Rita Belle Thurman Memorial, July 8. 1030H
The skeleton brothers were invited to visit the mother and child. It's only proper that they have this privilege: they're heroes to the Winston family after all.
Papyrus tried his best to hush his voice. That sweet soul didn't want to frighten the child. Still, he's Papyrus. Even his softest tone had that booming quality.
Eyes sparkling, he whispered: "OOOOOH HE'S SO ADORABLEEEE! AND TINY! AND VULNERABLE! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE THE WIZENED WIZARD WE'VE COME TO APPRECIATE."
"Heh," Sans chuckled. "Everyone starts life as a cutie patootie. Mind-blowing isn't it?" That short skeleton just had to make an intentional wink right in Mezil's direction.
The victim planted his face into his hand. "Please don't make this any more embarrassing than it already is."
Magdalene and Connor snickered at that statement.
Gently patting the swaddled baby, dear mother said: "It's like looking at baby photos, but in full 3D. Right?"
Mezil's internal groaning intensifies. "Yes. Spare me some mercy."
Dad just had to disclose everything to Mom, didn't he? I shouldn't complain. That's a good sign for their relationship.
In an effort to change subjects, he leaned closer to observe the baby's face. "I certainly look much more content today than yesterday."
"Mhmm," she nodded. "It takes a while for a baby's face to unflatten. A womb is a tight space, you know."
Connor had a different idea. "Maybe he came into the world knowing all the nonsense he's going to face?"
The future son cleared his throat. "You're the one who chose to migrate into Crazy Town."
"Hey, you'll thank me for it! I'm going to apply for a better job at All Fine Labs. With their pay, Maggie can fulfil her secret dream of being a housewife~"
Magdalene rolled her eyes at her husband. "Ugh do you have to make it sound so corny? I'm just trying to not make the same error as my other self."
"Also," she said, smiling at the older Mezil. "I'm so sorry for accusing you of being a bloodsucking vampire."
"It's fine," Mezil replied. "You're half-right anyway. I did say that I'm something of a blood wizard. Just not an immortal or invulnerable one."
Papyrus rubbed his chin with a loud humm. "YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER REALLY TOLD US EXACTLY WHAT WIZARDRY YOU PRACTICE. I HEARD FROM DAD THAT IT SPOOKED ONE OF OUR NEW RECRUITS."
Oh. Right. That did happen.
A hospital room is where I least expect to give an explanation, but… I think they have the right to know. It's nothing top secret in this dimension anyway.
Mezil summoned a crimson butterfly on his upturned palm.
"This butterfly is a representation of my will." He explained, "When applied as a symbol, it alters the subject to my 'rules'. For example: I can inflict temporary blindness by denying the optic nerves from sending any visual data to the brain."
Everyone uttered their little 'oohs' and 'aahs'.
"Neat biological manipulation there," said Sans. "Can it affect the other's blood too?"
"Well yes. But I won't touch that substance unless I'm certain it's not ridden with disease."
"Heh. You're a fussy vamp, aren't ya?"
Papyrus crossed his arms, nodding with great understanding. "I SEE, I SEE. CERTAINLY, THE RED EYES FIT THE THEME."
By instinct, Mezil dispelled the magical butterfly in his hand.
"R-red eyes? That shouldn't happen."
Checking with the selfie camera, he discovered that his irises had indeed turned crimson.
My Determination level is beyond the normal threshold? But I don't feel any different? Perhaps I'm overcompensating from all those internal errors?
Quick, think of an understandable explanation that won't cause more curious prying!
"…It appears that my magic is responding to my extended stay in a foreign environment."
Concerned, the mother asked: "Is it dangerous?"
"No. Not yet." Mezil pinched the top of his bridge. "Still, I don't want to stick around to discover any further side-effects."
"If that's the case, I suppose we should initiate the 'ceremony'."
Magdalene Winston offered her child to the silver-haired 'vampire': her own progeny of another world. "Say hello to your little self."
Try as he might, Mezil couldn't hide his lack of childrearing. The baby felt heavier than he expected. It's amazing how dense a human body could be.
How do I hold a baby again? It's been ages. That last time I did this was with the newborn Frisk, and that was for only a short while.
Support the head. Let it rest near my elbow joint…
A few tries later, he cradled his baby self within his arms. It's a warm yet confusing sensation. Such an opportunity could only present itself in a time-displaced dimension such as Ebott's Wake.
The baby then began to coo and giggle. Mezil thought the 'younger him' would put up more resistance to being held by someone other than his parents.
Just when he glanced at Connor, he heard the phone's camera go off with a loud click.
Connor grinned. "Yeaaaaaah! A candid shot!"
The skeleton brothers crowded around the picture in excited delight.
"OH, OH LET US SEE!"
"Welp. Red eyes aside, he looks like a normal guy in Ebott's Wake. Bet that's a rarity from where he came from."
"THIS IS TOO CUTE. I BET MY OTHER SELF WOULD HAVE SAID: 'IT'S ALRIGHT TO BREAK CHARACTER SOMETIMES'!"
The awkward weight soon started to bother some old scars. Before Mezil had to resort to casting magic, he returned the child back to his mother.
"Thank you," he said.
"What are you talking about?" the mother asked. "We should be thanking you! You spent the whole day working out a 5-year budget for us. Non-stop! That's some grit."
Nuzzling her baby cheek to cheek, she added: "Our family sure needs someone like that."
Mezil just had some unpleasant flashbacks of his dysfunctional childhood. "Please don't put adult responsibilities on your minor son, even if he's dependable."
"Of course! Of course! I'll do better, dear. I promise."
"We promise." Connor added.
The skeleton brothers began to enquire Magdalene about her health. While they did so, Mezil retreated to the window. He gazed upwards towards the clear blue sky.
…I suppose I had botched any chances of meeting Palatino's daughter.
He heard the door open. Turning back, Mezil spotted Mister Palatino. He visited the ward just as appointed. Except... also he also brought along a pram.
The hospital ward came alive once again with the marvel over another newborn. This time, it's over a skeleton child.
Palatino pushed the pram closer to where Mezil stood. He steered it sideways so the sun's warm rays could shine on the tiny mobile bed.
And there she lay: Lucidia, The Sky Princess. She wore a white onesie with pink baby mittens. Her features may still be those of an immature bud, lacking her trademark hair, but Mezil recognized the doll-like 'threading' on the baby's lips.
The warmth and the brightness of the sun caused the baby to stir. Little Lucidia whined and whimpered.
Palatino picked her up and coddled his child, rocking her in gentle motions to calm down. It didn't take long before she settled.
"Mister Thyme," said Palatino. "I'll be honest: you're quite a bitter pill to swallow. I almost wanted to reject everything you said. I told myself, 'different worlds, different circumstances. I should not be paying heed'."
"However… I realize your actions yesterday are also a proof of love. Those events you describe must have hurt you as much as they hurt her. I thought it's only fair that you get to meet your wife's counterpart."
The midwife smiled at Magdalene's direction. "Like how you met your other self."
That was all and well, but Mezil knew he's not to let down his guard yet. "I… have some questions."
Palatino laughed. "Likewise, I have my own. You should go first."
"Is Lydianne here?"
"Oh no. She's getting the groceries. I told her that I'm taking Lucidia to the hospital for a health checkup. I just took my daughter for a 'slight detour' before visiting the good doctor. Two birds with one stone, you know."
Huge. Relief. Mezil didn't want to start the inevitable family feud this soon. Give everyone a few years to prepare at least. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."
"No matter. May I have my turn now?"
"Go ahead."
"This Grandmaster… does he exist in my world?"
Mezil shook his head. "No. Unless he somehow became immortal, he would have died a thousand years ago."
"I see, I see." Palatino nodded. "Which means he somehow achieved so in your realm?"
"By accident, yes. He became a Lich: a Pseudo Boss Monster of sorts. As long as he suffers no fatal injuries, The Grandmaster is ageless."
"Is he…" The man struggled for a moment. "Is he a good father?"
Mezil replied: "Yes. Both to me and to Lucidia. Perfection is impossible, though, if you're wondering."
"Certainly, I don't expect anyone to be a perfect father. Perfection… it's a tall order. How is he like?"
"A kind, determined man who's patient in everything. The Grandmaster did his best to nurture Lucidia in bone, mind, and in spirit. He encouraged her to pursue her talents, even though that path strayed from Lydianne's ideal."
Crossing his arms, Mezil added: "If you ask me, one of his biggest regrets was not shutting out that crone sooner. Diplomacy is a waste on her."
Palatino uttered an uncomfortable chortle. "You really are a bitter pill, Mister Thyme."
"I'm just being objective, Mister Palatino. So, why did you enquire about a man who's long gone? To compare his parenting? To estimate and measure? I recommend you to cease doing such. You are not The Grandmaster. And you won't be able to replicate him."
"N-no! Not at all. I'm just curious."
Except the man's body language said otherwise. He withdrew. Stepped back. Averted his gaze. And held his child closer to his chest. The guilt of his weaseling was as plain as day.
Mezil sighed. "Mister Palatino, you're kind and persevering. You mean well, but your ideas belong to a fool. Lucidia doesn't need a Grandmaster: she needs a father."
"Be a part of Lucidia's life. That should be your primary concern. Listen to her. Protect her. Guide her. Love her. Do so, and she will repay your efforts a thousandfold."
Palatino was stunned at first. However, his face soon glowed with renewed hope. "It appears you're quite a medicine too. Mister Thyme, I will never forget you."
After some thoughts, he asked: "Would you like to hold Lucidia?"
Did… did I hear that right?
A miracle? A wish fulfilled? I guess that's what this town represents. In Ebott's Wake anything can happen: the good and the bad.
"Yes," Mezil reached out his hands. "Thank you."
A skeleton baby weighs almost nothing in comparison to a human. Mezil had much less trouble supporting her.
Feeling the change, Little Lucidia's large eyes opened wide. She gazed at his face with the innocent awe of infants.
Nothing else mattered at that moment.
It didn't matter if he was in a whole different dimension.
It didn't matter if he was caught smiling ear to ear.
It didn't matter if Connor and Sans captured the whole event on their respective phones. In video.
What mattered was the fact that Lucidia exists.
Mezil heard a tiny 'hic' coming from the baby. Frightened by the sight and scents of a complete stranger, the baby then started to cry.
If that was not distressing enough… Mezil could feel his weight drain away at a rapid pace.
Hair, rising.
Sleeves, floating.
He recognized this sensation very, very well: it's anti-gravity magic. To make matters even worse, the pram started to rattle. Bend. Crush. The wheels snapped off from their joints and started to fly towards the ceiling.
"W-what's happening?!"
"Maggie!"
Before long, every person and object in the hospital ward started to lift off their feet. The skeleton brothers once again jumped to the rescue. They kept the important folk grounded with their respective Blue Magics, Ebott's Wake edition.
Papyrus turned Magdalene's Psychia Blue, while Sans secured Connor and Palatino. They piled the adults onto the bed so that their collective downward force kept it completely grounded.
"HOLY MACARONI!" The tall skeleton exclaimed, "I DIDN'T KNOW BABIES ARE SO POWERFUL!"
"I don't think that's the norm, bro." The short one replied. "Talk about a terrible tantrum."
"SANS, IF YOU BREAK INTO A PUN RIGHT NOW I'LL THROW YOU OUTSIDE! WE'VE GOT TO SAVE OUR GUEST FIRST!"
Mezil straight up turned down the offer. "It's fine. I know how to handle this."
He activated the spells in his legs and hips to keep him properly pivoted in the direction of his choice. That way, he won't be helplessly flailing around. It was one of his first major instalments.
Was this what the Grandmaster had to deal with? Mezil wondered. If the wizened wizard could soothe his adopted daughter in her youth, then Mezil didn't see any reason why he couldn't do the same.
Whether he realised it or not, he began to hum a lullaby. It's the same tune his wife inherited from the ancient past. If only he could remember the full lyrics…
Hopefully the melody will be enough to placate her. Improvisation mode on!
Patting her with a slow and steady beat, he sang the following:
"Hush, hush, little one. Rest for the 'morrow."
"Rest, rest, sleeping youth. Sleep under the hallow."
"May your dreams be fair and light, reflecting of a peaceful heart."
While he still had the opportunity, he planted a gentle kiss on the girl's forehead.
Slowly yet surely, Baby Lucy stopped crying. She no longer saw this stranger as a threat. And thus, the gravity-twisting began to fade.
Connor and Magdalene immediately checked on their child first. It seems that the mayhem didn't startle the newborn, who remained oblivious to the ruckus.
Mezil walked over to Palatino and gave the child back to her father.
"Thank you for the opportunity, Mister Palatino. Sorry about the pram."
"Uh, n-no problem. Y-you're welcome."
Poor, poor Palatino. Truly, he had his work cut out for him. Raising a child with such immense power added a whole new curveball. At least he won't be alone in his endeavour. Hopefully.
It's time to let the residents rest. Mezil excused himself to go back to his inn. He still had his final packing to do.
Goodbye, my other princess. Live well.
Come evening, Mezil Thyme will return to his homeworld. Before then, he still had unfinished business to attend to.
Yesterday's urgent parcel included a warning. It stated that if the entities of 'Mezil' and 'Lucidia' exist with enough similarities, the Supreme Judge must authorize the release of a certain top secret file. It detailed a war of time and blood, just an inch away from a world-ending calamity.
Mezil hoped that such a scenario won't come to pass in this world.