yourfavorite | (no subject)

[ J'onn had taken a number of precautions when he took the job offered by the Brotherhood of Evil. He had told exactly one person what he was up to, the person he could rely on to get him out of trouble if things went to Hell and to keep keep the secret wrapped up tight. With Batman as his safety net, he'd gotten to work. There were few places on Earth it was considered odd for Marco Xavier to visit. He knew every baron, billionaire and black market buyer in the world it seemed. He'd made his visit visible, to ensure the Brotherhood would know he was at least in the country. But all the legwork was done with the use of his Martian powers, ensuring the utmost secrecy as he sorted through the potential dirt. There was a lot, but most of it was either useless (tyrannical dictators tend to take pride in a lot of their evil, and make sure everyone knows about it) or too useful (he couldn't give the Brotherhood too much leverage and let them run roughshod over the country). It took three days, but he'd found a fine piece. Something that would put the upper echelons of the corrupt government in hot water if revealed, but not enough to endanger the common citizens. And once his dealings with the Brotherhood was done he could take action himself.

Now for the harder part. Finding out what the Brotherhood wanted to achieve with the information he gave them.

The private island resort was a perfectly suitable backdrop to test his just how much of a debonair spy he could be. A special challenge, due to the difficulty in reading Gemini's mind. ]

Fancy meeting you here.

[ A confident smirk and a long cigarette holder on his lips, an ice bucket with champagne protruding in one hand and two glasses in the other, Marc Xavier made his appearance. The beachwear of choice was understated but no doubt expensive, even if it was just a part of shorts and a polo shirt. Covering a lot more than Gemini was, that was for sure, but then again she probably wasn't wearing anything at all, he reasoned. His clothing was a semi-sentient plant that could shapeshift with him, so who was he to judge? ]

['Hire the spy, have him obtain the information, if he succeeds meet with him to secure his services long term.' The instructions from the Brain had been concise as always, but luckily for Gemini they left plenty of room for interpretation. So rather than a dingy back alley she had booked an exclusive private island in the Seychelles and settled down to be pampered by the staff until her contact made his appearance.

The sun's rays beat down, spreading a relaxing warmth through her rubbery body as she reclined on a sun lounger on the beach, listening to the soothing crash of the waves, her eyes closed behind the expensive looking black Gucci sunglasses she wore. Were she truly to relax her body would slop off the side of the chair, but an oozing mass of shapeless goo would hardly create the impression Gemini wanted, so she made sure to hold her focus, preserving the look that she called her own. Flawlessly beautiful in the way that only someone with total control of their appearance could be, she displayed her figure to the fullest in a black bikini that she'd seen in the Dior catalogue last year, when it came to men a little distraction always went a long way.

It might have been an hour, it might have been two, the warmth dulling her senses slightly, but not enough for her not to notice the footsteps of the man approaching. She didn't react until he spoke, turning her head to look him up and down, the sunglasses hiding the shark-like quality to her gaze.]

Ah Mr Xavier. [She smiled warmly, her voice a sultry purr.] I'm glad that you made it. I trust you have what the Brain wanted?

Edited 2021-07-07 21:12 (UTC)

[ Gemini's choice suited J'onn's purposes too. With this set-up, she was more likely to want to hang around. Somewhere less pleasant would probably be a quick meeting. This gave him a chance to milk the situation, as he was sure she intended to do as well. It takes some effort to make the way his eyes go over her body reflect a man who loves the ladies without being on the creepy side of lecherous, but he's practised his human guises a great deal. In reality, he can admire Gemini's figure- from a professional standpoint as a fellow shapeshifter. The extreme perfection is in contrast to his aim of realism, replicating a man long dead down to the smallest smile lines at the corners of the mouth. ]

I hate to disappoint, which is why I never do.

[ A stream of vapour exited his lips as part of the smile (the 'cigarette holder' is in fact a fancy vape pen, the invention of which has made disguising himself with a weakness to much easier), and he settled down beside her. The pop of the champagne cork expertly sent flying followed. ]

Knowing the right people and asking question people didn't want to answer got me some leads... [ He filled a glass and offered it to Gemini first. That's how a gentleman does it. ] ...And from there, I started getting stuck in. It turns out our dear dictator has been funding some science projects that would be of great interest to the international community. Using diverted aid funds, nonetheless.

Excellent.

[Gemini purred like a contented cat, watching the spy as he moved to sit beside her. Had he failed she would not be so accommodating, but with the Brotherhood success brought rewards, particularly if proven to be useful, which Marco Xavier just had.]

Really? Now that is interesting, just think of all those poor children going hungry, how scandalous! [She smirked, obviously not remotely concerned by the plight of the poor unfortunates whatsoever. She took the glass and sipped, expecting a fine French vintage she was not disappointed, more points to Mr Marco, although ultimately it too would work in her favour.]

Yes we can certainly use that, you have the files?

Edited 2021-07-11 13:29 (UTC)

[ He carefully observed Gemini's every movement. It no doubt helps his guise as a playboy, but in reality, he's using every supersense he has, all nine, to gauge as much of her as possible. Ordinarily, he could rely on telepathy to do the heavy lifting, trying in on Gemini could threaten his position. Much like how Plastic Man was Batman's choice to battle J'onn if he ever went rogue, her brainless situation (for lack of a better term) was uniquely challenging.

He took the time to pour and drink a sip himself before answering. Savouring both the view and the vintage. ]

There's an encrypted data strip at the bottom of the bottle. So I suppose we'll just have to finish it first, eh?

[ Chuckling at the deliberately obvious ploy to spend more time in her presence, a flirtation from Marco and info mining opportunity from J'onn, he held out his glass to offer to clink glasses together. ]

To new partnerships.

[Marco's gaze was taken as the interest of a red blooded male, and indeed encouraged given that Gemini had decided to present herself in only a bikini so as to make him more susceptible to her charms. Under the facade of humanity though and obvious to his senses her true self lurks. While she makes a show of inhaling and exhaling, there's no heartbeat in her chest, none of the usual sounds or smells that a human body produces as a matter of course.]

How clever. [She laughed, lifting her glass to clink against his.] I imagine that you're aware of what a partnership with the Brotherhood entails? [Even groups dedicated to evil had rules, they simply differed from what society deemed to be acceptable.]

I'd hate it if you had a disagreement with the Brain, that would reflect poorly on me, I trust that won't happen? [She laid cool fingers against his hand and flexed just slightly, giving the human a hint of her full inhuman strength.]

[ J'onn was fortunate in that his species learnt to see beyond physical appearance. Ironically, her relaxed amorphous form would likely get more of a reaction- turning into a fluid, swirling mass is precisely how Martian's mate. He was sure that few humans could keep their wits quite so sharp as he in the face of Gemini's well designed shape. He had to admire it artistically, however. With her talents, she could have been a popular shapesmith on Mars. On Earth? Who knows what she could have been. Better to remember what she is. ]

Err.

[ That sound is to signal a short reaction to the touch of her strength, eyes dipping down to her fingers and back up. Marco is a normal human, even if one of incredible skill. Of course he should be concerned, until he has time to remember how great his ego is. ]

So long as the payment is prompt, what's to disagree about?

[ He leaves the hand she's touching in place, taking a drink with a playful raised eyebrow. ]

So glad we're on the same page.

[There's a predatory glint to Gemini's smile before she glances away, surveying the expanse of sky and sand for a moment, before taking another sip and humming, pleased by the quality of the vintage.]

This truly is excellent champagne, you'll have to tell me where you got it.

[She rolls over onto her side, her hand still against his, meeting his playful eyebrow with a deliberately flirty smile as she continues in a casual tone.]

Some people might be reluctant to deal with the Brotherhood, given our reputation as so-called terrorists. Tell me Mr Xavier, what is it you want from this partnership? Money, power, something else?

(no subject)

@stretchy_girl

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

oops, no notif

Eep so sorry, I'd marked this as read and thought I'd replied! :(