[girl why do you THINK the mafia doesn't like you—
Corbeau opens his mouth. Considers. Corbeau closes his mouth. Did he just get outplayed by Jacinthe??? He's pretty sure he just got outplayed by Jacinthe.
She could have just given him the sob story, that she needs protection and hasn't been able to find any. If she'd left it at that, he could have easily turned her away for any number of reasons. But she clearly saw that line wouldn't work and jumped straight to the heart of the matter - offering the Rust Syndicate money to keep themselves safe while only looking after her well-being... well, he'd be a damn fool to say no. It's more work (and dealing with Jacinthe) than he'd really like right now, when he still needs to find Philippe and figure out what the damn hell is happening to members of the Z-A Royale, but...
Well, it's an offer he can't refuse. Because she'll continue to Bulldoze her way through this conversation until he agrees.]
...This isn't in our usual line of work, but an exception can be made for the right price.
[Corbeau moves to retrieve a pen and paper nearby, jotting down said price for her to consider. It likely won't be much to her, but it'll go a long way to helping both members of the Rust Syndicate and Lumiose as a whole. With cash like this, there's a lot more work he can do here. Corbeau pushes the paper across the table for her to examine.]
This is my asking fee. In return, you'll be permitted access to the Rust Syndicate at any time, day or night. Likewise, I'll be serving as your protection. As the strongest member of the Rust Syndicate, I assume that will be satisfactory?
[This means they're going to be spending a lot of time together. It's going to be a headache and a half. He's probably going to hate her by the end of the day. But it'll be worth it - and it can't hurt to have someone else capable watch his back either.]
[Jacinthe waits, her expression gently pleading. She'll throw as much money as she needs to at this, frankly, if she needs to ask Mother and Father for some extra she's sure that they'll pitch in once they know the extent of the situation. How could they not?
They've always had her best interest in mind.
Jacinthe will take a look at the paper easily, eyes examining the price and...quirking her brow a bit...?]
My dearest friend, do you not know how to price your services? My, it's no wonder the rumors swirl about the unsavory practices you subject yourselves to! You of all people should know the value of money, Corbeau, and the value of your own neck moreso!
[With an animated expression, Jacinthe promptly...puts a sad face next to the number that Corbeau has written down, and promptly jotted down what she thinks is worthy compensation for this most noble of deeds and pursuits--especially if he's taking it upon himself to protect her, that's no laughing matter.
It's a little bit of defense between friends! What's that, like easily triple his asking price, right???
So with that incredibly out of touch move out of the way (along with the proof that. she would almost certainly be easy to swindle if you gain her trust apparently) she'll pass the pen and paper back over the table with an all too animated expression, though there's genuine warmth in it too.]
Comme c'est gentil à vous, Corbeau. [How kind of you.] The fact that you are personally overseeing me is not lost on me, my friend--your strength within the syndicate has no peer, and I am deeply honored to be in your care.
So please know that the SBC is yours to utilize as you see fit. If you are to be defending me, then I shall have your quarters set up for you tonight, so that you may be able to be at your very peak! It is but the very least I can do to assist.
[Corbeau tries very hard to maintain an air of professionalism, particularly when dealing with clients. As such, he tries very hard to control his expressions and not make Faces while said clients can see them, but his eyes immediately go wide at the price she jots down. Hell, he knew she was rich, but seeing how easily and eagerly she'd part with that amount of money... Well, a little suffering in her company is worth it. This money will be put to damn good use.]
Of course. [He adjusts his glasses like that totally didn't just happen, don't worry about it.] I'll have a room prepared here for you as well, but I'll follow your lead. Wherever you'd like to stay, I'll follow.
[She'll likely be more comfortable in her own quarters... Ugh, whatever, he can put up with their posh high-society nonsense for the sake of this amount of cash.]
I do need to make some arrangements and ensure the Rust Syndicate is aware of the state of things, but that won't take me long.
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sranks2025-10-22 06:33 pm
no subject
Corbeau opens his mouth. Considers. Corbeau closes his mouth. Did he just get outplayed by Jacinthe??? He's pretty sure he just got outplayed by Jacinthe.
She could have just given him the sob story, that she needs protection and hasn't been able to find any. If she'd left it at that, he could have easily turned her away for any number of reasons. But she clearly saw that line wouldn't work and jumped straight to the heart of the matter - offering the Rust Syndicate money to keep themselves safe while only looking after her well-being... well, he'd be a damn fool to say no. It's more work (and dealing with Jacinthe) than he'd really like right now, when he still needs to find Philippe and figure out what the damn hell is happening to members of the Z-A Royale, but...
Well, it's an offer he can't refuse. Because she'll continue to Bulldoze her way through this conversation until he agrees.]
...This isn't in our usual line of work, but an exception can be made for the right price.
[Corbeau moves to retrieve a pen and paper nearby, jotting down said price for her to consider. It likely won't be much to her, but it'll go a long way to helping both members of the Rust Syndicate and Lumiose as a whole. With cash like this, there's a lot more work he can do here. Corbeau pushes the paper across the table for her to examine.]
This is my asking fee. In return, you'll be permitted access to the Rust Syndicate at any time, day or night. Likewise, I'll be serving as your protection. As the strongest member of the Rust Syndicate, I assume that will be satisfactory?
[This means they're going to be spending a lot of time together. It's going to be a headache and a half. He's probably going to hate her by the end of the day. But it'll be worth it - and it can't hurt to have someone else capable watch his back either.]
no subject
They've always had her best interest in mind.
Jacinthe will take a look at the paper easily, eyes examining the price and...quirking her brow a bit...?]
My dearest friend, do you not know how to price your services? My, it's no wonder the rumors swirl about the unsavory practices you subject yourselves to! You of all people should know the value of money, Corbeau, and the value of your own neck moreso!
[With an animated expression, Jacinthe promptly...puts a sad face next to the number that Corbeau has written down, and promptly jotted down what she thinks is worthy compensation for this most noble of deeds and pursuits--especially if he's taking it upon himself to protect her, that's no laughing matter.
It's a little bit of defense between friends! What's that, like easily triple his asking price, right???
So with that incredibly out of touch move out of the way (along with the proof that. she would almost certainly be easy to swindle if you gain her trust apparently) she'll pass the pen and paper back over the table with an all too animated expression, though there's genuine warmth in it too.]
Comme c'est gentil à vous, Corbeau. [How kind of you.] The fact that you are personally overseeing me is not lost on me, my friend--your strength within the syndicate has no peer, and I am deeply honored to be in your care.
So please know that the SBC is yours to utilize as you see fit. If you are to be defending me, then I shall have your quarters set up for you tonight, so that you may be able to be at your very peak! It is but the very least I can do to assist.
no subject
Of course. [He adjusts his glasses like that totally didn't just happen, don't worry about it.] I'll have a room prepared here for you as well, but I'll follow your lead. Wherever you'd like to stay, I'll follow.
[She'll likely be more comfortable in her own quarters... Ugh, whatever, he can put up with their posh high-society nonsense for the sake of this amount of cash.]
I do need to make some arrangements and ensure the Rust Syndicate is aware of the state of things, but that won't take me long.
no subject
Splendid, my friend! Together, we shall ensure that our dearest servants are back where they belong by our side--retributed for most indubitably!
[Jacinthe has full faith for this to work out, so go do what you need to, Corbeau! She will be right here, the literal embodiment of :D]