@sxint | January 26th, The Gym
In true Rafael Femenias Jr. fashion, the Seraphim did not recognize what he had, until he had it. In moments of arrogance, he spewed venom at the Horseman’s Truce. More bark than bite, he would detail Famine’s strength and the lost criminal activity in respect to the truce. Typically, fueled by a myriad of illicit substances and in the company of lesser men. A machismo bravado, meant to detail to all that he was as boundless as his reputation. But the truce, now teetering on the slimmest of threads, was in question. A grey area, if you will. And try as Rafael may, the reality of a war between their factions weighed heavy. His gloriously hedonistic lifestyle was comforted by the safety of his name, of his father’s name. Of the truce itself. What would be asked of him, should things continue at their pace? Rafael Senior ensured his son capable, where any self-respecting horseman would. A skilled fighter, a more-than-competent shot, and knowledge of the structures of the business. But so far, leadership had been a task he narrowly avoided. What was the need of a leader, with Rafael Senior at the helm and peace at their side?
Yet the time for playing Peter Pan had come and gone. A reality made abundantly clear, when Rafael revealed the events following the horseman’s meeting, to the patriarch himself. Rafael Jr. may conduct himself a boy, but Famine needed a man. He scoffed, leaving his father at the breakfast table, and found solace elsewhere. The aggravation built on his and Kitty’s latest project, still in his system. Rafael had access to his own personal gym, as well as those in the Femenias’ Estate. But he required distance, and the presence of others. The gym was as good a place as any. Without it being home to Famine itself, it allowed him some reprieve, with only low-level members of Famine’s ranks at his side. More often than not, his presence was one of grandiose narcissism. Always one to pass a flirtatious smile at the women, or shake hands with one of his mates. Even his wears, beaming of expense and tasteful color. Today, however, he opted for a black muscle shirt and slim fit sweatpants. His mood, dour and restless, brought him to the treadmill. Quick on his feet, he allowed the sweat to build along his body. Not stopping until his mind was clear, and his legs were within an inch of turning tender.
He presses pause, catching his breathe with his hands clasped along the handles. Rafael steps off, approaching the water cooler. The sudden collision of a shoulder against his, prompting him to stop and turn. The recognizable features, of a man that wrought heartache on his sister. "Really, Saint?” Rafael raises his brows expectantly, attempting some ease to his tone despite the irritability that he barely masked. The distance that prevailed since the blow-up between him and Kitty, grew in ten-fold with each passing day. The events of yesterday, only adding to the rift. But while he had loved his sister, and had a connection with his brother... Saint was once as good a friend as any within Famine. Almost family, even. They were like-minded hearts and minds, trapped in the same circles yet destined to make the best of it. He fusses his brows, the visible rage on Saint’s face in turn. “Mierda,” he mutters under his breathe. “What do you want?”