Log:A Problem Like Krul

2020/12/10 	 Radical Grimm Magda

1

With the emissaries of Krul leaving, and most of the heroes as they tend to do once the fighting's over, Grimm turns to Radical looking paling than normal and still adrenaline-fueled from the fight. "How'd they find you?" she asks in concerned, worried tones just as she vanishes from what spot and manifests in front of Radical.

With the emissaries of Krul leaving, and most of the heroes as they tend to do once the fighting's over, Grimm turns to Radical looking paling than normal and still adrenaline-fueled from the fight. "How'd they find you?" she asks in concerned, worried tones just as she vanishes from what spot and manifests in front of Radical.

Radical takes a seat on the rooftop. "I have...no idea. We ran into them...WAY out in space someplace. I have no idea how they found out where I was."

Grimm sits down shakily, folding her legs and resting her forearms on her knees as she leans forward and takes a few breaths to try and calm down. "You didn't foresee this happening this soon, did you? Maybe it was possible for them to find the planet, but they zipped straight to you before Starguard even had a chance to give out an alert of their invasion. That's some crazy long-range scanners..."

Radical shakes his head, "I didn't see it coming. But I wasn't looking for it, either. Krul's future visit to Earth was predicated on him still having the stone. Which he doesn't. So, I didn't know when or if he would show."

Grimm frowns worriedly. "Well, if they could find you across however many galaxies or systems that was to here, they'll be able to find you wherever you go. At least in this dimension."

Magda glances around as most of the other supers disperse, or help the police in putting -- orcs. Orcs? Seriously, orcs?? Space orcs ... okay, fine, space orcs -- into handcuffs (are they weak enough for that to be sufficient?) and lugging them off. To be honest, she can't imagine what they'd be charged with, or if suddenly Earth has a fifty-strong space orc colony, or maybe they'll just dump the lot of 'em into the Guild's lap and be done with them. Thank god that's for Spirit to have to handle, and not her; he gets paid for it, after all. She herself is putting right the damage done by Kinsis's tearing out of roof superstructure, with the tar paper re-knitting and smoothing itself out, and even pebbles hovering about what was once the hole before taking their places again.

The magnetokinetic drifts down to the rooftop, and brushes the base of her throat, causing her bodysuit to reconfigure to what she was wearing -- a charming green ankle-length skirt, white neckerchief, white blouse, brown shoes, and a tan knee-length coat that looks far too light for December weather in Virginia. But she comes over to where the mystic she knows (Grimm) sits with the mystic(?) she doesn't really know (Radical). "Details would be good."

Radical nods. "Sure. I'll have to give you a little more detail than you really want to start with to explain how I came across this Lord Krul in the first place..."

Grimm look to Radical. "Maybe we can cut to running into his ship. The other stuff was...not directly related to him, after all." She falls quiet and thinks about her finals coming up, and trying to squeeze in time for Jack. But this is important. << I'm not letting them take you, and I'm not leaving you alone while they're still a threat >> she shares over their mind link, her mental tone determined and protective.

Radical takes a deep breath. "There is an altenate dimensional version of Amelia, known as Amelia Half-demon. She was tryig to free the god Ares from prison, using a magical spear, made from something called 'Black Iron'. Trying to stop her...caused us to end up on a devastated planet...and we were beamed up to Krul's ship. He was trying to acquire all of this Black Iron. It...allowed him to create armor. The spear we were trying to destroy had smoe...and there was a mine on the planet below, with a dragon in residence...where there was more."

Radical shrugs, "So, I looked into the future to see what would happen if we let him have all of the Black Iron. And the answer was...he would conquer...everything. Including Earth."

Magda turns her head to the side, frowning at space orcs, connections being made in her head. "A dragon ... wait. This doesn't have anything to do with Porter obliterating the universe back in the fifteen hundreds or something, does it? The ship that they were using, by the way, has a /bafflingly/ primitive computer."

Radical chuckles. "So, we chose to fight him. He had...I think three gems of various power. The one I have is one of those. Natasha tried to attack the gauntlet he was wearing, and knocked a gem loose. Porter grabbed it, and nearly killed himself." He points to Magda, "Yes! That's the time. Well, this is right before that happened. He tried to garb the gem, and it started to petrify him. I was able to cure it, and we gote the gem away from him and I stuffed it in a pocket."

Radical says, "We drove him off...and Krul warned me he'd be back for his property. I've researched it a bit since then, but it's not something I can actually use, at least without killing myself."

Grimm winces and looks uncomfortable at the mention of Porter. "Porter obliterated himself, too. Sort of. The present version ceased to exist when he stopped himself from destroying Earth in the past. The one now is...well, an hour or so from the past, brought to the present...? I...still haven't had the guts to tell his wife. I doubt he has."

Radical shrugs, "I think the deal with Porter is a branching timeline, Grimm. And I do think the Black Iron helped him in some way. I didn't have any to test with, though." He stands back up, and says to Magda, "I don't think we've been introduced, by the way. I go by 'Radical'. I work partially with magic...and partially with tech."

Magda nods, still frowning and watching ... well, not the two magi. Her hands get shoved in the pockets of the dustcoat, shifting as the thing adjusts itself to close up against the wind at the top of the building. "You mentioned needing someone who was both immortal and a precog," she notes absently, looking out over the city before Radical stands and introduces himself. "Magda Gutzu. Korkoro, in the bodysuit, but I've been 'outed' for a decade or so, so just Magda will do." She looks interested at the power explanation. "Magic by way of tech? Because I've been wondering." She gives a quick smile.

Magda does reach out to offer her hand. Because that's polite, and all.

Grimm nods to Radical's suggestion. "I'll have to ask about what that means later," she comments, remaining sitting for a moment. She uses her shadow sight to canvas the area to make sure there's no more surprises while they're introduced.

Radical shakes Magda's hand, but then he shakes his head, "I used to be the Cartesian. The agent of the Lords of Order on this plane. So, I used to be able to wield the magic of Order. I wanted to still do some good, though...and created some tech to duplicate some of the magic I used to be able to do. But...over time, I've started to learn magic the hard way...not channeling the magic power, but pulling the mana from the environment. I did use some tech for that originally, like a training wheel to gather energy, but I don't need it any longer."

Grimm rolls her eyes a bit as Radical outs himself as the Cartesian. << I'm starting to wonder why you even got rid of the snazzy suit if you're going to tell everyone>> she mentally sends playfully.

Magda mmmms thoughtfully. "I would very much," she says, as if asking a waiter for another crueller while she has a discussion with someone else about a surgery or something, "like the chance to examine such technology. An -- oh, call it a gypsy instinct -- within me suggests that magic and science have the same root, it's just the application's origin that differs. I talked about it a month or two ago with Doctor Aevus, over a late-night coffee."

She gestures, then, as if sweeping that aside. "A conversation for another day. Can you tell me, in general terms, the origin of these ... gems, you said? Cosmic gem, I seem to recall Kinsis saying. And by what right Krul claims ownership."

 Radical says, "Well, I think it helps with credentials."

 Grimm says, "Yeah, but she's not really all that in the know with magic, so name-dropping the Cartesian doesn't help. She has...a past. One that from what little I've heard or understand makes me think you should be really careful around her with info like that. And with what the gem really does."

 Radical says, "Mmm. Alright."

Radical takes a deep breath as he thinks about it. "I think it's called the Cronos Gem, from what I've researched. No idea on its origin as of yet. And Krul is claiming it in a 'might makes right' kind of way."

Radical says, "I had hoped that by not keeping the gem on this plane...that they wouldn't be able to track it."

"Well...they didn't. But somehow they tracked you," Gabrielle frowns and starts to float up into the air as her legs unfold and plant on the ground. "We should figure out how. You aren't safe as long as they can track you."

Magda aahhhhhs. "One of /those/," she murmurs, her gaze returning to the distant horizon. "Hm. No. If I may offer an educated opinion, that's the wrong tack to take with an individual such as this. With them, you have only three options -- roles -- to play in their worldview. Broken to heel, and thus a servant or slave; a rival for power, that might be broken but is likely otherwise needing to be destroyed; or overwhelming in power, and thus worthy to serve. Even with the latter, though, you have to watch your back, because their ego demands they test your strength and control."

"Quantum entanglement," Magda adds to Grimm's 'tracking' comment.

Radical shrugs, "That's somewhat like the idea of a sympathetic magical connection. But I didn't leave anything where he was, if I remember correctly. I'm not sure what kind of link he'd be able to make to me."

Magda shakes her head. "Not between a former part of you and you -- yes, I know what sympathetic magic is, at least casually -- but between you and the object of cosmic power you've acquired. And /that/ element -- presumably -- would or could be detectable, for as long as you claim ownership."

"Given how that guy mopped the floor with a whole host of heroes, the last one may be difficult to fill," Gabrielle comments. "Quantum entanglement...? Maybe some trace of the gem's energy is on you? Something we can't detect?" Gabrielle frowns and paces. "We...could use that to our advantage. Earth's in trouble while they're after you. There's a chance if we go to a distant planet, we can lure him and his people away from earth? He'll be stuck ping ponging while we planet hop through dimensions to buy time to figure things out."

Radical nods, "Maybe? Grimm, I know you were thinking about trying to create a fake gem as a decoy. I'm not sure that's going to work, if they can sense the energies coming from it. So if it works, it'll be really short term."

Magda hmmms, and strokes the center of her chin. "What," she wonders, "is the real goal here? Possession and retribution for him, certainly, but -- what would be /your/ end game, Master Radical?" Her gaze slides away from the oceanic horizon -- she's looking almost directly eastwards -- and aside at Radical without turning her head. "What is the goal, here?"

"I...don't know that I create a signature I can't sense. But if I knew it, I could make it seem like it had that similar signature. It just wouldn't have any powers like the real thing," Grimm says. "Alternatively...I could disguise you somehow." She looks to Magda, then studies Radical for his answer.

Radical thinks about it. "Stave off the destruction of the planet. Keep Krul from getting that gem back...and keep him from getting all of the Black Iron. We did manage to keep some of the iron out of his hands, at least."

Magda smiles a little, then turns to look at Grimm for a long, long moment. "Gabrielle, what is wrong with the goals of Master Radical?" She sounds /very/ much like a teacher in a class.

Grimm blinks as she's treated like a student. "I...I don't know. Krul will find something else to threaten Earth or other planets? Krul's...a maniac who won't stop?"

Magda nods slowly. "A point to start with. Continue with that logic." Her attention does seem to be focused on Grimm, but she's paying as much attention to Radical as she is the younger woman.

Radical chuckles. "May I suggest that you just say what you're intending, Magda? Rather than taking time to work through the Socratic Method?"

Grimm is surprised she's being saved from teaching sessions from Radical of all people. "I'm guessing she means we have to find a permanent way to stop Krul," she says darkly.

Magda smiles a little, and glances sideways at Radical. "If you don't teach them how to think ... the only way they learn to do so is if they stumble across the way of it. But very well. You speak of staving off the destruction of the planet, preventing Krul from achieving a pair of goals -- both without addressing the actual issue." She tilts her head towards Grimm. "Exactly. I do not mean to say 'kill' -- the greatest thing Abraham Lincoln ever said was to the effect of 'I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends' -- but if you have a problem that will be relentless until stopped, then logically you must find some way to put a permanent end to the problem. From the sound of it, removing Krul's capacity to wage war would be the ideal method -- use the one stone to take the other two, strip him of this 'Black Iron'. Which, by the way, is another thing I'd love to examine, if only to see to what degree I can affect it."

Radical nods. "I had hoped to destroy the stone I have. But I'm not sure that's possible. Since it has a method of self-preservation."

"Yes, a ... temporal rewind function?" Magda sounds, if not a little skeptical, at least like she's trying to make certain she's clear on the functionality.

"Something like that? Maybe we got to figure out a double jeopardy thing for it?" Grimm suggests.

Magda shakes her head slightly as Radical sinks back to the ground, legs crossing as he tries to winnow through the futures to see if -- when -- the minions of Krul will return. "Are you certain it would be a wise decision to do such a thing at all, regardless of how difficult it is?"

Radical decides against looking through time right now. But some time in the near future. Hah. "Ideally, I'd like to destroy it, but I think we'll need to brainstorm a bit about how to do that. Get it into a situation like a Chess fork, where there are no options for survival."

"Yeah. Double jeopardy," Grimm repeats with a grin. "No ideas how yet. Maybe if it's destruction were automated somehow..." she starts daydreaming of scenarios. Hopefully the odd mental image of the gem on a conveyor belt with two paths--one leading to a magma pit, the other to a black hole--doesn't carry over the mindlink while she's distracted.

Radical nods. "We could try launching it into the sun, I guess. Like we did with the spear."

Grimm nods. "Right...how could it stop itself from being destroyed then?"

Korkoro smiles briefly. "By having been stolen and replaced with a convincing duplicate, of course."

Radical says, "I'm not sure the autonomous action of the gem can rewind that far. It was a split second thing when Natasha nearly destroyed it."

"So...it need to have an inevitable doom? Or maybe it'll infinitely time loop?" Grimm thinks. She looks to Korkoro. "I thought we just went over how we couldn't really fully duplicate it."

Radical nods. "The power it emanates is very evident when you hold it. Even briefly. Longer than a second or two, and it can be fatal."

Korkoro gives a quick smile. "How /we/ couldn't duplicate it -- not well enough to fool someone else. But can someone else duplicate it, or its power signature, well enough to fool /us/?" She stretches. "For a gem named after the titan of -- time, I think? or maybe that was a video game -- I imagine it might be able to rewind as far back as necessary. You have so far only seen it skip back a couple of /local/ seconds."

Grimm takes a breath. "Glad you let go of it in time. And...yeah. I'm...fairly certain I can't create something like that. And shouldn't even try." She looks over at Korkoro, raising a pierced brow. "Why do we need it to fool us exactly? It's Krul and his peeps we need to fool."

"Surely," Magda adds, "there is always someone with a desire to possess it. With a plan to steal it. To prevent itself from being destroyed, all that must be brought to pass is for those with the desire and plan ... to succeed. And if it can choose between potentialities in order to avoid its own destruction? Then those potentialities that prevent it become absolutely certain."

Korkoro shakes her head again. "I'm talking about it preventing its own destruction."

Radical shrugs, "So you're claiming it can't be destroyed then. Great. So toss out another option for what to do."

Grimm looks lost. "I thought you were just talking about making a really good facsimile."

Radical shakes his head, "No, she was saying that for the gem to preserve itself, the gem would rewind time, and allow someone else to swap in a fake."

Grimm brings up a more important point to her as she looks at Radical. "Huh. Well, I don't even know if any of that matters. Right now, Krul can't find it. It's safe. You're the one that's not safe right now."

"I'm ..." Magda hesitates, then nods. "Suggesting that destroying it would take a celestial entity -- not a god like Himinglaeva or Artemis, but a being who can wipe out star systems, galaxies, at a thought. Your 'Lords of Order', perhaps." She shakes her head at Grimm. "I was pointing out the flaws in trying to destroy something that could prevent its own destruction via temporal manipulation. Likely, we'd never know such a swap occurred -- and the destruction of the thing would be confirmation."

She sighs, and rubs the back of her neck, looking out across the ocean again. "As for what to do ... take the other stones from him, and the Black Iron as well."

Magda adds, "Oh, he's safe -- possibly tortured, but not slain -- until they get the stone. After that, he's disposable, unless Krul is particularly irritated. In which case, he might be kept around for a few thousand years."

Grimm britles and raises her voice, "That's not okay! None of that is okay!"

Magda turns away from the vista. "As it happens, Gabrielle, I agree. Torture, rape, ethnic cleansing and other massive murders -- these are the things I go to war over."

Radical shakes his head, "The Lords of Order might have the power to do such, but they wouldn't destroy it directly themselves. That's not how they work. At least in my experience." He looks at Magda for a long moment, "'Tortured' does not equate to 'safe'."

 Grimm says, "But they'd probably give the Cartesian some guidance on how to destroy it for them, right?"

"'Where there is life,'" Magda quotes, "'there is hope.' Though I would add 'and sanity' to that, and excessive torture can destroy sanity. But yes, I agree -- 'tormented in the power of the foe' is not 'safe', especially in this instance."

 Radical says, "They might. Or they might want the Cartesian to confiscate it."

"Far from safe," Gabrielle agrees. Her fingers curl to form fists. "No one's torturing or taking Radical's sanity either," she practically bares her teeth.

"/Control/, Gabrielle. Take that rage and fear and bank it -- I've read, albeit in fiction, that they're potent sources of magical power." Magda glances towards the horizon, then back again. "But to prevent such, one must be /clear/. Controlled. Ruthlessly, relentlessly thoughtful. Not logical, necessarily, but one cannot plan when one is in a rage."

Radical watches Magda closely. "That explains the not-very-empathetic answers, I guess."

Grimm purses her lips and tries to control her emotions and overprotectiveness. She takes slow breathes as her fingers and jaw unclench. She looks to Radical. "What does?"

Radical motions to Magda and says to Grimm, "Overly analytical. 'Relentlessly thoughtful'. But a horrible bedside manner."

Magda grimaces a little. "I have a fourteen-year-old magnetokinetic out there," and here she lifts her hand and gestures towards the horizon, "who is barely in control of her powers. With training, in two years, she could really be something. Right now, though, metallic objects float around her if she gets uncertain. They fly away from her at bullet speeds if she becomes afraid. She's a Shia Muslim in an Israeli kibbutz; she gets afraid a /lot/, and often for no apparent reason. Calmness, centering, and rationality -- as well as empathy and sympathy -- are, for Powers like her and I, are what keep us from killing everything around us. These are what I teach her, when I can get there. Grimm bloody well /knows/ you are not in immediate danger, but she still blows her top at the thought." She looks at Grimm. "You are past the point where a good bedside manner will do you good. /Use/ /your/ /brain/."

Radical takes a deep breath. "Grimm is family. Not by blood, but family, nonetheless. Please do not disparage being protective of family."

Grimm's cheeks flush at having it pointed out that the mere thought of Radical getting hurt causes her to get upset. "We don't know when the danger will come next. They could come back anytime with hardly any warning, which means he's at constant risk right now. And yeah, he's my chosen family, and I'm protective of that," she frowns and folds her arms over her chest to try and contain herself.

Magda turns fully towards Radical. "You mistake my intent. I do not disparage her being protective of family; I disparage her allowing emotion to get the better of her when the moment of danger has passed, and the time of planning is here. I /want/ her to be protective of her family; I want her to be BETTER at protecting her family. Because the thing that guides the use of powers, no matter what they be, is a disciplined mind."

Radical chuckles quietly and shakes his head. "You triggered that emotional reaction with statements like 'He'll be fine...just tortured a bit until he's no longer useful'. Do you really not realize that you set off the reaction? Seriously?" He laughs louder.

Radical snaps his fingers, "No...wait, you implied I might be tortured for a THOUSAND years. Because you know...talking about that is sure to keep everyone calm and collected."

Magda contemplates Radical's laugther. "Master Radical -- do you believe that her being able to /be/ set off by such acknowledgement of a negative result to be a positive?"

Radical shakes his head, "Nice deflection. Think about your OWN actions before nitpicking about other people's reactions. You either set off the reaction on purpose. Or you did it by accident. The former says you're mean. The latter says you are unaware of the power of your words."

Grimm finds Radical's explanation of her trigger resonates with her. It makes her calm down a little that he at least seems to be understanding of her outburst. Magda's words do get a retort from hr, though. "Really? Usually I'm accused of not giving enough of a damn about anyone," she says with a raised voice just short of shouting, her eyes watering a bit before she blinks several times.

Magda considers this, then nods with slow cordiality to Radical, then turns to Grimm. "Gabrielle. I apologize. Unknowing of the particulars of your relationship, I did not consider the depth of your attachment." She has not, of course, ever accused Grimm of not giving enough of a damn ... but then, she's been considered a ruthless bitch for well over a century, so such accusations slide off her psyche. "Perhaps the moment of danger is still too recent. My ... history," she decides is the right term, "is perhaps too full of cruelties perpetrated by warlords, and I am perhaps too willing to openly acknowledge such possibilities should things take a turn for the worse."

Radical nods slowly as he listens. "I have been accused of being overly analytical at times. I certainly didn't deal well with one of the recent missions with Miss Steinberg." He pauses and says, "I think...the concern is real. And immediate. That ship showed up before Starguard could respond. Directly to where I was. If I'm caught without my gear, that could be very bad. I'm not defenseless without my gear, but I certainly would have much more limited options for what to do about the situation. So...the suddenness of the arrival is what has Grimm concerned. If there was more warning, I think it would be less of an issue."

Grimm's cheeks flush at the mention of the depth of her attachment. "Which recent mission?" she asks, trying to distract herself from being upset or scared. She really tipped her hand there because she couldn't control her emotions. "If there was more warning, yeah. But even with warning, if Krul comes or brings more of his world conquering forces, we may still not be able to stop them from taking you," she says with forced control. "And what if they take a more sneaky route? We may not know until you're long gone."

Radical shrugs, "With more warning, I can be in another dimension in seconds if need be. If they're more sneaky...well, that's more of an issue. That hasn't really been their method as of yet, but we can't rule it out."

Magda mmms briefly. "Actually, I think I can stop them from leaving next time. While I did not have enough time to discover much, I got a sense that their computer -- did I mention how primitive it was? -- was for navigation. I might be able to create and install a lock-out. And, to be honest ... that could provide us with an opportunity."

"Why on earth would we want them to stay? And if their tech is so primitive, how'd it beat Starguard's sensors and locate Radical from so far away?" Grimm asks.

Radical nods. "The last ship we saw them in was stolen from someone else. When Krul left the ship, the original owners showed up shortly thereafter." He looks to Grimm, "Well, if htye can't leave, we can beat them. As for the other questions...I have no idea. You're connected to SG though, right? Check in with them, and see what you can find out."

Grimm nods softly. "Yeah...I can go in and find out what's in the reports maybe, or talk with the Commander."

Magda shrugs. "And undoubtedly their computer has information on where Krul is. Take the fight to him." She considers this, then adds, "Their /computer/ was comparatively primitive. I don't know about the rest of their tech. Certainly the telekinetic was Powered; they might be locating Radical in a similar manner."

Grimm admits with some guilt, "I haven't contributed much to Starguard lately due to classes and...stuff." The stuff being her splitting time with magical research and dating.

Magda smiles wryly. "Tough to juggle three worlds at once," she commiserates.

Radical nods. "The telekinetic was definitely not using magic. That I can confirm." He chuckles. "You still have access though, Grimm. That's what matters. And hey...it IS a Starguard matter. Alien ship and everything, right?"

Grimm nods to Radical. "Yeah, I'm not fired or anything. I'm sure they'd welcome your help."

Radical nods. "I helped them with the alien bug queen thing not too long ago."

Grimm is distracted a bit by thoughts of her other distractions with Carpenter. She blinks and focuses. "Uh, yeah, so they already know you. I could go check with them while you deal with ideas for the gem."

Radical blinks a bit and glances toward Grimm. "Umm...yeah, that sounds good. Maybe we can find out what the other gems do as well."

 Radical says, "Grimm...um....you're letting your thoughts bleed through a little to the link. Ahem."

Grimm stiffens a bit and swallows. "Right...he's still got...um, other gems," she rubs the back of her head.

 Grimm says, "Shick, er, sorry, still trying to practice my control. I mean, how much...?"

Magda doesn't miss the oddities of their behavior, but hasn't a clue as to the origin, and so sets it aside. "Master Radical, can you send me a piece of this 'black iron' for study?"

 Radical says, "Umm...enough."

Radical shakes his head, "I don't have any, I'm afraid. But we might be able to get some. It'll take some work. I'll see what I can find out."

Grimm's eyes widen a bit. She tries to keep her thoughts as still and focused as possible.

Magda nods. "If it serves as a buffer against the stone's energies, it may be possible to replicate its effects."

Grimm had fallen a bit quiet mentally and physically after the mental slippup. So far the ideas thrown were: 1) NOT let Radical get tortured, 2) Try to replicate a false stone maybe, and 3) Find some black iron or replicate that. The order of 2 and 3 don't matter to Grimm, but item 1 definitely comes first.

Perhaps to avoid Grimm getting triggered again, the two bid farewell to Magda and Grimm lets Radical take them away somewhere to start researching or doing additional magic planning.

Connor takes the pair of them to his home after a couple of shifts through dimensions. He pulls off his mask once he's inside his own home, and he takes a deep breath, finally relaxing a little bit.

Grimm starts to calm down a bit once they're away from Magda's verbal prods and the site of the attack on Connor. She also takes a breath and leans against whatever sturdy thing is nearby. She's embarrassed and rubs her face. "Sorry," she murmurs into her hand.

Connor goes to give Grimm a hug. "I hope you're apologizing for the bleedover, and not being protective."

Grimm blushes and hugs him back tightly, laughing a little due to embarrassment. "I'm apologizing for both. But I'm especially sorry for the bleedover. She had my emotions all over the place and I wasn't focused..."

Connor chuckles. "It's okay. Really. And I'm not going to say that I'm great with people. Because I'm not." He sighs and smiles. "But I'm way better than Magda is at dealing with people. And that IS saying something, for sure." He pulls away slowly, "Want a drink? I think I need one."

Grimm releases him from the hug and nods softly, smiling. "Oh, you're tons better with people by comparison. And I think you're selling yourself a bit short." She takes another breath and says, "Yeah, I definitely could use a drink to settle my nerves. And I'm sorry for...uhh..well...whatever you sensed from me with that bleedover. I'll try to be more focused in the future, but I also understand if, ah, you don't feel comfortable mindlinking anymore."

Connor chuckles, "I might be a bit more hesitant, but in general, I'm fine with it. It's the first time something like that happened." He pulls out a couple of glasses and pours some scotch for both of them, adding a single ice cube for both, and then he hands her a glass.

Grimm is afraid to even ask how much was accidentally shared. "Sorry. It's pretty embarrassing and I imagine whatever you sensed was...uhhh...pretty shocking," she says as she accepts the glass. "Thanks," she says, and takes a slow, long slip. She coughs a bit at the first sip, then smiles shyly. "I was going to suggest maybe we should stay mentally connected as an emergency measure while this threat is still lurking so I'd know immediately if you were in danger, but now I'm not sure that's such a great idea."

Connor sips his drink, "Well, if you're going to be seeing Detective Carpenter between now and then...perhaps you could...drop the link for a bit during that time?" He chuckles quietly.

Grimm blushes a bit, but she also gets a sly grin thinking about him. No bleedover this time. "Ahem. Yes, definitely would have to drop the link. But then you'd also know when we we're...yeaaah," she laughs a bit. "But I think that's a good idea. I won't be able to re-establish the link until I see you again, I think. I've honestly not really shared my mind with many others, so I'm still not sure."

Connor nods. "Well, we can try to make a point of reconnecting as soon as we can."

Grimm nods and takes another sip. "Okay, that really is helping." She sighs in relief and brushes some locks of hair behind her ear. "So really, what're we going to do to keep you safe...?" she asks softly. "If they can't tell where the gem is, maybe you'd be safe off-dimension. Or should dimension-hop as soon as they appear again?"

Connor doesn't look happy at that prospect. "You must have some idea what they might do if I flee like that, right? What will they do when I jump to another dimension?"

Grimm looks a little hopeless as he asks. "They'd...probably hurt those who stayed behind."

Connor touches his nose. He then sips his drink again. "I don't want to be the cause of someone else suffering. We need a solution that will lead him elsewhere. Or that gets us rid of the gem."

Grimm chews a little on the inside of her lip as she thinks on that. "Of course you wouldn't," she sighs, then smiles softly. "Cuz you're a good man. So I guess we need a solution or trick. And you got to get better at lying to world conquerors," she points a finger from the hand holding her glass.

Connor chuckles. "You're saying I'm a bad liar?" He already realizes that's the case, though. He takes another swig of his drink.

Grimm straigthens up a bit and grins. "I'm saying...sometimes you're too good a person to lie, even when it's for your own good."

Connor thinks about that, with a smile on his face. "I...can think of worse things, I guess."

Grimm chuckles, her grin growing. "It's not a bad thing. But when it comes to big bads like this? It could be a bit useful."

Connor considers it further. "So, when have I told the truth when I should have lied for my own good?"

Grimm raises up a finger to count off one, "One, you should have told those Krul lackeys someone else more powerful stole the gem and you don't have it anymore. End of list," she grins. Sh lowers her hand and takes a sip.

Connor laughs. "I did state it wasn't in this dimension any longer. I figured that might do it."

"Yeah, but they seemed to think you knew where it was or kept it," Gabrielle comments. She thinks a moment and taps her chin. "Maybe we can manufacture this false threat that may have taken the gem and send them on a wild goose chase -without- torturing you endlessly. To buy time to figure out how to destroy the gem?"

Connor nods. "I could also literally take it on a chase.

Grimm chews on her lip and nods. "You mean like dimension hop across the universe in the hopes they'll go away? How long would you have to keep running like that?"

Connor takes a deep breath. "I don't know. It would help if we knew how they tracked me in the first place. They could still hurt to spite us all anyway, too."

Grimm shifts worriedly. "They could. They could harm earth to make you come back," she sighs.

Connor nods. "That seems like their M.O., for sure. Life is cheap to them. I wonder if we can just...fight. And like Magda suggested, get the other stones from him."

Grimm looks worried about that. "Maybe we can. We managed to handle his lackeys, but it was tough. Well...not really. I couldn't even mentally touch that skinny guy. If we're going to slug it out, we really need to hurry that research on defensive magic, or just pad your kevlar with more layers or something. And maybe figure out a battle ground that'll give us an advantage?"

Connor nods. "I'm not sure where we'd have an advantage. Their speed of arrival here makes it difficult. We'd have to lure them in someplace.

Grimm nods and frowns. "How would we lure them except for camping out in one spot? We were lucky enough heroes were nearby in time. Maybe...your dimension hopping chase means we can find the right spot to ambush that's no on earth?"

Connor sips his drink, "Assumign they can follow into other dimensions. We don't know that yet."

Grimm nods slowly. "We at least know they can't seem to sense into other dimensions." She taps the rim of her glass with her finger as she thinks. "It still seems like your safer bet is to be off-dimension when sleeping or alone, until we know for sure."

Grimm notes, "I haven't heard of him in other dimensions before, so...maybe he isn't capable."

Connor nods. "You might be right. I should probably sleep in the sanctum for a while." He shakes his head slowly. "I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep well, but...well, we'll see."

Grimm thinks a few moments, feeling a bit guilty about Carpenter and not getting to spend enough time with him. "If it'll make you feel better...I can stick with you there. Stay up late and study at the sanctum while you sleep safely? I sleep in late and am up late anyway."

Connor shakes his head, "No, that's okay. I appreciate the thought, though. I'm not sure I'd sleep any better. It's more...thinking about the big picture."

Grimm smiles slyly. "Well, if it's that...I could still help you sleep," she comments and takes a sip.

Connor chuckles. "No. Seriously, it's okay. I'm hoping that the solitude will also help me to do some brainstorming."

Grimm nods, smiling a bit more. She may still get to collect on Jack's offer to make dinner after all. "Sure, no prob. I'll still check in from time to time, just in case. It would suck to find out Krul's capable of dimensional travel by finding the sanctum empty."

Grimm cracks a smile. "Also to make sure you're eating food and stuff. I can bring takeout," she winks.

Connor shrugs, "If he was capable of doing so, he'd already have the gem, woudln't he? Well...unless he couldn't find the sanctum."

"That's the question. If he can track you, he might be able to track you to the sanctum..." Gabrielle suggests.

Connor nods. "It's possible, I guess. Hmm."

"Maybe you can find another dimension to go research at? Something more remote?" Grimm asks and frowns. "I'm sorry. This sucks for you."

Connor chuckles at the idea of 'more remote than a personal sanctum of floating rocks'.

Grimm snorts and rolls her eyes. "I mean someplace that won't lead him straight to your secret personal sanctum." She may have picked up on some of his thoughts, or guessed at what amused him.

Connor takes a deep breath. "Seriously...that's as 'remote' as I can manage."

Grimm thinks a few moments. "Maybe you can hide out with Apostate? I, uh, visited him recently to make sure he wasn't being a complete hermit. Which since he showed up to someplace he saw he was supposed to be, something big, I figured he wasn't being THAT much of a shut in." She rubs her chin. "Maybe we could have a facsimile of you running around here while you're there."

Connor thinks about it. "That's a good point. I did help him a bit with magic. I can probably crash there for a bit."

Grimm nods. "And keep checking your future frequently to avoid getting surprised."

Connor nods. "yeah, that's a good point, too. But I should be cautious to not get obsessive about that."

Grimm smirks a bit. "A little obsession isn't bad in this case. If you start turning into some stern jerk, I'm going to have to cut you off from that," she winks.

Connor shakes his head, "No...you misunderstand. There are lots of stories of people focusing on the future, being able to see it, and becoming obsessed. OR insane."

Connor smiles. "Though Cassandra probably had it the worst."

Grimm blinks at that. "Yeah...I guess that can be addicting. So...don't do that. Or again, I'll have to cut you off," she smiles a bit. "Cassandra?"

Connor nods. "Cassandra from Greek mythology. She would state true prophecies, but was cursed so that no one would believe her. It...took a toll on her eventually."

Grimm chuckles. "That would be infuriating. Your future vision already saved my life, so...I'm inclined to believe you, at least."

Connor smiles. "Well, that was just one example. The Greek gods can be a bit cruel."

"Tell me about it. My mythology class really messed me up," Gabrielle laughs. "Meeting some wasn't AS bad, but I've only met...one or two? I think?"

Connor chuckles. "Who did you meet?"

"Dionysus. Or someone claiming to be him. He was serving free wine at the park for some reason a while back," Gabrielle tries to remember.

Connor smiles. "He's...one of the nicer ones, I think? From what I remember?"

Grimm grins. "Yeah, one of the most popular. God of wine, theater, fertility, and religious ecstasy among others. So all the good partying stuff. There were a few plays with him in it. You may know him more as Bacchus?"

Connor thinks about it. "That's the Roman name, right?"

Grimm nods. "Yup. That's where bacchanal comes from. I had to read some plays about him in class. The Frogs was one, and The Bacchae. One was a comedy."

Connor nods. "I don't think I've read either of those. After things have calmed down a bit, maybe I will."

Grimm nods and smiles. "I actually like greek plays. I think you'd enjoy them, or find them interesting."

Connor smiles and sips his drink. "I woudln't be surprised."

"You wouldn't? Cool," Gabrielle smiles, a bit surprised that he'd be into it, too. Only because it's something she likes. "I guess in the meanwhile while you're thinking big picture stuff with yourself and you, I'll keep studying and practicing on my defenses. Do you need a fake decoy of you here on earth?"

Connor shakes his head. "No. If they can't find me here, they may not attack. IF there's a fake, they might."

Grimm nods. "Fair point," she agrees with a sip.