There's a reason we've only been hanging out in neutral territory. I'm being careful. And he's really cool about everything. [The cross-court problem he means]
...I didn't want to like him. And I do. And he's not used to having friends either so I'm not gonna bail on him.
So you think I should just stop seeing him and break that promise. [Accusatory. He doesn't like that idea but he's at least acknowledging that Loki has a point]
I'm learning about the Seelie side of things this way, too. [Sort of. They've mostly just been goofing off actually but it sounds good]
What I'm saying is that he may not be the one to get you hurt, it may be the other way around. Tell me what you think would happen if the Monarchs of our enemies found out that you two had been conspiring together? This is a war, with it comes no kindness.
Do I think that they may use him for vital information, or do you think he'll get punished? That depends on how much of a debbie downer you want to be.
So what do I do? [He can't promise he'll listen but it's definitely something to consider. Much like Nico not wanting Hiro to get hurt because of him? Feeling's mutual.] I don't know if his monarchs will find out.
That's the kicker, isn't it? [ he has a few answers to that one, none of them Hiro will like, most likely. ] Nor do you want him to slip, either. Not intentionally, of course, but it's possible.
We're both being really careful though. [Apparently stressing that factor will help in his logic.] The monarchs can't track every single one of us and...and if they really had a problem they should talk to Shuck since he's the one who decided to have us work together.
[But you're the one who decided to befriend the demigod, aren't you, Hiro?]
He won't slip. I know he won't. [He doesn't know that.]
Your record of being careful doesn't inspire much confidence.
[ he says, not with barbs but as a matter of fact. ]
You've already painted yourself as a target as the head of Research and Development, as soon as anyone who's anyone can get on their feet they'll find out.
I can't believe I have to say this, but you must be discreet, and you must think things through. This is no longer just your narrative, Hiro.
[Yeah, true. He can't argue and actually he feels slightly ashamed that he can't disagree with that. Jason's said the same thing before on both accounts and there's a slight sniff that's meant to be dismissive but not quite.]
As soon as I can, I'm going to find a way to hide my shard. Maybe I can talk to Morla when she comes back about keeping Nico safe. Something. I have to do something.
[And then, quietly.] ...I messed up. But I'm going to fix it. I'm going to make sure we're safe and that he is, too. But you can't tell Jason yet.
Keep communication to a minimum. Tell Jason have you the chance—keep your communication tight, observe your resources. Think things through. Different angle, Hiro.
There's no room to be reckless, as it may be the death of one or both of you. Or worse, if possible.
[ very surprisingly yes. there's a course of action for everything, and as mercurial as Loki can be, and as much as he follows his wants, he knows what angles to press. he knows how to look at things. he gets the idea Hiro's running blind.
[Of course he's running blind. He's still so far out of his element and there's a bit that he isn't telling Loki at all but there will be time for that later. At a time called "much, much later." When he responds he sounds reasonably cowed.]
I know. I gotta just figure out what that is. Thanks. [...this sucks.] I have a lot to think about. I'll talk to you later?
...no. [Truthfully? No. But there are several things about it that he's not entirely sure what he can do about it.] But I can't explain the rest. So I guess for now, yeah, that's it.
Loki, I messed up. I know that. [There's a frustrated sound.] I don't know how to explain it, but I'm working on it. I'm trying to adapt but I can't adapt enough if you guys don't let me go.
Jason's already going to say I can't go. [He's remembering a conversation from August, really.] He doesn't trust me out there, I get that, but making me stay in the spire just because I'm a target isn't going to make this better. I have skills now. I can survive out there and Nico can shadowtravel.
Besides it's not like you guys got better at what you do by staying hidden, did you?
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...I didn't want to like him. And I do. And he's not used to having friends either so I'm not gonna bail on him.
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The Unseelie are missing for now, but there's no certainty as to when they'll return.
These are hot coals.
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I'm learning about the Seelie side of things this way, too. [Sort of. They've mostly just been goofing off actually but it sounds good]
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What I'm saying is that he may not be the one to get you hurt, it may be the other way around. Tell me what you think would happen if the Monarchs of our enemies found out that you two had been conspiring together? This is a war, with it comes no kindness.
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I...oh. [Give him a moment to think] ...how bad do you think they'd hurt him? There's gotta be a way around it.
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[But you're the one who decided to befriend the demigod, aren't you, Hiro?]
He won't slip. I know he won't. [He doesn't know that.]
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[ he says, not with barbs but as a matter of fact. ]
You've already painted yourself as a target as the head of Research and Development, as soon as anyone who's anyone can get on their feet they'll find out.
I can't believe I have to say this, but you must be discreet, and you must think things through. This is no longer just your narrative, Hiro.
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As soon as I can, I'm going to find a way to hide my shard. Maybe I can talk to Morla when she comes back about keeping Nico safe. Something. I have to do something.
[And then, quietly.] ...I messed up. But I'm going to fix it. I'm going to make sure we're safe and that he is, too. But you can't tell Jason yet.
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No!
[ and then quieter. ]
No, no—that's exactly what not to do. Don't mention this to Morla. Not until we're certain.
Hiro ...
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[Whoops. Okay. Let's not overreact about this, it's not as though it's the end of the world...
...oh. Wait.]
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There's no room to be reckless, as it may be the death of one or both of you. Or worse, if possible.
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I'll tell Jason when I get the chance. And I'll be more careful. That's all I can do right now.
[Other than plan for a more secure method, but whatever.]
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his voice is a little gentler. ]
You have to work with what you have.
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I know. I gotta just figure out what that is. Thanks. [...this sucks.] I have a lot to think about. I'll talk to you later?
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[ he says, posed half as a question, half as a statement. ]
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There may be no traffic to run into, but I'm sure we could think of a properly accompanying metaphor.
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Remember—you have a target on your sternum. Act as if you can see it at all times.
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Besides it's not like you guys got better at what you do by staying hidden, did you?
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