Fandom Into the fire (1x1 MzHyde/Gallifrog)

[_gallifrog_]

So the warding definitly worked, that was an immense, and he still had ownership of The House in the future, also a good thing. So he'd managed to completly screw everything up. And it also seemed that his future self hadn't embarked on a downwards spiral of depression and was actually doing something of use. He also inferred from Fia's words that Kay wasn't dead, but alive, also a relief, even if did happen years in the future. If this had been under different circumstances, he would have asked exactly how she managed to bypass the security. Elliott had tried a few times when he was, to see if he could project his consciousness and find Cal, to tell her he was alive and okay, but that hadn't worked. John himself had also done some poking around, mainly abusing his League priveledges by stealing Clark's security passes to access the data bases. His use of League stuff was monitored closely, they trust him, but Clark was a different matter, he basically got a free pass.

But the crux of the matter was what exactly could he and Kay do about it. Why seek help from the past version of your parents if you had time travel that could let you go and fix it on your own without screwing the timeline. "Which leads to the burning question, why us from this time period? What is it that we have that the other time versions of us don't? Or is it like with Rí that this time frame is just easiest because we're all here together at the same time, even the Attili gang. And it goes without saying that whatever we're like in the future, however you know us then, we're different in this time period." John couldn't imagine how much or how little he may have changed in the future, but a general rule was that becoming a parent changed you, and it certainly had happened to him with Elliott.

 

[MzHyde]

Fia listened to John reply to her information and ask more questions. Of course he would ask why come back to this point in time, when she could have done it at any other point. "I've tried every other option. I've tried going back to different hours to try and stop it, I've even gone back days before it happens to see if there's any hint of us being followed before they take her, I've tried literally everything. Yet every time they get the upper hand. She just slips out my grasp every damn time. And yes, I tried talking to you about it to tag team, but you don't want me fully involved so I've kinda done all this behind your back, in the hopes this timeline you will help" Fia explained.

"So you're saying you're hoping we're a bit more open minded enough to work beside you to save me?" Kay summarised. "That's about it yeah." Fia replied. Kay thought about it, it wasn't exactly the most convenient of times for their daughter to come back to. They still need to focus on Elliott and getting him free, but she felt she couldn't ignore her kid either. She looked up at John to try and guage what his reaction and opinion on the whole thing is. "Judging by the fact you're still on Attil, I get it, big brother hasn't been fully sprung out yet but this is my last resort." Fia added.

 

[_gallifrog_]

So she had tried before, which made sense. Doing something like this with so many repercussions was a huge risk. Espescially if one of the younger versions of themselves got permanently killed, which could mean that Fia herself might never exist. Which in fairness, was a solid enough strategy, sure he could say no I won't do it, but that wasn't a viable option. He couldn't ignore his kid, even if he barley knew her. He understood now why Elliott was making so much of an effort, his kid had known her father, had grown up with two parents, but Rinaa never had, Elliott was trying to what was best for her. "Nah he hasn't yet. Officially he's locked up for an indefinite amount of time awaiting trial. Which is gonna be a total and utter farce I bet. Joooy" He rolled his eyes sarcastically at the thought.

"Unofficially of course, Cal and her crew, which includes one of the Devra royal family, have been breaking him out when their shifts align. Plus they've got a polymorph impersonating him at the moment, hence why he was here. Which you probabaly already know. And there is the tiny matter of his actual birth father rearing his head at some point or another to make things even more awkward." He sighed " basically we're in limbo here for an indefinite amount of time. And since time travel clearly works, in theory it can't be too hard to go back, fix that shite, then return here without missing too much, if anything."

 

[MzHyde]

"yeah...like I said, I've heard the stories from all of you, you, mom, Ell and Chas" Fia explained after John spoke for what felt like forever to her. She just wanted to save her mom, which she thought hadn't changed too much, except for her fashion choices. John's hadn't changed at all to no one's surprise. "I can get you both out and back again to this same spot, but I'm also aware mom is already pregnant with me. So I'm risking a lot asking you both to come" Fia added. The last thing she wanted was to get her mother killed and vanish from existence. Despite the complicated rivalry she had with Rinaa before she died in her universe, she had a pretty okay upbringing. She didn't want to lose any of that and she certainly didn't want to risk seeing how future John would go if future Kay died.

"So.. can I get help from you two?" Fia asked, her arms still folded across her. Kay thought about it all, it was a lot to risk for her to go, even if it was still early, but one wrong move and bye bye Fia. "John I think we should help" she spoke up. Sure, there was a bit of biased thinking attached to it, she didnt like the idea of being trapped with more demons and if she had been trapped for three weeks, she dreaded to think of the state of her. "Just one problem..you can't let your future self see you" Fia said, turning to Kay.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John had already made up his mind to help ages ago. There was no way that he couldn't. This was his family....future family, whatever they were, they were impartnt to him, and he'd do anything for them. Even if it involved screwing up the timeline. Sure there were risks, but not acting was far worse. And having the knowledge that if he'd just sucked it up and tried, he could have changed everything would haunt him. He didn't regret the things he'd done (except maybe Newcastle), it was the paths not travelled, the actions not taken that he regretted the most.

"Yeah, I'm in. I'm too stupid not to at least try." An dthe whole not seeing your future self thing was a given. It was one of the cardinal rules in Back To The Future, and resulted either in a universe ending schism or both passing out.

 

[MzHyde]

Fia banked on the answer that they'd help, but she also knew not to take it for granted mostly because of the fact she had been told numerous times to not get involved and just let John and Chas handle it. That she was under house arrest and only allowed out if they were with her. It sucked, and she did get why those were her instructions, but she was also John's daughter and listening wasn't her strong point. No way was she going to just sit around and do nothing.

Fia also knew John would know the whole not seeing your future self was given, but she wasn't sure if Kay would know, which was her motive for saying it. "Thank you. Nice to hear you agree for a change" Fia replied to John. "Let me know when you want to go" Fia told them both. Kay wondered how this could possibly go, they were talking about saving her, and yet for her, it was saving herself whilst staying out of sight. She didn't know how she'd be of any use.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John knew that Fia was going behind his future self's back by staging this rescue mission thing, but if he was okay with and all for it, than surely it cancelled it out and made things even. And if his future self had a problem with it, well he'd cross that bridge when he came to it. But right now the important thing was that his kid needed his help (and Kay's) with something. And if she was wiling to break all sorts of rules then it showed she'd inherited at least some of his personality and mannerisms. Which no doubt drove him nuts in the future. And he also inferred that they didn't see eye to eye on everything, another sign that they were alike. "Ya well"

There wasn't much to say on the matter, they'd both agreed to help, though he wasn't quite sure what exactly Kay could do. "Give me ten then, I need a I'm uncultured and a phone call."

 

[MzHyde]

Despite not seeing eye to eye on everything, mostly on matters of getting into trouble with sneaking off to fight demons and who knows what else, she was surprisingly closer to John. It was why she had a good feeling that he'd agree to help in this timeline rather than hers. She actually drove her mother more mad than she did John. Though after this, she swore to let up on her mother and not give her such a hard time.

"Sure, I'll stay with mum." Fia replied, relaxing her posture finally and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The first sign she was just like Kay. She had a feeling John would need to make a phone call to one or two of the group before they went. "If it's better, maybe I should stay behind? I wanna help I do..and it'll kill me having you two go off without me but what could I possibly do? I'll need to stay out of sight constantly and I don't wanna risk this timeline Fia" Kay finally spoke up after really computing everything. She had to think about Fia first and foremost and she didn't want John being worried that she'd get hurt and they lose their unborn version of Fia.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Kay had a point, would there really be any point to her going? If she had to stay out of sight of her future self at all times, it would make things complicated, and highly likely for something to go wrong. And if she did get injured, there was the danger of three deaths on John's conscience (Fia, Kay and unborn Fia) and he'd be left with no way to get home bar enlisting his other self. And that could be disaterous. But leaving her here on Attil came with its own problems. What if something happened while he was gone? What if something happened to either of them, and they didn't return? The constant worry while waiting for them to come back couldn't be healthy either.

"Fair point, if you do come with us, we'd have to be sure there is no way you'd get injured or worse, taken instead. Which I think we can all agree is a damn awful prospect. But on the other hand, is two people enough to fix this properly?" The last part was aimed at Fia, she knew the odds and the situation better than any of them. And if they did need extra people, well there was more people with useful abilities on Attil than just Kay and John.

 

[MzHyde]

Kay really didn't want to cause John any possible emotional pain if she got hurt. Yet they both know just how bad she was when she stayed behind and let him go off without her. Either situation had its downfall, Kay knew this, but part of her mind- the rational side said was it not better to be here worried out her mind than in the future risking getting taken or hurt or killed. She listened to what John said, seeing he had the same thought process as herself.

"It's more risky for her to come along, and i still don't fully know what time travelling would do to a pregnant woman. If in my timeline you're too focused on being drunk out your mind when not researching to try and find her, then I don't wanna know how you'll be if this version of you loses this timeline mum. You're a bloody mess in my time Trust me, I'd rather stay near her, she's my mum but my timeline mum needs me more. Three weeks captive who knows where? I don't wanna think about the state she's in...can one of our group not stay with her? But we very well will need at least one more person, but no more two more" Fia explained.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John sighed with disappointment at his future self upon hearing that he was still using copious amounts of alcohol as a coping mechanism for his emotional pain. He'd been half hoping that he might have undergone some kind of change as a person and found a better way of dealing with things, but evidently not. "Of course I'm a bloody mess in your time." He ran a hand over his face. "I'm a mess in every time period. But yes, if future me loses future her, the downwards spiral of self loathing, depression and alcoholism will kill me. And that's not an exaggeration."

The obvious choice for who to stay with Kay was Chas. John knew he could trust his mate with Kay's life, and the cabbie wouldn't do anything stupid like try and follow him to the past. Elliott was out of contention for going anywhere, he was supposed to be in jail. That just left the women. Jay would want to be with Elliott, but more than likely could be persuaded. Cliff and Cal were more complicated what with work and whatnot. Though Cliff had mentioned something about taking a week off. And there was Rinaa. The wildcard of the bunch. After her explosive reaction, who knew what she'd do. But she was also the only other time traveller in the group, so she'd be more equipped to deal with it. "If Chas stays here, which is the best course of action. Then it's just between Jay, Cal, Cliff and Rinaa to take with us."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia saw the sigh and how he reacted to the news, she wished she never said anything but she felt he had a right to know, so he could fully understand how important it was to get Kay back. "You aren't always like that, you actually get better at coping with stuff but mum's disappearance tips you over" she says to him, hoping it will lessen the blow slightly. Fia also noticed Kay's reaction to his admittance of how he'd be if he lost her. She just didn't say anything, but kept it in her memory bank.

"Figured you'd make it be uncle Chas that stays." She added, knowing whoever goes with them, it'll be slightly awkward for her, especially if it was Rinaa and deep down she didn't want it to be her, but she also knew strategically Rinaa was a viable option. "I don't mind who comes along as long as they're good with saving mum" Fia finally said one last time.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John meant it whne he said it, he knew that another personal loss could and would throw him over the edge. There was little to be done when John was like that. The last time it happened, with Newcastle it had been Chas and Sheryl's decision to send him to the psych ward, looking back, he could see it was the right choice, but the execution had gone wrong. He'd been transfered to Ravenscar without their consent. And as Kay full well knew, the asylum hadn't helped him, it only made things worse, so bad he'd slit his wrists to escape. He wasn't quote sure whether to believe Fia's words or not. He'd probably got better with smaller things, but he doubted he'd ever develop a better strategy for bigger things. His face showed that conflict going on in his mind.

John could tell she didn't want it to be Rinaa, but there was nothing that could be done if the deck fell that way. It could simply be that Rinaa was the only choice, and if so, they'd just have to accept it and move on. If Rinaa was to come, they'd have to bring another just to act as a buffer if things went sideways. "They'll be up for it, I wouldn't worry about that part. I'll go call and see who is available."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia saw the confliction on John's face, she had a feeling he may not believe her but she had to try by telling him. She knew she couldnt tell him much about the future, Rinaa in her universe may have known more about it than she did, but she knew enough to not completely screw things up. Yet even so, she knew if she didn't do this, John very well would sink to all new lows and she couldn't risk losing both her parents. So it was a case in her mind of saving John from himself as well as saving Kay.

When John said about that they'd be up for it she trusted his judgement and nodded. "Sure... I'll stay with mum and prepare" Fia replied, giving him the okay to go make that phone call and not hold things up for him any longer by her chattering. Fia then stood next to Kay, wanting to hug her but didn't know if it's be awkward or not all things considering. Kay saw that in Fia, so she just stood up off the arm rest of the couch and hugged Fia tightly. "I'll be okay Fia..your dad is good at saving my ass" she told her reassuringly, thinking of the three times he's done it already. She did though wish it wasn't a common thing. But it seemed it would be just because of what she was.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John left to make his call, pulling the page with the numbers of note off the notice board. He didn't recognise most of the names, which was to be expected. There was about seventeen in total, one labelled with the words 'Zan- do not under any circumstances answer any calls from this asshole' in Attili. He agreed with that statement whole heartedly. The important numbers were Cal and Cliff's. (She was down as both Cliff and Clarissa, the former in brackets). Elliott's new number was also among them, but under Quinn, and not his Attili birth name or Elliott.

But he didn't call straight away, he needed a I'm uncultured to relax him and no doubt kill off some of his braincells in the process. He lit up the cigarette, took a drag and sighed,hanging out the window. It was pissing raining still. This was all too weird to comprehend. First he had the voice of his daughter get into his head across space and time, then he found out that Kay was pregnant with said daughter, and now, that same daughter was here, all grown up. Could things just happen in the right bloody order for once in his life? Evidently not it seemed. Somebody was really having a laugh at his expense. He really hoped this would work. And if it went wrong, then screw the rules of space and time, he was going to fing his future self and slap him back to sense and give him a good talking to, and make sure his kid had at least one parent.

 

[MzHyde]

"I know.. you've told me the stories in my time, much to your unwillingness. But this is why I'm worried about this time. You've never been gone for longer than a few hours or a day. Weeks is something new.." Fia replied to Kay's earlier comment, after acknowledging she was being hugged. Kay could tell just how much she was worried about her. It felt weird to her because it was her, but it wasnt her... Not yet anyway. Every part of her wanted to make sure John would be okay going without her, but she knew the risks were way too high if she went.

As Kay let go of her daughter, she then noticed some markings on Fia's neck, and brushed her hair out the way to see they were runes. Not the same as John's tattoos but she knew a rune when she saw one. It really seemed Fia was a lot like her father, more so than Kay. "You tattoo runes on you?" Kay asked. "Sort of...and it makes accessing magic easier and yes..you moan about it in my time too" Fia smirked. "At least I got a warning I guess" Kay replied, but the one thing that she really noticed was the necklace around Fia's neck. It was the family necklace, that she was wearing also. Kay pulled out hers and looked at them both. "Glad to see you're not just all about John's side of your heritage" she smiled. "I may prefer to use magic, combat and runes, but I still feel proud of our phoenix blood too...even if I wasn't at first" Fia replied. "I'm not gonna ask, I don't need to know now" Kay told Fia honestly. She really didn't want to know everything and still wanted to experience some things for the first time. The conversation went pretty quiet after that, and Fia walked around the apartment as she waited for John to do what he needed.

 

[_gallifrog_]

Cal and Cliff weren't that obnoxious couple that had photos of each other splattered everywhere. But that didn't mean that there wasn't any personal ones. They were hung discreetly by the bookshelves. A photo spoke a thousand words, and each of the chosen ones had significance. The earliest photo showed two kids in school uniform- a twelve year old who despite the short haircut and lack of scar could only be Elliott. Next to him was sixteen year old Cal, who really hadn't changed that much, she'd gotten taller, and leaner, but apart from that nothing had changed. The next photo down had been taken by Dan, showing Cal, now eighteen, completly absorbed at work in the forge. And visible in the background shadows, elbows propped up on the half door, watching with an expression that conveyed so much love was a young, blond Cliff. The capturing of both of them was deliberate on his part.

The next photo showed eleven people in a roller-coaster, arms flung up in the air, expressions of pure terror and adrenaline high on their faces. It had been signed by everybody and somebody had stuck a sticky note to the frame with the words Squad Goals written on it as a joke. The same people were shown in another photo, this time all in matching sports jerseys and light armour. All were wearing what looked like jet boots crossed with rollerblades. The last photo had been planned down to the lats detail. It showed Cliff and Cal in full armour side by side, one lit up in flame, the other with ice.

John wasn't quite ready to go back. He took a few more drags of his cigarette, staring out over the landscape, musing about everything, focusing on nothing in particular. When the I'm uncultured burnt out, he picked up the phone, and began his calls.

 

[MzHyde]

Fia looked at the photos, studying them intently. The one of kid Elliott made her chuckle and smile. It was hard for her to imagine him without the scar, she had grown up just seeing him as he was. The brother that she just wrapped round her finger to get away with irritating him playfully or played music with. She then took notice of the others and smiled. She then looked at the last one in particular as it drew her eye and thought how it was so cool the two of them had powers of the opposite elements.

"Hard to imagine Ell at such a young age huh?" Kay commented, walking up behind her. "Mm..hey mum? How did it feel knowing that falling for John meant it was a package deal with Elliott?" Fia asked. "It was fine. By the time I realised I was falling hard for John, I had already gained Elliott's trust...just about. So it was fine. I knew even being friends with either one or the other it'd be a package deal, so it wasnt hard to accept Elliot as family with John." Kay explained. "I see, you'll be pleased to know we get on fine by the way" Fia said which received a smile and nod from Kay.

Fia then walked round and sat on the couch, pulling out from her thigh satchel two blades she preferred to use and made sure it was sharp enough and the runes etched into them weren't fading. Kay turned around and looked and sighed. Of course her daughter would be into weaponry. The blades were matching and straight, three runes etched into each blade along with one on each hilt. They almost resembled short swords than your average blade. Happy with their condition, she placed them back in their place and made herself comfortable whilst she waited for John.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John made his calls in the room he shared with Kay. He started with Chas, who was in the forge, with Cal and Cliff. He then called Elliott, only for things to spiral out of control as everybody had started texting each other to find out who knew what. It got to the point where the various phones were vibrating pretty much non stop, and we're in danger of shaking themselves apart. To solve this problem Jay suggested that simply having a group call would be easier. So that's what John did, putting the phone on speaker to have a hope of distinguishing between the voices of everybody. It was complete and utter chaos with people butting in left right and centre, before Jay took charge of the situation by yelling at everybody to shut up and be logical about it. After that, they worked together surprisingly efficiently.

Plans made, he rooted in his belonging for his blade, not that he really used it often, preferring magic and wits. But it was a blade designed for demon killing, so he wasn't going to leave it behind. He holstered it to his back, where the flow of his trench coat would cover it up. Walking back out, he passed by the photos, stopping when he noticed the one of Elliott. Somehow it had escaped his notice until that point in time. John had seen what Elliott looked like without the scar from the first times he MindWalked. His subconscious projection had flickered between having no scar, and having half his face hideously deformed. It had taken a long time for Elliott to become used to the permanent mark. As he looked at the photo, he had a feeling that this could have been the last official photo taken of the two together. But it made him smile, as did the roller-coaster one.

"I've got good news, not so good news, and a question. Pick your poison."

 

[MzHyde]

Fia and Kay both looked up when John appeared once more into the living room and they both noted how he looked at the photo of Elliott as a kid. Fia stood up instantly, done with sitting around. When John said he had both good and bad news along with a question, she shoved her hands in her jeans pockets. "Of course you do, start with the question, and go from there. I'll try and answer it as best I can" Fia replied to him. She had no idea what was spoken about on the phone call, but if there were three parts to his reappearance and announcement of who would come along, it had to have been a lot.

Kay stayed sat down, she just wanted to be as relaxed as she could whilst she could be still. She didn't even mention about the fact Fia was fully equipped, seeing no point as John would find that out for himself soon enough. She trusted John would keep their girl safe, even if it was their future version, whilst she stayed home to keep their unborn girl safe.

 

[_gallifrog_]

It was kind of a miracle that he didn't have any really bad news to tell the. As he'd suspected everybody had been more than willing to lend a hand, two people both saying something along the lines of 'I haven't betaine anything to a brainless pulp in a long time, so thí sound like the perfect opportunity to exercise that passion, plus helping future Kay out is also cool. The last part had been quickly added to make sure that yes, they did actually care about Kay over exercising their own violent tendencies. When Fia asked for the question first, John nodded before speaking

"Okay, but it's not actually my question, it's Cliff's. Her exact words were "Since I'm the only one out of all of us with proper medical training to deal with pretty much anything, is it more beneficial if I stay behind with Kay, or would it better to make sure that none of you lot bleed out in the future?" " A logical question, from a logical person.

 

[MzHyde]

One thing Kay did notice from John, was that if there was any truly bad news his posture would have been different to what it was. So that helped her to stay relatively calm about this whole venture of theirs. She had no idea if Fia would know or recognise the differences or not, as she didn't know what has happened in her time as she grew up.

Fia listened to the question and hearing that a doctor would be the one who had the question to ask, didn't come as much of a surprise to her. "I honestly don't think mum will be in any harm's way here. But if she'd prefer to stay behind then that's cool with me too. I have a healing rune on my neck and being half phoenix I am able to heal others as well as myself if it's needed" Fia explained to John gesturing to the rune on her neck on the right side, "I know you'd prefer it if mum was with someone you trust 100% as well. So next, what's the not so good news and then finish with the good news" she added.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John took note of the runes tattooed on, and the fact that they were functional, unlike many of his. He was kind of relieved that his daughter had so many traits in common with him. He'd never told Kay, but he feared that the Pheonix side would be totally dominant and he'd be little more than a sperm donor in the whole process. The runes on his back were for artistic purposes moreso than anything else, but they did offer certain warding. But the Kanji characters that he, Elliott and Rinaa all shared were a powerful protection. Each person had slightly different Kanji to enhance things particular to them. He idly wondered if Fia had such a tattoo, considering it was a thing he'd passed down to Elliott as a way of connecting them. He already had a bond sigil with his daughter clearly, so he doubted he would have done the kanji too.

"Cliff thought the same thing with regards to Kay being safe here, and as a doctor she wants to go where she's going to be the most useful. The not so good news is that Cal is out, she has to stay here and make sure nobody cops Elliott's disappearances. Which is fair enough, she's got a lot at stake on this. The other three are willing, I think they're trying to figure out the best combination of skills to do this."

"And the good news is from Chas, and goes something along the lines of.." Whenever John conveyed a message from Chas, he more often than not lapsed into his pitch perfect imitation of the cabbie. It was just something he did as an instinctual habit. Sometimes just to fuck with anybody listening, he and Chas would talk in each others voices about the most random crap ever. He had no idea if Fia had ever experienced this before or not, but it was his thing to do, so he when he told the good news he spoke in Chas's voice. "Not only have I managed not to insult anybody with my sub standard grasp of the Attili language, I've suceeded in making a friend. And even better, he's somebody who doesn't have time travelling relatives that pop out of literally nowhere." That part was meant with no malice, just Chas poking fun at the situation in his own way. "And he's even offered to drive me around for once." John switched back to his natural voice. "I'm paraphrasing slightly, but you get the point."

 

[MzHyde]

Despite of the way Fia carried herself in stance and spoke, she did actually have alot more in common with John than Kay. As much as she loved her mother, there was still that bit of her that secretly hated the fact she was half phoenix. So to rebel against it, she took to John's side of things a lot more. She just didn't want to tell this time's Kay that. It caused enough awkwardness in her timeline. She didn't have the kanji as she used runes for her own protection. She had one especially for protection, along with cloaking, teleporting, healing, clairvoyance and other things. They were mostly down her arms, which would only be seen when she didn't have her jacket on, but there were a couple of her back too.

Both the girls nodded at the good and not so good news. Neither of them found the not so good news very surprising. "I'm not surprised" Kay replied to him. "Her priorities are her job and Elliott here. She has no reason to put her life in danger for me...or future me" Kay said, and she didn't want Cal doing anything but what she needed to here on Attil. Fia nodded, at the remark on the other three deciding the best combination to go.

"As long as they decide quickly" Fia commented, before he did his impression of Chas. She just smirked, which showed it was still a thing in her timeline. "Knew I could count on uncle Chas" she replied. "So I guess it's a case of waiting for whoever comes back. So anything different you wanna know?" she added.

 

[_gallifrog_]

John completly understood Cal's decision not to go. She'd wanted to go, with Cliff as their skillsets complimented each other perfectly, and the others were on board with that decision. But she had far too much tied up in Attil. Cal hadn't mentioned just how much she stood to lose if things went badly. She wasn't just risking her reputation and job. She was risking her life in the face of Attil's death penalty. She was risking everything she'd built, her career as a royal guard, a job which she loved. Her squad and their futures, who she would willingly take the full fall for, no matter the consequences. And of course, her chance for a life of happiness with Cliff. If one went down, the other would follow. "Still have to thank her for doing all this. We're still veritable strangers after all. Ell's the only one if us she'd planned for. So we really owe both of them." And he fully intended to pay back this debt.

John noted Fia's reaction to his mimickry. So him impersonating Chas without any real reason or pronpting was a thing that didn't change in the future. Which no doubt meant that Chas doing the same to him was also something she'd grown up with. And he was glad, he'd hate to lose such a crucial part of their friendship. As a matter of fact, John would hate to lose any part of their friendship full stop. "The way he describes Dan, it sounds like we've just acquired a second Chas, which surely nobody ever could complain about."

And as for what he wanted to know? Well, he didn't want to know too much about the future. "In terms of different, this definitly qualifies. Are the League still a bunch of holier than thou arseholes in need of a good bollocking?" He asked, an absaloutly typical John question.