[action]

[faterecanted]

[It's been a few days since Van arrived, under less than ideal circumstances. During that time, he felt it was probably wisest to remain incommunicado. The easiest way to assure the others from Auldrant that he was doing nothing threatening was to appear to be doing nothing threatening; and he wasn't... strictly speaking. For the most part, all he'

Comments

[ever_deceptive]

[Yeager happens to be browsing in one of the clothing shops, going through suits and shirts. He's not all that fond of buying things off the rack--all of his outfits back home were custom-tailored--but he really needs some other stuff to change into and having it all made would take some time. When Van sees him and evidently nods to him, Yeager offers him a smile in return.

Hmm, interesting. Yeager's met a lot of friendly people in Luceti already, but this man has a certain air of authority about him as well. He decides to venture a greeting.]

Good afternoon, sir.

hey. they're crazy neighbors.

[faterecanted]

[Friendly is hardly an accurate assessment of Van Grants, but he is certainly doing his best to look it. He sizes Yeager up: polite, looking at suits, with that certain something Van associates with the ruthless and wealthy. Those are the kind that respect power. He can certainly provide.]

And to you. [And the shirt in his hand is returned with all the disdain a person used to expecting better can summon. Or at least expecting a proper fit.] It's ironic. The one time I don't need to be in uniform, there's nothing else.

Lol they are XD HOWDY NEIGHBOR~

[ever_deceptive]

What do you expect? The whole town is supplied by a single enterprise. There's no competition to promote quality wares.

[Ah, yes, that unfortunate lack of capitalism that had Yeager mortified when he first arrived. He keeps his smile on and his manner casual, though he was certainly aware of that sizing-up--hence his offering of that not-so-subtle indication of his business sense to Van.]

I see this is the start of a beautiful mutual userdom

[faterecanted]

I've always thought of competition as best when it happens to someone else. ['I don't deal kindly with challengers.']

Yep, me too XD

[ever_deceptive]

I imagine a good number of people would agree with you. Personally, though, I've always liked an atmosphere of competition. Keeps me challenged.

[faterecanted]

[Van picks out another shirt, and after a moment deems it... not significantly worse than his uniform, at least.]

Competition might be good for businessmen, but too many challengers is a sign of a poor general. [Delivered quite casually. Of course he's a general, should that be surprising?]

[ever_deceptive]

[A general. Nope, not too surprising. Yeager's taken orders from those types before--both in the military and the business meanings of the word. Van seems the rank.]

Ah, ja. In the military obedience is much better. Can't have orders being disputed too often on the battlefield. Or too many enemies willing to test your troops.

[faterecanted]

Very true. Goals are always simpler to meet with ample cooperation.

[And this man strikes him as a man with goals.]

[ever_deceptive]

Indeed. [And Van strikes him as the type with quite grandiose ambitions. Which translates to high expenses. Which draws Yeager's interest like a moth to the flame, if only out of habit.] You know, it's pleasure to meet someone of your status, even if it might not mean much in this world. I had quite a few military men as friends back where I come from.

['Friends' not being the most apt description, but he likes the sound of it.]

[faterecanted]

An intelligent officer keeps touch with a wide variety of men, military or not. You never know who you need to know. [If Van has learned anything at all from live, that lesson is near the top. And naturally, he considers himself rather intelligent.]

[ever_deceptive]

There is a lot of truth in that. [And that said, he abandons the suits for a moment and steps over to Van, offering his hand.] I'm Yeager, by the way.

[faterecanted]

[Van accepts the handshake, with a grip just firm enough to read as assertive without appearing overly aggressive.] Van Grants. A pleasure to meet you.

[The use of 'Grants' bothers him, as it always has, but it does lend a certain weight of authority that just Van doesn't have. Otherwise, he'd have dropped it ages ago.]

[ever_deceptive]

So you're new to Luceti, General Grants? I haven't been here that long myself. [Yep, already popping in the title. Got to be polite and respectful.]

[faterecanted]

[Van certainly isn't going to complain about being addressed with respect (honestly, you try to replicate one little planet and people start acting like you're evil incarnate...), although he's honestly not picky about what people call him.]

Yes, a... 'New Feather.' How patronizing.

[ever_deceptive]

[He chuckles.] Can't say I'm fond of the term, either. I hope things have been going well for you? I have had the good fortune of encountering a lot of friendly people. [And not too many of his canonmates. Yet, that is.]

[faterecanted]

[Van ponders how to answer this for a moment. He could use his next words to discredit Luke and Asch... but that could come back to haunt him if it wasn't perfectly successful. Hmm... Half the truth would sound best, certainly.]

I had the misfortune of arriving in the middle of a rather petty dispute. [His "rather petty" dispute, but there's no need to mention that.] Though things have calmed down now; perhaps too much.