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Post by skybright on Feb 10, 2008 23:34:48 GMT -5
Cole laced his fingers together and smiled. "Then I think I can be of use to you. I don't know about other empaths -- but for me, the difference between false and real sincerity is quite easy to discern. I can help you call those bluffs."
And God forgive me for it.
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 10, 2008 23:50:55 GMT -5
"Splendid." Tiernan smiled crookedly. "And I'll be very amused to see how your political presence affects the meeting. Many of the attendees are not exactly supporters of yours."
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Post by skybright on Feb 10, 2008 23:57:58 GMT -5
Cole chuckled. "Well, I never expected to be everyone's favorite politician -- not this soon after the election, at any rate."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 11, 2008 0:07:27 GMT -5
"You have my support," Tiernan murmured. "In this city, that is all you need."
He opened a folder that lay on the desk, and took out a single photocopied page. "Here is the information about the meeting that has been circulated."
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Post by skybright on Feb 11, 2008 0:20:07 GMT -5
Cole accepted the sheet and glanced over the contents -- all of it information that had already passed through his office -- nodding slightly. "All right. I'll have my secretary clear my schedule for that evening."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 13, 2008 21:26:06 GMT -5
"Excellent." Tiernan frowned thoughtfully. "I presume you will arrive punctually, so I shall present myself... 'fashionably late', as they say. All things considered, I think we had best downplay your association with me." He smiled grimly. "The policies you're promoting are contested enough, without any reminders that you have support from a lightning rod such as myself."
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Post by skybright on Feb 13, 2008 22:26:41 GMT -5
Cole chuckled. "It might prevent a few strikes, at any rate." He replied. "Presumably we'll meet afterwards so I can give you my . . . impressions?"
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 13, 2008 23:32:28 GMT -5
Tiernan nodded. "You can come here at your convenience--or we can arrange something more discreet, if you prefer."
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Post by skybright on Feb 13, 2008 23:37:15 GMT -5
"I'm sure meeting here will be fine. I trust the discretion of your staff -- especially knowing," He smiled, "That we have certain traits in common."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 13, 2008 23:44:56 GMT -5
"Those who work for me have no need to know that," Tiernan replied coolly. "I make it my policy never to tell anyone any more than they need to know. It minimizes unfortunate divulgences--intended or otherwise."
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Post by skybright on Feb 13, 2008 23:51:32 GMT -5
"A wise policy -- and one that I can appreciate, obviously." Cole replied. "The last thing I need -- or that this city needs -- is any member of the media catching wind of my . . . talent, even innocuous as it is."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 14, 2008 0:06:19 GMT -5
"Precisely." Tiernan paused for a moment, then decided to proceed another step further.
"And in that vein of necessary information... it may be best for you to know that anti-mutant activists are not the only enemies of myself and our mutual work. My organization has been repeatedly targeted by certain disgruntled mutants--individuals who resent my power and influence in human society, even though I have used it for the benefit of mutantkind. Some of their actions against my people and property have been nothing short of terrorism."
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Post by skybright on Feb 14, 2008 0:12:51 GMT -5
Cole's heart momentarily skipped a beat -- though nothing in Tiernan's mind suggested he had any suspicions about Cole himself, the words still struck close to home. He raised both eyebrows and leaned forward. "That's outrageous -- and the sort of behavior that keeps us from making any progress as a group. You haven't gone to the police?"
Then he immediately shook his head. "How foolish of me -- of course you haven't."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 14, 2008 0:22:38 GMT -5
"That is another area in which your administration will be a great benefit," Tiernan replied. "Under your leadership, I trust that the police department will be properly cleaned up in due time--and I will have the aid of a law enforcement that will handle these rebels without discriminating against all mutants.
"Until then, I've done my best to attend to this problem from within the mutant community. Comparing my philanthropy against those people's roadblocks to our progress..." Tiernan smiled flatly. "I think the proper choice for our kind is obvious."
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Post by skybright on Feb 14, 2008 0:29:30 GMT -5
"Of course." Cole shook his head. "I would think it obvious that unity among ourselves is the only way we'll ever be able to gain respect and equality from the regular human population. As long as we remain a minority, that remains a necessity."
And so does stopping you.
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 14, 2008 22:24:38 GMT -5
"I appreciate your support." Tiernan steepled his fingertips. "Were there any other matters you wanted to discuss?"
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Post by skybright on Feb 14, 2008 22:58:40 GMT -5
Cole shook his head and rose, smoothing his tie. "None, Mister Tiernan. I'll take my leave for the time being -- and thank you again for allowing me to confide in you."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 15, 2008 22:04:54 GMT -5
"Any time, Mister Cole," Tiernan replied smoothly, also rising. "I'll see you at the meeting--and perhaps when we meet afterwards, I'll be able to give you some more recommendations on putting your gift to use in..."
He was interrupted by the soft chirp of his telephone, and inclining his head to Cole, he picked up the receiver with a murmur of acknowledgement. He listened gravely for a moment, his expression darkening. Then he cupped his hand over the receiver and glanced up at the politician.
"Vital business," he said flatly. "If you'll excuse me... Good day, sir."
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Post by skybright on Feb 15, 2008 23:08:24 GMT -5
"Of course. Good afternoon." Cole inclined his head politely and made for the door. Tiernan's sudden change in demeanor piqued his curiosity somewhat, but he couldn't get any details from his mind at the moment without arousing undue suspicion.
He'd accomplished what he'd come here to do -- that made it an opportune time to retreat, at least for the time being.
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