A Different Time and Place

[Danü Rèalta]

Mia had been listening, even through the Saoirse's exuberant chatter. She'd lean over, pulling her little niece of towards her and blowing a raspberry against her neck in order to get her to stop talking for a minute before responding to Nate.

"What? You don't remember? Mom had it in the old HemoTech building when she was trying to kill Atreyu. So if you're talking about when you popped off back then - then the ring is in Iceland. I don't remember going back there for that stuff we pulled from Mom's safe so I can only assume you got it back eventually from there as well. You're slipping in your old age."

She'd give him a teasing grin. But he was old. So much older than perhaps he let on and especially than only the 25 years since he first went away. Who knew how long he had been out there hopping around before he finally was able to pop backwards into this time. Unfortunately after Sera was gone.

"Ahanna asked to borrow it."

"What?" Mia would ask, turning around to Zella.

"You are the one not remembering. Ahanna asked to borrow it and Dad's ring not too long ago. Morsus went to get it from Iceland. I'm assuming that is how it came back into Nathan's possession. Maybe Morsus never told you? I'm not sure where you were at the time."

Mia would shrug. "Hell, I don't even know where I am half the time. But whatever."

Nissa crouched down with a smirk in front of Niwyn.

"I suppose I can't complain. I hate I missed it. You know how much I love to fry some spiders. Especially like the gold I end up collecting when we're done."

She'd tease to Winnie before glancing up to Z'ress for a moment.

"Hang on. Meme. She is not the other fire wielder. That's.... that's Ema'laeth? The house leader or something like that. Meme is Ilimetha who joined us that one time we accidentally ended up in the Abyss right? When did she have kids?

She'd look back up to her Grandfather. He seemed ready to leave. Eager almost. Like his social anxiety was about to get the better of him. She'd at least wait for Winnie's response before just taking off not to be rude, but would give her friend another fist bump before standing and moving back to Rift.

"I'm ready when you are."

[Darkrift (Homunculus)]

Rift instinctively searched his coat pockets for a set of keys. "Oh shit. Yeah... I upgraded ta a push start last year, so I'm still gettin' used ta not needin' keys much anymore." He grinned and pressed a tiny hidden pressure pad in his collar. A reddish portal opened, revealing his spacious garage.

"Illy should be gettin' back from the fae spa an' grill momentarily." He grinned. "Anybody want a beer from my private stock before I go? It's... a ... pretty stout, and it'll knock out a Clydesdale. Nevermind dat...Dat was a bad night." He chuckled as Nissa addressed him.

"Sure, darlin'. Have de kids already popped over to the lab? Once Illy settles down at de house I'll go check on em' ta make sure nothin' burns down." He grinned wryly.

Rift shook Nathan's hand, with a warm, meaty paw. "Thanks fer de hospitality. I gotta go... too much goin' on in my head so I gotta release dis pent up energy productively. I hafta admid, you could always make better desserts den me. I might have ya on gumbo an' my ribs are as bout' as good as Malcolm's... but you take de literal cake. It's always good ta see ya, old man."

Rift had studied Nathan's ring closely, recalling it when it was worn by Atreyu... A lifetime ago, when he was older... (It was complicated) He didn't know it's purpose until today. He memorized it.

He had a pretty good clue about how he could replicate it.

He'd need a shit ton of plutonium, and a few rare metals, but he figured he had a bit of time. Perhaps all the time he ever needed if this worked.

Rift quieted his mind, not remembering who had telepathy.

He had some phone calls to make.

"G'night everbody! I'll see ya'll in a few."

[darkheart]

Nathan would nod to Mia quietly, listening to the back and forth.

"My plan, Mia, is to drop the younger me off in Iceland so that he can put that ring on and be able to modulate his presence so he doesn't go popping off randomly after all this work. From all of my calculations, there is a minimum of 5 minutes between hops. The quarks involved in the temporal displacement need to stabilize before they can pull me somewhere else. Depending on the 4 dimensional distance from where I am and were I'll go, that can vary - but it's always been at least 5 minutes. So if I dust him off, and drop him in, he should be able to get the ring on. Since we're jumping at least 20 years, I'm hoping he has time.

He would grip Rift's hand firmly, shaking it with love. Of the entire family, Rift always reminded him of the tales of his grandfather. Like Greek Myths or Legends like the Battle of Thermopylae, despite his somewhat domesticated lifestyle, Nathan was raised on the stories of Rift's grand adventures with his grandfather. He had infinite respect for the man.

"Well I should say that we should contact the old bear, and if you two bring dinner, I'll be happy to bring dessert. I'm sure the girls would appreciate something better than my tired old cooking, and I know Saoirse loves spicy food, so if you're Andouille, is half as spicy as is should be, she'll lick the pot clean.

Ahanna, on the other hand would rise and move towards Rift quietly. Her void black eyes seemed to take in light rather than reflect it, and her face was deathly serious. A very small wormhole would appear beside her, and she would reach into it, then pull out a silver capped vial made of a very ancient bone. She'd slip it into his pocket, her unblinking stare almost threatening to consume his soul through his eyes. Her purple stained lips would lean in to whisper words in audible to everyone else, so close to his ear they threatened to press a kiss to his lobe with each word. The wormhole closed and she turned, snapping her fingers as she moved towards the door.

"A pleasure to see you all, dears. Come Vespyr, the Court awaits. I just wanted to check in on you, Nathan...it seems you are doing well and your girls are fine in spite of that jelly donut snafu with Vespyr during last month's little timejump babysitting session. Yes, I'm talking about you, Aisling...I know you wanted me to think it was Saoirse, but you can't fool me little one."

Aisling would blush and Ahanna would grin slyly, proud of her rather than being dismayed. It was always the quiet ones. As a Queen would be expected, she curtsied to all, then turned to leave without looking back. Vespyr turned awkwardly, not sure if he should smile, bow or wave. In the end, he just snuck a kiss to Zella's cheek and scurried after Ahanna.

Saoirse would pop out of Mia's arms, appearing to swing around Rift's neck like a necklace in a hurricane. She planted kisses all over his cheeks, nose, eyelids and even some on his hair as her momentum carried her before she popped back to Nissa to octopus hug her from the front, half choking her in her fervor. Nuzzling her nose, he then popped back to ride Mia piggy back. Aisling, meanwhile, just raised her hand slowly from her place in Zella's arm, wiggling her fingers in a gentle wave goodbye, leaning the side of her head gently on Zella's sternum with a contented sigh.

[Danü Rèalta]

Mia wouldn't be able to help the roll of her eyes.

"Well you sure as hell better make sure someone tells him. Or at the very least leave him a note. I mean, he's pretty sharp but his nerd brain goes off and overthinks things sometimes."

She'd just grin, reaching down to fluff Saoirse's hair. Knowing she's talking about the same person standing in front of her but just not caring.

"You know. Just like cute little nerdy brains do. Eh?"

Mia wouldn't bother to stand as Ahanna said her goodbye's, just twiddle her fingers in the air in a bit of a waive as Saoirse popped out her arms. Zella would dip her head respectfully and wish her safe travels, leaning in with a bit of a smile as Vespyr snuck a kiss to her cheek.

Mia would just sit there quietly, a somewhat serious look on her face even as Saoirse popped back in to attach herself to her aunt's back like a backpack.

"I could go. And help. If I'm able. You can't I'm sure without causing some kind of paradox. I don't know what other idea you had but I bet once I'm there I'm sure I'll remember where we stored the ring and at least make sure it gets on his finger within your five minute window."

[darkheart]

"Alright girls....it's time, I suppose."

Nathan would move over to a console and tap a few buttons. The floor would open and a stasis pod would rise, a younger Nate within. Steam would start to jettison from the pod and the younger version would awaken. As the pod cracked open, both girls would turn, wave and call out in a half step key:

"Hi Dad!"

The younger version of himself was wearing his silver ring, which he noted immediately. He looked up at the older version of himself and nodded. The information transfer during cryostatsis had given him everything he needed to know. He'd walk around the columns, focused, but nodding.

"Future Z'ress, Goopy...good to see you. Zella, you look lovely dear. Mia...you got old.

He'd smirk at her, pinching at her bottom. For him, he'd only been asleep for a few moments. He hadn't lost any time whatsoever. He was staring mostly at a group of strangers. He smiled and blew kisses as Aisling and Saoirse, wondering idly if this is what they would grow up to be like where he returned to. Pulling the ring off, he tossed it to the older version of himself, who put it on with a grateful sigh. They nodded to each other quietly.

"Stand back, everyone, behind the blast shields. If this goes wrong, I don't want your left boob or your right knee to suddenly age 50 years...."

The girls' eyes began to glow gold, and they giggled in an almost eerie singularity. Aisling would float to mechanical controls and start moving with careful precision. Saorise would pop away from Mia and begin chanting in a voice several thousand years too old for her age. The cube would begin to spin and glow floating in its own right. Both Nathan's would face each other on opposite sides of the ring, arms curved out. They began focusing temporal energy into a sphere as residual tachyons crackled and were absorbed by the pillars. Aisling would modulate the pillars while Saoirse would rotate the cube as if trying to undo a puzzle lock. After a brief moment, a window to a dark room appeared where Nathan was busy punching a heavy bag. He looked different - angrier. Aisling would shake her head to Saoirse, who would rotate the cube more. Nathan turned to Zella. The room turned to ice. The room returned and it was empty. Then Morsus was there. Then Mia.

Aisling shot a look to Saoirse, who rotated the cube backward. Morsus. She'd nod. Old Nate looked to young Nate with a smile.

"May we never meet again. You have 5 minutes. Godspeed."

With that younger Nathan would grin. Time slowed down as he speedstepped. He took a long look at all the friendly faces. He was blessed to have this family, whether they were all blood or not. He hoped this was a separate universe, not his future, and that they would live on without him and not be re-written. Jumping through the gate, without his energy it immediately closed behind him. It was why his older self ignored older Mia. One way trip - no way to hold it open, no way to get back. No time for argument.

And with that he tumbled into Iceland. 4 minutes 47 seconds Plenty of time.

[Darkrift (Homunculus)]

Pocket dimension Oghma - two minutes later...

Rift stood in the portal room, wiping his brow. He had explained his experiences with interdimensional travel to Nissa as best as he could, but he had trouble explaining what he was working on. It was after dinner, and he had crammed a second éclair from a well worn to go box into his maw.

"So... here it is. Its... a Tardis...? sure... dat sounds 'bout right. Eh... I need to name dis shit better." He winked at Nissa, who stood watching him in the doorway.

He stepped back after dropping the plunger. The Plutonium was the easy part. He had plenty of that in his Novorogod lab. It was getting the right kind of metal and ... Damakos' blood! Bloodsmithing was not something he had a lot of experience in, but he'd try anything once, but Ahana appeared to have been correct.

The fusion reactor fired up, blasting steam into the stratosphere.

Rift slipped on his black goggles and lit a cig. "Lets give er' a test run, eh?" Nissa smiled and nodded.

"Illy an' de kids should see dis. Time travel... hell. Nate is such a blabbermouth."

He flicked ash from his cig and pressed a large, black button.

"Heh. Got a mythril 3D printer last year from a weird lil' gnome warlock, I tink his name was... Rigs Malone? Hm... anyways, he was from Prithivi. Ol' boy said its techy, but right on de money when it comes to quality forms. I got it for a steal."

Rift handed Nissa some dark sunglasses as the room filled with light.

"Wow... It's like de Bifrost if it were made of stars!!! Ain't dat pretty?" They could see an opening to the time stream. Rift looked around, but froze as he looked back at Nissa. "Shit!!" He could only watch.

"Oh... no no.. not dat... ... Nathan. Dammit... he's collapsing de timeline already!" He watched in horror as Nissa began to fade into nothingness, she was silenced instantly.

Rift felt cold, as he knew his time was up. it was too late for his family. He stepped into the temporal rift. He went into the room, and his flesh seared from the radiation. He reached for the ring and placed it on his hand, and it melted his skin down to the bone... There was no pain.

His flesh was regenerating as quickly as it disappeared, but then the metal exploded, and everything turned white.

~~~

Malfeas, year 122.

"Am... I alive?"

Rift opened his left eye. The other one was gone.

He was in a small cell, and there was very little of him left. He was a head attached to a spine, and a left arm. The rest of his body had been sheared off from the temporal portal. The pain was immense.

"Dammit. Not again."

He looked up as Duex, (a seven foot tall behemoth of a steel composite man) stood up from the small cot. Duex didn't speak, but he walked out of the cell and into the hallway, speaking into an ear piece.

"I need Delta Level evacuated and locked down immediately. Authorization code 66-4BTK. Activate all of the Wardens, and run your scans, Vic. Then I'll decide what to do once you get a reading." His earpiece rang with Victoria's chipper voice. "Affirmative, chief."


Rift collapsed on the floor. "I'm... so... sorry Nissa."