Deeper into the Depths of Dukes' Deals (vs. LA)
Sept 21, 2021 21:13:01 GMT -6
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Post by Mundo Kindo on Sept 21, 2021 21:13:01 GMT -6
As Mundo Kindo walks into yet another suite—albeit one with a lot less windows, but still a hell of a view—he takes a few seconds to stare out at the horizon of the Balsam Mountains.
The few seconds end quickly when Jason enters the room not long after him. After the door closes, the man speaks.
“You’re facing one of the toughest competitors in Black Pyramid,” he says.
Always the buzzkill, this guy.
“So…you’re going to be spending the next few days studying. LA’s good, but if you come up with a gameplan, you can beat him,” Jason says.
“So the same as usual. Got it,” Mundo responds.
Jason sighs before throwing his new crystal-powered rifle behind his back. He approaches Mundo, standing next to him.
Well this is new.
“This Jason guy…he seems familiar…” Heather mutters from her spot behind the two of them.
Mundo ignores his companions to glance over at his keeper. Behind the mask he raises an eyebrow.
Outside of the mask he just turns his head towards him.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.
“A penny wouldn’t cover a fraction of my thoughts, but since you asked so nicely…” Jason says.
Mundo turns his gaze back to the Balsam Range. Mountains…never been Mundo’s favorite. He’s got a bad experience with them, to say the least.
“Ooh story time,” Heather whispers and claps her hands excitedly.
Later.
“Oh, boo.”
“…things are changing, Kindo. Ever since you arrived, things inside Black Pyramid and Jabberwock have been different. Don’t ask me how, we’re still being watched, but…your power shift from last season really fucked with the normal landscape of things. We still haven’t heard from the Boss in months. All our orders have come right from the Big Man. Whatever history you have on them? It’s taking its toll.”
“A part of me feels somewhat honored. Most of me is just wondering how what I did could’ve possibly had such an impact,” Mundo says.
Jason smirks and chuckles.
Oh shit. I see something there too.
“You wormed your way into a high position of power in one of the most secretive corporations in the world, all with the power of threats, intelligence, and blackmail. It’s a demonic combination that paid off,” Jason says. “Were it not for your…less than stellar physical ability…”
“How kind of you…” Mundo says sarcastically.
“…I’m sure you would have had a greater role to play.”
There’s a lull in the conversation. Mundo ponders over the words a few moments before speaking.
“But there is one,” he says.
“Hm?” a distracted Jason noises.
“A role to play…”
Like something just awoke in him, the smirk and almost serene look on Jason’s face disappears, returning to the monotonous and resting bitch face.
So the line moves another inch…
“Too bad he keeps making new ones in the sand…” Heather adds.
“You have your objective. Study LA as much as you can. All of his matches are on the DVR. Anything of note is on the redacted file on the bed. If you need anything, let me know, but try not to need anything, for both of our sakes,” Jason says.
He begins to walk towards the door, but stops when Mundo adds one more thing.
“If there’s some big thing Conrad isn’t telling me, but everybody in the company knows…he’s going to have to share with the class eventually.”
Jason pauses, his grip on the doorknob getting tighter.
“Why the fuck they chose you for this, I’ll never know,” he mutters to himself.
With Jason distracted, Mundo moves his head slightly towards the ceiling.
Yeah I heard him.
“Omniscience is useful for something after all…” Heather murmurs.
Ignoring you.
“Just…study the tapes. You keep doing what you’re told and you’ll learn just as much as the Big Man wants you to.”
With that, Jason head through the door. Once it is locked, Mundo cracks his neck and turns back towards the queen-sized bed. He sits down on it, unclasping the back of his mask.
Uhhh…
Once the mask lands to his left, he falls backwards, ruffling the comforter and LA’s files. Heather floats above him, getting a good look at Mundo’s exposed face, albeit with his eyes closed.
“Holy shit he’s gorgeous,” Heather says.
Easy girl. I will get the spray bottle.
Mundo can’t help but smirk, reopening his eyes.
“Why do you hide your face behind that ugly mask?” she asks.
“Habit, mostly,” Mundo says.
He rubs his hands across his face before moving onto his hair.
“From the dimension I came from, there are certain things that get your face plastered across every region known to humans and…allies, alike. It's safest to just say that I did one of those things,” Mundo says. “I’ve lived everyday of my life atoning for my choice, but that doesn’t mean I can just show my face everywhere I go. Of course, having the mask be as popular as the face isn’t exactly ideal, but given it’s for different reasons, I’m willing to let it slide if it means I’m free to roam with the friends I choose…or the friends who chose me.”
Huh. That was actually pretty sweet.
“Don’t be so surprised,” Mundo says.
“Can I be so surprised…?” Heather asks.
“I barely even know you. Whatever…”
Mundo sits up and replaces the mask on his face.
“So…what’s on the agenda this week?”
Well LA seems like—
“Hey Josh, did Jason seem familiar to you at all?” Heather asks.
Okay, this is fine. Yes…yes he did. Can’t put my finger on the where though.
“Samesies.”
“Is this another one of those Nathan situations?”
“Nathan?” she shrieks in fright. “Nathan was here?”
Nio, not Miles.
“Oh…” she says, much more disappointed than she should be. “Well that is much more disappointing.”
Agreed. But to answer your question: yes. Essentially.
“Will that be a recurring thing?” Mundo asks.
At this rate I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole gang shows up eventually.
“Too bad none of ‘em would know us. Kinda puts a damper on it, dontcha think?”
Not really. I can only communicate with one of them and one annoying pain in my ass is enough.
“Thanks?”
“He was talking about me.”/I was talking about her.
Spoken at the same time, for clarification.
“Noted. Not that this isn’t riveting, but Blackwater?”
He’s got the most experience of anybody you’ve faced. He survived season 1 only because he won the contendership. If he wasn’t so important to Conrad’s game, I fully believe he’d be either a corpse in a ditch or completely off the radar. I couldn’t tell you which one would be better…
“Brutal…”
Thank you Olivia for that cutting lyricism.
Heather flicks me off in the general direction she thinks I am.
“Okay so he’s a good wrestler and he survives. But that still sounds beatable.”
Experience will take its toll here. He’s seen a lot of what the guys in season 1 can dish out. Yes, you’re different. Your inexperience is a pretty big positive in this match, but it’s also a huge detriment. Honestly? Go with what you know.”
“What, use my smarts? Distract the ref? Lead pipe, taser, kick to the balls, whatever I can find?”
“If it works, it works.”
Suffice to say this is your toughest match yet, but one you need to win. We’re getting closer to Conrad, and you know the double meaning I intended there.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m playing it safe. Putting my balls in every court.”
I sigh.
Heather chuckles.
Mundo slaps his mask with his palm.
“You know what I meant…”
I did. Which is also why I’m telling you to be safe. Not only with Conrad—for the love of the unknown—please don’t do something you’ll regret before it’s too late to do so—but also with Blackwater. Honestly? I don’t expect you to win.
“I’m really loving this confidence you put in me every week…”
But—
“It’s not about winning. It’s about impressing the Head Nerd in Charge. A win is more than ideal, obviously. You get that title, you get your power source for the portal home for all of us. But even if you lose, but do well enough to impress the Geek Boss? That puts you closer to those crystals. Not to mention closer to whatever web he’s weaving.”
Just…don’t get too close. I know what your plan is and it’s a dangerous one. Smart—despite everything it’s still you—
“Frisky,” Heather comments.
—but if you get too close you might find yourself on the same side you were fighting against.
“Are you actually worried about me?”
Uh…no shit?
“Adorable,” Heather deadpans.
Alright, fuck both of you. Mundo, get to studying. Heather, question.
“Hm?” she asks, looking over her still dead fingernails.
Another middle finger towards my supposed direction.
Does anybody wanna talk about Simon maybe being able to hear me?
“Not really,” Mundo says.
Heather just floats through the window towards the mountains.
Yeah I didn’t think so either…
The few seconds end quickly when Jason enters the room not long after him. After the door closes, the man speaks.
“You’re facing one of the toughest competitors in Black Pyramid,” he says.
Always the buzzkill, this guy.
“So…you’re going to be spending the next few days studying. LA’s good, but if you come up with a gameplan, you can beat him,” Jason says.
“So the same as usual. Got it,” Mundo responds.
Jason sighs before throwing his new crystal-powered rifle behind his back. He approaches Mundo, standing next to him.
Well this is new.
“This Jason guy…he seems familiar…” Heather mutters from her spot behind the two of them.
Mundo ignores his companions to glance over at his keeper. Behind the mask he raises an eyebrow.
Outside of the mask he just turns his head towards him.
“Penny for your thoughts?” he asks.
“A penny wouldn’t cover a fraction of my thoughts, but since you asked so nicely…” Jason says.
Mundo turns his gaze back to the Balsam Range. Mountains…never been Mundo’s favorite. He’s got a bad experience with them, to say the least.
“Ooh story time,” Heather whispers and claps her hands excitedly.
Later.
“Oh, boo.”
“…things are changing, Kindo. Ever since you arrived, things inside Black Pyramid and Jabberwock have been different. Don’t ask me how, we’re still being watched, but…your power shift from last season really fucked with the normal landscape of things. We still haven’t heard from the Boss in months. All our orders have come right from the Big Man. Whatever history you have on them? It’s taking its toll.”
“A part of me feels somewhat honored. Most of me is just wondering how what I did could’ve possibly had such an impact,” Mundo says.
Jason smirks and chuckles.
Oh shit. I see something there too.
“You wormed your way into a high position of power in one of the most secretive corporations in the world, all with the power of threats, intelligence, and blackmail. It’s a demonic combination that paid off,” Jason says. “Were it not for your…less than stellar physical ability…”
“How kind of you…” Mundo says sarcastically.
“…I’m sure you would have had a greater role to play.”
There’s a lull in the conversation. Mundo ponders over the words a few moments before speaking.
“But there is one,” he says.
“Hm?” a distracted Jason noises.
“A role to play…”
Like something just awoke in him, the smirk and almost serene look on Jason’s face disappears, returning to the monotonous and resting bitch face.
So the line moves another inch…
“Too bad he keeps making new ones in the sand…” Heather adds.
“You have your objective. Study LA as much as you can. All of his matches are on the DVR. Anything of note is on the redacted file on the bed. If you need anything, let me know, but try not to need anything, for both of our sakes,” Jason says.
He begins to walk towards the door, but stops when Mundo adds one more thing.
“If there’s some big thing Conrad isn’t telling me, but everybody in the company knows…he’s going to have to share with the class eventually.”
Jason pauses, his grip on the doorknob getting tighter.
“Why the fuck they chose you for this, I’ll never know,” he mutters to himself.
With Jason distracted, Mundo moves his head slightly towards the ceiling.
Yeah I heard him.
“Omniscience is useful for something after all…” Heather murmurs.
Ignoring you.
“Just…study the tapes. You keep doing what you’re told and you’ll learn just as much as the Big Man wants you to.”
With that, Jason head through the door. Once it is locked, Mundo cracks his neck and turns back towards the queen-sized bed. He sits down on it, unclasping the back of his mask.
Uhhh…
Once the mask lands to his left, he falls backwards, ruffling the comforter and LA’s files. Heather floats above him, getting a good look at Mundo’s exposed face, albeit with his eyes closed.
“Holy shit he’s gorgeous,” Heather says.
Easy girl. I will get the spray bottle.
Mundo can’t help but smirk, reopening his eyes.
“Why do you hide your face behind that ugly mask?” she asks.
“Habit, mostly,” Mundo says.
He rubs his hands across his face before moving onto his hair.
“From the dimension I came from, there are certain things that get your face plastered across every region known to humans and…allies, alike. It's safest to just say that I did one of those things,” Mundo says. “I’ve lived everyday of my life atoning for my choice, but that doesn’t mean I can just show my face everywhere I go. Of course, having the mask be as popular as the face isn’t exactly ideal, but given it’s for different reasons, I’m willing to let it slide if it means I’m free to roam with the friends I choose…or the friends who chose me.”
Huh. That was actually pretty sweet.
“Don’t be so surprised,” Mundo says.
“Can I be so surprised…?” Heather asks.
“I barely even know you. Whatever…”
Mundo sits up and replaces the mask on his face.
“So…what’s on the agenda this week?”
Well LA seems like—
“Hey Josh, did Jason seem familiar to you at all?” Heather asks.
Okay, this is fine. Yes…yes he did. Can’t put my finger on the where though.
“Samesies.”
“Is this another one of those Nathan situations?”
“Nathan?” she shrieks in fright. “Nathan was here?”
Nio, not Miles.
“Oh…” she says, much more disappointed than she should be. “Well that is much more disappointing.”
Agreed. But to answer your question: yes. Essentially.
“Will that be a recurring thing?” Mundo asks.
At this rate I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole gang shows up eventually.
“Too bad none of ‘em would know us. Kinda puts a damper on it, dontcha think?”
Not really. I can only communicate with one of them and one annoying pain in my ass is enough.
“Thanks?”
“He was talking about me.”/I was talking about her.
Spoken at the same time, for clarification.
“Noted. Not that this isn’t riveting, but Blackwater?”
He’s got the most experience of anybody you’ve faced. He survived season 1 only because he won the contendership. If he wasn’t so important to Conrad’s game, I fully believe he’d be either a corpse in a ditch or completely off the radar. I couldn’t tell you which one would be better…
“Brutal…”
Thank you Olivia for that cutting lyricism.
Heather flicks me off in the general direction she thinks I am.
“Okay so he’s a good wrestler and he survives. But that still sounds beatable.”
Experience will take its toll here. He’s seen a lot of what the guys in season 1 can dish out. Yes, you’re different. Your inexperience is a pretty big positive in this match, but it’s also a huge detriment. Honestly? Go with what you know.”
“What, use my smarts? Distract the ref? Lead pipe, taser, kick to the balls, whatever I can find?”
“If it works, it works.”
Suffice to say this is your toughest match yet, but one you need to win. We’re getting closer to Conrad, and you know the double meaning I intended there.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m playing it safe. Putting my balls in every court.”
I sigh.
Heather chuckles.
Mundo slaps his mask with his palm.
“You know what I meant…”
I did. Which is also why I’m telling you to be safe. Not only with Conrad—for the love of the unknown—please don’t do something you’ll regret before it’s too late to do so—but also with Blackwater. Honestly? I don’t expect you to win.
“I’m really loving this confidence you put in me every week…”
But—
“It’s not about winning. It’s about impressing the Head Nerd in Charge. A win is more than ideal, obviously. You get that title, you get your power source for the portal home for all of us. But even if you lose, but do well enough to impress the Geek Boss? That puts you closer to those crystals. Not to mention closer to whatever web he’s weaving.”
Just…don’t get too close. I know what your plan is and it’s a dangerous one. Smart—despite everything it’s still you—
“Frisky,” Heather comments.
—but if you get too close you might find yourself on the same side you were fighting against.
“Are you actually worried about me?”
Uh…no shit?
“Adorable,” Heather deadpans.
Alright, fuck both of you. Mundo, get to studying. Heather, question.
“Hm?” she asks, looking over her still dead fingernails.
Another middle finger towards my supposed direction.
Does anybody wanna talk about Simon maybe being able to hear me?
“Not really,” Mundo says.
Heather just floats through the window towards the mountains.
Yeah I didn’t think so either…