Friends and allies [TTRPG bluebooking]
CW: mentions of child abuse.
Axel was, indeed, one of the filthiest people Philanthropist has ever met. And by filth, he meant his demeanor and negotiation habits. The bastard used his own son as a special "treat" for every willing business partner. Disgusting disgrace to humanity.
Phil was here to take him down. But before that he had to play along. He needed an ally, and he knew who could be the one. He knew that this young boy, who had to be an entertainment for the perverted men of power, wasn't loyal to the cause or to his father's growing empire. He was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And he was analyzing Philanthropist in the same way Phil was analyzing him.
This particular detail has piqued his interest. For a few years, Phil was looking for a student worthy of his time and knowledge. He didn't want to take some entitled ingrates because their parents asked him to. He didn't want to take random, passionless bootlickers who only chased the status. He needed a wild card, a genuine soul, a hidden gem. An ignored genius. And that could be it.
"Very well, I think I will leave you two for about an hour; I need to prepare some documents and make a few calls. Orion, you have a unique opportunity to speak to someone who shares your interests. Do not waste it."
The last sentence was not about Orion's opportunity. It was about Axel's business and Orion's skills of convincing potential business partners. Phil barely kept his expression as straight and indifferent as possible, watching how Axel left the room. It's a good thing that he requested a meeting at the neutral territory, unfamiliar to both of them. The private lounge was absolutely safe. No cameras, no listening devices, nothing. Of course, the boy could have something with him, but the situation is manageable.
"What did your father mean by shared interests?"
Orion looked at him with a slight hint of distrust. "Business partners" rarely talked to him. To them, he wasn't interesting as an individual.
"I want to become a psychiatrist."
"The choice is not for the faint of heart. What motivates you?"
"For example, I am sure you are not interested in my father's proposition or in me. What is it then?"
Philanthropist smiled. Yes, it was a diamond in the rough. It was exactly the kind of student he was looking for. Bold, brave, already absorbing the knowledge, and ready to use it at the right moment.
"And I know that you are sick of being touched by depraved men and women. But let's do business, since you are here for it."
Orion listened to him carefully, reading between the lines. He stood up from the couch, sighing as if something unexpected happened, tore the thigh band from his leg, and then stepped on it. Judging by the cracking sound, the listening device was hidden in there. Engaging with a passionate partner could potentially lead to the destruction of the device, so it was a smart move.
"Now we have privacy. I am aware that the room is soundproof. Father's lapdogs won't hear a single word."
Orion sat back and crossed his arms on his chest. The revealing outfit made him visibly uncomfortable, so he tried his best to cover as much of himself as possible. Phil sighed, took off his jacket, and offered it to the boy. Once again, Orion looked at him with distrust but accepted the offering.
"I am not going to harm you in any way. But I can't say the same regarding your father. I came here with the very specific intention. And believe me, I wouldn't be so blunt with you if I hadn't seen how much you wish for his downfall. He betrayed you. I don't think you are going to feel sorry for doing the same to him."
"It's all good and nice, but I see where it is going." Orion scoffed. "I kill my father with your help, but you are going to be out of the picture as soon as responsibility comes. I will be the only one guilty. Getting rid of both of us, huh?"
"Fair. But wrong. I need you. And, believe it or not, you need me too. Not just for your freedom. I can make your dream come true. I can make you one of the finest psychiatrists in Night City. Rich and powerful parents beg me on their knees to take their entitled brats as students. And I refuse to, because money is just that. Money. They can buy a lot of things, but there are even more things they can't buy."
"Strange to hear it from the old corporate. No offense."
"None taken. But let me ask you this. You come from a rather wealthy household. Are you happy?"
"I would've been if my father didn't force me to fuck with his business partners and allowed me to study to my heart's content."
"He limits your studying time?"
"He says that I should focus more on my appearance because I look like a 'filthy nerd.' More gym time, less book time. Sometimes he even bans me from the library. I study at night, when he doesn't…make me stay by his side."
"I respect your determination. But still, what is the drive? Why psychiatry?"
"Because I can do a lot of things if I am good at it. I can help people. I can make people do what I want. I can keep them at bay. I can even kill them without needing to fight. Brain is a double-edged sword. You can deal damage, but you also may take damage. A lot of it. And I want to know as much as I can about it. So one day my father is going to take his own life willingly. And victims of the same kind of monsters will heal with time."
"This is the answer I wanted to hear. Not all of it is genuine, though. You have one more try. If you are going to show me this bootlicking strategy once again, I will cease our communication."
Orion closed his eyes, thinking about the answer he wanted to give this time. He didn't like the part about bootlicking, but it was the truth, and he silently admitted that.
"Because I am trying to be good for you. Because I don't know who I am. I want to find myself again, not the pattern my father programmed for me. Because this is one of not so many things I am passionate about. I don't know how to explain or motivate my passion; it just exists. It is a part of me. The real me. And if you are not giving me this chance, I don't care. I will pave the way by myself or die trying. Now you tell me why you deserve a student like me. If you need me as much as you've stated before, you should prove yourself too."
Philanthropist laughed in amusement.
"You bold little asshole! I definitely like you. Well, I asked my questions; now it's time for me to answer yours. I lived a rather long and eventful life. Being my age in my position is a rare exception, because usually everyone wants to kill everyone at the top. The space there is very limited. Your father's strategy works, but he doesn't make allies; he makes slaves. And it's only a matter of time before the revolution sparks. But me? I make friends. And not among other wealthy morons. I reach the people at the bottom of the mountain. I help them. I listen to them. And they are loyal to me not because of money or blackmailing, but because they genuinely respect me and see me as their friend. These are people who hold the mountain we sit on. Without them, the system will turn into chaos. And treating them like garbage doesn't end well in the long run. Fearing big people is pointless, because they have a habit of turning to the small people. I have seen a lot of them trying to hurt me and my business to get their money. And there's always a reason to chase the paycheck. I read their mind. I see where the problem is. I negotiate; I offer the solution, and I ask my other friends to help. In the end, I gain another friend and laugh at my opponent. Even if someone points a gun at me, I possess the words that could cause them to rethink their decision. You are right; the knowledge you seek may win fights without a single blow. But it's not that easy. The balance of breaking someone is incredibly delicate. There is the right amount of pressure and the one that may end in a disaster. I can teach you, and you have just the mindset capable of learning. So I offer you my friendship with all its benefits and burdens."
"What do you need from me, and what are you going to offer aside from a very vague concept of friendship?"
"I know about fraudulent activities and falsifying documents. I have netrunners capable of extracting the information for me; I will take it up from there. I need your help with the access points. Your father's room is not off-limits to you, especially when he has guests. In return, I will give you a sweet taste of revenge and take you in for foster care. I will provide you with the best education opportunities in the field and become your personal mentor."
"If it's too good to be true, then something is off."
"I do not force my benevolence upon anyone, Orion. Asking for help is one thing. Accepting the help is another thing. As I have already said, I like you, and you seem the right person to receive the wisdom. The choice is yours."
"If I say no, don't you think that I may tell my father about our little chit-chat?"
"I offered you my friendship, which means that I put my trust in you. And while trust is a gamble, it's a necessary one. Once I may lose it all, but I accept it. Such is the life we live in this age."
The door opened.
Axel had the most charming smile on. Of course, he heard that the listening device was crushed and expected that things were going as smoothly as ever.
"Had a good conversation, I hope?"
"Your son is a very smart young lad. I see that he has a lot of potential." Replied Phil.
"It has been a pleasure talking to you, Philanthropist. I would love to speak more in the future, if possible."
Philanthropist nodded, reading between the lines. And only Axel remained oblivious to what was happening. The whole place was full of Philanthropist's friends. Even Axel's bodyguards, even his drivers and secretaries.
Even his own flesh and blood.