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[Voice/Action]
[Today is a good day for serious business, apparently. There's a certain something he's been putting off for a while, and after one-too-many dreams interrupting his sleep, he's had enough: this morning when Billy wakes up, the first thing he does is jot out a note in the journal-]
[Private to Ben Grimm]
Hey, would it be okay if I swung by to ask you a few things?
[He'll work through his morning routine until he gets a response, after which he'll go for a visit and get a hell of a lot more than he bargained for.
After that, his mood for the day is drastically altered; he'll skip out on school, trying to sort out his feelings on the matter. Tommy's still AWOL, and he's trying not to worry Teddy, but what he's just been told has really got him thinking- about people, and heroes, and the unfairness of mankind in general. And eventually he'll just go ahead and return to his journal for it. He's kind of in over his head here.]
[Open to All]
I know Luceti's full of heroes- seems kind of a standard trait for most of us, for whatever reason. Back on my world, super-humans aren't that uncommon, and in general they're revered for everything they do for the world. Some of them were born that way, and some of them are from other planets, and some were altered to get their powers, and some have a lot of talent or skill instead of powers. But they're all considered to be super heroes. There's bad guys, too- just as diverse and unique as the heroes they fight. People fear them and celebrate their defeat.
There's another group, though... humans who got their powers because of evolution. It's much more natural, in a lot of ways. Some are heroes, some are villains. Some are just trying to get by without becoming one or the other. But regular humans fear them, and hate them for it, even if they save the world just as much as the heroes they love. They're called criminals or monsters, no matter how innocent they might be.
[He hesitates- it's probably obvious to some, what he's talking about, and he's not sure if he should lock it from the mutant population, or apologize, or something, but it relates to them even if it's not by name. Hiding it wouldn't be right.
In the end he just leaves it be.]
...Sorry for the ramble. But it's not fair, and... I just can't understand why. Why hate one and love the other, when they're basically the same?
[Private to Ben Grimm]
Hey, would it be okay if I swung by to ask you a few things?
[He'll work through his morning routine until he gets a response, after which he'll go for a visit and get a hell of a lot more than he bargained for.
After that, his mood for the day is drastically altered; he'll skip out on school, trying to sort out his feelings on the matter. Tommy's still AWOL, and he's trying not to worry Teddy, but what he's just been told has really got him thinking- about people, and heroes, and the unfairness of mankind in general. And eventually he'll just go ahead and return to his journal for it. He's kind of in over his head here.]
[Open to All]
I know Luceti's full of heroes- seems kind of a standard trait for most of us, for whatever reason. Back on my world, super-humans aren't that uncommon, and in general they're revered for everything they do for the world. Some of them were born that way, and some of them are from other planets, and some were altered to get their powers, and some have a lot of talent or skill instead of powers. But they're all considered to be super heroes. There's bad guys, too- just as diverse and unique as the heroes they fight. People fear them and celebrate their defeat.
There's another group, though... humans who got their powers because of evolution. It's much more natural, in a lot of ways. Some are heroes, some are villains. Some are just trying to get by without becoming one or the other. But regular humans fear them, and hate them for it, even if they save the world just as much as the heroes they love. They're called criminals or monsters, no matter how innocent they might be.
[He hesitates- it's probably obvious to some, what he's talking about, and he's not sure if he should lock it from the mutant population, or apologize, or something, but it relates to them even if it's not by name. Hiding it wouldn't be right.
In the end he just leaves it be.]
...Sorry for the ramble. But it's not fair, and... I just can't understand why. Why hate one and love the other, when they're basically the same?
[voice]
I see that Midgard's sentiments do not differ from those in Asgard. In a most general sense, I mean. It does not apply to my situation at all. After all, my amazing super powers do not lie in evolution.
[And Loki is not quite sure how to undo that...]
Super heroes like Tony Stark and Captain America are self-made-superheroes. They made themselves heroes, they obtained skills through Midgardian technology and horribly failed experiments.
I think this has something to do with the lack of control the authorities have over those who obtain their talents through evolution. Since it is a natural process...
I think.
Right?
I am most right, right?
[voice]
I think you are most right, yeah.
[Especially considering the government's efforts to register and regulate the supers- first with the mutant registration, and now with the SRA... it makes an awful lot of sense.]
[voice]
[He pauses for a moment. Yes, this seems to be an accurate question...]
Why are you so full of sadness lately, Billy?
[voice]
...Ah, geez... it must seem that way, huh? A lot's happened, that's all. And Tommy's missing, and now...
[....]
Sometimes you can't help how you feel, I guess. I'm not sad, though. Not really. Just trying to sort a lot of things out all at once.
[voice]
[Well, he can relate to the 'missing someone' part, since he misses Leah terribly and he misses her harsh words and those moments where a friendship was simple like that. Where his older self was a magpie instead of an altered version from another universe.
But Leah is not gone like Billy's friend Tommy is.
For a moment there's a sound of something knispering, followed by the obvious sound of Loki eating potatochips and making it his job to be extra loud about it.]
What kind of things? The word 'things' can refer to a lot of different things, you see?
[voice]
[Both literally and figuratively. Stupid speedsters.]
Um. As for 'things'... it's kind of personal. Not something I want to broadcast all over the village, you know?
[voice]
[Oh, Loki understands the concept of personal things very well.]
I see, I see. Are they troublesome personal things? The kind of personal things you wish to discuss in private with someone you really, really trust?
[A pause.]
...Like me?
[voice]
[He doesn't know much about the kidnappings, but he's seen the results - Loki, Jane, and even Tony now, though his was comparatively mild - so it frightens him, not knowing that Tommy's going through. Especially since he's gone through so much already.
As for that last comment, though... he has to hesitate.]
Someone I trust, huh...
[He's not so sure about that- if their roles were reversed, Loki might not be so willing to share. But trust has to begin somewhere, and it's not a secret that affects them much, in the long run. It's relatively harmless.]
...Feel like coming over?
[voice]-->[action]
But let me guess, your speedy brother has been unable to escape the Malnosso, yes? And thus he is in grave danger.
[Loki kind of fails to believe in the Malnosso's kindness and well, he has never met Tommy, but he does pity the guy.
After Billy's hesitation Loki definitely did not expect to hear that question. He always tend to expect what could be expected. Thus that means not to be trusted.]
Of course. I shall lend you my ear of great listening. Hold on for a moment.
[And so Loki closes his journal and heads for Billy's room]
[action]
Hey, Loki. You weren't busy, were you? I mean- it's not that big of a deal, you didn't have to drop whatever you were doing.
[Not that he isn't grateful for the company, but he likes to quell the guilt complex early, before it grows and makes him preemptively shut up about his problems.
Support system, Jane had told him. That's what he needs. And he also needs to remember that.]
[action]
[Loki looks around the apartment for a moment before looking back at Billy.]
Of course it is my turn to ask 'What is on your mind, Billy?' So, tell me, what is on your mind?
[He plops down on the couch and mimics the way the famous Midgardian doctor Phil uses to sit when he interviewed one of his guests.]
[action]
Do you know anything about the human-mutant relations back in our universe?
[action]
I have read some about it on the world of online. Yet, my knowledge about the relationship between the Midgardians and the mutants is very limited.
I do know that there is a lot of animosity between both parties. And that Midgard is rather...hostile towards them.
Am I right?
[action]
[action]
I see, yes.
[He leans forward a bit.]
But...what is your point? Or...err...what is it that bothers you so much about this? Except for the acts of violence, of course.
[action]
[That's not all there is to it, but at this point he's just- he's tired of telling the stuff with Wanda, and with Loki not knowing much about it, it would only bring up more questions instead of understanding. So maybe that part won't matter.]
Being a Young Avenger, it's not really obvious, you know? What I am. If I was with the X-Men, I'd be shunned for my powers. But because I was associated with the Avengers instead, I got in the newspaper- I made headlines, I got to save people. I got criticized for not being very good at it instead of hated for what I am.
[He shrugs his shoulders.]
Kind of backwards, isn't it?
[action]
That is an interesting predicament.
[Loki makes a gesture with his hand.]
I apologize in advance but if you wish to help your fellow mutants I think that keeping such a thing hidden is not a very good example, you see?
You can see it as a form of betrayal. You betray your own people, and thus yourself, by not admitting you belong to them.
[action]
[He leans back a bit, hands drumming lightly against the arm of the couch.]
Underage mutants are usually sent - or taken - to Xavier's Institute for training. They're protected there, sure, but they're also separated from their family and any friends they had back home.
[And that's not right. He'd never want to be taken from his home, from the team, from Teddy.]
If I did that, I'd be betraying my own team instead. I don't want to give up my freedom to be with other mutants.
[action]
[Of course Loki is not very knowledgeable about values as a whole. He just tries to determine what is right to him. After all, releasing Surtur is not a deed that should receive any compliments. Orchestrating Thor's death is also one of those things.]
If they are your team, they will stand behind you, right? Since they trust you... Otherwise they would be rather horrible friends to begin with. Second of all, it will be most unromantic if Teddy Altman would just let you go. All you do is betraying yourself.
[...right?]
Believe in you who believes in me, you see?
[Absolutely right!]
[action]
The X-Men have been doing that for years. They've defended people, helped fight off invaders, teamed up with the Avengers and saved the world themselves. There's a whole team of mutants doing way more good for the world than I ever could.
And that world still hates and fears them, anyway. Sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you try to change things- if people won't change with it, it feels pointless.
[It's not like he's giving up or anything, but until he has the power to control his own life, he'd rather not risk his own freedom.]
[action]
Of course change does not come easy.
I have saved Midgard and Asgard at least twice, and they still dislike me too, you see? Most individuals tend to cling to dusty, old pasts and see that as their only truth. They refuse to see things differently.
[He makes a circling motion with his hand.]
It might imply that they are scared of change, or scared of the idea that things are not as they thought they would be. Do not let it discourage you. After all, there are the little things that make it all worthwhile.
[He grins.]
I am good at speeches of a motivational kind, you see?
[action]
[He crosses his arms over his chest, thoughtful.]
Actually, before I got here, I hadn't even gotten it confirmed that I was a mutant. So I guess instead of being worried about going public about it, I just didn't want to ask the question.
[action]
You fret so much, Billy.
One fine day you might be forced to make a choice. But today is not that day. And it probably will not be that day tomorrow. Or the day after that tomorrow.
[Silently he wonders what he would do. Wouldn't it be very selfish to think about his own wellbeing first? Weren't friends more important? After all, their words, their trust. Wasn't that more important?
Maybe Billy would make the right choice by wanting to protect those close to him first.
It would be the right thing to do.]
[action]
[It's half a joke, if only to distract himself; Loki's brought up a few good points, but the fact that they're stuck here really does mean there's nothing he can do about it. It's not even guaranteed that he'll remember this.
Still, it's... something to consider.]
...Thanks anyway.
[action]
[Loki gets the joking aspect, but he wonders if it is really meant as a joke. Billy Kaplan is quite complicated sometimes. And quite sad and gloomy too.]
...My pleasure.
[He looks at the other for a moment.]
You wish me to leave, right? Unless there are more things you wish to tell me.
[action]
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