I'm Scott Summers and yeah I always need to wear these sunglasses, thanks for asking.
My Future Plans
Going back home.
My Talents
A lot of things.
Favorite Books, Movies, Music, and Food
Stuff that doesn't suck.
My Ideal Partner
...
Height
5'8"
Body Type
Lean, athletic build
Smokes
No
Drinks
No (mostly because underage)
Drugs
No
Sign
Libra
Education
Xavier's Institute
Occupation
Student
Income
None
Children
No
Pets
No
Hobbies
Normal things
[The Red Cardinal is one of the few places in the entire casino where he's not judged for being such a low rank, so he's almost familiar with the staff here, giving a small wave before he settles on a corner table. Of course, he never ordered anything too expensive here, because he's been keeping a tight budget, but it's honestly kind of exciting to grab the menu before him and look at the more expensive side of things.
Which, admittedly, they only really offer a few 'pricey' meals and they still probably pale in comparison to some of the offerings in the more ritzy restaurants. Red Cardinal truly tends to focus on more simple dishes.
Still, Scott seems to be in a better mood as he looks over the menu.]
So, after all this, you're going to stop feeling guilty, right? [And then let Scott just carry on with his 'life' in this casino. Unless...] Or did you have something else in mind for bringing me here? I... you already know that I'm not the Scott you knew, or at least, not yet. Which. Okay, I believe you about that.
[Loki is also not of a high rank himself. He knows some have managed to move up, but mostly he’s found himself coasting a long at a 5 without much issue. Though he does miss the brief time he had a bathtub available to him in his suite. It makes him think perhaps he should try just a little harder, if only to be able to have a nice soak alone on occasion. Well that, and he thinks he might be able to get more information if he’s not looked down on by almost everyone. Really, though, he’s kind of glad he got used to the accommodations at the TVA. They really aren’t that much different.
The eagerness with which Scott takes the menu makes Loki laugh slightly. It actually makes him happy to see Scott excited about something, even if it’s just food. The man he’d known before had often felt sad and somewhat down about some things in his past. This younger version is missing some of that. It’s interesting to see.]
I am hoping to stop feeling guilty about this at least. I’m sure I have many other things to feel guilty about though. I am not alone in that, I am sure. [Quick and to the point. Loki has to appreciate that. Loki takes a breath and considers his answer before continuing.]
I suppose I did have two purposes. I did honestly wish to make things up to you. I promise who you met at Halloween is not who I usually am and I did want to show that to you. And yes, I know you are not who I knew before, but I did consider him to be a very good friend of mine. I suppose I was hoping for a second chance.
[He's got a couple of appetizers and an entree already in mind, maybe a couple of drinks as well. Should he feel bad about taking advantage of this opportunity? Maybe, but also, Loki offered and he's feeling a bit famished right now. It's not too often that he gets to spoil himself and that bratty side of him isn't gone. Besides, he totally deserves this for putting up with Loki!!
Okay, that was probably mean.
Now that the god is in his right mind... he really is different. Maybe it's okay to actually trust him, although isn't he supposed to be a trickster deity? He knows that much about mythology. But losing control of yourself is such a shitty feeling and the casino is well-known for that sort of thing. It's happened to him a couple of times already and. It sucks.
It's that understanding that helps Scott.]
You'll stop feeling guilty after you look at the bill later on. [Scott lightly snarks, but he quiets and waits for him to continue.]
It's hard when you lose control. [He acknowledges, briefly, but it's clear that he doesn't want to fully get into it. Instead, Scott tilts his head at him, face unreadable.] ...Wait, you want to be friends with me? I'm probably not like him that much.
[Which feels weird saying. He won't be like his future self at all??]
[As he watches Scott flip through the menu, he can’t help but wonder just how different he might be from his friend. If anyone knows how much someone can change in their lives, it certainly must be Loki. From trickster to villain to possible saviour of the multiverse. Loki has worn many hats and he knows he’s not alone in that.
Still, he thinks he can see the man Scott will become, the man he almost is. There couldn’t be that much of an age difference, could there be? Humans have such a short lifespan, the difference couldn’t be more than a few years at most, right? But even if that turns out not to be true, Loki wants to know, wants to find out what this Scott is really like.]
Likely, though depending on how high the bill is, I might have to feel guilty about leaving without paying. [He smirks, wondering how the young man would react to a good old dine and dash.]
It is not my favourite thing, no. [It’s also not something Loki particularly enjoys talking about, but he will if Scott presses.] Well, that remains to be seen. I understand that you might turn out to be very different from your variant, but I wouldn’t want how I was when you first met me to determine whether or not we might become friends ourselves.
What-- come on man. [BIG FROWN.] We're not doing that to the owner of this place. She's cool.
[Scott folds his arms across his chest, sending Loki a mild disapproving glare towards his way. Look, if it would be one thing if they were stealing or dining and dashing from a place that's run by an asshole, but the staff at the Red Cardinal is one of the few areas in this whole casino that doesn't look down at him for low rank. So, he has to defend against stealing, especially in this instance.
Guess he shouldn't have expected anything else from a trickster god though.]
My 'variant?' [That's an interesting way to describe his other self. Future self? He doesn't know, so maybe Loki is onto something by referring to the other Scott like that. But more than that... Scott watches Loki for a moment, eyes almost assessing behind his glasses, like he's putting things together, and--]
You really miss him, huh? [Guess it should've been obvious, but.]
[Loki chuckles softly behind his hand. That is precisely the reaction he expected.] I also do not wish to do such a thing. The Red Cardinal has fast become my favourite establishment in the whole resort and while I do have enough money to ensure you have a good meal, I am still only a level 5. If you go overboard, it is still possible that I will not have enough to cover.
[It’s unlikely, but then Loki remembers how much he could eat when he was a bit younger which causes him some concern. He’ll work it out with Jin Mingming if it comes down to it, but he’d rather not have to.
Besides, it was fun to see Scott’s reaction.]
Yes, variant. Though I suppose it is possible you are the same version but only from a different point on the same timeline. That is rather hard to determine for sure though.
[Loki startles at the assessment. It wasn’t as if he had really been trying to hide that he missed his friend, but he also hadn’t expected this Scott to come right out with it.]
I do, yes. He was one of the first friends I met here and I was not happy when he disappeared. [Things were only made worse when he found Scott’s visor, not to mention when he discovered what happens to those who disappeared without finishing Game 52.]
[What?! He didn't know that Loki was also a broke ass bitch. He just sort of figured that a Norse god would be a higher rank! Or he'd have a ton of money, just because. Well, guess it's a good thing he didn't fully plan on emptying Loki's wallet, and he's definitely keeping this in mind for the future because now he almost feels like an asshole for doing this. Almost.] Look, just so that we both don't get banned from this place, I'll just order a couple of things. Geez.
[Huff!! What a pain! Trying to be responsible now after everything that just happened...]
Guess you could ask me a ton of questions and see if what's happened to me aligns with what he told you. [Scott suggests, almost flatly. Is he willing to answer those questions? Maybe. Hearing Loki's admittance, his demeanor becomes less prickly, returning to that more calm and maybe even understanding stance.]
Did I not? I thought I mentioned something about not being of a high rank. My deepest apologies. Do not overly concern yourself with it though. It was a simple warning. As I believe I mentioned, I earned some extra money recently. I only wanted to be upfront about how much extra is extra.
[Loki really isn’t sure if he mentioned his rank, at least not specifically. He might just not be used to paying for others and it didn’t particularly occur to him. Money has never been something he really thought much about.]
I would appreciate that, though please do feel free to order a proper meal. I can always eat later.
[Relaxing back in his seat, Loki ponders that. He does want to know some of these things. Wants to know the differences, if there are any, but the only real major life event Scott spoke to him about was the death of the love of his life.
How does one casually bring that up?]
I, um, hmm. I am rather curious, but it is not usually a good idea to speak to people about their possible futures. It could cause irreparable damage to your timeline.
[...He's definitely not going to be ordering a bunch of things. Scott's sure about that now. Even if Loki earned a little bit of some extra money, it feels like he's taking advantage of him in some way. Yeah, making up for what happened, but he doesn't hold it against him. Well, not anymore-- he'll just save his anger for the people in charge of this casino.]
No, you're eating too, especially if you're hungry. I'm not just gonna eat in front of you like an asshole.
[Or guess he can just share with Loki if it comes down to it. Scott's fine with that too. He's hungry, yeah, but he can also deal.]
Okay, how about I mention something big and important and we can see if he's been through that?
[It's honestly kind of stressful confirming if the 'future him' in this place actually is him from the future and not a variant. He hasn't learned much about his future self, just small characteristics, but it'd still be a lot having that confirmation. Maybe it could still be a variant, but...
Maybe he just needs to confront this in his own way and this is the best way to do it.]
[Scott’s reaction actually surprises him a bit. After all, he is the one who invited him out. By no means does he expect to not have a decent meal, he just wanted to be realistic about the situation. Now Loki wonders if he’s done something wrong or inadvertently made Scott feel badly? Neither had been his intention, the exact opposite in fact, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the case.
What Loki does gather from Scott’s answer is that he is still a lot like the Scott he knew before. Perhaps a bit more of a mouth on him, but Loki can still see it.]
I would not think you an asshole for such a thing. I did offer to buy you dinner after all and dinner you shall have. I will hardly starve. [Though he will still likely get something to eat.
Loki considers Scott’s suggestion and then nods.] Yes, that is a good idea. Though I admit just sitting here and talking to you has told me a lot already.
[If it worries him that much, Loki can confirm that even if they have everything in common, it is still possible they are variants and not one and the same. A branch could have happened after this Scott was taken from his world or they could just be from closely aligned branches. None of that would really matter though. Loki just wants to get to know him better. Again.]
[Scott doesn't argue further, mostly because if he sees that Loki isn't eating anything, he'll just share his food with him and be really annoying about it. He figures that will just be easier. And if Loki does end up getting food for himself, then all is good and they can continue having a regular ass conversation.
Whatever that is when you're talking about your variant and your future self.
For a moment, he obnoxiously drinks from his straw, like he's purposefully making it louder than normal just to be a little bit of an ass. Mostly, he's giving himself some time to think and to hide some anxiety what Loki may already think of him. Guess he actually sort of cares about that thing, despite their rough start.]
...I recently became a X-Man after my friends and I stopped a mutant known as Apocalypse from taking over the world. [That's a pretty big event, right?]
[Though he can see a lot of similarities between the older Scott and this one, there is one apparent difference and much of that Loki attributes to age. It’s pretty clear that this Scott is mature enough to be a hero, to fight for what’s right or whatever it is that heroes do (despite his own changes to that of a more heroic person, Loki still doesn’t not really see himself that way), but the loud slurping noises are also evidence that Scott is still quite young.
Not that Loki minds, really. He did similar things himself just to be obnoxious when he was younger. So although he gives Scott a bit of a nonplussed look, secretly he’s a bit amused. It’s not like Loki is actually all that old himself, really. He’s just been through a lot in the last few years that has changed him rather dramatically.]
Yes, I believe I remember your counterpart mentioning something about a large battle to save the world when he was younger. I wonder if that is one of your fixed points.
[ooc: For the life of me I can’t remember what all Scott told Loki before except for losing Jean. I’m just going with that one was at least casually mentioned. Let me know if I need to change that please!]
So, guess that means the older version of himself that was here is most likely him from the future. But guess other variations are still possible, because maybe that's just a thing that happens for teenagers to become X-Men. He's not the one that's an expert at multiple universe stuff, that seems like it's all Loki's expertise. There's another loud noise that comes from his soda, before Scott finally stops and looks at Loki with that more serious demeanor.]
I mean, as a X-Man, we're supposed to save the world from dangerous threats. Human or mutant. [And surely other versions of him would feel the same way, right?] What do you mean by a 'fixed point?' Like something that can't ever be changed?
[ooc: You're good! Scott would probably mention that he at least fought a guy named Apocalypse in Egypt and became a X-Man right after. He probably didn't go into too many details about Jean's death, other than that it involved asshole aliens.]
[Perhaps not all his expertise. Loki has met a few others around the resort that have some knowledge of the multiverse. And considering most everyone here is from a different universe or timeline, it must be pretty evident to the residents of the Hotel that the multiverse is a real and true thing. Even if Loki understands that it’s not an easy idea to grasp. But if Scott asks, he will do his best to explain.]
Yes, that is precisely what it is. When time travelling, there are certain pivotal events that cannot be changed in that line. Of course, other branches may appear and result in a whole new timeline, but in that original line, those events remain.
[It all gets a bit message beyond that because there are so many options, so many things that can change before a fixed point is reached that it never stops a new branch from growing, and he wonders how much of that is different now that the TVA is not pruning new branches, but that is something he’ll have to investigate more once he returns home.]
[ooc: Excellent! I think all Loki really knows is that Jean is dead and it wasn’t from natural causes. But yeah I imagine he would’ve heard of Apocalypse just because they did seem to commiserate quite a bit. Thanks!]
So, you're saying that even though I shared a big event with my 'future self,' it may still be a different timeline just because other things may be different. Smaller, less important things.
[Guess he could relay his entire life story to Loki if he really wants to be sure, but that's assuming his future self told him all that to begin with. So, probably not worth it, not to mention that getting into all those details sounds so unappealing. Hell, he's pretty sure that Loki's patience with all that would tire too. He'd be fucking tired if someone just explained their entire life to him.
So, guess he'll just put a note in this. His future self here at least shared one thing with him and he'll leave it at that.]
Hey. [Instead, Scott focuses on something else. The teen's stopped obnoxiously drinking from his soda, leaning back slightly as he tilts his head at Loki.] Your encounter with time travel and timelines didn't start with the casino, huh? You're familiar with it back home.
Yes, exactly. It is possible that you were on the same line until some point after you were brought here meaning you have much in common and are essentially still the same person, but you do not have a fully shared past.
[And really, Loki hopes that is true for this Scott because then maybe he will not return home only to have to lose one of the most important people in his life. Loki is no stranger to loss and he would not wish it on the younger man. And he also remembers just how heartbroken the older Scott had been.
As much as Loki is curious to know this new Scott, he would have to admit that the man is correct in that learning about someone’s entire life in one sitting is a bit much. Besides, he would never want to intrude so thoroughly into his past. All he is really curious about is how similar the two are and he can get a lot of that information simply by speaking with him as he is now.
Loki looks at Scott consideringly.] Yes, that is true. I was working directly with the timelines and accessing them at different points in time. Is this your first experience with it?
[Still essentially the same person... it's a lot to think about. Guess he has something to new ponder about when he stares at the ceiling tonight as he's about to fall asleep. Cool, thanks. At least it sounds like the person he is in the future isn't so bad; Loki seems to have a pretty good opinion of him. Heh, impressing a god isn't so bad, right?
A trickster god, yeah, but now that that their first encounter is fading to the back of his mind, Scott thinks it's kind of cool. He's even involved with multiple timelines and everything. He can't help but wonder what he even does with that. Make sure stuff goes smoothly?? But isn't the point of multiple timelines mean that things should just play out as is?
Or maybe stopping someone from messing with them. Like a multi-universe hopper.]
Yeah, never encountered multiple timelines before coming here. [Scott huffs lightly, something amused flashing across his face.] I mean, I just took down an evil mutant god and became a X-Man. One thing at a time man.
...It must be crazy working with different timelines though.
[It could be worse. Loki thinks of his own variants that he met in the Void. There were the two he quite liked, him as a child and him as an older man, but the others? Gods he hopes he had never been quite so annoying as that group. So far, Loki sees no big difference between this Scott and the one he knew previously, which is truly a relief.
It’s true, Loki is (and was) impressed by Scott. Anyone who manages a rough start to life and turns out good without any massive life changes, but rather just is good is someone that impresses Loki, if only because he hadn’t managed that himself at all.
Loki doesn’t know about cool. He’s definitely done some things he’s proud of, and he he could understand why someone would be fascinated by what he’s been doing, but it’s been such a crazy time, such a strange sequence of events, he’s not sure he ever really stopped to think about it. Conversely, that Scott could take down, as he says, an evil mutant god, Loki finds quite amazing. That could not have been easy, even with his abilities.]
Crazy is definitely one word for it. We are all quite new to it and still figuring out exactly how to keep things running smoothly. I worry about how things are holding up while I’m here. But I wish to know more about you. Tell me about these X-men. I assume it is a team?
['We're figuring it out,' so Loki most likely has his own team back home. That's... good, yeah. Hard to imagine being the one person that has to deal with the multiverse all by himself. Scott would hate being the only X-Man out there, in fact, that would be crushing in a lot of ways. Facing the challenges of mutant/human relations, being the 'good' representative... it would suck.
So knowing all this, he can't help but smile at the god across from him, a flash of understanding appearing on the young mutant's face.]
Yeah, we're a team of mutants. [Not the first team, but he doesn't want to get into that.] You know the asshole mutant god I mentioned? Well, he fucked up things for everyone, so... we're going to repair those relations. Save both humans and mutants.
[It’s not actually something Loki has thought of. To him, teams are the Avengers, a bunch of heroes coming together to stop some villain. They weren’t the kinds of groups that tended to want him as a member. But he has very much been a part of a team lately. Mobius, B-15, O.B., even Sylvie even if she has spent too much time blaming him for everything, they all had been doing their part to fix the multiverse and everything He Who Remains had done before.
Loki blinks slowly, trying to keep his face neutral as Scott smiles at him. It’s that smile that drives it home, makes him realize that perhaps it’s true. Not only has he been working on a team, but he’s maybe even one of the good guys?
He’s more than a little relieved when Scott speaks again.] I see. I assume then that things between humans and mutants were strained before and what this, what did you call him? Asshole mutant god? He only made things worse then?
Uh, obviously? That sort of happens when you publicly threaten the entire world.
[...Hopefully Loki doesn't get a headache from how quickly Scott can go from 'responsible team leader' to 'shitty little teen' because that's what's happening again. It probably helps that his mood has improved a lot since they've talked, even though the topic is back on Apocalypse's stupid face and his stupid ruining things for everyone.
He could talk about it more seriously, but he's just going with the sour attitude way.]
I mean, things weren't perfect before he appeared, but they were okay. People didn't really think twice about having a mutant walk around in public. [Granted, Scott only went to the mall once with Kurt and the others before everything Happened.]
[If Loki looks a little distant at that moment, it’s only because he’s thinking about doing that very thing himself. Though his villainous acts had nothing to do with mutants. He hadn’t known anything of mutants at the time and hardly does now. But he had threatened all of Midgard, hadn’t he? Until the Avengers had taken him down just as Scot’s X-men had taken down Apocalypse.
If Loki is going to get a headache it will be more about his own shifting thoughts between his own tendencies towards both good an evil. A bit of teen angst he can handle.]
And after you took him down? Did that help? Did the humans seeing mutants fighting to help them and everyone change how people saw you?
[Scott at least doesn't notice Loki's expression, too busy ordering a meal for himself now that the waiter's come to ask what they want to eat. It's easy to choose something simple, nothing too expensive, but definitely filling enough for the teen to have.
It's only once the both of them put their orders in and the waiter leaves once more that Scott returns his attention to Loki. Not that he answers immediately, mouth turned into a small frown because things are more complicated than that. He wishes things were that simple, that everything went back to 'normal' after Apocalypse.]
...No, it hasn't been that simple. That's why he's the mutant ruining asshole. I don't know how long it will take.
[But it will happen, right? That's what Professor Xavier believes. He believes it too, he has to. He wants to.]
[When the waiter arrives, Loki absentmindedly orders himself a scotch and the first appetizer he sees on the menu without much thought. It doesn’t have anything to do with the money anymore and is purely because he’s distracted. A sense of dread fills him as he realizes that no matter what he does, no matter how he tries to be better or do better, some of the things he’s done are not things he can fix.
It’s not a great feeling. No one wants to find out that they are the ruining asshole of the world.]
I am very sorry to hear that. You and your kind do not deserve it. No one deserves such things.
[Yeah, great Loki. Too little too late there, don’t you think?]
[He quietly agrees, because it really does suck and it feels pretty unfair at times. Even if humans have legitimate concerns about mutants, that doesn't mean they should all be lumped into one threat. But Raven's mentioned that's how they've always seen them, even with her heroic action back in 1973. It's grim thinking about it, but... they'll just have to change their minds.
Besides, Moira has been a great ally. She's proof, right? Not to mention all the people here that have accepted him without batting an eyelash.
Scott takes another big sip out of his soda, thoughts running in his mind and leaving the teen in a quiet trance, before he sets his attention back on Loki. Anyway! Back on him.]
So, how did you get roped into managing the multiverse? Doesn't feel like a job that you just fall into or send an application in.
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Which, admittedly, they only really offer a few 'pricey' meals and they still probably pale in comparison to some of the offerings in the more ritzy restaurants. Red Cardinal truly tends to focus on more simple dishes.
Still, Scott seems to be in a better mood as he looks over the menu.]
So, after all this, you're going to stop feeling guilty, right? [And then let Scott just carry on with his 'life' in this casino. Unless...] Or did you have something else in mind for bringing me here? I... you already know that I'm not the Scott you knew, or at least, not yet. Which. Okay, I believe you about that.
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The eagerness with which Scott takes the menu makes Loki laugh slightly. It actually makes him happy to see Scott excited about something, even if it’s just food. The man he’d known before had often felt sad and somewhat down about some things in his past. This younger version is missing some of that. It’s interesting to see.]
I am hoping to stop feeling guilty about this at least. I’m sure I have many other things to feel guilty about though. I am not alone in that, I am sure. [Quick and to the point. Loki has to appreciate that. Loki takes a breath and considers his answer before continuing.]
I suppose I did have two purposes. I did honestly wish to make things up to you. I promise who you met at Halloween is not who I usually am and I did want to show that to you. And yes, I know you are not who I knew before, but I did consider him to be a very good friend of mine. I suppose I was hoping for a second chance.
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Okay, that was probably mean.
Now that the god is in his right mind... he really is different. Maybe it's okay to actually trust him, although isn't he supposed to be a trickster deity? He knows that much about mythology. But losing control of yourself is such a shitty feeling and the casino is well-known for that sort of thing. It's happened to him a couple of times already and. It sucks.
It's that understanding that helps Scott.]
You'll stop feeling guilty after you look at the bill later on. [Scott lightly snarks, but he quiets and waits for him to continue.]
It's hard when you lose control. [He acknowledges, briefly, but it's clear that he doesn't want to fully get into it. Instead, Scott tilts his head at him, face unreadable.] ...Wait, you want to be friends with me? I'm probably not like him that much.
[Which feels weird saying. He won't be like his future self at all??]
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Still, he thinks he can see the man Scott will become, the man he almost is. There couldn’t be that much of an age difference, could there be? Humans have such a short lifespan, the difference couldn’t be more than a few years at most, right? But even if that turns out not to be true, Loki wants to know, wants to find out what this Scott is really like.]
Likely, though depending on how high the bill is, I might have to feel guilty about leaving without paying. [He smirks, wondering how the young man would react to a good old dine and dash.]
It is not my favourite thing, no. [It’s also not something Loki particularly enjoys talking about, but he will if Scott presses.] Well, that remains to be seen. I understand that you might turn out to be very different from your variant, but I wouldn’t want how I was when you first met me to determine whether or not we might become friends ourselves.
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[Scott folds his arms across his chest, sending Loki a mild disapproving glare towards his way. Look, if it would be one thing if they were stealing or dining and dashing from a place that's run by an asshole, but the staff at the Red Cardinal is one of the few areas in this whole casino that doesn't look down at him for low rank. So, he has to defend against stealing, especially in this instance.
Guess he shouldn't have expected anything else from a trickster god though.]
My 'variant?' [That's an interesting way to describe his other self. Future self? He doesn't know, so maybe Loki is onto something by referring to the other Scott like that. But more than that... Scott watches Loki for a moment, eyes almost assessing behind his glasses, like he's putting things together, and--]
You really miss him, huh? [Guess it should've been obvious, but.]
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[It’s unlikely, but then Loki remembers how much he could eat when he was a bit younger which causes him some concern. He’ll work it out with Jin Mingming if it comes down to it, but he’d rather not have to.
Besides, it was fun to see Scott’s reaction.]
Yes, variant. Though I suppose it is possible you are the same version but only from a different point on the same timeline. That is rather hard to determine for sure though.
[Loki startles at the assessment. It wasn’t as if he had really been trying to hide that he missed his friend, but he also hadn’t expected this Scott to come right out with it.]
I do, yes. He was one of the first friends I met here and I was not happy when he disappeared. [Things were only made worse when he found Scott’s visor, not to mention when he discovered what happens to those who disappeared without finishing Game 52.]
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[What?! He didn't know that Loki was also a broke ass bitch. He just sort of figured that a Norse god would be a higher rank! Or he'd have a ton of money, just because. Well, guess it's a good thing he didn't fully plan on emptying Loki's wallet, and he's definitely keeping this in mind for the future because now he almost feels like an asshole for doing this. Almost.] Look, just so that we both don't get banned from this place, I'll just order a couple of things. Geez.
[Huff!! What a pain! Trying to be responsible now after everything that just happened...]
Guess you could ask me a ton of questions and see if what's happened to me aligns with what he told you. [Scott suggests, almost flatly. Is he willing to answer those questions? Maybe. Hearing Loki's admittance, his demeanor becomes less prickly, returning to that more calm and maybe even understanding stance.]
Especially if he was important to you.
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[Loki really isn’t sure if he mentioned his rank, at least not specifically. He might just not be used to paying for others and it didn’t particularly occur to him. Money has never been something he really thought much about.]
I would appreciate that, though please do feel free to order a proper meal. I can always eat later.
[Relaxing back in his seat, Loki ponders that. He does want to know some of these things. Wants to know the differences, if there are any, but the only real major life event Scott spoke to him about was the death of the love of his life.
How does one casually bring that up?]
I, um, hmm. I am rather curious, but it is not usually a good idea to speak to people about their possible futures. It could cause irreparable damage to your timeline.
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No, you're eating too, especially if you're hungry. I'm not just gonna eat in front of you like an asshole.
[Or guess he can just share with Loki if it comes down to it. Scott's fine with that too. He's hungry, yeah, but he can also deal.]
Okay, how about I mention something big and important and we can see if he's been through that?
[It's honestly kind of stressful confirming if the 'future him' in this place actually is him from the future and not a variant. He hasn't learned much about his future self, just small characteristics, but it'd still be a lot having that confirmation. Maybe it could still be a variant, but...
Maybe he just needs to confront this in his own way and this is the best way to do it.]
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What Loki does gather from Scott’s answer is that he is still a lot like the Scott he knew before. Perhaps a bit more of a mouth on him, but Loki can still see it.]
I would not think you an asshole for such a thing. I did offer to buy you dinner after all and dinner you shall have. I will hardly starve. [Though he will still likely get something to eat.
Loki considers Scott’s suggestion and then nods.] Yes, that is a good idea. Though I admit just sitting here and talking to you has told me a lot already.
[If it worries him that much, Loki can confirm that even if they have everything in common, it is still possible they are variants and not one and the same. A branch could have happened after this Scott was taken from his world or they could just be from closely aligned branches. None of that would really matter though. Loki just wants to get to know him better. Again.]
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Whatever that is when you're talking about your variant and your future self.
For a moment, he obnoxiously drinks from his straw, like he's purposefully making it louder than normal just to be a little bit of an ass. Mostly, he's giving himself some time to think and to hide some anxiety what Loki may already think of him. Guess he actually sort of cares about that thing, despite their rough start.]
...I recently became a X-Man after my friends and I stopped a mutant known as Apocalypse from taking over the world. [That's a pretty big event, right?]
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Not that Loki minds, really. He did similar things himself just to be obnoxious when he was younger. So although he gives Scott a bit of a nonplussed look, secretly he’s a bit amused. It’s not like Loki is actually all that old himself, really. He’s just been through a lot in the last few years that has changed him rather dramatically.]
Yes, I believe I remember your counterpart mentioning something about a large battle to save the world when he was younger. I wonder if that is one of your fixed points.
[ooc: For the life of me I can’t remember what all Scott told Loki before except for losing Jean. I’m just going with that one was at least casually mentioned. Let me know if I need to change that please!]
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So, guess that means the older version of himself that was here is most likely him from the future. But guess other variations are still possible, because maybe that's just a thing that happens for teenagers to become X-Men. He's not the one that's an expert at multiple universe stuff, that seems like it's all Loki's expertise. There's another loud noise that comes from his soda, before Scott finally stops and looks at Loki with that more serious demeanor.]
I mean, as a X-Man, we're supposed to save the world from dangerous threats. Human or mutant. [And surely other versions of him would feel the same way, right?] What do you mean by a 'fixed point?' Like something that can't ever be changed?
[ooc: You're good! Scott would probably mention that he at least fought a guy named Apocalypse in Egypt and became a X-Man right after. He probably didn't go into too many details about Jean's death, other than that it involved asshole aliens.]
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Yes, that is precisely what it is. When time travelling, there are certain pivotal events that cannot be changed in that line. Of course, other branches may appear and result in a whole new timeline, but in that original line, those events remain.
[It all gets a bit message beyond that because there are so many options, so many things that can change before a fixed point is reached that it never stops a new branch from growing, and he wonders how much of that is different now that the TVA is not pruning new branches, but that is something he’ll have to investigate more once he returns home.]
[ooc: Excellent! I think all Loki really knows is that Jean is dead and it wasn’t from natural causes. But yeah I imagine he would’ve heard of Apocalypse just because they did seem to commiserate quite a bit. Thanks!]
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[Guess he could relay his entire life story to Loki if he really wants to be sure, but that's assuming his future self told him all that to begin with. So, probably not worth it, not to mention that getting into all those details sounds so unappealing. Hell, he's pretty sure that Loki's patience with all that would tire too. He'd be fucking tired if someone just explained their entire life to him.
So, guess he'll just put a note in this. His future self here at least shared one thing with him and he'll leave it at that.]
Hey. [Instead, Scott focuses on something else. The teen's stopped obnoxiously drinking from his soda, leaning back slightly as he tilts his head at Loki.] Your encounter with time travel and timelines didn't start with the casino, huh? You're familiar with it back home.
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[And really, Loki hopes that is true for this Scott because then maybe he will not return home only to have to lose one of the most important people in his life. Loki is no stranger to loss and he would not wish it on the younger man. And he also remembers just how heartbroken the older Scott had been.
As much as Loki is curious to know this new Scott, he would have to admit that the man is correct in that learning about someone’s entire life in one sitting is a bit much. Besides, he would never want to intrude so thoroughly into his past. All he is really curious about is how similar the two are and he can get a lot of that information simply by speaking with him as he is now.
Loki looks at Scott consideringly.] Yes, that is true. I was working directly with the timelines and accessing them at different points in time. Is this your first experience with it?
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A trickster god, yeah, but now that that their first encounter is fading to the back of his mind, Scott thinks it's kind of cool. He's even involved with multiple timelines and everything. He can't help but wonder what he even does with that. Make sure stuff goes smoothly?? But isn't the point of multiple timelines mean that things should just play out as is?
Or maybe stopping someone from messing with them. Like a multi-universe hopper.]
Yeah, never encountered multiple timelines before coming here. [Scott huffs lightly, something amused flashing across his face.] I mean, I just took down an evil mutant god and became a X-Man. One thing at a time man.
...It must be crazy working with different timelines though.
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It’s true, Loki is (and was) impressed by Scott. Anyone who manages a rough start to life and turns out good without any massive life changes, but rather just is good is someone that impresses Loki, if only because he hadn’t managed that himself at all.
Loki doesn’t know about cool. He’s definitely done some things he’s proud of, and he he could understand why someone would be fascinated by what he’s been doing, but it’s been such a crazy time, such a strange sequence of events, he’s not sure he ever really stopped to think about it. Conversely, that Scott could take down, as he says, an evil mutant god, Loki finds quite amazing. That could not have been easy, even with his abilities.]
Crazy is definitely one word for it. We are all quite new to it and still figuring out exactly how to keep things running smoothly. I worry about how things are holding up while I’m here. But I wish to know more about you. Tell me about these X-men. I assume it is a team?
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So knowing all this, he can't help but smile at the god across from him, a flash of understanding appearing on the young mutant's face.]
Yeah, we're a team of mutants. [Not the first team, but he doesn't want to get into that.] You know the asshole mutant god I mentioned? Well, he fucked up things for everyone, so... we're going to repair those relations. Save both humans and mutants.
[That's the idea at least.]
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Loki blinks slowly, trying to keep his face neutral as Scott smiles at him. It’s that smile that drives it home, makes him realize that perhaps it’s true. Not only has he been working on a team, but he’s maybe even one of the good guys?
He’s more than a little relieved when Scott speaks again.] I see. I assume then that things between humans and mutants were strained before and what this, what did you call him? Asshole mutant god? He only made things worse then?
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[...Hopefully Loki doesn't get a headache from how quickly Scott can go from 'responsible team leader' to 'shitty little teen' because that's what's happening again. It probably helps that his mood has improved a lot since they've talked, even though the topic is back on Apocalypse's stupid face and his stupid ruining things for everyone.
He could talk about it more seriously, but he's just going with the sour attitude way.]
I mean, things weren't perfect before he appeared, but they were okay. People didn't really think twice about having a mutant walk around in public. [Granted, Scott only went to the mall once with Kurt and the others before everything Happened.]
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[If Loki looks a little distant at that moment, it’s only because he’s thinking about doing that very thing himself. Though his villainous acts had nothing to do with mutants. He hadn’t known anything of mutants at the time and hardly does now. But he had threatened all of Midgard, hadn’t he? Until the Avengers had taken him down just as Scot’s X-men had taken down Apocalypse.
If Loki is going to get a headache it will be more about his own shifting thoughts between his own tendencies towards both good an evil. A bit of teen angst he can handle.]
And after you took him down? Did that help? Did the humans seeing mutants fighting to help them and everyone change how people saw you?
[He’s asking for a friend.]
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It's only once the both of them put their orders in and the waiter leaves once more that Scott returns his attention to Loki. Not that he answers immediately, mouth turned into a small frown because things are more complicated than that. He wishes things were that simple, that everything went back to 'normal' after Apocalypse.]
...No, it hasn't been that simple. That's why he's the mutant ruining asshole. I don't know how long it will take.
[But it will happen, right? That's what Professor Xavier believes. He believes it too, he has to. He wants to.]
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It’s not a great feeling. No one wants to find out that they are the ruining asshole of the world.]
I am very sorry to hear that. You and your kind do not deserve it. No one deserves such things.
[Yeah, great Loki. Too little too late there, don’t you think?]
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[He quietly agrees, because it really does suck and it feels pretty unfair at times. Even if humans have legitimate concerns about mutants, that doesn't mean they should all be lumped into one threat. But Raven's mentioned that's how they've always seen them, even with her heroic action back in 1973. It's grim thinking about it, but... they'll just have to change their minds.
Besides, Moira has been a great ally. She's proof, right? Not to mention all the people here that have accepted him without batting an eyelash.
Scott takes another big sip out of his soda, thoughts running in his mind and leaving the teen in a quiet trance, before he sets his attention back on Loki. Anyway! Back on him.]
So, how did you get roped into managing the multiverse? Doesn't feel like a job that you just fall into or send an application in.
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want to start wrapping things up? :>
Sure!
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