147 » only thing that i beg for is your pardon

[ironwind]

[He used to go by a codename — Viator, meaning Traveler — but the jig's been up for a while now, and Aether's not really anonymous anymore. Ever since he started making bigger contracts, working bigger jobs, his background hasn't been a secret. It's out there for the highest bidder to find on the black market, and Paimon gave up trying to stop the sale of his information long ago.

The file is brief and to the point. In summation, Aether "Viator" does not exist in any of the government registries throughout Teyvat. Most informants agree that he was most likely a former test subject from the labs of a shadowy, now-defunct group referred to vaguely as the Myrmidons, or MOTH, but it's unclear what they were researching. The fact that he displays inhuman reflexes and firing accuracy suggests some kind of supersoldier project; the fact that there's a suspicious, artificial beauty to his doll-like features only bolsters the theory.

It is known that Aether has a sister. It is known that Aether's sister is so far deep in the darkest recesses of the criminal underworld that it is all but impossible to find her.

Rumor has it that all who have come across "the Princess" have been killed, indiscriminately, and without evidence of their bodies left behind.

In any case. Aether's fruitless search for his sister isn't a secret. The fact that he entered the world of organized crime in search of her isn't a secret, either. He has standards, or so it's claimed. He doesn't take jobs involving human trafficking or slavery; he doesn't kill or kidnap children; he refuses most things that don't involve revenge or justifiable homicide. Contacting him is still a matter of security and clearance, of course: you can't get in touch with the Traveler unless you have the sway of an organization like Mondstadt's Ordo Favonius or Liyue's Qixing on your side, and Paimon screens all his job requests, anwyay.

(Paimon herself is an absolute mystery. Aether only ever communicates with her through earpiece, and few have ever seen her in person. Allegedly, she looks and sounds like a little girl, but the efficacy of her work and the speed at which she crushes the world's best cybersecurity protocols both suggest otherwise.)

As for his current location? Well, at the moment, there's a rumor that the Traveler just wrapped up some business with the Adepti in Liyue (a rival group to the Qixing sometimes, their associates at other times), but others swear that he's now in league with the Kamisato-gumi in Inazuma.

As of right now, only Lesser Lord Kusanali and her group of Sages know the truth: Aether's current job is with the Sumeru Akademiya. He's here to help the Haravatat locate a missing shipment, allegedly stolen by either the Fatui or a local group known as the Eremites. What's inside the shipment isn't for him to know, but the Kshahrewar representative who negotiated his contract assured him that it wasn't anything that would compromise his legendary sense of morality.

I'll be the judge of that, Aether had replied — but even so, he took the job.

This particular operation shouldn't end in bullets or the flash of steel. He's just here to meet a Haravatat operative by the name of Alhaitham — allegedly because the man is one of their best agents, but also completely, utterly unpredictable. Not a good combination, in Aether's experience, but the Sages seemed to believe that hiring the Traveler as a handler for this Alhaitham was warranted. Perhaps they'd tried a number of their own handlers already. He wouldn't know.]

...Alhaitham, I take it?

[Action movies and pop culture would have them meet under cover of night outside the building that they plan to infiltrate, but the reality of their line of work is that it doesn't work that way. Organized crime would not be so appealing if it were not comfortable. As such, he's meeting Alhaitham in a conference room within the Akademiya library. Aether's assuming that the whole place is wiretapped, but that's fine; he's not planning to say anything that would incriminate himself in any way.

The traveler knows better than anyone else that there's no sense judging a man in their line of work by his looks — but even he can't help but wonder why he's been put on this particular job. Alhaitham looks very much as though he can handle himself. The same experimental treatments that froze Aether's youthful looks also gave him preternatural strength, but if they were going off appearances alone, the traveler would be forced to conclude that Alhaitham could probably snap him in half.]

I'll assume your contact briefed you. I'm here as your backup.

Comments

[twolunes]

[ Alhaitham is sitting by the table of the room, too early as usual, since he likes to check his surroundings, a habit he formed with experience, no matter being on his own organization's ground.

He's wearing a sleeveless black turtleneck that leaves little to imagination with the way it hugs his wide torso and leaves his too thick arms bare. Paired with the headphones slotted on his silver locks, he looks more like a bored college student who likes working out too much, than a ruthless member of the Akademiya, specialized in tying up loose ends, no matter what that entails.

There's no music coming from his headphones, just padded silence, and he senses the Traveler the moment he opens the door and he tugs them off, setting them down on the table with his phone, connected through an old-fashioned wire.

He gives the stranger a once-over, gaze analytical as always, features not giving away any of his thoughts. What is he supposed to do with this pretty boy?, he can't help wondering. He looks like someone who should be an idol, surrounded by adoring girls, rather than an assassin. He's too slender and, seriously, too pretty. To the point it could be distracting. A living, walking doll who kills people for a living. He would find it fascinating, if he was interested in people. But alas.

Backup. A diplomatic way to put it and he's already proven why his higher-ups picked this Viator to work with him. Alhaitham has a natural way to get under people's skin, when he's not outright threatening them, and it doesn't fare well in jobs that require him to do the least damage possible. ]

Babysitter, rather.

[ He corrects him, twisting his chair so it faces the table now. He would sound annoyed if he wasn't a man driven by rationality, who understands completely that by himself he would most likely botch it. So he's only matter-of-fact as he says that: he doesn't need backup; his higher-ups think he needs someone who'll hold onto his leash, instead.

His hand, tightened in a fist, opens, all the bugs that had been planted now falling onto the wooden surface in a tinkling cascade, the wires that made them function disconnected neatly from each device. He likes speaking his mind and the Akademiya don't like hearing it, so he's making everyone a favour. ]

Aether, then. The man who never failed a mission.

[ He makes no mystery he's staring at him, dissecting him with his gaze. ]

My boss made a deal with you but since you'll work with me, you need to be useful to me. If there comes a point where there won't be any mutual benefits anymore, I will call it off.

[ He likes setting things straight from the get go, since he's not a fan of being likable. ]

But you seem a sharp man, I'm sure we could discuss terms that please both of us. Whatever they entail.

[ He's not an unreasonable man, especially when faced with someone who carries himself with the confidence and aura of this Traveler, already proving that he can be useful. ]

[ironwind]

[The comment about being a babysitter makes Aether's eyes widen with surprise; the subsequent show of having destroyed all the hidden microphones in the room almost makes him laugh. It doesn't really matter to the traveler whether or not the room is bugged, but he doesn't want to make a show of trusting Alhaitham without a little verification, so Aether presses one finger to the beautiful white-and-gold earpiece he's wearing, establishing a remote connection somewhere else.]

Paimon. Tap check.

[There's a slight pause, and then — it's quiet, but only audible to Alhaitham because the room is silent — a sweet, girlish voice rings out: "All clear!"

The mysterious Paimon, one would assume. In any case, Alhaitham was correct; he has indeed destroyed all the bugs planted in the room, which is now a headache for the Akademiya to solve, and Aether is free to speak his mind to the man without fear of retribution by their employers.

He lets a little smirk grace his features as he seats himself upon the armrest of Alhaitham's chair. Why not sit in one of the other chairs around the table? The reason isn't that sophisticated: Aether's just a bit like a cat sometimes, and he likes to perch rather than sit. But then, maybe Alhaitham will read, correctly, that Aether is also the kind of man who doesn't like letting others have the upper hand.]

...Being useful is my job. I'm sure you won't have any complaints. I've never left a client unsatisfied.

[Entendre fully intended. He crosses one leg over the other, looking down at Alhaitham with an appraising eye. The headphones are an interesting touch. Aether doubts he's listening to music, so he wonders what they're for. Maybe the man just likes to ignore the world around him?]

Since you know I'm here to babysit you, that makes things a lot easier. Let's be up front with each other. Your bosses want me to keep you in line. You, clearly, don't want to be kept in line.

[Alhaitham is staring. There's not much that Aether's buttoned-up appearance will tell him. He's wearing a well-tailored suit, no tie. Leather shoes. His long, braided hair looks too ethereal to be real. And yet, when his hand comes down to rest upon Alhaitham's broad, bare bicep, the warmth of his fingers only proves that the angelic assassin is real.]

How's this for an offer? I'll let you do whatever you want, provided that you actually listen to me and fall back when you're being too reckless. Secondly, you can negotiate when it comes to money, but let me do the talking when it's about people. You do as you please, but I make the calls.

[twolunes]

[ Alhaitham shrugs when Aether requests for his little, mysterious helper to check the premises, a silent do as you please that only ends with a small smile on his face. He had no doubt he hadn't missed even one.

His smile stays even as the other decides to settle so close to him, curiosity in his eyes —not many would decide to stick that close to a 'lunatic', as many call him, on their first encounter. But apparently Aether likes to have the upper hand and set things straight. ]

Negotiating money is not a big matter, we can even not negotiate at all and just accept their first request. So you may do that yourself as well. I'll just make sure you have the funds.

[ Money isn't a worry, not for him, nor his higher-ups. ]

I do agree that you will do the talking when it comes to people.

[ There's the flash of something dangerous in his eyes and Alhaitham reaches for that hand that's touching him, grabbing without much of a warning his arm and yanking it towards himself. It is not delicate, but this man is supposed to be a war machine, so he doubts he'll snap him just with this.

He makes him fall into his lap like that, but he has no other plans besides taking a good look at him from up close and getting a feel of him. Aether does seem flesh and bones from the feel and weight against him, and Alhaitham is almost disappointed: he'd always bet on the android option, whenever talks of the mysterious Viator came up. ]

Of course you make the calls, partner.

[ Alhaitham replies, face unreadable. There's nothing that works better than making someone believe they're in charge, they have the power, when actually you're the one who'll have the last word —he does that with his higher-ups, he will do that with Aether. Even if he has a feeling this blonde beauty with feline endeavours is much, much sharper than his bosses. ]

We're so close already, I'm sure my bosses would be proud of us.

[ If he didn't speak with such an unreadable face, it could be considered teasing, especially as he takes advantage of their positions to pat Aether down without any shame or regards, looking for a possible weapon. ]

[ironwind]

[Aether might be a war machine, but Alhaitham is a monster in his own right, too; the traveler doesn't fight the abrupt jerk to his wrist that sends him toppling into his new "partner's" lap, though he spreads his legs and knees quickly enough to land neatly straddling the man, glaring down at him for the sudden, unwanted touch.

There's a frown touching his small, delicate lips. Alhaitham is surely testing him with this, but he doesn't like the calm, neutral expression that's practically frozen on the man's face, even as his hands slide up and down Aether's thighs and waist — seeking a hip holster, most likely?

Aether can help him with that.]

Not there. What you want is right...

[He takes hold of Alhaitham's wrist, sliding his palm slowly, slowly up his belly and his chest, all the way to — his underarm, where he's wearing a shoulder harness beneath his suit jacket. There it is, there's his pistol. Loaded, safety on. A sensible type of weapon, maybe a bit smaller than what Alhaitham himself would use, but no less lethal.]

...here.

[Quite an unconventional way for Alhaitham to ask to see his new partner's choice of weapon, but Aether doesn't mind. He's more concerned about this man's tendency to test his boundaries, and getting that tendency under control.

There are certain ways of getting monsters to become more tame. Aether thinks about them as he settles more firmly into Alhaitham's lap, staring him down, his own expression just as unreadable, but perhaps — perhaps just a tiny bit more heated.]

You can play with it, if you'd like. But be gentle.

[twolunes]

[ He thought he would've been punched by now; Aether really is diplomatic and self-controlled, no wonder his higher-ups picked him to try and keep the leash on Alhaitham short. ]

Gentle?

[ He asks and there's something in his eyes similar to amusement. ]

That's surprising. I heard the Viator can take anything, no matter size and power.

[ If it's an innuendo or a threat, it's impossible to tell considering his expression stays placid, not even a wave in that cerulean sea.

His long fingers do slip under Aether's jacket though and pull his gun out of its holster. He weighs it on his palm --ah, it's loaded-- before he wraps that around the stock and it's really too small for his hand, but he supposes that makes it perfect for Aether's. It obviously bears a small caliber too, but it's the kind that can make a neat, minute hole where it matters if the one who shoots is precise enough or close enough --and Alhaitham is sure that Aether can manage both things.

He slides it back into the young man's harness without a word, before he grabs his hand and mimicks the assassin's motions from earlier: he has it slide down his skintight tee along his abs, before he steers it to the side, his pants' pocket, right by Aether's inner thigh. The shape hidden in the fabric is more difficult to tell, but surely someone with as much experience as the mighty Viator will be able to recognize a switchblade. ]

[ironwind]

[Aether is no stranger to seduction — either seducing or being seduced — and if he didn't know any better, he'd wonder whether or not Alhaitham is trying to seduce him right now. There's no shame in how blatantly he allows his hand to caress every rise and fall in Alhaitham's skintight shirt: after all, he's been invited, and he should take the opportunity to give every single chiseled muscle a thorough investigation.

Finally they come to Alhaitham's pants pocket. Aether can tell it's a switchblade, but he slides the long object out of the agent's pocket anyway. He doesn't have an interest in taking the blade out of its handle, or threatening Alhaitham with his own weapon, or anything of that sort — but what he can see of the weapon without unsheathing it is thick, surprisingly ornate, and beautiful. This is certainly no common box-cutter; this is the kind of thing that can easily take a life.

Aether smiles.]

I didn't take you for the type to bring a knife to a gun fight.

[Mischievously, the mighty Viator plants the sheathed switchblade in the dip of Alhaitham's sternum, letting his beautiful body cradle the weapon. Aether's eyes are openly admiring and analyzing the lines of Alhaitham's chest and waist, his uncommonly handsome face. Hmm, by the smirk on the traveler's lips, he's almost certainly thinking of size and power...]

I think I'm going to like you a lot, Haitham.

[twolunes]

I have the almighty Viator with me, what else would I need? I could even be barehanded.

[He replies to the joke with the ghost of a smile on his face and by his tone it's impossible to say whether he's teasing him in a harmless way, or outright taunting him, like he really doubts he's as strong and capable as they make him.

He scoffs from his nose when his body is used to hold his weapon and if he were anyone else, he would probably blush under Aether's shameless scrutiny, like he's scanning him for purposes that don't require fighting together, but tangling under bedsheets together.]

Oh? Like me a lot in what ways?

[He plays naive with a tilt of his head, bangs sliding away from his eye. He decides to ignore the too friendly way he was addressed, just for today. See? He's a good guy, he doesn't need a baby-sitter at all. He catches his own blade then and drops it back into his pocket.]

Say, is your little fairy listening to everything we say?

[He has no way of knowing whether he contacts her only when he needs to or if she's always on standby.]

I'm really shy, I won't feel comfortable like that while we're on a mission.

[Viator without Paimon means he could just as well be blind, from what he's heard about them. But if she's privy to all the information Aether will learn during this job as well, like a two for one deal, who is to say she won't betray The Sages? Alhaitham doesn't trust someone he can't meet --someone he can't physically retaliate against.]

Your word she's to be trusted means nothing to me. I showed you my goodwill today. [He nods towards the devices he's broken.] So, two days from now, on our first assignment, you do the job without your fairy. [He taps his ear.] Or I do the job by myself and you deal with the consequences. [He shrugs.] That could mean no money for you.

[ironwind]

["Viator" sighs and shrugs, unhesitating. It's not the first time a client has asked him to complete a job without Paimon, and it won't be the last. Pressing a hand to his earpiece, he quickly addresses his companion in an apologetic, easy-going tone.]

You heard the man, Paimon. I'll catch up with you later.

[Paimon huffs from the other end, but it's a sign of Aether's own goodwill that she's audible at all; he could easily switch the volume settings so that she's only talking to her Viator. "Just so he knows, Paimon doesn't like him!"

Chuckling, Aether quirks an eyebrow like he intends to keep that in mind, then switches off his earpiece and slips it into one of his pockets.

Having done so, he slides off of Alhaitham's lap with an easy movement of his hips, one that rocks a little and — it's hard not to notice — implies a very pointed control over his body. He straightens himself back to his usual height, shrugging his braid back over his shoulder so that it swings behind his back.]

Ready to start planning our entrance, then? [He lolls his head from side to side, rolling his shoulders loose and spry.] Your superiors told me that they want us to investigate a private banquet that Ayn Al-Ahmar is hosting in partnership with the Fatui. Seems as good a place to start as any.

[Conveniently, he won't really need Paimon's tech backup at a party.]