Thom Intro
The room was less than moderately lit, the closed curtains not helping to brighten the area any. Thom made no comment on it though. He knew that some people acted the most dramatically when they thought they were nearing death.- and the wealthier they were, the more they could act upon it. For example, this customor he was about to work on now. The old flesh-bag had dreary organ music playing on the CD player in the back of the room. It was slightly annoying but Thom managed to over-look it.
As he came closer to the bed that his client lay in, he waved the servant who led him to the room away with a hand, not even turning to look at her. His light brown eyes narrowed some as he looked at the person who was laying propped up against what had to be a dozen pillows then over at a small child that sat on the stool beside the bed. Thom wasn't about to even ask if the sacrifice was a willing one- he had stopped doing that a long time ago, near the time he started this line of money making. The desire to know what kind of sacrifice this was wasn't even there anymore. He only cared about the client's request and price.
"How many years do you want puled into your body?" Thom asked in his deep rich voice. His voice had seduced many a woman and even some men in his time. Of course- his looks helped with the seduction and leading into the bedrooms and between the sheets. But right now, he wasn't using his voice for that purpose. This was strictly business.
"As many as you can get in me. I want to live for ever." His client stated, lookign at him with those deeply sunken eyes. "You won't get for ever with this child but I can give you about seventy years before he's drained." Thom stated, not mentioning the fact that it would have been around eighty if he hadn't been taking a little for himself. "And as you should know, it will cost you three per year since this is your second time of having me come. I see you moved up from the mere twenty years to the maximum of your sacrifice." Thom stated, telling the price and adding comments to make the idle chitchat that many people seemed to desire. "Alright." His client told him quickly. Money was no object for them it seemed.
It was the passing of fifteen minutes later that Thom walked out of the manshion with a suitcase in hand and stepped into a limo. He felt tired but at the same time rejuvinated, the process just being that strange of one to cause that reaction. As the limo started to drive off towards the hotel he was staying in, he leaned back and thought. He had been to many places since that b*tch Samantha had told him about his daughter and still, he hadn't been able to track down anyone by the name of Lorili Luminari. There had been no trace what so ever and even though he knew that people could make themselves vanish from the public eye, he still wondered if she even alive.
Shaking his head, he just went on to the decision of making yet another ad in the papers as he had been with some of the places he had been traveling to. An ad giving out a three hundred thousand dollar reward for the girl to be found for him. Even with the other people looking for her, it would be hard to find her... All he had was her name and her age.- He didn't even have a physical description to go by.
Richard Draven sat at the hotel, waiting for the man that his employer had requested to meet. Normally, a human without superpowers would be nervous about being around a superhuman being. But while Richard was human, he was by no means normal. He was one of the best in covert ops and assasinations during his time with the government. Now in his 43rd year of life, Richard was working freelance hoping to make a better world for his two mutant children. After training those two kids and working for a mutant in charge of a large part of the drug trade, the threat of mutant powers seemed rather mild.
Richard looked most similar to the actor Kiefer Sutherland from the show 24. It was ironic considering that Richard's occupation was very similar, except on the other side of society and law.
Richard had scanned the hotel lobby for possible threats and escape routes. He also knew that he stood out slightly amongst this rather rich crowd. Instead of a tailor made suit, Richard was off the rack and gray. This difference in social status really didn't affect Richard, considering that he saw most of the human race as sheep. He ran a hand through his blonde hair flecked with gray and wondered why Hernandez even wanted to see this guy. Richard couldn't think of any tactical advantage to having a man whos ability was to cause youth. I hope to God this isn't another one of his damn wonderings about urban legends. Richard thought rather cynically to himself.
Richard settled back in his chair, making sure his 9mm Berretta was settled securely in its holster. He doubted that he would need it if things went sour with this Thom character, but Richard really didn't like mutants who could manipulate life or death to touch him. He preffered killing them from at least a few yards away if it was required. Looking at the screen of his cell phone, he watched as Thom's limo approached, tracking it by the reciever he had placed on the limo's bumper. When it got to within three blocks, Richard folded his paper and made his way to the front of the hotel.
Richard had originally been employed by Hernandez father. The man had been crude, with limited intelligence ruling his crime empire with ruthlessness and cruelty. Hernandez had inherited those qualities, but they were tempered with intelligence, common sense, and an incredible business acumen. Richard had helped Hernandez get rid of his father, and considered it one of the best business decisions he had ever made.
Staying at the curb and taking advantage of the nearest shadow, Richard waited until a man who's description matched that of Thom Barron exited. Richard walked quietly up to the man, and stopped slightly out of reach. "Thom Barron? I've been sent to introduce you to someone." Richard appraised the man with cold, dead eyes that had seen way to much in to few years. They were the eyes of a man that had caused much death and destruction, and had no qualms about causing more.
Edited by: Hank at: 3/8/06 6:56 am
Re: Thom Intro
Blonde hair touched with a hint of grey, eyes holding a level of seriousness that marked him as a killer, and a suit that was obviously not one that too much money was wasted on... Thom took this all in as the stranger walked up to him. He took note of how the man stopped just out of arm's length of him and then Thom smiled ever so slightly. It was a smile he used during business sometimes, patient and waiting to find out what was wanted from him. Then, more of curiosity came to his light reddish brown eyes as his thoughts wandered to the add he had put out on the papers. Could it possibly be someone who had heard about Lorili and was about to tell him some information?
"Thom Barron? I've been sent to introduce you to someone." The stranger stated. Judging by his looks and his voice, Thom could tell he was around his early to mid forties... Not too old but not young either as far as the body went. An introduction to someone? That left options very loose as far as who the someone could be.
It could have been someone who wanted to become his new client, could have been yet another someone who had found out about him and wanted to interview him, it could have been back to the topic of the daughter he had never met before... Many things. Many things including some sort of trap. Thom was confident though, possibly too confident for his own good but that was only because he had been around for so long and had witnessed many things.
"Yes, I am Thom Barron." He began, calmly. He had no reason to be anything but calm. "I'm assuming that since the someone is not standing right beside you, that they sent you to retrieve me or to invite me to wherever they may be..." He commented. "And you are...?" The question was asked loosely, not necessarily expecting an answer but an answer would have just been a small, very small, bonus. He had dealt with plenty of 'nameless' individuals before in the past so it wasn't a big deal to him. It wouldn't bother him if there was none given.
Re: Thom Intro"Yes, I am Thom Barron. I'm assuming that since the someone is not standing right beside you, that they sent you to retrieve me or to invite me to wherever they may be. And you are...?"
Richard had to smile to himself at the confidence that Thom spoke with. It was the voice of a man that was only curious instead of fearful. And honestly, why would a mutant fear one solitary human on a city street? But if one human was to be feared, Richard would be one to hide from. In a world of superhumans and individuals with powered armor, techno gadgets, and magic, Richard survived through the use of one talent: stopping people from living. It might seem minor compared to masters of magnitesim, controlers of weather, and people who could bench press a semi, but Richard was rather fond of his position as one of the top assasins on earth.
"Smart man. My boss wants me to either bring you to him, or to arrange an appointment depending on what you prefer. As for my name, just call me Richard." Richard freely gave his first name, reasoning that Thom would likely assume it was false anyway. Considering the fact that Thom had also seen his face, not knowing a first name wouldn't hinder any identification. And when you were the primary assasin and bodyguard of one of the largest druglords on the planet, worrying about identification came as naturally as breathing.
"If you would like me to take you now, I have transportation available. But if not, just call this number and arrange a meeting." Richard set the business card down carefully, taking a small stone out of his pocket and using it to weigh the card down. He never took his eyes off of Thom as he did so. Feeling that an apology was in order, Richard said "Normally I would have handed the card over. But I really don't like getting close to unfamilar life or energy drainers. Just seems like letting someone put a gun to your head without working at it." A slightly savage grin played across Richard's face, the mercenary saying "Besides, you don't live to be my age without powers in my line of work by taking dumb risks."Edited by: Hank at: 3/20/06 4:55 am
Re: Thom Intro"Smart man. My boss wants me to either bring you to him, or to arrange an appointment depending on what you prefer. As for my name, just call me Richard."The man stated. There was no hesitation in his introducing himself.
Thom didn't care either way on if the man was telling the truth or not. He at least had something to call the man. A name with the face instead of calling the man "the old blonde" in his mind. It separated him from the faces of the passer-bys made him stick out more to become more real than the milling clouds of the masses who wandered the streets and roamed around.
"If you would like me to take you now, I have transportation available. But if not, just call this number and arrange a meeting." A ride to a strange place from a man who he had just met? Thom was in a way immortal but he wasn't as immortal as to where he would take dumb risks like that.
He didn't show his thoughts on his expression, keeping a cool collected face on him as Richard pulled out a business card and as the man slowly set it down on the pavement, setting a stone on it so it wouldn't blow away. The man never took his eyes off of Thom nor did thom look away from the man. Neither of them were foolish it seemed. Nor were they cocky.
"Normally I would have handed the card over. But I really don't like getting close to unfamilar life or energy drainers. Just seems like letting someone put a gun to your head without working at it." An appology of sorts, this Richard person didn't seem to be one of those people who didn't concider others feelings. Although Thom wouldn't have cared if there hadn't been an appology the action the man took in doing so gained a little respect from him.
"Besides, you don't live to be my age without powers in my line of work by taking dumb risks." The slightly aged man finished.
Thom gave a brief smile, a handsome one but not meant to seduce or to even attempt seduction. "Oh that's completely understandable and smart of you. Only someone foolish or cocky would have done otherwise." Thom said. "I am not in the habit of taking too many risks myself so I am thinking you will understand my declining the offer of your bringing me to your employer in a vehichle that I am unfamiliar with and with someone I have only just met... I will however, take the chance of allowing him into my temporary residense to have a meeting and discuss whatever it is that he wanted to discuss." Thom told him.
He crouched down slowly, lifting the small stone off of the card then swapping it with his own he picked the card up as he stood back up. His eyes remained steady and locked onto the physically older man's eyes. "The numer to my cellphone is on there. I would appreciate a call before the arrival so I can have any guests that may pay me a visit leave. There is also a no weapons rule that I request to be followed once entering my room... Guns, knives, bombs and other things along those lines are not welcome in my home no matter how temporary the home may be." He explained.
"And one last thing, when your employer calls the number, he'll have to choose the ninth option or he will be disconnected from the line." He told Richard.
Re: Thom Intro
"Oh that's completely understandable and smart of you. Only someone foolish or cocky would have done otherwise. I am not in the habit of taking too many risks myself so I am thinking you will understand my declining the offer of your bringing me to your employer in a vehichle that I am unfamiliar with and with someone I have only just met... I will however, take the chance of allowing him into my temporary residense to have a meeting and discuss whatever it is that he wanted to discuss."
Richard only had one thought at the caution Thom seemed to excercise. Thank God. Someone else with brains.
"The numer to my cellphone is on there. I would appreciate a call before the arrival so I can have any guests that may pay me a visit leave. There is also a no weapons rule that I request to be followed once entering my room... Guns, knives, bombs and other things along those lines are not welcome in my home no matter how temporary the home may be. And one last thing, when your employer calls the number, he'll have to choose the ninth option or he will be disconnected from the line."
Now the no weapons rule might be a problem. Richard understood the relunctance about having armed guests who willingly associated with illegal activities around. But the problem was his boss. Even without weapons, his mutant abilities made him exceptionally dangerous. Heck, weapons were the least dangerous thing about the guy. Even discounting weapons and powers, a guy almost seven feet tall and 300 pounds of muscle could handle himself.
"Understood. Do you have any objection to individuals with.....genetic differences being with you?"
Richard knew that this shouldn't be a problem, since if it was a problem his boss would just send Richard to the meeting instead. But Richard was a little leary about power and life drainers. Of all the ways to die, being sucked dry definitely wasn't among the top ten he would choose. Though odds were that if Hernandez chose to set a meeting, Richard would have to show up as well.
Re: Thom Intro"Understood. Do you have any objection to individuals with.....genetic differences being with you?" Richard asked.
At this, Thom gave an amused smile which turned into a slight grin. "I have no objections at all with being in the company of those individuals. It would be making me a bit of a hypocrite if I did since after all, I am a bit on the different side myself." Thom stated, humor in his tone.
"But now that the topic has come up... If it is a difference that would be more than obvious physically then I would perfer to take the risk of going out to meet him myself rather than have him come out to meet me. As you should well know, not many people are fond of others who don't quite fit in the 'normal' category as far as appearances go. In these days almost everyone knows that. The so called ordinary people are quick to assume that those who have abnormalities in their physique are ones that should be either taunted, shunned, or attacked." Thom sighed and shook his head a little.
"I would rather not have any of my potential company or potential customors have to deal with such nonsense. I may not be the most gentlemanly person in the world but I am not a total @ss. If the chance of a mob forming is an issue then I would rather step out of my range of comfort and deal with taking such chances." He stated.
There are subtle tests that you can put a person through to see what kind of person they are. Thom had been doing this but not fully intentionally, it was something that came naturally after having held countless conversations with people ranging from true gentlemen to almost the shadiest of characters. So far, this didn't seem to be a situation that could be dragging him into a trap. But at the same time Thom wsn't so overconfident to where she would claim he was a hundred percent positive that this wouldn't end up turning into one.
Re: Thom Intro I have no objections at all with being in the company of those individuals. It would be making me a bit of a hypocrite if I did since after all, I am a bit on the different side myself."
Richard was glad about Thom's response to that question. Often, Richard acted worse than his employer when it came to mutant haters, mainly because his children were mutants and Richard was definitely protective of his kids. They were all he really had left in his life, and if a full war ever erupted between humans and mutants, Richard would likely fight against his own species for the sake of his children.
"But now that the topic has come up... If it is a difference that would be more than obvious physically then I would perfer to take the risk of going out to meet him myself rather than have him come out to meet me. As you should well know, not many people are fond of others who don't quite fit in the 'normal' category as far as appearances go. In these days almost everyone knows that. The so called ordinary people are quick to assume that those who have abnormalities in their physique are ones that should be either taunted, shunned, or attacked.
In a way, Hernandez power did have a physical side effect. His eyes were a solid orange color. But he and Richard had long ago learned that the simple steps of colored contacts or a simple pair of sunglasses could hide this obvious difference. Actually, Hernandez size would likely draw more looks than any mutant powers. But Richard was glad to see that Thom was more than a little flexible, which was a rare trait to see in a man who's main goal was the accumilation of wealth.
"I would rather not have any of my potential company or potential customors have to deal with such nonsense. I may not be the most gentlemanly person in the world but I am not a total @ss. If the chance of a mob forming is an issue then I would rather step out of my range of comfort and deal with taking such chances."
A smile of amusement appeared on Richard's face as he thought about the odds a mob would actually have against Hernandez. For some reason, Richard had a hard time seeing a mob standing even a slight chance against a man who could change into a wingless dragon. It was actually funny to the mercenary's mind.
The grin on Richard's face stayed in place as he regarded Thom. Obviously, Thom was rather used to these strange meetings, and had the flexibility and confidence to take some chances, just not suicidial ones. Richard could respect that.
"Showing up won't be a problem. His isn't that obvious. I'll give him your number so he can contact you." Richard actually thought that his boss and Thom might get along pretty well. Both were in illegal businesses for money, and both businesses tended to attract a lot of death.
The need for death was good for Richard. It insured that he would never have to worry about job security.
Re: Thom Intro
The smile that Richard gave was an amused one and Thom tilted his head ever so slightly as he tried to read between the lines of it. It showed signs of a clue of mobbing being not much of an issue. So, was the employer's mutation one that rbouht him great power? Could it have been some kindof mutation where she could incinerate his foes or mayhaps unmeasured strength or possably even a mixture of several abilities that would cause him to be untouchable by the larger but generally less powerful population of the 'normal'... There was also the chance that the man coud be an illusionist, Thom had come across those before. Or a person who had the ability to bend the will of people. There were many possabilities when it came to those of mutant kind. Whatever possability that had formed into reality for Richard's employer, the fact that he woud be able to handle himself was displayed by that one small smile.
A grin came, the topic of it changing. Thom got the feeling that he was being lightly examined, all of his actions and words possably being re-read over in the man's mind. He didn't feel uncomfortable about being evaluated, to this man he had little to nothing to hide. Richard knew shat he was so there was not much else to worry about slipping out. He seemed alright enough although if he were to spread the word abotu Thom's abnormalities Thom wouldn't be completely surprised either.
"Showing up won't be a problem. His isn't that obvious. I'll give him your number so he can contact you." Richard stated.
"Understood." Thom replied with a slight smile. "A pleasure meeting you, Richard." He stated.
Normally he would have extended a hand to give a handshake with but he refrained from doing so, taking into his mind the man's comfort level. Instead, he gave a small nod.
"I hope to meet with your employer soon. If he has the likes of you working for him, I have a feeling it would be a good meeting. You don't seem like the type to give out your respect to those who are undeserving of it." He commented.
Re: Thom Intro"Understood. A pleasure meeting you, Richard. I hope to meet with your employer soon. If he has the likes of you working for him, I have a feeling it would be a good meeting. You don't seem like the type to give out your respect to those who are undeserving of it."
Thom couldn't know that Richard had given his respect to one thing thaty had proven unworthy. He had been as loyal a warrior as the United States had ever had, yet when his wife was murdered none of them would raise a single finger to help him find her killer, for the single reason that she was a mutants rights activist. For years, he had dreamed of killing both his wife's murderer and his superiors for their cowardace. Yet it wasn't until he started working in the private sector that he had found ways to strike back at those who had betrayed him.
Richard had wondered how he could protect his children since they were mutants, given the amount of hatred aimed at them. He had reached the conclusion that only by having a power base that afforded them a means of self defense would his children be able to survive. That was a big reason why he was so loyal to Hernandez. It was ludicrous to think of a mutant turning on his own kind. Therefore, Hernandez would be willing to help insure his children's safety. There was also the small fact that both Richard and Hernandez were actually friends, which was very wierd considering Hernandez general dislike of humanity and Richard's normal distrust of anyone else.
A slightly sorrowful look was in Richard's eyes as he thought about his time in the military. In his mind, he had given his service to an ungrateful and unworthy master during his best years of life. It was ironic that Richard found the most peace when working for a criminal. "There once was a time when I gave my service to an unworthy employer. It's something that I won't do ever again." There was a steely ring in Richard's voice speaking of determination and pride in the last half of his statement. There was no chance that Richard would ever give his service to those he despised ever again.
"Nice making your acquaintance Thom. My boss will be in touch. It's been a genuine pleasure dealing with someone with class and intelligence." Which was honestly a genuine surprise for Richard. in his experience, often those with unique expertise or talents tended to be more than a little pompous and arrogant. Dealing with those people got old fast, especially fighting the desire to put a 9mm through their heads.
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