multiversallogs | anything that's dead shall be regrown

Who: Lex Luthor and Adrian Veidt
What: returning home with snake carcasses, hooray!
Where: The House of Ego
When: backdated to after the missions
Notes: italicized words are spoken in German
Warnings: a couple of weirdass mad scientists are up in here

This time when Lex went out for a round of battling creatures he was much better protected. He had worn body armor under his clothes and as he was the team's driver the truck was his primary concern over the fog. He's sporting a few minor injuries but nothing serious, at least nothing serious unless you count the snakebite on his left hand between thumb and forefinger. None of his other team members had died from bites they sustained and coupled with his immunity he sees no reason to be worried. It stung when it happened and now he has a battle scar for the moment. It couldn't hurt to gain favor around the city.

He heads straight for the section of the house designated as the shared research lab between he and Adrian and lays his prize in front of him on a steel table.

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That draws a small smile from Adrian, and he raises his eyebrows at the image of Lionel Luthor's reaction to such a plan. "Yes, I would imagine he'd find that a hard pill to swallow. Of course there's no reason you can't still study law, if you have an interest in it."

Adrian is an accomplished businessman and scientist, after all, and he didn't even attend university. There's no doubt Lex is intelligent enough to follow whatever course of learning he chooses. "No regrets about the change in your plans?"

"None at all." There's a visible shift in Lex's demeanor. He smiles, a real smile, not one reserved for polite conversation but one that changes everything about him. His eyes seem almost brighter and though he knows that he shouldn't give too much of himself away, especially not with Adrian, this is something he wants to share with the world.

"I was thinking too small. Yes, that would help people and be a thorn in my father's side, but staying with LuthorCorp can do the same exponentially. I'm using it to change the world, Mr. Veidt. My project before I was sent here will reshape everything when I get back to work on it. Plants will grow in the harshest conditions: sand, snow, places with no moisture. It's not perfect yet, but I've made some real breakthroughs. I'm also working on something that will not only yield more plentiful crops, but keep food fresher longer."

He's leaning forward now, gesturing with a hand. It's nothing broad, but it's there. "I'm going to do more than aid one person at a time while waiting for the law. I'm going to end hunger."

Adrian can appreciate a response like that, and it helps to strengthen his trust in the man as a business partner to know that he's taken what was perhaps not his idea path into the future and made it into something he feels proud of.

"I have...a very similar goal, as you know. I think our work together here in Baedal could be very productive." The impact that putting their ideas together and refining their research and experimental techniques might have on furthering both their visions once they return home is enormous. "I can only imagine the good sharing ideas between us will do for the world, both here and once we leave."

"So does that mean you plan to pursue your goal here too? I don't need to tell you that effectiveness is a completely different animal here."

Lex pushes away his plate and after Adrian indicates that he too is finished Lex takes the dishes away from the table and rests them in the sink. He picks up his glass and begins walking toward the living area to continue their chat.

"I would think the largest things to think about would be scale and procedure."

Edited 2011-08-22 15:24 (UTC)

"I'm aware of that, but I relish the challenge. If I can overcome the unique obstacles presented by this place, what I learn from it can only provide that much more of an advantage when I get home again."

Adrian rises as Lex does, following in his wake into the living room and settling on one of the large, comfortable couches. "Yes, the work here in Baedal is certainly going to have to be done on a much more restricted scale. And not only because I don't have anything near the resources or contacts available to me at home."

He also doesn't have Jon and his abilities to tap into. "It does mean that unfortunately, I'll have to move more slowly as well. And I think income is going to be a factor. I'll need more than what I'm bringing in just working for the city itself."

"So we don't work for the city," is Lex's immediate response. It's not a question of whether or not this is about the both of them, they had agreed to a mutually beneficial business partnership and that is what's going to happen.

"You and I have enough experience working for ourselves outside of this place. I'm sure you already have something in mind." Not that Lex doesn't, but it's an invitation.

Adrian shakes his head. Working solely for themselves would be his preference, but he's not sure they're in a position yet to manage it. "I think we're going to need to continue working for the city for now. We need the income, and while I do have some ideas, none of them would allow us immediate financial independence."

He stretches out his legs, crossing them at the ankles, and sips at his wine for a moment as he thinks. "I have noticed the property values are dropping in certain areas of the city, however. It would be foolish to overlook an investment opportunity like that."

"I'm not saying that we give up our respective jobs completely, simply that a venture on the side doesn't have to involve the city's backing." Lex is a very proud individual but he's not stubborn enough to think that he can make it on his own resources here just yet.

"Real estate would be a perfect example. That area is one of LuthorCorp's subsidiaries, actually." The hint is not at all subtle as Lex sips on his own wine across from Adrian.

"Agreed," Adrian replies, smiling slightly as he realizes that they do seem to be looking at things along the same lines after all. "And in fact I'd prefer any ventures I took part in, aside from the job I already have established, to be backed solely by myself. Or by myself and a single partner."

He raises his glass in a salute toward Lex, clearly suggesting who that partner would be. "Veidt Enterprises has done some real estate investing as well, although that isn't our central focus. Do you have some ideas in that direction?"

Lex raises his glass in return, smiling with instant acceptance. "I'd advise looking toward business districts than residential myself. Also we should take a look as to tends in what the government buys, and where. I would need to see if eminent domain works the same way here as it does back home, but either way, it's a certain paycheck."

The day has turned into a rather exciting one with both discovery and a new business plan in the works. It's refreshing to see the other man just as on board.

Edited 2011-08-30 06:43 (UTC)

anything that's dead shall be regrown

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