Monsoon Season

In retrospect, monsoon season wasn’t the best time for Sebastian and Tyson to escape into India. However, it wasn’t exactly planned and retreating back into the path of the army wasn’t any better than exposure to the elements.

Had they been able to push further into India, then their escape may actually have been successful. A combination of conditions - but largely the weather and the army’s approach - forced them to turn back into Pakistan, where Tyson was eventually abandoned by Sebastian and captured by the army to secure The Colonel’s escape.

However, if they had another day or two between them and their pursers, Tyson and Sebastian would have been able to press forward into the area of - relative - safety between the two strongest storm fronts. It would have been all too easy to take advantage of that to make stronger ground against the army and disappear forever.

As it was, the army was closing in and their best bet of escape was doubling back to shake their pursuit, before returning to India the long way around by boat. That plan failed long before they reached the coast, but - despite Tyson’s increase in escape attempts as they doubled back - he was trying to succeed.

Tyson wanted to escape Moran, but never to see Sebastian caged.

Sherlock boys

Tyson’s opinions of the main Sherlock boys are as follows: my brother by all but blood, "I can’t stand you - I promise", and ‘I don’t love you, but I could’.

John Watson
↳ Former fellow service man and brother-in-arms.

It is a generally accepted head canon that at some point in their army careers Sebastian Moran and John Watson served together. In Tyson’s main timeline he served in the First Bangalore Pioneers with Sebastian. It stands to reason that he would have met Watson at the same time as Moran did. Therefore Tyson knows John from the army.

Most people who served with Tyson in the army didn’t believe that he was innocent when he abandoned after the shooting of General Clarkson. The only people who believed Tyson was innocent were General Clarkson and Sebastian Moran - because they were there at the time - and John. John believed Tyson was innocent, that he wasn’t involved.

When Tyson got back to Britain he hid for a long time before he crossed paths with John again, in London. After a brief conversation where John said he knew Tyson was innocent they went their separate ways. They got on well in the past and John is one of Tyson’s few connections to his previous life in the army that he still has.

Their paths cross every now and again, briefly, and Tyson suspects John knows who he works for but chooses to ignore it for the sake of preserving a friendship. They occasionally talk about the ‘bloody flatmate’ and the 'damn Irishman’ when, once a blue moon, they meet up intentionally but its brief and often avoided; out of a sense of protective guilt at ending up on opposite sides.

Most of their interactions are just a nod of understanding across the street, but it’s enough to keep part of their former companionship alive. It’s a bittersweet reminder of what they once had, and how much has changed since then. Tyson and John were more than brothers in arms, they were brothers-by-all-but-blood.

And they still are. When they can spend time together, Tyson and John are still perfectly in sync with each other. Trading quips and insults without a worry. However, conflicted interests and a desire not to see the other hurt by those interests keep them apart. Pretending to be no more than passing acquaintances.

Mycroft Holmes
↳ The government, begrudgingly accepted acquaintance.

Tyson’s encounters with Mycroft Holmes have all been short, and rather uncomfortable for the former Lieutenant. He knows that Mycroft was ‘aware of’ Tyson’s innocence in the shooting of General Clarkson, and allowed Tyson to enter the lion’s den of the Moriarty Mirrors in the hopes of getting information out of him.

He doesn’t begrudge Mycroft for wanting to take out the Moriarty Mirrors. It comes with the territory, but he does object to the way Mycroft tried to use him - and other people - as pawns.

Mycroft made the decision to force Tyson to live as a fugitive on the off-chance that the Moriarty Mirrors would be interested in him, rather than letting Tyson make the decision himself and clear his name.

From what Tyson now knows about the Moriarty Mirrors? It would not have mattered to them in the slightest if he was working for Mycroft when he was recruited, and Tyson is pretty confident that Mycroft knew that. It was simply more convenient for him to let Tyson suffer.

As far as Tyson is concerned, Mycroft Holmes is a coward who always takes the path of least resistance, least effort, least conviction. And he will keep telling himself that until it rings true, because staying angry at Mycroft is Tyson's only real defense against him.

Sherlock Holmes
↳ John's flatmate, begrudgingly accepted acquaintance.

Most of what Tyson knows about Sherlock Holmes comes from Jim. Tyson doesn’t share his owners’ fixation with the detective, but he stays up-to-date enough to understand what the Jims are talking about in relation to Sherlock. He tries to keep his distance from Sherlock, he doesn’t need the Moriarty Mirrors game with the detective to get anymore complicated by altering his own - largely - neutral opinions towards Sherlock.

He does not like Holmes, but Tyson knows that he has a paper thin defence against caring for him; that defence is avoiding him like the plague. He purposefully keeps a distance from the detective, because he does not need the Moriarty Mirrors game to become any more complicated by falling for another genius determined to burn themselves up.

Tyson is Icarus

Tyger Tyger, burning bright, 
 In the forests of the night; 
   What immortal hand or eye, 
     Could frame thy fearful symmetry? 

In what distant deeps or skies. 
 Burnt the fire of thine eyes? 
   On what wings dare he aspire? 
     What the hand, dare seize the fire? 

Tyson is Icarus; and the Moriarty Mirrors, Moran, and Kim all work as his Apollo.

Our little Icarus would rather rip his own wings off, if it prevented them from getting clipped again or if he thought the cage door was closing. […] Tyson would rather fly free, and have the trust from someone else that he will always come back. That so long as the door remains open, Tyson will tumble in through the window instead.

He may, in fact, be completely incapable of stopping himself from showing off for a pretty face. […] If it will get him a second of the sun’s attention, our little Icarus will hurl himself off of cliffs - or, more accurately, rooftops - over and over again.

Our little Icarus knows that he’s going to burn himself up, and does it gladly, because - to him - it is entirely worth whatever pain may come to bask in the sun; whether that is The Colonel or the Moriarty Mirrors, Tyson will gladly take that leap of faith every time.

Tyson always knew that Kim would never be his to keep. […] It was fun. It was all just a game, and Tyson knew it would hurt like hell when it ended, but he treasures every precious moment with Kim. And he would do it all again.

The risk of burning up to bask in the warmth of the Moriarty Mirrors or The Colonel is a risk that Tyson will take every time without failure. Even in Tyson’s mind, it’s not a risk of burning up. He knows he will burn to make them happy, and Tyson is fine with that. He welcomes it with open arms. Our dear Icarus will not flinch from his fate.

…has a confusingly big heart and a kind disposition that cannot be changed so easily. […] He’d been burned again and again. And yet, Tyson still offered out his heart and compassion - his body and soul, for friendship and love, and even that old lady down the road with a barbed tongue and far too many shopping bags - not without caution, but a boneheaded determination to give until his confusingly big heart had nothing left to offer.

His instinct to survive is (almost) as strong Sebastian Moran’s to kill, and yet Tyson is thelimping walking embodiment of Icarus; a role he openly embraces with ‘calculates risks’ that avoid ever taking unnecessary risks.

He is just too stubborn to die and though he struggles to motivate himself, Tyson simply doesn’t stop once he starts. He keeps going until he has nothing left to give. […] His talent for picking himself up, though admirable, would be entirely unnecessary if Tyson didn’t keep putting himself in situations that knock him to the floor.

…somewhere in his heart, he’d accepted that the odds were stacked against him; that this would be his undoing. […] but Tyson never stopped trying. He refused to stop pushing himself to make that next step, to live for another day. It doesn’t matter if Tyson thinks he can’t, he will. He will survive and fight to his last. […] Brave, stupid, Tyson. Too damn stubborn to die, marching forward and refusing to fail. After all, he has to live to see that new day. Tyson can’t throw his life away for someone else tomorrow if he lets himself die today.

“Icarus didn’t b-believe he’d fall. I knew I would, and did it a-anyway.” […] “That doesn’t sound wise to me, Sir,” Tyson countered, that devil-may-care smile unwavering. […] Despite his genuine pyrophobia, Tyson was but a moth to flame, and couldn’t that sum up his entire life? Tyson knew it was dangerous, knew it would hurt, and chased it anyway.

For all of Tyson’s humility and self-doubt in his own abilities, there is a level of hubris - of sheer, barefaced arrogance - in the way he plants his feet and say ‘I will burn to make this happen. Then I will do it again, and again, and again; until I have nothing left, and no one can stop me.’

Tyson took that leap of faith and survived it. He survived The Colonel. He licked his wounds. The story should have ended there. A lesson in hubris was learnt. Tyson’s heart, body, and mind were broken, but he lived to learn his own lesson rather than to be a cautionary tale.

Tyson took a different lesson from that. Not the usual, don’t fly too close to the sun, but rather: if you fly too close to the sun, you will be burn. You will hurt, and keep hurting forever, but you will survive and you caught the sun’s attention. For a brief moment, you shone together and made the sun happy, so go try again.

The arrogance to come limping back home, tail between his legs, and then to stare the sun in the face, haul his broken body up onto the roof, and jump again is intrinsically Tyson. He survived this once, he can survive it again. He survived The Colonel, he can survive the Moriarty Mirrors; probably.

And if he survives that attempt? Tyson will do it again.

But what if you die?

Then I die.

Tyson works himself to the bone. He is burning the candle at both ends, whilst trying to find a way to ignite the middle too; all whilst chastising himself for being too lazy, for not pushing himself harder.

All to prevent the Moriarty Mirrors from burning themselves out too soon by burning too brightly, Tyson throws himself wholeheartedly into trying to sustain them for a long as possible; no matter the emotional or physical toll on him. He taunts and stokes the fire of Moran’s anger to make sure Sebastian never loses that burning passion, because he would rather burn himself than watch Sebastian flicker away.

To Tyson, any sacrifice that he must make is worth it. He is confident in his ability to survive, to adapt and dust himself off afterwards, and he isn’t throwing his life away pointlessly. However, the knowledge that - eventually - it will kill him does not deter Tyson.

If it’s the next leap of faith or the leap two hundred attempts from now that will kill him, it does not matter. So long as Tyson knows that he gave it his all. That he never stopped trying to seize that fire, to cradle it to his chest and protect it, no matter how much it hurt to do so.

And the part that proves without a shadow of a doubt that Tyson is Icarus? He knows that he is. Tyson will gladly admit that. Not somberly resigned to an inescapable fate. No. He does not flinch from duty.

Tyson says ‘I am Icarus. I will gladly burn myself up to bask in the sun’ with a cavalier - devil-may-care - smile. Cocksure and arrogant. Proud in his inevitable demise. He welcomes this fate, openly embraces it. He is galvanised by it.

He leaps, and dares the world to do its worst. He is not afraid. He’s ready.

Temporary Blindness

During his time with the First Bangalore Pioneers, a chemical attack left Tyson temporarily blind.

Despite its illegality, mustard gas continues to be used and it is one of the tools that the web provides that Tyson is least likely to use. He spent three weeks without sight due to mustard gas and when his PTSD is getting affected, Tyson can still feel his eyes burning.

Though ‘mildly afraid’ - read: utterly terrified - that the blindness might be permanent, whilst feeling like a sitting duck in the compound and useless in his inability to help out during that time, Tyson now looks back on that time as one of the better moments in his relationship with The Colonel.

Captain Samson’s death had already thrown Tyson into Sebastian’s arms, but Moran’s abuses hadn’t started yet. He was rough in his manhandling of Tyson during his blindness, but Tyson honestly appreciated that: not getting treated like glass and in feeling solid where Sebastian’s grip bruised his arms.

As they were already paired as sniper and spotter, Sebastian was largely benched whilst Tyson recovered, outside of a few group patrols. He spent most of his time sitting with Tyson, reading aloud for him, and using the excuse of guiding him around to get away with touching him.

It was …nice. Overwhelming, hallowing, yet - somehow - nice. It felt good to know that Sebastian had his back, that when he was hurting Sebastian would be there to help him, that Sebastian cared about him. He felt completely exposed, but safe so long as Sebastian was by his side.

Odds in his favour

Though Tyson never takes an unnecessary risk and always stacks the odds in his favour, he never stacks the deck completely again his opponents.

For example: whilst Tyson will gladly go into a confrontation two-verses-one with two backups waiting a safe distance away just in case, Tyson goes out of his way to avoid bring those other two people with him to that initial meeting.

The odds should be in his favour, not rigged. When Tyson’s the one dealing the cards, that is how it will always be. Rigged in his favour, but someone clever enough, or cunning enough, or just damn lucky enough can prove their worth and win that hand; if not the round, or game.

Tyson believes in playing fair and he is - more or less - an optimist, but most importantly, Tyson believes in giving opportunities. If he crushes every opposition under heel, he won’t learn anything; and there is a greater risk of the Moriarty Mirrors growing restless in easy waters.

As long as Tyson’s certain he can survive and recoup any losses within a timely manner, then he has nothing to lose by giving someone else the opportunity to temporarily gain the upper hand. From that he can learn how to use the trick in his own advantage and how to prevent others from deploying it against them in the future, rather than getting blindsided by these events.

And, there is also the possibility of an opportunity being extended to those who gained the upper hand: a place within or partnership with the web, or extended privileges to those already in that position.

Initiative and talent should always be rewarded, and Tyson would much rather take a chance to give others that stage to flourish on, than to salt the earth on the off chance of losing a bet.

Most of the time, it won’t matter. Tyson will have stacked the odds in his favour and he will win. The result will be exactly the same as if he made it impossible to lose, but Tyson will know the difference. He will know that he gave his opponent a chance to prove themselves.

Gender

In terms of his gender, Tyson is definitely male, but it’s not a strong part of his identity.

Tyson is Jewish. Getting him to admit it is like pulling blood from a stone, but Tyson is polyamorous, romantically bi, and sexually gay. Tyson is loyal to a fault.Tyson is a scholar in his heart of hearts, endlessly curious, and a mathematical prodigy. Tyson is Icarus. Tyson is too stubborn to die. Tyson is a walking contradiction.

Those are facts. Core tenants of his character. Male is very much an afterthought in his identity. It shaped who he is certainly, and events with Tyson’s father and The Colonel would have played out incredibly differently if he weren’t male, but equally, it’s not a part of Tyson that matters to him.

Masculinity verses Femininity

Though self-conscious about his appearance in not looking masculine enough, Tyson isn’t concerned about being too feminine. Tyson is often more concerned with what he should be, rather than what he shouldn’t be.

The idea that he shouldn’t be gay doesn’t get under Tyson’s skin and cause him guilt as much as the idea that he should be straight, and isn’t. He doesn’t care that he shouldn’t side with criminals, but Tyson does care that he should be a better role model for his nephew and - eventually - for his godson.

Tyson can barely tolerate shorts so the idea of getting him into a dress is a fool’s errand, but he has no problem with the idea of wearing women’s clothes. He is proud of how good he is at applying make-up and nail polish. He hates knitting, but that’s an objection to the clacking sound of the needles rather than crafts being too feminine, and he’s decent sewer.

His issues with his masculinity are more around his appearance rather than his hobbies. Tyson’s self-esteem issues around his appearance, his scars and looking like a carbon copy of his father, are complicated and difficult to separate into individual issues, but being smooth chested and not overly muscled has been a part of them since Tyson was a teenager.

Nostalgia

Even though Tyson can clearly remember his childhood with great clarity, it is very difficult to trigger nostalgia for his childhood.

A lot of that time, though clearly remembered, is suppressed on an emotional level for Tyson; similar to some of the time he spent on the run with The Colonel. It’s as though he spent those years watching his own life through a window; aware, yet notably separated.

Pangs of nostalgia for his years in the army are incredibly easy to summon - antiseptic and memories of John’s laughter, overripe fruit with Captain Samson’s voice, old PS3 era games with free time between rounds in the compound - but anything before that time is near inaccessible.

Chess

Shockingly, the mathematical prodigy and strategist adores chess.

Some of his favourite childhood memories of playing chess against his father, and the first time he actually defeated his father was one of the proudest moments of his young life.

When that then ‘evolved’ into having to play chess on a mental board and keep all the pieces straight, Tyson - for once - had the advantage over his father due to his form of Synesthesia. Which only meant that his father pushed Tyson to get better and better.

In many ways, Tyson feels like he owes his strategic ability to those games with his father. Chess and game theory were not exactly the same as the war games Tyson could later end up in, but they gave him the groundwork and understanding that he needed to walk the path he ended up on.

He finds playing chess, even against himself, to be incredibly therapeutic and it helps him think, to organise his thoughts with an idle task that - whilst it can be challenging - it often as easy as breathing for him.

Homes away from Home

Layouts for the homes away from home:

Appalachian Mountains Home

Used in: Earth!Verse, Istanbul!Verse, UA India

1. Living Room
   Livingroom at the end of the corridor. Floor dips slightly in the transition from white wooden planks to the brown wood, where there used to be a wall. 
   In UA India, this room is largely Tyson’s space.
2. Corridor
3. Entrance Hall
4. Office Space
5. Living Room
   Wall’s repainted a light blue. 
   In UA India, this room is largely Sebastian’s space.
6. Dog Bedroom
   Room for the dog’s beds with wooden floor, log storage, and a sliding glass door. 
   In UA India, this becomes Percival’s room instead.
7. Kitchen
8. Spare Bedroom
   Open plan by the staircase with livingroom at the side, beyond the bookcase divider.
   In Istanbul!Verse, this room is used for the employees of the web when they’re temporarily sent out to help Tyson.
9. Main Bedroom
10. En-suite Bedroom
11. Main Bathroom

Blue Ridges Mountains Home

Used in: Cat!Verse, Earth!Verse, UA India

1. Kitchen/Dining Room
   Kitchen leading into a dining room/hallway. 
2. Open Hammock Room
3. Spare Bedroom
   In UA India, this is the main bedroom instead.
4. Den Space
   In Cat!Verse, this has effectively become the cats’ room.
5. Wrap-around Balcony
6. Bathroom
   .5 Walk-in Shower
7. Main Bedroom
   Similar to his normal apartment, that photograph on the wall is replaced with a noticeboard.
8. Longue
9. Rooftop Cabin
   Rooftop cabin for guests, converted from the attic back when it was a holiday home; before Tyson bought it. 
10. Bedroom (In Cabin)
    In Cat!Verse, either Jethro, Jasmine, or Charlie will end up staying in that room to keep an eye on Tyson.
11. Entrance Hall/Room

Pontic Mountains Home

Used in: Earth!Verse, Redemption!Verse, UA India

1. Kitchen
2. Spare Bedroom
   Redemption!Verse - Charlie’s bedroom.
3. Dining Room
   Lead off of the kitchen, an extension that drops down a step.
4. Staircase
   Leads from the ground floor to the first floor, leading off the living room.
5. Chill-out Space
6. Ground Floor Bedroom
7. Spare Bedroom
   Redemption!Verse - James’ bedroom. 
8. 1st Floor Living Room
9. Spare Bedroom
   Redemption!Verse - Converted into a playroom for James. 
10. Main Bedroom/Curtains
11. 2nd Floor Sitting Space
12. Spare Bathroom
13. Sitting Room
14. Office Space
15. Open Living Room
    Walls repainted pale lilac.
    Redemption!Verse - Walls are covered in James’ art and photos of Jethro & Rosie.

Scottish Highlands Home

Used in: Dublin!Verse, Earth!Verse, UA India

1. Kitchen
2. Living Room
3. Side Entrance
4. Conservatory/Dining Room
5. Main Entrance Hall
6. Staircase
7. Spare Bedroom
   Dublin!Verse, Mischief’s bedroom.
8. Bathroom
9. Spare Bedroom
   Dublin!Verse, Tyson’s bedroom.
10. Sitting Room
11. Main Bedroom
    Dublin!Verse, Sunshine’s Bedroom.
12. Office