Charles Patricius

"Always will," Yugi stated plainly. With or without Artoria's consent, he'd be doing precisely what he intended. Apparently, Artoria was giving him her blessing either way ─ something of a ringing endorsement from the likes of her. With that attitude, she'd only get something better out of him. Ah, but what? Time would tell the full extent... but the major part was whatever wish Hoshimi Eri had to make.

So, what of Eri's wish? First came another argument about her childish retort, which she insisted would be no tantrum at all. "A tantrum is an outburst of anger, usually from a child who didn't get their way. The fact that it's your response to 'not being done' with something you don't even own... yeah, your argument's pretty weightless here. And trust me, I'm the last person in the galaxy you want to have this conversation with," he rambled while stepping toward the smaller woman. She responded to the sight of his full form, confused and aghast. What would he say in response to her outburst? "Don't worry about it." That simple rebuttal was tried and true throughout all of time and space, and it would see its use once more here. Eri allegedly didn't care anyway; she was ready to make her wish. What she wanted was happy lives for her siblings. Yugi had already begun considering something about that family, especially after Eri's appearance today. Given where they were... there were some very strong theories to craft about a mechanic that made no real sense on Alaya. "I figured you'd say that... and not just 'cause it's you. The Hoshimi family will be under Venus's protection. Your future can vouch for it. Ari... remember how the Alters never made sense?" he asked initially. "And you know how... right here, right now, we're in my pseudo-Gate? Connecting everyone presently here, to the Realm of Eternal Slumber? You know... where our army goes?"

Yugi would always do whatever he wanted. It was one of his... features as an individual. A blessing from Artoria, or rather her simple acceptance of this as a the truth wasn't at all something to be worried about it. It wouldn't change anything, even the woman herself knew that. In a similar vein the man decided to pick apart the argument created by Eri surrounding her continued violence if she did something. "If you create the anger you deal with the consequences. That arguement isn't weightless, I am also telling you a consequence of that action, it's hardly a tantrum, it's a warning. I wasn't arguing..." that was how Eri saw it. As far as she was concerned, her actions would not have counted as something like that, especially not when she'd told him of the eventuality. Tantrums were sudden and out of character... responses were directly related to a specific cause. But apparently time traveling magical aliens didn't understand basic cause and effect.

Beyond this point, there was her own ranting about a man with two dicks approaching her with no shame. The fact that he had no shame, wasn't the issue here, but instead she was taken about by the physiology presented. And what was she told... 'Don't worry about it.' Hoshimi Eri looked at this man with pure and unrelenting skepticism, "Does that even fucking work on like real people?" she asked with pure snark. Don't worry about it, wasn't the type of thing which seemed to make sense. she was willing to put it off, knowing that she was going to have her memories of this moment erased regardless, but it was still a crazy thing to say. Whatever the case, her wish was apparently one which he expected, for reasons. It was the only thing Hoshimi Eri would want, she wasn't a fanciful or exceedingly selfish individual, that was simply her nature. Artoria was given extra information and with it, some things did make sense, "Yeah, I remember that being weird, and we are there and that is a very specifically me kind of wish and the end result is definitely that... " Artoria said having stood and reverted her outfit being one which would see its rips and disheveled cuts covering her exposed flesh as if it hadn't been done in the first place. That little bunny suit and high ponytail being something that Eri would take in. If that was really her, she only wished to know when a body like that became hers. She was an adult already and there was no way. "If you say so, guess I'm out...we'd be great as a pair, killing all kinds of stuff~" Eri said not even speaking to anyone but the gun in her hands, she supposed she wouldn't be shooting the man again today and instead walking towards whatever dream he had planned for her.

Still, Hoshimi Eri had words to share. He should have gotten used to it by now, but he did deal with other variants and future forms far more often than one like this. Such a contrarian this one was. "... Uh-huh. A warning... about a tantrum. Also, 'I wasn't arguing' doesn't really work after you claimed 'that argument isn't weightless' you know? If you're 'making an argument'... that's called arguing. Don't start bringing pudding-brain logic to my Gate; you're three brains too early for it," Yugi stated firmly.

Regarding Yugi urging the young woman not to worry about the details, she wondered if something like that actually worked. The answer was simple. "Yes. It's working now; shut up," he chattered. More important things were at hand in the following moments ─ namely acknowledgement of something called 'Alters' and their relation to an offered protection. Yugi had done something in a similar vein earlier this day, but even he hadn't considered being the reason for those things. With that knowledge now settled, Yugi crossed his arms and legs, floating in the space where he once stood. "Alters, Shadows, selection... yeah, I can make that work. Easy. Timing? Not so easy. All of time and space across most of the known multiverse, and the unknown... never enough time." Yugi seemed to be rambling to no one but himself, even closing his eyes in contemplation. After a few moments, his eyes snapped open and a sideways grin appeared on his face. "Got it! I'll just... make time," he decided. Now, his gaze was upon Hoshimi Eri once more. Her memory loss was a thing of great importance. He didn't even take that gun from her yet, but he seemed ready to begin the process of erasure. "So, to kickstart the process, repeat this incantation: Qogralbar nyke kepa. Exactly that, verbatum. Qogralbar nyke kepa. Say it with feeling, like screaming a prayer into the void. And..." Without another word, Yugi extended one hand... though not toward Eri's gun arm ─ it was toward her free hand.

Hoshimi Eri was quite contrary, but that didn't mean she thought herself wrong. She was simply relaying information and didn't consider the outcome of her actions to be a tantrum. She could throw a tantrum and that would be something to see, but her explanation of what would happen as a direct result of disarming her, wasn't a tantrum. The nature of arguments was also something entirely different, she was stating factual information not arguing. "Choosing semantics and word choice over full acknowledgement of a sentiment being shared for your benefit is your issue, but if you insist..." Eri paused, it would be much easier not to explain the logic she saw to this sort of person. She'd simply stick to shooting him without warning from now on when he said or did things she saw as stupid.

Ah, but such points didn't hold the most importance currently. HIs simple chattering about telling people not to worry about things was apparently already working, by his own logic, which she found to be faulty in many ways. She wondered how a person like this actually managed to get through life at any point. No, odder yet was watching the lad cross his arms and legs and float in mid-air. If this wasn't a dream there was a amount of magic afoot which required more explanation than she was willing to sit through. The terms he mentioned were strange but never would Eri be one to try and follow someone else's line of thought at random. No, even Artoria was simply shaking her head and waiting the next phase with her arms crossed under her chest. Lack of time for a time-traveler seemed like a paradox and lo it was indeed. Apparently, he'd be making time... by employing something strange. Apparently Eri was to repeat a phrase to kick start the making of time and take the hand extended to her. The sound of those words hit her ears strangely. "I feel like I am not going to like what those words mean..." she said frowning deeply. Still, if her future self trusted him and he was going to do something she may not be capable of on her own as far as the protection of her siblings, who was she to do anything but everything she could. Luckily enough, though mostly contained, this particular young woman maintained a certain active childishness. Such would allow her to say anything with feeling the same way the characters from her favorite shows called out the names of their attacks. "Qogralbar nyke kepa!" Eri shouted those words while her older self just shook her head. Artoria knew the meaning of those words, she'd uttered them herself from time to time, and they were no incantation. This man practically earned every time he'd be shot from now until forever by attaching such a phrase to the least accepting form of herself. And she watched as that girl extended her hand and her voice rang out across the greater multiverse through this gate.

Some would say Yugi tended to be the most annoyed individual in all the multiverse. In terms of consistency, perhaps this clause was true... but he often found himself dealing with endless counterarguments coming from a place of ignorance. "The fact that you think it's my benefit is proof you're still too dumb for this conversation. Skip to the shutting up part before everything gets all runny," Yugi said with an exasperated grunt.

More importantly, there was the matter of an 'incantation' he needed Eri to cooperate with. A language unknown to the known worlds for ages to come was spoken, yet... Eri knew well enough to believe those words were not going to be enjoyable to her. Well, that much was almost a given. Artoria knew the point; she knew the words as well as anyone else in this current group. When Eri next spoke however, she did so in a way that reminded him of another early variant or twelve: in the manner of an anime protagonist using a signature spell or attack. Hand-in-hand she said it, just as hand-in-hand she'd say it again while knowing the meaning. "Deal sealed. That─"

"Woah woah woah!" the voice of Kazuhiko rang out as he burst forth from the dressing room. It seemed he was rested enough to enter a state of excitement for one reason or another. Now, he was just beyond the shadow barrier trying to push his way in. "What kind of party did this turn into?! I thought that was an absolute no-go!" he griped. Even he knew the delicate state of certain individuals in their earlier forms ─ especially one so important to this planet's future. Whatever his train of thought regarding that exclamation, Yugi could do naught but groan loudly. "Ugh! Why is nobody shutting the fuck up this week?! Guy helps everybody become the best versions of themselves, the versions they want to be, and what do they do? They look at his fun, jump to conclusions, and start doing that... talking thing! Jēda āeksio ērinnon, aspo! Even if I did that to treat myself a little, you lot would never even know about it unless I told you! And I swear to fuck if you knock my gate, I'm dropping you in the Boundary for a week!"

Yugi managed to keep arguing, it was interesting to Eri. For someone who acted as if they were above such a thing, he sure was exasperated rather easily by a problem he according to his own words created for himself. She would almost be inclined to point out the irony of him being upset by something he literally did to himself only a few moments ago by summoning her here, but if she was refraining from shooting him again until he'd done whatever was necessary she shouldn't poke him too much more. Perhaps she'd save that for some other time, such seemed to be very possible. Beyond this there would be that incantation, which she spoke with vigor as he claimed she should. The reaction of her older self said all she needed to know, whatever sentence she'd spoken she wouldn't like being tied to her at all. But with their hands meeting a deal was sealed, not that the details of it would be obvious immediately.

No, instead a different brown haired man came barreling out of a dressing room, speaking in the same kind of vague terms used by Yugi. He seemed to think by her words something had changed, which made Eri look at him with raised brows and then back to Yugi with similar confusion. Too bad she wouldn't even be allowed to ask about her curiosity before a tirade started. "Don't worry, he's just an angry person," Artoria mentioned with a shrug. All the while, one Ashikaga Kimiko seemed to be pulling herself together for a different part of the conversation. "Eh? Do I even wanna know..." Kimiko asked while shaking her head and looking around. Normally such situations were caused by very specific kinds of interactions but it would seem that the regular sort of causes weren't on the list. Beyond that Yugi's words marked a level of irritation normal to his person, but the situation of the younger version of Eri being here after her older one had been summoned successfully was a bit odd. The threat of dropping one in the Boundary was one which was odd but apparently his fun was worth this particular bout of craziness. And the 'normal' people weren't allowed to question, criticize or be involved. All the while Miko was continuing to lay on her stomach on that magic carpet, gently humming watching the goings on and working very hard not to speak on what she had been quietly witnessing this entire time. Apparently, this entire situation counted as fun... and the rest of them weren't allowed to participate. The hypocrisy of this moment was not something that would go over the brunette's head, but still she said nothing... she'd simply be logging this away.

Yugi's rant following Kazuhiko's interjection reached a virtual end, but it seemed ready to return at the drop of a hat. Kazuhiko stepped back, both hands up as if he were being arrested. He hadn't seen this sort of outburst in a while. "Woah, chill! How am I supposed to know what's happening after hearing a sentence like that? I wanted in!" he replied. In that moment, Yugi scoffed. "Of course you did! Everybody likes reaping free benefits, right? Great power, great responsibility, the multiverse-level guy's always expected to share the fruits of his own efforts with everybody else! The power of friendship might be real, but it's not that real," he ranted further.

Of course, the appearance of Kazuhiko also meant Kimiko was available. She appeared curious ─ skeptically so. By then, Yugi was doing a bit more than floating. He'd taken hold of his ankles and floated around until he was upside-down looking in Kimiko's direction, that long and messy braid hanging to the floor. What was his answer to her question? "Everyone's dumb, and I'm done piling favors onto my plate this week," was the simple retort. "TL;DR: Dickhead here thought I was balls deep in a cosmic infant while her real self is in the same zone, and wanted in. Confirmed we're responsible for Alters, poked a little fun, made a trap contract, blah blah fucking blah! This is why I hang out in alternate realities so much ─ no expectations! Two months Boundary!"

Kazuhiko with both his hands up was something that happened from time to time. The pair from Venus seemed all too happy to have the Jovians along at any point in time, but the inclusion of them in the way they sought inclusion was apparently too much at specific kinds of intervals. Apparently even in surrender Kazuhiko was barking up the wrong tree as Yugi's response made it seem like he was the one who'd been extended way past the normal limit. They'd only just reached him a short while ago, surely this was a building sort of rant... "That is quite the rant," Eri muttered, to which Artoria could only shake her head. "Yep, he's almost always like this..."Artoria mentioned. It was like he did the nice thing until doing it made him so furious he just had to lash out, such was his nature. He'd called out the young women today for having tantrums, but he was how floating in the air both ranting and throwing a tantrum which made all of them look rather agreeable by comparison.

Kimiko for her part in this was soon faced with the upside down visage of Yugi as he described today. His words were accurate but also rather lacking. It would seem that because Kazuhiko wanted in on whatever he had going on with the Hoshimi Eri that shouldn't be here, there was a melt down of cosmic proportions. Interesting news was that Venus was responsible for the Alters, that this was quite extensive and it meant that the pair had a bit of work to do in keeping up with those things but it was good to know their legitimate cause. "Sou ka, we made the Alters, that's good to know. Interesting news, I always thought after seeing them and the shadows that this had to be the case, but confirmation is good," she mused with a deep smile. His claim of 2 months Boundary would give a chuckle, "Yes, run off to the AUs and eventually miss people who recognize you and come back and want to deal with everyone else until the boiling point again. That is the cycle, Hakushaku~" she said in a teasing tone. "Don't take on any more favors then... it's fine," Kimiko mentioned while poking his nose with her index finger. "You did give yourself quite a week already, I do get where you're coming from on that end. Everyone is always dumb to you, so..." she let hang in the air the rest of the conversation. It was one they'd had quite a few times. Yugi had a propensity for being upset with the slowness of other people's brains and also apparently wasn't in the mood to share the end results of all his hard work, in this instance. Just the same, his reaction was a lot for the immediate group who to their own knowledge had nothing to do with his current outburst, and if they did, they hadn't done it yet.... such was the problem with existing as one wished outside of causality. "So then, what's up? Do I need to do something or is this almost done and the rant is just part of the wrap up?"

Yugi was always quite the angry fellow. As easily as he fell into random shenanigans, he also fell right into fits of rage. Annoyances often piled atop each other, and as with all things... there was a limit. Regardless, there was the matter of Alters and Venus being connected. If he recalled correctly, there was a conversation comparing Alters and Shadows after they'd seen both. Confirmation was an interesting thing ─ he wasn't sure if he'd call it good though. "It's definitely something. We're gonna have to make another stop by Jeanne's before we go back. That'll be the last favor after I drop something off," he said, sighing before falling silent.

True enough, Yugi would always land himself right back in the same situation. Ah, but such was the way of life. He'd jump into an alternate reality as a total stranger, make himself very well-known to some people of interest, and still land himself in the company of known parties afterwards. The title 'Hakushaku' was a separate matter entirely, but a sideways glance was sent in Kimiko's direction as he understood her reason for using it here and now. "I'll Haku your shaku," he said plainly. With another sigh, Yugi righted himself. Nothing else needed to be done here. Their dealings with the Jovians were at a natural end, and Hoshimi Eri could have her memories erased or altered at any given moment. In fact, the brief period of physical contact set things in motion. Yugi snapped his fingers, and... that would be all for her memories. She'd remember only a dream of a nearly-failed assassination ─ one ending in hours of weaving through a mansion locked in periodic melee combat to end in a very successful neck-stabbing of the target. Who was her target, though? Well, Yugi didn't have to do much. The mansion in question was from his own childhood, and the target was none other than his late father the prime minister. "There. That's all I needed to do for her," he said as a vacuum was conjured to suck Eri back into the emptiness, eventually landing her where she belonged. "So... what now? Something's missing, isn't it? Something's always fucking missing!"

With the proper news that the Venus pair were responsible for the development of Alters, they did have something else to do. The acknowledgement of a return trip to see a specific historical figure made her nod. "Hai hai, we'll swing back around... I do like that one form after all," she mentioned in a casual way. Of course, as she continued to listen to the upset speech of Yugi, she seemed totally unfazed by his attitude. It was very normal for him to act this way, and beyond that it wasn't at all unusual for him to hit the maximum point of not wanting to deal with other people. As for the other thing he was dropping off, she didn't bother questioning it.

Still there was the matter of her pointing out his attitude problem the slight way she did so by calling him 'Hakushaku' and all it seemed to earn her was a turn of phrase which caused her to giggle. "Tantalizing~" she responded immediately. That casual sideways glance was also fairly normal for him, but it wasn't like his anger scared her at all and she'd only spoken the truth about his habits so it wasn't like he would argue about it. No, instead they'd be dealing with what needed to be done with Hoshimi Eri, who... would be sent off with a snap of fingers and no real pomp or circumstance. She experienced what she thought was a dream, one she'd really wanted in the first place. The epic assassination of the former prime minister and it was glorious. While that dream played out, and she was sucked out in a vacuum, Yugi was left to ponder what else needed to be done. "Something is always missing, but it usually pops back up when it needs to," Kimiko asserted. As far as she could tell, Miko was now laying on her stomach watching as if life was a show she'd been missing episodes of, Artoria was dressed and ready to go and even she and Kazuhiko were ready. Technically speaking all was as taken care of as it usually was they only needed to progress this little adventure with the Jovians to get to the end goal.