[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 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.
[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.
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.
[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.
[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?
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.
[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?]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rosecarmine
Video
Date: 2021-03-01 03:39 pm (UTC)I See that someone has woken up.
[One of the few times his gifts actually worked and it was for...that. Wonderful.]
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-01 04:01 pm (UTC)Yeah. [His tone is flat.] What do you want, Elias?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-01 04:11 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-01 04:42 pm (UTC)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.]
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-02 01:35 pm (UTC)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.]
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-02 07:15 pm (UTC)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.]
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-03 01:22 am (UTC)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?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-03 10:44 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-04 02:45 am (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-04 06:21 am (UTC)[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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-04 01:13 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-04 05:15 pm (UTC)[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?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-04 05:22 pm (UTC)[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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-08 07:56 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-09 02:05 pm (UTC)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.
.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-12 04:42 am (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-12 02:28 pm (UTC)[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?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-14 08:09 pm (UTC)[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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-26 04:06 am (UTC)[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?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-28 10:31 pm (UTC)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.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-29 12:16 am (UTC)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?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-30 01:34 am (UTC)Banish Tim's ghost. It's creepy having it around.
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-30 01:41 am (UTC)He sighed, but nodded.]
I will work on that. Anything else?
(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-30 02:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2021-03-31 03:43 pm (UTC)(no subject)
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