[ While Mark's eyes are wandering, Duv's stays right on him. He knows he hadn't been stunned for no reason, Galen had assumed he could pull Duv back into his plans up until he made contact.
But he knows all-too-well the hold Galen can have and Mark's in just as a precarious position as he was. There's only so much Duv can do and silence is the best gift he can offer. ]
No, not if you don't want them to know. [ A pause then, ] What are you planning on doing?
Peter. [ He says it more to test the name on his lips and nods. He can remember that. It's as much of a name as 'Mark' is.
And then his Komarran instincts kick in. He leans in slightly, both hands grasping his coffee now. ] I didn't realize there were powers that helped with business. You trade stocks?
[ He blinks, surprised to see the interest in Duv's face. And - Well. It's surprising to see an expression directed at him that isn't pity, disgust, horror, or simple dislike. Doubly surprising to see an expression that isn't any of those from a Barrayaran defector who knows all about him. ]
Yeah. I do. I have a power that lets me know whether a business is going to fail or succeed.
[ He gives a little shrug. It's just a little bit less tense than his prior shrugs. ]
The applications of that were pretty obvious. The challenge isn't making money - it's not making so much money that the SEC gets wise and starts trying to regulate me.
[ Duv may have spent his most recent years trying very, very hard to fit in with Barrayaran society, but some interests die hard.
He mutters with a little remorse, ] And in a nation that doesn't vote based on shareholder power.
[ The applications of that on Komarr would be far too powerful. Duv clears his throat before he continues. ] I trust that's been going well then. How long have you been at it?
[ A whole month of flying under the radar. He wonders if the Vorkosigans or Emperor have come across him at all? Besides the Countess during the trouble with their ages. He'll let that issue lie for now.
He's own expression grows amused as he imagines the chaos that would cause. ]
They haven't changed the voting system. There's been no need to take into account supernatural powers.
[ He has another sip of his coffee and considers his next question. Better to be direct about it than search for a mysterious assailant. ] You were the one that stunned me and stole my papers, correct?
[ Nothing in his tone says he believes what Peter is saying, but they appear to be at an impasse, both carrying knowledge about he other they'd rather not get out. ]
And how long would it take for your contacts to get back to me?
[ Yeah, right. He could have those papers back to Galeni within fifteen minutes. But the man's been decent enough that he wants to get the papers back to him - but like hell he's going to admit to having been the one who stunned him. The clone doesn't trust the temper of someone from the Galen family. ]
[ The catch. He has no doubt Peter will keep a copy of his papers for himself, but if he could at least have the originals he could get a better feel for his powers.
No. I'm referring precisely to your silence. I want that to be our - our Deal. I get you those papers, I never talk about anything I've seen in them, you never talk about me.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 00:36 (UTC)But he knows all-too-well the hold Galen can have and Mark's in just as a precarious position as he was. There's only so much Duv can do and silence is the best gift he can offer. ]
No, not if you don't want them to know. [ A pause then, ] What are you planning on doing?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 00:42 (UTC)I don't give a damn about Galen's plans. I'm not doing anything to advance them.
[ Then, a bit less fiercely: ]
I just want to survive here.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 00:53 (UTC)He offers, ] This is a good place to start over.
[ Much like Barrayar had been for him, though Mark has the benefit of the real ImpSec not being here to breath down the clone's neck. ]
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 00:59 (UTC)[ He fiddles with his fork a moment. And he offers, awkwardly: ]
I go by Peter. Peter Kane. I work in business. Stocks, specifically. I'm making a lot of money - I got a power from the Porter that helps with that.
no subject
Date: 6 Apr 2016 01:05 (UTC)And then his Komarran instincts kick in. He leans in slightly, both hands grasping his coffee now. ] I didn't realize there were powers that helped with business. You trade stocks?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 01:13 (UTC)Yeah. I do. I have a power that lets me know whether a business is going to fail or succeed.
[ He gives a little shrug. It's just a little bit less tense than his prior shrugs. ]
The applications of that were pretty obvious. The challenge isn't making money - it's not making so much money that the SEC gets wise and starts trying to regulate me.
no subject
Date: 6 Apr 2016 01:17 (UTC)He mutters with a little remorse, ] And in a nation that doesn't vote based on shareholder power.
[ The applications of that on Komarr would be far too powerful. Duv clears his throat before he continues. ] I trust that's been going well then. How long have you been at it?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 01:22 (UTC)[ And then, reluctantly, his mouth curls up in a tiny half-smile. It goes away at once, but there it was - a genuine sign of amusement. ]
I hadn't thought of that. I could take over Komarr with this power, couldn't I?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 02:01 (UTC)He's own expression grows amused as he imagines the chaos that would cause. ]
They haven't changed the voting system. There's been no need to take into account supernatural powers.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 02:12 (UTC)Fortunately, I have about as much of a desire to rule Komarr as I do to rule Barrayar.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 03:08 (UTC)[ He has another sip of his coffee and considers his next question. Better to be direct about it than search for a mysterious assailant. ] You were the one that stunned me and stole my papers, correct?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 03:12 (UTC)Uh.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 03:51 (UTC)I could use my papers back.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 13:39 (UTC)[ He says that in a mutter. Looks off to the side. For someone really good at lying, sometimes he is really shitty at lying. ]
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 16:40 (UTC)Yes. The ones I was carrying that vanished after I was stunned.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 16:47 (UTC)[ Possibly even more difficult than Miles. Possibly. ]
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 16:54 (UTC)You've already shredded them, haven't you?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 16:58 (UTC)You're saying you lost your papers, then. When did this happen? And where?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:01 (UTC)Dryly, ] Why yes, I was. It happened right when I arrived by the government housing in De Chima. Perhaps you're familiar with it.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:05 (UTC)[ He smiles. It feels awkward. ]
I have contacts in De Chima, actually. I could probably talk to some people to see if it's possible to get those papers back.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:13 (UTC)[ Nothing in his tone says he believes what Peter is saying, but they appear to be at an impasse, both carrying knowledge about he other they'd rather not get out. ]
And how long would it take for your contacts to get back to me?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:16 (UTC)[ Yeah, right. He could have those papers back to Galeni within fifteen minutes. But the man's been decent enough that he wants to get the papers back to him - but like hell he's going to admit to having been the one who stunned him. The clone doesn't trust the temper of someone from the Galen family. ]
I'd want something in return, though.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:24 (UTC)Mildly, ] You mean besides my silence?
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:31 (UTC)No. I'm referring precisely to your silence. I want that to be our - our Deal. I get you those papers, I never talk about anything I've seen in them, you never talk about me.
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Date: 6 Apr 2016 17:36 (UTC)Does that include yourself as Peter?
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