Learning to Love Time Loops Without Going Insane

Cal was impressed at how well things were coming together in the aftermath of the destruction. Harold not only managed to get them a regular supply line of food and building materials, but he also started working on a list of contacts he had made throughout his long life. Despite Cal’s many attempts for details on his past, Harold would only cover broad strokes. All Cal was sure of was that the man had a deep connection with several governments and was very experienced in the world of spycraft.

He had also learned just what had been done to their imprisoned Gryalth in order to get it talking. Cal wasn’t sure if he would have allowed it to happen had he been here, but it already had. The cork was out of the bottle, and while the contents were maybe not as critical as Harold thought they would be. The idea of the aliens hurting sick kids to control their parents was a new simmering fire in Cal’s brain. Harold may not want to become loop-aware in this loop, but he was not skipping it in the next. They needed someone out in the world capable of the level of intel gathering that he was. Between Cal’s stepmother and Melissa’s grandfather, they could start answering some of the many questions about the Gryalth actions on Earth that still plagued any defense plans.

Despite their actions on Pluto, Harold was unable to determine if the Gryalth’s presence on Earth had changed at all. Cal and the others had chosen not to risk it and kept themselves confined to the void house and the reconstruction of Ethel’s realm. That meant Cal had kept himself more involved than usual with the construction and layout of the new and repaired buildings. Land had been transplanted between the realms in order to create a backup farm in the void house. This was built into the center of the newly designed sprawling complex as a sort of courtyard.

In Ethel’s realm, Albert and Shroomy had worked on a new mushroom patch in some of the excavated void land. All the recipes that had come from the new crops had been delicious. All of the animal’s homes were rebuilt alongside with dorm-style shelters in both realms in case either had to be evacuated again in the future.

The years passed in a relaxed, peaceful communal time for everyone involved. Everyone had gathered for the dedication of a single golden-leafed tree that had grown on the site where Onelder had died. The capybaras were going table to table, making sure there was plenty to eat. Stan was talking to Excalibur, who was still embedded into the soil. The sword’s energy had been as needed as he had expected it would.

Cal, on the other hand, couldn’t stop fidgeting in his seat. He was trying to enjoy the dual celebration and remembrance feast they were having, but he also knew that this was the week Andy was supposed to return, which meant he had to tell Twonger of his brother’s death. He had come to peace with it genuinely not being his fault the Cyclopean was dead, but he doubted Twonger would agree. The second part of his anxiety was that they expected Andy days ago, and he still wasn’t back.

“Yeah, I’m worried too,” Ethel said as she pulled the chair out next to Cal and plopped down. “Considering the disaster that was our trip, who knows what happened to them in that strange world they found.”

“Is it that obvious?” Cal asked, a little surprised she was able to read him so easily.

“No idea, but I’ve been a teacher and an animal trainer, and I’ve been around you for a long time, so to me, yes. It’s obvious you are worried and trying to find something to distract yourself,” She answered.

“I’ve got an idea on distracting myself. I did say I was going to pay that frog another visit this loop.” Cal was planning to do it alone. He didn’t want to risk anyone else on the trip.

“What the hell did he call himself again?” Ethel asked.

“Glurm Lightning Leaper, Lord of the Southern Swamp Nebula, Prince of the Fifth Dynasty, and Supreme Champion of the Ninty-Fifth Universal Games,” Cal answered.

“That you manage to pay attention to?” Ethel shook her head at Cal. In reality, he had not, in fact, remembered the name outside of Glurm. What he had remembered was Excalibur claiming that the Frog had once been a wielder of his and was able to get enough info from the sword to get his memory working well enough to dredge up the rest.

“Seemed important, but I’m not sure how much it will matter this loop anyway, he didn’t want us back for a hundred years,” Cal said.

“Then why are you going?” Ethel cocked an eye as she glared at him.

“I have some questions, no idea if he will answer, but I figure it’s worth a shot,” Cal finished his drink and stood up. “And I guess no better time than the present. Guess I’ll leave a note for Andy in the situation room in case he manages to show up. I wonder if he can move that door of his? That won’t be the situation room much longer. It's too bad it’s not in the normal portal area,” Cal said, rambling a bit as his mind did its usual wandering.

“Hold up, I’m coming along, I won’t go with you to the frog, but I’m waiting near the portal in case shit hits the fan again. This time, though, I should be a little more prepared,” Ethel said as she stood to join him.

“I appreciate it. I do think I’ll be fine, though. I talked it over with Excalibur and Fulginanis. Neither of them thinks the creature was able to pinpoint where I was going exactly, only that I was leaving from something he had control of and looked like a human,” Cal explained as they left the realm.

“While that’s great news, I’m not risking it. So good luck with the frog, but I’ll be waiting with Fulginanis until you are safely back,” Ethel reiterated her worry.

“Alright, suit yourself, and thank you,” Cal shrugged and gave her a brief smile. “Fulginanis, everything ready to go?”

“Yes, the gateway is open again, so Glurm has allowed that much,”

“Perfect,” Cal said as he stepped through, once again heading to Titan.