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

[allfatherissues]

[The flow of time forever beyond Loki's control -- for all of his gift with the art of sorcery, there are some things that he can never touch.

But he will always move with its whims, pulled along like a puppet on strings. And though his life has been full of long and eventful years, they have -- up until this point -- been completely linear.

Not today. He's gone back; he can feel it, ever so slightly, the way things are slightly illusive and barely surreal in ways even he cannot describe, despite his silver tongue.]

[So when Loki steps inside the clock tower, his footsteps overridden by the loud chimes of the clock itself, his eyes flit about trying to decide when and where he is.

It's then he feels the oddness around the stranger nearby -- for someone so attuned to magic, to strangeness and all things not-quite-right in the supernatural sense, it wouldn't be missed. Loki approaches. Perhaps he can garner some answers.

But first, of course, a greeting:]

Afternoon.

[catalystrose]

[The boy blinks and stands up. The cats slip away behind him, but never taking their eyes off of him and the stranger.

People didn't come up to the clock tower often except during the day, but the entrance into the interior was always closed at 9 PM. He had been told by his caretaker that there was an invisible force of sorts, one that she didn't understand and felt quite uneasy around at times.

He liked it up here though. It was a nice place to wait and get lost in thought and sometimes at every hour a tune would play instead of the usual ringing. It also felt safe in an odd way. But the apperance of this stranger... was he dangerous? The boy gazed at him curiously, but he nods at Loki politely.]

Hello. I didn't know anyone else would be coming up here today.

[allfatherissues]

[Loki merely nods in return -- he does not feel threatened by the current situation he finds himself in, but he is obviously cautious. He wonders if magic is at play, or if something else altogether is moving Fate's hand this day.]

[He steps forward, composure intact. The composure and movement of a prince.]

To be honest, I did not fully plan to. I find myself completely disoriented, as it were.

[catalystrose]

Dis... orient... [He pores over the word and then lights up when he figures out its meaning]

Ah, I remember what that means now. But then that means you're not someone who lives in this town at all.

Do you need help? [He seems very sincere and earnest]

I'm not sure how I could help, but I've been around most of the town already so if you need directions...?

[allfatherissues]

You're right -- I suppose you could say I'm only visiting, though I would prefer to know how I arrived.

[The sincerity of the boy's words is not lost on him, and Loki crosses his arms a little in response.]

If you would be so kind as to tell me the details of when and where I happen to be?

[catalystrose]

How??

As for when and where... well, the clock just struck noon and we're both inside the Blackgale Clock Tower.

HA, YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO REMIND ME

[allfatherissues]

Yes. How. [Loki repeats himself, his mind churning.] This is not my time -- I can feel it.

Rather, it would be more prudent for me to ask what Earth year this happens to be.

[catalystrose]

[REMINDER]

... [The realization dawns upon him and he gives a serious look to the Norse god]

It's 1996.

As for how you're here, I don't know if I'm the right person to ask. All I know is that this place is very old and that there are times you shouldn't be here because of... magic.

[A pause and he smiles gently at Loki]

There's someone I know who can help though.

[allfatherissues]

[LOKI DOES NOT REQUIRE SUCH A HARSH REMINDER FROM HIMSELF]

[Loki appraises the boy quietly before responding.]

If this is due to magic, it is of a nature that escapes even myself. And though the idea of remaining a few years behind my own time may be appealing at first, I have no doubt that it may become... tedious.

If you would be so kind to aid me? I would indeed be grateful.

[catalystrose]

[He beams at Loki from where he's standing]

Of course! I'm sure we can set everything straight soon. I'm not all that knowledgeable, but like I said, the person I know should be.

Let's go out so we can wait.

[He starts down the stairs, but not before stopping in front of Loki and holding out his hand for a handshake]

You can call me Briar. And you...?

[allfatherissues]

[Loki reaches out to clasp his hand in the boy's, when the latter's declaration of his name gives him pause.]

[There's a moment of silence that passes, and a cool but curious assessment from Loki before he speaks.]

Briar, you said?

[Well, the boy did mention that this was Blackgale...]

[catalystrose]

[Briar gives a firm and friendly handshake before pulling his hand away. He chuckles a bit at Loki's inquiry]

It's not a common name is it? But yes, it's Briar. It kind of just stuck after a while.

[allfatherissues]

I see -- it's a fine name, I believe. [Suddenly the situation became much more complex than Loki initially imagined, and suddenly he's not in a terrible hurry to leave.

He places his hands behind his back and offers Briar an appraising smile.]

In any case, my name is Loki.

[catalystrose]

Loki huh? That's an interesting name too. [And starting down the stairs. The cats that were with him have gone on their way]

I guess we can go wait at her house while we're at it... oh, I didn't mention who was going to help us did I?

[allfatherissues]

[Loki follows, calmly, watching Briar as he follows him down the steps.

(He needn't look at his feet. He walked so many steps at the Asgardian Palace that he could do it in his sleep.)]

You didn't, actually, but I might imagine that they're fairly powerful?

[catalystrose]

You'd be right about that!

She's a witch named Amelia. She knows a LOT about magic. [Oops before he forgets!]

It's supposed to be a secret though, but since you know about magic, it should be okay. Amelia might get grumpy when she finds out I told you so easily though...

[allfatherissues]

[Then it was as he thought -- of course it was. How strange fate often treated him. Often it was not in very nice ways, but for some reason this situation intrigues him.

Should he merely play along, then? Perhaps he will.]

I have no doubt she'll understand -- besides, I am not one to go about exposing the existence of magic to the mortal world. You need not worry.

[catalystrose]

[They make it outside the tower and are met with wonderful California weather. Blue sky, a warm sun, and not a cloud in the sky. Next stop, it's Miss Steinbeck's house.

Briar seems to want to keep up the amiable conversation]

So Loki... where are you originally from if you don't mind me asking?

[allfatherissues]

[Loki has no qualms about amiable conversation; he's quite talented in the art of it, after all.]

I do not mind at all. I come from Asgard.

[catalystrose]

What was it like if you don't mind me asking?

[allfatherissues]

[Loki laughs a little.]

Well... where to begin? The differences were great. It was a land where magic and technology intertwined, a land of warriors and golden buildings.

Most on Midgard would be surprised to hear someone claim they're from Asgard, however. You don't seem to be.

[catalystrose]

I think there was a book that mentioned Asgard, but I can't say I'm familiar with it at all so...

But I am kind of impressed. Asgard sounds like a beautiful place.

[allfatherissues]

It is. [If there's a hint of something more than just appreciation for Asgard in his tone, Loki hides it well.]

[catalystrose]

[He's way too trusting to detect that hint especially if it's from the God of Mischief]

I don't remember where I came from. I just remember sleeping for a long, long time before ending up here.

[allfatherissues]

[Loki has a feeling that this might be a familiar story, but it's interesting to hear it from the source.]

Is that so? Did something wake you?