It was a late evening in Detroit, Elias & Chase were looking for a place to go. Until Elias suggested a new entertainment venue, hosted by Joy & AlexanderKnight - both had beautiful voices and bounced off each other so well. Elias turned to Chase and said - this is definitely a place we can relax, it's been a long day - i'm sure you'd agree with me in that. I'll get the drinks all night, they're on me'

Chase laughed and agreed 'with the amount that we've WALKED today, you absolutely owe me these drinks, and then some' 

As they both entered Elias greeted Joy with a firm handshake, before tipping his black hat towards her direction, a traditional sign of respect that he paid the people of the city who deserved it. 'It's a pleasure to be here Joy' said Elias, 'my friend Chase & I would like a table, away from public, if possible. Somewhere we can still hear this beautiful singing, but somewhere that we won't be disturbed. We have a lot of catching up to do you see...and if possible, could we order in two bottles of whiskey to the table, we plan of being here until close.'

As Elias and Chase approach Joy for a table, she smiles warmly.  She doesn't ever remember speaking with Elias, but she has seen him around Detroit.  And Chase, Joy has known Chase for awhile.

Welcome to both of you!  I could not be happier to see you here.  She kisses each of them on the cheek as she shows them a table where they can be relatively undisturbed.  It is a table she usually keeps reserved for herself, where she can keep an eye on things but no one else can see her.    She signals to one of the waitresses who hurries right over.  She instructs her to bring two bottles of their finest whiskey to the table and to attend to their every need.

I will be around, if you need me for anything.  Don't hesitate to send for me, nothing is more important to me than my guests.  With that, she leaves them to conduct their business privately and heads out to socialize with the other guests in the crowd.

Chelsea stood outside the entrance, weaving a bit as she waited. Fio was late, or rather, his plane was. She'd spent a little too much time in another crew mate's bar, drinking on an empty stomach. Looking down at her feet, she wondered at her choice in clothing. The green heels Fio enjoyed had been paired with a black cocktail dress. Did that even match? 

Too late for it now; she wasn't about to walk back to the Trane Station to change them. Inside the building, she could hear live entertainment belting out some of the popular songs she'd been hearing on the radio lately. Whoever was singing sure had some talent. 

A glance at her watch. Should she keep waiting out here? Go inside and eat? Biting her lip, she leaned against the wall. She could wait a little longer. It was nice out this evening, after all. Leaning her head back, she studied the stars. She'd been doing a lot of that, lately. Back in Vegas, you could never see them due to the brightness of The Strip. 

For the umpteenth time, she found herself immensely grateful that that life was all behind her, and nothing but a quickly fading memory.

Isabella entered the bar surrounded by a small army of guards provided to her by her father Salvatore_Luciano the Don of The Luciano Crime Family.  She is wearing a cute black dress that only slight bulges where her bandages yet cover her still healing wound from the shot she'd taken a week ago.  Looking around she notes the musical talented listed and smiles.  She recalled Mr. Knight from their previous meeting in Chicago and greatly enjoyed his talents.

Then her eyes set upon Elias who was with Chase.  Both of them had been at her birthday celebration and she hadn't had a lot of time to talk with Chase.  That was something she was hoping she might change tonight.  Walking towards them she let her eyes meet Elias' and smiled.  Elias being here was certainly a very welcome surprise.

Waving down a waitress she asked for, "Just a Shirley Temple please..."  She really shouldn't drink tonight, she was still on her pain meds after all.

The second Elias noticed Isabella_Luciano walk in, his eyes lit up. Even though he was fairly drunk with the amount of whiskey him & Chase had been drinking, he could still recognise her anywhere. He stood up before walking up to her, he kissed her cheek, held her hand and lent in to whisper in her ear 'you look beautiful as always Izzy' he pulled out a chair allowing her to sit down, before tucking it under the table..

'My dear please meet Chase - my real good brother who resides in Seattle, if you ever see trouble brewing there, it's usually something to do with him...and beer! He can be a little bit out of hand, his mind can sometimes warp into a little Twisted Bliss - it's usually pretty dangerous when that happens too! But I must say, it's really good that you two could both meet. I've told him a lot about you!' 

As the drinks flowed with the conversation all night, Elias couldn't help but hold Isabella's hand under the table, gently stroking her palm in a circular motion using his index finger. It was obvious for all to see how much he cared for her, and was never going to take time for granted, ever...again.

"Chase, I'm very glad I could get a chance to sit down with you finally.  I wanted to at my birthday but with the early return of my Dad and his new wife ... I fear it just didn't happen.  I got caught up in all the excitement."  She laughed.

"So you're from Seattle?  I've very rarely visited that city - please tell me about it, from the eyes of a resident who loves it."

Chase takes Isabella_Luciano hand and kisses it.

"Elias has told me so much about you, its nice to meet you properly finally aswell. I will be back in a few moment."

Chase excuses himself to catch up with Joy and give her a big hug, "Ive missed you, but you have a wonderful place here, looks like you are doing well, you should come join us for a drink." Chase smiles at her, as he walks to the bar to get a couple bottles of champagne and returns to the table with Elias and Isabella_Luciano.

"Drinks on me!" Chase placed the champagne and glasses on the table and popped the corks.

"Where was we, Ahh Seattle, it is a wonderful place @Isabella_Luciana, maybe Elias will bring you with him when his next over here im sure you will love it just as much as me."

Chase poured everyone a drink and the conversation and laughs went long into the night.

Elias raised glasses and chinked them with all..'my brother Chase, I can guarantee we'll come and visit you soon. We just have something to sort..for the sake of family' he looked at him with a slightly glum look 'but you know how it is, family comes first, the play comes second..but you have to promise us one thing..when we come to Seattle with you..you must show us one of the best nights that's ever been had in this world! We don't have much time to socialise these-days, so every opportunity we get counts!'

Elias looked towards Isabella_Luciano and could see the excitement on her face, she was obviously itching to get away for a while too, and with one of Elias' best friends, that could well be happening very soon...

'So....more drinks all?! I say we stay here for the night, who knows who else might show up to join us!'

.
Joy chats with Chase amicably for several minutes, and then he invites her over to the table.  The place has cleared out a little bit, so she doesn't feel like she needs to mingle much with the other guests right now.  The bartender handed Chase a couple of bottles of Champagne, and Joy follows him over to the table where Elias and Isabella_Luciano are already seated.

She stands behind Chase and he jumps up immediately to pull out a chair for her.  She smiles and sits down, taking a glass of the Champagne and sipping it.

Cheers!  Here's to good friends and happy times.  She says with genuine warmth.  It's so nice to have you here Chase, and I am delighted that you have brought your friends.

Elias quickly hands Joy a glass before pouring her a drink..'it's good to be with so many people I cherish in this world so much, and Joy, it's great that you had time to come and join us! You know it's funny...we've worked together in the same City for months, yet hardly brush shoulders! It's strange how that happens sometimes, but nonetheless - it's great to finally have a decent conversation with someone so influential in our city.

Elias continues on ... 'so where did your journey begin, I'd love to know more about you..maybe you could join us in Seattle? Chase has promised us a memorable night, and if you're with us...it just puts more pressure on him to deliver!

Chase smiles at Joy, he always enjoys spending time with her, and he has missed her since she left for Detroit.

"Joy was with me here in Seattle before she made the long move over to Detroit, Detroit is very lucky to have her."

Chase pours another round of drinks, and out of his pocket he pulls out a box of cigars Elias favourite brand, he remember he was running short so made some special enquires and managed to grab hold of some for him, he throws the towards Elias "Don't say I do not get you anything buddy." Chase hand around glasses to everyone, then he looks at Elias and Isabella_Luciano cosying up together.

"Is there something you have not told me Elias?" Chase gives him a cheeky wink and goes in for a high five and laughs.

Having spent a considerable amount of time in the city now, Alexander was now acutely aware of the various business owners of the city and their possible connections to the mob. Once he had been exposed to the seedy underbelly of the criminal world in LA , he had soon realised that almost all the people he had met there potentially lived on the wrong side of the law. With the facts on hand it was easy for him to put two and two together. His ...friend Joy was a mobster, and a powerful one at that. 

Perhaps that was why he had not sought her out once he returned to the city. A part of him knew that someone as highly entrenched in this world would have connections of her own and would be aware of the incidents in LA. And yet she had chosen not to seek him out either. DId she know he was alive? Did she care? Was he a fool for wondering if their fateful tryst was anything more than a futile fling from the first moment itself?

Once he had found his bearings in the city, Alexander had tried to ask his new friends to connect him with her, but they had come back with the news that she had moved to the west coast with her whole operation. The next few weeks he figured that was the end of it, the last he would ever see of her. Yet every time he walked along the streets of Black bottom he couldn't help but wonder about the possibilities unseen and the questions unanswered. On one such period of contemplation he found himself meandering to the club he had been in for its inception. 

The guard at the entrance a different one than before, gave him a wary look but let him pass once Alexander palmed him a handsome tip. Once inside he strolled comfortably past the staff and through the crowds to the bar. Buying a round of drinks for the band out of the gratitude he felt for helping him out on his first night here, he gave them a polite nod and walked up to a striking section of the decor. Pulling the cigarette he had tucked behind his ear, he placed it in his mouth gently. Striking the match with practiced ease, he brought the flame up in front of him, gazing as one would at an old friend before lighting the camel. He took a long drag and felt the familiar burn at the back of his throat. 

As the smoke cascaded slowly out of his nostrils he peered at the crowd , seemingly indifferent and yet searching for something.. somebody that he used to know.

Joy steps away from the microphone and then down off the stage.  She is pleased with her performance and the audience seemed to be as well. 

She steps behind the bar and grabs a root beer, quenching her thirst.  As she sets it down on the bar, she notices a familiar looking young man passing the bouncer.  Smiling to herself, she quickly checks her appearance in the mirror behind the bar.  Satisfied, she heads over to him to get this confrontation out of the way.

Prowling up behind him, she reaches out and takes him by the arm.  Feeling the electricity between them as he turns around with a somewhat puzzled look on his face at first.  When he realizes it's her, he smiles his dazzling smile and Joy responds in kind.  A thousand thoughts race through her head at once.  She wonders why he never called her.  She wonders if he knows she moved to Seattle.  Her head spins as she begins to speak in a very soft tone of voice.

Hello AlexanderKnight, how have you been?

As he smoked, he felt someone brush against him and clutch his arm. Amused by the boldness he turned to see who it was and elicit a witty retort. When his eyes found hers, the words froze on his tongue unsaid. She looked as radiant as ever, her skin felt familiar on his arm and yet her eyes were cold and alien. Was it his new found knowledge that rejected the allure of warmth held within them or was it the cynicism that had now become a part of him which scoffed at the possibilities now lost.

He smiled his dazzling smile, but it never reached his eyes which simply stared at hers with questions and accusations. "Miss Joy, it's been a long time" he said huskily as he bent to kiss her cheek before continuing "You look as delectable as always." The charm dripped from his tongue, but his heart was hesitant. "I hear fate has smiled on you recently. Allow me to offer my belated congratulations." He came right out with it deciding not to beat around the bush anymore. 

"Sadly the same can not be said about my former employers or myself for that matter." He stood there clenching his teeth behind the smile wanting to scream his anger and frustration. "But I suppose that's all in the past now. What brings someone so eminent such as yourself to the city?"

The puzzled look now flashes across Joy's face.  As they gaze upon each other, she senses something very wrong between them.  She is unable to identify it, but the cold glint in his eyes chills her to the bone.  Willing to play along with the facade though, she makes small talk with him for several minutes while her heart races wildly.  Finally she opens up a subject that she believes may interest him.  Looking up at him tentatively, she broaches the subject that may give her an opportunity to bring him close to her again.

This place has become such a hit in Detroit.  It's a shame that since my uhm, base of operation has moved to Seattle that I don't get to sing here as much as I would like.  I've been considering opening another club in Ballard, where I would be able to perform occasionally.  Would I be able to tempt you into another opening night appearance if I did.

Suddenly, it occurs to her what may be bothering him.  He referenced his employers.  Joy hadn't taken AlexanderKnight to be in the business, it just hadn't crossed her mind.  Of course, that was the problem.  There wasn't much she could do to change what had happened, but she certainly could show some empathy anyway.

I'm so sorry for what happened to your colleagues.  That was an unfortunate event which seems to be happening much too frequently.  It is a dangerous world we live in, AlexanderKnight. 

Her eyes gaze upon his, and she feels the depth of pain that he does.  She had experienced loss such as his many times and contrary to the brave front she put up, it wasn't always an easy thing to accept.

With a reluctant sigh, Alexander accepted her apology knowing he had been rather unreasonable with his frustrations for he knew she hardly had anything to do with the events herself. Placing his arm around her waist he delicately guided her through the crowd over to a quieter alcove. The cigarette dangling loosely between his fingers let out wisps of smoke which trailed them like mist on a rainy winter eve. 

"Your absence had been a shame indeed. You were sorely missed by your patrons here ."  He said and paused to face her. Gazing deep into her eyes he let a sly smile appear on his face and added.  "All your patrons." It was true, her absence had ached him in more ways than just the obvious. A melancholic longing had crept up in his chest. As it ate away at his heart he felt himself getting lost in memories of their time together. 

"You Miss Joy," he began slowly turning to look back at the crowd before them "could tempt the devil away from hell. I am but a simple troubadour drifting away like a gypsy lost in this lonely little world of ours."  His fingers came back up to rest on his lips as the cigarette hung casually between his lips. Taking a long drag, he closed his eyes and let the smoke swirl in his mouth before letting it escape out of his nostrils.  "It's been a while since I was last in Seattle. I will perform of course, on one condition." His face hardened and he peered into her eyes with a serious expression for a moment. Leaning in he brushed her hair behind her ear and whispered  "I need a dance." Pulling back slowly he winked and let the grin break in through his stony face as he grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards the dance floor.

Joy looks up at AlexanderKnight as he pulls her close into his arms.  She almost forgot how wonderful this felt and he pulled her even closer so she would remember.  His right hand is holding hers in the air, and his left hand rests on the small of her back.  She doesn't resist as he guides her flawlessly around the dance floor.  She leans into him inhaling his masculine scent, a mixture of aftershave and cigarettes and soap.  They don't make small talk, but rather look into each other's eyes knowing what the other is thinking.  When the song finally ends, Joy is breathless though not from the dance moves.  She expects him to release her and go back to the table but instead, he pulls her in closer, narrowing the already tiny gap between them.  She looks up at him and smiles as he continues to look her over carefully.

The sound of metal pelletz peltin'an'uh'polluti'n on y'ee ol' hyde of 'ee abandon't buildin' that the wanderin' wonn'ded'r'err found his dimp't'n'shrimp'sun'o'dee wind'err'd through. A Durdy'd't'uf't hit sqwad had approach'th'uh the Kill't'er't Herd'ed'Terd and stuck the barrels of the handconn'n'zGunn'zz in the bum. Forest'z'assa'forest'doo'd'lee'd'ayy'd as the bullets continue't whizzin. The slump't sonn was runnin' and cuttin'n'n'oot angles, choppin' all sorts of blades with y'ee ol' to3z. H3 kik'err'th'uh door of an abandon't used to be hom3, and duck't port'r syde, port'r't to3 led'ed the way. The bluest of heelz, ztood'zternly with his trusty 1911's drawn, both port'r'n'star'berd'lerd'z rest'n a'topp dee ladz shoulderz. Bowside shoulder slump't salute of the handkannonz as the sleuth't up gunnshipp rested behind cover with the cold wood of the bar on his back. The footsteps were audible but only 2 pair could be heard inside makin' a stompin'n'stall'er'n'you sound. The shuffle of the jyp't'sea? The kunn'n kannon unleash't 3 beasts with the flick of both wristz, all 3 connect. The connected cutt'er'd slashed the th'roat'z of 2 Durden'd Burdz. One of the bulletz made itz way clean th'ruu the skull. Both bodies dropped, 3 shells hit the floor. The fo'five'z were unleash'tt. 

A storm'n drum of heel to to3't, toe3z'down throw'n'down durdyz shuffle't through the door, only to meet 13 more bulletz. 12 connect, the stray one hits a light post in the background. 6 Durdy'd'Werd'Herd'enz unleash their souls to the one tru' ma'o'dee'seaz. The Maid'ee'lee'Doodl'err let two magazines hit the ground, the sound of shells rollin' around could be heard. But the rattle of Thom'Sunn crack't off, and the wind'erz were pelt't with more metal pepperz. The Sunn't'n'err Shine't on this'n could smell somethin' in the air, but he couldn't tell what it was. Who was in who's trap, who was in what scene. What's a scenario? Dayum, this'n could be THE ONE. Ode to Joy, her Win'Chest'er'Dunn alreadyy blew past that'n'a'for3. The cap was tuck't safely in the Shuck't n Jive'th'uh rumblin' drumm of this'nz hammers bangin' as he side stepped his way past the doorway, both 1911'z reign'n Hell'z Fire on the Durd'en't crowd'errz. 2 Burd'z'd dropp't. The Shep't'Herd wit' da werd kept on tralala'in through the door, unleashin' a last second star'berd kannonshot outta the star'berd syde'd hand as he hit's the portsyde o'dee'o door. 

One Durden down't in tha thoroughfare. Two magazines hit the ground inside the abandoned buildin'. Two 1911's get reloaded.

The rumble of Thompson fire across the by the by rattled off in the sKreetZz, the Paddy'Wick't On3 took a peek, only to see more'n'more o'deez miserable whore'z gatherin'n to their target. Brat-at-tat-tat-tat-wh0't as the 1911's fired 6 shots, 2 Durd'en't'oo'k'th'uh hitz. Their souls returnin' to the Saintz abov3, s'pose it was Saintz'Row. For3 did they not know, GangsterIsTheGodOfTheSouth? Face o'dee North, Slang o'dee'ol South continue'th'uh let his hammers do the talkin' for him. En'stead'uh runnin' his GAHD'ay'um mouth. Bulletz pelted the abandon't buildin', a'ginn n a'ginn. A'ginn'st'er'd'uh Grain'n'Oatz'o'dee'Sea was tuck't in the safety of the port'r syde o'dee'lil'ol door again. Every shot flew past the luckiest fuckin' duck that ever quack't. The Reck'tum peek't around the corner, and let loose with the port'r syde kannon 2 shotz, both connected. 1 DurdyBurdz wing gets clipp't. Shot in the ass, and a shot in the stomach. USS ZMSG fires one more shot into the down't Durdyz kneecap, the most painful place to get shot.

A cry of pain is unleash't in the thoroughfare, a yellow Jalopy drives past. The man in the car seen what was happenin' and just kept drivin', a sly smile came over the driver as he runs down another Durden in the middle of the road, a 1921 hits the ground. Another Durden dead. Thanks to the random in the jalopy.

The Jelly'Bean't'er'O'Verr'th a'sea nodded in the doorway as he side steps, port'r toe slidin' behind the star'berd syde leg. Hammer clack's until the quack'terd is out of bullets. 5 more Durden's fall to the ground, 2 magazines hit the ground. Star'berd syde o'dee door, the Sunn't of the Sunn USS ZMSG reloads one last time, both 1911's are ready to swang'n'bang again. A subtle nod of the bow to the Bow, he peeks again. The sound of cars passin' thunder through the thoroughfare, another couple of Thompson's let loose, ZMSG dives port'r syde o'dee door. Not one shot connects with the connected cutter. The Peacock't GunnShipp sits in his stance, to3s touchin to3z as he's sittin' in'jun style port'r syde o'dee door. Joy would be proud'o'de'ol LaD'o'Dee'Sea. Charle's tune crept into the IU7 DD5 U91's head, his brain recalibrates as he takes a breath in'werdz. The exhale comes with the last peek around the door, the stance change into both kannon'z'kunn klapperino as ZMSG'z chest hits the floor, 16 shots fired. 16 hits, and 8 Durdens fall to the floor. 

16 shellz hit the ground, bounce, and roll'a'roun't inside the abandoned building that once was a home for a kin'o'dee'ol'kinfolk. The newest incarnation of the U91 thank't his lucky flagz'n'starz as he reloads his 1911's to the golden sound of cars passin'uh'byy the by3. He holsters the 2 kunn'n'kannonz inside their respect'ed holsterz. Whips out the tobacco pouch from his pantalone'ay'zz and the giggle smoke pouch from his vest pockett. The spliff o'dee MaDLaD is roll't'n'uh'SmokeD

In the heart of Detroit, Felix stepped into a dimly lit bar, drawn by the soulful allure of jazz music that echoed within its walls. The rhythm of the bass and the haunting melody of the saxophone filled the air, transporting him to a world of raw emotion and vibrant creativity.

The atmosphere was a blend of smoky haze and flickering lights, a canvas that painted stories of lives both lived and imagined. Felix found a seat at the bar, his senses fully engaged as he watched the musicians pour their heart and soul into their instruments.

As the notes flowed, a sense of nostalgia gripped him, reminiscent of a time when he had danced on the edges of illicit worlds, orchestrating intricate schemes. Now, he sought refuge in the melodies that danced between the clinks of glasses and murmured conversations.

Felix's gaze wandered, taking in the eclectic crowd that had gathered to revel in the music's magic. He felt a connection to the strangers around him, united by their shared appreciation for the artistry unfolding on stage.

In the midst of the music's crescendo, Felix lost himself in the ambiance, each note a balm to his weary soul. As the final strains of the jazz piece drifted into the air, he carried with him the echoes of the music – a reminder that even in the midst of change and uncertainty, the power of expression could still bring people together in harmony.