Trouble in the Library? (Strange)

Working through the books, the child found these heavy readings and spent most of his time trying to figure out what on earth it was saying. The child muttered to himself under his breath, completely annoyed with the lack of use. Why did they not have any practical information for travelling between dimensions. With a frown upon his face he went to see what they had to say on realms. The older stuff didn't have anything. More recent books (within his brother's arrival on earth) were more interested in the idea of realms. At least he managed to narrow the books down to two instead of the pile of five. Taking a seat, he continued to read through these books with as much dedication as he could. He needed to get to the bottom of this. He needed a way back home.

"Loki!" The voice of Ikol came and the trickster looked up as the bird flew overhead and landed on the large pile of unuseful books.
"Have you found the books on magic yet, Ikol?" He asked under his breath, mindful not to attract attention by appearing to talk to himself.
"That doesn't matter now, Doctor Strange is here." The bird said and the trickster's head rose, looking up in concern. Ikol gestured with his beak and green eyes followed until he saw the man.
"Do you know if I've been noticed, Ikol?" He asked and the bird gave a little shake of his head. Right. So Ikol didn't know if he had been spotted. That left a few options open to consider, at least.

He could try and sneak away from the sorcerer supreme - which could get him noticed and would do his reputation no good if he was spotted. He could stay here and play ignorant or he could approach Doctor Strange. Each thing had it's merits. Sneaking, he decided against first as there were just more negatives. Which left the two other options. Play innocent and he might manage to avoid any confrontation. Or he could try and see if he could get information from the man. But he couldn't risk the scene it would cause? Could he? The young trickster didn't want to create a fight. He couldn't win if that was the case. The boy rubbed his face with his hand. Perhaps if he approached honestly? He looked at the door, wondering how quickly he could make it if things went wrong. Not fast enough.

But he couldn't remain stuck here and the sorcerer might even have something to help. So he got down from his chair, hood raised to keep him partly hidden (his circlet gave away who he was to those clued in) and the black coat keeping his Asgardian gear from sight. He walked forwards, slowly and hands in the open. As he approached Doctor Strange, he pressed his lips together, thinking of what he could say.
"I'm guessing you've recognised me," He settled on as he came to a halt, still holding his hands in plain sight.

Being careful, he knew that even with his hands in plain sight, he wouldn't be trusted. Magic was too easy to use quickly and without the hands. As the man spoke, the small trickster pressed his lips together. So his action had been a wise choice. He hadn't gone unnoticed.
"It's just meant to fool those who would panic," Loki replied in defence of his little disguise that he had. Plus it added onto him being good. Sort of. He was at least not trying to make the Midgardians panic. That had to count for something, didn't it? His gaze shifted to Ikol. He hoped that they could get through this safely.

At the question, the boy brightened up somewhat. So he wasn't suspected by Doctor Strange? That was a good start. He already had some heroes on his side (well, on his side meaning not trying to kill him) and if he could get a powerful magic user, then he was all set to go. If he could keep Osborn in the equation, he might well be able to get everyone back home soon. He just wasn't going to speak about his plans too soon. Not until he had more data and some idea of how to beat the infinity gems. That was definitely going to acquire power that he did not have.

"Indeed. I have done nothing to create this little pocket dimension. And instead I am trying to get back to my own home, which no doubt, almost everyone is trying to do," The boy said, still barely moving and keeping his hands open and in plain sight. It wasn't much but every little helped.
"I don't suppose that you would have been able to find a way out," The boy said, keeping out the question in the tone because he figured that this way he would have a better chance at getting an answer. People loved to prove themselves better and also they preferred not giving information to a known supervillain. Even if said Supervillain was reformed and reborn. It was rather annoying but Loki could cope. He would just have to play the game to see what information he could get. After all, he did need to get home to help his brother defeat a fear serpent.

Lips pressed together as Strange spoke, somewhat against his disguise choice.
"Well, if I keep my identity hidden, then they won't recognise me and then we still don't have to worry about any panicking, do we?" He said, his voice slightly cheeky and definitely sounding like a twelve year old. A smile touched the edge of his lips as he looked at the sorcerer. A small part of him refused to allow the man to have the last word. The trickster suspected it was because that would show a sign of weakness.

Close green eyes remained on the man, even as light as he was when talking. Caution was needed and as young as he was he knew this. Even if the man seemed to trust him, he would not trust him. After all, despite being a villain of the heroes, he had managed to trust the archeress and Captain America but the sorcerer was different. Loki had been a villain to use magic and here was a hero of a similar kindred. They used the same power and for that reason, he felt that he had more reason to be cautious of this man yet he had greater reason to have to talk to him. Who better than Doctor Strange to play the hero and sort this all out?

As soon as the man said he could place his hands down he did. They both knew that he barely had any magic inside him. His lips pressed together at this.
"Good to see that we are all on the same page," He simply said, acting as if he wasn't in the least bit concerned about the fact that he was now the weaker of the two. Appearances and words were just as important as the power, he had long since learned. If he could trick someone into believing he held some cards it gave him a lot of leverage.

The question got some information but it wasn't anything that the trickster was hoping for. He had figured this much out already.
"Is that all you've figured out?" He asked, feigning complete surprise and acting as if he believed this man had nothing else to contribute. Come one, the sorcerer had to know a way back home. He was Doctor Strange, Earth's Sorcerer Supreme! Or maybe the boy was simply being too hopeful. He rubbed his eyes, once again pretending but this time to be slightly disheartened as he let his shoulder slump.
"So you don't know a way back. At all," At the end of the day, Loki had his tricks and the little trickster would use them to get any information to bring everyone one and so he could go back to where he came from and help defeat the Serpent.

Avoiding getting blamed for his past crimes was one of the biggest thngs for the young trickster. His choice of clothes left him recognisable and some teenagers were never too willing to ask questions first and punch later. He had already avoided one group before his disguise. Now he intended to avoid all those who might be out with a lust for his blood.
"I'll remember, but trying living with the reputation that I've ended up," Loki said with a slight laugh to his voice, trying to turn it into a joke of sorts. It was a tough life for him but it was nothing short of what he deserved. His former self had committed crimes, he just wished that he didn't have to pay for them like this. It made it so hard to try and build a new life.

Listening to what Doctor Strange had to say, his attention never wavered. Meeting with the Avengers and Osborn had all been very well but it wasn't finding him a way. He went to sit down on a chair near the magician, moving slowly just to make sure he didn't cause any concern. He didn't want to get attacked. Right now he needed to figure out whether he should tell the man what he knew. If Doctor Strange got extra information, surely that would help. But wouldn't the man already know that Thanos and the infinity gems were involved. Ikol did and he was a bird. Which suggested Strange was holding information back from him. Which was sensible, to be fair. Loki knew that he did a fair bit of holding back.

His thoughts were proved correct when Doctor Strange spoke again, taking away the small bit of hope that he hadn't even bothered to cling to. Loki nodded. Right. Trapped and looking for a way back. Just like everyone else. Thanos' work was powerful. It was going to take time. The trickster frowned and leaned back on his chair so the front legs rose from the ground, then he leaned back forwards, fingers touching and hands resting on his knees.
"It'll take time, but two heads are better than one, right?" He commented, wondering how far the man would go with trusting him.
"Do you think I would be able to offer any assistance?" His voice and question was honest. He did want to get home and he wanted to help everyone to return, so everyone could be on the same page. So that he could see his brother again. It mattered.