exsilium | audio;

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[It's a brilliantly sunny day, everyone. It's raining, of course, but not lightly enough to turn to mist and block the light, and not heavily enough to drive everyone indoors.

The cause for the brilliance is sitting atop the highest structure he could find near the center of the city, shining like a star. Best not to look at him directly. You might even want to buy sunglasses, although there's probably no one who sells them.

He's not illuminating the whole city, of course, but he's trying.]

Greetings all, 'tis Balder the Brave. If others can bring snow, I thought I might try to bring the sun. Let me know if it is too much. And if you would, entertain me with your best stories. I ask not that they be true, merely interesting.

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['Many years in exile' ...

Balder has exiled Loki recently. Carrying this thought through, Balder was the one to construct the prison, he was the jailer and the one to be tricked.

Of course he knows this is not what Loki means, that Loki has not lived through this yet. But Balder has completely lost Loki's train of thought for his own.]

... yes?

[He looks meaningfully towards Balder, squints at the brilliant light and turns his head with a low sigh.]

...Then we shall have to trick the Initiative themselves. No easy task.

[Balder contemplates the skyline for a while.]

True.

[He finally turns towards Loki.] Then it shall be yours.

Shall I take that as your blessing?

You shall take it as my acknowledgment that I cannot stop you from doing what you wish.

Besides, would my blessing not burn?

My only wish is to see us all returned home.

[He reaches out and places a reassuring hand on Balder's glowing shoulder, eyes still downcast.]

Nobody deserves to live in a world without light.

Oh? Then what about them?

[And here he sweeps an arm across the landscape.]

The natives would be better off without our presence. 'Tis the Imports that draw the United Earth's wrath. If not for us, this island would not have been attacked from the sky.

[A pause, and his hand drifts back down to his side.]

You were not here for that.

...We are a danger to them, my liege.

Are freedom and light not worth a little danger?

[It's an idle argument on his part, but if Loki wants to convince him he'll have to put some effort in, Balder has decided that at least.]

Dare we interfere with their world though it may mean the deaths of many?

[He sighs.]

What of the Imports' worlds? What of ours? Where is Asgard now without its king?

[Loki, you are always interfering with other people's worlds and causing the deaths of many.]

Asgard does not need me.

...My Lord Balder thinks far too little of himself.

I merely state the obvious.

Asgard may do better with the two of us trapped here.

Do you truly believe this?

[He considers it a moment. Keeping Surtur's belly empty is important, but he's not the only one who was chosen for that task or who was capable.]

Yes.

Hn.

[Loki closes his eyes, as if deep in thought. In truth, it's just a performance.]

For Asgard's sake, I hope my Lord Balder is correct.

[And he starts to turn away with a dramatic swish of his cloak]

[Balder glances back at him. He could add that perhaps no time is passing at all, but what he really wants is to know what Loki is up to. That's not something he's going to get.

So he says nothing.]

[When Loki is half way across the roof, he turns back towards Balder and bows low.]

I will think more on this matter, my liege. I shall find a way to free us.

[Green light lifts from the ground around his feet and he rises back to his full height, twirling away from the Shining God once more. As the light engulfs him, he grins to himself and mutters softly.]

...And you will assist me, "brother". Whether you intend to or not.

[Then, with a flash, he is gone.]

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