IC Inbox: cerealia

[shacklebreaker]

"You've reached Simon Blackquill. Leave a message if you are so inclined -- but be brief."

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[shacklebreaker]

[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.

[psycholawgy]

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. ]

[shacklebreaker]

[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.

[psycholawgy]

[ 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.

[shacklebreaker]

[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?

[psycholawgy]

[ 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?

[shacklebreaker]

[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.

[psycholawgy]

[ 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.

[shacklebreaker]

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

[psycholawgy]

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... ]

[shacklebreaker]

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.

[psycholawgy]

[ 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.

[shacklebreaker]

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.]

[psycholawgy]

[ 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.

[shacklebreaker]

[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.

[psycholawgy]

You'll do silly stuff with me?

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

[ Hint: Be my assistant? ]

[shacklebreaker]

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?]

[psycholawgy]

Consider yourself hired!

[ she lets go of Simon's hand to wave her arms, but she ends up losing her balance and since she's pretty much by the edge of her bed... she falls over.

Hurray. ]

Ow.

[shacklebreaker]

[Just... watches her fall over, making no attempt to help her up. So graceful, so majestic.]

Is it too late to withdraw my offer?

[psycholawgy]

[ She's beauty, she's grace... ]

Unless you want a paycut, then no.

[ Getting up, though! And she starts to pick up the rest of her things that she's scattered on the floor. ]

[shacklebreaker]

If I'm withdrawing my offer, how can you give me a paycut?

[He helps her out as she picks up her things, idly scanning through the papers as he does so.]

Regarding Ryuko... As a prosecutor, I cannot condone what she did. But perhaps I can speak to the Chief. She could make certain... exceptions to you representing her.

[psycholawgy]

Hmm... I'll try not to hold your hand, or hug you, or kiss you.

[ paycut????? ]

Seriously, though... I wish I knew what to do with Ryuko. I don't think she's want me to do any lawyering, to begin with. But it really hurts not being able to do anything... It hurts even more that she's done something like. . . kill someone.

[shacklebreaker]

Wouldn't that be more of a paycut to yourself than to me?

[She would be far quicker to lose patience with it more than he would, anyway. Or he'd pretend not to care for long enough that she would give up.]

Small solace though it is, if anyone can survive in the clink, it is her. [Others, like him, often have to forcefully adapt. He can't imagine Ryuko having that issue.]

[psycholawgy]

I have self-control, [ she says proudly. (No she doesn't.) ]

But, yes, I think so, too. [ That at least makes her smile. ] Maybe her stories will be more outrageous than yours.

[shacklebreaker]

I can think of a whole number of ways to test that self-control. [He grins, though really, he's just trying to mess with her.]

Hmph, and what's so outrageous about my stories?