002; elevator of forced honesty

[memefox]

elevator of forced honesty

» POST: a top level for your character(s) » RESPOND: to other characters ICly. your characters are now trapped in an elevator together. » UH OH: neither character can lie. » ADDITIONAL, OPTIONAL COMPLICATIONS: at player discretion characters may also... a. be unable to remain silent when asked questions b. be unable to speak around the truth when answering c. be compelled to reveal truths/secrets unprompted THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR COMPELS YOU.

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[smokedout]

I might be a jackass but I still have morals. And anyway, just because you care about honor doesn't mean you have to be honorable all the time.

[He is following his own code of ethics, usually, so he isn't lying. Although he tends to stray far into the territory of things he himself doesn't find acceptable, simply because he feels like it.]

I could end up killed with a knife, you could end up burned alive, and your girlfriend could show up for me to have some fun with. [His eye sharpens as he watches him.] The world's full of surprises.

[livingsymbol]

[ Is there something Steve wants to ask Loki? He feels like those questions will just come when they come, but Loki asking makes him think seriously. ]

Isn't it... boring to hang out with a human? I can't do all the things you can.

[ragnarsson]

You have the morals of a dog. [He wrinkles his nose.] And probably the fleas of one too.

[Ivar can tell Dodger is trying to get at him, but he's not stupid enough to take the bait.] Now, now. I thought we were supposed to have a truce. [He gives Dodger one of his chilling looks, the kind filled with no empathy or conscience whatsoever.] Think about your daughter. If she shows up here, think about all the things I could to a pretty little girl.

[That's the difference between them. Ivar's not above hurting or even killing a child if it suits his purpose.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki blinks, utterly baffled before he laughs, a low silvery thing. ]

Why would I want that?

[ He cups Steve's face gently. ]

You do the things only Steve Rogers can do.

[smokedout]

[Is that a difference? Honestly?]

Watch your tone, I've done worse to little kids and your daughter is around already. I called a truce to save my own skin but if you don't want to honor it, your girl's the perfect size to fit in a crockpot.

[He moves a bit closer to Ivar, bristled with annoyance.]

And I wonder how long it would take you to even know she was gone. You sure leave her alone a lot, for her age...

[ragnarsson]

As I told you before, go anywhere near my daughter-- [The knife appears in his hand quick as a flash, pressed right up against Dodger's side where his kidney is at.] --and I'll kill you before you even know what's going on.

[He's irritable at being told he's leaving Winter alone too much. It's a cultural difference. Vikings were prone to leaving their children alone with others for long periods of time while they were working or raiding.]

[smokedout]

Cool your jets. [His hand whips up in turn, grasping Ivar's wrist and giving it a light burn before he shoves it away.] Long as we're sticking to words, I've got no beef with her. Just be careful if you feel like pulling another knife on me, got it?

[He may be scared of Ivar, but that's never stopped him from being cocky. And the fact that he isn't dead yet means that he must have somehow made the kid hesitant about killing him.]

[ragnarsson]

[Ivar winces when his wrist is burned and he bites his lip to keep from crying out. It's painful no matter how tough he tries to ask.]

Just stay away from my family, Dodger. Or I'll bury you in the ground.

[He'll honor their truce for right now, more for Winter's sake then his own. Ivar would burn the world down if it meant keeping his daughter safe. If it means he has to keep this waste of space around instead of taking care of him like he wants, he'll do it with gritted teeth. But in the back of his mind, he knows that someday, he'll take care of Dodger the way he wants to. His luck can't hold out forever.]

[smokedout]

Step off the juice.

[He mutters, more firmly than before. Right now they're just two dogs barking through a fence, but the more the tension rises, the more his hand is itching to be around the kid's throat. He could use a hole burned through it, that might make him more pleasant company...]

I ain't got a problem with your family, get that through your head. I got a problem with you. So step the fuck off, or your daughter's fair game.

[A pause, and then a scoff leaves his mouth.]

Oh, that's right - you can't step off, can you?

[ragnarsson]

I'll keep your peace for the sake of my daughter. For now.

[See, Ivar could be reasoned with, up to a certain point. Past that, he became too crazy to care. Dodger gets a flat, contemptuous look.]

As if I've never heard that one before.

[He's heard just about every mocking cripple joke on the planet and from men a lot more wicked than Dodger was ever capable of being. Everything Ivar had heard was old even in 816. It still didn't stop it from stoking the fires of anger in his heart.]

[smokedout]

[Dodger leans down, hands on his knees as he sinks to Ivar's eye level in the most condescending way possible.]

Here's one you probably haven't heard, then - if you fucking touch me again, ever, I'll make sure to keep you alive after I've cut your legs off and fed them to you. See how much easier it is to crawl around like a dog with stumps instead.

[ragnarsson]

[There's a long beat where Ivar seems to consider Dodger's words. But the mutant has made an error. He's gotten close. Far too close. Then, without warning, the Viking punches Dodger square in the face. Just as he does that, the elevator doors open with a soft Ping! Ivar calmly rolls out onto the floor.]

I think you've made your point quite clear. And I've made mine.

[Personally, he hopes he broke Dodger's nose. After a lifetime of building muscle in his arms, Ivar can hit hard.]

[livingsymbol]

[ Loki once again responds to Steve's question with gentle humor. It always seems like he finds the blond's actions entertaining, charming even when Steve isn't doing anything special. The way he cradles Steve's face makes him feel embarrassed, but he doesn't look away. ]

Sometimes I wonder if I'm too plain to entertain you. I can't impress someone that can make stars.

[dothelokimotion]

[ This time, Loki does not laugh in the face of Steve's embarrassment. Why would he? Loki has been in this position. Knows the lines of inadequacy driven into his palms. He merely hums, his thumb brushing over Steve's cheek reassuringly. Steve may remember when things changed between them, the kiss, the quiet proclamation that Loki is a light. Loki remembers that too, but he remembers mostly coming to Steve's room, upset, barely breathing in his own skin and Steve had simply . . . ]

Do you want me?

[livingsymbol]

I want you.

[ There's no pause. Steve answers without question. The elevator situation may mean that they can't lie for a while, but he also doesn't feel any doubt or insecurity in that answer. It's the most honest response he can give, one he doesn't even think about. ]

And I want to make you happy.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki smiles, a light in his eyes. Leaning in, he presses their foreheads together as his hands rest on Steve's neck carefully. He hoards the words in his heart, where spaces reside, so that it will keep him warm when all lights go out. ]

Just like that, you have outstripped every star in the sky. There is nothing that will come close. You are the greatest mystery.

[ The mystery of the person who wants Loki, wants him to be happy. ]

You fill my life.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve has never been called a mystery before. He's been called a lot of things, praised for being loyal and brave and strong in different situations, but the truth is that Steve is simple. Being compared to stars and mysteries seems much more fitting for Loki, a god and a wonder far beyond him. Even though he doesn't know what Loki sees, he smiles and puts his hands on Loki's waist. ]

I didn't do anything. I still don't know why you chose me, but I'm glad you did. You can create amazing things and yet you still think I'm good enough?

[ He laughs, soft and incredulous. ]

I'm just glad to be part of your life.

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is hard not to stare at Steve, to question what he says. There's a low rumble from Loki's stomach, a satisfied purr as he simply moves to kiss Steve. Someday, Loki will explain it to Steve, lay out the cold hardened facts. But a part of him knows the man will not budge. It feels, for once, that Loki has made the right choice, selfish as it may be. It was his. ]

You are my sword.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve looks at Natasha, stares at her with the hard challenge in his eyes that he has when he's on the battlefield. Hes daring her to put him on the spot. It's not really her that he's angry with, but the idea. The thought that somewhere in some world faith has been lost in Captain America and him. He won't have it. And if that means running the gauntlet for her, Steve will run twenty. ]

You won't. Not if I have anything to say about it.

[latrodectus]

Talk is cheap, Steve. [ Natasha had never been one for inspiring speeches. They hadn't had a Captain America, where she grew up. ] And you can't unmake the past. You know that, at least.

[livingsymbol]

I'm not talking about the past. [ He sets his stance, stubborn lines making up his whole frame. ]

He's here and he's staying with us. I don't care what you believe me or not. That's how it's going to be.

[ He's willing to cross lines to save lives. That's how he has always been. This situation just drives him forward. ]

[latrodectus]

I do believe you. [ Even if it means Tony was right. See, she's not going to turn herself over in stubborn circles because of that. ] But—

[ This world, this place, is just a temporary distraction, yes? The thoughts are in her head, but she can't make them into a sentence. Timelines and alternate universes, it's all the Avengers tropes she preferred not to deal with. ]

[livingsymbol]

But nothing. [ Steve doesn't fully grasp the whole interdimensional travel, it's true. He doesn't know how they'll end up getting home or what awaits them when they do go back. But he doesn't care. Too much has happened that he can't brush off or change. ]

Whatever it is you're facing, it isn't me. And if we find a way to get back? I'm not going to let the possibility of what might lie ahead change me. If I have to turn everything around to make sure that never happens then I will.

I'll do whatever it takes.

late af, feel free to ignore

[hellshot]

[Of all things he could ask, of course he'd ask the most difficult one. Typical Genji.]

Maybe ten years ago, when it first happened.

Been too long now.

Whatever it is... it's rooted deep now. Don't think I'd survive any sort of help.