Reversed Clock ⇒ w/ catalystrose

[catalystrose]

[The hands of the clock have spun backwards... Anyone near the clock tower in the modern era may feel a strange sensation...

❈❈❈

It's still the same old town of Blackgale. The Blackgale Clock Tower, however, seems to shine more brightly. The town is a bit quieter with a smaller population. The air has a thinner veil of mysteriousness than before.

The year is during the late 1990's. Not so long ago, but still a shadow, a memory in itself.

Inside the tower, there is a boy with soft features and leafy green hair sitting on the stairs with a few cats keeping him company. His eyes are a similar shade of leaf green and his clothing is casual and simple. He's waiting for someone to get out of school...

It's obvious there's something odd about this boy, hair and eyes aside. The atmosphere around him feels oppressively thick with something.

He sighs and immediately jumps as the clock strikes noon. He blinks looking at the large clock hands.]

That late already? But she won't be back yet...

Comments

[recluserose]

[She does NOT appreciate the teasing, it's making her grow redder-- what.]

... The God of Mischief. I see. Wonderful.

[She pulls out a chair to sit on. Then she turns to Briar and points at him to teleport him to his bedroom. Might as well let him rest somewhere comfortable before she continues this conversation.]

Alright. I'll listen. And I... apologize... for my actions against you. [This is all said in a somewhat strained manner.]

[allfatherissues]

[He can hear the strain in her voice -- inflections are a second language to him, after all.

In any case, it doesn't seem to bother him. He takes a seat again and speaks to her evenly.]

A gesture very much appreciated. Though there's hardly much more to it than what I told you. I seem to have found myself stranded in the past -- if there is any form of magic to return me to whence I came, I'm unfamiliar with it. Perhaps you can help me?

[recluserose]

[Once she calms down, Amelia really does resemble her future self more, albeit with longer hair and a tinier frame.

She listens to his request and crosses her arms in a thinking gesture.]

... You mentioned you appeared at the clock tower where Briar was correct? Hm. It's safer to be around there during the day than it would be in later hours. The place where the tower is built upon could be considered a dormant area for ancient magics so it's rare that such a visible anomaly has occurred, but I'll believe you.

[She stands up to pace back and forth]

So time is beyond the control of certain deities... I'll have to make a note of that. I can't control it, but... maybe use what's there?? Clock tower, time, time spell...

... I think I can manage.

[allfatherissues]

[Though an off-handed remark, it still dents his pride a little. Loki remarks at it.] Time is beyond the grasp of everyone that I know, not just myself. My magic is great, but there are some things even beyond what I can grasp without outside aid.

Can you? Good. What's required?

[recluserose]

[Going out to the tower at night also meant demons, however. She pauses before continuing]

We'll need to go there at night for one thing. As for the rest... [She rubs her temples, clearly putting some brain power to work here] I haven't often meddled with time using magic so I can't say I've ever sent someone to the future much less a god.

Still, if I use the magic that's already there instead of my own, I could give you a direct return path instead of what the tower did to you in the first place, that flinging you here.

I want something in return though.

[allfatherissues]

[Loki listens, leaning forward, only to raise a brow when she states her request.]

And what might that be?

[recluserose]

Briar will be coming with us. His presence will help awaken the magic in the tower especially when it's at night.

But I need you to help me protect him when we go outside.

[allfatherissues]

He radiates with the essence of magic itself. Can he not defend himself?

[That wasn't necessarily a declination of her request, but rather a curious observation.]

[recluserose]

... No. He's not a wizard so he can't use it as he wishes. All he can do is absorb and store the magic within.

[allfatherissues]

All that potential and nothing to do with it. I see.

Then you have my word, I will protect him to the best of my abilities.

[recluserose]

[She can't help but almost snap at the first remark] It's not like he can help--!! [but she stops short when he agrees with her terms. That and she's trying not to lose her temper so easily]

Thank you.

[allfatherissues]

[Further proof of her overprotectiveness. Loki is almost jealous.]

Will there be much to protect him against?

[recluserose]

[She sits down again smoothing out her skirt]

Lately there's been more demons plaguing this town. At times more than I can handle. This house is the safest place to be, but if we're going to the tower, they'll be watching our every move and waiting for an opportunity to strike.

You... outclass me so perhaps your presence may be enough to keep them at bay.

[allfatherissues]

[He laughs lightly at that remark.]

Even if it isn't, I'm not adverse to a bit of fun.

[recluserose]

Well... that I shouldn't be surprised. God of Mischief and all.

[allfatherissues]

Of course. Not quite as complicated as I may seem.

[pfft yeah right.]

When shall we start?

[recluserose]

I think nine or ten PM should be a good hour to leave the house. I'll be doing a bit of quick research to make sure I know what I'm getting into.

In the meanwhile I suppose you could just stay here if you really wanted.

[allfatherissues]

Very well. In that case--

[Yes this is totally Loki crossing his legs and leaning back in his seat.]

--I suppose I'll stay here until then. There's hardly any place else for me to go.

[recluserose]

[An awkward silence ensues of course. Amelia taps her foot once or twice before speaking up]

How... how old are you exactly? I know that human tales about Norse gods have been around for a long while, but I'm curious.

My mentor has been around for longer than anyone else I've known, but I don't know whether he knows about your kind or not.

[allfatherissues]

[He tilts his head with an amused smile.]

Now, don't you know that's a rude thing to ask someone you've only just met?

[Of course, Loki doesn't sound too offended.]

If you must know, I am a few decades older than a millennia.

[recluserose]

[Must. Not. Get. Irritated. This is somewhat of a challenge, but she manages to mask her displeasure at his former reply. At the latter she raises a brow]

... That's just about the same age as my mentor then. [Does that mean he was on par with the god? She's definitely curious now]

But then again he could easily overpower my magic too. [She says this mostly to herself and it's obvious the thought bothers her]

[allfatherissues]

There are many who dwell in Asgard that are older than I. In fact, I'm still rather young in their eyes.

[He seems to scrutinize her for a moment.]

And this bothers you?

[recluserose]

[A sigh]

If you're considered young than I really am a child.

[But she doesn't feel like one though. The years are so out of place to her, so foreign.]

I am somewhat bothered that I may have to wait for a long time before I could even comprehend reaching such a level.

[allfatherissues]

Mortals generally are in comparison.

[That was totally not a condescending statement, nope.]

Diligence and time -- that is all one needs. If you possess the time, then you need only worry about your determination.

[recluserose]

Time is something I'm not so worried about.

[It seems tiresome all of a sudden though]

I have another question. What are you doing in this town? I mean, if you're from the future, it means you were at Blackgale Clock Tower during that time period.