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]

It's not going to happen, so there's no sense discussing it.

[It's kind of a hilarious mental image, actually.]

[viliorate]

I don't know. Maybe we should get you a wig so we can test it out.

[KIMBLEY]

[sadisticwarfare]

Absolutely not.

[viliorate]

What? It's not like I'm going to make you walk around wearing it.

[sadisticwarfare]

With my luck, you'll like it so much you'll insist I wear it to work. I'm not going to wear a wig to begin with.

[viliorate]

[...It was worth trying! You can't blame him.]

I'd hate to ruin your public image.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Sure he can!]

I'd never forgive you for it.

[Is he joking? It's hard to tell.]

[viliorate]

[...Oh come on, what are you going to do to punish him?]

I haven't ruined it yet, have I?

[But maybe that has to do with the bullshit excuse they have going so they can live together without people getting suspicious.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Not yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if something happened.

[That's obviously teasing, however!]

[viliorate]

Oh come on. How long have I worked for you again?

[As long as it remains teasing, he's pretty happy to tease right back.]

[sadisticwarfare]

It's been what... nearly ten years now?

[He smirks. He's pleased obviously.]

[viliorate]

[And they've probably been together for most of that time...]

See? You have nothing to worry about!

[sadisticwarfare]

Well you'd better not do anything to risk that.

[viliorate]

Come on, do you really think I would?

[Look at that innocent look!]

[sadisticwarfare]

...I wouldn't put it past you, honestly...

[viliorate]

[You know him far to well. He actually pouts at that.]

I'm not going to do anything!

[sadisticwarfare]

Good, I'm glad to hear that.

[viliorate]

[They should probably start heading to work then, shouldn't they? Kimbley vanishes to tie his hair back into its ponytail and returns after a few minutes, watching Archer in a way that makes it clear that he's not angry about the fight they had last night anymore.

That's a good thing!

Though he really doesn't ever stay angry at Archer long.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[He's the same way, he doesn't get angry at Kimbley for long either. He'll take Kimbley to work after they've eaten and then as usual, hole himself up in his office for the majority of the day.]

[viliorate]

[Technically speaking, Kimbley should be preparing for the next show. That's not what he does, of course. He knocks on the door to Archer's office instead before letting himself in.]

Hey.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Archer glances up, smirking when he notices who it is.]

Missing me already?

[He sets aside the papers he has neatly placed before him and turns to give Kimbley his full attention.]

Do you need something?

[viliorate]

[He very smoothly shuts the door.]

Nothing in particular.

[He's just doing his normal activity of bothering Archer!]

[sadisticwarfare]

Shouldn't you be working then?

[It's said lightly though, because he knows that Kimbley will always do whatever he wants, no matter what anyone tells him.]

[viliorate]

Helping you out counts as working, doesn't it?

[Kimbley's pretty good at helping out with finances and the like, actually. It's one of those skills he picked up on from working with Archer.]

[sadisticwarfare]

I suppose, but I meant with your act. We don't want any mishaps, now do we?