Protecting Evelyn

12 May 2021. Featuring Evelyn, Jack, Justin.

'***Timestamper'***

Hey

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

hey?

'***Timestamper'***

Are you doing alright?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I think so! The people I'm with seem very nice!

They're protecting me and driving me and helping meeeee

I like them

They're nice people

'***Timestamper'***

I thought you didn't want to go back?

Why the change of heart?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I don't want to go back

but I have to

oath

I swore :cry:

i want to go home.

'***Timestamper'***

If I may be so bold, what did you swear? Maybe there is a loophole you haven't noticed?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I swore lots... this oath is pretty simple. I swore to do what they say unless it was suicidal, would make me break my word, or meant i had to kill people.

don't suggest just... making an oath not to do what they say. am not allowed to do that. he wasn't stupid, simply... not human.

'***Timestamper'***

Give me a bit to think this over.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter):'***

Aren't you a chronomancer?

Can I literally give you time?

Is that a thing?

'***Timestamper:'***

Uh... there are ways for that to work. Why?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

You said 'give me a bit', was that literal?

'***Timestamper'***

No, I don't usually do that except to fae. I think they get something out of noticing it but I'm not sure.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Oh. How does that work anyway? Do you not exist for a while?

'***Timestamper'***

Have you ever heard of 'losing time' in more mundane situations?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Done that a loooooot. There were lots of things where I just hid away in my brain for a while. Made things easier.

'***Timestamper'***

Its kinda like that. They lose perceptional time mostly. Like they can't remember things for a bit.

Anyway, I think I may have found a solution but it could be worse than the problem....

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

So if I give you time I wouldn't need to remember it?

'***Timestamper'***

That would be how it usually works.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I don't want to remember going back.

'***Timestamper'***

Are you asking me to take all the time from the trip back off you?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

No!!!! No, these people seem nice. I like being around them. I want to remember that.

Just.

I have to get back eventually.

i don't like going there.

its dark and mean and there are things and I think I took other people there once and I don't like thinking about that

i don't like it

'***Timestamper'***

You can avoid doing things if its suicidal correct?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

... what are you

what are you thinking

'***Timestamper'***

I'm thinking somehow you should make going back suicidal. A choker that kills you if you return maybe? Can anyone craft something like that near you?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I can't

I

I don't

I don't think I can do that

'***Timestamper'***

What is compelling you to go back? Like what is actually compelling you to return? An oath you already made? An order that pulls on you? A compelling enchantment?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Orders. He told me to come back. I'm oathsworn to do what he says.

'***Timestamper'***

Do the people around you know how to get back or is it just you?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

They're taking me back to Anchorage. They... they don't know where to go from there, I think. I don't know how they'd know.

'***Timestamper'***

I'm not sure if I could mess up your memory over this medium but I could try. If you can't remember how to get there it could buy you some time maybe?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I can't... I can't let you do that. its. its sweet that you'd offer?

'***Timestamper'***

Okay, well how well do you remember the way back anyway? Do we have a chance of interrupting you on your way or do you know the way well enough to just dodge us since you'd be oathbound to do so I think?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

oh, right, you're with the strange person who just decided to come to anchorage, aren't you?

why did they do that?

'***Timestamper'***

Identity crisis, I think.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

strange. its not safe there. I don't know. I don't know where you'd be planning to go, there. They'd probably distract you, maybe. She was on OMO. She probably read that thing.

I remember it very well. If I don't then my spirits know the way.

I don't htink they can not know the way. Its the way back to what thay were made from.

With Zachary and Xander out sparring, Evelyn and Justin were left in the hotel room, some movie playing on the TV that neither of them are paying much attention to. Evelyn, because she's busy paying attention to something on her phone. Justin, because he's very distracted by how suddenly stressed she's become. "Hey, are you okay?" he asks.

The girl blinks, looking over at him. “Um. I think so. Yes.” She looks back at her phone. “People are strange,” she mutters. “Why would you...” she trails off.

He nods at her second statement, then looks confused. Concerned, if she's looking closely. "Why would I...?"

“Not you! Them!” She frowns. “Why are they worrying? Why would they offer to take my memories? I’m Echo’s apprentice, why would anyone else *care*?”

He looks more concerned now. "Someone's offering to take your memories? Did they say... why?" Visions dance in his head of yet another child-victimizing Fae on OMO. He pulls out his phone.

'***Timestamper'***

Made from? Are you constructed from this place?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

No, my spirits. They were... I called them there, from a part of him.

I'm not sure how to explain.

'***Timestamper'***

Like you are made from... him? Replaced parts of lost Self or something?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

A bit! My flair is honest. He remade me somewhat, so I could better Host spirits of Winter, and then I completed the task by slicing out my own flesh and carving in the runes he taught. I am slightly made up of what He is, and then I brought in the spirits who originated from him.

...

it made sense at the time?

'***Timestamper'***

A lot of things make sense to people in the moment. I don't blame you there. Why did you leave?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I found Echo's post. And I talked to Echo. And... I was. ... I don't like Anchorage. Echo offered... a lot.

I was. missing memories. someone else was... they... they weren't around anymore. and some people were saying he was last with me. but i don't. i don't remember.

'***Timestamper'***

Do you forget memories a lot?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

not anymore.

but there's... there's a lot i don't want to think about.

there's a lot missing.

'***Timestamper'***

I'm sorry you had it like that. Have you ever retrieved one of those memories?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

why would I? How would I?

I think it’s all bad. I don’t want to think about it.

'***Timestamper'***

Then don't think about it. Better for you to enjoy the here and now you have than the past you can't recall or the future you don't know right?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

yes!!! Now is nice. These people seem nice. I hope they stay nice. They promised.

'***Timestamper'***

Tell me about them. I'd like to know what's going on around you right now.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

We’re in a hotel room. They need rest, apparently. The other two are out.

wish they’d come back. I feel safer when they’re there.

'***Timestamper'***

They keeping you safe?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

yes!

'***Timestamper'***

Hey, would you do me a favor?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

maybe?

'***Timestamper'***

Can you draw a diagram so I can get a link to your location?

"So I wouldn't remember the way back there. So it'd take longer." She makes a sad noise. "Don't think it would work. Even if I forgot, Chill and Owl would probably remember."

"Ahh," he says, frowning. "Well, it isn't too weird that people who aren't Echo would care about you. You're a nice person, you probably have more friends than you think. Like this person you're talking to."

"Since when do friends do things for you?" The girl sounds *confused*. "Don't they just... ask you to do things for them, and then get upset if you don't? Why would they offer?" She looks down at her phone. "He... wants me to draw a diagram?" She sounds very, very, very confused. "I don't understand."

Justin looks like someone's just hit him. "No, no," he says, searching for words. "A friend is someone who... you each do things for each other, because you want to. Because you like each other." He swallows.

"Although, someone asking you to draw a diagram is a little unusual, at least. Um, do you mind if I ask who's asking you to do that? Is it someone from OMO, or...?"

Wings looks over at Justin, for a moment, and she clearly doesn't seem to quite get it. "Um. Timestamper. Chronomancer? He's apparently with the other people who want to go to Alaska? That was *weird*."

He nods, then pauses. "Wait, there's other people going to Alaska?" He looks at the OMO public chat on his phone, where there have been no new posts in four hours.

'***Inkstainer'***

**DM to @Timestamper :**

Hey are you talking to wings

If your planning something please let me know

"Glory and Business Casualty and Silver and Timestamper. Glory said a while ago. I think before you picked me up. It was really confusing. I said I didn't think they could help." The girl shrugs, a bit helplessly. "I don't know why they would. I've only really talked to Timestamper of those, I think."

"Huh. I... well, at least their hearts are probably in the right place," he says. "Did he say *why* he wanted you to draw a diagram?"

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

why would I do that?

'***Timestamper'***

So that I can protect you better. That's what this trip I'm on is about I think.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

but what would it do?

'***Timestamper'***

Chronomancy hopefully. More specifically it would hopefully buy you some time with your current companions.

I'm trying to extend the time you have with the people you're with now.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i want more time with them. but. but I want to get there, too. I can't go home until I get there.

He said! he said to get there as fast as I could

'***Timestamper'***

Fast is a matter of speed. I'm changing how quick it is. I don't believe I'm doing anything to change it in a way that breaks your oaths.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i don't understand

if I have more time with them, doesn't that mean that it takes longer to get there?

'***Timestamper'***

Okay so chronomancy can get kinda confusing here. I can shove time into places it wouldn't normally be. Change how long things feel without changing how long they are at times too. Does that make sense?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Kind of? So. So it wouldn't actually take longer?

'***Timestamper'***

I won't say that it won't change the time because anything could change how long it takes. What I will say is that I don't intend to use the diagram to alter your speed intentionally.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

??????? I'm confused

'***Timestamper'***

Which part?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

all of it?

"Something about messing with time?" The girl frowns at the phone. "So he could protect me? I don't think I can let him do that? I don't understand what he's trying to do. Would I slow down or *not*? What is he *saying*?" She sounds *really* stressed and confused.

'***Timestamper'***

Yeah, I am. To both those things. I'm planning to fuck up her memories of how to get back to the place she is going. Is that going to be a problem?

'***Inkstainer'***

She's super stressed and said it wouldn't work because her spirits would still know probably

I have a plan but she needs to be relaxed for it to work I think

'***Timestamper'***

It wouldn't alter your travel speed that I know of. Is that clear enough?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I think so. but then why would you do it?

'***Timestamper'***

I thought you would want more time with your companions. Don't you?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

I want... i want to go home.

'***Timestamper'***

You can want more than one thing. Sometimes wants are confusing and hard to understand.

Please let me help you?

"Hey, take a deep breath," Justin says, trying to be calming. "Could you read me exactly what he sent? I might be able to translate."

She takes a shuddering breath, and the air in the room notably chills, frost crawling along the girl's skin. "Um. It says...

'More specifically it would hopefully buy you some time with your current companions.

I'm trying to extend the time you have with the people you're with now. Fast is a matter of speed. I'm changing how quick it is. I don't believe I'm doing anything to change it in a way that breaks your oaths.' And, uh... it says... 'I can shove time into places it wouldn't normally be. Change how long things feel without changing how long they are at times too. Does that make sense? I won't say that it won't change the time because anything could change how long it takes. What I will say is that I don't intend to use the diagram to alter your speed intentionally.'"

The girl lets out a big breath, after that whole spiel, slumping a little.

'***Timestamper'***

Let me know what to do. I think I'm balancing on the edge of the truth over here.

'***Inkstainer'***

Can you take time from someone over a distance and when you do it are they still there, just not doing anything or noticing anything

'***Timestamper'***

I think I can take time over a distance but they shouldn't lose all awareness. I should be able to get rid of all their memory. Like even object permanence should be gone. Would that work?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i'm. i'm not. sure.

what if they don't want more time with me?

'***Timestamper'***

Wings, please. I don't think you understand how far people would go for you.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Echo would kill people. but they're not Echo.

just. just because they're willing to protect me doesn't mean they like me.

just because I want something doesn't mean other people want it too

'***Timestamper'***

Have you ever killed anyone? Stolen what you didn't need? Done wrong for selfish reasons? Do you think you are a good person?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

um.

'***Timestamper'***

I'm checking something

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i. i think. I think chill. I think we. I think we did.

'***Timestamper'***

And the rest of the questions?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i'm not. define need? we. probably didn't need it. i'm not. I'm not sure. we don't know.

As she keeps on typing into the phone she is visibly getting more anxious, which the cold leaking from her isn't containing; if Justin looks at her under Sight, the bird in her heart is shifting forward.

'***Inkstainer'***

Hey stop

She is freaking out

The room is so cold

'***Timestamper'***

Fuck. Sorry, I'm trying to comfort but its hard to do from here. Calm her down please.

"Let me get you a glass of water," he says, standing up and talking as he goes.

"It sounds like he's saying that if he does his ritual, and you draw the diagram, that he'll make it *feel* like we're able to travel together longer. But it probably won't *actually* slow us down."

He pours ice and bottled water into the glass, and when he knows she's looking at her phone, also puts in a single drop from a small bottle and a bit else from another bottle. He swirls the cup around, ice clinking off of the glass.

"I think that would be nice, personally. It's fun seeing the sights, visiting different parts of Canada with you and the crew."

'***Inkstainer'***

Trying don't worry talking to her is hard sometimes

Think she has bad social anxiety or something

'***Timestamper'***

Switching up my strategy. Going for the comforting immediately. I'd send you the diagram but that would look really suspicious I think.

The girl's breathing is shuddery. "You. You'd *want* that? But... *why?*" She looks over at Justin, completely earnest. "But its... I thought people don't like being cold. Doesn't it hurt?"

He shrugs. "It's easy to put on a jacket. And you're good company. It's fun when you get excited about things." He says it with an easy smile, bringing the glass of water back over to her. "Here. Take a deep breath and drink some water. It should help."

'***Timestamper'***

See this is kinda what I was expecting. You don't actually know for certain. You aren't a bad person in my opinion and I think others have probably come to the same opinion. People want to help you because they have compassion and they see you need that.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

they never seemed to want to before

not really

some of them pretended to for a while

until they got bored

'***Timestamper'***

People come and go. It can be hard but that doesn't mean they don't have compassion. Goodness I wish I could give you a hug.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

they weren't very nice before. it was better after I got my spirits. they left me alone.

'***Timestamper'***

Some people are punks. If you aren't going to draw the diagram, which is fine, please consider your friends and what they mean to you.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

what do you mean?

'***Timestamper'***

What do you think of your friends?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

they seem nice

'***Timestamper'***

Do you like them?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

Yep yep yep! They told me stories! And they were nice, and they promised

'***Timestamper'***

Do you think they like you?

Her gaze fixes on his for a moment, a bit desperately, and she swallows. She takes the glass of 'water', and it... doesn't freeze, which is weird, but she doesn't seem to notice as she drinks it down.

She makes a face, settling in. "Tasted weird," she mutters. She's already slumping a little.

"Take it easy," he says, sitting back down next to her. "How are you feeling?"

"Bit sleepy," she mutters. Justin has the distinct sense the bird in her heart is looking at him suspiciously, but it seems to be retreating down. The chill in the air is retreating back under her skin. "Not sure otherwise."

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

i hop so

huip

Hhiop

*Hope*

'***Timestamper'***

You good?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

sleepy

'***Timestamper'***

Do you need to go to bed?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

idk

am comfy

'***Inkstainer'***

okay, I think she's calmed down now.

'***Timestamper'***

That seemed sudden

'***Inkstainer'***

It was. I think she's been stressed about having to go back for a while, though.

'***Timestamper'***

Why not take a nap?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

rnt we tlking?

'***Timestamper'***

Can you stay awake? You seem to be having difficulty typing.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

mayb owl cn do it?

'***Timestamper'***

Who is that?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

spirit!

fav spirit

'***Timestamper'***

What now? I don't think she wants to do the diagram.

'***Inkstainer'***

Are you coming up to try to help her?

'***Timestamper'***

Eventually I think but it'll take a while. I'm not sure how long though. I think we are going to be in Saskatoon soon.

"It's late, so if you feel sleepy, there's nothing wrong with just going to sleep," he says. His voice is soft, kind, but his hands are shaking a little.

"Y'sure?" The girl's voice is kind of slurred as she curls into her seat, drawing her legs up, fingers stuttering over the keys of her phone. "Could. could get Owl t' take over fr a bit?"

'***Timestamper'***

Have I spoken to them before?

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

maaaaaaybe? she talked a bit. i rmember ofdddeep being weird bout t

'***Timestamper'***

Of\_Deep is a strange one I think. Civil best I can tell though. No offence to Owl but I messaged you for a reason. I don't know what I'd talk about with Owl.

"Does Owl *want* to take over for a bit? And while they're out here, would you be able to rest?"

"She's... i'mnotsure. She's being a bit weird. I think i'd rest a bit? Not as much. but am talking, aren't I?"

"I like talking with you," he says carefully, "And I also think you need and deserve your rest. So if you think she *wants* to take over, then I don't think I can tell her not to, but it's not the same as talking to you."

'***Inkstainer'***

That's fair. She definitely needs more friends and support.

We're far out of Anchorage too, right now. I'm waiting for her teacher to let me know if I need to do anything other than stall & drive the speed limit, and I'm hoping he can get it sorted before we arrive. But if he can't, then... I don't know what she told you but I think she's sworn an oath to go back as quickly as possible. So please don't mention the possibility of plane tickets to her or anything like that.

'***WingsWhiteThatGleam (TouchedByWinter)'***

... she dsnt wanna talk.we talk later? u seem nice. sry not cepting help. s confusing.

gnight?

'***Timestamper'***

Goodnight, Wings.

The girl curls up further in her chair. With exquisite care she reaches out and puts the cup on a nearby table. "Tired," she mutters. She types a few last things into her phone, and then clicks it off. She puts it on the table too, and then curls up entirely in her chair. "Night-night," she says softly.

It doesn't take long for her breathing to even out into the familiar patterns of sleep. The air doesn't get *warm*, but the cold isn't nearly as bad, Chill withdrawn nearly entirely under her skin. Under Sight her spirits don't seem entirely asleep; Beaver, settled into the base of her spine, seems to be busy with something. Chill seems completely inactive. Owl is settled and lethargic, but not quite asleep.

'***Timestamper'***

I'm kinda sad that I couldn't get the diagram thing going but hopefully her teacher can figure something.

'***Inkstainer'***

Sorry about that. It was a good idea.

Hey. If you did take the memories, would she know they're gone? What if I drew the diagram?

'***Timestamper'***

If she is asleep then maybe. She'd need to be in the diagram and if she is actively thinking about the memories it could be very hard to scramble them.

We can try though. If you want?

'***Inkstainer'***

If it won't tip her off then I think we should try. Can you send me what to draw?

'***Timestamper'***

[Moderately large and complex diagram that'll take a minimum of fifteen minutes to draw] Is that doable?

'***Inkstainer'***

Should be. I'll let you know when it's done.

Justin takes the not-quite-empty cup and pours it down the drain.

Then he pulls out his pen, glances at the complex diagram Timestamper sent over - *now this is a good guy to know, that's a pretty nice one* - saves the image to one of his phone's hidden folders, and starts laying down sticky notes around where Wings is sleeping.

Quietly, he draws the diagram that Timestamper sent. Maybe his is a little bit more aesthetically inspired - he's always had a fondness for line weight and artistic flair - but he copies it as best as he can, considering his Implement.

There’s a bit of a fluttering noise - Justin looks over in alarm, and the bird seems about to act, but then the beaver grabs it. What exactly they’re doing is hard to discern, but it seems purely internal.

Justin backs off. He deadbolts the hotel room door.

'***Inkstainer'***

Think I'm done.

'***Timestamper'***

Alright. Don't be near it. I'll see what I can do.

The sound of sand falling on the floor mingles with a very soft clinking noise. In a nearly identical circle inside Glory's demesne Jack is chanting a low rhythmic invocation. A little conjured up zeitgeist listening attentively to every word.

Justin sees the diagram begin ticking like a massive clock on the floor. Something shifted in the air within the diagram. Wings seemed out of time with the rest of the room.

Jack ties tight eight knots into a long piece of twine while focusing on speaking, "Hark, banish the memory that guides the foot to its place. May the eye forget all it sees. This night may these words ring true and in the morning may it be as ever before!" He ties the last knot as the ritual begins to wind down.

Something shifts back jaggedly near the end and everything goes still.

Justin stands in the doorway and looks around the room and at Wings, still sleeping in the chair. He pulls out his phone to check for any messages from Timestamper. Nothing.

Just in case everything goes terribly wrong, he opens his private messages with Condor. Reading through the most recent messages, he can't help but smile before sending a heart emoji and a short message. Something that won't seem too out of place if this goes well, but that could serve as a small piece of closure if it doesn't. The kind of message he'd received throughout his childhood from his parents, then from his mother.

He opens the message with Zachary and Xander. "Hey guys, can you grab some food on the way back? I'm feeling pizza," he types. That should buy him more time. Justin shoves the eventual confrontation with them out of his mind. '*She'll be safe. That's what matters,*' he tells himself.

It's time. He didn't expect it to come so early, but Timestamper showed up, and, well. An opportunity is an opportunity. Seize the day, they say, he tells himself. There's a dull resignation in his chest, a willful shoving aside of anxiety and attachment.

He opened his final DM before the show. Echo. "Consider the binding failed and me incapacitated." He sets a timer until send - three hours. He sets a very, very loud alarm on his phone labeled 'check messages to Echo'- two hours. He removes the lock on his phone.

It's been a while since he's done this. Since he's set up the basic failsafes his family taught him, prepared to bind something. This time it isn't a monster: it's a girl and a small collection of spirits. In some senses that makes it harder; he was never very good at human binding the way his sisters had been.

Justin Liang pulled out the stack of sticky notes that he'd prepared for her, late at night. Cold. He laid them out in a circle around her, outside of the diagram he'd already set, venting cold air into the middle. He prayed. *Please be comfortable. Please be quiet. This is for your own good.*

Next he set down his lions - far from each other in corners of the room, but not so far he couldn't power the ritual. Between them, dead center, he set the rest of his bottle of terror. Almost full. He needed the power, here, if he were to drive the rest of the way. *Or if he were to evade the two most competent martial combatants he'd ever met.*

He laid out the sticky notes slowly, carefully. It's a pattern he knows, that's older than he is. He says the words in the language of his forefathers. The hotel room disappears in a circle, replaced by a grassy meadow. He's flanked by two invisible men, each over a head taller than him and dripping ink, each as vigilant as a devoted bodyguard. Perhaps more than.

With one word from Justin, one exertion of his will, the grass becomes frosted. The temperature plummets as he grabs a chain and walks towards Evelyn sleeping on the chair.

There was no small animal to sacrifice to Owl; all he knew was her common name and that she was a bird. If he'd planned ahead better, he would have brought some mice for her. There was no planning and no time. Instead he pulled his pen from its pocket and slashed the palm heel of his left hand. The nib was sharp and drops of blood tainted with ink poured down into the circle.

"Unknown huntress, I plead with you - take my offering spilled freely and believe that I do not wish to be your enemy, nor do I wish to harm the girl who Hosts you."

He looks like he's about to cry, but he isn't slowing down.

There's a fluttering sound, and then the Owl-spirit is facing him, perched atop her Host. She's a gorgeous creature, about the size of a pumpkin, with bright amber eyes and white feathers, speckled with black; her feathers are ruffled and raised as if prepared for an attack. "*What are you doing?*" she demands. "*Something is wrong, and we know it. What do you seek from us?*"

Justin Liang stops, looks up at her. "You are Owl?" His eyes widen in recognition of her beauty before he smothers it and gives a fairly deep bow. "I feel that we have no quarrel. I am here to help ensure the safety of your host. I have no intention to harm her, you, or any other spirit within.  I have made it as cold as I can stand. I will bring you what I can. Please work with me."

He slowly rises and continues walking forward, carrying the chain; as he does so, his Guardians follow him. They trust Owl far less than he does.

The bird seems... torn. Justin has shown respect, as sincerely and completely as possible, and Practitioners do not *lie*. But...

But what? There is something they need to do, but the bird doesn't know what it is. There is only herself and her Host under her claws, and the man before her, who promised them help.

"*How?*" Owl's wings flutter somewhat. "*I don't understand. Why do you need to do this?*"

He frowns. He's closer to tears, but the young man before Owl looks resigned to his fate. "I don't need to. If I cared nothing for those around me, I would not be here. But I have to, now, and I don't want to hurt you. Please work with me here, for a better future for all of us."

He hesitates, looking down for a long moment and wiping at his face. When he faces her, his voice is steady and his face is as stone - smoother and more vibrant, younger, than she's ever seen it before.

"What do you wish for? I can bring you prey. Soon I will let go of you, your host and the others. This could be just a bad dream for you.

“Please."

"*I wish...*" The bird wants... The memories aren't there. "*Flight, where it is safe and it is cold.*" That was what mattered most. "*If you can get us that... what do you need from me?*"

"Lady Owl, I need only your cooperation." He offers the chain and shackle to her, as if presenting a sword. "If you accept this for now, I would swear to you that I will not hold you a second longer than is needed to keep your Host safe, on my word as a Practitioner and my name. I would swear to you that there is another who likely matters far more than I do to her, who I would bring you and her to, who knows far more of deals and concessions and flight. I would swear to you that I wish to see you fly where it is safe and cold, and I would work to take you there."

He hesitates, but only for a moment.

"Please."

Strix hesitates. She does not want to be chained. She does not want to be Bound. Her nature is to fly; that was what she was born for, made for, to spread her wings and take a soul to the sky.

But...

"*You swear,*" she says, and her voice is the ripple of the highest winter winds, a bird's shriek. "*If you do not swear, Practitioner, then may the frost take you and tear you asunder. But if you keep to your word and grant us that you have said... very well, Practitioner. I accept.*"

He holds the chain, lifts it to his mouth, whispers to it a dream of length and freedom and flight in his mother tongue. He isn't sure if it will work, but he does it before approaching her. "Thank you, Lady Owl." He is. He is grateful. He is fearful. He is terrified that she will realize what has happened and decide to tear him apart here and now.

He lifts the chain and closes one of the shackles around Evelyn's thin wrists. He heads back to the pillar to take another.

Strix makes a low, rumbling sound of unhappiness, her feathers ruffled and out of sorts, and then she slips back inside her peacefully sleeping Host, curling up in her Heart.

"I'm sorry," he says, returning with another chain, which he attaches to her wrists. "I didn't want this. I don't. Want this." He looks at the chair, at her, at the chain, at the pillar. "Okay -"

With effort, he lifts the chair, with Evelyn still sleeping, into the circle. Then he returns to the pillar to take the third chain.

Another spirit stirs, inside her. A beaver. It looks at Justin evenly, and then... actually offers its assistance, weaving spirit-stuff into the Binding and tugging it closer around them all.

He nods at the beaver. "Thank you. I'll do my best to see you released soon." He walks forward with the third chain, fastening it around her ankle. His face is blank; his eyes are seeing the chains and the girl he can't back out of binding now, but in his mind he's far away, somewhere warm and safe and in someone's arms. Somewhere, in a tiny part of his mind, he wonders if he can distantly feel being someone else in the same position with the same dreams.

He grabs the final chain and takes it to her in the stolen hotel room chair. She's so small, he thinks. He blinks and centers himself again. Would he rather steal the chair and pay the damages or carry her out of it, place her on the frozen grass and soil he'd made?

Theft it was.

He presses the fourth chain - *death*, his mother would say, to fasten to her ankle. The last chain of the bindings he'd never wanted to give. She wouldn't die. Right? He's keeping her safe. He holds on to that.

He sat back, then laid back, in the frozen grass to stare at the hotel room's ceiling. He fumbles for the text meant to send to Echo, deletes it. Re-writes it.

"Take all the time you need. She's safe. Tell me when you want to meet." If his fingers were clumsy and he made mistakes, he can't tell. It's clear enough. He sends it.

Only now does he let himself feel the cold of his temporary demesne, lets it seep into his bones and head until there's only one thought left in his head. He dismisses his Guardians to focus on it.

*What have I done?*

Immediately followed by Evelyn's Binding: The Aftermath