Nathaniel marveled, silently and internally, at the sight and actions of his former love. Eva hadn’t balked, stuttered, or even blinked after being presented with a scenario which had the potential to melt minds. He would have suspected any less?
The traveler quietly did as he was urged and entered the small drawing room off the main path. He walked amongst the extravagant chairs but did not sit. It all felt too soft, too comfortable. Nathaniel didn’t deserve comfort, not until he righted the wrongs of a world gone so off course.
He turned, arms lowered at his sides, just in time to see Eva cock her standard hip out and his younger self tuck his arms behind his back. He didn’t stand like that anymore, perhaps that too was a luxury, a relic of when careful consideration was an option.... but before he could dwell, he’d been spoken to. “Future,” he answered eyebrow raised in his ‘impressed’ position. “And yes,” Nate started after he considered Eva’s next move. “You’re correct to suspect your father,” he informed her.
Nathaniel, prime Nathaniel? Current Nathaniel? Nate avoided a premature headache and stopped attempting to name himself in the presence of... himself. He took up his ceremonial position behind Eva’s right shoulder and backed up his jaguar queen. His eyes studied his older, tired doppelgänger with a mixture of curiosity and terror. Nathaniel understood himself and his sometimes reckless streak, but he also understood his own need for order. This act would not have been taken lightly. This was an ominous sign. “That’s disconcerting,” he remarked when the other Nate confirmed his future status. The mention of Forge made Nathaniel’s skin crawl. The older Native would have and probably will chastise him for not being more suspicious of this intruder’s motives. But Nathaniel was playing with a certain home field advantage. He knew himself, he’d experienced mutant and magical clones. This was not a palor trick. Besides the obvious clues, Nathaniel focused on new Nate’s rather sad eyes. More specifically the way in which they stared at Eva. It matched the way Nathaniel himself looked at the woman, yet with even more intensity. He, this traveler, loved Eva as much as he did... and only one explanation satisfied that statement. “When do Eva and Brayden...” the warlock normally able to separate his emotions from his work started to ask his question but was suddenly unable. The subject matter was even too macabre for him.
“Few years from now,” Nathaniel from the future answered, sure of what his younger self was asking. “If I’m correct of when now is,” he explained.
“That’s the only reason I’d risk so much,” younger Nate confirmed with a glance toward Eva. “He means to save our future,” Nate took an educated guess.
“Yes,” older Nathaniel agreed. “Though, I doubt you’ll approve of my methods.”