(Huh. Kinda forgot those existed... Those are probably average sizes, though, right? So outliers would exist, just like people and animals in real life?)


"Oh, that's right, I still have to do that..." Vilas said quietly, following Alala. She was a bit nervous, to say the least, but tried to remain calm. If she was being honest, she was more nervous about conducting research than she was about the poltergeist near her.


Zeria thought he saw the poltergeist mouth 'thank you' but wasn't sure. He simply followed Alala and Vilas silently, which was a sure sign of his unease with the situation. He made sure to keep an eye on the poltergeist, whether out of fear or curiosity, he wasn't certain.

(Probably. I imagined Alala looking larger because of her wings, and Merikh being a bit smaller than usual because he is precious and small animals with big ears are cute.)


Alala led the pair down the dirt path before eventually coming to the laboratory. She punched a 4-digit code into a keypad by the door, which opened. Alala quickly ushered the luffoxes inside first with her wings before ducking in after them. The first thing was a hallway, lit with clinical white lights and an elevator leading downward as well as staircases on either side. Alala punched the down button on the elevator. As they waited, Alala put down Merikh long enough to explain. "Right now our first priority is getting it in a containment cell, since it causes a huge danger to everyone here. We can apply for a job right afterword, Vilas." Once everyone was inside after the elevator opened, an awkward elevator melody soon began to play as the doors slid closed. The cheerful tune juxtaposed the tense atmosphere in the group. Alala was quite glad to be rid of the music as the doors slid open again on floor "B3."


Merikh was also quite glad to be rid of that annoying tune, but this small pleasure was immediately squashed when Alala exited into the intimidating poltergeist research corridor. The corridor was very wide, but each door was made of iron and had several bolt locks on the outside as well as a small window that could be covered with a sliding metal screen. Accompanying each door was a small clipboard filled with information on what was currently inside. He couldn't be sure, but he thought he glimpsed words like "interrogation" and "autopsy," in that order. He would have shuddered had his back not been contained in Alala's mouth. He was relieved when the door that Alala finally opened contained only a magic circle rune in the center, in which he was thrown inside. He got up immediately and tried to leave, or teleport, or anything, only to find the ancient runes had him essentially trapped. He put a paw on the edge of the rune on the floor and slowly slid it up, finding that the ancient marks created an invisible, wall-like barrier he could not cross. "Don't put a toe in that thing," Alala warned the two luffoxes. "It traps all spirits, even living beings that contain a spirit. You could be trapped inside with that thing with you."

(If I could draw, I would totally draw that elevator scene! XD)

Vilas was almost in awe at the magic, stating, "I'll be careful, but I've never seen anything like that before. Or even read about it..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered she didn't read much about magic traps. "Aren't there any guards down here? I don't think I saw anyone other than us inside." Vilas said, a little worry in her voice. She glanced over at the poltergeist every few moments, still not feeling safe even with him inside the magic trap.


Zerial was currently scanning the small room, which was very foreboding and did not give any sign of comfort. 'I'm not sure I'd want to exist if this was the place I had to stay in...' he thought, 'If Vilas is going to be one of the scientists researching or whatever on this poltergeist, she'll probably be nice to him without really thinking anything of it. If she isn't too scared of him too speak, anyway.'

(Yeah, I thought it would be quite funny to write, and it was XD)


"There aren't any guards here because there weren't any existing poltergeists down here before," Alala explained. She seemed a lot more relaxed with the poltergeist contained. "And I do know the basics of magic circles. They grow weaker as they get bigger, and stop working around one mile wide. So that containment circle there is quite powerful. Also, depending on how you draw and tweak magic circle designs, they have different effects, such as draining energy or magic. Also, you can layer the circles to add more effects and supply power to the central circle. So magic circle users each kinda have their own secret specializations."


Malikh was panting slightly. During the war, he'd been an expert in magic circles to trap any soldiers coming into the neutral country. He walked in a few small circles, examining the symmetrical runes beneath his feet. To his dismay, they were mostly for containment with a considerable magic dampener. That was probably why he couldn't catch his breath. He wondered if he'd be able to rub away the circle with his paws to escape, and perked up a little as he experimentally pawed at the paint. But he looked at the ceiling, and his hope withered when he saw an identical circle painted there too.

(I just thought of the magic circle thing, wonder how it'll affect the rp in the long run)

(Guess we'll have to wait and find out)

"That sounds like it could get complicated, but the premise itself sounds simple." Vilas thought aloud, then said, "Oh! Um, now that he's here and in the circle, should we go see about me being a scientist?" She said 'we' hoping that Alala would help her out, or at least tell her where to go.

Zerial was only half listening to Alala and Vilas. He was more occupied with watching the actions of the poletgeist that was now being held in the cell, even if he had no idea what the guy was trying to do. "So, will there be guards put down here now that there is a poltergeist here?"

"That's a yes to both your questions," Alala said. "Though, the guards won't be allowed in the actual experimental rooms here, they will guard the doors outside them and the corridor. Perhaps you'll be one of those guards, Vilas."


Merikh, still examining the runes, became confused when he noticed the lack of detail and craftsmanship normally shown in multi-purpose runes like this. Where was the art in it? Places where he would have put swirls were instead replaced with straight lines, gentle curves with scientifically calculated slopes. His lithe shoulders slumped as the thought of rune-making having been slowly lost to time while he was dead came to mind. The language of magic had changed, and he couldn't make out the meaning behind a lot of the runes. As he slowly shuffled in a circle, reading the layers of designs, he couldn't help but flick his tail anxiously at the thought of what he couldn't read meant. What emotions were easily concealed by his mask were portrayed in body language, especially since Ryori communicated with their bodily actions more than words. His ears flattened against his head at the thought that perhaps this magic circle would accidentally kill him.

Vilas thought for a while and said, "It makes sense that guards would have to stay outside..." She paused a moment, thinking, before continuing, "I don't know where I have to go or what I have to do to be a scientist, but I'll follow if you'll lead me there."

Zerial noticed the poltergeist seemed bothered by something other than being trapped in here. He didn't dare ask what was wrong, as he didn't want his question to be taken as concern. From what Alala said, there's not any reason for him to be concerned. Despite that, he couldn't bring himself to not care at all.

Alala nodded to Vilas. "Right. It's mostly just paperwork, nothing as exciting as the genetic scanner, though you will get a packet of information about job requirements and such." As she opened the door for the two luffoxes, Merikh watched them leave with wide, ruby-red eyes.

(I'm going to bed now, but you can expect a new, detailed description of all the living's roles in the main post on this thread tomorrow. Something more than just a sign up link. Goodnight!)

(Goodnight! I was going to bed after this post, anyway. XD Also, cool! That'll be a neat little thing to read. I use a lot of '...' when Vilas talks, I just noticed that. XD I guess it's cause I imagine her with a quiet voice that kind of sounds like she might say more after finishing. One more thing, even with school, I'm usually on here during the bus ride in the morning and during my 3rd hour when I have nothing else to do.)

The siblings followed Alala out of the cell, Zerial taking one glance back to see the poltergeist watch them leave. Vilas was more comfortable around Alala now, but was still cautious about what she said and how she said it. especially when talking about poltergeists. Vilas was thinking about what being a scientist required when she heard Zerial ask, "Is it really safe to leave him there alone? I'm just having a hard time comprehending all this." His voice held an obvious wariness. Vilas reassured him by softly saying, "Alala knows what she's doing... I'm sure it'll be fine."

Finian raised his head some. They hadn't attacked him yet, did that mean they weren't bad? If Aife was here she could tell him if they were or weren't! He took a step back. "Fluffers huh? what are you doing this close to town?" He asked looking at the two. They didn't look like they could do much but that wasn't saying anything.