auroraexpress | (no subject)

Do you.

[Loki states it rather than asks, with a playful tone that could turn dangerous.]

I assure you, it is hardly the worst method I could have chosen.

[ He sighs and scratches at the tree with his claws. ]

I am aware of that much.

But either way, something might be said about attacking your teammate's darker half, as it were.

[ That last part seems to hold a heavier tone. ]

[Loki sighs in turn. Why do other people have to have valid points.]

You have... a personal interest in that possibility, and discouraging it from becoming common practice.

I do not think her situation is that similar to yours. She considers herself Solar, the same person she has always been, not a separate being. And I cannot say that I do not hope she never returns to this state of mind, even if she allows the form to stay.

[ He folds his arms over his chest and tilts up his chin slightly. ]

I am not ashamed of self preservation. Nor should anyone be.

I am not suggesting that we should embrace this aspect of her. Only noting that we should not fall into the practice of seeing any aspect of one other as the enemy.

You should know that not that ago, Felix assumed us to be the same. I was just a part of him that he wished was not there.

I do not think you should be.

[He shakes his head.] And the more you are treated that way, the worse you become, I should expect. A sad fate and I am glad it is changing.

I believe I offered to tell you about Banner and the Hulk?

A work in progress.

[ Fatalis spreads his wings and flaps down to the ground. ]

You mentioned something about it to Felix. I assume these are two associates with a similar situation to ours.

[Loki nods.]

Similar, though more poorly adjusted to the situation. As I understand it, Dr. Bruce Banner is the original, who was once merely an ordinary human. [He waves a hand towards "Demon Solar" and it freezes in place before turning into this.] An... unfortunate accident changed him in a strange way, giving him the ability to turn into another being under certain conditions. [Again he waves, and now the man turns into this.] Banner refers to himself in this state as another being, who he calls "the Beast" or "the Other Guy", though most know him as the Hulk. The Hulk is far stronger than a human, capable of surviving dangers that would kill a lesser being, but he near-mindless and destructive. I believe Banner views him as a necessary evil, a strong fighter to aid in the defense of innocents when needed, but which must be carefully controlled and suppressed. I do not know what the Hulk thinks of the situation, as he is rarely out and never communicative.

[Loki shakes his head and smiles at Fatalis.] For all the disagreements you and Felix have, you do at least communicate with each other, and transferring control is not a calculated act where Felix means to use you to do what he cannot do alone. You are aware of your surroundings even when you are not in control of the body, is that correct?

[ Fatalis is not overly impressed with Banner but does recoil sharply when the figure turns into the Hulk, instinctively bracing his claws. He quickly uncurls his fingers when Loki returns his attention to him. He averts his gaze to the side. ]

Ours is rather the reverse. Before Felix knew about me, I had to take control by force. So I could protect him when he would not do so. While I am always aware, regardless of who is control, Felix only recently discovered the ability. We have an agreement.

[ Mainly that Felix would be allowed to remain a spectator if Fatalis took over during tense situations. But that Felix would otherwise give Fatalis his privacy whenever the exchange was willing. Such as now. Of course, the agreement was contingent on Fatalis doing the same. Felix didn't think it was necessary for either of them to share everything. ]

I do not believe Felix views me as enough of an asset to willingly hand over control in a dangerous scenario.

Though I wonder how this Banner is able to convince the Hulk to take over if their relationship is so poor.

[Loki mostly hides a chuckle and a smirk at Fatalis's reaction to the illusory Hulk. It's a common reaction.]

That sounds more similar to them than you may think. Banner believes the Hulk is meant to protect him, and that is why he emerges, though his self-control is very poor and he ends up destroying more than just the threat to Banner. He does not need to convince the Hulk to take over, the other simply appears when the danger is high, or some particular emotions of Banner's run too strong. He has described it as if he is always holding back the Hulk.

No, the difficulty is in getting the Hulk to return control to Banner once the need for him is done, before he causes too much destruction. For that Banner must rely on his teammates and their tricks, as his awareness while the Hulk is in control is greatly diminished.

[He gives Fatalis a candid look.]

That you and Felix can communicate, demand and pass control of each other, and that Felix does not have to wait for you to wear yourself out when you take over to regain his body, says to me that your relationship is far healthier than theirs. And if Felix believes you are a danger he is better off without, perhaps he should consider what I have said of Banner and Hulk.

[ Fatalis will not comment on poor self control during his protective mode... ]

If that is what Banner believes, what does this Hulk believe?

[ Fatalis taps his claws on his arms. ]

There was a time when we could not switch unless one of us was incapacitated. If I took control, I would have it until I allowed myself to sleep. Or until someone managed to render me unconscious.

Establishing a more mutual agreement has improved that. Felix believes that if I have more time to myself, I will feel less inclined to overreact to the way he handles certain situations.

[ And Felix generally feels bad about Fatalis not having a chance to live his life. ]

[Loki shrugs.] I doubt anyone knows. Even the Hulk's compatriots do not talk to him beyond telling him which targets to attack, and he barely talks in return. [His tone further indicates that nobody cares to find out, himself included.]

I strongly suspect Banner and his other half could learn a lot from how you and Felix relate, should they find themselves here. Even if they do not, once our worlds are restored, I will endeavor to remember you two and pass along any advice that I have learned from your case.

[ Fatalis' expression softens slightly, surprised. ]

You think what we have is so impressive?

[ It is true that he has appreciated a more mutual communication with Felix. ]

[Loki grins in response.]

Given the only other example I have any degree of knowledge of is Banner and Hulk, and you yourself note how poor their relationship is...

Of course, what you have is not perfect, but it is workable and, as you say, improving. I have known relationships that did not involve sharing a body that have done worse.

I suppose that is true. Though it would help immensely if he were less constantly frustrating.

Now that I do not think I can help with. My advice would be... less than productive.

Are you saying that you find yourself to be frustrating?

I would say that I pride myself on responding to frustration with even greater frustration.

That sounds like an unfortunate feedback loop. Does it not exacerbate your situation?