[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

[eyediot]

[Jon sees some movement and, honestly. Honestly it's hard to make out. All seeing eye and he can't fucking focus to save his life.

Jon pushes himself upright, ignoring the pricks of pain along his back and gets his glasses with his free hand. If he were a better man, he'd offer the right words. If he were a softer person, he'd hold him. As it is, Jon is neither, and he feels clumsy sitting here, holding this man's hand while laid up in a hospital bed and not able to do a damn thing.]

...I suppose so.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Why does he love you, Jon. He'd get more warmth and social grace out of a baked potato.

But he squeezes Jon's hand, at least, and that is something. ]

So - so please don't blame yourself.

[ A pause. ]

And ... and be very, very careful around me when I come back.

[eyediot]

[He did ask you that before, and you provided a long list of reasons.

But... God, every TIME he tries to find some mental resolution, Algric adds to the worry.]

...Whuh-Why? What... do you think he'll do?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He has a talent for it, clearly. ]

I - I don't know? I just know he's powerful. And - and when he gives you a command, there's no resisting it. F-for all I know, he'll send me back with an order to kill you or something.

[eyediot]

Good lord... I.. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[curriculum_fictae]

I - I hope it doesn't either. But I don't know it won't, so ...

[eyediot]

...If the attack hadn't happened, this wouldn't be happening. I still don't... Quite understand what happened.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, well, if I hadn't told you about Not-Sasha, you wouldn't have gotten attacked. So.

[eyediot]

It might've still happened anyway. We didn't do anything.

[curriculum_fictae]

... Jon, you don't understand. I - I lived the alternative, remember? And in that version, no one else got attacked until you axed the table.

[eyediot]

I know. And I didn't axe the table this time. I wasn't near Artefact Storage.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That ... that's strange, isn't it? Martin blinks slowly. ]

I figured you hadn't, but - that's still -

Tim didn't, did he?

[eyediot]

No, he was in Sasha's office at the time.

[curriculum_fictae]

How did Not-Sasha get so far, then ...

[eyediot]

I don't know.

It just... happened so suddenly...

[curriculum_fictae]

...

If - if we both have to go back there, maybe we should go at roughly the same time. You with the statement first, and. And me after.

[eyediot]

...That might be best, yes.

[...Ugh now he's dreading going up and down the Archive stairs with these feet. Is there even an elevator there so he could use a chair? If Algric has to go by the end of the week, there's no way he can walk.

He'll figure it out. If it means helping Algric, he'll deal with it.]

All right. Let's do that.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Sorry, Jon. But this is the only thing he can think of. ]

Right. Right. If we can get something out of this, at least...

[eyediot]

[He sighs softly and... Tries not to think too hard about what's coming for the both of them.

He has a feeling it won't be pleasant.]

So... Go in together. And... Hopefully leave together.

['Hopefully'.]

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes. That's - that's the plan.

[ A deep breath. ]

But don't wait for me.

[eyediot]

What if I do?

[The moment the words come out of his mouth, he already knows the answer. Doesn't have to use anything from the Eye to figure it out: Elias will know it was some kind of plan and look into it. Jon's face scrunches a bit at the realization before he sighs.]

... Right. I just... go back home. And wait.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. That ... actually gets a lovesick look? You're an idiot, Jon, but it's a nice gesture. ]

That - that would be safer. Yes.

[eyediot]

[He resolves right then and there to give Algric his mobile before they both go in. Or a throwaway. Something. God, why hadn't he done that sooner?]

...I'm not particularly good at sitting and waiting.

[curriculum_fictae]

I am well aware of that, Jon.

[ He still sounds dimly lovesick. ]

[eyediot]

So you understand how hard it is to accept that's what you're asking me to do.