[Okay, they both know that's a lie. Frankly the worst part of this all is the fact it wasn't just the demonic influence. Everything he said, everything he thought and felt, was the truth, in some way or another.]
[ Angela pulls back far enough that she can touch a gently hand to Loki's chin and tilt his face up to look him in the eye. ]
The lengths to which a person will go to ensure their own survival will often surprise, and sometimes scare, even themselves. But turning to whispers in the dark is never the answer.
[ Angela feels a bit out of her depth in this conversation. She knows that the concept of stories is intrinsic to Lokis' lived experiences, but having no experience herself with being a part of any fated narrative, she does not feel she can adequately advise him. ]
What do you think Leah would want for you, in this moment?
[Hela never had a father, but Loki thinks that regardless, he owes something to her for having brought her into the world.]
She would want to be free of our stories, but such a thing is not possible for either Leah that I knew. The first was only a fragment of Hela's soul, and the second... She's made of words and ink. I gave her what free will I could, not knowing it was fleeting. The story will make her Hela.
[ The Queen of the Angels made Angela into what she is today, but that did not stop her from banishing Angela from Heven when her true heritage was revealed. Perhaps Freyja and Odin love Angela, but they have done nothing to prove that love, so Angela lives her life as though they do not. ]
I cannot say that the same is true for the Leah that I know. If she is to become Hela someday, that day has not yet come. She is living her life in this moment, independent of the narrative you wrote for her. She seized her freedom with her own hands.
[Laufey and Farbauti hated him for his size, something he had no control over. Odin and Freyja... are Odin and Freyja. Even Thor hadn't thought too deeply as to how Loki might take to being dropped in a world that hated him. Loki hated himself for failing Leah in a similar manner.]
From what I understand, your Leah has stepped outside of time, at the very least. Every other Leah is fated to grow up alone in the ancient past.
There is stepping outside of time in the permits of the story and... whatever this is.
Besides, the story allows Leah and Hela to coexist, it always has. When there are two Lokis, well- I believe you've already witnessed the outcome of that.
Whatever questions I had, I no longer have them. This will not happen again. I would promise it, but I realize how little worth my words hold to most. Still.
I am going to die, Angela.
[His gaze meets her own finally, resolute and determined. And then something shifts, and he smiles.]
Still that's no reason not to get into any mischief here. Especially when I have the firstborn of Odin here to defend me no matter what!
[ That is deserving of a hair ruffle. But at least he seems to be feeling himself again. She is reassured that he will be alright, at least for the time being.
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I imagine he is. He certainly has reason to be.
[ Her tone is even, giving no indication that she herself is angry. She's just glad the ordeal is over. ]
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[Okay, they both know that's a lie. Frankly the worst part of this all is the fact it wasn't just the demonic influence. Everything he said, everything he thought and felt, was the truth, in some way or another.]
I only wanted to live.
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The lengths to which a person will go to ensure their own survival will often surprise, and sometimes scare, even themselves. But turning to whispers in the dark is never the answer.
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[The only difference was that the demon had the means to seemingly enact it, while Leah didn't.]
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[ Which, she believes, is not what Loki would have wanted. ]
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[Which is currently making him more sad than his own death.]
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What do you think Leah would want for you, in this moment?
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[Looking back... he's surprised by how nice that older Leah was.]
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[ One does not reshape one's universe to put someone one hates at the center of it. ]
What would Leah want for herself?
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[Hela never had a father, but Loki thinks that regardless, he owes something to her for having brought her into the world.]
She would want to be free of our stories, but such a thing is not possible for either Leah that I knew. The first was only a fragment of Hela's soul, and the second... She's made of words and ink. I gave her what free will I could, not knowing it was fleeting. The story will make her Hela.
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[ The Queen of the Angels made Angela into what she is today, but that did not stop her from banishing Angela from Heven when her true heritage was revealed. Perhaps Freyja and Odin love Angela, but they have done nothing to prove that love, so Angela lives her life as though they do not. ]
I cannot say that the same is true for the Leah that I know. If she is to become Hela someday, that day has not yet come. She is living her life in this moment, independent of the narrative you wrote for her. She seized her freedom with her own hands.
I have faith that you can do the same.
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[Laufey and Farbauti hated him for his size, something he had no control over. Odin and Freyja... are Odin and Freyja. Even Thor hadn't thought too deeply as to how Loki might take to being dropped in a world that hated him. Loki hated himself for failing Leah in a similar manner.]
From what I understand, your Leah has stepped outside of time, at the very least. Every other Leah is fated to grow up alone in the ancient past.
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Besides, the story allows Leah and Hela to coexist, it always has. When there are two Lokis, well- I believe you've already witnessed the outcome of that.
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I cannot counsel you on what path to take. If there are answers to the questions your survival poses, I do not have them.
[ And again, she looks him in the eye, her stark white eyes holding as much kindness and love as they can. ]
But, while we are here, I will see that no harm comes to you. Even by your own hands.
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I am going to die, Angela.
[His gaze meets her own finally, resolute and determined. And then something shifts, and he smiles.]
Still that's no reason not to get into any mischief here. Especially when I have the firstborn of Odin here to defend me no matter what!
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[ That is deserving of a hair ruffle. But at least he seems to be feeling himself again. She is reassured that he will be alright, at least for the time being.
She stands from the bed and makes to leave. ]
Do not make me regret my pledge.
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If you were any other way, you would not be my brother.
[ And with that, she takes her leave, her ribbons trailing behind her. ]