Faction What Remains | The Family

[Iliana Röhr]

W H A T⠀ R E M A I N S
A Story of Reunion & Reckoning
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I L I A N A⠀R Ö H R
Castello Matrisca, Epica
Early Evening, Sunny & Clear

Ily's fingers trailed along the coarse stone walls of Castello Matrisca, it had been a some time since it had hosted the Kosa Nostra, and even longer since they had bought & inspected the estate- yet that was to change this very evening. Discrete invitations had been sent out, unreachable made-members tracked down and others reached by whispers & rumors. Tonight, The Family would reunite once again to discuss the future, the past and to reminisce upon the 'good old days.'

"Ily?" a rough voice called out from behind her- it was Stephen, Iliana's father & senior enforcer of The Family, his voice almost startling her as she span around to see if it was him. Some time had passed since the two last saw one another when The Family went dark. "How- uh.. How are you?!" Ily' questioned, recalling that the two hadn't departed on good terms over her friendship with Ragos Terrek . "Fine... Fine..." he retorted in his typical gruff manner. "It's been some time, I needed to see you..." he continued.

"Where have you been this whole time?" Iliana calmly interjected, almost frustrated that she hadn't received any word from him the whole time. "Mm..." he grumbled, shooting Ily' a look that dissuaded her from trying to ask any follow up questions. "I heard you've moved to Rothana? Or was it Denon?" he asked- rhetorically, of course. "and that you've been looking after yourself?"

She raised an eyebrow at her father and scoffed, "If I don't get to ask you about your life, then you don't get to ask me about mine," she retorted with a familiar smirk that often accompanied their conversations. "Now..." she turned to business. "Where are we at?" Stephen huffed before he began: "Twenty two soldiers have returned so far, they're helping the locals you hired to make this place look..." he tore down a cobweb from above his head, "more presentable."

Ily' let out a heavy sigh, turning her head gently, "has there been word from any of our guests?" asked the former consigliere, curious to see if anyone had answered her invitation yet. Stephen paused for a moment, "Ah- not yet," he stopped, showing a moment of hesitation, "What is it?" Ily' immediately caught on, "there's been an issue with the generators- it's been... picked clean in our absence."

"... I see," Ily' paused in frustration, "have the others light the braziers in the courtyard," she pointed, highlighting the overgrown pergola as the perfect meeting spot, "and have them move the tables into one big one..." requested Iliana, holding a finger up to her mouth: "I'll leave security to you- keep them nearby but out of sight. If I recall correctly we didn't depart on good terms with House Borgias..."

"Yes. Ma'am," her father responded in a mocking tone, "Thank you..." retorted Ily' gently as he stormed off to his tasks. Her eyes now darting around the courtyard as she took a seat, offering piercing gazes & 'suggestions' to the busy staff, taking a break only to think of who would answer her invitation...

Tags: Open to The Family!

 

[Kardek Alpha]

The Harbinger's engines hummed smoothly, a slight rattle shifting his seat as they entered atmosphere. Kardek sat in the copilot chair of the cockpit, dressed in a black sweater and pea coat with his boots crossed and resting on the control panel in front of him. He was rather quiet today, many thoughts swirling through his head which he kept to himself. He knew this day would come, and to be honest he didn't know what to make of it. He had received the invitation a couple of days ago and knew immediately that he would attend, but his stomach still found itself in knots. He might just be overthinking things, but he would be ready for whatever awaited him down at the forgotten Castello Matrisca.

He had done what he did best when the Family had broken contact with him; looked out for himself. The Family had helped to propel him forward and out of a rather dark hole he had been seemingly content to remain in, he would always be grateful for that. But nothing lasts forever. He did hope that some of his closer friends had survived. Due to the nature of his entanglements, he had been unable to reach out and attempt contact without risking being uncovered, and so time went by with many unanswered questions. Kardek had thrived in his own right, building off the foundations that had been laid for him, and his connections had multiplied throughout Coruscant. He scratched his chin thoughtfully as the Estate came into view more prominently amidst the sweeping country landscape. From most perspectives he was sure that he would be viewed as loyal. But if surveyed in a specific light, there was the possibility that some might feel betrayed. Surely they would understand, but if not...

He tapped the hilts of his two blasters absently. He was going in with both eyes open, so to speak.

Alpha, his IG-88 Assassin droid, piloted the Harbinger down and began landing protocol, preparing to set the ship down on a landing pad that looked a little unkept.

"Aaaaaaare you loooooking forward to seeeeing your friends?"

Kardek stood to his feet and pulled his jacket firmly against his neck.

"I think so." He said. Alpha glanced over at the gunslinger.

"Dooooo you think that Marcella Fiora will be there?"

Kardek shrugged, "You know we didn't leave things on the best of terms, right?"

Alpha made a sighing noise, slumping his shoulders.

"Whaaaaat about Mairéad Solus ?" He said, perking back up with something resembling hope.

"Possibly. Hopefully she doesn't freeze me on the spot."

Alpha slumped again.

" Samuel Exel ? Heeee haaaad the b-best stooories."

Kardek tapped the top of his seat as the ship touched down.

"Lets go, Alpha." He said turning and leaving the cockpit.

The exit ramp lowered, and Kardek and Alpha walked down onto the landing pad.

"Whaaaat about Staaaardust?"

Kardek sighed, shaking his head in irritation.

"Are you going to name every single person you can think of? Hush."

Kardek wouldn't admit it, but he did feel a tension within him, and with every step it grew stronger. There was the burning curiosity that pricked at the back of his mind about possible fates of so many people that he would have at various points considered friends. But sometimes it was best to remain ignorant, to believe that everyone was alive and well. If Kardek knew one thing, it was that the galaxy wasn't fair.