Most call me Gold. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
amicustenebris) wrote2024-02-09 05:13 pm
amicustenebris) wrote2024-02-09 05:13 pm
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Labyrinthium Inbox
You have reached Mister Gold. Please leave a message.
You have reached Mister Gold. Please leave a message.
Loki had been dealing with no end of distractions, including the upheaval Somnius was going through with Wonderland's invasion of sorts. But he hadn't forgotten a challenge he'd been given, and he was eager now to see if he'd met it. He was certain he had, but still--the only way to know for sure was to go to the source.
So it was during a slow shift at Clotilda's, although he wouldn't bother Gold too much if the man were busy. "You'll have to forgive me delay in coming to you with an answer to your challenge. There has been much going on, and I'm not exactly familiar with the children's stories of Midgard, Mr. Stiltzkin." Loki said in soft conversation.
So it was during a slow shift at Clotilda's, although he wouldn't bother Gold too much if the man were busy. "You'll have to forgive me delay in coming to you with an answer to your challenge. There has been much going on, and I'm not exactly familiar with the children's stories of Midgard, Mr. Stiltzkin." Loki said in soft conversation.
Gold, if anyone looked for him, was noticeably scarce during the Wonderland debacle. Warned ahead of time that such anomalies were not permanent, and knowing that particular location's...eccentricities (and unwilling to see who held the throne of Queen of Hearts in this particular incarnation), lying low and avoiding as much strangeness as possible had been his main plan of attack. Once he was able to return to work, that was precisely what he did, and if you were to judge based on how he behaved, he had been going about his routine uninterrupted the entire time.
Loki caught him in the back when there was spinning to be done. A menial task for most but it freed up the proprietess' hands for other dealings to have someone that could take to it so well (even if he was very much bigger than the wheel she used). Until he had saved up enough shards to have his own crafted, he could make due, and his hands were no less smooth in their movements as he worked. It was clear he was very much in his own world when he did this, serene even, but not so zoned out that someone speaking to him was going to be taken as a rude interruption.
A small smile touched the corners of his lips. He did press the challenge knowing Loki would be smart enough to figure it out, after all.
But he didn't immediately let him have it.
"That is not a surname so most definitely not the correct answer."
At last his gaze cut upward to meet his.
"But I would have wondered if you had taken longer."
Loki caught him in the back when there was spinning to be done. A menial task for most but it freed up the proprietess' hands for other dealings to have someone that could take to it so well (even if he was very much bigger than the wheel she used). Until he had saved up enough shards to have his own crafted, he could make due, and his hands were no less smooth in their movements as he worked. It was clear he was very much in his own world when he did this, serene even, but not so zoned out that someone speaking to him was going to be taken as a rude interruption.
A small smile touched the corners of his lips. He did press the challenge knowing Loki would be smart enough to figure it out, after all.
But he didn't immediately let him have it.
"That is not a surname so most definitely not the correct answer."
At last his gaze cut upward to meet his.
"But I would have wondered if you had taken longer."
"I mean, I was attempting to be polite and not use the full one. I also can't exactly describe you as having a rumpled style. You're very well dressed and that's something I do appreciate." Loki replied with a grin. He did appreciate the challenge still. "Knowing this about you, I suspect if you don't have to make a deal to do so, you'll make Clotilda very happy with an exclusive product."
He did appreciate his conversations with the man though, and when their shifts crossed in the shop as well. Both were professional, and Gold had likely caught Loki at work. Either as model helping hawk some products for their proprietess, or more often as sales person. With that silver tongue and charm on full display, but using it to help people find clothing that suit them and made them happy.
He did appreciate his conversations with the man though, and when their shifts crossed in the shop as well. Both were professional, and Gold had likely caught Loki at work. Either as model helping hawk some products for their proprietess, or more often as sales person. With that silver tongue and charm on full display, but using it to help people find clothing that suit them and made them happy.
"When I have it to trade, at any rate." No sense being boy about that, though he knew what Loki was referring to. "That's a deal in itself; it need not always be complicated." It would be interesting to be in a setting where the gold itself could not be used as currency, if he could ever get it to work again.
Had he perhaps tried once or twice at the wheel since getting here?
It had to be similar to the magic gifted him when he gained the ability to transform. Changing himself and changing something else were merely a difference in target. He would simply have to keep practicing until he better understood the feel of that particular spell.
Surely that was the key to finding his way back to that particular talent.
"And we cannot all charm the customers as you do."
Not that he was unpleasant to anyone, or had failed to demonstrate his own flair when tailoring. But what others might view as charming on his part he just took for professionalism.
Chalk that up to a lifetime of being appreciated for your craft, while being simultaneously disliked and eschewed. You got used to the necessity of your abilities being what bought you a modicum of civility from people.
Had he perhaps tried once or twice at the wheel since getting here?
It had to be similar to the magic gifted him when he gained the ability to transform. Changing himself and changing something else were merely a difference in target. He would simply have to keep practicing until he better understood the feel of that particular spell.
Surely that was the key to finding his way back to that particular talent.
"And we cannot all charm the customers as you do."
Not that he was unpleasant to anyone, or had failed to demonstrate his own flair when tailoring. But what others might view as charming on his part he just took for professionalism.
Chalk that up to a lifetime of being appreciated for your craft, while being simultaneously disliked and eschewed. You got used to the necessity of your abilities being what bought you a modicum of civility from people.
"Perhaps that's what I'll trade with then, if I need to. My charm at your service." Loki said with a chuckle. "I'm glad you've been settling in well though, at least hear. How is the rest of it going?" He was honestly curious too, as Mister Gold was an interesting being. They spoke a similar language and could find common ground.
"Tempting," Gold quipped. His eyes were once again on the task in front of him. "But having met you... I would rather not believe your good will is merely being used to buy something from me." Strangers could be transactional with their behavior toward him. It rang more hollow when it was someone you knew. Stung, even, if you held no ill will toward them and had some regard.
"Right now you have nothing I want, so it certainly isn't and hasn't been used that way." Loki said quietly, but knowing the other would hear. Even his one time joking about how Gold could owe him a favor for the help with Clotilda was just that. A joke. "You seemed well set up when you hosted me, so I hope things are continuing to go well for you at your home."
A gentle reminder that he had missed a question, or at least that this is where the line was going. "With a few more shards to cover additional necessities, better." This place had become his more regular work, but there were still other places around town that he was doing the odd job or making a trade.
He hadn't quite gotten power or running water to the place yet. So heating, having drinkable water and even bathing were all still happening the old fashioned way. Many people here would likely consider that a lot of additional labor, and at last half of him did.
But before he was ever the Dark One that had been quite normal. Even in the middle of winter, he was busy, yes, tired even, but warm, clean and fed.
Fine, even.
He hadn't quite gotten power or running water to the place yet. So heating, having drinkable water and even bathing were all still happening the old fashioned way. Many people here would likely consider that a lot of additional labor, and at last half of him did.
But before he was ever the Dark One that had been quite normal. Even in the middle of winter, he was busy, yes, tired even, but warm, clean and fed.
Fine, even.
"Ah. Sometimes some people have had others be charitable and help out that way. Mostly I believe because few of us know how to live without. Or if we do, we don't want to go without." There is an implied offer there, if Gold wishes to take it. If not, Loki can and will pretend it was never brought up.
"I was lucky in my arrival. I was invited to live in a cottage where the utilities had already been bought. Since winter was soon coming, I did my part though by renovating so we had a proper fireplace and hearth."
"I was lucky in my arrival. I was invited to live in a cottage where the utilities had already been bought. Since winter was soon coming, I did my part though by renovating so we had a proper fireplace and hearth."
Gold took a moment to absorb that, because he did catch on that something was being offered. Given he had already expressed a dislike of unspoken transactions, he nearly kept it casual and changed the subject without addressing it. An unspoken close to the topic, equally as subtle as how the subject had been broached.
But he paid attention to the words used. And 'charity' would not have come up if it were meant to be a transaction that must be repaid.
...At the very least if it was treated like one later, the word gave Gold some legality to refuse it.
"It would certainly mean far less work on my part. ...I will admit I have been more focused on getting the place functional and less on retrofitting a luxury."
But he paid attention to the words used. And 'charity' would not have come up if it were meant to be a transaction that must be repaid.
...At the very least if it was treated like one later, the word gave Gold some legality to refuse it.
"It would certainly mean far less work on my part. ...I will admit I have been more focused on getting the place functional and less on retrofitting a luxury."
"See, I've had my time in the dregs, as it were. I won't say I've been to Hel per se, as I've not been to that part of Niflheim. But I've been close enough to and it isn't a pleasant memory." Loki said, although the smile never left his face. "I miss Valaskjalf, and like my luxuries. So I sympathize with those who have to do without." Then much more quietly, leaning down as if he was studying how Gold was doing the spinning--which really was quite fascinating in its own right. "Consider it a gift, if charity is not to your taste as well. Goodwill rarely goes amiss, and I've been shown much while here." Whisper quiet, and only for his...colleague at least.
Gold had been very kind and shown kindness in return among several people already. Taking inventory of that stole much of any desire he might have had to object. Whether it was inviting a relative stranger to tea in his own house, or befriending a very tall owl with promises of further commiseration (which he was already planning to bake for), or any other such moments -- he had run into several already that struck a familiar wavelength that he hadn't known among many in Storybrooke or the Enchanted Forest before that.
Tones that matched or at the very least struck harmonious chords. When you were the Dark One, there was very little of such music.
"It would be very much appreciated. And like your counsel not forgotten."
Because Loki was right. It did not go amiss. Better that he build more of it before his reputation or bad habits caught up with him.
Tones that matched or at the very least struck harmonious chords. When you were the Dark One, there was very little of such music.
"It would be very much appreciated. And like your counsel not forgotten."
Because Loki was right. It did not go amiss. Better that he build more of it before his reputation or bad habits caught up with him.
"I can't say when it'll appear, but it will be done." Keeping his voice low, and now Loki crouched. Still watching the spinning. "I'm sure it's more impressive when you're making gold, but this on it's own is a form of magic to my thinking." An easy smile, and blue-green eyes shifted to meet Gold's gaze for a moment. "You're taking fluff. Bits of fluff and threads and strands, and somehow making it into usable cord and thread. It's transfiguration at its most basic and simple, and so very common and yet..."
A small wave of his hand, and Loki chuckled. "It's magic."
A small wave of his hand, and Loki chuckled. "It's magic."
Gold's eye contact dropped. It was a familiar tic, when he was being polite. To hide a smile or anything more. Humble, in his own way.
He'd never really known how to take a genuine compliment head-on, even if at least part of him agreed wholeheartedly.
Because otherwise you look overproud.
Or you start to see things that aren't there.
"...When it works, the mystical part is not so different, either. Not really."
He had become so accustomed over the years to channeling it this way. You start with the method that comes most naturally then branch out to other forms afterward.
He'd never really known how to take a genuine compliment head-on, even if at least part of him agreed wholeheartedly.
Because otherwise you look overproud.
Or you start to see things that aren't there.
"...When it works, the mystical part is not so different, either. Not really."
He had become so accustomed over the years to channeling it this way. You start with the method that comes most naturally then branch out to other forms afterward.
Getting back to his feet, Loki let the man work. "Well, when you're able to, if you wouldn't mind my studying a bit, I'd love to do so." Loki found all kinds of magic fascinating really. "And if you would mind, I'll understand. And just have to be sneaky about observing." With a playful grin and mischief in blue-green eyes.
Anything Gold could think of to say, communicating that Loki could probably teach him a good deal as well? Well, in his mind it sounded more suggestive than would have been proper or intended.
Either way, it would have said more than he felt comfortable saying, so he chose something that felt safer.
"Why would I mind?"
Either way, it would have said more than he felt comfortable saying, so he chose something that felt safer.
"Why would I mind?"
That brought full laughter, amused and playful too. "I, of all people, know and understand how we can be about secrets. That's part of why it's so much fun looking for them." But he nodded, and would take advantage of being able to watch, when he could.
"How did your exploring of the town go?" More common chatter, but Loki also was curious. He wondered what the other had noticed or not noticed, or decided to look into given their circumstances.
"How did your exploring of the town go?" More common chatter, but Loki also was curious. He wondered what the other had noticed or not noticed, or decided to look into given their circumstances.
Oh, something a little more detached, then. "I've introduced myself to some of the local business, made a few acquaintances, done some reading in the library -- as yet no new, concrete conclusions, but perhaps a lead or two to follow."
Or continue pursuing. Wonderland had been an untimely interruption.
Or continue pursuing. Wonderland had been an untimely interruption.
"Have you met any of our non-human dreamers yet? I'm amazed you managed the library. I can only be in there so much before I start to..well, feel a supreme need to organize." Ducking his head with a soft chuckle. "Which might seem odd, considering I usually favor chaos. But I do like some things orderly and organized, and a library is one of those."
"A few. A little yellow-furred creature that my grandson would insist on being best friends with. A talking llama. A little duck girl who was very eager to be helpful."
He had to agree about keeping libraries organized. He was far more ordered but organization for many things was just part of their upkeep. A lack of such a thing felt like neglect.
"There are very few things that are truly random and fewer of those that are as infuriating as a library that appears to be deliberately out of sorts. But patience goes a long way, and what is missing can in itself be a clue."
He had to agree about keeping libraries organized. He was far more ordered but organization for many things was just part of their upkeep. A lack of such a thing felt like neglect.
"There are very few things that are truly random and fewer of those that are as infuriating as a library that appears to be deliberately out of sorts. But patience goes a long way, and what is missing can in itself be a clue."
"That last statement is why we get along so well, I think." Loki said with approval. "And I see you've met Webby. The llama I met did not speak, and was quite rude. I've seen the little yellow creature around, but haven't met it yet." Loki looked up as they heard a door open. "If you'll pardon me. Assuming it's possible, I'd like to continue this conversation, but work first."
Loki could only get away with so much socializing really, but while Clotilda did not ask her salespeople to hover, she did expect them to be welcoming.
Loki could only get away with so much socializing really, but while Clotilda did not ask her salespeople to hover, she did expect them to be welcoming.
And that wasn't even all of them. But Gold was a little grateful for the brief lull as Loki excused himself. Time to catch his breath and gather himself some if he does come back. "Don't let me keep you," he says with a smile, returning to the spool he's nearly finished out.
It wouldn't take long, but Loki also took some time to do some tidying up and re-arranging of garments. To give the other more time, as Loki could tell the other wasn't usually the most social sort. When he does come back, he's bearing two small cups of tea and offers one to Gold.
"I figured this would not go amiss, and already have given one to Clotilda too." Said with a half-smirk. "Easy enough to use my break for that."
"I figured this would not go amiss, and already have given one to Clotilda too." Said with a half-smirk. "Easy enough to use my break for that."
Gold sat back from the wheel to take the cup with both hands. He spared a moment to take in its make, any little details. It was not exactly like the one he was thinking of, but he was rather fond of effort that went into things people took for granted.
It's just a cup.
"Thank you."
It's just a cup.
"Thank you."
It was not a very fancy cup, meant to be purchased and fairly 'disposable' if needed by patrons and the stall owner. But that didn't mean it hadn't been made with care. There's also the fact that Loki had brought tea for everyone in the shop working right then; that in itself also had meaning.
"Not hard for me to do, and I thought we all could use one." Before taking a sip of his own cup of tea. "How much did Webby startle you?" With a hint of amusement and smile.
"Not hard for me to do, and I thought we all could use one." Before taking a sip of his own cup of tea. "How much did Webby startle you?" With a hint of amusement and smile.
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