3049/You Can't Eat Principles

You Can't Eat Principles
Date of Scene:	03 November 2017
Location:	New York City
Synopsis:	Elektra discusses Foundation business with the man himself. She and Matt come to an agreement (of sorts). It's progress.
Cast of Characters:	Daredevil, Elektra

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Daredevil has posed:
    He knew he shouldn't have answered the phone. It had been fifteen minutes after Karen had left, twenty-five after Foggy, and it just sat there for a time ringing. The caller ID piped up the identity of the caller though the voice activation mangled the words, only for the phone to fall silent. A single instant of blessed silence and then... it started ringing again. Same caller.
    That had been forty five minutes ago, after Matt had answered in the idea it might be an emergency. Fridays could be like that somewhat with their few 'regular' clients. Difficulty strikes the neighborhood when the paychecks come in. But it wasn't an emergency, technically. Mrs. Gutierrez was on the line, matriach of the Gutierrez family, they were from around the block... known for the large numbers of family members and the difficulty they have dealing with the law.
    "Yes, Mrs. G. I understand."
    "No, I understand. It's just the courts have their own pace for these things..."
    "No, there's no way we can 'grease' the wheels of this, Mrs. G. And if you ask again and if I don't say anything to the police I'll be in an ethical breach."
    A small sigh slips from him, then he tilts his head as he considers the phone in his grip. And slowly he sets it down with a click.

Elektra has posed:
    She'd waited until she knew the least amount of interference would be waiting for her when she arrived at the office. At one point, she'd considered dropping in in a fashion more.. well, less mundanely, and more to what she knew Matt expected of her. Which may have actually played her hand on matters. Though, in the end, he decision had been informed by the fact that regardless of what he might think of her, she actually was serious about this little venture. And serious required certain due diligence.
    Thus it was that Elektra Natchios had her driver drop her off outside the brownstone office of Nelson and Murdock, with instructions to wait for her call, and walked herself up the stairs to where the office was. The stairs gave her time to think about how she was going to handle this matter and compose herself. Not that she wasn't a master of composure, but there were reasons for that, and allowing one's self moment like these were all part of it.
    She didn't knock, pushing open the office door and entering the main foyer room, standing there and looking around. Biding her time. He'd know he had company. He'd know exactly who it was, too. Even if she were dressed in business neutral. A deceptive business neutral.
    She counted heartbeats. Waiting.

Daredevil has posed:
    The door opens with a faint and slow swing that exposes him standing there in the way. He had had enough time to gather his cane in hand and to rest it on the floor, even as he had stood at the door and debated opening it. On some level he had considered perhaps making his own retreat out the window, much as she had considered making her approach. But that smacked of cowardice, despite the subtle appeal.
    A few steps carry him further into the room as he lifts his voice in a form of greeting, "Technically, we're closed." He'll offer, in other times that might have been a close approximation of a joke, but his manner lends nothing of humor to it.
    But there is a recognition there of what this is, or perhaps rather to what an extension of herself this may well be. So he turns his head slightly, as if looking away, then turns back towards her. "Foggy made his pitch for you." He says of that night, that'll serve as a summary.

Elektra has posed:
    "I know," Elektra voices simply, making no move to come closer or retreat. No seeking the comfort of a chair, or the usual meandering and summing up of the space she occupies. Not the usual body in motion, or even mind, always ready for the moment flight might be necessary, or attack the answer. Instead she is all calms and quiets, taking him in, and forming her thoughts around words to make him hear.
    She knows Foggy made his pitch. Just as she knows it failed. She didn't need a report to come to that conclusion. The silence after their meeting spoke volumes that didn't need Foggy to tell her Matt had turned the idea down.
    Still, she needed to hear it from him. Just as she needed to plead her case. She supposed he might appreciate it, being a lawyer. Mostly, it was the motion that was necessary. The Hail Mary of the thing. A faint hope.
    "Is it just that it's my money? Or were there other reasons."

Daredevil has posed:
    His eyebrows rise behind those mirrored lenses, his head turning to the side for a moment. He takes a few steps, cane clicking once upon the leg of the desk. Not that he needs the cane, and she knows this, there's no theater to the movement nor showmanship. It's perhaps more that he just has gotten used to thinking with it at times. But he stops behind Karen's desk, the one that faces the door to the place for reception.
    "It's because I don't trust you, Elektra." He furrows his brow as he considers the woman before him, the way her heartbeat is, the way her pulse flows, the controlled breathing. "But also because I don't trust who you are or what the future will bring from you."
    He is the first one to take a seat as he pulls out the chair Ms. Page often uses, settling into it with a faint creak from the old springs. The cane is settled between his legs with his hands resting upon the pommel. "You might be going into this with open eyes, and pure intent. I don't know for sure. But I feel you're travelling a... dark road. And down the line, well... it could be the death of this firm if something happens. If we become connected to you."

Elektra has posed:
    He gets an inclination of head for that. Her lips pursing over a satisfied smile. "I see. Fair enough."
    Now she does move, but only the few short steps it takes to bring her to the chair by Karen's desk, and to pull it out and sit in it, one graceful thigh crossed over the other, hands neatly folded in her lap. The picture of perfect relaxation. He'd know better, though. It's all about control. Owning the moments. And while she's already allowed he's won points, it's also clear she believes she has the counter measures.
    Like all the games they've played, it's all edges and fractions of points. Like a death of a thousand papercuts, things are never played fully straight; cards lain out at the table with care until the entire hand unfolds and the winner is determined.
    "And if I told you that I'm merely the figurehead that sets it in motion? Do you honestly think I hadn't thought of this? I've already paid a delightful set of lawyers a frightful sum of money to make certain none of those things you fear come to pass. Lesson one, my dear Matt, never hold in your hands that which can be held in trust."
    Ante has been set.

Daredevil has posed:
    The man lowers his head slightly, and he then turns his head to the side. If one didn't know him for being blind it'd seem like he can't look at it. Which is true in part. He pushes a hand through his hair, fingers curled around the back of his neck as he takes in a breath. Then to her, "Elektra, this is all..." He waves a hand...
    A small laugh slips from him as he adds, "Imagine a lawyer saying this but, this is all technicalities. My objection is more along the lines of..." He turns his head away. "Ethical."
    But then instead of elaborating on that he'll lean forwards, hand upon the desk and most likely disrupting poor Karen's system for dealing with the day to day. "There may be a way forward..."

Elektra has posed:
    Elektra's answering laughter is a brilliant swath of richness in the room, "Oh my. Ethical? It won't even be my money, Matthew."
    Her eyes watch him. His motions. How he takes that ever so typical stance at Karen's desk - hands braced the way she's certain he's argued many a case. Lips curling on a hint of a smile as papers slide into one another and escape paper clips. It's not her concern, though it may be the woman's own fault for leaving things out. Though that alone may say they weren't so important as that.
    "Very well. How shall we proceed?"

Daredevil has posed:
    "I can't be a part of it, Elektra." He says levelly. A breath being drawn before he shifts his attention to the side. So many people take that movement to be distraction, or him being lost in thought. She knows him well enough to gauge that gesture for what it is, him turning his ear to listen to her all the more closely.
    A hand lifts to perhaps cut off any objection as he says, "If Foggy wishes to take this on, perhaps as something under his masthead," A curious use of the phrase, "Then he can do it outside of our Nelson and Murdock workload. His efforts, his time. Perhaps the use of these facilities will entitle Nelson and Murdock to some fee. But nothing unrealistic."
    A breath is taken, and then he adds. "And if certain criteria are met, then the partnership dissolves." He then leans back in the chair, that old spring creaking again. "I don't want to stand in his way. But I can't go with him if this is the case."

Elektra has posed:
    She leans back in the chair she's in. That Elektra has allowed such casualness, such wanton disregard for the fact that relaxed as she is, she's opened herself up and is vulnerable, should speak volumes.
    "There are problems with that," she offers succinctly. "Of the two of you, you're the better lawyer. And much as you don't trust me, I am sincere in this. In fact, it's much your fault that such a thing came to mind. You kept saying to give this other life a try."
    Delicately, she examines a fingernail. "It wouldn't be right to split the firm up. And you can't deny that this is what you want for the firm. If it's my money that's the issue, then we remove that. The legalities are air tight. All my involvement need be is fronting the initial costs of the legal fees and the charity gala. All of which are tax writeoffs, so you needn't even feel obligated to consider them my money either if that's a concern."
    Her hand is dropped with negligent care, and she turns her gaze upon him. It's utterly calm. "You wanted a chance, change, Matthew. I'm making an offer in good faith."

Daredevil has posed:
    A furrow mars his brow behind those glasses as he looks to the side. His thoughts unwind those words she's offered, trailing them around and back to the myriad of possibilities her potential future offers. A small shake of his head is given subtly, barely perceivable save for someone who knows him so well. His initial thought is no, but then he reasons through it. His initial objections, an ex, a killer.
    But he turns his head the other way and can hear the thundering of her heart, the control she's exerting, yet he can still get the measure of her. Can sense the truth in her voice. The sincerity. Another shake of his head, perhaps the faint objection. But then he looks back towards Elektra and tells her, "Share what changes there are with Foggy, give him the paperwork, and then he and I will look it over together."
    He pushes himself to his feet, hands upon the grip of his cane, as if signalling the audience as over. "That's all I can give you right now, Elektra. That and a promise that I will give this the most fair impartial thought I can." Which really... is all anyone can ever promise.

Elektra has posed:
    Her silence is long. Reviewing what he's said. Digesting it for what it may and may not mean. In the end, though, Elektra nods. "You're a man of your word, so I'll accept that." Knowing not only that he is such, but that by saying it, she's made it an obligation for him to give it as fair of thought as he can.
    In the game they're playing now, it's the Ace up her sleeve.
    "I'll have the paperwork delivered by week's end next week."
    She, too, rises, as if signalling that her part in this is done. That she's accomplished all she intended. "One more thing, Matt?"
    Matt, not Matthew.
    "I intend on doing this with or without your firm. I believe in this. I believe others will too. I wanted the best, but I'll take other if I must."
    And regardless of what intent she may have had when she started this whole matter, there's the ring of truth to it all. Whatever her reasons, she's now committed to the matter, and there's a fiereceness to that committment.

Daredevil has posed:
    "Then if your sentiment is true, I'll wish you good luck, no matter what happens between us." And with that being said he'll lower his head slightly and gestures towards the door. Their interaction is easier here, in this, with the masks of professionalism being worn. He steps back from the desk and then adds quietly, "I'll expect the information at that time, then."
    A pause, then he adds gently, "Good bye, Elektra."

Elektra has posed:
    There's another of those laughs as she sees herself out, murmuring breezily as she leaves, "It's never goodbye, Matthew. Only till we meet again."