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[corkscrewed]

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[corkscrewed]

[ it's not intentional, but martin is answering before he even realizes he's opening his mouth. ]

I'm quite fond of the gray in your hair. I think it makes you look distinguished.

[ O h. WELL. he's fucking mortified. ]

[epistemological]

[ He blinks at that, one hand lifting up to his temple for a moment before he ruffles it a little and gives Martin a tight smile.

Then he takes a long sip.]

That's... very kind of you, Martin.

Care for that drink now?

[corkscrewed]

[ yes, he is absolutely reaching for it, embarrassed beyond words. ] I - why did I tell you that? Sorry.

[epistemological]

Do you usually apologize for complimenting people?

[ No buzz here. He's just pointing that out. But the glass is free for Martin to take.]

I told you, Martin. It's been... it's been a very eventful few months.

[corkscrewed]

Well, it was - sort of a strange compliment. And-

[ he pauses to take a long pull from his drink, grimacing as he swallows a mouthful of alcohol. ]

You can make people, you can ask them things?

[epistemological]

Is it really strange to like a bit of grey? I mean- I didn't think it looked that bad.

[ A swallow before-]

Yes. Yes, I can.

[corkscrewed]

It doesn't look bad! That's just - not something I'd tell you.

[ ugh. one last sip of the drink, just to try to catch up with jon. he... doesn't seem to understand the full implications here. ]

You think it has something to do with working at the Institute?

[epistemological]

[ He closes his eyes, slow and very very tired.]

It's because I'm the Archivist, Martin.

Elias- Elias has his own abilities. And, I'm sure, some sort of- overblown, pompous title. Perhaps the 'Watcher', given- given some of what I've heard.

[ But wait. He caught that. He definitely caught that. ]

Why wouldn't you tell me?

[corkscrewed]

Well- what about the rest of us? Do we get some sort of cool superpower, too? We are assistant archivists. Well- I guess just archival staff, huh.

[ he's.


just going to ignore the question. ]

[epistemological]

[ He squints a little at Martin. ]

You get to not turn into a monster?

[ He has just enough restraint not to say something about how the assistants are used as cannon-fodder. How they're trapped. ]

[corkscrewed]

[ martin's face pinches here, because if jon is having this reaction, it's clear that he's still missing something. ]

How does being an X-Man make you a monster? [ he hesitates, then adds quickly: ] Not to make light of the situation.

[epistemological]

[ He waves a finger at Martin. ]

Caaareful with that. Apparently, there are actual mutants here.

[ He takes a solid, fortifying sip. ]

And part of it's the statements. Reading them, recording them. I- I actually need them these days. Like... food. Or water.

[corkscrewed]

Do you have them here?

[ and that's what he's immediately jumping to, vigilant despite the hand on his glass. ]

Do you have enough to stay- fed?

[epistemological]

[ Jon will take the opportunity to point over towards a familiar looking box of files sitting in a corner of his room.]

Vetted all of them with my laptop before I brought them. And I've stored a few in the library and the infirmary, just in case.

[ He pats his pocket as well. ]

And one on me. After the island, it doesn't hurt to be careful.

[corkscrewed]

Won't be caught without one, at least. That's good.

[ martin's face is starting to get just the slightest bit warm. ]

I still wouldn't call you a monster.

[epistemological]

Which is... probably more comforting than you realize.

[ He probably should have explained more. Probably should have said something more helpful to that. But instead, at the moment, he'd just like to- to soak that in.]

...all of that isn't what I asked you over for.

[corkscrewed]

It's not?

[ that worry is creeping back onto his face. ]

Honestly, I might- need a while before you drop more bombs on me, Jon

[epistemological]

[ He blinks at that.]

I wasn't-

[ His head drops a little.]

I just wanted a bit of company. And I-

Would you rather leave? I don't- I'm not trying to- I just-

[ He just lets it hang as it is for a moment before finally clarifying ]

You don't have to stay if you don't want to.

[corkscrewed]

[ oh.

martin's expression softens immediately, and- of course he'll spend time with jon. it's just not what he's expecting. ]

Have you had any inmates?

[epistemological]

[ He wobbles a hand. ]

I've been given one, temporarily. We...

Most of our interaction hasn't gone well at all.

[corkscrewed]

What are they like? I'm honestly a little afraid of having one myself.

[epistemological]

She's a shapeshifting ninja.

She nearly crushed my windpipe and sold me to Beast men as a captive.

[ That's a sip.]

Her tricks don't work on me. So it's a bit of a standstill.

[corkscrewed]

Oh, my god, is your throat--?

[ martin flusters. ]

They won't give me someone like THAT, do you think?

[epistemological]

You might.

[ He glances over at Martin.]

As long as you're unpaired, you're going to be shuffled about with anyone not assigned to someone.

[corkscrewed]

[ he touches his own throat with a wince. ]

Guess I'll just have to deal with it if it happens.