Cracked Shipping [Non-Canon Date Scenario]

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Disclaimer: Anything can be canon if I like it enough.

The Suite
CW: None
Characters: Tutor Tiles, Mar C. Judgment
Perspective: Tiles
A fated meeting in Castle Styx between a Diamond and a Heart.

Your clothes charred on the edges, scales of your armor compromised with dents and cracks.

It was a delivery job, one that now has you defending a safehouse from a siege.

You needed to hold the fort, tank it out until Starman's cavalry could arrive safely.

It's very quickly became clear this was a losing battle, you needed a fresh hand.

You make it through the portal with a less than graceful landing.

Your brain becomes lucid from the haze of combat, you call out for help.

You are on the verge of collapsing on your knees.

Tiles: Lash!? Styx!?

There's a rattling noise and a little pitched squeak, must be the former roaming around these parts.

Tiles: Lashy!

You spot someone turning the corner from behind a bookshelf.

You pause.

Though the presence in front of you feels reminiscent, this is definitely not her. She fully comes out.

Tall, like Steel on Porcelain. A armored mesh of a proxy poised as a timid bird.

Tiles: Sorry to bother you...

She shakes her head at you.

???: You've done me no wrong.. are you another client?

There was a little tilt of the head. Faceless and yet the cadence of her voice makes the gesture feel warm.

Tiles: Not in the usual sense, we have a small contract but nothing too binding-

???: Ah, a part-timer?

Tiles: A way to put it.

She offers a hand out to you, metal and segmented at the joints.

You take it without reluctance. With a good tug she helps you to your feet.

???: You seem quite weary..

Tiles: In the middle of a rough one...

???: Your plating is damaged..

Tiles: It's nothing much to worry about, I have a friend who'll take care of it later. Right now I've got to gather my bearings so... may I?

???: Only if you allow me to repair your gear.

TIles:.. You, know how to do that?

Suppose it's a bit of a silly question, her appearance reminds you of some of the armor work you've worn yourself but.. the particular threading style seemed too close. Was she one of your own?

Tiles: Do you have a guild you work under?

???: Judgment... the name is Mar Judgment.

Her stature, her tone.. was this someone from a distant time?  A land opposite to yours? It didn't really feel like it made much sense..

Her aura reminds you of Styx, she must be a proxy made under his pact.. but why?

Mar: I can handle it quick, get you warmed up and ready to go back as good as new.

Tiles: You are a smith in truth then? I would love that much right now..

Mar: My operator's a bit of a tinker, one who's more than familiar with your era of armor. Bit of a fan of the classics.. think I am too.

From the future...

Was that really..? She didn't just hit on you in a time like-

No you've done plenty of this yourself. It's a classic trick, a little well placed levity helps push people through dire times and..

No time to get scatterbrained.  If she can get you back in the game, you're set.

Tiles: Do so, then perhaps a hot drink to help gather ourselves?

Mar: I can have that done..

A little diamond shaped rift slowly guided out a table, tools, and materials to get the job done.

Mar: Could you...

You give her a nod and let her take a closer look at the dress.

Mar: I can buffer out a lot of it, replace some of the plates that are a hazard to you.. what guild are you from?

Tiles: I'm the Last of Tiles..

She makes a sudden noise.

Does she know more than you..?

Mar: I'm sorry to hear that.. was it recent or-

Tiles: It'll never stop feeling fresh but... I've spend the past year in good company...

Mar: Mm.. friends?

Tiles: Friends, comrades, incredible ones of all sorts.. You have that sort?

Mar: Mmhmm, thank god really..

Tiles: As much as I can..

She gets to work quite quickly with the pace of a field medic under fire.

Tiles: You don't have to go all out like that-

Mar: You have people waiting for you. Even if time works differently in here, I don't want you to be unprepared if you have less room to rest than you expect.

Tiles: Wise words, you really are the real deal..

The proxy's face cracks open to make a small, silly smile.

Mar: From someone like yourself, I think that's high praise..

Tiles: Completely earned... is your operator here right now?

Mar: Mm? No, giving me a rest for today. He's been working himself to the bone I think, really doing his best to find a long term place to work.

Tiles: A time of peace then..

Mar: In the loosest sense, there's never such a thing.

TIles: Aye..

You lean in a little to get a better look at her.

Mar: Hold it, you're going to make my hand slip.

Tiles: You remind me of someone..

Mar: Yourself?

Tiles: Well.. more than that-

Mar: I'm aware that Styx had a knight he was friends with, I figured that's you.. I think he misses you often..

Tiles: And you-

Mar: I have a lot to think of seeing you in person, it's clear my form is product of that but.. admittedly it's nice to know what he pictured as the perfect guildsman.

Tiles: Does-

You stop yourself.

As much as you want to pry it's for the best you don't ask too much. It's a rule you've been kept to, don't get too direct about future events.

Tiles: This is the first time we've met?

Mar: Mmhmm!

Tiles: That's... quite nice. Then we're on consistent terms.

Mar:  Mm.. I see plenty of past allies and clients of his show here briefly and.. admittedly it makes me nervous.

Tiles: And why's that?

Mar: Because eventually, they will never be seen again. All that has happened will not change, and all that will come knows when my clock runs out. Suppose that's natural..

Tiles: Death type..

Mar: Mm? I suppose. You can see that much?

Tiles: The snake's playbook gives me his eye. I can look at you and get more than most.

Mar: Mm, such as?

Tiles: Well.. I can see that you're a oddity.

Mar: Obviously but that's vague..

Tiles: You exist as many....

Mar: Mmhmm!

Tiles: Became strong through great hardship..

Mar: That's to be expected..

Tiles: A Category World, you're complete in a way few can..

Mar: It came out of necessity, what more can I say?

Tiles: And...

You pause.

You can look at anyone and find out details they've never known, will never find out about themselves.

The closer you gaze, the more things become clear to you..

Tiles: Gallows?

There's a spike of pain to her on hearing that.

Tiles:.. Is he-

Mar: No, not in form you'd recognize....

Tiles: I see.. then you are-

Mar: I can't give specifics but... the life he lives now I hope is kinder.

Another life then.. that confirms your hunch but..

Does it happen sooner or later?

After the war? Do you get that far or-

Mar: Things are okay...

Tiles: Mm..

She pulls her hands away, starting to pack up shop.

Tiles: Done already?

Mar: Should be! Tell me how it feels.

You twirl around, it's more comfortable and tuned proper than it has been in a good while.

Tiles: You're a pro, just as good as the one back home..

Mar: Think so?

Tiles: Mmhmm. Think she'd be impressed if I'm honest. Have to introduce you two at some point.

You reach out a hand to her.

She lets you have her own, a confused look to her blank face.

Tiles: You dance, yes?

Mar: Well yes but-

Tiles: I want to know you a little more if that's alright..

Mar: If you do.. I need the mood just right.

She pulls away and starts toward a table on the side.

A radio setup unlike any you've seen is tuned with until some slow piece comes on.

Tiles: They still listen to this sort of thing in your time?

She returns to position.

Mar: Why not? It's not as if it ever truly left..

Tiles: But do they perform or-

Mar: Some do, if people truly love something they will never let it die.

Tiles: A nice way to look at that..

You let a little cackle slip.

Mar: Funny thought?

Tiles: Absolutely. Checking you.

Mar: Wha-

You dip her dramatically, a little squeak coming out of her.

There's a pause, a smug smile against the nervous bird..

And then you lift her back upright.

Mar: N-never been on the receiving end of one of those...

Tiles: Handle with your size often, what can I really say?

Mar: Someone special?

Tiles: More than one.

Mar: Waow..

You start breaking out laughing.

Tiles: You're silly, pleasant way.

Mar: Think you have to be, big metal bird and all that.

Tiles: A very fashionable one.

Mar: I am but a canvas to be painted on.

Tiles: Will I meet the artist?

Mar: Not today I think.. but...

The song ends, a cut to a radio station bumper. The proxy pulls away from you for a moment, giving you a sweet little grin.

Mar: I promised you a hot drink, no?

Tiles: Right.. don't feel like you've got to rush.

Mar: I'll do my best..

As she scurries off, you feel a tap on the shoulder. You turn to see Lash, Styx's proxy.

Tiles: There you are, tad late.

Lash: Things are hectic right now, high traffic..

Tiles: I understand.. you see her before?

Lash: You know the rules..

Tiles:... Mm. How am I doing on time?

Lash: You have enough to wrap up nicely..

Tiles: But not long.

Lash: Or enough, I can tell you're having a nice time.

Tiles: Wonderful honestly. I almost don't want to leave, it's all so fast and so soon..

Lash: I know.

Tiles: You deal with this all the time, must drive you mad. Being in the center of all timeframes at once, bumping into folks from across eras, never seeing them again..

Tiles: I wish I could take her back with me, she'd fit so well with everyone else.

Tiles: Is there no way to do so?

Lash: She has a reason to be in the time she's in, as much as the uncertainty hurts.

Tiles: It really does..

Lash puts a hand of comfort on your shoulder.

Tiles: I get attached to people too quick, bad for my mental health..

Lash: Life's too short to not care of others I think. And for now you should focus!

A nudge toward Mar, now holding a tray of hot chocolate and sweets.

Tiles: You're just quick on all fronts, aren't you?

Mar: Mmhmm,, See lash is here. Think she'd-

Lash: I'm quite busy at the moment but later? Broth and I are watching a movie!

Mar: I'll hold you to that.. Tiles? You still have time?

Lash gives you a little nod.

Tiles: Of course..

Mar: Settle down with me then just a little longer...

Tiles: My pleasure.