It was bright and early in Philadelphia as Gia awoke from her sleep, the birds outside were chirping some little melody with one another as the sun began to rise and slowly shine through the curtains of her bedroom window. It had been a week since her twenty third birthday and nothing seemed to be changing.. she was still stuck working the dead end job down at this lawyers office, her foster parents had gotten her the job but it just wasn't fitting.. something inside her longed for more than just the ordinary life. That's what caused her to go digging a few years ago anyhow and it was evident to her at a early age these were not her parents.. they looked almost nothing alike.

Her mother was Italian, full of life and beautiful, or atleast the pictures she could find of her.. She fled Philadelphia sometime right after Gianna was born and left her for adoption.. she never got anything more then her first name, Carla, but knew that she was into some heavy shit.. The day after Gianna discovered all this some goons came by her apartment and told her not to go snooping anymore about Carla, but her inquisitive nature couldn't help it..

She yawned and pushed herself up in bed before gazing out the window where the noisy birds were. Today was the day, that inquisitive nature of hers was going to take her to New York. It was supposedly the first place she stopped before heading out to the west coast, she needed to find out exactly where this was.

Knock...knock...knock...

The bedroom door creaked open and it was her bodyguard, James, he held her plane ticket in hand and smiled as he set it down on the dresser.

"Sorry Miss, I went out and got that ticket per your request. Its not a far flight but I do suggest getting some food in you before you leave."

Gianna nodded and smiled back at him before stepping out from the bed covers and stretched with her feet on the cold hardwood floor.

"Thank you James, your coming with me to New York, I hope you got yourself a ticket..."

James nodded and pulled his ticket from his pocket. He knew Gianna was going to give him shit over that and she did, before he made his exit to go brew her coffee before the flight leaving Gianna standing by herself in the room. She slowly walked over to the window and sat down on the edge and began to look around the busy streets below as she thought about things.. Twenty Three long years, and her mother had not come looking for her.. why? did she really not like her that much? Was there someone or something else? What? So many questions... She would find out some soon enough on her trip to New York..

"The start of a new journey..."

It had been nearly a week since Gianna landed in New York.. this place was full of hustle and bustle and she quickly realized why it drew the attention of so many, although she was not a fan of the heavy polluted streets and sidewalks.. there was just too many people for her liking. She was happy that James was accompanying her in this new place, well, everything was quite new to her here but she had been told to hang around Little Italy until her contact showed...

Thing was, she hadn't the slightest clue who to talk to.. even the latter she got was anonymous, but it had a weird seal on it with a 'P" .. hmmm she thought to herself as she waited at the stoplight before she crossed. She was headed back to the hotel to gather her things and move, it was dangerous staying in one place for too long, especially since those goons harassed her back in Philadelphia, she would need to find a new crew and place to lay low...

"Are you hungry miss?"

James said, interrupting her train of thought and pointing at a local business, The Melting Pot. She had seen this place quite a few times on her stroll through Little Italy, but hadn't had the chance to visit. She shook her head no. It was no time for eating, she needed to find out a way into the underworld and there was a rumor a local card game was being played in a backroom just a block from the hotel. That was her best lead by far...

"No James, let's just head back to the hotel and gather our things, perhaps we can eat there later after we go to the card game.."

He nodded before the two continued on. It really was their best lead so far, most illegal card games were ran by the mafia so it would be no coincidence she would end up meeting someone there, or at least associated...

They arrived on time, or well, on Gianna's time that is.. point was she made it here. The building was well lit up and people wearing fine suits and dresses were rumbling through the front doors of the establishment. She hadn't the slightest idea how to play cards, or if this was even going to be the right place to meet someone in the underworld, but she was going to just have to try.. it was all she had thus far. The car door opened and she quickly stepped out and stood next to her bodyguard, James, on the sidewalk before pulling the handwritten note from her small purse and looking over it to see the address again..

"This is the right address.. just didn't expect it to the this busy.."

She sighed as she put the note back in her purse before slowly making her way up to the front door as the crown began to die down, partially in due to everyone being inside already. This card game was ran by Mr. Solotzo who had ties to the mafia and of course as she made her way through the entrance, she was patted down and her gun stripped along with her bodyguard but her eye quickly spotted the bar and headed there for a drink and to look over the place.

The bartop was freshly polished and glistened under the light as it had been freshly wiped, Gianna placed her elbows against it and leaned forward to get the attention of the barkeep.

"One vodka on the rocks for me, with some sort of juice on the side to mix with.."

She smiled and put a twenty dollar bill down and turned back around to lean her back against the bar now.

"What do you make of the place James? See anyone important here?"

"I seen someone who looks kind of important over there playing cards, I think poker maybe? I'm not sure.. but he has a few bodyguards.."

James pointed to the other end of the room subtly to the man sitting down at the table. It was Solotzo's special card game table so she would need a special invitation to just go and sit down.. but she knew just how to work her magic as she picked up the vodka and juice off the bar and walked over to him seductively.

"Good evening Mr. Solotzo.. thank you for inviting me tonight! My boss Salvatore sends his regards.. say.. that table over there. You don't say I could take a seat do you?"

He shook his head no and smiled at her as he kissed her hand.

"By all means Miss. Enjoy yourself and tell Salvatore hello for me."

She kissed him on the cheek before quickly making her way over to the table and sitting down, giving off a slight glance to the man at the end who seemed overly serious at the moment. She played a few rounds before approaching him in mid conversation..

"So, I don't believe we exchanged names.. Mine is Gianna... what is yours?"

Issei noticed the young woman, he didn't exactly wish to come here but here he was now. So without anything else, he decided what the heck? Maybe he could have some fun at the end of this, what would it hurt? Only that came with him losing some fucking cash, yet he had some other things that would make the money back. So right now, he could do with the little talks. 

"Issei, you seem...very comfortable enough to just...interrupt a conversation you know?"

It was clear by the humorous part in his voice that he found himself enjoying the way she could easily just barge in. Some didn't have that confidence, it was lacking in some, Issei often found he was like that but it depended on the situation. 

"What brought you here? The way you dress, it seems like you already have enough money as is."

Issei didn't really care for it but he was cautious, with people after him and his need to make sure that those around him were never out to kill him, he made sure of that prospect.

"Besides the striking conversation part....you have me curious, out of everyone here, you decide to talk to me....how peculiar."

Issei made sure she knew that he was welcoming yet not so much that he would allow it to blind him. He rose an eyebrow, deciding then that he really needed a drink, one that he needed to calm his nerves. 

Gianna smirked back at the man as she lifted up her cards on the table and glanced down to them. She was pretty confident right now which was unlike her, perhaps it was the alcohol.. or the sheer fact she wanted desperately to find some source of information here in New York.

"You seemed like an approachable person, and someone of stature around here so I decided to barge in.. excuse me for my bad manners.."

She glanced over to the dealer and patted the table, as a sign to check her turn. This man was rather bold and arrogant, maybe he was the right person to be talking to here.

"Anyway,  yes I dressed fancy for the occasion, I would not call myself rich by any means but I am well off. My foster parents took well care of me and I have my own business. Lemon Squeezed have you heard of it? Quite popular in the other end of New York but I have only been there a few times. My parents bought it for me.. I'm from Philadelphia."

Her throat was rather dry after saying so much, she picked up the glass of vodka and took a sip to wet her throat and continued.

"You caught my attention so, I had to introduce myself.. and you look like a man who might know a thing or two around here. I don't believe I caught your name?"

"How much have you drank, Gianna? I told you already, my name is Issei, the Red Dragon."

Pretending he never noticed the slight flinching he watched Gianna's reaction, it didn't seem like she knew of him like the others at the table would have. He simply gave her a polite smile, one that held sly amusement, it was clear that that Issei wished to have fun and maybe this conversation would prove to bring just that, in the end, that is what he wished at the very least. 

She was something, the way she held herself, there was a certain refinement. Issei was sure he had seen her somewhere before, a long time ago, a fight he had, hosted by members of high society. Giving her the slight appraising look the red dragon wondered....just who was she? She never did state her last name after all. 

"Yes, well, your attitude is different. You seem curious, yet not so much that it would draw attention. You're here for something, by the way you're ever so slightly smirking I'd say that you are confident when things are in your favour. Sometimes overly so, yet you always account for...problematic situations should they arise."

Issei didn't know where he gained his profiling skills but he read her, she was certainly a sight. There was something within her that desired something, he would have wished to help her but he did not know her. 

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry but I'm somewhat observant, it makes up for my...lacking in other areas. Me, knowing things? It depends and on what information I would be needing to provide you, Detective."

There was a teasing edge as he glanced at her, bowing his head as he smirked back at her, enjoying the play-by-play as he watched the game, deciding to do the same as her, checking all the same. 

"Well off, so wealthy then? Is that not the same? I could call myself well-off but that would be a lie. Your parents care for you, wish I could say the same of mine. Either way, I have not been to Lemon Squeezed, I do find myself in New York though, though it's been marred chicken shits who believe themselves strong because of a way they prevent themselves, heh, the fools."

There it was, the straight voice, the blankness that would have sounded odd on the ears to any other. Only with Issei he knew the way he was playing, looking at Gianna, there was something there. Something that was trying to claw at him, yet he shook his head, deciding to leave that for now. 

He came here for fun, not a mystery. Only he would not lie to himself, he found himself challenged and wishing to find out more.

Perhaps she did have too much to drink, her cheeks felt a bit rosey red as the man stated he needed to repeat himself. She folded her hand and gave off another slight smile.

"Pardon me, I suppose there is much going on here at this table.. I must have missed that. You have caught me off guard and yes, I do like things in my favor.. in sort of climate controlled if that makes sense, I like things perfectly in order..."

She took another sip off the vodka while holding the man's gaze and placing it back down on the poker table.

"It's a fine establishment!" ​​​​she quickly replied to him

"I would recommend visiting sometime. I made the recipes myself! So.. I am in search of information but perhaps we could talk somewhere more private? Perhaps outside.. I don't think this is the proper place to discuss such matters but maybe you can help me!"

Her head tilted towards the door as she lifted herself up from her seat.

"I can pay you for your information of course.. just need about ten minutes of your time, besides.. looks like you can use the extra cash with the way your chip pile has been draining.."

She gave off a slight chuckle and waited for his response as she hovered over her chair.

Glowering at her playfully, Issei shrugged and stood to his feet. She was waiting and he knew that she would soon lead the way, with that, she did. They made it elsewhere, though Issei would notice some ways that people seemed to think he was a bodyguard of some kind, the way he was dressed, in black and red. It made him seem the time, altogether, it just made him smirk. 

They were outside, Issei would not pretend to notice how Gianna seemed to have her moment of serious. He was right in his assumption, of course, with what? He didn't know, he just knew that she was someone important. Maybe it was just his imagination, with that thought, he crossed his arms.

"That chip pile back there was for monies that I'm not going to use, ever. Sometimes I gamble, others, well I prefer to keep that private but just know that I'm sorted on the money front, it's not going to work, just tell me what you want and we can from there. I'm not a deceiver of some kind, trust me on that."

Then he remembered, back there she had said she was looking for information. She had said she was adopted, Issei frowned and raised his brow. Was it possible that she was just looking for information on her birth parents? Issei didn't know how to go about that but he wished too, with a blank face, he bowed his head. 

All he needed to do was give her the information that she desired. It was nothing more and nothing less, so what more would there be? He knew, without another word he decided he would. 

"I'm sure it is such an establishment that I would never leave, I am sure that it has the greatest recipes that you yourself would have provided. So does that soothe your ever so determined pitch?"

He gave her that grin, one that had looking forward to where this conversation could head. 

"What information did you need? I am sure it has to do with your parents by the way you seemed to....mention, if not, I apologize but am I wrong?"

It was a blunt way of getting to the truth, one that he really needed to make sure went through with ease. He could tell her and they can move forward, thank fuck for that because he really needed a drink, Oreos, preferably 

The cold New York air hit Gianna on the face as soon as she stepped outside, the alcohol had her blood levels raised and the warmth of her body rejected the cold air quickly. She turned back to the man and smiled, listening to him the entire way as he spoke and now that they were outside, he had finished. She wasn't exactly supposed to divulge information about herself, or the mafia.. but this man seemed.. different.. she had an odd suspicion he may be connected to the underworld in some way by the way he dressed..

"I'm going to just get straight to the point with you Issei.. while I have enjoyed our small talk thus far, I'm afraid this conversation is going to take a turn.."

She paused again and cleared her throat and let off a smirk.

"My name is Gianna.. I never did give you my last name because.. well.. currently it is Smith after my foster parents but I got some information about my birth mother, and my... birth father... while I don't know his first name, or last for that matter... I was able to get a name for my mother.. Carla..."

Gianna noticed the mans face change bit when she mentioned Carla, perhaps he knew of her? Although it was a pretty common name..

"I was told my parents were.. involved in some heavy things criminal wise.. something called the mafia.. perhaps you have heard of it? .. although probably not. The whole thing just seems so secretive to me! I've only just heard about it myself recently.. when I went looking for them.. I guess my father was pretty heavily involved during his day..."

Her eyes dropped down to her feet now as she brushed her right foot from side to side on the concrete floor as she pulled the note that was given to her back in Philadelphia that told her to come to this city.

"I'm sorry to just drop this all on you, but you seemed like you might be in the .. uh.. criminal world and perhaps would know a thing or two?? I've only got this piece of paper that was given to me and told me to come here in search of more information about them... and well.. here I am."

"It's alright my involvement with the underworld is limited, I was a fighter, a good one and I travelled throughout the United States, mainly Los Angeles and Philadelphia. I met some people in my time, I was young but one I heard of was Carla DiMarco. You look like her, besides the hair, obviously. She was someone that I didn't work with closely but I had a few talks with at the time."

Issei knew that he had always seen someone with Carla in his time, secrecy in that life was something else. Yet here he was, the red dragon, trying to help her and he found that he didn't actually mind, maybe there was something right for him. Doing this, helping people, instead of fighting, it felt more relieving at times. 

"She was always accompanied by a few guards, by her looks I'd say that she was someone important to someone very powerful. I'm guessing that would have been your father, I didn't see him around, guessing that was a secret of a secret but I can have some people investigate. Your mother had a club, Eros, it was called."

Issei looked lost in a memory that was so long ago, his teen years, the fight and rage, the moments of being powerful, all came for a single country. A single moment where he felt like he had meant something, he was not ashamed to admit that Carla DiMarco had something to do with that, she was powerful in her own right. She earned that. 

"As I said, there were plenty of people around at the time, some people probably knew your father. I didn't know him personally at all but your mother was one, so I'm guessing that Los Angeles would be your best bet."

Issei knew that he wasn't exactly giving much but the name of her mother but she could work better now knowing that truth. He shrugged, giving her that look of apology, he was a fighter and observer, not that much of an information person, he knew that much.

"Are you going to be following into the footsteps of your father? Get involved with what they call The Life?"

Issei paused, giving her a look and wondered is this what she wanted or did she just wish to find her parents? He didn't know yet but he wished her the best, maybe he could help her, he didn't exactly know yet.

Gianna listened closely to what the man had to say.. it was like a huge blast of relief when she finally got the tad bit of information she needed! Carla DiMarco.. she had a last name finally!! It was one step closer to finding her, and her father..

"It sounds like my mother was someone important like I thought.. I thank you for this Issei.. who would have known it could be such a small world around here. I still wonder what my mother was doing in New York before apparently heading to Los Angeles... Maybe seeking safe passage through someone here.."

The door opened to building and a woman stepped out of the building and locked eyes with Gianna for a brief moment, there was no exchange of words but there was something different about this woman. She quickly walked past them and paid no mind, Gianna took a gander at her face and made not of it, if she was at this party she was probably someone important...

"The Eros Club.. I wonder if it will still be around in Los Angeles.. thank you again my dear friend.. perhaps we will run into each other again soon enough."

It was in that moment the man asked her a question, one she has pondered herself.. she was already associated with the underworld,  and no matter how much she tried to keep her distance from it all, she grew more and more attracted to the fast life and money, and it was in her blood.. she was born for this..

"I have given it some thought.. following in the footsteps of my father and mother, and thrusting myself into the life... But for now.. I need to just find them and get my answers. Perhaps then I can feel like I can make a decision about what I should do.."

Gianna leaned over and kissed the man on the cheek and smiled.

"Thank you again for the information, I really should get going. It seems I have a plane to catch tomorrow. You take care of yourself and look for my letter when I reach Los Angeles!"

"I will Gianna, just...make sure you are ready for what you're stepping into. This is not going to be good, I just hope you are ready. Yet I see that determination in your eyes, you are more than ready."

Issei meant those words in a double meaning, her parents, he was sure Carla DiMarco was one of the few people he could remember from that time. When he was a young teenager just making waves on the scene of Martial Arts, yet looking at her face once again, she was someone he recognized, the hair...that smirk, there was something gnawing at him...

"Of course, but more than likely, I'll be in Las Vegas by then, it's where I'm known to reside, Gianna. Just make sure that you have fun, alright? I hope you find what you're looking for..."

That stung, he knew her parents were likely not alive. If she was who he thought she was, then her very name, it was going to leave her...hunted. Yet he gave her a smile and a hug, letting her know that he appreciated her calling him a friend. 

"Maybe we will, more than likely, it will be in a fight club...but that's another time, you...well, you be good and no more wandering into gambling halls and striking up a conversation. You never know who you might meet, eh?"

Issei gave her a final look, he gazed in the direction of the woman that had eyed Gianna, wondering if he knew her as well. Shaking his head, he left it and soon walked away, heading back inside..leaving the gambling for another day. 

Thinking of Gianna again, he had to wonder, there were always guards with a Philadelphian accent about them. At that time, two of the more prominent Big Bosses that resembled her were Valencia or Luis Pa- No, it couldn't be...could it?

Shaking his head, the red dragon walked off and he spoke to himself wondering the odds. 

"Heh, small world...you have one heck of a legacy for you, Gianna..."