Diversions
The environment wasn’t expected to be much better than the lab he’d arrived in. The castle itself, however, proved well kept when they moved into the hallway. Thor didn’t have as much of a cold chill looming over him as he walked by the monarch, instead finding it better suited to what he was used to in Asgard than the modern feel of Loki’s apartment or Avengers mansion.
The sitting room was nicer, feeling more spacious and comfortable with a fire already made and warm. Thor still stood near it, growing more at ease and even relaxing. He felt more obliged to speak since his request had been met as well. “My dislike and distrust comes from your counterpart’s sometimes alliance with my brother. It is a partnership that only promises ruin. He gives you tools and the means to bring complicated and dangerous plots against Midgard into play. There are also cities are threatened, even my friends, and it only gets worse the more time that goes on with you free to do as you please.”
His back was not completely to Victor, but Thor still had to turn his head to bring the man into his vision. “If you have not met my counterpart here than none of it has passed and may it never.” If Victor were not quite as…ambitious as the other might label it Thor wouldn’t doubt he’d be a very useful ally. As it stood the thunderer knew nothing of Victor’s true motives, nor much beyond what Latverian history books of his own realm could tell of the king’s past before he came to know the name and mask.
Thor was trying to again smother his judgement of the man based on his knowing Victor from his realm no matter what red flags his instincts were putting up.
Doom stood beside his piano, opting to remain standing while Thor did as well. He listened intently, though there was no flicker of surprise in his eyes at the news. He knew what he was capable of and he knew what Loki wanted from him. None of what the Asgardian said shocked him and all of it was anticipated. Nonetheless, he listened not so much for what was said, but how it was said and Thor’s body language.
Thor Odinson was hostile toward his counterpart and he was justified in doing so. However, he was not hostile against him in particular. If he could calm and relax another version of Thor so easily, then his universe’s Thor stood no chance. That speculation was shelved for the time being.
“It is inevitable that I will meet your counterpart. As I understand from my Loki, you are rather close to your foster brother and often make intrusive judgments about the company he keeps.” All of it was said with a cool detachment, spoken as impartial facts. He didn’t want to goad Thor, especially not a Thor that had experience against him. Not yet.
“Though I have an alliance with my Loki as well, I have made no move against the world or the Avengers, nor do I intend to unless provoked. I have no interest in quarreling with the Avengers if they do not impede my plans. I also have no interest in indulging Loki’s every whim—Doom will do only as he pleases and only what is good for him alone.” As far as assurances went, that was the best Doom could muster without lying outright.
Thor snorted in disbelief. “I give my brother enough space. If I were as you describe he would not have a single friend, no relationships and I would know every plot he has as he comes up with them.” As much as the blonde hated to admit it Loki did a lot he wasn’t aware of. A recent example that came to mind was the relationship with Captain Rogers. Not only a cross-realm affair, but one destined for only hardship on both sides. Even now the god had no idea how it had progressed (if at all) and really had no intention of finding out. It was not his business and there was nothing he could do about it anyway.
“Your counterpart and I have always been hostile with one another since we met. Keep your peace and yours should not be the same.” That’d be the day of course. Thor getting along with Victor von Doom, what a laugh. What the future king seemed to miss was that he was actually getting along with another version right now. They weren’t ‘friends’, but they were speaking with level tones and their words were not peppered with insults.
“Just keep your plans from the taking over the world and there should be no problems.” If Thor were friendlier he might’ve taken that moment to clasp the taller’s shoulder in reassurance. Not wanting to give the man more reason to notice their height difference he stayed where he was instead, staying warm by the fire. “…Was that all you wanted to hear?”
