afterlaborday | For Squalo

Rufus had an honest loathing for parties of any form, although if he had to choose which one was on the top of his list for dislike, he supposed a business event was the least painful of them all. Although he was still expected to behave himself, holding his tongue if it could potentially get him something was fine with him, even if he knew his old man thought everything was being done for his own sake, and not for Rufus'.

The downside to these kinds of events, however, was having to deal with the almost excessive amount of business men who wished to introduce him to their daughters, obviously thinking that the ShinRa Electric Company heir was going to take a shine to them, when really he just thought the whole lot of them fools.

Sometimes, he got the feeling a few of them knew what he was hiding beneath any pleasantness he gave, but if they did, they said nothing about it; something he was fine with.

Though eventually, as with all of these sorts of events, he did find himself a section of the party which was less crowded and more hidden, and sat down to relax for a few minutes with a drink in hand.

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Perhaps the others would not have noticed the man sitting at the bar, but Rufus did. Not because he felt he was in any danger, it would be foolish to try anything here with so many people around, but because there was a sense of someone more powerful than the men who thought themselves in power. Or at least more arrogant and self-assured.

It also helped that Rufus was very much like Squalo, and had done his own research. He knew all of his father's most important business partners, both those on the up and up, and those who lurked in darker corners, so as soon as he was able to catch a face, he had an idea who this was.

The tip of the glass and the smirk, a proof of that arrogance he had sensed, earns only a slow smile and nod, although the white-clad man obviously has no intention of moving to the bar; better this man come to him.

If he thought it would be foolish, he clearly hasn't spent much time with the Varia. Well, nobody really did, as they did not usually like company aside from their own, but things were changing.

And even though they'd been praised for their shadowy work, a murder in broad daylight in the middle of a crowded area was not beyond them. It probably helped that it was next to impossible to find any solid information about them.

~~Except Facebook~~.

It's a good thing there's no need or time for any of that, however. Squalo's here to extend his ShinRa contact network, and damn it he would get it done, even if it meant for once he'd have to put in some effort rather than just have whoever he's targeting approach him like a thirsty moth throwing itself at a fire.

It's a game, however, and so he's going to play it carefully. He'll finish his drink in no particular hurry, spend a few more moments looking bored, and then finally swan over to the other man. He sits down across from him without invitation as if he owns the establishment, and gestures freely with his right hand as he speaks in true mediterranean fashion.

"Not the worst party I've been to. Taking a break from the attention, are we?"

Rufus is strangely not bothered by the fact Squalo seems intent to drag things out, pretend as if that little greeting was just because they happened to meet eyes and were being polite - Rufus had a tendency to ignore people, even if he caught their eye, after all - knowing that eventually the white-haired man would either have to give and leave, or come to him.

Even the arrogance he shows as he sits down, as if the power is truly in his hands, does nothing to bother Rufus. If anything, it just amuses him, and he barely bothers to hide his smirk behind the drink he takes, his turn to delay.

"You could say it's something like that." Leaning forward as he speaks, Rufus sets the glass down on a small table, not hiding his smirk as he speaks the second time. "However, I am curious what your excuse is, since you've barely socialized. Only interested in my Father and I, perhaps?"

Squalo wonders if the man thinks himself superior merely because he's laying down the rules for the moment. Then he wonders how long would it take for him to break on the torture table. The thought's comforting enough for Squalo to manage to maintain the relatively polite quirk of lips that must pass for a smile for him.

"Spot on," he admits maybe a little too easily, leaning back into his seat. "A mutual interest, I've heard, at least on the old man's part." He has no illusions about his client's true reasonings, but he'd seeked him out and he paid well, and that was more than enough in his kind of world. "I don't deal in excuses, and I've little patience for trash."

He pauses, then offers a hand, not really expecting the other to have heard of him, let alone have any more solid information.

"Squalo."

He rarely, if ever, assumes anything. Such a behavior is childish and long forgotten in his mind, a useless, dangerous emotion. Even his seeming arrogance is a carefully constructed facade, good to annoy and unsettle the useless and weak-willed, but little more.

It doesn't mean that Rufus won't try to lay down his claim to authority in any given situation, however. Which also means that, even though he'd what he thought to be true, there's an amused laugh when Squalo confirms it without a hint of concern how it would be taken by anyone else who perhaps overheard.

"Rufus." He takes the hand, grip firm. "I do hope it isn't too boring with us being your only targets."

That's a slightly sturdier handshake than Squalo expects, but it's honestly a good sign. Maybe there's something good to expect from this guy after all. There's no bigger turn-off than a wimpy greeting.

His own grip is matching, though he does let go rather quickly, not entirely keen on unnecessary prolonged contact. Touches could kill in his world. Still, there's no change in his expression, even if some passing peasant turns their head to give him a look for the trash comment. A lion did not concern himself with the opinions of sheep, and all that.

"On the contrary, that makes you the ones I'm not going to target." For now. Look at that, he's not exactly being subtle about his job either. Was that overconfidence?

Rufus knows how to shake hands, partly due to his father, and partly from messing around with the greeting; varying his strength and watching others do it, as well as the reactions to all of it. He's learned the same thing Squalo probably has, that a good grip shows confidence.

Of course, words do as well, and Squalo's amuse Rufus too much. He doesn't hide a smirk as he settles back in, relaxed, against the back of his seat. "Really? And what if you found someone more... interesting?"

The break indicates he could have substituted another word in there, perhaps intended to, or wants Squalo to believe he had that intention. Regardless, it's a leading question, a test of personality and intent.

Squalo may have chewed his way up from the bottom of the gutter, but that doesn't mean he's unaware of etiquette and common ways people interpret body language. It would be way too easy to overlook important things otherwise.

Like who's plotting to off ya right now.

"Then it comes down to what else you've got to offer," he says in the same conversational tone. It wasn't quite common for mafia not to cling to false friendship pretenses, but maybe after a while Squalo's brand of allegiance was refreshing. You got what you bargained for, no more, but no less.

The response earns a low chuckle, somewhere between amused and curious. "What else is there that my father, and most the men here, couldn't offer? I don't take you as the sort to always go for the highest buyer."

"Not always," he confirms, though his tone suggests that it happens often enough. He did also have his own brand of loyalty, however, so he didn't go selling out his clients left and right. Also, that was bad for business. "I'm the kind of man who loves a challenge. Your old man's pretty good at keeping me on my toes, and picking strategies I can get behind."

Never let it be said that a good business vision was meaningless.

But of course, he's talking to the young Shinra for a reason.

"You'll be glad to know he's actually entertaining the idea of leaving it to you. Can't say if he's sick or just coming to terms with his mortality, but my concern is about you being up to par."

For Squalo

I apologize real fast, I do NOT have any polite smiles for this guy

pshht that is fine also many gomens work is already hit by holidays

NP. Life struck me pretty good this week

perhaps we should just agree that December sucks

Yup. Hope Christmas was at least decent!

ehhh could've been better but it was okay!

At least it didn't blow? (No, I wasn't watching Wayne's World skits...)

pffft well at least it didn't blow up

Pfft true

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