that one time travel psl

[eyediot]

sad bad end s5 jon and tim on a monster road trip



[Algric had given the trio a fair warning of what was happening. Not the specific details of what he was coming from, but he was from a little further along Algric's timeline, and came through Hilltop Road. Never pleasant, but he's here now. IT took a few days of settling, readjusting, and putting some firm self-imposed boundaries on himself before Jon felt comfortable enough to see the others.

After a few minutes of surprise and staring, Jon ends up sitting alone with Tim for a few minutes; the others having some things to take care of themselves. He sits there, fiddling a bit with his fingers, trying not to be self conscious. He can't do anything about the myriad of different, newer scars, nor about his black sclera or so many other things about himself now.

But god... Tim. Alive and not shouting at him right this second. How novel.]

Tim... I.. [Where does he even start.]

Comments

[eyediot]

Oh. I...Guess that would be why I didn't know.

[The Eye already ate them, why bother knowing they're here? Once in there, he looks at his hand, then starts carefully picking through, grabbing any files he can with his free hand.]

How many should I take?

[curriculum_fictae]

Just - just fill a bag with them. And I'll get a banker's box.

[ He's already moving to do that. ]

[eyediot]

Got it.

[Even if Algric's cloak is still there, it feels just one level thinner with the loss of contact. But. Focus. Help Jonah. He grabs a tote - leftover from someone else, who even knows at this point - and starts stuffing files into it. Some his hand reaches for easy, others he trembles, has trouble grasping.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric just shoves everything he can as quickly as possible, returning to Jon soon enough. The fog deepens, gently, as he approaches. ]

You all right?

[eyediot]

Yes, just-

[How can he even explain this?]

I don't, um. Think some of these want to go with us?

[curriculum_fictae]

What - what do you mean?

[eyediot]

[It's clear he struggles with one in particular, reaching for it, fumbling, dropping it. He finally lets it fall to the table - some story of a man who blinded himself at the end, surely.]

I, um. I guess nevermind that one. [And moves on to grab some others.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric ... stares at that particular statement for a moment. Feeling that same tug. Knowing the Eye doesn't want it to be seen.

But - well. His domain is the unseen, isn't it. He pulls the wayward statement out and drops it in the top of his box. ]

Right. I'm ready.

[eyediot]

[He slings the bag over his shoulder and looks around the room again - it may be one of the last times he gets to see a room of Gertrude's work. He reaches for Algric's hand again.]

Let's go.

[curriculum_fictae]

Hold on again.

[ As he takes Jon's hand, the Archives fade once again. Back into that dreary, unseen place. The loneliness plucks harder at the two of them on the way back, trying to seep in. Leave Algric behind, it whispers. Forget him. He's happier with Jonah anyway. ]

[eyediot]

[All things he knows. He knows Algric is happier with Jonah (they're engaged, aren't they?), but he won't just... leave him behind here. Jonah might rightfully kill him. It doesn't help the words sinking into his muscles. He tightens his grip on Algric's hand.]

Will these really help?

[Not that he doubts, but. Will he be the one who has to read them?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric's voice drifts over to him, faint and wobbly. ]

Yes. I - I think so. They have to, or. Or else I guess we're both going to split Tobias Fisher.

[eyediot]

[He knows he can still feel Algric's hand in his, his voice is still close, but it's starting to shake his nerves a bit. He feels ...cut off somehow. After all, Tim has Algric and Jonah. Elias hasn't come calling for him to return to work after giving that statement. He's going to blind himself soon, and then what use will he be to anyone?

No... Being of use. He can at least help with this before he's tossed aside]

Split... Tobias Fisher... I'm sorry, what?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ But after that? What then? Martin will be stuck caring for him just like he was forced to care for his mother. And eventually resentment will blot out any love he might have felt.

Algric ... pauses at that. Going quiet. ]

That's. That's the man we've been hurting.

[eyediot]

...Oh.

[Right. They...Fear, feeding. Right. He recognize the name at least, works in Library.]

Then... Let's get these home. Make it so you don't have to do that.

[curriculum_fictae]

Right. Right. Let's - do that.

[ He feels a bit better for some reason? Enough to focus, and -

And they're back in Tim's kitchen, the mist receding again. ]

[eyediot]

[Safer. It's safer here than the Institute or that weird place they were just traveling through. Jon takes a deep breath steadying himself.]

Um.. We should... Go up?

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-yes. Um. I'll just - well we can take all of them up, I suppose. I'll have to read to Jonah.

[eyediot]

I just figured your hands were full.

[He can carry the bag and at least get the door for him. He leads the way to do just that, actually, quietly opening it and holding it for Algric. Jonah's still asleep, though flopped onto his other side now and still having a nightmare. The tape's been played though, likely pressed play in his sleep and rolled away from the noise.]

Will you be all right?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh, Jonah. His gaze goes soft as he puts the statement box down by the foot of the bed. ]

I will be. I promise. The Lonely is - it's bad, but. It's close enough to what I am now anyway.

[eyediot]

...I meant reading these. [His voice is quiet. He knows how hard reading statements can be, he just... worries.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh.

[ Right. That ... is bad, isn't it? And yet. ]

... I think I'll be all right.

[eyediot]

[Jon's gaze lingers for a few seconds too long, really taking him in. Finally, he sets the bag down on the floor closer to the dresser.]

If you're sure.

[Not needed. Useful when he has anything that can be taken, but ultimately unnecessary. He swallows, turns to leave.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric can't help but breathe that in, be braced by it ... then he exhales. ]

Jon. Wait.

[eyediot]

[He stops, one hand on the door and looks at him.]

Yes?