( text )

[optikon]

[ he's spent his time since arrival largely in a sort of traumatized fugue, locked in his bedroom in the housing he was provided, probably alarming and upsetting his housemates. if martin were here, he'd have probably already adjusted-- gently bullying jon into cleaning up, feeding him tea, making him sleep. holding him when the nightmares started. .. jon likes to think that he doesn't take martin for granted any longer, and hasn't in months, but.. god, it's so hard not having him here.

still, he'd begun slowly to get himself together, even to make a foray or two onto the network to learn what he could. and now.. now he needs to address the metaphorical elephant in the room. ]

My name is Jonathan Sims. At home, I was the head archivist of an organization called the Magnus Institute, which is an academic institution dedicated to researching the esoteric and paranormal. [ which is.. true, in that he was the archivist.. before the end of the world. ] With that said, the archives took, researched, and filed statements from those that had paranormal experiences they wished to unburden themselves of.

As it appears that I'll be working in a similar capacity here, I'd like to continue my work from home. Therefore, if you're interested in committing your personal experience(s) to paper or to email, I'd be glad to collect them. However, please don't record them in audio or video format.

If you'd like to discuss the details of what that entails, I'll answer any questions I can. Thank you.


[ ooc; anyone in maurtia falls 006 may also find their secretive hobo-gremlin housemate finally out of his room, showered and looking like he's in withdrawal as he attempts to make tea in the kitchen for himself without shaking to pieces. good luck with that. ]

Comments

[aeva]

By reading their words you can experience them -- watch them, effectively?

( he had called his patron the watcher, if he confirmed that it made sense that he was able to do such a thing )

How often do you need them?

( this is more a calculated question, wanting to keep the younger members of this house safe. she'd help him where she could, look out for him but she would fiercely protect them )

[optikon]

You had it right the first time, [ he admits wearily. ] I-- I experience what they experienced. [ and he sees those things every night, cycling through them, unable to stop them or interfere or not watch.

the question earns a wary glance, though, scarred fingers going white-knuckled around his mug. ]

I-- Honestly, it depends on the-- the subject matter. The.. depth of trauma. [ that sounds horrific, but it's the simple fact of the matter. ] Once or twice a week would be.. manageable, I think.

[aeva]

( she's quiet for a moment, understanding what he's said, deciding on what to do with it )

Mr Sims-- ( there's a slight pause, making certain that what she's about to do she can live with. but it's a better alternative than what else she assumes could happen ) I have a duty to protect the others in this house.

( a duty she took upon herself, no one asked for it but she's been looking out and caring for them from the moment she arrived. she won't have them in danger )

If it becomes too much you come to me. I won't have anyone hurt.

( she doesn't know whether he physically would or if something else would happen but she'd rather help him than find out, hoping that he understands rather than asks how she could help )

[optikon]

[ the implication that he would hurt the others in the house stings, twisting him up inside, making him curl into himself. it's warranted, he knows; how many people has he hurt? he'd killed peter lukas. yes, the older man had deserved it, but it doesn't change what jon did. ]

I don't intend to be here for long, [ he promises quietly, staring down into his cup, narrow shoulders stiff. ] Once I've saved enough to move out.. perhaps a few months. I-- I apologize that it can't be sooner than that.

[aeva]

I'm not asking you to leave.

( she also doesn't know if that would be better, not with the behaviour that she's already observed in him )

But there's a way to keep everyone safe and that includes you. Your predicament is unfortunate but we can help it. I assume now that's what your initial message was regarding?

[optikon]

You're not, but it's my intention regardless. [ it's not.. safe. and he doesn't have martin or daisy or basira here to keep him from doing something terrible. he just has to keep his distance and-- ]

--Yes. [ he sucks in a breath, releasing it slowly. ] I thought it best to-- to get the request out there as quickly as I could. [ and hope people are interested, and don't demand too much information out of him. ]

[aeva]

Then there is help for you, options.

( she pauses, shifting the focus slightly )

Should I assume that's why you haven't eaten?

( rather than him being ill. to save her being concerned )

[optikon]

It's.. [ he trails off, then lifts his mug to indicate its perfectly normal tea contents. ] .. partially why. I don't really eat much anymore.

[ he doesn't think it does him any good, and it often leaves him feeling nauseous anyway. ]

[aeva]

( she nods, not needing to question it, never offended by him not eating )

As long as what you are doing keeps you safe -- healthy, I suppose. That's all I want for anyone in this house.