i don't wanna dredge up painful reminders for you but if you ever need to talk about it? you know how to reach me.
( and he's a fairly good listener when he's not aphro'd out of his mind and handsy. )
nah i think it'd be closer to shameless sex magic that you know you should care about but you just don't or who needs friends when you can have orgies? not that i have
Thanks, Archie. 🙂 That means a lot. But I think I'm okay.
[ She's been through a lot recently before coming to the city, so getting stuck in the conflict in the Down is just another thing to add to the pile. Mostly she's just pissed at how the city blew it off, at least in the Up. ]
We could always hang out without the convenient excuse of me needing to vent, though. If you want.
I feel like you might want to knock on some wood now. Who knows when this place is going to throw either of us into one unexpectedly? I'm actually a little surprised it hasn't already happened.
of course i want. i'd like to get to know you the proper way.
( not that he minded the improper way. )
like when you're hungry next? we can grab food and catch up. unless there's something else you've been dying to do around town that nobody else has volunteered for
yeah, i would if i felt like it would get me anywhere
( be right back, he's going to knock on his dresser anyway. for her. he's convinced whatever bad thing happens will happen to him. riverdale™ reasoning. )
perfect. i'm free when you are and if i'm not, i'll move things around just tell me when
( he doesn't have to tell her not to dress up, right? not only will they get arrested but archie will be too distracted to care. admittedly though, he would be drawn to clary in one of his t-shirts and his boxers. ...not helpful. )
you think wanting to jump into bed with someone is dangerous?
[ Clary's generally more comfortable in tank tops and jeans, anyway; dressing up is reserved for special occasions. And while she'll put in a bit of extra effort, she won't go over the top, largely because of the city they're in. ]
I think being unable to control when and who I jump into bed with is what's dangerous. Also never knowing where or when or how the desire will hit.
[ Not to mention the particulars of said jumping into bed, or the punishments that could come from getting caught not following the rules. ]
( instaneously and with zero chill, she can imagine him with his phone glued to his hand if she wants. that's technically night for the summer. )
that makes sense i'm doing my best to lean into it because if i can't predict when or how, then all i'm doing is wasting time and energy afraid of something out of my hands
it's still weird but as long as everyone's having a good time? i don't know. i'm trying to be okay with it.
[ Maybe she should be put off by how quickly he answers but instead, Clary just finds it charmingly cute. (Also she's best friends with Simon, so she's used to people who have zero chill.) ]
Split the difference and do 7:30? We can meet outside of the Up apartments. Unless you moved out before your extended beauty rest.
[ Not that he needs any beauty rest at all... ]
That's actually a really good way to look at it. Maybe I'll have to try and adopt that perspective, too.
[ She would've said "It's a date!" but a) she's pretty sure their devices are as monitored as their apartments and b) she doesn't want him thinking she thinks it's a date date. Even if she wouldn't be upset at all, were that the case. ]
Definitely not hurting anyone, at least to my knowledge. But I'll give it a try, for sure.
Besides, it probably happens to everyone here eventually. Which definitely doesn't make it better, just you know community suffering, I guess?
Has anyone ever told you that you have a really good head on your shoulders, Archie? I mean, I've got friends who are happy here, but they've been here way longer than us. It's way more meaningful having a fellow newbie try to look at things that way.
Have you racked up a collection of quota credits already?
[ ...maybe not the part you were supposed to focus on there, Clary, but she's admittedly curious. He's certainly attractive enough, and that day in the locker room was memorable, regardless of any outside influences encouraging it.
But ignoring that, it is a good idea. One they'd probably never go for, though, unfortunately. ]
They'd probably claim it wasn't fair, like we wouldn't all be pulling our weight or something.
[ As for his question, well. It takes a few minutes for Clary to respond. ]
I'm guessing you don't want answers like "more fair treatment for Subs"?
Honestly, I don't know. I have a lot of friends here, so I don't feel like I'm struggling through this alone. Though they're not really the sort of friends who can help with quota.
The ability to talk to people back home would be nice. Even though time somehow freezes there while we're here.
[ Or her impending contract due date since they're all signed on with Magnus. ]
i'm not against those answers? i hope that's something we're all on the same page about without saying
( he expects people to be better, do better, even after having all the underground ( and above ground ) crime in riverdale unearthed. )
are you struggling with quota?
( a prying inquiry, one that he has no right volunteering to help with but he definitely doesn't want clary having to undergo something much worse than sleeping around. )
what would you tell them?
i wasn't expecting you to flip it around on me since people can come here from any place and time... i'd wish for my dad to be here, weirdness aside
or for the chance for us to make a real difference here impact the system have a voice elect officials we actually want
[ At least for the people kidnapped and brought here against their will. The natives don't know any different, so she can't really hold it against them. Too hard. ]
No? I mean, not really. I don't exactly have set partners that I hook up with once a week but it's not like I've missed the cut-off.
[ It just feels weird to her, essentially scheduling sex dates. She much prefers the "see where things go" approach. ]
Depends on who I'd be talking to. Definitely nothing about the games this place plays, though. They'd probably think I lost my mind.
I can definitely get behind us having a voice. Though it would hardly be fair. They'd just let us vote since we're Doms, forget about the Subs.
( if clary's okay and not struggling, then he'll kick the corner of the rug back down, smoothing it over with a sneaker. better left unseen and unspoken. it'd be one thing if she was scrambling at the end of the month to reach a deadline. she's not. )
if they care about you, they'd probably want to believe you
( fair, it's not the same as not thinking someone's crazy. )
we could have council meetings hear them out speak for everyone it's probably a pipe dream to begin with
( for a couple minutes it seems like archie is ignoring clary's final question. his reply comes through eventually, after a thoughtful moment on how not to take over the conversation. )
the opposite actually my dad was basically the only one around no matter what choices i made or who i wanted to be but he was like that for the whole town
he would know what to do and how to inspire people
[ Honestly, considering she's a Shadowhunter and everyone in her life that she'd tell about this place (to varying degrees of specifics) knows how weird things can get. But saying "I drank hot chocolate and banged a couple of strangers in a locker room" is still a bit of a stretch. ]
Definitely a pipe dream but a nice one, at least. And who knows? Maybe it'll happen. Though I think I'd rather be back home before I see that kind of change.
[ Since she imagines it'll take a long time for it to go into effect if it ever did.
She does actually think that Archie's just not going to respond to her last question, which is fair. It could be a sensitive issue and while they're slowly becoming friends, it's not like she has any right to pry into his personal life. So when his response comes through, she's a little surprised.
And then she's almost wishing he wouldn't have responded because the first part, about how he was always there for him, reminds Clary of her mom. Reminds her of how she's here in some sex-crazed city while her mom's back home, trapped in a magical coma. And sure, she might not actually really be missing anything back home, but it still hurts. ]
I can see why you'd want him here. He sounds like a really great dad.
i've heard there are a few people who have been in the city for years and i don't want to discredit them or call them lazy because i'm sure they've tried to make things better for themselves if not everyone i don't know gives me something to fight for
( stagnant is not a word archie would use to describe duplicity. same sex, different day? nope. the sex has been pretty unpredictable too. on the surface, this place seems like what he imagines a nonstop frat party is like — booze, drugs, promiscuity as far as the eye can see. there's darkness right beneath the so-called harmless fun, ripe with cruelty, power dynamics, and lies. archie thinks this is the perfect place to lose yourself and he can't be purposeless.
I take it you don't do well with sitting still. No judgment; I don't, either.
[ Nor does she take well to people being treated unfairly simply because of who or what they are. ]
Cliche answer, which comes from being an artist: all of them. Real answer: probably green. But like a green that isn't super bright or too dark. Emeraldy, almost.
bad things happen to good people when you're complacent
( he learned that the hard way with jason blossom's death and the rise of a serial killer later. they weren't connected but one thing created another monster. )
you're an artist? what do you draw? or create? the most emeraldy green got it
blue and i'm not that stuck on any one shade i like it from the lightest crystal blue to as dark as navy
I think I've said that same exact thing before. Great minds, right?
Draw and paint, actually. And it depends on what medium I'm using/what I'm putting it on. My go-to is charcoal or graphite and paper, which usually ends up being life-like stuff. People, landscapes, really interesting buildings... If I paint, it's usually abstract on paper or graffiti-style spray paint on my friend's van. He was in a band; I did his logos.
Blue's a good color. Do you have any particular attachment to it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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you know how to reach me.
( and he's a fairly good listener when he's not aphro'd out of his mind and handsy. )
nah
i think it'd be closer to shameless sex magic that you know you should care about but you just don't
or
who needs friends when you can have orgies?
not that i have
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But I think I'm okay.
[ She's been through a lot recently before coming to the city, so getting stuck in the conflict in the Down is just another thing to add to the pile. Mostly she's just pissed at how the city blew it off, at least in the Up. ]
We could always hang out without the convenient excuse of me needing to vent, though.
If you want.
I feel like you might want to knock on some wood now.
Who knows when this place is going to throw either of us into one unexpectedly?
I'm actually a little surprised it hasn't already happened.
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( not that he minded the improper way. )
like when you're hungry next?
we can grab food and catch up.
unless there's something else you've been dying to do around town that nobody else has volunteered for
yeah, i would if i felt like it would get me anywhere
( be right back, he's going to knock on his dresser anyway. for her. he's convinced whatever bad thing happens will happen to him. riverdale™ reasoning. )
you don't like me tempting fate?
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If I think of something I'll let you know, but catching up over food sounds great.
Maybe dinner sometime in the next few days?
[ They'll just have to make sure it doesn't look like a date or they'll get in trouble, them both being Doms and all. ]
Can you blame me?
This place seems dangerous enough with you jinxing us.
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just tell me when
( he doesn't have to tell her not to dress up, right? not only will they get arrested but archie will be too distracted to care. admittedly though, he would be drawn to clary in one of his t-shirts and his boxers. ...not helpful. )
you think wanting to jump into bed with someone is dangerous?
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[ Clary's generally more comfortable in tank tops and jeans, anyway; dressing up is reserved for special occasions. And while she'll put in a bit of extra effort, she won't go over the top, largely because of the city they're in. ]
I think being unable to control when and who I jump into bed with is what's dangerous.
Also never knowing where or when or how the desire will hit.
[ Not to mention the particulars of said jumping into bed, or the punishments that could come from getting caught not following the rules. ]
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7 or 8ish?
( instaneously and with zero chill, she can imagine him with his phone glued to his hand if she wants. that's technically night for the summer. )
that makes sense
i'm doing my best to lean into it because if i can't predict when or how, then all i'm doing is wasting time and energy afraid of something out of my hands
it's still weird but as long as everyone's having a good time?
i don't know. i'm trying to be okay with it.
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Split the difference and do 7:30?
We can meet outside of the Up apartments.
Unless you moved out before your extended beauty rest.
[ Not that he needs any beauty rest at all... ]
That's actually a really good way to look at it.
Maybe I'll have to try and adopt that perspective, too.
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( he hasn’t moved out. where would he go? all of his friends are in the up provided housing, give or take the new ones he’s made. )
practice makes perfect?
which isn’t me telling you to take risks and walk on the wild side
just maybe don’t beat yourself up if you give in or slip up
i mean, if you’re not hurting anyone, you know?
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[ She would've said "It's a date!" but a) she's pretty sure their devices are as monitored as their apartments and b) she doesn't want him thinking she thinks it's a date date. Even if she wouldn't be upset at all, were that the case. ]
Definitely not hurting anyone, at least to my knowledge.
But I'll give it a try, for sure.
Besides, it probably happens to everyone here eventually.
Which definitely doesn't make it better, just
you know
community suffering, I guess?
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then we're doing something right
( they have to be here. they have to meet quota. they have to sign a contract. there's no requirement that says they have to be miserable. )
not saying i'm there yet
but the company's not bad
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I mean, I've got friends who are happy here, but they've been here way longer than us.
It's way more meaningful having a fellow newbie try to look at things that way.
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it’s usually what were you thinking, archie?
you could say i’m used to trying to make the best of a bad situation?
i see the terrible things that happen here but i want to do something about them
like transferring quota credits if you have a surplus or designating someone/volunteering for punishment in someone’s place
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[ ...maybe not the part you were supposed to focus on there, Clary, but she's admittedly curious. He's certainly attractive enough, and that day in the locker room was memorable, regardless of any outside influences encouraging it.
But ignoring that, it is a good idea. One they'd probably never go for, though, unfortunately. ]
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while i was in a coma? i hope not.
imagine if you were in a relationship and your friend lost their contract partner
or just got here
they wouldn't have to stress
i guess if was that easy to fight the system something like that would exist already
other than the ability to leave, what would make this place better for you?
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like we wouldn't all be pulling our weight or something.
[ As for his question, well. It takes a few minutes for Clary to respond. ]
I'm guessing you don't want answers like "more fair treatment for Subs"?
Honestly, I don't know.
I have a lot of friends here, so I don't feel like I'm struggling through this alone.
Though they're not really the sort of friends who can help with quota.
The ability to talk to people back home would be nice.
Even though time somehow freezes there while we're here.
[ Or her impending contract due date since they're all signed on with Magnus. ]
What would make it better for you?
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i hope that's something we're all on the same page about without saying
( he expects people to be better, do better, even after having all the underground ( and above ground ) crime in riverdale unearthed. )
are you struggling with quota?
( a prying inquiry, one that he has no right volunteering to help with but he definitely doesn't want clary having to undergo something much worse than sleeping around. )
what would you tell them?
i wasn't expecting you to flip it around on me
since people can come here from any place and time...
i'd wish for my dad to be here, weirdness aside
or for the chance for us to make a real difference here
impact the system
have a voice
elect officials we actually want
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[ At least for the people kidnapped and brought here against their will. The natives don't know any different, so she can't really hold it against them. Too hard. ]
No?
I mean, not really.
I don't exactly have set partners that I hook up with once a week
but it's not like I've missed the cut-off.
[ It just feels weird to her, essentially scheduling sex dates. She much prefers the "see where things go" approach. ]
Depends on who I'd be talking to.
Definitely nothing about the games this place plays, though.
They'd probably think I lost my mind.
I can definitely get behind us having a voice.
Though it would hardly be fair.
They'd just let us vote since we're Doms,
forget about the Subs.
Was your dad not around back home?
1/2
if they care about you, they'd probably want to believe you
( fair, it's not the same as not thinking someone's crazy. )
we could have council meetings
hear them out
speak for everyone
it's probably a pipe dream to begin with
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the opposite actually
my dad was basically the only one around no matter what choices i made
or who i wanted to be
but he was like that for the whole town
he would know what to do and how to inspire people
no subject
Definitely a pipe dream
but a nice one, at least.
And who knows? Maybe it'll happen.
Though I think I'd rather be back home before I see that kind of change.
[ Since she imagines it'll take a long time for it to go into effect if it ever did.
She does actually think that Archie's just not going to respond to her last question, which is fair. It could be a sensitive issue and while they're slowly becoming friends, it's not like she has any right to pry into his personal life. So when his response comes through, she's a little surprised.
And then she's almost wishing he wouldn't have responded because the first part, about how he was always there for him, reminds Clary of her mom. Reminds her of how she's here in some sex-crazed city while her mom's back home, trapped in a magical coma. And sure, she might not actually really be missing anything back home, but it still hurts. ]
I can see why you'd want him here.
He sounds like a really great dad.
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and i don't want to discredit them or call them lazy
because i'm sure they've tried to make things better
for themselves if not everyone
i don't know
gives me something to fight for
( stagnant is not a word archie would use to describe duplicity. same sex, different day? nope. the sex has been pretty unpredictable too. on the surface, this place seems like what he imagines a nonstop frat party is like — booze, drugs, promiscuity as far as the eye can see. there's darkness right beneath the so-called harmless fun, ripe with cruelty, power dynamics, and lies. archie thinks this is the perfect place to lose yourself and he can't be purposeless.
he types, he was and then deletes it. )
the absolute best
( to break up the angst: )
so what's your favorite color?
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No judgment; I don't, either.
[ Nor does she take well to people being treated unfairly simply because of who or what they are. ]
Cliche answer, which comes from being an artist: all of them.
Real answer: probably green.
But like a green that isn't super bright or too dark.
Emeraldy, almost.
What's yours?
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( he learned that the hard way with jason blossom's death and the rise of a serial killer later. they weren't connected but one thing created another monster. )
you're an artist? what do you draw? or create?
the most emeraldy green
got it
blue
and i'm not that stuck on any one shade
i like it from the lightest crystal blue to as dark as navy
no subject
Great minds, right?
Draw and paint, actually.
And it depends on what medium I'm using/what I'm putting it on.
My go-to is charcoal or graphite and paper,
which usually ends up being life-like stuff.
People, landscapes, really interesting buildings...
If I paint, it's usually abstract on paper or graffiti-style spray paint on my friend's van.
He was in a band; I did his logos.
Blue's a good color.
Do you have any particular attachment to it?
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