The possibilities unfolded endlessly before Brun, each step, each outcome open to him. So many. So fast. The possibilities spiralled, spinning into an endless fractal. A repeating inevitability.

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."

---

Euryleia easily interposed herself between the Assassin and Gwydion, ready to meet any attack.

"It has already begun," the black-clad Assassin said with sudden surprise and then vanished into nothingness.

OOC: Brun, I accept the compel. Rather than have you roll an overcome, I will say that you automatically comeback to yourself next turn. Giving up an exchange for a FP feels fair.

12:12, Today: MerLN, for the NPC Assassin, rolled 0 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 0, 0.  Assassin Defend vs. CA. Melee +4. Euryleia Wins. 1 free invoke.

Aspects in Play
Shredded Suit
Unsteady Grapple
A Glimpse Behind the Mask? (1 Free Invoke, Gwydion Only)
Protect the King (1 Free Invoke)

And with that the Assassin will choose to concede the conflict. Gwydion lives, but the Assassin vanishes.

Meara, have a FP for missing the action, but tell me if you are going to go toward the infirmary or if you see B&E and follow as that's important for me to know for what you see next.

Before MerLN could reply, Brun and Euryleia ran past them, and Meara instinctively followed, pulling her father along.  Clackclackclackclack went her heels as she ran along the corridor.  If those two were running with such determination, they were probably heading to stop something bad, and that's exactly what Meara's gut was telling her to do.  As she ran, she was able to realize that if MerLN had taken the time to inform her that Freyr and L1-4MNT were in the infirmary and stable, it was a warning that there was someone (or several someones) on the loose who needed to be stopped, not that she needed to run to the infirmary to protect them.  Auntie Val would never allow them to be unguarded after an attack.  She was probably already just as livid as Meara, but Auntie Val was always so much more productive in channeling her anger - yet another reason Meara looked up to her.

So it was that she saw Gwydion wrestling with an assassin and Euryleia transform into her original appearance (albeit on a much smaller scale) to intervene.

As Her Royal Highness Princess Meara du Chonaill, soon to be Queen of Venus, with a blade in hand, she knew exactly what she needed to do.

"GET BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENT!" she exclaimed as she performed a flying drop kick in a full gown and heels, aiming to distract the assassin.

Her father was so proud.  Terrified of the situation, but proud.

09:54, Today: Meara rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, -1, 0, 1.  Zeal +7 (Long Jumper)
Total +6 to create advantage "Save(d by) the Queen"

The drop kick was a masterful example of the technique, though the Assassin vanished a fraction of a second before Meara connected. Fortunately, the tuck and roll afterward was also a masterful example as Meara rolled to her feet short of colliding with the wall.

Well, at least Gwydion was saved, but what was going on?

Immediately after standing back up, Meara looked between every present and exclaimed quickly, "Freyr and L1-4MNT attacked, stable in infirmary, Cousin, report, Euryleia, figure it out, you're smarter than me!"

"What do you m-"

"I know my weaknesses, Daddy!  This is no time for pride!"

Brun raged against the obnoxious certainty, staring daggers into the reflective faceplates.  When he answered, it echo'd angrily through the fractals of time, "The future is not written!  Gwydion lives!  Now...."

Brun snapped suddenly back into the Now, yelling at everyone and no one, "KINDLY FUCK OFF!" His eyes refocused and he saw Gwydion decidedly not dead.  He stumbled forward and tried to hug the Prince, "I knew I was lying!"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:30, Mon 05 Feb.

Euryleia's attention swung around as Brun cursed the room, but he didn't seem to be in danger and was moving again.  Gwydion was safe, for now.  Meara had also joined them, so that would make it easier to guard the pair of them. The idea that this was not the only attack was still a concern though. At Meara's order, Euryleia responded with a quiet dip of her helmed head.

She quickly began analyzing her sensor data of the assassin, specifically any identifiable traces during the disappearing trick.  While she worked on that, she accessed the comm system to begin sifting for any other reports or attacks.

Her left foil shortened and reshaped into a serviceable sword of a style nearly matching Gwydion's most commonly carried one.  This blade was offered to the Prince without a word as Euryleia focused on the data work....

We'll start with Create Advantage Datasift to create a collection of data on the current situation.

Total +3

14:22, Today: Euryleia rolled -1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 1, -1, -1.  Create Advantage - Lore +4.

Comms traffic consisted of Avaluna's Men-At-Arms sweeping CAMELOT citadel for an assailant dressed in white armor. No mention of an assailant in black armor was made. The white-armored assassin must have been the one who had perpetuated the attack that Meara had mentioned. But where were they now? Or for that matter their counterpart in black.

From her sensor data, Euryleia could detect traces of Wyrmgate particles in the room. No doubt from the assassin. A quick survey of the hallway showed no traces. Had the Assassin been waiting here? Or had they breached the veil here? No easy task if that was the case. Despite her own abilities, it had taken Euryleia a long time to do so. That conclusion seemed unlikely, but couldn't be ruled out entirely.

Shocked, bleeding, and now an additional layer of distraught, Gwydion absently put his arms around Brun and let out a quiet "I love you too." It took him a moment to register the others, but then he gratefully took the offered sword and steeled his resolve and began to move with purpose out to the hallway.

"I'm fine. Attacker used a Venusian blade and my new tech, but miniaturized. I saw Iliza under the mask, but it can't be her. MerLN, look for signs of Wyrmgate particles and mark where you find any. Double the guards and alert any nearby of Wyrmgate activity. Let's collect Iliza and Irina. If someone is walking around with their faces, I want them safe and aware. Once we we're clear, I need to talk to Rose."

MerLN responded immediately. "Guards have been alerted, your Highness. The sisters Gehenmis are both currently in their domicile. However, the sensors upon Avaluna are unable to detect Wyrmgate particles. It is beyond the scope of their design parameters. A specialized sensor suite is required. Might I suggest Lady Euryleia or the Princess's drone companion perform a sweep?"

OOC: Gwydion, have a FP for being decisive. Very Kingly.

The fact that it was completely unprecedented to even consider Wyrmgate particles existing outside of a Wyrmgate had skipped the prince's mind, given his recent efforts. It was only obvious when pointed out. Wyrmgate particles being in their home had been theoretically impossible until a few weeks ago. Gwydion nodded to the ladies present.

"Meara, Euryleia, make it happen. I want you to scan wherever we go and I want Wigglesworth to start a scanning pattern that takes him past vulnerable targets, including the infirmary. And I want prisoners, not corpses. While keeping everyone safe is our top priority, learning identities and motives is right below that. We've already started dealing with time travel in several senses, and knowing what's going on could change everything going forward."

Meara had expected an explanation from Euryleia, not Gwydion.  Then, before she could react to the information he had provided, he started giving out orders, which she also had not expected.  To be fair, she had given orders first.  So, as to not rock the boat in an emergency situation, she walked over and whispered in her father's ear before he produced her comm - there wasn't really anywhere to keep it on the dress.  For some reason, it didn't have pockets.

It irked her, but not as much as feeling like she wasn't able to keep up with the others.

Once she had her comm back, she sent a summons to Wigglesworth and said, "Well, he's on his way.  As for prisoners instead of corpses, there is a reason I did not use a blade just now.  Once some guards have arrived for escort, I will head to where Lady Freyr and Sir L1-4MNT were attacked and Daddy can be escorted to safety.  Until then, however, I am not leaving your side, cousin, as that one was after you specifically."

Looking upwards just enough to make it clear she was not speaking to anyone physically in the room, she asked, "May I assume that there have been no other known attacks as of yet?"

"No other reports of violence have been reported, your Highness, " MerLN's voice responded.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Tue 06 Feb.

Meara let out a small sigh of relief at the news.  "That is good to hear, at least, but not a reason to lower our guard.  I may be foolish, but not that foolish."

"I must say, this is the most exciting party I have ever attended.  Although your 12th birthday comes to mind..." Baughb says in an attempt to lighten the mood a bit so heads stay clear.

"DADDY!" Meara exclaimed in a scandalized, embarrassed voice as her father chuckled.

He gave her a tiny smile as he asked, "Are you thinking about running off and looking for a fight anymore?"

With a blush, Meara had to admit he was right.  "... No."

He gave her a reassuring pat on the back before turning to the others.  "If it pleases Your Majesties, I shall follow my daughter's order and head for a safer location once the escort arrives.  Give you all one less person to worry about."

Euryleia's expressionless silver faceplate regarded Brun and Gwydion for a long moment.  Then she returned her attention to her data work, adding in Gwydion's insights.  At the suggestion she scan for Wyrmgate particles, she replied, "I already have and I can confirm particle trace around Prince Gwydion's black armored attacker.  Security is searching for a white armored assailant.  The trace here begins and ends where the black assassin was.  Between the trace and the involvement of Gwydion's currently theoretical technology, we should assume that the attackers may be able to travel through both space and time.  Which, to be clear, should be impossibly difficult.  Even for me and I am impressively capable."

While she offered her own insights, Euryleia began checking current locations and recent movements of those staying within CAMELOT proper.  Starting with Queen Valerie and working her way down the list based close association with Gwydion and Meara.  Iliza would be quite high in this list.  Euryleia did not agree with Gwydion that it couldn't have been Iliza or some temporal variance of Iliza.

Do you need a roll for this research?  She's basically running it in the background while she follows the group.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Tue 06 Feb.

Brun relaxed into the words, the embrace, and the reassurance that he /had/ changed the future...  Or past?  Nothing made sense.  He stepped back next to his Lady giving Gwydion and Meara space to lead on while he tried to navigate the slowing waves.  The vision of Gwydion torn was fading away from him which seemed.... Good.  That's g....  That's.... Um....

Now was slipping again.  He tried to resist, hold on to....  Euryleia's voice.  Clear and true.  He focused on that, listening hard.  Brun began quietly muttering as he heard something important there; trying to talk his mind into lines, "Black and white.  Black and White.  I saw....  Black and White Armor.  I knew them... How will I /know/ them?  I said this was the only way, must be done.  The King Must Die.  But, that's not true... Right?  Gwydion didn't die.... Why would I lie to them?" Brun shut his eyes to think, but it didn't help.  So many eyes were still open...

Lore Overcome to see if Brun can make himself  know who he will know them to be?

Total - +1

12:45, Today: Brun rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, -1, -1, 0.  Overcome - Lore +3. –

This message was last edited by the player at 18:37, Tue 06 Feb.

Somehow her father always knew how to handle Meara just right to keep her safe and focused. If they were to be married, Gwydion was going to have to learn that power. While unable to get himself to smile at a time like this, Gwydion did cast a grateful look to Baughb.

"As concerned as I am for your safety, my lord, I suspect the other targets were chosen to remove their combat skills from our defense. We haven't heard anything about noncombatants being attacked. You should be safer further from me than closer, and I'd prefer to have Meara by my side if the assassins strike again. I could barely hold off one until you all arrived, for two I'd prefer to have overwhelming force." Euryleia's data received a nod from Gwydion.

"Exactly what I'm worried about. I'm the only one developing this technology and it's barely complete on a large scale. If someone's miniaturized it, they are almost certainly using the principle of temporal echoes to manipulate events across time. That means they've either stolen my research or inherited it. If they're from the future and the king they're coming after is me and not my uncle, then that also means I've failed and the entire technology is pointless. This is worse than smiling through that dinner..." That's right, Brun had seen something. He'd been there. That got Gwydion's attention. He didn't want to disrupt the stream of consciousness, though. Anything he said might send Brun to the wrong mental place and lose them whatever information could be gleaned. But the prince absolutely listened as they headed for the Gehenmis ladies' quarters.

Euryleia's silver faceplate regarded the struggling Brun with blank impassivity.  At least externally.  Internally, she didn't have the right words for what she felt.  Heartache was closest, but felt inaccurate.  Vocabulary not designed for her.  She did lay a gentle armored hand on his shoulder, perhaps touch could express what words couldn't.

She reviewed her scans again.  Her range was so limited now.  Like so many things.  The drone would help, but was also limited.  They needed something larger.  Perhaps there was an older spare for her previous self on Thames....

Thames!

Euryleia connected to the ship's comm channel.

---

Orson Hartjen, one of the oldest on the crew, just was never one for parties.  He felt the thumping hum of the music through the deckplates and that was enough.  She had always dragged him to those things anyway and it didn't feel right being there without her.  He was happy enough enjoying the relative quiet of bridgewatch and nice simple mug of caf.

Then the comm light pinged.

"Thames here.  Hartjen speaking"

Euryleia gave a quick explanation of events and what she needed.  Orson quietly mourned the loss of his quiet night, but confirmed his understanding, "We're on it, Lady.  I'll route the feed to you as soon I can." He looked at the very complex systems Sir Brun had installed, muttering, "Shit." He priority pinged the Captain and Bibi.  He was gonna need backup.

---

Orson had done his best while waiting on Bibi and the Captain, but much about the new systems were beyond him.  He regretted leaving all of it on his young Second to learn.  It wasn't fair or safe to leave it on him.

Bibi arrived sweaty, amped up and half covered in fluorescent body paint.  The explanation of need sent him near to panic as he tried to focus through party haze to operate his systems, "Attacked the Prince??  Fuuuuuuuuuck...shitshit... If it's those particles Sir Brun talked about then that's like moving through spacetime like gates BUT IN THE STATION...  fuckfuckfuck....". The boy was starting to shake while he tried to tune the sensors.

Captain Smalls stepped onto the bridge like it was any other shift and he hadn't been enjoying the party.  He took a sip from one mug, while handing another to Bibi, "Pause.  Breathe.  Drink.  Breathe again.  Do the job.  They need our help." His voice was steady, deep and reassuring.  There was no arguing with it.  Just go along with the Captain and things will work out.  The drink was a special emergency blend Esme made. To be used in special circumstances.  Time travelling assassins during a rave night met the criteria.

Sip.

"Orson.  Go ahead and set up the connection for the Lady.  Bibi will have it ready in a moment." It wasn't a question.  It was just a fact.  Bibi had already started calming down and would have it up, just like his dad predicted....

---

A much larger sensor sweep filled Euryleia's awareness as Thames joined in.  To the quickly moving royal entourage, she reported, "I'm now confirming particle trace near Lady Freyr's quarters.....and a faint trace in Queen Valerie's chambers.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:57, Wed 07 Feb.

The moment Meara heard about a trace in Queen Valerie's chambers, she turned to Gwydion and said, "We need to investigate both, and your knowledge will be most important - as much as I wish otherwise, you need to be the one to investigate at the Queen's chambers.  I will take Wigglesworth to Freyr's chambers and request Iri's remote assistance.  Sir Brun, Lady Euryleia, please go with my co-"

She hesitated a moment, the word caught in her throat.  He was not just her cousin anymore, and she needed to remember that.

"... My Prince."

Before Gwydion could protest, she explained, "We do not have the luxury of time to stay together right now, nor do we have time for debate, and you are the priority target.  Contact me as soon as you have something, and for the goddesses' sakes, summon a chirurgeon get that wound looked at!"

She then took off, leaving her father to look between the two groups before shrugging and staying with the larger group.

"A word of advice, Your Highness.  With Venusian women, pick your battles and be ready to concede.  Especially women of the Chonaill family."

Though he'd been heading straight to the Gehemnis ladies, Euryleia's results caught Gwydion by surprise and brought him to a stop.

"MerLN, check on the Queen." And then Meara cut him off as he faced her to continue his stream of orders. Another surprise, and he listened to her right up until she was finished. Then he took her chin in hand, leaned in to plant a kiss on her lips, and then bowed his head. "Yes, my dear. Good luck." May as well start getting used to that now, right? With Meara gone, Gwydion nodded to Baughb's advice as the group began moving toward the Queen's chambers now. "Thank you, my lord. She and I aren't children anymore, and I can't keep acting like we are."

"The Queen wishes me to inform your Highnesses that she is quite well and under the protection of a dozen Valkyries," MerLN's voice said. "She awaits your arrival."

Security arrived to provide protection and escort for all present. They escorted Baughb to safety, Meara to the site of Freyr and L1-4MNT's attack, and Gwydion, Brun, and Euryleia to the Queen. Lockdown measures had been put in place along their routes.

Freyr had been provided temporary quarters during her visit to Avaluna. The corridor where she had been attacked in was narrow, an apt location for an ambush. But there was no sign of blood. Odd if the pair had both been wounded.

The Queen was indeed under heavy guard and a Chirugeon awaited the arrival of the group. He tutted and ignored any attempt to dissuade tending to Gwydion's wound, "There are some interesting properties to this wound. I would ask His Highness to allow me to tend to it in the Infirmary, if he would. I am sure His Highness's Companions could attend to Her Majesty."

Euryleia did not gainsay Meara's suggestion.  Gwydion did seem to be a primary target and would most need her protection.  Brun was, currently, unable to provide much assistance and would also need her.  Euryleia simply gave an assenting nod to the Soon-to-be-Queen, then guided Brun to follow Gwydion.  As they went, she looked to her Knight quietly.  Gently.  She repeated where they were.  When they were.  That he was here and not alone.  She also, for safety reasons, had prudently taken Brun's pulse pistol away.

Brun remained trapped in his temporal spiral.  Holding on to the fraying thread of Now Euryleia's voice maintained till he got the answer they needed.  He searched for the right memory...  The right vision...

When they reached the Queen's chambers, Euryleia stayed by Brun, just behind Gwydion.  Her sensors swept the room for details....and inconsistencies...

Mark Overcome Total +3

12:41, Today: Euryleia rolled 1 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 0, 0, 1, 0.  Overcome - Mark +2.

Glad for the escort, Meara immediately set about looking around and investigating.  The lack of blood was concerning for an attack, but they could have been struck with blunt weapons and had purely internal wounds.  Still, it did not feel right, and when Wigglesworth finally arrived, she immediately called Irina on the comms.

"Iri, I need your assistance.  I am at the site of Lady Freyr and Sir L1-4MNT's attack, and will be patching you through Wigglesworth.  I need you to use his scanners to look for things we can't see with our eyes.  Including Wyrmgate particles."

For her part, Irina was neither expecting a call, nor in a place where she was alone (being with her family), but someone (likely Iliza) had snuck her datapad with them and she pulled it up to accept the link with Wigglesworth.  After all, she was the one who had gotten all the things set up so Meara could actually give Wigglesworth commands in the first place.

11:21, Today: Irina rolled -2 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of -1, 1, -1, -1.  Smithy +5 (connection strength)
+3 Smithy to get a solid remote connection with Wigglesworth (Aspect: Uninterrupted Link)
11:23, Today: Meara rolled 4 using 4 Fudge dice with rolls of 1, 1, 1, 1.  +3 Mark
+7 Mark to investigate the scene and find anything out of place, which I'm pretty sure she just did with flying colors, holy crap where was that roll when Gwydion was defending himself?!

Gwydion was relieved to be reunited with his aunt and see her safe, so much so that he gratefully allowed his wound to be tended without complaint.

"I'm not to go anywhere without guard, doctor. Those assassins are after me specifically, well-trained and... well, you can see the effects of their equipment. Euryleia, please take a closer look around here. If they've come to or from here, I want to know. Auntie Val, while I suspect you are safe, we found traces of their movements here. Specifics will have to wait until we're in private."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:02, Fri 09 Feb.

"Attacked? Are they okay? By who?" Meara could see Irina shuffling, trying to get somewhere more private. Her concern threatened to overwhelm her when she asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, definitely a concentration of Wyrmgate particles. But only in a localized area. Decaying, too, as one would expect. I can't tell much more than that. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry..." Irina broke down and began to sob.

---

Euryleia could sense tension in all of the Valkyries present. They were each alert for danger and they each seemed to think the danger would come from her. Despite the fact that she did look rather Venusian, she did not look at all human. These warriors had spent their entire lives battling robotic foes hell-bent on their annihilation. To their eyes she must rather look like one of them.

"I can well see the effects of their equipment, which is why I am advising His Highness that he is best treated in the infirmary. Bring your guards, I have two other patients who suffered a similar attack. They might well need guards too," the Chirugeon complained.

"Go," The Queen told her nephew. "You are alive and We would prefer you stay that way. Sir Brun and Lady Euryleia will conduct your investigation."

---

The Queen's words echoed in Brun's mind filtering through lifetimes of possibilities, until he found the thread that he had lost.

"This is the only way. It must be done," Brun said, his voice 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.

"I am wholly unharmed, although the same cannot be said for Gwydion.  He suffered some light wounds, but he is not in any immediate danger.  As far as we know, those are the only three who have been harmed - one, it seems, was here for Gwydion specifically," Meara explained, trying to relieve Irina's worry, "I am also with some of our best Valkyries, others of whom are escorting Gwydion, who is also with Sir Brun and Lady Euryleia for protection.  The immediate danger has passed, but we are not dropping our guard."

She listened to Irina's explanation of what she could find, then witnessed her lover start to break down.  Meara's expression softened and she gently took Wigglesworth in her hands as she gazed into the camera.  "Iri.  Iri, listen to me.  The fact that you could get readings at all is amazing.  I would not have been able to get them without you.  Now we have a localized scan.  This is very important evidence.  I know this is stressful.  Not just this, but everything.  I want you to know that I have not forgotten what I told you.  I hate to ask this of you, but... would you be strong for me again?  Just for right now?  I promise you, I will do all in my power to make this right."

Unable to say it directly, Meara's promise was not just for making things right for everyone, but Irina specifically.