[ when the feed comes on, loki is sprawled sideways in an armchair, his back against one arm and legs thrown carelessly over the other. there are books spread around him, one lying open across his chest with his palm against the spine to keep it from shifting. he's not bothering to look into the video, instead toying with a small, delicate piece of equipment that a certain playboy multi-billionaire might recognize. (he's good at 'acquiring' things that interest him.) ]

Tick tock, Asgard. Aren't we all just good little clockwork people, spinning predictably along while it all comes to life around us. I wonder where the key might be that does the winding.

[ he curves a slender hand at his ear as if listening. ]

Can't you hear it? Tick-tick-tick, like some great and terrible heart. [ his hand falls away, and he laughs, head falling back, folding an arm over his eyes as if to hide it. ] A last, desperate act for a dying world.

[ he's quiet for several moments, but slowly removes his arm, turning slightly to smirk at the feed. ]

Come along, now, show me some real mischief, won't you? It's been so terribly dull.