The Power Couple

People move out of the way as Scarlet walks. Even if she isn't the boss, she holds the name Remotigue, and that still affords her a level of respect that most of the advisors don't receive. And even though most of the people in this building are Mafia and can stand their ground even they know better than to get in her way when she is in a mood. Turning around a corner, Scarlet comes to a sudden stop as a figure with her face buried in a stack of papers runs into her.  "I'm so sorry!" The woman's voice is little more than a squeak, her cheeks flaming red as she rights herself and steps back. Fixing her glasses, she continues, "I should be watching where I'm going." Despite her foul mood, Scarlet can't help but smile. The woman in front of her looks more suited to be a teacher in some classroom rather than the right hand of the mafia boss. "It's fine, Lucy. Nobody got hurt." At her voice, Lucy's eyes flick up to meet hers. "Scarlet! This must be the fifth time this month I nearly ran over you!" "Not to mean any disrespect, but you're not exactly in the condition to cause me much harm." Her gaze shifts to the papers. "Is that the new strategy you were preparing?" Lucy hugs the papers to her chest and gives a hesitant nod. "The boss ordered me to start from scratch after what happened with..." A dark flash in Scarlet's gaze makes Lucy trail off, and she swallows heavily before switching tracks. "Are you on your way to see her now? We can go together." The offer hangs between them, Scarlet considering it for much longer than she usually would. Technically, Lucy is her senior in rank, which means that she can simply order her to wait for her to finish meeting with the boss. The fact that she's being offered a chance to speak her concerns now is a bit of a blessing. On the other hand, there are things Scarlet can get away with saying to the boss in private that she can't say in front of others. Her silence drags on long enough for the senior advisor to shift on her feet, and she murmurs, "If you need to speak to her in private, I suppose I can-"  Scarlet holds up a hand. "No, I don't want to make her wait for your reports. Without you running our strategy we would be in a tighter spot than we are. Shall we?" Lucy smiles at the praise, she always does. Sometimes Scarlet is struck with the sensation that Lucy finds her place in the group unearned, as if she and her ability to create strategies are not crucial for their continued success. Just the fact that the boss arranged to have her brought from a fracturing mafia in the East should have been enough to prove how much she is valued. They walk in silence, Scarlet doing her best to keep from falling back into her rage now that she is in the presence of her (easily flustered) superior. Once at the door to the boss's office, Scarlet steps back and lets Lucy take the lead, eyeing the men on guard outside the door. "I have Scarlet with me." Lucy's voice floats through the cracked door of the study easily. "Send her in." Scarlet doesn't wait for Lucy to relay the order. She steps through the doors and closes them behind herself, scanning the room for others. Fortunately, the only people present are Lucy and the boss, and Scarlet sweeps her a bow as soon as they make eye contact. The boss chuckles. "How many times have I told you not to bother with that when we're in private, Scarlet?" "You're the boss, not paying you proper respect is unforgivable." Her reply is just as worn as the boss's request for casualty. "Besides, I'm sure the rest of this conversation won't be as formal, Marianne." Turning from where she was half-turned toward the window, Marianne graces Scarlet with a grim smile. "Yes, I assumed as much. Would either of you like coffee?" It isn't really a question. When the boss offers coffee, the only correct response is to accept. Scarlet knows it is Marianne's way to pre-empt her temper. By forcing her to sit down and handle Marianne's delicate drinkware, she is also forcing Scarlet to calm down in turn so she doesn't seem unruly or unreasonable. With a sigh, Scarlet nods and follows Marianne through a side door into a small sitting room. A table and four chairs are inside, teapot and cups for three already waiting. Sometimes Scarlet wonders if the boss is also gifted with some sort of precognition. As always, Marianne pours; Scarlet has long ago given up on insisting that the boss should never be the one to serve. Now, she simply waits for her to finish before picking up her cup and nodding at Lucy, indicating that she should speak first. Lucy’s eyes immediately drop to the reports in her hand. "I finished the current strategies, boss. It's a little difficult considering we don't know much about this new faction." "Are there any signs that the Moretti are involved with them?" "No. They're being targeted as well. Besides, they don't need deception if they want to cause us trouble." Her statement is blunt, and Scarlet busies herself with her drink, trying not to be irritated with Lucy for simply stating the truth. There was a time, long before she was born, when the Remotigue was the group that monopolized the ports. But with time came competition, and the rise of the Morettis wiped out nearly every other organization in the region. Only the Remotigues' political connections and predisposition for covert strategy allowed them to survive, and most of those in the boss's upper circle know the group would not survive another direct assault from their rivals. The Moretti gang is larger, and better financed. If they want to get into a bloody war with the Remotigues, they have no need to get a third party involved. "A pity." Marianne's words are spoken into her cup, as if they aren't meant for the others to hear. "At least I know how the Moretti boss operates. We don't even have a name for this new group." "We have to do something." Scarlet finally breaks her silence, putting her cup down with more force than is necessary. “They're sending our people back in body bags, Marianne. We haven't had these sorts of casualties since my grandfather's time. Let me lead the offense." "No." It is exactly what Sacrlet expects to hear, but it doesn't sting any less. "I'm one of our best fighters, the men listen to my orders. I can prevent more casualties." "As your boss, I am telling you no. To argue further is treasonous." Marianne's voice is firm, eyes glinting from across the table. "As someone who cares about you, I am telling you that the clan can't risk your life, particularly not so early in the conflict." "I'm just a junior advisor, one of half-a-dozen advisors. I don't command any of the gangs and no one answers to me. My death would not have more impact on the organization than any of the others who have already died." Scarlet doesn't add the fact that she's being wasted here, locked up in headquarters. She doesn't point out that her combat skill as well as her skill with firearms is one of the best in the Family. Marianne already knows the facts.  "Regardless of your position, you are the only member left who carries the Remotigue name. You should not throw away the significance of that. My decision is final, Scarlet." Scarlet slumps back in her seat, biting her tongue to keep from arguing the point further. There isn't much point in pushing back, not when she knew this would be the outcome. But the sheer number of losses they were handed is unforgivable. Scarlet can still see the reports that sent her rushing to see the boss, trying once again to do more than her relatively safe role at headquarters. The shuffle of paper plays in the background of hee attention—Marianne fingering through the latest strategies. Occasionally, the turn of pages is accompanied with the clink of a cup being set on the wood, or the sound of Lucy’s skirt rustling as she shifts in her seat. After several minutes, Marianne speaks again, "Lucy, all of these forecasts are for unilateral action." "Unilateral action?" The phrase tugs at a chord in Scarlet's memory, from the time when she was being groomed to take over her father's place, before they learned she was ill-suited to the title of 'boss'. Marianne glances at her. "They only include the Remotigues acting alone." "There are no other organizations to take into account." The words stream out of Lucy's mouth, as if she's rushing to say them before being berated. "Despite the clan’s extensive trade partnerships and political reach, there isn't any understanding with a group that would lend firepower to our efforts." The stack of documents is passed back across the table. "Run the numbers again, this time include the possibilities present if an alliance with the Moretti is forged." Scarlet must be hearing Marianne wrong. She rubs her ears, wondering if she needs to get them checked. After all, there is no possible way the head of the Remotigues might be considering an alliance with their sworn enemy. Luckily, she isn't the only one in disbelief. Lucy clears her throat. "Boss, I didn't grow up over here, but haven't we been at odds with the Morettis for generations?" "Yes, but this new threat cannot be underestimated. I don't take kindly to their attempt to take over the docks. I assume that man leading the Morettis feels the same way." Just the idea of approaching the other group sets Scarlet on edge, and it takes all of her self-restraint to keep from the sort of outburst that would get less-favored members gutted on the spot. Suddenly she's grateful for Marianne's instance to have such conversations over coffee because she can focus her attention on her cup, she can concentrate on keeping her hold loose enough that she doesn't shatter the ceramic: it keeps her grounded. "I will run the numbers right away," Lucy says, standing and dipping her head in a slight bow. "Do you have a timeline for when you might be reaching out to the Moretti?" "Yes." Marianne's response is firm, an entire answer in just one word, with no intent to explain. Message received loud and clear, Lucy nods again before rushing from the room, eyes focused on her reports just like before. Scarlet spares a moment to sympathize with whatever soul would end up colliding with her on her trip back to her office. Marianne moves to the door behind Lucy and locks it. The frown on her face is solemn, and Scarlet sets her cup down, not sure she's prepared for whatever conversation the boss wants to have privately. "Do you really think we can form an alliance with them?" "I do. Since neither of our organizations are run by a direct relative of our founders, it is possible we can move past the blood feud. However, it will take some sacrifice on your part, Scarlet." "Sacrifice?" She sighs and leans back in her seat, hands settling on her lap. "What do you know of Adrian Black?"