Time for a few rounds of roulette. If anyone needs him, he'll be stirring up trouble at the local casino~

"That's the problem." Aventurine leaned his shoulder against the wall next to Boothill, mimicking the Ranger's crossed arms. "You've taken out enough IPC targets that a lot of them are keeping their heads low. Coaxing scared rabbits out of their cozy little holes isn't easy." >

One fine eyebrow raises at that, and his head tilts with a sly grin. "Oh~? If I didn't know better, I'd almost say you were worried about me." Good thing he did know better. ... Didn't he? >

"It's hardly bonding wh-" He pauses. "Actually, on second thought, you might have a point. Maybe."

Those sharp teeth... He felt a tickle along his spine, but hid it with a wink and a flourish. "Hey now, you know me better than that, don't you~? I only swindle rich tenderfoots." ... "Tender... feet...?"

"By the Amber Lord, do NOT expose Quinn to this level of brain rot... Besides, I think I'll be living 'Escape from Skibidi Toilet' for the rest of my life." 😔

Donning his trademark smirk and walking over to the Ranger. "Schemes, as per usual~."

... "That's the worst thing I've ever seen."

"What the rizz is a Skibidi Toilet 'hero'?"

Did you miss me~?

On the other hand, Aventurine would have been happy to wait another few months, perhaps even another few years, before setting foot back in Penacony. It's grandeur had done little to impress him the first time, but now the massive hotel felt more like a prison than ever. >

Oh...? That's... almost kind of sweet... Tries very hard to not move as he sets down his phone.

♣️ Sorry for the disappearance, just wanted to take a bit of an rp vacation for a couple of weeks but I'll be getting back into the rhythm of things soon!

"Boothill-!?"

@loadedgun.bsky.social @idolaharmonia.bsky.social Pretty sure my other moots have already been tagged!

Of all the people in the cosmos...

Her happier tone and bright smile hardly make him feel better, but they at least reassure him that his plan to accompany her to Penacony worked. As much as he tells himself it's for her own safety, it does little to lessen the immense guilt he feels. "You and I always find a way to have fun~." >

Aventurine doubts he'll be able to eat anything. Even the thought of food right now makes his already tight insides churn, sick with the reality of what he'd just done. He'd manipulated someone he genuinely considered to be his best friend. Of all the bad things he'd done, this was the worst. >

♣️ There are two flavours of suffering that I like to put Aven through: intense emotional suffering as he convinces himself that he will never be worthy of happiness, and ridiculously comical physical suffering that belongs in a slapstick movie

Spice is awful. Really, really awful.

"Firstly, it's my shout - especially after my little tantrum there." He nearly falters on the word 'tantrum', as though it gets stuck in his teeth. "Secondly, I don't know any fine dining places that specialise in burgers." If he had even a glimpse of that inner voice in Quinn's mind, >

Those gentle hugs of hers usually made him feel safe, comfortable, secure in a way that he hadn't experienced since a time and place that he could barely remember. Now, however, her warmth seemed to burn him. He almost wished she would see through the act and push him away in disgust. >

As for Aventurine, if he didn't feel that he would ever be worthy or deserving of a meaningful relationship based on romantic affection with another person before (which he didn't), then he certainly didn't know. Not after lying to her like this, playing on her emotions, manipulating her. >

Honest... Be honest with her... Could Aventurine really do that? Tell her that he believed Sugilite was trying to use her as one of his disposable pawns in order to take over the Penacony deal? That her achievement was nothing more than a falsehood to put her into a position of danger? >

The sound of that nickname in her voice, uncertain and soft, is what nearly breaks him. He feels his heart twisting in his chest, his stomach tightening, his hands shaking. Quinn's no fool - naive and at times stubbornly optimistic, but far more clever than people give her credit for. >

He's not... It's not really... He just... (LIAR. FRAUD. COWARD.) It's... It's for her own good... (LIAR. LIAR. LIAR.)

Seems his own performance wasn't quite convincing enough. Glancing away, he chewed silently at his lower lip for a moment, deliberating his next approach. He knew little of Quinn's background, only that her childhood had been one of restrictions and regulations. An assignment like this >

Aventurine was picturing that sickly smug smile already, suppressing a shiver at the idea that someone like Sugilite would have looked at his dear friend like that. What exactly did he have in store, here? Did he expect Quinn to tell him, and for him to invite himself along? "Why would it~?" >

The hard, cold support of the bench quickly fades from Aventurine's attention as he reads through the file. He's scanning it, but his eyes pick up on everything he needs. Penacony. Asset evaluation. Profit assessment. In-person inspection. Sugilite. A lump rises in Aventurine's throat, >

He very nearly sweeps her into a hug, but stops himself. On the one hand, he's learned that it sometimes makes her feel uncomfortable thanks to the way certain morons will talk about the two of them. On the other hand, the sight of the folder brings his anxiety back to the forefront of his mind. >

A combination that only Boothill could offer. The man was unique enough already, a killing machine with lethal intentions and more than enough wild determination to carry those intentions out. But it was that gentle side of him that made the Ranger a truly unique experience for Aventurine, >

She's always cute, of course - everything about her. Cute smile, cute laugh, the cute way she gets so excited when she sees him... His heart gives a little twinge as he hurries down the street, his attire more casual than usual. Soon he catches sight of her, waving as he approaches with a smile.

( debuffed with a tummy ache ) okay, what did i do besides threatening to kiII a man, attempting to force the entire universe into a sweet dream instead of asking for their opinion first, for that one time i was so tired that i didn't return the shopping cart to the appropriate location —

CLANK CLANK CLANK CLANK Don't mind him.

The cold touch against his chest makes him shiver, eyes falling shut for just a moment before he forces them open again. He wants to take in as much of this sight as possible before Boothill's sobre sensibility kicks back in. "Practice, huh? You really lose bets that often~?" His eyes gleam as >

The ritz, flash, glamour, expensive drinks... That was the gambling environment Aventurine was used to these days, no doubt about that. It's where he found the biggest gambles, and the most greedy players. "You'll have to bring me along one time. I can even dress up as your little consort~." >

News? For some reason, that single word stirs a surprising amount of anxiety in him. It could be something as small and simple as a new apartment, or... He shakes his head as the elevator carries him down to the ground floor.

The scent of whiskey doesn't surprise him, but it doesn't matter to Aventurine - not while Boothill is perched on his lap like this. He's never been so happy to hear about someone losing a bet. Abandoning the metal, his hands seeks out that softer silicon, pressing his fingers into the material >

Oh, he wanted to touch. His fingers had the very slightest of trembles as he groped at Boothill's metal thighs, feeling cold steel beneath his palms. Truth was, while he'd given plenty of lap dances, he'd only received one or two - and honestly, he hadn't really been paying attention at the time.

Eyes wide as dinner plates, the rest of his question quickly swallowed as his eyes fix on the sight in front of him. Sweet Aeons, help him...

Her quick reply has him smiling, too, though he kicks himself for not remembering her work schedule. Fingers tapping away, he's already leaving his desk and heading towards the door.

Sounds of spluttering and coughing.

"Wh-?" Blinking in confusion.

His bestie senses are tingling... Taking out his phone, he sends her a quick message, forgetting all about the latest profit report from Penacony.

Choking on his drink-!

🦚 Like this for an interaction! Mutuals only!

♣️ Ok, time for me to be more active again. I miss rp and I miss writing Aven.

He needs somebody to take him out.

Someone needs to push him up against a wall and kiss him until he passes out.