( honestly archivist, she's a witch. which doesn't mean anything about her timekeeping but he'll see her teleport over, a swirl of hellfire around her in a very dramatic display, arriving just several minutes before the hour's up )
There's one thing I should have asked before.
( skipping over those non-existant pleasantries, no one needs awkwardness )
[Jon startles badly at the sudden hellfire that appears almost directly next to him as he's standing outside the office building, waiting for Lilth to go in. He slams back against the wall of the building, one arm going up defensively as he cowers away from the heat and light. There isn't actually follow through on being burned to a crisp, so he peeks to see Lilith, and tries to straighten himself out quickly.]
What? If I'm afraid of sudden fire 2 feet away from me?
Crowley's letter told me not to... mess up. I suppose you have the benefit of being one of the people here who will absolutely keep me accountable. [He doesn't like it, but he can recognize it.]
I also have something I want your help with. My assistance with this is not contingent on you agreeing to help me, to be clear. But the offer was an excuse to reach out.
( she didn't expect that answer. him wanting something from her was almost more expected if surprising, who wouldn't eventually bargain with the devil but to listen to crowley, to in a sense respect what she was able to do? )
Then after whatever transpires here I will... listen to your request.
( she wasn't above noting that he was doing her a big favour even if she wouldn't so much verbalise it )
[Jon straightens himself out fully, and huffs a breath.]
Let's see to one problem first.
[He'll show Lilith into the building and to an office occupied by a stout young woman with a friendly smile. She just about fits what one might expect to see if they looked up 'contracts lawyer' in an encyclopedia. Pencil skirt business suit, a bob haircut, and large glasses. There's a great deal of reviewing forms and signing things. When all is said and done, Lilith will have the permissions she needs to continue with her business legally, and Jon's only contributions will be as the Dom signing off on things if and only if the authorities of Duplicity come calling. Lilith will be responsible for all aspects of the business.
It's past noon by the time they get out.]
Well, then. Tea? We can chat about that potential assistance over a cuppa, if you still have time.
( it passes surprisingly smoothly, the archivist himself staying true to his word and his lawyer... capable enough. it's enough that whilst she had gotten a little bored of listing to the business talk (such a mortal affair) she comes out of it in still a remotely pleasant mood. even after at least an hour in the archivist's company )
Perhaps somewhere quieter? Though-- I would need to take us there.
( it could but she didn't show off in her teleports that often. she will however teleport them before he can say anything more or complain, the two of them reappearing in her living room, a more shadowy arrival this time )
Don't move.
( she takes a step back and he'll note a spell from her, motions of her hands followed by a spell cast in a very old language. she has to deactivate some of her wards lest he be uncomfortable the entire stay. well, he might still feel a little uncomfortable )
[Jon does, in fact, freeze. Something is very off here. It feels like there's a grain of sand under each eyelid, and it rolls and scratches uncomfortably across it no matter how many times he blinks. The sensation lessens with the movements of Lilith's hand, but doesn't disappear.]
What... what sorts of wards are these supposed to be?
( for her and her place, to keep it hidden from certain unwanted parties. he was certainly included in that list. there's more but she'll only give some information just as she only removes some wards, moving from him, leaving him uncomfortable as she goes to make their tea )
You may not remember where this is once you're gone.
I don't know where we are now, apart from your house. He's been magically transported here, after all. They could be halfway across Duplicity. [Jon assumes he's allowed to move, so he heads over to a nearby sofa and drops down, letting his eyes roam the room. But that makes him feel vaguely nauseous as some of the colors blur and she struggles to focus too closely on anything.
It does occur to him that he could just break her wards if he put his mind to it, clear them away with his own abilities. But he has the sense not to do that. They might be warding Elias, as well, which is always convenient.]
It's memory I wanted to ask about, actually. And the manipulation there of.
( she leaves him to sit, knowing he knows there'll be a consequence if he does anything out of line. lilith returns a few minutes later, teapot and cups on a tray that get placed on the coffee table between her couches, pouring herself one before sitting across from him )
Memory spells are simple... depending on how you want it manipulated.
[Jon takes a moment to pour his own tea and just hold it.]
I'm looking for the... opposite, actually. Have I told you about the Not-Them? They're creatures of the Stranger, able to manipulate memories and digital information. One of them... murdered one of my assistants and replaced her. We weren't aware of it for nearly a year. I still... can't remember what she really looks or sounds like. All I remember is that thing posing as her.
I think I can maybe sort out my memory, myself, but being able to transfer that to other people might be difficult. And... there's more.
[He sets down the tea and reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a photograph. It shows a young woman wearing a Santa hat. She's grinning and has her arm wrapped around Jon. He's wearing a set of antlers and looking incredibly unhappy about this. It's clearly a much younger version of him, no scars on show.]
That's not Sasha. But that party happened. I want... I want to be able to change the photos back to what they should be. To the real Sasha, not just that creature imitating her. My assistant Tim received a photo album with photos of her. We want to honor her memory by actually remembering her and setting the album straight.
( she looks at the photo for a moment, thinking. surprisingly she'll do it, it's not about him which is what seals it. the how is trickier and gives her something to think on )
Your assistant-- had he met her before this impersonation began?
( the archivist's mind was very clearly off limits to one of her tactics but perhaps this man's wouldn't be )
Yes, they were close. Much closer than I was to either of them. What the Not-Them do is essentially paste themselves into every memory of a person they're replacing. I was thinking I could figure out a way just to get the photos fixed, but without fixing our memories... [Jon frowns.] It would just be a stranger in the photos.
[Jon sips his tea, glancing off to the side and considering.]
I could... potentially fix my own memories. Would that be enough for you to be able to work with to fix him in a kinder way? I might be able to do the same to him, but it would be invasive, horrifying.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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She'll meet us at her office here in an hour.
Don't be late.
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There's one thing I should have asked before.
( skipping over those non-existant pleasantries, no one needs awkwardness )
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What? If I'm afraid of sudden fire 2 feet away from me?
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No. Why you even offered to begin with.
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Crowley's letter told me not to... mess up. I suppose you have the benefit of being one of the people here who will absolutely keep me accountable. [He doesn't like it, but he can recognize it.]
I also have something I want your help with. My assistance with this is not contingent on you agreeing to help me, to be clear. But the offer was an excuse to reach out.
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Then after whatever transpires here I will... listen to your request.
( she wasn't above noting that he was doing her a big favour even if she wouldn't so much verbalise it )
narrating us through the contract stuff
[Jon straightens himself out fully, and huffs a breath.]
Let's see to one problem first.
[He'll show Lilith into the building and to an office occupied by a stout young woman with a friendly smile. She just about fits what one might expect to see if they looked up 'contracts lawyer' in an encyclopedia. Pencil skirt business suit, a bob haircut, and large glasses. There's a great deal of reviewing forms and signing things. When all is said and done, Lilith will have the permissions she needs to continue with her business legally, and Jon's only contributions will be as the Dom signing off on things if and only if the authorities of Duplicity come calling. Lilith will be responsible for all aspects of the business.
It's past noon by the time they get out.]
Well, then. Tea? We can chat about that potential assistance over a cuppa, if you still have time.
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Perhaps somewhere quieter? Though-- I would need to take us there.
( good luck passing her wards otherwise )
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Does taking us there involve an excessive amount of fire?
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( it could but she didn't show off in her teleports that often. she will however teleport them before he can say anything more or complain, the two of them reappearing in her living room, a more shadowy arrival this time )
Don't move.
( she takes a step back and he'll note a spell from her, motions of her hands followed by a spell cast in a very old language. she has to deactivate some of her wards lest he be uncomfortable the entire stay. well, he might still feel a little uncomfortable )
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What... what sorts of wards are these supposed to be?
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( for her and her place, to keep it hidden from certain unwanted parties. he was certainly included in that list. there's more but she'll only give some information just as she only removes some wards, moving from him, leaving him uncomfortable as she goes to make their tea )
You may not remember where this is once you're gone.
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I don't know where we are now, apart from your house. He's been magically transported here, after all. They could be halfway across Duplicity. [Jon assumes he's allowed to move, so he heads over to a nearby sofa and drops down, letting his eyes roam the room. But that makes him feel vaguely nauseous as some of the colors blur and she struggles to focus too closely on anything.
It does occur to him that he could just break her wards if he put his mind to it, clear them away with his own abilities. But he has the sense not to do that. They might be warding Elias, as well, which is always convenient.]
It's memory I wanted to ask about, actually. And the manipulation there of.
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Memory spells are simple... depending on how you want it manipulated.
( though it would still be simple to her )
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I'm looking for the... opposite, actually. Have I told you about the Not-Them? They're creatures of the Stranger, able to manipulate memories and digital information. One of them... murdered one of my assistants and replaced her. We weren't aware of it for nearly a year. I still... can't remember what she really looks or sounds like. All I remember is that thing posing as her.
I think I can maybe sort out my memory, myself, but being able to transfer that to other people might be difficult. And... there's more.
[He sets down the tea and reaches into his back pocket, pulling out a photograph. It shows a young woman wearing a Santa hat. She's grinning and has her arm wrapped around Jon. He's wearing a set of antlers and looking incredibly unhappy about this. It's clearly a much younger version of him, no scars on show.]
That's not Sasha. But that party happened. I want... I want to be able to change the photos back to what they should be. To the real Sasha, not just that creature imitating her. My assistant Tim received a photo album with photos of her. We want to honor her memory by actually remembering her and setting the album straight.
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Your assistant-- had he met her before this impersonation began?
( the archivist's mind was very clearly off limits to one of her tactics but perhaps this man's wouldn't be )
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Tim thought that might be worse.
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( and what she has to work with to try and recover )
It'll... be kinder than when you visit someone's mind.
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I could... potentially fix my own memories. Would that be enough for you to be able to work with to fix him in a kinder way? I might be able to do the same to him, but it would be invasive, horrifying.
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( she might have been in his head before but she's not jumping at it )
I may be able to unravel it myself, see what's been affected. If not-- then I'll use your memories.
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All right. And I assume once he have a picture of Sasha you might be able to fix the actual photos?
[A pause.]
I'm willing to pay for this assistance. As I said, my helping out with your business wasn't actually meant to be a trade for this.
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( she doesn't have a need for money, partly because she doesn't see much of a value in it. but favours... )
And yes. Once I have an image of her I can fix the photos. Perhaps even you.
( though she'll definitely charge extra there )
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[The back-pedal on that is quick.]
It didn't go particularly well the last time you were in my head, as I recall. Let's not repeat past mistakes.
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