"Six", of the Sunless Sea (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
irassible) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
maskormenacelogs2016-08-02 05:41 pm
irassible) wrote in maskormenacelogs2016-08-02 05:41 pm
[ Closed ] No Party Like a Dinner Party
WHO: Dooku, Bela, and Six
WHERE: Dooku's residence in Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Tuesday Evening (Right here, Right now)
WHAT: Six was invited to cook, Bela was invited to dine, and so we have: one dinner party.
WARNINGS: None!
[ When Six arrives, he's nothing if not one hundred percent confident.
He's also one hundred percent burdened, with a heavy canvas bag over one shoulder and a wicker basket in his arms. One dish he had prepared in advance; the other two would be made here. He'd thought to pack a few of the tools he would need, trusting the rest of the requirements to Dooku's kitchen and the older man's apparent sense of good taste. He's here well in advance of the set dinner time, as anybody out of their apprentice days knows better than to rush a meal if they can help it. Speed was often vital and necessary at the Bismark, but for once, Six has ample time to prepare and to approach the evening with care, and so he does.
As well, he has ample time to pause and stare some at the entryway before he nudges the bell with his elbow.
It's...not an outrageous house, but there's an air to it, a sense of presence and long shadows. He's gawking, he realizes, and has to catch himself with a swear and an annoyed dip of his ears, before he jabs at the bell with his elbow; two tries later, he hears a ringing beyond the front door. He lifts his chin and waits, shoulders straight and his chest tight with the need to prove something, not just to himself, but to the sneering smirk Mark left in the back of his thoughts. ]
WHERE: Dooku's residence in Maurtia Falls
WHEN: Tuesday Evening (Right here, Right now)
WHAT: Six was invited to cook, Bela was invited to dine, and so we have: one dinner party.
WARNINGS: None!
[ When Six arrives, he's nothing if not one hundred percent confident.
He's also one hundred percent burdened, with a heavy canvas bag over one shoulder and a wicker basket in his arms. One dish he had prepared in advance; the other two would be made here. He'd thought to pack a few of the tools he would need, trusting the rest of the requirements to Dooku's kitchen and the older man's apparent sense of good taste. He's here well in advance of the set dinner time, as anybody out of their apprentice days knows better than to rush a meal if they can help it. Speed was often vital and necessary at the Bismark, but for once, Six has ample time to prepare and to approach the evening with care, and so he does.
As well, he has ample time to pause and stare some at the entryway before he nudges the bell with his elbow.
It's...not an outrageous house, but there's an air to it, a sense of presence and long shadows. He's gawking, he realizes, and has to catch himself with a swear and an annoyed dip of his ears, before he jabs at the bell with his elbow; two tries later, he hears a ringing beyond the front door. He lifts his chin and waits, shoulders straight and his chest tight with the need to prove something, not just to himself, but to the sneering smirk Mark left in the back of his thoughts. ]
no subject
Welcome, Jefih'ir. I see you have come very well prepared. Come, let me help you with those- the kitchen is just this way.
[The Count moves to take the basket for him with the confidence and strength of a much younger man. Whatever shadows there may be inside of Count Dooku's residence (and there certainly are some, Dooku clearly prefers dimmer lighting), the man himself presents nothing but warmth. That means everything's fine, right? Right!]
no subject
It is, he realizes, the very first time they've met in person; the man is taller than he thought he would be. ]
And here I thought I was the one here to impress you.
[ He says, with a nod of thanks. He follows quickly and doesn't make his staring a secret, his head turning one way and another. To his eyes, the interior is more than bright enough, and a lot easier on him; florescence, he's discovered, gives him a damned headache. ]
no subject
I could never ask a guest to carry all this themselves- especially one who has so recently been injured. I do hope you've recovered smoothlyy from the battle in Philadelphia?
[The Count asks casually as they enter the kitchen, and he sets the basket on the counter. It's... a kitchen. It bears the mark of Dooku's taste in decor, but the actual equipment is nothing more or less than what one would see in the standard government-provided housing that imPorts receive. Dooku would certainly prefer greater luxury and higher technology... but at least there is electricity, unlike Six's farm.
no subject
[ And limber he is, striding about the kitchen as though its his own the moment he steps inside. There's a lot about this world that's different and, if he's honest with himself, there's a lot he doesn't like, much less understand, but this --
This he knows, intimately and confidently. Wrapped packages and containers start to image from his bag and basket, stowed away in the icebox or on the central island. He rolls up his sleeps, going to the sink to wash before he's even finished speaking. ]
Preparations should take about an hour; it'll be worth the wait.
no subject
I have no doubt it will be. Shall I leave you to it, then?
[ooc: Bring in Bela here, y/n?]
Ye, go for it!
Yes, thanks.
I'll take care of everything.
[ This includes: setting the table as well as preparing the dishes, so Dooku and his guest have time to sit and chat. ]
o7
She arrives at his house right on time, knocking the door politely. Bela waits for Dooku to answer it, eagerly awaiting the evening. She's brought along a bottle of wine to accompany the dinner; it would be rude of her to not offer something after being invited.]
no subject
Bela. It is delightful as always to see you, my friend.
no subject
How lovely to see you again, Count Dooku. I hope you've been keeping well since we last spoke.
no subject
[He ushers her into the home and guides her to his parlour room. Like everything else in the place, it's softly lit, darkly decorated, and trimmed with as many touches of culture as Dooku can afford on his absurdly small (to him) finances. Bela will likely recognize a piece or two purchased from Herodotus here and there.]
And yourself? I hope you have remained safe despite the recent unrest.
[Referring to Calendar Man and the Philadelphia earthquakes.]
no subject
[The house said a lot about his tastes and Bela respected that. She decorated her own place (or well, shared place) as much as possible, but Bela also understood that her housemates mightn't be fond of the things she liked.]
I just want to move past it. Like everything else that happens here.
no subject
Ah yes, the Calendar Man nonsense. A frightful affair. I am so pleased that you were unscathed. Might I know the name of the person who aided you? I will have to thank them if I ever make their acquaintance.
no subject
Interesting thing about him though; I resemble one of his friends from back home. He was a little surprised to see me, but it didn't stop him from offering me help regardless.
no subject
[The Count nods. An introduction won't be necessary. And, considering their last conversation involved yelling, might not be a good idea.]
I have met him. I believe he voted for me during the elections, in fact. He has a most forceful personality.
[That's one way of putting it.]
Resembling his friend, now- that is a most curious connection. But hardly unheard of within our community, I understand.
no subject
[Bela didn't find it as strange anymore.]
I'm still thinking about moving to another city in the near future. Maybe not on a permanent basis but I feel like I need a slight change in environment.
no subject
[The Count raises an eyebrow at that. He has always thought that Bela and Maurtia Falls go well together.]
Perhaps the Heropa sun would do you some good after the dreary atmosphere of Maurtia Falls. Or Nonah- there are numerous business opportunities there, I have found.
no subject
[Her face lights up at the second part of his statement.]
But the prospect of numerous business opportunities sounds even better than both of those things. I need to think about it carefully, weigh up the pros and cons.
no subject
On my first visit to Nonah, I was utterly accosted by entrepreneurs. Before the end of the day, I had gained two speaking engagements and an endorsement deal, and that was during my first week on Earth. I am certain a person of your talents could profit most handsomely in such an environment.
no subject
[She may have to tread very carefully when it came to shady dealings in a city like Nonah. Should Bela decide to move there of course.]
Nothing else strange to report on your end? Since we shouldn't just focus on me.
no subject
[He pauses meaningfully.]
There is also that other matter we once spoke about, on the night of your anniversary. Regarding the path to greater freedom for all imPorts.
no subject
[Truthfully, Bela had been focusing on her business and various other side projects instead of what they had discussed. Securing her finances for the future seemed much more important to her.]
Was there something that you wished to add to it or has nothing changed?
no subject
I would not have brought it up if there was nothing new to discuss, my dear.
[He steeples his fingers.]
What if I were to tell you that an organization may soon take shape to advance the goals we agreed upon?
no subject
[More importantly, how it would benefit her.]
I'm all ears.
no subject
Picture a secretive group, which acts from the shadows. None of its members know the full truth of its scope, and so the group cannot be fully destroyed by betrayal. At first, such a group might be called renegades... but as the need for its actions becomes undeniable, more and more will come to support its cause. Freedom for imPorts, an end to Registration and nanites, control over the Porter...
[The Count leans forward.]
Yet what can you contribute to such an organization? I think it is time you were forthright with me about what you are capable of, Bela. I have always sensed that you are far more than a particularly charming dealer in antiquities. What is it that you can do?
no subject
[If he wanted to include her in whatever plans he had, Bela knew she had to make sure that he had confidence in her. Lying to him wouldn't benefit her in any way.]
I'm good with firearms, breaking in and entering, and stealing. Planning heists, swindling people and getting them to trust me, even when I have more selfish motives in mind. Didn't exactly earn me a lot of friends back home, but I've always been independent and looked out for for myself. It's different here though. I don't mind having to make friends and strike up connections if it benefits me in the long run.
[She's not ashamed to admit that out loud.]
Would any of that be beneficial to your cause?
no subject
"Oh, I think we just might be able to find a use for skills like those," he says dryly. Thieving and diplomacy in one package, how delightful. "I foresee we will have great need of your ability to make connections as we spread our reach in the imPort community." To say nothing of getting important items and information out of hostile hands (and into Dooku's).