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jacksonian

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From:

jacksonian

[ He doesn't know why he'd let himself start hoping that the Butcher would give up. Probably because it had taken a while. He'd let himself think that maybe, maybe, he'd get his question answered elsewhere, that he'd never have to talk with him...But nearly a full day later, there he is. Calling again.

The clone just wants to curl into a ball and cry. For a really long time. And not answer the phone.

So he doesn't. He just lets the phone ring until it stops ringing.

Please don't try again. Please don't try again... ]

From:

use_everything

[At this point, he actually frowns and there's some delay as he, somewhat clumsily, checks the network directory and the number, just to be sure he had it right.

There was of course, the possibility the young man had been "ported out" or was otherwise infirm or occupied. He tries again, once more, simply for completion's sake. After this, he'd see from Gregor if he had a better number.]

From:

jacksonian

[ And this time, the phone is in his hand and out when Aral calls. And in a sudden spasmodic fit, he hits the answer button on the first ring. And then wonders why, why, God, why did this have to happen -

He swallows hard. Lifts the phone to his ear. ]

Uh.

[ Why is this happening... ]

This is Kane.

From:

use_everything

Ah. [There's a note, actually, of surprise here. His tone drops quickly, quieting.] Mr. Kane, I presume you are well.

From:

jacksonian

[ He fights down the urge to laugh hysterically. Well? Well? Is he well? He wants to vomit.

But he hears his voice answering smoothly, his vocal cords taking over on autopilot even as the conscious parts of his brain shut down with terror: ]

Well enough. This is - Aral Vorkosigan, was it?

From:

use_everything

[Whatever part took over it seemed to do well enough. The Butcher didn't suddenly appear, full of rage and deadly intent, merely answered, calmly.]

Just so. I believe there has been an amount allocated under my surname...

From:

jacksonian

[ Yet. He hasn't appeared to murder the clone yet. Maybe this phone call is being tracked, and in a moment he will appear... ]

Uh, yeah. Of course. There are generous lines of credit for all members of your household - yourself, Miles, and Cordelia. Possibly excessively generous.

[ ...Why the hell did he say that? Why the hell did he just tell the Butcher that he thinks it'd be appropriate to choke off his family's finances? He's going to get choked in return, isn't he? ]

From:

use_everything

[Fortunately, he's so used to not listening to the pithy comments at the end of his financial summaries that it sort of... slips by without even a second thought. It's an accountant thing, clearly.]

Ah. I hadn't known. [That WAS interesting. There's a pause of consideration.] We'll revisit. For now, is Agent Tex' salary coming from the Dendarii accounts or the family one?

From:

jacksonian

[ ...Oh. He'd expected more...temper in response. He hesitates, waiting for any explosion in response to him getting mouthy, but...No. None.

Okay.

He swallows and continues on, his terror starting to fade. ]

Uh, Agent Texas? Yeah. Her money is out of the Dendarii accounts. Why do you ask?

From:

use_everything

[As it goes, it gets increasingly harder to ignore the so very familiar voice, especially as it touched more common terms and phrases...]

Her situation has changed. She'll be receiving an across the board increase as well as a personal stipend.

It can come out of mine.

From:

jacksonian

[ He can't help but frown. It's...Well. It's probably his duty as their financial manager to check with Gregor, or Miles, or someone, about this. But on the other hand - would either of them ever gainsay the Butcher? Gregor's under his thumb, and Miles completely overawed by his famous father...he guesses. Who really knows.

Well. ]

What's the cause of this increase?

From:

use_everything

[Clearly, Gregor would never order Aral down. Too well trained of a figurehead.]

She's become an Armswoman in my service, and will be taking up residence in accordance. I can send the contract along.

From:

jacksonian

[ A grunt of acknowledgment. ]

She's leaving the Dendarii, then? She won't be paid out of that fund any longer?

From:

use_everything

As far as budget is concerned, yes. Any bonuses and non receipted expenses will have to go through Gregor, as usual.

From:

jacksonian

That might be good. It'll free up some operating expenses.

From:

use_everything

In more ways than one. [Aral's tone was dry. He was quite aware of Miles' use of bonuses as a tool for communication. Unconsciously, it slips out, as if he was ribbing Miles instead of a random, hired man.]

The paperwork will follow, send me anything that needs attention.

From:

jacksonian

[ He didn't understand the joke. What's stupid is that he could just acknowledge the request, sign off, and never fucking talk to Aral Vorkosigan ever again, but his curiosity gets the better of him. ]

In more ways than one? What do you mean?

From:

use_everything

Surely you've noticed the rather erratic nature of bonuses from the Dendarii?

From:

jacksonian

[ A low laugh of despair confirms that yes. Yes, he has. ]

From:

use_everything

I'm half convinced a fair amount of them were attempts at apologies.

Likely quite successful.

From:

jacksonian

Apologies. For what?

From:

use_everything

Hm. I can only speculate. [The voice was disarming, far more than it should be. He knows, absolutely that this isn't who it sounds like, but it's harder to convince simple instinctual reactions anything to do with logic.

Still... private affairs and interpersonal dynamics were another thing entirely... And one he was never particularly good at to begin with.] Either way, I expect it will be quite a bit more regulated now.

From:

jacksonian

Yeah, it will be.

[ And...it's strange. Aral Vorkosigan's manner is...It's not that he's easy to talk to or anything like that. He's gruff. But he's also to the point. Talking to him feels like talking business. It's disarming. So with blunt honesty, the clone says: ]

His habit of just treating the company funds like he would treat his own funds makes the books really messy. Clear revenue flows, clear expenditure flows. That lets you see where costs can be eliminated and a better profit turned. [ And, with less concern than he should probably show, he adds: ] Besides, it's sort of embezzlement.

From:

use_everything

[There's a faint dismissive sound at embezzlement.] I can't imagine any shareholders pressing charges there.

Ah, as for the cost report- I wasn't aware they made a profit at all.