Ezekiel watched Tyler, ambivalent to his words for the most part. He didn’t dismiss him right away, though his eyes did flicker towards the door Theodore had hurried to. He made a noise of affirmation and looked back at the party, ultimately deciding that Tyler’s priorities were in the right place.

[color=steelblue]“I hope your previous experience will help you wrangle your new charge. He’s about as foolish as they get–you have my sympathy,”[/color] He stated dryly. [color=steelblue]“A word to the wise, however: once you’ve come to the castle, you should dismiss any notion of vengeance. The prince is to remain at Estora Castle until he’s cleaned up his act.”[/color]

He gave Tyler a small wave of dismissal as he turned to leave, though he added before he departed, [color=steelblue]“If he’s on the floor, leave him there. Goddess knows that’d be the least embarrassing outcome of the night.”[/color]

Tyler had to hold himself back from scoffing. Dismiss any notion of vengeance? He was the sword of Theodore Estora the Ninth, now and forevermore; his present assignment didn’t change that, nor did it change his priorities. The fact that Lucas was evidently on house arrest was a curious development, but given his temperament, it certainly made sense in hindsight.

Either way, Ezekiel was gone, and Tyler was free to seek out his charge, preferably with some answers waiting for him upon his arrival.

Lucas was at one of the sinks closest to the stalls, vigorously brushing his teeth and looking annoyed. He actually felt a lot better now that everything was said and done, but he still felt a little weak. He debated on whether to retire while he could still walk or to tough it out, but he couldn’t ignore the problem any longer. If these visions kept escalating they were going to end up crippling him. Or worse, he’d end up with mana poisoning. And then what?

He was brought out of his thoughts by the bathroom attendant’s look in the mirror.  “Should I call for someone, Your Highness?” The man asked him as Lucas gargled some water.

Lucas nearly spat on the attendant, throwing him a glare. Did he [i]look[/i] like he wanted [i]anyone[/i] seeing him like this? He ended up spitting in the sink, shaking his head.[color=dodgerblue] “You’re not going to tell me I’m the first guest to blow chunks in this shit place. I remember Giles’ little shindig after passing some green initiative–if you didn’t see Duke Stern holding onto the toilet for dear life or Duchess Enderton blowing some guy in a stall here, then you must be new,”[/color] He went on his mini-rant, pushing the toothbrush and paste aside before splashing some water on his face. 

Tyler threw open the door to the bathroom and scanned the room with practiced vigilance. No mages throwing a hex down upon Lucas, at least, nor tedious onlookers save for the sole attendant. 

[color=00ccff]“You. Out.”[/color] Tyler ordered, pointing at the attendant and then the door in succession. His tone left little room for debate, though he approached with full intent to toss the man out by force if necessary. 

The attendant bowed his head at the order and made to leave, only stopping in place when he caught Lucas’ glare. [color=dodgerblue]“Ignore him, I need a comb and towel,”[/color] The prince stated before he continued to scrub his face.

Tyler sighed. [color=00ccff]“You’re not getting any prettier, Your Highness, nor are you getting out of this conversation. Give it up.”[/color] He turned back to shoo the man away again. [color=00ccff]“I’d hate to have to remove such a dutiful worker myself over your stubbornness.”[/color]

The man stiffened considerably at Tyler’s statement, and with another bow, speeded out of the bathroom, making sure to take a wide path to avoid the pair. Lucas looked up from the sink, unamused.

[color=dodgerblue]“Chicken shit coward,”[/color] He muttered, wiping off any dripping water from his chin before running his hands through his hair. He did, however, glance at Tyler through the mirror. [color=dodgerblue]“What, that you’re not even going to let me shit in peace for the rest of my life? I’ll live somehow.”[/color]

Tyler didn’t even bother to feign a smile, and instead approached to grasp for Lucas’ shoulder and physically turn him around. [color=00ccff]“I’m not interested in the size of your logs, idiot, I wanna know what just happened back there. You don’t seem too worried, so I have to assume you know something I don’t.”[/color]

Lucas outright rolled his eyes, albeit he didn’t appreciate Tyler touching him. [color=dodgerblue]“Getting doubled over after a prophecy’s just the norm for me now. Would’ve been nice if I had [i]seen[/i] anything, but it’s just flashes again,”[/color] He replied, albeit he was more annoyed at himself as he talked about it. His hand absentmindedly touched his throat as he scowled. [color=dodgerblue]“Didn’t think you were the caring type.”[/color]

[color=00ccff]“It’s quite literally in my job description,”[/color] Tyler spat, not too happy about it himself, [color=00ccff]“I thought we were under attack.”[/color]

Lucas opened his mouth to shoot back, but stopped, eyebrows shooting up in sincere surprise. [color=dodgerblue]“...’we’...?”[/color] He uttered in shock. [color=dodgerblue]“What do you mean ‘we’? That’s–wait.”[/color]

He looked around the bathroom for a moment, taking a few steps towards the empty wall and placing his hand on it. His sigil appeared on his forehead once again as he recited, [i][color=dodgerblue]“Nemo audiat,”[/color][/i] and a light blue ripple emanated from his hand, covering each wall and lightly fading away. Any noise that could have gotten through sounded much more muted than before. Once he was finished, he stepped back and turned to Tyler again.

[color=dodgerblue]“It’s not an attack. Or I hope it isn’t, at least,”[/color] Lucas admitted. He didn’t say anything else for a moment, thinking to himself. Eventually, he continued. [color=dodgerblue]“I’ll tell you if you don’t go running off to Marge about it. I don’t want to get hounded and prodded by Goddess knows what.”[/color]

Tyler narrowed his eyes incredulously as Lucas tried to explain. This idiot didn’t even know he was spilling his magic into anything nearby. Or maybe it was some facet of the Scion-Templar blessing that did it, given Ezekiel seemed none the wiser that something less than mundane had occurred. Theo’s impotent ineptitude was a blessing compared to whatever that was.

[color=00ccff]“Yeah, [i]we[/i], your little display hit me too. And you’re about to be hounded and prodded by yours truly if you don’t get to the point.”[/color] The fact that he was worried Tyler would immediately tattle to the Church told him that the prince was definitely doing something irresponsible with his magic, though he had no idea why, given it seemed to wreak havoc on his body.

[color=dodgerblue]“I’m not fucking around,”[/color] Lucas snapped. [color=dodgerblue]“I need you to serve [i]me[/i], not the Church. If any of them got wind of it, I’d end up imprisoned or under house arrest or shipped off to Doumerc for them to study or–”[/color] He caught himself before he got too frantic, pinching the bridge of his nose, but he eventually dropped his hand.

[color=dodgerblue]“I need to know you’re on my side,”[/color] He finished.

Tyler was under suspicion of serving the Church too well? Could he get that in writing? A social media post maybe? Theodore might’ve been wrapped around his little finger for reasons Tyler still didn’t understand, but that certainly wasn’t at the Church’s behest. Though he had to admit, the prince’s doomsaying piqued his interest. Making himself vomit was that juicy, huh?

[color=00ccff]“Your father gave me the impression you already are under house arrest, but I digress,”[/color] Tyler mused dismissively, [color=00ccff]“Fine, I’ll bite, shall I genuflect for my accolade now or will you accept that I have very little reason to kiss up to the High Cardinal?”[/color]

Lucas let out a very long sigh at the news, but didn’t seem all too surprised at it. He clearly wanted to comment on it, but figured he’d focus on the more urgent matter. Instead, he turned back to the mirror, placing the tip of his finger on the surface. The Holy Sigil appeared with its usual coloring, but there was what appeared to be lettering surrounding it. It expanded as Lucas pushed his hand through the surface, and he pulled out what looked like an extremely old tome. He opened it as carefully as he could once the sigil disappeared from the mirror and reappeared on the cover, and his fingers tapped the first page.

[color=dodgerblue]“I’m not sure if Theo ever showed you this–he wasn’t supposed to, if he did. I’m not really even supposed to, either, but whatever,”[/color] Lucas shook his head as his eyes looked for something specific. [color=dodgerblue]“The Scion of Time works a little differently than the others. We’re bound to stricter rules due to our ability to see the future, and the strongest of Time Scions have been able to outright reverse time, allegedly. As such, there’s an edict called the Order of Finality–it’s basically an ironclad rule that tells the Time Scion that they can’t do anything to alter the future no matter what they see. If castles crumble, it shouldn’t be stopped. If people die, you can’t try to prevent it. Going against the Goddess’ plan is…well, blasphemy or whatever.”[/color]

He tapped the pages, the words lighting up. [color=dodgerblue]“I’ve violated the edict. Several times, apparently–anytime there’s a violation, this book records it,”[/color] He carefully flipped it towards the end of the book, shaking his head. [color=dodgerblue]“And it wasn’t until this morning that I understood why. I’m not supposed to be the Scion of Time.”[/color]

No, Theo had never shown Tyler the magic mirror book, surely because he had the good sense to know any dusty old tome shoved in Tyler’s face would be shoved right back out of it. The explanation that accompanied it didn’t do much to assuage that urge. What a stupid idea, to neuter the gift of foresight so egregiously. Did any of them happen to note that the Goddess’ plan also conveniently included said vision being witnessed in the first place?

He shook his head; theological gripes aside, he didn’t see what that had to do with anything. How exactly did that tie into magic headaches with fucking area of effect damage?

[color=00ccff]“Seems a bit moot to swear me to secrecy when there’s a magic book that’ll tattle on you anyway. Don’t suppose you can burn the thing and be done with it,”[/color] Tyler muttered, only half-joking, [color=00ccff]“How exactly did you violate a law that’s only applied to you for a week? Did you foresee pancakes for breakfast and eat bacon instead?”[/color]

Lucas stared at Tyler for a moment, closing his eyes to resist rolling them again. [color=dodgerblue]“The book tattles when the Scion goes out of their way to change the future. They can warn people about natural disasters, I guess–that’s what a lot of my predecessors did–but otherwise I don’t know. My assumption is that it’s something that alters the future or something, but who the fuck knows how you’re supposed to judge that.”[/color]

He paused.[color=dodgerblue] “There’s some other things, but I think I’ve already lost you,”[/color] He shrugged. [color=dodgerblue]“I’ve been a magic user since I was a child, but once I became a Scion, my mana’s been going haywire. That’s that ‘attack’ you experienced. Granted, I didn’t think it’d affect [i]other[/i] people,”[/color] He let his mind wander for a second as he tried to remember something. [color=dodgerblue]“Arthur didn’t react, nor did the butler who was around. I wonder if it’s because you’re a Templar, or if it’s because of the blessing…no one’s seemed to notice otherwise, so I can’t be entirely sure about it.”[/color]

He trailed off, letting himself think. After a moment, he gave Tyler a deadpan expression as he snapped the book shut. [color=dodgerblue]“You’re awfully nonchalant considering I just told you I’m using magic that isn’t meant to be mine,”[/color] He commented as he put the book down for the moment. [color=dodgerblue]“...at least, that’s how I’ve felt since that day. And then, this morning, I saw Theo with Rosemary speaking with the Shadow guy, K something.”[/color]

A weary expression crossed Tyler’s face as Lucas concluded his explanation. [color=00ccff]“I mean this in the least disrespectful way I can - no one on this planet knows that magic shouldn’t belong to you better than me.”[/color] Rather than hang his head as he wanted to, he sucked in a breath and straightened his posture. [color=00ccff]“And what do you mean you ‘saw Theo’? I doubt you meant to taunt me with the fat one, and he was talking to the Commander anyway.”[/color]

Lucas tilted his head as he understood the lack of reaction. Right, right, he needed to be clearer. [color=dodgerblue]“Anytime I mention ‘Theo’ it can and will always be the superior one–Theodore Estora,”[/color] He decided to get that out of the way first and foremost.

He made sure to place the book down first before he crossed his arms. [color=dodgerblue]“That room we were gathered in was supposed to just be a waiting room with no blessing taking place while they did whatever church stuff they did with the Templars’ crystals. All the Scions and Templars were gathered around and talking after that one chick brought her cookies in. I saw Theodore elbow you and motion towards the cookies, you left him, and the Shadow Scion approached Theo and they spoke about some book or whatever. Rosemary was running around, and Theo stopped and picked her up the same way I did,”[/color] He explained. [color=dodgerblue]“Basically…Theo was in my place in the vision, interacting with the same people.”[/color]

The prince made sure Tyler was paying close attention to him. [color=dodgerblue]“When I say I’m not supposed to be the Scion of Time, I mean that in the literal sense. Theodore is meant to be alive here and now, and I’m not guilt tripping or being wistful–I’ve taken his place.”[/color]

Tyler stared in Lucas’ general direction. Ordinarily, this would’ve been called looking [i]at[/i] him, but Tyler wasn’t. The templar’s gaze peered through Lucas, as if he was hiding a lie on the inside of his skull and Tyler could rip it out with only his eyes. His failure was a literal divine comedy, a blemish so catastrophic that the Mother Herself refused to acknowledge it. Tyler could’ve laughed. A weaker Tyler would’ve cried. He did neither. 

In that instant, he hated the Scion standing before him, viscerally and truly. What use was the sanctity of his soul when it had been sullied so thoroughly already? He could despise the man without regret or guilt. Then he paused, and the feeling was gone. His eyes slipped shut for a few moments as Tyler fought for his composure, then he reopened them as he spoke. With any luck, there was an opportunity here.

[color=00ccff]“So your very existence is a violation, is that it? Which means Theo’s death was a violation, which means the perpetrator is recorded, right?”[/color]

Lucas frowned at Tyler, though he didn’t respond to his change of demeanor. Instead, he tapped a line, the words glowing in the book.

[color=dodgerblue]“It’s not here,”[/color] He replied. [color=dodgerblue]“What is here is that Theo drove to Serenity Springs alone. I agree with your line of thought, but I have a different conclusion.”[/color]

He didn’t bother pausing, but he was a touch hesitant before he stated, [color=dodgerblue]“I think–with absolutely no proof–he’s alive.”[/color]

Tyler wanted to smack him. This was the exact brand of copium that he thought they’d all moved past months ago, and he didn’t need it thrown back in his face just so he could swallow another bitter draught of reality.

[color=00ccff]“The blessing faded. I felt it. You’re the Scion of Time. There’s nothing else to discuss,”[/color] he snarled, perhaps unduly harsh. What bothered him more was the specifics of the record. Theo wasn’t supposed to go alone. That meant he’d foreseen himself in the car with someone else and decided not to allow that for some asinine reason, otherwise it wouldn’t have been a violation.

Idiot.

[color=00ccff]“But you won’t need to speculate - I [i]will[/i] kill every last person involved before the Goddess takes me. Pry the answers from their lips when I do, if you still have the stomach left to dream.”[/color]

Tyler’s response caused Lucas to look away, his gaze elsewhere. [color=dodgerblue]“Right,”[/color] He replied quietly. He then let silence fill the room, the only sound he made was closing the book and returning it to his rightful place. Taking in a deep breath, he turned back to the mirror, fingers dragging his bangs down into something still messy, but more to his satisfaction.

[color=dodgerblue]“That’s the long version of why that ‘attack’ happened. I don’t know when it’ll happen again or if you’ll keep getting affected,”[/color] He stated. [color=dodgerblue]“...whatever the case may be, I’m not planning on sitting around. Once the New Year passes, I’m going to Doumerc. Fyodor is still looking into things quietly, and he’s got someone at one of the academies looking into the circumstances around Theodore’s vehicle.”[/color]

He straightened up, shrugging at his reflection. [color=dodgerblue]“I hope you’re good at climbing out of windows. If Father wants to put me on house arrest, we’re going to have to sneak out,”[/color] He said, eyes on Tyler at last.

The mention of Fyodor broke Tyler from his quiet sulking. That old bastard was good for something after all, and he hadn’t told Tyler a thing. Probably because he knew exactly where Tyler would be the moment he learned, but he could hold it against the man for a bit anyway.

At the mention of Lucas’ plan to break curfew, Tyler merely offered a sly grin. [color=00ccff]“You forget who you’re talking to, Your Highness - and who you are. I could strip the man down to his underpants before he even noticed I’d entered the room if I felt like it.”[/color] How delightfully middle school. 

Lucas looked back at his own reflection for a moment, slowly nodding. He pushed himself away from the sink and stood straight. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but decided against it. [color=dodgerblue]“Good. Then we’re in agreement,”[/color] He said as he pulled out his phone, noticing the time. [color=dodgerblue]“We’ll leave after the countdown to the new year, I don’t feel like shit anymore so you won’t have to drag me back after all.”[/color]

[color=00ccff]“Glad I could be of service,”[/color] Tyler muttered. He’d been given a lot of information, and none of it felt worthwhile to linger on yet all of it felt relevant. Ultimately, it didn’t mean anything. He and Lucas were in accord, in motive if not in personality, and that was enough for him. If he couldn’t move heaven and earth for Theodore anymore, the least he could do was move the royal family and put up with a moody brat to avenge him.

[color=00ccff]“Will you be returning to the party now?”[/color] he asked with little expectancy in his tone, as if the prospect of watching the countdown on his phone over a urinal was equally enticing.

[color=dodgerblue]“Tragically so, someone said I wasn’t pretty so I need to go make myself feel better by standing against the wall doing nothing and have people flock to me,”[/color] Lucas replied, regaining some of his previous energy–he hadn’t realized just how tired all of this was leaving him. He wasn’t entirely serious, but he didn’t doubt it wouldn’t happen since he had a tendency to draw eyes to him whether he wanted it or not. [color=dodgerblue]“Think I’ll grab a drink or two on the way,”[/color] He muttered to himself, motioning for Tyler to follow him as he walked to the door. He only stopped briefly to dispel the magic he previously had on the walls, allowing sound once again to leave and enter before pushing the door open and walking out.

[hr]
The young woman watched Edmund warily, listening quietly to his words as she focused on picking up the smaller pieces. She hesitated for a moment as she noticed Edmund's cut, frowning to herself. She followed suit as Edmund stood, pausing again as the lights flickered. [color=indianred]"I wish someone had told me that a long time ago,"[/color] She admitted quietly, though Edmund would certainly catch it. She looked up to the ceiling as the lights flickered once again and took off her white gloves. Letting them fall to the ground, she replaced them with a black pair, the seams glowing a faint light blue as she pulled them on.

Raising one hand, she snapped her fingers, and the lights finally gave out and plunged the room into darkness. Everyone was confused, but remained in place, with some insisting that there was no way Giles didn't have a backup generator. The instance was treated as more of an annoyance than anything, but the entire room came to a halt as dark shadows began to cover the multitude of windows. They disappeared as they all shattered at once, a multitude of [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/3a/9e/97/3a9e97a8b6a94507bcecc7272369c045.jpg]soldiers clad in masks and red cloaks[/url] threw themselves into the ballroom. It took all of two seconds before a panic ensued as the masses began to move. Security made an attempt to descend onto their charges, stopped by the soldiers as more of them poured in. Any attempt at organization was gone as people hastily tried to save themselves, screams ascending as bullets started getting fired.

Sonia couldn't believe what she was seeing--or what she wasn't. Rosemary woke up at the commotion and leapt out of her seat, holding a tiny hand up to the ceiling and squeezing her eyes shut as the holy sigil on her cheek glowed. With a great amount of effort, a giant orb of light hung above, illuminating their part of the ballroom. Guards immediately encircled them to protect the king, though the soldiers closed in quickly. Sonia recognized their movement as she realized their efforts were concentrated into trying to overcome the guards surrounding her and Rosemary instead of the ones protecting the king.

One slipped past, weapon at his side as his hand reached for Rosemary. To his shock, the little girl disappeared before his eyes, and he never got the chance to wonder as a pillar of mana pierced out of his chest. He was casually tossed aside as Sonia beckoned the next one, finding delight as he raised his gun at her. A flash of light was the only thing seen as Sonia moved in the blink of an eye, driving her mana sword into his arm and twisting it downward. She ignored his scream as she looked around, a comatose thrill reawakened in her.

[color=rosybrown]"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were targeting my princess,"[/color] Sonia said out loud, barely containing her grin. [color=rosybrown]"Now, is it just her, or are you targeting the other Scions, too?"[/color]