Inbox

[skeletonkeay]

INBOX OF GERARD KEAY

Point of contact for Pumpkin Hollow. Gerry can be reached by phone, mail, or a visit to his shop during business hours. Pinhole Printing and Binding is open from 11am to 6pm every day except Tuesday, because fuck Tuesday, or unless Gerry deigns otherwise.

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Comments

[skeletonkeay]

"You basically did buy a person, Jon. That's why he's so pissed. That's why I didn't wanna tell you what it did."

A hand goes to the bridge of his aquiline nose, and he presses his thumb and index finger firmly to either side.

"I--- In fairness to you, I don't actually know you that well to be able to predict what you might've done with that information. But I know Gertrude Robinson. And I know that if I told her what that thing was, she would want to test it. See how it could be used to further her agenda. And even if her agenda was ultimately to beat the bad guys or whatever, she would've done it at Cecil's expense if she was in your shoes," Gerry explains. "I don't know how much like her you are. I don't know how much of that was Gertrude and how much of it was Archivist, and I don't know what parts of that you got in the change over. I couldn't tell you what that paper could do while it was in your hands. I just had to hope you would take my word for it. A gambit that... didn't pay off."

[apocryphalarchivist]

For a moment, Jon considers his words, brows lightly furrowed.

"I understand your experience with Gertrude bringing you to that conclusion. For better or worse, though, I am not Gertrude Robinson. I haven't got her-- ruthless, no-nonsense, direct approach to all things she assumed responsibility of. I haven't got enough sense not to fall into half of the traps laid for me, and not terribly much more self-preservation or skill to prevent those things from happening, even if I did."

He glances back Gerry's way from where his attention drifted off to the side, though, and his expression softened.

"Unlike Gertrude, though, I could never justify harm to those around me to further my own personal wishes. Even for the greater good. ...I know she hurt you deeply, and that she set a precedent for Archivists to do much the same, but I hope, with time, I can show you I don't intend to follow that legacy she left. And... I'm sorry. For not taking your word for it. I've no reason to distrust you, but... people wanting seemingly mundane things for incredibly impactful purposes is something I've seen a few too many times, and I let my paranoia get the better of me."

[skeletonkeay]

"...I shouldn't have gotten rough with you," Gerry admits after a moment of processing Jon's explanation. "It's not that I think you're like her, I just--- didn't know one way or the other, and I--- I was scared. I was scared of what could happen to Cecil. I've never had anything so overwhelmingly, beautifully, unstoppably positive in my life as what I have with Cecil and I would do fucking anything to keep him safe. So when I thought he might get hurt, I panicked. And I scared you. M'sorry."

[apocryphalarchivist]

Jon's quiet for a moment, but gives a nod, frowning gently.

"I understand. ...Getting scared was no excuse for doing what I did, either. I'm sorry. You've had good intentions, as long as I've known you, and I won't let paranoia and panic leave me breaching your free will the way I did. You have my word."

[skeletonkeay]

At that, Gerry lets out a sigh. "I can't really... say how much I believe that. Not because I think you want to do that, but because this was a knee-jerk reaction. But I think you mean well. I just--- gotta explain this all to Cecil."

[apocryphalarchivist]

"I'll just have to work to prove it to you, then. And I'll do so."

At the remark about Cecil, Jon frowns, letting out a light breath.

"I'm not anticipating much success in mending, if our recent interactions are anything to go off of. ...Do tell me how it goes when you get a chance, though, if you wouldn't mind. If nothing else, then to put some finality on the situation."