Owner	Pose
Starr	The wind blew icy and damp with fog. Daylight faded into evening. They had gotten to rest for a few hours. A need for food had driven them here. You can't think on an empty stomach. Out of the way, in the trees, Vicky sat devouring a hot dog. Suddenly Vicky sat bolt upright, dropping her hot dog, a sense she was just becoming aware of tingling. "Shadowlite, we have to go now! They're coming," She says urgently, as she bolts to her feet looking around. No visible sign yet of what she has sensed, but that means nothing where these things are concerned.
Shadowlite	"Oh come the fuck on. We can't have a day to ourselves?" Shadowlite growls, supremely frustrated for the first time in his life. They've been portal hopping across the planet, trying to find someplace, /anyplace/, that the relentless chase won't find them. For two straight days now, Shadowlite has been pursued by their army, and he's almost reached the breaking point... the violet glow of his eyes so intense now it's seen right through the AR goggles he uses. He's dangerously close to the Lost One pushing his way into the mutant, and that's a loss-loss for everyone. "I really hate it, but we might have to take our chances with the Justice League, or you will, at least. I have warrants out for me like this, but I can get you there. Maybe they can contact that Sorcerer fellow." Shadowlite steps down out of the tree, and onto the ground as he speaks. "Come on. If I use another portal, Lostie is going to take control. I can feel it." indeed, The Lost One was laughing in his mind in the background, just /waiting/ for the chance... and he pulls his black flight disk over the Darkforce barrier again, setting into the air as they run.
Loki	The latticework of power within the magical world is a tenuous thing. To most who perceive such it is a myriad of lines of power that criss-cross over the world and mark points of energy where a magician can tap into, can draw strength and use that strength to put their wishes into existence. But for those who have been raised to magic, who have embraced it for millennia, it is not just a power construct. It is a web of information that carries upon it messages from across the world and creation.     It is so for the one known as Loki, the god of chaos and mischief, who had often tuned out the various noises of mortality as the creatures on Midgard went about their lives. But something of late had caused a disharmony, had caused a subtle change to the texture of power between ley lines and for one so attuned it was unpleasant. Some might even say annoying.     From his small office in Manhattan, the tall man had stood from his chair and set his glass of brandy aside. One hand lifted and in his mind's eye a whiplash of power lanced out, tracing along the world's curve to show him the current focal point of the situation that proceeds apace. A moment passes and he learns of their location. Another and he will divine their antagonists. And then in the next... a subtle tear in the world will open and allow him to step through.     It's just about then that near Vicky and Shadowlite a small tear will manifest in the area and through it will step a man in an olive green coat. Bright eyes narrow a touch as he looks about the surroundings, then his attention falls heavily upon the pair.
Starr	Vicky launches into the sky. Her own wings straining as she has been using them on and off without rest nearly every hour. "You're not the only one wearing thin!" Vicky says through gritted teeth as she paces Shadowlite. She glances aside at the vibrant purple flowing from the goggles, frowning in worry. Loki is not the only one with a portal opening up onto things. "Shit, Shadow reverse!" She says as her sense tell her of the demon teleporting in front of them. The smell of brimstone wafts through the air as the demoness appears.     Like all the demons that they have run across, this one has the body of a teenage girl. Her original visage warped by the possession. A sickly yellow flame, hellfire, flickers about her eager to consume. A mouth much too wide to be human smiles a smile with too many teeth. Black hair writhes about her like la living thing. Her eyes are simply yellow flame as she regards the couple. "You can run, but you can't hi-iiiiide!" She taunts in a slow growl. From the other direction comes a familiar purple flame, though the face is different. Pride was not banished, like her sister Sloth, merely left to find a new host. As before she is breathtakingly perfect. Those people she passes above find themselves awe struck, staring like fools. Everyone feels the presence though their will may resist it. It sweeps easily through human minds, she is the best. Do as she says. Please her. "Though running doesn't look very likely either," She says smugly.
Shadowlite	"Whatever the fuck you two are, you do not want to push this any further. I'm completely tapped for controlling my passenger, and once he's out, he can destroy cities and has no qualms killing you." Shadowlite growls, that intense glow sputtering as Shadowlite starts to hold his head, and screams in pain as a black mist engulfs him as reality warps around him, Darkforce randomly sliding in and out of this reality as the dimensional barrier weakens around him, the will of the Lost One trying to claim his prize. "Goddamnit, LEAVE US ALONE!" Shadowlite screams, as he barely pulls back from the brink, the black mist fading, but reality continues to warp around him as he struggles for supremacy over his own mind and body, Darkforce randomly flying around him as his disk fades, sending him plummeting to the ground.
Loki	This was the correct place, assuredly. The focal point is evident even as those demonic beings manifest. It becomes plain to see with the flap of wings and the roaring and the crying coming from the assaulted minds of the mortals that rush about now hurtling this way and that. It all seems to stem from the winged creatures and those are the beings that gain the attention of the Trickster.     A hand lifts, seemingly empty but then when he brings it back down a large golden staff appears with a flicker of power and a gleam of energy that slides up and around the very edge of the weapon, its hooked blade shining with a beam of light that swirls around and abruptly casts portions of the world into the brilliance of day. Yet that flash is accompanied by a heavy /rumble/ upon the ground when the staff's haft strikes down, causing a short shaking shockwave to lash out and assuredly draw the attention of those winged beings.     And it is then, even as Shadowlite seems to plummet to the ground, that Loki Liesmith speaks, "What transgression have these beings made that you are free to seek recompense in the realm of Midgard?" His voice is strong, ominous even as it echoes off the walls and carries with it a weight of import. But as the young mutant hurtles to the ground he lifts a splay-fingered hand and gestures in his direction...     For eldritch tendrils to lash out and seek to at the least arrest the man's fall even as he rounds on the manifestations of the deadly sins. "What gives you the right to interfere in a world that owes Asgard its loyalty?"
Starr	"Go back to hell!" Vicky yells at Gluttony, the yellow-flamed demon. Her anger overcoming her innate docile nature. The temperature plummets, knocking enough sense back into innocent bystanders to have them running for shelter and warmth. As the area becomes arctic the street and sidewalk begin to quickly grow slick from the mist. Everything seems to explode at once. The magic flare and Darkforce swirling around Shadowlite warring for Vicky's attention. Then he falls and Vicky dives to catch him. Both demons recoil and cover their eyes against the flares. Then their attention is on Loki. Gluttony falls after Vicky, keeping close though not approaching...yet. Pride, as is usual, floats to land some twenty feet from the God of chaos. "Hail Lord of Chaos," She purrs. "We only seek her, or rather the other that dwells with her. Our lady of sin has duties to her Father to perform! Satannish is not one to disappoint, you know." This, she feels, is all she has to say and turns to regard the couple covetously. "The man is of no interest, beyond bait of course," Her smile is cruel as she walks towards where Shadowlite and Vicky have come to rest on the ground. She had caught him, slowing his fall, but only a few seconds before her own wings gave out. Thank goodness for tendrils and only being ten feet up at that point. Vicky leans over Shadowlite, wing draping weakly about her, and faces Pride. "My father is a dentist!" She spits at Pride.
Thor	Not too far from here a blond man stands up from a teeny tiny table with a teeny tine capuccino on a saucer before him. "Thank you raven haired wench. But it sounds like I am needed." That or there is a fight just down the road and the God of Thunder feels it in his bones.     Thor approaches the scene with his hair flowing behind his head and slapping against his shoulders in the breeze, the thick wool hoodie underneath a tight grey coat keeps the god warm as he steps up in a pair of worn boots he was given by a fan that thankfully fit the enormous humanoid.     Thor raises his voice and it echoes off the walls around as he projects his mighty voice to take agro, "HARK!"
Shadowlite	He kneels there on the ground, visibly straining as he alternatively emits black mist, and takes on a violet glow across his body as Shadowlite fights against another entity entirely. "GetoutgetoutGETOUTGETOUTGETOUT." A pulse of mist floats around him as suddenly the reality warping is taken to another level, and randomly sized and shaped bits of Darkforce matter start to come through the dimensional barrier, going in random directions and at random speeds. The mutant is becoming a danger to himself, and to others, visibly. Some of them are like silly putty, and yet others are like titanium.
Loki	At the sound of Thor's call, the man in the green grimaces faintly. Over his shoulder he glances, one eye narrowing as if having espied a most difficult weed bursting forth from his garden bed. Even as the world seems to grow cold and chill, the sheen of ice seeming to settle easily upon Loki's features, he scowls to himself.     Then he turns away. Shrewd eyes narrow as the Son of Laufey peers first at the Sins who offer their words to him, but then to the fallen and the other demonic being whom they seem to be in the hunt for. He rests his hand upon the grip of that staff, gaze thoughtful as he considers them, but then a small nod is given to Pride for now.     "Your efforts are ill-timed and I find that your presence displeases me in this instance. Delicate matters proceed apace and your heavy-handed attempts at administering to the situation are tedious." That having been said, Loki turns towards the duo of Shadowlite and Vicky. He motions with the curved bladed edge of his staff. "For now I extend my protection to these two. If only to gain a measure of the peace that I require for my efforts. You will have them in a fortnight's time unless they can remonstrate the matter sufficiently with your liege lord."     He shifts his weight to the other foot, his olive green great coat curled around his legs even as the staff whispers out of existence and leaving him there with his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "Go, take my words to the myriad ears of your betters..."     There's a pause, then he adds, "Lest I turn my brother loose upon you with his mighty hammer, Mjolnir." And for some reason that makes him smirk.
Starr	Pride stops and turns to glare at Loki in distaste. "And what of -our- projects? You cannot dismiss Satannish so lightly! That," A finger points to Vicky, "Girl is his daughter. By right of blood she is his and already under his protection. She just doesn't want to come quietly." Gluttony, for her part, eyes Shadowlite. "Shall I eat you and end your suffering?" She asks, distorted face grinning. Vicky stands, placing her body between Gluttony and Shadowlite. Her wings drag on the ground, no longer able to be held up by exhausted muscles. "You will not!" She shouts at Gluttony, throwing a sudden sphere of bluish icy brilliance. The yellow demon ducks it easily and chuckles, as the liquid nitrogen splashes harmlessly to the street. Finally her attention goes to Loki, faint hope there. "Can you help him?? She begs the strange man, gesturing to Shadowlite and his struggle.
Thor	As if on cue, Thor steps up and his hands clench slowly into fists and tug on the sleeves of his tight coat, showing off poorly his bulging muscles and with a twist of his head, ancient bones and cartiledge twist and pop loud enough to echo on the streets. "I need not sully the uru metal of my hammer against the skin and bone of these lesser hellspawn." Thor says as he stands next to Loki with those blue piercing eyes of his. There's trust there for Loki, always willing to give the man another chance, as he is his brother, by name which to the god is more important than blood.     "I do hope you know what you're doing Loki." Thor says before he takes a step forward and leaves to approach the trio of individuals, after a couple of steps Thor leaps into the air in a perfect arch starting with the base of his boots cracking and splintering the ice beneath him, and ending with his meat hook of a fist coming down like a missle at Gluttony's cheekbone. "Try something with much more substance!" He quips!
Shadowlite	There's a loud, agonied scream as suddenly a /massive/ wave of mist is released around Shadowlite in a shockwave, Darkforce suffusing the air in a good eighty meter radius and blinding everyone for a few seconds. The wave itself is harmless, but it is aerosol Darkforce that dissipates into the air. Shadowlite himself collapsed onto the ground after that, unconscious, that violet aura around his body still there, but subdued compared to before.
Loki	Footsteps carry the trickster god forwards, his hands still deep in the pockets of his coat. A steady stream of vapor slips from between his lips as the air has taken on such a chill. He moves towards Shadowlite and Vicky, pausing long enough to gauge the two of them. His brow furrows slightly and then he holds up a hand over his shoulder as if staying the words of the demons.     "I could, little demon." He tilts his head slightly towards Vicky, curiousity gleaming in his eyes for a moment. "It's feasible. Will I, however, is another question." That having been said he turns and rounds back upon the demonic beings. "Did I misspeak?"     The Asgardian in green flicks his gaze back and forth between the aggressors and cocks an eyebrow. "For now they are to be my guests. All rights and privileges that such conveys. The only matter left to address is whether or not you shall transgress."     But then he looks towards Thor, "Ho now, brother could you..." But even before he's done speaking his sibling has already leapt to offer the gift of battle to their guests. That leaves Loki to turn away, "Alright, very well, let's see what we can do about your friend."
Starr	Nice meaty thwack goes across Gluttony's distorted maw and she grunts. Her altitude nixed as it drives her to earth with a, "Urk?" Of surprise. Pride narrows her eyes at the attack on her sister and sneers. "I've already been ripped from my host and returned. Please, cause damage to these shells," Her voice drips venom. Then purple eyes turn to the Trickster, "Sorry, but orders are orders," And she flashes dakr puple hellfire, it ripples all over her body as Gluttony stands, wiping blood from her lip. "Asshole!" And she swings her own punch, filled with enhanced strength, at Thor. But it doesn?t need to hurt to be a problem. Gluttony's touch drains energy! Vicky kneels to pull Shadowlite close, wings weakly wrapping around them both. Determination is in her weary eyes, "FINE! I'll owe you one, please!" Oh she has no idea what she just did...
Thor	"I recommend to thee: Stay down."     Thor squints his eyes at the woman before him as she curses and it only causes him to smirk his lips in a grin. "You choose to fight me while inhabiting one of my charges?!" Thor says as he leans back away from the punch with another powerful jab to the possessed one's nose. A move he learned to have great effect on the midgardians. Most falling like a sack of potatoes from the god's simplest punches. Still focused on Gluttony, Thor speaks to Loki, "Do get the mortals out of here, the slaves of Satannish will feel the wrath of Odinson. And my wrath overfloweth."
Loki	As the battle rages behind him, Loki kneels down beside Vicky and the young man whom she protects. He holds up a hand and frowns marginally, green eyes flicking to her features and then back to the fallen shadow-wielder. The fingertips of that hand begin to sparkle faintly as eldritch powers grow into existence around them, his eyes catching a bit of that gleam as he smiles absently towards Vicky.     "Ever is it unwise to agree to a deal without knowing the terms, young mortal." He presses a hand to Shadowlite's temple and then straightens up a touch. "Oh hm, interesting." A few glimpses are gained into the psyche of the young man, his nature, and the particular connection he has to the shadow realm.     "You have chosen a rather unfortunate soul to connect yours with." He offers in comment before he snaps his fingers and then gains his feet. "There, he should be able to martial his resources to resist what predations might pass." A tilt of his head is given to Vicky, "We'll discuss my fee later."     Then, over his shoulder he calls out to Thor. "Off we go. You have this under control?" But even before his brother can answer the world starts to shift around them as the spell begins to take effect.
Starr	The young woman, still a teenager, looks up at Loki with tired eyes, holding the man who rescued her close. "He saved me. I owe him too," She says weakly to the God. Tears begin to fall as the aura abates as the Lost One is sealed away for a time. "I'm not a demon!" She protests to Pride, eyes going to the demoness and filled with hate. It sounds hollow even to her ears. "Thank you," She whispers as Loki's magic encircles the weary pair. r The purple-flamed demoness rises and snaps her fingers. Gluttony, struck to the ground but seemingly as durable as Thor, rises with a grunt. "My cat has a better jab," She hisses at the God of Thunder. She looks to be about to attack when Pride's voice snaps, "Gluttony!" Making her pauses and snarl at Thor, yellow eyes somehow hungry. "You have a day. Get your affairs in order, for a new age is due to begin," Pride says as Gluttony moves with blurring speed to her sister's side. "Next time it will be Satannish," She warns as a circle of black, hellish magic rips through the fabric of space behind her. A hellish landscape appears behind then and then the tear swallows them. "I shall not forgive this, Trickster," Are her parting words. Vicky bends her head and visibly wilts with weakness. The power that kept the area cold releases. But it doesn't really warm up. It will take time in Winter and at night.