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]

Good, good. Are you feeling alright? Do you need me to get you anything?

[Once he gets started working there's going to be no stopping him so he might as well ask now.]

[viliorate]

Nah, I'll be fine.

[Look, he's actually doing work too.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...Wait, but you never do work like this...]

What are you doing?

[viliorate]

Figuring out how to change my act.

[...]

Just because I don't usually do this in front of you doesn't mean I don't do it.

[sadisticwarfare]

...I don't think I've ever seen you plan it out.

[He actually thought that Kimbley just made it up as he went...]

[viliorate]

[No one ever said Kimbley does a good job planning things out, but he puts in some effort.]

Usually it's just me and someone working as a spotter in case I screw up.

[sadisticwarfare]

What do you have so far?

[viliorate]

[A lot of incomprehensible doodles.

But he shows them off anyway.]

With new equipment, I shouldn't have a repeat of what happened before. I'm simplifying my routine a bit, keeping the exciting finale but modifying everything else so the flames will be further from my body.

[sadisticwarfare]

[...Well as long as you understand what those doodles mean...]

I see. I can't wait to watch you perform.

[...]

Of course you're not allowed to practice until you're fully healed. Don't get any ideas.

[viliorate]

[He laughs at that, shaking his head.]

I know better than to ask you that.

[sadisticwarfare]

Good. It would be unfortunate if you managed to injure yourself further because you're not fully recovered.

[He turns back to the papers laid out before him.]

Let me know if you need anything.

[viliorate]

Trust me, I'm not going to hurt myself again.

[Kimbley is still pretty reckless, but he's not stupid enough to risk severely injuring himself.

He'll go back to planning out his routine, occasionally taking notes. They're fairly haphazard plans, but it's something.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[It's good to see that Kimbley's working! Archer is busy as well, so he'll focus on his work.]

[viliorate]

[....you'd better hope that this lasts the entire day.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...Oh no, what are you going to do?]

[viliorate]

[Be a pest, what else?

He'll eventually get up from the cot to watch Archer do paperwork.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[He notices and turns to Kimbley.]

Do you need something?

[viliorate]

Not really.

[He says when he's clearly up to something.]

[sadisticwarfare]

What are you doing then?

[Sorry, he's not letting this go that easily.]

[viliorate]

Nothing you need to worry about. I'm behaving.

[sadisticwarfare]

[...]

Alright.

[He'll just get back to his paperwork then!]

[viliorate]

[Kimbley's still going to watch.

He's not going to drape himself over Archer since it's still work hours, but he's pretty tempted just because it would annoy the hell out of him.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[It's really odd to have Kimbley hovering like this, but Archer continues his calculations and fact-checking without looking up.]

[viliorate]

[It's only odd because he's usually sitting on the desk.

...which fortunately Kimbley doesn't do. Instead he goes back to sitting on the cot.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well at least he's not getting in the way. Archer relaxes a little once Kimbley is back on the cot.]