multiversallogs | I met a traveller from an antique land

Who: Lex and Adrian
What: Great Ozymandias finds a fitting place to stay
Where: The House of Ego
When: Veerdi, a week since their last big chat
Notes: none
Warnings: none

It's not the larger-than-a-doorway pharaoh head that that had been discussed during the decorating process. (Discussions entailing several similar rounds of Adrian bringing up the subject and Lex putting his foot down with a resounding no.) After their agreement it was only fitting that the occasion be marked somehow. While they were still business partners, what was discussed extended far beyond figures and notes. Baedal didn't yet know it, but it housed two men who would not only change the world, but shape it under their own design.

In celebration of this alliance, Adrian will not see a head outside the main doorway. Instead what he will see is a bust seated on a tall rectangular slab of marble inside his own portion of the upper floor. There is no note or object next to the statue, it's simply there as it always should have been. When Adrian returns home he will find Lex practicing his pool shots in his own penthouse.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Then maybe I phrased myself incorrectly." It's only a turn of phrase. Lex knows exactly what he's doing and what he had said opened up a window for a new trail of conversation. "I've seen Veidt Enterprises if you recall. I didn't ask about that. I asked about your home."

"If it isn't in New York surely you have one somewhere."

"You've seen part of it," Adrian accedes. They unfortunately had only time for a single meeting, or Lex would have gotten a much more detailed tour. "And I do have a penthouse suite there, since New York is where I spent most of my time."

But not all of his time, and now he sees that Lex knows it. Well, the Antarctic lab isn't quite a state secret, although its location is disclosed to only certain people. "I suppose technically, I think of New Karnak as my true home. It's...remote. And definitely carries on the themes of large and filled with glass." He grins a little, and takes a sip of his wine, eyes on Lex's. "And there's a wall-sized black marble bust of Ramesses II, among other things. It's also where I house my personal labs."

"Well, it's a good thing that my gift helps bring a bit of home to you here in Baedal. I'm sure you can understand certain limitations regarding a wall sized bust." Lex was certain he could obtain a wall sized bust if he truly wanted to, the limitations were regarding his patience for that kind of thing. He smiles, pleasantly loose from the wine and generally enjoying himself.

"How remote do you mean? I'm sure in a lot of ways Kansas seems remote." The hinting is enough for him to want more of an answer.

"I think the space allotment here might preclude anything of that size," Adrian concedes. The gift Lex already presented him with is more than adequate, and he wants to be sure the man knows it. "What you acquired fits the space perfectly, Lex. As perfectly as it suits my tastes. Thank you."

He knows the man is working him for details, but Adrian is surprisingly willing to part with them. Not only because his ego demands someone appreciate his achievements, but because he sincerely believes Lex might be the one person he's met to date who is capable of truly doing that. "Antarctica. So...a bit more remote than Kansas. Though I hear that Metropolis can hold its own."

Maybe Adrian isn't as ungrateful as he thought. Lex nods at the acknowledgement, more than satisfied. "You're welcome."

"It's a shame you couldn't come and see LuthorCorp." Lex is sincere in this also. Though Lex didn't get a proper tour of Veidt Enterprises, he as least saw enough for a lasting impression. He not only wanted to share where he'd come from, but what he can do and what resources he has to make that happen. "I think you would like Metropolis." He smiles. "We're lacking a bit on year round snow, but I make sure that we more than make up for it in industry."

Eventually, Lex may learn that Adrian doesn't always offer his gratitude directly, or in words, but that doesn't mean he isn't appreciative.

"I hold out hope that eventually I'll get to see it. As well as this Smallville you have such a fondness for." It irks Adrian a bit to not have access to that side of Lex, to not be able to see him and analyze him in his own habitat. Although with the senior Luthor in town now, that may become a little bit easier. "I have no doubt Metropolis and Smallville both are infinitely more interesting for having your influence. As Baedal will be."

Adrian may not always express his gratitude in words, but he definitely did not waste any in his compliment. "You'll see them both," Lex promises. He knows he shouldn't he has no control over Baedal, but perhaps one day he will.

"Baedal already has both of our influences and is better for it. I can't say that we are at the point we want to achieve yet, or if that will ever happen because we are constantly progressing, but I can safely say that the city has benefited from the both of us. Look at what you've done, Adrian Veidt. Ridding the city of unwanted creatures, contributions to science, rebuilding a neighborhood, regularly saving those who need your help," the last part is purposefully vague, but Adrian will know exactly what Lex means. "You simply can't speak about what I will do before first acknowledging what you have already done."

As Adrian listens to what Lex has to say, the small smile growing slowly into a warm grin as all his achievements are listed. He had been beginning to wonder if it was a lost cause, trying to shape things in his current surroundings for the better, if no one even noticed the changes. Now he can see he was wrong to be so concerned.

"You've done all of those things as well. I've seen the results of your own work in protecting the city." The injuries to Lex himself as well as the trophies he acquired. "And I know that you're working on your own scientific contributions. All of which is why I know that together, we can be the unstoppable force this city needs to truly flourish."

He finishes his wine and nods at the waiter, turning to Lex to allow him the decision on whether they want to continue with dessert and coffee, or conclude their dinner and make their way back home.

Edited 2011-09-04 03:44 (UTC)

Lex understands the hint and allows Adrian to pay the bill. He wants to insist on at least paying for his half but Veidt had asked him along as a guest. Lex holds his tongue and when the transaction is finished they both stand and leave the restaurant, heading out into the pleasant night air to begin the walk back to the house.

"So how did you find that place?" Lex asks with an unhurried stroll. "It's certainly on my radar now."

"Completely by accident." Adrian is rather pleased they decided to go ahead and take the direct walk home, rather than the slightly quicker but less direct and less pleasant route by train. "I decided not to change trains on my way home one day and walk through some of the neighborhoods near ours instead, and I happened across it. It's not a regular haunt by any means, but they have excellent vegetarian dishes. And the decor reminds me of a place I've been to in Prague."

He turns his head toward Lex, recalling the offer to join him for dinner there again in the future. "I may make it a more regular thing, however, if I have an excuse to eat in the main dining room again."

"Fridays like this are usually fit nicely into my schedule." He knows very well that in Baedal it's Veerdi, but he and Adrian come from roughly the same world where the word Friday has meaning beyond two nice sounding syllables. It's refreshing to be able to share words from home with someone who understands exactly what they mean.

There's a slight quirk of the lips as Lex looks sideways to regard Adrian. "Aimery's going to start getting used to having nights off."

I met a traveller from an antique land

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