shacklebreaker | IC Inbox: cerealia

[He can feel her heartbeat, strong and steady. This must be what it feels like for her around other people, all the time. Even after all these years, it's still something he can't always wrap his mind around.]

...All right. I trust you.

Thank you. [ And when she lets go- ]

I think I'm going to go to my apartment and maybe clean up.

I haven't been inside Ryuko's room in a while, and it might be messy.

[ You know, coping mechanisms... ]

Edited 2015-07-12 14:44 (UTC)

Very well. [He figures she might want to keep busy, and Ryuko is weighing on her mind a lot, so he won't interfere.

Before she goes, though, he pulls her back to him by the waist, and gives her a quick kiss.]

...Thank you for the card.

[ The kiss is probably just what she needs; it's means of comfort. Especially Simon's kiss.

Not that she's locked lips with anybody else. Though he might have wanted it to be a quick kiss, she pulls him by the lapels of his shirt to extend it. ]

[It's unexpected, but he offers no resistance, melting seamlessly back into the kiss. He lets out a soft hum of contentment, one hand still supporting her waist as he presses her to him.]

[ She really is sorry, and if she can translate her guilt into this kiss, then she'll kiss him as hard as she can without making him too uncomfortable.

Did she says she was going back to her apartment, though, because it looks like she might be staying with Simon longer. ]

[He's taken off guard a little by how hard she kisses him, but again he follows her lead, cradling her face in his hand to deepen the kiss.

He'd apologise for sidetracking her, but really, he'll go along with anything that makes her happy right now.]

[ They'll probably just make out for a while because Athena goes to do some actual work. But that's okay. Simon come first - he's always been her top priority ever since she was a kid. The connotations of why he's first on her list now have differed, though.

She breaks off the kiss, both arm around his neck. ]

I really, really, really, really, like you, Simon Blackquill. You always know how to make me happy.

[ And sad, but mostly happy! And to say that she loves him would probably be a bit too early; and she isn't sure yet if she should say such a big word yet.

And she kisses him again. ]

Edited 2015-07-13 10:16 (UTC)

[He's always felt affection for Athena, but whereas before it was born from a simple sense of duty to Metis, now it's different. She's grown into a young woman, someone wholly independent of Metis, someone fierce and persistent and selfless. Somehow she managed to force her way back into his life in court, and she hasn't stopped since, showing him such love and affection that he's often been overwhelmed with it

What words she uses, or chooses not to use, don't matter to him. Though this has all happened so suddenly, it only seemed like a natural progression of his feelings for her.

Your happiness means everything to me. [His breath ghosts against her lips, and he kisses her again, before continuing,] Don't ever forget that.

Mm, [ she nods, resting her head on his chest to listen to his heart. Maybe some day, she can listen to the beat of his heart and what his heart is trying to say before she sleeps, but for now, she settles with what she can get. ]

I'll be back later, then.

[ But three or more hours later, she hasn't come back. She's too busy sulking in her own apartment. ]

Edited 2015-07-13 13:47 (UTC)

[Blackquill spends that time tending to Taka, checking the network (something he's taken to doing increasingly, lately, as the city has become more dangerous), and doing a few chores of his own. It's all time-consuming, so when Athena doesn't return hours later, he grows concerned.

Maybe he's worrying too much and she just got distracted. He'd certainly believe that if Athena were her usual self, but with how she is now... Well.

He knocks on her door, announcing himself just in case she doesn't want strangers disturbing her.]

It's me, Athena.

[ Athena doesn't answer, but Widget does, telling him he can come in. He'll find Athena just hugging a pillow, eyes red, and a bunch of pieces of paper scattered on the floor. It looks like she's been studying the rules in Cerealia and what constitutes imprisonment and how to get Ryuko out and whatnot.

But she quickly pulls up a smile when Simon enters. ]

Hi there.

[He should have expected something like this, but somehow the sight squeezes at his heart nonetheless. Was this what Athena was like while he was on death row? She said it had been just as hard for her as it had been for him, but it was always so hard to tell, with how strong she had become.

And now she was trying to do it again -- hide her grief behind a smile.

He crouches down, picking up one of the pieces of paper and affecting nonchalance.]

Having a study session?

[ She rolls on the bed, her head now looking at the ceiling. The HoloGM in her room is designed like outer space, so it's like they're floating in the cosmos. ]

I'm resting now. Why?

[He puts the paper down and straightens.] You were gone a long time, so I came to check on you.

[And because unlike her, he has no interest in dodging around the subject:]

Even if you found something that could save her, it means nothing so long as CERES continue to bar us from their legal system.

[ She just looks at him, not even moving or straightening up. ]

I was thinking of pandering to Mr. Mosley.

... but that wouldn't be right, would it?

[ A beat. ] It's just not right.

[His expression darkens.] I'd sooner throttle Mosley than watch you grovel at his feet.

I'm not going to do that.

Just... I don't know. Befriend him, and get information, you know? [ Of course, Simon would know. That's what the Phantom did to him... ]

And what makes you think he'll treat you as anything more than an idle plaything, or a passing object of curiosity?

[He sits beside Athena, reaching to take one of her hands.]

If you want information, by all means, press him for it. He's certainly fond of the sound of his own voice -- or text, as the case often is. I myself have managed to glean some interesting facts from him. But don't put yourself too close to someone who has hurt you, and will do so again.

[ she just lets out a groan of discontent. simon does have a point, and she hates being proven wrong. though she does hold onto simon's hand tightly when hers is taken. ]

I'll be careful this time. It won't be like the tours.

And how do you know that, precisely? How can any of us predict the dangerous brand of nonsense that occurs in this place? Are you just going to keep throwing yourself into harm's way until you get the results you desire?

[He's not losing his temper like before, but the reproach is evident in his tone. Keeping Athena safe will prove impossible, if she won't even think of herself.]

[ she just pouts, unsure of what to answer this time. ]

What do you think I should do, then? I can't just lay here.

Even though it's pretty relaxing. And you're here too.

[He squeezes her hand. He'd gladly keep her here where he could protect her, but he knows she won't abide it.]

I'm not telling you to do nothing... only advising you not to do anything unnecessarily dangerous. You can gather information without doing it in a reckless way. [Great advice from someone whose high-risk investigation ruined his entire life. And Athena's. And their families'.

But that aside.]

If you trust me, allow me help you. There's no reason to strive to do so much alone.

You'll do silly stuff with me?

Because that's how we defense attorneys get our information.

[ Hint: Be my assistant? ]

Hmph, no wonder your investigations for your clients were always so half-baked.

I'll not waste my blade on silliness. [Do you really want the rudest, grumpiest assistant ever?]

IC Inbox: cerealia

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