LOKI LAUFEYSON

- @squirrel-girl-real

- @squirrel-girl-real

[the pavement sizzled under the morning sun, the air itself thicker. Today was not the day to be sitting in a hot leather seated car- Jake knew that- but not even the worst of heat waves could keep him away from his interests.]

[Jake leans over the engine of his Checker Marathon taxi, the overhanging shade of his garage doing little to fight off the swelter. His hat, gloves, and jacket have all been long abandoned, currently draped over the nearby workbench.]

[Earlier this morning when the clouds were still present and his water bottle had ice in it, this seemed like a better use of his time. Not that tinkering had lost any of its appeal of course- he fully intended on fixing the limo next- but maybe a break could do him some good.]

Hey there [Jake chuckles, seeing the figure behind him approach in the reflection of the window. He wipes his hands on the front of his already stained t shirt, not yet turning around]

Wandering aimlessly through the streets, they soon stumbled upon an open garage. The man inside appeared to be working on his car. Tilting their head, the one wearing their signature headpiece stepped closer. Loki didn't know much about cars. Nor did they see the insides of one often— so this was an interesting opportunity. They twirled a finger through their shoulder-length hair and hummed.

"You act like we know each other," The god said as they studied the engine. Their voice sounded youthful and almost carefree. "I didn't know you were here, truth be told. But I'm all the more curious now. Does someone visit you here frequently?" Loki inquired, slowly approaching the stranger and his car. "... Oh, where are my manners?" They laughed, stopping in their tracks. "I'm Loki, the God of Stories. I'm sure you've at least heard my name. Though, the Loki you're thinking of is likely much different from me."

[Jake finishes tightening the socket with a relived sigh, stepping back to amire his work before closing the hood and turning around, leaning against the vehicle with a curious air]

Lots'a people come to visit. [He shrugs with a smile] Matt, Layla, Eric, Khonshu, Marc and Steven [he glaces towards the foggy mirror leaning against the garage wall] but that's a little different I guess.

Sorry 'bout the weather I promise it's not always like this [Jake walks into the garage, pouring some previously iced water into a spare cup and offering it over] must be a little shockin' for a god, huh? What are ya doing here anyways- usually I only interact with the Egyptian ones.

"Wait— moon hammer? You mean you've repeatedly stolen Mjolnir?" They questioned with widened green eyes. "I recalled Moon Knight managing such a feat once, but this appears to be a common occurrence for you... Astonishing." Loki shook their head in mild disbelief. "You're a version of Moon Knight then, aren't you?" The black-haired deity guessed. "That's not what I was expecting, if I may admit. You seem very... Hmm. Positive and kind, I guess, is the right description."

Loki nodded while Jake listed off all of his frequent visitors. "Sounds like you have a lot of friends." They commented, a small pang of jealousy stabbing them in the back. At the offer of water, though, the deity gracious accepted and drank the entire cup within a couple of seconds. "Mm... It's not the worst weather I've experienced, though I am more sensitive to heat." They shrugged and handed the empty cup back to Jake.

"Oh, I was just exploring other universes for fun." Loki confessed easily. "... Khonshu won't be mad at me for talking to you, will he?" They asked suddenly. "I know he— or, at least the one I heard of— can get rather... Protective over his avatars. I'd rather not start a fight." Loki rubbed the back of their neck. Did they just indirectly challenge Khonshu? They sure hoped not...

[Jake nods as the Loki talks about their travels, but his attention is momentarily pulled away by the tall figure looming to his right]

Hmm. This one seems to respect my name. I'm surprised- usually the Asgardians [the bird almost sneers] are rather unappreciative.

[The end of Khonshu's staff taps on the pavement declaringly]

Jake you should invite this one over more! Yes yes! Just think about it- another god as one of my follower?? HA!! I must tell Odin about this at once! He will never live it down-

[Jake slowly turns his attention back to the Loki with an embarrassed smile, unsure if the bird had made himself completely visible] ... Yeah that won't be a problem

"Marc... That name does sound familiar." The deity nodded with a hum. "We haven't really interacted at all, but I've heard stories... Including the helicopter one. Is that a universal constant?" Loki giggled, one hand covering their mouth, and they shook their head.

The shade of the garage provided some reprieve from the ravenous heat. But it wasn't doing much, all things considered. They quietly fanned themself again while Jake stared off into the distance. The air seemed to grow thicker with a light breeze, alerting Loki of a new presence. "Ah. I see I've gained his attention..." They muttered and waited for his little speech to finish. Despite not being able to see or hear Khonshu at the moment, they had a feeling he was boasting about how they spoke of him.

"My caution is only from a personal aversion to unnecessary violence. As a changed god, I'm doing my best to keep the peace, as is my brother. At least in my universe. I haven't seen much of this one yet..." Loki trailed off. It was possible, of course, for them to see the entire history of this universe. After all, universes were just collections of stories. But they were in the middle of a conversation! Pulling out a magic history book in the middle of it would just be rude.

(Anyone can interact!)

Loki got their hands on a particularly fascinating object today. Supposedly, it had the power to transport someone across universes. While she wasn’t into much mischief anymore, retiring her title as the god of lies to be the god of stories, she still had her unsatisfied curiosity. That part of him never changed. So here they were, fiddling with the device in their apartment. Loki’s little house was well furnished and decorated, of course, filled with artifacts and some golden decor from Asgard. The walls had also been painted green and the floors were now black carpet. All in all, it was home to her.

But that was beside the point. He still needed to figure out how this new addition to his collection worked. Loki fidgeted with it more, their eyes narrowed with focus, until it suddenly emitted a blinding light. She instantly dropped the object on the floor and shielded her eyes with one arm.

“What in the—” He hissed, squinting. The god could barely see anything while the artifact worked its magic. And before Loki knew it, the light was gone, and they were standing on a random sidewalk in New York. She glanced around slowly, taking in all of the details. Firstly, the device was gone, leaving him potentially stranded. Secondly, they recognized this street. Could it have simply teleported her to another location…? “That’s disappointing.” He huffed, crossing his arms.

Suddenly it was afternoon and she was hanging off the side of her favorite sandwich shop, watching the people below. She likes seeing all the different colors passing by. And besides, they did make it very obvious when someone who wasn’t from 7310-1 passed through, with the world’s colors sliding off of them and never sticking quite right. Though now she thought about it, Recluse didn’t know if that was something most folk noticed, since nobody seemed particularly phased by the stranger.

Abruptly, someone leaped off a roof and began to walk alongside them. Loki gave the stranger a glance, their eyebrows furrowing slightly. They smiled soon after, however, providing a polite wave to... Whoever this was.

She winces and her words rush out a bit quicker as she realizes how rude that sounded. “And I’m not saying that we’re off-limits, or implying that you specifically are trouble or anything. Just being cautious. I’m sure you can understand that, right?”

[the pavement sizzled under the morning sun, the air itself thicker. Today was not the day to be sitting in a hot leather seated car- Jake knew that- but not even the worst of heat waves could keep him away from his interests.]

[Jake leans over the engine of his Checker Marathon taxi, the overhanging shade of his garage doing little to fight off the swelter. His hat, gloves, and jacket have all been long abandoned, currently draped over the nearby workbench.]

[Earlier this morning when the clouds were still present and his water bottle had ice in it, this seemed like a better use of his time. Not that tinkering had lost any of its appeal of course- he fully intended on fixing the limo next- but maybe a break could do him some good.]

Hey there [Jake chuckles, seeing the figure behind him approach in the reflection of the window. He wipes his hands on the front of his already stained t shirt, not yet turning around]

Wandering aimlessly through the streets, they soon stumbled upon an open garage. The man inside appeared to be working on his car. Tilting their head, the one wearing their signature headpiece stepped closer. Loki didn't know much about cars. Nor did they see the insides of one often— so this was an interesting opportunity. They twirled a finger through their shoulder-length hair and hummed.

"You act like we know each other," The god said as they studied the engine. Their voice sounded youthful and almost carefree. "I didn't know you were here, truth be told. But I'm all the more curious now. Does someone visit you here frequently?" Loki inquired, slowly approaching the stranger and his car. "... Oh, where are my manners?" They laughed, stopping in their tracks. "I'm Loki, the God of Stories. I'm sure you've at least heard my name. Though, the Loki you're thinking of is likely much different from me."

[Jake finishes tightening the socket with a relived sigh, stepping back to amire his work before closing the hood and turning around, leaning against the vehicle with a curious air]

Lots'a people come to visit. [He shrugs with a smile] Matt, Layla, Eric, Khonshu, Marc and Steven [he glaces towards the foggy mirror leaning against the garage wall] but that's a little different I guess.

Sorry 'bout the weather I promise it's not always like this [Jake walks into the garage, pouring some previously iced water into a spare cup and offering it over] must be a little shockin' for a god, huh? What are ya doing here anyways- usually I only interact with the Egyptian ones.

"Wait— moon hammer? You mean you've repeatedly stolen Mjolnir?" They questioned with widened green eyes. "I recalled Moon Knight managing such a feat once, but this appears to be a common occurrence for you... Astonishing." Loki shook their head in mild disbelief. "You're a version of Moon Knight then, aren't you?" The black-haired deity guessed. "That's not what I was expecting, if I may admit. You seem very... Hmm. Positive and kind, I guess, is the right description."

Loki nodded while Jake listed off all of his frequent visitors. "Sounds like you have a lot of friends." They commented, a small pang of jealousy stabbing them in the back. At the offer of water, though, the deity gracious accepted and drank the entire cup within a couple of seconds. "Mm... It's not the worst weather I've experienced, though I am more sensitive to heat." They shrugged and handed the empty cup back to Jake.

"Oh, I was just exploring other universes for fun." Loki confessed easily. "... Khonshu won't be mad at me for talking to you, will he?" They asked suddenly. "I know he— or, at least the one I heard of— can get rather... Protective over his avatars. I'd rather not start a fight." Loki rubbed the back of their neck. Did they just indirectly challenge Khonshu? They sure hoped not...

- @squirrel-girl-real

She was having a fine day before this appeared in her inbox. He just purchased a delightful meal at a diner and had a pleasant conversation, but now... This. A slight frown appeared on the deity's face when they read over the message, but they refused to be offended by such a simple comment. Loki shrugged and wrote back a reply...

"People can say what they will about me. But I am a changed god, whether they believe it or not. I am the deity of lies no longer. Now, I rule stories."

He paused, humming before he added a second message.

*she hands the smushed sandwich over.*

“I-I’m sorry because I look like an idiot in front of my new friend-“

After a few moments of hesitation, Loki rested their hand on Doreen’s shoulder. “Hey. Look at me for a moment, will you?” The deity requested softly. “You’re not an idiot. I never thought of you as one, nor will I ever.” Words of compassion flowed from them as best as they could manage. “Of course I’d help you. You’re my friend, are you not? If I recall, friends help each other, even if it’s difficult.” Loki smiled, keeping a light grip on her shoulder to keep them both steady.

A light, repetitive buzz from their pocket stopped Loki from continuing. They paused and took out their phone, revealing a call from Verity. “Ah. Hold on a moment, please.” The storyteller stepped away and answered the call, putting their phone up to their ear. “Hello? Yes, what— oh. I see… I’ll be on my way in a minute! Sit tight.” Loki then hung up and pocketed their phone once more, turning back to Doreen. “It seems that my good friend Verity is in need of assistance. I hate to cut our chat short… But it’s a bit of an emergency.”