[PSL] time travel, time travel
Jun. 16th, 2020 06:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
[ 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? ]
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? ]
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:23 am (UTC)You act like you're looking for resistance.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:33 am (UTC)[He picks up his own wine and takes a delicate sip. Still, it wouldn't do to have Peter lose interest this early in.]
Well, we both know the answer to that. No, I was simply delighted to find you'd spent a few extra days in port.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:40 am (UTC)[ Because it's never just company with them, is it? Even when they're married. ]
Had to follow up on a few things. Employee payroll didn't match up. You understand.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:51 am (UTC)Can't say I do. But I just keep a better eye on my associates in that regard. If you need pointers... Well.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:54 am (UTC)[ He settles in to take a bite of his salmon. ]
Yours, on the other hand. Well. I take my funding of the Institute very seriously. And adding a staff member without the proper review process simply isn't allowed.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 04:03 am (UTC)Oh, far be it from me to anger the mighty Lukas family. But I will assure you, protocols are always followed.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 11:55 am (UTC)Lukas lingers over his glass, his frown deepening. How does he get what he's after without a question? ]
But they haven't been. That's the whole problem. I'm not sure where your new assistant has come from, but he really can't stay.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:03 pm (UTC)There's an odd twisting of the man's expression, a little too slack in some ways, a little too tight in others, as the monster in the shell ignores the usual graceful operations.]
That would be the issue. There is no new assistant. Merely my Head Archivist not only vanishing from my Sight when he returns home, but I forget about him.
The power seems astoundingly familiar.
So if you'd care to explain... If not you, who of yours has been encroaching.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:05 pm (UTC)He smiles with all the brilliance of a tundra at midnight. ]
I don't know.
1/2
Date: 2020-08-02 03:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:12 pm (UTC)[Composed, and tone turns to that classically business-upbeat.]
If so, I assume you've no problem with me... expunging this little blight, then?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:15 pm (UTC)Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm rather enjoying the effect he's having on you. In fact ... I think I'd rather he keep on doing that.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:23 pm (UTC)[It's not just the sticker shock of it. It's how... overt it is.
He gives a small, disgusted sigh, settling back.]
A shame your territory is about to move out.
[He takes another small sip, eying Peter Lukas over the wobbling edge of the achingly dry white.]
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:27 pm (UTC)[ Look, the gesture is as much a part of it as the price is. He does so enjoy rubbing this into Elias's face.
But he sighs a bit, forced to concede a tiny sliver of his victory. ]
I suppose that was the original plan, yes. I've stayed entirely too long. But if it means slowing you down a bit, well. Maybe I can spare one more day.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:35 pm (UTC)Nor does he bother to hide his annoyance. But, one day? Well, that sets the time and stage for this next little game, doesn't it?]
Do keep in mind the lines between what is your business, and what is mine, hmm?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:38 pm (UTC)Naturally. I'll leave your pet project and all of his assistants alone.
[ He pours himself a glass of that delightfully expensive water. ]
What were their names again? Jim, Marvin...?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:42 pm (UTC)[But just in case, he really cannot stand inaccuracy, the correction comes quick and biting, with only a little, tiny pause in there.]
Jonathan Sims, Timothy Stoker and ... Martin Blackwood are the surviving members.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:45 pm (UTC)[ He very much enjoys their games and rules, after all. ]
In the meantime... you are quite the senior citizen. Perhaps you're just going a bit senile?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:54 pm (UTC)Well, they are ordered in terms of importance.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:57 pm (UTC)Oh? Then I suppose you wouldn't mind a staff reduction. Helps with expenses.
[ He takes another sip of his water. ]
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 03:59 pm (UTC)Now, now. I appreciate your interest in running leaner, but I believe the performance review is in my corner.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 04:09 pm (UTC)Oh? And how has his performance been lately?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 04:13 pm (UTC)Hm. He would be the one you'd have a touch of interest in, wouldn't he?
.. Care to add a little more to this?
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 04:17 pm (UTC)Peter rolls his shoulders lightly. ]
I admit you have a knack for finding assistants with their own ... inclinations. Like your Archivist. Though I think the other one will meet a fiery end sooner rather than later.
no subject
Date: 2020-08-02 04:21 pm (UTC)Believe it or not, that's the intention.
(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From: