Return of the Blind Ninja

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

Ordering clothes and equipment from the internet is all well and good, but after Matt's entanglement with the FBI several years ago, the idea of completely untraceable gear has been a tempting prospect. Today, he's browsing the shopping district, rubbing fabrics between his fingers to test its properties, in search of something that might deflect bullets or knives.

It's the Nexus, you never know.

Unfortunately, despite his enhanced senses, there is at least one important factor in purchasing clothes that he cannot overcome on his own. Footsteps mark the approach of someone else, and though Matt keeps his white cane tucked close to his feet to be out of the walkway, it's visible enough to be obvious if you know what you're looking at.

"Excuse me, what color is this?"



[ooc: usual disclaimer - Matt is blind but his other senses are enhanced to superhuman extremes. Feel free to add nonvisual sensory details in your tags that might help him get a better idea of who your character is or what they've been doing recently.]

Comments

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

That voice. Matt hadn't been certain just from listening to him walk, the swish of his clothes and hair, the strange scents clinging around him. But the voice is unmistakable.

Matt hasn't spoken to Loki much in person, of course, but he's aware enough of the god of mischief's presence to recognize that British drawl (and why British, if he's Norse?). His body language stiffens a little, not quite unfriendly but not entirely welcome, either. "Didn't think I'd run into your clothes shopping. Can't you just... make it with magic?"

[tr1ckortreat]

A frown knotted on Loki's face at the man's apparent behaviour. Was it possible that he'd met another version of himself within the Nexus already? Since the man's tone of voice seemed to indicate that such an event could have taken place. Was he a little resentful at having the god of mischief interacting with him? It was just something he couldn't shrug off.

"Why yes, I do enjoy clothes shopping believe it or not now that I live here. I could design the whole thing with magic but there is something about choosing and feeling the fabric first that is special to me."

Why yes, he did enjoy shopping now and then when the feeling took him. Now that he was a Nexus resident he was finding that blending in had it's advantages. This included walking into a shop and actually buying things instead of just summoning all the time.

"Have you met another version of myself before? I am just sensing a slight hostility towards me."

Was it New York? Had this man perhaps come from the time Loki had within the time of the invasion? Of course. Then, that would make sense. If this was the case then he should be ready for it.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

Matt doesn't really care about the answer, but notes it anyway, as a good attorney should. News that this might not be the same Loki comes as a mild surprise, but no softening of his tension results because of it. "Are you the Loki who invaded New York?"

It's possible that there's a Loki out there who didn't do that, of course. But Matt is not inclined to let it slide if this one shares that same blame.

[tr1ckortreat]

He couldn't he possibly answer that without feeling the slow tension rising up within his core. The failure of his mission flooding back in the form of bitter memory. For months now residing within the Nexus he had not felt the pangs of regret over New York. Yet, now this Midgardian was bringing it all flooding back.

"Yes, I am the Loki who invaded your planet."

His words were succinct and blunt but honest. Glancing towards some green fabric, his hands were already on it, feeling it's density as a way to take his mind off the unwanted feelings he was experiencing.

"Were you there when the Chitauri split open the sky?"

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

"You and your friends destroyed my neighborhood."

Matt is keeping his voice relatively calm, but there's a deep vein of anger that runs beneath the surface, justified yet kept in check. The issue of clothing is entirely forgotten, unimportant in favor of paying attention to Loki. Who knows if his advice would be good anyway? Loki is said to be a trickster, even at his kindest.

"It's taken years to rebuild, and Hell's Kitchen still isn't what it used to be."

[tr1ckortreat]

Loki swallowed roughly at the man's words. Of course the mortal would be feeling bitter due to the god's actions during the invasions. Would there be repercussions following him into the Nexus? It seemed no matter how far he ran his past always caught up with him. Retribution? Perhaps. Keeping his composure, he faced the blind man, not uttering a word for a moment or two, but listening and trying to think of an apt response.

"I understand your anger but I seek to repent for my sins as they say. The invasion was a failure and I do not deny that I am the cause for your pain. I am sorry for your Hell's Kitchen."

What else could he say? The mortal had it right. Loki had brought the Chitauri down through the gaping maw in the sky to wreak havoc on New York.

[he_put_the_devil_in_me]

As a Catholic, the word repent jumps out at Matt immediately, as well as the subtle cues of discomfort - breathing, heartbeat, that uncomfortable swallow. There's little chance that Loki would be afraid of a mortal man like Matt, but he's also read enough of Norse mythology to know that Loki was said to be a skilled liar and a trickster.

Can he be trusted to be honest?

Matt isn't so sure. But there's enough doubt that he can't dismiss it outright, either.

"What are you doing to put things to rights?"