Her price for their power (closed)

[Asa]

Jolana Adriena Ladislav
https://66.media.tumblr.com/2607584361c25c6465126d0887651cbd/tumblr_oa2ycgnMf01skqjozo1_400.jpg
She was long past the days of choosing to be good or evil. To her they were one in the same... survival. Clearly as she of course had not lived her 800 or so years without being both. She had seen much in her centuries of life to the point she really had no concrete proof of exactly how old she was. She could clearly remember the last 800 years but there were no memories of being a child during any of them. Memories however mattered little to her however... what did matter was life... what fun she could derive from it and what powers she could possess be it royalty politicians business magnates or perhaps just some rising star ready in their own way to take on the world. Her help came with a price and those who decided not to pay... well let's just say she had many ways of dealing with fools and arrogant vermin. While some would call her cold or ruthless or calculating there were many more who would call her sensual or mysterious or seductive. There had always been very little room in her heart for anything beyond a fling with whatever male she chose to help.

_________________

She sat waiting... Her first client in several weeks. He was running late and her patience were growing quite thin. A nail tapping against the lavish table in the restaurant he had agreed to meet her. The waiter was not helping her temper either as she finally growled at his latest visit.

Fill the wine glass and you will leave me alone till I summon you is that clear?

She saw the scared full ripple his neck as he hurried away.

 

[LucianDevine]

Dean cussed softly as he looked at his watch for what felt like the hundredth time in the past few minutes. He was late, and he knew it, goddam was he late! He'd thought that he'd had everything ready when he'd finally scheduled the meeting with Jolana Adriena Ladislav, but moments after he'd arranged it, he'd gotten wind of something. He'd been up all night researching the new development, and completely lost track of time. Now here he was, late for what was likely going to be the most important business meeting of his life!

Dean let out a heavy sigh when he finally pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. He gave himself a quick once over in the vanity mirror before grabbing his laptop case off the passenger seat, locking the doors, and practically running into the restaurant.

Despite the fact that he was out of breath, Dean tried to hide it as he forced himself to stand up to his full six foot height. His short black hair was a bit disheveled but hopefully passable. His dark green gaze, which was normally steady and focused, was now casting back and forth, looking for both the host and the woman he was meeting.

When the host finally showed up and led him to the table where Jolana was waiting for him, Dean fell heavily into the booth, pulling his laptop case after him and leaving it beside him for now.

"I am so sorry miss Ladislav! Everything was ready and perfect when I arranged his meeting, but a big development happened last night so big that I absolutely couldn't leave it out of either my calculations or my proposal."

Dean said in single breath before forcing himself to pause. In truth he was surprised that she was still here, but as much as he wanted to go forward with his proposal he forced himself to pause and give her time to speak.

 

[Asa]

It had better be worth my wait. Now what exactly is it you require my assistance for?

She looked him over slightly before nodding to the nervous waiter who clearly wished to approach the table to see if the new arrival wanted anything to drink.

 

[LucianDevine]

"Oh it is! I assure you!"

Dean said enthusiastically before turning to the waiter that approached him.

"I'll take a whiskey on the rocks...y'know what make it a double...ah fuck it, bring the whole bottle."

"Okay now where was I..."

Dean looked up at the ceiling for a second before his head snapped back to Jolana.

"Right, the proposal." As he spoke, Dean opened his laptop case and pulled out his laptop. He opened it up, logged into it, and turned it so that both of them could see the screen.

"Alright, as you know as of right now, the most cost-effective source of energy is fossil fuels, or so people think. I've gone over the rates of every major energy company for the past ten years, and this is what I've come up with."

Dean hit a button on his laptop, and a graph came up with smaller bars on the left that grew steadily in size as they moved to the right with a large increase on the last bar.

"The cost of every energy company using fossil fuels has been on the rise, and all of them had a huge spike in prices at the start of this year. consequently speaking..." He hit the button on his laptop again, and a graph with the opposite pattern came up. "The cost of buying and creating solar panels is at an all time low. You're probably asking yourself, what does this mean?"

Dean took a second to look at Jolana to make sure that she was keeping up with him.

"What this means, is that people are pissed off at their current energy companies and looking for other alternatives. The catch is that there ARE no other alternatives in the major downtown areas. This is where you come in, Jolana. I have a warehouse downtown that is already equipped with everything I need to make the solar panels, but I don't have the capital to advertise and upgrade such that I can mass produce at a scale that the public is soon going to demand. If you can get me that capital, though, and maybe some interviews with major tv networks, I can guarantee you at least a 10:1 return on your investment after the first full year!"

 

[Asa]

She listened intently till the 10:1 assurance was given. A smirk crossed her lips as she glanced to see if any wedding ring was present. His enthusiasm was entertaining and she already knew she could get him set up with national news and funding... Just had to call in some old clients that she knew would be more than willing... To do whatever she wanted them to.

I am certain I can get you funding and national TV spots. Now what do you offer until the profits start rolling in? What will be the immediate results of my help?

 

[LucianDevine]

Dean was elated to hear Jolana's words when she spoke after his presentation, the first part of it anyway. He'd been watching her close enough to see her look down at his hand, but her words were utterly baffling.

"Immediate return? I'm not sure what you mean. Are you talking about some form of collateral? I'm afraid I don't have anything even close to that valuable to put up as collateral. The best I could do is ensure that any places you request would get free installation, as well as a lifetime warranty and maintenance..."

 

[Asa]

Well all alone in a strange town... Helping you improve energy and lives. Perhaps... You could help improve my time in this town. I am sure you know of many an interesting and fun things to do here?

She would play it innocent enough for now and slowly watch him waltz himself "into the web".

 

[LucianDevine]

Jolana's response was still quite cryptic, Dean was more than happy to brush it off. If she was going to help him do what he hoped to do and make them both filthy rich, he was more than happy to help show her around town and introduce her around.

"That sounds easy enough Miss Ladislav. I would be more than happy to show you around town. Whenever I am not working I am at your service." Dean said with a smile, his mind already spinning with all the things he hoped to accomplish with her help.

 

[Asa]

She smiled the more business focused they were the easier it was to lure them in.

Well then after our drinks where to first. What building can you see benefiting from your system first?

 

[LucianDevine]

"I would be more than happy to show you the setup that I have right now, as well as the area that it's in. I can also outline my initial plans for expansion. After that I would actually like to treat you to lunch to try and make up for the fact that I was so late for this meeting, if that's okay with you of course."

Dean hoped that he wasn't being too forward or assuming in his suggestion. She had asked him to show her around the town after all.

 

[Asa]

Lunch would be wonderful. Well then let's go.

Looking to the waiter she handed him money and turned to go. He had been obedient enough to warrant a good tip.

Well now... The limo or your car?

 

[LucianDevine]

Dean had been so distracted by the fact that he was late that he didn't even notice the limo parked in the lot until Jolana mentioned it.

"Oh...wow...um...my car I guess. I'm not nearly dressed well enough to even consider a limo. Maybe after we visit the warehouse and perhaps a change of clothes, if that's okay with you of course...?

Dean knew that he was babbling, but he was still floating on cloud nine from the fact that she was even willing to consider his proposal.

 

[Asa]

Of course lead the way.

She smiled walking with his car.

 

[LucianDevine]

A soft sigh slipped from Dean's lips, despite his efforts to hide it. In truth he found it rather difficult to be calm in her presence. It wasn't only because of her power and influence though, but by her beauty, which was unmistakable.

Dean held his car door open for her, letting her step in and get settled before closing it behind her. He then hurried to his side and got in quickly, giving a quick glance at her before starting the car up and starting on the semi-long drive that awaited them.

"Is there any music that you would like to listen to while we drive Jolana?" Dean asked. "The drive could be longer than I would prefer, depending on traffic."

 

[Asa]

Any music is fine.

She closed her eyes relaxing. She could feel the energy around him and smiled.

So what prompted this interest in cleaner energy?

 

[LucianDevine]

"Easy enough..." Dean said with a soft smile as he watched Jolana relax back into her seat and close her eyes.

"As for your question, I wish I could say that it was some reason other than money, but sadly that is not the case. As it is, though, the world is an ever-changing place, and those that cannot keep up with it will be left behind and forgotten."

 

[Asa]

More than you know... She thought to herself as she listened to the music.

So... Money is the true goal of this venture. Good to know. And what has driven such a hunger for money? A dream house... a woman?

 

[LucianDevine]

"Well, everybody dreams of what it would be like to earn enough money so that they never have to work another day in their life. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for something like that. I'm not yet sure what I would do with that much money, but it is a dilemma that I would welcome."

 

[Asa]

Be careful what you wish for... Even a pleasant dilemma can have a... Price to pay.

She smiled as they drove.

 

[LucianDevine]

"Oh...?" Dean started, turning to look at her with a curious and playful smile on his face as he drove. "And what sort of price could possibly be so high as to make a person reconsider wealth beyond their wildest imaginations?"

 

[Asa]

She laughed a little.

Well someone who has no need for money but easily has all the contacts you need...

She laughed again slightly.

Too many hasty choices a man could loose his soul.

She looked to him and smiled.

You were told that I reserve the right to call on you at any time in the aid of any other client.

 

[LucianDevine]

Dean couldn't help but chuckle at Jolana's words. Despite them though, he still turned to meet her gaze while his own was brimming with a confidence all it's own.

"Your words were well-spoken, though I imagine your other clients made similar agreements, correct?" He asked, giving her a wry smile. "If they did, then that would make you a very well-connected and powerful person indeed."

 

[Asa]

Every single one of them in fact many promised the cooperation of their companies or families... For life.

She laughed a little as well curious exactly what he would agree to in time. He was hers... That he would learn in time... The draw would grow stronger the more he needed her. This one might actually be fun.

 

[LucianDevine]

"Their companies and their families for life, huh?" Dean asked, turning towards her briefly to try and see whether or not she was actually being serious. It was tough for him to tell with just a glance, but given her record for success, anything was possible.

Dean drove for a bit in silence after that, silently thinking about what he would be willing to give up to make this succeed...if it were necessary. The thought was a bit frightening to say the least.

 

[Asa]

Yes... For life.

She smiled looking to him.

Some more solitary clients offer... Other things as well