lonelynotforsaken | Deerington IC Inbox

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My programming prohibits me from crushing their skulls. That's why.

[Uh..................... Is this a... joke?]

That seems like it's a good thing?

A good thing I can't defend myself?

[ Wait, what? The reply definitely didn't come from the person he'd just been texting. ]

I apologise. That was intended for another recipient.

Who is this?

I think you should probably tell me who you are if you're wanting to crush people's skulls? And why you want to crush them??? Sorry, but that's really not on.

New arrival? You must be.

The townspeople were attempting to kill me after I prevented them from killing other Sleepers during their murder celebration last month.

Are you hacking the network?

[Okay, so the letter had said not to trust the townspeople, but murder is a lot.]

Hacking is illegal.

[Which isn't an answer, but he's not keen to admit he's done some less than legal things. Sasha had been the hacker, though.]

I'm sorry that happened, but why were they having a mixer celebration? They didn't seem very friendly when I saw some yesterday, but they didn't seem actively murderous, either.

Edited Date: 2020-04-08 03:04 pm (UTC)

Maybe where you're from. If that's a no, then it's unclear how you received my message.

Something about celebrating their "traditions" yet this was the first any of us had heard of those traditions. They loathe Sleepers — that's us, those who Sodder brought here — but last month was unusual even by their standards. They lured in the unwary with false kindness and many were drugged, some were killed. They target adults and children alike.

They're back to what passes for normal now, as far as I can tell. This doesn't mean they're non-violent. Be careful of them.

[ ... They also embody every sexist, racist, and homophobic 1950s America stereotype, as the newcomer will undoubtedly discover for themself. Despite their appearances, the townspeople are neither subtle nor harmless with their bigotry.

Hoping maybe now the stranger will actually introduce themself, he adds: ] My designation is KD6-3.7. [ You know, the same as his username. Because robots aren't creative. ]

[Um...]

My designation is MB76337?

[He absolutely just pulled out the license he'd been given and typed the number for that in. Is that... how people introduce themselves here?] Or you can just call me Martin.

That's horrible, though! Are you okay? Physically, at least? Is there anyone who still needs help? They're in hospital, right?

Are you also a synthetic? An android or AI? You have a name. You must be special.

[ Oh Martin, why you gotta get his dumb robot hopes up like that? Enjoy crushing them now. ]

I think everyone has more or less recovered physically, myself included. Death isn't necessarily permanent here. Sleepers get brought back, but at a cost. I'm not sure of the specifics beyond sickness and memory loss.

And some Sleepers do vanish. No one seems to know what happens to them.

No? Sorry, I thought you were giving me your license number? I'm just a human. You're really an android? That's pretty cool! I've never met one before.

[Okay, well, this one's attempted-murderous, so maybe not the best first encounter.]

I think I'll try to avoid dying. If we just avoid the townspeople, will that be enough? And are they all like that? I know the pastel ones were really snooty, but I saw someone in a gas mask? They just seemed sort of scared of everyone.

Edited Date: 2020-04-09 05:58 am (UTC)

Oh.

[ Probably just as well Martin can't see his momentarily stricken expression that dissolves into disappointment. License number. Right. ]

Yes. That's my serial number. I have no name by which to introduce myself.

It's mainly the pastel ones, the others will probably avoid you on their own. But the townspeople aren't the only thing to be concerned about. A lot of strange things happen here. You may have noticed the spinning wheels. Or the pigs. The inexplicably appearing mirrors everywhere... Things are likely to escalate soon.

Yeah, I ran into the spinning wheels. A few times. And the pigs. Do you know if there's a way to fix people who seem to have been changed? That's really unsettling and I wanted to try to help?

Sorry about the confusion with my name, by the way. Do you not have a name because you don't want one or just... haven't thought of one?

As far as I've observed and personally experienced, these kinds of changes are normally temporary. So they should wear off eventually.

Hopefully before anyone decides to try eating the pigs.

[ Because that'd be right in line with what happened last month, with the "meat" pies the townspeople were serving... But he isn't sure whether he should get into those specifics with the newcomer. It might only serve to upset him rather than help. ]

It's all right.

My handler never named me.

[Temporary is still probably very frightening for anyone turned into a pig and worrying about becoming the next rack of bacon. Maybe Martin can try to... herd them out of town? Or at least away from the townsfolk. But then would wild animals eat them? He's concerned.]

Oh... Is your handler like your mum or dad?

Edited Date: 2020-04-13 02:06 am (UTC)

[ ~~MARTIN WHY.~~

The question has K mentally recoiling for reasons he doesn't care to examine too closely at the moment. ]

No. My owner.

Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you? Sorry! I'm really sorry.

I'll go. Sorry.

I'm not offended. You had no way of knowing, regardless.

[ Truthfully, now K feels a bit bad for evidently upsetting Martin, the very thing he'd been trying not to do. ]

You've been very considerate, Martin. I appreciate it. Not many people are, toward my kind.

[Martin's halfway tempted to close this message and just never talk to this man again, but... Jon. He needs to think about Jon and not closing potential avenues of information and assistance.]

Okay. Still. I won't bring them up again.

And people being inconsiderate toward you seems kind of, um... stupid? I mean, the murder thing is scary, but if you're doing it to rescue people, I guess sometimes you have to do what you have to. And that's a good thing. I hope you can find a way around that problem with your programming for next time. At least so you can protect yourself and your friends.

I can't really help with that. I'm okay with tech, but I'm not really a hacker or anything like that.

If it makes you feel better, I'd prefer to not have to kill anyone. But I would like to be able to protect the people I care about, and not be a liability to them when I'm unable to protect myself.

[ That's a lot more personal information than he'd normally share with a perfect stranger, but it feels important that his motives are understood. He'd hardly become an indiscriminate murderer. ]

So you're really not hacking the network? This is the first time it's glitched like this, to my knowledge.

I suppose it could've been worse. I'm glad you replied.

I can definitely understand that. There are a few people I know I'd like to clean the clock on after what they've done to people I care about.

[And he'd had his chance with Elias, but just... couldn't in the end. Not because he doesn't think he could murder that twisted old bastard, but thwarting Peter and the Lonely had been more important in the moment.]

I'm really glad we had a conversation. I would've hated for that first message to be the only impression I had of you. Best of luck! Hopefully, your next message won't go astray. Not sure what's happening, but I'll keep an eye out for any other odd network things.

[ martin help he's sitting in an American's kitchen with mediocre tea and a bunch of art supplies he doesn't recognize

also the American can see all his eyes, what does that even mean.

but he's quite nice. so. ]

Just checking in.
I've met Sunny Holiday. Your warnings to him were well-timed. He's writing his statement now.

[ He hopes this can be parsed as something like good work and thank you. ]

[Martin sees Sunny's name and finds himself tensing, ready for very bad news or censure. When it's just... gratitude, he stares at the message for a long moment.]

Oh! I'm glad that helped. Sorry, I know we shouldn't just go around telling everyone what you are, but he seemed like someone who might be especially vulnerable.

No offense!

I just know it's hard. There are a lot of strange people here with statements.

[He waffles, but ultimately adds:]

He saw an echo of the Lonely around me. I'm not sure what that means, yet. [Nothing good.]

Edited Date: 2020-04-10 01:58 pm (UTC)

[ He can't help staring at the phrase what you are for far too long, feeling... something dark and tangled.

Vulnerable hurts a little, too. Like victims. ]

I understand.
He went white when he saw me.
We'll discuss it later.

[Martin blanches, himself, reading that. Sunny had seemed... uncomfortable looking at him, as well. He can imagine getting that kind of reaction from someone wouldn't sit well with Jon. The terse nature of the other man's response also has him fretting.]

So, I'm not sure if Sunny told you, but I met him when I couldn't help following him around. Be careful of the spinning wheels in town. It's like they're connected to the Web somehow. They make you do things.

[ Jon's managed to find this out for himself, already, but the information is still appreciated. ]

I'd noticed. I'll be careful.

[ He... doesn't know what else to say. He's still sitting here, in a stranger's home, hungry and frazzled. Text is hard??? ]

You stay safe as well. I'll be home soon, I think.

Okay. I've met a few other people I wanted to talk to you about.

See you soon! <3

See you soon.

[ Should he?? heart back??? It wasn't quite like this with Georgie, but they'd been a disaster more or less from the start, and Martin... needs different things.

Why is he awful at this.

A long pause, and then: ]

<3

[His heart! Martin's just going to melt a little bit as he goes about getting dinner prepped for whenever Jon gets home. No pork.]

[ hi martin
it's about 4.30 in the afternoon, hope your day's going well

attached to this message is a picture of steve taking a selfie in what is probably a bathroom mirror. he's fresh out of the shower ]

you want to help me come dry off?

[...]

No. I think you might have sent this to the wrong person, Steve. And it's never really a good idea to send this kind of thing over the network, even if you really trust someone. You never know what might happen. Things can get hacked, bad break-ups can happen. Please be careful.

[This has been your local PSA.]

what

[ give him a moment to realise his mistake ]

This is Martin. You didn't mean to send this to me.

[He is 110% certain of this.]

[ well now he feels compelled to go and cover himself ]

fuck

jesus sorry im not sure what happened

It's okay. But maybe just try texting your girlfriend next time, instead of sending the picture, too.

this has never happened before i swear

[ which is definitely why martin is concerned ]

also
boyfriend

My mistake. Good luck to the two of you. I'm sure you make a very cute couple. :)

ha
i'd hold off judgment till you meet him

and sorry again

[If he were smoother, if he were Tim, maybe, this would be where Martin would say something cool or flirtatious like 'you're cute enough to definitely make the couple.' But he's... not.]

I accept your apology. Maybe wait to do anything else until the network stops acting strangely. One of my texts accidentally went to someone I'd never met before the other day.

i'll keep that in mind, thanks

[ aka: he'll wait until tomorrow to try again ]

Hi Martin, it's Mrs Sheringham. You mentioned contacting you if I noticed something off. Would items mysteriously appearing from my home be part of that?

( maybe depending on what the item is but generally it's just odd )

That would definitely be off.

[Especially considering the recent Leitner fiasco.]

What is it, Mrs. Sheringham?

It might be nothing but it's a clock.

How did you know the books were something to be concerned with?

Everything with a supernatural origin in mine and Jon's world is pretty much designed to invoke terror or hurt people in some way. We found out the books were a problem when I ran into someone with one that he'd just found in the shop where he works.

Where in your house did you find the clock? Is it special in some way?

Do you know how they were made? How that power was infused into them?

( yes she's avoiding the question for the minute )

[Martin doesn't miss that, but he lets it go for the moment. He can be patient.]

I don't know. I'm sorry. I just know they're manifestations of the Fears. How any of that actually comes into existence is sort of a mystery.

You mentioned gods. Perhaps it's their doing?

The Fears aren't gods. They're just eldritch entities that some people worship as gods. That's what I mean by them being manifestations. They're just... there one day? Or maybe one of the Fears might infect an existing book? I really don't know for sure.

( it was something to think on even if she didn't quite understand it )

The clock itself doesn't have power itself but it was a message.

[She's being very mysterious.]

What is the message? Is someone threatening you, Mrs. Sheringham?

No, it was a warning of the future. Of Armageddon.

[Martin reads that and an eyebrow rises slowly.]

Is that... usually what clocks mean where you're from?

No. But this is a specific clock.

Okay. Would it be okay if I brought Jon by to look at the clock? He's seen more magical artifacts than I have, I think.

I'm not certain what you'd get from it.

( it wasn't magical, at least it didn't have any power that she knew of. unless something had happened to it, or something that mr mountjoy had done in giving it to them, in restarting it? )

But you may.

[Martin's not sure, either, but an Armageddon clock is probably something Jon would want to have a look at.]

Thank you. Please just let me know when a good time would be. We can pop round.

Any time in the evening. I'll be home then.

( she was home now but she wasn't going to jump so soon. it would give her some time to think, to make sure a few other things were away first )

Okay. I'll talk to Jon and text you when we're heading over just as a little warning.

It'll be good to see you both again. I'll have some tea ready.

And thank you.

so i know we barely know each other but the last time we talked was really intense
and i wanted to tell you i haven't ditched you or anything
just been busy with stuff

[Martin's actually surprised to hear from Fern after the complete radio silence since what happened with the orb. He'd thought they might have a chance to talk when things were less fraught, but Fern hadn't contacted him... or been home... multiple times when Martin had tried to visit him at his treehouse. He'd just sort of assumed the boy had decided to avoid him forever. Which... was fair, he supposed. Not great, but fair.]

Oh! It's no problem. I've been busy, too. Is everything okay?

yeah it's fine now

[R... elatively speaking.]

i was dead
not anymore

were you busy with those cursed books? did you find them all?

[Fern was what?!]

Oh, my god! What happened, Fern?

[The books can wait.]

nothing important
it was mostly an accident and stupid mistakes

so what about the books? c'mon dude don't just leave me hanging

I don't know. No? I don't know how many there are. And they keep getting stolen by someone.

It's getting really dangerous. I'm worried whoever's taking them wants to hurt people. Or thinks they could learn something that just isn't there.

Leitner killed innocent people trying to figure out what those books could do. They're nothing good and nothing that should exist here.

Seriously, though... Fern. Death's really bad here, isn't it? I've been reading over the notes people had taken. You start forgetting things.

Edited (Let's type like Martin and not like Jon.) Date: 2020-05-15 04:32 am (UTC)

[Oh, he's noticed that. Fern feels a pang of remorse when he reads Martin's message. He likes the guy, he doesn't want to actively hurt him or anything. Those books are just... useful. More useful sticking around than being destroyed.

Martin is half right. There's no guarantee the books will hold any answers in regards to his and Paimon's existence, but if there is....]

maybe that Leitner guy was just a jerk and gave the books a bad reputation

uh yeah
you get sick, too
it's all temporary though
i'll be fine eventually

[What?]

No... no, that's definitely not it. Think it's probably the malevolent eldritch fear entities tied to them. Probably that.

What number are you on? This isn't the first time in Deerington, is it?

man are you gonna go on about those things some more?
just because something is dangerous doesn't mean it can't be useful

uh
2nd
why

So you've forgotten things from home? That's going to be hard.

And just because something's useful doesn't mean it should be used.

yeah
a lot's been going on, so i'm not sure what i forgot

i guess

[He doesn't agree. of course.]

you and Jon haven't gotten hurt by them, have you?

Yes, we have.
A man named Lindsey left one out so he could experiment on people.
I accidentally picked it up and got thrown out of my own body for a day.
It hurt.
I don't even know how to describe it Fern.
It was like I was just wrong.
Everything about me was wrong and it hurt.

[Yikes, he knows what that feels like. And it's not as if dying to that other book was at all pleasant.]

sorry, dude
that really sucks

[It doesn't change his opinion on the books, but he can be empathetic.]

you got back to your body in the end, though

Yeah. It took a day, but I was finally able to get back in. I can't imagine what would've happened if Jon hadn't found me, though. Lindsey was carrying my body away and I couldn't stop him.

dude that's sketch
what was he going to do with your body?

I don't know. He said he was trying to do some sort of experiment. Probably to see how the book worked. I was a little preoccupied with... everything to get the specifics.

[Oh, yikes.

... Part of him wonders what kind of experiment you can do with a body that doesn't have a soul in it, part of him thinks he and Paimon should be very careful about any book experiments involving other Sleepers.]

so Jon stopped him? how'd you get back into your body?

I don't know. I couldn't for a long time, and then I just got... sucked back in, I guess? I honestly thought I was about to be ripped apart. My skin was just pulling and pulling in all directions, and then... I was back?

I really didn't feel great, but I was... physical again, at least?

oh

i think i know what that feels like

[Very well thanks to that time he got turned into a sword.]

Oh, god! Have you seen the book?

nah
just something that happened back home

[Is there any horror Fern hasn't gone through at home? It reminds him of Jon, and that's really not a good thing.]

I'm sorry you can understand.
I really wish you couldn't.
That's horrible.
It's horrible.
Do you want to talk about what happened?

[Fern has had A Life, for sure.]

uh it's not a big deal
when i became Finn Sword i kind of exploded first
then all the stuff that made me me got rearranged into a sword

Fern, that's a massive deal.
Like, I don't even know where to begin.
How are you still functional as a person?
Everything you say... it's hard to imagine how you've managed.
You're so strong... god.

you got me
i just function

[And mostly tries not to think about it these days so as to not cause an existential crisis.]

i dunno about strong all this junk just happened
probably could have happened to anyone

But not everyone could have survived it. I don't know that I could have. I don't know many people I think could. Maybe Jon? He's been through so much. But he's 30-years-old. You're half that.

uh thanks
i guess it all kind of sucks but it's not like there was anything i could about it

Maybe not, but you survived it. I'm glad, Fern. I'm just so glad you're alive... and can still have fun? Have friends? I wish it wasn't in a place like this or maybe even where you're from, but it's good you have those things.

yeahhhh that stuff is good to have in general
i kinda suck at them though
so there's that

That's okay. So do I. But I've got good people around me that look the other way when I mess up sometimes. That's handy to have.

you're lucky
doubt everyone would do that

[There's always a line, and Fern knows all he's good at is hurting people, which means he usually crosses it.]

I know. I hope you have some people like that here, at least.

i think i've got one or two

[Luna, so far. Varian. OA. But it feels like he's treading a fine line, sometimes, and that they'll eventually leave him, too.]

Glad to hear it. Just... stick with them, okay, Fern? Especially while you're dealing with what happened. And if you need to talk about it with someone else, I'm hear. I'm pretty good at listening, at least.

i'll try

thanks
i'll remember that
that you're good at listening

Good. I'll talk to you later, okay, Fern? Take care of yourself for now.

yeah ok
i will

[Hey Martin, hope you enjoy this recording of a music box that Fern is sending you! Accompanying it is a text message.]

there are lyrics too but i don't know if i'm much of a singer anymore

[Give him a minute because he's not going to cry again, but that's... a lot.]

Thank you, Fern.
I appreciate you remembering.
And I'd love to hear you sing it sometime.
I bet you're better than you think.

glad you like it
i don't know about singing it
i guess i could try
see what i sound like now

[And at least if he sounds terrible he'll know to never sing again.]

That would be lovely.
Did you want to meet up for that?
I have something I wanted to bring you, anyway.

[Something to bring him?]

uh yeah sure that would be cool
want me to go over to your place?

That would probably be easier, yeah! Just give me, like, twenty minutes, okay? I want to make it look nice. :)

sure ok

[He'll wait about twenty minutes before walking over, having stuffed his music box into his backpack. When he arrives he knocks on the door.]

Hey, Fern. [Martin's wearing a tired smile as he opens the door for the boy and ushers him toward the living room. There are signs of the recovery from the orc attacks earlier around the place. One of the windows near the door had been broken and there's a plastic sheet duct taped to the outside along with the boards that are still nailed across it. There are signs that other windows have had similar boards pried off around them.]

D'you want anything to drink? Just making tea.

[Martin doesn't seem like the kind of person who would willingly live in a dump, so the broken windows are more than a little strange. Fern heads in, looking around, not even bothering to wipe his feet (because he isn't wearing shoes) at the door.]

I'm good. What happened here?

Those monsters attacking. We got the barricades up, but they still smashed one of the windows. I'm... figuring out how to fix that. [He's handy enough with basic plumbing and electrical work, but replacing a window had never come up through the years.] And I... I need to sand things down and maybe re-varnish the rest where we pried the other boards off.

[Martin is away in the kitchen clattering as he speaks. A moment later, he steps out holding a cup of tea for himself and carrying something wrapped up in newspaper. The package is offered to Fern as he goes to sit down.]

That's for you. If you don't like it, you don't have to keep it. I just, um... well, I saw some things while I was out walking the other day and thought of you?

[Inside, Fern will find a wooden triangle made of sticks tied together. Fixed to each corner of the triangle with fishing line is a little animal skull. A pair of squirrels and some sort of bird by the looks of it. They all smell faintly of disinfectant.]

I know they're not monsters, but I thought... it might be cool for your collection?

Dang. You guys need a stronger house.

[Maybe some stone walls, or a moat.

Fern goes and takes a seat in the living room, pulling his backpack off so he can get the music box out and wind it. When Martin reappears he blinks at the package but takes it, tearing the newspaper off (and leaving shredded newspaper on the couch and floor, sorry Martin).

Oh, this is cool. This is insanely cool. Fern looks delighted as he holds the triangle and skulls up.]

Oh, wow. They're rad! You made this??

[Martin is definitely considering what else they could do to fortify the place. Traps directly around the house might hurt anyone visiting, unfortunately, and he's not going to live in a house without windows. That would be maddening.]

Um... yeah? I grew up in the country. Sort of. I mean there was a town, but it- there was a forest where I'd walk sometimes and I'd collect things. When I found animal skeletons, I'd clean them up and use fishing wire to make them into toys sort of?

[A pause.]

Okay, saying that out loud sounds a lot more creepy than it- We didn't have much money. So, I... made my toys.

((I'm good and forgot the link, here.))

[Someone needs to talk to Varian about setting up a non-deadly home defense system!]

That's not weird, dude. I scavenged stuff all the time back home. I still do it here, too. There's a junkyard at the edge of town, y'know? A three-headed dog guards it.

Oh, my gosh. Is he a good boy?

[No. No, that's probably not the question to be asking. Martin's looking down at the music player, as well, now, and that is very strange, but incredibly adorable.]

[Fern, hilariously, does not think that question is out of place.]

She's a girl, and yeah, she's a really good girl. Her name's Annie.

I have to meet her! Oh, gosh! I love dogs. I've always wanted one.

[Maybe not... a three-headed dog, but a dog.]

Jon's really more of a cat-person, though, so we'd probably get one of them, if anything. [But he will forever long for a dog.] I see your family were dog-people?

[He motions to the music player.]

Yeah. Mom and dad, and my two older brothers are all dogs. So, uh.

[He's going to go ahead and wind the music box up.]

Fair warning, this is a lullaby for puppies. [So don't laugh.]

[That. Okay. He'd sort of meant they were dog-loving people. But... Fern was raised by dogs. That's fine. This is fine. It's not the weirdest thing he's heard from the boy.]

Like a good lullaby, personally. Although, I'd be impressed if you could get heavy metal in a music box form.

[He's teasing because Fern seems so self-conscious.]

[Fern gives Martin a small grin at that. A heavy metal music box would be pretty weird.]

Okay, uh.

[He'll get the music box to start playing, and after a few awkward beats start singing the lullaby. It is absolutely, one hundred percent for literal dogs.

He isn't a bad singer, though he's self-conscious and the entire time thinking he's nowhere near as good as Finn.]

[It's sweet. It's very silly, but sweet, and most lullabies don't make sense. The song itself is also almost hypnotically soothing. By the end, Martin is almost drifting off, but snaps back awake when he nearly spills his tea in his lap.]

W-woah! That's... well, it's really effective. God, that must have had you out like a light.

[It's definitely soothing. Fern's the one singing it and even by the end he looks like he's about to nod off. What stops him is nearly dropping the music box.]

Uh - [Geez, good job Fern, way to nearly break the thing.] - yeah, one hundred percent guaranteed to put rowdy puppies to sleep.

[And adult humans, apparently.]

[He rubs his eyes and yawns.]

Were you and your brother rowdy growing up? I can imagine that made things hard sometimes. Driving your parents up the walls, I mean.

[The memories that are coming back to him make Fern relax a little, and he looks down at the music box.]

Hah, yeah. It was only for a little while, though. Dogs grow up a lot faster than humans, so Jake grew out of it real quick. Jermaine was always a lot quieter. And then mom and dad died when I was still too young to get into any real trouble. I could barely even use a toy sword right, I mostly just bonked stuff with it.

[Wait, sorry. Martin stares at Fern for a long moment.]

Your- you lost both sets of your parents when you were still just a toddler? But... did your brothers raise- Oh, god! They're still alive, right?

[All that staring makes Fern shift uncomfortably.]

Wh... of course they are. Jake and I moved out to the Tree Fort after mom and dad died. Jermaine did his own thing.

[Fern this is intensely troubling.]

Jake took good care of you, right?

[This is getting weird. This is getting really weird and uncomfortable.]

Of course he did. He did a great job.

[Fern is going to shove the music box back into his bag.]

I think I'm gonna go.

[Good job making it awkward and cocking things up, Martin.]

O-oh. Right. Sorry, um. Yeah. It-it seems like he did a really good job raising you. You're... a good kid, Fern. Thanks for coming.

[Is he, though? Martin knows vanishingly few children from home.]

Uh, yeah. [Jake did a great job with Finn, but he can't agree that he's a good kid, so he looks awkward as he heads for the door.] Thanks.

Sure.

[He offers a little wave and an attempt at a friendly smile. He really shouldn't have said anything at all. Excellent work, Mr. Blackwood. Now the nice grass kid thinks you're a weirdo and a creep. Wonderful.

Maybe he'll drown his sorrows in tea.]

[Set shortly after this debacle that gained him a bunch of painful and unwanted additions, Maul contacts Martin. You know how he usually has that soft-spoken voice? Not right now. He’s at top volume and boy does he sound pissed. His eyes are burning anger.]

“Destroy the book and that will reverse everything.” That’s what you said. Bah! I must have lost my mind to listen to such a FOOL AND IDIOT! [One wouldn’t think he could go any louder, but he manages with those last three words. Hopefully Martin didn't have his device too close to their ear.] The next time you have a bright idea like that, keep it to yourself!

[Martin's just going to hold the Fluid away from him because that's a lot.]

Call me in a few days and tell me if it's still a problem. Something strange happened when Jon and I destroyed another book. But it wore off by the next day. These things are bad. And they don't want to be destroyed. There's a reason I said to bring the books to Jon and me.

If you find any others, we'll destroy them and deal with the consequences. You don't have to.

I am fairly certain this is still going to be a problem in a few days and is not going to be wearing off!

[He abruptly switches to video. The immediate thing obvious about Maul is that there's rivulets of dried blood all over his body. The why becomes clear once the camera focuses and the new skeletal wings plus tail he's now sporting come into view. Between that plus the fangs and claws he's already sporting, it's been a painful time transforming. Though his anger is most prevalent on his face, there's also a sense when one looks at his eyes that he is hiding how much this hurts.]

I wouldn't trust you as far as I could throw you after this. I shall be keeping the rest of the books I have myself where I know they will be secure.

[.......Had he mentioned to Martin before he has other books? Well, too late to take it back now.]

[That's horrifying, but after the Flesh attack... Martin mostly just grimaces in sympathy for the pain the man must be in.]

It will wear off, Maul. Please take care of yourself until then or have someone else help take care of you. Please gets those wounds cleaned up properly and make sure you keep it clean to avoid infections.

[He's not saying anything about the books, but those are absolutely noted. No need to make Maul aware of the fact that he'll be taking steps to find and destroy those books now that he knows multiple might be stored in one place with this man.]

Wear off? So the wings and tail are just going to what exactly? Fall off? Is that what I have to look forward to?

[He sounds very skeptical about this. Plus, what if the effects reversing is just as painful as when they first showed up? He might as well just keep them at this point.]

Don't worry about that. I've been taking care of myself a long time now.

[He'll be in contact with one of the doctors he knows.]

I honestly don't know. But when a book we destroyed did something us, that effect went away after a day and nothing else happened. There were threads binding us to other people and they just disappeared.

And maybe taking care of yourself is why you keep getting hurt. Maybe think about letting someone else take care of you? And about not doing stupid things that might get you hurt?

That doesn't sound like anything physical happened. This could be entirely different.

[Now he's just arguing because he's a contrary bastard and wants to remain so. He huffs at Martin's next words and stubbornly shakes his head.]

Only the weak need someone to take care of them when they are injured. If you can't survive on your own, you don't deserve to.

[It doesn't sound like a rhetoric Maul himself believes, more like someone else's words are coming out of his mouth. Sidious did quite a number on his former apprentice.]

It could be. But I hope it's not.

[Even if it would be a very good lesson for Maul not to read the books.]

There might be surgical options if they don't go away on their own. Or maybe someone with magic could help. This is why I told everyone not to read the books or even touch them if they could avoid it. [Actions have consequences.]

And last I checked, the basic evolution of at least the human race relied heavily on people forming groups and helping each other. I don't know if you're human, but you're a two-legged sapient person. I'm gonna guess something similar happened where you're from.

Dark energy is hard to resist sometimes, especially for one who is of the Dark themself.

[He sounds less angry now and more like a sulky child. He doesn't want admit yet this wouldn't have happened if he'd only just had enough restraint to resist the darkness that had called to him from the book. He'd barely touched it before he had the compulsion to read it.]

As you said, reliance on others is a human trait, which I am not. Zabraks are fiercely independent as a species trait, and even if we were not, I learned from an early age that no one was going to help me unless I did it myself.

[There's something a little sad there to be realized beneath the snarling, angry words. It meant whoever had raised him had shown him no kindness or basic empathy growing up.]

[It's something he can't say he doesn't understand. Most of Martin's life had been taking care of himself and his mother... and she'd more resented it than anything else. Now, it's Jon... and Sasha. His tone is sympathetic, but firm.]

That sounds like a really lonely way to grow up. I'm sorry you went through that. It can't be an excuse for hurting yourself or hurting others, though. Be better than that.

You expect much from me. Too much, I think.

[It's one of Maul's greatest failings, that he'll never be able to rise above where he's sunk low in the darkness, and become a better person than he's been. Always, he ends up falling back into his old ways, for the Dark Side is easy to give into and hard to resist.]

Tell me, do you hold yourself to as high a standard as you do random acquaintances?

[He has to work not to roll his eyes.]

Oh, yes. The highest standard of not purposefully hurting myself and other random people because I'm sad and angry at myself for being stupid. It's a hard bar to clear.

Edited Date: 2020-06-17 04:29 pm (UTC)

[That riles Maul right back up again, his acid yellow eyes narrowing in anger. True, other people had been hurt, and that was his fault as much as it was Lindsey's. But he'd hardly be copping to that.]

What do you know? Not nearly as much as you think you do, you impertinent know-it-all.

[His opinion of Martin is rapidly evolving into one of someone who desperately needs to be Force Choked.]

[Martin sighs. He's getting frustrated and this conversation isn't going anywhere.]

I know that I told you to leave the books alone, that they could hurt you. That you didn't and they did. I know that the books are hard to resist and that you're upset right now because you're in a lot of pain and probably scared that this is never going to be fixed. I know you probably resent that I didn't tell you something like this might happen when you destroyed the book. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I honestly didn't know.

Does that about cover it?

[Maul very much hates the fact that Martin is right. He's far too proud to admit he hit the nail on the head right there and the expression on his face shows it. Sometimes it's debatable if Maul has anything more than the stunted emotional reactions of a twelve year old with the way he approaches all situations.]

Almost everything except for two things. One, I don't feel fear.

[He does but not about much anymore. It takes very specific circumstances for Maul to get scared and even having horrific bone appendages rip through his skin isn't enough to invoke it in him.

His voice is still a snarl as he goes on.]

And two, I recommend you stay out of my way from now on, if you and your compatriot don't wish to get run through with a lightsaber the next time that I see you.

[doubt.jpg on the not feeling fear thing. Martin's not touching that with a 10-foot pole, but he's thinking it hard. He's also not especially inclined to respond to much of this. The machismo pouring off of that response is nauseating. Where Jon might feel inclined to bristle and threaten back, Martin just lets it roll off of him. It's not like there's much he could actually do, and there's no point in growling and hissing without anything to back it up.]

I hope the pain goes away soon. Goodbye, Maul.

[He has some things to discuss with Jon... specifically how they're going to find and destroy the books that Maul's apparently been collecting.]

Martin, you're not allergic to cats, right?

[A... peculiar inquiry.]

No. Is this a joke about Jon?

Not this time, it'd be too easy.

I've just been thinking, things have been...difficult lately. But now that things have calmed down just a bit, what would you say to getting a pet for the house?

[On the one hand, Martin adores animals and has desperately wanted a pet his whole life. On the other...]

Do you think that would be safe? I mean, all the things that happen here... we'd have to be really careful. I wouldn't want them getting hurt.

Yeah, of course! Something small, inside only, don't leave the doors open, supervised play, all that.

[He's running through the scenarios of what might go wrong here.]

I'd want to make sure as few people know about the cat as possible, too.
Just in case...

[Jon with his veritable boatload of enemies and all.]

So no public birthday parties for the cat or viral network cat dancing videos.

[She gets it and while she'd hope people wouldn't come after an animal to get back at Jon she understands it's could happen.]

I'm making two separate checklists as we speak for dos and don'ts of Deerington cat ownership.

[...]

I'm being paranoid, aren't I?

Just a bit.

Real talk? Can you blame me considering?

No but I think we can find a bit of wiggle room between letting it free roam the neighborhood while robots are exploding and locking it away in a bedroom like a princess in a tower anytime someone comes over.

All right. We can get a cat. I haven't seen any places adopting them out around town, though. Do you know anyone with kittens, or...?

I've been keeping an eye but no. I was thinking about doing that thing, leaving presents for the deer? And seeing if that'd do the trick.

Oh. Does she do live animals? Well, it can't hurt to ask, I suppose. I've still got some jam from when I was practicing things when Jon and I first got here. You're welcome to leave some of it out as an offering.

[ Jon had gone out, earlier in the evening. It was meant to be a brief thing, barely at dusk. Nothing dangerous.

Naturally, this text breaks the silence well past dark. ]

Don't go out tonight. There's a Hunter in the woods. I'm safe at Shiro's house but may return late.

[Troubling.]

Is that some sort of monster?

No, I

[ He looks for a way to make this sound less alarming, and does not succeed. ]

It's an actual Hunt avatar. From an old statement. Shiro was able to incapacitate it long enough for us to get away.

I think it came out of my memories.

[...]

Oh. Yeah, I think that's probably what happened.

Michael was here for a little while. While you were gone.

I think I might have seen some worms, too.

[ Right. Right. That's fine. Martin was left alone in the wake of his death with the Distortion— not even the friendlier Distortion— and Prentiss's worms. There is nothing alarming whatsoever in this news. ]

'A little while'?

[ Do you know that they're gone, Martin?

And how did you get away? ]

Didn't exactly stick around to have a chat, did I?
There were people with me.
We just ran.
I don't think he's still around, though.
Or they're still around.
They would have got people by now, wouldn't they?

[ That's... not reassuring, but also not wrong. ]

Probably.

[ Unless they're out in the woods, scheming. Planning. Building in strength—

But Michael certainly would have bothered them by now. ]

If you see any sign of them again, let me know.

I will. Let me know if you see anything else, too.

Stay safe.

[Martin hesitates a moment for adding:]

<3

It went so badly, Martin.

So bad.

[Martin's a little preoccupied with the walls bleeding and the giant fucking eyeball in the sky, so his mind doesn't immediately turn to romance.]

Oh, god, what's happened? Did you look at the sky? Are you hurt?

[ That should be a concern Glitch is having but right now he'd rather focus on this than the absolute horrors of the out doors. ]

I followed your advice to you know. Ask Hunk out after this hell month was over.

I ended up sending the fucking message to him and a million other people.

[This is so... incredibly unimportant. Martin is silent, pinching the bridge of his nose as he tries not to just... snap that. It's important to Glitch. Glitch tried to take his advice and things had gone wrong. There's a heavy sigh.]

I'm assuming this was a Fluid glitch? Mine's not working well. You're the first call that's come through this month.

...This was the fluid yeah.

It was literally the most embarrassing thing of my life.

And it's also the month from hell. So, that's great too.

[ There's a pause before Glitch slowly says; ]

I'm annoying you, aren't I?

[Yes.]

No, sorry. I'm just... I'm just tired. What did Hunk end up saying? It went to him as well, you said?

Uh. Yeah it did. He said no.

But, uh. Tired huh?

I.

Have you slept at all?

A little. Sasha has a little ghost friend that has this ability that puts you to sleep. I'm not sure it's a lot better than not sleeping. [Martin sighs.] But it's something.

I'm sorry it didn't go like you wanted. Was Hunk interested in being friends at all?

Uh. If you want you're welcome to crash in our weird tower library that showed up. It's been the best place to sleep in since this whole month started.

But, uh. Yeah, he said that at least.

I have a few people to take care of, but I appreciate that offer, Glitch. [He will make himself appreciate it, if he has to.]

And it's good you can be friends with Hunk. Sometimes, that can be even better than romance. Not always so tricky.

Right well. If you need anything let us know. I'm already doing scavenging runs anyways.

[ Regardless, he says; ]

Yeah. Suppose so.

...well...

Anyways I'm gonna let you be.

Thank you, Glitch. I'll talk to you later.

[Martin knows he should be... more sociable. But he's just so incredibly not interested in pretending right now.]

[ When Glitch received these gifts in his baskets with name tags attached he figured he may as well drop them off.

For sure he knows Martin probably needs something after what happened to Jon thanks to Maul. So, Martin will find at his door a package wrapped in brown paper. When opened He will find a fluffy sweater inside. ]

I got this in my basket. Had your name on it. Think it helps with recovering or something.

Take care. - Glitch

[Sometime in late October, Martin is, unfortunately, absent his emotions. Martin finds the gift and texts Glitch.]

Your gift arrived. It should be useful.

[And that's... it. No thank you's.]

.. Martin?

[ Ange knows she shouldn't do this. That it's useless, and dumb to boot. But she can't help it. She knows going outside won't help a thing at this point anymore, and she's at least smart enough to listen to that point of reason and stay inside, but she has to do something after seeing that.

Even when it's sending a message, knowing that there definitely won't be an answer. Just something lingering on voicemail for god knows how long until he'll be able to check it. ]

Martin, that video-- it wasn't real, right? [ At least - for better or worse, because Ange would definitely say for worse if asked - Ange's voice is not as emotionless as it usually is. It's tinier, more vulnerable. Scared. It makes her sound younger, even younger than her actual age. ] Come on, just.. just call me and tell me you're okay. Alright? Please?

[ It's dumb. But they-- they sat in the library. They shared their struggle with life, shared what keeps them alive for now. So to see that, even in this place where death never fully seems to be the end..

There's a soft, muffled sound. It sounds like a losing attempt to not cry. ]

.. you can't do this.

[ The message quickly cuts off. ]

[There's no response.

And no response.

And still no response for seven days.

Then, on Christmas Eve...]

Ange?

[Martin's voice is weak, faint with fever.]

I'm here. I-I'm sorry. I... so sorry.

[ Ange already knew, really. Denying what happened in that video was just delusional. And the fact that there's no reply - that there's no reply for days and days - only proves it. That really happened to Martin.

And while she knows that he'll be back at some point, that that's how it always works in this place, it still weighs heavy on her heart. Even by the day she finally sees a call from him appear on the screen of her Fluid. ]

Martin..

[ His voice only confirms it. He sounds weak. Sick. Just like people who return back to life-- ]

You idiot. [ Maybe not the best thing to say to someone in Martin's state, but Ange has no idea what else she's supposed to say. It hurts, and it's audible in her tone. ] W-Why were you out there in the first place..? Why weren't you a bit more careful..?

[Martin's too tired to lie, but he'll omit a few details.]

I was bringing food to someone. It was so close. I didn't think- It was just supposed to be in and out. I don't remember... Oh, god, I need to check he's- Ugh.

[He needs to check on Elias. Maybe with Gerry. Gerry was supposed to be his back-up on keeping Elias corralled.]

You've stayed safe. You haven't... they didn't get to you at all?

I talked together with someone to a bear. He told us how to deal with those things, so I've been safe during the times I had to go out for food.

[ There's a very faint childish desire to scare him in turn for how much he scared her with that video. But she knows that it wasn't fully his fault - and that doing that would just be selfish. So she manages to be good and doesn't, instead reassuring him, quietly speaking those words. ]

So.. Yeah. I've been safe. I haven't gotten hurt.

[She talked to a bear. Okay. Right. Yes, that tracks. Deerington is an incredibly weird place. Martin does have to double-check he read that right in his feverish state.]

I'm glad you're safe. Didn't get to give you your Christmas present, yet. It was- It was supposed to help keep you safe.

...

Christmas present?

[ The words are echoed right back at him. Because she's surprised. Maybe she shouldn't be, because of course Martin of all people would be the type to get people Christmas presents. It fits him perfectly.

But at the same time.. she's already so unused to presents, let alone that she'd think about it at a moment like this, when her mind is so focused instead on his wellbeing. ]

You got me something..?

Yeah. 'Course I did. I've had it- I had it before.

Come over? I'm sorry, it won't be wrapped. But I want you to... you should have it.

[He'd offer to come to her place, but even just shifting himself from the sofa to the bedroom and back is going to be a chore.]

Don't think I'm contagious.

[ At least Ange figures that Martin isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

And.. well, the whole present thing aside, she can't help but think it would also just be a good way to check up on him after.. well, everything.

So there's not too much hesitation before she says: ] Okay.

What's your address? I'll come over right now, if that's okay.

[He'll give her the address on Blackwood Run and do his best to look a little less miserably ill while she's on her way over. Whenever she knocks or rings the bell, she'll be met by a pale Martin in some sweat clothes, a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He does his best to smile for her.]

Hey, Ange. I, um... come on in.

[Martin motions her in and shuffles back over to the sofa to collapse there. On the table, there's a teddy bear with a rainbow friendship bracelet draped over its head.]

Sorry I didn't wrap them.

[ There's not too much time before Ange is already at the door. She may have rushed over a little, although she was sure to pause and catch her breath before ringing the doorbell - because looking like she was desperate to hurry over and see him is just not Ange's style, obviously.

But as she's let in, before she can even remark anything about the way Martin looks right now - half-dead being a good word for it, but also awkward considering the circumstances -, Ange spots the presents.

And that just renders her quiet. Anything else she wanted to say just dies in her throat right then and there. ]

.. those are for me..?

[ Ange slowly walks up to them, poking the teddy bear's cheek with a finger. ]

It's so.. cute.

I thought you deserved something cute.

[Martin offers her another exhausted smile before coughing weakly.]

Put-put on the bracelet and keep it on, okay? The bear's just to be cute. The bracelet's from Sodder. Should keep you safe from an attack that's supposed to kill you at least once a day. I know this place has a lot of... bad things. Suddenly bad things. I wanted you to have some protection. It's not a lot. But I wanted... you should have that.

[ She glances over from Martin to the bracelet, finally picking it up and holding it in her hand. Something like this could really do that? Not that Ange thinks Martin would lie to her, but it just looks a bit.. ]

S-.. Sheesh, you don't have to look out for me like that.. [ She's embarrassed.

She's so obviously embarrassed. That near-frown, the pink cheeks. Unsure how to deal with someone actually giving a crap about her. ]

Besides, don't you need it more than me? You're the one who just died and came back! [ Ah, there it is. The tsun coming out. ]

[He snakes a hand out from the blanket and holds up his wrist. It has a matching bracelet on it.]

I have a few. You were one of the people I wanted them for... just in case you don't have any cool bears watching your back. It did what it was supposed to for me. There were just too many of them.

I'm sorry you watched that. I just... I didn't want people not to know. To wonder what had happened to me.

.. it's okay.

[ Ange is quiet for a moment, wandering over back towards where Martin is, so she can sit down nearby him, rather than awkwardly talk across the room. She's taking the gifts with her already - putting the bear on her lap as she sits, and moving to already put on the bracelet, just to show she won't let his gifts go to waste. ]

It's not the first time I've seen someone die. [ Not that it makes it any easier.

But she likes to outwardly pretend it does. Even though her freakout on his voicemail already gave away the fact that it very much wasn't easy for her, no matter how much Ange tries to downplay it now. ]

It just sucks because I.. I don't want you to go through that much pain. You've already dealt with enough. [ Since he was able to understand her own pain before. The shared depression. ] You deserve better than to die at the hands of this dumb place.

Yeah, well... a lot of people deserve better. Most of them here, I expect.

[Except Elias. Elias can choke on a bone and get ripped apart by frost zombies, as far as Martin is concerned.]

Just staying close to home for the next while, though.

[Martin's on the sofa, and while he wants to be companionable, he doesn't want to wrap a sweaty arm around her. He simply leans a little in her direction as an alternative.]

Those bears who were helping you out... are they still around?

[ She looks over at him. ]

I don't know. I've tried to not go outside too much. [ It's not even that Ange is scared. Of course she of all people isn't scared of death. But if she wants other people to stay safe, then.. well, she guesses she has to at the very least give the right example here.

Even though he already died before that could do any good at all. But at least Martin's saying he'll stick to home now.. Thanks, death flu. ]

I know there's no point in me senselessly getting hurt.

Good. That's... I'm glad to hear that.

[She's a practical girl, if nothing else, and Martin can't imagine being more grateful for that in this moment.]

Has there been anyone else with you? I know you said you have a few friends here. I don't think I know who they are.

Not right now. I came here by myself. [ Since she kind of rushed over, but it's not like Ange is going to admit that much out loud. Partially because of the surprise over the present, and partially because she wanted to see how he was doing.

The answer to that mostly seems to be 'alive, even if not that great' - but she'll take that, after what she saw before.

There's a slight pause, before Ange speaks up again to add: ]

.. this isn't some sneaky way of yours to check up on whether or not I have actual friends, is it? [ Who do you think you are to check up on her wellbeing, Martin, her dad? G-Geez! ]

That would be pretty sneaky. [His brows knit together before he give another wet cough.] No, I think I'll just ask that. Have you got some friends apart from me?

Yeah.

[ It's not something she may always have admitted that easily. Maybe she respects him just being direct about it, or she just trusts him with the knowledge. Either way - it seems he doesn't have to dig further to find out. Ange just speaks up. ]

Let's see.. Ruby, Fern, Peter, Richie, Gar, Vira-Lorr, Amara, Michael, Lucille.. I guess Atsushi too. Maybe Shiro. [ .. more than she expected, really, now she's actually putting all those names together like a list. ]

Oh! That's a lot.

[More than Martin could name, certainly. He smiles for her.]

Hey, that's great, Ange. I'm really glad to hear it. Shiro seems like he's most people's friend, right? He's even managed to make friends with Jon, and he's... not the friendliest man.

I know Fern and I think I'm met Michael and Ruby. Not sure I've met any of the rest. Are they all-[don't say 'kids']--younger people like you?

[ .. Not the friendliest man?

That makes her pause for a moment. Because Martin - while maybe not exactly exuberantly social and extroverted, but she likes that about him - seems like such a nice person. And then he's dating someone.. not friendly? Is this just a case of opposites attracting?

But before she can say anything about it - or is even sure whether she wants to say something - Martin asks her something else, shaking her out of the thought for the moment.

Especially when he says it in that way. ]

Are you seriously trying to avoid saying the word 'teenagers', you old man? [ It's the softest kind of teasing though, accompanied by a slight shoulder bump. ] Most of the ones you haven't met are around my age though, yeah. Amara's a bit older, and Vira-Lorr is.. technically ancient or something.

[ She waves her hand, like that's no big deal. There's weirder things in Deerington. ]

I think Lucille must be somewhere around your age though. You should talk to her sometime, if you can. I think you two might get along.

Old man? [Martin puts on an air of mock-affront.] I'm not even a middle-aged man, thank you. [He coughs a little as he laughs.]

Right. Right, Lucille. I'll have to remember that. Well, it's good. There are a lot of... teenagers around, so I didn't think you'd be hurting for options, at least. Have you noticed that? Sodder seems to like the younger crowd.

[ That's exactly why Martin is the old man here. Because he's surrounded by a bunch of teenagers. ]

And also people who have had something special happen in their lives.

[ One way or another. Ange knows that the worlds the people here come from are pretty varied. ]

I don't think I've met many people here who were exactly normal. Maybe those things tend to happen more often to teenagers across various worlds.

[That's a thought.]

Mm... I mean, they do in stories. Young adult books. Everyone likes a coming of age story.

[Another cough.]

I dunno. Most of the people who have weird things happen to them in my world... we see it happening to them when they're adults. Some stories have weird things happening when people were kids, but that's not the norm. It's... Kind of wish it wasn't like that. It's fine being special. But people here seem to be special in a way that means they suffered a lot in their worlds.

[He's looking at you, Ange.]

[ It's hard not kind of reading that personal note into it, and it makes her look away for a moment before pulling her shoulders up into a slight shrug. Trying to downplay it, as if she hasn't already confessed the depths of her depression to Martin.

But she just doesn't want to make it too heavy when he's still suffering the full aftereffects of being revived after dying. ]

Even if witches hadn't been a thing in my world, my whole family still would have died. [ The only difference being that she wouldn't have had to deal with the witches later on - but Ange knows the true root of her misery lies in the loss of her family all those years ago. ]

That's something that could happen to anyone. It doesn't make someone special. Sometimes really normal circumstances are pretty crappy too.

S'pose so. At least we can have a few nice things while we're here, though.

[Martin gives her a little nudge with his elbow.]

There's no way to balance some things... but it makes it easier to carry on sometimes, right?

.. yeah.

[ She will at least admit to that, the little nudge making her glance over in his direction. ]

The people here mostly make it easier. [ It's not something Ange would admit to easily, considering admitting to liking people feels too vulnerable, but she's really making an attempt over here. ] I was so used to being surrounded by awful people back home that I just wanted to get away from people altogether.

[ Maybe it's why the Lonely felt so weirdly exhilarating to her that one time. Because it had been everything she wanted for so long. ]

But the people here.. there's so much more nice people. People who like having me around, for some reason. [ Of course Martin himself is very much included in that, from what Ange thinks. ] So at the very least it makes me think that I at least can't abandon them.

[ ... ]

Was it like that for you? With Jon?

It's a bit different for me and Jon. I had my mum to take care of growing up. She was really sick in a lot of ways, so there wasn't much time for other things... friends. Mostly it was school and home. Then work and home. I liked the people at work. They were nice... but when you can't really go out with them or tell them much about your life, your hobbies, it's hard to get close.

[It's strange to be telling this to a young girl, but Ange feels like she gets a lot of things some of the other people here just... can't. And if his experiences can help her, that wouldn't be so bad.]

Have you ever felt like you were alone in a crowd of people? Just... unseen? That's sort of what things were like for me before Jon. He always made me feel seen. [Martin huffs a laugh and then starts coughing again.] Even when he was yelling at me. At least I knew he was paying attention.

[ Ange really isn't too sure how she feels about Jon yelling at Martin. ~~He better watch his back!!~~ But maybe it's just how things naturally evolved or something, and Martin is so obviously in love with the guy that she doesn't want to really question it.

But it's true that she can understand it. Not necessarily from personal experience, since the way she grew up was miserable for entirely different reasons. But having experienced that misery in general - it makes it so much easier to imagine how others might feel when they have a rough time. Or just a busy time, in Martin's case. ]

I'm.. I'm glad he made you feel that way. [ She slowly says. Martin deserves as much. He deserves to be seen. ] How did you get to know him then, even though you had so little time..?

Um... if I'm being honest? Most of getting to know him day-to-day has been here in Deerington. We'd only had a couple of weeks together before we woke up in the town. It's been a bit of a learning experience for the both of us. Didn't really expect to be figuring out a new relationship around... everything that happens here. But I think we're managing.

[Martin coughs again and takes a few wheezing breaths. This is the most he's talked in a while.]

At home, we ended up in some tight spots and he opened up to me. It's how I figured out he's like a cat in some ways. Takes a while for him to warm up and he can be moody, but he's a sweetheart when you get past all that, down to what makes him tick.

I can't even imagine trying to manage a new relationship around here.

[ As if Deerington itself isn't already bad enough, with the constant monsters and horrors. Trying to figure out a relationship here, right off the bat? That's like playing this whole thing on hard mode. ]

You guys must have been working hard on it. [ Or, maybe moreso Martin than this other guy, judging by what he's saying right now - but if it's a relationship, then surely it takes mutual effort from both sides, she thinks. ]

Some days more than others. We still fight sometimes. It's not perfect. But it's... good. It's one of the best things that's ever happened to me.

[He slumps a little more on the sofa.]

Would you mind if I sort of... lie down a bit? Sorry.

[It's more a courtesy to ask because it's happening whether she agrees to it or not.]

[ The moment he asks that question, Ange's cheeks grow red in shame. In realisation. ]

Oh-- I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have kept you occupied for so long.

[ Not while Martin is in this state. Only barely back from the dead, clearly sick, exhausted.

It instantly makes her fuss. ] You should go lie down in bed. Do you need me to help you get there? Or bring you anything else? I can leave after that, so you can get some rest.

No, no. I'm just... I'll lie down here. I don't want to- I'm sort of dizzy. Best to stay here.

[At least until someone a little more substantial than Ange comes by. He supposes he needs to give her something to do, though.]

Could you get me a glass of water while I get settled, maybe?

Of course.

[ In fact, she's already standing up as she says those words, looking over to see where to get some water here. ]

I'll grab you that and then I'll get going.

Thanks, Ange. It's really sweet of you coming over.

[Martin lists further to the side until he's lying down on the sofa. The kitchen is nearby and she'll find clean glasses in a drying rack.]

Why did you come over again? I've... I think I've forgotten.

[He feels so out of it, he can't remember a lot of what they've talked about already.]

Gifts. The gifts. Don't forget to take those?

[ Ange grabs one of the glasses, starting to fill it up with water. She lets out a small, almost amused sound when she hears him speak like that from the sofa - since it's death flu, he should hopefully be okay again soon, even though it's obviously having some impact on him if he's getting kind of delirious. (It's kind of cute, and would be cuter if the cause of all of this wasn't so sad.)

She returns over towards the sofa, putting the glass down within reach for him. ]

I won't. [ Forget the gifts, that is. ] Please take care, alright? Hopefully you'll feel better soon.

[ Ange grabs the gifts, says a last: ]

See you later, Martin.

[ And with that, she walks out of the door. ]

[On the 25th Martin will find a gift has been left outside his door! According to the tag it's from Fern, and inside the meticulously wrapped package is a pumpkin teapot carved out of wood.

Merry Christmas, Martin!]

Edited Date: 2020-12-27 09:20 pm (UTC)

[Martin is just back from being dead and is a miserably sick sack when he goes to collect the mail. The gift, at least brings a smile.]

Thanks, Fern.

Sorry, I've been away. I'll get your gift soon.

cool
i mean you don't have to get me anything if you don't want to
uh
yeah
Merry Christmas!!

I wanted to make you sugar cookies u could decorate.
I'm sorry. I'm not sure I'll be able to get to that for a while.

Im really dizzy

you're dizzy?
that's ok man
if you don't feel good you don't need to get me anything

No. I'll make them
Just l8r?

I havent been sick in years. This is the worst.

ok

dude do you need some soup or something
or like
medicine?

Already taking it. It's the flu thing.
I died.
Sorry.

WHAT

when?? how?? dog do you need anything
i can bring you soup

I've got more than enough people fussing.

[And Martin is not used to being the one that's being fussed over.]

zombie ppl?
The ones that are all white.
I was out and there wre too many of them.

really? that's great
the only thing worse than dying here is dying and coming back and then being alone

oh man those guys
if i see another one of them around i'm punching their head off for you

pls just stay away from them???
they did a recording on my fluid after I died.
They used my body to try to hurt peopl.
I don't want that to happen toyou.

dude it's cool i've taken some out before
i'll be fine

Over-confidence is a killer :(

Pls be safe?

i'll try, Martin
promise

thx, fern.
I'm going to sleep a little now. Take care?

ok yeah
you too

Martin this is going to sound weird but do you have any experience with cocoons?

[Because look, if there's going to be someone in town who does, it's probably going to be Martin.]

[It's incredibly weird. Martin's also still sick as a dog.]

Like butterflies? I've been to a butterfly garden?

no
i mean veins

Cocoons don't have veins, Fern.

If a friend asks you to go to a party together on Valentine's Day and calls it a date does that mean it's a date-date.

This is a serious question, I'll only accept serious answers!!!

[Martin's not entirely used to having his phone wake him up in the middle of the night. Mostly it's Jon's tossing and turning in his nightmares. Or the things that haunt Martin, himself. He's bit fuzzy when he reaches for the phone and sees Ange's name. He sits up, fearing the worst-

Except it's... teenager problems. That's new. Is this what a parent feels like? He seriously considers flopping back in bed and ignoring it until morning, but he does like Ange and he's been cultivating a sort of relationship where he wants her to come to him if she needs help. This just isn't the help he was expecting to need to give.]

I'd need to know your friend better to have an answer for that. Do you want it to be a date-date? Who is it?

[ Even though she doesn't mention it, Ange is definitely relieved to see a relatively quick reply back, rather than having to wait for the morning. Especially since she does see Martin as pretty reliable - and this just confirms that. ]

It's Ruby.

[ That answer is easy. It shows her typing for a while more after it, because the other answer is complicated enough that she writes and deletes things a few times first. ]

And I don't know. How are you supposed to know that you want it to be a date-date?

[Martin has met Ruby all of once. It had been a very brief and uncomfortable affair with her being tethered to Jon thanks to a Web Leitner they'd destroyed.]

She seems nice.

Suppose it really depends on how you feel about her. She's your friend and you like her. Have you ever thought about kissing her or holding her hand? Or does the idea of those things make you all sort of fluttery inside?

I've never thought about that stuff before in general.

[ What helps is that Ange figures she doesn't have to explain why to Martin. He heard the way she spoke about herself, about what she feels about her future. It's hard to get into a very romantic mood when all you want to is die. ]

But I don't know. When I think about doing that stuff with her.. I don't mind it? I mean, I definitely mind it when I think about doing it with some of my other friends. So that's different.

That's a pretty good place to start. She's different from your other friends. Special.

What do you like most about her?

[ There's a brief pause, but then the message arrives. ]

That she's always so energetic, and cheerful, and passionate. She's just so full of life.

Those are some of the things I really like about Jon. He's definitely energetic and passionate.

It's nice having someone who'll pull you along sometimes. Especially someone you like. Have you told her any of those things you like about her?

No.

I'm not good with that kind of stuff. Being open with people. I know I've told you a lot, but.. it's since I feel like you understand me. And I trust you.

And I trust her too! I'm just

[ The message lingers there for a moment before another is sent. ]

I'm just worried about being vulnerable.

Hmm...

Valentine's Day is probably the best time to let someone know about your secret feelings, though. A lot of people do it. Maybe you could send her a card, and if she thinks it's silly, then you can tell her it was just a joke because of the holiday.

[ You know what? That's actually a pretty good plan. Martin has really been thinking about this. Except for-- ]

Martin.

Have you heard me make a joke. Ever. [ Deadpan jokes don't count!! ]

It'd be way too suspicious.

Well...

[Deadpan jokes totally count!]

Tell her I put you up to it.
Prodding you to try out some humor.
I don't mind if she's annoyed at me.
I'm just a dumb, fussy grown-up.

MARTIN!!

[ Look, he got 'Martin'-ed over text twice in a row. That must mean it's serious now. ]

I am NOT going to throw you under the bus! Even if you're a dumb, fussy grown-up, you're my dumb, fussy grown-up friend who I care a lot about!! And I'm not going to make random teenage girls annoyed at you!

Aw, you care about me? That's really cute! :3

[You woke him up in the middle of the night to ask about teenage drama, Ange. He's going to tease you.]

YES I CARE ABOUT YOU

YOU BIG DUMB

[ Apparently she cut herself off there, because even in a ~~tsun~~ flustered mood (the teasing truly works too well, no matter the time of night), Ange wouldn't want to say a bad thing about someone she's so fond of. ]

man.

[ 'You big dumb man.' So eloquent. ]

Do you think I'd ask these kinds of things to people I don't trust? I just know so many people would make fun of me for not knowing anything about this stuff.

Everybody has a first time, Ange. It's scary, and if things go wrong, it can hurt.

You'll absolutely miss out on every chance you don't take, though. And really? This one seems like a pretty safe bet.

[ There's something in what he's saying that really hits upon the truth behind all of this. The core of all of Ange's worries.

Something that's hard to admit to, even just to herself. Let alone to anyone else. But.. ]

I think that's why I'm scared of taking a chance.

I'm scared of being hurt. As long as I don't raise my expectations, I can't get hurt. But if I hope for anything at all here, for something between me and Ruby.. then I can get hurt so bad.

And I don't know how much more hurt I can take.

How about this? You try with her. If it doesn't end up that she like-likes you, you can come over to my place and we can eat sweets and talk about whatever you'd like, or we can just be quiet and relax.

No obligations, just something tasty for being brave and trying. Even if it doesn't go how you want it to, it doesn't have to be all bad.

Okay.

[ The answer doesn't arrive instantly, but there's not too long of a delay either. Like it's not something Ange has to think super hard about when it's Martin doing the offering. ]

I'll at least try. [ ... ] Thanks for hearing me out.

[ Especially, you know, considering the time of night. ~~Thanks, dad.~~ ]

Sure. Please go to sleep now.
I am.

[~~You're welcome, daughter.~~]

[A few days before Valentine's Day Martin will find a package at his door.

It's a box of chocolates! And it comes with a handwritten note:]

Hey,

I just learned about this rad human holiday where you give people stuff if they're important to you, so I hope you like chocolate!

And if this isn't how the holiday works, sorry. I'm trying my best here.

-Fern

[Oh, no! This is cute! Given all of the terror with those hearts and the portals of late, not to mention being transported around Deerington and into the bodies of sled dogs... this is a welcome break. He tries some before making up a batch of sugar cookies and decorating them with little flowers to send along. He provides his own hand-written note.]

Hi, Fern,

That was so sweet (haha!) of you. Valentin's Day is usually for people who're in love where I'm from, but I like the idea of extending it to more people. Hope you enjoy these. Feel free to share them with Varian and Glitch. Hope you're all well.

Martin :)

[The information Martin had given him was brilliant, exactly what he's been looking for, and it helps to set his mind at ease a little. Odd, given that the information was anything but pleasant reading, it's just that knowing makes things less frightening.

But then--

Well, then there had been the erroneous tape. He listened to the whole thing, just in case it was some weird cypher he wasn't understanding. Then, once he realised it was actually just poetry, he listened to it again. Twice. He's not so sure it was meant for him, though, and Martin has been helpful enough that it warrants some consideration in return.

Which is why he's slinking back to the library on a day that Martin already told him that he works, and looking about for the helpful man. Bucky looks a little worse for wear, dark shadows under his eyes and a rumpled set to his clothing, the same clothing as before. Seeing Steve, that nightmare with the heart, had not endeared him to taking up residence in the "home" provided.]

Hi. I think I have something of yours.

[Martin frowns at the state of the other man. If he's sleeping rough with monsters all around, he can understand, though. The urge to fuss is growing stronger.]

O... kay. How about I trade it for a cup of tea?

[He doesn't move immediately to take whatever it is, just beckons for Bucky to follow him toward the breakroom. He fetches a tin of biscuits down from the cupboard to hand off before setting the kettle to boil.]

And biscuits. Have you had a proper meal since we last saw each other?

[He looks ever so slightly bewildered as he follows Martin into the breakroom. Isn't this for staff only? Won't he get into trouble for inviting Bucky in here from his strange grey-eyed boss?

And why does everyone seem to assume he's not eating properly?

Nevertheless, he perches on the edge of one of the chairs and takes a biscuit out of the tin, though he just holds it in his gloved hand rather than eat it yet.]

Uh, I've eaten. I just don't go to the store.

[That's normal behaviour.

He takes the tape out of his pocket and sets it on the table, just in plain view for when Martin stops making tea and turns around.]

Do you have access to a shower or bath? Somewhere safe to sleep? Just looks like things might be a bit rough right now.

I have extra camping equipment. A little one-man tent and thing you can hang up and use as a shower. It's pretty cold, though. You might want to think about somewhere inside...

I have some extra clothes, too. Maybe so you have something to wear when you're washing things.

[Martin busies himself pulling down teas, picking out something he thinks should be soothing.]

[This kindness baffles him. It's not that he hasn't experienced kindness, more in the last few months than in decades, but it's so much.]

I don't have anything to give you for them.

[Nothing is for free.

He does want a tent, though. It would make things a hell of a lot easier, make him more mobile. Even though he can sleep rough, is used to bad conditions, it doesn't mean he actively seeks them out.]

Maybe-- I can work for them.

[He's good at manual labour, it might be nice to have an objective that isn't 'kill someone'.]

Sure.

[Martin can recognize the need to balance the scales and isn't going to try to put Bucky off of it. If he wants to work for it, he can work.]

I've been wanting to fortify the barricades around the house and maybe at the entrances of a few of the apartment complexes here for the next attack. I could use a hand with that. I can provide the supplies if you're willing to help with getting boards in place.

What would be the easiest way to do that for you? Leave the supplies somewhere nearby and tell you a few places that need fortifying? I don't want to pin you down to a specific time or place.

[Actually, he would, but that probably won't go over as well.]

Edited Date: 2021-02-16 07:57 pm (UTC)

[It's easier when Martin agrees so readily. Having a set price to pay makes it better, stops him from looking for the hidden costs that might stack up, stops him from feeling indebted. He's grateful, too, that accommodations are being made for his desire not to be tracked, though he is at least self aware enough to realise most people wouldn't need those accommodations.]

Thank you.

[Again. Feels like he's saying that a lot recently.]

Not the apartment complexes. [Steve lives in one of them.] But I can help you fortify your house, I'm good at defences.

[One of the benefits of what he used to do, means he's got a lot of experience with defences.]

[Martin raises a brow and glances over his shoulder at Bucky, but unlike some people in the Archives, he has some measure of tact. Bucky doesn't elaborate, Martin doesn't ask. They don't know each other that well, yet.

He does, however, note the tape on the table, wondering if maybe one of them had been damaged or-

There is a speck of yellow on it from what was once a colored sticker. One that seems to have been mostly ripped off by accident. Martin freezes, his face going scarlet.]

Um... th-that tape. You said it was... mine?

[If he'd had any lingering doubt that the tape was meant for him, that blush erases it pretty effectively.]

Yeah.

[And then, just in case there were multiple tapes like this one, he decides to clarify.]

It was poetry, I don't think you meant to give it to me.

[Which means that, yes, he listened to it.]

[Oh, god. Oh, god, which poem was it? Is it- It's not the one about Jon, is it? Christ what if it's the one about Jon?]

Ah.

[His voice is practically a squeak.]

No.

[Martin snatches the tape from the table and shoves it into the pocket of his coat.]

S-sorry, that's- I-I thought I- um!

What type of tea do you like?!

[He feels just a little bad. This man has been nothing but nice to him so far, seemingly without ulterior motive, and now all Bucky has offered him in return is a fake name, some awkward behaviour, and prying into his personal poetry.

It might have been a kindness to pretend he hadn't listened to it, but that ship has sailed. But maybe he can lessen the mortification a little with some reassurance.]

I wouldn't have listened if I knew it was private, sorry.

[Let's stay on the subject of poetry, because he has no idea what kind of tea he likes.]

But I liked it.

[This isn't helping Martin's embarrassment. Is the other man just being nice? He's probably just being nice. But hearing someone else likes his poetry... K had liked it, hadn't he? Martin picks a tea at random and gets down some mugs to finish fixing the tea.]

That's really nice of you to say. You don't have to. I-It was stupid. I labeled all of them with stickers. But Big Boy Cat got into my tapes and I didn't find him and I thought I'd got them all sorted out, but- S-sorry.

[Geez. Bucky isn't a particularly emotionally demonstrative person, and all of this blatant embarrassment is making him feel a little awkward. The problem is, he has no idea what to say that will make things better, and what might make things worse.]

Quit apologising.

[It may come out a bit gruff and blunt, but it's mostly kindly meant.]

I said I liked it, and I don't say things I don't mean. Besides, pretty sure poetry is meant to be listened to, ain't that the point of writing it?

[This is maybe the most he's said in one sentence, but he just wants Martin to stop flapping.]

Sor-

[Martin just manages to cut himself off as he fills the mugs and sets the bags in them. He brings one over to Bucky and sits at the table with his own staring down at it.]

It can be meant to just-just get feelings out. When regular words aren't enough. The ones I've written here aren't really-

Which one was it?

[What is this "get feelings out"? But seriously, Bucky hasn't exactly heard of a lot of sensible coping techniques for emotions, so this is a new one for him.

He cups his hands around the mug, the leather of his gloves warming quickly.

Then, in a low voice, he begins to recite this poem word for word, thanks to the eidetic memory the serum gives him. It was this one, Martin.]

[If Bucky had been trying to reduce the mortification, this really isn't the way to do it. Instead, the blush returns full-force, and he thinks it might be nice, really, to be able to fade away into the Lonely now. Maybe forever. Or make this man forget they ever met. Just... just a few things to think about if he had those powers again.

He doesn't, though, which means he sits there and tries not to expire as he hears someone recite his poetry.]

Right. I'm, um... I think I figured out a better payment. Could you dig a hole and bury me alive?

[He genuinely doesn't understand the embarrassment, it's not as though Martin recorded his secrets for Bucky to hear. It was just... poetry. Just words, seemingly not connected to anything that he can see.]

No.

[Well, technically he could absolutely do that. But he's not going to. There's a tiny hint of a smile playing at the corner of his lips, this is possibly the most relaxed interaction he's had. It makes a small piece of who he used to be peek through, a slice of humour even though his voice doesn't alter much to show it.]

Guess I could agree not to broadcast it, but that's my best offer.

[Martin covers his face and sighs.]

Y-yeah. The person that was- um. I'd just rather it not get out. I really am- I should have been more careful about what I was giving you. I'll pay extra close attention to it next time.

You- everything else made sense, right?

[Alright, he's not cruel enough to keep tugging on this string. The smile at his lips slips away again, giving way to his customary neutral expression.]

Yeah. It was really helpful, thank you.

[It made about as much sense as information from a dreaming world could.]

You're not gonna get into trouble for giving it to me, are you? Your boss didn't seem pleased someone was looking for you.

[The mention of a boss has Martin confused for a moment.] My- The head librarian?

[Why would they be upset about a patron asking after someone specific? Or that Martin was offering out information for that matter?]

I guess so?

[The man hadn't mentioned a specific position, just that Martin was his employee.]

He was here the other day when I was looking for you, wanted to know why.

Edited Date: 2021-02-19 08:40 pm (UTC)

Oh. No one in the library's said anything to me.

[The number of people Martin knows well enough for them to claim they're his boss is vanishingly small.]

Wait. Was he short with dark skin and little pockmark scars everywhere? [There's fond exasperation in his tone.] If he was, that's not my boss, he's my boyfriend. He can get protective.

No.

[Also, what sort of boyfriend would pretend to be someone's boss? That doesn't seem entirely healthy.]

He looked middle aged, maybe. Light skin, grey eyes. He looked at me like--

[--like he was trying to see in Bucky's head. But he doesn't say that, it sounds absurd. Instead he just finishes that sentences with an awkward half shrug.]

[... It clicks and any softness vanishes, replaced by a flicker of cold anger.]

Oh. Him. Yeah, his name is Elias, and he's not my boss. He's not anyone's boss anymore, actually. He's just nosy and likes to pretend at it.

[Hm. Something odd is at play here, given that the other man had distinctly said Martin was an employee.]

I didn't tell him why I wanted to find you.

[Apparently his ~~paranoia~~ caution has worked out for the best this time.]

He seemed concerned about you. [Sort of.]

I appreciate that, but he can probably work it out. [More like potentially read this man's mind, but Martin isn't going to immediately spook him. He's paranoid enough as it is.]

He was the head of the Institute I worked at back home. I quit before I came here, though, so... not my boss anymore. [He shrugs a shoulder and finally picks up one of the biscuits from the tin he'd brought down.] Was he being weird and creepy at you? If yes, that's just the way he is. It's nothing personal.

[It's actually sort of a relief to hear that the creepy feeling the other man had given off wasn't all in his own head.]

I think he just wanted to make sure you were safe, that I wasn't a danger to you.

[At least that was the impression he got.]

I'm sure that's what he made it seem like. [Martin sighs.] Just... maybe avoid him, if you can? He'll probably leave you alone if he doesn't think you're going to be useful to him in some way.

[Because that's not at all ominous.]

Don't worry about me, I can handle myself. [A beat.] Is he causing problems for you?

[It certainly sounds that way.]

Perpetually. It's... fine, though. I can deal with him. I just want to make sure he doesn't bother you. Being his focus usually doesn't work out great for people.

In what way?

[His tone shoots for casual, but it's spoiled by the intensity in his eyes. He definitely wants to learn of anyone who could potentially be a threat here, who has been an issue for others in the past.]

[Martin considers how much to say. After Elias' little stunt on the network, he's almost inclined to be completely honest. Almost.]

He's manipulative and more concerned with sating his curiosity than any kind of morals. There's a little grass boy here named Fern. Elias convinced him to do something he shouldn't have and that hurt someone very badly. I don't know that it was even to any purpose. Just Elias wanting to see what would happen given people come back from the dead in Deerington.

[Manipulative and obviously without a lot conscience, if his idea of a good time was just to get people hurt for no other purpose than curiosity. That's a combination that Bucky definitely has no interest in getting further involved with. He's met Fern, the kid seemed mostly good, if a bit naïve.]

I'll make sure to keep a close watch for him.

[Hard, cold.]

Didn't anyone do anything? I've seen the abandoned police station, but isn't there any kind of authority here?

The police are cats.

[So, yeah. That's a thing.]

It's nothing you could go to them about, anyway. He's very good at covering his tracks with that sort of thing. He never told Fern to do anything, just... wound up a toy soldier and pointed it in the direction he wanted.

[He's seen the cats, but he hadn't realised they were the police. This town gets weirder and weirder with every moment.

That phrasing bites at him a bit, and he makes a very firm internal resolution to go nowhere near Elias again if he can help it.]

Right.

[So, not good then. He pushes back from the table, leaving the majority of his drink untouched. Now that he knows a little more about Elias, he kind of wants to be out of the library if possible.]

I should go, I just thought you might want your tape back.

[The tape. Right. The reason he came in the first place.]

Oh. Y-yeah. Sor- Thanks again for returning it. Be careful out there.

[He nods. Hesitates, before:]

You too.

[And then he's turning and slipping out of the room.]

[When the video flickered on, the often smug grin was finally missing from Elias' face, the faded gray eyes looking slightly off screen. There was a mug of tea on his desk, long since gone cold, and a tightness in his jaw that showed more emotion than he liked. ]

I See that someone has woken up.

[One of the few times his gifts actually worked and it was for...that. Wonderful.]

[Martin's expression is blank when he answers the call. He's sitting in bed, looking like he just woke up, hair still disheveled.]

Yeah. [His tone is flat.] What do you want, Elias?

[Well, that was rather unfortunate, wasn't it?]

I think we should have a chat, Martin, the sort where we can both be agreeable and we can both - hopefully - benefit.

I can give you today to grieve, but I am available tomorrow, if you would like to come by. I think you know the way.

[Martin stared past his phone for a long moment. If he were more himself, he might sneer at Elias for being so magnanimous as to give Martin a whole day to grieve. But he wasn't.]

Fine.

[The video turned off.

At some point the next day, Elias would hear a knock on his door as Martin stood outside. He wasn't entirely sure what he was doing here, especially when he hadn't told anyone what he was doing. Elias was a bad person to meet with if you didn't have a back up. Martin was too tired for contingency plans, though. He was here. He'd listen to what the man had to say, and then leave.]

[Not every plan needed to have backup, and not every visit needed to end in confrontation.

The door was opened shortly after Martin had finished knocking, and Elias looked colder than normal. Gone were the smug grins of someone who Knows Something, and it was replaced with grim neutrality of someone who had business that needed attending to.

Martin wasn’t the only one who had lost something.

He stepped aside so his guest may enter.]

I’m glad you could make it, Martin. I think we have a lot to discuss and a lot of items that can benefit both of us, if you are receptive enough to listen. [He started to walk down the hall, passing by the office where a flickering ghost remained.

Elias walked by without looking in; his goal was a Spartan den before a fireplace that was already going.]

[Martin glanced toward the movement in the room, locking down any emotions seeing Tim's death raised. It wasn't hard at the moment. He could feel the comfort of the Lonely tugging at him, offering some measure of peace. This wasn't like Jon being dead. He was just... gone. Awake and potentially alone in the waking world now.]

I'm listening. [A curt response.] Is there a reason you reached out to me and not the others?

[Others who were probably less emotionally compromised.]

[Interesting question. Elias went to pour himself a drink – scotch, tea was for another time – and did a second for Martin. He was curious if he would drink it or if it was a lost cause, then realized it didn’t matter in the scheme of things.]

Several reasons, actually. You can see the larger picture when not clouded by your emotions. Tim and Sasha would never come to meet with me, and I can only assume, do not have the same goal as we do.

[After all, what did they have to wake up to?]

But mostly, because they listen to you. Martin, the glue keeping everyone together.

[He took a seat, watching him.]

Why did you accept my invitation?

[That was a question Martin had been asking himself since yesterday. He was quiet a moment as he sat down across from the other man.]

Because I can use you while you use me. [It was a simple, straightforward calculation.] And if we're doing this, I don't need to be worried you're working against me or mine. You won't be working against them if you want me. No more scheming. No more moving chess pieces to get kids to murder people on your behalf. We focus on what's important.

[He almost started to argue; “using kids” hadn’t been what he was doing, but he this wasn’t the place to start this fight. This was a time for union, an alliance, however strained it was. There were larger things at play.

So he smiled and he sipped his drink and raised an eyebrow.]

And no more breaking into my home to either murder, maim, or kidnap me? By you or companions, I’m assuming. [The glass was lowered as the smile drifted away.]

You will have to forgive me for wanting to be thorough and have all these things in order before we begin.

Edited Date: 2021-03-04 02:48 am (UTC)

Fine. Maybe don't whine about what happened on the network, anymore, pretending like you're going to reveal the culprits and freaking the little kids out.

[Martin's done at the moment, which means he's maybe being a bit more snide than he ought to be. He also probably shouldn't refer to a pair of teenagers as little kids, but here they are.]

So what are you offering, exactly? Beyond a basic truce.

Edited Date: 2021-03-04 06:21 am (UTC)

[Martin was baiting him for an argument, something that could have easily gotten out of hand rather quickly. How easy would it be to say Well, I tried to work with Elias, but clearly this isn't working, leaving himself as the victim, someone who was working so hard under unreasonable circumstances?

So as much as Elias wanted to explain that letting people know of a credible threat was hardly a veiled attack, and he was well within his rights to do this, he let that go. Another time, perhaps. Another time.]

An alliance. A partnership. Working together for the betterment of both of us. [After all, they both only wanted the same thing, didn't they?] I want whatever information that you have or gain, and in exchange, I will share my own.

You want Jon's notes.

[It was as simple as that, he supposed. Considering Elias at least used the network, that wasn't an excessive hardship.]

I'd need to talk to Sasha about anything we need to add from their red-string board. [He sighed.] What sort of information do you have to offer in exchange? Notes? An interview?

Those and whatever we get together after.

[Simple. Easy. Hardly obtrusive at all.]

I have pieces on certain residents here, however my work is not nearly as expansive as yours. But-

[He sipped his drink.]

-with Jon gone, so goes his gift of getting information out of people. I, however, still have it, albeit in fluctuation. It is the closest you can have to his skillset, and there have been points where my powers have...increased, based on the town. I can help you in the situations where a cup of tea and Tim's winning smile is not enough to grease the proverbial wheels.

[Martin glanced off to one side, thinking. That would, in fact, be a useful skill to have.]

We're not blackmailing people who're Sleepers like us with anything we find out. [Just to be clear.] But the rest of the people in the town. The Mother Superior, the Mayor, people like that. I'd be okay with you digging into them. Checking the things they tell us are the truth.

[He stared at Martin, unsurprised by the response. It was vaguely disappointing.]

They are…more difficult to read. I can attempt it, but I can’t guarantee anything when it comes to the people of the town. My powers are less reliable against them.

[He sipped the drink.]

Why do you want to protect them, the Sleepers? You know that some of them are dangerous.
.

You're here, so... yeah. Kind of obvious. But they're also not going to have answers for why any of this exists or how we're going to get out. The ones who do have those answers share the information they gather. If you need someone else combing the network for you, that's something I can offer. We don't need to twist people's arms, though. A lot of them want to get out of here, too, and the ones most invested in it are happy to share the information they have.

And I'm not going to give you a blanket okay to do your... mind... thing on people. Even the ones I don't like.

While I'm focused on getting out as well, might I remind you that we need to stay alive while we're in here with those dangerous Sleepers. Myself not included.

[So rude, Martin. He was trying to make some semblance of peace, after all.]

It wasn't the town that killed you or Jon; it was your fellow citizens, need I remind you?

A bunch of ice zombies murdered me, none of the Sleepers.

[Martin has much less of a defense for Jon's situation, though.]

Arid's- That was something that got out of hand. It won't repeat itself. And Fern was you goading him. Again, even if there are dangerous people, what good would doing your thing on them do? Maybe if they're trying to actively kill you, but they're not going to have the information we want or need.

Then only if the situation calls for it.

[But who would determine that was still left in the air; if it was Elias, the restrictions would be far more relaxed.

Of course, these were nitpicky things, regulations and rules to come across in later discussions and negotiations; for right now, he wanted to at least settle in the idea that they could work together again. Just like the old days of scheduling and tea.]

Remember, we both want to get back to Jon, don't we?

[Martin scoffs quietly, glancing off to the side. His hand strays to his chest, playing with the Boatswain's Whistle hidden beneath his shirt. It would be so easy to walk away from all of this, to just go an hide, lose himself in the Lonely again and just ignore everyone around him.

But Martin is here and Jon isn't anymore. He can't rely on Jon and the others to solve this anymore.]

I want to get back to Jon. You want to end the world. [A deep sigh.] But fine. While we're going in the same direction, we might as well pull together.

[Gray eyes followed the hand as it played with the whistle. Elias felt the need for it still, but it was a selfish and pointlessly human desire, so he simply let it go. The Lonely could remain with the Lonely; it would rather prefer Martin, anyway.

Especially now that he was alone.]

Perfect. I assume we can work on weekly meetings? While I prefer in person debriefings, I assume we can do ones over the Fluid if we are either too busy or the world is too dangerous to adventure outside. [He smiled, not once denying the need for a return to the apocalypse. Why bother fighting the truth?]

Would you like to add anything?

[He should probably have thought a little more about this, demands he wants to add. Martin mulls it over quietly.]

Banish Tim's ghost. It's creepy having it around.

[Of course. It was always about the ghost.

He sighed, but nodded.]

I will work on that. Anything else?

Not for now. But I want to be able to re-negotiate if things change.

I will make sure a "Suggestions Box" is available, Martin.

[Martin sighs, knowing already that he's going to regret this.]

Fine. I'll meet with you next Saturday with notes. Is that all?

[Doesn't he always?]

I believe so. As always, it's a pleasure doing business with you, Martin.

Sure. [Martin stands up.] Whatever... I can find my way out.

[Unless Elias stops him, he'll head off, giving Tim's ghost another glance on the way.]

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