[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

[secreteary]

Or three.

[it's not fair that it's taken this long for Martin to consider Tim's ailments beyond the need immediately after Helen's departure.]

Not to be rude, but you look terrible. If you needed some eyes on you, too, then you're staying as well.

[curriculum_fictae]

Yes, we should - we should all stay. If Martin doesn't mind.

[secreteary]

[just. a smile.]

Of course. And I can go get more shopping done for cooking.

[kayakking]

[He just holds up one hand at the call out, as if warding off the attention. But there's no arguments to the plan either.]

Right. You'll let us chip in fair share. [It's a statement, not a question. And quickly moved on, at that.] And we can use this to get everything we're going to actually... you know, DO about this mess coordinated.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ At the mention of chipping in, Algric flushes a bit, looking embarrassed. ]

I - I can't help financially, but I can clean? I'm happy to do that.

[secreteary]

You really don't have to, Tim. I'm happy to do it, really.

[personally, he thinks of it as some kind of thank you. but he doesn't want to harp on about yesterday for the nth time, so that gets kept to himself.]

I won't say no to helping clean up, though. Thanks.

[it's still bizarre, being able to look Algric in the eye. his future. looking it in the face. jesus.

there's a tiny bit of pride that he CAN provide financially. Martin, 1. Algric, ?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Algric ? indeed. But - but that's soothing, being allowed to clean. Martin surely understands the importance of Algric being able to contribute in a way he finds meaningful. ]

Of - of course. I'm happy to. Not much else I can. Can do.

[ Outside of his horror spoilers. ]

[kayakking]

Then I? Will sit here and look pretty.

[He says, but sure is going to transfer over some, and without a doubt, Jon will do the same.]

So. One plan down.

[There's something in the air that leaves it open for the... other plans they really don't have any clue about.]