[This was the first time Loki had left New Asgard since he'd been reborn. And truthfully, he was torn. As much as he'd like to see more of the world, his idea of fun was not meeting with Thor's grown-up friends. When Thor told him he had to take off his crown, he realized this encounter would be even less fun than he'd previously imagined. Maybe his brother thought it would be fun for him. They'd be lying, after all. But Thor wasn't good at lying whatsoever, so it was more a lie of omission than anything else.
And then it got worse. Somehow, it got worse. Thor left him there with barely any introduction, a sudden mission calling him away. Apparently it was more important than this meeting which he'd arranged in the first place.
Refusing to actually interact with anyone, lest he mess up his brother's lie and get himself locked up or killed, Loki walks off by himself and begins taking pictures with his phone of anything that looks interesting and vaguely Avengers-y. At least his followers might enjoy this?]
AUed the family right out of Clint to make things easier
[ All Thor's really told them about this kid is that he's an orphan left in his care after Thanos attacked the refugees on the Statesman. And while his parents weren't killed in a space battle with some guy trying to become a god, Clint knows some things about being an orphan, has an idea what he might be going through. He's not surprised when he notices the kid wandering off, keeping to himself. That'd be fine if they weren't in the middle of Avengers Central, probably a whole different speed from Asgard or Norway. Kid could wander into the wrong lab and become the next Hulk. ]
[Loki sighs. Ikol reminds him that a tour may be useful if he ever does need to face the Avengers. If Ikol was him, actually, he would use this opportunity to wipe any data on Loki that they have. But of course, he is no longer Loki.]
... how does one begin this tour?
[He's going to enjoy it as a normal child just to spite his former self.]
[ Clint smiles just a little because Asgardians are so literal. ]
It's... okay. I know I said 'official' but it was kind of a joke. I really just meant I can show you around so you don't go wandering off on your own. So, it begins here, I guess?
[ He waves a hand around at the front lobby. ]
This is the lobby. Just kind of a place people sit and wait to be let in to the rest of the building. That's Diane over at reception. She decides who gets in and who doesn't.
[ And he waves to Diane, who is very clearly a robot. Still, she waves back. ]
[ He notices the worried look on the kid's face and assumes it's about Thanos. ]
Don't worry, she's very good at her job. She uses face detection, voice detection, gait recognition, and probably like a million other things Stark programmed in. We're pretty safe in here.
You're not wrong though. There are bad guys out there who can look like someone else. Hey, Diane, you can detect Skrulls, right?
[ "Certainly, Agent Barton," says a voice that sounds an awful lot like a breathier female version of Jarvis. "In addition to what you have already listed, my scans include alien lifeform detection. However, I have not yet been programmed to detect magical influence. I believe Mr. Stark is working on it, especially given the advent of Asgardian presence on this planet." ]
Does your rec room contain a PS5 perchance? Or a Nintendo Switch?
[Ikol sighs, and while this amuses Loki... he also realizes his evil self might have a point about using this tour in a productive manner. But not in an evil way!]
That might be a good way to end the tour, in case my boredom returns. Otherwise, do the training rooms have provisions for magic users? I... I want to become stronger so that I can help Thor. I've been studying what I can, but Asgard's resources are not what they once were.
[ This kid's really putting him through his paces. Clint cocks his head, squints. ]
You're a magic user, huh?
[ He probably should have guessed that, given all the magic questions, but isn't that kind of a rare discipline in Asgard? Clint realizes he has no idea. ]
Tony probably set up something for Wanda to practice on, but I'm not sure. Wanna go check it out?
You are very unprepared to face any sort of Asgardian threat, it would seem.
[Namely him. How Ikol ever lost to them, he can't imagine. The echo of his former self grumbles angrily at him, reminding Loki that he himself was scared of these mighty Avengers only a few minutes ago.]
[ He'd never admit it, but that smile chills him to the bone. And although his mind freezes up, his body is too well-trained for that. He backs up into a crouch and puts his hand on the hilt of the combat knife strapped to his leg in one fluid motion. Even if he's pretty sure it won't do much against Loki. ]
Diane!
[ The robot may be behind the door in the lobby, but Diane is technically everywhere. Even if she can't detect magic (yet), she's fully capable of locking down the entire building. ]
[Okay, so he's actually extremely scared right now, but luckily? Loki's good at lying. Especially to himself. He merely frowns and eyes Clint's knife.]
You fear me more than you trust my brother.
[Whereas the other Loki might have been giddy at this information, ready to shove it in Thor's face, he sounds more disappointed than anything.]
I haven't lied to you, Clint Barton. I don't know any magic. I do wonder what Instagram would think of Hawkeye threatening a defenseless child, though. An orphan at that. And twice over too. [But the threat is nothing more than a thought, his phone is still in his pockets.]
[ Diane's voice, pleasant as always in a crisis, asks him what he would like to do and he doesn't hesitate one damn second from asking her to not only lock down the building, but to send some backup. ]
You mean Thor? The guy who lied to me? Who'd've thought? [ That guy's gonna be lucky if he doesn't end up the same place this kid is going. Diane is also going to be giving him a strongly worded message in the meantime. ]
And you. All you do is lie. 'Defenseless kid', yeah, right. [ He shakes his head, because he can't believe he actually fell for it, didn't see the signs. Seriously, 'Luke'? And asking all those questions about magic? The whole 'my brother' slip-up? ]
If you're so defenseless, prove it. Take a walk with me to the holding area, and don't try anything.
[Loki angrily crosses his arms. To make matters worse, he has to deal with Ikol going, I told you so. Stupid bird. Stupid evil self. It's his fault they're in this mess at all.]
There's nothing I can try anyways. I told Thor this was stupid.
[But Thor said he needed to give them a chance. If he did, then they'd give him a chance as well. How unfortunate that his brother is as foolish as he is strong.]
I'm not... I'm not like him. [Like the other Loki. His voice is weaker, and he crosses his arms even further to hide the fact that his hands are shaking.]
Like Thor? Yeah, buddy, we all know that. [ And it's a damned shame, he thinks, because as much as the idea of Loki still leaves a bad taste in his mouth these days, the guy had skills. Would've been nice if he'd decided to use them for good. But wishes are horses and all that. He straightens up, motions for Loki to walk ahead of him. ]
Come on. Let's just get you into a nice secure room and you can tell me all about it. [ If this really is a kid version of Loki and not just some trick, he plans to go easy on him. And he's certainly acting like a kid. Like, more than usual. But he's not taking any chances this time. ]
[Loki walks ahead as prompted, taking a few deep breaths in order to calm himself. The Avengers won’t hurt him. They are good people, Thor says. But Thor also says the same of the Asgardians, who Loki knows would kill him if they had the chance.]
... will this nice secure room have WiFi? Or a PS5? That would be nice.
Maybe later. [ Although now that Loki has mentioned WiFi, he might just have to confiscate that cellphone. Clint doesn't give a shit about Instagram, but it'd be nice if Loki didn't manage to start an anti-Avengers riot through it.
They get to the holding area and he opens one of the cells, actually a really comfy looking, if sterile, room. Stark really went all out on the decor in here. Before Loki goes inside, though, Clint holds out his hand. ]
I'm gonna need your phone, and any weapons you might've brought with you. And don't think about keeping any, because this thing'll pick it up when you walk through it.
[ He can only imagine what this looks like without context, like he's mugging a kid at knifepoint for his valuables. Yeah, better he gets Loki's phone away from him now. ]
[Pouting, Loki hands over his phone, and then for dramatic effect, pulls his pockets all the way out to show that they're empty. No weapons. Maybe some lint.
He walks through and no alarms go off. Since after all, he is literally defenseless.]
Let's suppose that I am the Loki you knew. I'm very, very evil and made it onto one of those Top Ten Villain lists. Why have I not attacked you? Or enchanted you? Why am I still in this form?
Look, I don't know why you do half of what you do. [ Clint sighs, hating every minute of this, because he is still in that form and it's honestly bumming him out. At least Loki went into the cell voluntarily, but then he's done that before too, and it didn't end too well. ]
All I know is what you have done, and it wasn't good. [ Which is putting it mildly. Clint still has nightmares. ]
So, why don't you tell me why you're really here and maybe I'll believe you?
[Just so they're clear! At least all they're doing now is talking. Loki can handle talking. He's very good at talking.]
I've already told you. Unless you're going senile and have quickly forgotten. You are rather old.
[See? Very good at talking.]
Thor wanted me to meet with all of you. You are his friends for some reason and I am his brother, albeit reborn. The reborn part's important. I don't remember anything about my previous life as the guy with the weird hairline. I know your name and your face from Wikipedia, for example.
[ Clint folds his arms, unimpressed. That crack about Thor being friends with the Avengers for some reason is so vintage Loki. All it's missing is some death threats and maybe an attempted stabbing. ]
You did say you were going to reclaim what was yours. I'm really supposed to believe you're not the same guy, just shorter?
I am Loki. So by that logic anything that once belonged to Loki belongs to me. However, I am also not the same Loki that was. He died, after all. Need I remind you that I am, and was, a god? My life is more akin to a story told time and times again than anything fully linear. You may consider me the reboot, if that helps you comprehend it more easily.
So you want all of the perks and none of the responsibility? Life doesn't work like that.
I think I'm comprehending it just fine. You're some reincarnation of Loki, who wants all his old stuff but swears he isn't bad anymore. Even though the first thing out of your mouth was a lie, and you still pretend you're a god. Not off to a great start.
Am I getting that right? Or did dumb human Clint miss a step?
Dumb human Clint Barton is failing to have any nuance in his concept of morality and responsibility.
[:P]
The lie was Thor's fault anyways. I would've come up with something better if I had to, or more preferably I would have never come here. I don't pretend I'm a god either. I am one. The God of Mischief, not Evil.
That's the thing. I'm really not. You can't just wipe your slate clean like that. You inherit everything, not just the good stuff. And you end up paying for it all, even if you weren't... you when you did it.
[ He knows that very well. So does Nat. And now, so will Loki. He'll make sure of it. And he can feel his hands start to shake so maybe it's time to change the subject. ]
You're not a god. You're an alien who tricked people on Earth into thinking you were a god. Also, you know you're not doing yourself any favors here by telling me you'd just have 'lied better', right?
[he says more quietly. It is not the voice of a god, but the voice of a young boy who is reminded constantly the world would be better off without him.]
My brother was worried this would happen if we told you the truth. I feared worse, if I’m to be fully honest. He thought we might ease you into my rebirth, show you that I was different and then I suppose, go surprise! It’s Loki!
But I don’t want to be afraid anymore. Not of you, not of myself. That is why I chose to stop lying.
[ Yeah, he's not surprised Thor would pick the worst possible way to re-introduce his brother. Guy's great, but not the best at plans. Now that Loki's quit it with the bravado, sounds less sure and more vulnerable, he feels himself softening just a little. This wasn't just his fault, and he was a hundred percent right to be worried, even if going along with the lie was a terrible idea. ]
Are you different?
[ Clint seems skeptical, but in some ways he really wants to know. That's why he's even talking to this pint-sized version of Loki, giving him any chance at all. ]
Fair enough. [ And he guesses it is, despite everything. Second chances are kind of the Avengers' bread and butter. A group of people constantly trying to atone for their own sins, their own mistakes and missteps. ]
The way to do that? Make amends. Not threats, not demands. Put in the work, and eventually you earn that trust.
I've been working hard to make amends in New Asgard. But what would you have me do? Are you looking for an apology? I don't remember what he did to you, so I don't think it'd be all that heartfelt.
[If he were to be Luke, that would mean that Loki hadn't changed. He'd just be running away, hiding behind another illusion.]
I remember my childhood too. Growing up as a son of Odin alongside Thor. Thor's changed a lot, you know. Unfortunately, he still shouldn't be left in charge of plans. But, that is why I am Loki and he is Thor.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
for arrowminded
And then it got worse. Somehow, it got worse. Thor left him there with barely any introduction, a sudden mission calling him away. Apparently it was more important than this meeting which he'd arranged in the first place.
Refusing to actually interact with anyone, lest he mess up his brother's lie and get himself locked up or killed, Loki walks off by himself and begins taking pictures with his phone of anything that looks interesting and vaguely Avengers-y. At least his followers might enjoy this?]
AUed the family right out of Clint to make things easier
Hey. Uh, what was your name again?
[ Did Thor even give them a name? ]
RIP
Luke.
[Thor is terrible at lying.]
yeet them directly into the sun
You gotten the official tour yet?
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[Often enough to have an "official" tour.]
It's probably best that we wait for my br- for Thor. I would hate to miss out on his highlights and insightful commentary.
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[ He doesn't miss the slip up but he doesn't think much of it either. If Thor's practically raising him it makes sense to think of him as family. ]
Up to you, but Thor could be a while. Wouldn't want you to get bored.
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[Loki sighs. Ikol reminds him that a tour may be useful if he ever does need to face the Avengers. If Ikol was him, actually, he would use this opportunity to wipe any data on Loki that they have. But of course, he is no longer Loki.]
... how does one begin this tour?
[He's going to enjoy it as a normal child just to spite his former self.]
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It's... okay. I know I said 'official' but it was kind of a joke. I really just meant I can show you around so you don't go wandering off on your own. So, it begins here, I guess?
[ He waves a hand around at the front lobby. ]
This is the lobby. Just kind of a place people sit and wait to be let in to the rest of the building. That's Diane over at reception. She decides who gets in and who doesn't.
[ And he waves to Diane, who is very clearly a robot. Still, she waves back. ]
no subject
How does she decide that...?
[While he's already much more familiar with Midgardian technology than Thor is, robots are a little different than phones and even hacking.]
Does she stop, um, bad guys from getting in?
oh Loki/Ikol whoever you are ;;
[ He notices the worried look on the kid's face and assumes it's about Thanos. ]
Don't worry, she's very good at her job. She uses face detection, voice detection, gait recognition, and probably like a million other things Stark programmed in. We're pretty safe in here.
Unless she decides to go rogue.
no subject
[Realizing it's a rather specific question that really does make it seem like he's trying to case the place, he adds,]
Such schemes were commonplace in Asgard. I am curious if Midgard has been able to adapt.
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You've thought a lot about this, huh?
You're not wrong though. There are bad guys out there who can look like someone else. Hey, Diane, you can detect Skrulls, right?
[ "Certainly, Agent Barton," says a voice that sounds an awful lot like a breathier female version of Jarvis. "In addition to what you have already listed, my scans include alien lifeform detection. However, I have not yet been programmed to detect magical influence. I believe Mr. Stark is working on it, especially given the advent of Asgardian presence on this planet." ]
no subject
I do hope Mr. Stark is able to fix that soon. It would be terrible if someone were to slip in the cracks that way.
[You're having fun, Ikol whispers unseen on his shoulder.]
Now, what is next in the tour?
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Yeah. Terrible. Anyway, there's a couple different ways we could go once we're in.
[ And once they walk through the door Diane so helpfully swishes open he indicates the branching hallways. ]
Got dormitories and rec room down that way, armory and training rooms this way, and R&D down there. Got a preference for where to start?
no subject
[Ikol sighs, and while this amuses Loki... he also realizes his evil self might have a point about using this tour in a productive manner. But not in an evil way!]
That might be a good way to end the tour, in case my boredom returns. Otherwise, do the training rooms have provisions for magic users? I... I want to become stronger so that I can help Thor. I've been studying what I can, but Asgard's resources are not what they once were.
[All true.]
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You're a magic user, huh?
[ He probably should have guessed that, given all the magic questions, but isn't that kind of a rare discipline in Asgard? Clint realizes he has no idea. ]
Tony probably set up something for Wanda to practice on, but I'm not sure. Wanna go check it out?
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[should be able to? Will be able to once he's older?]
Something tells me I would be good at it. If there are any staves or spell books, I wouldn't mind taking a look.
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[ He tries not to laugh at the idea of Wanda with a... well. Wand. ]
I don't think we have any staves. Maybe spell books, but they'd be in the library.
[ And he points to the living quarters branch of the hallway. ]
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[Namely him. How Ikol ever lost to them, he can't imagine. The echo of his former self grumbles angrily at him, reminding Loki that he himself was scared of these mighty Avengers only a few minutes ago.]
Do you have anything that belonged to Loki?
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What?
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And yet, the smile he gives Clint is not unlike the Loki that once was.]
I only ask because I would like to reclaim what is rightfully mine. I am Loki of Asgard, after all.
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Diane!
[ The robot may be behind the door in the lobby, but Diane is technically everywhere. Even if she can't detect magic (yet), she's fully capable of locking down the entire building. ]
no subject
You fear me more than you trust my brother.
[Whereas the other Loki might have been giddy at this information, ready to shove it in Thor's face, he sounds more disappointed than anything.]
I haven't lied to you, Clint Barton. I don't know any magic. I do wonder what Instagram would think of Hawkeye threatening a defenseless child, though. An orphan at that. And twice over too. [But the threat is nothing more than a thought, his phone is still in his pockets.]
no subject
You mean Thor? The guy who lied to me? Who'd've thought? [ That guy's gonna be lucky if he doesn't end up the same place this kid is going. Diane is also going to be giving him a strongly worded message in the meantime. ]
And you. All you do is lie. 'Defenseless kid', yeah, right. [ He shakes his head, because he can't believe he actually fell for it, didn't see the signs. Seriously, 'Luke'? And asking all those questions about magic? The whole 'my brother' slip-up? ]
If you're so defenseless, prove it. Take a walk with me to the holding area, and don't try anything.
no subject
[Loki angrily crosses his arms. To make matters worse, he has to deal with Ikol going, I told you so. Stupid bird. Stupid evil self. It's his fault they're in this mess at all.]
There's nothing I can try anyways. I told Thor this was stupid.
[But Thor said he needed to give them a chance. If he did, then they'd give him a chance as well. How unfortunate that his brother is as foolish as he is strong.]
I'm not... I'm not like him. [Like the other Loki. His voice is weaker, and he crosses his arms even further to hide the fact that his hands are shaking.]
no subject
Come on. Let's just get you into a nice secure room and you can tell me all about it. [ If this really is a kid version of Loki and not just some trick, he plans to go easy on him. And he's certainly acting like a kid. Like, more than usual. But he's not taking any chances this time. ]
no subject
... will this nice secure room have WiFi? Or a PS5? That would be nice.
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They get to the holding area and he opens one of the cells, actually a really comfy looking, if sterile, room. Stark really went all out on the decor in here. Before Loki goes inside, though, Clint holds out his hand. ]
I'm gonna need your phone, and any weapons you might've brought with you. And don't think about keeping any, because this thing'll pick it up when you walk through it.
[ He can only imagine what this looks like without context, like he's mugging a kid at knifepoint for his valuables. Yeah, better he gets Loki's phone away from him now. ]
no subject
He walks through and no alarms go off. Since after all, he is literally defenseless.]
Let's suppose that I am the Loki you knew. I'm very, very evil and made it onto one of those Top Ten Villain lists. Why have I not attacked you? Or enchanted you? Why am I still in this form?
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All I know is what you have done, and it wasn't good. [ Which is putting it mildly. Clint still has nightmares. ]
So, why don't you tell me why you're really here and maybe I'll believe you?
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[Just so they're clear! At least all they're doing now is talking. Loki can handle talking. He's very good at talking.]
I've already told you. Unless you're going senile and have quickly forgotten. You are rather old.
[See? Very good at talking.]
Thor wanted me to meet with all of you. You are his friends for some reason and I am his brother, albeit reborn. The reborn part's important. I don't remember anything about my previous life as the guy with the weird hairline. I know your name and your face from Wikipedia, for example.
no subject
You did say you were going to reclaim what was yours. I'm really supposed to believe you're not the same guy, just shorter?
no subject
[And less evil, but he'll get to that.]
I am Loki. So by that logic anything that once belonged to Loki belongs to me. However, I am also not the same Loki that was. He died, after all. Need I remind you that I am, and was, a god? My life is more akin to a story told time and times again than anything fully linear. You may consider me the reboot, if that helps you comprehend it more easily.
no subject
[ He is just so done with all this 'god' stuff. ]
So you want all of the perks and none of the responsibility? Life doesn't work like that.
I think I'm comprehending it just fine. You're some reincarnation of Loki, who wants all his old stuff but swears he isn't bad anymore. Even though the first thing out of your mouth was a lie, and you still pretend you're a god. Not off to a great start.
Am I getting that right? Or did dumb human Clint miss a step?
no subject
[:P]
The lie was Thor's fault anyways. I would've come up with something better if I had to, or more preferably I would have never come here. I don't pretend I'm a god either. I am one. The God of Mischief, not Evil.
no subject
[ He knows that very well. So does Nat. And now, so will Loki. He'll make sure of it. And he can feel his hands start to shake so maybe it's time to change the subject. ]
You're not a god. You're an alien who tricked people on Earth into thinking you were a god. Also, you know you're not doing yourself any favors here by telling me you'd just have 'lied better', right?
no subject
[he says more quietly. It is not the voice of a god, but the voice of a young boy who is reminded constantly the world would be better off without him.]
My brother was worried this would happen if we told you the truth. I feared worse, if I’m to be fully honest. He thought we might ease you into my rebirth, show you that I was different and then I suppose, go surprise! It’s Loki!
But I don’t want to be afraid anymore. Not of you, not of myself. That is why I chose to stop lying.
no subject
Are you different?
[ Clint seems skeptical, but in some ways he really wants to know. That's why he's even talking to this pint-sized version of Loki, giving him any chance at all. ]
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[His voice is firm, not defensive. If he is sure of one thing, it is this. Or at least... he wants it to be this.]
I want to be good. I want others to trust me, as much as they are able to. Not for the sake of schemes, but because I am no longer the God of Evil.
I want to be seen as myself. Not as the Loki that you see in me.
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The way to do that? Make amends. Not threats, not demands. Put in the work, and eventually you earn that trust.
Eventually.
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[He mutters, mostly to himself.]
I've been working hard to make amends in New Asgard. But what would you have me do? Are you looking for an apology? I don't remember what he did to you, so I don't think it'd be all that heartfelt.
no subject
You don't remember any of it? Why be Loki at all, then? You could've just been Luke. Fresh start.
no subject
[If he were to be Luke, that would mean that Loki hadn't changed. He'd just be running away, hiding behind another illusion.]
I remember my childhood too. Growing up as a son of Odin alongside Thor. Thor's changed a lot, you know. Unfortunately, he still shouldn't be left in charge of plans. But, that is why I am Loki and he is Thor.