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[variantl1130]

Feel free to contact me if you really think it's important enough.

 

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[variantl1130]

Is this really happening? Are we breaking up?

[sorser]

[Ugh.]

Were it so easy.

You’ve been here long enough to form an opinion on magic and using it in this universe. Care to share it?

[variantl1130]

[Ha.]

It's complicated. I'm not interested in causing anyone harm, but I loathe the idea of being on ADI business without magic at my disposal. Or any business, knowing the trouble I seem to get into.

It's just damn annoying is what it is.

[sorser]

[Wow. Okay.

There’s a bit of a delay.]

All right, I’ll admit it. That’s a more levelheaded answer than I expected from you.

[variantl1130]

I'm full of surprises! I take it you feel about the same.

[sorser]

I do. Except I think I’m past the “annoyed” part and moved straight into making a decision about what to do.

That’s what I wanted to talk about. How to move forward with this in a way that doesn’t leave us useless in an emergency situation, but without delving too deep into the scaring-innocents-for-magic-and-maybe-going-mad-because-of-it territory.

[variantl1130]

We really are on the same page. I’d been meaning to reach out to you about exactly this. Though it seems you’re ahead of the game on the planning front, because my success has been… limited.

So, what’s the plan?

[sorser]

Still a work in progress.

[Maybe not all that promising, but at least he’s being honest.]

I’ve already spoken to Wanda about this. Any input would be appreciated. But the general guidelines are:

1. No frivolous magic use. Keep in mind what we have to *do* in order to keep our spells working; that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

2. Cast spells only when absolutely necessary. I’m going to take leap of faith and trust your judgement on this one.

3. Small scares only to regain your magic potential. If any one of us starts justifying terrorizing people on a growing and/or grand scale, it’s time to start questioning if we’ve gone too far.

4. Do NOT tell ADI about any of this.

[variantl1130]

[After a considerable pause...]

I see what you mean by "work in progress." Thoughts:

1. Obviously.

2. Obviously.

3. Obviously.

4. Obviously. Do you really think I'm going to tell the fun police about the fun I'm having?

While I agree with all of your little rules, I am concerned with the fact that this was my entire plan to begin with, and that it didn't feel like much of a plan when it was all in my head. But if you're open to ideas...

[sorser]

Sure, you say “obviously”, but I think you underestimate just how stubborn some people are. Not everyone sees restraint as caution, but instead as ADI telling them what to do.

[Should he be worried that Loki, of all people, has been the one aligned closest to his wavelength? He can dwell on that later.]

We’re lacking in options right now. According to Lehrer, the addiction aspect is unavoidable, unless she’s lying through her teeth about it. So until there’s more evidence that points to the opposite, this is the best I’ve got.

But like I said, yes. I’m open to ideas as we go along.

[variantl1130]

[If Strange is ever fortunate enough to meet Mobius, that's who he can thank for Loki's very recent attitude adjustment.]

Oh, I *know* how stubborn some people are, because I'm one of them. It's a miracle I'm giving the ADI any benefit; I don't trust a thing they say. And even if the addiction thing is true, I'm very hard to manipulate, and I imagine you're the same.

[Wait, what were we just saying about an attitude adjustment?...]

Which brings me to my idea. I'd like to try a Big Scare, but specifically on someone (or something?) deserving. Small Scares really aren't my style, and plus, I'd like to fill my magic supply as much as I can, so if I can succeed in a Big Scare without falling victim to the "addiction" aspect of these terror contracts that I don't believe in anyway... You know what I'm getting at.

And before you scold me, no, I have not attempted that. I haven't found a suitable target.

[sorser]

[There are aspects of Loki that are definitely different than what he would expect from the one who so heinously attacked New York (thanks, Mobius), and yet sometimes things feel as though they haven’t really changed. This, maybe, skirts that invisible line.]

Before I mention anything else, I have to ask: is there a reason for the disbelief?