Asgardians were the strongest beings in the nine realms--it made it rather easy to value brute force and strength. Magic was often seen as a woman's art too. I was doubly disadvantaged because of my magic, but also by not being an asgardian. I'm a Jotun--a frost giant.
[There's a long pause, as he's clearly considering something. Before making blue-green eyes meet her own.]
It has been a new experience, being here--and having people respect and value what I can do. To not treat me as wrong, or different, or the eternal tag-a-long. I was never 'enough'. Never 'worthy'.
[Gamora listens without comment. The attitudes are not new even if she never had to suffer it. Thanos was a great believer in equality to a horrific and mundane extent. The girls he tortured had as much possibility to become great warriors against their wills as the boys. She is empathetic all the same. It is unfair and ridiculous. That is the life he lived. Being a prince didn't spare him.
The Jotun have never been popular among the greater galaxy either. Gamora takes these things into careful consideration as she forms a reply. It means something he has trusted her with this. Much like Peter before him, she doesn't betray or dismiss that vulnerability.] There are prejudices everywhere but, not among us as far as I can tell. Take this as the opportunity it is. People here will continue to see you as you are.
[She twirls one of her rings, forces herself to maintain eye contact, and decides to elaborate.] To me, you survived Thanos with your soul intact. You still allow yourself to care for someone as vulnerable as a Terran girl after seeing his horrors up close. You have enough wisdom to understand that very few wished to be in his service willingly.
I will not speak ill of the people you lost and were meant to lead once. I can only say I cannot agree with them. You have shown honor and strength under circumstances that have destroyed others. That has great value in my eyes.
[Loki was normally very good at controlling his expressions from others. But the more she spoke, the more she would see he was...surprised. Confused, and surprised, and oddly vulnerable. No one had spoken him to this way before other than his mother, in a long time. Despite his age, Gamora can see how 'young' he is as well, in blue-green eyes. For several moments, before he swallows and his expression is neutral once again.
But he is the first to break the gaze, his head tilting down and slightly to the side.]
You do me a kindness. Thank you. I...have done terrible things before ending up in Thanos' service, but I would not speak of them now.
[Then back up to meet her eyes.]
Someday. And you are stronger than you think, to not lose yourself in his service either. You were trying to survive. Lay the blame where it belongs, on him. Not on you--your choice was taken from you the minute he kidnapped you.
[Some would call her a fool for having any empathy for this man. Gamora has seen the worst life has to offer. She has lived horrors that are better left unsaid. What else can she do but, feel the pain of others? She gives them the mercy she never knew. She offers them the grace she stubbornly refuses to give herself. Gamora nods in response to his thanks. She doesn't pry into his past. It doesn't matter. Both their hands are soaked with blood.
The rest has her looking down at her rings again. She ponders his words carefully.]
I do blame him for stealing another man's child and forcing them to call him 'Father.' I blame him for ripping me apart and putting me back together countless times in the name of making me stronger. I blame him for all the death and destruction he has brought to our people and countless others. My choices... that is more difficult. Some would say the honorable thing to do in my position would be to die. I agreed with them at points.
[Hence her comments during their dance. She won't spell it out for him. It seems unnecessarily cruel.] I am glad to be free of him now. That we both are.
Dying is the easy way out, unless it's in battle. Better you should live and perhaps suffer by attempting to make amends. Think of that as an alternate viewpoint--although suffering itself without purpose is no more nobler or honorable than dying as an easy way out.
[He understands well what she's saying. Ultimately it's her life, but she has done him a kindness or two. So he'll attempt to do so in turn--and Kind was not always 'nice'.]
[Gamora's brows knit together as she truly takes what he is saying to heart. It is a bitter truth, but one she accepted once. Grief made her lose sight of it until now.] That is what I thought before he took me again. I have spent the past few years trying to make it right. Every time I confronted someone like Thanos, I stopped them with my family. I could not stop him. I must make peace with that.
[Her eyes meet his sharply.] That is not your concern. Thank you again for listening to me. I know I have taken much of your time. I think now we are prepared to do this together so it isn't wasted.
[That startles a laugh from Gamora. It's true. He doesn't have people to rule. No one is expecting her to save the galaxy. What else do they have to do?
He makes a point she can agree with. They are better off doing this together considering what they share in common is love for a young girl.] Is that an order or challenge, Prince?
There is nothing else. [Gamora rises to her feet with a smile still on her lips.] The peasant will be working on tea to lure little girls out of hiding. I trust you have a strategy of your own.
What makes you think I'm not the one helping her get better at hiding?
[With a chuckle and smirk. Alice was more than clever and intelligent enough to hide on her own. She didn't need Loki's help, though she'd have it if she wanted. Still, he escorted Gamora out at least.]
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branchandroot
no subject
Date: 2024-01-06 02:26 am (UTC)[There's a long pause, as he's clearly considering something. Before making blue-green eyes meet her own.]
It has been a new experience, being here--and having people respect and value what I can do. To not treat me as wrong, or different, or the eternal tag-a-long. I was never 'enough'. Never 'worthy'.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-07 05:24 am (UTC)The Jotun have never been popular among the greater galaxy either. Gamora takes these things into careful consideration as she forms a reply. It means something he has trusted her with this. Much like Peter before him, she doesn't betray or dismiss that vulnerability.] There are prejudices everywhere but, not among us as far as I can tell. Take this as the opportunity it is. People here will continue to see you as you are.
[She twirls one of her rings, forces herself to maintain eye contact, and decides to elaborate.] To me, you survived Thanos with your soul intact. You still allow yourself to care for someone as vulnerable as a Terran girl after seeing his horrors up close. You have enough wisdom to understand that very few wished to be in his service willingly.
I will not speak ill of the people you lost and were meant to lead once. I can only say I cannot agree with them. You have shown honor and strength under circumstances that have destroyed others. That has great value in my eyes.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-07 05:34 am (UTC)But he is the first to break the gaze, his head tilting down and slightly to the side.]
You do me a kindness. Thank you. I...have done terrible things before ending up in Thanos' service, but I would not speak of them now.
[Then back up to meet her eyes.]
Someday. And you are stronger than you think, to not lose yourself in his service either. You were trying to survive. Lay the blame where it belongs, on him. Not on you--your choice was taken from you the minute he kidnapped you.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-11 03:59 am (UTC)The rest has her looking down at her rings again. She ponders his words carefully.]
I do blame him for stealing another man's child and forcing them to call him 'Father.' I blame him for ripping me apart and putting me back together countless times in the name of making me stronger. I blame him for all the death and destruction he has brought to our people and countless others. My choices... that is more difficult. Some would say the honorable thing to do in my position would be to die. I agreed with them at points.
[Hence her comments during their dance. She won't spell it out for him. It seems unnecessarily cruel.] I am glad to be free of him now. That we both are.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-13 02:18 am (UTC)[He understands well what she's saying. Ultimately it's her life, but she has done him a kindness or two. So he'll attempt to do so in turn--and Kind was not always 'nice'.]
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 01:58 am (UTC)[Her eyes meet his sharply.] That is not your concern. Thank you again for listening to me. I know I have taken much of your time. I think now we are prepared to do this together so it isn't wasted.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 02:02 am (UTC)[There's sarcasm in it, but he hadn't minded.]
Whether we like it or not, we have common interests and investments. Better we work together than at odds with each other towards common goals.
[Loki tilted his head up, letting some pride in his features and also some challenge.]
Be stronger than he made you to be, by being yourself and your own person.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 02:48 am (UTC)He makes a point she can agree with. They are better off doing this together considering what they share in common is love for a young girl.] Is that an order or challenge, Prince?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 02:56 am (UTC)[He maintained the haughty attitude and posture, but there was mischief in blue-green eyes.]
A challenge, since you'll likely respond better to that. But if it needs to be an order, well...
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 04:25 am (UTC)[She adds generously:] I am willing to accept a challenge.
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 04:28 am (UTC)[Loki might be having a bit of fun himself. With her acquiescence to it being a challenge he just nods. Then lets some of that haughtiness drop.]
More seriously, was there anything else you needed or wanted to discuss?
no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 04:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2024-01-14 05:00 am (UTC)[With a chuckle and smirk. Alice was more than clever and intelligent enough to hide on her own. She didn't need Loki's help, though she'd have it if she wanted. Still, he escorted Gamora out at least.]