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[doubled_speed]

[Lookie here, it's Tommy, looking shaken as hell. Makes sense, he's lost more of his people recently and he's NOT doing okay. So you know what that means! Tommy needs a fucking project, and he thinks he's moving on pretty well with the one he's got.]

Yo. So know how I was looking for help making some sorta hydroponics shit in the hangars of at least the Twin Roses and possibly some other ships if people want it? Think I've found people to help me make it. Just...

Turns out we need parts. And one of the dudes helping me? He's stuffy and NOT cool with me taking things out of abandoned buildings if they can be salvaged and lots of other shit and well, anyway some of the stuff we'll need is apparently small and custom.

So basically I'm supposed to ask if, seeing as that replicator thing is now here and all that shit, people might be willing to help out by donating a replication or two a month to helping us replicate packages of the small parts that are important for the drip irrigation something or other thingamabob.

Think about it, bros and bros who aren't amab or who are agender and fuck backtrack need something better. Okay, think about it my fellow kidnapees. Fresh produce. On ship. Whenever they kidnap us.

Hell, I'll even tend it when we're not on ships. If you want your ship to have a hydroponics thing. Just let me in once a 60hr cycle and I'll fucking tend the hell out of those bitches.

Anyway. Uh, call me?

[And he shuts the thing off before he can sound stupider. Dammit!]

Comments

[doubled_speed]

[He should. Tommy is right there, in Jon's face, finger poking into his chest.]

You come into my home, uninvited, and make me say things I don't want to say with some sort of freaky telepathy. You come and you lecture me about what's wrong with me and it's NOT my fault. And it's not like I can get help here. But if people know about that, about that moment? I lose everything.

[And he can't be alone. Not again. If he's alone... he might as well be dead. His desperation to be liked and wanted, it's too high.]

You don't get to come in here and do this to me. You just don't. And next time you do, I'm carrying your damn ass to the sea and tossing you the fuck in. You got it?

[beholding_archivist]

[ And does Jon back off? Nope. For a good part it's false bravado, though. All aimed to not give Tommy the idea that this sort of behavior works well in his favor. Deep down, the Archivist remains scared. Not outright terrified, but reasonably scared. ]

Then don't threaten, act! If you believe drowning me will solve your problems, try it. See what your friends think of that. The same friends that apparently are only your friends because you're keeping secrets from them. Because you can't trust them with the truth.

A very pathetic sort of friendship you're clinging to, Tommy. Shall I pluck even more secrets from you and we find out which ones end up shattering those bonds you cling to so desperately?

[ It's a rhetorical question, but just about as much compelling as to tickle at the truth and give Tommy the notice that Jon just might do it. ]

[doubled_speed]

You have no right, asshole. None.

[He doesn't get it. Billy and Teddy are SO GOOD. They're heroes. Tommy's... he has to work at it. They wouldn't, they COULDN'T forgive him for the darkness in his heart. Not like that. Or so he thinks.]

I know they're too good for me. But I don't care. And it's not your business. Get. Out.

[beholding_archivist]

[ There's a scoff from the Archivist. ]

Oh, don't worry, I will. But before I go... Tell me.

[ Once again he's fully focusing his compulsion. Not to draw out a particular secret, however. Just a few names. Names he assumes Tommy may be reluctant to share. ]

Who is it you are afraid to lose?

[doubled_speed]

[He hates you, so much, Jon. It burns in his eyes even as he opens his mouth to speak, because he can't not say the words. And it hates him that Jon can do this to him. Now there is a new fear budding in him. That he can't deny this man what he asks for.]

Billy. Teddy. Wanda. They're the only family I have, and if I lose them, if I'm not useful to them or if they fear me, then what's the point of anything?

[beholding_archivist]

[ That's not a new sentiment directed at him, but the hatred doesn't bother him too much. He takes the fear, though. A fresh one. Not as deeply rooted as the ones Tommy had before. And along with the fear, the Archivist takes the names.

Then he just nods and finally turns to leave. ]

Thank you.

[ because that's the polite thing to say. ]

[doubled_speed]

Don't. Please don't say anything to them. You can't.

[That would break him faster than anything.]

[beholding_archivist]

[ Tommy receives neither answer nor reaction to that. Jon will simply fulfill his wish to walk away - And leave the mutant to dwell on the possibility of his fear becoming reality. ]