[PSL] And the Time of Times (for a bunch of people really)

[cahooted]

[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.]

Comments

[cahooted]

Are you sure? If it's something I'm going to do maybe I should know about it and try not to do it so much in the future...

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.

[hengeandkey]

Are you even going to remember any of this? I mean, all I know about time travel is what I've read in books and seen in movies, but don't people who go back to their own time forget everything they've seen in the future?

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.

[cahooted]

That's a good point. I hadn't thought of that. [He scratches the back of his head.] Maybe I can write myself a note. You know. "Don't be frustrating." [He makes a little wavy gesture with his hands.]

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?

[hengeandkey]

Honestly, if you weren't frustrating, I'd wonder what happened to you. It's not all a bad thing, you know. Just sometimes, I wish that you weren't so stubborn, but then I just start to feel guilty because I'm no better at that than you are.

[ 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.

[cahooted]

It's not? [He doesn't know what to make of that because 'frustrating' sounds like a rather bad thing to Flynn. Kind of like embarrassing and unpleasant. He can see the leeway in 'stubborn' but frustrating? But oh well. She obviously knows his future self better than he does. Girlfriend.

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.

[hengeandkey]

No, as much as I'm surprising myself by saying it, it's not a bad thing. He's stubborn, and won't back down easily, and that's exactly how he needs to be to get the job done. [ Her personal feelings have to take a backseat to the responsibilities of the Librarian, however difficult that is for her to admit. ]

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?

[cahooted]

He seems very... [For the lack of a better word Flynn just tugs at his collar, as if straightening a jacket. That he isn't wearing. Because that's what his future self is wearing and it's impressive. Snazzy. Dashing.

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.

[hengeandkey]

Cagey? Closed-off? Too used to doing things on his own? I'd say all of those things fit. But maybe I'm not being fair. And I certainly shouldn't be dragging you into this. It's not really your fault that sometimes he's difficult.

[ 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.

[cahooted]

I wasn't going to use these words... [But from what he's seen of his other self he can hardly argue against them either.]

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...

[hengeandkey]

And you didn't. I did. [ Perhaps she's being a little too honest with him about her thoughts regarding his other self. She likes him very much, but everyone has faults, and his are incredibly frustrating. ]

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? ]

[cahooted]

[He flashes her a small smile.] Sooo you want me to change that note do "don't be cagey" then?

[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.

[hengeandkey]

No, you can keep the note to whatever you want. "Don't be frustrating" and "don't be cagey" boil down to the same thing in the end. I'm not here to tell you what to do.

[ 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?

[cahooted]

Resetting... He has a magic desk, too?! Come on, now my future is just showing off.

[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.]

[hengeandkey]

He does that, you know. If we're being honest, it almost turned me off working with him, because he acted like he was nothing more than a bit show-off. [ But she tempers that with a smile. ] I realize now it was mostly a defense mechanism, and we got along a lot better after he stopped trying to do that.

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.

[cahooted]

It's not really up to me. [He holds up the chain with the Periapt, grinnig a bit ruefully.] When it says jump, I jump. But I... I wouldn't mind staying here until that happens.

[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.

[hengeandkey]

You jump? [ She glances at the Periapt warily, as if not sure of its safety. ] What, does it open a portal where you're standing for you to jump through?

[ 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.

[cahooted]

Something like that. I get a bit of a warning before it happens, it's not just whoosh and blinding light. Usually I feel a, a kind of pull one or two days before it happens. And it gets stronger over time until it lets me make the jump.

[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.

[hengeandkey]

Oh, really? That's helpful. It gives you time to prepare, instead of just swooping you off to who-knows-where. And I wasn't worried about being pulled along, just- All right, I was a little worried.

Just a second, I'll have coffee right out. [ There's always a pot on, and it's fresh, too. A few seconds later, she's back with a mug of steaming coffee. ]

Sorry, I don't know how you take your coffee. [ Her Flynn is never around long enough, not that he needs the boost in energy, given how he's always running around. ]

Well, you seem very determined to find her, and those who are determined usually get results. [ If she's offended by any of his statements (she's not), she doesn't show it. She understands that Flynn and Nicole had something special, and she doesn't begrudge him one bit. ]

He would say the same, I'm sure. [ If he weren't always away chasing down leads. But she knows it's important to him to do what he does, and her wishes have to come second to that. ]

[cahooted]

It does. But that's also a day of feeling really strange. Everything gets a little fuzzy, it's... it's a bit weird.

[He takes the mug and smiles, warming his hands on it.] Thank you. I usually take sugar but this is fine. [This is more than fine, actually, the coffee smells heavenly and Flynn takes a small sip because he can't wait for it to cool off.] God, I missed coffee.

[The subject of determination gives him pause and he hums thoughtfully.]

I really hope I'll find her this time. It's the first time the Periapt sent me to the future. That has to be good sign, right? [He looks up from the rim of his mug, face bright with a new hope.]

[hengeandkey]

Well, I don't know anything about periapts or time travel, but I'd imagine it must be a bit weird. And that's probably understating it.

We have sugar if you want it. [ Somewhere. Ezekiel keeps moving it to random places. ] We have plenty of it, if you want more when you're done with your first cup.

And yes, I'd call that a good sign. [ She can't help but smile warmly back at him; he has that effect on her, regardless of when and where he's from. ]

[cahooted]

Well, I won't say no to that.

[He takes another sip and hums contentedly.]

This is really good, thank you. ... So hey, uh, how did you get here? [A beat.] Do you think it's okay if I ask about you? I guess I'm already in the future, but...

[hengeandkey]

I wouldn't let you say no either. [ She winks at him, because while she's teasing, she won't begrudge him a few cups of coffee. ]

Here, as in the Library? Well, that's a quite a story involving a German steam tunnel and some kind of artifact that was rigged to explode. [ And a literal bomb that needed to be defused, but that's neither here nor there. ] And I think it's fine if you ask about me.

[cahooted]

[He chuckles as he listens.] Sounds just like another day with the Library if you ask me.

How do you like it?

[hengeandkey]

Well, there was also the part about how some of it was orchestrated by another agency who wanted to get access to the Library.

[ That's something she still feels terrible about, and some of that probably shows up on her face. ]

But honestly, I love it. I know I didn't always, not at first, but it's something that sneaks up on you when you're not looking.

[cahooted]

Now that sounds like an interesting story?

[If she feels like telling it. He can definitely see the reluctance and emotional response there but it's a little hard to read just what exactly is bothering her here.]

I'm glad you like it. [It's not often he can share what he does with other people and to have someone who enjoys this place as much as he does... This future doesn't sound so bad.

For another version of him, that is. Flynn already has someone he wants to share this place with.]