't feel as though she had any right to feel strongly one way or the other that he was showing his face now. After all, he was here for Artie. Not her. That stung a little bit, but he was right. She was growing to love Artie. That lessened the sting a little bit.
But it was clear what he was getting at. Artie was dating Barbara. Mystique had less than no right to him. She could feel her heart shatter. What was this game he was playing with her? Was it just a way to keep her on his side? To ensure their business partnership would remain? He couldn't possibly love her and Barbara at the same time. That wasn't possible. Was it? No, it was too much to hope for. It was too much to hope that he could love someone like her. Wasn't it?
For that matter, if Artie and Barbara were an item, why did Barbara let herself be seduced when they first met? Wasn't that where the confusion started? It had to have been. Between that and that night on the boat with Artie, how was she supposed to know that they were together? What kind of relationship was this? She couldn't help but feel a little bit of resentment toward Barbara for not giving her a heads up. She tried to feel some kind of resentment toward Artie, but ... she just couldn't.
She pulled her arms from around Artie and let them drop to her sides, just staring at Loki like he had just flipped her world upside down. He might as well have. It was only then that she realized her mouth was hanging open. She closed it and looked at the ground. This couldn't be happening.
"I ...." She tried to think of an excuse for her not to be there, but she couldn't think of one. She just took a step back, away from Artie, like she realized he wasn't hers, and awkwardly smoothed out her dress.
"I need to .... check on the .... on the buffet." It wasn't her greatest lie, but it gave her a reason to step away and excuse herself to a different room.
|
|
Cheetah
Villains
This sort of thing doesn't happen to Barbara Minerva. I don't let it.
Posts: 129
|
Post by Cheetah on Aug 13, 2017 10:19:23 GMT -5
Barbara realized her mistake as soon as she saw the anger in Loki’s eyes. Anger that made her immediately regret the slap, the sex, this party, even possibly being born. Grabbing her hand, the pain she felt grew immeasurably. It throbbed which each heartbeat and she visibly cringed and shrank away, squeezing her eyes shut as her mind begged for this moment to be over. Unfortunately, when Loki spoke, she couldn’t help but open them again and look directly into his, watching magic or godliness or whatever you may call it dance and crackle across his irises.
His voice was still smooth and silken, despite his anger. She wanted to apologize for her actions. After all, he was a guest here and she had every reason to accept his apology for… whatever it was he had done. “Of course, Mr. Odinson,” she nodded, lips curving into a soft smile. “I know that you didn’t mean for this to happen. Apology accepted. I was wrong to ask you to leave. I see that now.” Yet he still flung her to the ground. Barbara was surprised by this. What had she done other than accept his most heartfelt apology?
No sooner had she began to wonder at that question than an image filled her head to the point of bursting. She was in the center of the room, surrounded by party guests and others she knew throughout her life and career. She was kneeling, stripped bare to the waist, and her hands were nailed to wooden posts that should not have been there. The pain was sharp and precise, but it was nothing compared to what followed. Knife dug into her back, deep enough to flay flesh from bone. But instead of being cut cleanly all the way, her skin was peeled back, exposing her ribs. That would have been enough to make her pass out, but she remained conscious through it all. Through her ribs being broken with he blunt side of an axe, and through her lungs being pulled out from within and laid against her shoulders, fluttering still with each ragged gasp of air.
The image and sensations lasted for a lifetime, but, in truth, it was over in an instant.
Once Loki’s attention was back on Artie, Barbara scrambled to her feet, eyes wide with terror and vision sharpened. She followed Mystique’s lead and moved away from them, mumbling a quick apology. Her back was whole and untouched, but she could not shake the feeling of a sharp blade running up her spine. It made her stomach twist and turn, and the eyes of every guest being on her did not help. Her feet quickly took her back down that hallway and into an empty room where she closed and locked the door before curling up in a corner, back firmly against the wall. This had been a foolish mistake, one that she was regretting terribly. For the first time ever, Barbara actually wished her godly husband was here to keep her safe and to comfort her.
|
|
|
|
Post by Artie Cade on Aug 13, 2017 21:57:23 GMT -5
Artie didn't know what to think, much less what to do. This had all been so suddenly thrust upon him...he'd hoped to get this all out in the open over perhaps dinner, not at a soiree that one of the ladies was throwing.
It all happened so fast.
He watched Mystique hurry off, reaching for her but letting her go. He looked quizzically up at Loki. Why would Loki, his oldest friend, appear again after all this time to hurt him? It didn't make sense.
And then poor Barbara toppled over, seeming in the throes of some kind of madness for a moment. Thankfully most of the guests no longer lingered in this particular room, or Artie would have thrown them out.
"Barbara....?" Artie asked as he tried to help her to her feet, but she too was steadying herself and soon enough she was gone.
And so he stood there. After the evening had been going so wonderfully. Feeling confused, seeing the two women he loved driven away from him...or at least more accurately his immediate vicinity.
Artie's attention then slowly turned upward to Loki.
He'd been prepared to apologize for his seething tone. He understood, after all as Loki explained things, that he had encountered one of the many supernatural altercations Loki and sometimes even Artie had found themselves in on their travels those many years ago.
But this was now. And this was how Loki chose to reveal himself to his old friend?
Were they even still friends? It was hard to tell with what just happened. Barbara shouldn't have struck a god, and yet whatever happened seemed....rather intense.
".......I think I do have something to say, Mr. Odinson..." Artie said formally, offering his hand as he would to a business associate he'd just met, "Good night. I wish you well wherever you're going. And perhaps I'll see you again some day."
It seemed best. He didn't want Loki there, not now. Not after the festivities had been turned so sour.
Not after the mess that could have been avoided if Loki had kept any consideration for what Artie's own plans had been.
It hurt. He'd been so glad to see his old friend....his only friend, really. But he couldn't beg Loki to stay, not in the manner things had played out. Artie had this...business with Mystique and Barbara to tend to.
But in the back of his mind he hoped that Loki wouldn't leave town. Or this realm.
|
|
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
|
Post by Loki on Aug 22, 2017 22:00:10 GMT -5
Loki's self satisfied smirk turned into a rather dark grin as he got what he wanted from Barbara. His pride swelled to the point of almost bursting something. That is, until he saw Artie's confused expression. He looked down at Barbara, then over at Mystique, and back at Artie. This had gotten out of hand. All he had truly wanted to do was to let Mystique know that Barbara and Artie were an item, and let Barbara know that Artie and Mystique had been canoodling behind her back. The God of Lies wanted to shed some light on the truth, and he had gone too far. The truth was, this wasn't his area of expertise, and he knew it.
He hadn't meant to hurt anyone.
Not Artie.
Not Mystique.
Not even Barbara.
He stood, staring at the mess he made, before finally resting his eyes on his old friend. He raised a finger and opened his mouth to talk, but quickly lowered it and shut his mouth. What was there to say? I'm sorry? For what? For driving his girlfriends away? For revealing their sordid love triangle before he was ready? For causing Barbara that much pain? What could he say to apologize? The truth was, he couldn't say anything to make this better. There was nothing to say.
He stared at the indifferent hand Artie offered him, as if he was nothing more than a stranger, and felt oddly hurt by the gesture. Was this what happened when he let his pride overshadow his loyalty to his friends?
"This ... This has all gotten out of hand," he finally said. He opened his mouth, shutting it again when he realized he, for once, was at a loss for words. He sighed and shook Artie's hand. "Please. Accept my deepest apologies." He didn't dare use a spell like the one he used on Barbara. Not on Artie. He loved the little weirdo with all his heart. He didn't want there to be any bad blood between them. Well, any worse than they were now.
"Don't worry. We'll see each other again soon. I promise."
And with that, he turned and walked away. As he walked past a waiter, he tripped him and sent him tumbling over into a chair, the contents of his tray going flying into the next room and into the face of a rather haughty looking woman. Loki cracked a smirk and walked out the door, disappearing in a quiet puff of green smoke to reappear in Artie's office.
|
|
You'll have to meet the rest of the...well, family really! Barbara and Mystique and...and my daughters!"