[Loki is dressed back in what had become familiar rather than formal, though not the clothing he arrived in. Dagger still sheathed against his waist and back, and a satchel at his side. Carrying a jug and a cloth bag as well.]
Seething anger, although I think I'm doing well to keep that from being obvious so I might be lying about that.
[It's said far too cheerfully and easily. The cloth bag is shoved Kaiba's way as it contains some light food that's easy to eat--sandwiches and chopped veggies and fruit and cheese really. In addition to his notes, he has cups in the satchel.]
Actually I'd rather no one be able to tell that yes, I am angry. So keep that quiet.
[ Kaiba invites him in once more, and the place is definitely cleaned up some. He carefully lays out the food and sits to eat, huffing in annoyance as a wing reacts to the burst of energy by fluttering, straining against the fabric.
Sigh. ]
Do you think everyone will be all right? What can be done?
[Good, because Loki is studying that suspicious lump and flutter against his back.]
If it's not we'll find a way to deal. Off with the shirt and show me the damage, so I know what I'm dealing with.
[A hint of command in the tone too, this is a Prince demanding compliance here.]
To start with, the feast was enchanted. Which I suspected, but it only seemed to put us in a good mood. Likely to make us more pliable to what came after. The clothing and ball most certainly were, as I wonder just how many of us actually were there, as it never seemed too crowded or to not be 'busy'. The mistletoe was the most obvious enchantment, but it wouldn't surprise me to find others put around to encourage good feeling and fellowship among us all. A sense of openness. At some point, we all started to feel comfortable and sleepy, and that was when we had a dream involving a golden dragon. Warning us that we were being tricked, and to remember why we do not want to be here. Also that it needed our help. A few of us snapped out of things easily upon waking, others not so luckily so. Amnesia and some memory modifications.
[Succinct and giving him the briefing as it were.]
I remember the dragon. Another victim of Vaeros...?
[ Seto huffs in embarrassment as he peels his shirt off, revealing more than he wants to. The most obvious are two pointy silvery-blue wings, flaring out and stretching as they're freed. They're small, about the size of Loki's hands, but causing trouble.
Between and below them, though, are a scattering of scars in thin straight lines stretching mostly-horizontally. ]
These stupid things are just an annoyance. I'm fine.
[Loki said nothing, but his brain was making mental notes. Primarily about the wings, but also those scars. Holding out his hand it was a silent request to give him the shirt. He could handle modifying it for now.]
I see. I wonder if anyone else has any new modifications.
The dragon is likely so, but I don't have confirmation. In truth the things I don't know about all of this are more than I do and it vexes me. Eat, have something to drink, I have notes to share.
[Kaiba can have his shirt back once it's ensured he'll be more comfy in it. Assuming it's passed over, Loki has a serviceable dagger and is able to cut a slit for the wings to fit through.]
[ Seto releases the breath he'd been holding. It's all right. He hands his shirt to Loki and sits a little awkwardly, starting on the meal. It's a welcome relief. ]
Pieces of a puzzle too large for any one person to solve...but maybe together it can be done.
Exactly, and I've already started talking to others and am trying to determine who to trust and who else is useful and legitimately helpful.
[Matter of fact about it really, and Kaiba is passed his shirt back before Loki takes a seat himself. Cups out and pouring a light non-alcoholic something for them both. Not water, probably some kind of tea.]
Aside from the aftermath, did you at least enjoy the ball?
[One half of his mouth is quirked up in a grin.]
I did, even knowing it was all suspicious. It was a very well-laid trap, if annoying.
[ Now there's the effort of wiggling his wings into place. He's still learning how to control them, so it takes a few moments to find the openings, but he's much more comfortable now. ]
I met some interesting people. It wasn't the worst social event I've ever attended. But I'm left wondering how extensively my emotions were manipulated, what was even real...
Which is entirely understandable and I'd worry if you weren't questioning things.
[Loki's tone was sympathetic, and he was making an effort to be genuine with it too. Because he was sympathetic. There were things in Kaiba that reminded him of himself when younger. It was an unusual feeling, but Loki accepted it. The other was intelligent and useful, and it seemed alright for now to accept the unusual feeling. Much as he accepted that he cared for Alice in an unusual way too.]
I will reiterate what I said, in that you have had enough of your life stolen from you, and your years are short. Try to have fun, even with all of the obstacles that get put in front of us.
[Now there is a grin on his face.]
Think of it as training your adaptability and imagination, if you must.
[ Seto reflects on this, but soon realizes...no, that could be misinterpreted. He shakes his head and looks back at Loki, taking a sip of his tea before speaking.
The familiar words touch his heart. ]
No, I believe...what I felt toward you is real. I'm still glad to have you here. I feel better about a lot of things.
I guess Vaeros stirring up discontent and starting conflicts would've been worse, right?
Most people usually aren't so glad to see me, but I appreciate that. You do know what I'm the god of, right?
[Best to start warning the kid now. Even if Loki was better, he'd never not be god of mischief. Here at least, he was learning to put it to good use. That was part of what rankled him too with regard to Vaeros. It had been the kind of trick LOKI would've have been capable of. He'd pulled similar enough before.]
I don't think this was meant to stir up discontent or start conflicts. I know what mischief of that nature looks like too. Saying the right words to the wrong person, planting an idea here or there that seems entirely reasonable when one is not thinking clearly... That kind of manipulation is a specialty of mine.
[Loki actually looked at him with raised brows for a moment, as his expression flickered from the practiced mask into genuine surprise. He let it stay there as well, the smile natural now and not teasing or mischievous anymore.]
I'm actually touched by that. Thank you. I don't know what the purpose of the spells was really, though that is the likeliest explanation. It fits the patterns that Fae are established to use, at least so far as those I've consulted with know. The big question is 'why'.
[ Seto nods and smiles, slowly eating his meal. It doesn't take long to get his strength back, especially with the lingering warm feeling. It's still weird, but that's okay. He'll leave it be for now. ]
All right. I want to help find what we're up against...and any more clues on if freeing the dragon would better our position or not. I'm fond of dragons, so I'm a little biased.
[While he ate, Loki had pulled out a leatherbound notebook. Adding to it, as there were some loose pages already. Old style pen, and he wrote easily in neat and compact script. Runescript, so not easily read either unless one understood runes. It was his way of letting Kaiba have some privacy.]
I thought you might be. I've already also conferred with Eilonwy, as she is of a like mind. She's not alone, but she is who I would suggest you talk with. A skilled princess raised to manage the kingdom of Prydain in Llyr, though it is unfamiliar with me, she has a solid knowledge in the ways that being a ruler requires from all I can tell. She's familiar with magic, has been here for a bit, and has intelligence, cleverness, and discretion from all I can tell. There are others as well, but it's a very loose confederation so far. This will be a very long game to be played.
[The runes are only visible briefly before Loki's turning to share the public notes he'd been keeping. The notebook is handed to Kaiba to read.]
Assuming there isn't one already, and there likely is. I'm just coming in late to all of this after all. I doubt this is the first time Vaeros has done something to make people made at him. There are also plenty of reasons and ways and times people might make a 'wish' and never expect it to be granted this one time.
Actually, the request was that we 'live' here for an undetermined amount of time. Living would involve creating ties here, connections or not. But there are lots of whys in play here.
I would actually like your thoughts, before I go into anything else. Impressions, so on. You had a lot of trouble believing in all of this when we first met. You don't question it now.
[That latter is a statement, and Loki wants to know why and what changed for Kaiba. How things changed.]
For example, I can offer you no proof that I am who I claim and yet you seem to accept my word alone.
[Fortunately, Loki can see the humor in it too. Mostly.]
You may come to regret trusting me. I'm rather well known for betrayal.
[Loki wondered why it mattered, too. That he be trusted.]
But whether I like it or not, I am stuck here as are we all, and there is a common mystery. As you say, to accept reality. Which is often more strange than we choose to believe or recognize.
[Gesturing to the notebook.]
So I would like to know your thoughts still. In general, specifics, whatever is coming to your mind.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Re: action
Seething anger, although I think I'm doing well to keep that from being obvious so I might be lying about that.
[It's said far too cheerfully and easily. The cloth bag is shoved Kaiba's way as it contains some light food that's easy to eat--sandwiches and chopped veggies and fruit and cheese really. In addition to his notes, he has cups in the satchel.]
Actually I'd rather no one be able to tell that yes, I am angry. So keep that quiet.
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[ Kaiba invites him in once more, and the place is definitely cleaned up some. He carefully lays out the food and sits to eat, huffing in annoyance as a wing reacts to the burst of energy by fluttering, straining against the fabric.
Sigh. ]
Do you think everyone will be all right? What can be done?
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Turn around, and honestly? Going with the theory that Vaeros is a Fae of some power, then we all got off quite lightly and will be alright in time.
[He's fishing the cups out as well, but watching Kaiba.]
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[ Seto looks slightly put-out, but obeys. ]
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If it's not we'll find a way to deal. Off with the shirt and show me the damage, so I know what I'm dealing with.
[A hint of command in the tone too, this is a Prince demanding compliance here.]
To start with, the feast was enchanted. Which I suspected, but it only seemed to put us in a good mood. Likely to make us more pliable to what came after. The clothing and ball most certainly were, as I wonder just how many of us actually were there, as it never seemed too crowded or to not be 'busy'. The mistletoe was the most obvious enchantment, but it wouldn't surprise me to find others put around to encourage good feeling and fellowship among us all. A sense of openness. At some point, we all started to feel comfortable and sleepy, and that was when we had a dream involving a golden dragon. Warning us that we were being tricked, and to remember why we do not want to be here. Also that it needed our help. A few of us snapped out of things easily upon waking, others not so luckily so. Amnesia and some memory modifications.
[Succinct and giving him the briefing as it were.]
cw: body transformation, allusions to past abuse
[ Seto huffs in embarrassment as he peels his shirt off, revealing more than he wants to. The most obvious are two pointy silvery-blue wings, flaring out and stretching as they're freed. They're small, about the size of Loki's hands, but causing trouble.
Between and below them, though, are a scattering of scars in thin straight lines stretching mostly-horizontally. ]
These stupid things are just an annoyance. I'm fine.
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I see. I wonder if anyone else has any new modifications.
The dragon is likely so, but I don't have confirmation. In truth the things I don't know about all of this are more than I do and it vexes me. Eat, have something to drink, I have notes to share.
[Kaiba can have his shirt back once it's ensured he'll be more comfy in it. Assuming it's passed over, Loki has a serviceable dagger and is able to cut a slit for the wings to fit through.]
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Pieces of a puzzle too large for any one person to solve...but maybe together it can be done.
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[Matter of fact about it really, and Kaiba is passed his shirt back before Loki takes a seat himself. Cups out and pouring a light non-alcoholic something for them both. Not water, probably some kind of tea.]
Aside from the aftermath, did you at least enjoy the ball?
[One half of his mouth is quirked up in a grin.]
I did, even knowing it was all suspicious. It was a very well-laid trap, if annoying.
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[ Now there's the effort of wiggling his wings into place. He's still learning how to control them, so it takes a few moments to find the openings, but he's much more comfortable now. ]
I met some interesting people. It wasn't the worst social event I've ever attended. But I'm left wondering how extensively my emotions were manipulated, what was even real...
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[Loki's tone was sympathetic, and he was making an effort to be genuine with it too. Because he was sympathetic. There were things in Kaiba that reminded him of himself when younger. It was an unusual feeling, but Loki accepted it. The other was intelligent and useful, and it seemed alright for now to accept the unusual feeling. Much as he accepted that he cared for Alice in an unusual way too.]
I will reiterate what I said, in that you have had enough of your life stolen from you, and your years are short. Try to have fun, even with all of the obstacles that get put in front of us.
[Now there is a grin on his face.]
Think of it as training your adaptability and imagination, if you must.
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The familiar words touch his heart. ]
No, I believe...what I felt toward you is real. I'm still glad to have you here. I feel better about a lot of things.
I guess Vaeros stirring up discontent and starting conflicts would've been worse, right?
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Most people usually aren't so glad to see me, but I appreciate that. You do know what I'm the god of, right?
[Best to start warning the kid now. Even if Loki was better, he'd never not be god of mischief. Here at least, he was learning to put it to good use. That was part of what rankled him too with regard to Vaeros. It had been the kind of trick LOKI would've have been capable of. He'd pulled similar enough before.]
I don't think this was meant to stir up discontent or start conflicts. I know what mischief of that nature looks like too. Saying the right words to the wrong person, planting an idea here or there that seems entirely reasonable when one is not thinking clearly... That kind of manipulation is a specialty of mine.
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[ A little smile. He's feeling a bit better. ]
Then the purpose of these spells...was to pacify us into accepting our situation?
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I'm actually touched by that. Thank you. I don't know what the purpose of the spells was really, though that is the likeliest explanation. It fits the patterns that Fae are established to use, at least so far as those I've consulted with know. The big question is 'why'.
Eat. Once you're more steady I'll show you notes.
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All right. I want to help find what we're up against...and any more clues on if freeing the dragon would better our position or not. I'm fond of dragons, so I'm a little biased.
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I thought you might be. I've already also conferred with Eilonwy, as she is of a like mind. She's not alone, but she is who I would suggest you talk with. A skilled princess raised to manage the kingdom of Prydain in Llyr, though it is unfamiliar with me, she has a solid knowledge in the ways that being a ruler requires from all I can tell. She's familiar with magic, has been here for a bit, and has intelligence, cleverness, and discretion from all I can tell. There are others as well, but it's a very loose confederation so far. This will be a very long game to be played.
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So we're some kind of informal resistance?
[ He's not sure what sort of help he can be here, but he's never one to give up. He looks at the structure of the runes with interest. ]
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Assuming there isn't one already, and there likely is. I'm just coming in late to all of this after all. I doubt this is the first time Vaeros has done something to make people made at him. There are also plenty of reasons and ways and times people might make a 'wish' and never expect it to be granted this one time.
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[ He takes his time reading, taking quiet mental notes. ]
But that goes back to our main mission. Forming connections...so I suppose the party might have had some positive effect.
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I would actually like your thoughts, before I go into anything else. Impressions, so on. You had a lot of trouble believing in all of this when we first met. You don't question it now.
[That latter is a statement, and Loki wants to know why and what changed for Kaiba. How things changed.]
For example, I can offer you no proof that I am who I claim and yet you seem to accept my word alone.
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It's hard to be so skeptical about what's going on when these are poking me when I try to sleep.
[ He gestures at a wing over his shoulder. ]
And I haven't had a reason to disbelieve you yet. Your actions are consistent with who you say you are.
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[But Loki says it with a laugh, which may or may not be reassuring to the other.]
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[ Seto laughs, just a bit...he still trusts him, of course. ]
My point is I've had a few days to adjust. I'm ready to engage in reality now, as weird as it is.
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You may come to regret trusting me. I'm rather well known for betrayal.
[Loki wondered why it mattered, too. That he be trusted.]
But whether I like it or not, I am stuck here as are we all, and there is a common mystery. As you say, to accept reality. Which is often more strange than we choose to believe or recognize.
[Gesturing to the notebook.]
So I would like to know your thoughts still. In general, specifics, whatever is coming to your mind.
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