Realistic or Modern A Game of Chess: Gangs at War

[Virzue]

Venetian. A city engulfed in color.​

​

Order against Justice. Peace against Chaos. Hate against Hate. For years, Cerulean and Vermilion have been at war. So far, the field has been even; no gang has made an further progress than what it started with. Cerulean, the recognized leaders of the city, not only have weapons of highest technology, but they also have the support of the people. Vermilion, the most intimidating members of the city, not only have an unmistakable connection to the black market, but they also have the support of a growing population. Both gangs have their distinct headquarters, but while Cerulean's is open and easy to spot- being the tallest building in the center of the city,- Vermilion's seems to be more scattered and harder to pin, especially if you weren't on their side.

Skyscrapers, small shops, big businesses, and backstreet trades all exist in Venetian. During the day, people hustle about their daily lives, traveling to work along busy streets and sidewalks. While customers enter and leave restaurants, others who work the usual job sit at their desks and type away. Children laugh as they run after one another, and couples sit happily in a nearby park. Some enjoy the company of family, and others find contentment in independency. Life is vibrant and tranquil. The splashes of red and blue intertwine, giving the city a purple soul. A combination of good and bad walk in the streets, and no one is able to tell which is which.

Blue, a color of trust yet despotism.

Red, a color of righteousness yet savagery.

Having a defined hero and villain is a hoax; in the real world, there are shades of gray. Black and white, blue and red, they all overlap. So, to live the best life, many choose to ignore what is around them, leaving the gangs to solve the problems of Venetian themselves.

Occasionally, some catch glimpses of Cerulean members, who all wear their well-known emblem somewhere on their attire. All throughout the last week of each month, people would hear a small knock on their door, kindly being reminded that it was time to pay their Cerulean taxes. In earlier years, there had been conflict among the citizens and Ceruleans, but punishment after punishment have put those who resisted in place. It has become a common system for people to do as their told, and, in return, get to spend the rest of their days unbothered and instead protected by the Cerulean gang. The police force eventually faded and became useless in Venetian, for people favored the practices of Cerulean more, especially since the gang is fully funded and are the only legal entity able to use enhanced weapons, which are items charged with supernatural essence.

Vermilion members are harder to spot, most staying hidden in the sun to prevent being arrested. Quick on their feet, they travel and gain information, reporting back to base to facilitate battle strategies and future targeting. People who recognize them turn their heads, not wanting to be associated in any way, while others curse their existence. Vermilion has caused a great deal of damage to the city, sectors being burned to the ground and people getting hurt. Numbers have been killed, some even by accident from rash decisions and impulsive thinking. Nonetheless, a handful of citizens are beginning to realize the gang's intents and are switching sides. Vermilion has killed many who were involved in corrupt practices, ranging from bosses who exploited their workers to abusive individuals in the domestic household. As people begin to agree with its virtues, they started to help Vermilion instead of shame it. In Venetian, where only order and law stand above all, Virmilion could be the one to change the broken system no one else is willing to fix.

The war between Cerulean and Virmilion has been described as a game of chess, for the gangs seem to take turns attacking and defending. Because most of the clashes happen at night, day is calm, leaving time for each team to plan their next move. There is also a hierarchy in each gang, the leaders being defined as the "King and Queen". Other members are grouped under the names of other chess pieces, and, though, slightly different in ability and function, the roles are parallel in the two gangs. Rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns all have an important part to play.

All is fair and fair is all. If not necessary, both sides refrain from killing one another. Capturing the pieces until one surrenders, or until the leaders falls, is the ultimate nature of the game.

 

[Virzue]

Darkness was already approaching. As the sun's light started to disappear, so did the people. Many knew what awaited the streets at night, and no one wanted to be a part of that set of chaos.

Norio sat in his office at Cerulean's headquarters, flipping through the pages of packets that stacked on his desk. Each packet had a small picture of a person at the top left corner, the words below it being the analysis of that very person. Some pages had a blue title at the top, others had red, while a couple had none. It was these individuals that were troubling Norio. He had been given information on them due to their appearances during conflict between Cerulean and Vermilion, but he could not figure out if these were actual members of the opposing gang or just citizens deciding to have rebellious entertainment for a single night. If it were the latter, Norio was prepared to send out a team to discipline the wrongdoers. If the former, he needed to record them down for future reference.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, inhaling a deep breath to calm himself down. Irritation gets no one anywhere, so he took a few moments of silence, eventually steadying his heartbeat. This, he always told himself, is what separated Cerulean from Vermilion. He has taught the members of his gang to placate themselves whenever emotion arose. That way, decisions are made after thorough thinking, minimizing chances of misfortune and failure. Vermilions acted on their hot-headedness, and he finds pleasure in suppressing such actions. It was easy to; amidst their disorganization were holes that Ceruleans took advantage of. Even so, as the days progressed, Vermilion was becoming smarter. Norio just had to make sure Cerulean stayed one step ahead.

The sound of his own voice made his head turn towards the wall of glass behind him. Across the street far below him was another building, and on it was an extensive monitor that began to play a recording he had done a few months ago. It was him in front of a white screen, specifically done to make the people focus on his blue Cerulean uniform. Likewise, the blue of his eyes pierced forward, his expression welcoming yet stern. "People of Venetian," the video began, a purposeful smile fit for the media on his face, "I congratulate you on another successful day. If you have not already, please find safety in your home or in a comfortable place nearby. Cerulean will do our best to protect you from any danger. Thank you." The recording was played on screens throughout the city, reminding people that this was the time that Vermilion likes to take action. Norio clicked his tongue, furrowing his eyebrows at the thought that he even needed to make such a message for an opposing group. Why did such troublemakers have to exist, he always wondered. Rebels and their need to cause chaos repulsed him.

When the monitor shut off, he turned back to his desk and picked up his phone. After dialing a number, he propped the device against his ear with his shoulder, leaving his hands free to sift through his papers. He was calling Cosima, wondering where she was and needing to know what the plan was for tonight. He did not hear from the messenger yet, so he was preparing to send the usual defense force out if there was nothing else known about Vermilion. He need the Queen's thought and mutual approval before sending out the command.

[ Mentions: ( S Shibe ) ]

 

[Shibe]

The sudden ringing of a nearby phone jerked Cosima’s attention away from the paperwork she was filling out, the subject of it being citizens. She often tracked their daily lives through the means of spies in order to determine who was likely to turn to Vermillion, that and which citizens where secretly funding the said organization.

In the past, she had managed to scrape up quite some dirt on wealthy business men offering Vermillion large sums of cash. Cosima had put an end to that quite quickly, but she would not allow such acts to occur once again in Venetian.

The Queen of Cerulean quickly answered her call, cradling the phone between the side of her chin and shoulder, continuing to scribble down into an open file. “Good evening, Norio. Business as usual? I’m at the second floor, keeping tabs on the common people, you know?” She tried her best to come off a little humorous, though her voice lacked variation in pitch to pull it off.

“I’m fine with the regular task force being sent out tonight, though I do have a few spies snooping around in the western area of Venetian for me. They shouldn’t get in the way if there’s a scuffle.”

Interactions: Virzue ​

 

[Green Tea]

CERULEAN
Name: Ezekiel James Wizard
Role: Pawn
Age: 22
Sex: Male

A mere pawn stood under a neon blue sign signaling that the small liquor store he was leaning against was open and still accepting customers. In one hand he tapped idly on the screen of a narrow tablet within his palm. He was making his way through the 166th level of a popular puzzle game app he'd taken up. It was hardly a stress-free way to relax before a shift, as the game compelled the player to think smart and react quickly. In his other hand, he had a drink to help him do just that. Instead of buying a beer or liquor like some degenerate Vermin, he'd purchased a sugary, carbonated energy drink. Perhaps he thought it would help him fight off the fatigue of another poor night of sleep. Sadly, it wasn't enough to keep him from losing the 166th level, for what felt like the 166th time. "Gah... fffriggin'... dammit..." he grumbled quietly to himself with salty ire for his own failure.

The pawn's attention was stolen away by the voice of Venetian City's true king. Subconsciously, he straightened up at the announcement. He slipped his tablet back into his pocket and tossed his empty can into a nearby trash can. With a smooth arch, the can swished straight into the garbage processing device and it whirred mechanically as a satisfied grin spread upon the pawn's features. He cracked his neck and stretched his arms as he heard the King remind the city who kept the peace around here. The blue neon sign above him shifted to red and began to cast a devilish glow over the pawn as the sign went from "open" to "closed."

 

[Ambiloquous]

​

Ria dashed down the streets to her last stop of the day, hoping that her destination hadn't handed out the last of their esteemed crème brûlée biscotti. Thinking of the chance that the display case would be empty when she arrived, she sped up her steps, adding an extra boost to her already superhuman speed. She had already calculated the average time they were sold out, including the scraps and deformed pieces that the workers took home, which happened to be at just about half past seven. Taking a look at her left arm, her brain short-circuited when she saw the bright red 7:29 PM. She almost screeched to a halt on the sidewalk, her body giving up subconsciously. She would've been late for her standards even if she had gotten there on the mark but now she was really late. She swore under breath, cursing the fact that her other leg hadn't been destroyed as well, so she could have prosthetics on both to speed up her frantic dash. Pulling back from carving a ditch in the sidewalk at the last second, she activated her reserve energy, hoping that tonight's job wouldn't need that extra assurance. Ria would never normally give up an important safety net for a piece of dessert, but this wasn't just any piece of dessert. This was the dessert. The dessert that most people didn't even get a chance to taste. She had barely gotten a bite from Kazuki last time, but this time, she was determined to get a whole damn piece.

Being the idiot she was for going full throttle on the sidewalk, Ria accidentally shoulder-tackled a bystander against a store with a neon sign above. Hurriedly turning around to run backwards, she yelled to the man in blue who was quickly getting smaller in the distance. "Sorry! I'm really sorry! I can't stop now, so if you need reimbursement for your injury, go to 264 Rouge Avenue!"

It was the address of her recorded home that she went back to only slightly less than HQ. Ria did like having her own house, even if it was Cerulean protected and maybe even Cerulean monitored. One never knew what went on in the heads of those authoritarian control-freaks.

She finally skidded to a stop in front of Château des Échecs, throwing open the door before her feet had even fully gripped the ground. "Is... there... any more crème brûlée biscotti...?" she panted out and then collapsed on the floor, exhausted to her core. She really couldn't stay standing for even a second longer. Her legs were complete jelly, not including her prosthetic. Actually, maybe even including that.

Mentioned: Nightliss Interacted With: Green Tea

 

[Virzue]

Norio smiled to himself as he heard his queen attempt at a light joke. "You know," he replied, his low and soothing melody of a voice stretched out and playful, "even if you say it like that, I can still imagine your face of indifference."

Though the two share a common interest in enforcement and a shared public image of admirable esteem and integrity, off camera, their differences are easier to view. Norio was more, well, childish in comparison to Cosima. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he was younger than her. Even so, there was a clear edge in his voice, as if at any moment he would reveal another character beneath his mask. An absolutist. It had been seen a few times, long ago. There had been an individual in particular who thought joking with an upset king by insulting the law force would be funny; he never saw the light after that event. His last memory was Norio's smile and eyes that were filled with an undeniable hatred and anticipation to make another succumb to his feet.

"Yes, let's send the normal enforcement then."

Norio took to his feet, ready to set off for the night when suddenly a wave crashed in his head. He caught himself by grabbing the edge of his desk to keep from falling, the phone shaking in his other hand. He cursed himself.

Before he passed out, he relayed one last message to the queen. "Cosima. Something has come up that I must take care of immediately. Please run Cerulean on your own for now until I return. I trust you."

He quickly ended the call and dialed another number. Within a couple minutes, two men appear in the office. Quietly gasping for air, Norio nodded at the two, and they quickly left the room.

Cerulean's king soon disappeared from the city, preventing anyone from knowing of the sickness that returned and overcame him once again. There was no media coverage on tonight, though soon the coverage of his mysterious disappearance would come about in the next following days.

[ Mentions: S Shibe ]
[ Reason for leave from role play: Traveling until end of month. ]

 

[Kana.M.]

The room was dark, no light, and no sound, then, a flash of red light lit up the room, and the sirens blew off through the halls.

Kaito sat slouched over in his chair, chest rested on his knees, as he felt around the toe cap of his right shoe; only a few seconds after he sat up, the lights started flashing. The biohazard siren, brass bells and the mooing of a Brazilian Bull, all sounds that for years had instructed Kaito to start moving. He leaned back and raised up his thighs before slamming his feet on to the ground straightening his legs, locking his knees and forcing himself to stand up on his heels. Quickly, the man twisted around and snatched up a leather jacket from the ear of his seat. And as he draped it over his shoulders the welts of his shoes clicked against the ground. Kaito began to do some stretches, the sounds blazing through his ears as he rocked back and forth heel to toe finishing up quickly, then he careened over to the right to a wooden door and braced his right side against it and turned the knob, pushing open the door with his right shoulder when he barged into the hallway. This place, in particular, was a favorite of Kaito. A school on the outskirts of town, rundown and abandoned when he had found it. The halls were dirtied and scratched up, the lights blew out easily, and the floor tiles were shredded and broken. If you were to find a patch they would barely stay grounded, even if one was to lightly kick it. Although rundown the area had enough rooms and abandoned equipment to prove useful, even if temporary. Kaito sped through the long hallway, as he walked he stuck his hand into his pocket and took out a small black device. Raising it up to his ear he clicked a button, and it responded with two clicks, sending a signal to all the Vermilion across the city; then he dropped the fragile device on the floor and it broke at contact.

The man made his way to a flight of stairs and trot down only a few before jumping off the rest of the way. At the bottom of the stairs lay one of his weapons, an Arabian Scimitar with a red hilt and a false edge at the top, next to it lay the suede scabbard both with a gold chape and locket. Kaito picked up both and slid the sword inside the scabbard then hid them inside an inner pocket in his leather jacket. It wasn't his main weapon but he would have to go to the main facility to get it and it was dangerous to go outside without anything. Sure, one could say Kaito was confident in his skill and strength, but although cocky he wasn't a stupid general and made sure each of his subjects were to carry a weapon on them around night time.

The man pulled his arms through the jacket sleeves then walked into the nearest room. Inside there were five computers but only one monitor. Three of the five computers were broken and visually impaired, punctured, impaled or falling apart. Kaito had broken them out of fits of anger; always envisioning a "specific person" saying a specific thing before he one of the computers. One could say he was the bullet and they were the trigger. That's why he kept a USB drive tucked away wherever he went and if not with him, blindly hidden in plain sight. That way he wouldn't have to keep his information on one place. He took the USB drive out of one of the many inner pockets tucked away in his jacket and started up the system before plugging it into the computer. Once the computer turned on the desktop was immediately littered with files, either marked with the words "VT" or "CT"; all files marked with these initials except for one file in particular marked "T" he opened it and then it immediately opened up to live video feed of a warehouse. He watched the feed closely and quietly when he came to a conclusion processed to safely take out the hard drive and put it back in safe keeping. Kaito got up from his seating and back through the doorway; then, finally satisfied, he left the domain. Making his way to the main base.