gocirclegogo | Because Erika

[Oh, her face is perfect. With a reaction like that to the threat of paperwork, she really could pass for an angel. Erika's even earned the prize of a short bit of snickering at her expense. Totally worth it. It even passes for payment.]

For that? You don't have to file anything.

[Chalking up the laugh at a shared moment of how ridiculous that system seems since Erika would whine if she was laughed at. At least she's back to happy.] How gracious. Though, in all due seriousness, I do offer to help with anything you need.

[Because this sounds fun. That really is the only reason.]

[It was half at her, half at the system, and it's nice that she took the one with less arguing in their futures. And her offer is nice, even if it's doubtful anything will even come to that.] It's a lot more boring than what you're thinking.

[Not even a lie, but that's not as fun is it?] ...Well. If anything interesting turns up, I'll be sure to call you first.

[Bright smile. That really is good enough for her. Erika drops off his arm and curtsies - somewhat, anyway, still adjusting to her new attire - to him. While one of her trademarks, it's more sincere.]

I appreciate it. I am far too inactive for my tastes.

[Soon she'll be practicing how to do her moves in the mirror from the curtseying to the climbing up to break in windows. But she's happy enough. And with an Erika removed, he can lower his arm again.]

Not enough exercise in your life? What a horrible owner. [Said in jest. Though there's a few seconds here hopping from something to something internally. Then finally answering.] He just needs to find you something to do. Why not have him ask Lion?

[Unlike some people, Erika can follow logical jumps fairly well. Unless it's Battler logic and then it's walking a bed of needles barefoot. Still, the spark when she understands a second later makes it obvious how she feels.]

I think that would be excellent practice for our owners and some fun for us, don't you agree?

[Oh, Erika. This is probably one of the best days of your sad sad life. Free clothes and she gets to beat up an angel in her future. And it's still nice to have someone who catches onto conversations quickly. Even if it's an intellectual rapist cat.]

Why else would I suggest it? [She's bored, Lion needs practice, and it gives a nice chance to ~~kill~~ question Mikado on his recent antics. And maybe a bit of himself being bored on the side.] Besides. You always wanted to play a game against us.

[Against Dlanor, technically, but supposedly he's scarier than her. It'd still make for something interesting no matter the ending.]

[It truly is one of the best days in her miserable existence. Possibly that says more about her life than the things actually being offered but oh well. Happiness is a nice emotion to have.

Though she can't help laughing.]

Then I will be playing fantasy side? How troublesome. [For an ex-Witch, it might be an odd statement but she was born and died The Detective. Her role is greater than that temporary - if sadly accurate on all accounts - title.] But game theory requires thinking as your opponent in certain ways. It should be a fun challenge. I will of course advise Mikado.

[And she's thinking similar thoughts as Will. The kind of game one makes says a lot about their person and their feelings. With Mikado's current state of mind, it would be helpful to them all.]

Though sometime, we should try allowing you the fantasy side. Practice makes perfect, Willard.

[See, and there she proves one of his reasons he tolerates her, already catching on to why making Mikado set up a board first is a good thing. The rules behind a game board also put a person's heart at risk, depending on how invested or practiced they are. Since it's his first time? Banking on that he'll take it too seriously, keep it close to home to prevent mistakes, and leave himself open in the process.

Then Erika pulls her subtle stabbing out of nowhere, and a victory for her since it gets a quiet annoyed 'tch' out of him. Nearly inaudible, but hey, Erika got a reaction for once. It doesn't matter that he was already on a bad side, wiping out most of his own moves in the previous fight on top of facing someone who had the answer sheet he just gave. A loss is a loss. No choice but to take it.]

Maybe so. It's also not fair if you're the only one playing from a position you're bad at... I'll figure something out after Mikado's. Consider it payment. [For breaking silence about her master, and then leaving him open for punishment via gameboards. And, hey, it means less boredom for her after the fact.]

[Surely Will appreciates a subtle stab than a gouging? Though she can't help giggling at his reaction. Not out of malice, just that it's a reaction at all. A sort of endearing one at that.

But with a grin, Erika nods. A mutual understanding. With any luck, they would find a solution that Mikado had not intended. And if not, well, still a delightful diversion.]

At least you'll have a fantasy advisor. [They both know Will is the mystery person on his team.] But thank you. I believe that means we're even.

[Well...maybe Erika thinks she owes him a little more for his kindness but that is something to be given to him randomly and clearly as a whim and not of any importance.]

[He's a bit proud of her she went with a stab over a gouging, whether she's aware of it or not. Though at least she's happy knowing she got a reaction for it. But her nod means she catches it, deal set. Even though it's mostly helping her out and he doesn't care one-tenth as much as her, but whatever. Details.]

The adviser will only be there to set the board. I can handle making my own moves. [Rude Erika, don't think he's that bad with Fantasy that he needs to defer to another. If anything, it's easier knowing Bernkastel's not part of the equation.]

Sure, even. ...Oh. But don't count your outfit toward it. [Heart-reader. She got a stab in before, so he'll get a quieter one, calling her out on knowing she still feels gratitude for it. You really are a nice kid Erika. Don't bother hiding it.

Slightly worse is that he doesn't give her a chance for a response before turning away to go deal with paying for her stuff. What now Erikaaa.]

[At least it isn't a stab that forces her hand, even if it leaves her standing there, Will taking the last word with him. Definitely still a bad kid, okay. If anything, Erika would say she's just moved from Chaotic Evil to Chaotic Neutral. Or maybe Lawful Evil.

Erika will deeply ponder her alignment later for tsun-ing purposes.

For the time being she just waits at the door, because she does have one more thought.]

Then are you ordering the pins, too?

[When he comes back is when he has the two bags with the other two uniforms slung over one shoulder. One down. Takes forever with a stray cat tagging along, but eh. Same as before. She's genuinely happy, so that means it's completely fine.

And her question gets a half-shrug.] I already ordered them. You're out of luck there.

[It means very lady-like hanging off his arm, too, and possibly to an outsider, it might look like an odd little sister leaning against her brother. But a cat owner can probably recognise the self-satisfied affection easier.]

A shame. I have no choice but to accept a pin in the future and be further in debt.

[It really could pass for a set of siblings. Ignoring the vast height difference and the mismatched hair colors. But with that kind of an answer, it's hard to tell if she's actually showing affection for her gift, or if she's sucking up to get more stuff. Probably the latter. His fault for spoiling the cat.]

I don't have that much extra to spend on cat toys. Especially gold ones. [A uniform is one thing, custom-made jewelry is an entire other bag of lost paychecks, payment plans and debt. Alas.]

[The latter indeed. What cat gives up so easily when a person keeps pampering them? Certainly not this one. Erika isn't the least bit deterred by this whole idea of money or not having enough or whatever silly reason it is.]

I did say the future. I know you wouldn't break a promise, Willard, especially one you reminded me of from time to time.

[The weirdest but most brilliant logic ever: say she'll get one eventually, mean it, and use it against her. Sure, enough whining could get it but being fair here.]

[That really is the weirdest brilliant logic. Not because it works, but because Erika's suggesting blackmailing herself. Which means she must want that pin more than her own dignity. The fact he can't do that for her even with an offer like that is almost sad.]

...I don't break promises. It's why I'm not making one.

[To be fair it was also a gambit that Erika had hoped would work. And it failed, even in the different ways she thought it might go. So her reaction is to groan a little pathetically.]

Why is it you can't be a jerk when it would be convenient?

[Maybe he feels guilty. Maybe. But it's a very small bit of guilt, so all she gets is a shrug to her despairing.]

Sorry I'm not predictable.

[Oh Will. Erika cocks an eyebrow at him and makes a disapproving sound.]

You should never apologise for being interesting. It means I have to think of a new angle of attack.

[She can be as disapproving as she wants, he's going to be the boring one and be steadfast in not moving from his decision.]

I won't tell you to give up... but I will advise you to find something else to bother me about. [The best way he can bluntly say 'no'. If she wants to keep pestering after that, then go ahead. He made his peace.]

[If anything, it just lifts her mood again and she shoots him a grin.]

I don't think that will be a problem at all, Willard. So I will take that advice.

[Really, Will, don't suggest she find more things to annoy you about.]

[He knows that it's damning him to future tortures, but it also means she's kept in a good mood instead of depressing over that she can't get a pin out of it. Distraction at the expense of oneself, no one can ever say he wasn't nice to her.]

Good. Keep it in mind for once.

[As long as he knows. It does keep her good mood, well, good. Erika can think of all the little ways to broaden her horizons when it comes to pestering Will. The best use of her time.

Also gains Will +1 Contented Cat, which has no stat bonuses but does look nice on his arm.]

Because Erika

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