In search of... (part 2)

[bitterguardian]

After years of living in his subterranean home around the vault, Horvath is unused to being woken by sunlight. To fall asleep comfortably sunk deep in a plush chair is familiar, but the chair is not his own, and to wake with a cat sleeping on him, and another running around playing is familiar, but these are not his cats and there are more than two. Also he rarely has the foresight to pull a blanket over himself. To feel so much at home in a place that is not his home comes as a strange surprise.

Last night before he dozed off in the chair, however, he had a great deal of food and alcohol, and his body would urgently like to remind him of that fact. He's grateful for the new set of crutches in easy reach, and he hauls himself up on them and swings along off to the bathroom, letting the cats scatter in his wake.

Once he's tended to the basics, and ascertained that while he is hung over, it's not a bad one, he notices the note from his host conveniently stabbed through on a prong of the antlers around the bathroom mirror. She had some foresight, indeed.

Bonjour Max! I hope that your sleep was a deep, healing one and that you woke to a better day! I had an errand to run early this morn, and might not make it back in time to be there when you wake. So! There is food, coffee, tea - and I shall return with fresh eggs for breakfast if you sleep so long.
Mara

The towels from yesterday have been replaced with clean ones, his clothes are washed and mended on the bed, and there's the salve still waiting back on the footstool beside the chair in which he slept. Thanks to the ambient light of day waking him, it's not late by any means, so he takes time to wash, to put salve and a bandage over the blistered stump of his leg, and to dress in his own clothes once more. When he emerges to investigate the kitchen, Horvath feels more like himself than he has since his encounter with Shub niggurath sent him questing. Pantleg folded up and tucked neatly (a trick he learned back in the army hospital when he was first learning to adapt to the amputation), moving faster on the new crutches than he can with a cane, he murmurs to the cats, and seeks out a cup of tea to help drive away the vestiges of a headache that's not strong enough to dampen a good mood.

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[sunandshadows]

It is still another hour or so before she appears, strolling down the dirt road toward the house seemingly without a care in the world. In one hand swings a basket gently, swinging in time with her light steps and bare feet; and her skirt swirls around her lower legs. As she nears the house a cat comes out of the woods, and then another. They walk alongside her, then try to weave back and forth beneath her very feet, causing her to have to stop suddenly, or even spring over them.

It's a game, a complex and daring game, and its one that they play often. Just because.

"Hello the house!" She calls, lifting her free hand to wave at the windows. Perhaps he can see her, perhaps he's taking another bath, or exploring the barn or even the well-groomed garden. But she has fresh eggs, and fresher milk, and she's hoping that he's hungry because she is now.

[bitterguardian]

As she comes up the path and waves, she may see Horvath settled in a chair on the porch, a cat in his lap, looking for all the world like he belongs to the place. He did take the time to wash up, and he's on his second cup of tea, but he came out to enjoy the view he remembered from sunset. It's just as glorious, in the morning, and back in his own clothes he's feeling better than he has in a while. If he just had a spare shaving kit, he'd be back to his old self. The full beard that's crept up both cheeks is greyer than the mustache and goatee he usually crops it all down to, and leaves him looking like a hairy old bear of a man. Not that this is an inaccurate image.

He returns the wave, ruffles the cat's fur behind its ears, and gently nudges the animal off as she approaches. The way he gets to his feet with the crutches is easier than the way he was moving yesterday, and then he swings down the porch steps to meet her. The folded, shortened left pantsleg makes the old injury more obvious, but it's also clear that relying on the crutches and upper body strength to get around is much easier on his body. He has strong arms, and he offers to help carry something, awkward as the burden might be this way. "You've been busy this morning. Let me help?"

He's smiling, easily, freely, showing dimples. Her care and feeding and plenty of sleep have done wonders.

[sunandshadows]

Oh there he is! Her head tilts, and her smile widens to see him get up from the chair and move so easily, so much better than the day before. Even the beginnings of the mountain man look about his face and chin looks good on him she decides, as she watches Maxim swing his crutches and stride toward her. He'll have to suffer a bit longer without a razor, but if he ever visits again it's one thing she will certainly have on hand. She wasn't able to go all the way into town, however, there are neighbors just a mile or so down the road. And like in other small communities, the barter system works as well here as anywhere else.

A child's handmade dress for fresh food and raw milk, and the promise of more. Help weeding a garden, and tutoring the young for a portion of the harvest, extra hands to help in the orchard in autumn for a few barrels of apples, or jars of preserves; all of these things can be had if one has the skill and perseverance to see it through.

"Busy, oh very busy, my friend" she responds in French as she hands over the basket after giving Max a quick, friendly peck on the cheek. It's easier than attempting a hug, and less clumsy. The eggs are wrapped up in a scarf, not rolling about and not likely to fall out. The two quart jars are filled with fresh, raw milk and are lying on their sides on the bottom of the basket, again not about to fall.

"Madame Wilcox is nearing her birthing time, so I assisted in getting her children up and off to school, then made breakfast for her and her grandmother. Her grandmama is from Quebec, and of course being Parisian, my French is barely acceptable" Mara paused, her voice barely able to contain her laughter.

"But still, she allows me to both speak to her, and read to her in that language as her eyes are growing dim. So I have been translating the newest Nora Roberts novel, and learning the secrets of how to make a truly great Poutine!" She's done more than that, far more, but still this is what she chooses to speak of now. Her message, and request, will have to wait until they are inside. In the mean time, the faeling slows her skip to a stroll, and the cats end their game of trying to get under and between her feet.

"Have you broken your fast yet, or is there still a chance for me to cook you something?

[bitterguardian]

The kiss, as always, makes him blush just a little, but he tucks one crutch firmly under his arm and seems to be able to manage both it and the basket that way. In fact, he gives the clear impression that he could easily outpace her, swinging along on the crutches, but he does tailor his pace to hers, in part out of concern for not jostling the eggs.

"Now I feel downright lazy. I haven't eaten, but there's tea, and pot should still be warm." This all feels terribly domestic, comfortable and homey in a way he's never let himself so fully realize how badly he's wanted. The temptation to lay down his Quest, to settle in someplace like this, with someone warm and friendly like this that he can be at ease with. It would be Heaven, when the quest is over, to settle someplace like this with Balthazar and a Veronica, even if their bond with each other remains a more romantic one than their bond with him. Such dreams will have to be put aside soon enough. His quest is not done, and in the busy populous of New York he seems more likely to find the Prime Merlinian.

Still, just for one more day, It would be nice to indulge in the respite of this dream. It's a warm late-autumn day, and there's fresh eggs and milk to be had, and he's determined to keep the gloom that so often pervades his life at bay for a little while. "I'm sure she'd find mine even worse. I'm out of practice, and I only hope I didn't make a muddle of it when first we met." He'd reverted to French then as a courtesy, but it's English he's most comfortable with, these days. "But you shouldn't have to cook two breakfasts. You could let me cook for once." He's not quite as accomplished a chef as she seems to be, but he's perfectly capable, and her kitchen seems to be well stocked.

[sunandshadows]

"What some may call lazy, I call rejuvenation. Had you been here for weeks, with nothing to do but drink tea? You would still not be the type to laze about. Something would find your attention - whether it be for body or mind!"

"And as it so happens, I enjoy tea and shall indeed take you up on your offer. Would you be amiss to sitting with me, while I drink a cup before you begin breakfast? And then I will set plates on the table over by the garden, and we can eat out here under the shade of the tree if it please you?"

He is holding the eggs, so the least she can do do is to get the door, which she opens with a flourish. "Et oui, votre Francais est bien! Your French is fine, Maxim." Oh he is doing so much better today! She is practically beaming to see him come through the door, and she shuts it behind him as he turns to head into the kitchen.

"Every time I go down to visit, I get the um, what is it they say? A desire for children? A, ah" She bites her lower lip, trying hard to recall the English phrase. "Oh well, it shall come to me. But yes, a child or two of my own someday, I think. When I am older, and more settled, that is. Linette and I've not oft brought up the subject, for all that certain others may have expectations!" It's said with a cheeky wink, as Mara slides around the other side of the island in the center of the kitchen to retrieve a cup and some hot water for her tea.

"Have you been awake long?"

[bitterguardian]

Getting the door is a wise idea, since he can only manage so much at once, but he does seem to be moving much easier. "Not long. And I was enjoying the morning view. Breakfast out of doors sounds absolutely lovely!" He's been up long enough to bathe and dress and make tea, but not much longer, and he's comfortable taking his morning at a leisurely pace. His mood is lighter and he seems more cheerful than he has even since they first met, in the woods. A weight has been lifted. The aglaophotis feels like a less urgent need, now, as if the journey and the rest here have already washed away what he sought the herb to rid himself of.

"And I believe in women they refer to the biological clock..." He sets the basket carefully on the counter, and lifts out the jars of milk to set them upright. That she has a partner, he's gained hints of already, but now that it's confirmed he's reviewing all her affectionate touches in a more certain light. It's more reassuring than disappointing, in its way, but a little of both. He does keep those thoughts to himself. "I suppose I've never been the family type. I'm always at a loss, around children. And my own experiences with anything that could be called family... haven't turned out well." He's quick to wave away that line of conversation, though. It's too depressing for a beautiful morning. "I've left my tea out on the porch..." Yesterday, that would have been an inconvenience he'd apologize for. This morning, he's off on the crutches before he's even finished the sentence, and back shortly with the empty cup, ready to refill it once she's poured her own.

[sunandshadows]

"Biological clock" She mulls over the word a moment. "Oui, I believe that is what it is, yes." She gives a little wave with her fingertips "Ah, but I am still young. There is much time for such things in the future."

What was that? Not his words, but the tone of them, there was something there... fleeting, yes. But there. Mara cocks her head, giving a slow blink as she thinks.

"Maxim, a very wise person - an American no less - once told me that 'friends are the family that you create for yourself'. Perhaps what you need is more family in the present and future, as your past has been bereft of such things." She winks then.

"Oui, this must happen, I insist! Should I ever find myself with child, I will beg you to come to visit and drink tea by my side, as I sit as round as a beach ball and waddle along. You can tell me stories of history to help keep my wanderlust at bay for children are very rare among my father's folk; and it may be dangerous for me to walk alone. And then, once the babe is born? I shall entreat you to come tell him or her stories in your wonderful voice, that he shall grow up and come to know the honor and greatness that lies within man. For whom better to be a positive influence on a growing child than the man who saved his mother's life?"

She takes a deep breath after that, gives him her most angelic smile (the one with the wide, blue, innocent eyes), then relaxes back in her chair and sips on her tea a while as she gazes out the window at beautiful autumn day.

Mara finally sets the teacup carefully down on the wooden top of the island and raises her eyes toward him once more. And when she speaks, her voice is lower, her tone more serious.

"I did not wish to speak of this outdoors, but Maxim, I received a message early this morn." Message, not phone call. "I must ask a great favor of you, and delay your quest by one more day. Would you please remain here, and care for my four-legged and furred companions for a night? My lady requested my presence in seeking out that creature that hunted both you and I. As it was my people's magics that brought it into being; it was decided that it is necessary for us to atone for this, and swiftly, that no others fall victim to its claws or mind."

[bitterguardian]

"Not... a complete lack of family..." He settles in a chair and puts the crutches aside, resting both hands on the table around another cup of tea. "But you've heard my story. The family Merlin made of use was broken. Badly." He still feels guilty for that, but all this talk of Mara with child is distracting. Pregnant women, at least, are not as alarming as the children that come out of them.

"...Well. If that comes to pass, yes, we could waddle along together. And perhaps a babe-in-arms would listen to me better than a child old enough to run off and play." He said he was bad with children, but that doesn't mean he's had no experience with them at all. "But we saved each others lives," One finger wags briefly, with a flash of mock-sterness. "The story must be told properly to reflect that."

When she takes that deep breath in, and gives him the charming smile, he drops his gaze with a little smile of his own. He can tell there's something coming, though. Sipping his own tea, he watches the view out the window, and that cats wandering about both indoors and out. Whatever troubles her mind, he's not about to push for it.

"This quest... was ever a personal one, and it feels less urgent now. Another twenty-four hours' wait makes little difference at all. But are you sure I can't aid you in this? I'm... slow, I know, but my power is recovering quickly, and having fought it once, I know something of its tactics already..." Of course, he's aware they only barely made it away, and knowing he can't run or dodge the physical attacks he fears he would be something of a liability, there. Knowing the fae, they just might outright consider him an interloper, anyway. Being part human, Mara's perspective probably isn't quite the same as the rest of her people. Still, he has to offer.

[sunandshadows]

Nodding her head, she acknowledges his words as she picks up her cup once more and breathes in the steaming heat of the tea. Broken, that was an interesting word. But the past did not have to badly affect the present, or the open possibilities of the future. Yes, she decided. She would talk to Linette, and when the time came she would indeed be calling upon the mage.

And too, it is simply her nature to downplay her own actions. However, she wrinkles her nose and grins at him and his wagging finger. Does he have any clue how attractive he looks right now? Those dimples for instance? No. Likely not. And with what she knows of him, he would likely be horribly embarrassed should she bring it up. Better to keep that a secret, oh yes.

She drops her eyes, slightly purses her lips together before he speaks. It is true, his knowledge and powers are vast, and he is recuperating quite well after their endeavor. Still...

"Maxim, the ones I travel with? I am the slow one, I am the one who lacks dexterity and endurance. My mother's blood does much to aid me in many things, but mmm, not here - not in these circumstances. Forgive me for saying such, I mean not to cause you pain with my words or their decision." She tries to change the subject before the sting of her words can set in.

"Ah, my tea has grown cold. What way you to my putting away the dishes from last night while you start breakfast for us? I'll not be in your way over here, and I'll be close enough if you need to find something in these unfamiliar cupboards."

[bitterguardian]

His family is broken, long ago, but through the Nexus it has in some way been at least partly reunited. The Belshazzar he calls his friend now doesn't come from his own world, but that still goes a ways towards healing an old wound. Finding new friends is still something he's sorely in need of, and does not dare to seek. It's good that she's willing to reach more than halfway to meet him, or they wouldn't get anywhere.

It's also very possible he doesn't even know he has dimples. Horvath does not exactly spend time smiling at his own reflection in the mirror. He's doing more smiling this morning, though.

"...No. No, I do understand." He heaves a sigh, but the sting doesn't seem to go deep. "I suppose I'm an outsider, at that, but I could not in good conscience go without offering assistance. Just... promise to be careful?" He doesn't blame her for being left behind, and a full day of rest will do him good.

His mood is quick to brighten again with the change of topics, a sign of how much better he's feeling overall. "All right. How would you like your eggs? And I probably will need help finding utensils and spices, at that..."

[sunandshadows]

"I shall be as careful as I can. And it is highly likely that I will not even be in on the kill." She slides off her chair then, heading toward the sink, empty teacup in hand. "I enjoy eggs in a quiche, I like them a 'la Benedict, I enjoy them in a custard or an omelet... what I do not like is 'fried'.

Cooking snob, her? Maybe just a bit.

"And as my very first offer to help? You see that cupboard behind you? That is where the bowls are. And yes, you can reach them far more easily than I." Yes, as a matter of fact, she does have to step on a step-stool or climb onto the counter to retrieve some of kitchen tools at times - and grinning is most certainly allowed if he catches her up there!

[bitterguardian]

He gives another wheezy chuckle- Horvath's laugh is a quiet one, but when he does laugh it seems to involve his whole body, eyes squeezing shut and shoulders rolling forward. It's a good laugh, quiet though it may be. "I think I can manage omelets, and I only pray they won't fall too short of your standards." That's a teasing grin, crow's feet crinkling at the corners of his eyes. "Is there anything you don't like in yours?" He levers himself up on the crutches with a soft grunt, but once he's up it's just a quick swing over to the cupboard, and of course he can reach easily, balancing on one leg and crutch. A bowl for the eggs, and a couple of pans because there's damn well going to be more than just omelets, depending what he finds around the kitchen. Fried potatoes, maybe. He's not a gourmet chef, but he's not bad either, and he makes hearty, solid meals.

The crutches give him an even longer stride than his own legs do, and he's moving much faster without the constant ache of the prosthetic to pull him up short all the time. She may want to keep out of the way as he swings his way across the kitchen, hunting out a cutting board and knife, and potatoes and other vegetables for putting into the omelets. Clearly he has some idea what he's doing, chopping things up quickly and mincing the potatoes small so they won't take too long cooking. He may have to ask her where the seasonings are kept, but he adds them with confidence, chatting pleasantly as he works.

"I forgot to even ask if you slept well! It's silly but I do believe having the cats around helped. I've gotten so used to dozing off to the sound of a purr. There's a friend minding them for me, while I'm away, but I'm sure they'll let me know how displeased they are for my absence once I return." He does have at least one friend, but he is a somewhat lonely man who lives alone with his cats, so his world does revolve around them and their needs a little. She's just lucky he doesn't own a camera, or he'd probably pull out his wallet and show off photos of them like parents do of their kids.

[sunandshadows]

She actually stops in mid-step to think of an answer. What would she not like in her omelet? What would she object to, what food item? And as she is pondering that question, she starts to grin. His laughter is contagious it seems, and the faeling finds herself joining in. Where Horvath's laugh is low; warm notes rolling over the hillside, her own is a higher tone - bells that echo soft above the mountains.

And now she starts to wonder what it would be like to hear him sing.

"Oui, I can think of perhaps only one thing that I would not like in my omelet, Max" She says finally, starting to move once more. "Fried eggs".

And from there it becomes a choreographed chaos. He is much faster on crutches than she expects, and she finds herself whirling out of his way, spinning and dodging about the kitchen as they move in tandem to both create breakfast and clean up left over dinner dishes. Still, it's not a chaotic mess of flailing arms and skirts, but rather a smooth, spirited dance of sorts.

And then she's sitting down to eat, breathing in deeply and enjoying the aroma of the food Max had made them. "Oh this all smells so wonderful!"

[bitterguardian]

As wonderful as his voice is, Horvath has never had any great inclination toward music, leaving that specialty to his fellow apprentice, Balthazar. More physically inclined, Horvath always preferred sword practice to singing. Her joke is rewarded with another laugh, though, and as they artfully dodge each other around the kitchen, he tweaks a stray lock of her hair, once. For the moment Horvath is feeling better than he has in a while, and his bright and cheerful mood is a rare one to be savored.

Into the omelets (made with fresh eggs and milk!) go mushrooms and peppers and cheese, and there's fried potatoes with paprika and other seasonings. He's eager to take her up on the earlier offer to eat outdoors under the tree, but she'll have to set things up, and help carry their plates once it's all done and dished out. With food and refilled cups of tea, they settle in at the picnic table, and Horvath makes a few tries before finding a safe spot to lean the crutches out of the way.

"Not as good as last night's feast, I'm afraid, but you'll have to suffer through it." He smirks, because he knows the omelets came out perfect. He does wait for her to take the first bite, before he starts on his own, pausing to appreciate the difference in flavor that fresh supplies make. At home his eggs and milk are always store-bought. "So often cooking like this for one seems like too much trouble, and I end up just making soup and sandwiches, but... mm. Fresh ingredients make this worth it, and the company's lovely." That's not intentional flirting, he's just feeling unusually ebullient today.

[sunandshadows]

She almost starts to talk with her mouth full, but stops, chews a few more times and swallows again before speaking. "Non, non. C'est, that is, it is wonderful!"

"Each day should be judged on it's own merit mon ami, and not upon the merits of those that have come before. And this, the starting meal of the day; it is perfection itself!" She begins to rattle off compliments in French, waving her fork around as she does. She manages to spear another bite, and is quiet long enough to get that down.

"Ah Maxim! You would turn a girl's head to compliment like that. And I, a poor, barefoot waif - how can I resist such charm, especially when coupled with superior cooking talents?"

She slides out of her seat without a thought, skips around the picnic table, and sits back down next to him, to look out over the land. Reaching forward, she pulls her plate across the table toward her, then leans her head on his shoulder for a moment before pulling away with a giggle.

"You see? I cannot! And now? Now you are stuck here, with me beside you. Speaking of which, please pass the juice?"

[bitterguardian]

Watching her wave her fork around, his shoulders shake with a near-silent chuckle, but then she accuses him of charm and slides around the table, and there he goes blushing just a little again. He's not used to such compliments, and still a little unsure how to take them. He's smiling though, as he blushes, dimple showing again.

Once- was it only yesterday? She seemed afraid to get too close, and he was careful making any move to so much as touch her arm. Now she's close beside him, leaning her head against his shoulder, and that sign of friendship is very welcome. He reaches easily for the juice, and bumps her shoulder very lightly as he passes it over. He's beaming still, but gives her face a brief and searching look to gauge that this is okay, now, to be tactile. "I don't feel 'stuck' at all."

[sunandshadows]

Ah, but yesterday - or was it the day before - he was a stranger in a strange forest. He was looming and large, rather fierce and more than a bit intimidating. Now? Now he is Max, Maxim. A warrior and a scholar, a friend and quest companion. And a damned fine omelet maker.

Mara reaches for the juice, her fingers barely touching his own as she looks up at him. Her smile, still open and full, softens a bit. "I would hope not. You are my guest, and moreso than that? I name you my friend. I do not use that word lightly, for all that we've not known each other long. The measure of a man is his actions far more than his words." The look in her eyes, steady and true, show exactly how she feels about the sorcerers actions.

"I may judge swiftly, but I am rarely wrong." Her lips quirk at that. "I am not wrong about this. However, if my exuberance and lack of proper distance and decorum gives you pause, I would ask that you tell me. I would not want to cause you any discomfort, not even the mildest sort."

"And, when not at court where distance and formality is the watchword? I have been told I could be a bit overwhelming."

[bitterguardian]

He's still looming and large, but now she may see that being big has taught him to be careful, to always worry he's taking up too much space in the world. He's been tall since before he was even quite a man, and learned too well how intimidating that can be. Some men might use that to their advantage, but he's just learned to be slightly apologetic about it. Max is not the kind of man who would ever take advantage of a lady, but he might be the kind a lady could take advantage of.

His expression sobers a little, at her words, but it's an expression of thoughtfulness rather than unhappiness. "I don't... have many friends, I never have, but the longer one lives, the easier it is to draw away from people." He smiles down at her gently. "I'm honored, that you would think so much of me. If I'm overwhelmed, it's probably just that I spend too much time alone..." He pauses, still just a little cautious, then offers a one-armed hug since she's sitting beside him. It feels more comfortable, in a way, if he's sure she's not flirting.

[sunandshadows]

"Oui, it can happen that way. I have not lived so long as you, but still I know the pain of loss of friends from my youth. Most everyone I knew, in fact; both good and bad." She slides the juice bottle from his hands, pours herself some more and then quirks an eyebrow at him as she gestures with the bottle. Does he want more?

And then the bottle gets set down on the table with a thump as Mara slides even closer to lean in to the one-armed hug he's giving her. Ah, hugs. Once more Mara reminds herself to thank Sakamae, Art and Locke, Logan and Lynn. Without her friends and caern-mate, she would never have been able to become comfortable enough with others to allow herself to reach out and touch - much less be touched in return.

"There. You have said it yourself, and I shall not argue. You spend too much time alone, Maxim. Too much time inside of your own brain, and not enough time sharing your smile and your wit. This cannot be allowed to happen between us!" Her arms circle around him as Mara turns, and a one-armed hug of his becomes a two-armed, around his waist hug of her own.

"I am young, by my people. And if I must invite you to Sunday tea, and Friday brunch for the next two-hundred years, I shall do so - if only to see you smile at me, like you are now. Please say yes, that you shall join me if other plans do not press upon you more?"

[bitterguardian]

The arm slides around her gently, and he's a perfect mix of solid and slightly squishy. When her invitation gets a quiet chuckle, it vibrates in his chest. "Another two hundred years? Good lord. But... yes. You might have to prod at me a bit, but I... could give you an easy means to reach me." PINpoints are convenient that way, and she seems like somebody who'd take to the Nexus just fine. He gives her a brief and gentle backrub, but his arm around her is loose, he's willing to let her slide away whenever she feels like it.

"I know I spend too much time wrapped up in my library. The cats help, but... it's gotten easy to hide away and let the world slip by. I should know better. Besides neglecting Merlin's quest, I'm missing things like this." His free arm gestures loosely to the spread on the table, the bright Autumn morning, her homestead and the view in general. He knows better, but once he's shut away in his lair with his books he tends to dig in. He wasn't joking about her needing to prod him.

"There's... a place you should know about, actually. Assuming you don't already. It's not faerie, but are you familiar with the idea of a multiversal nexus?" He's not sure if this is going to be a long explanation, but part of him would truly love for her and Balthazar to meet. Maybe it's just the urge to have his friends also be friends with each other. And she's done him good, but Balthazar sometimes suffers from the same gloomy moods for the same reasons.

[sunandshadows]

"What, two hundred years is not enough for me to bring you from your solitude?" She relaxes easily beside him, even after she's dropped her arms. The fork is too far away for her to reach, and only a few bites of the meal are now left on the plate, so she even as she starts reaching for the fork she is already deciding not to bother and her arm drops midway. Besides, her attention is caught by what he is saying.

An easy way to reach him? What is this? Does he not have a phone, or an address?

"Perhaps part of what you seek is out here, Max. And by helping you to experience life outside of your bookshelves, I may help assist you on your greater quest. Though your cats may not approve."

Mara moves away slightly, only to turn and look up at his face as he speaks. A multiversal - what?

"Multiverse - many universes? As in world upon world, like steps in a set of stairs, or balloons in a bunch?" Her mind is attempting to puzzle it out as she ponders aloud. "And a nexus? A central hub? So, the stairs are not stairs, but spokes on a wheel?" Her paths take her to unearthly planes, places - worlds where humans do not dwell at times, so it's not hard for her to conceive such a thing.

[bitterguardian]

"Two hundred years... is a lot of future to think of stretching out yet..." There's a quiet sigh, and he gives her a smile, but even under his newfound cheer this morning, there's a world-weariness. Horvath is not ready to lay down and give up, by any means, but he is tired. He gives her a light little squeeze and lets his arm fall away as she pulls back to look up at him. "It's... mm. A central hub is an excellent way of putting it."

Horvath spears a bite of omelet, although he's distracted from quite finishing his own breakfast. After last night's dinner, food isn't an urgent need. After chewing and swallowing, he goes on, "It's a bit like a hotel lobby, I suppose, if each of the rooms were various different worlds. Most people seem to stumble there quite by accident- I did, but I haven't regretted it. Of course some worlds are more similar than others. There's a lot of humans, but there's other beings as well, and just because you meet another human it's not safe to assume they come from the same time period. Some worlds, magic is more well-known than others. You might discover worlds that are unrecognizable just as easily as worlds that are very close parallels." A sip of tea, as he considers how exactly to bring up Balthazar. "But everyone mingles in this... lobby, and the Nexus is large enough to also house a bar, restaurants, a mall... the place isn't policed directly, but there's what they call an 'anti-violence field', which makes it a safe and peaceful place to meet and talk. When I do goad myself into leaving the shelter of my library, I'm more likely to go there than out into my own world- which is a terrible habit, I'm sure, but it's nice to have someplace one doesn't have to hide what they are. No awkward lies about age or history or what you do for a living." The Nexus has been, for him, quite a blessing.

[sunandshadows]

"Ah, but two hundred years may be long enough for your cats, and their descendents, to begin to forgive me to tempting you away with the smells and tastes of fresh milk, eggs and meat. Although, I may begin to stave off much of their wrath if I could impress upon you to take some of the meal from last night home with you when you go? For yourself, and for your furred friends?"

She'd been planning on making up a care package of meals for him anyhow, and this was as good a time as any to bring it up.

Amarante's eyes grow larger, the more the sorcerer speaks of this new place of his, and she is silent until she is certain that he has finished speaking.

"Oh, this place. It sounds, it sounds... " Her mind begins whirling with possibilities. "I've never even dreamed that such a thing would exist!"

"Worlds so like ours; what if there were another me, or you, or Linette there? Could we all meet up for tea, you think? And what money should I bring for this restaurant?"

Her breath catches in her throat, and the faeling turns and takes up Max's free hand in both of hers. "Max, would you show me this place? Would you bring me? Please? It sounds like such a grand adventure! Do they have parks there, or arbors? Forests or lakes perhaps? And the people - all from different worlds? Different times? Ah, the fashion, the knowledge. The knowledge Max!"

"Oh please Maxim, please say I can come too?"

[bitterguardian]

Her enthusiasm makes him chuckle again, and he puts down the fork to wrap his other hand lightly around hers, patting it. "I'll gladly take leftovers, and I wouldn't be telling you about the Nexus without inviting you to see it for yourself."

Waiting for her to settle a little so he can explain further, Horvath turns slightly on the bench to better face her, and rests an elbow on the table's edge. His expression sobers slightly, "And yes it's true there's a potential to run into another version of yourself, or people you know. They tend to refer to them as 'alternates'. I... said before that I had a friend looking after the girls, while I'm away, and last night I told you the story of my past." There's a pause, but it's clear he's just trying to compose his thoughts, choosing his words with care. "Belshazzar... turned against us, in grief and anger. I feel I bear some guilt for not being there when I was needed, but it can't be helped now. But in other worlds, Morgana chose to drive a wedge between us by approaching not Bel, but instead turned me against my fellow apprentices." He looks a little guilty, even though rationally he knows it's silly to feel the burden of guilt for something that happened in an alternate reality. "It was myself that betrayed Merlin, and Bel who was left to carry out the quest. In his world, Maxim Horvath became a dangerous Morganian. I know this, because I've met two people from that world, one who was attacked by my alternate, and the other... is Bel himself." As serious as all this sounds, a hint of a smile twitches the corner of his mouth. "When we first encountered each other, we were each expecting the other to attack. It took us a few minutes to realize we're on the same side."

[sunandshadows]

Interesting. So there may actually be other Linettes' and Amarantes' out there after all.

"So, there is another you?" Her voice was soft as she strove to take it all in. "And, this other person... ah. Other worlds, other choices. Other realities. You but not you. A darker Maxim."

Yes, she could see how such a thing could, would happen. And looking back over her past, she realized how certain aspects of herself might have turned out, had her choices been different. Necromancer for one, had she chosen to stay in Venice as a child and continue learning the darker arts at the right hand of the undying ones. Courtesan in another, had she made that choice differently. So many things could have changed her from what she was to where she is now.

"Have you - have you met me there, Max?"

If she hadn't been watching him closely, she might have missed that little movement at the edge of his mouth; the tell-tale sign of almost-a-smile. This then was the friend that he spoke of, when he talked of anyone at all. Belshazzar. Was this then the friend who was watching his pets as well?

"I would say" She began slowly "That it is a good thing that this Bel of yours likes animals, yes? As you have temporarily catted your Bel instead of the other way around?" She was taking a jab in the dark, yes; but if anyone were to watch Max's furred family - it would likely have to be the closest friend he has.

"So I only have one more question at the moment. Does this Belshazzar of yours like home-cooked meals?"