[ Rich bastard, Alec thinks, as Rufus slings around a bottle of alcohol worth more than most people living in Midgar's shadow would ever see. But, the move is on-brand for what he expects of Rufus in their short time together, so he's not entirely surprised either. ]
This gonna come out of my pay?
[ Alec already said he doesn't drink on the clock, but one glass surely won't make much of a difference, plus it gives him the excuse to stick around and see if he can learn anything interesting about his host. ]
[He’ll drink to that, and the stuff goes down with a burn worthy of the gil it costs. Afterwards, he decides to indulge himself in a question or two, since he has Alec at his disposal.]
So— [The glass clinks against the bar.] —What’s your problem with my father?
[He grins, knowing that’s quite a question to ask, but Rufus never was the sort to hold his tongue.]
[ Down the hatch, and Alec would admit it is worth the price tag. He has no desire to live in a mansion in the sky, so he'll accept this little taste of what it's like before going back to his life under the city.
While the question Rufus flings at him isn't exactly expected, Alec replies almost instantly, ]
It's the mustache. Never trust a man with that kind of facial hair.
[ He makes a vague motion at Rufus with his glass. ]
[A non-answer which is as good as deflection. Rufus’ grin doesn’t dissipate, but like hell if he’s letting his own question turn around on him like that.]
Nuh-uh. [He shakes his head, swirling amber in his glass lazily.] I asked you first. Give me a real answer.
[He’s curious, of course, but the reason behind it is purely strategic. What to mention around this man, what to avoid. What are the shape of his morals so he can not trip over any of them during their time working together — that sort of thing. People had a lot of opinions when it came to Shinra and its President. Sussing them out is for the best when they’re not the sort to bend over backwards for the name.]
[ Ah, see, Alec should have just taken the job and left, because Junior is sharper than he likes his more affluent clientele to be, but those are the perils of going (almost) all the way to the top, he supposes.
He shrugs, turning to lean back against the bar, elbows resting on the surface. ]
I just don't think a guy who claims he does things for the people but has entire, sprawling districts of slums under his city is really doing everything he can.
[A common viewpoint taken up by those sympathetic to the grounders. Those who think the slums cropped up out of some negligent treatment of Shinra’s, as if the economy ever worked that way. But it’s easiest to pin the blame on the biggest target; that’s not surprising. The widest scope was always suited for the most narrow minds.
He doesn’t say any of that, only follows up with more prying.]
So you’d like to see Shinra do more than what they already have for the people on the lower plate? Is that where you live?
[He raises a brow in Alec’s direction, and while knowing that he has a point (and it’s the stance he would take if the roles were reversed), Rufus presses anyway. He has no reason not to.]
Your answers won’t change whether or not you’re suited for the job. It’s yours. I just like to know the people I’m working with. Not expecting you to share your whole life story.
You can be curious all you want, but that doesn't mean I have to indulge you. If you wanna know something about me, know that I'm a very private person.
[ He sets his glass down on the bar, still half full of far too expensive alcohol. He figures Rufus can afford to waste half a glass. ]
[Look like he's hit a brick wall. Rufus didn't garner as much information as he'd like, but he has a very broad stroke of where Alec lies on the "common man sympathizer" scale. Easy enough to avoid that minefield of a topic altogether.]
Not yet.
[Rufus relinquishes his own glass and moves around the counter. Darkstar lifts his head from his spot near the window, watching, but otherwise remains unmoving.
He crosses to the dining room table and cracks open the laptop resting there. The screen lights up with stark, white light.]
Since you're in such a hurry to get to business, might as well have you leave with your first gift to Avalanche.
[A few keystrokes, a second or two later, and then he's pulling a thin USB-like device from the computer's side. He holds it up, twirls it between forefinger and middle like he would a coin, before offering it to Alec in his palm.]
[ Much like the dog, Alec keeps his eyes on Rufus as he moves across the room, though he's certainly not unaware of the hound off by the windows either. Alec is a paranoid bastard, so there's some small part of him that keeps expecting a trap, but he is instead offered a datastick - which might still be a trap, but he doubts it. The biggest trap here is one Rufus has already laid out for him: he's disposable.
Alec neatly plucks the device from Rufus' palm, deigning not to remark on the flashy little show he was just given. ]
I know better.
[ He gives a mock salute with the device before sticking it in his pocket. ]
Well chief, it's been fun, but I've got some subterfuge to get rolling. Thanks for the drink. Sorry for tracking dirt in your apartment.
[ He doesn't sound sorry at all, but that's probably as close to a "yes I came from the slums" as Rufus is going to get. ]
[You know what? He probably would've guessed that from the get-go, even if he wasn't given any clues. What does that say for first impressions? Well, maybe it's better not to think about it.]
Just wipe your shoes next time.
[ :) ]
Keep my name out of it, by the way. I'm pretty sure some members of Avalanche would reject that data outright, on account of it coming from a Shinra. [And rightfully so.] But for now-
[The door to his apartment slides open with a gentle hiss. Darkstar gives a huff of air.]
I was planning on it, Junior. Sometimes people are better off not knowing where I get my info.
[ Don't tell him how to do his job!!
But he will take his leave now, tossing a casual wave over his shoulder without turning around. Back into the elevator for a very long trip down, and then out onto the street.
After that, who knows? It's like Alec simply disappears. ]
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finalflight2020-04-22 12:49 pm
no subject
This gonna come out of my pay?
[ Alec already said he doesn't drink on the clock, but one glass surely won't make much of a difference, plus it gives him the excuse to stick around and see if he can learn anything interesting about his host. ]
no subject
[Of course he won’t make him pay for a drink in his own home. Rufus Shinra is not the gil-pinching kind of rich; he’s the pockets-overflowing sort.]
What, not to your taste?
[Most would be lucky to even get a whiff of the stuff.]
Could always pick out something different if you really want. I have plenty.
no subject
[ This with a pointed glance at the bar, but ultimately Alec simply shrugs and takes the bottle offered to him to pour himself a glass. ]
This'll be just fine. I always wondered what it would be like to pour liquid gold down my throat.
[ Wicked waste of money, but at least it's Rufus' money. He lifts his glass. ]
Here's to working with you, then.
no subject
To new business ventures and their success.
[He’ll drink to that, and the stuff goes down with a burn worthy of the gil it costs. Afterwards, he decides to indulge himself in a question or two, since he has Alec at his disposal.]
So— [The glass clinks against the bar.] —What’s your problem with my father?
[He grins, knowing that’s quite a question to ask, but Rufus never was the sort to hold his tongue.]
no subject
[ Down the hatch, and Alec would admit it is worth the price tag. He has no desire to live in a mansion in the sky, so he'll accept this little taste of what it's like before going back to his life under the city.
While the question Rufus flings at him isn't exactly expected, Alec replies almost instantly, ]
It's the mustache. Never trust a man with that kind of facial hair.
[ He makes a vague motion at Rufus with his glass. ]
What's your problem with your father?
no subject
Nuh-uh. [He shakes his head, swirling amber in his glass lazily.] I asked you first. Give me a real answer.
[He’s curious, of course, but the reason behind it is purely strategic. What to mention around this man, what to avoid. What are the shape of his morals so he can not trip over any of them during their time working together — that sort of thing. People had a lot of opinions when it came to Shinra and its President. Sussing them out is for the best when they’re not the sort to bend over backwards for the name.]
no subject
He shrugs, turning to lean back against the bar, elbows resting on the surface. ]
I just don't think a guy who claims he does things for the people but has entire, sprawling districts of slums under his city is really doing everything he can.
no subject
He doesn’t say any of that, only follows up with more prying.]
So you’d like to see Shinra do more than what they already have for the people on the lower plate? Is that where you live?
no subject
[ Alec doesn't like people prying, even if their questions are fairly benign. He provides other people's info, not his own, thanks. ]
I'm not here to be your buddy, Junior. I'm just here to get paid.
no subject
[He raises a brow in Alec’s direction, and while knowing that he has a point (and it’s the stance he would take if the roles were reversed), Rufus presses anyway. He has no reason not to.]
Your answers won’t change whether or not you’re suited for the job. It’s yours. I just like to know the people I’m working with. Not expecting you to share your whole life story.
no subject
[ He sets his glass down on the bar, still half full of far too expensive alcohol. He figures Rufus can afford to waste half a glass. ]
We done here?
no subject
Not yet.
[Rufus relinquishes his own glass and moves around the counter. Darkstar lifts his head from his spot near the window, watching, but otherwise remains unmoving.
He crosses to the dining room table and cracks open the laptop resting there. The screen lights up with stark, white light.]
Since you're in such a hurry to get to business, might as well have you leave with your first gift to Avalanche.
[A few keystrokes, a second or two later, and then he's pulling a thin USB-like device from the computer's side. He holds it up, twirls it between forefinger and middle like he would a coin, before offering it to Alec in his palm.]
A taste to get them interested. Don't lose it.
no subject
Alec neatly plucks the device from Rufus' palm, deigning not to remark on the flashy little show he was just given. ]
I know better.
[ He gives a mock salute with the device before sticking it in his pocket. ]
Well chief, it's been fun, but I've got some subterfuge to get rolling. Thanks for the drink. Sorry for tracking dirt in your apartment.
[ He doesn't sound sorry at all, but that's probably as close to a "yes I came from the slums" as Rufus is going to get. ]
no subject
Just wipe your shoes next time.
[ :) ]
Keep my name out of it, by the way. I'm pretty sure some members of Avalanche would reject that data outright, on account of it coming from a Shinra. [And rightfully so.] But for now-
[The door to his apartment slides open with a gentle hiss. Darkstar gives a huff of air.]
You'll be hearing from me again.
no subject
[ Don't tell him how to do his job!!
But he will take his leave now, tossing a casual wave over his shoulder without turning around. Back into the elevator for a very long trip down, and then out onto the street.
After that, who knows? It's like Alec simply disappears. ]