ic contact;

[psycholawgy]

You've reached Athena Cykes. I'm currently unavailable, but leave a message and I'll get back to you pronto. Danke! (voice/call → text → video → action)

Comments

action, after work.

[faithfulflame]

[It wasn't all that unusual for Rei to spend some of the evening in the cost cosplay cafe. What was unusual was how pensive she was today, her whole body a bundle of nervous energy. Her leg bounced while she sat, she ate twice as much as normal, and she looked a little green around the gills.

With a lot on her mind, and Ami's departure still weighing on her, Rei waited for her friend to get off and casually slid up next to her as Athena left out. ]

I have something for you, Athena. A couple of somethings actually. And I need your help.

[psycholawgy]

[ she definitely wasn't expecting rei to show up at the cosplay cafe of all places, but this seems urgent. she'll save her exaggerated reactions later. ]

Hey. What's up?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei does come in from time to time.]

There's something that I need to give you. I had CERES recover some of my o-mamori.

[She presses a small orange cloth and wood charm into Athena's hands.]

Finally saved up enough for my bag of them.

[psycholawgy]

[ she looks at the charm, wondering what it could be. she's been learning japanese from lee, but she still doesn't know what "o-mamori" means. ]

What is this?

[faithfulflame]

It's something to keep you safe. A charm, from my shrine at home. It can ward away evil spirits, dark taint, and things of that nature. It's enchanted, by me and my grandfather.

[She holds up her bag, showing one dangling from a strap.]

I rely on them, they're invaluable.

[psycholawgy]

Oh, wow! And you're giving me one to protect me?

[ she feels so flattered. ]

[faithfulflame]

Of course I am. You're a good friend of mine, you have been since I arrived. We've been through a lot, and you've already been hurt by ghosts once while I wasn't there.

[And even she has to admit she can't be everywhere at once. You died, Athena. You need something like this.]

I can't always be right beside you, but this is the next best thing. It'll at least give you some protection.

[psycholawgy]

[ she smiles cheerily at rei, squeezing the omamori in her hand ]

Am I supposed to keep this on me at all times? Where do I put it?

[faithfulflame]

At all times. Don't ever leave home without it, Athena. I mean it.

[She's smiling, yes, but there's some serious worry in her voice. You've proven to be a little forgetful at times...]

The best place for it is on your bag, like mine. Or in your purse or something like that. It's not a strong enchantment, it has to be within a few feet of you, the recipient, for it to work. And it will only help you, so you can't rely on it to shield other people unless you give it away.

[psycholawgy]

[ yes, she can be quite forgetful. :( ]

Okay, I can do that!

[ she holds it close to her chest first, though. this is a really pleasant surprise. ]

Thank you.

[faithfulflame]

Don't mention it. I'm only looking out for my favorite lawyer.

[Of which she only three anyway. ]

I hope you don't need it though.

[A beat]

How're you doing? Uh. What's new, since I didn't ask.

[Rei and people...]

[psycholawgy]

[ she already links the omamori to her bag, and she smiles at rei as if she's never smiled so brightly before. ]

A lot of things happened, ehehe... [ rei might feel that athena is far too Happy right now. not that she needs to sense anything. she shows it with her giant smile, too. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Well, Rei remembers this smile. It was like that time with Simon. And...uh-oh...]

Such as? [She bites back her initial response of 'Who are they' ?]

[psycholawgy]

You know Merlin, right?

[ she starts brushing her fingers through her hair. ]

[faithfulflame]

Yes...

[Oh boy, she can already see where this is going. She's reminded of, well, you know who. and a little bit of how Athena was about Ryuko. And Ai. And herself. And...look the list of people Athena's crushed on is pretty long.]

What about him?

[psycholawgy]

[ GOSH!!! she's never crushed on ryuko and ai!!! ]

He happened. That's- [ she looks down at her feet. ] it.

[faithfulflame]

[Lies.]

Let me guess.

[Rei takes a patient breath.]

You might be wanting a love fortune, is that it?

[psycholawgy]

[ truths :'( she only liked kissing ryuko but that's it... ]

A love fortune? What for?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's smile turns...amused.]

To learn about the possible future of your crush, obviously.

[psycholawgy]

The thing is... I don't need it!

[ she says it so proudly, but she looks absolutely embarrassed. ]

[faithfulflame]

Oh. So you're dating him now, then?

[...]

[psycholawgy]

It's not dating!

[ she probably says it a bit too loudly.... ah . . . ]

I- I mean, it's... um, he's courting me?

[faithfulflame]

Ah.

[Her face sets into a line.]

How long has this been going on?

[psycholawgy]

A few days now?

[faithfulflame]

I'm not sure if I should be annoyed with you for not telling me sooner or not.

[She's half scowling, half smiling. This isn't ordinarily news she'd even care about, but it's strange that it's Merlin of all people.]