Totally happy is a tad bit of an exaggeration. Even bad situations have their uses. [ it all game down to how to use something. for Loki, even events that could possibly hinder him could be used for something. he was good at rearranging debt; no one wanted debt from him, almost as much as no one wanted to be in his debt.

this situation is far preferable to the precarious circumstances that await him at home. ]

Though I think it's more ALASTAIR's poor communication skills, rather than any nefarious dealings on their part. That still does bring up another good question: what basis are they making these the decision? What world needs help, what world gets destroyed?

If there's a beholder, they're doing a fine job of keeping it under wraps.