#interactions: liena

Liena could still remember herself as a child curling around her mother's lap during the final scenes of a theater production. Her eyes fought to track the movements of the performers, but the youth's fleeting mind pulled her in other directions. She was too restless back then, too eager to observe the actors at a closer pace rather than stuck in the audience. Her youth mind didn't quite know the patience that inhabited her form in the present day.

Now, Liena found herself focusing on every detail of the stage. The performances were no longer a way to distract a restless mind--- they were an investment into the owner's future. Every stage needed to be perfect, and every singer needed to be precise. It was the only way an old art form could survive in the new age. That mentality was why Liena found herself especially fond of DEAW AHN. The singer's unique voice was enough to lure in even the skeptics, and the owner would be anything to keep them tucked under her thumb.

She waited for the day's practice to end before making her way backstage. She tucked herself at the stage exit, eyes waiting for that familiar form to arrive. When she finally spotted them, a light smile formed on her lips, ❝My darling Deaw.❞ She cooed, watching them like a mother watched a young child,  ❝Tell me--- how are feeling about the recent rehearsals? The director isn't working you too hard, I hope?❞

Liena had a good sense when it came to taking risks. For example, she knew that fleeing to NYC with nothing but a small child was a risky move, but the relocation resulted in her current position as a socialite and owner of the Metropolitan Opera House. The same could be said of her crime career--- what started off as a risk turned into her role as the boss of the Jade Tribe. She knew when to play her hand and when to back off, and maybe that skillset is why she found herself at one of the ship's poker tables.

She eyed her opponent, a masked JACK HORNE. The man looked familiar to her, but with his face tucked behind a mask, she couldn't be positive at first glance. Instead, she decided to initiate conversation in an attempt to decipher who her foe was. ❝I'll warn you: I hardly ever lose.❞ It was true--- the socialite had a knack for reading people and determining people's tells. Even behind a mask, she had faith in her abilities. ❝It's not too late to back out and go enjoy something else. I heard the fight club upstairs is very entertaining.❞

Liena knew it was a risk to allow the detectives to enter her domain, but she justified it as a means of surveillance. If they were all attending the gala, then she knew she could keep an eye on all of them at one time, rather than relying on her informants to track their whereabouts. One detective that caught her eye immediately was AIDEN GARVEY. The man had been a familiar figure throughout the years--- like a bird she kept trapped in a gilded cage. She almost felt bad for toying with the man, but Liena knew it was better to have him under her thumb now than to face his interrogations later on.

 ❝Detective Garvey. So glad you could make it tonight.❞ She purred, sliding up alongside the man. ❝Would you have time to dance with an old friend? Don't worry about your dancing skills. I quite like to lead. ❞

Liena faced many foes throughout her lifetime. Her teenage years were spent enduring the judgemental gaze of China's upper elite, including her parents. Her young adult years were spent forging and shattering bonds in the name of self-preservation and the desire to better herself and her daughter. Even now, she learned to view interactions with a skeptical gaze. A lifetime of fighting against her station taught her that everyone was waiting for her to fail, and only she could prevent that from happening.

Perhaps that's why she decided to visit MIKAERE KAHN'S shop. The owner was one of many foes Liena experienced in her youth. The duo played a never-ending game of cat and mouse, with the mob boss always dodging the hitman's attacks at the last second. Age had put a stop to their game, but the memories still remained buried in the mob boss' mind as she entered the store.

Her eyes glanced over the old technology and spare replicant parts. She was never as tech-savvy as some of her younger peers, so the objects didn't hold her interest for long. Nails traced along the store, plucking a strange-looking trinket off of one of the shelves as she heard shuffling near the other end of the store. A small smirk fell on her lips as she made her way over, heels slowing down at the sight of the shop owner.

❝Mikaere. Long time no see.❞ She purred, glancing around at the objects on display. ❝What a quaint little shop you built for yourself. Did you finally leave the hitman lifestyle behind?❞

Liena knew that, to remain on top in a city as expansive as New York City, one had to constantly evolve and adjust to the current times. She felt like Jade Tribe was in a good place, with finances coming in as predicted and the ongoing partnership with Annunaki Pharmaceuticals, but she knew better than to grow complacent. Jade Tribe needed to expand to better insert their power over the city, and what better way than to extend their territory?

She had her eyes set on the desolate land of Staten Island and the street racing center that rested among the debris and abandoned homes. If they could expand their drug network to that part of the city, then perhaps they could get an edge over the other mobs. It was an ambitious plan, but there was one small snag--- Liena had rarely ventured into that part of town.

The realization is what led her to summon EASTON JAMES to her office. She had heard whispers of a street racer in their midst, and she hoped the boy's expertise would prove useful. She straightened up a bit when she saw him enter her office, a practiced smile appearing on her lips as she motioned to the seat across from her. ❝Easton, have a seat.❞ She pushed a container of cookies toward the unoccupied desk, indicating that he was welcome to have one for himself,  ❝I promise you're not in trouble. I just had a few questions about a certain hangout of yours.❞  

When Liena was a child, she was once told she resembled a spider. A flash of confusion overtook her young features, but the person was quick to elaborate on their observation. They said that, like a spider, she had a way of quietly weaving herself into every conversation. She didn't have a loud, commanding presence like other animals. No, she worked silently and tucked behind dark corners. Liena didn't understand the comparison back then, but as she made her way through the ship, she realized that the individual's words rang true.

Her traveling had led her to one of the balconies on the third floor of the ship. She tucked herself on the edge, back firmly pressed against the ship's railing. The wind whipped her hair around, but her eyes remained focused on the events happening in the next room. Her focus only shifted when she noticed someone joining her outside, eyes trailing the stranger's form as if she could see beyond the mask the woman adorned.

❝Is the music not to your liking, too?❞ She questioned, a small grin appearing on her lips. ❝I admit, I'm not much of a clubber. Maybe 30 years ago, but not in this day and age.❞  

Though people donned masks and used shadows to hide their identities, there were a few individuals who always managed to stand out from Liena. LUX HERNANDEZ was one such individual. Liena could recognize her underboss just from a flick of the wrist--- so used to their presence that the sight of them was second nature to her.

She remembered the scrappy individual she met years ago, and how they grew into a smart and resourceful business owner and right-hand. They reminded her of herself--- just two desperate beings trying to survive in the big city. It was enough to elicit pride from the mob boss, and she hoped that feeling was evident as she wandered over to Lux's side.

❝If you're going to fight tonight, I need you to win.❞ She cooed, reaching out to smooth down one of Lux's unruly curls. ❝I can't have my underboss losing to some unknown kid. Or worse, a soldier for another mob.❞ Her eyes flicked towards the fighting ring, a wince rippling through her body as she watched a kid get tossed out. ❝Also, please try not to get too hurt. I can't have you spending a week in the hospital. We have too much to do.❞ 

They say a captain is only as good as their team, and that's why Liena took great care in selecting her underbosses. She needed her left and right hand to be complimentary--- to focus on the aspects of work that she either prefers not to handle or simply can't focus on due to her busy schedule. Lux and Marcia were the perfect counterparts for this reason--- Lux handles the violent aspects of the job, Marcia handles the finances and prospective partnerships, and Liena handles everything else.

MARCIA RAMOS' role is precisely why Liena summoned her to her office. With a few weeks to go before the year is up, Liena wanted to make sure they were on track financially. If not, then that meant they had a rat within their ranks, and Liena rather not spend time weeding out traitors and handing out punishments.

The sound of her office door opening caused Liena's eyes to shoot up. A soft smile graced her features at the sight of her underboss, hand waving the woman over as if they were nothing more than two companions catching up over tea. She pushed some cookies and tea towards the woman as she hummed, ❝Please, sit. You know I hate having people stand over me.❞ Liena valued her height because it allowed her to go undetected during her career, but she hated the way everyone towered over her. It made her feel weak, and she wouldn't accept that fate. ❝I brought you in today to discuss the yearly finances. Tell me, how are we looking so far?❞