A Gaggle of Sicilian's [Vanetti's]

Before, Isabella was pleased to see her sister more than capable of carrying on the family tradition. Now? To be honest, she was impressed. It seemed she was not only capable, but well equipped, and well experienced. It sparked some curiosity in the girl--what was Korea like? She'd be sure to ask her sister of that later.

"We've been keeping tabs on the Duvalier Group--but for now, with where we're at, they're untouchable. Basically, they are the government. I'd rather spit on the shoes of the commissioner of police right now than to step into their waters."

For right now.

"Still, there are other ways to make money, other markets outside of their control. Or, as I've suggested to the family, other countries to deal with. Sicily's the goal, but we'd need some help outside of here. There are some names, some figures, some 'businesses' we've catalogued as potential."

There were still remnants of the mafia operating in America, connections and contacts linked across the Atlantic between them and the original Cosa Nostra. Still, they too were impacted by the rise of Shadow Fall, and it seemed like the reigning kings of the underworld across seas were russians instead. Business was blind to race, however, and if they could help, Isabella was keen on making good use of them.

Speaking of outside help, Imelda said exactly what was on her mind. It didn't matter how long they spent apart--they were still sisters, at the end of the day.

"The Rosa's are on board. They've lost so much in the way of influence and power that we've basically confirmed that we could fold them into our ambitions. The Garofano's, though... that one's a little iffy. Nonna Juno is unwilling to talk to them right now--some drama over a party or something, blah blah; anyways, even though Nonno Fragan's the boss of the family, if Nonna Juno won't talk with them, then they're off-limits for the time being."

Isabella rolled her eyes. She loved her family, but that didn't mean she condoned everything they did. In fact, it made her want to curse them out, for real. She'd never do that to her great grandmother, though.

"Uncle Alfonso is... a rough case. He's doing his own thing--last I heard, he was in jail. Big time jail, I mean, under the Gotei, or Lux, or whoever the fuck. I've also heard rumours that he's out, but, I don't know. If he was here, things would be a whole lot easier, but I wouldn't count on it. He's disconnected from the Vanetti name anyways.

There's also competition to take care of. The Fragipani especially."

Isabella spit on the floor with great contempt.

"There's just a lot to catch you up on in general. Don't worry, though--we still got some time before things come to action. Some time in the near future, we've even already arranged a meeting with some guy across seas--New York."

Another eye roll. Isabella propped her feet onto the couch, full-fledged equipped to go into an optimised bitching mode.

"Tell me about it. These adults, soru, listen to me--you know what Nonno did the other day? He started pulling money from the family funds because Nonna Gwen has developed an interest into stock exchanges and 'spiritual virtual currencies', whatever the hell that means. And--"

Isabella went on to splurge over the current dramas on the family, admittedly mostly mundane and inconsequential. Finally, she exhausted the most current ongoings in her mind, giving spaces for Imelda to chime in, ask questions and have them answered, and engage with her over these topics.

"That's why Marie and Phoebe have been low-key fighting, or just being passive aggressive towards each other and any family gathering. It's soooo annoying. Anyways, what were we talking about? Ahh, Nonno Fragan. He's been doing things, mostly background stuff, though. He's old, not as limber as he used to be, and he's always been good at dealing with politics in a pre-established infrastructure.

Now, though? Since the Cosa Nostra isn't up in arms and in power right now, what he knows and what he's good at isn't relevant right now. Still, you know how it is--gotta pay respects to the capo, you know? The rest of the family are working on their own things, in their own ways, to bring the Vanetti up, and right now Nonno is more of a 'I give my blessing' or 'I don't give my blessing' kind of guy. Not really an 'active leader'."

For this one, Isabella sat upright. Things were going from family drama to real, actual business.

"New York? Ohh, girl, we've got something big. The Cosa Nostra got destroyed when Shadow Fall came, and then came the war, and then came the Duvalier Group, so we never got much of a chance to get back at it. Over there, in the Americas? Totally different. Their mobs survived better. Right now, a bunch of russians are in control of all the underworld over there--and we're in the process of arranging a meeting with them, probably about a little bit of 'trafficking'.

I was supposed to go with someone, but now that you're here, I think nonno wants me to do something else. So? You interested?"