---

---

---

"¿Su voz? ¿Quieres que sea la puta voz de Eve? ¿Qué diablos, maldita sea, cuando jodidamente he dicho alguna vez que soy la voz del maldito Dice? Mierda, hijo bastardo de una puta, mierda de mierda. Cock haciendo malabarismos con copas de bestialidad. Bien, está bien. Sé que Eva es Eva. Canaliza mi maldita Eve interna. Sí, cómo lo haces, la lluvia en España cae principalmente en el avión. Sally vende conchas marinas a la orilla del mar. ¿Cuántas maderas arrojaría una marmota si un tirador podría tirar madera? Por favor, gracias, eres más bienvenido, congestionado, pensando en cosas, cuello estrangulado, apretado, polla en el culo. Bien, se Eva. La barbilla hacia arriba, los hombros hacia atrás, los ojos al frente, la mano en el bolsillo, la pipa, sí, la pipa. Muy bien, sí. Voz de Eva," Alicia ranted like a lunatic her hands waving in the air for a moment as she paced back and forth. Every so often pointing a hard finger at a Gilbert in the process. Shoving a hand in her pocket and grabbing Eve's pipe off the desk she waved it around before turning her attention over to the Paradoxes.

"Hey, look at the balls on Barbie? Okay chica, trust me, that shit gonna get you hurt. Let them do their thing. They been fucking at it longer than you can imagine. You're what? Fucking 15 months old? I'm only a god damn 1st grader with these folks. We got a long way to go. Alright you dead bitches, you go, do some reflecting and shit. No leaving the fucking grounds. Go, go, get the fuck out and let them adults do their shit. We kids gonna go have recess. Monkey bars fucking rock and I'm gonna tag the shit out of one of you later. Be ready cause I'm a fucking master at hide and seek. After that we'll have a meal," Alicia ranted and then sighed. Rubbing her temples and glancing back over towards Gilbert.

"Sí, realmente clavé esa mierda de mierda ¿no? Solo rezumando jodidamente, Eve," she said, as her voice oozed with sarcasm. The woman who now stood as the elder Paradox on the grounds gave an apologetic look and grabbed James by the arm. "Come on, I got tequila in my room, anyways I got some news to tell you," she said as she moved her ass as quickly as possible. Thing was, she may have fucked up the delivery, something was evident. She took control and she still hadn't put the pipe down. In fact, it was now clenched between her teeth as she took rather long strides right the fuck out of the room.

---

---

---

---

---

Andromeda noticed that the Emendators were all huddled off in one corner with Belladonna and Alicia, and given that she didn't understand a word they were saying, she figured it had to be for a reason. It reminded her of when she was little before her parents had gotten divorced - how they'd fight in coded words around her, to keep her from getting upset. The curiosity was burning within her but she knew better than to question practical immortals as to why they were keeping information from her. She didn't have a right to know what was going on anymore than she had a right to be brought back from the dead. The only thing she had near a right to was to get an awful sunburn on a regular basis, thanks to her albino complexion.

She then glanced over at Faith, once again getting a bad vibe off of her. She reminded her of the cast of Heathers and Mean Girls combined - the antagonists, at least. And while time would tell as to whether or not that judgment would be warranted, she couldn't help but bite the inside of her cheek, waiting to see how the Emendators reacted to this. It was probably for the best that Gilbert was the one to respond - Andromeda doubted that Nancy would have given nearly as kind a response. The Cards could be a bit of a wild card at times - pun intended.

"80's?" Andromeda said, her head snapping over to Gilbert has he mentioned her. She then gave him a nod and a smile. She actually loved the coat he had given her. "I'll be there as soon as I can," she said, before she nodded at the Emendators and gave a bit of a wave to her fellow Paradoxes, heading for her room. Once inside, she shut the door behind her and took a deep breath. "You got this, Andy, just hold the curiosity in if you can...You'll find out what's going on when you need to know," she muttered to herself.

Brushing her white locks out of her face, she opened up her wardrobe and pulled out attire appropriate for the 80's. She couldn't deny, she was thankful to get out of the pink dress and heels, and into some denim, boots, cute top, and coat. She even put her hair into a half ponytail, excited and curious and worried all at once. She hoped that Eve was okay, wherever she was. Maybe she just needed a vacation of her own. She wouldn't blame her. She basically was raising a handful of kids with superpowers all at once, while casually attempting to repair the timelines of the world.

It'd be enough to make anyone need a holiday.

---

---

---

---

---

"Let's not talk about Firefly Season 2 never happening - I'm still disappointed I can't see it in the Cards," Nancy commented to Alicia in English. She rather did enjoy that show - sometimes, she'd figure out how to change the channel on their television just right, in order to watch someone else watching a show she wanted. There was an old woman in Minnesota in the 21st century who had amazing television manners and was one of Nancy's favorites to "eavesdrop" some television off of. She then raised an eyebrow as Alicia seemed to glance at her after rattling off a Spanish phrase. The Latina made her regret slightly not picking up that language yet in her existence.

"Αν δεν κάνω τέτοιες υποσχέσεις, τότε δεν χρειάζεται να ανησυχώ για τη διάσπασή τους, Gilbert," she pointed out but she nodded. "Και βέβαια, ήταν λίγο από τότε που πήρα να τεντώσω τα πόδια μου χωρίς ένα μικρό παιδί ούτως ή άλλως," she added, glancing over at James. The Paradoxes were a bit of a handful at times. She hopped up from where she was sitting, popping another caramel chew in her mouth. She was attempting to focus on the sweet taste of the candy and not sending all of the Paradoxes on an all expense free vacation to a volcano.

"And although I'm not the first to make this impression...If you don't learn to hold your tongue, Alex can tell you exactly what will happen to you," Nancy said, looking at the Paradoxes with cold eyes. "And that can be easily arranged to happen in more drastic proportions." She then looked at Gil for a moment, speaking in Sumerian to him quickly. She paused for a moment, before she left the room, Cairo bound.

---

---

---

---

---

Bart took his reviews from Alicia, handling them as if they were as volatile as a bomb. He held it in his hands for a moment, before slipping them into his pocket. He was very surprised to be told they'd be getting down time. That didn't sound like the type of thing he'd thought they'd ever be given as Paradoxes, thinking they were here for the exclusive purpose of helping the Emendators and saving time. But he wasn't gonna complain. The much more concerning thing was what happened next. Though the conversation was literally Greek to him, he picked up on the fact that Evelina was missing, and that was enough to worry them. He looked over to Faith when she spoke up, and almost audibly cringed. He understood her frustration, but keeping quiet through this might be the best thing for them. This was confirmed by Giosue's reply to her, and Alicia's continued reprimanding.

He was about fine with all of this, expecting as much. However, Nancy's comments borderline made him angry, and definitely terrified. He couldn't believe Nancy would go as far to threaten Faith for speaking out like that. He was smarter than to let this control him though, knowing that publicly voicing concern at The Cards would end very, very badly for him. This only strengthened his conviction that he should talk to her and Alex. This at least confirmed that whatever went down, it wasn't pleasant. He feared Faith wouldn't show his restraint however, and kept his eyes in her direction, making a "keep calm" motion with his hands. He decided he was going to wait for the Emendators to clear the room before he would go about his own business. He wanted to pick up anything he could about the Dice's disappearance. If Eve couldn't be found, he didn't know what they'd do. If he understood correctly, she was the one that made Paradoxes in the first place. He figured she could handle herself, and that she was in all probability fine, but the idea of her not being fine was something that made him very worried.

---

---

Sophia looked towards Belladonna when she answered her question and nodded slightly, it probably was nothing but part of her did think that maybe something was up, or something was wrong. But they knew what they were doing, and they were much older than she was as well and then Faith started to upon her mouth. Looking over at the blonde as she requested the Emendators to speak in English so that they could all understand. She shook her head, as much as she would love to try and understand whatever they were saying Sophia didn't want to barge into the conversation and demand they speak in English was a bit rude.

Sophia tucked the letter under her arm, she did not want to pry to much and she could understand the other's stance they were much smarter than she was. She sort of smirked slightly when Gio put Faith in her place, and she did not want to annoy the Emendators or the two elder paradoxes. She could understand that a lot was dumped on Alicia's plate, as she could hear her speak in Spanish and she was stressing out about it. Although Sophia did feel a little bit jealous towards Andromeda and Gilbert seeing they were going to leave for whatever reason, but they were going to do their own thing it looked like. She shuddered slightly Sophia also did not want to know what happened between training with Alexandra and Nancy.

Everyone seemed to be going out to do their own thing, as Alicia got up and took James with her looking over at the others. "I'm going to get something to eat." Sophia said, they were on vacation for the next week so she was going to enjoy it as much as she can before the end of the week. "If anyone wants to join or need me, i'll be at the Kitchen House." Sophia said as she followed the others out.

---

---

The smile that previously adorned Gilbert's face split open a little wider. He even moved his hand over his mouth, in the off chance that he needed to muffle a guffaw or two. The object of his mirth was, for the most part Alicia, if his eyes were of any note. It was a shame that the others never spent a lengthy amount of time in a Spanish speaking population. The young Paradox had the occasion to be a genuinely humorous woman, moreso when given to her childhood tongue. Whether it was intentional or not was anyone's guess, even Gilbert's. Nonetheless, he endeavored to maintain what little amount of manners he still possessed while casually demeanored. "Announcements and the like, Alicia." He wanted to say more, but the sight of her clenching Eve's pipe in her mouth and seeing to an Eve-ly task such as levying humility at one or two of the newer Paradoxes. Though admittedly, The Dice did so with a more experienced hand at decorum.

Gilbert was actually surprised that he didn't receive some sort of argument or backlash concerning his sudden and (recently) uncharacteristic issuing of commands and push to organize. He was the laid-back Emendator, when he wasn't training someone or on mission. This was supposed to be his time to relax for a few days, maybe get some maintenance work in at the workshop. Get something together for Sophia's missing hand, perhaps. Be left alone for a good bit of it, and associate in the company of others as it suited him. But Eve's disappearance had fundamentally changed the dynamic of the Emendators, possibly even the Paradoxes as well.

And to that thought, he had his own work to do that morning. Nancy's comment was not lost on him, though direct response seemed potentially discouraging. Instead, he have his Sister of Uruk a wink and a knowing smile as she left the room, to attend to her business elsewhere in the timelines.

"If you would be as kind as to excuse me," stated Gilbert, setting his hat back on his head, "I have an appointment to attend in Eve's place. I would appreciate returning to see the place as I've left it. I would be very upset otherwise." A nod of thanks to Gio for his expedient work with the portals, and Gilbert exited the Study, bound for his workshop in the Mill.

---

---

Now, that was the Alicia that James remembered. The cocky, brash, troublemaking chica that flew off the handle, yet somehow knew the precise moment when to stop. Also who knew when to see to business. The thing with the pipe was a little much, but why the hell not? Things hadn't been normal for him in years. Not since a big, redneck bonfire party out in the reaches of south Georgia some years ago, when he saw his first dead man up and walking around, trying to eat folks. This semblance at an afterlife was just another extension of the cosmic game of "What The Fuck" that he had been playing for a long time yet. Every day a new opportunity to roll the dice and move his piece forward on the board, for whatever nonsensical good or ill it would serve him.

Naturally, when Alicia not only wanted to take him up on his offer to talk, but was in the mood to share her booze, he was very near overjoyed. He accepted her hand (not like he had a choice, really) and joined her as she exited the room and led him to the threshold of her private quarters. They were very good friends, once upon a time. She was with a decent guy at the time, or at least a version of her in his timeline was. He was just happy to be around people again. It was never anything physical between them. This Alicia was different, but maybe they could be good friends again. He was a different person himself now, anyway. "Hells yeah, Taco Belle! Straight tequila at Seven In The A.M., 'fore breakfast an' such. I'm in!" Oddly, he wasn't being that sarcastic with his statement.

---

---

---

Alexandra fingered the edge of the unopened envelope as she glanced around the room at the others. She wasn't able to gather much information about whatever was going on with Eve, but what with the way the Emendators were speaking in a foreign language, she figured that that was probably the point. Though she understood the frustration of some of the other Paradoxes with essentially being left in the dark, she also knew pressing the Emendators on the matter was a futile, if not dangerous, affair. Her gaze gravitated back to Gilbert as he addressed the group as a whole, and she soon found herself nodding her head in understanding. However, she quickly looked down at her lap, feeling uncomfortable as the other Emendators were less gracious with their words. Nancy's words in particular made her shrink within herself.

She slid down slightly into the chair, pulling her knees up to her chest as if to make herself look smaller and less offensive to the Emendator. She hated that she had been reduced to this sniveling pile of utter weakness, but it just couldn't be helped. She had much healing left to do. She tried to even out her breathing and by default calm the spike in her heartrate. She glanced up timidly as if to see if the coast was clear. She looked around the room warily before letting out a small sigh of relief when it appeared that The Cards had left. She reluctantly pulled her knees away from her chest as she surveyed the room again. It appeared that some of them were already disbanding, so she took this as the opportune moment to get the hell out of there. She grasped the envelope in her hand and popped to her feet, before a bit hastily slinking her way out of the room into the adjacent dining room.

---

---

---

Faith sat there was word after word were hurled at her like venom biting into her skin. She felt herself getting hot, either from embarrassment or anger, she wasn't exactly sure. She was being treated like an overeager child. Again. Could it be helped she was worried about Eve? And she wasn't alone! If something was going on, they should be involved. What was the point of training if they were just supposed to sit around and "think about it".

She had half a mind to stand up and unleash her rage and then she thought about it. Really thought about it. She glanced down at the envelope again, with the words from the Emendators on her performance. And she knew then how right they were. In fact, she pictured Eve most of all. Would Eve want her to rush forward, looking for her without training or preparation? Would Eve want her to attack the Emendators that trained her? Would she want Faith to be the spoiled brat she had been in her previous life or would she ask her to step above it? Bite her tongue and do as she was told. It may be unfair. It may be unwanted. But it was needed. Especially now.

Faith nodded her understanding. She stood up as the others all got up to do their own thing. She didn't want to do much else but be alone with her thoughts. At least for a brief moment. She glanced at Bart as he had his "keep calm" face on and she smiled and winked before walking out of the room and NOT slamming the door, though she wanted to. Desperately.

She made the journey to her room where she opened up to familiar territory now. She flopped on her bed and stared at the ceiling. They were right. She knew they were right and it killed her that she had been so close to blowing it again. She had to be better. She had to rise above and accept this role she had been given. She had to remember she was a Paradox. It wasn't something she wanted, but something she needed.

If they wanted her help, they knew where to find her. She would track down Eve if she were in danger. For all she knew, the Emendator was on a vacation. Yeah, she could just picture her in any time period. Maybe even back at that club? Faith shuddered at that thought. She would not want to go back there if she could help it. But knowing how things often went, she was sure it was not the last time she would see the Club.

---

---

---

The Elder Paradox had left the grounds, as well as The Cards. That left The Hat and The Watch in charge. Granted The Hat was leaving with one of the younger Paradoxes soon. People would be arriving soon if someone didn't do something about it. Sure they had cancelled the evening festivities before but it was a rare occasion. In fact, since the new Paradoxes arrived there hadn't been a single evening where Eve had not opened the gates to greet the people of the surrounding area. Alicia had once asked Eve so long ago why they did this, even when things were going bad. "It might be hard for you to understand because you have the memories of two lives within you but you are a child. Children need structure. They need order in the midst of chaos. Only during the most dire of times will I close these gates come dusk. The day that happens, we will know we are truly preparing for the end."

Those words went through Alicia's mind as she walked with James up to her room and unlocked the door. She felt a queasy feeling in the pit of her stomach remembering them. Would the gates be closed tonight? The key turned and she stepped inside, not liking the situation what so ever. Right then she felt like she had many times next to her father before she came here. She knew she was trained, she knew she could handle most any situation, and yet he took point. She followed orders. He was the elder. When she was in that life she thought it was stupid. Sure her father was nearly a legend in his own right but she was younger, faster, smarter - right? That had all blown up in her face when she died. He outlived her. In both lives. There was something to say about age. Experience. She felt like that right now, once again. Like the child wanting to rush out and do something but would she go three for three and end up dead again.

Grabbing the flask of tequila and took a heavy swig from it before handing it out to James. "₁Hostia.." she muttered under her breath before kicking off her boots and crumpling on her mediation mat. Huffing slightly she reached into her back pocket and pulled out a worn out Polaroid picture. "Schrodi caught me out in Babylon and wanted me to give this to ya." She turned it over in her fingers a bit before holding it out to the man. "Said it was Tati's, whoever the hell that is. Anyways, kids name is James Sally," Alicia said setting it down and crossing her legs.

Shaking her hair out she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she had been gone for fifteen months on assignment and training with Clops. That was a real shit show as far as she was concerned but she had learned a lot and actually got to stretch her muscles as it were when it came to using her skills in a more practical sense. The old man was anything but conventional with his teaching tactics. That feeling in the pit of her stomach still wasn't letting up and in-fact it was growing. "Something ain't fucking right..." she said rubbing her stomach and pressing in on it. Couldn't be the tequila, Papi had rubbed her pacifiers down with the shit when she was a baby. She handed that booze better than water.

Opening her eyes she looked over at James as a light started to emanate from her eyes, then nose and mouth. It was so quick and blinding. "₂A mí la muerte me pela los dientes..." The words were barely a whisper When it died down one could hear a baby rattle and something else hit the mat where Alicia was once sitting. The cameo that once hung around her neck of Santa Muerte seemed to have a grin on her skeletal teeth as the babies rattle simply lay there.

---

---

---

---

---

Fully dressed in an outfit that she actually loved - the pink dress was never quite her thing but she understood the need to fit in with the time period - Andromeda left her room and locked it behind her. Perhaps it was a carry over habit from her college days, when drunk students would stumble into whatever dorm room was unlocked and not bother to check that it was their own - or maybe a wariness that the Cards and the Watch might leave a prank in her room while she was out with Gil on a mission. She had no idea how long she'd be gone for and she didn't want to take any chances. Her room was her personal, private space - and she appreciated that. They could have easily gotten a large room and tossed in a bunch of sleeping bags for the Paradoxes and told them deal with it. They certainly didn't need to give them precious objects from their previous life either.

She arrived at the Mill a few minutes later, a bit of excitement and tension building in her stomach. Her curiosity about Evelina's whereabouts was largely replaced by an intense curiosity about where she'd be traveling to. While she spent fifteen months training with the Emendators and Belladonna, she hadn't gotten to experience everything yet - she had just scratched the tip of the iceberg. Everything was a brand new experience still and it put a smile on her face. Maybe one day she'd look back at this time with nostalgia - assuming she survived that long - as a time where life was lived to the fullest...and where each day brought something new and surprising and interesting. But she truly doubted it - every day at Ville au Camp, despite the repetition of the loop, was starkly different than the day before.

---

---

As Sophia walked down the hallway she took another look at the letter once more, she could say that she agreed with some of them and knew that she needed to improve things a lot. As she turned and headed out of the main house Sophia made her way across the yard, feeling quiet hungry right now as she headed inside of the building itself. She could feel her stomach rumble a bit more and took a look inside of the cooler, pulling out some eggs that were there. Sophia then started up the stove then pulled out a frying pan setting it down on the stove Sophia leaned herself up against the table.

Digging out she pulled out her wedding ring once more, the thoughts of her loved ones and friends as well slipped past her mind she missed all of them still quiet a bit. Letting out a slight sigh as she looked out the window, it was still early in the morning and there was still a lot of things that were going on. Evelina going missing was the most troubling at least for her, but she trusted the Emendators well enough that they would find out whats going on. After waiting a little bit Sophia pulled out two eggs and cracked them on the side of the table as she took the second and cracked them both one at a time with her only good hand. Hearing the sizzling of the egg on the frying pan made her mouth water a bit.

She pulled out a spatula and started to scramble the egg on there and started to make herself a bit of toast as well, once she was satisfied with the eggs, she grabbed a nearby plate and started to put the eggs on it. Then the toast was put on the same frying pan as she made sure not to burn it. Once it was a nice golden brown she pulled the two pieces of bread off, as she grabbed herself some salt and pepper and then she quickly started to dig in.

---

---

---

---

---

Alicia's ravings, followed by her speech to the Paradoxes, while also a bit out of line and perhaps a bit too on-the-nose seemed to get through to them. However, he couldn't help but notice Alicia stick Evelina's pipe in her mouth and sneer as she left. That was so gross. The Dice had been around for so long, her mouth contained who knows how many different kinds of bacteria and pathogens that were harmless to her, but who knew what kind of illnesses anyone else could contract from it. To willingly stick that in one's mouth was thoughtlessness incarnate.

But putting that aside, with Nancy's exit and the impending departure of Gilbert and Andromeda, he was to be in charge of the Camp, which was what he volunteered for. Alicia might be fine to send off alone, but there was no way he was going to allow her to govern the place alone. No, he had to maintain an eye on the place. If need be in the future The Hat would be an acceptable substitute, but it left a lot fewer options for maneuvering. That could be planned in detail later. Right now he had more pressing matters to attend to, namely setting up the Camp for tonight. It wasn't even a thought to him to not have the guests over tonight. Evelina's disappearance was a most concerning matter, but that didn't mean that ritual was to be cast aside or routine to be forgotten. To allow such things to slip would be a sign that the Camp was truly slipping into chaos and would be soon to perish.

All the Emendators had their responsibilities, and this was his. He had his troubled thoughts and hypotheses brewing in his head, but keeping the place running as smoothly as possible was paramount. Issues of Evelina could be given more mind when the others returned. Party preparations were going to have to adjust with the fewer hands on deck, and he had to account for them now while he had the time. Being the last one to leave the room, Gio shut the door behind him and made his way to his room to work out the logistics of the celebrations tonight.

---

---

---

---

---

As the room cleared, Bart's hands made their way back into his pocked, before he looked down at his envelope, only for his eyes to quickly be drawn back to Sophia. Food sounded good about now, but Alexandra had also just stepped out of the room, looking clearly uncomfortable. He wanted to check in with her, but at the same time he'd like to get to know Sophia more. Needing satisfaction for his curiosity, and feeling genuine worry for Alex, he decided on a course of action. Nodding at Sophia, he said, "I'll be in in a minute, I'd love to have a bite." He then, still clutching his reviews in his hand, stood, and followed after Alexandra. He stuck his head in the Dining Room, taking a quiet look at her, while thinking about what he wanted to say.

Announcing his presence by way of clearing his throat, "Hey Alex?" He asked, stepping fully into the room, and leaning against the wall. "Are you okay? You looked pretty shaken up in there." He pursed his lips, unsure about how to proceed. He wanted to know exactly what Nancy had done to her, but he didn't know if that was a safe question to ask. For all he knew, he could stumble onto a landmine of trauma if he went about this the wrong way. He himself had baggage he didn't want to talk about with anybody, so he very well understood that seemingly innocuous things could set people off. "If you need to talk about anything." He said carefully, "I just want you to know I'm here." That felt like the safest way to go about this.

---

---

When you walk the same path over and over again, the distance you actually travel seemed different based upon your mood going into the walk. Gilbert was concerned. It seemed to make the trip longer. One foot in front of the other in a steady rhythm, tapping upon the walkway and then the grass, and lastly the shuffle of leaves around his workshop, partially obscured by trees. The Mill. The last time it was used to actually mill something was long, long ago by the standards of the common man. Gilbert had been using it to make and store all of the wonderful things that he contributed to their cause. It was less of an Emendator power as it was the benefit of literally millennia of craftsman's experience.

By the time Andromeda had arrived, Gilbert's choice of clothing had changed somewhat. Lots of black, jeans and vest both, in fitting denim and broken-in leather, respectively. His shirt was unapologetically kept untucked, and looked just as slept-in as every other shirt he owned. A formidable chain was bolted to a broad leather wallet in his back pocket, secured along the front of his stout belt by the other end. A black-on-black tartan lay draped across his shoulders, and his arms were otherwise bare. His fingers sported numerous rings, many of which bore the slightly tarnished glint of silver. Probably the most notable difference in the man's attire was a change in headwear - his lightly distressed fedora was set upon a small table in his work area, his head adorned with an open style, domed leather item, reminiscent of a homburg or flat-brimmed derby. It too looked a bit distressed, but also with places repaired with fine yet noticeable stitching.

"I do appreciate the 1980s. There is a distinct lack of fashion sense in major urban areas that allow one to wear whatever they want, in whatever combination that desire, and few would bat an eyelash or consider it more than a triviality. That kind of randomness allowed for certain... well, certain types of people to live more publicly." Gilbert looked to Andromeda, then over to the area where he kept his arsenal. He considered arming up for this jaunt, seeing as it was not the usual sort of training session. Or at all, really. Many factors were out of his control, and unlike most of his off-site learning experiences, they were not observing. Nor were they placed in a situation where their actions didn't matter. The two of them would be directly participating in the events unfolding upon a timeline.

"New York, 80s. Most weapons are illegal. Where we are going, the police don't enter unless they have to. All the same, we want to give our hosts a favorable impression. Good advice would be to tell you to act confidently, but respectfully. But after we arrive, I will be happy if you just don't stare for too long." He shook his head, realizing that he was explaining a course of action for a situation in which Andromeda had no reference. "I am sure you will do just fine. Unless there was something you wanted to pick up before we leave, please join me through the portal." With a tip of his hat, Gilbert made his way to the back of the Mill and opened the door, briefly admiring the telltale shimmering of Gio's handiwork.

---

---

James barely had time to stare in awe at the picture he was given. Not family in the traditional sense, as much as his timeline housed a word full of orphans and sole survivors anyway, but he was immensely glad to see that the baby of Tatiana and Jack was born healthy and happy. And further, the little guy was named after him. That was amazing. He had just begun to feel a mixed emotion, pride and sorrow intertwining in a bittersweet mobius strip, when something that Alicia said caught his attention.

"Wait, Schrody?" This was the second or third time that James had heard that name mentioned among the Emendators and Paradoxes. It was what the people of his timeline called a fuzzy orange tomcat that came in with a Russian circus performer and stuck around after an accident claimed his life. It couldn't be the same thing. Mostly as a cat wasn't overly inclined toward speech, nor the possession of photographs. But he wasn't sure who else would be named Schrödinger, that would have access to a picture of Tati's kid. It made no sense. James was just about to ask who, and/or what Alicia meant by that, when something highly unexpected occurred.

James sat for a second or two, wide eyed and feigning patience. Maybe this was a new Paradox ability manifesting. Or something else, equally as logical an explanation for suddenly disappearing, leaving a death pendant and baby's rattle in your place. The jewelry he got; Alicia wore it all the time. The rattle was something new though. It was beyond his reckoning, like so many other things here. After thise short, expectant seconds, James's fake patience broke and he tore out of the room, hoping to find the nearest person who might know more than himself. His frantic movement brought him more or less back to the Study, though his voice carried much farther than that.

"Holy shit, I needs me an adult! Alicia done DAVID LO PAN'ED an now she gone! Somethin' 'bout muerte an' dentists and the bitch ain't here no more!"

---

---

So let us recap. We have one Emendator whose location is unknown. We have one paradox that just went ~poof~. We have one man running around freaking the fuck out. We have one Emendator who just went on vacation as it were. We have one Paradox who left to go inform others of what happened, well what she knows since she doesn't know anything past Evelina's location being unknown. A Pair is going on a field trip to New York. Someone is planning a party. Someone is going to eat. The rest are about doing their thing. Isn't this just a cluster fuck? Well it's about to become one if you didn't already feel that it was.

You see at the front gate, a line of trucks and cars are pulling up. They are covered in dust and dirt. Looking rather run down. "I don't like this," a voice said from behind the wheel of the lead vehicle. The windows were up and one couldn't see inside as the passenger door flung open and a a set of small feet landed on the running board. A cane helped the man of short stature get out of the truck and onto the ground proper.

"Well I don't rightly care. Management told us to come here and we always do what Management orders," he said before shutting the door with the tip of his cane and walking slowly towards the gate. "Hello? Hey, anyone in there?" he called out. The folks at the mill probably won't hear the man yelling out but they could hear the trucks. More than that though, the Emendators on the property are going to feel a pull. A pull they knew. One that brings them together but this is from a new source sitting outside of the gate. It is different than before but still has hints of being familiar. Like when someone follows a recipe from your childhood. It ain't the same as mom used to make but you can tell it is pretty damn close.

---

---

---

Faith continued to stare at the ceiling, making imaginary shapes as time passed. It was more of a way for her to cool down and not be in the way than anything else. She knew if she had stayed there, she would have snapped. Most likely at Alicia. And who knows what would have transpired from there? She hated being called out like that in front of the others. Bart seemed at least somewhat understanding.

Was she in the wrong though? This wasn't selfless (or not fully). She was worried about Evelina. The woman just vanished, the other Emendators are whispering in languages no one else can understand, and she's supposed to stand there and do nothing? Whatever. If that's how they wanted to play it, that is how she will play.

She finally sat up and grabbed the knife that Gil got her. She sharpened it some more. It had become a regular occurrence of hers to maintain her blade. While she did it, she practiced her accents. She felt she nailed the British accent, could still use some work on Southern and Midwestern. Her valley girl was on-point though, Nancy would (hopefully) be proud. See, she was trying!

---

---

---

Alexandra was already about halfway across the dining room when she heard someone clear their throat behind her, causing her to stop dead in her tracks. She instinctively tensed, expecting the worse. However, as Bart's voice floated to her ears carrying words of concern, the tension melted from her in a shaky whoosh of air. She bit her lip as she was filled with emotion. She honestly didn't know that she could talk about what had happened to her, unsure if it would make things better or worse, but nevertheless, the knowledge that someone was there for her meant everything to her. The simple gesture was exactly what she needed at the moment, and she savored the words perhaps more than he would ever know. She brushed away a stray tear before looking back over her shoulder at him. "No, but I vill be--eventually. Thank you, truly," she replied, giving him a weak smile.

Just about that time, she could hear the bellowing, and notably panicked, voice of James calling out from the room next door. Her dark brows furrowed, and she turned around fully and walked back across the room, brushing past Bart in the process. She peeked her head into the study, glancing around the room before entering. "Voah voah, slov dovn," Alexandra stated, walking over to the distraught Paradox. "Vhat do you mean Alicia's gone? Vhat happened?" Her brows were still furrowed with confusion, but there was also a hint of genuine concern in her eyes and in her voice.

---

---

As Sophia sat there on the table by herself, she was starting to enjoy the quiet as she leaned back a bit with a piece of toast in her hand her eyes wondered over towards the window as she took a bite out of the slice of toast. Her hand lightly playing with the ring on the table for a little bit, she ran a hand through her hair as she started to eat some more. Her eyes wondering around the kitchen house, as she started to think about maybe making some breakfast for everyone else that were still on the grounds.

She closed her eyes as she started to concentrate on her Sense Acuity, just curious to see what was going on around the grounds through her hearing. It didn't take to much, but she instantly heard the engine of cars which sounded like they were coming from the main gate. Out of her time spent in Ville au Camp, when she wasn't training she had never heard of any cars going through or even near the camp. Everything was always the same within the loop, which started to get her curiosity and started to get up and head out of the kitchen house and headed towards the source of the cars.

---

---

---

---

---

Andromeda nodded, though she couldn't help but feel a bit curious. The 80's he was describing felt incredibly similar yet also different to the 80's she was familiar with. Were they heading into some sort of gang conflict, causing the police not to go to this place? And Gilbert's line about staring - she tried to think of situations in which she would be lead to stare, only to conclude that would be when encountering the unusual. She nodded at Gilbert again, drawing her coat around her, and she wondered if she was underdressed when she heard the sound of trucks.

"Gilbert?" Andromeda called out, walking around to where the portal was yet not through it yet. "Sorry, but erm...Are we expecting a thing of trucks today?" She hadn't heard trucks like that in her time in the loop before. Every day had been pretty much exactly the same - for time to start to change...She couldn't help but wonder if it had to do something with Evelina's absence. Or maybe the Cards had gone and caused something. Those were the only two factors that she knew were different so far - and thus, her only ideas as to what would have caused the repetition to break.

---

---

---

---

---

These kids just couldn't let an old man plan out his night in peace could they? Not even just let him have a few hours to work things out before causing a ruckus. And it was Mr. Grady as well (even if the word choice weren't a dead giveaway, the decibel level would). Gio had some degree of faith in his ability to be rational when it mattered, so his evident freak out, clearly audible even through the Emendator's shut door gave him pause. Perhaps he should go confront the paradox about Ms. Gonzalez... "lo-panning out"

But then there was something else. That tugging feeling. He knew it. Now was not a good time for that feeling. Couldn't these things wait until next week or next to occur. He would have his hands full enough setting up the party as-is, having to divvy up his time even further was a loathsome prospect. Yet he could not ignore this feeling in the base of his spine. Of all the issues at hand, this had to be dealt with first. Mr. Grady could be dealt with after the fact. Putting his pen down, Gio left his room and single-mindedly made his way through the house and out to the front gates where all those noisy trucks had decided to take up residence.

"Salutations, gentlemen. What can I do you for?"

---

---

---

---

---

Bart frowned for a moment, wishing she would talk to him, but that wasn't his place to push. He nodded at her words though, surprised by her ability to be as forward with her emotions as she seemed to be. It was always easier to lie and not admit pain, but Alex seemed to take the hard route, and be forward about how she felt. With that simple action, she had earned his respect. He was at least pretty certain though, that whatever had happened between Nancy and her, it was rough. He still had to talk to Nancy and see if she would tell him what happened, but he honestly didn't know how Nancy would respond. She could do anything between telling him to buzz off and showing him first hand. He'd need to carefully consider exactly how he'd go about further investigating this before he went any further. "No problem..." He said as she brushed past him. It was around this time when he had taken notice to Jame's hollering like a mad man in the next room over.

Following Alexandra into the room, he gave James a surprised look, if Alicia was gone, that couldn't be a good thing. His first instinct was to go find an Emendator, but he realized, given the volume with which James was delivering this message, one of them probably already knew. "Calm down and tell us what happened from the beginning." He said calmly, if there was one thing he learned from his training with Eve, freaking out and acting rashly was the last thing in the world he wanted to do right now. "Panicking won't get us anywhere right now." Even though he was saying these things, he still felt a kind of pit in his stomach. The worry caused by this made him want to act, to do something, but he forced that down for now.