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

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It is a lovely day. The snow has piled up enough enough to make the London city streets look beautiful, and the shop itself is a perfect little nook not terribly far from the tube station. The energetic little redhead clerk had been delighted to see both Algric and Jonah, quickly steering the two men towards a fine selection of mascline wedding bands.

Algric has since drifted off to look at some of the other items on offer, but he hasn't gone far. Every so often he looks over at Jonah and just. Melts a little, his expression warm. That's his fiancé...

But there's someone else rather more unpleasant in this shop. Hardly noticeable, really. Just watching the customer service till amiably, enjoying all of the poor sad sods come to return their engagement rings. But he can't help but notice Algric and Jonah eventually, and ... well. It would be terribly impolite not to greet him. ]

Oh. You're new, aren't you? Don't think you're quite the Jonathan Sims I'm familiar with.

[ Fog coils out ever so slightly, tickling at the edges of Jonah's ankles. ]

[eyediot]

[It's exactly the kind of shop Jonah (and Jon) would find approachable, especially for this sort of occasion. The clerk here and there pulls out a tray with a few bands to let them look closer - "Just browsing", getting an idea of what they like. The whole place, this situation, Algric, fills him with such warmth...

That it's noticeable when a voice sends a chill up his spine, the cold seeping through his shoes. He turns, just catching a glimpse in the corner of his eye.]

And you're still the same Peter. Never properly announcing yourself.

[curriculum_fictae]

It's true. I never do.

[ Said in the most pleasant tone imaginable. ]

You seem a bit lost tehre.

[eyediot]

I can assure you, I'm not.

[Algric hasn't noticed him yet, otherwise this would be a very different conversation.]

What do you want.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric is having a very pleasant conversation with the clerk, who has a tray of rings out for him to look at. He's looking at a slender rose gold band with a lot of fondness.

Peter, meanwhile, takes a step closer to Jonah. ]

Nothing. I'm only curious. The two of you do represent a bit of a power imbalance.

[eyediot]

[He hms at that, still watching Algric, though now it's more wary than a comfort. He'd promised...]

And what will you do about it? Because we're a bit busy and have no intention of playing the game.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He doesn't even realise. Not yet.

Peter shrugs a bit. ]

Would you believe that I only want to talk?

[eyediot]

Of all of your lot? I actually believe you're the only one who would only want to talk.

[The mist rolling off Jonah is there, though. He knew eventually it'd come to speaking with Peter and doing whatever he has to, even if Algric made him promise not to do anything rash. He sighs heavily, still keeping eyes on Algric, but watching Peter as best he can.]

What is it.

[curriculum_fictae]

See? I'm harmless enough, Archivist.

[ He breathes in a bit, enjoying a small taste of that mist. ]

Just wondering how you're getting on. An engagement, is it?

[eyediot]

[His tone goes low, dangerous:] Nowhere did I say you were harmless.

And I fail to see how that's your business.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'd say it is, Archivist. You are very lonely, aren't you? Even now.

[eyediot]

I walked your beaches for weeks. Some of it stuck with me. Can't say I was a fan.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, I do think I can see that. It's very strange.

[eyediot]

What's strange is you're still here. So please get to the point.

[curriculum_fictae]

You don't like me very much, do you?

[ A gentle smile. ]

[eyediot]

I'm sure it'll keep you up at night.

[Eyes still focused on his fiancé.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Mm, I have worried about it a little. Dangerous combination, that.

[ He hums a bit. ]

Especially given your ... fiancé? Is that who he is now?

[eyediot]

[He wants so badly to destroy this man again. But he promised.]

He isn't up for discussion.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'm just concerned, Archivist. You plan to anchor him, I'm sure. All very romantic.

[eyediot]

I told you, he's not part of this conversation.

[He finally does turn his eyes away, though. Turning to look Peter's direction fully, green static flared in his eyes for a flash, gone in a blink.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ OH. Well. Okay, that - is concerning. Jonah gets the smallest flicker of fear before Peter calms again. ]

Fine. It's not really about him. It's about you. Do you really think you're good for him?

[eyediot]

...No. I don't.

[He looks back at Algric, smiling gently at whatever he's looking at. He's long since lost track of where they are in the showcases.]

Already voiced that to him, and he still decided he wants to keep me. So try again.

[curriculum_fictae]

Mm. That's the thing. You don't understand how broken he is. How much of that sentiment is a lie he's making up just to keep you happy.

[eyediot]

You're pushing it.

[But he has wondered sometimes, Jonah can't ignore that faint tug. That wondering if Algric really wouldn't rather simply disappear if it weren't for Jonah being here.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Thaaaat's what he thought. Peter shifts slightly closer, pressing his advantage. ]

I'm just pointing out something you missed. The Lonely is very soothing, once you're used to it. And being away from it is ... well. It's rather painful, honestly. World pressing in on you, forcing you to exist in it.