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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

[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.

[hevenly]

[ She's in the middle of something when he finally does approach her, but she sets it down, giving him her whole attention. She still doesn't know the root of what is causing this reaction to Thor's disappearance, but she is here for him, however he needs her to be. ]

Tell me, then. How did you mean it?

[dothelokimotion]

[ his gaze skitters as he leans against the wall. ]

When I arrived here, I had . . . attempted to make friends. And for a while, I thought I had.

And the Confluence has taken them all. It just takes and takes.

[hevenly]

[ She nods solemnly. Though his gaze cannot seem to keep focus on any one thing, hers remains solidly on his face. ]

That is the nature of these worlds, these realms between realms. Ryslig was the same. We are taken from our home worlds, and just when we form bonds, create lives for ourselves in these new worlds, we are taken from them once more, or others are taken from us.

[ She sighs, and finally she looks away from him, looking down at the hands she knows will grow claws in another day or so, when the moon becomes full. Those hands ball into fists. ]

I will not tell you to wait patiently until you are returned to your world. But you cannot burn down every memory of it in this one.

[dothelokimotion]

[ yes. the islands were the same. now this place. it seems he has no luck and it's hard not to attribute it to himself. what is he missing? what does he need?

maybe it's time to give up trying to be good and nice. and go back to the roots. to power. ]

. . . I can't go home, Angela. I'm dead. And they've already moved on.

[hevenly]

[ There is a brief look of grief, a look similar to the one she gave the spelled echo of the boy Loki when he left her back on Ego. A mournful look, for the death of a sibling she never got a chance to know in life.

But it passes, and a look of determination takes its place. ]

Then you, too, have something to change. Something to fight for.

[dothelokimotion]

. . . It won't matter.

[ even if he had — ]

I'll just lose.

[hevenly]

Unacceptable.

If you give up before you even try, then you are no Odinson.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki bristles. ]

What makes you think I have not tried? That I have not kept trying?

[hevenly]

Then show me! You cannot just lay down and accept death. You will live, if I have to drag you out of Hel myself. And I will, whether that is the Hel of the dead, or a Hel of your own making!

[ She slams her fist on the nearest surface, and her eyes glow a harsh yellow— traces of the Fog's curse showing before the rapidly approaching full moon. ]

Do you want to return home?

[dothelokimotion]

[ his eyes flash in turn, and he stands his ground. ]

I have no interest in laying down and dying, but I can't go home. And why should I? I sacrificed my life for Asgard and for what?

I deserve better than that.

[hevenly]

Then forge yourself a new life. Come with me, to liberate those captured by the Fog. Stay here, and carve your name into this world's history. Find somewhere new, that has never heard of Asgard or Loki before, and do with them what you will.

Do anything but let bitterness poison your heart.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he crosses his arms for a moment before he replies. ]

I — I will go with Sephiroth. We had already planned and I haven't changed my mind. And he . . . cares for me. To him, I'm important. He won't let me go.

[ but he's deathly afraid now that he'll lose that too. every single thing he's worked for, any sort of relationship he has tried, has just ended with no way of loki to fight back. ]

[hevenly]

[ Angela is heartened to hear this. Loki had said in the park and again today that he had no one. But it still seems he is not so sure. ]

Do you care for him, as he cares for you?

[dothelokimotion]

[ quietly. ]

Like no one else.

[hevenly]

[ A smile, and a nod. It would seem this answer is satisfactory. ]

Then you will fight to stay by his side. No matter what may come.