[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

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[assworthsaving]

[Making quick work of tossing on his clothes, grabbing his shoulder holster, and checking his gun.]

Whatever it was it didn't sound human. Or even close.

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[tearsinnajar]

[Pants on, blouse buttoned. She's used to getting dressed in a hurry.]

Uh-uh.

[Taking a deep breath as she checks her gun.]

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[assworthsaving]

[He's quick, but watches her prepare herself- suddenly stricken with worry.]

Maybe you should stay here. Sit tight. I'll come back and get you after I've checked it out--

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[tearsinnajar]

—Oh, like hell am I going to sit around here! Who's going to back you up?

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[assworthsaving]

[He drops his arms in exasperation after tucking his gun into his holster. Granted, he should have expected she would argue against his suggestion but he has his reasons.]

I don't know, all those people running towards whatever the hell is making that noise? Maybe that cyborg-ninja guy? I just-- I don't want you out there till I know what's going on.

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[tearsinnajar]

[She should have expected this from him by now. But there are a bunch of dumb teenagers that might be heading that way here—sure they might be cartoons or fairy tales, but they're still dumb teenagers. His complex can take a backseat for fifteen minutes.]

Nate, we don't have time for this.

[And with that, she's stomping her way out the door.]

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[assworthsaving]

[She has a valid point. There is no time to argue. But that doesn't stop him from rolling his eyes in frustration and running after her, catching up almost immediately.]

--Then will you at least stay close?

[God, what he wouldn't give for a tall fence and her on the other side of it right now.]

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[tearsinnajar]

[She glances over her shoulder.]

I'll be right there with you, okay? I'm not gonna try anything dangerous.

Re: [BACK AT THE INNS]

[assworthsaving]

[He nods solemnly, wishing there was more he could do- time he could have to convince her why it is so important to him that she listen. Assuming he could muster up the courage in the first place. But there's not and it's only a second's worth of time squandered before he brushes past her, moving ahead.]

Let's go.