hyperverbose | futurology ⊛ ic inbox

Through the grapevine, perhaps.

It was most likely more you than it was me. The universe has a more like and like sort-of-thing going for it.

And yet by my count, my team's actually down one.

By ALASTAIR's doing, not the universe's.

[ as in, don't you dare begin to blame him for this.

at least it's surprisingly civil. ]

Convenient how the timing worked out, though.

[ his voice sounds smooth. ]

You're trying too hard.

Call it a character flaw.

I'm calling it a method of self-destruction.

Is this a warning call or a 'cover your own ass' call? Still trying to figure that one out.

As much as other you and I haven't been on completely cordial terms, there's still someone who could do damage to both of us.

To our worlds, possibly.

If it's anything I'm not, it's stupid. If it's Loki versus Loki, there's more room for him to get the upper hand.

I'm offering a hesitant truce.

A truce. [ UH. HUH. ]

For now.

[ he says easily, as if he didn't trust Tony, or didn't trust himself. ]

'Less you'd rather take two Lokis as an enemy.

This truce of yours have terms?

...

Actually, I didn't have anything prepared. I didn't think you'd go for it.

Wing it.

I'll give you my aid when it comes to profiling another me, and do what I can to keep the peace. In return, you give me a chance to change our mind.

You think you can be an objective observer when it comes to reading this guy? [ doubtful ]

No; I'd say I'm his biggest critic.

That's a basket full of self-loathing we really don't need to unpack right now.

That hardly makes it less of a point.

Fair. I take it you're packing some suggestions, then.

If he continues his wicked and oh-so-very evil path of destruction, my path gets tainted. That's how the universe works. Stories get entangled, and all the while the cosmos throws the weight back on me.

It's hardly as if I have nothing to gain from this. Fortunately for you, our ambitions seem to align.

Still waiting for the actual advice portion of the event.

You'll have to wait for that somewhere between your playboy exterior and your hard, dubious center.

Don't let him get to you.

I'll try to keep it together when he stands me up for our next date.

I know a thing or two about mind games, believe it or not.

That doesn't make anyone less susceptible to them.

[ not even Loki, himself. ]

He's still affecting you, or you wouldn't be so critical of me. Take care, Mr. Stark.

(no subject)

hyperverbose - 2016-11-22 04:48 (UTC) - Expand