[Mary's Studio]
A wind howls through the air, adding to the whirling of cars that pass by. Standing in front of Mary's studio that's walking distance from her apartment, Daniel lifts his head as he and Viviane wait for Mary to open the door for them.
"A bit chillier than usual," he remarks.
It's just a small sign of the larger seasonal changes to arrive as Summer nears its end within Keystone. Of course, being in the North Dakota, warm temperatures only last a few months compared to the states in the South.
Viviane hums neutrally as she looks into the distance where mountains trail behind the haze of morning pollution. Somewhere in the vicinity, the observatory that Rachel works at should still be there. Thanks to her first call with the astronomer, she can't help wade into memories of Amy's time working with her.
However, she quickly reigns herself in, harrumphing to her son. "I'd be able to relate better to the temperature if someone let Mommy keep their body."
Daniel slumps, shutting his eyes to a wry smile. "You just had to say it like that, didn't you?"
"It's true, no?" his silver mother hits back, her eyes annoyingly sly.
"Yes, but let's not claim being anyone's mother in front of Marlin. It's bad enough that Rachel knows."
"Really? I think our call went pretty well!"
That's a bit subjective.
While Daniel kept silent within his mother during the call, not that he had much of a choice, he felt Rachel was more surprised than anything. She had been caught up on Viviane's background by Anne, but struggled on whether to treat this slime mother like her friend or as a literal figure of Arthurian mythology.
He had to admit, it was amusing to hear Rachel fumble initially when she expected him to answer the phone. Beyond some confirming queries, she mostly wanted to know when they'd come over to align on next steps, especially since she has updates from Mike.
However, she insisted any discussion could wait until they meet in person. The wait only serves to whip Daniel's worries.
He sighs. "In any case, I was thinking we'd drop by her home, so why did you have to invite them over here?"
His slime mother huffs. "What do you mean 'why'? It's only natural to come together when we have Marlin and Rachel in the know."
"Ugh." Daniel wishes he could refute the rationale. Beyond having to deal with more people, he'll also have to put up with more of Rachel's disapproval over his current... arrangement with his slime mothers.
"Mom really let it slip," he mutters.
"Let's not beat the past more than once, child. You know very well your Mama was pushed to the limits with her connection to Rachel."
"I'm aware," Daniel gives, closing his eyes. "I'm glad she's accepting of you guys despite everything, but I wish she and others didn't come with strings attached."
"Child, where does an existence like me and Anne go that doesn't come with strings attached?"
"That's...true."
She slides her hand into his. "So, we'll pick apart these strings, those that threaten our connection and those that do not. If any strings cause a problem..."
Her eyes close to a smile. "I'll just cut them!"
Daniel shivers. Before he can follow up her meaning, the door clicks.
"Good morning, love!" Mary chirps as the door opens. The burst of her arrival shakes her expected friends, but they can't respond as she suddenly resets, her smile fading and eyes narrowed at Daniel. "Also, thanks for leaving me behind last night, you jerk."
Said "jerk" raises his brow. "Last night? But you were with u—aah!?"
Gasping, Viviane loses her hold on him, snatched away as Mary swings him inside. Ingoring the silver slime mother's indignant grumbling, Mary flashes a grin. "Here's a little something to clear the confusion."
With that declaration, her lips locked onto his. Daniel blinked, mind momentarily blank. The kiss was unnaturally cool, sucking away his warmth as her hands traveled around him. Feeling more drop in temperature than the outside weather, the familiar sensation does clear his confusion. Pushing all other thoughts away, he leans into the now-identified clone, inhaling Mary all the same.
A few apologetic squeezes and moans later, the clone pulls back, giggling. "That's somewhat better, although I wish I could feel you, love. Damn it, this is all my self's fault!"
Catching his breath, Daniel cocks his head. "I thought you and Mary would have rejoined by now?"
"You would think." A huff of annoyance ripples through her gelatinous form. "Anyway, did you guys bring the books?"
"...Hrmm." Viviane steps into the lobby with a pout. Ripped away from her sweet artist, she refuses to greet the third slime, only turning to show the Book of Isis and Victor's textbook tucked in her arm.
Daniel lets out a soft sigh as she clings back to him. "Rachel and Anne will also be joining us shortly," he adds.
Unfazed, the clone whistles. "A party, huh? Looks like we'll have quite the lunch later. Before that, let's introduce you properly to my uncle."
Daniel can't help but swallow. "I know you're fine, but what's proper about this? He's part of a cult."
"Ah, well... the good news is that he's only a member on paper."
"... Okay? What's the bad news?"
"The... the cult. There's still a cult."
"..."
"And they're here in Keystone now."
"...!"
At Daniel's silence and soured lips, Mary's eyes and body creak sideways. "Look, it's better if you hear the rest from him."
"I...I don't think I want to anymore."
"Well, that's too bad."
Daniel groans, but understands there's little choice in the matter. With a reluctant nod, he and Viviane follow the clone into the hallway from the lobby. As they turn into the lounge, he catches the original Mary's back. Her posture straightens as she senses them behind her, then waves.
Opposite, Marlin doesn't react, his eyes distant in his own thoughts. Creases along his face weigh the man, more distressed than Daniel saw of him in the shared memories. Only after a few seconds pass does the uncle's eyes flicker to finally notice Viviane and Daniel standing by the door as well. He quickly rises to meet them.
"You must be Daniel," he says, forcing a smile as he extends a hand. "I'm Marlin."
Daniel edges closer, his lips forming an equally rigid line as he takes the offered hand. "Yes, I'm Daniel. It's nice to meet you."
The handshake is brief and understandably stiff. As they all find their seats, Viviane settles the books on the table. Marlin's gaze falls on them, recognizing the "gift" that began all of this trouble for him. He's curious as to what they could've discovered on their own.
For now, he turns to his niece. "I assume your boyfriend here was shared memories too?"
Mary crosses her arms. "Only up to last night, so he knows about the pub visit and what my clone saw, but that's all." She glances from Daniel back to her uncle, the nudges forward. "Please, tell him what you told us. About 'The Order' and their recent attacks."
Daniel stills. 'Attacks?'
Marlin tenses as well, his hands clasping on his mug. "Right." He takes a deep breath, staring straight into his Daniel's eyes. He has plenty of reservations about the man who brought this risk of otherworldly slimes into Mary's life, but he's in no position to cast stones.
He's not the one part of a cult, after all.
"As I was telling Mary," Marlin begins. "I joined a group a few years ago called 'The Order'."
Watching Viviane and Daniel, he lets the name settle in their heads before continuing. "They're followers of Isis, so naturally, they hold exclusive archives. I only joined so that I could use them to understand the book I received, but as you might expect from a cult, they don't play too nicely. I'm afraid to say, I think I ran out of luck now."
Viviane scoffs. "You don't say? I'm concerned what they know that would've been helpful to you, but more than that, what of these attacks?"
Marlin thins his lips. "Well, for one, they're responsible for Lecia's 'accident'."
Lighting strikes Viviane and Daniel, their pupils contracting. As their faces fall to the implications, Marlin doesn't wait to recount the past week. He details everything from the assault on Lecia's men in Egypt to being approached by Nico at the airport. All of this twists Daniel in his seat, fully recognizing this group to be the culprit Mike was searching for.
'God damn it. Of course, it would turn out like this.'
His slime mother recovers better as she leans forward. "From what I've read, the driver that hit her car had a heart attack at the wheel. Unless there's a cover-up, how could that crash be coordinated?"
"We shouldn't follow standard logic here," Marlin reminds, directing his stare back into the dark liquid he holds. "While I don't know how they organized the crash, it was evident to me yesterday they have people higher-up who can conjure the same flames I've tried studying."
A collective tension snaps through the room. They know so little about these flames, so hearing that there's more people like Merlin or Victor raises the temperature in the air. The latter did warn Daniel of this case, but nobody expected the reality to hit so soon.
"By yesterday, you're not referring to when you visited the pub, are you?" Mary asks.
Sadly, Marlin nods, resuming where he left off with her. "Since your clone was watching me, you know I ordered the suspiciously-named cocktail at that bar. I figured that would be the sign for someone who works there to come."
His eyes fall as he snorts. "Well, someone did come, but not before it felt like my senses were ripped away. Whether it was real or in my head, a woman was sitting beside me before I knew it."
Lifting back to the four, the lines on his face deepens. "She introduced herself Morgan, a member of the council."
The four listening raise their brows together.
"A... council?" Daniel questions.
"Yes," Marlin answers, his gaze weary. "The Order is led by a group, but I don't know much about them. Beyond hearing about names from the past, she's the first one I've had the pleasure to meet."
"Doesn't sound like it," Mary observes.
Her uncle's lips twist into a grim smile. "No, of course not. I was scared shitless!" Gathering air and some composure as he recalls the dark eyes that suffocated him, he resumes. "Morgan is able to use the flames that I've studied for so long, and it became clear there are deeper secrets to this cult than I thought. Not only is she aware of Merlin's existence, but she knows that I had been given by something related to him. They were... waiting for me to have answers."
Daniel pales. "That's not good. Did you tell...?"
Marlin shakes his head, glancing to the Book of Isis. "No, something caused her to be kicked out of my mind before I could be pressured to reveal any of you guys or my findings. It was a small touch on me, then a blue fire enveloped her. It happened too quickly for me to react, but she wasn't surprised at all. I'm certain this won't be the last time I'll see her."
"Sounds like you were protected. In fact, this is almost like how Lecia was enveloped after touching Victor's book."
"Perhaps." Marlin's eyes shift to the other one on the table. "I assume that's the one?"
Daniel nods. "It's not the same one as the library copy, but it demonstrates the same behavior for Viviane. Both the library copy and this one show blank for her."
The uncle blinks before switching the slime. "You didn't mention that part. I only recall you saying blue flames surround Lecia when she read it."
Viviane sighs, half-slumped. "That's largely because I can't make sense of it. Outside, everyone, including Anne and Mary, can read it fine. While his report might be relevant to me, it only goes through what's already known in history, so I don't understand the point."
Marlin hums. He does have to tell them the truth about Victor, a name that used to be associated with the council, and one that Morgan labeled a 'traitor'. It's possible there are clues to help understand Lecia's current whereabouts, but he doesn't want to get ahead of himself.
Right now, he's more worried about his and Mary's safety.
"Well, as far as this strange fire, I don't remember seeing it envelop me," Marlin continues. "It could've happened without my knowledge, but no matter reason, it's clear the magic goes beyond physical protection."
Knuckles whitening, he grits his teeth as his voice grows hoarse. "Still, I don't know if it'll help me next time. Morgan and others know that I'm visiting Mary, so we're not safe here. At the same time, if we try to leave hastily, it'll be..."
"Uncle, uncle," the real Mary whispers softly, leaning forward to collapse her hand over his. "Breathe. Don't believe we're trapped yet."
Is that true?
Marlin can only hope so, shutting his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Mary."
"Please, uncle. What else does this Morgan know?"
The bald man inhales slowly. His hands on the table relax as he forces his gaze to Viviane. "I asked about the Flood. To be honest, this is a prophecy that is well known within The Order. She seemed to be anticipating your arrival... or maybe Nimue's arrival based on what you told me from your encounters with Merlin."
Viviane holds herself calmly, even as her gelatinous fill shakes. "How so?"
"While I don't think she's aware that you're being housed here, she described exactly as you had..."
> "A seal has come undone from the stars, and with it, we should have the first trickle upon us. The remnant of our goddess will fill in the key to changing this world, so everyone may become equal and loved."
"Remnant," Marlin repeats after relaying Morgan's words. "Is that what you are?"
Viviane snorts, drawing her eyes to the Book of Isis on the table. "It hardly explains what we are, but yes. With what we learned last night from the book you were hiding, I'm afraid she might not be wrong."
"Wait... You were able to understand it?!" Marlin shouts, lifting slightly.
"Not here," Viviane clarifies quickly. "We entered the dream realm I've held for the first time. Not only can I bring people within me while we sleep, but I was able to bring the books as well."
A pause lingers as Marlin waits with bated breath. Viviane smiles bitterly, thinking back to her own words before resuming, "In these dreams, this book can be read as if it were in English. Problem is, we didn't have time to digest it all. From the first two pages, though, not only did I receive this book in the past, I even added to it."
Marlin and the clone of Mary blinks, the latter having been separate from herself. With this revelation, however, she can't wait any longer.
She snaps up and lifts the original by the arm. "Enough! We join. Now," she demands, growling.
Mary shivers, her lips crooked. "O-okay, okay! Jeez, why am I so scary?"
The clone harrumphs and drags her host away from the lounge to privacy. It wouldn't be long before the two would become one again.
Marlin clears his throat. With the table down to three temporarily, he returns to Daniel and Viviane. "For the record, I never intended to bring this book along. It was supposed to be left in a safe at my home, but it... I can't explain it, but it suddenly appeared out of the airport scanners at the London airport without any warning. After that, I had no choice to bring it along."
Viviane and Daniel's eyes flicker briefly. The former lifts a hand to her chin, repeating the words she wrote back then.
> For ten years, I've tried to ignore this damn book Merlin wrote for me, yet it always find its way back to me.
Her mouth opens slightly. "Oh... So I meant that literally."
"What do you mean?" Marlin follows.
Bzzt!
The air shifts. Daniel is quick to stand to the doorbell's interruption. Especially now, he desperately needs the opportunity for fresh air. "I'll get it."
Shoving his questions about Viviane's understanding of the book, Marlin turns his head between the artist and slime. "W-wait, who's joining us now?"
The slime smiles weakly to the increasingly worried man. "Ah... well, I thought we should all come together. You'll meet Anne as you've heard. Unfortunately, we... also had to disclose ourselves to another close friend to us. She happens to have even closer ties to Lecia and their group."
"What?! I didn't hear anything about this!"
Viviane claps her hands together. "S-see, isn't this wonderful? We can sort out our differences and secret groups in one go."
"Let's hope it goes as nicely as it sounds," Daniel mutters before leaving.
His slime mother forces a cough, then waves at the sweating bald man. "It'll be fine... I think. If it's any consolation, Rachel hasn't met me before. We're all going to get our story straight, okay?"
There's not much room to be secretive anyway, so Marlin has no choice but to nod. "If you say so. There are... more things I've kept that needs to be addressed. In particular, it's about Victor and Layna Moore."
To that, Viviane's smile falters, her brows knitting together.
Further away in the lobby room, Daniel swallows as he sees Rachel's silhouette past the frosted glass entrance. Taking his time to calm his beating heart, he tries to put on his best smile as he opens the door.
"G-good morning."
Sure enough, Rachel is standing there, her short-cut gray hair fluttering with the breeze as she sports a simple yellow, long-sleeved shirt. Her unimpressed blue eyes study the boy who she helped raise with Amy before sighing.
"Dear, why didn't you answer my call?" she asks, shutting her eyes. "It's already enough on my head that Anne is here, but having to suddenly talk with an ancient being who is also a mother figure? Are you trying to kill me?"
"Ahaha... S-sorry, I was in the shower," Daniel lies, his lips cracking. "Viviane told me everything, so I hope things are okay behind the scenes."
"I wouldn't say that," Rachel answers flatly. She looks up. "Anyway, is this Mary's studio? I don't believe she had this place last I saw you two together."
"That's right. Um, before that, where's Anne?"
"I'm... I'm here."
Daniel blinks, hearing his slime mother's voice below. Slowly, his gaze drifts down until he meets a small round face carrying familiar curls on the sides. Her lips turn downward just like her olive eyes, unable to make eye contact to her towering son. Yet, shoulders slumped and tiny hands fidgeting, she can still feel many questions burning from Daniel's dead eyes.
"Uuuuuuu... I didn't want you to see me like this," she whimpers, her own eyes narrowing with defeat. If she had water in her head, the "tears" she might spill would surely be enough to kill someone.
Unsteadily, Daniel lifts his gaze back to Rachel, who then closes her eyes to a smile. "Anne and I ate out to a nice restaurant for breakfast."
"Okay, but how does that—"
"Kids eat free."
"Ah."
With that understood, Rachel holds a hand to her mouth and clears herself. "That aside, I won't question the odd relationship you have right now. As long as it doesn't get in the way of me reconnecting with your mother and others, I've accepted it's none of my business."
Daniel can't quite feel relieved as Anne's hand tug his pants, her eyes shaky as she looks past. "Let it be known, M-mama has made sacrifices for us."
The astronomer giggles and pats her derived friend's head. "Oh, dear, you're being so dramatic. This was lovely! I hope we can do this again."
"No!" Anne snaps, lifting her eyes to her demon friend and slapping her hand away. "Give me back my regular clothes already so I can grow to normal size!"
"So impatient. Amy had plenty of fun at my expense, you know?"
"Urgh."
Yet, Rachel isn't the least disappointed by her time with Anne, humming as she digs through her bag on her shoulder. She takes out Anne's previous wear, but the slime mother doesn't hesitate, extending her arms to snatch it away. Without another word, she dashes past Daniel into the studio to change.
It won't be easy.
"Anne?! Oh my god, you're so cute!" Mary's voice squeals in the distance.
"NOOOO! GET AWAY!"
Words fail to describe how empty Daniel feels right now. So, ignoring the struggles of Anne behind him, he refocuses on Rachel.
"Before we head in, I need to warn you that there's another person you'll have to meet."
"You're talking about Mary's uncle, Marlin?" Rachel raises. "Don't worry, Anne already told me about him, and that he's relevant to helping you learn about your mothers. I won't speak of their roles to you, either."
"I appreciate it, but there's another detail about him that's more relevant now."
Rachel cocks her head.
Breathing in, Daniel hesitates for a moment. "He had no part in it, but he's associated with the group that caused Lecia's accident."
The astronomer's pupils freeze. "What?"