not_a_troll | 4. [video/written]

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4. [video/written]

[When Loki turns the feed on it is really, really, really early in the morning. As in ridiculous-o-clock. And he knows it is ridiculously early and that is why he talks really loud. So that everyone who is in the process of waking up can hear him loud and clear. After all, everything Loki has to tell is very important and everyone should hear it.]

Attention denizens of Luceti!!

[A pause...]

I have everyone’s attention, yes? Good, very good.

From one user of magic to another, I have a question for all of those who practice the art of magic or sorcery. Are there some of you where this is a talent that is hidden within one’s genes or is it mere talent? Or is it something one generates from spells out of books? Or are there some who utilize magic wands or some other magic artifact?

This is meant to start an interesting discussion about the usage of magic, you see? To create a bond between magic users... A magical bond!

[Oh, the pun!

No way in hel Loki is going to announce that he is not quite able to do magic on his own and that most of his efforts end up in giant headaches and maybe one or two floating objects. And no way he will leave it to just one question. Loki likes asking questions.

He leans a bit closer to the screen of his journal.]

May I ask who is pranking my older self? Because to burden him with such an interesting hair do is mischief of a very advanced kind. As the god of mischief I wish to bestow great compliments upon him on her.

Maybe even an award.

[ According to the list Panda provided he has to brighten Nojiko’s Christmas with an amazing gift, and since Loki really wants to give a ~~trolling~~ good present to a maiden who seems to have purple hair he will filters this message so that she cannot catch on to this, yet, he will not mention her name either, after all, no one should be trusted with such information. ]

What does one give to a maiden with an interesting hair color? Something matching with her hair color? A brush to comb that hair? Or a ribbon?

Or maybe something so she can indulge herself into the act of shopping and try on different outfits? After all, that is what most maidens are very, very fond of.

Ikki, I have chosen a date of birth. I think the fifteenth of January will be fitting. Please announce it, I require cake and presents.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Of course teleporting is the coolest way to go to a library. But Loki chooses to decline that option.]

I will meet you there, yes? And I am rather good at scavenger hunts.

[Maybe the library had secret rooms and tombs and other mysterious parts that still had to be discovered by a couple of brave souls with a knack for adventure. Like in the movies. Like Indiana Jones.

So he closes his journal and starts to add an extra layer of clothing to the clothes he is already wearing. After that he dashes off to meet Billy at the library.]

[Billy's not really in the mood to walk all the way over, so he'll be at the library within minutes, sifting through the books in one of the bookshelves, digging around for any sign of magic books. So far he's had no luck.

He did find a self-help book, though, so that's chilling on a nearby table with his book bag.]

[Loki arrives fifteen minutes later, shivering visibly when he enters the library with snow caked to his boots. When he sees Billy he walks up to him, placing his bag on the table as well.

He really hopes they are able to find a suitable book.]

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[He smiles before he turns towards the bookcases.]

No, Billy, this is a most obvious place to look for such books. No way in hel they would place such books here.

I have a suspicion we have to go on a secret quest to find an actual book of spells.

Hey, sometimes special things are hidden in obvious places, just because nobody would think to find them there.

[He smiles anyway, though, setting aside the book he'd been perusing to give Loki his full attention.]

But okay- where would you start looking for a spell book?

[Loki taps his fingers against his chin, frowning slightly.]

That is a very good point.

[He takes a step forward to take a closer look. Books about canines, cooking, communication and other similar subjects that start off with the letter 'c']

We should check out the 's' for 'spells' or 'sorcery'. If all else fails we have to enbark on a mission to a large, dark cellar where the Malnosso keep their forbidden books, yes?

Okay, "s" it is. Thankfully that's right next door.

[Billy shuffles over a few feet, running his fingers along the spines of the books to check the letters indicating genre and author's name. Science, screenplays, sociology, sports, statistics... wait-]

Statistics? Who'd want to read a book about that?

[Weird taste, Malnosso. Weeeeird taste.]

[While Billy checks out the 's' section, Loki is busy to climb the bookcase to reach those books that are beyond his reach.]

Sorcery, Billy, not statistics!

[He looks down at the other.]

I wish not to read about statistics.

[Actually, he has no luck either. Unless he wishes to read about ships, society, storms and strategies on battle fields. Oh wait...Loki does want to read about strategies on battle fields. He takes the book from the shelf and climbs down again, holding the book in one hand.]

There is nothing of significance there. Only a lot of dust. Which might imply that the Malnosso never clean up there.

[He puts the book in his bag.]

Let us continue our quest! The 'm' for magic.

Find something you like?

[Billy's gaze wanders to the bag, curious, as he gestures for Loki to follow him a few rows down to the "M" section.]

[Loki nods and flashes the book for a moment.]

And you? Did you find anything you like?

[After that he crouches down in front of the M-section. He has no really high expectations of this section either.]

Not really for me, actually, but there's this-

[He tugs the self help book he'd found earlier, offering it out.]

It might seem kind of lame, but these are actually the books I used to learn my own magic. My spell books, you could say.

[Loki turns away from the bookcase to take the book Billy is offering him.]

And do you think this one will provide you with knowledge you do not have already? It seems rather...simplistic.

[He turns the book around in his hands.]

Of course! It might be they hide a super secret awesome book of spells inside a seemingly harmless book like this one! It would be utterly dumb if they would let a super secret awesome book of spells sparkle like the chests of Midgardian vampires!

Actually, I picked it up for you. Maybe it could help you with magic the way it helped me, you know? Whether it has any super-awesome-secrets or not.

[He's assuming not - going by personal experience - but hey, stranger things have happened.]

[Loki opens the book and takes some time to briefly read some of the pages.]

I will consider it.

[A small pause. Of course...]

Thank you.

[So he tucks the book under his arm and looks around again. When he talks his voice sounds more like as if he is muttering to himself instead of the other.]

Then again, the Malnosso do not seem unwilling to grant us access to magic. After all, to see their guinea pigs grow stronger is something they need on battlefields, yes?

Yes...

[He looks up.]

Do you wish to return to your own universe, Billy? Or are you happy here?

[He's about to ask about the muttering when the question catches him off guard. Happy here?]

That's a loaded question. I do want to go home, of course- that's where my family is, it's where I belong. But there's a lot going on back there that makes being here pretty nice, too. So yeah, I'm happy. But when this is over I'll be glad to go back.

Why has that been a loaded question? Are you sure that is the right choice of words?

I am merely inquiring after your happiness.

[He flashes a warm smile before turning towards the bookcase again, thinking about Billy's words.]

Edited 2013-01-09 09:59 (UTC)

It's loaded because the answer is kind of complicated for everyone, far as I can tell. Most people have good reasons to stay or go.

But yeah, I'm happy here. Not as happy as I could be, but I'm okay.

Everything has its pros and cons.

[He crouches down and pulls a book out with the title 'Magic throughout the years'. Loki decides it is interesting enough to take with him.]

I am undecided on the matter.

[Finally he turns around.]

Nothing particulary remarkable in this section, I am afraid.

That leaves witchcraft, witchery wizardry, echantments, thaumaturgy, incantations and the black arts.

[Undecided, huh? Well, if he's treated like crap in Asgard, that would make sense. If he didn't have a life beyond high school - if he didn't have powers, or the Young Avengers, or even Teddy - he'd probably be torn about it, too.

He starts for the 'W' section, thumbing through the spines with furrowed brows.]

Uh... 'history of witchcraft'... that's something.

[Though probably unhelpful.]

[Loki follows Billy towards the 'w' and crouches down next to him. When Billy names one book he raises his eyebrows for a moment.]

Let me see? Chances are rather big that that book will be very useless.

[He reaches out.]

I am curious how that one maiden has been able to find a spell book in this library. It might as well been a lie.

It might not have spells, but maybe it'll have techniques and stuff. That's what history books are for- outlining how people used to do things. It's better than nothing.

[He hands the book over, going back to his hunt.]

Maybe she just took the only one that was here.

Techniques can lead to new spells, yes.

[Loki shifts from a crouching position to a sitting one so he can leaf through the book.]

And she did not return said book? Isn't that the purpose of a library? Borrowing books and returning them again?

[Not that he frequently returned books but...details, details... Finally he places the book next to him.]

A bit less useless than I thought it would be. Excellent choice, Billy of New York.

I don't know if she kept it or not- I can't remember the title, and I have no idea where she found it.

[Which unfortunately doesn't help them much... but at least the visit isn't a total loss.]

It's a start, at least. That book should give you some decent groundwork.

[Loki turns to look at Billy.]

What was her name again? I might contact her about it and ask her if she still possesses the book itself.

[Slowly he gets on his feet and nods.]

It is a start, yes.

I think her name was Haruhi. Don't quote me on that, though.

Haruhi.

[The name does not ring a bell at all but he notes it down just in case.]

I'll inquire with her, yes?

[He looks around himself before he turns his gaze towards Billy.]

Shall we take our leave?

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