knightsoflegend | EARTH-11 ♔ JUST ISN'T HOW I ENVISIONED IT

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EARTH-11 ♔ JUST ISN'T HOW I ENVISIONED IT

WHO || Wanda, Malina, Caroline, Jordan, Alex, Loki, Jane, Darcy, YOU
WHAT || The Knights wake up after a mission in Saudi Arabia with the worst kind of hangover.
WHERE || Earth-11
WHEN || End of 2016
HOW || As you like it; mission in individual top-threads, actionspam.

It's hard to notice right away. For the most part, everything looks normal. The toilets flush in the right direction. The sky's still up. The buildings are still scraping the clouds. But something about it feels wrong, and the details come in waves.

The first wave is that no one is in the castle, or in England, or even in Saudi. It's hard to tell where they are, except it's close to the equator. Warm. Sunny. And a city. Maybe they're lucky. Maybe someone's there to greet them, if not in this bed that isn't theirs, then in this apartment that isn't theirs, or this house.

But out in the streets, things get stranger. Gone are the gleaming glass and metal frames of the skyscrapers, replaced with statuesque marble shaped into hellenic curves. Everything is bright colors and bronze. The metal coins people trade for currency have a wolf's head stamped on them, valid only in the Republic of Midgard.

The world is wrong. And no one but those in the room with Loki and Jordan seem to remember why.

[ ooc note; WHILE THE SAUDI ARABIA MISSION wraps up their encounter with Loki, everyone is invited to play in the whackadoodle AU that Loki created by making Jordan grant his wish to rule a world full of all the things Loki desires, where Thor is nowhere to be found. Consider this your dystopian/framework/everyone's dead AU event. Please note that only mission characters will remember the events of Earth-11, as they've only been transported to a parallel universe. Everything you play is for fun, not for character arc. ]

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[Sorry, Jordan, but Sif was just on her way in to actually see her dearest one. Not for any reason that Loki might have wanted her to simply appear to his side, but to inform him that she was going out for a ride and that he might wish to join her. Truthfully, it allows her the time to spend with him where she's able to not truly be with him. Still, there is a brief moment where it seems as if she contemplates a complete 180 to avoid whatever conversation had been going on between the two men. From the look on Jordan's face... it was not a pleasant discussion. Still, she wonders if her timing could not have been better and she is to offer him a reprieve from her husband's company.

Her features allow a brightness to flash to the surface, something she's managed to nearly perfect when needed, and brings herself toward Jordan.]

Are you leaving? [She shows concern, even as she glances behind him to where she can see Loki mid-stride.] Have I arrived at an inopportune moment?

[Jordan quickly schools his features at Sif's voice, conjuring his own shiny smile as he stops at her approach, giving her a much more sincere bow.]

My Lady [he says softly, giving her a polite smile.] On the contrary, I was just on my way to find you. The moment couldn't be more opportune.

[He glances back at Loki as well, before offering Sif his arm.] Would you care to take a walk with me, my Lady?

[The chance to remove herself from her own plans to spend time with Loki feels too easy, but she won't question it. The glance back to Loki raises concerns, but Sif takes the offered arm and nods, politely.]

Of course, your company is always welcome. [Her words might hold implications about the company of others, but nothing so specific.]

All I see well, I hope? [The most polite way of inquiring to the nature of this walk and him seeking her out.]

[ SEETHING FIST CLENCH but there they go goddamn jordan you better not be full of shit. ]

[Jordan can just feel Loki's furious gaze on his back as he leads Sif from the throne room at a leisurely pace, trying not to walk too quickly lest his excitement at finally getting away from the man seep through.]

Yes, of course, everything is as it should be, my Lady. My Lord Loki asked for solitude for a brief time so as to collect his thoughts on certain matters [he says softly, making sure the emphasis hangs in the air between them, like some gossip ripe for the picking.]

[It seems as if everything spoken is meant to hold hidden meaning. She knows all too well just what is not being said about Loki needing time on his own. Even if he did not have a world to rule, she is certain he would find some way to fill his time with tasks intended to inflate his persona and reach through the land.]

Then allow me to keep you company, though I am sure there are others you'd sooner be with. [For as much time as she knows she has spent with Jordan in her presence, she never truly feels as if she knows him.]

You are quite mistaken, Lady Sif [his voice is soft still, but there is a ring of truth to his words as he continues.] There is no other whose time I could beg to borrow I'd rather spend it with.

[Of all the time he'd spent locked to Loki's side, what was spent with her as their companion was by far the most pleasant.

He leads her down the massive hallway beyond the throne room/ballroom combo and towards the grand entryway.]

Shall we go outside, M'Lady?

[Sometimes she is unsure of Jordan's place here at Loki's side. She worries for him and hopes her King does not ask too much of him. His counsel surely is valuable, for he has remained for so long, yet she still wonders if his kindness is simply a way to cope with the day to day.]

You are too kind, as always. And yes, I believe the fair weather would be wonderful to enjoy. I had planned on a ride, but I believe a walk would be more enjoyable.

[he leads them outside, taking a deep, grateful breath of fresh air, his first away from Loki's side in far too long. He's quiet, at first, simply enjoying her company and his temporary freedom. After a few minutes, though, his brow furrows and he glances at her a few times, mouth twisting at his inner-turmoil.

Should he say something? Should he ask her what Loki had intended him to find out? Did she remember anything before this strange, altered reality? If she didn't, and he said something, would she believe him crazy, perhaps go to Loki?

It's these thoughts that cause his silence to linger as they walk.]

[While she appreciates the quiet and the time outside, she does worry that there is something on Jordan's mind. That her king has made too many demands or perhaps he's keeping something from her and trusted Jordan with the secret. It wouldn't be the first time, but she had thought that they had moved beyond those early days of distrust. Not that Sif trusts Loki completely, but she trusts him to tell her when there are things she needs to know. Things that would impact her and the Kingdom.]

Are you alright? [She smiles to him.] Not that you are usually extremely talkative, but there is a different sense of quiet about you today.

[His eyes flick to her face, noting the concern he sees there. He swallows deeply, still unsure of what to say and how.]

I- I'm fine, Lady Sif, just fine. I apologize for my reticence, I just have a lot on my mind.

[time to bite the bullet]

His Highness has tasked me with a matter of great importance. [He pauses in their walk, turning to face her with a look of awkwardness on his face before continuing]

Concerning you, My Lady.

[As he states that he has a great deal on his mind, she slows her steps. When he stops, she turns to face him in order to hear what he might need to tell her. The fact that it's of great importance weighs on her thoughts, but when he admits that it concerns her - she is confused.]

Concerning me? [She shakes her head.] I do not wish to be a burden upon your thoughts, Jordan. You can tell me anything you need to.

[Oh my God this is so embarrassing. He just needs to spit it out, get it over with, but at the same time jesus this was so horrendously embarrassing for him. He has a hard enough time talking to girls for himself, but to do it for his Master was horrifying. It was like some twisted grade school crap, a game of "jimmy wants me to tell you that he likes you and wants to know if you like him too" level of bullshit. Unfortunately, Jordan had never been to grade school, he had no experience with the child's play kind of he said she said. Growing up in his father's palace had taught him about these kinds of games though, and it was usually on a much more dangerous level than crushes and children's rumors.

He could do this, he was a master of delicacy, he just had to adjust his natural settings to deal with an unsuspecting, kind woman, rather than dealing with his cruel Father or his harsh Master.]

I apologize for causing any discomfort or anxiety, my Lady, it is not my intention to do so. Please know that I am only acting as a messenger, and only in the interest of you and my Lord's... relationship. As it were.

[He's blushing, eyes scanning the ground, anything other than Sif's face.]

[She catches his moment of flush and smirks at him. She realizes that apparently her husband has broken the adage about not kissing and telling. Though, they aren't kissing so there isn't anything to tell. Which is perhaps why she is out here with Jordan having this rather sensitive discussion.]

I see. And he is perhaps concerned as to why there isn't more to the relationship, I assume? [She's certain this is where she's meant to touch on the needs of a man and how her role should be to satisfy those needs. However, she's never been the typical lady. Why should that change with vows to him?]

Perhaps I've been too restrained. [She rests her hand to his shoulder.] This burden shouldn't be yours, though. My King should be willing to discuss this with me, but I fear he does not trust me. There is such a concern he has about keeping what is his, that he doesn't allow himself to be open with me.

[Relief floods him at her intuition on the subject and the fact that he didn't have to come right out and say that Loki was upset they weren't doing the bedroom tango. He nods at her guess, a hand coming up to scrub up through his hair.

That doesn't stop the blush from doubling in effort, going from his hairline to disappear under the collar of his shirt.

Now he just had to try and smooth things over, hopefully getting some results for Loki and securing an ally in Sif.]

I cannot speak as to His Majesty's level of trust in you, My Lady, though I am sure this is not such a matter that he feels as though he cannot confide in you.

[He proffers his arm again, walking once more to burn off some of his nervous energy.]

I think it's less a matter of trust in you, and more a matter of Lord Loki's... [he pretends to search for the appropriate word, letting the implication roll in the air between them before saying delicately-] embarrassment.

And though this is a matter that the two of you should discuss, I believe he thought a certain amount of delicacy would be best when opening the topic for discussion with you. Being with him as much as I am, I was able to suss out what it was that had been occupying My Lord's mind, and upon his request [sure, something like that] and my volunteering, here we are.

[She takes his offered arm to continue this walk with him. It still upsets her to think that the matter of her marriage is being treated through a third party, that those private matters are a conversational topic for her husband. It's understandable that he has concerns and that he speaks only to those he's comfortable around, but it worries her to think what else he might be burdening Jordan with. He has much on his mind and to lay them all onto another, someone that is at his side so consistently, it doesn't ease her mind.

She takes a breath, taking in his words and his reassurances. She wants to ease his embarrassment, but she knows that is not something that can be so simple.]

I do not wish to place you in the middle of my marital affairs, Jordan, even if you have volunteered yourself as such. I will not pass word along to my husband through you. Not because I don't believe you would do so, but because I know you would. I know you would easily take message to him to appease him and to reassure me that things are going to be alright.

Perhaps, it is time that I share more with him. That I offer up that openness that he seeks and simply allow things to progress as they might naturally.

[She's trying hard to tiptoe around any details, to simply let Jordan know that she hears the concerns, she appreciates them, but she'll handle this on her own time and in her own way. Which, she assumes Jordan already knew. He's very intelligent and for as close as he is with Loki, he is close to her as well.]

It is not as if I am seeking out comfort with others. There is only my care for him. [She almost starts to go further into her hesitations, but she does not want him to be that sounding board for her.]

It shall resolve itself eventually and your Lord shall have a mind at ease.

[He hears her and understands where she is coming from and her desire to speak to Loki directly about their marriage. In fact, he's relieved that he wouldn't be forced to play telephone between the two of them, and if Sif went to Loki and spoke to him about what was holding her back, that would show that he had actually gotten results.

But see, the thing with Jordan is he has had long enough to really get to know Loki, and while he has come to understand his paranoid Master, he has also had enough time to truly come to despise the man.]

I never thought that you would seek your pleasure elsewhere, My Lady [he says softly, waving his hand as though brushing the thought of her being unfaithful away as though it could never exist.]

I am sure that you have your reasons for not being... with... our Lord more intimately before now, and whatever they may be, it is of course up to your discretion to decide when that time will come. [He doesn't really need to say more than that, now that he's gotten the proverbial horse in motion, and Loki could be pacified with the fact that Sif would now talk to him.

Guilt hits him like a swift punch in the gut at the thought of Sif, wonderful, strong Sif giving in to that maniac. Here he was supposed to be encouraging her to give herself to Loki and all of his instincts were screaming at him to warn her off, away from him and his slick designs upon her person.

He's also sensing that there is something she isn't being totally forthcoming about (SM 20, not Natural). Not that she was under any obligation to share her reasoning with him, but he was curious, and perhaps if she would share he would understand more as to her lack of intimacy with Loki.]

But I feel as though there is something more that you are holding back, My Lady. I do want you to know that, if you so desire, you can confide in me. What you say will go no further than my ears alone. [Diplomacy 21.]

[She allows a small laugh to slip through her at his promise to be discreet with her confessions. It's not in amusement, more out of her own feelings of being unsure.]

I appreciate your offer, Jordan. It is difficult for me to confide in anyone, mostly because I feel as if they are solely in my company for the fact that they are afraid of Loki. [She frowns for a moment.]

I never thought I would be at his side in this manner. There are moments where I feel as if I would be better suited elsewhere. It's fleeting. Silly, really. I should consider myself lucky to be in the position I am. That I'm able to guide this world at his side. Many would dream to be in my place and yet there are moments where I wonder if there will be a moment when he will seek out someone else.

Which makes my desire to find comfort in him... If I was to actually find something in him, in being with him -- and he were to realize that I'm not suited to his desires. [She frowns. She excels in most areas. She's a fierce warrior. Suited to be on the front lines. She has never needed to excel in more intimate areas.]

[his frown mirrors her own and they walk in silence for a few moments. he seems to be weighing his next words carefully, and they come out as slowly, in a measured tone.]

I am not afraid of Loki. [The lack of honorific goes unnoticed by him but it hangs in the air between them as he continues, not a hint of fear in his voice.]

And that is not why I enjoy your company, or seek it out, contrary to this afternoons walk.

[this is it, the moment of truth, as it were. he takes a deep gulp of air before plunging forward, consequences be damned.]

These feelings of "otherness" that you speak of... How often do you have them? Is there something in particular that triggers these feelings? Are they tied to your reasoning of not being closer to Loki, more than you've previously thought? Do you sometimes feel as though this all seems like some grand illusion like this isn't the life you were meant to live?

[he sure sounds kinda like he's gone off the deep end, but his tone is even and calm as he looks over at her to gauge her reaction.]

[It all comes out of him so quickly and the shift feels so sudden. From her simple confession to this set of questions. It confuses her. She takes a step away from him, shaking her head as she rests her hands to his shoulders.]

Jordan, where does all of this concern grow from? I worry that my thoughts have caused you distress. [She feels as though what she admitted to has given him something that he's been waiting for her to say and that worries her more than she'd admit to. The flood of questions. Spilling out of him.]

They are just thoughts. Silly and not worth so many questions. It was my mind making excuses for my own fears of inadequacies.

[It's like watching the sun grow dim behind the cover of clouds, his face at her confusion and worry is dark, closed off. The hope that had sparked in his eyes just moments before flickers and dies at her words and he drops his gaze down and to the side to try and hide the disappointment now gripping him.

Sucking in a deep breath he nods, a rueful smile coming to his lips as he rubs a hand over his eyes wearily, and just like that he seems back to his normal self.]

I must be more tired than I thought. I didn't mean to worry you, My Lady. You know how my head can be in the clouds sometimes, and my curiosity always seems to get the best of me. [ He shakes his head with a tiny chuckle and a negligent shrug of a shoulder. Also, for the first time in his life ever.... Bluff Nat 20, total 25.]

I think it is probably time I escorted you back to the castle, and I return to His Majesty's side. [Time to do some damage control. Or something.]

[She trusts that he's reassured, but she still wonders about the string of questions. They seemed to have some purpose, some reasoning behind them. As if he was trying to find an answer. She wonders if there is more to her thoughts. Should she have taken his questions more seriously?]

I hope I haven't upset you, Jordan. I do value the time that we spend together.

No, you haven't upset me, My Lady. [he may be disappointed, but he isn't upset.]

Your company is one of the few pleasures I have these days, and it is invaluable to me as well. I want you to know that. [He seems on the verge of saying something more but thinks better of it, giving her a small smile instead.]

Then be reassured that anytime you desire my company, it will be yours. I think there are times when we both need to realize that a reprieve is only a simple question away.

Thank you, Lady, I will remember that. [and off they goooo back to the castle~]

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EARTH-11 ♔ JUST ISN'T HOW I ENVISIONED IT

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