A pre-recorded speech strikes primetime news tonight. The diplomat known as 'Loki of Asgard', in an impromptu press conference hosted in Germany, attended by media and some official representatives alike, makes a speech. Dressed neatly in his favoured custom mix of Asgardian and Midgardian fashion, he seems, as usual, devoid of nervousness as he takes the podium. He is accompanied by a German translator.
"Thank you all for your attendance. I shall try to keep this concise, but I do recognise that an explanation is long overdue. My apologies, first and foremost, for my absence in certain meetings and conferences in these past few important weeks.
"I would first address these allegations about an incident in Stuttgart, Germany that transpired earlier this year, as well as the allegations directed at me by Steve Rogers of the Avengers and my alleged involvement in the tragedy that befell New York City in the following days. I shall speak of these things as openly as I can, which, I believe, is my advantage."
Note shuffle.
"The Avengers are, so goes my understanding, a globally unauthorised response group that have been hailed as heroes, as they should be -- their efforts to protect New York City are widely known. However, it is my deepest regret to confirm that only by the actions of the Avengers and those that commission their actions did the battle begin. With--"
Loki pauses here when there is a sudden well of protest in the chamber, raising a hand to bid for silence. He is patient.
"With regard to the incident in Stuttgart, the Avengers did launch an attack against me when I attempted to meet with a contact in discussion about what you might consider alien technology. Please understand that the Avengers work for an agency whose machinations are veiled in shadows, which includes the development and withholding of advanced technology that could be used to better the technological level of Earth tenfold, in renewable energy and resource. They instead chose to make weapons and allow the privately owned Stark Industries to dominate such a market. Their jealous guarding of such information saw them sending their soldiers to detain me. When I attempted to resist, they were moved to aggression."
There's a shouted out question, not quite picked up by microphones, but Loki pays it heed, nodding once.
"My friend with Berliner Zeitung asked about the claims from supposed witnesses that I attempted to intimidate a crowd of civilians with talk of world domination."
He grins, then, a huff of laughter. This strikes him as not only funny, but ridiculous -- see how affable he is? A brief attempt to compose himself.
"Um. Mm. I cannot myself confirm where such stories began, although I would posit that perhaps these sources are only as reliable as the Avengers' employers would arrange them to be." There is a mutter from the crowd as he breaks here to sip some water. A few people laugh.
"Finally, I would address the attack on New York City." Loki is deadly serious now as he speaks, not looking down at any notes. "This Captain America has made claim that I am the mastermind responsible for such an incident. This is a lie. Through their refusal to treat formally with those beyond this realm in order to better protect their own ambitions, as shown in their aggression against myself, war did break in a transaction in which I was entirely uninvolved. I am offended and disappointed that we have lowered ourselves to such a petty and base level of history rewritten to justify their own actions and better opinions of themselves on the world platform, but I hope to move past this with the level of honesty and open information that this realm deserves.
"I would finish by saying that I do not condemn the Avengers. Truly, they are warriors, and guardians of your realm. I question only whom they answer to, and should they wish to confirm or deny what I have said here today, then a call for transparency and accountability is required. I echo only the same sentiments of my new friends in the United Nations in saying so. Thank you."
No questions taken, he leaves.
Quickly.
"Thank you all for your attendance. I shall try to keep this concise, but I do recognise that an explanation is long overdue. My apologies, first and foremost, for my absence in certain meetings and conferences in these past few important weeks.
"I would first address these allegations about an incident in Stuttgart, Germany that transpired earlier this year, as well as the allegations directed at me by Steve Rogers of the Avengers and my alleged involvement in the tragedy that befell New York City in the following days. I shall speak of these things as openly as I can, which, I believe, is my advantage."
Note shuffle.
"The Avengers are, so goes my understanding, a globally unauthorised response group that have been hailed as heroes, as they should be -- their efforts to protect New York City are widely known. However, it is my deepest regret to confirm that only by the actions of the Avengers and those that commission their actions did the battle begin. With--"
Loki pauses here when there is a sudden well of protest in the chamber, raising a hand to bid for silence. He is patient.
"With regard to the incident in Stuttgart, the Avengers did launch an attack against me when I attempted to meet with a contact in discussion about what you might consider alien technology. Please understand that the Avengers work for an agency whose machinations are veiled in shadows, which includes the development and withholding of advanced technology that could be used to better the technological level of Earth tenfold, in renewable energy and resource. They instead chose to make weapons and allow the privately owned Stark Industries to dominate such a market. Their jealous guarding of such information saw them sending their soldiers to detain me. When I attempted to resist, they were moved to aggression."
There's a shouted out question, not quite picked up by microphones, but Loki pays it heed, nodding once.
"My friend with Berliner Zeitung asked about the claims from supposed witnesses that I attempted to intimidate a crowd of civilians with talk of world domination."
He grins, then, a huff of laughter. This strikes him as not only funny, but ridiculous -- see how affable he is? A brief attempt to compose himself.
"Um. Mm. I cannot myself confirm where such stories began, although I would posit that perhaps these sources are only as reliable as the Avengers' employers would arrange them to be." There is a mutter from the crowd as he breaks here to sip some water. A few people laugh.
"Finally, I would address the attack on New York City." Loki is deadly serious now as he speaks, not looking down at any notes. "This Captain America has made claim that I am the mastermind responsible for such an incident. This is a lie. Through their refusal to treat formally with those beyond this realm in order to better protect their own ambitions, as shown in their aggression against myself, war did break in a transaction in which I was entirely uninvolved. I am offended and disappointed that we have lowered ourselves to such a petty and base level of history rewritten to justify their own actions and better opinions of themselves on the world platform, but I hope to move past this with the level of honesty and open information that this realm deserves.
"I would finish by saying that I do not condemn the Avengers. Truly, they are warriors, and guardians of your realm. I question only whom they answer to, and should they wish to confirm or deny what I have said here today, then a call for transparency and accountability is required. I echo only the same sentiments of my new friends in the United Nations in saying so. Thank you."
No questions taken, he leaves.
Quickly.