[PSL] time travel, time travel
Jun. 16th, 2020 06:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
[ 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? ]
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? ]
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Date: 2020-08-23 07:19 pm (UTC)It's likely late enough in the day, given Jon's both recent and overall sleep debt, to smell something new cooking in the kitchen, Martin's quest for groceries and sundries yielding a number of fresh options.
Folded on the corner of the air mattress is a few of Jon's good work clothes and a great deal more casual options, the likes of which haven't seen light of day since Uni, as well as some toiletries. Tim's own pickings of his own and what Algric needed was perched on the armrest of the couch bed, and Tim himself is nearby, casually slouched, feet lifted for something Algric is fussing a bit cleaner.
There's conversation, some lighter, some heavier. For most, it may be hard to distinguish, without looking, when it's Algric or when it's Martin answering, and their snippits of conversation may be downright bewildering... But Jon, may simply know which is which on a deep, simply accepted level.]
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Date: 2020-08-23 07:33 pm (UTC)Tim, could you - could you help me with Jon's feet?
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Date: 2020-08-23 07:54 pm (UTC)But the glimpse he saw earlier was... well it was fast enough that he could certainly be easy to mistake. And surely it was a mistake. (Like he hadn't just watched Jon perform some occult brainwashing. To the positive, but-)
He rubs a hand over his face, as if he could wipe out the thought and the ugly mix of emotions it welled up.]
Yeah, he still out, then?
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Date: 2020-08-23 07:57 pm (UTC)[ He glances at Tim, taking in his expression for a moment. They have some things to unpack in general, he knows, but - this first.
Tim gets to hold the first aid kit while Algric stoops to gently remove what's left of Jon's bandages. (He'll tend to yours next, Tim.) ]
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:26 pm (UTC)... What's the damage?
[From his angle, it actually is a question. Which might have been why he picked it.]
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:28 pm (UTC)The injuries that ... aren't really there at all, are they? He sees - well, whatever's left. Which is not nearly enough. The mildly horrified look he gives Tim is answer enough even before he speaks. ]
Not - not much.
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:37 pm (UTC)[His voice is tight and careful, like distant thunder.]
So... that's where we are.
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:38 pm (UTC)He forces himself to take in a deep breath. ]
Y - yes. He's. He's much further along than I thought.
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:50 pm (UTC)... He couldn't help but appreciate it.
Still. God.
Dammit.]
What he did this morning wasn't something you can exactly pick up with a stint at school, no. So. Is there a way back?
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Date: 2020-08-23 08:52 pm (UTC)If - if he puts out his eyes now, he might still be human enough to survive. But we're probably getting close to a point where - where either he isn't human enough, or he can't permanently blind himself anyway.
[ Another glance at those healed feet. ]
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:04 pm (UTC)It was time for Jon to decide... Of all the timing...]
How long do you have until you have to go in to the Institute?
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:05 pm (UTC)A few days? His phrasing was a bit blurry, but. Not long past that, I imagine. If I don't comply, I'll simply find myself there.
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:29 pm (UTC)...
What's the chances he'll be sensible before said meeting?
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:33 pm (UTC)[ A weak laugh. ]
Zero chance.
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:46 pm (UTC)But... he can't. He absolutely can't do that and live with himself after.]
Right. So, time to compose my most persuasive arguments.
[A breath.]
... What about Martin?
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Date: 2020-08-23 09:52 pm (UTC)He takes a breath of his own. ]
He's - he's not in great shape, but he's much further back than I am. If he - if he wants to blind himself, he'd probably do just fine.
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Date: 2020-08-23 10:52 pm (UTC)Are you in Jon's situation? If we found a way out, could you take it?
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Date: 2020-08-23 10:53 pm (UTC)Out of being part of the Lonely?
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Date: 2020-08-23 10:54 pm (UTC)[It's simple, if absolutely heartfelt.]
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Date: 2020-08-23 10:56 pm (UTC)[ But that's still not a real answer, so ... ]
If we find a way, I - I'll take it. Yes.
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Date: 2020-08-23 11:07 pm (UTC)God, shame Jon pissed off Naomi Herne that badly. She never took any of my follow up calls even at the moment. More information about Evan would be good.
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Date: 2020-08-23 11:08 pm (UTC)Evan got engaged?
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Date: 2020-08-23 11:16 pm (UTC)Good thing polygamy laws don't apply for engagements.
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Date: 2020-08-23 11:18 pm (UTC)Well - well it's not polygamy if we're the same person, hmm?
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Date: 2020-08-23 11:20 pm (UTC)God... What.
[He's on an air mattress. Not his home. Familiar voices around are talking. That's a good sign? Maybe?]
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