Today we all steal, animals we are

[loves_war]

WHO: Bad guys. And some good guys.
WHERE: The Major’s old mansion lair, temporarily back in business.
WHEN: Evening of Tuesday the 6th
WARNINGS: Violence, language, evil
SUMMARY: VillainCon! Back in the public eye, the Major has arranged a summit of wickedness for all the City’s evildoers, along with a few less nefarious unwanted or unwilling

Comments

Major (open)

[loves_war]

Naturally the Major was seated at the head of the table, but before the food was served he stood and briskly tapped his glass with a knife to a strident ringing noise. It just wouldn’t be a meeting of supervillains without a gratuitous speech beforehand, now would it?

“Dear friends,” he said. “It is so very good to see you all here. We are gathered tonight to enjoy the company and conversation of those like ourselves, that small community of individuals with the will to stand apart from society. We are the ones who are called ‘evil,’ ‘criminal,’ ‘insane,’ and ‘monster.’ We are the ones against whom armies are raised and prisons are built and alliances are formed. We are the ones who haunt their nightmares and shatter their hopes. We are the feared and the despised.”

“I have brought you here out of admiration, my friends. Whatever our reasons for doing what we do- “business,” “passion,” “knowledge,” “duty,” and a hundred others- we have in common the strength to defy and fight and persevere. Against hundreds of ‘heroes’, against thousands of police, against God and Law and all who dare to oppose us! That is what I admire, and that is what I now toast.” He raised his glass, signalling the end of the speech and everyone’s collective torment. “To ourselves!”

As he finished, the food was placed on the table. The Major lowered his glass, smiling. “Please be seated. And please, do enjoy yourselves to the fullest! Tonight is our evening.” With that he sat down, picked up knife and fork, and tucked into his steak. However, he remained open to conversation with his guests- he had to entertain them, after all.

Re: Major (open)

[exceptfebruary]

Julian's expression was mostly blank, with a bit of a frown. He ate delicately, eating little and picking what he ate very particularly. Something about the way he sat was rather stiff. He seemed oblivious to most of the more questionable activity going on during the meal.

"Major. While your invitation was flattering, I am trying to work on a project at the moment. It is December after all, one of my busier months."

His tone was polite, but the implication - that he was rather displeased to be there - was obvious.

Re: Major (open)

[loves_war]

"Calendar Man." The Major smiled and did not laugh, although the it was still far from the most formidable nom de guerre he had ever encountered. "You work too hard, like most driven people. December is a time of holiday and joy as well as being busy."

He spoke casually and friendly as though he hadn't sent goons to drag Julian here against his will. "It will do you no harm to take one evening for relaxation. Whatever your project is, I am sure your work has earned you a respite."

[exceptfebruary]

"A day off. It's not often I'm forced to take one of those."

He took a sip of wine, keeping his eyes on the Major. He wasn't the only one to be taken, he knew, but it was difficult to not take it personally.

"I usually prefer to keep to my schedule, which I plan far in advance."

[loves_war]

"Ah yes, schedules are so very important aren't they? I can certainly relate to that!" The Major chattered along with insistent cheer, waving a hand. "Any campaign or operation must be planned carefully with a full timetable for all details. Yet that planning is always fated for obsolescence in whole or part. The unexpected is a fact of life that one must embrace as much as fight."

Major took a drink of his own wine to wash down his pontificating. "Which is why one can't be too wedded to schedules, Calendar Man."

[exceptfebruary]

"The time and the details can be adjusted, but the date must be kept. Miss the big day, and all the planning will have been unnecessary."

He sliced off a tiny piece of steak, then lifted his fork, looking at it in a passive way as if there was something on it. After a moment, he took the bite.

[loves_war]

"It is but a single night." The Major followed suit by swallowing a not-even-remotely tiny piece of his own steak. "What harm can it possibly do? I assume the day of destiny is one that is far off." Christmas? New Year's? Even Boxing Day? The Major wondered what the man named after the calendar could possibly have in mind for this month.

[exceptfebruary]

"I suppose I can forgive the transgression." His voice was cold, as he said it. It was less forgiveness and more of a willingness to put the matter aside, for now.

"Days, major. There is more than one day that I am looking forward to. As I said before - December is busy."

[loves_war]

"Ah, then you must be working very hard indeed to prepare." He knew how that was- the ceaseless activity of planning, researching, arranging, purchasing or stealing, the mounting unbearable anticipation before the unfolding of a great scheme. "If there is any way I can support your work- funds, supplies and so on- please, tell me. Consider it a bit of compensation for interrupting your efforts tonight." He was feeling magnanimous with his big party underway, and was curious to see what this Calendar Man could come up with.

[exceptfebruary]

Julian immediately paused, figuring out all the possible angles and considering. The Major was someone of influence, this little get-together made that clear. Dangerous. If he refused, would he take it as a slight? And more importantly, could he afford to refuse? He lacked resources, and relying on what money the porter gave out didn't seem like a feasible long-term option. But to take a former Nazi's help, one whose intentions were unclear - that also didn't seem like the best solution.

He weighed possibilities. "As much as I would appreciate the help, I'm reluctant to put myself in debt to anyone."

[loves_war]

"I am no twisted banker, I assure you." The Major took on a wheedling tone, trying to worm his way past Calendar Man's defenses. A new ally- even one with a ridiculous name- would be welcome, especially one linked to him by a supply arrangement instead of actual trust. It would be harder for such an arrangement to end in treachery, like so many others had. "The only debt you would incur would be success. Think of me as an art patron. I do not support works of failure."

[exceptfebruary]

"And what would you count as success? My work isn't always profitable. In the usual sense."

And often unsuccessful, for that matter, although there was no Batman here to put a stop to things. As far as Calendar knew, anyway.

[loves_war]

"Profit is hardly a priority." The Major scoffed. "If your work involves fire and conflict and panic and chaos, then it falls within my interests. If its outcomes include screaming people and shattered buildings, then I will count it as a success."

He clenched a fist. "I desire war, Calendar Man. During times when great war is not available, then a small skirmish will do. I will not support any petty thief. But someone who will give this City a taste of battle is someone worth my time and resources."

[exceptfebruary]

Julian played with his lip, looking away. His food was ignored.

War wasn't on the top list of priorities, it was true. And his current project didn't quite fall within that realm and the other - the other he had designed specifically to make use of these new powers of his. Therefore it was cheap. But he could always make it more flashy, he supposed.

"There is something that may interest you. New Year's. It should be destructive enough. I don't require much, but I haven't been able to put aside funds for a costume."

He paused, looking back at the Major again. "And I must have a costume."

[loves_war]

"Fireworks, hm?" He leaned back and folded his hands. "I happen to know of an excellent tailor in the City. One with great skill and little curiosity."

The Major's suits have got to come from somewhere after all.

[exceptfebruary]

"A referral would be much appreciated. There is only so much one can do by hand."

He relaxes only slightly, having half-expected a more amused reaction to the necessity of a costume.