A dual story chapter for you, a Valentin Black story followed by a Ryan/Rose lovey-dovey thing.
Valentin's gonna be important later. I like his young and jovial outlook on crime. 'S is about how he and Slade first met.
So, here we go.
Valentin Black stood up on deck of his yacht, a glass of wine in his hand, he looked out to sea. He liked the sea, almost as much as he liked Venice, the place he had made his home. He was on his yacht for business. A Mercenary had been picked for a job, a new choice by the recruiters, and as Minister of Crime, Valentin had to brief him.
The Mercenary walked up the gangplank, he had green eyes and blonde hair. He was dressed in a black leather top and trousers, with metal shoulderpads, gauntlets and boots. He was smoking a cigarette, and the blue wispy smoke curled upward.
"Mister Black?" He said.
"Indeed Mister Wilson." Valentin's blue eyes scanned the man, his stance, the way he walked, the look on his face.
"What's the job kid? I ain't got all day." Slade said.
"You do know who I am, don't you?" Valentin asked, jovial curiosity lacing his voice.
"No. And to be frank, I don't care. What's the job?"
Valentin sighed, and clicked his finger and thumb together, and a sharp needle shot out of his glove, putting out Slade's cigarette.
"I am Valentin Black, the GCN's Minister of Crime. In both Interpol's and the FBI's most wanted lists. I could have you killed and walk away, no trouble from the Police. I was born in 1779, I use a Lazarus pit one teaspoonful per six months. I know every tactic you've been taught, and how to counter it. If you try to shoot me, I have snipers placed on the office block roof behind you." He said, boredom creeping into his voice.
Slade's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more.
"Now!" Valentin said, clapping his hands together, "Can I offer you a drink?" A servant walked over and offered a beer to Slade, who took it. The servant walked off wordlessly.
"So, the job." Valentin said. "Is to collect one device from the FBI, just one of them mind, we need them to keep the other one, for now."
"'S device, what's it look like?"
"A plain black box. With a label of V-63B on it."
"Understood. How much do I get for it?"
"Mister Savage is going to pay you fifty million dollars, or the equivalent amount in a chosen currency."
"Dollars are fine."
"Good. Now finish your beer, and go prepare, the restaurant round the corner is one of the finest in Italia."
Slade drained the rest of his beer, placed it on a table, waved a half-hearted goodbye and walked down the gangplank.
Valentin went into his backroom, a number of screens were on the back wall, he turned them on, the faces of Vandal Savage, Ra's al Ghul and Tyler Goldman appeared on screen.
"Gentlemen, it's a pleasure." Valentin said, bowing mockingly.
"Valentin, is it done?" Tyler asked.
"Indeed Mister Goldman, Mister Wilson has taken the mission up. He'll probably succeed."
"Probably? So there is a chance of failure?" Goldman yelled.
"There is always a chance of failure, Tyler." Valentin said, smirking.
"Enough." Vandal said. "It is done. Wilson will either succeed or die. That is enough for me."
"As you say, Mister Savage." Tyler said, turning his screen off.
Ra's merely inclined his head before he turned his screen off.
"Valentin, understand this, if he fails, you will also be punished." Vandal said, the look in his eyes told Valentin that he meant it.
"Of course."
Valentin turned his screen off, and walked out on deck. He looked out to sea, a slight breeze was blowing. The sun was beginning to set.
All was well.
*scene break*
Ryan and Rose had gone out the following morning. Slade was still angry with Ryan, so they both agreed it would be a good idea to leave for a day. So that they did.
As their civilian identities weren't wanted, they'd have to pay for everything, but they didn't care.
The duo had gone on a day cruise, and were currently sipping orange juice whilst looking out to the city.
"Ryan, I'm bored." Rose declared.
"Oh? I agree." Ryan looked at her, smiling.
"Do something about it then." Rose grinned.
"Okay then." Ryan said, and before Rose knew it, Ryan's lips were on hers; his hands were entangled in her hair. And then…it all ended.
"Ryan! No fair, I was enjoyed that." Rose pouted.
"Love you too." He smirked.
"You're dad still want to rip my throat out?"
"Oh yes."
"Selinda and Tom making out somewhere?"
"Probably."
"I have a place we can crash tonight, if you want."
"You don't even need to ask."
And they kissed again, but this time, neither of them wanted to break it.