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]

[ 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.

[eyediot]

[Soothing. Like an empty house with uncomfortable chairs. Letting you forget everything that ever caused you pain until you forget yourself. Barely existing until you fade away to nothing. The mist around him solidifying more with the memory, recently dredged up for a different purpose.

Jonah takes a sharp breath. Warmth. Algric and Timothy, a home where they willingly and gladly took him in.]

Because that is, unfortunately, part of living. You and the others made it so.

[Rayner, Magnus, Lukas. The Lightless Flame, Orsinov. All of them. None of them had to be named players in any of this, giving shape and form to their eldritch fears. But they did.]

[curriculum_fictae]

That's true. But it doesn't change how things are.

[ He leans in a bit more. ]

He would be much happier without you, you know. He had a happy life before you showed up.

[eyediot]

...What do you get out of this conversation?

[It's a straightforward question, but the way his voice trembles on the last word is evidence enough.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Is that a compulsion, Archivist?

[ His tone is dangerous in return. ]