"Oh, for fuck's sake..." Loki mutters, turning and glaring at the crow.

"Perhaps it wishes to talk."

It doesn't feel like a shapeshifter. It feels like it fits the shape it is.

She gets up, opening the door harshly enough it rattles in its frame.

"Who are you?" she demands.

The crow flaps in, landing on her desk, regarding the women in the room then laughing. It's an almost human sound.

"Might as well ask who are you, little girl."

"Was that an answer or a sarcastic deflection?"

"Do you think me incapable of both?"

Heavy sigh.

"I asked your name first, crow. This is my domicile. You're an intruder - and a rude one."

"Rudeness is such a droll concept."

"Still, who am I to break the rules of hospitality?" It sounds mocking.

"I suppose you may call me Ikol."

She probably wouldn't have thought of it if she hadn't just met an alternate universe her -

"That's just 'Loki' spelled backwards," she says, cross.

"Are you from this universe, or another, then?"

"This. I was here first, for the record."

"And what does that mean, then?"

"Loki knows, doesn't she?"

Loki has her hand to her head and seems to be in pain. "You're the old Loki," she says, slowly. "The one who burned."

"Got it in one. I'm impressed."

"What's the story we're missing?"

"I - "

"I didn't remember it until now, but - "

"There was... A tapestry of fate. Woven by the Norns, keepers of the past and future. The old Loki burned it, and burned Asgard and herself up with it."

"I was born from her ashes. I - All my memories - they're fake - that was two years ago, I haven't existed long enough for - for anything I remember - "

"So what's she doing back?"

"I don't know."

"Care to shed any light on the issue?" she asks the crow.

"I didn't fully die," she says, fluttering her wings. "And when this perfect little lie was created, I was pulled in."

"What do you mean, 'perfect little lie'?"

"This world is fake. Loki's memories weren't the only ones altered - the entire universe is dancing to one person's tune, right now."

"And who is this person?"