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

[emotive]

i've been getting

stronger

[psycholawgy]

Alright, let's do this!!

text --> action

[emotive]

gotcha
see you there!

[... At the Sanctuary, Ai has the blankets and pillows spread out along with some large squishy stuffed animals (all from winning the claw machine games). She has some canned sweet tea as well as some hot tea already stored in thermoses and bags of salty snacks to enjoy with her friend. They really needed this sort of wind down after the past month which seemed more hectic even when compared to the journey through the Labyrinth.]

[psycholawgy]

[ considering ai said there'll be snacks, she figured that she wouldn't drop by any of the stores she frequents to grab something to eat or to bring to the sanctuary. there's always a lot of snacks when ai's around, anyway...!

she drops her cerevice at the basket by the entrance when she gets there, and waves at her friend when she sees her. ]

Hey!

[emotive]

[Ai's drinking some hot tea, wrapped up in a blanket and looking very peaceful. She waves to Athena sleepily.]

Ah, you made it! Good, good.

[psycholawgy]

[ she takes a seat next to ai and gets comfortable, pulling a pillow close to her and embracing it. ]

Were you here the whole time, or what?

[emotive]

I just got settled in as soon as possible, that's all.

[She takes another sip of tea before smiling at Athena gently.]

Have you been doing alright?

[psycholawgy]

[ ah... she winces at the question. ]

Work's been stressful. I don't think I can handle having four jobs anymore.

[emotive]

I've been thinking about taking up a second job if that helps! I know you've been working yourself to exhaustion and that isn't good.

[psycholawgy]

A second job? As what?

[emotive]

I could go back to gift wrapping or maybe I'll try selling jewelry at the jewelry shop.

[psycholawgy]

I didn't know you knew stuff about jewelry.

[emotive]

I've been doing my research to be prepared! I like wearing accessories after all, even if my taste is kind of simple.

[Gesturing to her little piercings in her ears and it's true. She never seems to choose anything gaudy.]

That aside, it's not good if you're overloading yourself with four jobs. I'll have two and you should cut yours in half so we can share the burden.

[psycholawgy]

That would actually be a great help.

You're the best, Ai.

[emotive]

Thank you! You've been working so hard, it's about time I did my part.

[psycholawgy]

So, what did you want to talk about?

[emotive]

Ah, well. You know how after the birthday party I wasn't really responsive or... anything...?

[emotional stress will do that]

[psycholawgy]

Yeah... It was painful seeing you that way.

[emotive]

Ah, but I'm alright now.

[see, she's even beaming happily! Something good must have happened and as a matter of fact...]

I'm going on a date soon!

[psycholawgy]

Ah! That means the two of you made up?

[emotive]

Well, Hiro was the one who asked me first... He apologized and then asked.

Um, I don't know if it'll mean anything though. [She chuckles nervously and looks down into her cup of tea.]

We just need to straighten things out more.

[psycholawgy]

Well, whatever happens, I hope it'll be a good date.

[ by which she means she'll be impatiently waiting on the couch for ai to come home so she can share ALL THE DEETS

unless hiro doesn't take her home and beds her?! that's fine too i guess... ]

[emotive]

I hope so... I'll do my best at any rate!

[thank u friend]

... Oh, and Athena?

[psycholawgy]

I'm not a pro, but I can help with whatever you need!

What is it?

[emotive]

I might have said something like this before... But after what happened at my birthday...

Thank you. Thank you for being my friend and letting me find out what being myself is like.