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]

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.]

[viliorate]

[It's not like injuring himself stupidly wasn't going to make him rethink what he's doing. If that's just experience on Kimbley's part everyone should be glad he's not as immature as he used to be.]

We've done pretty well so far.

[sadisticwarfare]

Indeed. Just don't get injured again.

[He's smirking when he says it, but he's entirely serious.]

[viliorate]

If that happens, I'll never hear the end of it.

[He's pretty sure getting injured again is a quick way to end up with Archer refusing to let Kimbley out of his sight ever again.]

[sadisticwarfare]

No, you won't.

[You know him too well!]

So I shouldn't have to tell you to be careful.

[viliorate]

I'll be careful.

[It's said a little too quickly.]

It was an accident. I'm not going to repeat this anytime soon, that much I can tell you.

[sadisticwarfare]

Good.

[As usual, Archer notices nothing wrong with Kimbley's answer.]

There are plenty of other things you can do, don't worry.

[viliorate]

[Hopefully he'll avoid setting himself on fire again.]

Don't put me in charge of the paperwork and we'll be fine.

[sadisticwarfare]

I wouldn't dream of boring you with that.

[He's really more concerned about Kimbley messing his paperwork up.]

[viliorate]

[Oh come on, he's not that bad.

...okay he is that bad.]

Of course not. Even if it wouldn't bore me, you'd still refuse to let my anywhere near your paperwork.

[sadisticwarfare]

...Well yes, but that's not the point.

[You are exactly that bad.]

[viliorate]

[It doesn't help that he fakes an innocent look right about now.]

What's the point, then?

[sadisticwarfare]

[Don't try to look innocent!]

The point is that I'll find something for you to do, even if it isn't handling my paperwork.

[viliorate]

[It really doesn't work on his face...]

I know you will.

[That much isn't a lie at all. He trusts Archer with things like this.]

....I should go to bed, huh? You're going to fuss at me if I fall asleep here.

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course I am. Get some sleep; you need all the rest you can get to heal from your injuries.