plan of attack [ryanna]

[GIDEON ISAAC OSBOURNE]

Even though the demon wasn't certain that he could call Manuka his 'home,' Gideon felt that it was good to be back – to be, in essence, home. In his penthouse apartment suite, he felt completely comfortable and at peace, and was even more pleased that his business had been running smoothly while he was away. Of course, he had left the Luxor in Jyli's very capable hands, and even though they were no longer romantically entangled, he considered the faerie to be one of his very closest, most trusted allies. That woman had proven herself to him in a number of ways, and while Gideon was rarely ever impressed, he found her to be completely impressive, and therefore had given her plenty of leeway to run his business in a way that would make him proud. Sure, she had implemented a few minor changes, but he found that after taking stock of all these little things, the Luxor had never been running more smoothly... or making him as much money. Yes, Jyli did have a knack for business, and he had chosen her well. Most of his decisions that he made, especially recently, had been extremely profitable or good for making allies, because he was hard-pressed to say that he had actual friends.

Speaking of allies, Gideon had barely been back in town for a few days, and already he was starting to hear stirs and whispers of things that were happening. The mere humming of the fact that war had been previously on the horizon was now a battle cry, forcing the supernaturals of both major alliances along with all the large families that inhabited Manuka to begin drawing their proverbial lines in the sand. It was obvious, of course, where Gideon stood on the war – he had been dark for thousands of years, ever since he had fallen from grace and worked toward making a better life for himself. His allies also were well-connected, old, powerful members of this same alliance, and the strange draw that had brought him to Manuka had also pulled in several of the other large fish. Lillith Powell, his 'sister' Aralenne (formerly known in the Heavens as 'Order'), and his old lover... another one of the original angels, who he had just crossed paths with on one of his very first nights back in town. Michaela, oh she had been a sight for sore eyes, indeed, and the night they shared still had him reeling. Gideon was a man who rarely believed in fate, but after so many years of being away from her and adhering to the deal they'd struck about going toward separate parts of the globe when they mutually discovered that their relationship could go no further... here she was. Back in his life, he hoped, at least for a little while.

Another woman that he was close to, Ryanna Coliste, had apparently joined up with a small group that was slowly developing in power. From the way his sources told the tale, Ryanna was a 'co-leader' with this man who had started the group – Destin 'Nick' Vitale, a fallen angel who was much too young to ever have been in Gideon's memory, since the ancient demon had fallen before Destin had been even a thought in his mortal parents' eye. Nine hundred years of age was impressive for some, and he had a few connections that he'd nurtured in his year of being on the earth, but Gideon knew enough to know that the wounds in his back were still fresh, that falling had likely made him starved for power, and the fact that his Ryanna... Gideon's trusted ally and sometimes lover was willing to sit at the seat next to him... well, it left a funny taste in his mouth.

So he'd sent her an invitation, something formal but compelling, so she'd meet him in his suite in the Luxor. Since he didn't know what he was with Michaela, he wouldn't hesitate to entertain more passionate means of reuniting after they discussed business, but mostly, he wanted to see how the ancient vampire was doing. And mostly, wanted to see why she was involving herself in a group of youngsters who thought they were doing good things by proclaiming their strength in numbers and saying they were a force to be feared. Of course, they could be... with the right people on their side, but Gideon was the type of man who liked to keep apprised of both sides of the chess board, and knew that his 'sister' Zophiel was leading her 'task force' toward the battlefield. And against her... young Destin would stand no chance. Depending on how his meeting with Ryanna went, Gideon might considered offering his assistance to his ally's little group, but more likely he'd make an attempt to take what he considered to be a rightful place for someone of his age, power, and experience – the lead.

Gideon was sitting in his living area when the elevator doors chimed to let Ryanna in. He gave his staff specific instructions not to accompany her – she had been in his penthouse before, and he wouldn't insult her by giving her babysitters. Gideon stood from his place on the couch and smiled fondly upon seeing her again. Their eyes met, and he dropped any defensive stance that might have accompanied the greeting when this simple gesture passed between them. Whether he would choose to admit it aloud or not, he had missed her. ”Ryanna, darling – you look stunning, as always. Please, sit.” Gideon motioned to the couch, right next to where he had been sitting. They were equals, after all, and would sit together as such. The demon took his seat again, then shifted his body toward her, keeping a friendly distance... for now. ”Thank you for agreeing to meet with me and for responding to my invitation so quickly. It really does feel like it's been too long since we've last been in each others' company."

There were many times that they had been in each others' company, of course, and a few that Gideon remembered fondly even while he traveled - Ryanna had visited his various locations on several different occasions, but they hadn't exactly been discussing business. The two ancient beings had indulged in a different kind of meeting that always ended with satisfied bodies and rumpled sheets. Today, however, would be different... at least to begin. So, Gideon made sure to start off on a professional note, even though he couldn't keep his eyes from traveling over her body. "I hope business is going well for you. Are there any new developments of which I should be made aware?” Gideon was a partner to her business, but he was more referring to her new 'allies.' If she didn't bring it up, he would lead into it, but he thought he would give Ryanna a chance to begin.

OUTFIT:

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[RYANNA EVANGELINE COLISTE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; border: #222222 8px solid; background-color: #1f0000; background-image: url(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/tippykazoo/Caution/light.jpg);] [atrb=width,450] Ryanna's day hadn't started off quite as interesting and busy as a normal day, since with the war starting and all, most semi-neutral ancient powers were careful to visit her business, not wanting to be put a label on their alliance, being quite comfortable in the middle, where nobody would try to fight them even if they could slaughter most of them with a sweep of their arm, much like Ryanna could. It wasn't her partaking in the darkside's force, everybody knew how the dark-haired woman thought about humans, given her profession already but also her behavior, so her alliance wasn't that hard to guess, and being associated with her and buying her goods meant that you were on her side. It didn't matter though, because business was still doing fine and she knew that as soon as her ancient customers would be forced to take side, because that time was approaching fast, they would all come to her to get some energy and freshen up a little, be well fed, before going into battle and she also knew they would slaughter the lightside. Ryanna knew what she and some her allies were capable of, how powerful they were and how old. She had people who followed her, or maybe not exactly followed her, but were on her side and would support her if she needed it. And since the leader of the lightside was someone Ryanna couldn't kill, having allies was something that was quite important, and she knew it. The ancient vampire wasn't the one with the ego-strike, who thought she could defeat all of them on her own, she knew that wasn't the case. She knew she couldn't kill Zophiel, which would make it a hell lot tougher for her to win this, unless there was someone with her who could. Ryanna was strong, but even her powers were limited, and the angel was older than she was, and Ryanna would not be foolish by denying the facts as they were right in front of her. She was pretty sure she could stand her ground, but she needed something more. So that's what she had been trying to do ever since partaking in the darkside's alliance and becoming part of the leadership. Destin's end of the bargain however, was not something she was very fond of. He failed to attract the really powerful people to their alliance, leaving her with an army of youngsters, people she could all slaughter within seconds, without even trying, or fracture in such a way that they'd never be able to stand up again, in case of the fallen angels. She had the special demon blade for the born demons, because she knew that she couldn't kill the original ones or the fallen angels. Ryanna made sure to know her enemies, because knowledge is power. The more you know about them, the more you have to use against them. Strike where their weaknesses are, that always works. However now, instead of doing research about her enemies, she ended up babysitting Destin and making sure he did not ruin everything in his "enthusiasm". More and more she started to realize just exactly how young he actually was, and she knew he wasn't ready for this, that he wasn't fit to be a leader in such a big, important war for their side. The dark would not win, and he would be the one to ruin it and Ryanna was trying to figure out a way to twist those odds around, to make sure that everything was taken care of. In the meantime she treated Destin as an obedient dog who had to listen to his master, and honestly there wasn't much he could do about it. He knew nothing that she didn't know yet, nothing she couldn't do yet, and he was very lucky that she couldn't kill him, or she might as well would have already, because damn the guy was annoying as fuck. He was like a puppy chasing his own tail, more busy sleeping around with the people in his army than to command them, be a leader. Destin truly wasn't a leader, and she didn't know why and how she had been able to think for one second that he was. She should have taken over the leadership a very long time ago and now that at least half of their army was loyal to him -as loyal as the darkside ever was- she had to come up with a way to make his side listen to her, and since she couldn't kill him, dividing the little force they already had was not an option. But there was a message that came to her rescue, and one that made her smile a little. If she would admit it, Ry would say that she had missed this powerful man, his company and the way he thought about things. Gideon Osbourne was her most favored business partner and actually one of the only ones she had. He was probably the closest thing that she had to a friend, and him leaving had left her quite lost for a while, even though she continued to arrange her things perfectly fine, since she knew the world would keep on spinning, and her business was the most important thing to her in the entire world. She always took care of those things, of the papers and the trades, and the auctions and everything was always arranged perfectly fine. The dark-haired woman had an eye for business and it had always been the easiest way for her to distract herself. Just torment a few humans extra just because she was in a foul mood. It was the best therapy and people could say about her what they wanted, but she honestly didn't care. The woman had no idea what this meeting would be about, since she had had "meetings" with him before that weren't exactly business-related, just hot nights and ensnared bodies, but she had a hunch that today would not be one of those days, since Gideon was back in Manuka. And when Gideon came back to Manuka, he first had to get updates again on what was going on in here, and she was pretty sure the first thing he'd know was about the war. She even thought that that might be the main reason for him to come back. Whichever the reason was, she was glad. With Gideon to sharpen her mind and intellect, Ryanna always came up with just slightly better ideas, and he'd give her feedback she could actually work with, he always did. They were quite a good and powerful pair to have business with, over 5000 years old with mutual respect that made them not betray each other. And honestly, they didn't have to, so why break a bond that worked so well? Her heels clicked over the tile-floor of the lobby of the Luxor, knowing exactly where she had to go. Ryanna had been here before quite some times, so she plainly nodded at the staff to announce her arrival and they let her pass, the way they always did. She would admit that Jyli had done a great job keeping the business up and improved while Gideon was gone, and Ry had found that the woman was quite smart with her ideas, and sometimes they conversed about things that mattered to their joint businesses when she couldn't reach Gideon, and she really had some good ideas. And the vampire had nothing against her, since she was a fae, and not human even if she was mortal. No Jyli seemed quite alright to Ryanna, and she had been quite some help to both Gideon and her. Pressing the button to the elevator, the woman straightened her tight red dress that did not need any straightening, brushing a hand through her jetblack hair. She looked more formal than she normally did, but Ryanna knew that formalities were good sometimes, and now was one of those times. As perfectly well acquainted as she was with the demon, he had sent her a formal invite, and this did seem like a business meeting, and the vampire always looked slick and formal for her business meetings. The leather jacket was a tiny touch of 'Ryanna' in it, but she was sure Gideon wouldn't mind. He knew how she was by now."Welcome back, Gideon. You look quite handsome yourself." The woman replied smoothly as she strided over to the couch and slowly descended herself down on it, like a lady. She wasn't like the present day teens who just fell back on the couch as if it was some bean bag. No, Ryanna did possess elegance and grace, even when she was murdering or tormenting people. It was the appearance, the manners, it didn't belong in this time anymore, it was how she was. And she knew her companion would always appreciate it. She folded her hands on her lap and looked over at the demon, catching his eyes glide over her body, but mostly ignored it for now, only a hint of a smirk tugging up the corners of her lips a tiny bit, hardly noticeable. "I have been looking forward to seeing you. When you're here things always get.. stirred up a little." She replied, now flashing him a gentle smile, as far as anything about Ryanna was ever truly gentle, adding a slight cock of her eyebrows to the effect of her words. The moment he asked about any developments, she realized she knew him quite well, knowing exactly what he meant, right there. Her co-leadership with Destin. Of course he had heard about that, and knowing Gideon, he wasn't really fond of the idea. "I'm sure you've heard all about me partaking in the darksiders' force. Isn't that why I'm here?" The woman asked, her voice like smooth silk the way it always was, her eyes locking the demon's dark ones, as she lightly shrugged her shoulders. "I'll admit I'm afraid I overestimated Destin's qualities to lead, that was a stupid mistake that I now have to pay for. Our force is petty and inexperienced and it is starting to truly get on my nerves. I know that my allies that do matter will not join such a force of wild dogs, but so far I still have to figure out how to change my plan of attack. Which might be easier now that you are here." The hint-of-a-smile curled back upon her lips again as she was finished speaking, and she knew she had quite some daring things, but Gideon and Ryanna had passed the level of total strangers business partners. He was one of the people she was closest to and therefore she could say more things than she could to other people. She knew where the line was, and she never crossed it, and likewise it happened the other way around. It was a perfectly balanced companionship, which she was very happy to have, and she was indeed quite happy that he was back. She'd admit she needed him with this. 1852 words | outfit | whew finally replied xD

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template by tippy of caution.

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[GIDEON ISAAC OSBOURNE]

There were some emotions and other feelings that just left with age. Impatience was one of them, and even though Gideon knew that Ryanna would never dare to keep him waiting, he was looking forward to seeing her, catching up from all that the two of them had likely missed, and learning more about the different factions that were no doubt surfacing as individuals were starting to find their place within the war. Ever since he'd returned, there had been a whisper around Manuka, a palpable rumor mill amidst the shadows speaking of different groups rising, names being dropped left and right to the point where even he, with all his experience, could hardly tell what was true and what was just a rumor. Usually, he prided himself on the ability to make such a distinction, to be able to be 'kept in the loop,' as it was. Gideon had nurtured many different important connections within Manuka, but even those weren't flawless, and he'd done well to stay something along the lines of 'off the map' while he was away on his little business venture. Not all of it was on the up-and-up, after all. But then again, what was with Gideon? Very little, that was for sure – the man hadn't made his billions by being honest and full of good will and cheer. Quite the opposite, Gideon made his billions by ensuring that he always knew how to get a leg up and best his opponents, even if it meant slitting the throat of someone who he'd pretended to befriend, just for the right connection or a proper advantage in the business world. It was a world that basically thrived on surviving within a sea of conflict and aggression, maneuvering carefully in a proverbial shark tank and doing one's best to ensure that they stayed toward the top of the food chain. There were few that he had ever considered 'worthy adversaries,' and those were usually the people he kept closest to him; people just like Ryanna Coliste, the ancient vampire with a thriving business of her own. She was absolutely someone he could trust, because not only were they two of the oldest creatures out there in the sea of other large fish, they had a similar mindset, and proved to be more than good business partners in their time together.

Beyond business partners, Gideon knew that he could consider Ryanna as something of a friend. Individuals like the two of them didn't usually put such basic labels on their relationships, but the closest term he could come up with comfortably that didn't seem immature or incorrect would be 'friend.' The demon also knew that both he and Ryanna would likely be considered excellent friends to have from individuals who needed connections, money, a boost in power – they were the cause of envy of other supernaturals who were still trying to make a place for themselves in the world, and Gideon understood that desire very well. Even though it seemed so far away, it wasn't so far away that he couldn't remember rising from the bottom to the very top. That was part of why he didn't take on 'pet projects' like other ancient supernatural beings did on occasion; he felt that it was a more valuable lesson for someone to rise on their own, by their own successes and failures (because the two always came in close pairs) and then they would appreciate their ascension all the more. It was those who got things handed to them on silver platters that didn't have the same zest and staying power to continue to hold on to power and success when they actually managed to achieve what they had been lusting after.

Ryanna hadn't had much of a difficult time earning Gideon's respect, which was usually an uphill battle for most people. The Egyptian vampire had a way about her that he had to address from the very beginning, and the fact that she'd managed to build a successful business in a seedy underground as a woman (yes, even in the modern world, it could be a feat – especially with very, very old customers) was impressive, even though Gideon had nothing against women in a position of power. Women were... always something that he had admired, respected – they were beings who brought life into the world, just by existing, they were able to produce life. Even though his existence was due to a male Creator, he had always seen the female form as powerful. His sister angels, even though it was frowned upon for them to ever spawn their own children, if not completely forbidden, were proof of just how strong women could be, and he'd always considered them as equal to men just because of this. Despite his impressive age, he had always looked down upon those – mortals, mostly – who looked down upon others for factors that they could not control: gender, race, sexuality... none of it really mattered. If someone was a worthy adversary, they could prove it and he'd give anyone a fair shot to impress him, although usually he didn't give them much time to do so. Ryanna hadn't needed much time at all, and now he considered her to be one of the closest people to him. Jyli Hayes was another, and that was why they took careful, coveted positions at his side.

Calling Ryanna to meet him was something that he'd been looking for, mostly due to his endless thirst for information and being 'in the know,' but also because he genuinely cared about Ryanna. An even fewer number of individuals got to boast that they had any affection from the demon, because he was so selective with his displays of emotions that most thought that they didn't even exist. It was a gift for demons, that they could suppress their emotions, but Gideon rarely actually used his gift to do this; he just had learned control and a selective nature throughout the years, and would rather keep an even head that helped his decisions – especially where his business was concerned – be based on a logical, cool mind than one that was influenced by emotion. Emotions were messy, tricky things, and he was glad that he wasn't overrun with them like so many youthful creatures he saw running amok; including some of those who wanted to run the war. From what he'd gathered on Destin Vitale, it seemed that he was new to the supernatural world - a mere babe in the woods compared to beings like him or Ryanna, but it also seemed that he was more interested in sexual endeavors, in intimate 'relations' with anyone and everyone who took a mutual interest in him. Sex was an enjoyable pastime, certainly, but Gideon never saw it as a factor to be held in great importance. Especially during times of war, when a man – or woman, but particularly anyone who wanted to lead – should have other things on their mind than seduction. It was a wonder, honestly, that Ryanna hadn't told him off or left him in shambles by now, since she was involved in his little army.

Right on time, the vampire ended up in his suite, and Gideon put on a smile immediately, truly happy to see her in ways that he hadn't realized before he got a rush of emotions flooding through him at the mere sight of her entering the room – and his life – yet again. Of course, it was nothing compared to what he had experienced when he had seen Michaela only a few nights before, but nobody would ever be as dear to him as that woman. Her words were followed with a compliment, and he straightened his tie a little, clearing his throat and raising an amused eyebrow. ”My dear, you flatter me. If this weren't intended as a business meeting, I would say that flattery could get you everywhere with me, but you already knew that, didn't you? Clever girl.” Flirting wasn't beyond reproach for them, and he didn't mind slipping some into their early conversation, especially because he knew they were both perfectly capable of getting into business and then flitting back to pleasure in a seamless fashion that would be impressive to many people, but especially those with low impulse control. Weaker men would have taken the opportunity to take a woman like Ryanna Coliste to their bed right then and there if they had the knowledge that Gideon had; she would let him do just that, but he wasn't a weak man, and while the idea was certainly tempting, they could always approach that later. After business, because there were things he needed to know, and didn't like to be kept waiting, even if he was incredibly patient by nature.

”You were one of the very first I contacted upon my return, and it is a delight to see you as well. Although, I am not certain how... stirred up things have gotten yet. It, along with many other items I wish to discuss with you, are still to be determined as nature takes its due course.” He was vague, for the moment, because he didn't want to jump right into the reason why he'd really called her there, although she was smart enough that he knew she likely already had some idea. They took a seat on his couch, and then he made a less indirect reference to Destin's 'army,' and she caught on right away. Gideon stroked the slight scruff on his chin as she talked, then settled his hands in his lap. If she wanted to get right into conversation, that was all well and good, but he wasn't a rude host. ”You are here for a few reasons, Ryanna – but I won't string you along by saying that those were not some of my intentions that led to me inviting you here this afternoon. We know each other too well for those pithy, childish games.” He paused, and sat up a little straighter.

”Would you like anything to drink?” It was polite to ask, whether or not she decided to take him up on the offer. Gideon reached across a glass table for a bottle of scotch and grabbed a glass, pouring some for himself and waiting for her response before they settled back into the exact topic he wished to broach. ”My sources tell me he is a mere child, and I am honestly surprised that you would choose to side with him, especially in a position where he had any sort of authority over you, despite the fact that claims have been made that you two are 'equals.” Gideon took a sip of his drink and looked at her carefully. ”You would expect nothing less from me, so I'll be frank: I am insulted for you on your behalf that he would ever consider himself to be your equal when he is but a child. But it does give me comfort that you realize a need for... a change, if you will. Might I be of some assistance there? You know I cannot keep my hands out of any bloodshed if war has truly started.” Gideon wouldn't insert himself somewhere that he was not wanted, but he had a feeling that she would need someone like him to shift the current regime and move to where the true power and possibilities could be, with a little assistance.

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[RYANNA EVANGELINE COLISTE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style, width: 500px; border: #222222 8px solid; background-color: #1f0000; background-image: url(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx40/tippykazoo/Caution/light.jpg);] [atrb=width,450] People liked to state that Ryanna did not create her own business, merely took over that what her fiance had left behind, that she hadn't achieved anything herself, and had just gotten her riches without having to work for it, but nothing was less true. When she went back to Manuka after leaving when Anthony got killed, the slave market had been out of business for years. Though most customers knew what had happened to Anthony, they just thought the business was dead and Ryanna had to work her ass off to prove to all of them that she could handle this, that she had always been a part of it, so that her customers would come back. And it was a tough job, considering that most of the older supernaturals had grown up in a world where women were less worthy to men, where they could only be followers and not leaders, especially not when there were men working for them. But Ryanna was old too and not once had she been intimidated by anything they said to her and had stood her ground when they tried to test her authority or wanted to con her, because that plainly didn't work. In about one or two years time, the woman had shown Manuka that she was in charge here, and had rebuild the slave market from it's shambles to a blooming business, much like a phoenix rises from it's ashes. And it had taken sweat and hard work, and she really didn't take it for granted much like everybody else thought she did, but when had Ryanna ever cared about the opinion of other people. She knew the truth and the important people in her life, though they were very few, knew it too, and she couldn't give a damn about the rest. The ancient vampire wasn't the one who had a lot of compassion or awareness of how she was or should be, because basically more than half of Manuka's population cringed away in fear for her, and that was all the proof she needed as of how she was, and anyone disagreeing with her, would know what kind of power he or she had crossed. The man she was meeting now though, he belonged to the select group of the people she was close to, the people who had her trust and who she actually cared about in a way most people did not even deem possible. For most she just seemed to be calculating and cold, one without any sort of feelings or emotions. It was a reputation she liked to have, and because it was true that she couldn't show any sort of affection to most people, and even to the people she did care about, it was hard for Ryanna to be affectionate, and she never was out of herself, it was something you had to draw out, by clearly not caring about the way she was to you in the beginning. Her siblings had obviously done that, especially her sisters, because they were not like Ronan, they were not the persons who constantly questioned her authority, tested it, tried to take things over when they all knew that once Ronan became the leader of this business, it would collapse and fail. Ronan was a powerful force, he was a lot of things that people should want to be, but he didn't have such a mind for business the way Ry had. He couldn't disconnect his own personal feelings and stuff from the business stuff, and that was where it went wrong. Don't get me wrong, Ry loved to torture humans as much as her brother did, but at least she had a stop-button, a little voice that told her when it was enough, and that these people were still goods to sell, so she couldn't mutilate them too much. Ronan though, she had to drag him out of one of the cells on multiple occasions because he just wouldn't stop, and he was rude to the customers which was clearly not done. Ronan didn't get it, he was unpredictable, which was why it was hard for her to keep him as her right hand, because he just wouldn't listen and did not add anything at all. Business related stuff she hardly discussed with her brother anymore, because there was one other man who knew her business better than anyone and who completely got the concept of it, and came with the best suitable advice. He had her trust in a way most people didn't, and it was something quite exceptional for Ryanna to even consider him as some sort of a friend. Close bonds were always more complicated on the dark side than the usual, standard tags, because it was common knowledge that people on the dark side could not be trusted and would even sell their own mother if they had to, so trust issues were something standard with the alliance they were both part of. So maybe there wasn't truly a tag for the relationship Ry had with this particular demon, even older than she was, probably one of the oldest creatures alive, maybe 'friends' didn't quite cut it, but 'business partners' didn't cut it either. So forget the tags, Ryanna was just very close to Gideon Osbourne, a charming man with a vision, who always helped her there where needed and to whom she would always give her assistance, not asking anything for it in return. What they had was something different, something most other people didn't, especially not in the business world, and therefore they had quite easily defeated the other businesses by default. They just didn't have what it took, they weren't able to go the distance, they couldn't match up to a partnership as old and powerful as Gideon and Ryanna were. They outsmarted all of them with their cunning mentality and intelligence, because they were made out of the same material, they understood each other and fit well together. People often speculated about them as being in a relationship, or fitting well to be that way, but Ryanna had never even considered loving anybody else but Anthony, and she knew Gideon wasn't one for the steady commitments either, and she didn't desire that with him either. They were 'friends', lovers, companions, and it was all fine that way. And the woman could truly say that she had missed him in his absence. Because though she had flown off to wherever he was located from time to time, when they indulged themselves in other, non-business related things, she hadn't been able to truly talk to him for quite a while, and the last time she had seen him was quite a while ago too. It would be good to be able to talk to him about the developments in Manuka and the war and everything that commenced, because Ryanna would be the first to admit that she had made a mistake in letting Destin stay ruling over the dark side with her at his side. He wasn't fit to rule, only cared about the physical joys of life, sex and alcohol and just having fun, when ruling a side of a war was none of that. You could still have fun, but that didn't mean you had to lose your focus on what was truly important. Ryanna had always been the pursued, never the pursuer, basically because she was able to keep her emotions and desires in check when necessary, there were Mr. Vitale certainly could not, and she should find a way to stop this madness and take over and show all of them what a true leader looks like, but then Ryanna realized that to lead a war, she wasn't the right person. She had needed someone who could kill off fallen angels and demons the way she couldn't, and though she could still fracture them enough so that they couldn't move for quite a while, she still couldn't kill them and that was where Destin had come into the picture. She didn't doubt the fact that he'd be dead within seconds when he'd have to fight against Zoe, the leader of the light side, but she could hold her ground against the fallen angel and maybe if she weakened her enough, Destin would be able to kill her. But it was all for nothing, since her side was turning into a band of thieves falling into debauchery more than preparing for war, and that was not what she could have, not with her business, with everything. So when Gideon came back and asked her to meet him, there was part of her who knew that things would get fixed now, and she was glad. Because leading an army was so different than leading a business. With her business Ryanna had people who worked for her and got paid for that, so she could frighten and dominate them all she wanted, they'd stay. But armies, people had to want to fight for you, and Ryanna wasn't the right person for that, and she'd admit it. But Gideon was, and she hoped that by coming here today they could set things straight again, get the hopes up for the dark side again, because this way they'd utterly lose. And who else was a better person to help her than Gideon Osbourne? Ryanna did not make any illusions about where her alliance'd lie if she had to choose between Gideon and Destin, because that decision would be made within the blink of an eye, and with that decision, Destin would lose his last powerful ally who could have made a difference. He was only 900 years old, what did he expect to do with his band of wild dogs against people like Zoe, who was more than twice his age. Even Ryanna who was a 1000 years younger could handle Destin without the blink of an eye, even if (once again) she couldn't kill him. But those thoughts temporarily fled her mind as she came into Gideon's suite and saw him, by exception a smile forming on her face, as a sign that she truly had missed him, which she had. He was probably the person she was currently the closest to, and the only person alongside her family she was actually close to, even if this pesky little latina hybrid kept occupying her thoughts from time to time. It was new, and something she hadn't expected, but once again now was not the time for any of that. Now, she'd focus on Gideon and catching up with him, getting everything back on track, the way they should be. "Strictly business is such a bore, Gideon, though I am truly curious what you've been up to." The woman replied smoothly, the low purr back in her voice the way it was when she was flirting, the way she was always flirting with this demon, even throughout their business meetings. They could take care of business flirtingly, yet were serious when they had to, come to blame to their utmost control of their emotions. Ryanna rarely burst out in rage, because she felt like such temper tantrums only showed a lack of control and a weakness. And with a meeting like this, the vampire knew what came first, and what might come after, it not being something she strived for, but merely something that could or didn't happen. And now it was business time, as the woman listened to what her companion had to say, smiling gently at his words. "I appreciate that fact, as am I curious to see where our conversation will bring us today. There's so much to discuss, given the recent developments considering the sides." She replied to him, her voice smooth as silk the way it always was, and decent too. She was old and had the language to fit her age, now that elegance had finally settled over her being, though it had taken a while. Ryanna was no longer the bloodlusty murder machine she once had been, she now possessed finesse, subtlety, even if she still wasn't afraid to show her brutality whenever that was necessary. Nobody crossed her lines without knowing they did, that hadn't changed. The woman merely nodded at his next words about why she was here, brushing a hand through her dark hair as she watched him stand up. "Yes, please. I'll have the same you're having." She said, realizing fully too well that scotch wasn't considered a 'female drink' but Ryanna had moved around in a man's world for so long, that the whole male-female thing didn't seem to count for her anymore. Plus, she'd just do what she wanted anyways. "Thank you." She said as he handed her her drink, taking a sip before replying the next words he spoke, circling with the glass in her hand. "Destin does not have any form of authority over me, I treat him like he's my obedient and yet very annoying dog, and he's merely the guy to address the crowds, because he has the sort of charm that I lack, but like I said, I was wrong about him. He doesn't have the right attitude to even be just that and is sending off the wrong message." She observed her companion, taking another sip from her drink, small bits at the time to really taste the liquor, rather than just toss it backwards like those ignorant teens of these days did. "You know that the choice between your side and his is not really a choice for me, Gideon. I'd side with you without a blink of the eye." Ryanna said, and though it may sound too honest for most people, it was how Ryanna and Gideon were. Straight to the point, honest. Even if they did not share a lot of personal things, when it came to business and all this stuff, they were completely honest with each other and the woman knew when she was being lied to, always, and she knew Gideon had the same thing. "Things need to change around here, and who can do that better than us together?" 2366 words | outfit | bad person me, but it's finally here! xD

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[GIDEON ISAAC OSBOURNE]

The demon had seen his share of both success and failures, but nobody who had ever known him would say that he hadn't gotten all of these things – good and bad – on his own merits. Really, survival was one of Gideon's best assets, because he had learned how to accomplish a great deal many, many years prior to the one he was currently living within. Survival was one of those aspects of life that few truly learned to grasp, he noted, specifically those with mortal lifespans. Some might say that he was more progressive than most because he had been gifted with more years, plain and simple. However, those people would also be downplaying all of his accomplishments, most of which he was incredibly proud of, even if they weren't exactly morally sound. Good and evil were two facets of the world that would always exist, and no matter which side of the fence a person called 'home,' there would always be an enemy waiting from the other side. That was why survival was absolutely necessary, and learning it early on would promote a longer, more satisfying existence.

Gideon had learned many things during his centuries and centuries on the planet, and not just about survival or business, where had had accumulated most of his wealth, luxuries, and riches. The demon had a sharp mind, and while he had previously used it for war strategy and tactics that would help his brother and sister angels manage the human populace below, he found that the ability to hone and sharpen a mind led to be a nearly invaluable asset. One that even the amount of money he could claim could not buy. This wit, this tenacity and ability to see and read nearly everyone around him and spot weaknesses that they didn't even know they had coexisted peacefully in a symbiotic sense with his ability to not only survive, but thrive in just about any locale that he chose to call home. Yet the demon never ceased his learning, never stopped trying to find new ways, better ways, and more devious ways to continue his empire. After all, one of the most valuable lessons that one could be taught about survival was not to stay still and simply wait out any inevitable factors that seemed impossible to overcome. To a businessman, there was no such thing as the inevitable unless you'd put yourself and your assets in a bind that could not be resolved. Then, some might say that the person or persons who had found themselves in such undesirable positions might not be as smart or able to thrive as they might have considered. Even though he was at the top, he would not settle there. Gideon had learned early that where there was power and a position to be responsible for said power and especially if it was lots of power, there was bound to be someone chomping at the bit to remove the person in charge from a most coveted position. If he allowed himself rest, he would leave an opening for someone to sneak past his carefully guarded perimeters and take everything he had toiled over. And that he would absolutely not stand for, which was why he worked.

Some sorry individuals might consider working so hard and so frequently to be a cause for his spirits to be low or his social life to be lacking, but the demon could honestly say that neither was further from the truth. Even though he was not an overly happy, jovial man, he still found outlets to enjoy, savor, and never allowed himself to feel stagnant or like he had fallen into some abysmal routine or pattern that couldn't be shaken loose whenever he wanted or needed a change of pace. Despite his alignment with the darkness, Gideon really did find joy in existence, even if he wasn't completely linked in with his emotions. Even when he felt the intensity of love, passion, desire, and other feelings that were deemed 'positive' by the masses, he did his best not to show it at all times. Beings like him couldn't be 'positive' because they had a reputation to uphold. Beings like him couldn't show off their emotions and feelings, and were better suited to be icy, unapproachable, logical, and all business because it was part of how they gathered respect from all the others. Truly, the side that Gideon aligned with, known as the 'dark' side contained an interesting bunch of individuals who, even though there was something to be said about honor amongst thieves, would certainly stab one of their allies or an individual on the same side if it would better suit them and their own priorities. Unlike the good, wholesome 'light' siders, they were usually the type who would look out for themselves and their selfish interests instead of commanding a sense of togetherness and brotherhood. The demon had been out of town for an important business meeting when he heard of the Sabrer family being slaughtered by a group of hunters in Manuka, and knew that this would surely be enough to break the proverbial final straw and get things started. And, since he was a survivor, he knew precisely what it would take to be an influential member that the dark side would need in order to emerge victorious when all was finally said and done. He also knew that he couldn't trust very many people, especially if he planned to take the leadership position in a rather underhanded way that spoke to the duality of nature and priorities that like-minded people shared. Even though Destin Vitale was older, charismatic, and would be a natural leader, he wasn't Gideon. He wasn't Ozymandias. And it wouldn't be his continued privilege to lead. Not if he had anything to say in the matter.

All of these whispers led to him finally seeking out someone he could trust. Someone who had seemingly decided to side with Mr. Vitale and assist in his war efforts. From what the demon had gathered from a variety of different sources (this way, he could piece together all the different 'facts' and deign what was true on his own), Vitale was considering himself as the leader of a small faction of dark siders who would fight at his side during the war efforts. There were some powerful names (Elliot Lan, the Adrastos family, etc.) and some individuals that Gideon did not recognize added to the roster, but one name had surprised him the second he heard it uttered by all of the sources he sought out. Ryanna Coliste. She was Vitale's second-in-command, and the words made him want to rip out the throats of his loyal messengers. Ryanna was not someone he would consider a second to even himself, despite the fact that he was older and likely more physically powerful than she. They had always been equal, even from the beginning of their business relationships. Even when their partnership had taken a turn from strictly business to more... physically inclined, the ancient demon still considered the Egyptian vampire to be an equal, because she was a literal force of nature. Her blood was old, connected to a strong lineage that he had only ever heard rumors about, and doubted that Ryanna even knew about, and she was smart. Cunning, in a way that made him proud to call her an ally. Ryanna was quick on her feet and quicker with her fangs and ferocity, and he could do nothing but admire her. Until the recent news, however, which struck him with a solitary note of disappointment before he decided that doing nothing was the wrong approach entirely. Even if Ryanna had trust in Vitale, she would grant him an audience, and he would hopefully be able to sway her to his intentions, which he felt would be the more beneficial alliance. Still, he would respect Ryanna's opinion, when she was finally given all the information she'd need to make a proper decision. The demon respected her that much.

As soon as she made it to his lavish suite, the demon was unable to keep his eyes off of her. There was no doubt that Ryanna Coliste was a gorgeous woman, and even he had his weaknesses. She might have not been the woman who possessed his entire heart and everything he was, but she was more than enough to keep his attention firmly in place for the time being. Still, like with his other emotions, Gideon pressed down the desire and regarded her with a quiet appreciation, welcoming her into his living space and offering her a seat on the couch beside him. Small talk filled the space between them for a moment, and the sultry purr that immediately laced into her words caught him off-guard for a moment, but only for a moment as he found the strength to give a cool, collected reply. ”You know how I am married to my business, Ryanna. Although, I would hope that you remember my ability to clear my mind from business when I have the proper motivation. Brussels wasn't so long ago,” While he was away in various cities, Ryanna had flown out to see him on more than one occasion, and not for business purposes. They'd have their way with one another for an entire night, end up in tangled sheets once the morning light hit, and sometimes he would take her to breakfast or enjoy room service before exploring each other once more, and then she'd be on her way back to Manuka, since she had a business of her own to tend to, and did not trust her brother enough to leave it in his care.

Drinks were poured soon after their flirtatious banter subsided, and more serious matters were tossed onto the table. ”My sources have informed me all about the war. I was not surprised to see it start so soon, although the Sabrers were a great loss to our side.” He took a sip of his scotch and never once commented on the fact that she was handling hers just as well. It would be surprising to many people to see a woman wanting scotch instead of wine or something less harsh and alcoholic, but Ryanna was full of pleasant surprises. Including, it seemed, her devotion to Vitale, which wasn't what he'd thought it would be, and left him feeling rather positive about the meeting, causing any doubts or concerns he'd had going in to melt away like an ice cube under the hot sun. ”You are aware that sources who are close to Mr. Vitale would tell the tale differently, no? He doesn't consider himself to be your... dog. It seems you'd be smart to keep him on a shorter leash instead of allowing him to mount all the bitches in the yard.” Gideon gave a tight-lipped smile, not wanting to chastise her decisions, but wondering why she hadn't reached out to him when war had started and asking him to come home for the occasion. It was disappointing, because she was one of a very few people who could get him to drop his business endeavors and offer his assistance. And she had chosen - at least, for the time being - a child who she knew was inferior to her in nearly every way. ”Then we are on the same page. I would consider it a great loss and waste of power to see you side with Mr. Vitale, who seems to be... infuriatingly overconfident. Such will be his downfall, I'm certain of it.”

Gideon raised his glass in a 'toast' gesture and locked eyes with the vampire next to him.

”Together, we could shift the entire world on its axis, my dear. I have your word, then, that you are allied to me and only to me once more?” An eyebrow raised in a way that would let anyone know – especially one who knew him well – that he meant business. Ryanna would choose him, he knew, but he still wanted to give her a way to decline, if she felt it was necessary. Still, a good businessman always knew when he had made the right calls and decisions, and this was almost the definition of a sure thing.

Soon, he would have the lovely vampire go back to Vitale, likely with some manufactured story about his return, and do her best to convince him that she was still on his side. Then, she would start to dissect his team from the inside out – isolate those who would be useful, and disregard those who would do nothing to further their ambitious purposes. Then, Gideon would have an army once more.

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