Malkavian Madness Network
Classical World of Darkness => Vampire the Masquerade => Giovanni Chronicles => Topic started by: Kapten on March 07, 2022, 12:34:44 PM
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Scene Two - The Church
I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes, teaches, and proclaims to be revealed by God.
- Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, 491
https://live.staticflickr.com/8484/8272167673_3c5ea98bfc_6k.jpg
St. Leonard's was the first Italian Catholic Church established in New England, in the year 1873; the current building dating to 1891. To those who were familiar with the church during the daytime, St Leonard's had a majestic look. The gray stonework was made less cold by clinging ivy and fine rich statuary, and the stained-glass windows, depicting the stages of the Crucifixion, would bathe a visitor in a surreal red-blue light as would stop at the front to cross herself. The statue of Christ behind the altar was well carved and kept in good repair; it was lifelike enough to command reverence, but not so graphic as to frighten children.
Now, as the sun had set and night had come, this had all changed. The stonework outside dwarfed the visitors. The front doors looked impassive, as if God had become inaccessible until morning. The ivy seemed to slither along the walls in a wavelike motion from the foundation, as though something living was reaching out for the ground and grabbing hold of the church.
The inside of St. Leonards was worse. The statue of Christ was lit from the bottom, giving it a sallow, charnel look. Instead of having an expression of suffering on His face, Jesus overlooked the pews madly, almost hungrily. His wounds looked freshly painted and slick. The confession booths stood open, but appeared dark, the inside dimensions too dark to make out.
Aside from Isabella, Leonard, Moses and Serafina, there were three other people in the church. Just inside the doors was Hank, all smiles. "Welcome. Thank you for coming. Go take a seat in the front row; Andreas will be with you shortly."
Further up, by the altar, was the pastor. The pastor was not the priest any daytime parishioner would remember, but a dingy-looking Mediterranean man in priest's garb. His face was unshaven, his hair wild and flowing, and he kept biting his fingers nervously whilst arranging himself for Mass.
Finally, seated in the second row of pews, was a gentleman of about 50, his hair silvery, his mustache white. The man wore an expensive black suit and his features hinted at an Italian ancestry. The way he carried himself - the studied nonchalance and quiet menace - made an unbidden thought come to mind: wise guy.
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Serafina arrived at the church early. Not too early to be obvious, but she had been pacing all evening so when it became late enough that her arrival would not seem overly eager, she left home.
Outside the church, she looked up at the structure. She had been there almost every Sunday for her entire life and more than a few time outside of that, but never this late. The place sent a shiver up her spine as she noticed how it loomed over her, strangely though the sensation was not at all uncomfortable to her. On the contrary.
She perked up a little bit and steadily walked up the stairs to the church, closed her hand on the door knob. She expected to struggle with the door, but even though it was heavy she managed to open it without much effort and stepped inside. Looking around she did not recognize the old man at the back and ignored him as she walked up to the front of the church and knelt down in front of the statu and bent down to kiss the foot of Christ.
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Not the best of first rolls
Serafina rolls 3 dice to Wits + Area Knowledge (Diff 7) 1,4,6 (BOTCH x 1)
https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684094
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Going to church always sent Leonard down the miserable paths of memory to his childhood. The heavy-handed discipline of the nuns, the overly-affectionate touches of some Fathers. Boredom, routine, endless carping on about what a horrible sinner he was in his natural depravity and the soul-searing shame of confession. He stopped going as soon as his mother got spotty enough to stop making him, but all it took was crossing over into the narthex to put Leonard back in the place of the scared 13-year-old boy he'd been when last attending Mass.
Yet the rituals all came back to him. He put his hand in the font of holy water and made the sign of the Cross over himself before entering. Again the same gesture, coupled with a kneel, as he stepped to the second row of pews. As he sat and lowered his head, his mind was filled with the dry, rasping voice of old women who had terrorized him as a child.
"Mass is the re-presentation of Calvary. Mass is not a party! Socializing should be conducted outside the church building. Silence is Golden in the House of the Lord" Leonard kept silent and still. Focus on the priest (who is in the place of Christ) during Mass, not on your neighbor. No time is more advantageous to you for gaining graces. He took out the rosary beads from his pocket and started to pray on them. Or at least, look like he was praying on them.
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Church. What a pile of crap. Whatever. Andreas wanted them there, and what he wanted, he'd get. The Family would make sure of that. She'd gone as a kid but stopped as soon as she moved out of her parents' home. The sermons didn't really jive with her whole "liking women" thing, and the preachers were always annoying, creepy men. She swore she'd seen a few leering at the altar boys a few times, but she couldn't prove anything.
So now she was back. Fuck. And that was weird. The priest was a lunatic - not something you'd see every day. And she was pretty sure she'd seen that older guy somewhere. She was sure it'd come to her soon. This was definitely working up to being the creepiest Mass she'd ever attended, and it hadn't even started yet.
https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684119
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From the bench across the street, Moses observed two women and a man (was that Leonard?) enter the church. He didn't recognize either of the ladies and was curious what the angle of Andreas' offer was if it involved them. He hoped, a little more for their sake than his own, that they weren't the subject of this business. Moses had no qualms about moving booze, opium, rare antiquities, or any of the "banned in Boston" entertainments, but he'd steered clear of human trafficking...
"Anyway, its about time." Moses casually made his way across the street and entered St. Leonard's. This wasn't the church he was accustomed to attending for family functions, but he knew enough to not embarrass himself. The place had a different feel than he was used to in a church, more steeped in ritual than his past experience. It almost demanded awe, or at least quiet respect.
He nods at Hank after crossing himself with the holy water at the font "Evening." before making his way to the front. Passing the older man near the front, he swore he recognized him, but from where?
http://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684126 5,8,2,9,5 [2 successes]
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To Serafina the older gentleman, when she spared him a brief thought, made her think of the nice barber on the corner of Moon and Lewis Street. Upon kneeling in front of Christ, she felt as if His ravenous eyes were boring into her.
Isabella, Moses and Leonard all recognized the older man. Stephano Giovanni. His face had been in the papers lately, described as a "local businessman and reputed mobster." Isabella knew Stephano was a relative from a different branch of the family, and something of a rough customer. Leonard and Moses knew Stephano was a made man and a caporegime - which roughly put him in sergeant's position, running his own crew.
Slowly, more people started trickling in, populating the pews sparsely. These late arrivals seemed haggard and worn - unkempt, dirty and probably homeless in some cases.
Leonard felt a strong, firm hand on his shoulder as Stephano loomed over him, seemingly caring nothing for propriety. With a smile that was probably meant to set him at ease, but looked more like a leer, the man spoke in a low baritone. "You're in the front row, friend. Let's go. Things are about to start."
Leonard, Wits + Streetwise, difficulty 7, 2 successes (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684164)
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Organ music suddenly filled the church, and three men entered from somewhere behind the front pew and walked down the center aisle. The first two wear black suits and carry a large, leather-bound book and a crucifix on a pike, respectively. The third was the addled priest the invited saw earlier. Behind the invited, the sound of the late comers getting to their feet could be heard. Stopping at the pulpit, the priest performed the Sign of the Cross with his left hand. The rest of the congregation repeated the motion, signing themselves with their left hand.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Amen."
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” The priest lead with the greeting, in Italian.
"And with your spirit."
The priest grabbed onto the pulpit with a white-knuckled grip. "Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries." The priest paused briefly for silence. The Priest then said: "Have mercy on us, O Lord."
"For we have sinned against you."
"Show us, O Lord, your mercy."
"And grant us your salvation."
"May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."
"Amen."
The ceremony was familiar, and yet, wrong. The scarecrow priest, using of the left hand when crossing themselves, the use of Italian instead of Latin... To those of the Catholic faith, no matter how lapsed, the differences stood out. The haggard congregation took their seats as the priest reluctantly released the pulpit. Footfalls echoed over the floor as a pair of well-heeled shoes walked down the aisle. The man who walked up to the pulpit next was young, well-dressed, attractive man in his mid-20s. He was a slender, olive-skinned Italian with a thin van dyke beard and a cherubic smirk on his face. This was Andreas Giovanni.
Looking out over the congregation, Andreas gave the first reading in English, his soft voice echoing throughout St Leonard's. “A reading from Psalms, Chapter 5. ‘For thou art not a God who welcomes wickedness; evil can be no guest of thine. There is not place for arrogance before thee; thou hatest evildoers, thou makest an end of all liars. The Lord detests traitors and men of blood.’” Andreas delivered the quote with a quiet reverence. The next thing he said, however, was so spiteful and bitter that the invited unthinkingly flinched: “This is the word of the Lord.” The proper response was “Thanks be to God,” and Catholic characters probably answer this way. However, the rest of the church was silent.
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Stephano replaced Andreas for the second reading. The older man's manner was less quiet reverence and more barely contained fervor. His baritone voice was quiet, but strained, as though he might scream at any moment. “A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?... Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies... As it is written: For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more conquerors through Him who loved us.” His concluding statement, “This is the word of God,” was delivered in a dreadful whisper, and this time, the congregation answered him: “Thanks be to God.”
The priest took the pulpit once more to perform the Gospel reading. “A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. ‘So Jesus said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.’” At this, the priest lifted the Gospel up and hurled it backward over his head, the Holy Writ hitting the cold floor with a dull thump. "Please stand for the Profession of Faith."
The ragged congregation got to their feet. They spoke in Italian, but the Profession was very different from what a Catholic would recognize. “Don’t ask for something you aren’t prepared to take.”* The Profession was an old Sicilian proverb, clear to all but Serafina. If she wasn't mistaken, it was the state motto of Massachusetts.
The Mass continued as the congregation resumed their seats. The homily the priest gave, still in Italian, referred back to the readings. “Define your terms,” he said. “If God is for us, who can be against us? Who, then, is God? This being that detests men of blood?” At this, the priest bit his own index finger, gnashing his teeth until he drew blood, then began to fling blood into the audience. The invitees, seated as they were in the front pew, had little chance to avoid the blood splashing their pristine clothes. “We are all men of blood! [FLICK] All men, all are of blood! [FLICK] But some are weak! [FLICK]Some die, [FLICK]some die when born, [FLICK]some die in poverty, [FLICK]some take their own lives. [FLICK]I say to you that these are ‘men of blood’ that God detests, not those who are strong enough to take the blood they need.
The priest stopped gesticulating, the blood dripping from his index finger onto the marbled floor in a steady tap-tap-tap. “But consider also the reading from Matthew. If all these evils come from the heart, and the heart directs blood, it is easy to see why God might detest such men. But isn’t it those who can lie, cheat, steal, and kill who survive? So what does God want? He simply wants homage! He sent his one begotten Son to us, knowing that we would kill Him! But somewhere along the way, the most pervasive faith of all time was started — ours! So we give God what he wants — tribute — and we go about our nightly business. Remember the tribute. Treat those above you with respect, for God put them there for a reason. Disrespect them, and find your soul wrenched from your body to serve God’s greater plan, all the while with the Devil whispering in your ear for all eternity.” While he preached this sermon, the Father focused on the characters, staring, unblinking, at each in turn. While he spoke, Serafina felt the hair pin her aunt had given her grow suddenly colder, and for a moment she could see shadowy, gaunt, but definitely humanoid figures appear where the choir would normally stand.**
The priest then raised a gold chalice, and said - still in Italian, “Blessed are you Lord. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the soul and work of human hands. It will be our spiritual drink.”
*Wits + Streetwise/Academics, difficulty 7,
Moses 4 successes (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684211)
Leonard 2 successes (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684212)
Serafina BOTCH (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684213)
Isabella 1 success (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684214)
**Perception + Awareness/Empathy, difficulty 9, minimum 2 successes
Isabella Failure (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684215)
Serafina (+Memento de Morte) 2 successes (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684216)
Leonard BOTCH (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684217)
Moses 1 success (https://rpgroller.com/wod/?show_roll=684218)
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As the Mass progressed, the small alien features mutated into some horrible parody of a religious service. Leonard had begun to feel uncomfortable, then perplexed, and then outright horrified and nauseated at the procession of events. If he had been asked to write up an account of what he imagined Protestants THOUGHT Catholic Mass was like, it would not be that different from this. Blasphemous, bloody, borderline insane. No, scratch that. Absolutely insane. He wanted to be done with this farce, find the nearest place he could get something to drink, and dull the edges of his horrified awareness.
Technically speaking, Leonard was not eligible to receive Holy Communion. He was not in a state of Grace, being unrepentant and unconfessed in his sins. He had, however, long ago ceased to care about sins, Grace, and the hypothetical state of his mortal soul, if he even had one. So when the time came, he got to his feet, prepared to take the bread and wine, and get one step closer to getting the fuck out of there.
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The priest skipped the Eucharistic prayer entirely. Returning again to the altar, he instead began leading the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. Spoken very quickly, and scarcely above a whisper, the priest said in Italian: "Our Father, who art in Heaven, howled be thy name. The Kingdom come, thy will be done, in the next world and in this. Give us this night our daily blood, and forgive no one, as we forgive none who trespasses against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil of lesser men." When the sign of peace followed, the other parishioners did not shake hands or even kiss each other on the cheeks. Rather, they embraced and bit each other lightly on the neck.
The priest again raised the chalice, and said, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.” Looking directly at the invited, he said, “You are not worthy to receive him, but only drink and you shall be healed.” No bread was passed, and no songs were sung during communion. Instead, the priest came down the parishioners, and offered a drink from the chalice. Andreas was the first to drink, and he lingered at the cup. Next the cup would pass to each of the four new-comers, to partake in the communion.
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Moses hadn't really paid much attention at church since he was a child, considering it more of a social obligation than anything. Yet he knew that wasn't quite the correct prayer, not that anything else about this Mass had been normal in his experience. With only the slightest hesitation, Moses partook of the chalice as it was offered to him.
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Isabella's eyes weren't wide as saucers, but only because she was keeping a lid on everything as hard as she could. This was some extreme levels of blasphemy - not that she cared about that in general, but holy shit this was on a whole different level. She didn't care about the Church or anything, considering what they said about people like her, but even she treated it with the barest minimum of respect, if only to not piss off her entire family.
She took a deep breath as it was her turn to drink, feeling that actively participating was going to have a heavier meaning than simply watching, and then drank.
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Serafina was enraptured by the whole event, taking in every minute detail and diversion from the traditional catholic mass that she had been used to. As the ritual carried on, she noted several correlations between the diversions and the studies her aunt had sent her. She was not able to place the significance, but the texts she had read and the ritual definitely had a similar origin.
As the cup passed to her, she accepted it almost eagerly and took a sip from it, looking to Uncle Andreas as she did, before passing it on to the man next to her.
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The longer this went on, the more Leonard became convinced that either every other person in this church was insane...or he was. This was all wrong. Not just in the sense that it was the incorrect procedure for the faith...not that he much practiced, believed, or cared about the faith. But it was wrong in the sense of its blasphemy in the ritual, horrifying in its teachings, and perverse in its mockery of what should be done here. Leonard didn't know what sort of people Andreas Giovanni was, though he could guess. He didn't want to know him any further. He was going to talk to Hank. This couldn't be something he did regularly. If he never had to again, that would be great.
Despite it all, he bowed his head and drank from the chalice. Blood of Christ, mockery or not, was wine. Leonard Test did not turn down wine, no matter how offended he was.
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The wine was cold, just slightly thick, tasting neither sweet nor sour, but with a coppery hint. To a man like Moses - who had participated in more than one fight in his days - it was the same taste as that of a split lip or a broken nose.
To everyone there it was heavenly.
The wine brought with it a sudden rush of euphoria, along with a slightly queasy feeling akin to strong sexual arousal, coupled with a strange sensual increase. After taking the sip, each of the invited could see better in the dimly lit church than they could moments ago, smell the aftershaves and perfumes (or stench in the case of some of the parishioners) of those around them, and they could sense all too keenly the smiles of the other parishioners. The wine left them edgy and energetic, perhaps not unlike a hit of cocaine, and in the case of everyone, except for Isabella, with a newfound respect and regard for Andreas Giovanni.
Just as suddenly as the Mass reached its climax, it then concludes rather abruptly; instead of the usual Dismissal, the priest simply stated, "Go in peace, brethren. May God have mercy on your souls." He then cracked a strange, bloody smile and exited through the back of the church. The rest of the patchwork parishioners began silently filing out into the Boston night, leaving only the four newly inducted, Andreas and Stephano in the church. Andreas offered a welcoming smile as he beckoned each of you closer, while Stephano remained aloof, standing in the center aisle with the small of his back leaned against one of the pews, arms crossed.
"My friends," Andreas said softly, his voice echoing in the church, sounding like a sepulchral whisper. "I am so glad to finally meet each one of you face to face. More so glad in fact for each of you to meet one another." Andreas began introducing each of you to one another; Misses Serafina and Isabella Giovanni; Doctor Leonard Test; Mister Moses Dunsirn. "This is my associate Stephano Giovanni. I am Andreas."
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For a brief moment, Serafina grimaced when she tasted the metallic liquid, but as soon the euphoria of the proxy kiss settled, she set the initial distaste aside and took in a deep sip and closed her eyes as she handed it off to Leonard.
She kept her eyes closed for the rest of the ceremony, not opening them again until Andreas spoke, looking at him and then at the others when he addressed them. She did not know the two men, only peripherally recognizing the name Dunsirn. Her cousin however she recognized very well. She did not particularly like or dislike Isabella she simply did not understand her. She had a rebellious streak completely foreign to Serafina.
She looked at Stephano when he was introduced, and nodded politely to him, waiting for Andreas to continue.
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Well that was better than that one time she'd tried cocaine. Holy shit. What in the actual fuck? That wasn't wine, right? It couldn't be. It was too good.
After the ceremony ended, she finally took a closer look at her fellows - she didn't know the two men, but oh wow that was Little Miss Perfect Serafina! What was she doing in a pit of heresy like this? And past her bedtime too! Aunt Chiarina must be losing her grip. She curled her lip a little into a smirk as the two women locked eyes briefly, before winking at her with a flash of teeth.
Much like her cousin, she also waited for Andreas to keep going.
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Moses clapped Leonard on the shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie (as he'd do with anyone who has stopped him from bleeding out), waved to Stefano, and nodded with a polite smile to Serafina and Isabella. While he knew neither woman, but noted their surnames and was relieved to have his earlier suspicion of their presence here put to rest. He otherwise remained silent as not to interrupt Andreas, but proffered a handshake to him in greeting as soon as the introductions were over.
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Wanting to get this entire distasteful business over with as quickly as possible, Leonard nodded politely to Andreas Giovanni. He was torn in a place between nausea and ecstasy. The wine had tasted good. Better than the first burn of scotch in the morning. It left him jazzed up, energetic without being jangly, and he wanted to jump out of his own skin. It took considerable effort to look politely hurried and disinterested, effort betrayed by the beading sweat on his brow.
"Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Giovanni," said Leonard. To both Andreas and Stefano, in point of fact. "You too, ladies. Mr. Dunsirn." That seemed to cover everyone. Leonard looked at his watch, tapping his foot with a rapid patter on the church's stone floor.
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Andreas looked at Leonard, seemingly finding amusement in his discomfort, but was content to let the matter lie. Andreas made a sweeping gesture with his arms to emphasize the surroundings.
"The reason I brought you all here is the family. The Giovanni family is growing, and I would like for all of you to be a part of what is to come. Think of it as a promotion, if you will." There was a hint of the old country in Andreas' accent, in the way he seemingly put emphasis on each syllable spoken. "You'll see what I mean in a few nights. For now, you should go about business as usual, but this Saturday night, there's a party I would like for you to attend. Paul DiCarlo, a friend of the family, is having a gathering at his house and it is a good place to, how do you say? Press the flesh. Stephano will provide you with the address.
"First, however, I would like a few words with each of you, before you leave for the night." Andreas walked up to Leonard's side, placing his right hand on the doctor's back, between his shoulder blades, gently but firmly urging him away from the others. "Please, talk amongst yourselves. We will be back shortly."
Leonard
The two men walked down the aisle, Andreas steering Leonard away from the center of the church and behind a pillar, giving them a modicum of privacy. "You seem disturbed, Doctor Malatesta. Don't worry, you are not in trouble with me, or you wouldn't be here. So tell me, what's on your mind?"
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Serafina smiled when Andreas said he wanted to talk to them privately, but when he walked off with Leonard first, her eyes stared after them intensely, lingering for a few moments even after they had both left the room, but then she seemed to snap out of it and directed her attention to the other two. Not sure what to make of the unknown man, she looked at her cousin and smiled pleasantly. "Cousin Isabella. It has been too long. I thought you had left to .. To do what?"
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Isabella's face curled into a snarl before she sneered, "I didn't realize Aunt Chiarina was letting you out so late. How much begging and pleading did this little event cost you? Seeing as you don't even breathe without her approval."
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Leonard was about to reply on automatic, make some pleasant banality about indigestion or something else that would be an outright lie about the source of his discomfort. Two things drew him up short, however. The first was Andreas' use of his formal name. On just about everyone's lips that spoke it in Boston, not to mention his degree and identification card, he was Leonard Test. Malatesta was a name he had deliberately distanced himself from years ago, and Andreas' use of it seemed deliberate. Reminding him where he'd come from. What his roots were. All that.
The second was the feeling coursing through him. It intensified when he spoke with Andreas. It was like the intensity of a new friendship but also the comfort of an old and beloved relationship all mixed into one. If Andreas' hadn't been a man, Leonard would say he had a crush on him.
"Yeah, no, I..." he stammered. Then cleared his throat. "That was an unusual Mass," he said. "I'm not sure the Bishop would approve." He laughed dryly at his own bad joke. "I'm just not sure what I'm doing here. You said a promotion, so to speak, but I'm not sure what more you need from an old surgeon like me that I'm not already doing for you. But I guess that's what we'll see at the party, eh? I mean, as long as there's an open bar I'm not likely to stay away. Is it...ahh...is it a formal affair? I think my tux is at the cleaners."
He looked over and saw Serafina staring at them as he drifted out slightly from behind the pillar and gave her a wave. He made a note to talk to her, and to Moses, before he left. Which he desperately hoped would be soon.
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Leonard
"Nothing that formal, doctor." Andreas chuckled. "No, it is a social. Still, it would behoove you to look your best." Giovanni reached into his jacket, pulling out a small note, handing it over to Leonard between his index and middle fingers. "This number. You need anything, you call it. I will tell Hank to fix you up with a suit. Consider it a gift. And don't worry, I'm sure you'd be surprised at what you'll be capable of doing for me."
Andreas' eyes wandered the church interior, his face taking on an almost regretful look for a moment before returning to Leonard. "Unusual Mass? Yes. But you would do well to reflect on its message. Live in the now. Respect those above you, and pay them homage. After all, throughout history godly men have fallen from grace while pagan people did just fine when they were left alone. People are simply afraid. They set rules for themselves that they can’t possibly follow, swear allegiance to a leader they’ll never meet, or some totally improbable deity, and then wonder why they are miserable..."
Andreas flashed a bashful smile, but something menacing hid underneath that expression. "My apologies. I've something of a fascination with the human mind, and the work of the alienists. Next time we have some time to ourselves I would like to discuss the medical sciences with you, and where Man, God and the soul fit into it. But we should not keep the others waiting. Would you please tell miss Isabella I would like a word with her."
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"Of course," Leonard said, both relieved and annoyed at being dismissed from Andreas' company. He didn't believe what Andreas said. Oh, that wasn't right. He believed that Andreas was sincere about it. But he was not sure he agreed with the facts of the matter. Where it wasn't common sense, it seemed like the history of the godly and the pagan was not quite as sanguine as Andreas said. Or maybe he, Leonard, had it wrong. History had never been his strong suit. Maybe he should look into it. "I've got a few suits," he mumbled as he went back into the main chapel.
"He wants to see you," he told Isabella. Turning to Serafina and Moses. "Mr. Dunsirn I know but I'm not so sure we've been formally introduced," he said.
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Moses listened to the two women's exchange, the verbal sparring almost more confirmation of a familial connection between the two than any physical resemblance or Andreas' introduction. It reminded him of his older brother, Wallace, and he recognized his own instinctual response at Wallace's snipes as the set of Isabella's feet and shoulders shifted ever so slightly. This seemed like the wrong time for things to go the way they so often did with Wallace. He was just about to speak up, when Leonard returned. "You look like you've seen a ghost, or need a drink, or maybe both?"" he said to Leonard and motions for him to continue. "I was just about to make my introduction as well."
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Isabella nodded to Leonard, although she didn't know his name yet, and headed towards Andreas. Time to see what the patriarch really wanted.
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Serafina was about to deliver a sharp response to Isabella when they were interrupted by Leonard returning and informing them that her cousin was next. She said nothing as Isabella walked to their uncle, just looking at her leave, before she turned her attention to her two new companions with a smile.
I am so sorry, I am Serafina Giovanni hello to you both.
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Isabella
As Isabella rounded the pillar she found Andreas waiting, arms crossed. His arms opened in a welcoming gesture as she approached. "Ah, niece. I'm glad you made it. After the shiner you gave Hank I was concerned you might not come."
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Isabella shrugged, "You're the family boss - least I could do is attend. And if he told you the full story, you'd know he had it coming. Now I'm not exactly a big fan of the Church, but even I know an absolute shitload of blasphemy when I see it. What's all this about?"
While she knew her eye contact wouldn't unnerve him, it was about sending a message.
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Andreas raised an eyebrow, a newfound sense of curiosity expressing itself on his face. His expression quickly settled into a more serious cast. "Would you believe me if I told you our family has harbored blasphemers during its history? Heretics, criminals, madmen, provocateurs, homosexuals, outcasts. Not only did we protect our own deviants: We raised them up. Your parents, with their... shall we say traditional beliefs? They would have you on your knees, or on your back, bearing more pliant offspring and thinking it is what's best for the family." Andreas, no stranger to blasphemy, spat on the church floor. "The mediocre have their place, but it is the inspired amongst us who lead this family. They would waste your potential by having you conform to their desires. I would hate to see you waste your potential working a desk job." Andreas extended an open hand in friendship. "I want you to come home, Isabella. Not back to your parents, but to the family."
-
Well, he definitely knew how to tailor a recruitment pitch, Isabella would give him that much. And not like she had much other choice apart from wallowing in mediocrity. She took his hand and shook it.
"You and the family do right by me, I'll do right by you. The family hasn't done much for me, but I'm willing to extend a second chance. Break that trust and I'm done, though. I won't let myself get burned twice."
-
"I wouldn't say no to a drink," Leonard said. Hell, about now I would beg for one, he thought. He made every effort possible not to check his watch. Not because he was bored by the present company or had anywhere else to be, but because it seemed impossible to him that this night was still going on. He felt like he had been wrung out like a sponge, and it was only by some marvel that he was still on his feet. He wanted to get out, to go...not home. He was too keyed up to go home. But somewhere. Out. Maybe a club. There had to be someplace open. Maybe in one of the working-class neighborhoods he could find a drink, music, companionship...yes. That was about his speed.
"Ahh, Ms. Giovanni," he said after being introduced to Serafina. He looked between her and their host Andreas. "You must be Mr. Giovanni's..." he calculated her age. "Neice, perhaps. Surely not his daughter?"
He looked at Moses with a tilt of his head. "Shiner?" he asked.
-
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Giovanni." Moses nodded to her and smiled. "As part of the family, any idea why we're here?"
Moses was a bit perplexed at Leonard's comment; he'd been doing exactly as the doctor had ordered and had avoided any dust-ups since his injury, which was now practically healed. We'll stop by a place I know once we've all spoken with our host. You're more than welcome to join us, Serafina."
-
Serafina kept glancing towards where her cousin had left to talk to their uncle while she spoke with Moses and Leonard, but kept most of her attention on them while they spoke.
She smiled politely at Leonard's question and nodded "I believe so. Yes. The family is large and complicated, and when it reaches a certain point everybody is known as an uncle or a cousin. But if I understand it correctly, Uncle Andreas is the brother or cousin of my father." That last point was not entirely accurate. In reality, Serafina had no idea what her relationship to Andreas was, but there was no way she would admit that. "I apologize sir, I did not get your name, Mr...?"
"I am pleased to meet you too Mr. Dunsirn." She nodded a little bit at his question, she had no intention to reveal that she was as oblivious about their presence here as they seemed to be. "I suspect I know, but I do not think I should say until Uncle Andreas has had a chance to." She paused a moment to consider Moses' suggestion, for some reason it excited her to go out on the town for a while, something that had never interested her at all, and for a moment it gave her a flash of desire more intense than she had ever known. "No.. I should probably go home after this. It is late already." She changed the subject quickly to what they had experienced earlier. "This was a very interesting ceremony. I can't say I have been to a mass like it before, but it seemed designed to attract the spirits and favour of the ancestors. Maybe give us their help in what Uncle Andreas has planned for us?"
-
Again, a look of slight puzzlement briefly appeared on Andreas' face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Trust. I like that." Andreas reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a card, handing it to Isabella. "In case you need anything in the coming days, you call this number, and it's taken care of. And remember: DiCarlo's party is on Saturday. It's not a formal affair, but it's not a plus one either. It is a good place to meet the right people, however." Andreas smiled enigmatically. "Would you please tell your cousin to come over? I have a few words for her."
-
Isabella nodded, "I'll be there. Thanks for the invitation."
She left Andreas and returned to the others, "You're up, cousin. Try not to drool too much over the big, important family member."
-
As soon as Isabella returned and told her that she was next, Serafina broke off from her conversation with Moses and Leonard, and rushed towards where Andreas was waiting, saying nothing in response to her cousin's jab. Perhaps because she was in a hurry, perhaps because she could not come up with a quick witty response.
When she approached the older Giovanni, she smiled wide-eyed, her heart beating faster than she thought it should have.
-
Upon seeing Serafina approach, Andreas offered up a warm, slightly predatory smile. "Ahh, Serafina. You're all grown up! Last time I saw you, you could barely fill out a dress, and now you've grown into a beautiful woman!"
-
From birth, Sera had been taught never to look away from the eyes of an elder family member while they were talking to her, so her eyes were transfixed on the piercing gaze of her uncle, even as his eyes roamed the rest of her body. She swallowed a bit before she managed to respond to Andreas' compliment.
"Thank you uncle. I ... " She paused for a moment and then seemed to snap out of her stupor, at least somewhat. "I was very taken with the mass, Uncle. Aunt Isabels studies make me think it was more important than Cousin Isabella and the other two might understand."
-
Andreas nodded, smiling approvingly. "Then you felt it as well? Tell me, niece, what do you make of the significance of tonight's Mass?" The older Giovanni strokes his chin, his eyes boring into Seafina's. There was something terrifying and exciting about earning the man's curiosity.
-
She nodded in response to his question and thought it over for a second before answering.
"Our ancestors were called, to watch us. And I hope, to watch over us."
-
"I defunti onorati - The honored dead - graced you with their presence. Our family is strong, because we know to pay respect to our elders, even if they are no longer with us in life, and they in turn watch over us, and bring good fortune. Remember what the good Father said about tribute, and you will remain in their graces." Andreas put his arm around Serafina's shoulder and leaned in to speak to her in a low tone. "Your cousin, Dr. Test and Mr. Dunsirn, they will be important to the family, but they don't know about our deeper commitments to tradition, not like you do, Serafina. That is why I need you to keep an eye on them, and make sure they do us proud. They all understand the importance of material power, but without a sense of respect and reverence for how things are done, it will diminish any of our accomplishments. Can I count on you to keep an eye on them, dear niece?"
-
Having the full attention of Andreas felt good. Serafina had talked to him less than a handful of times before this but it already felt like she could trust him, like he trusted her. She listened to what he was saying and nodded at the appropriate places. she understood what he wanted from her and why, at least she thought she knew why.
When he asked her the last question, she looked up at him and nodded quickly. "Yes Uncle Andreas, of course. I will make sure everything goes smoothly."
-
Andreas smiled wolfishly. "Good girl." Reaching into his suit jacket, he pulled out a card. "On this card is a number. If you have any problems, if you need anything: you call this number." Handing Serafina the card, Andreas continued. "Make sure you don't miss DiCarlo's party on Saturday. There are going to be some important people there, and you'll want to impress them. Now, please fetch me Mr. Dunsirn, if you would. It's getting late, and I'm sure you all have places to be."
-
Sera took the card from Andreas and put it in her purse, smiling excitedly as she headed back to the others and looked at the Dunsirn man. "Uncle Andreas is ready for you now Mr. Dunsirn."
-
"Ah, excellent. In that case please excuse me. In the event your not here when I get back, have a good evening Serafina. Isabella, if you're interested, Leonard and I heading to a place I know for some refreshment after here. You're welcome to join us if you like."
With that, Moses walks confidently over to Andreas. "Thank you for inviting me tonight."
-
Andreas nods, offering a friendly smile to Moses. "Of course, Moses. You're practically family, yet things have been strictly business between us. I was hoping to change that in the nights to come." Practically family. Moses knew the Mafia was very closed off to those not of Italian descent, and yet here Andreas was, calling a Scotsman kin. The night kept being strange. "Did you know our families are close in the old world? My family hails from a line of Venetian merchants, yours from a line of Scottish bankers. Our ancestors helped each other out in establishing ourselves in America in the 1700s, but once here we grew apart. A shame, if you ask me. We worked well together, back then." Andreas got a wistful look in his eyes, almost as if he had been there himself.
-
Moses was briefly caught off guard by Andreas' family comment, but tried not to let it show. That was almost stranger than, and more exciting, than the Mass- almost. "I was aware of my family's origins" he really hoped Andreas didn't know, or at least didn't believe, the darker rumors surrounding his Scottish ancestors "but didn't know of a connection between our families. I too, would like to see that relationship restored. I'm interested to hear more."
-
"It pleases me to hear that." Andreas put his hand on Moses' shoulder, smiling, an weirdly impish glint in his eyes. "For now, it's business as usual. We'll contact you through Hank if there is anything going on, but otherwise take some time to focus on yourself, hmm?" Andreas patted Moses on the shoulder, then reached into his jacket and pulled out a card. "This number: if you need anything, you call it. The man on the other end will sort it out for you. I'll be seeing you at DiCarlo's party. Now let us return to the others." Andreas makes as if to walk away, before stopping himself. "One more thing: Abner, he does not need to know. He's your brother, but you're the one here, and he isn't. Consider him on the outside, for the time being." With that, Andreas returned to the others.
"Thank you all for your time, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Stephano and I have business elsewhere, so we'll be taking our leave now." Enjoy your evening, indeed. It was 2 A.M.
[OOC]I think this just about wraps up the business of Mass. If you guys wanna move the scene over to Dunsirn's after party, I think we can use this thread for it :) If your character has some last business they want done with Andreas or Stephano, now's the time.[/OOC]