He left strict order not to be disturbed, and yet, that is what is happening.[break][break]



“Yes, what is it?” He doesn’t initially look up when he’s addressed–too engrossed in the expense reports that he’s reviewing. But after a beat, he pauses, frowning when it registers in his mind that the voice is not that of his assistant’s. It is familiar though, isn’t it? Just not in this context.[break][break]



Enzo sets his pen down with a sigh, shifting in his seat so that he can prop his elbows on his desk and steeple his fingers together. “Look, I’m not sure who granted you clearance, but I’m a bit up to my neck in paperwork here, so– oh.” When his glance finally drifts upward, he can’t help the way his eyebrows shoot up.[break][break]



Dark hair, violet eyes. Thin and sharp-angled, and severely lacking a bright green apron and visor. “Latte guy…yeah?” Enzo cocks a finger gun in his direction, clicking sound in the back of his teeth and all. “Well, this is a surprise. You’re jayden cross? I see it now– I would’ve never guessed.”[break][break]



Though maybe he should have put two and two together long before now. It is not as though he’s never seen photos of the late Volkov’s family before. Blending in, in mundane places, he supposes. He knows how to hide in plain sight–or he did, at one time when he wasn’t much more than nothing at all.[break][break]



The joking air he carries evaporates quickly, however, in favor of something more somber. “Yes, I was, though. My condolences–I would’ve attended the ceremony, but I was unfortunately tied up here.” The downside to building up The Nimbus up to what it has become is the fact that he’s become a bit obsessive. Distrusting of anyone else to maintain the civility if he were to take an absence longer than a few days.[break][break]



He doesn’t know how to commiserate with the loss the younger man suffers. He’s been on his own for as long as he can remember, an island of one. For the most part, anyway. He gestures at the seat in front of his desk in offering. “What can I do for you, then, jayden cross?”





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jayden cross  | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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“Interesting choice for the heir to a massive pharmaceutical company,” he muses in response, thoughtful gaze resting on jayden cross as if he’s some specimen to be studied. It is curious, isn’t it? Though maybe he thought he’d have a bit more time to get his legs under him before unfortunate circumstance set it and responsibility loomed overhead.[break][break]

He doesn’t ask outright, however–content to leave it be for the time being in favor of figuring out why he is here, visiting Enzo of all people.[break][break]

Enzo lifts one shoulder in a shrug of acceptance. “That I am.” His steepled fingers lace together, and while still watching the young man fidget a bit, drops his chin to rest against them. “I do appreciate the promptness, Mr. Cross.” Rather than press, he waits for Jayden to find his words.[break][break]

Then smiles back, honey-saccharine and curious.[break][break]

“So it seems. This is a good venue for overhearing the most interesting things.” His brow lifts slowly. It’s no secret that he was formerly affiliated with the former iteration, but despite the years of experience, Enzo by no means wishes to be considered old guard. He jumped ship nearly as soon as things went south. So– in one hand there is potential, and in the other threat.

Which one has been brought to his stoop today, he wonders.

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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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Maybe the young Cross has more resolve than Enzo has estimated. He skirts the slight attempt at prying and keeps to his goal of speaking with Enzo about his agenda.[break][break]

It, at least, impresses him enough to quiet the need to continue fishing for more information on what’s going on with Wyndon Pharma in the wake of the father’s demise.[break][break]

And how it’s affected jayden cross as a result.[break][break]

It could be assumed that Enzo is treating this whole visit with a degree of flippancy, and while that might not be wholly untrue, he is curious to what Jayden might offer him. He’s skeptical in the wake of the new Rocket cleaning house. He’s not unfamiliar with the rumors of what has happened to other, less accommodating members of the previous ranks.[break][break]

But he is pleased with what is presented to him, and while his chin continues to rest in the cradle of his fingers, Enzo cracks a grin. Liquid smooth with approval, but wolfish all the same. “We did work quite well together, yes. And it is a shame for Rocket to lose a valuable chess piece. I do admit, though, I’ve been wondering if an offer would be extended, and I am certainly interested.”[break][break]

At the last addition, he does lift his head. Only for it to tilt to one side in interest. “And why is that so, Little Cross? By virtue of your father’s connections, or something else all your own?”

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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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Enzo whistles low, the sound sharp, but plummeting at the offer presented to him so easily. “Well then, isn’t this an interesting turn.” He wasn’t sure if anyone might come for him–on good or bad terms, but this seems fortuitous indeed. His old alignments may have been severed, but Enzo has always been a creature of opportunity.[break][break]

And this ladder seems as good for climbing as any.[break][break]

“Well then I thank your late father his good favor.” It has certainly helped their cause that they’ve sent along a connection to his late colleague. A smart move on their part–even if he seems a bit unsure of himself standing there in Enzo’s office like a thin reed about to be blown over when any slight breeze.[break][break]

An eyebrow arches slowly at the mention of his accomplishments–which, if he does say so himself, are no small thing. “You flatter me,” he says anyway at a false play of humility. The boy is smart. Enzo does love to have his pride bolstered.[break][break]

“Ah, ah.” Enzo holds up a hand then, and pauses long enough to push himself up out of his seat. “Do not forget, Little Cross,” he continues as he walks around the side of the desk to stand in front of Jayden. He looks down at him, smile largely benign save for the fleeting glimmer of teeth. “You are offering me the pardon here. You are not the one in need of completing tasks.”[break][break]

It’s simple advice.[break][break]

Though if he’d like to jump through hoop after hoop just to gain Enzo’s favor, well then he’s not about to stop the young man, either. Still, he offers his hand to shake.

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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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“Mm, I’m not certain that I’m all that kind.” Still, he smiles lightly as their hands clasp in a firm shake.[break][break]

It will do him some good to regain a thread of steel in his resolve. Enzo can sense it, but there’s something in him that wavers with nerves, too. He supposes that would be the consequence of loss. The weight of a company and a legacy abruptly dropped on his shoulders.[break][break]

It would be a shame if jayden cross crumbles under that pressure.[break][break]

But whatever rises to the surface, he seems to swallow back down. Enzo finds himself a smidge impressed by this– so Atlas manages to support the tilt of the earth a bit longer.[break][break]

He muses over the question asked of him, and fishes into the inside of his suit jacket for a tin of neatly rolled cigarettes. Followed by a zippo that lights the end. “Stipulations? Are you meaning to bribe me?” It’s not an accusation so much as a joke, as evidenced by the lightness in his tone and the raise of one brow as he takes a drag from his cigarette.[break][break]

“I’m sure I can’t skirt the initiation phases, that would be too easy. Proving oneself dedicated to the glory of Rocket, and all that, yes?” There’s a crooked twist to his grin, heavy-lidded as he twirls his cigarette-hand in the air lazily. There’s a curl of thin silver smoke that follows the trail of his wrist.[break][break]

Enzo’s head tilts, continually intrigued by the younger man. And really, he wasn’t that much younger than Enzo, was he? Maybe a handful of years, give or take. “I appreciate the earnestness, but what exactly have I done for you to earn it?”

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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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Enzo’s eyebrows lift in tandem with the upward hook of his smile. Skittish.[break][break]

“Don’t fret, Little Cross. Only a joke.” His hand settles on Jayden’s shoulder for a brief moment. Almost a pat pat of reassurance. “Not at present, but I will think on it. There may be benefit, after all, in extending the services of The Nimbus to Rocket in a beneficial manner.”[break][break]

He will have to narrow down the details, however.[break][break]

Stepping back, he perches on the front edge of his desk languidly.
Arms folding, his legs stretch and ankles cross one over the other as he continues to observe the jittery young man in front of him.[break][break]

In truth, he wasn’t testing him. Enzo simply enjoyed picking at others. No matter how much etiquette he trains into himself, knack for pressing buttons will not fade. Even so, Enzo is a far cry from the near-feral, street savvy version of himself that Jayden likely remembers from his early boyhood days in Rocket.[break][break]

“Ah, well I’m glad someone remembers. From what I’ve heard, not everyone in the new rankings shares that sentiment.” His head tilts then, considering something that this subject brings to mind.[break][break]

“Perhaps there is something you could possibly do for me, after all.” He hasn’t spoken to Kosei Kiryu in years. His departure and their falling out are a bitter taste on his tongue, and even now the wound is still a sore one. Given by someone at one time considered his closest partner, colleague, co-conspirator. Friend. In his anger, Enzo hasn’t sought him out much. But—[break][break]

“Do you suppose that safety could be ensured for someone other than myself?” It’s a stretch, even he knows that. He knows when to make a calculated gamble, though.

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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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He isn’t sure how to gauge jayden cross’s silence. Whether it’s intentional, or for a lack of knowledge.[break][break]

Regardless, he is different now than he was younger. Or at least, he is in presentation. The role he’ll play in whatever group this new formation is will be different than the rocket of his younger years.[break][break]

Presently, he’s perfectly happy with that. Though, of course, he expects to be required to dirty his hands in the effort to re-establish his place. That’s simple rung climbing.[break][break]

Enzo hums low in consideration. If it’s not a guarantee, it’s a barter he’d rather not make. He’ll handle it himself, then.[break][break]

“Hm, not quite the response I was angling for.” He waves a hand dismissively, a wry smile curling the corner of his mouth. “It doesn’t matter.”[break][break]

Straightening up the slouch he’d stepped into, Enzo adjusts the cuffs of his sleeves. “I assume you’ll have any necessary paperwork or recruitment assignments sent to me later?” Back to business.


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jayden cross   | m: recruitment act i. | you got a mobile order for him, starbo boy??

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