Old Haunts and Memories

[Lance]

The two guards who were being blocked by Simone's dolls bristled as she began to interfere, one of them glaring daggers at the young noble as she turned to Aldari, who was currently reading her note and glancing at the pair...and then Ellie began to shout, screaming about her being an assassin, a partner to a so called "Harlequin".

The King looked at the girl, his expression becoming curious, as well as concerned. Now he had a problem, best case Scenario, the girl was mentally unbalanced, and was hallucinating her being an assassin...or worst case Scenario, she wasn't lying, and her cohort was a possible danger if harm befell her.

On the other hand, his personal guards taking over a case from a pair of public guards could be interpreted as a crackdown, or a seizing of power...not something he wanted to incite given the reveal of Rose's adoption and Diana's titles being stripped by him without a proper gathering of the Kingdom's noble court. 'Gods damn it...'

Aldari sighed and signaled two of his guards, who stood at attention next to him. "You two, follow these guards and escort them and the girl to Captain Asmous' private residence. I will summon my personal apothecary so that she can be treated under the supervision of my trusted lieutenant."

The king looked at Simone, his tone diplomatic, but not stern. "Is that an acceptable compromise Miss Simone?"


Unbeknownst to the King and Puppeteer, Florentine was silently freaking out, his eyes widening as he processed what the girl said. "Fuckfuckfuckfuck...Harlequin? This girl works with that lunatic? Shit, shit!"


The tailor looked at his bodyguard, who was looking at him as well with a concerned expression. "I need to get in touch with my contacts...goddamn it this kingdom is never fucking simple when things go sour is it?" 

=====================================

Aeternitas sighed softly when Aria chastised him for not informing her of Allan's departure, his tone apologetic. "Things are not so simple madam..."

Philemon stepped forward, his tone a bit nervous, "Allow me to explain, Aria. Time functions on the concept of predestination, going back to 'change' something it is because your act of going back to change that is required for the future to occur. If I might use a common theme in fiction, there is no going back and killing Adolf Hitler as a child. Reality and time itself will endeavor to make your task pointless. That, or you end up being sent to an alternate time where baby Hitler DID die under mysterious circumstances, you would just effect THAT timeline and not the one you came from.

It is the time stream's way of keeping the infinite number of alternate timelines that flow from the beginning of existence from becoming even more chaotic than it already is. Secrecy is incredibly important to us as a result."

 
Aeternitas stood and bowed his head once Philemon had finished, his tone apologetic and humble. "I never intend to do harm by hiding the things I know madam, it is an unfortunate part of my duty to safeguard the flow of time. Any threat to it's stability needs to be taken seriously, and I have seen how powerful you are, if you tried to make him stay, it would have turned into a fight...I did not want to force you and your child into such a conflict."

[Arin]

Aria's aura flared a little as Philemon and Aeternitas began to explain the instability and delicate nature of maintaining the flow of time, a slight event horizon forming around her body as she tried desperately to contain herself in front of the powerful mages before her "Do not lecture me about the importance of maintaining the preservation of life itself...Either of you! This world's history is just as sacred and important to me as my family, and the worlds I protect! I would sacrifice myself if it meant that time kept moving in the best direction!"

A slight pulse of force emitted from Aria, before she clenched her fists and took a long, haggard breath, trying to recompose herself "...I know you have seen all of the threads of fate unravel before your eyes, mine and Allan's, and everyone else in this universe, and youhavebeen forthright with me this far...So! I am going to ask you one. Final. question. And I expect honesty...Since the first day that I started searching for Allan, how long was I searching in vain? How long had it been since he was still in this timeline? HOW LONG UNTIL HE WAS FLUNG INTO THE DARK AGES AND OUT OF MY REACH TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT!?" Her raised tone was shaky now, tears streaming from her eyes as she seemed almost desperate for her closure. Or, she was possibly struggling to contain her fury, and not jeopardize the flow of time itself by lashing out at the two who knew most about it and how to protect it. Given a mother's fury, it could be anyone's guess what her emotional stability was faltering from.

[The Harrowed]

When the girl started going off about being an assassin Simone couldn't help but squeeze her eyes shut in a mildly pained expression while taking a slow, deep breath. Oh for the Gods' sake, why this now? I'm trying to help, miss, please shut up.

She opened her eyes and listened to Aldari's proposal, quietly hoping the king wouldn't see Simone's attempt to help as reason to have her arrested. He didn't say anything immediately to that effect, but he could've just been waiting for her guard to drop. She'd have to act quickly.

"I admit to not knowing the capabilities of your guards, but common sense suggests more than just the two in case there's trouble. Other than that, I have no problems with your plan." She then spoke in a low voice, hoping only Aldari would hear. "I've also never met the girl before now, please don't arrest me."

Aldari looked at the young woman, his expression thoughtful, the situation was escalating rapidly. "Were it so easy, young lady. Many of my guards were killed when the Palace was frozen in that glacier, and my forces are spread thin between defending this guild hall, my lieutenant's homes, and the City itself. I cannot spare more than a pair of guards, loathe as I am to admit it." When the girl added a request to not be arrested, the king just chuckled, placing a comforting hand on Simone's shoulder. "You are fine my dear, I've seen no evidence of your association with anything criminal, and I have no reason to suspect you of such."

Simone's shoulders gave a miniscule slump in relief at the king's assurances that she wouldn't be arrested. "In that case, I have nothing more to suggest in this matter. I'll remove the dolls once your men have matters in hand." She gave the king a small bow as the doll arms and paper vanished back into her clothing and walked back towards Florentine as the two royal guards moved to the city ones.

As soon as the royal guards had taken charge of the matter the three dolls shielding Ellie dispersed, their shields disappearing as they did so. The maid doll moved back to Simone's table and took position standing at attention, while the other two retook their positions on Simone.

By the time the dolls had retaken their positions, Simone had reached Florentine. "Apologies for the interruption, where were..." Her question petered off upon seeing the expression on Florentine's face. "Is something the matter, Mr. Florentine? You seem... rather agitated, even for this situation."

[roseline]

Ellie did not like where this situation was going one bit. Granted, as far as kings go, this one did seem to be trying to be reasonable. That was high praise coming from Ellie since she generally held the royalty in such contempt, after all, it was their inability to control the nobility that led to the events of her childhood. The very events that made her the unstable and lashing out mess she was right now that made her more rational and calculating side cringe.

But she knew, no matter how reasonable the king was trying to be, if she went with these guards it would be the end for her. Sure she would obviously try to escape on the way out but she could already see the dead end. This was it....Diana would win. But she didn't have to go down quietly.

As the guards prepared to take her away Ellie slipped between them, lithe as she was it was childsplay, and while initially they bristled no one gave chase when they saw her merely stop beside Florentine and Simone and brandish a coin. The other two may not recognize it's design, it was doubtful anyone but perhaps the eldest scholars in the room could, but it was a coin from the days when the twilight kingdom still reigned as an actual kingdom and not the rubble it currently was known for. This particular coin was severely damaged, age aside, it had a heart carved into one side and an E into the other.

"Thank you for your help miss, here, a coin for your troubles, give it to the undertaker when he arrives for my body will you? I think it will give him peace" she said and before Simone could object or say anything she pressed it into the other girls palm alongside a slip of paper almost too sheer to see before walking back to the guards who were about to take her away lest someone speak up.

The note, as it were, seemed to be a bit old, something Ellie seemed to have always written in advance in case of a situation such as this. As there was nothing addressing the specific situation at hand.

If you're reading this then i'm entrusting you with a giant favour. I am dying or about to die and my Solis will not be able to save me. Along with this note is a coin from the old kingdom with a specific design carved into it, give it to him and tell him we always knew that this day would come. Elven or not, I am only mortal, and a goodbye is inevitable. Please, give him the goodbye I won't be able to and tell him I went peacefully and of my own accord, he needs to be made to believe that whatever the reality. As you can imagine an angry assassin isn't good for public safety and i'd like to prevent the creation of more orphans if the changes i've seen in him over the years were to revert due to him thinking I died in pain. I doubt he cares about me so much. But please, I can rest easy or endure whatever torture awaits me as long as I know he will be reassured'

[Lance]

Aldari's guards visibly tensed, albeit far less so than the "guards" who had entered looking for Ellie, who almost drew their weapons once again. When she returned to the guards, the pair moved to grab her arms, only to be stopped by Aldari's pair, they looked at Ellie and patted her on the shoulder, acting far kinder than her pursuers had been.

"Let's get you to Captain Asmous' home miss, we'll get you some food, medicine and rest there. We promise that no harm will come to you within those walls." The guard's voice was a rumbling baritone what in any other sense would be intimidating, but his way of speaking was downright fatherly, showing care and concern for the poor girl's condition. He looked at his cohort and nodded, "Let's get her to safety."

The two guards stood side by side next to Ellie, looking at the "guards" and speaking in a far more commanding tone, clearly not happy with their lack of deftness in handling the situation. "You two, walk, we'll discuss your handling of the situation when we get to the Captain's abode." With that, the guards filed out, hopefully leading the young girl to a safer place for treatment.

Florentine watched the situation unfold, his jaw tensed and a small bead of sweat running down his chin. When Simone asked if he was alright, her nodded and exhaled softly, wiping the sweat from his chin and looking at the girl. "Yes, I'm alright. Just tense is all, I'd...keep that coin, just in case. If she is allied with some kind of dangerous person, then having that might keep him from doing you or Ro-Your companions, harm." Florentine was clearly more aware of what was going on than he let on, but he also clearly wanted nothing to do with the situation, given how he was still visibly tense and even a bit haggard from what just happened.

================================================================================

Philemon swallowed a lump in his throat when Aria began to get upset, her flickering aura making him instinctively become a bit defensive. 

Aeternitas, however, remained calm, though his eyes seemed to gain a bit of a sharp edge to them when he looked at the Majin. "Madam, you and I both know that no matter how much you claim to understand, the idea of losing your child would be something you could not endure. Look at how you are reacting now for proof of that." The small man stood up, his tone becoming more serious now, undeterred by Aria's exploding temper.

"You have kept your own secrets, moved people in ways you wished them to go, the Airman, your adopted son? All to restore this world to it's glory and peaceful state. A noble goal, to be sure, but it is not any different than what I did to preserve the flow of time." Aeternitas walked up to Aria and placed a hand on her shoulder,  "And to answer your question, he was hiding from you for a month, and he came to me seeking an escape. He told me that he needed to find his own path in life, that he couldn't bear to see the strife that had consumed you and your master, and hoped that his absence would bring some kind of peace to the situation. Though if I were able to see into the future, I'd have warned him of the bitterness it would cause."

[Arin]

58888888888Aria was shaking from her own anxiety, unaffected by Aeternitas' more serious tone at first. But then, he explained what had happened during Allan's disappearance. Completely shocked by what she had found out, her entire body slumped, her aura completely gone, and her arms the only thing keeping her body propped up, as she looked down at the ground. She flinched when he placed a hand on her shoulder, tears pouring from her eyes "...I just...wanted to talk to him...tell him I never blamed him...or Umbra...I wanted to tell him it was okay..."

She looked up at the old man, her face stained from tears "...I've become a horrible person, haven't I? Steering people in dangerous directions; unable to communicate with my own flesh and blood because of an unexpected affair...Only to find that he fled to another place in time, because I overreacted over his choice to sleep with someone I looked up to..." She lowered her head, resigning to her own self loathing. "...Fifty years...Searching in vain, because of my own selfish, naive actions..."

[The Harrowed]

Simone and the dolls on her all turned to look at the girl as she approached and pressed something into Simone's hand. As the girl walked away, the red-dressed doll watching her go, Simone subtly examined at the object. It was a coin, with a piece of paper wrapped around it. Partly unwrapping the paper with a finger of the hand holding it showed there was writing on it, and the coin, while defaced, wasn't Ice or Fire Kingdom currency. Something about the coin tickled Simone's memory, but she rewrapped the coin and hid it in her hand before anyone could notice what she had. She could read the note and examine the coin later.

She looked at Florentine as he spoke. Years dealing with the nest of vipers that was the nobility in the Ice Kingdom allowed her to catch both the verbal slips in his statement. He knew of this 'Harlequin' the girl had spoken of (enough to know his gender, at least), and he was worried about the threat this person could pose to Miss (or rather, Princess) DeFlores.

Simone and her dolls stared Florentine in the eye for a moment, her own eyes narrowing just enough to be noticeable. She then spoke softly in a low tone of voice, so only Florentine and possibly his bodyguards could hear. "You know more than you're saying. You've heard of this 'Harlequin' the girl claimed to work for, and you're worried he may come after me and, more importantly, the new crown princess should she decide to come with me."

"I'm not going to ask you to tell me what you know right now, you're clearly not comfortable doing so, but I would rather you tell me as soon as you can. Either in private or public, whichever you prefer. But I very much want you to tell me before I depart in the next day or two. The more I know, the better I can keep myself and my possible companions safe, and if the new Fire princess dies on an expedition sponsored by the Ice Kingdom, it could easily tip us into war. I don't want that, and neither do you. So when you get the chance, please tell me what you know, Mr. Florentine."

[Lance]

Florentine sighed and nodded, looking at Simone and kneeling down so he could whisper without being overheard. "Yes...I do know who he is, I've never dealt with him directly, but I'm aware of him. I will brief you tomorrow about everything I know. But right now it's too crowded, and I don't want to risk it with so many ears. Finish whatever business you have with Rose and Kabuki tomorrow morning, and find me at the clothier's shop south of the City's Market Square. I own that shop, and I can promise discretion and safety."

==============================================================================

Aeternitas stepped forward and placed a hand on Aria's shoulder, helping her sit in her chair before pulling his own up next to her. His other hand gently grabbed Aria's own, and the Time Majin spoke in a comforting, almost fatherly voice to the distraught woman. "The hardest thing in a mother's life is always understanding their children. You are no more to blame for what happened to your wayward child than Umbra is. The boy made his choice, and while it took him down a road that bent him, he did not break. He is intertwined with the fate of this world, this timeline itself...I know it, and as a result I have kept my eye on him, I believe that he will return within the coming year, perhaps even sooner. Once he returns, you may bury these pains, and walk forward free of your burden."

Philemon sighed and gathered the cards his master had laid out, shuffling the tarot deck and setting it down on the table. "And we do not judge you for trying to restore this world. You do what you do for the same reason that we try to safeguard time...because it is the right and necessary thing to do. If you feel that your actions have been deserving of reproach, then take those lessons and learn from them Aria, so that you can undo that which ails the world as well as your conscience."

[Arin]

Aria sighed shakily, taking in Aeternitas and Philemon's words with a heavy heart. He was right, she would likely see her son again, but neither of the two time mages knew exactly when "Neither of you can see in to the future, can you?" she asked hypothetically, wiping her tears away and rising to her feet, trying to regain her composure again "So...What happens now? when is this time-destroying-threat coming to attack?"

[The Harrowed]

Simone gave Florentine a small nod. "I will hold you to..." She trailed off as she heard sounds coming from the conference room through the guard dolls. Her eyes unfocused as she moved her attention to them.

What is that..?

One of the two guard dolls turned its head to better hear the sounds.

Sounds like funiture scraping and... moaning?

Now Simone's own head turned to look at the conference room doors, her brow furrowing.

That sounds- is that the princess? Is she hurt? What's going on in there?

The guards uncrossed their halberds and looked to be preparing to break into the conference room, but then they (and thereby Simone) heard it.

The princess's voice, muffled by the doors, but recognizably moaning the word 'yes', long and slow.

Simone blinked and stared at the doors, her mouth moving like she was trying and failing to speak as she tried to figure out what was going on.

What? I... Just... What? What is-?

Then the metaphorical light came on in her mind. Her face morphed into one of open-mouthed shock and mortification as a luminescent blush covered her face. She promptly looked away from the doors and buried her face in her hands in a futile attempt to hide her embarrassment. At her table, the maid doll suddenly dropped to its knees, burying its own face in its hands. The guard dolls looked away from the doors and hid their faces behind their shields. The blue-dressed doll crossed one arm over its chest, the other one coming up to hide its eyes as it turned to face away from the doors. The red-dressed doll simply turned away, shutting its eyes. The dolls' body language all mirrored Simone's embarrassment and mortification.

Oh gods, I did not need to hear that!

[Lance]

Florentine tilted his head at Simone's mortified reaction, walking over to the door and leaning in to listen...only to stiffen ever so slightly when he heard what was undoubtedly his Daughter and her Oni boyfriend working off some stress...in a semi public space, without sound dampening magic or runes...

The tailor stepped back...and began go laugh slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose and jerking his head at his bodyguard. "Put a muffling charm on this damn door before those two get caught by someone who wouldn't object to blackmail please...~"

The Bodyguard nodded and placed his hand on the door, muttering something in a language that only Florentine could understand. there was a soft flash of light, and a hazy effect on the door...and the sound of vigorous coitus thankfully ceased, Florentine sighing and shaking his head. "Damn kids...no self control." 

As he said this, he looked at his bodyguard, his expression essentially communicating, "If I ever meet that Oni, remind me to threaten him with enthusiastic castration if he doesn't take care of my daughter." with just a look. 

====================================================================

Philemon shook his head when Aria asked if he or Aeternitas could see into the future. "We cannot, at least...we can't see THE future. We can see possibilities, perhaps work off of probability. But it's no different than how a poker player can count cards to make his chances at knowing his next draw only a bit higher."

Aeternitas nodded, his fingers lacing together as he let out a soft sigh. "We do not know...this threat prefers to work through agents, it will only reveal itself if it's plans fail. We can only, for now at least, warn you of the danger, and perhaps help your daughter master her powers. After all, she shares a connection with my young protege, that is why he purchased that dress and is so interested in her."

[Arin]

Aria nodded at Aeternitas' admittance to not being fully aware of the future, but started to quirk an eyebrow when Aeternitas mentioned something odd about Ciel. Her eyes started to shift over to Philemon, her eyes piercing, but still tempered "...Is there something I should know, Philemon? Have you been stalking my baby girl?"

[Lance]

((The Harrowed has waived his post due to having issues coming up with something, I am posting out of order with his permission.))

Thankfully Simone and Florentine would not have to endure the awkwardness much longer, about 20 minutes later the door latch clicked and the door opened, Kabuki stepping out looking no different than he had when he left with Rose. "Oh, we weren't gone too long were we?"

Florentine snorted softly and shook his head, turning to look at Kabuki. "You missed quite a bit, but I will leave the recounting to Miss Simone." The tailor gestured to the young woman, his expression becoming a more kind smile. "It was nice to meet you my dear. If you ever need to get in touch, my villa is a half day's carriage ride from here."

=======================================================

Philemon shook his head, actually looking a bit offended at the idea of being mistaken for a stalker. "Of course not! She's...ugh...no sense hiding the details now."

The time Majin sighed and sat down in a nearby chair, rubbing his chin beneath his mask. "Where I come from, the time I come from, I mean. The human world and the world of Terra Mystica are one again, technology and magic married to create amazing things, cures for disease and even things like limbs powered by mana to replace lost appendages. During this time, I was a scientist who specialized in researching mana, and I discovered a new type of mana...one that drew it's power from time itself, a new variant of Arcane magical energy."

Philemon actually sounded excited, like the idea of discovering such a thing still thrilled him all these years later, but then he sighed and slumped a bit, rubbing his face behind the mask. "Unfortunately, My equipment was not made to sample such powerful energies, and there was an explosion that had me essentially becoming torn apart and my very essence doused in pure time mana. I would have been splattered across the time lines had it not been for Aeternitas saving me."

The older man smiled and chuckled, "He was not trying to tap into the timeline for nefarious reasons, or even truly tap it at all. I figured letting such a bright young man die for an accident would be cruel. But I believe she is more curious as to your connection to young Ciel, not your origin, Philemon."

Philemon nodded and sighed again, "Right, right...the long and the short of it is, in my time, Ciel is not a young girl. She's a monstrously powerful summoner, your successor...she is also my mother."

[Arin]

Aria studied Philemon as he started going on a monologue about his world, and the differences of his timeline compared to hers. Thankfully, Aeternitas pointed out Aria's actual curiosity regarding his connection to ciel. But when he finally addressed her curiosities, she couldn't help but blink a few times when Philemon explained that Ciel was actually his mother "...Well...That certainly was unexpected...If she is your mother in another timeline, would that make you someone from the future?"

[The Harrowed]

When Simone saw that the couple had left the conference room she immediately powerwalked to stand in front of the pair. She (and all her dolls) stared at them for a couple seconds in silence, flaming blush still on her face. When it looked like one of the two were about to speak her hands snapped out, grabbed the both of them by the front of their collars, and yanked them so their heads were on either side of her own and barely an inch in distance from it. The dolls on her shoulders moved to block any lip-reading as best they could.

"If you two plan on being this indiscrete on my expedition, than one or both of you desperately need to learn to throw up some privacy spells. My guards could hear you from outside the doors, and the only reason someone else didn't hear before Mr. Florentine's guard put up a privacy spell is because most everyone in this bar keeps their distance from my dolls." Her grip tightened and her whispers took on a slight hint of mania. "I do not need a royal scandal happening on my expedition, understand? And I could very much do without the knowledge of how often you two become intimate, or how loud you choose to be!"

She then let go of the pair, allowing them to stand up straight as the dolls retook their perches and she gave them a silent glare, her face still very red from embarrassment.