Time and Again

By firefox222

Beta by DamienHellion

Prologue

Clopin was taking a quiet rest under a bridge after one of his puppet shows. It was a fair day and the sun was shining brightly. He took a deep breath and was thankful for his short break from his puppet cart in the busy city square. He loved performing for the children, but he most of all loved the peace and quiet. He thanked the heavenly power for the clear sky. He was suddenly shocked as the sound of thunder broke the silence. Clopin looked up at the sky and was confused to see it void of clouds.

His attention went to the river at the sound of someone moaning and he saw a human form floating in the river. He quickly whistled, a signal for help, and began to wade into the river. As he began to drag the man from the river two more gypsies showed up and helped him to the shore. Clopin examined the form looking for any form of injury's the man may have sustained.

The clothes the figure wore were like nothing any of them have ever seen, "He must be from a foreign land." Said Clopin softly. The pants were tight and black that was old and worn but not like the hose of the common peasant folk. The material was thicker and looked to him to be far more uncomfortable. The figures coat was a faded black with a black and grey shirt underneath. The shoes were odd indeed. But tucked into one was a dagger. Clopin gently turned the figures head to examine his face and gasped, "He's green!"

One of the other gypsies looked down at the man's face and nodded. "Must be face paint. He might be a performer."
Clopin saw an earring in the man's ear and said, "You're right, he is one of us. Come, we must get him to safety. He needs bed rest at once." And with that Clopin and his fellow gypsies carried the still figure to their home

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Mortimer was slowly becoming aware of a voice. It got clearer after a while and he recognized it as a male, speaking French. He silently thanked Magneto for teaching him the language from the time they had spent in Canada. Wait…Magneto! Mortimer's eyes snapped open and he sat bolt upright. He regretted this instantly as his chest exploded with pain and his head was filled with small ringing bells.

"Don't move my brother. You are badly injured and need your rest." Said the voice.

"Bloody Hell, my head." Muttered Mort, "And I've had worse, I'll be fine." Mort opened his eyes and gasped at a pair of eyes very close to his own

"I am sorry my friend but I don't understand your words." 'The man must not know English.' Mortimer thought. The man leaned back to show a very colourful outfit. The man looked exactly like a jester except for his hat. The hat was wide brimmed and blue with a yellow feather. The man had dark skin and straight black hair that went to his shoulders. He also sported a stylish goatee but it lacked a moustache. "Your eyes are very… unique."

Mortimer decided to speak to this man to see what he knew, "Thanks, I guess. Where am I and how did I get here?" Mortimer took the moment to look around. He found he was in a brightly coloured yellow tent. In the tent was a coat rack with cloths on it, a trunk, a mirror, a few boxes with what looked like material and different kinds of carved puppet parts and a bunch of blankets piled together off to the side of the tent as a bed which he was on.

"You are safely hidden in the Court of Miracles, the safest gypsy haven in all of Paris. And I am Clopin, the King of the Court." The strange man said as he removed his hat and bowed.

Mortimer's eyes widened in shock. "What, Paris? I'm in Paris?" He got up despite the pain and realized that his shirt and shoes were missing. "What the fuck! Where's my shit?" Mortimer asked angrily and the man blinked in confusion. Mortimer sighed,

"Where the fuck is my stuff?" He said in French.

Clopin smiled, "You don't need such language. Your things are being cleaned. And not to worry, I have taken all your trinkets and am keeping them safe. Now, please, calm down and we shall have a questioning session. As the King I will start." Clopin said as he sat Mortimer back down, "What is your name?"

Mort realized he was at a disadvantage and went along with it, "Toad." He said shortly with a grumble

"That's a very odd name." Clopin said not understanding the word. Next question. Are you ill? Your skin is an odd colour and I worry if my people are in danger of becoming sick." Clopin said

"It's not like that. My skin has been this way since I was born. It's not contagious and that's all you're going to know about it." Said Mortimer, staying calm

"Fair enough…Toad. Your cloths are very strange; as are the things you carry. Where are you from?"

"I'm from the United Kingdom."

"United Kingdom?" Clopin asked. Toad was just as confused as to why the man didn't know what the United Kingdom was. "England."

"You're a far way from home my boy. Do you remember how you came to be here?"

"I have no idea." Then Mort thought of something, "Or even what year it is." Mort hoped he was wrong. He hoped that the reason the man had never heard of the UK had nothing to do with the year.

"You must have been hit about the head quit a bit. It is the year fourteen eighty two of course." Clopin said.

Mortimer was in shock. He blanked out to the world around him. He was in the past, in Paris, and on his own. His electronics were probably fried to shit, so that was gone. And with his powers he would be accused of being a witch or the spawn of Satan or something and burned at the stake. 'No wait.' Toad thought. 'They don't actually do that. They hang people.' But that wasn't much better. What would he do? Where would he go? Mortimer was shocked out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder.

"Toad, did you hear me? Are you feeling ill?" Clopin asked with concern, "You look a bit pale and your shaking."

"I'm…I'm alright. It's just; I don't remember how I got here.' Mortimer lied, his voice cracking slightly, "I have nowhere to go and no money. I have no bloody idea what I'm going to do" Mort said as he felt tears spring to his eyes. He became so distraught that he forgot to speak French, "All my friends, all my stuff, all gone. I'll never see Raven or Victor or Eric ever again. I'll never see technology again." Suddenly two arms wrapped themselves around him and he was being held in a tight hug.

"Even though I can't understand your words my friend, I know why you weep. As for nowhere to go, you are welcome to stay here as long as you like. Gypsies are family, no matter what land they come from." Clopin slowly rubbed Toad's bare back and suddenly realized that he felt warm despite the lack of shirt. This new feeling was odd. Toad pulled back and Clopin was surprised to find he was disappointed.
Mort found the tight embrace strangely comforting and warm. He decided to sit up and tell the truth about something and found that he hated the lack of physical connection.

"Clopin, I can't let you say those things. You say all gypsies are family but I can't be part of that family. I am no gypsy. I shall leave if you wish." Mortimer said sadly.

"Gypsy or not you are welcome here. You are, from this point on, a gypsy. Now get some sleep my friend, for tomorrow we shall find out how you will earn your keep." Clopin stood and gave a brilliant smile that made Mort feel funny, "Sleep well." Clopin said as he exited the tent with a cartwheel

Mortimer lay down in the quiet and sighed. "I might as well get used to this place. It doesn't seem so bad, and Clopin seems nice… has a beautiful smile." Mortimer's eyes widened, "Where did that come from?" Mortimer asked himself before he turned over and went to sleep

Ok that was the first chapter. Please R&R.