abstractborders | ShinRA Trash Party

[Parties are great. Kunsel loves parties. Bonus points if the party is at a bar with plenty of booze in its stock. Drunk coworkers make for the greatest sources of gossip, and Kunsel's all about getting good dirt.

Seated off to the side - close enough to watch and listen, just far away enough to hopefully not draw much attention - the SOLDIER Second nurses a drink.

And watches.

If nothing else, this party's already promising some decent hilarity.]

Not the socializing type?

[Cissnei knew who Kunsel was. It was a part of her job to know things and knowing who all the SOLDIERs were was tied into that. She had never delved too much into his history but she knew that he was a close friend of Zack's. And was good at digging things up.

That in itself was interesting enough to prompt her going over to where he sat after she spotted him.]

Or just enjoying the show?

[Ah. Cissnei. Kunsel's eyes slide to her as she approaches, caution keeping him from reacting more than that. She's a Turk, and he's long since learned to be wary of the Turks, no matter that Zack seems to think she's a friend. Sure, SOLDIER and the Turks pull missions together sometimes, but trusting someone to do their job and trusting someone are two very different things.

Besides, considering Kunsel's habit of poking his nose into things, it's never struck him as wise to put himself in their sights. Though if she's approaching him, he may already be screwed.

Or maybe she's just looking to sit down somewhere well away from collateral damage from Reno's antics.

Either way, time to play things up as casually as he can. Cheerfully, he lifts his drink and gestures wryly.]

I don't mind socializing. But hey, who am I to turn down free entertainment?

Some of the others are good for that.

[Mostly Reno. The others at least had some self control but the red head? Not so much. At least he hadn't attempt to climb onto the bar yet.]

Your name is Kunsel, right?

[She knows and she's aware that he knows that too. But it's polite conversation; an olive branch. Cissnei is well aware that he's not going to outright trust her and she doesn't expect it honestly.

But she's not working right now and neither is he. Plus, he's a friend of Zack's. That gives him a few credibility points in her book.]

[Yet. That's a key word right there.]

Right. [No point denying what he knows she knows. The politeness earns a crooked smile, though, and the faintest release of tension. If she's willing to be polite, she's probably not here for anything more than small talk.

Probably.

You never really can tell with the Turks.]

And you're Cissnei. Zack's talked about you.

[His own olive branch, of sorts, bringing up Zack. A hint at stories passed between friends in the past is a good way to keep things relaxed.]

[Her expression shifts just the slightest bit, a softness there that hadn't been visible before as her lips curve into a more real sort of smile.]

I doubt he has enough restraint not to talk about people. Friend or not.

[There's a fondness in her voice that she can't dismiss as she shakes her head, sipping at her drink.]

He's a good person. [Maybe even too good for ShinRa but there's nothing they can do about that, is there?] I've heard the same about you.

[A snort of amusement escapes from Kunsel before he can muffle it.]

Zack probably wouldn't know restraint if it hit him across the face with handcuffs.

[Hey, being friends with Zack doesn't mean he can't crack jokes at his friend's expense.]

But I can't argue with you there. About him being a good person, I mean, not about the other. Not sure it's fair, comparing me to him.

[He might have said more, but he abruptly cuts himself off.]

...don't you dare tell him I actually said that.

There's really no lie there.

[He's good at what he does but...sometimes she wonders if a lot of his success just comes out of sheer dumb luck.

There's a sly touch to her grin as she glances at Kunsel, eyebrow lifting as he makes that light threat.]

I think he'd be really interested to hear that, though.

[It's said playfully, because she's not going to go around saying things just because. But that doesn't mean she won't play it up that she's going to.]

I can already hear the comments about you being sappy.

[Oh, he shouldn't. He really, really shouldn't. Playing with a Turk is dangerous. But that grin. And that threat.]

What, you think he doesn't already know how much of a sap I am? I was talking about the pun.

[The best bluffs have a grain of truth to them.

The question is, will she buy it?]

[What--

Cissnei almost groaned, opting to just roll her eyes instead.]

That was horrible.

[Nailed it. He's reasonably certain she bought it. Or maybe the pun was bad enough to distract her. He's willing to settle for that.]

And now you know why I don't want him to know. Do you know how much he abuses the puns he can make with his name? Don't feed into that, for both our sakes.

Good point. I'll make sure to spare us both that particular pain.

[Her eyebrow goes up as her expression turns mock thoughtful.]

But I don't think I'll spare you the pain of him knowing how much you care.

[Nice try, Kunsel.]

[Aw, dammit.]

He knows I care! Come on, he doesn't need to hear you say what kind of person I think he is! It's just going to go to his head!

[Or worse. Because if Zack *doesn't* let it go to his head, it probably means he's going to turn it around on Kunsel.]

I guess I can keep it to myself.

[Cue a somewhat sly look here.]

For now.

[She won't hesitate to use it against you sometime, Kunsel, if you give her a reason to.]

[Kunsel's expression is immediately wary. That's a loaded "for now" if he's ever heard on.]

For now, until what?

[What does she want?]

[Oh Kunsel.]

Until I have a reason to use it. If I ever do.

[She has dirt on everyone. You were bound to get added to the list eventually. It's a Turk thing.]

..Which I don't think I will. Not unless you plan on causing problems with all of your information gathering.

[Kunsel has to hold back a wince. It's one thing to know that the Turks are probably aware of who you are and what you do, and another thing to have it confirmed directly to your face.]

Have I caused any problems yet?

[He feels that's only fair to point out in his defense. Most of his information gathering has been fairly benign, only meant to help his friends, or even the company itself. Anything that could land him in real hot water?

Well, he knows how to keep his mouth shut.]

[ SWEET SHIVA KUNS.

BRO

BRO

YOU AND I ARE NO LONGER FRIENDS. ]

[JUST TELLING IT LIKE IT IS, BRO. YOU CAN'T BE MAD AT THE TRUTH.]

ShinRA Trash Party

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totally not here

not here either!