Work Text:
“You only got demoted one rank? Whew, you dodged a bullet there — pretty big project to mess up on. Someone must be looking out for you. Oh, they've already left the call… Ugh, this voice changer is driving me crazy. Let me turn it off.”
“...Aventurine? Why are you still on the line?” Topaz asks, her voice slightly annoyed considering the conversation that was just had.
Aventurine laughs, his voice smooth as he speaks. “Hey, what's with the hostility? It's not like I'm your boss... Oh, wait, I guess I am now? Haha! My apologies — I'm still getting used to my new place in the hierarchy!” Aventurine wasn’t truly being serious, he knew better than anyone that Topaz was still in charge between the two of them, though it didn’t stop him from teasing his colleague.
Topaz’s loud sigh can be heard from another planet. Literally. “...Can I help you? If you've got something to say, say it already.”
Aventurine pauses for a moment. While he was one to joke around, he could sense from Topaz’s tone that joking was out of the question for the time being. “Oh, nothing important — just checking in on you,” he replies seriously. “I told you Jarilo-VI would be a high-risk low-reward case. Why'd you even bother?”
When Topaz doesn’t answer, he continues. “In our line of work, having a kind heart can be more of a liability than an asset. If you're not careful, you'll end up leading yourself down a dead-end road…”
… Though those words are more directed at himself rather than at Topaz.
Aventurine used to be naïve, maybe even ignorant. When he first entered into the Interastral Peace Corporation, Aventurine was convinced that he’d be helping people. Not hindering. After being in the ICP for as long as he has, he understands his line of work. Maybe too well.
“...Anything else? If not, I'm hanging up.” Topaz’s voice breaks his train of thought. Aventurine had almost forgotten Topaz was still there.
“W—Wait, hold on a minute, don't hang up. I get it, you're not in the mood for this conversation right now…” Neither was he . “Okay, how about this — something that might interest you… While you were enjoying your playtime on Jarilo-VI, Diamond was busy taking care of the head honcho of the Building Material Logistics Department. That's why he didn't attend today's meeting.”
Brief silence.
“Taravan?”
“That's right, the renowned Taravan — one of the seven board members! He's throwing his support behind us instead of the Marketing Development Department for once. Ha! Oswaldo won't be laughing anymore!” Aventurine replies, trying to lighten the mood up between the two. “Diamond's been a great help to both of us. Your antics on such a crucial day can't exactly have painted the Strategic Investment Department in a good light, y'know?”
“...”
The silence from Topaz is telling.
“Since you get the point, let's get down to business... I'm currently at Pier Point — there's a major deal that could affect the whole department. I just so happen to need a reliable project manager for the job... what do you say, old friend?”
While Topaz and Aventurine had a tendency to butt heads often due to their clashing personalities, he’s well aware that Topaz is more than capable at her job. Aventurine knew he could rely on her better than anyone else in the ICP.
“Huh, and what prompted the mighty Aventurine to start collaborating with others?”
“Penacony, what else?”
“...What?”
“That's right⁓ Now that's the kind of reaction I was hoping for.” Aventurine muses, glancing down at his computer.
Topaz scoffs. “Hold on a minute... Diamond picked you for this project? I was expecting someone like Opal or Obsidian to handle it — at least somebody higher than rank P46…”
Aventurine sighs, leaning back in his chair as he adjusts his ear piece. “Honestly, who knows? "The Family" has some pretty questionable characters. If you ask me, doing business with them is a lost cause. But as we both know, the IPC does more than just "business deals" — guess it's my time to shine. So, how about it? This is a rare opportunity. Consider it. You never know, you might even be able to make up for your blunder on Jarilo-VI.”
Hanging the call up before Topaz can reply, Aventurine silently stares at his computer screen, resting his cheek against his knuckles. Topaz was right — he wasn’t cut out for this specific job as a rank P45. As a senior manager working directly under the department’s head, he was more than capable at doing his job, but Opal and Obsidian were above him, and Topaz, in rank — hence his surprise when he was chosen for this specific mission.
While it may seem as if he was complaining about his current assignment, Aventurine was doing anything but. Being cooped up in the ICP’s headquarters was honestly a drag. He needed some excitement in his dull routine. Pier Point isn’t a bad living space and the restaurants were quite delectable, but he was terribly bored . When the higher-up’s told him that he would be sent off to Penacony for a rather important mission, he had to mask his excitement.
Aventurine had to repeatedly tell himself that this wasn’t a vacation — it’s work.
Sitting silently in thought, Aventurine drags his fingers lightly against his screen, flipping through the contents on his computer regarding Penacony and the people who live there. Unfortunately, there was little to find as he didn’t truly know what to look for.
“Sir, your transport is ready.”
“Understood.”
Aventurine stands up, his chair sliding backwards as he straightens his outfit out. The trip to Penacony wouldn’t be a long one, not compared to his other trips across the galaxy, but he doesn’t enjoy being alone on missions — hence why he recruited Topaz.
To the lower ranks of the ICP, Aventurine and Topaz may come off as two individuals who cannot see eye-to-eye on a personal level, which is not far from the truth, but Aventurine knew he worked well with Topaz professionally.
That and he enjoys the small trotter that follows Topaz around, but no one needs to know that small fact.
Stifling a yawn, Aventurine turns to leave his room quarters, adjusting his Au Chico tinted glasses as his heels clack against the ground. Checking his watch briefly despite the fact that he knows he’s already on time, Aventurine is saluted by lower ranked ICP members to which he responds in a curt nod.
Stepping inside of his transport vehicle, Aventurine sits in his comfortable chair silently as he flips through the mission’s report. Topaz screwing up on Jarilo-VI wasn’t a blunder to the ICP, but it wasn’t a good look either. Aventurine trusts Topaz’s judgment, but that trust doesn’t extend to every member of the organization.
A light buzz against his ear indicates that he has an incoming call and he gently taps his gloved finger against the button. “That was faster than I thought.”
“I’m not here to discuss your proposition with you.” Topaz’s voice says from the other line, making Aventurine sigh, and she speaks again. “Something you said earlier. It bothered me.”
“A shocking thing to hear from you. Pray tell, what did I say that has you willingly calling me first?” Aventurine asks, resting his right ankle against his left leg, fiddling with his gloves slightly.
“You said this project of yours would affect the entire department. What did you mean by that? Something tells me that’s just you trying to convince me to join your team so that you can coerce me into doing your dirty work.”
Aventurine lets out a fake gasp, feigning offense. “Now, now. How could you ever accuse me of such a thing, dear friend? I’m quite the hard-worker when I feel like it.”
“Be serious.”
“Fine.” Aventurine deadpans. “I can’t give you the details, Topaz. I’d truly like to, but it’s top secret and the ICP doesn’t want leaks — after your little mess in Jarilo-VI and recent demotion, I doubt the organization is looking to put you head first into anything else for the time being.”
Topaz lets out a laugh. “Yet you still asked me to work with you?”
Aventurine smirks despite Topaz not being able to see his face. “Absolutely.”
“I sincerely feel bad for the bloke that has to deal with you.”
“Ouch.” Aventurine laughs, enjoying their small banter before he turns serious again. “I know I’m the last person you’d want to hear such words from, but I’m going to say them anyway. I don’t blame you for attempting what you did on Jarilo-VI because knowing you, you just wanted to help them genuinely. You’ve got more guts than I ever would in that aspect.”
Topaz is silent for a moment before speaking. “You’re right, you are the last person I want to hear such words from, but I’m in a good mood so thank you. Contact me if anything comes up. It would be best if I didn’t jump into another big project for some time.”
“Fair enough. Speak soon.” Aventurine casually says before ending the call, leaning back against his chair with a thoughtful look on his face. He’d figure something out.
—
Penacony isn’t fully what he expected, but saying he’s disappointed would be a lie. As long as he was away from Pier Point, he took his victories even if they were in stride.
Readjusting his casal colored button-up shirt, Aventurine prepares himself for the introduction as it is routine — Aventurine arrives on another planet and because he works for the ICP, most people attempt to suck up to him. In a sense, he appreciates the flattery, but he’s not overly fond of it either.
Aventurine easily puts on a professional smile to greet the native of Penacony, knowing that at this very moment, he represents the best of the ICP so screwing this up isn’t an option. “Are you the one I’ll be working with?” Aventurine asks, already knowing it isn’t going to be the man in front of him, but he wanted to seem polite.
Clearly it works because Aventurine can sense how it makes the other person feel. “Sorry, but no — you’d most likely wish it was me working with you considering who they paired you up with.”
Aventurine did not like the sound of that. “Pray tell, what do you mean by that?”
“The person you’re working with — his name is Dr. Ratio.”
Not being able to resist the small laugh that escapes past his lips, he quickly clears his throat, glancing over at the worker. “Pardon?”
“Dr. Ratio — he’s, unfortunately, one of our best in the Intelligentsia Guild. His personality is rather… interesting, to say the least. Who’s to say? You two may get along.”
Aventurine had a feeling that was not going to be true.
As Aventurine is led down the hallway of the Intelligentsia Guild, he couldn’t help but notice the way everything seemed so chaotic compared to how neat and organized the ICP is. Even having one single file out of order was enough to set the wrong person off, Aventurine would know — he’s misplaced many things before.
Aventurine almost bumps into the back of the Intelligentsia Guild worker, who abruptly stops in front of a large door. It’s fancy looking, just like everything else in this building, but he can clearly read the large “ DR. RATIO ” plastered next to the door — this was his destination, it seems.
The worker motions for him to step inside and Aventurine furrows his eyebrows. “Are you not coming with me?”
“It’s best if you go alone.”
Aventurine gives the worker an odd look before shaking his head, tugging his black glove back into place before proceeding to open the door. Aventurine squinted, confused as to why the room was pitch black. “Hello?” He cautiously asks, turning around quickly as the door closes behind him, completely engulfing his vision in black. “Oh, you have got to be kidding me…”
Aventurine tries his best to feel around to avoid knocking anything over, letting out a heavy sigh before slowly coming to a stop. Despite knowing that squinting wasn’t going to give him his vision back, it doesn’t stop Aventurine from trying.
Slowly reaching in front of him, his clothed fingers bump into a hard, uneven, surface. Exploring it carefully, Aventurine has a hard time figuring out what he was touching exactly.
Without notice, the massive office is engulfed in light, Aventurine stumbling backwards as he is face-to-face with a strange plaster statue of an unknown man resting directly in the middle of the room — something Aventurine found rather off-putting. “What the hell.”
“If you break it, you’d be buying it.”
Aventurine freezes, staring right at the statue. There’s no way in hell that statue —
“Behind you.”
Glancing behind him, Aventurine spots a fairly tall man, mostly his height, staring directly at him with a raised eyebrow. “Can I help you? It’s quite rude to storm into someone’s office when they’re not even present.”
Aventurine is at a loss for words.
Assuming this was the proclaimed “Dr. Ratio”, Aventurine boldly can say that he was not expecting the man to look that attractive. Stumbling slightly over his words, he straightens himself out, easily pulling out the professionalist act while trying not to stare too hard. “Yes, well, your… fellow guild mate let me in. My name is Aventurine, I come as a representative of the Interastral Peace Corporation.”
The blue-haired man with bright golden eyes stares at him briefly before his eyes change to a squint. “Is this a joke? There is no way in the galaxy you are the one they’ve chosen from the ICP to work with me.”
“I can assure you this is no joke. As I said before, my name is Aventurine, rank P45 of the ICP.” Aventurine pauses, glancing back at the statue standing tall behind him before moving his head back to the other man. “What is with the large statue of yourself in the middle of your office? Seems like a waste of space.”
“The only thing in my office that is a waste of space at the moment is you.”
Aventurine removes his Au Chico tinted glasses from his face to get a better look at the arrogant bastard in front of him, pausing for a split moment before regaining his composure. “While I appreciate your deprecating sense of humor, Doctor, I am here for serious business.”
Dr. Ratio brushes his bangs out of his face, mindful of the golden ornament in his hair, before folding his arms across his chest. “Yet you come dressed like a clown.”
“I beg your pardon?” Aventurine asks, his gloved fingers rubbing at his right wrist where his watch resides.
“Did you not hear me? I said you came dressed as a clown.” Dr. Ratio repeats and Aventurine has to physically stop himself from scowling. “I mean seriously, white faux fur? How tacky.”
Aventurine has to bite his own tongue to prevent himself from cursing out the man in front of him. “For the sake of your guild , I would refrain from insulting a high ranking member of the ICP.”
Dr. Ratio smirks, clearly amused by this entire situation. “My apologies then.” But anyone could tell he wasn’t sorry. “Ah, yes, you may have heard from my subordinate, but my name is Dr. Ratio. That is the only name you’ll be needing to know for now.”
“Couldn’t come up with anything better to call yourself?” Aventurine asks, still fairly heated from being insulted earlier. Proceeding to clear his throat before Dr. Ratio could retort, he speaks briefly. “Anyways, I assume they briefed you before my arrival, yes?”
“Of course.” Dr. Ratio replies casually, moving behind his desk to casually sit down, leaning back in his chair as he carefully watches Aventurine. “It’s always an honor to work with the ICP’s so-called best.”
Aventurine’s eyes squint as he tries to think of something to say that wouldn’t hinder his purpose for being in Penacony. Topaz already got demoted from her mistake, he wasn’t about to join her at rank P44. “Right, well, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your colleagues speak… interestingly of you.”
Dr. Ratio lets out a drawn out sigh, a bored expression plastered on his face. “Ah yes. It’s a bit of a stretch to address them as my colleagues, but I will allow it once since you are not from the guild.”
“...”
As an ICP member, Aventurine has seen a good amount and has a tendency to meet a lot of unsavory characters, but Dr. Ratio was topping his list — both in name and in attitude.
“Is there a problem?” Dr. Ratio asks, that cocky smile rarely leaving his face as he speaks.
The guild worker was right. He would rather have him as a partner than Dr. Ratio.
“No, of course not. Shall we?” Aventurine asks, about to pull up his files from his watch before a panicked guild associate comes stumbling in. Aventurine feels his soul leaving his being as he tries to look unaffected, glancing back at the panicked woman.
Dr. Ratio sighs, casually standing up to speak. “How many times have I–”
“We’re under fire!”
Aventurine glances between the young woman and Dr. Ratio, sighing to himself because he was surely not getting paid enough for this.
“I see. It seems our time has to be cut short, ICP worker.”
“Aventurine.”
“ICP worker.” Dr. Ratio repeats, an amused smile on his lips as he motions for the woman to make a move.
Aventurine sighs in annoyance, he wasn’t going to just stand here. “I am coming with you.”
Dr. Ratio laughs, though it isn’t genuine. “You? A frilly wannabe of an ICP employee? Trust me, the guild does not need your help.” Dr. Ratio replies and, for some reason, Aventurine doesn’t feel a playfulness from his tone. “You’d get in my way.”
“Last I checked, you are not my boss. I’m going and you are going to deal with it.” Aventurine replies, folding his arms across his chest. “The ICP sent me to get a job done and I am going to get it done, whether you wish for me to or not, Dr. Ratio. Anything that gets in the way is considered a hindrance.”
Aventurine snaps before walking out the room himself, brushing his pale blonde hair over his shoulder. Without another argument, Dr. Ratio lets out a small ‘tch’ sound before following behind.
When they step outside, Aventurine immediately senses the difference from when he arrived almost an hour prior. The wind has picked up, making hair strands get into his face as he sighs. “It would have been nice to hear that this was an issue in the report sent to me, Doctor.”
He’s really glad he didn’t wear his fedora today.
“I didn’t write the report, mind you.” Dr. Ratio replies casually, making Aventurine sigh loudly.
“Dr. Ratio, there you are.” Another young man says and Aventurine is having a hard time keeping track of who is who at this point. He just wanted this entire deal to be done with — ironic considering he was thrilled to finally leave Pier Point.
Aventurine takes notice of Dr. Ratio’s more serious expression compared to his earlier demeanor. “We have no time to talk. I hope you’re capable, ICP worker. We’re about to have a battle on our hands.”
Rolling his eyes, he doesn’t bother correcting Dr. Ratio about his name. Instead, he readies himself for battle, a pair of pentagon dies resting neatly on his hand as he glances over at Dr. Ratio. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t get yourself killed before our chat is over.”
“You read my mind.” Dr. Ratio teases before a thick lexicon appears, hovering slightly above his fingers. “Let’s make quick work of this so we can truly get back to work.”
“For once, we agree.” Aventurine replies, his die glowing a vibrant yellow as he tosses them into the air, the die exploding mid-air to reveal a symbol — a perfectly shaped heart. “You should be flattered that I’d even protect you in battle.” Aventurine remarks as a lightly translucent yellow shield surrounds the both of them.
“Preservation? Quite the shocker from a man who looks like he’d just fallen out of a tacky fashion magazine.”
Aventurine just sighs. “I don’t think you should be talking to me about fashion when you’re literally wearing that .”
Dr. Ratio was about to retort, but a small voice from behind them interrupted. “Is this really the time for this?!” Both of them look at each other, glancing back at the panicked woman, before getting focused.
Without saying anything else, Dr. Ratio’s lexicon glows radiantly and with grace, launches the lexicon at the enemy resulting in it stumbling backwards.
“...Seriously?”
Dr. Ratio raises an eyebrow. “What? Knowledge is power. Literally.”
“Unbelievable.” Aventurine mumbles, rubbing his forehead as he makes quick work of the enemies alongside Dr. Ratio, hoping that he’d see a slight pay raise for the physical labor.
“You criticize me, yet you create a shield by rolling two dice. Though, I cannot say that I’m not surprised you like balls.” Dr. Ratio says casually while turning to head back inside the building.
Aventurine stands there, dumbfounded, before calling out behind Dr. Ratio, “First off, they’re called dodecahedrons! Second off, what on earth does that mean?!”
—
Aventurine sits back in his chair, currently in his temporary lodgings while residing on Penacony, on a voice call with Topaz for the last hour and a half, ranting about his new work partner — Dr. Ratio.
“Who the hell calls themselves Dr. Ratio? My word, he’s incredibly annoying. The way he looks at others as if he is better than everyone else. Ugh, it grinds my gears.” Aventurine rambles, a snort from Topaz interrupting him.
“Now you understand how I feel when I’m forced to work with you.” Topaz deadpans. “Are you sure you’re not just oddly attracted to him? Because you’ve been ranting about him for a while now.”
Aventurine scoffs. “Pardon? Why would I be attracted to him? Also, I’ll have you know that I am straight.”
Topaz falls silent for a moment. “Is that a joke?” Aventurine can hear Numby squeak from behind Topaz over the call. “See. Even Numby doesn’t believe that for a moment.”
“First off, Numby is a trotter . Second off, I’ve been here for three days. I’m not attracted to him.” Aventurine replies, scoffing at the idea of ever being involved with Dr. Ratio after this business is over. “In fact, I cannot wait to go back to Pier Point!” Aventurine says with a dramatic finger snap.
“Oh there is no hope for you.”
—
Aventurine wakes up in the morning with a frown as soon as he remembers that he is still on Penacony and he still has to be around Dr. Ratio. Despite the fact that this is only the fourth day of him being here, he already wanted to rip out his hair. Staring at his reflection, he inspects his usual outfit before pausing.
“Maybe no jacket today.” Aventurine mumbles, unbuttoning the front of his jacket before sliding it off of his shoulders since he didn’t feel like adorning his faux fur. “It’s… rather hot today, isn’t it?” Aventurine says to himself, staring at his bare arms with a frown.
Aventurine checks his watch, cursing under his breath. “Shit, I’m going to be late.”
Leaving his room, Aventurine walks down the corridor of the Intelligentsia Guild, glancing down at his watch while scrolling through his holographic screen. “Topaz really just had to bail on me.” Aventurine grumbles, dismissing his holographic screen, straightening his shirt before stepping inside of Dr. Ratio’s office without knocking.
“I see you still have that god awful statue in the middle of your office.” Aventurine says with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“And I see you still– hm ?” Dr. Ratio looks up at him, almost as if he is inspecting Aventurine. “I see you’ve rid yourself of that faux fur jacket you were wearing.”
“Tch, it’s only because it’s ungodly hot in this guild of yours.” Aventurine replies, shrugging his shoulders as he stands in front of Dr. Ratio’s desk, holding his hand out. “I assume you’ve gotten the information I requested.”
Dr. Ratio smirks, leaning forward slightly in his chair while resting his cheek against his right palm. “Oh, of course, I get everything done on time. Don’t think I don’t. Unfortunately, giving out information for free isn’t my forte.”
There’s a brief silence as Aventurine processes Dr. Ratio’s words before sitting down across from him, leaning back against his chair as he rests his right ankle on his left leg. “Alright then, pray tell, what do you want in exchange?”
“A conversation.” Dr. Ratio replies, a serious expression on his face. Dr. Ratio smirks as he notices Aventurine’s confused appearance, his eyebrow raised. “What? Was that not a satisfactory answer for you?”
Shaking his head, Aventurine brushes his hair back, folding his arms across his chest. “Fine, ask, but know that this is a waste of time.”
“To you, perhaps.” Dr. Ratio muses, “It’s a simple question. What word is spelled incorrectly in every single dictionary?”
Aventurine blankly stares at Dr. Ratio, head tilted slightly. “Huh? What are you talking about?”
Running his finger against his bottom lip, Aventurine thinks rather hard about the question, unsure of what the answer could be. His pale blonde hair falling neatly in front of his face as he tilts his head to the other side. “Can I get a hint or something?”
“Are you serious?” Dr. Ratio asks, his golden eyes staring at Aventurine intensely as he tries to decode if Aventurine is being funny with him. After a few moments, he realizes the ICP’s representative, a supposed rank P45, cannot answer a simple question. “...”
Aventurine gives Dr. Ratio a dirty look. “You’re the one wasting time here, don’t give me that look.”
Dr. Ratio doesn’t refute him, knowing that he was technically correct. “Fine. But answer me this. Lately the guild has been testing something… I want to see how you fare. What is the value of pi?”
“3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197. Why does that even matter?” Aventurine says in response without hesitation, still pondering the first question.
Letting out an amused laugh, Dr. Ratio leans back into his chair once more, staring at Aventurine in slight amazement. “You can’t answer a simple trick question, but you can answer the value of pi in a split second. You are a piece of work, Aventurine.”
Aventurine raises an eyebrow. “Remind you, I’m an ICP employee. I work with numbers on the daily, so numbers come naturally. As for that question you asked me…”
Dr. Ratio stifles a yawn before standing up casually. “You wish to know the answer?”
“If it’s not too much trouble…” Aventurine grumbles, annoyed that he can’t figure it out.
“Incorrectly.”
Aventurine glances up at Dr. Ratio, who is smiling at him in a slightly sarcastic way. “The answer is incorrectly.”
“...What?”
—
“I swear, that intolerable rascal did that on purpose to make me look like a fool.” Aventurine rants as he walks back and forth in his temporary residence, Topaz listening to him rant about Dr. Ratio for the tenth time in a row in the past four days. “Why are you laughing?!”
Topaz clears her throat in an attempt to answer calmly. “Because the answer is literally right in front of your face. ‘What word is always spelt incorrectly?’ It’s literally in the question, Aventurine. Hence why it is called a trick question.”
Aventurine scowls, moving to sit on the bed with his earpiece still resting comfortably in his ear. “Listen, who even asks a question like that? Ugh, he irritates me to no end. I mean seriously, you should hear what his co-workers say about him. If you think I’m terrible to work with, you would surely quit your job after working with him!”
“Hm. If he’s worse than you, that’d be a surprise.” Topaz remarks. “You’re just lucky you’re good at your job. I don’t doubt your abilities in the workplace, I just doubt your abilities everywhere else.”
“Oh, well that makes me feel a lot better, thank you.” Aventurine quips back at Topaz, sighing heavily. “You should put Numby on, I miss the little pig.”
An offended squeal.
“Trotter, not pig. My apologies.” Aventurine corrects, rubbing his forehead.
Topaz lets out a sigh. “And how much longer are you going to be there? Because, full offense, I don’t know how much more I can take of you ranting about your crush on Dr. Ratio.”
Aventurine splutters. “Excuse me? I do not have a crush on that arrogant prick! I barely know him.”
Absolutely not, that would never happen. Aventurine knows he is straight.
“Anyways… I’m not sure how much longer this will take. Working with this annoying man is definitely making it take longer so I can’t say for sure at the moment, but I won’t be leaving until the mission is a success.” Aventurine doesn’t feel the most confident about his luck of leaving here within the next week as Dr. Ratio continues to drag him into loopholes that make the process longer.
“Or perhaps he’s trying to keep you there longer.” Topaz suggests, rather amused by how stupid Aventurine could be when it came to matters outside of work. “Just a suggestion.”
Aventurine huffs. “And you say I’m the stupid one. Come on now, why would he want to keep me here longer? Do you think you could find a profile on him in the database?” Aventurine knows it’s a long shot, but they might have something.
“...I can look, but don’t expect much.”
“I don’t expect anything, really, but he has to be hiding something. I mean seriously , Dr. Ratio? Who the hell names themselves something so ludicrous? If there’s something he is hiding, there’s no way the ICP doesn’t know.” Aventurine pauses. “Is that why they sent me here?”
“Hm? To investigate Dr. Ratio?” Topaz asks while clearly typing something at a rapid pace considering Aventurine can hear it through the call. “Plausible considering we don’t have a single file on him. I looked through every file we have on Penacony and the Intelligentia Guild and no one matches the description you gave me.”
“Intelligentsia.” Aventurine corrects, slightly amused.
“Whatever, it’s a stupid name either way.” Topaz scoffs. “Point being, I would keep an eye on this Dr. Ratio. It’s clear the higher ups are doing something, but I’m not going to pry. It’s not my business even if you try to make it my business.”
Aventurine’s smug smile is telling, though part of him is glad Topaz can’t see it. She might end up decking him.
“Alright then, I’ll keep an eye on him, though it’s fairly difficult to determine when he’s doing something odd because everything he does is odd.” Aventurine sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “...Not to be out of character, but I’d like you to know I appreciate you, Topaz. You’re one of the more tolerable members of the ICP.”
Topaz laughs. “Unfortunately, I can’t say the same to you, but the compliment is appreciated nonetheless.”
Aventurine glances over at his watch. “Alright, I shall let you go now. I’ll figure out what’s happening here on Penacony considering my first day here, the guild was attacked by monsters. Perhaps a Stellaron presence. It would make sense why the ICP would get involved at that point, I suppose...”
“I’d say that’s more of the Astral Express’ job, not ours. No point in making more work for ourselves.” Topaz simply says before hanging up the call, leaving Aventurine in silence.
Deciding to not dwell on it, Aventurine goes to sleep.
Not being a morning person had its perks, but also had more shortcomings considering Aventurine is startled awake by the familiar mop of blue hair and golden eyes staring right at him. Aventurine doesn’t react, staring dumbly at Dr. Ratio before speaking. “What are you doing ?”
Dr. Ratio raises an eyebrow as if he wasn’t currently inside of his room — even if it was only a temporary residence. “You do realize you’re a minute late, yes? Well, three now.”
“Well, I’m going to be even later if you don’t get out of my room. Jesus, what is wrong with you?” Aventurine asks, moving to groggily get out of bed, slightly annoyed he was startled awake. Taking his comb and brushing his messy hair, he glares at Dr. Ratio through the mirror. “I don’t see your issue with me.”
“My issue?” Dr. Ratio asks casually, as if this situation was normal.
Aventurine angrily sighs, harshly putting his comb down before turning to face Dr. Ratio, resting against the dresser. “Yes, your issue. Since the moment we met, you’ve been rather hostile towards me. And I get it, that’s the normal reaction whenever the ICP gets involved with worlds regarding economics. But this doesn’t seem like an instance where you hate the entirety of the ICP — no, I’m convinced you only hate me. ”
Dr. Ratio falls silent, clearly in thought, before speaking. “I just don’t prefer to involve myself with idiots.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I wasn’t done.” Dr. Ratio retorts, rolling his eyes before brushing his fingers against the blue fabric of his shoulder. “You’re an idiot from what I’ve examined, but you’re also competent at your job. I was testing you.”
Aventurine scowls. “I'm ranked P45 in the ICP. If you need that in more simple terms, I’m of a higher rank. Clearly, I am competent at my job.”
Dr. Ratio hums. “Yes, but you’re stupid everywhere else.”
“Rude.” Aventurine sighs, rubbing his forehead. “Listen, I want to be out of Penacony as soon as possible and you’re not making this easy for me. Putting aside whatever vendetta you have against me, can we please just get this over with?”
Dr. Ratio doesn’t say anything for a few moments, sighing. “Fine, but only because I’d rather not deal with the rest of the ICP. Five minutes. My office.” He states before exiting the room and Aventurine is left to ponder how the hell he even got inside.
Aventurine does not make it in five minutes. He’s surprised he even made it in ten. His blonde hair resting against his shoulders was slightly a mess, but he paid it no mind as he practically stormed into Dr. Ratio’s office.
“Knock first.”
“Oh shut up.” Aventurine replies while sitting down in the chair across from Dr. Ratio’s, folding his arms across his chest. “You should be thankful I even showed up at all.”
Dr. Ratio smirks. “Is that something you should be saying as an ICP member?”
Aventurine shrugs his shoulders. “It’s not like anyone is here to hear me speak besides you.”
“Interesting.” Dr. Ratio muses, glancing back down at the document on his desk. “So you admit to being unprofessional with me?”
Squinting his eyes at Dr.Ratio, Aventurine lets out a heavy sigh. “You do this on purpose, do you not? If you’re trying to irritate me, you’re succeeding. No wonder I was told no one enjoys working with you.”
“Hence why I work alone.” Dr. Ratio replies, now unamused. “Now, hurry your way behind my desk. I want you to take a look at this document for me.”
Aventurine doesn’t feel like arguing, so he does as asked, heading behind Dr. Ratio’s obnoxiously clean desk. “What document do yo–huh?!” Before Aventurine can react, Dr. Ratio manages to force him into his lap, making Aventurine freeze in his spot. “What on earth are you doing?!”
“Hm?” Dr. Ratio seems nonchalant about this situation. “I’m allowing you to read the document.”
Falling silent at that, Aventurine tries to calm his nerves as he glances down at the document, trying to ignore the way Dr. Ratio’s toned arm is currently wrapped around his waist.
Swallowing thickly, Aventurine decides to speak. “Um… What am I looking at, really? I don’t see how this has to do with anything regarding the ICP.”
Dr. Ratio doesn’t answer, instead leaning his head forward before casually resting it against Aventurine’s shoulder. “Is it not clear what the document is about? You are quite hopeless.”
“No…?” Aventurine asks, slightly glancing back over his shoulder at Dr. Ratio. “What game are you trying to play?”
Dr. Ratio smirks, leaning forward until their noses are touching. “You’re interesting, Aventurine. I’m intrigued, even though you are fairly stupid.”
“I–what the fuck?” Aventurine scoffs, squinting at Dr. Ratio. “How are you going to say I’m intriguing and then insult me like that?”
“Consider it my own version of a compliment.”
Before Aventurine can move away, the door opens, an innocent worker staring at both Dr. Ratio and Aventurine. Without context, it looked as if Aventurine was on Dr. Ratio’s lap about to kiss him, and he quickly pushes back against Dr. Ratio, stumbling to stand straight.
“I…” Aventurine stutters before the worker apologizes profusely. “It’s not what it looks like…”
Dr. Ratio doesn’t confirm or deny what just happened, instead calmly talking to the worker. “Yes, can I help you?”
“...The head of the guild asked to see you.”
Humming, Dr. Ratio nods his head, standing up casually from his seat. “Go on ahead, I will be there in a moment.”
With a hurried bow, the guild worker closes the office door and walks out quickly, leaving a flustered and annoyed Aventurine with a smug Dr. Ratio. “You… You did that on purpose!”
Dr. Ratio chuckles. “I did nothing of the sort.” Walking past Aventurine, he pauses a few steps in front of the blonde man. “But you know… Perhaps if I like you enough one day, you’ll be given the chance to know my true name. That’s quite a high honor.”
Aventurine watches as Dr. Ratio strides outside of his office, slightly dumbfounded. It takes him a few moments to realize that he is smiling a bit, glancing back at the desk where the document rests neatly.
“I’ll have to take that challenge.” Aventurine mutters to himself before letting out a sigh. “Perhaps Topaz was right… Maybe I’m not straight.”