You mean the cat, right? I've been one, off and on, but I'm not sure that makes me an expert.
Either that or he knows where food for domestic cats comes from. Hello, darling. [He offers his fingers to let the cat sniff him.] Actually, there are probably animal smells all over the bag itself. They had a big cage of rats in there.
[Before, he dismissed the idea of keeping the cat out of hand. Silly. What business does the god of lies have keeping a cat? Now, as the cat sniffs him and nudges his fingers with its jaw proprietarily, he seems to melt a little, and wavers.]
They live such a short time. What if he dies in a decade, two decades, and I'm right back where I started? Attachment is risky. Love...is risky.
Yes... I've noticed that, too. [Loki sounds genuinely sad for a moment. He strokes the cat's back lightly and gets a casual head-bonk for his trouble.]
Thor is certain it's worth the price you pay later on, though. At least with humans.
Maybe you're right. You're sure you want to let me keep him?
I guess because we seem to have such a short life span we try to live it to the fullest, even if some people believe working until you die is a good idea.
[Clint shrugged as everyday he lived his life the way he wanted to he was sure he should be dead by now.]
Somehow I trust you to keep Garm healthy, happy and alive. And as I said; he can live here but you have to look after him.
Doing what fulfils you until you die is a good idea, probably. Not sure I can related to working, but... [He shrugs, smiling.] To each his own.
You know, that means a lot coming from you, especially. I don't expect forgiveness, as a rule, and I'm rarely disappointed. But you've seen me at my worst. It's nice to know I'm different enough now that you can at least differentiate who I am now from who I was.
[...and now there is a cat in his lap. Loki settles in gamely. This is his life now.]
It's not really forgiveness, more giving you a second chance which is something everyone deserves and I seem to be the expert on giving former brainwashed assassin's that.
[Garm starts to purr happily in Loki's lap as Clint chuckles at the sight.] Well now you're stuck here for a while, you're not allowed to move while he's sat there.
Honestly...I like that better than forgiveness anyway. [Loki looks a little bit embarrassed by the turn this conversation has taken, and is happy to take the opportunity to focus on petting the cat.]
Just as long as you're aware I know you're being unexpectedly gracious, and I appreciate that.
And you [He scratches behind the cat's ears] are a master manipulator, so clearly we belong together.
Now you're going to have to get along well with Lucky so I have an excuse to ask for pet playdates.
[Loki laughs quietly.] Then you'd be my landlord. Are we ready for such a big step?
I have a place, for now, but thank you. The advantage of being a mage is I can rent what's effectively a supply closet in the worst neighborhood I can find and still set up the inside to my liking. You're welcome to visit, but watch your six after dark. [Loki has, he feels, nothing to fear from human street gangs and petty criminals.]
So you're going to be an indoors-only cat, Garm, but I'll make you a nice sunny playroom with trees and illusionary birds to chatter at.
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You mean the cat, right? I've been one, off and on, but I'm not sure that makes me an expert.
Either that or he knows where food for domestic cats comes from. Hello, darling. [He offers his fingers to let the cat sniff him.] Actually, there are probably animal smells all over the bag itself. They had a big cage of rats in there.
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[Garm meows in response before sniffing the offered hand.] Sure you don't want him, he seems to like you and pets can be very therapeutic.
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They live such a short time. What if he dies in a decade, two decades, and I'm right back where I started? Attachment is risky. Love...is risky.
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[Clint sighs before continuing.] And sure, attachment and love can be risky but most of the time, that risk is worth taking.
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Thor is certain it's worth the price you pay later on, though. At least with humans.
Maybe you're right. You're sure you want to let me keep him?
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[Clint shrugged as everyday he lived his life the way he wanted to he was sure he should be dead by now.]
Somehow I trust you to keep Garm healthy, happy and alive. And as I said; he can live here but you have to look after him.
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You know, that means a lot coming from you, especially. I don't expect forgiveness, as a rule, and I'm rarely disappointed. But you've seen me at my worst. It's nice to know I'm different enough now that you can at least differentiate who I am now from who I was.
[...and now there is a cat in his lap. Loki settles in gamely. This is his life now.]
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[Garm starts to purr happily in Loki's lap as Clint chuckles at the sight.] Well now you're stuck here for a while, you're not allowed to move while he's sat there.
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Just as long as you're aware I know you're being unexpectedly gracious, and I appreciate that.
And you [He scratches behind the cat's ears] are a master manipulator, so clearly we belong together.
Now you're going to have to get along well with Lucky so I have an excuse to ask for pet playdates.
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[Which he was just using as an example this time, but would actually do it if he didn't know that it would be too much too soon.]
But you're welcome as it's the decent thing to do.
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I have a place, for now, but thank you. The advantage of being a mage is I can rent what's effectively a supply closet in the worst neighborhood I can find and still set up the inside to my liking. You're welcome to visit, but watch your six after dark. [Loki has, he feels, nothing to fear from human street gangs and petty criminals.]
So you're going to be an indoors-only cat, Garm, but I'll make you a nice sunny playroom with trees and illusionary birds to chatter at.