put me in, coach [deidre]

[CYRUS LENNOX REID]

Mornings were awful. Technically, as Cyrus looked at his clock, he realized that morning had actually passed him by and was heading into 'afternoon,' but it was only fifteen minutes after noon, and he absolutely detested that he had to wake up before the middle of the day, as he generally preferred to do. When he wasn't on a job or heading to an appointment of some kind, usually to obtain work or meet with his brother about this or that, Cyrus liked to sleep in. It had nothing to do with his vampire half, as sunlight didn't actually harm him, and also nothing to do with his age, because physically, he was a handsome, healthy twenty-five. It was just a habit that he'd gotten into many years ago that stuck with him, and he liked sleep. That day, however, sleep wasn't on the agenda because he needed to be presentable and be in a meeting with an old, dear friend in just over an hour. Deidre was more of a little sister figure to him than a business partner or a friend, and they had quite the rich history with one another. It had started as one of those 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' kind of situations that turned into a deep-seated respect and mutual enjoyment of each others' company.

Cyrus had first met Deidre when he and Dorian were in Russia just after World War II had ended; the Averin family mafia was quite well-known, and while the hybrid didn't want to get involved with any killing, he knew that his career as a thief would only grow if he had the right connections. As it turned out, the daughter of one of the main men was quite the little genius, and had taken to creating new identities and paperwork for people like them. People who survived for years would eventually need new papers, new identification cards, passports, driver's licenses (once cars were invented), and other sorts of 'official' documents. Deidre had been the one to switch his surname from Aurelius to Reid, and eventually, they became business partners, of a sort. It was more of an exchange: she gave him a good percentage of his 'jobs,' and she gave him all the documents he needed, and they always cut each other an excellent deal, since both of them were still business minded. The last job he went on turned into three separate missions at the last minute because of a phone call from Deidre when he was in Germany on an art heist. Now, he was back with the 'intelligence' that she needed him to collect from some rather shady customers, and while he didn't know what they were all about, she had assured him that he'd be paid quite well, and that it stayed within the limits of his personal code.

After he'd dressed and showered, he headed to the place where she suggested the meet-up. Deidre must have remembered his sweet tooth, since she'd chosen a boulangerie as a 'brunch' opportunity. It really was the best way to ensure that he'd be at all on his A-game, especially so soon after waking up. One of the few things that beat out sleep for Cyrus was the promise of a good meal. The hybrid parked his '69 Charger, which was one of his newest legal acquisitions, and made his way toward the building, where he spotted Deidre through a window, already seated at a table. When he went inside, he waved to his friend and walked up to the counter, grabbing a cream cheese and raspberry Danish and a cup of black coffee and headed toward the table. ”Already getting to business without me?” Cyrus asked with a teasing little smile. As expected, she was clacking away on her laptop and looked deep in thought. The hybrid knew he was right on time, because even though he could be a little bit slow in the mornings, he still valued being punctual as much as he could. Although he knew that Deidre wouldn't hold a little bit of sleep against him – jet lag really was the worst.

”It's good to see you again, Drey, even if it's only been a couple weeks,” Cyrus said. Sometimes his trips were longer than others, but everyone who knew him (but not that closely) in town knew that he was gone a lot on 'official government business,' since his cover was that of a CIA agent who did 'Top-Secret' work. ”Here's what you needed...” Cyrus said, sneaking the manila envelope out of his interior jacket pocket and setting it down on the table in an empty space.

”I take it that it's a 'need to know' basis?” It wasn't really his business, but every now and then, it was fun to learn about what he was actually doing for his favorite crime syndicate.

[/justify]
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OUTFIT:[/color] Here!

[DEIDRE NATALYA AVERIN]

Her grey eyes quickly flicked to her watch as she put away the last of the leftovers and actually consented to put the dishes in the dishwasher. The thing did need to be run occasionally, and she had somewhere to be soon, or else she would’ve done them by hand, as per usual. The demon had made her cousins breakfast this morning- eggs, sausage, and a fruit tart that she’d started yesterday- before they left the house, both on their own personal missions. Sometimes, she longed to get out her binoculars and follow them, for fear of what would happen to them without her. Those two had a bigger penchant for getting into trouble than most everybody else she’d ever met. Drey didn’t know why that was, really, since they were sweethearts who only wanted the best for each other- even when they were driving themselves and her insane- and tried to keep out of drama’s way as much as possible. Still, no matter what they did or how low they tried to lie, drama and mischief always found them. Like the fight they were having, or the tension she could feel bubbling between the two recently. She wanted to hold them or slap them… Couldn’t decide which. Didn’t actually have time at the moment, she realized as her watch beeped at her. Bee-beep, bee-beep, bee-beep. Her slim, pale fingers pushed a tiny button and silenced the alarm as she walked into her room, grabbing up her laptop in its slim Ouija Board case, and slipping on her soft vest.

Drey liked to think that Cyrus found her style quirky and charming, rather than weird, since he continued to hang around her throughout the years. They’d met when she was still actually young, rather than just young-looking, and so he knew her better than most people. Her papa had actually introduced them, back when she was learning, and proving to be more than a bit prodigal. Both of the Reid- who were really Aurelius- brothers and herself had benefitted from the interaction, and she couldn’t say she regretted knowing either of them. Sometimes, the connection came in quite handy, kind of like today. He was finally going to give her that intel on a developing gang in Germany, who were being backed by some unknown benefactor. Her papa wanted to know who. So while Cyrus was in the area, she’d sent him to do it. All she had to do was give him an address and a few key codes, and he was in. Like magic. Though she knew magic had nothing to do with it.

After getting herself a tea and a croissant, she settled into a table by a window to wait, pulling out her laptop and slipping in one of her lightning-bolt headphones. The window was a strategic maneuver, but had become more habit than anything else. She could see outside, and she could see the main door, as well as the back exit. Years of training had made her efficient and prepared for anything, even in a seemingly simple interaction. A while later, her guest arrived, gracing her with a smile before retrieving some sustenance for himself. The poor man hated mornings… She could understand why, but she was used to being up at around nine or ten these days. He settled in across from her, and laid the envelope on the table, a wordless gift, knowing that she’d pay him in a moment.

Her fingers flew over the blue keys- custom laptop- and was soon depositing the necessary funds into one of his multiple off-shore accounts- a few of which she’d actually helped establish for him. ’Thanks Cy. Only business I was taking care of was ours, actually,’ she said with a smile, ’the other stuff was purely for entertainment’s sake. Good to see you too. Hope my last request wasn’t too pressing?’ She gripped his forearm gently, a wordless greeting, and sign of affection, before she bit into her treat and slipped the manila package into her case, glancing up at his mild question. ’I really don’t know, to be honest daragoj. Papa didn’t say much. Young upstarts with suspiciously large bank accounts. He wants to give them and their funder a snowy greeting before they get too annoying. I could nose into it more, but why? It doesn’t bother me out here.’ Her shrug was gentle, because she generally had no problem telling Cyrus the truth, whether or not the jobs she sent him on were related to her mafia family. He wouldn’t betray her because she could literally ruin his life in the space of a few moments, but more than that, because they were friends. Good friends for whom nothing yet had been worth backstabbing. There had not proven to be a price large enough to get them to turn on each other, and for that she was grateful. Drey would hate to have to fuck over Cy’s whole existence… ’How was Germany, by the way? I could be sending you back there soon, if you wanted… Or maybe something in the tropical region of Brazil? I’ve got another nugget in Tokyo. So the world’s yours for the taking. First though, on a non-business-y note, how have you been?’

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clicketh for clothes!

[CYRUS LENNOX REID]

His friend, the demon, was rather quirky. Interesting. Where he'd been sort of backwards to progress with some of the modern developments, Deidre seemed to embrace all the changes with technology, fashion, and general style with a grace and dignity that really impressed the old vampire. Even though she'd grown up in a world where computers were still basic, she'd honed her skills well and had such a natural aptitude that he'd trust nobody else with his personal business and business ventures. Dorian, perhaps, but he didn't have the connections that Deidre had, and Cyrus knew that the money that came from the Averin family was really too good to pass up, even if his brother could develop a laundry list of tasks for him to do with his skill set. Even though his work wasn't exactly what he could call 'honest,' Cyrus loved what he did for a living. Stealing, smuggling, jailbreaking... they were all minor specialties that ended up being part of a larger task force that was really quite profitable. Over the years, and there had been many of those, Cyrus had done really well for himself financially.

Even though the meeting was meant to be all business, seeing his old friend was enough to make Cyrus realize that he was finally back in the real world. When he was on a job, there was a major disconnect from the world he knew and loved, as well as the people he left behind. His twin brother, he knew, always worried about him getting hurt or worse whenever he was away, and Cyrus made sure to be extra careful because he would never want his brother to suffer such a loss. That fact alone made him be careful while he was on a job, not concern for his own life, even. Deidre and the Averin family were good to him, though. They made sure that he never took more than he could handle, and tried to choose jobs that weren't throwing him completely into the fire, although sometimes a little danger made his work more exciting and helped him keep his skills fresh. Sometimes, Cyrus felt that his life was getting too tame, and that was when he pressed Deidre for the more intricate jobs, and sometimes, she was reluctant to give them over, but he had gotten good at changing her mind throughout the years.

After he'd gotten some coffee and something to eat, he sat at the table next to his friend and gave her the envelope she was looking for. It contained the information that had been the main prize of his entire mission. Germany was beautiful, but he hadn't really gotten a chance to enjoy it because he was on a deadline. He preferred the longer missions when he was in need of a getaway. ”Our business? Are you referring to my recent mission, or do you have more work for me?” There was a part of Cyrus that wished he had less wanderlust, and wanted to stay around Manuka for longer periods of time. His brother would appreciate it, and maybe he'd have a chance to settle down. If only settling down didn't sound so unappealing...

”Entertainment, huh, Drey? They manage to give you enough free time where you can still find ways to entertain yourself?” Cyrus did a little point upward knowing that she would understand it not as a religious statement (he didn't believe in the Gods anymore), but as a reference to the higher powers that brought orders down to her, and then to him. There was certainly a hierarchy, but it all worked like a well-oiled machine, and he was happy for that. Working with the Averin family allowed him more freedoms than other 'families' would, and there wasn't any internal drama: they made sure that everyone who was involved in the 'inner circle' was legitimate and trustworthy.

Cyrus asked Deidre about the job he'd done, curious about why such a specific mission had needed to be taken care of – artwork didn't really seem to be that much of an interest for the family, but he wasn't one to meddle in their internal affairs. ”It's not my business, don't mind my boyish curiosity.” The mission was fun, even if it had basically equated to taking candy from babies. The men he'd stolen the painting from, the art thieves, had been sloppy with their security and made themselves easy enough to track. For a moment, the hybrid was concerned that it was slightly too easy. But after he'd taken the paintings back to the person who had paid him for the delivery and gotten personal information on the little guild for Deidre, he'd realized that they were just upstarts that hadn't learned all the tricks of the trade yet.

Drey asked him about Germany, and even offered to send him back there, unless he was more interested in sunnier, more tropical places. ”Is that your way of telling me that I need some color, Drey?” Cyrus asked playfully, teasing her with a little grin and then taking a sip of his coffee. The warm liquid trickled down his throat and he could already feel himself growing more alert to the day. ”Germany was nice, though. A bit colder than I remember, but it's not quite spring yet. How was everything here? Your cousins... are they well?” Cyrus asked, caring about her family nearly as much as he cared for his own. When you knew someone for so long, it just sort of happened that way... and he wasn't close to a lot of people, so he had more time to invest in a select few.

[/justify]

[DEIDRE NATALYA AVERIN]

Sometimes, Drey forgot just how much she liked spending time with Cyrus. And that could be misinterpreted, if one didn’t know the two of them. Cyrus… he left a lot, for his work, and just because he was wired that way. The man liked to go places, and do things, not stick himself in one place and grow roots. A part of Drey understood that, since her own body craved adventure occasionally, but it never went to the same lengths as Cy’s. The man was positively struck by wanderlust. Still, the demon never begrudged him that, until the few instances when it got him into trouble. Drey had bailed him out only on two occasions, but she would never forget them, ever. The hybrid almost never got in over his head, and would land on his feet, even when he did, but he had had her worried a couple times… But not this time. Germany had been a simple simple task for him to complete, with no danger involved whatsoever. For anybody else, maybe, but for Cyrus? Germany had been a… what was the word? Ah yes, cakewalk. And probably a touch boring for him, to be honest. Still, business was business, and money was money.

’The recent task Cy, not any pending work. Silly meelyj. Just putting some funds where they belong.’ A quick sip of her coffee, and she continued speaking. ’But you know I always have more work for you, whenever you want it. Not just for the family, of course, my little ‘free agent.’’ She chuckled, knowing he would understand the private joke. Her family, for many years, had attempted to monopolize Cyrus’ skills for themselves, not wishing to leave his expertise out there for any and all to use. Unfortunately, he had been quite persuasive in his declination of their offer, and her father respected him enough to leave him his own choices, instead of blackmailing him into it. A benefit that came, partly, because of the friendship between Cyrus and Deidre. Her papa was wrapped around her little finger, honestly, though very few people knew that. It was more… ‘girl’s daddy,’ than ‘daddy’s girl,’ their relationship, despite the fact that she would do practically anything for the man. Her moving had been sad for him, but he had understood completely, and knew that her work would continue to be stellar, despite the distance. And despite the fact that she took little breaks to do her own thing.

’Of course Cyrus. We both know Papa would give me whatever I wanted. Including free time. Even the others have to give me what I want, or else I become ‘cranky,’ and ‘vengeful.’ It’s happened, you know.’ She giggled, remembering such an instance. It had been quite fun for her. ’Honestly though, it comes because I don’t work on anybody else’s schedule. You might like it if you tried it, you know.’ Her friend’s assignments always had a due date, even when they were a long time away. He seemed to like it that way, given that it ‘forced’ him to move from place to place with some frequency. Cy was smart enough to plan such things that way on purpose. Still, she made the offer, every now and again, of letting him work on projects with no timeline, no pressure to be complete. He always declined, preferring the structure, and the excuse to do some other activity in some other location. And Drey continued to respect that, even understanding it, sometimes, since they had shared enough of their experiences and desires to know the other. Including their mutual need to know things. Infrequently, she wondered if that lent itself to Cyrus’ chosen profession, because he collected information and knowledge in his line of work. He was always in the loop. In the know.

’Don’t be silly Cy. You know I don’t mind talking to you about such things. And would tell you, had I more knowledge.’ Her smile was sweet and honest as she looked across the table at him, then clicked into a different program on her computer, since they were going to be discussing doling out another project for him soon, she could tell, and would prefer to have a few options lined up and waiting to send him. His teasing comment made her laugh, in its ridiculousness. ’Meelyj, what right have I, the Russian ‘Snow Queen,’ to tell you you need more sun? Hm? Look at this complexion…’ she said with an ending chuckle, shaking her head at him. ’Silly. Of course it’s still cold there, it is Germany. Of course, coming from me, that means very little… Anyways, we held the fort just fine in your absence. Except, well, the boys are in the midst of another… disagreement. The tension between them is palpable, and they won’t talk to me. Yet.’ She sighed, thinking about Dim and Dom. Deidre knew that inevitably- due in no small part to her ‘meddling’- they would return to harmony, but the discord now made her sad. ’Manuka is supposed to make them happier Cy, but sometimes I think it is worse for them than Mother Russia was. I worry about them.’ Her lip slipped between her teeth as she nibbled on it, before shaking herself back into the moment. ’How is Dorian, though? I have not heard from him recently. I presume that means wellness, but I like to know, without, um, spying on him.’ Her grin was light, since they both knew she could check up on him in the span of a few minutes…

[CYRUS LENNOX REID]

Even though he had lived for more than two thousand years, Cyrus didn't get close to or stay close with very many people. That could have been because he had existed for so long, and the lifespan of most individuals was significantly shorter than his own, but Cyrus also had a mind to know that the other part was just his personality. The hybrid had never been as social or people-centric as his brother, Dorian, but he didn't mind the company. The lifestyle he had chosen for himself: sneaking in the shadows, lots of travel, staying under the radar – it never lent itself to a very social existence. From time to time, he would go out to a club or bar, just to take in the local nightlife of whatever location he had found himself in for a short spell, but like most things in his life, it never lasted long. The enthusiasm and novelty wore off, and he found himself craving the next new adventure, a different kind of nightlife, and different people to surround himself with, even if the interactions itself were limited.

Deidre, however, had been a part of his life for more than a handful of years. More than many human lifespans, and that was because she was a demon. Also immortal. Another reason why Cyrus stayed in her life, and was glad that she stayed in his was because they worked well together – his loyalty to her family was something he treasured, and he honestly did consider her to be a friend. Many things with Cyrus were 'strictly business,' and all but one of his clients that hired his services didn't know him as anything other than a thief, and he liked to keep it that way. Cyrus was an enigma, but it had served him well through the years. Sure, the cost would be too high for some people, as other than his brother and Deidre, he'd lead a fairly lonely existence, but it was something he had learned to embrace. Now, he was basically over the thought that he'd have a wife, children, grandchildren like his brother had done. But then, Dorian had always been more of a family man. Even though they were twins, the two brothers were still very different.

”Music to my ears,” Cyrus said when Deidre mentioned more work. He also appreciated that she considered him to be a 'free agent,' because while he was more than willing to work under contract, he didn't enjoy feeling like a possession or a hired dog, and he really hated strings. ”I shall have to take a look at my schedule, see if there's any upcoming tasks that would interfere with me doing a job for you. Maybe something longer this time – I feel like a vacation.” Cyrus laughed a little, knowing that leaving town as much as he did would seem a lot like vacation to a number of people. Especially if they knew of some of the exotic locations where he did his work. But for him, travel was just part of the job, and longer missions that required some reconnaissance or subterfuge allowed him to relax a little instead of being so focused on a singular task at hand.

Deidre was always so connected to her father that it was another reason she made such a fabulous ally. Having a major Russian mafia leader in one's back pocket was never a terrible connection to have, and Cyrus appreciated that he had the same connection by proxy. The demon was as fond of him as he was of her, and he knew that if he ever needed a favor, she'd be more than happy to follow through for him, or speak to her father on his behalf. And where that man was concerned, Drey could be more than convincing. ”I do enjoy my schedule, though. It gives me peace of mind, that everything is in the right place. A stressed thief is usually one with bars in his future, haven't I told you that before?” Cyrus joked in his good natured way, knowing that Drey didn't mean anything by her suggestion. She worried about him, and was concerned for his happiness. That was just her nature when it came to people she actually cared for. Granted, most of her worry was devoted to her cousins, which was rightfully so, given some of the history that he was actually privy to in that regard.

”Snow Queen? Hardly. I'd consider you to be the 'fairest of them all,' my dear,” Cyrus said in his charming way, even though he knew Drey wasn't the type to be self-deprecating. Then, they spoke of her cousins, because even though he didn't really know them personally, he knew enough to understand her reasons for keeping such a close watch and for carrying so much worry and burden on her slight shoulders. ”Disagreement? Is it something major, or just some more sibling squabbles?” Cyrus asked, knowing that Drey's cousins were on the outs more frequently than he and Dorian ever were. There were reasons for that, of course, and it was all their business, but if it helped Drey to talk about it, he was more than willing to provide an ear and some advice. ”I know you worry, and you're so good for that. The boys are lucky to have you, truly. Manuka will... take some adjustment, but with the support they have, I have faith they'll overcome whatever is troubling them. You should have faith, too, dorogaya.” He only spoke a little Russian, but knew the term of endearment might bring her some comfort.

Then, she changed the subject to his own brother, and Cyrus smiled. ”Oh, you could spy on Dorian whenever you wish, and neither of us would mind. He's always been the type with absolutely nothing to hide that his closest don't already know about,” Cyrus said, because his brother really was that good. ”Work takes up most of his time, from what I'm aware. He enjoys counseling at the school – I think it gives him purpose that he's always needed, and I'm happy for him.” Really, the hybrid was so proud of his brother and all his accomplishments. All the good Dorian had done in the world was astounding, and while Cyrus knew it wasn't his nature to be as good, he knew that Dorian had made him a better person, and therefore would be more than likely to have a profound effect on others as well. Cyrus sipped his coffee and sighed; meetings with Drey were certainly relaxing, and unlike any other formal meeting he'd ever attended. The hybrid was certainly thankful for that.

[/justify]

[DEIDRE NATALYA AVERIN]

Deidre had never been what one would call a ‘homebody.’ She enjoyed getting out and doing things, she didn’t mind a little travel here and there. She’d been all over the globe for a variety of reasons. But she always had a home to go back to. A roost. A place where she felt comfortable and secure and happy. A stress-free zone where she could be herself and get away from it all for a while. She wondered occasionally if Cyrus ever craved such a thing in his life. Because, as far as she could tell, he didn’t really have a home. He had Dorian, which was as close to home as he got. But there was no one place where he could just… settle. Oh, he had a handful- a large handful- of different houses and buildings all over the world that he occupied when he was in the area. A true home seemed to be rather elusive. The older man had found no good reason to choose a singular place to call his own. What that would take, Drey had no idea. But she hoped that someday he would find it, and maybe calm whatever restlessness was lurking just below the surface of his spirit. Until then, well, she would give him projects, and keep him entertained and well-paid.

’Mmm. You do that. Have you at least gone electronic with that meticulous planner, like I suggested? Or do you still write it all by hand, like a crone?’ He would know she was teasing, poking fun at his occasional hold on old habits. He was more than willing to embrace new technology for his occupation, using whatever advantage he could get his hands on- and he had paid quite generously for a few of them- but there were certain things that a person refused to get past. This tended to be an on-going joke for the two. Drey, the tech goddess, constantly telling him to upgrade, and him adamantly refusing. It was cute. At his request for ‘something longer,’ she quickly refined her search parameters and came up with more than a few tasks that would happily embrace his expertise. ’It seems that a longer stay would be more than plausible on quite a few things. Depends on what you’re looking to do though… Art? Information? Money? Reconnaissance? What would fit into that constricting schedule? I’d much rather stay free to do what I want Cy. Your schedule keeps you stress-free, my lack does the same. I don’t want to operate on other people’s time frames.’ Her fingers continued their rapid clicking away as she shrugged, pausing briefly every few moments to read some relevant tidbit. ’As per usual, lots of things need doing. I’ve even got a few legal ones, if you’re interested.’ Her mirth was evident, as they both knew his specialty leaned towards the more devious work, that the governments would frown upon. If only they could catch him at it. Alas, such was his luck that they didn’t. And skill.

She’d always found it intriguing that such a genuinely nice man did such things for a living. Some part of her always likened Danny Ocean from the ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ movie franchise to Cyrus, actually. The thief with the honor code and heart of gold. A hint of a smile graced her lips at his teasing mention of her ‘Snow Queen’ comment. ’Oh, my friend, you joke, but we both know that title has nothing to do with the fairest of them all, hm?’ The name was much like… an assassin’s calling card. As there were ‘Black Widows’ and ‘Panthers’ and ‘Vipers,’ so was there Drey, the Russian ‘Snow Queen.’ Certainly not the worst name they could’ve come up with. ’But I thank you, you sweetheart, you.’ She briefly pat his hand, before returning her agile fingers to her laptop. A new notification was going to give her fits later, she could tell… But for now, they were discussing their family, not her pending headache.

’’Disagreement’ was putting it mildly, I’m afraid,’ she said with a light grimace and headshake, before continuing. ’Dom cut his hair off Cy, and judging by the bruises I glimpse every so often? It was not some simple matter. I do not know what to do with them sometimes. This ferocious love/hate thing between them boggles the mind.’ She rolled her shoulders, and determined to talk about his sibling instead. A bright light in the midst of much of the darkness the two of them faced every day. Dorian was so good. Honestly and truly, a good soul. ’But why should I have to spy, when I have you? My little CI.’ She joked softly, tickled. He really did have her confidence, and vice versa. He may have been the only person she was willing to share some small part of her familial drama with, after all. ’I’m glad he’s doing so well. He deserves it, that one. Makes the rest of us look positively criminal.’ A wink accompanied her words because, well, they were criminals. Ha. She sipped her coffee and shared that knowing look with him. She sometimes forgot how easy it was to spend time in Cyrus’ company, because it happened less often than she would like. For now, she would enjoy it while it lasted, before she sent him somewhere else.

[CYRUS LENNOX REID]

While Cyrus was a good bit older than Deidre, he still appreciated her personality that spoke to a more old-fashioned nature that he was accustomed to. The modern world wasn't terrible, of course, but there were aspects of it of which the very old hybrid wasn't exactly fond. Technology certainly had a way of making things more convenient, but he preferred more personal methods of keeping records and keeping his private information safe. His companion would, of course, disagree, but they were close enough that they could tease one another openly without worry about offending the other. ”Electronic?” Cyrus asked, placing a hand to his chest and acting affronted. ”Perhaps in another thousand years when they discontinue paper and pen. At least I've upgraded from quill and ink, thank you very much.” Even that upgrade had taken him until the turn of the century, or perhaps it was when ball point pens came into play? Cyrus couldn't remember exactly, but he did recall being teased about that, too.

Cyrus could change his ways, of course – he wasn't as set in them like other people who were around his age. In his experience, many people who came from a completely different time had a semi-difficult time adjusting to technology. Deidre wasn't young by any normal standards, but she was young to Cyrus, and the fact that she had picked up her tech-savvy nature spoke to the era in which she was born. ”Besides, I don't need to be a technological genius when I have one who happens to like me quite a bit.” That would be a sufficient answer for her, because flattery never hurt. Especially women. Deidre wasn't like most women, but Cyrus still knew her better than most, and nobody had ever been able to say that the hybrid lacked in charm. It was just one of those facets of himself that he had confidence in, like his penchant for stealth operations and stealing things.

Speaking of jobs, Deidre didn't disappoint when he gave her new parameters for his next 'mission.' She actually had quite a few,, and some of them did sound interesting. Granted, he wouldn't know what he'd be doing until he received the dossier from Deidre, which he insisted be delivered to him via manila envelope, hand-written, even if it was less easy for her than her normal method of operation. Every now and then, he let her send the information to a secret e-mail address that was properly encrypted. He'd finally gotten the hang of that, and she was quite pleased that he wasn't forcing her to stick in the past with him any longer. For the most part, at least. Cyrus could be rather stubborn when he wanted to be, even if he did love Drey dearly. She was just like a sister to him, and while he knew she didn't need protection, he and Dorian always tried to be there for her, should she ever need their particular skill sets for a job that wasn't something she or her family was paying for. ”I haven't done a good reconnaissance job in a while. You know undercover operations are something of a specialty of mine.” That was another way that the man's near legendary charm and ability to be personable came into play. Cyrus could fix someone with a megawatt smile and a handshake and take all the expensive belongings right off their person at the same time.

The man had an extremely light touch, and was practiced enough that he almost never got nervous about a job, no matter what was required of him. Sure, he'd gotten himself into a few tight spots, but he always managed to get out and land on his feet. That was why he was the best, and why the Averin family kept a permanent spot for him on their extensive payroll. ”I have plenty of autonomy, even whilst operating on your family or your schedule for me. There's always a time and a place, and I find comfort in that.” To each their own, of course, but part of Cyrus' success came from the fact that he was never lax, and had lots of discipline that extended toward the mastery of his 'craft.'

Drey's joke about 'legal' missions made Cyrus laugh, deep and warm, filling the space surrounding their table. ”Clearly you've gotten me mixed up with my brother,” Cyrus said, adding a cheeky little wink. ”I've told him for years that crime pays, but he insists on living life on the 'up and up.' Ah well – someone's got to be honest, hmm?” Truthfully, Cyrus was a very honest man, just not when it came to his work. The people close to him knew that he'd never fix them with a heavy dose of subterfuge unless it was a necessity to their safety, or truly something that he couldn't talk about. And even then, he'd probably just tell them that he wasn't allowed to speak of it to anyone who wasn't on a 'need to know' basis.

After the 'shop talk' subsided, they both got to speaking about their various familial issues. Of course, on his end, things were Dorian were just fine. The twins barely ever fought or had problems, and when they did, the issues were so minor that they were easy enough to fix. In fact, one might even say they were the picture of 'brotherly love' because they cared for one another so much. Cyrus was sorry to hear that Drey's cousins weren't adjusting well, because while he didn't know them personally, he didn't want his friend to have extra stress in her life. ”It's too bad that you can't leave Manuka, or I'd invite you to come along with me on my next job, take a little vacation yourself. And you know that's not something I'd offer just anyone,” Cyrus said, and it was entirely true. As much as he loved Dorian, he'd never bring him along on one of his illegal ventures. It just wasn't the right place or setting for such a good, honest individual. Drey was cut from the same cloth as him, even if they didn't share the same blood, so he'd be more comfortable having her as company.

”Dorian's so good that it exhausts me sometimes, because I can never keep up. Even if I wanted to,” the hybrid said, but gave a good-natured laugh because of course he was joking and not even the slightest bit annoyed or resentful of who his brother was. Dorian was his own person, and so was Cyrus, and it was the bond between them that kept them strong throughout the years.

[/justify]

[DEIDRE NATALYA AVERIN]

In human terms, Drey was an old critter. Anything over a hundred years, hell, anything over eighty years, and a human was considered old. But in comparison to Cyrus, Deidre was just a baby. He had multiple thousands of years under his belt, and for someone so old, he was surprisingly well-adjusted. That did not mean, however, that she would ever cease teasing him about his old-fashioned mentality. He integrated technology as much as his environment forced him to, and as much as he was comfortable, never more. At least he stuck to his guns, and there was definitely something to be said for that. To have lines and rules and a framework was important indeed, especially in their line of work, where your word had to be completely true, else your life was forfeit. And Drey had carried out those forfeits, more than a few times in her history. She was grateful, then, that Cyrus was never anything less than completely driven and accurate. Because she knew, should the occasion arise… it would not be her they sent to collect him. Some part of her was both grateful for that, and not. The demon doubted such an occurrence would ever come to pass though, despite his hesitance to integrate modernity into his life.

’You really think people are gonna wait that long to forego paper and pen? Oh, Cyrus, you beautifully deluded young man. No, no. I believe that will come much sooner. Especially given a conservationist’s view of things. We must save the trees, you know.’ Her accompanying grin was teasing and sweet, a perfect complement. Besides that, she believed what she was saying. Technology was growing in leaps and bounds, and only adopting it for yourself would keep you up with the power curve. Perhaps that was why she poked fun at him for it so often. She would hate to lose Cyrus to the coming tidal wave of electronic goodness. But he had a history of adapting. He had seen so many ‘new ages’ that she had little doubt he would manage this one just as well. Especially because, like he said, he did have a tech goddess on his side with a soft spot. ’Oh Cy, that does you absolutely no good if you will not take my words into account. I cannot organize your life for you… without permission.’ She had more morals than that, at least for the hybrid across from her. The demon easily could have electronically structured his life, if he would but ask. He would not, however, and they both knew that. ’I cannot spare you the coming of technology if you do not wish to listen to me, despite my genius status.’ Deidre gave him a soft wink, knowing it was an old argument that they would never give up. And there was some appeal in that, the consistency. Everything else was changing, so many things were changing, but they had each other, and there was comfort in that, to be certain. They also had some other people, but she had known Cyrus for… a hundred or so years now. He was an infrequent constant. And as she had grown up, and in importance, they had grown closer, to the point where she was hand-selecting whatever contracts he was currently deciding to participate in.

’Now, why is that, Cyrus? Do you just enjoy pretending to be someone else?’ She giggled, continuing to tick-tack away at her keyboard and narrow her search parameters. The demon had a few options that she thought would interest her companion, and eliminated the ones that were beneath him with ease. They had worked together long enough, she knew his preferences, and took another sip of her coffee, fingers flying while she further narrowed it to three possibles. Drey knew that he had more freedom than most bound to a normal, nine-to-five job, but she also knew he had nowhere near the freedom that she did, to pick and choose where she pleased. But Cyrus enjoyed his schedule and structure, his routine. And if that was what made him happy, who was she to begrudge him such a thing? ’As long as that is what you enjoy, daragoj, I suppose there is no harm in someone as powerful as you occasionally answering to someone else.’ She shrugged, conceding the point, and their conversation moved to other things. A few quick taps on her keyboard, and she sent the three contracts she thought he might enjoy to his phone, gesturing with her chin, and arching an eyebrow to indicate it was from her while they discussed other things. ‘Real life’ things, so to speak. Their families, and the like.

’Crime pays well. But if there were not good little citizens, nothing would be criminal, and we would not be paid quite so much. So, I take comfort in those like Dorian.’ The demon really did like the other Reid brother, though she saw him far less often, and she was not as close to him as she was to Cyrus. And they were not nearly as close as Dorian and Cyrus were to each other. Twins, after all. It made her crave that with her boys, but oh, they were spiraling. So while his offer to take her with him was marvelously kind, and thoughtful, she had to shake her head and smile with a little sigh. ’You know only too well why I cannot leave right now. And while a working vacation with you sounds like a lovely theory… there is a knot of worry in my gut, meelyj. I can only hope to untangle it soon…’ The words likely sounded ominous, but they were not inaccurate. Something bad was coming, she could feel it. But at least there were always highlights, always bright spots in the darkness that sometimes clouded their lives. Like Dorian. Though Cyrus had a point, having that being your other half could prove exhausting.

’At least your brother can take care of himself, in most things. And his goodness is infectious, and shielding. Why try to keep up, silly? I enjoy you the way you are, far more than if you aspired to goodness.’ She smiled softly, tilting her head at him, and rested her chin on her fist. ’So, did any of those look appealing to you?’

[CYRUS LENNOX REID]

Cyrus had a tendency to miss very few things while he was on his vacations. Of course his brother Dorian was one of those things he missed, and he found that he had grown rather fond of Manuka as a settling place – he still didn't know how permanent it was, but he was thinking it could grow to something longer term. Deidre was also someone that he missed while he was away, and while he knew that she wouldn't mind one way or the other if he did miss her, Cyrus was rather fond of the young demon. There were many things to like about Deidre, once one understood her ways. The woman was highly intelligent, and not only that, but driven and focused on meeting her own goals and caring for herself – she took care of her cousins, and most of the people in her life simply because it was her nature, but she still practically insisted upon completely taking care of herself. Cyrus chuckled internally because she had even offered little ways to take care of him on a few occasions, like helping him with technology, but he never took her up on those offers. They were friends – more like siblings, if he was completely honest – and since family was an important thing to both of them, he trusted her. She was one of few people that he'd ever allow to see vulnerabilities in him, and vice-versa, although neither one of them ended up actually following through with showing weaknesses – even to each other – very often. ”I will take 'young man' as a compliment and use the fact that I function just fine with my pen and paper as a sufficient rebuttal. Also, there are far more dangerous individuals and projects to trees than their use to create my writing instruments of choice. But then again, computers aren't better, even though you love them. I'm sure you've heard about people in the Congo harvesting certain metals for use in computer chips, and fighting each other to the death for the money that Americans will pay... it's a disgrace.” Cyrus was very worldly, and while he did proclaim more neutrality than either side of the 'war' that was supposedly on the horizon, he still paid attention to things that mattered, both to him and Dorian, and tried to use his powers to help out where he could, so long as it didn't interfere with his work or promote violence.

Time would always be something that he'd have to deal with, and adapt to, and even though sometimes the idea exhausted him, Cyrus was one of those immortal beings who was actually looking forward to experiencing eternity, so long as he was fortunate enough to survive. Deidre, he hoped, would also stick around because he couldn't imagine a world without her, despite the fact that she leaned more toward the 'dark side,' just as he leaned more toward the light. He'd never fight against her, though, because he understood fighting for a cause, even if he didn't agree with said cause. ”You wouldn't want to go through all the hassle of organizing my life. So many years and other things to be accountable for – I live my life, and it's exhausting, I wouldn't transfer all of that to you. You've already got enough on your plate,” Cyrus teased, giving her a brilliant smile that showcased the lines in his face. For a good many years, Cyrus had been very, very happy – he had an interesting life with his brother that had been full of adventure, he was proud of his accomplishments... it was only within the last few centuries that he'd known true heartache, and the suffering that he'd felt from losing the love of his life had... well, it had taken many of his reasons to smile away from him. Still, he did try to be as happy as was possible, and being around Deidre helped with that. She helped in many ways, including giving him jobs that would allow for an escape in more ways than one.

”Don't be coy – I know you enjoy a bit of subterfuge as much as any trained spy,” Cyrus said, winking playfully because they could. They knew each others' secrets, and for two people that were so well-versed in the business of keeping secrets, it was refreshing to be able to speak candidly with one another. ”For me, I suppose the draw is the challenge. To be able to maintain a new identity, a new life, even for a little while is like... well, it's like playing pretend as a child. While I can't say that I'd want to completely revert back to my childhood, it was a simpler time, and being someone else allows me to... forget things, for a moment.” Even though he loved his brother and his life, there wasn't a single day that passed where he didn't feel the loss that came from having Mae and their unborn child taken from him. Cyrus had always wanted to be a husband and a father, when the right woman came along. And she had, but she hadn't gotten to stay with him... and that was what hurt the most. Even perhaps more than the fact that he hadn't met a woman since who could even hold a candle to Mae – and he'd been searching for many, many years. Therefore, he made the decision simply not to get attached. It was easier that way for everyone involved.

”When you get things untangled, give me a call. I'll take you somewhere exotic, and maybe you'll find someone to... relieve some tension. Give yourself a break from all of this, or just enjoy my company. Either way, I'm happy to help.” Deidre was too good sometimes, even though she was more criminally inclined. She loved her cousins the way he loved his brother, and those boys were troubled. At least Dorian was inherently good – he got to be the 'troubled' child, even though he was barely trouble. Cyrus hated that she had such a weight on her shoulders, but was comforted by the fact that if anyone could handle hardships gracefully, she was one of them. ”Well, you've always been my favorite Mafia princess. I enjoy you, just the way you are, and always have. Wouldn't change you for the world, darling.” Then, he looked over the files that she gave him, and passed one back. ”Send me to Sao Paulo, I'm ready for some sunshine.”

[/justify]

[DEIDRE NATALYA AVERIN]

That Cyrus was something of a charmer, in his brown coat and fedora, titled gently at a roguish angle, making him appear just a touch more dashing and dangerous. To look at him, one may not expect the things of which he was actually capable, but by this point, Drey was quite familiar. There were more than a few risky jobs that she had sent him on that should have proved more challenging, but he completed without even breaking a sweat. Such were the benefits of years- so, so many years- of experience, she supposed. Hell, she was fully aware of the benefit of years. Granted, Cyrus had an exponentially greater volume of them to boast, but even with her century or so under her belt, so easily trounced those who merely had a mortal lifespan to work with. Yet another bonus granted by immortality. Occasionally, she would wonder what had given them such a unique gift, what made their cellular structures and their souls able to last that long, but then she would get thoroughly distracted by far more entertaining enterprises, and realize that she didn’t really care. She was more than happy to remain young and learning and modern forever and ever.

Cyrus, on the other hand, seemed perfectly content to dwell in an era in which they no longer lived. At least, with most things. He was something of a stubborn ass, when he wanted to be. But it was a quality that she genuinely appreciated about him. Most, when they learned who and what she was, were not so quick as to disregard her little suggestions, or so bold as to refute them, either. ’Be that as it may, clever intellectual, I was simply suggesting that you may stand out less- and perhaps make a little environmental difference by doing so- if you wished to make the effort. Which, truth be told, would likely be far less effort than you currently exert to write everything down. As for the woe that befalls the planet for the use of both of our documentary methods of choice…’ she said with a head tilt, shrugging lightly before she continued in the same light, amused tone, ’Six of one, half a dozen of another.’ Perhaps that made her seem harsh, callous and unfeeling… and perhaps that was the case. The little demon just did not give much in the way of care to the things outside her realm of importance. Drey had her focus, and priorities, and knew where to put and how to rank both. The small miseries of the planet just were not her concern. Such things would be changed- she was convinced- given time and the proper motivation of certain productive and influential members of society. Until then, she would take care of herself and her own. Like Cyrus, even when he was too stubborn and silly to throw in the towel against her little arguments for modernity.

His life would not be so very difficult to organize, she was convinced. He was already much tidier than most… It would be as simple as scanning and sorting. And she could write or use a program she had already developed to do the sorting. That was neither here nor there, it seemed, as he was convinced it would be a hassle, and a tiresome one at that. Although he did have a point, mentioning her own full schedule of tasks in her life. So her hands rose in a classic gesture of yielding. ’Fine, fine, Cyrus. You may keep to your own old ways. But eventually, this conversation will tip in the other direction, and you will finally see the wisdom of my words. Maybe some modern woman will having you see the modern light.’ The ebony-haired woman chuckled and winked, knowing that Cyrus was too much of charmer and Casanova to ever let some lady talk him out of his well-worn rhythms and patterns. At least he had a mostly-logical reason for his way of life, despite the fact that it directly contrasted with her own open-armed embrace of the fresh and new. There were a few subjects and topics that they disagreed on, but she considered them to be trivial at best, and certainly not enough to inspire any real arguments between them. Even when he was goading her a bit, a slight chuckle in his tone lightening the words. ’And are you a trained spy, sweet Cyrus, that you enjoy the subterfuge even more than me?’ Long, slim fingers rested on her chest, a slightly-shocked look making its way onto her face, continuing with the playful back-and-forth.

He was well-trained, and they both knew it. But she enjoyed this silly pretend, sometimes. Really, she could tell him just about anything, and receive no judgment or shock. So she could understand his real-life form of ‘dress-up,’ and the way he integrated it into his craft. They had all- okay, perhaps not all- done the undercover, ‘double identity’ bit at one time or another. Deidre was actually quite good at it, though she was certain that with Cyrus’ natural charisma and practice, he excelled in a way that she just could not. Some of that may also have had to do with the fact that he gave himself over to it, placing those cares on a back burner, until the current objective was completed. Whereas she, on the other hand, multi-tasked so well that she could never stop thinking about several things at once, so even when she was someone else, she was always still thinking about her own life as well. ’In theory, that sounds like a beautiful notion. Unfortunately for me, I cannot quite manage such a feat. Too diverted, perhaps. But you are a champion of your craft, where I am but an adept,’ she said with a soft smile, before hooking on the last part of his sentence. ’But, just what is it you would like to forget?’ There had been a weight in his tone that worried her a bit, sending her into that protective mode, in spite of the fact that he was so much older than her.

Maybe she’d said something to cause a similar train of thought with him, as he offered her a little escape, for which she was grateful, if unable to accept. ’Never let it be said that you are not one of the sweetest people in my existence, Cyrus. Spasibo. I may take you up on that at some point… though the near future does not look so promising in that regard. Your work, however…’ And that was when he looked over his potential projects, and they talked briefly of Dorian, and his inherent goodness. That man… another she loved, though almost-completely disagreed with. She had far more in common with Cyrus, and would not want him to be more like Dorian, even though she did have a special place in her heart for him as well. ’I bet you say that to all the mafia princesses in your life, hmm? Sweet-talker.’ Her chuckle was delighted while he finally selected a file, a few presses of buttons sending it back to her. ’Brazil is the perfect place to achieve that, meelyj, certainly. And I imagine, given the nature of your task, that you will have plenty of time to work in the sun, get that rich golden glow back.’ Her pink tongue darted out, teasing him again, as she inputted information, sending directives to various contacts, files to her printers at home, readying materials so that he could go about his work with as little hiccups as possible. Which, given the thoroughness of Drey’s work… would be zero.