Description: No matter how quietly the pebble moves, when it hits the pond, it makes ripples. Angelo's recent activities in Metro City have not gone entirely unnoticed, and Kain Heinlein, for his own inscrutable purposes, has decided to encourage the assassin not to let up on his work. Although initially tense, it soon seems that the goals of the two men coincide quite handily. The use of trying to lock professional fighters out of your home is also demonstrated magnificently!
People who know of Angelo would probably be surprised by the truth. Which is, despite his incredible success and heaps of money, he ... rarely actually spends it. It draws the wrong /sort/ of attention, and although he enjoys the finer things in life, he enjoys not being in jail an awful lot more.
Which is why Angelo's apartment is just one of many. Situated in the West Side of Metro City, he's even paid off the local gangs to leave him and his apartment complex alone, rather than make an example of them as would be his usual instinct. The few clashes he had had with Haggar's new police force ... it was exhilarating! But it also meant a return to some level of subtly, rather than an explosive and constant presence.
At least, for now.
Which is why Angelo is relaxing, today. A simple dress shirt, black, and slacks. The Italian isn't wearing his usual hoodie, or making any particular effort to hide his face; revealing handsome, refined Italian features. Dark hair kept sharp and short, intense eyes, and a strong jaw.
He's also watching television. Which he normally hates, but he's still haunted by the words of that ... strange woman. Miranda had said something about watching all of Romero's movies. He'd been through the zombies, now he is into the less well known stuff, seeking some kind of insight into her fighting style.
Motorcycle jousting? How could anyone watch this garbage seriously? What did she MEAN?!
The art of stealth is quite difficult. Above a certain level of self control it becomes fairly easy to make your footsteps be silent and control your breathing, but there are many other factors involved. The sound of cloth rustling, getting through a closed door or window without making a sound, and the change in air flow that accompanies opening one of them, and the auras that many practiced fighters can sense. Kain R. Heinlein has learned to deal with many of these issues, but for the most part he really doesn't care to lurk around carefully picking locks and oiling a door's hinges before opening it.
And so he doesn't bother with it. While suddenly appearing behind Angelo would make for a good opening move in the relationship between the two men, it's not really necessary; Kain has plenty of other ways of demonstrating just who has the upper hand.
Thus, Angelo does receive some warning that somebody is entering his apartment. It's not much, though. There's a sudden clunk from the locking mechanism, then the sound of the door swinging briefly open and then shut. Any additional deadbolts do not present an issue. Luckily they are easy enough to replace.
Kain strides in smoothly, very briefly glancing over the layout of the apartment, although he has already researched the floorplan. "Hello, Angelo. I have some things to discuss with you."
Angelo is paranoid. It's, a basic survival instinct when you kill people for money. When he hears the lock thunk, he pauses his DVD. The door opens, and he stands up. If this is a burglar, they've possibly chosen the worst apartment in the entire West Side...
But it isn't a burglar. Angelo is visibly startled when Kain enters the room, and he actually takes a step backwards. Kain's reputation precedes him, and the fact that he has found this place, well. That, also, speaks volumes. To his credit, however, the assassin recovers relatively quickly, and nods his head. "Please, Mr. Heinlein, come in."
Moving backwards some in a more, controlled way, Angelo just happens to put his couch between himself and the world-renowned fighter. "I'm surprised. But, my door is always open." And will need a new deadbolt, it seems, but we'll ignore that for now. "Please, make yourself at home. May I offer you some refreshment?"
Kain shakes his head. "No, thank you. I won't be remaining long. I've made some arrangements to ensure that my presence here goes unnoticed, but they can only hold for so long. The price of fame and influence." A smirk passes briefly over his face. And after this meeting there will also be a few loose ends that need to be... tied up. Then there will /really/ be nobody outside this meeting that knows about it.
Heinlein also doesn't seem to react to Angelo's use of the couch. In the event that violence does become necessary, it probably wouldn't concern him much anyway. "I'll get right to the point. You have an impressive reputation for your work. But an almost non-existant presence in your private life. A good combination for getting things done. Being a public figure has perks, but also a few drawbacks." Drawbacks which Kain feels Geese never fully appreciated until it was too late.
"It has come to my attention that you've already had some run-ins with the Metro City police department, which makes this all the better. I would like you to continue causing trouble for them. I've heard rumors about some reorganization going on, and it would suit my interests if they do not become a more... effective force."
Angelo hesitates for a moment, but, nods. Still standing, he stops and listens. He even smiles when the trouble he has been causing for the MCPD is mentioned. Who doesn't like hearing some compliments about themselves? Especially when they come from someone as well respected as Kain.
"Well, then, it seems our goals coincide." He says. He doesn't know /why/ Kain would want this. But, it's not generally good practice to worry overly much about that sort of thing. "It's true, though. I understand that Mayor Haggar is pulling together quite the ... effective, as you say, force. One of them has come particularly to my attention." For a moment, his eyes flicker back to the TV screen. The woman was just so, enthralling! He'd never encountered a style so surprising, and it drove him mad that he hadn't been able to counter it effectively.
"I suppose broadening my interest to the rest of the police department could be arranged." He brings his hand up to run through his hair, perhaps still just a little nervous. But at least Kain seemed in pleasant enough spirits. "Of course, there are some conditions. But, that depends on how much ... direct oversight you wish over my activities. If you just want me to continue at my own pace, as I wish, well, it would hardly be fair of me to take advantage of this fortuitous circumstance. I assure you, I will be exploring the capabilities of the MCPD quite thoroughly."
Kain nods and idly gestures with one hand. "Feel free to proceed at your own pace. I wouldn't want to compromise your work. I will be keeping an eye on events, and if the situation merits additional interference I will put some more subtle tools into play. But that's not the only reason I've come to speak to you."
Heinlein fixes a steady gaze on Angelo. "I also want to suggest that you be discrete in any outings you may have in Southtown. The time will come for things to be hashed out, when people are forced to rely on their own strength if they want to survive. But even the weak can be problematic in aggregate, so I would prefer to keep them blissfully ignorant until it's time to see what they're made of."
The second request, brings some surprise back to Angelo's features. This, turns into a genuine smile. "An interesting way of putting things." He replies, "But ... no need to expand. You strike me as a sensible man, Mr. Heinlein. Your abilities speak for themselves, and you've obviously taken the time to do your research on me, as well. I'm impressed."
Moving around, and meeting Kain's eye, his expression turns more serious. "I'll do as you ask. If I return to Southtown in the future, I shall do so quietly. If we are reaching the crescendo of human endeavors, then I shall simply look forward to the performance."
He stops a respectful distance away, and gives a short bow, "Was there anything else you wished to discuss with me?"
There's a momentary pause, then Kain shakes his head. "No, I believe that's all for now. I may have some more specific tasks that could use your assistance in the future, but I'll use more convenient means for contacting you. This personal meeting is just because I like to get a feel for those I'll be working with." That sounds a bit more friendly than 'who will be working for me', which often engenders a bit more loyalty. The other side of the coin is that the personal meeting also silently covers 'I know where you live'. Kain likes to keep all his bases covered.
Heinlein then reaches one gloved hand into a pocket of his coat and withdraws a stack of hundred dollar bills, which he tosses on a table. "A gesture of good will, and to cover the damage to the door. And now I'll see myself out. Have a pleasant day." And then Kain swiftly turns about and makes his way to the door.
Angelo would, ordinarily, shake Kain's hand. But, he can't shake the feeling that he's being judged. Which is fine, and against most people, wouldn't bother him. But in Kain's case, he doesn't want to tip his hand any more than he has to. He nods, "Very much appreciated."
Picking up the bills, habit leads him to flick through, and gauge just how much he's made. That's, impressive. More than enough to fund his little adventure in Metro City out of Kain's, rather than his own, pocket. Which is more than what he'd been hoping for. "And you, Sir. A pleasure doing business with you." He calls after the man. Only when he's sure he's gone does he go to check the damage to his door. Hmmmm. Probably best to move, anyway. It couldn't hurt, and he couldn't *quite* be sure how discrete Kain had been in finding him.
Log created on 10:53:18 02/01/2011 by Angelo, and last modified on 12:32:45 02/01/2011.