Entry tags:
♥ Appointments Post ♥
This is a personal appointment post for anyone who wants to contact Elicia Hughes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asobouyo ) without going to the trouble of setting up a log/journal; as I'll say with all my characters, if you have any reason to contact her at all, go right ahead here! Voice, Video, Written, or Action is completely acceptable. Just keep in mind that she's at school at certain times on weekdays (it's sketchy enough to say 'after school' or before or what have you)!
Please put the the month and the type of communication—i.e. [March 29th][Action], or anything in that sort of way—in the subject line (putting why you're there is totally optional; I'm sure I'll figure it out through the character eventually. |D).
asobouyo ) without going to the trouble of setting up a log/journal; as I'll say with all my characters, if you have any reason to contact her at all, go right ahead here! Voice, Video, Written, or Action is completely acceptable. Just keep in mind that she's at school at certain times on weekdays (it's sketchy enough to say 'after school' or before or what have you)!Please put the the month and the type of communication—i.e. [March 29th][Action], or anything in that sort of way—in the subject line (putting why you're there is totally optional; I'm sure I'll figure it out through the character eventually. |D).
[Action, September 25]
[She nods. It's hesitant, because... well. An adult wouldn't know where to begin, let alone her. She has a lot of thoughts and none of them are easy to categorize in priority. She looks him in the eye, and there's definite disappointment. But she doesn't run away, or raise her voice. She's still very tired from the flip-flopping her emotions are throwing.]
... Did you really hurt people where you're from?
[She wants honestly, Mr. Loki. Even if you're a good liar sometimes.]
[Action, September 25]
I'm afraid that's true. In war, people often are hurt, and I led one side of a war.
[Action, September 25]
I don't like war, Mr. Loki. I—... my papa fought in a war once, and it hurt him on the inside... and we fight here a lot, too, and they took me even though I didn't want to.
[She shivers a little, holding the flower, trying not to succumb to all the pent up little feelings she's kept at bay.]
I don't like it.
So... please don't fight here, okay? This time wasn't your fault, and I know you're not a bad person. This is my home and I love lots of the people here. That—that means you, too, and I know you'll find lots of people here who'll love you back.
[Action, September 25]
[And he finds it strange that those words are true. But there's no reason to fight here, and many reasons to not.
He sighs and drops to his knees, then shifts to sit cross-legged on the floor, slumping a little.]
You know that sometimes we don't have a choice. We have to fight. But... I want to be able to fight for something whilst I am here. I want to fight for you, and for Ikki, because I love you both and it would destroy me to see you hurt.
[Loki gives her a small, sad smile.
There is no way Elicia can understand how foreign these words are from him.]
People do not often like me, Elicia. And that is all right. That is the way it has to be, sometimes, and you should not worry about it.
[His eyes are suspiciously watery.]
So long as you believe in me, I promise I will try hard to be worthy.
[Action, September 25]
Listen, Mr. Loki, because this is... this is really important to me.
It doesn't matter if war happens sometimes, because you hurt people. You hurt lots of people. You weren't fighting for anything when you hurt those people. You weren't anything like a hero, or a good guy, and nothing got fixed by fighting, and nothing but awful, awful hurt and pain happened because you did those things.
[She looks down, clutching the flower's stem.]
You hurt people who were like me and Ikki, and like all the people I care about. You hurt them because you wanted them to do what you told them, and if I were there you would have hurt me, too, and that's all wrong. You were a bad guy. You did bad things, and you can't ever take that back for all those people you hurt.
[She's looking down, shaking, cheeks flushed.]
Just because you're unhappy with something doesn't mean you have to make everyone else unhappy.
But I wanna give you a chance, because even though you're a bad guy, it doesn't mean you're the baddest, and it doesn't mean you can't be good... You're not a monster like the kind I'm scared of in my closet when I'm sleeping. Evil people don't cry or give people flowers. So you gotta' make yourself better and learn from the things you did wrong, 'cuz 'til you do... you won't ever, ever be happy.
I wanna believe in you, Mr. Loki. Even if you might trick or lie sometimes, I really want to.
Okay?
[Action, September 25]
Except he does have to justify himself here. Or he simply has to walk away and never look back. He's done that often enough.
Maybe this time, he doesn't want to.]
That isn't why at all.
[His voice is quiet. He puts his face in his hand.
It isn't, and it is. Because thinking of the mortals as having Elicia's face, she's right about some things. But it was still something he had to do. It was still one necessary move in the game. It was just easier when the mortals were little ants, or pieces on the board.
He doesn't know what to say, not really. Because it isn't like that, and it is. He is no hero, but he doesn't think of himself as the villain either. He is doing what he has to, which makes it infinitely uglier.
He fights the urge to laugh when Elicia says that he's not a monster like the one in her closet. That's far too close to the truth.]
No one's ever been sorry when they hurt me.
[He doesn't mean to say those words; they just come out, harsh and painful. Too childish. Too true. He scrubs at his face with his hand. He never wanted to be good, or bad. I only wanted to be your equal. He just wants to be himself.
And who is that, anyway?
With an effort, he composes himself.]
I don't like hurting people, dearest Elicia. I regret it. I'm not that sort of monster.
[Action, September 25]
[Action, September 25]
I thank you, dear one, but you've never done anything to hurt me. You've nothing to be sorry for at all.
[He looks down, silent for a long time, then holds out his hand. He should not do this. But this is important. This isn't something he wants to lose.
He lacked conviction, on Midgard. Now, with his heart engaged, he has too much conviction, and perhaps too little sense. It's desperation that drives him. And maybe here, in this isolated space, it's all right.]
I know that it is hard to believe me. I do not blame you. But for this, I have a special trick. Give me your hand.
[With a movement of his fingers, he produces a small, smooth river stone from the air.]
[Action, September 25]
She can't help but stare in awe at the magic, regardless of the circumstances.]
It's pretty... What—what is it for?
[Action, September 25]
[He places it in her palm and curls her small fingers around it, then covers her hand with both of his. For a long moment he is silent, focused intently. The air feels heavy, that small bit of reality bending to his will. He frowns slightly, and speaks several guttural, commanding words in a low voice.
He releases her hand carefully. He's a bit paler now, dark circles around his eyes. Such a small thing took more effort than he likes, here, but he thinks that it will be worth the effort.]
It will only work for you, but it will tell you when anyone is lying, not just me. Shall we try it out? [He cocks his head and tries to smile.]
My name is Mani, and I am an elephant trainer. [If Elicia's holding the stone, there is a red aura around his head.]
My name is Loki, and I am a magician. [The aura turns green.]
Does it work?
[Action, September 25]
[She clutches the stone tightly in her hand, looking up at him. And then, after just a moment's hesitation, she steps forward and carefully hugs him.]
I know things will get better. Okay?
[Action, September 25]
I am sorry, dearest. I am truly sorry.
[He's not even certain what he's sorry for, but in this moment it's true. Everything hurts.]