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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]

It was a long time coming. I was merely fooling myself.

[rehandle]

We all hope for things to last that we can't guarantee. That doesn't make fools of us.

[dothelokimotion]

Doesn't it?

[ a few seconds pass before the next message. ]

I went to New Asgard. A few months ago. It seems they prospered.

[rehandle]

Good. They were doing well last I knew.

[ And he can't tell whether that's wrapped up in the rest of it, not sure what it is exactly that had left Loki ready to burn it all away, so he doesn't offer anything more in answer. Unwilling to add fuel where it doesn't need to be. ]

[dothelokimotion]

Yes.

Do you think your world needs you, Stephen Strange?

[rehandle]

[ That's a dangerous question. ]

To remain my world, present tense, it needs me. But it would go on without me. Differently, but on.

[dothelokimotion]

Is that why you remain a sorcerer?

So that it could need you?

[rehandle]

Maybe.

You saved it, you know.

[dothelokimotion]

Twice, technically.

But saving someone isn't enough. Loving someone isn't enough. In the end, it doesn't always translate to need.

It's not a world that needs tricksters anymore.

[rehandle]

Nothing can need what it's already lost if it hopes to survive. But I don't know that need is all it's cracked up to be, if that's how you're measuring your value.

[dothelokimotion]

How would you measure it?

[rehandle]

In your situation? I don't know. I've never had to think about it.

[ You know, posthumously. ]

I suppose I'd just be satisfied to have left behind a world that can go on without me. And if a few people remembered me for who I was rather than what I did.

What is it that's troubling you? It seems to be more than the loss.

[dothelokimotion]

[ he should have guessed it would be something like that. dull and insipid. or noble. ]

Loss implies that I've stopped losing.

[rehandle]

[ Oh, boy... ]

That doesn't entirely answer my question.

[ The hurt clearly runs deep, and who can blame him? ]

[dothelokimotion]

Does it not? What, then, can I do to stop myself from losing? Or should I simply be satisfied that I did the right thing, even though it cost me everything?

It doesn't matter what I do or what I commit to. There is no way to stop it.

[rehandle]

No. There isn't. But you're alive. You had time with family that you would never have had if it weren't for being in this place, you've built a life for yourself here that I assume you value.

You don't have to be happy about it. Life isn't fair, that's how it goes. But losing isn't all that you do, and the opportunity to keep on losing and living now is more than most people could hope for.

[dothelokimotion]

Bold talk from a man who refuses to do so. What life do you lead these days?