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]

I do. Far better than I'd ever be.

[curriculum_fictae]

You'd do a great job, Jon. If - if you wanted to, anyway.

[eyediot]

Not... really.

[Another very deliberate bite of his pastry.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh come on, you know we'd make a great team.

[eyediot]

[Jon sets his mug down and just... Looks at Algric. His expression an odd mix of sadness and longing and...doubt.]

I think... You and Jonah might be. A, a great team.

[He's about to soon have a severe detriment to his capabilities, after all.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Well. Okay, yes, point, but. ]

I think you'd do just as well, Jon.

[eyediot]

I disagree. Can we--

[Lord he's uncomfortable.]

Can we not talk about this?

[Nevermind he's the one who brought it up.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Yeah um. Algric seems taken aback. ]

Sure, Jon.

[eyediot]

[Deep breath. Settle his nerves.]

Sorry. I-i don't... Mean that badly, it's just. I can't really see myself with children.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh.

[ There's a hint of sadness there, but he buries it deeply. ]

O-of course. I understand. Perfectly reasonable, really.

[eyediot]

Especially when I'm about to, you know.

[He makes a vague gesture towards his eyes. But he does look genuinely apologetic to Algric.]

Don't think, um. Any agencies would. Really look kindly at someone with a recent issue as. That.

[curriculum_fictae]

R-right, of course. And, you know, I'm still a time traveling version of myself with literally no paperwork, so.

[eyediot]

I mean. [Well, now he's just picking apart his cornet without any real method, but his tone is thoughtful.]

I'm fairly certain we could get you papers. Maybe. Algric Blackwood? Martin's twin? I think it has a nice ring.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He blinks slowly as that thought sinks in. ]

R-really? You think we could?

[eyediot]

[His eyes go a little green static for just a moment-]

I think so.

[And then it's gone. He doesn't even realize it.]

People do that sort of thing all the time, so.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That gets a worried look from Algric, but ...

But it's a hopeful thought, isn't it? That he might be able to stay like a normal person. Hold down a job again, pay for his own flat. ]

I - I suppose so, but. You know, just not a time traveller.

[eyediot]

No. Just... Algric Blackwood. Living in London proper, doing... What would you want to be doing. I-i don't know, but. We'll figure something out.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. He flushes a bit, a hesitant smile on his face. ]

I can make up a backstory for myself?

[eyediot]

I would hope you do. It's your life.

[How rude would that be, if they made up Algric's made-up-life for him. Gosh.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I just - gosh. What a thought that is. I'll have to come up with something good.

[eyediot]

Traveled the continent? Is that why you weren't here with Martin?

[curriculum_fictae]

I was thinking separated at birth. Maybe - maybe I have adopted parents somewhere.

[eyediot]

[The decimated pastry is forgotten in favor of the tea before it gets too cool. But Jon at least seems in better spirits.]

Oh, you're going for a proper drama narrative then?

[curriculum_fictae]

I was thinking more "pretend I have parents who don't hate me," but yes.

[eyediot]

...Ah.

[He clicks his tongue against his teeth once and. Well. Not much he can say to that, is there?]

...I think Tim might be the only one of us who had an actual, loving family. Huh.