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]

[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.]

[viliorate]

[He'd love to get in the way, but he's pretty sure this is a great way for him to get kicked out of the office.]

I'll show you my new act.

[...]

When I'm healed, I mean.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Good thing you know him so well!]

I look forward to it. It'll surely be interesting.

[viliorate]

[We've unfortunately reached the point where Kimbley isn't capable of sitting still. He's trying but it's not actually working out that well now that he's finished planning out his routine.

Kimbley still needs to actually practice it first, but that has to wait.]

I'm sure you'll like it.

[That or Kimbley will be yelled at even more.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...Please don't say it's just as dangerous as your old routine...]

I'm sure I will.

[...]

Do you need something to do?

[He's noticed that you're not sitting still.]

[viliorate]

[He nearly defaults to saying "no," but stops himself at the last moment.]

Do you have something for me to work on?

[sadisticwarfare]

No, but I'm sure I can find something for you to do so you're not bored.

[viliorate]

[Kimbley isn't going to turn this down. He grins.]

Oh? Show me.

[sadisticwarfare]

I have a few more acts to look over, do you want to evaluate them for me?

[Admittedly that's trusting something big to Kimbley, but he's pretty sure he's not going to cut any of these acts anyway.]

[viliorate]

[He hesitates, because the last time Archer showed him acts, they got into a fight, but after a moment Kimbley nods.]

Yeah. Sure.

[sadisticwarfare]

Excellent.

[Archer hands over several papers with the acts listed on them as well as details about said acts, along with a small notebook.]

Feel free to take notes on anything you think could be improved or cut. They should be set up in the tent by now; just let them know you're handling this instead.

[viliorate]

[...Wow, this is a huge responsibility. He's... actually incredibly flattered.

He's going to flip through the notes curiously, because he needs to know who to approach.]

You're really trusting me with something like this?

[He definitely appreciates it but wow.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course I am.

[Granted, they're pretty much the main attractions for the circus, so getting rid of them isn't a possibility, but he does value Kimbley's opinion on the acts.]

This should keep you entertained for awhile.

[viliorate]

[You've made his day!

It's pretty clear that none of these acts are on at risk of being cut, but by Kimbley's expression, he's very pleased.]

This should keep me busy the rest of the day. I'll be back this evening.

[sadisticwarfare]

Perfect. Don't do anything that will strain you.

[This is good for both of them! Kimbley gets to do something helpful and Archer gets to have the office to himself!]

[viliorate]

Don't worry about it.

[Which means Archer should worry.

But Kimbley isn't back until the day is nearly over anyway, and he looks pretty damn content when he does return.]

Did you have fun in here all by yourself?

[sadisticwarfare]

...I'm not here to have fun, I have a job to do.

[But it's said with the usual smirk so clearly he isn't taking it too seriously.]

How did everything go?