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[He has a headache.
Which really isn't anything new, nowadays. Sunday feels like the whole world besides him has gone a little mad. Even his darling sister had somehow been on board, saying that with someone helping with Sunday's duties, maybe he could take more breaks more often.
If only Robin knew.
It feels as though he has more to do than ever now that he has to keep track of what an IPC operative, of all people, is doing in Penacony. For all the flowery words about what this so-called partnership is supposed to achieve, Sunday doesn't trust a single assertion or assurance made by the other party.
Well, at least Aventurine has stayed in the Golden Hour today. And just as he has that thought about the report he'd been given earlier in the day, one of the staff members tentatively enters his office to tell him that Mr. Aventurine is here to see him.]
...send him in, then.
Which really isn't anything new, nowadays. Sunday feels like the whole world besides him has gone a little mad. Even his darling sister had somehow been on board, saying that with someone helping with Sunday's duties, maybe he could take more breaks more often.
If only Robin knew.
It feels as though he has more to do than ever now that he has to keep track of what an IPC operative, of all people, is doing in Penacony. For all the flowery words about what this so-called partnership is supposed to achieve, Sunday doesn't trust a single assertion or assurance made by the other party.
Well, at least Aventurine has stayed in the Golden Hour today. And just as he has that thought about the report he'd been given earlier in the day, one of the staff members tentatively enters his office to tell him that Mr. Aventurine is here to see him.]
...send him in, then.
No worries! My long weekend and holiday was good, I hope you had a relaxing time too!
Kill me? No, it certainly won't. But if you're admitting what we both already know, then you should also be aware that I'd be risking Penacony.
[As the head of the Oak family, he's sharply aware that any gaps in his armor are a metaphorical death sentence--and that's merely from the rest of the Family heads, much less an outside organization.]
Give an inch and the IPC takes a whole planet. I have to wonder if you're really putting up an equally valuable bet, Mr. Aventurine.
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Aventurine hums in feigned thought, pretending to wage his options. Give an inch and the IPC takes a whole planet, huh. Talk about an understatement. But an employee of a mega-corporation does not speak for itself. He's simply a piece in the chessboard, a cog in the machine. Easily disposable, as he had been.
Penacony is the foundation of Sunday's goals, he wagers; Aventurine has nothing quite like that - Aventurine has, in fact, very little at all that could be even remotely compared to that -, and so he wonders, something of equal value... )
Let's see... If you convince me to the charms of Penacony, I will send the IPC a letter of resignation. ( Spoken with a particular calmness, despite the weight of his words. ) Even you yourself think that's the better option, don't you? The company is famous as it's infamous, but Penacony houses anyone with no discrimination.
And for people like me, ( without anywhere to go, no family to return to - but nothing Aventurine quite specifies, ) there's no better place to be. Another soul saved; does that not appeal to you?
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[Well, from Sunday's understanding, anyone could, theoretically, resign from the IPC any time they want. Whether or not their life is anything above miserable afterward is the real question. And based on what he's been able to glean investigating Aventurine before he came to Penacony, the other has some unique circumstances behind his employment.
If it could be called that.
But that does mean his offer is of similar weight as Sunday's home. A life for a life. Sunday wonders briefly how far off-script Aventurine is going with his little ploy, or if the IPC expected this out of him all along.]
That requires a good deal more than simply convincing someone of the benefits of the dream world. But if you really want to be saved from your position, it would be...remiss of me not to try.
[And that does have the tiniest grain of truth buried in the center of it, like the sand that eventually makes a pearl. Aventurine is an adversary equally as he is someone who's been trampled by the very same senseless exploitation from the powerful that Sunday is trying to eliminate.]
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The IPC doesn't allow its higher ranks to simply file a letter of resignation and let their employees go on their merry way. The reason why such thing doesn't happen often is not even for the consequences that come with the daring desire to leave the company, but that there's nothing else outside of the IPC.
And that, exactly, is what he's offering Sunday on a silver plate. A man with no family or home to return to, freed from the shackles of the IPC, who has tasted misery on his tongue, and been subjected to more suffering than many who currently walk on the bright streets of Penacony right below them.
Ironic, isn't it? That for the first time, his life is a chip of high value. )
Always a pleasure to do business with you, Mr. Sunday. ( A hand extended, for Sunday to take it if he so wishes. ) I do quite look forward for what you have in store for me. Hmm~ I guess we could say my life is in your capable hands, right?
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[The fallout would be...substantial. And that's before Sunday considers how all his plans would go up in smoke if he quit now. Neither the Family nor Order's remnants would take kindly to it.
Sunday considers the offered hand, briefly, before taking it. He's still not convinced this isn't some part of the IPC's greater plan but...sometimes traps must be dismantled from the inside. And on the off-chance it's not, then Sunday really is willing to help Aventurine in whatever way he can.]
I suppose we could, Mr. Aventurine. I don't take that lightly.
happy new year! hope the holidays treated you well!
( Assumed, or implied. Or maybe even teased, which he figures is how Sunday would see his statement as. Something akin to a joke, as though he pokes fun at him. He does not at all, but sees no reason to explain himself.
The hold on Sunday's hand is a tad too long, perhaps uncomfortable, as Aventurine keeps the eye-contact, too. He only breaks it to bring his gaze at their joined hands, the swift shift as his fingers reach tentatively into Sunday's sleeves.
He knows it's an exercise in failure, but it's the attempt itself that counts. )
Don't you think that's exactly why I have made such a wager? Just like all the people below us, you would... Hmm... cherish my life just as much, I suppose. Am I wrong?
hny!! my holiday was p relaxing, I hope yours was too!
It's a close thing, but he manages to bite back the full-body flinch and the instinct to snatch his hand back, but the stiff way he drops Aventuirne's hand and pulls away easily reveals he's not very fond of that kind of close contact.]
...You're not wrong.
[About how Sunday cares for all the lives milling around in the dream below them, at least. Kindness, on the other hand....well. To Sunday's ears, it doesn't sound like Aventurine means it wholly as a compliment. And Sunday doesn't think it's quite an accurate word, either.]
Maybe even a little more, considering you all but handed it over to me.
it was ty!! i've been busy with catching up but thankfully i should be around more now 🥹
( Which, unfortunate for Sunday, Aventurine is known for not being the most sane of mind.
What he considers is: the airship is flying above Penacony, several meters off the ground, and "Death" does not exist in it. He knows well how it works, has tried it himself while in his touring - but it's still a bet that has his heart racing at the thought.
With no word nor warning does Aventurine move towards the figurehead - which of course is a huge bird, what else would it be? -, steady on his feet as he climbs on it with a particular tranquility, despite the fall underneath. It's a beautiful view, all things considered. Only a fool would think otherwise of the illustrious Penacony, the perfect Dream vacation - pun intended.
It's only a shame there's no refreshing breeze. )
Why don't you join me? Consider it a test, or perhaps your first day on duty. "Death" does not exist in Penacony, but ( and here, Aventurine throws a pointed look at the sea of lights underneath, ) I'm sure you wouldn't want to see me endanger myself, right? If I am to trust you, Sunday, then you have to show me your word is worth it.