(OPEN) Capulet Manor Costume Ball|(Fast paced)

Monte Cristo nodded and smiled at each of the Plantagenet men as they greeted him in return. Richard responded quite sincerely, with a firm handshake, and Edward replied in his own form of sincerity, which was more openly enthusiastic and alcohol-fueled than that of the comptroller. The count had met all types of people across the world, so the dissimilarities between the brothers came as little surprise to him. Personally, he preferred the calm and perpetually unruffled demeanor Richard seemed to possess, as it was far more like Monte Cristo's own usual façade. Still, there was something to be said of people who felt comfortable being open around anyone and everyone. It was a trait that Monte Cristo frequently found useful for his own purposes.

Monte Cristo gave a small laugh in response to Edward's greeting, but was careful not to overdo it. He could both sense and see Richard's frustration and embarrassment, and understood well that playing up to Edward too much would only alienate him. Monte Cristo was not inclined to actually choose a favorite- or rather, a side- at that point, though if he could lead each of them to believe that they were the preferred one, then so much the better for Monte Cristo.

Besides, Monte Cristo's instinct told him that while Edward held the position of mayor, Richard was the actual power player of the two. If Monte Cristo wound up making a misstep here, he would err on the side of offending Edward. For one, Edward was probably the more forgiving of the two; also, given the patterns of alcohol consumption among them all, Edward was the least likely to remember anything said here the next day.

"You'll have to excuse him. He tends to enjoy parties a little too much."

Monte Cristo offered an understanding smile. "We all have our ways of enjoying these sorts of events, I suppose. I have found that what works for one man may not necessarily work for the next. Whether one way surpasses another may best be judged by the consequences of each."

He glanced at Edward nursing his martini, a gesture meant to keep him somewhat involved in the conversation if he chose to participate.

Turning back to Richard, he continued, "If we all interacted in the same manner, I am sure this would be an interesting but fairly monotone evening. The variety of personalities adds a bit of color, as long as one does not judge each part by the whole."

He was not sure why he added the last comment, but it had been an instinctive remark, and Monte Cristo never doubted his instincts. There was probably a hint of something that Monte Cristo had not picked up on consciously but was absorbing nonetheless. Such instances were not uncommon for him, and often turned out to be invaluable in creating acquaintances.

As Edward gave his response to Monte Cristo's observation, the count's expression remained as it had been, imparting a sense of interest and a hint of amusement. Although Monte Cristo did not let it show on his face, he could not have disagreed more with Edward's sentiments. Monte Cristo valued the lasting effects of his actions far more than he did the immediate rewards of them. It was one of the qualities that had helped him exact slow, delicious revenge on the parties that had wronged him so many years before.

Richard expressed concern for Edward's alcohol consumption, which Monte Cristo thought was very caring on his behalf. According to Monte Cristo's set of beliefs, Richard was under no moral obligation to give a damn about that his brother did. It was certainly far more compassion than Monte Cristo was willing to feel for all but a very, very few people.

There was a slight pause in the conversation before Richard suddenly changed the subject. Perhaps he had grown tired of the first discussion or did not like the direction in which it had been headed. Monte Cristo could not help being curious; he did study people and their behaviors, after all, and knowing what sorts of behaviors indicated particular emotions in others always helped in understanding them, and of course manipulating them. He made a note to pay attention to such behaviors in Richard. For the moment, though, he did not mind going along with the change in subject at all. He preferred to hear others talk about themselves, but it was always helpful to offer information about oneself as well.

"Yes, I own Monte Cristo Investments, a firm based in New Jersey. You may have read of it in the papers." Monte Cristo scowled briefly, intimating that he was not pleased with the news coverage. Everyone, it seemed, had seen the stories about him and his fortune in the Times and other media outlets; at that point, he would have been happy to come across someone who had not.

"Business has been good, despite the financial troubles of late." Monte Cristo glossed over the successes of his investment ventures before either man could ask him about them. It was poor form to speak freely about financial accomplishments when the majority of people were suffering, though he doubted either of the Plantagenets wanted for anything.

"As comptroller of the city, I am sure your profession bears a bit more similarity to mine than a casual observation would suggest," Monte Cristo remarked, intentionally turning the conversation ever so slightly so that Richard could talk about himself if he wished, or continue interviewing the count if that was more favorable for him at the moment.

Monte Cristo gave a slight nod as Richard mentioned not having time to read the Times. The count could certainly relate. He read the news occasionally, but only when Bertuccio or another of his staff members pointed out something specific that they thought he should see. Otherwise, Monte Cristo was fairly cut off from the daily events of the city, save for things that directly affected him, such as the rise and fall of stocks.

His expression became one of mild concern once Richard mentioned the New York economy. Of course, he had been aware of such before he moved to the city- again, he always did his research beforehand- but he knew it would be rude not to show a bit of reverence toward such a comment. Unfortunately, the meaning of the expression was probably lost with Edward's sudden and ill-timed laugh.

Monte Cristo only gave Edward a small smile before returning his attention to Richard. The count would not have considered the present topic "doom and gloom." It was just business, the business of getting to know others in or related to one's field of work. Monte Cristo had not come to the ball expecting to dance and drink, but to network; he was sure Richard had come for similar reasons.

Noting Richard's somewhat pained expression, Monte Cristo gave a very slight shrug and smile, indicating that Edward's behavior did not trouble him in the least. What other people chose to do in public, or in private, was up to them; they would be left to endure the consequences of those actions.

"I am sure the financial climate will improve soon. I would not have made a home here if I were convinced otherwise."

The remark, while a bit self-centered, was meant to convey his faith in the future of the economy- or at least in his ability to help put off whatever may be coming.

"Still, do contact me if there is any way in which I can help." The offer was not an empty one; there was much Monte Cristo could help with politically, beyond the scope of anything the Plantagenets would dare to imagine.

Monte Cristo nodded his head again, this time in a small bow, as Richard accepted his offer. It was an honest offer, one he intended to honor if Richard ever came needing assistance. The success of the city was directly linked to his own, after all. Then again, he supposed he would do fine without New York. It was mostly the challenge the city posed that had drawn him there, and why he stayed.

As for the Plantagenets, it was fairly easy for Monte Cristo to figure out what sort of person Edward was, and how his mind worked. The count would have preferred that Richard speak about himself more, but the man was clearly put off by his brother's behavior, and was probably not the type to immediately open up to strangers in the first place. Richard's sensibility struck Monte Cristo as unusual; he was one of the first three people Monte Cristo had met in the city thus far that he would have liked to develop a friendship with. Being the distant, sometimes cold sort of person he was, friendship was one of the highest compliments Monte Cristo could offer anyone.

He reached into the jacket of his pocket and retrieved two business cards. He had attended this event mostly to network, and as such, he had come prepared. He first handed a card to Richard, speaking as he did so.

"Here is my information; you are welcome to contact me via these means. I'm afraid my voicemail answers more of my calls than I do, but I try my best to return messages in a timely manner."

He made the last comment with a wry smile, meant to indicate humor at his own overstuffed schedule. The second card was handed to Edward, more in recognition of convention than anything else. It would have been rude of Monte Cristo not to hand him a card when the man was standing right there, and had been speaking to him. In any case, it could not hurt for the mayor of the city to have his card.

Monte Cristo guessed that the hour was growing late, without looking at his watch, which would have given the impression that he was anxious to leave. However, at this juncture, he did not expect to be staying much longer- there was still work to be done at home. The count had one or two acquaintances left to make, then would be on his way back to his apartment.