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The time spent in the Rift had been planned for, but it still lent to a rush afterward of many things- quotas to be made amid packing, health to try to recover, and all the while trying to appear as innocuous, stoney and efficient a weapon as ever he was to the Special Operations. Being out was a weariness to which it seemed there was no end, or a lessening path to one with every hour. The stars, the night sky and the Borealis had been his greatest comfort in the very darkest throes of the dreams. Now the dark felt a closer winding noose, nightfall after nightfall. How far and fast does the madness seep? How much of my starseed is eaten by chaos? The interrogations...is there an investigation? Has Mia spoken at all to the Generals or other Captains? Mia....Captain Cinnabar. I have not seen her since. There's been no reports I've found. But that doesn't mean they aren't there. Don't startle a deer with noise, when you have it in front of the bowstring.

His strides were swift in the night, energy turn ins from Lieutenant's feeling like brands burning the back of his mind. The usual emergency starseed tucked safely and just as damning. And then looking for Babylon. He'd gotten the man's note in the midst of it all, but the timing had been off somehow in when he'd gotten the thing and when he'd been able to try to meet the man. It was an extra worry, but a welcome one amid all the rest.

A friend in all of the dark, and a friend with a light. I don't know if his lantern is enough to keep darkness at bay inside. Would that it were. Surely the light of friends counts for some help? Even if the battle itself is done alone, or the giving over to death and final dark. Firesides are built for thighs beside, shoulders in shared blankets, laughter and cheer with steaming mugs. Can there be an hour of rest and light? Just an hour? Can I find him?

Far away, he felt a knight's signature and paused. Chose to move again to catch it up. It moved like to his own, towards some of the bars off the theater district that lay between them where he often found targets for energy at the nights ends. Most of those closed around 4, so it was some hours early, but there was a chance. When he saw the bobbing of light, of moving light not a vehicle, a flashlight, or a bike-fixture, Titan called out over the city-night ambiance, "Is it Babylon, Knight of Mercury, that goes there?"

The exuberant solicitation of affection was a godsend beyond the physical light the other man generally bore, resulting in not only the application of the asked for hug, but a slight lift for the duration of the Mercury Knight from the pavement. The news was welcome, but came fast. Titan worked on processing it all after having given Babylon back to his own feet and while the man spoke into his hand with less holographic projection or phone-seeming than Hvergelmir had in the gravel lot awaiting rescue.

Is it the same device? Maybe? They may all be in the hospital some time yet. She will not be at her bench. That is good to know rather than worry. But they have been worried ? It is a kindness undeserved. "I have been in the long dark. I have tried my feet and hands to the promises to look for the Hersir of Nærøyfjord..."

"...it is truth." Speaking of it brought back the lurking dread of the truth, of the plans and future already in action, as well as the majesty and swallowing emptiness beyond the doors of the building he thought to have identified as the main citadel building of the Academy. "I have a collection of things I must give over to the Knights. To all of you, the whole Order. I don't think there is magic in them- they have no feel in uniform. "

No feel the way that the crystals of the Rift had, in small shatter splinters in his hair and bag from his excavations when he'd returned to the sunlight world. "I am sorry that I missed the first meeting of your note. It was not my wish to. There has not been anything that I know about. I took Kairatos from another captain. We'd come to blows. I have not seen any reports entered on me. If there has been investigation, I have not heard of it, but that is not surprising either. It is....tense. I do not know. It is a weight on every hour, but I cannot regret it. You have seen them? "

"Are you well ? " His faith that the dark not mar all that was dear had whole waned. He looked the man over even as he asked it, in case there were some hint of infirmity to be caught beyond the hiding of a uniform.

Titan held a hand as though to ask for peace, gesturing small air-pats, "It is not so much. It was what must be done. "

"Kerberos...I have only little news. I am just back, but he is in my division. He was taken to isolation, but it was for rehabilitation. It was under orders from one of the Generals or ours. I haven't heard more yet- if they suspect and it isn't really rehabilitation...or when he will get free. Maybe no one knows. There was a post near the rosters that he was not available for request of mission. "

"He did smell mostly like alcohol when I met him. I think maybe it is truth." He left his palms up in uncertain supplication. The calling of meetings or talking to the Code was probably something best left to the Knights themselves- maybe Lady Hvergelmir if she felt up to it. He couldn't, he expected, blackened as he was. But Babylon asked specifically what it was all about. Is it safe to say before they are given over? Yes...what is wrong with me. I am paranoid. Babylon is safe, if anyone is. He and Hvergelmir and Kairatos of all of them would not let the generals or the sovereigns know. He was just saying how worried he was.

The captain lifted a paw and passed it over his mouth and then rubbed his own face with some small self-directed frustrations. "It was days, I'm sorry. The dark clings in terror. They are plates with crests. I only took what would come easily off. The chamber was sealed in crystal. Maybe it will be destroyed or worse now, maybe I should have taken all I could carry. I don't know. It felt important to take what I could, but disrespectful to cause any unnecessary damage. I do not know most of the crests or houses. But I did find the Fjord. I saw it in dream, so I knew it. I did bring a bad full. And there were rooms for the high nobles behind the dais seats. "

"It was all...I think it had not been opened since the city fell. There was a map on the table and pieces for planning war like in movies. I brought the map back. It is very old, and it is not so accurate with the ruin, crystals and the cave stone. But it must have been long ago. "

"But the little crests should be returned to the Knighthood. The Throne of the Earth is broken stone rubble across the great bridge to be hunkered on by Youma and pretenders. It has no claim to what is lost in the ruins. Do the knights know their crests ? Could they look at them and claim them? "

"I was going to give them to Hvergelmir to bring to your people. "

It was hard to express the personal, internal expectations of composure and poise he held, but it wasn't the first time someone had questioned why he was apologizing for lacking. The best he'd ever come to, trying to puzzle it out in the dims of his own mind was 'I'm not Buliwyf', like gesturing to the character would explain everything Titan felt himself lacking in a warrior and weapon. It never seemed workable, though, since he didn't knwo who had or had not seen his favorite film.

Babylon confirmed his idea, a small boost of confidence, to give the things over to Hvergelmir. It wasn't completely crazy. They can bring Officers of the Negaverse to this ...Olympus, though? What is an Olympus? Is it their base, like the Citadel? Or the Rift? Would that cause problems with the 'Code'-thing or other nights to bring me there, even on this sort of errand? Well, it makes it easier to give to Hvergelmir. It takes away needing those answers.

The captain quirked, still having offered no words at the knight's pattings, until the little light was produced. He hadn't known what to expect, other than something was plainly about to be offered. His breath caught in a gasp at the outheld thing. He reached a hand under it only slowly, wonder and concern for its well being in his keeping. "Never? Not even in a century?"

"Is is fragile?" The bauble seemed so small compared to his meat hands. "You made it?"

He was still processing the gift for ME?? part.

A thousand years is longer than a century right? A century is a hundred years. A thousand years has a name to. Millennium? There are ones that last much longer than a century. Like ten centuries. And more. He did not share any of Babylon's reservations regarding the Knight's fitness and strength in his title or fief. He'd seen the city and the room full of light, and they were quiet but strong- the king was the land. There was no division between Menachem's power and that of Finn, as they were both Babylon. And as long as there is light in Babylon....maybe it will be a light?

Of the hands that grasped his one closed, Titan moved to gather one of Bablyon's white gloves with his second paw. If allowed, the knuckles would be brought up to be kissed over. The ring especially, if it was visible and worn. He gives me a token. A gift, a thing of his own fief and power and useful at my need. I don't know that I am worthy, but I can try. I don't know if I could ever hope to repay the grace. Like Hvergelmir's ribbon- succor for hurt and wound. Needful things. Protection and hope, as much as could be offered against the swallow majesty of the Queen. They could neither face her. I could not, if set before her throne in combat. But hope...and breaking the final tethers on this form to let the true knight serve the Earth a while...that I can do. With their help, I can face the choice.

"It is your hope, this light. Thank you, Lord."

"I will be gentle with it...and keep it secret. ...can...when Nærøyfjord stands forward, can he carry it in my place? Does it extend so far as a gift?"

Titan lowered the hand, not really letting it go yet while he stared at it rather than at Babylon's face. No matter the amount of times he considered the outcome, it didn't get easier. It didn't stop making his mouth dry or weaving a lump in his throat. "He will. I found the coat of arms of Nærøyfjord. The knighthood is real. Your device showed my service is due to the Earth. Titanlåvenite serves the throne, but not the Earth. His power is not of it- it is due entirely to Metallia. She wants no succor to this world. She does not follow the rites and virtues. "

"I have killed and worked for her honor- it is profane. Murder, not honorable combat. "

" I will ask Lady Hvergelmir to contact her Lady Cosmos. Nærøyfjord should stand where I do. I've told my family. I've tried to arrange what I can to protect them. I know what I have investigated in others who have betrayed the Queen- I try to leave nothing to find. "

"Have you seen it done before? Do you have advice you could give?"

"There is great interest in Lady Cosmos. Bringing her here may be too dangerous, but I will ask what Lady Hvergelmir thinks is best- Earth or her Cauldron. I don't know what strength or limits she'll have in that. But you would be welcome. I will have to ask when is best for her. Or the Lady Cosmos. "

"At the least, I will try to leave a not or memory to contact you. This time should be clear enough, wearing this guise,...if dreams were truth. So far they have had grains. It is a bad harvest."

Mention of some place to stay was at first a relief, since he hadn't been at all sure what was going to be the answer to that question, and then a deep and troubling concern. "But you have a Lady? If you have a place, you should not make offers without asking her leave? It is hers too? I do not want to trouble one who holds your heart by being in the way."