shamechamber | [ st: beyond spoilers hoo ]

[ Spock is familiarizing himself with the Starbase Yorktown for the afternoon, the majority of his reports complete and no other meetings for the day. He just finished his follow-up appointment with the Yorktown's medical staff and he slows and pauses by one of the more spectacular viewpoints of the core of the Base's matrix along this ring, using the brief pause to study it as an excuse for his drained energy. It was his own fault, he supposed, for having declined any mild stimulants. The wound itself had been healed as much as possible given Doctor McCoy's primitive cauterization, but as the medical staff reminded him several times during his appointment, he still needed to take the time to heal.

And so he allows himself to take a seat at an angle on viewpoint bench, studying both the milling crowd as well as the matrix, eyes roaming over the moving groups and individuals when he's not watching the flow of air-traffic among the other rings ... ]

[ It's so brief that it can't be seen, a glimmer of gold and green, like sparkles tossed into the wind. A man wearing a simple suit, his hair combed back and neatly knotted into a loose ponytail. ]

[ It's the color that catches his attention as he was turning his head rather than any solid glimpse of it—the contrast to the gleaming whites and blues of the base and atmosphere contained within it. His head swivels back to determine the cause of his distraction when his eyes settle on the man ... and widen at the sight of him. ]

[ Loki was always oddly fond of this universe, even if the ideals of Starfleet and the Federation grate on his nerves. He finds it laughable. But the universe itself was rather vast in potential. Every the scurrying of humans to find every nook and cranny hardly bothers him. Loki can easily outrun them all.

He fingers the silver weapon that he had found floating in space. Fascinating thing really. Incomplete now, and fairly useless without its other components. But potential was there.

Loki never ignored destructive potential.

He stiffens, feeling eyes on him and turns neatly, a lie on his lips which dies quickly. ]

Spock.

[ He stands slowly, his eyes never leaving Loki's except to apologize distractedly to the person he nearly ran into on his way over to where Loki is standing. He's half afraid that Loki will disappear if he looks away.

He slows to a stop in front of Loki about three steps away, and there's several beats before he manages to simply say: ] ... Greetings.

[ Loki's answering grin was stretched, with his usual bite of teeth and sarcasm. ]

What a sparse greeting it is.

[ He slips the object away in one of his coat pockets before brushing a thumb over Spock's cheek. ]

Have you slipped away so far since my departure?

[ Spock's hand raises to grasp at Loki's wrist—not to hinder or make his hand withdraw, but to grasp at him as if to ensure he's really, actually there. ]

Your presence is ... merely surprising.

[ He tilts his head, a mischievous sparkle in his green eyes. ]

There are only two kinds of surprises, Spock. Which one is it?

[ His hold on Loki's wrist tightens briefly. ]

One that is most pleasing.

[ His answering smile is faint, traces of genuine affection lingering in the quiet lines. ]

You seem to be fine without me.

Then you are mistaken.

[ There's another squeeze before his grip eases off, Spock becoming conscious again of the people bustling around them. But his eyes don't leave Loki's. ]

When did you arrive here? [ "Here" having variable meanings: here in this reality, this universe, or this Starbase, any and all of them relevant to Spock. ]

[ Loki shrugs, a vague human gesture he's picked up over time. It always looks odd on him, stilted on a creature who moved with precise grace. ]

A few weeks or so. I flitted by this . . . "space" as you so call it as I see fit. You have your own life now. I did not think it merited my . . . uninvited presence.

[ It is odd on him, prompting Spock to quickly glances him over, just taking him in. He drops his hand by now, aware of some people staring at them. A Vulcan is a rare enough sight as it is this far out into space, let alone one who appears to be comfortable in casual touch. ]

Than you were aware of my presence within this sector?

[ Quietly. ]

Spock. I am always aware of where you might be.

[ In matching volume, ] ... Yet you did not establish contact.

To borrow your own phrasing, have you slipped away so far since our last meeting?

[ Loki barely disguises his wince. ]

A man of my standards is not suited here for long. You know this.

[ Spock momentarily glances to the side, looking towards and area of the base's shielding that is currently under repair. ]

I was quite recently reminded of the consequences of such actions made by similar individuals.

[ Stung, he rears back, ready for a fight. ]

I had nothing to do with this.

[ He turns quickly back to Loki, a slight frown in his expression. ]

The one responsible for the attack on Yorktown was known as Krall, or Balthazar Edison. I was not accusing you.

[ Loki seethes before he lets it go - high praise for his temper these days. ]

Hmph. I knew not the man. I spied his remains though. Or whatever was left of them.

[ It really is a testament to his restraint. Spock can't help but raise his eyebrows a few millimeters in surprise. ]

He was ejected into open space. You came upon him there?

As you are aware, the vacuum of space holds no power over me. I've seen the void, and where all lights go out.

His trinket, however, was unusual.

[ Spock suddenly goes incredibly tense, his eyes widening once again. ]

[ Loki rolls his eyes. ]

It's harmless now. And it's mine.

How was it made harmless? [ He'll address the other part of that in a minute. ]

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