#rediragni

[ahelluvahigh]

@rediragni asked: Arackniss's cellphone rang in his pocket.

It's a completely unconscious effort. That particular ringtone plays, and Arackniss immediately grabs the phone from his pocket, hastily placing it to his ear.

"Go."

No niceties. He doubts Henroin wants to hear them. He most likely wants to give Arackniss an order and get back to his own work.

[ahelluvahigh]

@rediragni asked: TXT: Who u goin aftr

[Txt] Some shitty assassins who went after that pop star the radio demon likes so much.

[Txt] Wavebreaker's gonna pay, and we're gonna have a lot of dept we can call in once they're dead.

[ahelluvahigh]

@the-smallest-star asked [text Opal] Arackniss. If you can find two eels. Amid and Asp. We'd like to know who hired them. They just tried to kill Shi and Gritt. One of them is wounded, if you find they have gone to any medical center, I trust you will know how to handle them. And yes, if you need to be paid for this, I will personally pay.

[text] 10 4.

The assassin loads his pistols with fresh magazines as one of his lower hands reached for his radio scanner. If any hospital admitted an injured eel, or any ambulance reported coming in with an eel, he would know. While he's listening... he'll head to the hospital nearest the hotel. Gritt's apartment is close by, and if Opal is texting him, it's because they're in Pride. This attack must have happened near... or at the hotel, and if they got into a fight with Shi... they were going to need a hospital. He might be able to meet the ambulance in the street and shoot out its tires.

Guns loaded, radio scanner in his breast pocket, keys in hand, he also reaches for his phone.

[txt to: Pops] Think your 'friend' made a move. Gonna make sure. Not leaving scraps behind.

@rediragni

[ahelluvahigh]

Underneath his fur, Arackniss' skin pricks; however, it doesn't show, not on his face, and not in the form of raising fur. That wasn't part of the plan.

-- No, it just wasn't part of the plan Henroin had told him about yet.

He knew his father's intentions, though. What better way to earn Crimson's trust than to take out one of Hell's most powerful Overlords alongside him?

Then, while his guard is down, while they're having a celebratory drink together, Arackniss paints the wall with his brains.

Is that too obvious, though? Will these two run back to Crimson and tell him that another don has asked them to walk away for a night, no questions asked? Do they have any loyalties? They don't sound like the kind to have loyalties, but they also said they weren't willing to be sold to a higher bidder. They can't be bought-- not with money.

With test subjects and... by the looks of the other brother, chaos, though?

"Think we could sweetin' the pot a little, pops? Let 'em have a slut'r two? Give this one somethin' t' compare his Overlord specimen to?"

" If we turned our back on a client who offered us a job every time we were offered something better we'd have no jobs, and no ways to fund my research."

Asp would sip from his glass calmly upon speaking, giving an irritated look at his brother who had swallowed it all in one gulp and ate the cigar while he was at is.

" No one's asking you to turn on anyone. I'm offering you a job, one with a bigger reward giving you a reason to do it first. Once its done, I'm asking you to walk away and not ask any questions."

Henroin fingers were intertwined and set against his face, elbows on the table. It was time to be serious.

" My son, Anthony. He's the biggest fucking queer in Hell. He's made a fool out of me and my shop for years. The man who made him do it all? He's a big name, but an even bigger demon. You two, Crimson, and my son are gonna lead both our people out there. Kill everything that breathes in Valentino's slut shop. Everyone save for my boy. I don't want a single slut walking out of there, patrons to. No one who knows Tony from there walks out.

When its all done and you've brought that purple Spanish cock sucker to his knees? You two get him. You do whatever you want to with him, he's a hard man. Durable, strong, I'm sure you can do all kinds of work on him before he goes cold on you.

In return for that gift? You go home, that's it. That's all I need. Don't ask questions, don't ask my son what he is gonna be doin, and don't hang around Crimson, just for that night. Don't ask questions and ignore it for one night."

Asp turned his head curiously, very much having grown interested at the prospect of a sinner test subject. Sinners could only be killed by angelic weapons, he'd have free game to pump his subject with all manner of chemicals, diseases, blades, venom, etc. He could cut off whatever he wanted and it would eventually grow back to be cut off and ripped out again. The possibilities were endless...

He'd turn his head at the smaller spider, waiting to see if he had anything else to add.

[ahelluvahigh]

All eight eyes remained on his father. Arackniss occasionally gave one of his glasses a sip or two, but for the most part, he was too focused on his father's movements and those documents in his hands to pay his drinks much mind. As the larger arachnid spoke, he nodded along.

Killing loan sharks? Easy. And it seemed the don had put some damn good thought into this. Each area they would be able to grab hold of once those sharks were dead expanded their own. They could increase the size of Henroin's territory by 33% with easy.

Two demons?

It didn't show-- it never did, Arackniss' face remained completely neutral, and his body straight as a needle-- but his chest tightened. Two demons he doesn't have contracts with? Could they be--

Crimson and Valentino?

... now his stoic expression shifted. His fangs were exposed as he grinned what one might call a demented grin at the sight of Valentino on his hit list. And Crimson? Well, he didn't have personal beef with the guy, but after what Angel had told him...

He was going to enjoy snuffing that piece of shit out of existence.

Henroin might not want Valentino out of the picture for the same reasons Arackniss did, but he did want Valentino dead, which meant Arackniss might just get enough fire power behind him to really do it. He's... going to pretend that disgusted spit was directed at the moth and not the baby brother he had just recently started seeing as someone he cared about again.

He didn't have any delusions that their family could ever be reunited, but he would settle for Tony being able to get out from under that smokey-fucks claws.

"Jus' tell me where ya need me t' be an' if ya want the bodies left behind." He says, using one of his middle hands to take out a blessed-tip pistol. "I'll get rid of 'em."

" Things have picked up steam for me, bud. In a good way! I've made some big deals, made some big leaps, and called in some big favors that are gonna see our family become the big names down here! Why I called you down here actually."

In all his speaking he'd already finished both his glasses of wine. He'd lift himself up grab the bottle, this time bringing it over to his desk so he wouldn't have to waste time to top off. Once he'd filled up both and took a few large sips he'd give his neck a crack and pull out several documents.

They were all contracts, binding contracts of the most serious kind. The large spider had been busy indeed. Lighting a cigar, he'd take a few puffs as he read through one of them, one eye daring to his son as the others continued reading.

He'd finish one glass before taking the other to begin sipping.

" I got all the cards needed right here. The turf wars have been good for us, I was able to keep our place intact through all the exterminations, and all the civil wars, and power grabs. I've got the money, WE'VE got the money. Got all the power to bail out the other sharks and turn them into sardines.

We need to can um though, and that's why I called you here. I need the best of the best and we all know that's you. These contracts I got? They are your hit list. For the next few months I need you to kill some very powerful men see? They all owe me, but if you axe them before they pay me back?"

He'd point to the middle of one of the documents.

" We get everything, see? I'm gonna need to you to kill these chumps so we can eat their little establishments. I'll need you to kill a few other people, demons I don't have contracts for. Two might need some planning, see?"

He'd slide two pictures forward to the smaller spider, images of Crimson and Valentino presented before him.

" Don Crimson thinks we are friends, but I don't need um. That purple cross dressing frocio on the other hand? I'm tired of him makin' me look stupid with the vids he makes of Tony, shit is embarrassing."

He spat in disgust.

[ahelluvahigh]

Buying them off? Perfect. Demons like that have no loyalty-- they'll turn on their employer for the highest bidder, and, let's face it: Crimson is mortal. He hasn't had the near century La Familia has had to gain power and money. They can pay this psychotic pair for dirt on Crim... and pay them to fuck off Gritt.

Extra money in their pockets, a handful of very influential people in their debt... everyone wins. Except that fucker that thinks he's so high and mighty because he blackmailed a sin.

[txt] Tell me when, where, and what to bring.

TXT: I've gotten ahold of um. The four of us is gonna sit down over dinner. The twins could make our job easier if we have something they want.

TXT: We'll buy um off k?

TXT: see what we can give um to give us proof it was Crim. And fuckin off of the imp.

[ahelluvahigh]

Oof.

A smile cracks through his generally stoic expression as he's pulled into a hug by a man at least twice his width and a good few heads taller than him. A smile that grows a little bit at the slug to his arm. So pops' is in a good mood. Good to know. His shoulders relax the slightest bit at that realization, and he's happy to take the two glasses before having a seat.

"Someone pushes, I shoot 'em. Or stab 'em. Don't get a lot of repeat offenders." Most within Pentagram City recognized Arackniss by now. He came across as unapproachable at best and murderous at worst. Typically, the only ones to get close to him were those thinking he was too small and too frail looking to be as dangerous as others claimed, so they came to pick a fight.

... Those fights didn't last long.

He takes a sip from the first wine glass as his father goes on. Wife? Uh... "Nah, no ball 'n chain yet. I'll tell ya before I buy a ring." He's not sure if his old man is joking about getting grandkids, or if he's heard the rumors about hellborns and fallen angels getting pregnant with sinners' children. Eh. He'll keep it vague for now either way.

"Ain't too bad. Been doin' hits since my last bodyguardin' gig fell apart. Money's betta', but it ain't as consistent." On retainer hitmen aren't generally a thing. Usually you get paid for one kill and then you're off to find someone else willing to fork over cash for you to put a bullet in someone's brain. Keeping someone alive doesn't pay as well, but it is a full time job down here.

"What about'chu? Sounds like you've been havin' a good time."

" Lu me' figghiu unicu! E' tantu bellu viditi! Veni ccà!"

He'd open the door and usher his son in, wrapping his massive arms around the young man, a kiss to each of the black spider's cheeks followed by a firm but affectionate slug on the shoulder. Arackniss was small but he was efficient, a perfect enforcer, and would make a perfect don one day.

Unlike most of the various kingpins in Hell or on Earth even Henroin didn't keep a man at his table at all times, while most delegated the role of bodyguard to a trusted friend he neglected the office entirely. He didn't need protection, and he was perfectly willing to get his own hands dirty to defend himself at anytime.

Gripping glasses in each palm he'd offer two to his favorite son, keeping the others for himself as he'd take his seat.

" Good to see you in one piece, I knew those peacock cross dressers down in Pride couldn't contain you, boy. I am sure you got your pounds of flesh on the street! HA!"

Taking a sip of one of the glasses, he'd grin as he'd place it back on the desk.

" Course, you could always stop by more often. It does not have to be business we always talk about you know. You find a wife yet? We need more men in the family, and your sister wherever she is won't be popping any out soon. Nah, but seriously. How ya been?"

[ahelluvahigh]

He's... taking a gamble and going to say pops is in a good mood. Makes sense. He must think he's onto a pretty great deal-- even if neither Arackniss nor Angel Dust could figure out what the fuck so many mob families are uniting over. This can't just be about Gritt. It has to go deeper... but fuck him if he can think of how or what.

Two hands work to take a cigarette from his container and light it while one hand turns the key in his ignition. Should he tell Tony? -- No. Not yet. He needs to know-- and he needs to make sure he's feeding him the right information.

The drive isn't long. He's only stopped by one red light (he ran the others, but this one stopped him from losing a fight with an 18 wheeler), at which point he impatiently taps his claws against his radio.

When he does arrive, he tosses the cigarette onto the concrete as he makes his way to The Family's base.

A rhythmical knocking comes to his father's office door. "Patri. Chistu è me figghiu."

" Naaaah. Just bring your beautiful face, boyo. Don't be late either, I got us some wine and if you don't get here soon I might just drink your half, then how is business gonna get done? HAHAHAHAHA!"

He hung up after, trying his hardest to get the damn cork off this thing. Obviously he had people to do this shit for him but he needed to remember how to do the small things.

It was was kept one doing the big things correctly.

[ahelluvahigh]

Two my dear sons in the span of three seconds. Henroin's either happy with him or he's pissed as all fuck... and with that gruff voice, it'a impossible to tell which. Even after decades of being his father's perfect little soldier, it's nearly impossible for him to read the larger spider over the phone.

"SÌ. Sto arrivando." Yes. I'm on my way.

He takes his car key from his pocket and almost robotically turns and makes his way back to his car.

"Do I need to bring anything?" He asks as he unlocks the door and slides into the driver's seat. It's only once the door is shut that he somewhat comes out of his automated state. This was what Anthony warned him about, isn't it? This is about Gritt and Crim and the will.

There was a long silence as after he'd heard his son give the command. This was private business, it always was when it came to dealing with his son.

For lower maggots to hear his words would repulse the crime lord, he paid them and that made him there god. Just as pets were fed their scrapes and could not comprehend the thoughts of their master, neither could underlings understand him. Hearing his words was a waste, and he had his child to tell them what needed to be said.

His words were dripping with the same deep and gruff enthusiasm he was known for.

"Figghiu miu. Hè passatu troppu tempu, caru figghiu meu. You've been away for a while now. I need you to drop what you are doing and come see me. Soon as you can. Our usual rules, you come alone. Mi capisci?"

[ahelluvahigh]

[txt] 10 4.

[txt] If it's the person we're thinking, being down two henchmen helps us.

[txt] I'll play it safe. Want me to keep them alive?

TXT: Not sayin no TXT: but b careful if this is ppl i think could be trouble TXT: Gettin hurt will make it hardr to bag ur heads

[ahelluvahigh]

"Corner of Damnation Drive and Brimstone Boulevard. There's a crack in the wall. You'll find your instructions there." Arackniss explains as he reaches for a glass of wine. Once they're gone, he'll need to get back to Opal. She needs to know that he knows, she doesn't need to go find someone else to track these fucks down... but she can't do anything about it either. She has to leave it to him.

He'll put this to rest on Saturday.

"I didn't mean take a whore t' fuck with," Arackniss explains with a dismissive role of his eyes. "I mean, ya want to experiment on an overlord, right? Don't ya need a normal sinner t' compare t' see how sturdy overlords are? It ain't easy gettin' sinners down there, is it?" He inhales the smoke of his cigar deeply. A long, long inhale followed by a slow exhale. He doesn't like doing business with trash, and that's what these two are. They might be efficient trash, but they're trash all the same.

Still, after Henroin says the word done, the smaller spider shuts his trap. Henroin said they're done? They're done. His old man wants their cooperation, so he'll keep his mouth shut about Gritt's people. Sure, the ones that work for him? He can explain to them that he'll take care of this and that they need to stay out of it. He can even reason with the new Baron that he needs to hold his legions and let Arackniss do what Arackniss does best... but what about The Radio Demon? What about the fucking king of Hell? They're his people too.

He taps his cigar against an ashtray, a good way to imply we're done here. "Pops says we're done, we're done. I'll write somethin' up. Short'n to the point. No room fa' loopholes or backdoors. Then you two can be on ya way."

[ahelluvahigh]

"I didn't mean take a whore t' fuck with," Arackniss explains with a dismissive role of his eyes. "I mean, ya want to experiment on an overlord, right? Don't ya need a normal sinner t' compare t' see how sturdy overlords are? It ain't easy gettin' sinners down there, is it?" He inhales the smoke of his cigar deeply. A long, long inhale followed by a slow exhale. He doesn't like doing business with trash, and that's what these two are. They might be efficient trash, but they're trash all the same.

Still, after Henroin says the word done, the smaller spider shuts his trap. Henroin said they're done? They're done. His old man wants their cooperation, so he'll keep his mouth shut about Gritt's people. Sure, the ones that work for him? He can explain to them that he'll take care of this and that they need to stay out of it. He can even reason with the new Baron that he needs to hold his legions and let Arackniss do what Arackniss does best... but what about The Radio Demon? What about the fucking king of Hell? They're his people too.

He taps his cigar against an ashtray, a good way to imply we're done here. "Pops says we're done, we're done. I'll write somethin' up. Short'n to the point. No room fa' loopholes or backdoors. Then you two can be on ya way."

Underneath his fur, Arackniss' skin pricks; however, it doesn't show, not on his face, and not in the form of raising fur. That wasn't part of the plan.

-- No, it just wasn't part of the plan Henroin had told him about yet.

He knew his father's intentions, though. What better way to earn Crimson's trust than to take out one of Hell's most powerful Overlords alongside him?

Then, while his guard is down, while they're having a celebratory drink together, Arackniss paints the wall with his brains.

Is that too obvious, though? Will these two run back to Crimson and tell him that another don has asked them to walk away for a night, no questions asked? Do they have any loyalties? They don't sound like the kind to have loyalties, but they also said they weren't willing to be sold to a higher bidder. They can't be bought-- not with money.

With test subjects and... by the looks of the other brother, chaos, though?

"Think we could sweetin' the pot a little, pops? Let 'em have a slut'r two? Give this one somethin' t' compare his Overlord specimen to?"

[ahelluvahigh]

Arackniss blows a large puff of smoke from his cigar. His expression remains stoic, even when that obnoxious eel's eyes fall onto him. At the question, he merely lowers his cigar from his lips.

"Y'er here because I got offered a lotta money t' find out who sent you t' that shitty hotel. I don't like wastin' my time, so the Don set up this meetin' rather than havin' me trackin' you both all over town."

His voice never wavers. He sounds (and looks) utterly disinterested.

"Besides. If you two can take out that walkin' wall, I'd ratha' have ya on our side. 'm ninety-percent sure I know who sent you after that faggy little popstar, an', puttin my cards on the table here, 'm sick of him struttin' around actin' like he's hot shit. If ye'er half as good as ya came across yesterday, then y'er too good fa' him."

[txt] Yeah.

[txt] Be there in 20.

[txt] I'll bring cigars.

[ahelluvahigh]

[txt] Yeah.

[txt] Be there in 20.

[txt] I'll bring cigars.

Buying them off? Perfect. Demons like that have no loyalty-- they'll turn on their employer for the highest bidder, and, let's face it: Crimson is mortal. He hasn't had the near century La Familia has had to gain power and money. They can pay this psychotic pair for dirt on Crim... and pay them to fuck off Gritt.

Extra money in their pockets, a handful of very influential people in their debt... everyone wins. Except that fucker that thinks he's so high and mighty because he blackmailed a sin.

[txt] Tell me when, where, and what to bring.

[ahelluvahigh]

Shit. Henroin's seen what Arackniss is capable of more times than anyone. If he's telling him to back off...

and if knocking them off doesn't actually weaken Crimson's defenses.

[txt] All I gotta do to get the money is tell Wavebreaker who sent them. If I can get proof it's Crim, I won't have to fuck with them.

They're just freaks for hire. If he takes out Crim, they won't come back around. They'll sink back into Envy.

[txt] Think you could get your pal to brag about taking out that indestructible wall of a sinner?

[txt] Tell me everything you know. I'm gonna see if I can catch 'em in an ambulance. Grenade it. If they don't call one and slink off to lick their wounds, I'll keep my distance.

[ahelluvahigh]

[txt] Tell me everything you know. I'm gonna see if I can catch 'em in an ambulance. Grenade it. If they don't call one and slink off to lick their wounds, I'll keep my distance.

[txt] 10 4.

[txt] If it's the person we're thinking, being down two henchmen helps us.

[txt] I'll play it safe. Want me to keep them alive?