Stormchaser, post-raid

Edelgard: <Other timelines? Well, we're in an alternate universe already. It's not that great of a leap of logic.>

Shamir: <... Sounds complicated. I'll let you all deal with the ramifications of that. I'm going to find work.>

Catherine: <You can't just leave! We have to get back to Lady Rhea.>

Shamir: <I can't help with that. Might as well make myself useful.>

Ren Faire

Byleth remains frozen for a moment in confusion, before running after Lucius.

She doesn't have anything better to do, after all.

Which is an accomplishment, really.

---

Artoria catches a glimpse of teal hair in the crowd.

Artoria: "... This way, I think."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Ren Faire

Medea: Ah yes, the chase continues...

Post-Raid

Petra: <I am an confusion. Other timelines? How do you make lines out of time?>

Seteth: <I suppose a better way of phrasing it is... alternate realities.>

Flayn: <Cool!>

Contact Me!

Ren Faire

Suddenly hearing her voice emerge from the green knight's helmet made Lita's jaw drop.

"Oh my Arceus, that's amazing!"

She thinks for a second.

"Wait, you could be using a fake voice this whole time! You could even be a completely different gender. Lissa would never believe this."

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

-this Cubone seems remarkably unfazed by Niles's statement-

Cubone!Byleth: -curiously- <...you are all from different branches of time?>

(-her students, on the other hand, may note that she's incredibly distressed-)

-to Lysithea- <...I'm sorry.>

(-...no wait, false alarm, similar expressions-)

(-actually, she just looks unsurprised-)

-nodding to Shamir- <We may as well deploy against this new foe we find ourselves facing.>

-gesturing to Seteth- <That's one way to put it.>

<Do any of you recall the addition of temporal dynamics to your curriculum?>

-and she accepts a warm hug from Dorothea-

---

Megan: I'm truckin'! ^_^

-...-

Logan: -gesture, smile- Debriefing.

Megan: Ah!

Uh, all the extradimesional horror actually wasn't so bad? Like, I saw the earth blow up, but it was relatively impersonal so I'm not too messed up.

Vee: -bumping up to the desk- <Hell yeah, Desman, gimme a pitcher of the good stuff.>

Pippy: -blink-

Vee: <'m thirsty.>

Pippy: <...ah>

Vee: <what>

Pippy: <uh shit>

Vee: <what>

Pippy: <Nothing! Nothing at all.>

<Um, do you, want to go on a walk in the woods with me?>

Vee: <...we're in the middle of a conversation>

Pippy: <I suddenly feel like being rude!> ^v^;;;

Vee: <...but 'm extremely contrary>

<an' now I gotta insist we keep talkin'>

Pippy: <Vee>

Vee: <buddy.>

Logan: -contemplatively- ...hm!

-pointing at the bag in Gabe's hands- And what would you do if I said I didn't feel comfortable with you leaving with that, not knowing what it'll be used for?

Addie: -perks up-

Eric: -blink-

-and Eric starts looking kinda uncomfortable-

Edited by Asterisk395 on Sep 21st 2019 at 10:20:44 AM

No mind to think. No will to break.

Kalos Badlands, Ren Faire Jousting Grounds

-The Emerald Warrior chortles, and switches back to their usual voice - a rather husky, deep contralto.-

Emerald Warrior: I do have an advantage in that I've been talking to you for a good while now. That, and I had a tutor of my own. It's a useful skill to have. And yes, for all you know, I could have been pretending to be someone else this whole time~

-They lean in close to Lita... and then flick up their visor, revealing a freckled face and a shock of red hair growing back in after having been cut short.-

Emerald Warrior Alice: Unfortunately, I think Lissa would believe this. I have to work particularly hard to impress her these days.

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Stormchaser

Ever: Well. You're right, that does suck.

Lapis, keep the munchkin's ears covered.

Arc: Pip!

Ever: Would you like to hear about an error I made, once? Complete with extrapolated bodycounts?

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Lake of Rage — Past

-Kai shrugs-

Kai: Calamity seemed like a bit of an unwieldy ride, I suppose. But if you're confident, then I guess I have no reason to doubt you.

-They grin back.-

Rennfest — Less Past

Kai: I will respect your undoubtedly unusual situation and ignore that you used "when" first. And... no, I can't say I know for sure. Most of them, I hear about in Unova and nearby regions, and this is the first one I've heard of on this continent.

-As they approach the direction of the smithy, they notice a familiar blip on their metaphorical Aura radar. They glance in the direction of it, and have to try their darnedest to not have a distinct look of "oh shit" on their face as they recognize Lucius Cain, despite the attire.-

Kai: Uh, are you hungry at all? We could find a food stand to get something at before we keep looking for the smithy.

Canalave City — More Past

-Upon seeing Isbrand in the state she's in, the bird girls sigh.-

Skye: Isbrand...

Diane: We heard a call for help, and we really don't want to leave it alone.

Skye: There's people who can help you. Since you disappeared right after Kai got vamped, I can only assume you've got the same, but you know that they're a resource for this sort of stuff. They know things, and they know people who know things.

Hideout of Gluttony — Far Past

-Rose makes a vague uncomfortable groaning noise.-

Rose: This place feels extremely uncomfortable. 'S like... one of those horror movie scenes where nothing's necessarily out of place but it's given all this eerie framing and background music and stuff, and it just feels wrong. Can we go now?

Stormchaser - Post-Raid

Camilla: <Your professor put it quite nicely. Much is the case with us. My wife and I come from a different version of the world Niles and Shigure are from. The same with you all.>

Hinoka: <Of course, assuming you all fought in a war...that makes things a little tense.>

Niles: <It wasn't as bad for us, since my world's Hinoka is alive and...well not great but the Queen of Hoshido is at peace with the King of Nohr.>

Shigure: <...>

Hubert: <I see. That means...>

-He takes a defensive position in front of Edelgard.-

Hubert: <Some of you sided against us. Announce your loyalties, or be struck down by the Black Eagle Strike Force!>

Mercedes: <Hubert! Can you blame us?>

Hubert: <I may let you live. Should the Empress request it.>

---

Canalave City - TS

-Isbrand's grip tightens, and her face seems hidden in shadow.-

Isbrand: "And if something went wrong? If I attacked you out of crazed hunger or the like? Everyone close to me gets hurt at some point. It always happened before I went back in time. Even here, Kaiiseii lost his eye because of me."

"It was stupid of me to even try. Try to have a good relationship. Stop having one-night stands and breaking hearts."

'And yet. I may as well break your hearts now so that I don't break them later."

"Leave me alone. I'll go where no one gets hurt. You can all move on."

Mako: <That's bullshit!>

   Hellfire   : <That's just the poison talking, Isbrand!>

Isbrand: "Shut the fuck up and face the facts! This is just my hidden feelings brought to the surface! Just listen to me!>

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"

Kalos Badlands, Ren Faire Smithy

-Perhaps rather mercifully, Kai's comments prompt Lawrence to turn around to face them again with a few dozen paces between them the smithy.-

Lawrence: ...l tell you now that you do a poor job of concealing your thoughts and suspicions. Nor are you particularly gifted at the art of distraction. I don't need to tell you that I'm not hungry, and I don't need a mind like mine to deduce that you aren't either. Tell me, what exactly about my company puts you so ill at ease? And please don't try to fob me off with half-hearted excuses about being "familiar with my family" this time.

Monferno: <Ah, now things are getting interesting!>

-Meanwhile, slightly closer to the smithy, Lucius glances back to see Byleth running after him.-

Lucius: Oh, so you are coming? I guess that works... so, ah, "Byleth", what exactly are you looking for? I'd like to get a replica of Edie's axe, maybe that cool-ass Flame Emperor mask - though honestly I think that's one cosplay I could never pull off, not even with platform heels. Man, do those things do a number on your feet.

Canalave City - Past

-Lissa, still by Lita's side and sounding exceedingly tired and hungover, still sends out Gail and straightens herself out into something resembling a combat stance.-

Lissa: Isbrand, I... do you really think you're the only one that's hurt people? If I judged people by what they did when they weren't in control, I literally wouldn't be able to live with myself. I don't care whether you care about us, but... you've got family. People who care. 'M not gonna let you throw that all away for the sake of some bullshit exile that you've decided you deserve for no reason whatsoever. That's not happening.

Lumiose City, that one discotheque/speakeasy that I'm certain I named but can't remember right now >_>;

-On the 21st night of September, love was changing the minds of pretenders Shun has come to the same place he visited for his 18th birthday - not with Tara and Dani this time, but rather with his boyfriend Beauremont as the only music appropriate for the occasion blares across the dance floor.-

Beauremont: I have to say, I'm surprised to see you here, officer. I thought you'd be on call to protect Area 42 against the hordes of Naruto runners.

-Shun, who has already had a couple of whisky sours, grins.-

Shun: As if I'd pass on a date with you, on tonight of all nights.

Beauremont: Really? And what if I was one of those Naruto runners?

Shun: Then I suppose I would have to be the man on the inside. Open the gates, reveal the secret cousins of Elgyem that the government has been keeping hidden from us for years.

Beauremont: Aww. You'd do that for me?

Shun: I think it'd be less awkward than trying to bellow out a break-up conversation from atop the guardtowers.

-They both laugh, and end up leading each other by the hips off of the dancefloor.-

Beauremont: Oh man... I know you're busy being an international superspy or whatever, but we need to see each other more often. I can't believe it's been so long since we last did something like this.

Shun: Seconded. And me neither. I... I...

-Beauremont smirks as the two sit down next to each other.-

Beauremont: Oh? Is the superspy lost for words?

Shun: ...Let me try something other than words, then.

-He takes Beauremont by the cheek and pulls him in for a kiss that lasts a good thirty seconds as their arms pull each other close. By the time Shun pulls away, he's flushed bright red, and glances away as he stammers out his next sentence.-

Shun: ...Beau, I... I'm afraid I'm still not quite sure how to put this, but I... I think... Beau, I l-

-He's interrupted by the sound of the similarly iconic "Boogie Wonderland" belting out from Beauremont's phone, who pulls it out to answer the call.-

Beauremont: Ah, shit. Sorry, Shun, gotta take this.

Shun: Aww. Can't it wait?

Beauremont: 'Fraid not. It's my other boyfriend

-Shun blinks, and it takes him a moment to make sure he heard correctly over the music.-

Shun: ...Other boyfriend?

Beauremont: Uh, yeah? I'm poly, remember?

Shun: ...No. You never mentioned that.

Beauremont: Didn't I? Could've sworn I did. I guess I just kinda assumed you'd be okay with it. It's 2019, after all.

Shun: ...Right.

Beauremont: Anyway, I shouldn't be more than a couple of minutes! I'll miss ya, cutie~

-He stands up and takes a good few steps away, still talking as he goes.-

Beauremont: Hey, babe! Sorry to keep you waiting...

-Shun watches him go for a few moments, then looks back at the bartender.-

Shun: ...Another whisky sour, please. And make it a double.

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 21st 2019 at 2:37:30 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Post-Raid

Lysithea: (To Byleth) <I don't remember learning anything like that. It's strange. And even if it was over 10 years ago, that's no excuse, I should->

She assumes a fighting stance at Hubert's provocation.

Lysithea: <What did you expect us to do, roll over and let you trample on us?! You could've worked with us if you wanted to be rid of them so bad!> Lysithea practically spits the word them.

Stormchaser, Past

"..." Daydre waits for Gabe's reaction, already mentally preparing for the worst.

off the shits

Stormchaser, Daydre/Logan

-Gabe thinks for a moment and sloooooowly hands the bag back-

Gabe: ...Maybe you're right.

Contact Me!

Rennfest — Past

-Kai frowns.-

Kai: ...Damn it all. I forgot you were an Auric.

-They exhale in vague frustration, partially at themself.-

Kai: Look, I know you're a time traveler. I didn't know until just now that you already knew that yourself, but I know that you are, because I recognize you by the man you eventually became. Will become. Whatever. You are Lawrence Cain, brother of Elizabeth Cain, and you really shouldn't be in this time period, at this location, with this group that's bouncing around this renaissance festival, because there are people you need to not meet now, lest it end up causing some form of paradox. I know Dialga probably makes timeline offshoots for this reason, but I want to minimize my involvement with that if I can help it. And one of the people walking in that direction, right now, who I can recognize due to my own Auric abilities, is possibly the worst person for you to come into contact with, because I really don't know how he'll take seeing you again, especially twenty-odd years younger.

-They groan.-

Kai: That said, I can't exactly be, like, a time chaperone to make sure you don't bump into anyone who might react poorly, so I guess if you're really determined to go that way, don't say I didn't warn you.

Somewhere

A Lycanroc and Luxray were curled up, sleeping off the fatigue from the raid.

A Galvantula watched over them, accompanied by Roy, who had turned human.

[Insert Unoriginal Stinger Here]

Renfaire, Fortunes

-Pent smiles and flicks the coins in his hand a bit-

Heh...

-He sets all bit one coin down and takes a deep breath, taking a glance towards the crystal ball that is met with the jagged red smirk he saw earlier still lingering in the ball...-

Huh... A-anyone next?

Renfaire, 100-Man Challenge

-Merlin chuckled, fingers idly directing the Miis in their combative dance-

C'mon my dude, I can't just pull out a dragon this early into the faire or we'll have nothing for the big quest. Besides, this is more fun.

-The Brawler went down early, a jet of glitch particulate bursting from the wound before the construct faded into obscuric smoke. The Gunner fired off a few shots of black energy as it tried to keep range, but the aim was haphazard at best. And the Swordsman... Rushed in, swinging it's blade flat-first-

It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.

Stormchaser, Post-raid

Edelgard: <... Professor?>

<... Stand down, Hubert. If they won't start anything, neither will we.>

Ren faire

Byleth: "Every sentence that comes out of your mouth makes less sense than the last."

"But a smithy is bound to have something of use to me."

She nods.

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

Cubone!Byleth: -to Lysithea- <Ah, I may not have included it. It is of no consequence.>

-Hubert-

<...Hubert. We're not in Fodlan any longer. There is no need for this.>

-turning- <El, you cannot—>

-thank you, Edelgard-

<No one will start anything. You mustn't...>

-exhale- <...no, what am I saying? You are my students.>

<I will not see you kill each other.>

-now apparent is the spine of steel that carried her to lead through war, time and time again-

-Byleth Eisner draws her Authority through her entire foot of height, the dragon's skull on her pate tilting imperiously back, providing an unimpeded path for her gaze to bore holes in souls as she speaks-

-narrowed eyes- <...detention, sir von Vestra.>

Logan: ...

-they take the bag back, and don't relax until it's slung over their shoulder-

-relieved sigh- That's that, then.

I can't let you continue, in good conscience. We'll all rest easy knowing that this is where it belongs.

-and they unzip a long zipper on their belt, and from the hammerspace there they take a polygonal containment unit containing something crystalline and glowing red-

And here. Be careful with it, okay?

Pollen: <...>

<...not really, no.>

-but she sits down-

Lapis: -thumbs-up- bwah!

-and she continues searching for the ears on a tiny Piplup-

No mind to think. No will to break.

Kalos Badlands, Ren Faire Smithy

-Lawrence is silent for a moment, then lunges forward to grab Kai by the collar. His grip is surprisingly strong thanks to the Aura crackling around his wrists - but then again, this is notoriously unstable Aura belonging to a not particularly large or muscular young man.-

Lawrence: How very astute of you. I presume such misguided pretences to intelligence are why you hoped to keep stringing me along with vagaries rather than answer my queries directly. So let me say that yes, I do find myself in an unfamiliar setting, and I have three pressing questions that you evidently possess the answers to. First, how do you know me? Second, where is my sister? And third, whom is this individual that you seem so afraid of me meeting?

-At the same time, Lucius is sighing at Byleth.-

Lucius: In that case, let's just focus on what we have in common. What are you looking for here? That replica sword of yours is plenty convincing - I mean, shit, it looks sharper than most of what's being sold here - but, like... I only unlocked a handful of Paralogues on my first run, I don't know what a lot of the other Relic Weapons even-

-It's at this point that he notices Kai out of the corner of his eye, along with the weirdly familiar figure accosting them.-

Lucius: ...Never mind. Hey, Kai! What's going on?

-He starts running over towards Kai and Lawrence - his speed somewhat inhibited by the fact that he's still in heels, but he's still trying nonetheless.-

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 21st 2019 at 4:07:16 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Lake of Rage

Brie: Ha. Prepare to be amazed, then.

-Halcyon floats down to Kai. There's a brief telepathic nudge, before words start coming in-

~Climb on.~

-Brie, meanwhile, sends out Calamity, hopping onto them, legs crossed-

Brie: Where to? It's your region.

Stormchaser, Megan's Room

Ever: Well, I don't want to tell it, either. But here we all are.

Arc: -frowns- Pip.

-but he resigns himself to being fussed over, which is in any case enjoyable-

Ever: Do you remember the whole muddle with Chaos, January of last year?

My fault, that.

I mean, not entirely my fault. I didn't tell Jacob to get himself possessed, nor did I do the possessing. As neat as that would be.

And I'm certainly not the one who tried rewriting his body.

But the reason we had to rush in like that, as opposed to making a plan and catching Chaos off-guard? The reason so many of us got so badly hurt? Yeah. I wanted to show off just how clever I was, and I nearly got a lot of people killed as a result.

Jacob forgave me for that, somehow. Megan can forgive you for this.

Dunsparce didn't stop being a thing or anything.

Rennfest — Past

-The moment Kai is lunged at, they bring their hands up to grab Lawrence's, and briefly supercharge the unstable Aura crackling around his hands in an attempt to make it sting enough to release his grip.-

Kai: What part of "I don't want to be any more involved in time loops than I already am" is so hard to understand? I know you because you have the same Aura as your future self. If you came to this time alongside your sister, I have no clue where she is, but if you're talking about her circa 2019, then that's another question I don't want to tell because it involves you finding out about people's fates, and finally—

-Lucius!-

Kai: ...He's literally approaching us right now. Thanks for drawing attention.

-They push themself away from Lawrence.-

Kai: Hey, Luce. What's going on is a situation I'd like to rescind having a role in. Is the smithy open?

Lake of Rage — Less Past

Kai: ...Huh. Very Kirby's-Air-Ride of you. Anyway!

-They climb onto Halcyon's back.-

Kai: If you're expecting much more interesting than everything that just happened a moment ago, unfortunately we've probably exhausted the exciting-event quota for today. But, it is still a pretty place, if you just want to casually circle around it. Maybe afterward, we could head into town just south of here and find a place to eat or something.

Ren Faire

Lita lets out a little gasp as Alice pulls up her visor.

Oh no, she's hot!

"W-wait. Lissa? Don't tell me you're a mind reader to. Unless...are y-you Lissa's boss?"

Canalave City

"Isbrand..."

She takes a step forward.

"We are listening. That's what we're here for. You didn't break our hearts. You mended mine, I know that's for sure."

She extends out a hand.

"Please, just come back. We can help you."

GIVE ME YOUR FACE

Ren Faire

Byleth: "Why do I have this feeling of imminent calamity?"

She runs after Edelucius.

---

That turned out to be not the person they were looking for.

They do, however, come across a passerby who happens to have pertinent information.

Artoria: "... Towards the smithy, with a pre-timeskip Edelgard cosplayer. Great, that narrows it significantly. Thank you."

Passerby: "Happy to help!"

Artoria: "To the smithy. Hopefully we can catch up."

All are significantly abnormal in a normal world... All are significantly normal in an abnormal world.

There was a curt, "ahem" heard, and standing next to them, in full Blacksmith gear, was Arthur, "Is this a sufficient answer?" he asked smiling.

He grinned and stepped behind the counter, his golurk, Hayden, now staring at the growing party, <Welcome to the Blacksmith's, how can we assist you?>

Ren Faire

Medea: <...Cosplayer. Why does that sound familiar?>

Contact Me!

Kalos Badlands, Ren Faire Smithy

-As it turns out, supercharging the Aura around Lawrence's wrists is easily enough to make him release his grip - since it explodes with the force of a thankfully-disappointing firework directly in his face. It knocks him backwards onto the ground, groaning, just as Lucius arrives on the scene.-

Lawrence: Urgh...

Lucius: Wait, wait... hold on a sec. Are you... is this really...?

-After a moment of brief confusion, he glances back up at Kai, with a surprisingly brief nod that manages to convey the sentiment of "trust me, I don't want to have to deal with this either" surprisingly well.-

Lucius: ...Yeah, it is. It's right over there. Don't worry, I'll deal with this.

-He glances back down at Lawrence, who in turn is looking blearily back up at him.-

Lawrence: ...I'm sorry, why are you dressed like a girl...?

Lucius: ...Seriously? That's the first thing you ask me? I guess I shouldn't be surprised to learn that absolutely nothing has changed.

Kalos Badlands, Ren Faire Jousting Grounds

-Alice grins at Lita.-

Alice: Why can't I be both? Alice O'Sullivan, professional mind reader and manager of Lissa's worst impulses, at your service. And you, I assume, are Lita, unless my mind reading skills have been diluted by all this plate metal.

Edited by Herbert40k on Sep 21st 2019 at 4:53:40 PM

Trans rights are human rights. JK Rowling preaches hate. If you sit at a table with five bigots and say nothing, there are now six bigots.

Stormchaser

Hubert: <As you wish, your Majesty. Spilling blood would be pointless here. I know you've seen your fair share of bloodshed, and I wish that you see know more.>

-Despite having a beak, he manages to smirk at Byleth, head tilted back.-

Hubert: <And what's my punishment, professor? Lines on a chalkboard? Besides, if I'm not your world's Hubert, I'm not quite your student, am I?>

---

Canalave - TS

Isbrand: "If I leave, you don't get hurt. If you all let me leave, no one gets hurt. If you try to stop me..."

-She lets the words hang in the air as she activates her shield.-

Isbrand: "For the last time, I am begging you. Go. Home. All of you."

"Dang that sure is totally poggers my good bitch"