[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

3/3

[secreteary]

[oops wait that's a non-answer]

If...that includes me, then.

[he's blushing a little harder, but his smile is so hopeful.]

I'd be happy to be a part of that picture.

[...]

Even if it is complicated with Algric.

[eyediot]

[Jon's ready to tell Martin that's a non-answer. That he's allowed to be selfish, if he doesn't like any of it, then Jon will change it.

But then Martin... does be selfish.

When's the last time Jon ever heard Martin say he wanted something that makes himself happy? He smiles at that, a little self-conscious but clearly happy to hear it.]

You were always going to be part of the picture. Either you be part of it, or no picture at all.

[secreteary]

[there's only one thing that Martin learned to accept after last night: that there are people who care about him. it's only one of the many lessons he could have learned, but it's a major step nonetheless. he might not understand why anyone would care, even if reasons were listed, but that's a battle for another day.

and here's Jon. who only knows how to be honest. Jon extended his hand to Martin last night and meant it. and Martin, as stupidly in love as he is, would be supremely stupid to refuse. even he can see that.

there's a glowing feeling in his chest at Jon's declaration. Martin can't identify it, but it's an intoxicating feeling. his smile is like a soft, fond glow directed at Jon.]

I won't lie and pretend I know what to do next...or at all. But just know that hearing that from you is like...

[words fail him. so he shrugs, a little helplessly.]

[eyediot]

[That's a good reaction? Yes, that's decidedly a good reaction. Jon smiles a little, only full of fondness and some relief, that Martin didn't take that badly or put himself down somehow.]

To be quite honest, I'm not entirely sure what to do next either. [He'll start putting these couple of pans away as quietly as he can, but even he can't stop the couple of metal clangs that happen.]

I suppose there's still things to discuss about the Institute and what's going to happen all around once we're all awake.

[kayakking]

[It was the smell that stirred Tim awake. For all of the soft sounds of the kitchen and conversation, it's the siren's call of a warm breakfast that lured him to the rocks of consciousness.

Tim pulls himself reluctantly from the small nest of stolen blankets and Algric to tuck up the rest on the still sleeping man and wobble to the kitchen.

He takes one of the plates with an air of muzzy triumph.]

Mmm? [And a yawn are his first contributions?? to the conversation.]

Right. Morning.

[eyediot]

Morning.

[He didn't even hear Tim get up, he was... distracted. This conversation with Martin had his whole attention, which almost never happens really.]

Slept all right?

[kayakking]

[Which does leave the question of how much Tim heard. But by the rubbing his eyes at the moment, it's questionable how ACTUALLY awake he is at the moment.]

God. Yeah? I could do twenty more hours of that.

[There's a pause as he tucks into the first bit of his breakfast.]

Oh. Hey. S'good.

[Assumptions are being made, and that's directed at Martin, actually.]

[eyediot]

I think we all could, if I'm honest. [This whole group needs good sleep on the regular.

Jon grabs a plate of his own - the last one he plated, less all around - and settles in with it.]

And thank you.

[kayakking]

Oh. Heeeyy.

[It's a bright, if surprised correction.

He rubs his eyes and chewing over some sausage, watches Jon walk....... rather normally back to the table. And those pans should have been over weight limit.

The mood slips a bit. But he spears another bite rather than bring it up... yet.]

[eyediot]

[Jon's been trying not to think about that specific thing since he woke up hours ago. And he's not about to bring it up himself.]

Figured it was the least I could do since I was awake.

[kayakking]

[It's a casual look over Jon (... though there's a quirk of a smile at Jon in pjs this ill fitting.) Sure, some of the edges are softer, but that deep line of sleeplessness...]

Didn't manage to get much, huh? 'Preciate it, though.

[The worst part is that it's such a casual thing, unloaded and guileless. Just in the tone of 'yeah, that happens.']

[eyediot]

[Jon's eyes focus on Tim warily. (Seen, being seen, Tim could always see right through his shit even in Research-) Then sighs back down into his breakfast.]

Had some things on my mind.

[secreteary]

[finally done with washing most of the dishes, Martin grabs his own plate and heads over to the small kitchen table, sitting down and frowning, concerned, at Jon.]

Like what?

[eyediot]

[Jon glances at Martin, something about him going soft before he pokes at his ham.]

When I go back to the Institute, I have to make a statement. Not sure what I'll say. Or if I even have a choice in it.

[kayakking]

[Tim lifts his head at that, chews a bit faster and swallows. Ah, going right into the heavy.

He nods lightly to Martin.]

Part of what I was texting you about.

[secreteary]

[god, those texts. they feel like a million years ago at this point. what had Tim said?]

So...this is a problem.

[there's no hint of a question, even though Martin can't quite remember the details of the texts. instead, it's said with the weight of dread.]

Is there anything we can do?

[eyediot]

...Not really.

[He glances over at Algric, still asleep, then back to his plate. He's glad he grabbed the smallest plate.]

Elias did the same thing to him. Except he has before the end of the week. We're going together.

[kayakking]

I still think destroying the damn place before deadline should be an option on the table.

At the same time's a bigger risk.

[eyediot]

I agree, but I don't know what would happen if we did that.

[Would destroying the Institute kill Elias? Would they all die? He wants more information first. And the Archives is the only place to get it.]

Besides that, we still have to stop the Unknowing as well.

[kayakking]

[This is a strongly disgruntled noise, and Tim gets up from the table to go hunt down a kettle and something caffeinated.]

All right, but why's that our task? We're glorified librarians.

[secreteary]

[Tim...makes an uncomfortably good point. it's a very sobering thought, but.]

Because we're probably...the only ones who know it's happening. What it means if it succeeds. And...we have ways to figure out to stop it.

[...]

At least, that's how it seems to me.

[eyediot]

[Jon rubs at his mouth and sits back a bit.]

Right? Who else even knows about this? Have we heard of any other groups trying to stop this?

[kayakking]

We haven't heard of it at all.

[He glances over to Martin, then back to Jon. With a careful half shrug, he adds:]

Martin and I were going to do some research at work- but well...

[Everything escalated real quickly.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ When had Algric reawakened? Recently, for sure; he'd been so desperately and thoroughly asleep that he'd been completely dead to the world until he'd found himself alone in it, the sheets cooling around him. (He'd had a big meal to digest, and ... well, the Lonely was a part of him now. He was both desperately grateful for the cuddle pile and rather weak to it.)

After that, it had been nice to listen to the others. Tim, Jon, and Martin, all together again. Working on a problem like they had in the old days, before Elias had made sure they would never work together again. That was fine and well and good and entirely the point of him coming here, as much as he'd had any point in coming here.

But it made the lines of their relationships clear, he thought. The three of them together, Algric outside of it. That was ... good. Natural. It was what he wanted, right?

He sits up, slowly, tugging the scarf down for a moment. He's careful not to look over at the trio. ]

It - it doesn't matter. There aren't any groups who are out there trying to help. Outside of you three, anyone who knows is just - just a monster with their own agenda.

[eyediot]

[Jon jerks a little at Martin's voice coming from across the room. How long has he been awake and listening?

...Had he not felt welcome?

That won't do.

Jon sets his fork on his plate - only half eaten despite being the first up - and goes to Algric. Kneels down in front of him to look him in the eyes with some modicum of understanding - the situation, their two particular circumstances, of the dangers they're going to face going back in? - before taking both his hands to tug him up and bring him to the table. The fourth plate is already set out at the empty chair for him.]

Come on, you're joining us. You're part of this.