From an Ivory Tower (Gideon/Rita)

Much of Akashic International's business partners were weapons suppliers, and despite Gracen Arms' name they didn't appear to fit this bill. Yet, Akashic International's founder, owner, and CEO was interested in the burgeoning corporation nonetheless. For a man who had built this company by seeing potential where others did not, he was confident there was a promising future between the two.

After returning from his latest in-person mission at the abyss where Vastime used to be, Gideon extended a personal invitation to Gracen Arms' CEO Rita Grace to come to Akashic's headquarters for a sit-down. His offices comprised the top 30 floors of a New York City high-rise, atypical of a private military corporation such as itself. Instead of hiding his company in some random city in Virginia, Gideon preferred the view from within America's economic heart.

Having told his assistant to allow his guest in whenever she arrived, Gideon stood at the wall-length window of Akashic's boardroom overlooking much of the city. So many people, he thought in silence. He had spent a lot of time watching people come and go, living their lives with minor, in his estimation pointless stresses. There was a greater war they should be worried about, one that stretched across the entire globe. If they wanted to remain ignorant, Gideon would gladly fight the war on their behalf.

There she was, the woman of the hour Rita Grace. Gideon turned to greet her as she entered the modern-designed boardroom. He walked around the long glass table where at least a dozen executives and company officers could sit and reached his hand out to shake hers.

"Welcome to Akashic International, Rita Grace. Glad to have you here."

As she continued speaking Gideon walked back around the table and gestured politely for her to take a seat, before sitting across from her in one of the many ergonomic office chairs in the room.

"Better late than never though. Both our organizations can be accused of rapid growth, but with that growth comes the risk of lost opportunities. We only have so many eyes and ears, after all."

Setting into his position at the table, Gideon got comfortable then leaned forward and pushed a black folder filled with paperwork across the table to Rita. Its contents consisted of growth data and details of existing contracts with other relevant businesses. As he continued on, Gideon spoke with an earned confidence, his eyes never once leaving Rita's throughout his spiel, though he wasn't just some fast talker pulling the wool over her eyes. There was determination and honesty in his voice.

"As you can see in there, Akashic is well-connected globally. We have contracts with various governments, including ones around the now-gone Vastime. In addition, we have burgeoning relationships with other defense contractors that want to sell weapons but don't want to do the dirty work themselves. What we don't have is a contract with a humanitarian organization like your own. So what I want to know, is what do you want? I'm confident we can provide it."

Gideon leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look washing over his sharp features as he considered what the woman across the table was saying. He listened intently, attempting to glean any alternate or hidden meaning in her words. In his experience people in their positions didn't always say what they mean, instead opting for "business lingo" that hid conflict behind more amicable words and phrases. Yet this Rita Grace didn't seem to be hiding much of anything; no, as far as he could tell she was putting it all on the table.

Was she...flirting? Gideon was surprised by the compliment, but he responded with a sly smile and a speech of his own.

"First, let me just say I have no intention of interfering with how your organization distributes humanitarian aid. That's your specialty, not mine. Second, I should clarify something: Here at Akashic International we aren't interested in brand strength or recognition. What we want is opportunity; specifically, opportunity to serve and defend humanity's best interests. Whether that's killing Hollows in Africa, or watching developing situations in China that may require intervention. You want influence? We'll get you all the influence Gracen Arms could possibly want."

This time Gideon leaned forward and a certain fire blazed in his eyes, proving the gravity of what he would say next.

"'Invest in securing the future'? There's nothing I want more. With every ounce of power I and Akashic have, we will fight against all of humanity's enemies to secure our collective future. No matter who those enemies happen to be."

Rita's extended hand proved to Gideon his vision was something she was in agreement with, though from now on it would be their shared vision. He reached out and took her hand, his own swallowing it, and sanctioned their fast-growing relationship. Gideon nodded his head in affirmation as Rita spoke, fully in agreement; he had no interest in dealing with hammering out the specifics and logistics, that matter could be settled later on with plenty of lawyers and advisors involved too.

"If food is what you want, I can have anything ordered here. Or if you'd prefer Rita, I can have my chef whip something up for us." Gideon reached over and hovered his hand above the nearby office phone, ready to buzz his personal assistant with an order. "Whatever you want, I'll get." he said, a confident smirk twisting the corner of his smile.