The blessed end of all things eternal

[motherflocker]

WHO: The Major and Oswald Cobblepot
WHERE: THE OPERA
WHEN: Tonight!
WARNINGS: two fat pretentious jerks!!!
SUMMARY: SHADY BUSINESS DEALINGS. Under the pretense of enjoying some Wagner
FORMAT: Whatever Jesse wants! I'm starting with paragraph!


Business propositions were always worth investing in. When one approached Oswald, he was more than gracious enough to hear them out. How couldn't he? This one required caution, of course, to speak outside of the Lounge, was the request. That, of course, was easily enough accomplished. Oswald traveled not with Percival in umbrella form at his side, but instead one of his more lethal umbrellas to the designated locations. Donned with his tophat, monocle, and ever-present cigarette holder, he was the picture of the gentleman on his way to the opera.

Of course, he was to see the opera this evening. Gottadamerung, in fact. How poetic. He did love it when they played something far more classic to the contemporary, and the tickets had been snatched in quick order, the private balcony, at that. Early evening, of course, because when one watched Wagner, it would last quite some time.

His guest's ticket was at the booth, and he was early, of course. Plenty of time to settle in with a tumbler of sherry and break the smoking code at the same time.

Bastards could outlaw it all they want, he would still smoke all he wanted. Everyone else's lungs be dammned. What would they do? Ban him? They wouldn't dare!

Comments

[liebe_krieg]

Smoke drifting from an opera booth, in this ridiculously tobacco-free City and time? A promising sign for Herr Cobblepott's inclinations toward less popular forms of business.

'Monsieur Nomguerre' advanced into the booth from the shadows. Even with Oswald's connections, it had taken some preparations for a man with the Major's notoriety to have a night out at the opera without being arrested. He was wearing a black suit instead of his ordinarily-ubiquitous white one, with a wide brimmed hat. Beneath the hat, his blond hair had been coloured silver for the evening. When he spoke, it was in accented but passable French. Yet up close, there was still no mistaking his face- the wanted ImPort super-criminal known as the Major.

"Mister Cobblepot," he greeted, smiling with his hands behind his back. If Oswald did not speak French, he had plenty of other languages to fall back on. "It's so good to meet someone of your reputation in person. And you've found such a fine booth for us! It's great, really great." Also great was the anticipation of Cobblepot's reaction to who his guest was. Seeing what the officially-legitimate businessman did right now would be most informative.

[motherflocker]

Ah. The Major. The face was easily recognized, and with recognition came knowledge. Oswald Cobblepot hadn't spoken with him, but that didn't mean he hadn't heard plenty. He'd done his research, after all! Information went far, and he was very good with information.

"Monsieur, what a pleasure to finally meet you," he spoke in accented, but fluent French. He paused, and switched the language, however, something a bit more fitting for the night's performance. "Or perhaps something a bit more appropriate to match tonight's performance, hm?" he questioned in German, not simply fitting, but also a hint.

"Speak freely, of course. There is nobody around to hear you, I've made quite certain of that."

[liebe_krieg]

"Quite certain? What a relief that is." The Major immediately fell back into his mother tongue as he took a seat next to Cobblepot. He had no reason at all to trust the man at his word, but if a trap had been set, it would most likely be sprung regardless of what language he spoke now. "The French language is a soft and cloying thing. It leaves a bad taste on my tongue."

He sat on the chair with an atmosphere of total comfort, as though he was in his own territory and not behind enemy lines, so to speak. "Ah, but Siegfried and Gotterdammerung! What a draft to wash away an unpleasant flavour! Even in an American venue-" His eyes went half-lidded for a moment. "-I have high hopes for the production."

[motherflocker]

Oswald could turn him in, but that was hardly an acceptable business practice, was it? The man was disguised well enough, how was he to know that this was truly the wanted criminal? "Oh, believe me, it's quite the show. The soprano is quite a looker, as well," and what followed was a conspiratorial chortle, the 'boys club' laugh, of course.

He didn't, however, comment on the American...not precisely an insult, but it certainly didn't give the American ingenuity any favors.

But, he wasn't a man of loyalty to country. Perhaps to Gotham, the Iceberg, but certainly not to the country itself.

"A drink, Herr Nomguerre?"

[liebe_krieg]

The Major showed no visible reaction to the Soprano comment- not his scene. He just continued smiling.

"Champagne, tonight. I've heard this place does that much right, at least." He made a show of looking through the performance handout, as though he hadn't memorized every detail of Gotterdammerung sixty years ago. Chit-chat first, then he would work his way up to the reason he was here with Cobblepot.

The epic sagas of Wagner had been beloved of many in the Reich, and the Major was no exception. The sweeping apocalyptic tale of the gods' ending was a special favourite of his.

[motherflocker]

Oswald placed the order, adding something for himself, of course, before he brushed a gloved hand across the top of his umbrella placed at his side.

"Now then, I believe the orchestra will begin tuning soon, if we wish to speak on other matters before Wagner overtakes the entire hall," he paused. "I think you'll find that I am remarkably open-minded, for an American."

[liebe_krieg]

"Very well then." The Major tossed aside the handout. "There are two things I want to bring into this City. One is personnel from overseas. The other is a certain substance that I believe they are having trouble with on the mainland. A 'power emulator' drug, I have heard." His smile grew lopsided. "Something so intriguing deserves greater investigation."

He looked at the Penguin. "I am informed that you are quite good at arranging such things, especially in matters of transport and information."

[motherflocker]

"I have some experience in such venues, it is true," a corner of his mouth twitched. Amused, but also confident. "I have also been reformed for some time, you see. Illicit drugs and personnel, well, I know people who may be willing to speak with someone about such things."

And that was how the Penguin operated. Not satisfied with merely business pursuits, but he preferred to keep his nose clean when it came to working within the bounds of the law, for the most part. However, the Iceberg Lounge was known for being a classy joint, a place where the rich and budding rich came to rub elbows, and there was a thriving hum of activity beneath those. Oswald was the same way. Do one thing, and toss a bone here and there if it was profitable.

"I believe, these may be easily procured, for the right price, of course."

[liebe_krieg]

The Major clasped his hands. This was what he wanted to hear. "I am so pleased your have turned over a new leaf," he said dryly. "Not as pleased as I would be to speak with those who you know, however." He thought for a moment about whether he should arrange a meeting in the Lounge itself. It was supposed to be a fine establishment, and could be one of the few places in the City the Major could show his face in without starting a fight.

"Price is not likely to be an obstacle. Assistance this valuable deserves equally valuable compensation." Of course, the Major's resources were somewhat strained right now- his backers were slightly miffed that he had tossed away more than twenty-five million of their dollars harassing a single vampire. But if these plans paid off, he would be able to make all his antics well worth their while.

[motherflocker]

"But of course," he mentioned, waving a hand dismissively. "I believe a meeting could be arranged, for a minimal finders fee, of course," because he wouldn't extend his neck for free of course. Anyone who dealt with him knew such things coming into the deal anyway.

"If you feel so inclined, you may wish to visit the lounge some Thursday evening. There's always quite the interesting crowd. They do provide a level of entertainment that may interest you." The orchestra down below began strumming and playing a few experimental notes, master musicians warming up their horns and tempering their strings. A fitting backdrop.

[liebe_krieg]

"I am always on the lookout for entertainment," the Major said as he leaned back for the show. "As evidenced right now, hm? Your invitation is appreciated, Herr Cobblepot. I am certain I will find an opportunity to take you up on it."

He was rather enjoying the company of this American businessman. Despite how frightfully soft and decadent he seemed, he sensed something of a kindred spirit- in style if not substance. A pity almost that Wagner was about to interfere with conversation for the next few hours.

[motherflocker]

Oswald only chuckled in response, lighting a fresh cigarette, again in direct defiance of the anti-smoking codes prevalent in the opera house. How he missed the days when the entire audience would cover the ground level in a fine sheen of cloudy smoke, the titter of enjoyment. Although there was a level of enjoyment in being the only one able to directly defy the laws with no qualms.

It made it even more precious.

"I think you will be quite pleased," he mentioned, settling back to enjoy the show, the lights already beginning to dim.