shacklebreaker | IC Inbox: cerealia

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. ]

...What is past is past, so I'll leave it at that. But I've had quite enough of your little white lies.

[And he's going to be concerned for her safety no matter how much she lies. The sooner she learns that, the easier it will be for both of them.]

[ She can't help butt let out a heavy sigh. ]

I'm not the only one who lies here. [ Hint, hint. ] At least that's out of the way now.

Everyone tells lies of some sort. [The difference between her lies and his are that he's good enough at it not to get caught. Usually.]

But if you insist on fibbing about any time you're in danger, you're going to make my duties remarkably difficult.

[With that, Taka flies over from his usual favoured perch, and begins inspecting the boxes of Athena's belongings curiously. What is all this new stuff???]

[ I'M SORRY TAKA THOSE ARE ALL DOLPHIN TOYS... ]

Duties? [ Maybe you should be more specific, when the person you're talking to can be dense when it comes to these kinds of things, Simon. Nevertheless, she groans. It's not fun being scolded. ] Right, sorry...? [ It seems that she shoul apologise, anyway. ] It's just weird? Nobody really looks out for me but me.

[Taka's going to inspect every dolphin!!!]

That's an ungenerous claim. [And it's probably just as well Aura isn't around to hear it, or she'd flip.]

What about all the people that took you to safety and healed you in the blizzard? Or if you cast your mind back to your trial, what of Wright-dono, who went to such lengths to prove your innocence? There are countless people who care for you... Even the likes of Ryuko and Archer look out for you in their own ways.

[They're just... not very good at showing it... And neither is he, apparently.]

[ Just as long as he doesn't eat them!! :'( ]

That's— [ Different? Only a little bit. She just harrumphs because he does have a point. Simon wins this round. ] It just takes a while to get used to.

[ There. Now Athena's perfectly honest about how she feels. And it's weird. ]

[He won't!! He'll just nibble one or two of them.]

And here's another way in which your assumption is false. Everything I've done these past seven years has been to look out for you... Nothing more or less.

[He may have saddled her with an unimaginable burden in the process, but that hadn't been his intent. And it was better than the alternative.]

IC Inbox: cerealia

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