god of time

[tenacious-finnian]

That's true, I never expected to add 'technically related to the gods' to my family tree. Hel has always been my cheerleader, even when we were just children; if there's anyone I would want to disappoint less than my parents, it's her.

The problem with that plan is that there is no true way to reverse the damage. If I am understanding this correctly, these locks were made by Azriel, and the one true person who is best suited to assist with this particular problem of the mind is Emilia; however, we can see why that might be an issue, given how the other Azriel is coming through. The best second option we have is redoing the locks completely by a different locksmith and throwing away the keys– redoing everything by a different hand will stop the other version from crossing over.

[timely-cronus]

I remember when it once was just my brother, my son, and I before our family roots sprung at a farther reach. Lady Helena shows a kindness and fierceness bold enough to champion such a Queenly title. Your relationship is strong, admirable even. I know she cares for you.

True, we will need another capable of rebuilding the locks inside his mind who can navigate it the way Emilia could for the years she has spent as his teacher when he first arrived to the coven. As soon as my visit with you is over, it's why I'm planning on locating Kai back at my home and configuring a plan knowing the capabilities of his magic, perhaps, he can become our locksmith. I must warn you if you did not already know, however, Finnian...he and Gianna are intent to kill Mil as punishment for her crimes against their brother and her son Ulric. I understand the mess she has made, I'm aware these choices are consequential, but it's not my opinion she should die for it.

[isabel-bishop]

Especially the mortals.

Wow. To be honest, I didn't think you were capable of self-reflection or humbling yourself, but I would be a raging asshole if I didn't say I appreciated you actually saying that out loud. Another part of me wants to know if you've been possessed.

[timely-cronus]

When we are alone with our thoughts for a period, Miss Bishop, the only thing we can do is self-reflect and humble ourselves. I realized that my stubbornness and lack of action when I'm meant to help as a god led certain events into fruition. You had every reason staying away after the ordeal with Angelus and I'd have done the same as Pride if Jade were in your shoes. And in case you were wondering, I haven't been possessed.

[gianna-foxwood]

It will take a lot for Kai to ever warm up to you, if I'm being honest, but I believe bridges can be mended if both sides are amenable. Marina cares for my brother, much like someone would care for a father figure– she'll do what needs to be done if it comes down to it. I never did get to thank him for essentially saving my son from doing something he couldn't come back from by stopping Emilia. Seems like you'll end up doing the same for my brother. Your adopted daughter, Violet– she prophesied that Bellora would take Marina, I remember. That's... not a good sign if it's projected that she will have a fallout with Henrik. Is this something we can avoid? I can take her in just as I had with Robin and Valentin.

[timely-cronus]

I wouldn't be remiss if he never forgave me, dear one, yet both placing a foot forward and trying is what matters. The demented Azriel's timeline is not the only one where he adopted her fully as his own, whether Az accepted it or not, Marina is his. I can see how she shares the same fierce spark as your family. Death feels every shift in the universe, Gianna, he couldn't ignore erasing many minds that link you to Envy. We unfortunately cannot avoid Violet's fate, though, I have tried searching to no end. Taking her in won't stop Henrik from stealing her, but there is something more than what Nikolai is telling me. What he can't say. Here is what I do know about Vi...her misfortunes are only getting started.

[isabel-bishop]

Someone has to look out for the small, squishy people who will no doubt get hurt from all this godly mess. Is there something you're here for, Cronus? I doubt you're in the mood for idle conversation.

[timely-cronus]

Being from all walks of life, including mortals, I assume.

I am here to state I've recognized the error on our last conversation. I called you selfish on behalf of my own son's behavior. It's ironic when I myself abandoned my oldest child with his mother and chose my work instead.

[isabel-bishop]

No one ever sees the less glamorous side of being a healer, which is making an exhaustive list of ingredients I need for whatever bullshit war is around the corner.

[timely-cronus]

Suppose the focus less on the princes and more on my kind gives any reason making preparations on the sidelines.

[gianna-foxwood]

I understand; I already expected that if we made even one tiny misstep, my Azriel, as I know it, would be no more. You have my full cooperation, and I know Kai will feel the same and bury any hatchets momentarily if it means Az is brought back to us safely. I've already spoken to Marina; her abilities will be crucial in ensuring that the other Azriel doesn't make a misstep. I've... also spoken to Ainsley and let her know the situation as a backup if Azriel cannot be brought back to us. Thank you for helping. I know that my family, in particular, has not made things easy for the gods.

[timely-cronus]

It's the risk of any danger threatening his mind as one would with a cracked open egg. I know Kai and I began on the entirely wrong foot, but I'm admitting fault for misjudging him, all grudges aside. If you trust Marina's hyperfocus does not stray because of her personal connections with Azriel, she will be a major factor. And of course, enlisting Ainsley's assistance does not hurt the long run. Thank you...nor have I made it easy on your family. The fiasco of the resurrection and now Bellora's claim kickstarting a war sent the gods scrambling. Death stepped in under great importance and it's time I followed his lead. Not just for Jade, but my adopted daughter's role in the fallout with Henrik.

[tenacious-finnian]

I appreciate that. Means a lot coming from a god such as yourself. I had meant to make myself known, but cleaning up the coven has been my main priority since I gained my bearings in this timeline.

Emilia told me herself. I agree that having an alternate Delacroix in this timeline will bode very badly for us if we don't assuage the situation quickly, but what did you have in mind? Stopping him from coming over is a magic that I'm not even sure I can prevent.

[timely-cronus]

A compliment made more unique when you are technically an extended member of my family. Helena spoke highly of your trainings and her confidence in your place at the top affirms mine.

I have seen his timeline and what becomes of him and the Weaver, the destruction they would both afflict given the right scenario concerns me as much as what Bellora could do. This alternate Delacroix will break through the protective barriers, that is a certainty, but we need him set in a vulnerable moment. I cannot interfere with my time magic, however I know who can. When Azriel is at his weakest point, hindered, we reverse the damage he's done on the locks once keeping him at bay.

[tenacious-finnian]

Sleepless nights, countless tribunals, and tracking down errant council members lead to a barely functioning coven, but it's functioning.

[timely-cronus]

You've done well where your father has not. You have my congratulations.

Are you up to speed on the perilous situation surrounding a murderous Azriel and the deal Emilia made? Their timelines are already beginning to fuse together, Finnian, a problem I need pruned.

[gianna-foxwood]

Love does complicate things, I know this personally, but even I know that this hesitation is going to hurt a lot more people before this is all over. I just hope that Jade survives all of this in the end. She told me that she made a deal with a version of Azriel so that he would kill Bellora. Someone she called a monster is going to cross over into my brother's body sooner rather than later. It's not his fault– he had no say. Please help him, I can't lose him.

[timely-cronus]

I know, I know, and I have hesitated long enough that the time to act is now for Jade's survival. She is succumbing to his beckoning, but also very inclined to allow the manipulation sway her extremist decision-making for the future. Alright, I will help him, but understand that this will cause irreparable damage if not done right. This other version will unravel his mind, destroy every defense Az has built, to stay in control. I need full cooperation no matter what happens, First Mother, not just from you, but Kai as well. Once I speak with him concerning Az, I'll track down the coven heir regarding Emilia and the best course forward. You will have him back, I promise.

[gianna-foxwood]

It's the for now that doesn't bring me much comfort. I'm not a strategist, I'm not the planner, but I see and feel the fallout as if it were my own every day. When will it stop? When will you or the others of your power caliber say that enough is enough? We all, including yourself, have lost enough.

[timely-cronus]

You are right, Gianna, it has gone on long enough. Had I been a neutral party to all of this, I would have solved the problem centuries prior. Yet, my feelings for Jade and in turn Bellora are causing hesitation. Her abilities are destructive and she is ruthless at her core, but I loved her once. I still love her. At the root of this, it's not just about my position anymore. However, a new plan has been set in motion with the Weaver, hasn't it?

[gianna-foxwood]

Barely into the lockdown, and I already lost track of someone I'm caring for. Not very First Mother of me.

[timely-cronus]

If it brings you a level of comfort, the girl is safe for now. You should know that your brothers followed not soon after, but Bellora can only stay distracted for so long.

[seer-nikolai]

Funny, you didn't actually apologize in that statement, but allow me to absolve you of all your sins. I don't expect you to be a stellar father; actually, I never thought you were capable until I met my future siblings. However, there's a line you crossed by looking down at me when you are no better, and I will not forgive you for that any time soon. At least I can sleep at night knowing that I never truly broke the rules that have been laid on my shoulders as the blood of a god. You don't need to understand why I chose Seraphina, but I know very well what will happen to Violet. I see every moment that, in turn, is branded into my brain. I can't forget what I see, ever. Do yourself a favor and don't look at the loom to see what will happen to her. I will do as I have for Josephine and give Violet hope, but even that will be hard when death is a blessing when compared to Henrik.

[timely-cronus]

I'm sorry. Is that what you are looking to hear? I didn't mean making you feel utterly abandoned, Nikolai, and how I have proven being a father is possible for me will never cease to astound from this day forward, but I know how much of a hypocrite I must seem for you knowing the unspoken rule no god should shatter. No, I don't require seeing what will happen with my own eyes when I know Henrik's patterns. How easily he produces children judging by his growing brood. Granting even a small spark of hope is admirable, Nikki, and needed considering all Vi's suffered. A fact even leaving me tempted by changing it altogether. However, a lot of hope is dangerous. It could fool anyone into believing there's an exception card to use.

[seer-nikolai]

You haven't exactly been interested in my life before, other than giving me unwanted input in a skewed attempt at being a father, so I didn't see a reason to tell you. I'm not the one you need to worry about out of your children. I'm doing my job, that's all.

[timely-cronus]

I admit, our last conversation didn't progress very well. I can even swallow my pride and apologize for my lacking parenting since your mother brought you into the world. While I cannot understand your choice marrying the Queen Mother, you know as well as I this vision hits close to home as every family matter would. Violet and Henrik are connected now.

[seer-nikolai]

A war I had no plans on returning for, but it never works out that way, does it?

[timely-cronus]

Placing aside I find out you're not only married, but had been away on a honeymoon, it's a wasted trip back. You can't change her fate, Nik.

[fiendishly-sterling]

Leaving bodies around sounds like my father, and a normal Tuesday. So, the gods do nothing but sit on their thrones and watch their handiwork at play? You're not the first one who wants to kill me because of my attitude, nor will you be the last, but I'm sure you know that since I'm not the only know-it-all here, but don't tell me what I can and cannot comment about the gods when there is a goddess who is not taking the more hands-off approach when it comes to the little pawns that we inevitably are in your eyes to dress up and play out your demented hand crafted fantasies. Bellora is making dealings with my father, so I ask again. What do you do when the gods are the problem, too? Nothing? Or do you just wait for others to do your job and fix it for you?

[timely-cronus]

Again, I do not expect a dhampir even in his many centuries thinking he knows the ways of the realms to understand how tightly woven fate itself hangs in the balance. The one instance I did not wait for others to do my job and fix it for me as you so eloquently put it, sent those like the Princes' children and my own barreling into a timeline they have no business being in. It's sent that darling Princess assassin you are just so insanely fond of to a foreign place. Each day every single one remains here, another delicate string unravels and ripples. You see my hands-off approach as a problem, I see it as maintaining order and still doing my job. It's not always my responsibility cleaning the mess you all continue making for yourselves, Sterling, don't think I don't care. That I am a high and mighty being of power shoving souls my brother's way when I don't have the order I crave. As for Bellora, she'll get her comeuppance. A proper punishment right alongside Henrik.

[beau-baird]

I'm planning on working with the Firsts if they will allow it to find the location and get my hands on it. I can see it in Violet's eyes, in Nikolai's sudden appearance... we're running out of time. I know... I know you cannot make exceptions, but this is Violet. As close to a daughter to you as Tati. She's innocent; she shouldn't have to go through whatever has even you wishing you could change it. Whatever has Nikolai so worried that he's barreled headfirst into a warzone instead of staying away on his honeymoon. There's... nothing you can do?

[timely-cronus]

You are well connected with the First Family, they won't hesitate in their cooperation. It's because she is as close to me as my own daughter that I would even consider making such an exception despite witnessing how much the realms fracture when I did it for Jade. Honeymoon? I-...one issue at a time. I can confer with the loom, make certain this is the timeline that will happen, but touching a single aspect when it's already so delicate isn't an option. I will tell you this, Beau, you and yours better locate that orchid quickly. A certain vampiric connection placed a target on Violet's back and he will come for her.

[beau-baird]

It's the only mode I know, but I'm hoping I make my gramps proud. Thanks to my sister's closeness to one of Henrik's many children, we now have a weakness to exploit against them when the timing is right. I'm worried about Violet, though. I know you can't say anything about her visions or go into detail, but her visions are troubling her far more than I have ever seen of her or Nikolai.

[timely-cronus]

You have so far and you will. So, you have uncovered the existence of the Veil orchid from your sister as I thought you would. All you do now is find the flower and then strike. Violet, yes...you understand that she cannot see visions of her own future which I'll admit that's adding to her overwhelming troubles. No doubt Nikki's seen it. If what's happening currently continues to snowball, Vi will play a role in the war likely to shift even when it's over. Trust me, Beau, I wish this is one of those instances where I could stop something so life-altering from affecting her. She's been through enough, but I...I can't make any more exceptions.