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Loki is wearing his asgardian attire, so much as he can be. Black leather, mostly, with some green and gold accents, but no helm…that being among his things in Asgard. He is at his shop, rifling through old books, gathering information beyond what he recalls on the layout of Niflheim and the secret passage there.
*
Amora might not have transported herself and Thor to Midgard from Asgard, but she assuredly did take the magical shortcut to the door in front of Loki's shop when he had arrived and joined her. Green, smoky, magic dissipated around her as she brushed it off her clothes and entered the shop. "Loki, darling, I come bearing gifts." A beat, "And your brother." She added grudgingly. Yet for all her seeming lack of patience with the Thunderer, she had not remained the night in the Realm Eternal, and as such had found him. As promised. Green eyes flickered over her shoulder toward the Thor briefly as she waved her hands and a box appeared in her grip.
*
Thor holds the door for Amora considerately, and walks in behind her, looking at Loki with a level, guarded expression.
And it /is/ Thor, most assuredly. Tall as a mountain, filling the doorway with the span of his shoulders. His clothing is changed, too— markedly Asgardian, woven of fabric not natural to Midgard.
And Mjolnir hangs from his belt. Real, solid, and crackling with the weight of the heart of a dying star, and bouncing easily by the leather thong that holds it there.
"Brother," Thor remarks, his tone cool and a bit withdrawn— examining Loki closely as he stands to the side, letting Amora speak to him for the moment.
*
Loki looks up from his studying and regards Amora with expectation. He thought he might see her soon. What he doesn't expect is to also see Thor in the same breath. He rolls his shoulders back as he stands straighter. "Ahhh, now you know me, brother." He shuts the book and comes closer, dipping his head to the restored sibling, "I am not your enemy, not today. I am trying to avoid the events of my past self."
*
Amora huffed a breath, moving to set the box down on an available surface. With a flourish she took out the golden helmet, setting it aside with care, followed by those infamous knives. Those she set down with perhaps, more care than the helm. Either way, once the burden was free from the box it vanished into a puff of smoke. She made no excuses for why Thor had accompanied her, but rather left the two to their reunion.
After a beat she turned her focus to the books Loki had been combing through, a delicately manicured hand turning over pages and flickering a glance over their contents.
*
"Amora spoke to me at length of your … changes," Thor says finally, with a note of deep distrust still in his tone. "I admit I scarcely can conceive it, but she assures me 'pon her oath that you are— and yet are not— my brother."
"I know you to be a man of infinite tricks, however, so while I trust Amora's truth on the matter, my own judgement I will hold in reserve— for now," he says, trying and failing to avoid glowering.
"But Kai, languishing in durance vile, deserves not his fate. As Amora lends her aid to you, so shall I, as long as you'll have it and it not break my oaths to our Father's rule."
*
Loki listens to Thor's view on the matter of them possibly working together, at least on this matter. "If you can recall the days when you had but a sword and shield, and I fought at your side in the hunts, and the days that followed, when I watched you have Mjolnir bestowed upon you…these are the days that I remember keenly. And those are the days I seek to rekindle." Then he clears his throat. "My plan is to threaten Hela, and to force her to give me what I want. If you think that fighting, while living, against the dishonored dead, is something you cannot do, then say so now. But, I believe that your presence would only strengthen the threat.
The book that Amora looks at seems to be about Nevada.
*
Amora looked up from the book she'd been flipping through in clear irritation, "Tis a danger, however one that would mean a great deal of power. Thor, my prince, you are a representation of Asgard and all its might. As it is less well known to the other realms that there is a split between you two.. that Loki even lives.." She shrugged lightly, "Hela will not be fooled by anything other than a sudden show of force where none is expected. She desires both of your souls more than any others. It shall be a great temptation for her to not bargain one way or another. Kai will mean little to her by comparison.."
*
Thor frowns mightily, brow furrowed. It takes him some time to pose his thoughts— he's not a fool, but it takes him quite a bit longer than Loki to come to the same conclusions from the same information.
"Brother… Amora," he says. "I can not go against Odin's orders. Hela is queen of her realm and her sovereignty cannot be questioned."
"Yet, Kai has been taken there before his appointed time, aye?" he inquires of the two. "In that case, Hela has overstepped her prescribed authority. I will go with you as a diplomatic envoy to her realms, and admonish her to return Kai to us."
*
Loki arches his dark brows. "Truly? NOW you would obey all of Odin's rules to the letter? Nay…this is not the Thor I recall…" He smiles faintly. "The dishonored dead may yet find their way to Valhalla because of you…and Hela /certainly/ is attempting to get my soul for free, because my previous self robbed her, of the two souls most precious to her. Fight with me, brother. Diplomacy was never your strength. And as Amora says…Hela will not have /words/ until she knows she is in some way…defeated."
*
Amora sighed, crossing her arms beneath her bust as she eyed Thor and then Loki in turn. Her gaze flickering toward Loki as Thor speaks of Kai being taken before his time. "Let your brother do the talking, Thor. He will have the strike a bargain. All things considered, you are merely there as the hammer strike to ensure that she stays honest and listens. 'Tis difficult indeed to gain her attention enough for that. Besides, Hel is hardly bound to the same diplomatic treaties as the other realms are. After all.. Hela knows that in the end all will pass through her kingdom one way or another." A roll of her bare shoulders followed as she glanced back toward the Trickster.
"I know not what your previous self planned nor of any bargains he might've made with her. I know I hardly need mention the risks of stepping into her realm of influence.."
*
Thor scowled heavily at the suggestion he contravene Odin's orders, folding thickly muscles arms over his broad chest. "I may venture as I wish, but I may not raise my hammer except against a foe of the Nine Realms or a threat to Asgard," Thor reminds both of them. "I know not Hela's motivations. If she seeks peace, I shall raise no quarrel with her. But if she threatens a delegation of peace, I will of course aid you however I may to ensure the peace is preserved," he admonishes the duo.
*
Loki moves to the helm. "My thanks for restoring my belongings to me, Amora, Thor." He caresses a hand across one long, golden horn. "I intend to go in peacefully. However, what I ask of her will not likely be granted. Then I will absolutely threaten her with the destruction of her army. I have Avengers already willing to help me in this cause. They wish Kai back as well. And, I may have also threatened them too."
*
Amora shrugged, dismissive of Thor's chiding as she watched Loki move to run his hand over the helmet. "Aye well, I said I would fetch it. Did I not?" She hooked a brow upwards and then glanced back toward Thor briefly and back. "You're right, this is all new, following rules and such. How strange. He wouldn't even take a celebratory company to bed after a victory. I think the Norns brought back the wrong Thor, what say you?" She murmured in a stage whisper, her lips quirking in humor.
"Tis good that you've me to aid you, Trickster. I am not bound by such sentiments." She drawled lightly, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Anyways, I've a Greek to thank before I go to handle the other task you asked of me, Loki." She leaned in to press a kiss against his cheek.
"Good luck in Hel, darling. And please, will you do me the favor of asking if Donald Blake ever made it there?"
*
Thor nods at Loki, but when Amora moves to leave, he obstructs the doorway, glowering down at her with vast and suppressed irritation on his broad features. Her needling and sly offhand remarks produced a deeper and deeper frown, but it turns positively into a scowl when she mentions Donald Blake.
"I should rather keep my bed empty, then share it with you and a dead man," Thor growls, in a voice of barely suppressed ire.
He turns to grip the door handle and slams it open with so much force that the entire building rattles in protest. Without a look back and his shoulders set in clenching tension, Thor stalks out of the building with long strides, making no effort to delay his steps for Amora's benefit.
*
Loki arches his brows as he watches Thor depart ahead of Amora. He just stares a moment. "So…he's still in, though, you think?" He asks of the lady.
*
Amora didn't actually make so much of a step to leave, so as Thor loomed into the doorway and snapped his own waspish response, the Enchantress remained where she was. Her gaze sliding back to Loki, "Aye, he will be. But it will be easier now that he is angry with me. He'll support you in this without asking questions." She murmured, "Or shy away."
A crease in her brow followed, "For all the needling, I do wish to know if Donald Blake is there, Loki." Her voice soft and suddenly serious instead of dismissive. "I am unsure if he exists as a separate soul or not. I need know. For it will determine what steps I take next. While I go to Svartalfheim, this is what I desire in return."
*
Loki bows his head to Amora. "I will ask, and I will check. I will remember to do it among my threatening." He smiles slyly.
*
Amora patted the Tricksters shoulder and a small smile pulled at those full lips of her's. "Good. Thank you. It shall set what I needs must do for the future." She hesitated, "Do not tell your brother if you can manage it." She added after a moment, looking down for a moment in consideration.
"Though doubtlessly he will be there. Anyways, I wish you luck in it. I should go after him. He shall be suspect of my remaining behind after I claimed I planned to leave." She smiled thinly.
"Do you have anything else you'd like me to attend to in Svartalfheim?"
*
Loki wets his lips. "You are going there? To look for Malekith? You should use your scrying powers…I am not sure he is in Svartalfheim at the moment. He dropped me off…on Midgard. And Thor does not need to know where you are. Why do you escort him?"
*
A grimace followed, "My powers are clouded. He or his bride must be actively blocking my scrying. It might go better if I see upon Svartalfheim. Tis a risk, but hardly one that I care for. I want to know by what means he blocks me." She looked mildly miffed at the mere thought of it. "If I cannot find him, then I shall find those that held Kai and I shall make them tell me."
She inspected her nails for a moment, and then lifted those green eyes toward Loki's own green eyed gaze. "He came with me from the armory. He wanted to speak with you. He caught me whilst I was looking for your arms and helmet." A beat followed, "And he… asked me to remain by his side. An.. ally." She rolled her eyes and managed to make the word sound like a curse.
*
Loki grunts faintly. "Very well, though…I think you two could do with some space. You've scared him off from talking with me tonight. But…soon enough…I'm certain." He doesn't seem upset, really, more concerned about what its doing to Amora.
*
A thinning of Amora's lips followed, "I'll be happy to put several realms between us. It should be plenty of space. I apologize for scaring him off, but the trade off is that you shall have him for a quest and actually connect with the man that knows of your relation." She sounded bitter as she spoke, "And once you know where or not Donald Blake was a separate soul that passed on or not.. then I shall.." She trailed off, exhaling a breath.
It was exceedingly clear that the Enchantress wasn't entirely sure what she would do. "Perhaps I shall seek out Hela's realms for my own bargain."
*
"I will ask, but…I would not hope too greatly. When Thor says dead…I suspect what is really true is 'altered'." Loki says, softly.
*
Amora's eyes fluttered shut, "Aye, if it were only so simple as delivering a soul back from Hela's realms… I would have happily joined you in your quest. Yet if 'tis as I fear.. Then he was only ever a diminished soul, one without memory or power and as such shall never be again for he never was in the first place." A soft sound escaped her throat and she shook her head.
"I know not what is worse. If he were truly dead, then I could some day be reunited with him.. If he is merely altered? Then all I have is the dream and the memory of it. And that is a bitter poison to my heart."
*
Loki steps closer to Amora and reaches out to touch her cheek. "You should speak to your own apprentice. As I said…she had to deal with something so similar when I came back. But, I believe she has managed to find a way through. You will too. And also…there are thousands of years left. Your game is not yet over."
*
Amora shook her head slowly, "She is mortal and will find love again. Our kind have hearts that when set aflame do not smolder idly. Tis why the mortals have tales of those who died of a broken heart. Think if you lose Kai, if you could never bring him back. Never see him. If he were erased from existence entire. You know what you would do. Now think of mine own heart." She sighed softly, and patted the hand that stroked her pale cheek.
"Tis not so simple as speaking with a mortal.. You know this."
*
Loki smiles sadly. "I know. You cannot blame me for trying to make you feel better, or hope that for you, the years are not completely lonely and pining. You deserve better than someone who resists you."
*
A bitter laugh followed and Amora shook her head again, tossing her golden curls backwards. "Tis one of the many reasons why your brother has mine heart. You know this. Anyone that simply falls at your feet is boring and cannot hold one's attention for long. I have had many a lover that would upend their world for me. That would go to battle in my name. Give up all their lands, titles and property… but they matter not." She sighed heavily, and she seemed smaller in posture for it.
"He is at once a man I desire for his ability to refuse me. For his ability to not be drawn by my kisses and know them to not impact his mind… his .. his everything his courage, his honor.. his kindness and warmth.." She dragged a hand through her hair and pursed her lips. "There shall be no long years for me Loki.. I think. What good is a goddess of desire without what she desires?"
*
Loki arches both his brows as she continues to describe what she finds so attractive about Thor. "So…what you are saying is that falling at your feet is not as interesting as disinterest and resistance. Perhaps…instead of stating how much you love and want him, you might try a little of that game yourself, Amora."
*
Amora shot him a dry look and gestured behind her. "You think I have not tried that for the past several centuries?" She reached out to poke him in the shoulder. "Tis why I went to the Harvest festival with you a about three centuries ago. Or literally any of the other men I have sought out. I mean, seriously, did you think that I messed with Fandral simply because he was handsome?" Her eyebrows shot upwards in question.
"I have attempted playing hard to get before Loki!"
*
"You know what would really annoy him? Hercules. That's all I am saying about that." Loki winks. "I will…see about Donald, though. "
*
Amora shoved at him lightly, "See, this is how I tis really you. You suggested him to me before. And I will have you know I already sought him out." She rubbed the bridge of her nose. "A decent lover, but so very weak to my magic. Hero and Prince of Power he might be, but a God weaker to Enchantment I have never met. Of course he was all too interested in filling the space in my bed that was otherwise empty." She drawled.
"Why do you think I mentioned thanking a Greek?"
*
Loki chuckles despite his current situation. "Did you even need enchantment? I would doubt it. Go on, Amora, fetch up your Thunder God, before he pouts about not having his ally with him." Loki exhales and then lifts the helm and puts it on his head for the first time since recovering himself. "Thank you again for this. I have not felt completely whole without it."
*
A chuckle followed and Amora clapped him on the shoulder, "No I did not. He was a Greek I batted my eyes and offered him my bed and he came along faster than a hound to a stick." She smirked and withdrew. "I'm sure he is scowling and will question as to why I lingered so with you. Safe travels, Loki." She watched him put the helmet upon his head and waved a hand.
"You need all the aid you can in this venture." She murmured and departed.
Thor had headed directly back to the Bifrost point as soon as he'd left Loki's sanctum. Growling and muttering, the God of Thunder enjoys nothing so much as a good stomping pace away from a point of irritation, and many mortals quake and cringe in terror as he passes.
Good— Thor is in no mood to entertain them. A great scowl furrows his brow at Amora's casual, cutting words— and at himself, for being so effortlessly baited by the beautiful, sly blonde.
*
Amora took her time returning to the Bifrost point. It was fixed and she still had to arrange several things in Asgard before her journey to Svartalfheim. Thus she trailed after the same point that the pacing, thunderous god had taken before her. She'd spent even more time with Loki to give him time to cool down, so much so, he was likely forced to stand there waiting for her.
The blonde approached sometime later, green eyes lifting to flit over him. "Loki says he hopes you'll still help him despite my words." She offered, no apology on her lips.
Thor glowers at Amora when she arrives— half tempted to take the Bifrost back alone and let her negotiate with Heimdall.
Only a stern reminder in his head about the costs of operating the Bifrost stays his hand. A Prince must not waste the resources of his kingdom, after all.
"My grievances do not interfere with my duties," he tells Amora, a bit petulantly. "Let us away to Asgard, then. We've tarried on this plane overlong as it is."
*
A sigh pulled from Amora's lips at the cold reply and she tossed up her hands, forming an illusionary shield that would hide them from mortal eyes and curious on lookers. "Really?" She settled a hand on her curvy hip, her other hand reaching out to prod him. "Because your brother was concerned. I had to spend a while assuring him that all would be well and that you would not leave him to seek Hela's realm alone." She murmured.
"After all, he remembers a younger, more petulant child that teased him and often ditched him to play warrior with his friends." She arched a brow and let her hand fall away. "He cares about you a great deal, this Loki. He's lost centuries of time. Just as you have lost months."
*
"Do not attempt to pacify me," Thor tells Amora. It's childish and he knows it, but he doesn't quite make eye contact with her, staring at something across the road as she cocks a hip at him and /lectures/ him. Her! As if he ever did anything wrong!
"I told Loki I would aid him, and I /will/. I .. am /willing/ to give him the benefit of the doubt, as he has suffered much of late," he concedes. "But that is all. I will not defy my father in this matter."
* Amora straightened, looking pleased with herself as he turned her eyes away and then continued speaking. "Good." She settled in beside him, then cast a look up at him.
"Because I don't want to be the one to have to fight off his grief if he can't get Kai back from Hela. That elf is the only person that keeps Loki happy, and on the path of a Trickster and not the path of Ragnarok." She paused. "Which he would doubtlessly seek out in his misery if he was left to his own devices."
"I'd hate to think about the damage he could do."
*
Thor sighs heavily, screwing his eyes shut. Not because Amora is wrong— but because she is right.
"Aye," he mutters. "Loki's idle nature always turns to mischief in the best of times, and that mischief has led to bloodshed many a time. Were he to wholly turn his machinations from petty jealous to outright vengeance, it would be a brutal battle and costly to all."
"I will help Loki retrieve his Kai, Amora. I owe it to my brother— and to the Realms, apparently," Thor concedes.
*
Amora did not reach for him, merely standing beside the Thunderer for a long moment as he sighed and conceded the plain truth of her statements. Not catching the subtle hints in her own words. Yet one could hardly fault the man, Thor was and never had been one for catching hints. "Tis not a fault of his own this time at least, it would seem Malekith toyed with him on purpose. Which makes me wonder as to why." A shrug followed and she combed a finger through her hair.
"Especially knowing that any of our kind love so fiercely. We are long lived and our passions so rarely are so all consuming. But I have seen them together, 'tis indeed the love they have for one another." She murmured.
"May we all be so lucky," She added after a moment. She glanced up at the sky, and shielded her brow with her hand. "Will you call Heimdall, or should I? I know he will listen to you." Never mind that she knew Heimdall had a thing for her, or at least had. But then again, who hadn't?
"The sooner I can take from my stores the sooner I can return and say my goodbyes and then onwards to my own journey. May it be a short one."
*
Thor looks at Amora, guardedly. Even despite her cutting offhand way and the sly digs he (was pretty sure, anyway) was enduring, Amora's nature— her vulnerability and her confidence— always leave Thor on uneven footing. Finding his expression softening slightly, Thor digs deep and hardens himself against Amora once more, reminding himself of all the ways she'd spurned and toyed with him of late.
"HEIMDALL!" Thor bellows, projecting his voice skywards.
The brilliant rainbow lights of the Bifrost plunge from the sky around Amora and Thor, and in a moment, the duo is gone, whisked back to Asgard on roaring winds of magical energy.