four : write me a beacon so i know the way [text]

[everylittlegirl]

is anyone else not having all fun and games?

[60% encrypted to Lex Luthor, Clark Kent (the elder), Bruce Banner]
[Hayley turns the video on, looking less than thrilled with life. Mostly, she seems exhausted and done with this place. Still, with her usual dry curiosity, she holds up a piece of green rock (looking roughly like this) to display to the businessman, the journalist, and the scientist.]

Do you know what this is? It's totally different from everything else here.

Comments

video; encrypted 60% (individual filter)

[ihope]

[Congratu-fucking-lations, Hayley, you're one step closer to being less of a freak.]

[Lex's breath of laughter accentuates that well, he thinks. If it weren't for a quick to disappear smile, it would have been a scoff. He wasn't the genius to figure out Sinbrilee's gems were edible, after all. He only knew they fetched a profit. But he toggles on a matching encryption and forgets about everything but the rock. His brows knit together and he barely narrows his eyes in appraisal. His left hand goes to fetch a pen that had been laid nearby. He doesn't know what for. When Lex speaks next, the jest is gone. He makes sure his eyes meet hers.]

[In them there's a secluded cloud of anger. Why her, he wonders. The intensity might very well be mistaken for simple solemnity. Business is no game. (So then how did this girl get involved- again?)]

A fragment of meteor rock from back home. [So much more than just that.] LexCorp was running experiments on its properties. [A lie. But LuthorCorp wouldn't exist in Tu Vishan. His father wouldn't exist in Tu Vishan. Lex finds himself pausing. --shortness of breath, actually. It lasts a few seconds, only.]

Of course, it would impossible to know for sure until I can see it in person.

[His gaze flickers to the rock. He wants it.]

[Flickers back to Hayley. He's much more-- relaxed. And he toggles the encryption.]

[ Encryption 90% ]

So where do you want to meet, Hayley?

video; encrypted 90% (individual filter)

[everylittlegirl]

[His laughter-like noise unsettles her in a way she shows no sign of, the look he gives her wriggling under her skin. She piggybacks on his encryption, wishing again that she had a better encryption of her own.

Hayley has resolved to maintain her nonchalance as best she can when speaking with him, but his admission of familiarity excites her and it shows just a little, with the way her back straightens and she reaches to set the meteor rock outside of the frame.]

A meteor rock.. [She glances off to the rock and then back to the screen, meeting his eyes.] Sounds kind of valuable. How much are you willing to give me for it?

video; encrypted 90% (individual filter)

[ihope]

[His eyes follow her hand where it displaces the rock. His patience has already been chipped away at once when she refused to promptly answer his question. It's chipped at again by that movement and he feels the distinct prick of annoyance. But he's still this wall, cool and calm.] Well. [Both of his palms turn upward. Honest business.]

It would be wrong of me to give you anything less than what it's worth. [And Hayley had a big mouth, sure. But why the fuck did she think she was in control here?] Granted, that's if it's worth anything at all.

video; encrypted 90% (individual filter)

[everylittlegirl]

[Hayley gives a light shrug.]

Look, I'm not dumb, Lex. Either you can agree to owe me a favor for it or I'll wait until Bruce and Clark can figure out what it is and sell it to some kedan or something.

[She's oblivious to its more specific properties, believing it to mainly be some valuable crystal or the like.]

video; encrypted 90% (individual filter)

[ihope]

[The 'fuck you', despite being nothing but closed mouth silence and patience, is loud and clear.]

[His shoulders have squared, he's leaned back in his chair, his arm rests and his hand is up only barely touching his bottom lip in contemplative unease. Tongue between his molars, one cheek looks a little puffed.]

[His friend is stupid.]

[It's a tragedy.]

Fine.

[Whatever. He's done. He needs her-- he can't do anything else and still think himself a saint. Sharp resignation.] But I need it now, and we're going to meet, so you can hand it to me personally. [The rock. It's his. Comment on his sudden intensity, Hayley- his eyes dare her.]

video; encrypted 90% (individual filter)

[everylittlegirl]

Okay.

[While Lex is busy freaking out, Hayley's all nonchalance. She wanted a favor and now she has one. Whatever the rock is worth, to the best of her knowledge, it's worth the cost; how could she begin to fathom its ulterior uses?]

There's a cafe in the Fire Sector. [She clicks a few things to send him the coordinates.] It's super public, so that you can't just like.. kill me and run off with it or something. That would kind of ruin everything.