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[ikols]

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[hevenly]

[ There is a part of her that is sad to hear that in order to feel good, Loki must forget what he is.

But she will accept his effort to change the subject, out of grace for his feelings. ]

Are you now? I do not know this name. Tell me about him? We can discuss over sugary drinks, my treat.

[ikols]

very well, in exchange for a milkshake i will tell you about my boytoy

[hevenly]

I wait with bated breath.

[ikols]

meet you at the cafe by the diadem

[ There he will be seated outside, awaiting her, with snacks of croissants too. ]

[hevenly]

[ She arrives after him, because she does not have the luxury of traveling via portal. But she walks up with a smile on her face, and a raised eyebrow once she sees the croissants. ]

If those are to try to convince me to ask Tony Stark about his sex life, you will need to buy far more pastries than that.

[ikols]

[ Rolling his eyes, he re-folds his legs with a huff and starts tearing into one of the croissants. ]

I wanted to know more about what might be plaguing Stephen, I couldn't care less where Stark shoves his USB stick. Since you won't tell me anyway, it hardly matters.

[hevenly]

[ She sits down across the table from him and takes a croissant for herself. ]

If you care so deeply to know, I could always ask Stephen directly.

[ikols]

[ He gives her a canny look, booted toe poking her leg. ]

But will you pick and choose what he tells you, too?

[hevenly]

[ She gives him a look right back, and gently pulls her leg out of reach. ]

If the purpose of my inquiry is to uncover information which will put your mind at ease, then I will not keep this information from you.

[ikols]

[ She is a good sister. He only flicks one piece of croissant her way. ]

Who are you seeing, if anyone?

[hevenly]

[ Angela's body language shifts, suddenly. She turns away, not even acknowledging the croissant being flicked in her direction. ]

There is... no one.

[ The hesitation holds so much weight. ]

[ikols]

[ What in the name of Odin's beard? ]

... Because they died or something? What's with that reaction? Here, look at me. Angela.

[hevenly]

[ She looks at him, but she's not happy about it. ]

You recall the confluence last month, which trapped those inside of it with memories of another identity, another life?

[ikols]

Are you missing a fake life?

[hevenly]

[ She wants to look away again. But she won't. Instead, she'll just nod, and stare somewhere into the middle distance behind Loki's left shoulder. ]

I had... a wife.

[ikols]

[ He suspected as much. That place, that spell, was a gentle hell. ]

Who?

[hevenly]

Her name was Karen. But then... that is likely not her true name. For I was not my true self, either, and lived by a different name.

[ She forces herself to eat a bite of croissant. Chew. Swallow. ]

She was beautiful. And strong. [ The briefest hint of a smile. ] And she was a terrible cook.

[ikols]

What did she look like, this so-called Karen? You could put out a call to her on the network.

[ He doubts the other woman would respond because people acted far kinder and were their idyllic selves inside that spell. She's probably awful in real life. ]

[hevenly]

[ Funnily enough, "Karen" did it for her. ]

I do not know if I should. I... I was not a monster, in this other life.

[ Somehow, the magic of the confluence put a pause on the Fog God's curse. In so many ways, this other life was better than Angela's true one, but she knows she shouldn't long to go back. ]

[ikols]

You have never been a monster, not in any way. If she fails to understand that then you're better off without her.

[ Tough love! Like where is his milkshake!! ]

[hevenly]

[ She attempts a smile and a small nod, before standing from the table to go fetch them the sugary drinks she had promised.

As she passes by Loki's side of the table, though, she places a hand on his shoulder and gives a small squeeze of thanks. ]

[ikols]

[ He pats the hand on his shoulder and gives her the minute she needs alone under the excuse of milkshakes. Loki resolves to make a stink of his own business to try and cheer her up, or at least distract her, when she returns. ]

[hevenly]

[ Angela takes the time spent inside the cafe, ordering and paying for two outrageously large and sugary milkshakes, to gather herself and compartmentalize her feelings about the other life— about "Karen"— such that by the time she is returning to their outdoor patio table, drinks in hand, she is back to being her usual composed self, the same wry, fond smile on her face with which she normally greets her favorite sibling. ]

There... [ One milkshake is set down in front of Loki, the other she takes with her back to her seat, whereupon she crosses her legs and takes a hearty sip from her straw. ] Payment has been rendered. Now, tell me of Tim Drake. I do recall the name from my prior place of employment, but we did not have much opportunity to get to know one another before the owner of the establishment vanished in a Confluence, several months back.

[ikols]

[ Taking a long sip of his milkshake (a little sad as he thinks of The Boy), he hums and nods his consent. Payment rendered, indeed. That's like seven bucks of a dessert in a glass. ]

He is a hero, as are most, so it will be difficult to discuss him unless you give me your word you will not expose his not-so secret identity.

[hevenly]

[ It's clear from the look of surprise on Angela's face that she did not expect this news. There were many people who either worked at Ascendant, or were clientele, who led double lives of some kind. She did not expect Tim Drake to be one of them. ]

I will not break your confidence, but you should ask him for his blessing before you tell me.