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Post by Jordanna on Jul 1, 2007 23:02:34 GMT -5
As was typical, Tiernan declined to shake hands. He gave the two men a slight bow. "Charmed. You were a volunteer for the Cole campaign, I think?" he asked Rico, who nodded.
Then he glanced at Henry. "Casselton... of the mortuary?"
Henry inclined his head coolly. "I'm not here in my professional capacity, of course. Simply as a businessman and a supporter of Mister Cole."
"Of course." Tiernan then smiled darkly at Daws. "Very interesting company you're keeping these days, Miss Dawson."
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Post by skybright on Jul 1, 2007 23:07:40 GMT -5
Daws smiled coolly, despite the icy shiver the words sent up her spine. "You know how my business goes, Mister Tiernan -- a woman can never have too many contacts."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 1, 2007 23:23:08 GMT -5
"Nor can a businessman." Uninvited, Tiernan drew out a chair and sat down, looking interestedly at Henry. "I've always been rather fascinated by the sort of work you do."
Henry's poker face didn't waver. "I hope you don't have the wrong impression, sir. I left off the actual work of a mortician years ago. Now I spend most of my day behind a desk, dealing with schedules and payrolls--not corpses."
Tiernan smiled slightly. "I can relate to that very well. Much of my work is quite the same. However, I still think it's advisable to get one's hands dirty now and then." This was accompanied by a private smile for Daws, the only person at the table who he thought would understand the hideous joke of his remark.
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Post by skybright on Jul 1, 2007 23:31:42 GMT -5
Daws understood, all right -- and once again fought back the irrational part of her temperament that made her want to go directly for Tiernan's throat.
Instead she smiled faintly and examined her punch glass. "Well, you know what they say -- want something done right . . ."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 1, 2007 23:42:23 GMT -5
"Which is why I'm here," Tiernan purred. "This is too convenient a gathering of useful people--from a business standpoint, you understand--to leave to any underlings. Much as I dislike venturing out in public."
"Why shouldn't you go out?" Henry asked, slightly brazenly. Tiernan's level gaze flicked to him sharply.
"I'm not fond of crowds," he said, in a soft voice that held the faintest trace of ominousness.
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Post by skybright on Jul 1, 2007 23:47:44 GMT -5
Daws shot Henry a quick warning glance behind Tiernan's back, then shrugged. "I can't say as I blame you. People in large groups have an awful history of doing very stupid -- and sometimes very regrettable -- things."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 2, 2007 21:36:45 GMT -5
Rico frowned, sensing but not understanding the tension in the air.
"Well... at least the 'people in large groups' out voting tonight have been smart," he observed optimistically, looking up at the screen above the stage. "Looks like this thing is about wrapped up."
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Post by skybright on Jul 3, 2007 0:56:34 GMT -5
Daws nodded, glancing at the numbers scrolling across the bottom of the screen. "Only two or three more precincts, I think. It'd take a case of serious vote fraud to keep Cole outta office now, I think."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 3, 2007 22:06:57 GMT -5
Henry frowned almost imperceptibly. I wonder how much vote fraud got him into it, thanks to Tiernan... He glanced at the dark, immaculate figure across the table, amazed that this man could have done the things ascribed to him.
"I believe I'll have to congratulate Mister Cole personally in the next few days," Tiernan said silkily. "As a matter of fact, Miss Dawson, perhaps you'll be so kind as to sit in on that meeting. I want to talk to him about what his... constituents... expect of him. And you do have such helpful knowledge of him," he added--an oblique reference to Daws' report about Cole's sister.
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 2:33:03 GMT -5
Daws smiled thinly. "Of course, Mister Tiernan -- I can't very well pass up an opportunity for a story like that, can I?"
Or an opportunity to see just how much Cole's getting himself into.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 4, 2007 20:48:57 GMT -5
Tiernan inclined his head gracefully, with a grim smile, and then stood up.
"If you'll pardon me, I think I'd like to chat with the owner of the establishment. As Miss Dawson knows, I've had a recent business dealing with him... and I'd like to see how he's getting along."
With a slight bow, he turned and moved off, and Henry shot an alarmed glance toward Daws.
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 20:56:48 GMT -5
Daws frowned into her punch glass. Following Tiernan might do more to rouse the man's suspicions -- and she was skating on thin ice as it was.
On the other hand . . .
She abruptly drained the last of her punch and stood up. "Excuse me, gentlemen -- I'm going after a refill."
With that, she slipped away from the table and set out -- ostensibly towards the punchbowl, but also in search of Tiernan and Sid.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 4, 2007 21:22:31 GMT -5
Sid was over by the side of the stage, talking to his stage manager Marty Stringer. When he saw Nick Tiernan sauntering toward him, his blood turned cold.
"Uh... stick around, Marty," he murmured impulsively. "This guy kinda gives me the creeps."
Marty peered through his spectacles at the approaching figure. "Where's he shop for his wardrobe--Castle Dracula?"
Sid waved at the little man to be quiet, and pasted on a smile--an effort aided by the fact that over Tiernan's shoulder, he saw Daws on the move in their direction as well.
"Evenin', Mr. Tiernan..." Sid steeled himself. "Enjoyin' yerself here tanight?"
Tiernan favored him with a knifeblade smile. "Quite, Mister Rosenstein."
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 21:26:47 GMT -5
Daws cursed inwardly as Tiernan reached Sid and Marty -- so much for her nebulous idea of warning off Sid before Tiernan could find him.
After a moment's deliberation she moved a bit closer and carefully positioned herself at the edge of a large knot of people who were listening in on a spirited debate about registration between two of the guests. Feigning interest in the debate, she turned her body so she could keep one eye and one ear on the interaction between Tiernan and Sid -- and could interject herself into the conversation if she really had to.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 4, 2007 21:44:26 GMT -5
"I was curious how you're managing with Lusus Naturae so far," Tiernan said idly to Sid.
The nightclub owner shrugged. "Oh, you know... Only had time ta go down there once so far, but I'm gonna be workin' on it soon as tamorrow, once this party's over. Not sure the lady you've had runnin' that ship for ya liked me... I guess maybe 'cause I'm, uh... well, just a normal guy. She handles bottles like nobody's business, though."
"Marnique is an artist," Tiernan agreed. "I'm sure she'll warm up to you. She isn't very pleased that I sold the bar."
"Frankly, I'm not too crazy about the fact Mister Rosenstein bought it," Marty said candidly.
Tiernan's eyes flicked appraisingly toward the manager. "Not fond of mutants, sir?"
Marty's face colored abruptly. "It isn't that. It's just... the place isn't up to the Paragon's level of class, you know?"
Sid cut in swiftly. "Ah, don't mind Marty. He don't see the potential in joints like that..."
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 21:52:57 GMT -5
Daws allowed herself to relax very, very slightly; at least Tiernan wasn't engaging in any of the subtle, sadistic jabs he was so fond of.
Or he isn't yet. She shook her head slightly, You know better'n to sell him short by now, Ace.
Just in case, Daws tried to think of something that would pass for a suitable excuse for interrupting . . .
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 4, 2007 22:09:57 GMT -5
"And what do you see as the potential of Lusus Naturae?" Tiernan asked Sid interestedly.
Sid decided that it couldn't hurt to let Tiernan know his pro-mutant hopes for the bar. "Ah, well... In light a' recent events, I'm sorta hopin' ta make it an example for mutants ta get active in business. I'm not gonna put myself out in front of it like I do here, see--I wanna let mutants run it for mutants. If it all goes smooth..." He shrugged. "I wouldn't mind turnin' it over completely to a coupla responsible-type mutants who'd make good role models fer others."
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 22:24:38 GMT -5
Daws nodded slightly. It was a good plan -- and the neighborhood it was in could certainly use all the mutant examples it could get . . .
Unfortunately, the man next to her seemed to have interpreted the nod as agreement with the latest loudly-voiced point in the argument. He regarded Daws with interest -- and possibly with just a hint of aggression. "You really think registering every citizen, mutant or not, is the way to handle the question?"
"What?" Daws shot him a look of utter confusion, then quickly gathered her wits. "Oh . . . no, of course not."
"Then what's your take?" He leaned forward.
Daws sighed faintly. "Well . . ."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 4, 2007 22:33:50 GMT -5
"You're extremely forward-thinking," Tiernan remarked to Sid. "I'm curious, though. As a non-mutant, what's your particular reason for having pro-mutant sentiments?"
"Uh. Well, I..." Sid smiled feebly. "I got some friends who are mutants."
Tiernan raised an eyebrow. "Really. Might I ask who? Perhaps I know a few of them."
Sid blanched and struggled for a safe answer.
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Post by skybright on Jul 4, 2007 22:44:21 GMT -5
Uh-oh. Daws, after a moment's hesitation, made a hasty exit from the conversation she'd been unwittingly drawn into and maneuvered her way over to where Sid, Marty, and Tiernan were standing.
"'Scuse me, Mister Tiernan, Mister Rosenstein -- I hate to interrupt," She turned to Tiernan, "But I'd been hoping I could catch Mister Rosenstein here, and as busy as the place is, I'd better grab the opportunity while I can."
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