[Gerry doesn't reply to the text. He's had his own second guessing about everything to do. He knows he should say no.
... but Eames said he liked him. Said he wanted to spend time with him. It's such a small thing but it makes Gerard's starved heart surge with joy just to think about. So, in another thirty minutes or so, Gerry's knocking on the door to Eames' place.]
[ Eames has some tea (lapsang souchong this time) brewed in a pot already on the kitchen counter and some sandwiches made onto a tray beside it. Apparently he has taken it his task to feed Gerard every time he happens to show up.
He pops at the door with a book held under his arm and smiles as he gestures Gerard inside. ]
Come in, come in. Sit, I figured you might fancy a cuppa.
[ He asked for it particularly last time. Eames pays attention.
Eames ushers him to take a seat at the tall chairs at the kitchen island and claims a chair beside him for himself. The tea is poured into both of their cups and he draws the sandwich plate a little closer, nodding towards it. ]
[Don't wait for him to take a bite like that, asshole, it makes him think you're trying to make him choke. Gerry gives Eames a look, finishing the bite of the sandwich he started before nodding.]
Just- something to see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, no big deal.
I don't know - what's normal? I want to be able to get a job and buy my own stuff. I - I'm going to keep my apartment in the Down, too.
[Gerard's voice is firm on this. It isn't negotiable.]
If you get a bigger place because you want to - alright. But on paper I'm still going to be living in the Down. That way if it doesn't work out I won't have to go through the hassle of getting it back. If we're contracted, finding out I'm living with you unofficially shouldn't be an actual problem if we end up caught.
[ Eames simply nods. These are reasonable caveats. He doesn't have anything against them. ] You can live where you want to. Let's put it this way. I'll get a bigger place, we all have room there. You can stay as much as you like assuming you will give Arthur his room and peace when he needs it. You'll keep your own apartment, but if things work out, we'll look for a new one for you in the up. A place of your own. You can pay for it. I don't care, I can pay for it. It's a lot easier for me to make money here than you. And when we have found that place, we'll put it under your name, so in case you decide that you want to get out of the contract, find someone you would rather have a contract with or anything of the sort, the apartment will still be under your name and ownership. This is doable, I looked it up.
[ He's penning things down on the note pad, not looking up at Gerard. ] I won't put any demands on the contract on you. However, I would perhaps include something about you not handling legal matters or disciplinary matters on your own, because this city respects a dominant more unfortunately and if they're forced to let me be part of everything, they will have harder time giving you hard time.
[Gerard gives a big huff at that, but, well, Eames is right. Besides that, he trusts Eames to just - get it over with if it comes down to it. Better than taking his chances and getting a Dominant who has no idea what he's doing and just fucks them both over for it.
he wonders if Arthur has something like that in his - if he's breaking contract along with keeping secrets. Gerard isn't a snitch, though, and stays silent on that front.]
You need to tell me if you run into any weird shit.
[The thought comes to mind suddenly, but once it takes root, well.]
Just - spooky shit, anything you'd qualify as 'strange' - I would say that doesn't need to be in the contract but I know how some of these fucks work and maybe if it's in the contract if they try to keep you from talking it'll be a work around for it, since this one comes before anything they have.
[ Eames looks up at that, brows arching curiously. ]
What do you mean by that? What is spooky or strange? And what would "they" be trying to keep me from talking about? You'll have to be a little more specific than that.
[There's clearly a few moments that pass as Gerard is considering saying never mind, forget that request, it's not worth it. He hadn't doubted when Eames told him he was the curious type.
He liked Eames, and there were things that happened to the curious type.]
Can't say I do. This person has something to do with these spooky strange things?
[ He's putting the pen and notepad aside for now, leaning a little closer while dropping his elbow on the counter to listen to Gerard. He studies him over the rim of his tea cup that he brings up for sipping purposes. ]
[Gerard nods, setting aside the sandwich briefly to sip the tea instead. It's nice. The taste reminds him of one of the few good parts of home.]
He's what's called an Avatar - what he's attached to has many names. The Eye, It Knows You, the Beholding...
[The Eye. You know, like how Gerard has all those eye tattoos all over him.]
The point is, he's very close to it. He's not the only one, but Jon's more of a danger to himself. I'm not saying to fight him on sight or anything, but - don't sign anything from him, not even a fucking receipt, okay? He's clever, and he's an asshole, and if you thought my knowing things was inconvenient...
You know those old stories, about how you're not supposed to say the devil's name because it gets his attention? Well. [Gerard shrugs.] Sorry. Might have just put you on his radar.
[ Eames listens, sips his tea and occasionally nods. It's not like all this is completely out of his realm of understanding. He likes to read. A lot. And while none of this rings a familiar bell, there are some symbolism and some connections that he makes easily to esoteric literature and dogma. ]
You shouldn't worry. I never sign anything. Aside from these contracts I have with Arthur and soon with you. I've never really given you the truth about what I do, but con-man isn't at all far from it. Trust me, I'm well aware of what's going on around me at all times, conning me to sign something is quite impossible.
So, avatar of what is he? And Jon, your friend?
[ Eames reaches to put his hand on Gerard's thigh, gently squeezing it. ] The more I know, the safer I will be. Knowing how to protect myself and people around me is an essential thing.
[Eames gets another look again, but Gerard will just have to trust him at some point, won't he? Trust him, or walk away. Pick one, Gerry.
He stays where he is.]
I suppose much of it is easier to swallow given everything here.
[Being taken to a different world, with all its strange people from hundreds of different worlds themselves. Eames isn't going to just scoff at him and think he's crazy.]
I can't speak for where you're from or anything, but - I mean, you said it yourself. Just because you don't know of magic or whatever doesn't mean it isn't there. Most people don't know about this where I'm from either. It's very ... specialized. Bunch of people have encounters, but who hasn't seen a shadow where there shouldn't be one, felt a cold spot, had an uncle who saw lights in the sky that were totally aliens? The point is there are Entities beyond the world we know. Right next to it, like, and they can't come all the way through as they are but sometimes they can ... push. Influence. Inspire. Whatever you want to call it. They're our fears.
Most people in the know subscribe to Robert Smirke's list of fourteen of them. It's kind of arbitrary as hell to categorize them all, but it makes it easier to understand for a lot of people. For some people, all they get is a third or fourth hand encounter- a sense of vertigo when they shouldn't have it, the sudden almost overwhelming compulsion to jump off a building when they've never felt the call of the void before in their life. But they shake it off and keep going. Others - devote all that they are to it, and are granted certain powers in return. We call those who've gone that far avatars of them, and with one exception that I've met - they're not themselves anymore by that point. Anything they once were is gone.
So that's what he is. He's not really 'Elias Bouchard' - Elias Bouchard is fucking gone, he's a fragment of his dread master that's wearing his face and using his name. Jon said some of the other Entities have shown up here and there to leech in their influence as well, but given it's got two avatars in town the Watcher is the big man on campus. Bright side there is the Watcher is less about fucking you over and more about sitting back and watching what happens as you fuck yourself over, the most action it takes being to give you enough rope to hang yourself with.
[ Eames has heard enough of weird stories from people in this place already that he kind of swallows everything up without even raising a brow at it. One hunts actual monsters, one lives in a spaceship, actually esoteric business like this is less far out than those things.
He listens to the explanation quietly and files away snippets of information while he builds a canon for it. This seems like the big picture here. He's sure to find the details that go with it. Eventually. ]
You said earlier that you're worried that the more I know, in more danger I will be in. And you mentioned naming the devil.
What if I'll offer you a way to tell me all of this, to the gritty detail, and not say a word aloud? Do it in half an hour too.
[ And maybe find a way to get a moment without those scars of his... He doesn't know if it'll change anything in terms of relying information on him but there's the offer. Eventually Eames is going go hook him up to a PASIV in any case, because there's just no way he's going to enter a contract with him and not do that. ]
Basically in terms of the contract, you want me to put in something about anything strange being reported to you?
[The idea of it is interesting, to be sure. Because Gerard also has a love for knowing things even when he knows he's going to regret the answer. He nods.]
I don't need a full fucking statement, just - I want to be able to know right away if you ran into anything I'm familiar with that's going to come back for you, and I want something binding that says they can't force you keep quiet on that.
[Think of it like the spooky version of Eames demanding to take control of Gerard's punishments, alright.]
What's the way to tell you this without speaking aloud? You psychic and holding out on me?
[ Eames nods and pens it down to the list. ] Alright. I'll try to word in a way that lets me keep some secrets from you. [ He teases with a playful little glance at Gerard.
He lets the question sit for a while as he finishes writing, and then looks up with a small, hideously enigmatic smile. ]
No, I'm not a spychic. Just very good at reading people. However, there is a way we can enter a dream together. And in a dream five minutes becomes an hour while our subconscious minds communicate.
[ He puts the paper away and takes a sip of his tea. ]
[Gerard rolls his eyes - he's got no doubts Eames will find a way to keep secrets even if he was ordered to tell only the truth. He's slippery that way. The dream sharing does perk Gerard's interest, though. A knee-jerk thought is to shut it down quickly and definitively. Gerard has nightmares, and he is rarely alone in them.
Maybe, though, it won't follow him if Eames is around. Maybe it won't know how to.
Maybe Gerard is just too fucking curious for his own good.]
Eames gestures towards the sandwiches as he stands up. ]
Finish those. I'll get us set up.
[ There's absolutely no point in pulling out the PASIV and having a little bit of a dip in it. Eames likes the infinite possibilities that dream space brings. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I can come over.
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And sure, come on over.
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... but Eames said he liked him. Said he wanted to spend time with him. It's such a small thing but it makes Gerard's starved heart surge with joy just to think about. So, in another thirty minutes or so, Gerry's knocking on the door to Eames' place.]
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He pops at the door with a book held under his arm and smiles as he gestures Gerard inside. ]
Come in, come in. Sit, I figured you might fancy a cuppa.
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His stomach growls at the offer of food. He could use the meal, and isn't quite so sick with nerves this time, so he just ducks his head and nods.]
That's- nice. Yeah. Thank you.
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Eames ushers him to take a seat at the tall chairs at the kitchen island and claims a chair beside him for himself. The tea is poured into both of their cups and he draws the sandwich plate a little closer, nodding towards it. ]
So, a contract, hmm?
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Just- something to see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, no big deal.
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I see, so, a test run then. [ Eames hums as he draws a pen and paper out of his pocket. ]
And anything particular you'd like added in that contract? Anything in particular you don't want in the contract?
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I don't know - what's normal? I want to be able to get a job and buy my own stuff. I - I'm going to keep my apartment in the Down, too.
[Gerard's voice is firm on this. It isn't negotiable.]
If you get a bigger place because you want to - alright. But on paper I'm still going to be living in the Down. That way if it doesn't work out I won't have to go through the hassle of getting it back. If we're contracted, finding out I'm living with you unofficially shouldn't be an actual problem if we end up caught.
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[ He's penning things down on the note pad, not looking up at Gerard. ] I won't put any demands on the contract on you. However, I would perhaps include something about you not handling legal matters or disciplinary matters on your own, because this city respects a dominant more unfortunately and if they're forced to let me be part of everything, they will have harder time giving you hard time.
Anything else?
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he wonders if Arthur has something like that in his - if he's breaking contract along with keeping secrets. Gerard isn't a snitch, though, and stays silent on that front.]
You need to tell me if you run into any weird shit.
[The thought comes to mind suddenly, but once it takes root, well.]
Just - spooky shit, anything you'd qualify as 'strange' - I would say that doesn't need to be in the contract but I know how some of these fucks work and maybe if it's in the contract if they try to keep you from talking it'll be a work around for it, since this one comes before anything they have.
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What do you mean by that? What is spooky or strange? And what would "they" be trying to keep me from talking about? You'll have to be a little more specific than that.
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He liked Eames, and there were things that happened to the curious type.]
Do you know the name Elias Bouchard?
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Can't say I do. This person has something to do with these spooky strange things?
[ He's putting the pen and notepad aside for now, leaning a little closer while dropping his elbow on the counter to listen to Gerard. He studies him over the rim of his tea cup that he brings up for sipping purposes. ]
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He's what's called an Avatar - what he's attached to has many names. The Eye, It Knows You, the Beholding...
[The Eye. You know, like how Gerard has all those eye tattoos all over him.]
The point is, he's very close to it. He's not the only one, but Jon's more of a danger to himself. I'm not saying to fight him on sight or anything, but - don't sign anything from him, not even a fucking receipt, okay? He's clever, and he's an asshole, and if you thought my knowing things was inconvenient...
You know those old stories, about how you're not supposed to say the devil's name because it gets his attention? Well. [Gerard shrugs.] Sorry. Might have just put you on his radar.
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You shouldn't worry. I never sign anything. Aside from these contracts I have with Arthur and soon with you. I've never really given you the truth about what I do, but con-man isn't at all far from it. Trust me, I'm well aware of what's going on around me at all times, conning me to sign something is quite impossible.
So, avatar of what is he? And Jon, your friend?
[ Eames reaches to put his hand on Gerard's thigh, gently squeezing it. ] The more I know, the safer I will be. Knowing how to protect myself and people around me is an essential thing.
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He stays where he is.]
I suppose much of it is easier to swallow given everything here.
[Being taken to a different world, with all its strange people from hundreds of different worlds themselves. Eames isn't going to just scoff at him and think he's crazy.]
I can't speak for where you're from or anything, but - I mean, you said it yourself. Just because you don't know of magic or whatever doesn't mean it isn't there. Most people don't know about this where I'm from either. It's very ... specialized. Bunch of people have encounters, but who hasn't seen a shadow where there shouldn't be one, felt a cold spot, had an uncle who saw lights in the sky that were totally aliens? The point is there are Entities beyond the world we know. Right next to it, like, and they can't come all the way through as they are but sometimes they can ... push. Influence. Inspire. Whatever you want to call it. They're our fears.
Most people in the know subscribe to Robert Smirke's list of fourteen of them. It's kind of arbitrary as hell to categorize them all, but it makes it easier to understand for a lot of people. For some people, all they get is a third or fourth hand encounter- a sense of vertigo when they shouldn't have it, the sudden almost overwhelming compulsion to jump off a building when they've never felt the call of the void before in their life. But they shake it off and keep going. Others - devote all that they are to it, and are granted certain powers in return. We call those who've gone that far avatars of them, and with one exception that I've met - they're not themselves anymore by that point. Anything they once were is gone.
So that's what he is. He's not really 'Elias Bouchard' - Elias Bouchard is fucking gone, he's a fragment of his dread master that's wearing his face and using his name. Jon said some of the other Entities have shown up here and there to leech in their influence as well, but given it's got two avatars in town the Watcher is the big man on campus. Bright side there is the Watcher is less about fucking you over and more about sitting back and watching what happens as you fuck yourself over, the most action it takes being to give you enough rope to hang yourself with.
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He listens to the explanation quietly and files away snippets of information while he builds a canon for it. This seems like the big picture here. He's sure to find the details that go with it. Eventually. ]
You said earlier that you're worried that the more I know, in more danger I will be in. And you mentioned naming the devil.
What if I'll offer you a way to tell me all of this, to the gritty detail, and not say a word aloud? Do it in half an hour too.
[ And maybe find a way to get a moment without those scars of his... He doesn't know if it'll change anything in terms of relying information on him but there's the offer. Eventually Eames is going go hook him up to a PASIV in any case, because there's just no way he's going to enter a contract with him and not do that. ]
Basically in terms of the contract, you want me to put in something about anything strange being reported to you?
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I don't need a full fucking statement, just - I want to be able to know right away if you ran into anything I'm familiar with that's going to come back for you, and I want something binding that says they can't force you keep quiet on that.
[Think of it like the spooky version of Eames demanding to take control of Gerard's punishments, alright.]
What's the way to tell you this without speaking aloud? You psychic and holding out on me?
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He lets the question sit for a while as he finishes writing, and then looks up with a small, hideously enigmatic smile. ]
No, I'm not a spychic. Just very good at reading people. However, there is a way we can enter a dream together. And in a dream five minutes becomes an hour while our subconscious minds communicate.
[ He puts the paper away and takes a sip of his tea. ]
Do you want to try it?
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Maybe, though, it won't follow him if Eames is around. Maybe it won't know how to.
Maybe Gerard is just too fucking curious for his own good.]
... yeah. Can we?
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Eames gestures towards the sandwiches as he stands up. ]
Finish those. I'll get us set up.
[ There's absolutely no point in pulling out the PASIV and having a little bit of a dip in it. Eames likes the infinite possibilities that dream space brings. ]
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