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[restitui]

XIV

TEMPERANCE

CODE

Comments

[restitui]

I meant the auto-translated cat noises. Lowkey afraid of a for real Cat Thor universe. I've seen the movie of that play.

[meforsaken]

But why wouldn't the Allmeow function in the same manner as the Allspeak?

It probably exists. I've been to the Alligator Thor universe.

[restitui]

Now I feel like you're just making stuff up to mess with me while simultaneously realizing I've experienced equally weird thingd.

[meforsaken]

I speak truthfully for once! The Loki of that universe lives in my apartment since he's not welcome in his own realm. He's quite cute, really.

[restitui]

[ thinks about it, ]

You're not keeping yourself for a pet, are you?

[meforsaken]

... Not in the traditional sense, no. He's sentient and gets into quite a lot of trouble himself, but.

I do provide for his needs, such as food, clothing, shelter.

[Now they're seriously considering this]

He does hang out with other superhero pets, but it's not like he wears a collar or I take him on walks or anything. I don't even really live in my apartment much these days, the current situation aside.

[restitui]

[ He takes that in and: ]




You are not helping him sound less like a pet.

[meforsaken]

I realize that...! But I believe he would do the same were the situation reversed!

[restitui]

In a universe were alligators keep humanoid people for pets?

[meforsaken]

[Realizing they're still Cat Thor, they shift their form back.]

He's a bipedal alligator! Really more like a child than a pet!

[restitui]

... I know they're another you but imagining a bipedal alligator is lowkey horrifying. Especially, like, a bipedal toddler alligator who'd bite ankles.

[meforsaken]

[And they shift quickly into Alligator Loki and then back.]

See? Cute!

[restitui]

... okay, fair. Way cuter than whatever horror movie monstrosity my mind was coming up with.

[meforsaken]

His entire universe is adorable. Extremely mean, but adorable. Maybe they'd be nicer if they were monstrosities...

[restitui]

Reverse psychology like, you mean?

[meforsaken]

Maybe? I think I'm just biased because they don't like Lokis.

[restitui]

Did their Loki bite ankles as a toddler then to earn that?

[meforsaken]

Careful, dear. That implies I likewise must have done horrible things to earn my universe's ire. I mean I did, but still.

[restitui]

You could have been an ankle biter, too, that's like mildly annoying at best. Everyone's mildly annoying sometimes.

[meforsaken]

True. Suppose I'm just sensitive. He could be mildly annoying, he could be a saint, but he would still be Loki and that's enough in the eyes of Asgard. Even Alligator Asgard.

[restitui]

... do you still get worried about what they think of you?

[meforsaken]

Not in the same way. I know back home Sif's probably coming up with curses that have never been uttered in all of history just to describe me. But I don't care, she'll realize eventually why I did what I did.

... but when it comes to other Lokis, I'm- ... hm, protective? Whether it's an alligator, my past self, or even that evil future self. There aren't a lot of people who care for us, so I've taken it on myself.

[restitui]

[ ... He listens and then nods in understanding after a moment. Rubbing the back of his neck as he thinks about it for another moment and then asking, ]

But there were people who cared for you? You did have that at least.

[meforsaken]

Eh? Everything's conditional. Including my family. Especially my family.

And especially back then.

[TFW your mom is happy to sacrifice your happiness if it means Asgard and Thor will be safe forever.]

I also used to have a tendency to self-sabotage.

[Assuming the Young Avengers would be better off without him and not even attending that party.]

I have some very good friends now, though! There's Verity, and Doreen Green, and Escapade... But you can probably see why I responded so strongly to your kindness.

[restitui]

[ He frowns deeply at the thought, because family should always be something you can count on. ( He doesn't count his Disorder guardians, they never saw him as a son anyway). He thinks a family should try to help make you happy -

He doesn't voice that. ]

[ He also doesn't say that doesn't sound like a lot, even if he knows just one person believing in you can mean the world. He smiles a little. ]

Yeah, I can see it. [A beat. ] And what about here? You have people here, right?