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[ikols]

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[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.

[ikols]

I don't think he will be mad with me if I trust you. You are family.

[hevenly]

[ Hm... ]

I seem to recall, he has brothers, does he not? Does he tell them your intimate secrets?

[ikols]

What secrets do you assume I have to be shared, sister dear?

[ Loki is, surprisingly enough, quite honest with his partners. ]

I haven't another identity to unearth.

[hevenly]

[ ...Fair enough, she can't deny that. ]

Very well. If you believe he will not take offense to me knowing... His secret will stay between us.

[ikols]

I know you will keep your word.

[ Otherwise he wouldn't blab. He has some morals. ]

Tim nightlights as Red Robin, or just Robin. The Batman is his leader and his brothers are the Red Hood and Nightwing. I'm telling you this so you don't injure any of them if a fight starts or so you can protect them on my behalf, for Tim's sake, as they are only mortal and enjoy flinging themselves into danger.

[hevenly]

[ She listens patiently, sipping her milkshake and committing the names to memory. ]

Understood.

[ There's just one thing, a name on Loki's lost that triggered a distant memory. ]

The Batman... Do you mean—? [ Insert vague dabbing motion. ]

[ikols]

... Did you just dab?

[ What is happening. ]

[hevenly]

No, it's— [ She pauses, and struggles with how best to explain the reference she's trying to make. ]

When I first arrived in this world, there were many "memes" on the web, of a hero known as the Batman, who would gesture thusly with his cape.

[ She does it again. She dabs. ]

[ikols]

Are you telling me Batman used to dab ... while in costume?

[hevenly]

Indeed. That Rue Moore woman saw fit to mention it as often as she could.