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Ƞɸӽ Ⱥʅϲɦєɾɨ
βɑρϮɨɀєɗ Ъӌ Ϯɦϵ ϝʅαɱϵϛ,
αɲɗ ЪαϮɦєɗ ɨɲ α Ъαsɨɲ ϕϝ Ъlϕϕɗ,
ӌϕʊ ωɨʅʅ ӄɲϕw Ϯɦє pϕwєr ϕϝ ӺȈɌΣ!
ɌΦȼӄεϯ`•.¸¸.••´´¯``•• .¸¸.•´םɸɳ
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Several days ago – Emilio’s private cabin, somewhere in the Viridian Forest
“This can’t be true,” Nox growled, leaning back into the large chair of maroon leather and ornate, polished, wooden legs. He folded his right leg over the left and leaned upon his right right hand as the elbow rested upon the arm of the chair he lazily sunk into, jaw set and crimson eyes narrowed. “Why would Emilio leave everything to me?”
This question, of course, had been directed to the attorney sitting in Emilio’s seat of power with documents strewn about the surface of the lacquered mahogany desk. The silver man in a suit of navy smiled back at Nox, knowing the lad since he had joined the family. John, as Nox understood it, had been the lawyer of the Rocket Family since the days of Giovanni. Little did the public know, the lawyer who often took pro-bono cases in the name of charity, John Archer, was both an attorney that handled the Rocket’s affairs and the family’s Consigliere. Oh, the double lives we often lead.
“You will have to accept things as they are, regardless of whether or not Emilio is out there,” John stated matter-of-factly, prior to taking a sip of the water from his glass which rested upon a coaster. The man was meticulous, and always respected beautiful antiquity. “Let’s validate, for a moment, that you are correct in your suspicions, Nox. Let’s say that Emilio is alive and out there. He’s still not here in the seat of power that he has willed to you in the event of his demise or disappearance.”
“And?” Nox asked, furtively, not making eye contact.
“Goodness, boy!” John laughed, condescendingly. “I know you’ve a brilliant mind between those ears, so think about it. There will be a power vacuum. There are already whispers of treachery in the air. The climate has changed for the Rocket family, as it did when your brother succeeded Giovanni. If you don’t take the mantle, confidently I might add, it could spell disaster for our family.”
“I liked my role before, and the dirty work suited me fine. I don’t want to be Emilio,” Nox sighed, locking his glance with that of the aged eyes of azure belonging to his confidant.
“You’ve no choice, I’m afraid. I implore you to embrace this, even if it is only temporary. Emilio would want this,” John declared, turning pages of his documents.
“I know, but—“
“The accounts, the assets, and everything else will be transferred to your name shortly. I shall take care of that matter expediently,” John added, cutting Nox off and paying no heed to his misgivings. “I trust that your business sense and brilliance will maintain the empire your brother has erected. Make me proud, young one.”
“They think I murdered him,” Nox added, forlorn in his demeanor. “I think I would know full well who I have and have not killed.”
John shrugged, a wolfish smile forming beneath the subtle goatee of grey. “Tongues will wag, but you and I know the truth. The unrest will settle in due time.”
Now—Viridian Cemetery
“Murderer!”
His gaze narrowed diabolically upon the nameless grunt. Oh, how brazen he was in his accusation, to utter such nonsense in the open. Naturally, the attention of the crowd focused in on him. The four guards in proximity seemed poised to strike while they assessed the threat level of this fool bathed in brandy.
“Emilio was a great man!”
Yep, Nox thought. Another one.
“And you were jealous!”
Nox assessed the portly fellow carefully, casting him a measuring look, and not recalling ever seeing this individual until this moment. How could he know anything about his brother when it was highly likely that Emilio didn’t even know this drunkard’s first name?
“I knew it was only a matter of time until you set your Hellhound on him, Demon!”
I’m tempted to set Barghest on you, Nox thought, remaining stoic. It wouldn’t do well to tussle with this fool in front of so many. Like it or not, as John had put it, he was the Don now, a public figure. While fantasies of blood and fire coursed through his mind’s eye, the glorious fountain of ruby that could flow and the glorious glow of amber as flesh seared, he restrained a sick smile, only keeping his expressionless eyes on the fool mere feet away from him. John would want him to keep quiet and not respond, so that’s what he would do.
With that, Nox turned away from the man and began to walk away, unperturbed by the incident.
The drunkard snarled and reached for a pokeball. “Don’t you ******** walk away from me!”
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