Hmm. I usually find the things that are hard are the ones that are the most worth doing.
[The way she says it is judgment free. Pure observation. After defecting from the Red Room, it had taken her a while to set herself on the right course. She'd done a lot of things for the Red Room that she could never truly atone for. But there were things she could do to move in the right direction.
But as he says - that's for another day. She can't help but smirk a little when he says hi to Heimdall.]
He must see a lot of shit he'd rather not know about. [It's an interesting power to have, but at the end of the day, not one that she envies. She takes a few bites of her food, considering their options for the evening.] There's a party at a speakeasy bar I know of. Or I think I read there's a dessert buffet and drinks thing at a hotel in Manhattan.
I dare say that the forgiveness of two men who I wronged more than those whose blood I spilled might be harder said than done. Though, Foster has been pestering me to fix Selvig. I suppose I could start there.
[ He worried he might make things worse, but ignoring it further was bordering cowardice, and that would not do. His rocky road to redemption was littered with mistakes to fix, but Clint and Erik, they deserved better.
Though when she smirked at him waving to Heimdall, it made him chuckle. ] Oh, I have no doubt, but he is an honorable man. Anything he sees he keeps to himself unless he must. Norns knows, he's seen some things from me that he must never be able to unsee. But, he has also saved me a few times that same way. I don't trust him, obviously, but it's a mutual dislike. Honorable, but annoying. [ Reaching over, he took one of the chocolate covered strawberries to take a bite. They were quickly becoming his favorite. Only once he finished it, he nods. ]
Let's start with the speakeasy and see how the night takes us.
[Her brow arches when he mentions fixing Selvig. Natasha had no idea that was possible. Truth be told, part of her has been wondering if Selvig's madness has been...self imposed. That or Clint is keeping a really impressive lid on what's going on in his brain.
Then again, she can see how Selvig would be driven to chase what he saw in the tesseract while Clint would merely go 'nope, that's not for me.']
How's your teleportation these days? Because it sounds like the night should start by taking us to see Selvig.
[ Oh, it was certainly the time he spent around the tesseract. Barton was a stronger man mentally than Selvig as well. Loki should have handled this months ago, but he knew the man was pleased when his death was announced, and he didn't exactly want to cause the old man further pain.
Still, he nodded when she spoke. ]
It is more than adequate to get us both there and back. However, I should point out, the man still thinks I am dead, this could make him worse.
I'm sure I've got a disguise here that'll work for you if you can't make one of your own.
[Which she's reasonably sure he can, considering she's seen him turn himself into a perfect replica of Steve. Voice and all. It means there's more at stake here. That this might even be one of the keys Loki needs to move forward. There's a lot that goes into redemption. Doing the hard things without any recognition is one of the most important parts.]
I'll keep an eye on him to make sure it's not making things worse.
A disguise isn't the issue. It is invading his mind without the scepter. It means I need him to agree to it. Or at least be asleep. I can do it if he's asleep to not move.
[ Looking back to Natasha. The wheels turning as he slapped a hand down on the table.]
I have an idea! [ That smirk finally returning, less devious but just as amused. Reaching over to take a drink from the glass she had given him as he sat back.]
We are going to find him and trick him into thinking we are Jane and Darcy, the two he trusts most. Get him drunk enough to slip a sleeping draft into a drink and get him back to his flat. I can fix his mind there. I will bring you as well, obviously, so that you can make sure it does not go off the rails.
I've done this before, but not for these reasons. [ Yet, he didn't offer that tale. ]
[He doesn't offer the tale, and Natasha doesn't ask for it. Loki shares in his own time, and the likelihood of his stories being wildly edited decreases dramatically when they're ones he wants to be telling.
Still, there's an amused look on her face as she listens to his plan.]
You Asgardians really love a complicated plan, huh? I don't feel great lying to him about this to that extent. You can disguise yourself if you think it'll be better, but I'll make sure he's agreeable to you trying.
[ Loki often shares in his own time. She's someone he's decided to trust and she's not broke that trust so, he was enjoying having someone he could trust again.
He made a face at her response before nodding. ]
Alright, no disguises, let's go do this. You're helping convince him.
[ Throwing back the rest of the drink she'd mixed, before he stood and started to move his hands. Eyes glowing green again as he worked to get the portal open. Only a moment or so later before the green portal was open, reflecting Erik's apartment. ]
[She meets his look with an unchanged expression - a little bit amused, a little bit you know I'm right. Idly, she takes a final sip of her drink and sets it down and disappears into the kitchen.
She returns only a moment later holding a pistol, low but ready. Call her paranoid but she's not one to step through a portal without making sure she can quickly defend herself if needed.]
Ready.
[She steps through and it's like stepping through a mirror that's reflecting a different room. Her eyes sweep the area.]
[ He does know she's right, but he'd never say it out loud. That was just not his way. Keeping the portal open until she returns with the pistol. A nod given, it gave him a good idea.
Nodding as he motioned her through first, following behind, as he had to close the portal.
The apartment messy as one would expect of a half crazed brilliant scientist. The sound of something crashing from the kitchen could be heard as Erik stepped out. Looking confused the horrified. ]
Oh, not again. Thor said he was dead. [ Dr. Selvig spoke, clearly shaken, but he didn't move. Loki stepped to Natasha's side, holding his hands up. ]
I come in peace, I have come to fix what I broke in you, Dr. Selvig. [ Looking from Natasha to Selvig.] Would you feel safer if Agent Romanoff aimed her gun at me?
[ Not a great plan, but he felt it was. Long lives didn't mean anything if he got shot in the head. Selvig looked to Natasha, clearly more concerned with her words than the words of the god of lies. ]
Why did you bring him here? [ Erik didn't buy it, and was trying to pretend Loki wasn't there. Reaching for his phone to text Thor. ]
[Natasha's all business as she steps through the portal, the change in her posture evident from the relaxed way she'd been lounging in her apartment. A quick visual assessment of the apartment shows her...well, pretty much exactly what she would have expected, to be honest.
She holds one hand up, a gesture of understanding at the Doctor's protests. Only to pause and shoot Loki a withering look at his offer. Her voice is all banked amusement and disbelief.] Literally holding a gun to someone's head has never helped de-escalate a situation.
[Turning her attention to Selvig, Natasha puts her free hand on his arm, a half smile at her lips.] Dr. Selvig, I think you know me well enough to know that I wouldn't endanger you, and the fact that I came through first with a gun means that he doesn't have me here against my will. Right?
[There's a momentary pause - the text is only half typed as the doctor reluctantly looks up at Natasha. All of her long years of training mean that her response is natural, this calm reassurance reads real right down to her core. She nods her head subtly until he finds himself nodding too.]
Exactly. Look, the least he can do for you after New York is make things right in your mind. It'll make it easier for you to continue your research. Easier to sleep at night. Wouldn't that be nice? [Her hand gives the doctor's arm a gentle squeeze as he shoots a quick, nervous look at Loki before reluctantly nodding his head again.]
[ Loki shrugged when she responded. ] I didn't think it a bad idea.
[ Yet, he didn't protest this time, motioning for her to go ahead. Natasha had much more experience with mortals than he did. And, clearly, as he could see, Selvig trusted her.
He blinked a bit, clearly not expecting it to be that easy. ] Thank you, Agent Romanoff.
[ Loki spoke low to her, not using her first name for now. It was not the place for that. ]
Please take a seat, you can speak to her if you wish. This should not take long. [ Selvig still looked uncertain, but he took a seat on the nearest chair. A look to Natasha, clearly putting faith in her.
Loki stepped closer, even if enchantment was not one of his skills, he knew enough from his youth around Amara to be able to tap into the mans mind and try to find what was causing the issue. He knew the man had hit his head too, so it made no sense why he was still unwell.
Placing his index and middle fingers of both hands against Selvigs temples. That same green energy rolling from his fingers as his eyes glowed as well. ] Keep talking, it is important.
[ Loki explained, which clearly made Selvig nervous, looking to Natasha. ] He has done this before, right?
[ The Trickster didn't answer as he was busy looking in the man's mind. ]
[Natasha's not sure if it's that easy, or if Selvig is that desperate to feel something normal again. She can certainly relate. When he asks if Loki has done this before, she gives him an understanding smile.]
He's about 3,000 years old. I'm pretty sure he's done everything before.
[It's not exactly a lie, but it's not exactly the truth either. But it's an answer designed to put the scientist at ease. She can tell he's still nervous, so she perches on the arm of the chair he's sitting on. Her hand shifts to rest on his back and her mouth quirks in a little smirk. Leaning in, she stage whispers.]
Don't worry, I'll kick him in the nuts if he tries anything.
[Her eyes shift as she gives Loki a guileless look, and Selvig lets out a nervous chuckle.] Why don't you tell me about what you've been working on? [He gives a little nod and starts to ramble somewhat disjointedly about his latest project.]
[ Loki scoffed as she spoke to Selvig. Giving her a look, his eyes still glowing green as he did. ]
Let's lose around 2950 years on there, Agent Romanoff. I am not an old man here.
[ He grumbled as if a little insulted by the age. ] Though, she is right on the rest, there is not much I have not done.
[ Loki's grumbling did seem to make Selvig give another nervous chuckle, if nothing else. A being as old as he is claiming he's not old. ]
Thank you, I feel better having you here.
[ Selvig, stayed still in the chair but chuckled again when she gave the stage whisper, more so when Loki grumbled the word 'Rude' as if they didn't hear him. As Loki worked, wigging his fingers at the man's temples as the seidr flowed from him, and he worked on unweaving the damage caused by the mind stone.
Erik was explaining a very complicated measurement for the Einstein Rosen Bridges he was working on with Jane. As he spoke, he seemed to ease up, looking less nervous as Loki was unwinding the damage. It wasn't him getting comfortable around the god, but the chaos of damage being released from his mind. ]
Wow, I take it back. He's younger than you. Practically a teenager.
[Her tone is light and teasing, and it's clear from the slight smirk on her lips that Selvig can't see that she's doing it on purpose. His posture relaxes by a fraction at the joke, and he leans back a little into his chair.
As he starts to talk about his work, Natasha shifts her position, moving into a crouch by the chair so that she can hold the scientist's gaze while Loki works. She asks a question whenever he falters, which makes it clear that she's at least following the thread of his research well enough to make conversation.
Erik seems to realize that something is changing in him as Loki works, and he holds up a hand to see that it's not shaking with a look of surprise on his face. Natasha smiles to herself and reaches out to squeeze his knee.] Here I thought that was from all the coffee. So how exactly do you think the Einstein Rosen Bridges account for space debris, especially in the field around Earth? [And then off he goes again.]
My math in the pervious tag goofed he should have said 1,941.
[ Loki grumbled without any bite. The Tesseract had done quite a job on Selvig's brain. Loki was having a harder time than expected, unraveling the damage. Just a touch of guilt for leaving him around the Tesseract that long.
Even now, Loki feels the call to the Tesseract. Something he has to ignore on the best of days. She had a way of digging her claws into all that touched her. The damage was something he felt a little better being the one to undo. To return Thor's friend to him as he once was. He was shockingly listening as Selvig spoke, following along. While some terms and thoughts conflicted with his own education, he understood it.]
Very good, that tremor is gone. I should be done soon, Doctor Selvig. [ Loki spoke, his eyes still glowing green as he hadn't seen it, but felt it since he was in Selvig's head.
Loki flinches and locks up a moment, hissing as a bit of feedback shot through him, but the relief would be almost instantaneous for the good doctor. The tangles undone. The tesseract cleared out. Loki couldn't break the connection yet, despite the pain and desire to go steal the box again. No, he had to stay on this path. Finally, his hands lowered, and his eyes returned to blue as he sank to his knees. Looking like he hadn't slept in days, despite looking fine earlier. The energy drained from him. ]
Good as new, well, better than before I would say. That little migraine issue should be gone for good now. The influence was making it worse. [ He spoke as he started to push himself off the floor. ] We should go find somewhere to wait, Natasha, I need a few moments before I can open the portal again.
Edited 2024-03-12 22:11 (UTC)
math is overrated! i am willing to pretend it said that all along
[The remark of 'rude' is met with a guileless who, me? sort of look. She knows Loki well enough by now to know that he actually sort of enjoys the fact that she is unrepentant in things like this. It might even be the equivalent of banter for two skilled liars.
Her eyes flick between Loki and Selvig - it's almost like she can see the pain shift from one to the other. It's almost no surprise when he falls to his knees, but she does him the dignity of not offering him sympathy for it. The doctor is clearly shocked, but the unexpected joy is starting to creep in around the edges. He even manages to thank Loki, even though it's Natasha that he pulls to her feet to crush into a hug. She can't help but laugh a little, patting his back.] You have my number, Doctor. Call me if you need anything else.
[She takes Loki's arm as she turns, as if she's letting him escort her from the house. Really it's just a cover screen in case he unexpectedly needs to lean on her. Once the door is closed behind them, she glances up at him with a half smile. Her free hand comes up to pat his arm.] Not a bad day's work for a trickster.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[The way she says it is judgment free. Pure observation. After defecting from the Red Room, it had taken her a while to set herself on the right course. She'd done a lot of things for the Red Room that she could never truly atone for. But there were things she could do to move in the right direction.
But as he says - that's for another day. She can't help but smirk a little when he says hi to Heimdall.]
He must see a lot of shit he'd rather not know about. [It's an interesting power to have, but at the end of the day, not one that she envies. She takes a few bites of her food, considering their options for the evening.] There's a party at a speakeasy bar I know of. Or I think I read there's a dessert buffet and drinks thing at a hotel in Manhattan.
no subject
[ He worried he might make things worse, but ignoring it further was bordering cowardice, and that would not do. His rocky road to redemption was littered with mistakes to fix, but Clint and Erik, they deserved better.
Though when she smirked at him waving to Heimdall, it made him chuckle. ] Oh, I have no doubt, but he is an honorable man. Anything he sees he keeps to himself unless he must. Norns knows, he's seen some things from me that he must never be able to unsee. But, he has also saved me a few times that same way. I don't trust him, obviously, but it's a mutual dislike. Honorable, but annoying. [ Reaching over, he took one of the chocolate covered strawberries to take a bite. They were quickly becoming his favorite. Only once he finished it, he nods. ]
Let's start with the speakeasy and see how the night takes us.
no subject
Then again, she can see how Selvig would be driven to chase what he saw in the tesseract while Clint would merely go 'nope, that's not for me.']
How's your teleportation these days? Because it sounds like the night should start by taking us to see Selvig.
no subject
Still, he nodded when she spoke. ]
It is more than adequate to get us both there and back. However, I should point out, the man still thinks I am dead, this could make him worse.
no subject
[Which she's reasonably sure he can, considering she's seen him turn himself into a perfect replica of Steve. Voice and all. It means there's more at stake here. That this might even be one of the keys Loki needs to move forward. There's a lot that goes into redemption. Doing the hard things without any recognition is one of the most important parts.]
I'll keep an eye on him to make sure it's not making things worse.
no subject
[ Looking back to Natasha. The wheels turning as he slapped a hand down on the table.]
I have an idea! [ That smirk finally returning, less devious but just as amused. Reaching over to take a drink from the glass she had given him as he sat back.]
We are going to find him and trick him into thinking we are Jane and Darcy, the two he trusts most. Get him drunk enough to slip a sleeping draft into a drink and get him back to his flat. I can fix his mind there. I will bring you as well, obviously, so that you can make sure it does not go off the rails.
I've done this before, but not for these reasons. [ Yet, he didn't offer that tale. ]
no subject
Still, there's an amused look on her face as she listens to his plan.]
You Asgardians really love a complicated plan, huh? I don't feel great lying to him about this to that extent. You can disguise yourself if you think it'll be better, but I'll make sure he's agreeable to you trying.
no subject
He made a face at her response before nodding. ]
Alright, no disguises, let's go do this. You're helping convince him.
[ Throwing back the rest of the drink she'd mixed, before he stood and started to move his hands. Eyes glowing green again as he worked to get the portal open. Only a moment or so later before the green portal was open, reflecting Erik's apartment. ]
Ready?
no subject
She returns only a moment later holding a pistol, low but ready. Call her paranoid but she's not one to step through a portal without making sure she can quickly defend herself if needed.]
Ready.
[She steps through and it's like stepping through a mirror that's reflecting a different room. Her eyes sweep the area.]
Dr. Selvig, are you home? It's Natasha Romanoff.
no subject
Nodding as he motioned her through first, following behind, as he had to close the portal.
The apartment messy as one would expect of a half crazed brilliant scientist. The sound of something crashing from the kitchen could be heard as Erik stepped out. Looking confused the horrified. ]
Oh, not again. Thor said he was dead. [ Dr. Selvig spoke, clearly shaken, but he didn't move. Loki stepped to Natasha's side, holding his hands up. ]
I come in peace, I have come to fix what I broke in you, Dr. Selvig. [ Looking from Natasha to Selvig.] Would you feel safer if Agent Romanoff aimed her gun at me?
[ Not a great plan, but he felt it was. Long lives didn't mean anything if he got shot in the head. Selvig looked to Natasha, clearly more concerned with her words than the words of the god of lies. ]
Why did you bring him here? [ Erik didn't buy it, and was trying to pretend Loki wasn't there. Reaching for his phone to text Thor. ]
no subject
She holds one hand up, a gesture of understanding at the Doctor's protests. Only to pause and shoot Loki a withering look at his offer. Her voice is all banked amusement and disbelief.] Literally holding a gun to someone's head has never helped de-escalate a situation.
[Turning her attention to Selvig, Natasha puts her free hand on his arm, a half smile at her lips.] Dr. Selvig, I think you know me well enough to know that I wouldn't endanger you, and the fact that I came through first with a gun means that he doesn't have me here against my will. Right?
[There's a momentary pause - the text is only half typed as the doctor reluctantly looks up at Natasha. All of her long years of training mean that her response is natural, this calm reassurance reads real right down to her core. She nods her head subtly until he finds himself nodding too.]
Exactly. Look, the least he can do for you after New York is make things right in your mind. It'll make it easier for you to continue your research. Easier to sleep at night. Wouldn't that be nice? [Her hand gives the doctor's arm a gentle squeeze as he shoots a quick, nervous look at Loki before reluctantly nodding his head again.]
no subject
[ Yet, he didn't protest this time, motioning for her to go ahead. Natasha had much more experience with mortals than he did. And, clearly, as he could see, Selvig trusted her.
He blinked a bit, clearly not expecting it to be that easy. ] Thank you, Agent Romanoff.
[ Loki spoke low to her, not using her first name for now. It was not the place for that. ]
Please take a seat, you can speak to her if you wish. This should not take long. [ Selvig still looked uncertain, but he took a seat on the nearest chair. A look to Natasha, clearly putting faith in her.
Loki stepped closer, even if enchantment was not one of his skills, he knew enough from his youth around Amara to be able to tap into the mans mind and try to find what was causing the issue. He knew the man had hit his head too, so it made no sense why he was still unwell.
Placing his index and middle fingers of both hands against Selvigs temples. That same green energy rolling from his fingers as his eyes glowed as well. ] Keep talking, it is important.
[ Loki explained, which clearly made Selvig nervous, looking to Natasha. ] He has done this before, right?
[ The Trickster didn't answer as he was busy looking in the man's mind. ]
no subject
He's about 3,000 years old. I'm pretty sure he's done everything before.
[It's not exactly a lie, but it's not exactly the truth either. But it's an answer designed to put the scientist at ease. She can tell he's still nervous, so she perches on the arm of the chair he's sitting on. Her hand shifts to rest on his back and her mouth quirks in a little smirk. Leaning in, she stage whispers.]
Don't worry, I'll kick him in the nuts if he tries anything.
[Her eyes shift as she gives Loki a guileless look, and Selvig lets out a nervous chuckle.] Why don't you tell me about what you've been working on? [He gives a little nod and starts to ramble somewhat disjointedly about his latest project.]
no subject
Let's lose around 2950 years on there, Agent Romanoff. I am not an old man here.
[ He grumbled as if a little insulted by the age. ] Though, she is right on the rest, there is not much I have not done.
[ Loki's grumbling did seem to make Selvig give another nervous chuckle, if nothing else. A being as old as he is claiming he's not old. ]
Thank you, I feel better having you here.
[ Selvig, stayed still in the chair but chuckled again when she gave the stage whisper, more so when Loki grumbled the word 'Rude' as if they didn't hear him. As Loki worked, wigging his fingers at the man's temples as the seidr flowed from him, and he worked on unweaving the damage caused by the mind stone.
Erik was explaining a very complicated measurement for the Einstein Rosen Bridges he was working on with Jane. As he spoke, he seemed to ease up, looking less nervous as Loki was unwinding the damage. It wasn't him getting comfortable around the god, but the chaos of damage being released from his mind. ]
no subject
[Her tone is light and teasing, and it's clear from the slight smirk on her lips that Selvig can't see that she's doing it on purpose. His posture relaxes by a fraction at the joke, and he leans back a little into his chair.
As he starts to talk about his work, Natasha shifts her position, moving into a crouch by the chair so that she can hold the scientist's gaze while Loki works. She asks a question whenever he falters, which makes it clear that she's at least following the thread of his research well enough to make conversation.
Erik seems to realize that something is changing in him as Loki works, and he holds up a hand to see that it's not shaking with a look of surprise on his face. Natasha smiles to herself and reaches out to squeeze his knee.] Here I thought that was from all the coffee. So how exactly do you think the Einstein Rosen Bridges account for space debris, especially in the field around Earth? [And then off he goes again.]
My math in the pervious tag goofed he should have said 1,941.
[ Loki grumbled without any bite. The Tesseract had done quite a job on Selvig's brain. Loki was having a harder time than expected, unraveling the damage. Just a touch of guilt for leaving him around the Tesseract that long.
Even now, Loki feels the call to the Tesseract. Something he has to ignore on the best of days. She had a way of digging her claws into all that touched her. The damage was something he felt a little better being the one to undo. To return Thor's friend to him as he once was. He was shockingly listening as Selvig spoke, following along. While some terms and thoughts conflicted with his own education, he understood it.]
Very good, that tremor is gone. I should be done soon, Doctor Selvig. [ Loki spoke, his eyes still glowing green as he hadn't seen it, but felt it since he was in Selvig's head.
Loki flinches and locks up a moment, hissing as a bit of feedback shot through him, but the relief would be almost instantaneous for the good doctor. The tangles undone. The tesseract cleared out. Loki couldn't break the connection yet, despite the pain and desire to go steal the box again. No, he had to stay on this path. Finally, his hands lowered, and his eyes returned to blue as he sank to his knees. Looking like he hadn't slept in days, despite looking fine earlier. The energy drained from him. ]
Good as new, well, better than before I would say. That little migraine issue should be gone for good now. The influence was making it worse. [ He spoke as he started to push himself off the floor. ] We should go find somewhere to wait, Natasha, I need a few moments before I can open the portal again.
math is overrated! i am willing to pretend it said that all along
Her eyes flick between Loki and Selvig - it's almost like she can see the pain shift from one to the other. It's almost no surprise when he falls to his knees, but she does him the dignity of not offering him sympathy for it. The doctor is clearly shocked, but the unexpected joy is starting to creep in around the edges. He even manages to thank Loki, even though it's Natasha that he pulls to her feet to crush into a hug. She can't help but laugh a little, patting his back.] You have my number, Doctor. Call me if you need anything else.
[She takes Loki's arm as she turns, as if she's letting him escort her from the house. Really it's just a cover screen in case he unexpectedly needs to lean on her. Once the door is closed behind them, she glances up at him with a half smile. Her free hand comes up to pat his arm.] Not a bad day's work for a trickster.