thedressingroom | (no subject)

(no subject)

[There's a pile of books beside the beanbag this wolf is sitting in, a collection that seems to dip into some fairly advanced magic. Remus frowns as he flips through the pages. He's decided that he really ought to take advantage of his time here, and this little studying session promises to be the first of many. He seems preoccupied, though, and occasionally stares off into the corner of the room instead of at the pages before him, thinking about all he has to look forward to when he heads back to the cottage.]

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[Remus is quite a good listener. He watches Loki closely as he speaks, a slight frown creasing between his eyes occasionally, an expression of interest and concern, though also occasionally of sympathy and even pity. It's a painful story in some ways, in part because it reminds him of some he's read in books lately when searching through histories of the war - people he thought he knew rediscovered through different eyes, their private pains laid bare. He has to stifle some urges to offer Loki some chocolate or a comforting cup of tea because he doesn't want to interrupt him.]

[As he spoke, he had gazed downward, at the floor, pulling words fast and thick from his mind; now he looks back up, at the conclusion.]

And so the younger fell- and so the story ends. [He huffs a small chuckle.] Surely your appetite for tales has been satisfied, with such a lengthy one.

Could you ever make peace with him?

[He scoffs.]

When he has learnt to listen to me, even on occasion, then perhaps. When he has learnt that the world is not his to take, like a ripe fruit.

Perhaps.

But if he told you that he has learned that, or even that he never thought it, would you believe him?

He would have to prove the former. As for the latter- he should have thought of it, no? Thousands of years, Remus. Not decades, or even centuries. We have been brothers for millenia.

And three days on Midgard somehow change what millenia could not? No.

[Asks the room, compulsively, to provide two cups of tea on a tray. He takes one up and offers it to Loki curiously.]

Do you feel compassion for those who are not involved, who still might suffer in the crossfire?

[He eyes the tea for a bit, unsure, before he takes it. Tea is something as new to him as chocolate is.]

Their lives were already short to begin with. [Apprehensive, he takes a little sip. Interesting.]

It would seem as if that would give them more meaning, if so much importance must be packed into a smaller space.

As a falling star? [He regards Remus, cocking his head to the side. All these mortals now around him... It's certainly a new experience.]

A life is only as important as you choose.

Ah, unless someone takes that choice away from you.

When are we ever given that choice? Even the Aesir die.

You must admit there's a bit more of a choice when someone else doesn't... take that life away.

If they are present at such scenes of carnage, then they are fated to die that day.

Are you now going to tell me there is no such thing as fate?

It's impossible to know, really.

In my experience, however, I see "fate" used most often as a convenient way of sidestepping free will.

Fate is more complex than that, I should think, than a mere denial of free will. It is there all the same.

Could you elaborate?

To put it another way- it is a hand, a thread, pulling you where it wishes you to go. You cannot see it, but is it still not possible to cut that thread? But I suppose that is the trick. Seeing it.

Hm.

If I personally believed in fate, I would never leave this place.

Fate does not require one to believe in it- or perhaps, I should say, they do not require belief.

But why would you not leave? Are you fearful?

There is a library here that contains every book that has ever and will ever be written. I foolishly went searching for references to myself and my friends.

That was foolish indeed. [But he can't blame Remus. He would do the same.]

But are its words true? There are infinite worlds bound to this place.

And furthermore- [He mimics the slashing of a knife.] The thread can be cut. You see? Fate is still there.

It isn't certain, but it seems statistically probable.

The memory loss also poses a problem.

I have not yet had my memories taken from me. [Then again, he hasn't returned to his own world.]

If you ever decide to go back, it's likely.