July 2025

need jon in a pretty collar

You know what you’re right. Jon should get a collar it’s enrichment.

“Elias why can’t I get this off?” Elias was surprised that Jon was only now coming up to his office to complain, his estimation had him arriving at least ten minutes ago. Really he was getting sloppy, if he couldn’t even predict his predictable Archivist. He set his pen aside, pretending to give Jon his attention as he continued to complain. Speaking of which he was still going tugging at the tiny padlock that held the delicate green collar on his neck. It was a lovely piece of art, thin leather with tiny stylized little eyes in the stitching that almost seemed to blink if you looked to long. Elias knew they did in fact blink, but only when one was looking out of the corner of one’s eye, a perfect accessory for his Archivist.

It was also as far as Artifact storage had manged to determine, impervious to damage. Which explained why, despite the shears that Jon was waving about, there wasn’t even an indent in the leather. Though judging by the faint blood on them, his neck had not escaped unscathed, likely a slip when the shears failed. Elias really needed to remove the sharp objects from the Archive, Gertrude had kept far too many dangerous things tucked away, Jon was liable to injure himself with his overreactions.

“Simple, it’s because the only person who can take it off is the one who put it on, and you need the key.” Elias found it amusing how much Jon looked like a disgruntled bird when he was interrupted, practically puffing up in his sweater vest. Still Elias kept his face carefully blank, knowing it would only frustrate Jon more. “Will that be all?”

“Elias!” Jon practically shrieked waving the shears about, which Elias thought was just unsafe, liable to put someone’s eye out really. With a sigh he pinched the bridge of his nose, really if Jon were not exactly what he wanted in an Archivist, Elias would have fired him for recklessness.

“Jon I’m going to need you to put those down before I have to have security up here.” Jon deflated a bit, not seeming to know how to keep up his indignation when Elias did not rise to the bait. Elias had learned that simply stating things as fact often worked to throw Jon off often leading him to to just accept his words without argument especially if he sounded reasonable. The threat did have the desired threat of Jon dropping the shears on his desk, which he quickly slid out of reach. “Better, now what seems to be the problem?”

“The collar Elias,” Jon growled, taking the seat in front of his desk to glare at him. Elias mused that Jon did have the loveliest eyes, even narrowed in anger. They had a similar hue to the collar, creating a lovely affect, if Elias did say so himself. Jon interrupted his musing as he tugged at the collar as though Elias needed the visual reminder that the collar was stuck on him. “I want it off.”

“No, I don’t think so,” Elias ignored Jon’s series of expletives until he run out of words and air, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. Elias decided he had had just about enough of this little tantrum, he could only humor his Archivist for so long. So when Jon leaned forward to keep up his complaints he hooked his fingers in the collar choking back any further words. Jon went involuntarily limp like a cat that had just been scruffed, he held him there for a movement, before he let go regretfully letting Jon straighten up again.

“If you behave I may remove it, but so far you’ve simply barged into my office demanded that I acquiesce to your wishes.” Elias smirked at Jon’s angry expression, he so did love how expressive Jon could be. Sometimes he didn’t even need to dip into his mind, he was just far too easy to read, like an open picture book. “Perhaps asking nicely would be prudent.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me, Elias this is not funny, enough” Jon paused clearly thinking that Elias would do something, perhaps he though he would declare it just a joke that had gone far enough. Elias did not bother to respond picking up a pen to resume writing, keeping his eyes down but switching to watching Jon from the painting on the wall. Elias had to make an effort not to laugh as Jon gaped at him, mouth open a bit like a fish. He stomped a foot and spun taking two steps toward the door, before hesitating and turning back retaking his seat. He chewed at his lip clearly trying to think of anything that wasn’t what Elias had requested. Elias could almost see the fight go out of him as his shoulders drooped.

“Please Elias,” the words, hissed through clenched teeth, sounded more like a curse than a genuine plea, and Elias simply shook his head. Clearly there was still a little fight left, which Elias couldn’t wait to crush.

“No Jon, I want sincerity, or you can go back to the Archives.” Jon looked like he was considering it, though the problem of anyone else seeing the collar was probably occurring to him. It was clearly a fight but Jon managed to get his emotions under control, swallowing his pride. Elias couldn’t help needling him just a little bit more, watching him fight not to snap. “Now you wanted to ask me something?”

“Please Elias take it off,” Jon managed enough sincerity that Elias decided to humor him, setting aside his pen again he looked back up meeting his eyes. Elias smiled crooking a finger in Jon’s direction making him lean forward. Clearly thinking he had succeeded in appealing to Elias’s better nature, Jon acquiesced leaning across the desk bringing the collar within reach. Jon looked hopeful that this was all just a power play, that his willingness to swallow his pride would end this. “Please.”

“Hmm…No,” He had to hold back a laugh the choked sputter of despair and indignation was music to his ears. Hooking his fingers through the thin leather of the collar once more, he twisted them to cut off any further complaints and most of his air. He was careful not to twist the collar too tight, he didn’t want to damage his Archivist’s permanently, just instill a bit of obedience. “You’ve been a less than ideal employee lately this is just a little reminder of who is in charge.”

“It also looks rather fetching on you I think,” Jon let out a whine, as he tried to squirm away but Elias’s grip on the collar kept him pinned over the desk. It was only once Jon went limp again that he relinquished his hold, leaving Jon gasping slightly. Elias could see tears forming in the corner of his eyes, though he had managed to avoid the indignity of crying in front of Elias, so far. “Now I have work to do, as do you.”

“How do I get it off?” The static dancing up his spine had Elias shiver, but it was weak, barely more than a tickle. A disappointing show of force, one that he doubted had even been on purpose. Jon was staring at him, as though willing his weak compulsion to work, clearly overestimating his ability, “Tell me how-.”

“If you are going to compel me at least attempt to do so properly,” Jon was caught off guard as Elias yanked the collar this time, choking off his words and slamming his cheek against the desk. He blinked looking dazed as he gasped trying to get air past the obstruction panic replacing any anger in his eyes. Elias didn’t mind Jon attempting to compel him, but such a poor showing was likely to get him seriously hurt if he tried it on someone less inclined to be forgiving.

While still keeping Jon pinned he did let up slightly so as to avoid strangling him, though there was no doubt he would have bruises tomorrow, that Jon would have to explain. Elias half-considered adding a few more, seeing Jon cry was always a treat. Unfortunately he did have a schedule to keep today, not a lot of time to punish his Archivist, it would have to simply be a warning. Unless Jon continued to push of course, such things had to be corrected quickly, before habits formed. He half-hoped he would continue his defiance, even if it would mean canceling a meeting. Releasing his grip on the collar he let Jon catch his breath again, “Now apologize for wasting my time, and get out, before I decide this requires escalation.”

“S-sorry,” Elias could hear the faint tremble in Jon’s voice, sounding on the edge of tears. Cringing away as Elias placed a hand in his hair, like he was a dog that was now behaving. The thought probably occurred to Jon as well, though fear of further punishment likely kept him from objecting. He kept still like prey, clearly hoping Elias had decided he had been hurt enough. It did tempt him once more to slam his head against the desk, but he was being good. Even if it was from fear, that behavior needed to be rewarded. So Elias instead pulled his hand away letting Jon beat a hasty retreat, though he still slammed the door on his way out, which was quite rude in Elias’s opinion.

“Honestly the disrespect,” Elias sighed to the empty room, as he penciled in a new time slot for tomorrow. While he didn’t have time to correct Jon’s behavior today, later his schedule was much more open. Perhaps he would even test a few of the less innocuous accessories that paired with the collar, if his behavior continued to be an issue. Elias mused as he watched his Archivist flee back to the Archives through borrowed eyes, yes he was overdue for a thorough performance review.