LOCKED TO viliorate

[sadisticwarfare]

[Profits have been way down in the last three months, and if things keep going this way, they won't last another three. Archer has the papers out in front of him, scouring everything to see where he can make cuts, yet again. He knows no one's going to be pleased, but they're going to have to remove another act. He's been told that cutting people from the circus is like throwing out a family member, but the fact of the matter is that the money he's making won't support everyone. It's not as though Archer is hoarding all the money for himself - though he's not exactly as generous to the others as he could be - but he's never really felt like part of the circus "family". They're the family members, he's the landlord.

Archer twirls his pen between his fingers as he examines the numbers again, finally selecting a couple of sheets with acts that he could possibly cut. He'll have to get Kimbley to look over them before he makes a final decision. Kimbley isn't his partner or his adviser, but Kimbley is his friend, and he'd rather have a second opinion on all this.]

Comments

[sadisticwarfare]

Don't concern yourself with it. We'll just cut your act, it's not that big of a deal.

[It's unfortunate, but it's not the end of the world.]

[viliorate]

[He makes a disappointed noise, but doesn't protest.]

It's just a couple of weeks. I'll manage.

[sadisticwarfare]

We'll see how well you're doing then, but I'd prefer it if you didn't perform the same act again.

[viliorate]

I know.

[It's not something he wants to agree to, but he knows better than to argue with Archer about this.]

I'm not as young as I used to be. It's for the best.

[sadisticwarfare]

Yes. I don't want you to get hurt again.

[He's glad Kimbley's agreeing to this. It probably isn't easy for Kimbley to give up on his act, but he's doing what will make Archer feel best, and that's a good thing in his opinion.]

[viliorate]

[It's hard for him to agree to it.]

I know you don't.

[Kimbley wants to complain, but he doesn't.]

It could have been bad, but I'm going to be fine. I won't even have any scars.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm glad to hear that. The most important thing is that you'll be okay again.

[viliorate]

It's weird hearing you act all sentimental.

[Not that he minds. Kimbley appreciates it more than he could possibly explain.]

I am going to be fine, you know. Maybe I'll stick to being your secretary for a while.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not sentimental.

[Yes he is.]

As long as you don't push yourself, I don't care what you do. I doubt you'd make a very good secretary, however.

[viliorate]

Of course you aren't.

[He likes the attention, Archer. Don't you know that? It's not like he seeks it out from anyone else, but you know. At least he looks for it in the right person.]

I'm sure I can help you out. I've done it before.

[Just ignore every single suggestion he has for finances.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Have you? I didn't know that.

[He's kind of concerned about entrusting any of his paperwork to you...]

[viliorate]

It's been a long time. I did a few odd jobs before the war.

[He'll do what he can to help Archer, but leaving him to deal with paperwork is probably a mistake.]

As long as you have a job for me I'll be fine.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'll always have a job for you, you know that.

[He is pretty biased with his employees, after all...]

[viliorate]

[...it's pretty obvious that Kimbley is his favorite, that much is known.]

You're good at keeping me busy.

[sadisticwarfare]

I do what I can for you.

[He smirks at that, clearly pleased with Kimbley's words.]

[viliorate]

[He definitely likes working for Archer. That won't change no matter what happens. Kimbley would probably only complain if he was asked to go back to being a janitor.]

I wouldn't have it any other way.

[When they get home, he turns the radio on, laying down on the couch to listen.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer finishes putting everything away and then moves to sit in the chair nearby to listen as well. This is nice, having downtime like this where he doesn't have to worry about anything. Of course he does have plenty to worry about, but he can push that out of his mind for a few minutes.]

[viliorate]

[It's not going to last, but the situation right now isn't grim.

It's bad and Kimbley is definitely more tense than he wants to admit but sometimes pretending everything is okay is the best course of action. Kimbley will heal, they'll leave town for a few days, and everything will be fine.]

I hope canceling my act isn't going to give us problems.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm sure it won't. There's plenty going on in the circus; most people won't even realize we're missing an act, and those that do probably won't care.

[If he's wrong about that then he can deal with those people individually, but he doubts it's anything to be too worried about.]

[viliorate]

You're right. We'll do fine. And I'll have something else to do, anyway.

[He'd prefer to continue with his act, but he made a promise, and this is one of those things he intends to take seriously.]

We'll be fine.

[....]

What kind of work would you have me do?

[sadisticwarfare]

Do you mean your act or do you mean as my secretary?

[viliorate]

Either. I'll do any work you give me.

[sadisticwarfare]

For your act... I'm not going to tell you to stop what you're doing entirely. I doubt you'd appreciate that. I don't want you to be as dangerous, however. Simple things are fine.

I haven't decided exactly what I would have you do otherwise, but I'm sure I'll think of something.

[viliorate]

[He can retool his act, he's sure.

He may have injured himself in an accident that probably won't repeat himself, but Kimbley is willing to change things around. Especially if it'll keep him from burning the shit out of himself again.]

I'm sure. We'll manage.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm glad to hear you say that.

[He's certain they will manage, but it's nice to have Kimbley agree with him on all that.]