If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks...

[coldsong]

It's customary to have a Wake after the subject thereof dies. Even Loki knows that. But this is a special occasion. Ego-death is coming to his alternate, and the idea of letting him go off to perish alone, uncertain he will even be mourned, is too dark a proposition even for a flawed and callous person to contemplate.

That, and this Loki has been in a melancholy mood since speaking to the spirit of Frigga. He anticipates a dark choice of his own, sooner or later, and where the fates will send him after that, he can't know. Maybe oblivion, although even at that rate there may be worse places.

What's important right now is that no one dies unremembered. And honestly, any excuse for mischief a party. The first text rolls out to Harley, an innocent enough invitation to join them for milkshakes. Cricket is next, because it occurs to him that Cricket has plenty of liquor, which is good for a reckless celebration.

Things snowball from there.

As long as they don't destroy too much property, they'll call the night a success.

Comments

[coldsong]

"He is more tied to his nature than you or I," Loki says softly. "A true mythoform, not the hybrid of mortal and deity we seem to be."

Granted, he's still picking apart that mystery and may yet find himself and Thor to be as bound to legend as their alternates. For the moment, though, there seems to be a difference. "That which he faces is not only a physical death, but a loss of self. A psychic death. He will become something new, or cease to exist utterly."

He puts one of his hands over Thor's arm that's around him, fighting through the edge of his own cloak to do so. Yep. Still feels like a tree trunk.

"And the something new, he fears, is that evil future self he has fought so hard to escape from becoming. I do not think he will take that option. I think he would prefer to accept a noble oblivion. I would. Out of spite, if nothing else."

"But he is Loki. There is always a chance he will find a third choice." His voice is soft. "I hope he will. But I can see none. I'm not god enough for that yet."

Yet? Hmm.

[pirateangelbaby]

If Thor wasn't quite so hungover, he might have more questions. More protests. Giving voice to how unjust this is, after everything that Loki has been through, that he should end like this. It's not fair. When has it ever been?

And yet, how very like Loki to spend his assumed final day in merriment, as if he had not a care in the world, knowing full well he's going to the wolves alone after.

Thor's vision blurs, and it might not be the alcohol to blame. "I'll miss him."

[coldsong]

Loki closes his eyes, as if to mask whatever might be going on behind them. His hand grips tighter at Thor's forearm, squeezing, then releasing.

He will say nothing, of course, but he can't lie to himself; he does feel a pang of jealousy, and a deep, yawning loneliness. He can't blame Thor, though. The other Loki is personable and charming and capable of such warmth...he has no idea how likable, how lovable, he really is.

History probably makes a difference. There may be things he has done in his own world that would be harder to look past, had they lived through them, but right now, with what they do know, it's natural both he and Thor should grow attached quickly, and regret the loss bitterly.

He draws in a breath that's just a touch ragged around the edges, to match Thor's blurry vision. And he pats his arm. "Then tell him so. Go. Give him that strength to fight with."

[pirateangelbaby]

If this Loki thinks that Thor would not miss him too, he's gravely mistaken. But, of course, he has no talent for mind magic, and knows not where his brother's thoughts have gone, assuming them to be fear for his double, sadness and grief at the loss he seems to think is inevitable.

Thor knows what it's like to lose family and not get to say his goodbyes. He'd hastened to say them on Svartelfheim, and no matter how Loki mocked his words with theater after, he doesn't regret saying any of it. He would have Loki - any Loki - know that he is loved, before the end. Whether he believes it or not.

He clumsily pats at Loki's arm in thanks, and stumbles his way out of the pile of slumbering revelers in search of the guest of honor.

[coldsong]

Was it mockery, or merely a reminder? They should talk about that more deeply some time, when they're not so drunk. Loki has a tendency to make light of the things that cut him the most deeply, with only a few exceptions. Maybe, with Thor himself absent by necessity, he just wanted that reminder for himself, to pick at old wounds at the same time as they attempted to heal.

Loki is complex and contrary and his own worst enemy.

But he will not be his alternate's worst enemy; on that he is already decided, and he looks up as Thor leaves to find him, with a small, soft smile of approval. He has time for reconciliation. The other Loki may not.