Tenth Trick: Permavideo

[doeswhathewants]

[The NV flicks on, propped up on a table, focused on Loki who sits cross legged on the floor, a baby sling across his chest. The sling is occupied by a lump that is invisible to most, save for a hot pink mohawk and a hot pink collar with a little silver hammer shaped tag dangling from it. The hellhound looks plump and happy to everyone who can see her.]

This- [He speaks with his head bent over the hellhound] -is Thora. Say hello, Thora-

[He helps her wave a faintly pink paw at the NV and she tries to nip his fingers in retaliation]

She's kind of the best hellhound ever. [In that condescending way only thirteen year old boys are capable of. And then suddenly serious, green fire in his eyes] And if anyone were to harm her, I would put their insides onto their outsides and join her in having a nibble. Just saying.

[And then that jovial demeanor returns again.] I've been learning much about the mortal world thanks to Google- the browser of webs. But so much information conflicts. I wish to know more. Midgard and humans are so different than what I always thought.

Comments

[harriedosborn]

It's gruesome. But there are other sports than baseball -- it's not my favorite or anything, it's just kind of [ "nostalgic" ] a way to pass the time.

[doeswhathewants]

What is your favorite, then?

[harriedosborn]

Tennis, I guess. I'm not really an athlete.

[doeswhathewants]

One does not need to be an athlete to enjoy a sport.

Tennis is the one with the small, bright ball and the net, yes?

[harriedosborn]

Yeah -- it's great exercise. I played on weekends at my country club.

[doeswhathewants]

That does seem a bit more refined than beating one another with swords or fists.

[harriedosborn]

Oh, yeah. It's much more about coordination and strategy.

[doeswhathewants]

Ah! Strategy is important. Anyone can brute force their way into and out of a situation, but the one who controls the situation, who extracts moves from others is the true master.

[harriedosborn]

Exactly. That's part of why I took it up.

[doeswhathewants]

More and more interesting.

[harriedosborn]

Is it?

[doeswhathewants]

I meant you. [He says in that vaguely condescending 'the human did something interesting' but he's getting better at losing that tone because he really means it.]

[harriedosborn]

What's so interesting about me? [ That sounds more self-depreciating than it's intended to be. ]

[doeswhathewants]

Intelligence. Playing to one's strengths.

[harriedosborn]

I figured it would be good practice.

[doeswhathewants]

Double entendre or unintentional double meaning?

[harriedosborn]

... The latter, because I don't know what it was I supposedly just said.

[doeswhathewants]

Good practice physically and good practice mentally- ah, it isn't important.

[harriedosborn]

... I wouldn't talk about that to a kid. [ Clears his throat a little bit. ]

[doeswhathewants]

I meant the strategy of the game ... not sure what you're talking about though.

[harriedosborn]

I don't either. [ Pause. ] Anyway, it's worth a watch if you ever catch a game on TV.

[doeswhathewants]

I heard TV rots ones brain and since I cannot afford another lifetime of a rotten brain ...

[harriedosborn]

Who told you that? It does not.

[doeswhathewants]

I read it. On the internet. I am told that the internet does not lie.

[harriedosborn]

The internet lies a lot.