maskormenace

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[The video opens on a man's bearded face frowning and obviously touching the screen. He mutters to himself at first.]

Is it... working? Just.. that... Ah!

[He pokes it one last time with his right hand then leans back, now just staring at the screen for a while.]

Hello? Is this... Can this be heard? They said I could be heard and seen through this small contraption. Is there anybody ...?

[He pauses, a little wide-eyed and takes a breath, muttering again.]

Ridiculous, truly... I... Maybe....

[Another pause and he side-eyes the device.]

On the off-chance that this is working as I was told...

Hello. My name is John Morris.

I do hope that I am not merely speaking to myself and the very vacant air around me like a fool... but I am told this will reach all the people that also have this ... rather magical communication box.

I have need of some assistance. You see... my hand...

[He raises up his left hand.]

I cannot let it touch anything or else something very strange happens. Like so...

[A glance around and he picks up a spoon. The silver utensil begins to visibly change to gold as he holds it in view. He lets the spoon fall again, looking distressed.]

I do not know what to do about this!

[He leans in again, poking at the screen.]

Do I... Hello? How does one hear a reply...?

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Curious. I used to be assigned to that very place.

[ He didn't exactly live there, mind you, but... Yeah. ]

There is a decent coffee shop down the street. I will meet you there shortly.

Do you think that is something beyond coincidence?

Very well. I shall make my way there now.

[Or at least he'll try to find it. The city is large compared to what he's used to.]

[ Loki gives a reassuring smile. Hel, why not. ]

It may well be a sign.

[ And he turns off his phone to be on his way.

Needless to say that the Asgardian may be there before John finds the place. The guy is new and... Does he even know what a coffee shop is?

Hence, should he fail to see a way too familiar face around, he will simply wait for the other man. ]

[John is a bit slower to arrive. He has to ask people around for directions - but he does make it there, stepping inside and looking around with open curiosity. It's all very gleaming and modern, especially compared to what he's used to. His eyes scan the room for Loki.]

I suggest you refrain from touching anything.

[ The Asgardian's voice speaks calmly and seems to come from right behind John at first, but then moves towards his left to direct his attention towards the far corner of the small shop. He raises a brow at the other man and simply nods, unwilling to actually shout. A little astral projection can go a long way, after all.

Loki further gestures to the place across of him where a latte macchiato has already been placed - In fact, there even is a straw in it. And a tiny, colorful paper umbrella that definitely does not belong on the menu. Loki merely carries a few of these with him for his own amusement. And he figures John won't know. The man won't even know what to order in the first place. It's called being helpful in a strange new world, right? ]

[The voice so close startles him at first then he looks and sees the man he'd come to see - further away than he'd expected by the sound of him but he shrugs that off for now. He indeed has no idea about the tiny umbrella or even the straw - and the menu would be confusing with choices - but for now he offers a smile as he steps closer, and a nod of greeting. The smile is a much gentler and more genuine smile than Beck ever had. It reaches all the way to the softer look in his eyes.]

Nice to meet you. Pardon my not shaking your hand, sir...

[His left hand is held out to the side, very much trying to not let it touch anything.]

[ The differences as well as the similarities to Quentin as well as the detective aren't missed - As are the opportunities that arise with them.

Loki gestures for John to sit. ]

Just Loki is sufficient.

[ He lets his attention notably wander to the man's left hand, given that he is only keeping that one in such an odd way. ]

The other isn't affected by your... Predicament?

It does appear that only my left hand is affected. The devil's hand, some would say...

[His fingers flex nervously and he glances at that hand.]

I don't think any self respecting devil bothers too much about turning anything into gold. It doesn't take high temperatures too well.

[ He takes a sip of his own coffee and shrugs. ]

But I do believe that you can learn to control that.

It is a strange sort of curse...

[He turns his gaze to Loki.]

How can it be controlled? If I so much as brush against my hip then my clothing begins to turn golden.

[He takes a breath.]

Luckily, if I do not keep my hand in place, the effect wears off. The spoon though? It stayed as gold as any nuggets taken from the riverbed.

[It only sticks if the item becomes completely gold - and for that he has to keep holding on - so there is a window of opportunity to prevent accidents. But it is still inconvenient and he doesn't yet know the limitations.]

[ Loki sets down his cup and just smirks. ]

Just like any ability can be controlled.

[ And as he speaks he shifts his appearance into an exact mirror of the man across of him. Only the smirk on his face giving him away, really. He keeps his eyes fixed on those of the other man and turns his right hand around, palm facing up and a ball of fire appears in it. ]

It's a matter of concentration and training.

[ He says with John's voice and clamps his hand shut, effectively snuffing out the fireball while his left hand hovers over the table. Under it a patch of ice begins to appear on the wooden surface. ]

I have mastered weirder skills, so you may as well believe me.

[ The guise is dropped as easily as it came and the ice also vanishes when Loki brings his hands back to his coffee. ]

[Being newly arrived, Morris is not used to seeing any sort of superpowers. It doesn't exist in his world and even films are decades in the future from his time. His eyes widen in shock when Loki transforms and he stumbles backward, grasping at a table to steady himself. With his left hand. Gold begins to spread across the tabletop's surface and somebody nearby utters a confused 'hey!'. Morris blinks, looks around then down and gasps, pulling his hand away and clutching his left wrist with his right hand as if it had moved involuntarily. But he was merely frightened by the strange power. He looks at Loki. In the meantime, the table has returned to its normal state.]

H-how...?

[It was a vague question at best.]

Magic.

[ That's the simple answer Loki gives while picking up his cup again. ]

At least in my case it is. Now please, sit down already. You will have to get used to this eventually as well.

[There were a few people eyeing Morris and he quickly apologized before sitting down opposite Loki. Letting go of his wrist, he purposefully held it out so it would be far from touching anything.]

I do not understand but I will trust you to guide me in this new world.

A wise decision.

[ Which some would argue, but... You know. ]

Just try to relax and tell me a little about you. It's painfully obvious that you aren't very used to this version of Earth - And to encountering extraordinary abilities.

Where are you from?

[He's not completely naive but he's way out of his depth in this time and with all these new sights and sensations and so he wants to put his faith in someone who has offered to help. So far he can't see a reason why Loki would be lying or playing games with him - even if the earlier display was very blunt. He thinks he got the message of such shock value by throwing him in the deep end and seeing how he coped. Thankfully, while currently bewildered, he is adaptable.]

Originally, I am from Washington. More recently I was traveling through Oregon. The Gold Rush, you know? Everyone was after gold...

[Here he glances again at his left hand and frowns.]

This... must be related. Like some sort of cruel joke.

[As yet, he's fixated more on the inconvenience and strangeness over the possible benefits of being able to create gold at a touch.]

Well, apparently the porter decided to grant you what you sought.

[ Yes, he chuckles a little, but is quick to wave his hand in a short, dismissive motion. ]

At least that means you need not worry too much about acquiring a job. From what I recall of human history you appear to be lacking behind a century or two anyway. You may require some time and, yes, guidance to get used to this... Modern Midgard.

[ He reaches over with one hand to tap the part of the table that John had briefly turned into gold. ]

At least you already know how to prevent a complete restructuring.

[ By simply letting go, indeed. ]

[He sighs heavily.]

I was not seeking gold myself. I mean, I was but...

Well.

It is perhaps complicated to explain succinctly.

And it seems irrelevant with the current goings on.

[He pauses thoughtfully before adding,]

When I arrived they did tell me I had a job here, regardless of this magic.

Everyone gets an occupation, that is true. I quit mine in favor of doing something more suitable to my skills.

[ More or less. ]

What do they want you to do?

It was something to do with investigating fraud at a bank.

Fraud investigation, I see.

[ Meanwhile Loki might much rather commit fraud himself, but gambling and tricking individuals is sufficient for his needs. Not that he has much need for money, but certain things in this realm simply require it. ]

Have you done something similar before you came here?

I have tracked men down before. Detecting and scouting. I assume this would be something similar, if somebody is defrauding the banking institution they would want to have them taken in and dealt with according to this city's laws.

You actually might get in trouble with said law if you decided to take measures into your own hands.

[ He decides to actually be helpful for once. ]

I do not intend to do that.

Then you may be good. Justice in this time may be vastly different from what you are used to.

[ Loki still questions some of it. ]

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