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[ He thought it was an otherwise secluded little clearing in the gardens, but he's also easy to see once you come around the hedge. He's dropped his cloak under a little tree, and pushed his his sweater up to his elbows; his hands and arms are fully tattooed, more can be seen around his throat. He is dressed in all black and standing out against the winter snow, a black vulture looking creature stands out in the bare tree.

He's overheated from exertion, and what he's practicing becomes obvious enough when he snaps his fingers. His hair changes color to start white and the tattoos disappear off of his body. At his feet, a puddle of black liquid that wasn't there before begins to bubble. Something forms itself, a mass of black tar and rock and metal. The golem gets as big as a large human and then... stops.

V winces, breathing heavily with his head stooped. The golem lingers a moment longer and then lacking anything to do, melts back into nothingness and disappears. The vulture up in the tree speaks to the summoner: ]

You ready to take a break yet, or are you gonna keep doing it until you pass out?

( When Loki leaves his lesson with Rick it's with a singed sleeve, a broken phial, and a face as dark as thunder. The man is obviously a genius when it comes to potion-making but his slovenly habits lend themselves to chaos—and not the kind of chaos that Loki likes to encourage in others. Their session had ended when their work had gone up in flames, causing Loki to spit a tirade of insults at his tutor, who had drunkenly (and quite dismissively) shouted him out with claims that he'd be back.

The worst part is, he's right. Loki has already learned a great deal under his tutelage, and he likes that the man has no discernible morals when it comes to what he will and won't teach.

As such, he's in a foul mood when he throws himself back out onto the streets of Kyst, his hood pulled up and his cloak flapping behind him as he strides through the mud-trampled snow. He needs to head towards the market to purchase some supplies before he heads home; possibly not the best idea, considering he's as likely to snap as not at this point, but he's running out of tea leaves, wine, and bread, and needs all three for a satisfactory supper.

He's rounding a corner at a brisk pace when he walks straight into—ah, Dante, which has him staggering for a moment before managing to right himself. Immediately, he lifts a gloved finger to stop the other man before he opens his mouth: )

No—not a word. I'm in no mood to deal with you today, Dante.

( Loki would never describe himself as a 'lucky' individual. While it might seem that way to others—people who catch him in just the right place at just the right time, for example—his perceived good fortune is largely the result of careful planning, a firmly grasped opportunity, or the calling-in of a favour. He's spent centuries perfecting the art of eavesdropping (to the point where it almost isn't fun for him anymore); he's no longer amazed by what people will reveal when they're under the assumption they won't be overheard. Honestly, it'd be rude not to make the most of such information, especially when he'll be able to trade it on for something bigger, better, or more suited to his needs.

The evening of the sixteenth provides one such golden opportunity. Loki has been sticking close to the Stars' encampments as they march on the Moon Temple: he doesn't trust the Emperor, nor is he particularly happy about the severity of their promise, but he's determined to find a way to use this conflict as a way to further his case with them. When the Rune Knights make their presence known it piques Loki's interest, prompting him to carefully position himself where he might overhear something useful—

And his efforts are paid off when one of them mentions the name tied to their mission. Korra. A traitor. To be arrested for high treason, after which she'll be banished and branded a traitor to the Court of Stars for fraternising with Temperance. They confirm the location of the Rising Sun camps, then agree to set off on their search at first light. The news is surprising, to say the least: Loki had assumed Korra would have a more level head on her shoulders than to throw in her lot with an apparently despised God, but then if she did, he wouldn't have just found himself in such a favourable position.

This could work quite nicely for him, providing he can find her before the Rune Knights.

Loki slips out of the Stars encampment as dusk melts into night. The major Rising Sun encampment is probably the best place to start his search: chances are Korra is aware she's in some kind of trouble with her own faction, and if she's making agreements with other gods then she may very well hope they'll offer her protection. He leaps into the air on a beat of dark wings—he'll travel faster as a raven than on foot—and streaks towards the camp with darkness following in his wake.

A quick shimmer of magic shifts him into another form that Korra won't have seen before: Loki the goddess, recognisable as the deity of Mischief only by her pale skin, blue eyes, and dark hair. She keeps her attire practical—dark and battle-ready, with only a few accents of ornamental gold. Korra might figure out something's awry, but Loki would prefer to wait until the very last moment before having to knock her out. With any luck the ruse will hold until they've made it a good way back.

She keeps her distance as she circles the perimeter of the camp. Spotting Korra is easy—Loki recognises her voice, her strength of character, even when she's potentially hiding out with a half-formed fringe faction—and she slips through the dark before emerging on the other side of the campfire. )

... Korra? You are Korra, aren't you?

( Loki's tone is urgent, her expression tight with apparent concern. )

I've been searching for you all night. You have to come with me—it isn't safe for you here. They're coming for you.

( Ominous pause, because she lives for these dramatic moments: )

The Emperor's Rune Knights.

Edited 2020-01-15 21:16 (UTC)

MISSED ME?

[intended likely to be said with the tone of someone who is annoying af]

LOKI

ACTION;

ACTION — REDLOAD

ACTION — BEARCAT

text 02/7

Text; backdated to April 1st obv and no I won't be taking questions at this time thx