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Post by skybright on Feb 6, 2008 23:25:52 GMT -5
The night before had been a mostly sleepless one for James Marcus Cole; worries over his sister's well-being had joined with concerns over the rather desperate bluff he was going to make to keep her safe.
None of that showed, however, when he arrived at Tiernan Enterprises for his scheduled meeting with Nicholas Tiernan. Looking as neat and enthusiastic as was possible -- and mentally steeling himself for the encounter ahead -- Cole made his way past the receptionist and up to Tiernan's office on the top floor.
Smoothing his hair and straightening his tie in one final nervous gesture, Cole knocked firmly on the door of Tiernan's private office.
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 6, 2008 23:36:47 GMT -5
"Come in," Nicholas Tiernan called out silkily.
Nocturne would stand up for few men--but as mayor, Cole was one of them. Tiernan even offered his hand across the desk as Cole approached him.
"Ah, Mister Cole. Good morning. How are the affairs of state--in particular those concerning our favorite constituents?"
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Post by skybright on Feb 6, 2008 23:40:58 GMT -5
Cole smiled and returned the handshake -- resisting the urge to wipe off the palm of his hand afterwards.
"Finally beginning to settle down after all the post-election tension." He replied, taking a seat. "I spent quite a bit of time on the phone with the city prosecutor's office yesterday, making it abundantly clear that the anti-mutant violent offenders we arrested after the election are to be really prosecuted -- not let go with a slap on the wrist and surreptitious congratulations."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 6, 2008 23:56:08 GMT -5
"I'm very glad to hear it," Tiernan replied, as he sat down and steepled his fingertips. "I've been told that one mutant who was attacked on election night is still comatose in the hospital. My organization has stepped in to pay his medical expenses, of course; but if he or at least his loved ones are ever to have any real recompense, it will come from your appropriate handling of the men who beat him, and all the rest of their kind."
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Post by skybright on Feb 7, 2008 0:02:03 GMT -5
Cole nodded gravely. "I've had a few pleasant surprises so far -- prosecutors and police who are more than willing to help in that regard. They seem to have been wanting to change things all along -- and they're eager to step up to the plate now that they have a chance of actually being heard. It's an encouraging counterpoint to the violence and apathy . . . not that we haven't been running into our fair share of that."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 7, 2008 22:21:56 GMT -5
Tiernan did not smile. "It's amazing, isn't it, how quickly people can change their attitudes when they want to look good with someone important..."
Before Cole could offer a rebuttal to that, Nocturne dropped his hands to the armrests of his chair, and gave the mayor a direct look. "But somehow I can't flatter myself that you made time in your demanding schedule simply to give me a status report. You have something in particular on your mind, no doubt."
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Post by skybright on Feb 7, 2008 23:40:04 GMT -5
"I do, Mister Tiernan." Cole steepled his fingers and gazed meditatively at his fingertips. The hesitation was not an act -- a part of him was deeply apprehensive at revealing his status as a mutant to Nicholas Tiernan, even if he kept the full extent of his abilities to himself.
At length he glanced up at Tiernan gravely. "I know you understand the benefits of discretion, Mister Tiernan -- and so I trust you will humor me with the assurance that what I am about to say will remain between us."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 7, 2008 23:51:44 GMT -5
"Unquestionably," Tiernan replied, his focus sharpening a little further. "One deals with a great many secrets in business--and even more in the realm of mutant philanthropy. You can trust to my confidentiality."
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Post by skybright on Feb 8, 2008 0:02:33 GMT -5
Cole nodded and steeled himself. "Then I shall come to the point. It has been suggested in the media that nobody would run on a mutant-rights platform unless he had a vested interest in mutant rights.
"You know about . . . my sister." He paused for a moment. "The truth is, Mister Tiernan -- she is not the only mutant in the family. My vested interest in mutant rights is even more . . . personal than that."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 8, 2008 23:09:26 GMT -5
Tiernan's eyebrow arched sharply, and he slowly leaned forward.
"I see." A cunningly thoughtful look crossed his face. "Then I was correct in what I almost began to suspect after that... apparent slip of the tongue you made at our last meeting. Your mention of powers."
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Post by skybright on Feb 8, 2008 23:14:24 GMT -5
Cole smiled thinly. "It's not the sort of slip one makes lightly, is it?" He leaned back with a deep breath."The truth was that at that point I was still debating whether or not to share this information with you. This is obviously not common knowledge."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 8, 2008 23:22:27 GMT -5
Tiernan nodded gravely. "And I appreciate very much that you have chosen to confide in me."
Then his eyes narrowed slightly. "If I might ask a somewhat personal question... what is the nature of your talents?"
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Post by skybright on Feb 8, 2008 23:30:54 GMT -5
And now comes the bluff. Cole clasped his hands together on one knee. "Nothing nearly so impressive as most of my fellows . . . I have a certain knack for sensing the moods of other people. As empathic talents go I'm told it's not very impressive -- but it has served me well in my political career, for obvious reasons."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 8, 2008 23:47:28 GMT -5
Nocturne's expression became even more keen.
Full telepaths were certainly dangerous to him--but he knew also that even an empath who could sense his general intent might at times pick up something untoward. But if Cole's ability was as mild as he claimed... and in any case, if he had been cooperating with Tiernan so far...
"That is extremely intriguing," he said interestedly. "And I can indeed see the use of it."
After another moment's thought, he decided to let Cole have at least a glimpse of his own power. Most norms suspected Tiernan of being a mutant anyway, because of his mutant advocacy and his secretive lifestyle, so it would hardly be as great a revelation as Cole's.
"As for myself... well, Mister Cole, perhaps there is some charge that only those of us with such a 'vested interest' in mutation take up the cause. Publicly, I've never bothered to confirm or deny any rumors about my own nature--but since you have confided in me, allow me to return the courtesy."
He spread his hands slightly and glanced around, the look and gesture taking in the general atmosphere of the office. As he did so, the light in the room began to fade, suffocated by an intangible shadow that filled and darkened the entire space.
When it had become almost too dark to see, he withdrew his power and permitted the room to brighten again. Then he smiled faintly at Cole.
"Rest assured you're not alone in your reason for fighting."
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Post by skybright on Feb 8, 2008 23:53:44 GMT -5
Cole suppressed a shudder -- knowing from Tiernan's own thoughts and half-glimpsed memories that that suffocating darkness was almost never used to so harmless a purpose. He chuckled dryly. "Then it seems we have more in common than just a desire to better the lives of our fellows, Mister Tiernan. I appreciate your confidence in return for my own."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 9, 2008 0:05:07 GMT -5
Tiernan inclined his head. "My little talent is at your disposal if it should be useful, sir. And might I add that, in future, I may well be able to recommend new ways to put your own gift to good use for our cause--quite discreetly, of course."
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Post by skybright on Feb 9, 2008 0:13:58 GMT -5
Cole nodded. "That is precisely the reason I've chosen to share my real nature with you, Mister Tiernan. It's become obvious to me that using my ability only for my own gains is hardly the most productive way to advance the cause of other mutants."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 9, 2008 22:02:06 GMT -5
"Precisely," Tiernan nodded. "And it will be no surprise to you, of course, that my organization is almost entirely made up of mutants who feel the same way. We're proactive in our fight for mutant rights--and I have no doubt your input will be even more invaluable now."
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Post by skybright on Feb 10, 2008 21:27:59 GMT -5
Sure . . . now that I'm not one of the people you hope to exterminate. Cole thought cynically.
He leaned forward. "I'm glad to help in any way I can -- as soon as I can."
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Post by Jordanna on Feb 10, 2008 23:27:43 GMT -5
Tiernan thought for a moment.
"There is an upcoming meeting," he remarked. "You may have heard of it. A number of prominent businessmen plan to discuss the mutant anti-discrimination laws you're supporting, and what it would mean to their hiring practices. More likely, of course, they'd prefer to discuss how to oppose the measures." He frowned contemptuously.
"In any case, I will be there personally as a spokesman in favor of the laws." Nocturne raised an eyebrow. "Some of those men are extremely good at bluffing. It would be very valuable to know where each of them really stand."
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