[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

[contractuallybinding]

Would you?

[He steeples his fingers, letting the silence carry through the room a long moment. Peter's far too used to him to be affected by it, but Elias is too old to break old habits now.]

Let me guess, you've have no explanations as to how that happened.

[Whether he has or hasn't.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ It’s charming, in a way. Certainly nostalgic. Peter enjoys watching Elias use it on other people when they’re married. ]

Theories, maybe. Nothing as concrete as you’d like.

[contractuallybinding]

[He raises his eyebrows.]

Well. Never let it be said I don't entertain the plausibility of your theories. As wild as some may be.

[curriculum_fictae]

They’re always perfectly well thought out. You cheat too much.

[ Such a sigh. ]

Your least favourite assistant’s been hurting himself.

[contractuallybinding]

[In normal circumstances, it would be new if generally unremarkable to either of them. Something to pick at, a pain most keep desperately secret, perhaps, but nothing concerning.

But this was hardly normal circumstances and Peter is either being deliberately obtuse or playing.]

Care to elaborate?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ A little of both, as always. Peter does so enjoy knowing something that Elias doesn’t. ]

I’m saying that - what was his name. Marvin? Has a very curious mark now. But I’m very good on seeing when other people have been involved, and that just ... isn’t the case here.

[contractuallybinding]

Martin. [It's a tiny annoyance, but one that garners a twitch.

He leans back in his chair, thoughtful. That was ... an unexpected complication. But is it useful or not? That is the question.]

No, no I imagine it isn't. I believe I may know the source, though very little as to what it actually is. Or is not.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh? Been snooping about the old-fashioned way? Suppose you would have to with someone that far into the Lonely.

[contractuallybinding]

A chance encounter, if one would believe it. I was merely checking on my investments and well...

No wonder you'd dragged your feet setting sail. Someone in London that close to becoming a full avatar and you hadn't noticed.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Rude, Elias. Just incredibly rude. ]

We don’t like clustering up much. I thought that would be obvious enough.

[ But the same goes in reverse, which Elias surely knows. Peter does not enjoy surprise encroachments on his territory. Especially not ones that teeter on the verge of being competition. Only snacks and subordinates allowed. ]

But your assistant isn’t quite there yet, is he? No, I think he’s got an echo. Not that he would tell me much about it. Surprisingly loyal, your Marvin.

[contractuallybinding]

Oh, no. That assistant was barely in foundling stages, even before you had what I could only assume was a meal. [It's ever so hard to see directly at Lukas' actions. He rather nurtured the idea it's why they enjoyed funding the Institute.]

No, I think I've got a strong lead on the source of ... both of our difficulties.

I'll pull the relevant information from my Archive shortly. [There is something in the way he says it, that he doesn't mean the physical location below the office.] I do believe it may come with a bit of .. adjustment of plans.

[curriculum_fictae]

Mm, he is a particularly fine vintage, if not properly aged just yet.

[ But Peter had enjoyed his meal still, yes. Very much so. He sort of tilts his head, curious? And dimly amused. ]

Thus you calling me, I gather. Are we going to have another wager?

[contractuallybinding]

I'd only thought you'd be interested in information. I thought you'd like a look at the new player.

Though, I am always open to... create opportunities, if you have something you'd like to place on the table.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Hrm. Peter considers that with an unusually serious expression. Mostly he doesn’t get involved, outside of those wagers, but a proto-avatar appearing out of nowhere, paired with a meal that would really be exquisite given just a little bit more prep ... it’s tempting enough to prompt some kind of action.

Then again, he really enjoys having Elias’s plans upended sometimes. ]

I could side with them for a while. Maybe I have a fatherly instinct.

[contractuallybinding]

[He mutters 'like an octopus.' Though more clearly:]

Oh, you could. My. I can just imagine how much they would depend on you.

[The scathing sarcasm is more than enough to let Peter know how likely he thinks Elias is to interfere in THAT particular way.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Ugh. He knows exactly what Elias is doing, but that doesn’t make it any less effective. Even the joke of fatherhood sours in his mouth. ]

... Right. Point taken. No need to turn my stomach, Jonah.

[ When did he sit in that chair? You don’t quite remember. ]

You have been bothering me to mark your Archivist for some time now. And I think I’d like to tear apart at least one of your Marvins.

[contractuallybinding]

[It's those little gaps that prickle in turn. Lapses even in his own memory that sit sour and stinging. He gives Peter a particularly dour look, even while he turns over that plural. More aware than he put on, but that was hardly unusual.]

Martin. [Perfunctorily and reflexive correction.]

As for the agreement... no. I don't need you to make that particular scar... In the company he has, he's bound to get bitten at some point. Hardly something I need to worry about. No, I need something else from you.

[A hand traces an elegant arc.] Resources. There are some, ah, factions with some reticence when dealing with myself.

[He is, in fact, asking Peter to actually DEAL with people. Eyes and tone quite serious.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Peter waves a hand. He is never going to get Martin’s name right and you know this, Elias.

Besides, you’ve suggested something much more abhorrent. He looks dimly nauseated at the thought of dealing with (UGH) people. ]

And you’ve come to me to, what. Ask for my negotiating skills? Jonah, please. I’d much rather spend money.

[contractuallybinding]

Now, now. A little pain for a great deal of profit. I know you've quite a few won bets that you've never collected. All I'd require is a nice, impersonal but firm note here and there.

[To his benefit, naturally. To enjoy the reward of victories he hadn't earned.]

I wouldn't ask such a thing without sweetening the pot a little.

I propose we put our... philosophies to the test. I'll wager the very seat of power I have that you cannot convince this little group to truly believe in this ... little emergency theory.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Peter had his mouth open to deny Elias no matter what, an unpaid wager was entirely worth the fact that the person (or monster) who owed him would avoid him, and that was a design feature, not a bug -

But the Panopticon. Oh the Panopticon. He would very, very much like to have that. With a proper bearer, anyway, and that ... ah. ]

I’ll need someone to sit in that chair. The one who’s further along in the Lonely.

[ That’s a fair trade for both of them. ]

[contractuallybinding]

[If nothing else, Elias knew how to work with someone who needed, wanted, so desperately to know.]

Not the other one? I would have thought you'd enjoy breaking him to your particular standards. Well, very well. I believe I can relinquish that much.

[Another problem solved. Goodness, and he didn't even have to demand it.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ That. Hmm. Okay, fine, yes, that was a good point. The older would be less work, but the younger would turn out so nicely with the right direction ...

Annoying. ]

My pick of the two, then. I’ll decide later.

[contractuallybinding]

Agreed.

[And it all falls into place. He extends a hand.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Peter takes it, giving it a firm if chilly shake. ]

This has to all be a rather large complication in your plans, of course.

[contractuallybinding]

[Elias' manicured, uncalloused fingers slide along Peter's palm as he withdraws, satisfied.]

As much as it is galling, I have to admit this particular hitch is unforeseen. But, nothing a little readjustment shouldn't be able to handle.