cahooted | [PSL] The Return to King Solomon's Mines Ultimate Fix It (for slapthelibrarian)

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[PSL] The Return to King Solomon's Mines Ultimate Fix It (for slapthelibrarian)

"Yeah, you know what, I really don't think we should cross that."

It's a moot point, of course, and Flynn doesn't mean it because there is no way he's turning back now. Part of him wonders if he should tell Nicole about his conversation with Judson and mention that Judson had explicitly instructed him to stay away from this place. But this isn't an ordinary mission and Flynn isn't in his ordinary state of mind. And who knew, maybe Judson had contacted Nicole already and she is just humoring Flynn. If she is, nothing in her face gives it away and he loves her just a little for that.

It's been... difficult to focus with all the questions raging in his head.

Had his father ever been affiliated with the Library? It doesn't seem likely; but if he hadn't, how did Judson know about the Book of Solomon? And did it mean that if Flynn hadn't become the Librarian, he would have become one of the Masons? Were the Masons linked to the Library? Did his mother know? Because honestly, finding his drawings in his bag right when he needed them had just been a tiny little bit suspicious, is all.

And that bridge really shouldn't work.

There are no support beams, it's just that, a stony path over a pit of lava (the biggest pit of lava he has ever seen, actually, and he has seen... four so far) and, no. This isn't rotten wood territory, this is challenging the actual laws of physics. It's just not how bridges work.

"That is just not how bridges work."

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"We should be very proud of ourselves. And you should be extremely proud of yourself. You've come quite far, you know." She really is so proud of him and how he's risen to the occasion and grown into the role of the Librarian. The kiss takes her by surprise, causing her eyebrows to shoot up. But surprise softens to a smile, as she considers, not for the first time, just how lucky she actually is.

Of course, that lingering thought is still there, that the Guardian ought not to fall in love with the Librarian, but it's a bit too late for that now. But more importantly, she learned her lesson with Wilde, and she's determined not watch out for Flynn at all costs. Even if Wilde's death turned out to be staged, she can't bear to even think about letting that happen to Flynn.

"Come on, then. It's already practically ours." Of course, she realizes the danger of being too cocky, but it's just within their reach.

Flynn beams at her, feeling a deep and warm affection at her words. Nicole being proud of him means a lot – more than he can probably put into words – and it's the highest compliment he can imagine. A little over a year into his new job he feels more at ease, more capable than ever, keeping his head a little higher these days; but lots of it is still an act, downplaying his insecurities. A praise from her really means the world to him.

Wandering further into the chamber his eyes finally fall on the prize, the reason why they came all the way. "There it is. The Book of Solomon."

He approaches with careful, respectful steps and checks for all sorts of boobytraps before picking it up, turning it in his hands. "You know what I don't understand? Why no Librarian ever came to pick it up. I mean, Judson clearly knows about the book, wouldn't the Library be a much safer place? Why hide it out here and inconvenience people to play secret guardian for it? I wonder if the Masons even know about the Library."

She knows how important positive reinforcement is, and as great as Flynn is, he'll never succeed as the Librarian if no one ever tells him that he's doing a good job. Well, he might succeed, but there's never any harm in giving a little praise when it's due. The key to being the Librarian, other than having a lot of guts and determination, is believing in oneself. Flynn's come a long way, but Nicole can see it sometimes, that insecurity and doubt. She intends to help chase it away as best as she can.

She follows behind Flynn until they're both standing in front of the fabled book. "It's incredible." Her gaze follows Flynn's as he picks up the book and looks it over. "This is only a guess, but perhaps no Librarian came looking for it because they were afraid of its power. I certainly would be if it were me. The legends about this book leave very little to the imagination, and as I'm sure you've heard, power corrupts."

Of course, Nicole is only hypothesizing. "It's possible that Judson thought that it was best to leave the book as it was, guarded by secrecy, not necessarily by a person." Other than the Masons, of course. It's not perfect logic, but speculation never is.

"So I've heard and so we've seen." He shudders at the thought of what could have been had Wilde learned about the existence of this book. "But I still think a nice little pedestal next to the Grand Grimoire and the Book of Life would be..."

His voice trails off when the words he is reading seem to move, swim before his vision. "... quite..."

The words he reads seem to resound in his head, droning out any sound and Flynn stares at the writing, too focused on the text before him to notice the sounds and movement coming from the chamber entrance.

"Flynn?" Nicole was listening to Flynn go on about the nice little pedestal, when he abruptly breaks off mid-sentence.

She looks over at him, eyes widening in confusion. "Are you all right?" He doesn't appear to be even hearing her, judging from the way he's staring at the text on the page in front of him. "Did you find something interesting about the book?"

She refuses to let panic rise up in her, continuing to attempt to rouse Flynn from the sudden stupor he seems to be in. "Flynn Carsen, answer me," she demands, snapping her fingers in front of his face. Suddenly, her attention is drawn away from Flynn and focuses on the loud rumbling noise coming from the entrance. "Flynn, now is not the time for you to zone out on me!"

The finger snapping finally breaks through to him and Flynn blinks, the sounds whooshing out of his head like a wind tunnel. He snaps the book shut and shakes his head, confused and a little irritated at Nicole for a reason he can't quite seem to grasp. "What? What do you--" The rumbling continues and his eyes follow hers back towards where they had come from. "What is that, is someone in here with us?"

The answer comes promptly in form of Samir and his men, one by one moving into the chamber, weapons drawn, because of course. "Someone is indeed! Someone who'd like to express their gratitude for finding King Solomon's book for us."

Flynn grinds his teeth. "Well, you better not waste your breath, because you will never get the--" His voice stops. "Wait, how did you even find us?"

"You are not as subtle as you think." Samir waves impatiently. "The book, please."

"No, no, we literally trekked the Savannah for two days. We went on a honeymoon bus! It was awful? She nearly stabbed me in the throat." He points back at Nicole. "There's no way you just 'followed our trail'. Seriously, I am so sick of you guys just being everywhere!"

Clearly he has strong priorities here. But his rant isn't just a rant; he is also using the distraction to slip the book in his messenger bag in case they need to make a break for it. Well, and possibly for Nicole to move in and break some faces. Whichever comes first.

Nicole's sigh of relief is just barely audible, as Flynn's words and the rumbling drown her out. "I think-" She isn't able to finish that sentence before Samir and his men announce their presence.

Tensing quickly in response to the sudden threat, Nicole side-steps slightly until she's standing in front of Flynn. It's almost habit now, but the Librarian needs protecting at any cost. And, well, the Book of Solomon should not fall into the hands of brigands.

If she can protect both Flynn and the Book, then she'll consider this a job well done. Nicole's glares turn into full-blown glowers as Samir and Flynn exchange barbs. "Flynn, I don't think it matters how they found us. What matters is having them leave the way they came."

She shoots him a look in response to his comment about her stabbing him in the throat. As if she would ever purposefully hurt him. Speaking of people she would purposefully hurt, she drops into a defensive stance, taking the chance Flynn is trying to give her to take out the men and allow them the time to escape.

Moving forward slowly, doing her best to not draw attention to herself, she draws level with one of Samir's men and elbows him squarely in the face before he can even react. To her pleasure, he drops like a rock, but there's still eight men still standing. It's not the most insurmountable of odds, but she'd prefer it if there were less of them and more of her and Flynn.

Still, if she can just fight them off, or incapacitate enough of them, then their chances of escape increase by quite a bit.

"Well, I think it would be good to know. For next time, you know? This just keeps happening, it's a little ridiculous."

Flynn in turn uses Nicole's sudden advance and the distraction that causes for one of his balanced throws, knocking out another goon with a piece of treasure that he hurls at his forehead. Another down, seven to go.

"Get them!" Samir snarls at his men, causing them to advance. "We don't want to keep him waiting."

That catches Flynn's attention. "Him? What, your boss? Should have known you're just a little middleman." The cocky provocation doesn't miss its mark, causing Samir to draw a gun from his belt.

"Enough of this!"

Well, that's not good. Now that Flynn thinks about it, maybe he should have waited for Nicole to knock them all out while they were still in their sabre stage.

Things are going very well, and Nicole's managing to systematically pick off Samir's men, and Flynn's not doing so badly himself. She even dares to get a little optimistic and think that they stand a good chance, until Samir decides he's had enough and goes for a more drastic angle.

As soon as she spots the gun being drawn from Samir's belt, she steps in front of Flynn, giving him a little shove, as if saying without words that he needs to get behind her and stay there. She can talk her way out of this; he just needs to stay out of harms' way.

"Now, I very much don't recommend that you do that. If you shoot me, he'll never cooperate with you, and if you shoot him, well, there goes your only chance of getting what you want. Either way, it'll go badly for you. Think about it: is that what you want?"

It's a big bluff, and a huge risk, but as long as Flynn stays behind her, she's prepared to go through with it. He needs to come out of this alive; she doesn't, not necessarily. It's not that she has a death wish. In fact, she's rather fond of life. But there will always be other qualified Guardians. The same doesn't need to be true for the Librarian.

Flynn feels a myriad of emotions; concern, anger, pride (because how cool and badass is his girlfriend, seriously) when she steps in front of him. He leans forward to speak close to her ear.

"Appreciate it, but we need to have a serious discussion about who steps in front of whom, because I am really sure it was my turn this time and you totally took that away from--"

When Samir raises his weapon in their direction he flinches back, raising his hands a little higher. "Of course we can totally whisper private stuff to each other another time, no problem!"

There is a long tense moment in which nobody moves or speaks; then Samir grunts, jerking his chin towards the hallway impatiently. "Let's go. He'll be waiting."

"Must be some real important guy," Flynn mutters under his breath as he joins Nicole's side, hands still risen. "Hope you got a machete ready... somewhere on there." His eyes move distinctly down her body for a second.

Nicole turns her head just slightly, intending to hiss back: "Not right now, Flynn!" But she doesn't have time, because Samir is clearly impatient, angry, and threatening them with a gun. "Exactly what I was going to say."

She glares back at Samir, inwardly cursing their luck. This really does seem to happen to them a lot, and Nicole would prefer it if just once, a mission could go smoothly without any death threats from anyone. "Don't do anything rash, Flynn." He's a great Librarian, but a skilled fighter, he's not.

Arching an eyebrow upon realizing he's looking her over again, she rolls her eyes. "Who do you think I am? Come on, let's just keep moving. Do what they say, and we might get out of here alive." Actually, there's no "might" about it in Nicole's mind. They will get out of here. She just has to watch for the opportune moment and leap into action.

For now, though, her plan is to keep Samir talking and to perhaps distract him. "So, Samir." She puts on her best seductive voice, talking as they start moving. "Who is this 'he' you're talking about?" An elbow may or may not be getting jabbed into Flynn's side as she speaks. She's got a plan, and she doesn't want Flynn jabbering on about something unrelated while she works it out.

Samir grunts again, crossing his arms in front of him and frowning. "That's none of your business."

"Oh, he must be your boss. Having never met the man, I can't be sure, but I'll bet he's one of those pushy, in your face types, who never gives you any credit for anything." Nicole's still speaking in that almost seductive tone, while she does her best to schmooze the man, as some people would say. She keeps level with Flynn as they make their way towards the hallway, but she's very slowly and carefully edging ahead of him, getting closer to Samir a little bit at a time.

Every once in awhile, she spares a look for Flynn, trying to communicate without words that if her plan doesn't work, he needs to run for the exit as fast as he can. With luck, she'll be right behind him.

Flynn's eyebrows climb considerably when Nicole decides to take that route. Not that he doesn't understand what she's doing. It's not the first time they're employing that strategy and he doubts it will be the last (should they survive that is) but it never stops the tiny jealous stabs in his throat. He clears it, scratching at his brow, pursing his lips.

It really doesn't help that Samir seems to be falling for it, his voice losing some of that rough edge, as he glances over at Nicole. "You would be surprised."

You would be surprised, Flynn soundlessly mimics in a childlike manner, his face hidden from view by Nicole's back. You would be surpriiised.

"He might even appreciate a fighter like you. Your talents wouldn't be wasted on a fool like this guy."

"Oh give me a break," Flynn mutters under his breath, scowling petulantly ahead.

There is a small part of Nicole that enjoys it when Flynn gets a bit jealous. It's very small, of course, and she tries not to go this route too often, out of respect for his feelings. But she won't pretend that it doesn't occasionally yield good results.

Her smile widens when Samir looks over at her. "Would I?" Luckily for Flynn, he's behind her so Nicole misses him mimicking Samir. That would get Flynn a swift kick, because she has a plan, and would very much appreciate it not being blown by his not-at-all jealous reactions.

"Oh, him?" Nicole shoots a glance behind her before quickly turning back to face Samir. "Do you know how much work it is to keep him safe? He tries to help, of course, but it's rather tiresome." She gives Flynn another look, this time with more of a warning concealed in it. This is all an act; she doesn't mean a word she's saying.

"I'm sure he must be quite the formidable man, but if you don't mind me saying so, he can't be anything compared to you." She's well aware that she's laying it on a bit thick, but Samir has to be sufficiently distracted for this to work. "It can't be easy chasing down people for him."

It's almost imperceptible, but Samir visibly relaxes once Nicole's focus shifts to complimenting him instead of his mysterious boss. Without being completely sure of the schematics of this place, Nicole's taking a chance in deciding to act before they've gotten too far down the hall. If she and Flynn can take out Samir and his men now, then that lessens the odds against them a bit. But even then, there's no telling how many other guards might still be lingering around.

A commotion might also draw their attention, which is just as bad. Still, Nicole's focus is on the situation at hand, and while she's buttering up Samir, she slips a small knife into her hand that was concealed up her jacket sleeve. It's lucky for them that Samir's men didn't search them, or it would surely have been found.

This scene would go a lot better if she could ensure that Flynn would not be in the crosshairs when she finally makes her move, but that's just a risk she's going to have to take. He's got decent reflexes, at least, so she hopes he'll duck or hide once the action starts.

"It's not easy, no-" Samir starts to speak, but his words die off in a rush, as Nicole's knife has just been pressed up against his throat. He signals his men with a twitch of his finger, and they jump from their relaxed positions to attention in a second.

"None of you had better move, or my hand might just slip and your leader will be dead before you can even say 'no'." Nicole warns them, a steely look in her eyes. "Flynn?" He'd better be ready to run, or to fight, depending on which direction this standoff takes.

Of course, Nicole wasn't factoring in the possibility of one of the men going ahead into the next chamber and alerting the others there. Suddenly, the room has twice as many men in it, and now she and Flynn aren't just outnumbered, they're surrounded. Nicole mutters an angry sounding curse under her breath. Of course she couldn't have planned for this, but it hardly makes her happy.

"Now, what was that you were saying about your hand slipping?" Samir taunts her, still cautious of the knife blade against his throat. "You do that, and you'll be a pincushion in seconds." Of course every man in the room is armed, and all of them have either arrows or spears trained on her.

Flynn works his jaw but doesn't comment. His disgruntled expression helps them, of course, because Samir can tell that he's not happy about the flirty exchange which gives Nicole's performance extra credibility. All the same, Flynn feels a grim satisfaction when the man suddenly finds himself at Nicole's mercy. Hah. Serves him right for trying to get with his girl. Even in a professional manner.

"Ready when you are," he answers when Nicole calls him to attention and he is. Only then things go horribly wrong and suddenly they find themselves at gun-, knife-, spear-, and probably some more point.

Flynn turns in a circle, watching the men tensely, his mind racing. This is not good. They need a solution and quick. "I don't think we're supposed to be pincushions," he says. "You're bringing us to your boss. That means he wants us alive."

Samir glances over at Flynn; only with his eyes of course, because the knife doesn't waver, but it's still a murderous glare that is cast in his direction. "We don't need you alive."

Flynn just carries on as if he didn't hear him. "And I can only assume he wants us alive because... you are not sure yet if you can read the book. Which you probably can't."

"Interesting deduction," Samir sneers at him. "And what exactly stops us from poking some holes into that one?" His hand gestures back at Nicole.

This time Flynn acknowledges him, if briefly. "Simple. Because you want to use her as leverage."

The moment he says it it makes him stop and wonder. It's an unusual move. Usually the goons see Nicole as a bodyguard, someone who gives them grief and someone that has to be dealt with; not as someone Flynn cares about.

Who could possibly know that he cares about her so much they could use her against him?

He pushes the thought away, trying to focus back on the here and now. "So until you actually verify if you can read the book, you can't do anything to us."

The wheels are already turning in Nicole's head. This situation is different from their usual. She's not usually identified as someone important to Flynn unless one or both of them accidentally lets it slip. So this implies that whoever's behind this already knows things about her and Flynn, and that is very much not good.

When they set out on this adventure, of course they had contingencies in case everything went south, but now that they're in this moment, Nicole's still working on figuring out which of the contingency plans best fits this snag. She doesn't have time to keep sorting it out, as she's suddenly and abruptly shoved forward. "Do you mind not doing that? I can walk without you shoving me!" She snaps before she's really aware of what's leaving her mouth.

"Oh, we've got ourselves a mouthy one!" Samir's gaze is on her, and he's leering at her suggestively. There's no doubt in Nicole's mind that he's imagining doing some very despicable things to her, but she doesn't particularly care about his lewd fantasies.

"That's right, I am a mouthy one, and if your men keep pushing me, you'll find out that I can kill you just as easily as I can talk to you!" Upon hearing that, the man closest to her grabs Nicole by the arms in order to restrain her and shoves her again in the direction of the boss's chamber.

If looks could kill, all of the men surrounding them would be dead already, but Nicole's also mentally kicking herself for letting her temper get the better of her. As she passes Flynn, she shoots him a look, warning him without words not to do something as stupid as what she just did. They have to get out of this alive, and mouthing off at their captors isn't the way to do that.

It's a hairy situation, to be sure, but all they need is an opening, or a moment during which Samir's men lower their guard, and everything will be fine. Assuming such a moment presents itself, of course.

When Samir gives Nicole that dirty look-over, white hot rage flares up in Flynn and he is about to step in, only stopped by a multitude of spears moving closer to vital body parts. He raises his hands in compliance but his eyes keep burning holes into the back of Samir's head. After exchanging a quick look with Nicole – he can tell from the look on her face that she's also pondering the part of their obviously revealed relationship – he follows, determined to stick close to her with all these pigs around.

Flynn just hopes he is right about what he said about being needed. This isn't like the Language of the Birds. Chances are actually pretty high that if these goons have been looking for the book for some time they might have an expert who is able to read it. He just really hopes they're getting lucky and he can buy them some more time.

Well, let's see this boss of his then. Probably another knucklehead, eager to point his machete at their faces, barking out orders. Some brute, if even Samir seems to cower before him.

They enter a chamber – the chamber, as it turns out to be – and Flynn can't help but stare in awe for a moment. Giant pillars and sarcophagi ornate the walls. Surrounded by steaming pools of lava, artistically chiseled steps lead up to a platform overhead. From the foot of the stairs a figure approaches, spreading their arms.

"Now, now, Samir, what did I tell you? Be gentle with our guests. They're very special to me."

Something in Flynn's mind blanks and he stops. Walking, thinking. Everything stops. "Uncle Jerry...?"

If not for the men hovering around her and Flynn, Nicole would just reach for Flynn's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze, but anytime she moves, those spear points become just a little bit more threatening. She'd rather not find out what it's like to become a human pincushion, so she stays still.

Once they enter the chamber, Nicole's also unable to keep from staring at the grandeur of it all. Looking sidelong at Flynn, she can tell he's also enamored, and dying to rush over and examine it closer. Maybe if they survive this, and the chamber doesn't get destroyed in the crossfire, he can steal a moment or two to feed his investigative appetite.

But all of those thoughts go flying straight out of Nicole's head as the figure on the platform comes out to meet them. Flynn's entire demeanor changes, and Nicole stops to stare at him in concern. Who is this man, and why does Flynn look like he's just seen a ghost?

The next words out of Flynn's mouth explain everything, and she freezes. "Uncle Jerry? What-" She doesn't know the man very well, of course, but she doesn't know much about him except that he was a good friend of Flynn's father. "You're the one in charge of these men? Why would you order them to bring us here?" Oh, she knows why. For some men, the lure of power and magic is too strong, but she's thinking only of Flynn, who looks rather stricken right now.

Personally, Nicole thinks anyone who would drag in friends or family members into something like this is despicable, but this is Flynn's father's old friend. Perhaps Flynn had better take point on this one, once he recovers from his shock.

"Why, because I wanted you to be present, of course." Jerry approaches with a cheerful, almost jovial smile on his face. His eyes settle on Flynn and his expression softens, becoming almost affectionate. "Hey kiddo."

"I don't... understand." It's so simple and so obvious but for once in his life Flynn can't put the pieces together. "You were at the... the party," he stutters, still staring. It seems like a lifetime ago and he remembers talking to Jerry while his mother was too busy ushering Nicole around to show off to her friends. He remembers Jerry nudging him in the side with his elbow. She's a very beautiful woman, Flynn. I have to run but give her my best regards.

That means Jerry is the one trying to use Nicole as leverage. But why? It just doesn't make sense. It stops all of Flynn's reasoning skills short, because it doesn't make sense.

"Now." Jerry looks up at Flynn, still with that patient, fatherly expression. "Give me the book, Flynn."

"No." It's hollow and automatic, the Librarian part of him taking over because Flynn still can't be present, too caught up in the shock of the moment. "It's too dangerous, too powerful. You can't have it. Nobody can."

Jerry sighs. "Flynn. I'm sure you have realized by now that Samir and his men are not the most... refined gentlemen. You know I'm not a fan of violence. I'd hate to leave our good Nicole in their care, wouldn't you?"

The threat to Nicole's safety is enough to break through his stupor. It's like ice water to his face and Flynn blinks, slowly coming to, looking at Jerry as if he's seeing him for the first time while the man he called 'uncle' watches his changing expression with a small sigh. "Oh, I know that look too well. Don't you be stupid like your father was. I told you, I promised him I'd look after you." He smiles, and this time it's cruel, devoid of the familiar warmth. "Of course he begged me not to right up until I shot him, so I fully intend on making good on that promise."

There is a small part of Flynn that suddenly feels very detached from the situation, like he's on the outside looking in. That small part feels a sudden empathy, a sudden understanding of Nicole and the extent of her fury, her hurt, her pain about what Wilde had done to her.

The other part, the one in the here and now, is pure rage. Two of Samir's goons try to step in but there is nothing stopping him from getting at this man. Flynn tackles them aside like their ragdolls and manages to get a hit in, his fist connecting very soundly with Jerry's face before they manage to pull him back.

"Don't give him anything, Flynn." Nicole's attention is focused on Flynn, and no one else. She knows Flynn isn't as gullible or as pliable as to simply be told what to do, a fact that Flynn himself confirms moments later.

"Oh, and by the way, Jerry, if you're implying that your goons can best me in a fight, then clearly you don't know me well at all." It wouldn't be easy, taking on all of them, but Nicole would give it her best shot.

But Jerry keeps talking, and as the bombshell drops, Nicole's bravado vanishes just like that. She casts a quick, worried look in Flynn's direction, wondering what this bit of terrible news will do to him. The answer comes quickly, as Flynn all but flings himself forward, only to be met by two of Samir's men, and with a quick rush of pride, Nicole watches as Flynn pushes aside the goons and hits Jerry full in the face.

"Don't you do anything to him, Jerry." The only problem here is, Nicole's not entirely sure what Jerry's planning. Get his hands on the book, of course. But that can't be the sole extent of his plan. What they need to do is get away from here as quickly as they can, but the odds are very much stacked against them. It's not as simple as waltzing out and going on their merry way.

"What do you want from us? Aside from the book, of course." The sooner they get it out of him what he intends, the better. It's difficult to formulate a plan without having all the information.

Clutching his face with one hand Jerry quickly holds up the other to stop his men from staking Flynn right then and there. He chuckles, shaking his head before looking back up. "Wow, I didn't think you'd have it in you. You really changed, kiddo. What happened to the kid who brought me–"

"Don't you dare!" Flynn spits out, angry tears gleaming in his eyes. "Don't you even dare! You killed my father?"

Jerry holds up a hand like he actually thinks he can placate Flynn. "Yes. But that was a long time ago. And now we're gonna fix this mess. We're gonna fix it all! Make it the way it's supposed to be." He looks over at Nicole and gives her one of his charming smiles. "That's why I want you here. I want you to be part of this."

"You're insane!" Flynn struggles against the firm grip holding him. "It's not gonna happen!"

If looks could kill, then Nicole thought Jerry would be dead by now. Because combining Flynn's look of rage with her own, he didn't stand a chance. But the odds aren't in their favor right now, and the irritating part is that Nicole only has a vague idea of what the Book of Solomon can actually do.

"Flynn?" She doesn't want to tip Jerry off too much, but she wants to know what he's talking about. Hoping he can decipher body language and facial expression, she gives him a look with eyebrows raised, giving the smallest nod in Jerry's direction, as if to ask without words, "What is he talking about?" Flynn's reaction tells her whatever it is is most likely bad, but that's the extent of her knowledge.

Something tells her there's a good chance that it involves doom and the end of the universe, but she'd rather know specifics and not rely on supposition.

Jerry doesn't answer Flynn. Instead, he gives an impatient wave of his hand, turning away to walk up the stairs to the platform above. Two of his men step forward, yanking Flynn's messenger bag from him. Flynn tries to fight back, but it's no use – there's just too many. They drag him and Nicole together, binding them back to back with thick rope.

Well, that's not gonna hold. Not if Flynn has anything to say about it.

"I saw the writing," he mutters under his breath as he gets closer to Nicole. He's pale and stony-faced but he's trying to fight past the hurt and anger to focus on what's happening right now. "I know now what it can do. And so does he." Flynn glares up the stairs at Jerry, preparing the ritual.

"He wants to use the power of the book to rewrite history. But why? He's already rich. He's successful. He's obviously powerful, if all those goons are any indication? What does he want?"

Nicole's about to leap into action when she sees Jerry's men yanking away Flynn's messenger bag. She knows that the contents of the bag must have some great significance, but more importantly, no one does that to him and gets away with it. But before she can do anything to stop it, she finds herself being grabbed and forcibly dragged closer to Flynn and tied up.

She has similar thoughts to Flynn: those ropes won't hold either of them for long. There is too much at stake for them to just let Jerry do what he wants.

"Rewrite history? But why? And what does he intend to change?" She mutters out of the corner of her mouth, not wanting to be overheard by Jerry or his goons. "Whatever it is, we need to stop him." It doesn't need to be said, and neither does the fact that if he intended it for good, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths to obtain it. "You said he was friends with your father, didn't you?"

There has to be something they're not seeing here, but Nicole doesn't have time to hash it out with Flynn. Jerry's already gotten the book out of Flynn's bag, and has only just opened it, flipping through the pages in a way that would appear almost reverent except for the look of sheer greed and lust on his face.

Whatever this ritual is meant to accomplish, it can't be anything good. Jerry turns to look at Flynn and Nicole, a look of anticipation unmistakably plain. "I hope you two enjoy the show."

Flynn is already seeking out the knots, working them with nimble fingers to get them untied. "Yes, he was. They were... they were really close. I thought. My mom always said they were like brothers, I..." Flynn shakes his head, struggling when the feelings of betrayal threaten to choke him again. He needs to focus but it's just so hard.

"You won't get away with this, Jerry!" he yells up to the man in response. Which of course is feeble but it feels good to get it off his chest. There are a lot of other things he wants to yell, too, but they are not very productive.

"I think I can get us out of these ropes. You don't happen to have any ideas what we could do about all those guards? And their spears. And their guns. And their knives..." His eyes wander up to the book.

"Maybe I can get him to talk. Distract him."

Nicole catches on quickly to what Flynn's doing, and she starts surreptitiously doing the same. Ropes can't hold them, however thick they might be. And at the rate Flynn's going, determination alone will get them out. Well, determination, hurt, and rage, three things Nicole is very intimately acquainted with.

"It's a bit of a long shot, but- oftentimes, when two men are closely connected with each other, and one of them finds someone he likes, there can be a bit of friendly competition." She's not speaking from any sort of experience at all, of course, just hypothesizing about what could have possibly happened. Granted, she didn't know Flynn's father or mother, and she barely knows Jerry, so she realizes she could be quite a bit far from the mark.

"I don't need weapons to disable a man. But I don't want to become a pincushion or a target for their bullets." If she's quick enough, she might be able to knock some of them out before they have time to reach for their weapons, but it's difficult to predict success or failure while they're still tied up with ropes.

"But if you distract him, that will buy both of us some time. I don't want you getting in the crossfire, though." They need to survive this, and her Guardian instincts are telling her not to let Flynn draw attention to himself.

[PSL] The Return to King Solomon's Mines Ultimate Fix It (for slapthelibrarian)

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