datadiving | lobcorp/ruina AU catchall

[ Once, younger, he might have sputtered and smiled and been tearfully glad to see him.

The man who's been a Fixer for long and bloody years, the only mark of it on his face the scar that slashes down his left eye, stares back at his old friend with a look of genuine surprise. ]

Avery. [ You've gotten taller, he almost says, before he stifles it. ] You look...well.

[ Better than expected, he means. ]

[Avery lets out a noise somewhere between a snort and a scoff]

Wow, no need to flatter me so much. You're bringing out the big compliments today.

[He shakes his head and steps to the side, gesturing for Ekkehardt to enter.]

Anyway... What can I do for you today? Got a deal you need notarized? A contract or two that needs looking over?

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

Can't say I know all the ins and outs of what Colors deal with, but I can assure you I always strive for top quality service!

[ He waves a hand, flyer fluttering. He'd half forgotten it was there, crumpled in his hand by the sudden force of a clenched fist. (Surprise was a precursor to other, more unpleasant things, usually. Instincts that never had the time or peace to get old, not here.)

Avery's caustic spiel brings a dry smile to his face. ]

I'm not here for any of that. And I'm hardly a Color any more - not these days. [ Technically he still is, when it comes to skill and history but he'd asked for a demotion. They'd asked him several times to confirm it. He's still not certain it's gone through properly; they'd probably keep him on file, even so. He's too valuable an asset to just let slip away. ]

Your Office is looking for Fixers, yes? [ He makes an expansive gesture. ] Well, here I am, finding myself wanting work. Can you find it within yourself to hire me?

Edited 2021-06-11 15:09 (UTC)

[Avery stops halfway to his desk and stares blankly at Ekkehardt.]

What.

[He holds up his hands]

No. Seriously. What? I mean, I guess I'd get it if you knew I was here, [He might even be flattered, even] but from that reaction of yours, you obviously didn't. Is this a sting? Am I being investigated for something? Because I can tell you right now, I bought this place fair and square, crossed my "T"s and dotted my "i"s. I'm just looking to make a living like anyone else in the City.

Hell, if you feel like it, you could even put in a good word or two for me when you get back to whoever hired you!

[ He huffs, eyebrows raising a little at the reaction. ] I'm not here to investigate you. Though if I'd known in advance this was your Office, I would have come here earlier to ask.

[ He's been.........busy. Busy trying to not think about things, mostly. ]

I am not currently being hired, and you are looking for someone to hire. This is a simple enough contract, is it not? I didn't leave anything out?

[Avery looks Ekkehardt up and down, presses his lips together, then nods, not quite relaxing but no longer as tense as he was before.]

No, you didn't. [And it's not like there's anything he'd be able to do against a Color even if Ekkehardt was lying.] All right. I'll get the papers drawn up and give you a copy of the uniform guidelines. And just to let you know, while I intend to prioritize notary cases, you might still have to get your hands dirty to make sure we make rent.

[The money he has isn't going to last forever.]

[ His smile is thin and tired. ] I expected no less. I'd offer to pool funds with you, but I think you might take that as an insult. So I'm prepared to get my hands dirty.

[ It's not as if he hasn't dirtied his hands immeasurably already. What's one more drop in the sea? ]

So, what are the uniform requirements? I admit it's going to be nice to wear something other than white.

[ White was a color for purity, and what a joke that had been on him. White hair, white bandages, white coat...

He doesn't want to think about it any more. The crunch of paper alerts him to the fact that he's just crumpled the flyer by sheer force, and he frowns. ]

Button-up shirt in either black or white, purple waistcoat--more on the muted side if you would-, black slacks, black shoes, and a long coat in purple--again, muted colors preferred, but I don't care if the shade matches the waistcoat exactly--and either a tie or cravat depending on personal preference. Pinstripe is fine if you prefer the aesthetic, coats are optional in the Summer, and, of course, allowances are made depending on prosthetics.

[He rattles the requirements off without looking up from the paper, tone casual as can be. He pauses after a moment to look up, wearing a dry, all-too-amused smile.]

Depending on how I feel, I might allow a button or two on the coat. A handful of pieces for morale's sake can't hurt.

How generous. [ His voice is equally dry, though his smile quirks up at the end, a betrayal of his amusement. It's an extensive list, but he expected no less. ] Easy enough to follow. I'll get something together by tomorrow. [ Unlike before - and before seems so long ago now, but that was the City for you - he's much more able to rapidly procure things that he desires. ]

Do you have any preferences for weapons? [ He still has his equipment...but he also has something else, something wholly new he still doesn't quite understand. ] Or does the dress code make an exemption?

[He shakes his head.]

Nope. I'd prefer to point us in the direction of notary work, so weapons are for your protection. Go with whatever makes you comfortable. Hell, I've got a workshop contact if you need any extra equipment.

I have my own arrangements, so you don't need to pull any strings quite yet. [ As if to accentuate his point, bandages snake out from his sleeves, winding themselves around his fingers like they have a mind of their own. ]

I suppose that's all for the business side of things. [ He visibly hesitates, and then glances to the side, before looking at him again. His expression is less sharp. ]

...How's your recovery going? Nothing bothering you too much? [ He hadn't looked up the details. It had felt wrong, gut wrenchingly voyeuristic. He couldn't even pass the frozen, shattered remains of what had been a portion of a Nest without wincing. ]

[Avery's smile disappears in an instant, eyes as cold as the ice that had covered his home.]

If you really want this job, I suggest you keep questions like that to yourself.

[ He just smiles, which might seem like an odd response to Avery's reprimand, but his eyes are, suddenly, placidly empty.

He was a Color, after all. Stifling emotional responses is all part of the job. ]

Understood. [ He turns on his heel to leave, before pausing at the door. ]

Is there anything else you need from me?

[He waits until Ekke turns around to let out a breath, slow and shaky, lets his grip ease a little on the pen he's holding, white knuckles slowly regaining color.

When he speaks again he just sounds tired. Worn.]

No. That's all. Everything should be in order by tomorrow morning.

[ He catches the sound, the almost imperceptible noise of pressure held being released. His own response is much less visible, but he hesitates for the barest fraction of a second.

The backwards glance he gives him, easy to miss, is something uncomfortably sad and awkward and reminiscent of a person he can no longer be, hardened over as he is. ]

Very well. I'll be here for work tomorrow.

lobcorp/ruina AU catchall

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