curriculum_fictae | [PSL] time travel, time travel

[ 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? ]

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From:

kayakking

[Tim sits down next to Jon and crosses his legs, balancing the first aid kit on his far knee. If Jon is still awake or awakening, Tim's hands are rather warm as they gently lift one of Jon's legs and set it on a part of his lap. It gives a nice open surface for Algric to work.]

... What's the damage?

[From his angle, it actually is a question. Which might have been why he picked it.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ And Algric peels the bandages back delicately, being mindful of the injuries he thinks are there underneath.

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.

From:

kayakking

... Right.

[His voice is tight and careful, like distant thunder.]

So... that's where we are.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric dutifully patches Jon back up again, sliding the clean gauze into place. But is there really a point here? Clearly, he's just ...

He forces himself to take in a deep breath. ]

Y - yes. He's. He's much further along than I thought.

From:

kayakking

[It is such a pointless gesture. A comforting lie, at best.

... 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?

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric lapses into silence for a moment, staring down at Jon. Thinking miserably. ]

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. ]

From:

kayakking

[He looks down at Jon, alarmed. The idea he might not survive... That hurts more than he thought it would, blossoming in the chest and twisting the gut.

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?

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Sorry, Tim. Algric is equally unhappy about it. ]

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.

From:

kayakking

That's... not a lot of time.

...

What's the chances he'll be sensible before said meeting?

From:

curriculum_fictae

Jon? Sensible?

[ A weak laugh. ]

Zero chance.

From:

kayakking

[He looks at Jon a bit miserably. There's a moment, a single, wretched moment where he considers doing it for him.

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?

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Sorry, Tim. Algric has had much the same thought, himself. But ultimately ... it has to be Jon's choice, doesn't it? He's fairly certain doing it for him simply won't work.

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.

From:

kayakking

[He looks down at the gauze covering Jon's feet, then up at Martin who- can get free of the Eye, but something else is creeping with speed and force that- Might have nearly killed him yesterday.]

Are you in Jon's situation? If we found a way out, could you take it?

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ That's ... a good question. He rubs at his arm, thinking for a moment. ]

Out of being part of the Lonely?

From:

kayakking

Yeah.

[It's simple, if absolutely heartfelt.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

I ... I don't know how. It's not as though I can just put out my eyes.

[ But that's still not a real answer, so ... ]

If we find a way, I - I'll take it. Yes.

From:

kayakking

[He runs back in his mind over what they had that was related to the Lukas Family and potentially the Lonely.]

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.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric falls silent for a moment, thinking about it. he seriously doubts this is the answer, but - ]

Evan got engaged?

From:

kayakking

[God. No it probably isn't it, but he can't help the laugh. He gives Algric a nudge.]

Good thing polygamy laws don't apply for engagements.

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Algric immediately (and predictably) goes beet read. ]

Well - well it's not polygamy if we're the same person, hmm?

From:

eyediot

[Like a summoning ritual (ha), Jon groans. Still exhausted, and honestly a bit sore, but he's not out cold like he was the last few hours. He rolls onto his side before holding his head, then carefully pushes himself up.]

God... What.

[He's on an air mattress. Not his home. Familiar voices around are talking. That's a good sign? Maybe?]

From:

kayakking

A good point!

[Unfortunately for Jon and the fuzz and potential headache, the first real clear voice is Tim's full of his bullshit.]

Boy, have I got a proposal for you.

[Yeah he went there.]

From:

curriculum_fictae

[ Oh my god Tim. Algric opens his mouth to refuse - then catches Jon moving and goes bright red to the tips of his ears. ]

-- he's awake!

From:

eyediot

I feel like I should tell Tim no.

[He glances at Algric, just... Unsure. He doesn't know what happened before, or if it really worked. Does he have to do it again? He hopes not.]

Should I tell Tim no?