Chapter Text
It didn’t take long for Ben to realize Aydik was not Drunce’s friend. He brought up their shared passion for their work multiple times, as if this uncommon trait - seen among Glukkons as foolhardy, an inability to let go of a sinking ship - would erase the fact that he criticized every aspect of their business and was making incredibly lopsided deals.
He was also sending Ben for more wine constantly. He was used to that from visiting Glukkons by now, assuming that he was there to serve them just because he was a Mudokon. Usually when Drunce explained that he was his personal assistant, that was enough to earn some pointed glances but no further comment, and he could make notes for their financial records with no interruption. It appeared that Mudokon assistants were considered a strange choice, but not one wholly out of line.
But not to this Aydik guy. He’d keep saying it wasn’t a Mudokon’s place to handle finances, and could he be sure Ben wasn’t stealing? Eventually, Ben had relented and silently agreed to play along, doing his best to keep an ear out for key things, because something was fishy. This was more than the sentiment that Mudokons weren’t suited for or capable of the work he did - he didn’t want anyone recording exactly what was hashed out here.
Aydik ran a restaurant chain flailing with its key supplier crippled, and wanted Drunce’s help. He was proposing a partnership, thought he could make a sauce out of some of their wine - wine which sold for incredible amounts, Drunce’s pride and joy, not to mention the key to his success. Ben thought, surely, Drunce would see he was being played, that Aydik was asking for so much more than he would get back, even with a cut of sales.
But Drunce was a sentimental Glukkon, and Aydik knew exactly which strings to pull. He brought up his dedication to his brand, his personal struggles, the uncertainty as the “blue scare” - fear of sabotage by a notorious Mudokon fugitive - swept industries in the region.
And worst of all, it was working. Drunce was going to agree. He had to do something to stop it.
“Um, sir?” Ben said, hesitantly. Aydik’s eyes burned a hole into him from the other side of the table. Odd, but they had an intense glow.
Drunce looked up at him, smiling patiently. “Yeah?”
“I think you should sleep on this deal…you’ve talked about a lot. Drank a lot, too. You know you always make better decisions sober.”
“Muds don’t belong in business,” said Aydik. “You really listen to him? Thought you were smarter than that.”
“I am smart,” Drunce said.
“So why do you listen to a Mudokon?”
Ben noticed Aydik’s bodyguard was watching Drunce carefully, his head tilted in curiosity. No matter what Aydik thought of Drunce’s state of mind, his Slig was most certainly interested.
But Ben couldn’t let him let out the truth: he actually cared about him, and other Glukkons would tear him to pieces if he said as much aloud. He just had to hope…
“Beg your pardon, Mr. Aydik.” Aydik turned eyes like fire on him. Ben swallowed nervously, but continued. “But everything this company has done in the past nine years has been with my help. I’m good with numbers, and Mr. Drunce saw that.”
“What’s this, Drunce?” Aydik said. He wasn’t worthy of being addressed directly. “You let him speak for you?”
“Well, ‘s true,” slurred Drunce. “He’s good with numbers. I trust him.”
Ben had to fight not to look too relieved - he’d managed to get Drunce to respond in a more acceptable way, after all.
“Even to speak out of turn? Now that’s just not right. Lemme take care of that problem for you.” He looked over his shoulder at his bodyguard, who shifted on the legs of his shiny silver custom pants.
“Sir?” the Slig said blankly.
“No, you don’t,” Drunce said, the smile vanishing and his eyes flaring in his sudden defensive anger. “You don’t get to hurt him, you hear me?” He seemed to realize that sounded like unseemly care, and added, “You’re a guest, you don’t run this place.”
“I’ll reimburse you,” said Aydik, casually as if he was talking about breaking a vase. “You can get a Mud who won’t put words in your mouth.”
“You can stop trying to tell me how to manage my staff. In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m two whole income brackets higher. I think you’d better leave now. I’ll get in touch.”
Aydik gave a contemptuous scoff. “You stupid Mud-loving-…”
Drunce was having none of it, the red glow of his eyes reflecting on his pale face like the harsh light of an oncoming vehicle. “Too drunk to be chummy anymore, Aydik? Sleep it off. We’ll talk through this another time. Y’need a security escort out?”
Aydik gave Ben another hard, fiery glare. “Fine. We’ll hash this out over mail or something.” He got up, wobbling, and eventually made his way out of the room, his strangely quiet, observant Slig following behind him.
Ben breathed a sigh of relief, then reached out to help Drunce stand. “I think you need to sleep off your own drink, sir.”
They cleared out, leaving the room empty, and Ben made a mental note to tell Drunce to watch out for Aydik.
The most dangerous Glukkons were the ones like him, who recognized he was valuable to Drunce in a way Mudokons weren’t supposed to be, living proof of the flaws in their philosophy.