nexus_crossings | Ceremonial curiosity

Ceremonial curiosity

In the past few years the Nexus has become more of a home for Viatorus than his own world, despite its strange and changeable nature. So then perhaps it is not so odd that he finds himself feeling more comfortable here than there, able to talk to strangers with nary a stutter. Mostly. Though whatever nerves remain they're still a far cry from how he was when he first came here. Now he can sit and think, his head clear and undisturbed by the passers by.

He sits and watches the crowd flow through the streets, shuffling the ring on his ring finger in slow circles. For once he's without a book in hand, not even with a tea nearby. In fact, he looks quite composed for someone so easy to fluster. Perhaps it's the distraction of speculation, for he certainly sounds like he's been mulling over this a while.

"Do you think that ceremonies hold power? Do they influence anything or do you think they're purely symbolic? Are they an expression of hope, or a way of channelling power?"

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Loki is getting the impression, in fact, that in Viatorus he has stumbled upon a perfect storm of characteristics for an ally. His tendencies in the Nexus thus far have been quite benign. He knows what he's after (power, worship, respect, affection, in no particular order), he knows why he's after it (Thanos), and in the Nexus his ability to charm, negotiate, and flirt will be more beneficial than his talents at lying and deception.

Eventually, he has to assume, Viatorus will read some of the darker exploits of Loki. The stories are not all true, but they're pretty much all in keeping with his character. Until then, though, if he has him in the palm of his hand, that's good. And he's a bit endeared by it all.

"That's something I've been reflecting upon, myself," he says. "Do the stories make the god, does the god make the stories, or a bit of both? It may even be possible that there is mythological cross-contamination, as it were, between universes. I would not put it past an alternate of myself to travel through my dimension and leave stories of his or her own exploits."

"There, too, is always the possibility of some of the more scatological tales being meant as slander, but I am past the point of taking them personally."

Even the one about him tying his personal regions to a goat's beard. He's not claiming that one, but it does strike him as sort of funny.

He looks thoughtful at the question. "If I have ever met a god outside my pantheon, they have not, alas, revealed their nature to me. I have met beings who could be considered powerful on par with, or greater than, gods. But power does not equal divinity, does it? There is something else that must be there."

All of this is a bit surreal in how easily Loki simply speaks with him. A shared conversation. And yet, the casual philosophising does wonders to put him at ease.

Viatorus smiles and shakes his head in agreement with Loki's conclusion. Power does not make one divine. Even if it can be used to make someone appear divine, it is not really the same thing.

"I hope you meet other gods," he says earnestly. "Then you could ask them about it. You could figure it out together. Even priests might offer you more insight. I... I'm afraid I only really have a connection with one god, a-and I wouldn't dare speak on his behalf."

A moment's thought passes before he asks, "Have you ever prayed? Does that work? Gods praying to gods?"

The thing about that philosophizing is its utterly sincere. Loki is developing his own opinions on the natures of magic and divinity, and not only is he willing to entertain other perspectives, he's aware he needs them if he is to come to any conclusions. This is an entertaining game, a reasonably healthy long-term goal, but primarily it is about survival.

Not that he's planning on telling anyone that in so many words.

"If the opportunity arises, and I find a god who seems reasonably trustworthy, I might bring it up." He looks thoughtful. Thor is no use for these things. If Loki tried to bring it up, he would only assume he was looking to dominate the Nexus, or an adjoining planet. For which there is, to be fair, plenty of precedent, but Loki's patience for his brother's recriminations is limited. They both know he's not going to apologize, and he's not going to promise never to do it again, so it's best to just move on.

"I think ultimately I will have to consult with as many gods, priests, sorcerers, and others as possible here. What is true on one world does not always carry over, but there may be a consensus."

The question about prayer makes a shadow cross his expression. Not anger; something closer to bitterness and melancholy. "To the Norns, yes. The only answer I have yet to receive is 'no', but I suppose one must count that as a response. As to how they receive it, I cannot say. But perhaps I will learn, in time."

Viatorus nods along with Loki's decision. It's sensible, it's logical, and as a preliminary plan there's not much more to be said, only done. Which brings Viatorus' thoughts full circle. He perks up, hesitates, and flattens down his shirt as he prepares himself to speak.

"Perhaps… Perhaps that could be the favour you call in?" It's a meek offering at first, but he becomes more energetic as he explains, "I have a cousin who is a priest of Thoth, and another who is a priest of Despoina. A-And cousins who are priestesses of Despoina, too. If you wanted, that could be your favour from me. An introduction for an introduction."

Perfectly equal. Perfectly fair. It's such a neat solution. Isidor would be proud… If he hadn't gotten himself into a favour-debt with a god in the first place. It might be a bit hopeful of him to think that Loki would accept such a balanced trade, but Viatorus has an abundance of hope when it comes to the goodness of others.

The body language here tells Loki this is a spur of the moment suggestion, not a wily plan come to fruition, but either way, it's clever. He approves of spontaneous use of new information to maneuver one's way out of trouble just as much as he does of elaborate gambits, and the look on his face is one of surprise, with delight following hard on its heels.

It's almost flattery in itself, to witness. "...I'm starting to quite like you." He says. "Nicely done."

If he had a plan for what kind of favor he actually wanted from Viatorus, he wouldn't cotton to this solution quite so well, but since he doesn't and was merely hoarding favors, and since it sounds like he's going to get at least some attempt at mischief-based worship, he's happy to give him this one.

"Yes, that's a deal. I will meet your wife in good faith, and you will introduce me to your priests in good faith, and we will call ourselves even." He offers a handshake.

The redness in his cheeks gives away the effect of Loki's compliments before the scholar's shy, chuffed smile which he does a poor job of trying to hide. Cunning may not be his area, but making connections quickly, especially to solve problems, is something he's had plenty of practice with. At least this time it manages to overlap with Loki's preferred traits quite nicely.

He takes the hand with an almost uncertain grip, and gives it a weak shake. "A deal." He made a good deal. With a god. It seems utterly unbelievable. "I'll endeavour to be prompt."

So long as he can actually figure out how to effectively pray to the trickster god.

Quick-thinking and networking skills are useful to both humans and gods, and equally accessible to both. Loki isn't saying he's met his match or anything, but he is definitely impressed by the boldness and initiative. His handshake is firm, but not crushing.

"Would you like my PINpoint information, or would you prefer to pray to get my attention?" He'd definitely like to hear a prayer or two, but PINpoints so practical he's fallen into using his frequently.

"I'll try praying," he says immediately. A little quieter he adds, "But in case it doesn't work, I don't do it right, or anything like that, could I have your PINpoint information as well?"

Not all experiments work out, after all. While praying is more natural to Viatorus than texting will ever be, Loki's particular flavor of worship is going to be a new one for him. He'll have to put effort into getting it right, and it might even take a few tries. Even then, nothing is guaranteed. Especially with contacting someone in a multidimensional meeting point. Ultimately, it's better to be safe than sorry.

"Even a failed attempt would be welcome," he says, quiet but serious. He doesn't want to show weakness to this man who so deeply respects the divine of any type and origin. But he'll give him this much information, that he wants and maybe needs human regard.

Then he smiles easily and gets out his PINpoint. "Actually, as I have enjoyed this discussion, please feel free to contact me just for that. I may not always respond if I'm busy," or if he doesn't feel like being friendly, "but since our interests match it seems practical."

He hands the device over to Viatorus. He appears to have modified the outside a little; it's green and gold enamel with a little image of a helmet with curled horns engraved on the face, and asymmetrical lines around the border.

The benefit of dealing with someone who keeps his reactions so plain is that Loki can easily understand the meaning behind the way Viatorus' eyes flick up to meet his gaze. Only for his gaze to fall away out of deference. The dreamwalker would never be so rude as to draw attention to such a glimpse of vulnerability. Instead he just nods and gets out his own PINpoint which looks, for all intents and purposes, like any sleek twenty-first century phone.

"Thank you. If I come across anything I think might interest you, I'll have to let you know." As he transfers the information from one device to another, another small smile appears. "It's a bit of a pity I'm the Durant you found. I'm just a scholar of planeswalking. The Archon is the scholar of magic itself, the heart of it. He'd probably be better equipped to answer questions on magic."

Still, with a smile, he hands Loki's PINpoint back. "I guess I'll have to do."

Loki is starting to understand the push and pull, give and take, of the Nexus. Walking in like he owned the place was not going to be a possibility with Thor there, and thank goodness it wasn't, because he realizes now if he'd started with that attitude he wouldn't have made nearly so many friends so quickly. He is not fully trusted, of course, nor should he be, but so far there are more people kindly disposed toward him than not, and at least a few who have promised him prayer, Viatorus included.

He is making badly-needed inroads, at no cost to himself aside from a little patience and humility (not his strong suit, but effective when he can muster it), and he's fairly proud of himself. So he does note the young man's glance, knows it means he's understood the glimpse Loki's given him, and that's enough for the both of them, for now.

"I would enjoy that," he says with a bright smile, and means it for once. He's not going to look to Viatorus to do his research for him, magical consultant or no, but he'll enjoy a conversation.

Taking back the PINpoint, he gives a little chuckle. "Oh, but what if he didn't like me? I will always take scholar of moderate influence that is kindly disposed to me ahead of a scholar of great influence that isn't."

"Worry not. You'll do."

What a perfect answer. All Loki's answers are perfect, really. An interest in magic, an interest in him. Quite correctly, too, since although the Archon is the scholar of magic, Viatorus doesn't ever remember seeing him smile. Perhaps Loki is lucky after all. Viatorus has to wonder if he knows that. If there's a sixth sense for gods when it comes to these things, mortals and worshippers.

It's probably best he's shy, though, or else he might have said something cheesy about everyone liking Loki. Instead he smiles bashfully and nods, raising his own PINpoint before tucking it away. "I should go and make some arrangements. I... have a lot to think about now, and a lot to do. Thank you, Loki."

As far as Loki is aware, he has no extrasensory guide as to what mortals he ought to be approaching as friends or followers. But in a way, he's still discovering what he's capable of, and he certainly has an innate talent for reading the people he speaks with, guessing where he can press for more and where he needs to back off so as not to alarm them.

There were times he would have wanted to alarm them, but it won't get him what he needs right now, and if he's honest with himself, he's rather enjoying playing the role of the friendly, impish Trickster now, rather than the malevolent Liar.

"Certainly," he nods his agreement. He doesn't need to keep the man all day, and for himself, Loki nearly always has business to attend to somewhere. "I look forward to hearing from you soon, Viatorus. And you're quite welcome."

Probably he ought to thank him back, but even if he weren't a god, he's still a prince and prone to benign arrogance every now and then. Still, his wave farewell is warm, and when he vanishes in midair with a flicker of green-gold, it seems possible it's a performance specifically for his new friend's benefit.

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Ceremonial curiosity

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