IC Inbox: cerealia

[shacklebreaker]

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

[ AUDIO | VIDEO | TEXT ]

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[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?

[psycholawgy]

[ ah.. she just winces, hearing the first statement. ]

I don't like the sound of that.

[shacklebreaker]

There is a rule in the clink: don't make threats if you're unwilling to face the consequences.

[And he goes to kiss her with that same shit-eating grin. So much for paycuts.]

[psycholawgy]

Aaaah! [ shoving a hand in his face afterwards. ] That's no way to treat your boss!

[shacklebreaker]

[Oof. One of these days you're going to break his nose or something, Athena.]

Then how would you prefer to be treated?

[ANSWER WISELY...]

[psycholawgy]

[ SIMON'S HAWK. ATTACKS HER IN COURT. THIS IS NOTHING. ]

Like a princess!

[ She did not answer wisely. ]

[shacklebreaker]

Well, I suppose every princess needs a villainous foe to plot her downfall. Who better than I?

[Your knight is in another castle???]

[psycholawgy]

...

I'll take it.

[shacklebreaker]

Though I've hardly any real task ahead of me, when the princess is intent on shutting herself in a tower.

[Setting aside the papers he'd been skimming, he gets to his feet.]

Silliness aside, if you need more time alone, I'll not disturb you any longer.