alchemicals | IC Contact / empatheias

...I'm honestly not sure.

[Which is true, but it's not helping with the chill in the air. He absently gets up to pace further away from Kimbley, because he's not going to freeze the alchemist.]

I would say I don't feel upset, but obvious that's not the case. I usually don't cause temperature drops like this unless I am upset in some way, though I'm not really sure why.

[Which is frustrating, but not frustrating enough to get any emotional reaction. Man, these potions are pretty damn great, no wonder you've got so many.]

[...He's on them pretty much constantly; they're why he hasn't tried to kill anyone lately, and they keep him from being recklessly suicidal. So yeah, they're pretty damn great, actually.]

It'll work itself out eventually. I'm not really good with the whole feelings thing, but the ones I've done this to before came out of it fine.

...I know. You wouldn't have offered if you weren't certain that it would be okay.

[He's confident about that, at least. Still, this isn't hitting him right and he knows it's going to bother him until he figures out why. That does require thinking about it though, and he's not sure he's ready for that.

There are a few tiny icicles forming in the air around him, but they're not doing anything other than hovering where they're formed.]

My apologies, I'm sure I'll work myself out shortly.

Don't- ...You don't have to apologize to me, I get it.

[He isn't entirely sure that he does and it's obvious from the sound of it; that said, though, he just kind of...keeps eyeballing those icicles, because those are never a good sign, okay.]

[...Kimbley probably doesn't, but it's not like Archer can explain. He's not sure he gets it.]

I'll work through it. I always do.

[It usually involves a lot of rage but. He tries. So he'll try to work through this too.]

Yeah, I know you do.

[He's just kind of...quiet for a moment, idly messing with his sleeves a bit.]

You want me to leave you alone, or what?

No.

[The answer is immediate and he slams down on it a little harder than he needs to. Archer shakes his head.]

I'd rather not be alone right now.

[He'll handle this better once his emotions are a little less... whatever they're doing right now.]

[Holy shit, okay - ]

Then come sit down. I don't give a shit if it's cold.

No. You hate the cold; I'm not doing that to you.

[A few more icicles form at that.]

...I don't know if you've noticed, but I form a lot of ice when I'm worked up. I'm getting used to it.

...Well, yes...

[It sounds like he's going to protest, but instead he changes his mind and approaches. He sits on the end of the couch like that will somehow help, though it's really cold around him.]

See, there we go.

[...]

I'm not trying to bolt or anything, just saying it like it is - I've got no idea what I'm supposed to do right now, but if you don't want me to go anywhere, I won't.

[...]

I don't know what I'm supposed to do right now either, so at least you're in good company.

[It's not really a joke despite how sarcastic it is.]

...Thank you, though.

[He's not entirely sure it's helping, but it's definitely not making the situation worse.]

No, it's fine. I actually sort of do understand this one.

[It's a bit less blank-sounding than last time; kind of like he actually does.]

...I got in contact with you that one time that kid and I were playing around with potions, because I didn't want to be alone in my head while we were doing that. I figure it's something like that, so yeah, I get it.

...Yes, that's exactly it, actually.

[He wouldn't have thought to word it like that, or even think about it like that. That's exactly what it is though, and there's some sort of relief in knowing what it is about this that's bothering him. It doesn't get the air to warm up any, but Archer looks a little more relaxed.]

I don't want to sit and think about it right now because I know it's going to mess me up. I can't deal with that right now.

[It's not easy to admit and it sounds a little stunted when he says it, but there it is.]

Then we don't have to talk about it.

[And from the sound of it, it literally is just that simple.]

We can talk about whatever you want, I don't really care. Or I can talk about stuff if you don't want to, just give me a topic and don't have it be something like singing the goddamn national anthem, because I don't remember it and can't sing anyway.

You're terrible.

[But there's nothing serious in his tone and he's sort of smirking, so well done. Kimbley's really damn good at being a distraction. He never really appreciated it back home.]

But I'll spare you from singing, even though it is nice to know that you would consider just for me.

[The icicles are beginning to melt and the temperature is rising a bit, so at least there's that!]

I'm probably the least musically-inclined person on the planet, it'd be godawful.

[It's light, though; he's good at what he does, what can he say.]

The girl who made those potions actually got me to dance with her back in Theasthai; I'm pretty sure we were both convinced that I was going to step on her or something.

Did you? You certainly seem uncoordinated enough to manage it.

[It's light though, and he's quick to move onto the most important thing—]

How did she manage to convince you to suffer like that? Were you feeling particularly masochistic that day?

[listen dancing is an archaic form of torture]

[He just shrugs a bit at that.]

What can I say? She's really cute.

Oh please, you had to have more of a reason than that.

[...that was totally the only reason, wasn't it.]

...No, that was about it.

[y e p]

[oh my god]

Really.

[why would you ever want to dance with a girl]

[...because he's immune to the fucking cooties apparently what is your problem]

Yeah...? I don't know what else you want me to say.

I can't imagine how anyone can find that enjoyable.

[in other words: did you have fun dancing with her]

IC Contact / empatheias

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