The Dark Angel¹

2.3 𝑀𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑦

JUDGE RAVONNA RENSLAYER'S OFFICE

Ravonna and Mobius are making casual conversation. 

Then they get to the real reason why they're there. 

"Because I approve the missions," Ravonna speaks.

"Good point," Mobius admits.

"Speaking of which, let's talk about the one you just botched."

Mobius groans and Ravonna hands him a drink. "You might need this for our discussion."

"I hope it's a double." Mobius jokes before taking a sip.

"This Variant is... 'Insubordinate, stubborn, unpredictable.' Sounds like someone else I know." She reads of a file.

"I was just thinking it sounds like someone I know." Mobius places his drink on a side table that's already stained with glass rings.

"Mobius?"

"What? Those rings were already there."

"And they're all from you." 

"Maybe it's from your other favourite analyst. Listen, Ravonna, I'm sorry. I realize that my, you know, methods with this Loki are controversial, but..."

"Towing a dangerous Variant into the field is controversial."

"Yeah, it didn't go exactly the way I wanted it to today, but here's what we did find 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 me get closer to the one we're chasing. Right?"

"We found out?" Ravonna questions in an amused tone.

"Okay, this girl found out. Who is she anyway?"

Ravonna sighs and closes the file. "She came with your Loki. Her name is Laverna Lavernalis. I thought she could help to catch the Variant." Mobius looks at her to continue. "Because she is kind of a Loki Variant."

"Wait, you tell me it is controversial to put a dangerous Variant into the field, but do it yourself?"

"I said she is kind of a Loki Variant. Her file is weird. She is strictly not even a Variant.

"What does all that mean?" 

"Her being teleported there and coming to the TVA did not spark a branch. And as you know, Loki is a Norse trickster god." Mobius nods. "According to myths, Laverna is the Roman goddess of thieves, cheats, and the underworld."

"According to myths? Since when do you believe in myths?"

"Well, in her file was only her name, history, and that she had the same magic as a trickster god or goddess. So I did some research."

"Had?"

"Yeah, she was captured by Hydra and made a subject in the Winter Soldier project. She was the only one to survive because they found out she was not human, so the other humans were no longer interesting to them. When B-15 brought her to me, she was still in a daze. But now it seems to slowly wear off. As you have seen in the circus, her own personality is coming back."