I'm basically in the market for a lobotomy but I know from Hange that I tend to go for the nuclear option when half-measures work just as well and aren't as extreme.
They're getting off track.] The point is, you could ask. And listen to what they say. It's not all that fun with someone who's not actually interested.
Honestly, if you manage it, you'll likely do exponentially better overall. There's likely some who might have been interested but were intimidated by your approach. Or disgusted.
That said, I'm sure I've seen worse. I more than once had to make apologies on my brother's or his friends' behalf when they were too drunk to do any proper wooing.
[Loki's not sure if being indirect will simply hinder matters, but he's not exactly keen to directly point out the selfishness his warden is displaying.]
When we were young men, my brother often took up with girls less because he was actually interested in them, but more because they were interested in him. Or they looked good on his arm, so the other warriors were jealous.
[He carries on swiftly to avoid any implication that he was among those who were jealous.]
And sometimes it was something of a challenge for him. As if their favor was something he was entitled to as a strong, attractive prince, and he merely had to play the game long enough for them to admit it. And then they would be lucky if he even remembered their names the next day. Sometimes he was so drunk he didn't even recognize them.
I consoled some of them, though I can't say my intentions were any more noble, at the time. But I did see how they hurt.
[Loki silently prays Thor never shows up here again so he can never contest the truth of any of this. Although he's sure Betelgeuse would still trust him over his brother. Which feels less like a triumph than usual, somehow.]
Shit, man, don't compare me to your dickhead brother. I don't...I'm not entitled because I'm not attractive. That's why I fall over myself to get people to like me.
So it isn't really about liking them in particular, nor about what they want. Maybe it isn't entitlement, but it's certainly thinking of yourself first.
It was easy for me to see how Thor did it. It's not so easy to see it in myself. I liked to think he was especially rude or cruel, but, well. I'm the one paying for my selfish crimes. Figuring out what they are is a decent amount of the challenge, so far. But when I think about others first, it's...easier.
[As gently as he can manage:] I'm not saying you're a dickhead. I just think you might need to pay a little more attention. Even if it's mostly hindsight, for now.
I'm an incredibly skilled manipulator. Seeing what motivates others is useful in maneuvering them where I want them to be. Applying that to myself is. Significantly more difficult and uncomfortable.
[He pauses as something like self-awareness hits him and he adds:] I may have been overly harsh at points, there. Harmful impulsivity has always rubbed me the wrong way. It was a bad habit of my brother's that was always easily excused, whereas anything I did was treated as horribly malicious because I put thought into it.
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Self-control is significantly less traumatic for you, I would think.
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[He feels like he lost the thread at some point.]
If castration is your thing, that seems to be missing the point.
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I'm basically in the market for a lobotomy but I know from Hange that I tend to go for the nuclear option when half-measures work just as well and aren't as extreme.
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[He hesitates, not sure if this is a terrible suggestion in the long run, but it would at least slow things down significantly.]
You could just ask. If you find someone attractive, ask them if they might be interested in you. If they say no, go...do something else?
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Pssh. What?
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They're getting off track.] The point is, you could ask. And listen to what they say. It's not all that fun with someone who's not actually interested.
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That said, I'm sure I've seen worse. I more than once had to make apologies on my brother's or his friends' behalf when they were too drunk to do any proper wooing.
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I feel like I'd be hiding who I am.
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[Loki's not sure if being indirect will simply hinder matters, but he's not exactly keen to directly point out the selfishness his warden is displaying.]
When we were young men, my brother often took up with girls less because he was actually interested in them, but more because they were interested in him. Or they looked good on his arm, so the other warriors were jealous.
[He carries on swiftly to avoid any implication that he was among those who were jealous.]
And sometimes it was something of a challenge for him. As if their favor was something he was entitled to as a strong, attractive prince, and he merely had to play the game long enough for them to admit it. And then they would be lucky if he even remembered their names the next day. Sometimes he was so drunk he didn't even recognize them.
I consoled some of them, though I can't say my intentions were any more noble, at the time. But I did see how they hurt.
[Loki silently prays Thor never shows up here again so he can never contest the truth of any of this. Although he's sure Betelgeuse would still trust him over his brother. Which feels less like a triumph than usual, somehow.]
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It was easy for me to see how Thor did it. It's not so easy to see it in myself. I liked to think he was especially rude or cruel, but, well. I'm the one paying for my selfish crimes. Figuring out what they are is a decent amount of the challenge, so far. But when I think about others first, it's...easier.
[As gently as he can manage:] I'm not saying you're a dickhead. I just think you might need to pay a little more attention. Even if it's mostly hindsight, for now.
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[he says, articulately]
Why do you have to be so amazing at figuring out people's motivations, Inmate?
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Not in a sexual way, fyi.
Thanks. I'm weirdly starting to feel better.
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I guess that's something.
[He pauses as something like self-awareness hits him and he adds:] I may have been overly harsh at points, there. Harmful impulsivity has always rubbed me the wrong way. It was a bad habit of my brother's that was always easily excused, whereas anything I did was treated as horribly malicious because I put thought into it.
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