The Gentleman had been made to wait for much longer than he liked. The good Lady of Paradiso was known for her professionalism and would never be late to a meeting unless she intended to be. Her methods were always well thought out. This was a message.
Establishing dominance before the negotiations had even begun.
Textbook stuff, really.
When the doors finally opened it was not she who entered but her son, Franz, "Mr. Gentleman, it is an honor to meet you. I suppose this is not truly the first time, but I was quite young when you slit my uncle's throat at that banquet. Thanks for the nightmares by the way." He grinned.
The Gentleman returned the oily smile, sizing the man up with subtle distain. Letting the silence hang in the air for a few seconds, The Gentleman rose, crossed the room and grasped Franz' hand.
"The honour is all mine... Frederick, was it?" The Gentleman said as he released Franz from his grip. "I'll be sure to pass your regards on to my employers. Although, I may well have killed them at some point as well. It does get so hard to keep track..."
"Now," He changed tack, brushing past Franz, "Will I be meeting Lady Contessa here, or does she require a more, intimate setting?"
"'Intimate' would be one word to describe it, yes," He chuckled. Turning back towards where he had entered, Franz gestured for the Gentleman to proceed through the door. ?She is waiting for you in the dining room. A roast has been prepared.?
'And am I to be the centrepiece?'
"You're too kind." The Gentleman replied, taking his leave of Franz with a swift bow, before following his directions through to the dining room.
"Lady Contessa Lombardi," he announced, once he had entered, taking a fraction of a moment to study the room, the delicious feast laid out for the two of them, and the woman of the hour herself, made up in what she must have thought was her best dress. "you look simply, supreme. Perhaps I should steal from you more often?" He made his way over, bowed politely, before practically gliding into a seat at the opposite end of the table. "Or is this my thanks for returning your... precious relatives, to you safely?"
Contessa relaxed her rigid posture almost immediately. There was no point in faux courtesy at this juncture. She may as well act naturally. Leaning forward, she planted her elbow on the table and cradled her chin on the back of her wrist, ?Oh, let us not speak of such lowly creatures, Love. It risks spoiling my appetite.? She smiled. ?It has been far too long, Gentleman. You should really learn to write your friends every now and then.?
"Speaking of which..." The Gentleman withdrew the envelope from his jacket with a flourish. Snapping his fingers, The Gentleman summoned over one of the servants, who took the envelope from him, and carried it, as though it might explode at any moment, over to Contessa "As you know, I normally leave them behind at the scene, but, when Meredith and I were interrupted by one of your other associates, it forced a swifter exit than I would have liked. Regardless, I felt that now would be an ideal opportunity to deliver my most sincere apologies in person."
Contessa held her hand out in an exaggerated fashion to receive the envelope and placed it down on the table beside her plate, ?As polite as always, I see.? She cooed. ?I will pour over your words before the night is done. I imagine I should not expect such courtious behavior from your accomplice? It is of no consiquence. I have already seen to that matter.? Her mischievous grin widened as she gauged her guest?s reaction. He wouldn?t offer her much, but the simple fact that she had done something beyond his sight was cathartic in its own right.
There was an all too deliberate flash of danger behind his eyes, but when he spoke, The Gentleman was as unctuously polite as ever.
"Presently, Meredith Monroe's concerns are no concern of mine." he told her. "I have a house of my own to set in order, that I came such a very long way to speak with you about."
?Oh, please,? Contessa scoffed. ?Distance means nothing to you and I. Our reach is without limit. There is nothing on this planet that cannot be made ours unless we simply refuse to reach out and grab it. Besides,? She giggled. ?It should have been well worth the trip to simply breath the same air as I. And I am glad that you did. Seeing your mind work is... exhilarating.? She took a sip of her wine. ?Now tell me... what is so disorderly about your house, Love??
"Frostfall burns," The Gentleman answered, having succeeded in not rolling his eyes at Contessa throughout her miniature sermon. "and even I cannot say what will rise from its ashes as of yet; I have lost my eyes in Feroxi at the very moment when Dio Basilio decides to reappear on my radar; Yuteni lies in ruin; and a close associate of mine has... deviated, from the most sensible path of action. I can resolve none of these things, while there is still any outstanding issue between us. So, this is what I propose...
The carbon I stole will not be returned. I have a great deal of use for it, now moreso than ever. Besides." The Gentleman studied the room. More solid gold ornaments. "I doubt you're going to feel much of a pinch on behalf of little old me. However, once I deduct the sum of expenses and damages that I believe were incurred by those who, whatever our mutual opinion of them may be, wear your name and act in your interest, I am more than willing to offer my services to settle the remainder of the debt."
?How generous of you. As it just so happens, I do have a task that may suit your skill set. One that will serve to benefit you just as much as it does myself.? She wore a smug smile as she cut into her ham and took a bite. It was divine. Few people on the planet would ever eat such a splendid meal in their life.
Contessa ate like this everyday.
After wiping her mouth with a napkin, she continued, ?But before we get into that, I too would like to apologize. I understand my... ?kin? have inconvenienced you. Alas, Severa is the real problem child. Owain on the other hand... he can be controlled. I trust your little disagreement did not leave any lasting wounds, did it?? Clearly she was not referring to the severe injuries he had given the twins in their battle.
The Gentleman looked up from his own plate. The silence hung only for a moment, but it hung heavy, almost as if the air itself thickened.
"I think he's learned his lesson." he said, calmly. "So long as Owain respects my authority, he may prove effective. I should warn, however, if he tests my patience again, that it might set an unfortunate precedent, were I to spare him a second time." The Gentleman smiled as he reached for his glass of wine. "You understand, I'm sure."
"Now, we were discussing how I may be able to assist you..."
Perceptive as always, I see
Contessa allowed herself a small smile on the Gentleman?s behalf. He was so very interesting, ?Very well,? She replied before adjusting her posture. Leaning forward in her seat, she weaved her fingers together and rested her chin on the bridge they had formed. ?Our mutual acquaintance, Dio Basilio... he means to turn this world on its head. The methods he is employing are not known to anyone outside of his inner circle. We do know, however, that it concerns Super Nova. The very backbone of our society. You know full well what it would mean for him to wrest control of that facility, assuming it is even possible.?
She closed her eyes and took another sip of her wine, ?This outcome would be simply unacceptable. He must be crushed before he?s ever allowed to make such a gambit. Would you not agree??
"Would I?" The Gentleman replied, before savouring a mouthful, studying Contessa face as she waited for his answer, while a made a meal of a single bite. "That's an interesting question. So, whatever Dio is planning, he can't do it until he's the Captain of this sinking ship. Perhaps he feels, unwisely, that he has the secret to righting it, or perhaps he simply wants all the lifeboats to himself, rather than belonging to the select and prestigious few on the upper decks, as tradition demands. Forgive me, but don't most of us still stand to drown in any case? I'm sure I'll find something to cling onto, no matter what happens."
He smiled at her over his wine glass, as he took a long, satisfying sip. When he lowered the glass, his laugh was almost a whisper.
"Dio Basilio is a sanctimonious bore." he continued, before Contessa could reply to him. "His ivory tower has elevated him so far above reality that he can actually delude himself into thinking that he's an altruist, knowing what's best for the poor insects, swarming and devouring each-other beneath his feet. I prefer my autocrats detached, and thoroughly debauched. All of that I could forgive, were he not also pig-headed enough not to pay for a job well done. The only reason I need, and the only reason you need to know, for me to dismantle everything that man has built and plans to build, is that he irks me; and really, what has the world come to when extraordinary men and women can't light half of it on fire to settle a petty grudge? That's the way the ancient Gods of the homeworld did it, and compared to how far we've come, even they might seem small."
"You've clearly given this some thought, however." he said, dabbing at his lips with his napkin. "So, why don't you tell me what you believe his endgame is?"
Contessa?s conceited smile remained throughout the entirety of her guest?s monologue. She wouldn?t argue a single point he had made. He was right on all accounts.
So very interesting.
?A complete and total subversion of the system we?ve come to rely on,? She shrugged. ?He means to re-write the rules of the nobility. Perhaps even wipe us out entirely and rule alone in our stead. You and I both know that he has been planting seeds of discord all around the continent for years now. Something you would be quite good at. So why not hire you, the best political saboteur on the Rock?? She sipped her wine. ?Perhaps he?s a afraid you would betray him once you realized the truth. But if we?re going to be frank here, Love, I don?t really care for his so-called truth. Whatever it is he wants in the end is irrelevant. He is in my way and that cannot be tolerated.?
She studied her wine glass for a brief moment and laughed to herself, ?I wonder, do you know what it is I desire, Gentleman? Surely I have everything I could ever want, correct??
"Oh, I doubt that very much." The Gentleman answered, taking note once more of the ostentatiousness of all the wealth on display. "As those of a more spiritual persuasion might say, quite rightly, contentedness come from the heart, and the heart is within." He leaned a little closer, his eyes fixed on Contessa.
"I think what you desire most of all, is a challenge. What good is wealth, if no-one covets it? What good is power, if no-one contests for it? That's why, for all the people who've sat in rooms not unlike this one, and plotted my demise, neither you nor any of your peers would know what to do without me?"
Contessa burst out in laughter and clapped her hands in delight, ?Oh, how I have missed you! Truly, honestly, I would not know what to do without you! I would sooner lose all that I have than to allow you to fall to another, less worthy foe!? After taking a moment to calm herself, she leered at the Gentleman from across the table. ?I play a long game, Gentleman. I am very patient. I savoir my meals. Though, I suppose you are no mere entree. No, you?re more akin to grand feast. One I have been licking my chops in anticipation of for quite some time.?
She giggled, ?I?m glad my intentions were so easily discernible, though I very much doubt you were so sure of your claims until you were able to see me face-to-face. To lose yourself in these eyes. Tell me, am I so transparent, Love??
"Oh, you're more than worthy." The Gentleman assured her. "We've just both been at this a long time. We're both still looking good for it though, if I may be so bold."
"If you want a real challenge though..." The Gentleman said as he studied her. "There is one I've been saving just for you. Look into my eyes, and tell me the truth. Who am I? Where did I come from? Why did I choose to become what you see here?"
Contessa cocked her eyebrow as her grin broadened, ?Are you asking for facts or observations? I could easily supply you with my prognosis of your character, but alas, I do not believe that is what you seek. That knowledge has evaded me. In fact, I am not aware of any alive privy to such information save for the man before me now. Allow me to amend my intentions in light of your query.? Her eyes bore into him for a long time before she continued. ?I will not allow myself victory until I know these things about you. It would dishonor us both to bury a man with no face and no name.?
She held her hand to her chest and giggled, ?Whether I win or lose, I will know these things before the game is over. I give you my word.?
"And I look forward to whichever outcome." The Gentleman replied, finishing the last of his meal. "Though, I can't say it won't be a loss. The more I think about it, the more I believe we might just be the only two honest people alive."
Rising from his seat, The Gentleman made his way over to the window. The glory of Paradiso was a speck, from up here.
"There is no greater hubris than altruism, and no greater delusion than charity. We understand this, we acknowledge it, both in our own way. I may take a false name, and change my face, but it is The Rock that wear the mask. These domes, these towers, and the cities that pool below them like discarded scraps and splintered bone; all of it window dressing, concealing the great unspoken truth that only the two of us seem to see. It's convenient for the lowly to look up, and blame the heel raised to grind them into the dirt for their being so small, just as it is comfortable for the nobility to look down from such a height, and believe it makes them safe from the teeming masses below. The Truth, the only truth that matters, is this: The towers were built by men; the domes were built by men; and this bleak and unforgiving wasteland, was chosen to be settled and stripped bare by men. The land did not make us cruel. We chose a cruel land because we identified with it.
Basilio, it is clear, has become consumed by the lie of a better world, existing within the minds of Great Men, itself a contradiction in terms. He will fail, not because we will stop him, but because he is trying to build a palace out of dust. Every civilisation, every theology that has ever existed in reality, has to have been built upon the foundation of the men who make up its component parts; and as such, any so-called utopia is nothing more than Fool's Gold. How does one expect to build a perfect world, with the same bricks and mortar that created this? Should he succeed, I may even allow myself a certain satisfaction. I will go on, much as I always have, and perhaps I may just let him live long enough, to see his dream crumble to the same old dust around his feet. That, would be no small pleasure."
Contessa listened to the Gentleman?s monologue with the enthusiasm of a lovestruck teenager. Her mind lingered on every last word as they washed over her, sending shivers down her spine. This man was something else entirely. If gods existed he certainly would rank among their number. She liked to think she would as well.
Not that such a lable would truly matter. Gods and devils existed in the minds of the weak.
In the dreams of lesser men.
Contessa did not have the time nor the patience for such things. People like her and the Gentleman simply put their minds to something and did it.
Simple capability. Nothing more.
The golden empress caught herself biting her lower lip in anticipation by the time he had finished speaking. Had she been a younger or stupider woman she might have lured him to her bed right then and there. She knew better, however.
The Gentleman had no use for her body. It was her mind he was interested in.
With a delightful smile on her face she rose to her feet and collected two glaces of wine. After crossing the overly large dining room, she stood by his side and offered him one of the glasses, ?I do hope you have that in writing, my Dear. I would love to relive that grand speech.? Her compliment was completely sincere. ?A toast. To the palaces made of dust.? She grinned cruely. ?May they burn like all the rest.?
