Log:Apostate's Redemption, Scene 7

Apostate's Redemption 2019/01/22 	 Amelia Apostate Anastrophe Ayesha Moonshadow Timewarp Radical Grimm

7

A series of floating flat-topped asteroids, orbiting in what appears to be a somewhat regular pattern. The rocks are spinning on individual axes in addition to moving around a central point. The surrounding area is black, with no discernable stars or features.

Each asteroid appears to be a room, like rooms in a house. There's a bedroom, a library, a study, a kitchen, and several others...

--

The heroes have come to try to put a stop to the damage that Apostate does to the dimensional barriers whenever he moves across them. Radical, having grown up differently with different influences, does not have this problem...and was able to fix Apostate's dimensional gear. The heroes, upon learning a little more about Apostate's history, have decided to go back in time to substitute a book into his library to make sure that he learns a safer way to do the same thing.

Radical reappears, seemingly from nowhere. "I have a copy of the altered book that should be necessary. My uncle and I were able to reproduce it. I can talk about details later."

Amelia says, "In case we happen to bump into the person who came into conflict with, prehaps you can tell us something about him?"

Apostate nods. "My cousin, Thomas. He is...what some might call an...ambitious person."

Moonshadow says, "Just to confirm what we believe, may I ask your name?"

Timewarp is suddenly holding a notepad.

Apostate takes a long deep breath. He's not wearing his mask at the moment, so the decision making process is evident on his face as he considers that. "Connor. My cousin Thomas is the son of my uncle Randal."

Radical tilts his head curiously. He knows his uncle is Randal, but the name Thomas...is not one he's familiar with.

Moonshadow says, "Thank you Connor."

Moonshadow says, "Your uncle held the position of... before it was to come to you?"

Apostate thinks about it, thinking about how to word this, "He was the world's Sorceror Emperor. The world is divided into realms. He was the leader of one of those, and ruled with an iron fist."

Moonshadow says, "And you refused this role for yourself, and it passed to your cousin Thomas?"

Timewarp makes notes. "OK, that's different!"

Radical lets out a long whistle. All of hte sudden, things feel way more divergent.

Moonshadow says, "I think his world is on the far side of Revenant's."

Amelia nods in agreement with Moonshadow.

Apostate nods, "That's correct. When Randal died, the power was to be passed on. I refused, and Thomas took it up. Magic comprises two of the four realms on the world. My family ran one of those two."

Moonshadow says, "Were there consequences to you, for refusing?"

Apostate nods. "Directly? No. But my cousin knew I had the right to challenge for leadership if I so chose. He made my life difficult from that point onward. When the pressure pushed me a bit too far, that's when I started working on the tools you see here."

Moonshadow says, "And when your work became dangerous, not just to him, but to the world, he confronted you."

Apostate nods slowly. "So he claimed. I didn't believe him, of course. And it turns out he was correct...at least in that one regard."

Moonshadow says, "If you could do anything you wanted to with your life, what would it be?"

Apostate raises a brow, "I haven't thought beyond not being the person who destroyed my home."

Moonshadow says, "Do you want to go back to being harrassed by your cousin because he doesn't believe you don't want the throne?"

Apostate shakes his head, "No...I think I would retreat to a place like this. I rather like it here, to be honest. Or I would if the problems were dealt with."

Moonshadow says, "How do the people feel about your cousin?"

[To Moonshadow] Timewarp says, "Are you thinking of messing with the politics of that world? Cos if so we need to know lots more about it!"

Apostate paces a little as he considers the question. "Honestly? I'm not sure. For the most part, he's feared, of course. No open rebellion, so I suppose that's in his favor? But he tried to remain sort of a shadowy sort of boogeyman for the average person."

Radical leans against the workbench. "Fascinating."

Moonshadow says, "Is that what your uncle did?"

Apostate nods. "It was in keeping with how Randal did things, yes. He was open toward the other rulers of the other three realms, but to his own people he tried to remain an enigma."

Apostate shrugs, "It helped with transitions of power. If the people didn't know the power had changed hands, it might as well have been the same person. As far as they were concerned, the Sorceror Emperor was immortal."

Moonshadow says, "Do you know who is next in line after Thomas?"

Apostate rubs his chin. "His children, I suspect. Eldest first. He had three kids, last I knew."

Moonshadow says, "Or you, if you go back."

Amelia asks, "If you were motivated to make changes I'd assume you would have stepped into the role of leader? So would I be correct in thinking that wasn't an aim of yours?"

Apostate nods and sighs. "I didn't want the role. Tradition...can be a heavy burden. And I didn't have enough of a need to actually change how things were run."

Moonshadow says, "Would you now?"

Radical nods slowly. "I can understand that. I used to feel that hte need to maintain the traditions of my family was difficult to live up to. Making a personal decision to do the right thing was easier than trying to change an entire system of government."

Timewarp says, "Are all the governments on your world like that?"

Apostate raises a brow. "Would I try to take over the reins of the government? Again, I've only been thinking about making sure all of the people in the world didn't die due to my actions. I figured I could worry about something like that another time."

Moonshadow says, "I mean, would you feel the need to change things."

Apostate looks to Timewarp, "No. Each of the four leaders is very...individual. The governments are theoretically different, but in reality, they're all still dictatorships 'under the hood'."

Apostate rubs his forehead. "Alright, I can see where this is going." He looks to Moonshadow, "You want me to overthrow my cousin. Or not refuse the power, at least. Here's the issue with that. If I change things too much, there's an excellent chance that one of the other Emperors will view it as a sign of weakness."

Moonshadow says, "No, I want to know what _you_ want. For yourself. For your people."

Timewarp says, "That was what I was thinking. Dictatorships are bad, but unstable dictatorships are worse, because then you get wars and junk."

Amelia says, "My general viewpoint is to not intervene in the affairs of the worlds I visit... unless there situation is one I cannot let pass. If we alter your past and prevent the conflict destroying your world, unless you make an accommodation with Thomas, or depart from his realm, there will likely be a conflict between you and him at some time. While it may not have such terrible results, it could still cause great damage. So... this is the time to make that decision. Because we're your best chance to put you in charge with minimal consequences."

Amelia shrugs, "Personally, from what you'd said, I'd advise departure."

Apostate sighs, and his voice starts to raise, "What I want for myself is to not feel the weight of guilt every day. Have I not been clear enough about that?" He's starting to look a little exasperated. "If getting the help I need to fix the problem requires me to take over the reins of power, then I will."

Timewarp smiles. "SO, ok then! Let's just work on that."

Moonshadow says, "I'm sorry if I've upset you. We'll help you save your world, no matter what else you decide to do."

Amelia says, "I think you missed my point. For me, the help to correct what happened to your world will be given whatever you decide. But you also need to look beyond that to the long term situation. As I said, I advise departing after your world is safe."

Apostate nods. "I...am inclined to fix things...and then retreat. But I would need to let my younger self know to do so."

Amelia glances at Tali. She's not the time theory expert, but she suspects that Apostate is likely to vanish if we change his past. "Write him a long letter, explaining the situation. Include enough he can be assured it comes from his older self."

Moonshadow says, "When you were building your harness, what were you planning to do?"

Timewarp says, "Yeah, that's the important thing. He's got to believe it. I mean, for this to work. Changing the book ought to be enough to stop the world being destroyed, hopefully. But as I said, it's always better to change more than one thing to be on the safe side, anyway."

Apostate sighs again at Moonshadow's question. "Defend myself. Be able to run away as need be. There is something very nice about being able to leave when you want to, rather than at the whim of someone else."

Amelia nods, "I have never tired of the diversity of experiences out there once I was able to travel the worlds."

Timewarp says, "I'm sometimes jealous: there seems to be more variety than in time travel!"

Radical nods. "I was very happy to have a sanctum...not all that different from this one, really. A place I could retreat to as need be. I lost that when I lost the mantle of the Cartesian."

Apostate nods. "I didn't have magical powers. I only had my wits. And I had been pushed...enough. I'm not going to go into the gory details, but suffice it to say...I had had...enough. So, I built the harness."

Timewarp says, "So - are we happy with the two-prong plan? Change the book and you write a letter to yourself?"

Apostate nods. "I am. I think..that will be enough to change things to save the world. And while I may not personally survive as I am now, perhaps another version of me...a wiser version of me...will."

Apostate has clearly already considered what Amelia was concerned about.

Moonshadow says, "Perhaps we will meet him someday."

[To Radical] Timewarp says, "And this copy you've made - it already has the necessary changes?"

Moonshadow says, "Now, as for the book, where did you take it from?"

Radical nods to Timewarp, "I believe so. My uncle and I were able to...manufacture a copy, with some help. And the changes have been made."

Radical shrugs, "Specifically, Rira was able to help me pull it off. She's improving quickly."

Timewarp says, "Who's Rira?"

Moonshadow says, "The new Cartesian?"

Amelia chuckles, "No."

Radical shakes his head, "Rira is...well, someone who can manipulate Chaos magic. It's complicated. I'm acting as her mentor."

Moonshadow says, "Is she the one...?""

Radical chuckles. "The one who...what?"

Moonshadow says, "That you rebelled for, that you refused to kill?"

Radical nods. "That's correct."

Timewarp says, "So, when are we going do this? Are we waiting till the letter's written, or doing this in two stages, or what?"

Moonshadow asks Apostate, "Where did you steal the book from, and how hard will it be to replace it?

Timewarp says, "Yeah, we need to know the where and the when and the how-hard-it-will-be and the why."

Moonshadow says, "I think we already know why."

Apostate nods. "I can work on the letter as soon as we're done talking here." He looks back to Moonshadow, "I took it from my uncle's library. It might be easiest to replace it in my own home though. After I had already taken it but before I worked on the harness."

Radical nods. "Perhaps put the letter in as a bookmark on the appropriate page?"

Timewarp says, "Though that maybe risks the uncle finding it?"

Moonshadow says, "Not if we make the swap after he steals it, as he suggested."

Apostate nods, "Plus, my uncle's library is...protected. Hence why it would be safer to do so later, if possible."

Timewarp nods. "Makes sense!"