perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[bereavements]

Lucky us and our obscure artifact. We just need a better way to narrow it down.

( "The exhibit's new, right?" Ivan asks, waiting for acknowledgement. "But, there are pieces always on display. So, cross-reference Tulane's collection and the visiting one. One of the visiting artifacts has to be it. Technically, right? What are the chances one already on this campus was randomly triggered? That's a place to start?" )

[enjoythe_ride]

["Ivan's right. People have been walking in and out of this place for years and it's never been triggered. The odds that we have something that specific on our hands is very small."]

Give me a second. I'll see what I can find online.

[bereavements]

Us, too.

( Hope brings her phone down, toggles Bela's FaceTime screen to the side and tries to use her best Googling skills. (13)

Ivan's on a roll, so he makes his own attempt: (4). )

[enjoythe_ride]

[Josie is also not doing well with her knowledge of the collection (6), but Bela spots it in the online information just as Hope sets her eyes on it (19).]

The dollhouse.

[It's a small little miniature room set on the far end of the collection, close to the door.]

I recognize the artist.

[bereavements]

( Both Hope and Ivan see it at the exact same time "It's by the door." Practically overlaps )

Over there.

( Hope keeps up appearances as the three of them move through the other students. )

And this is our collection that we just got in. One of the great things about Tulane is the dedication to...

( Hope has never been good with bullshit, but Ivan on the other hand: "Culture and tradition, especially locally." )

Yes. And this is a good example of the local meeting the national and everything -- coming together.

( Nobody is lingering by the dollhouse so they have enough privacy to inspect it.

Hope gets an (8) and Ivan a (3). Ivan is probably continuing his fake showoffy lecture to Hope's ... aunt? )

[polydeukes]

[Bela can't do much from FaceTime, but Josie at least notices something (12). Maybe not with magic, but as she steps back to look at the other miniatures, her brow furrows as she realizes a pattern.]

In the other scenes, all the doors are open.

[Almost as though the rooms have just been left, as though the scene is still in media res. But the one that Bela pointed out to them does not. In fact, the door is closed. She quietly takes a step closer, murmurs a soft spell, and uses it to very gently push the miniatures door back open again.]

[bereavements]

( It takes Josie noticing it before Hope does, too, as she watches her girlfriend murmur a spell.

Hope looks up and around at everyone. )

Do you feel that?

[polydeukes]

[There's a pop, almost like a release of pressure in the room around them and Josie nods.]

Okay. We should be able to go now.

[She pokes her head over her girlfriend's shoulder and waves to Bela on FaceTime.]

Thanks, Bela.

[The other woman nods. "Everything alright, then?"]

[bereavements]

None the wiser.

( It could have been scary, had they not acted quickly. She guesses this kind of object has done its fair share of bad. )

Thank you. Bela.

( Ivan also waves from behind the girls. )

[polydeukes]

[Bela smiles and waves back. "I'll talk to you later, then." and with that she will end the call and let the girls go back to their fun.

Josie smiles as she steps back and holds up her hands for a high-five.]

See? Teamwork.

[bereavements]

Yep. It's what dreams are made of.

( "And maybe tonight's nightmares," Ivan says. )

Oh, Ivan.

( It could've been a lot worse. )

I think we should get out of here. I think we've learned enough, don't you guys?

[polydeukes]

Definitely enough education for one day.

[Josie brightens as she turns to head towards the door.]

Maybe we can go grab milkshakes instead?

[And give Ivan a slightly gentler easing into the witchy pool.]

[bereavements]

Milkshakes off campus.

( She could use a few hours away! )