The Philadelphia Employment Agency, the place Rayne seemed to be spending a lot of time recently. It was a place she stumbled upon while wandering through the business district one day. It was a day she remembered clearly, well she remembered the kick the can game she was playing that led her to the front door. It was almost as fate led her there, fate though a beat up old can of beans. Fate definitely had a strange way of working, she never would have thought that old can would put her in the position she was in now.

Well not her current position, cause her current position was that of boredom. There wasn't much going on today, so she waited in one of the back waiting rooms. It was a rather comfortable room; it had a huge wrap around couch, a nice wooden table, a little snack bar and even a fancy radio. From her position, which she was seated at up against one of the corners of the couch. Her arm propping up her head as she gazed out the window. Of all places to be bored this was the place to be.

With the radio playing in the background, Rayne reminisced about that old can. She was in her own thoughts, not paying any attention to what was going on around her. Now she wasn't the only one in this waiting room, in fact there were two other people. One was someone she didn't know, an older gentleman who was laid up on the couch. He had his shoes off and body fully extended on the one side of the couch and his hat covering his face. He was most definitely sleeping, the sound of the random loud snore echoed through the room on occasion. 

The other person in the room was Giovanni, Giovanni_Ferrari. Now this guy was an interesting fellow, he definitely knew a lot of big people in high places. If his name wasn't enough, the way he acted around Bella signified his status. The comfort level he had with her was like a family bond, it's hard to truly explain but it was just something she noticed. Anyways, Giovanni was at the table glancing over today's newspaper. She wasn't sure if he was actually reading it or looking at the pictures, from her angle she couldn't tell. Either way it didn't matter he was occupied, the other guy was sleeping and Rayne continued to think of that old can.

A half smile went across her face as she remembered kicking that can towards one of the many alley cats. It frightened the cat so much that it levitated a good four feet in the air. Was really a sight to see, that's when it happened. The sound of crunching paper snapped her out of her daydream. Giovanni was taking the pages of the newspaper, ripping them in half and making little paper balls from it. Each time he made a ball he chucked it at the man sleeping on the couch. A pile of papers surrounded the guy, it was quite the sight to see. The man was clueless as he remained sleeping. 

Out of the corner of his eye Giovanni caught glimpse of Rayne watching him, instantly he changed his target and hurled a paper ball at her. The ball hit Rayne smack in the forehead, it was quite the shot. Rayne looked down at the ball of paper then back up at Giovanni, their eyes locked on each other as they both began laughing hysterically. Picking the paper off her lap Rayne chucked it back at Giovanni. The paper skipped off the table and landed on the window sill, missing him completely.

"Nice aim, if that's any indication of your marksmanship damn you suck!" Giovanni stated with a dumb grin upon his face.

"Shut up! My aim is usually better than that. Watch this..."

Rayne reached behind her, grabbing one of the many pillows on the couch and launched it towards Giovanni. The pillow slide across the table, sending the rest of the newspaper flying off as the pillow smacked into him. The sound sent the man on the couch shooting up, his hat flew off his face.

"What in the...." He glanced at the pair then at his surroundings, noticing all the paper balls around him. In a bit of fury and rage, he put his shoes on loudly stomping them onto the floor and grabbed his hat. He pushed himself up off the couch and said a few choice words. "You damn over privileged kids, respect goes a long way. Learn it!" With that he stomped his way out the door, they were pretty sure he was going to Bella's office to have a word with her about it. 

Rayne looked back over to Giovanni who was still smirking for the events that just happened.

"Should we perhaps get out of here? I'm not sure I want to be yelled at right now."

Taking a few seconds before he could compose himself he tried to to speak but couldn't stop laughing Giovanni just laughed and nodded and they ran out of there.

"So what's going on with you today? Slow business? Care to get in some trouble with some of the local riff raff that have encroached or are trying to undercut Philly families? Plus I can't wait to see that roundhouse in action again"

Giovanni finished his statement and took the last paper ball out of his pocked and chucked it at @RayneMartini before taking off down the alley hoping she could keep up.

There was no talking just lots of laughing, suddenly Giovanni got up and took off out of the room. It took Rayne by surprise as she sat there and watched him take off out the door. Once it registered into her head, Rayne jumped off the couch and tried to keep up with him. He was fast, she couldn’t keep up but was able to keep him in her sights. She followed him out the building and into the alley across the way. 

By the time she caught up to him he was already propped up against the wall waiting for her. She tried to catch her breath as he pummeled her with questions. She didn’t have any plans, hence the chilling in the waiting room. Once she finally caught her breath she spoke up.

”I’ve got no plans, definitely a down day. I’m up to cause a bit of mayhem if you’re down? Though I don’t know what we should...”

Before she could finish her thought another paper ball came hurling at her. This one she was able to dodge. Suddenly Giovanni turned around and took off again. With a sigh and a “not again” thought in her head Rayne took off to follow. Looks like one thing was for sure, she was destined to get her cardio in today.

When Rayne caught up to Giovanni (which felt like an eternity to the kid), he motioned for her to be quiet and follow him, they were near a mom and pop shop where it seemed two of Tyler Durdens men were trying to shake down the place for protection money. So the rumours were true Tyler was really trying to make a play again, Giovanni hadn’t had much interactions with this group but had heard the United cities had kept them stuck in Delaware for the most part, Tyler must have been getting stronger to be this ballsy during the day.

“Well would you look at that, Rayne I don’t think Auntie Bella would like this too much would she? Wanna maybe have some fun at Tyler’s “men’s” expense? Giovanni said with a wink

Giovanni looked a little dangerous wanting to jump in against the Delaware family with the confidence that just comes with youth. 

Rayne peeked around the corner as subtly as she could, it was apparently too much as she felt the hard tug of her arm which brought her back into the alley. Giovanni just gave her a look and a slight head shake as if he was a bit displeased with her looking technique. She didn't know there was a special way to look and it was not like she was doing jumping jacks yelling and screaming as those pesky Durdens were in the mom and pop shop. Really she wanted to say something as she's usually not one to bite her tongue but before she could say anything Giovanni spoke up.

He was right, Bella definitely wouldn't approve of the Durden's encroaching on their territory. The real question though, would she approve of the two of them taking it in their own hands without the approval of the high ranking officers. One thing was for sure, it did sound fun. Getting the information out of the drug dealer the other day was really the first time Rayne needed to actually get her hands dirty. It was a rush like no other.

"Not sure if it is the brightest thing to do but it does sound fun."

She took a quick peek around the corner again before ducking back into the alley.

"How do you want to do this? I've never done something like this so I'm a bit lost. I mean do we just barge in there guns a blazing or do we do the more subtle approach? TELL ME!"

"I," Bella said, shattering the silence between the young gangsters as she approached them.  "... would hit him when he comes out."

Both Rayne and Giovanni looked to her, their heads whipping around with all the panic they probably should really have felt in this situation.  She could have been anyone sneaking up on them... not just their superior but maybe an enemy.

"Less chance of busting up a loyal business man's place of employment or killing someone who still useful to your fucking Boss.  After all, she might be a little-pissed off if your attempts at playing hero ended with her having to write a letter of condolence to his widow."

She shook her head.

"Of course, that's just me.  Let's see what we got happening here, shall we?" 

Bella put a hand on Rayne's shoulder and stepped around the younger woman to check out the situation.

"Son of a..."  

Bella pulled back quickly barely avoiding being seen.  

"You two are either the luckiest sons of bitches I know... or the most cursed." 

She nodded for the young gangsters to take a look at what was going on now.  

As the Durden came out of the shop he apparently had run right into a police officer.  The man wasn't arresting him, but talking to him!  And as the two younger gangsters watched, the Philly officer was being palmed a bit of cash by the Durden.

"Just having seen this marks you for death if Durden catches wind that you know the identity of one of his corrupt officers..."  She sighed annoyed at thinking about Joey and Rayne being in such danger.  "Still... better that we have a heads up than not.  I suppose your antics have resulted in something good.  I take it you two are still hoping to get your hands dirty?"

She eyed each of them, seeing that neither really had lost a thirst for mischief, Bella nodded to herself remembering those days in her earlier years too.  Her and William on the streets like this, shaking down Durden's people for laughs as much as for profit.

"Alright.  I hope I don't regret this..."  She sighed.  "Which do you want?  The corrupt officer or the Durden?  I'll take care of whatever you don't handle.  Any intel you can get out of either of them I'll make worth your while - just don't get yourselves killed, okay?  I really don't need that sort of headache today.  I've got a dance recital that I can't be late for tonight and cleaning up bodies always takes more time than you think it will."

The sounds of the voice, her voice sent a shiver down Rayne's spine. Which was followed with goosebumps and a subtle gasp. They had been caught but how? Was it that obvious where they would be? Was Bella a master at tracking down people? Either way it didn't matter, Rayne stood there in shock waiting to hear some very choice words. She tried to think of an excuse before Bella could finish her sentence but nothing came to mind, it worked out well though. As Bella put in her two cents about the situation.

It was a reaction she wasn't expecting, once she heard her voice she expected the worst. A rather good scolding, possibly a smack or two upside the head but no... In shock Rayne whipped her head around, it was not the response she was expecting. It took her well off guard, she felt the need she needed to say something but still nothing popped into her head.

"Of course, that's just me.  Let's see what we got happening here, shall we?" Bella stated while placed a hand on Rayne's shoulder. Rayne turned her head back towards the exit of the alley and gave Giovanni a look out of the corner of her eyes. She was half expecting him to be frozen just like she was but of course he wasn't. He knelt down, peeking into the mom and pop shop with Bella.

Seeing the lack of worry in his demeanor helped Rayne loosen up a tad bit, though her nerves were still off kilter. Yes she had worked or done work for Bella but this was the fist time she had ever been in her presence during a situation. She knew this wasn't the time to let nerves take over, this could be a good showcase of her talents.

Taking a deep and hopefully not noticeable breath, Rayne directed her attentions back at the local business. She was expecting Bella to take notice of the situation and use it for fuel for the fire later on. What she was not expecting to hear was what she said next. "Which one do you want?" She was really ok with this? She was actually going to help them as well? Rayne grinned and without much hesitation blurted out "DURDEN!"

Instantly she realized that came out way too loud and it was confirmed by the glaring looks of death from both Bella and Giovanni. Rayne quickly brought her right hand up covering her mouth. Whispering though her hand "I'm sorry."

Giovanni shook his head but still tried not to laugh at Rayne's "enthusiasm" and eventually nodded in agreement when he could compose himself.

"Yeh Aunt Bella we'll take the scum durden, plus you're more familiar with the cops in this area than we are so you should probably handle that one. You gonna tell us later how you tracked us by the way? I didn't think we were that fucking obvious."

Giovanni and Rayne nodded at Bella as they split up to take care of business, Giovanni had his trusty revolver in his hand and was waiting for the durden to get clear of the business and out of eye sight of the pig. His heart pumping like normal whenever he prepared for something like this, the excitement and rush in these situations was like a drug to Giovanni.

"Once that fucking durden scum is in the clear you ready to pounce Rayne?" 

"Pounce? Like a cat?"

She cocked her head to the side and gave Giovanni an odd sort of look. She was a bit confused about the whole pounce comment. Here she thought they were going to beat him, steal his money and whatever possessions on him he had then finish him off with a couple bullet holes. Though from the sounds of it Giovanni wanted to pounce on him, what's next after that? Hold him down and tickle him until he wet's himself?

Giovanni turned his head with a look of concern on his face.

"What does a cat have to do with this?"

"Well you said pounce, cat's pounce. I'm not a cat, I don't know how to pounce."

Rayne could feel the stares coming at her now from both directions. She looked to her left at Bella then back right at Giovanni.

"Unless you meant pounce like attack." Rayne chuckled nervously to herself.

Bella gave @Giovanni_Ferrari a wink.  "You bet, Kid.  I'll leave you both to it for now.  Buona caccia!"  

With that, Bella walked in the opposite direction, going back the way she came from meeting her guys at the opposite street corner.  She'd be having a chat with the fine officer a few blocks away if only to ensure there was no blowback from what was about to go down with the younger gangsters.

One problem at a time.

"We good, Boss?"  Linval asked as Neil fell in beside him.

"Better than good... we've got a lead on that small problem downtown.  Let's go have a chat with one of Philly's finest."  And with that Bella disappeared down the street.

Giovanni took a deep breath. 

"...........Rayne just go roundhouse him again when he's out of sight of the cop" Giovanni was trying so hard to not laugh at this point. "You know I'm gonna get hurt from laughing and losing my guard at this point don't you?"

Giovanni and Rayne tailed the guy as he turned the corner and Giovanni slipped to the side to let Rayne be able to charge in while he covered her.

Bella walked off the scene back towards the Employment Agency, seems she knew exactly how to handle that corrupt agent. Of course she didn't go into detail about it but Rayne knew it would get taken care of, there was no doubt about that.

Rayne directed her attentions back towards the durden coming out of the mom and pop shop as Giovanni took in a deep breath. She couldn't tell if it was a nervous breath or a getting ready to pounce breath. Either or he was ready but was she? That's when he commented to her about roundhousing the guy, she gave him an odd look. He must have thought she was some sort of ninja, must have had something to do with the pouncing comment.

"Do you think I have a black belt in one of those martial arts things? Cause I don't, just throwing that out there."

Giovanni began laughing even more, it was pointless for her to even continue this conversation. He was in his own mind, being... well... Giovanni. In the midst of his laughing fit the durden left the store and turned to the right. Possibly heading to the next shop he could shakedown. She grabbed him by the shirt giving him a tug in the direction the durden was walking.

They subtly tailed him, making sure to keep their distance until they saw him hook down into an alley. Rayne was a step ahead of Giovanni and was the first one to take a step into the alleyway. The moment she took that first step, she felt it. The cold hand of the durden hit her cheek and graze her lip. The force knocked her right on her ass, though she was able to keep her focus on the durden.

Without much hesitation, Giovanni leapt over Rayne and threw a haymaker. It connected knocking the durden right off his feet.

Giovanni with brass knuckles on connected with a full force shot to the jaw of Rayne's assailant, as he collapsed down on his knees Giovanni grabbed him by his shirt and held him up against a wall.

"Really? Sucker punching women huh? Is that how that spineless fucker Tyler handles things in Delaware? He punctuated each of his questions by punching the man in the gut before kneeing him the groin, furious at the attack on Rayne.

"What the fuck are you doing here? You better have a good fucking answer because I am done playing games with human pieces of trash like you, understood?"

Rayne seeing that Joey may go a little dark here decided to step in and question the man herself, maybe without murdering him first.

Rayne watched the whole scene unfold from the ground, she wasn't surprised by Giovanni jumping right in but was a bit taken back by his want to protect her. She sat there and watched as he pummeled the durden, each shot harder then the other. For her it was actually a bit exciting to watch, the life was definitely starting to consume her.

The durden was pretty much a bloody mess at this point, much more of the beat would probably be the end of him and it didn't look like Giovanni was going to stop. Knowing she needed to step in, so they could possibly get some answers. Rayne pushed herself up and with the back of her hand wiped it across her lip. The taste of blood touched her lips as she looked down to see the back of her hand streaked with a blood mark.

"You fucker!"

Giovanni hearing her curse stood up to see what Rayne was doing, she took one step around Giovanni and in roundhouse fashion drove her foot and pointy shoe into the durdens face. She kicked him so hard a pair of teeth went flying out of his mouth as his body went limp and lifeless.

Giovanni glanced down at him and then up at Rayne, he began belly laughing.

"Roundhouse! You seriously just roundhoused that fucker."

Rayne brought her finger to the corner of her mouth, dipping it in the blood.

"That fucker made me bleed, I'm probably gonna have a fat lip from this. Seriously what a dick! Though I may have messed up, I don't think he will be able to answer any of our questions now." 

Giovanni watched in complete awe, as he thought she was going interrogate the fucker to get some information just to watch her ACTUALLY roundhouse Tyler's guy's teeth out. The guy's face looked pretty much like hamburger meat when they were done with him, not exactly like he was going to be a great source of intel if he could even remember anything.

"He might not be able to answer em now but we can take the guy somewhere to interrogate him when he wakes up though....he may not remember much after this what do you think?"

Rayne laughed and Giovanni shook his head giving the guy a kick in the ribs for good measure. "Fuck it pretty sure that'll send a message let's go see how aunt Bella is doing" The pair turned their backs towards the alley and headed out towards where Bella went off too.

Rayne wasn't even completely sure the durden was still alive, so interrogating a dead guy wasn't going to work well. Unless Giovanni had come across some kind of alien technology that was able to pull memories out of dead people. The thought of that made her chuckle to herself. 

"Is he even alive?"

If he was actually dead, it was the first time Rayne had ended someone's life. She always thought it was going to be hard to do, mentally but in the moment she didn't even second guess her action. Then again it was more rage then anything else. She watched as Giovanni kicked the durden in his ribs, the sight made her chuckle again.

You would think in a time like this, her with a busted lip and possible dead guy against the alley wall. That it would be a more serious matter but it wasn't. That's when she heard Giovanni say fuck it, she followed his lead walking out of the alley. One foot out of the alley, something sparked in her mind.

"Oh, hold on."

She scurried back down the alley, was gone a couple minutes and came back with a wad of money. Giovanni gave her a bit of a curious look.

"What? Can't say no to free money."