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[dothelokimotion]

[ the feed starts with loki looking somewhat wan and tired, but not easily spotted by those who don't know him. he speaks smoothly, without a hint of annoyance. ]

First off, for new arrivals and older ones who may be unaware, the Operium is always open for hire. If you're struggling for a job, then you're welcome to seek me out and find gainful employment.

Secondly, Thor has left this place. His belongings, however, are still here. I have in my possession:
- Some red cloaks
- A gaming console with a Fortnite subscription claimed
- A grill
- A charm bracelet
- A book on how to raise goats

You can come claim these at the Sunset Falls park. You have half an hour before I set them on fire. Good day.

Comments

( action, sunset falls )

[dothelokimotion]

[ as stated, loki is in the middle of the park with a whole bunch of stuff piled up. he seems to be fiddling with something, though he quickly tucks it away when someone arrives. ]

action;

[hevenly]

[ Angela is there. She's probably been there for a while, standing a fair distance away, letting Loki have his moment of solitary contemplation. Eventually, though, she does approach. When she does, she says no words of greeting, nor does she inquire about what it was Loki hastily tucked away.

She just nods, and places a hand on Loki's shoulder. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ there is a sour taste in his mouth, but to his credit, he does not shrug off her hand. he had expected an ending. he was not a fool. when it came down to it, he would pick jane foster.

loki was just. not enough. ]

[hevenly]

[ For a long moment, they stand, siblings who are not siblings, looking at the pile of a departed sibling's belongings.

Finally, Angela speaks. ]

When we find a way to leave this world for good, you will be with him again.

[dothelokimotion]

[ that startles an abruptly bitter laugh from him. ]

No, we can't. And I won't bother. I'm done.

[hevenly]

[ A briefly raised eyebrow at the laugh, but she's not buying it. ]

If you were done, you would have lit the pyre already.

[dothelokimotion]

[ blithely. ]

Call it my last act of generousity. After all, Thor loved people so much. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to have his possession passed around. Just like any ordinary person.

[hevenly]

[ Again, doubt. ]

Tell me what it is that is really bothering you. Do it now, before any others come to witness your pain.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki scoffs. ]

Who will know? There is no one left who knows me. They're all gone. And I care not for anyone else.

[hevenly]

[ Is that how it is.

Angela's hand leaves Loki's shoulder finally. ]

Well, if you care not for anyone else...

[ She's just going to leave. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ he thinks about taking it back, a moment's hesitation but he shakes it off.

in time, she will be gone too. ]

[hevenly]

[ Joke's on him when she shows up to work the next morning. She's not abandoning him, but if he doesn't want to talk to her then she's not going to initiate conversation either. ]

( after some time )

[dothelokimotion]

[ his temper had cooled a little, at least enough to approach her. ]

I hadn't meant it like that.

[unkindled_madness]

[When he sees the post, Sephiroth does not bother to respond. He just heads for the park. Thor leaving is nothing to be taken lightly.

...but he's also never really understood their relationship. What does he say in this situation? Anything?]

...I'm here.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki didn't respond for a long moment before he glances at sephiroth. ]

You didn't need to be. It's — This is nothing.

[unkindled_madness]

...

I thought we established, this sort of activity is best shared.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki lets out a hiss. ]

There's nothing to be shared. I'm going to burn it all away. Everything.

[ he grips the charm bracelet, hidden away. ]

[unkindled_madness]

I didn't come here to stop you. If you want to burn it, then burn it.

[dothelokimotion]

[ his fingers grip the bracelet. metal digs into his skin but all he wants to do is press harder and harder until it's completely distorted. until there's nothing left. better to let it burn. ]

I don't care if he didn't have a choice. I don't care. So what if Thor is gone or all the other connections I've made is gone? It doesn't matter. It never mattered. It's just like the islands.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth moves closer, close enough to reach out and touch Loki, but he doesn't. Not yet.]

...the islands didn't matter?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki seemingly rambles, not really conscious of himself or anything else. all he can feel is the bite of metal. ]

It was the same. I would try. And I would fail. They didn't want anything to do with me, they all gave up on me. Maybe that'll happen to us too. I'll fail you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Now, Sephiroth does reach out a hand and place it firmly on Loki's arm.]

I am not going to abandon you. I don't believe you could fail me in any way that mattered.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki whirls around to face him, eyes bright and feverish with tears. ]

Then why? I'm — I'm a better person, aren't I? I haven't hurt anyone. I gave Thor everything I thought he could want. Why wasn't it enough? Why am I not enough?

[ his hands go to his hair as if he wants to pull the strands out. ]

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to be enough and it'll just keep happening. I'll keep losing.

[unkindled_madness]

Loki...

When the world fails you, it isn't because you deserve it. It isn't a just thing.

[Which seems to be one thing that he learned before Loki. There are no inherent rewards for goodness or punishment for harm.]

But you are enough for me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki bows his head. sephiroth was right. he knew that. there are no scales to the universe. and yet, he feels so bruised.

he fishes something from out of his pocket. when he unfolds his fingers, the bracelet sits in the center of his palm. ]

It's . . . the bracelet I gave him. For Yule.

Long — I thought he was happy. Side by side. Like — Like before. But maybe he wasn't. Maybe it's . . . over. He's moved on from me, like I kept saying he would. And it came true.