A nod in return before cracking open his own can.

Kai Spengler | Punk Scientist (W.I.P.)@pvnksnghosts.bsky.social · last mo.

Eyeing the can… then the man… and back to the can. Swiping it off the table and giving the man a gentle nod in thanks before cracking open the top.

Passing them a Monster.

Kai Spengler | Punk Scientist (W.I.P.)@pvnksnghosts.bsky.social · last mo.

Tired grumbling…

Simon nodded and took a deep breath. He was fine. He didn't need to make any real decision right now. He could calm himself with food while Ema searched for him. He picked up his plate and began to eat. After a bit, he finally spoke. "Thank you for doing all this. I'm. . . sorry I'm being —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

up. " removing her hand once again, she picked up her phone, granting simon some of the space and silence that he seemed to need right now.

Simon stared at the website on her phone. "I'm, um. . . I'm not. . ." He didn't like admitting he was bad with technology, especially to someone around his age. He struggled with it before prison, then it seemed everything advanced tenfold when he got out. He couldn't keep up. "Oh, um. . . no, —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

LGBTQ members. " sure, it wouldn't fix everything, but maybe it could help with a few things. help broaden simon's network, give him something to look forward to — and maybe he could even get a useful tip or two from the people there.

"If she has friends, or a mate, she keeps them to herself. What she does outside is none of my concern unless she gets hurt." He held out his arm, letting Taka step up and move to his shoulder before beginning to preen his hair. "I would much rather she find friends herself than me plucking —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

" they're quite solitary animals, right ? or have you ever considered getting her a friend ? "

Simon sat up once the food was brought in. He grabbed what looked good and began to eat. Depression be damned, it was very good. He had a mouthful of stir fry when Ema asked her question. He took a moment to swallow before answering. "Cannot be a man. Must be LGBTQ friendly. Must have no less —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

probably have a few requirements for a therapist, right ? how about we start listing them ? "

"Oh without a doubt. And I would hate for her to feel cooped up. I have perches and toys and things for her, but she's free to come and go as she pleases." It was a luxury he'd only gotten recently, himself. "She does enjoy my company when she is around, however."

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

tilting her head a bit as she watched the hawk lean into her touch. " i bet she'd get really bored if she weren't able to hunt, right ? "

Simon laid back with a sigh and stared up at the ceiling. "Taka hunts small birds on occasion. I just don't want her getting sick." The hawk in question hopped onto Simon's knee and made herself comfortable. "Didn't clean much. Still feels like a stye in here. And yeah I did. Did fuck all the —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

continued to chat. " i heard you stayed at home today. i'm glad you're taking it easy. "

Simon burst out laughing, which earned him a glare from his hawk. "It's no wonder, she could swoop in and carry him away!" He let out a sigh, then gave Taka's chin a scritch. "She is a free bird. She likes to hunt, so most of her meals she gets herself. But I do enjoy spoiling her every so —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

pretty sure apollo is scared of her. " then again, she supposed that being attacked by her left quite an impression. ... speaking of being attacked. " do you let her hunt for her food ? or do you mostly feed her ? "

When Simon opened the door it was clear he hadn't done much. The only thing that had changed about his attire was he let his hair down. "I'll eat anything, I don't mind." He took a step back to let her in. "Awful. But that's normal." He sat down on his couch while Taka examined Ema's hand. —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

definitely didn't. and she'd happily take home any leftovers. making her way inside, she put down the two bags on the table, smiling as taka hopped over with clear curiosity, holding out her hand to her. " how are you feeling ? "

Taka examined the hand, then tilted her head down. "Ah, you've gained her trust." Simon sat at his desk. "You may pet her now. Stick to her head, she doesn't like her back or wings touched."

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

at least taka approached her — that must be a good sign, right ? no immediate dismissal. smiling, ema kept her palm down as she offered the hawk her hand, shifting just a bit closer so that she could inspect ema's hand and smell a bit better.

"Right, yeah. Thank you." There were many things Simon felt shame over. His wardrobe was not one of them. He watched Ema leave, then locked the door behind her. He tidied up his apartment as much as he could before the hangover sent him back to bed. The next morning Simon decided to stay in —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

work today — you'll have to call in tomorrow, though, to let him know if you're still able to prosecute the FL-9 case or if he should look for a replacement. "

Taka stared at her curiously and tilted her head. "Correct. If she tilts her head down, you may pet her. If she turns away, she wants to be left alone." Taka hopped off her perch onto Simon's desk and walked closer to Ema.

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

how to read her body language yet. " hello taka. " she said, her voice deliberately a touch softer than usual, before looking up at simon. " i just have to hold out my hand, right ?"

Simon nodded. "Yeah. . . That would be helpful." He sniffled and wiped his face with his hand. Then he slowly made his way to his room, cringing at the state of his apartment. "Ugh, sorry about all this. Haven't been able to clean." Really he just didn't feel like it. He went to his room and —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

straight back to sleep once he hit the bed.

"I will accept that. I am rather intimidating as well." Simon opened his office door and gestured for Ema to follow. It wasn't quite as extravagantly decorated as the others. His decor was simple, dark, with some Japanese art on the walls. Above his desk was a display holder for his katana, and —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

them to reach simon's office after that exchange, which soon led to ema glancing around. had she ever been invited into his office before ? if she had, it must have been fleeting. just long enough to hand over a file or two and leave again.

"Yeah." He hated relying so much on Athena. She's still a teenager, after all. He tucked his injured hand under his arm and glanced at the discarded chocolate bar. He picked it up between two fingers and tossed it in the trash.

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

bandages — or you can let athena take care of that, of course. "

Simon didn't take the paper towel, they were usually too harsh on his sensitive face. He shook his head at her question and wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm extremely particular. I've yet to find a therapist I don't argue with for getting something wrong. And I. . . I don't like leaving my —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

rubs across his back as she talked, her voice still gentle. " do you have a therapist ? someone you can talk with about this kind of stuff ? "

Simon's expression softened as soon as he saw her. "Oh, look at that sweet little face. Goodness me. . ." He pressed his hands over his heart. "You must give her a kiss on the head for me when you go home."

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

" this is her. she loves to sit in her cat tree and often sleeps there — but sometimes, she joins me in bed. "

Simon released his grip on his hand and let Ema work. When she finished he pulled his hand back and pressed it to his chest. "Fine. Hurts. Thank you." He looked down at the floor, unable to look Ema in the eye. He felt embarrassing about the whole ordeal. He's nearly 30, he should be able to —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

how does that feel ? "

"I know. . . I didn't mean to." The tears started before he could stop them. They ran down the dark tracks on his face. "I just. . . The bottles were a gift. I'd left them alone but last night. . . I ran out of my stash and didn't want to go to the dispensary. I couldn't cope, so I drank." —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

answer, though, simon — you know that. " she gently told him, not trying to berate him. if anything, the concern was clear. " — does this happen more often ? or do you use anything else ? "

He could understanding. He remembered spending months begging his father to let him adopt a parakeet, trying to prove to him that he'd done the research and knew how to care for one. "You've got a cat? That's lovely, I'm rather fond of them myself. Aura used to have one when we were growing up. —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

still too busy, but i have a cat now ! she mostly sleeps, though, so i don't think she minds my long work hours that much. "

The sting made him hiss through his teeth. The pain made his hand shake more, causing him to grab his wrist with his other hand. "Stop stop stop just /behave/ goddammit." His nails dug into his wrist in a desperate attempt to get it to hold steady.

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

simon, " this will sting a bit. " with that said, she started to apply the bandages, of which the first bit had been soaked into some kind of solution. and that did, indeed, sting.

His apartment was a bit messy. His coffee table was covered in trash, the floor covered in Taka fluff. His clothes were piled up by his bedroom door. Once he stopped Simon spat into the sink. He let out a shaky breath as he ran the faucet to try and wash the mess away. He hated vomiting, and he —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

everything, this could have easily have him end up in the hospital.

"I had a parakeet when I was younger, he was my pride and joy. I briefly cared for an injured pigeon when I worked at GYAXA. Taka I found in the recc yard when she was a hawkling. Her wing had been broken, presumably from falling out of her nest. I raised her myself into the hawk she is today."

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

absorbing all of this information, ema nodded as she kept her gaze mostly on him, occasionally looking in front of her to ensure she wouldn't bump into something and that they were still going in the right direction. " is taka your first hawk ? or have you had other birds before ? "

Simon walked with Ema and held still where she told him to. He glared at the injury as if it had insulted him personally. The cut wasn't very deep, thankfully. But the water did make it sting a little, which caused his hand to shake.

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

shallow enough that it didn't require any stitches. turning on the tap and letting lukewarm water run, she guided his hand underneath it, before taking off her gloves. " keep it there. " she instructed as she grabbed the first aid kit, opening up to see what she could use to patch him up.

Simon shifted in his seat. His foot bumped the empty bottle he'd set on the floor, knocking it over with a loud clatter that pierced his aching head. "I know where the. . . the bloody loo is." It took him a moment to stand. He kept his hands on the table to steady himself as the room began to —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

similar to wine in alcohol content, right? if it had just been this bottle, then surely he'd be okay... hungover, but okay. giving his back a little rub, she eyed him closely. " — do you feel like puking ? i can grab you a bucket. "

He followed close behind her, tucking his hands into his pockets. "I don't see why not. She is a bit like a cat, you have to hold your hand out in front of her to 'ask' to pet her. She won't bite you unless you try to touch her without asking. Once she has determined you are worthy, she will —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

( even though she never asked in the past, her eyes did light up when he offered to let her pet his hawk ) really ?? i'd love to ! you think she'd let me ? ( in fact, she was so eager that she already started to make her way back inside — after glancing back to ensure that simon was following )

"Nothing. I'm /fine/." Upon a closer look he had a slash running across his shaky palm. It wasn't bleeding severely, but it was definitely bleeding. Some blood was on the blade of his katana. He fumbled with the bandages with his other hand before he finally dropped them. "Fuck! Fuck it all! —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

she carried around in the pockets of her lab coat at the sight of blood, before reaching out for simon's hand. " here, let me have a look —"

Taka accepted the treats, though she watched Ema wearily as she ate them. It took a moment before Simon let out a groan. He coughed and shuddered before slowly lifting his head. The light was too bright. He tasted and smelled the bitter taste of alcohol. His head swam and he felt incredibility —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

glancing around for any more empty bottles, ema's hand found simon's back soon enough, giving him a firm shake. " simon — ? wake up. "

A soft chuckle rumbled from his chest. "I will keep that in mind, thank you. I do enjoy your company, Skye-dono." Even with the horrors, he was glad to have friends around. He pushed himself off the wall and stretched. "Well, suppose the two of us should get back to it. If you would like, —

𝒆𝒎𝒂 𝒔𝒌𝒚𝒆@forenslcsqueen.bsky.social · last mo.

you know where the lab is, you can always check if i've got time for a smoke break.