[video || 001]

[cowled]

[The image opens on Bruce Wayne at his finest. He's wearing (1) new suit designed by Favrielle, and he's looking pretty swank. Because Bruce Wayne. And Reasons.]

All right, Keeliai, I have a business opportunity to propose. As of right now, I'm relaunching Wayne Enterprises. For those of you who've never heard the name before, it's a multi-national business conglomerate with a focus on humanitarian aid and the like, based out of Gotham City back home.

Anyway. For the duration of my stay here, I'm looking to start in pharmaceuticals - I'm sure you've all noticed the kedan have never even heard of ibuprofen - and work our way up from there. Essentially, I'm looking to better the quality of life for everyone on Tu Vishan, foreigner and local alike.

If anyone's interested in working for me, or if you have experience in a pharmaceutical field, feel free to contact me over the network. We can arrange a meeting in person if you'd prefer. Confidentiality is guaranteed in either case. I'm paying twice the rates the kedan offer, and I've arranged it with the local authorities such that any time you work towards me counts towards your overall work 'obligation' [can you hear the finger quotes falling around that word] here in Keeliai.

Thanks for your time.




[ooc; tags will be sketchy, but I wanted to get this up and get the ball rolling on this plot before I poofed from the internet. <3]

Comments

[whatfriendsdo]

[Murphy eyes the hole in the roof, slipping inside to get a better look at some of his notes.] Yeah, no worse than anyone else. Did the remodel happen then?

[She would have heard if it was something that went down while she was home. She places a finger next to a paragraph to mark her place on the skim through the page when she glances over at him again.] So this is what you do with yourself all day.

[cowled]

No. The 'remodel', as you're so charitably calling it, is courtesy one Tony Stark. Who doesn't believe he should have to pay for crashing through my ceiling in a multi-million dollar combat suit.

[He does not like Stark. This much is obvious.]

Hmm, oh, that? Honestly, I've barely looked at it. It's mostly employees. I can manage a business at the top just fine, but the rest is essentially Greek to me. I'd rather order people around, to be frank.

[whatfriendsdo]

[Murphy's eyebrows go up.] Mr. Multi-Million Dollar Combat Suit probably isn't used to not having the multi-millions to make someone else do it.

[She knocks on the wall and stuffs her hands in her pockets.] Say that five times fast. Also you're full of crap. [The second part is said with amusement.] This stuff is way too organized and meticulous for you not to understand it, and if you just wanted to order people around, I doubt you'd keep it all in your apartment. Plus, where'd the money come from? You tell people to give it to you?

[She wanders over to the skylight, peering out at the sky.] You might want to take some of your furniture to pieces and get this covered up before it rains, at least.

[cowled]

Too bad. I'll put a damned lien against his assets here if I have to.

[And then he raises an eyebrow and laughs.]

I'm flattered that you think so highly of me, but that's actually my secretary at work. You can ask her, if you don't believe me. I'm not kidding when I say paperwork isn't my area of expertise. We don't have an office yet - headquarters, yes, but not an office - and I sort of volunteered my suite for the job, since mine is the closest to the job site. Would you like a handwriting sample to confirm your wild accusations?

[Oops he is definitely flirting with her. And then GOSH, HE HADN'T THOUGHT OF THAT. Bruce gives his furniture a mournful look.]

I suppose I could.

[whatfriendsdo]

No, Mr. Wayne, this is where you tell me I need a warrant, so you have an excuse to see me again. [Oops she's possibly flirting back, in her Murphy way. She grins.] I stand corrected. I'll make sure to underestimate you from here on out.

[She gives a chair and experimental wriggle.] One of my cousins is a carpenter. I worked with him a couple summers when I was in high school - and no, I don't think you need the help, but I wouldn't mind having something more to do myself.

[Partially a lie - she's got more than enough to occupy her nighttime hours, but the fact that she doesn't sleep much these days leaves many of the light hours vacant.]

[cowled]

Needing an excuse is news to me. Doesn't 'asking nicely' work any more?

[He flashes a grin.]

Oh, honestly, by all means. I'm not sure I could swing a hammer if my life depended on it. But if you'd like to teach me, I'm quite the attentive-- ah, student.

[He totally doesn't mean student.]

[whatfriendsdo]

Then ask me nicely. [Eyebrow. She hasn't done this in a while. Mostly it's:

1) Go to bar.
2) Find athletic looking guy who's on his way to drunk already.
3) Go to his place.
4) ????
5) Profit.

So this is kind of fun. She rocks the chair to one side and lets it thump lightly back down on the carpet.] I could do that. I like working with tools, and good students are always a plus.

[cowled]

[He puts a hand over his heart. You know. For sincerity's sake.]

Ms. Karrin Murphy, would you do me the honour of seeing me again at some later date and time of your specification?

[all the flirting. Flirting forever. No regrets bat.]

Well, in that case I guarantee I'll be the best student you've ever had. When would you like to start?

[whatfriendsdo]

Mr. Wayne, I said to ask nicely, not propose. [Though there's a somewhat predatory sparkle in her eyes.] What dates and times are available in your busy schedule?

[cowled]

You go right for the jugular, don't you?

['I like that in a woman'. He doesn't say that outloud, though it's evident in his expression. Bruce Wayne: playboy. He has no real intention of taking this any further than congenial flirtation, but it doesn't hurt to keep his reputation intact.]

Mmm, I could maybe squeeze you in this weekend.

[whatfriendsdo]

[Tiny lioness in yo personal space.] When I meet a guy who can survive it.

[She hooks her finger over the top of his shirt and gives it the lightest tug, popping another button open.]

And then Murphy slips past him toward the notes on the wall. Flirtation over. She's all business again.] I actually came over because I needed your advice about something.

[cowled]

[If he's bothered by her being in his space, he certainly doesn't show it. Instead, he just smiles. It's a slow, languid sort - the smile of a man who knows he's attractive and confident and has absolutely no qualms about displaying those properties in full.

He hardly refutes her assertion, but when she switches to business mode he does the same, albeit with a slight clearing of his throat.]

Of course. What seems to be the situation?

[whatfriendsdo]

I'm going to see Evandau. I'm going to try and get a job. [Crooked smile.] A real job. The kind that matters.

[She hauls herself up to sit on the edge of a table.] But you may have noticed I'm not the most politically-minded person in the world.

[cowled]

It's come to my attention on at least one memorable occasion, yes. So you're asking me how to go about it?

[whatfriendsdo]

[She shrugs.] I have my own ideas, but I wanted your opinion. You've done more work with the bureaucrats here than I feel like trying.

[cowled]

Mm. All right.

[He takes a seat at the table she's sitting on, steeples his fingers in front of him and presses his elbows against the dark stained wood.]

First of all, I'm not certain how successful you'd be. Evandau seems to want to keep the police force comprised entirely of Kedan. But if you do want to offer your services, be aggressive and confident but not so much so that you're threatening him. Honestly, it might be a better idea to go over his head and appeal straight to the Emperor herself. She's a little more... agreeable. As hard as that may be to believe.

If I may be frank, this is a political ground game. You're going to have to play it his way to get what you want, and even then... it's not a guarantee.

[whatfriendsdo]

I want to deal with him. There's aggressive and confident and then there's pissing in your station chief's pool by going to the mayor. [A crooked smile.] I'm going to bring redacted copies of the notes I've been keeping. Copies of the maps I've got. He probably has more information, but outsiders can see clearer sometimes.

[She picks at a spot on the wood.] I don't mind doing scut work, even, as long as I'm doing something. If I can get access to the kedan's law enforcement files maybe I can get some idea of what's happening with these people.

[cowled]

The hierarchy doesn't seem to exactly match that with which we're familiar, but I see your point.

[He leans forward a little bit, elbows and forearms flat against the table.]

Why not throw in with our growing vigilante population? They're more likely to have the 'foreigner' interests at heart than the kedan, frankly.

[whatfriendsdo]

[She laughs a little.] Don't think I haven't considered it. But I need the kedan who don't like us to trust me. Or at least ignore me. Say the things they won't in front of the Emperor's precious foreigners.

[Murphy crosses her arms.] Besides, if I'm convincing enough, maybe they'll let me consult on the vigilante activity our people have been doing. I won't lead them wrong, exactly, but I can keep up with how close they are to catching the individuals responsible.

[cowled]

I doubt you're very good at being unobtrusive, Karrin.

[He means it as a compliment, really.]

Hm. So you mentioned maps and the like. What other information have you collected so far?

[whatfriendsdo]

[She sticks her tongue out at him, though it's good-natured.] I can be good at it if I have to.

[A shrug.] I've managed to connect certain appearances, even gather nicknames for a few of the vigilantes, though whether they're self-titled or given by the locals I don't know. I've also traced the linked events back to the earliest appearances I can find and narrowed the pool of suspects based on the "foreigners" who appeared around or before those times. Not done with that - still trying to map out when people arrived based on when their apartments were occupied, since the network isn't really reliable there, and it's hard to find sure sources.

[Murphy tries to hide a grin, but it doesn't quite work.] It feels good to do straight cop work again.

[cowled]

[He raises a brow. 'Batman' arrived nearly a month prior to Bruce Wayne, but others in his retinue haven't been so careful. Stephanie. Damian. Tim was the only other one that put so much thought into secrecy, and he's gone now.]

If you keep that up, you'll sound just like the police chief back home in Gotham.

[He rolls his eyes. Bruce Wayne isn't terribly interested in vigilantes.]

[whatfriendsdo]

I'll take that as a compliment. [She elbows him lightly.] Cops are the ones who watch your ass when there aren't a half-dozen salon blondes around for the job.

[cowled]

A half dozen? Gracious, Karrin, you underestimate me at your peril.

[Gosh.]

[whatfriendsdo]

[Snort.] What, you mean you don't go for variety in your adoring gold diggers?