15300/Loki Tikki Tavi

Loki Tikki Tavi
Date of Scene:	03 July 2023
Location:	Avengers Mansion - Back Yard
Synopsis:	Loki drops by Avengers Mansion and gives a cyber-rat to the Avengers. Bruce is sure that Loki is scheming something - Loki claims innocence.
Cast of Characters:	Loki, Natasha Romanoff, Bruce Banner

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Loki has posed:
There is a horrific sound coming from the back yard. It sounds like a mix of someone dragging the robotic fiend of all fiends down a chalkboard ... and perhaps a strobing obnoxious siren.

So, it's bad.

All sorts of sensors get set off by it, reporting a robot of some nature that has apparently materialized in the yard. Visuals of it prove it is screaming and lunging in little circles, as if held in place somehow, lightly floating. As a frenzy of motion it's hard to exactly make out, but the security systems are amazing - it is some type of cyborg rat-demon-???-squid, floating amidst a flexing coil of light purple arcane symbols.

It's near the edge of the pool and some deck chairs set out for the 4th of July. And it will not stop screaming.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
With the recent attacks of those things from another reality, the Mansion is somewhat on a rotating state of alert. So that means after some time, they have to clear up some existing things. That means during catchup of the latest crisis, to go along and talk to the Prince of Mischief. So when Natasha arrives, she would glance over at the Tiki Bar, and bow her head to the rat.

"I'm here to speak to yoru Leige, if he is available. And do present my apologies that we haven't been able to act upon his offer for now, nor might we be able to immediately."

Loki has posed:
Loki is... seated on the Tiki bar itself. Not on a chair, but on the bar's long counter, reclined a little bit, entirely casual. He made himself at home there - but not surprising, seeing as the bar was (and is) his construct.

"Oh, I don't care. I have other things to do. I don't sit here and simply wait," Loki comments in amusement, that Natasha would think such a thing. It is, though, entirely reasonable to suspect Loki could have gotten impatient or irritated by being ignored. But he seems calm and indifferent about it.

"I brought you that." The rat thing. In the runes. "I found it. It was sniffing around in Chelsea. I don't care either way, but you like cyborg robot weird things here." So there it is. "It's not a gift. More an ... underlining that I am an ally, and did not set it loose here. Even if that would have been amusing."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod over and glance a tit, "Ah.. Thank you for your kind offer. I can't speak for the Mansion's staff, so it will be the decision of Jarvis on the matter." She would bow her head politely over to Loki. "I bring two things. The ifrst is an offer on the morrow to join the festivities for the American holiday here at the Mansion. As a standing applicant you are welcome to of course do so as you wish to mingle."

Then she would also take out a small package. "And I thought one such as you might appreciate this if you would like." The package, if opened would contain a Loki funko-pop.

Loki has posed:
"Jarvis. I don't speak to Jarvises. I'll just leave it here, then? The runes will hold it for ... three hours." And then it'll be wherever it is. Loki's considering himself very kind to deliver it so nicely wrapped, AND give an accurate timeline of how long his containment will be.

"Though no doubt speaking with Jarvis is an Avenger perk," Loki continues. Like a proper Avenger 'applicant' as she mentioned.

"A holiday of explosions, yes. A great deal of chaotic mischief everywhere," Loki says, fondly. He appreciates a good explosive celebration!

The package is examined evenly (yes, with magic), before he flips it open and extracts the funco pop creature. "Ah, the big-headed bobbleheads. I was not aware they attempted to capture my visage," Loki admits, and sets it on the bar, with a tap of finger to make it warble. He adds a tiki umbrella to the funco, and leaves it there as decoration.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would shake her head and nod, "Yes, you might have a good time at it if you wished to show. Of course, it's an invite but you are a very busy god with a great many things going on so it is completely understandable if you cannot make it, and there is no offense. I'm sure that one of the others will come to tend to this.." She would glance down at it.

"I'll ensure that Doctor Pym can setup something appropriate to hold it until it can be analysed. Thank you again for your assistance in bringing this to our attention." She would glance at Loki with the toy. "I hope that you find it pleasing."

Loki has posed:
"It is an interesting reminder of how weird humans are," Loki comments of the toy. It isn't a mean tone, it isn't mocking her, it's more an assessment. The same way he might have noted that a breed of dog is very loyal. "Your funny little totems. I remember reading that collectors spend extreme amounts of money, just making sets of these. Such a funny thing to fixate on, with no value," Loki observes, thoughtful. "But with such short life spans, I understand that humans can feel /very/ strongly, attach to things like this, to enrich those shorter hours." There's not really an insult here, or if so, it doesn't stab at Natasha really.

Loki extends a finger, and the pop's eyes suddenly glow very, very green. "There. Now it has more value," he says, mysteriously, serene, and then drifts his eyes over to the Pym mobile lab. There's a steady focus that way: Loki is very clearly looking inside the lab, or doing something of a magically focused nature. "I'll just put it in there, then."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod, "And they can be rather dangerous as well." Her tone is thoughtful and analytical. "It is much appreciated. Do you know anything about who made it? Can you tell us where you found it and what it was doing?" The funko pop's eyes glowing green is.. WEll, hopefully it's a sign that Loki enjoys it and is amused by the offering. At least enough to want to use it for something etnertaining. One takes what they can get here.

"Doctor Pym can at least tell us something about the construction.. And Tigra can probably make some guesses as to what the mods are for." Tigra being the liscenced veterinarian

Loki has posed:
"It was bloody. It was in Chelsea. There were two injured people," Loki says, after looking upwards a little bit, as if to recall his shopping list. He glances at Nat sideways, mild amusement there. "Paramedics handled the injured. I took the rat. I didn't do anything else with it. Tech and cyborg monsters is more this side of things," Loki adds, with a flat-handed gesture at the mansion and the lab.

"The Cathedral was nearby. So on that side." Loki is getting bored with giving directions, but seems to be bearing with it. "I don't think I've met Tigra personally. I look forward to it," Loki observes, more interested in that topic.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod thoughtfully, "Thank you. We'll get on this shortly." She would go to make a picture of the location in her head, fixing on the landmarks that were around it and visualizing it. Making a note to head there as soon as possible. "Interesting. Not a normal place something like this would wander. It would have to be released there.. Perhpas it was targeting somethign specifically. Or just sent on some sort of scouting. Hopefully we're not having to deal with a RUSS."

Loki has posed:
"/I/ think somebody's got a lab and it escaped, or a test was made of some creation and purposely set loose to see what it did. My vision and memory scry on it bounced off it's destroyed brain. Computers, ehhh." Loki brought it to the computer people. Logical.

"But... it could just be somebody's lost 'Cuddles', and that's all." Loki doesn't think the last thing is true, but it's a fun image, and Loki does like to talk, and throw out fun suggestions now and then. It's up to others to filter out that layer of nonsense.

Loki is seated on the tiki bar located adjacent to the pool. He's seated ON the bar itself, dressed in 'human' attire - a sleek black suit without the jacket. His hair is half-back, ponytailed partially. Nearby, in a circle of purple runes is a SCREAMING rat-cyborg-monster. It's cries echo and bounce off the mansion in volleys of hatred. Yet Loki and Nat are just having a chat in calm tones, while it shrieks like a dying siren.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod, "That would make sense." SHe's thoughtful while looking over at the cybernetic rat. "And possibly. Not outside of the norm. Particularly for some of those that have made.. Attempts upon Bushwick." It always seemed like anyone targeting experimentation took inspiration from there. There were so many rumors that were hard to pin down. Particularly from those that kept thier head down over in there.

Natasha is talking over to Loki by his 'Tiki Bar' where he's put some sort of cybernetic rat over in a magical containment field.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce was in his lab, engrossed in his work, when suddenly an alarm started blaring. Due to the thick walls and soundproofing in the lab, the noise barely registered at first. It took Banner a while to notice the flashing light of the alert, and when he did, it immediately raised his concerns. Unbeknownst to him, Natasha was already on top of the situation, but Bruce couldn't help but worry.

Uncertain about what to do, Bruce let out a sigh and decided to head to a nearby weapons locker. While he understood how the weapons worked, he hadn't fired one in a long time. Nevertheless, he thought that if things got really bad, his alter ego, the Hulk, might be necessary to handle the situation though he hopped not as Banner wanted to be usefull as well.

Checking the location of the alarm, Bruce swiftly made his way through the facility, his heart racing and his breath becoming labored. He had to stop momentarily to catch his breath and calm himself down, reminding himself that he had the situation under control. The Hulk wasn't needed; Dr. Banner could handle it.

Finally catching up to the commotion, Bruce kicked open the doors, wielding a gun that seemed comically oversized for his small frame. Swinging it around, he scanned the area, trying to make sense of what was happening. Being more accustomed to working in the realm of experiments with Tony, the gun in his hands would likely do more harm to Bruce than to any actual threat, but he was unaware of that fact. Fortunately, with Natasha already present, it seemed he wouldn't need to fire it after all.

Bruce's appearance was disheveled, with latex gloves still clinging to his hands. His eyes widened in shock and a hint of fear as he spotted Loki, casually lounging amidst the Tiki Bar. Confusion filled his voice as he addressed Natasha, "Um, Nat, what's going on here?" he asked, torn between aiming his weapon at the giant monster or the nearby Tiki Bar, unsure of which posed the greater threat

Loki has posed:
"He's not here for a Mai Tai, is he," Loki observes mildly of Banner's arrival - and mostly drowned out by the rat-creature. Due to the level of alarm and confusion Banner seems to be in, Loki doesn't explain anything: Banner might not believe him, anyway. He leaves it to the team member.

Instead, Loki just lounges there a little, as if the screaming cyborg-mouse wasn't there at all. "If he points that at me I'm not going to be terribly pleasant," Loki adds more quietly to Natasha. It's less a warning, the tone - but more like that Loki might consider it fun to be unpleasant in this instance. Since it would be provoked BY Banner, Loki would have a great defense, were there more chaos...

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would glance over at Bruce, "Ah, hello, Doctor Banner. Loki is.. Waiting here." Better to have him here and playing along than to him hiding over and going to scheme about getting bored. Something to say for having someone sitting out on the front lawn where you can keep an eye on him.

"He's waiting to talk with Captain Rogers and he's given us an.. Avenue to investigate. He's here at invite." The small cybernetic rat - or less than small, since it qualified as a RUUSS. There had been a note of Loki asking to join the team put up on the team's memo board, but those could tend to be ovelrooked - particularly wtih every bit of chaos that always went on.

"So, Doctor Banner, do relax. Loki's not here to be hostile."

Bruce Banner has posed:
As Loki speaks, Bruce's anger towards him becomes evident. He holds a stern gaze, his dislike for Loki clear. However, his emotions don't escalate into hatred. As Natasha explains the situation, Bruce's expression softens, and he lowers the oversized weapon after disabling it to prevent any accidental misfires. the low hum ends as the weapon is depowered, ensuring its safety. He lets out a sigh, contemplating Natasha's words, and then he issues a warning, his tone serious, "Keep him away from Hulk. I don't think the Hulk will be as understanding." Bruce understands the potential danger Loki poses, particularly to his alter ego.

But just as quickly as his anger surfaced, it dissipates as he turns his attention back to Natasha. A smile spreads across his face, calming his overall demeanor. He explains, "If you say so, I'll believe it. With all the recent messes, I thought he was involved with some criminal organization or something." Bruce tries to justify his dramatic entrance, realizing that he may have overreacted initially. For now, he chooses to disregard the presence of the giant rat, viewing it as a magical creation that doesn't require his attention or the accompanying concerns it brings. It was safer for his mind that way as he did not need to be dragged into that knowledge hole.

Instead of delving into the unexplainable aspects of magic, Bruce directs his focus towards Loki. With a touch of curiosity and a hint of contemplation, he speaks, "You're never pleasant, Loki. What are you trying to pull? Why are you helping us?" His questions serve as both ponderings aloud and a genuine desire to understand Loki's motivations. To Bruce, Loki is a trickster by nature, and he believes that attempting to change that nature would be a painful process for anyone undertaking it. Unaware of recent memos, Bruce's reaction may differ upon receiving that information.

Loki has posed:
Loki isn't smiley - which could mean different things. It could be good, or bad. But at least it isn't /definitely/ bad. He's watchful, much like a relaxing cat with some other pet in the room, but isn't directly aggressive. Yet.

Though Loki doesn't really want to repeat himself, he does in part: "I found a cyborg rat beast in Chelsea. Attacked some people. I trapped it. Here it is." It's factual, direct, lacking in the flowery 'let me tell you a story' mode that Loki can often go into.

Though really, this could be an intelligent play to directly 'feel' different, so that it throws the idea out that he could be being honest here. Loki does know how to play others.

Yet there's no indication that any of that is untrue. "Some lab experiment. I don't care about it. Kill it, make a hat, whatever. If your immediate reaction to anyone doing heroics is to yell at them, I recommend instead: positive reinforcement of /good/ behaviors are generally more effective."

Loki's undertone being that he's being a great guy, and super tolerant of being mistreated. "Technically I didn't help /you/, I helped some injured people. Just to be clear."

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Loki's playing along for now, which is an improvement that Natasha will take. "Thank you, Doctor Banner. For now we're just.. Talking. Will you be able to make it to Captain Roger's birthday tomorrow?" Change of topic to something that Bruce might actually perk up on a bit. Something social - but hopefully something that he would feel upbeat about going to. Thank heavens for some distractions with everything going on at the moment with their latest crisis of continuity.

"And Loki's a member of royalty, Doctor Banner." By the tone of voice she implied that all nobility might as well qualify over as that sort of thing. Which might get a laugh from Bruce - and maybe Loki as well if such things were universal in the realm of the Skyfathers. And with him there, Natasha would take 'the devil you know around you rather than in hiding'. They could watch his games.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce listens to Loki's response and contemplates his words. He raises an eyebrow, slightly skeptical of Loki's choice to personally deliver the information rather than handling it in a different way. He turns his head towards Natasha and nods, acknowledging her reminder about tomorrow's task. "Right, tomorrow. Maybe I'll work on it. If I don't, please let him know I'll catch up soon," Bruce responds, acknowledging he did have things to talk to Cap about. Time always seemed to fly when there was a project at hand. He sighs, realizing the need to prioritize and manage his time effectively.

Bruce glances back at Loki, maintaining a steady gaze as he contemplates the options before him. He chuckles briefly at the mention of royalty but quickly frowns, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Loki, let me ask you something. Why did you help them? You Majesty." Bruce adds, trying to inject a touch of humor into the conversation. He glances at Natasha, seeking her approval, asking, "Better?" He shakes his head and points towards the giant rat-like creature. "And what are we supposed to do with that?" he asks, concern evident in his voice. He looks at Natasha, emphasizing the potential issue if the shield were to drop at that moment. Bruce's intention is to provoke a response from Loki, hoping to reveal his true intentions.

To Bruce, it's more of an analytical suspicion than an emotional one. He sees Loki as trouble, much like a mathematical equation where two plus two equals four. Natasha's valid points are considered, but Bruce also cautions her, his tone filled with concern. "Be careful. This person has been fooling Odin himself for a long time. Don't become the frog," he advises, hoping she understands the metaphor and the potential dangers of trusting Loki at all.

Loki has posed:
"Missing your friend's birthday celebration? Hmh," Loki observes, as if that were disappointing to hear. Bruce must not care about Steve very much at all. Look at all the interesting things to learn about.

Loki doesn't rise or even react to any of the royalty commentary. Being called 'your majesty' is taken as if it were not meant with any sarcasm. Loki is royalty, and doesn't seem to be taking it as mockery when a correct title gets used!

"Perhaps I misunderstand the Avengers' view of heroics. If you have a /magical/ question or historical item, that is good to bring to /me/. If I discover a cyborg genetic weirdo, is that not best to refer to you, as the expert, to stop future creatures?" Loki questions. He's starting to lose some patience. "NORMALLY, I would just kill a creature such as this that's near a magical area of mine. I am building communication bridges by sharing what I found."

Odin is mentioned, then. And Loki actually flares, emotion appearing for the first time. "Do not /dare/ speak of the Allfather in that way, much less being so rude as to speak as if I am not here while you do it. Odin appointed /me/ to safeguard Asgard while Thor was missing and presumed dead, while Asgard was beset by war. And /I/ have returned that throne to him, after a year of diplomacy and peace in my rule."

Loki takes a bit of a breath. "But you are ignorant of Asgard, as are most. I'll forgive it, this time." Loki slides off the bar evenly, with a sleek agility to his movement.

Natasha Romanoff has posed:
Natasha Romanoff would nod at Bruce, "Of course I'm aware." She would note back to Bruce in appreciation of the reminder. "Only if you can make it. I know that big events aren't your thing so there's no reason to push yourself." Her ending up seemingly being the almost therapist of the team when it came time to those gentle nudges back and forth. And Bruce's suspicions are good ones - accompanied over by Natasha's own in her decades of being a spy.

As Loki goes to speak on and the two go back and forth over she would glance at Bruce. "When Thor was missing, Loki was Regent of Asgard and ruled it well. Odin and THor both gave him thanks for doing so while they were incapacitated." Her take on it being that responsibility had if not quite mellowed Loki then gone with the 'dog that finally catches the car' routine.

Bruce Banner has posed:
Bruce finds himself sighing as he contemplates the situation, but then something catches his attention. He notices a subtle reaction from Loki, a slight slip in his demeanor. Seizing the opportunity, Bruce quickly moves behind Natasha, using her as a shield against Loki. Although he tries to appear brave, his hurried shuffle behind her reveals his underlying nervousness.

"It was a wise decision. What's the fun in tricking when everything is handed to you?" Bruce remarks, acknowledging Odin's intelligence in outmaneuvering the trickster. He furrows his brow and gazes at Natasha, emphasizing the fundamental differences between Asgardians and themselves. "Asgardians operate on a different level. If Loki has no respect for us, then nothing good will come out of this alliance. The ends no longer justify the means, Natasha. You know that."

Bruce's attention shifts beyond Natasha, and a small grin appears on his face as he realizes Loki's unintentional slip in his words. "You just slipped up, Loki. Just a little. That wasn't part of your plan, was it?" he remarks, his mind already racing to analyze the implications. However, rather than staying there to further confront Loki, Bruce decides to retreat for the moment, walking very quickly back towards the entrance he came from.

Bruce's footsteps echo through the mansion as he retreats further into its depths, lost in his thoughts. As he passes by the kitchen, a sudden sight catches his eye, causing him to freeze in his tracks "He wants to WHAT!". He lets out a loud yell of shock, his voice reverberating through the room. It takes a moment for him to regain his composure, but the memo he just stumbled upon has sent a jolt of surprise coursing through his veins.

Collecting himself, Bruce takes a deep breath and quickly retreats to a more secluded area, away from prying eyes. He leans against a nearby wall, trying to process the shock at Loki attempting to join. The memo has shaken him to the core, and he knows he must find his calm place immediately to regain control over his emotions.

Loki has posed:
Loki slipped some emotion in. "Yes, seems it's a problem that I care about my family," Loki snipes back, very quick. Which is possibly another slip, there. Frustrated, but also starting to cloak it more, Loki narrows his eyes a little bit.

"Perhaps that is a weakness. Perhaps not. Either way, I do not care if you are aware that I dislike my family, who was recently dead or comatose, being mocked."

Loki lifts his chin a little, glances at the cyborg-rat and ... makes a little gesture. It falls over, with a plop. A check will reveal he just knocked it out, didn't kill it, but the lack of screaming falls over the mansion like a pleasant blanket. And with that, Loki vanishes.