[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

[assworthsaving]

No.

[Well it is certainly clear now that this place isn't just a prison- it's dangerous too. And there are supernatural creatures lurking around that can do some serious damage.

Which brings him back to his earlier concern. His eyes narrow, and he tries his best to not sound annoyed.]

So was that your idea of staying out of trouble?

[assworthsaving]

Looks like it separated into smaller masses. Even did it after I shot it a couple of times, then it spit some weird liquid.

[direstnews]

To buy those with weapons a moment's distraction.

[tearsinnajar]

[Places her hands on her hips.]

It's not what I had in mind, no.

[direstnews]

...as might be expected of a detective of great renown.

And yet, your conclusion is amiss.

[beeductionist]

Is it? Surely you could not only mean to stay in my good graces. But you have reduced your lies to the point where I do not feel particularly moved to correct you in public.

[tearsinnajar]

I should thank you, then.

[assworthsaving]

[Her response is a little disarming and his brain can't seem to decide if he was thankful for her having his back or upset that she didn't listen. So he hovers somewhere in-between.]

Yeah, well you could've gotten hurt, Elena.

[direstnews]

Might you?

[allsneakandnoplay]

Good. That was risky.

[allsneakandnoplay]

Yeah... it's a good thing I didn't cut that thing up too many times.

Did that come from here? It just chased after us... And the way it used those dolls' bodies... is it even dead?

[beeductionist]

[ .... shrugs, not denying it ]

You were clearly not acting out of malicious intent.

[tearsinnajar]

[As if he can give her a lecture on this? She turns and jabs a finger in his direction as she speaks, not quite annoyed but not exactly calm.]

No, Nate. Don't do this.

[direstnews]

[Pauses for just a second at that. Voice pitched to avoid being overheard:]

And so you hold your tongue.

[assworthsaving]

Hope so. It ah, it sorta... melted. [And hopefully that's the last of it.] But if I had to guess I'd say it originated from somewhere outside the south gate. Whoever was out here first might know more.

[beeductionist]

Precisely.

[ a pause ]

Of course, I expect the full truth from you shortly. Unless you would prefer me to unravel your remaining lies for you?

[direstnews]

[Well. Sherlock is here. Chrono is checking the circle already. Plausible lies are getting scaled back, so this answer is probably not what you would have gotten otherwise.]

Unlikely.

[assworthsaving]

[His brows knit together and he feels his emotions going in a direction he doesn't want.]

Don't do what? Care?

[direstnews]

...I would speak on this later.

Elsewhere.

[beeductionist]

[ slight nod ]

You ought to wash up anyway. That substance is clearly altering your mental state.

[direstnews]

[Rubs absently at his chest again, then nods.]

It is as you say.

[beeductionist]

I will be waiting in my room.

[ and turning to leave ]

[tearsinnajar]

That is not what I said. Look, we don't have a lot of options right now. We really don't know much of anything, and there are no guarantees that any place is safe.

[tearsinnajar]

Why don't you walk me through what happened, then. From the beginning.

[Some time later]

[direstnews]

[Knocks at the door, hair still wet and clothes still damp.]