Tally Marks

Chapter 16 - Loptr Says No

The All-Father informed the combatants and their sponsors that there would be a feast and a twenty-four hour respite from the arena.  The champions were thinning out and soon, there would only be two remaining to fight for the ultimate honor of Champion of the Universe.  But, the people were getting a little tired of seeing several battles day after day.  The feast would be grand affair, and everyone was talking about it.

"Behave tonight," Val warned Loptr as she closed the latches on Loptr's body suit.  It was done in the design of Midgardian 'Chinese' fashion.  The collar was high to conceal his scars up his neck, and his white hair was up in a braid.  His boots were supple leather, soft and malleable.  The costume was done in dark blue, with yellow highlighting the seams and edges.  The Grandmaster had chosen the colors.  Loptr knew he would not have selected those colors himself.  He felt he would have chosen different colors like green and gold.  Maybe a little bit of black as well.  Loptr paused for a moment.  Where did these thoughts come from?  He frowned and turned to Brunhilde, actually acknowledging her after her statement.

"When have I ever misbehaved?" he challenged.  She shook her head and clasped his face in both her hands.  

"Don't do anything that would make the Grandmaster suspicious.  We already have Topaz breathing down our necks.  We don't need him actually asserting his power over us," she reminded.

"Who says he can assert his power over us?" Loptr rejoined.  Valkyrie shook her head.

"That is the reason why I'm afraid of what could happen tonight," Valkyrie commented.

The musicians played lively music and the dancers mingled with the party goers.  Many of them attempted to entrance Loptr, but the stone faced champion of Sakaar brushed them away like one would an irritating fly.  Eventually, the Asgardian women picked up on his hints and left him alone.  He leaned against the wall, his arms folded over his chest.  His red eyes were narrowed drastically as he studied those around him.  A dancer went by him, twirling a silk and the material almost got in his face.  Loptr frowned and pushed himself away from the pillar, actually intermingling with the banquet goers.  He received compliments for his technique and his mercy with handling defeated fighters.  Loptr ignored those men too.

He finally reached Valkyrie and stood next to her.  "Not at all conspicuous," she commented.  

"Didn't know I had to cower in the dark and pretend to not know you," Loptr said.  

"I didn't mean for you to conceal yourself.  Just not walk up to me and be all friendly with me," Brunhilde pointed out.  Loptr looked down at her and she looked up at him.

The Avengers saw them standing next to each other and they exchanged looks.  "That explains why she was salty when I tried to schmooze her," Tony said.

"She and he are clearly lovers.  The fact that they aren't being very public in their affection makes me wonder if their affair is one that needs permission," Natasha said and that made all the Avengers glance in the direction of the Grandmaster.  He was downing libations like they were water, and laughing at something an Asgardian wench was saying.  Topaz was standing behind him, frowning at everyone and everything.

"You saying that he says when they can f*ck?" Tony suggested.  Steve glared at him for using foul language.

"Considering how they're trying to be subtle... yeah, I think that's what's happening," Natasha responded.  Thor just quietly observed his brother.  Loki interacting with the Valkyrie warrior and treating her with affection.  She seemed to really make him happy.  If only the universe would allow him to be happy.

"Champion!" called a voice and Loptr's head turned in En Dwi Gast's direction.  "Come here!" he ordered.  Loptr pulled away from Valkyrie and approached the table where the Grandmaster was sitting beside Odin and other world leaders.  He bowed before them, before straightening his back and putting his hands behind him.

"You called?" he asked, in a mildly bored tone-of-voice.  The Grandmaster smirked at Loptr's show of disinterest.

"We were wondering if you could give us a demonstration of some of your talents.  Knives or spears," En Dwi Gast said.  

"You say it as if I have a choice," Loptr countered before he turned to an Einherjar and held out his hand, silently asking for a weapon.  The man hesitated, turning to Odin and Tyr.  Both men nodded their heads and he handed Loptr his spear.  Loptr closed his eyes and twirled the spear around, somehow avoiding everyone around him.  The Asgardians ducked away from him out of fear and created space.  Loptr let the spear dance across his shoulders and traded hands.  He managed to balance it between two fingers before he dropped it, caught it with the toe of his boot and kicked it back up into his hand.  He had a rapt audience, watching his every move and entranced by his grace and ease with the long range weapon.  The Grandmaster clapped his hands, a maniacal grin on his face.

"Good!  Very good!" En Dwi Gast declared.  "Now, pick a target and throw your spear."  Loptr paused mid-twirl and opened his eyes.  His head turned in the direction of the Grandmaster.  He looked around the room at all the possible 'targets' he could aim at.  They all now had fearful expressions on their faces and were cowering away from him.  The Einherjar and Tyr were standing to attention, ready to intervene should Loptr attempt to carry out his master's bidding. 

"Kill someone?" Loptr posed.

"It's a possibility," En Dwi Gast answered vaguely.

"That's murder," Loptr stated firmly.   

"You call it something different in the arena?" the Grandmaster queried

"In the arena, isn't that what we're meant to do?  We are entertainment to you.  We are meant to spill blood in the name of a good cheer.  You drink wine and eat tidbits while we try to hack each other to pieces," Loptr said and he looked at everyone in the room when he said that.  "None of you are innocent.  But I'm not going to make myself a murderer outside the arena.  My answer is no," Loptr finished as he dropped the spear to the floor.  Topaz made to step forward, but En Dwi Gast stopped her.

"What was that, Loptr?" he posed,
putting his hand by his ear.  Loptr smirked ever so slightly, the corners of his mouth pulling up briefly.  

"No.  I understand that's not a word you're used to hearing, but, I'm saying it now."  With that, he turned and walked out of the banquet hall.