throwmoreswords | [ic inbox]

[ dogs are so good and wait wait the boy is still talking look attentive ]

Sometimes a cleaning of ranks is in order. [ headtilt, legs crossing, trying not to go back to looking at Yuuki's dog. ] But what is it that brings you to my door--which is also a form of audacity, for your part.

[He shrugs, and the poor Normin mutters that she did say as much but Yuuki never listens.]

I want to get everyone who uses Libra off Libra. It's not safe, not anymore, and I don't think it was safe to begin with it. I have most of the new app coded, I can show it you if you want, but I need hardware and the stuff for a server.

[And that's expensive.]

[ there's no rest for the wicked, little Normin friend.

Gil listens to the wind-up of the pitch with a surprisingly stern, smooth face, propping his cheek on a hand as he takes on the full pose of a king on his throne, hearing a report from a kneeling subordinate. ]

And so you seek me for what? Connections to people who sell bulk technology of that sort?

[ he's gonna make him spell it out. time to shoot for the moon, Yuuki-chan. ganba. ]

[Typical. He shrugs again.

Chibi is going around inspecting everything and nodding like a little safety inspector.]

No, that I can do. I need funding, and I don't want to risk getting it outside the app or from someone who knows POKEGO and hates us for what Willow did. They'd screw me over.

[ never help your opponent in a negotiation. not unless it plays them into your hand. it's probably some scumfuck business 102 thing. ]

I see. [ there is, however, a little crinkle of amusement in his stony facade--his pupils were round before. they're slit now. ]

So you've identified me as a source of funding, then. [ he says without a trace of irony, sitting next to a TV big enough to kill an adult man from a good enough height, all of the newest generation game consoles, and Chibi in the background staring at something that's probably pure gold. ] And what's my stake, should I invest in your independence project?

[Typical rich people.]

Other than getting to stick it to Zodiac and any other jackasses the Black Order sends our way?

[He shrugs.]

This is a non-profit sort of deal, because I'm not charging out the ass for subscriptions to a free service, so I can't promise you'll get any monetary investments back. Other than that, I was hoping we could negotiate.

[ so incredibly typical. ]

How are you going to keep the 'wrong' Black Order members from getting ahold of it? What are your plans for security--the application as it stands is full of people who are lax in their speech; do you trust them to vet every new magical stranger that comes trotting into the city?

[ time to get his grill on--one Shark Tank experience coming up, though he will give Yuuki one small advantage by not bothering to play coy about needing to make his money back, as a reward for being the most interesting thing to happen to him today. ]

Money is more of a hobby than a necessity. I seek interesting things and new experiences--so what do you have to offer?

I've spoken with the head of the Order members here. He's trustworthy, and he's agreed to screen all new Order arrivals before I send them the application. As for making sure people don't blab, that's admittedly still a work in progress. We're probably looking at either something magical or a general moderation tool until I can get something better worked out.

[...threats of Zulius, maybe? Or Dan Heng? Eunie? He'll figure it out]

It's a concern, but not the biggest right now since safety won't matter if I can't get this app on phones.

[But interesting things....hm.]

Do you have any Pokemon?

[ a magical piece of code that informs Kaisou's Personality Powerhouses of people talking about Shit They Shouldn't would solve all of Kaisou's problems violently (and in a shower of glitter in the case of Mama Zu). the answer Yuuki has so far seems satisfactory, though--the king remains relaxed. ]

That's a start, but I would be curious as to if you intended to do something that--perhaps prohibited people from speaking on the matter magically. I don't care to submit to such controlling measures myself. Why trade one uncertain option for another?

And take heart, boy--act as if I'm already onboard with your project. Confidence is the key in getting what you want.

[ the fact that Yuuki didn't get thrown off the side of the island into whatever happens when you fall into the skybox for long enough should be heartening enough. ]

I do not have any Pokemon. I've seen them in passing, but I truly believed the animals around here were just strangely affected by the magic of this place as the people are.

[Confidence. Got it. He's pretty sure he's got this, but he will admit he is going to leave this and promptly keel over. Too much being social.]

They're not, not really. They're not native, at any rate, and you usually can't find them outside of specific Spirit Gates in the wild. We have a stable one here that leads to their native region. It's pretty dangerous, without Pokemon of your own. If you want, I could escort you to Johto to get one. Or get you one myself.

[ and all at once, Gil goes very, very still. eyes narrowing, focused on Yuuki as if he means to take him apart and examine each piece, moving to sit up straight and then leaning in towards the other man. ]

Let me get this straight.

You think that giving me the obligation of the care of a strange, just-this-side-of-magical beast is a reasonable trade for an ongoing blank check for an entire social media platform.

[ his voice? flat. deepest part of his register. he's not blinking like the snake he wishes to fistfight out back. ]

[Yuuki just gives the guy a look.]

One, not an obligation. They're perfectly capable of taking care of themselves with very few exceptions and they're great protection and companions. Two, I'm trying to protect the people in this city by getting us out from under Zodiac who'll sell us out to the Black Order to save their own skins.

[Also? Fuck it.]

Three, you're filthy rich and I haven't had enough time to play the stock market to even come close to your level of wealth. My apps only sell for so much, college in the States is stupidly expensive, and I work for a science-magical organization that lost all our funding two years ago. Three-point-five, this isn't even going to be a POKEGO project so even if we hadn't lost all our funding I'd still be here. I'll tangle with the black market but I'm not stupid enough to offer a blank check of "pay this guy back some day". Pokemon or custom apps or mobile games are all I can offer right now.

[ and for a moment Gilgamesh just continues to stare at him with that same flinty-eyed, sharp look, his viper's mouth twitched in the barest edge of a smirk as Yuuki takes a breath and lets it rip with both barrels

he sits back when the tech genius stops speaking, hands on his lap, looking like he's seconds away from bursting into a fit of temper, or like there's another round of mockery to follow

but instead he chuckles. and that chuckle turns into a full-belly cackle of a laugh, tipping his head back with his hands over his eyes as he gives Yuuki the full Gilgamesh laugh treatment, exhaling with a wry little hum when he finally remembers to breathe, smile plain on his faced and mirth in his narrowed eyes. ]

Beautifully spoken. I admire the candor and the sheer guts that it takes to walk into a negotiation near-completely unarmed, and even if this whole thing crashes and burns, I am interested enough to want to see the wreckage from a VIP spot as it blazes away. You're a bleeding heart fool, but you're fun.

[ time to settle back into that kingly pose, but even more relaxed than before. ]

Very well. Find me a Pokemon, and I will take that as proof of your bond. [ a thoughtful, calculating look. ] And if it's particularly interesting, I may also be persuaded to fund POKEGO.

[Yuuki just has to stop and stare in mild awe and concern when Gilgamesh starts laughing, wondering if he's going to need to get help or something. Should he be worried about getting thrown out of the teapot?

But then he...agrees. To fund this. And also possibly POKEGO. Holy shit, Yuuki wishes he had this kind of money.

He can work with this. Holy shit this worked.]

Can do. I'll have it to you by the end of next week?

[ honestly it was a 50-50 coinflip as to whether or not Gil's laughter leads to good things or being turned into a pincushion.

lucky Yuuki. play the lottery. ]

I would hope you take your time picking something truly worthy. If you bring back the first beast you see, I'll be sorely disappointed.

Tch, trust me, it won't be a Magikarp or a Rattata. Are there any animals you don't like? I can avoid getting any that are similar.

Snakes. Cannot stand the damned things.

That's easy enough.

[The normin on the Pod, who's been listening this entire time, sighs.]

And what's your name, kind sir?

[YUUKI YOU NEVER ASKED THE MAN'S NAME]

[ who needs a name when you just need a paycheck. ]

Gilgamesh. Gil for short.

[ tbf he didn't offer his name back either so they're both maladjusted weirdos. ]

[Basically. Kyndness just nods and repeats it so she won't forget.]

Got it. Like I said, I'll be back by the end of the week with your Pokemon. Any other questions?

I'm simply curious as to how you're going to get out without getting Vergil on the backswing, but I'm sure you can text me with tales of your exploits.

Or he'll come in to tell me about the strange teenager storming through his stuff.

[. . .]

My hoodie's enchanted.

So are many of my personal items.

Question is, is your hoodie stronger than my blade.

[ vergil's just been hanging out in the doorway

to the left
like
for the last four minutes. Listening. arms crossed. ]

Wa--

[Yeah, Yuuki just about falls off the couch in shock. Maru just looks up, curious.]

[ did he ping Vergil over their connection
did Vergil sense it on his own
jury's out ]

I think threatening to filet a teenager is overkill, Vittore.

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