File #006 voice;

[unfringed]

Loki! Loki! We did it! HaHA! I knew we could do it. I only electrocuted myself once. Where are you? Come find me immediately!

Also whoever told me Loki wasn't real, you're a liar and liars never prosper. [Hrmph, so rude. It's almost enough to dampen his excitement at finishing one of his projects - almost. He's been working as apothecary, but it isn't the same as making something so new as an energy shield.]

...

There have been a lot of birthdays lately. I suppose it makes sense. Summer does tend to make people horny.

Happy birthday to all the May babies!

Comments

[unfringed]

[Whoa, he was not expecting that and he looks back at Loki when his arm is grabbed.]

Shouldn't I get a coat?

[complicatedliar]

[He raises his eyebrows.] Do you need one?

[He's always cold, man. He doesn't notice these things.]

[unfringed]

I don't know - I've never been to the mountains here before.

[complicatedliar]

Hm.

It is May. I think you ought to be all right. It'll be a quick enough return if you do get a bit chilled.

[unfringed]

Ah, okay.

[No, wait. He leans over and grabs his hat off a nearby chair, setting it on his head.]

No, now okay. I'm ready.

[complicatedliar]

[Loki laughs. All right, he can appreciate that. It's disturbingly cute for a human of Walter's age.]

All right. Don't resist.

[He doesn't really give Walter time to ask what he might mean by that. Instead he mentally reaches through space to locate the point he wants, and uses magic to temporarily make that point and the one they stand upon the same, dislocating reality for an instant. It's a fun little internal twist.

And then they are there, in the mountains, not too far from the hot springs. It's a nice spot for looking out over the lands below, an outcrop bare of trees.]

[unfringed]

Wha--

[His stomach churns and suddenly it feels like the world just melts away from him. The scenery changes and, without so much as blinking, he is standing in the mountains and feeling like he's about to throw up his Red Vines.

Walter reels for a moment, then steadies, looking around with renewed interest. It wasn't unlike hopping between universes.]

-t.... Amazing.

Amazing! [He jumps and turns to Loki, taking him the shoulders.] That was brilliant! Are you tired? Does it take any specific skill set to do this?

[complicatedliar]

[Loki grins. He does like to be appreciated. And feel like he's impressed people. Not that it's hard to impress humans, but... you know. In times of famine...

He keeps a hold of Walter's arm until he's steady.]

Not tired yet, but this takes rather a lot of energy because of the power limit on the barrier. All it takes is a talent with magics and sufficient practice.

[unfringed]

So without such a barrier, you could transport people anywhere?

[Fascinating... He wonders if September can do the same thing.]

I'm loathe to call it magic, but considering I would need to do more research until the root of your ability is found, I'll consent for now. So it draws upon your own life force? Or is it more like...your energy? Such as when an athlete exhausts himself?

[complicatedliar]

The barrier represents a spatial discontinuity I cannot cross. Without it... yes, nearly anywhere if I know where it is relative in space.

I merely call it magic to simplify the discussion. Everything I do, I can describe to you with equations. [He grins.] I merely tell the waves and particles where I wish them to be, and they do as they are told.

And yes... like an athlete. I can exhaust myself in that fashion.

[unfringed]

Fascinating.... So you possess a method to warp the fabric of reality without using machinery? A born ability? Learned?

[complicatedliar]

I've always that the raw talent. It's a matter of figuring out how to craft the effect one wishes.

[unfringed]

Interesting... I will definitely need to quiz September on this.

It would certainly fall in line with the theory of godhood. A primitive people would have seen your abilities and attributed them to being beyond that of anything any mortal could possess.

[complicatedliar]

[He laughs.] My abilities are beyond what most people, mortal or immortal possess, really.

And really, Walter, humans of that age weren't at all difficult to impress.

[unfringed]

To be frank, humans of any age aren't that difficult to impress.

...

Although I do find myself very partial to the ass-warmers in car seats now. They didn't have those when I went into St. Clair's.

[complicatedliar]

[He laughs.] I was trying to be nice.

Oh, that does sound pleasant.

[unfringed]

To people you don't know?

[He can be nice, but on the whole, the population is too timid, too afraid of taking risks and making their own way for his liking. It makes him decidedly unhappy to see how the world went and lost its nerve after the 70s.]

But they did do that one thing right at least. It's too bad there are no cars here. I liked the seat warmers.

[complicatedliar]

When the mood strikes me.

I don't think there's really enough room here to warrant cars. But I've never liked them. [Well, he likes blowing them up. They explode so nicely.]

[unfringed]

I miss my car - she was a beauty. Although I can't drive her anymore.

[His busted up old station wagon. Perfect for hauling things.

He looks out over the mountainside and then steps back, pulling his hat down. He misses a lot of things, if he thinks about it.]

She didn't have seat warmers though. That was far after her time.

[complicatedliar]

Why can't you drive the car?

Ah, an older car, then.

[unfringed]

Out of practice. And some of my medications disqualify me.

[Like all the anti-psychotics he self-prescribes.]

I think I'm perfectly fine to drive, but for some reason my body doesn't quite listen.

[complicatedliar]

I had no idea that was how it works. Fascinating.

Hm. Curious. And that must be very annoying. Driving seems important to humans.

[unfringed]

I don't know why it does that either. It's very strange.

I've been getting better - hopefully soon I won't have as many problems as I had in the past. I've been-- I had been practicing. Driving myself places is about independence. It means I can do things by myself, the ability to no longer rely on those around me to have to clean up after me anymore. I may be old, but I'm hardly useless.

[complicatedliar]

I thought the point of medicine was to make one well and clear up all such problems. Your realm must want for a better sort of medicine.

Ah... yes, I think I understand that. Rather like how I feel about having my own horse. Such things are important. So many wish to control us by telling us where we can and cannot go. It's maddening.

[unfringed]

Oh, it does make things clearer for me. Much clearer.

[He folds his hands behind his back then changes his mind, wringing them in front of him, right hand holding the left.]

But yes, you are right, it's maddening... I have to take taxis everywhere unless my son drives me or I walk. And sometimes when I walk I get lost. Or rather, I discover new paths. Sometimes I would go and watch the fish tank in the cafeteria, help the person there who cleaned them, and wait until dawn. The early hours are more conducive to expanded thought...

[He's feeling homesick suddenly and frowns to himself, muttering numbers under his breath.]