~Her-story~[/i]
February 14, 1990. Valentine's day. The day of the lovers. It was such a beautiful afternoon. Lovers spending time with one another. Others confessing their feelings for the first time. Meanwhile in a hospital, in the city of Long Beach, California, at 3:55pm - a young woman of 19 named Valencia Lecroix had just given birth to a beautiful baby girl. A baby girl that would be named, Olivia Isabella Cassadine. Though Valencia wasn't married, she was engaged to mafia prince and future head of the Cassadine family, Armond Nicholas Cassadine (21). They had known one another for ten years, and out of those ten years they had dated for three. Valencia has never been the quietest nor nicest girl in the world. But compared to her future husband, she could be considered to be an angel - sorta. Valencia herself was a mafia princess, though she wasn't involved in her adopted father's lifestyle very much. Her father was close friends with Armond's father, which is how they met. Her family was one of many families working for the Cassadine's.
To the outside world not much is known about the Cassadine's past, other than it is considered to be a violent and bloody one. So many lies, so many wars. So much bloodshed all for the sake of dominance and power. They are considered to be the strongest and most influential family since the beginning of the Mafia underground. They have held their status as the leading family for years, having dozens of other families working for them. Despite others constantly trying to overthrow them. The Cassadine family has also been on the receiving end of secret black ops military technology, which has increased their strength over the years. The Cassadine's influence stretches far and wide; their corruption even existing within the higher authority. For the Cassadine's nothing is far out of their reach.
There seem to be certain traits that those who share the Cassadine bloodline seem to possess. One trait in particular being a sense of heightened intuition. One seems to be able to tell whether or not a person is holding back, and is able to differentiate between a person's fake personality and real persona - or at least have a ''feeling'' that the person if hiding something. The basic overall view is that one is able to see through a person's true feelings and objectives.
~The Cassadine Family Legacy~[/i][/u]
Going back in history, dwelling in the Cassadine families past - it was formed many years ago by Victor Cassadine. A strong, powerful, influential and intimidating man. He was the creator of this dominating empire. Using his intelligence and influence he gathered his allies and strengthened his power before stripping the status of leading family from the D'evereux family. At the time the mafia underground was just forming when the D'evereux family assumed control, believing they held the most power than all others. But that was quickly tested when Victor stepped up at the first meeting of the families and challenged them. Victor displayed the incredible strength his family possessed, easily defeating the D'evereux family. From that moment on the Cassadine's have maintained their high status. Being respected and feared. Though that wasn't the only thing they gained, they also gained the hatred of the D'evereux family. The head of the D'evereux family vowed vengeance against the Cassadine's, but unfortunately had to work under them due to their lost. The endless conflict between the two families would rage on for years to come.
The years would roll on with Victor in charge and his appointed right hand man and best friend Travis forever by his side. Throughout the times there would be many wars. Countless battles. Plenty of bloodshed to feed a sanctuary full of vampires. The D'evereux family wasted little time in attempting a take down of the Cassadine's, only waiting about three years to do so. Which lead to an even bigger lost to them. Losing many of there people to the bloodshed. They weren't ready but their hatred overpowered their thinking and costed them dearly. But the D'evereux family, despite their lost, would still hold a prominent and influential position in the Mafia underground as the years would later show. Despite all of those horrible times, though Victor might consider them glorious ones due to all the victories he sustained - traditions began to start amongst the Cassadine family. But before the traditions came, another important thing was introduced. The Cassadine rings. A symbol of power and rank.
~The Cassadine Rings~[/u][/i]
Victor Cassadine introduced the rings early on in the game. The rings are used to determine the next generation's boss of the family and his or hers most trusted inner circle of subordinates. There are seven invaluable rings worn by the seven core memebers of the Cassadine family. Every new generation, the rings are passed to the next seven worthy memebers of the family, proving they belong to the Cassadine family. As the Cassadine current head and the Outside Advisor choose two different successors, each ring is spilt in half. One half of the rings is given to the two main competing groups. The end result is usually bloodshed, as only one team will win and become the core of the Cassadine's next generation. Each person who wore half a ring were to battle the opposing member, who wore the corresponding half, in order to become a core member. Once the person was defeated, they were to take the others half and restore the ring as one. But in order to be recognized as a legimate successor both the current boss and Outside Advisor must recognize the candidates.
Each ring is different. Emulating a different color flame for each of the main rings. The higher the purity of the flame, the more clear it will appear. All the rings have a crest which correspondes to the rings type of weather. The Sky ring, however, only has a clear dome and the Cassadine family crest underneath it.
~The Outside Advisors~[/u][/i]
The Outside Advisors are unoffical memebers of the Cassadine family. The ''Outside Advisor'' is the second highest position, second only to the Cassadine boss, when family crisis arises. They hold an important position within the family's structure; the leader helps the current boss choose the next boss. During times of crisis, the leader becomes second in command.
~The Cassadine Family Traditions~[/u][/i]
There are a few traditions that were started within the Cassadine's reign. One being the
"New Years: Family versus battle"[/i]. It's a little event that takes place at the beginning of every year. It's a battle between allied families, designed to show each families enthusiasm for the year. Representatives from each family participate in little competitions in all good fun. The marks from each event will determine the overall winner. And the winning family would receive a very generous prize.
Another tradition is the legendary Cassadine birthday parties. When the Cassadine's do something they do it big. But these parties are only held on the odd years of a member of the families birthday. Party usually consists of a competition; the persons whose birthday is it will give the scores to the participants 'present' or 'performance'. The participant with the highest score is rewarded with an elgant price, but the one with the lowest score usually ends up dead.
"The Trail"[/i]. The Trial is a test that every future boss is put to. When pushed to their limit and their maximum strength is not enough, they will be tested. They will be shown and told of all the past sins of the Cassadine Family, and the new boss must prove his or hers resolution to inherit these past sins because it is the price they must pay for the power they wish. Olivia would become the youngest boss and the only female in the family's history to brave the trial.
~Growing up (1 - 8yrs. old)~[/u][/i]
Growing up from Olivia was a rather interesting and fun experience. After all she was a Cassadine. And as such she was able to get whatever she wished, whenever she wished it. Olivia was treated like a little princess. Her birthday parties were huge as everything is big when it comes to the Cassadine's. But the biggest of them all is the infamous Cassadine birthday party. Only held on the odd years of a memebers birthday. Olivia's first birthday was held in Long Beach, while years later her seventh birthday was held in the family's main base back in Italy. It is a large home, almost castle-like in appearance, and seems to be well fortified. The inner parts of the castle are filled with many passages, secret rooms, and doors to hide the Cassadine Family's secrets. By this time Olivia's father, Armond had assumed control of the family by finally braving the ''trail'' and competing for the rings. One would've thought that Armond would've braved the trail and hold the competition much sooner, but his father decided that it would be best to wait a little while longer.
From the age of seven Olivia had begun her own training in the art of fighting. Though yes she was daddy's little princess, he would not have his little girl be a victum. After all it wasn't in her blood to be weak and preyed upon. And so Olivia trained hard from an early age. Picking up things from everyone around her, especially the six guardians - seven if you include her father. Olivia became like a daugther to them all. They treated her with respect but did not go easy on her during her training, nor did her father. At the age of eight, Olivia was introduced to a new addition to the family - her younger brother Sarris Griffin Cassadine was born. Olivia adored the idea of being an older sister, but her main focus at the given time was to continue her training and make her father and family proud of her. Though every chance that she did get she would spend a little time with her mother and newborn brother, helping her take care of him from time to time. Another year went by and Olivia just continued to grow stronger. Showing great potential. Her father was extremely proud of his little girl, and only hoped that his son would display the same strength.
~Gaining her leadership~[/u][/i]
The years continued to pass by. During these times the Cassadine's reign still did not falter. They still remained strong under Armond's command. A few wars broke out against the Cassadine's, trying to dethrone them. But it obviously did not work. They still remained supreme. Even though their seem to be many Mafia convicts roaming around, do to them escaping imprisionment - but they are little to no concern to be worried about. All the while Olivia was busy building up her own little gang. The Hellions, she would call them. Olivia was a natural born leader, with all the right instincts. It was more than just her family name that gave her her power, she was a force all on her own. Not to mention with the help of her right hand man and cousin, Terry Cassadine. Olivia and Terry had become close and tight knit. She would do just about anything for him as he would do for her. If she needed something done swiftly and clean, Terry was the person she could go to. Knowing that he could get the job done without any problem, and the funny thing was - during this time they were only about 15 years old. Yes they both had displayed such strength, mentally and physically. Together Olivia and Terry would continue to grow up as they practically did all their life, growing stronger by helping one another. Almost creating a balance for each other.
Olivia was 18 years old when she lost her father. It was said that Armond was killed in a fatal car accident. Though to most people they believed that the D'evereux family had something to do with it. Considering that they've hated the Cassadine's for so long and have vowed their venegence amongst it's memebers. But they had denied any involvment with his death, and so it was ruled as an accident. Now posed a problem, the Cassadine's were now without a leader. Though technically the Outside Advisor, whom was Olivia's uncle - her father's brother- assumed control as his position permits in time's of family crisis - a leader was still needed. Of the course the current leader of the D'evereux family, Rapheal D'evereux, proposed that since his family held one of the higher positions that he should be the leader. But Olivia's uncle strongly disagreed, as did others, and he stated that the Battle of the Rings will commence. Though normally it is the Outside Advisor and current head that choose the canadidates, but there was no leader any longer. But there was a discussion between her uncle and her father not too long ago about Olivia being a canadidate for the role of family head. And so in honoring his late brother's wishes, Olivia was choosen to participate along with those she considered to be in her closest circle to battle the D'evereux canadidates.
In the end Olivia's side had retained all the rings, making her the new leader of the family and the six others that joined her and defeated their opponents part of her most trust circle. The Hellions became part of the family, being a group of skilled assassins. Though her six subordinates also belong to the Cassadine's Family's elite, independent assassination team. They are composed of genius assassins who work in the deepest recesses of the Mafia. Each member takes on missions that are said to be impossible to accomplish by humans, however, they do not accept a mission unless they believe there is a 90% chance of success. Those that see them work often say that their high level assassination skills are demonic. Despite lacking loyalty and respect for other members, they are extremely loyal to their leader, Zacharia. And have a strong loyality to Olivia. They also appear to have more than fifty subordinates ranged under the command of the main members.
~Carrying on the legacy~[/u][/i]
With her new found position and power. Olivia continued on the families legacy. Learning everything about the families past that she never knew before. Stepping up shop in places the family hadn't touched just yet. Meanwhile Olivia keeps the traditions up, making trips all around the world - making sure no one slips up. Keeping her fortunes and investments intact. Even with all that she still continues her schooling, deciding to finish her year off in 259. After all her father would've wanted her to anyways. And even now she was still daddy's little girl even though he was gone.[/font][/center][/color]
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