[ He couldn't hide the satisfaction in his expression even if he wanted to. (There it is.) Disdain (contempt), he doesn't like, but he can stomach it so long as all of the cards remain in his hand. There's no game to be played if he controls the deck.
The smile on his features says as much. His question is pointed, slow, gloating more than it is anything else. ]
You've already backed me into a corner here, dude. Cut the frickin' Mystery Tour bullshit and just tell me what it is you're actually after. [ it's clear she's getting impatient now. she slaps her thigh to emphasize her words — darlene isn't violent by nature, but she's a survivor. lex luthor has his tactics; she has hers.
[ Well, fine. That's what his expression seems to say, anyway. (The roll of his eyes is enough.) ]
E Corp.
[ He spreads his hands before dropping them back onto his lap, fingers threading through each other. ]
I'll be honest with you, it's less about information and more about— well, let's put it this way: it's about having a horse in the race. I've got a vested interest in keeping them in business, just for a little while longer than fsociety wants them to be, and I need someone to make sure that happens.
darlene folds her arms across her chest, raising her chin in an almost defiant gesture. ] I understand what you're capable of. Seriously. Really feeling it. Ten-out-of-ten.
[ she pauses, meeting him somewhere in the middle as she leans forward now. ]
Is it a Stock Thing? You want to throw Terry Colby a jazzed up going away shindig? — Tell me what you want with Evil Corp and I will give you my full attention. [ she wrinkles her nose. ] Scout's honor or whatever the hell.
I don't give a shit about Terry Colby, do whatever you want with him.
[ Lex waves a hand to emphasize the point. The line of his jaw is taut, clear as he tilts his chin up to keep her gaze. (LexCorp is corrupt. She already knows that, and he isn't bothering to deny it.) ]
E Corp — Evil Corp — owns 70% of the global consumer credit industry. It's dirty money, but when they go, it's got to go somewhere. And I want the biggest slice of that pie. [ Again, a wave, dismissive, this time. ] People love a good comeback story, especially when it's theirs; all the better if they've suffered a little more to get there.
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no subject
The smile on his features says as much. His question is pointed, slow, gloating more than it is anything else. ]
What can you tell me?
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she's not out of the game, not yet. ]
no subject
E Corp.
[ He spreads his hands before dropping them back onto his lap, fingers threading through each other. ]
I'll be honest with you, it's less about information and more about— well, let's put it this way: it's about having a horse in the race. I've got a vested interest in keeping them in business, just for a little while longer than fsociety wants them to be, and I need someone to make sure that happens.
[ The smile he wears is humorless, cold. ]
Not for too long, mind you, but still.
no subject
[ but she isn't going to make this easy.
darlene folds her arms across her chest, raising her chin in an almost defiant gesture. ] I understand what you're capable of. Seriously. Really feeling it. Ten-out-of-ten.
[ she pauses, meeting him somewhere in the middle as she leans forward now. ]
Is it a Stock Thing? You want to throw Terry Colby a jazzed up going away shindig? — Tell me what you want with Evil Corp and I will give you my full attention. [ she wrinkles her nose. ] Scout's honor or whatever the hell.
no subject
[ Lex waves a hand to emphasize the point. The line of his jaw is taut, clear as he tilts his chin up to keep her gaze. (LexCorp is corrupt. She already knows that, and he isn't bothering to deny it.) ]
E Corp — Evil Corp — owns 70% of the global consumer credit industry. It's dirty money, but when they go, it's got to go somewhere. And I want the biggest slice of that pie. [ Again, a wave, dismissive, this time. ] People love a good comeback story, especially when it's theirs; all the better if they've suffered a little more to get there.