Two creams, two sugars, two conspirators

[das_vedanya]

WHO: Ivan and Yao
WHEN: Backdated, Thursday the 23rd, Late Evening
WHERE: Ivan's Office
WHAT: Because there is nothing suspicious about two men drinking tea after working hours.

Comments

[binilao_aru]

The only person Yao had an infinite amount of patience for was Ivan Braginsky.

Having known each other for years, they knew each other inside-out. They knew each other's secrets, worries; whether they liked it or not, they had each other's backs. Even if it meant having to abuse their positions. Drinking his tea, Yao observed his friend in silence before setting the cup down.

"First of all, relax. Being this nervous won't help the situation. You've been acting natural, have you not? As far as she knows, our hands are clean."

[das_vedanya]

"As far as she knows," he confirmed, "and I think she knows a lot more than she lets on. She's playing with me, Yao - and... you know me, I don't like being treated like a plaything." After taking a deep, concentrating breath, Ivan settled against his chair and let his lips trace over the teacup.

"But the more she-" he ducked lower, quieting his voice, "-the more she survives, the more her suspicions are confirmed. The more the others will get suspicious, too. We need to assure that our next one is fatal."

[binilao_aru]

"No, neither of us do," he agreed, knowing exactly how Ivan felt. Being a puppet, a toy - being on that receiving end of the strings was always a curse of sorts. Though Yao knew through and through how much of a hypocrite he was on the topic.

"If you're that eager for blood, I can always hire mercenaries for an ambush. However, it means that you won't be able to escape the attack unscathed." Both knew that the Colonel would be suspected almost immediately otherwise.

"Though I can say that a certain pilot won't be happy with that," he added under his breath.

[das_vedanya]

His face contorted to something between a mix of irritation and pain at the sound of his supporting officer's title. "I don't need it right this instant, and, yes, I do realize that this comes at a price. I would prefer more of a, uhm, 'freak accident' instead of a sudden onset of angry mechanics."

He breathed ripples across his tea before taking a sip. "And this plan of yours, what exactly does it have to do with Jones?"

[binilao_aru]

Yao gave him the are-you-serious look and downed the rest of his tea before answering.

"It doesn't have anything to do with him. Only that if he sees you harmed in any way, he might blow a gasket." Or two, he thought to himself. It was comedic how the two seemed to share the same aspirations and yet, never actually be on the same page.

"You need to be honest with him, Ivan," Yao sighed, "I don't think you can keep all this under wraps for long. And by this, I mean your feelings."

[das_vedanya]

"What feelings," his eyelids fell as his eyes landed on his lap. "I have nothing to be honest about." Unlike the pilot, Ivan was a master at keeping his emotions in check. His face didn't flinch, nor did his eye twitch the entirety of the time he and his friend shared eye contact.

"Besides, it has nothing to do with the situation at hand, don't you agree?"

[binilao_aru]

"As far as I know, it doesn't."

The way his eyes fell wasn't missed by Yao, but he decided to leave it for now. They did have more important issues to deal with at the moment.

"I can arrange for a mechanic to set the wrong settings at the wrong time then. Perhaps it may be enough to finally kill her," he clipped, a name already on the tip of his tongue.