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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

[dothelokimotion]

[ he thinks of asgard. he thinks of his family, his parents. a long lost murderous sister, a fraught but loving relationship with a brother. all of these bonds have been cut long ago. loki folds his arms around himself, hunching his shoulders as if he wants to crumple himself up like paper.

finally he shakes his head. ]

I'm not trapped. I'm finally free.

[ perhaps it's better if sephiroth doesn't love him. what good is love? what good is loki's love? he was being childish all along. and love is for children. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth isn't convinced. He knows by now that it's never so simple, as much as one might want it to be. But... now isn't the time to argue it.

He nods.]

That can still be daunting, at first.

[dothelokimotion]

I've done it before. I can do it again.

[ long ago, falling without end. it was too much to hope it would stop. it never stops.

finally, loki throws a spark. thor's things catch fire and slowly start to burn. his cloaks wither. his bracelet, charred. he watches the fire for some time, mostly to make sure it won't get out of hand before he turns on his heel. ]

Shall we go?

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth watches with him, as long as he wants. He keeps comparing it in his mind to things they've burned before, but Thor was someone Loki loved, not hated. He wonders if he can fully understand it.

He looks up at the question, searching Loki's face.]

If you like.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki hesitates for a moment, something vulnerable peeking through. ]

Would you — be willing to come to my apartment instead? I don't want to go back . . . alone.

[unkindled_madness]

[That feels more honest, and something in Sephiroth eases.]

Of course. I'd be happy to.

[dothelokimotion]

Thank you.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth moves a little closer, offering his hand.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ after a moment, loki takes the hand. it trembles under sephiroth's touch. ]

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth's grip, by contrast, is firm.]

I'm here.

[dothelokimotion]

I — [ but then he shakes his head, thinking better of it. the crackle of the fire can be heard behind them. ]

Let's just go.

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth nods, heading out in the direction of Loki's apartment.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ when they arrive, stormbreaker is leaning against the wall. loki's breath hitches at the sight of it and it seems his composure is ready to fall apart. ]

That's . . .

[unkindled_madness]

He left his weapon?

[dothelokimotion]

It . . . seems that way.

[ did thor leave it . . . for loki? ]

[unkindled_madness]

[He eyes Loki. This isn't the much-talked-of hammer, so he's not sure what to make of it.]

Is it special?

[dothelokimotion]

[ for a moment, loki doesn't answer. then he gently untangles sephiroth's hand to head towards stormbreaker. it's a large, unwieldy weapon for loki, but he's not that much weaker than thor and he can lift it with ease. and . . . he feels it. lightning crackles around the axe, curling around loki. it stings a little but it doesn't hurt. finally he sets it down. ]

It is . . . special in its own way.

[unkindled_madness]

[Another reminder of Thor.]

...it seems to be enchanted.

[dothelokimotion]

Yes. It is connected to the Bifrost.

If we keep this . . . once we leave, we could travel the universe without any issues.

[unkindled_madness]

You mean...

Could he have used it to leave at any time?

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki shakes his head. ]

I don't think the Confluence would have let him.

[unkindled_madness]

I see.

Still, it's... a useful thing to have left behind.

[dothelokimotion]

. . . Do you think he left it for me?

[unkindled_madness]

[Sephiroth considers that for a moment.]

If it was his choice to leave, then he must have.

[dothelokimotion]

[ loki seems to stare at it before he shakes his head. ]

Do you want some wine? I can go fetch some and — you can make yourself comfortable in the bedroom. Or any room.