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[This is a jailcell. The odds are it's even one in a human prison. You don't want to know what the devil is doing here.
Lucifer sits, throwing a baseball against one of the walls. With any luck the constant thud, thud, thud of the baseball hitting the wall will drive his cellmate at least a little crazy. Noticing humans is generally beneath his dignity, but he's bored, and what are humans good for but for entertaining him (and dying, but there's no need for that just now).]
Lucifer sits, throwing a baseball against one of the walls. With any luck the constant thud, thud, thud of the baseball hitting the wall will drive his cellmate at least a little crazy. Noticing humans is generally beneath his dignity, but he's bored, and what are humans good for but for entertaining him (and dying, but there's no need for that just now).]
[If Michael had any idea that his new bunkmate was the Devil he might've found some bitter humor or irony in it. He could be trapped with Lucifer for any number of reasons really, even if he isn't a religious man. He wasn't a bad man either, but some would say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Or something to that effect.
Michael isn't thrilled to be locked up again but he supposes it was bound to happen all things considered. It seemed his lot in life really. Things can only go so good for so long before it comes back to bite him in the ass. He's laying on the top bunk arms folded behind his head as he stares up at the cracks in the ceiling and thinks. He's trying to figure out how he's going to get out of this one, or if he wants to get out of it. He should serve his time for the things he's done, his own guilt is telling him that much. Linc and LJ are safe. Maybe he's better off right here. It's where he seems to end up anyway, where fate wants him. Or maybe it's just the Company at work again, keeping him somewhere where they can keep an eye on him.
Or maybe this is hell and he's dead. Or maybe it's a nightmare and he'll wake up any minute. Maybe he's just finally going insane.
He closes his eyes as the constant thud, thud, thud finally breaks his concentration despite how he was trying to ignore it. He shifts to sit at the edge of his bunk then drops down onto his feet, catching the ball before it returns to Lucifer's fingers.]
Where did you get this thing?
Michael isn't thrilled to be locked up again but he supposes it was bound to happen all things considered. It seemed his lot in life really. Things can only go so good for so long before it comes back to bite him in the ass. He's laying on the top bunk arms folded behind his head as he stares up at the cracks in the ceiling and thinks. He's trying to figure out how he's going to get out of this one, or if he wants to get out of it. He should serve his time for the things he's done, his own guilt is telling him that much. Linc and LJ are safe. Maybe he's better off right here. It's where he seems to end up anyway, where fate wants him. Or maybe it's just the Company at work again, keeping him somewhere where they can keep an eye on him.
Or maybe this is hell and he's dead. Or maybe it's a nightmare and he'll wake up any minute. Maybe he's just finally going insane.
He closes his eyes as the constant thud, thud, thud finally breaks his concentration despite how he was trying to ignore it. He shifts to sit at the edge of his bunk then drops down onto his feet, catching the ball before it returns to Lucifer's fingers.]
Where did you get this thing?
[A bottle of mead - almost empty - lies in the sand. Light from the fire reflects off it in slow, lingering patterns. Somewhere in the darkness the waves advance and retreat upon the beach, a cyclical dance that began long before his birth and will continue long after all this is forgotten.
There were other nights like this, he remembers. Nights when eyes watered from looking at the bright stars too long, when the dying embers of a fire kept watch until the sky grew bright again in the east over deep waves. Nights of long conversations where the place of gods amongst the bright stars was questioned; nights of long silences where the sound of water comforted; and other nights where stars and ocean both were forgotten in place of other distractions.
Sitting here, the warmth of the mead and the fire relaxing him, he can almost believe that the long years since then have all been a dream, a hard dream of battle and loss and pain.
He reaches for the mead-] What are you thinking about, brother?
There were other nights like this, he remembers. Nights when eyes watered from looking at the bright stars too long, when the dying embers of a fire kept watch until the sky grew bright again in the east over deep waves. Nights of long conversations where the place of gods amongst the bright stars was questioned; nights of long silences where the sound of water comforted; and other nights where stars and ocean both were forgotten in place of other distractions.
Sitting here, the warmth of the mead and the fire relaxing him, he can almost believe that the long years since then have all been a dream, a hard dream of battle and loss and pain.
He reaches for the mead-] What are you thinking about, brother?
[Loki was supposed to be recieving punishment for his misdeeds on Midgard with the Chitauri.
Loki was supposed to be languishing in a deep dark cell in the bowels of Asgard, far removed from his family and comforts and anything else that would distract him from the sins he was supposed to be thinking on.
Loki was not supposed to be lounging about in the shade of Idunn's orchard while Thor and Sif sparred in the heat of the day.
But Frigga and Thor, opposing the decree of the All-Father, had permitted the younger son of Odin to reside within the Royal Family's wing of the palace, with the proviso that he not leave the grounds without either Thor or his father accompanying him.
Thor had taken this to mean that wherever he went, Loki ought to follow.
He waved farewell to Sif, as she was called away to other duties, and turned his eyes to his brother.]
Care for a bout, Loki? [Thor would have been surprised if Loki accepted, but he made the offer all the same. Truth be told, Sif had nearly worn him out.]
Loki was supposed to be languishing in a deep dark cell in the bowels of Asgard, far removed from his family and comforts and anything else that would distract him from the sins he was supposed to be thinking on.
Loki was not supposed to be lounging about in the shade of Idunn's orchard while Thor and Sif sparred in the heat of the day.
But Frigga and Thor, opposing the decree of the All-Father, had permitted the younger son of Odin to reside within the Royal Family's wing of the palace, with the proviso that he not leave the grounds without either Thor or his father accompanying him.
Thor had taken this to mean that wherever he went, Loki ought to follow.
He waved farewell to Sif, as she was called away to other duties, and turned his eyes to his brother.]
Care for a bout, Loki? [Thor would have been surprised if Loki accepted, but he made the offer all the same. Truth be told, Sif had nearly worn him out.]
[ Loki raises his head from his book, slowly dragging his eyes up the length of Thor's body, a single eyebrow rising as his gaze does. ]
It seems to me as though you've done quite enough rolling around in the muck for one day.
[ Besides, if he spars with Thor, it's just as likely that the guards would think he's attempting to free himself and step in to protect Thor's honor--however ridiculous a thought that is. ]
And really, I fought you to a standstill when you were once well and truly ready. Did you think you would be able to best me, tired as you are?
It seems to me as though you've done quite enough rolling around in the muck for one day.
[ Besides, if he spars with Thor, it's just as likely that the guards would think he's attempting to free himself and step in to protect Thor's honor--however ridiculous a thought that is. ]
And really, I fought you to a standstill when you were once well and truly ready. Did you think you would be able to best me, tired as you are?
[Only Loki's eyes are quick enough to notice the hesitation before Thor grins. His smile is unchanged, but it always comes slower when Loki mentions the conflicts that have led to his house arrest.]
A simple no will suffice, though many would contend that a standstill is no true victory. [He means to tease, but he will not give his brother chance to take offence.]
If you're certain, then, let us head to the bathouses. You've yet to make a comment about how I smell, but it cannot be long in coming.
A simple no will suffice, though many would contend that a standstill is no true victory. [He means to tease, but he will not give his brother chance to take offence.]
If you're certain, then, let us head to the bathouses. You've yet to make a comment about how I smell, but it cannot be long in coming.
It isn't.
[ Sliding in a dried leaf to use as a bookmark, Loki shuts his book and rises to his feet. He doesn't comment on the way Thor's expression had shifted; he hasn't mentioned it at all, despite the regularity with which it happens. Thor, it seems, does not like to think of the past. ]
You were simply too far for me to smell you. Though I'm sure such stench would have reached me soon enough.
[ Sliding in a dried leaf to use as a bookmark, Loki shuts his book and rises to his feet. He doesn't comment on the way Thor's expression had shifted; he hasn't mentioned it at all, despite the regularity with which it happens. Thor, it seems, does not like to think of the past. ]
You were simply too far for me to smell you. Though I'm sure such stench would have reached me soon enough.
[At least that would mean something reached Loki.]
I hear the answer is to smell worse than those around you. [The grin widens as Thor falls into step with Loki. Thor felt his brother had always placed more emphasis on cleanliness than he had, preferring quick, efficient exercise to the way Thor wore himself out.]
I hear the answer is to smell worse than those around you. [The grin widens as Thor falls into step with Loki. Thor felt his brother had always placed more emphasis on cleanliness than he had, preferring quick, efficient exercise to the way Thor wore himself out.]
[ it had been this: fond memories and long adventures, like they were boys again, even if one them was shaking off the cusp of manhood still. this is what Thor had asked for when he had sought out Loki after his death at the hands of the Void, quiet moments and a reminder of what they had been. it was a simpler time that Thor remembered, but something that would bring bitterness to the throat of one in a past life.
it makes Loki all the more defiant to enjoy it. yet maybe he was, even without the unneeded reminder. these are moments that Thor had, still had, and some part of him felt settled with that. ]
Oh ... nothing really, mischief. Mayhem. Counting the number of doorsteps I can set a flaming bag of goat dung upon.
[ but the little curled smile on his face tells a different story. for now, it quells his guilt. ]
it makes Loki all the more defiant to enjoy it. yet maybe he was, even without the unneeded reminder. these are moments that Thor had, still had, and some part of him felt settled with that. ]
Oh ... nothing really, mischief. Mayhem. Counting the number of doorsteps I can set a flaming bag of goat dung upon.
[ but the little curled smile on his face tells a different story. for now, it quells his guilt. ]
[Lucifer was used to cages and cells. He'd spent a long time in one in particular. The jury was out on whether the company was better here. Company was nice, but humans were humans.
He ignores Michael's question, studying his empty palm. What a rude young man this Michael is. Lucifer opens and closes his hand once or twice, then looks up.
His eyes meet Michael's.] Oh, you know. Around.
He ignores Michael's question, studying his empty palm. What a rude young man this Michael is. Lucifer opens and closes his hand once or twice, then looks up.
His eyes meet Michael's.] Oh, you know. Around.
[swallowing the mead Thor laughs, picturing dung-induced confusion across continents and the surprised rejoicing of gardeners. it's the kind of prank thor has always found hilarious, no matter how old and serious he's been (any prank involving dung is, in his opinion, gold)
he holds the bottle and the last of the mead across to his brother, catching his eye.]
Liar.
[there is a deep fondness in Thor's voice and look; it is less an accusation and more an endearment.
Perhaps Loki is considering how to cover the nations in dung, but Thor cannot imagine that is all that is going on inside his brother's head. Too often they are mistaken for simple creatures of war or mischief (and perhaps they sometimes mistake themselves for those things), but after time and myth have taken their toll on them, it cannot be so.]
he holds the bottle and the last of the mead across to his brother, catching his eye.]
Liar.
[there is a deep fondness in Thor's voice and look; it is less an accusation and more an endearment.
Perhaps Loki is considering how to cover the nations in dung, but Thor cannot imagine that is all that is going on inside his brother's head. Too often they are mistaken for simple creatures of war or mischief (and perhaps they sometimes mistake themselves for those things), but after time and myth have taken their toll on them, it cannot be so.]
[He's studying the ball a moment, turning it in his fingers and contemplating, calculating if he can use it for anything. Then he glances to his cell mate and it occurs to him that he doesn't really remember being brought here or how long it's been.]
Good behavior? [Though he can't imagine they'd let them keep something like this in a cell normally. Out on the yard maybe but usually things like that are given back and stored. He gives the ball a toss back to Lucifer.]
I don't think we've met. [Was Lucifer here first? Did he just arrive? Why can't he remember any of this?]
I'm Michael. [Offering the man his hand for a shake.]
Good behavior? [Though he can't imagine they'd let them keep something like this in a cell normally. Out on the yard maybe but usually things like that are given back and stored. He gives the ball a toss back to Lucifer.]
I don't think we've met. [Was Lucifer here first? Did he just arrive? Why can't he remember any of this?]
I'm Michael. [Offering the man his hand for a shake.]
[ there's a pause while Loki examines Thor, the hand offering it, and the mead itself. with some resignation, he receives it, pressing the bottle to his lips and downing the last of it without so much as a wince. it's good mead, but Thor never had anything but good mead. the tastes roll over his tongue, the story of the bees and pollen collected from Idunn's apples, the hands that collected the honey, and the barrels made from the ships covered in northern frost. ]
Ouch—you wound me, that's a wound.
[ and as if in retaliation, Thor receives the empty bottle. ]
Perhaps I was contemplating how long it's been since we've been like this, better times forgotten, like so many myths.
[ Loki doesn't seem to know exactly how he feels about that. it's always been erasing one myth for another, building new and changing perceptions and expectations; he hardly ever thought about what he had lost in a life prior. ]
Ouch—you wound me, that's a wound.
[ and as if in retaliation, Thor receives the empty bottle. ]
Perhaps I was contemplating how long it's been since we've been like this, better times forgotten, like so many myths.
[ Loki doesn't seem to know exactly how he feels about that. it's always been erasing one myth for another, building new and changing perceptions and expectations; he hardly ever thought about what he had lost in a life prior. ]
[ (the empty bottle is not quite the punishment it could be. thor drank most of it)
it's no surprise to hear loki voicing thor's own thoughts.]
Would you return to those times, if you could?
[ thor wouldn't go back, for the simple reason that he is content in this time and place. (some might argue that thor is too easily contendted. thor would argue that's not necessarily a bad thing)
waiting for an answer he holds out his hand, reaching for loki instead of the bottle. ]
it's no surprise to hear loki voicing thor's own thoughts.]
Would you return to those times, if you could?
[ thor wouldn't go back, for the simple reason that he is content in this time and place. (some might argue that thor is too easily contendted. thor would argue that's not necessarily a bad thing)
waiting for an answer he holds out his hand, reaching for loki instead of the bottle. ]
[ Loki considers him for a moment. after everything, would he go back? the pain and the sacrifice, the ignorance that came with youth. well, the answer is easy. ]
No. I don't think I could, even if I tried.
[ they were children once, and much like mortals, they could never be children again.
the thought mulls over in his mind, distracting him momentarily before he notices outstretched fingers. dark lashes fall heavily over his eyes as he watches him inch closer, and for the barest of moments, he basks in Thor wanting him. before his brother can withdraw, Loki quells his satisfaction and finds his fingertips with his own. the mead bottle is left forgotten for better endeavors. ]
No. I don't think I could, even if I tried.
[ they were children once, and much like mortals, they could never be children again.
the thought mulls over in his mind, distracting him momentarily before he notices outstretched fingers. dark lashes fall heavily over his eyes as he watches him inch closer, and for the barest of moments, he basks in Thor wanting him. before his brother can withdraw, Loki quells his satisfaction and finds his fingertips with his own. the mead bottle is left forgotten for better endeavors. ]
[thor had tried, once, to bring loki back and have things as they had been before-
but loki now was not the same as any loki thor had known before. just as thor was not exactly the same as his past either. for all their godhood and unfathomable age, there was only one direction for them to move through time, and that was forward
and right now all that thor can see before him is loki. he threads their fingers together.]
Good. In this moment, I would not exchange you for any other Loki, past or future.
but loki now was not the same as any loki thor had known before. just as thor was not exactly the same as his past either. for all their godhood and unfathomable age, there was only one direction for them to move through time, and that was forward
and right now all that thor can see before him is loki. he threads their fingers together.]
Good. In this moment, I would not exchange you for any other Loki, past or future.
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