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[dothelokimotion]

@ tricks
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@senua

[senuna]

[ The message comes at an odd hour if there's such a thing as 3 a.m. in space. It is also unpreempted, almost as if she has had an earlier conversation with him that he was never made aware of. ]

Once we have the star map, you would know the way back to Asgard.

[dothelokimotion]

[ this is definitely not a conversation he wants to have late at night, sharing quarters with thor. but he rarely sleeps or sleeps well as it is. ]

No. There is no way back to Asgard.

[senuna]

[ Thwarted at every attempt. When will she learn? ]

You can travel without ships.

[dothelokimotion]

I can. What of it?

[senuna]

Then, once we know where we are, you could go wherever you wish.

[dothelokimotion]

[ well. maybe. that depends on thor. it's highly unlikely loki will leave thor behind. though the urge is there to run, to hide, to burrow so deep thanos can't find him. ]

Possibly. We have to see where we end up first.

[senuna]

[ The same urge in different forms. This made-up quest is an attempt to hold herself together. ]

I will help you. I keep my word.

[dothelokimotion]

I will hold you to it.

[senuna]

Do you keep your promises, Loki?

[ A silly question from a silly girl. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I keep the ones that matter.

[senuna]

That isn't fair.

[ The gods are never fair. She thinks it matters that she says it. ]

[dothelokimotion]

Nothing is fair.

[senuna]

I am.

[ Whatever the cost. ]

You can be.

[dothelokimotion]

Being fair sounds highly overrated.

[senuna]

It would make even you, Loki, predictable.

[dothelokimotion]

[ low blow. ]

I'll save the concept of fairness for the heroes.

[senuna]

[ She thinks it's a compliment. ]

As you said. You are yourself. In all things.

[dothelokimotion]

Of course. How else should one be?

[ he's tired of molding himself into other spaces, to fit into other people's expectations. ]

[senuna]

Whatever you imagine yourself to be.

[ Maybe this is a challenge, if only gods weren't bound by their definitions. ]

[dothelokimotion]

That is my choice to make.

[ and, at the very least, thanos didn't rob him of that. his life, his future and, for a moment, his sense of worthiness, of believing he deserved that second chance.

he's no longer that fool, but loki is still himself. ]

[senuna]

Yes. It is.

[ Stories shift depending on how it's told. So goes with people. Senua believes reality to be malleable, time a suggestion. Her mind, split as it is, the ultimate master. ]

Will you tell me a story?

[dothelokimotion]

Why not? Which story should I tell?

[senuna]

The one with the snake.

[dothelokimotion]

[ huh. ]

Did Thor mention that?

[senuna]

No. My old friend, Druth, told me.

[ Perhaps even the machine tells him the meaning of that name. A liar. An old fool. ]

I would hear you tell it.