Personification Life, the Universe, & Everything [IC]

[Emazia]

Dax nodded and smiled at the man.

“Yes, I was. The only reason they even stood a chance was because I was drunk last night. I am a calm and reasonable man, although not perfect.” Dax replies, as the hangover set in...

"That's what I thought!" The miniature baby with wings smiled triumphantly. "Then let me explain our situation: I am part of a people that for years, has been trying to liberate repressed peoples, for no payment, out of the goodness of ours hearts. Yet each time, we have been thwarted by a tyrannical, self-proclaimed "goddess" and her miserable, theocratic sidekick. Recently, we've finally found the courage to stand up to her for good! Will you help us?"

"You think I ought to believe you? For a creature that thinks it knows me well, you forget one thing: I do not trust people who declare themselves to be charitable" Dax replied, grimacing as he outwitted the baby. "However...I accept your offer on one condition. I want to find two things. Nothing more, nothing less. These two things are why I'm here."

[Giovenith]

"That's what I thought!" The miniature baby with wings smiled triumphantly. "Then let me explain our situation: I am part of a people that for years, has been trying to liberate repressed peoples, for no payment, out of the goodness of ours hearts. Yet each time, we have been thwarted by a tyrannical, self-proclaimed "goddess" and her miserable, theocratic sidekick. Recently, we've finally found the courage to stand up to her for good! Will you help us?"

"You think I ought to believe you? For a creature that thinks it knows me well, you forget one thing: I do not trust people who declare themselves to be charitable" Dax replied, grimacing as he outwitted the baby. "However...I accept your offer on one condition. I want to find two things. Nothing more, nothing less. These two things are why I'm here."

"I don't think anything," the putto smirked and came a little closer. "You want something, we want something. It's the oldest structure in the world. Shoot your offer."

[Emazia]

"My name is Dr. Claude Walmedren, grandson of the 3rd Prince of Champagne." [...]"I am a philosopher, studying the nature of human morality and the universe." he commented, as he shook her hand.

“Good to meet you, Claude. But now that you're here in Galli, you may want to broaden your field of ethical study.” Smiling, she nodded in the direction of the bunnies and chicks, as it was hard to miss Willow, the grey pegasus pony. “And not everybody who seems human is. For instance--”

As she looked and gestured at Nine, she caught sight of the fidget spinner. “Is that a toy top?” Then, after taking in what the personification said, “Right, after you!”

Claude continued, as he slapped her with his glove. "I challenge you to a friendly duel. Do you have a duelling sword?"

Amanda recoiled, scowled, and snapped at Claude. "What?? No! This is neither the time nor place for backwoods bravado. If you want to play around later, I'll show you the holodeck. But right now, we. have. work. to. do!"

"What work? I do not believe that staring at a spinning....object of some sort is considered work. It is nothing more than momentary pleasure used to distract from greater pursuits. If you wish to follow these great pursuits, then I shall lead to you to a great place. I have built a theory of existence, the meaning of life. I am building the very nature of existence and the universe. The great tango of philosophy and science, all in one. Do you want some Callistonian Poppy Wine? It's made from the seeds of the poppy, much stronger than opium. In fact, I could introduce to my friend, Pierre-Luc Champagnion. He's a physicist and a damn smart man." Claude replied, as he looked down upon the fidget spinner.

[Emazia]

"You think I ought to believe you? For a creature that thinks it knows me well, you forget one thing: I do not trust people who declare themselves to be charitable" Dax replied, grimacing as he outwitted the baby. "However...I accept your offer on one condition. I want to find two things. Nothing more, nothing less. These two things are why I'm here."

"I don't think anything," the putto smirked and came a little closer. "You want something, we want something. It's the oldest structure in the world. Shoot your offer."

"The first thing I want is a simple thing: morality and direction. My idea of self is still broken, no matter the outward appearance. Simple as that." Dax said, smiling at the putto and nodding. He knew this thing was a place of vulnerability, but he still wanted to decide on a morality.

"The second thing I want is more concrete and more specific: I want to find out my old life. Who I was before I came to Tuisto. To find out about my life on the old world of Earth. I want to find out my old job, who Roman Johanneson is, and what happened in the year 1991 that led me to suicide. Those last two things are the crux of it all, but the more the better." Dax continued, feeling his inner desire to find it all out. Especially who Roman Johanneson was. Was he a spy who kept watch on him to ensure that he didn't betray his country and his people? His best friend and the man who he confided in? Or perhaps, both...

[Giovenith]

"What work? I do not believe that staring at a spinning....object of some sort is considered work. It is nothing more than momentary pleasure used to distract from greater pursuits. If you wish to follow these great pursuits, then I shall lead to you to a great place. I have built a theory of existence, the meaning of life. I am building the very nature of existence and the universe. The great tango of philosophy and science, all in one. Do you want some Callistonian Poppy Wine? It's made from the seeds of the poppy, much stronger than opium. In fact, I could introduce to my friend, Pierre-Luc Champagnion. He's a physicist and a damn smart man." Claude replied, as he looked down upon the fidget spinner.

Nine deadpanned at Claude's words, gripping the fidget spinner tighter.

"Oh my god, no one cares!" the teenager screeched, stereotypically. He threw his arms up in frustration. "We've got to find my grandpa!" With that declaration, he impetuously turned tail and ran off, Easter bunnies and chicks in tow.

Giovenith approached Claude. "You'll have to forgive him," she said, gently. "It's a long story, but we have to help that boy find his grandpa, or we're all going to be mobbed to death by angry Americans, or something. Time has been broken somehow. And, please don't hit Ms. Amanda..."

"I don't think anything," the putto smirked and came a little closer. "You want something, we want something. It's the oldest structure in the world. Shoot your offer."

"The first thing I want is a simple thing: morality and direction. My idea of self is still broken, no matter the outward appearance. Simple as that." Dax said, smiling at the putto and nodding. He knew this thing was a place of vulnerability, but he still wanted to decide on a morality.

"The second thing I want is more concrete and more specific: I want to find out my old life. Who I was before I came to Tuisto. To find out about my life on the old world of Earth. I want to find out my old job, who Roman Johanneson is, and what happened in the year 1991 that led me to suicide. Those last two things are the crux of it all, but the more the better." Dax continued, feeling his inner desire to find it all out. Especially who Roman Johanneson was. Was he a spy who kept watch on him to ensure that he didn't betray his country and his people? His best friend and the man who he confided in? Or perhaps, both...

"My dear Mister Dax," the putto explained, lifting its tiny arms cheerfully. "If there is anything we putti specialize in, it is guiding people who are feeling lost in the world. It would be a privilege to help you with your challenges. It's a deal."

[Emazia]

"What work? I do not believe that staring at a spinning....object of some sort is considered work. It is nothing more than momentary pleasure used to distract from greater pursuits. If you wish to follow these great pursuits, then I shall lead to you to a great place. I have built a theory of existence, the meaning of life. I am building the very nature of existence and the universe. The great tango of philosophy and science, all in one. Do you want some Callistonian Poppy Wine? It's made from the seeds of the poppy, much stronger than opium. In fact, I could introduce to my friend, Pierre-Luc Champagnion. He's a physicist and a damn smart man." Claude replied, as he looked down upon the fidget spinner.

Nine deadpanned at Claude's words, gripping the fidget spinner tighter.

"Oh my god, no one cares!" the teenager screeched, stereotypically. He threw his arms up in frustration. "We've got to find my grandpa!" With that declaration, he impetuously turned tail and ran off, Easter bunnies and chicks in tow.

Giovenith approached Claude. "You'll have to forgive him," she said, gently. "It's a long story, but we have to help that boy find his grandpa, or we're all going to be mobbed to death by angry Americans, or something. Time has been broken somehow. And, please don't hit Ms. Amanda..."

"Apathy is a sugary poison. It might be bad for you, but yet it's easier to just drink and drink...and drink. Also, what Americans? Do you mean New Saxonians? Oh, they'll all just fat slugs that we could run away from simply by walking. But on a more serious note, in the Luseanian upper class, it is normal to slap someone with your glove and challenge them to a friendly duel of superiority. This establishes a hierarchy early in your relationship." Claude replied to Giovenith, keeping his face straight up until the last word, as though it was normal to duel someone you just met.

"The first thing I want is a simple thing: morality and direction. My idea of self is still broken, no matter the outward appearance. Simple as that." Dax said, smiling at the putto and nodding. He knew this thing was a place of vulnerability, but he still wanted to decide on a morality.

"The second thing I want is more concrete and more specific: I want to find out my old life. Who I was before I came to Tuisto. To find out about my life on the old world of Earth. I want to find out my old job, who Roman Johanneson is, and what happened in the year 1991 that led me to suicide. Those last two things are the crux of it all, but the more the better." Dax continued, feeling his inner desire to find it all out. Especially who Roman Johanneson was. Was he a spy who kept watch on him to ensure that he didn't betray his country and his people? His best friend and the man who he confided in? Or perhaps, both...

"My dear Mister Dax," the putto explained, lifting its tiny arms cheerfully. "If there is anything we putti specialize in, it is guiding people who are feeling lost in the world. It would be a privilege to help you with your challenges. It's a deal."

"And so it shall be." Dax replied, shaking the creature's hand.

[Northwest Slobovia]

"Oh my god, no one cares!" the teenager screeched, stereotypically. He threw his arms up in frustration. "We've got to find my grandpa!" With that declaration, he impetuously turned tail and ran off, Easter bunnies and chicks in tow.

"Oh, great!" Amanda shook her head at the teen's retreating form. "We're not going to catch him on foot." She slid her phone out of her jacket, but didn't get a chance to start up an app before the godling approached the new Resident.

Giovenith approached Claude. "You'll have to forgive him," she said, gently. "It's a long story, but we have to help that boy find his grandpa, or we're all going to be mobbed to death by angry Americans, or something. Time has been broken somehow. And, please don't hit Ms. Amanda..."

Well, what a pleasant surprise! "Thank you, Giovenith!" And then to the new Resident, "Yes, what she said. But we need to follow him, and we're not doing it on foot." She touched her phone's icon for Ünter, summoning a ride. Watching the display for a moment, she saw that one was coming, and looked back up at the conversation.

"Apathy is a sugary poison. [...] This establishes a hierarchy early in your relationship." Claude replied to Giovenith, keeping his face straight up until the last word, as though it was normal to duel someone you just met.

Amanda looked at Claude as though he'd just sprouted a third eye. No, that would be more normal for Galli. His twaddle is getting irritating. Time for the direct approach. "Worrying about social dominance hierarchies is a game for tweens and teens, Mr. Walmedren, not adults. As is discount Nihilism and Logical Positivism. We've moved on. The nature of existence and the universe, or rather the omniverse, is quite simple: very powerful deities called Greater Beings make and run the show. Once you get used to that, the rest follows more or less logically."

A gilded pumpkin carriage pulled by a team of white horses arrived at the end of the Building's front walk, looking straight out of Cinderella. A footman dismounted from the running board and pulled the doors open, revealing plush seating for six. He checked a long scroll, then called out to the group: "Mrs. Bela? Mrs. Amanda Bela? Your Ünter ride has arrived!"

Amanda raised a finger. "That's me! Just a moment, please." She turned back to Claude, gesturing at the carriage. "For instance, that. There is no sensible reason a fairy-tale vehicle ought to be the one at hand, but there it is, simply because Demens brought it to Galli, and Bielefeld happens to be a good place for a hack to make money. So, if you'd do us a small favor and climb aboard, we have a New Years Teen to catch." She started walking to the carriage as the footman beamed at her.

[Giovenith]

A small tap alerted Claude to the presence of what looked like a small grey horse with wings. It deadpanned at him with blue eyes peaking through black bangs.

"And for a self-proclaimed expert on the nature of morality, you should know better than to show up in a foreign land and expect your customs to carry over just as well as they do in your home," it said in the voice of a young man. "Now let's skedaddle!"

The mini-pegasus nipped the back of the professor's shirt with his teeth and dragged him into the Ünter magic pumpkin carriage.

The path towards where Nine had run off should have lead into the city, but instead as they drove, the environment became more and more dazed and dreamlike. The sky became a pinkish-orange. The air smelled like sherbet ice cream. Fluffy green bushes dotted with colorful dots spotted the grassy hills, and many of the trees bore pastel colors. It looked like a world that would be depicted on a tacky holiday coloring book for children.

"Niiiiiiiiiine!" Giovenith called from out the window. "Where are yoooo- AHH!"

She darted back into the carriage as something THUNK'd into the side of the carriage, leaving a dent.

--

The putto carefully gripped one of Dax's fingers to shake. "Follow me!"

The air wavered around them, and suddenly they were in the saccharine holiday world that the riders of the carriage had entered.

"What kind of weapons can you use?" the creature asked.

[Emazia]

A small tap alerted Claude to the presence of what looked like a small grey horse with wings. It deadpanned at him with blue eyes peaking through black bangs.

"And for a self-proclaimed expert on the nature of morality, you should know better than to show up in a foreign land and expect your customs to carry over just as well as they do in your home," it said in the voice of a young man. "Now let's skedaddle!"

"I'm a sociologist too. It's a cultural introduction, which allows you to indicate cultural mores to the other person in the conversation. I'll admit, it wasn't the best idea to approach a stranger with a slap to the face, but I genuinely thought that I was being assaulted with a snowball." Claude replied to the horse as he entered the carriage.

The putto carefully gripped one of Dax's fingers to shake. "Follow me!"

The air wavered around them, and suddenly they were in the saccharine holiday world that the riders of the carriage had entered.

"What kind of weapons can you use?" the creature asked.

"I can shapeshift, analyse the environment around me quickly and thoroughly, along with having a silver tongue. I can resist torture along with being able to write reports. To answer your question, none." Dax replied to the creature, as he wasn't really one for combat.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

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---

Meritari was puzzled by the teen's hostile reaction, but said nothing and instead turned to Amanda, who was more than happy to fill her in on what was going on. In short, they needed to get the boy to his grandpa so that time would flow again - straightforward enough, even if it left out most details. At the older woman's last few words, the Kemetian smiled back and nodded. Their breakfast together had indeed come to an end less than an hour ago, but here they were, together again, and in a new adventure no less!

Amanda soon moved on to address another person, an unfamiliar man who seemed to be a new resident. Just then, Giovenith approached, and she likewise smiled at the godling. She had been there when the girl was attacked by a paper copy, and for the spat she had with Amanda afterwards, so it was good to see that she was in a better mood and that the two were on better terms now. Upon hearing Gio remark on the urgency of the situation, she nodded yet again, always eager to lend a hand to her fellow residents.

What followed was more than a little odd, but she'd learned that if that wasn't the case, then there was likely nothing interesting going on at the Building. Partly mesmerized by the spinning object in the boy's hand, she trailed after him and the wave of small animals, though it quickly became clear they weren't going to catch up with him on foot. Luckily, Amanda called in a carriage - and what an odd carriage it was! - and before long, they were hot on the teen's trail, with reality breaking down around them. Smooth sailing from there on!

At least, until something smashed into the side of the carriage. "What was that?!" Meritari shouted, startled, as she peeked out the window to try and spot whatever had done that.

[Northwest Slobovia]

The mini-pegasus nipped the back of the professor's shirt with his teeth and dragged him into the Ünter magic pumpkin carriage.

"I'm a sociologist too. It's a cultural introduction, which allows you to indicate cultural mores to the other person in the conversation. I'll admit, it wasn't the best idea to approach a stranger with a slap to the face, but I genuinely thought that I was being assaulted with a snowball."

Amanda suppressed a smile at the sight of Willow carrying the pompous ass like a mother cat carrying a kitten, but she was favorably and visibly impressed with his strength or the strength of his magic. The latter was more than she expected from Sandy's description of Sallow's air magic.

But Claude had hardly arrived in the carriage when he stuck his foot back in his mouth. “Oh, for Pete's sake!” She had to stop herself from burying her face in her hand. She took a deep breath, and turned to him, trying to strike a polite tone. “Mr. Walmedren, it's OK. You needn't try so hard to sound like you're on top of the situation. Nobody is when they arrive in Galli. It's a strange place, with many strange people and cultures. I've been caught out any number of times. You made a couple of faux pas. That's all right; we all did. Don't worry about it. Rela--”

Amanda looked up suddenly as the carriage ran up onto the sidewalk, and she could hear the driver and the footman swear at the driver ahead of them. Stopping short doesn't work well for carriages, at least not ones made of over-large pumpkins. She turned back to the new Resident. “Relax.”

“Since you're here, we already know you're special. You needn't try to prove you're special; that's how you get to be a Resident. Demens brings people to Galli because they have a gift which he thinks may prove useful to maintaining harmony in the omniverse. We got it. You're in. You're on the team. So, please, please stop trying to act like you're a genius, because it's not working. Just. Be. Yourself.” That should do it. Now a little icing on top; the sweetest is truth.

“None of us knows what's going on right now. The colorful snow is odd, but not unheard of. Time being out of joint has never happened before. This is the first time we've had Christmas and New Years in the Building. Usually, we're someplace else. And Demens only knows where Nine came from. So, just go with it. We'll figure something out sooner or later. For the moment, enjoy the ride.” She ran her hand along the velvet seat. “This is unusual luxury; we might as well make the best of it.”

She darted back into the carriage as something THUNK'd into the side of the carriage, leaving a dent.

Amanda had been watching the increasingly surreal scenery, hoping for any sign of Nine, but aparently she hadn't been paying close enough attention, as she jumped when something hit the opposite side of the carriage. With nervous glances, she looked out the back and side windows, trying to see what hit them, or what caused something to hit them.

[Giovenith]

Willow gently pushed Giovenith aside so that he could inspect what had hit their carriage. Carefully, he craned his gaze along the window to spot the part that had been hit. There was a smoldering, dripping mass of indistinguishable brownness. He wrinkled his nose, but then sniffed - past the burning, there was a familiar smell. He nipped a pen from his saddlebag, quickly scraped a bit off the mass, and then after consideration, licked it.

"Chocolate?" Willow remarked, perplexed.

The carriage shook again as another mass landed on the roof. This one was much more violent, tossing the people inside about. Willow looked up and folded his ears in terror as he saw the material of the roof begin to shrivel away, replaced by the goopy, burning hot, chocolate napalm.

"Everypony out!" he yelled, pushing open the door, prepared to help whoever drop and roll out in escape.

--

"That's alright," said the putto. "Take this."

The creature handed him what appeared to be a crossbow loaded with several gumballs.

"The tyrantess and her minions are in that," he pointed the pumpkin carriage. "We will drive them out, and you can help us capture them. Remember your deal."

Across the grass, one of the carriage doors was flung open.

[Emazia]

The mini-pegasus nipped the back of the professor's shirt with his teeth and dragged him into the Ünter magic pumpkin carriage.

"I'm a sociologist too. It's a cultural introduction, which allows you to indicate cultural mores to the other person in the conversation. I'll admit, it wasn't the best idea to approach a stranger with a slap to the face, but I genuinely thought that I was being assaulted with a snowball."

Amanda suppressed a smile at the sight of Willow carrying the pompous ass like a mother cat carrying a kitten, but she was favorably and visibly impressed with his strength or the strength of his magic. The latter was more than she expected from Sandy's description of Sallow's air magic.

But Claude had hardly arrived in the carriage when he stuck his foot back in his mouth. “Oh, for Pete's sake!” She had to stop herself from burying her face in her hand. She took a deep breath, and turned to him, trying to strike a polite tone. “Mr. Walmedren, it's OK. You needn't try so hard to sound like you're on top of the situation. Nobody is when they arrive in Galli. It's a strange place, with many strange people and cultures. I've been caught out any number of times. You made a couple of faux pas. That's all right; we all did. Don't worry about it. Rela--”

Amanda looked up suddenly as the carriage ran up onto the sidewalk, and she could hear the driver and the footman swear at the driver ahead of them. Stopping short doesn't work well for carriages, at least not ones made of over-large pumpkins. She turned back to the new Resident. “Relax.”

“Since you're here, we already know you're special. You needn't try to prove you're special; that's how you get to be a Resident. Demens brings people to Galli because they have a gift which he thinks may prove useful to maintaining harmony in the omniverse. We got it. You're in. You're on the team. So, please, please stop trying to act like you're a genius, because it's not working. Just. Be. Yourself.” That should do it. Now a little icing on top; the sweetest is truth.

"I am myself. This is how people act in Luseania and this is how I was raised. I act the way I was in my culture because that is my natural human instinct. I don't do this to show off or to prove how amazing I am to all of you - I don't need external validation - this is simply the way I am. But I guess I ought to change my behaviour, don't I?" Claude replied, raising his eyebrow.

“None of us knows what's going on right now. The colorful snow is odd, but not unheard of. Time being out of joint has never happened before. This is the first time we've had Christmas and New Years in the Building. Usually, we're someplace else. And Demens only knows where Nine came from. So, just go with it. We'll figure something out sooner or later. For the moment, enjoy the ride.” She ran her hand along the velvet seat. “This is unusual luxury; we might as well make the best of it.”

[/quote]
"If I may be ernest...I've spent my entire life trying to figure out what's going on. What is going on, I ask myself every day? Don't expect me to be familiar with your customs the moment I move through your door: the receptionist takes my bags and doesn't lecture me or give me a pamphlet on your customs. I simply plopped in here as I was. And if I may ask a question....what is Christmas? Celebrating the revolution of your planet is a reasonable thing to do, but what is Christmas?" Claude continued, slowly humbling himself and attempting to calm the situation down.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

As soon as Meritari had peeked out the window to see what was going on, her eyes caught sight of the molten chocolate - a delicacy unknown in her place and time of origin, though she had grown acquainted to it since her arrival to Gallimaufry - and prompted her to raise an eyebrow. Looking around a little more didn't seem to reveal assailants of any sort nearby, so what was all that about?

She hardly had any time to think about it, because another large mass of chocolatey death hit the carriage, causing her to hit her head on the lintel and nearly sending her out the window altogether. "Ow ow ow!" She cried out in pain, clutching her head as she looked up to try and discern what in Duat was going on now.

By the time Willow shouted at everyone to get out of the carriage, Meri had seen enough to know better than to hesitate. Jumping right out of the door, she landed on the ground with a clumsy roll, silently thanking whoever that the winter clothes the cultists offered were a lot more resilient than the dresses she usually wore - those would've likely ended up torn after the roll.

[Northwest Slobovia]

The carriage shook again as another mass landed on the roof. This one was much more violent, tossing the people inside about. Willow looked up and folded his ears in terror as he saw the material of the roof begin to shrivel away, replaced by the goopy, burning hot, chocolate napalm.

"Everypony out!" he yelled, pushing open the door, prepared to help whoever drop and roll out in escape.

Amanda's head jerked back in fear as she saw the molten chocolate burning through the pumpkin-carriage's roof. "No, this way!". Willow was leading the others into the line of fire! She pushed the door on the other side of the carriage open, then grabbed the philosopher next to her by the sleeve. "Out! Safe side!" Diving through the door, she kept a tight grip on his sleeve; hopefully, Claude came with it.

Despite being cushioned by the thick grass, Amanda hit the ground hard, landing on her upper arm and side. "Ooof! Ohhh!" No, I do not need a sore arm now!

Slowly and awkwardly, she used her good arm to reach up to the top of the carriage's back wheel for support. She pulled herself into a clumsy crouch behind it, trying to get a look at what was on the other side. Now, who's doing the shooting?

[Giovenith]

The soft, rainbow grass cushioned everyone's fall, wrapping around them like a hug. Willow nipped Giovenith's shirt and flew her out, helping her roll and land safely. They looked up as the carriage melted from the chocolate down into brownish boo.

"Meri!" Giovenith quickly crawled over to the Egyptian, carefully helping her sit up so as not to rattle anything broken. "Are you-"

"Gio!"

There was a flash of grey, and of what purple light, and Willow fell to the ground, grimacing. Giovenith gasped, but he was up again soon, albeit hunched with a limp. He trotted over to the girls and bent his neck to rip something from his wing - a sparkly looking sbut still sharp arrow, which didn't draw blood but left behind a menacing light on his flesh. Willow snapped it in half with his teeth and spat it to the ground.

"Tsk, tsk, always being the reluctant noble," a squeaky voice said from above. Up above, a shower of glitter appeared, heralding a small gang of miniature babies with wings. One in particular, differentiated by the cutesy-looking skulls on its cheeks, took the lead. "You really should do us all a favor and drop the blase act nd just embrace it."

Giovenith gasped again, this time angrily. She clenched her fists and stood up. "Captain Shnookums!" she yelled, pointing at the head putto. "I should have known you were behind this!"

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

After her rough landing just outside the carriage, Meritari heard a voice calling out to her, one easily recognizable as Giovenith's, and accepted the godling's aid in sitting up. As far as she could tell, she was fine - if anything had broken she would likely be howling in pain, and she didn't feel the warmth of blood pouring over her skin so, at most, she'd be a little bruised and scraped from the fall, unlikely as it was with the colorful grass catching her.

Wait, where did the snow go again?

She didn't have long to ponder this, as suddenly a shout and a strange light heralded the fall of a certain pony, who had been shot in the wing by an unseen archer. Alarmed, the Kemetian looked around frantically, finding nothing until her eyes spotted a shadow on the ground that prompted her to look up, seeing an army of winged babies arrive, another bizarre sight that just added to the strangeness of her day, which was turning out to be quite odd even by Gallimaufreyan standards.

"Captain Sh-what?" Meri asked, more than a little confused - did Giovenith know these... things? "Behind this... are these the people who kidnapped Nine's grandfather?"

[Northwest Slobovia]

Amanda squinted at the tiny flying creatures, trying to decide what they were. Faries? No, wrong shape. Cherubs...? Oh, little cupid-things from Valentines... armed with death by chocolate. Maybe it's time to start carrying the stunner again.

Giovenith gasped again, this time angrily. She clenched her fists and stood up. "Captain Shnookums!" she yelled, pointing at the head putto. "I should have known you were behind this!"

Amanda stood up behind what was left of the carriage wheel, and moved to join the others. As she did, she asked, "Who are these people, Giovenith?". Mertari had already asked the other key question, so there was nothing to do but wait for some sort of an answer.

[Northwest Slobovia]

The Building, Apartment 2A

Brit wasn’t about to go through the whole nightmare again. Much of it was still a blur. Besides, it wasn’t the real meat of the subject. The microwave dinged and she took her breakfast sandwich out and onto the paper plate, fixing the top biscuit that had slid off to the side while being cooked, and sat down across from Sandy.

“Tell me something…” She looked to be picking her next words carefully. “Have you ever...taken a life before?”

“Yes.” Flat, matter of fact. “Twice by accident, though one of those times was in a duel, and the law in Philly says otherwise. Once as part of a conspiracy; a couple more times in self defense. Our lives back home were not… Uh, things got out of hand back home and our arrival in Bielefeld was not entirely unwelcome.

Sandy’s tone shifted, became more circumspect. “Aaand the one you may care more about is ‘plenty of times after the Fiend attack’. Although triage is a normal part of medicine, I was the one who had to make the decisions about about who lived and who died, given our waning ousia.” There was a long pause. “My call wasn’t entirely right, as Ogoti found a new well to draw from… something I hadn’t known was possible.”

“My part of the triage during the attack was to organize the whole of it. Where things were going, where bodies were going, doing this and that and making sure that the people who were working were working where they were supposed to be. They put me in charge for that duration, but I thought that I should look the part so I took time out to get into my uniform.”

She looked down, unwrapping her breakfast sandwich from the paper towel and putting it out onto the plate before taking a sip from the cream soda drink she made while it cooled.

“Until that day, I had never been responsible for the death of someone before. I liked to think I was a good kid. I minded my elders. I tried to be polite whenever possible. I showed sympathy to those in situations we would call unfavorable as the least I could do. I cared...I cared a lot about others...so I never put myself in a position where I would have to take someone’s life. Sure, I idolize the military and love guns, and if the situation called for it then I would perhaps have to make that split-second decision. But...people died because I didn’t get my shit together when I should’ve, Sandy. That weighs too heavily on me, being the person that I am.”

Sandy nodded once, and then after a delay, several more times. “You should not have been given that responsibility. Part of the blame lies elsewhere.”
He seemed to study the table between them for a bit, considering his phrasing. “What do you want to do to lift the weight from your shoulders?”

“No, it was all my fault. Trust was put into my abilities, and I failed to meet the basic expectations. And for that, well...I don’t trust myself in such a position. I also neglected to mention my adverse reactions to...uh...viscera…”

Brit took a deep breath and looked back up at Sandy.

“I’m not sure. I don’t think this weight will ever go away. It’s not like I can just say I’m sorry and everything is all better.”

With a shake of his head, Sandy agreed and more. “No, nobody ever can. If it’s any consolation, everybody who was injured that day has been compensated to… the, um, limits of our ability to do do. And, um, families of the dead have also been compensated. But in neither case did we-- I mean the Residents as a whole, name names to the Burrows-dwellers. They have their own opinions, but Amanda didn’t confirm or deny any of them while arranging the settlements.

“If you’d like suggestions, I can make some. They may help you. I… I’m not sure.”

Brit took a small bite of the sandwich now that it cooled down enough to not scald her tongue.

“Well unless they’ve got ways to put everything on pause for an amount of time, I don’t know. I may just try to be better in another area for now. Try to train myself so that way I’m not entirely useless.”

Sandy flashed a wry smile. “Stopping time is a gift only Blackwater has. Though… time passes differently on the other side of the gateways. If what you want is time to think, you might want to talk to the gate crew. Maybe they could be, um, persuaded to send you someplace where time passes more quickly than Galli.

“But training is a good idea. If you’d like to try medicine again, we’re willing to take you, and there are plenty of people in Galli who need care but can’t get it… for any number of reasons.

“Several groups in the city can teach you first aid. If you’d like to go further in medicine, we can definitely use a diagnostician and a cutter… a surgeon. It’s just Giovenith and I these days, and our magic only goes so far.”

He paused, and seconds dragged on before he started again, hesitantly. “But… if you’d like something… different, but also very beneficial…” He stopped again. In for a penny… “Talk to Amanda. Mention Kuat. She’ll know why.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure I approve, but there it is.”

[OOC: Collab with Monfrox.]

[Monfrox]

Collab w/ Slo Pt 2.

Brit’s expression went a bit tense but hardened.

“I don’t think being a surgeon would work if I was losing my lunch in the triage. I don’t handle the sight of blood well at all, really. And it’s not like I don’t know first aid or anything, I’m just...okay so my confidence is shot to hell now and I’m trying to do stuff for a self-worth kind of thing to show me, most of all, that I’m not some total fuck-up at everything I do like some people who will remain nameless that aren’t here tell me. And as for Amanda…”

She took a larger bite this time.

“She struck quite the nerve last night and caused a lot of grief, so she’s not exactly on my “to talk to” list for anything right now. God help us; I hope she patched things up with Gio last night.”

Sandy couldn't help chuckling. “Better that you don't ask for His help when Amanda's involved. She hates 'the Prick'.

“But as far as I know, they patched things-- Excuse me, the direct approach might work.” He walked to the window, looked around outside, and then pressed the side of his head against the glass. “I don't have a good angle, but there's Willow… Yeah, I see her. If they’re together, I’ll say she and Giovenith probably aren’t at each other's’ throats.”

After returning to the table, he picked up the previous conversational thread. “OK, you’re looking to improve your confidence. Helping other people seems to help bear the sort of weight you’re carrying. Maybe try volunteering for a charity? Kill two birds with one stone.”

Brit sighed contently at Sandy’s confirmation, even if she still had her reservations about the man’s wife. But that was neither here nor there.

“I’m not sure about the charity angle. May just have to bump around until I find something I’m good at before going on. Right now I sure could use some time to think things through. It’s been rough to say the least and I haven’t been able to find time to myself to entirely process things. And I would prefer not to be directly responsible for someone’s well-being at the moment.”

That’s it? Lacking a professional mask, Sandy couldn't hide the confusion on his face. “Sure, if that's what you want.” No guilt? No depression? No remorse? No lashing out at the people who put her in that situation? Just 'I killed some people, and it's all my fault, but really, I'll be fine. Just let me figure out what I want to do with my life. But thanks for stopping by!' Something is missing-- wrong here.

“What’s done is done, Sandy. Nothing I can do will change that. I can’t always let things hold me down. I’ll carry what I’ve done forever but I can’t let it rule my life ultimately.”

Brit took another bite and swallowed hard, chasing it with a drink.

“I can’t let this ruin me. I don’t want this to kill me later on in life. But I can’t take back what I did. So I have to try to learn how to live with it. I have to find something to move on from it with.”

Blinking and aghast, Sandy sputtered out his words. “Tha-- that’s it? You killed a bunch of people, but… hey, time to move on, no big deal??”

Brit looked up and locked eyes with Sandy.

“It is a big deal, Sandy. I didn’t plan be responsible for people’s deaths, though. I’ve been trying to come to terms with this but I just haven’t really had the time. I had a whole point where I was gone helping Willow and when I got back, that’s when it really hit me. I spent days locked in my room just trying to exist. Trying not to put my gun in my mouth over what happened. After a while, I managed to come out of my room and Willow took me to the library for help. We ended up in that nightmare and...something about him putting my heart back inside me.”

She shook her head.

“It’s weird but...that could’ve been it. The thing that helped me get out of my rut… However - I have a question for you now.”

She took a drink and leaned back.

“Why now, then? Why talk about this now instead of before when we first had this discussion?”

Sandy’s brows furrowed. “Because last night I had a nightmare about what you experienced in… whatever that was.”

A long silence followed before he finally spoke again. “Ford seemed to… think Willow -- who he saw as a young man… human, not one of the pegasoi -- was pulled into…” He turned his palms up; he didn’t know what to say. “Wherever you were. Willow thought a book in the Building library brought him there, but Ford seemed to think -- the way you just know things in dreams, even if they make no sense -- it was the Freywold, and you were brought there by the Winter court.”

He shook his head. “I doubt that. But magic that can generate that sort of illusion, read peoples’ minds, and absolve them of guilt that had left them suicidal--” He broke off, thinking. “That would push the limits of what mortals are capable of, and would likely take a team of spellcasters to do. It sounds more like the work of gods.”

Brit held up her finger.

“I wouldn’t say I was rewarded absolution. Moreso just brought out of the muck enough to not suffocate in it. Because of that, I’m not going to be in any medical unit from here on out. No exceptions. I’m not dealing with that ever again.”

She was rather forceful in that declaration.

Sandy’s confused look returned, and he sounded both defensive and sympathetic. “Nobody’s forcing you to do anything. Maybe this isn’t the best time to talk about it, but if you want to talk, my door is always… ajar.” A grin flickered across his face. “Just knock. I’m usually home these days, and if not, text me: the university and Old Sam are just a short flight away.” He rose from his chair, waited for a moment to see if Brit had anything else to say, and seeing that she was done, headed for the roof. Time to join Amanda outside.

[Giovenith]

"They're putti!" Giovenith spat, clearly disgusted. "My sworn enemies!!"

"Fuck, not this again..." Willow grumbled, massaging the spot where the creatures had shot them.

"They're supposed to only come out on Valentine's Day and then leave, but they always try to stay longer," Giovenith explained, marching closer to the flying babies with purpose. "It all makes sense now! You kidnapped Twenty-Eighteen and put the year out of wack so that you could spread your evil uninterrupted!"

"Tee hee, you're so dramatic, Giovenith!" Captain Shnookums giggled, though there was a layer of condescension to it. He smirked as he twirled his bow, leaving a circular spray of pink sparkles in its wake. "After all, you seemed to be enjoying our little holiday paradise until you found out it was us. Why do you always have to be such a meanie-pants? We only want to help people find love!"

"That's not true!" Giovenith said, though this was directed towards her companions. "They don't care about love! They don't care about who you like, or who you don't, or who would treat who best, all they care about is hitting whoever they think it would be funniest. All they do is make trouble, but they don't know anything about real love!"

Captain Shnookums was in her face in an instant, less smug. Despite his small size, his anger was enough to drive her backwards. "And what do you know about real love, Giovenith?!" the high-pitched creature demanded. "You got dumped by a fugly-ass cyborg two years ago, and you're still too stupid to even realize it."

Giovenith gasped but then ground her teeth in fury. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"I know more than you ever will!" Captain Shnookums dabbed a minuscule finger at her. "What the fuck do you have? You're an under-educated, overgrown baby who still needs that," He pointed at Willow, unceremoniously. "To make sure you eat veggies and brush your teeth. You really think a guy with access to time and space and a lust god is going to settle for you instead of a real woman?"

"Well joke's on you!" Giovenith jabbed her much bigger finger back at the putto, sending him to dodge it slightly. "He came back just today, and once we find Nine and his grandpa, he's going to help us kick your little diapered butts!"

Instead of being surprised or deterred, Shnookums' condescending smile returned. The malicious intent was especially sinister looking on his infantile-seeming face. "Oh, and where is he? Is it by the lake, waiting for you after all this is through?"

This caught the godling off guard, and she was unable to choose her words in the next few seconds before Shnookums cut her off.

"Stupid girl," he placed one hand in front of his naughty grin, backed up by the giggling of his comrades. "We couldn't have you at your best while enacting our plans. Wookums didn't even think it would work, but I knew. So excited to get out there that you left your magic paper at home. Oopsie."

Giovenith's stomach dropped.

"Tsk, tsk," the putto shook his head. "I'd say you're lucky you're pretty, but really, Marky-boy was always able to do better. Especially since you never put ou-"

"That's enough from you!" Willow put an end to the exchange, swiping at the putto. "You're going to tell us where Twenty-Eighteen is, or I'm going to pop you like a grape!"

"Unlikely!" Captain Shnookums dodged the swipe. "Teddy!"

The ground started to rumble. Once again, the friends' eyes were drawn towards the horizon, where a mass much bigger than before began to assemble. They were a mish-mash of fur, skin, and tech — cyborg-bear-sharks!! — and they were lead by a man in an older fashioned hunter's uniform by the man, the legend, Teddy Roosevelt.

"I CATCH BULLETS WITH MY MUSTACHE!!" the former president screamed, and motioned for the bears to charge.

And so they did, for a moment anyway, until something white and fast jumped in a blur towards them with a squeak. One of Nine's bunnies buried itself tight in one of the bear's necks, biting hard. This would have done nothing but not for the fact that it was soon joined by its compatriots, the other rabbits and chicks, who swarmed the cyborg-bear-sharks in a roaring, squeaking, furious mass that tumbled gracelessly towards the Residents.

"Total cringe factor!" Nine declared, jumping in next to the others. "Sorry I took so long, peeps! Had to get these!"

He handed each of them a giant lollipop, the stick as long as a professional baseball bat and the candy part bigger than their heads.

"Swing away, mofos!" The personification of the year charged ahead fearlessly, promptly swinging his candy into the head of one of the cyborg-bear-sharks. Sparks went flying from it.

[Northwest Slobovia]

The Building, Roof

Sandy stepped out into the cold, cast Cast the Critique of the Chill, and took a look over the primary-colored snowy landscape in preparation for a relaxing flight. But no sooner than he'd transformed into Pegasus than his ears filled with a strange grinding and creaking, bothersome because it extended into the mid-ultrasonic, where Pegasus' hearing was sensitive. His pinnae swiveled as he sought the source of the sound: downtown.

He took off, banking onto a downtown-direct heading. He flew swiftly, gliding every so often so he could listen again without the sound being drowned out by his own wingbeats. The noise had a lot of reverb, and seemed to come from an area -- a moving area – rather than a point. Soon, it was joined by a low clashing sound, extending below human hearing. He climbed for a better view.

There! In the distance, he caught sight of a parade on Main Street: groups of tanks leading an immense number of green-clad men. A military display? In Bielefeld?? Something must be up. He drove his wings harder to get there faster.

He didn't get much of a chance. At the same time as he saw a fast-closing group of dots just above his altitude, he heard the drone of airplane engines, old ones: pistons driving props. He dove into a cross-street; the sky was suddenly too crowded.

He touched down a few blocks ahead of the parade and returned to his normal shape. Curious people were coming to look; down Main Street where the parade was passing, there were already crowds. The tanks seemed relatively small, but Sandy's attention was diverted by the planes passing overheard: dozens of boxy, green twin-engine jobs, flying in a diamond formation. Bombers? Too small. Cargo planes from mid-century. How odd. Odder still was that they seemed transparent in varying degrees, and flickered around the edges.

The tanks drew closer, and suddenly they were very familiar. Shermans, like Great Uncle Joska drove! With... canvas... baffles... around them? Recognition struck: DD tanks! This is a D-Day parade! He considered, then lit up a pyrotechnic stars and stripes, a few feet wide, and about as far above his head.

The tankers, who'd been waving to people gathering, saluted and cheered. Their movements flickered; it seemed each man had a faint stroboscopic effect around him, multiple images moving slightly out of sync. He stared for a moment, thinking about that. Bingo! These were all of the ghosts of all the men from all the timelines who died during the landings. Sandy looked in the Building's direction: somebody was Moving in Mysterious Ways, and he had a good idea Who. Perhaps these men were only the Christians and Jews; perhaps it was literally true there were no atheists in foxholes. If there was any day to pray for divine help, D-Day would have been it. And had their been a just God, their faith would have been rewarded.

Sandy stood and watched the parade as it passed, keeping up the firework flag. The soldiers seemed to be sorted by unit, and if he'd had a free hand, he would have gotten out his phone to take video: estimates of casualties per timestreams would be an incredible discovery! As it was, it was clear from the number of extremely faint ghosts that the landings had failed in a few timestreams. He thought about flying home for the holocam, but how long would the parade last? If they were here by divine fiat, they could disappear in an instant.

Inspiration hit, and Sandy started walking down the edge of the street, opposite the direction of the marching ghosts. A strange movement in the parade caught his eye: some of the ghosts of one soldier pointed at the flag, and then at him, and tilted their hands back and forth, bringing something's gleam across his eyes. A cat's-eye ring! Another spellcaster! ...in some timestreams. Huh! All he could do was grin and nod back as he kept walking.

Eventually, he spotted the right company of the 4th Infantry and called out, “Is there a Private Grimes here? Private Michael Grimes?” He got a chorus of “yo!”s back, as the man turned to look at him.

“In my world, in 2019, you have grandkids and great grandkids!” Well, he did in 2013.

“Well, I'll be damned! But how did you come to know that, friend? Are you one of them?”

“No, but I married your second cousin.” Sandy hoped he'd gotten the relationship right.

“Well, happy day! Welcome to the family, cuz'!”, ending in echoey laughter.

Sandy jogged a bit ahead of Grimes' formation, and let the fireworks dissipate to get his camera out to shoot video of Grimes and his buddies. All Amanda's family had was a couple old photos: Grimes' wedding photo and his enlistment picture. He'd left behind a newly pregnant wife; he'd shipped out and died at Utah before he found out he'd be a father.

Sandy recast his flag and kept walking, a new objective in mind. Along the way, he encountered more ex-spellcasters. Few had magic equal to the killing power of contemporary weapons, and they fought and died like most of the others. A couple, including a transparent spectre marching alone, were members of magic special forces, and they told of German counterparts and battles fought with spells and bombs and bullets. Sandy shivered at the description: the memory was far too close to an ambush back home.

Spotting his quarry, Sandy shouted a strange word to a medical company: “Tzuri”. The looks he got back were mostly confused, but a few held recognition. He dug a jar of the Balm of Gilead out of his pocket – never leave home without it! – opened it, and held it up to a medic in the nearest rank. “You know what this is, don't you? You had some, yes?”

The man's eyes filled with wonder, and he whispered to Sandy, “Bist du ayn tzaddik?”

“No, but I have saved people – tried to save people – in combat before.” He said nothing about buses, Fiends, or errant plant mages. Almost nothing: “There was a, uh, friendly fire accident.”

Forget about being an icebreaker, that broke the ice dam. Several of the man's ghosts stepped out of the march and started telling him about their final battles. They were joined by many others: doctors, medics, corpsmen. Their stories were all the same, yet each was different. They told of tying to save men under withering fire, impossible conditions. Some never made it to the beach, others were cut down trying to save people. A few sacrificed themselves for their patients. And he asked if I was a saint! Sandy managed to get out his phone in time to record most of their stories. Now somebody would know, even if it was just here in Galli.

Sandy resumed walking against the parade, showing the flag. He changed it to a maple leaf and then the Union Jack as the Canadian and British troops passed.

At the very end of the parade was a pale ghost with stars on his collar; a general, although Sandy didn't recognize him. Sandy dug out his phone again; that would be worth checking on. The shade guessed Sandy's thinking, and spoke to him as he marched along, waving to the crowd. “E-boat. Some Kraut with steel balls and a dead eye. Hit us once amidships, once in the stern. We rolled over and sank just before sunrise.”

Wow! That must have been a different D-Day! The general turned to him, not breaking stride. “How long has has it been?”

“Seventy-five years.”

He nodded sternly. “Then I have this duty to do at least once more, in twenty-five years. Lest they forget.”

Sandy stopped in his tracks, and stood watching the departing ghost. Yes, they would. Without living voices telling about the battle, they-- we will. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe D-Day will be our Troy, our Thermopylae. Maybe.

Sandy watched the parade for another minute, and then it was gone. No sound, no special effects, just gone. Something caught his Hearing, but whatever it was disappeared too fast to figure out what or where it was. But he had a good idea Who was responsible.

[Zarkenis Ultima]

---

After she'd asked a question, Amanda asked another and, for a moment, it seemed as though both Giovenith and the new arrivals were more focused on it, with the godling explaining the putti's origin and role - and their inclination for mischief as well. As it turned out, kidnapping Grandpa Eighteen was just the latest in a series of ruses to overstay their welcome and run amok.

Deeply confused about these seemingly random revelations, Meri wasn't sure what to make of things. On the one hand, what they had created was wonderful, but on the other, she was inclined to trust Giovenith's judgment, and the putti had admitted to kidnapping Eighteen already.

Not to mention the whole murder attempt thing.

With that in mind, it was no wonder that she immediately jumped on the cyborg-bear-sharks when given the chance. Normally Meritari wasn't one for violence, but she'd learned that defending oneself was often necessary in a place as crazy as Gallimaufry, and these things had tried to kill her with deadly chocolatey goodness, so she certainly wasn't going to go easy on them with the candy-based attacks.

"There's no bullets here, old man!" She shouted back at the former president - whom she obviously didn't recognize - before locking eyes with an oncoming cyborg-bear-shark. Before it could hurt her, she swatted it away with the flat side of the lollipop-club and then took a step towards it, raising the lollipop-club overhead before smashing its head with the edge. There was a shower of sparks, nuts and bolts, along with a razor-sharp tooth or two that came off with the blow.

"Who's next?!" The Kemetian shouted, clearly pumped about the fight. Her enthusiasm immediately went away the second she noticed three of the things zeroing in on her. "Oh dear."

Defending oneself was important, yes, but luckily running away very quickly was also an option.

[Northwest Slobovia]

The series of revelations about Giovenith surprised Amanda, especially the one about her paper, but there was little time to think about that now.

"I CATCH BULLETS WITH MY MUSTACHE!!" the former president screamed, and motioned for the bears to charge.

Considering the weapon she'd been handed, and the blind charge the group was engaging in, violence seemed to be the order of the day. But a little strategy couldn't hurt, and Meritari just paved the royal road to victory. No matter that she'd chosen the better side of valor immediately thereafter.

Amanda gave the huge lolly a big lick, and leapt onto the collapsing husk of the cyber-bear. "Catch this, you half-witted excuse for a president!” The bear made an excellent springboard, and the flat of Amanda's all-year sucker pasted Roosevelt right in the face as she leapt onto his mount.

The moment it took her shift her weight for the next part gave her plenty of time for closing arguments. “You don't come up to Lincoln's ankles in gravitas, and you're a corporal compared to Eisenhower and Grant!” She tugged back with all her might, got her hips into it, and ripped Teddy's 'stache clean off his face.

The lolly's backswing was a killer, though, and Amanda hoped Willow, Giovenith, or Claude got in a shot before the bald-faced executive wannabe did.

[Giovenith]

Chaos blossomed out as the residents swung into action against the former president and his army. Everything became a blur of fur, sparks, glitter, and deliciousness. Soon into the struggle, the leprechauns-for-hire ran in and joined the fight, aiming for the residents' ankles while their putti bosses watched safely from above the air, occasionally attempting to pick off a form they caught sight of with their tiny but sharp arrows.

"Yarberyabbergash!!" one of the leprechauns cried as it climb up Meri. It opened its mouth wide and bit down on her hand — only to yowl in pain as teeth meant cold skeletal bone. It fell backward to the ground where it was seized upon by several colorful chicks, who pecked it mercilessly into the ground.

"Come on, sistah!" Nine cheered, appearing next to the Kemet native. "Kill that anxiety to death!" He slapped several fidget spinners in her hand.

Nine threw his own spinners in a mad rush. They zipped through the air and embedded themselves into the cyborg-bear-sharks like blades, popping sprays of rainbow colored blood that splashed the battle field and those on it. It splashed Teddy Roosevelt as Amanda brutally robbed him of his mustache, intensifying the horrific stinging sensation along with his screams.

"Dammit!" Captain Shnookums cursed, glaring down below as his plan unraveled. "This can't be!" He turned his attention to the Dragon's second bitch.

Giovenith was at a disadvantage without her paper. She kept instinctively reaching for her pockets only to be foiled each time, but she still had her bravery: She swung with all her might at the enemies, Willow watching her back. Several of the putto had focused their onslaught on the two of them, firing down volleys of miniature arrows that the pegasus-pony worked overtime to deflect with gusts of wind in between kicks and swings.

Enough of this! Shnookums growled. He sped down into the battle, found a bloodied but still rabid and ready cyborg-bear-shark, taking hold of its ears and digging his tiny heels into the back of its head to steer it. It roared and lumbered towards the pair.

Willow caught sight of it first and moved to place himself between the creature and Giovenith. This backfired as the pony was Captain Shnookums' target, and a sharp swipe of the cyborg-bear-shark's claw stole the breath from him and sent him skitting across the dirt. With no one to cover her back, the putti swarmed in on Giovenith, who whirled rapidly in an attempt to stave off their small forms with her candy club. Their leader, meanwhile, continued to deal with her ally.

Willow landed against a giant gumdrop planted in the ground like a boulder and was up in an instant. An instant too late though, as the cybernetics from Captain Shnookums' evil steed blasted out what appeared to be rod-shaped rockets. They buzzed through the air in a smokey whirl before embedding themselves in a circle around the pony and shooting large columns of fire out of their tops, trapping Willow in a literal ring of fire. He couldn't dart in any direction or fly out without risk of getting burned.

"Wil-!" Giovenith tried to move to help him, but was cut off by a swift leprechaun punch to her gut which caused her to drop the club and send her to the ground. Several more little holiday spirits descended on her, and she was left to swipe away and beat them with her own hands to keep them off. She did her best to ignore the scratches, bites, stabs, and punches while her roommate watched in dismay from behind the flames.

"Honestly Streaks, she's not even worth your time," Shnookums' condescending tone came back as he approached the fire cage on the bear-steed. "It's all fun and privilege being a goddess' favorite until someone gets maimed or burned."

Despite the intensity and horror of the situation, Willow still managed to glare coldly up at Shnookums. "Go bore someone to fucking death, you tacky classical reject!"

"Ouch. Not much of a romantic, are you, Streaks?"

The sweat from the heat slid into his unblinking eyes. "I'm a modernist."

"Clearly." Captain Shnookums giggled smugly and got close to the fiery bars. "I guess I'll just bore you to death then, hm? Then I'll finally finish off that pierrot-idol brat for good." He clapped his hands to his cheeks, grinning. Even if Meri and Amanda defeated the bears and restored time, getting with of the duo that had caused them so much frustration for years would be good enough for him. "Not even romantic enough to give a kiss goodbye?" He puckered his lips mockingly.

The can of glitter hairspray flew out of Willow's saddlebag and locked in-between his hooves. "Kiss this, shithead."

Captain Shnookums and the cyborg-bear-shark were swallowed up in the hissing flamethrower that billowed out from the center of the ring. The bear reared on its hinds and staggered backwards, roaring and swiping wildly in pain, Shnookums screaming along with it, which was the only evidence left of him as the two became an indistinguishable mash of flames. The putto's screaming was abruptly cut at the cyborg-bear-shark fell onto its back, its thrashing ceasing, replaced instead with violent shaking as the tech in the monster began to react and explode.

In the split second the flames were redirected by the chemical blast, Willow barreled out from the ring of fire like a showpony from hell. The other putti and leprechauns, thoroughly horrified by the scene, paid for their lack of attention as Giovenith gained the upper hand: her hand locked hold of the candy club again and swung hard and low, literally smashing several of the tiny spirits into pink and green goo. They attempted to swarm again, but in that moment, Giovenith's typical mercy had fled her mind and she wasted no time using her superior size and strength to begin stomping on, squeezing, and smashing the awful creatures until she was drenched in the guts-goo of magic and holiday cheer.

"I RIDE MOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!" Teddy Roosevelt screamed as he began to literally melt in Amanda's hands, staining her clothes and skin were further gross rainbowy goodness. She was left holding a skeleton made of hard candy, which promptly crumbled into pieces.

"The curse is fading!" Nine gasped. "I can feel it!"

The rabbits and chicks stood at attention and the last of their enemies began to flee or disintegrate. The leader bunny issued a screech and pointed its nose over the hill, where a distant figure was hobbling around in the middle of what looked like a hastily thrown together circle of baby fences. The figure was hunched, and appeared to be waving a stick.

"I'll always love you, Stephen!" Grandpa Twenty-Eighteen garbled cluelessly from his place in the pen.