cahooted | [PSL] And the Vagrant Timelines (for hengeandkey)

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[PSL] And the Vagrant Timelines (for hengeandkey)

[Sometimes it's hard to believe that it's been almost ten years. And sometimes it's hard to believe that it's only been ten years. Which isn't to say that Flynn has been idle; old habits die hard and he kept studying, learning and, as time progressed, trying to put his skills to good use.

Sometimes he likes to help out. There may have been artifacts sent to or left on the Library's doorstep from time to time. Never with a name but Flynn is pretty sure that Judson and Charlene know it's him. In a way, it's trying to make up for his mistake. In a way, it's saying sorry.

Getting mixed up in unnatural occurrences or magical mishaps is still a thing that happens regularly to him. Which makes sense, now that he's part of it. Still, there has been a noticeable increase of strange events over the past couple of weeks and he thinks that something is up, something big is coming. Tonight, he watches from his window as a blue light unfolds in the dark sky like a blooming flower, then crashes down somewhere in the distance, dissipating.

Which can't be good.

Something about the phenomenon jogs his memory. He knows this. That light and how it behaved looked a lot like something he read about a couple of years ago. What was it called again? Laylines. Right, yes, that's the word. Flynn paces restlessly, his gaze drawn back again and again to the spot in the distance where the light had disappeared. The night has already progressed considerably and it's a risk to go out again at this hour.

But what if someone else decides to go after it? What if there's a danger and he gets stuck here the entire day? What if by tomorrow night it's too late?

Fine. He'll go; he'll be quick. At least figure out what is going on. If all else fails, he can send a message to the Library and they can send... whoever they have in there these days.]

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[ To Eve, it seems as though ten years has both flown by and crawled by all at the same time. It's a conundrum that makes very little sense, but even as she's moved on, part of her still is holding on to parts of the past. Watching over the LITs, now full-fledged Librarians, keeps her busy, but in her rare moments of downtime, she finds herself thinking about Flynn.

It's ridiculous, of course, because he's long gone, and what's more, he's never coming back. Things will never be the way they were. But like it or not, life goes on, and so does business as usual at the Library. When the clippings book alerts them to a new situation, Eve delegates the roles by sending the three Librarians off to investigate, while she in turn goes to investigate something concerning the laylines. They shouldn't be a problem anymore, not since Apep, but apparently somewhere, something hasn't gotten the message.

But apparently she's not the only one who's looking into the laylines. She's still a short distance away from the scene, but she can see someone is already there. Naturally she's come armed, just as a precaution, but she's hoping to not have to open fire for any reason. This is purely a reconnaissance mission, and hopefully no firepower will be necessary. Still, her approach is cautious, because she doesn't know who this person is or what their interest in the laylines is.

Of course, her would-be stealthy approach is broken just as surely as the twig crushed beneath her boots. So much for being undetected. ]

[Something is very wrong about all this. He can feel it in the air, the unnaturalness of it all. It's as if the air isn't just air but porous, permeable and it's like he's transgressing invisible borders with every step. Could the laylines be weakening reality? That might... actually be a reason to get over himself and in contact with Judson and Charlene, no matter how much he dreads the idea.

He steps forward to take a closer look when his senses flare up and alert him of a human presence; a moment later he hears the twig crush. His first instinct is to port back into the trees and out of sight but that might give him away. They might just be a curious wanderer, drawn to the scene by the unnatural light – the incident wasn't exactly subtle.

So instead he freezes, then turns, searching the shrubs and underwood with a keen gaze.]

Who's there?

[ Eve might not be as in tune with her surroundings as Flynn is, but even she can tell that something isn't quite right. But she doesn't have the time to think about that, or even really the wits to do so. When she steps forward and realizes just who is standing there, it feels as though all the air inside her has just left in one big rush.

It isn't like her to stand there gaping, but at least for a few seconds, it seems that that's all she is capable of. ]

I must be having the world's worst nightmare.

[ This isn't too far from the nightmares she's had before, so who's to say this isn't just another one? ]

[Flynn's first thought is wow, she's beautiful and the sight stuns him for a moment, making it a little hard to react. But she's staring at him just as dumbfounded as he is and that is new, that never happens? He's the one who stares. Why would she stare at him? Women who look like that don't stare at him.

Plus, that's an... odd greeting and Flynn brings his hand up to his mouth quickly, checking if he forgot to retract his fangs. But no, there's nothing that should give him away so – maybe she's talking about the phenomenon? Probably.]

Hi. You, uh, were probably out for a nice evening stroll and wonder what that strange, blue, glowy light was that just happened to randomly light up the night sky...

[ The way he's staring at her takes her by surprise, but it's not the first time she's gotten that reaction from someone. A fine sight they must make with both of them staring back at each other. But she quickly finds her tongue again and says: ]

Actually, that's only partly right. I wasn't out for a nice evening stroll, but yes, I'm wondering about that blue, glowy light that actually isn't so strange. I'm also wondering what you're doing here, since I'm reasonably certain you shouldn't be able to be here.

[ Clearly what she knows about Flynn Carsen is not correct, unless this is all a very elaborate dream that she'll be waking up from any moment now. ]

I shouldn't? Maybe I was out for a nice evening stroll, too. It's a nice evening for an evening stroll, that's why they're called evening strolls and not daytime strolls.

Even though daytime strolls exist, they do, they have that.

[Not that he can take them, but. He babbles on but gets more and more distracted by the way she keeps looking at him. Finally he snaps his mouth shut and clasps his hands together questioningly.]

I'm sorry, but... I have to ask, it almost feels like you think you know me?

Maybe you were, maybe you weren't. It didn't seem like you were in the middle of strolling when I came around.

[ Or maybe she's really far off the mark, but somehow she doesn't think so. Call it a hunch. ]

Well, I've heard stories about you. Always in passing, and never really in their entirety, but- you're something of a legend.

[ At least from the way Jenkins tells it, and definitely from how Judson and Charlene used to. ]

Well, no, I was investigating the blue, glowy light that for some reason you don't seem to find so strange. But I'll have you know I'm an excellent stroller.

[Which is absolutely not the point, so. Moving on.]

Stories about me? [And a legend? Him? All of this brings his guard up a little. Flynn is usually very careful but he does run into trouble from time to time.

However, if she were another disgruntled vampire who is still angry about the whole Dracula affair he'd know. He thinks. Unless she can somehow mask her vampireness – he puts that on the mental list of things he wants to research.

But that still wouldn't explain how she apparently knows him by sight. Flynn doesn't show up on camera so that's very much impossible, unless...]

Who are you?

It's a lay line, isn't it? We thought we'd taken care of those. And by we, I mean myself and the people I work with. [ If he is indeed who she believes he is, he'll know what sort of people she's talking about. She wants to see how good at deducing facts he really is. ]

Yes, and quite a few of them, too. [ She's not a disgruntled vampire, and if she were a vampire, she'd be most put out about it. Still, she's aware that she's probably arousing some suspicion, so when the question about her identity comes, she's ready for it. ]

Eve Baird.

[ She knows a name won't tell him much about herself, but she doesn't want to hand over all the answers on a silver platter. ]

Flynn Carsen. Which you already seem to know.

[Lay lines. Taken care of. People she works with. Stories about him, quite a few.

His mouth suddenly feels very dry.]

You're with the Library.

Yes, I do. [ She hesitates for a moment, as if deciding how much she ought to say. But she can't see any harm in what she's about to say. ] Judson's talked about you.

I am with the Library. I'm a Guardian.

[A Guardian. Of course, that makes sense. They have a new Librarian, someone who wouldn't be all up in arms about taking another person with them on missions, so of course they would also appoint a new Guardian.

When she mentions Judson a shadow falls over his face and he looks away, studying the impact side.]

Did he? [Well, that must have been a disappointing story.]

How, um, how is he?

Yes, he did. And continues to do so, in small amounts, of course.

[ She doesn't quite understand the history between Judson and Flynn, but from the way he talks, it makes her think of the way a father might talk about his son. ]

He's doing well. Work with the Library keeps him busy.

[ She pauses for a moment after saying that, giving him an appraising look before speaking up again. ]

I'm the last person in the world who will pry in someone else's business, but I really don't understand what happened with you and the Library. Obviously you left a big impression, since everyone keeps talking about you, but-

[ Another pause. ]

Sorry. You really don't have to tell me anything. Maybe we should just investigate what's going on here.

[Flynn can feel a jolt of excitement upon learning that Judson still talks about him, then shame, then regret.]

What happened between me and the Library? I failed it.

[He squats down to pick up a handful of scorched earth, studying it up close before putting some in his pocket.]

Turned my back on it. Turned my back on him.

[Flynn looks up, his face closed off and distant but his eyes giving away the storm raging underneath.]

So I don't know what legendary stories you think you've heard, Guardian Baird, but I promise you, they're not worth the parchment they're printed on.

That's putting a lot of pressure on yourself, isn't it? I mean, I don't know what happened, and don't feel like you have to tell me, but no one's perfect. It took me a long time to learn that lesson, and that by putting so much pressure to perform on myself, it was really tripping me up.

[ She's just going to pin him with her trademark steely look. ]

I might not have anything to go off of other than stories, but there wouldn't be stories if you hadn't left a good impression, Flynn.

[It's been a while since someone has given him the pragmatic, matter-of-fact response and Flynn scowls, looking away when he can feel the familiar burn of a no-nonsense Guardian stare piercing him. He is about to replay when his eyes dart up, noticing the first blue streak in the dark sky overhead.

Sunrise.]

We can't talk here. I have to go.

[ Eve looks upwards as well, and glances back at Flynn, and her eyebrows raise as she looks incredulously at him. ]

What, you don't like the sun? Or- [ She cuts herself off, because she is very much not ready to accept that thought as a possibility. ]

[Quick on the uptake then. Flynn shoots her an appreciative look but doesn't exactly dwell on it. He's on a timer here.]

You can think about whether you want to say it on the way.

[He'll just start walking otherwise. He doesn't mean to be rude but he's not going to turn into dust over etiquette.]

[ Very, and if he thinks even for a second that he can ditch her by walking away, he has another think coming to him. Not that she thinks that's what he's thinking, but she's doing a bit of profiling, and people who act as secretive as he seems to be usually just want to be left alone.

Of course, there's still the possibility of him proving her wrong, so she just follows after him. ]

Let me guess, you have a secret hidden lair, and you're the only one who knows about it.

[ That sounds lonely, if that's the case. ]

Edited 2018-01-23 20:49 (UTC)

Yes.

Well, me and my landlord.

[Is that humor? Maybe.

Flynn doesn't object to her following along. He has an inkling she wouldn't care if he did. Of course he could just teleport off into the night and leave her here but... Part of him wants to hear more about the Library. About Judson and Charlene. Maybe this will be the only opportunity in a long time to hear how they're doing, he can't just pass it up.]

Why are you out here on your own? Where's the Librarian?

[ Eve chuckles in spite of herself. ]

Ah, yes, I suppose even- even people like yourself need landlords.

[ What is she even saying? She has no idea what vampires need, other than the obvious food supply. Which is a thing that makes her shudder. ]

Following a lead, of course. And as for the Librarian, well, he's busy dealing with another problem.

[ And speaking of problems, suddenly she's aware how this must look. She's a Guardian, out there alone, and the Librarian(s) is (are?) somewhere else, equally alone. ]

So you're multitasking now. Interesting.

[He casts a curious glance back over his shoulder. He isn't one to talk, having spent a lot of time going on missions alone, but a Guardian and a Librarian going their separate ways? That's new.] I guess it allows you to cover more ground.

It works. [ Would she prefer things to be different? Of course. ] It's not all the time, of course, but like you said, we can cover more ground this way.

[ Still, she misses having company, so oddly enough, this is a refreshing change of pace for her. ]

I bet. I remember I used to hate the long plane travels, very exhausting.

[He stops at the doorway, glancing down, then back at her, a hint of amusement in his eyes.]

Would you like to come in?

[ That hint of amusement earns him a look. ]

All right, I'll come in. [ Because she does want to, just so that they can talk more. ]

But don't even think about trying anything. [ She won't use force unless she has to, but she also is at least a little concerned about her chances against a vampire. ]

[That draws a chuckle from him.] Relax. I'm not going to attack a member of the Library.

[He's not going to attack anyone, really, but he's not giving that much away. Intimidation tends to work in his favor and gets him out of a lot of fights by default. It's a security net that he won't give up anytime soon.

Just in case she might be lying.]

Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?

No? You could easily spin this to your advantage, if you wanted to.

[ But she relaxes, if only just a little. She's not going to lower her guard, but she can at least be a little less stiff. ]

Water's fine, if you have it.

[ What exactly do vampires drink, anyway? Besides blood. ]

And what advantage would that be? Have Charlene get here and rip my head off?

[He moves to fetch the water and two glasses and sits with her again.]

I like to think I know better than that.

[ She arches an eyebrow. ]

Really? You see no potential advantages here at all? And I'm fully aware of the threat Charlene presents.

[ That's vaguely reassuring that Charlene still holds some sway here. ]

[He smiles.] I also like to think I am better than that.

[Flynn takes a sip of his water, trying to determine his next move. They were going to talk out there before the sun had come up. Should he pick back up where the conversation had been interrupted?]

So what are these grand stories that you heard?

Maybe you are, maybe you aren't. Some people wouldn't hesitate to jump at what could be seen as an opportunity. [ She shrugs. ] But maybe you're just smarter than most people.

[ Her lips turn up into a half-smile. ]

To tell you all of them would take a lot longer than just one meeting. But I'll have you know that Judson and Charlene painted a picture of a very daring and practically fearless man.

[ And in the interest of keeping his head from getting too big, she adds: ]

Although they did say it took some time for you to develop in that particular direction.

[He laughs at that.]

That is very true.

[Leaning back in his chair he grins, a hint of the old self-deprecation finding its way into his features.] Constantly distracted. Way in over my head. Broke the Holy Grail on my first day and the Jet-pack in three hours? Judson said it's a record.

Impressive. I think the only thing I broke on my first day was your personal space.

Well, not you exactly, but- you get the idea. You tried to shut me out, and I wouldn't let you.

That sounds...

Well, I guess that sounds a little bit like me.

Only a little?

[ She doesn't mean to sound so questioning. It's just hard to imagine that he could be so different from the Flynn she knows when he looks exactly like him. ]

I shouldn't give away all my secrets. Makes me more mysterious and interesting.

[He grins.]

So! I guess that means we're from different timelines. Which begs the question – are you in mine or have I crossed over into yours?

Mysterious and interesting, just the way I've always liked you. [ Too forward? Perhaps. But she wants to see if he'll respond to teasing the same way. ]

Although, sometimes I think you take the "mysterious" part too far.

[ Just saying. ]

That is a good question. I'm a little new to all this, and crossing timelines is something we try to avoid.

[ Basically, she's not certain how to tell whose timeline they're in. She has no problem admitting that to him; somehow, she thinks he won't use it too much against her. ]

[The teasing brings a surprised expression to his face and he needs a moment to catch up to the implication. When he does he chuckles, a little flattered, a little embarrassed and he briefly rubs the back of his neck.]

Ah.

[He quickly clears his throat, getting back on top of his game and attempts a playful smirk.] One can never be too mysterious.

[But back to business. He leans back, hesitating.]

Well, my apartment still exists which points to you being in my reality, though that could be a ripple effect. I guess the easiest way to check would be to see if this world has your Library or... ["Mine" dies before it can pass his lips and he clears his throat again, looking away briefly.] Or not.

[ In turn, Flynn's reaction brings a slight smile to Eve's face. He hasn't changed that much. It's good to see that. ]

It does? [ Eve makes a "hmm" sound as she ponders that one. She's still getting used to this business of alternate timelines and realities. ] Well, all right then. Let's go find out.

[ Her no-nonsense expression is back, because she'd rather find out the answer definitively. They can decide what to do after that. ]

Right.

[He doesn't look too happy about that. He's been running from this particular confrontation since... well, pretty much since he stepped foot into New Orleans.]

Only problem is, I can't exactly board a plane.

You can't?

[ That's news to her. ]

Why not?

Well, it would have to be a night flight. And if it gets delayed I might be in trouble.

And with in trouble I mean I'd die.

Pretty much on the spot.

Oh. [ A pause. ] Oh.

I see. That does present a predicament.

[ She'd forgotten about the trouble vampires could get in if they were caught out in the sun. ]

Too bad I can't just produce a Door. That would solve all your traveling problems.

[Flynn holds up his thumb and index finger closely together. Tiny predicament, yes.

Then he pauses, his brow furrowing.]

A Door? What do you mean, produce a Door?

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[PSL] And the Vagrant Timelines (for hengeandkey)

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