6334/Getting To Know Death and Mischief

Getting To Know Death and Mischief
Date of Scene:	31 January 2019
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Summary needed
Cast of Characters:	Loki, Hela, Vintridr

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Loki has posed:
Trying to catch up to Loki is similar to trying to grab smoke. The god is extremely elusive in general, and has rarely been seen in New Asgard lately. It is true, however, that he is around more than he appears to be, as is his wont. Though where he has been exactly is as uncertain as the hours of which he's spent in obvious view.

Loki does, however, have a personal building near the castle's construction site. It is magical, and had originally raised a number of eyebrows, but now it is simply Loki's little eyesore in the area. Eyesore, only because it has some overly decadent decoration to it, which makes the unfinished construction look rather dreary. Until there's a palace, though, Loki is going to live in proper kingly style, of his own design.

Today, though, is a rare sighting. Loki is outside, among a group of various minstrels, taking in their prepared music. The sounds of flute and harp flutter through the evening breeze, though the tone of the sounds have emotional depth that leans towards the melancholy.

Loki is dressed in proper princely attire, though it is mostly casual, it is still regal; deep browns and greens edged in elaborately worked gold and silver embroidery at the sides of the laced neck and comfortable dark fur-collared cloak.

Hela has posed:
When Hela wanted to meet Thor for a bit of a tete-a-tete, she just did it, but very soon, she learned that it wasn't to be with the other brother, Loki. That did not stop her from trying, and at times it brought her into interesting places, and landed her in some unlikely conversations, giving her some possible ideas to mull over.

But she wasn't anything if not persistent, and when she has a sliver of an inkling of a lock of location, she tries once more a visit to New Asgard, only to walk out of her portal to find the curious minstrel train following Loki about. "Loki of Asgard...you're a very difficult Prince to place," Hela notes, herself dressed somewhat regally if distinctly for combat, her black and green protective suit of royal Asgardian design, with the cape billow behind her, her raven hair kept loose past her shoulders.

"To what is today's celebration? Your victory over the Black Sleep I suppose?" She does make a rather educated guess, Loki has been held quite heroically for his offered protection during Nightmare's attack on Midgard.

Loki has posed:
"Good evening, illustrious Princess Hela of Asgard," Loki echoes back sleekly with his tongue of silver in the same tone she used, and gives a look of 'import' towards his minstrels. The minstrels recognize it quickly; they immediately move to bow to her deeply, creating a path for her to approach the prince between their ranks, keeping their gazes down in respect. Loki's particular followers are well trained in respect. "Difficult? Am I? Are you sure that you have accurately placed me as being here at all?" Loki teases, but his tone conveys only a lightness and amusement, no mocking or venom in the tone. "I did not intend to elude you; I wish to always be accessible to Thor or yourself. Should you seek me in the future, please don't hesitate to leave your request here. Often an illusion sentry will get my attention very promptly," Loki says, pleasant.

"The celebration of-- ah! No, this is more about building art and music related to our people, not my personal accolades. For now."

Hela has posed:
"I see Prince Loki is well informed of the arrangements we've arrived at," Hela acknowledges Loki's title when he does the same with her, if only to show she wasn't referring to him by name as a slight. Particularly when he'll do her the honor of noting the title. She seems most pleased to be treated to a simple bow from the minstrels, before they clear path for her, "I'll have you know I'm most impressed with the decorum of your men. I've not encountered much high standard since the fall of our beloved Asgard," Hela notes as she moves closer to Loki.

"I have heard of your dominion, God of Mischief," Hela says with an amused smile on her lips, and proceeds to verify, not with a disrespectful fist or slap, but rather by trying to thrust her hand through Loki. If he's not there, it'll pass through, if he is, at worst she'll give him a bit of a tap. There was no force behind the gesture. "You do like to play your games, don't you?"

"Well now...to be offered such access, I must reciprocate, should you wish to find me when I'm not accessible, you may have a valkyrie deliver a message. "You've you're hand in the arts and music as well? Curious," Hela looks at least partially interested, "do you commission art yourself?"

Loki has posed:
Loki adjusts position to block with a forearm: he doesn't expect her to use force, and he didn't block with the expectation of actually having to defend himself: but it was more to give them both a little bit more dignity as her forearm met his, instead of slapping his chest or similar. Instead, this is more a greeting of warriors. And Loki can prove that despite being slight and more a shadow of his brother's physique, he's quick and well trained. He's also not currently an illusion. He'll also flip his wrist over to attempt an Asgardian clasped wrist greeting. Loki's sharp, and aware of the importance of both of their posturing right now, by all reads.

"My dominion is beyond games; when subtlety or information is needed, I can be found there as well," Loki smiles, with no offense at all related to his areas of expertise.

"I do commission it, yes. If it is up to the caliber I demand," he answers, with his other hand, does a gesture to dismiss the servants. They bow low and move away; most of them with good decorum, one with a hint of fear, though which of the royals it is aimed at may not be obvious.

"But you were seeking me. Please, how can I assist?" Loki asks, head tilted a little, black sleek hair filtering forward across his shoulder.

Hela has posed:
Hela seems rather amused by Loki's reaction, which somehow, ends up in something of a warrior's greetings of sorts. "Seems I was not fooled after all, I respect that you have the dignity to offer me your true presence, Loki," she inclines her head to show that respect. She does follow up on that clasped wrist greeting, she's very much keen of showmanship as he is. After all the minstrels here are an audience of sorts.

"Of course, I did not mean to slight, after all mischief and deception is a great part of victory in war, I should know," Hela muses without an elaborate explanation. "Having an eye for more than just one's area of expertise is the sign of a great person," Hela explicitly refrains from using 'man' in that sentence, having thought about that which may not sit well with tradition. "First, to show I was not making flat claims," Hela gestures with her arm, "Vintridr...come forth," she demands, her voice spoken beyond the here and now as she summons one Valkyrie to her side.

"That I have, you see very recently I've learned I am not an only child, and I trust my existence was every bit as news to you." Hela states matter of factly, "if we are to be siblings, we best know of one another and develop a true bond. United siblings are hard to bring down. Ones that care not for one another, are just a tool to be used by enemies of a Kingdom, particularly when the siblings are direct descendents of the royal line...you see what I'm getting at?"

Vintridr has posed:
    Nowadays New Asgard is significantly more self-sufficient than when it was first founded, and Vintridr has gratefully scaled back her duties helping her people adjust as others stepped up, but she does still handle weapons training for the youth. She's just in the process of demonstrating a simple yet effective parry-and-counter sequence (and explaining the importance of knowing when to parry and when to simply dodge instead) when Hela's summons comes.

    She finishes the swing, then lowers her shield and practice sword. "I'm afraid that's all for today; duty calls me," she tells the children before taking a breath and letting Hela's summons wrap around her being...

    ... And deposit her less than two miles from where she was originally standing, as it happens. Her eyes dart from left to right, taking in her new surroundings and situation in an eyeblink, noting the other people present.

    "You called, Lady Hela, and I have come," she addresses her Princess, then turns to Loki. "Your Highness," she addresses him with a... Somewhat more neutral tone. "How may I be of service?"

Loki has posed:
"I appreciate that you did not opt to throw a rock or other object at me, as per my brother's preference," Loki says mildly, with a touch of dismay that crowds into his eyes in a form of frustrated annoyance with Thor's sometimes graceless ideas. There isn't any real venom there, though: for the moment, Loki does seem loyal enough to their king.

When the Valkyrie is summoned, he looks expectantly at her. She addresses him properly, and earns a sleek little smile. While Loki has been exclusively good for Asgardians lately, there is history, of course; some like him more than others. And some trust him less than others. Still, his recent moves to remove the Black Sleep threat have given him more credit, which, well. Loki might be milking. And Hela may see very clearly that he likes being recognized--- in the same manner she does. So it is a self-satisfied little smile, and an immediate nod to Hela. He's a quick study, he's picked up very quickly what the demonstration meant and what it was for. "Good evening, Valkyr," he replies, polite.

"I agree entirely; there is no need to convince me," Loki answers, to Hela's comment about working together. "In particular, with such a /variety/ of resources and talents among us, it is extremely logical to do so. I have something of a head start, as I have fought at Thor's side for ages, but there is room, of course." The statement smoothly suggests he's an ally to Thor: and his support is there. But not exclusively.

Hela has posed:
"I've called you for a simple token gesture, I'm sure it won't be a hardship," Hela explains to Vintridr, "Prince Loki is my brother," she informs Vintridr with an air that suggests she herself wasn't quite used to the idea quite yet. "Should he seek me when I am not available, I have given him permission to call on you to deliver the message...it is because I trust you, Vintridr, it is in no way a slight. Is it fine by you?" She asks in a tone that suggests it better be fine by her, as she'd loathe to be questioned in front of others.

Hela does laugh as Loki shares how Thor checks for Loki's presence, "I see he likes to tease," she says with a grin, Loki's own expression not lost on her. Unlike some, he was very keen to pick on just what happened, and she's rather pleased with it. After all it gets so tiresome when you deal with idiots who completely misread if not altogether ignore your subtle gestures, and then you need to get blunt and make statements in the most brutal and ungraceful ways. If anything, she could tell at this point that Loki was probably the sharper brother, at least when it came to diplomacy and picking up minute details. It was something to take note of.

"I'm glad we are of similar mind when it comes to this matter," Hela says with a warm smile as Loki states how he needs no convincing. Not being well familiar with either Thor or Loki, haven't been imprisoned and erased from history before they were born, Hela is forced to take Loki's words at face value, that he had fought at Thor's side for ages. "I have fought for longer at our father's side," she adds, "perhaps he would still be alive if it had never changed."

Vintridr has posed:
    "It will not be a problem, My Lady," Vin replies, and only a very brief glower at Loki suggests that she remembers some of the times he fought 'at Thor's side' but she clearly doesn't believe in airing the dirty laundry in public. "The All-Father taught you how to call upon the Valkyrior, Mind-tester?" she asks Loki, deliberately using one of his more positive epithets.

Loki has posed:
If Loki is judging and maneuvering Hela at all for learning his own facts about how she works, it isn't something that shows. Because, well, that's what he's the god of. Manipulation, in the end. And due to that, it's simply easy to overlook that he's doing anything other than having a polite conversation.

"Perhaps so; our father made some interesting choices," Loki answers elusively, without actually throwing blame for his death anywhere specifically. "But I'd prefer to look forward... and keep Thor's choices and the wisdom of /those/ in mind most prominently," Loki smiles.

He pauses, a brush of fingers in the air causing a flutter of purple magic. "Ah, something requires my attention, of which I was waiting for... perhaps we could share a meal soon, sister?" Loki suggests smoothly, apologetic, to Hela. With grace, he'll retreat, but only after social niceties are observed. Loki is hardly interested in ruining the good rapport they've worked on, not when it is so.... delicate of a thing, and possibly very important.

Hela has posed:
Hela seems relieved at Vintridr's reply, she knows how some of the Valkyrior carry such pride, they would refuse to do something so far removed from combat and their divine task. She's happy to find Vintridr is a smart one who reads where she is in the time space continuum rather well.

It is very likely this entire conversation served a very similar purpose to both Loki and Hela, the one learning of the other, which is fine with Hela, it's precisely what she was after. No matter what layer of subtelty it takes place on. "That is a noble task," Hela says while once more inclining her head at Loki, "family first," she notes while gesturing her approval for his departure, "we all have our routines to look after, be well, brother."

Though once Loki departs, she turns to look at Vintridr, "you look like you've something to say...I won't have it here, find me a later time, we'll speak..." she doesn't specifically state when or where, but she's already gleaned one piece of information. Just because Loki says he needs departing, and physically departs, doesn't mean he's not still here. She won't share words not meant for him in what could very well be in his presence.

Vintridr has posed:
    Vintridr nods. "It seems there are more than a few things you still need to know, My Lady; but you speak true, this isn't the time or place." Somewhere with comfortable chairs and a library would be favourite as there's a lot to go over...

    "Is there aught else you require of me? The children are probably enjoying their break from practice but I'd rather not let them get too comfortable..."

Hela has posed:
Hela motions with her hand that Vintridr is free to do as she wont, "practice makes perfect, best not let the children spoil for lack of it," Hela seems in agreement with Vintridr on that topic, "we shall speak soon."