You're mine.

[reversesock]

The Feeling DOMINANT Meme No matter what your usual preferences are, today, you're feeling dominant. This doesn't mean Dominant with a capital D as in the BDSM sense - unless that's what you're into. It simply means you want to take charge. Maybe you even want to be aggressive and possessive, or you just want to show what you want and when you want it. There could very well be some emotional desires behind this fancy, as well. This could be a complete change in your normal personality, an extension of what you're naturally like, or a normal but possibly unexplored part of you. It could even mean a spike in sexual interest, libido, or confidence if you're usually not the one to initiate. So whether you're with an established partner, in an AU setting, or with a one-night stand, let your inner boss shine through and top or top from the bottom. You can control...and that just may be exactly what they want. Comment with your character, preferences, and any info you'd like to include. All top levels are now feeling dominant, whatever that means for your character: aggressive, sweet, patient, demanding, strong, caring, uncaring, etc. Seriously, guys. Your character is the dominant one. Reply to others. Thread.

Comments

[hyrokkinson]

"Ya know. Your life is downright bizarre, Loki Odinson or whatever. Not bad life, but. Bizarro. Like, honestly. You're a son of Asgardian, brother of Asgardian, and of you lived, you might someday father some little Asgardians for all I know. Bizarre. And this time, I mean no offence, truly."

And now, he falls quiet, thinking.Not about weird Asgardian Jotunn anymore, but about more impotant things.

[coldsong]

No, of course he didn't mean the first apology, and Odinson realizes it at once. (Not that he was expecting an apology to begin with.) But he's wearing Laufey's face, and even a short while in Laufey's shadow, a hostage prince at his mercy, must train habits into a man he'd rather not have. He sighs, expression relaxing into something neutral again, and shrugs one shoulder.

"Offense forgotten. It's easy for one of us to look at what the other has or had and envy. I could say much the same to you, but in the end we are both Loki, and that means we are destined to walk through darkness one way or another."

"Just...try not to make light of what happened to me with Thanos. It's a sore spot." That's an understatement. "As is the destruction of Asgard, but oddly less so."

He smiles at the talk of Valkyrie, though. A better topic. "One remains, their leader Brunnhilde. At least, she lives in my world. If you meet her, do not cross her unless you like pain." He's pretty sure she still hates him, but that's all right. He's perfectly within his rights to like people that hate him.

"My best guess for my arrival here is the Tesseract. It was on Thanos' gauntlet when he crushed my throat. It can create tunnels through space and dimensions. I think my consciousness must have been dragged down one of those passages, to here. Perhaps I would have remained incorporeal anywhere else, but Jotun, they say, originally sprang from the frozen rock of this world. And so must I have respawned, as it were."

"But that's only a theory."

[hyrokkinson]

"From ice. Yes, Mom and Stepdad told me such stories. Fairytales. Huh, ya now may be a living proof of such fairytales. Good on ya!"

He smiles, honestly, but that soon falters.


Through darkness, huh?

"If that's so, then I still wish I had never been found. I never meant to drag my Family into said 'darkness'. Because- because they loved me and I never deserved that in the first place, you see. I never- well, ya know."

Well, no, he's not really sure Loki Odinson knows, but he suspects he does.

A deep breath.

"Because you already know -that I had a good family. And so, for their sakes, I wish Mom had never found me when I was a newborn in the first place. At least, I thought so many times over last few ages, and-- and the worst thing is, I don't even really wish that Hyrrokkin had never found me back then, actually. I tried many times to think that, but... I never said that aloud, which is maybe why I'm saying stuff now, so, sorry mate ya gotta listen to such nonsense, but..."

He turns away.

"If I ever could- change it so that I never was - I can't, but if I ever could - I... I ain't certain I would. That's how I've learned that I'm evil. Because ain't no question in my mind that a proper course of action would be to erase myself. Well, I can't, but if I could. I.. I still don't know that I would. Prolly not. And that's - that's why it's my fault, I've learnt. Nobody ever told me that, but I know. It's all my fault. 's like I killed my whole family. My twin sister is dead because of me, ya don't can't comprehend what that means, Lok--Loptr. Almost my whole family, yeah - that's still new to me, yeah. The only reason I know I'm not dreaming is because I gotta think, heh, my brain would explode if I dreamt so unrealistically... getting my little brat again..."

Mhm, it's like Snorri is to Loki Hyrrokkinson something between littlest brother and a son, with the way he sounds.

"And. The brat is so stupid. Snorri, I mean. He should hate me now. I hoped he would. Maybe I should check if he's alright mentally, because. He really should loathe me now. Wouldn't ya agree? Because I - back then... I might as well be cursed with bad luck. And that's nothing to be fond of... because... Mom and Stepdad and others... and Angie--"

For a moment, he looks as if he might hyperventilate.

He casts some quick spell on himself, idly, instinctively almost, and doesn't.

"But I'll stop whining, now, and talk on happier topics."

But he's being quiet now, afterwards. Might be quiet all the way to the Palace.

[coldsong]

"I rather like the concept, though," he says thoughtfully, of the idea of Jotun springing from ice. "The Aesir, perhaps, feel themselves too far above the stuff that makes up their world. I'm sure it's Odin's fault, for doing what he did to gain the knowledge of runes from the Norns."

That doesn't matter at the moment, though.

He trails off with his philosophy in order to let Hyrokkinson talk. And he understands completely what he says, when he speaks of self-erasure. He's had similar thoughts, and like his counterpart, dismissed them.

"Selfish and evil aren't the same things," he says thoughtfully. "There is no question you are selfish. As am I. But evil?"

He shakes his head, gives a little shrug. "I don't know. I prefer to think I am not, and if I'm not, you are probably not, either. Do you believe in Fate? In the Norns?"

"If so, content yourself in the knowledge that they would never permit you to dodge the suffering they have in mind for you, and so removing yourself from existence cannot happen."

That was meant to be reassuring, in some twisted way. "You cannot change the past, nor can I, and so we must move forward. There is always vengeance."

[hyrokkinson]

"I wouldn't know, Odin is a stranger to me, something monstrous I've never met and am never planning to induce his anger, so, I don't gotta think much of him anyway."

Ah.

"Oh, sorry about that, heh. Nothing personal. Though it's personal if you ask my father Laufey. Heh."

"I always thought being selfish was fine. But if it's my fault that everybody died, then it's definitely not. I always think: I should've left, long ago, since I knew who I am. Left and hid myself somewhere, just, I don't know. Forever. Or just. Lived on Svartfheim or on Midgard or whenever."

He nods.

"Mhm, Fate hates me. I don't know why. And if it's only me, it really should fuck off away from my family. Should leave them alone. They didn't do nothing wrong to Fate."

Loki Hyrrokinson sighs, closes his eyes for a moment, smiles a little and replies, after a while.

"Vengeance is exactly what I'm gonna do today. What I'm doing."

No, wait. He shakes his head, then glances at Odinson. "What we're doing, I guess. Thanks, or something. If you were someone else, I'd already start calculating reward for ya, and if I can afford it."

Loki giggles a little. Very childishly. Yes, it's more of a giggle than a chuckle. And he looks like somebody who's very tired but doesn't have a first idea about potentially being exhausted soon.

"I hope my crappy brat - I mean, my Snorri - naps a bit more. He hasn't slept enough, see? In prison. It must be horrible, being imprisoned like that, ya know."

[coldsong]

"I'm not offended if you speak ill of Odin," Loki says. "He had both good and bad qualities, and I ran afoul of most of the bad ones. I cannot truly hate him, but I don't mind if you do."

He eyes him thoughtfully. "You would be a very different person, had you hidden on Midgard. I think you would find humans even more fragile than Aesir or Jotun, though, and that is a recipe for suffering, as well."

It's hard not to get attached, is what he's saying, if not in so many words.

Perhaps Loptr's eyes pick up how tired and strung-out Loki is, now, because he gives a little sigh and starts to pat his back, then stops when he realizes in Laufey's shape that would be unkind. Later, perhaps. "Your kindness is the only reward I want," he admits. "If I cannot win over an alternate version of myself, then I am truly broken past repair."

"In any case, once we're done, you should rest, like Snorri. Perhaps not in the same bed; you mentioned that did not end well when he was a baby." He smirks.

[hyrokkinson]

"Kindness? I don't know that I've ever be kind, but I know how to be loyal, to true family and true friends. And I guess I could call you friend, as of today. Mayhaps."

He looks down. "So. Midgard would be Hel, in short, for me. Then, no, thanks, maybe I won't spend holidays with any Midgardians. You're right, they'd die much too soon."

Even sooner than his Family. And that had been much too soon for the young Jotunn he had been. Barely adult, in some matters. He can admit that now.

"I'm not tired!"

Is he? He doesn't really know. He'd only know once he fell down, and he's not doing that, yet. Persistence or adrenaline? Who cares.

He laughs, genuinely, suddenly, at that. If his Wolf had been here alive with him, he thinks somewhere in the back in his mind, he'd have joined in. But, Loki laughs anyway.

"Not in the same bed, no. Besides, whoever heard of the future king and his 'son' sleeping in one bed? Preposterous, my courtly teacher the Sorceress would think, simply preposterous."

"Speaking of the Sorceress, Ymir, I wonder if I have to murder her. Probably. Oh, well."

He makes a face like somebody who's just discovered they have to put down a pretty horse. But that they'd live with that, anyway. Oh, well.

[coldsong]

"Do you have any fondness for her, this Ymir?" Loptr tilts his head at his counterpart thoughtfully. Her certainly doesn't sound emotional about the prospect, but the fact that he feels it's a shame at all says something, given how misanthropic they can be.

"We could attempt to reason with her. I can't imagine anyone being so fond of Laufey that they wouldn't consider betraying him for the right price. You would, of course, have to watch your back in case she changed her mind later, but the risk might be worth it if she is as talented as you imply, and if she can be won to your side."

[hyrokkinson]

He glares.

"Fond?! Of course I'm not fond of the Sorceress, she's lied to me! Back then, I was still holding out hope that maybe not everybody died. I hoped that my twin lived. Only learnt later that wasn't true even soon after I was first in the palace. And father and Ymir used that hope to keep me in the palace, and yes, I'm to blame for being naive, but I still hate father - Laufey - even more for that. But, we're not talking about him now, fortunately."

"As for the Sorceress... Ymir... it's not like I could really enjoy anything, right after - you know - and so, I guess-- I was just a bit less tense during the lessons. Because Magic was something I already knew, and, sometimes... I would just imagine, like - like - like almost being home. So it's not like I'm fond of Sorceress Ymir, it's more, how to put it--"

Loki Hyrrokkinson blushes a little.

"It's more that - I made myself fond of her, a little? No, not fond, I'm sure, just used to her. Because I was allowed to talk to her? I guess. Coz I'm a fool who can't stand being the only real person in the world. And guards, they're not that real to me. I mean--"

He chuckles a little.

"Well, let me tell you a fun story. That's all on king Laufey, though. And on me, because I can't say I wasn't stupid, back then. So, yeah. I always have some personal guards, since beginning, coz, while I could go wherever I wanted, Laufey wanted to always know where I'm at, just in case. So, yeah, that... in the beginning, I got a bit too familiar with my guards, actually talking to them like a person. So, the king had those ones killed, just in case."

Loki shrugs. "I really was stupid, back then. Even though I already knew Laufey. Well, nevermind that. I never liked guards, anyway."

Really? Well, if he did, that was long ago.

"As for Ymir - well, I don't hate her, maybe? I'll try to reason. If that fails, I'll kill her. Well. Hopefully. She still intimidates me a bit."

And somehow, Loki blushes again at that. If he was more self-aware, he'd say that he really has a bad taste, to have even a shadow of such an attraction.

[coldsong]

Oh, boy, that blush is telling. If there were ever a poster child for 'It's Complicated', it is Loki Hyrrokkinson of Jotunheim. But okay, sure, Loptr knows when not to push too hard.

"You became accustomed to her company," he suggests diplomatically. Oh, but how he hopes they don't have to kill this sorceress now! Perhaps having a duplicate Loki around as an enforcer will make her rethink her loyalties.

Meanwhile, he frowns at the story of what happened to Loki's guards. "Whether you liked them or not, that was a nasty way to send a message. The more you tell me of your experience with him, the happier I am that Laufey abandoned me."

Yes. This, they can remedy. Laufey will suffer, his loyalists can be slain, and Loki Hyrrokkinson will make a better king. And Loptr, or Loki Odinson as it may be, can live safely in Jotunheim or use it as a base of operations for exploring quieter corners of this Universe and bracing for any trouble from Thanos.

[hyrokkinson]

Loki Hyrrokkinson would deny such complication, because ever since losing his adoptive family he'd deny any feelings that he's not quite sure they'd approve of.

Well, speaking of feelings, at least that leaves him plenty of room for hating father, king Laufey, which is an honest feeling he gladly nurtured for ages.

Though to a young sudden prince who for the hated a person - no, a monster, to him - hating somebody for that long with honestly wanting to kill him every time he saw him, was a bit tiring. Finally killing Laufey will be a relief. And if he were to be honest with himself, he wanted to kill Laufey and maybe nobody else, in a perfect world.

But the world was far from perfect to him.

"Mhm, maybe I won't kill Lady Ymir. Depends. I would for starters ask her if she had anything to do with - - with everything."

And maybe Loki hopes that the Sorceress didn't. Have anything to do with deaths of his family members. That would be a shame, he'd kill her then, in such case. Oh, well... But maybe she did not.

Speaking of likes and dislikes...

What if - if his oldest living brother still lives and why wouldn't he, he wasn't there on that month - what if he could visit him later? He can, maybe, secretly, when Loptr will be on a throne as 'Laufey'. Loki maybe can visit Eggther then. Egg never liked Loki, but that wasn't mutual. And maybe Egg wouldn't kill him.

Loki whispers suddenly, nervously, "I know I will get door shut in my face, but I think... after we do our secret coup, I'll go visit my oldest Brother. That, at least... Oh, and you can't, you're too Asgardian, he'd wanna kill ya."

Loki giggles.

And then he suddenly stops, because he really isn't able to laugh in the Palace, mentally able, and they're entering now.

He suddenly looks lot more subdued and quietly seething. Yes, with barely any transition. This place itself is full transition to him.

Would that he could just destroy it and build a new one. That would feel good.

Glaring a little, he sends to Odinson a thought, because no more speaking aloud of such things now, as there are people everywhere,

Have ya ever seen an uglier place, Loki?

Objectively, there are many uglier places on Jotunnheim.

And if Loptr wants to fight some Titan, Loki Hyrrokkinson would even try to help. After all, Loki Odinson has barely any business with royal father, does he? And here he is, helping. Saving. He certainly helped save Snorri. And that matters almost more than anything, seeing as, apart from dead twin, there's nobody closer to Jotunn Loki.

[coldsong]

"I will leave the decision to you," Loptr says cheerfully, because it's going to be fascinating to watch this play out. He'll make sure, if Ymir decides to turn on them, that his counterpart takes no harm, but hands off, otherwise.

He glances over at the nervous whisper, eyebrows raising. "You want to see him? And you'd leave me here on the throne to do so?"

Okay, clearly he's earned some measure of trust by now. That's weirdly heartwarming. "If the attempt will bring you some peace, very well. Would you take Snorri with you or no? Because if I'm not allowed near him without you and you're not taking him, you'll have to make some sort of arrangement."

Either way, he'll behave himself, he decides. It's nice to be trusted a little bit.

Loptr, too, has to adjust as they reach the palace, shifting his body language to something more evocative of Laufey, and giving Loki a dull, disapproving side-eye to seal the act. I have, but not many.

Based purely on aesthetics, it's not that bad, but they both know they're talking about what the place means. Let's visit Ymir first, quickly, lest she warn Laufey.

[hyrokkinson]

Right, gotta get to Ymir first. And I really need to concentrate, I should've thought of that, honestly. As for Eggther - yea, I wanna see him, I haven't for ages, and I think he's alive, why wouldn't he be? He hasn't lived in our house for years. I mean, ages, now. So. I guess he's gotta be. And he's never loved me, but, still, he's family. And. For all I know, mayhaps fa-- mayhaps Laufey doesn't even know we're related. 's not like he went around having all my aunts, uncles and cousins killed. And I'd know. I've seen some from afar, on my secret out of palace travels. Well. Secret because I learnt how to go somewhere without guards while having guards. See, I just - and with consent, coz that helps - I just tell my guards that, well, instead of watching me all the time and despairing when I do escape their watch and searching for me whole time, they can just go to a bar or to a brothel or wherever, and I can later just give them fake memories that they were watching me. Because yeah, by the way, I did learn how to do it, myself, without telling Ymir about it of course. And so - I do so. I think false memories wear off after circa a year? But so far, Laufey hasn't thought to ask my current guards 'hey, so, what was Loki doing a year ago?'. So it works so far. Not to brag, but I think I'm brilliant. Well, it took a bit of a trial and error. I think I accidentally drove one of my previous personal guards, 50 years ago, insane. Oh, well. But, it works now, perfectly, and my current personal guards are totatlly sane, and I think a bit lazy, so, it totally works. And are somewhat loyal to me, though they wouldn't take risks. One of them even asked shyly recently if, after Laufey dies, I can give him his memories of being in brothels back, because he knows he's been there, he wrote it down. Well, I don't think I can, they're erased, but I lied that yeah, sure, I can.

But, enough about unimportant stuff. Let's go to Ymir. Though I suspect she might come to us first. We haven't exactly been quiet. That prison thing, you know, and - and, well, you... you don't exactly feel like Laufey, even if you look the part. So, be on your guard, 'kay? Don't get dead.

Hmm.

Quietly,

"And of course I'll take Snorri if I go visit Eggther. They're brothers. Moreso than Egg and me. Also, I think it's best that Snorri stays with him until everything calms down, besides. Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do."

Yes, he's decided that just now. Without even asking his little brother's opinion. Really sometimes acting a bit more like a father than like a brother.

And now, he looks around.

Alright, maybe Ymir hasn't noticed anything yet, or. Or maybe she's planning what to do. Either way, let's be cautious, he thinks, but only to himself. Another him surely knows to be cautious, too.

[coldsong]

"Always a shame when a mind you rely on proves too delicate for the tampering that must be done to it." Loptr sends absently, thinking of Barton and Selvig, but primarily the latter. Barton had traumatic memories, and he was far more angry in the aftermath of the Mind Stone, but Selvig took the more damage from it. Which was a pity; his was a remarkable mind, especially for a mortal.

If Loptr had any skill at healing, he might have offered it, but it's too late now. It was never entirely under his control, anyway. The Gem had him by the throat the whole time.

"Very well," he murmurs. "I will hold down the fort, as it were, until you return."

The family dynamic isn't quite Loptr's business here. Not yet. Maybe some day, if the rapport they're forming continues. In the meanwhile, he's not going to cross Loki's decisions regarding Snorri. That he has the boy's best interest in mind is very clear.

He quiets now that they're inside the palace, shoring up his own mental shields. He will not be taken by surprise, and he will not have his mental control swept from him. Unfortunately, it's not a subtle activity. Beside him, Loki is likely to sense the flicker of power. Wherever she is, Ymir may, as well.

[hyrokkinson]

"Thank y-- ouch!"

He suddenly grabs his own wrist.

Nevermind. I have these spikes of pain in my arm, and only Ymir can help with those, ever since I was young and decided it will be fun to sneak into the palace. That's also when I first met the Sorceress Ymir. And that's... that was a beginning of the last month of Before, so to speak. So I really wasn't fond of her at first, because to me, it's like I've met her in the last sane month of my life first. Or whatever. Anyway, I'll show you to father's chambers, and we must be very careful. I hope Ymir doesn't know we're here, yet. And as for pain, at least it's not like burning. Because. First, before Ymir helped, for first months it was like my arm was gonna burn off, that sort of feeling. Well, Ymir's good with burning, so no wonder that she can help best.

Loki's too used to the feeling to notice this, but Loptr might soon get the feeling that they're being observed.

"Anyway. This way, 'father'," Loki whispers, while making himself invisible so that the guards don't see him.

[coldsong]

"What?" Loptr turns his head to give Loki a squinty, thoughtful look. This is the first he's heard of this odd condition, and he experiences nothing whatsoever like it, himself.

"Do you know what causes these?" Because that's weird. Potentially a deliberate, if minor, curse. And now he has to wonder what, precisely, Ymir is doing for Loki. Or to him.

He notes the feeling of observation creeping over him, as well, and doesn't like it. From what he knows of Laufey, he is no kind of mage. A competent warrior, a wily and brutal politician, and there is some shapeshifting talent inherent to all Jotun, but if they are being magically watched, it's almost certainly this Ymir.

He has to hope she has some genuine interest in Loki, whether tenderly or merely pragmatic. Who wouldn't want the patronage of a prince, after all? Particularly one of burgeoning magical power. It's easy to see the restless rage in him. She might be waiting for a coup d'etat to occur, or to see whether Laufey and his son eventually slay one another.

But if she hopes to manipulate Loki (a dangerous game at best), she must learn soon that this version, this Loptr, will not be toyed with. Loki himself may or may not sense it, but a subtle darkness winds its way out of the false Laufey's consciousness. He has been touched by the Abyss, and he will use that power when he must. It's a thread that tastes of suffering and rage, and while it commits no particular act, it reaches back toward the force observing them. I see you.

[hyrokkinson]

"Nah, I don't really know. Stress? 's not like I had a calm century since then. Not really. I think, in the beginning, I was almost glad sometimes that I had something like that, anyway. Thought maybe it's like my body's punishing me. Though if that were so, that would happen more often."

Loki Hyrrokkinson shrugs, and continues on the way.

Loptr might then, after doing what he does, hear a politely amused female voice.

And so, what? Do you plan on war? Because slaying a current king might lead to one, with Asgard. Children are always so impatient. One can become a king after the current one, calmly. He is a heir, after all. He's lucky. Being so similar apart from minor size issues to a former heir of Laufey's, nobody questions him being a heir. Neither do I. And so, why can't Loki Laufeyson just wait a century or so more? So impatient, children nowadays. Even that little brother of his can wait a bit more, I'm sure, seeing as he hasn't starved yet. So why the impatience? Though I guess maybe he'd have starved, so, good on your for releasing him, now four people can just keep that secret, no need to add unrest.

Meanwhile, Loki Hyrrokinson glances around, unsure if he's felt something. Very unsure.

"Loptr, are you doing something? Tell me before you do, alright? We're almost in Laufey's chambers. She will see us if you aren't calm. Lady Ymir, I mean. The Sorceress. She's got a good sense when it comes to, as she calls me, 'troubled youth', sorry to say. Let's be very, very quiet."

[coldsong]

Sounds a lot like a curse. But then, a sorcerer's body can also turn against itself. It could be psychosomatic. "We'll look into it later, perhaps."

Ah, there she is. He's somewhat relieved by the response. It's good to open a dialogue with people whether you expect to have to kill them or not. Perhaps they can find common ground. He was willing to negotiate with Hela, after all, although chances are he'd have looked for an opportunity to betray her later.

I care nothing for your politics, and my interest in Asgard's welfare in this universe is limited. Let there be war if there must. I am here for personal spite and personal interest. No harm will come to Loki or his remaining family--the adopted family--while I exist. They are mine now, and I will defend them.

He hasn't exactly mentioned his proprietary feelings to Loki, for multiple reasons. One, he would surely mistrust them, two, they're a little overbearing, and three, he could take advantage of them. But they're there and Ymir may as well know who she's dealing with and how determined he is.

The impatience is personal. Laufey deserves death. I recommend you not stand in the way of that.

"She has already seen us," he tells his counterpart. "I sensed her watching as we entered. It's possible I'm simply never calm."

Quick tag before my dinner. And yeah, a curse, sorceress tracking local Loki

[hyrokkinson]

[To Odinson's mind, Ymir just replied calmly, I understand our local young Laufeyson, he simply doesn't know better. He was a baby. Those mere soldiers were his family. Fine. One can never shake off some baby habits as an adult. But you? Who adopted you, that you would defend such childish sentiments so? Because if you were royalty, you should know our 'Hyrrokkinson' should let go of childish things. I am waiting for him to do so, before he can rule. That's what I always thought. But he is still too childish. I guess... Fine, he can have his younger brother. Though that's spoiling Loki too much. And after killing, Laufey, what then? Are the two of you potentially ready to fight Odin, who doesn't like sudden disturbances? Because I would rather not, not today. Now excuse me, I need to warn the Current reigning King. I won' t even tell him about prison action, I can be kind. Only that dear Loki again wants to kill him. Like always. And I suppose you will die, as you are not even this Laufey's son, so you have no excuse for a coup. Goodbye]

Loki Hyrrokkinson, meanwhile, stops going forward for a second.
"My hand again... Dammit, I need to heal myself a minute, or I'm not killing anybody like that. Just. Give me a few seconds. Sorry. And. You're wrong, you are far calmer than meself right about now, pal. Er. Not pal. We are so ain't pals. Just. Cooperating for now. Deal? You wouldn't want to pal with me anyways, that's like a damned death sentence. "

[coldsong]

I have bound Odin's power once before, and I can do it again. He means it, and there is complete, confident certainty in his telepathy. Granted, he would have Frigga at his side in this world and that would make it way harder, but if he had to, he would make it happen.

I know the Allfather's secrets better than anyone living, save, perhaps, his wife.
Are you quite sure you wouldn't prefer to cooperate with us? If we're quiet enough about it, no one need know Laufey is dead.

The telepathy is cloying, pleasant and conversational, but that same poisonous darkness continues to creep from him, seeking to entangle her mind.

Loptr puts a hand on Loki's shoulder, bracing him, then reaches over to touch the hand that seems to be plaguing him. "You've been cursed. Follow the pain; accept it and seek the source. I think you will find her to be the cause. Hunt it out like you did Snorri."

[hyrokkinson]

Hyrokkinson stares at another Loki. Oh. But that makes sense.

He shakes his head, though.

"Yeah, sure. No, thanks. I haven't lost everything yet, only mostly everything, and turns out, I might yet lose. So. I don't care what lady Ymir did to me, I will care later. Right now, if that be true - surely she already told our King everything. And he might order Snorri found and murdered, by soldiers, stát! And so, I now really gotta go kill father right away, if Ymir is in my head, then I gotta hurry!! "

Yes. Loki Hyrrokkinson is panicking right now.

" After that, I don't care if I instantly get dead or whatever she might do, I. Don't. Care. Just... Has she already told father about Snorri? I can't risk it, gotta hurry and murder Laufey Now!! "

Yeah. Fully panicking, that's what this discovery achieved.

[coldsong]

"Ssh, ssh!" He grips Hyrokkinson by the shoulder and steers him into the nearest empty room. "They will not harm your brother, and they will not kill you, while I live. Quiet, you'll attract attention we do not yet want."

He puts his free hand over Loki's forehead, brushing back his hair and half smoothing over the ridges there. "Calm...we have not yet lost. She is going to tell the King of our presence, but he will come to slay me and put your in your place himself. Or perhaps with her alone. Why would he want his entourage to know you seek to dethrone him? No. He will try to deal with us first, and he will fail."

"The plan we have laid out is still in place, and Snorri has Wolves to defend him if if goes awry. Focus, and use your anger, not your fear for him."

[hyrokkinson]

He lets the other lead him. And now inhales deeply, trying to calm down.

"It.. it's just... if he knows I was close to slaying him, he's certain to punish me, and, and, and so--- wait."

He's listening to something else, now, for a moment.

Then he stares at Loptr.

"Why in the Nine Realms were you talking to her?! A-anyway, never mind that. She says that if our plan is actually reasonably sound, and doesn't involve murdering her, she might just let it play out. But that hopefully you won't stay here long, because unlike me, she doesn't know or trust you at all."

Loki Hyrrokkinson looks down and glares a little.

"Well, as to that, I've told her that my friendship with you isn't any of her business. But as for the plan... hm... Should we tell her? I mean. I wouldn't tire myself out fighting her, that sounds good. But I'm still not sure if she's honest. And. I'm. Slightly disappointed? She always seems loyal to the crown. Oh, well."

There's still heightened emotions, but, even despite being contacted telepathically by lady Ymir, Loki Hyrrokkinson is slowly beginning to calm down.

[coldsong]

"If worst came to worst, I would-" he begins, and falls silent as Loki's expression changes. He's listening to something else, and Loptr has a guess as to what--or whom.

He waits a moment, patient despite the tension, and hums, eyeing his counterpart warily. It makes sense that Ymir wouldn't trust a stranger, but given that she's been tracking her student, he suspects they shouldn't trust her at all, either. Still, it's either negotiate or kill her outright as quickly as possible, and it would be better to conserve their energy for Laufey.

That, and she seemed inclined to let Loki keep his brother safe. That's a small detail, but vital. She must be capable of some degree of mercy.

"Perhaps she is loyal to Jotunheim alone, not the individual on the throne of it," he says slowly. "Will she speak with us in person? Perhaps if I can convince her I can pull off the illusion of Laufey for a time, she will be satisfied."

[hyrokkinson]

"Damn, I shoul've known it ain't no accident that she could always find me. And. Mhm. Perhaps I can convince her to speak with us, yeah."

Then, after Loptr continues, Loki Hyrrokkinson looks a bit offended.

"Hey, I'd have been able to pull the illusion off, too, and Lady Ymir should know that, and so should you! I'm not worse at the Arts. Well. Not much, at least!"

Alright, maybe this isn't a good moment for ego. So he sighs, concentrates, and continues talking to the Sorceress, telepathically.

After a moment, he nods. And smiles a little.

"Mhm. She's agreed to meet. Gh, I hate her the most when she's sooooo smug, she's got no right to be so smug at me to my face, she's not one of my older sisters. Damn her. But, yeah, maybe not killing her today would be best. She might be useful."

He hesitates, and then adds, but directly to Loptr's mind,

But, you know, as I've said before, I've gotta kill her if she had anything to do with my Family's death. Coz I still don't know. So. I'll ask her later. But. After killing father. Coz father - Laufey - is the one who had them all killed, anyway. So. Anybody else can go later.