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The subway at night. Isn't it the best? Reader probably wasn't expecting to find so many different SMELLS in New York in his quest to find the other Inhumans. Little does he know…other Inhumans have been trying to find HIM. Following him here and there, even. Reporting. Until finally, its determined that yes…this guy could be the one. Time to bring in the boss. The amount of people in the subway at this hour is slim…and practically none at all when the eastbound pulls away. Somewhere far away there is the sound of drums…and someone shouting at someone else upstairs, but beyond that, it is eerily quiet.
*
The blind Inhuman is on the platform, and he gets the strange looks from others. Partly because of the metal plate that is covering his eyes, and partly because of the dog that is with him. Sure they are used to seeing blind people, but they usually have a cane and the sunglasses. They hardly ever look the way Reader does. Even though he has decided to pick up some regular clothes to try and blend in. "Well Forey, I am believing we should have just walked to our destination." Yup talking to the dog, but hey the dog is his best friend after all. "I will say this city is definitely very interesting though." Yup very different from Orollan, and even some of the other European cities he has visited before coming here. If he is paying attention to the screaming or the drums, well he hasn't given any indication of that.
*
"You will find that this city is only interesting when you compare it to those superior ones and marvel at its simplicity. You…do not belong here." The voice that comes from the corner is elegant, accented with a cross between british and chinese, and spectacularly confident. Reader can hear his footsteps, and those of another man…a guard? The dog can see that Max is dressed in a formal, black suit in the Mandarin style. "You belong somewhere…/better/…I think." One can almost hear that overbroad smile that follows.
*
If Reader himself is surprised by the man suddenly talking to him, or just the fact that he is there, his face is showing nothing to indicate that. "I am not sure about that, this city seems to have a lot to offer. I did try somewhere that said it was better once, they were not." Sure the man could be talking about other stuff. He has been told there are places for people who are blind, or other stuff, where they can get help. The dog himself just lets out a very low warning growl at the approaching people, "Easy Forey, we shall see what they want. If we don't like what he has to say, well then he is all yours." Yup it is clear that the dog is maybe a little more than just an average seeing eye dog.
*
Maximus glances at the hound, trying to assess its ability to do him harm, then back to Reader. he stares at the man, the metal plate over his face, the way that he carries himself, "I…" dramatic pause, "Am Maximus Boltagon. I believe we may be cut from the same cloth, but…there's really only one way to find out, and it tends to be a bit deadly if I'm wrooooonnng. So, perhaps you can just tell me, /honestly/. Are you the one outcast from Orollan?" He says Orollan weird, like he's never heard it spoken, and possibly only just read the word.
*
As he told Forey they listen to the man. "I prefer the name Reader. You do know you said the name wrong." He kneels down next to his dog for a moment, and places his hand on Forey, while looking towards the man, "I was not really outcast from there. I left there on my own. I was not going to stay there, not anymore." Hey he just met the guy, he's not going into the details of why he left his own home city. "I do not think they will welcome me back, if I were to return however. So outcast may be appropriate." He leans closer to the dog for a moment, "Easy boy. He seems to not want to do us any harm."
*
"Oh, I definitely do not wish you any harm. In fact…I am curious what you can do. You see…I am of the Royal House of Boltagon, and not long ago, /I/ was deemed too dangerous, and vile traitors wrenched away the throne of Attilan from my rightful hands. I know something about being…outcast." Maximus weaves the words as a skilled politician would, spinning things to his own favor so that nothing is precisely false. "Right now, Attilan is at a turning point. If you were to choose to aid me, I would gladly give you a true home."
*
"What type of turning point is your city in? And what would be required of me to aid you?" Now comes the real question, does he tell the man what he truly does, or does he hides his true abilities. "What I can do was deemed dangerous enough, that the elders of Orollan decided to take away my sight, to prevent me from using it. I was able to make what I read a reality. Of course I have lost that ability, once I lost my sight." Much like Maximus, Reader goes with a half truth. He does not mention the fact that he learned Braille, so can still use his powers that way.
*
Maximus tilts his head. "Somehow…I /doubt that/. You seem to be able to see in some fashion. And you made it all the way here, which is quite a feat for someone with no modern money, and no eyes. The current rulers of the city are /weak/, and ripe for being overthrown. All I need are loyal subjects that I can count on. Do whatever I ask of you…and everything you've ever wanted is in reach."
*
"Forey does my seeing for me, which is all I need. And well it was easy to find some odd jobs to do, even if I was blind. It helped pay for me to get here. They have wonderful ships that enable one to cross the ocean, did you know that?" See that line of talking is where Maximus is going wrong, "I have no desire to lead, or rule over anyone. All I have ever wanted is a home, a place where I will be welcome, despite the abilities that were taken away from me. They must also allow Forey to stay as well." Now comes the decision time, "If you will allow me that, I will help you." See he can play along, even though it does sound like Maximus just wants some willing slaves.
*
"I have no need of leaders. I thought you might agree. Reader, then." Maximus stares with some suspcion at the blind man. "You can keep any pet you like. I return there soon. I will take you when I go. But first…allow me to provide you with a place to stay in the city."
*
"A place to stay in the city would be nice, thank you." Oh calling Forey just a pet, that is definitely not a good thing. Forey is more than just a pet of course, a friend and companion as well. "So I guess you will be the leader that everyone will need?" Hey it seems like Reader has now agreed to help someone get into power, well this isn't gonna bite him in the ass.
*
Nooooo, how bad could it be to follow a madman into political warfare?! Maximus, at least, isn't showing his crazy-stripes at the moment, anyway. And he may be better than the alternative. "I am. I have always been the ruler Attilan needs…to keep us all safe. The building is, " and here, Max gives him directions to a fancy apartment building. Reader's not going to have swanky digs though…just one of the lower level, normal apartments. "After you see Attilan…I wish to know about the city you came from."
*
Reader listens to the address that Maximus gives him. He says nothing about how Maximus could be the leader that they need. "I will share with you all I can about Orollan." Though there isn't much to share there. Simple city, limited amount of Terrigen, etc. "Thank you for the place to stay, I do appreciate it."
*
Maximus takes a step closer to Reader. "Of course." Then, he tries to touch the man's shoulder. "I only want the best for Inhumanity…and harming people for their…powers…is not in my plan." If he's been allowed to touch the man, he gives a squeeze. "Reader…welcome."
*
He does allow the man to touch his shoulder, doesn't seem like there would be any harm in it. "That does sound like a good thing there." That is something that Reader can agree with right there. "I guess I shall head to the apartment you told me about." He starts to walk away, with Forey following him.
*
Maximus lets him go…of course. He has to watch this one and see what he does, and what better way than to house him and watch him easily from there! DUN DUN DUNNNNNNN!!!