Erku Inbox

[recordingends]

	Sexscape Navigator
	» Age: 31 » Species: human... ish » A5 Card: Open » Seeking: I don't know. People to... help with the card. People who might have interesting stories to tell. Anyone trying to get to the bottom of this place. » Preferences: I would prefer not to feel compelled to do this at all, but. I don't really have a preference for gender. Or sex. » Interests: tea, books, cats, the supernatural and esoteric » Bio: Former Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute in London.
	base code by photosynthesis
	INSERTNAME

Comments

text, un: dvtch

[vegalthon]

[It's about 11 days after Oran had last seen Jon, back at the hotsprings, and for reasons he doesn't want to ever revisit again he's been moping so hard as to avoid anyone, even someone who'd been as... accommodating... as the archivist had been.

When he hears that Jon had been subject to the tender ministrations of Even's kraken transformation, however, he's too upset to leave well enough alone. He doesn't know all the details, certainly nothing about any coercion about statements, but he does know that Even dealt the man a terrible hand.

So... the text is short and maybe vague, but Oran is very full of concern.]

I've heard you've had some troubles. Are you okay?

[recordingends]

[Jon has been keeping a low profile since everything that happened at the hot springs. It's probably not the best way to handle things, but that's never stopped him before.

He's surprised to get a text from Oran. He'd expected that maybe Oran heard what he'd done to Even and had decided not to speak to him anymore. Jon couldn't blame him, if that's the case. But... there he is.

His stomach flips a little as he wonders exactly what troubles Oran might be alluding to.]

Troubles?
I'm fine.

[vegalthon]

I've come into some information that should be none of my business.

Yet, you're a good friend and I would hate to hear you've been hurt.

[recordingends]

What information?

[oh God oh God oh God--]

Whatever you've heard, I'm all right.
Really.

[vegalthon]

[Sweat, Jon: Oran knows just enough to make ALL the worst assumptions.]

It has been an uncomfortable series of days so I won't pester you, but if you should need anything...

[recordingends]

[Jon hesitates, but he needs to know.]

What exactly are you asking about?

[vegalthon]

Even's come home. I managed to drag out why he had gone missing and he mentioned your name in the process of confessing.

[He hates to admit it all so baldly but... Maybe, a small hope ignites, Even had mentioned a second, unrelated Jon?]

[recordingends]

[Oh.]

Right.
Well.
I can't really hold it against him, can I?

[Even if he wanted to.]

[vegalthon]

[That's so shockingly pragmatic that Oran hackles a little bit. It's lucky that texts convey so little flavour.]

That's a kindness. I only know that people started getting hurt, and someone was killed.

[And, a minute later...]

I'm sorry the week ended out so poorly. I'm only happy that you are well.

[recordingends]

[If Oran knew what Jon had done to Even, he doesn't think Oran would be so kind to him now. And he would deserve that, too. As it is, the pair of them are some of the few friends Jon has managed to make here. He doesn't know if Even will ever speak to him again.]

Someone was killed?

[Could he have died? Jon doesn't even know.]

Are you well?
I haven't seen you.

[vegalthon]

For the best.

Even wasn't the only one committing atrocities. Stay away from the better hidden springs if you're still in the area. They're dangerous.

[recordingends]

I've come back to the city.
After everything that happened in the woods and at the springs, I thought it best.

[Jon hesitates in typing out the next message. Does he really want to know the answer?]

Why do you say it's for the best?

[vegalthon]

[It's obvious, isn't it? Oran frowns and considers simply leaving things at that. Jon is safe enough after what Even had done to him, willing miraculously to let bygones be bygones. That's enough. Right?]

I was changed. I hurt people. Badly.

[recordingends]

[Jon could hardly hold that against anyone after what he's done.]

You weren't yourself

[vegalthon]

No. But the things I did still hurt people.

[He pauses before he sends another message. He really should shut up about this already, but... Well, he trusts Jon, and isn't thinking to question why the man might be so quick to land on Oran's side.]

You're more forgiving than most. I'm not sure you would be if you knew the details. But that isn't here or there. I'm happy you're safe and I can't speak for Even, except that he genuinely feels remorse.

If it was an experience like mine, I believe he wasn't in control, either.

[recordingends]

[Jon feels like he should explain why he is feeling particularly forgiving. But, selfishly, and maybe stupidly, he doesn't want to confess to something that might make Oran see him differently. Even if Oran deserves to know the truth.

Jon keeps hoping he can just keep this under wraps. But how long will that last?]

I am the last person to judge monstrous behavior.
And if Even - or you - wasn't in control of himself, I can't just be angry.

[Jon frowns, looking at his device for a while before he adds,]

Whenever you're feeling better, I'd like to see you.

[vegalthon]

You're a kind friend.

[And Oran means that, with every fibre of his being. It seems... strange, really, that Jon's so accepting, but the tiefling feels a loss and Jon has been nothing if not accepting of him... so though he doesn't respond right away, he eventually says,]

May I visit? I should probably leave the house eventually.

[recordingends]

I would like that

[Jon realizes after he sends the message that his place isn't particularly impressive, but he's... trying to work on that. He's managed to turn in credits for some things.]

[vegalthon]

[Waiting for another message to arrive, Oran finds himself with a new sense of nervous energy. Things had been... awful, frankly, and not in the 'live or die, slathered with blood' way. This new complicated net of being made a monster to other people's wellbeing has shaken him and he is nervous about visiting someone he hasn't yet had the grim remorse of fucking over. But it could happen at any time, couldn't it?

So Oran doesn't immediately check in after that, but soon enough he's agitated enough by that undercurrent that he responds,]

I realize just now that I have no idea where you actually live. Should we meet somewhere first?

[recordingends]

[To Oran's credit, Jon didn't even think to try to provide directions, so when he sees the text he actually blushes and hurries to send one back.]

I can meet you by the fountain. I don't live far from there.

[vegalthon]

I'll be there soon.