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

[psycholawgy]

Are you saying cosplaying isn't serious?!

[cardboard_journalism]

Sss, sss, sss! Maybe in certain situations, like waitressing, or being a mascot at an amusement park, it's very serious business conducted by very serious people, seriously.

--Just not by reporters trying to get their next scoop!

[psycholawgy]

... says some girl in a box.

[cardboard_journalism]

Exactly! Glad you understand. Sss, sss, sss!

Oh, speaking of which, I'll take that box back if you don't want it. I think I can give it to another certain person who favors yellow clothes.

[psycholawgy]

[ As much as she wants to please her friends, she just won't go so far as to wear a box. . . ]

I'm sure you'll find some other person easily.

[cardboard_journalism]

It's all right. I understand now.

--You can't wear the box because you're not a journalist. Right? Just like I can't wear a costume because I'm not a waitress or a theme park mascot. Sss, sss, sss, sss, sss.

[psycholawgy]

[ That's... a good compromise. Better than nothing. ]

Ha ha! Yeah, you got it, Myriam!

[cardboard_journalism]

It all makes sense! Sss, sss, sss!

I don't know how well it'd fly with them, but maybe someday all the journalists for the Cerealia Times will have their own boxes. Imagine it! A group of reporters, correspondents, photojournalists and more all descending on a hot scoop in a tidal wave of cardboard!

[she paused to imagine it: it was beautiful]

[psycholawgy]

[ That is a really bad idea. Please stop thinking that... ]

I... can imagine it, all right! Ha, ha... ha...

[cardboard_journalism]

[Myriam is in full on swaying-mode.]

Maybe someday... sss, sss, sss, sss.

[psycholawgy]

Someday, for sure! [ Oh no, here we go. ] That's why you gotta write truthful things and gain good rep!

[cardboard_journalism]

Yeah! ... --Wait a sec...

H-hey! What do you mean by that?

[psycholawgy]

Nothing? I'm just saying that you have aways to go.

[cardboard_journalism]

R-right... sorry.

[psycholawgy]

Just keep doing your best, alright?

[cardboard_journalism]

Sss, sss, sss! You betcha! Next edition's going to be even bigger than this one! I've already got things lined up for it!

[psycholawgy]

[ A part of her wants to be supportive, but... ]

Maaaybe I should read it first before you publish it. You know, like a beta reader.

[cardboard_journalism]

...kahk-kahk-kahk. [her mood quickly took a nosedive]

Oh, wow... Athena, you don't know how tight of a schedule newspapers really run on, do you? I put the paper to bed at midnight and print it late into the early morning! I can't afford to make changes after I start printing!

[psycholawgy]

Ugh... that idea's out the window, then.

[cardboard_journalism]

Yep! The publisher's work is hard work. Sss, sss.

--The editor's too, really.

...and the reporter's. Kaaaahk.

[psycholawgy]

Actually, it's hard work for any profession... really.

[cardboard_journalism]

Well, sure, but you couldn't play defense, prosecutor, and judge all at once, could you?

I mean, at the very least, you might get confused in the middle of your argument. Sss, sss, sss.