[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

[overclocking]

[Yeah, it... sure does.

He also doesn't realize he's stepped inside it until it's too late.]

[soul_sister]

[Hasn't noticed yet.]

[DROPS IT WITH A HEAVY THUNK.] Okay, fine I give! I'll take all seven. Come get this. [RUBS HER POOR BACK.]

[overclocking]

[... Tests the edge of the barri--


NOPE]





Rosette...

[soul_sister]

What?

[overclocking]

[BANGS ON THE BARRIER, WORDLESSLY]

[soul_sister]

[What is... I didn't even PUT ANY UP!...

Coming over to investigate...]

[overclocking]

[Upon investigation, there's some kind of summoning circle on the ground...

... And your tinydemon sure is stuck inside of it.]

[soul_sister]

[Hovers, careful not to step or cross over it.]

Are you all right?

[overclocking]

I-I'm fine...

[Presses a hand to the barrier...]

I can't get out.

[soul_sister]

[Reached through carefully and circles her hand around his wrist. She tugs, gently... and comes across resistance as his hand is stopped firmly.




She pulls back her own hand without the slightest issue.]

[soul_sister]

[So it really...]

[soul_sister]

[CRACKING THE FUCK UP.] S-so HAHAH T-the mirror! [OUTRIGHT GIGGLING.]

[overclocking]

[oh my god fuck you POUNDS THE BARRIER]

This isn't funny! Get me out!

[soul_sister]

[Wiping the tears from her eyes. I. IT'S GONNA TAKE A SECOND TO STOP LAUGHING LONG ENOUGH.] Okay, I [HEHEH]

[Toes the circle to try and smudge it.]

You can thank your savior by carrying her equipment.

[overclocking]

[His hand falls through as the barrier dissipates and he stumbles, righting himself.]

...

[soul_sister]

[Had a hand on your shoulder anyway, reflexively.

TERRIBLY, she's not even looking at your puffing.]

So, we've got a summoner.

[overclocking]

Glad you noticed.

[Wandering over to pick up the ammo box again.]

[soul_sister]

[Crouching to look at the symbols a little more carefully.]

You can't talk, Mr. I'll Stroll Right Into The Circle.

[overclocking]

Most of it was covered in rubble!

[soul_sister]

[EARPULL]

Which means some of it was! What if it was meant for destruction?

[overclocking]

[flkhs SWATS]

It's fine-- That hurts, you know!

[soul_sister]

I'll decide what's fine!

[Letting go and pulling off her remaining glove. She uses that to smudge a bit more of the circle... juuust in case.]

I just wonder why this didn't hold it.

[overclocking]

A summoning circle is only as effective as the person maintaining the spell.

[Rubbing his ear irritably]

I'm more interested in what it was. I've never felt anything like that before.

[soul_sister]

It looks like it did something to anyone that it touched the bare skin of. That's a new one by us regardless.

[overclocking]

[He looks up and around at the others at that, frowning.]

"Something"?