Magnus Archives Muses

Minors DNI - Mun is 35 Multi-Muse blog for several Magnus Archives Characters and OCs! Relevant Info, Carrd, Muse List and full DNI in pinned post. Written By @Madhouse-Institute.

[archive-muses]

Welcome To The Archives

Hello there, Tumblr! I'm called Avery or Rusted. I hope this post finds you well. This blog is our little roleplay corner of the internet. It's been a long time since we were able to get into roleplaying full time, but the amazing writing and world building of The Magnus Archives has dragged us back with full force! Everything you need to know should be somewhere in this post, but asks are always open for questions! this blog contains both Canon Characters and OC Characters. Muse Info and DNI below! Click on any muse to see further info.

Written and Run by @madhouse-institute

Full Carrd Here! (Under Construction)

Muses (Canon)

Jonathan Sims ✅️

Peter Lukas ✅️

Mordechai Lukas ✅️

Simon Fairchild ✅️

Muses (OC)

Arthur Lewis (The Eye) ✅️

Aubrey Lukas (The Lonely) (⏳️)

Sephyr Steele (The Web) (⏳️)

Ask Box/ Tags Always Open For:

Character Asks/Texts

Long-Term Thread Requests

Tag Games

Ask Games

Headcanons

DNI

Pro-Contact Paraphiles

Anti-LGBTQIA+/2s, TERFS, SWERFS, anti-neopronouns, anti-mspec, anti-whatever gender identity.

Shipping Discourse ANYTHING

Anti-Dead Dove: Do Not Eat (you don’t have to enjoy it, just don’t hate me for doing so.)

Endo/pro-endo “Systems” [Immediatly Block me]

Nazies/Racist/Ableists

Minors (This is an 18+ Blog!) [I BLOCK MINORS TO AVOID MIX-UPS]

Harry Potter anything {hate JK, don’t want to see it.}

[hyprus-ink]

Leading The Dance

It has been a while since I posted anything, because I wanted to take some time and really hammer in what I was a learning. This is the first full piece I've done since I posted Martin in The Lonely, and I think my practice is paying off.

It illustrates the way Elias leads Jon through the plot, like the leader in a dance. Please enjoy as EyeTrauma, or simply as a representation of the plot at large.

[aurorarpresources]

Symbol Headcanon Questions

🐕 : How hard is it earn your muses loyalty?

🐈: Can your muse sleep anywhere or do they need specific conditions?

🐎: How fast can your muse run?

🦊 : Is your muse more cunning or straightforward?

🐇 : How easily does your muse get scared?

🐿️ : Does your muse collect anything?

🦝 : How chaotic is your muse?

🐺 : Is your muse more comfortable alone or as part of a group?

🐻 : How does your muse react when woken up unexpectedly?

🐢 : Is your muse patient, or do they rush things?

🐙 : How well does your muse multitask?

🦢 : Does your muse care much about appearances or presentation?

🦜 : How talkative is your muse?

🦚 : Does your muse enjoy attention?

🐉 : Is your muse possessive?

🐘 : How good is your muse's memory?

🐝 : Is your muse a hard worker or a slacker?

🐔 : Would your muse ever commit cannibalism?

🦉 : Is your muse more active at night or during the day?

🦈 : What would it take to make your muse bite someone?

🕷️ : Does your muse enjoy scaring people?

[snowlilly]

OC habits ask game

🗣️ Voice 1. Are they talkative? 2. Is their voice quiet or loud? 3. Do they have unusual speech patterns? 4. Do they have an accent or dialect? 5. Do they like to sing? Are they good at it?

🖐️ Hands 6. Left handed, right handed, ambidextrous? 7. Neat or messy hand writing? 8. Do they draw/paint a lot? 9. Are they good or bad at making handicrafts? 10. Do they need their hands occupied a lot? If so, what do they do?

🍛 Food 11. What's their favorite food/least favorite food? 12. Are they a picky eater? 13. Any food they avoid for reasons other than taste? 14. How are their table manners? 15. Do they rather eat too much or too little? 16. Do they prefer to eat alone or with company? 17. Are they good at cooking?

🛏️Sleep 18. Morning person or night owl? 19. Easy to fall asleep or insomniac? 20. Light or heavy sleeper? 21. Do they move around a lot while sleeping? 22. Are they used to sleeping around others or alone? 23. Do they snore? 24. Other sleeping habits?

[madhouse-institute]

I headcanon Jon as having Autisim Spectrum Disorder...

Call him Jonathan Stims.

[archive-muses]

// Sorry I've been away. I've been going through some stuff health wise. I'll be on replies as soon as I can be!

[madhouse-institute]

Okay I love Gerry x Micheal and I will ship it to the end but... does anyone else find it weird that they literally never met? Like I'm all for shipping characters with 0 screen time together, but no one ships him with Eric Delano and they actually worked together?

Well I ship is. SpiralBound to the end.

[lakevida]

on it boss

[zanmor]

step 1: mitosis

[official-cisphobe]

here's a random word generator--whatever word it gives you is now the thing you are the deity of

[jhinthony]

season 3 predictions

yes this is just a "moon's haunted" joke what about it

blank versions bc i like the backgrounds

[archive-muses]

FINALLY THE REAL POST

[mosttormentedcharactertournament]

Most Tormented Character Tournament SIDE A ROUND 2-2

Shadow the Hedgehog (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS Jonathan Sims (The Magnus Archives)

(Jon image by lunehowls)

Who has suffered more?

Shadow the Hedgehog

Jonathan Sims

Voting ended onApr 22

Remember - this is based off of who you think has gone through more, not who is your favorite!

Propaganda under cut! (spoilers!)

Shadow the Hedgehog

An experimental living weapon born in captivity

Watched his surrogate sister get shot in front of him

Manipulated multiple times into committing war crimes

Constantly compared to the guy he’s a clone of

Died

Came back as a clone of himself with no memories

Banished 200 years into the future

Forced to fight at least 2 separate clones of himself

Watched the world get taken over by the evil scientist whose father created him

Forced to relive his trauma by an evil alien

Is finally able to reunite with his surrogate sister, only to be forced to leave her behind

Jonathan Sims

Is British

Burdened with the knowledge of the entire perceivable universe

Both parents died when he was a child but this is surprisingly not very relevant

Job is actually a front for a massive conspiracy involving the primal fears of humanity

Unable to quit said job

Mutilated by worms, his boss, himself, and an evil sun

Tormented by Eldritch abominations wearing human skin

He eventually becomes a vessel for one of these horrors

Driven to paranoid insanity

Watched all of his coworkers die one by one

Has to keep asking people about their trauma or he will literally starve to death

Tricked into starting the apocalypse

Is now Schrodinger's dead guy

[worldtherewithin]

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<Subject: Artifact Missing?>

Afternoon, Silvester!

Last week, I dropped off a Pendant, locket actually- silver with a Victorian Flower design. The chain was also silver, but the clasp was broken. Is it... well anywhere? I came into have a look last night, because Elias was asking after it and mentioned he didn't see it. I uh- looked for it. And for some reason, even with my... uncanny knack for finding, I can't seem to see it.

Any thoughts?

-Arthur

<from: [email protected]>

<a: [email protected]>

<Subject: Artefact Missing>

Good evening, Arthur!

Sorry for the delayed response, I got to searching for the pendant and thought it wouldn't take long. You can guess by the subject of the email that it hasn't turned up yet. It's the strangest thing, because I do remember it; my assistant showed it to me and I have its file on my pc, which doesn't say anything about it being borrowed or taken out of Storage recently.

I've already turned the Victorian Jewellery section inside out, then figured someone might have moved it to Photography since it was a locket, but we had no luck there either.

Are you absolutely sure you were the only one Mr Bouchard instructed to fetch it? Alternatively, that there was no urgency in how he requested it, as if someone else might be interested in "borrowing it indefinitely" without telling us?

I still have a few hours before I have to clock out. Let me know if you remember anything!

Regards,

- S.H.

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Huh, that's strange.

I'm sure I'm the only one Elias would have asked about it. As the file says, it's not something to be handled long-term, so I doubt he'd send anyone who wasn't fairly experienced with these things. Also, as I'd already dropped it off, I doubt it would have been removed for any official reason Elias wouldn't be aware of, and he didn't seem aware of it when he asked me to go and get it. If I didn't know what he looked like when he was annoyed, I'd say he was just giving me something to do in looking for it- but he didn't seem pleased.

It has some... quirks about it. As I said (and the file says) it's not meant to be held on to for a long time. It's supposed to make it hard to perceive the person wearing it- but you can get lost if you wear it too long, apparently. If someone did take it though less-than-official channels... well. That might be a problem. Maybe that's why it doesn't seem to be anywhere.

Could you check the visitor logs? See if anyone at all signed in that might have been out of the ordinary? I'm going to guess a thief wouldn't be dim-witted enough to sign in, but you never know! I'll see if I Rosie saw anything.

Thanks for this.

-Arthur

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Good evening Arthur,

I got my hands on the logs of registered visitors in the past week - I'll attach the file in case you recognise any familiar names. But from my perspective, none of the people I've assisted lately seemed any more "peculiar" than usual: mostly fidgety patrons who wanted to be rid of something that seemed to be bringing them misfortune. We did let in an eccentric couple who wanted their property back yesterday, saying their circumstances had changed, but neither seemed interested in anyone else's property.

I've asked my colleagues if anyone who isn't registered was let in, but naturally those went under the category of "Anonymous Donors/Visitors", which only saves times and dates. I'll attach that file as well, in case we could narrow down a window in which the pendant could have been taken out of Storage.

I did read the Artefact file. The pendant is not the first to have these kinds of "side effects", you can imagine. When I requested to see it, we even had it transported in a plastic container so no one would be touching it directly. But when it came time to actually store it, I left my assistant to it, and now she has no idea where it might be. I don't blame her at all, she was quite busy.

This is why such items should be tracked more closely. I've been saying we should be putting tags on them, though I know how that could get expensive. All my assistant could do for the pendant, and most others like it, was attach a luminescent sticker at the bottom with gloves. It's what we've got. Not that it's helping now...

Please come back to me with any insights, if you can.

- S.H.

[ptrnvisitor-logs126.pdf]

[anonvisitor-logs126.pdf]

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Silvester,

This is getting a bit stranger than I'd like, actually. I have spent the last six hours or so cross-checking every name on that list and almost everyone completely checks out. There were two names I didn't recognize and had trouble finding. The first turned out to be a professor who just started at UoL, but the other... I can't find anything on. As far as I can tell they've never visited any other section of The Institute and they're not a student. As far as I can tell it's an alias, because there's no social media for it either.

The name signed was John Silver. Sounds like a pretty common name, right? Well it is. Except I can't find anyone in London that would have a reason it be here by that name. You don't happen to remember them/him, do you? You might not have even been there, since it looks like the name was signed in the later evening...

Let me know if you have any insights.

-Arthur

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Sorry for this in advance, Arthur,

I had no memory of the John Silver on our records paying us a visit, so I had to ask around. It didn't take long for one of my assistants to admit he let a "student" by that name into Artefact Storage while I wasn't on shift. The news that doesn't check out is already horrific, but it's not even the worst part yet.

"Mr Silver" was not holding any sort of documentation to prove he was authorised to be here. And there are no deposits or donations to that name without dating back ~70 years, which couldn't not be a coincidence; he was described to me as "young, tall, sort of cute and blond". But somehow, he still managed to persuade my... Very susceptible colleague into letting him in to conduct "research" for his "university paper".

And so he was given a tour through our Victorian Photography section.

My assistant swears up and down he didn't catch any suspicious movements or behaviour out of "Mr Silver". All he did was take notes and ask questions about restoration routines and preservation. When he eventually left, nothing felt odd or out of the ordinary.

I should have noticed something was off about the purpose of anyone's visit being marked down as "interview". No one gets interviewed at Artefact Storage, that's what setting up an appointment at the Archives is for.

I would have updated you with at least some good news if we had been able to track him down, but despite Sol's hopes, he did not leave a number. And the pendant still hasn't turned up. I even have a nagging feeling this man has been before without us noticing, something else could be unaccounted for right now and we might not even know.

But I'm getting ahead of myself. One missing item report at a time. We'll figure this out, somehow. Please let me know if there's any other leads.

- S.H.

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Silvester,

Thank you for the update. You're right, that is really very troubling. It isn't the first time The Institute has been intruded upon, but it's never a good thing when it is. If this man is responsible for the lost pendant, then this could be a larger issue than we first thought. Whoever he is, he clearly had a direct reason to be there.

I'm sorry this email took so long for me to get to, but I've been discussing with as many other staff members as I can who might have seen him since you gave me the description. I've asked Elias to pull the footage from the main entrance on that day. If I can get a visual of him, I have my ways of finding him from there. I think, anyway. It gets tricky around people this clever.

Can you have a look around and make a casual pass of your shelves? Just to see if anything is obviously out of place? I want to make sure nothing more dangerous has gone missing. We both know the kinds of things you're holding up there and why they should be well catalogged. This whole thing has made me consider asking Elias about acquiring funding for sealed cabinets like we should already have. I digress though.

If you find anything else missing or happen to come across anything more about this man before Elias gives me the tapes tomorrow, please let me know. I'll follow up as soon as I know anything. Oh- and can you forward me the paperwork on the Pendant itself? I want to have a word with the dealer we purchased it from.

Thanks for your help!

-{A.L}

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Arthur,

Finding a digital copy of the file on the pendant wasn't difficult, but I took an extra amount of care in checking every cabinet and drawer we haven't yet padlocked in all of Storage before starting this email. Nothing that wasn't reclaimed with reason is unaccounted for. For now. And I hope it stays that way.

No items seem to be missing on the shelves, thankfully. But as I was checking, I did find a glow-in-the-dark sticker haphazardly glued on the side of a chair in the entrance. It's the exact kind of sticker we place on specific Artefacts we need to keep track of... Like the pendant.

This confirms my suspicions that the culprit has been here at least once before, and was here long enough to get rid of the only thing that would make the pendant visible from afar - or in the dark, I guess.

I'm attaching the copy of the item file. I sincerely hope you can get a good look of "Mr Silvers"' face on camera, as Sol seems to have started forgetting it already, and I haven't found records of it in any other visitation logs. Of course.

Hoping you respond with better news than mine,

S.H.

[artf588075-stored.pdf(1)]

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Silvester,

I'm very sorry to leave you hanging this long, but going through the day he was here ended up being a little tricky. It turns out the cameras in this place are more numerous than you might think. I've tracked out intruder and aside from some brief flirting with Tim Stoker at the entrance to The Archives, he was very direct in going for your storage.

Whoever he is, he's someone with motive. Me usual methods of finding him are met with some... broad reaching answers. I'm not certain if he is working for himself or someone else, but he doesn't seem at all 'on the level'. I did find out his real name. Apparently the reason I had a hard time finding him online is that he is well protected- he happens to be something of a celebrity, which seems very strange for someone waltzing into an Institute. He's a Rockstar, apparently? Sephyr Steele is his name. Guitarist for the band 'All Hail' apparently. Who knew?

I'm still trying to figure out what he wanted with the piece and how to contact him more directly. The charming nature your assistant encountered might have been cultivated charisma.

Let me know if you hear anything else. I'll email you the minute I track him down.

-Arthur

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Arthur,

As I was waiting for your response, I officially turned all of the possible locations of the pendant inside out, and as you might have guessed by the subject title not changing, I have confirmed that it has definitely left the building. I also reported a few other missing items along the way: not to worry, they are completely unrelated to this case and much more likely to turn up sooner.

Now, upon reading your email, I did start wondering; what use would a rockstar have for an item that makes them hard to be perceived? That does go against the whole idea of being remembered.

While I was clocked out - I wasn't going to put this research on the company laptop - I started looking into the band and found out they went their separate ways some 8 years ago. But I didn't stop at that; I looked into the fanbase. When your audience is mostly grown-up teens and "stans" (don't ask), there's still a feed of updates on any public appearances, especially of the fan-favourite members. It's not a surprise that Mr Steele, being so "dashing" and fun, would be The favourite.

'All Hail' got in all sorts of unimportant interpersonal drama, and nowdays it's not clear where any member resides, but I found out through social media posts that Mr Steele himself was apparently spotted in East London at some record store. If that were truly him, I think it would imply he's not carrying the pendant on his person.

I'll send you a screenshot of the picture. If his or any face in the photo match the man on the camera feed, then we might finally have a lead on this.

Keeping you posted,

S.H.

[screenshot_steele?(1).jpeg]

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Bingo!

The face is the same. this is our man! Sorry if I seem excited, but tracking him down has been a huge pain in my behind for the last few weeks. This is certainly a step closer. I called the store in question (thanks for including the social handle) and it seems Mr Steele is seen there at least once a month. Not too much of a chance of happening to be there on the right day, but I did ask if they has the pull to put me in touch. They offered to reach out to him for me. I said I was a fan- which isn't a complete lie- and that I was hoping to get a quick interview for a blog. He's done a couple for smaller creators, so I'm hopeful.

I believe you're likely right. If he was carrying it I'm not sure if he'd even show up on camera. Genuinely, I've never tried. If he's not carrying it, I'm wondering if he was delivering it? He doesn't seem the common thief type, so it strikes me that it has to be an actual job or for personal gain. Besides, after talking to the dealer, it seems like most people who have it for a while really don't want to keep it. He was honestly offended that I brought it up.

While I wait for a response I've reached out to his former manager and found out a few things about him. He might stand out more if you see him again if I were to tell you he's Canadian. Central Toronto, so no 'Valley' Accent, but certainly not British. If he comes through again, he'll either be really easy to spot or faking it. He does have connection to some pretty posh people, so I'm not sure how good his English Accent would be.

I'll keep you posted.

-{A.L}

[mrartefactstorage]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

I see!

A different accent is not something I considered asking my assistant about until now. A mistake on my part, because as soon as I brought it up, Sol remembered he'd pronounce some words as if he'd been abroad for a while. Now we can see it was the other way around. He masked it as best he could.

In the last few weeks, we were able to retrieve any other missing items (that we know of), whether they were just misplaced of shipped off to Pu Songling without being properly documented. I retained some small hope the pendant would turn up as soon as weren't looking for it directly, but if we had found it, I would've written back sooner...

Either way, this situation too got me thinking. In the past, most of the times an item was outright stolen, it would be a precious family heirloom, disputed inheritance and the like. And as I thought the same thing you did – Mr Steele would have no reason for petty theft, and he has never been a patron to the Institute – would it be possible he was asked, or maybe forced to take it for someone else who is unable to?

I went down a small rabbit hole. And at least a few times every few years, we've had multiple cases of delicate items going missing and then being sent back (or found) a few months later, in worse conditions, from somewhere near Covent Garden Theatre. My guess is as "stage props", despite the fact the building has been closed down for a while. "Suspected cult activity", the report from Research said, but the building has mysteriously stayed uninvestigated since it was filed.

Mr Steele might not have necessarily gotten his hands on our item to bring it there. I had someone try their best to check out the place, without injuring themselves or getting in trouble, of course. But I am suggesting that if all else fails, we might want to look into Mr Steele's close circle, or new acquaintances. Maybe recluses, conspiracy theorists, self-proclaimed psychics... The delicate types.

Still, I won't do any of my off-the-clock web snooping (my assistant says the right term is "cyber-stalking" but it doesn't have the same ring to it!) unless you can actually get that meeting with Steele yourself and finally clear the air once and for all.

Be careful, of course. Don't let that infamous Canadian charm fool you the same way it did Sol. And keep me updated.

Best of luck,

S.H.

[archive-muses]

<from: [email protected]>

<to: [email protected]>

<Re: Subject: Artefact Missing>

Silvester,

Things have been wild since last we messaged. I'm not even sure where to start. Let me see if I can sum it up and explain. I spoke to Sephyr's manager, I spoke to Sephyr himself, and I think I understand pretty much what's going on.

Technically I shouldn't be sending this on any official channels, but honestly Elias never checks the email records. I'm sure he can, but he doesn't as far as I know. In speaking to Sephyr's manager, I was able to find out he's had a long and troubled history and the band break up was largely on a falling out between him and his adoptive brother. That brother is the posh connection I talked about. Way higher up than I'm happy to be messing with- I'll say that. He's been largely unaccounted for by friends and family since then.

Sephyr wouldn't agree to meet me in person, but he did agree to take a phone call. I talked to him directly and he is... interesting. He has a very lazy speech pattern that I suspect to be a lie in itself. I think he's trying to sound less intelligent than he is. I asked him about his interests and nothing relating to jewelry came up as expected. I asked him about some of the things his manager told me and he confirmed a couple of things, such as his addictive nature and his habit of wandering. Apparently he just- walks around the city? He's an interesting fellow. In the end I asked him if he had any interest in the supernatural or fears, and he immediately got defensive.

given everything I have seen and heard, I think he might be aligned to an Entity called The Web. I'm not sure how familiar you are with Smirke's 14, being in the position you're in you're likely somewhat aware? This one is very focused on manipulation and plans so, if he is the one who took it which seems very likely, it's anyone's guess why.

Two steps forward, ten back. I'm at a loss where to go from here. He has some idea someone's on to him, but that can't be completely new to him... I could try catching him on wander but I seem to have trouble with my usual tracking methods with him.

An ythoughts are welcomed.

-{A.L}

[archive-muses]

"Which is not the point. and you know it!" He feels like he says this to Elias too much. He lets out a long breath, trying to seem less like a wet kitten as he levels his gaze to meet Elias' "Killing everyone else isn't an acceptable outcome simply because I'll survive."

His fists are baled at his sides, but he doesn't dare to raise them. He has seen the bear minimum of what Elias can do, and he isn't interested in reliving his worst traumas at this exact moment. "Whatever.... else- is between us? I have to hate you for that..."

[sparklytimebun]

"As you wish, but hate will not stop what you know will eventually come to pass," he says with all the content calm and amusement of a predator knowing their prey was captured finally.

"Now Jon, we can have this go two ways: You leave my office and I let you go about your day: scurrying into dark tunnels and looking for things you shouldn't or---" he leans in again. "I can have you help me with some...paperwork."

He moves to sit behind his desk again, smiling all the while.

"Your choice, my dear Archivist."

[archive-muses]

Jon is frozen in place as Elias speaks, the offer of an option that didn't feel like an option at all. The way the words had fallen from his mouth makes Jon consider the 'choice' carefully. There is a drive to explore, a need to know he doesn't understand and as he watches Elias move back to the desk, this is the option he moves for. His hand is on the doorknob when he pauses, a long and shaking breath straining through his teeth. He does need to know, need to understand what's hiding from him under those tunnels... but there is something else missing for him, something he is sure Elias counts on in this moment. His paranoid mind and his fear of being stalked had distanced himself from everyone. Connection has become something he is desperate for and he is sure Elias knows this.

He hasn't moved in longer than he'd like, swallowing hard as he tries to will himself to leave. To go back to the darkness and the fear- but he can't. there's a different fear now, the fear of being alone. Perhaps the fear of not being watched at all? He isn't sure, but his hand falls from the knob and he turns back to face Elias.

"What kind of... help... do you want?"

[sparklytimebun]

Elias leans back in his chair, the leather creaking faintly, one hand gesturing lazily to the seat opposite his desk.

“Come now, Jon. Don’t hover like a reprimanded schoolboy. If you’re going to make the wrong choice, you may as well commit to it properly.”

There’s a flicker of something sharper beneath the words—amusement edged with something possessive.

“Paperwork,” he repeats, almost idly. “A dull word, I know, but then, so much of what we do here is dressed up in dullness, isn’t it? Statements, reports, records…” His smile deepens, just a fraction. “Observation.”

A pause.

“And you do want to be a good Archivist, don't you?”

Elias reaches for a file on his desk, tapping it lightly against the surface before setting it down in front of the empty chair.

“Sit.”

His eyes never leave Jon’s face.

“I require your insight,” he continues. “There are… inconsistencies. Threads that don’t quite align. And you—” a slight tilt of his head “—have proven yourself rather adept at pulling on threads you really ought to leave alone.”

A chuckle.

“Consider this a compromise. You stay. You help me.” His fingers rest lightly atop the file, unmoving. “And in return…”

A faint smile, almost kind. 

“I don’t have to wonder what you’ll do when you inevitably go digging where you shouldn’t.” A grin. 

“After all,” Elias adds. “it would be such a shame if you found yourself alone down there.”

A threat.

“Well?”

A small, patient tilt of his head.

“Are you going to sit, Jon?”

[archive-muses]

The taunts make Jon shift uncomfortably, both the pull of wanting to leave and the draw of something else keep him rooted in place. His eyes are on the file under Elias' fingers and there is a third draw. A draw to know what is inside it. It looks like a statement file, but then a lot of the files he had worked with in research had looked similar. If it is a statement though, or something Elias wanted him to see, it intrigues him.

He takes a step forward, then another, and another until he was around the chair. He sits down with care, eyes shifting between Elias and the file with his discomfort. He knows he's made the wrong choice. He knows Elias has already won whatever power struggle there was, but it doesn't matter. He knows he wants to be here, as painful as that is.

"What could you need help with?" He asks in a parody of annoyance.

[archive-muses]

Seeking - [Arthur + Amelie]

For @crownofwebs

This was the second day in a row Arthur Lewis found himself treading the pavement outside the very well kept Antique Shop on the London Side-Street he had just turned on to. As soon as the building came into view his eyes lit up- the sun was in the right place. This was a very good sign.

He remained some distance from the shop, hands drifting to the somewhat travel-worn pockets of his coat. For a brief moment his brown eyes became ringed with green, his body freezing in place as he started to check on the item he had come for. Wherever it had been moved to, the window of the shop was now to some degree visible. It looked to Arthur like it might have been moved just behind a desk or something similar. As soon as he was aware of this fact he made his way to stand on front of the window, spotting himself with a self-satisfied grin. A day and a bit of looking like a complete idiot was always worth it when he found the things he needed. In this case, it was a set of cuff-links, aligned to The Web.

He watched for a short time, simply making sure he was focused on the correct object and not somehow something else he had seen in the shop, a mistake he had only made once in his very early Avatarship, but now something he checked for every time. After he checked, he pushed through the shop door, looking around as casually as he could with such a clear goal in mind.

[crownofwebs]

The shop was fairly cluttered,yet somehow organised pretty well - while there was quite a lot of items,it seemed that each type of them had their own place - porcelain dinnerware was separate from decorations,who were separated from books and other knick knacks.

Amelie was sitting at the till, reading a book. They barely paid any mind to Arthur,only occasionally glancing up to check up. Barely anyone cared to steal from them,and those who they manage to catch in the act... Well,they soon found themselves changing their minds.

There were barely any customers this early morning too, just a couple and an elderly woman,who soon moved towards Amelie to engage in polite,yet fairly enthusiastic small talk with them. They both chatted like good friends, paying no mind to whatever was happening around them.

[archive-muses]

He watched himself move in the visual range of the object, meeting his own eye when he found the exact place it the set was being kept. He could already tell the older women chatting away would take some time and he was much too British to interrupt, so he made himself busy browsing the books set neatly in their sections. He always checked shops like this for Leitner's, though he had only ever encountered one.

It was several minutes before Arthur heard a lull in the conversation. He had a leather tomb in his hand as he made himself apparent, clearing his throat lightly. "Excuse me." He stepped toward the desk "I have a couple of questions I was wondering if I could ask? I know it's a bit early in the morning to be quizzed." He chuckled lightly.

[crownofwebs]

Amelie gave Arthur a slightly distracted look, before excusing herself from the conversation with the old woman.

"Yes? Feel free to ask, I shall answer the best I can. I can't promise to provide the history of the object, though."

They leaned against the counter with a chuckle, interested in what sorts of questions Arthur is going to ask. Faer favourite part. Is it going to be normal or absolutely lunatic? Who knows? Though judging from the way he looked, it's probably something normal.

[archive-muses]

Truth was always a good start. At lease he wasn't being lied to out the gate. He nodded absently to the comment concerning object's origins- thankfully not what he was interested in- and tried to make the snap decision of how to frame this.

"You have some absolutely amazing books in here, but they're not exactly what I'm looking for. I'm after a specific item, and I've been around to several shops with no real luck." He shifted, moving to rummage in his javket's chest pocket "I'm looking for a period piece, a set of cuff links, from a particular maker. They would be Silver, mid-1910's and likely have something representing spiders? Have you seen anything like that."

[crownofwebs]

At the mention of a specific object Amelie leaned in closer,eyes sparkling with something Arthur couldn't quite place. Was it intrigue? Or was it something more sinister?

"Oh my goodness, yes! You came at the right place! Give me a bit,yeah? I'll go grab it."

Their demeanour shifted, becoming more lively. Suddenly,they were grinning wide and rushing to the back. It's as if they were the ones that struck gold. It didn't take them long to come back, presenting Arthur with a slightly dusty little box.

"Et voila! It's a little forgotten,and could use some love,but don't we all?"

She laughs a little, waiting on Arthur's response. It wouldn't be surprising if her customer didn't find it funny,fae's not a comedian,their humour skills often leave a lot to be desired.

[archive-muses]

Arthur actually returned fae's laugh with a chuckle of his own. "In this world, it's harder and harder, that's for sure." He made a motion like he was rubbing his eyes, ringing the hidden orb with the green that allowed him to scry. He was able to see himself looking back from the box, and the smile he'd presented stayed firmly on his features. It was rare something he was looking for was actually for sale. No theft today, unless one counted Institute funds.

"These are amazing!" He told them with as much exuberance he thought the situation called for. "Do you have any information on where they came from? and what will these beauties run me?"

the more information he could give to the Institute, the happier Elias would be. Not that it truly mattered, the man was going to send him away as soon as he checked in either way, but regardless Arthur did enjoy impressing.

[crownofwebs]

Amelie's smile grew wider and they leaned on the counter, practically beaming with joy,in a strangely polite,customer service-y type of way. Arthur was pleasant to chat with,and really brightened their boring day.

"I believe it was brought in by someone a while back? Or perhaps I was the one to find it."

They hum, tapping their long,spindly finger on the counter.

"Ah,yes. I was given it at a generous discount by one of the shops I visited a few weeks ago! The guy was soo happy to get rid of it. Said it makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand upright. I'm not sure I really believe in this whole thing,but he claimed it had a supernatural presence?"

Amelie chattered away, trying to weave the lie in with the truths. It wasn't that they didn't believe in the supernatural,quite far from it,they knew very well that there is much more to everyday life than just what is explainable by science. But admitting it out loud felt too vulnerable, like exposing ones neck to a predator.

"Fifteen pounds,but I am open to negotiations ~"

They winked playfully at Arthur.

[archive-muses]

The itch started as soon as the explanation did. Even the half lies they were telling were enough to set off his powers and the itch made him immediately uncomfortable. He hid it impossibly well, years of feeling the pull of lies in the back of his mind making it easy to ignore. That said, it gave him the impression that fae wasn't telling him everything.

"Can you tell me more about the seller?" He asked, curious if this would lead to a further lie, or a more clear explanation "I'm keen on them and I'm happy to pay what you ask- but I'm very curious about their origins. They're for study, you see."

[crownofwebs]

Amelie frowned, leaning away from Arthur.

"Well, what else can I even say? Contrary to what might be the popular belief,we vintage/curio sellers are not on a first name basis with each other, especially when it comes to shops at the other end of the city..."

Again,a half lie. They had to stand at the checkout and listen to a nearly half an hour rant about how that little pieces of decorative metal basically acted like a magnet for actual spiders, often making the box become enveloped in the thin strands of silk. They had to endure a passionate speech of all the methods they had to resort to get rid of the spiderwebs,and how little it helped,AND, how much it made him hate spiders. At the end of it,he almost sounded scared.

Amelie, on the other hand,felt absolutely irritated,even if they found the fear... Amusing. Funny enough, the spider thing basically gone away upon transferring ownership, and any spiders that were there made a cozy new home in the corners of this store. Heartwarming,in its own way.

"Yeah, apologies, I don't have anything else to contribute... They're just weird little antiques, like most of them are."

[archive-muses]

The itch only seemed to get worse as they spoke. Half lies were thing she heard in every social situation. It didn't particularly bother him anymore, but it did tell him they had some reason to lie to a stranger. There was a strength to these lies, a conviction that seemed out of place to the human lie detector. "Well, that's alright. It's always nice to hear the history, but I'm sure I'll be able to dig up what I need."

He stepped toward the counter. "I'm happy to pay the face value- they're worth it to me." Saying nothing to his want to spend as much of thee Lukas Family money as he could while he wasn't restrained by Elias' watchful eye "You don't happen to have others like it? Items from a similar era with a similar design?"

He was clearly drawing attention to the Spider Designs, wondering if they had anything else here Elias might reward him for finding.

[crownofwebs]

Amelie gave Arthur a polite smile, wanting to shift their attention to something else, someone else. They hum affirmatively, busying itself with counting out the money and dealing with the old school cash register.

"Pardon? Are you interested in Victorian era jewellery or is it the design that draws you in? I could try searching in the back for something,or reserve it in case I get something new."

Was he a big fan of spider motifs? Amelie grabbed a pen and a few sticky notes, looking back at Arthur.

"Would you like leaving your number so I could contact you in case?"

[archive-muses]

"That era, spider designs.- But you don't need to go that far in looking. These are enough for the time being. I'm glad you had something that suited me."

Half lies were even worse coming from himself. He felt almost sick with the way lying made his head spin. He was blunt in his life, not to be rude or because he wanted to be honest, but because directly lying hurt him. Still, he had come to tolerate the feeling when it needed to be done and he was happy the lesser lies only made him a bit ill.

"Been doing this long?" He asked casually "This shop seems well stocked. Anything wild ever come in?"

[archive-muses]

Lonely Gathering - Peter & Martin {Foqhearted}

@foqhearted

The morning had already been a bit long for Peter by the time he was waiting outside Moorland House for Martin to arrive. Finding out just exactly who was inviting Martin into their fold was proving to be tricky, but with carefully placed questions and memos he had established the branch of family members who must had been involved. Nathaniel was his likely suspect with his need to interfere in things, but why remained a pressing and annoying question. His efforts in finding out had already taken a bit of toll on his patience. In an effort to gain that back, he was soaking in the Lonely nature permeating the very Earth of his family estate.

For as long as Peter could remember (and likely far longer than that) the grounds of Moorland House had been so saturated with the devotion of the family that it bordered on a domain of its own. Residing in the house or on the grounds for long periods could lead a normal person to their Lonely ruin, but for an Avatar like himself and the other members of the family it was more like an impossibly parge bed. Soft, comfortable and refreshing.

As the sound of a car down the paved road hummed through the still air, he allowed his form to appear in the 'real' world. It stopped some feet from him and he made no move to approach. He was sure Martin would spot him and there was no need to repeat his steps. He hated repeating himself in any context. Whatever happened this evening certainly wouldn't be a repeat. This had never happen before, after all.

[foqhearted]

Martin had been worrying about today's gathering all morning, the idea of so many new people making him nauseous, but he had committed to going so that was that. The car ride there was silent, although Martin didn't mind that, he needed to save his energy anyways.

As the car pulled onto the gravel path up to Moorland House, Martin suddenly felt much better, as if a wave of ocean water had crashed over him and woken him up. He tried not to pay much mind to the sensation, however.

The car came to a stop and Martin stepped out in a navy blue turtleneck tucked into a pair of black formal trousers and secured with a belt. His hair was much less messy than usual and he'd shaved as well. He cleaned up quite nicely actually. Martin made his way over to Peter, smiling politely.

[archive-muses]

Watching Martin walk toward him gave Peter time to take him in. He had asked Martin to come looking sharp and he had certainly managed that. It wasn't the first time Peter had noticed that Martin could look surprisingly charming when he put the effort in. It wasn't something Peter tried to think on often, given the nature of the arrangement he was trying to create, but Martin somehow managed his own kind of charm in the way he held himself. One Peter found hard to ignore.

"Welcome to Moorland House." He said aloud, voice seeming to almost shatter the stillness around them. In that moment the sound of birds and wind burst forth under the ensuing conversation "I appreciate you being on time, but I'm afraid to say some others haven't been as considerate. We are waiting on a few...stragglers. How are you feeling, being here?"

[foqhearted]

Martin spoke quietly, enjoying the peace of the place he found himself. "It's actually quite.. nice" he replied, seeming to flourish much more than usual, "I was so nervous about it but I'm.. it feels calm."

He looked up to the taller man, keeping a polite smile on his face. "I'm happy to wait here with you, I know it might be overwhelming but I don't think I'm going to be leaving your side very much today.."

[archive-muses]

Peter nodded lightly. "Yes, this place is rather peaceful in itself. We're not exactly a.... violent family." It was only a half lie. the Lukas family rarely took force as an option, but that did not mean they were kind.

Martin's next words caused an involuntary release of a breath through Peter's nose as he nodded slightly "I did expect as much, yes. I don't expect you'd want to get lost in a place like this." He mused aloud "Or to meet the wrong sort of person." He gave Martin a look that suggested he wasn't exactly kidding. Staying close to him certainly wasn't the worst idea. Peter preferred it more than he would say.

"We can wait, or if you prefer I'd be willing to show you the house." He didn't exactly want Martin getting lost.

[foqhearted]

Martin couldn't help but react to Peters exhale with a real smile, nodding at his offer. "It would be nice if you showed me around, I'd like that." Martin said with a happy tone under his words.

Then, against better judgement, Martin decides to be a little bold, putting his hand on Peter's arm and looking up at him. "Lead the way." he said, trying to hold off any and all anxiety at his actions.

[archive-muses]

There was a more honest warmth to Peter's smile as Martin's came into view. Something about the younger man's ease made Peter slightly more relaxed. Martin had no way of knowing what kind of situation he walking in to and his confidence in Peter's ability to guide him through it filled the Captain with a certain amount of satisfaction. Confidence bred trust, and trust was something he dearly needed if he was to win him over.

As Martin's hand touched him, there was an almost imperceptible flinch. He barely moved, his face did not change and his eyes never left Martin's- but he certainly had twitched away for the briefest of microseconds. Peter was not used to being touched at all, much less suddenly. He did not move away again, but simply gestured to his right toward the side of the house. "Better to use the garden entrance. More scenic and less obvious." He started to lead Martin around to the side of the house.

Moorland House was a beautiful estate. Though seemingly overrun with a layer of fog, every corner of the several-hundred acre grounds feeling so far from where they were and the house itself towered over them both. Every window seemed somehow far, even from Peter's six-foot-four frame and every pane seemed to reflect the fog in a perfect mask of opaque grey. If there had been anyone watching, they wouldn't have been impossible to see. Peter didn't seem to take note of it, either too used to the feeling or perceiving it differently.

Around them was the picture of a professionally planted garden, stones placed perfectly in a path around the house. As they came to a cross section of the path, Peter turned to the right toward the door, but Martin would be able to see the area they would be gathering later. There were people, most wearing cloaks, barely moving in an area clearly regularly used for events. Peter did not elude to them at all, nor comment on how much thicker the fog was behind them.

"In here." He pushed open the door to let Martin in.

[foqhearted]

Martin held onto Peters arm as the pair walked through the garden, the younger seeming to revel in the serenity of the fog. "It's beautiful.." Martin whispered, unable to help but admire his surroundings, it was truly breathtaking.

As they saw the other figures, Martin's grip on Peter tightened ever so slightly, leaning into the older man like a safety net and being more than glad to follow him in the other direction.

"Thank you" he replied as the pair entered the door, Martin looking around in a silent awe at the houses interior.

[archive-muses]

The side entrance Peter lead them through took them into a small and narrow room with a floor of cement. In the rightmost corner sat boots and gloves, coats hung just above along with a pair of waders. Peter stepped in behind Martin to shut the door, barely pausing before he moved around him to a door to their immediate left. It seemed Peter had decided on the actually gardener's entrance as apposed to the entrance close to the event. He was still taking they that way, though.

He lead Martin through the door, pausing to allow the younger man to readjust his grip as Peter was certain he would want to do, now that they were standing at the end of a wider hallway. The walls were a deep stained wood with floors to match, long carpets lining them. The walls were adorned with what looked to be family photos, though when they were looked at directly it would be hard to say who exactly was in them. Portraits seemed to dot the surfaces of some walls that could be seen in rooms they passed, but again they were hard to fully grasp. Even as they walked, the chill of loneliness started to creep in around them. Peter began to feel almost physically distant and it wasn't until they rounded a corner that he seemed to take notice.

"Ahh." He stopped walking, looking directly at Martin, focusing on him with that same warmth he had given him earlier. That feeling of distance seemed to leave almost as soon as he was focused on him and it seemed to be staying away. "So sorry. that usually isn't a concern for me. Can't have you getting too far. the house changes from time to time." It certainly would with so many Lukas' at home. "So- what would you like to see? Kitchen? Library?" He gestured between the intersection they had arrived at.

[foqhearted]

Martin readjusted his grip and leant further into the safety he had found in his proximity to Peter, his hands wrapping around the older man's upper arm. He looked up to make eye contact with Peter, mirroring the warmth he was being given, a genuine smile still on his face.

"Oh well- uhm-" he stammered over his words, seeming a little embarrassed, "I'm not sure.. maybe the library?" Martin continued, awkwardly flustered at being in such a big house, it was so unfamiliar for him.

[archive-muses]

Peter let out an earnest chuckle as he tugged Martin toward the hallway he knew would lead them that way. "It wasn't a space I used myself for much beyond the quiet." He explained, pausing briefly at a crossway as if to consider where the house might have moved the room "But it is an impressive collection."

After a few more paces Peter paused in front of a large set of doors, pushing them open casually. the room inside looked like a library plucked straight from the fairytales of old. It was two floors, stacked with books and organized into clear sections. Each was labeled down to the subsection and among the many genres sat one simply called 'Lukas Family Archives'. On entrance, there was a person sat on a central table next to that section with an ancient book in their hands. Not at the table, but on it. They were facing Martin and Peter, but disappeared as soon as eyes met their form. Nothing but a glimpse of black hair and black fabric. Peter noticed, but didn't really comment.

"You could find most things in here, with a particular focus on The Lonely." He knew that would be obvious, but it felt worth mentioning regardless.

[foqhearted]

Martin looked around in awe, silently admiring the room. He didn't seem to react at all to the figure that disappeared, having already accepted people just... did that here.

"It's..." he cleared his throat, shaking his head and looking up at Peter, "it's incredible..." he finally managed to say, leaning into the captains arm once again.

[archive-muses]

"You used to work in the Magnus Library, didn't you?" Peter asked with a comfortable tone "Did you enjoy your time there? Fan of books?"

Peter was unused to small talk beyond his own goals. As much as this was to further the goal of drawing Martin in, the conversation was still difficult for him. Tangential relation was not the same as direct conversation about the topic and day to day conversation was something Peter had avoided for a long time. Still, it seemed somehow less difficult with Martin.

[madhouse-institute]

Can someone explain to me why we call Peter/Martin PMart- when MARTER is right there?

Like I know it's not spelt the same, but MARTER sounding like Martyr is way too perfect for their relationship. Please, I beg- we need Marter.