[Open] This time, baby, I'll be bulletproof!

[possiblymad]

Who: Loki and EVERYONE
Where: Various (Library, Roof, Mansion, Garden, Kitchen)
When: 5/8-?
Rating: Gonna stick with Teen to be safe.
Summary: Pretty much a catch-all log for anyone who wanted Loki interaction.
The Story:

[Jane]
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't almost tired of everyone showing up all at once. Damn them all for waltzing in, stealing his proverbial thunder, and forcing him into a state of hiding! (Also, for throwing books at him. Yes, this is a thing that he's tired of as well.) He made a retreat for the roof. Hawkeye wasn't there at the moment, he knew that already, and he really needed a vantage point that was high enough for him to keep an eye out for any other offending Avengers. But as soon as he made it into the fresh, crisp, night air, he found he wasn't alone. And it was far too late to slink back into the shadows. Well. Damn again.

"You wouldn't happen to be armed with a book, would you? That seems to be the mortal woman's weapon of choice, as of late." Why yes, that tone is heavily swathed in sarcasm.


[Isaac And look, it's NOT PROSE for you]
[Loki isn't exactly one to break down and give in to mortal urges, but he felt it was about time to ingest something suitable for a change. So, a quick visit to the kitchen was in order. He... really doesn't know what he's doing, so he's just going to fumble about until he happens about something moderately edible and nutritious. He isn't expecting company in the middle of the night, but you never know...]


[Everyone Else]
[Prose or Bracketspam is fine. Feel free to bump into him anywhere and engage him in conversation. He doesn't have much of a routine, but he frequents the library, walks around at night in the garden, generally avoids Avengers and whatnot. Also feel free to assume he's in his Sif persona, because that's a thing he's been doing lately. If you wish for Sif, just mention her in your tag and I'll respond with her icons.

Another prompt could be mentioning/making fun of him for his Disney Sing-off with Captain America, or the like.]

Comments

[possiblymad]

Loki's temper has been shorter than usual of late, but he's still been ace at keeping himself mostly in line. But as soon as those words leave her lips, in that tone, with that posture, he knows just who she has to be. Stark Industries. Those two words haunt his existence here. The temptation to abuse the small mobile device in his pocket is suddenly too great, but he resists it anyway.

"Of course." He answers with a very unimpressed look glazing over his features. "With that temperament, it's painfully clear which Avenger you keep in line." Yes, Pepper, that's probably a compliment in some subtle way. "However, if you're searching for an apology or some form of remorse, you will find I'm more difficult to handle than Stark. You will find neither remorse nor an apology." Sorry dear, maybe Thor will be willing to pay for his brother's damage, but you won't get anything out of Loki.

For a moment, he looks like he might be considering something with his brows drawn together and the sudden slightly tilt to his head along with the new focus to his gaze. "How do you tolerate him? I seem to recall the urge to throw him through a window upon our first one-on-one meeting. I might have acted upon that urge." He just might be antagonising. He really should know better...

[handing]

His is hardly the first unimpressed look Pepper's received over the years, nor is she actually trying to impress him. Her efforts are to portray a woman who won't be intimidated despite the very real fact that he could kill her with the same ease and disregard he's shown so many. Yet his gaze still manages to irritate her, even if the thinly veiled compliment tempers the effect. Asgardian murderer or not, Pepper has never been a fan of being looked down on, and it makes it a little easier for her to push aside that fear in favor of indignation.

"Actually, no. I don't expect you to apologize." After all, he is entirely correct about which Avenger Pepper most closely associates with, and in that aspect, she has some familiarity with Loki's type. "Megalomaniacs really don't ever realize when they're wrong, especially if they're willing to attempt what you did. But that doesn't change the fact that you should be held accountable for the grievous harm you've done to countless parties, myself included."

Maybe he won't be so unimpressed by that.

But then he gives her something entirely unexpected, playing at her triggers rather well. Pepper's jaw tightens, the grin she offers more than a little forced, but she's been antagonized before. It also helps that she knows exactly how those events played out, giving her something to fall back on besides her personal fear and pain. "You did, yes. And it worked out so well for you, didn't it?"

[possiblymad]

"Oh, and your little Avengers made sure I was held accountable, or have you forgotten the end result our my little vacation to Earth? Surely you're aware of the conclusion to that battle, or shall I enlighten you?" He steps closer, absolutely not intimidated by the tiny redheaded woman. He did have to give her credit for her spirit, that much was for certain. However, the unfortunate truth of it all was; when someone earned that sort of credit in his book, they also earned his more than full attention. Which was never a good thing. He wouldn't hurt her, but he could play a bit.

"Allow me to clarify, I was defeated and sent back to Asgard to pay for my crimes. My dear father sentenced me to eternal imprisonment," and isolation from his mother, but he won't mention that. "but during my time of incarceration, events unfurled leading to the death of someone very important. I was released to aid in saving Jane Foster as well as the nine realms. I'm sure you've heard of the events in which Thor struck down Malekith on your world. In essence; released on good behaviour." Oh, how that smile is smug. Perhaps it wasn't the entire truth, but it was truth enough.

He shrugged lightly with a bit of a lingering smirk at the insinuation that it hadn't worked out well for him. "It was satisfying enough, in the least. It is from failure that the most valuable lessons are taught." Yes, meaning he would break Stark's neck before throwing him out his next window. Ah, but he won't say that.

"I'm feeling generous enough to humour you. How would you propose I pay recompense for your 'grievous harm', Pepper Potts?"

[handing]

It takes absolutely everything in Pepper not to step back when he draws near, or even to remember to breathe. This is far, far too dangerous, and every nerve in her body is screaming at her to run, to get away from this situation and from him as quickly as she can. She can’t even rely on the logic that if he touched her, he would have every Avenger in the mansion hunting him down; she’s dealing with someone who thought conquering the world would be a fantastic idea. Logic doesn’t apply, and Pepper is incredibly afraid.

But there’s a part of her that thinks if she gives in to that fear, it will lead to something worse. Maybe for herself, maybe for Tony; either way, she stands her ground, listening in silence as Loki explains what happened after New York, perhaps even after her own time, and how he in fact is free. She knows this story already, however, and that helps her meet his gaze when she speaks again.

“And you died in the process.”

Or so the theory goes. Jane seems to think otherwise, but Pepper won’t let Loki in on that detail. Maybe something will come of this conversation to confirm Jane’s suspicions. Maybe it won’t be a wasteful, dangerous exercise in showboating, and Pepper will actually be able to look Tony in the eye the next time she lectures him for his reckless behavior.

She certainly hopes so, particularly when Loki mentions lessons learned.

Then he proposes something unexpected, and her carefully closed off mask breaks in favor of shock. Not that she expects this to be a serious offer; Loki speaks of humoring her, but she thinks he’s planning on entertaining himself more. Still, the question is one she can’t help but consider, not only in terms of material cost, but the pain Loki has caused. He threw her lover through a window, would have killed him had it not been for the suit. One of her best friends he did kill, in cruel and vicious manner. He single-handedly could have destroyed Pepper’s world, and for a moment, Pepper finds herself back on the airplane, watching Tony guide a nuclear missile into a wormhole. Back in the darkness of their room, as Tony tossed and turned with nightmares. Back in the mansion’s basement, looking into his eyes and realizing how much he still has to face.

“You can’t.” She could quote him a number, certainly. A monetary figure backed by budgetary data, expense reports, contracts and estimates. But for all the pain, all the suffering of the months since that day? There is no compensation adequate enough for that. “I don’t think you can even understand just what you’ve done, or that you can care.”

[possiblymad]

She's very bright in considering that if she gives into that fear it will lead to something worse, because it will. Show him fear and he'll run with it. However, when she insists that he died, his expression does falter. All that confidence and all that intimidation dial back making him seem slightly less looming.

"Jane Foster." It really isn't a question, because she's the only one that knows. "This place dragged me here from the verge of death, yes. Protecting Thor was not my brightest decision." He even sounds bitter about this. He turns away with an irate scoff, taking a few steps in the opposite direction before turning back to face her again. He's quite the actor.

"I have already expressed that I care not. Somehow, it is a concept that only I am able to grasp despite my repeated insistence. Guilt is not an emotion I am capable of experiencing." Another partial lie. He feels guilt over Frigga, but that's really it.

[handing]

She knows she's hit a nerve when the look on Loki's face shifts, the arrogance morphing into something more open, and perhaps more honest. It eases her nerves in a way, to see the closest he's come to vulnerability thus far, and she finds it a little easier to breathe. When he assumes how she came by the knowledge Pepper doesn't try to deny it, instead calmly pointing out what he should have already assumed. "You can't think we haven't compared notes." That the Avengers here were any less strong for their separation; that is the one thing beyond all others that has her standing her ground.

But when he points out that he had been protecting Thor, Pepper can't help but be curious. There's good behavior, certainly, but that level of sacrifice doesn't mesh with the image of Loki she has. "So why go that far for him?" There's meeting the conditions of release, and then there's giving up his life. The latter is hardly as self-serving as she expects Loki to be, particularly when he continues.

"You're wrong. I understand exactly what you're saying." Because Pepper has met people just like him, who show no remorse for their actions. He's stepped away, and she braces herself, taking two steps forward and closing the distance as much as she dares. "And that was my point. The harm you've done, the people you've killed: you can't make up for it, because you don't care."

[possiblymad]

"Oh, on the contrary. However, it seems some things have been left out, as you seem surprised by the knowledge of my actions. She can confirm them. Feel free to ask the lovely Jane Foster of the number of times I saved her life in that excursion. One such action nearly lost me my own had Thor not defended me. That entire plan was suicide from the beginning. I'm sure he dreamt not that I would be the only casualty." Then he seems to have a sort of sudden realization, raising both eyebrows in inquiry. "Or, perhaps he did. Do away with both enemies in one mighty blow. That is the way of my brother, after all." But he doesn't believe it, even if he says it. Because that just isn't Thor.

"You're asking me why? We both experienced a terrible loss. A loss that scarred us both, and perhaps in my rare moment of emotion, I wished not to lose my only remaining connection with her." Wow, he said that without a break in his act. Those green eyes even glass over with a momentary instance of unshed tears. Perhaps it was exceptionally dirty of him to use her memory this way, but he had a tendency to live by the end justifying the means.

He rolls his shoulder, watching her intently with an unreadable gaze. He still let emotion etch into his features, however more subtle it seemed to be, as if he was regaining his composure. She seemed to be gaining her confidence again and this rather amused him, though he didn't show it. Show a hint of emotion and the woman bares her teeth once more. Mortals were so cute sometimes.

"Then I guess this line of interrogation is pointless, if you know exactly how I am supposed to feel and how I will react. Yet you still seem so passionate about it. You are quite complex creatures."

[handing]

She doesn't say anything in reply to Loki's suggestions, or his theories. Pepper isn't one to speak without considering her words, and the simple truth is that she doesn't know Thor well enough to defend him. Certainly she can assume, based on what she knows of the Avengers, the common characteristics that had made them stand out to SHIELD. But there is far too wide an opening for him to break down any argument she might make, so Pepper decides not to give him the opportunity. Maybe he'll see through the silence as well, but it feels like the best option none the less.

Instead she watches and listens, turning over her own strategy at the same time. She's still afraid, still unsure of how many lies are in his words. Still unknowing how much truth may be in those tears. Whatever sympathy the suggestion of loss might spark she's quick to quash, still standing firm and reminding herself of how much he's made her lose too.

"Why wouldn't I be passionate about it? It's been months, and I still have to live with the consequences of your power trip every single day." The empty Tuesday lunches and every random moment when her mind went to Phil. Every evening when she drove home, only to find Tony still downstairs. Every morning she woke to discover he'd gone down there again.

But he's right: despite the justification for her anger, as it stands it's all been a pointless exercise. She hates that on both parts, so she decides to give the random encounter meaning. Pepper is nothing if not productive, and she will find a way to use this to their benefit.

"Do you still want to humor me?" A nod towards his earlier proposal, one Pepper had seemingly rejected but now could work in her favor. She stays her ground, trying to keep her own emotions restrained. He's a homocidal power-hungry maniac, but she is a businesswoman. She can take up that attitude now, and hopefully gain something for it.

[possiblymad]

Loki slightly inclined his head when she asked. My, everyone was out to be so helpful and even asking him such things. What was the special occasion? And for some reason, he just kept obliging. He really must be bored.

The emotion cleared from his face, having lost interest in that little game like a cat with a dead toy. She might even notice, at this suggestion, his posture relaxes, becoming less imposing once again. He couldn't help the 6'2" he stood, but somehow his presence just wasn't as imposing. He seemed to be considering this question, remaining quiet for a good length of time as he mulled over just how wrong this could go. If all else fails, he didn't have to actually honour anything he said. Just humouring her was listening to her proposal. So he'd do just that and decide from there.

"You have my attention. Speak quickly lest I change my mind."

[handing]

She watches those fading emotions, curious because for a moment it feels strangely familiar, though she can't place why. Then it clicks, leaving her to bite back a new wave of irritation as she realizes he looks so much like Tony does when he's decided he's finished listening to her. That dismissal gets under her skin, and at the same time makes her all the more determined to be heard.

"Leave us alone." A simple demand, irrational on the surface, perhaps. Pepper is quick to continue, however, clarifying what she wants. "You don't gain anything by threatening or harming us here, expect for making yourself a target." Will he see the logic in it? Maybe, maybe not. But Pepper still has to try.

[possiblymad]

Somehow, this demand actually surprises him. Not because it was surprising that they wished to be left alone, but that she hadn't noticed just how well he'd been leaving them alone. Did she really think he was going out of his way to have these encounters? He already knew that it was in his best interest to leave them well enough alone.

"Have I not? Do you see your Avengers scampering about to stop my every move? Do you see me seeking them out to tear them apart piece by piece? Without Thor here, just how long do you think you could all withstand my assault if I so chose? I know better than to let your Hulk near me, and dealing with an unintelligent monster of rage from a distance is simple. Distract it with something even more pleasurable to destroy than yourself. No, my dear Potts, you do not because I have been leaving you lot alone." That arrogance was back, and he waved a hand towards the clear path that he wasn't blocking.

"I am not holding you here. Every unfortunate encounter I have had with your pathetic heroes was just that; an unfortunate encounter. Agent Romanoff is the only one I sought out of my own volition. If you wish to point fingers, they should be directed back to yourselves for engaging me."

She was small and insignificant, but she was Stark's keeper. He kept that in mind as he continued his speech. "I have no interest in you, your Avengers, or your world beyond that of finding a way back to mine."

Well, so long as she never compares him or anything he does to Stark aloud.

[handing]

Most of what he says is true; Pepper is aware that the encounters that have happened have been coincidences rather than planned engagements. Yet she still sees logic in making the demand, particularly as Loki himself points out how helpless they might seem to be if they had to stand against him. So when he gestures, indicating that she's been free to abandon this conversation, she arches an eyebrow.

"That goes both ways. You didn't have to talk to me any more than I had to talk to you." If he truly is so powerful, then Loki possesses the ability to disengage from the various conversations he's referred to. Certainly Pepper couldn't hold him here if he didn't wish to be.

But what he says next does catch her interest. Certainly Wonderland isn't a pleasant place to be, yet in their world Loki is supposedly dead. She wants to ask, to point out just what he's supposedly wished for, but she thinks better of it. "I'm not going to presume to know your motivations, especially considering that you thought trying to conquer the world was a good idea. I wanted to be very clear on the fact that trying to harm the people here doesn't help you--especially if what you just said is true."