[ 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]

Well... I do.

[ There is no hiding that. ]

I'm sorry, but- I can't forget any of these things. This wasn't just Billy, either. Part of that was me.

I have no intention of sharing anything I have learned.

[mrsklover]

[ Richie doesn't know what to say to that but he looks more wary than he had before.]

What do you mean 'part of it was you'?

[beholding_archivist]

Exactly as I said it.

[ Jon sighs. ]

The Eye, Beholding, is part of me as much as I am part of Beholding. It... I believe it did not appreciate the falsehoods I was made to observe.

[mrsklover]

And what? You have no say in it? You have no ability to just close that fucking Eye and honor someone's privacy?

[beholding_archivist]

That’s not how this works.

[ There. A totally acceptable answer. ]

It doesn’t... Blink. Not in the way we are used to.

[mrsklover]

[Richie groans and scrubs his face.]

So, what? That's it? You have no choice but to be a nosy piece of shit and look into all the dark recesses of our soul? Is that it?

[beholding_archivist]

Yes.

[ A plain and simple response. ]

I have no control over what I see. But I can chose to remain quiet about it.

[mrsklover]

Great.

[He is scowling now, clearly dubious.]

Have you even tried to control it? You don't seem that broken up over invading our fucking brains. Or that it might fucking bother us.

[beholding_archivist]

I have as much control as is possible. My main control remains the one I have over myself. I decide where to look - And how close.

And I do keep your feelings in mind. At least while I am fully in my right mind. I won't deny that Billy's magic affected me in an unsightly way and that I crossed boundaries as a result.

[mrsklover]

Unsightly. Attempt at a joke?

[Richie pauses for a second, trying to absorb this. He's still not happy though and it shows. ]

Okay. So how about this: you just don't look at me at all. Okay? I stay out of your way and you stay out of mine. No looking. No nothing. Deal?

[beholding_archivist]

[ This inquiry about a joke gets Richie a blank look. Which is followed by a frown. ]

That's not something I can promise. Not to that degree. But I can leave you alone as much as is possible.

[mrsklover]

[Richie groans in frustration. ]

Fine. Fine. You stay away from me and I'll stay away from you and we'll just hope that is enough to keep you from peeking up my metaphorical skirt. Cool? Cool.