[PSL] time travel, time travel

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin had always known that Lukas would kill him in the end. If not along the way, then surely at the end, once he'd gotten what he wanted out of Martin, whatever that turned out to be. When the Lonely rose up to swallow him, he'd accepted his impending death with ... what?

What did he have left, really? Numbness, mostly. A hallucination of Jon in the Lonely, looking for him, but - but that was impossible, ridiculous. His mind playing cruel tricks. He settled himself down in the frigid surf, knees drawn up close to his chest, unshed tears frozen to his cheeks and lashes.

And then. A door. A door that shouldn't exist, that couldn't exist. That he shouldn't take at all. The Lonely was terrible, yes, but it was quiet, and it was peaceful. Martin was aligned enough with it by now to very nearly enjoy it, in a strange and terrible way. The Spiral would be infinitely worse than this quiet beach.

But ... it was hope, too. In a strange way. Hope enough that Martin found himself turning the door handle and stepping through, leaving the false comfort of the Lonely behind him.

The transition was unpleasant. Long. But Martin couldn't remember it after; he only remembered stumbling out through the door of a supply closet somewhere deep in the Archives, blinking up at the dim bulbs that pretended to be sufficient. What time was it? Had he escaped? Where were Lukas and Elias now?

And where was Jon? ]

Comments

[curriculum_fictae]

[ You mean they totally have already and just haven't said anything yet. ]

Good. All right then. Just - just text me when you're on your way back and I'll meet you there.

[eyediot]

[They're so polite.]

All right.

[A beat.]

Where am I meeting?

[curriculum_fictae]

Do you - do you not know the little café down the road? Brown sign, has a tea pun in its name?

[eyediot]

... Right.

[He absolutely does not know.]

I'll meet you there.

[curriculum_fictae]

I'll message you with the address.

[ Just. So exasperated. ]

[eyediot]

[Hey, it's better than all-knowing Jon, right?

He does look a little put off though at being called on his bluff, idly poking at his food.]

That's fine too.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin returns to eating. A bit of warmth returning to his skin as he does so. ]

I'll probably see about some sort of part time work too. Something that won't need a background check.

[eyediot]

Oh. Um. Are you sure?

[He doesn't really know what Martin's current physical condition entails. But who knows.]

I mean, I can't stop you. But... [He worries.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin rubs at the back of his neck. ]

I'm going to be stuck here for a long time. Better if I - I make something of it.

[eyediot]

I understand.

[He just doesn't like it!]

Maybe there'll be some luck while we're out later.

[curriculum_fictae]

Would be nice. I could certainly serve up tea with the best of them.

[eyediot]

You certainly can. Anyone in that business would be an idiot not to hire you.

[curriculum_fictae]

Y-you say that, but I did actually try. Before the Institute, anyway. Surprisingly picky.

[eyediot]

Then they were idiots.

[Or maybe Jon's just not had much experience being served.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Martin appreciates it either way. He manages a small laugh. ]

I'll make sure to ask while we're there.

[eyediot]

[He nods and goes back to finishing his breakfast.

As the day goes on, he feels a bit better about deciding to take a break from the tunnels. The statements aren't getting easier, and he's finding himself more and more tired after them. Probably just his body finally settling in after the trauma and healing.

The end of the day finally rolls around and he only stayed a few minutes late - checking the lock on the tunnels, making sure everything's in order for tomorrow, watching Sasha for just a few minutes... But true to his word, he's at the cafe within a reasonable time of leaving work.]

Martin. [He grabs his seat there and ...feels almost relieved to see him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ As promised, Martin is there waiting for him. He ... doesn't have much by way of clothing, but he did laundry today, at least, and his jumper is neat and clean if also still terribly grey. He doesn't have a menu or anything in front of him yet. Instead, he'd brought a book to read while waiting for Jon - and is pleasantly surprised to find that he barely had to wait at all.

Martin gives him a smile and a wave.]

Look at that. You made it after all.

[eyediot]

I told you I would.

[The doubt, Martin! It stings. Though, considering how much the current timeline Martin won't come near him and that Tim hates him and Sasha is.... Perhaps Jon isn't entirely unprepared for degrading comments.]

You were right, easy enough to find.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He's mostly just teasing. Mostly. The part that isn't is the same part that would have considered going into the tunnels if Jon hadn't shown up. ]

I thought so. Haven't been in here in a long while, but.

[ But the place is cozy and quiet, with a warm savoury smell that promises at least some kind of supper to go with their tea. Quiche, probably. And sandwiches.

The waitress smiles at Jon and drops a single menu in front of him. ]

[eyediot]

Oh - thank you.

[Menu in hand, he glances it over. He's really just checking if they have a nice tea to go with sandwiches, but. It is a nice little cafe.]

You weren't waiting long, were you?

[curriculum_fictae]

No, no. Only a few minutes, maybe.

[ He leans over to sneak a peek at the menu himself. There's quite a nice variety of teas, from sweet rooiboses to redolent chais, as well as a standard array of blacks and greens. Plus sandwiches. ]

How was work?

[eyediot]

[When Martin leans over, Jon holds the menu over so he can see it easier.]

It was... All right. As we're getting closer to Halloween it's... Nice to. Be dealing with obviously fake statements.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He's just a hairsbreadth away from touching Jon like that. Dimly chilly. ]

Ah. Yes. I remember that. I had to work intake once in October a while back. Not fun either.

[eyediot]

I didn't think I'd be this relieved, to be quite honest.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yeah? Nice to know that it's not real? Nothing that can actually hurt you?