[ Ugh, right. Howl's like, a legit magic user. He went to school for it and everything. Matt can't help a rueful smile, as if to say "well played." ]
As far as I can tell, yeah, [ he admits. ] And ... it is significant.
[ Matt sucks in a breath. Lets it out. And he takes one more steadying pull from his cocktail glass before trying to answer. ]
When I was 18, I summoned a demon. Or I tried to, at least. In the moment, it didn't seem like anything had happened, so I assumed the ritual had failed. But that night, the demon appeared to me in a dream.
It basically told me I'd been stupid and arrogant trying to summon it, which [ a humorless twitch of his lips, ] fair. And it touched my face.
[ Matt turns his head to give Howl a better look at the scar on his left cheek. It's very thin, and very faint, but it can be made out easily enough in good light. It arcs along Matt's cheekbone, a fossil record of a caress. ]
no subject
As far as I can tell, yeah, [ he admits. ] And ... it is significant.
[ Matt sucks in a breath. Lets it out. And he takes one more steadying pull from his cocktail glass before trying to answer. ]
When I was 18, I summoned a demon. Or I tried to, at least. In the moment, it didn't seem like anything had happened, so I assumed the ritual had failed. But that night, the demon appeared to me in a dream.
It basically told me I'd been stupid and arrogant trying to summon it, which [ a humorless twitch of his lips, ] fair. And it touched my face.
[ Matt turns his head to give Howl a better look at the scar on his left cheek. It's very thin, and very faint, but it can be made out easily enough in good light. It arcs along Matt's cheekbone, a fossil record of a caress. ]
The scar's never gone away.