alwayskayaking | Duplicity Inbox

Not yet, but I've heard of the rumor. [Can't any fun 'spooky' story just be that anymore? A made up story?]

And knowing there is a killer quartet running around seems like something I should at least be moderately concerned about if you ask me. But alright. I'll pick out a couple places and you let me know if there is anything wrong with them before we go. Although I can't promise no regrets. Can't have a fun and cool adventure without one or two regrets.[Several moments after sending his last text he thinks to add to it.] Feel free to invite Martin and Gerald if you want.

[But not Agnes, another one of the monsters.]

Don't go to any concerts, and you'll be fine.

[Clearly.]

I'll see if they're available.
A real 'boys day out,' hmm?
Or whatever people call it.

There is no way I'm stopping going to concerts. Classical or otherwise. What else am I suppose to do on the weekend? Let's start easy with a get together. [Agnes will never be invited to anything if Tim is given the option.]

Popularize sea kayaking.
The locals are afraid of the ocean here.
I've yet to find out why.
It doesn't seem to be made of acid, and the worst we found was a kelpie menacing and eating people on one of the beaches.

[And really, one little kelpie can't be responsible for everything.]

It's been taken care of.

And fine.
Just give me a time and location when you've picked them out.

You want me to go out to the ocean where there are kelpies eating people? Oh yeah, sure, that seems way safer than going to a concert that might have a killer band at it.

Every hobby has its risks.
Honestly, I don't think the kelpies are a common problem.
But there are other ways to fill your time.
Take up modeling?
You'd be good at it.
Or go back to publishing.
You're a Dom.
It means you really can do just about anything you want.

Why do you feel like sculpting my body? You better have a lot of clay on hand. [Is he saying that just to get a rise out of Jon? He sure is.]

[He could make a very snide remark about the Spiral and the Worker in Clay, but Tim isn't really the right audience for that.]

You're very aware I don't do hobbies, even if you happen to.
I live a joyless life of work, Tim.
And unwarranted community service, apparently.

And you're telling me to get a hobby. You clearly need one as well. Tell you what, one day I'll show up at your office with some paint and model for you.

Bring paint into my archives and I will flay you.

[Nevermind all the things that aren't regulation that have been in his archives...]

Relax I won't get any paint on your statements or in your archives. I know how precious those are to you. At worst I'd steal some to get you outside more often.

[He bristles instinctively, even knowing Tim is teasing.]

And that will get flayed and banned.
Surely you've met more interesting people here to harass.
Any hopes for a contract?
I can imagine you've got at least four different people begging you for one by now.

Not yet. The only person I've offered a contract to turned me down so I'm still looking.

I didn't think you got turned down.
New experiences already!

Even experts fail now and then. It's how you learn.

I'm sure you'll find someone you can help, Tim.
I'd have suggested Martin, honestly, if we hadn't decided to contract the moment he got back.
I can think about it, if you'd like.
I know more Submissives than Doms.
Check who might need a contract coming up.

It wouldn't feel right to contract with Martin. It's best that you two contracted together. And I'm not looking to rush in and sign up with just anyone. Not when I'm suppose to be looking after them as part of the deal.

You have a big heart, Tim.
I know you wanted to keep Gerry safe.

[Should he know that? Jon can't remember. But... here they are.]

There are other people who could do with the protection you could bring.
And none of it has to be sexual.
My contracts aren't.
There's a woman here named Constance Blackwood, for instance.
I don't know if she found a contract, but she was having trouble.
Agoraphobic.
She'd only interacted with her family for years before coming here.
Completely human, as well.
Dorothy Gale, another human woman who's traveled across dimensions and lost so much.
Tomoe Himura, a human woman from early 19th century Japan.
She was very gentle and frightened the one time we met...

Traveled across dimensions and someone from 19th century Japan!? It's not that I don't believe you, but you have to admit those both sound INSANE.

[Jon raises a brow.]

Tim, you worked for a 200-year-old, evil cultist who wanted and managed to start the apocalypse.
Hashtag 'perspective,' isn't it?

I also still find THAT hard to believe. Even after being nearly eaten alive by worms. Elias just seems mostly like a boring guy who's really good at accounting to me.

Yes, he does seem like that.
It's part of what makes him so dangerous.
Like a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Well, at least he doesn't have an institute here. Although I feel like him being here is a good reason to shut yours down if he's really that dangerous.

[...]

I tried to shut it down a few weeks ago.
He wouldn't let me.

[There is a long wait before Jon gets a text reply. He wouldn't let Jon? It didn't seem right. It felt like he was missing some sort of context.]

Why? Did he threaten you? Can you, I dunno, go complain to the police here? You're a dominant and it's not like he is as connected in this city. [Tim assumes.] If he's threatened you what kind of powers does he have here? Would a gun work on him?

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