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]

No, but...

[ she looks down at her reflection on her teacup, both hands cupping it and her fingers tapping on the china. ]

It doesn't mean it's alright.

[faithfulflame]

Oh no, it's not pleasant, but it happened. I made a mistake and didn't prepare properly. But I did accomplish what I needed to do.

[She looks down at her cup and takes another sip, savoring it this time.]

It was quick and painless. Unlike the last three times.

[psycholawgy]

How can you even say all that so calmly?

[faithfulflame]

Because I've been through it before. It gets easier, and there's no point in screaming and crying over something I cannot change. I was killed freeing hundreds of ghosts from some sort of prison. If Yuri-chan and I hadn't been sent there, they may have languished for eternity.

[She breathes in, breathes out, and dips her head in deference to Athena.]

Should I be upset about something I can't change? I really, truly am sorry that I worried you, Athena, but I'm here now. Same as always.

[psycholawgy]

... I wish I could be as strong as you.

I wasn't hurt - wherever we went. But... I was so scared of dying. I always am.

[faithfulflame]

[Rei dips her head and pats the couch beside her.]

Please come sit with me.

[She wants that, if you'll indulge her.]

I'm glad you're alright. And I'm sorry you're afraid. I think...maybe that's natural.

[psycholawgy]

[ alright, then... she moves to take a seat beside rei, and sets her cup on the table. ]

Not... really. There are so many people who would risk their lives for their friends-- I. I could say things like that, but the actual thought of it is just terrifying.

[faithfulflame]

[The irony of the girl who died comforting the one who lived isn't lost on Rei, and she leans tiredly against her galpal. That's mostly what she wanted, someone to lean on. You just happen to conveniently have obliged her.]

Athena, that's normal. You think I'm not frightened when I fight? Only someone a lot more foolish than I am wouldn't be afraid. There's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.

[patting Athena's knee, Rei lets out a bitter, rough laugh.]

If you weren't scared, I'd seriously wonder what was wrong with you.

[psycholawgy]

[ here's the thing... ]

That's the thing. I don't want to be scared. I want to protect people and make sure nothing bad happens to them. But-- I can't do that with the way I am now.

[faithfulflame]

Athena...

[Rei smiles somewhat exasperatedly and leans harder against the lawyer, one arm finally snaking around to hug her at the waist.]

You can do that in ways I can't. You're a talented investigator and lawyer. Phoenix-san told me that about you. You're also a therapist, and that's a way to protect someone's mind. There are more things that need a guardian against than just violence.

[psycholawgy]

[ that just makes her frown even more, but she does nothing about the contact. ]

What? Boss said that...?

[faithfulflame]

[Hopefully not. Rei just wants you to be okay.]

Mmmhmm. You're the kind of person who looks out for other people. But you can't do everything. You don't have to be a soldier like me, or a warrior like Ryuko-chan. You just need to be you.

[psycholawgy]

[ she shifts a bit and draws up her feet, folding them and embracing them. ]

I wish I could do everything.

[ there's a reason why she asked ardeo if he could give her superpowers. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei keeps leaning, but does let go. Thanks for being a comfortable person, Athena.]

And I wish I could be able to do everything too. But it's not possible, even though I'm immortal. And there's nothing wrong with that.

[She did offer to teach you things...]

[psycholawgy]

... sorry, this is getting depressing, isn't it?

[faithfulflame]

Only if you dwell on it. I didn't come here to see you and be sad, though.

[Sips tea.]

I came to apologize for worrying you. I knew you'd know, so when I woke up I came right here after getting changed.

[It's perfectly acceptable for Rei to worry about other people, but being worried about bothers her.]

[psycholawgy]

It's- It's fine. I'm just glad you're back.

I'm so tired of losing people.

[faithfulflame]

I am too. But seriously. Is there anything I can do to make up missing drinks with you?

[She's dead serious.]

[psycholawgy]

It's okay, there's nothing I want. [ she faces rei and gives a soft smile. ] I'm just glad you're fine now.

[faithfulflame]

Alright. Though I'm going to insist that drinks? Happen soon.

[And not the tea kind.]

Did something happen to you?

[psycholawgy]

[ she shakes her head slowly. ]

Not in the same way that happened to you. I was taken, too, but nothing bad happened.

[faithfulflame]

Where did you go? And what happened?

[She knows a lot of people were taken. And one in particular makes her blood boil. Her voice is more clipped, businesslike now.]

[psycholawgy]

We were taken below ground... It was dark at first, and we were falling from a pretty great height. And then we found a library. It turns out we were at the bottom of the CERES tower.

[ her story is a bit jumbled up, but after hearing that rei had died, she's become rather frazzled. ]

[faithfulflame]

[A fact that Rei picks up on, and she very patiently sits and waits for Athena to finish before reaching out a hand to her shoulder and squeezing it.]

Athena. Slow down. I know a lot of things happened, but let's start at the beginning, okay?

Who took you below ground? Or did you just appear?

[psycholawgy]

The robot... the one who posted on the network a couple of weeks ago.