It is not as if the Onceler particularly delights in the destruction of the ecosystem. In fact, he always says that if it were truly up to him, he would have it some other way. He had enjoyed the valley as it was before he brought his machines in, many days spent napping in the soft grass, bathed in warm sunshine, all of which has been choked by thick clouds of smog. There is some part of him that thinks it a pity, but he has to consider his demand, too. This is simply the only way to give the people what they want.
He chuckles at Red Hood’s statement, halfway hiding his mouth behind his hand while his blue eyes sparkle with laughter. He is different from other heroes, and the Onceler can appreciate that. Most heroes claim to have some morally superior reason to justify the bad taste he leaves in their mouths, but Red Hood seems willing to admit that it is just simple dislike, which is good. Not to mention, mature.
“I might be inclined to accept that,” he starts, smug expression not budging an inch, “if there were any men like me.” Even if he might seem like others on a surface level, he knows that he is much different underneath, that he contains something special, regardless of whether or not people like Red Hood want to acknowledge it. “You’re awfully quick to pass judgment, but I guess that comes with the job description, doesn’t it?” Start swinging first, ask questions much later—that’s how these masked crusaders work.
“I do know a few million people who would disagree with your assessment that I have nothing to offer the world.” He has given people his miracle product, jobs, places to live. That’s not nothing. “You’re a bit outnumbered on that one.”
He picks up his glass of champagne and swirls it around once or twice before bringing it to his lips, and he regards Red Hood with a slightly coy expression over the rim. “I will give you one thing, though,” he graciously offers, while his smile creeps wider. “Maybe I am a little bit cunty.”
red hood does something he never thought he would, especially from something the onceler, of all people says - the masked man laughs, the notion that the other thinks he’s special fills him with something that he can’t quiet place ... the laughter was certainly at the others expense rather than with him, it was surreal that he would think he’s anything but a carbon copy of those he’s met before . how many rich men were there like the onceler out there doing the exact same thing, different product ? lex luthor, bruce wayne, simon stagg - nothing but carbon copies of each other on different paths . his head shakes as the laughter dies out, he doesn’t exactly feel like arguing with someone whose deluded themselves into thinking they’re more than what they actually are, that is a battle with no winners and no doubt would they be stood there for the rest of their lives with their respective stubbornness, it’s not a theory redhood wants to test, ❛ there are, you’re a carbon copy of another and another is a carbon copy of you ❜ well, maybe it is a little .
❛ somethin’ like that ❜ waving the man off with a flick of his wrist, dismissive of the subject entirely . though he is... somewhat correct, it does come with the job description, but the passing judgement is correct in most cases and the one at hand is ... less black and white than what he’s usually faced with . though in his own eyes, he’s still got a standing and his view is solid and correct when it comes to the onceler . mark it down as life experience, or just the inability to allow anyone else in this world to be correct - either way, them standing in the same room is a manifestation of a rock and a hard place . though he wouldn’t lie, the slow pace at hand is something he welcomed .
there’s a small grin behind mask, a twitch of lips that he’s glads hidden ❛ oh, perfect. i’m glad we can leave here today agreeing on one thing, which i think is a rather big achievement for us - ❜