selfhelp | [IC] Appointments Post

It is what it is, Billy. [Neither good nor evil; a simple force of nature.

He raises one eyebrow as if to ask, And I wonder why it's so very hard to stop...?]

[He stubbornly ignores that unspoken cue. He knows it's hard. He knew it was going to be hard. But it's not stopping him.]

...Whatever, I'll... deal with it. It's just a good way to test me, that's all.

[Dryly:] Next, we can test your self control by my tickling you whilst you hold your breath.

[Equally ridiculous in his opinion.

He waves a hand toward the board.]

Had fun with Thor so far?

[...Ahaha. He was wondering if that would come up at all. Billy hums a vague noise as a response, then slides the first piece forward. He's not about to lie.]

I have, actually. His enthusiasm is contagious.

Have care. So is his idiocy. [He makes his move.]

[Ha. He's not that dumb, just... kind of innocent.

And he suspects there's more to this than Loki isn't saying.]

Worried he'll win me over and steal me away?

[Well, if we're just going to have it out there...]

It isn't as if I've much to offer you now, if you're so set to avoid magics.

[Billy snorts inelegantly at that.]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say.

Hah. [He makes an open-handed gesture, as if to say, Well, what else is there?] I hadn't realized you liked chess quite that much.

Maybe I do.

[Billy moves another piece, aiming to take out one of Loki's.]

Maybe I like tea, too. And long, intellectual discussions. And playful banter with a friend.

[He drums his fingers lightly on his mug before taking a sip.]

...Maybe I value my family too much to give any part of it up.

Edited 2013-12-02 05:22 (UTC)

[Loki cedes the piece; it's a setup.

That does make him smile, though a warm expression.]

Brothers can be a bit hard on each other at times.

[Billy accepts the piece, though he suspects that was too easy for his own good. He just keeps going like it's no big deal. The whole topic is a bit absurd - like he can't hang out with them both, like it's some kind of sibling rivalry competition - but he can understand insecurity well enough.]

Tell me about it. Tommy actually called me a barnacle once. All I did was hold his hand! But he can't seem to get rid of me, either.

[Loki laughs.]

Tommy tried to threaten me. It was incredibly cute.

..."Cute" is not a word I'd ever use to describe him.

[Despite the fact that they're identical and thus they both look all fine and good, there is literally nothing cute about his personality.]

Like a kitten falling down the stairs.

[Loki takes one of Billy's pieces.]

But it is true. I have called you brother. That doesn't change even if you wish to hang about the oaf.

Hmm.

[Yeah, he should've seen that coming. He'll give himself a moment to ponder before making another move; this is Loki, he needs to be more careful about his strategy. He can't go easy the way he does with Teddy.]

Shockingly, I can do both.

[Dryly:] A rare skill indeed.

Hm. Do you know how to use any weapons?

[That's not a question he'd expected.]

Uh... I used to carry around a staff to help me cast spells, but I don't know if I'd consider it a weapon. I guess I can swing one around well enough?

[He'd fought off a bunch of zombies, once...! And Viral had tried to give him weapons training for a while. He was decidedly terrible with a bow and arrow.]

Not the first weapon I would have chosen for you.

[He nudges a piece forward with one finger.]

I shall teach you daggers.

[Oh god. Oh god, that's what he meant.]

...I'm not sure if handing me sharp objects to do anything with except, like, cut bread is a smart idea.

Well, it certainly wouldn't be if no one's bothered to train you.

You ought to be able to defend yourself properly.

And here I was thinking more along the lines of tazers and pepper spray.

[As cool and ninja-esque as daggers for chosen weaponry might sound, he has doubts about his potential in that field.]

Those are amusing toys, but not proper weapons.

I think you'll do well with daggers.

You'd be the only one to think that, then.

[Loki's right, though- he does need a way to defend himself without magic. He refuses to be someone's helpless damsel, and he's still not Teddy's princess. If Kate can be a freaking superhero without powers, maybe he can at least manage this much.]

Why do you believe it, though? I mean, why daggers?

You're built rather like I was, at your age. So long as you've the speed to go with it, daggers would do well enough for you, I think. 'Tis a weapon suited to fight close.

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