Topic: Sins of the Past Come Rushing Back to Bite You

Ria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-07 21:34 EST
- Nov 4. -

Ian Garlin stewed, glaring at the oblivious woman projected on the upper left quadrant of the television monitor. Long fingers tip, tap, tapped on the bare mahogany desk as the star of his personal show went about her business. That business, however, was restricted to the sphere of her desk " a phone call here, a type-written document on the computer there, a file that needed stamping. She was industrious, a good little busy bee in the hive of the Kitsune Foundation.

"We're a laughingstock still, you know." Ian finally broke the silence in the dark-shaded space as he simultaneously broke his gaze from the woman. "Years later, and they still laugh about how we couldn't control a bunch of young and idiotic thugs who never even did anything for us. How they screwed us and just walked away from our investment without a backward glance. And we got stuck with that bitch in the office." He jutted his chin toward the monitor before shifting his brown eyes back to the shadow-shrouded figure near the door, clutching a clipboard to his chest.

"I can't even get rid of her," he continued after a lengthy pause. "Edder made that clear. He has such a damn hard-on for her. Either that or he just wants to make sure I remember how much they managed to humiliate me." His lips curled up, slightly sharpened teeth glinting weakly in the pale light as they came into view from the snarl.

Ian's focus of attention finally transitioned from the woman in the monitor after several moments of tense, thick silence. "What do you need?" he asked his fidgeting assistant. The man's knuckles were white with the force of fingers upon the clipboard. The younger man stepped forward, just another in a long line of nameless and useless helpers. This one, at least, had lasted more than a month.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Garlin, but you told me to let you know if Maria or any of the other former Wrecking Crew members did anything in the duels. Well, she challenged last night." His gaze slipped to the ground in that announcement, his shoulders hunched forward and he folded over the board in his grasp.

This one wouldn't last much longer, Ian observed. The boy was starting to get a spine and starting to question his boss's methods and reasons for doing things. He'd started out fine; he'd even passed the usual trial-by-fire initiation that marked employment under Mr. Garlin with flying colors. It was likely that this boy was taken with the bitch too and disapproved of Ian's opinion of her. Damnit. He was almost efficient. He hated the thought of having to train another one.

Although ". He could find a kid and train that brat right. That was a possibility. That way, too, he wouldn't have to pay it and there wouldn't be any awkward questions.

"Maria challenged?" he finally asked the boy. "What title?" The boy " what was his name" " shook his head, peeling the board far enough from his chest for just a moment, just long enough to read the short notice. "For Overlord, and it wasn't Maria Graziano. It was Ria."

Ian started, brown eyes jolting to the monitor once more. "What' When did that bitch get above Master at Arms" Why in the hell didn't you tell me?" The boy gulped, then drew a steadying breath. "She's a swordsman right now; it was a special event that the Swords master, G, announced. She took the challenge to the Overlord."

"Did she now?" Ian leaned back in the sumptuous and comforting leather chair. "I see. Bring her in." The boy turned and scuttled out to do his master's bidding. Ian's gaze was drawn to the monitor yet again where she puttered along, blind to everything around her that wasn't work.

It wasn't long before his assistant " whatever his damn name was " snuck into the framed picture. Ian studied their bodies as the boy leaned over the cubicle wall, speaking to her. The clipboard was no longer glued to his chest; rather, it was set on top of the cubicle wall and resting lightly there. His smile blossomed, echoed by the woman's answering one. She finally glanced down the lane, toward Ian's office, and nodded. A few taps of the keyboard and then she swept around the wall toward the pathway to his office. The pair stepped out of view and Ian turned off the monitor.

He counted the seconds, short seconds, until the knock on the door signaled their arrival. "Come in," he granted brusquely. The door inched inward and she moved through, followed by the boy. Whatever the hell his name was. "You can go," he informed him. The boy nodded quickly and pulled back, taking the door with him by the knob.

"Sit," he ordered Ria. Her brows knit at the command and she hesitated for a long moment. "Uhh, a"ight." Finally she complied, edging toward the waiting chair on the other side of his massive desk. " Whasup" Ya wanted me?"

He sneered at her, not bothering to hide his contempt. "I am your employer, Mrs. Graziano. Not your Club-Crew Member. Speak properly." She started; while Ian Garlin had never been friendly he had always been polite " distant, but polite. "And intelligently, damnit," he added after a moment. "Your damn accent makes you sound like a baboon screeching in the zoo."

"Uhhhh?" she stared, mouth gaping at the admonishment. "Huh' Wha tha "ell?"

He leaned forward, ignoring her attempt to respond. "You and your ape-husband and the rest of your damn Club " "

"Crew," she managed to correct, even if it was an automatic reaction. "Whatever," he scowled. "You tools completely embarrassed this foundation. You took our money and our good will and then you walked away, thinking you're all kings of the damn world and don't owe any of us anything. Even if you thought you could pay what you owe us by working for us, you can't. You're a pathetic, useless bitch."

Her jaw slack, fish-faced, she couldn't do much but stare at the man as he gave his diatribe. Her mouth worked, somewhat, in that it opened and closed multiple times. Nothing issued from her of any substance, though, and he continued. "We'll get what?s coming to us, Alexandria Graziano." His brown eyes bored into her hazel ones, so there would be no mistaking the seriousness in his message. "You're going to make this right; you're going to do it with your Overlord challenge."

She blinked, then. "The " challenge" What' How?"

A smirk grew, slow to start but spreading swiftly. "You're going to win. And you're going to bring the Crew back to prominence. You're going to make your f****** happy family bring money in by being important again. You're going to restore the hell you caused by your s***." He paused, a long and still moment hanging between them. "You're going to win, and do this, or we're going to kill you. ALL of you."

She surged to her feet " and then promptly fainted.

Maria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-09 00:55 EST
- Nov 8 -

"My, get your god damn hands out of my cookie dough."

With a guilty grin on her lips, Myria slowly extricated her hand from the mixing bowl. She popped her index finger into her mouth to suck off the remaining chocolate chip from her finger. With a laugh, Maria reached out with the wooden spoon in hand to pop her younger sister's wrist. The laughter was contagious and infected Myria before she even had time to complain about the smack to her wrist.

There was a time that Myria hanging out in the kitchen of Maria's brownstone would have been a point of stress for both women. Their relationship used to be so difficult. Myria's anger over having felt that she was on the outside of her family looking in and Maria's guilt of keeping her sister from having a prominent role in her life always colored their relationship. It wasn't until Maria's divorce when Myria turned into the only of her family members to refuse to take "no' for an answer that things began to change. Myria didn't accept Maria's false reassurances that everything was okay. Myria was always there for Adie. It had been Myria at her hospital bedside. It was Maria who was quick to make Myria's boyfriend, Mike, feel like a part of the family. Their bond had come later than most sisters but it was there and it was undeniably strong now.

"Mom, we don't say "god damn"." Adie's very stern admonishment caused the grin to fade from Maria's face. Adie thumped her bare feet against the cabinets beneath the counter she was seated on as she oversaw the cookie making process in a pirate costume complete with a tiara, several strands of mardi gras beads, and boxing gloves.

Myria gave a couple firm nods in response, shooting Maria an amused glance. "Uh-huh. You potty-mouths needta stuff coin into a jar every time ya freakin" cuss. Maybe then you can buy Chrissy a new couch "n scrape the ass-mold offa the old one."

Adie's stern frown grew even more serious as she shook a gloved fist at Myria. There was a note of frustration in her very somber six year old voice. "Auntie My, we don't say "ass" either!"

The doorbell rang punctuating Maria's laugh as she continued to spoon cookie dough onto the sheet. In a sudden fluid motion, Adie pushed herself off of the counter with her sparkly ballet flats slapping against the stone floor beneath them. "I got it!"

"No, no, no," Maria looked up from the cookie sheet to glare at the bejeweled pirate-boxer as she headed towards the door. Everything was a fight when it came to raising a Graziano. "You do not answer the door and certainly not after dark. I almost broke my neck tripping over your school shoes in the hallway coming in. Go take them upstairs."

There was a huff but the pounding of footsteps headed up the stairs told Maria that her order had been followed. With a grin at her niece's exit from the room, Myria straightened from her lean against the counter and lazily started towards the front door. "I'll get it."

"Thanks, My."

Maria dark eyes bounced to the clock. It was late for someone to just be stopping by. Tony and Tical never rang the doorbell. Chris never visited. Heck, Chris rarely left his house these days. And Ria or Kheld would have sent a text before coming over. She heard the door swing open and strained to hear who's voice was coming down the hallway on the other side.

A pair of low male voices accompanied Myria's. They were pitched in soft, reassuring tones that immediately made Maria's heart drop into her stomach. The spoon slipped from her hand and clattered into the bowl with a heavy exhale of air. She forced one foot in front of the other to take her down the hallway to the entryway. There was news waiting for her at that door. News she didn't want to hear. She was sure of it.

Her mind flew through her family members. Tony should be at his restaurant, Pizza and Beer, since Tuesday night was Ladies" Night and Tony never missed Ladies' Night. Mike as his head chef would be there with him. Chris would, of course, be at home and it was just about bedtime for Kheld's brood so he would probably be helping Caed get them all to bed. Tical was at the club for another couple hours and he had promised to text when he got home. Had he left early' And what was it that Ria did on Tuesday nights" And was PJ in rehab this month or out of it"

My was standing with her back to Maria with a white-knuckled grip on the corner of the door. Past Myria on the front stoop of Maria's brownstone, a pair of uniformed Watch members with their hats were held in hand, their faces were drawn into sympathetic expressions. Maria struggled to fill her lungs with enough air to speak. "My?"

The younger sister's eyes were brimming with unspilled tears when My turned to face her. The torturous seconds seemed to drag on before the words Maria had been dreading were finally spoken.

"It's Ma, M. She's gone."

Ria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-11 12:23 EST
- Nov. 9 -

Contrary to what everyone has been led to believe, Chris Graziano did get off the couch every once in a while. In fact, he even sometimes left the house. He was just good at leaving during times when there were no lingering photographers hoping to get a shot of the elusive elder son. His recent cameo in the Duel of Swords" Arena ensured that there would be at least one photographer circling for the next few weeks, in fact.

The cold Wednesday morning was just such one of those days. Chris and Tony were out on their morning run " or beer-for-breakfast-dash " when Myria Graziano, the baby of the family, bounded up the steps and pounded on the door. "Open up! Guys!"

Thud, thud, thud, went her fist on the darkened wood.

"CHRIS! RIA! GET YOUR ASSES DOWN HERE!"

Ernest Rodgers, resident Graziano stalker, snapped pictures all the while. For once, however, he had the presence of mind to not ask questions; even he had heard the news. Rather, he remained a silent recorder to the proceedings.

"GUYS!" Myria bellowed. A bleary-eyed Ria finally tugged open the door, garbed in her holiday-standard Grinch fleece pajamas. She leaned against the jamb and groused. "Wha?" Ria's arms folded across her chest, emphasizing the frowning green cartoon-man emblazoned on her top. Her arms slowly opened, dropping to her side as she noted the expression on her sister-in-law's face. Brows knitted, and she straightened, drawing back enough to allow Myria entrance. "My' Sup?"

Myria's face fell as she moved through the door. "Where's Chris" We gotta talk." Ria's breath hitched, noting both the woman's expression and her voice. "Wha "appened?" Myria shook her head, striding deeper into the house to allow Ria to close the door on the encroaching Rodgers. He got a few final pictures before his view was lost. "Chris's gone, My. Out fo' tha mornin". Wha "appened?" Ria followed behind the other woman and then overtook her to lead My to the kitchen.

"Ma's gone." Myria didn't waste any time in getting to the heart of the matter, her voice flat with the proclamation. "They're sayin" some random kids jumped "er." Ria gasped and fell into a seat, her reaction a sharp contrast to the deadened manner from Myria. The younger woman leaned against the kitchen island, tears glittering at the corners of her eyes. "I didn't get a holda ya last night cuz your phone was off and Mike said we should let y"all get the sleep."

Ria stared for several long, tense moments after Myria fell silent. "What?" she managed to croak out eventually. "When?" Myria shrugged, feigning the indifference that her face betrayed. "Monday; said it took that long to ID her. They said she was slashed pretty bad."

"Do Maria and Tony know?" While Ria spoke to Myria, she couldn't bring herself to look at her and didn't see the nod from the woman. "M does. Watch came to her house last night, I was the lucky door-answerer. M did her usual thing; the whole "I got this" and she got busy. She was probably up all night bakin" or somethin"." Ria's gaze jolted to Myria. "Can you stay here and watch the kids and wait for Chris and Tony to get here" They should be back soon. I need to go talk to Maria." Her words were devoid of accent; the affectation was lost only when Ria was under tremendous stress or upset. "We've got a problem."

"Yeah, sure.? My's words barely left the woman's mouth before Ria was out of her seat and through the door, oblivious to the pajamas she still wore.

Ria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-12 02:08 EST
There was something else Ria forgot in her dash out the door - shoes. She didn't realize it at first, but by the end of the seven block run she surely did. The one helpful thing the frigid ground did was bring her focus back to the present and allow her to detach from the distress of losing such a close family member. She finally made the last steps of the sprint from sidewalk to the door of the brownstone, lifting her hand to pound on the door.

The door swung open just before Ria's fist met it and standing in the opening created was Maria. Her dark eyes slid down Ria's form, taking her in from roots to toes — bedhead, flushed cheeks, pajamas, no shoes. Dressed meticulously in a pair of dark jeans and a sweater, Maria stood in stark contrast with every hair in place, every look controlled. In times like these, she felt the need to control every last detail that she could, starting with her appearance.

"Ria." There was a note of surprise to the greeting. The door was swung open wider to reveal Maria's company. "You know Mr. Garlin from Kitsune, right' He stopped by to give us his condolences."

Ria stopped short, her arm dropping sharply down to her side. Her hazel eyes shifted immediately to the intruder in her sister-in-law's house - invited in guest or no, he was an intruder to her - and her lips drew down in a scowl. "Ria" he was already drawling, the picture of sympathetic, his garb fully black and perfectly tailored, seemingly sewn around his body. Long hair fell in an expertly bound by a black leather thong to drape softly over his shoulder. His hands clasped at his midsection briefly before opening them and turning toward the woman just outside. "I am very sorry for your loss, especially so soon after your trying challenge. We knew how exhausting it must have been after you did not come to work on Monday." Brown eyes glinted from his position just behind Maria, and he flashed the barest smirk at the obviously-shell shocked Ria. "We are all very sorry."

She rocked back on her heels, forced back a pace by the sheer oily charm emanating from the thing in front of her. He continued, pretending to be oblivious to her reaction. "As we can only imagine how horrible this time can be, and with how close Mama G is to you ....we don't expect you back until after the funeral, next week. Please, take this time - paid, of course —" He was careful to swiftly add that — "to be with your family." A deep breath, let out in a sad and slow exhale a moment later. "I should go, as I had meant to. Good morning, to the both of you. Should you need anyone at Kitsune ....we are here for you." He turned, edging past Maria without making contact. Ria, however, was not so lucky. He brushed against her, causing another step's retreat. "I expect you to return to work, Ria," he muttered, shooting her a dark and dangerous glare. It was only a second of contact, and he stepped away and toward his waiting car. Getting in, he shut the door to the car as it pulled away and drove out of sight.

"Jesus Christ, Ria. You look like crap. What're you thinking running around town looking like that?" Maria swept a hand to invite or demand her to step inside. She certainly didn't appear to be a woman who had been told only twelve hours prior that her mother was murdered. Her eyes were dry. Her clothes were freshly pressed. And there was the distinctive smell of fresh baked goods wafting from the kitchen. "Come in. I'll get you coffee and a muffin," she muttered as she turned from the doorway to head for the kitchen.

Ria blinked, then finally began to recover from the emotional assault she had just endured. "What' What was I thinking" I was thinking our mother just died, Maria!" She stormed inside, slamming the door shut behind them. "Where's Adie," she demanded, at least mindful of the child - even if belatedly. "I don't want food or coffee," she added, after another moment. She followed Maria to the kitchen all the same, though.

"My daughter does have a father. I know we all like to try to forget about him but he is still an active part of her life," Maria replied sharply. It was almost as if she never heard Ria's final statement. She lifted up onto the balls of her feet as she opened a cabinet and pulled down a mug. "Adie's with Bode. He picked her up this morning so I could make arrangements."

"I don't forget about Bode. I just don't want to upset Adie with this right now," she protested, scowling. She spared another glance at the door and then set a hand on the table, leaning in toward Maria without sitting down. "Maria, listen. We have a problem. It's Kitsune. They're going to kill us all." Her words were earnest, sincere - she truly believed them. The words came out in a rush, and almost a whisper, as if she feared Ian's abrupt and unwelcome return.

Maria hardly could be blamed for not believing such a tale, particularly coming from Ria in such a state of undress after a seven block jog without shoes. She hesitated for a moment while her eyes scanned Ria's face. Had living with Chris for so long finally driven her crazy' Was Mama's death the last straw? She could only deal with so much in one day. With a shake of her head, she poured coffee from the pot into the mug. "That is ridiculous, Ria. You're just upset because we don't know who to blame yet. The Watch seems confident that it was just a gang of thugs."

She took a step forward. "Maria, no, it's not!" Her head shook from side to side rapidly, almost causing whiplash with the force of the movement. "Listen. Ian - Mr. Garlin, the man who was just here, threatened to kill all of us if I didn't win the Overlord challenge on Sunday!" Her free hand lifted toward her sister-in-law, imploringly. "He said we made fools of Kitsune when we retired and Kitsune was going to get a return on investment somehow! So he said if I didn't make us important again, he'd kill us all." She took another step, her hand leaving the table and coming up to edge toward Maria.

Ria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-12 02:10 EST
Maria's grasp on her front was tenuous at best and it could not stand Ria's theory. The open palm of her free hand came down hard on the counter for a sharp slap to get Ria's attention. "That's enough! I don't want to hear it. It doesn't make any sense. We were a perennial playoff team. We have held a **** ton of titles. If they didn't make money off of us then that is on their marketing and their contracts. Not on us." The coffee mug was set down hard on the kitchen counter and Maria gave an imploring wave of her hand towards it, encouraging Ria to drink as if the coffee might bring Ria to her senses.

For her part, she ignored the mug. The slap jarred her, and she was forced back a pace. "I know that, but that's what he said! Maria, he took me in his office and told me it! Why in the hell would I lie, damnit"!" She shook her head violently again. "He called us all tools! Maria, listen to me," she begged. "Even if you don't believe me, trust me. Trust your sister." In-law, that was, but it wasn't the time to quibble. "We need to get the kids out of here, at least. And watch out." Perhaps that was the most insane part of her argument, the exile of the three Grazianos the adults might need to be around the most.

The whole thing seemed to be getting crazier by the second. Maria rocked back on her heels, giving a soft humorless laugh as she shook her head at Ria. "I don't have time for this, Ria. I have to go make funeral arrangements for my mother." An angry, threatening edge grew in her voice, tumbling over everything in its path and taking no prisoners. "You will not upset my sister or my brothers with this nonsense. Do you understand me" If you run around spreading your conspiracy theories to them, I swear to God, Ria, I will make you regret it."

Her breath hitched, and she dropped heavily into the chair she just barely managed to pull out before collapsing. "Maria," she whispered, deflated, "I'm not lying." Perhaps Ria was the first one to openly weep for the situation, or perhaps not. At the very least, she was the first to do so in front of someone else. "She was my mom too. And I kil —" Her mouth snapped shut and her head dropped. "Do you need help with the arrangements?" Too late she realized that continuing to fight it would only drive an even deeper wedge between the two. "What can I do?"

Her eyes dropped from Ria to the counter between them. She couldn't stand the show of emotion. She didn't want the help. A deep breath was drawn in and then released slowly before she realized that there was one thing that Ria could do for her. Her dark brown eyes were leveled on Ria and a small nod was given to accept the offer. "I need you to tell Tical."

What' Her gaze darted up. "Seriously?" The word was out of her mouth before she could help herself, and she snapped her mouth shut again immediately after. She took a deep breath, then tried again. "You sure" I mean ....I will ....but are you sure you don't want to do it' Do you want me to say anything else?" She paused, then shifted gears. "How much do we need for the ....for Mama" For the home, and the cemetery?"

"I'm sure," Maria whispered in reply. While her tone sold that she was, her heart ached at the thought. The one person she would feel safe breaking down around had to be kept away. There was nothing she was better at than pushing away everyone when she was in pain.

She waited a moment before addressing the second question. There was an edge to her tone once more. A warning for Ria not to fight back. "Mr. Garlin said that Kitsune would like to cover the cost of Ma's funeral and burial. I've decided to take him up on the offer."

Her breath hitched, but the second time she was a little wiser and didn't push. "Alright," she finally allowed. It's the least those bastards can do. The thought sent another scowl of disgust across her face. "Have you picked a home and a date for it, yet' Do you want me to take care of the after-time?" She finally snuck a peek up and her heart ached - the pain on Maria's face was as easy to read as the kids' first board-books. "Can I hug you?" The question was born of desperation, of a woman at a loss for what to do. To continue to fight for what she knew would just cause further deterioration.

A hug" Her features tightened in a determined look. The temptation to latch onto someone — Myria, Tical, now even Ria — was almost too great to fight. But Maria was a world class fighter. She even fought the battles that would only hurt her in the end to win. "I really don't have time, Ria. I need to get going," she replied quickly as she reached out for her keys. "But stay and finish your coffee. There are pumpkin muffins in the container there." And with little else, Maria's heels clipped down the hallway and she was out the front door before Ria could interject another word.

Ria didn't touch either the coffee or any muffins. She buried her face in her hands and, in a rushing fall of emotion, sobbed her pain and frustration at the entire situation.

Goldglo

Date: 2011-11-12 02:19 EST
After reading the obituary for Mama Graziano that someone had left on the Outback's message boards, Matt walked to his office and sat for a long time. He had not seen or spoken to the woman in years, but remembered fondly the time she had dedicated to the Outback, before the fame of her children and the Wrecking Crew had reached its pinnacle.

Reaching for the phone, he dialed the only number he had for any of the Grazianos. Not surprisingly, an answering machine picked up.

"Ria, it's Matt. I heard about Mama..." his voice stayed silent for several seconds. "You're probably hearing this from everyone, but let me know if you or anyone in the family needs anything. If I can help pay for the funeral..." another pause, "just don't hesitate to ask for anything, all right' Let Maria know. Bye."

Hanging up, he remained in his office for the better part of an hour. Violence in the city was on the rise and despite his position as head of the RASG, he felt rather powerless to effect change. He needed to figure out how, even without being in the Governor's seat, to put his plans into motion. Rhydin deserved better. Citizens deserved better. And certainly, Mama Graziano had deserved better.

Myria Graziano

Date: 2011-11-12 02:36 EST
The following press-release became available on Thursday, November 10th.

MYRIA GRZIANO TAKES LEAVE FROM RACING TEAM

Rhydin (Dockside District) " November 10, 3:34pm " Kitsune-Kokouri Racing has informed Braxat Circuit officials that Myria Graziano will be taking a leave of absence from Iris Kokouri's #22 team, effective immediately.

With four races left in the season, Lisa Gunderson will take on Myria's role as Rig Chief while Jason Sloin will move from the #13 team to take over her Crew Chief duties on the #22. Kitsune-Kokouri racing expects Myria Graziano to return before the start of the next Braxat Cup season.

"Everyone at Kitsune-Kokouri Racing extends our deepest sympathies to the entire Graziano family and especially to Myria, who's been an integral part of our success for the last several years," said Patrick Miller, a Kitsune-Kokouri spokesman. "We look forward to Myria's return and her continued contributions toward our goal of winning another Braxat Circuit championship."

The next Braxat Circuit race takes place this weekend at the Chipah Forum in Harpost.

Kitsune-Kokouri Racing is a mutual partnership endeavor between the Kitsune Foundation and Iris Kokouri. Please contact Sonas Blandin, VP of Public Relations, for more information about Kitsune-Kokouri Racing and its teams.