video;

[bacondivination]

[ The screen seems covered in a strange, shimmering green fire before an image within it appears to show a space on a rooftop. Loki, unsurprisingly, has found a way to cheat the restriction that terminals are stationary. He's magically broadcasting what he's doing before the camera so he has plenty of room to work, and everything is faintly distorted. ]

There, that's a good start. Attention witches, sorcerers, warlocks, and others of general magical ability. There are too many of us to be playing fast and loose with our craft.

[ With a gesture, everything focuses on a pentagram of a few feet in diameter. Ancient Norse runes ring around it, and they carry suggestions of protection and power for those that might have an idea about that kind of thing. ]

This is a basic inverted warding circle. Magics inside it have a Hel of a time getting out unless the lines are disturbed, so it's generally quite useless. If you're going to be doing something experimental, use it or something like it. Chalk out the lines, write the runes anti-clockwise, and play to your heart's content.

[ A pause, and he points to one particular marking. ]

Don't get that one backwards. It will turn the nearest equine creature inside out. I've seen it happen, and it's not pretty.

[ Then he claps his hands briskly, looking pleased with himself. ]

If you don't follow this basic magical etiquette, I will set you aflame in your bed while you sleep and won't care a whit as you burn. So let's all be polite to one another, get along just fine, and not be on fire.

[ Whoops, getting a little dark there. Loki smooths out his expression and shrugs. ]

If you've any questions, just ask a professional. I'll be about once I get elsewhere.

[ The fire vanishes, showing Loki's empty home until he pops up on camera briefly to end the video. ]

Comments

Audio;

[definingfuture]

Now I've seen everything.

video; just to be contrary;

[bacondivination]

What?

[ He's visibly defensive. ]

You've no right to criticize. Don't even start.

audio to video;

[definingfuture]

[What.

Yeah, change that connection, Stan.]

Excuse me? I have no right to criticize your methods? "I'm just visiting because you were boring me by not throwing me out of the city" sound familiar?

video forever

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow looks vaguely surprised, but attentive and interested and not at all threatened.]

Do you really use circles for everything? I only do that when it's extra dangerous. Sometimes I just, snap my fingers, and presto.

[bacondivination]

I like my circles. It's a bit more trouble than I'd usually go for, but they're solid. Secure sorcery is rooted in formalism, and that's what we need when there's so much power in such a small space.

[guiltapalooza]

The more ritual there is, the safer it is, I know. But sometimes you don't really have time for that. People are... are in danger, or-- you know. Sometimes mistakes happen!

[video]

[eye_of_isis]

Yeah, you realize that won't work for everyone, right?

[bacondivination]

Then fire it is! I'm not being unreasonable here. None have anything to worry about so long as experimenting mages don't inconvenience me. I'd even humor an invocation for my aid if need be.

[eye_of_isis]

Right, not happening. That circle thing won't work with my magic and, frankly, you're being a moron if you think that what works for you will work for everyone. I'm all for preventing disasters, don't get me wrong, but you'd be better off offering charms or something, not threatening to burn people for not using some weird...I don't know, pagan thing when their magic isn't pagan.

video;

[backinakidflash]

I can't decide if you're exaggerating and trying to be funny or not. There's a right answer and a wrong answer: so which is it?

[bacondivination]

It's a mystery, isn't it? Someone could test it out, I suppose.

[backwordscompatible]

[Just. This. Face.]

Trying not to take this really personally over here, Loki.

[bacondivination]

You know, I'm going to stop being helpful if everyone keeps on being snippy about this.

video;

[supremefaith]

[She'll clap too, because wow, very informative.]

That's the first time I've seen magic done quite like that.

[Though she'll pause and give thought to that final...er...piece of advisement?]

But you were joking about the fire thing right?

video;

[bacondivination]

That seems to be a popular query. Do I really seem the sort to do such things?

[ He's boyish and adorable. Clearly not at all dangerous and/or a mass murderer at any point in his existence. ]

[video]

[witchnotwarlock]

[Someone's been returned to their body, and isn't looking very happy about this.]

Are you kidding me? Why would anyone, specifically a magic user, use a circle that isn't of their own creation?

[He's sorry and also not, because, guys. This is Loki.]

How do I know that if I make that circle and mark the runes, that I won't suddenly lose my powers because they've been transported somewhere else?

[He's still taking the switching body/switching power thing really hard.]

[video]

[bacondivination]

Et tu, Master Kaplan? It's hardly designed for you. I trust you.

[ He looks legitimately disappointed, but it is Loki. There's never any telling what's going on in his head. ]

Besides, you could crack that spell like an egg if you wished it even if it were a trap- which it isn't. It's not even my design, you know. Just a little building block magic for bigger and better things, and any investigation would prove it.

But, yes, it is Loki who must be the bad guy here.

Video

[fuzzyelf]

That's a great incentive to get people to listen to you. I found teleporting and leaving people in the other dimension works pretty well. [He's kidding of course, but he looks a little wary.]

Re: Video

[bacondivination]

Now there's an idea! Perhaps I will adopt it if I decide to further my obviously promising career in education.

[grayatonement]

Helping the city with their magic, safety. What an entertainer you are.

[bacondivination]

I'm just so incredibly generous like that.

video;

[zinthosmantra]

I already offered. She's not interested in using wards.

video;

[bacondivination]

My faith in the human race is dwindling. I thought them smarter than this as a whole.

Video

[bindsthedead]

[Guess who's taking notes! And is now ready to ask a few questions.]

That's interesting, but how well does it mix with other forms of magic- and can it be used to surround magic that's already been cast?

[bacondivination]

The trappings and ritual are pagan, and it's defined by similar magics that keep pagan gods like my charming self in one piece. Your worst case scenario would be that you drew a pretty picture and nothing happened. Call it avant-garde if you feel the need.

[ He hesitates on the second question, honestly thinking it through. ]

I'd not bind anything already out of the gate. Takes too long, and it's fragile against things that don't come from the caster. There's better ritual out there for that.