datadiving | lobcorp/ruina AU catchall

[ He stares for a moment, blankly, as he tries to process what's just been said. ]

...Um. No. [ He rubs his eyes, careful to do it on a sleeve and not his hands. He washed them several times before he left, especially after the work he did today, but still.... ] That's not my job.

Oh thank goodness.

[He heaves a sigh of relief. He's never had to deal with solicitors himself, thank goodness, but it's nice to know he doesn't have to carry a sign on him at all times to keep them away.]

So... just wanting some conversation after a job, then? What is your job, if I may ask? Do you work with an Association? Or maybe one of the Wings?

[ Outside and inside, it's all work talk either way. He supposes there's no harm in it, though; he cracks a rueful smile. ]

Actually, I just needed a break before going home. I took a wrong turn...I'm not used to the Nests. And I got a little lost.

[ He sighs. ] I work in L Corp. You know - the energy company.

[Not used to... Oh. He's from the Backstreets. Yikes.]

Oh! Wow. A feather in one of the Wings... That has to be a huge honor. They don't take just anybody in. Give it time and you'll even be able to move up here for real.

It's pretty exhausting...Doesn't feel like a honor now. Maybe I'll get used to it in a couple of weeks. It's pretty heavy work. [ It reminds him of his childhood, not so far away. Sweeping plains bordering a dark forest, the sound of strange birds....

People here talked of the Outskirts and the Ruins like they were alien, dangerous, entirely unlivable. But so too was the City; this gilded, civilized Nest doesn't impress him, not when so much of it sits adjacent to the crowded places he calls home now. ]

We'll just have to see. About moving, I mean. I haven't thought about it yet.

[His eyebrows would shoot past his hairline, were such a thing physically possible.]

What? You're kidding. You're from the Backstreets, right? The place where Sweepers go through the streets every night and Syndicates practically run the place? It'd be worth it to move here just to get away from all that, wouldn't it?

I don't know anyone who lives in a Nest. [ Maybe his coworkers, but he's not sure... ] Not well. [ His smile quirks up at one end. ] I don't think I'd be a welcome reminder.

Moving to a Nest is just trading a Syndicate for a Wing, anyway. [ He glances at Avery, folding his hands on the table in front of him. ] There's less obvious blood, but they're just as capable of flensing you for everything you have.

Well... [He looks off to the side.] I'm not going to say they don't, but I'd still take them over the Sweepers. At least there's a little more peace of mind here. And the scenery's better.

[He sets the book on the table, leaning back into his chair and folding his arms.]

Maybe. [ He doesn't think he'd ever get used to it. Not that he likes the Sweepers, but they're consistent, at least. ]

What kind of job do you have..? You never said. [ For the first time in this conversation, he sounds Avery's age. ]

[It startles him a little. Avery could have sworn this guy was older than him, but just now...

No. Nevermind. Not like it's that important.]

Oh, I'm still in college. [He holds up the textbook he was studying: a law book] Hopefully I'll get hired on to one of the Wings as a lawyer, but a notary isn't too bad either.

Oh, you're still studying. [ His smile is a bit sad. ] That sounds nice.

A lawyer? What kind of cases do you want to take on, then?

I'd probably end up helping to file patents mostly, but helping to create contracts with Fixers sounds interesting too. You know, making sure that all the "I"s are dotted and "T"s are crossed and all that.

I'll probably have to learn some self-defense just in case, but hopefully it should be fairly peaceful.

You might end up needing to become a Fixer yourself, if people get too rowdy with you. [ Though he can't imagine this nice person really being predisposed to violence, so hopefully it doesn't come to that... ]

But who knows? Maybe you'll get a peaceful career. I hope so, anyway. [ He glances up at the darkening sky. He should probably get moving soon. He feels less tired, at least. ]

I will. [He straightens up and nods confidently.] With enough hard work, anything is possible, after all.

[He casts a quick glance at the sky.]

Oh. Let me get you something to drink before you go. My treat.

[The way he was acting before, he kind of seems like he needs it]

Ah, are you sure? [ Even as a feather of a Wing, his salary has greatly improved...but anything that comes from a Nest is still expensive. He's a bit apprehensive about it. ] You don't have to spend money on me...We've hardly met.

Don't worry about it. Consider it a toast to your promising future.

[He tries his best to sound dignified, but ultimately collapses into a fit of snickers]

Heh, sorry. Tried to sound like one of the big wigs out there, but it just sounds weird coming out of my own mouth.

[ He laughs in return, despite his weariness. ] Ah, are you practicing to butter up executives? I think it's a good start!

What would you recommend? Since you're generous enough to offer.

[Avery picks up his textbook and tucks it away into a messenger bag by his chair]

There's a place with some great skewers just down the road. Beef is my personal favorite, but there's others too if that isn't your thing.

It sounds good. I don't think I've had skewers in a long time. [ Meat dishes weren't exactly rare even in the Backstreets, but it wasn't the same kind people in the Nests had access to.

He stands up when Avery tucks his book away, leaning on the table. ] And maybe a little protein will take the edge off before I go back to work tomorrow.

Exactly. Nothing like good food to brighten up the spirits.

[He pulls his messenger bag up over his shoulder and starts leading the way down the street]

Sometimes you just have to treat yourself. Or... me treating you in this case. Same thing really.

I can at least pay for half! Even the humble feather of a Wing who hasn't worked his way up the ranks yet gets a good paycheck, you know?

[ The better he gets at his job, being an Agent, the better the benefits are...and the higher the risks, too. But that's how it is. He'll take it as it comes.

But for now, there's the prospect of food in his future, so he finds it less worrying overall. ]

Ha! [Avery holds up his hands]

All right, all right. Since you're so eager to do it, you can pay half. I yield!

lobcorp/ruina AU catchall

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