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 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.

[psycholawgy]

[ ah /// such fluffy feelings now. ]

Hey, I didn't do anything. That was all you.

[emotive]

Hm.

[Ai pulls the blanket over her shoulders a little more snugly.]

You know, we've been here in Cerealia for a really long while now haven't we? It's almost unreal.

[psycholawgy]

[ she looks up at the ceiling, slumping a little bit to get more comfortable. ]

Yeah... I miss Simon. It's been so long since I last saw him.

[emotive]

Oh... [Ai is mildly surprised.]

But at least it's not like you're lonely anymore.

[psycholawgy]

I'm not, but he's still one of my best friends, you know? Even after all that. . .

[ she waves a hand dismissively. ]

I miss Ryuko too, and more and more people keep disappearing into the Nexus. Jack Frost, Katsura, Kaoru, Ene... it's like I'm slowly losing my friends.

[emotive]

[Ai nods. Ryuko's absence kept resonating within her even though she and Athena kept trucking on.]

But we're alright aren't we?

We have to be.