Realistic or Modern A Family Affair: The Irish Mob - IC (Ended)

[Shireling]

Rudy Meyers
​

The German nodded, and winced internally. He didn't want to start a fight with Jackson, but he was firmly of the mind that Jared was a more potent leader than Ciara and thus a target of greater importance. Plus, if he was honest with himself, the idea of indiscriminately gunning down Jared's employees, even if they were merely goons, did not sit right in the pit of his stomach. He felt all the stress and fear of death that had accompanied him in the landing craft on Juno Beach wash back over him except this time he felt the discomfort more acutely. When he was a 17-year-old enlistee, he had no family, no friends, and no sense of identity. Now, he actually had something to lose. Better stiffen up that upper-lip though, Rudolph, they're watching, he thought. He waited for Jackson to finish, then grimly nodded.

"I'll take two of the boys with me. There are some work coveralls in the boot of my car - and we can get the tools on the way to pick up the van." He said, running his hand through his hair nervously. "We'll set our watches for ten minutes. Whenever ten minutes goes by, or you hear the explosion, just get in there and start shooting. We'll take the bastard out." He felt like adding, "Or we'll die trying," but he figured the two men who were going to accompany him would not appreciate that last bit. He looked towards the rest of the table, seeing if they had anything else to add.

Enzyme Bellz Melanin-Gxdess

 

[Bellz]

Lucy Porter​

Lucy was happy when James agreed that walking down the shore would be nice. As they walked towards the shore, he mentioned the wedding, they still had to set a date. With everything that had been going on since the proposal, there had been little time to entertain the thought of a wedding. Lucy bit her lip, thinking about where they'd be in a few months after the baby arrived. She knew that she would be adjusted, or at least she hoped she would be.. As much as Lucy wanted to have a wedding, she was terrified of having one in the midst of all the chaos, fearful of repeating events. It had been a long time since that day 10 years ago, and things were changing for the better. "I think that will do nicely, gives everything a chance to settle down." She murmured to James as she looked out down the shoreline, amazed by the beauty of it. "They all need something to look forward to." She agreed with her husband. Despite everything that troubled her thoughts, Lucy was still excited about the wedding. "Maybe August?" She asked, throwing a month out there. "Things will be a bit warmer..." Lucy squeezed James' hand as they continued to walk, looking to him with a smile on her face. "I guess I could let you help plan this one hmm? Any ideas? "

Lucy had gotten the wedding she dreamed of the first time around. It was a big wedding, with a big dress, held in a beautiful big church. That day had gone perfectly...until it didn't. The blonde's brows furrowed as she thought about how the day had ended, James had barely made it out alive...she could have lost him. As she thought about how many times she almost lost her husband, her smile faded into a soft frown, her thoughts turning dark, "Maybe we shouldn't have a big wedding? I don't want to risk anything..." She trailed off, revealing what she was thinking about deep down. "Back in October, I actually was thinking about having the wedding on our property, outside? I think if we do it right, the ceremony could be beautiful." Her anxieties made her want to be secure and safe. Risking having the wedding outside of the property would only bring Lucy panic attacks, especially when the little one is born.
with: James Misty Gray

 

[neverbackdown]

Alexandra and Michelle Romano​

Michelle giggled “well it’s wasnt amazing but it was fun at lunch time and guess what” she paused for dramatic effect before pulling out a medal from underneath her jumper “my team won the lunch match” she said excitedly before her attention went back to the questions she had asked.

She nodded along to what her dad was saying and bit her lip “so I’m in a family but a family is a gang and so I am related to a gang but not actually in a gang?” She quizzed more so to herself than questioning her father. While her father was probably confused by that Statement Michelle suddenly jumped up off the couch “so do you want to play football with me?” She asked “or we could play barbies” she teased knowing her father wasn’t very into dolls , however in saying that he was good at it.


Alexandra heard the doorbell ring and raised an eyebrow in confusion knowing that no one usually rang the doorbell, at times she wondered why they even had one here. Leaving Michelle’s food on the counter, Alexandra made her way into the hall and opened the front door and smiled at the girl standing on the porch “hello” she greated

Misty Gray

Pyroclast

 

[Bellz]

Blake Walsh​

Blake was slightly surprised when Rudy agreed with her words, though for what reason she wasn't sure. She didn't interact with the man all too often but he seemed very well versed in the language of explosives. Whether Jackson liked it or not, the people were going to want a lot more than the heads of the men who were basically garbage to Jared and the rest, disposable. Rudy went over he is plan and it sounded like a sound one. The only problem Blake had with it was if it was believable to fool the guards in and around the building. She had met a lot of meat heads during her time with the IWU but there was always a diamond in the rough, the one who was going to be the tip of the iceberg for the plan that was carefully being laid together. With mention of there being a chance that Armstrong gets out alive, Blake shook her head slowly, it would be a disaster if he got out alive, but there was someone else that needed to be dead. Carter.

"We can't forget about his buddies, they are the fuel to Jared's flame, if Jared dies, they will just continue the chaos." Jared was the head of the operation but it was all for looks most of the time, if they didn't target the man men underneath him, all would go to shit. There was a heaviness to the atmosphere as Rudy said that they would take Jared out, desperation with a hint of uncertainty. Blake looked around the room, glancing at the faces of the men who were fighting for the Porters. "So who is going to go with Rudy?" Blake asked a little bluntly as she looked around the room. She knew there was not a chance Jackson would let her go with Rudy, even if she knew the building. Blake just wanted to see the look and surprise on the men's faces as they invaded the HQ, it was going to be quite the show and she was almost sad that she was going to miss out on seeing it. Her gaze turned to look towards the kitchen, wondering if Ali wanted in on the action.

with: Jackson Enzyme
mentions: Ali Melanin-Gxdess ; Rudy Shireling [/b]

 

[Misty Gray]

Jared Armstrong
​

Once it was clear everyone had said what they needed to say, Jared decided there was no use prolonging the meeting. Although Carter and Evan believed their actions were in the right, Jared decided not to attempt dragging any kind of false apologies out of the men. They'd always supported the IWU and carried out jobs asked of them, so Jared was willing to let their mistake slide on this occasion.

Jared walked back behind his desk and allowed his eyes to scan across all of the men in the room before he looked to his watch. "Well, I'm willing to push this whole thing to one side so we can continue to focus on what is still to come for this organisation. Perhaps next time I'd be more agreeable if you'd at least wiped out Porter and McCarthy in the process," he remarked, flashing a smirk in Carter's and Evan's direction. Despite his distaste for the men going behind his back with the attack, he wasn't going to dwell on it when they'd made it clear such actions would not happen again whilst the election was in sight. "For now, I suggest everyone returns to their duties. And if someone could check the factory floor and make sure things are running smoothly down there, it would be much appreciated. If we get these fabric orders out on time, I can secure an even bigger contract with the same retailers. I'd like to keep the guys downstairs in work, after all," he pointed out.

When all but Oliver had left his office, Jared proceeded to pulling open the top drawer of his desk, lifting out some paperwork he'd been focusing on. "Take a seat, Oliver. I'd appreciate it if you could check over these cases and references for accuracy before we work on my next speech." He handed the files to Oliver before walking towards the door. "I'll be back shortly. I have private matters to discuss with Gideon," he informed him.

Enzyme Shireling

 

[Misty Gray]

George Sanderson​

George blushed when Finn told him he deserved a new start. The sad smile on his face morphed into a bright, amused grin as he realised Finn had used a nickname for him. "Georgie, hey? You're a cheeky one, Dr. Sullivan, but I think I quite like that name," he said. He figured it probably sounded better because it was coming from the handsome man's mouth. George was starting to wonder if he should pinch himself, because this was either a dream or he was completely misreading the signals he was picking up on from Finn. For a moment, he'd even forgotten where he was sitting, surrounded by guards and dangerous prisoners. But even they weren't the ones casting doubt in his mind. That came from wondering how Finn could possibly take hearing he was attracted to him, especially if the man wasn't the slightest bit interested in men.

As Finn began telling him that he deserved to be given a second chance and that he could see the good in him, George very nearly choked up. The man's words had registered deep in him. After ten years of being treated like dirt by the prison guards and disowned by his disappointed parents, it warmed his heart to hear someone speak so kindly of him. He only hoped Finn was right. As the man began to tell him a story, George used his cardigan sleeve to wipe away the moisture that has collect around his watering eyes. "Your mother sounds like she was a wise lady," he told Finn, quickly nodding his head. He was glad Finn's parents were supportive of him. "Thank you, Finn. I really appreciate you saying those things to me. I just want to start again. I want to get out of here and never sleep in a cell again. I just need to convince the men in suits that I have changed."

George smiled when Finn hoped he'd consider him a friend if he was released. It made him feel truly happy to hear the man say such kind words to him. "I'm honoured you want this foolish crook for a friend," he half-joked. "I will certainly consider you a friend. Perhaps you can get me up to speed on everything I've missed. Show me the best places to eat and decent bars to drink in." Finn even went as far as to offer him food and a roof over his head. "That's a very generous officer, Finn. But I couldn't ask that of you. You and Peter are too kind for your own good," he told him, having recalled Peter had made him a similar offer. "I couldn't take advantage of you like that... I mean, take advantage of your generosity, not... It's just a very big gesture, Finn." George could have kicked himself for stumbling over his words. 'Get a hold of yourself, Georgie. He's not even thinking about you like that.'

Bellz (Finn)

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Aliana Cartwright
Either grow a pair or go home, Ali is what she basically heard Jackson tell her. It was harsh, but it was just the harshness she needed to make her quit acting like a baby. When she rejoined the group, coffee in hand, she listened to everyone speak about their plan. In all honesty, Ali was feeling a bit unprepared for all of this; like they should wait a bit more and secure a plan down. She knew that wouldn't be a possibility with everyone wanting to send their message and get their revenge. Therefore she didn't speak up. Watching Jackson, Blake, and Rudy run down an invisible list of plans and possibilities was a sight to see. It was intense and you could see Jackson getting a bit frustrated. Partially because of her petty nature, she was going to say something in his defense but decided not to.

The plan that they had decided on seemed like it would work. Yet, Ali still wanted to add something. Because of all the changes already, she decided not to say anything more. They had wasted enough time on trying to figure out a suitable plan and stating hypotheticals that just wouldn't be necessary. She sipped her coffee and made sure to pay attention to the plan; the final one, that is. When Blake asked who was going with Rudy, she immediately volunteered. Maybe it was because she had something to prove to herself or to the people in the room that she could step up and do what needed to be done. Maybe it was the coffee hitting her quickier than she thought it would. It could even be the reckless feeling she had had for weeks now. Whatever it was made her jump at the opportunity of doing more. "I'll go. I'm assuming Jared and his men have seen most of the people in this room before, right? Well, I've never met him or interacting with his goons which should make us sneaking in easier, yeah?" She took another sip from her mug, looking around the room and preparing herself for any type of rejection. While it looked like a lot of them wanted to say something, none of them did. Her eyes found Jackson's as she shook her head. "Not taking no as an answer."

It was a bold move on her part, to challenge Jackson this way. But it was all because of his words that turned on this new brave switch on. She didn't want to be a burden to anyone tonight, knowing just how important it was. Not just to her, but to everyone in the room and those not present. Aliana Cartwright was going to go all in for this attack. There was no sitting on the sidelines and feeling sorry for herself. "Very excited to blow shit up, by the way." She said with a half cocked smile.​

Blake ( Bellz ) Jackson ( Enzyme ) Rudy ( Shireling )

 

[Enzyme]

Jackson McCarthy​

Rudy's face remained stern, but Jackson could practically see the color drain from his face. "I can't guarantee anyone's safe return, so we're just gonna' have to trust each other. It's going to be chaotic, which is what we're going for, so for the love of god, don't shoot each other." He stared down everyone at the table. Friendly-fire seemed preposterous at the time, but with such high intensity in a closed space, it wasn't too far fetched. After surveying the table once more, he stopped his eyes on the man in the corner, portrayed by his muscular build and neatly trimmed mustache. "Butch, you'll go wit' him." He looked back to Rudy, hoping that giving his partners a face would offer him some sort of comfort. "Now, we need a third. Any volunteers?" He left a couple seconds of silence for anyone to add anything. Surprisingly, Aliana quickly volunteered herself. Jackson thought about it for a second, before scrunching his face. "Ali, I know you got a lot of adrenaline pumpin' through yous' right now, but you'll crack like an egg under that sort of pressure. Not only will you get yourself killed, but these two men as well. You're staying on the base floor wit' the rest of us." He knew how harsh his words were, but he couldn't spare the sympathy. There was no need to sugar-coat, as it would only prepare her less for what was to come. His eyes scanned the table once more, before stopping on a lad with his hand raised. "Alright, Riley, you'll go." He exhaled loudly, hoping no one else would test his patience. "Anythin' else?" He addressed them with open arms. To his delight, no one had anything else to add. "Right then, this one's for Tommy."

****​

The Textile Factory​

The tall shadow of the factory quickly consumed the white van once it rolled towards the sidewalk. The van crept particularly slow as it reached the building, it's nose dipping into the alley. Behind it followed another van, keeping closer to the edge of the tailor shop next to it. The two men outside the factory didn't appear armed and alert. Instead, they slumped on the steps to the main doors, smoking cigarettes and drinking out of withered flasks. In front was a third van, although it didn't seem to belong to the Porters. "Hurley Construction" was printed on the side in dark black, two men pulling a ladder out of the back. Luck was on the Porters' side so far, as the three men in maintenance uniforms would sneak in unnoticed, with the help of unsuspecting construction workers.

Inside, one of the Porter vans, men had already begun to assemble and load their rifles. The sound of rifles and shotguns being primed clicked in unison, masked from the outside by the thin sheet of metal containing them. The two men with Rudy had already suited up in their maintenance jumpsuits. Riley had shoved a revolver in a wrist holster, where he seemed to continuously fiddle with it, unsure if it was noticeable or not. Butch seemed far calmer and more collected, even having the guts to shove a sawed-off double barrel in the front pack of his jumpsuit. After getting the confirmed nod from Jackson, the three men stepped out of the back of the car, Butch carrying their equipment out in a duffle bag. They looked to Rudy, ordered to follow his lead.

Once the double doors to the van closed, Jackson snapped his watch into his line of sight, starting his mental timer instantaneously. Everyone was left sitting in silence. The silence didn't appear to be awkward, as everyone was far too absorbed in their own thoughts to make any note of it. A few nervously fiddled with the firearms, some took the time to rest their eyes. Jackson imagined that everyone was handling it the same way in the other van, unsure if they'd make it out of this alive. Jackson's hand found Blake's, tightly squeezing it reassure her. He smiled to her but didn't break the silence. Beside him was his heavy trench coat, which would maybe have the capability of stopping a .22 caliber. Soon, all hell would break loose, but the anticipation was slowly killing them.

Bellz Melanin-Gxdess Shireling

 

[Shireling]

Rudy Meyers
​

As Rudy sat on the ride over, he seemed calm and silent as if he was meditating. He had never done this kind of in-depth infiltration, and he hoped whatever he could pull from books or movies could give him an idea of what to do in the various situations that ran across his mind. About halfway there, Butch handed him his personal firearm - a slim, semiautomatic pistol. He had one of those thick, work clipboards on his lap that was hollow on the inside which he used to stow his firearm. He then attached a sheaf of yellow work orders to the top of the clipboard. They were convincing forgeries for maintenance receipts, but if anyone who knew anything looked at them with any great amount of detail they would notice discrepancies. Nothing he could do on that front.

Rudy instinctively lit a cigarette as they pulled up. He exchanged a few short words with his men, both of whom he thought were solid and dependable, and then he put his battered flat cap on his head and walked out with the half-burned cigarette lolling in his lips. He was going to play up his regional accent from his time growing up in Cork, something that he rarely ever used but was advantageous when trying to conceal himself because of how naturally he fell back into the rhythm of the old speech patterns. They approached the gate.

"Halloo," Rudy said with a sort of reserved cheerfulness of a man who is about to watch other men work and get paid for it, "we're from the construction company. We're doing a consultation on the insulation that needs replacing on the second floor." Rudy added glibly, "Probably asbestos, boy-os, they won't tell you, but that's stuffs bad for you. Gave me aunt the shingles, I swear it."

Enzyme Bellz Melanin-Gxdess Misty Gray

 

[Melanin-Gxdess]

Aliana Cartwright

When Jackson shot her down, she did take no for an answer. He was right yet again and at this point, she knew she needed to get her head together. If she froze up out there and someone got hurt or killed because of it, she could never live with herself. She thought about this as they were in the van on their way to their destination. For some, it would be a grave but for those that were lucky, a victory point. Lost in her thoughts and the silence of their ride, her leg started bouncing. The gun that was strapped to her was beginning to feel heavy. She had held a gun before, carried one before, and even shot one off. But never had she done it towards a human being. Well, tonight was sure to be her first and she wasn't going to freeze. Too much was at stake for her to be freezing up and being weak. 'Get your shit together, Al. You fuck anything up tonight, you may as well pack your bags and leave.' She was mentally berating herself; she couldn't help it. Jackson's words were more inspiring than anything else at the moment; she was realizing a lot about herself. The main one being she really wasn't any good at the moment. But she would get there; she had no choice.

As the van bumped along, the afternoon sunlight outside hit her bracelet in a way that made it sparkle for a split second in her eye. She looked down at it and started playing with it. The first and last thing she would ever receive from Tommy. Ever since he gave it to her, she hadn't taken it off and had absolutely no plans to do so. Her head tilted back against the wall of the van, her eyes closing to focus herself. That fact that this was all for Tommy was helping her out; she couldn't screw this up for him like she did their relationship. Albeit, he never knew about it but it didn't mean she didn't still feel horrible about it. All of the memories and the little times they spent together went through her mind, a small smile appearing on her lips. His words telling her that he was going to take her out on that date sooner or later went through her mind. It was in that moment that she had to steel herself. Those assholes took ruined her date and maybe even a portion of her life. Her eyes opened and she reached in her pocket for something to put her hair up with. Once it was in the messy ponytail, she crossed her arms and absentmindedly played with the bracelet. She was ready for whatever came her way... Hopefully. She wanted to say something to Jackson, thank him or something for not sugar coating anything to her, but he looked like he was having a moment with Blake and decided not to. Instead, she sent a smile their way before leaning her head back again, eyes closed. She wasn't sleeping, but praying they all made it home. If she left Leo and her mother behind, she would never forgive herself. If she left Conor behind, she wouldn't forgive herself. She had people to get back to and so did everyone around her. They were all going to make it back home. Alive.

Mentions:
Blake ( Bellz ) Jackson ( Enzyme ) Conor ( Misty Gray )​

 

[Pyroclast]

Syd Porter

Syd didn't really know what to do with himself when Sinead began to compliment him. He hooked his arms around his legs and looked down to his hands instead of at her. A smile slowly formed on his face - this time it was an honest one, one that carried a real feeling of warmth. Until the Porters adopted him ten years ago, Syd had never heard anyone say that they cared about him. It had taken many years for him to grow accustomed to their kindness and to believe that he was worthy of it. Of course, he had known nothing but love since then and so while his aunt's caring words didn't exactly surprise him, they did remind him of how lucky he was to have such a supportive family. With all that had happened in recent weeks, Syd had been worrying that the effects of working in the business were already beginning to affect his vitality and dampen his playful spirit. Sinead took his worries and presented him with a different approach, and her encouraging words filled him with fresh determination and confidence that the IWU could never break him down. With a smile still present on his face, he raised his head and quietly thanked her.

Syd watched her face closely as she talked about Peter. Her smile seemed genuine too, not just that same old mask that so many of them seemed to wear these days. Of course she wasn't truly happy, but he liked to see her able to talk about him without tears forming in her eyes. Being so closely tied to the mob had brought so much hardship upon his aunt and he felt sorry that she didn't feel she could escape it. She was so sweet and gentle to everyone, she didn't deserve to be trapped in this mess. The kind of life she suited, he thought, was so much different than the one she had. There wasn't much he could say on the subject without lying to her, so he didn't say anything at all. The truth was, she was right - the family were destined for this lifestyle and there was no way they would ever be able to just put it all behind them and relocate to her idea of paradise.

A mischievous grin crept onto Syd's face when his aunt appeared skeptical of his suggestion. He stood and began to make his way over to the pier, beckoning her to follow. Once they'd walked up it a little, Syd sat down beside his aunt and took off his shoes. He watched on in amusement as she dipped her feet into the water, but kept his own legs crossed. Her reaction drew a laugh out of him. "Swimming?" he questioned sarcastically. "Come on now, Sinead, what kind of an idiot do you take me for?" He stood up again and stretched, taking a few steps back towards the beach. While she wasn't looking, he quickly pulled off his shirt, tossing it behind him - then he ran past her down the pier and dived headfirst into the water. The cold struck him instantly, like billions of needles pricking his skin under the water's surface. But he came up laughing, feeling alive and free. Although the icy temperature of the lake somewhat hindered his movement, he felt his usual energy return to him for the first time in weeks. "God, you weren't kidding!" he called out to her, raising a hand to smooth back his dripping hair. In an effort to acclimatise himself, he swam over to his aunt. "Sure you won't join me? I promise you, it feels great!"

Interactions
Misty Gray Sinead

 

[Misty Gray]

James Porter​

James couldn't help but smile when Lucy seemed on board with getting back to planning their second wedding. "If you're happy with August, then August is perfect." He let out a short laugh as she suggested he helped out with the wedding this time. The focus he'd had on the wedding the first time around was based on security and safety measures, but even then he'd been forced to take a step back so he didn't suck the fun out of the day with his obsessive safeguarding. But he knew the past was where it belonged and it was far too late to do things differently. This time, he wanted full control of their big day. Regardless, he knew that wasn't what Lucy meant when she asked him if he had any ideas. "Of course I'll help, but wedding themes and aesthetics... Not quite my expertise and I would need guidance. You'd find my suggestions quite flat and unimaginative. I think you'd find it more productive to ask Sinead for that kind of help. Picking colour schemes and dresses is up her street for sure, plus it might distract her for a while."

James looked to Lucy when her face turned more serious and she suggested a smaller affair, not wanting to take any risks. She was clearly apprehensive, still as damaged by the bad memories of their first weeding as he was. He nodded his head in agreement when she suggested having the wedding at their house. "I'll do whatever you want," he assured her. He stopped walking and stepped in front of Lucy, facing her directly and holding both of her hands in his. "We could get married anywhere and it wouldn't matter to me. What matters is that I'm with you and those we care about are with us. Having the wedding at home sounds perfect. We can make it look as spectacular as you want and everyone we care about can be there. No uncontrollable variables, no risk of attack and our beds will be nearby for when we're all stupidly drunk by the end of the day." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Lucy's lips, then stepped back again to continuing speaking to her. "It will be perfect, this time. Syd, Mal and Del will be able to have some drinks and fun. The little ones will be able to get dressed up and share the party with us. Even the dogs will be in on the big day!" he enthused.

James looked out across the lake as his thoughts once again took his back to the past. Back to a time when he didn't have any family or even any pets. His life back then was a hectic one, with him often only finding time to sleep a few hours in his car rather than ever make it back to his own place to care for even a dog. The life he had now was a massive difference to what it was like before he got close to Lucy. "Look what you're doing to me, Luce. Getting me excited about tiny wedding details and talking about inviting our bloody pets!" he chuckled at himself. "You've turned me soft, love. That's what you've done," he teased her.

He let go of Lucy's hands and moved back to her side, putting his arm around her waist so they could continue with their stroll beside the lake. His expression had turned into a contemplative one, making it clear he was delving somewhere deep into his own mind. "We've had a lot of hell thrown at us and we've managed to battle through it every time. We have our home, our kids and our business. Are you happy with how your life turned out?" he curiously asked her. He'd always found Lucy to be a classy woman, so much so that at their start of their relationship he couldn't understand why she would even waste her time on a lowlife like him. The woman could have married anyone, perhaps a respectable man who could have given her a normal and safe life. He'd received Emmet's blessing on the day the man was murdered and that certainly helped James gain more confidence in his relationship with Lucy. "Do you think your father would have been pleased with how our lives turned out? With me stepping into what was meant to be Conor's position as leader, then moving the family and the legacy he built to Dublin?"

Bellz (Lucy)

 

[Bellz]

Finn Sullivan​

Finn smiled distantly as George thanked him, thinking nothing of it, George was a good man as far as Finn could see, he deserved happiness. He understood the man's desire to start over again, to never want to sleep in a cell. Once again Finn was finding it hard to imagine what it would be like to sit in a prison cell day after day. As George spoke about having Finn catch him up to speed on everything he missed, the man was more than eager to show him everything. Relieved that he was considered George's friend, Finn knew it was what he needed. Finn shook his head slowly as the man said that him and Peter were too kind. He wasn't surprised that Peter offered the same to George, he had been a huge help to the man. Shifting in his seat, Finn leaned forward with interest as the man began to stumble over his own words, turning his brow up in amusement as he could have sworn he saw George's cheeks turn pink. "Don't worry George, I don't mind you taking advantage of me or my generosity. I am happy to help someone who is willing to help out a pathetic soul like me. " Finn wondered if he's words sounded a bit awkward as he raised a hand to scratch the back of his neck.

"Its been a long time since I had a friend, outside my family." He told George honestly, "You're friendship is very important to me." Finn smiled sweetly, "You alright there?" He asked, his smile only growing bigger as he raised both his eyebrows at George, he looked nervous almost. "As your friend on the outside, I will make it my duty to show you around, plenty of site to be seen, food to eat, beer to drink. Its probably been a very long time since you've been shown a good time and I intend on doing just that, sound like a plan?" He asked. Finn eyes showed how excited he was that he had a friend to show around, he knew it was the pick me up he needed to get him out of his depressive funk. It would keep him distracted and away from both Eleanor and Kennedy until he was ready to address both of those issues.

"And lucky for you, I got pretty good connections with the local gang around here," He said with a wink before looking around at the other tables, wondering if anyone could have been listening in. "I know it may not do you any good in prison, " He thought to poor Peter who was taking a lot of hits for being affiliated with the Porters, "But out of prison, there are pretty nice perks. Free drinks, food, you name it."
with: George Misty Gray

 

[Bellz]

Blake Walsh​

Blake wasn't surprised when Ali volunteered to go with Rudy, immediately speaking up before anyone else had the chance to. Blake turned to look at her, smirking slightly as she knew the woman wanted in on the kills. Unfortunately and not surprisingly, Jackson denied her the opportunity to get direct revenge. Jackson's words rang true as Blake looked the woman up and down. The coffee she had been drinking was no doubt fueling the adrenaline that was going through her. As much as Blake wanted to see the woman get what she wanted, Jackson's decision was the right way to go.. The overall safety of everyone involved was important, unlike Armstrong, Porter cared about the men involved in his work, he wanted to see them all come out alive. Blake wasn't sure what to think of working with so many people, planning to come out of it with everyone intact. It was overwhelming. When the men who were to take the upper floor were established, Jackson asked if there was anything else. Blake turned her head to look at everyone in the room silently. When it was clear no one had anything else, he went on. For Tommy.

***​

The trek to the factory was a silent one. Blake didn't bother to look up for most of the ride. Caught in a whirlwind of her own thoughts, her heart steadily thrumming in her chest. Her right leg bounced up and down quickly as the van dipped and turned through the streets causing her to slightly lean against Jackson, who was sat next to her. She kept her hair pulled back into a lose ponytail, just enough to keep her golden hair from her face, though some of the strands managed to escape and draped her face as she looked down at the van's floor. There was a lot to lose in this situation, and it was eating her alive just thinking about it. If they didn't succeed, many would suffer because of that mistake. Jackson squeezed her hand and pulled her from her thoughts, causing her to look up at him. He smiled at her but said nothing. She returned the smile before leaning into him slightly, wanting to be close to him before it all went down. Before she'd met him, she only had her own ass to worry about. It was basically bred into her that she was to only care about herself in a high stress situation.

Although she was terrified that she could lose him, she was thankful. He had given her something to lose. They were headed into a fight, their fates to be decided. Blake had decided that if she were to not make it home, this was the team she wanted to die trying for. They were family, they were friends and they all needed to make it out alive. The blonde clutched her weapon close to her as she looked up at the van's ceiling. She was ready to fight for those who had been affected by the IWU including herself.
with: Jackson Enzyme
mentions: Ali Melanin-Gxdess ; Rudy Shireling [/b]

 

[Bellz]

Lucy Porter​

Lucy smiled softly as James said that he would do whatever she wanted for the wedding. She took a step forward before noticing James had stopped, halting as he stepped in front of her. He took both of her hands and she squeezed his tightly. Lucy was touched by James' words, her serious expression melting into something softer as he continued to talk about the idea of having their wedding at home. She was glad that he liked the plan, smiling widely and chuckling as he spoke about how drunk they would be by the end of the day. He leaned forward and kissed her, which caused an even wider smile to form on her lips as he stepped back. Her eyes watched him as he continued to speak about how perfect the wedding would be this time around. Their children would be able to be there with them and enjoy it. He painted the picture perfectly, right down to the dogs being involved in the wedding. Lucy gave him a knowing look as she silently stared at him, waiting for him to hear himself. He looked towards the lake and Lucy appreciated the man before her, not only how handsome he was, but the different layers he had to him. James was a tough in every sense of the word, but he knew love and compassion. For many years, he had always thanked Lucy for teaching him those things, claiming he had never been able to express such feelings before. Lucy knew that James had always had it in him, it was the person he was always meant to be.

James turned back to her as he once again claimed that she was turning him soft. She smiled and shook her head at him before releasing one of his hands and poking his middle, "You're like pudding." She teased back. He released her hands and moved to put his arm around her waist so they could continue walking down the shore. Lucy looked to the lake for a moment before her gaze turned to James, who looked deep in thought. Her brows furrowed together as he spoke. He asked if she was happy with how her life turned out and she wondered what he was really thinking, deep down. Lucy was very happy with how her life turned out. Of course, there was a few mistakes that she had made along the way that she wished she could change, but when it came to her husband and her family, she was very happy. She was about to answer when James asked another question. At mention of her father, Lucy's smile faded. She would never forgive herself for what she did to him. There was pause between them before Lucy cleared her throat, reining in her own emotions. "I am very happy with the way my life turned out, love. There isn't a thing I regret when it comes to you and the children. I just wish...I would have been smarter with certain decisions I made."

Lucy sighed but nodded her head to James' second question, "My father would have been very pleased." She spoke surely, knowing that her father would have been proud of James. "He always knew that Conor taking over was a gamble. If he were here today, I know he would be proud of the decisions you've made as a leader. You took over when you didn't have to. You could have walked away and left Conor to burn in his own fire, but you did the right thing, as you've always done." Lucy looked to the Lake, watching as the birds dived towards the water, before soaring just above it. "I wish he were here..." she admitted, a lump forming in her throat. "He would no doubt be proud of you, James, he loved you like a son... I try not to think about him in any other way...than what he was to me..." Her mind had recycled what Angel had said that day they were captured by him for many years, the story haunting her memory and distorting the image she had of her father. "Do you think...? what Angel said was true?" She asked in a whisper.
with: James Misty Gray

 

[Misty Gray]

James Porter​

James chuckled when Lucy poked him and said he was like pudding. "Careful now, you'll be giving me a complex. I've already missed a couple of workouts this week," he said, patting his stomach as if a few days off would cause him to fall out of shape.

James felt reassured when Lucy said she was happy with her life and didn't regret what they had together. It wasn't quite that he needed her to reassure him, but at times he did have to question the effect he could be having on her life. He often wondered how he appeared in the eyes of his loved ones. The fact he could be caring and loving to his family, all at the same time as arranging for his enemies to be killed couldn't have been the easiest thing for those closest to him to grasp. He was sure the devoted and caring family man Lucy had brought to his surface was his true identity now, but it didn't hide the fact he was simultaneously a bad person - a killer.

James bashfully smiled when Lucy told him Emmet would have been pleased without the way he'd stepped in and taken care of his family when Conor was unable to fill the leadership role. "It means a lot to hear that," he quietly told her. James stopped walking but kept his arm around Lucy as she admitted she wished for Emmet to be there. "Your dad intimidated me at times, but I think that was because I knew I was dating one of his precious daughters. But in the end, I looked up to him and he was the closest thing I had to a dad... I miss him too."

When Lucy asked him what he thought about what Angel had told them, James used his free hand to briefly massage his face, rubbing his hand down his beard stubble. He then moved his hand away and let out a slight groan as he recalled what Angel had told them. It was a secret they had both let die with Angel rather than tell Conor and Sinead about. They'd wished to spare them any further heartbreak by taking away the perfect memories they had of their father. "Luce, I..." James began, pausing, then taking a deep breath. He could never lie to Lucy or sugar-coat things when she would want his honest opinion. "Honestly? I believe Angel was telling the truth. When he was telling us about what Emmet had done all them years back, it seemed genuine, even coming from a nut-job like Angel." James bit his lip and pulled Lucy in a little closer. "But Emmet will never get to defend himself and we'll never get to question Angel further. Emmet was a good man the whole time I knew him and he was an amazing father to you and the others. If he did do the things Angel told us of, I genuinely believed he realised his mistakes and he changed for the better. He adored you, Shannon and the others. Don't dwell on what we were told by Angel that day. Just hold on to the father you knew, because I know Emmet was a good man in the end. I saw in his eyes the love he had for your family and it was seeing that kind of devotion that made me determined to protect you and Sinead."

Bellz (Lucy)

 

[Enzyme]

The Textile Factory​

The two men at the door looked to Rudy and the others. One of the men nodded his head along as if he had any idea what Rudy was talking about. "Come on in," he told them, waving them inside. He broke off from the other men, who stayed put at the door. Butch stayed behind Riley and Rudy, giving him a few extra seconds to survey the entrance and the security around it. He was able to do so without getting caught under the cover of his black aviators. The passive armed men at the entrance hardly paid any notice as his blank expression studied all of them. His attention was dragged away as the man leading them stopped in front of an elevator shaft. "I got more over here," the IWU man called out. Three others joined them, submachine guns slung over their shoulders. The man looked back to the group, nodding to them. "These three are comin' wit' you lot." He then left them all alone, giving the armed men time to stare down the "maintenance workers."

The armed men led the Porters to the main elevator. After calling it down, a metal box floated down to the base floor, the exposed chains on the torn wall systematically lowering the elevator. A loud dinging sound erupted as the box touched the floor. Two of the armed men opened up the doors, allowing the Porters to step in first, before stepping in themselves. The elevator shook violently as it touched off the ground, quickly transitioning to a smooth pull. The rid up to the second floor was quiet, Butch once again silently surveying the men behind his dark shades. His head slowly turned to Rudy, giving him another blank stare.

After the doors opened, the armed men allowed the Porters to step out first. The hallways were dark and narrow, where corners in the walls either led to office doors or into another series of confusing hallways. The armed men turned to the Porters, raising an eyebrow to them. "Where to?" They asked them, where most of the party's attention was turned over to Rudy.

Shireling

***

Sergeant Patrick Higgins​

Patrick had already accepted the sad reality that nothing would distract him from his workload. After kicking his feet up on his desk, he decided to enjoy his warm coffee before getting back to work. To his delight, however, Kennedy entered his cubicle. Patrick nodded to the man with a friendly smile, placing his coffee mug on the table and sitting up. When Kennedy informed him that they would be required to leave the office, he practically sprang out of his seat. He was hoping Kennedy would distract him from his work with small talk, but he seemingly struck the jackpot. "Sounds bloody good to me," he said with a small chuckle, pulling the coat off of the back of his chair and throwing it over his shoulders.

As he moved from his desk, he gripped his coffee mug and pulled it closer to his chest. He turned to address the office, his booming voice reaching over the sounds of chatter and shoveling pencils. "Kennedy and I are leavin' the office for a bit. Report to Sergeant Mckinnon." He then nodded to Kennedy, confirming he was ready to leave. On the way to the door, he realized he had left his service pistol behind. Instead of delaying the trip, he decided he wouldn't need it and continued out the office doors. "Where is this place?" He asked, hoping that this would take them far away from the building.

mpower

 

[Pyroclast]

Dale McKenna

Dale looked to the man as he picked up the 30lbs and had a go at lifting them. The man was meek - yet, not so much in his physique as in his self-image. The lack of confidence in his voice, the way his eyes darted around the room - Dale couldn't help thinking that, despite his slight stature, he wouldn't look nearly as vulnerable if he just changed the way he carried himself and the way he spoke about himself. When Peter asked him what to do, Dale stepped forward and took the weights from him. In his hands, they felt like feathers. "Start with this, look," he instructed, holding his arms out to the side, elbows bent towards the ceiling at a 90 degree angle. "Hold them here, like this, then straighten your arms up above your head. Keep 'em in line with your shoulders. See what I'm doing?" He demonstrated a few times to show Peter what to do, then passed them back to the man. "That's just a start move, but don't take it too fast. Keep it controlled. Feel the tension in your arms and listen to it. Now do 15 of them for me - go." Dale walked a few feet away from Peter to give him some space. He didn't even watch him the whole time, in case he felt the pressure of being observed.

"What you gotta understand, Callahan," he went on. "Are your reasons for doing this. Whenever you get tired or you wanna give up and go back to your cell, I want you to remind yourself of those reasons, those motives. Why'd you come down here? Why're are you here now? Think about it, and take it with you next time you come. And the next time, and the next time. If your motives are strong enough, you won't give up. You'll get strong. You'll look at those weights and see something different - not a chore, but a tool. I don't want to see that intimidated look in your eyes ever again, hear me? If you've got a reason to be here, then here is where you belong."

Dale moved over to the water fountain to take a sip before sitting back down on the bench he had started on before. "I've been here 21 years. We belong to this place, it don't belong to us. But if you don't act like you own the place, you fall apart. Trust me, I've seen it happen to hundreds of men who come through here, hundreds." He paused for a moment, eyeing up the man before him once again. "You got much of a life outside this place?"

Interactions
Bellz Peter

 

[Bellz]

Peter Callahan​

Peter could tell from the look on Dale's face that the pounds he could lift were pathetic. He looked like a deer caught in headlights as he looked to Dale wondering if the man would make fun of him. Despite his fears, Dale took a step forward and took the weights from Peter, lifting them up as if they were nothing to him. Peter watched as the man demonstrated an excercise, he paid attention to every detail and nodded his head as he spoke. It looked easy enough, once the weights were passed back to him, Peter nodded his head a few more times. Mentally, he was trying to reassure himself that he could do it. Another nervous glance around the room didn't help him at all. Peter positioned himself as intstructed before doing 15 reps. The weights didn't feel heavy at first, 1...2...3 by the 4th rep, his arms already began to shake with the hint of a struggle. Peter looked ahead, determined to push through, slowing down so that it might be easier. Dale went on to speak, saying that Peter needed to understand his reasons for doing all this.

The man was a natural motivator it seemed, a quality that a lot of people wished they had. He made Peter question his own motives and use them as a tool that would continue to help him out through the rest of his time here. 7...8.. Peter had plenty of reasons to be here, getting help from Dale. There wasn't a moment that went by where he didn't think about Sinead. He wanted to be the same man he'd always been, he wanted to return to her unchanged. He knew it was crazy to think that he could. Things were going o be hard when he arrived home and it was all because of Darius and his thugs. Peter ground his teeth as his breathing accelerated, 11.12.13.14.15. Peter finished off the rest of his reps before bending over to place the weights down, letting them drop a little too harshly at his feet.

Luckily, before he could get to worked up, Dale continued to speak. Peter clenched his fists as he listened to the man. He needed to act like he owned the place? Could he do that? Slowly, Peter's jaw relaxed and his hands unclenched, he breathed out deeply through his nose as Dale seemed to be sizing him up. He then asked about his life outside of prison. Peter lips felt dry as he openly stared at Dale for a moment, licking them lightly, he cleared his throat, "A beautiful family waiting for me." He murmured. "A wife and three kids.

Peter looked down at the ground a moment, kicking his right foot out slightly to touch the weight near it. "They are the reason I'm here right now. I've depended on my in laws for far too long to protect me and my family...this place has shown me that the protection will only go so far..."
with: Dale Pyroclast

 

[Bellz]

Griffin Fitzgerald​

~Fitz Groceries~​

Griffin had woken up earlier in the morning, a little bit before the sun rose. Keeping up on his physique was important now more than ever, not wanting to fail the only sister he had left. There was a small park, a few blocks from his apartment above the shop. He had quietly gotten ready for his morning jog, careful not to disturb sleeping Saoirse in the other room. As he closed the door to his room and walked down the hallway, he looked to Bridget's room, the door was still cracked open... Griffin carefully grabbed the door handle and shut it, eyes cast down towards the carpeted floor. He managed to get down stairs without waking his sister and headed towards the park where he would do a few laps around the whole thing, watching as the sun rose high into the sky. The morning was always a peaceful time for Griffin, it was something that he had shared with Bridget, who loved the morning just as much as he did. Once a week, he would take Bridget out for walks around this time, enjoying the silence and cool dewy morning air.

After his jog, Griffin decided it was best to walk back to his apartment, allowing his muscles to relax for a bit but not enough to cramp up. As he walked, he looked around at the streets that had yet to be filled with cars and people. The city was changing and it was unclear who to really thank for it all. When Griffin first started his business, when he moved his sister to the apartment above the shop, the place was a mess. Gangs and questionable people filled the street they lived on, controlled the businesses and took whatever they wanted from them. Griffin struggled to care for his sisters with the lack of business he got from such danger. The Porters protection was the best thing that could have happened for his business, for Dublin. At least, until three weeks ago.

***​

Bridget was on Griffin's mind for most of the morning into the afternoon. The usual happy go lucky man was unusually quiet today as he pulled the metal cart of fresh produce towards out from the back towards the stands. He was in the shop after their lunch break a little earlier, getting a head start on stocking while he could before he had to open again. Business was booming and the money was pouring in. It would usually put a smile on Griffin's face to see his business so successful, but what was success without people to share it with? For so long, Griffin's purpose had been to care for his dear sisters. Their parents had done a horrid job in Griffin's opinion, doing more bad than good. His beautiful sisters deserved a beautiful life and he would do as much as he could to provide that. The cart he was pushing came to a sudden stop and pushed back into Griffin's long torso. The man refocused and looked forward, he had knocked into one of the stands, filled with apples. They were now scattered all over the floor. With a sigh, the man knelt down to the ground to begin picking up the fruit...

"Bridget!! NO! NO! please! Please bridge! Saoirse stay behind me!" Griffin was on all fours underneath the table they had been enjoying their meal at, calling out to his younger sister as she laid bleeding on the cushioned bench. He grabbed her as gently as he could, turning her so that he could slip her underneath the table, hoping that the protection could save her. "Don't close those beautiful eyes, come on Bri...look at me, its Griff, see? no no, please." The gunfire continued and the screams were overwhelming as Griffin looked around for help...

The man blinked and slowly sat back on his rear, elbows on knees as he held a single red apple in his left hand. Bridget had loved apples. He missed her so much, it felt like she hadn't even left. It was like she was just in her room, taking her usual afternoon nap...He would have to get her up in a little while so that she could join her siblings down in the shop, greeting customers and making jokes. A single tear slid down Griff's face as he reminded himself that she was never coming back. The man allowed himself a moment with his tears before pulling himself up to a standing position, looking down his watch, he knew his sister would be back down any moment. He couldn't have her seeing him this way, her big brother in tears. Wiping at his eyes with the back of his hands, he quickly bent down again to retrieve the apples from the floor, stacking them in a nice pile on the stand again.
Mentions: Saoirse Misty Gray

 

[Bellz]

Lucy Porter​

Lucy was touched to hear how much her father meant to James...but it was so hard to think of her father as a good man when she what Angel had to say. It had been too long since that day and it still continued to bother her. James seemed unsure on how to answer her question, he paused and Lucy's brows furrowed together as she tilted her head to the side, wondering what he was so unsure about. Deep down, she knew what he was going to say and the heaviness in her heart began to grow. When he spoke and said that he believed it was true, she looked towards the sandy ground beneath their feet as they stood, stopped. She let out a heavy sigh, nodding her head slowly as she tried to understand the truth about her father. Lucy leaned her head on her husbands shoulder as he pulled her in closer. James went on to speak more about her father and it caused her lower lip to tremble as she thought about him for who he was when they both knew him. She couldn't agree more with the words he spoke and was relieved to know that he too saw the good in Emmet.

Lucy nodded her head as James wisely told her not to dwell on what Angel had said that day, to hold on to the father she knew, that he knew. The tears stung her eyes, "Okay...I miss him so much." She whispered brokenly, closing her eyes as she let the tears fall from her cheeks. The guilt she still felt for his death was there in her heart as she felt she was responsible for why he wasn't with them today. If she hadn't made such a stupid mistake, her father would be able to see all the grandchildren he had, how happy his own children were. Her mother wouldn't be alone, missing him everyday. "You are doing a fabulous job by the way, protecting the two of us...Sinead may not like it but I appreciate everything you do." She told James, opening her eyes to show the admiration in them. After a moment, Lucy looked towards the shore line and bit her lip, taking a step away from James.

The lump in her throat from such sadness was uncomfortable. As she walked towards the water lapping at the shore, she tried to swallow away her tears. Curiously, she dipped her feet into the water. "Oh christ!" She gasped out, beginning to laugh at herself. "This was a mistake!" Lucy teeth chattered together as she quickly took the few steps into her husbands arms again. "Warm." She hummed sweetly.
with: James Misty Gray

 

[Misty Gray]

Sinead Callahan​

The thoughts of treating Peter when he got home continued to fill Sinead's mind. The lake around her was beautiful and the location was peaceful. It was in that moment that she decided she wanted to treat Peter and the children to a holiday, in the summer. She wanted her precious little family to share this place with her. A small smile crept onto her face as she imagined making new memories with her loved ones. They could go on a boat ride, the children could paddle in the water, and they could all have picnics high up on the hills. They were definitely going on holiday this year.

Sinead tilted her head to the side and sent Syd a suspicious glare when he sarcastically question her remark about swimming. She then laughed when he asked what kind of idiot she took him for. "Well, no kind of idiot at all, to my knowledge. I mean, I'd expect such foolishness from Conor, but not you..." When Syd stood up to stretch, Sinead looked back down to the water, still straightening her legs out in front so they hovered above the surface of the water. She smiled to herself as she thought about what the rest of the day had in store for the four of them. It was nice to spend time with Lucy without any worries weighing them down. Her own first pregnancy had been a stressful one and surrounded by heartache, so she was more than enthusiastic about Lucy's pregnancy being nothing but positive and relaxing. She would support her sister no matter what she needed. It was also nice to spend some time with James without business distracting him so much. She'd been angry with him when Peter was arrested, enough that she slapped him. Still, he'd been very cool about it and that had helped her to stop blaming the man for what was in the end Peter's choice. She now understood that Peter hadn't been forced to break the law. If only that knowledge made it easier to handle her sweet husband being in prison. "Do you think we should have reserved a table for dinner at the---" she began to ask Syd, but stopped mid-sentence as her nephew ran past her and jumped into the lake.

"SYD!" Sinead exclaimed as she rushed up onto the feet and stood on the edge of the pier to looking for him in the water. When his head resurfaced above the water, she placed her hands on her hips and scowled at him in a somehow sweet fashion. "You're crazy, Syd Porter!" she playfully berated him. As he pointed out how cold it was, her look turned to one of concern. Still, he seemed to be getting used to it, so perhaps it wasn't so bad. "It feels great, huh? Hmmm..." she trailed off, clearly sceptical. She wasn't convinced the water wasn't freezing, but Syd certainly seemed energised by it all. Perhaps it would be relaxing and detoxing for her. Maybe it would wash away her worries and stresses for at least a short while. She took a deep breath, trying to prepare herself. After some internal conflict, she removed her coat, cardigan and then her skirt. Now standing barefoot in her leggings and vest, she eyed the lake one more time before backing away from it. Then, she ran to the edge of the pier and dived into the water. What followed wasn't an elegant woman, allowing her troubles to peacefully leave her soul. No, what followed was the hysterical screaming which soon turned to flat out laughter. "It's bloomin' freezing! This does not feel great at all," she yelled at Syd. "I'm going to turn into ice and it's all your fault, Mister. I don't even have a towel." She skimmed her hand across the surface of the lake to flick some water at Syd. "I'm getting you grounded for leading me astray, young man," she teased him.

Pyroclast (Syd)

 

[Misty Gray]

Saoirse Fitzgerald​

When Saoirse has woken that morning, the sun had been up for some time and her brother had woken up even earlier. After getting dressed and having a piece of toast for breakfast, she put her coat on and headed out to the nearest church, which was just a ten minute walk from home. When she arrived there, she didn't step foot inside the pretty old building, instead walked around the back to the adjoining graveyard. There were two new headstones that hadn't been there over a week ago. The smaller stone had her sister's name engraved whilst the nearby large headstone had Thomas Dempsey's name on it. Saoirse has attended her sister's funeral a week ago and she had also been present for Tommy's at the start of the week, as she had volunteered to help with the service. She knew both of the deceased were killed in the same building and apparently by the same people. A heavy sigh escaped her as her chest ached from the broken heart within it.

Saoirse tended to the bunch of pink roses she'd left by her sister's grave. She pick one of the roses out and brought it close to her face so she could take in the scent. A stray tear rolled down her cheek as she ran her free hand down the front of Bridget's headstone. "I miss you, Bridge," she whispered. Still holding the single rose so she could leave it in Bridget's bedroom, Saoirse got to her feet and began walking back towards the main gates of the church. Usually, she would go inside, perhaps help tidy up or simply sit on one of the pews and take some time for silent prayer. She couldn't do it anymore, not since Bridget had died. Why would God be so cruel to her sister? Why were so many bad people allowed to live whilst her sweet sister had died? Saoirse couldn't stop wishing for those responsible to be punished. The fact the punishment she wanted for them was death rather than prison made her think she didn't belong in church, not with the kinds of thoughts she was having.

As she had set off walking back home, she had been intercepted by Father O'Donoghue who was concerned about her absence and avoidance of the church. Saoirse hadn't stuck around for long to give him the full details of her dwindling faith, but she simply told him she needed time to privately grieve with her brother.

Saoirse had returned to the store in time to help out a little before the lunch break, where she retreated to her apartment above the shop. She hadn't been very talkative and Griffin had return down to work before she did. After picking at her sandwich and only eating a quarter of it, she wrapped it back up for later and returned to the shop floor. She found some of the customers were able to distract her for a while, with their pleasant chatter and stories from their day.

When she returned to work, she saw her brother picking apples up from the floor. She walked quickly towards him, clearing her throat as she tried to push back her grief and put on a brace face for him. She crouched down and picked up a couple of apples before fixing her eyes on Griffin's face. She could tell he had been crying, but chose not to point it out as she knew talking about it could make the tears flows more freely for both of them. "Geez, Griff. You always were clumsy," she told him off, carefully placing the two apples on the pile he was creating. She hesitated to pull her hand away from the fruit, thinking about how much Bridget liked apples. "We should do something after we close up today. Perhaps go for some drinks or something. Escape our apartment," she suggested, knowing she hadn't been seeing much of the outside world lately. She folded her arms and looked to the floor, her thoughts taking a drastic, uncontrollable turn. "Maybe we'll see the bastards responsible for killing Bridget. I want them to suffer. Why aren't they suffering yet?!"

Bellz (Griffin)

 

[mpower]

Kennedy Sullivan
​

He raised his eyebrow to the rather excited and eager reaction of the Sergeant to his call. There was almost a possibility left to smile as he noticed how excited Higgins was, but it got quickly erased by the sudden shout out of Higgins. Instead of a genuine grin, a rather forced smile replaced his outside emotional status, him standing there with one hand pushed in his hip, which pushes his jacket slightly backwards and reveals his sidearm clipped to his belt. He simply nodded to his colleagues without any further remark.

Motherfucker's shouting our names all over the place

Nothing Kennedy could not handle though, he grabbed his coat and adjusted his tie, a usual habit, before he leaves the office with Sergeant Higgins all together, their steps echoing down the hallways as a relaxing silence erupts, a nice cold breeze greeted his exposed body parts as they exited the building. For a moment he stood still and remained silent, seemingly not answering to Higgins as he thought through his and Ryan's plan for a brief moment. His fingers meanwhile rubbed his temples to pretend him having a short moment of a headache.

Then, he turned his head to the right, standing there as he answered: "Right, we've got multiple locations for observation points with witnesses residing in the same locations partially, I will head over to the inner city with Officer Lark", he nodded briefly to the man already standing ready at the police car, smoking a cigarette as he waited for his superior Donnelly to head over to their target, "there's a block full of immigrants who might have leads for us, high priority and rather dangerous, got some shags 'n all.

I'd love to have you with us as well, but due to time issues, I need you to head out on your own on this one, else we might lose witnesses, you know how bribing and blackmailing can quickly turn someone's mind, being quick is important now. Street's 'Tritonville Road 5', third floor, a certain Ronald O'Donald, peaceful librarian, who's making money on the docks during holidays." He paused for a moment to let all the information sink in only to continue without any chance to interrupt him: "You gotta speak to him and ask him what he's to report about possible hints of Human Trafficking down there, that guy's low risk as well, so you got some nice almost-free time out there and some off time from this fucking paperwork."

He smirked before he added "I agree with you about Donnelly, that's why I chose you over him, besides your experience and such.-anyway, just knock there and be gentle please, the man's rather intimidated quickly. When you're done we meet up here and go together to the next witness, need a whole crew for that", all of this was a blatant lie, he liked Detective Donnelly ten times more than this prick and Ryan's certainly not someone who's going to be intimidated. Only one truth was in there, Sergeant Higgins would be done for after that visit. Kennedy managed to bring it across authentical enough to not stop or show any signs, having learned this by heart together with Ryan. He gave the man a friendly clap on the shoulder only to turn around, leaving him to his doings as he walked over to the vehicle Lark was leaning against, entering the passenger seat. Lark let the engine roar up and quickly drove out of the parking lot. Kennedy did not conversate with him today, he just gazed at the skyline and thought of what he just helped with.


Enzyme , Fletchawk

 

[Misty Gray]

George Sanderson​

George couldn't help the soft smile that was planted on his face when Finn said his friendship was important to him. He wasn't sure if it was his attraction to the doctor or the fact it had been so long since he'd had this kind of interaction, but even after just these visits he felt like he'd known Finn for years. "Your friendships is important to me too, mate. All my friends live in this prison, so it's not exactly like I'll be out sharing drinks with them any time soon." He nodded along as Finn spoke of how he would get him up to speed on the outside and show him all around. "That sounds like a perfect plan. I look forward to it all... assuming they do approve my parole. Otherwise, I'm afraid you won't be able to show me any places for quite some time," he said, worried he might be getting overexcited and setting himself up for another fall. Still, he snapped out of such negativity as he listened to Finn speak of his gang connections. "Free food and drinks?! Mate, I'm all yours. I mean, who could say no to free drinks?" he joked.

George wondered what Finn was truly thinking of him. Was he being a fraudster again, letting Finn get so excited about this new friendship when he knew one of the driving factors for himself was that he was attracted to the doctor? He felt like he should be honest with Finn but also feared that the truth could push him away, perhaps even make him reject his friendship completely. George knew most people would not be tolerant or understanding of his sexuality, so he couldn't expect Finn to be any different, no matter how good a man he was. In his head, he was imagining all kinds of upsetting ways Finn could be disgusted with him, yet he still had a compulsion to be open and honest. "Finn. I must ask you," he awkwardly began, folding his arms over his chest. "Are you ga..." He paused as everything in his mind told him to abort his question. Perhaps it was a matter best kept for later, perhaps when he wasn't in jail and Finn wasn't sat in the public visiting room. "Are you going to speak with Eleanor?" he changed his question. "It will be hard, but it might lift a huge weight from your shoulders."

Bellz (Finn)