gocirclegogo | Because Erika

[Relaxing with Zelos is supposed to be relaxing. And it is, mostly because she's decided to read. It's a mystery novel that only exists in this world and it's not the best but it's new, which is what matters. So she's laying on her stomach on his bed and reading until he's less whiny.]

Did some girl reject you or maybe it was a difficult time with some diligent stalkers after a lock of precious hair?

[Casual page turn.]

[He frowns.] No stalker has gotten a clip of these gorgeous locks ever. And women don't reject Zelos Wilder.

[Smiling to herself.] Oh, then you have accepted Lion as a man. I see.

[He holds up his hand.] Hey hey, Lion has accepted me. She just hasn't figured it out yet.

[Giggling as she turns another page.] Even a great detective can hardly shatter such strong delusions. But what else could possibly be amiss in the perfect life of Zelos Wilder?

[He doesn't get up from his chair to sit with her. Instead, he changes. He leans forward and looks right at her. And there isn't anything in his expression that can be fooled.]

Stop making enemies.

[Taken a bit off guard, but maybe not as much as she should be. So while Erika lowers her book slightly to look at him, it's only over the top.]

...That would be an impossible request. I am naturally hated.

Is assault with a weapon just not a charge where you come from, or do you not care about cutting people open with a scythe?

That depends on what part of home you mean. [But fine she'll stop playing dumb, even if she glances back at the pages.] Well, I would be lying if I said I felt anything in particular either way for them but it was an order. I also didn't assess the situation very well.

I thought you cared about this kid.

Guilt is not a tactic that should come up first in any elegant manipulation. Though I do, I didn't think you cared about the situation.

[Closing her book, she sets it on the bed and folds her arms over it, chin resting on them as Erika looks at him.]

It really isn't so easy. Telling someone their actions will lead to ruin and getting them to stop or listen are two very different things.

Do you even want to try?

[With one eye shut, she sighs.] Naturally. But I do think things through thoroughly. If I thought it would go well or that there was a relatively fair chance that it would at least, then I would try without so much caution.

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apotheostasis - 2011-12-15 22:48 (UTC) - Expand

[Because Erika is a stray, if she isn't sleeping or crawling through a window, she is actually a bit difficult to find. It helps having three places she can leave things at and scamper off to whenever she pleases. Pretty decent life for a cat.

As another consequence of her whims, sometimes she wanders off for longer periods than normal. Not that it really lasts all that long. But going from seeing her every night to radio silence for a week happens. Naturally, Erika will skip back in as if no time has passed and make usual demands of whoever her target is then.

Thus despite having actually not pestered Will recently, there is no pause when she spots him randomly while parading the streets as always. Kitty is in a good mood. So Will gets a wannabe loli dangling from around his neck.]

Good evening, Willard!

[It's a mix that he's grown used to it and that he doesn't care. The times Erika decides to disappear for some reason or another have actually become a bit of a solace. No Lion complaints, extra time to write up spare stories to bribe her, and being able to read for more than a few minutes without interruption.

And it might have actually been a day spent being productive. Then Erika ruins it all hanging from his neck, and he only bends down long enough for her to get a better hold before standing back upright, completely immune to her weight addition. Now there's even more victorians staring at that tall obviously-american guy, and he couldn't even care.]

It's afternoon right now, Erika. Nice to see you again.

['Shame' is a word only used for other people and usually in connection with making them feel it, so Erika doesn't care at being stared at. At least Will is enough of a gentleman to let her hang on him. Rather than the tight cling of before, now she is relaxed as she dangles.]

It is, it is. But that is just a trifle in my greeting. Where are you going, Willard? I'm getting a little bored, so I think I will accompany you there.

[The meaning is obvious, in that whatever Will was doing with his day, Erika is tagging along like duct tape stuck to his shoe.]

[It's less 'shame' and more 'annoying', but Erika is more of an accepted annoyance by now. And clinging makes her happy, probably from her being a cat, so it's fine. And her only question gets an eye-roll, because it means she's not leaving. Great.]

...Errands. As long as you make yourself useful.

[You tag along, you help with his shit. Easy enough.]

[Just think of her as an elaborate, squirmy and probably annoying necklace. Erika will let go when it gets boring or the novelty wears off. Such is her attention span.

And she hums, content enough.] How boring. If I wanted to have adventures buying eggs, I would do that myself. Still...that trade is fair enough. I will serve you to the best of my abilities.

[At least she's in a good mood.]

[She's only slightly annoying, as he's more than aware of how annoying Erika can actually get if she tries. All she even earns is a momentary freeze at her comments about egg buying. Wondering if he should tell her what it's really for. Then obviously choosing not to in favor of an amused smirk and right back to his usual pace.]

A bit boring. One you might like. [And it might cost him, knowing how quickly Erika raids for prizes, but that's fine.]

Did you enjoy your week?

[Catching that look. A riddle? But since they would be heading towards the answer, it might be a little boring. Then again, it could be a way to pass the time. Nothing wrong with some knowledge mining.

First, though, she smiles.] Has it been so long? How time flies. I did, though, thank you. Nothing worthy of note but enough to keep me thinking. And how goes your mundane existence?

[Not everything's a riddle that has to be torn apart. Though she'll learn that part later on. Hopefully. Maybe it can double as a lesson that there's better things to do with her time than be a rapist.

Too bad it's probably a futile effort.]

Long enough to make Lion think you were dead. [Can you picture how happy she was Erika? To know she could go a day without hearing your mom jokes? It was such a nice week.] And I was thinking of charging for advice. Too many visitors lately.

[What do you mean there's more to life than rape? Look she's realised there's multiple truths and that love is okay. That is pretty good. No reason to stop raping for knowledge.

She also drops down, not because she's bored, but because she needs to express her proper delight with a twirl.] Then I will need to pay a visit tonight for dear Lion.

[Poor Lion. But then she giggles.] Well, I have read somewhere that agents of Heaven should guide humans. It would be sinful to charge for it. Not that it ever stopped anyone.

[The look on his face is a perfect mirror of the flat stare given before he hits her or throws her out of a window. But alas, this isn't for Lion, it's a business expense. Which means keeping up some semblance of manners and not kicking little girls into the river in public.

So instead he walks right by her, not even giving her a chance for her usual 'what do think everyone' responses. Cold shoulder.]

[Maybe those words were right on her tongue but Will keeps going and ouch, feel that Arctic air. How rude. And mean. And uncalled for. And he is going on without her, so Erika tries to gracefully and casually catch up, missing the mark not in pace but her expression.]

Willard...? ...Well there isn't a need to repeat myself. [Not pouting. Or sulking. Clearly why she latches onto his arm.] So what sort of destination is more interesting than buying eggs?

[He doesn't even slow down when she latches on, still dragging her along so her feet trail behind her, and it gets another few double-takes and stares at Erika, but he doesn't break pace. But to Erika's joy, at least he stops ignoring her.]

Picking up uniforms. My boss didn't want to pay for delivery. [It's a half-truth. No need to ruin too much.]