bakerstreet | 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 Character A has been replaced by their Shadow or Other Self!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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[This is not the response Darcy was expecting. Loki looks terrified, as if he assumes this to be some sort of trap. Confused, second-guessing her decision, Darcy leans away from him, looking puzzled.

Has she misjudged the situation? What if he prefers to remain in chains?

What if he is still too broken to control himself?]

I want you to be comfortable, Loki. That's all.

[She stands slowly, arms spread wide to show that she carries no weapon and means him no harm. Carefully, she steps away from him, upset with herself for upsetting him.]

[He does think this is a trap - if not on her part, then on the part of Asgard, or even SHIELD. Dimly, his own words come back to him, as though through a long tunnel - "you would appear as a friend, as a balm."

Loki bares his teeth, at Darcy, at everything, and shifts from his ungainly sprawl to a rather more recognizable crouch.]

You remember what I did to you, don't you? [All in a rush, he rises to his feet, takes two steps to put Darcy just within arm's reach, and slams a hand against the wall hard enough to hurt.]

What I should still do to you? ["Should"...but already knows that he can't. Already knows that he's doomed. All he can do is pray that she doesn't realize the same.]

[Yup, she definitely jumped the gun.

Darcy flinches and cries out when Loki punches the wall. She takes a few steps away from him, braced to flee, fighting against instinctual fear. Loki is capable of killing her without even having to touch her, and his lashing out seems more frightened than predatory.

Still, he's an intimidatingly large guy.]

I...

[Darcy turns and books it.]

[Loki doesn't pursue her. He just watches her flee, feeling something that might be vindictive satisfaction or it might be dread.

Either way, even that brief show of force was entirely too much for him, still recovering as he is. Loki settles himself back down on the floor, and curls up on his side, facing the wall.

Thor returns, after...a while. That's all he knows. He brings food, and perhaps Jane has told him that Darcy is well, or perhaps Darcy has, but either way, his brother looks...sad, but not angry, not like he's going to punish Loki. He just leaves the food, just inside the cell door, and leaves.

Loki ignores it. The stark whiteness of his cell and the otherwise oppressive silence leaves him feeling like there's static in his head again. He knows that the shadow is still there, he could let it come back out, but...

...no.

Anyone who looks in on Loki after that will find him still curled up on his side, but speaking now, two words over and over:] I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

[It takes some time for Darcy's fear to diminish enough to step foot down in the dungeons again. She wasn't angry at Loki for lashing out, and reassured Thor of it, but she had still been frightened.

Thor apparently believes that a good way to express his gratitude and cheer her up at the same time is to send a small battalion of servants to corner her and stuff her into Asgardian clothing. She is not tripping over her skirts anymore, but Darcy still feels like a complete tool.

At least the color is flattering. Rich, deep forest green, the fabric hugs her curves without being lewd. It's also softer than anything she's ever owned.

All right, she might complain about it loudly, but she is pleased, and flattered by the additional attention she has been receiving.

So she looks quite different when she skulks her way back to Loki's cell, cocking her head to the side to better hear what he is chanting.]

Who are you apologizing to?

[Loki starts violently at the sound of her voice, having been too lost in misery and static to hear her descending the stairs. He pushes himself up on his elbows, looking towards her...and then his eyes widen in recognition.

Recognition, that fades to something like misery.] You.

...please don't leave again. [There's a note of undisguised pleading in his voice.] I won't... [Hurt her again, or even threaten to hurt her again. He knows better. He's learned better. Learned his lesson.]

...I'm sorry. [They're the only words he can think to say, in that moment, as he settles himself weakly back down on the floor.]

Me?

[This throws her for a loop. She knows he's broken, knows he's maybe trying to knit himself back together and slipping along the way, but she was almost certain he didn't entirely know what he was doing earlier. Somehow, this is worse, that he carries memories, regrets, along with him.

She offers an encouraging smile.]

Hey, don't worry about it. Relapses happen. Thor and I are here for the long haul with you.

[she is uncomfortable with the way he's laying, either in supplication or from fear of punishment. She isn't sure, but it bothers her.

Her fingers tap the code to let her in, and she steps into his cell, pausing.]

You can sit up, Loki. Or stand. Whatever. You have nothing to fear here.

the true self meme

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