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[PSL] And the Time of Times (for a bunch of people really)
[After going backwards for such a long time Flynn is surprised when the artifact sends him into his own future. And not only that; according to the place it's going to be the future of the Library, too. He sure would love to know why but the Periapt of the Horae doesn't give that kind of explanation. It helps him track Nicole through time and space but it doesn't provide answers; it allows him to make the jumps between the years (or decades, or centuries) but won't let him choose where or when to go next. The artifact gives him one time and place at a time and he has to take it.
He is... 93% sure that once he finds Nicole and the tracking is done, it will allow both of them to jump back to the initial spot where he began his search. Maybe 87% sure. But he'll get to that when the moment arrives.
In the current "now", there's a whooshing sound and then Flynn finds himself in a room that he is, surprisingly enough, completely unfamiliar with. He stumbles through something that looks like a door, but it's connected to a globe and some strange wiring. This isn't the Library, at least not its regular entrance. It looks more like a study, with several desks and stairs leading up to a row of bookshelves.
Walking around he turns in astonished circles. He immediately realizes that he likes it; this is a place he would love to work at and he makes a mental note that once he goes back with Nicole to set up a study like this for himself. Really, that would be so much more convenient than sprawling his notes all over the tables in the main entrance hall and have Charlene berate him over the mess all the time...
There doesn't seem to be anyone here and he explores the room, wondering about the current Librarian. On one desk he spots some books he immediately finds interesting but, curiously enough, there is another table with lots of weird gadgets and experimental setups which makes him think that his successor might be more scientifically inclined than Flynn.
Eventually he moves up the stairs to poke around some more on the balustrade above.]
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His older self had told Flynn he would introduce him to the others but had since disappeared. Flynn had been stood up many times in his life but it stung a little that he actually did it to himself. Especially now when he is so close to Nicole. He doesn't have time to waste.
... Okay, strictly speaking he does, but the impatience and longing when hope is stronger than ever is killing him. Fine, whatever. He can and will find her without his older self's help. Maybe there is a way to attune the Periapt to Nicole's presence, now that he knows for sure that she's in this time. He gathers all the books together; on time machines, on Greek artifacts, on auras, so engulfed in his research that he does not realize someone has entered the Annex a while ago.
When the voice speaks up he startles, bumping into one of the shelves and bringing a small avalanche of books and scrolls raining down on him. He really needs to stop doing that. The woman's tone doesn't sound too amused either and there's something steely, no-nonsense about it that reminds him of both Charlene and Nicole. He sidesteps out of between the bookshelves and he peers around the stack on his arm sheepishly.]
Hi. I'm... sorry, I was just looking for some references.
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Flynn?
[ Her eyebrows lift in surprise. ]
What- Why are you- [ She interrupts herself twice before she manages to wrap her mind around what she wants to say. ] Why did you just leave without saying anything to anyone?
You made us all think you weren't coming back. Jenkins was so upset, and- Well, I wasn't happy about it either.
[ He might as well know the truth. ]
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[The way in which Flynn notices things comes in a specific order and this time is no different. First, the woman is gorgeous and he glances behind himself and back at her, a little starstruck that she would talk to him despite her calling out his name. And, well, him invading what is obviously her work space. Of course she would talk to him, that probably warrants a talking to, potentially a stern one.
The next thing he realizes is that she seems to be very familiar with him. Surprised to see him but happy, too, in a very distinctive way that betrays closeness, maybe intimacy (which brings a faint color to his cheeks). He doesn't know her but she knows him, knows him very well. That much is clear.
Then the things she says register and the pieces fall into place.]
Oh! [His face brightens into an understanding smile.] You must be... you're Eve, right? You're my Guardian! I mean, you will be. Wow. Hi.
Hang on, let me just put these... uh... [He turns left and right, a little overwhelmed, looking for a place to place the stack of books. Eventually he just puts them down on the ground.]
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What is this? Is this supposed to be some kind of badly timed April Fools' joke? You know perfectly well who I am: Eve Baird, Guardian, your unofficial girlfriend.
[ Because they haven't really put any labels on their relationship. ]
And I won't be your Guardian, I am your Guardian. And you're being confusing.
[ As usual. She's of half a mind to check him out for a concussion or something else relating to head trauma. ]
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[He frantically waves his hand in front of her.]
I'm sorry, this is all a terrible misunderstanding. See, I'm? [Pointing back at himself.] Not exactly who you think I am. You're, uh, you're looking for the other Flynn.
[There is a meaningful pause in which his eyes shift left and right.]
Whooo is not here right now for some reason? [Great. This is just great. This is just what he needs, looking so very believable in front of what appears to be a very miffed Guardian. Girlfriend.] I... I can explain.
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[ She's just going to step forward until they're practically nose to nose. Personal space doesn't exist in Eve Baird's world, not when she's not quite interrogating someone. ]
You look like him, at any rate. The hair is different, and the clothes too. [ Not that she can't appreciate the look he has going. It's just different from what she's used to. ]
I'm not buying it. You can comb your hair differently and dress differently, but you're still not going to fool me. I know who you are, and you should know that I wouldn't buy a story about there being two of you.
[ She steps back just slightly, crossing her arms in front of her. ]
So, please do explain. What exactly are you trying to do?
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[Flynn gulps, eyes widening when she moves in to take a closer look at him. So obviously that didn't work. Now that she points it out, it does sound a little silly.]
But it's true. [He brings up a second hand in a placating gesture.] Didn't he tell you guys about me? He was supposed to tell you guys about me. Oh man, I can't believe I stood myself up! [Really, who does that?]
I'm just here for some research. I'm trying to find Nicole and the other Flynn said I could use the Annex to look for ways to help me track her down.
[That's not exactly true. In fact, that's not true at all but he's sure if he had a chance to talk to his other self he would totally be able to convince him to say just that. Absolutely.
A beat.]
Oh. I should probably mention that I'm from the past.
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No, he must have forgotten to pass along that message. He does that a lot, and it's very frustrating. But that's not something you need to worry about.
[ Her eyes narrow, but she's not so suspicious as she was just moments ago. ]
Well, you're in the right place. Hang on, you just said Nicole. As in Nicole Noone, the Guardian?
[ Slowly, the pieces are beginning to fall into place, and his next comment about being from the past clinches it. ]
I don't really know a lot about time travel, but I'm guessing you're from the same time she is, and you're here to find her again.
[ And that just makes her admire him a little. She already admires the Flynn she knows, but the fact that he'd go to such lengths to find someone he obviously cares about impresses her. ]
Have you found anything useful?
[ Suddenly, despite her earlier misgivings, she finds herself wanting to offer to help. She's more familiar with the Annex, after all. ]
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I'm sorry that I, I mean he is so frustrating. [He doesn't know why he's apologizing on his future self's behalf but they are the same person so he kind of feels like he should. Especially if it's a common occurrence.
When the message gets through and she seems to believe him his face brightens and he nods eagerly, giving her a smile.]
Yes! Exactly, Nicole Noone. That's what I'm doing.
I've found some books that might help me attune the Periapt. ... Oh, right, you don't know about that either, I have this artifact, it lets me track her through time? I make these jumps but I can't control them and this time they brought me here. I thought maybe I can find something to help me calibrate it better and track her down in this time. Then I can bring her home.
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Maybe I'm being too harsh. He's not really that bad. [ Sometimes he's just maddening and so infuriating, but she doesn't mean to complain about him, especially to him, timeline difference or not. ]
Wow. I mean, I always wondered what Flynn's- what your backstory was and what you were like before, but I never imagined I'd get to find out. It's- nice to meet you, even if it's not really meeting you for the first time.
[ She smiles warmly, suddenly really interested in giving him a hand. ]
We do have a section on books on time travel. Maybe that's a good place to start.
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You did? Why don't you ask him? I mean, you have me right here. [Pause.] Only not right now, because he isn't here, he, that he is not, but I meant more in a general sense, do you... not talk about these things?
I mean not that it's any of my business because it's probably not and... What I mean is it's nice to meet you, too. [In a sudden impulse he sticks out his hand for her to shake. Only to realize how ridiculous that must look and he glances down at his hand.]
I... huh. I suppose that's not really necessary. [But Flynn's smile broadens at the mentioning of time travel books.] Maybe you can show me the books and we can pretend this conversation went a lot more smoothly?
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[ What? A little honesty never hurt anyone. ]
Well, the thing about him is, he's not always around. Most of the time, he's off on missions, and when he is around, there's usually one crisis or another that we have to deal with. That doesn't leave much time for talking.
[ And even if there were time for that, he most likely would try to bolt rather than give her the chance to ask her questions. ]
Of course.
[ She even grabs his hand before he can pull it away to give it a good hearty shake. Unnecessary or not, she really is happy to meet him. ]
Sounds like a plan, Flynn. Now, right this way. They're just a couple of shelves down.
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He can't help but study her a bit as she walks ahead. Military, he's pretty sure. Bit of a perfectionist. Definitely a workaholic like his older counterpart.]
You don't go on missions with him? [That's odd. Nicole would never let him go on a mission by himself. Oh, he can just picture her face if he tried.
Then again, Flynn has been traveling on his own for quite some time now so maybe that counts as one long big mission on his own. But that's because Nicole isn't... around. His future self still has his Guardian. Why wouldn't he take her with him?]
Thanks. [He follows her lead to the back shelves, leaving the stack of books he picked out earlier on the floor for now. He can get them when they come back.] Well, if there's anything you'd like to know you can... ask me? If you like. I don't mind.
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I don't. Well, sometimes I do, but I have three new Librarians who need just as much guarding as he does.
[ There's a pause, and an odd look comes to Eve's face, like she wants to express to this past version of Flynn how much she wishes she could go along with her Flynn, responsibilities to the LITs aside.
It's selfish, though, which is why she doesn't give voice to that. ]
He never talks about himself. It's always talk about the Library, or artifacts, or the next mission, so- Sometimes I feel like I don't really know him outside of the Library.
[ Part of her feels bad for talking about him like this to him, but she'll never get another chance like this again. ]
What did you like to do before you became the Librarian?
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Flynn doesn't feel like any of these things right now but he realizes he likes Baird which puts him more at ease. She may not be his Guardian but it's nice to hear that she cares about these things and... him, in a way, the other him.]
Well, I don't... I never really liked talking about myself. Which is what I'm doing right now and I don't mean to say I don't like talking to you about myself because I offered that and–... It's just that, it never really works out for me? I get all nervous and then I start saying the wrong things and then people look at you funny and your Mom has to bring the hors d'ouevres to remedy the situation and really, who are all those people in your living room anyway?
[What did he like to do before he became the Librarian? Technically he hasn't been the Librarian very long but with his long search thinking back to before is difficult, even for him.]
I was a student. I really like to learn, so... that's what I set out to do. [A pause.] I liked to go to the bookstore?
[He tries to come up with more and when he realizes he can't he flashes her a little, slightly bashful smile.]
It's probably not the big mysterious story you wanted to hear. I didn't really get out much before I became the Librarian.
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[ Though... maybe it is, a little. They're the same man, aren't they? ]
How about this? I promise I won't look at you funny. I've seen and heard a few things in the brief time I've been with the Library, and let me tell you, it puts a lot of things very clearly into perspective.
[ She can't help but smile a little at the flow of words that just left his mouth. He's cute, endearing almost, and she's realizing she really likes him. Which is strange, because again, same man. Just- slightly more nervous and prone to saying too any things. But still, she finds it all very endearing. ]
No wonder this job appeals to you. Where better to learn than here, surrounded by artifacts and so much history?
[ Honestly, she thinks that what he needs the most is a little encouragement. ]
It's a great story, Flynn, and it really does tell me a lot about you and your background. Not everything has to be big and mysterious. I'm sure that it took you some time to adjust to being the Librarian.
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It really did. At first I didn't even know why the Library would choose me. I mean, have you seen all those guys in the gallery? They even wear robes! And then there's me and suddenly Judson tells me I have to guard all these mythical artifacts and before I know it the Serpent Brotherhood steals the Spear of Destiny and I'm on a plane to the Amazon jungle? I never even left the city!
[His hands come up to gesticulate and emphasize his point.]
And suddenly all these people are trying to kill me and then Nicole kicks me off the plane and we climb giant trees and the Himalayas and I have to fly a helicopter and explore Mayan death chambers – though that one wasn't exactly planned – and I punch my former professor which really hurt my hand...
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You know, I said the same thing when I got that letter. Why would the Library want me as its Guardian? [ Flynn didn't even want her as his, though she's keeping mum on that subject. ] I didn't really think very much about magic before I got this job.
[ She can definitely relate to him, at least to some degree. ]
It sounds like you've seen a lot of things, Flynn. How do you feel about the job now?
[ Why does this sound vaguely like a job interview? ]
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[He doesn't seem too bothered by her assessment of his older self. Which might have to do with the fact that he already met his older self.]
Why wouldn't it? You're military, you have combat experience and you can adapt quickly to situations outside your comfort zone.
[Flynn doesn't even mean to read her. It just sort of... happens.]
The job? [What can he even say? His arms come up, then fall back down at his sides as he tries to come up with words to explain.] I love it. It's the best thing in the world. [He smiles.] It's like... I finally found a place where I belong.
You know it's great to be back, even if it's the wrong time. I missed the Library a lot.
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[ She reserves that for his older self. ]
Well- That's just it. I'm military. I'm too used to thinking of people as soldiers, and too used to just barking orders.
[ On some level, she thinks maybe a civilian would have been a better choice, not that there's any arguing with the Library. Or Charlene. ]
And it's hard to think about things in the context of magic existing. [ She didn't even believe in Santa Claus before the Library took care of that. ]
You know, I feel the same way too, except for one thing: the desk. Your desk. Or what will be your desk one day.
When Flynn's not around, I use it, but it keeps resetting itself to how he has it organized. It's so frustrating. [ But at least now she can chuckle about it. ]
The Library's unlike anywhere else I've ever been, and I've been to a lot of places.
[ But she turns her attention back to Flynn. ]
How long has it been since you were here?
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[However, at her question some of the humor drains from his face and he rubs the top of his head.]
... I don't know. It's hard to keep track when you jump around so much? At some point everything gets fuzzy... [Translation: way too long.]
But that's okay. Once I find Nicole I can bring us back to exactly the moment when I left. [He sounds convinced but also a little tired when he says it, like this is something he's told himself many, many times.]
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I've never really time-traveled, so I can't relate, but I imagine it's hard. You must have seen a lot.
[ She picks up on that tired note, and finds she doesn't like it. ] If it helps, you can stay here as long as you need. It's not the most comfortable place for resting, but I can pull out a cot for you.
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[That's a bit of an understatement. Sleeping at the Library sounds wonderful. He can hardly think of a place he'd rather be.]
It brought me to many places. The Roman Empire, Victorian London, the Wild West... The Vikings were horrible? Everything was loud, and cold, and look at me, I'm so violent... really hung up people I gotta say.
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[ Eve can tell from looking at him that he really is happy to be here, and happier still at the prospect of staying here for awhile. ]
Is there anything I can get you? Tea? Coffee? Water? You've come a long way; you must need something.
[ Playing hostess to a version of her Librarian seems strange, but to not do it would be wrong. ]
That all sounds fascinating. Of course, I'm happy where I am, but to see the places I've read about in history books- I can't even begin to imagine.
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[He smiles at her apprehensive look.] Don't worry, you can't accidentally get pulled along. Only... only the one I'm looking for can come with me. Coffee would be wonderful? Thank you.
Oh, it's fascinating! All those moments in time, all the adventures... If I had Nicole with me, it would be perfect. [Wait, is that a rude thing to say to your alternative timeline future girlfriend? He blinks, holding up a hand.] Which I'm absolutely sure the other me would say about you? [A beat.] Would think about you.
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