There's more that I could go into, but the part that I think you'll find most relevant is when I was again knocked out of the bifrost while we were traveling in it. I fell through a wormhole again, and ended up on what was the Universe's planetary trash-heap. There was only a pocket of civilization, otherwise you were left to cannibalistic gangs of raiders. That pocket of civilization was also ruled over by a mad god-like being know as the Grandmaster. His tastes in entertainment ran towards parties and bloodsports, with his ego being massive and his moods volatile and capricious to an extreme. Trying to gain and stay in his favor was like constantly dancing on a knife's edge. I was there for months before Thor showed up again.

[Loki gave a snort.]

In any case, Father had talked with Thor and myself, before the trip to Sakaar. He was dying, so had little time. But he said he was proud of us both, using 'sons' plural. I...was not sure how to feel about that. I'm still not. During our escape from Sakaar, as well as by a bonfire here, Thor and I have talked--and he gave me even more to think about.

[That was the point he was getting at really. Face still down turned slightly, although he realized he was fidgeting. A small frown, and he moved to start combing through his hair instead.]

Who I thought I was, and who I had expected to be... It all changed, and is changing still. Here, my situation was better than either previous time I'd been dropped somewhere, despite my being brought down to human initially. At first, my helping others and playing the good neighbor and all that? My survival strategy--it's unwise to make enemies unless you have to, when you have no real way to protect yourself from them. That later goodwill of others can also be valuable as many people don't want to see someone whom they view fondly as capable of a great many things.

[Pausing, to be sure Kaiba was following along.]