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thevirginwitch · 2 months

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City Magic: Painted Rock Wards

This post was released a week early over on my Patreon! You can subscribe for free to be notified of important projects announcements, or subscribe for as little as $2 a month to gain early access to my content, exclusive access to research/reading notes, and free digital goodies! Your support means the world to me and helps me to continue doing what I love.

We’ve all seen those pretty painted rocks over on Pinterest, right? These bad boys? Or perhaps you’ve even seen them around your neighborhood/public parks.

Traditionally, these are meant to be painted (sometimes with words of encouragement) and left in public spaces for people to take home, as an act of kindness. Some others paint them for their garden, either to deter pests with vibrant colors, or they’re used to label whatever’s in their garden.

Now, if you live in a big city, you probably have felt a disconnect from your craft or your practice. It’s difficult to connect with a nature-oriented spirituality, such as witchcraft, when you live in a concrete jungle! But there are many, many ways to feel connected to your craft, even if you don’t live in the middle of the woods or have a lot of nature around you. One of these ways is to connect with your neighborhood.

Your neighborhood has mass significance to your life, whether you realize it or not: this is where you live, where you work, where you breathe, where you practice your craft – you must make yourself known, and make the neighborhood known to yourself as well. One of the best ways to do this is to take walks!

Whenever you’re ready, take a walk through your neighborhood and bring a map, notebook, and a pen. As you walk, observe the behaviors of the residents around you. Do they seem to be struggling with anything? What kind of people are they like? Write these characteristics down. If you notice any parts of your neighborhood that evoke any specific emotions (such as unease, happiness, peace, or anxiety), mark them on your map. You might also notice some “problem areas” – perhaps some patches of the road or sidewalk are horribly paved and need to be repaired, or there’s a lot of loud dogs constantly barking at the end of your block. Mark these areas on your map as well, and report back to your home when you are ready.

Picking Your Purpose

Now that we’ve identified a few “problems” and made observations within your neighborhood, we can decide what we want to do. Do you want to protect against thieves? Ward against illness for one of your elderly neighbors? This is the time to select the primary purpose for your ward.

Picking The Area

Take the map that you marked up during your walk. Connect any common points you see (for example, connect up the "peaceful" areas you marked on your map, or connect any points that have a common theme). What kind of shape does it have? Does it remind you of any popular symbols? Can you use the general shape of the area to generate a sigil or symbol that represents the area? What area(s) would most benefit from your rock wards?

Here is an example of how I created a sigil from a fictional city map I found! Obviously, play around with this idea until it makes sense to you. You can connect up different routes, or perhaps create a border around the areas that feel safest to you.

Now is the time you also want to pick where you want to place your wards - you can use your neighborhood sigil to influence where you place them, or, place them based on intuition or based on need. For example, placing a rock ward at the end of the noisiest block, or in the middle of the block that has the most number of children in the area.

Creating and Using Your Sigils/Symbols

Now, you want to develop symbols or sigils for your purpose. You can use any method you’d like! You may wish to incorporate your neighborhood sigil into each one you create, but ultimately the design is up to you. This is also the point where you would “charge” your sigil, with whatever method you see fit - as long as the design, intention, and charging method makes sense to you, that’s all that matters!

Painting Your Rocks

Finally, onto the fun part!

Now, you could simply paint your sigils on your rock and call it a day. Or, you could paint your sigil, and layer a more “mundane” piece of artwork on top of the sigil, leaving the sigil hidden underneath. This technique works best if the “mundane” artwork connects with the ward’s purpose in some way (for example, if your ward is for protection against nosy neighbors, you could paint eyes; or if your ward is for health, you could paint green colors, or even a red cross). I definitely recommend this “layering” method of painting your rocks so no one in your neighborhood ends up reporting any “suspicious looking rocks” with “satanic symbols” on them to your local Facebook groups!

Materials

acrylic paint

rocks

paint brushes

toothpicks (optional)

paint markers

outdoor/water-proof sealant such as Mod Podge: Outdoor

Instructions

Lay out your rocks and other materials

Seal your rocks with a coat or two of your sealant before you begin painting. This is an important step, since rocks are porous and will suck up any paint you try to apply!

Paint your rocks to your heart's content! If you are layering paint on your rocks, please make sure each layer is dry before painting the next.

Once your rocks are completely dry, seal them up with your outdoor/water-proof sealant so they don't get damaged in the elements.

Lastly, take another trip through your neighborhood to place your rocks. Converse with the neighbors if you feel inclined, and make double-sure of the locations you chose for your wards. I recommend taking regular walks throughout your neighborhood to check on these wards, and make sure they’re doing their job. You may wish to refresh the wards with a new coat of paint, or replace them with something new if the situations within the neighborhood change.

Ultimately, magic is what you make it, especially when you live in a big city. Warding your neighborhood and showing care for the people that live there is one of the many ways you can connect to your neighborhood on a deeper level and feel more connected to your practice locally.

Recommended further reading: Urban Magick by Diana Rajchel

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the-wizard-writes · 3 months

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My Monster Roommate: Nylian (Neil) Elsalor

Nylian (Neil) Elsalor: (he/him)

Major: Magical History

Minor: Library and Informational Sciences

Selby Talbot: (they/them)

Major: Poisons Biology and Serums

Minor: Herbalism

From what Selby gather from being a roommate to an elf they has learned a few things...

One, elves hear everything. Of course with those big pointy knife ears of there's they hear almost everything that goes around the apartment. Sometimes he would give little quips about what he's heard.

“You know, if you stop eating out all the time then maybe you would have more energy rather than feeling sluggish all the time.” Nylian cooly comment not looking up from his textbook. Selby snapped their head towards the elf glaring daggers at the elf who didn’t even care about the piercing gaze the witch bore into him throwing away the leftover’s from that orc bbq from last night, “Where did you hear-

“From your conversation two days ago, also maybe try eating a vegetable once in a while. It’ll get your energy up.” The elf coldly cut it. Selby frowned at the elf’s “helpful advice” and rolled their eyes. Selby mumbled some curses under their breath as they sat down their shared little couch next to the elf, living with Nylian has made Selby notice some things about elves that they haven’t known before. Sure there were the common stereotypes of the elf race that they knew from other races passing comments (mainly dwarves) but, Neil was actually pretty far from the more egregious stereotypes of elves. As Selby was about to grab a drink they noticed some crudely pictures on the refrigerator. The pictures were drawn in fun colorful colors with simple shapes, flowers and books with some having pictures of the elf himself along with a book sitting with a group of kids. Some drawings even had “Worlds best librarian!” Written along the top of the card stock paper. Selby turned to Nylian who was coolly sipping on his mid morning tea not paying attention to the witches curiosity.

“Hey Nylian?”

The elf perked his ears up turning towards the witch, “What is it?” The elf mused,

“What ‘s all these?” Selby asked, pointing to the kid picture on the fridge.

“Oh. Some kids from the library made that for me.”

Selby paused and turned towards the elf. Kids? No, Selby has seen Nylian interact with others. Neil was cold and often avoids others Selby has never seen the elf around common areas on campus talking to people then again the elf’s friends that Selby has see seemed to be similar to him as well. Studious, academically involved and stand-offish towards others.

“I…I never knew you even liked kids?” They admitted still confused

Neil closed his book and shrugged, “You never asked.” He simply stated.

“Yeah, but, you…don’t seem like the type to even want a kid.”

Nylian raised an eyebrow his lips curling into a small smile. “Well, I do want kids in the future. I come from a very big family, even for elf standards. I have younger siblings that I took care of when my parents were busy.” Neil explained ruminating on the statement from Selby. “My favorite activity was reading to my younger siblings during bedtime. I have been told from many of people that when I read I tend to formulate stories in away that makes people want to listen. I like encouraging them to read books as well.” Neil said.

The witch nodded along with Neil’s explanation. They never expected the studious elf to be a advocate for kids. “The kids from my assistant library job.” He pointed the pictures on the refrigerator. “They often draw me pictures of the stories they come up with or from stories that I’ve read.” The elf explained with a small smile. Selby was intrigued by the elf’s openness to kids rather than people around him, “Wow, you might as well become a teacher then.” Selby suggested. Nylian gave a light hearted laugh shaking his head, “Oh no, I couldn’t being a librarian is always something that I wanted to do. I want to encourage knowledge and literature to others, not teach.” He said.

The witch shrugged glancing at the pictures again. The thought of the studious elf reading in funny voices to children and helping them color in pages for small activities made them smile on the inside. Though he didn’t want to be a teacher, a librarian was also a really sweet job to help kids learn how to read which was ultimately what he wanted to do.

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queer-catastrophes · 1 year

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Quick Reminder On Love Magic!

Hello! Since it is Valentine's day, I thought I would make a quick reminder of something that I see a lot of on here regarding Love, sex, and general magic practices.

Please remember that any spells that take away a person's free will are immoral and unethical!! I see a lot of places where people are suggesting or posting love potions, spells, or related material to force/make someone fall in love with you, or have sex with you and that is Never ok. Spells that promote self-love and confidence, or booster spells for yourself are alright, but it's never ok to try to make someone like you against their will

Spells that involve spraying things onto a person, hiding things, or violating someone's space or personal property without them knowing is not a good thing. (neither is taking anything from them or their body without permission) Please respect people's space and things! It can come off as creepy, weird, and violating to pour, touch, spray, or put things on or into another person's stuff and in some cases it can be illegal. if you need to do so, please ASK THE PERSON BEFOREHAND

3. As someone who is sensitive to perfumes, certain scents, or things you can inhale or smell, please be cautious if you are applying or using something on yourself, giving food or perfume to someone, or if you are doing something in a public space. Please be considerate of others and their allergies!! (applies to food allergies too) 4. Please do not bury anything that does harm to the area around it, including glitter, plastic, glass, trash, sharp things, SALT or chemicals, or anything an animal can get trapped in There are alternatives to burying, and alternative materials you can bury that will decompose rather than becoming litter or a hazard to others. Show some love to the earth and the people in that area too!! Please remember to stay ethical and wise when doing magic, be kind to those around you and remember everyone is not the same or sees the same way you might. Spread and show love, not more problems for others!

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cyberpunkonline · 6 months

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Urban Magic in Video Games: Merging Grit with Wonder

In an era where hyper-realistic graphics and in-depth storytelling captivate the gaming audience, developers have concocted the perfect blend of two seemingly opposing worlds: the gritty urban landscapes and the ethereal touch of magic. From neon-soaked alleys to clandestine spells cast beneath city skyscrapers, this blend promises gamers a one-of-a-kind experience. Dive into the world of urban magic with these iconic video games.

Deus Ex Series Despite being fundamentally a cyberpunk saga, the Deus Ex series has always maintained an underlying tone of mysticism. The world of augmented humans, shady governments, and dark alleys is also a place where ancient cults and arcane rituals dictate the flow of power. The game is a testament to how tech and magic can blend seamlessly.

The Wolf Among Us Telltale's episodic interactive fantasy mystery is an adaption of Bill Willingham's Fables comic book series. It showcases characters from folktales and fairy tales living incognito in the heart of New York City. Protagonist Bigby Wolf, the erstwhile Big Bad Wolf, navigates the city's grime and glamour, ensuring that the magical community's secrets stay hidden from human eyes.

Shadowrun Series Set in a future where cyber enhancements and ancient magic coexist, Shadowrun offers a distinctive blend of tech and mysticism. As you navigate through the game's cyberpunk version of Seattle, magic is as commonplace as hacking, and mythical creatures like dragons play a pivotal role in corporate politics.

Shenmue Series The vast majority of Shenmue is rooted in realism, with its meticulously detailed environments and life simulation mechanics. However, as players near the climax, especially in the latter part of Shenmue III, they are met with a startling twist of mysticism. The final sequence pulls away from the game's realistic confines, introducing a world where magic becomes a reality. It's a startling departure from the game's overarching tone, emphasizing the unpredictability and wonder of urban magic.

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Los Angeles might seem like an odd place to find vampires, but this RPG plunges players deep into its underworld, where blood-sucking creatures lurk in the shadows of the City of Angels. With powerful disciplines (vampiric powers) at your disposal, the game is a stellar example of urban fantasy where supernatural entities navigate the complexities of modern city life.

Dishonored Series The steampunk city of Dunwall is plagued by corruption and plague. Amidst its grimy streets and dark waters, the protagonist, Corvo, is armed with otherworldly powers granted by a mysterious figure known as the Outsider. From teleportation to summoning swarms of rats, the blend of magic and industrial-age tech makes Dishonored a noteworthy mention in the realm of urban magical games.

The appeal of these games lies in their ability to juxtapose the roughness of city life with the enchantment of magical elements. It's a testament to the boundless realms of creativity, where developers envision worlds that, despite their stark contrasts, blend together in harmony, creating adventures that remain etched in players' memories.

- Raz

#games #gaming #urban magic #magic

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hobohobgoblim · 3 months

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do you want a China Mielville story? 'cause this is how you get a China Mielville story.

In Chicago, there is a hole in the asphalt after a crushed rat, and for the past few days the city residents have been making sacrifices in it.

Source: https://twitter.com/CantEverDie/status/1746321098910683331/photo/1

#china mieville #urban magic #goblincore #goblim #goblin #goblin aesthetic #feralpunk #new weird

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urbanlegendiaries · 9 months

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If poison, why delicious?

#living with lycanthropy #urban fantasy #urban magic #modern monsters #comedy shorts #werewolves #forbidden fruits

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meda-princess · 1 year

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My KC Winter Cup submission for @soulessrobot! Lighting mage and white phoenix girlfriends. :3

Decided to combine a few of the prompts, and I had a lot of fun with this! (Although it took way longer than I expected. ^^;) I hope you like it!

The background is just an image and blurred to shit cuz I was running out of time oops

#ygo gx #yugioh gx #yu gi oh gx #chazz princeton #jun manjoume #aster phoenix #edo phoenix #urban magic #creature au #genderbent #egoshipping #Meda's Art

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makerandbean · 3 months

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portal to another dimension / framed angle of sky

#mine #urban magic #urban photography #urban

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the-likeable-wizard-mack · 1 year

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What if werewolves sounded like huskies arguing in their transformed form?

Werewolf: *UNGODLY WAILING*

Roommate: “NO. YOU ALREADY ATE YOUR SNACKS. YOU ARE NOT EATING A WHOLE BLOCK OF CHEESE!!”

Werewolf: *MORE UNGODLY WAILING AND HOWLING*

Roommate: “YOU’RE LACTOSE INTOLERANT JERRY!”

#urban fantasy #urban fantasy writing #urban magic #modern magic #modern fantasy #werewolves #werewolf #werewolves being dumb #drabble #blurb #random #random post #writings #writing prompts #writing #my writing #the wizard speaks

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edupunkn00b · 1 year

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Time Travelers Point and Laugh at Archeologists

Written for the TSS Fanworks Discord Remix Event, inspired by Marinia's story Gone in Sparks and Light on AO3. Rated: T - WC: 3725 - [ AO3 ]

---

Logan was at a loss for what had brought him and Virgil to this very moment. Intellectually, he understood it was a simple chain of events. It started the moment his husband first spotted Remus, sopping wet and ecstatic as he stood in gleaming white robes in the middle of the muddy cobblestone street that thunderous evening.

He understood the facts of this mysterious magician who claimed to be from the future, claimed to be proof that his theories were correct. He understood that they were about to see whether he actually told the truth or if his husband had simply brought home a chaotically charming—or charmingly chaotic—charlatan that day. His heart told him Remus was honest. His head still had doubts.

The bit of periwinkle glass glowed before them, visibly expanded by Virgil’s quilt until every facet of the runes engraved on its surface glowed and sparkled in the candlelight. He held tight to Virgil’s hand with his left, his husband’s palm damp with nervous sweat and a little twitch in their thumb betraying the anxiety hidden behind the calm smirk they returned.

In his right hand was Remus’.

Equally nervous but unafraid to show it, the strange magician—scientist‚ he’d said when he’d introduced himself to Virgil in his strange vernacular—vibrated with nearly as much energy as the runestone. He bounced on his toes, jerking Logan’s hand up and down as he did. In another time, Logan might have joined in his exuberance, sharing in the joyous, bubbling cauldron of energy this strange man gave off, but, whether it was the fear of having his theories disproved or the nervousness churning in his stomach, he couldn’t quite manage more than a small squeeze of his hand and a brush of this thumb against the taller man’s palm.

“Calm concentration,” he murmured, and the mustachioed man nodded and took a deep breath.

“Just can’t wait to show you everything!” Remus whispered back, an excited uptilt in his voice. “The archeology department’s gonna flip!”

“Well, yes,” Logan murmured, his lips curling up as excitement fizzled in his own chest. “Let’s first ensure we will each arrive in one piece, shall we?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” he nodded, vibrating again. “Are we ready?”

Virgil blew out a slow breath next to him, and Logan felt their hand grow warmer in his grip. “Ready,” they said, preternaturally calm as they dropped into their own magical trance.

“Ready,” Logan said sharply, staring down at the runes, concentrating on the curve that would loop them back to Remus’ time.

The air grew heavy around them, thick like smoke or fog, though nothing impeded their vision. It prickled against their skin, tiny hairs rising up on Logan’s arms and the back of his neck, and each of Virgil’s knuckles. Even Remus’ mustache seemed fuller. Each inhalation brought a spark with it, and the weight of the air pushing down on them somehow lifted them up, until Logan was left with the sensation of bobbing in an ocean of air.

His eyes never wandered from the glass in front of him and soon the runes began to shift and dance across the surface, growing and morphing until a bright blue light spilled out from the edges, warping around and between them. Tiny tendrils branched out from the glass, meandering along the quilt and across the floor, quickly closing the distance between them and the runestone.

Virgil’s eyes were squeezed shut, but the tendrils didn’t need their vision, coiling around their hands and arms and glowing brightly. Remus’ eyes were wide, almost manic in their glee, and he muttered quietly to himself, staring at the shifting runes. He’d described the portal he’d used to travel to their time and the differences were marked. The modern magician seemed unalarmed, though, so Logan relaxed into the trance.

Soon a set of tendrils found Remus, as well, wrapping around his waist and chest. He finally quieted, standing nearly completely still.

The last set of tendrils wound their way closer to Logan, growing and branching out at the first touch. They were comfortably warm, and tickled, like he imagined the fast growing leaves of ivy might be. Wrapped around his arms and over his shoulders, he felt safe and secure.

Then the world split open and he dropped to the ground.

~~~

The clang of metal against metal and a rough, mocking voice woke him.

“Wakey, wakey, Little John.” The sing-song tone matched the rhythm of the clanging and Logan slowly opened his eyes. The world exploded in light, the noonday sun directly overhead even though, based on the rank, stale air, he was clearly indoors. Slowly, his vision resolved and he made out dark iron bars in front of him.

“What—” His head hurt, and as much as the clanging still reverberated inside his skull, the sound of his own voice was even worse. “What have I done to warrant imprisoning me in this dungeon?” he said again in a lower voice.

“Maybe next time don’t try to sleep off a bender in the park dressed like a Renaissance fair.” The man’s taunt was barely audible over the racket of his keys against the bars. “Now, look,” he pointed a thick, stunted finger to his left. “You see that smartass lawyer over there?”

Logan squinted in the direction the man pointed. There was a large room filled with people bustling about, some in the same strange, navy blue clothing the man in front of him wore. They had insignias and angry, dangerous-looking tools attached to their belts. They appeared to be some sort of guards or military, but none Logan had ever seen before.

The man’s gesture had been vague, and Logan wasn’t sure if he was meant to look at the machines’ ringing alarm bells or at some animal or something else entirely. His gaze snagged on the way the guard’s hand hovered over the matte black tool holstered to his belt and he swallowed dryly. Logan nodded anyway. “Well,” the guard continued, “You can thank him for bailing your sorry ass out of here,” he muttered, slowly working his way through the keys on his giant ring.

“I believe the word you are looking for is releasing,” said a tall man with dark eyeglasses. “As in I am ensuring an innocent man is released for no other crime than hitting his head and losing consciousness in a public park. Your own field test proved Mr. Doe here had not been drinking.” The other man stood by the bars, and reached for him the moment a gate screeched open. “Consider it a professional courtesy, Officer Bardus, that you’re not being subpoenaed for unreasonable search and seizure for that breathalyzer test he was clearly too injured to consent to!”

A vague memory of some voice repeatedly instructing him to breathe floated through Logan’s mind, and he rocked gently, fighting for focus. “What is a—”

“Not another word,” the man in the dark eyeglasses murmured, shaking his head. “You see a cop? Shut up. C’mon, let’s get outta here.” The stranger with the glasses seemed at least marginally better than the guard, so Logan followed.

They walked in silence past a counter where two drunk men argued with another guard. As he walked, the man in the dark glasses held a flat black rectangle in his hand and hooked his arm through Logan’s, stabbing at the brightly colored side with his thumb before holding it up to the side of his face and speaking into it.

“Pigs fingerprinted him before rendering medical care.” He spoke into it as though having a conversation, pausing between phrases and listening. “Yeah, yeah, we’re on our way.”

“Pigs?” Logan began but the lawyer pointed to the box and shook his head again.

“Yeah, yeah, babes, relax. He’s fine. I’d like Doc to check him over, though.” Impossibly tall, taller even than Remus, he tucked the rectangle between his ear and his shoulder and lifted his eyeglasses. His other hand prodded at his hair. Logan flinched and pulled away. “Yeah, he’s got a nice lump. Yeah… Lemme see.” He peered into Logan’s eyes and asked. “What’s the last thing you remember before waking up in that holding cell?”

“Cell?” He looked back toward the building they’d just left. The masonry was broken up by large, dingy, glass windows that faced a narrow walkway. Two foot tall letters, some cracked and bent spelled out East Precinct. That horrible place was meant to be a monastery? Logan shook his head, the ache reminding him of the man’s question. “I… I was performing a traveling spell with my husband and our friend and—”

Laughing, he pressed the rectangle against Logan’s ear and Remus’ voice poured out of it. “Damn right, that’s what we did! It worked! Welcome to the 21st century, Lo Lo!”

“You’re a magician, too!” he said, and Remus’ laughter rang out from the little rectangle, sounding louder and less tinny as he pressed it closer to his ear.

“Remy wishes he coulda invented cell phones!” Logan clung to the strange device in his hand and wrapped Remus’ familiar laughter around him like a blanket. It gave him the courage to ask the question he’d been quietly dreading since he’d first opened his eyes.

“Remus… Remus is Virgil with you?” His hand shook and he pressed the rectangle to his face, afraid of dropping it.

“Yeah, Lo Lo, he’s right here.”

There was a muffled scraping sound and then Virgil’s voice poured from the device. “Logan? Is that really you in there?” His voice was rough and thick with tears.

“It’s me, Ember, I’m here… not inside…” He struggled to control the warble in his own voice. “I’m in a town…” He looked up at the man in the dark eyeglasses—Remy? “Where are we?”

“Pike Street, babes,” he grinned and hooked his arm through Logan’s. “If we hustle, we’ll get you to your sweeties in less than ten minutes.”

~~~

Tucked between Virgil and Remus on a giant plush chair, a mug of steaming tea in his hands, Logan listened as Remy explained the University’s reaction to Remus’ disappearance and the coinciding theft of the periwinkle glass artifact.

“My PI called me the second the cops’ BOLO alert hit the wires,” Logan’s brow furrowed. “The last thing you needed was another outstanding warrant.” Remy spoke English, but at times like this it sounded little more than garbled nonsense. “That was yesterday afternoon. Pat and I’ve been taking turns babysitting the police radio.”

“You got the timing right!” Virgil exclaimed, smiling at both Logan and Remus. “You’ve been gone for less than a day!”

“Yeah, about that,” Remy started, tugging at the sleeve of the roughspun tunic Remus wore. “You said you’ve been gone for four years?”

Logan nodded, sipping his tea. “Approximately. Remus first arrived in our town three years, ten months, and thirteen days ago.”

“A lot can happen in four years,” Remus grinned and Logan hid his face behind his mug. “Needed to make sure I didn’t give the cops—or the University—time to build a case.”

“They’re pressing charges,” Remy muttered, taking a long draw of the bitter black liquid in his own cup. “This isn’t like the last time you ‘borrowed’ an artifact.”

“No, it’s not,” Remus beamed. “This time I’ve brought back more.” He met Logan’s eyes, who nodded once. Remus retrieved the precious cargo from his pocket and opened it up on the low table before them, laying out the sparkling pieces on their burlap wrapping. “I think these will win over even the hardliners in the Archeology department.”

Remy poked at one of the pieces, yanking his hand back when the runes zapped, sparks lighting up their faces. He stuck both fingers in his mouth and frowned, pulling them out with an audible smack. “Yeah, and if they don’t believe it, you can always just zap them.”

“Nah, that’s only for later for a treat,” Remus laughed and Logan shook his head fondly. Even in his own time, Remus seemed to be a bit of an anachronism. Logan couldn’t quite decide what that meant for all of them.

“And so this is why you believe the portal looked so different coming here than it did in your original trip to our time?” He indicated the runes laid out before them. “The presence of these in my workshop?”

“As far as I can tell, yeah,” he shrugged, picking up one of the pieces without being zapped with a smirk in his lawyer’s direction. Remy flipped him off just as the doorbell rang and he leapt up to get it, suddenly smiling.

Virgil chuckled, watching Remy practically skip down the hallway. “He’s changeable.”

“Just lovesick,” Remus waved a hand without looking up. “His husband is the doc we called to check you for a concussion,” he nudged Logan’s shoulder. Logan pretended not to see the way Remus smirked when they both drew closer to him, nodding.

“Highly understandable behavior then,” Logan murmured, smiling at his husband and best everything else. “Well, then,” he looked up when a man in bright pink hair carrying a large bag bearing a staff with two snakes entered the room.

“You must be Logan and Virgil,” the man said, smiling with his hand outstretched. “I’m Dr. Picani. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

~~~

“Mr. Prince—” the tired voice of the Dean of Archeology began. She slouched over the polished mahogany desk between them Logan caught Virgil surreptitiously stroking the side, nodding appreciatively at the craftsmanship. He was curious at her treatment of the beautiful piece, and from where he stood, spotted where she’d spilled something, a sticky-looking dried splotch near her elbow.

“Ah, what was that?” asked Remus, his joking tone belied by the iron in his gaze. “I bled for that PhD.”

“Apologies,” the Dean sounded anything but sorry. “Dr. Prince,” she began again. “Will you explain why I shouldn’t call campus police right now and arrest you?”

“Madam,” Logan stepped out from behind Remus and bowed his head. “Dr. Prince is telling the truth and we have brought the proof with us. Do you have a—” he turned to Remus when he forgot the name of the device, the onslaught of oddness in the day finally catching up with him.

“Put these under your microscope, Dean,” Remus said, dropping a velvet cloth in her palm with two of the rune stones inside. “Just don’t touch them with your bare hands unless—”

“Dammit, Prince!” she swore when the stone zapped her hand.

“The stones really don’t like to be handled by non-scientists,” Remus explained and Virgil stepped forward and reached for her hand.

She only glared at him and Virgil shrugged, rolling their eyes. Logan hid a smirk at that particular mannerism of Remus’ that Virgil had been quick to adopt. “I can heal that, if you want,” he mumbled. “We’re time travelers, not monsters.”

“Speak for yourself,” Remus chuckled before Logan could shush him with a poorly stifled laugh.

“And you wonder why I didn’t hire you,” the Dean muttered under her breath as she adjusted the microscope stage. She frowned into the eye piece for a long, long while before finally looking up at the trio. “We will need to verify this independently, you know,” she failed to disguise the excitement in her voice as she reached for a device on her desk and began speaking into it.

Logan peered at it. She held it similarly to how Remy had held the device he’d used to speak to Remus and he wondered if it was a primitive version of Remys’ device.

Remus merely shrugged and made himself comfortable on the sofa on the other side of the Dean’s decadent office. He waved his hand as though to say, be my guest, and reached over the armrest to click on a kettle. “Would anyone like something to drink?” he asked, helping himself to the box of teas at the center of the table.

The Dean reminded Logan of an angry bull and he almost expected her to plow across the room and throw Remus off the couch. Instead, she glared and continued to mutter into her device. Remus winked at them and patted the couch with a little tilt of his head. “Would you like some tea, Lo Lo? Virge?” he grinned, seemingly relishing his rudeness. He slid over to sit in the center of the couch, leaving space for Logan and Virgil on either side of him.

Laughing, Virgil shrugged at him. “Why not?” they whispered and made themself comfortable at his side. Shaking his head with his own surprised laugh, Logan joined them.

“You never fail to surprise me, Remus,” he smiled wryly, watching Remus prepare tea as though he was in their cozy kitchen back home. The modern magician’s ease in the office was slowly rubbing off on him. “Don’t ever stop.”

~~~

“Fine, just don’t damage it!” Remus snapped at the lab tech just before he plunged the rune stone into a graduated cylinder filled with a clear reactant. The tech had arrived quickly and unpacked his gear with shaking hands. He looked nearly as excited as Remus had the first time he’d seen the runestones in their home.

Logan reached for his hand, smiling when he saw Virgil do the same on his other side. “That solution will have no impact on the runestone,” he murmured. “It’s all right.” Remus just scowled at the tech, eyes narrowed as he watched him swirl the solution with a glass stirring rod. Within seconds, the solution turned bright blue.

“What did I tell you?” Remus stood a little taller. He was so careful with him and with Virgil, though, often sitting when they spoke, slouching as he leaned on some counter or the wall. It was easy to remember just how tall he was. Remus was easily the tallest in the room, even the 6 foot tall tech’s head would just graze the side of his jaw.

The Dean stared at Logan and Virgil. “And so you two really are—”

“They’re scientists from the fifth century,” Remus interrupted, his grin luminous. “Just like I said.”

The tech and the Dean exchanged a look. “You know what this means?” he murmured, leaning closer and whispering in her ear. Logan didn’t like the way she eyed them while she listened.

She didn’t speak at first, simply nodded to the tech and he left the office. “Why don’t you all have a seat,” she said, eyes on her desk. It wasn’t a question. “I need to clear my calendar. Drink you tea, and I’ll be right with you so we can discuss what this means.”

~~~

At first, Remus didn’t move to the couch, and instead watched her pick up the device with the spiral tether. She muttered quietly but intensely into one end for several seconds, then abruptly pressed the device back in its cradle. “Go on,” she murmured, sitting down and typing at her computer. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”

“I don’t like this,” he whispered once he’d turned his back. “Keep your eyes open.”

“Do you believe they may turn violent?” Stories of the treatment of magicians in other towns were… stories, weren’t they? But if this age, with its technologies and incredible devices had lost its magic so much that Remus was a rarity…

It made the darkly fantastical tales of entire towns burning their magicians seem all the more likely.

“They’re cowards,” he muttered. “It’s why I stole the runestone in the first place.” He shook his head and poured their tea. “They were too afraid to try to use it. They had it locked away in a file box in the basement.”

“Armed cowards are still dangerous,” Virgil murmured behind his tea, watching the door.

Logan smiled when his husband angled their own body between the rest of the room and his and Remus’, then reached out and touched their knee. “We’ll all remain vigilant.”

The Dean left them waiting for long enough to start on a second round of tea. “Are you sure I can’t pour you a cup, Dean Croft?” He showily poured Virgil’s second cup. “It’s quite good.”

“Yes, I know,” she muttered, glaring at him over the top of her computer screen. “It’s imported.”

“Hmm,” Remus nodded as he sat back and stirred his cup.

Declining a second cup, Logan tucked his hands between his thighs and the plush seat to stop from fidgeting. He rocked gently, his only outlet for the buzzy tension in his chest. He couldn’t tell if Remus was purposefully antagonizing her or if their dislike ran both ways. Both left him feeling vulnerable and trapped in her office.

The Dean stiffened in her seat, eyes darting to the closed door at the sound of voices on the other side. Remus followed her gaze, setting down his cup when he saw several shadows under the door. The door burst open and a half dozen men dressed like the guards who’d imprisoned him poured into the office, angry-looking weapons with light crackling at the end in-hand.

“Hands up, if you will,” the Dean said, like it was an invitation.

Remus raised his hands and gestured for both of them to copy him. His expression was calm and respectful as he addressed the officers, even as he nudged Virgil’s side. Their knife was hidden near their hip. Logan had only seen them use the thing to free a trapped fox, but they practiced with it each week in the woods behind their home. Remus then looked down at his own pocket where the other runestones almost buzzed with energy.

“You do understand, Mr. Prince, that the moment you stole the artifact from the institution, any tangible results you obtained became our property.” She eyed Logan and Virgil. “Any tangible results.” She nodded toward the officers. “Arrest the tall one and bring the others—”

They never found out where they would be brought because the moment they lowered their weapons, Remus pulled out Virgil’s knife with one hand and a runestone with the other. “Let’s go!” he shouted to each of them and they formed a tight triangle. “We don’t have time for caution.” Remus threw the stone to the ground, muttering an incantation, rousing the few spirits left in this time. Tiny hairs stood up against Logan’s skin as a rush of power circled them.

There would be no return trip. Not to this day, at least.

A portal surrounded by reflective shards of glass bloomed in front of them, blues and greens and purples. Tiny pinpricks of light bloomed and sparked, exploding into a swirl of colors. The very center cleared, green grass and sunshine pouring through and reflecting off the teacups on the table. The center grew, slowly pulling apart as though invisible hands peeled back the colored lights. The center was large enough now to see a broad field of wildflowers, surrounded in the distance by rolling hills topped with maples and sycamores. Warm, fresh air poured from the portal and Logan inhaled deeply, relishing the familiar scents.

Home.

Smiling, they took each other’s hands and scrambled through just before the portal snapped shut behind them.

#Time Travelers Point and Laugh at Archeologists #ts logan #ts remus #ts virgil #ts remy #ts fanfic #analogical #platonic dukexiety #platonic intrulogical #dukexiety #intrulogical #modern magic #urban magic #time travel #why‚ yes‚ that is a Doctor Who reference‚ thank you for noticing

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