Tea with the Emperor [Closed]

[lady-coulter.livejournal.com]

WHO: Marisa Coulter, Palpatine
WHERE: A lovely little cafe.
WHEN: 13th October, midday
WARNINGS: Don't think so.
SUMMARY: Mrs Coulter gets to meet Emperor Palpatine. If only she knew how epic this was.
FORMAT: Paragraph to start, whatever after.

Mrs Coulter had only just been released from prison, but she had no intention of sitting back and doing nothing until the trial. Palpatine had intrigued her, and she didn't want to miss an opportunity to make a potentially valuable contact. She knew politicians. And more importantly, she knew how to use them.

She was sitting at her favourite table by the cafe window, idly stirring her tea. The golden monkey crouched beside her, mostly hidden by her chair. He was to keep quiet and still, at least for the moment. Taking a sip of her tea, Mrs Coulter glanced towards the door, waiting for an older man to enter.

Comments

[im-not-the-pope.livejournal.com]

"Of course we start at the bottom," he replied. "I'm not quite as much of an idiot as you make me out to be. I started at the bottom in my own galaxy as well." He gave a dismissive wave of his hand; the rest of the patrons seemed to immediately shift their attention away from their table, and what they had seen before, as if they had completely forgotten.

"Attention is only gained if there is much to be remembered. And in their case...well, if they remember anything of what they've seen here, I'll be surprised. Most of them don't even know that we're sitting right here." It seemed to be true; the rest of the patrons didn't even glance over in their direction anymore. "The Force can do incredible things, when wielded precisely."

"Now, what I want to know, Mrs. Coulter," he said, leaning forward slightly, his yellowed eyes meeting her own, "Is whether you are willing to work with me."

[lady-coulter.livejournal.com]

She looked around again as Palpatine spoke. The behaviour of the other people in the cafe confirmed his words. So there was another power he had, one that was both useful and dangerous. And he was obviously used to this Force, which meant these abilities weren't new to him.

"I see," Mrs Coulter said, and in the short pause before she spoke next, her mind was racing, calculating the advantages and disadvantages she might gain from this now she knew what he could do. "Yes, I think so. I believe we can come to a mutual understanding."

[im-not-the-pope.livejournal.com]

"Excellent," he replied, leaning back slightly from the table, his mouth turned into a slight smile once more. "I assume that we both have enemies here in the city," he continued. "And, perhaps, additional allies to be gained? While Lord Vader is more than a match for most, he cannot do everything by himself, and neither can I."

"And what of you?" he asked her. "What can you bring to a partnership like this?"

[lady-coulter.livejournal.com]

"Of course," she said. And since they were apparently unnoticed now, she allowed the golden monkey to swing up the chair and onto her lap. Mrs Coulter relaxed a little as she stroked her daemon's head. "We have powers of our own, which have proved very useful. You'll find that I'm a very persuasive woman, though perhaps in a gentler way than the manner to which you are accustomed." She smiled faintly. "But if there's something you want, I can get it for you, if I can find the right person to ask."

[im-not-the-pope.livejournal.com]

Palpatine laughed slightly. "Excellent. I have no doubt about that." He shifted in his seat, his eyes flicking down to the monkey for a few moments, before returning to Mrs. Coulter. "Then we are in agreement."

"Now, tell me more about these so-called heroes. I find myself quite interested in them."

[lady-coulter.livejournal.com]

"They have a curious culture here," she replied. "Most of the heroes are no more than vigilantes who like to dress up. The fondness for costumes extends to many of those they like to catch as well. The one thing they all have in common is powers."

[im-not-the-pope.livejournal.com]

"Then perhaps this place will be more amusing than I thought," he replied, a bemused expression on his face. "We may be starting at the bottom here, Mrs. Coulter, but I will not accept that for long. I hope that you are of the same mindset."

Palpatine stood, his cane once again hitting the ground as he supported his weight on it. "I am sure that we can be of mutual benefit to each other," he said, looking over at her. "Perhaps sooner rather than later. I will be in touch."

He started to leave the cafe, still no one really noticing his presence. "If anyone asks you who you may be working with, you may refer to me as Lord Sidious." He cackled before exiting the cafe, and then he was gone, as if he'd never been there. All of a sudden, the rest of the cafe seemed to notice Mrs. Coulter's presence again.

[lady-coulter.livejournal.com]

She nodded. "I look forward to it."

Once he had gone, she leaned back and sighed. Lord Sidious. Maybe it was time she started using these ridiculous 'hero' names as well. Though having a secret identity would be rather difficult when her daemon would always give her away.

"He didn't even finish his tea," she murmured.

The monkey nudged her, looking around warily. She was visible again. Well, she had better finish her own tea fast before any of them remembered what had happened.