makingitupashegoes | Into the Fade

Into the Fade

[Another day in the Fade.

Not that it had proper day or night, truly. Some places where it pressed close to the real world, it might mirror the conditions as the spirits and dreams affected the ambient magic. Some places it spun on a whim, some places where even the concept of place was tenuous, it was something that escaped proper comprehension.

It was a beautiful, but incredibly dangerous place to wind up lost in. Between the spirits, demons and creatures that called it home, the sheer fact of how simple thought could change one's surrounds, that it wasn't under any one creature's control that change. It would be so easy to accidentally think oneself out of existence, or worse, into something wrong assuming one didn't run afoul of some more malicious denizen of the Fade.

The Lighthouse was a bastion of safety in the wild sea of impossibility and wild magic. Old, steeped in a firm intent that held it together even all these years later. Safety. A bastion for those in need. Home.

So it would be unsurprising that a lost traveler would be drawn to it like a lodestone, though the current occupants were unaware of such a possibility. They knew the place was warded, ancient barriers that would keep out threats, but those lost and alone, in need of help might find themselves drawn through.

Kion was no mage to know the workings of the Lighthouse's wards. That his more knowledgeable companions confirmed it's working and stability, that it was proven by the fact that the gently drifting building and it's satellite buildings tethered by roots and stone still existed, was enough for him. That the ward protected the place from any dangerous or overly quick changes was helpful too- while the places they lived, individual rooms slowly acclimated to their occupants, the place as a whole was stable. So he didn't worry beyond that, just taking a rare moment of down time to just sit and bask in the strange mimicry of sunlight that filtered in, perched on the railing just below the large pale wolf statue that took up the central 'courtyard' area.

It was a good place to think, and would leave him easily spotted by anyone who needed him. Or anyone newly arrived to this place, not that he considered the idea of someone coming from the Fade at large, rather than the Eluvian in the basement of the Lighthouse proper.]

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To say that Loki is shaken would be an understatement. Shaken, stirred, bruised and bloodied, he can't even begin to imagine how he's also upright and conscious. His throat aches, but after extensive inspection the only lingering wounds he can find there are bruises. He can breathe, he can walk. There's a better than zero chance he can speak, even, if he encounters anyone or anything to speak to.

He can feel the magical wards around this place, and, driven to seek some kind of haven, directed his steps toward the lighthouse. The drift of the building and its surroundings is a little eerie, but beautiful. He is reminded of Asgard, of the golden palace itself. It's bittersweet.

When he spies the stranger seated in the courtyard, he pauses in his tracks, staring at him. Loki has to assume he's trespassing here, and the last thing he has the energy for right now is a fight, but he's also loath to withdraw. Standing where he is and staring stupidly probably isn't the most charismatic way to introduce himself, but it's all he's got in him at the moment.

Loki isn't the only one staring. Others in the courtyard weren't a surprise, Kion was fairly certain that Manfred was somewhere up on the Lighthouse's upper stairwell on the outside, staring out at the Fade sky as was his whim if the animate skeleton wasn't happily trailing one of their companions.

A stranger was definitely a surprise. Especially one in the condition that the dark-haired man was in. A soft-muttered exclamation in elvish as he startled into motion, hopping from the railing to the low-slung counter before it, scattering papers and a pen that rolled to bump against a tray bearing a magic-burning teal flame which flickered in something almost akin to exasperation as the elf hopped again to the cobble proper on bare feet, glancing around as if to assess the situation before his focus returned to the stranger before him.

The Caretaker hadn't appeared to protest his entrance, so he wasn't a threat. But they also hadn't appeared to alert him to a newcomer so it wasn't someone they specifically had invited.

Human in appearance, but no sign of the Blight about him, no signs of blood magic near as he could tell. Just a man in need of safe haven, and wasn't that what this place had been built for?

"Hey there..." Kion greeted him cautiously, keeping his body language loose and nonthreatening as he approached. Not so slow as to seem condescending, but not trying to rush him either. Who knew what situation he'd come from, how he'd respond. After the past few days he'd had, Kion was quite content to keep this all civil. "You look like you've had a time of things. Do you need some help?"

Well, that's interesting. Loki can read that body language, and recognizes he's being treated like an unwitting wanderer rather than an immediate threat. That's of some comfort, and in response he lets his own shoulder drop a little, holding his hands palms out at his sides. He's not sure if he has any daggers on him still, hasn't checked, but he's not about to pick a fight.

The stranger looks elvish, but this is definitely not Alfheim. "I..." he begins, and his voice is a godsawful croak. He winces, rubs his throat, and tries again, with slightly better effect: "I am quite lost. Hello. Where is this realm? Am I dead?"

Looking armed didn't matter if the man was a mage, and wandering around the Fade somehow? He likely was. Unless he'd run afoul of some artifact or another, a thing Kion had seen plenty of over the years. Just... not like this. If they wandered in the Fade, typically they were lost to rescue, yet this one had wound up here against all odds. Whatever the case, the shift in his stance in turn was comforting, and eased the elf's worries considerably, something a bit relieved in the light upward turn of his lips.

"More lost than I think you realize friend," He replied gently, looking him over. "You're in the Fade, but you found about the safest place in it, and the easiest place to get out of it safely. And near as I can tell, you don't look like any spirit that I've seen about, but you definitely look like you could use a healer."

Glancing back towards the counter he'd hopped across, there was another shift, a soft swirl of blue magic that resolved in a spirit who tilted their head, many-eyed helm turning to consider Kion and the stranger with him.

"Caretaker, could you let Emmerich know we've got a visitor who could really use some healing?" The resident necromancer ironically knew the body the best to be able to heal, and if there was some spiritual or possession nonsense happening? He'd be the best to handle it without everything going to shit.

"As you wish, dweller." The Caretaker intoned in it's odd, echoing voice, inclining it's head before once again vanishing. That finished, the elf turned his attention fully back to the injured man with him.

"Think you're okay to walk a bit farther? Let's get you inside and somewhere more comfortable while we wait for Emmerich, yeah?" He offered an arm, everything about the gesture, his tone and demeanor companionable. "I'm Kion, by the way. Or Rook, whichever you prefer."

Edited 2024-11-19 20:03 (UTC)

Loki's expression remains blank and confused. The Fade? It sounds like something he should be familiar with, but it's not. "I don't know how I got here," he says quietly, and what little bravado he had seems to waver. "I just found myself walking. I thought perhaps it was...well, not Valhalla. I don't think I'm invited there."

Doesn't look much like Hel, either, though.

He blinks at the arrival of the armored spirit, finding it interesting, even beautiful in spite of the foreignness. "So spirits are common here? But this isn't the realm of the dead?"

He twitches slightly, as if not sure he wants to be touched, but at length he relents and puts his hand on the stranger's arm. "Kion," he echoes and nods, still visibly troubled but doing his best. "My name is Loki...Odinson. Of Asgard."

As injured as the man-Loki looks? Some confusion is likely to be expected. That he forgot something like the Fade was definitely concerning.

"The wards don't let in unwelcome guests. You're just unexpected is all," Kion assured him. "And this... kind of is? But not just the dead. Spirits wind up in the Fade, demons, it's where magic comes from..."

Kion waits patiently, especially seeing that flinch. Lets Loki reach out and accept the support, offering a small nod of understanding. "Loki Odinson then. I can't say I've heard of Asgard though. Sounds a bit Dwarvish."

Some of the surface dwarves may have set up settlements, and maybe Loki stayed with them. Whatever the case he led the way at an easy pace, into the main Lighthouse building. The library was definitely something to see, with the large astrolabe floating in the space above, ringed by slowly drifting bookshelves. As they walked, Kion kept attention on how Loki was doing, especially when it came time to climb the flight of stairs. He'd decided it was better to put him closer to Emmerich's room if the necromancer was to take care of their new friend, and it would be better not to bother Varric while he was recuperating... his room would work just fine, so he led him down the hall into the room. And while there had been no sign of oceans outside the place, the large windows spanning the entire wall opposite the door showed a view of an ocean from somewhere, replete with sealife drifting by. Almost meditative in a way, though Kion focused instead on guiding Loki to the wide sofa in the center of the space.

"Here, sit. Emmerich will be here soon enough to get a look at those injuries of yours and get you sorted."

He's quiet for a several minutes as they walk, initially unreactive to what he's being told. In truth, he's absorbing all of it, and while he'd be hard-pressed to say it makes sense, there's some kind of coherent pattern to be found. Realm of spirits, demons, magic...possibly gods? It's nowhere he's ever heard of in his own universe, though.

He makes a soft snorting noise at the idea of Asgard being Dwarvish, but doesn't argue. The deep blue-violet of the library is beautiful, but it makes him feel uneasy. By contrast, something in his expression clears and softens when he sees the oceanview through the windows. If Kion wasn't guiding him, it looks as though he'd walk up to them and put his hands on the glass. Fathoms of water around and above him aren't his usual habitat, but right now the idea of it feels like a shield. A hiding place.

He needs that.

"I'm not human," he says, sitting obediently. "Nor elven. Just...for the record."

He notices the shifts in his companion as they walk. He'd never claim to be a genius, but one thing he was gifted in it seemed was catching moods in others. And the easing in Loki's face at the sight of the ocean view makes him glad he made the call. He'd feel more comfortable, heal better if he felt safe.

Kion sat beside him, tilting his head lightly at the idea of what Loki was telling him. Unless there was some secret race hidden elsewhere in the world, there was something else entirely going on with that detail. But it could keep for now. "Alright. Not the oddest thing I've heard, but so long as it doesn't impede healing that should be fine. We can save the full twenty questions on all that for when you don't look like you've been a few rounds with an ogre."

"Oh please tell me we're not ogre hunting again," Emmerich spoke up as he let himself into the room, staff in hand, but longcoat left back in his own room. Not that the skull atop the staff, lit with green light was likely comforting, but the air about the man, his tone and smile all read grandfatherly rather than anything threatening. "But first I hear we have a visitor in need of aid?"

"No ogres today far as I know," Kion assured the other man as he came around the sofa to consider the pair, concerned gaze sweeping over Loki assessing. "But this is Loki. Loki, this is Emmerich. And Manfred bringing up the rear, it seems."

The soft clink of bones resolved into a skeleton following in Emmerich's wake, with wide green almost gem-like 'eyes', a pack on it's back... and a tray in it's hand with several vials and... a cup of tea set on it. With a happy-sounding hiss, the tray was set on the small table before the couch, Manfred plucking up the teacup to offer Loki's way.

"Well, no, normally I heal very quickly on my own. I...I think I must have crossed universes somehow," he says slowly.

"Heh...if it had just been an ogre, I wouldn't be here," he adds dully, but he looks up curiously as new people enter the room. Whether this Emmerich can sense Loki's own powers, dented and dulled as they may be, he doesn't know, but he immediately gets the impression he's looking at a mage. As for the skeleton, Loki looks mildly startled for a moment, then tilts his head thoughtfully as if looking for whatever force is animating the bones.

And then there's tea. He gives a soft laugh, surprised, and then accepts the cup. "Thank you, that's very thoughtful." He appears to be speaking to Manfred directly.

"Alright, that I've not a single idea about. Emmerich or Bellara'd be your best bet." Kion replied with a sympathetic tone because... well that sounded weird even for them, so to have experienced a thing like that had to be disconcerting.

Emmerich was definitely a mage, and he definitely sensed the flickers of magic around Loki, but at the moment wasn't prying about his abilities, not when the poor man looked fit to be tied already. "Oh yes there's many theories about other dimensions and the like... we can compare notes once you're feeling steadier on your feet, yes?"

He knelt, rather than stoop, propping his staff against the side of the table, close enough to be tapped for energy, but leaving his hands free as mint-green swirled around them, one reaching palm up in wordless askance for one of Loki's hands. "Some diagnostics to start I'd think would be the best to start with, and we'll go from there. If we're lucky, potions will help with quite a bit, if not I'm a dab hand and putting someone back together."

And Manfred? Well Manfred looked entirely pleased, hands up as he does a little sway in response to Loki's gratitude, another, pleased hiss escaping him. And there's plenty of small bits of spellwork, likely to assist in moving the bones where tendons and muscles would normally do the work, but the majority of the animation seemed to be coming from the skull.

Neither disbelief nor distrust? That's a good sign. Loki finds himself sinking back into the couch a little, feeling as though he's experienced a stroke of luck for once in his life. He smiles wryly at the swirl of magic--a familiar color, that--and places his hand in the mage's trustingly enough.

"I'm genuinely not sure what to tell you you'll find," he says softly. "I was a god in the world I come from. Be cautious, I wouldn't want you to suffer any backlash."

Not when they're being so nice and hospitable!

He sips the tea he's been given, trusting there's nothing wrong with it, and turns his gaze back to Manfred as the least intimidating thing in the room. "You're interesting. Not at all like a draugr."

Kion's brows lift slightly at the admission that he was a god, but so far he seems much friendlier than those they've been dealing with. And if anyone was going to wind up jumping universes like that, a god would certainly top the list of possibilities. But again, something to consider once he doesn't look fit to drop, so for now he settles in to let the necromancer work.

"I'll be careful," Emmerich assures him, letting the magic wisp along the connection of their hands, using his free hand to direct it lightly. Loki would be able to feel the path, an almost winter's breeze sort of tingle up his arm and along his torso and other limbs, wisping around injuries like curious spirits. "Isn't Manfred just? He's a wisp of curiosity, and he's been my boon companion ever since I assembled a body for him. Such a charming fellow!"

Has Loki ever seen a skeleton preen? Because he sure is now, Manfred is amazing, thank you all for noticing!

The feel of the magic is surprisingly pleasant, a delicate chill that makes him shiver, just once, and then let himself relax with a sigh of relief. "I'm not sure quite what you mean by a wisp, but I'm impressed, regardless."

He finishes the cup of tea quite quickly, finding it soothes his throat, and looks for a place to set the cup down.

"A type of spirit, sometimes they're what used to be a person, sometimes something new altogether. Either the barest spark of something new, or the last flicker of the old. All tend towards some sort of trait that drives them, typically influenced by where they spent the most of their formative moments," Emmerich was, amongst other things a professor, which was clear enough in how easily he fell into explanation as his magic worked through Loki. "Manfred's curiosity being a clear example. He does so learning about the world around him."

Kion noticed the searching on Loki's part, smiling as he took the cup to set aside for the moment. "Emmerich's from Nevarra. If there's another place they know more about necromancy and spirits, I've never heard of it."

"Rook is just buttering me up, but he's not wrong," With a flick of fingers the magic he was working with drifted from Loki like soft green steam to be collected in a ball over Emmerich's empty palm, examined a moment before it was dissipated like the mage was waving away a bit of smoke. "Luckily, whatever injuries you suffered, potions should be more than enough to handle the damage. That and some rest and you'll be right as rain. Obviously you'll want to take a meal after, but finish what's on the tray, take a nap, and I'm sure you'll be up and about in time for supper!"

Edited 2024-11-24 03:11 (UTC)

Under other circumstances, Loki might be less receptive to a lecture. As it is, he's worn out and too beguiled by kindness and hospitality to object to much of anything, so he just listens, attentive as he can be in the state he's in. "The concept makes sense, but I don't know that we had words for such entities where I come from. I'll have to think on it."

He shakes his head a little. "No, none of these place names are familiar. I've wandered a long, long way from home. Maybe that's for the best."

He looks amused, if somewhat bitter. "Well, I definitely remember a few vertebrae buckling before the end there. I can't imagine how I'm even upright, but maybe it's better not to question it."

He looks at the tray. "You want me to drink all of these?"

"Well, if you think of any, feel free to let me know! Learning about the practices of others regarding the Veil and what lies beyond is fascinating enough even without the added excitement of a whole other universe!" Emmerich's enthusiasm did dampen slightly at the bitterness in Loki's expression, and the mention of that sort of damage. "Ah yes, that sounds like quite the damage. Perhaps something about the Fade restored you? Near as I know, gods or god-like beings tend to be a bit different in rules than the rest of us. But yes, all three. Two are simple physical restorative potions, and one is for magic restoration. Take it slow, sips not gulps. Your magic is different to be sure but I don't sense any egregious incompatibilities so their effects should work as expected."

"I can stick around and make sure they take alright," Kion offered as Emmerich was retrieving his staff and straightening, turning his attention to Loki once the necromancer was nodding his agreement, gently urging Manfred towards the door, the skeleton offering an enthusiastic wave as they went. "You need to rest true, but I'm sure you've questions that can pass the time while we're getting these into you."

"I...don't think I object to comparing notes," he says with a wry, weary smile. "I appreciate your kindness. All of you. I'm afraid I can't promise to repay you in any particularly dazzling way, but I will at least try not to cause trouble."

He nods, accepting the instructions, and picks up one of the physical restoratives first, under the assumption his body needs to be strengthened before it can handle magic anyway.

He smiles at Manfred's wave, charmed by the odd creature, and waves back. When they're alone again, he sips the first potion and gives Kion a helpless look. "Genuinely, I'm not sure where to begin. How many ogres have you fought lately?"

"Honestly, so long as you're not planning on trying to corrupt the world or something, that's all the thanks we need. Unless you've got a good dessert recipe to share." The second part was partly a joke, but sugar fiend that he was, Kion was not above begging recipes to bring to the more culinarily adept of their little group. At least none of the potions looked large. The physical restorative tasted almost like the diagnostic spell had felt, that almost mint-winter soothing sort of chill.

"And honestly, entirely fair! New places are already disconcerting sometimes, I can't imagine how much more so in your situation. As far as ogres... I think two this week? There's other darkspawn too, but the ogres hit the hardest so they tend to be more worrisome than most others."

Edited 2024-11-24 05:03 (UTC)

"Corrupting the world sounds like far more effort than I ever really wanted to go to. I did try world domination once, but it wasn't entirely my idea, and I definitely didn't relish the process it would have taken to get there. I'll happily settle for a place to sleep and an occasional pat on the head, for now."

Again, he shivers pleasantly at the flavor of the potion, and sinks lower in his spot on the couch. "Mm, how big are ogres? I can probably help when I'm back on my feet."

"I don't think I have any good dessert recipes, but if you have bees around I can help tend hives for honey."

Kion hummed a low thoughtful tone at the admission. Definitely something he'd have to share with the others, but at the same time...

It sounded like Loki had a hard time of things, and wanted something else out of life now. Assuming he knew what he wanted at this point. He'd definitely come from some sort of Situation, and seemed a bit... lost. Maybe his showing up here would be good. At the very least they could offer plenty of constructive distractions as he was figuring himself out.

"You can get both of those no problem," He assured Loki with a small smile. "We'll even throw in feeding you too."

"Ogres are... oh not including the horns about nine or ten feet?" A shake of his head as he considered the problem. "If you're willing to help, we're definitely not about to turn it down, but focus on healing up, yeah? We can talk about that whole mess once you're feeling better, because it's a lot."

"We tend to trade for stuff we need, so no worries about agriculture. Unless the Fade decides you really need a hive or two to tend." Kion couldn't help but chuckle, attention caught by the faint scrabble at the door. "Though it sounds like someone decided you needed a surprise guest."

He is very lost, and in truth he's not sure what he wants out of life just yet. He needs time to wrap his brain around the idea that he still has some life to want something out of. On the one hand, a trickster at loose ends is a dangerous thing. On the other hand, his loyalty may be exceptionally easy to earn right now.

"Feeding me? Oh, no, I'm like a stray cat. You'll never get rid of me now." This is a joke. Or, at least, Loki thinks it's a joke, for now.

"Nine or ten feet," he muses. A little too close to Thanos' height for comfort, but height was the least terrifying thing about Thanos. "I can probably take that on. Yes, I want to know whatever you'll tell me, but I--"

The scrabbling at the door wins his attention, and he turns his head towards it slightly. "Is that a cat?"

If there was one thing he had turned out to be rather good at? It was earning loyalty. Probably partly because he wasn't doing it with that as the aim, rather he just wanted to help his companions with their problems. That it just helped their team become better in the long run was a bonus on the side.

"You and me both. I'm miserable at cooking, but there's several among us who've taken up the torch." Kion replied with a laugh. "if not for all the running everywhere and adventuring, I'd be liable to get fat."

The door rattled faintly, and it didn't take long to pop open- the intruder had gotten very good at jiggling the handle open, letting out a pleased scraw as it swung to bump against the wall. And in strolled a very smug-looking baby griffin who bounded eagerly towards the couch, stopping a couple steps short as he noticed that Kion wasn't alone, one ear perking as he let out an inquisitive croon.

"Partly lion, partly eagle. This is Assan," At least Assan seemed more curious and eager about their new friend, slinking a bit closer, head stretching out to try and sniff at the newcomer. "He's hoping for either pets or snacks, the spoiled little glutton."

Kindness can be terribly effective, especially in a band of misbegotten adventurers.

"I can cook...meat and fish over an open fire," he says slowly. "Maybe fry eggs. And I can wash dishes. I'm not good for much else in the kitchen." He finishes a second potion and smiles. "You'd be just as cute if you were fat, I wouldn't worry."

...where did that come from? He must be more addled than he thought. Fortunately, the griffin saves him from any further embarrassment. Loki's smile widens, and his eyes brighten with interest. "What a handsome fledgling! How old is he? I don't think I've ever seen one this close before."

He holds out his hand helpfully, letting himself be sniffed.

And with wayward gods, it seemed.

"Well, you can join me in dish duty then." Kion replied cheerfully. A bit surprised at the flattery, but willing to chalk it up for the moment to Loki being a bit out of sorts. Assan is an excellent subject shift as it is.

"Not too old as far as I know... Maybe a few months?" His interest was piqued at Loki's comment on the idea of other griffin's around, even as Assan was snuffling curiously at the offered hand before squawking happily and butting his feathery head into the god's palm insistently. "You've seen them? I'm assuming wherever you're from... here they're... well, Assan and his siblings are it."

A soft huff as he reaches to give pets along that stretched feathery neck, watching the baby griffin soak up the attention happily. "Their eggs were found recently, in some sort of magic stasis. As far as I know they're the first griffins in centuries."

"Sounds like a plan," he says, and then immediately becomes distracted by the griffin hatchling.

"I've seen them in my world, yes. Probably not quite the same, but there used to be a few in the mountains on Alfheim. Very intelligent, very unfriendly."

He melts visibly as the griffin leans in to be petted. There's nothing quite as therapeutic as baby animals, is there? "You're certainly friendly, though, aren't you? Are you clever, too?"

He glances back up at Kion, concerned by that information. "How many siblings? That's remarkably rare. Is someone trying to reintroduce the species to the world?"

Assan? Was very intelligent thank you! Scrawing happily as he bobbed his head not unlike a bird might, wings fluttering a bit as he nudged in closer to lean against Loki's legs and soak up the offered attention.

"There's... thirteen, including Assan here," Kion replied, gently rubbing the baby griffin's neck. "They'd been totally extinct before that, so I think they're hoping to find another clutch hidden out there somewhere so they can be reintroduced. As for now, they're just trying to keep them safe."

"Yes," he muses a little wistfully. "Thirteen siblings aren't enough without a few potential mates out there. Not without magical or scientific manipulation of the DNA, at least." Which is not his area of expertise. He'll have to hope they find the secret clutch they're hoping for.

"I wish I could help. But you're lovely, Assan," he coos softly, and ruffles the feathers at the back of his neck and under his beak, like he would for a tame falcon. "Maybe you'll save your own kind without needing much help at all, some day?"

"Manipulation of the whatsit?" Sorry Loki, they're not that up on genetics here.

Not that Assan cares, cheek feathers puffing out as his eyes half-close in utter baby griffin bliss at the feather ruffling. That big ol' head? Is absolutely getting plunked in Loki's lap, lion-like tail all but wagging behind him. Yes please, continue to shower him with affection!

"The...mmm, alchemical components of their body tissues?" He looks mildly apologetic. "Humans called it DNA. Asgardian healers had other names for it. It's like a code in a living thing's body that helps it to heal and helps it to reproduce."

He makes a pleased little noise at the nuzzle from the griffin. "What a sweet thing you are!" He is more than happy to continue petting.

"I always wanted a pet fox when I was little...not quite the same as a companion griffin, but I envision the cuddles feeling similar."

Kion considered that, then shook his head. "I'm no healer, so I'm likely not the one to know what that would translate to for us. Emmerich or Bellara would likely know. Maybe Neve." But it being some part of the body with a purpose wasn't foreign, so he wasn't too concerned with drilling down to specifics just yet.

Not with a cute baby griffin for them to both attend to. "I've got snacks for him when you want to really cement yourself as a Favorite Person in Assan's heart."

The comment about foxes just earned a chuckle, Kion tilting his head as he continued scratching behind Assan's ears as the little baby was just blissed out on attention. "When I was little I always tried to follow any foxes we saw, utterly fascinated with them. Mamae always teased that I was a little fox kit in disguise."

Edited 2024-12-11 01:22 (UTC)

"Perhaps I'll mention it to one of them some time, then," he says. "On the off chance it's helpful at all."

Cloning griffins to preserve the species might or might not work, even if it can be done with the technology here.

"Oho!" he chuckles. "What does a griffin like to snack on?"

"I wasn't allowed to have a pet fox, sadly. I learned to shapeshift into one instead."

"Gingerwort truffles." And true enough, while Assan's head remains right where it is, Loki will see those tufty little ears perk immediately, big eyes glancing Kion's way. "Along with anything else the little greedyguts can coax us into giving him."

And if Kion wasn't curious about Loki before... "Shapeshifting? You'll have to show off you realize. Once you're feeling more yourself, that is." He grinned, entirely unrepentant. "I can't count the amount of times I tried to coax a fox into one of the aravel to bring with us. It never worked, but hope springs eternal!"

Loki laughs at the griffin's reaction. "And he knows the words, evidently. Sweet thing. I'll have to figure out where to get them for him."

"It's been a while since I wore an animal form," he says softly, thoughtful. "You may have to bear with me while I remind myself what it feels like."

"Am I really welcome to stay here for a while?"

Kion couldn't help but chuckle as he paused in his petting of Assan to dig through his pockets. "Arlathan forest has plenty of them, and we try to keep some in the kitchens for him generally."

While the griffin knew what the elf was rooting around for, he also knew his manners. This didn't stop his eyes from following intently as some small brown truffles were offered Loki's way.

"I don't see why not? I mean... we've plenty of space, and it's fairly safe here, which makes it a good place to recuperate and figure out what you want to do..." He tilted his head, considering. "Neve might be a bit suspicious at first but she's suspicious as a general rule so I wouldn't take it personally."

"All I ever want in the world is the approval of exotic living creatures," Loki says, accepting the truffles and offering the griffin one on his open palm.

"I don't have anywhere to go," he adds quietly after a moment. "Or any idea what to do. You might be stuck with me for a while."

Kion can't help but chuckle at that, watching fondly as Assan snuffled briefly at Loki's fingers before gently taking the offered truffle with a pleased little croon. "Honestly, a good goal. Assan is entirely easy to earn approval from, as you can see."

What Loki said next had him sobering some, but it didn't stop him offering a smile regardless. "Well then feel free to stick with me. I'm sure you'll figure something out with some assistance, yeah?"

"You're kind," he says--to Kion, ostensibly, although he's still focused and petting Assam. A second truffle gets offered out to the griffin a moment later, as well.

"Is this just...where you live? Or are you all gathered here for a purpose of some sort?"

"I try." He replied, pleased as he watched Assan all but dance in place before carefully nibbling up the second truffle. Really, the baby griffin was entirely too sweet on his own, and Kion was glad to see that the cute animal was absolutely doing wonders in helping Loki settle.

"We're living here, but it's for a reason, yes," And strap in Loki, because it was a doozy of a reason. "Long story incredibly abridged a pair of ancient elven blight-maddened gods have been accidentally released from where they've been imprisoned and are quite intent on Blighting the world, and we're the only ones mad enough to think we can put a stop to it apparently."

"Gods," he echoes, and looks at him with knitted brows. "What...what kind of gods? Why were they imprisoned?"

He won't forget about Assam, offering him the last truffle and petting him again.

Assan of course accepts the last truffle as was his due, but seems to sense the shift, as his heavy head once again rests on Loki's lap with a soft little trill.

"Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain," Kion replied slowly, a faint frown slipping over his face as he considered the play of the water's reflection over everything. "The All-Father and the Mother of Halla. Not gods in truth, but immortal, with a level of power that made the distinction a more academic argument than anything. This is all... well, it's things we've learned only recently. In the last decade or so. But they and their brethren were not so caring as the stories would suggest, and ruled over the elves of the time as despotic god-kings, the elves little more than chattel, tools. There was a war over it in fact, one of their own Fen'harel trying to get them to give up their madness, until it became clear that all he could do was trick them, imprison them. It's what created the veil that separates the Fade and the world."

The elf just smiled grimly. "It sounds mad, I know. But we've found more and more proof of such claims. And Fen'Harel's own testimony as well, let alone what they've already done in the scant time they've been free."

Loki sits up a little straighter, listening. The last thing he wants is to get involved in another battle of gods and monsters, for the fate of a universe, but maybe there's a reason he's here, after all. Maybe he can help.

"The All-Father," he echoes, mildly alarmed. He's silent for a moment then, listening to Kion's explanation, until finally he laughs, wryly.

"Is it that way in every pantheon, I wonder? The noble lords who prove not to be so noble, and the trickster who for good or ill lays them low?"

"...my father bore that same title. All-Father. Odin. I wonder if he sent me here."

"...I can't say I know the name Odin, but who knows? Maybe he did. Maybe he didn't."

Kion huffed out a low breath. "You don't have to help to stay, regardless. If you want to you're welcome to, but we won't turn you out if it's all a bit much to get involved with."

At least Loki hadn't run screaming so far. And he meant it too. He wasn't about to turn the man away if this proved too much to get involved with when he'd only apparently just arrived.

"We've got to figure out what Fen'Harel's angle is too," A considering hum. "I mean... he wants the gods killed or reimprisoned as much as we do, but what he wants after... The two escaping wasn't part of the plan, and he's stuck where they were for the moment, but I don't see that lasting forever."

Edited 2024-12-25 04:58 (UTC)

"No, I...it feels like Fate. And Fate usually isn't particularly kind to me, but fighting it just makes it worse."

"You can always trust a trickster to be a trickster. Too clever for our own good. We'll stumble over ourselves sooner or later. Just wait and watch. It's in his nature."

"I was that god, in the world I left behind."

"Well, I'll hope Fate's feeling a bit more generous to you for your sake."

He nodded slowly, thoughtful. "He's already done that, honestly. Ten years ago there was an incident. Someone wanting to rip open the Fade, and he was there with the group that stopped it, the Inquisition. Posed as an ordinary mage named Solas. His plan was to steal back the artifact that was used, but it was warped in the whole mess, unusable for what he wanted apparently. He wanted to try and... fix the world. The mistake that made the Veil, made the elves 'lesser' as he calls it. It would likely work, but... the world is different than he left it. It's not just elves anymore, and so many would die in the process."

A faint shrug. "He didn't count on befriending his companions. He's conflicted. Still thinks what he was doing is the only way to put things to right, but we think if we can find out more about what happened, we can find some way to reach him, convince him to stop."

The admission that followed had his attention, though not in any bad way- Kion seemed curiously interested more than anything. "Truly? Well, whatever Fate's got in store for you, I can't help but think your appearance might just be a boon for us."

"Generally, tearing down barriers between aspects of reality is a bad idea," Loki says thoughtfully. "Though I don't know enough about your reality to offer a real critique. I think I pity him, only if I were you, I wouldn't count on changing his mind. When you're an immortal backed into a corner and convinced only you can prevent or fix a disaster, you can't afford to listen to anyone else, no matter how fond you might be of them."

"Still, there's nothing wrong with searching for more information, just to have it."

He smiles weakly at Kion. "They called me the god of mischief, the god of lies. Sometimes, the god of outcasts."

"We have to try," Kion mused, reaching to absently rub Assan's feathery neck as he spoke. "I think if we knew what happened- the whole of it, we might understand why he thinks this is the only way. He's not evil, and if we could offer an alternative as a result... it's worth it to at least try and reach out."

Loki's admissions of what he was the god of earned a smile from Kion, a bit broader. "Well, nothing wrong with any of that, yeah? I think we'll get along just fine."

"Did you know him before any of this? You can't have, can you, if you're still trying to figure out what happened..." He stares at Kion with his head cocked, visibly confused. "You're really ready to just give him the benefit of the doubt like that?"

And then Kion smiles and he opens his mouth then closes it again. Oh. The benefit of the doubt is free with this one. "Nothing wrong with lies? That's not what most people tell me."

"Harding did, and Varric. They were both with the Inquisition, and friends with him during it, and they're positive that he can be talked around. And..." A faint considering huff. "He could have killed the Inquisitor in the end. Or done nothing and just let him die I suppose would be more accurate. It would have been easier, made his goals easier to achieve- no one else outside the Inquisition really knew properly what he was about, and Thedas at large wanted to bust the organization up because they were scared of how big it could be. But he didn't. He actively saved the Inquisitor. That doesn't sound like someone that can't be reasoned with to me."

He can't help but chuckle at that response, wondering faintly how often Loki had been faced with suspicion and prejudice simply because of that moniker. "I mean, lies aren't immediately bad, right? Can't say I'm any good at them, but seems to me that it's the intent behind the lie rather than the act of lying that makes it good or bad or anywhere in between."

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Into the Fade

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