encounter of a strange kind
Martin looked nervously at Nikola then back to Jon. “Jon, what’s going on?”
“This is an old friend from my uni days. Nikola, this is Martin. Martin, this is Nikola.” Jon sounded rather pained to say the next part. “She is also an Avatar.”
“Wait, what, like right spooky Avatar?? Like you or like…?”
“Yes. Like me. Well not quite, she is of the Stranger. But she isn’t as unhinged as Rayner for example.” Hm, maybe that was a bit of a stretch, she was the leader of the crew that filled a museum with human skin. There was a tinge of something deep down that he knew he should care more. While it was messed up, it seemed like such a smaller scale compared to the suffering of the future that the unknowing seemed somehow- his thoughts were cut off by Martin.
“S-so you’ve just casually been hanging out with-”
“What, no. No, I had no idea she was of the Stranger back then.”
“You Really Should Have Though. I’ve Never Kept It Quite That I’m Made Of Plastic.”
“I suppose I should’ve. But to be fair, you probably enjoyed us not believing you.”
“Oh I Did. But I Enjoyed Everyone Too Much To Make A Meal, And You All Stopped Being Scared Pretty Early On.” She smiled with a grin that Martin was unsure if it could be considered joy or if suffering would’ve been better.
“Well. Good to have that out in the open. I’ll do my best to reciprocate. I do apologize for any questions. I do have one right off the bat, would you mind?”
“Not At All!”
“Is there something immediate or could we meet up later to catch up? I’m sort of on a date?”
“OOOH Yes, That's Right. I Came Over To Congratulate You Are You Win And Wanted To Tell You I Never Expected That Of You.” Nikola giggled. “Mr.Never Plays Dirty. Also I Do Have Some Business I’d Like To Discuss. But You Are On A Date, With A Very Cute Fellow Might I Ad. Good For You.”
“I’m free on Sunday afternoon if you would like to meet up. I’ve got the same number if you want to text me a location.”
“Lovely!” She pulled out her phone and Jon’s went off. “This Will Be So Much Easier Than Kidnapping You.”
“I would hope so. That sounds like it would be unpleasant for the both of us.” Jon appeared calm, but Martin could feel Jon’s leg fidgeting under the table.
“Well, Enjoy The Rest Of Your Night Boys.” Nikola bowed and made her exit in a far more than extra manner, much like when she exited the stage earlier.
“What was that all about?”
“Sorry. She’s a bit on the odd side. Never been good at reading the room. So many things from uni make sense now.”
“Wait, when did you notice she wasn’t human?”
“Hmm, when she got on stage?” Jon gave a shrug. “Never thought to Look, and by the time she and I interacted in the future timeline, it looks like she’d already gotten that new skin she mentioned so I didn’t notice it wasn’t her anymore. And with how the stranger works, it really wasn’t her either. Not in a way I would’ve been able to notice.” He buried his face in his hands. “I really should’ve realized her name was a giveaway. Specially when she was mentioned in statements.”
Martin let out a chuckle. “So you see your old friends in statements and still didn’t put 2 and 2 together? What, did you think it was a common name?”
“Yes. Actually. I feel like the first time I met Nikola after I joined the institute, I never even made a jump to connect her to my old friend. When she actually kidnapped me, I was in a bad place.” Jon sighed. “Least going to be able to avoid that.”
“Oh, OH.” Martin looked like he remembered something. He did vaguely remember the time where Jon was missing and then came back after being held. “Then that bit of time when you were, that was the Stranger?” Jon nodded.
“Got some memories of that time?”
“A few. Mostly just fights, then finding some…” Martin looked around nervously cause he didn’t want to say it out loud.
“Yeah. Exactly. Should probably grab that now that I think about it. Storage is probably less safe than other places.” Jon paused for a moment. “Hm we can deal with that on Monday.”
“Hmmm you are deflecting the conversation now.” Martin’s voice wasn’t accusing, he was rather happy for the change in topic, but also didn’t know what to jump to, now that work stuff got brought up. It always seemed so urgent when that happened, save for the fact Jon seemed to think everything was much less a deal than it was. Well, knowing the future, Martin supposed maybe that was the case.
“You caught me. It seems to have worked well enough.”
“I suppose. I’ll be bringing this up later.”
“I’m sure. Shall we enjoy this meal on the house courtesy of the Beholding and your poetic know how?”
The two of them laughed a little and continued to make something close to small talk for the rest of their night. Jon walked Martin home, and at the door, Martin stopped and stared at Jon.
“This is going to be mighty cliche, since technically- first date and all. But. Could I kiss you?”
“Cliches get that name for a reason, Martin.” Jon reached out and gently pulled Martin in for a quick kiss. “It’s the perfect time for a first kiss.”
Martin forgot how to form words.
Jon didn’t seem as starstruck, but calm wouldn’t quite explain his expression. “I’ll see you Monday?”
“Y-yeah! See you Monday.” Martin’s voice came back. Did Jon actually compel him to snap him out of it or did it just feel that way? “Good luck with the thing on Sunday. Text me before and after? Just so I know you are okay and it didn’t become another kidnapping?”
“Of course. I’ll let you know, and probably have some information to share.” Jon gave Martin’s hand a quick squeeze before letting go. “Goodnight Martin.”
“Night Jon.”
--
Sunday came too soon for Jon. He wasn’t prepared to talk with Nikola. He gave Marshal some quick pets before leaving for the cafe that Nikki had sent him. It was a small place that didn’t get a lot of foot traffic, and he Knew the owner was part of the Stranger. Gosh they were everywhere. Jon had to work at not Knowing anymore about them. Would be bad to offend them before he even got there.
Nikola was waiting outside of the cafe, and practically glowed she saw him. “You Made It!”
“Hey. Hope you weren’t here long.”
“Pssh. Not To Worry. Time Isn’t Real.”
“Too true.” Jon followed her in.
They both ordered a drink and things were quiet for a bit, before Jon asked. “So, would you like to do some catching up, or jump right into business.”
“Hmm. Depends On You. Are You The Archivist Or Are You Jon?”
“I suppose I’m the Archivist at the moment. I’ve been incredibly curious about what you wanted to discuss.” Jon wasn’t really all that sure of the difference nowadays, but in an earlier time, it would’ve mattered more.
“Lovely! I Was Hoping You Would Be The Archivist. I Have So Many Questions For You! Do You Mind If I Ask Them? I Really Hope You Don’t.”
“I can’t promise satisfying answers, but ask away.”
“Do You Know What Your Predecessor With Did The Skin? You Know The One.”
“I do. Unfortunately, you will be unable to use it. She was rather, inconsiderate, when storing it.”
Nikola didn’t look like she liked the answer. “I- That’s Not Ideal.”
“No. I figure it rather isn’t.”
“Where Could I Find A Replacement That Holds So Much Power…” Her eyes drifted to The Archivist.
“I’m not a good option to consider. I doubt you cold skin me in a way that would stay.”
Her cheery expression returned as though a switch was flipped on. “It Was A Thought, But I Guess You Are Right. If You Were Still New Enough To Die, You Would Have Made A Lovely Skin. Would You Like To Attend As A Dancer? Witness The New World From Front Row? ”
“Thanks for the invitation. I’ll let you know in a bit after I do some thinking.” The Archivist pondered how differently it would be to watch rather than be in the thick of it. Maybe follow the Circus as they separate, disappointed and afraid their ritual would never succeed as the Watcher's eyes follow. He could follow them and help Tim get his revenge in a much safer way than blowing up an entire building and risking everything. Would it be just as satisfying for Tim?
“That’s A Nice Look In Your Eye. You Really Do Wear The Archivist Better Than Jon.”
The Archivist had to remind himself that it was the Stranger’s nature to unsettle and confuse. This cafe was probably amplifying the effect.
“Thank you. Do you mind me asking why you think that?” There was a little bit of compulsion in the question, but seeing as it was asking if she minded, rather than asking why, it would be the least offensive as possible.
“Hmm I Don’t Mind I Think?” She paused for a moment when the owner placed cups in front of them. Nikki’s cup was empty, but she raised it as though to smell tea while it cooled.
“Maybe It’s That D’ville’s Better Parts Shine Through You, Or Could Be That You Are More Comfortable To Talk With? Since Both The Archivist And Nikola Know The Beauty In Fear While I Think Jon Would Loathe This Conversation? Even When Everyone Thought It Was Stage Play, Jon Knew Some Truth.”
The Archivist laughed, somewhat bitterly. “Maybe enough to be unsettled, but didn’t understand. Not truly back then.”
“That Is Enough My Dear Archivist. You Wanting To Know Thoroughly, That Shine Of Need. Why I Think This Look Fits You Much Better.”
Talking with the Stranger was just as bad as with the Distortion. They really had a way of breaking down identity. Nikki had always been that way too. Sometimes with her around, it was so easy to get lost in the stage personas. She encouraged it by never breaking character, which The Archivist knows now was more she never got into character. They never gave Toy Soldier any scripted lines for shows cause they know she would stick to the plot perfectly in character.
“So Archivist, Is It True That You Know Everything? Could You Point Me To The Perfect Skin For My Dance?” Changing the topic without waiting a beat was a skill of hers. He’d always enjoyed it back in college that she didn’t do small talk.
“I don’t know everything, just close to it. I could locate a skin if it was ready. I’m afraid at the moment, there isn’t a good candidate.”
Nikki pouted. “Oh That's No Good. Would You Tell Me When?”
“I can’t see the future, but...” The Archivist paused and thought, his eyes glowing as he dug deep. “There are some candidates. But if I’m going to help you, then I need something in return.” His eyes remained glowing as he finally took a sip of the coffee he’d ordered, Knowing it was the perfect temperature.
“Depends. Let Me Hear What You’d Like.”
“Don’t change your skin until after the Unknowing. That's it.”
Her smile faded entirely, her cup placed on the table with a clatter. “You Realize What You Are Asking Of Me.”
“I do. Is the ͕̊p̖͂e̱̅r̻͑f̮̀ec̮̅t̺̙̅͝ ̻̘̌͠s̨͆k̰̱̳̔̕̚i̥̚n̬̒ wo̬̔ṙ̜̖̝̅͢͝͡t͚̹͇͑͠h̻̼͑̾ i̼̖̮͇͆̿̈̂t̨̜̦̼͍̔̊̐̑̕?̛̙̭̮̟̗͊̂̂͑”
The Archivist realized as the question came out, it didn’t even bother him. He was slipping.
“Yes. I’ve Been Waiting So Long For This Opportunity I Can Endure This.” The words were ripped out of her before she could resist. She almost missed Jon in that moment as she stared at the being that lacked Jon’s eyes. “That Was Rude.”
“No hard feelings. I’ll keep an eye out for you. I know exactly what you need, but do let me know if you change your mind at any point.” The Archivist looked to the clock. “I have a feeling both you and I have been spending too long together, our natures are starting to clash. You feeling too known, and me too willing to let go. So, what do you say, you and I make plans to hang out in a week or so, not for business, but for some good old fashion human time with old friends. I’ve been in touch with Basira and Georgie lately, I’m sure they would be excited to see Nikki again.”
Nikola glared for a moment. Her switch to happy was a bit delayed. “Probably Not A Bad Plan, Archivist. I Am Feeling Rather Tired After Talking. Nikki Would Have A Wonderful Time Catching Up, But Only If It’s Jon.”
He nodded with a smile, finishing the coffee quickly. “I’ll make a chat group a bit later today and add you to it. Remember, no changing skins or the deal is off. I’ll Know if you take Nikki off even temporarily.”
“i’m sure you would.”
The Archivist got up, leaving money for the coffee on the table and walked out without another word to her. Once he was about a block away, he started taking deep breaths. That interaction didn’t count as a mark. For a moment when he lost himself, well lost his sense of Jon, he had the thought, but no. That wasn’t fear, it was normal. A Mark from the Stranger would need to be something deeper. Losing sense of Jon was something that happened anytime he took a statement, or if he slept too long.
This was normal for the Archivist. For the Archive. Slipping was easy.
Few more deep breaths and he got out his phone.
“Hello, Jon. How’d it go?” Martin’s voice on the other end was nervous. Jon noticed Martin was pacing in his kitchen when he opened an Eye on Martin.
Jon let out a noise of relief as his mind started to settle at Martin’s voice, and the way he said his name: Jon.
“It went both better and worse then I figured it would. Is it alright if I come over to talk about it? I think there are some parts that I might need to leave out when telling everyone tomorrow.”