"Of course. Even a kitten, if cornered, will bite and scratch." He's pleased to hear it, though. The other Loki will do better with a person who is not all innocence and light. Cricket has a slow, quiet, subtle anger, but Loki has seen glimpses of it.

"I think we are all being tested. And I am not certain what the endgame is, but I think we will all find that at least part of the lesson is to strip us all down to our most basic natures. The rawest materials of which we are made."

"And that is a good enough reason for me to avoid the more populous areas of the Plaza now. Because I am a specific kind of monster. Not the kind that glories in slaughter, perhaps, not the kind that relishes torture, but a monster nonetheless."

He nuzzles her again. "I was not suggesting you are the reason for change. I know you wouldn't thank me for changing for you, any more than you would thank me for asking you to change for me."

She's had quite enough of the latter to last her the rest of her life, he's sure. They haven't talked much about Joker, but he's heard enough to guess at that. "I must change or die, dearest. That's all there is to it, really. Like a snake shedding skin. This is a meditation, not merely a game of shape-shifting."

"In the end, we will either be drawn closer or pushed further apart. I hope it will be the former. But I thought perhaps you would appreciate a reminder of how strong and powerful I know you are. There is no question in my mind that you will survive this, though it may leave marks on you, as it will on me."

"Whatever we become, I will continue to believe in you."