groundzeroes | IC Inbox

[Hitoya arrives at 3 PM sharp and bows himself into the office. Maybe it's a formality or maybe he feels Rei is actually deserving of the respect. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle and regardless, it doesn't stop him from skipping the normal pleasantries. He can always appreciate anyone that doesn't like to have their time wasted.]

Acquired these at one of those events the voting factions were hosting.

[The bag he tosses on the table clatters like there must be dozens of whatever's inside.]

Apparently they enhance our magic. [Said with all the certainty of someone who's verified it for himself.]

Oh? [Eyebrows raised Rei sits up in his chair, reaching to open the bag's contents. The gems inside are unpolished, but still glitter faintly under the ceiling lights. Humming in interest, Rei moves his sunglasses to his head to get a better look.]

So you went on the spelunking trip, did you. [Hitoya doesn't LOOK like the type to do physical labor, but you can't judge a book by its cover.] Got big visions for your spoils?

[Hitoya shrugs. Yeah that part hadn't been pleasant. There's a whole lot to this place that's fucking unpleasant and it's only his drive to ~~be more successful than Jakurai~~ come out on top that sees him through it.]

I was hoping you could tell me. [He picks up a piece of agate the color of smoke, the striations faintly visible in the right light.] They seem moderately useful like this but I thought someone with the right skills might be able to put them to better use. If it works there's certainly more than enough to go around.

[Here the rock drops again and he smiles.]

You have technomancy right? [The question's practically rhetorical. It was hard to miss the way Rei managed everything at the party.]

That I do. [Rei returns the smile with a grin of his own. Hitoya's pretty sharp-- but he'd have to be, considering how skilled of a lawyer he is.]

Depending on the project, it will take some designing. Technomancy can handle the rest, but I imagine the gem will have to be engineered into the hardware in some capacity to act as a catalyst.

So... what did you have in mind?

[Rei can guess what kind of project Hitoya is getting at-- but still. He wants to hear the man say it. Having someone come to him for mic work... when they DON'T EVEN KNOW.... is just too funny.]

See this is why I knew you were the right man for the job. [He has no way of knowing how right but the way Rei talks details, it certainly sounds like he knows what he doing. He had thought he'd need to find someone from another world, far advanced from their own to attempt this little project but this comes with the benefit of needing little introduction.

It's here that Hitoya produces his mic, and sets it on the edge of the table, far enough away that it's clear he's not making an offer yet but still within reach if Rei decides to take it anyway.]

I was thinking this could use an upgrade.

[He knew it was coming, but the sight of Hitoya's mic still makes Rei laugh. Of all projects to get dropped in his lap, seriously...]

Heh! It is a shame they've been depowered here, isn't it! [Frankly, the fact that Avalon counted some of his technological advancements as magic to be absorbed still hasn't fully sunk in.] That should be doable. I've tinkered with some illegal mics back home--you might remember their abundance a few years back before miss Prime Minister cracked down on things.

[That's a lie, of course, but it's close enough to the truth.]

But I can't guarantee it'll work. More than that, there's a tiny chance it may backfire if the Party of Words has got a proprietary black box in there and it doesn't play nice.

[Another lie-- Rei knows these things like the back of his hand. But he's interested in Hitoya's limits. He wants to see how badly Hitoya wants this.]

But if it does work, you'll have the strongest mic out there. [He fixes his gaze on the man, appraising.]

Still willing to give it a try?

I remember. [It was before a time when the division rap battle had been a goal he'd entertained but a few cases had crossed his desk in that time. Not that he'd taken them when the prosecution was the Party of Words itself.

That was a risk best avoided but this...] I've considered that possibility but if that were the case they wouldn't need to make such a show of the canceller. Probably.

[Nothing's certain of course but he's willing when it's been calculated. Speaking of which...]

Besides. It benefits you to have one to try it out on before you go and mess with your own right?

Ha ha! You catch on quick, don't you. [Rei grins widely, pleased. Otome was right to rope this guy into the division battles-- he's certainly shrewd enough.] You can count me in, then. This should be interesting.

[He finally stands up from his seat, offering the other man his hand.]

Good to work with you, Sensei.

There's one more thing. [Though he stands in turn, Hitoya eyes his hand but doesn't take it just yet.] If this does work, I'll ask you do the same for the rest of my team.

[Here he smirks. Knowing Osaka stands to reap the same benefits as well.]

A lot of big players from the big city. Us regional newcomers could use any advantage we can get. Right? [Not that Rei falls entirely under that descriptor but yanno.]

Ah, I see the endgame now. [Something long-standing with that Jakurai fella, if Rei remembers rightly. Seems like that competitive streak of his is still a mile wide. How fun!]

It would be my pleasure, of course. [WAHOO!!!!!!!!! CHEATING!!!!!!!!!!!]

Then it's my pleasure doing business with you. [At that he does shake on it.]

Just let me know when you need me again.

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