Clock's Ticking

Sympathy

When we get back to the TVA, Ranslayer wants to see Mobius and I in her office. Since he has nowhere else to go, Loki tries to come with us but I stop him at the door, "just wait here."

"Why can't I join you inside."

"Because I'm pretty sure this meeting could end with your pruning. Trust me, you'll want any head start you can get."

Loki nods and steps away from the door before I walk in, closing the doors behind me. Mobius is in the middle of the room admiring the office, "is it just me, or does this office keep getting better and better?"

I walk up next to him and shrug, "or our desks keep getting worse."

I move to sit on one of the sofas in the room, since Ranslayer has two parallel to one another. Before he sits, Mobius points to a trophy Ranslayer has on her wall, "where'd you get that one, the snow globe? I love those. I don't remember bringing back that case."

Ranslayer, who is behind us, pours a few drinks, "you two aren't the only analysts working for me."

"But, would you say, maybe, we're your favorites?"

I turn back to Ranslayer, propping an arm up on the back of the couch,  "and why do you get to keep all the trophies from our cases?" I look over to Mobius, "I'd love to have a snow globe."

Mobius nods, "I'd love having that roller skate, maybe spruce up my cubicle."

Ranslayer sighs as she brings the two cups around, "because I approve the missions."

"Good point."

"Speaking of which, let's talk about the one you two just botched," Ranslayer hands a glass to Mobius, as he groans, "you might need this for our discussion." Keeping the second glass for herself.

"I hope it's a double," Mobius sighs before taking a large gulp.

"This Variant is..." Ranslayer opens the file that no doubt already has B-15's report in it. "Insubordinate, stubborn, unpredictable. Sounds like someone else I know."

"I was just thinking it sounds like someone I know," Mobius sitting down the cup in the side table, not using a coaster as Ranslayer pretty much demands.

"Mobius."

"What? Those rings were already there."

"And they're all from you."

Mobius leans forward to the coffee table to grab a coaster, "maybe it's from your other favorite analyst." He sits the drink down, "listen, Ravonna, I'm sorry. I realize that my, you know, methods with this Loki are controversial, but... so were my methods with Kamaria when she was a Variant."

"She tried to change her life for the better. But towing a dangerous Variant, like Loki, into the field is even more controversial."

"Okay, it didn't go exactly the way I wanted it to today, but even Kamaria didn't get the hang of this until a few cases in. And we also found out the Variant likes to stall for time, and, eventually, we'll catch the other one doing the same thing. Because understanding this Loki helps us get closer to the one we're chasing. Right?"

"Look, I know you have a soft spot for broken things, and yes, it worked in our favor when you recruited Kamaria, but not everyone is as willing to change as she was. Loki is an evil, lying scourge. That is the part he plays on the Sacred Timeline."

I take a deep breath, "it was the part I was supposed to play too. Wasn't it? Maybe he wants to mix it up, I know I did."

"Sometimes you get tired of playing the same part," Mobius nods.

"Right? It's possible that he can change."

"Not unless the Time-Keepers decree it," Ranslayer shakes her head.

"Like they did with me?"

"They made an exception with you. Because they saw greatness."

"Mmhmm, and how are the old Time-Keepers?"

Ranslayer sighs, "how do you think?"

"I don't know. 'Cause I've never met 'em." I turn to Mobius, "have you?"

Mobius shakes his head, "thankfully. Although, we probably shouldn't say that."

Ranslayer leans forward, "the Time-Keepers are monitoring every aspect of this case. I've never seen them so involved. They want that Variant caught."

"So do we."

"And this is the last chance you're gonna get with this Loki."

"Great. That's all we're gonna need." Mobius turns to me, "go, get something to eat and take him with you."

I shake my head a bit, "fine." I get up and head out of the office, stopping at the door, "Ran, if this doesn't work, I'll delete him myself." I walk out and close the door behind me, so Mobius and Ranslayer can talk in peace. When I get out Loki is sitting on one of the benches outside the office, like a dog waiting  for his master. I whistle and motion for him to follow me.

Loki jumps up and starts to chase after me, "you're probably wondering what happened out on the mission. That was your first lesson in catching a Loki. Expect the expected. You see, half the fun of being a trickster is knowing everyone knows you're a trickster, and then, many of your tricks can come from exploiting the fact that you know that they know..."

"Okay, just shut up. Please. What happened to the guy I met on the elevator? Who didn't like to talk. Remember him? Cause I miss him. But looks like I'm stuck with the guy who won't stop talking away about what makes a Loki tick."

"What? Isn't that precisely why I'm here?"

"No, I don't care what makes you tick. That's Mobius' thing. You're here to help me catch the superior version of yourself. That's it."

"Hang on. I'm not sure 'superior' is actually quite the right word."

"See? There it is. Right there." I stop and turn to Loki, "Mobius believed, stupidly, that insecure need for validation would motivate you to find the killer. We knew it wasn't because you care about the TVA mission or being a hero." I shake my head, "but I thought it would motivate you because you know this Variant is better than you and you can't take it."

"Very nice."

"They don't pay me to be nice."

"It's adorable that you think you could possibly manipulate me," as he speaks Loki moves some hair out of my face. "I'm ten steps ahead of you. I've been playing a game of my own all along."

"Uh-huh, charm your way to the Time-Keepers, hustle them, and seize control of the TVA. Sound about right? A double cross from history's most reliable liar."

"Okay, why were you in there sticking your neck out for me?"

"I wasn't, Mobius was, just like he stuck his neck out for me."

"Then why haven't you pruned me yourself yet?"

"Because I see a scared little boy and I kind of feel sorry for that little ice runt." I shrug my shoulders and look up to Loki, giving it a moment before I take a deep breath, "or I just wanna catch this guy and will tell you whatever lie I need to. Take your pick," I step away from him and onto the elevator.

Loki waits a moment before stepping onto the elevator with me, "I don't need your sympathy."

"Good, because I don't have a lot left to give."