Misty Gray
Pessimisty
Chapter 1: Family Comes First
Friday 15th March 1985
...The Beginning...
Dublin: Evening - Mild, Dry, Clear Skies
London: Evening - Mild, Breezy, Overcast
New York: Afternoon - Mild, Dry, Sunny
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Gabriel Moretti's Mansion
~ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn ~
Gabriel MorettiFriday 15th March 1985
...The Beginning...
Dublin: Evening - Mild, Dry, Clear Skies
London: Evening - Mild, Breezy, Overcast
New York: Afternoon - Mild, Dry, Sunny
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Gabriel Moretti's Mansion
~ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn ~
It had been 13 years to the day since the war between the Morettis and the Irish Mob was brought to an end. Gabriel had made a fair offer to the Sullivans which had resulted in the Irish leaving New York City to return Dublin. Despite the fatalities and bloodshed on both sides during the early 1970s, a peace deal was signed and both families were able focus on their businesses in their respective cities. The arrangement with the Biancardis working as middlemen for any business between New York and Dublin had proven to be a success over the years without much in the way of complications or disagreements that couldn't be resolved. The Morettis and Biancardis had worked well alongside each other, both able to bring New York under their respective control. Despite this, business would always come first for Gabriel and there wasn't room for complacency. Things we profitable and his empire was continuing to grow, but that didn't mean he was about to sit back and rest. There were other organisations that had caught Gabriel's attention, including the King Family business of which he had men, including Erik, working with to scope out such expansion opportunities. Were he to find value elsewhere, Gabriel wouldn't lose any sleep in cutting the Sullivans loose.
As he had done with Miami, Gabriel had built up his empire in New York, an achievement his elders had never been able to do. The war against the Sullivans had been destructive to the city, but since the Morettis succeeded in 1972, Gabriel had brought order and promise to the city. Ironically, bringing such order was done through corruption, violence, intimidation and a catalogue of unspeakable acts, but it got the job done. With the streets no longer being on high alert and any threats soon brought under control by the heavy hand of the Morettis, Gabriel gained the respect of those in high places. Politicians and law enforcement officials were all willing to turn a blind eye in return for their streets being under a control they alone could never achieve, along with the odd off-the-books favour when needed. That wasn't to say there weren't challenges. From time to time, the Morettis were faced with potential competition and organisations attempting to cross them, but they weren't too great a challenge for the Italians. The fact there hasn't been a challenge as great as the one the Sullivans presented hasn't escaped Gabriel's attention. He is fully aware there are employees within his organisation, some high ranking, who crave another war with the Sullivans or something equally thrilling. However, business has always been Gabriel's top priority, regardless of how much he savours in watching his enemies suffer by his own hand. The most pressing matter presently at hand was how Giovanni Biancardi's death would affect the strong partnership of the last decade or so.
Whilst his devotion to his business had not changed over the years, one thing that had was Gabriel's interest in spending some time with his family. Having lost many members of his family in the late 60s, the number of Morettis had been severely reduced. However, his family had eventually started to grow again, giving him more of a desire to take a small amount of time away from work to be with his loved ones. Valentina had married Teddy before the couple went on to bless Gabriel with three grandchildren. Marcus had married Ava, connecting the Moretti's with Marcus' in-laws - the Snowdens.
Having dealt with any business earlier in the day, Gabriel had returned home to get prepared for the family meal he'd arranged. Although this wasn't business and he was looking forward to a family catch-up, Gabriel had still been a stickler and formal in ordering his family to all arrive on time. Though he might not be quite as strict on his grandchildren as he had always been with his own, the man still believed the kids needed to be disciplined and so the adults of the family had to lead by example. Not that such a mindset hadn't caused Gabriel and Valentina to come to blows at times, and on account of them both being stubborn there was always a possibility of them having further disagreements.
Once changed out of his business attire and into a different suit, Gabriel made his way to the kitchen to find his wife. "How can I assist you on this special day, my love?" he asked his wife placing his arm around her waist and kissing the top of her head. "I'm quite looking forward to seeing everyone together today. Even the little troublemaker, Paolo," he chuckled. Despite the light-hearted comment, it was the youngest of his grandchildren that exasperated him the most, though pointing out the boy's lack of discipline was apparently controversial subject. "Speaking of trouble. Has Vincenzo arrived yet?" he asked of his cousin.
Interaction: @Melanin-Gxdess (Elvian)
Tags: @Melanin-Gxdess (Ava) @RayPurchase (Marcus) @KaramelKarma (Vincenzo) Pyroclast (Tatiana?)
(Don't be late!)
Wycliff Family Home
~ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn ~
Valentina Wycliff~ Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn ~
Despite being a wife, mother and a successful businesswoman, Valentina still felt like she had to work hard every day to prove herself. Whether it was at work or with her family, she didn't feel she was permitted to show any weakness. She'd worked hard to stop others patronising her and seeing her as a victim that she never felt able to let her guard down in front of them. So, that morning, she had woken before sunrise and dressed in smart attire. After getting the children off to their schools she then arrived at one of her hotels to check in on her employees. The Palermo Hotel was hosting a large wedding the following week and so she had to make sure all of the preparations were in order.
Aware of dinner with the family later in the afternoon, Valentina had to rush home early to get herself and the children ready. Knowing what her father was like, she was determined to have everyone presentable and ready on time. After some protesting from the youngest, all three children were soon dressed into fresh clothes and looking simply perfect! This left Valentina some time to sort herself out. Entering the master bedroom she shared with Teddy, she closed the door behind her and exhaled in an exaggerated manner. "Who's idea was it to have three kids?" she sarcastically asked her husband. She then walked towards him and draped her arms over his shoulders as she looked up to his face. She leaned forward and moved in to kiss him for a short time before reluctantly breaking away from the moment. "I hope Papa doesn't keep us too long because I'm feeling tired already," she told Teddy. She would never admit to the rest of her family when she was exhausted, but she could tell her husband anything. "We're having a sleep-in tomorrow!" she decided. "Maybe if my parents are in a good mood today, they might like to have the children sleep over at their place tomorrow night so us two can have an overdue date."
After placing another quick kiss on Teddy's lips, Valentina walked over to the mirror so she could brush her hair. She glanced at the clock and smiled to herself as she realised they were on schedule to arrive at her parents' house on time or maybe even early, heaven forbid! "Ohhhh, I hope we manage to beat the others in getting there today," she playfully told him.
The calm mood was soon broken as a gentle knock was heard from outside the bedroom door, followed by Cristina's sweet voice. "Paolo's made a mess. He's knocked his pot of paint all over himself," the girl informed her parents.
"Fucking..." Valentina grumbled, loud enough for only Teddy to hear. She quickly shook her head as she looked at her husband's reflection in the mirror. "Why does he always do this? How has that boy not made me go grey yet?!"
Interactions: @Melanin-Gxdess (Teddy)
Moretti Base - Riverside Diner - Basement
~ Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan ~
The cold and dimly lit room resembled a dentist's room, were it situated in the depths of a horror movie basement. The counter along the back wall was chipped and grubby, the sinister medical tools and sharp knives lined up surprisingly neatly considering they were stained with fresh blood. Strapped to the old dentist-like chair in the centre of the basement room was a blood-soaked man dressed only in his boxer shorts and a vest. His right arm hung lifelessly over the side of the chair with his hand pointed downwards towards the floor. The soundproof room had fallen so silent in those moments that only a dripping sound could be heard as the blood fell from the victim's severed fingertips into the metal bucket which had been positioned below.
"I told you want you wanted to know. Why are you still doing this?" the desperate man pleaded in a pained tone.
From his spot in the corner of the room, Damian stepped out of the shadows to stand alongside his victim. His footsteps were quiet, aiding to the captor's stealthy natural state. "Well, now I'm going to have to do the other hand, because you just ruined the moment, John," his oddly calm voice spoke in apparent annoyance. Damian reached for the nearby medical supplies and set about wrapping up the man's wounded fingers, wanting to keep the man as alive and lucid for as long as possible. An unconscious subject was never interesting. "Despite all of those unsuspecting fools upstairs filling their mouths with burgers and fries, nobody has a clue you're here. The diner is loud and unruly, but down here is surprisingly refreshing and peaceful. If you'd stay silent for more than a minute you would be able to appreciate the silence and become truly absorbed in what's happening to you. I was enjoying being absorbed in the moment until you spoke up and ruined it. Thankfully, you have a second hand and I'm quite fond of getting more opportunities to fine tune my technique."
Damian let out a sigh as he calmly circled the chair his victim was strapped to. Of course, John had eventually given in and told him exactly what Damian had been instructed by Gabriel to find out. His interrogation had seemingly proved successful and now he was awaiting the arrival of Tony and the Taylor brothers to arrive so they could carry out the next task at hand. Until they had completed their part of the job, Damian was inclined to keep John alive until it was confirmed what he'd squealed was the truth.
Damian leaned back against the edge of the counter behind the chair and out of John's view. "You quite right, however," he informed him, his tone louder and more forceful but still carrying a calmness to it. "It would appear you have given me the information I needed, but that was for Mr. Moretti. What I want is this," he said, outstretching his arm to towards John, regardless of the fact the other man couldn't even see the gesture. "The reason I'm still hurting you is quite simply because I want to." Damian removed a damp towel from the basin and began to casually clean the other man's blood from his own hands. Whilst the monetary compensation the Morettis gave him would never be turned down, Damian wasn't fueled by the materialistic rewards. What he most desired in the world was to watch others suffer.
Mentions: @RayPurchase (Tony) BloodThunder27 (Quadir, Jarrick)
(Damian is waiting for you)
Oak Tree Restaurant
~ Dublin City Centre, Dublin ~
Benjamin Reznik and Adam Harper~ Dublin City Centre, Dublin ~
As Spring approached, the days were starting to get longer and that pleased Benjamin greatly. It wasn't that the dark hindered him or prevented him from stepping outside, but Benjamin much preferred the daylight. From his climbing and sports to his photography, he found it was all much more enjoyable in the milder months. There was so much more of nature to discover and appreciate when it was gracefully illuminated by the sun. The young man had been up bright and early today, wanting to make the most of his day before starting his late shift at the restaurant. After a morning training session with his local Gaelic football team, he'd met with Aidan for lunch. The man had looked after him since he was a young boy, taking on the responsibility in the wake of his mother's death and considering his father, Kurt, was in prison. Despite loving and appreciating everything Aidan had done for him; every opportunity and taste of family normality a boy could ask for, Benjamin always stopped short of calling the man as his father. Given that Kurt was alive and always an important part of Benjamin's life, he was the only father he had. Aidan was Benjamin's guardian and the man he respected the second most after Kurt. Of course, they had their disagreements and in Benjamin's younger years his guardian wasn't afraid to punish him as he would have his own son. The two had a mutual respect and even as an adult, Benjamin knew he could go to Aidan for help and advice, in his biological father's absence.
Benjamin spent most of his afternoon photographing wildlife in Phoenix Park. His day had left him with only a short window to go home to get changed for work, but he tended not to mind the days where he was busy as it all fed into his love out being outside and making the most of the freedom he was grateful to have. As soon as he started his shift, the dining reservations list told him it was going to be a busy evening at the restaurant but he had every confidence in the team of colleagues he was managing.
After taking a business call in the back office, Benjamin returned to the public side of the restaurant, he saw a familiar man seated at the end of the bar. "Adam. Is it your break time already?" he asked the Sullivan mob member.
"What do you mean "already"? We don't all get scheduled breaks like you in your cushy job, mate. Granted, I've ordered a burger, but don't be under any illusion this is a rest," he remarked as he accepted his pint of beer from the bartender. He then flashed a grin as he took his first drink. "I'll be out of your hair soon, kid. How's everything in here tonight? Is there anything I should be concerned about?"
"Everything's been good here. In fact, the only dodgy character I've seen in here tonight is you," the young man teased.
"If I'm the worst you've got to worry about, then you'll be having an easy night," Adam assured him. Having met Kurt during his own prison sentence back in the 1960s and then later learned of Dolores' death, Adam couldn't help but have a soft spot for Benjamin. Granted, over the last decade or so, the hardened gangster had grown many soft spots for those he worked with and their families. Benjamin was no exception. Though Adam didn't hear much at all from Kurt these days, it made him no less inclined to keep an eye on his friend's son. "Are you in the gym this weekend? You need to work on those muscles if you're going to find yourself a girlfriend."
Benjamin leaned against the bar as he continued to speak with Adam. "I have no issues finding myself a girl if I want to, but how are those muscles working out for you, big guy? They don't count as girlfriends if you only spend one night with them. You should be setting an example at your age!"
"You cheeky little shit," Adam quietly fired back, mindful not to lower the tone in one of Conor's more fancy and civilised establishments. "Go see how my burger is coming along. Some of us have real work to do," he playfully suggested, not wanting to distract the young man too much from his work. Whilst it wasn't in Adam's nature to dwell on things or get too wrapped up in sentiment, he couldn't help but admit to himself that he had changed over the years. Once a man who shunned any form of romantic commitment and was happy living the life of a bachelor, his mindset had changed. Perhaps it was allowing himself to grow closer to his friends within the mob and having three godchildren in the Zegarras, but he had been evaluating his life choices lately and realising he may have missed his time to settle down.
Tags: Pyroclast (Chase, Michael)
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