[ video ]

[beholding_archivist]

[ And this is Jon appearing on your network feed, actually outside of his library and in all likelihood enjoying a nice evening at the open air. ]

Good evening, Temba.

I... I mean. We don't need more apologies, and yet I feel like I owe quite a few. Things happened. I hurt people both physically and verbally and I'm sorry, but...

...it happened.

[ He falls silent, eyes dropping for a moment. Then he clears his throat and looks back up and over his screen. ]

The beach here is gorgeous. Have been here a few times now and- I think it would be nice to- To come together. Here. Have a nice day and enjoy- uh, well. The beach. The water. Find some time to just... Talk. Maybe... Have fun...

I... I will organize something.

[ Is he awkwardly announcing a beach party? Oh, you bet he is. ]

Comments

[beholding_archivist]

You said a lot, Tony.

[ That's what Jon manages to answer as he reads on, then his voice trails off into some flustered sputtering and he does his best to scowl at the camera. Which isn't quite as effective as scowling at a face. ]

It didn't feel very attractive to hurt all these people. Even if they weren't real people. I-it's- You know.

[ And he's looking away for a moment, scowl softening into a bit of a pout as he reads on about bonfires and fireworks and the agreement to join the celebrations. Reading that bit results in an actual smile from Jon and he bows his head with a little nod. ]

Thank you. I'm looking forward to it.
I love you.

[ Public or not, he doesn't care. ]

[in_extremis]

[He's always saying a lot, that's why he never says anything important that way. So, hopefully Jon doesn't mind that he doesn't get an actual answer, but a photo in response of a thoroughly annotated doodle of Jon lounging in what looked like a blow up pool, covered in a wide umbrella and next to a cooler and a few scattered, less discernible items around it. They were all accompanied by material and component lists, including Jon, but Tony's handwriting isn't nearly as neat as his. That might say 'likes cats' and 'hates worms'.]