revivalproject | Archivist Catch-All

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Archivist Catch-All

WHO: Jon & YOU
WHERE: Coruscant - Various places
WHAT: Coruscant Event catch-all. Some open, some closed prompts. See what your little Eldritch avatar has been doing...
WHEN: Coruscant Event
WARNINGS: One of them includes Tony. Approach at own risk.

The Perfect Gift [ OPEN ]

Coruscant is- A lot. A lot of city, a lot of people a lot of- Everything. Even for Jon, who has been living in London for a good decade now. But even London seems unnaturally small compared to Coruscant. And yet living there has ensured that Jon isn't intimidated by crowds. In fact, he has come to find himself quite capable of adjusting himself to their situation and as he learns more about the planet and its inhabitants, Jon also learns more about how to navigate it and find that which he is looking for.

Which proves invaluable While out to acquire goods and supplies he deems useful for their inevitable return to Temba.

It's a long list Jon has for himself. A variety of clothes and footwear are on it, including some actual swimwear, equipment and supplies for his little chemistry lab, writing utensils, notepads, new variants of tea and other luxuries, a couple of handy little tools and - Gifts. And especially those gifts prove to be the difficult part. Since the person Jon is trying to find a gift for is none other than Tony. The man that tries to fix everything and constantly makes gifts for others himself. Finding a gift for such a man is harder than one might wish to think.

Apparently a selection of treats are about to become part of the assortment of gifts Jon has already picked up and he is currently studying the packaging of what may be actual chocolate. One can never go wrong with some sweets and a good wine. Jon smiles softly to himself and his attention drifts over to something that is either a futuristic bottle opener or a very peculiar toy, making him frown before reaching out to pick it up, vaguely addressing either the person next to him or no one in particular. "No idea what this is, but- I'm curious."

Being A Monster [ OPEN ]

Some may say it is ill-advised for Jon to be heading down into the lower levels of this multi-layered city. And yet here he is, his worn clothes and too large poncho making him easily melt into the crowd of beings who ignore his seeking stare. A stare that isn't seeking for difficulties with finding its target, but rather because every being down here proves to be a remarkably suited target for his needs.

He takes the easy route and turns into the next bar he passes. There are plenty of dreadful stories here for him to request, confine to memory and later record. Which will have to wait until they are back in Temba, since his tape recorder has not been brought along on this trip.

It's later that night - Or maybe early the next morning that the Archivist returns to the hotel they are all staying in. His steps swaying a little from the alcohol, but a contentment rarely seen by many on his expression. He even gives a cheerful wave to anyone else he encounters at this odd hour. "Someone is up early!"

Among Force Sensitives [ CLOSED to Obi-Wan ]

It's not without a healthy degree of trepidation that Jon walks up to the intimidating structure that he has been told to be the Jedi Temple. He is dressed in a set of new clothes, which he assumes to be local enough in style and clear of the wear and grime of the clothes he has been wearing down over the past months on Agra 10. Well fitting grey pants covering the better part of dark boots and a light, long-sleeved tunic paired with a very functional messenger bag is just one outfit the Archivist has come to pick up so far and he finds himself particularly happy to now own some footwear that isn't meant to be purely decorative while one spends the better part of the day behind a desk.

Though even his new attire doesn't fully keep Jon from pausing briefly in his steps to look up the massive building. Home and training ground of the Jedi. Jedi like Cal and Obi-Wan and Ezra. Beings sensitive to an energy field called The Force.

Beings that can sense something is not right with him.

Jon swallows once, hand tightening around the strap of his bag before he pushes forward, expression set into a stubborn set of determination. It will be fine. The Jedi Master has agreed to accompany him into the Temple, meaning Jon won't be heading in there by himself. It will be fine.

At the top of the stairs, he comes to another stop, finding himself looking up at massive columns of a height that raises questions for the Archivist. Questions he will be keeping to himself at least for the time being before taking his attention back down and looking around for the man he is supposed to meet up here at the very entrance of the Temple, muttering to himself. "...Christ. I hope he hasn't forgotten."

It's a date! [ CLOSED to Tony ]

New clothes that actually fit him and that Jon feels good in are but one of the things this planet has provided. Another thing is the chance to get his hair cut back to a more reasonable length, get the items required for a decent shave and of course have a proper bath. Small luxuries that add noticeably to Jon feeling human again. And to provide him with the confidence to ask Tony out for a proper date. How many chances like this will they get anyway?

The beings tending to their needs at their hotel have been quite helpful to him with setting everything up and recommending the right places not too far away. From a good, rather exclusive restaurant high up in a tall spire looming over Coruscant's upper level along with similar, yet distant skyscrapers and providing an excellent view to an artificially created and very unique park at the very base of said spire to the suggestion of a sensual and very private message provided by specially programmed droids up in their hotel's poshest suite offered by the beings in charge of the hotel tending to their guest's needs. Being that are remarkably eager to please this easy source of good credits. And after all these months on Agra 10, Jon has very little qualms about spending what the Agrii provide them with.

Having arrived a little early, Jon has already been seated at one of the rather few tables the restaurant actually possesses. All set apart and separated with strategically placed pots filled with colorful alien flora and a stunning view out of the large windows making up the entire outer walls of the place. A soft tune hangs in the air that Jon listens idly to while looking out of the window, over the city and every once in a while daring a glance down, feeling a bit thankful that Mike Crew hasn't instilled an even greater fear of heights into him. His hands are loosely clasped in front of him on the table, having very little to do at the moment.

When he hears a set of footsteps approaching, Jon turns his attention away from the window to greet who he assumes to be Tony with a gently, yet genuine smile.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yeah," Ezra says with a nod, gaze darting between watching Jon and looking at signs. "I think it's supposed to be up here in another block or so."

Then he stays quiet until he spots the sign he's looking for. "Anadala's," he announces, determinedly sounding chipper. When they duck in, it's still early enough they mostly have their pick of seating, so he heads to a booth in a back corner, away from the main counter, and drops into the seat facing the main door.

After snagging one of the flimsi menus and glancing over it he comments, "They have a couple of kinds of tea. A house tea blend? You may be in luck."

"Thanks..." Jon mutters as he takes his own seat, only briefly glancing over the menu and the Aurebesh on it. It still strikes him as odd that he can simply read even these alien languages and understand what they say without having any idea how the actual words are pronounced. Which he deems unfortunate.

At Ezra's question, he simply nods, clasping his hands on the table before him. "Y-yes. I... I think I will try it. Can't be horrendous."

Ezra waves the droid working as wait staff over and shoots him a friendly grin. "Can we get a pot of the house tea blend to split, please? And...I'll take a Lessu omelet - you've got a fruit plate. Can I get fruit on the side instead of bread?"

"2 credit extra," the droid whirls.

"That's fine. Let's do that, please," Ezra replies. "You sure you don't want anything to eat, Jon?" he checks.

After scanning the menu once more, Jon gives a little shake of his head. "I'm fine. Thank you. I have... Eaten." And he has. In his own way.

There is a pause right there in which Jon's attention seems to be glued to the table. At least until he looks back up, the words spoken seeming abrupt. "I-it's not the Force that I used. Your Force, it's- It's a good thing. It helps people!" That may be a bit of an oversimplification, but in Jon's defense, he's still drunk. And he hasn't met anyone that would use the Force for something bad.

A regretful tone settles into his voice when he adds: "I can't do that. I... I can't help anyone. I only hurt people."

His first impulse is to say the Force is everything - and that has to include whatever however Jon comes by his power, surely, but Ezra swallows that impulse back.

Maybe he needs to find out more about the lens Jon is looking through more.

"You said when you met that you're...marked," he says, carefully.

"Marked, yes..." Jon repeats the word with a pensive nod. "Claimed by an entity dwelling outside reality itself but yearning to break through and fully manifest to reshape my world to its liking. While the Force is life, these beings are manifestations of the deepest fears fest by all living beings. They have their monsters, their cults and followers and their avatars."

Where he has had his hands folded in front of him before, Jon has come to clutch onto his own upper arms. "I'm the Archivist. Avatar of the Eye. Also known as Beholding, Ceaseless Watcher or It Knows You. It is the fear of being watched, followed, judged and having your darkest secrets revealed. And that- Is what I do. I draw out people's secrets, whether they want to share them or not."

Ezra digests all that information for a moment. "Ok, no one wants to be watched all the time, I get that. But to be beheld, known. That's not always a bad thing, either. Someone knowing the worst things you've ever done and not turning away, that can be freeing," he says, with utter sincerity.

"And secrets can hurt people, too. Sometimes especially the ones held by people who don't want them known."

"Maybe." Jon agrees, though he does raise a brow before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "But maybe you are not for the Eye. Sure, you share quite similar fears to Cal and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The fear of being found out by those that destroyed the Jedi Order. But is this being afraid of being found out, or rather the fear of being hunted... I'm not certain. Though... I feel it's much rather the Desolation that has a hold on you. Pain, loss, unthinking and cruel destruction. You worry less about yourself than for others. I... can see that." That may be a Jedi-thing.

Jon then clarifies: "Not everyone submits to the same fears, naturally. And the Eye is just... One of the Fears." And certainly one of the more subtle ones.

"Jedi are supposed to try to face their fears, and let them go, rather than be consumed by them," he tells Jon. "So the fear doesn't have power over them. So it doesn't turn to anger or hate. No one do that perfectly, of course."

Jon isn't wrong about the sort of things that are mostly likely to move Ezra to act rashly, though.

And Jon simply nods, something akin to excitement settling on his face. "And that's quite remarkable! Regular beings fear many things, often quite trivial things, even. But the masters here at the temple are- Fascinating! The simple fears don't get a hold of them, but the fear they have are deeply rooted and complex. Luring those out--"

He doesn't finish the sentence, but the small, two-handed gesture and tone of his voice may make it clear enough: Accessing those fears would be nothing short of a treat.

Ezra watches that motion and then his eyes flick up to Jon's.

"You said you're an Avatar. And it sounds like you didn't get a choice about it. What does that...mean?"

"Ah- W-well. I mean. I made some choices, yes. But- They weren't directly connected to me becoming the Archivist." Jon replies. Or, at least he tries to.

"I chose to accept that job I was being offered. Didn't know that the position of Head Archivist meant becoming an evil power's avatar. That- It wasn't exactly written in the contract? I also actually chose not to die while I was- Physically dead. Didn't want to die, which is perfectly normal. And I made smaller choices before and after and... To some that's enough to say I chose this. But- Iunno." He ends with a small shrug. "...I suppose what I am is the sum of plenty of small choices I made at best. That's how this works."

Ezra goes quiet again, his expression setting more grim, as the wait droid come back with a tea tray with cups, a pot, and a small assortment of things commonly added to tea in these parts.

"That..can be one of the ways the Dark Side works," he says slowly. "Offering you something you want, without showing you how steep the price is. It goes hand in hand with the fears you mentioned. The Emperor tried to offer me my parents back. Them alive, my entire childhood with them."

Jon lets his attention fall to the served items, studying them with interest. "But that was a lie, wasn't it. False security and the fulfillment of a secret desire. Not many of the fears dabble in falsehoods and manipulation. That- It's the domain of the Web. But even the Spider won't let you feel safe. It's not in her nature... Or that of any of the Fears."

Of course neither of the powers will want their victims to feel any sort of security. It's simply not what they feed on. Jon moves to pick up the pot of tea to pour them each a cup of it. "Your Emperor has bigger goals than simply terrorize people, I assume."

"I think it was partly true. I could have stepped through that portal and changed the past somehow. But I think opening that gateway would have given the Emperor the chance to seize control over it and change things even more. I can't really guess what the limits of the power that was in that temple, or how devastatingly he could have used it. Just how big his goals are."

He picks up the cup closer to him, and takes a sip of the tea, to see what he thinks of it. It as a light spicy flavor to it, similar to cardamom.

"Power it is, then." Jon concludes, raising his cup to blow away the steam. "It's the search for it that drives some people to become avatars. Others flee from it. No doubt there are parallels, Obi-Wan said as much himself..." The Jedi Master even may still be cautious regarding Jon's nature and what he has sensed in the Archivist. And Jon won't blame him.

He lets out a long exhale and shrugs. "I don't want to hurt people. All I ask is that you believe me that much."

"And I want to believe you!" Ezra replies. More slowly he says, after a beat, "I choose to do that."

And then, another second later, "But I would like to understand more about how it works, too."

It's a little smile Jon offers in response, followed by a nod before he tries a sip of his own mug, raising a curious brow at Ezra's inquiry. "I- ah... I believe I can try to answer your questions?" He offers with a small, one-handed gesture, indicating for Ezra to ask what it is he wants to know more about.

"And- Thank you." While belayed, it's said in earnest.

Ezra adds a touch of sweenter to his tea while he thinks about the avenues to take with his questions.

"Is it just the questions that you can add compulsion to? I think I get how questions are tied to being an Avatar. It gets people to say the things they're afraid of being known."

"Actually..." And he considers the question another moment before slowly shaking his head. "No. I can use it as an order as well. If I try, but- I believe I have used it subconsciously by making simple request before I was aware of it. Nearly got me killed by a Hunter..." He reaches up and for his throat, where the scar Daisy has left with Jon's own knife remains present enough.

The hand drops back on the table and finds its way back to his cup. "I try not to. No one likes having their mind and actions controlled."

"Yeah," Ezra says with a nod. "A mind trick - I can usually smooth it over so the person doesn't realize it's happening, but there's always a chance they'll just shrug a suggestion off entirely. So it's the sort of thing I'd want to only use if the alternatives are more dangerous. Usually for both of us."

He can push much harder than mere suggestion, but he's just going to avoid addressing that, at least for the moment.

Jon nods as he listens to Ezra's words, taking a slow sip of his tea. "...I wouldn't mind having some more control over it." He confesses. Accidentally compelling those he considers his friends has only ever been awkward at best and never felt right in any sense.

"You had... Training for that... I assume. Saw a bit of that at the temple."

"Yes. I had a pretty solid training bond with Kanan before we tried that, though-"

He pauses again as his breakfast is brought over by the waitdroid. "Thanks. Oooh, is that meiloorun slices? Definitely made the right choice getting the fruit plate!"

"So, here's a question. How much can you...sense other people's minds? Feelings?"

"...meiloorun..." Jon repeats the unfamiliar term, temporarily distracted by the equally unfamiliar fruit. Well. He really shouldn't be surprised, should he.

"Oh, ah... I assume that depends on how hard I look. I get a... I mean, I feel when someone has something worthwhile to listen to. If they hide something or are left shaken by an event in their past that I can... Pull out. Back into the light. Make them face once more all over again." He tries. It's not something he has tried to put into words before. "Initially, I can't... See any details. But if I look, if I really look... I can grab it. By force if necessary."

"So it's fears that you're most tuned into," Ezra says, sliding the fruit plate closer to Jon, raising a questioning eyebrow as if to say 'want some?'.

"Which makes sense from what else you've told me, I guess. But are you actually limited to that, or is that what's easiest to sense? I can try to teach you how I do a mind trick by explaining with words but for me, at least, it didn't click until I could, um, closely observe that my master did, through the Force."

Archivist Catch-All

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