[center][h2][color=875f9a][b]Valerian Nico Alvarez-Knight[/b][/color][/h2][/center]
There was no verbal answer from the mirror, but Valerian sensed a sudden change which inspired their curiosity; perhaps the gateway was manipulating them to make them cross over. However, it was difficult to resist the unexpected fascination with the thing, as if they were already being drawn in. The metallic scent wasn’t a coincidence; Val got the impression that it was related with the murder. Was it a creation of negative, sacrificial energy? Is that how dimensional pathways opened? Despite the gateway being opened, however, the shadowy being was still trapped; if one were to enter right then, would they be transported into the same prison straight away, or would they end up elsewhere? 

Of course, their wonder was not enough to actually test it out, not right here and now. But perhaps…if they could create a small sample on their own, experiment in more controlled conditions? If their suspicion of a killing being required was correct, however, they didn’t want to have to do anything with it. Perhaps it wasn’t the murder per se, but the ritual manner in which the act was committed, or the supernatural nature of the perpetrator? They weren’t sure, but the mirror or the shadow within had managed to implant the impulse of [i]investigate[/i] and [i]create[/i] within their head. Those thoughts did not feel entirely their own, yet Valerian was driven to act on them. They clenched their palms into fists, and refrained from going nearer the void leading who-knows-where.

The metallic scent which they’d nearly adapted to abruptly strengthened, and Val whipped their head around wildly to try and see what caused it, since the mirror-door in front of them did not seem to be changed in any significant way right then. People were milling all over, and there was no sign of the killer – whom Valerian was sure could be the only one to cause such a change in the scent. Had it returned and possessed someone, or was lurking close-by? They did catch sight of Linda who was returning from the direction of the offices, but if there was anything odd about her, Valerian couldn’t quite put their finger on it. As they were turning back to the mirror, she seemed to stop not far away, observing both Emily and them. Val still felt her gaze burning into their back when they refocused on the mysterious prisoner on the other end of the interdimensional path, and it was this distraction which had caused them to nearly miss Emily’s words and actions.

[color=875f9a]“Wait,”[/color] they exclaimed, though it was still not quite a shout, flailing as they thrust their arm into the empty space between Emily and the mirror to stop her approach. [color=875f9a]“Please, just,”[/color] they pleaded frantically, hoping to stop her in time, though they were caught off guard despite their earlier determination to prevent exactly such a thing. [color=875f9a]“L-look, how’d weknow they’re [i]good[/i]?”[/color] they tried to appeal to her good sense. [color=875f9a]“What if they’re---[i]the killer[/i] or–or someone likeit? Shouldn’t we makesure what’s goingon withthis? If-if we should save’em, you can’t help ifyou get trapped too,”[/color] they rushed to explain, stumbling over their words in places and forcing two or more to emerge from their mouth in a single breath in others, making a sacrifice in clarity in their haste.