Realistic or Modern Gangs of Birmingham - IC Thread [Open & Accepting]

[neverbackdown]

Horizon Lounge
- Westside, Birmingham, England -

Dylan Jones
​

Dylan leaned back in his chair, focused on his father as he spoke. He stayed quiet, nodding here and there to show he was listening. As he absorbed his father’s thoughts, Dylan started to piece together ideas, weighing what might create the most chaos for the Walkers and Fletchers and what could bring the greatest advantage to their side.

"I think Thomas could definitely be a weak spot, but honestly, I’d bet more on the nephew," Dylan said, thinking out loud. "Getting to Thomas might push Robert in the direction we want since he’s the youngest and all, but Jackie... he could tear things down from the inside. Then again," he added with a shrug, "the guy's a liability himself, so who knows if he’d even be up to the task or at the very least be trusted to do anything right."

The mention of Rory made Dylan sit forward in his seat. "By all accounts, you won't get anywhere near the Fletchers without taking her out of the equation," he said. "So, I do think knocking the wind out of her could be a smart move, might even be necessary. Plus, it’d send a strong message to Tony. The baby sister? I’d say he’d play right into your hand if she’s on the line." Even suggesting hurting a girl made Dylan feel uncomfortable, the words leaving his mouth feeling foreign. He wasn’t the type of man to raise his fists to a woman, or even threaten one, especially not someone younger than himself. But in this world, he knew there were times when playing dirty was necessary, and he was all too aware of that reality. Given the life Rory led, and the stories Dylan had heard, it was clear that she was no stranger to this harshness. She was more than prepared for it.

As his father signaled for new drinks, Dylan finished his cocktail and set the glass back down on the table. He bit his lip, considering the question his father had just asked. It was the same question that had been gnawing at Dylan's mind since he found out the information, and yet no matter how many times he turned it over, he couldn't make sense of it. He shrugged as he looked at his father.

"I honestly don't know," Dylan admitted. "Robert seems to keep protecting her in some way. Apparently, she roughed up one of his guys and still walked away with her gun and as you said got her out of jail. There's something fishy going on there." He leaned back slightly, the thought lingering in his mind. "I keep coming back to some kind of family secret... maybe they’re related somehow? But that’d be ridiculous, right?" he asked as he looked at his father again wondering if he would laugh at his assumption but it was the only reason he could think that Robert would be protecting the youngest child of his enemy.

*******
Int;-
Misty Gray - Aidan

 

[neverbackdown]

Ladywood
Birmingham, England

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

Rory listened intently as Richard spoke. If she were honest, she had expected him to side with Robert—to tell her that Robert was her father, that he loved her, and that she should just accept it. So when Richard instead confirmed that the news hadn’t changed anything and that her family was still the Fletchers, Rory was caught off guard but nodded in response nonetheless.

She let him speak without interruption as they walked side by side. Noticing that Richard seemed to struggle slightly with their pace, Rory subtly slowed her steps, making the adjustment as inconspicuously as possible, knowing that the headstrong man beside her would probably not be impressed that she had slowed down for him.

"Yeah, Tony has always had my back, and my siblings assured me they don’t see me any differently, but..." She rubbed the back of her neck, her voice trailing off. "I don’t know, I just don’t feel like myself anymore." she released a small sigh "I don't think my dad is the type to just throw someone away but this isn't a normal situation, I'm his enemies daughter from an affair .. I'm just afraid of being blamed for something that wasn't even my fault"

When Richard brought up the new family she’d gained, Rory gave a soft nod, keeping her thoughts on wanting nothing to do with the Walkers—and the filthy blood she now shared with them—to herself. What she hadn’t expected, though, was for Richard to essentially claim her as his niece. Her eyes widened slightly at his words before she quickly pushed down her surprise.

“But you barely know me,” she said, surprise evident in her tone, though she quickly tried to move past it. “Thank you, Richard. I do really appreciate it and you’re good to talk to,” she added, a soft smile playing on her lips. Maybe, out of all her new family, Richard might be the one she actually let in.

She fell silent for a moment, biting her lip as she mulled over her thoughts. Then, a small twinkle of amusement sparked in her eyes. “I presume Robert has told his family,” she mused, turning her head to look at Richard again. “How did they take it?”


**********
Int;-
ReverseTex - Uncle Richard

 

[ReverseTex]

Ladywood
Birmingham, England
Tuesday 27th January 1976
Early Evening - Cold, Clear Skies, Breezy

neverbackdown

Dr. Richard Finley
​

“It’s earnest. Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask.” Richard simpered. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel isolated from either family, especially the Fletchers. Her place was with them, despite her biological relationship to Robert. He loved his brother dearly, but he knew the ship long sailed to raise her. In his mind, an amicable relationship would be a realistic outcome. But at this point, Rory was far from ready for that.

When asked about Robert’s action, he nodded. “As far as I know, they’re aware.” He remarked. “I’ve been so busy these days and so have the kids, so it’s hard to keep up with who knows what. But I don’t think you have much to worry about. Felicity likely took the news the hardest, knowing how she felt after other affairs came to the surface. But otherwise, I reckon they’ll be more upset at him than you.”

Secretly, he was grateful they slowed pace. It was difficult to readjust his poor leg to normal life. Part of him wished he took the doctor's recommendations, investing in a nice walking cane. But part of him felt demoralized already. Age was just a number, sure, but he never expected to live this long. In his mind, he was meant to die back in the war. Anything after was bloody bonus...

“I understand that feeling. You said you don’t feel like yourself.” Richard circled back. “I’ve struggled with it my whole life. From after my time in the service, to finding my way afterwards, and now being the mayor. I never did any of it for myself, and the personal sacrifices I have to make to do a good job drain you a bit. I’ve had to jeopardize a lot to be able to lay my head down at night and say with confidence I’m not leaving the city worse off than I found it.” His strain with Robert immediately came to mind, then the looming one with Caroline. “For me at least, I’ve found comfort in accepting that’s just how life goes. You’ll feel like yourself some days, and others you’ll feel a bit off.”

“But in your case, like you said, it's completely out of your control. You can’t blame someone for something you didn’t do. Will you take some flak for it? Sure. Any bastard would. But you’re a scrappy girl; I reckon you’ve dealt with much worse.” The wry tone alleviated some of the stress from his personal remarks.

In the distance, the rows of flats shifted into shops and various worn-down businesses. The idea of a pub sounded splendid right now, simply to give his leg a break and to ease some of Rory’s tension. “Let’s say we stop in that pub. Eh? On me. I’m sure we can find a seedy table in the back to conspire.” He joked. With his current status, such an establishment would be off-limits for him. But he’d fight his security detail on this. He wouldn’t stop living his life how he wanted to for the sake of safety.

 

[BasDorcha]

HM Prison Birmingham

- Winson Green, Birmingham, England -​

Penny Fletcher

Penny couldn't help a little laugh when Marco had the exact reaction she expected him to have. The choking response to finding out Rory was a Walker was not small by any means and the shock was authentic. It was pretty much the same reaction all of them had when they found out. A sigh escaped her lips. How was Rory doing? She wasn't exactly sure, she hadn't really spent a lot of time with her since finding out - to be honest, since Marco had gone to jail, she hadn't spent a lot of time with anyone in her family. She had been staying home, avoiding people like the plague. She hadn't seen her mother and she hadn't spent time with her siblings except a few moments here and there.

"Rory is trying her best… but she's always been Dad's biggest fan you know? So I imagine it is much rougher for her than she is letting on. If it were me, I'd be feeling so many things right now, I would probably explode. I don't know how to help her either. Apparently back in the days of infinite youth for my parents, Robert and mom had a little… dalliance. Mom was Carolines best friend you know, before all the fighting began. Anyways… it's all out now, for both sides.
Everyone is still feeling the aftershocks of it all."

She listened as he told her about how her family was his and it brough a small but real smile to her face. For a moment everything felt normal, as normal as it could in any case. Penny's eyes watched him, soaking in what little bit of time she was going to get to have with him. There was no telling what was coming in the future any more, nothing was certain. She would have to take it a day at a time, and hope that if they were meant to be together it would work out. She was reminded at this moment of how she felt and how deep it ran, and she prayed that things would find a way to get better.

"I'm alright. Thankfully the drama is happening around me for the most part, and I've been able to dodge having to be the center of attention so far. I've been taking some time away from work, letting the girls handle it. Just been spending a lot of time away from everything, taking some time to be still." She wouldn't tell him that she was depressed and avoiding being around people all together. She wouldn't tell him that she hadn't been to work because dealing with people had gotten to a point where it drained all her energy. She was so worried - about her mom, her brother, her sister, her boyfriend. Was any of it directly affecting her? No, not yet. But it still was hitting her hard. But Penny couldn't help feeling like she had no right to complain or feel as badly as she was. It wasn't justified.

She wasn't the one who found out her father wasn't her father. She wasn't the one who had kept a secret this big from everyone in their family for decades. She wasn't the one dealing with an underworld business and everything that entailed and she certainly wasn't the one who was locked in this building for god knows how long. What right did she have to whine.

Shaking the thoughts from her head, she squeezed Marco's hand, meeting his eyes. "She is now, has always been, and always will be Rory. My sister. Don't doubt that for a second, darling. I love her just as much as I always have. I just wish I knew how to help. I feel useless. I'm no good to anyone right now. I can't make things easier for Rory, or help Tony with the business problems. I'm angry at my mother for keeping secrets for so long from all of us, and I miss you so much. I'm angry that you're in jail for.." Penny stopped, sighed, then continued, "but… I'll be okay. I just need to figure out how I can make myself useful. Maybe that'll help." She swallowed and gave him a small smile, trying to convince him or maybe herself that she believed what she was saying.

Misty Gray - Marco

 

[BeyondDandy]

HM Prison Birmingham
- Winson Green, Birmingham, England -

NORMAN FLETCHER
​

When Tony mentioned Penny and her new relationship with Marco, Norman Fletcher, who had always been a man of few words when it came to his feelings, laughed. Norman's normally grizzled visage softened with a rare smile as he said, "My God, that poor girl." “She always had wanderin’ eyes, didn’t she?” He shook his head, amused by the idea of Penny—quiet, sweet, and reserved—being charmed by Marco of all people. She’d always been the Fletcher sweetheart, the one Norman had tried to shield from the darker parts of their world. He thought her too pretty, too pure, for the violence and vice that followed the Fletcher name.

But the levity didn’t last.

Tony's voice sharpened and his tone changed as he pressed forward with a question that had obviously been bothering him. "When did you find out the truth? And how? And why didn't you say anything in all this time?!” The final inquiry caused his voice to rise, and Norman noticed for the first time a hint of something more than curiosity—resentment, possibly even treachery.

Norman sat back in his chair and glanced past Tony to the guard standing close by, his face unreadable. The guard raised two fingers in response to his whispered request for a time update, and he saw that there were two minutes remaining. Norman groaned and turned back to his kid.

“I found out after Rory was born,” he began, his voice steady but tinged with an undertone of frustration that he worked hard to suppress. “It wasn’t somethin’ I went lookin’ for, lad. It just… happened.”

After pausing, as though considering how much to say, he went on. “You remember those days—how much time I spent at the pub. Always there until nine or ten, takin’ care of business. It was routine, like clockwork. Your mother knew it. But after Rory was born, I started thinkin’ maybe I should have been more of a family man. Come home earlier, sit down for dinner every once in a while. So, one night, I decided to surprise your mother. Left the pub early.”

When Norman remembered the memory, his jaw tensed. “When I got home, I saw your mother leavin’ the house. Thought it was odd, so I followed her. She went to see him—Robert.” His voice was low, but he practically spat out the name. “And she had Rory with her. Why would she take my daughter to see him, unless…” Lifting his hands in a motion that suggested the answer should be clear, he trailed off.

With his mind scrambling to comprehend what he had just heard, Sully sat in stunned stillness. Norman softened his voice and leaned forward. “It was chance, lad. Pure chance I found out. I had my suspicions before but that sealed it. But that doesn’t matter now. All that matters to me is that my children—Rory included—are well off. She’s still your sister, and you’d do right by rememberin’ that.”

To indicate that they had one minute remaining, the guard moved forward. Norman’s demeanor shifted, the fatherly warmth replaced by the calculating precision of a man who once commanded respect in the underworld.

“Before I go, listen carefully, Tony. I need you to do somethin’ for me. There’s a new face in Birmingham—an American. Don’t have a name yet, but whatever the hell he’s sellin’ is makin’ its way into this prison. Now, I don’t care what’s happenin’ out there unless it starts to mess with my business. And this? This is messin’ with my business. Find out who it is and put a stop to it.”

In preparation for escorting Norman back to his cell, the guard moved to remove the ankle restraints. Norman stood, adjusting his prison-issued clothes as if they were his old tailored suits. He gave Tony one last glance before turning to go.

“Tell your sisters I love them,” he said, his voice softer now. “And you and Sully—don’t be strangers. I’ll see you lads.”

Norman's remarks hung heavy in the antiseptic prison visitation room as he left. Sully sat there, caught between the truth that had just been revealed and his father's wish. Despite being a man bound by bars, Norman Fletcher's influence and secrets continued to have a lasting impact on his family.

Sully turned to his brother, still trying to absorb all the information their father had just divulged. “He’s talking about Russo innit? Tony, what are we going to do?!”

Misty Gray

 

[Misty Gray]

HM Prison Birmingham
- Winson Green, Birmingham, England -

Tony Fletcher​

Hearing how Norman had stumbled on the truth about Robert being Rory's father brought home just how long the man had known. It had all been by chance, yet somewhere in that moment he'd seemingly decided to keep it a secret. A secret from Dorothy that he knew and also keep the truth from everyone it affected ever since. Tony knew he would need time to figure out how he felt about Norman lying to them. In his own head, he wasn't sure he would stay quiet if Julia had do the same to him, but he knew better than to cast judgement on his father without thinking it all over.

Tony held back from saying anything further, instead nodding in understanding. They didn't have nearly enough time for all of the questions he had and he didn't want to end the visit badly. Besides, Norman drew him in for a request. A lump formed in his throat at mention of who he was certain was Russo. Hearing the American's business was reaching the prison piled even more pressure on Tony. It was bad enough trying to resolve the issue out on the streets, but now he had his old man on his back about it too. "Hey, we--" Tony began, but was cut short from telling Norman more when the guard approached. "We'll sort it," he simply assured his father.

After their father was led away, Tony slumped down in his seat. The visit had left him feeling just as troubled and uncertain as before. Even the reassurance that Marco would be looked after didn't do much to lift his spirits. He hadn't corrected Norman's assumption that he'd ordered the hit on Charles and he knew he'd need to cover their backs somehow before his father realised. Still, the way Tony felt in that moment, it hadn't been as though Norman had set a good example by lying to everyone about Rory for so long.

Tony met his brother's gaze, seeing Sully was clearly troubled like himself. "Yep. He's on about Russo. And I don't fuckin' know what to do. Everything's falling apart and I don't know how to control it," Tony let out a deep sigh. "All I know is... We've got to keep working with the Walkers if we stand a chance at fixing this. We need that wanker, Robert's, help. Whether Dad like it or not."

BeyondDandy (Sully, Norman)

 

[BasDorcha]

The Walker Residence

- Edgbaston, Birmingham, England -​

Vinny McConnel

It was so… so very simple. Really, it was too simple. Jackie was as easy to get to as a kid. There was no challenge in instigating him. He watched as his reaction hit the man, and with Roberts eyes on Jackie's outburst, his grin turned down right demonic for the briefest flash. He had succeeded in pushing the man into another childish outburst without the slightest effort. If it were just the two of them he would be laughing in Jackie's face right now. Instead he kept his face calm, unaffected, professional. Jackie would never succeed at getting Vinny ruffled and off balance. He watched the man with mild interest, nodding when he spouted off about not peeing in a cup.

He waited - Robert would handle him just fine. It didn't take a genius to realize that Jackie was on drugs. He was jumpy, his nose looked like someone had smacked him in it, his eyes blown wide. When Robert sat up straight, he knew what was coming and kept his form relaxed and waited to enjoy the ass chewing Jackie was about to receive. Robert went on to call Jackie out on every point he made - the drugs, Charles, his place in the business. Then he went on to tell him exactly what he could expect and how he was lucky to even be getting a chance. Vinny agreed of course, because he would not give Jackie a chance if it was his call.

When Robert's attention rounded on him he never even flinched. He nodded. "Of course, boss. I will make sure this is taken care of and we get to work quickly." He turned back to Jackie, a business like smile on his face. "I need a few days to get things situated, so I'll call you when I'm ready to get things started. That should give you plenty of time to get your… affairs in order." With that he turned back to Robert and gave him his full attention. "I think we can make this a good experience, so don't worry about it. I'll take care of everything. With some time, I'll return him to you a new man." He smiled again, adding confidence to his statement.

"Was there anything in particular you'd like me to start preparing him for in the future? A specific role, or duty assignment?"

 

[BasDorcha]

The Vixen

- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -​

Alfred Walker

Felicity finally dropped her guard some, seeming to realize he was really on her side. Had he had an easier life as a male in this family? Sure, but that didn't mean that he had it super easy either. Or rather, he had it so easy, it was like he wasn't important at all in his family. It felt like he was just a spare part, waiting to be used - and now his dad was doing just that. Everyone born after Charles was expected to play their part the same way Charles was, and damn the fates if you wanted to do something different. Alfie had never considered being in the family business like this, but here he was, right where his father wanted him.

"Yeah, yeah, I got Dad's weakness for women, but at least I don't lead them on and lie to them." The words slipped out of Alfie's mouth before he could stop it. He cleared his throat and looked down, realizing he had brought up the other major truth that had come out recently. "Judge me all you want, but lately…" He trailed off, his mind shifting to Bonnie. A smile slid across his lips, eyes seeming to stare into the distance. For a brief moment he thought about where she might be right now, and how she was probably getting the girls ready in the club for another big night. Shaking it away, he turned that smile on Felicity. "Well, let's just say I don't intend to be young and dumb forever." He winked at her, nodding along as she continued.

The words he waited to hear were finally said, he slapped both hands down on the table top and grinned broadly, eyes lighting up. "Good. I want you in on this, I need my sister by my side if we are going to make this happen. I'm glad you can see your way to helping, even if it's not in the capacity you want. I promise I will do my best to be the balance between you and Dad, at least until he forces me to take over completely. That day, well, I might just turn around and hand it all to you." That boyish goofy grin lit up the room as he grabbed a pack of papers and handed them over to her. "Start with reviewing these and getting familiar with what we have in place and what me and Tony discussed and agreed to at the last sit down. Also, from now on, you're with me for anything like that. Non-optional - I need that brain of yours at the meetings to deal with this problem."

Standing, he offered a hand to Felicity, as he came around the table. "Common, how about we go get a bottle, and we'll go down to the reservoir and throw rocks in, just like when we were younger. We can even keep up the tradition of shit talking the entire family, deceased ones included."

 

[Misty Gray]

The Walker Residence
- Edgbaston, Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert was glad to hear Vinny's enthusiasm for dealing with Jackie. He didn't have the time nor inclination to concern himself with getting his nephew straightened out, so he was content to leave it in Vinny's hands. He listened on as the man gave Jackie some instructions and a timeline, but left the two men to that part. "Thank you, Vinny. A new Jackie would be very much welcomed," he remarked, flashing a smile at his nephew. "Once I know I can trust you, then you can have more responsibility and your pay will reflect your results," he assured Jackie.

When asked if there was a particular role or assignment he wanted Jackie preparing for, Robert thought for a moment before nodding. "For starters, Jackie, I can see you in an enforcer or debt collecting role. We can work it from there," he suggested. He wanted to see results before he promised roles with greater responsibility.

Robert stood from his seat, a clear indication he was done with the meeting. "Gentlemen. This has been productive. However, I have other matters to attend to now," he announced. "Jackie. Along the way in all of this, I would appreciate if you thought of a way to apologise to Caroline. When you do, come to me first and I'll decide if it's a good idea," he told him. With that, he saw both men out of the house.

BasDorcha (Vinny) purplecowdutch (Jackie)

The Walker Residence
- Edgbaston, Birmingham, England -

Robert and Caroline Walker​

After the meeting, Robert spent some time in the living room. For a while, he read the newspaper. Aware that Caroline was upstairs, he'd been expecting her to come down once Vinny and Jackie were gone. However, as it became apparent she wasn't in a hurry to, he decided to find her himself. They'd barely spoken in days and given her signs of depression recently, he didn't want to leave her alone for too long. Even if checking in on her likely meant he'd be on the receiving end of her anger.

Robert tracked her down to one of the spare bedrooms. It was the room that for eighteen years had served as Charles' bedroom until he moved out and into his own place. Now there was no sign of the kid's bedroom it had once been, instead furnished as a guest room. Pushing the door open, he found Caroline sat at the end of the queen bed, with her knees drawn to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs as if holding herself in as tight a ball as possible. When she lifted her head to look at him, her tear-filled eyes were red raw. She used the sleeve of her cardigan to wiped the tears from her face. "Fuck off," she said, though her voice lacked conviction and enthusiasm.

Despite her words, Robert stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Avoidance was unproductive. There was no way he could leave his wife alone for much longer. Even if she hated him and wanted to take her anger out on him, he'd prefer that to her wallowing alone. Although he stepped forward, he kept some distance between them for now. "Caroline, let's talk. I'm worried about you," he cautiously told her.

Caroline stared at Robert, willing him to maintain the distance. She then choked back her tears as she tried to compose herself. "There are times when I wish I could join Charles. Hell, I wish it had been me who was murdered instead of him!" As her husband's concern grew, his face softened and he edged forward. She quickly shook her head a him. "Then there are times I think it would be better if you'd never returned home from the war. You should have just disappeared with one of those whores who kept you company whilst you were away." Before she could say more, her emotions got the better of her and she burst out in tears. "I must look like the most stupid woman alive. Now they all know about Rory on top of the affairs. I must be a laughing stock."

"Caroline..." Robert began, moving closer. He crouched down at the end of the bed and looked up at her. "Nobody thinks that at all. You're an intelligent, strong, and committed woman. Nobody is judging you. They know it's all on me and I'm pretty certain it's me they're all criticising. I've been a selfish, careless, and ignorant man. For so long. I don't deserve a woman like you in my life and I've taken you for granted. But I love you, Caroline. I'm the stupid one for taking you for granted. I want to do whatever I can to prove you can trust me now."

Caroline released her arms from around her legs and looked Robert in the eyes. "You could drop dead. Then I'll know for sure I can trust you," she suggested, shrugging her shoulders as she tried to be nonchalant about her words. What she hated the most what the fact that she loved him. She was sure if she didn't, everything would be so much easier. She wouldn't even have to think twice about leaving him. She lifted her head to follow his gaze a he stood up in front of her. "Not that it's a threat. I don't think Richard would put up half as much of a fight to defend me for murdering you as he did for the rat who killed Charles. I suspect he'd be happy enough for them to throw away the key!" she argued.

"I know you don't mean any of that," Robert asserted. "You know Richard cares about you. We've already been through the Marco situation. He's just trying to do the right thing, like I need to start doing more of."

"He has a funny way of showing he cares," Caroline disagreed. She moved off of the bed so she could stand more level with Robert. "I can't take it anymore. How many more times are you going to betray me and break my heart? You're bloody unbearable, Robert. I hate you," she spoke through gritted teeth. "I hate you!" she yelled as she slammed both hands into his chest to push him back. Her anger soon turned to upset as the tears streamed down her cheeks. She wished she truly hated him. Her hands trembled as she struggled for air, feeling like she was being suffocated. "But I love you more... and that... that's what makes everything hurt so much," she cried.

Without hesitation, Robert stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her to draw her in close to his chest. "Caroline, come on," he gently spoke into her ear. "I love you too. I should have been proving it to you this whole time. This is all my fault and I'll make it right. I'll do whatever it takes to prove it. It breaks my heart that I've upset you so much when I should be treating you like a queen. Hell, you already speak posher than her." He placed his hand lightly on the back on her head as she buried her face in his shoulder. "We'll get through this together. I promise."

Caroline closed her eyes and nodded her head. She loved him and wanted to stay with him. Yet, she felt like an idiot to consider forgiving him again. "You better believe you'll work hard for it. Just because I love you, it doesn't mean I don't have a brain in this skull of mine!" she asserted.

"I know. You're the smartest, and most determined woman I know. So no more talk of joining Charles. I won't hear it," he told her. It wasn't that he believed she meant such a thing, but for her to say it at all showed she was still struggling with her depression. "Let's go out of some fresh air. A walk might do us both some good," he suggested.

 

[Misty Gray]

The Platinum Lounge
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Scott Ashworth​

Scott smiled back at Natalie as they sat across from each other. When she complimented his management of the club, his smile broadened. "I'm glad you like the place," he told her. In reality, he knew he was good at what he did, but he decided to take the modest approach with the beautiful woman. Also, he opted not to point out he managed it for the owner who was a criminal gang boss. That was certainly too much information to get in the way of flirting.

Scott feigned a sympathetic expression when she confirmed she would be drinking alone tonight. "That's a real shame. It's their loss, whoever they are," he assured her.

When Natalie apologetically told him she shouldn't be keeping him from work, he quickly shook his head. "No, it's okay. The beauty of being in charge means I can do what I want. Besides, I'm making sure one of my customers is enjoying herself," he charmingly told her. "And, honestly, it's not a sob story. I think we've both lucked out now we get to chat to each other."

"I'm Scott," he said, accepting her handshake. He returned her gaze, along with an admiring one of his own. "Tell me more about yourself, Mia. I haven't seen you in here before. Where do you usually venture on nights out?"

neverbackdown (Nat)

HM Prison Birmingham
- Winson Green, Birmingham, England -

Marco Alessi​

Marco hadn't been close to his own parents. If anything, he grew to hate them and he hadn't missed them since the day he fled his home. Still, having known the Fletchers for years now, he knew how important family was to them. They were close to each other. So it went without saying that Rory would be struggling with the truth about her father.

"I'm struggling to believe Dorothy and Robert had a thing, to be honest," he admitted. "Your mum always seems to have her head screwed on. I don't know if that's a consolation or not. I just can't imagine her doing anything out of spite or malice. I imagine she's feeling terrible about this too," he reasoned. He couldn't imagine Dorothy being attracted to Robert, but then, he'd only seen a side of the man that was an adversary of the Fletchers. He'd never tried to know or understand the Walkers. What he did know, was that he'd killed Robert's son and so their impressions of each other would always been tainted.

"Just because it seems like the drama is around you, you're very much a part of it and you shouldn't ignore that. All of your family is suffering now, so you should be with them now more than ever, not avoiding them," he encouraged her. "Rory is the most affected, but she won't be the only one going through it. You're allowed to struggle too. You all need to stick together and support each other."

Marco paused as the officer announced visiting time was drawing to an end. "You're probably best leaving Tony to the business problems, but you can help Rory. There isn't a handbook on how to deal with all this, but I'm sure just being there for her will be a good start in helping her," he suggested. "Don't be angry about my position. I chose to stay involved in your brother's business, so that part is all on me. Charles attacked me, but it's me who killed him. If anyone has a right to be angry at that, it's his family," he reasoned. "Please. I'll sleep a lot better in this place if I know you're not getting worked up about me. We can't change this, Penny. The only thing I can attempt to have any influence in is how long I have to be here. You can't be angry and upset for me, I'd rather you tried to live as much as possible. You still have the freedom to do that."

BasDorcha (Penny)

 

[Misty Gray]

The Vixen
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Felicity Walker​

Felicity saw that look on Alfie's face as he started to speak about his own weakness for women and his romantic life. It was a soppy kind of look. It was one that she was more than familiar with even if she hadn't experienced such feelings for someone herself. She had yet to find a man who could break through her ice and draw out her softer emotions. "Hmm. You won't be like that forever, I can assure you. Dumb, maybe. But not young," she teased him.

She was glad they seemed to be on the same page about business, even if it did feel like they were betraying their dad. As angry and upset as she was with Robert for his adultery, Felicity still cared about her father and his earning approval. She wanted him to be proud of her. "You shouldn't do it because you're forced to," she pointed out to Alfie. Charles had been keen to follow in their father's footsteps, so there had never been a question over whether taking over was what he'd really wanted.

Felicity took the paperwork from Alife and unconsciously began straightening the pile; perfectionism being another trait inherited from their father. "Sure, I'll do that," she confirmed. When he mentioned having her present at the meetings, her head snapped up at him. "If you think that's a good idea... Tony and I don't exactly get along too well. He thinks I'm an uptight bitch and I think he's a mouthy idiot," she pointed out. "Not that I can't sit and pretend he's neither of those, I'm sure," she added. At least Sully should be there too. He was easier to communicate with.

Felicity took her brother's hand and got up out of her seat. When he suggested it was time to unwind with a drink, she nodded in agreement. "About time," she told him. "Shit talking our family is great idea. Mum is exempt, though. She doesn't deserve badmouthing this time around," she sympathised, knowing Caroline was struggling again as she had when Charles had died.

BasDorcha (Alfie)

 

[neverbackdown]

Ladywood
Birmingham, England

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

Rory listened quietly, her hands shoved into her jacket pockets as Richard spoke. His reassurances meant more to her than she let on, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to accept them. “Whatever you need, don’t hesitate to ask.” Easy words to say, harder to act on. The idea of leaning on him or anyone from the Walkers life, felt wrong and almost disloyal towards her own family. Still, there was a strange comfort in hearing it—like a safety net she didn’t want to admit she might need.

When Richard confirmed that the Walker clan likely knew the truth, Rory gave a slow nod, biting her lip as her thoughts turned inward. In truth, she didn’t care what they thought of her. She’d been raised to hate them—to see them as the enemy in every sense of the word. Their opinions of her shouldn’t matter, and for the most part, they didn’t.

But still, a tiny, nagging part of her couldn’t help but hope they were just as furious with Robert as she was. Just as blindsided. Just as lost. A shared weight of betrayal. Even if she couldn’t stand the thought of them, the idea that they might understand her anger—her confusion—offered a sliver of bitter comfort.

Richard’s candidness about his own struggles caught her off guard and she almost stopped walking as she looked towards him. She hadn’t expected him to be so open, but it felt… real. For once, someone wasn’t just telling her to get over it or figure it out. “You make it sound like it’s just part of life, not some massive identity crisis,” Rory muttered, glancing sideways at him. “But I’m not trying to save a city or anything. Just trying to figure out where I fit—if I even do.”

His next words drew a small, crooked smile from her. “Scrappy, huh? That’s one way to put it. But yeah, I guess I’ve had worse thrown at me. Still standing, right?”" she mused a spark of amusement playing in her tone.

As they reached the row of shops, she could sense him faltering slightly, though he tried to hide it. The suggestion of a pub earned him a raised brow and a faint laugh. “A seedy table in the back to conspire? Now you’re speaking my language,” she teased, her grin widening before she gave a subtle nod. "I can never say no to a drink and I think one is greatly needed now" she agreed as she turned her direction to walk towards the closest pub.

Pushing open the pub door, she stepped inside, the warm, familiar scent of wood and spilled beer wrapping around her. Turning to Richard, she smirked. “Right, what you having? I’m buying. Consider it a thank-you for helping me see some sense... or at least talking me down”


**************
Int;-
ReverseTex - Uncle Richard

 

[neverbackdown]

The Platinum Lounge
- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -
Natalie Smyth
(Alias; Mia Wilson)
​

When Scott confirmed that it was her fake date's loss that evening, Natalie gave a wry smile "It is their loss" she agreed, glancing down at her drink before looking back at him through her lashes. “I mean, I’m here now, so it could be worse.”

His easy assurance brought a soft laugh from her lips, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with practiced subtlety. “Maybe this evening turned out exactly the way it was meant to,” she said, her voice warm and inviting. “It’s not every day you meet a host—or a man, for that matter—who’s so attentive. Maybe my luck really is starting to turn around.” Her tone was gentle, laced with just the right hint of vulnerability, perfectly playing the part of a woman let down one too many times, a woman who needed a savior from her own terrible decisions with love and heartbreak, the role that she believed would feed right into Scott's ego.

When he asked where she normally frequented, Natalie bit her lip for a moment “Oh, I’m not from around here, actually. Moved here a few weeks ago, still trying to find my way around. As for nights out, I’ve been bouncing around a bit, seeing what the city has to offer. Honestly, most places don’t seem to have... this kind of vibe,” she said, gesturing subtly around the room. “I might have to make this my regular spot.”

She took a small sip of her drink, giving him another curious look. “So, what about you? You seem like a man who knows the city inside out. Where do you recommend for someone who’s new? Or is this the only place worth being?”


**********
Int;-
Misty Gray - Scott

 

[Misty Gray]

Chapter 9 - Set the Wheels in Motion
- Tuesday 3rd February 1976 -
Early Evening - Cold, Cloudy, Overcast

***************
​

...3 days ago...

Robert Walker and Tony Fletcher​

Tony had phoned Robert to clarify where they stood, both in business and personal matters. As the Fletcher boss had initiated the call, Robert chose to let him to lead the conversation. Sitting back comfortably, Robert put his feet up on his office desk as he listened.

"Despite what's gone on with you, my Mum, and Rory, we still need to work together to get Russo off our backs. If you leave me and Alfie to lead on it, then you an' me don't have to speak with each other. We don't need you," Tony assured the Walker boss.

"I will leave it to Alfie to coordinate the operation with you, but be under no illusion you don't need me in this. It's my manpower helping out, along with business contacts I secured. Don't get too far above your station, Tony," Robert warned.

"Whatever, Robert. I'll deal with Alfie and that's all I need to know." Tony paused, taking an audible deep breath down the phone. "As for Rory. Just stay the fuck away from her. She ain't anything to do with you. She's a Fletcher and always has been. My old man is her dad and always was. You never got to be Rory's dad and Norman did. I'd say he had the last laugh on that one for all those years. I hope it was worth it," Tony said, clearly still frustrated about the whole thing.

Robert knew Tony was right. He'd never been able to know his youngest daughter, nor would he ever get the chance to. She wanted nothing to do with him and Robert knew he couldn't force her to change that. However, truth or not, Tony was overstepping his mark at the moment. "Don't fool yourself into believing you're safe, simply because we need to work together. You need me more than I need you. Sully could easily take your place on this, given he started the mess to begin with. Dorothy isn't around any more and any agreement I had with your mother is now off the table. Stay in your place and control your mouth. You don't have your mother's protection any more," Robert warned Tony.


...Present day...

Tony & Julia Fletcher's House
- Aston, Birmingham, England -

Tony Fletcher​

To say Tony was stressed was an understatement. Robert being Rory's father. Marco now locked up. Having to lie to Norman. The Russo problem. The continued unknown about the perpetrators of the gala shootings. The list went on. From a sudden decision as he sat mulling over matters two days ago, Tony had decided he hated his living room. What quickly followed was him deciding to strip the wallpaper and begin redecorating. In honesty, he'd appreciated the small distraction. He'd even roped Julia into helping him, enjoying spending time with his wife doing something normal and completely unrelated to the family business. He'd quite enjoyed having a little fun and disorder in the house, given his life nowadays was serious and suffocating.

They'd almost finished doing what they could for one day, which led Tony to making an executive decision about their evening. "Alright, love," he told Julia, reaching his hand to her face and stroking her cheek with his thumb. What he managed to do was smudge some white paint onto her skin from his hand, which prompted a light chuckle from him. "You look a mess. A sexy mess," he teased her, ignoring the fact he was the one who'd got the most paint on himself. "Let's go to the pub for some well earned pints," he suggested. "I'll clean up down here whilst you have a shower," he told her. He leaned in and gave her a kiss before pulling away only to wipe some more paint onto her arm. "You're so messy," he playfully tutted.

Once Julia was upstairs showering, Tony proceeded to clean the paint brushes and tidy up around the room. Even though there was still work to do tomorrow, he didn't want to leave everything out in the open. With the radio playing in the background, he sang along to himself. The more he could do to switch off from all of his family's problems for one night, the better...

BeyondDandy (TBD, Sully) neverbackdown (Julia)

The Walker Residence
- Edgbaston, Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

Robert's birthday had been two days ago, however, given the circumstances surrounding the truth about Rory, he'd cancelled any plans for the Walker family to get together. Of course, he could have ordered them all to attend, but he saw no point in them all sitting around a table in a tense atmosphere. It would have been even worse than the dinner he held for Charles' birthday some months ago. No, Robert saw no point in celebrating his birthday this year. Instead, he'd chosen to keep his distance by staying in his home office and focusing on business.

Richard had been over with a card and present on the day, something which Robert had been grateful of. Despite appreciating the gesture and spending a short time together, it still wasn't exactly a celebration. Perhaps it was done by Richard more out of obligation by this point. He still wasn't certain how his brother was feeling since their blow up over Marco and the outbursts that had come out during their argument.

Despite how upset she had been since so many hurtful truths had come out, Caroline hadn't let Robert brood for whole of his birthday. Instead, she commanded him to dress up and join her for drinks at the hotel. He knew it would take more time for her to soften towards him and try to forgive him again, but her willingness to make sure he celebrated his birthday seemed to be a step in the right direction.

This evening, Robert had arranged for Alfie to come over to the house, for both business and personal reasons. There had been a development where business was concerned that he needed to make his son aware of, given the potential severity of the matter. As he waited for Alfie to arrive, he was surprised to see Caroline enter the lounge dressed ready to go out. The going out part wasn't the surpising thing as she'd already told him she was going out for dinner with a couple of friends. However, seeing how good she looked had drawn in his attention. She looked beautiful - she always did - but she often struggled to believe it coming from his mouth given his past infidelities. Tonight though, she looked especially stunning. After a joke from her about really going out to meet her secret lover, the two embraced before he reiterated for her to remain vigilant.

Alfie arrived shortly after Caroline's departure. He would have been able to freely enter the house, prompting Robert to call out to him. "Get yourself a drink then come join me in the lounge," he instructed him.

BasDorcha (Alfie)

Horizon Lounge
- Westside, Birmingham, England -

Aidan Jones​

Aidan was seated in the private room of the bar with his trusted right-hand man sat across from him. "Are you sure you remember everything that was in the proposal?" Aidan asked. Rhys nodded without hesitation, knowing exactly what he needed to do. "Of course you do. You wouldn't be here with me now if I had no faith in you," he lightly commented, despite the seriousness of the conversation. "Very well. Drive out a little before choosing a payphone. Make it clear to Walker there will never be an offer as beneficial to him as this one again. Report back immediately."

"Sure, Boss..." Rhys said he he stood to leave. The man froze on the spot as Aidan's guest was shown into the private room. He studied Mr. Russo for a short time before catching Aidan's eyes as the man prompted him to continue on his way and leave them to it alone.

"Good evening," Aidan greeted Russo as he got to his feet. There was something of a knowing smirk on his face. "What are you drinking?" he offered, rounding the minibar as he motioned to the large selection of spirits and the drinks on draught.

Once the two men had their drinks in hand, Aidan sat back in the sofa and waited for Russo to take a seat across the oval-shaped coffee table from him. "I'm looking forward to the progress we'll be making this evening. Is everything is place to knock the wind our of the Fletchers?" he enquired.

BeyondDandy (Russo)

Birmingham City Centre
- City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Felicity Walker​

Felicity knew it was childish or mean or whatever else, but she hadn't been to see her father on his birthday. Instead, she'd purposely waited until she knew he was out to visit the house to leave a card and present for Robert without having to see him. She loved her father but things were still raw and she was struggling to grasp the magitude of the secret. Not only did she have a half-sister, but Rory was a Fletcher. For most of her life Felicity had thought of that family as scum, trusting her parents and the business rivalry enough to spend her whole life looking down her nose at them. But when it came down to it, she was certain that much of the feud was deep down driven by her parents and Dorothy wishing to bury the secret deep.

It made it easier to justify her own decision to work with Sully and actually enjoy his presence. For a while it had felt like a betrayal to her family for dealing with him, but now it seemed like nothing of the sort given the circumstances. As for Tony, she was sure the man would still grate on her regardless of the truth. He was still a foul-mouthed thug in her eyes, so she was sure her opinion on the Fletcher boss wouldn't change overnight. The other siblings, she had little dealings with, so she hadn't developed an informed opinion on Penny or Sammy.

Then there was Rory. She was someone Felicity had always seen as a younger vision of Tony. A "chip off the old block", only that phrase no longer seemed relevant. Tony was a thug, just like Norman, but considering Rory wasn't even Norman's daughter, who did she get her attitude from? Felicity was seen to have inherited equal parts of Robert and Caroline; showing behaviours and attitudes reflecting both of her parents. She had to wonder how much Rory unknowingly had in common with Robert. On a selfish level, she hoped nothing. It was bad enough having spent her life competing to be seen over Charles and Alfie. The last thing she wanted was to be overlooked for the newly revealed bastard daughter.

Felicity had been seated in the coffee shop, watching people walk by as she sat at a window table. As she observed those outside, she noticed Rory from a distance as her half-sister walked closer into view. She wasn't the only one Felicity's attention was drawn to. She'd noticed a car driving suspiciously slowly a short distance from Rory. She didn't think it should bother her. Why should she care? However, after watching a little longer, she let out a groan at herself. "What am I doing?" she grumbled. After quickly finishing off her coffee, she left some cash on the table to cover the bill before grabbing her coat and rushing outside.

By that point, Rory had just walked passed the coffee shop. Felicity rushed to catch up to her. "Rory!" she called out to catch her attention before moving to stand in her path. "Does Tony have security following around around, these days?" she bluntly asked. "Because someone in that car is following you," she said, pointing to the vehicle in question to draw her attention to it. Before Rory could react, the driver put his foot down and sped off into the distance. "Evidently not," she drily answered her own question. "I don't know what that's about, but I couldn't let you keep walking around oblivious to it. Girl code, or something," she said, shrugging, trying not to pin it down to anything more than that. Nothing to do with the truth they'd recently discovered.

neverbackdown (Rory)

Active Cast: Misty Gray BasDorcha BeyondDandy neverbackdown purplecowdutch ReverseTex

 

[BasDorcha]

Chapter 9 - Set the Wheels in Motion

- Tuesday 3rd February 1976 -
Early Evening - Cold, Cloudy, Overcast

***********************​

The Tea-Terrace - Tea Shop and Bistro

- City Centre, Birmingham, England -​

Dean Walters

The air outside was cool and crisp, the sky a gloomy overcast of clouds and chilliness that gave a spooky and forlorn feel to the air. A few hours ago, Dean had called Richard and left a message on his machine asking him to come by for a drink. He neglected to tell him this was actually a working dinner and they were not just meeting up to have an enjoyable evening. A few days ago Dean had been investigating the story of Charles and Marco again. Something didn't sit right with Dean, something felt off. How was it this all happened in what was essentially broad day light, in a moderately high foot traffic area, and no one - no one - had seen a thing? In all his years as an investigator, there was always at least one witness in an area this crowded. So Dean did what the cops never did - he started talking to the people they considered 'less then credible'. It wouldn't be the first time someone high, drunk, or mentally handicapped had info that the cops discredited.

That is exactly what Dean had found as well. The alley where Charles and Marco had been was a bit odd - there was a chain length fence about halfway down the alley, the same chain length fence that Marco had been backed into by Charles if you believe his confession. There were a few dumpsters on each side of the fence, and while the side that Marco and Charles had been on was fairly empty with the exceptions of the trash receptacles, the other side was not as clean. At first Dean chalked it up to the fact that the side Marco had been on was the side facing the street, while the other faced the interior of the surrounding buildings. Looking around, Dean found an entrance into the area between all the buildings by walking to the opposite side of the block and between the two businesses there. Inside was a small group of homeless that had converted two of the half alleys into tent camps.

Looking around, he found a camp that almost bumped up right to where the fight had happened. It wasn't a perfectly clear shot to see the attack, but it wouldn't take much movement to see it all if one wanted. The box that sat there had two thin dirty blankets pushed inside, and a ratty pillow, trash was strewed around the nest. For now, it was empty. Standing, he looked around, finding a few other people sitting in their own spots. It took a few minutes to get them talking, but Dean eventually found out a guy named Rooster stayed there. No one knew where he was at the time, so Dean watched for a few days until he learned his routine. Unless his routine had changed, Rooster would have been right there in that 'house' at the time that the attack happened.

Decidedly, he hadn't approached the man yet, instead wanting to take Richard with him. Richard had a way with people, a way of understanding even the oddest people, the most complex ways of thinking, and while Dean thought about this, a look of adoring admiration crossed his face, a gentle smile and far away gaze. Richard really had no idea how much of a pedestal that Dean still had him on. And this would be the way Richard would find him - sitting back, a cup of tea in hand, eyes looking at a scene no one else could see while he grinned like a boy watching his first crush. The server showed Richard to the spot, and took his order, before leaving.



ReverseTex - Richard

 

[neverbackdown]

Birmingham City Centre
- City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Victoria "Rory" Fletcher
​

Since her conversation with Richard, Rory had been feeling a little more content in herself and her life. The situation with her father still weighed heavily on her, but Richard’s reassuring words, paired with her father’s unwavering insistence that she belonged, made the bitter pill a little easier to swallow. She was a Fletcher and nothing was going to change that, not to her family or herself.

That morning, Rory had thrown herself into her usual routine at the pub. Between checking stock and serving the same group of jobless regulars who occupied the bar stools from dawn to dusk, she found herself distracted enough to keep the more troubling thoughts at bay. She found solace in the pub and the characters that tended to frequent, finding the work both brain numbing and amusing. When John came in to relieve her for his shift, Rory hesitated, the urge to stay and lose herself in the work tugging at her. But she knew better than to use the pub as a crutch. Hiding here all day was no better than picking fights at night. With a reluctant sigh, she shrugged on her coat and stepped out into the brisk air.

Without any real plan or direction, Rory wandered toward the city center, her hands shoved deep into her pockets and her mind far removed from the bustling streets around her. She was just debating whether to duck into a pub for a drink when the sound of someone calling her name jolted her from her thoughts. She barely had time to process the voice before Felicity appeared in front of her, blocking her path. Rory arched an eyebrow, her instinctive response one of irritation. She was about to brush past her without a word when Felicity mentioned the car following her.

Rory turned quickly, her expression twisting into one of confusion as she spotted the black car speeding away in the opposite direction. “Who the fuck…” she muttered under her breath, her annoyance crackling in her tone. But the irritation wasn’t directed at the driver—it was at herself. How had she not noticed the car following her? Since when did she need someone else to point out something so obvious?

Turning back to Felicity, Rory found her annoyance melting away. Her gaze met her half-sister’s, and for the first time, she allowed a note of genuine gratitude to slip into her voice. “Thank you,” she said quietly, the sincerity of her words surprising even herself. She tried to shake off the unsettling thoughts of what could have happened, but her mind churned with questions. Who had been following her and why? A few weeks ago, she would’ve pointed the finger squarely at the Walkers without hesitation, but now? The new revelations about her heritage complicated everything and she was sure her "father" wouldn't put a hit out on her.

"I can't believe I didn't realize" she sighed a sense of defeat present in her tone. Her confidence in her ability to take care of herself had taken a hit, and it stung more than she cared to admit.

As she stood there facing Felicity, Rory couldn’t ignore the anger radiating from her half-sister. It was the same fiery, unrelenting anger that had been simmering inside Rory for weeks. And she could tell—it wasn’t aimed at her. It was directed squarely at Robert. She never wanted anything to do with the Walkers, even after finding out the truth she had no intention of getting to know her other siblings and yet Rory found herself almost rooted in the spot, the words spilling out before she had time to stop them "I'm just as angry as you are you know"


**********
Int;-
Misty Gray - Felicity

 

[BasDorcha]

McConnel Cottage

-Small Heath, Birmingham, England -​

Vinny McConnel

The house was quiet as Vinny waited for Jackie to show up for his first official day on the job. Since their meeting with Robert a few days ago, Vinny had set about making sure his responsibilities would be covered if he were distracted or busy with dealing with the mess that is Jackie. Officially, he hadn't relinquished any of his position, but he had lined up backups for specific things in case it was needed. Robert had a backup driver in case Vinny couldn't be there, as well as Vinny had handpicked his back up body guard for the family. Once he knew he had a plan B for the just in case moments, he had spent the next day or two planning what to do with Jackie.

Oh, the ideas he had. Sitting alone in his office, a wicked grin on his face that was almost more snarl then smile, he looked over the various ideas he had jotted down. One thing was for certain. Jackie was going to show up fucking knackered. He knew it, Robert knew it too - that's why boss said what he said. So, in preparation for that, Vinny had set up a few things for the druggy when he arrived. A bed had been prepared down there - at least a cot with a pillow and blanket. There was also a basement and an assortment of books, a TV, a single ground level window with bars on it, and right in the middle of the room was a tray with three white lines. Vinny had ensured he also took the time to install a 'pet' door in the bottom, so he could eventually slide in a food tray for the man.

It wouldn't be hard to get Jackie to try the 'cocaine' inside. Instead, he'd find himself fast asleep in moments. Once that was done, the real training would begin, starting with getting Jackie clean - whether he liked it or not.

Vinny looked up at the time and sighed. Jackie was late, of course. He moved in to the small living room, dark except for a fire burning in the hearth. The small house had a gothic feeling to it, a little out of place in Small Heath. It had 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a small fenced in yard, and had a cottage style design to it but in blacks and gray for color. The room was filled with comfortable, over stuffed dark leather furniture, bookshelves on the walls, a small piano in the corner, a fireplace on the south wall. The place was meticulous. Everything neatly placed in its own spot, every item in the best possible location, and nothing was out of place. The books were arranged alphabetically by author, then by title. The leather was carefully brushed and polished and oiled. The fireplace was the only allowed chaos in the place as it popped and crackled and danced in its grate.

Vinny held a two-finger glass of whiskey in his grip, swirling its amber liquid distractedly as he sat down at the window - a bay window with matching cushion to the couches and chairs - he waited for his target to show up. He tried to decide who he was really doing this for. Himself? Robert? Someone else? Could he possible care that Robert put faith in him to FIX his nephew? Surprisingly he found a very small part of him really did want to live up to Robert's expectations, despite that he generally didn't care about anyone else at all. He chalked this up to the fact that anyone would want to be proud of their work and admired for it. Jackie was a waste of space, a fuck up, if he could fix him, how much more valuable would Vinny be?

And the thing most important to Vinny? Being the best, being… indispensable.


purplecowdutch - Jackie

 

[ReverseTex]

The Tea-Terrace - Tea Shop and Bistro
- City Centre, Birmingham, England -

BasDorcha

Dr. Richard Finley

Richard’s free time was sparse, and anyone who he’d normally spend it with was either Robert or Caroline. With their marriage in a rocky patch, he didn’t feel it was right poking about family matters. Although he was family, for once, not sharing the same blood got him out of this for now. He managed to pop in for Robert’s birthday with little turmoil, which somehow felt worse. Sometimes the conflict was good for everyone. But as of late, the Walker household was devoid of all charm and love inside, which hurt him more than he let on.

So instead, he threw himself into work. Now that the Marco case was fully in the hands of the court, he was able to focus on city issues. There was a tall list of orders and projects to get started on. Repairing public services like libraries and parks, meeting with chambers to organize funds—the list went on. All the while and through all the noise, somehow, Dean Walters seemed to manage to stick his foot in the door. A simple dinner chat was harmless and a proper excuse to take a break from work. Since their chat with Robert, Richard hadn’t managed to meet with him. It was a matter of getting used to the fact that the ghost of lover’s past now lived in town once more…

Richard limped his way in the bistro, the cold February air suboptimal on his battered leg after a long day. Despite this, he caught Dean’s boyish grin from a distance. Even with age, that grin never grew old. “Shit, you beat me. I apologize; I had a meeting run long with a city centre advisor.” He apologized, taking his seat. Since it was late, he ordered a simple tea. He had to admit, it was an out-of-character location to choose. “What’s with the high tea? You never struck me as the sort of bloke.” He inquired playfully.

 

[purplecowdutch]

View attachment 1189056Jackie Walker - walker house - neverbackdown


The conversation with his uncle and Vinny went not even the slightest in how Jackie intented it should have gone. It ended with Robert putting him under Vinny´s wings, his supposed to be savior and after a degrading smile he got bonjoured out of the office. Jackie was suppose to apologize to Caroline but he refused, especially after hearing the news about Rory Fletcher. If anybody should be apologizing it should be Robert Walker, Jackie knew that man was anything but loyal.

Now he had to meet up with Vinny and though they wanted him to stop using drugs, he felt himself more inclined to take on one last banter. If he was going to give up, he would do it after this week and then no more. He promised himself some last fun and so he did, Jackie went to the pub on saturday and somehow he only had twenty minutes left before meeting Vinny. Was it Monday already?

He wasn't sure how he got to Vinny's house in the first place but he had to somehow magically be fixed by him so he was sure to be ready. Vinny's house had an aura, he never really believed in all that gypsy stuff but whenever he was around that man he felt shivers. He was a snake, two-faced and out to get him. Maybe it was the drugs talking, Jackie stumbled onto the front porch after paying a cab. That's how he got there.
He had one package of white powder in his left backpocket and kept it for emergency, it was definitely an emergency standing here. He took two small bumps, rubbing his nose drastically as if Vinny wasn't going to notice. The guy was like a sniffer dog.

After their encounter at Robert they had not talked at all, he wasn't sure how it was going to go but he found himself to be the bigger person for showing up at all. He gave three knocks on the door, three more when Vinny wasn't opening up fast enough. Once he did, there was immediate tension in the air and Jackie wasn't even going to try to solve it. He gave him a sarcastic smile, forcing himself subtly by Vinny and walking into what some would call a house. Jackie would call it a dungeon, he had been here before but he wasn't sure if he could recall when. Maybe the night when him and Scott went out for drinks but he didn't remember Vinny's house looking this grim. 'Jesus, ever heard of decoration?' Jackie joked as he looked around the place before turning to Vinny McConnel life in person. No Robert to look over everything he did. Jackie was obviously too knackered to do anything today but the snow was helping him through his nauseau, for now. He sat down on the dark leather furniture - interesting choice - and checked out the fireplace. Immediately his thoughts went to how much money Vinny must be making, the glass of whiskey still in his hands. The guy couldn't look more like an asshole if he tried.

'What's the plan? Who are we shooting today?' He bluntly blurted out, looking his rival in the eye. 'That's our job, since our dear friend Robert never pulls any fucking trigger except his you know what, right mate?' Jackie added with a big grin. This was going to be terrible.

 

[BasDorcha]

The Walker Residence

- Birmingham City Centre, Birmingham, England -​

Alfred Walker

Alfie picked up the package he had for his father. Things had been tense lately and Alfie was doing his best to avoid getting in the middle of it while still being a supportive son and brother. It wasn't easy. For his dad's birthday, he had special ordered a 30 year old bottle of Glenturret Scotch Whiskey that had just arrived that morning. As he carried it up the stairs to the house, he wondered if his mom would be home. He hadn't seen her much lately and he made a mental note to find time to spend with her soon, maybe take her out for lunch one day. As he entered the house, the smell of home flooded him and for a moment he just stood there, breathing in the nostalgia.

When his dad called out for him to get a drink and join him in the lounge, he grinned knowing exactly what drink he was going to bring. As he made his way to the bar, he grabbed a glass knowing his father surely already had one, and headed in the direction of the voice. When he entered, he looked up at his father and gave him a welcoming smile. "Hey Dad, happy late birthday old man. Sorry, it just arrived today." He handed him the box and sat down in a chair across from him, setting the empty glass down patiently.

His father looked worn today. For outsiders, they probably wouldn't notice, but Alfie did. It was the slightest shift in how he held himself, the shadow chased right beneath his eyes, the one piece of hair that was out of place. He wished he could make things easier for his family but that wasn't the life they lived in. Their world was not an easy one, and never had been, and his father made the choice to live that life. As he waited for his dad to open it, he relaxed and crossed his feet at the ankles, looking around.

"You doing okay? You can fool the outside world, you know, but I've known you my whole life Dad, I know when you're not feeling one hundred percent. I know I'm still a kid to you, but you know I will help if I can." He gave his dad a steady look, showing he wasn't going to get embarrassed or act immature on the matter. For once, while Alfie still had his boyish looks to him, there seemed to be an air of maturity that wasn't there before. Slowly, somethings were starting to change.

Misty Gray - Robert

 

[Misty Gray]

Birmingham City Centre
- City Centre, Birmingham, England -

Felicity Walker​

Felicity adopted a stoic expression when Rory thanked her. Still, she nodded in acknowledgement, realising she appreciated the gratitude more than she would have if her half-sister had being cold towards her. Having been grabbed and held at gunpoint during the gala attack, Felicity didn't want anyone to go through anything remotely similar as a result of their families businesses. Whoever was following Rory could be the same people, or worse.

"You can't have eyes in the back of your head, even if it's feeling more and more like we should have exactly that lately," she reasoned. Felicity folded her arms and glanced to the ground. Like herself, Rory was someone who she believed often put up walls and maintained tough exterior. However, right now, Rory seemed to be lacking that fire and seemed somewhat subdued. Surely the pair of them should have already traded cutting words or stares with each other by this point. Of course, they both shared in common the shock of the affair between Robert and Dorothy, along with learning the consequence of their shared father's actions.

When Rory spoke up to say she was just as angry as her, Felicity shook her head. "I would disagree," she replied, her features softening. "What I mean is... I'm angry with my father, for keeping this secret from us all and for hurting my mother. I feel things could have been very different between our families in all of these years without that huge secret... But, I would expect your anger is greater. You just found out your father isn't who you thought he was. I still have the same parents I always had. As upset as I am with him, I can't imagine being told he's not my father."

neverbackdown (Rory)

 

[BasDorcha]

The Tea-Terrace - Tea Shop and Bistro

- City Centre, Birmingham, England -​

Dean Walters

As Richard's voice filled his daydream, Dean snapped back to reality, instantly standing to his feet and setting the cup down, as if he was going to move around and pull out the chair for him. Instead, he just waited for him to sit, noticing the limp as a flash of worry crossed his face before fading away back to his smile, sitting back down and reclining in the chair. "Don't worry about it, I was already in the area, so I wasn’t really far away. Sorry to hear they've got you running around so much. We could always sneak away and take a few days' vacation, pretend you're sick or something." His grin was teasing and even flirtatious, his eyes crinkling at the edges. As Rich called attention to his tea, he pretended to look offended. "I'll have you know, I'm plenty refined. I drink tea plenty, any time I don't need alcohol deluding my senses. The rest of the time, well." He shrugged playfully.

The server brought Richard his drink as Dean sat up, leaning on the table. "How are things going? How is it being Mr. Big and Important? I don't think I could handle having to pander to all those people and shake their hands while pretending to like them. I hate to say it, but my face," He waved a finger in a circle in front of his face, indicating his expression, "Always says what I'm really thinking. It's a curse. If you're a prat, my face is gonna say it." He laughed, his toothy expression focused solely on the man across from him. He fully intended on working today, but that didn't mean that he couldn't enjoy this impromptu date with the other person who had stolen his heart. Dean knew that Richard would not be able to easily accept his life, it would take time, but he could be patient, it was the least he could do to make up for things. Eventually they would find a way forward.

Around his neck hung a simple locket that glittered in the light and absently he played with it, spinning it around his finger with a twist, untwisting, twisting again. "Thank you for coming. I want…" He took a deep breath, trying to remember what his wife said about facing down his inability to really speak from an emotional place, always brushing it off with jokes and laughter but never saying what he really wanted to say. "I want to spend more time together, awkwardness and all. I… I want us to find a balance again, whatever that might be." Flushing, he sat back, finally unable to keep his nature at bay as his joker side flashed back into appearance. "Even if that balance is having tea at frilly tea shops."

ReverseTex - Richard

 

[BeyondDandy]

Horizon Lounge
- West, Birmingham, England -

JON RUSSO
​

Russo slipped into the comfortable leather chair across from Aidan, his manner serene yet authoritative. He paused to scrutinize the man in front of him, swirling the bourbon in his glass as if measuring his words with the same care. The slight murmur of chatter outside the private room served as a backdrop to the tense silence between them.

"Everything is more than in place," Russo said, his voice low and deliberate, like a steady working of gears. "I sent one of my men to take care of Mr. Fletcher personally. Not some random man, but a professional- the very best. When it’s all settled, The Fletchers will not only feel the loss of their leader, but also the weight of suspicion. Walkers will be the obvious suspect, and before long, the two will be at each other’s throats. Blood has been spilled, faith has been shattered, and we will continue to pull the strings, just as I said we would.”

He leaned slightly forward, his piercing eyes fixed on Aidan's. "That’s the beauty of it. Let them weaken each other. Allow them to burn bridges and exhaust their resources while we sit back in these chairs and enjoy a drink together. By the time they know what's going on, it will be too late to stop us. And this partnership? Well, it’ll thrive in the chaos of it all."

Russo paused and took a lengthy sip of his bourbon, savoring the flavor as if it mirrored the pleasure of his precise planning. He set the glass down and smiled faintly. "I have to thank you for getting my product into the prison. This has shown to be highly profitable. You'd be surprised how much a man will spend when he has nowhere else to go. Fear and desperation are the best salesmen."

He shifted back in his chair, his look becoming more serious, as the air between them thickened. "But let’s not ahead of ourselves. Look, you are a man of ambition, and I like that and all. You see the possibilities here, just as I do. The city, its power, and underbelly are all within grasp. But I have to ask you: What do I get in return if I offer you the keys to this city, burn down your rivals, and carve out this empire?"

Russo paused for a time, intently observing Aidan. His tone was measured but forceful, posing a challenge while being respectful. "I'm not here for scraps or empty promises, kid. I've worked too long and too fucking hard to allow anyone cheat me now. What's my cut? What’s my reward for building this foundation with you? Make no mistake: I’m not just a pawn in this game, I know how to play. Im either a partner or I’m nothing."

Russo leaned back again, crossing one knee over the other with his hand still loosely holding his drink. "I'll confess, I admire your ambition. But what’s ambition without clarity? This is how empires crumble. So, Aidan, once everything is over and the dust has settled, what's in it for me?

Misty Gray

 

[Misty Gray]

The Walker Residence
- Edgbaston, Birmingham, England -

Robert Walker​

"Thank you Alfie," Robert said as his son gave his belated birthday wishes. He patted the top of Alfie's arm as a sign of gratitude as he handed him the present. Usually a stickler for things being done on time, Robert didn't think anything of the gift being late. Given all that had been brought to light recently, he doubted he deserved the gesture at all. His line of work had for many years dictated that he had to be cold and ruthless, or in some ways "lacking a moral compass". However, the fact his darkness was directly affecting his loved ones was an outcome he wasn't proud of.

Having unboxed the gift, Robert smiled at the sight of the specially procured whiskey. "Wonderful, Son. That's a fine choice. Thank you," he told him, carefully setting the bottle and box on the coffee table between them. He would certainly savour that for a time when he could fully enjoy it. Besides, he already had a drink of his own at present, even if not one of the finer whiskeys as the gift was.

When his son asked if he was doing okay, Robert looked back at him. The younger man went on to point out it was clear to see he wasn't faring well at present and that he would help. Robert couldn't help but cling on to the words about Alfie knowing him his whole life. He took a small sip of his drink and set it down on the table. "That's not quite true," he lightly pointed out. "I didn't meet you until you were three years old. When I was in Cairo, in the middle of the damned war, I got the call from your grandmother to give me the good news about your birth. It was the best news I could have had - to know you were born healthy and your mother was doing well. But it came with a sorrow too. I'd already survived months being tortured in that cell, where I should have died. So by the time I received news of your birth, I was convinced I would never make it back home. I had doubts that I'd ever meet you, nor see your mother and Charles again." Robert remained sat back in his seat, smoothing out the sleeves of his sweater. "I felt robbed of those three years with my family, but I was beyond ecstatic when the war ended and I finally returned home to you all."

Robert stretched his arm to reach for his glass, which he held in his hand but didn't rush to drink from it. "And then, I expressed my gratitude by betraying your mother and breaking her heart. As a result of that, I put myself in a position where I had a child who I would not be able to raise. This time, I would have to live with the knowledge I would never be able to know her, but still had to witness her grow up from a firm distance." Robert shook his head. "You can't help me with what has me down-spirited, Alfie. I should have helped myself long ago on that front. I'm simply grateful you and Caroline are still willing to look me in the eyes," he admitted.

"If I haven't made myself clear, I appreciate the way you've stepped up in the business since Charles was killed," he explained, his choice of words likely standing out, given the word "murdered" wasn't used as it usually was. "Things are going to get worse before they get better," he informed him.

BasDorcha (Alfie)

 

[BasDorcha]

McConnel Cottage

-Small Heath, Birmingham, England -​

Vinny McConnel

The clock ticked on as Vinny waited patiently for Jackie to arrive. He knew the man was going to show up late, already messed up, and in his normal cocky stance. He also knew exactly how to handle him - at least long enough to get him exactly where he wanted him. When the knocks finally came, Vinny sighed, waiting for the man to let himself in. The first series of knocks took less than ten seconds to be followed by a second set. This told Vinny just how antsy the man was. It was confirmed when Vinny barely made it to the door before it was pushed open. It was exactly as Vinny had predicted. He stood back quietly, watching Jackie make himself comfortable in the space that completely rejected him. Smiling loosely, he followed Jackie, pretending to be as laid back as Jackie had hoped he would be. It would be hard to find proof he didn't mean ever drop of the overly relaxed and aloof nature.

"Different people have different taste, Jackie. Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Vinny grinned, the thought of what was coming helping make it seem more real. As Jackie babbled on about how Robert only ever pulled his own trigger and Vinny had to physically stop himself from flinching. The crudeness and uneducated way the man spoke was like driving nails down his spine, and he hated it. He wanted to hit the man just to shut him up. Instead he gritted his teeth, breathing deep as he focused on completing his mission sooner rather than later. The faster he got this over with, the better.

He never bothered to sit, just watching Jackie as he dissed on his uncle like Vinny wasn't his most loyal man. All Vinny could think was how stupid the lump of waste was in front of him. Swirling his alcohol in his glass, he nodded his head towards the interior of the house. "Common, I'll show you what I set up for you." He grinned, a challenging look in his eye as he led Jackie down towards the basement. The stairs gave way to a short hallway, with a door at the end. Right now the door was slightly opened with music coming from a radio. As they headed in, Vinny took of his jacket, leaving himself looking the most relaxed he had ever looked as he sat down by the tray. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, and tossed the jacket over the back of the seat.

"One last hoorah before we start, what do you say?" Vinny picked up a note and started to roll it up, handing it to Jackie. He hoped, no prayed that the man was dumb enough to trust him and take one of the lines straight to the head. If he tested one of the smaller lined, they would taste like his favorite drug, but the fattest one was powdered sleeping pills - it would knock him out in minutes. Not to fast mind you. Jackie would fade just fast enough to leave some time for Vinny to 'talk' to him.

(Feel free to decline this for now ^.^ We can go a post or two before we have Jackie give in if you want)

purplecowdutch - Jackie