justdontgiveame | Labyrinthum Inbox

"I'll have to get an idea of what Owen looks like, but for you-yourself my friend?" It still looked like Steve, sounded like Steve, but the speech pattern was more Loki's normal. He let a wash of green shimmer over him again and Puck was looking at himself as he usually was.

"I'm sure I could mimic your voice, or Steve's--the person I was before-- in my usual form too, but the complete illusion helps." Which wasn't exactly an answer, but was all Loki was going to say. "It's easier when I know someone well. I spent four years playing my father in secret, while he was on Earth in a home."

"Of course, I don't expect you to know just based on his voice. And I don't want to draw a photo of him for the same reason I don't announce this to every Dreamer in the area." Puck watched as Loki transformed again and slipped out of Owen's voice and mannerisms with his next sentence.

"So that's what I look like with extra confidence. How fun!" Hearing that Loki pretend to be his father got a more open laugh from him, as Owen's mannerisms had been shelved for the time being.

"That's quite a long time performing a role. But I can't really comment on things. I've played Owen for at least.." he trailed off and thought back. "Fifteen years? Time flies when you're working, I suppose."

"I needed Father out of the way, really. So a little memory modification and amnesia magic, put him in a nice home, and took over." Loki shrugged, but was grinning while still changed to resemble Puck. "You have plenty of confidence yourself, so this is easy."

But a moment later he did let that shimmer of green wash back over himself to return Loki to how he had been. "I wouldn't expect you to, either. But once I've met the man, I can help should you need it. Or we can figure something out if necessary and an emergency."

"I should, I've had years to build it up." Puck deadpanned. But as Loki shared what he'd done, Puck made some notes. If Loki didn't know the magic he was talking about, he at least could get access to it. The moral dilemmas of what he'd done, if there even were any, were ignored by Puck.

"Good, then that's another ace in this little card deck we're building. Once I've got the ability back, I'll show him to you properly." And after a second, Puck gave a wink and a grin.

"I'll look forward to seeing it." Loki said with a return grin. "Illusion manipulation, including duplication casting, is a specialty of mine. You've seen me conjure stuff already and return it as well." Loki hmm'd to himself for a moment, before making a decision. "I was also able to regain another thing besides my magic. My heritage--I'm not actually an Asgardian though I was raised as one. I'm a jotun, a frost-giant."

Waiting to see if and what questions Puck had about that. Of course he wouldn't share all of his secrets with Puck. He didn't expect the other to share all of his secrets with himself either. But there was healthy respect there, and a form of trust as both were united in certain goals as well as had the beginnings of a friend and partnership.

"I have, yes..?" As Loki felt comfortable enough to share some more about himself, Puck's eyes widened a bit. He knew of giants, sure, but they weren't in Avalon often except for the Gathering. The closest he knew as giants were the gargoyles, but they weren't tied to what sounded like a specific branch of weather.

In the spirit of healthy respect, Puck smiled. "I'm glad your heritage came back to you-- it must feel very familiar." But as far as questions, Puck didn't have a lot of them. Giants existed, he wasn't thrown by the revelation. But the remark that he was raised as an Asgardian caught some of his attention.

"Did you move to Asgard, then? Or do the jotun live in the same area?"

It felt good to be learning more about this entire mischief god, even if Puck played up some of his more comical reactions to Loki in general. Being able to laugh at things and find common ground was always a strong foundation. But sometimes Puck could find himself still thrown by what other beings just decided to do with themselves. Xanatos had certainly done that when he welcomed Owen to his company, and Loki was doing it by being as open as he had been. Overall, it was entertaining and gave Puck things to focus on. Even if it was a healthy mix of planning to take down a common enemy and this entire relationship they'd entered with each other.

Loki was still willing to share, but it wasn't exactly a fun topic. His hands came together in front of him, right hand fiddling with the left. "I was adopted, but I did not find out until about 6 years ago. Are you familiar at all with the Norse cosmology as presented on Midgard?"

Puck noticed the hand movement but didn't remark on it. "Some of it, yes. Each culture seems to have its own idea on how the world came into being."

"This is less about the world being created specifically, and more a section of the cosmos. Midgard categorizes it in their myths as a great World Tree, Yggdrasil. Nine realms, that is planets, sit in the branches of this galaxy. Asgard is near the top, just below Muspelheim, with Vanaheim almost on the same level. Just below that lies Jotunheim. Midgard is near the middle, as are Alfheim and slightly below that, Svartalfheim. Nidavellir is in this region too, and at the bottom lies Niflheim." If need be, he'd make an illusion of it for Puck but hopefully this explanation would suffice.

"The Jotun, along with the Svartalfhar--that is, the dark elves--are actually some of the most ancestral enemies to the Asgardians. They've tried to conquer the other realms before, including notably on Midgard about 1000 years ago. They were repelled by Midgardians, but mostly with Odin and the army of Asgard's aid."

Puck followed easily enough, picturing it. A tree stretched out holding worlds. It wasn't impossible to imagine.

He arched an eyebrow at the comment about the battle on Midgard, and tilted his head forward slightly in question. "You were there?" Puck struggled not to make an assumption but the specificity of the time mentioned coupled with Loki's given age had him unable to picture anything else. "Or were your ancestors?"

"A bit of both. I was not on Midgard. The Jotun were beaten back to their home in Jotunheim, and defeated and scattered. Odin took the source of their power, but also...me. He found me, a runt but the son of their king--Laufey, in a temple. I was adopted. But I did not find out until much later in my life, and not in the best of ways either."

Loki let his eyes drop briefly, before meeting the fae's own once more. "I was raised as a prince of a warrior people, who had dedicated themselves to peacekeeping should be, even if I was never expected to wear the crown. I am not as capable, physically, as an Asgardian but jotun are close to. Asgardians were the strongest beings on a pure physical level in the nine realms and highly capable among the wider galaxy."

Puck continued to listen, picturing some of it as best he could. He listened, and he kept his own emotions in check. However Puck felt about what had happened didn't matter nearly as much as recognizing the fact that Loki had felt comfortable enough to share some of himself. It was a very delicate gift, and one Puck would treat with respect.

"You mentioned it was a few years ago that you learned. I won't project my feelings onto that, but know that I have understanding for what you're telling me." Puck was careful with his words. 'Sympathy' could sound like Loki was being looked down on and that wasn't Puck's intention at all.

"You were given a different role." he said softly after a moment. Puck looked down and bit his lip until he nearly tasted blood before speaking. "Something else I understand. But this isn't about me." He looked back up. "If you feel that what you said has been enough, it can be. If you want to keep talking, then do so. I'll be here regardless."

It was a very delicate gift, and very delicate state. Loki was not at all used to letting himself be vulnerable--only two others besides Puck had seen it, all while here. Only because they had all been kind, and accepting enough, that Loki had decided to chance it. So far that had not backfired or betrayed him.

Puck was right about the idea of 'sympathy', even though Loki had used that word before when applying to others. But he would not like to be looked down upon himself, and a deep part of him was grateful the other recognized it. Could understand without doing so; part of why he respected and viewed the fae so highly.

It had not been a test, but Puck would've passed if it were. Blue-green eyes showed countless emotions rapidly, although Loki was able to keep most from his expression. After a moment, he nodded his thanks. "If you are around me, and playing your bodyguard role--I will let you. But I felt you should know regardless that I am not nearly as incapable physically as my usage of magic might imply." What went unsaid was 'thank you'.

Puck knew how to read people and beings. It wasn't just a part of his job, it had been part of the form he took. Easier for a sunny disposition type to make friends, pick up information while occasionally sharing some, and generally observe life as much as he lived it. For all of his glib 'fae rules don't apply to me', Puck kept the idea of like with like close to his metaphorical chest. Loki had shown a lot of courage, trust, and understanding on a variety of topics, Puck himself included. Puck would have reacted in kindness regardless of the self imposed rule.

At the emotions running through Loki's eyes, Puck pretended to not pick up on any of them. There was no need to, and it wasn't his place to do that. He smiled at the nod and the unspoken thank you before he answered. "I'll be acting in my role but with some very good performers alongside."

A beat before Puck said simply instead of leaving it unsaid: "I know your strength comes in a lot of forms."

"You are a very skilled actor, and I look forward to performing with you." Loki said with half of his mouth turning up in a smile. Multiple ways that could be taken, and Loki meant the good ones.

Another nod, and Loki dropped his arms and hands from the nervous gesture. Whether he'd been consciously aware he'd done it or not, he was not as nervous anymore. Instead he moved to pick up his notebook and unconjure it, as it vanished in a flash of green.

"Is there anything I can do to help you, in the meantime, since I've regained my magic? Or in other ways?"

Puck smiled back. "Likewise. At least we'll have fun doing it. At best we do what we're aiming towards." Puck picked up on the multiple meanings and chuckled before he fell quiet in thought at the questions.

"Nothing magical based, no. I won't need your illusions until I know I can turn fully into Owen; and that's more of an emergency backup plan than something I'll be using regularly. As far as other ways.. " he trailed off and gave a hum. "I think just continuing our little romance play for now should be enough coupled with my own plans, along with comparing our notes as needed. The rest will come into place on its own time as others look into things and share information."

"Our little romance play is enjoyable, and I'm happy to continue it." Loki said with a grin. "Eilonwy has also been looped into my own notes, and Kaiba will be as well. I do recommend we make SOME of our knowledge and stuff all public by comparing notes with others who've been here longer. That will probably come up at the council. Until then..." Loki spread his hands out. "We continue to play games."

Lots of things more serious than games were going on, but that didn't mean they weren't enjoyable. The visit could turn social again for a bit. At least until Loki figured Puck wanted alone time.

"Oh, of course we should bring it up to the council. If just for knowing that others are aware of things. Not all of them, of course, but enough to cover some bases. Or at least ensure smoother sailing."

Puck grinned. "We do indeed." He exhaled and stretched. "For now-- it'd be very unkind for me to turn you out after such a nice date." He winked. "If you'd like to stay a bit longer, I can start a fire."

"I know that Bakugou planned to bring some of his findings up to the council too." Loki commented, then smiled as he watched the other. "I do enjoy fires. Resistant to the cold I might be, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy warmth." He'd gladly stay for a 'date' a bit longer too.

"You proved that by your love of hugs." Puck replied as he put some more wood into the hearth and snapped a few times for it to catch quicker. "But the warmth would be nice along with the company." As the fire sorted itself out and grew, Puck watched it for a moment before he looked around.

"Let's see.. Sit on the floor on a blanket, or sit on any of the chairs?" he looked over his shoulder to Loki. "What do you prefer?"

Loki wouldn't deny it. "I tend to enjoy positive affection, and despite our open relationship, I'm rather picky on levels of it. I didn't get enough growing up or something I'm sure." Which may or may not be true, but Loki's not going to say which.

"Chair requires one of us in the other's lap, which I'm more than alright with as well. Otherwise we'll be piling blankets on the floor."

Puck looked a bit pained at hearing that. "Unfortunately that seems very common for some beings."

"Hm." Puck caught the 'more' in that sentence and smiled. "Well, as you're taller it would be awkward for you to sit in my lap. So if you're fine with it, then give me a moment." Puck's chair at his reading nook was pulled over to sit in front of the fire at an angle, the blanket adjusted to drape across the back of it. "There we are, all ready."

Loki would help with moving the chair if Puck wanted. But he was settling in, then held out his arms in welcome for Puck to come cuddle. "I'm tall as a woman too, although my shape can shift in height as well as bulk, when needed. As you saw earlier."

Puck smiled and joined Loki on the chair, positioning himself to be comfortable on his lap, resting against Loki's chest like he was a pillow. "I did see that earlier, yes! With your being able to shapeshift into a number of forms, it must be entertaining. I know I would need a while to get tired of the ability."

Soon as Puck was situated, Loki was wrapping his arms around the fae. For warmth and for affection. "If you're trying to lie to me and say you don't have just as much versatility--don't. I'm a very good liar, and very good at spotting it in others." Teasing, while he nuzzled Puck's hair and brow.

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