Jules of Nature
almost home
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@totallynotanagent
Hi, my name is Algernon Hemingway. Just a friendly face who is quite willing to lend an ear to listen. No need to look into my background, I'm just an average person.
If you have questions, I'm willing to answer to the best of my abilities.
[Hiya! Welcome to the blog. You're currently about to enter the OOC side of things. Where you can learn more about the oc (then what's above already) + other things (like the tag system!)]
*oliver and trav had been connected again for a while at this point, and while the kids normally stopped to at least talk to ernest when they came back into the shop today they just went straight to their room. something seemed off about them, their posture was the same as the times the traveler had tried to infect ernest, weirdly perfect and always moving in slightly over-exaggerated motions*
(ooc: prolly should’ve interacted with ernest earlier in all this too…mb i guess - @the-hive-traveler )
Ernest hadn’t exactly been doing the best to keep notes or so on Oliver due to a variety of reasons yet when he does see the other come into the shop and move straight to the back without a word, it does certainly worry him.
He moved to poke his head into the back. “Hey kid! You feeling alright?”
*they wave a hand at him, and ernest swears he can see puppet strings wrapped around their wrist for a fraction of a second*
i’m fine
Ernest raised an eyebrow at the simply wave before just properly standing in the doorway and staring. "Well, it doesn't seem to be fine if you didn't do the usual of coming in and saying hi before going to hide away."
*shit*
i just forgot, it’s nothing, really
"Well if you say so. But how have you been recently?"
i’ve been feeling wonderful
*they smile, but it has none of the warmth of their normal expression*
"I would like to doubt your statement due to witnessing a sudden break in routine. Would you like to try your answer again?"
*oliver and trav had been connected again for a while at this point, and while the kids normally stopped to at least talk to ernest when they came back into the shop today they just went straight to their room. something seemed off about them, their posture was the same as the times the traveler had tried to infect ernest, weirdly perfect and always moving in slightly over-exaggerated motions*
(ooc: prolly should’ve interacted with ernest earlier in all this too…mb i guess - @the-hive-traveler )
Ernest hadn’t exactly been doing the best to keep notes or so on Oliver due to a variety of reasons yet when he does see the other come into the shop and move straight to the back without a word, it does certainly worry him.
He moved to poke his head into the back. “Hey kid! You feeling alright?”
*they wave a hand at him, and ernest swears he can see puppet strings wrapped around their wrist for a fraction of a second*
i’m fine
Ernest raised an eyebrow at the simply wave before just properly standing in the doorway and staring. "Well, it doesn't seem to be fine if you didn't do the usual of coming in and saying hi before going to hide away."
*shit*
i just forgot, it’s nothing, really
"Well if you say so. But how have you been recently?"
*oliver and trav had been connected again for a while at this point, and while the kids normally stopped to at least talk to ernest when they came back into the shop today they just went straight to their room. something seemed off about them, their posture was the same as the times the traveler had tried to infect ernest, weirdly perfect and always moving in slightly over-exaggerated motions*
(ooc: prolly should’ve interacted with ernest earlier in all this too…mb i guess - @the-hive-traveler )
Ernest hadn’t exactly been doing the best to keep notes or so on Oliver due to a variety of reasons yet when he does see the other come into the shop and move straight to the back without a word, it does certainly worry him.
He moved to poke his head into the back. “Hey kid! You feeling alright?”
*they wave a hand at him, and ernest swears he can see puppet strings wrapped around their wrist for a fraction of a second*
i’m fine
Ernest raised an eyebrow at the simply wave before just properly standing in the doorway and staring. "Well, it doesn't seem to be fine if you didn't do the usual of coming in and saying hi before going to hide away."
*oliver and trav had been connected again for a while at this point, and while the kids normally stopped to at least talk to ernest when they came back into the shop today they just went straight to their room. something seemed off about them, their posture was the same as the times the traveler had tried to infect ernest, weirdly perfect and always moving in slightly over-exaggerated motions*
(ooc: prolly should’ve interacted with ernest earlier in all this too…mb i guess - @the-hive-traveler )
Ernest hadn’t exactly been doing the best to keep notes or so on Oliver due to a variety of reasons yet when he does see the other come into the shop and move straight to the back without a word, it does certainly worry him.
He moved to poke his head into the back. “Hey kid! You feeling alright?”
Hey dude how are ya doing?
@calaverage
"Oh I'm doing fine. Been a little caught up here and there haha. But hey! How have you been doing?" He offers a smile.
A little stressed. My boyfriend and I are in the process on moving, so that's been my life for the past few weeks.
"Really? Congrats on the move so far! If you want someone to help you out, I'm willing to help out. Or if you need a break from it, you can always come to the shop or so."
I appreciate the offer, but most of the heavy lifting is done now.
“Good to hear though. How much left you need to do to move in then? Just unpacking I’ll assume?”
Hey dude how are ya doing?
@calaverage
"Oh I'm doing fine. Been a little caught up here and there haha. But hey! How have you been doing?" He offers a smile.
A little stressed. My boyfriend and I are in the process on moving, so that's been my life for the past few weeks.
"Really? Congrats on the move so far! If you want someone to help you out, I'm willing to help out. Or if you need a break from it, you can always come to the shop or so."
Hey dude how are ya doing?
@calaverage
"Oh I'm doing fine. Been a little caught up here and there haha. But hey! How have you been doing?" He offers a smile.
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*he nods again, his eyelids starting to grow heavy*
“Though you won’t need to worry about me suddenly disappearing as I have a long list of things to do here before i can be even considered for relocation or so.” Ernest says softly.
that’s good…i don’t want you to leave…
*he sounds tired, curling into himself and leaning on ernest a bit more*
Ernest’s expression softens ever so slightly. “I won’t be here forever, so just don’t get too attached okay?” He says softly as he adjusts how he was hugging the other a bit so it was more comfortable for Oliver.
*oliver laughs quietly*
‘s a bit late for that…
Ernest’s expression flickers to one of concern for a moment before it was neutral once more. “I suppose so. Get some rest kid.”
*he nods again, fully falling asleep on ernest within a few seconds of their conversation ending*
Ernest slowly laid Oliver back down on the bed before finally leaving the back room to stand at the counter in the front. There was always something Ernest had to do after all.
*oliver curls up on the bed, his sleep free from nightmares for the time being*
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*he nods again, his eyelids starting to grow heavy*
“Though you won’t need to worry about me suddenly disappearing as I have a long list of things to do here before i can be even considered for relocation or so.” Ernest says softly.
that’s good…i don’t want you to leave…
*he sounds tired, curling into himself and leaning on ernest a bit more*
Ernest’s expression softens ever so slightly. “I won’t be here forever, so just don’t get too attached okay?” He says softly as he adjusts how he was hugging the other a bit so it was more comfortable for Oliver.
*oliver laughs quietly*
‘s a bit late for that…
Ernest’s expression flickers to one of concern for a moment before it was neutral once more. “I suppose so. Get some rest kid.”
*he nods again, fully falling asleep on ernest within a few seconds of their conversation ending*
Ernest slowly laid Oliver back down on the bed before finally leaving the back room to stand at the counter in the front. There was always something Ernest had to do after all.
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*he nods again, his eyelids starting to grow heavy*
“Though you won’t need to worry about me suddenly disappearing as I have a long list of things to do here before i can be even considered for relocation or so.” Ernest says softly.
that’s good…i don’t want you to leave…
*he sounds tired, curling into himself and leaning on ernest a bit more*
Ernest’s expression softens ever so slightly. “I won’t be here forever, so just don’t get too attached okay?” He says softly as he adjusts how he was hugging the other a bit so it was more comfortable for Oliver.
*oliver laughs quietly*
‘s a bit late for that…
Ernest’s expression flickers to one of concern for a moment before it was neutral once more. “I suppose so. Get some rest kid.”
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*he nods again, his eyelids starting to grow heavy*
“Though you won’t need to worry about me suddenly disappearing as I have a long list of things to do here before i can be even considered for relocation or so.” Ernest says softly.
that’s good…i don’t want you to leave…
*he sounds tired, curling into himself and leaning on ernest a bit more*
Ernest’s expression softens ever so slightly. “I won’t be here forever, so just don’t get too attached okay?” He says softly as he adjusts how he was hugging the other a bit so it was more comfortable for Oliver.
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*he nods again, his eyelids starting to grow heavy*
“Though you won’t need to worry about me suddenly disappearing as I have a long list of things to do here before i can be even considered for relocation or so.” Ernest says softly.
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
makes sense
“But I’ll definitely treasure my time here in Hatchetfield for as long as I’m stationed here.”
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
…i think it would miss holloway then, technically?
i don’t think my name would match this oliver’s though
"Still, regardless I would also be denied to taking another with me on missions. Would put too much risk on having a mission fail or even put innocents at risk!"
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
*he rolls his eyes*
‘s not like i have parents here anyways
*he found out from leif that this timeline’s oliver was orphaned, unfortunately that seems to be pretty constant with most timelines he’s seen. the ones where he was raised in hatchetfield anyways*
"Legally you would be someone's kid still. As your name would match up to someone somewhere." Ernest moves his hand slightly to do a small hand gesture. "Not sure how it would all work exactly, I didn't go into a law degree for a reason."
*as ernest opens the shop in the morning he can hear crying from the back room, the door is open a crack but the lights inside are turned off*
(ooc: i just need these two to interact more-@the-hive-traveler)
At hearing crying, he moves to see what the source of it is. He lingers just at the door for a moment before entering though he doesn't turn the lights on just yet. "Hey kid, how you doing?" He softly says into the darkness.
*oliver’s curled up on his bed, crying in his sleep. it looks like he’s having a nightmare of some kind*
Ernest stared for a moment, hesitating before moving closer to sit on the edge of the bed and to start gently shaking the other's shoulder. "Wakey wakey bud."
*oliver flinches hard at the touch, but that movement is enough to wake him up. his eyes are yellow for just a second before he blinks and they return to their normal green*
e-ernest?
Ernest offers a small smile to Oliver. "Hey kid, it's just me I promise. I thought to come and check in on you."
*he doesn’t say anything in response, he just sits up and leans on ernest, glad he isn’t alone*
Ernest just lets the other do so, he gently pats the other's shoulder at random intervals. "How have you been adjusting living back here? Hopefully it isn't too strange for you, kid"
i dunno… ‘s weird to actually have a place to stay
*his voice is quiet, he’s still a bit shaken up from his nightmares*
"That's so fair. It is probably quite weird for you. But I can assure you I'll keep doing my best to make this a comfortable place to stay in."
*he hums a bit in acknowledgment, curling into himself as he keeps leaning on ernest*
you’ve done m-more than e-enough for me ernest
"I know, but I can keep doing more. Since I know if I keep pushing myself I can do more for you and help you."
you really d-don’t have to…
"I know I don't have too, but I want too." Ernest offered a smile. "However in the meantime I want you to be able to rest well. So would you be willing to discuss what has brought you such uneasy rest?"
*he frowns a bit at that, he still doesn’t understand why ernest is so kind to him, he feels like he doesn’t deserve it*
*at ernest’s question oliver just leans into him more, desperate to know someone else is there, that he isn’t alone*
…nightmares
"Ah, nightmares. Are they constant or is this a one time thing that happens every once in a while?" Ernest asked, his tone soft.
every time i fall asleep i get them…
*he hasn’t had any need to sleep in a long time, the hive always provided all of that for them. he didn’t have to eat or sleep at all under their control*
A few usual methods to deal with nightmares come to Ernest's mind but he dismissed them for now. "Do you want to discuss what the nightmares contain?"
*he takes a long while to decide if he wants to share or not*
*eventually he takes a deep breath, getting ready to take*
s-sometimes it’s about w-when i first got infected with e-eth’n an’ uncle t-tony
a-and other t-times it’s about…i-it’s about the b-box
it’s an awful place ernest i-it’s…
*he starts to cry again, hugging his knees tight to his chest as he keeps leaning on ernest*
Ernest moves just enough so he can lightly hug Oliver. "You don't need to keep telling me if it's too painful. I can certainly imagine it was terrible and awful."
*oliver collapses into the hug, nodding as he keeps crying into ernest*
Ernest just gently pats the other's back. "I really wish I could do more to help you out, but all I can do is offer what I'm already doing and comfort."
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, too tired to hold himself up*
this is m-more than e-enough…
Ernest just sort of keeps Oliver in the hug to keep the other up. “Then we can remain like this till you may feel better.”
*he nods, glad that ernest is willing to stay with him*
Ernest would have hummed to help soothe the other more, but knew it would likely be a terrible choice to do so alongside the fact Ernest sort of dislike any musical note of sorts coming out of himself nowadays. So he just allows it to be silent while just gently rubbing the other's back.
*oliver stays collapsed into ernest, staying silent for a long while before speaking barely above a whisper*
‘m sorry…
"No need to say sorry, kids. Nightmares happen. Resurfacing of terrible memories also happens even if it's not exactly fun. I can relate to those to aspects to some degree."
‘s not your p-problem to deal with…
"Welp, even if it's not my problem to deal with I'll still choose to help out. It's like helping a friend move a couch or so, you don't have to do it but if you do then it's going to make it easier for the friend."
*he hums in acknowledgment, the reasoning makes sense, even if oliver still doesn’t feel like he deserves ernest’s help*
"I'm also already helping you out, so doing a bit more also isn't that bad as well." Ernest offered a small yet tired smile. "However I can happily change the topic if you want to focus on something more positive."
*oliver nods, he’s not feeling particularly talkative but ernest’s talking is giving him something to focus on other than his nightmares so he’s more than happy to keep listening*
"Since I could always offer some tales of my time before I was even with PEIP! As I have some wild tales of when I was younger and so." Ernest says before trailing off afterwards as if realizing something yet continuing onwards. "I could even tell you of some missions I've completed before coming to Hatchetfield."
*he shrugs*
‘s up to you, ‘m happy to listen to any story
"Then I shall tell you of when I was younger, since when I was growing up it was a bit strange. Mainly as I left unattended as a child a lot. So I was playing with my friends in the forest near my home, as it was quite the usual thing my friends and I did, we were play-fighting with these large sticks. My friend and I get into this fight but before long she strikes me with enough force to actually hit me!" Ernest takes a moment to move his hands to exaggerate the story a bit more.
"Wham! I go down quite hard and when I open my eyes again I see her over the top of me panicked so much. As she thought she was going to get in so much trouble. But I simply smile at her, got up and tried to get back into the fight. She stopped me since she said I was bleeding, which I hadn't noticed but then felt my face and it was bleeding quite a lot." Ernest then points to his own face, where the one visible scar on his face was.
"And I had to run home as I was panicked that I was dying from the blood. But I wasn't and I just got taken to the hospital to be patched up." He then chuckled as he finished off the story.
*he uncurls a bit, looking up at ernest so he can see his scar. he smiles a bit at the image of a younger ernest running home*
“My parents were quite worried when they saw me though. They thought I had been fighting some older kid that had handed me my ass. But nope! Just a little friendly sparring gone a bit wrong ha.” Ernest let out one more little chuckle.
“I’ve had situations like that occur here and there. But that’s the only one that can only ever come to mind nowadays.”
*oliver sits up a bit more, leaning on ernest’s shoulder rather than being fully collapsed into him*
d’ you have any pictures from when you were a kid?
Ernest lightly tapped the top of Oliver’s head once as he thought for a moment. “I do have a single photo of myself on me, yet most of them I keep at my mother’s house as if I traveled with so many personal documents it would jeopardise my entire job.” He said before moving one hand to pull out his wallet and then a photo that was in decent condition of a young Ernest with his family.
*he smiles a bit at the tap, adjusting a bit more so he can see the picture*
Ernest offers the photo to Oliver so the other could see it way better. “It’s not a special photo, but it’s the one I keep with me in case anything happens. So people know I was loved at least.” Ernest says quietly before clearing his throat.
“Yet before the question does get asked, my family is alive and well. I visit them when I get the chance too, which isn’t too often but I’m glad I can still do so.”
*he takes it, examining the photo*
do they live close?
“Nope! They live quite far away and I’m glad for that. As it means I have no chance of seeing them while I’m on the job nor can they risk being harmed at all.”
*he nods*
that’s good, ‘s too bad that it would be harder to visit them though
“Eh it’s not too bad when I want to visit as I can always make the trip down to them to do so. Plus I have a photo on me so I can’t exactly forget I can go visit or so.”
*he hands the photo back to ernest*
do you still call them and stuff?
Ernest tucks the photo back into his wallet. “I can’t exactly call them too often, but when I have the rare chance I will.”
*he nods, still leaning on ernest*
“It’s mostly to protect them after all. Though there’s that little want inside almost begging to go back and stay close to assure that nothing truly bad happens.” Ernest goes back to rambling to some capacity.
“I enjoy the travel that comes with work as it’s truly amazing even if it’s not for the funniest of reasons at times.”
*he just listens to ernest for a while, his mind wandering to other timeline’s he’s seen. he’s seen an older version of himself that was a peip agent, he knows how dangerous the job can be*
do you have to travel a lot?
Ernest nodded. “Indeed. I go wherever I’m sent, mainly if it’s needed to gather information or to keep an eye on certain people.”
“Still not sure why I’ve been sent to this town just yet. I haven’t exactly been informed of this original mission’s purpose.”
*oliver shrugs*
probably cause this town is just weird, all sorts of magic shit happening
“And yet there are many other agents within this town that can handle the likely situation here. But I’m glad I’ve been sent here, I’ve made some friends alongside having the chance to help you out.”
*he smiles, leaning into ernest a bit more*
‘m glad you’re here too
“That’s good to know. Since with all the weird things that happen in this town I’ve learned to just accept it and keep moving. It’s not like weird situations didn’t happen outside of this town, it was just never to the degree that I had seen here.” Ernest chuckled softly.
“I feel like when it is time for me to go somewhere else I’ll see it as quite boring since it’ll be less exciting then here.”
*oliver nods*
i think everything weird that’s happened to me happened in hatchetfield
…i hope you get to stay here for a while
“And is it because you’ve lived in Hatchetfield all your life?” Ernest asked, clearly a bit curious.
“I’m also hoping to stay here quite a while, it’s been nice to settle down in a place for this amount of time! I’ve nearly considered Hatchetfield home by accident a few times.”
*he shakes his head*
grew up in a different town, about halfway between flint and detroit
i got infected when i was visiting, and i just…haven’t left since then
*the hive wouldn’t let them leave hatchetfield, he hasn’t been able to leave since then. he doesn’t know what happened to any of his friends back home or his parents*
“Oh? That’s not fun to hear. Sorry you got infected and basically was trapped within town for so long. At least your free to do whatever you want nowadays! So you can always make up for lost time?”
eh…i’m alright just staying here honestly
i don’t really remember much of my life outside of hatchetfield anyways…
“You have the chance to travel now at least. Even if it’s for a bit of fun or to experience what the world has to offer.”
*he shrugs*
i guess so
"I would offer to take you with me when I eventually do leave Hatchetfield, but I don't think my work would allow me to do that for a few reasons. Mostly the fact I can't just take someone else's kid with me to potentially dangerous missions."
