bakerstreet | the true self meme

the true self meme

THE 'TRUE SELF' MEME

"In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts.

Everyone has another side to them that they keep hidden away, feelings they bottle up to save face or avoid conflict. But what if those feelings take a life of their own...?

Perhaps it's your best friend, a close family member, a hated enemy, or maybe it's just a complete stranger. No matter who it is, they are different now, possessing creepy yellow eyes, a distorted voice, and a disconcerting aura. Take care in what you say to them, though, because there are three little words that will set them off into an unstoppable rage...

How to:
Step 1: Post with your character with their name and canon.
Step 2: Others respond stumbling onto your character.
Step 3: WHOOPS. Character A has been replaced by their Shadow or Other Self!
Step 4: Play out the encounter! Will you start an epic boss fight? Have a pleasant chat? Or maybe just flat out ignore them? Run wild!

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[Unfortunately, as he'll realize a split-second too late, that's exactly what's just happened.

And a split-second after he realizes this, Loki takes a leap off the disassembled rig, landing on Tony's back and holding on tight. He normally loathes to use the chilling touch that's an innate ability in this form, when he's even willing to assume it to begin with. Now can hardly be called ordinary circumstances, however, and he makes his touch cold enough to burn.

But when he's sure that the shadow is good and agonized, Loki pulls a hand away only for the sake of reforming an ice blade.]

Give...him...

[He rams the sword without hesitation straight through the shadow's chest and out the other side.]

...back!

[The ambush happened quickly, causing him to thrash until the bitter cold began seeping through the armour. Frost bloomed across the black surface followed quickly by a full coat of ice. It was certainly cold enough to burn and the Shadow tried to throw Loki off only for the metallic joints to freeze over.

Loki's hand pulled away and the Shadow was all but immobile by then. He let out a cry as he was skewered. Cracks radiated from the puncture like a spiderweb, oozing black tendrils of smoke.]

He's all yours.

[The armour shatters, dissolving into dark mist leaving Tony in its place in Loki's hold. If the Asgardian didn't keep a hold of him, he'd tip forward, catching himself on his hands and knees. His eyes were back to their usual brown.]

...Loki?

[Loki unfortunately didn't keep a hold of him, the sudden shattering of the armor leaving him stumbling back in preparation for a new attack. But the man revealed beneath the armor this time merely...slumped forward, boneless and weak and different, and Loki slowly relaxed from his whipcord tension as these details sunk in.

When Tony spoke, he felt his heart constrict painfully with hope. Moving slowly, gingerly, he paced around and knelt down before the human, before reaching out to gently tilt Tony's face up towards his.

From this close, it was plain to see that those eery yellow eyes had been replaced by the familiar brown ones. Something in Loki's expression seemed to crack with relief, and he drew in a shuddering breath that caught in his throat.]

Tony.

[Explanations or lies could come later. For now, he just pulled the human to him in a rib-creaking hug.]

[Tony didn't expect such a sudden and affectionate reaction. When his head was tilted up, he looked into those unnatural eyes for a moment, not sure if the Jotun form was a relief to see or made his worries escalate. He was vaguely aware of what had just transpired, but it still felt a bit surreal. Like coming out of a vivid nightmare, trying to decide what was real and what wasn't. The sudden hold, however, did ease his mind even if his body momentarily stiffened. After another moment's hesitation, he slipped an arm around Loki in return.]

Yep. It's me. ...not dark, psychotic, evil me. Just... well, some still might call me evil.

[He let out a short scoff of a laugh against Loki's shoulder.]

You're cold, you know.

Edited 2015-04-30 04:16 (UTC)

[He was cold. Not cold enough to scald, of course. It was a chill somewhere between a snowbank and a corpse, and it was about as close as a Jotun could get to approachable. But it was clear from the way Loki tensed against Tony that he had actually entirely forgotten what shape he was in, for a moment. Under ordinary circumstances, he might still have been able to ignore it - it was clear that Tony wasn't in pain, after all.

But the memory of the Shadow's biting mockery twinged like a fresh wound, and so Loki gently disentangled himself. Brushing at one arm like a man swatting away a troublesome spider, in doing so he set his skin fading back to its normal pale shade once more.]

My apologies. The heat of the moment got away from me, so to speak.

[It hadn't been too uncomfortable, just cold. He wasn't entirely sure it was worth losing that moment of affection from Loki, but the deed was done and he was left to right himself and brush debris from his hands and knees. He did reach out and lightly touch Loki's arm as the blue faded away and his skin gradually warmed.]

That... none of that was supposed to go that way. ...by the way. And, you know, I would have been totally... [He was scrapping for words because he still has issues admitting he needs help from time to time.] screwed if you hadn't... [He scrubs a hand through his hair and down the back of his neck with a huff.] Thank you.

[He steps forward, trying to capture one of Loki's hands between his.] And those things it--I said... [He shrugs helplessly. Words were hard and no one understands, dammit!]

For the record, I think we need more 'heat of the moment' moments like that.

[Loki did flinch a little as Tony reached out to him, but as much from surprise as anything else. In the end, he didn't pull away, and even smiled faintly.

He listens quietly as Tony fumbles for the right words, not entirely sure if there are any right words to be found. The sentiment is obvious, at least, and appreciated.

But he's not sure he's entirely ready to talk or deal yet. Fortunately, as ever, Tony provides such wonderful distractions, and Loki raises an eyebrow in curiosity that's not entirely feigned.]

Like what? [There was a great deal of heat and a great many moments.] Do you mean my coming to rescue you from soul-devouring abominations, or...

[...or spontaneous affection?

Both were things that took their toll on Loki, but Tony had so far proven himself worth the effort.]

[When Loki flinched, Tony almost let go, but seeing as the Asgardian didn't pull away, he took that as a good sign and let the touch stand. But Loki mentions the forbidden word and Tony almost puts petulantly.]

Hey, the 'R' word is forbidden in this... [He nods, indicating the room, but he's smirking lightly now.] workshop. How about I try not to release any more soul-devouring abominations to need assistance with, and you just drop by a little more often for the other thing. It was... nice. And no, I didn't do it for attention. Because I did hear that comment. But he was wrong. I didn't know you'd show up, but I might have hoped you would. Y'know, after I totally fubar'd the situation.

[He gives Loki's hand a gentle, affectionate squeeze, though he may not even realise he'd done it.]

Next time I peek into another dimension, I'll be sure not to let any parasitic soul-devouring monsters through. ...I never thought I'd say that out loud. I--he--it didn't hurt you, did I?

[And now there's concern etching his features as he tries to look Loki over in the dim light.]

Edited (I agree with Tony, words are hard. ) 2015-05-01 08:44 (UTC)

See that you don't. I would prefer, of course, that you don't go peering into other dimensions in the first place... [Because that does nothing good for one's head, as Loki is personally aware] ...but I know to quit when I'm ahead. [And having Tony here at all definitely counts as "ahead".

Loki definitely looks more than a bit battered and singed, but it's nothing that's causing him evident pain. In a few hours, he'll be fine. He does look shaken and strained, however, much as he's trying to hide it. As is probably made particularly evident when his response to that gentle squeeze is to wind his fingers through Tony's and return it, carefully but just as affectionately.] Mm. I suppose that depends.

Are you all right? There's the obvious question of how much you remember, after all. [And Loki has a lot more practice seeing through lies.]

Spoken like a man with experience on the subject. [He narrows his eyes a fraction and stares for a moment.] Fine. I'll compromise. I will try not to poke into other dimensions, but if I absolutely can't help myself, I won't do it without experienced supervision. Better?

[And he absolutely won't use it as an excuse to see Loki. Nope. Perish the thought. ...he totally will.

Loki did look battered and it made Tony subtly cringe because the only one at fault for Loki's condition was Tony. With their fingers laced together, he gives the arm a gentle pull, stepping closer as he does, brushing a bit of dusty debris from the deity's shoulder. Then he prompted for Loki to clarify.] Depends on...?

Yeah, yeah I'm good. Wasn't my body in the fight, not really. Not a scratch. [There were easy ways around the truth, and he knew well that lying to Loki was about as easy as convincing JARVIS the sky was green. It just wouldn't happen.] I... remember pretty much all of it. It's like a dream, kinda fuzzy around the edges, but it's there.

((ooc: Sorry for the delay! Had some unexpected traveling to do, but I should be back now if you want to continue.))

Better. [The admission is made grudgingly, but Loki is still aware that that's the best concession he's likely to get from Tony.

It's part of his charm, honestly. Or at least, it keeps Loki from getting bored, and the two are often the same thing.

He doesn't clarify until Tony answers, and as he does so, Loki's expression softens, into something both melancholy and warm at the same time. When he gives his answer, which is unpleasant if one that Loki trusts to be honest, he leans forward enough to press a kiss to the other man's forehead.] Mm. Well. As I was saying, how I am depends on how you are. If you are well, then so am I.

[That's not the entirety of it, of course. But there's only so much talking Loki can bring himself to do in the lab, after...all of that. So he adds, delicately but insistently:] But if I may be so bold, I think you might have done enough work for tonight.

((OOC: Not a problem, and yes, I would love to continue! I hope everything's okay.))

[He wasn't sure how many people would actually call it 'charm' but it was certainly part of him. But if keeping Loki from getting bored was what it took, he would likely be endlessly entertained by Tony as the man had trouble keeping himself out of trouble. Even when he was trying to do good, he could still somehow cause a royal catastrophe.

Tony's eyes fluttery shut for a moment as Loki kisses his forehead. He tips his head to the side slightly when Loki speaks, a warmer expression overtaking his own features.] Well if that's all it takes.

[His tone is subtly playful because when Tony isn't blowing something up, he's getting blown up or pissing something off that he can't handle which tends to end in something blowing up, so a state of 'being well' is not one he lives in often. However, he can tell when he really shouldn't argue with Loki, like Pepper, when it has to do with dragging him out of the workshop.]

Yeah--yeah, you're right. We should probably... [He gestures to the glass door leading to the staircase.] You know, before I summon any other inter-dimensional parasites. I think one case of Stark Childhood Confession Hour is enough for me for a lifetime.

[He hesitates before offering a brief smile in Loki's direction. If that darker, more emotional side of him had gone unchecked for long, the damage he could have caused could have been extreme. If he'd gotten out like that... He gestured for Loki to follow him as he headed for the door.] By the way, you're always allowed to be bold.

Mm. You may regret saying so later, but for now, thank you.

[Loki generally tries to keep himself on at least a moderately short leash, around Tony. Since their relationship - for lack of a better term - does seem to be working - he's hesitant to change his behavior even when given permission.

He's also hesitant to think too hard about the implications of waiting on Tony's permission.

But either way, Loki breathes a little easier when they're out in the more open air of the rest of the house, the lab door closing behind them. In a gesture that's either possessive, protective, or just deeply insecure, he lingers for a moment at the top of the stairs for Tony to move up beside him, only to slide an arm around the human's waist.] I confess, I didn't intend to ask before... [He never does.] ...but it seems only polite now.

Do you mind if I stay the night?

I regret a good-- [He makes a deciding hum sound through his nose as he thinks about the number] I'll be generous here--67% of everything that comes out of my mouth. That will not be one of those times.

[Tony could understand Loki's hesitance, but he's almost come to the conclusion by now that if he hasn't run Loki off by now, the risk of doing so was low. Anyone that could put up with Tony's antics was deserving of a medal.

Almost instinctively when that arm found his waist, he moved closer, slipping his own around Loki's waist. Those were words he was absolutely content to hear.]

I never mind if you stay--another thing I know I won't regret saying.

[He looks around the living room space for a moment, pulling Loki closer for a moment. He faced him and kissed him lightly, his other hand left resting at the back of Loki's neck.] I hope I didn't drag you away from anything too important.

[Loki faced Tony when bidden, a quizzical sort of expression on his face that quickly faded to one of contentment at even that light kiss, at the hand against the back of his neck. He leaned into it for a moment, running his fingers along Tony's scalp and through his hair, before pulling away, still with a faint smile.]

Nothing that won't keep a while. [He tends to keep himself very busy with this plan or that. Anything to stay ahead of too many enemies.

But the world won't come crashing down if he spends the night, and maybe the morning, and it says a lot for the progress they've made together that Loki can admit as much even to himself.

Loki doesn't take up very much space in bed, anyway, even for one so tall. He tends to sleep with all his limbs pulled in tight, and there are some nights when he doesn't even bother with pillows. But most nights, at least, he sleeps easier in Tony's bed than he does in any of his many sanctuaries throughout the realms.

But this, unfortunately, is not one of those nights. One's defenses are always weaker in sleep, including mental ones. So in his dreams, it all finally, properly hits him, the shock and trauma of even that brief fight, of almost losing this man he's come to care so intensely for. He dreams of the fight, and all the ways it could have gone wrong, and in the end awakes suddenly, not quite smothering a cry of alarm.

Even then, it's mostly the fact that he's a little more graceless than usual in getting out of bed that might wake Tony.]

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the true self meme

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Tony Stark; the picture of eloquence.

He's so cute!

He's ridiculous. XD

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