bakerstreet | Start up the slow jams

[It's been a while since his return- his rebirth, as he prefers people to think. He's had long enough to no longer need to pretend not to know his way around the castle of his childhood. To do nothing that might even start to give people the idea he might do what he'd done before. In fact, he's done little but read, not even allowed outside the palace.

And yet he still can't persuade people he doesn't need babysitters. It's not as if it isn't very obvious. Thor's friends were always Thor's, not his. And yes, perhaps he'd earned some doubt, but the constant unwelcome and unfriendly company was starting to grate.

He lifted his eyes from his book, lips set in a narrow line.]

Are you done staring, yet? I'm reading, nothing else. I have no plans to do anything else. And having someone glare at me is an unpleasant distraction.

[Thor asked him to watch his brother and he swore that he would keep him safe... Fandral didn't take requests from his dearest friends, nor his own word so lightly to neglect it.

It didn't mean he had to put on a particularly jovial act though, did it? Not when this, all of it, was so very dull in comparison to his usual company.

He heaves a sigh as he leans back in his chair, slides his feet upon the table Loki is settled at.]

I was hardly glaring, you know. I was merely thinking. There is a difference.

For you? I doubt it.

[He gives Fandral's boots a pointed look. This is his library, all the books he wouldn't trust with anyone else, although he notices someone seems to have gone through and removed a few of the ones with the less-pleasant titles. That makes it his furniture as well, and he doesn't appreciate people putting feet on it.

He hadn't minded Fandral's company, once. He'd been sort of entertaining, the one of Thor's friends with at least a slight sense of humour and some wit. Right now, however, neither of those things are evident and Loki really is starting to feel cornered, enough so that riling him up seems like a fun way to pass a little more time.]

You could always take your thoughts somewhere else.

And you could follow. Come now, Loki...

[He shifts after a moment, feet falling to the floor in favor of leaning over the desk a bit closer to Loki.]

You're young again. No time to be lost in books when we could be out, feasting, drinking... and perhaps enticing a maiden or two to further make out evening pleasant.

[It's an attempt to draw Loki out, give him some experience that isn't sullenly reading books... but one he doesn't think will truly work. He's rather stubborn after all.]

The maidens might even allow themselves to be enticed into not ignoring you for once, without my brother there to overshadow you.

[It's half spiteful comment, half just truth. Thor might not always mean to, but he does tend to take all the attention. He sighs, lowering his book, head tilted back.]

I've enjoyed little enough of feasting or drinking, so far. And I'll be lucky if being ignored is the worst that will happen.

[He gives Fandral a look.]

Don't pretend you'd want my company on a trip like that. I won't believe it.

Come now, Loki. Thor has never stood in the way of m attracting maidens.

[Not entirely at least. He has always had his share of women to entertain with his own stories, his own wit.]

I wouldn't allow harm to come to you, not in the slightest.

[He swore to Thor, after all, that he'd protect him.]

And there were many times I enjoyed your company, Loki, and times that you enjoyed mine.

Hasn't he? My brother casts a very long shadow, Fandral. It's easy to find yourself lost in it.

[He fusses with his book a moment, bookmark carefully in place before he closes it, although he keeps it in his hands for now. If he'd have had this offer so many years ago, before his fall, would he still have done it? He's not sure.]

Loki enjoyed your company, perhaps, although from what I hear Loki enjoyed very little as simple as that. But I remember none of it, and I would sooner not risk showing my face outside the palace. It's been made all too clear to me what the consequences would be, from every source imaginable.

[He sits back, shrugging.]

And don't pretend you're asking for any reason but boredom. Would you have asked me if you could leave freely?

I would rather not be wrapped up in bitterness, Loki.

[Unlike some. Thor is his friend, a dear one, and he can see easily why others would be carried away by that... but he feels hardly diminished.]

You are Loki, and if you've truly changed in the slightest, you'll make that clear.

[There's a sigh of irritation as Fandral leans forward, elbows resting against the table.]

Perhaps in part. If you spent less time sharpening your tongue and pushing everyone away, perhaps I would feel less bored.

No? Don't tell me you've never looked at Thor and wished him a little less... Thor.

[Loki has, in both lifetimes. Perhaps it's easier for Fandral, but Loki has always been compared to Thor, even by their father. And Loki can never compare to Thor.

These days, though, it's as much a source of pride as bitterness, and he sighs more softly. Life would be easier if Thor wasn't so likable.]

I'm trying. But you have a rather brighter opinion of most than I do, clearly. And as the one or two times I've ventured out, it's been made very clear I'm unwanted, I think I'm justified in a little cynicism, whether of others acceptance or your... friendship.

[He gives Fandral another look, eyebrow raised again.]

Oh? And what would you prefer I do?

This isn't about whatever issue you have with Thor now, Loki.

[And Fandral doesn't think he would prefer him any less Thor-like in the end, anyway.]

Were we not friendly at one time, Loki? Before you lost yourself to darkness, to spite.

[Perhaps not best friends, or even close, but Fandral had never hated Loki. Though he is suspicious of him now, wary of what he may do, he can't even say that he particularly despises what this Loki is, even.]

Speak. Stop glaring and pushing for an argument that I have no interest in having with you, Loki.

How should I know? Rumour usually paints you as my brother's friends, not mine.

[And a Loki with no memory wouldn't remember all those times he was barely granted grudging allowance to come along, or be bitter about it.

Still, he supposes Fandral has a point. He always did have a bad habit of reacting as if things were done for the worst reason.]

What would you have me speak of? My plan for the day was to read quietly.

Of anything! Are you so joyless, Loki? Thor cares for you, desires to take care of you... I am here to take care of you.

[At Thor's request, perhaps, but he is here. His jaw tightens a bit before he makes himself relax and rises up to his feet. He isn't leaving, but he'd rather be moving, he thinks.]

Yet all you have to offer are sharp looks and sharper words. Read then, Loki, I won't stop you.

What do you think I have to speak about? My books aren't going to interest you, and it's not as if I have vast experience with anything else.

[...Not even from his past life, and he doesn't really think Fandral would appreciate talking about how it felt to fall, or anything that happened on Midgard.

He isn't sure how he feels about being taken care of, though. He doesn't need it, after all, and yet... it's not the least pleasant feeling.]

And I doubt you'd like it if I offered soft words, either.

You certainly haven't tried it, have you? Any of it.

[About his books, any sort of soft words... He hardly expects gratefulness from the likes of Loki, regardless of the way that he is here only at the request of Thor to keep an eye on him.

Both for Loki's protection as well as everyone else's, should he get up to his old antics.]

Some fresh air may be good for you, you realize. Take a walk with me.

I-

[...Well, perhaps Fandral has a point. It's so easy to stay on the defensive, though, assume that everyone already dislikes him and just needs a reason to look down on him.

But that's an old habit, and one he should perhaps change- if such a thing is possible, for Loki.]

...I suppose that might be a change of scenery. I'm told I used to hunt occasionally, with Thor. Perhaps it wouldn't be terrible to get back outside...

You did... it was something you both enjoyed, and something that I think he would like to do again should you ever show interest.

[Fandral can't help a pleased look at the way Loki finally concedes and motions for him to follow.]

Come, follow me. We'll go to the gardens.

If he trusts me enough, that far from Asgard.

[There are good reasons not to trust him, after all, although he doesn't think he'd try to run again. Thor has, after all, already shown a very inconvenient tendency to find him.

But getting away from the rest of Asgard might be a good plan, for a day or two.

He rises, leaving his book closed on the table, following Fandral. He looks almost pleased, and Loki isn't sure why.]

I haven't seen much of them, I suppose. I am surprised. I didn't think of you as a garden sort of person.

And what would you do, Loki?

[He shrugs his shoulders at the comment before waving a hand dismissively.

It's getting Loki out, and he looks slightly better for it, Fandral likes to think.]

Fresh air and sun, both will do us good, Loki. Keep up.

According to the rumours? Escape, kill him, warp him to my will, one or all of those.

[Not that escape doesn't seem very tempting, sometimes. But he doesn't want to kill Thor, not now, and it's not like Thor wouldn't do a great deal for him if he only asked.

He's not sure he wants to see the gardens, frankly. Some parts of them are very definitely his mother's, and he'd as soon not deal with guilty memories. But as he's not supoosed to remember her or them at all, it's easier to pretend otherwise. He catches up to Fandral easily enough, giving him a sideways look.]

That isn't terribly much of a challenge, Fandral. Too much time trimming your beard, not enough exercise, perhaps.

Escape, I wouldn't put past you at all.

[He doesn't think Thor is so easy to kill, and Thor is already too lenient when it comes to Loki and what Loki desires.

He looks over at Loki for a moment.]

You have yet to see me with a sword, Loki. Perhaps I should show you how quick I can be.

A prison for my own safety is no less a jail, and one with no real end to my sentence. No matter how comfortable or well-meaning it is.

[He's seen more cells than he'd like recently, too- even if he'd put himself in one or two of them. Still, Thor must know it chafes, being kept under guard.

He looks sideways at Fandral, appraising him. He's seen him in action, of course, but not this lifetime. Still, it's enough to know that under the fastidious attention to looking good, he's not that bad at fighting either.]

Planning to show off for me, now? I'm not so easily impressed as the tavern wenches, you know.

[He intends it to be dry, but he's not sure it comes out that way.]

Freedom will come in time, Loki. Thor only wishes to keep you safe, to make certain there are no ill-effects to all of this.

[And Fandral would like to be absolutely certain that this isn't some clever little ploy by Loki and he's as rotten as ever beneath it all.]

We'll see what you say after, my friend. [He chuckles as he turns to pat Loki on the shoulder.] And perhaps I could give you a lesson or so in swordsmanship.

Not soon enough.

[He knows it's for his own good, and perhaps being sullen about it isn't the best impression to give. Then again, anyone would chafe at being held, and he isn't about to pretend to a whole new personality. That really would be suspicious. So he mutters, head turned from Fandral.]

From what I'm told, it would take a few more lessons than that to make me competent.

You're doing it again, you realize. Being sullen, when we're almost outside and in fresh air no less. Cheer up, Loki, enjoy this at least.

[He turns, offering a smile.]

And what have you been told, hm?

Fandral the Dashing | Marvel | ota

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