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Blackstone Foundry and Forge; Friday, Apparently!, 12/18.

When Amaya woke up that morning, she found herself feeling all sorts of confused and out-of-sorts. It was funny, actually...she hadn't remembered going back to her place after taking Dwight to the clinic. She had remembered staying there...to wait and hear how he was doing, for moral support, all those sorts of things...and dozing off eventually, but...apparently, at some point, she must have left and gone home, because she'd woke up in her own bed with the lobsters having some morning rumble in the living room just like the day before.

It was sort of a long day, though, and pretty stressful, what with the whole Dwight getting shot of it all, so she supposed maybe she'd just been that tired by the whole ordeal. So she went about her usual morning routine to get coffee and a spot of breakfast before heading down to the forge, thinking she should probably give it some time before heading back to the clinic to see how the big dumb lunk was doing. Which suited her fine, she supposed, as she had some adjustments to make to the axe now that she'd seen how Margo was likely to weild it and could proceed with it accordingly.

So she went downstairs, she stoked up the forge and got it good and hot and glowing, mapping out her day as she finished her mug, and then, with the sort of worried sigh that could only come with feeling uncertain about something, went to get the axe.

And then stared for a good two, three minutes, before blinking her eyes almost furiously and turning the axe around a few times in her hand.

The axe was...all the work she'd done on it yesterday...all that very good and exceptional work she'd done on it yesterday seemed....to have completely disappeared! All the finer points, the broadening of the axe head, it was....exactly as it had been before she'd started working on it yesterday!

"What in the world?" she muttered to herself, frowning, and starting to get a little upset because that had been a lot of work, just all of a sudden gone to waste, and, with a little bit of a thought tickling the back of her brain, Amaya went to open the window, open the door, and looked out to the marshmallow snow that had been there yesterday...

...and then she went over to the Squirrel Crumbler, picked it up, checked its interiors, which looked as clean and shiny as if it hadn't ever once been forced to try and clear out marshmallow snow and turning into a horrible marshmallowy mess in the gears because of it.

Almost as if yesterday hadn't ever happened. Or this was just yesterday, restarted, all over again. But if that was the case, then maybe Dwight hadn't....

Amaya was just going to slink her elbows down on one of the worktables with the nice and clean Squirrel Crumbler between her hands to try and process exactly how she felt about this. Because if what was happening was happening, well, that was a good thing, because maybe that meant Dwight hadn't gotten shot.

But, then again, just thinking about all the progress she'd lost on that axe was a brutal blow.

She might definitely need more coffee to fully be able to process this, really.

The Forge is Open!

[[ and the thread with Dwight, again, should be considered last chronologically! ]]

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"Somebody looks a little under the weather," Dwight said with a smirk as he walked into the forge, trying to kick off as much of the marshmallow muck as he could.

"Coffee?" he offered as he held up one of the travel mugs he had in his hand as he gave Amaya a curious look.

Well, that confirmed at least that much, and Amaya blinked up at Dwight with an odd mixture of still being surprised to see him, just waltzing in, like nothing had even happened (she'd seen him get shot; she'd had his blood on her from helping him; she could still feel the weight of him heavy on her shoulders...) and also not surprised at all, considering the axe, considering the squirrel crumbler, considering the snow. But more than any of it was the feeling of relief that she wasn't prepared for, as her eyes couldn't help spending undue attention to his shoulder, where he'd been hit, shaking her head a little with the marvel that he actually was fine.

And, okay, now that she could actually see that...the lost work on the axe didn't actually seem that bad of a price to pay.

With a small sigh to go along with the relief that she wasn't even fully conscious of, Amaya just looked at Dwight for a moment before giving a faint, tired sort of smile. "I'd prefer something stronger," she admitted, "if you got it, but a coffee should hit the spot just fine. Thanks, Dwight."

"Just coffee right now. Freshly brewed Amaretto coffee," Dwight said as he handed over the cup with a smile. He thought about mentioning how she looked like she needed the caffeine and boost more than a stiff drink, but he thought better of it and kept the thought to himself.

"If you really want something a bit 'stronger'" he said, using Amaya's own words, "I got several good options back at the apartment" he suggested innocently.

Because really, what bad association would there be for Amaya to come over and check out the progress over a drink?

And if Dwight thought she looked like she needed a boost just a second ago, it was probably nothing compared to what she looked like when he'd said that, brow creasing as she looked at him with the realization that he didn't even have a clue, did he, that heading on over to his place was exactly what got them into this mess in the first place...

Only there wasn't a mess at all, anymore, apparently, which was just...well, it wasn't anything she could easily wrap her brain around, that was for sure, and all of that confusion was probably spilling right there onto her expression and everything, and she tried to chase it away with an attempted snort of amusement.

"Bet I've got even better options just upstairs," she pointed out. "Besides, it's looking mighty nasty out there, with all that marshmallow fluff, I'm honestly a bit surprised you bothered making it all the way out here in the first place."

Except that...she also wasn't.

But also...she genuinely was, as well, for quite a few reasons, and she shook her head as she took a good long sip of that coffee and wondered if she shouldn't just go upstairs and grab a bottle anyway after all.

Dwight gave her a look for a moment and then smiled. He could hang out in the forge for a bit and visit. His shop or hers, he wasn't too picky. And he at least could give her an idea of what progress had been made.

"Oh, got a small update for that display case I've been working on. Figured you might want an update even if you couldn't make it by the shop" he said as he fiddled with his phone for a moment and handed it over to her. "Doesn't compare to seeing it in person mind you, but better than nothing. And I think it is coming along nicely" he said with a slight smile.

As Dwight spoke, Amaya watched his, carefully, confirming even further things she already suspected: he definitely didn't move or act like a man who'd just gotten shot less than a day ago, nor did it seem like he was trying to pull one over on her by showing her pictures she'd already seen.

So it really was like yesterday never happened, huh? And what was the difference, that she was the one stuck remembering while he, apparently, didn't?

"Yeah, sure," she said, taking the phone. "I'll have a look."

And she wondered if she could even be convincing that this was all new to her.

"....at these pictures that I have definitely not seen before ever."

....so that would be a no.

She did scroll through them and zoom in thoroughly for very close inspections, though, as if maybe she could see....something? Some clue or hint about what was going on?...but no, no, there was no doubt about it, they were all exactly the same as yesterday.

Dwight watched Amaya for a moment, giving her a bit of a side-eye glance. Sure he was used to some of her more *ahem* peculiar ways by now but this was even a bit odd for her.

"Are you feeling ok?" he asked, actually a bit genuinely concerned about the way Amaya was acting this morning.

He gave an internal shrug and brushed it off as likely still being the last of the effects of their little jello shot contest the other day. After all, he was still dealing with a bit of a headache from it. So, maybe this was Amaya's little hungover side effect today?

"I'm fiiine," Amaya said, but she drew it out with a sigh that might have tried to suggest otherwise. "It's just...well....I guess you could say today's feeling a little...off."

Which felt like quite the understatement, really!

She shook her head a little. "Shouldn't be anything to worry about..."

And at least she managed to keep the I hope that followed that to herselfm

Dwight nodded slowly. There was a little something off about the day, though it didn't seem like anything too major or serious. He gave it a moment or two of thought then turned back to Amaya.

"I was gonna see if you wanted to come over and check out the case progress for yourself. Pictures can only do so much after all" he said with a somewhat sympathetic smile. "But I can easily just keep working on things and you can stop by when you are feeling a bit better and all. No rush at all. Not like me or the shop's going to be going anywhere, right?" he added with a chuckle.

Amaya was going to say something along the lines of there not really being much of a point, but then she stopped herself, mouth half open, as another thought wedged its way in.

Everything seemed to have gone back to the way it was, like it was correcting itself. Everything gone back to normal; wasn't that the way it often went, when things went haywire? The time loop bullshit Margo had ~~just now la la la~~ mentioned? Maybe that included the mysterious island that was probably the cause of it all...

...and now that the thought was in her head, she knew her curiosity about it wouldn't likely just leave her alone.

"You know what?" she ventured. "That actually...sounds like a mighty fine idea, Dwight. Maybe that's just the thing I need, a brisk walk," through marshmallow snow, "some fresh air....and a good look at those cases!"

Maybe she would get to see them this time, even!

Edited 2021-12-18 21:07 (UTC)

"Alright, sounds like a plan!" Dwight said, trying to hide the excitement a bit as he had fully expected Amaya to bypass that offer.

And it was true, some fresh air, a good walk, and all that... was probably exactly what they both needed. Especially since there was absolutely no motivation from Dwight other than wanting to show off the latest stage of the project. Nope, nothing at all. That was totally the only reason he had walked all the way over here in the first place!

Edited 2021-12-18 22:19 (UTC)

Well, wasn't it convenient that Amaya now had a new excuse under her pocket to make for such a journey, and that was clearly just because of the time loop bullshit^TM.

Just forget that in order for there to be a loop, there had to be a motivation in the first place.

"Alright, then," said Amaya, reassuring herself that there might not be much point in trying to get any work done that day, anyway, "just give me a second to put out the forge and we'll be on our way."

Of course, it didn't take very long on their way before Amaya found herself muttering, not as nearly to herself as she probably thought she was, "Could have done without this marshmallow fluff resetting, though..."

Dwight trudged along beside Amaya as they made their way through the marshmallow fluff. Dwight found himself still staring at it as it piled up in gooey mounds along the streets. The island sure had an odd way of celebrating the holidays at times....and as they walked he found himself chatting away to Amaya.

"Poor Snoopy isn't a big fan of the snow" he said absently as they walked closer to the warehouse district. "He wants nothing more to get outside and play, but I know if he gets into this mess it will take me days to get it washed out of his fur!"

"Tiny little guy would likely get lost in something like this before you could even blink!" Amaya remarked, with a small laugh to think about it, a little puppy-shaped imprint in the mounts of marshmallow where he'd just slowly been sucked right in, and she shook her head. "But it'll clear up soon enough. These things...usually only last a day."

It's just this one, it would seem, was intent on repeating itself. And it was with that in mind that they were entering the warehouse district, and the mirth that had just been there slid away from Amaya as they did, and she started to walk just a little bit faster, until she could get to a point where she could look, and see if...

She stopped dead in her tracks.

The reset hadn't included that new island.

She turned around just as quickly as she had stopped. "Nope!" she said, taking a moment to turn Dwight right around with her and maybe even nudge him back the way they'd came if she had to. "No good going that way! We'd best head around the long way on the north side!"

Dwight let himself be stopped and turned around solely from the surprise at the sudden shift from Amaya. But now that he was suddenly facing the way they had just come from he stopped, creating for a moment a rather hilarious sight of Amaya trying to manhandle him to go the way they had already come from as she pushed at the man who was a good foot taller and quite a bit broader than she was.

"Amaya... what is going on?" Dwight asked as he gave her a questioning look. "You've been acting strangely all day... what's wrong?"

Oh, like Amaya was going to let a suddenly immoveable object ever stop her!

Or, well, she certainly wasn't going stop trying, anyway, half-tempted to start pushing a shoulder into it, and she was just going to blame this marshmallow snow not allowing her to get a good grip on the ground as the real reason why her shoving wasn't getting her anywhere.

"Just trust me!" she said, a little loudly with her frustration and her anger at herself for mucking this up so bad, when she really should have known better, but then she lowered her voice nearly to a whisper. "This was a bad idea! We really gotta move!"

Edited 2021-12-18 23:26 (UTC)

"Ok.... why?" Dwight said as he started to take a few hesitating steps in the direction Amaya was desperately shoving him in. "Is there something wrong with the road?"? He turned and looked more directly at her and smirked jokingly. "Afraid the marshmallow snow's gotten too piled up for us to manage?"

Because yes, poor clueless, unassuming Dwight had no idea just how bad that road ahead had the potential to become at any moment.

And the briefest of moments, Amaya considered trying to sell that lie. Too much marshmallow, the road's all blocked up! But as her progress was getting nowhere, she would just have to risk telling him outright.

"Because it's too dangerous!" Which she felt should mean a lot, coming from her, who liked to think there wasn't a danger she wouldn't be eager to meet. "There's this new island, and there are people with guns!"

Dwight kinda just stared at her for a moment because a response like THAT was definitely NOT what he had been anticipating.

"A new island and what...." he started to ask as he turned back to get a better look towards the warehouse district that they were just outside of. He took a better look and his eye went big as for the first time he actually caught sight of the island. "What the devil....?"

He didn't get to finish as he felt Amaya give him another nudge to get moving. As he did, following her back away from the warehouse district, he heard a sound that made his heart stop for a moment. The sounds of multiple gunshots ringing out- far too close for Dwight to even hope that they wouldn't be affected by his Trouble.

"See?" shouted Amaya, who would have never imagined she'd beel this bad about being proven right before. "I told you! We have got," pushing and shoving clearly wasn't working, so Amaya was just going to have to try a new tact: when pushing and shoving fails, start pulling! So she was grabbing Dwight's hand with her own and moving like she was willing to drag him all the way to Daventry if she had to, "to get out of here!"

Yeah, there was gonna be no arguing right now from Dwight. He turned to tell Amaya to run and get away when he realized she had him by the hand and was half pulling him down the street through the marshmallow snow. Well, that certainly threw a monkey wrench into his plan of trying to get away from her so she was away from the bullets that were likely incoming.

As they ran, Dwight scanned the area around them, looking for an alleyway or something that they could duck into... or at the least he could get her into before things got nasty.

Not seeing any convenient options like that, Dwight tried to keep himself positioned so as they ran, despite Amaya's death grip on his hand, he was still behind her somewhat. The odds were the bullets were coming from the warehouse district which was behind them. Maybe... he hoped... if he could keep himself between that and Amaya she might not get hit.

Not that any of that planning and valiant attempt did much good. Mere seconds later, Dwight felt the impact, right in the center of his back that sent him staggering forward with the force of several of those anticipated bullets finding their mark. As he staggered forward, he felt the grip on Amaya's hand loosen and he fell forward.

With the ground rushing up at him, he called out, trying to tell her to keep running, but all that came out was a strangled cry of her name before the only thing there was a flurry of sparkly lights as he simply vanished before he could even hit the ground.

Edited 2021-12-19 00:19 (UTC)

Amaya felt she'd finally got a good run going, and the weight of Dwight's hand in hers was the reassurance she needed to know he wa coming with her. She was trying to ignore the gunshots, though it seemed impossible, and, because of them, she should not have been surprised when that reassuring weight lifted...

"Dwight?" Amaya turned around toward him, to see what was the problem, what was the hold-up, although she knew, even before she started to turn, exactly what it was, and it almost felt like she turned around with some wild and desperate hope that she was wrong, and that she would see anything else than what she knew she would.

"Dwight!" She saw him as he hit the ground. But by the time she'd rushed over to him, kneeling down as if it wasn't too late to catch him, there was suddenly nothing there but air and twinkling lights in her arms.

"What the--"

That hadn't happened last time! That was not anything just on repeat! But before her mind could even begin to fathom any of it, she felt a sudden, white-hot heat piercing into her chest and bursting, unlike anything she'd ever felt before. She didn't have time even to cry out in shock or pain, she barely had time to be pushed by the shot before she, too, just like that, became nothing but air and twinkling lights.

Eliot was being fucking weird. Or maybe something weird was just up. Whatever it was? This felt like a great time to have something sharp and choppy around the house.

"Hey," Margo called, strolling into the forge early in the afternoon. "How are things going with my axe?"

Oh, sure, Margo, waltz on in here again to remind Amaya of the biggest insult to injury involved in this whole thing!

Despite herself, Amaya sighed heavily, casting a rueful look toward the axe she jadn't managed to muster up the heart to start working on again, and then turned her gaze apologetically toward Margo.

"Might be a little longer than expected, I'm afraid," she admitted. "Seems we've run into....a bit of a...hitch."

Sure, a hitch. That's what she'll call losing a whole day's worth of some excellent work...

"A hitch," Margo echoed. She crossed her arms. "Don't tell me it's more time loop bullshit."

That was...not exactly the reaction Amaya had been expecting, but it certainly caught her attention.

"Time loop bullshit?"

"Eliot says we're probably in a loop," Margo explained, shrugging. "We've been through a few. First time I've got no fucking clue what's going on, though."

"You'll have to forgive me if I'm just asking the obvious," Amaya ventured, "but would it be safe to say a time loop is....just exactly that? Time, but it's looping? So sort of a...reset? Where all the extremely good work you may have done on, say, someone's axe that was coming along beautifully just completely reverts back to the way it was before you spent all that time, energy, talent and resources on it?"

If Amaya sounded like she was getting increasingly irritated the more she went on, well....could you blame her?

"Yeah, pretty much," Magro said, crossing her arms. She lifted an eyebrow as she thought about it. "Maybe a reason to sleep in for a day, I don't fucking know."

...maybe a reason to push that visit to the clinic up to confirm what Amaya was now hoping to confirm with probably a bit too much conviction. She really shouldn't get ahead of herself, especially if this was a magic thing...Nothing ever good came of a magic thing, especially to this proportion.

"So how long," sorry, Margo, you were getting all the quesitons now, "do these time loops things tend to last? I mean, from your experience..."

Edited 2021-12-18 22:12 (UTC)

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Blackstone Foundry and Forge; Friday, Apparently!, 12/18.

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