Post by Mihai Chimet on Aug 18, 2014 1:49:19 GMT -8
He'd been ushered back into the smoking corner of the casino, and was now seated at one of the empty roulette tables, smoke curling from the cigarette he held between two fingers. Apparently miss Ciel Blanc would be out to see him soon, but so far, he hasn't sighted a single indication of the owner of Fortuna Magnus. Oh well—he figured she was a busy woman, and it wasn't exactly like he had called ahead. He'd been kept company by a martini for the past ten minutes, and a cute dealer before that until he'd been called away for a game of Baccarat. Mihai would've followed, out of interest for both the dealer and the game, but he didn't feel particularly inclined to be in the company of gamblers that evening. Not that he had anything against them, but he hadn't quite felt the fortune of Lady Luck that day.
He had the impression that he was being watched since he'd entered Fortuna Magnus. It might have been paranoia, but he wasn't in the habit of second-guessing his instincts. He was usually right, anyway, as it wasn't too odd for him to be recognized on occasion—he was not a celebrity but there were always the politically-saavy ones—but he found that those people usually approached him quickly enough or got their attention diverted after awhile. It was the ones that stared that meant trouble. Still, he felt no imminent danger, and so he'd opted to take the corner booth and scan the faces of the casino's customers, in hopes of finding his "admirer" before Ciel arrived. The fault in that plan laid only in the business of the casino that day, and it proved difficult to keep track of one person long enough to test his suspicions.
The nagging feeling set him on edge. He didn't know whether this person meant good or ill or nothing at all; more importantly, he didn't know whether they meant those things for Michael Collins or Mihai Chimet. Truthfully, he'd put himself in a rather delicate situation by frequenting Ciel's business and by allowing her to know his identity at all, but it had been a necessary trade-off in securing her cooperation. Now, Fortuna Magnus was dutifully functioning as a front for him to traffick weapons (most significantly military-grade guns), and it was never a downside to have allies who were both wealthy and powerful. Even if that position of power was meant to be kept hidden.
Despite that, it was still a reality that the more people who knew his identity, the easier the news would get out. Technically, the strategy set out for him required no more than for him to remain in the background and divert attention when needed, but he was no effective opportunist if he didn't take advantage of the young princess of Monaco when she was so close at hand. They were all calculated risks—he did, on occasion, partake in gambling after all—but by no means bulletproof. Tapping the fingers of his free hand on the roulette table, he took another deep drag of his cigarette and contemplated whether he should invite Ciel to another venue for their next meeting.
It was just as that thought crossed his mind that a man drew away from the crowd and made toward him. Immediately, Mihai felt himself tense—just the slightest bit, enough so that he could react if the other made any unexpected movements. The signs of his caution were subtle, visible only to the trained eye, for otherwise he was all the image of casualness, legs crossed even though one foot was braced against a rung on the stool. He watched the other's approach with wariness. Was this the person whose stare he'd felt on him this evening? Yet, in spite of his misgivings and the fact that a quickly-pulled gun from this distance could do him serious damage at least, he only spoke once the man was in hearing distance.
"If you're looking for a table that's actually active, you should go over there," he said, voice carrying just the undercurrent of steel, but it was with a smile that he gestured at the roulette station a few tables down. After a brief pause, he spoke again, more direct to what he believed was the stranger's intention. Eyebrow raised and eyes glinting of suspicion, he continued, "Or is there something I can do for you?" At that point, the smile became a smirk, just sarcastic enough to bring bitterness to its recipient. "Don't be shy."
He had the impression that he was being watched since he'd entered Fortuna Magnus. It might have been paranoia, but he wasn't in the habit of second-guessing his instincts. He was usually right, anyway, as it wasn't too odd for him to be recognized on occasion—he was not a celebrity but there were always the politically-saavy ones—but he found that those people usually approached him quickly enough or got their attention diverted after awhile. It was the ones that stared that meant trouble. Still, he felt no imminent danger, and so he'd opted to take the corner booth and scan the faces of the casino's customers, in hopes of finding his "admirer" before Ciel arrived. The fault in that plan laid only in the business of the casino that day, and it proved difficult to keep track of one person long enough to test his suspicions.
The nagging feeling set him on edge. He didn't know whether this person meant good or ill or nothing at all; more importantly, he didn't know whether they meant those things for Michael Collins or Mihai Chimet. Truthfully, he'd put himself in a rather delicate situation by frequenting Ciel's business and by allowing her to know his identity at all, but it had been a necessary trade-off in securing her cooperation. Now, Fortuna Magnus was dutifully functioning as a front for him to traffick weapons (most significantly military-grade guns), and it was never a downside to have allies who were both wealthy and powerful. Even if that position of power was meant to be kept hidden.
Despite that, it was still a reality that the more people who knew his identity, the easier the news would get out. Technically, the strategy set out for him required no more than for him to remain in the background and divert attention when needed, but he was no effective opportunist if he didn't take advantage of the young princess of Monaco when she was so close at hand. They were all calculated risks—he did, on occasion, partake in gambling after all—but by no means bulletproof. Tapping the fingers of his free hand on the roulette table, he took another deep drag of his cigarette and contemplated whether he should invite Ciel to another venue for their next meeting.
It was just as that thought crossed his mind that a man drew away from the crowd and made toward him. Immediately, Mihai felt himself tense—just the slightest bit, enough so that he could react if the other made any unexpected movements. The signs of his caution were subtle, visible only to the trained eye, for otherwise he was all the image of casualness, legs crossed even though one foot was braced against a rung on the stool. He watched the other's approach with wariness. Was this the person whose stare he'd felt on him this evening? Yet, in spite of his misgivings and the fact that a quickly-pulled gun from this distance could do him serious damage at least, he only spoke once the man was in hearing distance.
"If you're looking for a table that's actually active, you should go over there," he said, voice carrying just the undercurrent of steel, but it was with a smile that he gestured at the roulette station a few tables down. After a brief pause, he spoke again, more direct to what he believed was the stranger's intention. Eyebrow raised and eyes glinting of suspicion, he continued, "Or is there something I can do for you?" At that point, the smile became a smirk, just sarcastic enough to bring bitterness to its recipient. "Don't be shy."
Ivan Petrovich Braginsky
hey look what i finally did
hey look what i finally did
