[Day 2, Night - A House South of Town]

[direstnews]

[Written into the ground alongside one of the houses to the south of town tonight are a series of strange letters, forming a rough circle near the wall. A figure of approximately Loki's build, not there during the day's exploration, leans against the wall at the corner. The door to the house is open.]

[Some hours after the sudden switch from day to night, Loki stands in front of the door, a candle before him, a kitchen knife in one hand and a spoon in the other. He checks the mirror set carefully in the darkness, nothing yet visible in its surface. Then he strikes the knife with the spoon's handle, and he holds his breath - and he waits.]

Comments

[atacarme]

[she eyes that curiously, peeking out of her hood - she's pale, much paler than she normally is]

Good.

[direstnews]

A creature of knowledge. In exchange for a price, it grants its caller what he would know of his own tale.

[direstnews]

Here. I'm here.

[He doesn't sound quite certain of that, but the slackness and the apathy goes as the creature is destroyed. In its place is something that tries for flippant but actually sounds kind of upset.]

I've... yes. I'm here.

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[beeductionist]

All the more reason to find out what's causing it.

[ heading out~ ]

[beeductionist]

[ oh wow. Sherlock is way towards the back of the group, given his lack of fighting prowess, but that doesn't stop him from staring at the creature, transfixed. ]

[charmed_life]

[Gets shakily to her feet, moving over to the others and just staring at the ground where the last piece dissipated]

[Brings a hand to her temple]

What is this...?

[charmed_life]

I'm not...

[Shakes her head to clear it before turning to Loki (though the feeling persists)]

Are you all right?

[assworthsaving]

[He pulls back with a loud grunt- this guy's heavier than he thought. And yet something he should have expected. When he speaks his voice is strained.]

Any idea what that was? Or what knocked a guy like you outta commission?

[direstnews]

All things considered, better than I ought to be.

[direstnews]

You've gone white as bone.

[atacarme]

I am fine.

[direstnews]

I left it to you this time.

[tearsinnajar]

[Looks up, doing something of a double-take before running a hand through her hair and then holstering her gun.]

I thought exorcisms were a little more ... incorporeal.

[assworthsaving]

[His hand is already on her and rubbing gentle circles on her back.]

You okay? Didn't get any of that stuff on you, did you?

[beeductionist]

[ slowly kneeling down next to a dissolving chunk, watching it dissipate. ]

[direstnews]

[Over here splattered in some of that, rubbing absently at his chest.]

[Also glancing your way and back again before he starts answering questions.]

[tearsinnajar]

[Between the lack of eye contact and surprisingly helpful information, she can tell something is up.]

Why would it want that?

[beeductionist]

[ ... interesting. after you've had a chance to give your side of the story: ]

I am not your enemy.

[tearsinnajar]

[Lets out a long breath, rights herself, and gives herself a once over.]

No, I don't think so. You?

[direstnews]

I've no notion at all. But it made an attempt to unearth it, and at the end, it served as ample bait.

[Rubs absently at his chest- and then again, as though something feels strange.]

[allsneakandnoplay]

No idea what it was... I thought I beat the damn thing. I saw Tempest get hit earlier and react really bad... not normal pain.

I cut the thing and then... I don't really know.

[tearsinnajar]

—Wait a second here, bait!?

[allsneakandnoplay]

[nooope. he mutters "Rose" again, "John." "Sunny." "Snake, Snake-- Snake, come in. Snake, do you copy?"]

[direstnews]

[Rubs absently at his chest again. He's uncharacteristically melancholy.]

Has anyone claimed that you are?

[beeductionist]

[ ggglancing at that too ]

You deliberately looked for me before relating your version of events.