overjoyed_logs | (closed) keep your enemies closer

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(closed) keep your enemies closer

Who: John Steinbeck and F $cott Fitzgerald
Where: Some shady corner of Leith
When: End of week 4, pre-chapter 3
Summary: Steinbeck has a need, a need for........spe- I mean, bio-engineered seed pods from a figure from his past. He's not happy about it.
Restrictions/Warnings: Steinbeck and Fitzgerald are their own warning, will edit if needed!

[He doesn't want to do this, but he has to. He's almost out. It's a terrible thing, really, but it's unavoidable. He's not going to go without his seeds for too long - they're like a crutch for him, both a weapon that makes him feel safe and a key that unlocks a level of faith he knows he can't get anywhere else. And yet here he is, dealing with a devil of a man in a crossroads deal he can't back out of.]

[Steinbeck knows where to meet the man, making his way to a much more shadier section of town, and he waits. Fitzgerald likes to make his grand entrance, he knows. Steinbeck doesn't care for it. He paces, and waits, and then- oh, well, there he is. There's the man of the hour. Steinbeck turns to him, looking thoroughly unamused.]

You know, you could always send someone else to come get the money. [Steinbeck makes a grimace, his stare cold - even a mostly blind man would be able to tell how much annoyance he has for the man with a single look.] You got what I need?

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[ Grand, is right. His suit is more than what anyone in this area could afford. Even the click-click of his shoes sounds more like coins being dropped than steps. In short, he reeks of wealth but those that know him know that he is not to be troubled needlessly. ]

What is my first rule of success, old sport? [ He will never let someone handle things that he considers exceptionally important. Besides, he feels that Steinbeck would be upset if someone other than Fitzgerald attempted to buy him back. A business man that is serious is one that will meet with the person himself, too. ]

I do. I really wish you would not ask that in such a way. This isn't that side of the business, after all. [ The drug side. Though, he supposes that the seeds have become something like that for Steinbeck, haven't they? ] Anyway, I thought that you would not be calling upon my office, again, but am always happy to meet with old subordinates.

Blah, blah, "never let anyone else do the most important part of the job"...or something.

[Steinbeck rolls his eyes. He still can't believe that it's been so long and yet those damned rules still come into mind so easily, like it was only yesterday that he was a young boy listening to the endless speeches from his boss.]

[But this is now, and that was then. The past is the past. Unlike what Fitzgerald believes, you can't relive it.]

Tch. You know I don't have an endless supply of these things. If I had the choice, I wouldn't meet with you at all, you know?

Edited 2017-02-12 06:01 (UTC)

It's always nice to know that you remember my words.

[ He lightly claps his hands, applauding the fact that Steinbeck did not lose them through the passage of time. But he holds his hands together as he lightly shakes his head at the young -- ah, was it monk now? -- with a sideways smile. ]

There is a choice. The choice is that you need not ever meet me, again, and the seeds are never in your possession. [ Fitzgerald gives a wider smile, because he knows how impossible that 'choice' actually is. What is it that someone said to him -- that he stacks things against a person so that there is only the illusion of free will?

Such is the power of money. ] But moving on, I'm feeling like there is some trouble in Leith. I would like to have the protection of someone with abilities worth their weight in gold.

You say it so many times a five year old could remember it.

[He says, with a scoff - Fitzgerald clapping his hands together like he's some circus show irritates him to no end. He can't let Fitzgerald get under his skin, but it's too easy.]

Fat chance I won't have the seeds in my possession. I'm here for them, aren't I?

[If only he could find someone else who gives them...but Fitzgerald's influence spreads far and wide, and he can't manage to find a similar product. Such is his luck.]

Excuse me? [He can't believe what he's hearing.] Do you want to hire me?

If something is worth doing, it is worth doing right. That includes imparting wisdom upon others.

[ Still, he snaps his fingers and points at Steinbeck's face. Something else to impart upon him. The man is still young and can accomplish so much so long as he has the right tools. That much Fitzgerald recognizes and willing to help out with -- shame that Steinbeck doesn't seem to agree. ]

So you are. [ A cocky response. ] But yes, I would like to hire you. Leith is headed toward ... something, and I would like to have you in my employ when that something happens. I'll pay you well, of course. Money, seeds, what is it that you would like, old sport?

You've got to be kidding me.

[Steinbeck is smiling wide, but there's a tension in his eyes that proves it's anything but happy - he can't believe the gall Fitzgerald has to suggest something like this. To act as if he can just throw money around and that Steinbeck will come skipping back into his arms as if nothing had changed.]

Do you really think I can be bought? I'm not some product you can just sweep off the store counter to take home and own.

[He almost feels like a vein is going to burst in his forehead.]

You know what I'd like? I'd like if you'd drop dead, old sport.

[ Fitzgerald tilts his head just a little at the word choice, but he takes in a deep breath and shrugs his shoulders. It really can't be helped. Is he really that bad of a boss? He feels like he treats all of his property well. They need not want for anything. Merely ask, he'll provide and he sets up a tab that he expects to be paid within their lifetime. Really. Nothing terrible, as far as he can tell. ]

Well, you certainly wouldn't want to work for me for free, would you? [ Is what he chooses to say instead. ]

That, again? I'm afraid that won't happen. And as much as you would like it, it isn't something that you need to have occur, either. Without me, these seeds will cease to exist. My existence makes this world go round. [ Should he fall before naming a successor, his Guild will be torn apart from the inside out. That, he can already tell. The amount of chaos that would ensue would damage the very Quad -- so his existence makes the criminal world go round which makes the "normal" world operate well.

Money, money, and more money can be exchanged without bloodshed. But without him acting as stalwart, everyone would collapse like a flan in the cupboard. ]

But, either way, it seems I must take that as a "no."

A fool would work for you for free, Fitzgerald.

[He can understand the people who need the money who are part of the Guild, but people who follow him with nothing to gain? He doesn't get that. How can they follow a man who treats them as nothing but property, as commodities to be traded and sold and bartered for?]

Don't remind me. [His upper lip curls - he doesn't want to go without those seeds, so even though he would like for his dream to come true, Fitzgerald has to stay, sadly.] And please, your death would cause chaos, but I hardly think the end of the world would happen.

[There are plenty of men like him out there. All that needs to happen is for someone to take his place.]

Why do you even want me, of all people, anyways? I don't work for you. Why not choose someone out of the hundreds of idiots that follow you around like stray dogs in need of a meal?

A fool would work for anyone for free, old sport.

[ A cheery smile that at least Steinbeck understands the worth of some joy. He offers a little laugh. ]

Money, my good man, makes the world go round. The Nine make the world blossom with just a drop of their fortune. While I can't hope to reach their level just yet, the money lost in my death would cripple the Quad.

Not the end of the world, perhaps, but a lot of people would die. And with how you commoners think... that is the end of someone's world. [ Money keeps people alive and he does it better than most, if he says so himself. Is not his daughter still alive and waiting for a cure? She is. Money accomplished that much and it will also save her life. ]

But why you? Because you have worth. I put an investment in you and hope to have it pay off in my favor.

Money shouldn't make the world go round. You think that just because you have money, you're entitled to everything you can get your greedy little hands on? Give me a break.

[He scoffs, his expression darkening - yes, for sure, he desires revolution, craves it, but the thought that it may do more harm than good is a particularly annoying itch in the back of his mind. Whatever. Revolutions come with blood and collateral death. As long as the result is good, then its all worth it.]

[The ends justify the means.]

What, did that investment not expire when I left your service? I don't belong to you anymore. [He clenches his fists at his sides.] I'm not that idiotic kid you took in years ago, alright? Don't insult me.

What should make the worlds go round, then? [ An honest question. ] I am not the only one who thinks that, old sport. Those without money think they are entitled to have something in their hands, too. They just have to work for it and it will be theirs.

[ He shrugs his shoulders good-naturedly. Capitalism is the best part of life, as far as he is concerned. Keeps a world growing and changing and makes sure that there are constant checks and balances. Of course, for him, the checks are light and the balance is always on his side. ]

It's more like I'm losing interest rate the longer that you're out of my care, but I'm certain I can make it all back. [ This, again? ] I didn't think you were stupid then. If I thought you were stupid, I would've made you carry my drink. [ Fitzgerald snaps his fingers as he suddenly thinks that would be a nice job to give someone. He often likes to talk with his hands, after all. ]

Hard work. Love. Kindness. Morals. Anything besides money. There are things you never will be able to buy, and that's a fact. [He shakes his head.] At least with hard work, they've put their blood, sweat, and tears into something. You? You've lost the meaning of that. And don't give me some bullshit about how you throwing money around is somehow hard work.

[Ugh. The more he talks to Fitzgerald, the more he feels like he's getting a headache. He has half a mind to just say no to it all and leave, but, well, he hasn't actually gotten the thing he's come for, has he?]

Care? What a nice word. You used me, at least be courageous enough to admit that. You use people like tools. [He sighs.] Look, whatever, can I get my seeds now? I'm sick talking about this.

[ He lifts up his hands in exasperation. ] This is why I'll never understand you, Steinbeck. A world that runs on hard work is pointless. So they create something. So what? If it has no monetary value, it's worthless. The amount of love, kindness, and morals that could spin a world would grow dry.

[ No, he isn't a person that backs down on the idea of money. But his tone is one where he is speaking to someone that doesn't understand the world. His head lightly shakes as he wonders about the investment that he put in Steinbeck. It feels like it's suffered quite a lot since the young man has been out of his care. ]

You are useful tools, but it's up to me to ensure that you remain sharp and well-managed. [ That's the same as caring. He huffs out a small sigh before reaching into his pocket to take out a bag filled with seeds. Fitzgerld holds it out for Steinbeck to take before commenting aloud: ]

By the by, what is your relationship with that Giorno boy?

I'll just have to agree to disagree, boss.

[He internally kicks himself for that last word. It just slipped out, like as if it's old times, and he's standing by Fitzgerald's side being loyal again...ugh! But no matter - Fitzgerald's head is filled with nothing but joy, and it's not the emotion he's talking about. There's no point in trying to convince him of seeing past his own greed and decadence.]

Tch. I am sharp and well-managed, you know. I can do that on my own without your help.

[He pulls out his money from a pocket, reaching forward to take the bag before offering his payment for the deal. He pauses at Fitzgerald's question, spoken out of the blue.]

Giorno? [His eyebrows instantly furrow together.] He's my friend. Why?

Edited 2017-02-17 01:37 (UTC)

You could, but I wonder if you'd be as efficient.

[ He takes the payment first before he continues with what he's saying. No need to count what is before him, because who would think of shorting Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald? It's not even a power-play to count joy in front of someone, but showing that he doesn't trust the person he is doing business with and that is nothing a good business man does. ]

I was just wondering. He looks like he has a bright future ahead of him, and I'm thinking of offering what help I can give to him. [ An investment. ] I merely wondered to myself if you'd feel better about these drop-offs if Giorno was the one handing the seeds instead of me.

[Fitzgerald's touched a soft spot, here - Steinbeck instantly stands up straighter, eyes narrowed in clear annoyance. No. Giorno is one of the few people in these worlds he's close to, and the thought of Fitzgerald cavorting around him with honeyed words and offers of money is enough to make him grit his teeth.]

He's fine without you. [He pockets the seeds right away, but his gaze is still fixed on Fitzgerald. Anger practically wafts off of him in waves.] Don't come near him. I'll take you any day for these deals over him, okay? Don't even think about it.

That's noted, then.

[ Another snap of his fingers as he points it at Steinbeck's face. Noted that the young man prefers him to anyone else. How nice? Should he consider that some warmth of the good old days that they were together? ]

Now, now, old sport... in respect to our relationship, I merely am telling you what is going to occur. Normally, negotiations are never even mentioned until they're over. [ A small shrug. ] You can warn him, if you like.

Anyway, it was good to see you! I enjoy knowing that you're still alive, Steinbeck.

...

[It chills him, really, that Fitzgerald could go to his friends, his family, and charm them entirely into thinking that he's the savior they need. He knows how Fitzgerald works. Giorno has a good solid head on his shoulders, but...there's a possibility that scares him even more.]

A question. What happens if he says no?

[His tone sounds restrained.]

...Are you going to keep coming after the people closest to me until you find someone who says "yes" to you?

If he says "no."

[ That thought hadn't even occurred to him. ]

When would that be, I wonder? About the same time that you said "no?" [ But he makes a tut-tut sounds at himself. Answering a question with a question is not right. ]

I want my property back. If it means I have to buy up the rental space around you, it's what I'm going to do. I'm giving you a nice offering just now, but I'm hardly going to keep begging, old sport.

["Buy up the rental space around you", he says, because Steinbeck is property, he always has been, he's just like some group of stocks that Fitzgerald has been desiring for years, waiting for his chance to drag him back into the fold to get his returns.]

[Fitzgerald is a crossroads demon, there's no doubt about that. He always can make a deal and get his way, even if his poor victims sell their soul in the process. Giorno could say no, but what about Lapis? Kate? Steinbeck could warn them, of course he could, but he knows that Fitzgerald's charm is a weapon he doesn't use lightly. If he can't get what he wants through money, he'll pursue other means, finding that soft spot to press down hard on.]

[Just like he's doing now. He's doing exactly this. Steinbeck wishes he didn't care about others. Fitzgerald wouldn't be able to manipulate him if he was nothing but a cold, uncaring individual who went through life without any connections. But his emotions run too hot. They always have.]

[Steinbeck's silent for a moment before he speaks up:]

And if I say "yes", you won't go for anyone else?

Edited 2017-02-17 13:41 (UTC)

I have no reason to go after anyone else.

[ But he snaps his fingers as he points toward Steinbeck. ] But I can't promise that they won't come to me. [ His hands open in surrender because what can he do? To so many people, he is their golden goose -- so they come running with open hands. Of course, he'll fill them with whatever money that they seek for equal work. ]

That's how it is, old sport. I've been a bit aggressive lately in my buy-ups... things feel off in Leith and it's time to start circling the wagons. [ He can feel it in the air. Like a sixth sense, he can tell when something is going to threaten his livelihood -- just a whiff of it enough to know that it's time to start closing some shops and being particular with who he deals with.

Like someone coughing and Madagascar closing all ports. ]

Tch. You just want as many people as you can, don't you? You'll never stop at me. You're too greedy for that.

[That's what scares him. He's between a rock and a hard place, here. If he does dirty work for Fitzgerald or not, the people he cares about might find their way in Fitzgerald's hands. Steinbeck almost feels helpless - Fitzgerald is his own personal curse, the devil sitting on his back. No matter where he goes, Fitzgerald will be there, ready to put all his fingers into the pie to sour it.]

Anyways, I have my own life outside of you. I can't be your damn bodyguard 24/7. [He's working for the Resistance, after all - he's not going to be tied to Fitzgerald if he can help it. He lets out a bitter laugh.] If you really want me back, give me a better deal than just throwing money at me. I'm a valuable asset, aren't I?

My dreams are too big.

[ He says with a shrug. Like he is going to deny that he wants "talent" under his control. Talent that is just wandering free is talent that can come at his door at any second. And so, if he can do something about it now, it saves him trouble, doesn't it? But not just that ... more eyes and ears will help him finding what he can about a cure. ]

That's a shame. You have to continue to play the monk, hm? Well, then I suppose a bodyguard position is out of the question... just be around for this and that mission, then? [ He pinches his chin and thinks about it some more. ] I'll come up with a better offer, then, at the moment... things are little chaotic.

The life of a business is always that way, though, Steinbeck.

Maybe someone should pop them like bubbles, already?

[He offers, casually, almost with a laugh at the end of that sentence. Ah, how he wishes for nothing more than to see Fitzgerald crawling through the dirt, trying to gather what remains of his empire. He wants to see Fitzgerald fall, and fall hard. David and Goliath may not be a concept in this world, but Steinbeck gets the sense that the idea of something like it would fit what he and Fitzgerald have got going on.]

I'd be the worse bodyguard, you know. I'd just let you get hurt, half the time. [A thin smile.] Maybe put that rotten mind of yours to use and think of something better.

Something better?

[ He dismisses the idea of someone popping his dreams by not even commenting on it. Like anyone could. Well -- he frowns for all a second -- he supposes that the Nine could easily get in his way if they really and truly wanted. There are bodies of power that could prove difficult if they really set their sights on him, but he believes in the power of money. While he can't do anything if the Nine decide to focus in on him, everyone else can be bought. And if they can't be bought, then their loved ones could. A price for everyone, really. ]

I wonder what you would think that is. Morals and the like? I don't concern myself with the morals and thoughts of others. It gets in the way of doing proper business. [ And it seems like theirs has concluded for now. ] I shall think more on what I'll be offering you, Steinbeck. Until then, I'll be looking for some bodyguards. You take care until I come up with an offer, all right, old sport?

Tch. Sure I will.

[As if he'll willingly just waltz back to Fitzgerald's side to hear another offer. The looming threat of him working his charms on his friends is ever present, of course, but for now, Steinbeck can still live freely, knowing that he's still not tied to a man he sees as nothing more than utterly despicable.]

Stay safe out there. [He says, with a mocking, cordial tone.] Wouldn't want you to get hurt.

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(closed) keep your enemies closer

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