Parabellum Starters

[wesleysevans]

Where: The Pizza Stop Open: To All

Neutral territory places were where Jack felt either the most comfortable in or the least. Today, he hadn’t made his mind up just yet. He walked in to pick up pizza on his way home for him and the kids, it was a lot easier than cooking. And truth be told, he still wasn’t great at it just yet. But one day, with Charlie’s help, he’d get better. 

Jack did like to watch his surroundings as he waited for the pie. “Wood-fired pizza, huh?” He asked the person next to him, “How’s that pizza gonna get a job now?” He was a dad now, and he vowed to be good at his dad jokes before Jackie reached the age of six. 

@parabellum-starters​

[alondraaleman]

Alondra had yet to fully acquaint herself with the city of Chicago. Since she arrived, she’d been running all around the place, but it’d been for primarily business, and she had yet to get a glimpse of the city for what it was outside of that. She’d heard of Oak Street and it’s boundless shopping opportunities – and Alondra had never been one to pass up the fashion scenery. 

She was in one of the shops, stepping from the changing room to get a look of herself in one of the larger mirrors. And better lighting. Her dress was absolutely spectacular – a pink flowing number she absolutely had to get for her and Gabriel’s next date night. But as she turned to head back into the dressing room, she caught a glimpse of the person next to her, and their anything but spectacular choice. 

“That… is all wrong. Washes you out so badly you look like you belong in a hospital ward. Isn’t someone supposed to be with you to keep you from making terrible decisions like… whatever that is?”

[scfiacostello]

open starter

Sofia probably made a bad decision, not asking someone ahead of time for help. But she also didn’t think she’d like the store. Or buy almost every fabric they had. So now she had quite a few rolls of fabric, and her arms and legs weren’t prepared to do it alone. The moving part. She also picked a store that didn’t have a delivery service. And she didn’t want to ask for help from the family’s men, because her brothers told her it wasn’t their job and she’s distracting them. So she left her purchase at the store and went to find someone who could help her, good thing she saw someone by the store, someone she knew, she didn’t care if she’d make a fool of herself, she needed their help. Softly she grabbed their arm, smiling pleadingly and hoping for the best. “My god, you don’t even know how much I need you right now! You aren’t busy by any chance, right?”

@parabellum-starters​

[paityncostello]

Despite being home, days and nights still bled together. Paityn tried to settle into reality, but nightmares and fear kept her awake. Phantom aches of past injuries lingered and she quelled the pain with her usual vices. Liquor, weed and a few too many Xanax would put her out for a few hours. At least this way she wouldn’t dream.

She woke up mid-morning to a note from her husband; Leon kept him busy. Out for the day. He told her not to worry, that there was an army watching to keep her safe. She bit her nail and climbed out of bed, despite the urge to bury herself in sheets all day. 

Paityn pulled vodka and orange juice from the fridge to start easing the severity of her thoughts. Though, a knock at the door interrupted her before she could pour a glass. 

Anyone who could make it this far, either killed all of Luca’s security or was someone she could trust. She assumed the latter was the truth this time. Paityn opened the door and smiled softly. “Hi,” she greeted. “I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

[ofgodly-deactivated20231016]

Location: The Black Cat Availability: open to all

Mid-day was usually the time Charlie came to the Black Cat. It was then that the woman went over the books from the night before, went over the inventory and make sure the show was as tight as ever. The performers also came in at that time to rehearse for the night. The owner was waiting for a delivery and did not look up from the screen in front of her when the door opened. “Deliveries are in the back,” she said, mentally cursing the latest performers who came in and forgot to lock the door. All the staff she was expecting was backstage and she was not expecting anyone else. Her mind was far away from the club, Charlie unable to stop talking about Paityn and her return.

@parabellumstarter​

[adamdavenpxrt]

Parties had never been his thing, even now all dressed to the nines, Adam felt out of place. Though he would do his best to fake it as he walked about the crowds, seemingly invisible to most with his club soda in hand. It wasn’t until another approached him, that his gaze shifted over. “Sorry, didn’t catch that?”

[chanelxalbright]

Chanel checked the time on her phone as her car pulled up to the event. Fashionably late, as she always prided herself in being. The door was opened for her and she swung her legs to the side, careful not to let the short skirt hitch up too high. Though she prided herself on her fashion choices, they always came with a price and she would do her best to make sure a shot that was too personal wasn’t what the tabloids posted about this evening.

Thanking the man that had opened the door for her, she looked around and smiled at what she saw. The El Palacio hotel was even more stunning than what she had heard and had her anxious to get inside. If this even was going to be what kicked things off then she definitely needed to get her hands on one of the Aleman brothers to negotiate using their rooms for her own benefits.

Quickly entering, she glanced around the room to see who had already arrived and who was missing. She took note of her Costello clan before spotting a waiter passing with a flute of champagne on a tray. Stopping him, she picked up one of the glasses and brought it to her lips before speaking absently to the open.

“Whoever put this all together has really got to be put in my planner.”

[fletchergrxy]

Violet Costello lingered toward one side of the room, stalking the lengths of it as she made her way back to the bar. Her glass was empty and it was just another charity event, another place where she had to flash a smile and put on her Costello heels. It wasn’t that she minded the things, it was just that they became monotonous – or they were the complete fucking opposite. She also might’ve hoped she’d seen Leon; she also absolutely didn’t want to see Leon. 

Her eyes were still on the room behind her as she leaned on the bar, jutting out her bottom lip in boredom and resting her chin on her hand. “Whiskey,” she ordered from the tender, the tip of her finger delicately tracing the rim of her glass. She searched for someone she recognized, eyes squinting as she thought she spotted a familiar blonde before someone stepped behind her, obscuring her view. 

Browns rose to look at their face, the tip of her nail skimming her bottom lip, “Having fun?” 

[paityncostello]

TW: injuries, torture, kidnapping, alcohol

Paityn woke up in a room unfamiliar to her, which instantly sparked panic. For six months her environment was the same near empty room she couldn’t escape. Bruises began to heal over the past few days, though her rib still throbs like something’s broken. Though, most of her suffering was from her own guilt, for spewing family secrets under pressure. Of course she would break. She was the weakest soldier in her father’s army. The Sinclairs were probably better without the daughter who claimed the name to be cursed.

Her wrists weren’t bound and as she took in her new surroundings, Paityn came to realize she was in some sort of study. A private sitting room, lavishly decorated. A world different than the one she became accustomed to. 

On the back of the door hung a gown with a note attached. 

“Put this on, and go downstairs. 

Have a drink first. You’ll need it.

-x.”

Paityn learned a long time ago that asking questions was futile. She did as she was told; her days would be spent better that way. Less pain. More guilt. She had more than one drink; whoever left her in that room provided a collection of makeup and a bottle of wine. By the time her face was on, the bottle was empty.

Truthfully, Paityn wasn’t sure what waited for her on the floor below. Her heart raced as the familiar sound of music, fake laughter and drunken conversation slowly trickled to her ears. A party to celebrate her imminent death? Sure, Paityn could get behind that.

Though, crossing through the threshold to the next chapter of her life, Paityn couldn’t speak. It felt surreal, as if she were in some sort of dream. 

A fundraiser in Chicago…it was as if time jumped backwards and Paityn was back where she was before her wedding.

[wesleysevans]

A gala for those not as fortunate meant that Jackson should put away his claws for an evening. Usually, that was no problem. This time around was a little different, thanks to the past six months. He could play nice with some he considered an enemy just because they were at a charity gala. Right now wasn’t the time or place to cause a scene. "Do you want something from the bar?” He asked the nearest person, since he was going there for himself already.

[joaquin-aleman]

Joaquín watched as his older brother gave a moving speech about the orphaned children of Chicago. The crowd eventually stood, clapping after one of their assistants presented a local orphanage with an enlarged check with a very generous donation. 

Joaquín’s public image was different than the one he maintained within their organization. In public events like this, Joaquín was charming, kind hearted, and generous. He told stories and drew people in. No one suspected anything of him, and he worked hard to keep it that way.

Sometimes, nights like these were actually refreshing.

No boss shit – just mindless, rich philanthropist behavior.

What he really wanted was a cigarette, but he decided to wait until later for some fresh air. Paityn Costello was making her grand appearance tonight, and he wanted to keep an eye on things from the inside. Joaquín was seated at a table full of strangers. Dinner was being served, and he glanced to one of the people at his table.

“This food’s almost as good as my mom’s. Almost.”