The Remnants of Time (Original Version)

The Party: Part I

With a flash of purple light, the twins reappeared in the destined time period, and neither could believe their eyes.

They knew that they were going to a rich people party, but they didn't realize how rich.

They were standing at the top of a tall, elegant stairwell, and were looking down at the spacious room below.

Even though the entire mansion appeared to have been made out of logs, the interior of the building was very elegant.

There were multiple chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, long tables with white silk cloths covered in fancy dishes and foods, and polished dark oak wood floors scrubbed so spotless that they could see their reflections even from the height they were watching from.

The smell of champagne in the air was so thick that both of the twins gagged when it first reached their nostrils.

There appeared to be a few guests there already, and there were several more arriving from the large wooden doors.

All of them were wearing fancy suits or dresses that looked like they had costed more than their house.

Even with everything she was wearing, Athena still felt out of place. It might have just been that little feeling in the back of her mind that she always felt whenever she was pretending to be someone that she was not, reminding her that she did not belong.

No matter how much makeup she put on or how many accessories she wore, she was still hiding behind yet another mask.

Nathaniel IV's words started to echo in her mind with that thought, and she looked away from her brother, hoping that he didn't notice her brief countenance of remorse.

"Whoa, check it out! They've got those fancy fish eggs that cost hundreds of dollars!" Aris said excitedly as he pointed at the food table. "They kinda look like wet rabbit turds. Come on, Thena, let's go try some!"

He grabbed her by the wrist and was starting to hurry down the stairs, when Athena planted her feet firmly onto a step and pulled her hand out of his grip.

"We're trying not to mess up the original timeline as much as we have to" she reminded him. "For all you know, you could start another paradox by eating some of that caviar."

Aris snapped in realization.

"Oh, that's what they're called."

"Are you clear on the plan?" Athena asked her brother.

He nodded, unlocked the watch off of his wrist, and handed it to her.

"Now let's find that kid and throw him into a portal before he encounters the Renegade."

"I already scanned the crowd down there" said Aris. "Unless he's wearing a tight corset or heels, I don't think he's down there."

Athena looked down at her normal watch on her other wrist.

"Well, it is only 8:45. He might not have arrived yet."

There was the sound of what sounded like a curtain being shoved aside, the metal rings scraping against the metal pole, coming from a room behind them.

Both of them whipped their heads around at the sudden noise.

"This would have gone by a whole lot faster if you stopped making me go back and change into a different dress each time" a female voice complained. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that you're acting much more snobbish than usual, as if that was even possible."

"I have to dress to impress, and you have to as well" a male voice with a British accent replied. "My father is coming to the party, and I will not have you dressed as if someone has died."
"Wait, what?"