Brun had met Agravina's confirmation and his Lady's knowing look with a bright smile.  He returned the "wave" as best his simple crude fleshy hands would allow.  He started to join the conversation...  But his eyes were suddenly filled with other possibilities... Lives, as yet unlived, flared through his mind and struck him dumb.  He fell through fatherhood.  He tried to catch himself as it flashed past.  To see to hold on.  For just a moment.  But, as it always does, it goes by much faster than you realize...

The suddeness of the stop at the end was a great surprise.  The hole of time in his mind was not bottomless.  The future had an end.  It was much closer than he could ever have imagined.  He watched the stars wink out one by one at the end of his time...

Back at the gathering, to everyone else, Brun sat quietly.  Listening.  Maybe distracted in that odd, vacant way he seemed to so often now.  The sad mistiness to his strange, starry eyes was very easy to miss.  There was alot going on.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Mon 22 Apr.

For her part, Meara didn't appreciate how the new girls were acting, especially because it reminded her a bit of herself before she realized the world wasn't going to wait for her to finally start taking her position as seriously as she needed.  So, instead of responding to the bait (intentional or not), she let the others discuss things as she focused on ensuring Irina didn't run into anything or otherwise hurt herself while her mind was in Science Mode.

Also, Irina looked so cute when she was lost in thought, and watching her think made Meara happy.

Not to mention Euryleia said what she wanted to point out, but much more diplomatically and politely than she would have.

See, Mother?  Meara was learning.  She was wisely staying silent!

Hah!

<<Father wishes you to know that he loves you very much. As do I.>> Eppagelía replied, but said nothing further.

"Seek the G.R.A.I.L.," the twins said in unison in reply to Euryleia.

"Beyond that you have what you need or you will create it along the way," Agravina added. "I know that is perhaps not what you want to hear, but it is the path to victory."

"We are here to do our part, as you will do yours. And..." Mordwynn paused for a moment before she finished, "...And maybe to show you why it's worth it."

Upon hearing the twins' response to the latest batch of questions, Meara raised an eyebrow and returned her attention to them.

"We have no intention of stopping the search for the G.R.A.I.L., I assure you.  Iri and I even went against Auntie Val's orders to do so, which is partly why Sir Brun and Lady Euryleia are here with us.  Why would you assume we would stop?  We appreciate any and all assistance in doing so, of course, but I am puzzled as to why you would need to come here to make such a request while being so vague about any details that would provide the context we need."

She was not berating them, nor upset, and her tone made that clear, but she was expressing confusion as to the actions and messages provided so far by their visitors from, she was still quite convinced, a possible, but not pre-determined, future.

Gwydion shot Brun a wide smile and a thumbs up on being introduced to Eppagelía, and then went back to listening to the others. The twins' advice seemed essentially useless, given existing plans, but maybe there was more to it they weren't saying. In all, he still had one important question that had been deflected. No more smiles.

"Girls. It seems too late to stop my attempts to save Uncle John since he's there with us in the future. How does that result in my death? Can it be changed?"

Brun stared into the endless dark of the End of his Time.  A black, bleak wall that had no more futures beyond it.  Fifteen years.  More than he could've imagined or wished for in his worst days.  But he wasn't in his worst days...  Fifteen was no longer enough...

Best make it good.  He fell back through seas of possibility.

Perspectives flashed and stormed through him as he tried to find Now again....  He missed.

---

Brun straightened, blinking and wiped his eyes before looking around the gathering, "Ah.  /This/ when.". He stood, muttering like an actor going through lines, "Seek the G.R.A.I.L...  We have no intention of stopping...  ...results in my death..." Another moment to consider, then he began...

Brun first looked to Gwydion.  He had that same look of apologetic knowing as the squires now.  A sad smile, "I'm sorry.  I wasn't good enough at this to be clearer then...  And I asked them not to.  That's not why they're here.". His look was full of conviction and sincerity...and older somehow than he should be, "John had to die, because if he hadn't...  /You/ would have.  You had to live.  What you will do is so important.  John thought so.  I know so.  And I'm so sorry."

To Meara now, Brun continued, "Because it will be hard.  I wish it wasn't.  But it will be.  You'll... We... I thought about giving up.  And I can't tell you why, because some choices will matter and I can't know why the choices were made the way that they were.  But they will have to be made. Just know that you will make the right ones."

Brun indicated the squires now, stepping over to them with a respectful, familiar lordly nod to them.  Lord to vassal.  Standing with them, the Lord of Stjernevold looked back at his friends.  His Lady.  That same burdened, knowing, sad smile still, "Our future gets better.  If we don't quit.  So much better.  That's why I sent them.  So you could see.  I wish I could have sent them all...". He paused for a very pointed look if implication at Meara, "But these, at least, were mine to send.  They aren't here to tell you what will happen. They are here to show you it's worth it.  And to enjoy this day with you."

Meara listened to Brun's explanation.  Given the fact that they hadn't yet experienced the supposedly pending hardships that would make them genuinely think of giving up the quest, she felt she had to accept that as a valid reason.  Providing encouragement and hope to the people is part of her duty, so she understood doing it for her current self would be something she'd probably approve of in the future.  The implication he gave, however, made her smirk.

"Why Sir Brun, are you saying you could send my nieces, but not my own future children?  I cannot imagine they would be sassier than these two," she said with a playful gesture of her head to the twins, "and if they are anything like me, they would probably jump at the chance to travel through time.  In fact, I would almost expect them to do it without permission if it were possible."

Future Brun, present and coherent, took Gwydion by surprise. He listened in stunned silence until the end, casting glances to his daughters, his Iliza, and his cousin.

"Brun... You're relentlessly kind. Thank you. It appears you'll never stop being so dear to me. Can you be a bit more clear about what MerGN-A has to do with all this, though? And whether or not we'll have Uncle's sword back in time for the various ceremonies it's important for? We've still got a city full of people who've become very frightened because of the attacks. And I would like to tell our incapacitated friends something to take their minds off of what they think is impending death."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Sat 27 Apr.

The girls smiled at Meara's comments and their once-and-future Auntie could read the mischievous glint in both their eyes--you think you know, but you have no idea...

"If I may," MerLN interjected. The Lady Freyr has made a full recovery as has Sir L1-4MNT...to a point. He does indeed show signs of the condition the knights of Mars refer to as the Waking Death. But, now that we aware we might try to delay the onset of more...severe...symptoms. "

"Who's to say," Mordwynn asked. "Gav, is quite resourceful. I am sure she'll have a something in mind after she's taken care of her urgent business."

Something in the way she inflected the word called back a memory to Meara. The luncheon with her Aunt that seemed so long ago, but had only been weeks.

Euryleia stood quietly, considering all that had been said.  Silver eyes scanned over /this/ Brun.  Not her Knight.  Not yet anyway...  He wasn't telling everything, of course.  But, he did seem confident.  Sure.  Which she was happy to see.  She was less happy with the continued lack of details, but there must be good reasons.  She, of course, trusted Brun as she trusted no one else.  Even /this/ Brun that she did not know as well.  Yet.  She would continue to trust.  It would be very difficult to imagine a possible future where she didn't...

Euryleia smiled lightly at Meara's assertion regarding the expected rebelliousness of her children.  While such behaviors did not translate on a genetic level with humans, it did somehow logically follow.  It felt true.  Which made her consider her own child again.  How would such things work with her?  How much of Euryleia would there be in Eppagelia?  How much of Brun?  Biological rules of heredity don't really apply...

To Eppagelia: <I am not sure what you are able to tell me of yourself, but I would know everything that you can share...  Perhaps, music is a light enough topic?>

Euryleia would accept the opportunity as it was offered.  To meet, a little, her child to be.  Not seeking secrets or hints.  Just meet them.

Brun grinned as Meara brought up her children and their lack of attendance.  A hand raised mock defensively, "I said no such thing.  What I said was that these were mine to send.  As they are, plainly, of my household.  They were, of course, eagerly willing to take such adventures.  Youth...  But, as for yours, that is not mine to say or command or influence in any direction really.  Much like their mother that way.

His playful grin faded a bit as Gwydion asked his questions, trying to acknowledge him seriously.  There was a small flash of...uncertainty?...at some of what Gwydion mentioned and asked.  But MerLN's answers interrupted and allowed Brun to let it go quickly, "Gwydion.  The point of this is that it will work out.  It will.  It will require faith and courage.  Both of which you have always possessed in abundance.  Look to that.  For whatever reason, we have been chosen to do impossible things."  With a gentle, encouraging pat on Agravina's shoulder (and, by so doing, giving his own child a loving squeeze), Brun gestured for them to go forward, "Meet them.  You should be and will be quite proud.  Iliza?  Please, perhaps you can help Gwydion focus on the importance of the opportunity of Now?"

Brun left that with that and moved over to the seemingly distracted Euryleia.  Quietly, "They are a marvel.  Like their mother"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:19, Wed 01 May.

Internally, Meara cackled at everyone's responses to her teasing.  Outwardly, however, she merely showed she was pleased and amused.  Cackling was not exactly the best idea right now.  Also, if there was anything she'd learned growing up, it was that you don't cackle at things.  Not that she held a good cackle against anyone.  Some people just laughed that way and it was natural.

Whoever decided that cackling was a sign of an evil or malicious nature clearly wasn't imaginative enough, she often thought.

Back in the reality everyone was sharing, she let the twins have the last 'word' on the subject and gave her attention to the memory of the luncheon.  Having been informed of how the twins refer to others, 'Gav' had to be 'Great Aunt Valerie'.  But what could be so urgent that the currently-blind Queen would forgo this meeting?  With a silent message for discreetness not being an option, she looked up and asked, "MerLN?  Would you please provide Queen Valerie La Guin an update on what's been discovered and discussed here so far?  When you can provide it discreetly, that is."

Gwydion's serious expression held for a few moments, the tension growing increasingly artificial, until he replaced it with the grin he'd been holding back. "All this the day after you all talked me into abandoning my research. What timing. After yesterday, I lost any doubts that whatever we did would be worth it. I just wasn't sure about what we did is all." He turned his smile to Meara and MerLN. "Perhaps if she finishes with whatever she's up to, she'll be ready to come see the family." Back to the twins, "You are both truly amazing. But what were to happen if you were to meet your past selves? Given they're here, I'm very curious." It seems he'd taken lessons on how to make it weird from his uncle.

Eppagelía took Euryleia's invitation to heart and soon Euryleia's was overwhelmed by the sensation of music. An exciting theme, capriccio, which as it reached its crescendo, simply collapsed into a mournful dirge. It continued on for a while until it transitioned into a dumka, as it did a new theme was introduced, suddenly it was a quadrille. An interlude introduced a further theme which slowly built upon itself, layering, and repeating, changing. A fugue. The complexity increased, layer built upon layer, built upon layer, played upon so many instruments, carried by so many different voices. An anthem sung by a choir of countless number rose again with only one voice. The voice was burdened with power and purpose and an abiding love for the song. It returned again to that theme that had once risen from the dirge--repeating the refrain, forcefully, yet with a velvet quality that soothed. It repeated again as if inviting another voice to join it.

---

Iliza had spent the luncheon simply absorbing the experience, much like one takes in a masterwork of art. At Sir Brun's prompting she turned her loving gaze to her prince--who then promptly revealed the existence of their pregnancy, not just to the entire table, but to the entire bay at large. Iliza loved Gwydion dearly, with all her heart, but perhaps he shouldn't be trusted with state secrets... She tried her best to control her surprised expression and pinched Gwydion hard under the table.

The twins exchanged another look, "It's got to be the beard right?" "Has to be."

"Oh. Oh! Iliza!," Irina said a few seconds later as the words caught up to her as she was still processing the implications of what the twins had told them. She hugged her sister tightly.

MerLN acknowledged Princess Meara's orders, but said nothing as the revelation of Iliza's pregnancy unfolded before him.

Meara looked confused by, then deep in thought because of, Mordwynn's remark, as she was not aware her aunt had anyone but her uncle for such urgent activities.  Unless... Does this mean there's precedent for me and Iri?!  No, that can't be it.  But then, how would it be-

She then found herself interrupted by Gwydion announcing to the world that Iliza was, in fact, pregnant.  Normally, she would be congratulatory for Iliza and rib Gwydion a bit, but one of them had intentionally been being discreet about it, so she knew what she had to do.  She walked over to Gwydion and lightly smacked the back of his head with an open palm as she said, "She was being discreet, Cousin."

She then gave Iliza a resigned smile, as if to say, 'congratulations and I'm sorry my cousin is an idiot,' then gave Iliza's shoulder a gentle squeeze in support.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:34, Thu 02 May.

Euryleia looked, for the first time that anyone here had known her, off balance.  Happily so, but surprised, by something.  She actually leaned against Brun, wrapping an arm around him for support and a loving need for that closeness.  Smiling, she told Brun quietly, "They have /your/ taste in music." Even so, she accepted the invitation to descend into the all encompassing music of Eppagelia's creation.  Euryleia wondered for a moment at even trying to join in the intricate song, but realized she didn't need to worry.  She lent her voice at Eppy's invitation and, due to the possibilities of their digital nature, gave her child free reign to direct and shape the voice through their song.

Brun grinned knowingly, returning the gentle support and hug, "I will not apologize.  I had to win /somewhere/." Not having the music in /his/ head, Brun was free to follow the surrounding interactions.

At Gwydion's reveal, Brun tried to look shocked, as though he didn't know, "Scandalous....  What /will/ people say?  How will we manage to work this out?  This could change..../everything/....". His tone was an amused, sarcastic deadpan.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 16:30, Thu 02 May.

Pinched and bapped, Gwydion's stupid smile never faded despite all the flinching.

"Ow. Sorry, my love. Ow! Okay, I'm sorry! But I'm so excited! And I trust everyone here to be excited with us and maybe not tell Auntie Val for a while. And look at them! They're perfect! Beautiful and brilliant, just like their mother. See? Brun gets it! I've got kids, and I'm around for them to grow up with! And they like us enough to deliberately tear holes in the fabric of spacetime to visit! We do right by them. There's a future. Isn't that amazing?"

Now that Gwydion had been properly chided, Meara mulled a bit more on what Mordwynn had said.  Combining other clues and information she had about their whereabouts, it all lead together to-

No way.  It couldn't be.  I can't get my hopes up until I see it with my own eyes.

There was a very brief, momentary glimpse of shock and surprise that crossed her face as she looked directly at the twins with her eyes (but not the rest of her face), then closed her eyes, pushed it back down, and resumed as if she had not just had a potentially universe-shattering revelation.

"That's not how it works," Irina added still seemingly focused elsewhere. She finally turned and looked at the twins, "Is it?"

They shook their heads as they looked at their Dad, clearly pleased with his excitement.

---

Euryleia joined in the song along with Eppagelía and noticed that Brun seemed to be unconsciously tapping his fingers in rhythm even though he couldn't hear the music. He was perfectly in sync even when the tempo changed.

---

The afternoon continued with pleasant and amusing company until Agravina suddenly announced, "It is time we must be going. It has been so wonderful to meet you all and experience you as you were, as we are. Please, know that the fight is worth it. Not just for all of us, but for the countless lives that this realm safeguards."

"Don't worry, we'll all be together again upon the Wall. See you soon," Mordwynn added. Their clothing rippled for a brief instant and was suddenly replaced by the armored suits that the group had witnessed the previous day and suddenly the three visitors were gone.

---

Queen Valerie La Guin's vision was returning, but it was still less than perfect. Sometimes there were artifacts, amorphous shapes that were not really there, in her field of vision. Products of her brain trying to interpret the imperfect signals given to it by her healing eyes. She was surprised, then, when one of those artifacts flicked into existence and proved to be solid as she ran into it.

The artifact, a tall figure, dressed in a scorched flight suit, judging by the texture and smell, was clearly disoriented.

"Val? The Battle! Where's Ember-Rend," the figure asked clearly confused.

"John," gasped Valerie La Guin, as she instantly recognized the voice "Goddesses, is it really you?"

"Val? What's going on? Is this a dream," the figure asked clearly confused.

"It is for me," she said as the tears fell. She threw her arms around him and for the first time since she lost him, she truly felt alive again.

---

Brun stood before two figures in shimmering armor, one black, one white. Gleaming faceplates, not unlike the one once worn by his beloved, covered their faces, but he knew them.

"This is the only way. It must be done," he heard his own voice say, weighted with the anguish of certainty. "The King Must Die."

Brun felt something shift, his own awareness displacing itself through the tides of time."The future is not written!  Gwydion lives!  Now...." He looked at each of his squires as he regained himself and finished. "...make sure he stays that way." He couldn't see it, but he knew they were both solemn beneath their helms. They understood the importance of their duty. That they had only one opportunity to get it right. In the next instant they vanished.

They reappeared only a heartbeat later. Their faceplates retracted and then two figures became three. Another joined the two young squires standing before their knight. Tall with curly dark hair, they had an androgynous look, both striking and fair.

"Well, you three made short work of that," John Arthur said as he strode out of the dimminess behind Sir Brun and ruffled the girls' hair like the proud great uncle he was. He managed to do the same to Eppagelía who was unable to escape despite knowing that it was coming.

"John," admonished Valerie La Guin, older, though still every inch the warrior queen in stature if not in title.

Brun smiled. The King Must Die. It was the only way. The only path to victory. In every branch, the Dragon exacted an unthinkable toll. Only John Arthur's death was enough to stop Gwydion from being claimed instead. The King Must Die, yes. Or at least come close enough...

Brun stared out the viewport as, one by one, he felt a trillion possibilities collapse into a single one. For the first time in a long time, he was anchored again. Alive only a single moment at a time. "They've done it. The G.R.A.I.L is made whole. The Final Hour is upon us."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:37, Tue 07 May.

Moments before the twins vanished, Meara called out cheerfully, "Have fun saving Uncle John!"

When everyone, except perhaps Brun and Euryleia gave her various looks, she shrugged and asked, "What other urgent business could Auntie Val have that would keep her from being here but wouldn't involve us being summoned?"

As the visit came to a close, Gwydion gave each of the girls a hug, a kiss on the forehead, and a proud, beaming gaze. He also gave an awkward goodbye to Eppagelía, not sure quite where to look, or even which of the girls's outfits to be looking at. The last thing they saw before blinking away was the happiest Gwydion in spacetime and Iliza holding hands.

Meara's explanation was confusing for a moment, but comprehension flashed across his face after a moment of thought and Iliza's hand felt a sharp squeeze as he tensed up.

"Wait, you don't mean... Right now?" And he started to get up and head for the exit, though not letting go of Iliza's hand (a thing he couldn't imagine ever doing again, after everything that went wrong since last time he did). "Thank the chef, everything was perfect!"

Euryleia found there was a hole left when the song was brought to an end and goodbyes were exchanged.  But she knew that hole would be filled again.  She just had to be patient.  Which was a thing she was /very/ practiced at.  Fifteen years didn't really seem all that long really.

At Meara 's suggestion and Gwydion's dawning realization, Euryleia quickly began reviewing her interactions with the Queen over the incident through this lens.  Certain seemingly inconsistent behaviors gained clarity.  She added these details into her analysis routines.  Fool me once, shame on you.  Fool me twice, shame on me

While his Lady made her corrections, Brun grinned again, oh so knowingly.  As Gwydion turned for the exit, he laughed, "Give them some more time.  And....privacy....  You will have time as well.  You will."

Was Meara right? Were the trio from the future intent upon fulfilling Gwydion's oath to save his beloved Uncle and King of the Realm? The wait to find out seemed an unbearable eternity. Finally, the summons came and Gwydion, Meara, Brun, & Euryleia were summoned to the Queen.

Just as when they had been summoned upon deciphering the G.R.A.I.L coordinates at Meara's impromptu dinner party, they were summoned to the stateroom. And just like that evening, both the King and the Queen were in attendance.

The Queen was no longer dressed in mourning and the King...the King was whole  and intact, even if he did look quite haggard. He smiled when he saw them and they knew at once that it was him. He rushed forward and hugged his nephew tightly, squeezing him harder than Gwydion had ever felt, "My boy, my boy."

Upon reaching the stateroom and seeing the both of them, Meara gave them both a very happy, but knowing smile.  Inwardly, she was screaming and cheering and losing her mind, but outwardly she only showed those emotions through her eyes - which all present would be able to notice.

"Welcome back, Uncle.  Gwydion has some very big news to give you."

She wanted to hug the King as well, but she wasn't about to force herself in, either.

Gwydion had been held back from his rush to the royal chambers, and instead was pacing for the entire three centuries of waiting to be summoned. When the call did come, he practically raced to arrive, once again holding Iliza's hand. He wasn't about to let her out of his sight until he felt like things were beginning to stabilize.

---

He did his best to slow down and compose himself before they entered the stateroom. Running about like a child was alright when he was a child, but the prince was a grown Knight now and had to present himself to the King and Queen with dignity, despite their close relationship. Iliza helped him smooth his hair and suit, calm his breathing, and ready himself to step inside.

Then he fell completely apart. After staring in shock that John Arthur was, in fact, present and alive, Gwydion tried to speak but choked up instead. He returned his uncle's hug and fell completely into sobbing tears. His own descent into madness and discussion with his children from the future couldn't have prepared him for the plan actually working out, and all Gwydion could do was hug John tighter. After a few moments, he blindly reached out in the direction of Meara to try and pull her into the hug, or at least get her closer. Then he did the same for Iliza. Then Brun.