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]

[... Okay, that wasn't supposed to happen. The young witch usually had the confidence to go up against any opponent thrown at her be they demons, wraiths, or other wizards and witches. She was taught by an infamous wizard after all and was known in the magic commune to have high capabilities and skill even for a witch her age.

This man literally just took this skill and crushed it along with some of her pride. Her magic defenses are still up though and she glares at Loki]

What do you want? I'm warning you, if you did anything to him--

[allfatherissues]

To Briar? [He assesses Amelia for a second, before nodding over to where the boy is sleeping. There's a tinge of teasing sarcasm in his voice.] Oh yes, as you can see, he is in grave danger.

[Loki then shifts in his seat and stands, all 6'2" of him. (Maybe an inch or two taller with his boots.)]

...Of being woken up if you continue raising your voice in that manner. I'm not here to harm. [He clasps his hands behind his back. This younger Amelia seemed much more brash then her older counterpart.] I was invited by him; I found myself in the clock tower, displaced out of time, and he told me that you could help.

[recluserose]

[Holy crap you're tall. Amelia is visibly uncomfortable with his looming presence over her and it finally solidifies the feeling that she is facing off against someone that was way beyond what she could handle.]

... [She looks back at Briar and then back at Loki. There are truth to his words oddly enough. If there was any true danger, Briar would have probably been taken away from her instead of being brought back here. She sighs and crosses her arms]

I told him to stay there, but... fine. [Briar you are too trusting. Her magic defenses are being lowered. Slightly. Just. Slightly.]

[allfatherissues]

[He sees that his words are getting through to her, and his smile widens a little.]

He only wanted to help; he seems to be very honest in everything that he does. I can see why you're so protective of him. [There's the pang of something in the pit of his stomach, but he dismisses it, like he's so practised at doing.]

So you'll help me?

[recluserose]

... One moment. [She turns around pushing Briar's hair aside to look at his... neck... and then back to Loki]

You're not a vampire right?

[allfatherissues]

[Lol. No, Amelia, he's not a vampire.]

Hardly. I do not consider blood a delicacy, so you needn't worry about that. I am Aesir.

[recluserose]

[It's awesome being book smart because she immediately recognizes the usually unfamiliar term]

... Aesir... you don't mean...??

[allfatherissues]

[He's not surprised at all that she recognizes the term.]

I'm from Asgard.

[recluserose]

[Silence.

The magic around her completely disappears and her face flushes and even seems to flail a bit when she finally realizes the weight of her actions. And... someone from Asgard?! Well, that explains why her magic was useless and... oh geez, she HATES HATES HATES feeling so stupid, but at least it was for good reason?

Oh, who is she kidding.]

Oh.

[allfatherissues]

[That reaction will only cause him to tease her further.]

Now, don't be embarrassed. You couldn't have known that you were slinging mortal magic at an Aesir -- I would view it as nothing more than a learning experience.

Your name is Amelia, isn't it? I am Loki.

[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.