[ she goes radio silent while traveling, and akechi will received a punctual knock at his front door once she navigates transit and arrives. hilariously, she'll be at this same apartment again in the future - around the time ren makes all of his zucchini bread.
whenever he's opened the door, she stands easy, casual and definitely shorter than him. ]
Howdy comrade, [ she says, dry as bone, ] you ready to machinate?
Howdy, [he greets in return. The falsehoods end up seeping in all too easily. He does wonder: is it a falsehood for her? What does she gain from leaning into them? She speaks so casually of machinations, but she had a push and pull game with him in public, albeit subtly.
This will be an interesting conversation, to say the least.]
Funny that you speak so casually about what you've come for. [Time to point it out.]
As it is, would you like something to drink? We don't keep any alcoholic beverages in stock, but we have a wide array of fresh fruit juices.
Want me to dance around it a little more? I've got two left feet, but I'm okay if there's a tune.
[ he could have fed her to the authorities, if he'd wanted to. could still do it. she'd handed him her intentions on the network, elected to come to his personal residence instead of meeting somewhere neutral, voiced it aloud; why not speak casually now, as she steps into akechi's place and lets the door shut, finite, behind her. taking his appearance in, the way he echoes her and the way he offers her a drink. a polite host. ]
Got anything with citrus, then? Or cucumber, if not. [ casual as anything. ]
We're out of the cucumber at the moment. It's a little too plain in flavor to be terribly interesting. [The point he's making is that cucumber tends to be less sweet naturally, making it far less enjoyable for someone with a sweet tooth like his. He does like sweets, though. It's almost undeniable.
As it is, he waltzes into the kitchen and checks the bottles. They get them from a juicer around the corner, one that's been rolling in credits thanks to the overwhelming greenery. He decides upon the lemonade. It's a little more bitter in that the juicer doesn't oversweeten it, but it hits the spot even for him.
He pours her a glass and sets it in her direction, inviting her to come closer and take it.]
As for dancing around, I believe that it's up to me to ask you to cut it out. You're here, after all, giving in to your baser instincts even as you previously tried to get me to do the same.
[ if "you are what you eat" was actually true, the world wouldn't have akechi. ]
There's nothing base about the need for information.
[ as if without concern, she strolls on over towards the spot he's left her drink. samples it, holding the glass to her mouth as she squints her eyes and tries to decide if she likes the tang. it's stronger than her favored fruit, one she hasn't tasted in a long, long time now -- she wonders, briefly, if tangerines exist in this world. if they're not overpriced, like every other fresh ingredient that isn't compost for her teeny, tiny little herb garden tucked onto her teeny, tiny little windowsill. ]
You're the one with "further plans", which means you're the one who needs to keep his hands clean of this. My personal distaste for politics aside, if you're currently the only one in any actual sort of position we could come to use to influence anything, now or in the future - we need to keep you at arm's length. So, I'm here to do just that. What more do you need from me?
[ she holds the glass at her side, swirling the lemonade slowly with a flick of her wrist, eyes on akechi. she'll give him a little bit of honesty, a little bit of a slip. ]
Listen, I just didn't want my involvement getting out to everyone in the Displaced crew. Best if everyone overlooks me for the time being. That. And you're fun to duel with, for a kid.
[If it were an earlier time, the mention of his identity as a kid would have upset him. It does now. But he doesn't show it, doesn't give any glimpse that it bothers him. Besides, as far as this world is concerned, he's capable of acting as an adult. He'll continue to take that path as it's offered to him.]
Interesting that you use the word duel. I believe that's the closest you've come to dropping the bullshit front you're putting forward. [A simple word, but one with a lot of meaning. An interesting way of defining it.
Between their network conversation and now, Akechi could notice the cracks in her front. The little pieces here and there that seemed contradictory—even her way of speaking seemed inconsistent, all down to performative mannerisms. (Hell, he would know.)
But he doesn't know what lies beneath all that. He's guessing someone with a lot more political savvy than she'd let on, which is both close to the truth and terribly far from it.]
Still, there's no reason for this to be adversarial right now. You're right. I need someone to be my eyes and ears. I should make one thing clear. While many Displaced intend to return to their worlds when this is all "over," I have made no such claims. Any partnerships I make are meant to carry on until the day you all choose to return.
[For him, it isn't a matter of giving up. And he doesn't sound resigned. Akechi has a plan because this is his life and world now—as simple as that.]
My goal is to get back to where I came from, [ she'll confirm that to him, to be up front about her own long-term focus.
There's far too much waiting, back in the Hexarchate, for her to dismiss. To grow comfortable with the archaic way of life in this world would be the same as growing used to the comings and goings of COST. This world was a means to an end, the same as over one million lives were ( it's a part of her now, unmistakable and bloody-- ). Cheris lifts her glass again, this time to tip it towards him before she drinks, leaning back along the nearest surface as she considers how to align her goals with Akechi's. ]
But, I won't let that get in your way, and I won't be the one to try and get you to reconsider life here. It's a reasonable decision.
[ Which means, she thinks, that Akechi's work needs to be ironclad. When she participates, it'll have to be in a way that cements his foothold; she can't do a slap-dash job and call it square. It's a nice thought to have in mind, a parameter that's now been set for her. All conduct can revolve around it, and her own designs, simultaneously. ]
I mentioned the Andan to you, back on the network. [ The glass, emptied, is set aside. Time to stop messing around. ] They're a faction dedicated to diplomacy and finance and I have very little experience in either of those things. What I do is basically the same thing, but my version of public relations has more to do with analysis and making my extreme level of competence really, really sexy.
[ She folds her hands together across her ribs as she drawls, elbows propping her up as she slouches where she stands. The sound of her voice mingles with Tsera Vel's punchiness, layers of identity left in full view. Akechi has good eyes and ears, she won't bullshit him too much now. Only when it's fun. ]
So. Jovavich and her information. You said you know her movements - I'll need to know them to get to work.
It's rare that anyone finds competence to be "sexy," [he notes. Saying that at all seems unusual. It feels a bit like she's trying too hard, but in that, he could see more contradiction. More pieces that are puzzling. The various layers are on display for him, but he doesn't know where to peel it back.]
As it is, we'll move forward. [Since she already has, it's his way of agreeing to do the same.]
The true issue with Jovavich is that she doesn't seem particularly inclined toward thinking for the people. It's obvious that she wants to have a say in the terraforming projects abroad, and is hoping that political clout will help her get her way. Otherwise, I'd define her as ... less than a social creature. She does her due diligence in heading to the campaign headquarters, and all of it is strictly regimented. Whereas you and I know the importance of the political game, she's almost too candid in her rejection of it.
[ Where she comes from, there's a whole faction dedicated to their competence kink. She doesn't mention them. ]
Is she a work-to-home-to-work type, then? No casual haunts in between?
[ Likely not the type that she could wine and dine, then. She picks through the meat of Jedao's memories as she considers her options -- though there are things she still needs to ask Akechi before she can offer him a course of action. She holds up a finger as she brings up each point; they're not off the table, but she sees inherent difficulties in accomplishing them without it being precise and clean. ]
Her lack of social connections means that we don't have bodies to leverage against her. There's her attachment to her goals, of course. Yet, as far as I've been made aware, we don't currently have the power to help her meet them.
As far as we know. [It wouldn't be unsurprising for them to find out something that does interest them. Johann has been mentioned, after all. That's why he'd like to get some more information about that arrangement, as well as what it could mean to them.]
The true question is in why so many took care to back her when her campaign started. She should be raising several red flags, and both Durcell and Lynch have done well to establish themselves as being unlike her. It could be a bold exclamation that these corporations know they always get their way, and that's what I thought at first. But now I wonder what else may be at play. Hence, precisely why I'd like to have someone digging in. Finding out.
It's a good question, informs a lot more about the manner of woman she is, than not/
[ whatever it is that drew support to her, the only one who knows about it is jovavich herself. blackmail, promises, brainwashing - cheris could pick any one of six different methods to coerce and convince another person to lend their aid to another. she just can't confirm any, until she wrings the answer from jovavich herself. ]
I don't like to guess, and there's too many variables at play. How much information are you looking at getting from her, and how much time do you want to waste on it? That'll inform how I do this. Slow and steady, or all at once. If I can't leverage people at her, I'll have to leverage something else.
As much as necessary. There will come a time when the answers are no longer illuminating. I don't care about her personal motivations. It's more that I'm concerned with why she's the avatar of these corporations. What they hoped to gain, and why she was the tool to gain it. Her job could be a clue, but I'm not so sure.
[A beat.]
Then again, the circumstances leading to Gill-Jade stepping back were ... unexpected. Are you aware of them?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[The amusement practically radiates from his text.]
Come by my place. Better to speak where it's secure.
no subject
[ matter of fact, never you mind that she meant to think 'preface'. preface her offer. ]
no subject
Don't hesitate simply because it's nice. I'm doing quite well for myself here. Knock when you arrive.
no subject
[ she goes radio silent while traveling, and akechi will received a punctual knock at his front door once she navigates transit and arrives. hilariously, she'll be at this same apartment again in the future - around the time ren makes all of his zucchini bread.
whenever he's opened the door, she stands easy, casual and definitely shorter than him. ]
Howdy comrade, [ she says, dry as bone, ] you ready to machinate?
no subject
This will be an interesting conversation, to say the least.]
Funny that you speak so casually about what you've come for. [Time to point it out.]
As it is, would you like something to drink? We don't keep any alcoholic beverages in stock, but we have a wide array of fresh fruit juices.
no subject
[ he could have fed her to the authorities, if he'd wanted to. could still do it. she'd handed him her intentions on the network, elected to come to his personal residence instead of meeting somewhere neutral, voiced it aloud; why not speak casually now, as she steps into akechi's place and lets the door shut, finite, behind her. taking his appearance in, the way he echoes her and the way he offers her a drink. a polite host. ]
Got anything with citrus, then? Or cucumber, if not. [ casual as anything. ]
no subject
As it is, he waltzes into the kitchen and checks the bottles. They get them from a juicer around the corner, one that's been rolling in credits thanks to the overwhelming greenery. He decides upon the lemonade. It's a little more bitter in that the juicer doesn't oversweeten it, but it hits the spot even for him.
He pours her a glass and sets it in her direction, inviting her to come closer and take it.]
As for dancing around, I believe that it's up to me to ask you to cut it out. You're here, after all, giving in to your baser instincts even as you previously tried to get me to do the same.
no subject
if "you are what you eat" was actually true, the world wouldn't have akechi.]There's nothing base about the need for information.
[ as if without concern, she strolls on over towards the spot he's left her drink. samples it, holding the glass to her mouth as she squints her eyes and tries to decide if she likes the tang. it's stronger than her favored fruit, one she hasn't tasted in a long, long time now -- she wonders, briefly, if tangerines exist in this world. if they're not overpriced, like every other fresh ingredient that isn't compost for her teeny, tiny little herb garden tucked onto her teeny, tiny little windowsill. ]
You're the one with "further plans", which means you're the one who needs to keep his hands clean of this. My personal distaste for politics aside, if you're currently the only one in any actual sort of position we could come to use to influence anything, now or in the future - we need to keep you at arm's length. So, I'm here to do just that. What more do you need from me?
[ she holds the glass at her side, swirling the lemonade slowly with a flick of her wrist, eyes on akechi. she'll give him a little bit of honesty, a little bit of a slip. ]
Listen, I just didn't want my involvement getting out to everyone in the Displaced crew. Best if everyone overlooks me for the time being. That. And you're fun to duel with, for a kid.
no subject
Interesting that you use the word duel. I believe that's the closest you've come to dropping the bullshit front you're putting forward. [A simple word, but one with a lot of meaning. An interesting way of defining it.
Between their network conversation and now, Akechi could notice the cracks in her front. The little pieces here and there that seemed contradictory—even her way of speaking seemed inconsistent, all down to performative mannerisms. (Hell, he would know.)
But he doesn't know what lies beneath all that. He's guessing someone with a lot more political savvy than she'd let on, which is both close to the truth and terribly far from it.]
Still, there's no reason for this to be adversarial right now. You're right. I need someone to be my eyes and ears. I should make one thing clear. While many Displaced intend to return to their worlds when this is all "over," I have made no such claims. Any partnerships I make are meant to carry on until the day you all choose to return.
[For him, it isn't a matter of giving up. And he doesn't sound resigned. Akechi has a plan because this is his life and world now—as simple as that.]
no subject
There's far too much waiting, back in the Hexarchate, for her to dismiss. To grow comfortable with the archaic way of life in this world would be the same as growing used to the comings and goings of COST. This world was a means to an end, the same as over one million lives were ( it's a part of her now, unmistakable and bloody-- ). Cheris lifts her glass again, this time to tip it towards him before she drinks, leaning back along the nearest surface as she considers how to align her goals with Akechi's. ]
But, I won't let that get in your way, and I won't be the one to try and get you to reconsider life here. It's a reasonable decision.
[ Which means, she thinks, that Akechi's work needs to be ironclad. When she participates, it'll have to be in a way that cements his foothold; she can't do a slap-dash job and call it square. It's a nice thought to have in mind, a parameter that's now been set for her. All conduct can revolve around it, and her own designs, simultaneously. ]
I mentioned the Andan to you, back on the network. [ The glass, emptied, is set aside. Time to stop messing around. ] They're a faction dedicated to diplomacy and finance and I have very little experience in either of those things. What I do is basically the same thing, but my version of public relations has more to do with analysis and making my extreme level of competence really, really sexy.
[ She folds her hands together across her ribs as she drawls, elbows propping her up as she slouches where she stands. The sound of her voice mingles with Tsera Vel's punchiness, layers of identity left in full view. Akechi has good eyes and ears, she won't bullshit him too much now. Only when it's fun. ]
So. Jovavich and her information. You said you know her movements - I'll need to know them to get to work.
no subject
As it is, we'll move forward. [Since she already has, it's his way of agreeing to do the same.]
The true issue with Jovavich is that she doesn't seem particularly inclined toward thinking for the people. It's obvious that she wants to have a say in the terraforming projects abroad, and is hoping that political clout will help her get her way. Otherwise, I'd define her as ... less than a social creature. She does her due diligence in heading to the campaign headquarters, and all of it is strictly regimented. Whereas you and I know the importance of the political game, she's almost too candid in her rejection of it.
no subject
Is she a work-to-home-to-work type, then? No casual haunts in between?
[ Likely not the type that she could wine and dine, then. She picks through the meat of Jedao's memories as she considers her options -- though there are things she still needs to ask Akechi before she can offer him a course of action. She holds up a finger as she brings up each point; they're not off the table, but she sees inherent difficulties in accomplishing them without it being precise and clean. ]
Her lack of social connections means that we don't have bodies to leverage against her. There's her attachment to her goals, of course. Yet, as far as I've been made aware, we don't currently have the power to help her meet them.
no subject
The true question is in why so many took care to back her when her campaign started. She should be raising several red flags, and both Durcell and Lynch have done well to establish themselves as being unlike her. It could be a bold exclamation that these corporations know they always get their way, and that's what I thought at first. But now I wonder what else may be at play. Hence, precisely why I'd like to have someone digging in. Finding out.
no subject
[ whatever it is that drew support to her, the only one who knows about it is jovavich herself. blackmail, promises, brainwashing - cheris could pick any one of six different methods to coerce and convince another person to lend their aid to another. she just can't confirm any, until she wrings the answer from jovavich herself. ]
I don't like to guess, and there's too many variables at play. How much information are you looking at getting from her, and how much time do you want to waste on it? That'll inform how I do this. Slow and steady, or all at once. If I can't leverage people at her, I'll have to leverage something else.
no subject
[A beat.]
Then again, the circumstances leading to Gill-Jade stepping back were ... unexpected. Are you aware of them?