epidemiology

CHARACTERS: loki (MCU) & u
DATE: post-rescue mission, pre-next mission??
WARNINGS: n/a
SUMMARY: a new and exciting(???) arrival is exploring Oska...

Arrival in Oska, following the short (but definitely anything but boring) time in the unknown forest, is very welcome. It's warm and dry, and Loki is quick to claim a room of his own. In the cavernous castle, he roams the halls, taking note of rooms of interest (CYOA). You might find him popping his head into the training room, kitchen, or just wandering curiously through the halls. Or, perhaps, you might encounter him in one of the following places:

i. viewing room
Though he hadn't intended to stay in any one of the rooms he found (exploration first, in-depth investigation later), this place catches and holds his attention. Loki steps inside, chin lifted as his gaze sweeping slowly over the shifting frames. He walks along one wall, then the next, eyes inevitably drawn back to a section of mirrors he'd already looked over when movement shows that they've changed. It's overwhelming, dizzying, and he could stay here for hours on end if he allowed himself to.

Not yet, though, not now, not when he knows next to nothing of Oska and the other people here. Perhaps later, perhaps another day. Though, another few minutes will be of no harm...

ii. mists
How could he resist? The mists hover there, a clear line from a distance that fades the closer one approaches. Loki paces the edges of the thick mist, half-shrouded. The castle is just barely visible, and if he takes but a few more steps into the clouds, he has no doubt it'll be entirely too easy to lose one's way. Another day, perhaps, to better prepare. For now, though, he walks the boundary of reality.

iii. library
Eventually, as he knew would happen, Loki ends up in the library, prowling the stacks and flipping through books that catch his interest. The sheer wealth of knowledge available here easily rivals the library in Asgard's palace, where they were content with what they knew and had experienced. Asgard is the Realm Eternal, unchanging, stagnant; for all the Loki idealizes it, he's well aware of the rot beneath the gold.

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I don't read them. [ Normally, he would recommend that Loki speak with Loki...

However, that seems like a poor idea. There's a certain familiar feeling, and one that he can't shake. ]

...what do you value higher, amusement or quality of prose?

Is a single volume unlikely to have both quality and entertainment?

[ The look Ahad sends him makes it obvious that Loki's missed the point. ]

You've neglected to answer the question.

[ It makes him laugh, quiet and genuinely entertained. ]

The quality of prose. If the writing is too terrible, I find myself incapable of continuing on, regardless of how amused I may be.

[ Ahad runs a cursory eye over his return pile, before shaking his head and moving toward the shelves. He does nothing to indicate that Loki should follow, but Loki may be left with the impression that Ahad expects it.

That, and Ahad doesn't intend to fetch anything to bring back to him. ]

[ That makes him make another faint sound of amusement as he watches Ahad walk away before Loki agreeably follows along, fingers trailing along book-spines as they walk down the shelves. ]

[ They quickly find themselves in the appropriate section. Ahad surveys the shelf and within a few moments, pulls out a novel that he holds out to Loki. The cover is rather simple, and nowhere near as...florid as many of those that surround it.

If Loki reads the back, the description will seem strangely as if it's exactly what he was looking for (perhaps especially if he had no idea he wanted it. ]

The prose in that one is bearable.

[ It was strange to realize how many of these books summarized themselves, but Loki could see the advantages of it. It did, certainly, prevent a lot of unnecessary reading and scanning to locate what one might be interested in. Even better, it prevented the need of asking a more experienced scholar or librarian.

One brow arches as he reads the blurb, and then dips his head slightly. ]

It seems bearable. My thanks, ah... I'm afraid I've not the pleasure of your name.

[ Ahad arches an eyebrow, but otherwise doesn't comment on the slight dip of Loki's head. ]

You may call me Ahad.

[ The phrasing alone is enough to indicate that Ahad simply stands in for something else. ]

Well met, Ahad. I am Loki.

Ah. [ It's a suspicion confirmed. Ahad wanted to doubt his senses, but the evidence was clearly in front of him. This was Loki; not the Loki that he knew, but Loki nonetheless.

Saying something polite and concluding this encounter is tempting enough that Ahad almost gives in. Even though it would be a mistake, and one that would come back to him in time. There's a certain resigned air to him, when he continues to speak. ]

I thought you might be.

[ There's a strange scent to the air--not literally, no, but there's something in place that he does not recognize. How strange, this acceptance and acknowledgement. No scorn or mockery, nor is it disbelief. This Ahad, he is no mortal man, no of Midgard the way the Avengers are, yet neither is he, so far as Loki can tell, Aes or Vanir or any other race he's encountered before. ]

Did you. And how, if I might ask, did you come to such a conclusion?

[ Ahad shrugs, as he attempts to find words explain it. Mortal languages are limiting, but it's all he knows. ]

You feel like Loki. My words are likely inadequate, but I know of no other way to describe it.

[ Feel, he says, and though Loki doesn't quite know what is meant by that, he can--imagine. It must be somewhat similar to how he knows truth from illusion, or how he knows Ahad to be other. ]

And what are you, then?

Some would find that question rude.

[ Whether Ahad does or not is up in the air. ]

I have been called that before.

[ He answers agreeably, but doesn't retract the question, still waiting. ]

I am a god, as I am certain you have sensed.

[ There's something very dry about his tone. He doesn't quite sound like he's humoring Loki, but there's an undercurrent of it. ]

I did come to that conclusion.

[ Though, admittedly, he hadn't been entirely certain until now. ]

How did you come to be in this place?

How does anyone come here? [ He'll shrug, before continuing. ]

There does not seem to be much variation.

I was informed that my arrival was not quite the norm. Not all arrive in the middle of a forest during a rainstorm, it seems.

[ A brief pause. ]

What is the regular sort of arrival?

I arrived during a mission. Many do the same, if they do not arrive while we pause here to await a new assignment.

And we are, right now, awaiting a new assignment. I see. How fortunate.

Fortunate?

[ He's raising an eyebrow at that. Fortunate is not usually a word he'd apply to...any of this, really. ]

Had we all been in the midst of an assignment, it would have, I imagine, been much more difficult to understand what is going on. At least now, until we're given a mission, I have the luxury of the time necessary to explore and learn this place.

[ Ahad has never found ALASTAIR's home base to be that helpful, but Loki is certainly welcome to find that out for himself. Perhaps he'll unearth something new? ]

Some time, at least. The space between missions is often short.

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