Loki relaxed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "I know what you mean, but we didn't know each other at all back then..."
"You don't know each other much now either," Schiller said.
"So if I came to you because I was plagued by doubts, what would you do? Tell me The Truth?"
"No. Of course I'd guide you to discover it yourself. Or I'd suggest you try finding Thor from the main timeline. Without Strange's interference, he'd give you the answer you wanted."
Loki let out a long sigh.
Then he asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why didn't you keep going? The plan had already reached your favorite consultation stage, hadn't it?"
Schiller said, "It was indeed his favorite consultation stage, which is why he isn't the one here now. Otherwise, he would have found it difficult to resist carrying the plan through. The reason I didn't do it is that I have something to ask of you."
Loki looked at Schiller in confusion.
"I previously made up a backstory for myself." Schiller lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. "It was flawless, utterly airtight. The Character Design was tragic and moving, the story was internally consistent, and it was enough to explain why I became who I am now."
Loki tilted his head. "Isn't that a good thing?"
Schiller shook his head. "But it was completely unnecessary. Because of a certain self-imposed hostage complex, I wanted to create a story that satisfied everyone, so they could understand me and deepen their connection with me."
"And now you don't want to do that?"
"I just think that kind of connection is too false." Schiller frowned, interlacing his fingers as his index fingers lightly tapped together. "I tried many times to tell them that I didn't become who I am