Queens

[Romani]

In character content related to this borough will be posted here

 

[NanLia]

​

Lee Residence
​

 
​

 
​

Nicolae Lee had been awake for hours, as was his nature, he rose with the first signs of light within his borough as any Boss would do, or should do, in his opinion.  Hours had been spent already working hard for the day, messages received and sent to his gang members and businesses, all seemed to be in check, for the time being; New York's gangs had come to an unspoken peaceful agreement; everyone stayed within their own boundaries, their own territories and no one had to pay in blood.  It worked for Nicolae, he hated going to war, he would do what was necessary at any time to protect his territory and his people, but if a peaceful end could be found, Nicolae would be the one to find it.


Business aside, Nicolae exited his office on the main floor of his families home.  A sprawling house in Queens across from the Pomonok Country Club, Nicolae had picked this specific house for several reasons; it was within walking distance to their families church, a very important feature as that religion was vital for his families survival.  It was also centrally located within Queen's itself, giving him the ability to survey his territory without having to travel far from home.  Stepping into the hallway he noted the house workers had arrived for the day, the coal body must have stocked the furnace, he could feel the heat rising through the floors, the wonder of modern technology.  Maids scurried about, cleaning and polishing, or looking busy at least as while Nicolae made his way to the dinning room.


As expected it was empty, save for the butler; an additional Jaelle had made to the household staff, stating he was a necessary addition, if they were going to to act the part of a well established family, they would need to actually be presentable.  The whole thing made Nicolae uncomfortable, but it had been weeks now and the routine was becoming stable.  He'd go to take his seat at the head of the long empty table, and wait to be served.

 

[NanLia]

Lee Residence
​

 
​

 
​

 
​

Jaelle woke slowly, with the acknowledgement there was somebody within her room.  Not unheard of, given the staff their house held, she would sigh softly amber eyes would open slowly and she would turn onto her side to see her maid, Ruth, was at the large bay window pulling back the thick curtains and letting the morning's early light filter through the clean glass.  Ruth would turn to regard her still laying within her warm bed, nights were cold in the house and getting up early was often unpleasant, the maid would settle her hands on her hips, tsk'ing the young woman in bed.  "You should be getting up now Elle, should have been up hours ago.  You know how you father gets."


Ruth had been in service with their family long before her mother had died, had spent most of Jaelle's life raising her, teaching her the Romani Gypsy ways, as Nicholae had wanted.  It had not been a smooth transition for Jaelle, but a necessary one.  The blond would sigh and flip the coverlets back, sliding her legs over the edge of  the bed and stretching. "Father will understand," She'd murmur quietly, but she would rise anyways, moving to the closet doors where Ruth had already selected a decent outfit to be seen within.  Appearances meant a great deal to the Lee's, and Jaelle had a role to play, within the family, within society and as the future Head of the Lee's.  The dress was simple: bronze silk with golden flowers weaved in a pattern across it.


Dressed she would sit at her vanity and let Ruth work, the woman humming a wives song as she brushed out Jaelle's hair and tied it into a classic wrapped bun, it was always a pleasant experience for Jaelle, the closest thing to comfort in a world that wasn't truly hers, not yet.  Hair done, appropriate amount of makeup done, she'd slip on her shoes and make her way down stairs to the dinning room.  She'd greet their butler with a warm smile before heading to her father side.  She'd lean down and kiss his cheek; their customary morning greeting before, taking her seat directly to his right.

 

[NanLia]

Lee Residence
​

 
​

Jaelle's return trip was uneventful, the ride slow due to snow, and rather jostling as the frozen tires bumped along the road, though horse and buggy or carriage would not have been much better.  Once home the car was pulled around behind the house and parked in the back alley; homes were simply not built to house cars.  Entering the house she was greeted by people, a dozen maybe more, waiting to speak to her.  She'd offer a warm smile, and hello's as she disrobed from her furs and hat, handing everything over to Kaven as he'd followed her within her home.  This was a typical day for Jaelle; appointments around town speaking to some of their business partners, collecting what was owed, handling any disputes within her own territory.  Nicolae had no patience for these tasks, but Jaelle enjoyed them.


Ruth was approaching down the hall, "Mr. Rutherford is waiting in the office for you. " She was handing over a ink pen and slips to sign.  Bills due, they may be a prominent gangster family, but you still had to pay your bills; the legal ones that is.  She'd walk towards the Nicolae's office, glancing over the slips in hand.  


"I'll bring these back later, to be sent out."  She'd watch Ruth nod and head back the way she'd come.  Inhaling slowly she pushed the door to the office open and stepped within to deal with the first appeal of the morning.

 

[NanLia]

 
​

 
​

 
​

Jaelle's remaining day was a bore; as much as she loved dealing with the people of her family and her business partners, some people were just tedious to work with.  Mr. Rutherford had been the first of six complaints in regards to the same issue.  Apparently a gang of cut-purses had moved into the Queens area as of late, not only going after the civilians' wallets but thieving from her business partners; legitimate or otherwise.  At first Jaelle couldn't see this a much of a problem, how difficult could a pack of hungry children be?  But as the day progressed and the complaints continued, she well and truly knew it was something the Lee's would have to deal with.


The debate came after the final petitioner left and Kaven stepped into the office to join her.  She was seated at her fathers desk, smoking her cigarette and signing off bills, he'd taken up the seat across from her.  "Do you think it's the Murphy's, or Pickens?"  He'd asked which drew her attention away from reading over the bills contents.  She frowned as she considered but then slowly shook her head, leaving back in the large leather chair.  


"No," She draw from the smoke deeply before exhaling slowly, still thinking.  "It's too simple for them; if it was either of them they would have kept a low profile, moved the pick pockets about.  This is just what it looks like, war orphans banding together."  This was common enough for these times, people had lost family over sea's, providers never returning and no money to feed children, mothers abandoned them.  Workhouses had become commonplace for these lost children and mothers. 


"Me and the boys will go down tomorrow and round them up, and drop them off at the clubhouse." He offered but she was slowly shaking her head.  


"After you drop me off at Lapé go and find out where they are, I'll see to them tomorrow myself."  At this Kaven would frown, though he would never question her, knowing she always had a plan.


Rising from the chair she'd but out her cigarette in the ash-tray and hand the bills over to Kaven, knowing he would turn them over to Ruth for distribution.  "I need to get ready."

 

[NanLia]

​

Nicolae returned home in a far worse mood than when he had left the race tracks. During his long walk home he stopped to speak to many of his family along the way, one rumor in particular was continually recounted to him; she was going to Lapé this evening. This rumor told to him through messengers, snitches and spys within his own walls he'd put them in place for good reason it would seem. There were few things Nicolae would tolerate but among them was certainly not Jaelle's defiance, her attitude at the race track was enough for him so reconsider her position; she was still expendable until he was gone. It would likely spiral his family and gang out of control, leaving a void of power would bring internal conflict, but he was losing his patience with his daughter.


Upon entering his home he noted Kaven standing at the foot of the stairs, she was still home at least. "Tell her to see me," he'd state, not waiting for an answer before stepping into his office. He wouldn't wait long, shortly after seating himself at his desk and lighting a cigar Jaelle would step into his office. She wasn't even attempting to hide her defiance, hide where she was going. Sporting some ridiculous white form fitting dress, hem line too short by far, she looked more like Beulah than herself, or a respectable part of his family.


"Father," She spoke and he would sneer coming around the desk to stand with his back to it. He'd puff at his cigar in silence before he spoke firmly. "You have embarrassed our family today." He could already see the anger in her eyes, good. "You spend your time talking to that stranger and the Murphy whore when you should have been showing your loyalty to your family."


She was standing taller, back straight and chin raised, like she always did when she was going to put up an argument, but he cut her off. "Eramus needed your support today, you should have shown him respect, and instead you mocked him!" He was near shouting now, cigar forgotten; crushed in his palm. "You will apologize to your uncle for your behavior and will make your amends."

Jaelle​

"Respect?" She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Respect for him? He arrived today to see a show, he wanted to see you and Mr. Murphy go at each other in public! If anyone embarrassed the family it was him! He should have kept his shameful face hidden until he was healed, let us deal with the horse!"


Jaelle wasn't sure what had gotten into her; this was not typical of her and she knew it. Between her father declaring war, and not even admitting it to her, then allowing Eramus to walk around with his blackened face. She would laugh "Oh, I will apologize to him, I will make amends just as soon as you do the same to Thomas Mur-" What happened next Jaelle wasn't even certain. Her father had been standing at his desk, several feet away, the next he was above her; her ears ringing and jaw on fire. It took several seconds before she understood what had transpired.


"Get up." She heard him say as he moved back to his desk, retaking his chair. She rose, straightening her dress, correcting the mother of pearl beaded head piece but refusing to touch her cheek. "You will go tomorrow morning and apologize to your uncle and make amends." Nicolae stated again, this time calmer. She couldn't speak, she didn't trust her voice, so instead she'd nod. "Get out."


Jaelle turned and strode from the office, closing the door behind her. Kaven was at her side immediately, taking her upper arm and leading her into the kitchen at a quick pace. The moment they stepped through the doors he was dismissing the cook, sending her at a run. Jaelle had calmed, moving to lean against the counter. Kaven approached her, visibly angry the man was shaking. "I'll kill him." It was a partial statement, but she knew it was a question, she knew all she would need to do was nod and he would walk into the office and do it himself. The damned fool.


"No," She'd state with a sigh, hands on the counter at either of her side, pushing herself up to sit at it's edge. "And you will never say that again, in anyone's presence, including my own." She reached behind her and opened a cupboard, removing a crystal tumbler to hand to him. "Ice."


Obediently as ever Kaven took her glass and went to the icebox to chisel ice into the cup before returning it to her hands. She immediately placed the cool glass against her inflamed cheek, amber eyes watching Kaven carefully, "One day he will threaten the wrong person." He may have already.


"I'll tell the driver to park the car." He was turning to leave but she would stop him, slipping her hand into his. "No, we're still going out." Dark smile forming on her lips. "Send Michael to find the cut-purses, you and I are going to enjoy Lapé tonight."

 

[NanLia]

​

Jaelle had made it home safely only because of Kaven's dedication. Jaelle was not a very experienced drinker, and given Clarissa had left off about dancing, she had spent the remainder of her evening at Kaven's table drinking happily. It was only when the club was closing and everyone was exiting that he had become aware of just how drunk Jaelle truly was. The woman could barley walk! He certainly could not have locals and other gangs seeing the notorious stoic woman wobble about so he had done the only thing he could think of at the time.

Playing the part of two lovers he had scooped her form up into his arms and carried her bridal style from the club to their awaiting car, no matter her drunken protests; convinced she would thank him later.

She hadn't.

Once safely placed within the car and heading back to Queens Jaelle tore him a new one, fortunately for him it was in Lomari and he only understood every three words. Arriving at the Lee's residence she was angry enough she had climbed from the car unassisted and stormed into the house leaving him out in the cold.


Jaelle woke the following morning in her typical fashion; Ruth arrived to her room, moving to the large window to pull the shades open allowing the morning light to enter. While typically Jaelle would stretch and rise, this morning the light made her wince. With a groan of discontent she rolled onto her side dragging the blankets over her head. This set Ruth off in a flurry, the housekeeper and surrogate mother to Jaelle ran about the house calling the other maids to collect much needed items for illness before returning to Jaelle's bedside.

It didn't take Ruth long to discover what ailed her would daughter; she was quite hung over. She tsked and thought to teach her a lesson, but she knew if Nicolae suspected this his lesson would be far worse, not to mention the house and half of the Lees within Queen were already discussing the bruise worn by the Princess. She set up Jaelle to remain in bed, glass of water and a few soda crackers on the night stand next to her bed, she drew the shades closed and exited the bedroom closing the door behind her.

 

[NanLia]

​

Nicola rose long before the sun, and as he did every day he went to his office and waited for his messages to arrive. Business was good, it seemed, though the cut-purse issue needed to be dealt with he was told by Michael; Jaelle's man and his spy, that his daughter was already working on it. Otherwise the remainder of the business and his family were status quo.

He had retired to the dinning room for breakfast, annoyed that his daughter had was not already there, he wanted to make clear his statement from the night before; she was to attend her uncle and apologize for her attitude. He waited, eating his breakfast and reading over the morning paper before glancing up as the housekeeper arrived. "What is it?"

Ruth, he thought her name was, stepped towards the table. "Ms. Lee will not be attending breakfast." She stated, the woman had no fear of him, whether he liked it or not, she had been a capable and trustworthy employee. "She has fallen ill, fevered."

Nicolae watched Ruth impassively for several seconds before nodding his acceptance. "Tell her she is expected to attend the family needs, regardless of how she feels." He returned to his paper, and his coffee.