fingeronthebutton | Duplicity IC Inbox

[Why is he here? Why is it impossible for him to compel Elias? Why does Elias have the power to appoint the Archivist?

The beating heart of the Magnus Institute.

This isn't fair. He's done what the others have told him to. He's trying to do it. He can't fight Elias. He can't take out his eyes to escape the Eye and Institute. He's too much of a coward to let someone try to take the Eye away from him. And he's drawn toward that eye that fills the room behind Elias. Watching. Watching this and them. Feeding on the Archivist's terror.

Distantly, he connects that this is probably, in part, how Elias feeds himself; he'd always wondered.]

I... [He wants to reach out, to touch the thing that he only ever sees in his nightmares. The Archivist lifts a scarred hand, the mark of the Desolation upon him, and rises from his chair. He can remember what it felt like, to have all the fear of the world shoved into him all at once, tearing open a gaping hole inside of him that he still hasn't been able to fill, even with the Eye more distant in Duplicity.] I could still... I could sue you.

[For... something.]

Feel free. There is nothing wrong with our contract nor is there proof of me having done anything wrong. I am an upstanding member of the LIERs, Jon.

[Elias knows what Jon is looking at behind him, finds it amusing that he is. Really now, an Avatar for a short time and he thinks he knows everything. Please. He's been an Avatar for far longer than him so he knows how this works. Knows how people work.

Jon is in for a terrible surprise if he tries anything.]

Now, are you going to continue your work here or will I have to clean up another mess for you?

[Jon forces himself to still, closing his eyes as he curls his plaintive fingers into a tight fist and drops it to his side. He can still feel the Watcher's gaze, Elias' eyes upon him. He hates that he doesn't hate it more, that the sensation makes him feel... like he belongs here, like he needs to be here. It feels right.]

I hate you...

[The words are quiet but resigned. He tries for a little more bite, though it loses something when he keeps his eyes closed.]

Don't call me to you again.

I will call you when it is necessary.

[Elias waves towards the door.]

You may leave now. I look forward to seeing the work that you do, Jon.

[He turns and trudges away. It's starting to feel like any time he's in this office, something terrible happens. Is this the room where they did the ritual to remove the magic Jon had put on himself? Elias would be enough of a dramatic bastard for it.

Jon does slam the door when he leaves to try to make some kind of point. It's not much of one, but he doesn't have anything else.]

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