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Aventurine doesn’t really know how he got into this situation.
Well, okay, that’s wrong. He knows exactly what led him here. To this particular party.
The party itself is mostly a gesture of goodwill and strong relationships. It’s actually just an excuse for the Intelligensia Guild to continue pretending they offer anything that the Strategic Investment Department doesn’t already have.
Except for Dr. Veritas Ratio.
Aventurine, despite himself, likes Ratio. Truly likes him. He’s exactly as intelligent as he says he is, and he likes networking about as much as Aventurine likes tedious board meetings.
So he’s here mostly to bother Ratio, and also to please Jade who insisted he come to things like this. Technically, it should be a win-win situation.
Of course, it’s just his luck that today is also the day that the Gift Exchange begins.
“Ah, Director Aventurine! It’s rare that we see you at one of these!”
Aventurine forces a smile at the person holding the name basket.
“What can I say?” he says smoothly. “It’s a pleasure to finally be able to attend. I’ve just kept myself so busy that I hardly have the time.”
Name Person laughs, before proferring the basket. “Well? Everyone in attendance has to take a name.”
That’s exactly why Aventurine doesn’t come to these.
He doesn’t care enough to give anyone here a gift. Maybe Topaz, or Ratio. But the others are practically nobody to him. Maybe he could get something for Sugilite. A gag gift, probably.
Still, the world is watching, so he pulls a name from the basket.
He only unfolds the paper when Name Person is gone.
Just his luck.
Veritas Ratio.
“Fancy seeing you here, gambler.”
Speak of the devil.
“Doctor,” Aventurine purrs, not having to force his smile this time. He folds the piece of paper and tucks it in his pocket. “I trust they accosted you as well?”
He looks out across the floor, seeing a few people holding name bowls walking around, mingling with the other guests, then he turns back to Ratio, who has his arms crossed.
“Yes. I…was unfortunately approached before it could be avoided.” He huffs. Aventurine can’t help but laugh at his expression.
“I guess we’re in the same starship, doc.” The slip of paper in his pocket feels like it burns. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known I’d have to be generous to people unworthy of my presence.”
Ratio huffs. It could almost be a laugh. “Ever the peacock.”
Aventurine bows slightly, a hand over his heart. “Was there ever any doubt?”
{}
I could just not do it.
Aventurine looks down at the tiny paper name in his hand.
Veritas Ratio.
He’s not sentimental. Ratio has never been sentimental over anything other than scientific accomplishments of the past. Even then, it’s more of a simple appreciation.
Aventurine knows that Ratio likes small things as well. Rubber ducks. Baths. Stimulating and intelligent conversation.
But otherwise, he’s not exactly one for…displays of affection or camaraderie.
So Aventurine could just…not get him anything. It would be no true loss. Ratio might not even notice. He might assume his name wasn’t even put in.
Aventurine certainly doesn’t remember signing up, so there’s a chance his name isn’t even present.
Probably.
He could just not do it.
{}
“Ah, Director Topaz!~ I need your advice!”
Topaz looks up from her holopad to shoot a flat look at Aventurine, who is grinning widely at her.
“Whatever it is, I’m not getting involved this time. You’re going to get me in trouble with the higher-ups.”
“Is that any way to talk to your direct superior?” he teases, grin growing impossibly as her eyebrow twitches. “It’s no scheme, Topaz. I just need some…let’s call it advice. I’ll even compensate you!”
“10,000 credits and you pay for my next lunch,” she says immediately, voice flat.
Aventurine laughs, and sits on the edge of the desk. “What kind of gift should I get Ratio?”
Topaz guffaws. “ Really? That’s what you wanted to ask? Keep the credits, Aventurine. I am not getting involved in your little dance.”
“Topaz. Please.” He puts a hand on top of Topaz’s, causing her to look up at him with a scowl. “I need advice.”
“So you came to me?” She makes a face. “I don’t know anything about him! You know him way better than I do! Isn’t he usually paired with you for missions anyway?”
“Well, what do normal citizens usually get for each other?”
Topaz makes another exasperated face. “I don’t know! Flowers or something. Or money? You can’t really go wrong with money.”
“I have too much money for the gift to be meaningful.”
“If you wanted the gift to be meaningful, why did you ask me?” Topaz sighs.
Because you’re my only friend, he doesn’t admit because that would be incredibly depressing. Also, he does count Ratio as a friend, so it would technically be a lie.
“Because I thought you’d have an idea.” He scowls faintly. “But if not, I’ll just ask someone else. ”
“Who else?” Topaz asks.
Aventurine doesn’t answer that question, instead hopping off the desk and leaving the office.
{}
With Topaz a bust, he isn’t sure exactly what to do.
He can’t just ask Ratio. The man would catch on instantly to what he’s doing. He’s far too intelligent for Aventurine to just slip something like this past him.
…And if Aventurine doesn’t get him a gift, he will find out. No matter what.
So he goes down to Pier Point’s shopping district, credits in hand.
It takes him several hours to find anything that may even approach acceptable, for the doctor. He knows that Ratio doesn’t exactly live in luxury, but simply because he doesn’t value it as much as intelligence and quality.
So anything purely for luxury is out. It needs to have some kind of purpose as well.
But Aventurine also cannot simply get something that only serves a purpose, because even if it is functional…
Ratio deserves better than that.
So a mix of luxury and practicality it is.
Which is…much harder than it initially feels.
He still has no idea what to get for Ratio.
As he passes through vendor after vendor and store after store he begins to wonder if he’ll ever find something that might convince Ratio that Aventurine put effort into his gift.
Anything for the face is out, since the doctor wears his bust so much. Anything for the wrists is unlikely, given how much he snaps them back and forth. His wardrobe is simple and draping, his eyes are sharp, and he doesn’t need glasses.
Something practical. Perhaps an accessory, but something Ratio will enjoy…
He turns a corner and comes face to face with it.
His gift.
He knows instantly that it’s perfect.
{}
“Oh, hello, Doctor.”
Ratio looks up at him with a neutral expression, from his reading. “Gambler,” he greets. “To what do I owe the visit?”
He pulls out the gift tucked behind his back, a long black box wrapped in yellow ribbon.
“For you,” he says with a lilt. “As your gifter.”
Ratio’s eyes narrow briefly, but he sets down his book and takes the box.
And opens it.
Inside is a black umbrella, with a deep purple handle at the base. Along the edges of the umbrella’s skeleton are small star charms, a soft, translucent yellow.
“For the exchange,” Ratio says quietly, taking the umbrella out of the box gently. “Hm.”
“Ah- don’t open it in here-” Aventurine tries to hide his nerves with a grin. “That’s bad luck, you know?”
“I don’t believe in luck,” Ratio says flatly. “But if I did, I believe your luck would balance mine out. It is simple math.”
With that, he opens the umbrella.
Printed inside, along the skeleton and inner canopy, is a small nebula.
Ratio looks up at it with an expression of surprise, and faint wonder. Aventurine saves the expression in his mind.
“Not bad,” he says, voice quiet. “Five points.”
He feels his face grow warm, despite the stupidity of Ratio’s little points system. “I’m glad you like it,” he says, genuine. “It was a difficult find.”
“The craftsmanship is incredible,” Ratio says, voice returning to its usual neutrality. “It is sturdy, and perhaps worth using.”
His heart jumps in his chest. “Well, you enjoy your book, Doctor,” he says, trying to calm himself down and step back. “I have some work to be doing-”
“Wait,” Ratio commands. Aventurine stops in his tracks. “I have something for you as well.”
He closes the umbrella and sets it gently on the couch next to him. When he turns, and pulls out a small box, there’s a faint dash of pink on his cheeks.
“Ratio,” he says. “You don’t mean…”
“We received one another for the gift exchange.” He nods once. “I…hope that is to your liking.”
Ratio puts on his bust, and Aventurine can’t help a laugh at the sudden shift.
He turns his attention to the box, though, and opens it carefully.
Inside are a pair of sunglasses, not gold-rimmed like his usual pair, but a fair, dull green. The wires are thin, and the lenses are the usual black of sunglasses on other worlds.
Taking the glasses out, he notices gold flecks embedded in the green frame.
“Wow,” he says. “These are…incredibly expensive-looking.”
“I thought you would appreciate it the best,” Ratio grumbles under his bust. “They are simple, but elegant.”
“They are,” he agrees, slightly breathless. “Thank you, Ratio.”
“Keep your thanks, Gambler.” Ratio stands, book and umbrella in hand. “And simply enjoy them.”
With that, he walks away, leaving Aventurine to stare after him.
“Huh,” he says eventually, before looking down at the glasses.
(They go in a place of honor, next to his hat and other pair of glasses on the table by the door.)