"It wouldn't matter if we'd known each other since infancy. I've learned not to count anyone as my ally. It's more efficient." And safer, but he felt that was included in efficiency.

Loki followed her up, adding 'random hikes are a possibility' to his mental list of Valkyrie facts. "You and I, for example, are both attached to my brother. This obliges me to back you as I would him, at least some of the time. I don't assume the reverse is true at any point." After a pause to consider, he added, "Generally and historically, it isn't."