[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

[soul_sister]

[But first thing's first. I HAVE A HOLD OF YOUR EAR YOUNG MAN, NO AMOUNT OF COWLS AND HOODS AND CLOTH WILL STOP THIS JUSTICE.]

[direstnews]

[Yep, THIS was the reaction he's been waiting for. Bends with the ear-hold - but even as he does so, he's getting his hands up in front of his face.]

ItwasnotmeantodoharmtoanyoneIswearit!

[soul_sister]

[TUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG]

Of course you didn't! I saw you playing decoy!

That isn't what this is about!

[A DEEP BREATH]

What possessed you to do a risky move like this alone?! There are more than enough of us to take a creature like that while it's still contained! Do you know how many of these we have to clean up back home.

Honestly. Do you even know what they ask for? You're too young to go off letting a demon eat your life!

[direstnews]

[Are you- did you-]

[Seriously, just- dumbstruck for a second.]

[direstnews]

[Annnd, recovery. Slightly flaily recovery, though the hands are coming down.]

The creature would not have had me! I've something it wanted. I'd have - ah, have you fingers of nails? - I'd have struck a bargain with it!

[soul_sister]

That's the kind of thing I'm talking about.

[direstnews]

I'd not have bartered my life away.

[soul_sister]

[FINALLY! FIIINALLY she lets go of your ear. She doesn't answer it, just huffs, crossing her arms.]

[direstnews]

[R-rubs at his ear but is kind of just looking at you.]

The creature had been cheated recently in its dealings, by one who's done me wrong, as well. I'd the ability to grant it what was promised.

[soul_sister]

And that'd be?

[direstnews]

A tale. It deals in tales.

[soul_sister]

So what's the catch?

[direstnews]

There is none. It would have had its tale and I mine.

[soul_sister]

[A sigh.]

And the thing that did come through? Any ideas about it?

[direstnews]

Its power must have been immense. The Tellers... they dwell beyond the tales we live. They craft the stories of ones such as us.

[soul_sister]

So you're telling me something sort of took over a thing that creates reality.

[direstnews]

As you say.

[soul_sister]

And you were going to trade stories with it.

[direstnews]

Had it the tale I needed.

[Stepping back out of ear-pinching range.]

At the outset, though, I'd hope that the Teller but suffered some passing ill.

[soul_sister]

[It really looks, for one dangerous moment, that she was going to lunge for it again. Instead, she stretches widely.]

Come on, lets get you cleaned up.

[direstnews]

[Shakes his head.]

I've things yet to see finished.

[soul_sister]

Like?

[direstnews]

I would see the circle gone.

[He goes to rub it out with his foot.]

And take in those things yet left behind.

[soul_sister]

[Yeah... she'd already taken a good part of it out to let her tinydemon out.]

Hey... you know we're here to help, right?

[direstnews]

It's not as though I've carved it in stone.

[He begins to wipe it away with a foot, made faster because you've done some already.]

Behold: success.