rumorate | eastbound } { ic inbox

(so in typical diego fashion he's been here for about five minutes and is already in over his head. but he should at the very least....talk to allison about it. she can help him with this ruse and...she deserves to know what's at risk, as much as his stomach is still churning at that thought. which is why he's at her door, knocking)

[Her door opens not long after, and she greets her brother with a smile. In a lot of ways, it's still just a relief that they managed to track him down so quickly, given this is a whole world full of dangers.]

Hey.

[She then steps back to let him in.]

Come in.

[Family business best not talked about in the hallway.]

(he could have handled himself. he has twelve knives, what could go wrong??? a lot, a lot could go wrong. and argueably kind of has? he's not sure what to make of his deal with vannozza but he knows allison deserves to know about it. so he makes his way inside)

So I might need your help.

That's a first.

[She tips her head to the side curiously as she closes the door behind him.]

Usually I have to twist your arm.

Yeah well, savor the moment, it probably won't happen again.

(but it occurs to him he might be in a little over his head...and this kinda stuff is much more allison's lane.)

[Yeah, probably not. She moves towards the small little sitting area she's set up for herself and gestures for him to sit.]

What do you need?

I might have made a deal with Vannozza.

(it had seemed like a good idea, to get on her good side by offering to spy on the other but given her terms....well he has some regrets. but he'll sit down for now.)

[Her brow furrows, confused because what could he possibly have needed to make a deal for?]

Made a deal for what?

I thought I would just to get on her good side, you know? Offer to spy on the other dude for her since I'm supposed to be one of the suitors anyways. I wasn't really planning on it being a deal so much as an offer but...she had her own terms.

(and really, he should have probably seen that coming, that it wouldn't be that easy.)

[If it was something Diego would be less reluctant to hand over, he probably wouldn't be here, talking to her. At the same time, she can't help but feel a bit of a sinking feeling in her stomach that Diego was in over his head.]

And those were?

(when is diego not in over his head?)

Your safety -- if I betray her or her city, she'll....please don't make me repeat what she said, Allison.

Oh.

[When Diego has an issue saying things plainly, you know you're in trouble. Part of her thinks she should be surprised, that a woman would stoop to those lows in her threats, but Vannozza's been politically entangled with men who have likely done worse.

She can fill in the blanks. She doesn't need Diego to say it.

There's a small flare of frustration that she's getting dragged into this, but at the same time, she knows Diego doesn't always think things through. And at least she isn't being shoved in a tower until Vannozza wins her crown.

She swallows it down, and decides to focus on the future rather than the past. She'll keep an eye out for trouble.]

So she wants you to stay in Macaluso's good graces for now?

[She's willing to bet that's where her help comes in.]

(if he was more removed from the situation maybe it'd be easier to say -- maybe. but allison is his sister, and even if they aren't always close he would never wish that on her -- or on anybody. )

Yes. And to report back anything useful to her. She seems to think if she doesn't get the crown, we all lose. I couldn't tell if that was a threat or a warning about Macaluso. Maybe it was both.

From what I've heard it's pretty fifty-fifty. Macaluso would take some risks, but some people actually favor opening things up to outsiders, while others think it's dangerous.

[And she's not sure which she agrees with.]

I'm not sure how easy overhearing things will be. You might have to get him to trust you. Which could mean actually wooing him.

I can woo people -- though I will admit, wooing another man is a little out of my skillset.

(also considering how volatile his relationships tend to be, his brand of wooing might not be the best here.)

I figured I would need to get him to trust me.

Wooing a man is more about wooing his ego. Especially this one.

[He's not looking for love. He's looking for power and status. He wants to be sure that his chosen partner can give him the gravitas he needs.]

It has to be about what you offer him. Something more transactional.

So what? I need to kiss his ass or something?

(he suddenly wishes klaus was here for further advice -- though whether klaus' advice would actually be helpful is debatable. )

And what do I have to offer him? I mean I have mad skills but if I offer him those the Lady might get the wrong idea.

Honestly -- I would go with perspective.

[So no, not completely kiss his ass.]

He's looking for a good political partner, and since you are a man, I don't think he would expect the same demure deference that he would a woman. Don't ... come at him too hard. But you are good at stripping away all the bullshit and getting to the point.

I'm glad someone recognizes my talents. (usually diego gets in trouble for being too blunt, but knowing it could be an asset....)

[She smirks.]

We don't always like it about you, but that doesn't mean it can't be an asset.

Look, someone around here has to call it like it is. (or how he sees it through his sometimes flawed lens, anyways. and then more seriously:)

I'm really sorry Allison -- if I knew she was going to -- I should have seen that coming.

Hey, it's okay.

[She places a hand on his shoulder gently and gives it a small squeeze.]

We're all going to make mistakes in a new place like this. But at least you warned me, so I can be prepared.

(the squeeze is reassuring, if nothing else, and he relaxes a little. allison is kinder about it than most of the family would be. and not for the first time, he's glad luther isn't there.)

I didn't want to leave you vulnerable or unprepared. That didn't feel right.

[Yeah, if Luther was here, this would have ended badly. But after what happened with Vanya, Allison also has the sense to maybe not mention it until she has to.]

You've got my back. And I've got yours.

Unworthily, I beg a boon.

eastbound } { ic inbox | @taken for granite

action | backdated some to after his talk with vannozza

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un: absterge