mnt_raph | [OOM: Olau]

It wasn't long after Raph ran into ~~Alanna~~Alan that he made his excuses and made a bee-line for Tortall.
Timelines were in danger.
People he loved were in danger.
Abigail was in danger.

His heart felt as though it was going to burst through his chest as he headed for the front door, his Security badge firmly in hand.

What if...
What if Alan was proof that the door had reset?
What if time had gone backwards?
What if it was like everything he'd lived there just ceased to exist?
All of it, rewritten in some great cosmic do-over?

He opens the door to a familiar scene, and for a split second Raph allows himself to hope.
The Tortoise. The same as always, as it's been for at least three generations now.
Raph walks around the tavern, rather than go straight through the front door, to the place where Abigail'd be hanging up the day's washing to dry in the noon sun.

There, holding a basket of clothes pins is a little girl no older than six, with her blonde hair in one long braid down her back.

"...oh no."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

mnt_raph

He swallows hard, before crouching down to be eye level with the girl.

"You...you don't remember me, do you."

From:

becareful_boyo

Dulcie stares at Raph like he's nuts. Her fingers fish through the clothespins in her basket, selecting one, and she looks in danger of pinning it on his nose.

"Should I?"

There's only one man he could be, though. It's the large, bald head.

"Mayhap. I've heard stories."

Like how Abigail broke a chair over his head. That was funny.

"You'll be wantin' dinner and a rest?"

Abigail grins. He'll be getting very little rest, if she has her way.

From:

mnt_raph

"Not yet. I," he pauses to run a hand over his scalp. A sure sign that he's in a bad place mentally, and trying to make sense of the world around him. "I've gotta go to the castle, make sure o' some things."

From:

becareful_boyo

Dulcie remains expressionless. She doesn't care what the man does, if he's not staying here.

"Suit yourself, then. Fair journey."

She turns back to her task and resumes humming.

Abigail dries her hands, frowning at Raph. When is he going to come inside?

From:

mnt_raph

It's only after she turns that Raph allows himself to look as crushed as he feels. He balls one hand into a fist in an effort to center himself before he turns away.

"and to you, abigail," he says under his breath as he reflexively turns towards the barn to retrieve Cloud. But...if we're in the past, this new past, then Cloud wouldn't be there...would he?

From:

becareful_boyo

Abigail doesn't hear that part, though Dulcie does. "Abigail," she murmurs to herself. The man must be drunk. She cuts her eyes toward the kitchens and is glad to see the woman herself take a step outside, hands on her hips.

"And where do you think you're goin', then?" the real Abigail demands.

From:

mnt_raph

Raph stops. No...that's not the right word, he freezes in his tracks. The color drains from his face as he slowly turns to look in the direction of the voice. Her voice.

If she's never seen Raph close to tears before, she has now.

From:

becareful_boyo

"Boy-o?" Abigail says softly, more to herself than him.

This is strange.

And worrisome.

Abigail drops her dish towel and hurries to Raph, peering up at him with concern.

"Did somethin' happen?"

From:

mnt_raph

He doesn't say anything at first, but rather gathers her up in a bear hug and buries his face in her hair.

"i thought i lost you."

Raph takes a few big deep breaths to center himself before continuing.

"alanna came into the bar as a child and i thought that the door had been reset and ..."

From:

becareful_boyo

Stunned, Abigail gives as good as she gets, wrapping her arms around him.

"What?" She pulls back a little, trying to get a look at his face.

"She what? I'm right here, Raph. Not goin' anywhere."

From:

mnt_raph

His eyes are glassy, and maybe a bit red around the edges.

"i thought the door reset, that this place was back in the past. then i see the little girl and I thought..."

I thought she was you.

From:

becareful_boyo

"Oh."

Oh, you great big, soft-hearted lug.

Abigail's expression softens. She kisses him because she can't not, as all her reassuring words stick in her throat.

From:

mnt_raph

He'll take that kiss, and maybe steal another one for good measure. As further reassurance.

Raph continues to hold her, resting his forehead against hers, until his breathing is once again slow and steady.

"....fuckin' milliways," he says.

From:

becareful_boyo

"Aye," she agrees, with feeling.

Someone clears her throat.

Someone small.

"Abigail? I'm done here."

Abigail kisses Raph again, waving a hand at Dulcie behind his back.

"I'll just be on my way, then."

"Aren't you wantin' some air?" asks Dulcie, craning her neck to watch them as she walks away.

From:

mnt_raph

"overrated," is Raph's only reply until Dulcie is well out of ear shot.

"Should've known she wasn't you. She didn't try to kick me first thing."

From:

becareful_boyo

Abigail pulls back with eyebrows raised.

"You done somethin' that requires kickin'?" she asks.

It's good to check.

From:

mnt_raph

"The sun came up, didn't it?"

Raph's grin is wolfish and anything but innocent.

From:

becareful_boyo

She smacks the back of his head.

Which proves she is definitely Abigail, in case there was any lingering confusion.

"Guess that means you'll be gettin' a good kick at dawn each day of the week."

The idea doesn't seem to bother her even a little.

"Now what were you goin' on about? The Lioness appeared as a child?"

From:

mnt_raph

Nor him, funny enough.

"Yeah...cripes. I was out trainin' with Splinter an' Mike an' she just wandered up. Dressed like a boy an' everythin'."

He sighs, and then rests his forehead on her shoulder.

"i totally thought she was thom at first."

From:

becareful_boyo

Abigail blinks.

It takes her brain a moment to catch up.

"I'm bettin' that was the point?" she hazards. "How is that possible? Goddess alive, how'd you keep your face straight?"

From:

mnt_raph

"Can't say that I did, truth be told. Ain't something you're really expectin' to have happen, you know? I mean...there ain't really no way to prepare yourself for the childsized version of one of your best friends to come waltzin' up to your father and ask for Shang training."

From:

becareful_boyo

"Just like that?" Abigail wonders, eyes wide. "What'd Mike do?"

Knowing Mike as she does, Abigail thinks Mike would have had a harder time concealing his reaction than Raph.

From:

mnt_raph

"Stared. A lot. We were kinda on Splinter's time, so his options were kinda limited. An' well...he's Barman, so he's more used to this sorta weird shit."

Raph? Not so much.
Though honestly, by this point he should be.

From:

becareful_boyo

"Uh huh."

Abigail is absolutely not considering what it might take to actually surprise Mike nowadays. Not at all.

"You told Lady Stomps-around-a-lot herself yet?" she asks, a wheedling tone creeping into her voice.

It says: Please let me be there when you do, Raph!

From:

mnt_raph

"Do you mean my very good friend, and cousin, Alanna?"
He knows that tone, Abigail.

"No, I haven't. I came here first thing."
Because if this had changed, if Abigail had changed, there'd be no reason to see Alanna at all.