[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]

[ 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.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ And Peter returns to lounging casually in his chair. ]

It is rather unusual, as far as hitches go. I'll give you that much.

[contractuallybinding]

Exceedingly.

I'd suspect the Mother's influence if it were not every sign of her interest in the venture's success. Still, I may ... keep an eye on the usual players for a while.

[curriculum_fictae]

Oh? You think one of them caused it purposefully?

[contractuallybinding]

Unless the Lonely now offers the way through time?

[curriculum_fictae]

Not in the slightest. I'd blame Spiral or Web, personally.

[ He gestures in a way that is not the least bit helpful. ]

[contractuallybinding]

Hm, given the involved, I would wager on the Web. But you bring a point about the Spiral. I can't imagine Michael being quite so... accommodating.

[curriculum_fictae]

No, I can't either. Perhaps a visit to Hill Top Road is in order?

[contractuallybinding]

Perhaps.

[It would be an exceedingly dangerous venture. But if played correctly...]

Either one of us - or our envoys - there would certainly draw attention. I will have to consider this carefully.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Well. That's all true, of course, but ... Peter brightens a bit, getting an idea. ]

What about steering your Archivist team that direction?

[contractuallybinding]

Ah... hmm. Well, that would be a fine test, wouldn't it?

[And potentially clear the board if it seemed like he might be losing.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I think so. See what your Archivist's really made of.

[ See, Peter can play this game too. ]

[contractuallybinding]

[And almost certainly has nearly the same idea.]

Well, lets see how much of this can't be resolved in the realms of the more .... predictable entities first.

[curriculum_fictae]

Of course. You play your game, and all that. Not that I ever see the sense in it.