#brokeassgoing / o1

[mischiefmodig]

Loki had taken to the streets. He sought answers to this place and was desperate to find something that would send him down a path towards escape ( to where? anywhere but here ).

Those who appeared to be local were of no use to him. They were all fools who spoke of nothing but how 'wonderful' this city was and if he wanted to purchase their bread.

Ignoring the food in his arms ( he required sustenance anyway . ) he sought instead those who were in a similar position to him. Luckily for him, they stood against the plain backdrops of buildings.

His searches had taken him late into the evening when he finally managed to locate an individual. Red hair and... oh by the norns. ( how were there two individuals here missing their eyes? )

❝ I beg your pardon. ❞ He called cordially ( surprisingly . )

❝ I am Loki, of Asgard. I desire to ask you a few questions regarding this... place. I can assure you they shall be brief. ❞ He did not intend to speak longer to him than he needed to. Of the way he carried himself and his habits, Loki had doubts of his usefulness.

@brokeassgoing \ / Night Encounter

[magnusmodig]

𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐘 𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐀 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐊. though he supposed more than that: what he truly required was food , first and foremost. ( too long now had cosmic sovereign cared far too little over a matter so TRITE , and so it seemed in some ways such failing was ... catching up to him. )

after some small amount of time wandering the seaside province , thor finally decided to make do with what precious little he had while the sun still lit the sky.

❝  — good sir i do hail you, ❞ thor called , lifting a hand as he made for the nearest gentleman he could spot. a rather rugged looking fellow. though that oft met a learned one. ( it wasn't as though he had his jane to steer him astray . ) ❝  this form requires sustenance. yet i have very little idea of where to procure this planet's provisions. might you know? ❞

@brokeassgoing / starter call !

[hecrtled]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ FAWN WAS CERTAINLY NO TINKERBELL. not that any fairy was a match for the resident tinker talent , but that didn't mean that fawn wasn't her own kind of creative! she needed new clothes. SPECIFICALLY winter clothes. while her new friends were helpful enough to keep her wings protected in the snow of this not-mainland , making her own was DEFINITELY on fawn's personal to-do list. hence , her newest recruits all huddled together by the side of one of the giant clumsy stores.

❛  alright fellas ! now , remember the plan. calipso and queenie? you two are with me,  ❜ she pointed at the downy grey mimicimp and the spotted portal-mouse respectively. ❛ bernard , once we're all inside , you're free to roam a little. but make sure you don't go too far ! we've gotta stick together on this one.  ❜ the hoarder's nose twitched , but he nodded dutifully. ( fawn , of course , knew he was probably just ITCHING to get his little paws on the biggest , nearest shiny thing he could spot. )

❛ — oh ! and don't forget , i'm looking for warm things. like flower petals or dandelion fluff. everything else is all yours , buck-o. but is everyone all ready? ❜ the three critters nodded. fawn grinned and hopped onto the queenie's back. ❛ great ! we'll all head in on the count of three , then. 'kay? one ... two ... ❜

@brokeassgoing / plotted !

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // "that's alright. i offered." and it was off to the coffee machine with byleth. being something of the quiet sort , byleth did not speak up for idle conversation until she had filled two mugs with coffee from the pot. one full , and the second with whatever remained. ( she didn't want it to go to waste. )

she set the full mug down where badou could fashion it more to his taste.

"...may i ask you something?" she asked , and waited for permission before she continued. "i'd like to confirm a suspicion that i have. so: did you also come from another world? somehow , you also seem different from the other travelers to the temple."

Or they could kick her out. Badou doesn't much give a crap, he's used to being busted trespassing, but Byleth likes this place. It'd be a shame if she were forced to leave because of him.

The people were sure....nice. Nicey-nice. Maybe they're giving him odd looks, but they're sure happy to see her. At least she has that. Again, he's used to any looks.

"Pretty nice digs," he comments once they arrive, poking idly around the room. His mouth curls bemusedly, his back to her.

"I do like coffee better, sure. But don't trouble yourself if ya can't, it's not a big deal."

[magnusmodig]

❝  𝐍𝐎 … 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐍𝐄𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐃𝐎 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍. ❞ he swirled his drink around in a slow circle and was painstakingly reminded of the olympian's ichor. for even 'gods' bled. and even gods were paltry , foolish beings. or at least that was the thought that thor had long begun to believe for himself. he once likened his family to bilgesnipe. destructive and ghastly things. for what were they besides beings who pretended as though they were more advanced? what good was MIGHT if one's own mistakes made entire worlds bleed?

and for that thor found that he condemned his own line. . . . even . . . though he was now the last.

❝  i'd wager that what difference there is between you and i is that you have the privilege of courting time, ❞ he continued , looking up. ❝  such is your beauty. you are born , you live , you die. and in truth , so do we. but humanity's years are quick. but a blink of the eye to my people. so much so , i find the fire of your hearts greatly outshines the match you've left to burn. ❞ he smiled , something wistful , something contemplative. ❝  we have more time. perhaps to you that would be a privilege. yet our ills beget the suffering of all those who surround us. true that perhaps humanity is hasty ... and yet for it i can find within me no heart to cast blame. your triumphs shine more brightly than the blood you've bled. ❞

If Badou notes Thor's healthy (???) thirst (????????), he doesn't say anything aloud. Just steadily gazes at the would-be god, and listens.

Tenacious...his mouth quirks wryly. He tilts his head, humming a little.

"I don't know if we can be commended. Humanity never learns the right lessons from itself. They keep making the same mistakes, and hurting the same people."

Badou doesn't have enough drink for this.

[mischiefmodig]

Loki's posture shifted. Less from the intimating, to being pleased instead. He was glad to see that Badou was no fool... but time would tell how long this perception lasted. He nodded in agreement, with a smile following suit.

❝ Naturally, I'm many things in the world, and a man of my word is most certainly one of them. ❞ For being the god of mischief, there was little else important to him than the truth. Loki quickly turned on his heels, walking away to continue the evening.

❝ We shall meet again soon, Badou. Have a good evening. ❞ And with that, Loki continued into the shadows, bag in hand and a pleased expression on his face. His plans were just beginning.

\ / End.

He knows in that look that Loki believes in himself-- his powers, his mightiness above all of the lowly slobs here-- but Badou also wonders as far as he's risen, even here-- what it'll sound like when he falls-- SPLAT.

He'd get his neck broken if he likened that to watching a bug get squished, huh. Good thing he can't read minds.

"Fine. Yeah, whatever. I'll take the job. Just be good for the rest-- even your own shit."

At the very least he can wiggle out of anything dangerous while the-- God-alien, whatever, doesn't have his powers. Badou can run pretty fast.

[mischiefmodig]

Oh, wouldn't he just tear the universe apart? And he did, once. He once held so much power in his hand, and he used that power to achieve something far greater than himself. And look where it got him after all of that.

Even before his conquest of earth, he was always praised for his tenacity and scorned for his stubbornness. Loki was dealt with a rotten hand, and simply chose to burn his cards. He made his own rules. He played with chaos with every step he took.

The god of mischief hummed softly to himself. No black hole would stop him from his freedom. His eyes said it all.

❝ The answer is simple... Son of Nails. Don't get in my way. ❞ He paused, preparing himself to leave. ❝ Do you accept the job? ❞

Badou knows Loki is attempting to sound and look and act reasonable...but you can never tell until it's too late, with a person. Until they stab you in the back.

That smile is very dangerous, all teeth. Loki doesn't seem the type to file down his teeth to keep prey comfortable, safe. He'll dig in with his fangs if need be.

"And if someone gets in your way? In the way of the black hole...will you tear the universe apart? Fuck it up?"

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // a hint of a smile graced her face. she squeezed his hand before letting it go. "well , the way that i see it , badou , is that if there does happen to be a problem with it , we'll simply know better for next time."

not that it would exactly stop her from extending the kindness all the same. gesturing for badou to follow , she slipped from the rows of seats and out into the corridors. soon enough , they'd made it to the nearest break room - and with no shortage of well-mannered greetings and mild pleasantries on their way over.

"here we are." byleth leaned her weight against the door to keep it propped open. inside was a modest sight , but not at all uninviting. a table set with a white cloth and various small treats was placed neatly in the middle , and surrounding was cupboards and shelves with their own hidden stashes of refreshments. "i could put on a kettle , if you like tea. otherwise , i can see what i can do about preparing a cup of coffee instead. i've heard that most people only prefer one or the other."

Oh, she-- oh. The moment breaks, and he takes her hand in his, climbing to his feet with a sigh. Badou's grateful, if that little twinkle in his eye says anything.

"Yeah? It won't be sacrilege or anything? Don't want you in trouble." She wants his name, then, okay. "And that part's easy-- My name's Badou."

[magnusmodig]

𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐇𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐈𝐍 thor's hand , amber liquor healthily sipped from the moment it had found its way into thor's possession — seemingly there was little heed paid to whether or not he'd had sufficient food before making headway with the drink. ( not that human liquors would sway his mind much without effort , mortal or not. )

it was the mention of wars that sobered him.

❝  i see. ❞ perhaps it ought surprise him not that midgard - any version of it , really - would have consumed itself to the fires of war eventually. for most societies , such was the fate of creatures that did not learn from the past. ( burning draught of whiskey down his throat . ) ❝  ah , but you come from a future , then. my midgard remains firmly in their twenty-first century. but i still commend your generation. despite all , you humans — you are a tenacious people. ❞

Thor is old timey, so it makes sense that his words are more....flower-y. Poetic, even a little romantic. Badou can also see the sincerity there, though, not just fluffy bullshit out of his mouth like those period dramas. You know the ones.

While Thor protects his blind spot, Badou deals with his own-- and maps out a few exits while they wait.

"New York City? There's a form of it, as far as I know. It isn't the way it was in the 21st century, though. Too many wars tore up the world."

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // perhaps she was prodding a little bit too close to the fire. there was a tension in the air that byleth felt more readily than she could quite put to name. sensing it , she stepped down and extended a hand to help him up. "well , i can only hope so , thank you."

"sometimes there's tea and refreshments for visitors. we could check , if you'd like. i know that walking all the way to the temple can be quite the journey. that — and i'd like to at least get your name before you decide it's time for you to go."

Badou's shoulders curl in a bit, whether he realizes it or not, a little defensively. Suffering the weight of past hardships by himself...he's been doing that for years, he's fine! He can handle it.

"Sounds like they got territorial. Good thing you were the one with everyone in mind."

She means well, she genuinely does.

"You seem to be doing a good job of it, then."

[magnusmodig]

𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐀 𝐕𝐔𝐋𝐆𝐀𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐏𝐔𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐓 , but then , when one had spent many a few years around the likes of tony stark it would be prudent to at least FAMILIARIZE ONESELF with earthen colloquialisms. ( and in some ways , although it was crude , thor took comfort in the recognizable. nigh-immortal that he was — c h a n g e did not take kindly to him all the time. )

❝  bah. that your life shines aflame amongst the many marvels of the cosmos is in itself a wonder , my friend. besides , i wish to know what separates your earth from my own. ❞ he said , finding a suitable table amongst the cozy interior. it was situated beneath a low-hanging golden light. ( he chose the seat that allowed him the most view of the tavern hall , his blind eye to the wall and badou across. ) only once the two had decided on , and fetched their preferred drinks and food did thor continue the discussion. ❝  — tell me , does your earth have a new york then? from where do you hail? ❞

Badou's tiny little smile joins Thor's. If his friends are as...enthusiastic as Thor, there'd for sure be a party.

The place is as cozy inside as it is outside. While the info broker doesn't frequent this tavern all the time, some of the regulars know his face.

His smile widens again, glad to see the dour mood wash away from his companion's face. It doesn't suit him.

"Sure, man, we'll shoot the shit about my Earth if ya want. Not much exciting, but alright."

[mischiefmodig]

Loki was pleased to see him take a bite. Though he was not particularly surprised. He'd had a plan for if the man refused or accepted his particular offer; Badou's compliance to him made Loki's mission much easier.

❝ Of course. It would be foolish of me to expect swiftness as we are both strangers in this realm. ❞ Loki was a reasonable individual ( for the most part ) and he sought a quality service. Right now there was too much uncertainty about this world, he had to play it safe.

Loki merely chuckled at the comment, though in a lot of ways, Loki felt a similar sentiment. He doubted what he might be able to achieve. He knew what he could do, but he refused to have hope of any power being restored. They were on their own, and they may have yet to fight for freedom ( or a second life. )

❝ My certainty matters little. Regardless of anything else, I am determined to make it so. I refuse to stand by and do nothing about my circumstances. ❞ Loki smiled, something determined, stubborn... dangerous.

Of course it's a good deal. If he's as powerful as he's strutting around, he could probably protect Badou from a tank if need be. A magical tank. Good for both of them, the only cons would be how far Loki can be trusted.

Finally, he nods, his mouth curved into a grin.

"Alright, I'll bite. I think it'd be a lucrative business venture for the two of us. And as long as you don't expect a time limit on this, we'll be square."

He doesn't need some God breathing down his neck, scrambling to get out like a bug out of a jar.

"You're sure you'd be able to break us out once you get your powers back? What if we're in a black hole."

[fellstcr]

⚔️ // "i suppose that's only to be expected," she admitted , laughing softly. "for a year , i lived for in a church not too dissimilar to the one we're standing in. only , i didn't share the same occupations as the monks , bishops and the priests that i worked with. i was a teacher instead. i guess that checking in on people sort of ... comes with either territory."

"mostly , i just don't want anyone to go unnoticed. that's all. it can be hard , suffering the weight of past hardships by yourself."

One blue eye widens in surprise-- he really shouldn't have been. She's known to be kind and reassuring, of course she'd offer-- knowingly biting off more than she can chew or not.

If he were a different person, at a different time, he would have lashed out. But for now, Badou's mouth ticks up slightly again, a sardonic shape to it.

"You said you weren't a priestess, but you kinda sound like one....taking on people's problems and shit. Or a shrink, you sort of sound like that."

Badou doesn't-- knock her for that. He just-- doesn't get it.

[magnusmodig]

𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋. 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐂𝐊 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄 a sword's blow , cutting clean through muscle and sinew to the wick of him. fictional was a word used for stories , or legends one did not believe. was asgard and its people not considered FICTION to some who denounced their existence? — only such a denouncement , such blatant DISBELIEF , would prove a rather quizzical stance nowadays. for loki had made a theatrical display in germany some years ago , and thor himself had grown more and more known to the public eye as his work against earthen threats and marauders had progressed.

... no , fictional was not a word used for a group that found itself on the television every other disaster. and certainly not one used for a group shackled to the laws and fancies of fear-blinded mortals through the honeyed politics of the sakovian accords.

his pause , though weighted with his sudden bout of UNEASE was soon enough waved off by a nod and a short laugh. from dim to sunny again in but a moment , as though the sudden realization of eternal inflation systems and the infinite macroscopic histories within physics' allowance were a mere COMMONPLACE development. ( — after all , why would there NOT be infinite dimensions? )

❝  — i see! then you have my apologies for the confusion , my friend. in MY world , they are not fiction but are my friends. and it has been some time since last i had caught wind of their whereabouts. it seems otherwise perhaps your earth and mine may still be similar nonetheless. ❞

By word of mouth or by raven. Holy crap, that's practically the dark ages! Sure, that was how information and news got around back then, but to have the luxury of judging it now is his right as a modern man.

"Yeah, we had tv, news reporters that talked about stuff that happened that day, within a few hours instead of maybe a few days and a bunch of grandmas."

So he knows what a tv is, okay! Alright, that works.

"So no, I think...we didn't have Avengers where I'm from. Think some of the problems would be easier, then...cops don't do shit. Avenger stuff is more fictional."

[magnusmodig]

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐃 his many years of practice , it seemed that even without the storms to echo his disquiet , the truth of his heart shone through. as mortal clasped his hand upon thor's shoulder , thor turned his head and felt it only right that he offer something small - something real - in return. the smallest of nods , and the faintest of bittersweet sentiments.

❝  it would make a fine celebratory feast if that they did. ❞

❝  — nonetheless , son of nails , you have piqued my interest. i wish to know more of your earth , if i may. ❞ as thor spoke , a new building neared. cozy and built with old wood that had long since stood the tests of time and weather. waystone tavern , read the sign , and upon its wooden surface was a depiction of one such stone with runes carved in aevum's tongue. if thor was likened to a sunny day before , then his was a sun that practically BEAMED now. oh , how delightful. ❝  — perhaps over those drinks i owe you? ❞

The info broker isn't any kind of-- sensitive being-- powers or otherwise-- but he watches people, he knows how to read the minute shifts in their eyes, in their faces. What he told Thor, this legendary warrior-- that cut him. Whether it's the lack of information on his friends, or this reality shattering, well, reality-- dark clouds rumble across his face for a moment.

And just as quickly, the sun returns.

"Nah, you're good. All of this is confusing. Wish we did have warriors like you and your friends where I am..."

Hesitantly, gently, he claps Thor on the shoulder.

"Your friends might still show up here one day. Maybe. Maybe they'll bring you shawarma."

[mischiefmodig]

Smarter than he looks. Well, not entirely so ( wasting his life away with the consumption of a toxic chemical was something only the sentient beings seemed to enjoy. ) But perhaps... Loki would allow some details to slip past his immediate judgment. For the sake of the prize, the escape.

❝ Well then, allow me to propose to you an opportunity. ❞ Loki skips the pleasantries of smiles and courtship. For someone like this Badou... ( son of nails? ) it was rather pointless. Info Brokers were in their business for money, nothing more, and nothing less.

❝ I seek knowledge of this place. How it works, who runs it, anything to level the playfield between us and our captors. I would be willing to pay for your time and offer some... extra security should there be a lead too "dangerous" for a mortal as yourself. Perhaps even a way out. ❞ He pauses, allowing his words to breathe in the space before he continues. He would wait and see if the man would accept his offer.

Loki had little doubt he would refuse, but he would not trust in that notion. The man, as any human, was unpredictable. Loki was not fond of that.

Badou can see the gears turning in Loki's head, and while, y'know, it's great for business, he's still a tad wary. Someone otherworldly taking an interest in him-- hasn't worked out well before, and this time around he really would like it to, thanks!

"I do," he replies measuredly. "I have a good number, sure. Wanting info about shit from how to get better business to where to get weapons."

He does not mention all the missing cats and whatnot. His tone shifts.

"I tend not to take certain cases I feel are too dangerous. Or missing person cases."