shatterverse | (no subject)

"Magic is a useful term to apply to those phenomena which do not offer a ready explanation," she shrugs. It's neither a yes nor a no, because whether what she does is magic really depends on your point of view.

She sees it as perfectly normal, but then that's because it's what she is.

Anyway. Exposition time. She lays one hand lightly on a little grey key sticking out of the door. "I have come to take you to a protected area; most of this world is relatively unsafe. What you see behind me is a dwelling in that area."

"Or it could be an illusion," he says, hesitantly. Because if this Intuition person is right, there's someplace safe, and he would really, really like to go there. Live there. Not have to worry about making sure the building stays intact, since from the look of it, that farmhouse interior looks a hell of a lot more stable than this place.

"...I don't think it is."

He doesn't know why. He just... doesn't think so, somehow.

"It is not."

Ish tries to look reassuring.

"Admittedly, I'd really quite like to go someplace that isn't so dangerous," he says after a moment.

Internal flail. Imriel? You do stuff, 'kay? Villiers will just follow.

"Then for the moment we'll assume she's telling the truth."

At which point he grabs his sheathed sword from the table, twining the fingers of the other hand with Villiers' reassuringly.

"Thank you."

It's honestly meant: Ish (a) does not appreciate being suspected of lying and (b) is not overfond of the struggle to convince that she isn't.

"I will go ahead, if it will help."

Villiers is used to people lying. In fact, he often helps people lie -- it's his job.

It's his natural assumption when strange things happen. At least, when he's not too busy going WTF to be slightly paranoid.

"Ok."

Seeing that he's already got his weapon on him, he simply grabs his bag from beside the chair, once a briefcase, now a sewing kit.

In which case, Imri can nod and follow Ish through the door.

Might as well.

On its far side, the door is sombrely rustic, and Ish waits until they are both through before she closes it carefully and takes out the key, returning it to a slender chain around her neck.

Then she opens it again, to reveal...

...well, there's quite a lot of field. And a long dirt road. And what looks like a cruise-liner mating with a castle.

"This is generally known as the Cooper farm."

So they aren't dead yet. That tends to be a good thing.

But still. WTF.

"Name of Elua," says Imri in quiet D'Angeline.

"This place is strange. --But thank you."

"You are welcome," she says. "It is the manner in which I keep myself gainfully employed here."

Because you can't boink all day.

Unfortunately.

It's possible she's grinning a little at their various awed reactions. This is the fun part!

This time, it's Villiers that takes a tentative step out, just to make sure it's all, you know, real.

And turns, looking back at Intuition, still seeming utterly surprised. "Thank you," he says. "And...sorry for not believing you."

Imri squeezes Villiers' hand and grins.

Even if it's not safe here, there are people. And a house that looks to be actually functional.

It's not a problem wouldn't quite be true, so: "You do now," says Ish. "Do not worry about it."

It's not destroyed, this place. That's most certainly a good thing.

"...I hope Faith and Wendell don't try to go back to Montreal," he comments. "Where is this, anyway?"

"I'm sure they won't miss us."

"Kansas," supplies Ish.

"I am given to understand that this is in some way amusing, depending on your world of origin."

Apparently, it's amusing in Villiers' world, seeing that he gives a snort of amusement.

"Kansas? Really. It's like the reverse Wizard of Oz."