Pier Point, a massive satellite that never leaves the orbit of Qlipoth the Preservation, it is forever situated under THEIR watchful eye, anyone who cast a glance out into the recesses of space are treated to the view of the Subspace Crystalline Barrier, being endlessly constructed, to protect all life from being devoured by the creatures of the endless void. The satellite is a bustling hub for all manner of cosmic businesses, & also the home ground of the Interastral Peace Corporation. When the Halovian was caught trying to flee the Planet of Festivities, he was captured due to a stroke of misfortune. While it would have been arguably in their favour to turn him over to the Family to answer for his crimes, a blatant act of war not just against Penacony but the Harmony itself. However, that was not what happened, rather the young man was dragged in shackles before the higher ranking of the Stonehearts themselves to determine his fate. Everyone, of course, had their own interpretation of what happened in the Land of Dreams, & what should be done about it.
“Why not give him a chance to prove his value?” Jade props her chin upon flawlessly manicured fingertips, the glass of wine held in the other one sparkling under the harsh light of the courtroom. “Let the little bird defend himself, if he does a good enough job, spare him. He would know more about Penacony than anyone.”
The man sitting in the center was utterly silent, piercing gray eyes like the frozen fractals of ice gazing down from a deceptively youthful face; Diamond’s expression gave away nothing.
“He’s a terrorist, & he damaged a company asset!” A black haired man in a dark suit with a web-like pattern stands, slamming his hands down atop the bench. If it weren’t for the dazzling purple-red teardrop stone dangling from his ear, Alexandrite of Networking would not have stood out as any other businessman. “Clip his other wing & throw him in the prison to rot for his crimes!” The man who was originally going to be sent to Penacony for the operation, Opal, scowls, “A prison sentence for an attempted coup of an entire planet? But he wasn’t working alone. I say we drag his sister here as well, you don’t think she knew? Better yet, wipe out the entire Oak family & start over with a puppet, then we can—”
“Don’t tell me you all started the meeting without me~?” A cheerful, almost exuberant voice speaks up, accompanied by the clicking of heels on marble tiles. Aventurine steps in, as ostentatiously dressed as ever, the metallic clink of a token dancing along his knuckles almost deafening in the sudden silence that swept over the room. “Oh, don’t look at me like that. You people were getting nowhere. Clip his wings? Company asset? You’re as charming as ever, Alex. I didn’t know you cared for my well being so much.” He smiles cheekily as the man glared fiercely at him. “Unfortunately you lot are held up in your office here so often I think you forget that people… are not statistics. You can try to rig the game in your favour, but that’s won’t guarantee your success. There’s nothing you can do to ensure something like Penacony will never happen again.”
“What are you doing here—”
“Oh, didn’t you hear? I’ve been promoted to P46. Thanks to my strategy & the orchestrated betrayal of my dear friend Doctor Ratio, we got everything we wanted & then some. You’re welcome.” Kaleidoscopic eyes lift to the center most part of the bench, “Thanks again, Boss.”
“Anyways, I think if you’re going to be deciding the fate of the man who slipped me a cosmic hallucinogen & tried to kill me, I ought to be present, don’t you think? Oh, & leave his sister out of it. Read the report I just sent out, Robin was ‘captured’ by Dormancy shortly after my arrival on Penacony & a Masked Fool was masquerading as her almost the whole time. You can verify with the Astral Express that everyone who knew thought she was dead, she had no idea what he was planning. Let’s not drag an innocent woman down who is already likely mourning enough as it is.” Threatening the family of a prisoner who has already lost everything doesn’t sit well in his stomach.
“What do you propose we do then, Aventurine? Let him go?” Opal asks impatiently.
The blond scoffs, “Hardly. Do I look that charitable to you?” Dual-toned eyes meet the golden gaze of the prisoner for a moment before he focuses on Diamond. “…leave him to me. I will take responsibility for adapting him to the IPC. We can always use more skilled assets, isn’t that right, Jade? After all…” He shares a look with the pink haired woman that indicates both of them were remembering something. “…it worked out for me. Any objections?”
“What are you wagering this time? Your own neck again?” Opal sneers. “You couldn’t keep a potted plant alive, how—”
The shuffle of a chair scraping back against the floor draws al eyes upwards to the Emanator of Preservation as he stands, his voice sharp, clear, & leaving no room for arguments. “I will allow it. You’re all dismissed.”
Immediately, the arguments ceased.
Aventurine grins smugly, but there’s was no denying the slight relaxing of his shoulders, as if he’d been holding his breath the entire time. As the other Stonehearts gather up their belongings to leave, Aventurine fetches the keys from the guards & dismisses them with a flourish before turning to Sunday, taking a long moment to look him over before he reaches towards him & —
“I’m just going to take these off of you, alright? That’s all.” It’s an uncharacteristically soft warning that comes before his hand gently grips the man’s wrist, lifting them up enough he could slide the key into the lock & turn it several times before they open, hitting the floor with a clank he makes no effort to prevent. Then he reaches for Sunday’s neck, his movements calculated & carefully measured. Gloved fingers sweep powdery gray-blue hair away from his neck, the same key twisting open the chained collar fastened around the Halovian’s throat.
As soon as it’s off, he takes a half step backwards, anticipating understandable discomfort with the blond’s close proximity. “There, that’s better. Are you alright? I did come as soon as I heard they brought you here.” He eyes him with something like wariness.
“…you haven’t been hurt, have you?”
