[ martin cracks up before he can help himself, and gently- gently - pushes at jon's arm one more time, just because it wasn't ill received before. ]
That, um - sometimes I'm really jealous of the fact that you got to go to university, and then you tell stories like that and it makes me feel like I'm probably very luck that I missed out.
[That same certainty. Of course he didn't get to go. that's why he lied on his CV - to an extent but there's more to it because-
Ugh. Shut up. Get out of my head and let me have this. leave me alone.
Can an eye laugh? Can he accept that?]
It's largely thanks to my grandmother's help. If it makes you feel any better.
[He pats him on the shoulder. comfort yes. comfort is good. Onscreen as the children run around he's now focused back in time.]
But I have a million stories. I once blew up a science lab. I broke my arm at a protest because I tripped and fell flat on my ass. I led a surprisingly active university life when all I wanted to do was just-read.
[He leans back and leans on the couch, settling back beside Martin. He's relaxed.]
I was always a stuck up asshole. I think that's why the universe decided to keep shoving things at me.
[ jon pats him on the shoulder and he relaxes visibly, trying not to look strangely pleased. he takes a bite of the popcorn, eyes half-focused on the film in front of him. ]
Seems like you've always kept yourself busy. I mean - [ and this is where he'll glance sidelong at jon. ] - honestly, it's kind of a wonder you ended up at the Magnus Institute at all.
[Onscreen the backwoods family is torturing people and Jon can't tear his eyes away. Just for a moment - before Martin's words hit him.]
Sorry what? I-
[Magnus institute.]
...Well.
[He pauses] I think we've all had our brushes with the paranormal. And in this case the pay was good and I wanted something where I could put my degrees to use that wasn't just...biology or some kind of psychology.
...You know. That sort of thing.
[Look at Martin. Don't look at the TV. Don't Because it makes sense and humans always know don't they...
He shifts so that he can look at Martin directly with a smile.]
So...I mean...
My grandmother used to tell me that the only way to get me to sit still was to hook me into a good story and I've tried to follow that. If I don't find interesting and engaging stories...well. I get bored.
[ martin has seen this film twice already, but he's having just as much trouble tearing his eyes away. finally, jon turns to actually look at him and martin, flustered for a reason he can't explain, continues: ]
Guess that doesn't surprise me too much. You needing a good story, I mean.
[He might be slightly kidding] Am I that unreliable Martin?
[Yes. In some ways. In some other ways he's better. Gotten better. getting better weirdly.
Before he can say what else he wants to say he turns back to the screen at the sound of a loud jump and - the kids are heading back to the ritual space.]
...Oh.
[And amid the slaughter he laughs.] Why is it that whenever people try to perform rituals for ancient gods something always goes wrong?
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no subject
That, um - sometimes I'm really jealous of the fact that you got to go to university, and then you tell stories like that and it makes me feel like I'm probably very luck that I missed out.
no subject
Ugh. Shut up. Get out of my head and let me have this. leave me alone.
Can an eye laugh? Can he accept that?]
It's largely thanks to my grandmother's help. If it makes you feel any better.
[He pats him on the shoulder. comfort yes. comfort is good. Onscreen as the children run around he's now focused back in time.]
But I have a million stories. I once blew up a science lab. I broke my arm at a protest because I tripped and fell flat on my ass. I led a surprisingly active university life when all I wanted to do was just-read.
[He leans back and leans on the couch, settling back beside Martin. He's relaxed.]
I was always a stuck up asshole. I think that's why the universe decided to keep shoving things at me.
no subject
Seems like you've always kept yourself busy. I mean - [ and this is where he'll glance sidelong at jon. ] - honestly, it's kind of a wonder you ended up at the Magnus Institute at all.
no subject
Sorry what? I-
[Magnus institute.]
...Well.
[He pauses] I think we've all had our brushes with the paranormal. And in this case the pay was good and I wanted something where I could put my degrees to use that wasn't just...biology or some kind of psychology.
...You know. That sort of thing.
[Look at Martin. Don't look at the TV. Don't Because it makes sense and humans always know don't they...
He shifts so that he can look at Martin directly with a smile.]
So...I mean...
My grandmother used to tell me that the only way to get me to sit still was to hook me into a good story and I've tried to follow that. If I don't find interesting and engaging stories...well. I get bored.
very bored.
no subject
[ martin has seen this film twice already, but he's having just as much trouble tearing his eyes away. finally, jon turns to actually look at him and martin, flustered for a reason he can't explain, continues: ]
Guess that doesn't surprise me too much. You needing a good story, I mean.
no subject
[He might be slightly kidding] Am I that unreliable Martin?
[Yes. In some ways. In some other ways he's better. Gotten better. getting better weirdly.
Before he can say what else he wants to say he turns back to the screen at the sound of a loud jump and - the kids are heading back to the ritual space.]
...Oh.
[And amid the slaughter he laughs.] Why is it that whenever people try to perform rituals for ancient gods something always goes wrong?
[He looks genuinely happy. Amused even.]