(no subject)

Who: Potemkin, Siwoon
When: Guilty Gear AU
Where: A rich, rich man's house
What: A new relationship?

Even in rest with no one calling on him or any responsibilities crying out, Potemkin gives off the impression of watchful sentinel. His eyes are closed, calm almost in meditation, yet he doesn't come off as any one bit less focused. Any laziness Potemkin wouldn't have accepted at all, because here he is the representative of his country, of Zepp, and it is for a cause that is greater than everything he has at stake as an individual. To negotiate will take finesse and sharp judgement, because, as Potemkin is aware of, Zepp especially can be carried by the whims of world forces.

It's an impressive show that this is what the Hansung Corporation has as a visiting area open to guests such as him. An outdoor courtyard, surrounded by landscaping that expands far further than what can be seen. It's almost cold how the scenery is going ignored by Potemkin, but that's because he's only waiting for someone to fill the other side of the table he sits at, to see him.

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There are a number of visiting areas that the corporation uses, most of which are indoors and closed off, rooms meant for meetings and very strict business. Had his father been the one attending the meeting, this would likely be taking place in one of those rooms, something hidden behind closed doors without the ease that comes with the courtyard.

So when Siwoon is directed to attend the meeting in the place of his father, he requests the location himself, much preferring the sight of the courtyard to any of the rooms inside of the building. On top of that, he brushes up on the subject of the meeting and the man he'll be meeting with, admittedly more curious about the latter. He's typically sent in to deal with older businessmen and women, a gentle, but stern voice that people are inclined to listen to when the other option is his father. Siwoon isn't usually given the task of meeting with those his father handles with relative ease, as he's sure would've been the case here.

He enters the courtyard without the standard suit or briefcase, no real look about him to make anyone think he's attending a meeting. Finding the man he's meeting is simple, though, and Siwoon is soon taking a seat across from him, taking in his massive form with interest.

"My father sends his regards as he had other business to attend to. I'm his son, Siwoon. I'll be taking his place."

Surprise breaks through on Potemkin's otherwise severe face when he doesn't see an older man. Potemkin towers over the table to the point where even when sitting he has to look down to see Siwoon's face.

"Oh, I did know he has a young son. I'm surprised that you are taking on duties by yourself."

Maybe that can be seen as patronizing, by pointing out his age. But the honest fact is that Potemkin does consider his age, and that Siwoon is working despite that leaves an impression on him.

"I am Potemkin of the Zepp Republic. I am here to talk again about the place my country has in the economy again."

Potemkin looks a bit like a father sitting at his small daughter's toy table for a tea party. The difference in size is almost ridiculous, to the point that Siwoon is sure that the seat can't possibly be comfortable for the man. And while they're meant to conduct business, most of it is meant to be discussion and he doesn't see where that has to be over a table.

"As his heir, it's my duty to know what my future encompasses. The best way to manage that is to help handle business. My age won't be a problem, will it?"

He knows it could be one, which is why he asks. If the meeting needs to be rescheduled for his father to take it instead, he won't be offended. Some just prefer meeting with the person they consider more experienced and knowledgeable.

But Siwoon takes the chance to rise from his seat, motioning out toward the courtyard. "If you're okay with speaking with me, why don't we walk instead?"

Already Siwoon comes off as very different from his father. Potemkin was expecting the definition of a traditional meeting, with an adherence to etiquette that demands coldness from both sides.

Yet, he can't say Siwoon is sacrificing any respect in doing this. Siwoon still commands a sort of charisma, Potemkin feeling like Siwoon is the one leading, even if his gestures are breezier.

So Potemkin gets up from his seat, sliding his legs out from beneath the table and moving to stand. If he looked huge when sitting down, then Potemkin's full height is shocking. With a proud lift of his shoulders and chest, Potemkin makes a powerful figure even when his words are understated.

"No, it won't be. At your lead."

It would be easy to just adopt that same coldness his father adheres to when meeting with most, and Siwoon does use it from time to time. But he generally knows when it's best to use it and when he's better off taking a softer touch, sometimes starting with one and easing into the other once he has a feel for the person he's meeting with.

Potemkin isn't particularly easy to read, but Siwoon can easily imagine that most people tend to be more strict and cold toward him simply because it's a way of hanging on to power in the face of a very imposing figure.

Rather than take that route, Siwoon simply decides to go with his usual directness, which seems to work well enough. Because soon enough, he and Potemkin are side by side, walking away from the table and further into the sprawling courtyard.

Their height difference must make for quite the sight, with Siwoon two feet shorter than his companion, leaving him to crane his neck to look up toward him.

"You're looking for the Hansung Corporation's support, correct? To help better the Zepp Republic's place in the current economy."

Potemkin walks at Siwoon's pace, never coming off as lumbering because of the military precision that guides his legs. It's a sign that Potemkin hasn't really relaxed, but the main cause of that is the focus on the mission that Potemkin's held himself to, even if circumstances have already changed.

"You are right about the subject of this meeting. The Zepp Republic's entrance to global affairs cannot be done alone. It needs strong support to extend their arms. But, most nations still do not see why to give their trust or take what we have to offer."

Potemkin interrupts his perfectly orderly steps, to turn and face Siwoon instead of the path ahead. The gaze he directs down to Siwoon intensifies.

"I offer my service, at the Hansung Corporation's call, for as long as it takes to negotiate a deal. By the order of my president, I will prove the abilities of Zepp, and study anything you can spare on what my country has still to learn."

Edited (missing apostrophe) 2018-03-07 09:56 (UTC)

The point of the meeting is obvious, even while he's less informed than his father. Siwoon didn't need to look over much beforehand, though he did make it a point to read up anyway. It's not as if he could possibly be over prepared when pushed into a meeting like this.

He nods at what's said, not getting any kind of reply across before he's brought to a stop when Potemkin does the same. Siwoon turns to face him as well, meeting that gaze without hesitation.

What comes after is a bit of a surprise and Siwoon considers it for a few moments, taking in Potemkin once more. It's a simple request, one that doesn't actually require signing or committing to anything quite yet. And he has little doubt that his father would accept it, though he doubts his father will have anything to do with helping Potemkin during this time.

"If that's the case, will you be staying here during that time?" He's already considering arrangements and what Potemkin will need, though he'll need to look into Zepp a bit more before he can say exactly what the man may need to return with for such a deal.

"Yes, I would take residence in wherever you would lend of your own property," Potemkin confirms all of what Siwoon is thinking, while keeping the conviction behind his suggestion solid.

"For this purpose, I must operate off of Zepp." With that, Potemkin ceases his speech as he closes his eyes, and bows his head in respect, awaiting the answer from the man he asks from. It's not nearly enough to make Potemkin shorter than Siwoon, but what it must take for this clearly proud man to turn his face away and bow makes its own point.

Edited (unfinished sentence) 2018-03-11 06:23 (UTC)

It makes a very clear point that Siwoon finds hard to ignore. So while he should probably consider consulting his father before jumping into any agreements, he knows this is the best option and it will give them more than enough time to consider what's being requested of them. This is hardly to the point of signing anything away anyway, so it doesn't take long before he's nodding his approval as he takes a step closer to Potemkin to briefly rest a hand on his arm.

"I'll make arrangements for you to stay with me," comes Siwoon's response shortly after his nod. "You'll be my responsibility."

Potemkin feels Siwoon's hand on his massive arm, despite it being a tiny thing compared to the muscle it's on. The man's presence is greater than just the touch.

Without raising his head, Potemkin secures the deal.

"Thank you, sir."

Everything goes smoothly even after he runs things by his father, who has no protests given that Siwoon is the one handling things himself. The only other involvement his father will have in this will be his approval in the end, once Siwoon gives his okay.

In the meantime, Potemkin will continue to remain with him. Siwoon lives away from his father, in a fairly large apartment of his own. His second bedroom has been empty for as long as he's lived there, so it seems like common sense to bring the man along with him as he's the one tending to anything he needs in terms of learning material.

Three weeks pass like this, his second bedroom set up to make Potemkin as comfortable as possible. Generally, Siwoon doesn't ask much of him. He's always taken care of things himself, so even the offer of help doesn't change his habits. He only requests Potemkin's company from time to time instead, allowing them to eat together and have conversation.

This is one of those times, an evening after dinner is finished.

"Would you like to join me in the living room for a little while?"

In that time Potemkin adapted to truly living in the apartment together with Siwoon. At the beginning Potemkin believed he was technically working 24/7 (and, deep down, he still would insist on this), but as one day came after another, turning experience into normalcy, Potemkin relaxed and became comfortable. He shifted from uniform-like clothes to spending most of his indoor time in more causal collared shirts and long pants. But with Siwoon, Potemkin was nothing but immensely respectful. He was still the boss, Potemkin's superior, of the house.

Potemkin raises his head. He can't think of what or why Siwoon is asking, but it's nothing worth questioning.

"Of course," Potemkin replies, dropping what he was doing to follow.

It's not usual for them, but spending so much time with someone does leave a person curious. Siwoon isn't an exception to that, though it does usually take him considerably longer to warm up to someone enough to want to learn anything about them. Maybe it's just the loyalty that Potemkin has shown so far that leaves him wanting to learn more. Or it could be the fact that he really knows very little despite the amount of time they tend to spend around one another.

Whatever the reason, Siwoon settles on the smaller section of the couch while motioning toward the larger section, an obvious invitation for Potemkin to sit with him.

"This isn't about work. I want to learn more about you. Is that okay with you?"

Despite the increasing domesticity settling in around them, Potemkin can't help but be surprised to hear such a simple, honest request. His deep-set eyes briefly widen, but he doesn't seem distressed, just caught off guard.

"Huh? Of course!"

A silence follows as Potemkin thinks about how to follow that. For once Potemkin's gradual, deliberate approach to things comes off as almost shy, uncertain. "I...have spent almost all of my life Zepp. I cannot say to have the most experiences, even now."

The answer isn't incredibly surprising and, if Siwoon's honest, he's not really looking for experiences. His own life, no matter how nice it might seem thanks to his father's wealth, has been devoid of many experiences as well. If anything, he feels as though Potemkin probably has more general experience than he does.

But he doesn't voice that for now. Instead, Siwoon shakes his head slightly.

"That's okay. Tell me about the things you like or dislike. Things you'd like to do."

Potemkin keeps it to himself, but he's relieved that Siwoon moved away from history. The past is undeniably a core part of what made him who he is, but it's not fun to recount.

Potemkin takes a seat, his posture relaxing as he settles into a couch. He closes his hands, and bends his back to converse closer to Siwoon.

"Well, I like art. I draw whenever I have the time, and appreciate beautiful pieces. I also enjoy reading a good book."

The past is something that, if volunteered, Siwoon would listen to. But he leans away from asking about it directly when he knows how touchy it can be. And, truthfully, learning more about Potemkin doesn't have to revolve around his history.

Watching him take a seat is a reminder of just how large the man is, the position appreciated if only because it brings them closer and makes talking easier.

Siwoon eyes Potemkin with interest at his choices. "I'd like to see your drawings some time," is how he finally responds, a slight smile settling on his lips for the moment. "We'll take a trip out tomorrow. If you're going to continue staying here, you should be able to do what you enjoy in your free time."

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