castlenim | (no subject)

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[Sometimes, he thinks the execution would almost be preferable.

Almost.

But there's no way to rewrite the past, so Sunday must find some way to deal with being in the "temporary" custody of the IPC with the looming specter of Jade, when and if she decides to cash in her "goodwill" in orchestrating Sunday's freedom. Or the facsimile of it.

Admittedly, there are a few benefits to being in his position. Namely, he's more aware of the inner goings-on of the company, and he's picked up on the growing hostilities between divisions. And those who are looking to capitalize on that. If the IPC is dealing with internal struggles, there's a better chance that whenever he's handed off to his next keeper, it might be more on his own terms.

Which is how he finds himself in this very unlikely alliance, waiting for Aventurine to show up opposite him at the table once the other is finished doing whatever his previous job entailed so they can exchange information.

"This is temporary" is quickly becoming a mantra, these days.]

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[ Aventurine can't exactly blame Sunday for wanting to prevent the takeover, of course. Nevertheless, that was something the gambler had to absolutely make sure was the inevitable outcome. Or, at least, as far as he needed to go to secure the rest of the way clear for Topaz and Jade to take the stage.

The smile on his face is amicable but unreadable in terms of whether that may be the case or not. As he said, Diamond's ultimate goals related to Oswaldo are not information he has knowledge of, but he likes the way Sunday comes up with a suggestion that is more likely than not not too far off the mark.

At minimum, Diamond is displeased with the way things are handled. That is certain. Aventurine simply can't fathom Diamond diverting any energy to the cause if he was even neutral on how things were handled. Diamond is finicky, but surprisingly tolerant on certain things, especially when it off his department. ]

Oh, I do like the way you think. I have a feeling that will be very useful in the assignment ahead of us. Which reminds me...!

[ the blonde leans forward, his hands propping up his chin as he stares with interest across the table at Sunday. ]

Do you fancy yourself a decent performer? A little roleplay familiarity wouldn't hurt, either, considering the ruse we'll be delivering.

[Discerning the intentions and objectives of others had been a necessary skill to cultivate as the head of the Oak Family. Sunday wouldn't have lasted long if he couldn't do that much, even with someone as inscrutable as Diamond, who hides his thoughts even from those on his side.

He takes a sip of his drink, expression equally blank with false politeness at Aventurine's attention.]

Why bother asking a question you know the answer to?

[He should already know Sunday can mask his emotions. Surely whatever ploy they're playing doesn't call for much more than lying smoothy and reacting the right way to inquiries...right?

And now Sunday is mildly suspicious.]

Unless this is a very involved plan, somehow.

[ Sunday caught on so quickly. Wonderful. ]

It's a very involved plan, and it's one I'm betting on you to make actually work out in the end. No one knows you are with the IPC, afterall.

[ Silence cuts between them only for a moment before Aventurine's exaggerated hum is heard as he seems to contemplate his next set of words. ]

For this, we'll need to be able to pose as a couple vacationing in the area. The location in question is not particularly fond of the IPC coming in on business matters. A Stoneheart arriving alone or with a random individual is going to look ... concerning, to say the least. Guaranteed Oswaldo will hear about it if he's actually there.

...But if a Stoneheart shows up for a vacation with someone they're simply personally involved with? That should be a much smoother process of slipping in without our friend being alerted before we confront him ourselves.

A...couple.

[Sunday repeats the words evenly.

The idea is...well, he's not sure he can be that good of an actor, but it's not like he has a choice. Chains might be the least of his worries if he backs out. And, most frustrating of all, Aventurine's logic is sound enough.

He can't claim to know Oswaldo Schnider well, but if he's as fraction as careful as Sunday himself, a work colleague who just happened to be in the area for no discernable reason will send all alarms ringing.]

I certainly have my work cut out for me, don't I?

You certainly do, but I believe you more than capable of putting on a particularly spectacular performance.

[ This will be interesting, to say the least, for them both. Aventurine may be smiling pleasantries right now, but that's only because he feels like he has the upper hand on Sunday in terms of who is more uncomfortable with this scenario facing them. Misery loves company and all that, sometimes enough to even force itself to have a little fun so long as it can be at sometimes else's excitement rather than its own. ]

It might even be fun.

[ No. No it won't. Not for Sunday. And most likely not for Aventurine, either, but there's nothing wrong with trying to be optimistic?

(it's not optimism driving him at all; Aventurine's clearly just being a little shit because he can be.) ]

I mean, when's the last time you took anything even remotely resembling a vacation for yourself?

Fun for who, exactly?

[Sunday's narrowed gaze shows he's also aware that this isn't going to be a carefree vacation for Aventurine, either. Even if they're no longer (technically) in opposition, he has some reservations about how well they can get along in general, much less being able to put on a convincing act of being on a romantic getaway.]

And I don't think it matters. This mission won't be much of a vacation at all, no matter how you look at it.

[Heaving a sigh, Sunday leans back in his seat, all geniality and politeness hardened in an instant.]

Let me guess...since I'm a complete unknown to our target and won't be read as easily as you, who he is familiar with, it will be up to me to fulfill some tasks or speak to him.

[ the smile on the stoneheart's face continues to give that innocent appearance that's all somehow still very cheeky in delivery without a word being said to support that feeling. ]

Somewhat. Oswaldo is a big shot and very inflated in his head of what wrongs he's committed and are allowed to be overlooked, but he's not that stupid, either. No matter how well I play the game, he's wary of me and he'll be wary of my boyfriend. Afterall, I wouldn't want someone I actually like getting friendly with a guy like him.

[ So... yes, Sunday is correct, it just needs to be played out extremely carefully as to also make the relationship as convincing as it will come to Oswaldo's attention. What Aventurine is hoping is that Oswaldo will be tempted to risk the interactions despite knowing he's involved with Aventurine, anyway. ]

You see... I need to be convincing that the relationship is real to me in more than just a public front sort of manner. But you... well, it'll not be impossible in his head that you might be with me for ulterior motives yourself. That would give you a better opportunity to play your given hand while with him depending on what angle he takes in approaching you. It may not work out so easily, of course, but I do pride myself in expecting and preparing for the supposedly unexpected.

I see.

[Sunday's lips quirk down at the word boyfriend, a flinch that on anyone less experienced at masking their true emotions would be an outright grimace.

He doesn't say anything more, at first, his fingers drumming against the side of his glass as he mulls over what he's been told.]

That's quite a delicate balance to maintain. And an...unexpected amount of trust I've been given.

[A slackened leash, or enough rope given for Sunday to hang himself remains to be seen. Although he has a good feeling which it is.]

[ Sorry, is there a bit of a deeper tilt upward of his lips at that expression Sunday makes now? Yes, yes there is.

It's both, in truth. A slackened leash, and a convenient rope in reach if Sunday so very badly wishes to hang, instead. Never say Aventurine didn't give the other a choice in this situation or a chance to prove himself. Whether he'll prove himself to be worthy of anything in Aventurine's eyes and the IPC as a whole will remain to be seen. Afterall, Sunday could potentially get himself a cushy level of protection from Oswaldo if he wants to manipulate to that outcome.

Potentially. If Oswaldo can be trusted with such things.

(But, for Aventurine... he'll take the gamble. As far as he's concerned, Sunday may resent him and even normally take the opportunity to get back at him for his past in Penacony, but the Stoneheart is relatively confident that regardless of what he feels towards Aventurine, he'll still feel he's preferable to Oswaldo when push comes to shove. Sunday doesn't have to feel affection for either of them. All Aventurine needs is for Sunday to deem him the lesser of the two evils.

Will his gamble pay off? That remains to be seen. If he already knew, there would be no fun in gambling at all.

...And if Sunday wants to play the game that's dabbling in the art of fucking oneself over, well, Aventurine is more than happy to give him his wish for that, too, in the end.

He'd really prefer if things could go... more smoothly than that, though.) ]

High risk... higher reward. A gamble I'll take and see through to the end. The math is simple.

[ The stakes are easily worth it for the gambler. ]

Is it too much trust, Mr. Sunday?

[Aventurine and the IPC aren't a lesser evil as much as they are a known one. He's no better than a prisoner, and this is a part of his sentence's labor requirement, but so far, those who are Sunday's glorified wardens have not gone outside the bounds of that.

The same cannot be said for Oswaldo Schnider.

Sunday's not nearly so naive (and far too paranoid) to trust that betraying his current keepers is the road to freedom. He has no leverage, no upper hand. Oswaldo would take everything useful from him and toss him aside, the same as any other planet under his purview.]

I suppose we'll see, won't we?

[They could go through all of this only to be ignored and all of this discussion proven moot, after all...although when has anything been so easy, recently?]

Well. I have a better idea of what's expected. When is this happening?

That we will. [ the game begins, then, at least between the two of them for this mission.

As for the mission itself— ]

Five days. Enough time for you to prepare, I hope, Mr. Sunday?

Yes, it should be.

[And even if five days isn't enough time, it's not like the plans are going to wait for him to get ready.]

Do you already have a backstory for our relationship, or is that what this dinner is meant to accomplish?

Our script is blank, unfortunately. You and I aren't exactly the easiest individuals to wrangle into a relationship even on paper.

[ although he says it good-naturedly, the difficulty is clear to both of them.. ]

I'm sure dinner and pleasant conversation will assist us.

A cover story won't be easy to spin, no.

[If Oswaldo knows who Sunday is, was, they'd probably need something more substantial than love at first sight or that they met during a work function.

Sunday's smile turns faintly mean over the rim of his drink glass.]

The easiest option is pity. For me, for my plight.

[For the way Aventurine could see his reflection in Sunday.]

[ Aventurine is quiet a moment, his expression becoming just a little less perpetually amused and a little bit more somber. If he notices any part of that mean little smile he doesn't make it particularly known. He really doesn't have to see it, either, when the words do wonders.

Aventurine hums then, tapping the fingers of his free hand on the edge of the table before finally replying bluntly. ]

...A pity fuck, then. Interesting. I suppose that's something we could indeed swing. Considering my reputation, it would mean you're really quite special to me despite the circumstances being usually awkward for others to hear and not very convincing of anyone's relationship involvement.

That's the issue, isn't it? Oswaldo Schnider needs to be convinced you're besotted enough to have your guard down. That doesn't leave many options.

[Especially considering the circumstances around how they met. Even if no one outside of the Penacony incident is supposed to know the details (and that's no guarantee that Oswaldo didn't) there are only so many ways for the ex-head of the Oak family and a Stoneheart to cross paths.

Makes the meet-cute story...complicated.]

Unless you've got an easier cover story on hand?

Hm...

[ Aventurine considers a moment on Sunday's words before finally off a bit of a sharp barely-there smile. ] ...Perhaps the more transactional the better in this case. He knows me enough to think I'm an opportunistic whore but not well enough for anything beyond that.

It's true I'm not above spreading my legs even for my enemies if it suits me. It looking like pity from my end will certainly make him think I'm after something extra from you. It works nicely... although he'll take extra interest in what you're worth, meaning you'll have to deal with him more than is minimally required.

If that is fine with you, Mr. Sunday, I can't see any need to think too creatively about this. We'll need that for later for any plot twists that come up.

I can read the writing on the wall, Mr Aventurine. Despite this whole situation being technically extracurricular to the company, it doesn't stray very far from IPC philosophy.

[Sunday shrugs, very faintly, but his expression doesn't budge from a mask of affected politeness.]

Results are what matter. If this is the most straightforward method, then it's not really a matter of whether or not I'm fine with it. It's necessary.

Results are easier to obtain when all parties and their opinions are taken into consideration and as satisfied as is possible, you know this.

However... I think we have come to a decision with your response. It is absolutely the most straightforward approach that will give Oswaldo enough potentials as to what it could be if it's a plot against him; he'll be kept distracted by either his ambition and ignorance or his own paranoia.

[ on such short notice, it is a decent position to manage to put themselves in. As if the world had simply stopped and been waiting for them to finishing having out the initial details, Aventurine catches sight of The waiter coming with their dinner.

Perfect timing is always a delight to have during dinner meetings, even if they still are not exactly done with the details. At the very least, however, they know what they'll be working with. ]

Wonderful.

[Sunday sounds anything but enthused, but thankfully, their meals arriving is a good distraction, and he no longer has to entertain this thread of the conversation.

Of course, there's still the other elephant in the room of how they should act around each other to sell the ruse. It seems a daunting task at best, an impossible one more likely, considering how frosty this whole dinner has been so far. But Sunday's not about to be the one to bring that up, and instead, he cuts delicately into his food to start eating.]

[ Aventurine is considering those very things in his silence. A relationship is not something he's ever really had to convince anyone of before, at least not without him pretending to be someone else entirely. But as Aventurine of Stratagems, his reputation is certainly not one for being involved with anyone beyond using them as a means to an end. And when he's doing that... he's never been in an actual relationship with them, or tried to make it seem as such. Any ideas of a relationship were in the delusional mind of the other party.

Sunday is a different beast on so many levels than what he's used to, but ultimately Aventurine mentally shakes his head clear it of too many intrusive thoughts at once. Trying too hard and overthinking it will give them away too early. As he focuses on his dinner, he lets his features soften slightly as he takes the first bite, realizing he hasn't eaten anything today due to his immense stress prior to the Stoneheart meeting. It's not like before way back when and it never will be ever again, but that realization of mild hunger makes the food taste all the better.

He and Sunday will just have to figure each other out enough in the next few days to get their act together— if Sunday thought they weren't starting this charade before arrival at their destination, and he would have some reprieve, he's about to be sorely disappointed come morning. ]

[Sunday assumes they will continue to plan their charade, but he is not expecting anything more than that, no.

More than that, now that he doesn't have to deal with navigating the previous conversation, he's getting the faint impression that something had happened before Aventurine's arrival.

He doesn't like acknowledging it, doesn't even like thinking about it, but their similarities do give him a crumb of insight into someone otherwise inscrutable. And he can recognize the release of tension, the slight relaxation when there's no longer a metaphorical dagger pointed directly at one's throat. He's felt it plenty of times maintaining his position in the Family, after all.

Maybe Aventurine's tardiness had a reason?

He tucks that away to ponder over properly later. The quicker he understands the real goings on of the IPC the better.]

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