Loki and Sylvie lie down by the "Leaving Westview" sign for a while. At first, it's because they need time to recuperate from all their running. Eventually, they just stay there because they don't want to get up. Sylvie is pretty sure Loki even falls asleep for a few minutes -- which is kind of adorable, not that she would admit it aloud. She almost finds herself drifting off a few times, too, but she manages to stop herself.

Eventually, they do force themselves to go home, though. It's going to be a very, very long walk, but they can't stay out here forever. At least they have each other to keep themselves entertained. Sylvie's glad she came with him, because she's sure walking home alone would have been miserable, even if it would have only taken half as long. Right now, it's only mostly miserable.

They're just turning the corner to their street when they almost run straight into their neighbor. At least, Sylvie thinks she's their neighbor? Sylvie barely remembers who lives next door, never mind the entire neighborhood. She tends to rely on Mobius to tell her who people are when she sees them and he's not here right now, so she and Loki will have to brave this one on their own.

"Whoops!" the neighbor says with a laugh, brushing off her plaid black-and-white dress. "Didn't mean to mow you down!"

"It's fine," Loki says, not even slowing down, and Sylvie's relieved to see that he's as determined to get home as she is.

"I have to say," the neighbor says, seemingly oblivious to their hurry, "those are some nice threads."

Sylvie would be more than happy to ignore that and go home, but Loki stops and turns around, so, reluctantly, she does the same.

"Nice what?" Loki asks.

"Threads," she repeats. "You know, your outfits! I've never seen anything like them!"

Sylvie looks down at her skinny jeans and crop top. It's definitely a lot different than what she's seen people wearing today. And, of course, Loki literally looks like he just rolled out of bed. He'd been wearing his usual dress shirt and dress pants, but he got cold while they were lying in the grass and conjured himself a hoodie that he just hasn't taken off yet. There's a little horned symbol on the front that she's pretty sure is supposed to represent him (or them? Given that she's a Loki, too), and it must look cult-like to an outsider. They don't exactly blend in right now.

Sylvie forces a smile. "Oh, thanks! We always love to stand out, you know?" Except she really doesn't, so she's going to have to change her outfit next time she goes outside. She'll make sure Loki does, too, if he wants to go with her.

The woman holds out a hand, a big smile on her face. "I'm Agnes."

Loki and Sylvie both introduce themselves as well. At least this is normal. They end up introducing themselves to the other Westview residents a lot.

"I don't think I've seen you around before," Agnes says. "Do you live around here?"

Loki gestures vaguely towards their house. "Yes, right down the street."

Sylvie elbows him in the ribs. It's one thing to tell their normal neighbors that they're neighbors, but it's another thing entirely to tell one of the weird black-and-white people where they live.

"Oh, me too!" Agnes says with a grin. "I didn't know anyone else moved in! It's real nice to meet you, folks!"

"You too," Sylvie says, which is a fat lie and both she and Loki know it.

"Where are you two from?" Agnes asks.

Loki and Sylvie share a look. Where are they from? They definitely can't say Asgard. That would raise too many eyebrows. Answering with "the TVA" would be even worse. What are they supposed to say?

Finally, Loki just says, "Not from around here, that's for sure!" with a smile that is so incredibly fake, Sylvie physical cringes. She has to give him credit, though: it means he's doing a good job blending in.

"I feel bad," Agnes says. "I love meeting the new neighbors when they move in!" Quieter, she adds with a wink, "It gives me an excuse to leave my husband Ralph at home for a while."

Loki and Sylvie laugh awkwardly. She'll never understand why people get married when they can't stand their spouses, but sometimes it feels like that's all anyone talks about in Westview. Sometimes it's very obviously a joke, but sometimes (like now) it's not so clear.

"How about you two?" she asks. "I don't see a ring yet."

Loki and Sylvie stare at her blankly.

"A wedding ring!" Agnes clarifies.

Sylvie blanches at the idea, and Loki very quickly steps in with, "We're not married — or getting married, or together in any capacity involving romance."

Agnes laughs. "Two pretty young things like yourself? I'm sure that'll change."

"It won't," Sylvie says immediately.

"Ever," Loki adds.

"And now we're gonna go," Sylvie says, because the idea of this conversation getting any more uncomfortable scares her. "Like, right now. Back home."

Loki nods enthusiastically. "Yes. Okay. Bye."

The two gods walk away before Agnes can say anything else. Well, that was a nightmare. Talking to humans in general is a nightmare (except for Mobius and Beatrice; she doesn't even really mind using to other humans as long as one of those two is with her) but this was exceptionally bad.

But then Loki looks at her and says, in all seriousness, "I think that went well," with a stupid smile on his face.

Sylvie shakes her head. "If this is your idea of 'going well,' there is something seriously wrong with you."

"Look, I'm just saying," Loki says, "it could have been worse. I think she liked us."

"I don't think she has a choice," Sylvie says. "I think everyone is supposed to like us. It's part of the brainwashing."

"Oh." Loki frowns. "Do you think whoever's doing this to us lives here? They could be one of our neighbors, couldn't they?"

"I guess," Sylvie says. It isn't impossible, at least. She doesn't understand why anyone would stick around and watch, but, in all fairness, she doesn't know why someone would do this to them in the first place. The idea of them sticking around is no weirder than this whole fiasco itself.

"Then we need to talk to them," Loki says. "We need to play along and get to know these people."

Sylvie sighs. "I was afraid you'd say that."

"It'll be fine," Loki assures her. "I'll be with you the whole time. We can deal with it together."

Sylvie nods, only because she knows she can't say no. He's right: this is the only reasonable course of action. When the only other alternative is running face-first into the Wobble Wall and hoping they come out the other side, social interaction doesn't seem too bad.

"But I'm telling you right now," Sylvie says, "if Mobius claims to be my husband again, I will punch him."

Loki chuckles. "I would expect nothing less."