Mafia AU

[reanbeanmachine]

[In a modern world that probably still has magical elements to it, Osborne is a feared name on the black side of society. The leader of a massive crime syndicate that's been expanding by absorbing smaller groups for years, there are many names in the Erebonia group that inspire fear. One of these names is Rean Schwarzer, alternately titled Osborne's demon or simply "the Ogre" he's been a top enforcer in the group for about five years now, despite being incredibly young. Rumor has it he's Osborne's son, other rumors have it he was born in hell and his cold attitude froze the place, and there are more rumors, there always are.

Rean himself defies most expectations. He's not terribly tall, nor short. He's not bulky, he's not covered in scars or chiseled muscles. He's simply a man of average to tall height with a lean frame and black hair. He dresses in a black suit and gloves, and carries a tachi, and his expression is always distant or cold. But as an enforcer, he's efficient and terrifyingly strong and fast.

Since his ascension in the ranks most transitions of power have gone much swifter and more peacefully--minimal casualties between groups and civilian involvement is almost unheard of.

Rean himself is... A bit of a mystery to even the top in the know in the underground. He's said to be a sociopath or a loner, completely uninterested in forming connections with others, not even the friendly criminal camaraderie even the most hardened bosses tend to form now and then.

But here he is, one face among a number of Osborne's upper management, all of them seated or standing around a lavish office in a skyrise in the central city of Osborne's power, all of them regarding the "tribute" offered them by the Jurai group, the latest little family to be absorbed into Osborne's every-growing power net.

The tribute in question is none other than Crow Armbrust, talented criminal and grandson of the late (assassinated) leader of the Jurai group. Instead of succeeding he's been handed over, an underling more willing to follow Osborne taking lead instead. After all, Crow wasn't willing to bow to the inevitable, he was too intent on fighting a useless fight.

The discussion has been what to do with him, and while most of the executives at the meeting are disinterested, the general consensus seems to be to execute him as an example of disobedience. Jurai wasn't a big group, but it was prestigious and strong to last so long outside Osborne's net, Crow's influence as the leader's grandson inspired annoying amounts of rebellious thought, it'd be a fine move for an expendable and useless piece.

And then Rean is stepping forward, silencing the contemplation, walking to Crow and leaning over where he's tied to a chair. Crow was gagged a while ago because his commentary was annoying. Rean is grabbing a fistful of his hair and yanking his head up, looking coldly into his eyes for a while before announcing;]

I'll take him.

[A murmur from the rest of them, silenced by Osborne himself.]

Will you? And what will you do with him?

I like his face, I think I'd like to see how he begs.

[There's a few laughs, and the comment from someone in a corner;]

He's supposed to be feisty. Though I guess if it's you I feel a bit sorry for him.

[Rean shrugs, dropping his hold on Crow's hair and turning to face Osborne, ignoring the rest.]

So. Is he mine?

Mm. Can you show us how you'd handle him?

[Without a word Rean turns, yanks the gag from Crow's lips and kicks the chair over, pressing his boot to Crow's cheek and drawing his sword, the tip of it hovering over Crow's eye with dead steadiness.]

If you want that eye, lick.

Comments

[filetofish]

...

[He has to think about that. He'd sure like a big public assassination, but that's not essential. It's just petty. What matters is that he's dead, and after a minute's thought Crow has to admit that this is probably the best chance he's ever going to get.

Besides. It's not like he's against protecting people. It's not a priority, but Rean's desire to do so is probably admirable. Probably. Crow doesn't trust Rean enough yet to have decided.]

Okay. That's good enough for me. But if you betray me I'll take you down and this whole place with you.

[awakenerd]

[Rean looks a little puzzled at the threat because it seems somewhat ridiculous. He could still kill Crow tonight, if he had that kind of intention. Making a deal to help assassinate his own father seems odd, in light of that. But he shrugs in answer, if that makes Crow feel better about all this. Rean's the one who should be scared of betrayal, there's no reason Crow shouldn't play along and then kill Rean after he gets what he wants for good measure.

But he's in this deep, he'll trust Crow to keep his word with no evidence or knowledge of Crow to back it up.]

We have to find a way to convince everyone I've turned your loyalty...

[filetofish]

[Look Crow's pretty fluffed about betrayal right now. He can posture all he wants! He knows it's posturing, though, so he's glad Rean doesn't call him on it.]

We can fake it.

[He was prepared to debase himself, so it shouldn't really be a problem to pretend it. Whether he can be convincing, though...]

I'll do whatever I have to. Don't be too nice to hit me.

[awakenerd]

[He's grimacing at the thought, but pretending is all he does all day. It shouldn't be so hard to keep it up.]

I suppose that's the only real option.

[Faking it, making a show of taming Crow, like some Shakespearean play. Except more gross. But none of it will be real and Crow will even be in on it, so it... It should be okay.]

[filetofish]

You've done worse than kick a guy around, dude.

[Don't look so miserable! Crow sighs, rolling off of Rean and sprawling on the floor. He's tired. What a horrible day.]

I'm sturdy. I'll be fine.

[awakenerd]

[He hasn't actually had to keep up a sustained fiction of gross abuse though, Crow!! He doesn't protest this, just rubbing his palm over his face and taking a breath before getting up slowly.

The "dude" should make him laugh, but he's tired, drained. He doesn't know what to feel because he hasn't been forced to acknowledge having feelings in a long, long time. He isn't sure he remembers how to laugh.]

If you say so. There's a spare bed you can sleep in and takeout in the fridge.

[He's going to pick up his sword. He wants to retreat and sleep, he figures Crow probably wants to be around him as little as possible as well. Just because they're allies now... Well Crow's made disliking him clear, and for every perfectly good reason.]

[filetofish]

Sure.

[He's not wrong. Crow needs a lot of time to think about this, and a long time to be comfortable with Rean. He's hated the idea of him for long enough that he doesn't know how to reconcile this new information with his image of Rean. It's confusing, honestly. All he knows is that this is literally saving his life, and he can at least pay his debts.

So he'll leave Rean alone, eat his food and laze around his rooms until he feels like sleeping. Tomorrow... who knows what tomorrow will bring. For now Crow's just going to pass out hard -- he needs some sleep to make up for one of the most stressful days in his life.]

[awakenerd]

[Tomorrow brings the smell of burnt toast and strong coffee, and the day starts late. Well, they are in the night business, after all.]

[filetofish]

[Gross!! Crow rolls out of bed with a groan, and in his grogginess he fails to stay on edge. Almost like he belongs there he wanders into the kitchen, yawning, to complain.]

If you're going to be that bad at breakfast why don't you get takeout?

[awakenerd]

[Rean is, in fact, scraping the toast into the garbage.]

I thought toast couldn't be too hard...

[Responding like he's used to Crow there, already. It's the first day, he stiffens and turns his back.]

There's coffee.

[filetofish]

Toast isn't hard.

[He can't believe the famous Rean Schwarzer is so hopeless. Crow wants not to trust him, but it's kind of hard to hate him like this, so he's coming over and gently pushing Rean away from the counters.]

Go sit down or something. Jeez.

[awakenerd]

[He's always just eaten convenient store food or take out or ready made things... He goes and sits.]

...I guess you're used to making breakfast?

[He doesn't know how to small talk. Is this how you small talk?]

[filetofish]

I learned from my grandfather.

[Y'know. The one you helped assassinate. Crow grumbles, puttering about Rean's kitchen, looking for anything he can make into something edible. He's far from a kitchen expert, but at least he doesn't burn toast.]

[awakenerd]

[Oh. He grimaces. And his kitchen is pretty barren. He doesn't cook so not only are there hardly utensils to use, there's almost nothing in the form of ingredients.]

Maybe I should buy more food then.

[filetofish]

Yeah, probably.

[Alas, all he can do is make decent toast. And melt some sad slices of sandwich cheese on it.]

[awakenerd]

Give me a shopping list, I guess.

[filetofish]

I'll think about it.

[Hmm. Well, at least this is sort of "earning his keep", as much as he resents that he needs to.]

You're a real mess, you know that?

[awakenerd]

...Tell me something I don't know.

[He doesn't want to hear that he's fucked up, he knows, okay?]

[filetofish]

Oh, come on. Have some pride and argue with me or something!

[awakenerd]

[Pride in... What? He doesn't ask, because that would just sound sad.]

The coffee should be fine.

[filetofish]

I wasn't asking about the coffee.

[Jeez! How is he supposed to hate someone this depressing? It's kind of turning Crow's whole plan to eventually backstab Rean on its head.]

I can't believe you're this easy to bully.

[awakenerd]

Sorry...? I'm not used to having anyone over.

[Having to have breakfast for someone, having to talk to them, it's pretty unusual.]

[filetofish]

Aren't you a big deal over here? What, does the Erebonia Group have a ban on making friends?

[The Jurai group was never like that. They were all like family -- or so Crow had thought up til the last few days.]

[awakenerd]

I am.

[He could be friendly, and then what? Have not real friends okay with things he hates. He could loosen his scary reputation to be more personable and less effective. It'd make life maybe easier, if he could act more human.

It'd make it easier to slip up too. To show his true colors accidentally, to reveal his weaknesses. He sips his coffee.]

There isn't a ban on friends, or anything. Maybe you'll make some at some point. I need to do some shopping, you can stay here.

[filetofish]

Duh I'll stay here.

[If he leaves he'll probably get his ass kicked.]

You should get some fun stuff too. I bet you're so boring you don't even have a tv or games or anything.