7747/Do me a favor

Do me a favor
Date of Scene:	05 June 2019
Location:	Triskelion - Bridge Entrance
Synopsis:	Loki, pretending to be Thor, gets away with a heist. For now.
Cast of Characters:	Captain America, Loki, Winter Soldier
Tinyplot:	Weather Spheres

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Captain America has posed:
The motorcycle's engine slows as its rider pulls off to one side in an empty parking spot. Having bypassed the bridge and its security on his way home from the end of the day's shift at the Triskelion, Steve kills it in the empty street-side parking spot (wait time: 10 minutes or you will be towed) in order to pull out his cell phone from the inner lining of his leather jacket. Apparently, the Bluetooth isn't syncing correctly with the helmet's interior functions because it's not reading him the text he was just sent. The Captain squints at the screen through the flipped-up visor before sighing. A grunt and he takes it off entirely, revealing mussed flaxen-blond hair and a scowl at modern technology.

"Heading back, ETA 20 minutes, need to get milk," he mutters to himself as he thumbs at the phone's touchscreen keyboard, his other palm spread atop the helmet resting on his thigh. Traffic passes by, unknowing of who he is, and there are few pedestrians this close to the Triskelion, thankfully.

Loki has posed:
A blurry, electrical streak causes a brilliant white and yellow streamer across the sky, bending and flexing in a sudden curve as direction changes, and flows downwards directly nearby to where Steve is: in the side lane just out of traffic. It's extremely disruptive, though, as people overreact to having the arrival drop down right in that manner.

It is Thor, of course, very OBVIOUSLY Thor; he landed with his usual disregard, on one knee, glowing Mjolnir in hand. Otherwise, he is dressed in clothes to 'fit in' with people: navy hoodie, cargo shorts, timberland boots in camel. A backpack slung over just one arm, since the straps are set too snug to spread over broad back. He flips the hammer around over his wrist once, and greets Steve loudly. "Captain!" 'Thor' calls, loudly. "A word?"

Captain America has posed:
Twisted with an arm across his body as Steve attempts to slip the phone back into the inner pocket to little success, he hears the arrival about a second before the Asgardian sticks the landing nearby on the concrete. He jolts in his straddle of the bike and has to grip the handlebars to not let it tip too heavily to either side.

Blowing a hard sigh, the Captain then gives Thor a wry smile. "Thor, hey. Wasn't expecting you. Forget your phone again?" he asks in friendly edge; probably revenge for startling him. "I got time for a word though." The phone ends up in the pocket of his jeans in the end and he then grants Thor his full attention, complete with small 'v' of concern between his wheat-gold brows.

Loki has posed:
Someone in a car veers in alarm behind him, and 'Thor' turns his head, pausing. The car starts to go towards the curb, and Thor reacts, moving forwards quickly, to catch and slow it with one hand. He then steps out of the way, apologetic, and gestures the car to move-move on. It rolls cautiously off the curb and back into the street.

"My apologies; I did not intend to alarm anyone," 'Thor' says, with some relief. Clearly, he's glad the person is okay.

"I do not like my phone," he adds, as if that were all the answer needed. "It is a request for assistance; you know I do not make such lightly."

Captain America has posed:
A palm of placation is lifted towards Thor from the handlebars. Steve shifts in place on the bike, the better to lean back comfortably on the seat with a settling indicative of long-practice.

"I understand about the phone, won't tease you about it further. Asking for assistance is serious business though." Now he's frowning in true concern. "You wanna go talk elsewhere? Is it something best kept from public ears?"

Loki has posed:
"That would be wise," 'Thor' says, approaching, and lowering his voice a little bit. It still isn't terribly secret: Thor doesn't whisper, not really. Someone driving by may even have heard that over the street noise.

"Shall we meet at another place? Name it," declares the god, with a swift and decisive nod of his head. His eye moves to skim over the traffic with some scrutiny, as if he were to will it to allow Steve a quicker journey.

Captain America has posed:
The Captain follows the sweep of his fellow Avenger's scan of the passing cars and thins his lips in thought. "There's a small greens around the corner," and he lists off the name of the park -- it's almost too small to be considered as such, more a collective of shrubbery and blooming flowers put out to decorate a space not taken up by metal and glass architecture.

"Don't think anybody will be waiting nearby for the bus, just saw the route go by before you arrived, while I was texting." He glances over at Thor again. "We can walk and talk?" arrives as the offer.

Loki has posed:
"As you like, but what of your vehicle?" 'Thor' replies. He adjusts his hold on the backpack, adjusting it on his shoulder, and then passes his other hand up through the side of his hair, pushing back some strands that got loose of the half-ponytail. It's a gesture of mild stress, perhaps.

He begins to head in the direction specified, but watches to see what Steve intends to do with the bike; if it's brought along, or left behind. "I do not know where the bus waiting area is," he then admits.

Captain America has posed:
"Walk around the corner, about half a block down," Steve instructs as he lifts his helmet up in his hands. He pauses with it before his chest; it's glossy enough to reflect the Asgardian back at himself, but Steve doesn't note this. "I'll swing the bike around and park it. Gonna get towed if I leave it here."

With that suggestion leveled, he slips the helmet on over his head, obscuring his features once more. The motorcycle growls to life and he pulls out into traffic after waiting for the line of cars to pass through the green light. It doesn't take long for him to ride up into a clear spot on the side-street adjacent to the small community green and kill the bike again. With the helmet swinging on the tips of his curled fingers, he walks over into the green itself and lifts a hand towards Thor in case he doesn't see him.

"Know it's still public, but you'd be surprised how many folks don't listen close to a conversation passing by them rather than in easy ear's-catch while sitting," he says when they're close enough to hear one another comfortably. Steve's voice, of course, is at a quieter volume by now. As he takes an easy step further along the elliptically-set park pathway, he asks, "What's the problem?"

Loki has posed:
The god moves to follow, though he doesn't bother with using the hammer. He can move quickly, and do mightly leaps, as needed, and he does that now. It's an agile display, and calls some attention over, but not for long: it was swift.

Once the question is asked, though, he nods some, accepting, maybe, Steve's judgement that people don't eavesdrop.

"It concerns ..." 'Thor' makes a face, as he so very often does: strained, maybe frustrated, maybe a third option too -- it's the 'about to talk about Loki' face. It's a very specific expression.

"... My brother," begins the god. "I understand that you made some type of deal, or bargain, with him. That much I have learned. I am not asking specifics of it now," 'Thor' continues, lifting one hand with a sign of respect.

Captain America has posed:
With hands in his pockets and an easy, companionable step to his walk beside Thor, the Captain listens as he drops his eyes to the pathway before him. Leaf...gum...ant carrying a crumblet of food... He glances over at the broadly-built Asgardian and his attending expression flickers through emotions like the spin of a dice, through shock and betrayal at the favors turning into gossip and finally lands on a cool and reserved look.

"Never figured Loki for having a loose mouth," he mutters. "Figured he kept all his secrets locked up tighter than his..." Steve catches himself. "Tighter than a locked chest."

Loki has posed:
'Thor' releases a breath through his nose, strong lips and jaw working with his own displeasure about something. "It is that he may be able to place pressure upon you. That suggests such a thing, to me, as he is... inordinately clever with such manipulation," 'Thor' says, with a frustrated but clearly admiring shake of his head. Loki is pretty incredible at that.

"I am here, because I believe he intends to use this, to press you for something. I want to learn, and see, what it is he is after," Thor explains, with a resolute honesty.

Captain America has posed:
Comfortable enough in Thor's presence to apparently roll his eyes, Steve showcases one hell of such a display angled off to one side. The path begins its gentle curve to bring them out facing towards the street and traffic. He waits until the brunette jogger goes by, all tan and white tank-top and pink hot-short and the pale strings of earbuds vining from the velcro strap around her arm, before he speaks again.

"Pig's'll fly before Loki is honest about anything, Thor, even him telling you about whatever you're going to ask," the Captain reminds with a wry twist to one side of his mouth. "I'll tell you what I can."

Loki has posed:
The illusion Steve wasn't aware of is adjusted just slightly as Thor takes some pacing steps along the edge of the grass area, turned away for a short time, manipulating the pulse of illusion with effortless ease. It's then that the little noise from Steve's phone will go off, showing an unknown number, and a vague text of, 'I have a favor to call in, Captain, the first of the four. It is simple; do not worry.' showing up on it.

'Thor' appears to entirely ignore it, as he does with most electronic things. "Perhaps he seeks to push me to take on whatever deal or debt is owed by you, by doing this," Thor scowls, brow knitting as he tries to look at all the angles. There's probably an angle he can't see. "Which is foolish, for he would not find me pleased to learn what extortion is he up to."

Captain America has posed:
The Captain's steps slow as he hears and responds to the chime; this particular sound is to indicate a number not saved in his library of contacts and, as usual, it brings a Pavlovian deepening of the frown on his face, until his glance down at the screen is deep irritation barely concealed.

He goes still. His heart skips a beat reading it. His throat works as he slips the phone back into his coat's pocket again, screen blacked. Rolling his shoulders beneath the suddenly-stifling leather, Steve looks over at Thor, realizing he's talking to him again.

"Can't imagine anyone would be pleased at something like that," is about all Steve can manage in the immediate interim.

Loki has posed:
'Thor' isn't the most alert about other people's emotions, it appears. Loki, were he there, would notice everything. Thor doesn't appear to, really, he ends up looking self-involved and grumpy, folding his massive arms over his chest. "Indeed not," is what the apparent thunder god says.

"Let me explain what was said. I would like your thoughts. I do not want to think poorly of Loki, as he has helped Asgard immeasurably, lately. Yet, now, I suspect he may have leverage over you. By your reaction, I fear that is true."

He pauses, and then continues, as he comes back to stand by Steve. "I have directed him to work on a new bifrost. We have come to the need for power source. Loki spoke of knowledge of orbs: magical orbs of seasons. My other advisors confirmed their existance. Recently, these orbs were upset; their protectors perhaps murdered. Loki made a comment that /you/ had access, and he expected you to assist him. When I cast doubt upon that statement, it was suggested something was owed."

Captain America has posed:
Thor would recognize the subtle tells of his fellow Avenger settling into place -- almost sleeking invisibly roots into the ground -- gearing up to dig in and retain appropriate levels of intel per his SHIELD clearance.

"Couldn't ask for something simple like the number of my credit card or something," Steve starts off flatly. He sighs slowly and squints at Thor. "And I find it interesting that he'd claim that I have access to these orbs. Big leap in logic to make for him."

Loki has posed:
"Then you do not? Do the murderers of the protectors possess them?" 'Thor' demands quickly, alarmed by that. His arms drop from across his chest, into more of a ready stance. A passerby gives them a strange look, as it does appear that a fight might occur at any moment. Thor seems unaware. "I would be able to assist! I can sense weather, and the strength of such a relic. I may be able to locate them!"

Captain America has posed:
"If I had access to the orbs, you know I'd make a point to hide them better than that, Thor," Steve replies. His own arms haven't dropped from their crossed state. "You're not the only one who can sense the weather. You've got a good point though. I'm surprised you haven't located them yet. Figured Loki would take advantage of that fact first before checking with me."

He shifts in place, not looking away from the Asgardian. "You got an inkling where they might be?" After all, the Captain knows of one orb without fail, but the others, including the one in the hands of Doctor Strange? There, his knowledge is incomplete and idle conversation might turn up information for him in turn; he angles for this.

Loki has posed:
"There are many influences on the weather. I have felt stirrings, but I am not certain what I am seeking," 'Thor' explains, shaking his head. "I told Loki this, as well, but he did not ask me to seek them," he says, pausing, as if realizing about a prior memory, that now connects. He rubs his chin with a few fingers, and then gives Steve a slow, skeptical look. It is just, it appears, that he is trying to decide how best to approach it. "Perhaps mages can track them, even moreso than I." Magic, bleh.

"I sense you are dodging, my friend; evading the truth does not suit you," 'Thor' says kindly, to the captain. "If you fear other ears, we can go into a location that would restrict that. Perhaps inside your Triskelion? That would be most secure. I have standing invitation."

Captain America has posed:
"Mages are full of tricks," he agrees. The way Steve says it is with an undercurrent of discomfort. Magic's all well and good to him, but the Captain still treats it like a weapon: dangerous in the wrong hands.

However, the claim of avoidance does have the Captain's ears pinking slightly. Sighing, he looks off to one side and then back to Thor again, still frowning. "It's not about anyone listening in, Thor. It's because Loki's involved. Wish I could trust him like you do, but...he's full of words that say one thing and actions that do another. Plus, he..." Scowling, Steve seems to find his next thought sour to the taste. "If he'd talk straight, I'd have no issue with him." The man's broad shoulders lift and fall.

"I don't know about all of the orbs," he admits, looking away from Thor and across the street at the neon OPEN sign of the barber shop across the way. "Dunno that I have access to the ones I do know about. One's out of my hands already, gave it to someone who can better safeguard it."

Loki has posed:
"Would you be in danger, if you were pressured to attempt access to those you do know about?" 'Thor' asks, in a clear intent to be sure his friend is taken care of, most importantly. "I do not wish to pry, as I said: but how much leverage is this? I do trust him, but I do know he enjoys games. Not everyone enjoys those games."

'Thor' moves, to attempt to bring Steve to look him right in the eye. "If you assure me there is nothing I can do, I will not press about what happened between you. But know that I have much experience."

A glance is turned upwards, and away, as if trying to steady his thoughts. "Should you have to give him an orb to preserve honor, know that I will not allow him to keep it, I would protect it, for protecting this world is more important than the bifrost."

Captain America has posed:
The solid presence of Thor stepping into Steve's line of sight has the soldier seeming to stiffen. That's...slightly odd for the Asgardian royal to do, such eye contact, and as such, Steve doesn't hold the man's regard for very long. Instead, he turns in place and looks off to one side, hating how his gut is turning upon itself.

"I believe you'd protect it." Steve nods. "Whether or not I'd be in danger...that remains to be seen. They're beyond my clearance." He does meet those blue eyes again, tracking any changes of expression on Thor's face at another admission, leading as its wording is. "Suppose I could show you where they're at. If they go missing, you'd know where to start to help us recover them."

He very noticeably does not further divulge anything about favors owed to the raven-haired Trickster God.

Loki has posed:
"If you prefer, I will inquire on my own, if you will indicate where I should ask," Thor says, gallant, still trying to protect Steve, maybe.

Another message bleeps onto the phone, from the same number. 'Ignoring me? You DO know I can undo my previous gesture, with interest, yes?' is the message. While it's sent, 'Thor' is still talking. Because there's a lot of showing off of illusion skill happening here, even if the only one who can appreciate the fine finesse is Loki himself. For now. Later, Steve might be properly impressed. Then again, humans are so easy to impress, it's laughable.

No, Thor doesn't pressure with eye contact in that way. It was a gamble, and a natural move for Loki, to exert his powerful manipulative skill: more important to do that, and risk breaking character a little. Or perhaps that's what Loki will think in hindsight: in the moment, he felt the chance and he lunged for it, slippery opportunist.

"I wish to get to the bottom of all of this; no more half truths!"

Captain America has posed:
"No, no, Thor, lemme take you," Steve demures even as he hears his phone go off again. "Don't go bull-rushing into the place, it's not wise." He pulls it from his coat and reads the text again. Irish skin betrays him; pink now crests his cheeks, but in something not in the least enamored. His eyes glitter hard down at the words.

"Gimme a second." It's a terse reply after Thor asks gallantly for clear air between them. Steve's thumbs fly across the touchscreen keyboard and he sends it: 'Easy to forward texts to your brother, cool your heels.' Better than something like, 'Kiss my perfect American ass.'

The phone is shoved away harder into his pockets and Steve lets out a short huff through his nose. "Half-truths, huh? What else do you need to know, Thor?" he asks more sharply now, brows drawn. "I told you I know of two of the orbs and where they're at - even offered to show you."

Loki has posed:
'Thor' looks baffled for a moment about the accusatory sharpness. "That was not directed at you," Thor says, more clearly. "I am frustrated with what led me here, only part of a story," he says, apologetic in his tone. He watched Steve answer his phone, with some sort of empathy for the poor person slave to his social networking device, but doesn't remark on it.

There's a text reply: 'He doesn't read them', but there isn't any antagonistic message to follow it. Perhaps the threat about Thor worked: it often has shown to, Loki behaves when Thor is present.

"I appreciate learning more, so that I do not blunder into this," Thor says, in proper apologetic form.

Captain America has posed:
Thank god for little miracles. Steve doesn't hear his phone go off again after another thirty seconds or so and this time, he jams that sucker away into his interior coat pocket like it insulted his mother.

"No, Thor, god...'m sorry," says the Captain, reaching out with a placating patpat of the air before him. "'m sorry. It's easier to show you than to explain. The Orbs are heavily guarded, but I can at least let you look at them. I'll head back to the Triskelion. Meet me by the front doors, we'll have to get you a visitor's badge." Hefting his helmet to indicate his mode of travel, he adds, "Gimme a few minutes to navigate traffic and park the bike on the grounds."

Few cars remain in the well-guarded parking garage by the time Steve kills the bike. He slings the hemlet over the bars -- nobody here would dare take it anyways, not even as a prank. He jogs his way outside into the dying light and waves at one of the departing staff members. It's really just the live-ins and night owls on site now. With Thor at his side, he approaches the desk clerk who's just closing up her shift.

"Julia, hey, real quick -- can we get a badge for Thor here? Not looking to set off any alarms," he explains to the patient woman behind her keyboard.

"Sure, Agent Rogers. Full name, sir?" Julia asks this expectantly of Thor, her attention level and professional and clearly someone to not cross as a gate-keeper.

Winter Soldier has posed:
And as they're coming in, there's Bucky. Last seen by Loki chained to a hospital bed and straining desperately to get at and kill Steve Rogers. Well, at least he's a little more serene this time. Dressed in casual clothes, with a big German Shepherd at his side, in a service dog vest. The former Soldier is pokerfaced - the dog, apparently, is there to be his ambassador to the rest of humanity. She, at least, is looking to the others, eyes bright. "Hey, Steve," he says, before blinking at 'Thor'. "Prince Thor," he says, after a beat, inclining his head politely.

Loki has posed:
Oh, titles? She wants titles? This is fun. 'Thor' answers in a very loud way, like he's announcing himself to a round table full of knights. "I am Thor Odinson, King of Asgard, God of Thunder; champion for Midgard, Strongest Avenger! I have visited before."

It is all very brazen, but not quite over the top. Still, everyone in that lobby is probably exactly aware that Thor has come to the Triskelion. "I do not require all titles on my name tag. Thor is adaquate, but do not write it small," 'Thor' says. He answers Bucky's greeting with a slight nod, even if the title use was incorrect. "Greetings," he grants, though much of his attention seems to be on both Rogers and the desk clerk.

Captain America has posed:
"Oh, hey Buck." Steve gives his oldest friend a quick grin of greeting before it mellows into something professional, as if his title of 'senior agent' had slipped briefly. He does shoot Thor a side-glance that contains more than a little incredulity. Bucky gets a small shrug. Asgardians gonna do what they do. The Captain himself seems more composed as a whole now, as if settling on a route of action had in turn settled him. He offers his hand out for Lili to sniff.

Julia types this into the keyboard without flinching, even if it's projected throughout the entry area of the Triskelion. Agents walking past look and stare; how not to?

"Alright, put your thumb to the scanner there and wait for it to flash twice," the desk clerk instructs of Thor, pointing at the small black screen no larger than a credit card mounted to the ledge of the reception area's desk.

Winter Soldier has posed:
The dog does sniff, at a gesture from Buck. There's a flicker of that pale gaze between the Asgardian and the Captain. "Not interrupting, am I?" he asks, hesitant. Thor's an overwhelming presence, even if it's only Loki in drag.

"My bad, Your Majesty," he says, a hair deadpan. Did....he just snark the King of Asgard? Steve knows very well that's precisely something he would do. "Welcome to the Triskelion."

Loki has posed:
A dog? That's fine. Thumb print? Also fine. Thor is a target that can be copied without any real worries. Still, a fun game: it's sometimes great to play games you know you're amazing at. All of that is why Loki didn't just do pure illusion. He does flex one hand out and aside, and presses his hand as instructed onto the plate. The flex brought a pressure of magic.

So fun.

The fingerprint, but also an addition to scent. He's going to smell really amazing to that dog. Hopefully enough to embarrass the owner, which always is a good distraction.

"Of course not. It is nothing," 'Thor' says, lying poorly, about the importance of his visit, and the 'interruption.'

Captain America has posed:
The scanner flashes twice. In this time, Steve shoots Bucky a glance full of subtle warning; hey, man, don't prod the royal who can punch Steve himself through a wall if he felt like it. Julia types at her keyboard for a few seconds more, her trained fingers flying in a staccato flurry of sound. There's the sound of something printing and she slips the temporary ID into a plastic case meant to be clipped to a collar or shirt pocket.

"Wear this at all times and stay near to Agent Rogers," the clerk instructs Thor for a final time and then gives Steve a professional, Colgate smile. "You're good to go, Agent."

"Thanks, Julia," the Captain replies, nodding to her. "Okay, let's...go see those things. Headed to the subbasement," he asides to Bucky as he glances at him. "Trying to head off something before it becomes worse."

There are few subbasements that Steve has access to, but all...all contain interesting things.

Winter Soldier has posed:
No doubt Steve will feel a pang of foreboding at the glint in Bucky's eyes. Steve's not the only one who's ever done stupid things for the glory of it. An inter-realm diplomatic incident - well, how many prime ministers, presidents, and prelates did he bring low? This could be the crowning achievement.

Buck inclines his head, perhaps to hide the gleam of amusement there. He owes SHIELD too much to start trouble in the Triskelion just at random. Then an upnod at that. "Yeah?" He seems to assume he's invited along. But then, wasn't that their whole war, anyway.

The dog's nostrils flare, and her head tilts....but she's got her vest on. She's on duty, so that's the only sign.

Loki has posed:
"Of course." 'Thor' accepts the badge, and comes along. He spends the next few minutes, while he follows, trying to clip it on, but the clip is tiny and he has big fingers. He finally just tucks the badge sideways into the upper pocket of the brown jacket he's wearing, with most of it sticking out. That's fine. It is not like anyone will wonder who he is.

"I hope that I am incorrect, but I suspect it will become worse if we do not act," decides 'Thor'. He looks around a little, as if on a tour. He just lacks a camera and a hawaiian shirt. His shorts aren't helping with the image.

Captain America has posed:
"Define worse," Steve inquires of Thor. His voice echoes in the hallway leading to the elevator. They've already traveled through two sets of doors that require a badge -- in this case, the Captain uses his, pulled from the interior pocket of his jacket, to bypass the security. "Because I've seen a lot of things go from bad to worse and sometimes, it's not worth sneezing at."

He glances over at Bucky, dimpling just slightly. "Remember raiding the warehouse outside of Rouen?" Apparently, there's a story here. Steve pushes the elevator's button and scans his badge to approve the request.

Winter Soldier has posed:
There's a curling little smile, impish as Loki himself, at that. "I remember," he confirms, and his tone is both amused and fond. But he declines to explain. He doesn't ask what this is that might be getting worse. If he needs to be read in, Steve will do it. If not, well....

So he paces gravely along with them, the Shepherd's claws clicking against the floors. She keeps giving Thor sidelong glances, eyebrow dots working.

Loki has posed:
"I fear that all of this was done to make us discover that the -- items are already gone," says 'Thor' in a lowered voice. "If all are gone, that would be ... worse." He picks at the edge of his access card, while entering the elevator, and looks displeased.

Though he doesn't stare, he does keep track of the dog; he'll leave her alone unless he needs to act against her. It's much the same way as usual - leave things well alone unless it's going to mess with his agenda. Or it'll cause some mischief.

Captain America has posed:
The elevator doors close. Steve glances up at the ceiling and sighs, as if this were an everyday thing, descending into the bowels of a hyper-defended collection of esoteric items beneath a bastion of national institution.

"They used to play music," he murmurs to himself before continuing for all. "If they were gone, I'd have been informed. There's enough security down there that I don't think a four-leaf clover would stand a chance of influencing a thing. WAND is nobody to chance with."

Down, down, they go, and the elevator comes to a smooth stop. When the doors open again, the hallway is dark. Movement turns on overhead lighting as motion sensors detect them. Cameras can be heard to whir and focus. Anyone sensitive to magical energies will note that the atmosphere itself shifts from cool and still to charged -- attentive -- and a confluence seems to linger around Thor himself. It makes a glow around him that even Steve can see.

"You're pinging something," the Captain says with a frown before it seems to click. "Mjolnir?"

Winter Soldier has posed:
That puckish glitter has left Barnes's eyes. Now it's back to that expressionless deadpan, as he turns a little to regard 'Thor'. No threat in his posture, no alarm. He's no magical powerhouse.

The dog makes a little questioning noise in the back of her throat, tail rising a bit. Not quite pointing.

Loki has posed:
"It must be," Thor agrees, pulling the backpack off, and tilting it to show the contents to Steve. The backpack does appear to have the hammer in it. After all, it was seen in use earlier, when 'Thor' flew in. "I can leave it outside if it is a problem," offers the thunder god, in his amiable way. "Though I will summon it if there is need." That's a warning about making holes in the walls of the Triskelion. He waits to see what Steve decides about that.

He also looks around, scanning visually. "I can feel there is magic to this place. It is strong. I did not know such magic was avail to SHIELD."

Captain America has posed:
All appears well in the backpack. Indeed, that's Mjolnir by the silvery sheen of Uru-metal and leather-wrapped handle. Steve glances at Lili knowing she made that sound and dismisses her behavior as a reaction to the magic. It makes his skin crawl a little anyways. He begins walking down the hallway with its sterile paint of white and tiled flooring. Darkened double-paned windows line both sides beginning at a certain point, mirroring on another.

"WAND is a section of SHIELD full of people with magical abilities. I don't even pretend to know what they're doing in their sector half the time. I work with them now and then. They're good people, if a little spooky. They probably set up the defenses down here."

Steve stops before a certain darkened window and checks the serial number on a piece of paper slid into a slot at eye level on the wall beside it. "They're in here." He lifts his badge towards a small fish-eye lens inset to the wall. It flashes once red and then green. The interior lights come on and slowly rise to reveal one Orb. It sits in its own containment system with the atmosphere opposed to its season. The window itself appears divided by a solid wall. On the other side, the other Orb, also contained in an atmosphere of its opposing season. Both are also within multiple rings of sigils etched into metal, three per pedestal in a ripple effect.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Now Buck breaks that deadpan to display a little bit of curiosity. "What is that?" he asks, directing the question more to Steve than to 'Thor'. "What are they?" He's not the least magical, himself, but the energy down here....it raises the fine hairs on his nape, at his arms. Like ionizing radiation, and that's its own set of creepy memories. Lili's sniffing again, audibly, and it makes him glance down, more sharply. A beast who can defend him against his own nightmares has perception worth listening to.

Loki has posed:
Thor's 'tour' continues: he's looking around a lot as if hoping to see magical items jump from the walls and do a dance. There isn't a focus on things, though, just cursory looks: nothing suspicious. A sharp, intelligent eye might be seeing a lot. But this is Thor, so his awareness isn't expected to be as good as, say, Loki's would be.

Once they get to the goal, though, it appears that 'Thor' puts his full attention on what they are doing, and moves to look over (and frown at) the orbs themselves, and their containment. "They are held in their opposite season?" Thor asks, nodding towards the colors of the elemental orbs. The summery one looks to be in the bleak white, and the other one, opposite. "I am relieved to see they are still here, and safe," remarks the Asgardian, moving to get a closer look, but keeps his hands well away from anything. Magic sometimes bites. He glances up when Bucky asks what they are, but it seems Bucky asked Steve, so Thor will leave the exciting tale to him.

Captain America has posed:
Catching the silent cue from Thor, Steve glances over at Bucky, his hands now in the pockets of his motorcycle jacket again.

"They're Orbs of Seasons, apparently. Summer and Winter. I guess keeping them in a place that mimics the opposite season kept them dormant. Doctor Strange -- he's a guy who works with the Avengers -- he knows more about 'em than I do. I just know not to touch 'em. They're supposed to be really powerful, have the ability to influence the seasons themselves. There're four of 'em. They can't all be together or else something bad happens. The Doc made it sound like a hurricane meets a nuclear bomb or something."

He sighs through his nose. "The Doc's got one of 'em. I guess there's another one out there still...like having a missing sock or something. Thor told me Loki was interested in them," the Captain then reveals, giving Bucky a significant look. "Figured I'd show him they're contained and where they're at in case something goes wrong."

Winter Soldier has posed:
"Why is he....why is he the way he is? Loki, I mean," Buck's tone is clinical, as he, too, gazes at the orbs. "I guess maybe it's that he's not human, but...is it just that when you're basically immortal, you gotta find some way to kill time, and fucking with other people sounds like the way to do it?" He glances at Steve, as if he might know, then to Thor.

There's a little stitch of worry, between his brows. The guy that they owe favors to. A look back at the Orbs. "How'd we end up with them, you know?"

Loki has posed:
"Much, over the years, has gone into making Loki who he is today," is what Thor replies, gravely. "There is good in him, though. I believe that. Always."

At the 'know not to touch them' comment, 'Thor' innocently draws his hand back. Not touching. He didn't touch! Suddenly, lots of magical alarms start to go off. 'Thor' shows both of his hands in a sort of bewildered and honest 'I didn't touch it' expression. Magical traces flare at the orb he had tried to lean over, crackling, as something seems to be reacting there. "What is it doing?" 'Thor' asks, as if Steve had an answer. Indeed, around the Winter orb, magic is bubbling.

"Look out!" 'Thor' declares heroically, suddenly, throwing himself between the orbs and Steve. White, blistering magic erupts all over the place, impacting everywhere: 'Thor', in particular.

Captain America has posed:
Steve, being a diplomatic kind of guy, simply nods solemnly at Bucky's observation rather than throwing in his ten cents on matters. His phone weighs heavily in his pocket, still containing the threat leveled earlier in text.

"I dunno how we ended up with them, but they're here n -- "

The sudden claxon of alarms has him flinching and immediately reaching over his shoulder for a shield that isn't on his back. The air tastes cold and sour and all the fine hairs on his body rise as magical energies begin moving around them all.

"Don't -- "

THUD. Thor is a solidly-built Asgardian to boot, even despite his heritage, and both he and Steve go flying off to one side. The sound of lost air can be heard as soon as Steve hits the ground and he wheezily inhales, clutching at his stomach even as he tries to extricate himself and duck away from the brilliantly-bright magic filling the air around them.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Alien space king is gonna have to fend for himself. Because Bucky's most ancient instinct, older than his programming - save Steve Rogers from danger - has just kicked in. He *was* the furthest away from incipient magical Chernobyl, but he's all but teleported from where he was standing to the fallen Captain, hoists Steve like he's a sack of laundry, and turns for the exit. The dog is with them, whining in excitement.

Loki has posed:
Alien space king 'Thor' will collapse on the floor on one knee, then to hands and knees, one hand lifted. It would probably be kind of overdramatic, with a cough and rasp. Because who can resist a REALLY good suffering scene?

Then, he erupts, getting to his knees, with white electricity, while the room goes absolutely bonkers about the magical usage. It seems magical electricity-like stuff sets it off.

"Stay back safely!" 'Thor' booms, turning towards the orbs, no doubt to put them back into containment while Bucky rushes to pressure Steve from the room like an amazing protector.

Captain America has posed:
Finding himself suddenly aloft and over the line of someone's shoulder, Steve continues coughing even as he looks up.

Down the long white hallway he's receding, //away// from Thor, who now looks like the hyper-human equivalent of a static ball. The Captain reaches out despite himself before pounding once on Bucky's shoulder.

"Buck, stop -- " Cough. "We gotta stop it -- " Squirm, shove at back of Bucky's head, as if he'd weasel out of the helpful grip and go back to being suicidally inclined to aid. "Thor, stop! DON'T TOUCH THEM!!!"

Steve's panicked voice echoes down the hall, stentorian as he can make it, with that whipcrack of military history.

Winter Soldier has posed:
Now Loki is privileged to witness an episode of the longest-running non-marital argument still abroad in the world today. IT was begun when Calvin Coolidge was in office and the Twenties were still Roaring, and has proceeded (if not wholly uninterrupted) until the present day. Begin with the historical chorus:

"Steven Rogers, are you fuckin' retarded?"

Not even a glance back at PokeThor, as he runs. "You can't help him. Mickey Mouse has more magical ability than you do. I can't, either. If we don't get the hell out of here before it turns into wizard Chernobyl, we'll all three end up dead."

Yeah, he's still beating feet for the door. Rogers's opinion is apparently not currently relevant. Even the dog has her tail tucked.

Loki has posed:
Not to worry, the god is fine in magical Chernobyl.

The magical alarms continue to scream, until suddenly some of them are blasted. The noise was just getting to be annoying, and nobody's left to see the show anyway.

There are still some magical alarms going, more weakly now, as a different, non-magical power washes over the vault. With a rip, and flux, something pulses in there. And then there's silence, except for the weak complaints of the alarms.

It's like they're saying 'please, sirs. Loki hurt us. help?'

Captain America has posed:
Witness the continuation of the argument.

"You're so full of SHIT -- put me //DOWN//, Barnes -- AND LANGUAGE!" Damn the silvery arm, it's like fighting a metal constrictor about his waist. Steve puts up a very serious fight as he tries to get the wrist to bend up and open the line of bent elbow like a bear trap.

"We can't LEAVE HIM THERE -- GODDAMMIT BARNES, DROP ME RIGHT NOW!!!"

The sudden blinding flash of white light leaves him seeing spots. Scrubbing at his eyes at the empty space before him in the hallway, Steve drops one hell of a very bad word into the weak cocophany of the magical alarms.

Winter Soldier has posed:
"We just did, Steve," Buck says, utterly unoffended, as he slams around a corner in the corridor "Because there wasn't a goddamn thing we could've done." They are having this argument with him running with Steve over his shoulder. They've had it in so many places: dodging between tanks in Italy, in bars in London, in a plane over southern France.

"If I drop you, it'll be to sit on you. I can still do that, you know. And don't make me wash your mouth out with soap." The poor dog, though, she's upset, whimpering. And he's slamming his human hand on the elevator button. Because that'll make it come faster.

Loki has posed:
Not long after, though, the god comes down the hallway. He's ablaze with magical lightning. 'Thor', as the guise still stands, has managed to not continue to be covered in magic or lightning, but he has cruel, deep red burnmarks over both hands, palms entirely blasted with red, scorched palms.

"Hold the lift!" he bellows, voice catching. "They are contained. I believe," 'Thor' reports, voice tense with pain or anger.

Captain America has posed:
The elevator begins making its way down sedately, as elevators always do when one's in a hurry.

Steve's voice has only risen as he cranks at the metal arm. "I swear to GOD, Barnes, I will PUNCH YOU in the KIDNEY! YOU'RE THREATENING ME WITH SOAP WHEN THIS IS A DIPLOMATIC NIGHTMARE THAT'S FU -- "

Thor's sudden reappearance, however, is enough to stifle him in a way that Bucky really never could. The Captain's blatantly shocked.

"We gotta get you to the infirmary -- BARNES, PUT ME DOWN!"

Winter Soldier has posed:
And for a wonder, Barnes obeys. He sets Steve down as gently as if the Captain were made of glass, even reflexively dusts him off with a hand. The gesture that ended so very many playground fights, so long ago.

"Woof, you're a tough one." He sounds grudgingly impressed.

Loki has posed:
"It is barely a burn," answers 'Thor'. "I will be going back to New Asgard as soon as we reach surface," he continues, in a smouldering manner. "I must determine if this was an attempt on my life."

Indeed, medical isn't where the apparent god-king is going: he's going to the surface, whereupon he'll leap skyward.

Diplomatic nightmare?

Oh, it's just beginning ... it's only just beginning.

And not in the way the men may have suspected, at all.