*Sluuurp*

As she sat at the heart of her Lab, surrounded by a tangled technomantic tapestry of glowing tetra-tachyonic tesseract tubers, gurgling cross-continua cosmic crucibles, bubbling eldritch ectoplasmic evolutionary enhancement vats, and zapping zynoidal zenith zots, the Wise Scientist took a long sip of her favorite yellowy-green beverage and observed the events playing out on her panoramic interdimensional viewer. Although she’d been so hopeful that Thyerg’Octolys would become her latest major source of entertainment, his exploits had so far been sorely lacking in amusement, at least compared to those of a certain chrono-manipulating canine. For one thing, the universe in which the eldritch dark matter domiarch currently resided had quickly revealed itself to possess an exceptionally bizarre and contradictory rules framework, its Grand Magistrate seeming to lay down plenumic laws only to subsequently allow the reality plenum’s inhabitants to freely break them. Yet, even this would be fine taken on its own. After all, the Wise Scientist had never been one to allow herself to be limited by rules of any kind. The real problem was inherent in the nature of the contest Octolys was unwillingly participating in.

As a death battle, there was precious little opportunity for the domiarch to display the bombastic, imperious, and self-aggrandizing personality that would ordinarily be so comical in such a setting. Indeed, much of the joy of watching Parr’s various interdimensional exploits was seeing how the clueless canine would react to, and interact with, the various individuals that crossed his path, and, while other participants in the death battle had managed to strike up ostensibly disallowed conversations with their rivals, Octolys had merely engaged in battle with an army of Orks that seemed to have even less regard for the laws of physics than the rest of their slightly reality-warping kind. While that particular trait was somewhat intriguing, and thus would be thoroughly investigated in due time, the purpose of this viewing session was to locate entertainment sufficient to at least marginally distract her literally galaxy-sized brain from the recent string of disappointments she’d been forced to endure. Instead, this would become merely the latest item on that ever-lengthening list. With that in mind, the Wise Scientist chose to redirect her focus to one of her best sources of amusement, an old favorite for whom, ironically enough, failure and disappointment seemed to be constant companions that were indelibly infused into his very being…

“Well, at least he’s self aware of the fact that he’s apparently destined to fuck up everything he does,” the Wise Scientist noted as she watched Finn make his final snide remarks to Ashley before dramatically falling off Peace Train like the edgelord he seemed to envision himself as. “Still, as much as I want to applaud his attempts to take initiative, and own his fuckups, I can’t help but feel that he’s still just passively accepting whatever shit gets thrown at him. I mean look at this,” she continued, pointing a bony finger at where the former G.E.M.I.N.I. agent was conversing with Penumbra. “While it may seem like he’s choosing his own fate here, he’s really just resigning himself to what he believes is inevitable.” She sighed. “I had really hoped he would allow himself to have a bit more agency after our little chat, but I guess ‘a’ is always going to be ‘a’, and a Finn is always going to be a failure…”

"You should really have more patience, doc." A new voice responded from behind her, both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. When the scientist turned around to sharply address the stranger, she'd be greeted by the sight of a man in a beaked mask, and her usual companion leaning against him for support. After all, Jennifer looked as if something tried to maul her in half. One of her arms and eyes were missing, one could see the bone of her leg with how deep the gash was, and with a lack of a better term it looked like she was almost disemboweled. Yet she didn't bleed. Not further anyways, her wounds were currently frozen in a stasis. With her only other hand she casually waved to the Wise Scientist.

"Yo."

The Wise Scientist whirled around at the sound of the new voices, a rare look of shock on her goggled visage as she visibly struggled to keep from spitting out her drink. While she’d already suspected Jennifer would pay a visit, and indeed, had immediately sensed her arrival a moment earlier, her masked associate’s presence was a complete surprise, the figure having gone entirely unnoticed by the Lab’s various intruder detection systems. Yet, even more alarming was the… less-than-ideal state the (False) Witch of Time appeared to be in, along with the thought of what could have even inflicted such grievous injuries on such an exceptionally powerful being in the first place. “Holy shit, Jen! What the fuck happened to you?!”

”Long story. Would’ve got Mari to bring me here but she’s a bit…busy at the moment.” Jen was oddly calm despite her condition. She tilted her head to the man. ”Besides, this one was hoping to come visit.”

”I told you going ahead with that idea to raze the fae realm was a bad idea, Ms. Wagner.”

The witch groaned. ”Not our fault your friends had the tendency to grow attached to the very things that make your lives hell, much less the fact that one of them subconsciously adopted a fucking KELPIE. Is Orpheus even ready to be a father?” She jabbed back, but her tone wasn’t as sharp as her words suggested. The masked man only sighed.

”My brother’s relationship is none of my business. But we’re getting off track,” He looked back to the Wise Scientist. ”Anywhere I can sit her down?” He softly asked.

The Wise Scientist simply stared blankly at her guests before gesturing to a pair of just-formed hard-light easy chairs for the pair to sit in. “Fine,” she replied in a resigned deadpan. “Keep your secrets. But you better believe I’m not just gonna let you stay like that,” she added, bathing the (False) Witch of Time in a multi-spectrum S¹² grade restoration ray. “Gotta say, I’m honestly surprised you weren’t able to heal yourself, or were you just putting all your power into hiding your little pal from me?” she asked with a wry smirk. “Who is he, by the way?”

”Doesn’t really work if you’re falling apart faster than you can heal.” Jennifer leaned back against her seat, letting the restoration ray do its work.

“Hmmm… Yes…” the Wise Scientist muttered as the information provided by a just activated finder beam scrolled across her glowing goggles. “It’s certainly quite the rapacious little thing, isn't it?”

The masked figure pointed towards her as he stepped up to his seat. ”Can vouch.” He stepped over to sit, propping up a knee to rest his arm on, then looked back at the Scientist. ”And your other question. As much as I would love to say, it’d be a bit awkward to explain. Especially since I know who you’ve been keeping an eye on.” The figure brought his other hand up to lay on his chest for a moment. ”To avoid the mixup, you can call me Bronze.”

“Ah, so you’re another iteration of The Failure, huh? Well, this should be fun, then,” the Wise Scientist noted with a grin as she leaned back in her command chair and took another sip of her drink. “I’m sure you’ll have some wonderful insights on your younger variant’s recent developments, ‘Bronze’. That is, if you can keep from devolving into the emo edgelord all the others eventually seem to. Oh, and don’t worry about Jen,” she added with a dismissive gesture towards the (False) Witch of Time. “Despite someone’s admittedly impressive attempt to cause her harm, it’s still no match for the abilities of the Mad Scientist Supreme.”

”Hah. Yeah, wonderful being tormented by the ‘memories’ of my other iterations in my sleep.” Bronze dryly chuckled. ”I’m lucky they even stopped eventually aside from Fable. Besides, despite your admittedly barebones speculations, not all of us have ended up Torment Nexus’d by eldritch outer gods that take pleasure in treating us like their personal chew toys.”

After a brief pause he added:

_{”Aigorost isn’t around to hear this is he?”}

“Maybe not yet, but something tells me it’s only a matter of time,” the Wise Scientist replied. “And as for that perverted eldritch horror, I’m sure he’s always keeping an eye on anyplace one of you’s around. From what I understand, he’s a bit of a fan, though I can’t really blame him.”

Bronze visibly shuddered. ”Fucks sake, I hope not.” He muttered, shaking his head. ”A-Anyways, I still stand by my point that you should be patient here. You sending Parr to him, your conversation jogging his memories, the fact that he’s becoming as aware of things as much as (and I can’t believe I’m saying this,) Oros,”

”To which the similarities between her and you are concerningly notable, considering what’s to become of either Fable or Mika.” Jen added. Bronze hesitantly nodded.

”You’ve already planted enough seeds for something to come out of it, but results aren’t always going to be as instantaneous as you desire.” He continued to explain. ”I’d thought you of all people would understand what he’s really planning.”

“Oh, I have some ideas,” the Monarch of Mad Science replied with a knowing grin. “But to correct your misapprehension, I don’t have any plans of my own for him, nor did I send Parr his way.”

_{”I mean you did fuck with his Syllogismobile, but I’m not gonna split hairs.”}

”I merely enjoyed the show. What I really want is to see him take control of his life and finally live up to his full potential. Y’know, like how the other one didn’t.”

”...Christ, you’re still hung up on that?” Bronze’s tone seemed to soften again.

”Don’t think too much about it, she just cares more about you than she admits.” Jen snickered.

“Of course, I care,” the Wise Scientist bit back. “I care about all of my projects! Hell, if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t have tried to help the two of them so much, for all the good it’s done…”

Bronze quietly stared back for a moment, slightly tilting his head. He adjusted in his seat to face the Wise Scientist. ”Well you can’t blame us for being a bit apprehensive.” He said to her. ”But you have helped. More than everyone that had tried to use me for their own heinous gain.”

The mask retracted back into his head, finally revealing the older esper’s face. ”Believe me, I still don’t entirely trust you. But as long as you don’t pull any stunts, my offer for us to work together once in a while is still technically open.”

“Stunts?” the Wise Scientist inquired, while dramatically raising one artificial eyebrow of her giga-tech goggles. “Please. I’ve done nothing but help pathetic losers that I think might have some small shred of potential, only to have them piss in my face. If anyone should be making cautionary statements like that, it’s me.”

”Eh, whatever floats your boat, I’m just trying to be precautious. I do have someone to go back to.”

A moment later, an alert bleeped, while a yellowy-green border appeared around one of the smaller holodisplays on the far side of the Wise Scientist’s command chair. “Speaking of help, I’m fairly certain you’re aware of my little ‘Oros project’,” the Monarch of Mad Science continued as she enlarged the display in question, where a group of familiar-looking young women could be seen sprawled around an even more familiar-looking cyborg/robot/android girl. “Well, I’m helping this one to finally reach her full potential,” she explained, zooming in on the battered and bruised body of an otherwise attractive young woman wearing a futuristic outfit with a clear Egyptian aesthetic.

As the trio continued to watch, the victorious cyborg/robot/android dissolved into a cloud of rapidly dissipating particles, while the surrounding terrain did likewise. So, too, did the various defeated young women, until only the one wearing the Egyptian-themed outfit remained. “That wasn’t too bad for your first time, Osiris,” the Wise Scientist told the woman, even as her wounds were healed by the rejuvenating energies of a restoration ray. “I think that’ll serve as sufficient training for now,” she continued, a glowing rectangular portal opening beside “Osiris” as she spoke. “But before you head back to your bath, there’s another friend I’d like you to meet.”

However, a moment before Osiris stepped through the glowing rectangle, it abruptly winked out of existence.

“Y’know, on second thought, that probably isn’t such a great idea,” the Wise Scientist told her. “I mean, you’re probably pretty tired after getting your ass kicked in that simulation, and I know you’d rather be soaking in a bubble bath in that fancy hotel suite of yours instead of engaging in a conversation that’s way above your pay grade, not to mention your mental capacity, so you can just go home now,” she added, opening a new portal, which led to a luxurious bathroom. “Oh, and as a reward for all your hard work, here are a few special bath bombs designed by yours truly.” At that, several dark purple spheres covered in intricate yellowy-green swirls materialized a short distance above Osiris, which she caught with impressive agility. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.”

Osiris merely gave a curt nod and a terse, “Thanks,” before stepping through the portal, which immediately closed behind her.

“(Sigh…) While I’d thought you’d might like to chat with her, upon further rumination I realized she’s not exactly the talkative type,” the Wise Scientist told Jen. “She mostly just does the bare minimum necessary to get paid and then returns to her hedonism. She doesn’t really care how she’s perceived and she doesn’t have any major goals or aspirations, especially not unattainable ones, and that, of course, is her biggest problem. See, just like pathetic little Fable, she’s also something of a failure, but even so, I still have hopes that status can change with a bit of work. After all,” she added with a grin. “If you can manage to do the seemingly impossible and find a Finn who isn’t a total fuck up, then I can certainly fix a defective Oros.”

Bronze, quietly observing the small interaction; albeit with some trepidation towards being in the same room as an Oros iteration, then spoke up:

”Deprive her of that lifestyle.” He suggested to the Wise Scientist, ”Asides from the glaring issue that Osiris isn’t a natural product of Aigorost’s choice and influence therefore naturally rendering her an ingenuine article, if her only desire is being in the lap of luxury, then all you’d need to do is pull a few strings and leave her nothing.” He shrugged. ”As the comeuppance for her boundless greed perhaps?”

It seemed selfish in hindsight to suggest, but he had no love loss for that THING’s right-hand woman.

“I suppose I could go that route,” the Wise Scientist conceded as she tapped her glass thoughtfully. “But would that really even make any difference? I mean, for such deprivation to really count, it would need to be an indelible aspect of her life story, not a newly introduced element. Seeing how she reacts to failure has a multiplicity of ancillary benefits, but I don’t exactly see it solving the core problem. No, for that I decided to get a little ambitious…” the Monarch of Mad Science added, an increasingly maniacal grin spreading across her face. “Instead of adding disappointment, retroactive or otherwise, to my little creation’s life, I’ve chosen to assist a preexisting Oros in removing theirs! Not only that, but as your pal Bronze here proves, there are always outliers in any group, and I’m willing to bet dear Isra might just be one, herself. Obviously, this all requires further study,” she added, taking another sip of her drink. “But I think I’m drawing quite close to a major breakthrough, one that impending events in Esper World will hopefully elucidate.”

“You’re gonna have to be more specific.”

“Really?” the Wise Scientist inquired, giving Jen a look of incredulity. “And here I thought you were following along with Kate’s various adventures. Well, to spell it out for you, The World With No Name’s Oros, Oracle Morowa, is head over heels for our favorite photographer, but she was convinced she’d never be able to get with her due to massive lifespan differences and a lack of mutual attraction on Kate’s part. She thought it was impossible, a disappointment that would define her very existence for the rest of her short life, but as I’m sure you know by now, ‘impossible’ isn’t part of my vocabulary. So, I fixed her limited lifespan issue and gave her access to her originally moon-specific precognitive powers wherever she goes. What’s even better is that my old pal is actually starting to fall in love with her without any influencing from me!” She chuckled. “I guess moth girls just happen to be her thing.”

”Oooooh right, the sane one.”

Bronze sharply inhaled when the Wise Scientist mentioned that Kate hadn’t felt the same at first. ”As long as they treat each other well.” He crossed his arms. ”Do me a favor and do not hesitate to kick her ass if she hurts her?”

“Ideally, neither of them is getting hurt,” the Wise Scientist replied. “That’s kinda the whole point, here. But which ‘her’ are we talking about, exactly? You got a thing for moth girls, too, or is it Kate that you’ve grown fond of?” she asked with a sly smirk.

Bronze incredulously glanced between the two women, one of which was busy stifling a snicker, and slowly back at the Wise Scientist.

”Should you tell her or should I?”

He sighed. ”Doc, I have a husband.” He clarified. ”And it’s just that I’ve just had my fair share of dealing with people who refused to ever take no for an answer. Sane or not, Morowa is still considered an Oros. I’m just wary of the risks, that's all.”

“Ah, so what you’re saying is, your brooding edginess was such a turn on that you were forced to beat your hoards of frenzied admirers back with a sword, huh?” the Wise Scientist quipped.

Bronze tiredly glared back at the scientist. ”If by ‘hoards of frenzied admirers’ you mean an emotionally and mentally unstable cannibal who could’ve killed me otherwise, then yeah. Let’s go with that.” He leaned back in his seat. ”Believe me, part of me still regrets ever playing nice with such a bastard, but I’ve moved on from wanting revenge at this point. My life’s been wonderful without worrying about the ‘what if’s.”

“I see… How very mature of you,” the Wise Scientist commended. “I gotta say, you really do seem like quite an improvement over the other two iterations of you I’ve met.”

”Well, I had time to heal, and I have loved ones who want the best for me, ” The man glanced back at her, a faint smile returning to his face. ”I know my existence in itself is rather…anomalous in hindsight. But things do improve, already has! Just have to let it.”

“Speaking of improving, I’m pleased to see that my dear Ashley’s doing her fair share of it. She’s really stepping into her leadership role quite nicely, don’t you think?” the Wise Scientist inquired as the scene on her panoramic holodisplay shifted to showcase the Knight of Tomorrow’s battle with the brainwashed Binky. “In spite of all the myriad adversities that have been thrown in her face, she still manages to persevere and push beyond her former limitations. Yes, it really is a wonderful thing to see someone’s potential be fully realized as opposed to being pointlessly squandered.”

”...You keep bringing that up, the whole ‘potential’ thing.” Bronze noted. ”What do you even mean by that? If it’s alright to ask?”

The Wise Scientist sighed. “And here I thought you were supposed to be moderately intelligent… Potential is defined as having latent qualities or abilities that have the capacity to possibly develop to a level of viability at some future juncture,” she explained in a weary deadpan. “Many things and people have it, and it can, of course, also be employed as a power source, and a pretty damn effective one, to put it mildly. Does that clear things up for you, or do you want a full lecture, complete with visual aids?”

He furrowed his brows. ”I meant as in for what purpose. What’s the goal here? Just to get power sources?”

“That’s one of them,” the Wise Scientist confirmed. “But there are a plethora of others. I may be a several hundred millennia old eldritch horror, but I’m a scientist first and foremost. I’m constantly exploring, constantly researching, constantly learning everything that I can. I’ve visited more universes than you can imagine. I’ve seen their births and deaths, and conversed with the first and last sentient beings to live in them. Hell, I’ve even met entities that dream entire multiverses into existence. Do you know why I wanted to see the one-eyed edgelord fight the Tin Titan so badly?” she inquired. “I wanted to see what would happen if she was finally faced with a real threat, one that was objectively stronger than her in every aspect. I wanted to see what favors the Grand Magistrate would bestow upon her so that she ultimately emerged victorious. Or maybe he would withhold his blessings and actually allow her to suffer a genuine defeat for the first time in her fucking life! It’s the same thing with Ashley and Fable. I want to see how strong they can become, and I want to see what they can accomplish with all that power. Why? Because it’s what I live for. And because it’s fun.”

”Oh. Yeah. Penny.” Bronze sighed. To play the devil’s advocate, it was gonna be a fool’s errand regardless of how much bullshit you dumped onto that iteration of me, and I know you know it. As entertaining to the higher powers as it could be, nothing was really stopping them from interfering with the potential death of… an agent of the threads of fate, so to speak. Killing me then and there by, like, making me trip on a rock or something. Again, forgive me for abandoning ship like that. But I’ve had more than enough of being bossed around with what I can and can’t do at this point. The effects do still linger, though.”

After a pause, the man continued speaking:

”I’m sure you’re aware of the memory theory in Pax. The idea that when someone dies, the mana expends into the atmosphere, moreso when they’re feeling negative emotions.” He explained. ”So if the average mana in a human correlates to their memories, what do you think would happen if one is subjected through exhaustive trauma seemingly without end? What would happen if that individual has to account for near-countless memories they didn’t even remember going through at first?“

He looked back to the screen.

”What do you think will happen if Fable dies?”

“Some very interesting events, I’m sure,” the Wise Scientist replied with a knowing grin. “Speaking of interesting, the way mana operates in Esper World is remarkably similar to the workings of possibility particles,” she continued, carefully adjusting her goggles as she did so. “However, instead of being the energy generated by events that have already happened, they’re essentially the energy generated by things that may potentially happen. Obviously, many sufficiently advanced civilizations, and even individual entities, such as myself, are capable of harvesting this energy, and if someone were to farm Fable’s, they’d have access to several agri-worlds worth. Couple that with all the mana generated by his ‘memory energy’, and you can see why I consider him to be so important. Anyone who’s the confluence of that many factors would have to be. If this were a story, he’d undoubtedly be the main character, which is the reason I have a vested interest in seeing him live up to that role. I don’t care how he chooses to do it,” she clarified. “Just that he makes the choice, rather than having it be made for him. Or, y’know, just giving into apathy like a fucking pussy and not doing anything…”

Bronze visibly tensed at her ramblings, not only in response to yet another jab at the kid, but with everything else. Even Jen was trying to signal for her to cut the conversation short. _{”God, why me…?”} He shakily exhaled, taking a deep breath to re-compose himself. ”You do have to consider the fact that everything he’s going through is much for a fucking thirteen year old. The only actual break he’s had was when he got shot in the stomach and had to stay in the hospital for a while, he’s not been given any time to process it all. Probably thinks he has no other choice but to remain _visibly complicit until the opportunity to escape or destroy Pax with his bare hands arises.” He explained.

“Yeah, yeah, so he’s a bit traumatized,” the Wise Scientist conceded. “I won’t deny the whole universe seems to have it out for him, but he also needs to take at least some of the blame for his current predicament,” she added pointedly. “Sure he has problems, but no small number of people have tried to help him with them, I’ve tried to help him with them, but he just ignores all the advice and support he’s offered and instead makes the worst possible decisions he can! Fuck, at this point I’m beginning to think he’s doing it on purpose…”

”Help HOW?”

Guys I genuinely think we should change the subje-”

Bronze snapped a finger towards the screen. ”If any of THAT is what you people call trying to ‘help’, then maybe you should reflect and consider that you twats have been going about the wrong fuckin’ angle.” He glared at the Scientist. ”If you want him to take some of the blame that badly, then sure, hope that the fates-that-be’ll throw him into a mental hospital for a while. Let him sort himself out.”

“Well, if memory serves, Ashley did suggest he take some time off to deal with all his metal shit, but that’s not really important now, is it?” the Wise Scientist snarked. “It seems to me that you’d prefer everyone just coddle his moody ass and acquiesce to all his unhinged, poorly-thought-out plans without any objection or reproval, which, lucky you, appears to finally be happening. I mean, holy fuck is he easy to manipulate…” She sighed.

The man pinched the bridge of his nose with a groan. ”Jesus fuckin’ christ, you’re acting as if giving the kid a hug and reassuring him that he’s not an irredeemable monster’s gonna kill someone!” He bit back. Though knowing our luck that could probably happen…

“Well, I couldn’t exactly give him a hug, now could I?” she sneered. “As it is, I can only hope that the seeds I planted in his little brain will actually manage to take root before it’s too late to matter.”

Bronze slumped back against his seat. ”Just have a bit more faith, things will align. He probably thought Ashley was gonna fire him instead of putting him on another leave…”

“And that’s his problem,” the Wise Scientist replied. “He never trusts others, even the people who actually have his best interests at heart. Hell, I’m pretty sure even Dante was trying to help him in his own way. The least the fuck up could have done is heard him out. But, as usual, he chose violence, with predictable results.”

At that, it was his turn to sigh. ”Well for one, he did try to avoid fighting Dante. He didn’t even have time to ‘hear him out’ because at that point GEMINI had basically pinpointed him as the source of his affliction, such less so since Dante was the one that attacked first in that instance, something he knew was bound to happen no matter what he tried to do.” He explained. ”’Violence as usual’ is ‘cause for some ungodly reason violence keeps being the only thing he does right and that’s terrifying as shit to realize.” Bronze frowned.

“Then maybe he should embrace it,” the Monarch of Mad Science mused. “Say to hell with everything and burn the whole fucking city to the ground. If anything, I’d be very interested in seeing what might happen if he actually tried it, and even if he failed yet again, it’d certainly be entertaining to watch.”

”You finally got the point now??”

“The point that he only exists to destroy things? Yes, I’ve known that for a while now. My issue is that he still doesn’t have an acceptable level of agency in regard to that destruction. He’s just a blunt instrument wielded by other parties or his own confused emotions. I want to see him actually stand up for himself and take hold of what he wants for a change. I know some people are content to be whiney children forever, but I don’t think I’m alone in saying I’d like it if he actually started acting with some maturity one of these days.”

”Uh, guys, before you decide to try and kill each other, may your attention draw back to the program for a moment??” Jen spoke up, pointing a thumb to the scene currently playing out.

“Hmm? What’s this?” the Wise Scientist inquired with clear interest as she watched Finn’s meeting with the Bookman commence. “Is little Fable finally making that Faustian bargain he’s been trying so long to avoid? Gotta say, I’ll at least give him credit for one thing,” she added. “He certainly knows what he wants now. Too bad it’s just to run away from all his problems. Fuck… He really is Shinji…”

Bronze narrowed his eyes at her. With a huff of resignation, he got up from his seat. ”Y’know what, this is getting a bit uncomfortable. I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”

“What, can’t handle looking at a version of yourself that isn’t as amazing as you are?” the Wise Scientist snarked.

”Awwww, you think I’m amazing!” Bronze sarcastically smiled back. ”But no, I was already uncomfortable with all the shit you’ve implied about me, frankly I’d rather not think of even the realm of possibility that I might not be human in the first place. The fact of the matter is that no matter how much I try to explain what’s essentially my younger self, there’s nothing that’s going to sway you from constantly bashing a kid that doesn’t know what the hell is even guiding him to god-knows-what purpose. I’d figure someone trapped in their own spatial-temporal imprisonment would understand his wish for freedom, but I guess that’s not the case.”

The man took a quick breath.

”And I hadn’t planned on staying long anyways, I gotta get back before my husband starts to worry. Today’s not exactly a good day for him…” He slightly frowned.

“Humanity’s overrated, and I completely understand his desire for freedom,” the Monarch of Mad Science replied. “It’s the fact that he’s relying on other people to achieve it that I’m mocking, although if he’s just planning to use and then betray them, then I suppose that’s a different story. Anyway, it sounds like your ‘one true love’ needs you to play the dashing hero and ride to the rescue, so feel free to leave whenever,” she added with a dismissive wave of her bony hand.

He rolled his eyes. ”Right, good luck with her, Alice!” With that, he stepped off, pulling something out of his pocket with one hand and eloquently flipping off the Wise Scientist with the other. He disappeared with a blink.

”................Well.”

“Charming as ever,” the Wise Scientist quipped, her mouth curling into a pleased smirk at having succeeded in getting a rise out of the masked man. “And speaking of charming, that Bookman seems like the perfect fellow to get someone like Fable to agree to any deal The Hand might wanna make,” she added. “Although he’s not quite as knowledgeable as he might think if he truly believes Oros is the only non-monster to visit that particular reality plenum. Then again, our favorite paranormal-obsessed chatterbox isn’t exactly a ‘normal human’, now is she?”

”Neither is Oros, to be fair. In comparison to one of the actual looming threats Olivia’s nothing but a passing thought. She’s due to get outta dodge sooner or later, isn’t she?” The witch asked.

“As it happens, it’ll be sooner, rather than later,” the Wise Scientist confirmed with a nod. “But her prolonged presence there still set things up quite nicely for a little photo op I’m planning,” she added with a maniacal grin as she rhythmically tapped her steepled fingers. “It’s admittedly rather ironic she hasn’t actually run into any monsters yet, considering how they’re practically bursting out the seams of that place, but hopefully that’ll change in the short time remaining before she departs.”

Jen, or rather Alice, hummed. ”Could’ve been Wisdom’s doing, could be the Magistrates’ trying to avoid roping a rogue variable into things, or Xolys is just that good of a monster repeller.” She surmised.

“Or the irony of it all is simply too delicious to pass up,” the Wise Scientist suggested. “Anyway, I’d be more concerned about yourself,” she added, turning her attention back to the main display. “Bookman there seems to be onto your little string pulling. Now, I normally wouldn’t think a group as low-powered as The Hand would be much of a threat to someone on your level, but after seeing how fucked up you looked when you first got here, I’m actually a little concerned.”

”Oh, you think that’s been me?” The witch blinked in surprise.

“Well, it sure as hell isn’t me,” the Wise Scientist shot back. “And you’re the one who’s always obsessing over him.”

”Why do you both think- No, it hasn’t been me either, I’ve not been doing shit, dude.” She shook her head.

“Very interesting…” the Wise Scientist mused. “In that case, it would seem the pitiful thing has attracted another benefactor. And I think I have a pretty good idea who it might be…”

”Something tells me we might have different theories, but do share.”

“Now, now,” the Monarch of Mad Science chided, while wagging a bony finger at the time witch. “You of all people should know the value of leaving a bit of mystery to these things. Welp, looks like Fable’s little meeting is finally finished,” she noted. “Let’s move things a bit further forward and check in on another of Torvald’s favorite customers,” she suggested, the scene on the panoramic display changing to depict a familiar pair of bespectacled young women conversing in a nondescript hallway. “Yesss… This should prove to be quite entertaining indeed…”