taxonomites | [location: outside luthor plaza] you wanna hear about the deal i'm making (backdated to May 6)

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[location: outside luthor plaza] you wanna hear about the deal i'm making (backdated to May 6)

In Lex's mind three weeks ample time to not only get himself acclimated, but start being useful to Taxon. He had currently been in this city for two weeks and six days, with his internal deadline drawing near. The temporary population boom during his first few days was a bit of an obstacle, but not one that couldn't be overcome.

Thankfully he was not entirely without the comforts of home as it seemed as if Luthor Plaza had decided to travel with him. That was more than enough motivation to move forward with his plans. First order of business was rendering the unused science labs operational which required gathering and setting up new equipment, as well as a good cleaning that he was damn sure not going to use an extra for. (The latter he wasn't necessarily ashamed of, but Lex was inclined to keep that one to himself.)

With one lab ready to go and his personal office set up, Lex was ready to begin to get to work. Never one to say no to ceremony, even when it was on his own, Lex stands outside the skyscraper and breaks a bottle of champagne against its outer wall.

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"You're right, and that is exactly in line with my way of thought. There might not be a demand for LuthorCorp as it existed before, but I plan to change that." He catches the envy in Adrian's voice and adds, "with your help if today proves to be beneficial to us both."

The elevator doors open and Lex gestures inside. "After you."

"It's my intention to make myself invaluable, Mr. Luthor." Adrian has no doubt he can accomplish this, even if Lex is still wary of him.

He steps into the elevator allows part of him mind to begin calculating the possibilities that access to a facility such as the one he suspects exists here might open up. "How were you thinking of beginning? I must assume you have some ideas as to the best use of your available resources at this point."

"That is what I intend to show you, Mr. Veidt." He smiles with satisfaction that he and Adrian seem to be thinking along the same lines. Any personal misgivings aside, it was a good start to a potential partnership.

The elevator ascends a few floors into a large, fully equipped research laboratory. "I have several more at my disposal, but this is where I intend to start. We'll have to go into the field to collect data of course, but with the right minds and equipment to process it I think there is quite a bit we can accomplish."

Adrian can't help feeling a thrill at the sight of the lab. He hasn't been this long away from one in years, and he absently runs a fond hand over a piece of equipment as they enter the room.

"I think you have all the makings of a success here, Mr. Luthor." He turns to Lex with a smile that's merely polite but eyes that are bright with interest. "What would I have to do to convince you that I should be one of those minds you're in search of?"

"The problem is that I really don't know what you can do unless I see the results." He regards Adrian with a slight tilt of the head. "But I'd have to hire you to do that."

"What I want from you is for you to tell me exactly why it is that you are so determined to work here."

Edited 2011-05-12 15:58 (UTC)

"Unfortunately, that's true. Whomever is responsible for my presence here didn't see fit to bring along anything of use in that regard." Adrian cocks his head thoughtfully for a moment. "Although I can at least offer you living proof of my expertise in genetics."

He gazes at Lex for a moment, and then steps away, walking slowly through the pristine and silent lab. "Because I'm a scientist, Mr. Luthor. If it were within my power to recreate my own facilities here, I would do so. But I'm afraid for now, I'm entirely at the mercy of friends and colleagues." Turning back toward the other man, he continues. "I consider myself a good judge of people, of their abilities. I would like to be your colleague, and I believe if you gave me the chance to show you what I'm capable of, you'll find it would benefit you just as much as it would benefit me. And of course, if it turns out you're not pleased with my work, you can always replace me."

Adrian doesn't think that's likely to happen.

Lex listens to Adrian's proposition carefully. No, he doesn't know the man very well but lying about being qualified for this kind of job was something that would be discovered rather quickly.

"You make a compelling argument, Mr. Veidt. I'll tell you what. On the condition that you show me your proof, you're hired. I understand that you ran a company back home, and while those skills will certainly come into play, I need to remind you that we are not home. You are my employee and we are certainly not partners. What do you say?"

That's the kind of rationale Adrian is hoping for -- he knows he's qualified, given a chance it will be only a matter of time before Lex knows it too.

The idea of going to work for someone else after all this time chafes, but Adrian puts on his best interview smile and inclines his head. "I understand, Mr. Luthor. I only ask to be allowed to be in charge of my own projects, unless of course you discover some flaw in my work." Which he won't, so that's not even an issue that worries him. "As for the proof I offered, it may be easiest if you were to accompany me back to my home for that. Or rather, back to the home of the friend who's been gracious enough to take me in."

"That's a reasonable request, and one that I would be happy to grant." He walks them back to the elevator and has it bring them to the ground floor. Lex takes Adrian through the lobby and out the front doors, back to where they had met earlier.

"I suppose it's your lead from here."

It's not a very long trip from Luthor Plaza to Dan's little apartment, both conveniently located in the same neighborhood as they are, and along the way Adrian asks a few polite questions about Lex's plans, nothing prying but so that he can get an idea of how the man plans to get started.

He doesn't apologize for the difference between Lex's extravagant building and Dan's more modest place, because he may be a spoiled hedonist but he has manners. Letting them inside, he offers Lex a seat in the living room and calls for Bubastis.

Once Lex sees the inside of Dan's apartment he can see the connection between where Adrian stays and his sense of dress that always seemed a little off. Just as Adrian doesn't apologize, Lex makes no mention of the home beyond accepting the invitation to sit.

When Bubastis appears Lex almost wants to stand right back up again. He halfway does as he leans forward, putting his weight on his feet. Lingering thoughts of uneasiness about Adrian give way to awe as he looks at Bubastis, allowing his usual straight face to fade. "I assume this is your proof."

Adrian mentally applauds Lex for fighting the urge to do anything other than sit right where he is, in easy reach of a strange purple cat the size of a tiger. He smiles proudly, nodding, and strokes the cat's head when she approaches.

"Her name is Bubastis. Genetically she's an Egyptian lynx, although as you can see I made some modifications."

Lex's curiosity has the bad habit of getting the better of him quite often. Of course he would like to get a closer look at Bubastis, but that would actually require getting closer to Bubastis. He slowly shifts his weight again and sits back into the couch, not wanting to cause a disturbance.

"When did you make your... modifications?"

"Some years ago. Bubastis accompanied me when I was brought here, apparently." Adrian pauses for a moment, a little frown creasing his forehead as he looks down at the animal, because this is still a point that bothers him more than he's been letting on.

Noting the (very wise) care Lex is taking to remain still, Adrian sends Bubastis to lie down next to the couch, in a much less aggressive pose where Lex can have a better look at her. "Before I became interested in physics, I did some genetic experimentation. Bubastis is my crowning achievement."

"She's lovely." And he means that. Of course if Lex reacted to her in the wrong way Bubastis could easily attack him, but the best things in life always had an element of danger to them.

"Does she live here with you? I'd imagine that space gets rather limited."

"Thank you." Adrian's gratitude is as sincere as Lex's compliment. He's proud of his work, but more than that it's obvious that he's fond of Bubastis herself. She has, after all, been his most loyal friend.

At the question, he glances around and smiles fondly. "She and I are the guests of a very tolerant friend, who has been kind enough to put up with our presence until I find a more suitable arrangement."

Lex glances around Dan's apartment, taking a mental inventory of the space and what it can provide for Adrian. It was shelter, yes, but easily something that he could see as not quite what Adrian was looking for in terms of a "suitable arrangement."

"If you would be willing to take on more responsibility within LuthorCorp, I might be able to do something about your living arrangement."

Adrian raises his eyebrows, intrigued by the offer. In truth he had planned to ask at some point if perhaps the labs might include some kind of simple accommodation, if only to get out of Dan's hair.

"Mr. Luthor, I'm willing to take on as much responsibility as you will allow, living arrangements or no. But I certainly won't turn down an offer if you're making one."

"I might have need of your expertise within administration from time to time. I can't be everywhere at once and I may need you to act in my stead." He leans back into the chair and glances again at Bubastis before turning his attention to Adrian.

"In exchange for the added hours and duties I'm willing to give you and Bubastis a place to stay within the LuthorCorp building. What do you think?"

A very pleased smiles grows on Adrian's face as he nods. "I think it sounds like a very attractive proposal. Will you want to sit down and write up a contract, or will a handshake suffice?"

Normally he would never do business on a handshake, but this seems like the kind of place where contracts are unnecessarily restrictive. Ultimately, however, it is Lex's company, and Adrian will bow to his preferences.

Lex is normally not one for handshake contracts either, but Taxon is a special case all on its own.

"Before we do shake on it there is something more I would like to add, just so you are fully aware of the situation. Because it is my building I have access to every room within its walls, which will include yours. This is purely a security precaution and I can assure you that there will be no invasions of your privacy on my part."

It's nothing Adrian wouldn't do if their positions were reversed (the security feeds in New Karnak are -- were -- bordering on obsessive). But it makes him pause for a moment nonetheless.

"I understand, of course, and I accept your assurance that my privacy will be treated with the utmost respect." As proof of his willingness to accede to Lex's conditions, Adrian offers his hand.

Lex reaches out his hand and clasps Adrian's in his own with a firm shake. He regards Adrian with a pleased smile, one that is both professional and reflective of how he forsees his newest endeavor coming to fruition.

"Welcome to LuthorCorp, Mr. Veidt."

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[location: outside luthor plaza] you wanna hear about the deal i'm making (backdated to May 6)

[location: outside luthor plaza]

[location: inside luthor plaza]

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[location: dan's apartment]

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