Chapter Text
Prologue: The Web
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Jonathan,” Elias says from across the desk. The resume that Elias only briefly looked over before their meeting lay in front of him. It wasn’t the applicant's qualifications that interested him, but his history.
The two sit in Elias’ office, his door is shut to keep out any interruptions. When Jonathan walked into the office, Elias offered a polite greeting and immediately ushered the man to sit. Jon awkwardly sat down. Elias didn’t need to read his mind to see that the other man was tense.
He's shorter than Elias, and likely twenty pounds lighter. Elias notices the dark circles under the man’s eyes and the way his hands fidget in his lap. Jonathan’s dressed in typical business casual: an oversized collared shirt and a beige sweater vest tucked into his dress pants. Elias can tell the clothes are old; either second hand or one of his only pairs. He’s beautiful.
Jonathan doesn’t make eye contact, but Elias is unbothered. While some consider the lack of eye contact rude, Elias knew it was nervousness. Jonathan was leaving his second interview with the Head of Research when Elias first noticed him. He asked the Research Head if she’d intended on hiring him. When she told Elias yes, he requested that interview with the man first. Elias typically doesn’t meet with applicants anything below a department head, but Jonathan Sims was marked by the web. Even as they sat together Elias felt the cobwebs surrounding the man’s head. The fear of spiders and need for control. Elias wants to know him.
“I appreciate you taking the time, Mr. Bouchard.” His eyes still don’t meet Elias’, but he looks up at him with a professional half smile.
“Of course. I’ve spoken with the Head of Research and she seemed very pleased by your past experience. She believes you to be a fine fit for the position.” Jonathan’s eyes widened at the compliment, but his head ducked down. Elias smiled to himself as the man blushed, clearly unsure of how to take flattery. “So just consider this more of a formality.” Elias continues, Jonathan clears his throat and looks up again. “Please indulge me, why don’t we start with some of your career goals?”
He rattles off a pre-scripted five-year plan about future growth at the institute. Elias listens, watching the way his head bobs around as he speaks. Nodding, Elias looks into the other man’s mind, searching for memories of his mark by the web.
He sees the Leitner in Jonathan’s mind, A Guest for Mister Spider, and can feel Jon’s associated fear. Elias also notes Jonathon’s strong feelings of guilt about the book, seeing that another person died in Jonathan’s place. The web spared him and then deeply marked him. Elias sees the applicant’s thirst for knowledge, an almost obsessive drive to continue research because if he learns more he can explain what happened to him. Elias drinks the fear in, seeing more and more into the man’s mind and the impact of the web’s mark. Enough of a mark to drive him straight to The Eye.
“Pardon the odd question, but please, do answer honestly. Do you smoke, Jonathan?” Elias asks, catching him off guard. Jonathan stammers, looking down to the floor.
“I uh– yes? I smoke cigarettes.” He answers. Elias grins. He can see in Jon’s mind the self-consciousness of attending an interview smelling like smoke.
“Thank you for humoring me.” Jon taps his leg and chews his lip, clearly at a loss of how to respond. Finally, he nods, waiting for the next question. Elias sees the mark strongest then– Jon can be controlled.
Elias sees the man's psyche: a struggle with impulsivity, unable to handle things in moderation. He smokes cigarettes and stays away from alcohol due to fear of overconsumption. He throws himself into work and demands nearly constant stimulation. Raised by an older woman who was unable to understand him. The Web’s marked him deep.
Elias knows then he's been given a gift.
“I have a final question, please relax. You’re doing great.” Elias smiles again and their eyes meet. Jonathan inhales, forcing himself to hold Elias’ gaze and nods again.
“Sorry.” Jonathan mumbles, awaiting the question. Elias sees the blush again and can’t help but smile, Jonathan subconsciously finds Elias attractive. A discovery Elias will delightfully use to his advantage.
“No need to apologize. I think you’ll be a good fit for the institute. My question is why do you want to work here, Jonathan? What compels you to The Magnus Institute?”
Jonathan pauses for a moment, mulling over the question. Elias waits patiently as the man collects his thoughts. Elias reads in his mind that he’s trying to justify the strange pull he had to the institute's website when looking for jobs. He noticed that they were hiring, then had the urge to appear in person and ask for an application. Elias saw the pull of the strings from the Mother of Puppets.
“The research is– fascinating.” He finally stumbles out, his tone low and his face flushed. He runs his hands through his hair, eyes back on the floor. He lets out a soft chuckle and looks back to Elias. He clears his throat. “I’m sorry. I’ve heard about the research conducted at the institute. I– ah – I believe the rigor implored by the methodology here is top-notch for the field. I want to be a part of it.” Elias smiles again, unable to stop himself.
“Very good, Jonathan. I must say, I believe you’ll be a great addition to the team.” He extends his hand for the man to shake. Jonathan takes Elias’ hand and provides an attempt at a firm handshake in return. Elias feels the Mother of Puppets handing Jonathan's strings to Elias.
“Thank you, Mr. Bouchard. And just Jon is fine.” Jon says. He doesn’t smile, but Elias notes the gleam in the man’s eyes at the offer. Jon’s happy to have impressed Elias, he can see the desire for adoration and praise in the man’s mind.
Elias can begin the execution of his plan. Gertrude won’t stay his Head Archivist forever. And the Web has given its blessing. Jon is free to use as his disposable. Surely, the Mother of Puppets wanted to see how Elias’ theory of an Archivist plays out.
He hands Jon a pen and a piece of paper. An employment contract for the Magnus Institute. “I’d like to formally offer you a position in our Research Department. You’ll find that the pay is slightly above the median salary for the area and a reasonable vacation package. Should you accept, you may sign and date at the bottom.”
Jon takes the contract. He skims the page briefly before taking the pen and signing his name. He hands the paper back to Elias, this time, with a proper smile on his face.
“Thank you Mr. Bouchard, I’m looking forward to working here.”
Elias nodded with a wide smile. “I believe we will develop a fantastic working relationship.”