[Video Post] un:redbird

[timmers]

[Tim has finally decided to rekindle an old hobby and get himself a camera. The video opens to a medium-sized mirror, from which you can see Tim holding up an SLR, dressed casually with a warm jacket, like he might be about to go out.]

It's been a while since I held one of these. Hope I haven't gotten rusty. [Tim smiles a bit wryly, thinking about the last time he'd held a camera.]

More importantly, I'm thinking of shooting a calendar to raise some additional funds for a couple of community activities.  I'm open to theme suggestions, if anyone has any.

If you're feeling braver than that, I'm heading out now to get a feel of things if anyone wants to be a test subject.
Just make sure you're not afraid of heights. [A grin for that, but you've been warned.]

Comments

[timmers]

Hey, Loki, right? [Now there's a face he hasn't seen in a while. Tim tilts his head a bit to consider. This is the first one he met, he's pretty sure.]

I can definitely think of a few takers who'd be interested in magic. Do you think we have enough magical stuff for that?

What kind of house is it? Gingerbread? [He smiles a bit, mostly kidding. He's outdoors now, the faint sound of water suggesting he's near the river.]

[ikols]

We have more than enough magical influence, although I don't think the Sorcerer Supreme would take kindly to having the Sanctum turned edible.

[ Ear cocking at the sound of water over the feed, he asks, ]

Whereabouts are you?

[timmers]

There's nothing wrong with form and function. Wait, Sorcerer Supreme--[He's heard that before.] Is that like the guy who's in charge of other sorcerers? Or the best at it?

The river. [He's slightly distracted.] I wanted to see what I could find. Right now, just plenty of plants and a beach.

[ikols]

[ He snorts, wholly unable not to. ]

He's the best of the Earth sorcerers, sure.

[ Ten layers of salt later, ] Watch out for the giant lizards.

[timmers]

[Whoops. Time to change the subject.] Gotcha. So you guys are all in the same house?

[If only he had some fries to go with that salt...] Seems okay, so far. [Tim swings the camera out a bit so Loki can see a relatively peaceful river area. You can still see some of the city, so he's not too far out.] Are we talking alligators or dragon-type lizards?

[ikols]

Both, like they went through a blender together. [ Never mind that though, MORE IMPORTANTLY, ] Come and visit us, Tim. We have magic and milkshakes and Mario Kart, also we're not flooded. You can photograph whatever you like.

[timmers]

Sounds like personal experience.[Tim blinks at the invitation, surprised.] Uhh, won't the 'Sorcerer Supreme' and his little cthulhu babies not be okay with that?

[Mario Kart though.] You're making the house of wonders sound an awful lot like a frat house... [Not that that's a bad thing, considering the Titans Tower.]

[ikols]

Stephen doesn't give a shit who I invite over, so long as they're not a supervillain. How do you know about the cthulu in the fridge?

[ Also ... not arguing the Magical Frat House comment. It's on the nose. ]

[timmers]

Someone mentioned it. [He's being cryptic, but he doesn't want to get anyone in trouble. And right now he's starting to wonder if Loki and 'Stephen' were the overprotective, er, people, he'd meant.]

Sounds like a good time, I can drop by, but I don't think pictures of me kicking everyone's butt in Mario Kart is going to impress anyone.

[ikols]

[ That someone is either Stephen, Sam, or Billy. Can't be anyone else, which means this is doubly fine if his housemates have already gotten to know Tim. ]

Alright, alright! I'll pull a rabbit out of a hat or something and pose for your calendar, you only had to ask.

[timmers]

Sounds to me like you just wanted your picture taken anyway.[Still, who doesn't wanna see magic? Unless it's trying to kill you. ...Note to self: bring utility belt.]

I'm pretty sure you've got something more interesting to pull than a rabbit. [At some point in time, Tim plans to make a thesis on the psychological profiles and aesthetic decisions of magical magicians.] The teleportation trick was pretty cool, but assuming this camera is up for it, something showy works, too.

[ikols]

[ Who doesn't want to be in a calendar? Achievement unlocked. ]

If you're asking me to show off, that won't be a problem. Are you a very artistic photographer, Tim?

[timmers]

[But are there tiers.]

I'm more of an action photographer. But I was twelve or so when I stopped. Wasn't really my most creative years.

[ikols]

Hmm, so you want action and magic ... I could conjure a construct to fight me, if you think the youth would like that.

[ Not very fun for Loki but he can act the hero and maybe root out a smoke machine from somewhere. ]

Or I could ask my boyfriend to fight me! Billy's dramatic as Hel when his magical dander is up. Glowing eyes, the whole shebang!

[timmers]

[Definitely confirmed now. It's nice when you get that little final puzzle piece.]

The calendar's going to be sold for the youth community programs-- not neccessarily to them, so I'm really just looking for 'interesting' -- without being inappropriate for a youth group. [Yes, he's gotten a fair amount of sexy requests.]

I probably couldn't make a calendar of the two of you, but I can definitely take a couple shot if you wanted-- just for a friend.

[ikols]

Oh!

[ That's a wonderful idea, visibly enthusing Loki whose eyes widen as he straightens. ]

Would you do that, take some photos of us? I think he'd like that. In the garden or somewhere.

[timmers]

Sure. Wouldn't have offered otherwise.

You really haven't taken a picture with eachother before? [He's not sure if impressed. He didn't think anyone used their phones for anything else nowadays.]

[ikols]

No, nothing more than selfies. Billy's not ... [ Hmm, how to put this? ] He gets embarrassed easily, then defensive, and is more likely to abort than concede.

I think we should surprise him, then he can't flee the scene or make excuses.

[timmers]

Camera-shy? [He can totally relate.] I prefer being on the other side, myself. But maybe it's just a matter of getting the right motivation.

I don't know, I don't want to get wished out of existence or anything... [He's joking, mostly.]

[ikols]

He would never do that. Besides, I'd be duty-bound to bring you back! ... And he's far more likely to wish something nasty upon my head, anyway.

Trade, Tim; our photoshoot for a tour of the Sanctum where a bunch of hipster wizards live, the best from our universe!

[timmers]

Comforting. [Tim's voice is very dry.]

You mean the tour you really wanted to take me on, right? [Just saying. But if you really want to make it a 'trade'..] Sure, can't wait! The brochure wasn't much, but I keep hearing all about it.

['Hipster wizards' sounds like a reality TV show, but what can possibly go wrong?]

[ikols]

Well, [ don't call him out on caring, how rude, ] once I grant you access to bypass our wards you'll be an official friend of the house. I don't need an excuse to do that, but ...

[ But, yeah, he totally made one up. ]

[timmers]

[It's what friends do, dude. Just keeping you honest.] Cool. What does an 'official friend' entail, exactly? Do I get the secret password? 'Open Sesame'?

Wait: are non-metas not allowed? Is being your hired help my cover story if anyone asks?

[ikols]

It's all very austere and arcane, I'll write your genetic make-up and soul's imprint into the wards so you can cross the threshold of the house whenever you want.

[ No, he'll just use a hair off Tim's head. Why u lyin, Loki. ]

It'll be a painless but intricate process, it always of for muggles, but we'll get there in the end.

[Video] >>> [Action]

[timmers]

[Just don't surprise him, Loki! He might punch reflexively.]

So, that's a yes? I'll bring my fake IDs. See you there. [Tim taps off the phone and looks up the address- it's not too far, just in the residential area, it looks like. He takes a few more shots of the flooded river-- just as he hears a rattling growl. Looks like he might be a little late.]

[A couple of hours and a change of clothes later sees Tim at the Sanctum's front porch. It's--- pretty unassuming for a magical place, but exactly like how he'd imagine a kindly grandmother's house would look like. He walks up the steps and knocks on the door. If this isn't the right house then maybe he'll at least get some cookies.]

Anyone home?