This probably isn't good.

[Trini Thompson]

Raven was taking measured steps along an odd pattern through the grounds, laying down a stone occasionally.

((open))

[Kaliyah Shah]

Callie walks up, hands in her pockets. She watches Raven for a bit before greeting the girl.

"'Lo, Raven," Callie says, "Whatcha up to?"

[Trini Thompson]

"I am setting up a magic circle around the XI dorms. One of notable size and power, actually."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Neat," Callie says, "...What for?"

[Trini Thompson]

"An exorcism."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"There's demons in the dorms?"

[Trini Thompson]

"Not that I've noticed, but there IS an evil spirit."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Really?" Callie asks.

[Trini Thompson]

"Really. Lying and deceitful, and definitely not to be trusted.'

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Well. That definitely does sound like an evil spirit," Callie says, sitting in the grass, "What happened?"

[Trini Thompson]

"She has been trying to pass herself off as different things to different people. I initially thought she might be some sort of bhoot, but I think there's a good chance it's more malicious than that."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"What's a boot?"

[Trini Thompson]

"You know -- a ghost who can't move on to the next world."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Ah, I gotcha," Callie says, "So, you think she''s dangerous?"

[Trini Thompson]

"She's not what she appears to be, which is dangerous in and of itself.

She tried to pass herself off to me as a nature spirit, which I, of course, saw through. I believed her second story initially, because, like, maybe she was just, like, embarrassed? Of being a ghost? Now, though, I think it's, like, something more."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Like what?" Callie asks, sounding curious.

[Trini Thompson]

"I'm not sure yet. My attempts to scry have not been as successful as I would have liked. She must be quite powerful."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Are you sure she's not some sort of hologram or something?" Callie asks, "If she was lying about stuff, she might have been lying about even being a ghost."

[Trini Thompson]

"Please. If I couldn't recognize a ghost when I saw one, I'd, like, have to turn in my hat."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Sorry," Callie apologizes, "Didn't mean to suggest you wouldn't have spotted something like that. Just trying to help."

[Trini Thompson]

"It's alright. I've learned to brush those off. Mostly."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Seriously," Callie says, "I think what you're doing is really cool. I mean, I'm not gonna pretend I'm not skeptical of magic, but hell, I've seen weirder stuff. So, I'm willing to keep an open mind."

[Trini Thompson]

"And, you know? That's the nature of magic, right? There's all different kinds.

It's OK to be skeptical. Most people can't do big flashy things -- magic can be subtle."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Like what?" Callie asks, looking interested.

[Trini Thompson]

"Like...a subtle thing?" Raven said, confused.

[Kaliyah Shah]

"No, I meant examples of subtle magic," Callie asks.

[Trini Thompson]

"Oh, you know. The usual manipulation of objects and things -- not everything gives off massive sparkles and whatnot."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Ah, alright," Callie says with a nod. She hangs back and watches as Raven works.

[Trini Thompson]

"Possession, for one -- something the spirit, or whoever she is -- was able to do. She said she needed help, but turned mine down.

A pity. It's sort of my specialty."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"Really? How's that? You run into possessed people a lot?"

[Trini Thompson]

"No, not exactly. I have some experience in the art of voodoo and the like, and there's more crossover than you would imagine."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"I'll bet," Callie says, "It's probably like, say, biology and physics."

[Trini Thompson]

"Yes! Probably, that is. I'm not good at either."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"You're not alone there," Callie says.

[Trini Thompson]

"If I was alone, it'd be much less impressive to be good at either."

[Kaliyah Shah]

"That's true, I guess," Callie says.