001 [video] w/ in-person action opportunity

[erfingi]

[Seventeen mortal days. Seventeen days and he had yet to find a way out of here. So many of his plans seemingly ruined by a group of mortals with more power than they rightfully should have. He had looked and crept around, looking for whatever brought him here, but there were no buildings as conspicuous as the Bi-fröst or any devices as strange as the device to harness the Teseract. In fact, they couldn't have the Teseract, that was safely on Asgard, and there should be no other mystical artifacts like it in the universe.

So, how did he come to be here? After much debate, Loki decided to turn to his fellow prisoners. He did not do so without much thought, what were the chances of any of these having even an infinitesimal amount of knowledge of multi-dimensional, magical physics? He has found an access point for the network, and is sitting as comfortably as possible, when he feels quite ill. In fact, as soon as he turns on the feed, he sneezes... straight into a teacup, splashing brown liquid in his face. Oops, it appears that this god of mischief hasn't been keeping up with the required amount of physical contact]

My apologies. [he manages to get a handkerchief from his pocket and wipe his nose. He has been ill in the past, but his is different, he can feel his powers drain and he feels tired. This is more than the sniffles] What diseases are native to this land? Has anyone made an advance study of them?

[a violent shiver knocks the video askew. You can see the library of building 2 before Loki rights it] If any know what will cure this dreadful cold, I would be grateful to hear your advice.

[he clears his throat, which had gone a little hoarse] Now, for the other reason of this message. I am forced to conclude that this universe is not the universe I am from. Unless one has found whatever device or artifact was used to bring us here.

If any would like to discuss this or offer advice for this cold, I can be found in the library of apartment building two. [never let it said he couldn't play polite]

Comments

[Action]

[smallspot]

You need a hug, Lord Loki! Have you forgotten...again?

[As soon as the boy sees the familiar face on the Network, he makes his way to the Library. To be honest, he had begun to fear the god had been sent away like so many others he has known have been lately, and is overjoyed to see that isn't the case.

If Loki looks any different than the last time he saw him, well it's been a long time since Diarmuid saw him last and he is only seven...]

Do you want me to help you? I swore I would help you since you helped me and a knight always keeps their promises!

[Action]

[erfingi]

[a child? Loki is confused by this development. He did not know this child, yet the child appeared to know him.]

You seem rather young to be a knight. [can you hear the confusion in his voice, he's trying to hide it]

But, I must admit, you have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You seem to know me, but I do not recall meeting you. [and it's too bad, being owed a favor is always a good thing. And here he sneezes into a balloon.]

[Action]

[smallspot]

I am just a little knight right now, but I've been training for over a year already! My father even gave me real swords for my last birthday!

[As excited as Diarmuid is to talk about being a knight, he stops himself. There are more important tasks at hand. Surprisingly enough, he doesn't seem to be taken aback by the fact that Loki doesn't recognize him.]

It's okay, if you don't remember me. It happens sometimes. People get sick or leave for a while and they don't always remember the things they should. I am Diarmuid Ua Duibhne!

[He bows, though is startled when the god sneezes again.]

You...really need to let someone hug you, Lord Loki. Do you want to lose control of your powers? That will happen if you go too long without touching someone and it's dangerous for everyone!

[Action]

[erfingi]

[he remembers being a youth on Asgard. Was he as small as this child when he was first beginning weapons training? Oh now he's all bittersweet remembering happier times when the lie wasn't a lie]

Diarmuid Ua Duibhne? [well, at least he pronounces it correctly. But that name sounded familiar. He knew he never met anyone by that name, but perhaps he had heard it in passing] Does it happen often?

[he has already begun losing control over his powers. Why else did he sneeze into a teacup and a balloon?] As you can see, it seems that my magic is not fully under my control.

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[dragoncrest]

I've reached the same conclusion. I've spoken with many people who live on an "Earth," and yet many of these Earths are significantly different. I've found those who live on an alternate version of my own world, as well.

[For a moment, she pauses, a green eye on Loki. He seems familiar...]

It seems as if you need to establish the physical contact required of us here.

[They told you about this in the letter, Loki, come on. He's acting like he's new, and yet... She brings a hand to her chin, and though the red hat blocks her expression, the tilt of her head reveals her confusion.]

... Did we not meet several months ago, at the welcome center?

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[erfingi]

[interesting, first a child and now a clearly non-human or aesir being. And they both seemed to know him. And while the message was there in the welcome letter, he had been quite disbelieving of something he dismissed as propaganda]

Multiple Midgards? [he considers this a moment while he gets another round of shivering under control] It is possible, however, to pinpoint one world in the infinite number of cosmos, they must have a truly powerful artifact on hand.

[yet, they claimed to have a power crisis] The letter was truthful about the physical contact? [you have ruined Loki's day, he is not going to be happy to hug someone]

You are the second I have met that has claimed to have met me, however, I do not have recollection of this event. [but...] The conclusion, based on evidence, is that there has been another version of myself.

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[dragoncrest]

I have no doubt that their methods are powerful, to have brought us all here. [She has her own doubts about why they'd have that and not be able to restore their own power, but she hasn't seen much to contradict what they've said.]

I'm afraid so. I have experienced a form of the sickness they spoke of, and it was remedied in the way they suggest. [She observes Loki for a moment, unsure.] I would be glad to help you recover, if you have no others who have offered. [It's important to stay healthy in an unfamiliar place, after all.

She makes a thoughtful noise. It wasn't an idea she had thought of before, but now that he says it...] That would not surprise me, I suppose... If there are different versions of a single world, there are likely different versions of a single person.

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[drank_the_milk]

Looks like somebody needs a hug.

Re: Video

[erfingi]

[glare] Everyone says that. How can it be true?

Video

[drank_the_milk]

That's how this city is powered. I don't really know how it works, but it definitely works.

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[uncouthhatcher]

Like hell I'm catchin' a cold from someone else. [No way. He has a baby to take care of. A baby animal, yeah, but still a baby! While it's true from the other responses that it's probably due to a lack of physical contact...]

Anyway, if y'can stand spicy stuff, get a ton of it and it'll tear right through that cold. And, uh... [What else... Heheheh.] Garglin' hot sauce'll do it too. Boilin' hot bathes do it too, but my mom's foolproof plan was hangin' me over a wall and lettin' the sickness fall out of me.

[None of these are guaranteed to work, obviously, as it is a physical contact thing when it comes to Loki, and Gold's really just fucking with him. In fact, it's more or less the same advice he gave to another sick person.]

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[erfingi]

[has he made the mistake? Are the others not mortals? This sounds like some appropriate remedies.]

Do you mean hot peppers? I have yet to find any produce I recognize, do you know of any that are comparable?

Also, do you hail from one of the higher realms? You do not appear Æesir, but appearances can be deceiving. [letting the sickness fall out? Sounds like something the Æsir would do]

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[uncouthhatcher]

Oh, yeah, tons, I love usin' them in my own personal dishes. I'll show you a few of the best.

[Gold's not actually stuck in one place, as Loki'll be able to tell when the background moves as the teen heads for his kitchen. He frowns at the other question. Well, he definitely doesn't know the word this guy's using, but 'higher realms' sure sounds heavenly.]

Higher realms? Like, the sky and stuff? I'm as down to the ground as it gets, dude. [Pfft. His friends would say otherwise.]

video;

[staystraught]

Goddess-bestowed Jedi Mind Tricks won't force the locals to give up their secret transportation.

For that matter, neither has computer-hacking.

If you can do better... well, do it.

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[erfingi]

[eyebrow raised] What are these "Jedi Mind Tricks" you speak of? [because Loki doesn't know human pop culture reference]

I have been working on it for seventeen days, but after the first week my magic has been... disobedient.

video;

[staystraught]

They're an ancient technique Earth observed from a galaxy far, far away, in a distant past we refer to as "The Seventies." Basically, you compel someone to your way of thinking.

They weren't compelled.

[See, he's trying to be helpful, but still phrasing it in such a way that Loki miiiight misunderstand the sarcasm and give Rob a laugh.]

Disobedient how? Is it out of your control?

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[wontdoanyless]

[Oh, isn't that Loki? Steve briefly remembers meeting him once and although they didn't talk too long, he found the Asgardian to be nice enough back then. It doesn't seem like he remembers this place though.]

Can't help you much with the advanced study, but the common cold is still prevalent here. Water and soup is always good for that. [Or...] Your condition could be a result of a lack of physical contact though.

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[erfingi]

[He opens his mouth to reply... but... wait... he closes his mouth... what? This, this must be a case of mistaken identity like those who have spoken to him. Alright, first, clear this up]

Would you happen to be called Steve Rogers? [can't be... he's so young... and small... but wasn't the Captain originally a weakling. If there were multiple universes and alternate versions of people others had know.... then it was possible that this Steve Rogers came from a universe where he either never became a super soldier, or hadn't become one, yet]

[Now, to deal with the real problem.] Nothing like the "common cold" would make me ill. This, physical contact disease. Is it a curse?

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[wontdoanyless]

[The question surprises him. Steve's first thought is that Loki remembers him from his last stay here, but the way he phrased the question makes him think differently.]

Yes. But you don't remember being here before, right? [Is Loki actually someone from his future? Like Tony?] How you know me?

[But right, he should focus on Loki's health right now.] Not sure it can be classified it as a curse, but it's just how this place works. Don't get enough contact, you start feelin' the effects. Usually getting ill is one of 'em.

[Video]

[detective_shirogane]

[When Naoto pops on the video stream, she's recording this from her own room, looking evenly at the gentleman.]

If you have refrained from physical contact, I'm afraid that's the only remedy to aid your current state. I speak from experience; I went for two weeks without contact myself and was in much the same way.

[She glanced up, as if looking towards something, before looking back down again]

I can be downstairs in a minute or two, if you'd like. We can discuss the situation in more details there as well.

[She SHOULD be working on getting her Agency running, but he seemed to be in a bad way...]

[Video]

[erfingi]

[for so many to tell him the same story...] I arrived seventeen days ago and have felt poorly for the majority of that time.

Yes, please do come down. I would like to learn more about the situation.

[Video] > Action (if you still wanna do this sorry I'm so late ;; )

[detective_shirogane]

Then it is more than likely due to contact. Bare with me, I'll be right down.

[The comm went off, and in a few minutes, Naoto came down, carrying a thermos as well as a second tea cup. She glanced around before spotting the young man, and then tipped her hat towards him.]

Good day... I believe you were the on the Network needing assistance?

[video] egregiously late i am so sorry

[ironyman]

[absolutely not freaking out over here, not thinking about crazy other dimensions and portals and other things that make it hard to breathe. Nope, not at all.]

Hey, look what the cat dragged in!

So, tell me. Is this your punishment for attempting world domination, you rat bastard? The Carebears treatment? Or were you sucked here like the rest of us? Either way Asgardian justice is looking pretty disappointing, gotta say.

[Yeah, that was super tough and not at all anxiety attack-y. Great job, Tony]

[video] 'tis okay

[erfingi]

[oh it's Tony Stark... and wonderful, he recognizes Loki. Well, this isn't the first time he's had to worm his way out of something. And Stark had given him a wonderful opportunity. He had not been dubbed the God of Lies for no reason]

What reason would Asgard have to punish me? [and he can say this with a straight face even as he wonders what Carebears mean]

[video]

[ironyman]

[and Tony takes the bait, mainly because he's not thinking terribly clearly at the moment. Sleep deprivation's a bitch, isn't it?]

Ah, attempts at world domination? And I say attempts because, well, let's face it. You didn't even get close, did you. Still got a hole in my floor shaped like you, by the way.

Also you dress funny, so. There's that. Fashion crimes are serious business.