[Note that while in her disguise/criminal persona I'll be referring to Yin as Ryuko (Dragon's Child)]
"You're back. That was fast." Junior stated, seeing Ryuko take a seat in front of him at the bar.
"Well it's not like he came at us with an army. But even if he had, it'd be insufficient." Ryuko replied, amusement evident in her voice.
Junior paused, raising his brow. "Us?"
She didn't have to answer. Three more girls joined her at the bar, plus one boy. All looked unique and young enough to notice their presence, even in the club. Junior's eyes swept across their features and took a deep breath.
'Four Huntsmen level. One street kid. And they're packing. Yeah, no wonder Dear Dad was killed so quick. If it was just her.. maybe I could have roped her into the gang. But now..?' Junior rubbed his eyes, calmly accepting the reality in front of him.
"I see. Well, now that the new boss of the Xiong family is me, I can freely share what information we have. Given the debt I owe you, you can ask me anything. But first, you wanted more.. 'talent' yes?" Junior asked, glancing at Ryuko's face.
"Bring us some drinks while we talk. Maybe some non-alchoholic for Ren, Nora and Emerald here~" Ryuko said, instantly getting a reaction from Nora.
"Aw c'mon! I've drank with Verns before! Renny always drinks gross shakes though." Nora retorted, sticking her tongue out in disgust after stating the last part.
Ren cleared his throat and said, "It's healthy. But yes, something non-carbonated and non-alchoholic please."
Shia shrugged and leaned against Ryuko's arm. "I'll have what Y-Ryuko's having, thank you."
"Coffee. If you have any. Cream and triple sugar." Emerald added.
For Junior, the vibe completely changed. Sure, he thought everyone of them but Shia and Ryuko were young but they truly acted like carefree teenagers. It was almost refreshing, considering what he's seen from certain gangs that recruit kids and teens like them. He relaxed a little and stifled a laugh before nodding.
"Alright. Same thing as last time, Miss Ryuko?" Junior asked, looking back at Ryuko, who had propped her head up with her hand, while her other hand was stroking Shia under her chin.
"Yes, please~ After that, we can talk about that talent." She replied, a pleasant, bewitching smile on her face.
Junior nodded, and a few minutes later, he set an assortment of drinks in front of them. Some fruity virgin cocktail for Nora and matcha tea for Ren.
"Now. As far as free 'talent' goes, I have a few names in mind. One of them being a school." Junior started talking, and by Ryuko's expression, he knew she was interested. "Lady Browning's Preparatory Academy for Girls. Normal school, on the outside. They take the most promising girls and those 'donated' to them and train them in the ways of spies and assassins. Very hush-hush. I only know because of our cooperation with Miss Malachite and how my Father vehemently denied the existence of such a place. As you know, he had a delusional idea about women."
Nora stuck her tongue out and Shia snorted in derision.
"And these girls, they're sold off to work as spies and killers?" Ryuko asked, taking a drink of her White Atlesian after stirring.
Junior nodded, noting the displeasure of Shia, Nora and Ren at hearing it. It was, of course, a form of grooming. Perhaps not as predatory as the club had been but it wasn't much better. They were still sold off like tools and used.
"I see." Ryuko wasn't as bothered outwardly. She had expected to wade through darkness and malice when she made plans to take over the Underworld. It was just yet another thing to change.
"Besides that.. We'll be receiving visitors. Miss Malachite is sending over her daughters and one of her most capable subordinates in Spider. It's time to prepare for the Atlesians to return." Junior added with a weary sigh.
That got him some interested reactions. Junior was confused for a second until he remembered their claim of being new to Vale.
"Must be really new then.. Even the public knows about the Atlesian Mob coming back. They do it every year. They'll come to Vale in the summer, do their deals, send their people to test us and poke into our turf. Then by winter, they'll go back to Mantle and.. do whatever it is they do there. Been a real problem for the past fifty years. But they have friends in high places in Atlas, so even the General can't seriously come after them." Junior explained.
Ryuko tapped her finger along the rim of her glass and hummed in acknowledgement.
"Like roaches.. Does it change the plan?" Shia quietly asked, placing her hand on Ryuko's shoulder.
"Nope. But it does change up the timeline. Junior, we have much much more to discuss. Perhaps we should do so in private?" Junior felt a sudden weight on his shoulders press down on him as he listened.
He'd been bracing for something ever since he saw her return with her companions. Various ideas popped into his head. Would she kill off most of the gang and take their turf and resources? Would she hold him by the balls and directly take over for herself? Junior prepared for the worst.
"Ahaha~ Are you thinking something bad, Junior? I'd just prefer to have a calm, quiet conversation about what will happen going forward." Ryuko smiled and stood up.
Junior grunted and gestured for another Bartender to take over. He pushed down his anxiety and led them to a backroom on the first floor, one that was soundproofed. A quiet room with a television, several sofa chairs and a mini fridge. Taking a seat, Junior took a deep breath and asked one question.
"What's your plan? You should know you have enough muscle to make a gang of your own. I just need to know what you want with my gang, so I can decide what to do from here."
Facing his serious question, Ryuko sat opposite of him and crossed her legs while Ren and Nora sat on both sides of her. Shia and Emerald both stood by the door.
"I intend to take the reigns and control the entirety of Vale's criminal Underworld. The gangs who play ball will thrive under some proper guidance~ But those who don't, will be removed and their resources will be taken by the other gangs. You want to know my intent toward your gang, Junior? Weeeell..~" Ryuko dragged her gloved finger up her cheek, making a 'thoughtful' expression.
"Why don't you guys tell me again? What your assessment of this gang is~ Nora, you go first."
Junior snapped his head to Nora, who snickered. "Ahaha! Yeah, we were all here earlier tonight. But Fearless Leader here stole the spotlight. Renny and I were looking into your men. The gangsters who operate as henchmen. Combat wise, they're just a little bit better than beat cops. None of 'em really noticed us. And I have ORANGE hair! And dress in pink! Also, like twenty two of them gotta die. Sex crimes and selling people type stuff."
Ren coughed and added, "Yes. We've identified twenty-two men who have crossed a line, based on our principles, Ryuko. Also, their guns are decent and somewhat cheap. I suspect they have a factory somewhat close by. I believe near the port, as some smelled faintly of sea salt."
"Shia?" Ryuko called out next.
"Yes! Regarding the women 'employed' by the gang, several of them are starving. Eating disorders and addiction seem to plague the 'bottom tier' women. The more attractive ones are in better shape but are also addicted to an aphrodesiac drug that's been mixed with some currently unknown narcotic. My current assement is that they can be trained into proper fighters in time, should we help with their addiction." Shia informed.
Junior was shocked. Even he hadn't known his Father actually picked up some actually trained women. He felt like slamming his head into the wall.
'You stupid old man!! We barely have one properly trained member and you used them as sex workers when the Atlesians are about to return!?' Junior let out a deep sigh.
"I intend to make sure you do better than your incompetent Father. Sex workers are fine, as are strippers. But their treatment is both inhumane and illogical. Your men who had done these inhuman crimes will be publicly denounced, then killed. It'll ensure no future incidents happen. The aphrodesiacs? They're fine when not mixed in with addictive substances. We'll look into that." Ryuko's words gradually lifted Junior's spirits, which were previously at rock bottom.
He knew there was much to do to fix his gang but most of these matters hadn't even been known by him.
"Yes. I intend to be your clan's backer and secret boss. While you'll rule on the surface and get to work on mending your gang's image, fixing some issues and improving conditions here. Do you object?" Ryuko finished, asking with a dangerous yet inviting and seductive smile with her hand outstretched.
'Thinking about it rationally.. Even when I do take over, some of the men won't approve. Given they're used to their current, indulgent lifestyle there may even be internal conflicts. And knowing this now.. Yeah, there's no way I can get this done by myself. I only have a dozen or so men I can actually trust..' Thinking it over quickly, Junior took Ryuko's hand and shook it.
"I understand. I look forward to working under you, Madam Ryuko." Junior stated while respectfully inclining his head. Nora made an 'Ooooh' noise but apart from a twitch from Ryuko and Ren's lips, it was ignored.
"Now that the situation is settled, when can I get an introduction to Lady Browning?"
"Give me a few days. I need to hold a meeting with the gang. It hasn't been long since Father went 'missing' after all. I need some time to play the frustrated son, looking for his Father. Then after it's confirned he died, I'll blame the Atlesians and pledge to change things for the better around here. Of course, your help here would be appreciated. Especially regarding some of the men you mentioned. I'll need names.." Junior said, darkly.
Ryuko clapped her hands and smiled. "Wonderful~ Ren and Nora will help you indentify them. While Em, Shia and I will look over the women on the upper floors. With any luck, we can get them on a detox plan and prepare to kick them back into shape. We may need some doctors, so I'll need you to recommend some that can keep their mouths shut."
Far better than Junior anticipated, their talk was smooth. The only thing he could be dissatisfied about was not truly being in control of the Xiong gang. But over the next few days, he discovered how truly bad off the Xiong gang was. Some of the men had been involved with some truly disgusting acts on the more impoverished people of Vale. Acts like murder, sexual assault and trafficking wasn't even the worst of it, as some had even been involved with minors. The worst offenders silently 'disappeared' over the course of a week while Junior made a public display of his displeasure regarding the men who were involved with the other crimes. Their punishment? They were sent out to patrol close to other gang's turf, where some of them had already died.
Apart from a few outliers and those fiercely loyal to Senior, the transition of power was smooth and changes were underway. On the fifth day of officially taking over the Xiong gang, Junior called Lady Browning and set up a meeting with 'a very important new player'.
-♧-♤-♧-♤-♧-♤-♧-
"Oh Miss Ryujin! A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Sir Xiong really talked you up." A tall woman with fair skin, lavender colored eyes with grey-blonde hair swept up in a beehive hairdo. She also had some gold powder on her skin and wore dark eyeliner, giving the impression of a runway model, yet also sexy and dangerous.
Ryuko stepped out of a limosine with a soft smile, her bangs swept over her left eye while the length was tied in a small bun on the back.
"Please, call me Ryuko. After all, a friend of a friend.." Ryuko began to walk alongside Beatrix Browning, entering the outwardly posh exterior of a grand Academy located near Uptown Vale, on the beautiful rolling hills where one could see the Valean waterfalls considered to be a natural wonder of Remnant.
"Ah, this is true, I suppose. I never imagined our group would have someone as capable as you added to the roster." Beatrix complimented, sounding perfectly natural.
Ryuko figured the question was supposed to be a prodding one. After all, she knew what Junior told her. Aura, Semblance and a skilled combatant. Though no true details other than that. So she was either trying to flatter her, or she could see the danger she presented.
"Capable you say? I don't think I've shown anyone here what I'm capable of yet. What makes you so confident?" Ryuko asked, passing the normal female students, who curtsied to them as they passed by.
Beatrix simply smiled and gave Ryuko an intense look.
"Your walk. Seductive..? Yes. But it's a conscious effort. Like a lion trying to fit into high heels. Your expressions, rehearsed. A tiny detail but they're not as natural as they could be. I'd wager you began to act this way.. two years ago. How's my guesswork?" Beatrix asked, a confident smirk on her face as she saw Ryuko blink owlishly at her.
"Not bad. But you got one little detail wrong~ It's only been a few weeks, I'm afraid." Ryuko retorted, prompting Beatrix to tilt her head.
"I take it back.. That's quite monstrous. Of course, my Semblance also helps me out here. As soon as I laid eyes on you, you want to know what it told me?" Beatrix asked, leading Ryuko to another wing, where more female students roamed the halls. Though these students were expressionless and felt more on edge compared to the others.
"Hmm~?" Ryuko replied back with a hum as they stopped in front of a classroom.
"Not to become your enemy. Ah, we've arrived. Now, despite reserving certain students for clients not being the norm, I do have some promising students here for you to see." Beatrix opened the classroom door, ushering Ryuko in.
The girls inside were a little different than the others. Some were expressionless, yes. But some seemed to hold on to their will and ego. One of which, was staring straight at Ryuko with visible interest.
As soon as she noticed the teenage girl, it clicked in her mind. She knew who this was. The heterochromatic eyes, one brown, one pale pink. Then there was the unmistakable mischievousness in her eyes.
She had found Neopolitan.
[Gimme dat ass- I mean stones.. But dat ass too]