imatreenow | eighteen [action]

[Friday afternoon finds Mithos dragging a granite statue through the streets of Luceti. It will look familiar to those who can claim Aselia as their home world, carved adoringly in the likeness of a young man wielding dual swords. The figure is planted atop a base that bears a plaque engraved with the simple honor, "The Hero Lloyd Irving." All together, it stands at about three and a half feet, scaled down from the original model.

For Mithos, it's a bitter reminder of things that could never have been. Its sudden appearance in his house had been an elbow nudging him sharply in the ribs, an obnoxious stage whisper prompting, "Hey, remember that time all your hopes and dreams were crushed?"

Yes, yes he remembers.

Which is why he had to get rid of it. The first day, he dragged the statue behind the house, let it topple into the river, and watched the determined stony face sink below the surface. The next morning, it found its way back to his living room. Each day, he drags it farther away, and each morning it proudly comes back.

His route today takes him up from the south end of the village through the north end and into the woods. The farther away, the better.]

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[Loki points at the statue.]

Aye. That there.

And because I have vocal chords and an ability to speak.

Just because you are able to speak doesn't mean you should. [Backwards step. Puuuuuuull. The base of the statue scrapes slowly against the snowy street. He remembers Loki - the smallest details of that day are indelible in his memory - but he hides all trace of recognition. His voice is cold glinting steel.]

I don't know why you've been watching me, but I would advise against it.

And why should I not?

[And he points at the statue for a second time.]

That is why.

Please do not tell me you are unware of the fact that this is the fourth day you are carrying a statue around. And also do not tell me you do expect other not to notice.

I am very aware. [Insanity is supposed to be doing the same thing over and over and expecting something to change. Which is why he keeps dragging the statue farther away, like there might be some threshold beyond which it can never come back.]

I would expect others to not care about what does not concern them.

Oh, but that is not how the world works. Or the Land of Luceti. We are all very aware of eachother. Even about things that do not concern anyone else. Just see me as...hmmm...a very concerned citizen, yes? I am most concerned, look at my face.

As you can see...very concerned.

[And so Loki pulls a very serious, concerned face. And now that is over...]

Please enlighten me about this statue. Is it your favourite? Is it your wish to decorate the forest with them?

[Even though he hasn't stopped fighting the statue, he's only moved it a couple inches. He ignores Loki's concern - false, ridiculing in his warped mind - to snap onto his last question.] I'm trying to get rid of it.

Is there a certain symbolism that this statue represents? Does it remind you about something you despise?

[Wild guess, but well, this guy seems rather grumpy about it.]

I am willing to offer you my help. It looks awfully heavy. And I feel awfully generous today.

Edited 2013-01-05 10:45 (UTC)

[He ignores the offer to help too, annoyed, confused, wary, fingers falling numb in the cold despite the gloves he'd put on. He'll be generous enough to offer a slight correction.] It is someone I despise. [Although there's more to it than just that, more than he'd care to acknowledge.]

See? I was right about that, yes? And I am always right. And after I have helped you carry your heavy burden of despise far, far away we shall exchange names.

[So that is what Loki does. Of course he does not possess anything close to Thor's powers but he starts pushing the statue from behind, making it easier for the other to drag the thing along.]

[Except he grinds to a halt as soon as Loki starts pushing, because simple human kindness is far beyond the outskirts of his comprehension.] I don't need your help.

[The sudden stop of the other causes Loki to bump his nose against the underside of the statue. Not that it would cause a bruise because, really, he could take a hit or two, but boy it does hurt!

And really, Loki isn't exactly human.]

Of course.

[He rubs his nose for a moment.]

May I ask why?

[According to his personal constitution, everyone is human until proven innocent. And he distrusts non-humans until they can prove themselves worthy - the difference is he's inclined to distrust humans more.]

Do I need a reason?

Aye, I think you do.

[Loki puts his hands on his hips and looks at the other, one eyebrow raised.]

I wish to know, you see?

[He, meanwhile, is as immovable as the statue, his expression just as stony.] Then know that I neither like nor trust you. That is why.

That is a most unimaginative insult.

Yet I am confounded by your insight, stranger. We have just met and you have already decided that you do not like me and you do not trust me.

It wasn't meant to be an insult - merely the truth.

Trust is easy to destroy, but it cannot be built from nothing.

[Loki crosses his arms now.]

Yet all I have done is offering my help. Or are you scared that I might drop that statue on your toes and thus break our non-existent bond of trust?

And please, stranger, do not worry about gaining the trust of someone you do not like.

I'm not. [So blunt, and yet oh so sharp.]

Perhaps I should explain in a way that even you can understand. [Then he dangerously enunciates every word:] I want nothing to do with you.

[He's not protecting himself against anything the other might do while they hoist the statue away - he's protecting himself from the complacency that would follow if nothing happened. He doesn't want to give away even an inch of trust.]

[Honestly, Loki finds the other's response rather over the top. But except for that he is not quite fazed by it. Actually, he is giving Mithos the most blank stare he is capable of.]

Now do not make jabs at my intelligence, that is most uncouth.

[Loki leans a bit closer as if he is going to tell the blonde boy a big, big, big secret.]

Un-der-stood. Fare-ye-well

[Oh, you do not even know the meaning of over the top yet.

Mithos steps back to compensate for the distance closed between them when Loki leans in. He's about ten seconds away from hitting you, Loki.]

Now I have explained it in a way you understand, right? Right.

[So Loki takes a step back as well and waves shortly.]

Get out of my sight. [He's not waving back!]

Well oops.

[He shrugs and walks off.]