Mark Pierre Vorkosigan / "Peter Kane" (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
jacksonian) wrote2016-03-05 11:05 am
jacksonian) wrote2016-03-05 11:05 am
Entry tags:
contact post
[ voice / video / text / in-person ]
Uh...Yeah.
[ Right...Yeah, of course. What Baelish had talked about. That's what this is about. Mark had - Well. He'd assumed, frankly, that it was some practical joke on Baelish's part. That's the only thing that makes sense.
He looks at the tea and then glances around to see if she's also going to offer him cookies. No cookies? Damn. He really wanted a cookie. ]
It's been in the papers. [ And then, with a shrug - ] The old one kind of seemed like an asshole, anyways.
[ Right...Yeah, of course. What Baelish had talked about. That's what this is about. Mark had - Well. He'd assumed, frankly, that it was some practical joke on Baelish's part. That's the only thing that makes sense.
He looks at the tea and then glances around to see if she's also going to offer him cookies. No cookies? Damn. He really wanted a cookie. ]
It's been in the papers. [ And then, with a shrug - ] The old one kind of seemed like an asshole, anyways.
[She's not a barbarian. There is a plate of tea biscuits she's already pushing in his direction.]
He was much more difficult than I think anyone had expected him to be.
I have discussed the matter with Lord Baelish, and we had thought to put a new name forward for the elections, with our support and endorsement.
He was much more difficult than I think anyone had expected him to be.
I have discussed the matter with Lord Baelish, and we had thought to put a new name forward for the elections, with our support and endorsement.
[ Aw, score. He takes two. ]
Right. Yeah. A new name.
[ He doesn't want to prompt her. Because if he guesses that she wants him and it was a practical joke on Baelish's part... ]
Right. Yeah. A new name.
[ He doesn't want to prompt her. Because if he guesses that she wants him and it was a practical joke on Baelish's part... ]
[ At least he's prepared for it this time. Even so, he can't help but let out a strangled, incredulous sort of laugh. ]
Mine. I really - I really need to double-check that you do know that I'm Mark and not Miles.
Mine. I really - I really need to double-check that you do know that I'm Mark and not Miles.
Edited 2016-10-01 15:54 (UTC)
[ He doesn't really know what she's apologizing for. Being upset? There's nothing to apologize for. She was exploited all her life - being upset over that is reasonable, not - failing to be objective...But regardless, he isn't exactly upset at the thought that their next meeting will be a little bit less emotionally fraught. ]
Yeah. I have time. You can come by my office, if you'd like.
Yeah. I have time. You can come by my office, if you'd like.
[She takes a moment.]
Lord Mark, I must reassure you, that all the faith I have in Admiral Naismith aside, I think you a better candidate for the role. I do not question your loyalty to your emperor, of course, but I find you to be more independent, more resourceful, and more cautious. And those are qualities I feel you would be quite well in bringing to such a position.
Lord Mark, I must reassure you, that all the faith I have in Admiral Naismith aside, I think you a better candidate for the role. I do not question your loyalty to your emperor, of course, but I find you to be more independent, more resourceful, and more cautious. And those are qualities I feel you would be quite well in bringing to such a position.
[ To paranoid, anxious Mark, that sounds really bad. ]
Sure. Like what?
Sure. Like what?
[ His shoulders hunch slightly with anxiety when she compliments him like that. He takes another cookie. ]
Even if that's true - I don't like people. And people don't like me.
Even if that's true - I don't like people. And people don't like me.
Liking and doing your job are two very different things.
Do you think you could put that dislike aside for such a thing?
[She takes a moment and a sip of tea.]
And I think you do not do yourself credit. You are no so misliked. Reason: you kidnapped me, and I have any and every reason to mistrust you, and yet here we are.
Do you think you could put that dislike aside for such a thing?
[She takes a moment and a sip of tea.]
And I think you do not do yourself credit. You are no so misliked. Reason: you kidnapped me, and I have any and every reason to mistrust you, and yet here we are.
Like me findin' the perfect building for Merlotte's to be in. [the smile comes through in his voice, hopeful and happy.] I wanted to send you the paperwork for approval if you were still on board as an investor after Six goin' home.
[a beat.]
...Also turns out I might run for ambassador. Was wonderin' what you thought about that, since you've got a pretty level head for things.
[a beat.]
...Also turns out I might run for ambassador. Was wonderin' what you thought about that, since you've got a pretty level head for things.
[ He flinches at that reminder of his past (mis)deeds. Looks down at the table and fiddles with his teacup for a moment before asking - ]
Is this for revenge?
Is this for revenge?
[ Tension drains out of him. He'd really thought he'd fucked something up. But no, it's good news. Thank goodness. ]
Send me information on it. And don't get too invested in the building yet. Property owners try to hide all sorts of crap. I'll find out what their skeletons are, and then you can get excited.
[ He lets out a breath and runs his hand over his hair. ]
Ambassador, huh? It's a dirty job.
Send me information on it. And don't get too invested in the building yet. Property owners try to hide all sorts of crap. I'll find out what their skeletons are, and then you can get excited.
[ He lets out a breath and runs his hand over his hair. ]
Ambassador, huh? It's a dirty job.
You know.
[ A small shrug. ]
I throw my name in the hat, and I'm - so unsuitable that I end up humiliated. It's a pretty easy one.
[ A small shrug. ]
I throw my name in the hat, and I'm - so unsuitable that I end up humiliated. It's a pretty easy one.
[She looks at him for a long moment, quiet and thoughtful.]
No.
This is no such thing, my lord.
I thought you would do well in this position. You are clearly so careful for your brother and for your friends. And you are clever enough to do well financially.
No.
This is no such thing, my lord.
I thought you would do well in this position. You are clearly so careful for your brother and for your friends. And you are clever enough to do well financially.
Maybe some other time.
[ She declines the offer, not because she's busy, she's far from busy. But she's exhausted, and forcing herself up and about doesn't sound like a good idea. ]
You could come by my place? Strictly business, of course. [ A pause. ] Or if not, then this call will suffice.
[ She declines the offer, not because she's busy, she's far from busy. But she's exhausted, and forcing herself up and about doesn't sound like a good idea. ]
You could come by my place? Strictly business, of course. [ A pause. ] Or if not, then this call will suffice.
[ He looks up at her, studying her expression. A few months ago, he'd have assumed she was lying to him. He wouldn't have even entertained any possibility aside from the possibility that she was lying to him. Now, though...now, he three-quarters believes her. And that's pretty damn good for him. ]
The thing is - I do well financially because of my Porter ability. [ He gives a small shrug. ] I don't actually have any training as a businessman. Let alone as a leader. I know I'm technically Lord Mark, but I wasn't Lord until very recently. [ Another shrug - ] Or Mark, for that matter.
The thing is - I do well financially because of my Porter ability. [ He gives a small shrug. ] I don't actually have any training as a businessman. Let alone as a leader. I know I'm technically Lord Mark, but I wasn't Lord until very recently. [ Another shrug - ] Or Mark, for that matter.
I do not see how those things should matter.
[Because they're all still true.]
[Because they're all still true.]
I'm not someone that anyone sane would put their trust in.
I trust you for this.
[She doesn't lie. But she's not going to let him dissuade her, either.]
[She doesn't lie. But she's not going to let him dissuade her, either.]
Don't I know it. I had some surprises when I got my first place, in Bon Temps. Didn't know better at the time. [too young, too desperate to find a place to bury his past in.] I'm all for avoidin' that this time around.
And yeah. ...Yeah, I guess it is, but honestly I don't see it bein' too different from things I've done before. Mostly it sounds like bein' a mediator, and that I've got some experience with.
...Could probably use a campaign manager, though. Someone willin' to invest in me. If you happen to know anyone. [don't get too suspicious, Mark, but Sam might be hinting at something there.]
And yeah. ...Yeah, I guess it is, but honestly I don't see it bein' too different from things I've done before. Mostly it sounds like bein' a mediator, and that I've got some experience with.
...Could probably use a campaign manager, though. Someone willin' to invest in me. If you happen to know anyone. [don't get too suspicious, Mark, but Sam might be hinting at something there.]
Page 23 of 36