In the cells

[reindeer_games]

It's been just over a week since Loki was put in this cage, and four days since he's said a word to anyone. He hardly sleeps, and when he does, it's fitfully, shivering as though pierced through by unbearable chill.

He does nothing but sit in the corner of this cage, drawn in on himself. He seems to have aged considerably in this last week. Perhaps the time here, lost in his own thoughts with no real distraction, is taking its toll on him. Or perhaps he has been too long out of Asgard, too long away from Idunn and her shiny apples.

Comments

[ostro_goth]

Teja has been watching over him, and supplied books and apples as Charles suggested, but he kept his distance, remembering the god's fit of rage.

But today, he comes in person. This behaviour is beginning to worry him. Never mind this is a god -- as Charles said, this is a man, and he is very visibly suffering. He's standing by the barrier, with two books, and food and drink in a basket.

[reindeer_games]

Loki ignores him, the only movement he makes to be picking idly at one of the seams of his clothing. That particular spot has become frayed with the constant worrying of Loki's fingers.

[ostro_goth]

Teja taps his fingers on the clear barrier. "Loki Laufeyson," he says, quietly.

It did not take long, did it, to break this one in his cage? But Teja is not wishing for him to be broken.

[reindeer_games]

If Loki hears Teja, he does not make any acknowledgement of it. He just continues to stare at nothing with an empty, vacant expression.

[ostro_goth]

Teja hits his flat hand on the barrier, to get Loki's attention, even if it startles the prisoner. "Loki!"

[reindeer_games]

Loki does start, slightly, and turns his gaze to Teja for just a moment. He doesn't quite look at Teja, but more in his general direction, before returning his gaze to the spot on the floor near his feet.

[ostro_goth]

"I brought you food and drink, and books," Teja says. "So neither your mind nor body would wither away while you are in there."

[reindeer_games]

The only move Loki makes is to lean further into the corner. If he is even hearing Teja at all, he ignores him.

[ostro_goth]

"You are in some dire state, that much seems clear," Teja says, thinking of all that sane sense Charles spoke to him, in the forge.

He stands and considers his prisoner. He cannot leave a suffering man whose soul is sick and broken, all without help, in a prison cell!

[reindeer_games]

Still, Loki does not respond, besides tightly gripping at his opposite sleeve for just a moment. After that, he resumes his idle plucking at the seam, slowly working it apart to a localised frayed mess.

[ostro_goth]

"Help must be found!" Teja says, putting the basket and the books down on the floor, and walking away briskly.

But he cannot seem to find Charles anywhere, nor Asar-Suti to probe at the green god with magic, nor any that he would trust handling Loki in the infirmary; so after about ten minutes, he returns alone and puzzled.

[reindeer_games]

In that time, Loki has not moved. He sits quietly in the corner, lost in his own poisoned thoughts.

[ostro_goth]

Teja has brooded like that; he knows. But he would ever be there, sharp and ready to fight, whenever any came and spoke with him.

He cannot leave a man like that, without help.

"Loki?" he says again. "Do not startle. I am coming in, with the things I brought you."

He takes out the crystal the purple had given him, and opens first the magic dampener, then the clear barrier, by the authority of his being a Security memeber.

Then he picks up the basket and the books, and steps within, closing the barrier behind himself.

"Loki? I am here."

He walks towards the stricken god, and bends over him.

[reindeer_games]

And just like that, this human has played right into Loki's plan. Loki looks up at Teja, and with a wide and mischievous grin, he disappears. Or rather, the shadow-Loki disappears, revealing the real one out in the corridor.

"Is there no-one who doesn't fall for that trick?" asks Loki as he closes the barrier to the cell.

[ostro_goth]

Teja rushes at the barrier, but it is too late; he fetches up against it with a mighty clank.

"Loki! You know not what trouble you are making for yourself thus!"

[reindeer_games]

Loki runs his fingers over the barrier, now that he is on the outside of it feeling free to admire the true power behind it.

"Then perhaps I should go find out."

[ostro_goth]

Teja gets out his Security badge, and begins the complex ritual of opening the barrier from within, in great haste, as he does not wish to let Loki go far.

He is fumbling, and does not do things right at first try.

[reindeer_games]

It's enough time for Loki to make his escape. By the time Teja is out, the trickster god is already well loose on the grounds. He has a few scores to settle and a date to keep, and wishes to see all of them through.

[ostro_goth]

Teja, of course, raises the alarm. If only the purple god were here, to hunt Loki down!

Now, as a result, he feels very, very stupid.-

[reindeer_games]

Loki knows that many will be searching for him. He has angered many people from many worlds, but he knows one place he can hide while the people of this place calm down and forget about him.

He makes quick tracks toward the lake, keeping himself cloaked from any watchful eyes. Without that magic barrier, not even that mutant creature can see him now.

Once at the lake, Loki becomes visible for just long enough to turn himself into a female squid, disappearing below the surface to see what havoc he might be able to wreck with this new form.

[areyoumyjolly]

A huge squid, almost a small kraken, coming in from the dry land like a sailor going for a swim?

Loki might not notice, but there is one truly puzzled mermaid here, for a moment.