The air inside Fio Uccello’s office at The Blue Trane HQ was stale and riddled with cigarette smoke. Even now the cherry at the end of the Italian’s next victim shone bright from his lung’s efforts. His tie had long been pulled loose, and the first few buttons of his shirt had to be undone hours ago. He blew the smoke out like an angry tea kettle towards the ceiling and tossed the deed to a large building in Ballard down on the desk in front of him.

The office door opened suddenly to reveal the cocked head of his confused wife. “Cucciolo?” Chelsea said to him as she entered and shut the door behind her. She threw a wet umbrella to the sofa, along the wall near the door, as she made her way over towards his desk. Fio took another drag from his smoke before snuffing it out in the over-littered ashtray. He stood and turned away from Chelsea to head to towards the bar behind his desk.

“Things can’t stay the way they are forever, mio piccola Tortora.” Fio buttoned his shirt and straightened his tie before uncorking a bottle of whiskey and pouring them a few fingers a piece. His words were directed at the two glasses of whiskey. He corked the bottle before fixing his hair. When he turned he saw Chelsea sitting there in the chair across from his desk. Fio’s gaze was focused and determined, and Chelsea looked like she had thoughts popping up then disappearing from her mind like a runaway rolodex. The man she walked in and saw was gone.

"Surely you would agree with me?" Chelsea's hand grabbed onto the glass as Fio looked down at her. She went to open her mouth, but he shook his head and continued speaking. "It's time for a change."

Clink

Their eyes locked onto one another after Fio rung their glasses together. Chelsea blinked, and Fio tipped his glass back. His wife mirrored his actions and both of them lost a finger to their thirst. His eyes closed as the expensive spirit washed over his palate. That bottle was special. He intended to enjoy the glass; it was a uniquely complex experience. "You honestly don't know do you?" Fio's steel expression had cracked only slightly as he saw the confusion on Chelsea's face begin to dance dangerously with worry and fear. "It was my first concern. I called you here to ask even more of you than you so graciously give to me." He brought the glass up to his mouth with his left hand. He used his wedding band to tap upon the glass before taking a long, slow sip.

"I need to pack things up here- Al diavolo. We can afford to pay for it to be done. What's more important is why you are here." Chelsea scanned the room a bit when he mentioned packing things up here. There wasn't much in the office to pack away and the place was exceptionally clean- despite an overworked ashtray and the excess of paperwork he had been working through before she popped by today.

Fio rested his ass against the desk and took another drink as he stared down into her emerald beauties. His other hand came up to tuck back a bit of her hair behind her ear as he spoke once more. "I have the deed to a large building over in Ballard." Fio's head gave a nod to the paper in question on his desk. "I've been given the nod to start my own operations there. I can't imagine this endeavor without you by my side. Therefore I made sure I wouldn't have to do so- that is if you are willing to come along. I know how much Joy your current position brings to you."

One last drink and he had vanquished the glass. His hazel eyes darted to the clock on his office wall. "I wear your ring on my left. You willing to also take over my right? I want you there and besides VAFFANCULO." His Italian baritone rang out in the office with a gesture of his hand- empty glass in tow. "Inc.," that last bit was followed by a shrug. "Is in major need of a Butterfly. Either way, we have to leave for the place quick. There is a celebration to be had, and we are only slightly late."

Confusion waxed and waned over her features. She thought she knew what he was saying, but it felt like riding her motorcycle, her foot rapidly clicking through gears. Was he divorcing her? Did he just want to leave The Life? Go back to Italy? Why?!

When the smoked cleared and the drinks were gone, she finally keened to it. He was taking auth, as Joy's captain in Ballard. Relief washed over her; Handing for two different organizations had been particularly hard on her, even in close proximity, and had played a major part in her not accepting the responsibilities of a crew herself. 

Once the relief had settled, pride surfaced, taking its place. She knew her husband's ability, and knew there was no one more capable.

"Mio Fio. Of course I will stand with you. Did you honestly think you even had to ask? This is all I've ever wanted...a chance for you to shine," she said, stepping closer and placing a hand on his cheek.

"Vaffanculo, indeed. Let's go celebrate."