shacklebreaker | IC Inbox: cerealia

[ She pushes the rest of her belongings inside, and just gives the apartment a lookover. This just doesn't sit well with her. ]

I know. [ She's fully aware that Ryuko can't "die", or however it was worded when Ryuko told her the truth about her. Still, she can't help but worry. ] But looking after her is still something I have to do.

But I guess the least I can do is catch the perpetrator.

[Once everything is inside, he takes one more look outside in the corridor -- just in case -- and closes the door, locking it behind him.]

Leave the pursuit of this criminal to me. Though I may no longer be a prosecutor, I still have some strings I can pull in the police department.

[ But everybody knows you can't trust the police... ]

I can't just do nothing, though. And if this is connected to Apollo's disappearance, then I have to be involved.

[He doesn't trust the police, despite being a member of them himself. But he does trust Integra.]

Justice-dono disappeared? This is the first I've heard of it.

I only told Mr. Wright about it. I'm sure Trucy has noticed it too, but... [ She pulls out her CereVice from her pocket to show Simon her contacts list. ] Apollo's name isn't on here anymore, and that only happens when...

[ She doesn't want to continue, because that would be admitting that Apollo might actually be gone. His code had been corrupted, or whatever. ]

Anyway, I need to find him.

...If the same thing has happened before, I don't need to point out your search is likely in vain.

[Harsh though it may be, he doesn't want her getting her hopes up, only to have them dashed again later.]

I'll ask Aura if she's seen him.

You don't know that it's the same thing. It might not be.

[ Or she just refuses to accept the truth right now. ]

There were people here who suddenly showed up and weren't even recorded by the CereVices.

Yet they vanished without a trace soon after, as though they were never truly here at all.

[He still doesn't understand why or how that happened, but she might be able to hear the deep sadness in his voice about it.]

The only way we'd know he was here for certain would be to crack into CERES' databases and look for ourselves, and there's little chance of that ever happening.

[ They, or rather, one specific person, at least, made a mark before mysteriously disapearring. It still bothers Athena to this day, and has made her more insecure. People have to like her, and if they get mad at her, then it's all over.

Something does bother her, though. ]

Did you meet somebody recently who didn't stay here for long?

[ Hmm. She could fix the wording to make it more specific, but saying that someone was coded and then all of a sudden got corrupted just sounds too weird. ]

Yes. Wright-dono experienced the same thing, so I can only assume it happened to a number of people.

[He's almost reluctant to ask, but...] Did you see anyone?

[ It's as if she just got jolted when Phoenix is mentioned. She's deep into this conversation now if it's happened to more people than she thought. ]

Even boss, huh?

I didn't see anyone... [ Her eyes move from one side of the room to another, then back, and then she just looks at the ceiling. She's made herself suspicious now. This won't end as she had planned. ] Anyone important, anyway.

[ Good job, Athena. You certainly got yourself out of that one. Maybe. ]

[Apparently she's once again forgetting he can read people like a book. That she's a terrible liar doesn't help her case either, but he simply narrows his eyes, replying,]

...If they're not important, then you should have no problem telling me who it was.

[ Ha! You fell for her trap, Simon. The trap which she just thought of. She even grins and crosses her arms, thinking it's checkmate for him now. ]

You first.

...Hmph. If you really want to know, I'll tell you.

[He's kept it from her so far, but now there's really no point in doing so any further. Not when she's seen someone, and when she could get the truth of who he saw easily out of Phoenix.]

I saw Metis.

[ If he was expecting her to react wildly, he isn't going to get it. She does frown, though. ]

Oh. [ Like, oh, her. ] Okay.

[He's surprised by her reaction (or lack thereof). It definitely wasn't what he expected. Still, he goes on.]

Forgive me for not telling you right away. I was deeply ashamed I could not bring her back to you... and you had enough to contend with in the midst of that blizzard.

I saw her too. [ She breaks the news very slowly, still unsure of how to feel. She's both mad and disappointed at what happened to her, and just thinking about it makes her chest hurt a little. ] I just didn't want to talk about it.

...Do you wish to discuss it now?

[He's not sure what answer to expect. He thought things had been resolved with Athena's feelings towards her mother in their last trial together, but it seems he was wrong in that assumption.]

[ Just waves a hand dismissively. ]

It's fine. That won't be necessary.

[ Not like she'd be willing to talk about how she was called worthless. Hard pass on that one. ]

[He frowns, unhappy with that answer.]

As you wish... But if you change your mind, I am always here.

I guess I could tell you one thing, though.

[ Brace yourself!!!!!!!!!! ]

That day when we met at the mall. I didn't just fall.

[!!!!! PLOT TWIST. Except he doesn't look surprised at all.]

Did you think I believed that silly story? I simply did not wish to argue with you because of your injuries.

You could have.

[ She's certain that there's at least one person who believed her story. ]

I got hit by a car.

[That person is a dotard.]

Who would be foolhardy enough to drive in the midst of a blizzard?

I don't know, but that's the truth this time.

[ It's not the whole truth, but she's still so embarrassed. ]

IC Inbox: cerealia

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