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[livingsymbol]

This is Steve Rogers. Leave a message and I'll contact you when I can.

Comments

[ikols]

... I think Stephen and I could trick him, if we worked together.

[ And if Stephen was up to full power again. Hopefully. ]

This new Loki, he's young in mentality.

[livingsymbol]

You could trick him? But not stop him?

[ Is the other Loki that strong? Or is their younger looking Loki recovering from his losses and still building up his strength? Stephen certainly looks like he's seen better days. ]

They're from a different world. Maybe he's younger than you.

[ Congratulations, Lokes, you actually got a joke out of him. ]

[ikols]

[ So many questions, huff. ]

He's obviously younger, he hasn't even gotten old yet. [ That totally makes sense. ] This is a lamb not only walking to the slaughter, he's headbutting his way to the front of the queue. Do you remember how I was, Steve? Gnarled, weathered, bitter. When I spoke with him, he sounded halfway there.

[livingsymbol]

[ Questions are lately all Steve seems to have control over. Everyone else is changing and leaving and telling him he can't understand. All the blond can do is push for information, because no one is going to give him the benefit of the doubt either. It's a different kind of assumption, but one that still locks him in.

Maybe that's why he listened to the other Loki at all. He heard something of himself in him. ]

He has something to prove. Even the old Loki wanted that. And if he's younger, then maybe he doesn't have to become what you were.

[ He sighs heavily. ]

And the same goes for you.

[ikols]

I already did, that's why I came here. I ... [ Well, shit. ] I wanted to save myself before I had to go through it, because my future evil self was forcing me to.

[ Which is cowardly but he doesn't particularly care anymore, breathing air and being touched and speaking in sane tones is a rare gift. ]

It's complicated. My point is, why aren't you on my side?

[livingsymbol]

I don't know that I should be on anyone's side just yet. As far as I can tell, there are no sides as long as we are here unless we make them.

Maybe we shouldn't.

[ Which is about as close as Steve gets to admitting he has regrets about his own choices to fight. Even now, he doesn't completely think it was wrong, since everyone can only do what they feel is right, but in Riverview maybe they do have a chance to do things differently. And while Steve isn't jumping to side with Loki, he's not disagreeing with his points. ]

I'm giving him a chance. He asked me to.

[ikols]

That's really nice of you, it is, but do remember he's fond of stabbing things. Avenger-shaped things.

[ Stay safe, idiot!! ]

[livingsymbol]

It's not nice.

[ He knows it isn't a nice gesture. It's a decision to be fair, but he doesn't believe he's nice. ]

Are you worried about my safety?

[ikols]

You may be one of my oldest enemies and in this transitional stage of our acquaintance things are difficult to understand, but trust that you are at least the Steve Rogers of my universe. If any Loki is going to hoodwink you, I get first dibs.

[ Can't exactly say, yes, I'm trying to protect you. This is more believable. ]

[livingsymbol]

[ Even though Loki doesn't say it, Steve hears it. And it's strange, having Loki actually worried about what trouble he might get into. It makes Steve wonder for a moment where things have gone that their lives have turned out this way. ]

You might have to argue custody with him. But I'll be careful.

[ Don't worry, Loki. He'll spare your pride this time and not acknowledge that nice gesture of yours. Although he'll remember it later. ]

I'm pretty durable anyway.

[ikols]

Not that durable.

[ He has to be a shit somehow. ]

[livingsymbol]

Try me some time.

[That? That one was almost friendly.]

[ikols]

[ Hmmmmmm. ]

No hitting the eyes.

[livingsymbol]

I'll try to remember that. No disappearing.

[ikols]

Aww, that's no fun.

[livingsymbol]

If I made it fun for you, then you'd be disappointed in me. I'm giving you a challenge.

[ikols]

Alternatively, if you wanted to surprise me, you could let me do anything I want.

[livingsymbol]

I wouldn't be doing you any favors if I allowed that, Loki.

[Surprise. Steve's tone for once is almost kind. The sort of gentle correction he uses on the Avengers.]