The Blackbird Tavern & Inn

Dakkon looked to his mother as she stood and watched her as she crossed to the bar, his eyes narrowing with curiosity, yet he noted the time displayed with in his lens and nodded to himself before standing up slowly feeling his legs pushing back against the seat of the chair at the table . As he rose he kept his eye upon his mother and then cast a glance down to his brother who remained seated and spoke softly " I'll be back in a little while, you should stay with her" He said as he turned moving around the table and heading towards the main entrance. Looking over his shoulder hearing his mothers inquiry he spoke to her directly "No Thanks Mom" . Turning back towards the front doors before speaking to the room at large " I'll be back in a bit mom, I have to get back to the lab to set up some things, while also informing my employer that I shall be taking some personal time to stay here with you " As his words slid into the silence he pushed upon the front door stepping out in the cool air a small smile upon his lips as he moved out into the night. Moving towards his car he looked around the street his eyes flicking from point to point on the high-rises in the distance, and the taller building around the area his lenses taking three dimensional measurements of the surroundings allowing the uploading of information to his lab while his computers were processing his telemetry into helping clarify and define the satellite images so help define the best places someone would put observational locations. As he stood there for a moment his left hand swatted at his leg allowing the muffled click to engage his anti-magic defenses as he pressed his right hand upon the roof of his car . As his hand settled upon the roof the door popped open and the engine turned on although it was silent as a wraith. Sliding into his car he engaged it driving back towards Murakumo Laboratories.
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Azrael looked to his brother for a moment as their mother rose and headed towards the bar counter his green eyes flicking between the two as if attempting to figure out a difficult situation as if he was in a room with mutual strangers and attempting to make small talk. He was never sure precisely how to deal with Dakkon when he got into this kind of mood and his mother moving towards the bar was perhaps nothing but it seemed to resurface some of his memories from his childhood before looking at what she was picking up as his brother rose and spoke softly to him. He nodded to his brothers words. He pondered responding aloud but decided a simple nod would suffice and would not make the situation any more awkward. As his brother made his way across the room he witnessed their brief exchange along with his brothers general explanation of where he was going which put his hackles on end. His eyes flickered around the room looking for anything out of place, certainly the tavern looked much different than it had in their childhood, somehow cleaner even though it was almost always clean, his mother was rather determined to keep the place in good order, but it was as if his words seemed like they were directed to someone else, in the room, almost too convenient as if daring someone who was unseen to follow him, but he sensed nothing. Attuning his magical senses he flicked out his consciousness to the building in general attempting to find or feel what ever presence his brother was attempting to bait. As he did so he spoke to his mother his tone almost a lifeless monotone, " I would take a glass of water Mother " he said his focus on his senses. Could it be his brother had found something he himself couldn't sense, had magic been beaten by technology as his brother always claimed would happen.
 
She caught the narrowed glance of Dakkon thrown in her direction. She had an idea what that was over. Alcohol. Yes, she did like a glass of wine, even a glass of Disorrono. But she never considered herself an alcoholic..if that was was she was being stared down about..she has had some weekends when she would let her hair down so to speak..She also felt she didn't owe anyone anything..if she wanted a drink, she shall have one. Just because she ran a place that is stocked to the gills of alcohol never once gave her the want to over indulge..even if she felt she would have liked to at times. She hardly raised the glass to her lips when she couldn't help but overhear Dakkon telling Azrael to 'stay with her' it made her feel like they thought of her as feeble who NEEDED taking care of..supervision..the brink of becoming a new resident to a home. Perhaps they thought she would have a hoorah with a bottle of hooch and finding her dancing on a table...It was now her turn to cast a narrowed glare but it was short lived.." You going to away long ? What am I saying, of course you will be..you will get tied up with things at the lab...which really is ok. " a quick pause she then threw in, " Honest.." she even held a hand up like a scout making a pledge.

As Dakkon had left, she turned her attention to Azrael..by the look on his face, an expression of 'what do I do now'..the expression made HER not only uncomfortable, but sad. She sat down her glass on the counter, taking the liberty of making his water in a tall glass. She dropped a few cubes of ice..taking up her glass and carrying her own she steps out from behind the counter heading to the table. Doing this brought good memories of when she did had waited on tables. Setting the water in front of Azrael she then slipped into the chair on the other side of the table..she gazed at Azrael as she sipped on her drink. More of a studious gaze. There was an unsettling atmosphere in the room..quite silent except for the soft tinkling sound of ice cubes against glass. The silence seemed quite loud. Then finally she broke that silence.. " Azrael, I have picked up that you seem uncomfortable around me..It makes me sad that you have a sort of barrier when it comes to me...i never quite understood that.."
 
Azrael looked to his mother placidly as his hand reached forward grasping the cool glass in his hand. Her statement seemed to echo something he had always felt himself. The discomfort and unease with which he seemed to dwell apart from his parents. He didn't dislike them far from it, but he never really knew how to interact with them in a way that seemed natural or effortless like Dakkon or Lillith did. Certainly he was no where near as easy as his Sister's Rain or Nora. However he was certainly certain he could never be as casual as his half-siblings. He had the responsibility as the eldest to maintain proper decorum, and be as perfect as possible. After all what could he say to her after such a statement. Lifting the glass to his lips he took a slow drawn draft from his cup before setting it back down and then speaking " I am not uncomfortable, I just don't know what is expected of me in this situation, and I have been away from civilized places for a long while, and don't wish to cause affront, or act in any way that could bring Shame upon our family."
 
She reached over the table, placing her hand over his.." Az..you could never bring shame upon this family. "She kept a loving and concerned gaze to her son.

" Yes..it has been a very long time since you and I have sat and talked together..regardless of what you and Dakkon may feel about me..not once have I lost my love for you both..that even goes for Lilith, Rain and Nora.."
She paused for a few moments..rose up from her seat.." Why don't I get you some tea.." she said with a small smile. Taking his cup, she gazed at him ..really studying his face, his eyes..how much he favored his father. After turning away and now behind the bar counter, she poured some tea to his cup..then she decided she would really like a drink herself..it had been a most surprising day. She added a couple of cubes of ice to a small stubby glass, poured two fingers of Disaronno..taking up his cup and her glass she moved back over to the table , setting his cup in front of Az before she took to her seat. As she lifted up her glass, taking the first sip and swallow..she couldn't help but have the feeling that he may not stay as long she hoped he would..as he said to her, he had been away for so long from civilization..

" You know Az...please know that you are so welcome to stay..here with me..I'm sure with a try..you may just get used to 'civilization'.." She added another soft smile to him before continuing. " But if you feel you have to leave..I will just have to understand..and I will..believe me....Just promise me you will keep in touch with me..please.."
 
It is now nearing the evening, round about seven o'clock..she stands too the open doorway, drink in hand, sipping gingerly to a Disorrono on the rocks..gazing from one empty building to the next, then a long stare down the stretch of the once bustling city street. A slight breeze causes a street light to sway from its power line. She gives a long sigh as she lifts the small fat glass to her lips to take another swallow. It was nice that her son's had come to visit her, but she is hating that their visit was so short. She even past a quick thought of the man who had paid a visit, actually he was th'e first patron, if you can call him that..he had said he would pass through again..yet she hasn't seen nor heard anything..doesnt blame him for not doing so, like he told her, the place is dead...she takes another sip, then with added thought, 'what was his name again?' after a quick ponder, 'Marcus..that's his name' With a slight turn she leans her back against the frame of the door. As she stares from one part of the street to the other..she thought back to how it looked when there were people striding along the sidewalks, vehicles driving past. She wished again things could be that way again. Her thoughts then went to Dakkon, of what he could be up to, and when he would return..she then thought of Azriel, they never got to finish their conversation, although he did act uncomfortable being there, or uncomfortable being around her. She really leaned toward that it was the later.
 
Another day, another day to feeling sad that she hadn't heard anything more from Dakkon, and Azrael. Or any of the others. She had lain it on the table to both of them of wanting to know 'why'.. and she came so close to revealing an answer to the long awaited question, but before that happened they left as quickly as they had arrived. She spent more time trying to defend herself when she should have just blurted it out , no matter if they believed her or not. She stepped around the bar counter, poured a two finger amount to a small glass.. returned the bottle then made her way to the end chair and planted herself. Staring at the emptiness of the room as she sipped gingerly. She gave a forced short chuckle to herself.. " Now I know the meaning to the phrase, ' a loud quiet' , I often wondered what it meant." She though to herself some more, not of the loud quietness, but of what happened here ? Why did a town that once was full of live, now be...like this.. She slid down from the bar stool , still with glass in hand heading out from the tap room to the hall and then inside her office. Giving a slight rolling turn of the leather office chair , she sits down, scoots forward and opens a drawer pulling out a writing pad and pen. After a stare to the paper, gripping the pen to her right hand, she slowly begins to write..

Dakkon,
I have decided to close up, hopefully to indefinitely. You can find me at Cougar Pines, my cabin to the woods.. you should remember the place. The answer to your question , I left to protect you.. all of you. I felt if I left, that neither of you would be in danger. Though, no one really knew I had a family, not even my family.. or so I would think. It was because of them that I left.. My father, your grandfather is a large name , as Don Vitorio Gaetano. As well as my brothers Vincenzo and Geovanni. You have a grandmother, Giada and an aunt, Marianna. There was a rift between our family to another, the Santuzza. I called it a rift, but it was much bigger than that. It was becoming a lot like a war. During my absence, not one day passed that I had not thought of any of you. I wanted to pick up a phone.. write.. but I was frightened that doing so could be found out. Please try to find it in your heart to forgive me. A mother's love to her children can be so hard and find yourself to doing whatever it takes in protecting you. I am hoping you will come to Cougar Pines.. and stay with me.
I Love You,
Your mother,
Elisaveta

She then set the pen aside on the desk, and tore off the letter from the pad , folding it neatly and stuffed it to an envelope. She placed Dakkon's name to the envelope and propped it against a framed photo on the desk. She no much had done that when she heard the opening of a door. Quietly she opened a side drawer and pulled out a small Glock. A snug grip , holding it to her side she makes with quiet footfalls down the hall, but hesitated just at the tap room entrance, back to the wall, only a slight lean to peer out, ..A man, tall in stature, muscular..it wasn't till the man turned about that she shockingly recognized him..
" Vinnie.." was all she could muster as she lowered the gun and began to approach him.. Seeing the gun in her hand, Vincenzo laughed. " Is that a way to greet a brother ? "
He stepped forward, taking the weapon from her hand, and setting it gently to the counter. Then took his sister , locking her in an embrace whispering, " It's wonderful in seeing you again, Elis..err I mean Veta."
As he let her go, he settled in to a bar chair.. " From the selection you have here , you shouldn't be short in offering me a drink."

Without a word Veta slipped behind the counter, first taking the gun to place it under the bar. Then took down a bottle of which she knew, or should say remembered to be a liking of his. After pouring she slides the drink over to him after placing it to a cocktail napkin. She too poured herself a glass. Sipping as she stared.
"How..."
"How did I find you ? Veta..don't fool yourself.. We always knew where you were.. In the beginning I have to admit it was tough.. you always were good at hide-and-seek."
After a short paused chuckle did he raise his glass to her, " Salute.." Softly she responded, "Salute." Synchronizing.. they sipped and swallowed.

Veta didn't know why only that she blurted out, "Still 'painting' houses ?" That was just an under table name for 'murder' when after you shot or stabbed someone it left blood spatters to the walls. He brother just chuckled, yet didn't bother with an answer to a question she obviously knew an answer to. Lowering his glass, Vincenzio stared down to the amber liquid. Then with a side turn of his head to fix a dark eyed gaze to his sister.. "Geovanni, is dead.."

Veta nearly dropped her glass, suddenly a sting came to her eyes birth tears "How..?"
He helped himself to another drink.. "Geo borrowed my car, his was in the shop and he wanted to meet this girl at The Black Diamond... after I suppose was the date he left the nightclub... and was gunned down. Six bullets Veta... Six !...." He took another swallow before continuing.. "Those bullets were meant for me. It was a case of mistaken identity positive of that.. Our brother had my car.."

And it was true, Geovanni did borrow Vinnie's car that night.. and it was a case of mistaken identity.. being the gun for hire recognized the car, and the brother in the darkness and rain of the evening, the brother looked very similar to Vinnie. He was killed so quickly as he was un-locking the car that he still held the keys in his hand as he lain on the pavement beside the car. He lain there till he was found by a patron of the club. The cops are only claiming they have no clues to who or why.. they didn't bother in looking, but the family knew..it was because of a stabbing of one of the Santuzza brother's.

"It's because of me, Geo's dead, Veta..it was just a matter of time before they would come for you. I suppose they considered it a sort of torture to father to kill off his children first and save the last for him. This isn't going to end till the last of The Gaetano Family is no more.." Veta reached out , placing her hand atop his. She consoled her brother for the grief he was carrying, not for what he did. Such as this is why she left the family.. she wanted away from all the hate, betrayal and murder.. she didn't want it finding her children.. He then turned his hand grasping Veta's into his own, staring to her face..to her eyes. "Veta..what you did...don't be so hard on yourself.. you felt you had to do what you did.. I'm sorry it caused you pain in leaving your family behind.." He then released her hand, finished his drink and rose up to his feet. He straightened his jacket. "You need to visit , father Veta.....I gotta go.." And with that he left quickly out The Blackbird heading to his car.. Veta tried to follow him out but couldn't make it around the counter quick enough only to find her staring to the back of his car as he drove quickly away.

She returned back inside, and settled back to the counter, poured a shot but just held to it for a few moments.. just as she was about to lift the glass to her lips.. another steps quickly inside.. he brushed the rain from his coat, the drops glistened from his long black coat.. finger combed back his hair.. "Wasn't sure anything was open around here.. but spotting a light I followed it here." The stranger settled himself down then before Veta could possibly ask a question. "Mind if I could get a drink to warm me ? It's raining cats and dogs out there.." Veta quickly turn a glance to the window...indeed it was raining hard.. when did that start ? she asked herself. But she poured him a shot from the bottle that was already on the counter, not bothering to ask his poison. But the stranger took it and downed it.. then slid it forward and tapped the glass on its rim..Veta refilled.

Then the stranger began his story.. if you could call it that. "It was merely by accident that I made a wrong turn, my car broke down.. I wandered here."
Veta eyed him curiously. Then with a smooth wave of hand , "Welcome to The Blackbird.."
"How is you seem to be the only establishment that seems to have life.."
"Can't be a welcome center if I were closed, now could I ?"
He gave a shake of his head, "No.. I suppose not.. but lucky me you were.. are."
"I can give you a lift to the next town if you like.. it wouldn't be any trouble.."

He quickly declined, informing that before his cell phone died he managed a call to garage tow. Veta just gave a slow nod..in her mind she thought it kind of odd for someone to leave a car when a tow was coming.. and then walked in the rain.. she kept this to herself but answered with a "very well then.."

The stranger thanked her for the hospitality as he took out his wallet and slapped a twenty on the counter.. which Veta slid it back to him.. "Rainy day bargain.."
He laughed as he slipped away from the stool, "Then count it as a tip" then he left The Blackbird heading down the darkened sidewalk, gripping his coat he pulled up his lapel to shield the back of his neck. Lucky for him.. her.. that she didn't follow to the door.. or she would have seen that his car wasn't broken down at all, but parked three buildings down. He slipped behind the wheel, and sped off into the rain filled night. Only later to be parking the rented black sedan to a space at the airport garage then got into his own car that was parked in the next parking space. Driving off he pounded his fist to the steering wheel.. "What just happened ? She was a perfect score.. the place was empty.." For the first time, after so many successful hits, Ghost found himself stalling.

Returning to his townhouse apartment in an upscale for of the city...he rested his Glock on the coffee table. staring hard at the weapon thinking it could have been different if he took aim with a rifle atop a building across the street to take aim through a window. .he questioned why to himself for nearly an hour , then snatched a bottle from his kitchen cupboard and returned to the sofa. Several shots later he then walked out on the balcony, drinking still only to the bottle itself, staring at the lights of other high rises and the line of car lights below. "What do I do now ?" was one of the line of questions he beat himself with. Ghost was finding it very odd The Blackbird seemed the only building with any sort of life.. well some life anyway. He then thought back to the idle chit chat he had with Veta before parting ways.. how she had built that place herself.. Ghost returned back inside, opened his lap top and to his contact he typed unfound.. closed it then returned to the balcony.. "What made this hit so different from all the others ?.."
 
Upon entering the Blackbird once more, she slips her handbag under her arm as she glances around closing the door behind her. She stood there for a moment, staring to an empty taproom. The chairs, tables, all gone. They were sold. The beer cases from the cooler, those were given away to the movers. A little added extra to the hefty payment to the men, who's eyes went wide to be given such a large quantity of beer cases. The liquor bottles of course went to her home over at Cougar Pines and stored in the cellar. All but a couple of bottles of Disarrono which she placed in her refridgerator. She also kept the Wurlitzer juke box.
Everywhere she looked held memories. Some good, some bad. She closed her eyes. Thinking back she recalls the very first opening of the Blackbird. She had named the place after a Beatles' song. She began singing the lyrics softly
" Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life, you were only waiting to arise"
She repeated the last verse..." all your life, you were only waiting to arise..."
Then she repeated the verse but added herself to it.." all my life, I was only waiting, wanting to arise.."
As she came to the center of the room she turned in a half circle taking a full look around. She really didnt know why she came. She had told herself that she wouldnt.
But here she is. She glanced down at the floor and grumbles , " Those idiots, after all that I paid and this is what they leave behind." She bent down picking up a cigarette butt . She kept it in her hand, as there wasn't a trash can anywhere in the place. Taking hold of her purse she opens it and exchanges the cigarette butt for her cell phone.
" I have idea's, big ideas." she said with a bit of a smirk. " Like a phoenix from the ashes.."
She scrolls through the contact list then presses on Marcus' name. She leaves a voice message telling that she wants to talk business then ends the call with telling the address to Cougar Pines.
 
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