A Tower Of Strength {Monte Cristo/Richard} FIN

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

It seemed as though the working day was never over at City Hall. It was half past seven and there was still a mountain of paperwork to be dealt with concerning the latest lawbreakers to be interred in jail, not to mention several meetings that needed to be rescheduled and organzied.

Richard was about to get started on the rescheduling of the meetings when one of his collegues, Ratcliffe, entered unbidden. Richard couldn't help but start; if there was one thing he hated it was people sneaking up on him.

"Sorry for interrupting, sir..."

"You b***** well should be. What do you want?"

"I just thought you ought to know Brown has resigned himself to the fact he's been fired and has agreed to pack his things."

These sorts of messages were not unusual within the government buildings of late; Richard was busily replacing a majority of 'Edward's people' and replacing them with his own, in an attempt to make his position all the more secure.

Richard gave Ratcliffe a small smile of satisfaction before picking up his pen again, but it seemed his associate had no intention of leaving.

"I take it there's something else you want to tell me?" This was said with a slight hint of disdain; Richard was not in the most jovial of moods.

"Yes sir...there's a man outside who wants to see you; says you arranged to meet up with him but wouldn't go into any details."

"And which man would this be? I'm a busy man, Ratcliffe, I haven't got all evening." There had been many people recently trying to worm their way into his schedule if only to turn up at his office with some tirade about how his policies were ruining them.

"The Count of Monte Cristo, sir." Ratcliffe said, his tone apologetic as though he should have mentioned the Count's name earlier.

Instantly Richard's mood was less negative, if only by a fraction. He enjoyed the Count's company, and the man would be a welcome reprieve from his work. He didn't allow his happiness to show on his face, simply curtly informing Ratcliffe to send the Count in to see him.

ooc: Hope that works for you Jaime! ^__^

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The weather in New York changed so much more quickly and more definitely than it did in New Orleans. There was already a slight chill in the air, enough to motivate Monte Cristo to add a long black coat to his ensemble that evening.

The city's commercial establishments, including its financial sector, was still reeling a good deal from the additional taxes their new mayor had levied against them; however, Monte Cristo's investment prowess, the simple power behind his name, and the more than substantial wealth at his disposal had kept him safe from the inevitable reflux of business. If anything, the new policy had nudged him forward by stifling his competition. As many of his prominent peers whined about the taxes, he kept his opinion to himself, a stance that was not at all exceptional for him.

No, the reason he was strolling up the steps into City Hall had little to do with the mayor's new laws. This would be more of a personal visit. Monte Cristo had observed Richard's ascension quietly; while he most likely would have supported the man's candidacy, the events he had observed at the ill-fated dinner party had left him a bit cold. Such a reaction was almost certainly hypocritical of him, given his own past. The irony of the situation really was amusing.

In the building, Monte Cristo made his way to the mayor's office quite casually, stopping only to flash a charming smile and a vague excuse toward the few receptionists and secretaries he met along his route. He had never set foot in New York's City Hall before, but found his way through it easily. Even a labyrinth would not have slowed him.

Presently, he encountered a man who inquired about his business there; and, after learning the guest's name, conveyed himself swiftly to the mayor's office to inform Richard of the arrival. Monte Cristo's gaze subtly followed the man as he left, a hardly perceptible expression of satisfaction crossing his face. While Monte Cristo was not entirely the sort of person who relished being waited on, the reverence that was now associated with his persona still impressed him. He had most certainly earned it.

The man, who Monte Cristo deduced was a close acquaintance and subordinate of Richard's, soon returned and sent him inside. With a small nod of thanks, the count proceeded through the door, stopping just beyond the threshold, and greeted Richard with a classic bow, made all the more grand by the sweeping tail of his long coat.

"Please pardon my intrusion," he said with a genuine smile, noting to himself the hints of exhaustion and exasperation in Richard's demeanor. "I thought I might stop by and say hello- assuming, of course, that you aren't too busy for a bit of trivial chatter." This last comment was spoken with a lighthearted sort of facetiousness. A touch more earnestly, he asked, "How have you been, Richard?"

As his sense of propriety and etiquette demanded of him, Monte Cristo remained standing in the doorway unless or until he was invited to sit down, at which point he would pull the door shut and take a seat. What might otherwise have seemed an aloof and impersonal formality appeared to be perfectly natural for the count; and, after having known each other for some time, such was the behavior that Richard had probably become used to from him.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard had returned his gaze momentarily to the papers in front of him, but he looked up again as he saw Monte Cristo enter. The formal bow the count gave was not unexpected, but that isn't to say it wasn't appreciated.

The mayor smiled as the count did, genuinely pleased to see him, before making a reply to his queries.

"Please pardon my intrusion. I thought I might stop by and say hello- assuming, of course, that you aren't too busy for a bit of trivial chatter."

"Consider it pardoned," Richard said, with an airy wave of his good hand as if to emphasize his point. "I will not deny that, as late, I have been rather swamped with work...but it's an occupational hazard, I fear."

This said, Richard noted the count's position in the doorway. With a small shake of his head he ushered him inside.

"It is a shame I seem to have forgotten my manners when your own are so impeccable," he commented, smile still in place, as he gestured to one of the chairs beside the unlit fireplace. "Do come in."

"How have you been, Richard?"

Plantagenet pondered over this query as he replaced the papers he'd been working on in a desk drawer, got to his feet and moved to join the count. How had he been indeed. He'd been better, to be certain. It seemed for all outward appearances that the extra responsibilities he had in his new position and the ongoing dissension with regards to his new laws was getting to him. This was the truth, to a certain extent. The pressures of his job did weigh on him a great deal, but they were nothing he couldn't handle.

No, it was other matters that more concerned Richard. The situation with himself and Anne, for example. But what weighed most on Richard's mind was Edward's murder.

It seemed he'd put it out of his mind, and indeed he had yet to feel any remorse for his actions. And yet the events of that fateful evening were preying on his mind, much more often than he would have liked them to.

"How have I been?" he repeated, at length. "Well. I've been well. And yourself?"

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Despite having interrupted the mayor while was, to all appearances, engrossed in work, Monte Cristo was greeted with a smile and a substantial amount of good cheer. The count gave a commiserative nod to Richard's remark on being swamped, though certainly he felt that Richard's work was of far more consequence than that which kept Monte Cristo busy.

He entered the room upon perceiving Richard's gestured invitation. A casual observer might have gained the impression that the count was the sort of person who always awaited permission or approval before acting, our of respect for the people he associated with; while that was essentially the case here, it was far from being universally true.

Monte Cristo took a seat in the appropriate chair, one of two in front of a fireplace. Richard settled into the other chair shortly thereafter. This arrangement was far less formal than talking across Richard's desk, which Monte Cristo noted with a bit of flattered surprise.

Some time passed before Richard responded to Monte Cristo's question; and, when he did, he repeated it, and his reply was brief and vague, the sort that one might give in passing or to a distant acquaintance, and not the sort that a personal visit implicitly required. Monte Cristo was well acquainted with the growing dissension Richard was facing among the business world; his understanding of Richard's other policies was less comprehensive, and he had not felt particularly inclined to read the Times' interview with Richard and Ms. Lancaster, which, in his opinion, had been advertised as less of an earnest endeavor and more like a gossip column. There was also the possibility that Richard was still deeply perturbed by Edward's death- which, having taken his brother's position in light of the event, must have haunted him daily- but, if so, Richard gave no indication of it.

The subject would be raised in time. For the moment, Monte Cristo refrained from pressing the issue, and simply nodded in response to Richard's assertion that he was well. As expected, the question was returned to him.

"I've been well enough to demerit complaint. As usual, business consumes most of my time. Otherwise, my greatest concern is probably my complete ignorance toward New York weather." He chuckled lightly. "In four months' time I will have been here for a year. The way time passes is astonishing."

While Monte Cristo's response was fairly irrelevant (which he had warned about before sitting down), he had quite purposely chosen as amorphous a topic as weather and time in hopes of steering the conversation away from heavier subjects at present, unless Richard brought them up himself. Monte Cristo, at least, was not out to badger the mayor about his decisions.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I've been well enough to demerit complaint. As usual, business consumes most of my time. Otherwise, my greatest concern is probably my complete ignorance toward New York weather."

The count's response was as eloquent as Richard knew to expect from him, and his words, despite the trivial matters they were discussing, pleased him greatly to hear. He was glad to hear the count was doing well. Not that Richard would consider him a friend; he wasn't the sort of man who had, or indeed made, friends. He wasn't really sure of how he himself would describe the man, but suffice to say, the fact that Richard was genuinely pleased for his situation was something.

As Monte Cristo chuckled, Richard's smile grew a little wider, though he did not laugh himself. The reason he appreciated the count's words so much at present was due not just to the man who said them but to their subject matter, not preying into his affairs as others were prone to do, discussing light-hearted and trivial matters. He guessed Monte Cristo too did not wish to bring up recent heavy events, and this was certainly pleasing. Trivial chatter, as he so put it. Perhaps this was just the sort of conversation Richard needed.

"I'm glad to hear you are well," he said, before turning his attention to the count's other comment.

"In four months' time I will have been here for a year. The way time passes is astonishing."

"Astonishing indeed," Richard mused, his smile fading a little but by no means disappearing. "And what an eventful year it has been,"

This was said in a somewhat bitter tone despite himself; he had to keep up the appearance, after all, of being cut up by Edward's demise rather than rejoicing in it. He didn't want to bring the matter up, or even allude to it, but it seemed he had, almost without realizing it. Then again, maybe he had. Was it possible that he wanted to divulge his true feelings, that he didn't wish to keep them hidden, for his eyes only?

No, that couldn't be it. He made it a point to always cloak his true meanings and intents with his words, and just because he was in the presence of a man with whom he felt he could speak more freely...that didn't mean he was going to desist.

In an attempt to revert the conversation back to more neutral ground, he said,

"You say you will have been in New York for a year...I must admit, I'm curious. Was it all that you expected it to be...the city? You don't regret your decision to stay?"

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Over the past years he had spent seeking and exacting revenge, Monte Cristo had perfected the fine art of manipulating others. That skill had earned him his victories over his foes; but now, since his turnaround, he had found redemption in using those faculties for more benevolent purposes. Already he had been able to coax a smile out of Richard, simply due to his perception that the man needed a bit of light conversation at the moment, not an impromptu and unsolicited therapy session.

"I'm glad to hear you are well." Richard's comment sounded quite sincere, which Monte Cristo realized was a significant gesture, considering the source. The count's elucidation of his earlier comment diminished Richard's smile somewhat.

"Astonishing indeed. And what an eventful year it has been."

Noting the tone in which the words were uttered, for the briefest of moments, Monte Cristo thought Richard might bring up the presently-avoided topic of his own accord. That had been Monte Cristo's general intention, though his comment on the passing year had not specifically been designed to elicit that sort of response. They would get around to the heavier topics in time, if at all.

Richard seemed to be of a similar mindset. Instead of vocally pursuing his own uttered thoughts, the man turned the subject back to Monte Cristo. "You say you will have been in New York for a year...I must admit, I'm curious. Was it all that you expected it to be...the city? You don't regret your decision to stay?"

Monte Cristo responded with an easy smile. "Regret it? Not for a moment. I miss my hometown, of course- nothing could ever take its place. But, by being here, I have begun to accomplish what I set out to do, and have made some interesting acquaintances in the process." He paused, giving a slight nod. "I arrived here with no expectations. I have learned that... life is simplest when little is asked or required of it."

The count's visage fleetingly betrayed a hint of reminiscence; it was shortly replaced by his usual expression of moderate cheer. "The social aspect has taken some getting used to. I'm certain most of New York must think me a recluse," he added, with the distinctive chuckle of a man who cares little about the public's opinion of him.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Richard continued to watch Monte Cristo to gauge his response to his query. However, it seemed the count had taken it well, not in the fashion Richard had expected, as he began his reply with an easy smile.

"Regret it? Not for a moment. I miss my hometown, of course- nothing could ever take its place. But, by being here, I have begun to accomplish what I set out to do, and have made some interesting acquaintances in the process."

At the last comment Richard's smile returned, however small it may have been, and he nodded his thanks. He briefly wondered what the count meant when he said he had begun to achieve what he set out to do. Of course, the comment could simply be to do with business but Richard, being the man he was, suspected a hidden meaning.

Despite this he refrained from questioning it and allowed the count to continue.

"I arrived here with no expectations. I have learned that... life is simplest when little is asked or required of it."

As he said this, Richard was quick to note the change in his expression; he was clearly reflecting on the past. Plantagenet was even more curious now but he did not want to pry; Monte Cristo was one of the only people, if any, with whom he had a reasonably amiable acquaintance…this was something he did not particularly wish to endanger.

“Arriving with no expectations certainly seems to have been a good plan,” he said at last. “Too often people have expectations of people and places which cannot be met, no matter how hard they may try to make them do so.”

Why he said this, he himself was not entirely sure. But he had to say something. And besides, he spoke the truth. People expected, nay believed, him to be something that he wasn’t, all the time. Who was to say this wasn’t the case with the count?

"The social aspect has taken some getting used to. I'm certain most of New York must think me a recluse,"

Richard laughed as Monte Cristo did, though with a degree less ease.

“That may be so. But sometimes it is better to be out of the spotlight than in it.”

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The hint of curiosity about his words did not miss Monte Cristo's notice, but he made no effort to acknowledge or respond to them at the moment. Nothing he had alluded to was terribly secretive, but there was a time and place for everything, and whether this scene qualified as either was not quite clear to him yet.

“Arriving with no expectations certainly seems to have been a good plan,” he said at last. “Too often people have expectations of people and places which cannot be met, no matter how hard they may try to make them do so.”

Monte Cristo nodded, a bit somberly, in agreement. As usual, Richard's thoughts were both on the mark and very well phrased. The count could not help thinking briefly of the expectations he had had upon escaping from prison so many years ago. He had assumed that all would be the same as it had been thirteen years earlier; the disappointment had made him bitter and vengeful, neither of which he wanted to be again.

His next comment earned another chuckle from Richard.

“That may be so. But sometimes it is better to be out of the spotlight than in it.”

Monte Cristo smiled. "I must agree. We aren't all built to be socialites. It's a shame the media here has not quite grasped that concept." He gave a careless shrug. "But we adapt, as we must."

He was aware that this very broad comment could be taken in any number of ways. As always, he had spoken this way specifically by design. Richard could interpret and respond to this statement however he deemed appropriate, ensuring that the conversation remained on topics that Richard felt at least somewhat comfortable discussing. For now, at any rate.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Monte Cristo nodded his assent at Richard's first comment on the nature of living up to expectations, though his expression was graver than before. This made him more curious than ever to find out what it was that prompted him to act in this manner, but knew not to press the issue.

The count's smile returned however at what Richard had next said, prompting him to listen even more attentivley, if possible, to his reply.

"I must agree. We aren't all built to be socialites. It's a shame the media here has not quite grasped that concept. But we adapt, as we must."

Richard couldn't help a laugh that was a degree more bitter at these words. We aren't all built to be socialites indeed. He certainly wasn't. And yet here he was. He'd adapted...in his way.

"Correct on all counts," he said, his laughter having subsided. "We all have different means of adapting, mind you, but the outcomes the same. We put up with it."



ooc: Fail post is fail. My apologies that this isn't up to par. D:

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The comment regarding socialites brought a bitter sort of laugh from Richard. Monte Cristo could certainly understand that; the mayor had been on the receiving end of plenty of unwanted press of late. Being hounded by the media was something of an occupational hazard for those in politics; this did not mean that the coverage was warranted or justified.

He nodded in agreement. "I have always said that anything can be accomplished when it has to be, when there is no preferable option. Even as something as seemingly inconsequential as dealing with paparazzi." He gave a brief smile. "I must say, though, you seem to have handled your share of it incredibly gracefully. All the sudden attention cannot have been easy to adjust to."

His expression was one of open and genuine concern and admiration. There was no hidden motive behind this particular comment, though if Richard decided to elaborate more on it and the recent troubles he had faced, or decided not to, either would do just as well.



(No worries! Especially since it took me 10 days to reply with this lackluster post. >.<)

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I have always said that anything can be accomplished when it has to be, when there is no preferable option. Even as something as seemingly inconsequential as dealing with paparazzi."

Richard nodded, the faintest of smiles on his lips. This certainly rang true in his case, and not just in terms of the matter at hand. But, of course, he wasn't about to let Monte Cristo in on this...what the count didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"I must say, though, you seem to have handled your share of it incredibly gracefully. All the sudden attention cannot have been easy to adjust to."

The mayor was, once again, amazed at the genuine admiration and conern in Monte Cristo's tone. These emotions, genuinely felt by others on his part, were very unusual and rare occurances. He had to admit he relished them, especially coming from the count; he certainly struck Richard as a hard man to impress.

The comments he'd posed seemed very open yet at the same time, whether it was the count's intentions or not, seemed to have hidden motives, as though he wanted Richard to elaborate. The man himself wasn't sure what to make of this. If he didn't elaborate further the conversation was sure to dwindle...and yet if he did elaborate he ran the risk of saying something untoward...

"Why, thank you," he said, his small smile increasing in warmth a little. "It certainly wasn't. It was always...my brother who was the centre of attention...to suddenly be in that position myself in light of...what happened..."

Here Richard broke off, as yet unsure why he'd said this,or whether it had been wise. At least he was still able to keep up his act, after the time that had passed since that night and the present.




ooc: Any post of your makes me happy, m'dear. Glad to hear from you again! ^^

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The smile Richard gave at Monte Cristo's comment on doing whatever needed to be done did not escape the count's notice at all. It was clear that the mayor was thinking of some event in particular, but speculating on what that event was would have been foolish. He let it pass without further comment.

In response to his next comment, Richard looked genuinely gratified, even warming up somewhat. But his reply was less certain, and Monte Cristo suddenly felt the vague suspicion that he was treading in dangerous waters.

"Why, thank you. It certainly wasn't. It was always...my brother who was the centre of attention...to suddenly be in that position myself in light of...what happened..."

Monte Cristo gave a somewhat somber nod of his head, in acknowledgment of the event to which Richard was referring. The count recalled that night all too clearly- the emotions, the suspicions, the accusations- but was beginning to wonder whether this really was the direction he wanted this discussion to take.

He had visited Richard for two alternating reasons: to observe for himself how his acquaintance was faring under his new title, and, if possible, to illuminate the circumstances behind Edward's death, for no other purpose than his own satisfaction. The quest for knowledge he had taken up years earlier had partly led him here, ad for the first time, he wondered if, assuming that his guess was correct and that Edward's death was not as innocent as it seemed, whether he really wanted to know the truth.

Giving Richard a faint, understanding smile, Monte Cristo took a moment to gather his words, an act that usually came naturally but that was thrown off somewhat by the awkward topic.

"What matters now, at least, is that you persevered, and you've been able to lead this city despite all that occurred. That is the best any of us could have asked for, and, as cliché as this may sound, perhaps it is all Edward would have wanted you to do as well."

He studied Richard's expression a bit, searching for signs of honesty or falseness, or for hints that he may have spoken too freely or said too much.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Monte Cristo's reaction was just what Richard had come to expected of him. He nodded, gravely, then gave him a small smile, seeming to indicate sympathy if not understanding.

If Richard had been aware of Monte Cristo's motives in coming to see him, he certainly wouldn't have elaborated the way he did. But he wasn't. And even though he wasn't, he was still surprised at himself for being able to take the act so far and carry it off...it hadn't really been warranted, after all.

He returned the smile, if possible even fainter than before as the Count spoke.

"What matters now, at least, is that you persevered, and you've been able to lead this city despite all that occurred. That is the best any of us could have asked for, and, as cliché as this may sound, perhaps it is all Edward would have wanted you to do as well."

Richard nodded, slowly.

"Perhaps," he said, in a voice that was practically a whisper. Then, seeming to have regained his usual demeanour,; "Thank you again, sir, for your kind words. I'm sorry...surely this is not a topic you wish to discuss. I'm afraid it still preys on my mind a great deal."

Why he was continuing in this vein, Richard did not know. And yet he continued to do so. It was as though, for once, he wanted to let his true feelings show and remove the mask...to a degree. Edward's death did indeed still prey on his mind, but not for the reasons Monte Cristo was assuming...presumably.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

The conversation had certainly changed course, though whether the change was beneficial, Monte Cristo was not yet sure. He saw what seemed to be a pained expression on Richard's face, and the man's voice had become nearly a whisper, before he returned to his normal self.

"Perhaps.... Thank you again, sir, for your kind words. I'm sorry...surely this is not a topic you wish to discuss. I'm afraid it still preys on my mind a great deal."

Monte Cristo gave a nod in response to Richard's expression of gratitude. The mayor's assertion that Edward's death still bothered him did not seem out of place to Monte Cristo at all. Any death that had caused so many complications could be troubling for a long time. The count was personally aware of that.

He could have pressed Richard for details regarding Edward's death- in fact, this was likely the best time for him to do so. Instead, he found himself backing off slightly, his typically ruthless nature giving way for the respect and concern he felt toward Richard. He was certain he would regret not getting more answers, if Richard changed the subject, but for once, he let the opportune moment pass. Besides, he had resolved to be less antagonistic toward others. This seemed the place to start.

"If it preys on your mind still, it may be worth some discussion. Whether this is the place or time for such a discussion, and whether I am an appropriate confidant, I will leave to you to decide. I am here because I wished to see an old acquaintance, and what we talk about matters little to me. I am at your disposal."

He was not smiling exactly, but the expression on his face was one of openness and honesty, and not of seeking to pressure Richard one way or the other.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"If it preys on your mind still, it may be worth some discussion. Whether this is the place or time for such a discussion, and whether I am an appropriate confidant, I will leave to you to decide. I am here because I wished to see an old acquaintance, and what we talk about matters little to me. I am at your disposal."

Monte Cristo could not be said to be smiling, but the expression on his face did not indicate anything untoward. On the contrary his behaviour and countenance showed him in as pleasant a light as possible in the circumstances; he was clearly sympathetic and genuine in all he said.

Richard refocused his attention on the Count's face, his mind having strayed slightly as he mulled over the man's words. He wanted to thank the count again, feeling honoured at the thought that he was, as he put it, at Richard's disposal. Somehow that turn of phrase didn't suit the count, good intentions aside.

"Trust me, I'd consider you a very appropriate confidante indeed, if you don't mind my saying so. And I think it may do me good to talk about it a little to someone aside from family or the press... I know you said the topic of our discussion matters little to you but I can't help but feel this to be a degree too...well...macabre."