Softly, Kina stirred in the heavy darkness of a richly-draped room. Sleepily she cuddled into the thick down comforter that swaddled her like a dense cushion of clouds. It was soft and warm, and far more luxurious than anything she'd ever owned or experienced. And for the briefest moment... right between sleep and awake... it was lovely; before the fullness of that realization crashed over her. This wasn't her bed. In her sleep-laden stupour, the thought was utterly startling. Where was she? 

Bolting upright, Kina groped through the pitch dark until she heard the soft click of a latch as a door opened somewhere to her right. The thin shaft of incandescent light that pierced the darkness dimly illuminated a spacious chamber with sumptuous rugs, heavy mahogany furniture, thick damask drapes, and a four-post canopy bed. Through the gossamer curtains that veiled the bed, Kina could just make out the small frame of a maidservant shuffle into the room. 

There were servants?? Who the fuck still had..... 

Oh. Yeah.

Hiram.

The thought tickled, thrilled, and terrified her all at once. 

With a soft chuckle, Kina fell back against the fluffy pillows that cradled her.

"Oh, good. You're awake. We were beginning to worry," the girl's soft voice danced across the open room. Quietly, she lighted the lamp near the bed... it's warm glow markedly softer than Kina had expected. Drawing back the curtains, the young woman smiled as she guided Kina out of bed and across the room to a waiting armoire. "We took the liberty of having a few things curated for you," she explained as she pulled back the heavy, carved doors, revealing a wardrobe the likes of which Tsukina had only ever dreamed of. There were modern and traditional dresses... some of which bore craftsmanship that belied unbelievable antiquity. Pulling out several drawers, the small serving girl smiled as Kina's gaze devoured their contents: shoes of all styles, scarves, belts, hats, jewellery... everything she could ever want or need for any occasion. 

"There's a mirror here, and in the washroom," the girl continued, guiding Kina's gaze to and fro as she acclimated to her surroundings. "And you'll find all of your feminine necessities here." Kina nearly gasped as she was lead over to a heavy wooden vanity, laden with goodies. There were powders and cremes of all kinds... both modern and kubuki... perfume in more scents that she could imagine, rich oils, a silver brush and hand mirror, and a myriad of other things she didn't even recognize. 

Gawking slightly, Kina giggled as she turned to her new 'friend' with a disbelieving stammer. She didn't know what to say or where to start. She'd fallen asleep in the backseat of a car and woken up in a veritable CASTLE. Chuckling softly, the serving girl patted her arm gently, "You'll adjust. Everyone does." 

Moving back toward the door she called tenderly over her shoulder, "The bath is already drawn for you. You should make ready for the evening. Dinner is at six. And I believe your meant to have the tour before then. Take your time. Dress as you like. And ring this bell when you are ready."  She paused, tugging a heavy, woven tassel that caused a soft tinkling echo somewhere indiscernible, "And I will come to escort you downstairs. In the meantime, I will inform Mr. Black that you are awake and preparing for the evening." 

Exiting, she moved to close the door before Kina called... half-panicked and a little louder than intended, "WHICH ONE??" The servant simply laughed, her voice echoing back through the door as she disappeared down the hall, "He said you might ask that."

Christian sat at his desk mulling over papers while Hiram sat across from him, cigarette in his hand. The older of the brothers took a puff before leaning forward and looking over the reports in front of the younger. "Is that the information I sent you from Chicago before things went bad?"

Christian nodded and turned a page.

"Anything still salvageable?"

Again, Christian nodded.

"That's good I suppose. What's your take on it all?"

Christian looked up from the papers and blinked at Hiram, "I'm sorry, what were you talking about?"

Hiram frowned and stood, staring down at his brother... "Do you -ever- actually listen to me, Christian?"

A minuscule smirk slowly crept across Christian's lips before he chuckled. "Of -COURSE- I listen, Hiram! I'm always listening. You should know by now I just enjoy seeing you get riled up. It's good for us to keep the blood pumping, don't you think?" He shook his head, "Let's be honest though. It was good work, but I don't see much salvageable aside from what's already begun happening here in New York." He flipped another page. "But damn it was a good plan. I'm glad to see Donna Rey and Don Mastrosimone bringing it to the table here."

He looked up at Hiram, "Oh, you should know, I've told Madam Rey that she should come and visit you. I thought you might like to see more friends from your old station."

The creases across Hiram's face softened as his anger subsided... "Well that was kind. You're not normally one to let other's know when we're still alive."

"Hiram, you're not exactly dead, and where you got shot wouldn't have killed a normal person. It just knocked you out and... Well... The rest is easily ascertainable considering our livelihood."

Hiram chuckled and shrugged. "Aye, I suppose that's true. Thanks for the extraction... Again..."

Christian waved a hand dismissively, as if he would -ALWAYS- come to his brother's aid; any of them. After all, it was his position in the family to do as much. As his hand passed through the air, the door creaked slightly and both brothers looked toward the sound, Christian joining Hiram on his feet.

"Excuse me Sires," a young maidservant spoke meekly from behind the door. "She's awake."

"Wonderful, thank you, Amelia," Christian called out then looked to Hiram. "Go brother, see to it that she's properly oriented."

Hiram smirked at Christian's choice of words, but turned and headed for the exit. He would happily escort his Kina around the property...

Christian, on the other hand, sat back down and began to look over the paperwork again, and drawing up proposals for possibly familial alliances with the new heads of New York. It was always good to make friends. Especially if they were powerful friends...

Hiram knocked softly on Tsukina's bedroom door and smiled at her attire, or rather lack there of considering she'd not chosen anything yet and was still stunned at the amount of clothing readily available. As she spun, her nightgown flaring slightly at it's edges, she'd see Hiram with his hands behind his back simply staring... Which for him was rather normal and predictable.

"I see Amelia has shown you the wardrobe." He chuckled and stepped further into the room, shutting the door behind him. "I'm certain what ever you choose will look radiant on your form, my dear." Working his way over to her bed, he spread the canopy wide and sat on it's edge. "So, what would you like to do first? Admittedly the tour takes quite some time, even if we can skip a majority of the rooms because they are the servant's and guest's quarters. Then there are the family rooms... Like this one." He smiled and waved a hand around. "Honestly, the only difference between these rooms and the servant's or guest's rooms? These are a bit more spacious. The furniture is the same, the decor may be different suiting personal tastes, but it's the size that really makes the different. Those rooms are about three quarters of the size of this room."

Hiram smiled at her and shrugged. "There's the garden, and the golf course, not to mention the elaborate ponds along the drive. The courtyard is large and flat, perfect for games and banquet parties... The pool is always open, and there are two. One indoor, one outdoor... There's the open bar and dining area that, yes, employs a bartender for our personal and guest's privilege. The kitchen is equipped with any and everything you'd think you might need or want... Though I could be wrong, we've been outwitted before on that presumption."

Pushing off the bed, he approached Kina. "Truthfully, we can skip the tour if you want, or we can take that walk. Your choice." His hands gripped at the tops of her arms near her shoulders and held her as he continued to smile. "I know you'd love to see the garden at some point. It's, perhaps, less impressive than the one in Chicago, and most assuredly less impressive than your grove... But you have Christian's permission to plant your tree and regrow the grove in our gardens."

Hiram rubbed her shoulders before tugging her in for a hug. "I'm so glad you came, Tsukina... Truthfully."

Kina exhaled and melted into his arms like a scared child. "Honestly," she admitted with more transparency in her shaking voice than he'd likely ever heard, "I'm overwhelmed. This is all so... well, so many things: Sudden, extravagant, unexpected, lovely, sad, MUCH. It's just... very much." Sighing, she swivelled in his arms to continue evaluating the wardrobe; his arms held snugly around her waist as she floundered helplessly. She had NO IDEA what to wear or where to start. And the only question she could think to ask for clarity was SO NOT going to be helpful. There had to be another way to go about this. 

In her head, she replayed the night over and over again. And each time she crucified herself a little more. Why was she here? What prompted her to make this decision? Why did she CARE so much all of a sudden? None of it made any sense. None of it was fair. None of it was helpful or anything less than dreadfully complicated in ways she wasn't even remotely prepared to untangle. Fidgetting slightly, she tugged at the sleeve of her thin nightgown. "Would... Would you help me pick out something suitable? Please? Something... agreeable to the days other events," Kina smiled over her shoulder at him; an unfamiliar nervousness in her eyes as she chewed her bottom lip, keeping certain thoughts to herself. 

"I'd really appreciate it."

Hiram nodded. "Of course I can do that for you dear..." He slipped from around her and walked into the closet, poking around until he picked up an elegant night gown; long and flowing, black as midnight, cotton and silk lace, it was perfect in his mind...

"I like this one. I bet it would look amazing on you. Surprisingly, it's quite light as well.." He chuckled as he raised and lowered the hanger it was on a few times, essentially bouncing the dress.

"Not to mention it will go wonderful for dinner with the family. Perhaps also for a dance in the ballroom?" Hiram smiled. "There are lessons being offered today. There's a class that leases our hall once a week, twice a week when events are nearing. Three hundred dollars a day, and we will provide a band so we can enjoy watching the haughty members of our society prance about like uncultured and graceless swine... It's rather entertaining." He smirked.

"But I'm sure we could convince the band to stay and play for dinner and a private event if you would like." Hiram exited the closet and laid the dress on the bed, however it was up to Tsukina if she chose to put it on.

"Anything else I can do to help you get acquainted or ready for the day?" he smiled and looked her over. As he did so, Christian pushed open the door lightly and knocked. "Everything going well you two?"

Kina froze like a deer in the headlights as Christian rounded the door with her still in her nightdress; her face going red as a lobster as her arms gripped her chest. She stammered awkwardly for a moment before melting into a fit of laughter. "Well, I can't decide what to wear for one. And your brother, bless his immortal soul, is no help at all," she giggled playfully, holding up the dress for Christian to evaluate. "Please tell me you can help me pick something a bit more sensible for our business today," she blushed sheepishly. "I'm not usually this indecisive, I swear. I'm just a little overwhelmed with... everything. You can understand, I'm sure...ish." 

The look on her face spoke more than she wanted it to, the hope that he actually would understand BEAMING through her eyes as she chewed her bottom lip. Fidgetting with the hem of her sleeve, she eyed the floor praying that neither of the men would notice the colour in her cheeks as she avoided their eyes. "I'd really appreciate the help. I mean... this is lovely. And I'm sure there's a hefty amount of nostalgia in the style. And while I'm usually a fan of that sort of thing... I'm kind of missing 'normal' at the moment. Not that there's any fun in that. But... you know...." 

She was frazzled and rambling in a way that was highly uncharacteristic. She knew it. She was terrified Hiram knew it. And yet, there wasn't a damn thing she could do about it as she withered under their gazes. 

Christian clapped his hands loudly and chuckled, some might think because it's who he was, and others knew it was to snap Tsukina from her daze... "Well then! Let us see what we have." His stride carried him quickly to the closet and he began rummaging around. "Hiram, why on Earth would you pick such an out-dated dress? Heaven's know this is old enough to be YOUR mother's!" He snickered as Hiram scoffed in the background.

With Christian in the closet, he looked at Tsukina, "I happen to think you would have looked lavishly in it." Hiram seemed to frump a bit and moved himself to a chair in her room to sit, awaiting Christian's choices in clothing. Silently he berated himself a bit though. Why would he have thought that a good dress for her, today of all days...

"AH! Here we are..." Christian emerged from the closet holding two different dresses. "You have a choice. This one?" He held up a sleek, black, body hugging dress that was sure to put Tsukina on display in all the right kind of ways... "Or this one?" He switched hands and held up a flowing, blue/green, floral ivy print tea dress.

"I believe either of these will suit your needs quite well." Christian smiled and held them up one at a time, switching occasionally as she looked them over. Even Hiram turned and looked, nodding in approval. Christian did seem to have a thing about fashion... More so than he'd probably like to admit.

"Either of these stir your thoughts, dear?"

Kina ruffled Hiram's hair a bit, "It is lovely. And I will wear it for fun at some point. You have my word." Kissing the top of his head, she snatched the black dress from Christian with an overly bashful smile. Hanging it on the back of the armoire, she shimmied unceremoniously out of her dressing gown - giving both men a fair gaze at her bare form (albeit from behind) as she sauntered off to the waiting bath. Leaving the door open, she called over her shoulder, "I'll just be a few minutes." 

The sound of sloshing water could be heard under Kina's throaty moan as she sank into the steaming water. "Oooooh, I could get used to this," she chuckled playfully... veritably dissolving into the tub. Humming softly, she scrubbed and detangled her long locks before climbing out of the tub. Water trickling down her thin curves and long hair draped over her chest to her waist, she stood like a siren luring men to their deaths... dripping and cold as she searched for a suddenly non-existnet towel. 

"Umm..." her trepid voice met Christian's ears, Hiram's head snapping up shortly after. "Wh... where might I find a towel," she asked, glancing around the cabinet-less bathroom; the brothers sharing a dawning glance as they simultaneously realized no one had put fresh linens in the bathroom... and someone would need to take her one. 

The brothers stared at each other and whisper argued for a moment...

"She's your responsibility, -you- get her a towel."

"I can't get her a towel, I've not -SEEN- her yet!"

"WELL! Now's your chance, you've stalked her enough, you should know already!"

"IT'S NOT STALKING you insensitive bastard!"

"INSENSITIVE! I'm not the one that inserts myself into some poor sods life!"

"OH SHE IS NOT A POOR SOD!"

"GET HER A TOWEL!"

"IT'S YOUR HOUSE! YOU GET A TOWEL! YOU BROUGHT HER HOME!"

"SHE'S YOUR GUEST!"

Luckily for the two of them, they were whispering quietly enough that Tsukina couldn't make out anything they were saying, aside from heated conversation... However, surprisingly enough for all THREE in the room, a third person strolled out of the closet, scratched his head, and yawned.

"Will you two assholes shut the fuck up? For fuck's sake. I'LL get her a God-for-fucking-saken towel. It's just a fucking girl... You babies!"

A long, wavy, black haired and blue eyed youngster walked directly into the bathroom, not a care in the world, with a towel over his shoulder. His eyes locked with Tsukina's and he smiled, bowing slightly. "Sorry for my brothers. I'm Salvatore. A towel for the goddess of the house?" He smirked and winked before tossing it to her and walking out. He continued toward the door, holding up both hands and staring at the two now speechless, older, Blacks. "Not that fucking hard. You act like you've never seen a woman before. You were both chasing tail CENTURIES before I was born. Grow the fuck up."

The door slammed and the youngest brother's footsteps echoed down the hallway as the house was silent enough to hear a needle drop... On carpet.

Kina blinked and stared, the softest, tiniest whisper escaping her lips as she gulped. Another one? Every visible patch of skin from the waist up blushed a deep crimson as she chuckled lightly, her knees suddenly irritatingly shakey. Smiling bashfully, she took the towel with a nod of thanks, "Kina. Pleased to make your acquaintance. And thank you." Drying quickly, she wrapped her hair snugly before tiptoeing back to the bedroom. Winking at Sal as he closed the door behind them, she ignored whatever expressions the other two might be wearing as she rummaged... nude... through the dresser drawers. 

Continuing in perfect nonchalance, she shimmied into a tantalizing slip-and-garter set; taking her precious time to smoothe and secure her stockings before slipping into the form-fitting black dress that Christian had chosen. Stockinged feet whispering softly across the thick carpet, she fetched a classic set of black pearls from the vanity: necklace, earrings, bracelet, ring. With a complimenting hairpin, she quickly styled her still-damp curls into a fetching draped updo with expert proficiency.  

Slipping into a stunning pair of mid-heel mary janes in striking black snakeskin... which elicited a certain smirk and nod from Christian. The woman had style, that was for sure... style and balls. Smoothing the front of her dress, she finally gave the older two Black's acknowledgement, "There now. All set. And no one has to argue anymore." Winking playfully, she wrenched open the door, holding it for the men, "Shall we?"

Hiram stared in awe, mouth agape, and Christian smacked his older brother's chest.

"At least show a modicum of respect and don't gawk? I am well aware of her pleasing form, but you can look without making her an object."

Hiram, for one second flushing a bit red... He blushed? Hiram glared angrily at Christian for calling him out. Christian, on the other hand, tried to compose himself and turned to face her as she adjusted and smoothed her stockings, his hands clasping behind his back. Hiram copied him.

"More brazen than I'd have expected, Madam Sakamoto. Forgive me and my brother for our rude and less than savory behavior. It seems we could both learn from our younger brother. You, of all people, understand that, for us, it can be," he paused... "A long time between our rendezvous with intimacy."

As she choose her shoes, Christian smirked and nodded in agreement. A perfect match to her already stunning outfit. Even Hiram seemed to beam in agreement. He couldn't argue with Christian's choice in dresses, nor could he deny Tsukina's eye for making a statement. The two could dress him anytime... Shaking his head, he looked at Christian and Tsukina before nodding at her question.

Christian smiled to Tsukina and waved his hand. "Hiram, you and the lovely Tsukina lead on." Hiram approached and offered his arm as Tsukina took it and he walked her into the hall, Christian on their heels and shutting the door behind him.

"In these halls you'll see commissioned paintings and portraits of our best and brightest... Namely the four of us brothers. You've got-"

"Me!" Hiram exclaimed as he interrupted Christian, and the two brothers chuckled.

"Yes, you have Hiram here." He gestured toward his brother's portrait. "This painting is older than this house... It's older than me." He smiled. Hiram, of course, appeared no older now than he did in the painting... Which would make sense to no one with it being older than Christian... Aside from Tsukina already knowing.

"Further down you have me." The painting was old as well, but there was an obvious difference in it's quality, and in the era of time it had been painted to represent... Not to mention an image of Christian Balthazar Black with long, wavy locks...

"It's nearly two centuries later that this painting was commissioned. An uncanny likeness, yes?" He smiled and stood the way the portrait had him painted before chuckling softly and walking a bit further.

"And this, this is Salvatore's portrait. Believe it or not, at one point, he kept his hair quite short. I must say though, I prefer his messy mane. It just fits his demeanor more..." The young Salvatore almost seemed to watch her as she walked by the portrait. However, there was a fourth a bit further down. ANOTHER brother?!

The three paused and Christian reached out to touch the frame, Hiram reaching to grip his brother's shoulder.

"This... This is our dear Sullivan. He's no longer with us. He refused the ritual, bless his soul, and died a good death." One small tear ran from Christian's otherwise stern visage. "Well, I say a good death. He was gunned down in a war based in fear and jealousy. He did not, however, take his own life... Which saved him from an eternity." The young man in the picture seemed full of life and vitality that he could have almost jumped out of the portrait and hugged Tsukina... However, Christian moved them along.

"Beyond this hallway is the den, then the foyer where everyone enters the manor through the front. Of course, to the right is my office, down at the end of the hall. Beyond the foyer is the kitchen, and beyond that? The dining hall and the ball room."

As they walked into the den, Christian smiled and waved his hand around. A fireplace, plenty of chairs to host a small gathering, a radio on the mantle of the fireplace, a small bookshelf, and a small liquor cabinet in the corner. There was a hallway to the right out of the den and he pointed. "Down that way leads to the garage, and the pool house."

They continued to the foyer where he pointed down a long hallway. "My office is the first door on the right down this hall."

"The only door on the right," Hiram chipped in, chuckling as he paused for her to look upon the home's entrance...

"Yes, well, on the left there is another den, the library, and the communal study. My office is my private study."

Clearing his throat, he continued. "Anyway, you'll find many stairwells throughout the manor that lead to the upper quarters. That is for our occasional game nights, and for the staff of the home. It's much easier to keep them safe if they are on the upper floors. However, the most elegant of stairwells, is right here." He spun and held his hand's out. The foyer looked almost like the reception area of a hotel, the stairs directly behind the desk.

"This is where most people enter, and hardly -any- venture upstairs. In fact, none do without my explicit permission. You have that, by the way."

Christian continued to lead them through the foyer. "This is the kitchen, obviously, and down the hallway to the right? Well, there is a door to the back courtyard and our on premises golf course." He chuckled and Hiram nodded, adding, "I play a mean nine hole game."

Christian smirked and tacked on, "Ah, yes. But you never hold out for the full eighteen, dear brother. It's why I always win." He winked and Hiram pursed his lips tightly.

The three continued down beyond the kitchen and came to an elaborate dinner hall, complete with full size bar and a piano and stage in one of the corners. It was easily large enough to host a banquette or some elaborate celebration; weddings, anniversaries, dinner parties. Whatever the mind could imagine. On the opposite end of the room from which they entered there were two, large, mahogany wood doors with rounded tops that were opened wide and revealing a giant ballroom.

"That is the light tour... I assume you don't want to go room by room and blade of grass by blade of grass?" He smirked... He could be wrong, it did happen occasionally...

Kina smirked as she slid into her shoes, "Yes... and the social mores of your formative years were quite different, which is a contributing factor, I'm sure." With a playful, teasing flick of her tongue, Kina followed Hiram into the hallway. Pausing at Christian's portrait, she giggled slightly at the image of his long hair. It was fetching, in a way that tickled her. Smiling, she ran her fingers through his hair; ruffling it a bit as her cheeks ruddied. Lingering just a bit too long, her eyes finally found the floor as she pulled away. 

She was quiet for the rest of the tour, trying her best to pay careful attention... though, honestly, her mind was elsewhere. Several elsewheres, really. Chuckling softly, she shook her head, "No, no. Light is preferable. I'm a bit overloaded, honestly, and we have other things to do and discuss, anyway." 

Turning and sauntering into the kitchen, she nonchalantly gestured for the brothers to follow... both falling in line with surprising compliance before Christian paused and elbowed Hiram. What the fuck just happened? Kina simply giggled and continued on her way to rummage through the kitchen. With a little guidance, she found her way around and set to fixing herself breakfast. "Do you two want anything," she asked with a chipper smile... the grin turning impish as she lingered on the word 'anything'; a mischevious glint in her eye. 

They'd need to talk shop soon. But first, breakfast. 

Christian and Hiram blinked at each other as they stepped into the kitchen together. Witchcraft, black magic; she'd cast a spell on them. It was the only logical answer to what had happened. The two chuckled and turned back to Tsukina.

"I've eaten already this morning, thank you Kina. I'm sure Hiram wouldn't mind some food though."

Christian looked to his brother and shrugged. Hiram returned the gesture and looked at Tsukina. "Whatever you wish to make, I'll eat. Amelia will clean after you finish. She normally does the cooking and cleaning."

Hiram walked over behind Tsukina and smiled. "Can I help you with any of this?"

Christian turned and headed back down the hall toward his office. "I'll be in my study when you finish. We should really discuss your position with us here, Tsukina. Earlier rather than later."

He chuckled as his footsteps echoed down the hallway growing fainter as he distanced himself.

Hiram shook his head and began getting out plates and utensils for Tsukina, anything and everything she'd need to make them breakfast.

"So what do you think about the place so far? It's far larger than the castle in Chicago was..." He chuckled and hopped onto the island counter to sit.

Kina tried her best to hide a soft sigh as Christian took his exit. Of course, he was too busy to simply sit and banter with them. But... she had hoped. If for no other reason than to calm her nerves over the very topic he was pressuring her over. Blinking up at Hiram she chuckled and shook her head. He seemed so childlike and impish, plopped down on the kitchen counter with no sense of propriety or ceremony. 

Assuming he'd hear her regardless, Kina leaned out the door and called out into the hallway, "SAL! Breakfast?" It wasn't loud, but just loud enough... in that nonchalant, unassuming, uncommon sense kind of way that always made Kina stand out. 

Turning back to the island, she winked at Hiram, "I feel brunch-y. How's about avocado toast?" Hiram, being ever the compliant foodie, simply shrugged in accepting agreeance. He didn't care what it was was. Food=good.

With surprising comfort and ease, given her unfamiliar surroundings, Kina managed to throw together a beautiful spread... sun-roasted tomatoes from the fridge, fresh basil pesto from the window box, a touch of mayo, a sprinkle of sea salt... it looked delicious even before she topped it with the main dish. 

Savouring the scent as she cut through the skin, Kina made quick work of the first half... laying out perfectly aligned avocado slices as if curating a gourmet meal. Winking, she nudged the plate toward him as she brought the knife down to remove the seed from the second half. 

Bad move. 

With a telltale 'pop' the razor-sharp blade slid through the thick seed with unexpected ease... biting deep into Kina's upturned palm below. Clenching her teeth, she locked a would-be whimper behind her lips... giving no indication of pain as her eyes went wide. As the shocking lack of pain settled over her, the 'prey' portion of her brain kicked on with alarming force. Turning to the sink, she calmly turned the water on... cold so there'd be no steam... and dropped both the avocado and the knife into its running cascade with graceless urgency.

Squeezing her hand into a tight fist, she didn't even hazard a peek at the deep gash as blood began to run down the back of her hand and arm. It was bad. She didn't need to look at it to know it was bad, as the aching heat of an open wound began to radiate down her fingertips. Wrapping her hand in a spare towel, she clenched her fist to her body and scurried away from the island... pausing at the far end of the kitchen to open the window before reaching into her blouse to retrieve a small vial of pale yellow powder.

But, with only one hand, opening it seemed to more than a bit of a struggle as she fumbled with the cap. It was almost comical. But, of course, she wouldn't ask for help. It was almost sweet, almost cute... if not for being slightly offensive. Did she really underestimate him... them... that much? 

Frustrated, embarrassed, half-ashamed, and hurting, she hurled the tiny vial across the kitchen with a defeated growl; folding to the floor with a soft and utterly overwhelmed huffle. Sniffling angrily, she burried her face against her knees. "I'm sorry. I've ruined your breakfast," her voice trembled. And, at that exact moment, she felt as if everything was ruined. Chicago? Ruined. Her garden? Ruined. Breakfast? Ruined. Her chances at a normal life? Ruined. Her chances at being anything other than a liability and a mistake? Probably fucking ruined. Her chances of impressing Christian? Definitely ruined. Her relationship with Hiram? On the edge of being ruined. 

And she couldn't decide which part upset her more. 

"You've ruined nothing..."

"You've ruined nothing..."

"You've ruined nothing..."

The voices came in unison. Three voices for three different men. As she looked up, there they were. All three of the brothers. Hiram, Christian, and Salvatore. In her frantic attempt to pause the bleeding, she hadn't heard any of them come running... Or was it for a different reason she'd not heard them? Was she in fact a prey and they had shifted to a predatory state; silent as death sneaking up on it's unsuspecting victims?

Sal was already knelt beside her, reaching for her arm and tugging her hand away from her folded up body. He unwrapped her hand and exposed the wound, taking a long look at it. Christian leaned against the island bar, arms crossed over his chest but his eyes on the settling powder on the other side of the kitchen. "Yarrow... Interesting. Impressive." Hiram remained seated on the counter top, his eyes steadily eyeing the food. "Tsukina, those tomatoes look so delicious! I can't wait to try it all!"

She was sitting there bleeding, and all Hiram was thinking of was food... Normal. Fucking. Food.
She was bleeding, and Christian was impressed with her thoughts of Yarrow powder to stop it before it became an issue.
She was bleeding, and the only one who seemed even the slightest bit interested in that, was Salvatore. He stared at the wound; a sad, almost yearning in his eyes. "I'm... I'm so sorry you've hurt yourself Tsukina." He looked at her and dropped her hand from his grasp and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop it from happening." He seemed to get frustrated in himself. "This is my fault, I shouldn't keep the knives so sharp... I hope I didn't ruin your morning with that!"

"Salvatore," Christian spoke out as he turned to look at the two on the floor. "This was only an accident. Tsukina had an accident. None of this is your fault, and Tsukina, it's not yours either. Accidents happen, remember we've talked about this Salvatore?"

Sal blinked and looked over to Christian... "I know! I just can't help but -feel- like I could have done something more!"

"Well then why don't you go and grab the alcohol and gauze. You can clean and dress the wound."

With a nod Sal hopped up and took off down the hall.

"I'm sorry Tsukina. Worry not, you'll be fine in no time."

Christian dropped his arms and walked around the island to crouch beside her. "Allow me?" He held out his hand and took hers, looking at the cut. "It's deep. That's going to be painful for some time. We may need to stitch it. Salvatore, believe it or not, is a wonderful tailor though. He could sew your hand closed no problem."

He smiled and tugged a handkerchief from his back pocket and pressed it into her hand. "Pressure, until Salvatore returns."

Hiram slid off the table and looked at the food. "Coach me through finishing this for you? Then when you're all fixed up, you can eat."

Overwhelm. 

Absolute. Total. and Complete. Fucking. Overwhelm. 

For the first time since childhood, Kina felt keenly fragile and vulnerable. and she loathed it. She was a wreck. A hot fucking mess with no hope of recovering: ego bruised, in more pain than she had words to name, and embarrassed out of her mind. And here they were... all three... like angels; completely, compassionately undaunted by her fragility, unfazed by her raw and brutally human mini-meltdown. 

Hiram, for all his age and brutality, was childlike in his kind attention to the food. It was measured and deliberate, purposeful, she was sure. And yet, so natural in its guileless sincerity that she found it utterly endearing. 

Sal whisked to her rescue... a white knight at heart, no doubt. And though she froze in the grip of his unexpected embrace, the simplicity and innocence of his tenderness melted her heart. Sweet little Sal... carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders... feeling too much... for everyone. She saw him so clearly in that moment. And she loved him for the burdens he bore. 

Christian was beautifully intellectual. Calm. Almost cold in his calculated control. It should have been forboding, and yet she found it oddly comforting... affectionate in its own way. His touch was gentle and caring as he cradled her hand in his, frigid eyes assessing the damage. There was a tenderness to it that only comes from experience... a tenderness he seemed determined to guard with the same care and prudence that he did all things. And as she stared up at him, she couldn't help but wonder what wounds had made him so. 

Her brows knit together as she tried to comprehend the weight of her observations... and the feelings they stirred. It just wasn't fair. This wasn't what men like "THE Blacks" were supposed to be. How did two so contrastingly opposite things exist within singular individuals. It was overwhelming... as if their very presence was too much for this world. They shouldn't exist. They just... shouldn't. And yet... here she was. How many others were ever privy to such terrible, awe-ful beauty in their lives? 

She was overwhelmed... by all of it. And Christian smiled as he watched the thoughts race across her features. Most people reacted this way, she assumed... with difficulty reconciling their perfection. And for a long moment, she simply stared at him... the way she'd first stared at Hiram... like he was the most marvellous, magnificent, remarkable thing she'd ever seen in all her life.  They all were. 

With a soft whimper of defeat and surrender, Kina sighed and let the waves of emotion engulf her. There was no confusion in their depths. So why did she insist on trying to tread water? It was no use. None of it was. Like a deer surrendering under the fangs of a wolf, she melted into her own feeling in that singularly feminine way that only a woman can. Pressing her cheek to the small of his neck, Kina wrapped her arms around Christian, folding herself into the hollow of his chest with an uncanny natural precision that enveloped his senses... if only for the very briefest of moments. 

"How are you all so perfect?" she pouted, unable to filter the raw astonishment and admiration from her voice as it rushed from her lips. A rumble of laughter reverberated through her body as all three men chuckled aloud. And as she pulled away with sudden realization, Christian was able to watch the lightbulb illuminate behind her eyes... realization, horror, intrigue, doubt, acceptance, fascination. 

"That's part of it, isn't?" She didn't have to say anything else. They all knew exactly what she thought. Though, if there was any truth in it Christian didn't let on at first. He simply moved her toward the sink so that Sal could see to her hand. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, Christian pulled her tightly to his chest... and in one singular moment, she was all at once comforted, aroused, and entirely filled with dread. 

This. Was Going. To Suck. 

Yipping like a struck dog, Kina struggled against Christian's firm grasp. "Don't you dare stick that anywhere near me," she hissed, flinching roughly as Sal held up a small vial of pharmaceutical-variant painkiller and a syringe. Both men shared a momentary glance before Christian, digging his chin her shoulder for leverage asked calmly, "Are you sure?" 

"Yes!" Kina nodded emphatically. "I trust you to hold me. I want none of that. I have herbs in my bag... I'll see to the pain my own way when it's done." Grunting in agreement, Christian nodded to Sal, who set the vial aside and reached for the alcohol... his strong hands trembling as he neared her. 

Turning to Hiram, Kina said softly... confidently. "The toast is still warm. I have everything else done. It just needs avocado on top. You should eat." For a brief second, she gave him one of those looks, and she needn't say any more. The woman was resilient, observant, and brilliant. He'd done a damn fine job choosing this one. 

Breathing deeply, Kina did her best to calm herself and control her pain. But it was little use when the alcohol hit her skin. And poor Sal whimpered like small child as he set about his work... carefully cleaning and drying the wound before reaching for a needle and sinew. Biting back tears, Kina gulped softly as the sharp point bit deep into her flesh. Her whole body went taught, struggling against itself as she held her hand as steady as she could... flinching as she pressed herself back against Christian's steadfast grip. And again Salvatore choked back a soft, pained grunt. 

Craning to meet Christian's gaze, she pressed her cheek softly against him as she whispered, "Tell me about your home. The trees and the fields. Tell me about your springtime and the way the sun feels." She wasn't asking about this home, of course. She needed to be somewhere else... somewhere she could imagine with him... somewhere she could feel his words and slip away from this pain. Slip away so that Sal wasn't hurting himself trying to fix her. It was astute and compassionate in ways he'd not expected. Less than a day in their home and she understood... maybe better than he did. Christian smiled as he nodded to her. He'd done a damn fine job choosing this one.

Now if they could just get her through the next ten minutes without her (or Sal) passing out

Christian closed his eyes. "My home... Let's see."

He inhaled slowly and exhaled even slower.

"My home was crisp and fresh mountain air, early morning dew dripping from the pines, cold spring water fresh from the source, and a permeating stench of wet dog..."

He chuckled and opened one eye, looking at Hiram who snickered knowing exactly what Christian had mean.

"We lived with our Uncle Ely at that time. He always made sure we had a roof over our head despite our differences. Made sure we remained fed and strong. Taught us a lot of survival skills, and he's the one who taught us how to track." Christian smirked. "Poor Sal never got to actually meet Uncle Ely."

Christian continued, closing his eyes again.

"It was a decent sized cabin in the woods. Secluded. Still there today I believe, though Elyan isn't. Log styled like older days. We used to go and chop wood for the day's fires; stoves, pits, anything we might need warmed."

He chuckled. "Hiram was best at it. I was better at hunting though."

"It's true..." Hiram chipped in as he made the avocado toast as Kina had said.

Christian smirked and nodded. "Uncle Ely said I was natural. Then came learning to shoot. Musket rifles. Those were interesting. Flintlock pistols? A pale comparison to the 1911s I keep under my jacket. I'm sure Washington himself would cower in fear of the weapons we have today..."

He rubbed Kina's shoulder as Sal made pass through her skin, effectively suturing the gash together.

"All inn all, a beautiful time. BUT... A story for another time. Your hand?"

Sal piped up.

"It's done!" Salvatore chuckled as he marveled at his work. The stitching was so beautiful that you couldn't even see where the skin met... Just the crossing of the sinew.

"It should work nicely so long as you take it easy for a few days. Don't stretch your hand, and certainly don't scratch the stitch!"

Salvatore looked up with a smile. "Don't want it coming undone prematurely. It will break up on it's own, or I can remove it in a few days."

The two smiled at her before Hiram turned with a full mouth. "Thiws iws willy goowd."

Leave it to the oldest to break the ice with a comedic flare...

They all chuckled as Hiram grinned through puffy cheeks. "I'm glad you like it," she smiled... wiggling her fingers carefully as she marvelled at Sal's handy work. "This is... oddly beautiful. Thank you," tapping Christian's side she wriggled loose from his grasp and hugged Sal tightly. Nuzzling into the crook of his neck,  she silently pictured her garden and the kami tree she'd left behind... leaning into the memory of that peace and serenity, the love she'd poured into. All of that she passed to Sal as she held him close... waiting for the shaking in his hands to subside before she released him. 

Turning back, she unconsciously reached for Christian's hand. "I'm afraid I've no stomach for breakfast at the moment. Shall we move this little soiree elsewhere for that little chat? With any luck, I'll feel better after." 

Christian nodded as she hugged Sal and they both seemed to calm down.

"Certainly, we can go to my study or to the den. Whichever makes you more comfortable."

He allowed Tsukina to lead them as they stepped down into the large den and parked themselves on a couch near the fireplace. Christian crossed his legs and leaned back comfortably on one side as Tsukina pulled her legs underneath her and settled into the other, facing him.

"I do appreciate you coming with us to New York, Tsukina. Believe it or not, I'm quite happy you're here. You're intelligent, quick-thinking, and just the type of person we need working with us. Our business has just been my brothers and myself for some time. As the workload grows, it becomes increasingly important that we have the manpower to handle whatever our clients need. Whatever that may look like."

Christian looked toward the fireplace then to Sal and Hiram in the kitchen still. Getting up, he began to place firewood from the bin nearby into the fireplace itself. A twist of a knob later, and a match, they had a fire going. Standing, he allowed the gas to continue running for a bit while the logs caught.

"I trust my brothers with my life. I want that to be known. However," he turned to look over his shoulder, "it would be much easier to have a new set of eyes helping me run our organization. Someone who isn't used to our lifestyle. Someone who can understand the world around us with a fresh perspective." He killed the gas and returned to his seat on the couch.

"You'd be free to set up your garden again, but I need someone to help me run the day to day business. You obviously know the -type- of business we're in from your time with Hiram in Chicago. It's not a righteous path, but it is a lucrative and freeing path."

He leaned forward uncrossing his legs and clasping his hands together, his elbows resting on his knees.

"I need you to step into a position of power beside me. As our city grows we will need more manpower, and I need someone to help me handle the influx. My brother's are helpful, but not in so many ways as I may need. You'd be working alongside me and another... Sam Stone. He's shown great promise and I think the three of us can handle this family's extra additions. That is if you'd so accept a position within our organization..."

He eyed Tsukina, eagerly awaiting her response.

Kina blinked for a moment. That wasn't at all what she'd expected. Nodding slowly, she gulped softly, "I see." 

"Are you sure?" She sounded shocked. "I mean... I trust your judgement, of course. I just... I've never considered myself in that light." 

Blushing slightly, she chuckled as she eyed his shoes, "I'm happy to fill whatever role you see fit." 

The ruddiness in her cheeks spread to her chest as she fought to control the wandering of her mind at that statement. And while she did her best to hide it behind her cool composure, the smallest part of her almost hoped that he might notice. "I'm already quite fond of... well, all of you," she admitted with a bashful smile, "And, of course, it would be an honour to serve a family with such a prosperous and lasting legacy. But... If I may: Christian, what exactly are you asking of me? Speak plainly. Please. What do you want from me?"

The words hung heavily between them as her dark eyes met his blue gaze... needful and pleading; a world of unasked questions and unspoken truth dancing in their depths. "Ultimately... Whatever you need, I'm yours."   

The silence was deafening. Speak plainly? He thought he had... What was there to not understand about what he was asking of her? Certainly she wasn't daft after all of the pomp and show thus far. His gaze raised, as did her's, and they met. He could see the ever slight tremble of her lip. Ah... It was happening again, wasn't it? Another finding themselves attracted to their very essence. Of course, Christian held no assumption that it was him specifically or solely. No. It never quite worked that way. When someone fell in with them as it seemed Tsukina was doing, they fell hard for all three of them as a package deal. No brother was exactly alike, but at the same time they were equal in their elegant charm when it came down to things.

"Ultimately..." she started, and Christian's lips turned upward into a smile. Something almost uncharacteristic of him; so long as she had known him at least.

"Whatever you need, I'm yours."

Christian chuckled and slid closer to Tsukina, his hand reaching out and resting softly atop her thigh, fingers gripping her lightly. "You don't know how happy I am to hear that, my dearest. It's been a long time since my work has had a real woman's touch. Sure, Amelia is of great use to our family, and more than earns her keep." He turned and nodded to the woman who stood quietly across the room. A curtsy from her, and a nod from him, then he continued. "But her work is very much different, and separate from ours."

He turned back to Tsukina, the smile still etched firmly across his face. "I'm excited for you to stand beside me. Excited for us to get to know each other better."

His hand gave her thigh yet another squeeze before releasing her and leaning back, arms spread out and resting on the arm and back of the couch. "What is it the Italian's call it? A concierge, no... Con... Consen... Consigliere? An adviser." He chuckled and apologized for his flub.

"This is what I'm asking of you. Please, Tsukina. Stand beside me, henceforth, in any and every thing that approaches this family."