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[jacksonian]

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action;

[illuminescent]

[One of the secretaries lets Mark into Lucy's office on the first - she stands up and smiles, warmly.]

Please, Lord Mark, do have a seat. Would you like some tea?

action;

[jacksonian]

Uh, yeah. Thanks.

[ He doesn't smile back at her - not because he's ill-disposed towards her at the moment, just because he's too distracted to remember to contort his face in pleasant and appropriate and humanlike ways. He sits. ]

Is...everything okay?

Re: action;

[illuminescent]

[She takes a seat of her own.]

Yes, of course, I apologize if I alarmed you in any way.

[She has a pot of tea, and she pours two cups of it, and lifts one to set in front of him.]

I don't truly wish to beat around the bush, my lord, so I will ask you plainly - do you know that the ambassadorship of Nonah is no longer occupied?

action;

[jacksonian]

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.

Re: action;

[illuminescent]

[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.

action;

[jacksonian]

[ 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... ]

[illuminescent]

Yes, most specifically, yours.

[jacksonian]

[ 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.

[illuminescent]

[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.

[jacksonian]

[ 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.

[illuminescent]

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.

[jacksonian]

[ 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?

[illuminescent]

I-

Excuse me?

[jacksonian]

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.

[illuminescent]

[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.

[jacksonian]

[ 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.

[illuminescent]

I do not see how those things should matter.

[Because they're all still true.]

[jacksonian]

I'm not someone that anyone sane would put their trust in.

[illuminescent]

I disagree.

[jacksonian]

You don't trust me.

[illuminescent]

I trust you for this.

[She doesn't lie. But she's not going to let him dissuade her, either.]

[jacksonian]

You'll have to work with me. And you're still scared of me.

[illuminescent]

Not so afraid as to not meet with you alone, am I?

[She lifts her chin a bit.]

[jacksonian]

[ He gives a little gesture of his hand, indicating the room around them. ]

Come on. You're not naive. I don't believe for a second that you don't have someone you can call to help you out if I try something. You're not really alone.

[ Mark is actually cynical enough to look at Lucy and assume not-naive. ]

[illuminescent]

This is a distraction.

[She is getting that look in her eye, the one that says she's really getting bored by this.]

My fear is not remotely the issue. Your capabilities, however, are.