The Park: Tuesday Morning

[magnificent_bitch_face]

One moment, Percy had been trading barbs with an Archfey. The next, he was plummeting through the air...

And then he was splashing into a pond.

"Lovely," he sputtered, wiping water from his face as a flock of peculiar pink birds with spindly legs squawked and scattered around him. He waded to the edge, the mud sucking at his boots with every step. Nearly losing one, he clambered onto solid ground, pausing to take stock of his surroundings.

This was not the Parchwood Timberlands, and that imposing castle in the distance was most certainly not Whitestone. It was cold. Normally living in Whitestone he would have shrugged it off but with wet clothing he'd need to change soon or start the risk of hypothermia.


“Vex’ahlia?” he called, taking off his glasses to inspect them. No cracks, just wet. A small mercy.

Silence.

“Keyleth?” he tried, turning slowly as his eyes scanned over the landscape. He drew his pistol and checked it over with practiced precision. No damage, though he’d lost a bit of powder that would need replacing. Fortunately, the sealed bags and his bag of holding were intact. He returned Retort to its holster.

Satisfied that his belongings were unharmed, he paused. He would regret it, but…

“Vax?” he called out, his tone tinged with reluctant hope.

No reply. Not that he’d really expected one. If Vax were here, he’d likely already be lurking somewhere in shadow. Percy let out a long, irritated sigh.

“Where in the bloody hells have you sent me, Garmelie?” he muttered to himself, his voice dripping with annoyance. “And, more importantly, how do I get out of here?"

[Come meet the new guy!]

Comments

[deathsmajesty]

A chilly day meant to be spent curled up in bed required a book with which to while away the hours. Everyone knew this. Which was why instead of directly home after visiting Luke's, Liliana had directed her rickshaw towards the bookstore, to see if Flint was both opened for the day and also interested in potentially selling one of them if he were.

Books were driven from her thoughts entirely once spotting a strange face dripping wet in the park. A tap on the shoulder sent him angling into the park proper, with Liliana looking over this newcomer with undisguised curiosity. "I say, darling, you're looking rather the worse for wear," she informed him. With some reluctance, she pulled off her furred mantle and held it out for him. "It's far too chilly for you to be running about soaked. You might..." A slight crook of her lips. "Catch your death."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"Indeed!" Percy exclaimed, gratefully accepting the mantle and draping it around his shoulders with a flourish. "Your kindness is most appreciated. I find myself abruptly—"

He hesitated, his words faltering as his mind grappled with the sheer absurdity of his predicament. He sighed before he composed himself with a practiced smile.

"—displaced. Quite without warning, I assure you. Forgive me if I seem disoriented—or, heavens forbid, like a lunatic but I am painfully aware that this is most certainly not Whitestone. Might I trouble you to enlighten me as to where, precisely, I have landed?"

[deathsmajesty]

"Don't worry, darling, you're fine," Liliana assured him. "You're hardly the first person to arrive here without knowing how or why or where 'here' is, and I highly doubt you'll be the last."

Her pale hand gestured at him in an invitation to come sit. "Welcome to Fandom Island," she said. "Now, depending on how much you know about the concept of a 'multiverse' or 'alternate dimensions' is going to dictate how much you assume I am a lunatic." She gave him an impish smile. "I assure you, darling, while I may cheerfully lay claim to any number of flaws, insanity is not among them."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

She seemed cultured and polite enough, and Percy was never one to disregard proper decorum—especially when wearing her frock. Accepting her offer felt only fitting.

"Well, I am aware of different realms of existence. I just came from a place known as the Feywild and had hoped to return back to my own. I don't suppose this Fandom Island is located somewhere in Exandria? Perhaps somewhere in the Shattered Teeth?"

The words had barely left his mouth before a flicker of realization crossed his face. A faux pas. He cursed himself internally for his lack of propriety.

“My sincerest apologies,” he said swiftly, recovering with practiced ease. Rising to his feet, he offered a polite, graceful bow. “Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, of the royal house of Whitestone.”

[deathsmajesty]

Cultured, yes. Polite...well, he could hold onto that misapprehension for awhile.

Especially since, with a smile she didn't bother to hide, Liliana was rising to the occasion of his fancy manners with her own. Solely because it entertained her, mind. "Lady Liliana, Countess Vess," she said, offering him her hand with a regal nod. "Enchanted, darling. But to answer your question, darling, no. This plane is called Earth. Fandom Island is a multidimsensional nexus, which means that you might be more likely to find someone who has at least heard of your Exandria, or even your Feywild. That someone is not I, unfortunately."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

Percy inclined his head with the barest hint of a smirk, taking her hand with practiced grace. "Lady Liliana, Countess Vess," he echoed, his tone both respectful and tinged with subtle amusement. "The enchantment, I assure you, is mutual."

Straightening, he regarded her with an inquisitive gleam, though his composure remained unshaken. "Earth, you say? A multidimensional nexus, no less. Well, that does put things in an... intriguing perspective. I must confess, the notion of encountering someone from other realms does at least hold some curiosity."

He released her hand with a slight bow of his head, his smile softening into something more genuine. "Though I thank you for the clarification, even if it leaves me with more questions than answers. It seems I shall need to adjust my expectations accordingly—and perhaps rely on the kindness of strangers such as yourself as I attempt to orient myself."

His eyes flickered with curiosity as he gestured toward her with a faint flourish. "And, if I may be so bold, might I inquire what brings you to such a strange place?"

[deathsmajesty]

"Indeed you may, darling, I adore boldness," Liliana told him with a laugh. "And, to answer that bold question of yours, darling..." She lounged a bit, waving an idle hand. "At this point, solely my whims. You'll discover, should you remain on the island long enough, that I'm rarely bestirred by anything but. I have a shop, where I stock magical artifacts, and occasionally teach university classes up at the school." She pointed to the castle he'd noticed earlier. "It's a longstanding habit of mine. Find an interesting little place, dwell there for awhile, and then flit off to another plane once I have an urge to see somewhere else."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

Percy raised an eyebrow, his expression a perfect blend of curiosity and amusement. "That truly sounds rather extraordinary. I know of only a handful of individuals from my own world capable of traversing planes, and it's rarely done on a whim." He leaned in slightly, his interest piqued. "And you mentioned a shop of magical artifacts? How utterly fascinating! I am, in fact, currently aiding some friends in acquiring a few items to assist us with a rather troublesome batch of dragons back in my own realm. Perhaps this visit to your island will prove to be more beneficial than I initially anticipated."

[deathsmajesty]

Of course it sounded extraordinary, Percy; she was extraordinary.

"In my corner of the Multiverse, only a handful of people know other planes even exist; those of us who can walk across them. Sixty-eight, I believe. Among the millions and millions of sapient races spread across the planes, sixty-eight of us remain."

For an eyeblink, something melancholy flickered across her expression, but--no. Surely it was just a shadow or a response to the chill or something because she was once again, all languid, catlike smiles.

Well, that was true until he mentioned dragons and she was wrinkling her pretty, pert little nose. "Ugh," she said. "Dragons." Yes, yes, she owed Nicol Bolas a very great deal, but that didn't mean she liked him. "Are there any that aren't troublesome? I'm sure I have something in my inventory that might be useful for you, should you come to visit. The Infinite Consortium, darling, on the other side of the island. I work Mondays, though I'm occasionally amenable to opening it up by appointment."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"Well, I'm not sure how long I'll be here-"

You're going to be here a long time, Percy.

"-but I will most definitely come by your shop. With things such a mess back in my reality, magic shops with a viable inventory are hard to come by."

He doubted there were Vestiges in the shop but this being a multi-dimensional nexus, perhaps there was something even better.

"And the ability to walk the planes relegated to only a small amount of entities. You must be very powerful, indeed."

[so_hawkward]

Most of the time, Clint loved having dogs, but the love dimmed a little when it was cold outside, especially since Lucky didn't seem to mind the chill and wanted to sniff everything. At the moment, that meant trotting over to sniff at the annoyed wet guy as Clint pulled his leash.

"Lucky, no, be good," he said, giving the other guy a look up and down. "You okay?"

[magnificent_bitch_face]

Percy paused, glancing down at the dog with a faintly bemused expression, brushing water from his soaked coat with a touch of theatrical resignation.

“Well, I’ve been drier,” he replied, straightening with an air of practiced grace. He eyed Lucky, his tone softening slightly. “But far be it from me to begrudge a creature their curiosity.”

His offered his hand to the dog, his gaze flicking back to Clint, offering a polite smile despite his current predicament. “I assure you, I’m perfectly intact, though I’ll admit my day is taking on a rather... damp theme.” He gestured vaguely to his sodden attire before offering a courteous nod. "I trust your companion here is at least enjoying the brisk weather?"

[so_hawkward]

As far as Clint and Lucky were concerned, Percy passed the test, and Lucky sniffed before brushing his head against Percy's hand approvingly.

"Yeah, he likes it, but he knows we have a fireplace and blankets to get back to to dry out. Are you visiting?"

He could hope, right?

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"I'm afraid I'm a touch uncertain at the moment," Percy admitted, his tone tinged with residual unease. "Do forgive my lapse in manners; my rather abrupt arrival here has left me somewhat disoriented."

He crouched slightly to give Lucky a scratch behind the ears, a gesture he trusted would be well-received. (Trinket, at least, always appreciated it.) Straightening himself, Percy extended a hand toward the friendly man in the unusual attire.

"Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, of the royal house of Whitestone."

[so_hawkward]

"Uh, Clint Barton, of the not royal house of Unicorn Street," he said, shaking Percy's hand. "That's Lucky, and this is Rook." He motioned to his other dog who was lounging on the grass like a sensible pet who didn't want to be in the cold. "You might be a little far from your place, I'm afraid. This is an island called Fandom, off the coast of Maryland."

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"I have gathered some scarce details about my location so far. And best I can tell I am far from home. Is this merry land also a part of these multiversal nexus?" Percy asked as he made sure that Rook also got some attention.

[ifwebeworthy]

Garmr? Thor murmured within Don's mind.

Don, who had been sitting on a park bench trying to mind his own business as he waited for his leg to stop cramping, said, "I think he said Garmily," out loud, and then raised his voice to ask the wet guy, "Everything all right?"

[magnificent_bitch_face]

Percy, thoroughly drenched and adjusting his cuffs in a futile effort to salvage his dignity, turned his attention toward Don with a resigned smile. “Well enough, I suppose, though these strange birds might have other opinions,” Percy remarked dryly, smoothing back his damp hair.

[ifwebeworthy]

"They're called flamingos," Don supplied. And, going from the lack of familiarity with flamingos, "You're on Fandom Island, in the state of Maryland, on what's called Earth...or Midgard. I'm Donald Blake. You can just call me Don. You'll excuse me if I don't get up." He did not explain about his leg, because he was a New Yorker and thus knew you did not reveal weaknesses to a guy who had already pulled out a gun even if he had put it away.

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"Flamingos. Curious," Percy said looking back at the creatures with interest before realizing he was in middle of a conversation. "Thank you! And please, no reason to get up. A rather charming woman informed me of this place but I've never heard of Earth other than referring to the ground we walk on. I come from a world known as Exandria. I don't suppose you are familiar with it?"

[ifwebeworthy]

"I'm not," Don admitted, "but there are many worlds and realms out there. I couldn't possibly know them all." Thor didn't volunteer anything, so Don would be left wondering if he'd heard of it for a bit yet. "Well, welcome to our island, although I'm sure you would have preferred a different arrival." A less wet one.

[magnificent_bitch_face]

"Yes, well, hopefully I won't be here long," Percy said looking around in the vain hope that Keyleth might pop up at any moment.

And then he realized his rudeness once again. He cursed himself again for his lack of propriety.

“My sincerest apologies,” he said politely. “I have forgotten my manners in all the confusion. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Lord Percival Fredrickstein von Musel Klossowski de Rolo III, of the royal house of Whitestone.”

[ifwebeworthy]

You should have used the 'doctor,' Thor murmured, and Don had to press his mouth shut tightly for a moment against a snicker.

"Pleased to meet you, Lord Percival," Don said. He wasn't remembering the rest of that, sorry, Percy. "I hope you're correct about the length of your stay, for your sake. I believe sometimes the nexus point the island sits on likes to play games with people." He sounded very chill about that because you could take the boy out of the 616 but you could not take the 'has seen all sorts of interdimensional shenanigans already' out of the boy.

[magnificent_bitch_face]

Nobody remembers the entirety of his name. He's very well aware of it.

But what troubled Percy was the "playing games with people" part of this conversation. "I'm sorry, but I want to make sure I heard that correctly," Percival said, cautiously. "Are you implying that this very island is sentient?"

[ifwebeworthy]

"I really couldn't tell you," Don said apologetically. "It might be a figure of speech. People assign intent where there isn't any all the time. What one person describes as 'the island won't let me leave' may just be a quirk of the interdimensional wavelengths or...whatever it is, for all I know. I'm a medical doctor, not whatever kind you'd need to figure that out." Give Jane and Tony a few days and enough coffee to kill a small elephant and they could probably tell you.

He shrugged. "This is a nexus point. Strange things happen. My room didn't have a fireplace in it yesterday, but it does today."