Fandom Into the fire (1x1 MzHyde/Gallifrog)

[_gallifrog_]

The Leahs really didn't want Fia involved in the whole thing, but maybe it was a necessary risk. They cast glances at one another, none quite sure what was the right response to any of this. They moved towards one another, each possessing the same stride and way of holding themselves. They lapsed back to Jay's native tongue (their common language bar English) the dialogue fast, sharp and punctuated by various gestures. There was internal disagreement, that much was clear to any observer. This was not a situation that any of them had expected themselves to be in. A lot of the discussion involved Rinaa explaining finer parts of what exactly she was going to do to fulfil her birth job. "What we require of you is to watch this Leah die from a sword through the heart, to be complacent in faking a death, illegal cryo freezing, breaking and entering into a military facility and at the end taking a memory altering substance that means you don't remember any of this." The warrior spoke for them all, her words conveying just how serious she was.

"There's some stuff there for that isn't drunken debauchery blackmail photos, but a good chunk of them are that. Though there is a set somewhere, a photo project by a friend, black and white moody teenage stuff, a sort of case study on life through a teenagers lense. The kind of photos that just shows off everything about John. He's just one of those people who looks better in black and white than in colour. Even he'll admit to that. Pretty sure it won some minor photography awards at the time" That friend was now dead, and had been for quite a while, but the photos still were around somewhere.

 

[MzHyde]

Fia watched the lot of them all gather in that cliche circle as they all spoke in their native tongue, disagreeing and agreeing to whatever they were talking about. It was stupidly cliche in Fia's mind that it made her roll her eyes at the whole thing whilst she waited. However, what was to be next said to her wasn't something she was fully expecting. When the warrior version spoke for them all, Fia wanted to laugh at her words, a smirk beginning to appear before she realised just how serious that Leah was. The smirk fading as quickly as it tried to appear, she took in what was said properly. Suddenly she was regretting her life choices on trying to help Leah and saying she'd do anything. "Okay" she simply replied. "I'll do all of that with no resistance" she told them, her voice showing she meant every word.

Smiling at what Chas said, Kay nodded. "That's pretty cool. I can believe the whole black and white thing. He does look good in black and white in my sketches. Doing that one there," she gestured at the sketch she did earlier of her five favourite people, Chas included, "makes me think I should always draw him with only black ink or pencils" she smirked, knowing she probably would stick to that medium as well, unless she really felt like using colour at any given time. "I gotta admit he does make a good subject matter" she added.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Had any of the others said it, it could have been taken as a joke, but they all knew that coming from the warrior, it was the truth. The Isogrii may be expert lies, but in this environment she couldn't lie to them without it showing. She meant every word. None of them were quite sure how Fia would react, she had the offer to refuse and get out of this mess before it even began. But am she had given her word, and going back on her word was something Fia didn't do. She was in an impossible situation with no right or wrong way forwards, only a terrible choice. "Or we could simply wipe your mind now, block the memories and you'll be none the wiser as to any of this. You won't know of any of this, won't be able to tell anybody anything,wont have to deal with the burden of hiding knowledge and we let this Rinaa finish the job she was made for. It's probably easier on all of us actually." the musician added.

Chas followed her hand to the sketch, recognising four out of the five people, ad making an educated guess that the one he didn't know was Sam. The theme was important people in her life after all. "I'd agree with that. Black and white really brings out something about him. It is the only way to do it really. Particularly with charcoals that make him seem to blend into the shadows of some grimy alleyway or room." His description sounded too good to be just off the top of his head, he was describing a real piece of art he'd seen. "But I'm no artist, I'm just guessing based on the only other person besides Elliott who ever drew John in large amounts. I on the other hand always turn out vaguely sinister half the time in black and white art."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia looked at the musician Leah as she added yet another option, even after she gave her word, which she could tell they knew she never went back on. John didn't bring her up to go back on her decisions, even if they were bad ones. She had to see them through no matter what. Whereas Kay always said it's okay every now and then to change your kind on things. Kay used to believe the same thing, never take back your word but she learnt that sometimes you just have to and not be involved in everybody's mess. "Do what you wish to. You all know I wasn't brought up to back out of my word, ever. No matter the cost. But if you all wish to shut me out and send me back then I can't stop you. I'm going to take a wild stab in thinking I'm strong in the world of magic in all of your timelines and quite possibly my phoenix side is stronger than that in some of them, but no matter what I won't and can't stop any of you for stopping me going through with my word if that's what you'd prefer" she explained, sounding insanely mature for someone who loved to prank about.

For someone who didn't know much about art and it's different mediums, Chas had pretty much hit the nail on the head, and Kay certainly got the impression he was talking about a piece in particular. She also noticed how he didn't recognise Sam in the sketch but no doubt probably guessed it was her, which didn't surprise her. Hearing him say about always turning out slightly sinister in black and white,she smirked. "You realise it's going to be my mission to change that opinion now right? And if you're guessing the girl on the bottom right hand side under Elliott is Sam, you'd be correct." She told him.

 

[_gallifrog_]

This was getting complicated somebody needed to make a call and the eyes fell on Rinaa and the Leah with the prosthetic arm. "Your timeline, your Fia, your call." The warrior told the two. She had taken on a leadership role in the group, and nobody was going to challenge her on that. They could all respect her. The two nodded and made their way away from the others, walking almost out of earshot. Looking at each other, they knew what was at stake. Rinaa's timeline or Leah's, one had to win out. "Is it like that? Is your timeline so bad that its worth dying for to change it?" Leah spoke first, and Rinaa nodded gravely. "There's good bits, friends, Lab placement, Jay. But they are outweighed by the bad. I'm pretty much an exile among family, a creation rather than a person in their minds. A mistake. I'm dying, I'm traumatised from fire. I inherited the depression, the self loathing and the self doubt from every single person whose DNA I encapsulate. Which as you know is a lot. Whatever in your timeline or any of the others, its worth dying for. All of you are worth dying for, I don't want my family to go through what they did. I will die if it means change."

"I do now, and good luck with that." He paused before adding. "It's not that I dont belive it can be done, it's just that I've seen myself go sinister in black and white art every single time it's been attempted. The closest Elliott's ever gotten is pencil sketch, but true black and white just doesn't seem to work properly with me." When Kay confirmed what he was thinking, he nodded and looked at the piece again. "That's what I was thinking, given that I recognise everybody else and the theme is important people in your life, it just makes sense. Obviously I can't comment as to whether it's a good likeness or not, but you got the eat of us right, so I'll assume it is and excellent one."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia sighed as they all put the decision on her timeline's Leah, to which Rinaa walked to one side with her to discuss the options. She knew why they were chatting out of earshot, but it still annoyed her. She kept her arms folded across her chest now impatient. If they decided to wipe her memory and send her back, she'd accept the decision but she wouldn't happy with it as it wasn't in her nature to not help someone. She just hoped whatever decision was made, it wouldn't wipe out her timeline, just like no doubt everyone in this void hoped the same thing.

Kay nodded, getting what he was saying. She would still try though as it meant she could always draw and keep her skill up. "Well it's a challenge to take on." She smiled. When he said about not knowing if it's a good likeness, it reminded her of the photo she put in her hoodie pocket after she finished the book. She pulled it out and handed it over to Chas. "That's her", she said to him. "She thought it'd be a great idea to try on various hats and take timer selfies. It's about the only time I agreed willingly because I'm a sucker for hats" she smirked, something he along with the others (if they were there) would have probably noticed from the amount of times she wore her burgundy beanie.

 

[_gallifrog_]

The rest of the Leahs began various versions of pacing and nail chewing. They weren't comfortable with any of this, but it was a necessary evil to commit. A complete erasure of Rinaa's timeline would wipe this meeting from their minds anyway, but that still didn't make it any easier to sign a death warrant on themself. "A complete erasure of one timeline will erase all our memories of this moment and this meeting, yeah?" the mechanic questioned, the uncertainty oersent in her tone. "That's what my Ramon theorises anyway, and he should know what he's talking about." The half wolf agreed, using the top of one claw to clean underneath her fingernails. "You guys got a Ramon in your timeline too? Please tell me he's still good looking and a total genius." Leon spoke in English, having no qualms with discussing this topic around Fia. "Yeah we do, well, I do anyway." The mage replied, as the rest nodded. "Well that's a relief, that guy is a damn good kisser." Leon sighed. There was various laughter and reddened cheeks and they turned into the teenage people/young adults that they actually were.

Chas took the photo, and compared it to the drawing. It was indeed a good likeness, and like with the rest of them, Kay had managed to capture some part of their essence or personality in her drawings of them. The story behind the photo made him smile. It seemed often that the story behind a photo was more important than the actual contents of the photo itself. "Ye had a point though, what else are you supposed to do when confronted with an inordinately large amount of hats? I'm pretty sure it's just a universal thing to try on whatever hat you can find. Actually, I might have a similar photo somewhere."Chas pulled out his phone and scrolled through the gallery. He had a lot of photos, but they were organised by people in them and by date. "Here, the three idiots abroad" He passed over the phone which showed a photo of him John and Elliott in somewhere that looked like the deserts of Arizona or Utah. They were all wearing obnoxiously large Stetsons.

 

[MzHyde]

Fia watched all of the Leah's and Leon's manners of impatience as they all waited for the discussion and decision to be made. She listened to the conversation at hand about Ramon and smirked at Leon commenting on such a typical teenage topic. She didn't partake in the chit chat, and remained silent, looking around in every direction possible, wondering how much longer this decision making could be, as it's not like she had anything to contribute to the subject. Without even realising it, she was biting the right corner of her bottom lip as she waited around.

Kay smiled when Chas did after telling him the story behind the photo, as he compared Sam in the photo to the Sam in her sketch. Listening to what he had to say, she nodded not disputing that opinion whatsoever. She took the phone when he found the photo and smiled at it, finding to so bizarre to seeing both Elliott and John in hats. She was used to seeing Chas in a hat every now and then, so it wasn't as strange to her, but the other two she never recalled really seeing them wear hats, especially John. "There's just something about a good hat or for the laughs, an obnoxiously large one like this" she chuckled, handing the phone back to him. "Beanies are my favourite kind really, but I do love a good trilby or something as a change" she said, knowing she was one of these girls that could just pull them off, when most people couldn't. She was always told she had no right to pull off any hat, but does. "Ethan used to say 'you have no right pulling off a trilby hat or those stupidly large ones but you do and it makes me sick with envy'," she said smirking.

 

[_gallifrog_]

The decision wasn't easy. They knew that Rinaa's choice was right in the end, Leah could argue her out of permanently destroying her timeline. But what remained was Fia. One cock up from her, and Rinaa's carefully devised plan risked being blown apart and cementing her timeline instead of destroying it. They made their way back, their faces solemn. The idle chatter about their lives and friends stopped with the arrival of the two. "We've reached a choice." Leah opened, and Rinaa continued "Its not necessarily one either of us are proud of, but one misstep could cement the worst timeline instead of letting one of the others take its place. So we've reached a compromise. Fia, you'll retain your memories of all this, and if you can help, I'll let you. But there's one condition. We're blocking the memories, you'll only be able to access the information when a particular key phrase is said." Leah nodded. "It's not a brilliant option, but it's a neceassry evil. This is bigger than all of us" she looked at Rinaa, who nodded, allowing her to continue "Rinaa's timeline is destined to end in a war between the Devra and the inhabitants of Earth that results in the destruction of both planets. This isn't about saving a life any more this is about saving two planets."

Chas wore the classic peaked cabbie hat when driving and sometimes when around with John. Elliott occasionally wore a beanie when the weather was really awful or he needed to disguise himself partially when involving himself in the Downworld and Dark world activities. John himself never wore any hats unless messing around for photos, if he needed a disguise he'd use something else. "There really is, you don't need to necessarily pull them off in order to add a certain something to any photo." He took the phone back and scrolled through, looking for any more hat related photos. There were a couple of Doctor Fate's helmet, which Kay would have seen in one of the cases in the library of The House. The closest thing he could find was a photo somebody had taken of the so called 'Justice League Dark' in an Argus Black Opps facility where they had let John into the Black Archive and he had decked himself out in as many magical artefacts and bits of armour as possible. (Which he hadn't returned)

 

[MzHyde]

Fia looked at the two of them as they came back to the group declaring they had come to a decision, their expressions instantly noticeable by her, knowing the information wasn't going to be fully good. As they explained the situation, allowing her to keep her memories but locking them away from her, like Chas with the book, she nodded. It was a fair compromise in her mind, even if she didn't particularly like it. She let Rinaa continue her reasons for why it must be that way, a reason she was not expecting at all. She definitely wanted to help when allowed if it meant saving all of Earth and Attil. She couldn't let her home planet be destroyed. "That's a fair decision, if it saves two planets then I'll accept the locked away memories gladly and only help when told to and how to. I want to put my mage skills and pheonix skills to good use for you all" she replied honestly. She understood why her memories would need to have a lock on them now, as if she didn't it would absolutely mentally destroy her knowing that possible outcome, and having to look the group that was her family in the eyes.

Kay was noticing during her time alone with Chas just how much they had in common opinion wise, which to her showed just how good friends they could truly become over the years. "Oh for sure" she relied to his comment about even the most unflattering hat could add something to a photo. She looked at the photo he found and just laughed at the state of John. She loved seeing this side to him even if it was in photos only, as it genuinely made her see so much more to John than what first met the eye with him. "I will never tire of seeing this side of him" she remarked.

 

[_gallifrog_]

There was a sadness that passed between them all, knowing just what was at stake. If any properties of Rinaa's rescuer had remained, the fate of her timeline would explain the post apocalyptic scavenger look. As with any disaster there had been those blessed (or cursed) to survive it and spend their lives in a real life equivilant of the Hunger Games. "It's an acceptable compromise, and given the knowledge it makes sense that this is the way." The warrior approved of their decision, it was visible in her eyes. "Right I'm up then" the musician stood up. She possesed the most potent MindWalking and mind manipulation skills out of the all of them. "Any last words? For her or for your timelines Leah? Cos the next thing you know you'll be sprawled on a rooftop."

"That a black site, there's an archive there where the governments keep magical items hidden. They made the mistake of letting John in to the place. Needless to say he returned none if the stuff, claiming it was only fair that they let him keep after all the shit they unwillingly dragged him into. And you don't argue with the guy who found a crossbow that shoots divine fire." Chas commented, they hadn't had much opportunities to use the crossbow, but it was brutally effectively. "That's where he got the armour pendants that Jay and Elliott have by the way. He took three, one is on his person somewhere, the others two he gave to Elliott, who later gave one to Jay. And Rinaa has Elliott's, so it definitely gets passed down."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia had to agree with the warrior version of Leah that it did make sense and was an acceptable compromise to make. She then glanced at the musician version as she said it was up to her to manipulate Fia's mind and locking up the memory of being here in the void and what she knows about what was at stake. As the question came about if she had any last words, the wording made her feel like she was about to killed, even though she knew she wasn't. Turning to her Leah and Rinaa, she could only think of one thing, "just, don't give me a hard time when you come back okay? And Leah? When you go back to your time, if you see my folks keep covering for me please? Oh! And I need you to do something for me, it's minor I guess to you but important to me. The alleyway two streets down from the apartment. There's a white dog that's a stray but I look after him, he'll need feeding by now and I'm worried about him so do me a solid and check on him? You know how dad won't let him anywhere near the apartment" she requested. It was a stupid thing but it was obvious from her tone that it really did mean a lot to her. She handed Leah a photo of the dog so she knew which one to look out for, not fully knowing if this slightly older Leah even knew about her secret pet. She then turned to the musician Leah, "okay.. do your thing and make it good, my runes have a habit of breaking through most magics applied onto me" she advised.

Hearing what Chas explained she smirked, not being surprised in the slightest that John stole said items for the sake of it as a personal sense of payback for getting him into all kinds of situations. "That does not surprise me in the slightest considering he's kept the iron shard that almost killed me. He's like this...weird version of a horder" she started to reply, "so it seems. At least they've come in handy and put to good use" she said about the pendants.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Rinaa nodded, as did Leah, who took the photo in her prosthetic arm, scanned over it and handed in back. She'd lost her right arm, but Leah was ambidextrous so it wasn't too big a deal. "Yeah, I can do that in my timeline. But I think you're time travel jaunt is already over and you've returned in my timeline without missing too many, if any days." She paused, wondering whether or not to add the next bit. "And you won't remember this, but don't do a freak-out when I do get in the accident." With the messages delivered the musician stepped forwards. "Well good thing this isn't magic then, it's something else entirely." She put a hand on Fia's neck and entered her mind, knocking Fia unconscious in the process. The process was simple in theory, and honed by years of practicing. She built a physical safe in Fia's mind, maniupulating bkthe the mind walk structure and the physical neuron structure of the brain. She set the codeword and Fia was half carried out of the portal and put on the roof. She'd wake a few minutes later to find the portal vanished and Rina sitting cross legged a short distance away, toying with the knife.

"He's got a mindset of, I don't want the League within six miles of it, so I'd best keep it somewhere where they can't get at it. So it's not that surpsing that he'd keep it, and besides, if it had your blood on it, that's not something you want falling into the wrong hands." Who knew what a human could do with pheonix blood, given the stunts they pulled when they got their hands in demon blood. "Yep, it's good to see them being used properly. Rinaa only removed hers to give it Cliff, its probably one of the few things she had. And I haven't seen Jay without hers in the time since The House. I'm guessing it holds a value for her too. And they're damn powerful too. Pretty sure they are bullet proof."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia put the photo back into her jacket pocket nodding, thankful that even if she was back in that Leah's timeline, she had put her trust in someone else to look after her secret pet, which she affectionately named Max. There was no reason in particular in the name, it was just the first thing that came to her at the time and the dog seemed to respond to it, so she went with it. "Thanks, I just want to know he'll have someone else looking out for him incase and I'll try not to, considering I probably won't remember" she explained with a smile. She then let the musician Leah walk up to her and grab her neck and knocked her out, whilst putting on the memory block. When she did wake, she found herself on the roof like before and groaned as she woke. "What happened?" She asked, seeing Rinaa sat cross legged on the rooftop. She had no recollection of anything that happened and wondered how she passed out.

Kay nodded at his words. She totally got why John kept it on his being, after she asked him about it. Though hearing Chas give the League along with any person as another answer for keeping it on his being, it made a lot more sense to her. "I'd rather he had it than anything else, and it shows he cares in a round about way" she smirked. As for the pendants, she had to agree that it was nice to see something be used for something positive whilst they stayed in the family so to speak. "That wouldn't be all that surprising if it did hold some kind of value to her." She then replied.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Rinaa looked up as Fia came around with a groan. Rinaa had deposited her in a heap disorganised heap on the rooftop. It looked more authentic than laying her out cadaver style. She twirled the knife between her fingers as she spoke, utterly confident that she wouldn't drop it or accidently injure herself. She hadn't wasted the few minutes Fia spent unconscious, she put them to good use coming up with a suitable explanation. "I tried to show you something I'd seen when I died yesterday. But it went wrong, what little MindWalking powers I have aren't exactly known for being reliable." She smiled sadly at that. "You triggered one of my memtal defense walls and as a result were blasted out of my consciousness so fast and hard you damn near astral projected. You then hit your head on the ground and passed out. You've been out for a bit over ten minutes." Her delivery was smooth, with just the right amount of hard factual delivery combined with the tiniest hints of regret and apology.

"I'd willingly bet she does, even if it's just due to who gave it to her. I'd like to think there's some great story behind Elliott giving it to her, but it's probably really mundane." Knowing that Elliott had been involved with a vigilante group explained why he would just disappear for long periods at a time. Jay had confirmed that they weren't just limited to the UK, they used Kane's connections and money to fly abroad for both work and pleasure. "But regardless of that,she really does care about him. Even if she's been trained to mask emotions and hide her thoughts from outward view. But she's different in the way that she can be good person while at the same time a fearsome warrior assassin. It's a delicate balence between the two sides. If there's one thing I don't want to see it's when something causes her to flip to full assassin."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia listened to the explanation of how she supposedly got knocked out nodding, finding it completely plausible. She had had bad reactions to when learning new spells before, so the idea that she could have hit a mental wall in Rinaa's mind that knocked her back and out wasn't all that hard to believe. "I see...makes sense" she replied, sitting up checking the back of her head for any injuries that may have occurred but found nothing, concluding she didn't hit her head hard enough to do serious damage. She sort of remembered Rinaa came up onto this roof to do something but didn't know what, the memory of it blurry in her mind. "So did you get to do whatever it was you needed to come up here for?" She asked.

"It probably is completely mundane like he just wanted to make sure she was well equipped to be safe or something" Kay replied to him, and she agreed with his opinion about Jay caring for Elliott, along with not wanting to be on her bad side that put her into full assassin mode. "I definitely agree with that. I can only think how damn terrifying she is when she's in full assassin mode, I don't want to experience it for real, but yeah she cared for Elliott a lot that's one thing that is incredibly clear" she agreed. "Wonder how they're getting on actually" she mused out loud.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Rinaa watched as Fia checked herself over in order to confirm the story. Maybe she should have given Fia some kind of injury to add authenticity, but that would require explain to sceptical parents and Fia herself whenever Rinaa gave her access to the memories. It was weird to have such a power, and she could understand how easily exploitable it was in the wrong hands. For once she was thankful that all she could do was lock and unlock the memories. Any greater power and the temptation to abuse it may have become too much for her. She nodded, then shrugged. "I got the answers I needed. It was just a confirmation that I made the right choice..... in time travelling and coming here, y'know" she gestured at the planet around them.

Chas hadn't seen Jay in full killer assassin mode, John had seen her fight, and had described the skills as 'being like something out of a myth. She's somebody not even I would risk getting into a tussle with as she'd totally come up top." "I haven't seen her in that mindset, but Elliott has, when they first met and for the months afterwards where she was a sort of mercenary prisoner thing to A.J's gang. Its complicated and I don't know the full story." He blew out a long breath in contemplation when Kay made her remark. " It can't be easy for them. Cal might have made her peace with a lot of this years ago, but having her brother alive, it's got to open old wounds. And as for Elliott? He's definetely going to dredge up some past he'd rather forget. But I think overall it will be cathartic and allow them to make some kind of truce with the whole thing. And it'll help but John and Jay to fill in blanks in the story."

 

[MzHyde]

If the story was true and she had sustained any kind of head injury, Fia would have put the lack of it's presence down to her phoenix half healing her whilst out cold. Hearing that she got the answers she wanted, Fia nodded with a smile. "Glad to hear it was worth it" she replied to her, just taking her word for it, not seeing any reason to not believe her. It did feel like there was a foggy blockage in her mind, but she put it down to being knocked out cold on the roof and nothing else, guessing it would just go away over time. "I'm so stealing more brownies when we get back to make myself feel better for being knocked out" she smirked, the left corner of her lips curving up. It such a typical Fia and teenage girl response to make.

Kay nodded, hearing the explanation from Chas, remembering a brief telling of how Elliott and Jay first met whilst fighting each other. She didn't know the whole story and she didn't think it was entirely her place to know it, but she knew enough to tell herself never to piss Jay off. "Hmm... I think they'll possibly come back a bit emotionally drained from it, but in the long run it'll be good for them all to be doing this and together" she replied about the others' little trip round Attil.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Rinaa didn't laugh at the response, but there was some part of her that really badly wanted to. Seeing her alternate selves in the flesh had jarred her. But she clamped a lid on her emotions and instead chose to smirk at the response. "Yeah, that sounds like the right approach to any problem or any injury. It's scientifically proven to help your mental state actually." Once again she thought of the cupboard in the lab at home, with the award winning paper attached firmly on the front for all to see. "Which reminds me, I'll be doing some stuff in the lab later if you want to coke along and get the violin and support brace fixed up properly, polished, sanded, sealed and shit."

"My thoughts exactly" Chas couldn't have put it any better, Kay having hit the nail spot on. It would give the two some kind of closure on the whole thing, and let them vent their true suptessd feelings about it. "But I hate to add, that I don't think this whole thing will be truly exorcised until the father comes and shows his face. He's the one they either need to make peace with, or need to permanently sever ties with and make a stand. Cal's made her choice I know, but to be there and cement her brothers, thus cementing hers, it'll be good for them both. I'd also hazard a guess and say Zan is firmly off the wedding guest list."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia smirked at Rinaa's reply to her little declaration of taking more brownies. Sure, she should probably eat properly and not just constantly chocolate of varying kinds, but she couldn't be bothered. She'd just make it her priority to go for a run or workout later to make up for it. She snapped out of her thoughts when Rinaa spoke up once again about going to the lab and asking if she wanted to come along to finish her violin crossbow. "I'd love to do that, thanks! Would be good to get it all set up for me to tune it and test it" She smiled. She also had a feeling when it was done, Cliff may end up wanting to try out the crossbow mechanism of it.

Kay smiled a little when he said about not being able to say it any better. It was times like this that made her remember her words did actually have some weight and were listened to by people. Her small smile did fade though when he spoke more about the other side of this adventure not fully being a closure, something she had to agree with. Until their father showed his face, Elliott would never get full closure and for that, she felt sorry for him. Yet when Chas mentioned about the father not being on the wedding guest list she couldn't help but smirk and chuckle. "Yeah, I don't think so either" she replied.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"Okay then, I'll check times, though its not usually to busy around luch hour. There is definetely a free slot at the firing range, might go and do some shooting myself. And......there'll probably be a slot free in one of the sound room or recording labs for you to get properly tuned up." Rinaa said this almost nonchalantly as if she'd just thought of the fact, but in reality, she'd been checking for a free room with soundproofing in order to be able to practice without any others listening in. In her timeline they may all have heard her play and sing, but that didn't mean she wanted this version of them to hear her.

"If he did show up, it would be an all out Hunger Games battle between Cal, Elliott, Dan, Cliff, Jay, John and Rinaa for who'd get first shot at him." Chas wouldn't join in, and he didn't know whether Kay or Fia would, it was more personal for the others. Chas knew it was inevitable that they'd meet the man himself, but he couldn't help wanting to delay it for as long as possible. "And I doubt any of the other wedding guests and Cliff's family would lift one finger to stop them. Hell they'd probably join in. I mean I haven't met them, but Cliff said that majority of their friends are pilots or people with some form or another of combat training."

 

[MzHyde]

Hearing the options and possible times for being able to finish her violin, Fia nodded liking the odds. "Awesome, cheers Rinaa" she replied, and she genuine meant it too. She knew she didn't have to do this for her, so the fact she was, it did mean a lot to Fia. Whether Rinaa did it partly for herself as well or not, Fia wouldn't have known, even if she had known she still appreciated the fact Rinaa was willing to let her tag along again.

Kay could easily see it happening the way Chas described if or when Elliott's and Cal's dad showed his face. They both knew just how much John wanted to give the guy a mean right hook out of principle for one. Like Chas, Kay wouldn't join in but she wouldn't stop of the others either. She couldn't speak for Fia and what her choice would be, yet Kay knew she had to think about the unborn Fia at the same time, thus meaning if she could keep out of any kind of altercations, she would. It wasn't worth the risk in her mind. "I don't think anyone in their right mind would stop them truth be told. I certainly wouldn't stop them, and just stand back allowing it happen. Guys like him need bringing down a peg or two" she replied, remembering how much John wanted to hit her father back at the old family house. So she knew all that would be amplified immensely with Elliott's father.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"Yeah well" Rinaa shrugged, not really sure what to say. Fia wouldn't be thanking her if she had retained her memories. To know that Rinaa had come here to commit a sort of convoluted suicide was the kind of information that would eat away at anybody. And despite whatever promises she made, Rinaa doubted she'd be able to keep the secret from somebody as perceptive as Cliff or Kay. "I can check the timetables and whatnot from here, the signal is good enough to do so. That's one thing this planet always got right- high powered, high speed broadband." She grabbed the laptop from the bag and booted it up. She used her free hand to resheath the blade in the holster in the small of her back, pulling up her shirt at just enough of angle to reveal the tail end of a set of claw scars that raked across her lower back.

"Oh I agree, this dude is basically a racist" Chas tipped his head to one side and changed his mind. "scrap that, he is one. I know mages aren't a race in the genetic sense. But they most definetely are in a cultural sense. And in a scape goat sense too. He's got the superiority complex and the deep rooted fear of anything that is different from his norm that lies within all racists. But it's only made worse by the people in power who encouraged such beliefs. From what Cal says, they are a small miroty, but the government and ruling system here is based on a mix of voted in people and the Royal family who aren't necessarily genetically related, they are just the most powerful individuals in terms of birth gifts. John always wondered if it wasn't for the magic bias, if Elliott would be powerful enough to be one of them."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia had a feeling Rinaa would almost brush off the thanks in some kind of another. Having not remembering what was spoken about in the void, she couldn't have gauged whether she'd still thank her or not. She couldn't even remember letting Rinaa see she had a secret pet dog back in her timeline, let alone anything else. She was though slowly learning the difference to this Leah and her Leah, even if she did slip up at times or have a moment where she forgot they're not the same person, whilst being exactly the same person. She smirked at Rinaa's comment about the broadband thing and walked over, crouching next to her but still giving her her space. "You're like me, always glad of good WiFi signal" she smirked.

Kay listened to what Chas said, putting that alongside everything that John told her about Elliott's birth dad, it all matched up and she nodded. "From what you and John have told me he sounds it. The very type of person is find it very difficult to bite my tongue at." She replied. "It's also a valid question and thought to wonder. Pretty sure anyone who brought up Elliott and found out the truth of his past would wonder those things." She added. "Yet if I ever met the guy I would bite my tongue and keep out of it. It's not my place to interfere and it's not just me I have to think about" she remarked, glancing down before back up at Chas.

 

[_gallifrog_]

"It's just incredibly useful to have one. Plus sitting on roofs and working is my jam. I used to sit on the forge roof, that place is a dead zone. But I can't do that anymore when the place is in operation anymore. Y'know I installed a WiFi router and signal booster kit on my bike along with a top notch Bluetooth kit for..... reasons." It had started off as a communication method for when she would be out in the middle of the desert planet away from any signal zones. But it just became convenient and on Earth it was a pretty standard thing for any bike made or serviced at Fac 53. She'd considered adding an AI but decudede against it. She already had a host of voices in her ear, she didn't need another. Rinaa leaned over the laptop, scrolling through the time tables. "Looks like there's a good section of free slots for the next few hours. Ell's gonna be gone for at least a few more hours before you worry about missing them get back."

"We may never know. Its not either if out places to get involved in. Maybe except for stepping in to stop one of them comitting murder. But it also stands to reason that that question also applies to Cal. With her driadic pair bond with Cliff they already are insanely powerful. But add to that the fact that she did beat up a member of said royal family." Chas couldn't help but smirk at that. Whenever anybody said royal family, being born and bred in Britain all he could think of was the British royal family. And the idea of somebody beating up the Queen or Prince Phillip or Meghan Merkle was a hilarious mental image. "But either way, Cal and Cliff will at the very least be infesting our inboxes for the foreseeable future, if not showing up in person."