revivalproject | [ video ]

[ Unlike the last time Jon has appeared on this network, this time it's very intentional. And it's very obvious that it is intentional. Apparently he has found himself a usable desk (presumably in the hospital) and has taken the time to prop up his phone appropriately to address his fellow involuntary inhabitants of this lovely place.

It's also rather obvious that he has been using this desk for a few days now at least. There is a comparably neat stack of paper in front of him, two or three notebooks, an assortment of pens, two different types of tape recorders along with some tapes and an empty mug all rather present and no, he doesn't really care about the slight mess. He himself looks a little messy himself, though that's just his normal state of being perpetually tired. But... There are more important things right now, right? Like... How to even start. ]

Uhh... Good evening.

[ That's just remotely awkward. But okay. ]

I have- I mean. I already spoke to a few of you. Either through this network or at an actual encounter in person and... I suppose you might have noticed me at that little welcome home party the Agrii have set up, but... Let's not talk about that. That was... Dreadful.

[ He pauses a moment to sort his thoughts, then goes on. ]

To those I haven't met yet: Hello. I'm Jonathan Sims and I have agreed to help with the hospital.

[ Here he makes a short gesture with one hand to indicate his surroundings. He is indeed at the hospital. Maybe that's your clue to avoid needing medical help anytime soon?

He drops that hand back down. ]

Further, I have decided to take on the task of turning what is left of what appears to have been a library once back into an actual library. To be more precise: I plan to make recordings along with written pieces and store them there once the place is cleaned up. These may serve for our own reference, but also for the Agrii if they are so inclined. My hope is that by teaching them about ourselves, our worlds and our language, we can achieve a more successful way of communicating with them. Learn to understand what they want and need and- You get the idea.

Now what I need is to find a suitable format to record on. While I work with magnetic tapes a lot myself for certain reasons, I am not unfamiliar with digital recordings. Also I am well aware that some of you come from worlds that are technically far more advanced than my Earth happens to be, so I... I would be interested to know if there are more practical formats available. Preferably ones that allow for video as well as audio recordings and don't necessarily require additional hardware for playback. Your universe's version of the data points to be found across this city, for example, just possibly without that direct access to a person's mind. Given that we may soon have access to a functioning replicator... It should be possible.

[ He lets that hang there, then takes a moment to try and think what else he might have to add. He ends up with a short shrug and half a sigh. ]

I guess that's it. If you have a suggestion you believe might work, I would very much like to hear it. And before you ask: Yes, I am planning to keep a purely digital library along with a physically accessible one.

Thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The leaving was supposed to be a relief for both of them, Tony wasn't used to being chased after so he slowed automatically at the first command that wasn't even for him. They both must have been seeing something in each other that wasn't there, because Bruce would have been slamming the door behind him and happy to call Tony on his hypocrisy for manipulating and prodding so much information out of him, only to short out as soon as anyone tried the same with Tony.

Bruce never used any fucking magic powers on him, though.

Tony didn't quite yank his arm away, but clearly held it stiffly away from himself, like he was ready to disengage with it if Jon had that betray him, too. He wasn't ready to trust his own mouth yet, but feeling hunted and under pressure made him minimally patient while he watched Jon searchingly, waiting for him to either realize what he had said, or figure out where he was going with it. Too slow. He had to cut this off, cauterized, so both of them could have their space. Clearly, Jon had been on a world tour of freaking people out, he didn't even know what he should be apologizing for. "You let me know when Tim forgives you. We'll start a group," Tony offered, waving Jon off then.

As Tony has already correctly observed, Jon isn't the most adept at common social behavior - Especially since he seems to keep losing people close to him.

It's Tony's comment that makes him fully realize just what he has said, and the remark cuts deep, making it easy for Tony to pull his arm away while Jon takes a wounded step backwards, grief settling over desperate determination. Tim. Jon has heard Tim's last words when he woke up from his coma. The lingering betrayal and understandable lack of forgiveness before he gave his life to stop the Unknowing and avenge his brother.

How often has Jon wished he had been of more use during that event. More capable of protecting those he cared about.

And now he's doing it again. Hurting someone who meant well.

Guilt and shame interlace with grief and all Jon can do is look away, the hand that has tried to keep a hold on Tony clutching onto his own upper arm as if in search for something to hold on to.

"Tim is dead." He confesses, voice weak "...he never forgave me."

And it's moments like that that Jon wonders if these feelings of guilt and pain will go away once he fully stops being human. Once he, probably, stops caring at last.

Tony wasn't sure what to do with the information, frozen again when he really wanted to leave and searching Jon once more, trying to see where he had missed Jon's lies. If this was another manipulation, Tony was loathe to fall for it, feeling shortsighted enough for not noticing the way Jon had compelled him, but if it was true and Jon's demeanor wasn't an act...

Well, Tony wasn't a fan of dealing with that, either. Never mind that he was the one to drive the knife in, but none of his PhDs were in emotional support. That might have been evident in the way he muttered, "You're such an asshole." It wasn't done bitterly, but with the exhaustion of someone who was resigned to this awkward web that Jon had tangled them in and was familiar enough with the situation to know his walking away was the more volatile move. There was no telling what the fallout of that could be, but the worst that could happen if Tony stuck around to see it through was Jon getting in his head again. He gestured with a listless arm to get Jon's attention, eyes back up here, buddy, then raised a finger, not quite bringing it to his lips but a clear sign for Jon to keep his spellcasting mouth shut, thanks. As long as it seemed like Jon would agree to that, Tony swung that arm around his shoulders, burying his hand in Jon's hair, hyper aware of the texture between his fingers where the smooth slip gave way to the thicker, wiriness of the gray; Jon was too old to be pulling some shit like pretending a friend was dead, and Tony turned him back toward the problem they were supposed to be dealing with. Tony owed it to him to see that through, but he wasn't going to let Jon know that. "We don't have to talk to each other anymore," he explained, "but we're going to get some of this done before we lose the light."

Well, Jon sure could shoot that asshole-comment right back, but he does take note of the tone and he blinks twice before catching the movement of Tony's arm as well as the small gesture and before he knows it, there is an arm around his shoulder and a hand in his hair in a gesture that feels foreign to Jon but oddly comforting in its own unpredictive way.

He takes a deep breath, steadying himself with a small, still shaky nod "I... won't ask any more questions." Jon agrees "But I don't like the thought of us not talking anymore." Tim has avoided talking to him for months despite them still working together. The few times they exchanged words, they fought. And Tim always made sure to blame Jon for everything that has happened. Rightfully, maybe. In some way or another.

"Let's try not to feel alone together, instead." A cautious, and maybe a little hopeful suggestion.

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i didn't mean to do THAT

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