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[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

Correspondence

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[epistemological]

I’m more curious if you have me on your filter or not.

[ He steps in. ]

I’m assuming this was not your choice? Not joining me in booklessness out of solidarity…

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

One of the consequences for my actions. Don't ask which warden instigated it, I haven't kept track.

[ it's actually the most frustrating consequence of all of them, and Elias' attempts to show himself as completely at ease despite it probably give away that he's trying to compensate for it ]

[epistemological]

Have- have you been barred from the library as well?

[ He didn't really keep much track of how Elias was to be punished, pointedly. He doesn't want to be involved in that. It feels... wrong. ]

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

Of course.

[ his smile is incredibly polite and totally fine, thanks for asking. ]

Though I did help clean up the damage, under a great deal of supervision.

[epistemological]

I'd be willing to supervise. I-if that would be allowed by your warden, of course.

[ He tilts his head as he glances over at Elias. ]

I'm still livid. But... he's one of the few on board who's never really... experienced, er... that. Them. Properly.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

[ it's the barest hint of a chance at mutual understanding, and Elias is silent a moment as he considers it. Feeling like his warden does not have a firm grasp on the Powers and what their existence means for people like he and Jon has been infuriating. ]

I expect most people on board would not approve of my being allowed back into the library so soon, even under supervision. But I-- appreciate the offer.

[epistemological]

Yes, well, you did thoroughly toss a molotov cocktail on a large portion of the good will that had started to build...

[ He breathes out. ]

I've a few books if it starts to... trouble you. I'll lend them to you from my own flat if necessary.

[ He doesn't know if Elias has to worry about the kind of weakness or sickness that he did. But he also doesn't think that making him feel that will help. And he's not sure if Eiffel knows that that's a thing. ]

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

I don't have the same need to feed on statements as you do; I should be fine in the short term.

[ Again-- as seems to be happening so often here-- Elias is confronted by Jon's insistence on being a complete fool.

He's not sure he feels quite as contemptuous towards it as he has before. ]

Though if my warden has his way, I may not need them in the long-term either.

[epistemological]

[ He knows his own intentions. But he hasn't heard anything from Eiffel. ]

What do you mean by that?

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

He has in his head the notion that I simply need to 'become completely human again' and then I'll be removed from the influence of the Eye and be able to clearly see all my sins and flaws and-- whatever else he thinks I need to be aware of.

[ though he doesn't outwardly show it, the thought of such a thing makes him deeply afraid ]

[epistemological]

Ah.

[ He has a few ideas, of course, about how Elias might feel about this. And he has a particular letter from Robert Smirke he wants to make sure the man sees. ]

That... isn't quite how it works. I can see how he'd think so.

[ He glances over at Elias. ]

You don't help that image.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

[ 'it isn't my job to help' is something he doesn't say, aware of how it sounds. ]

I don't believe he's capable of understanding it.



[ jon, my warden is a moron ]

[epistemological]

[ Elias will discover a thought popping into his head, gently placed there like someone trying to woo an alleycat out of a corner.

He might be. There's worse options. ]

I'm not sure of that. He's got a better handle than most, and with very little experience.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

The only thing he has a handle on is pop culture and how to wedge any reference to it into literally every breath he takes.

[epistemological]

And yet, every reference he makes is accurate and appropriate. All of it saved up in his head and utilized like a second language. It's impressive, to some degree. If a touch ridiculous.

Of all the wonders this place holds, I hardly expected 'what if Reddit sat up and started running college radio' to be one of them and yet, here we are.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

[ elias presses his mouth into a thin line, obviously not in agreement that it's either a wonder or impressive. ]

Excuse me preferring my warden be a touch less ridiculous.

[epistemological]

I realize you prefer it, but have you ever considered that what you 'prefer' might not be what will get you what you need?

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

What I need is to be closely affiliated with someone who repeatedly makes a nuisance of himself on the network?

[epistemological]

Everyone's a nuisance on the network. Half the posts on there are people showing their- their backsides off, thinking they're clever.

[ A soft huff. ]

He's not someone you can manipulate via sex, fear, or intimidation. And he seems dedicated to helping you despite your very rough attempt at dissuading him.

You're stuck with him, so you'd do better to look for the parts you can stand than focus on the ones you can't.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

I haven't had him thrown overboard since coming out of zero, have I?

[ and elias is quite certain that the man can be manipulated, but he also knows there's no need for it. he just-- finds him and this entire situation totally frustrating. ]

And despite reading my file together, I don't think he's quite processed what-- who he's working with. We rather got stuck on the fact that this isn't my original body.

[epistemological]

[ He stares at him for a moment before looking deeply deeply tired and rubbing at the bridge of his nose. ]

Elias, not killing someone is the bare minimum of interaction.

[ He looks up. ]

And I think I'd have found the whole thing more difficult if I hadn't seen it myself. Would it help to let him See the whole thing? Maybe... maybe give him some scope for it all? I can do that for you, if you'd like.

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

[ yes but he could have. this is progress, jon and he is allowed to make other people recognise it ]

Oh, he quite understands the concept of body-snatching as I believe he put it. He's just rather stuck there.

[epistemological]

And what is he proposing, exactly? You can't exactly go walking around in a dusty old corpse.

And the original Bouchard isn't exactly home anymore. At least, I assume no?

[extendedbrutalpipemurder]

Honestly? I have no idea.

[ it's never occurred to him to check. ]

Not that it matters. I suspect I shan't be allowed to graduate if my intention is simply to continue on as I have been.

[epistemological]

I mean...

[ He turns his hand. ]

It's not as if other people haven't had their bodies restored. Would you really object to being back in your original body, a-a-at approximately this age, perhaps?