We're still before episode two :) There's no reason why training can't take a few "days" in the TVA right? Thanks for reading!
...
Mabel gave the order for her Minute-men to move out. A new Variant had managed to create a Nexus event when he caught his wife with a milk man in 1894 on Earth. He'd been at work and decided to stray from his path and surprise his wife at lunch. And when he'd come home, he'd found them. In bed together. At least it was a non-murder Variant.
In his original timeline, he never found out about the cheating until his wife eventually ran away with a drifter.
It was hard for Mabel to understand this one. The Variant was nice. He didn't hurt his wife, didn't cheat, worked hard to provide, and even encouraged her to work if she wanted to. He was a rarity for the era. And still, his partner continued her infidelity.
But it wasn't Mabel's job to question, only to follow the dictations of the Timekeepers.
The Variant and the other parties in the room did what they always did when the doorway opened up. Scream.
"Let's make this a quick one," she said. She had no desire to belabor the task. It was awkward to walk in on such private moments. The minute-men grabbed the Variant by his arms and dragged him through the portal. "Prune it."
V-823 set the charge while the wife and her lover clung to each other in the bed. Mabel gave them a last look as her three unit's exited and returned through the doorway. She hung her head and followed.
Once back, the physical part of her job was essentially done, only paperwork remained. But she was one of the rare, lesser managers who liked to look after her Variant's wellbeing through the arduous administration process. Especially when they were from such an early part of the timeline.
She leaned forward and whispered in the Variant's ear. "Please just listen and do what's asked of you. I'll meet you on the other end, so you won't be alone. Ok?"
The Variant stared at her with wide panicked eyes. His gaze darted around the room like a meek wild animal. Mabel's heart went out to him. He was in the Timekeeper's hands now.
As she got in the elevator down to one of the lower court rooms, she held in a sob. This poor Variant was likely to be reset, and it wasn't his fault. At this point, she understood there was nothing she could do for those on the timeline. They had to follow their path, and The Timekeepers knew what they were doing in regard for the sacred timeline. It was the Variants. Were they not living beings? The explanation was always that they were now extras, like an appendix. Unnecessary to existence. But then why were they allowed to keep Variant animals as pets, but not allow Variant beings to exist? Her heart ached every time she was forced to disintegrate someone.
If only there was a way to understand why people strayed from their path, maybe she could keep it from happening. That was part of why she'd propositioned Loki, but now she realized, she was asking the wrong question. Maybe he could help her figure out a way to save Variant's lives. He was so clever, he might want to put that cleverness to good use instead of constantly trying to rule everything.
And maybe he'd get a chance to live.
The elevator dinged, and she wiped her cheeks where the tears had wet them. The courtroom was fairly empty. There was her Variant in his jumpsuit, trembling like a dog in a cage. He locked eyes with her, and she nodded at him with a small smile.
"Guilty, or not guilty?" asked the judge. Mabel closed her eyes.
….
"What are you doing on this floor?" asked Mobius, standing from his desk. He slung his arm around Mabel's shoulders and rubbed her head with his knuckles.
She laughed. "Quit it! I just dropped by to say hi."
He regarded her shrewdly. "You and I both know why you're here."
She widened her eyes in innocence. "Oh? Whatever do you mean?" she asked, her eyes practically popping out of her head. "Where is he anyway?" She tilted her head around Mobius to the right and then the left.
"Lunch."
"Oh. Right."
"Mabel, I don't say this lightly, so take it seriously. I don't want you talking to him. And no more entertaining him at your apartment in early hours."
She closed her eyes. Of course he would know. "I promise I won't do anything to interfere with your investigation."
"I know you wouldn't. Just, heed me on this one, ok kiddo?"
She gave him a little smile, and he kissed her on her forehead. She hated to disappoint Mobius, but she was going to play this one close to the chest.
…..
He wasn't in the lunch room or break room. She bit the end of her fingernail. Suddenly, and it was just a hunch, she had a feeling she knew where he might be. She headed down to the theater rooms.
She opened the door to Theater 5 slowly. There he was sitting with his elbows propped on his knees, a bowl of untouched grapes was beside him on the table.
Then her stomach dropped. On the monitor was his mother, lifeless on the ground. The tape rewound and landed on her again. Then again. Mabel put her hand up to her throat. She watched as Loki's head dropped into his hands.
As if compelled by an unknown force, she walked up behind him, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
Loki jumped out of the chair and turned around. His eyes were wet and red. He looked horrified at her presence. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
She bit her lip. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to intrude."
His blue eyes became steel. "Well you are. What do you want?"
She wanted to ask her question. She wanted to so badly, but now was not appropriate. "It can wait." She gestured to the screen. "Would you like to talk about it?"
He hit some keys on the keyboard and the image of his mother disappeared. "There's nothing to talk about."
She reached out a hand and placed it on his forearm. For a split second, he looked so broken, she could hardly keep from moving to embrace him. But then he jerked his arm away, his lips taught in a straight line.
"What do you want from me girl?"
"No-nothing…"
"All your innocence, your sunny disposition, all lies to cover up who you really are."
Mabel stepped back. "What do you mean?"
"You have some kind of agenda, pretending to care. Are you here to extract information? Are you here to torture me with those eyes of yours? Does the TVA just play mind games? I get it. I understand. This is Hel, and I'm getting my just rewards. Tricks for the Trickster."
Mabel's eyes filled with tears. "I do care," she said. "I'm sorry, I won't bother you again, I swear."
The anger in Loki's face dissipated. "I…"
She didn't wait to hear what he had to say. She ran out of the room as fast as she could.
