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Post by bowman on Jun 5, 2013 13:55:53 GMT -5
Oliver liked to move quickly through questions, allowing him to canvas a large area of his queries and worries. However when it came down to this conversation, he was more than content to sit and listen to her speak about her plans for Gotham and it’s growing population of metahumans. Picking another shrimp up on the end of his fork, he quickly devoured it, eating his way through the meal at a steady pace. Looking around the table, he began to slow in order to allow the others to keep up.
Such enthusiasm, her voice was filled with an honest belief that she wanted to help these people; it was a trait Oliver respected. “Your opposition can’t argue against you wanting to get the City out of the economic fall it’s been suffering.” Stereotypically, the Republican Party who would be her main opposition, would want to focus upon the economy of the City. This might give her a base upon which she can fight. “I can think a number of jobs in which metahumans and Aliens. My company would be more than willing to employ them, their knowledge might prove invaluable. Plus think how well the GCPD will operate with advanced technology over the average criminal!” With a large grin beneath his beard, Ollie thought out many scenarios in which they’d be helpful.
The reason he asked about her more personal origins, was usual routine for Ollie. It wasn’t enough for him to know their plans; he liked to know about them on a personal level. Topics such as politics can become boring very quickly, it was best to change between conversation when possible. “Oh I’m sorry about that. I lost my Father so I understand how it feels.” His eyes drifted down slightly as he remembered his Father’s death. Robert’s passing was quick but not easy, not for Oliver at least. “I travelled a bit. Although I’ve been detained for a while lately, I did a bit of travelling when I was younger. Schools were my main reason for moving around, I wasn’t the most well behaved child. I still aren’t.” Sighing, he laughed lightly to himself. Looking back, he realises that it couldn’t have been easy for his parents with him as a child.
“Ah yes, you too are a company owner. I must say it’s strange for you to have turned to politics and especially the Democrat Party.” Being a CEO himself, Oliver knew many companies. Once or twice, the name Lloyd’s Pet Supply had passed his ear while he had been in Gotham. His company had never worked with her’s before but that could always change. There was an awkward silence coming from her Assistant, as if she were a pillow upon a seat; there but never moving or speaking. She only ate her food and passed files. Oliver wished that Felicity would take a page from her book. “And what about you, Ami? Tell me about yourself. From the way you’ve been acting, Ms. Lloyd must be very pleased with you.” While he spoke, Oliver held the glass of wine in his hand, taking short sips from the drink before placing it back down.
There was a quite efficiency about her, as if she was recording everything said in their conversation, memorising everything for later. His own assistant seemed more focused upon her meal. As if on que, Felicity stopped eating and placed her hand over her mouth quickly, looking around the table. Her food had unsettled her stomach. “Oh sorry, that’s disgusting, sorry again.” Placing a hand over his face, Oliver shook his head. He really did need a new assistant. “Just eat your food. This meal is coming out of your pay.”
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2013 4:55:17 GMT -5
Ah, honesty - something that is so incredibly easy to fake. At least it is when you've told enough lies to know which ones you can get away with. In this case, everything Aria's said about her Bill is completely true. Everything else - especially her reasons for writing it and her personal beliefs about its contents - is completely an utterly untrue. But then, her entire life has been built upon lies for centuries.
She simply smiles conspiratorially but does not comment when he points out that her Bill may appeal to some of the more business minded voters - exactly the people who normally vote for the opposition. Exactly how many she may lure into her camp with the economic implications she's unsure of, but it's certainly a sign that she has a strong chance in the polls. It's a bit of a crafty maneuver on her part, and she doesn't mind showing him that she's aware of this and is quite pleased with herself. Superheroes, especially Superman, have been known to contribute their skills to civil projects from time to time, but never in an organized manner and certainly not with their masks off. It would be a game changer for many, no doubt about that.
As he speaks about his father, her lips purse slightly as she comments, "Actually, perhaps I don't understand how it feels - I was so young when my father died; I don't remember him." She pauses for a moment before she adds, "But I've met many people who knew him - he was a good man. I hope that I've made him proud of me." A slight smile comes to her face as she speaks of him, though it fades entirely as she adds, "My mother though... That was difficult. She took her own life when I was sixteen." And, having said that, she picks up her wine glass and helps herself to a generous swallow of the liquid as if letting it help ease the lingering pain.
Ah, the sob story - likely to appeal to the women voters who want to comfort her, anyone who has experienced a recent loss - especially if it was a parent - who empathizes with the situation, and of course the young voters who think that she's cool for proving that parental interference isn't necessary for success. And then there's anyone who thinks that she'll naturally care about suicide prevention and all that nonsense. It almost amuses her to wonder what the voters would think if they found out that her father's death was her fault, that she was her own mother, and that while the suicide was real the death was hardly permanent. So many lies...
When the appropriate moment of silence passes, she picks a bit more at her salad and seems quite happy to shift from such an unpleasant subject to talk about her company. And she laughs at his comment, "I could just as easily call you strange for your support of the Democrats. But one must vote with their conscience - our capitalistic society which has benefited me personally so very much has, at the same time, left many in poverty. Is it right for me to sit in my house on the hill and ignore that?" Yes, she answers herself mentally, but for the sake of getting elected she'll pretend to feel otherwise.
Ami, meanwhile, has indeed been quite quiet this entire time - most of the noise she makes is the occasional clatter of her fingers against the keyboard of her laptop, interrupted at regular intervals when she pauses to enjoy some of her meal. She doesn't expect to finish eating, as her main focus is on work, but she'll definitely enjoy it later. Right now what's more important is her boss's needs, at least until Mr. Queen asks her a question. Glancing up in surprise, having not expected him to pay any attention to her at all, it nevertheless only takes her a moment to respond. "Thank you, sir. I was born and grew up in Japan, but I came to the United States to attend the university. I have a great interest in the political system of the United States, and am therefore honored to have the opportunity to assist Miss Lloyd in her efforts to join the House," she says, ending her words with a somewhat shy smile and a nod. And, as that's many times over the longest thing she's said the entire time she's been here, it's probably the first time Oliver has had the chance to hear that she has a very thick accent - yet at the same time she pronounces her words very carefully so as to be perfectly understandable.
Having explained herself to what she considers to be a sufficient degree, she stops there but keeps her attention on Mr. Queen in case he has any more questions. Otherwise, she's likely to return to her customary silence - quite the contrast to his own assistant, indeed! Not that she's one to gloat or even think very much about the comparison. No, she's more one to simply worry about continuing to be very quiet and efficient so that she may please her boss and reap the rewards that come with that.
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Post by bowman on Jun 7, 2013 4:52:44 GMT -5
Now that he had brought it up, Oliver couldn’t shake off memories of his Father. It had been quite a while since his mind had flown back to that past problems. So much had happened since then, yet to Oliver it seemed like merely yesterday. As he thought, the rest of the café began to slow around him to the point where all sound had vacated the area. His eyes were focused upon nothing, looking down upon the white table cloth with his vacant lime eyes. The only reason he was here was because of him, she’d led him to remember that. It’s never easy loosing someone, especially at the young age. In one respect, it means you never lost as you never had. Although loosing him later in life would mean you felt the effect on a much greater scale. Perhaps it was easier for her.
As quickly as he faded into the realms of his memories, Ollie returned back to the conversation with the surrounding talk returning. The waiters moving about serving food, customers laughing with one another, going about their daily lives. Knowing very little about his Father’s work specifically, he had been informed of his Father’s kind and generosity some many times, even though he knew different. He knew of a man who was willing to damage the environment to advance the company. Although he was still his Father. “Again I’m sorry for the loss of your Mother that must have been hard.” Feeling bad for bringing this up now, Oliver quickly moved to his point of him being a wealthy democrat. A very strange and unique political view for some one such as him.
“I admit, it’s a strange position for me too. You could say I have liberal views upon the way this country should be run. Believe it or not, in high school I was on the school paper; it was probably the only productive thing I did. I wrote a piece on a funder for the school who was at the time, a right-wing organisation who I didn’t agree with. Well I wrote my article upon them, commenting upon them with some anger. The next day, my parents were brought in with me to see the Principal and a few others, including the man I criticised.” Picking up his glass, Oliver took a small drink to refresh himself before continuing. “Well they weren’t going to publish my article, on the grounds that it would disrupt the friendly environment of school, and well they used the term communist to describe the piece. I never forgot that.” A stupid thing to have gotten angry over, still though it taught him a lesson. All the money in the World couldn’t change his views.
Then of course he saw many terrible things on the Island. “Plus, when I was shipwrecked on the Island, there was a corporation that had a plant, taking natural resources and leaving the locals with nothing. I knew I couldn’t be a part of that. Thus I’m here; ready to help you and the party.” He felt like he’d rattled on for long enough, talking about his own melodramatic past.
Ami reminded him of so many girls he had met in the past. In fact, when she spoke he remembered one specifically. Shado, the girl who had changed him. Something he wasn’t proud of either. Physically, she was more formal than the girl he once loved so passionately. “And how are you finding working for Ms. Lloyd? I’m sure she’s a nice boss.” Oliver laughed, although Felicity murmured quietly to herself, upon which Oliver ignored. “I’d swap you, Felicity for Ami.” Joking, Oliver continued to laugh under the scowl of his PA. Her foot quickly kicked him in the leg under the table, although he tapped it a way with a smile.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2013 22:12:39 GMT -5
Given the true nature of the deaths of her 'parents', of course any sadness about it is entirely feigned. And given that the death of her 'mother' was over a decade ago, she happily doesn't need to go to any extremes to express her sadness about it - no, just a quick pause to 'remember' is enough. She nods solemnly to his words about her mother, as if there's not really anything more to be said about it. "I'm sorry about your father as well - we're both too young to be mourning a parent," she says simply.
But, having said that, she seems eager to move onto more lighthearted topics. And political philosophy beyond her campaign is of course of great interest to her. "If you ask me, it's unfortunate that the Cold War made 'communism' such a bad word in our country. Not that I fully agree with it - I think it goes to far - but the basic principles of it aren't terrible ideas. The Republican mindset seems to be that anyone can fight their way out of poverty if they just work hard enough. Well, I don't know about you, but I'm wealthy because I had an upper class education, a multi-million dollar trust fund, a large company who thought it was 'only right' for me to run it in my father's place, and I worked hard. And my father was wealthy because he had a middle class education, the right ideas at the right time, a lot of luck, and he worked hard. So is it right for me to blame the poor for being poor when the only reason why I'm not one of them is because I had advantages they didn't? No," she says shaking her head at that last part, "That's why government programs - education, healthcare, and everything else that helps level the playing field are so important. And it's only right that those such as ourselves who have most benefited from this great country be the ones who provide most of the capital for them." Having said that, she shuts herself up with another bite of her salad - partly because if she spouted off any more ideas that she doesn't agree with she thinks that she might make herself ill.
She smiles as Mr. Queen talks to Ami. Normally she likes to keep the focus more on herself, but she knows that her assistant would hardly steal the conversation for very long and would say nothing that isn't completely flattering. And as if reading that thought, Ami smiles as she answers his question by nodding and simply saying, "It has been a wonderful opportunity for me. I have learned many things." His joke about swapping assistants causes Aria to laugh, though she has to carefully suppress it to keep it at a polite level - swapping Ami for that young woman? The very idea! But she refrains from insulting Felicity by complimenting Ami instead. "Oh, no you don't! I found her first," she replies with another laugh. Which causes Ami to shyly cover her face with her hand - she's clearly a bit flustered by all the attention.
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Last Edit: Jun 12, 2013 9:13:02 GMT -5 by bowman
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Post by bowman on Jun 9, 2013 7:05:00 GMT -5
With his fork, Oliver began to pick up the last pieces of his meal, spinning a shrimp around in the sauce before swallowing it. And with that, he had finished his meal. Placing both the fork and the knife down upon the plate. Using his white cloth, he began to clean his lips, removing any sauce around his beard. After doing so, he threw the cloth down upon the plate so that it could be removed by the waiter when he returned. “Very true. Very true.” Oliver said as she spoke about them loosing loved ones, it’s a terrible ordeal which has always stayed with him. He wasn’t sure how loosing both her parents had affected her but for him, it had provided him a much needed boost. Through his Father’s sacrifice, The Green Arrow was born.
“Now that I think about it, I have been known to hold certain Communist tendencies which I can’t disagree with. I just feel like there’s more to money. I’m such a hypocrite; all my life has been filled with luxury upon luxury. However I’m starting to believe that wealth is a gift given by the lower classes with all their hard work. And now it is our turn to be the generous ones, giving back to those who got us where we are today.” While he was speaking, the short waiter popped back over to the table from the other side of the Café, standing by Oliver. “Is the Gentleman finished?” He asked in a very formal tone, awaiting Oliver’s response.
Turning around slightly, Ollie looked at the man standing next to him with a smile. “Oh yes thanks. It was delicious.” Paying the compliment, to which the waiter cracked a small smile, he sat back allowing his plate to be taken by the main dressed in black and white. It appeared that everyone else was all most finished their meal too. Felicity picked up her plate, which was dashed with chocolate. “Yeah it was great!” She chirped as her plate was removed from the table. Picking up his glass of wine, Oliver finished it off with a quick drink, savouring the taste. It was a finely made bottle although it took an acquired taste to enjoy it. Washing it around in his mouth, he finally downed it and sat forward in his chair, to listen to Ami. “I can imagine. What do you think about Ms. Lloyd’s scheme for all in Gotham, including those of us with special powers?” He smiled, obviously referring to the metahumans.
Another waiter approached Oliver while the other took the plates. “I shall retrieve the bill for you, Mr. Queen.” Nodding, Oliver thanked him before he walked off. He turned back around to hear Aria speak about holding on to her assistant, joining in with the laughter. “You’re lucky to have such a quiet and brilliant assistant.” She was, Oliver would give anything to have a quiet and well mannered aide, not the loud one he already had. In a few moments, the waiter had returned with the bill. Oliver picked it up and expected the cost. It was very little to what he was used to paying, so he took out his wallet from his rear pocket and removed the needed money. He gave a tip too the waiter also, something he usually did if he liked them.
Oliver had forgotten the reason why he was here in the first place. Placing his wallet back into his pocket, he removed a check book. Opening it upon the table and taking a pen that Felicity passed to him, Oliver was ready to make his donation. “Now then, you’re persuaded me that your cause is a one which will help all in this City. You’re the first politician who was thought about the problems that a Gotham of the future will face. If you follow these plans, I’m sure great things can and will happen for the City. I’m going to provide you with fifty million dollars. If you’d like more, please do ask.” Oliver wasn’t sure how much to give, he didn’t do this often. Scribbling down the number and his signature, Ollie tore the check from his booklet and handed it to Aria with a smile upon his face. “I hope it will do you good.”
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 1:15:06 GMT -5
Nodding to Mr. Queen's words, Aria simply says, "I understand completely - I don't believe that there's anything inherently wrong with being wealthy, but to live in plenty while refusing to help those that can't even meet their most basic needs..."
Fortunately, the waiter spares her from further rambling that runs so contrary to her feelings by turning to her and asking, "And the Lady?" With only a few bites left on her plate that she's not that interested in anyway, she says, "Yes, thank you!" Ami, on the other hand, murmurs something about needing a container to take the rest home with her - she's hardly finished, but the last thing she's going to do is make anyone wait for her. The waiter nods, and quickly takes care of that for her.
Which leaves her free to consider Mr. Queen's question. "I think that it will be a very difficult challenge to get this Bill to pass through Congress, but I believe that it is necessary and that Ms. Lloyd may accomplish this," she says, with a thoughtful nod. And Aria can be seen smiling at that response - yes, trust Ami's main focus to be upon the difficulties ahead. But that actually is a part of what makes the young woman a good assistant - Ami expects that things will be a lot of work, and therefore never gets upset if they are.
Of course, now that the meal is definitely ending, there's a certain excitement in the air - at least for Aria. As good as their conversation went, she's expecting that she'll get a donation of some amount, but one can only guess how much money it will be. As a billionaire, Mr. Queen can surely afford to give her an extremely sizable sum, but there's always the question of just how generous he's prepared to be. And when he names the amount, she immediately breaks into a very pleased smile - which is actually quite muted compared to her inner reaction: that's enough to fund most of her campaign! She'll definitely not have to be dipping into her personal fortune to further her political career, thanks to this money. In fact, fifty million dollars is not that much less than her personal net worth...
"Thank you very much! This is extremely generous of you!" she says, somehow managing to contain her enthusiasm to a sensible level as she accepts it, "And by all means - let me know if there's anything I can do for you." If he's willing to give her money in that quantity, she'd be an idiot not to take anything he asks of her very, very seriously. "I'll personally ensure that every penny is properly spent," she promises, even as she privately ponders if it might be able to launder some it into her personal account... Probably, but it's better to wait until she's been elected, just in cause it takes the full amount to beat her opponent.
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Post by bowman on Jun 12, 2013 10:13:43 GMT -5
For the first time since they met, Oliver looked at his silver wrist watch. They’d been chatting for longer than he expected, he must have been enjoying himself. He’d be lying if he said that he had not developed a taste for all of this, it would give him a chance to good with out needing the bow or hood. Although he’d expect that no one would vote for him due to his wealthy heritage however Aria said she had come from such an upbringing and was obviously a successful politician. That being said, Oliver’s reckless past lifestyle might have ruined his chances all ready; no one would vote for a drunken immature bachelor such as himself.
“You deserve it as this City deserves you. Spend it wisely; you’ll need it if you are to win.” Propping himself forward, Oliver stood up from his comfy chair, stroking the folds out from his trouser legs while doing so. Rather than button his blue jacket back up, he decided to leave it due to the increasingly warm weather outside. Moving around the table, Oliver approached Aria first, shaking her hand lightly with a smirk upon his face. “It’s been a pleasure, Ms. Lloyd; I have the up most confidence in you winning the election.” In fact he deeply hoped she’d win, partly due to him having just given her fifty million dollars but because of his own moral reasons. From their short conversation, she’d instilled a quiet confidence into him, that’s not a quality that is displayed often. Holding her hand, his fingers ran around her own just as a strange tingling feeling coursed through his arm like a sudden coldness. However just as quickly as it began, it ended thus Oliver treat it as nothing. “If you win, Queen Industries will be more than happy to work with in your new laws and legislations.”
Smirking, Oliver let go of her hand and thought about her offer. “You’ve done enough for me.” He says while laughing. Very few mature thoughts came to mind when she said that however all he asks is that she uses the money properly, spending it upon those who need it most. Oliver then moved from Aria to her assistant, Ami, shaking her hand too. “And if you ever want a change of scenery, you know who to call.” Giving her a playful wink, while shaking her hand. Beaconing for Felicity to follow who was giving a wave back to them, Oliver began to walk towards the exit. In a few moments, they’d both left the café and had reached the car, climbing inside. Giving a large sigh, Felicity slumped down into her seat, resting her chin upon her chest. “Thank god that’s over.” She said in a loud voice as the rumble of the engine sparked, in key with Oliver turning the keys.
Looking out of the window for any oncoming traffic, his arm hanging out of the window slightly, Oliver was curious to know why she had said that. “I thought you were enjoying your cake.” Laughing, Oliver shook his head as she gave a scowl back. The car slowly pulled out from where he’d parked it near the café, on to the thin road that led back up to the main one. As sunny as it was when he had entered, Oliver pushed down the sun block in front of his head while picking up a pair of tinted glasses by his knee, placing them on over his dark eyes. “Laugh all you want. While you were lost looking at her figure, yes I saw, my eyes never left the both of them. The cake was merely a distraction. Are you sure this is the right politician? They all seem the same to me, I bet she’s going to steal from that stupid amount of money you gave her!”
There was a slight tone of both jealousy and envy in her voice, to which Oliver only laughed at her new paranoid behaviour. “That flight must have really got you bad, you’re talking like a patient from Arkham. What I do with my money is none of your concern, don’t worry she’s better than all the others.” Slowly stopping laughing, Ollie thought for a moment about the meeting before applying the indicators, signalling his turning to the right.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 3:51:31 GMT -5
As Aria stands up, the pleased smile doesn't leave her face - she really is genuinely delighted even if her reasons for that aren't nearly as pure as Mr. Queen believes them to be. On the other hand, at least in this point in her career at least, she can't ignore money and $50 million speaks very, very loudly. If he ever expresses any desire for her to vote a certain way while in Congress, she'd be quick to do exactly as he wants as long as it seems that there's a good chance that he'll make further donations on that scale again. Which might mean that she'll end up voting against her own beliefs more often than she'd lie, but Congress is usually so lopsided anyway that she feels like her vote alone wouldn't matter.
Her handshake is firm, but not to the point of being unladylike. "Well, you've personally ensured that I have a very good chance," she freely acknowledges with a nod, "Though as always, it's ultimately up to the voters." The smile on her face seems to indicate that she's not too worried about that, though - she shouldn't have too much trouble making voters aware of the differences between herself and her competition now, and by and large the policies she believes in by virtue of being a Democrat are more popular to the masses than those of the Republicans. It seems that her gamble to make raising money the hard part is paying off nicely...
Beyond flustered at his point, Ami's gives a shy smile and simply says, "Thank you, Mr. Queen." Her handshake is rather weak, but it's obvious that most of the reason for that is nerves. She really isn't accustomed to getting so much attention, and isn't really sure whether she likes it or not at this point.
Both Aria and Ami leave the restaurant at a slower pace than Mr. Queen, mostly because they don't need to hurry at this point and partly because it takes Ami a moment to gather her things. "$50 million? I can hardly believe it!" Aria comments once he's out of earshot, "What must it be like to just be able to hand someone a check for $50 million?" She's jealous of that, actually - though while she supposes she might be able to figure out how to acquire that much capital, she worries that it might put her too much in the spotlight.
Ami simply nods to Aria as they start walking back to the car but, having noted that Ami still appears to be a bit flustered by all the attention from Mr. Queen, Aria can't help but make it worse. "Mr. Queen certainly seemed to like you," she comments idly, which prompts another shy nod. "Perhaps he even really likes you," she adds a moment later. Does she really think that? No. But she's definitely amused by the immediate wave of panic that suddenly surrounds her assistant, as if the young woman is wishing that the ground would open up and hide her.
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