capeandcowllogs | (no subject)

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WHO: Karla Sofen and Eddie Nygma
WHERE: Places
WHEN: Today
SUMMARY: Two colleagues meet to discuss business.
FORMAT: Para to start, then whatever.

Ever since Norman's downfall, things had been going almost too perfectly. Her work with the hospital had been an excellent diversion, she had more money and freedom that she'd had in a long time, and Eddie was nothing if not attentive. Really, she had a good thing going right now, and as long as she could ignore the fact that the Thunderbolts were in the hands of a man who didn't deserve them, thing really couldn't have been better.

And yet, there was a part of her nature that she couldn't deny, and she couldn't just be happy with how well everything was going as long as she had to follow somebody. To put it simply, she had a problem with authority, unless it was her, of course. Granted, Eddie was a far more capable man than Baron Zemo, Norman Osborn, or even Luke Cage ever were. He knew the game, and didn't seem to be putting them into any unnecessary danger. It would be so easy and pleasant for her to get behind him and work with him, but that was simply something she couldn't do.

However, as long as there was something to be gained, Karla would play nicely with Eddie. Not like it was hard, she really did like him after all. He was smart, and in a far more clever way than Zemo or Norman. It was refreshing to work with an equal for once. She waited outside the NOHoPE for Eddie to pick her up. The hospital was a diversion, and she was ready to get down to some real business.

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He had parked the car in the typical visitors' lot, a small spatter of asphalt and cement that he felt he already knew too well. Karla was visibly outside the building, a small relief. Eddie cringed at the thought of willingly touching the tiles of NOHoPE for the third time this month, well aware of the -- perhaps irrational -- idea that he was tempting fate.

Tempting fate. Meet fang pitt.

He couldn't stop the shudder.

Eddie took a deep breath and donned his usual smirk, greeting Karla with an opened arm. There was no room for weakness here, for corner for fear -- the doctorate was as sharp as she was venomous. Eddie quickly recalled the eagerness in her voice, when he made his proposal against Norman. It had entranced him at the time, her curved smile and cutting eyes.

"My dear, don't you look lovely?" He spoke with a soothing tone, as he approached. "More beautiful by the day."

Karla hadn't missed Eddie's arrival, watching him from the corner of her eye the entire time. Only when he approached her and addressed her did she turn to face him, a small smile gracing her features. It was something that she had practiced to perfection, to much great success, she might add. However, it was surprisingly easy with Eddie.

Edward Nygma was charming, especially towards her, which was something that she definitely wasn't used to. She hadn't been treated like this since... Well, since she made the mistake of ever falling for and trusting Clint Barton. She wasn't going to fall for that again though, especially since she knew that Eddie was anything but sincere, but that didn't mean that she couldn't enjoy it for a while.

"You're always too kind, Eddie," She walked over to him. "It's almost too good to be true."

The insinuation trembled in the back of his mind, despite the smooth smile he offered. Ever versed in the game of doublespeak and innuendo, Eddie noted the remark deeply -- but without pause. He offered his arm to the lady.

"One can never be too kind to such beauty, Karla. You of all people would know that," he spoke lightly, conversationally. Upon escorting her to his car -- a sleek gift from Bond, European custom -- he murmured the usual politeness and flattery, not missing a beat of the expected rhythm.

Civil war games, all of it.

"I fancied we'd take a light lunch, then a stroll," said Eddie as he revved the car. "Some place chic, perhaps?"

Some place public.

Karla took his arm and even rested her hear against his shoulder as he escorted her to the car. It was a risky move, being this affectionate with him. After all, Eddie wasn't the type of man who was ruled by his emotions or his downstairs brain. If she pushed to far and was too flirtatious, he'd know immediately that something was wrong. However, she didn't see anything wrong with a little harmless fun to draw him in just a little bit more, especially since Eddie so loved to have his ego stroked.

"That sounds lovely, Eddie." Public areas... Either he wasn't concerned about people eavesdropping, or he was uncomfortable being alone with her. She'd have to see if she could change that somehow, and if he thought that a lack of privacy made him safe, he'd have to think again. "You really do spoil me every time we go out together. You really should let me repay you sometime."

"Repay me?"

The question hung in the air.

His eyes widened, the surprise etched in face, in the tension of his chest. He watched her head against his arm as the walked, feeling its weight and softness. His casual wariness grew sharper with each step, his curiosity craving with more questions.

He didn't say anything about the touch. It was a game, and Karla was starting to change the rules.

After a dire parallel park, they approached the doors of Per Se. Eddie may swift mention of their Spanish almond tart, hoping to entice Karla in small talk. It bought him time for analysis.

"I won't rush into business, of course," he murmured as they were guided to their table. "But I've been curious over some matters."

She just left it a that, leaving his question hanging. Eddie could think whatever he wanted about that comment for the time being. It was more interesting to see how he reacted to it, and to leave him in suspense.

Karla moved effortlessly through all the usual pleasantries with him. She complimented his car, his looks, his choice in restaurants and tarts. The thing that had changed though, was that it was getting easier and easier for her. These little once lies were ringing more and more true... God, she was enjoying his company and attention.

She took her seat and made herself comfortable, sitting across from Eddie, before ordering drinks and dismissing the waiter for the time being

"Of course not. We should be able to relax and enjoy the afternoon. After all, things couldn't be going any better lately." Really, they had been. "What's on your mind?"

"Is there a particularly tactful way to breach this?" He mused aloud, primarily for show. "I suppose not. I'm concerned, over your patient. Katurian."

Eddie leaned back, allowing a waiter to drop by a couple glasses of water. He waited for orders, which Eddie quickly dispensed. He didn't share the smile he reserved for Karla, and it only returned when their company left.

"The poor man, he's a bit," Eddie paused. "Unhinged." He had noted Katurian's brief talk with Karla, what was aired of it.

The word wore a smirk.

"Possibly more deluded than Norman, even."

It was very subtle, something most normal people would miss, but while she was behaving like nothing about this conversation was out of the ordinary and was all the pleasant lunch it was intended to be, there was a slight spark of interest, her eyes locking with his for half a moment, trying to figure out what he knew and what he was thinking at that exact moment. It was gone as quickly as it had come though, Karla was more than skilled at hiding things.

"To clarify, Katurian is not my patient, he's Dr. Verma's." She shrugged dismissively, as if that was all the explanation she needed. "But... His chart only lists him as having a a case of PTSD. It must be pretty bad though, if you think that he's worse that Norman."

She took a small sip of her drink, looking at Eddie over the rim of the glass. Since he was so generous in bringing it up. "What do you know about Mr. Katurian?"

He noted that spark, with mounting interest. Noted it, and recognized it -- an expression he himself was not unused to. Eddie glanced about the room, as if mildly concerned about their waiter and, consequently, their meal.

He didn't bother disguising the smirk. Dr. Verma. That information wasn't readily available to Eddie, not since he had been so rudely escorted out of the facility those weeks ago. How useful, he mused. How necessary.

"PTSD, gosh, poor thing." Eddie's tone managed to mask the native sarcasm. "That seems logical, I suppose, given his history of outbursts." Notable, one. Singular. "Before his unfortunate mental meltdown, back in the summer, he and I were -- oh -- I suppose we had a mutual interest in art." Eddie took another sip of his wine.

"I didn't know he was nuts."

The name of Katurian's psychiatrist was meaningless to her, and made no difference whether Eddie found it useful or not. Karla was hardly a model doctor, but that should have been obvious when she had to take on an alias just to practice. If Eddie could use the information, then good for him, more chances for mistakes to be made.

"It's truly a tragedy, but he's really not a bad patient, or so I've heard." She shrugged dismissively. This wasn't really a topic she wanted to be on, since she didn't know enough yet. "It's sweet of you to be concerned for me, though."

"Is it?"

The question swooned from his tongue, beguiling in tone if not in authenticity. Edward knew when to humor, and Karla wanted the attention poured on her -- in which he was willing to oblige.

"I thought it at least somewhat necessary, to be concerned. You put yourself in such danger, my dear, it truly is heroic." He smiled at her, his eyes widening with implied sincerity. "I'm sure you hear this all the time."

Edited 2011-02-10 21:00 (UTC)

Now, Karla knew that he was just saying that to her ego and lavishing attention on her, basically humoring her. She was okay with that, though. She liked the attention, and she especially liked it from Eddie.

"Oh, you know" She shrugged, feigning some sense of modesty. "This is a dangerous place, and someone has to stand up for the what's right," She smiled, leaning forward, elbows resting on the the table, her foot lightly brushing Eddie's.

"It's nothing compared to the work that you do, though."

The smile flashed, after those words, was nothing short of sincere. It was a hazardous smile for Edward.

"What I did? I simply did a most basic service, Karla -- I did what no one else was capable of doing, what none else could conceive." He smoothed his hands over his lap, a gleeful sneer curling on his lips. "I showed heroes what heroism means."

Every word fell with raw conviction. Eddie cleared his throat, adopting a softer tone.

"It was really nothing," he said, glancing about for their waiter. "I assure you."

The beat of silence that followed focused a degree of self-consciousness onto Eddie. He shrugged lightly, feigning modesty.

"But what of yourself? Your projects? You mentioned -- hinted -- of something, earlier."

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