anything that's dead shall be regrown

[patricide]

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.

Comments

LATER cont.

[defenestration]

"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."

LATER cont.

[patricide]

"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.

LATER cont.

[defenestration]

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."

LATER cont.

[patricide]

"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.

LATER cont.

[defenestration]

"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?"

LATER cont.

[patricide]

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.