The oldest living gangster in Krymehaven reached the podium and smiled as they applauded. After a few moments, he raised his hand and the room fell silent. “Thank you all for such a...warm welcome.” He said in a light Russian accent. His voice carried across the room, even without the assistance of the microphone. He spoke with authority, power, and just an underlying touch of condescension. “It is truly humbling to lead you all in such a worthwhile task as ours.To be the spearhead, if you would.” He paused with a wry smile as the room filled with soft laughter. “But while we celebrate the many achievements and headway made in the past year, we can not forget the true intent of the evening.” He continued, with a raised finger.

The Lion spilled charisma, and had the entire building hanging on his every word. “It is our responsibility, our duty, that we supply the Foundation with the monetary backing, political power and any and all resources they need this coming year to continue in bringing us all one step closer to a greater future. The next step, for humanity!” He finished, as a man handed him a glass. “A toast!” He shouted, raising his glass. “To the Spearhead Foundation!”

“The Spearhead Foundation!” The room echoed.

What the fuck is the Spearhead Foundation? Jim asked, putting down his still filled glass, too uncomfortable to actually take a drink.

I’ll google it later.

“What the HELL are they talking about, Eddy?” Daisy said in her attempt at a hushed tone, squinting confusedly towards the stage. “Some EVIL corporate alliance bent on DESTROYING the rainforest?”

“No idea.” Eddy said, as the butlers arrived with our meals. “But it’s been around forever.” he said, cutting into a steak. “Remember it being a big deal when my Dad got in.”

“And this doesn’t interest you...in the slightest?” Blitz asked, the whole table staring at Eddy’s indifference with equal parts surprise and curiosity.

“It’s your average rich people stuff.” Eddy shrugged. “I always just assumed it was some sorta charity or something.”

“Guess that’s fair.” Blitz shrugged, interest as gone as easy as that.

“EVIL charity.” Daisy ended with, while stabbing into a baked potato.

They are all so stupid.

You’re just jealous cuz they don’t get depressed as often as you. Jim grinned, cracking into a crab dish.

Shut up. 

-I snarl.

“Ah, and there is the other Safi!” Came a confident voice that brought back that cold feeling deep in the pit of our stomachs. We slowly half turned to see the Lion grinning down at our table with two giants standing on either side of him, with similar suits and those same light blue ties. The colors of the Pride. “How are you tonight, young man? And where is your mother and sister? I have not seen them this evening?”

That’s the Lion!

I see that...

He’s standing three feet from us!

Yeah no shite...

We’re fucken' dead!

Yup...

“I’m about the same as always, Mr. Gustav.” Eddy said, standing to shake the Lions hand, his men tensing at the sudden motion. “But Aleia is feeling a little under the weather so she stayed home with one of the nanis tonight.”

“And your mother?” the Lion asked again, shaking Eddy’s hand, amused at his men’s protectiveness.

“I couldn’t tell you, sir.” Eddy smiled.

The Lion laughed. “Fair enough, fair enough.” He looked over the table, smile never leaving his lips. “Please! Introduce me to your young friends!”

Don’t you fucken' dare.

“This is my girlfriend, Daisy, and my friends Blitz and James.” Eddy said, gesturing to each of them in turn.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Jim said, raising to shake the man’s hand, our palms and neck sweating like crazy.

“Likewise young man, ladies.” He said, reaching for the hand, but when he grabbed hold of it, he twisted it to look at the ink on our fingers. “Other hand son.” He said, cooly before looking in our eyes, smiling with his teeth. “If you’d please.”

There’s worse ways to die, anyway. Jim gulped, raising his other hand.

This is literally the worst way to die. 

-I shake.

It could be the Wolf.

...Fair.

After lining our hands up for him, the Lion smiled at the tattoo. “TELL NO TALES. What fascinating company you keep, son.” The Lion purred, still looking us dead in the eyes. “Two shattered deadmen and what looks to be a pagan. Interesting choices”

Jim smiled his “get-to-know-you” smile that just made everyone want to trust us. One of the many defensive mechanisms we built over the years, “You’ve got good eyes, sir.” Jim said, sliding his recently free hand into his pocket, which was now being watched by both thugs. “Eddy and us,” He gestured with a thumb to him and Blitz “Tight since way back. He got us here for uh...moral support. Easier to cut loose with us ‘round, anyway.”

“Yes, trust only those who are grown in the mud, who have seen this world from the other side of the iron gates. You have a precious kind of wisdom, young Mohammed..” He nodded. “You seem to understand that trust is forged in blood.”

Really now? 

Back of his neck. Russian military tattoos.

Stance’s military too. Jim noted, while keeping up our facade to the man, hiding the sick twisting feeling deep in our gut. Ready to strike at any second.

Not wasting any time, Jim jumped back into the den with our newfound information. “That's a familiar viewpoint, Mr. Gustav. Blitz and me, our guardian was former military and you sound just like him. Were you a soldier?” All we had to do to stay safe was to keep him talking long enough to push the attention off of us. Just like before, when we still had to hide.

“Very astute. Yes, before coming to Krymehaven, I spent many-” He held his tongue and stared straight into Jim's eyes “Ah...surprise after surprise, young man.”

Ah shite.

“Huh?” Jim asks nervously, momentum gone.

“What you are doing there. Very clever. But your eyes,” He said, tapping the corner of his, “Are like a tail between your legs.” He grinned at us. “ I’d guess the beatings made you feel weak.”

“Good thing you aren’t guessen.” Jim snapped, starring the Lion dead in the eyes.

Jim... 

“What I am guessing is that you are more clever than you appear to be. There I was, about to bleed my heart to you. All you had to do was seem interested. I wonder if this is what your eyes gave you. No. This is from the beatings. This is from the mud.”

But Jim, as always, ignored me, and continued to stare a unspoken threat into the soul of a man that survived three turf wars in the most violent city in the world. A man who made his living killing our kind before breakfast.

We are fucken' dead.

-I mumbled, trying to come to terms with my upcoming demise.

But after a painful handful of seconds the Lion smiled, delighted. “You seem to think you have a fire in you deadman, no?” the smile was gone, and with a low growl, he issued the challenge. “Then show me what you can burn.”

I think he....he likes us? Jim whispered, wide eyed.

I can’t fucken' believe it.

-I said, about ready to fall to my knees and cry.

The Lion, again all smiles, adjusted his jacket. He was looking past us now, at the entire ballroom, and the rich that partied within, emotionless and calculating. “James, was it? Thank you for keeping a very old man entertained this evening. Ah, but a word of advice before I leave your company.” He turned to us with a kindly and wise face. “If you are going to spend time with these...” He scanned the room again, only barely hiding his disgust. “Scumbags, wear something that hides the tattoos. And the scars.” He smiled, snapping the collar of his long suit coat. “Deadmen like you have to dig up. Puff out your chest and make something of yourself, or rot. Enjoy your evening.”

When he was finally out of eyesight and everyone had a chance to breath, Blitz wrapped her arms around Jim from behind, and give him a kiss. “You were awesome, Jimmy! That was sooo badass!!”

“What the fuck just happened?” Eddy giving a heavy and relieved sigh.

“Just the most terrifying moment of my life.” Jim mumbled.

You ain’t kidden'...

Daisy laughed. “I was SOOO ready to go, there.”

“Please don’t pick fights with the Kings, Daisy.” Jim asked, halfhearted.

“Sorry, Jim, I’m a free spirit. No promises.”

“Fuckin hippies.” Jim grumbled as Blitz giggled, hanging onto his shoulder possessively.

“You did great, Jimmy. That looked painful.” Blitz whispered affectionately.

“Didn’t feel a thing.” Jim smiled, as she giggled in response.

What the fuck even is this evenen'...

Look on the bright side, anyway. Jim chuckled, downing his glass of champagne. We survived the most it can throw at us. Then he rapped twice on the wooden table, and kissed Blitz.