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]

[ Let's pretend she's at the medical facility or smth. ]

Yes— Oh, Archer! What are you doing here?

[swordboning]

Because I'd like to talk, if you have the time.

[Holding out the pie, at least. He even brought silverware for her.]

[psycholawgy]

Come in, then. I don't have to do anything right now.

[ Hence the books scattered all around her desk. She takes the pie and puts it on a top of a pile of books.

... there's not a lot of space for new things right now. ]

[swordboning]

[Taking a seat then after heading in!]

This is about your cardboard box friend. Though I say friend pretty hesitantly.

[psycholawgy]

[ Now it'll look like they're having an official therapy session with how the room looks. ]

Yeah... I don't really know, either. I know her and all, but I don't think we're friends yet.

[swordboning]

Someone needs to warn her either way. If she keeps calling certain people cruel, she might come to learn what that word really means outside of the 'held her up for five seconds' meaning.

[psycholawgy]

What are you talking about?

[swordboning]

I'm using myself as an example because it presents itself. But this isn't the regulated, police happy world of the United States. People can get away with nearly anything with impunity here. Throwing around false accusations is only going to make herself a target. Unfortunately, with her attitude, she'll considering herself some kind of bastion of free speech if anyone warns her.

Which means I'm seriously debating alternate methods. I'm inviting you to talk me out of it or give me better options.

[psycholawgy]

[ Ugh... she just groans. Why does she have to think about this? ]

Tell me more about what you've come up with first.

[swordboning]

Before I tell you what I've come up with, I'd rather you'd hear where I'm coming from.

[psycholawgy]

What?! I asked first!

[swordboning]

Let me make it simple for you if you're just going to get mad. She accused me of being a terrible person, being cruel, and lying and manipulating you to get what I want.

[So many anger notes pinging right now, Athena. SO MANY.]

I won't deny being terrible but the others, I resent quite a bit.

[psycholawgy]

[ WOW CALM DOWN????

... now she's more irate with how much anger is flowing out of Archer. Thanks, empathy! ]

She said that?! Is she going to write about it?!

[swordboning]

I can't say if she will or not. I don't have any telepathic abilities.

[psycholawgy]

[ She furiously runs her hands through her hair, messing with how she's tied it. ]

Ugh... this is so annoying. She's always been so difficult to work with! And if you say something mean about her, she'll start crying!

[ Sounds like Athena??? ]

[swordboning]

Talk to her. Properly and clearly explain yourself. If she comes back with an apology for you and me, I'll hold myself back. If not, I'll have to scare her more than a bit, to show her what it really means to be cruel.

[psycholawgy]

I've already talked to her. And she said that any complaints should be written and sent to her personally. So I did that, but she hasn't even responded to it.

She's probably going to write about it in the newspaper and make herself look like the victim.

[swordboning]

If that happens, I won't be able to hold back Rin. I'm not putting this on you but if something must absolutely not happen, it would be someone telling lies about myself. I don't mind that. Rin, on the other hand....she has guns and doesn't have any compulsions in holding herself back.

Perhaps I should do something to her a little earlier if you can't get through to her.

[psycholawgy]

Don't hurt her!

[ She messes up her hair even more as she grumbles. ] I'll talk to her again. But I feel like she'll put the blame on you again if I do. That won't be right.

[swordboning]

I never planned on it. Making her see reality is a different story.

[psycholawgy]

Don't try anything.

... If you do, I'll get really mad at you.

[swordboning]

I'll give you a couple days. I'll face your anger in return for making sure she doesn't get tortured by others.

[psycholawgy]

If you know of anybody else who wants to do something about it, or her. . . [ She looks at the floor when she says it. Myriam is still somebody she feels responsible for, so she'll do whatever she can to get her out of trouble. ]

Tell them to come to me, okay? Don't let them go to Myriam.

[swordboning]

No. I absolutely refuse. Outside of Rin, you're the other person I'd prefer to keep from harm. Don't own up to mistakes that aren't your own.

[psycholawgy]

If there's anybody who can get to her, it's me.

Or maybe Mr. Wright. E- Either way...! I've decided.