Who: Brian Braddock NPCs: Roma When: September 26th, 2011 Where: Starlight Citadel, Otherworld What: Roma promises that she will return Brian to his own world after one final quest. Rating: G
It felt odd, and even a little somewhat disconcerting but Brian could not help but admit that Otherworld was beginning to feel like his world. As he looked out across the Great Woods, his mind wandered back to a time in his early youth when he had dreamed of fantasy worlds very much like the one in which he was now residing. It even felt like he was really fighting all of the monsters he had thought only belonged in his childhood imagination, to the extent that part of him sometimes wondered if Merlin had not prepared him early in life for the role he now had. The only real significant difference between his childhood fantasies and his reality now, he realized with a smirk, was that instead of a shining suit of armor he had his Captain Britain costume.
There was even a mysterious beautiful woman.
Roma.
Nevermind that he had actually met the legendary Merlin.
"If Britain did not need you, you would be more than welcome here."
Brian stirred, but did not bother to look around for Roma as he had heard her within his mind.
"There are things other than Britain that I miss", Brian said pointedly, thinking of Betsy.
"One more great task stands before you, Brian. One more duty, and I will return you to Britain."
This time Brian did turn as he felt a slight shift in the air making the physical arrival of Roma. Roma, with one long dark braid tied behind her head, with a visage that could only be described as flawless in its beauty. She wore a blue dress of a material that Brian did not recognize but that seemed to him to be some kind of shimmering silk. As she approached him, he thought as he often did how she looked exactly how he thought Arwen would look in real life, though he had never dared to ask if Tolkien had ever been to Otherworld.
And then, of course, his mind wandered elsewhere as he fully absorbed her into his vision, despite his efforts to curb his illicit thoughts.
Roma smiled. But it was a smile a mother might put on when playfully scolding a child.
"You know I can read your thoughts Brian", she said easily. "And I am sorry that your time here has lead you to think them, but as I said you will soon be able to return to Britain."
Brian smiled a little, even though he knew by her words-particularly of her lack of them concerning those thoughts he had had-that there would never be any chance with her. Which was probably for the best, all things considered. Because he could scarcely imagine what such a relationship might entail and require of him, which was not even considering what Merlin would think of such a tryst.
"I know", he said after a moment, resting his back against the rails. "But that doesn't make it any easier." Before Roma could say anything, he just shook his head and moved on. "So what is this final task?"
Roma looked at Brian squarely, and he could tell by her expression that he was not going to like what she had to say.
"Necromon is raising an army to the South. You and to confront and put a stop to his efforts before he can ready his troops to march."
"That doesn't sound so-"
"You will be doing it without your Captain Britain uniform", Roma quickly interjected, leaving Brian looking at her with his mouth slightly agape.
"Are you seri-"
"Absolutely."
"And you expect me to-"
"Yes."
"But don't you reali-"
"You can do this. You will do this."
Instead of trying to talk, Brian just stared at Roma a long moment. It didn't make sense to him, and even though he did not know who this 'Necromon' was, he was not exactly eager at the prospect of going up against him or anyone else without his powers. And if he did not know any better or if he could think of any possible motive, he'd swear that she was doing this to get rid of him.
Finally he just nodded, for what else could he do?
"Alright. You say I can do this, so I am going to take you on your word but when this is over I fully expect you to keep your promise and transport me immediately back to my Britain."
Though she did not typically take such language from even Brian, Roma just nodded her assent. "Of course."
"Alright then", he said as he began to move past her. "I'll be ready shortly." As he disappeared into the citadel, Roma moved forward and closed her hands over the rails where he had scant minutes earlier.