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etrayamemes2025-01-02 03:19 pm
etrayamods) wrote in etrayamemes2025-01-02 03:19 pm
TDM 006
 ⏵ arrival ⏴ Arrival is absolutely not normal this month. Instead of a hospital bed, you wake in a tunnel with a large group of other people. These are the residents. A woman’s voice in an earpiece hurriedly clues you in with an apology. I apologize; I had not planned to introduce you this way, but we are low on time. Please proceed down the hallway. For everyone else, coming in is much the same. The instruction goes out to head to designated areas immediately, where companion bots will escort the residents of Etraya down into the depths, the area beneath where much the same is explained.  ⏵ disrobing ⏴ The tunnel eventually opens directly into the foreroom of an expansive library, painted in marvelous hues and patterns with skylights far above. There are wizards milling about, bearded and holding tomes, quietly chatting amongst themselves. The reception area of the library has tall ceilings with equally tall doors Before you get too caught up in the scenery, a voice directs you forward. A gentleman, hunched and bespeckled craws out. "Make a line! Make a line, everyone! You cannot enter the library dressed as you are... Come forward and give me your name." The receptionist asks your given name and then hands over a box from underneath his counter. You can give him any name you want, he doesn’t seem to mind. It is tied with a tagged ribbon- labeling it accordingly. “The _____ robe of _______.”
As you read what the contents of the box may be, they form inside- Looking and behaving as your character expects them to. After all, magic is all in the wielder’s mind. Don your robes and enter the library.  ⏵ unfamiliar familiars ⏴ For those without a familiar (like one hatched from an egg not too long ago) you may borrow one from the library counter. They all have strengths and weaknesses, but they will all assist in the very important mission. As you roam the library, they will make little indications that you are closer or further from finding a piece of the pearl.
 ⏵ the task at hand ⏴ With robes donned and creature in hand, you must now complete your mission. Find the pieces of the shattered pearl. As you enter the library, you may notice that it’s all very dim. There’s oil lamps around the place that may be moved with you to assist in your journey if your robes do not already emit light. Break off and search the library. There is a directory at the front to point guests to all the different sections.
Each section looks enough like the last, though the books within have immense power. Pick up the wrong book, and you might conjure a dragon or a historical figure! You must persist and avoid making too much noise or breaking too many things. Or else the Librarian, a tall mass of knotted fabric will confiscate your robe and usher you back outside. Your name will be struck from the list, and you must pick a new one to re-enter the library to continue the search. You can try to fight back against him- he may be set alight with the lamp. But should you be starting fires in here? Any thread with 15 comments between you and another may be submitted to find a piece of the pearl. There are 20 pieces altogether, and we will determine if the mission was successful by March 28th. A post will go live on the OOC comm for this! This mission occurs out of time, similar to how the spaceship had. Meaning, those currently in game can experience these events any time between now, and March 14th. Please direct all questions to our mod queries comment! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
no subject
Loki just manages to hold onto a huff of laughter, amused by his counterparts' outburst. When he first found himself with the TVA, Loki had thought a lot about his life to that point and two things had become very clear. One, Frigga had been right, he really wasn’t very good at introspection and two, even if he had ended up being a good leader, why would he want to? Loki is all about freedom and leaders are anything but free.
Listening to the story, Loki can’t help but feel rather relieved. He long ago came to terms with his heritage, but that didn’t mean he didn’t still sometimes think that he too was a monster. But one thing that shines through in this other Loki’s tale is that though the circumstances were different, many of the same themes remained.
“I must admit, I came to the same conclusion about the similarities between Asgard and Jotunheim. It seems no matter which timeline, they both seem to put too much praise on war and battle. I dare say you and I both know that there are much smarter ways to win.” After all, hadn’t Loki used his wit and cunning to win over Mobius and the others at the TVA and help to take to He Who Remains using magic and his brains, not brute strength?
Though he is still quite fond of his daggers.
“I must admit, it seems there are still a few common themes in our lives, they did come about in a very different way. It is still good to know that Laufey was a bit of an exception. When I discovered my true heritage, I will say I did not react well. My whole life I’d been led to believe that the Jotun were worthy of nothing and were meant to be kept down like the evil they were. Knowing that isn’t wholly true is good news, to say the least. Not that I let those things define me any longer.
I do have another question though. You say the jotnar do not have magical prowess and yet my strongest asset is my ability with magic. I would guess the same of you. This has always been so for me, I believe I was born with it. Were we simply an exception in both magic and intelligence?”
no subject
Still, there is Loki's other question. They smile, back to their usual mischievous self now that the difficult topics are out of the way.
"I can't speak for you, but I am an exception in all things. Less fun answer, though, is yes, it's a defining Loki trait. I'm the God of Stories," and they slam the book in their hands shut as if to emphasize this, "so I've seen the edges of the narrative. Once you start looking for patterns, you'll find them everywhere."
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The other Loki’s response only has this one matching their smile. “I like to think that is true of all of us, though admittedly I have met a few of us that might meet that criteria significantly less than others.” It’s not that some of the variants in the void weren’t exceptional in their own ways, but more that they were too caught up in other things to really thrive. “The God of Stories? Oh I do like that title. It is true that there are patterns everywhere. More than I ever expected.”
It occurs to Loki then that he is unsure of what his current title is. God of Time perhaps? God of the Multiverse? It doesn’t really matter, but it is a point of curiosity. “Tell me, if you do not mind, since you know the stories of our worlds, have you heard any tale of one of us holding the multiverse together?”
So sue him, he wants to know if there’s any information on his own story and how he might get back to it.
no subject
"I started noticing it early on, even when I was the so-called God of Lies. What amazes me now is how anyone can fail to realize it."
Especially when they have it all laid out for them, as Loki has laid out for Thor on numerous occasions.
At the next question, they give Loki a knowing look. It's clear who he's asking about, but they'll play dumb for a moment. Just for fun.
"Holding the multiverse together, aye... I've done it on a few occasions. The concept's broad enough that you could argue plenty of others have as well. Why do you ask?"
no subject
Loki can only nod. So much seems to go over the heads of many. “I tend to think most do not pay attention. It is rather frustrating, but does make it nice when you find people who are not like that.” It doesn’t happen often, but it has helped the few times Loki has met such people.
“On a few occasions? So it is possible to have someone else take over?” That is probably the most hopeful news he’s heard in quite some time. Both because maybe he can see his friends and family again, and because it doesn’t mean everything is for sure going to Hel back in his time.
no subject
But their brow furrows as they consider the other's words. To have someone else take over. So it was like that then. They feel a little bad for how they phrased it now, and for their bragging. But only a little.
"I- Loki, when I said that, I only meant that I've saved the multiverse on a few of my adventures. Reality's collapsed before, and I've helped ensure its continued existence. Fought a few bad guys, tricked the gods above gods. But you're literally holding it together? Physically?"
Truthfully, that sounds as awful as being king. It's too much responsibility, too much repetition.
"The issue there lies not in whether it's possible for someone to take over, but whether anyone would want to. And then, of course, if such a person could be trusted. I wouldn't trust myself, for example."
no subject
Loki does his best to not feel crestfallen as his variant speaks on saving the multiverse. He should have known better than to hope. It’s not even that he regrets his choices, he knows it is necessary and he gave everything up so that everyone could live, but after being in Etraya and having the opportunity to be with people again. Well, he’s hesitating a bit about going back to his lonely life on the throne.
“I am, yes. It was the only way to ensure the separate timelines could all survive. Though the people running this place seem to have a different view of that.” He doesn’t even try to hide the bitterness in his tone. As much as he is proud of who he’s become, he still misses being with people and having a life.
Loki laughs softly, but it’s tinged with sadness. “Not all that long ago I would not have trusted myself either. But so much has happened, so much has changed. There is no one else that can do it. I just let myself feel a little hope for a moment there. How silly of me.”
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But Loki notices that tinge of sadness, how pitiful he sounds. It's all annoyingly familiar. "Hm!" They hum to themselves, considering for a moment.
"You could let it collapse."
no subject
That is not what he expected to hear. It’s not that what his variant says surprises him. The thought has crossed his own mind a few times, but saying it out-loud isn’t something he’s ever considered. It feels too much like giving up and he’s worked too hard to really want that.
”Could I? I am not who I once was. The idea of being at the heart of the destruction of all the multiverse… I’m simply not sure I am capable of that anymore.” He couldn’t, could he? Just let everything cease to exist? He feels guilty at the mere thought that he’s considering it. Though he supposes if he did do that, he would not live long enough to regret it for long.
no subject
And for all purposes, this Loki certainly controls enough for it to count.
"All stories must end, though. And ours, is one of rebirth." They run their fingers along a row of books, picking out one to hold as an example. The book bursts into green flames. "From destruction, a spark of life. There will be another multiverse, and there will be another Asgard. Another Thor. Another Loki."
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”Where I am, where I was, my job is to ensure the survival of all timelines and universes. Though considering what the leaders of Etraya believe, it appears I am failing at that.” He wishes someone could’ve said something instead of just kidnapping him, but that’s just another thing on his list of things he needs to do here. “There are countless timelines with countless other Thors and Lokis. All free to do as they choose, live as they wish. It is my sole goal. I do not know if I am ready to give up on that yet.”
no subject
“Consider this then. I’m fairly certain your work has no bearing on my timeline. I have seen the edges of my universe and I have met my creators, those who sit above in shadow. I have seen the birth of a new cosmos, and yet I can only remember once when I have seen you.”
A flash of a possibility when Billy Kaplan’s magic aged them into a new form, back when they traveled with the Young Avengers.
“Perhaps you are not ready yet, but you cannot hold on forever. You cannot protect them forever. And if you are indeed Loki, I doubt that you want to. I only offer an alternative.”
Apologies for the delay! RL kicked my butt.
Still… “I’m not sure how you could know that. Not for certain anyway. I do not involve myself with any of the timelines. My job is to simply allow you to continue to do the things you do. And seeing as you are still doing them, I have to imagine I am at least somewhat successful.”
He still believes that, but part of him, the old selfish part of him, really wants to believe. Wants to know that maybe one day, he could be free again.
now's my turn to say sorry! cause... same
There's that envy again too. The same feeling they held towards the annoyingly heroic Loki. To give up your life, your freedom, for the sake of everyone else. Well, maybe they don't like thinking about how they technically did the same thing recently. It wasn't nearly as selfless of a decision, though. They were free to come and go as they pleased, and still plenty involved in Thor's story, instead of sitting on the outside.
"Fine, fine. I was trying to give you a bit of comfort if you did decide to let it go, but- I still don't think it can last. It's not like this matters outside of a philosophical argument. You're here, are you not? Focus on that instead."
No worries! Worth the wait.
That, of all things, hurts the most. Loki sacrificed himself to save the multiverse, sure, but more than that he did it so that Mobius and his friends could live.
This wouldn’t be quite so daunting if he were able to leave. If Loki were to find out those differences, it would be his turn to feel envious. But he supposes, in some ways, his time here in Etraya is exactly that, a chance to get away for a bit.
”You are probably right. Nothing lasts forever, even gods. Some day, I will die and then the multiverse will fall apart again. That seems just as likely as anything else.” Loki stops for a moment and then nods, a sad smile on his face. “I have been. It is part of the reason I feel badly. I should be trying much harder to leave this place, but I have found many things, and people I like here and I do not want to leave. I suppose that is typical though, isn’t it? Never could say I’m not selfish. Thank you though. I do appreciate the attempt to help me feel better about all of this.”