sirenspull_logs | now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin

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now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin

Who: Tonegawa (

12second_orz ) and YOU
When: Friday afternoon- early evening.
Where: A high-class bar in Sector 3, moving to Lion's Gate towards the evening
What: Tonegawa uses his afternoon off to schmooze and make contacts in a classy joint. Feel free to run into him leaving or arriving, too!
Warnings: None

[Sitting at the bar and watching the gentle murmur of activity around him as he nurses his drink, Tonegawa can’t help but feel rather pleased with himself. He works by day, he meets and greets by night. If there’s one thing he can approve of, it’s a routine, and he’s certainly managed one of those here.

Not that making nice to big shots is all he wants to spend the rest of his time here doing- his ideal state of affairs involves far more room to stretch his legs in every sense, for what is power but the ability to do anything and be forgiven for it nonetheless? But even beyond that there’s something about the charade now that sticks in his throat, bitter and resentful, that he’s become more aware of now; his hands tense beneath their leather gloves with each forced laugh, each smile.

Still, he’s damn good at it and he knows it. He’s never wanted for patience in his life, either- swallowing now could earn him the right to spit later, if he’s good enough at it. There’s nouveau riche trash here, yes, but also a few people it’s well worth being sweet to.

Of course, what mood he ends up in by the end of the night depends entirely on which of them he manages to find, and while he might look laid back as he glances around the room he’s busy sizing up faces and suits.]

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[The corners of his mouth drop, the forced grin momentarily transforming into a scowl before he catches himself. Kaiji draws himself up out of his slouch- he can at least get the edge on the other man in height this way.]

Because I'm not getting paid to do it. [with a false casualness] You'd hate it if you found out you were making life easier for someone else, wouldn't you?

[It's difficult for Tonegawa to be more than mildly amused by Chane's reaction even in spite of its bold defiance; it's so rare to see any sort of reaction from the woman at all that it makes for an interesting game to fill the interim between contacts with. She won't be happy with him at the end of it, of course, but that isn't the point, is it? He doesn't pay her to be happy: he pays her to do as she's told, even through pointless indulgence and insincerity if needs be. It's a philosophy he's maintained for thirty years with barely a hitch- a policy of telling the right people what they want to hear- and if she wants to get anywhere she'll have to-

The connection is made, and Laforet's voice suddenly rings calmly and clearly in his mind- a mind that takes a moment to catch up and which, just for a moment, squeaks past with a Bitch- before he can reign it in.

Once was bad enough, and that had been in extenuating circumstances. His mind has always been his stronghold, the one place in which he could hiss and curse and sneer without repercussion. Its invasion is unnerving, even infuriating, but he can't let himself get angry.

He grits his teeth and tries again, though he's uncertain as to whether or not she can hear him. Stop it. Get out of my head.]

[Well, that makes it easier. If even Ukyou can admit it was a mistake, he doesn't have to watch his words quite so carefully- he'll still avoid saying so outright of course, since reminding others of their failures has never been a wise networking strategy, but it gives a far firmer base for their conversation.

Which, at the moment, is a little too public for his liking, considering their topic. Tonegawa aims for subtlety anyway.]

Of course. You have enough power at the moment to cover one officer's tracks, I'm sure. Ideally, they would lose the scent on their own, but some things can't be helped in the name of self-preservation, wouldn't you say? [He lifts his glass.] Have they been troubling you?

[He laughs, aiming for warmth rather than mocking this time. There's no need to be cutting, after all, particularly when Laforet is within earshot still.]

You're asking a confirmed bachelor about relationships? I don't think that's very wise. [He breathes out a small cloud of smoke, not particularly bothering to aim away.] But I didn't mean to sound accusing at all [he did]- I was simply commenting on her understandable reticence to cross her working and personal life.

[And Tonegawa shoots back, smiling a sweet, unassuming smile and without missing a beat:] It's only your life I'd hate to make easier, Kaiji-kun. I thought you knew that by now.

["Bite me."] Very funny. Only, for me to actually do my job, you gotta show me some ID.

You know- just making sure we don't let any criminals or scumbags in.

[Oh it may have been public, maybe a little too public, but enough people knew who Ukyou was by now, so they should have been smart enough not to blab... That and he was a little on the intoxicated side to care to be quite frank.]

Had my Father been here, he would be running this city with an iron fist already. There would be raids and taxes, non of this happy go lucky welcoming crap.

[Swaying a little as he raised his glass in a silent toast to his missing adoptive father. Turning back to Tonegawa now.]

Oh they've not bothered me since, but I've had to keep my head low, just incase. Tell me, Tone-sama~ how has life been treating you lately?

Of course. You put the criminals and scumbags on the doors.

[He makes a great show of taking out his wallet, exquisite leather on leather, and then of opening it to find his ID at just the right angle so that Kaiji gets a flash of cards and even of cash.]

Promise you won't try to steal this?

[He's surprised Ukyou managed to keep the glass entirely upright. It doesn't seem that he's particularly far gone, but still. Tonegawa is wearing a white shirt.]

Me? Oh, about the same as always. I've had a little trouble with my employees lately [he hopes Chane heard that] but it's nothing a firm hand can't fix.

Still, you mentioned your father... that would be the emperor, I presume? [He sips thoughtfully, aiming for something calmer to offset Ukyou's openness.] Emperor of where, if you don't mind my asking?

[ Completely without thought for respecting the customer he wafts the smoke away and blows out a cheerful puff of breath into his hair, lifting his bangs out of his eye for a second. ] Yeah, it's a two-way street; I don't know much 'bout what goes on at Imperial Finance.

[Tonegawa will be amused then, as Ukyou's grip slipped and the glass came tumbling down onto the table. Most of its contents had been sipped away, but still there was a small splash to which Ukyou clapped and smiled at.]

My goodness me, how long has it been since I've enjoyed a drink like this? Still, I'm enjoying myself as are you am I correct?

[It was hard to tell if his cheeks were flushed from all the white make up he wore.]

Kogakyo of course, my father was the magistrate, unless you mean my biological father? I haven't the slightest who he was... the previous Emperor was sooo~ old even I don't know his natural age.

[Raising the glass to his lips after topping it back up, muttering into it with sly eyes.]

You'd think after forty eight clones he'd clue us in at some point...

Fucking hilario... [Kaiji's eyes go to the crisp lines of notes tucked inside the wallet. Then to the impressive array of cards, the supple leather of the wallet and finally to the ID, where he was supposed to be looking the whole time. He can't even resist it and in those moments, a slightly pained look crossing his face.

Goddamn it!]

[pretending like he doesn't care] ... hilarious. But I'll need to check the ID by hand. You know, just to make sure it's not some kind of shady fake.

["Just like you".]

[ Hovering around Tonegawa isn't her style at these events; she lingers a few metres behind him, in an unrelated cluster of people or alone at the walls, and as he moves to speak to a Lion's Gate worker, only a snatch of speech makes its way to her, a glimpse of tense body language between them before a small crowd closes off her contact with them. She didn't need to survey Kaiji's exchange with her boss for long to confirm their relationship is not of a warm nature. Familiarity does not always equate with friendliness, she concludes.

In another sense, she, too, is familiar with him-- whether the opposite is true is unknown to her. All evening, Tonegawa has dropped hints at trouble with employees; at the office he freely uses her name. And Kaiji has an extensive record at Imperial Finance, both on paper and as idle gossip among the workers.

He's infamous. That alone doesn't determine her view of him than their brief conversations on the network-- and any long list of debts only places him objectively as a potential future assignment once this certain ban on lending has been lifted. Amongst her curiosity for what kind of person he is, all she can really put to his face is pity, for the way Tonegawa seemed to be gloating from afar.

Once her boss has moved on, Chane allows herself to drift away from the gaudily-suited men gathered near her and rest at the same wall, two metres down. Her gaze on him is soft and steady, measuring his stance, his expression. ]

[It worked. Even if he hadn't trailed off, the change in Kaiji's expression speaks a thousands words more than whatever he could have interrupted. A petty victory, perhaps, but one to savour. Tonegawa smiles unpleasantly, an old wolf bearing teeth over the latest kill.]

Oh, of course. I'd hate to stop you from doing your job. [He takes the card out and offers it to Kaiji] There.

You make it sound so mysterious. [a chuckle] No, I'm sorry to shatter any grand illusions you might have on the matter, but it's all rather prosaic. Aside of the occasional troublemaker, that is- though from what I can gather you seem more like the type to sympathise with one of those.

[ That murmur of an insult fails to draw any reaction from her other than a languidly raised eyebrow; so he has similar, if more strongly worded, regard for her as Chane has for him. She concentrates on nothing in particular for a long moment, chewing the apple chunk, before her next thought rings out as she peels off her gloves, slides her drink back towards her.

Talking like this is easier.

-Which is, for what it's worth, partially a lie. It doesn't show on her features but the deliberate pacing of her words comes from the effort it takes to organise her thoughts and section off his; she can feel the restrained ire like wind rushing in her ears, his voice nearly drowned out in the midst of it. Above all, she's guarded. Completely unlike when she could talk like this to her father, this is a man to whom she will not reveal herself. There is still secrets to be protected which could be so easily laid out by doing this. It's risky- she cannot let herself be distracted. But she still tries to offer something, to bridge a gap between her and Tonegawa-- to make them even.

I have learned about this power. ]

[ There's a second in which he blinks, wondering if Tonegawa might have some new dirt. Then he remembers that his only likely leak is his fiancée. Suffice to say the recovery is almost immediate: ] One week in the hoosegow on false charges and you're equatin' me to loan shirkers? Some fellas might be insulted by that. [ It'd be better to have a rep for something he was actually guilty of, but he's not insulted.

A shrug. ] If you're sending Chane after them then sure, anyone would have my sympathy.

Let's face it, Stanfield. You're no angel, are you? [He doesn't know for certain, of course, but it's almost certainly a reasonable assumption to make with a man barely ruffled by prison, even if it was only a week he spent in there.

Speaking of those lacking in angelic qualities, though... he smiles wryly. After the evening Laforet's given him, he's not exactly in the mood to compliment her.] I'm inclined to agree with you, far though she is from the type I'd usually hire.

[That secret element to the matter doesn't go unnoticed, and it's what stings the most: Laforet has all the freedom in the world to speak and to remain silent, while he struggles to keep his thoughts under control. He's used to two voices, his own purring out loud and the silent commentary in his head- but this? It's playing poker with the cards face out, it's speaking through a one-way mirror. It's painfully exposing.

Though it's unnecessary, Tonegawa refuses to drop his eyes from where she sits. She's toying with her glass now, but she's too sharp to miss it.

Really? I couldn't tell. Bitter sarcasm, which he makes no attempt to control: it's hard enough to line his thoughts up, censor them, deploy them in any convincing way. I don't care how 'easy' this is for you. I want you to get the fuck out of my head. He still doesn't know what it is she hears, if anything.]

[ Sensing the broiling battle for control from within Tonegawa himself, even at this distance, takes its toll on her belatedly. With that lash out against her own paced, smooth voice, she parts her lips as though to speak in her defence. It catches the bartender's attention, but a tense wave of her hand throws him off again, a gesture towards her still-full glass.

She's misjudged her abilities. Retaining her external as well as internal composure is unbelievably, incredibly difficult, like conducting three orchestras at once; her body, her thoughts, and Tonegawa's. To think that she believed she could mimic anything approaching the magnitude of Leeza's powers with this Core-given imitation of something her father had created. She, a human, made of Huey's blood, not his craftsmanship.

The pause between answers this time is longer. A fingernail taps at the side of her glass, her eyes narrow slightly, gaze unmoving.

I hear nothing but what you tell me. There is more danger of telling you my own secrets than learning of yours.

She may as well be whispering in a storm. The incident in the office springs to mind, the sheer thickness of willpower and delusion she had to cut through in order to reach him, but it's inadvertently transmitted; unable to backtrack she nearly gasps, tenses in her seat. She had acted as though she had erased the event from memory. ]

[One look and- whether you knew him very well or not- you can tell that Kaiji's fuming. It's a quiet, simmering kind of fury that tenses every muscle in his body, darkens his entire face, clenches his jaw and fists and makes every question, every word spoken a bitter accusation. And this is him exercising some kind of restraint- if he thought he could've gotten away with it, he'd have decked Tonegawa there and then.

But he can't. He can't lose this job... and more importantly, he can't let Tonegawa win. Even letting himself go this far is a loss in itself.

And that's part of his frustration. Why is it like this? Why the hell is it always this constant, nagging battle. It's just a pissing contest- there's no substance to it, no reason. It should have ended that night but here they are, still trying to one-up each other. Given the chance, Kaiji would gladly blame Tonegawa for that much; he is, after all, the man who showed him true pride.

Caught up in his own bad mood, he doesn't notice Chane watching him at first. Likewise, he's also oblivious to the bad name he's made for himself at Imperial Finance without even entering the building- even if he did know, he wouldn't be sure whether to be angry or proud.]

[Kaiji snatches the card from him, glaring. He's definitely starting to feel hunted- if Tonegawa's the wolf, he's the rabbit on the run, darting in and out of trees and tripping over its own feet.

He barely glances at the information on the card but he makes a great show of checking it over, going over the photo and examining the font and signature like he's some kind of TV detective.

After a few moments, he holds the card back out.]

Get the hell out of my face. [pause] And don't you dare talk shit about me to my boss again.

[Nothing else to say, and Kaiji is riled as hell. Tonegawa takes the card with a little smile.]

Oh, you heard about that, did you? I hope I didn't get you into trouble.

You're damn lucky you didn't. [It's an empty threat but making it sound serious can't hurt. Kaiji gives him one last look up and down then tosses his head.] ... just go in. I don't want to look at you anymore.

[She twitches, and for a second Tonegawa wonders just how much effort this is taking on her part. Is the tap a displacement activity? It's hard to say. Laforet's mask of stoicism, her sheer calm, was enough to throw him before, but that's so natural for her that even the smallest ripple is enough to suggest a wild current beneath the surface.

His first instinct, however, is that she's lying.

It's a natural state for him, to assume a lie. She's not lied to him yet as far as he knows, yes, but given this violation-- would she have the energy to lie with her new-found power? To conceal a lie in her thoughts when it takes so much energy to speak at all? Obviously, it's a talent he'll need to work on now, but who knows how much practise she's had? For all he knows she's been trying this every day for a month.

If it's possible for thoughts to sound wary, his certainly do, bathed in a sea of mistrust and unease. Why should I believe you now?]

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now all you've got to offer me is a drink of gin

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permission from Chane-mun to assume she's linefacing in the background

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as always

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:|

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