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[thecoolerloki]

Not in the same manner, at least when I was younger. No milkshakes or cellphones either. Or widespread Midgardian civilization.

[It depends on the stories, obviously. But for his, Loki is of age by the time of the vikings. Even if perhaps, that was precisely when Loki was born. God things!

The important thing is that modern food is full of so many additives and sugars and it's the BEST. He happily scarfs down the food placed in front of him.]

[rehandle]

[ The bacon makes the journey across the room in the pan, Stephen carrying it over to scoop it out onto Loki's plate and a couple of rashers on another plate conveniently appeared for himself. A hum of acknowledgement for the list. ]

There are worse places to end up.

[ Not home. Never home again, most likely. But if there's anywhere to live out your afterlife, at least it's somewhere with milkshakes, cellphones, gaming consoles and bacon. ]

[thecoolerloki]

[Loki continues eating in silence for a bit longer. He can't talk if his mouth's still full, after all. Not that that would have ever stopped Thor.

But the distraction of bacon can only last so long. He sighs.]

Am I grounded?

[rehandle]

Are you going to do it again?

[ As with the house, it seems to him the lesson was self teaching. Punishment after that seems a little obsolete. He waits for an answer while taking another casual bite of breakfast. ]

[thecoolerloki]

[A look!!! Because who the Hel would do that again?]

No. For a variety of reasons, but namely that I just experienced my own death and I'm extremely tired.

[rehandle]

Then what would be the point in me grounding you?

[ He meets that look with a raised brow of his own and the smallest hint of a smile: it's not funny, but there's something relatable in discussing the exhausting experience of death over breakfast. ]

[thecoolerloki]

The All-Mother would force me to go apologize to everyone.

[And then Volstagg would give him stable duty too, probably.]

Are you still alright with my living here? I could check with the Society about their provided housing.

[rehandle]

[ It's a conscientious enough question that he doesn't think the All-Mother's lessons were in vain. ]

You didn't do any major damage [ physically, anyway ] and you don't intend a repeat performance. So long as you understand that going forward I'll tolerate lies from you less than I'll tolerate them from either of the others, you're welcome to stay.

[ Which isn't to say that Loki lied to him in this. It's more that... ]

Transparency was your thing going into this, wasn't it? I'll need you to honor that, at least when it matters. This isn't going to happen again.

[ Or anything like it. Because the next time something big looms, he's going to know about it before it gets out of control. ]

[thecoolerloki]

I told you everything that I could. And I stayed true to my word in regards to revenge plots.

[Just so they're clear!]

My downfall was the same as it was in life. That is no coincidence, given that I am a being of story. The plot was trying to correct itself, I think.

[rehandle]

[ There's an argument to be made that he didn't tell him quite everything he could in advance of a internet-wide announcement that you ought to let the little voices in, but he'll hold off on that point in favor of asking, a little more carefully: ]

Your downfall being?

[thecoolerloki]

I trusted too easily. And more than that, even when I didn't trust fully, I thought myself clever enough to come out on top. Whether it was the Fear Gods, Mephisto, my past self, or the demons of this realm.

[Arrogance. A common problem for Lokis!]

I was betrayed by my fellow villains, of course, but... my own dog turned on me, Stephen. I wasn't able to control a Helpup, let alone deal with the consequences of all my schemes.

[rehandle]

[ There's quiet for a time. But in lieu of a comfort that can't be given when life's been lost, he eventually decides that all that's left to offer is insight. Perhaps a little camaraderie. ]

You're not the first person to overestimate themselves to the point of disaster. You're not even the only one in this room. It's not ideal when that's what it takes for us to realise our mistake and make room for change, but sometimes...

[ Sometimes it is. Growing has always come with its pains. ]

[thecoolerloki]

[Loki jokingly looks around the room for someone else, as if he can't believe that Stephen would ever make such a mistake! Gasp!

But at the mention of change, he thinks back on what his past self once told him.]

"Change or die. I would rather die than not change." ... Loki said that. The one before me.

The narrative was starting to take hold of me here, I think. Not just the plot trying to carry itself out, but the role of Loki too. Everyone told me I was like him.

[rehandle]

[ To be a being of story sounds nothing short of exhausting. Mortal existence is trying enough, especially when you throw in life as one of the dimension's primary defenders, but at least his journey is decided by his own two feet, however many stupid missteps they might make. ]

I'm not going to pretend to know what that's like. But if you're not happy being told who you are, it might be time to start talking over people when they try to fit you into shapes you've outgrown.

[thecoolerloki]

But I've spent so long doing exactly that. Every meeting, every conversation I've had since I got here, since I was reborn even... has centered around telling the other that I am not the Loki they know.

[And while he won't deny that he is different from other Lokis and certainly his own person,]

I'm tired of hating myself. When I'm faced with other Lokis, I expect the worst because that is what I've been to taught to expect of myself. Why is it so bad if I'm like the old man? Thor loved him still.

[rehandle]

[ Complicated. It's complicated, being Loki. ]

Then embrace him.

[ It's what he's had to do, in order to grow. He's no god. He's not even sure he can entirely be called mortal anymore, the number of times he's died and the number of lives he's seen. But, even so, ]

We're constantly layering selves over selves, god or not. He was a stepping stone to you, the same as anyone alive was once a stepping stone to themselves. You don't have to denounce yourself to acknowledge past mistakes, and you don't have to be willing to repeat them to accept who you've been.

[thecoolerloki]

Would you welcome him as you've welcomed me? Be honest. I will know if you're lying.

[rehandle]

I don't know. I've never met him, I know next to nothing about him. But he's also not you. Saying I'd welcome him is as arbitrary as saying I'd welcome your second cousin twice removed. It doesn't mean you're any less welcome for having been him.

And you're defeating your own object. My opinion of the yous you've been isn't the one you want to change.

[thecoolerloki]

I fear that if I embrace him, I will lose the trust I've worked to build.

Perhaps you're right, though. Perhaps I shouldn't have cared so much about being trusted in the first place.

[rehandle]

Or you can try being more concerned with being trusted for your own sake than mistrusted for his.

[thecoolerloki]

[he smiles]

Mm, but that sounds too responsible. And I'm Loki.