A Tower Of Strength {Monte Cristo/Richard} FIN

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

"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."

Had Monte Cristo not trained himself to control the mechanisms of his facial features, he might have given away the surprise and concern he felt upon Richard's utterance of the word macabre. Either Richard was intentionally being dramatic, or whatever Richard was thinking of was more serious than the count had expected. Or, Monte Cristo thought briefly, he himself, the count, was downplaying the gravity of what he read in Richard's demeanor.

But instead of betraying these worries, the count's expression remained steady and unaffected. He was glad, to say the least, that Richard would have trusted him with something that seemed both pertinent and stressful. Monte Cristo held Richard in high regard, and it was nice to know that that sentiment was returned. It meant also that Monte Cristo had managed to earn someone's trust without manipulating or misleading the person. That indicated a significant step forward in what he had traveled to New York to accomplish- as he had alluded to before, but refrained from mentioning now- that Monte Cristo was leaving his own past deeds, and his past self, in the past where they belonged.

Still, he was still not entirely sure that he wanted to know what this was all about. He remembered how he had felt in a similar predicament, after the last of the poisonings in the Villefort household. Then, he had felt as though he had gone to far; now, that feeling hovered over and around him again.

He consciously thought that now was the time to leave the subject be, to refrain from pushing Richard beyond comfort and their acquaintanceship- or friendship- from ending this prematurely. But, even as these thoughts passed through his mind, he heard his own voice quietly asking:

"Richard... forgive me... but is there something about Edward's death that is troubling you? Something that you didn't mention before?"

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

Despite Richard’s choice of words the count’s expression remained neutral. The mayor couldn’t help but wonder at Monte Cristo’s lack of reaction, but decided not to question it. He realized it was his fault for bringing the subject up himself, but was curious as to whether this was the direction in which Monte Cristo had expected the conversation to head. It seemed he wanted to know more about the circumstances surrounding Edward’s death…why was this? Richard chose to presume the count was simply being polite in giving him the opportunity to discuss the situation without fear of reprimand and yet…

Richard, for his part, wasn’t particularly inclined to continue the conversation. True, Monte Cristo was a good acquaintance and he had Richard’s respect, but that was no reason to risk letting anything slip about the true circumstances of his brother’s death. He was trying to come up with some means of changing the subject when the count spoke.

"Richard... forgive me... but is there something about Edward's death that is troubling you? Something that you didn't mention before?"

It was just as though the count knew what had happened, though Richard knew this to be impossible. He debated momentarily how best to answer the question, if at all. He lied to people all the time, and yet he didn’t like to lie to Monte Cristo. It may be good for him to discuss the matter, it was true, but that didn’t mean to say that he should…

“No,” he said at last. “The situation itself is troubling, that’s all.” Then, more firmly, “And if you don’t mind I’d rather we didn’t continue this line of conversation.”

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

It was possible for Monte Cristo to make missteps, as the current situation reminded him a bit too forcefully. Still, as completely unexpected and unwarranted as his question had been, he knew he was at least a bit glad he had asked it. He had asked in part because he did care about what had happened and what was troubling Richard, not only due to his own curiosity, but because Richard's health and state of mind were important to him. The two motives clashed incongruously.

Monte Cristo did note that Richard had become far more adamant about where he wanted, or did not want, the conversation to tread. The change in attitude felt unsettling to the count, as it reinforced his suspicions about that fateful dinner party.

"I apologize, Richard," he said sincerely. "It was rude and inconsiderate of me to pose such a personal question."

That was the last he said on the subject, not wishing to push the matter any further.

"I maintain that you're doing an outstanding job at this new profession of yours." Monte Cristo gestured around the office. His voice had taken on the easy, relaxed tone he had spoken in upon first entering Richard's office, and his posture and expression suggested both genuineness and consideration for Richard's wishes. "I hope you do not lose sight of that amidst the dissension and hyperbole."

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I apologize, Richard. It was rude and inconsiderate of me to pose such a personal question."

Richard inwardly agreed yet at the same time he did not wish to offend the count with his reaction. He hadn't wanted to conversation to go further in case he let something slip...it made sense to discourage further discussion of Edward's death because of this, surely. And yet...what if refusing to discuss the matter made Monte Cristo suspicious (assuming that he wasn't already so)?

"Don't be," he said at last. "It was foolish of me to bring it up."

"I maintain that you're doing an outstanding job at this new profession of yours. I hope you do not lose sight of that amidst the dissension and hyperbole."

Richard gave the count a grateful smile for his change in topic and compliment before making his reply.

"Why thank you. I must admit I've had my doubts about the position as late...I'm sincierly hoping this is a 'things get worse before they get better' sort of scenario...and that the exaggerations and dissent will end soon."

Richard hated to admit that he slightly envied the count's relaxed, easy tone. He'd expected, having achieved his goal of becoming Mayor, that he would at last have found a degree of peace and satisfaction, instead of his usual aptitude for wishing to cause dissent. But now the dissent was being levelled at him and not by him...needless to say this wasn't the most calming of experiences.

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

Despite Richard's lack of outward emotional response, Monte Cristo could tell the visit had become more uncomfortable than either of them had intended. The count acknowledged to himself that this was entirely his fault- he had known that pressing the matter of Edward's death would cause Richard trouble. Yet, he had gone against his better judgment and his sense of propriety and pursued the subject. Fortunately, Richard seemed to accept his apology, or at least relieve him of part of the guilt.

"Don't be. It was foolish of me to bring it up."

The count moved on to a less bothersome topic then. His efforts were acknowledged by a smile, thankfully. The conversation and the visit were not completely lost.

"Why thank you. I must admit I've had my doubts about the position as late...I'm sincierly hoping this is a 'things get worse before they get better' sort of scenario...and that the exaggerations and dissent will end soon."

Monte Cristo nodded. "I'm certain you are correct. Things will get better, and easier, as the people grow accustomed to your methods." He did not offer the comments that further materialized in his mind- that the people were still transitioning from Edward's rule, a period of idiosyncrasies that Monte Cristo had never entirely agreed with, to the extent that he was involved in or cared about politics.

"You may rest assured that there is one businessman, at the very least, in this city who wishes you well. Do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any manner." The offer was vague but given in a genuine, honest tone. Monte Cristo suspected that, had he offered a specific type of help, Richard would rightfully have been confused, annoyed, or perhaps even offended. What Monte Cristo was offering immediately was simply support and respect for Richard's efforts, until anything more might prove required.

Monte Cristo may have sounded as if he were about to leave. He was not certain whether leaving so abruptly would be a preferred course of action, or perhaps whether Richard wished him to stay and chat longer. He was watching Richard for signs toward either option, planning to now do whatever was best to preserve their acquaintanceship.

[RICHARD PLANTAGENET]

"I'm certain you are correct. Things will get better, and easier, as the people grow accustomed to your methods."

"I hope so," Richard replied. He could have added something offhand about just how different his methods were in comparison to his late brother but refrained. What was the point? The count knew, surely, and neither of them wanted the conversation to steer in Edward's direction once more.

"You may rest assured that there is one businessman, at the very least, in this city who wishes you well. Do not hesitate to contact me if I can assist you in any manner."

Richard smiled then; genuine and grateful for the count's support. It really did mean something, he realized, to have someone on your side. Despite the fact he had always considered himself so distant from others, Richard found himself pleased to know that, even though this was so, there was someone who could bridge that gap when need be.

And yet despite all his grateful feelings for the count's continued offer of help and vow of well wishes, Richard couldn't shake a feeling of unease. Surely a lofty title such as his was a tower of strength to which the people should flock to and support, rather than one they openly condemned?

"Thank you, sir. Forgive the cliche but that means a great deal to me, truly. I'm glad to know there's someone I can trust."

Trust...that wasn't really the right word. Richard admired the count, respected him, and was grateful to be in his high esteem and good graces. Yet he didn't trust him. He trusted no-one but himself. The count, for all his good intent to stay by Richard's side, could be swayed somehow, and then where would he be?

"...What is a good leader without the support of his people?"

How Richard regretted those words now. But he couldn't take them back. He'd have to regain the people's support...somehow. That was all.

"I hope you will not think me rude," the mayor said, after a pause. "But I think it would be best for us both if we were to curtail this visit here. I'm afraid I still have some business to attend to."

Richard offered the count an apologetic smile; he would be sorry to see him go, but as the man had offered his assistance, Plantagenet was sure they would be meeting again.




ooc: Can't believe I didn't see this earlier! My apologies. D:

[THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO]

"I hope so,"

As Richard responded to Monte Cristo's comment, it almost seemed as though the mayor was going to comment further as well, but did not. It was likely better that he also refrained; however, the count could not help wondering if the evening of Edward's death would remain an untouchable subject between them for the length of their acquaintanceship.

In the short-term, he decided, it did not matter. He planned to support Richard's mayorship regardless of what might have really happened that night; only if Richard did something that was drastically in opposition to Monte Cristo's own ideals would he abandon the cause. He had pledged his support, after all, and Monte Cristo's word was

He had his own reasons for backing Richard as well- nothing nefarious, just a preference for seeing a certain type of man in office, and other personal matters. He had yet to truly mention this to Richard, but there was no reason to. True, it was an ulterior motive, but, contrary to common belief, such motives often kept men honest, or at least dedicated.

"Thank you, sir. Forgive the cliche but that means a great deal to me, truly. I'm glad to know there's someone I can trust."

Monte Cristo was mildly surprised to hear the word "trust," but was mostly unaffected by its usage. The word meant nothing to Monte Cristo. Like so many other words that had once held a deeper meaning, it was bandied about so often and so recklessly that Monte Cristo was now almost wary of it. He gave only a brief nod in response to Richard's thanks, believing that the gesture would be response enough.

"I hope you will not think me rude, but I think it would be best for us both if we were to curtail this visit here. I'm afraid I still have some business to attend to."

The count gave another nod. Richard was right, and there was nothing rude or suspect in his manner as he dismissed the count. "Of course- I'll leave you to it. Take care, Richard, until we meet again."

He rose rearranged his coat around his shoulders before offering a small bow, and a smile, and making his way out of the office and building. The temperature had dropped since the last time he had ventured outside- or perhaps it was a physical manifestation of a metaphor, a premonition of colder times to come.


[Fin for MC. =D]