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weboftime

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From:

epistemological

[ The nice thing about having been the Archivist is still remembering someone's communicator number. ]

Pick up, for goodness sake. Everyone's been hitting my cellphone, for goodness sake, so I figured this was worth a shot. Can you hear me?

From:

weboftime

[He immediately picks up.]

Jon?

[There's more emotion in that word than he ever showed for the entirety of their friendship.]

From:

epistemological

Henry! It worked! Fantastic.

I don't know if you've checked the network, but it's having one of those strange little quirks where people from other places can communicate with all of you. I thought it was worth giving it a go to see if I could talk to you and I remembered your number.

[ Breathless, there's a few false starts as he obviously tries to come up with something to say to address the fact that he hasn't seen Henry in ages and what comes out is, as always, just the God's honest truth- ]

I've missed you.

From:

weboftime

I've needed you.

[As usual, he doesn't actually mean to cause a guilt trip. But he's also too truthful for his own good.]

I fucked up.

From:

epistemological

...I... thought you might have.

[ He'll have his guilt trip later. For right now, as far as he knows he only has today. Thus- ]

Talk to me?

From:

weboftime

I went home for a while. Merged with that creature and started my revenge. Just as I had planned. Just as I wanted.

I came back and all of the creatures that I contr- no. The creatures who were me - they came. Harmed people. Killed them.

I hurt Trixie.

I asked to be human again.

[He lets out a long breath.]

I have all of my powers back and I'm not - using them like I was.

From:

epistemological

But it eats at you.

[ Quiet. Knowing. ]

The desire to use it. Those muscles, so well practiced, that satisfaction, so well known. There's other ways to get what you want but... they don't come as easily, as naturally.

[ A sigh. ]

I'm sorry I wasn't there. I... in truth, I wanted to believe you. It made it easier for me. But I also wanted to- I wanted to trust you? And I do- I do trust you. I-

I hope you know what I mean.

[ A sigh out. ]

I assume that Trixie is all right at this point? She's... healed, I mean?

From:

weboftime

Yes, she's fine. It wasn't serious.

I know what you mean. You could trust me. Then the Admiral sent me home and brought me back and I was angry and alone.

I'm better now.

[There's a long hesitation.]

I don't want to get rid of the powers I have. They're a part of me. But I am getting used to not using them. Asking questions instead of taking the answers.

Trixie is giving me her deal.

From:

epistemological

That's... very kind of her. Do you know what you want?

From:

weboftime

I'm getting back the lives of everyone who died in my attempt at the apocalypse. Everyone who was sacrificed for it.

From:

epistemological

Well.

...I can't say I don't understand that deal.

[ A sigh. ]

Do you know where you're going when you graduate? That sort of wish feels very-

Well, it feels very much like you'll be done sooner rather than later, at least to my senses.

From:

weboftime

...I don't know. I haven't known in so long.

I cannot go home and I don't want to. I don't want to be in one place.

From:

epistemological

[ There is a very long silence before the answer comes. ]

...I'll need to check with Tim, of course. But, um...

I don't suppose you'd like to come with me? W-w-with the understanding that if you change your mind, I can drop you off wherever you like, of course.

From:

weboftime

Tim.

[He laughs, a little surprised.]

I should offer my apologies if we ever meet again. But - I'd like that.

From:

epistemological

Excellent! Well, hopefully that will take care of at least one leg of your remaining journey: any number of inmates have had to figure out a future that they genuinely look forward to, so it sounds as if I've been able to do something to help you get out of there. Now... tell me all about how you've been since I left, hmm?

Please tell me Dorian hasn't gotten you into any more trouble?

From:

weboftime

No.

I have a new room now. He taught me how to make drinks for a party I was planning after I moved in.

From:

epistemological

A party?

...one of these days I'm going to convince him that being anti-social is an entirely valid life choice and not part of graduating.

How did the party go, anyway?

From:

weboftime

That was actually Trixie's idea.

It was stalled. The Barge happened and I haven't had a chance to gather my friends.

From:

epistemological

Wait, wait, wait-

Friends? With an 's'?

[ That gets a bright laugh. ]

Excellent!

...I maintain that being an introvert is still entirely valid, but a few friends is still very good, yes.

From:

weboftime

I can count them on one hand.

It's far too many.

[He makes jokes now, too.]

From:

epistemological

That sounds about the right number to me, honestly.

Anyone I'd know?

From:

weboftime

Kikimora. Shaun. John - the one attached to Arthur. Zack. Dorian and Trixie, of course.

From:

epistemological

Zack! Goodness, I'll have to check in with him. I've already talked to Trixie; I'll be transporting her son and his significant other once I have a moment. I only dealt with Kikimora a little and I'll admit my association with Arthur's John was... limited.

Still! A very impressive number.

And technically more than fit on one hand.