"I'm sorry, what?!" Aventurine threw his arms out in indignation.
"As previously stated, you've been partnered up with Veritas Ratio again, since it went well last time."
Right. Because Aventurine totally didn't almost die in Penacony.
"Who made this decision?!"
"It's not in my job description to ask those kinds of questions. You'll be assigned to Phagua 5, a quickly developing planet. We need you to gather intel to better gauge the worth of the planet- preferably without them knowing you're there as a scout. You'll be provided with necessities: A hotel room, local currency... as well as clothes that would better help you blend in."
"What's wrong with my regular clothes?"
"They are quite flashy, Mr. Aventurine. When you arrive at the hotel, look for "Oscar Patel". He is a part of the IPC and will give you your budget, and the key card for your room. The budget may be meager, but you're more than likely to triple that overnight."
"Anything else I should know?"
"Well, it would probably be best to have a fake name. Aventurine isn't the most common of names, especially not on this planet."
"Alright. Fine. Got anything in mind?"
"You can come up with your own if you don't like it, but the one chosen was "Alessandro Strickland"."
"Well, I don't have any other ideas. Fine, I'll stick with that. What about Ratio?"
"Dr. Vergil Richards."
Aventurine snorts. The doctor was definitely going to have something to say about this.
"Is that all?"
"Yes. Your ship is being prepared as of now. Head over when you're ready."
All jokes aside, the avgin was not looking forward to spending a hotel room with Veritas Ratio for an extended time. In fact, the only thing he wanted to do right now was avoid him at all costs. This was a dangerous game, trying to hide just how scared he actually was. It was strange- Aventurine had never feared death. He'd relished in the thrill, ignoring that small voice in the back of his head that screamed to stop. That tiny part that knew that one day, he'd end up losing.
When had that tiny voice grown louder?
Alright.
I guess there's no avoiding this.
Aventurine sighs, heading to the docking bay. A stonefaced soldier salutes him, offering a stack of folded clothes. They were irritatingly boring. Ugh.
His boots click on the metal floors, echoing through the empty hall. As expected, Ratio was already in the craft, reading his book.
"Ah, early as always, Doctor."
His gaze snaps up instantly. "I'm not early. You're just late."
"Now, now. We aren't set to leave until 1530. Which is still 15 minutes away."
Ratio had already changed into the clothes they were given, a plain white button down with a black tie and jeans. He looked unfairly good in it.
"I'm assuming there is a bathroom onboard?"
"You act like you've never been on one of these."
"Just checking."
Just as he'd suspected, the clothes were disgustingly plain. How could one expect a peacock to not wish to flaunt his feathers? No matter, he would simply add accessories.
He unclips his earring, setting it on the counter, and picks out the most suitable outfit. He settles on a pair of ripped jeans and a loose black t-shirt with some generic faded character on it.
Of course he brought accessories. The IPC would have to be insane to think he wouldn't. He clips a silver chain onto the belt loop, picking out a set of gold hoop earrings. And hey, it was times like these that Aventurine was glad he had chosen to have gotten that tongue piercing all those years ago- it would certainly fit the look he was going for here.
A spiked collar might look nice with this, and he'd do something with his hair... hm. A subtle makeup look would be appropriate, but so would a bold one... Glasses or no glasses? Should he wear contacts to hide his eyes?
After at least ten minutes of getting ready, he exits the bathroom.
"You take far too long." Ratio comments. "What's the plan..?"
"I am Alessandro Strickland of Phagua 5- A gambler from Toplos who has recently struck gold and is going to Laphia to celebrate, along with..." how was Ratio supposed to fit into this? "Well, that's all I've got. What kind of gambler would take some guy on vacation with the money he won?"
"Of course your plan is only half thought out." He grumbles.
"The IPC is not making this easy for us. I mean, come on! Making us share a hotel room? It's like they want us to pretend that we're dating or something! Wait, that idea isn't half bad..."
"We are not dating."
"Aventurine and Dr. Ratio aren't. But Alessandro and Vergil are."
"That name is ridiculous."
"If you have any better ideas, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Ratio opens his mouth to speak, but soon shuts it again. "Fine."
"Fantastic."
"Don't you think that is a bit much?" He gestures to Aventurine's attire.
"It's all a part of the persona, Ratio." He flaps his hand dismissively. "Plus, I looked at pictures that we have of the people who live there, and I'll fit right in~"
"Fit in among adolescents, you mean."
"Rude!"
____
Is it perhaps cliche? Mm.. Do I care? No.
Making minor changes to prior chapters. Nothing major, just wanting to keep consistency.... but hey, here you go.
I'll respond to anyone who comments, I love reading them and getting feedback.
No song this time
875 words.
YOU ARE READING
.'~𝑨𝒏 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒂𝒚~'. 【Ｒａｔｉｏ ｘ Ａｖｅｎｔｕｒｉｎｅ】
Fiksyen PeminatVeritas Ratio has been growing increasingly concerned about Aventurine's self-destructive tendencies- desperate gambles that throw his life in a minefield- though he's lucky enough to narrowly avoid each mine. But what will happen when that luck fin...
