fingeronthebutton | Duplicity IC Inbox

[It's his own building, Jon reasons. You can't break into your own building. And Elias is technically his employee, so that goes double for this. He'd tried to make certain he knew the other man was gone from the building before attempting this, though.

He uses the master key he has to unlock Elias' office and slip in. Now, if the Eye wouldn't mind just guiding him toward any contracts Elias might have with Tsurugi... Or anyone else, for that matter.]

[You know, he has this feeling Jon is going to attempt something stupid. Often he just watches from a distance but tonight he feels like perhaps an in person treat is in order. So rather than continuing home, he turns back to go to his office at the Institute. And what a surprise to see that Jon is already in there.

And by that really he means it's not a surprise at all.

He lifts a brow and stands in the doorway watching. Waiting to see what will happen with this. After all, it's not like he keeps anything personal here aside from that knife.]

[Jon's down on his knees, preoccupied in going through what appear to be financial reports in Elias' desk drawer. He's chewing his lip as he flicks through pages, searching for contracts. He can sense there's something important around this area, but he hasn't twigged to what. The knife, itself, doesn't even occur to him.

It's only when a shadow shifts across him slightly that he glances up. He does a double-take before shooting up to his feet, a random file clutched in his hands. His eyes dart to either side as if any other exit is going to magically appear.]

I- I thought you went home.

I was going to until I had this odd feeling I should come back. How interesting that it seems I was right.

[He looks down at his feet at the files on the floor and then slides his gaze up to the file in Jon's hand.]

Are you looking for something? I can assure you the financial records are all in order.

Uh... Just-

[This shouldn't be so hard.]

Random audits! [It is a phrase he has heard and it is related to accounting.] Just checking everything in case there are random audits. The city seems to be, um... cracking down.

We've already been audited, Jon. They've approved of the records I've shown them. Both times they've randomly come in.

[Please, Jon. You're a terrible liar.]

You are looking for any contracts I might have made.

Have you made any contracts I should be looking for?

[It's not even a conscious thing to try to compel Elias. The Archivist just does it.]

[Elias sighs. Really. He just won't stop trying that.]

Even if I have, Jon, I wouldn't keep them here in the office for you to find. That would be something you would do.

I don't keep important documents in my office.

[He keeps them in a locked trunk in his library at home. It's wedged between a pair of bookcases and trussed up to look like he's just using it for a table, even. That's clearly top-notch security.]

Did you sign a contract with Tsurugi?

My apologies. You're more likely to keep them in a trunk that you think no one will take the items off to look into.

[Look. He's not even reading you, Jon. He just thinks you're that dumb.]

That would be a matter between us. Though I fail to see why it matters to you. For some reason I believe you fired him.

[Jon's whole face goes red, lips thinning. He... is going to change his hiding location. Maybe under the floorboards.]

Because you would have signed a contract with him when he was in my employ.

[Sort of in his employ... considering no one is full-time contract employee, even if they get paid like they are.]

Tell me, Elias. His girlfriend is pestering me, and I need to know if I should tell her to rip out her boyfriend's eyes whenever it's next convenient.

If I did then that is not against the terms of our agreement.

[It's amusing how Jon is only just now learning all the loopholes Elias implemented into this arrangement.]

Given the fact that she has no desire to hurt him that way, it would be a very difficult conversation for you to have. Still, whether we did or not does continue to remain not your business. If you don't wish to speak to her on the matter perhaps you should tell her so.

[Jon slams the folder down on the desk.]

If you want me to let you closer like you said, then you're bloody well going to need to work with me!

[No. No, he's already let the man far too close, and that's why he's in this situation.]

Don't you want to gloat about it? Another person to hold over my head if I try to do anything to you? If it's not Agnes you're punishing, now you've got Ginger and Tsurugi.

Jon, why would I make a contract with Tsurugi to hold over your head? You don't even like the boy.

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

You should consider things realistically. If I am out to hold people over your head then I have no reason to bother with contracting with those you don't actually like. It would be pointless. As good as you are, you would actually hesitate in rushing to save them in comparison to those you are fond of.

Maybe the people I'm fond of are just smarter than you. Or appropriately warned.

And yet I still seem to have Agnes and Ginger. Odd how that worked out.

You mind-controlled Agnes. That doesn't count. Ginger is... [Incredibly dumb.] Well, I tried to warn her. [Poorly.]

Yes. You do seem to be warning plenty of people against me. Yet they continue to come to me all the same.

[Elias shakes his head.]

There are no contracts here, Jon. I don't even keep them at my residence. So really it's pointless for you to be here now. Go home and try to sleep.

[Jon narrows his eyes.]

If there's nothing here to find, then why do you want me to leave? Why do you even care that I'm here?

[He slowly looks at the files scattered about.]

It couldn't possibly be because you've made a mess of my files and I will have to reorganize them in the morning before I got to Haven.

[...]

I know where they all go. I'll put them back. Which means you can leave.

[He makes a shooing motion.]

[He strides in to start picking up his files so that way he can start putting them away. And making a mental note to put these all up on a password locked digital file and to take all of these home. That would avoid future messes.]

I somehow doubt you were paying that much attention to the system put in place.

[Jon tries to snatch the files out of Elias' hands.]

I said I'd handle it. Everything will be back exactly as you remember it tomorrow. You can watch me all you want from a distance to make sure. Go home, Elias. Relax.

[While you can. Maybe having Martin back, Tim, Gerry... it's putting a bit more fire into him and his willingness to stand up to the other man.]

Jon, having allies here really isn't going to help you.

[He picks up another file and puts it away followed by another.]

I admire your sudden courage, it's very entertaining. However, it's still pointless. You already lost to me. Your struggles these days are just cherries on top of the metaphorical sundaes.

[He actually snatches the file from Jon's hand.]

I will make sure that I have these digitally filed tomorrow so there will be no further messes made of my office.

[As he tucks away that file, he pauses.]

For the record, this is how I relax.

You might have changed the world, Jonah, but that doesn't mean you get to enjoy it. The king who never dies. We'll see how that works out for you. Martin's told me we're traveling. Coming for you. And I expect you're not the only one who got a power boost from the Watcher out of out little mutual apocalypse.

Even if we can't change the world back, even if it's stuck like that for however long it lasts, we still might be able to take it away from you.

Edited 2020-05-25 06:40 (UTC)

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