Chapter 85
Sylvie was holding Peter crying in her arms. She stared at his tears, his broken expression. What happened? Why did Peter look so broken? Where was Loki when you need him? It was he who knew better about people, emotions and manipulation. She hadn't had a chance to learn it because she had spent most of her life running away from TVA. Loki would know immediately what to do or say. All she could do was hold Peter and keep thinking. She was hopeless at it. She wanted to console Peter like mother should, but she couldn't.
She only remembered fragments of her mother.
Just scraps dancing before her eyes in dreams.
As if dreams were mingling with blurred memories.
It's completely different than with her new mother. The Queen of Asgard, reading a book, hugging her with a gentle expression on her face. However, she only saw her once. Too little to learn a mother's care. All she could do was hug Peter and hope it was enough.
"Peter, please tell me what happened?" Sylvie asked. She examined it carefully. He had no wounds, no bruises or abrasions. Did someone say something bad to him? Did he miss Earth? He was afraid of Xandar? What was it about?
Peter shook his head.
It was so frustrating! She wanted to hit something! At least that was what she could do. Kill and steal from TVA agents. A nothing more. However, that would not help Peter at all. If only she could sing. It would work. However, only Loki could sing. She didn't know why. She sang terribly. She had no talent for this. But Loki sang great. They were variants of the same being, and they were so different. What was their connection?
What was Loki's nature?
According to Owen, love.
But she wasn't Loki.
She didn't care about the others. She killed without hesitation. Only a few found a place in her heart: Loki, Peter, Owen, Stella and mama.
Loki who always cared for her.They fought without hesitation by their side against The Time Keeepers, it was a terrifying fight. But they were in this together.
Peter, to whom at first she only felt indifference until he crept into her heart. They watched Star Wars together. Sylvie saw him drawing with them as a family.
Owen and Stella who were with her. She remembered their wedding. A short celebration where only she and Loki attended. Stella wore a white dress with a golden rose on her chest, and Owen just had blonde hair instead of gray. Then they drove over to Owen's house on vacation. Two glorious weeks of her life.
Her new mom with a friendly smile that was real. In a beautiful dress with elegant manners.
She cared only about them.
The rest she could burn.
She hugged Peter and suddenly a terrible thought struck her
What if she was an inferior version of Loki?
Loki was the Prince of Asgard. He had a wonderful mother. He was a master of magic and manipulation. He was more powerful than she was.
Of course, his life wasn't very beautiful either. She still remembered about Sif and the rest. Most of all, about Thor, who tried to punch his brother without hesitation. About Odin who was going to kill Loki.
However, Loki always seemed to know what to do. How to turn the situation to your advantage. How to console a crying baby.
And who was she?
She reminded him of Thor! She remembered her rage at this.
Maybe Loki was right to leave them without a word! But she knew he was very caring. Why did he leave them? He was so needed now! He would sing something, show some kind of illusion, and Peter would smile. And she? She was hopeless at comforting.
"Sylvie, why are you crying? It's me? Sorry, I didn't want to" Peter looked up and kissed her wet cheek.
This kiss stunned Sylvie a little. She was not used to tenderness. She stared into Peter's brown eyes. So innocent and yet full of shadows. He eventually lost both families. Maybe that's why he cried. Owen then walked into the room. He was wearing some unknown blue outfit, his hair was combed differently, and he looked determined.
"Here you are. I was just about to ..." he broke off seeing their red faces after crying.
"What happened?" suddenly Owen was there.
Sylvie and Peter were silent.
Owen's right hand was on Sylvie's shoulder. Owen watched her and Peter closely. Suddenly realization flashed across his face. As if he already understood why she and Peter were crying. Maybe yes, after all, he was best informed about everything.
"I get it. Sylvie, I'll talk to you separately. Who first? You or Peter?" Owen asked.
Sylvie didn't want to be selfish. Peter was the first to cry. Owen, too, knew emotions better than Sylvie did. She immediately stood up and pushed Peter's hands away from her, who was staring at her in surprise.
"I'm going to stretch my legs. Talk to Peter," Sylvie replied. She immediately took on a mask of strength and courage.
"Sylvie, we'll talk too. And don't let bad thoughts eat you up inside," Owen replied, sitting down next to Peter.
"I don't have any bad thoughts," Sylvie snorted.
"Sylvie. I'm specialist of Loki. It's like you are telling the doctor that you're healthy despite being sick," Owen replied.
"Sylvie, you don't have to leave. You can stay. Mr. Owen, are you specialist of Loki? What does that mean?" Peter looked swayed. Yes, of course. Owen was better at it than Sylvie. Sylvie left, ignoring Peter's protests. She had to be alone.
"We'll talk, Sylvie," Owen told her before she closed the door.
Doubts began to bite her. As Owen touched her shoulder, she slipped her hand into his pocket. TimePad. She could go anywhere. However, this is for later. She returned to her room.
She still wanted sleep. She had been sleeping badly recently. She didn't remember much of her dreams. Only fragments. Nothing more. She lay down on the bed and rested her head against the pillow.
She fell asleep.
She seemed to be in Asgard. She walked in huge salami. She was completely lost, but knew she had to hurry.
Where she did not know.
She ran and ran.
Until she fell into the chamber.
Mom was lying on the floor.
Dead.
Sylvie screamed.
Then suddenly Asgard tore in two, and Sylvie looked back.
"Sylvie, what are you doing in my dreams?" Sylvie turned at Loki's voice.
She finally found him! She was going to scream and hug him at the same time. He was here again.
He was standing there in his black and green armor. He seemed tired, but he masked it with a smile. Half-bitter, half-sweet. He was glad to see Sylvie. They were standing in some forest. Sylvie didn't recognize this place.
"You are real?" she asked as she walked over. She was still looking around. She touched his hand gently. He was here.
"Of course it is. You are in my mind. In my dreams. Normally you couldn't come in here. However, it seems like we connect somehow. Our minds. Probably because you and I are variants of the same being," Loki said.
"Why now? Not earlier?" Sylvie asked.
"I don't know, Sylvie. I didn't know that myself before. Only now. It seems like you and I are both sleeping at the same time. So we can connect. But it's still a secret. Maybe Owen will know something about it. I never heard that someone could do something like that. Talking through dreams. In a way, that's great, "Loki said.
"Or dangerous. And anyway, I want to shout at you because you left us without a word! We were worried about you! And Peter was crying," Sylvie snapped. At least Loki had the manners to appear embarrassed.
"Sylvie. I had to run away for a while. I'm safe, and Peter ..." Suddenly Loki broke off.
"What's going on?" Sylvie asked, grabbing Loki's arm.
Loki laughed bitterly. He looked puzzled by something.
"Ancient One. I can feel her magic," Loki replied.
"Who is the Ancient One?" Sylvie asked.
"I'll tell you later. I have to go," Loki replied.
Suddenly the world spun.
And Sylvie woke up.
And she remembered everything.