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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37276
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/37276
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Given Joan of Arc and Loki on the stage, your setting is modern-day magical, you have a 600+ year old woman and a God. The reader will consider it a rip-off, a bait-and-switch if you don't reveal the magical nature of this world early in the first act. It will NOT be "entertaining", it will look like a deus ex machina if you don't show the magic early. It doesn't have to be with these particular characters, but it is an inevitable clue you have to reveal.

### Misdirection.

That said, a good way of diverting suspicion is to embrace the similarities: The girl pretends to be an avid fan of history in general and Joan of Arc in particular, referring to her as a tragic hero, unfairly treated, horrifically killed, etc. Find a few other female heroes she admires. She thinks women are underrated in history (they definitely are!), and it is unfortunate the only reason Joan is remembered is because she did a **man's** job in battle.

It becomes difficult for the protagonist to prove she **is** Joan of Arc, when her "hobby" gives her an excuse to know everything **he** can possibly know about Joan of Arc. Including perhaps an ability to read medieval French that he doesn't have.

As for Loki, he can hide in plain sight, too. Take a clue from the canceled series _Lucifer_: The actual devil is on Earth as a self-indulgent, rich night club owner, a womanizer, a deal maker, consorting with loose women, drug users, gangsters and criminals. Exactly where you'd expect the devil to be, but he appears human.

Find a similar modern environment where you think Loki would feel at home: He's a trickster, maybe a stage magician, a card shark, a con man, or an actor, or even an author renowned for his clever riddles and plot twists. A wealthy author has a ready made excuse to be anywhere he wants: Researching a new novel he will not discuss, lest he ruin the surprise.

Original score: 7