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.
I've been backstabbed a few times. Still hurts, but maybe it'd hurt less.
[ Said as a joke...but that really would hurt. Still, Seto takes the time to read everything, closing his eyes to think once he's done. ]
The part about the townsfolk serving Vaeros bothers me the most, I think...implying that there are eyes on us at all times. I wonder if there are other layers of surveillance. If I was interested in quashing any potential rebellion, that's what I would do.
That assumes he has no way of scrying on us some other way as well. And how he might. The network is likely bugged, of course.
[Loki appreciated the thoughts and input.]
There's still too much we don't know. Especially if there is already some kind of resistance in place. But I thought you'd want in on whatever might be going on, and you're intelligent enough that I'd like to have your thoughts and help.
...Thanks for thinking of me. I really appreciate it.
[ Someone actually wanting to include him is still new, given his reputation back on Earth. ]
I'll let you know if I find anything else...if the amnesia effects were breakable, I hope these will fade too.
[ He gestures over his shoulder at a little wing. He didn't even get ones big enough to fly with! Not that that was anatomically possible with human bone structure normally, but with magic in the equation...anyway, how rude. ]
[Loki had chosen his wording there deliberately. This whole place and experience was...changing him. So far he didn't think in bad ways. But it would definitely take him some adjusting.]
So tell me what you did enjoy at the ball? I got to dance with, and kiss, some pretty ladies and handsome fellows. I enjoyed myself with a good time and a bit of theater too.
You met Webbigail Vanderquack then. She was the one who wished for the slumber party. Clever and intelligent young lady, has apparently been doing research. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on her.
[Loki approved, although Kaiba gave him no other info to identify the other two.]
I danced, I drank, I kissed and managed to avoid any major secrets spilling. I learned quite a lot about others. It's quite easy to see why the Fae use that as a trick, it's very potent. If I hadn't been part of it, I'd be amused at it all.
[Loki has had wilder. Tamer as well. It hadn't been 'boring' which is what mattered to him.]
I find it interesting, and telling, of your background that you phrase it that way. It did occur to me that it might also be what was going on, but I don't honestly think it was viewed that way by our host. I doubt he was watching the specifics. I have a few different ideas as to why, but I don't know enough about him yet.
It lends evidence to the idea that he's a Fae. It's a classic ploy of theirs from the stories I understand. Our contracts also wish us to 'live' here, and this would be a way for us to do so. To make us want to do so.
[But there was still far too much Loki didn't know. That they all didn't know. Turning, he tilted his head while he studied Kaiba again.]
We can speculate all we want and go around in circles for hours I'm sure. Do not lose your caution or your guard. But I think we'll be better served by focusing on other things for now.
[Loki just nodded with the thanks, and moved to come retrieve his notebook and satchel. Finishing what was in one of the cups, before replacing that in his bag too.]
Get yourself that weapon if you haven't already. We'll find a time to start practice and teaching you how to use it effectively. Keep in touch.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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.
no subject
[ A little smile. He's feeling a bit better. ]
Then the purpose of these spells...was to pacify us into accepting our situation?
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[But Loki says it with a laugh, which may or may not be reassuring to the other.]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ Said as a joke...but that really would hurt. Still, Seto takes the time to read everything, closing his eyes to think once he's done. ]
The part about the townsfolk serving Vaeros bothers me the most, I think...implying that there are eyes on us at all times. I wonder if there are other layers of surveillance. If I was interested in quashing any potential rebellion, that's what I would do.
no subject
[Loki appreciated the thoughts and input.]
There's still too much we don't know. Especially if there is already some kind of resistance in place. But I thought you'd want in on whatever might be going on, and you're intelligent enough that I'd like to have your thoughts and help.
no subject
[ Someone actually wanting to include him is still new, given his reputation back on Earth. ]
I'll let you know if I find anything else...if the amnesia effects were breakable, I hope these will fade too.
[ He gestures over his shoulder at a little wing. He didn't even get ones big enough to fly with! Not that that was anatomically possible with human bone structure normally, but with magic in the equation...anyway, how rude. ]
no subject
[Loki had chosen his wording there deliberately. This whole place and experience was...changing him. So far he didn't think in bad ways. But it would definitely take him some adjusting.]
So tell me what you did enjoy at the ball? I got to dance with, and kiss, some pretty ladies and handsome fellows. I enjoyed myself with a good time and a bit of theater too.
no subject
I met an excitable young duck. She was fun to talk to. I met another young woman, and an interesting fellow...I might've danced once or twice.
I hadn't forgotten my training in that after all.
no subject
[Loki approved, although Kaiba gave him no other info to identify the other two.]
I danced, I drank, I kissed and managed to avoid any major secrets spilling. I learned quite a lot about others. It's quite easy to see why the Fae use that as a trick, it's very potent. If I hadn't been part of it, I'd be amused at it all.
no subject
So there was some good...
But was prompting us to reveal our weaknesses a major aim, then? For Vaeros's eyes?
no subject
I find it interesting, and telling, of your background that you phrase it that way. It did occur to me that it might also be what was going on, but I don't honestly think it was viewed that way by our host. I doubt he was watching the specifics. I have a few different ideas as to why, but I don't know enough about him yet.
no subject
Not that I'm individually important enough to be worth his effort, but with enough power to manipulate an entire group...
But the main manipulation was to keep us content. Which is strange, but doesn't provide a clue about the bigger goal.
no subject
It lends evidence to the idea that he's a Fae. It's a classic ploy of theirs from the stories I understand. Our contracts also wish us to 'live' here, and this would be a way for us to do so. To make us want to do so.
[But there was still far too much Loki didn't know. That they all didn't know. Turning, he tilted his head while he studied Kaiba again.]
We can speculate all we want and go around in circles for hours I'm sure. Do not lose your caution or your guard. But I think we'll be better served by focusing on other things for now.
Do you feel better, somewhat?
no subject
I do, thank you. I know you have other work to be doing.
But I'll keep looking around and fill you in if I find anything else, all right?
no subject
Get yourself that weapon if you haven't already. We'll find a time to start practice and teaching you how to use it effectively. Keep in touch.