It ain't his first rodeo, at least

[adregem]

"The Nexus has a library, huh?"

Roland Crane, a tall and stately man with a face no older than twenty but a disposition that betrays his young visage, halts his step in front of The Grand Library. True to its name, the newcomer stares at its grandiose facade with awe in his eyes, marveling at the architecture which feels both new yet familiar. He crosses his arms across his chest and tilts his head back until his eyes meet the light in the sky, gaze following the zenith of each rooftop and awning.

"I wonder if Evan's planning on making something like this in Evermore, one day..." He says, to no one in particular. A few days in and his heartstrings tug at him, though he tries not to give the feeling much sway over his day to day. The facts of the matter are clear: he is not in Evermore, not anymore, and he is alone. No matter how much he misses his new king, his friends, Roland must move forward. There is no other way.

"So," He exhales steadily. "Has anyone actually found any real answers in this place, or am I just...wasting time and all this is just for show?" He starts his trek up the stairs, and his boots seem heavier than he remembers.

"People keep talking about this place being a second chance, but what if I've already gotten mine?" Roland pauses, his usual steely determination faltering for just a moment. "What if I don't have anything else to do, third-time around? What then?"

Comments

Nice nice nice NICE, I love me some Loki. Any Loki. Loki for days!

[adregem]

[ Was this guy threatening Roland? Cute. But also, no. So, Roland just shakes his head at him. ]

Uh..huh. You know, I really don't. Nexus newbie, still pretty green. That's me. [ He almost sounds playful. ]

[ He hums to himself though, as if he can't help but think out loud this time around. ] This place pulled him in when he was young...Interesting. So you can come in here whenever you want a break, or you can just randomly walk in, like I did...

aww <3

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

I see. That explains your pitiful attitude. You shall learn.

[No comment on Roland's whispers for now, though some attempted smiting might occur, 'accidentally', if those whispers about Loki continue. fyi.]

[adregem]

[ It's fine, Loki. Roland's stoicism is one of his best assets. The man in blue just makes another amused face at the man by the bookshelf and walks further into the Library. ]

Hate to disappoint you so soon. I'm...gonna go look around. See if Captain Rogers missed any important details about my vacation. Don't wanna have to ask for a refund if I didn't get my fair share of the Nexus golden treatment. [ He quips, sarcastically. ]

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

[Stoics. He loathes them. With a passion.]

Rogers? Captain America? He's here, too?

[adregem]

[ Roland shrugs, picking up three books stacked neatly on the ground. ]

Unless the giant welcome board that has his face on it is fake, then I guess that guy's around here somewhere? Pretty hard to miss it.

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

Right. I think I've just decided to ignore his ignorant face. Is he really still here, or has he left again?

[adregem]

[ Roland throws another one of his trademark Expressions, pausing mid-step. ]

Wish I could tell you. Don't know the guy, apart from watching him welcome me to the Nexus. I take it he's someone important.

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

[Psh]

He's just a human into heroics.

[adregem]

[ Roland crosses his arms again. ]

Good on him, then. That must be why he's on the welcoming billboard.

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

[Loki smirks.]

Would you congratulate any such fool? How simple-minded.

[adregem]

[ Roland raises an eyebrow at him. ]

You're calling him foolish for trying to be a hero?

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

[Smugly.] Exactly so. Doomed to fail, as any wannabe wishful-thinking hero. It's known.

[adregem]

[ Roland isn't too fond of this one. Plus, he isn't a fan of trash talking someone who isn't even there to defend themself. ]

Maybe. But at least he's trying to change the world the way he knows how. I've got nothing but respect for people like that.

[totallygonnaconquerasgard]

[Disdainfully.] You're one of those people, then.

[Heroes and their sidekicks and the like, Loki now thinks.]

[adregem]

[ He quirks an eyebrow at him. ]

Sure. Those people. [ He wasn't about to confirm or deny anything this guy was accusing him of. ]