"My dear Lady Iliza," a bold, self-assured, voice said from just over her shoulder. She turned to find a perfectly coiffed pompadour she knew very well. The pompadour was attached to a Knight she also knew very well. "You grow more beautiful each time we meet."

Sir Dalibrad Delors took her hand and placed a kiss upon it as he bowed deeply. "I would be flattered that you had waited upon my arrival, but it seems you have your sights set upon Baron Almathea, hmmm?" The knight shot a quick glance to the arriving party.

"So this is Avaluna, hmmm? I expected something more...grandiose? Where is the sense of style? It's all rather...disappointing, isn't it?" He shot Iliza a pointed look.

In reply to Mimi Moss (msg # 19):

"Princess Meara was emphatic that Mrs. Moss be in charge of the...culinary endeavors. On perhaps rather short notice...I am sure she would be glad to see you and for the additional help, of course. I can take you to her," Irina answered Hiram. "Just be prepared. Things were chaotic, the last I saw."

The second knight was a surprise, and Iliza turned to face the familiar voice. It took half a moment to put on a smile, after taking the time to lock down the sigh from escaping. It wasn't that she didn't like the man, she just was quickly exhausted by his... well, everything. Still, this was an important time, and keeping the guests happy was her priority.

"Sir Dalibrad, always a charmer. Welcome to Avaluna. I'm afraid your arrival wasn't expected quite so early, or I'd have been sure to be there as well. My apologies. Avaluna is not shining at her brightest while in a period of mourning, though we hope to relieve the gloom through the coming celebrations. I hope you'll be more impressed as you see more."

Illydir made his practiced way down from the Armour gantry.  Along the way, he spied Iliza in the crowd.  She rather stood out.  Of course, it was no real surprise as he had been apprised of the arrangements to ensure she was available to greet his arrival.  A small smile.  It was nice when a plan came together...

Delors was not part of that plan though.  It looked like that popinjay would get there first as well...

The smile faded a bit as the Baron Amalthea made his way through the press to arrive a few moments later.  He had stripped off his gloves and loosened the collar of his flight suit; because irritation demanded some action and that was all that could be managed.

Illydir's smile was reset by the time he was near.  For Iliza a respectful bow of the head, "Lady Iliza, it has been far too long." Dalibrad got a moment's attention, "And Sir Delors...  It seems too short a time since I last saw you.  We are so very lucky you could spare the time from your /important/ work to attend."

Back to Iliza again with his full attention, Illydir offered his arm, "Shall we?  The docks are so crowded and full of interruptions..."

Illydir's approach was greeted with polite relief, and Iliza took the offered arm gladly.

"Ah, my dear friend, let me show you some of the sights. I think you'll be pleased with what we've accomplished here."

That evening a dinner was scheduled to welcome the esteemed guests and dignitaries who had arrived at Avaluna. Though the wedding itself was still two days hence, the intervening time provided a vital opportunity to secure and renew alliances that had been threatened by the loss of John Arthur.

Even with relatively limited resources, Mrs. Moss had marshalled the kitchen staff (including Hiram and Mimi) to make a delicious meal. Guests of all spheres dined together in Avaluna's largest hall, seated carefully to avoid offending anyone's sensibilities. Mostly.

"C.C., you've got to try these hors d'oeuvres," Sir Dalibrad Delors informed Saturnine Senator Caius Claudius in an exaggerated sing-song voice before stuffing another in his mouth. Apparently he had found something to his liking upon Avaluna. The Senator seemed politely amused by the Knight's antics. Dame Litivia Scipii, the Senator's bodyguard, made no attempt to hide the scowl she gave the knight-errant across the table. The knight himself remained oblivious. Dalibrad looked rather sad once he realized he had eaten the last hors d'oeuvre, but he hardly had time to dwell on it before a serving girl materialized with another tray. The serving girl was tiny and had a delightful shock of pink atop her head. Dalibrad nodded graciously in thanks before he gave the girl a discerning look.

"I love your hair!"
"I love your hair!"

Both Mimi and the knight managed simultaneously.

"Thanks!"
"Why, thank you, my dear."

Dalibrad narrowed his eyes slightly as he noticed the sword at her hip, "Are you, by chance, a squire?"

"Not yet," the girl answered.

"I see. And your House," the Knight inquired.

"My Mommy and Daddy's," Mimi answered. "We used to live at Callisto and now we live here. My mommy made these," she said gesturing to her tray.

Dalibrad began to put the pieces together. "Dreadful business Callisto," he said solemnly.

Mimi shrugged.

"Stoic, hmm," said with a bit of approval. "And what might your name be?"

"Mimi," the girl answered.

"Me-Me," the Knight said with an odd inflection. "I quite like that for some reason."

The Knight stood and gave the girl a flourishing formal bow, drawing many eyes to him, "I am Sir Dalibrad Delors, Baronet of Ganymede, heir to the United Water Conglomerate, pilot of Exemplar, and Premier Knight-Errant of the Sol system. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

"That's too much," Mimi said, even as she giggled.

"I hear that often," Sir Delors said with aplomb and no hint of self-reflection. "Tell me, Me-Me, how old are you?"

"Seven," Mimi answered.

"SEVEN," said with shock and disappointment. "Why that's much too young to be a squire. Everyone knows that you have to be Twelve." The Knight plopped back in his seat, deflated, and began to brood. He did not pout. Certainly, Sir Dalibrad never pouted. "And here I thought your bold assertion was to seek my favor. There is a solar system full of eager young prospective squires who would desperately seek to study the Knightly Arts under the illustrious tutelage of Sir Dalibrad Delors. But I like the cut of your hair, Miss Me-Me."

Mimi gave the knight's arm a reassuring pat, "It's okay. I can't be your squire anyway. I'm going to be Meara's" she said pointing to the dais.

A round of chuckles went up from many of the surrounding nobles.

Dalibrad looked positively taken aback by the notion that Mimi would have another choice over him. "I see. Well, it would never work out between us. It's not me, it's you," he said to the little girl in a reassuring tone. "I hope you can understand."

Mimi didn't, but she put two more Cargo-In-The-Airlocks on the silly knight's plate and that seemed to smooth things over.

---

The Jovian contingent sat scattered about the room, to avoid any incidents. Baron Illyidir and retinue were seated along with the Gehenmis family. Baron Gehenmis and his wife politely engaged in conversation. Lady Irina sat with her back toward the dais on which the royals were seated. She glanced this way and that at the various tables from time to time as though concerned with something, but she hardly ate and did not speak.

Prince Gwydion and Princess Meara dined at the head of the hall. Around Princess Meara sat the Venusian delegation including Queen Valerie and Meara's own parents, Duchess Ceilidh La Guin of Chonaill and her consort Baughb. Baroness Yodil Kotta and her husband Bastien, Brun's parents, were also in attendance.

Gwydion, in turn, was flanked by those Knights of the Round Table able enough to attend. Many still bore traces of their wounds if one knew where to look. Sir Brun and Lady Euryleia sat among them.

There was clearly some rising tension between Dame Freyr's invited guest, Sir L1-4MNT, and the Venusian contingent. Many glared daggers at the man. Despite this, he dutifully ignored them and kept up polite conversation with Freyr.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:44, Tue 30 Jan.

Freyr, fully aware of the glares from the Venusian contingent (mostly from those not of Meara's family - mostly - because Baughb was as much of a sucker for romance as the late King Arthur, if not somehow moreso), also politely ignored the judgment as she engaged with Sir L1-4MNT in small talk.  She had received the box of squished chocolates along with the story of how they had met an unfortunate accident along the way, and while it was not mentioned, both parties at the gift exchange were fully aware of the circumstances.  Still, knowing it was Sir L1-4MNT who had initiated the process to show her his affection made the gift's intentions a success.  She would have to tease him about it later, when there were fewer eyes and ears.

For her part, Irina was nursing a jealous grudge that she knew wasn't Gwydion's fault, but it was there nonetheless.  Any time she looked at Meara or Gwydion, she felt a pang in her heart.  She knew it was irrational to feel that way towards them, but emotions tended not to be rational.  Losing herself in her research hadn't helped lately because the datapad was a gift from Meara and came with that baggage.  She knew her sister was feeling the same, but unlike Iliza, she'd never been able to mask her feelings like that.  More accurately, she hadn't been required to mask her feelings like that.  She did not envy Iliza right now.  So, not really paying attention to conversation unless she was spoken to directly by name, she had positioned herself so she could not see the source of her heartache and poked at her plate.  After poking at it and making it shift slightly, she saw a small note underneath and waited for those around her to be focused on each other before sliding it out and reading it.  It was a note in crayon, with an additional note in two colors of pen.  The Moss family had given her a note of thanks and an offer of unconditional support for whatever they could provide.  It was small, but Irina managed to crack a tiny smile.

At the main table, Meara was doing her best to present herself as respectable and of queenly authority.  While her mother was happy to see Meara finally behaving herself, her father was weirded out.  Where had his wild and energetic daughter gone?  She looked like Meara, and mostly sounded like Meara, but the usual exuberance was missing.

Wait a moment.  Had she?  She had!  She had snuck a small plastic pin amongst her jewelry!  She'd gotten that one from a small dispenser during one of her childhood excursions to hang out with the commoners!  So she was still herself despite everything.  That was a relief.

Euryleia had warned him /they/ would be there.

She had also offered, in the privacy of their quarters, to destroy his parents.  Euryleia made the violently brutal offer with well-meaning, affectionate honesty.  She added, with a heart-stoppingly fierce smile, "I really could.  No one there could stop me. "

Brun knew she would too, if he asked.  His Lady was a war machine and tended towards dealing with problems destructively.  But he also knew that she was very aware he would never ask her to.  Brun kissed her lightly, grinning, "Tempting.....but no.  It would be very rude to make our friends' celebration all about us."

Euryleia rolled her eyes dramatically as she stepped back, form rippling into a stylishly simple evening dress of perfect fit in matching Stjernevold colors to Brun's chosen outfit, "Fine.  After then."

---

Experiencing the whole of his life at all times and at no times, chopped up and scattered past his consciousness like confetti gave Brun a unique perspective on his life.  It wasn't always easy to see, of course.  Nothing and everything was these days.  But when he entered the hall with his Lady and saw /them/, that perspective hit him quite suddenly.

A rippling flurry of his life assaulted his mind.  He tried to cling to Euryleia and Now, let it all wash over him like a wave.  Waves are not endless.  It didn't always work, but it did this time.  And he Saw.  All the choices and direction of his life that had been made by his mother and father.  Their choices that he allowed.  That lead to him being cast off anyway.

But....

It also placed him where he needed to be to find his Lady.  To save thousands at Callisto.  To begin a House.  To slay Dragons.  To Quest for the future of humanity.  To serve Arthur /and/ his heirs.

Brun realized he was no longer angry with his parents.  If they were not the terrible people they were, he would not be here today.  With her.

He squeezed Euryleia's hand gently, not really knowing how much time had passed outside his mind but it didn't seem to have been too long.  He didn't entirely remember taking his seat at the high table though.

With concern, Euryleia asked, "Are you alright?"

Brun smiled, feeling very certain for once when he answered, "I am quite fine, my Lady.  Now, let's make sure everyone else is as well."

The Lord and Lady of Stjernevold proceeded to do just that, to the best of their not inconsiderable ability, for the rest of the evening. They watched over Gwydion and Meara as society bodyguards.  They screened the noble riffraff and the potentially troublesome away politely; providing breathing space and moments where they could by engaging would-be petitioners first.  The pair danced through this battlefield as they had so many others.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:34, Wed 31 Jan.

"Oh, I'm just a bit distracted with all that's been going on." Prince Gwydion had completely zoned out during conversation with one of the Knights, his thoughts landing on poor Irina. He'd already discussed with his Iliza about how they would make sure things worked out no matter what happened, that the politics of the nobility wouldn't be able to keep them apart, but he'd had no such conversation with her sister. Her pain was obvious to anyone who knew it was there to see, and Gwydion couldn't help but trace spiderwebs of cause and effect from this one change in plans, the harm to those he cared about and the good it would do the rest of mankind. Responsibility. She wouldn't be hurting if he had managed to save Uncle John from that monster. He could still fix it...

No, now wasn't the time to think about that. He smiled to his conversation partner, and then looked over to the happenings over at Senator Claudius's group. Apparently Sir Dalibrad had just met Mimi, who the prince still had some upcoming playdates sword training lessons scheduled with. He wondered if he would still have time for her once he was acting in his full capacity as king. Would he have time for anything good again, or was it all going to be the war and finding ways to prevent humanity's looming extinction? Uncle John had managed to keep smiling through it all. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. Or perhaps his uncle was just a fantastic actor on top of everything else. If only he were still around to ask. Just a few more experiments and that might be possible...

Damn it all, Gwydion was so used to wearing his heart on his sleeve that now, being the center of jovial attention while he was still so hurt, it was maddening!

"Plus the delights here are overwhelming, aren't they? From what I gather, this is just the beginning. Apparently there's some sort of big event soon, and so a big celebration to go with it. Exciting, don't you think?" He couldn't just say that he was disgusted by such political shell games and the necessity of toying with the hearts of those he loved for the sake of political gain he barely even understood the need for. As far as he was concerned, every human in the system should have already understood that MerGN-A needed to be destroyed, and then humanity could go back to killing itself over petty disagreements. All this felt wrong. He just wanted to kiss his beloved Iliza and go back to sleep. And then he saw her, sitting and chatting pleasantly with Sir Illydir, looking for all the world like nothing bothered her. At least, right until he caught her eye, and for a brief moment he could actually see the veil lift and the sadness under it when she looked at him. Maybe he'd ruined everything by agreeing to all this. Maybe nothing would be right after all.

The moment passed, the pair returned to dinner with everyone, and continued their respective conversations as if they didn't just watch each others' worlds fall apart in the middle of the glitz and glamour.

Both Sir Osenain and Sir Tor inclined their heads in deference to Lady Euryleia when she looked their way. There was something in their manner beyond mere respect. Reverence, perhaps?

---

Lady Gehenmis laughed politely at something clever that Baron Illydir had said, "Dear Illydir, we are all glad that you could attend the wedding here. But I cannot imagine that this is the only wedding in your future is it? The Baron Gehenmis and I know quite well the demands of your position and how much easier it would be with the right woman at your side and to provide you heirs. Your House suffered greatly in the attack as well, Baron. It would certainly behoove both Callisto and Almathea to rebuild and restrengthen arm-in-arm."

---

The Queen conversed quietly with Freyr about her efforts at training the next generation of Venusian knights, those drawn from common stock. "I commend your efforts thus far, Dame Freyr. Yet, no matter how successful you are in the matter, I fear your class may be the first and only of its kind. Without the factories of Mars we cannot hope to equip the number of young warriors we had hoped."

Freyr nodded deferentially, but with hidden determination, in reply to Queen Valerie's praise and lament.  Speaking equally quietly, she said, "Fear not, Your Royal Majesty.  Our efforts shall not be in vain, even if I may not be the trainer myself for future generations of students.  I have faith in the abilities of Princess Meara and Prince Gwydion to mend the bonds between Venus, Avaluna, and Mars, as I am certain you do as well."  With a coy smile offered to her date, she added, "If all else fails, I am sure Sir L1-4MNT would not mind offering the idea up in the Martian court for them to do themselves, perhaps in partnership with the Jovian or Saturnian people.  We may not currently be allies with Mars, but we are not enemies, either, and we do still have a mutual foe."

She glanced over at Euryleia and Brun before looking back at Queen Valerie.  "If nothing else, we have a living miracle right before our very eyes.  You have given us hope, and we shall hold to it until the very last."

Irina could hear her mother talk with Illydir plain as day, and she feared for herself and Iliza.  Sure, it made sense politically, but politics had already torn her sister and herself from their prior engagements that everyone was happy about (well, perhaps not Meara's mother, but from what little Irina knew about her, that was to be expected).  Seeing how happy Sylvie and Hiram were together made Irina wish she was a commoner, at least when it came to the freedom to marry whoever they wish.

No!  She can't cry and make a scene here.  She cared too much about Meara to do that.  And about Iliza.

At least they both got along with Illydir.

At least their parents weren't suggesting one of them marry Dalibrad.  Noble as he may be, the man was insufferably arrogant.  Just, somehow, not offensively so.  It would be so much easier to hate him if he actually talked down to others instead of just acting like it's objective fact that he's the most important person in the room at all times.

A steward came to the table with a bottle of wine and stood next to Irina, waiting for permission or denial to pour.  Irina was about to wave them away until she noticed who it was and what they had.  Hiram stood there in a smart-looking steward's uniform, complete with white gloves, and holding a bottle of strawberry wine.  A tiny note was tucked between his fingers that he stealthily passed to her as he poured into her empty glass.

It simply said, 'thinking of you' in very fancy, familiar handwriting.  Meara was still thinking about her even though the princess was getting married to someone else.  It made her feel a bit happy.

Perhaps she could get through this after all.

"Muuuuuuthuuuuuuuuuuuur~"

"-behaving properly for your station and leading by example-"

Meara had been spending most of the dinner trying not to lose it, and her mother, Duchess Ceilidh, was not helping.  It felt like the entire dinner so far (and much of the time before) had been spent listening to lecture after lecture about how her mother was so proud of Meara for finally womaning up and accepting the duties of her position, along with suggestions of whom to take as advisors (and whom not to take) for various things.

"Oh, let our daughter enjoy the feast, My Darling Lady, lest your advice go to her belly instead of her head."

Duchess Ceilidh had married a rather strong-willed man, by choice, and Baughb was someone she somehow could not get truly angry with.  Somehow, it worked, and they did truly love one another, and together they did (un)successfully raise a princess.  Baughb's ability to cut straight to the heart of the matter with a bit of humor was one of the reasons she loved him.

So, with a sigh, Duchess Ceilidh acquiesced, "You are correct, my husband.  Now is not the time."

Yes!  Thank you, Daddy!

"Be that as it may-"

Nooooooooo... I can't even hear what's going on at Iri's table... Muuuuuthuuuuuuuuuuuur!

Gwydion's breaking heart silenced for a moment as another sound reverberated into him, one so familiar as to have become second nature. Meara was in trouble. It was Distraction Time. The prince put on his Talking To Aunt Ceilidh smile.

"My Lady Ceilidh, I'm so pleased you're here to see how well Avaluna has been flourishing lately. How have you enjoyed what you've seen thusfar? Perhaps I could show you some of our latest achievements sometime." And get her away from Meara! That was known on ancient Earth as taking one for the team.

Things were going... well, they were going the way needs must. Handling political dinners was a skill Iliza had developed over years of practice, so this had simply been a matter of falling back on her old techniques for keeping her own feelings compartmentalized away from the business at hand. It had been hard, what with recent events, but she was managing. Right up until her mother maneuvered the conversation toward throwing her children at Sir Illydir's feet. Iliza's breath caught in her throat, her smile faltered for a brief moment, and her eyes fell to her meal as she swayed forward a bit. It would have been imperceptible to anyone who wasn't looking at that very moment. After a breath, she took a quick sip of her wine and began to cut herself another bite to eat. Anything to prevent having to speak in the next few seconds. Perhaps no one would stare as tears began to well up in her eyes. She could fight those if they persisted. Maybe.

Illydir listened politely to Lady Gehenmis' attempt to steer the conversation.  A quick look towards Iliza as the Lady spoke confirmed what he /knew/ was the likely result of bringing it up now.  Here.   A long sip of his drink served, hopefully, to cover the frustrated tightening of his jaw.  He set a small smile, before answering, "You speak truly, Lady.  Such a thing would be a benefit to both our houses.  Events have been changing so rapidly after the recent tragedies.  Sometimes it feels like everything is moving /too fast/..."  As he said it, Illydir's eyes hardened, just a moment, towards Lord and Lady Gehenmis.  Trying to make a quiet, /currently/, polite point about /timing/.  Point, hopefully, being made with her parents, he looked again to Iliza,  as he continued, "Perhaps, we could discuss it later?"  He decided it might be best not to let her have a chance to answer and covered it instead by trying to change the subject, "On the subject of rebuilding, I understand the reclamation fleet at Callisto is making fine progress.  The new temporary station hub we helped spin up seems to be working out...."

Euryleia caught the deferential gestures from the pair of young knights.  When she had been her Armour-self such looks were not uncommon.  Eighteen meters of awe-inspiring height and fearsome weaponry tended to demand that kind of attention.  But now, on a more equal scale, Euryleia was learning to navigate new variations of attention.  Especially from those she didn't have a lot of data on.

Analytical data flowed around each of them as she scrutinized their biological telltales in milliseconds.  Based on her research and statistics, physical attraction and/or arousal would be the most likely with such young men.  But the bio-signs didn't seem to match that...entirely.  Euryleia flagged them for extra data collection as opportunities presented themselves.  No.  She would talk to them.  She could just talk to them now.

She missed being tall.

For now, Euryleia offered them a measured, neutral acknowledging salute with her glass...and returned to the nearer conversation with the other high table knights.

The dinner eventually came to an end, thankfully, without any major incidents. So far so good...

Meara's father asked her to accompany him on a walk, ostensibly to help with his after dinner digestion. But they both knew it was simply an excuse to provide a listening ear and some fatherly advice.

MerLN suddenly appeared in front of them. "Forgive me for the intrusion, your Highness, but I thought best to inform you at once. Dame Freyr and Sir L1-4MNT have been attacked by an unknown assailant. They are in the infirmary. They both sustained minor wounds, and are expected to make a full recovery..."

---

Brun and Euryleia had been able to enjoy a relatively normal banquet, something that was a rarity these days. They had retired to their quarters and were preparing to enjoy the rest of their evening together when Brun suddenly seized.

He saw Gwydion, dressed as he had been at the welcoming dinner, split throat to navel, unblinking and unfocused eyes vacant of all life. He stared down at the would-be King even as Euryleia sought to close his wounds, but it was too late.

---

The dinner was over and Gwydion had managed to navigate the minefield. It was sometimes hard to see how Uncle John had been able to keep up his spirits given his position. He knew it would only get worse from here. He had...

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he suddenly, inexplicably, knew that he wasn't alone. He turned just as a mysterious figure in a shimmering black suit stabbed at him with a blade that seemed to blink in and out of existence.

OOC: Gwydion, defend yourself against a physical attack with a total of 10!
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:03, Sun 04 Feb.

It had been a long day, and a long dinner, and a longing for his Iliza to say just the right thing and bring them both warmth and comfort. Gwydion, Prince of Avaluna and the next King, had never felt less ready for rulership. How could those people make such a fine banquet become so exhausting? Perhaps he'd been part of that as well, letting his mind constantly drift toward such burdensome thoughts. And here he was, doing it aga--

[14:24, Today: Gwydion rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, -1.  Melee +5 vs TN 10.

Invoking Dueling Prodigy for +2, -1 FP

Total 7

Marking Physical Stress 1 and taking Mild Consequence: Shredded Suit]

Left foot an inch to the right, hips twist left, left arm up to protect the belly, right arm up to protect the throat, eyes on the enemy.

The phantom blade tore through Gwydion's clothing and drew blood, a surface wound rather than a plunge into the heart. He'd been attacked by a humanoid. This wasn't the Emergent, it was flesh and blood.

Find the weapon hand, get control of the wrist. Distracting strikes to the face while pulling the wrist close to the hips for maximum control, then another quick turn to fling the enemy to the ground. Control the wrist, control the body, control the weapon.

[14:38, Today: Gwydion rolled 2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 0, 1, 0.  Melee +5 to Create Advantage.

Total 7

Attempting to create a standing grapple with the opponent on the ground. I wonder if I could find a video of this move online...]

Immediately, Meara saw red.  If she hadn't been with her father, she would have immediately run at a sprint to the infirmary.  However, his hand on her arm kept her from doing something foolish.  As she fought to contain her emotions, her father asked the question he knew she should ask.

"Who else has been attacked?  Who is most vulnerable?" he asked as Meara snapped back to the moment at hand.  Lifting up her dress all the way to her hip, she reached down and drew a long dagger she had concealed on her inner thigh.  Her father acted as if this was absolutely normal.  She may have been persuaded to leave her sword and pistol back in her room, but there was no way she'd let herself be unarmed around so many nobles.

If there was one lesson she had actually learned from her mother, it was to always be wary of other nobles, because they always have something to gain at your expense.  It may not be worth it, but short-sighted nobles existed in droves.

The Knight and his Lady laughed as they stepped back into their quarters.  Fingers fumbled at Brun's fine new formal outfit.  Euryleia grinned, "Let me just tear it off, it would be faster.  Your stupid clothes are pointlessly complicated..."

Brun, laughed again and playfully brushed at her hands, "You brute...  And it isn't pointless!  You said it made me look fantastic.  Especially my..."  His awareness suddenly fell away through time.  He tried to hold on, but it was strong...so strong...the wave crashed over and through him.  Pushing him away.  Forward.  He caught flashes of moments not yet lived.  He focused as hard as he could to grab one of the quickly fleeting moments.  To stop his headlong hurtle through...

There.

Brun blinked back tears, "I'm sorry...  I can't stop thinking about it...  Gwydion.  He shouldn't have been alone.  We should have..."  His eyes widened as he looked over Euryleia's chosen banquet gown, then grabbed his own jacket lapels, "Is it?  Am I?"

Euryleia was getting used to the timeshifts.  As much as you could get used to your love falling endlessly through time at just the wrong moments.  But this time felt different and the mention of Gwydion seemed ominous, "What about Gwydion?"

Brun answered, "He's going to die... But, maybe we changed it!"  He grabbed his pistol from where his weapon belt hung on his rushed way out.  Euryleia was already moving for the door, opening just in time for Brun to run through and her to follow.  She didn't bother to ask any more questions.

Brun lead the way.  He knew where he was going.  He'd already been there.

Gwydion seized his assailant's wrist with both of his hands, but as he pivoted to throw, the knife disappeared from the assassin's grip forcing Gwydion to release the assassin's wrist with one hand and abandon the throw in favor of capturing the other hand. It proved a wise move as the assassin's left hand darted in to drive the dagger into Gwydion's vitals. The Prince managed to catch the blow, if barely, as the two wrestled against one another. But the black clad killer suddenly blinked out of Gwydion's grip and a half-step to his left and struck again.

OOC:
Meara, are you sure you don't want to go to Freyr? The attacker might come back to finish the job. You remember what it was like to lose Arthur? What if that were Freyr? Have a FP to go to her or else pony up a FP and have Brun and Euryleia sprint by on their way to Gwydion which will clue you in.

Brun and Euryleia will burst up in the scene after Gwydion acts and are then free to act as well. Meara too if she ponies up the FP.

22:47, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Assassin, rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, 1, -1.  Assassin Defend. Melee +4. +2 invoke of Gwydion's Consequence. Spends FP to Invoke Unknown Personal Aspect for +2. 4+2+2-1 = 7 Tie. Gwydion gets a Boost.

23:07, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Assassin, rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, -1, 0.  Assassin Attack. Melee +4.  +2 Lævateinn Ghostblade Stunt. 4+2+1 = 7. Gwydion roll defense.

Initiative
Assassin (Gone)
Gwydion
Brun/Euryleia
Meara (If she refuses the compel)

Aspects in Play
Shredded Suit
Unsteady Grapple (Boost)

[GM gifted a Fate Point, so back up to 3.

22:24, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, 1.  Melee +5 vs TN 7.

aaaaaaaa Invoking Unsteady Grapple for +2

Total 6

Marking Stress 2, and I'm out of Physical Stress boxes!]

The shifting weapon gave Gwydion some trouble, and then his opponent warping away to try again was a total surprise. When the enemy came in again, Gwydion brought his hands down to try and grab at both wrists at once without dodging, instead stepping directly into the attack and trying to push the knife away while enacting the emergency anti-murder technique, slamming his forehead into the assassin's face!

[22:35, Today: Gwydion rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 0, -1.  Melee +5 to Attack.

Die roller I'm coming for you next you little bastard. Invoking Dueling Prodigy, Louder Than Words, and I Can Fix This for +6 to the total, -3 FP.

Total 10

And I really wish I'd Created Advantage there instead of attacking, but oops. Still, this should serve as a deterrent maybe.]

Gwydion slammed his head into the assassin's face plate. Thankfully, it was only slightly reinforced plasteel, but even so, the desperation move seemed to take the assassin aback momentarily. Moreover, with his face so close to the assassin's Gwydion caught the most ephemeral peek behind the shimmering mask. No...it couldn't be...Iliza?

OOC: 05:46, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Assassin, rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, -1, 0, -1.  Assassin Defend. Melee +4. FP +2 for Invoking Unknown Personal Aspect. 4+2-1= 5. 10-5 = 5. Assassin checks it's 3 box. Two left. Takes a Minor Consequence.

I'm going to help you out slightly with the consequence, since you said you wish you had done CA to unmask, and call it A Glimpse Behind the Mask?

E&B are up.

Is Meara staying with dear old Dad?

Brun sprinted into the scene and was momentarily relieved to see Gwydion alive.  It was fleeting as the prince was still being attacked by the assassin.  Or was he?  Was the assassin there....  Did they move?  Gwydion stabbed! No..... No he's okay. Euryleia...no! Time and perspective fractured under the stress and desperation of the fast moving situation.  Brun was seeing every outcome; buffeted by the waves of possibility from all sides....

To everyone else, it looked like Brun had just run into the room and stopped.  His eyes far gone elsewhen.

I'd like to Compel Time and Tides.  As a Complication, Brun will be useless until he succeeds at a Devotion Overcome difficulty set by the Boss.  (Or a different Complication if the boss wishes)