Chaotic Archive Vibes [FT. The Distortion]

FINALLY! Some Funky Spiral Action

This was the third consecutive week. Jon had made it to a point where he expected Michael's appearances. He managed to wrap up earlier today, doing some follow-up research on an older statement. There was no surprise when the door opened, and Michael itself walked in. He watched as the Distortion made its way across the room, and Jon took a note of its outfit. Roller-skates.. and a skirt?

Stopping itself using the desk edge, it waved. "Aaarchivist. You know how I said you haven't been many places?" Michael had a small glint in its eye, which caused some concern. By now, Jon knew that an energetic Michael meant trouble for him, or someone, at least. "I want to take you somewhere!"

Its refusal to wait for a response raised even more red flags. He looked over with a flat expression, asking, "Where to."

"Well. Anywhere, really. I can open doors wherever I want. But! I was thinking we start in the corridors. There's a lot in there that you haven't seen." Michael laughed, the reverb of it seeming even stronger than usual. Ouch.

Jon shifted, flinching. He considered covering his ears, but the laughter ended fast enough. "Is this just you trying to kill me again?"

"Does the skirt scream murder?"

"No-. You've literally tried to kill me every time I've gone through those goddamn doors." He leaned an arm on the table, holding his head.

It stretched, having surprisingly good control over staying upright on the wheels. "Welll.. that isn't a yes or no."

"Again, where are we go-."

"Go? If you say so." Pulling at the Archivist's arm, it's fingers threatened to tear into his sweater. Jon stood up, half stumbling, half being pulled towards a door that had appeared.

"No-. Michael! That's not what I-" It was too late. He was pulled through the door, nearly tripping over the entrance. "..meant."

It smiled that just-too-wide smile, and a black cat came up to greet the pair. "Oh! You haven't met the Purring Stranger yet."

"..who?"

"The Purring Stranger!" The feline climbed up its side, eventually settling on Michael's left shoulder.

"So you do have a cat!" He was still working on regaining feeling in his right arm.

It shrugged and looked over. "I don't. They wandered in here all on their own. Archivist, do you cage the dog simply for its tricks? Does friendship.. mean possession? "

"It can't leave, anyways." Following it, he looked around the hall. The mirrors distorted everything except Michael. Green walls and a yellow tile floor made the place glow, although they seemed to be every other color the moment he looked away.

"You. Would be surprised." Skating in a lazy circle, it pointed a finger once it came to face Jon. "Tsk-, so unprepared. You should've brought the right shoes." Michael reached into a mirror, pulling out another pair of skates. It tossed them to Jon, who barely missed catching them.

The Purring Stranger seemed to go into the mirror, disappearing to somewhere else entirely. Jon didn't notice, fumbling to put on the skates quickly. He stood up, using the wall for support. "Where are we even going.." He sighed, leaning on the wall again to fix his hair. Jon almost slipped again.

Cruising over, Michael ended up joking, "Need a hand, Archivist?" It stared down for a moment, holding back a laugh. "Honestly, you look pitiful."

Shooting it a glare, Michael immediately knew what he meant with one look. It was over if it even dared attack him, or mention this. It shrugged and smiled down at Jon. The expression seemed genuine, but one could never know.