[ V is a little startled, but when he looks up his expression mostly that of strain. The vulture comes down from the tree to land on V's shoulder. He looks much too large for the lanky summoner to comfortably support, except he doesn't actually weigh much of anything; made of magic and all. ]
Who's this joker?
[ It's a rhetorical question, if Griffon doesn't know then neither does V. ]
I was hoping, with a little effort, I might summon it as comfortably as I would in my own world. But it seems even blessings have their limitations.
( He ignores the vulture and gestures to the spot where the golem had melted back into nothing. The summoning must've had something to do with the man's tattoos (perhaps they represent the spell?) and he's ... interested, to say the least. )
I'd quite liked to have seen the finished product.
( Loki can understand the man's frustrations: when he'd arrived a handful of weeks ago his own magic had been significantly depleted, and it's only recently that he's decided to stop taking it personally. There's nothing quite like attempting spellwork—or indeed, a ritual—and having it come to nothing. )
It's for protection, I take it?
( The attempted golem, the rude vulture ... it's unclear which one he means. )
[ He swallows heavily, nodding his head. When the golem had dissolved, all the pigments had returned to V's hair and his arms. Obvious enough, isn't it. ]
As you can see [ hands spread in a deprecating gesture of self-mockery ] my strength leaves something to be desired. I have familiars that are able to fight on my behalf.
[ He shakes the bird off his shoulder, stooping to collect his fur-lined cape and pull it back on. ]
Even when I could summon Nightmare, it's a difficult entity to maintain. I can't tolerate it as a 'finished product' as it were.
( So, the thing is called Nightmare. A little on the nose for Loki's tastes, it's true, but then another sorcerer's familiars are only a real concern of his when they're attacking him. He watches the way the man moves as he stoops for his cloak and briefly wonders whether he's sick—but then if he was, why not tap into his magic to come up with some kind of cure?
Perhaps there's more to it than that. With magic, there often is. )
For your own sake, I hope the rest of them aren't as opinionated as this one.
( Loki raises an eyebrow at the bird, although there's an amused little smirk touching the corners of his lips already. Other sorcerers are always a source of interest to him, especially when their powers are so very different to his own, and it would be remiss of Loki to see this as anything other than a gift-wrapped opportunity. )
I am Loki, of Asgard.
( Who, among other things, has decided to brush up on his alchemical magic and potion-making. Perhaps he could come up with something that will provide the man with temporary relief from his weakness. )
Would you tell me about the nature of your ailment? There might be something I can do to help.
( The "for a price" should go without saying. Loki is pale, sharp, and dressed entirely in ground-skimming black; it's fairly obvious he isn't the type to offer assistance out of the goodness of his heart. )
( There's a lot to consider in V's brief explanation. Perhaps he's a creature of magic himself if his "creation" includes a magical defect—but it's the idea of being made whole that sticks with Loki, if only because that's quite an unusual thing to say. He can't help but wonder what part of him might be missing. )
Perhaps not, but there might be something that can temporarily energise you so that you might have better luck with your summoning.
( His gaze flits to the bird a moment later. )
And as for you, I'm sure you're right. The unstoppable, electric vulture, opinions all his own. ( But he chuckles lightly, his intent clearly just to poke a little light fun. ) Do you have a name as well?
( If not Nightmare, then perhaps Darknesss? Vengeance? Kevin?)
[ He's not terribly unstoppable, Dante defeated him ages ago. ]
This is Griffon. You can call me V.
[ He never says that it's his name, only that it's what he's called and what he'll answer to. Technically he didn't have a name at all, one of the perks of not being born like a normal person. ]
I am interested in anything that might save my life.
(V. As far as names go he's heard better, but then he supposes that's none of his business. He looks at the man steadily as he ponders his words, before deciding to just rip the metaphorical bandage off and see what happens. )
Are you dying?
( He did say he's interested in anything that can save his life, after all, which suggests that it's in some kind of moderate danger. That he'd expend his energy on summoning if so suggests ... desperation? Denial? Loki can't be sure, but it must be important if he's willing to do it anyway. )
[ Not anymore. The magic of this world is holding him together, but send him back where he came from and watch him crumble to pieces like a porcelain doll. V's smirk is bitter. ]
I am human. Aren't I dying a little bit every day?
[ But that wasn't the question. ]
I know my limits, and they require me to think ahead. Sooner or later I expect my mortality to be a problem in this war.
( A reasonable non-answer, as far as non-answers go, which pulls a another thin smile onto Loki's lips as he shrugs in agreement. So far he's yet to face down any being who can't be killed one way or another, but ... that also wasn't the question. )
Cheating death is a tricky business, even for immortals.
( He says lightly. Resilient or not, war has a way of cutting even the most godly types down to size. "Immortal" is, in Loki's opinion, more of a point of view than anything else. )
Which side recruited you and your limits?
( Not that it particularly matters to Loki—it's not like any of them had a choice in the matter—but it could be of use at some point down the line. He likes to know things. )
( He imagines the natives probably take it a little more seriously than the Otherworlders. They had no say in the way they were brought in, nor which faction they were claimed by, and he has more important things to worry about than who's on whose side.
For now. )
Although it explains why I haven't see you at the Court. I take it you aren't particularly put-off by the opposing faction either?
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Who's this joker?
[ It's a rhetorical question, if Griffon doesn't know then neither does V. ]
I was hoping, with a little effort, I might summon it as comfortably as I would in my own world. But it seems even blessings have their limitations.
no subject
Pity.
( He ignores the vulture and gestures to the spot where the golem had melted back into nothing. The summoning must've had something to do with the man's tattoos (perhaps they represent the spell?) and he's ... interested, to say the least. )
I'd quite liked to have seen the finished product.
( Loki can understand the man's frustrations: when he'd arrived a handful of weeks ago his own magic had been significantly depleted, and it's only recently that he's decided to stop taking it personally. There's nothing quite like attempting spellwork—or indeed, a ritual—and having it come to nothing. )
It's for protection, I take it?
( The attempted golem, the rude vulture ... it's unclear which one he means. )
no subject
As you can see [ hands spread in a deprecating gesture of self-mockery ] my strength leaves something to be desired. I have familiars that are able to fight on my behalf.
[ He shakes the bird off his shoulder, stooping to collect his fur-lined cape and pull it back on. ]
Even when I could summon Nightmare, it's a difficult entity to maintain. I can't tolerate it as a 'finished product' as it were.
Whatever, I can pick up that big fuck's slack.
no subject
( So, the thing is called Nightmare. A little on the nose for Loki's tastes, it's true, but then another sorcerer's familiars are only a real concern of his when they're attacking him. He watches the way the man moves as he stoops for his cloak and briefly wonders whether he's sick—but then if he was, why not tap into his magic to come up with some kind of cure?
Perhaps there's more to it than that. With magic, there often is. )
For your own sake, I hope the rest of them aren't as opinionated as this one.
( Loki raises an eyebrow at the bird, although there's an amused little smirk touching the corners of his lips already. Other sorcerers are always a source of interest to him, especially when their powers are so very different to his own, and it would be remiss of Loki to see this as anything other than a gift-wrapped opportunity. )
I am Loki, of Asgard.
( Who, among other things, has decided to brush up on his alchemical magic and potion-making. Perhaps he could come up with something that will provide the man with temporary relief from his weakness. )
Would you tell me about the nature of your ailment? There might be something I can do to help.
( The "for a price" should go without saying. Loki is pale, sharp, and dressed entirely in ground-skimming black; it's fairly obvious he isn't the type to offer assistance out of the goodness of his heart. )
no subject
[ He doesn't normally say that quite so bluntly, but it wouldn't be incorrect to say he's in a little bit of a mood. ]
No potion is going to make me whole. [ Hhh. He adds belatedly, ] But thank you, Loki.
And who the hell are you calling 'opinionated' like that's a problem? I got my own fuckin' mind, and nobody can stop me!
[ The demon spreads its wings, giving a crackle of electricity. It's mostly for show though, he doesn't actually direct any of it at the man. ]
no subject
( There's a lot to consider in V's brief explanation. Perhaps he's a creature of magic himself if his "creation" includes a magical defect—but it's the idea of being made whole that sticks with Loki, if only because that's quite an unusual thing to say. He can't help but wonder what part of him might be missing. )
Perhaps not, but there might be something that can temporarily energise you so that you might have better luck with your summoning.
( His gaze flits to the bird a moment later. )
And as for you, I'm sure you're right. The unstoppable, electric vulture, opinions all his own. ( But he chuckles lightly, his intent clearly just to poke a little light fun. ) Do you have a name as well?
( If not Nightmare, then perhaps Darknesss? Vengeance? Kevin? )
no subject
This is Griffon. You can call me V.
[ He never says that it's his name, only that it's what he's called and what he'll answer to. Technically he didn't have a name at all, one of the perks of not being born like a normal person. ]
I am interested in anything that might save my life.
[ Because he's not a stupid boy. ]
I save your life all the time!
no subject
Then it's a pleasure to meet both of you.
( V. As far as names go he's heard better, but then he supposes that's none of his business. He looks at the man steadily as he ponders his words, before deciding to just rip the metaphorical bandage off and see what happens. )
Are you dying?
( He did say he's interested in anything that can save his life, after all, which suggests that it's in some kind of moderate danger. That he'd expend his energy on summoning if so suggests ... desperation? Denial? Loki can't be sure, but it must be important if he's willing to do it anyway. )
no subject
I am human. Aren't I dying a little bit every day?
[ But that wasn't the question. ]
I know my limits, and they require me to think ahead. Sooner or later I expect my mortality to be a problem in this war.
no subject
( A reasonable non-answer, as far as non-answers go, which pulls a another thin smile onto Loki's lips as he shrugs in agreement. So far he's yet to face down any being who can't be killed one way or another, but ... that also wasn't the question. )
Cheating death is a tricky business, even for immortals.
( He says lightly. Resilient or not, war has a way of cutting even the most godly types down to size. "Immortal" is, in Loki's opinion, more of a point of view than anything else. )
Which side recruited you and your limits?
( Not that it particularly matters to Loki—it's not like any of them had a choice in the matter—but it could be of use at some point down the line. He likes to know things. )
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[ His limitations required him to be quick and analytical, a problem solver with drive and motivation. ]
Does that trouble you?
[ V thinks the war is stupid, but everyone has to make their own decisions about abiding by the factions. So he asks. ]
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( Loki just smiles. )
Not in the least.
( He imagines the natives probably take it a little more seriously than the Otherworlders. They had no say in the way they were brought in, nor which faction they were claimed by, and he has more important things to worry about than who's on whose side.
For now. )
Although it explains why I haven't see you at the Court. I take it you aren't particularly put-off by the opposing faction either?
no subject
[ They were chess pieces he would be interested in moving. ]
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( Loki tilts his head. )
Oh?
( Well, he has to ask: )
And what would you consider to be an admirable trait?
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[ Their willingness to accomplish something, their vigor. It was then up to him to figure out how to use that to his advantage. ]