|
   |
Illyana arrives from RP Nexus.
*
Illyana has arrived.
*
Regardless if her apprentices, that thought was amusing, apprentices, had actually set about the warning wards where she'd asked it mattered little. Amora the Enchantress returned to where ever the two were. Or, if they weren't together, made it so with a little swirl of power about them.
The blonde goddess seemed, well not troubled per say, but occupied as she strode into the room from nothingness into reality.
Her hair flowed down her back in ribbons of gold, and her dress was the typical green she was known for. Though more gold had bled into the designs of ancient runes and guady adornments that clung to her arms and neck. She swept her silken skirts aside, revealing long expanses of skin beneath the slit in her skirts as she sat.
"We've much to discuss. Sit."
*
The first day of 1964 and how to pass it? In company with a good cup of tea sounds better than how the last quarter of the prior year, damned be its memory, passed. Scarlett possesses a strong brew of something inflicted by lavender, the black tea beneath it stricken by a lovely fragrance and a delectable taste. This is her third cup of it in within an hour, sufficient to ease the absence of sleep. Almost no one bothers to take to the various parks on New Year's Day, especially the glassed in conservatory at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. It's not their idea of a fun place when they have a hangover, on the whole. The pretty Victorian glasshouse is full of condensation, looking over a snow-strewn lawn, and this little table is here for reasons unknown. Perhaps some well-bred patron wanted coffee the previous day, and they had no time to remove it. Nevertheless, Illyana and Scarlett have their own perch hidden among the dense collections of potted ferns and lovely palms standing under a high domed roof.
On the tabletop is a tall ceramic pot of hot water, and two cups on saucers. One of those cups, Scarlett has made her own for the ever-replenished tea. It helps to know that much.
Amora's appearance interrupts the light conversation, and her descent from whom knows where constitutes a reason for a dip of Scarlett's head. Her braids are arranged in a habitually complicated pattern, spun around a pair of heavy metal hairpins that could probably be used to stake demons or vampires under the circumstances. "My lady, just the very soul we were speaking of." Ooh, Amora's ears must be burning.
*
Illyana senses the arrival of a Presence moments before Amora manifests into existence near them. Her fingers curl around her Soulsword's invisible grip, seeking the weapon from Limbo before she recognizes Amora's distinct 'profile' of magical power. She relaxes into her seat again, seeking the source of Amora's arrival, and nods her head politely when Amora manifests fully. As Rogue's hair is a complex array of fire and steel, Illyana's is a simple, hanging sheet, down to her lower back and bearing the sheen of silk. Her robes are a new look, too, simple and flowing; they cling without adhering, a plain blue in color, though the shocking slash of the slit on the left leg leaves her skinny knees exposed to the air with a casual disregard for propriety. Plain slippers leave her with little adornment.
"How goes the search for Asgard?" Illyana asks, without preamble.
*
A grim lookg crosses Amora's features as she leans forward. "Here is what I know to be true. Currently, Asgard was attacked by Jotun. Laufey tried to attack Odin, and injured him. He has since fallen into the Odin sleep, with the Queen at his side." She propped her chin up with both hands, glancing between the two ladies before her.
"The Bifrost was destroyed, I know not how. Heimdall was blinded by Loki as a means of getting Thor to charge into Asgard. For Thor went and … beyond I know not. But he has been branded a traitor to Asgard."
Another pause and Amora sat back in her seat, eyeing the two women before her. "Loki is King."
*
The sip halts, soon as it reaches Scarlett's lips. Her oddly frosted jade eyes lift to Amora, narrowing a fraction. "The All-father sleeps. Frigga is with him, or she too is caught in it?" The questions come with a certain expediency wreathed by her mellifluous accent, somehow rendering the profane into a slightly less intolerable state of being. Amazing what horrid news delivered in a stentorian voice, for men, or a cultivated accent, for women, can lose its punch.
"The younger prince brands Thor Odinson a traitor? Mm." Clarification sought matters. Oh, it matters, for the gravity of the knowledge realigns much of what she knows of Asgard — and given how long she's spent in the retinue, for a mortal, and plumbing the library, princes' knowledge, and even Fandral for wisdom, it's a lot.
*
"A coup d'etat," Illyana murmurs. She looks at the other two women. "Have been studying this in school. Effective," she says, her tones even and objectively neutral. "Previous rulers ejected, and anyone with legitimate claim on throne is declared outlaw. No allies can ride to rescue. Whomever Loki has in his employ in the government will no doubt support him, along with any royalists who see the necessity of continuity of rule. The first son of Genghis Khan did that," she says, frowning. "Murdered many siblings and convinced the aristocrats to accept him. Imagine many people have been bribed with power and wealth, to ensure Loki is king now, da?"
*
A wave of her hand and a shrug follows Rogue's questions. "The words used were that 'Frigga is at his side'. It could mean a great many things, but the Queen would not leave Odin's side if he was on death's door and severely weakened.." She exhaled a breath, glancing between the two again as she leaned back in her chair, arms crossing as one propped up her chin again.
"It seems he has somehow swayed, or claims to have swayed puplic opinion against those that took up arms to defend Midgard. As if, and my guess is, that he is working the crowds that.. if they had stayed perhaps Asgard would not be in such dire straits as it is now." She pursed her lips together, green eyes narrowed in thought.
"Thor is not in Asgard. Nor on Midgard. That much I can assure you. Also, 'tis truly Loki. I sensed no other presence in his mind nor in his magic…" She looked oddly, adrift at that thought. Unsure almost, as if everything she knew about the younger prince was indeed jumbled up and reordered into something she didn't like.
"Loki also has the All-father's staff.."
*
"That only leaves eight realms, all the cosmos, and Yggdrasil itself to search. Though I imagine it far better that Prince Thor not be sought as such. He will return to Midgard sooner or later, no, my lady? For he seems to have affection for this world." The redhead laces her fingers together after setting down the teacup on the saucer, seeing to that measure of manners. Her chin rests atop that bridge, giving a surprisingly casual appearance for someone clearly measuring.
"Loki declaring as king. What then of Laufey and the forces in Jotunheim? Are the ice giants still sieging Asgard or have they retreated? Has Asgard turned its attention towards war or diplomacy?" Might as well lay down a few cards, which Scarlett does. She nods to Illyana's statements. "With Thor gone, that leaves only Balder, the son of Frigga and Odin. No doubt he will be at serious risk unless Loki uses him to legitimize support. He was sent to Midgard to learn; it may be that Balder becomes some kind of emissary now, to be removed from the centre of power and conveniently killed later. My lady, do you know the whereabouts of all Loki's grandchildren? It is likely some of them may be activated or at least agents in his plots, knowing or not. I can speak for Vanaheim and given we're all still alive, presumably he hasn't convinced Jormungandr or Fenris to go marching down the path of destruction." Flicking her tongue against her teeth, she draws a fingertip down her brow. "Legitimacy is an issue. Hence, Thor."
*
ROLL: Wanda +rolls 1d100 for a result of: 28
*
"Most sensible," Illyana says, nodding at Wanda. "History repeats itself. Loki will eliminate any other heirs, will secure public opinion, and entice the aristocray to support him. Read about this, too." She wriggles and beams excitedly at Rogue of a sudden. "I /love/ history. Have been learning about the Tudors! So much violence and betrayal," she says, exulting just a little. "Who knew?"
She focuses back on Amora, then, smile fading. "Think perhaps that Asgard might not be pbest place to focus effort," she observes. "Must secure Earth. Understand that— Thor's power comes from Odin, da? If Loki has the staff, then can remove Thor's magical powers? Can perhaps even take Mjolnir?"
*
Log edit: Scarlett! ;)
*
Amora glanced down at her nails, a grimace pulling at her lips in disgust. "He has a grandchild here on Midgard, Skali. Terribly feral little wolf. I know not if he's contacted her, but 'tis a possibility to consider. He has children, not legitmate. He'll need to move fast with politics to secure the throne.. Though now he plays at regent." She murmured, green eyes tracing between them before she looked to Illyana and shook her head.
"No. The hammer is magic unto its own. The All-father has power to .. affect all Asgardians. Tis true.. but Loki is not the All-father.. despite how he fancies himself as such now. He won't be able to take Mjolnir. And beyond the hammer? Thor has no magic to lose. We must assume that Thor is not dead. Otherwise Loki wouldn't have bothered to name him a traitor.."
*
Scarlett's gaze lifts from the middleground in all its greenery, the palms as serene as trees can be while the world beyond the thin glass panes shivers and the temperature plummets. There is a metaphor for the rest of Midgard: its balmy conditions are so fragile, easily disrupted, and the inhabitants don't even notice. At least they rarely peer outside their glass house and notice the stones. "Can you manifest an image of Skali for me?"
Her tongue traces her lips, and the dissolving rotation of thoughts spins back and forth. "I am glad you have a care for it. As do I, Illyana, and would be glad to discuss with you whatever period interests you. Permission to teach me Russian to ease that, if you wish. This differs a little from the Tudors and the Wars of the Roses for the simple fact of how the family lines run. Though there is a truth here, the people of Asgard have fallen in line behind him. Possibly for expedience, though he is the Trickster. Wisely assume he has tricked them or waylaid them, using the argument surely that Thor has abandoned Asgard for Earth and Lady Sif must be discredited in the same fashion. With Heimdall down here…" This fact makes her briefly pause, and the flickers of rainbows dance in her thoughts while her eyes markedly narrow.
*
Log Note: Wanda
*
"We are flying in all directions," Illyana says, flitting a hand through the air. "Loki's position in Asgard is unassailable in any case. Does not work to focus on how to attack him there. Perhaps Asgard will kick him out. But without Thor and Heimdall able and ready to fight, even if I can get to Asgard again, we face uphill battle— and Asgard /will/ unite against more usurpers," she says, quiet seriously. "I know Limbo would rally against an outsider attempting to claim it."
"So. Wards are in place. We must find Thor and Heimdall, recover fragments of Bifrost… and then, I think, wait and watch," she says, seriously. "Otherwise will be where we need not, when disaster comes."
*
Another nod, that sent golden curls tumbling over he shoulder. Amora did not, decidedly share the offer that Loki had made her. And why would she indeed. Rather the Enchantress reclined in her chair, recrossing her legs as she let the two women before her bandy about would bes and possibilities. It held little interest for her, for she'd come to much the same logical response.
Without Thor, Loki had no opposition. Without Thor, they had no room to move. She had said as much to Sif before.
"As it stands nothing can be done, I agree, my dears. We can only wait and see how things fall. Be prepared and take what we can for our safety. For Asgard has few allies and many enemies. Without her army and a means of moving her, Midgard will be at risk.."
*
"No, I'm trying to draw connections based on what we know and what we do not. Where do the holes lie in the tapestry, and where are the obvious points of weakness or the unseen ones." Scarlett pours more of the tea into her cup, taking that moment to tip the pot over and allow that dark orange-tinged liquid settle almost to the rim. "A head-on attack at any rate is a terrible notion. It rarely works, not with that sort in particular. Rather I seek to understand the lay of the land, where my lady stands in this, and what we can anticipate in future. It seems highly doubtful the embassy doors will stay open and a new era of peace be ushered out. There are still Asgardians scattered among the population, though will they regroup? Not likely. It is safer to remain underground or use what assets they can to go elsewhere among other realms, no? Instead, though, we do have a population poisoned against the Asgardians due to recent events and no apparent protector lying over it. I'm sure that conclusion has already been drawn across at least several courts. Muspelheim, certainly. If they know Thor is lost and the bridge is broken, it means non-interference from on high and leaves us open. Thus, defensive strategy."
Her fingertips lace around the delicate ceramic handle of the cup, something so incredibly fragile compared to her. "Midgard is already at risk. Our eyes turn upwards to the Kree and the Skrull, the alien forces. Which reminds me greatly, my lady, that you might hold some advantage to understand what those are through the myriad forces present. Building out a network of information might at least help you track down the likes of Thor, or any spottings of him, which would immeasurably benefit you. I have no doubt there is similar intelligence being directed that way. Though it /does/ beg the question. You can't find the man but can you find the helm or the hammer?"
*
"My minions are searching for the fragments of the Bifrost," Illyana tells her friend, nodding. "Difficult to convince them to stand guardian, though. Perhaps the Ways should be watched? As well as the ley lines. Cannot observe all passages at once, but can at least ensure we are not surprised by invading army."
She crosses her legs under her and floats into the air, fingers curling meditatively as she calls out to the demons already flitting around the Earth at her behest. "One option remains," she tells Amora and Scarlett, voice serious. /Very/ serious.
"We can petition my patrons for their aid. Oshtur and Chthon. The price is always significant," she warns them. "But if we /must/ locate Thor and Heimdall, then my patrons can do it if anyone in this cosmos can."
*
A wave of her hand and Amora glances between the two. "Nay there is no need indeed to go to such lengths. I /can/ track Thor, I can find him, if needs be and if he is not currently being blocked or hidden by someone more powerful than myself. I did not sense him in Asgard. And if he were there, Loki would not have wasted time telling me of his status as a traitor. He'd be in the dungeons or dead."
"I can also track the hammer, I placed a spell upon it before the Thunderer jumped into battle against the Jotun. Tis not a trouble for me to find it. Heimdall is not missing. He is in his sister's quarters healing. Gaia, visited." She murmured, her voice clipped and those green eyes centered on Illyana.
"The problem is, that if we find Thor and bring him here? We might very well be signing his death warrant as we stand. Sif is injured. And my powers are such that I cannot stand against the Odinson now claiming regency. Tis possible Thor is injured as well. So…" She sat back.
"What else can be done besides to amass power and gather ourselves? Prepare for a storm?"
*
"/Gaea/." Scarlett's eyes widen at that, and she puts her hands under her chin. "Make allies of great gods and wonder why you even look upon the likes of me? I'm no Queen of Limbo." Her words are a sharp retort without thorns pointed to them. "Gather pieces of the Bifrost and horde them. Find those old powers hidden away for times such as these? Might as well broker what alliance you can from the other realms; Vanaheim for one is not going to be well disposed against him. Niflheim and Hel, under Hela, might be worth the effort. She despises…"
A dark spectre traces her eyes, their luminosity cracked into a winter's shade of jade so fair it might as well be grey. "All. I doubt you can seek aid from Muspelheim or Jotunheim, but if you can keep them at odds with one another, so be it."
Teeth sink into her lower lip. "Do not call upon such things, Illyana. We have other reliable methods. Think out of the box, think unexpected. What would shock everyone to pieces?"
*
Illyana looks a little sullen as her ideas are rejected, and she shakes her head at Scarlett's question, thinking.
"Invasion."
She looks at the other two women. "Would be easy enough to feign an invasion of demons from Limbo," she suggests. "Many would relish a chance to visit Earth even for a short time, even through the pain of being temporarily destroyed. Arm demons, paint them in the colors of Asgard. Send them into every nook and cranny of Jotunheim and Muspelheim, some into Asgard, into all places at once. Convince all worlds that Loki has shuttered himself in Asgard and is directing legions of demons to invade at his behest."
*
A small head shake follows and Amora releases a gusty sigh, her gaze remaining locked onto her two apprentices, such as they were, as each spoke. A goblet was summoned her hand, filled with mead as usual. She sipped at it gracefully, "You might yet aid Loki within then. If the other realms turn against Asgard, then his fear mongering of the populace will be cemented.." She offered softly.
"Tis not an option for glory, to arm ourselves and gather power. I know you are not one for reaction, Illyana, but for action.." She nodded in the blonde's direction.
"But in this case, I would suggest that we step back. Asgard has no love for any of us, let me remind you. Any actions taken might yet be used against each of us in turn.."
*
The redhead sips her tea quietly, fallen into general silence while the other two talk. Sometimes it pays to be quiet, sometimes to talk, and her tongue might as well be pointedly stabbed with a dagger for a moment. Scarlett's fingers trace the round circle of the cup, and then runs along the curved handle. If thoughts are brewing, so they brew. Otherwise she might merely be reflecting on what she has learned.
*
Illyana looks to Scarlett, then shakes her head at Amora, as well— she has nothing else to offer, it seems. Slowly, the lean Queen of Limbo descends to her seat, keeping her legs folded under her, and scowls while trying to think of another useful suggestion for their current plight.
*
Amora leaned forward, taking in the silence of both of the young ladies before her with her own. "Loki has had over a century to plan this. I have no doubt that he started this planning, or came up with it while here on Midgard. He escaped his family's eyes, Heimdall's gaze, for a reason. He had time and he had ability to carry out what he desired.." She exhaled, closing those green eyes that were so like the Trickster's.
"When news came of Thor's arrival here.. after I had been exiled and taken up with the Prince.. His rage was like nothing I have seen before or since. And I can tell you I have seen it and been the object of it before. Yet never to such a degree as the moment when his brother was arriving. Whatever he had planned.. I have no doubt that there was ill will toward the Thunderer.." She pursed her lips together.
"He has always been compared to Thor, and always has he resented it."
*