[ Ah, prim and proper as always, isn't she? Aalto doesn't seem perturbed, and he keeps that perfect smile on his face, crosses his arms over his chest in a way to imply that this job should be a walk in the park. ]
Nothing too challenging for someone of your caliber, I assure you. I'm looking for a guest to accompany me to an event, is all.
[ And why Angelika in particular? Well... ]
Given that you've proven that you can hold your own and maintain your composure, I couldn't think of anyone better to ask. And on top of that, maybe you'll get a sneak peak on some of those souls that might need a proper sendoff! It's only for a few hours, and you'll be done once the night's over.
[ flattery doesn't get anyone anywhere with angelika, so at no point do his compliments do anything but deepen the frown on her lips from cautious to weary. she could remind him, of course, that there are plenty of priestesses who are of her "caliber," but she supposes she can understand his desire to work with someone he's already used to... an unfortunate byproduct of their continued alliance. ]
I say it sounds like you're not telling me everything, Mr. Aalto.
[ an information broker, withholding information? oh it's far more likely than you think. in these trades, information is valuable currency after all. aalto, for all his eccentricities, is a man worth his salt in the field, so he would obviously know a thing or two about when to withhold, and when to fold. ]
[ It's incredibly hard to take this guy seriously sometimes, but he uses his playfulness to his advantage in matters like these. Keep people on their toes and all that, make them wonder if he's just fucking around or if he actually knows more than he's letting on. Angelika is clever, though, and he figures that he may as well fold on this matter in particular. She might have his head if he doesn't tell her their circumstances right away. ]
And here I was trying so hard to spare you the details. [ Of course, he'd been lying by omission, but. He shrugs dramatically. Anyway. ] I need someone to pose as my partner, for the sake of getting access to one of their private rooms.
[ That's it. He doesn't even seem the slightest bit embarrassed, saying this. ]
The private room's the most secure way I can keep in contact with my boss while I'm there, and those are reserved for...well, "couples". [ Big, big air quotes there. ] It's a silly rule, but given the sort of establishment it is, I can't say I'm surprised.
[ for a long, long moment, angelika just stares. true, such duplicity is a little beyond her; most of her work entails utter transparency, after all, or she risks losing the trust of and/or spooking a wayward soul. but she understands that's not the case for many, especially those in aalto's particular line or work. but that's not what she's struggling with. ]
You need someone to pose as your partner...
[ sure, yeah, why not. the very nature of sleuthing requires one to be sly, and sometimes that involves several untruths and then some.
however??? ]
...and you thought I was your best option.
[ she's just going to let that sink in further for a moment, as if he would need that extra time to be fully aware of the ridiculousness of his decision here. ]
[ But compliments don't really work on Angelika, do they? He's noticed. He was expecting her to be wary, anyway, so her reaction does not come as a complete surprise to him. Then again, it's not a solid no, so maybe she'll comply...? ]
And I know plenty of people, but I've already got experience working with you. And you'll get intel on a client who'll probably pay very, very generously.
[ He shrugs. That's a pretty good incentive, he thinks. ]
[ it's foolish she's even considering it, to be honest. the money isn't much of an incentive, though it certainly helps, but more than anything else she feels her curiosity piquing... and that is so often a very dangerous thing. ]
[ It sure is. He knows it is, and keeping people curious and wanting to know what comes next is what he uses to his advantage. This is just him doing his job, at the end of the day. ]
Tomorrow night. Doors open at six. I'll even be a good date and pick you up!
[ He's smiling. Got her curious, did he? Good, good. ]
[ the worst part about this? if it all goes belly up, she will only have herself to blame for even agreeing to it in the first place.
not that she's done that yet... but, really, she may as well have. the way he's smiling like he's already won annoys her more than she can say, and she can't say, because he's right.
another sigh. ]
And what would be appropriate attire for this establishment?
[ because if left to her own devices, she would just show up looking like some old matron. ]
[ It's fine, he'll probably take responsibility...for at least part of it...? He tries. Attire, though? Hopefully she has something that'll fit the theme, but she's a classy lady, so maybe she has something that'll work- ]
Dress how you would if you were a VIP for a nighttime event.
[ This is not very specific at all. Hm. ]
As in, you know, wear a nice dress or something!
[ This is also not very specific. ]
...Or you can send me a pic of what you've got in mind, and I'll tell you if it'll work.
[ the expression she gives him just flattens further with each "helpful" comment of his. but in the end she merely stifles a sigh and nods once in a clipped manner. ]
Understood. I'll find something appropriate.
[ the less he has of her in his phone, the better, she thinks. it's highly unlikely this establishment would peruse their items to make sure they've got a suitable amount of selfies of each other. (is that a thing couples still do nowadays?) ]
You will pick me up here, not my residence. I'll be ready by 5:30.
[ (It is, but he doubts they'll ask for proof, as long as he can play his cards right. He's snuck in the info he needs to do the job adequately...in theory, anyway.) ]
Understood. 5:30 on the dot.
[ No nonsense, no dramatic flair this time. They both understand the assignment, and that's good enough for him. He's still grinning, and he puts on his shades as he gets ready to bounce. Thanks, you're a real one, etc. ]
See you then.
[ In usual Aalto fashion, he summons a smoke of mist that comes and goes as quickly as he does, because when it fades, he's gone. (Now that is where all the drama went, apparently.) ]
[ angelika had told aalto to pick her up at the enclave, but what she actually meant was the front gates, and not the building itself. she did not need her colleagues to ask unnecessary questions when she turned up the following night in an outfit that somehow manages to both be something she would feasibly be caught dead in, while also being wildly out of the realm of imagination for her. her hair, she's drawn into a low bun, strands framing her face for an artfully messy look. when he arrives, she looks him over once, twice. ]
You're on time, [ she says by way of greeting, sounding about as surprised as she can be, given her normally stoic, flat tone. ]
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no subject
Nothing too challenging for someone of your caliber, I assure you. I'm looking for a guest to accompany me to an event, is all.
[ And why Angelika in particular? Well... ]
Given that you've proven that you can hold your own and maintain your composure, I couldn't think of anyone better to ask. And on top of that, maybe you'll get a sneak peak on some of those souls that might need a proper sendoff! It's only for a few hours, and you'll be done once the night's over.
[ He shrugs, keeping things incredibly casual. ]
What do you say?
no subject
I say it sounds like you're not telling me everything, Mr. Aalto.
[ an information broker, withholding information? oh it's far more likely than you think. in these trades, information is valuable currency after all. aalto, for all his eccentricities, is a man worth his salt in the field, so he would obviously know a thing or two about when to withhold, and when to fold. ]
no subject
[ It's incredibly hard to take this guy seriously sometimes, but he uses his playfulness to his advantage in matters like these. Keep people on their toes and all that, make them wonder if he's just fucking around or if he actually knows more than he's letting on. Angelika is clever, though, and he figures that he may as well fold on this matter in particular. She might have his head if he doesn't tell her their circumstances right away. ]
And here I was trying so hard to spare you the details. [ Of course, he'd been lying by omission, but. He shrugs dramatically. Anyway. ] I need someone to pose as my partner, for the sake of getting access to one of their private rooms.
[ That's it. He doesn't even seem the slightest bit embarrassed, saying this. ]
The private room's the most secure way I can keep in contact with my boss while I'm there, and those are reserved for...well, "couples". [ Big, big air quotes there. ] It's a silly rule, but given the sort of establishment it is, I can't say I'm surprised.
no subject
You need someone to pose as your partner...
[ sure, yeah, why not. the very nature of sleuthing requires one to be sly, and sometimes that involves several untruths and then some.
however??? ]
...and you thought I was your best option.
[ she's just going to let that sink in further for a moment, as if he would need that extra time to be fully aware of the ridiculousness of his decision here. ]
You must not know very many people.
no subject
[ But compliments don't really work on Angelika, do they? He's noticed. He was expecting her to be wary, anyway, so her reaction does not come as a complete surprise to him. Then again, it's not a solid no, so maybe she'll comply...? ]
And I know plenty of people, but I've already got experience working with you. And you'll get intel on a client who'll probably pay very, very generously.
[ He shrugs. That's a pretty good incentive, he thinks. ]
Again, it's only for a few hours.
no subject
When?
no subject
Tomorrow night. Doors open at six. I'll even be a good date and pick you up!
[ He's smiling. Got her curious, did he? Good, good. ]
no subject
not that she's done that yet... but, really, she may as well have. the way he's smiling like he's already won annoys her more than she can say, and she can't say, because he's right.
another sigh. ]
And what would be appropriate attire for this establishment?
[ because if left to her own devices, she would just show up looking like some old matron. ]
no subject
Dress how you would if you were a VIP for a nighttime event.
[ This is not very specific at all. Hm. ]
As in, you know, wear a nice dress or something!
[ This is also not very specific. ]
...Or you can send me a pic of what you've got in mind, and I'll tell you if it'll work.
no subject
Understood. I'll find something appropriate.
[ the less he has of her in his phone, the better, she thinks. it's highly unlikely this establishment would peruse their items to make sure they've got a suitable amount of selfies of each other. (is that a thing couples still do nowadays?) ]
You will pick me up here, not my residence. I'll be ready by 5:30.
no subject
Understood. 5:30 on the dot.
[ No nonsense, no dramatic flair this time. They both understand the assignment, and that's good enough for him. He's still grinning, and he puts on his shades as he gets ready to bounce. Thanks, you're a real one, etc. ]
See you then.
[ In usual Aalto fashion, he summons a smoke of mist that comes and goes as quickly as he does, because when it fades, he's gone. (Now that is where all the drama went, apparently.) ]
waves hand and timeskip happens!
You're on time, [ she says by way of greeting, sounding about as surprised as she can be, given her normally stoic, flat tone. ]