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 suppose that's very true. I wouldn't have it any other way.

[viliorate]

As soon as I heal...

[Well, he's going to do something. He hasn't decided yet.]

I did say that I'd change my act if I got hurt again, didn't I?

[sadisticwarfare]

...You did. I know how much you like that act but...

[He doesn't want you to get hurt again.]

[viliorate]

I'll keep my promise.

[He attempts a reassuring smile, but it's a little off.]

I don't like seeing you panic.

[sadisticwarfare]

I know you don't but your act is a big draw...

[Forcing Kimbley to give it up will only hurt profits. This isn't something he can decide right away, and Archer shakes his head after a moment.]

...We'll think about it. I'm not going to make any rash decisions one way or another.

[viliorate]

...Yeah, I know.

[He's already aware that they're going to be at a disadvantage with him out of commission for a while. Why couldn't he have injured himself doing something cool instead of it being a stupid injury?]

You'll come up with something, I'm sure. You always do.

[sadisticwarfare]

I know.

[He'll have to think on it, but for now he wants nothing more than to just sit with Kimbley for awhile.]

Does it still hurt?

[viliorate]

It doesn't hurt so bad now.

[He smirks like he hasn't just had a rather serious injury.]

You're going to stay here for a while, right?

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course I am.

[He finally moves up to sit beside Kimbley, though he's cautious of Kimbley's side for obvious reasons.]

I'll have to work eventually, but for now I'd rather stay with you.

[viliorate]

I'm sure you could do some of your work in here.

[Not that he can really help in his current state, but he's going to try.]

[sadisticwarfare]

Well yes, but you might distract me.

[viliorate]

I'm not going to distract you.

[sadisticwarfare]

...I'll get to it in a little bit.

[For now he's just going to reach out and awkwardly wrap an arm around Kimbley's shoulders.]

[viliorate]

[Hey, if you think he's going to turn down the attention...]

Just don't forget about it. You'll be angry if you do.

[sadisticwarfare]

You know how I am; I won't forget about something that important.

[viliorate]

[He leans into the touch, looking pretty content.]

I know. I can't imagine you'd forget.

[sadisticwarfare]

You don't need to worry about that, at least. Just focus on resting for now.

[viliorate]

Mhm.

[That's an instruction he's more that willing to follow.]

You make a pretty good pillow, you know.

[sadisticwarfare]

Do I? Get some sleep, Kimbley.

[viliorate]

[Way ahead of you. It's not going to be the most restful sleep he's ever had, but he does fall asleep eventually.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[That's good. He'll play with Kimbley's hair for awhile before gently settling him on the pillows (hopefully not waking him up in the process), then proceeding to go into the study to work on the budgets he brought home with him.]

[viliorate]

[He doesn't wake for several hours, and when he does he sits up, but doesn't try to move from the bed right away. It's not like he's hurt his legs, but his arm hurts like hell and his side hurts, too.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well unfortunately Archer's hearing isn't that good, so he doesn't come rushing to Kimbley's aid immediately. Instead he's still working out in the study, but he should be pretty easy to find if you want to look for him.]

[viliorate]

[Archer had better not yell at him for getting out of bed, even if he looks a little uncomfortable and is holding his side fairly gingerly.]

Still working?

[sadisticwarfare]

[He doesn't yell, but he does look up when he hears footsteps.]

You should be resting, Kimbley.

[He gets up and attempts to usher Kimbley back to the bedroom.]

Do you need more ice?