new arreyeval [open!]

[hellojon]

Who: Elias Bouchard & OPEN!
When: mid-April
Where: ADI and around
Summary: getting settled & visiting a graveyard
Warnings: will edit if needed

around ADI
Elias finds himself fitting right into Administration. There's a part of him that wants to go into Research, of course. That desire to learn, to know, to figure out and explore whatever is going on still lives strong in his mind. But for the moment, Administration fits. After all, the more he learns about this place behind the scenes, the more information he has and he can use to shift things to go his way.

It is very easy to doctor a paper trail if you work in the department involved in paper trails to begin with.

The problem with working in administration is that Elias needs to do busy work. And with people vanishing on a daily basis (something which he tried to Know the cause of and was very put out that the only thing he received in return was a nosebleed), the new guy gets stuck with the busy work: roll call.

So he approaches people, he'll ask, "Pardon me. You're someone from a different world, correct?"

50 steps
Well. This is interesting.

Having seen his demise once already (stabbed, beaten bloody at the hands of the Archivist of all people), Elias lingers around the graveyard anyway. Curiosity wins out: how does this place count a death? Would he see how the body of Jonah Magnus died? What about possible deaths? After all, if he knows about this death, why would he keep things the same and let it come to pass?

That curiosity is driving him. So he lingers in the graveyard, to the point that he's still there when they're rounding up people to leave, walking around as he looks for those steps again.

wildcard
He's around ADI, so hit me up with anything!

Comments

(Oh boy Elias Bouchard nothing will go wrong x2)

[rainestorms]

Raine wasn't apart of Administration. Their job in research that they'd just started didn't do any prying into things they'd like to be looking into. Namely, whatever weird things were going on internally at the ADI. It didn't surprise Raine at all, honestly. the secret organisation that harbours a bunch of inter-dimensional beings that they treat like criminals because they're connected to fear monsters is an alarming thing.

But Raine knew there were gaps in the truth, and they didn't like how their less humanoid looking friends were treated. Everything to Raine felt a bit too close to the Coven System for comfort, so they began to snoop around.

Today they'd wandered into the Administration office. Nobody had seemed to take notice of them quite yet, so they-

It took a second for Raine to realise the human stranger was in fact talking to them. Did they blend in too well this time somehow? Why would somebody ask if they're from another world? They weren't using any magic. Still, they'd made (very awkward) eye contact with him, so it was best to say something.

"Uhhh, me?" Raine responded, and pointed to themself. "I'm. Um. No..?"

They gave him an awkward grin as they cringed at themself. No??? Really??? It was incredibly obvious that it was a lie.

he's just a normal man! just an innocent man!

[hellojon]

It is incredibly obvious. Elias can't help but give Raine a little chuckle as he points out, "You're not in trouble. We've simply had a few disappearances lately and I've been tasked to gather intel about those who have left and verify ADI's roster of people who have been brought in from different worlds."

Elias looks down at a clipboard, before looking back at Raine. "Raine Whispers, correct?"

Notably, nowhere in this conversation has Elias said that he is one of those people who been brought in from different worlds.

this is literally just your average guy.

[rainestorms]

Raine uneasily shifted the strap of their violin case around their chest. Something about the fact that he knew their name immediately felt strange. They understood they didn't look normal by human standards; having pointy ears and naturally green hair would definitely negate ever fitting in without a glamor. But the two had never met before, and Raine had doubts that their name was anywhere close to the top of the list.

They tried to glance at the clipboard to see what exactly was on it, and tried not to look too obvious.

"Wouldn't it be faster to do it all at once? There are.. a lot of people from different worlds here," They feigned curiosity, and dodged the question of their name for the time being. "And I've never seen you around before. Are you new?"

[hellojon]

The clipboard...actually is what Elias says it is. A list of names and assigned rooms. One of the names is crossed through and a few more of them have checkmarks beside them.

"It would most certainly be faster to do it all at once. But I'm sure you've worked in an office before—or, at least a job with a hierarchical sort of structure. You always sent the grunt work to the new recruit, just to see how well they can do and to...test their capabilities."

He offers a hand to Raine to shake, giving them a small nod in the process. "Elias Bouchard. And yes, I am new."

A is for 'Around ADI'

[assays]

Peggy doesn't believe she will ever feel at ease in this place. It has barely been a month since she arrived and she can't quite explain her experiences. But she wasn't the kind of person that gave up easily so while she was here, her determination to look out for others wasn't going to go away.

Working in administration is something that didn't appeal to her. For so long, her colleagues back home thought that was all Peggy was good for. A secretary, not an agent. Even with that in mind, Peggy hasn't fully decided what kind of job role to fall into - this was especially hard when she didn't exactly trust the people in charge.

The sound of a familiar accent rouses Peggy out of her thoughts as she looks up at Elias, blinking at him for a moment.

"Yes, I am." She replies in an equally polite tone before offering him a slight smile. "I was led to believe that we were all from a different world. Why do you ask?"

Re: A is for 'Around ADI'

[hellojon]

Elias gives Peggy a smile and a little nod. Everything about him feels like someone who's fit in perfectly well with Administration: this is a man designed for middle management.

"Routine paperwork, nothing more." There's a clipboard in one hand. He holds it to himself before offering his free hand for Peggy to shake.

"They give these sorts of things to the new hires, after all. Elias Bouchard—pleasure to meet you."

2 steps forward, 50 steps back

[gammasystem]

Bruce Banner, when you take away the reputation usually associated with him, tends to be a very unassuming figure. Even in the context back home his face has a remarkable tendency to go unrecognized, unnoticed, disregarded for its unimportant nature. It was equal parts a blessing and a curse really.

Though in this moment he finds it something more of a blessing, the lack of attention doesn't carry the same weight or desperate need as it did at home. Graveyards may not be most people's first picks to hang around but death is a familiar friend and he can find some comfort in reflecting on how it may very well be permanent here. Besides, an even further lack of prying types makes it almost relaxing.

He did notice a pair here, though. Someone who didn't seem to be here on mourning terms or anything of the sort. They were looking for something, he figured that much. Observing from afar before he'd steadily make his way over. They were quite quiet when necessary, and he didn't aim to draw attention to himself until he was in a comfortable speaking distance.

"Lost something?" Bruce finally said with a slight clearing of his throat.

[assays]

She has come across people like him before. Those who had a talent for being efficient and organised. Ticking off their clipboards and carrying a lot more paperwork than they really should be. Perhaps if her life hadn’t gone the way it did, she may have found herself in such a role.

"Peggy Carter. A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bouchard." Peggy accepts the offered hand with a smile and gives it a firm, polite shake. "I have yet to find myself a position in this place. I arrived last month."

[hellojon]

"Well, we'd always welcome another face in Administration, Ms. Carter." Elias has been in the position, been with ADI less than a week and yet he's acting like he's been working here forever. Admittedly, he did have a bit of a leg up compared to others. But Elias does not want to look like he doesn't know what he's doing or look like he's new here.

As far as he's concerned? He has everything under control.

"If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them for you."

[assays]

“I shall keep the offer in mind, thank you.” Peggy is sure she doesn’t want to make any commitments just yet, unless she really needed something to do to pass the time. She is more keen to discover a way out of this place rather than setting down some roots. There was bound to be someone else who felt the same way as her.

“But I suppose I should ask what is expected of someone should they choose to work in Administration. Is everyday the same or does it bring unique challenges?”

She could use this as a way of gaining insightful information. Well, that is Peggy’s hope at least.

Re: 2 steps forward, 50 steps back

[hellojon]

Bruce manages to catch him off guard. Elias lets out a little noise of acknowledgement as he turns around to give the man a small nod of acknowledgement.

"Not really. I'm simply...curious." There's a pause before he asks, "I assume you've heard the rumors about the staircase here?"

[gammasystem]

He stayed that distance away until Elias gave him the acknowledgement before he moved up just a bit closer. His eyes too moving around their surroundings slowly, taking it in.

“I’ve heard some bits and pieces, not much though.” He responded as he grimaced a bit at the thought, “It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing people should be seeking out if I’m gonna be honest. What has you curious enough to go looking?”

[hellojon]

"Simply the mechanics of the matter." Elias walks towards Bruce, tone casual, perfectly fine making idle conversation as he continues talking.

"The stairs are supposed to show us the moment of our death. But considering the wide array of people brought in by ADI, it wouldn't surprise me if some have already died. And even then, surely knowing about the moment of our death would end up changing the actual death itself."

He's talking about these things like they're perfectly normal, the sort of thing that always happens. Talking about the metaphysical nature of this Entity nonsense? Must be Tuesday.

[hellojon]

Elias shrugs slightly. "I would say that if you chose to keep things the same, then every day is the same. But you're not the sort of woman to make that choice."

It's said as a statement of fact, not a guess. Elias continues the idle conversation as he points out, "Personally, I'd say that trying to create a paper trail long enough to hide the seizure of a giant lobster a unique challenge—but I'm certainly aware that others might not feel the same way."

[gammasystem]

Bruce nodded to the other as he walked closer, though he seemed to tense a tad more. His gaze flickering over Elias like he was picking the other apart quickly to figure what the angle was here. Though he swiftly looked off and away as he adjusted his glasses idly.

“Some have. In my experience trying to prevent it can easily compound into it’s coming to be just as effectively as trying to avoid it.” He let out a soft sigh and shook his head, everything about the way he held himself was drawn in, mild and quiet. Too quiet, too purposeful.

“It seems like more trouble than it’s worth. It’s something of an inevitable for most people. Though that’d even be assuming these deaths you see regardless of how many steps there are up and down are the truth and nothing but.” He gave a small, tense shrug. “The multiverse is infinite, what could be a real death may be only real for some other facet of yourself in the grand picture.”

Bruce trailed off a bit before glancing to Elias, “It’s all theoretical.”

[assays]

It is an interesting statement. Though she doesn't say anything about it. The next part of his sentence has Peggy raising an eyebrow as she tries to imagine that scenario playing out in front of her.

"I would consider the very existence of a giant lobster as a unique challenge, regardless of any kind of paperwork." She's had to hide many things from the public as part of being a spy during the war and now as an agent. But never a giant lobster.

"Now I am curious about how these others would feel about it."

[hellojon]

See, all this talk, even if it is 'theoretical' is like catnip to Elias. At his core, he wants to know. And talking, shooting the breeze, coming up with theories that range from possible to improbable...well, it's not as vindicating and as refreshing as the call of knowledge and information itself is. But it's the next best thing.

"That it is," he nods. "But in order to get the fear behind it, in order to drink off the power inherent in the terror, a death must be theoretical and plausible. If you get horrifically seasick, it's easy to rationalize away a vision of you drowning in the open ocean. But if you live in a dangerous neighborhood, death by gun violence is far more likely."

There's a small pause before, "Which adds another little wrinkle to the conversation. These deaths we see must be theoretical yet plausible, a death that you can try to avoid but still has the slightest chance of happening."

[hellojon]

"About the giant lobster?" he asks, a wry smile in his voice. His expression shifts to a grin that matches the smile, if a little more intent, as he points out, "I suspect the others would feel it was quite delicious."

[gammasystem]

Bruce nodded along though his jaw started to set as Elias continued his own side to the little philosophy they were discussing. There was something old and familiar about the idea of seeing the different ways one person could die. In the same way returning to childhood home was, only this time its condemned and boarded, no solace in a visit.

“If that’s the case, I suppose I don’t see any point in exposing that nerve, or inviting in that fear. Satisfaction may bring back the cat but the weight of dying over unreigned curiousity seems pointless.”

His eyes lingered on the tombstones around them as he paused a moment. “I’ve come to believe in recent time that life deserves more appreciation in the moment you live it, rather than-“ he sucked in a subtle breath and nodded with the quiet exhale. “Chasing it’s ends or fighting to stop it. It’s two sides of the same destructive coin.”

[rainestorms]

Raine still isn't convinced. There's no pictures on the roster. They don't know what this guy's deal is, but the introduction of Elias Bouchard doesn't make them feel much better.

Maybe it's the accent. Belos had a similar one.

Still, they go along with the formalities, and give him a very— emphasis on very— brief handshake.

"Well, I hope adjusting hasn't been too hard for you." They don't want to change the subject from just how weird this guy is, though. "So... how have you been figuring out who's who?"

[hellojon]

"Door to door work at the start," Elias shrugs. "ADI has a list of who's staying where, of course. The first step is footwork. Go to the apartment, knock on the door, fully expect to get the door slammed in your face again."

There's a lightness to his tone, a slight hint of sarcasm as he mentions getting doors slammed in his face. Still, it's to be expected. And, as far as he's concerned, it's certainly a believable lie.

cw: brief reference to eye/body horror

[hellojon]

Elias can't help but let out a small, low chuckle at that, as if Bruce made an inside joke without realizing it. Yes, fighting to stop death is certainly destructive. It especially was destructive to poor Elias Bouchard, a young man who just wanted to make a name for himself, who never really had a choice as Jonah Magnus slid into the man's brain, the man's body, reaching towards his eyes to remove them with a simple twist.

He keeps that to himself. Instead, his gaze follows Bruce's as he looks at the tombstone as well.

"Humanity certainly has it's fair share of destructive habits—ones that you can accomplish without seeking out visions in a graveyard. One more drink. One bad day. You're just angry." His gaze shifts so that he's looking at Bruce now, gazing at him in a way that's borderline creepy.

"Perhaps that is the point in exposing that nerve. Curiosity, yes. But also adrenaline."

[gammasystem]

If he wasn’t on edge before there was something cold and calculating in specific wording used by Elias that made the hair on Bruce’s neck stand on end.

One more drink… he could imagine the smell of whiskey on ones breath too close for comfort. One bad day… like the tombstone he’d settled on was smeared in red. You’re just angry… a bomb waiting to blow, a green cloud. It was like bile in his throat, he’s better than that, they’ve found a balance, they’ve moved on.

Bruce’s attention rips from the tombstone to get out of his own head only to catch the piercing stare of Elias. His own deep brown eyes locking on and finding it hard to avoid the gaze.

His brows furrowed and his face knit in discomfort. “I try to avoid adrenaline jumps if I can. But to teach their own, I suppose.”

Bruce hesitated a moment before finding his voice again. “I don’t think I caught your name.”

[hellojon]

The piercing stare shifts. There's a moment where his gaze lingers a bit too long on Bruce and his eyes before Elias blinks, gaze faltering, everything shifting to a more cavalier and casual mood, the seeming intensity of Elias's gaze vanishing. At the statement, he gives Bruce a little nod, offering his hand as he says,

"Well, that was rather rude of me." A small chuckle before, "Elias Bouchard. Pleasure to meet you, Mister...?"

[gammasystem]

Bruce watched the emotion and intensity fade into a more approachable nature but Bruce didn't quite buy it. Something was up, in his mind, but he let his own shoulders relax in response.

"Banner, Bruce Banner." He responded, looking down at his offered hand before back to Elias's face. "Sorry, I don't really do touch. Nothing personal." He looked him up and down again before tilting his head to the side a bit. "I take it you work for the ADI?"