Of Gods and Goblins [tag: Loki]

[Harry Osborn]

B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G!
... bang bang shot him with a bang bang ... love him down down shot my baby with a bang ...

It was quiet in Ravencroft, Harry would give them that. The one other time he'd been to the bug house it'd been full of noises. Patients yelling, doctors a buzz with their chit-chat. But where they were housing Harry? Well it was nice and quiet and in a corner all on it's own. He'd spent the last hour chatting with his assigned therapist, Mrs. Vivian Kingsley. The woman was a greying lady at the end of her youth. The glow had left her eyes the same way wrinkles formed around them. She always wore her greying dark hair in a bun and her warm brown eyes always peered from behind her horned glasses. Always the same, in her sweatervests and slacks. Harry knew enough about style to know the woman had none. But he'd been forced once again to spend countless hours talking with her.

Feelings and questions of why. All stupid really. He told the truth, and he told lies, whichever suited him. He didn't admit to anything involving the goblin (named for how his father had resembled one in his final hours). But he did tell her in detail of how his board members trapped him, tricked him and took his company away from him. She always said she believed him, but the truth didn't reach her eyes. Harry was good at picking out liars. Except Peter. Somehow those doe eyes of his had deceived him where most others could not. Harry let out a growl of displeasure at the memory. he'd been soft around Peter, open and vulnerable because he'd chosen to trust him. With nobody else in New York he could trust, he'd chosen his old pal. And what a mistake that had been.

"You have a visitor." one of the orderlies grunted at him. Harry turned to glance over his shoulder. Aaron. One of the less pleasant men to work the halls, but Harry wasn't intimidated.

"I'm not expecting anyone." Harry growled, voice hoarse and low. Aaron only made an impatient sound as the sound of his cage door creaked. He rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed breath but turned slowly and offered the burly man his wrists. "What? We can't chat here?" he asked, bemused as the orderly cuffed his wrists together, to a chain. It was strange. Mr. Fiers came and went and their visits normally happened within his cell.

"Don't know who he is. So we're taking a couple extra precautions. Don't worry Mr. Osborn, we'll look after you."

Harry let out a snort "My hero…" he drawled, but followed the man. He was curious, actually. All things considered. He didn't get a lot of visitors, which was fine by him, but one that the institute couldn't just google? Interesting indeed. Aaron led him to really, what looked like an interrogation room and unlocked the door. Harry moved through without prompting and let the orderly cuff his wrists to the centre of the table, safe and well in sight. Harry eyed the chair across from him, mentally logging how far his visitor would be from him if he felt threatened. Feeling threatened was bad. That made that feeling itch under his skin, and he'd been a good boy too long to set himself back on his release like that. Aaron left him, no doubt to fetch his guest and Harry followed him, eyeing the mirror that doubled as a window. His reflection looked as haunted as always. Dark circles under his eyes, hair a shaggy, ratty mess. Long. Too long. There was a greenness to his skin, the scabs were forming under his shirt collar again. He turned away when the door clicked open, staring forward only to casually turn his head back to greet…

A complete stranger. He chose no verbal greeting, instead, he eyed the man, eyes narrowed in distrust. He was tall, lithe, wiry. But Harry sensed something dangerous in the man. What it was, he couldn't say. But his instincts seemed pretty good these days, since he'd cut off those more soft emotions. Still, no saying the danger was aimed towards him. Perhaps, like Mr. Fiers, this man had quarrel with others and wanted Harry's help. Or Oscorp's help. Who knew, and only time would tell. "Come on in." Harry said, nodding his chin towards the chair across from him.

WORDS: seven-thirty-nine.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

Ravencroft: Asylum for the Criminally Insane

These were the words that greeted Loki as he stepped out of the taxi, it’s driver staring straight ahead with a vacant expression on his face. It was as if the man didn’t realize he had a customer, and drove away the moment Loki shut the door without asking for fare. Kings, after all, don’t have to pay for the service of peasants.

He smiled absently at the thought, adjusting the collar of his suit. Despite the warm weather, he was impeccably dressed to the nines: black suit and poison-green tie (the same color of his eyes), green and gold scarf, black overcoat. He looked more like a wealthy businessman going out to an expensive dinner, rather than going into a prison…..

…. For the criminally insane. There was no such thing in Asgard. PTSD meant you were a coward, and if you did evil things due to traumatic circumstances; you were considered a cowardly villain. If there was such a place, Loki would be their top prisoner.

He went up to security, two guards in the gateway of the fortress, who oh so kindly took his scarf and overcoat. After that, it was easy to manipulate them into arranging a visit with his ‘client’. A small manipulation with paperwork that had been charmed so that the thought him to be yet another one of Mr. Osborn’s many attorney’s.

Regardless, after going through a metal detector and a quick frisk, he was admitted to the waiting area.

He had been flipping idly through a magazine as he sat on the uncomfortable plastic chairs, when a voice sounded above him:

”Mister…. Goodfellow?”

Loki looked up, letting a charming smile stretch across his face at the old woman in a lab coat before him. She had that pinched, long suffering expression like she was dealing with a group of five year olds that refused to listen.

”I am Dr. Kingsley, Mr. Osborn’s assigned therapist. I’m afraid that I have bared the majority of his lawyers from interacting with my patient, it interferes with his treatment….”

Loki held up a hand, standing up to tower over the smaller woman. “Good thing I’m not here to discuss his case…. Just his financial situation.” He gave her a sharp-toothed grin, “Someone has to pay his bills, right? I doubt you want to do this for free, after all.”

He twitched his thumb and forefinger, Dr. Kingsley’s eyes glazed over slightly. ”Of course….” She muttered, holding out the file in her hands, ”I’m sure this will help you understand his financial situation better.”

Loki’s grin widened, “It will indeed, thank you for your cooperation in this sensitive matter.” He took Harry’s file, and followed the good therapist to the visitation rooms.

He had been watching Harry Osborn for some time. When he was not ruling Asgard in the form of the All-Father, that is, or even keeping an eye on Thor to make sure the fool was still cuddling up to his mortal hussy. The throne of the All-Father gave one the remarkable abilities of Heimdall, he could see whatever he wanted and whoever he wanted.

He chose to look at Harry Osborn: heir to a powerful business throne, casted away by it’s Thing when he was no longer useful, manipulative enough to get back at them. He was delightful enough that Loki saw him as a curiosity, something to play with when being King was grating.

Loki did so love interesting people.

The therapist opened the interview room for him, letting Loki step inside to get a good look at the young man now that he had been toppled from his throne. Loki smirked back in response to the distrustful look the teen had given him.

"Come on in."

“Why thank you, but first lets make this conversation a bit more private, shall we?” Loki gestured upward, a shimmer of gold and green sparks went from ceiling down the walls and fake-mirror. The suddenness of the action, combined with the eerie quiet afterwards (and more significantly, the lack of orderlies running to the door because they saw it) was enough to set anyone’s teeth on edge.

Loki paused for a moment, checking the spell to make sure it was sound, before moving to sit down across from the mortal, unbuttoning his suit jacket with an elegant hand. “Now your watchers believe we are talking about your stock portfolio.” Loki leaned back in his chair, flipping open Harry’s psychiatric file. He propped his feet up, pitching the chair back to rest on it’s hind legs.

“Patient suffers from an acute sense of depression due to his struggle to cope with his father’s death. He is currently taking most of his emotions out on the board of directions, who have rightfully dismissed the patient due to his alarming decisions regarding Oscorp. Patient blames the board for most of his actions, and is in a state of denial. Patient refuses to accept blame, fostering blame on others, a symptom of his type of depression…..”

He read this rather casually, before finally looking up at Harry Osborn. He stared at the young man for a moment, before asking, quite frankly: “What do you want?”

[Harry Osborn]

. B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! .
. bang bang shot him with a bang bang . love him down down shot my baby with a bang .

Harry eyed the man. It wasn't a familiar face, definitely not one he knew. And he knew a lot of people, but being who he was meant remembering the important ones. This man, was a stranger. Even footing then. But the question now became, why was this complete stranger there to see him, and how did he get cleared to do so. Harry didn't just get visitors he didn't know, that wasn't in any protocol for any prison, let alone one for those who lost their marbles. Now what happened next was completely unexpected.

The guy waved his hand and honest to god sparkles went through the air. It was like a magic show from when Harry was younger. Way, way, way younger. The young man blinked, watching the sparks scamper along the walls and the two-way, with a blank expression. When they simmered down, he threw his head back and let out a torn bark of laughter. "Oh wow. What did they put in my breakfast this morning." he snorted, amused. And honest. Like every patient, he had to take a little cup of pills every morning. Sedatives, anti-depressants and god knew what else. Unless this guy just had sparkles up his well-tailored sleeves.

He watched the guy flop into his seat and leaned forward on his elbows to hear him read from his file. All things he knew, something Dr. Kingsley always had with her, even though Harry was sure the woman had his file memorized. He was Harry Osborn. A catch all things considered. Harry let out a nasty snorting sound at the apparent depression he suffered at the death of his father. That was hilarious really. Him? Depressed? His dad barely got a moment of mourning, and only because he handed off his life work at the last moment. All the years leading to that? Spent with hatred. Distaste. Anger.

Denial. That was a good one too. It was hilarious really, how much everyone doubted him on his age. The board. Everyone they convinced Harry was to blame. It was all so clever. Well, they'd get what was coming. One down, a few more to go. "What do I want…?" Harry asked, slowly, lips curling back into a feral little smile. "I want out here. I want out of this bug house. I want my company back." he snapped, slamming his cuffed hands on the table with a thump. He sat back down quickly, letting out a breath, clearing his throat.

"What do you want? Hm? You here to promise you can me out but all I gotta do is pay you off just a little." Peter didn't want his money, but Harry wasn't stupid, and he wasn't lying when he said everyone wanted his money. Everyone wanted money. It was the human condition. Greed. "Here can I ask you a question, Mr…." he paused to eye his visitor badge. "Goodfellow. Do I look depressed to you?" he asked with a low, dark little chuckle. "You should call in Dr. Kingsley, ask her about my last…. What did she call it… Mood swing. Break down? That my depression caused." he leaned back in his chair. "Or does it say in there?" Yeah, he was trying to scare the guy away.

He didn't know who Mr. Sparklesleeves was. What he wanted. So Harry's first reaction was to recoil and snarl. The voice at the back of his head hissed to scare the man away. He hadn't had a "meltdown" in a while, he was careful. But he had definitely shown his last therapist, before Kingsley his other half. She'd retired. Funny. Kingsley no doubt had the information in that file, if she didn't they were lying to her as well. He wouldn't be surprised either way.

WORDS: six-fifty-five.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

"Oh wow. What did they put in my breakfast this morning."

Loki ignored him, the mortal was not supposed to believe in magic and rainbow bridges, and extra-terrestrial life. That was not the purpose of his visit. His purpose was to make a potential ally, if not an interesting person to watch now and again….

"What do I want…?....... I want out here. I want out of this bug house. I want my company back."

He raised his eyebrows, a look of disbelief crossing his face as Harry pounded on the table like a child without his promised cookie. Loki placed his feet back on the floor, the chair falling forward with an answering ‘thump’. The god leaned his elbows on the table, steepling his fingers on his chin. “Is that really all? I must say I’m vaguely disappointed in your imagination if that is the case.”

Loki leaned back again, giving Harry a contemplative little smile, “…. Pretend, for a moment, that you had the means to accomplish anything your heart desired: anything at all.” He gestured with a hand around the room, eyeing the ceiling, “If you just want out of this asylum, you don’t really need me. All you really need to do is cry about daddy, and about how you didn’t mean to hurt poor Gwen Stacy in your fit of madness….. You’ll be out of here in a year, perhaps two.”

The god eyed Harry for a moment, “Perhaps afterwards, you can slowly buy out the shares your board of directors own, eventually re-earning your spot on the board. By that time, you could manipulate them into thinking they are in charge, when you are really the one pulling the strings.”

Loki shifted in his chair, “But that’s simple and….” He sighed, “boring. And by that time, that curse of yours might have re-established itself. With you reliant on only the word of Mr. Feirs who so far has given a piece of your technology to a brainless prisoner who was stopped by Spider-man in the space of two hours, that you are going to get a cure.”

Loki licked his lips, “So!” He leaned forward and slammed his hands upon the table in the same manner Harry had done, the force of the motion causing the nailed-down table to tremble, “What do you want?” He snarled, face ugly and dark, “I can give you your throne, I can get you out of here, within a day. That is boring and simple. The question is what will give you the most satisfaction in attaining that goal.”

When he removed his hands from the table and leaned away, two sizable dents were where his hands used to be.

"What do you want? Hm? You here to promise you can me out but all I gotta do is pay you off just a little."

Loki smiled, “But I just want a friend.” He cooed, shrugging a little. “I don’t need or want your money.” He had the coffers of Asgard at his disposal, “I certainly don’t need or want your technology.”

“Here can I ask you a question, Mr….Goodfellow. Do I look depressed to you?.....You should call in Dr. Kingsley, ask her about my last…. What did she call it… Mood swing. Break down? That my depression caused…… Or does it say in there?"

“Oh that’s all on the next five pages.” Loki assured him, flicking at the pages idly in the folder before setting it aside on the table next to the dents. “But brilliant people are often called mad in their time, it is hardly what makes you the most interesting.”

Interesting people were interesting when they were manipulative. When they were intelligent and knew it. When they could play the friend one moment and stab them in the back the next. That, was what made an interesting person. At least to Loki.

[Harry Osborn]

. B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! .
. bang bang shot him with a bang bang . love him down down shot my baby with a bang .

Anything his heart desired. Harry blinked, brows furrowing just a little. Anything at all? What the hell was this guy talking about. But he did relay Harry's plan to him, with an easy certainty. He was going to play into the shrink's hands, get himself out slowly and eventually climb his way back to the top. Of course, he had a little more to it, a little more violence in his plan, but he wasn't about to tell this stranger that. Not when the two way was right there. Maybe this guy figured they couldn't hear them, but he didn't quite believe that. So he kept his trap shut and listened. Harry smirked and watched him, looking disinterested at best. That was until Mr. Goodfellow brought the curse back up. A muscle twitched in Harry's jaw.

He'd considered that. So far, any time he'd broken out, he'd gotten a little green and it had gone away. It comes and goes. It wasn't a lie. But the death part? Well that was something he had hoped the spider venom had healed. Something the suit helped reverse long enough to get out. He was a time bomb. And the guy was right. Years down the road, well that could be too late. And he refused to follow that legacy his father left for him.

Harry did not flinch at the slamming sound. Did not flinch at the table shuddering and groaning under the force of the hit. He stiffened, sitting a little more upright as the jolt ran up his arms from where his elbows had settled on the tabletop again. He stared in the man's face, unafraid, eyes dark and expression unreadable. His eyes flicked down to the dents and back to the man's face. Man. Perhaps not fully a man if that strength was anything to go by. Was this how Max felt? When Harry had approached him in this very same prison.

"Well. Friend. How do you intend to get me out?" he asked, rather then delve further into the why. He'd figure that out later. It seemed unlikely that this guy wanted nothing. Nobody broke someone out for nothing. Harry broke Electro out because he needed him at the time, needed him to get him into Oscorp, needed him to lure spider-man in. He was a pawn to Harry's game, and though his death had been rather disappointing, it wasn't a big dent in Harry's heart. He had been a handy creature to have on his right hand. His gaze flicked to the dents again. Perhaps he'd found his replacement. Without Fiers' help. Not that he wasn't opposed to what the man had going, but Harry was all for winning with both sides.

Harry wasn't exactly flattered by the man's interest in him. Harry was the son of Norman Osborn. He'd had tutors teaching him the alphabet as soon as he could speak. He'd been years ahead in school. He was always an interesting guy. If not for himself for his money and his name. "You aren't the first one to think I'm interesting… Especially not in here…" They'd experimented on Max. And Harry wasn't fool enough to think they weren't doing the same to him. they were just careful about it after what happened with Max. He had a weakness easily contained, on water. Harry? Well if Harry broke out of his calm and let the goblin take hold there wasn't really an easy way to pin him down.

Once they figured out a way, he had no doubt he'd become Oscorp's guinea pig. He wondered idly if his father was rolling in his grave. Or laughing at the irony.

"Tell my what makes me special to you?" he asked, wary. If this guy intended on using him, he'd be sadly mistaken. Harry wasn't about to be used by anyone ever again. And once he was out the board members involved with the coup would be the first to learn that. He'd like to do it personally, but wasn't above hiring hands to keep the legality away from him. "And what do you want from me if you get me out? And don't feed me that friendship line. I'd have to be far more desperate for company to be convinced by that."

WORDS: seven-twenty-five.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

Now, there were some things that Loki could do and some things he could not. Bringing someone back from the dead was dark magic, and while it could be done, he’d rather lie and say it couldn’t. Make a person fall in love with you, Lorelei and Amora could do it with their eyes closed and so could Loki. Kill someone? Without flinching.

Now could he, master of magic and current King of Asgard, heal this boy of his curse? Healing stones were designed to heal damaged tissue cells within seconds, and that was a bandaide in comparison to what the Healers of Asgard were capable of.

The question was: would healing Harry Osborn of his curse keep him interesting? Would he still demand vengeance on Spider-man and the members of the board? Would he lose that special voice in his head that told him to kill? Would healing him even work?

So many plans to consider….. the very idea made Loki giddy.

"Well. Friend. How do you intend to get me out?"

Loki chuckled darkly at the term ‘friend’, “What? And ruin the surprise?” He idly brushed some lint from his sleeve, “I have a very special set of skills. With them, I can make people believe whatever I want. Such as…. Letting the world believe that Donald Menken is the one responsible for Gwen Stacy’s death. That he framed you in order to take control of Oscorp, and went on a horrible rampage where he murdered the rest of the board. Then due to his psychotic breakdown, can no longer speak or communicate. Or even defend himself against his crimes.”

The god shrugged, “Of course that would mean that the wrongly-accused Harry Osborn must be released immediately. And Mr. Menken can take his place.”

Of course, with Oscorp owning Ravencroft, Harry could play with the helpless Mr. Menken all he wanted. That was Loki’s personal gift for Harry, his enemy all wrapped up in a bow.

"You aren't the first one to think I'm interesting… Especially not in here…Tell my what makes me special to you?"

Ah, and why did Loki find him so interesting? Loki’s mind went back to the days when Midgard worshiped him as a god. His followers valued his abilities, the same abilities that seemed to manifest in the young Mr. Osborn. But he could hardly tell the human that…. He was too young to understand the exact nature of the power he held. One day, he would. Today was not that day.

“Several things make you special to me, Mr. Osborn.” Loki looked him over, “You are intelligent enough not to annoy me, manipulative even to your allies, willing to cause great destruction to get what you want, and you cause chaos….” A small smirk sneaked across Loki’s mouth, “I like chaos.”

He had done his fair share of destroying New York.

“And what do you want from me if you get me out? And don't feed me that friendship line. I'd have to be far more desperate for company to be convinced by that."

The god leaned back in his seat again, crossing his arms as he smiled over the table. “I like chaos. I like interesting people. Stay interesting, Mr. Osborn. That is all I want.” Stay interesting, and the rewards would be vast indeed. Loki rewarded mortals that pleased him.

[Harry Osborn]

. B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! .
. bang bang shot him with a bang bang . love him down down shot my baby with a bang .

This counted as one of the strangest days Harry'd had in a while… And he'd had his fair share of really strange days. This stranger was offering a lot, for not much. Or so that was the vibe Harry was getting. It wasn't exactly something that put him at ease. He was used to knowing all the angles, he liked to be in control and on top. In this whole situation, he was fumbling with where he stood, and what he could do. He felt trapped and itchy under his skin, especially with his plan laid out in front of him. It made him realize his plan would take time. A lot of time. Time he may not have. And then this stranger.. .This stranger...

Harry would be a damn liar if he said that this stranger's next few words weren't enticing. Damn Menken. Should have killed him when he had the chance.. .Well he did. Technically. But the man had scrambled away before Harry could take care of him after his… Transformation. That and he'd been preoccupied by Spider-Man at the time. Being able to get vengeance on that particular board member was something Harry was very interested in. But them, switching position? That would be some trick. Harry listened, eyes narrowed a little in thought, but he was careful to school his face against anything else. He let one arm slide down to rest on the table top, fingers drumming quietly against the sleek, reflective surface. Forefinger to pinky and back again, fluid and continuous.

"That's one fine plan, Mr. Goodfellow. I fail to see the how." Harry replied, tilting his head just a little to one side. "I mean, it's a great plan. I love how it would end… But I need a little more then your plan to be convinced it'll happen." Harry finished, blinking slowly. He really was quite fond of the idea of Menken at his mercy. Ravencroft was right snug in Oscorp's shadow of secrets, which meant Menken's days in Ravencroft would mean he would be Harry's personal play thing. And oh would they have fun. The rest of Menken's little stooges being removed from the picture was a nice touch. "This all sounds a little too good to be true."

Chaos. This guy wanted chaos. Well that was almost what Fiers wanted. Almost. Fiers wanted something like organized chaos, the team to take down Spider-Man. This guy just wanted some chaos. Well, Harry could do that, he was pretty good at chaos when he let the goblin twist his mind into something far more chaotic. "So what you're saying… Is you like him." Harry said slowly, assuming the stranger knew what he was talking about. After all, he had the file right there.

"So let me get this straight. You have this plan and these abilities, to get me out and give me exactly what I want… And you want nothing but the chaos of my better half?" he asked, making sure to be clear. It all seemed far too good a deal. But what did he have to lose. Of course, he was worried about his progress, he'd been a good boy for long enough that his therapists felt at ease around him again. He was working on a legal case and this guy could just be plotting to overthrow that. But something about the man made Harry trust he wasn't. Trusting people was a bad idea, Harry learned that. Which was why he wasn't trusting this guy. He was simply trusting that he was on the side that was best for Harry.

WORDS: six-one-four.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

He could see that he had the boy interested in his plan. The idea of dear Donald at his mercy, with his stoogies out of the way, and back on his throne… surely must be appealing.

But of course, the boy didn’t take the golden apple offered by the serpent without asking what would happen when he pissed off God….

"That's one fine plan, Mr. Goodfellow. I fail to see the how….. I mean, it's a great plan. I love how it would end… But I need a little more then your plan to be convinced it'll happen……This all sounds a little too good to be true."

Loki raised an eyebrow, “Do you mean that you want to know how I am able to plant evidence, manipulate people’s minds, or cause a grown man to lose his ability to speak? Alright then….” He spread his arms apart, adopting a sassy expression as he shook his head slightly, “…. Magic.” He purred with the most sarcasm he could muster.

The delightful part of it was that it was completely true.

Chaos was a concoction sweeter than honey for the god of mischief. It was the element that formulated change, after all. He realized it was a strange thing for the King of the Realm Eternal to enjoy: change. But he craved it anyway, for he was not lying to Thor when he said that satisfaction was not in his nature.

He doubted Harry fully understood. The boy was like any mortal: living in the here and now. Though all mortals died, he grasped the remnants of his life with frail hands. One day, he too would change. He would get what he wanted or needed one way or the other. The voice in his head will finally stop, and clarity will be his to grasp. And then he would go back to being a boring old mortal, one not worthy of Loki’s attentions.

But until then…..

"So what you're saying… Is you like him."

Loki’s smirk grew to a full fledged grin, “Now now, don’t be jealous. There is no him without you, after all. Your thoughts gave him life.” In the end, they were one and the same. Just because Harry was in denial about his darker thoughts, didn’t mean they didn’t exist.

Loki knew that, for once he had the Voices from the Void whispering in his head. When he finally embraced them, let them do as they pleased, everything worked far better for Loki. Hopefully the boy would embrace the Goblin, though it was just as entertaining watching him try to resist.

"So let me get this straight. You have this plan and these abilities, to get me out and give me exactly what I want… And you want nothing but the chaos of my better half?"

Loki gave a sly little smile, “To be fair, chaos from you will happen anyway.” He gestured with a hand, “I’m just helping to push it along. But yes, essentially this is the bargain I offer you.”

The god straightened his jacket slightly, tilting his head to the other side as he regarding Harry. “I can assure you, Mr. Osborn, I am many things and none of them are particularly good….. but I am not an oathbreaker.” He needed only stay interesting, and Loki would be there to help when he got into nasty pickles… like jail time.

[Harry Osborn]

. B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! .
. bang bang shot him with a bang bang . love him down down shot my baby with a bang .

Magic. And here was where the whole idea went downhill. Magic. Harry let out a scoff and rolled his eyes, leaning back into his chair. He wasn't about to show any disappointment, but he did let himself look less the amused. This man was wasting his time. Magic. "Magic, huh?" he replied sourly, and with equal sarcasm. Of course, that gave no real answer, the man had been sarcastic, so Harry figured he did have more of a plan. But throwing out silly, childish things like magic? Harry wasn't that patient. "Do you have a real plan?" he asked, just as surly. He'd been locked up too long to buy into such nonsense. Didn't have time for it.

Harry gave a snort of amusement. Jealous? Oh he wasn't jealous of the goblin. He wasn't pretty and had rather awful dental issues, all things considered. But he did have this freeing lack of morals. Not that Harry's moral compass wasn't broken, because it sure as hell was. But the stranger did make Harry think. No one without the other. That was rather true. Perhaps he should start thinking of them as two separate entities. But he felt different when he let that little hiss of a voice take over, it didn't quite feel like him. It was a power trip, and hell it was a rush. But he didn't expect this man to understand that. Nor did he feel the need to educate him on the matter. The less he knew, the better as far as Harry was concerned.

Either way, Harry didn't plan to walk around all sickly and green all the time.

Harry let his lips curl up into a dark little smile and let a low chuckle roll in his throat. "I suppose for a chaos loving soul like yourself, I should consider that… A compliment." Harry said, blinking slowly as his smile widened a little. Chaos was just one little thing he intended on letting out when he got out. The Spider-Man and him had a little score to settle. Harry arched a brow at the strange wording "You mean you're not a liar." he said, looking skeptical. "I don't believe that. Anyone I was foolish enough to trust has lied. We're all oathbreakers." he said.

He paused before he continued, running his thumb against his jaw thoughtfully Still, I'm not exactly in any position to turn down your offer…" he admitted, narrowing his eyes on the stranger again. " But, I guess I'll see the extent of you holding up your end of the bargain, when I see some news that Menken is under some scrutiny, won't I?" he said. After all, for the time being, Harry didn't have to do anything according to the man's offer. He just had to sit, and be patient while he worked his… Magic.

"I don't make deals with people when I don't know their name. So Mr. Goodfellow. If you're willing to share a little more about yourself, we can shake on this and you can be on your way." He said, lacing his fingers together under his chin. He leaned back, as far as the chain let his hands go and eyed the man's face. Harry liked to think he was good at reading people, but there was something entirely unreadable about this one. He didn't like it. He worked better with people he was sure he was smarter then, people he could manoeuvre into his pawn. Both in the world and in his business training. He wasn't sure about that with this guy. But it was a risk he was just going to have to take. He didn't have many chips on the table right now anyway.

And if it all failed, what happened? He'd remain where he was and wait for Fiers and his team and what was to come. This was a either a win, or things wouldn't change. Couldn't really beat odds like that in a situation such as this.

WORDS: six-eight-four.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

"Magic, huh?...... Do you have a real plan?"

“Why Mr. Osborn, I’m surprised at you. Do you not understand what magic is?” Loki asked, placing Harry’s file on the table, holding it down with the tips of his fingers as his palm was extended upward.

“We can dicker on the exact rules if you like. At the core, though, magic is taking a thought and making it real. Taking a lie and making it truth. Telling a story to the universe so utterly, cosmically perfect that for a single shining moment….” He extended his fingers upward, moving his hand away. As he did so the file remained in place. But Harry…. Loki casted the spell so that it would make Harry float above his chair “The world believes a man can fly.”

Loki let the young man hover there for a moment, before releasing the spell with a wave of his hand. “That is my plan, trying to explain to you how I can do these things would take too much time. Let me just assure you that it is possible.” Loki could go on and on about the properties of magic, and the young man would still not completely believe him. In the end it didn’t matter, Harry just needed to know it was possible and trust that he would be sitting back on his throne soon.

Honestly, Loki was giving him the moon. What more did the boy want? A diagram on the three different ways magic power could be obtained? He was sure he had beginner magic books somewhere in the palace with nice pictures for children if that was the case.

"I suppose for a chaos loving soul like yourself, I should consider that… A compliment."

Loki waved a hand, “Take it as you wish.” It was what got him a ticket out of here. Loki honestly would not have bothered if Harry Osborn was just any other boring old mortal: on a quest for power as they desperately tried not to die before their hearts stopped beating.

Simply put, Harry was an investment. He had the potential to do extraordinary things, cause great damage, and of course chaos was his other half’s specialty. He had gained Loki’s attention because he was entertaining, nothing more nothing less.

"You mean you're not a liar….. I don't believe that. Anyone I was foolish enough to trust has lied. We're all oathbreakers."

“Oh I am a liar, do not mistake that.” Loki smirked, “But I always keep my promises, that is what oaths are after all.” He did indeed keep his promises, people just didn’t necessarily like the result of those promises. He promised Thanos that if his army defeated earth he got the tesseract. He promised Thor that if he survived the defeat of Malakeith he would return to his cell. All these promises and the little details when making them were kept, the other parties were screwed through their own ignorance.

“Still, I'm not exactly in any position to turn down your offer….. But, I guess I'll see the extent of you holding up your end of the bargain, when I see some news that Menken is under some scrutiny, won't I?"

“You won’t have to wait long.” Five days was all he needed, really. And that was only because he wanted to make sure that the deaths of the other board of directors are specifically gruesome. Planting evidence with the police and the media didn’t take long, neither did driving a man to never speaking or communicating again. Those were easy little spells. But making sure that someone died in a particularly gruesome way? That required getting your hands just a bit dirty.

"I don't make deals with people when I don't know their name. So Mr. Goodfellow. If you're willing to share a little more about yourself, we can shake on this and you can be on your way."

Loki titled his head with a small knowing smile, “Goodfellow is my name.” Or at least one of them, and considering the circumstances it would be in Harry’s best interest not to know his real name. At least, not yet. “As for a little bit more about myself: I’m afraid you’ll have to ask me to dinner for that, Mr. Osborn.” Loki held out a hand for Harry to shake, “How about 6:30 next Friday in your office?” With those words, he was guaranteeing that Harry would be back in his office before the month was out.

And Loki never broke a promise.

[Harry Osborn]

. B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! . B A N G! .
. bang bang shot him with a bang bang . love him down down shot my baby with a bang .

It was an afternoon of unexpected occurrences. Harry didn't believe it magic, never did believe in magic. He had been a logical boy, who was raised on strict rules and realist views. He grew up on numbers and tutors. There had been no time for things like magic. No Santa Claus, no Easter Bunny. Logic and reason. And up until the moment he felt himself lift from the seat, did not believe in magic. At first he had to believe there was a reason, a trick. But they were in a cell with nothing possible of such things. His stomach twitched in discomfort, at the lack of control. When his visitor waved his hand, Harry thumped back down heavily on his tailbone. He wasn't high enough for it to really hurt, but it was a jolt,

A jolt as much as the fact that this man had made him float. He stared down, and couldn't help reach down to wave a hand under the chair. It didn't reach all the way, chained up but he felt no strings, no pull or push of magnets to the cuffs around his wrists. He sat back up, brows pinched and furrowed. He couldn't believe this. He'd been raised on science and fact. And this? Well. He supposed it was no more ridiculous then Spider-Man. Except that there was science there. Deep down, there was science to why Peter was what he was.

Well. Perhaps this stranger's supposed magic was science waiting to be picked apart. If that was the case, Harry needed a closer look. "Consider me convinced." he said, wary. He wasn't entirely, but the show was enough for now.

Harry smirked, resting his chin on a fist with a curious expression. "A liar who keeps his promises… How contradicting." he said, almost bemused in tone. "If you are lying now, and do break your promises… I can assure you it won't end well for you Mr. Goodfellow." Harry warned, amusement leeched from his voice, replace with a venomous cool-ness. Harry was kind of trapped at the moment, but he had enough men at his disposal, and money to hunt this man down if he betrayed him. Nobody stabbed an Osborn in the back without paying the price. Menken had, even if Harry hadn't finished the job. Peter had paid a hefty price, one Harry felt a surprising lack of remorse for. Harry could hold a grudge like no one else. That ran in his bloodline, just like the curse.

You won't have to wait long. That was a promises phrase, one that had Harry's eyes flickering in excitement. Sure, he didn't trust this guy. Trust was stupid, but all things considered what did he have to lose? Eventually he needed that suit back to heal any damage his curse caused. Wanted out to extract his revenge and finish the things he started, get his company back. He was locked away from the time being, and if this man had a sinister plot at hand, Harry couldn't really see his position getting any worse.

Harry wasn't pleased with the man's avoidance of his request. He had more wanted a first name, but all he got was Mr. Goodfellow. Which somehow did not seem to fit the man at all. "It's a date." Harry drawled, cool, careful. He would learn more about this man, but he would wait. If he got him out, he'd forgive the lack of sharing… He'd have to see. "Friday. My office." he repeated back, reaching out with his cuffed hands to give the man's a firm shake. It wasn't long, the date he was promising. A few days. A work week by Harry's mental calendar. Sometimes the days blurred, days and weeks mashed and confused in his mind. It could be the drugs they pump into all their patients. Or the walls. Whatever the case. He was fairly sure it wasn't more then a few days.

If this happened, it would be impressive.

WORDS: six-eight-zero.
TAGGED:lanni & loki.
SONG:bang bang/will.i.am.
CREDIT:you're lookin' at her.

[Loki]

Magic was the reason for Loki’s very existence. It was what he loved more than anything else, perhaps because magic was power. Loki could accomplish anything he pleased with it. The rush of things going your way was something to crave.

He smirked somewhat at the shocked expression on Harry’s face, and the way the boy reached underneath his chair (or attempted to with the cuffs) in order to see if it was all a trick.

"Consider me convinced."

Well, then they could move onto other ventures….

"A liar who keeps his promises… How contradicting…… If you are lying now, and do break your promises… I can assure you it won't end well for you Mr. Goodfellow."

Loki laughed at that, “Already threatening me, Mr. Osborn?” He gave a snake-like grin, “Is this how you establish all of your business relationships?” As if this boy could harm him. First of all, he was a King of another planet. Second of all, he was a god. Harry Osborn could try to go after the god of mischief. He would fail, Loki was sure of this.

"It's a date……Friday. My office."

Loki reached out one long arm, clasping the offered hand and shaking it firmly once. The heat off of Harry’s mortal skin made his own seem far cooler to the touch. Considering his heritage, it probably was.

“See you then, Mr. Osborn.” Loki got up from the table and walked to the door, letting the security guard open it for him. Just before he exited, he turned, giving a mischievous smile at the younger man, “I know we shall be great friends.”

When the orderly came to pick up Harry moments later, he acted as if Harry’s visitor never showed. According to everyone at Ravencroft, Harry had sat in that room alone for hours…..

---

Five days later:

Good Morning New York City! It is going to be a fine Thursday, sunny with temperatures reaching 70 degrees toward midday and 60 toward the evening….

Now onto our top story: Oscorp CEO Donald Menken was arrested last night after brutally murdering the entire Oscorp Board of Directors during a meeting. Felicia Hardy, the only survivor and Menken’s personal assistant, escaped by hiding in a maintenance closet in the meeting room.

Sources tell us that Menken apparently had security lock the doors to the meeting room, then took out a gun and began systematically shooting members of the board through the knee-caps. By the time Hardy had locked herself in the closet, Menken had started slitting the throats of his victims, in which case Hardy called 9-1-1.

By the time police arrived at the scene, the entire board was dead. Menken himself was unresponsive, and went calmly with police.

Menken is to be held in Ravencroft Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Meanwhile, Harry Osborn, the heir to Oscorp, will be released later this evening due to evidence that Donald Menken was responsible for the crimes Osborn was originally institutionalized for….. Wow, what an embarrassing moment for investigators, huh Emily?

‘Poor kid, he’s lost his father, his company, and his credibility all in the space of a couple of months….. what I want to know is what the heck the police were doing that they missed all this evidence that was obviously in front of their faces…’

Who knows? What we do know is that New York City will sleep a little safer, knowing that the real criminal here is behind bars…. Our next story, what was Tony Stark doing at the gala last night?.....

EXIT LOKI