Highend // The Kingpin`s Mansion (Tate)

Masaru Hattori
Mr. Lotus
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"Hey! Don’t you dare underestimate me! I’ll prove to you that looks can be god damned deceiving!”
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"Increased security...yes, I think that's a good idea..." Masaru nodded to Simon's suggestion. "Each of us bosses will need to talk to our respective groups about it...while I do fear that we might be getting in a bit over our head here, I can't deny that it feels refreshing to have us working on our own again..." He looked to Mariko, who'd been awfully quiet, giving her a reassuring look and squeezing her hand. "With all of us coordinating together, I'm sure that we'll be just fine."

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Masaru’s Theme - Mystline

Paul McAllister
Mr.Magnum



Paul listened in on what the others said. It seemed like Paladin made a group and doesn't need them anymore. This disturbed the green hair man a little bit until Eve said to cut off all ties with the man. A sense of relief kicked in as well as a bit of nervousness as well now that Charles is their enemy. No matter the situation though, The Family will get out of it. Paul listened to what Masaru said and noticed tat he didn't really have anyone in his faction. Well he didn't have to tell anyone that. He then saw Scia trying to call Paladin to tell them. "Uh Ms. Scia, I don't think they'll pick up that call."

"The Family will be the top at the end."

Scia Scripture
The Red Librarian, of The Diamante Family
Scia's Theme - Tears of The Soul

Scia looked over to Paul... I know Mr. Levard but I might as well try... They've no doubt already caught on to us, the prison must be surveillanced in some manner... And it would be tactical to announce it to contact Paladin rather than wait for him to find out, that way we're not dependent upon knowing when he finds out to begin defending ourselves...Scia listened as the phone gave her a disconnect message... What did it mean?... It said the number I was trying to contact was discontinued... Did Charles Paladin lose his phone or something of the like?

Paul McAllister
Mr.Magnum



Paul nodded to Scia. It made sense what she said but still there was no way it was going to work. And lo and behold, the phone number was disconnected. Looks like Charles meant business. "It looks like Mr. Charles s trying to cut off all ties before we can even tell him. Well it looks like we have to get prepared then."

"The Family will be the top at the end."

Simon Blackquill
Distorted Samurai of the Leone Family
Hmph. Those who dare to stand in my way, soon find themselves cleaved in two by the Sword
Simon's Theme- The Law's Distortion

Simon smiled at Masaru.
"I can have Taka fly up and find anything suspicious approaching Highend. If he does, a screech will ring out, and everyone will be alerted." he said. "Taka is swift, and will not be taken down that easily." the bird stepped to his arm, and flew into the air, circling Highend. "This is only a start."

Atticus Benedict
Who are you...and why do I feel such hate coming from you...?
Atticus' theme- Reborn in a Cloak of Metal

Atticus heard Charles' voice, and wondered how the hell he did that. He turned to look at him, not really giving a scared or intimidated look. Atticus didn't really know fear, except his own head to be honest. He gave a slight bow to Charles.
"Sir." he said. "We were just about to discuss our future connections with Paladin with you. Since you're here, this makes it much easier." he said. "Miss." he gave a slight bow to Cricket. The other man...he just looked at him oddly. He looked confused.

Masaru Hattori
Mr. Lotus
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"Hey! Don’t you dare underestimate me! I’ll prove to you that looks can be god damned deceiving!”
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Masaru quickly turned to face the three Paladin representatives as they entered, watching them carefully with a neutral facial expression. He stayed close to Mariko, keeping one hand entwined with hers behind his back. He had seen Charles and Cricket before--but the other one was new. And that made him suspicious--even more suspicious than his appearance alone already made him. Masaru watched Wei carefully, focusing in on the man's eye movements with his cybernetic eye and seeing the man's eyes shift over to Eve...which in all honesty just made everything more uncomfortable when the man started smiling.
"As Atticus said..." he spoke up after a moment. "We're simply aiming for a business discussion. Not a talk about anybody owning anybody else..." He and Mariko moved over to stand by Atticus and Eve, and Masaru kept his expression neutral--no emotion. He wasn't as good at that as Scia, of course, but...he couldn't afford to show any hint of how inconvinient it was that Charles had just so happened to have come at just the time that they had begun planning to break off from Paladin.

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Masaru’s Theme - Mystline

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Kayden Levard
Mr. Nightshade
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“Whaddya mean, I'm a 'madman'?! I'm not angry at all, guy! Ahahaha~!"
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Kayden tilted his head slightly as he saw the Paladin representatives enter the room--he'd been too distracted to actually be paying attention to the strategy discussion the other Family bosses had been having, but the new arrivals had actually caught his attention. Sophia in tow, he sauntered over to Paul, then whispered to the greenette none too subtly,
"Hey, who's th' mummy? Did Charlie get int' horror movies or somethin' 'n start hirin' people like that--?"
Obviously that was the best explanation for this situation ever.

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Kayden's Theme – The Million Way of Drum

Scia Scripture
The Red Librarian, of The Diamante Family
Scia's Theme - Tears of The Soul

Scia was about to respond to Paul when Charles and the other two walked in... She stood next to a wall on the far side of the room and gave the first two a noncommittal look but stopped at Wei... Her eyes zoomed in and erratically moved up and down him analyzing his every detail... She kicked herself into her deciphering mentality and began figuring him out... She had already done so to Cricket and Charles previously if they were here to intimidate the Family it was one thing but you could never be too prepared in case things went south quickly... He was tall, fairly muscular, he held that specialized sword and sheathe like someone with a great degree of skill... She zoomed in on his face, there was burn scars around the eye and mouth, that explained the bandages... Then Kaden and Sophia approached and Masaru spoke... She nodded to all of them... Yes Mr. Paladin all we desire is some time for negotiations... However From the sound of it Mr. Paladin we've already come to the same conclusion... You obviously don't want or need us anymore and while I don't speak for the entire family I believe its unanimous that we prefer to be independent of your control from here on... She spoke with utterly no expression yet looking solely at Charles.

Scia Scripture
The Red Librarian, of The Diamante Family
Scia's Theme - Tears of The Soul

Scia was about to retort when her voice caught in her throat her expression still neutral... "Muugica!"... She thought to herself... "Wait Muugica wasn't new to the city he had been here at least the last five years." Then it hit her "The Muppets!?" ... Was he talking about Rowlf?... Or were there others here too? This could be beyond serious... If she were anyone else she would be fuming, she was ready to hold Charles down and torture the information out of him... but... she couldn't... in a month she'd be blind... a harmless little blind girl again... She couldn't go back to that life... and if the Muppets were somehow in the city they'd be after Muugica... She needed to keep a cool head and stay on top of her game... this was her game... She gave no outward indication whatsoever that Paladin's words had gotten to her as usual... She looked down away from Charles turning on her acting skills to look and sound submissive with flawless effect... I'm sorry Mr. Paladin I meant no disrespect... I did say we would like to negotiate our business arrangement... If you do want The Family under Paladin I'm sure we could come to some agreement... Please forgive me sir... With all of her willpower She swallowed her pride and gave her most humble bow to Charles then backed up a few steps.

Atticus Benedict
Who are you...and why do I feel such hate coming from you...?
Atticus' theme- Reborn in a Cloak of Metal

Atticus nodded and bowed slightly again to Paladin.
"I'm humbled sir." he said, but stayed close to Eve. This...toilet papered covered man wasn't exactly pleasing to the eye, and wasn't comfortable with it. Plus, he saw those looks. For some reason, his fists curled into fists. He wasn't sure why, maybe a remnant of his past self acting up again. He gave a glare for like...a second, and then returned to his neutral self.

Masaru Hattori
Mr. Lotus
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"Hey! Don’t you dare underestimate me! I’ll prove to you that looks can be god damned deceiving!”
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"Isn't it usually customary for your boss to announce when the meeting is over, not yourself...?" Masaru asked Wei, with just a hint of smugness in his voice. He didn't like this man--he didn't like the looks of this guy at all. "Who knows...we might still have more to discuss...after all, Eve hasn't gotten a word in edgewise, you know." He turned to look at Eve, seeing if she would do anything--he could tell that she was hopping mad before, so now that Charles was quite literally in her house...well...he was beginning to wonder what her reaction would be...and in all honesty, he was kind of hoping that they wouldn't have to end this meeting grovelling at Charles' feet, as it had quickly descended to...

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Masaru’s Theme - Mystline

Masaru Hattori
Mr. Lotus
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"Hey! Don’t you dare underestimate me! I’ll prove to you that looks can be god damned deceiving!”
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Masaru watched the exchange between Charles and Eve, then moved slightly, standing next to Eve, and speaking to Charles.
"So then...this is all you came for...? To try to intimidate us...?" he nearly crossed his arms over his chest by instinct--but kept them uncrossed, in the event that he might need to grab for one of his weapons. "You heard what she said, Paladin. And I agree with her. We're not interested in working for you anymore--from now on, we're carving our own path. And if you think that threatening us is going to change our minds, then you can think again." He glared Charles down, trying to make sure that he was making his point as clear as possible. "You try to threaten us by saying that we're small, and that Vulture could wipe us out--? Vulture was this small at one point. We could make a comback easily. Two--contracts break all the time, Paladin. It's a fact of life. We're trying to be mature adults about this by just telling you our intentions here--and if you want to throw a tantrum over a lost contract, you can do it elsewhere. As for you being there when the Family was founded--that doesn't add a single concrete argument to your case. Threaten us all you want--but we're not going to budge. I hope you realize that."

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Masaru’s Theme - Mystline

Paul McAllister
Mr.Magnum



Paul was trying to think on what to say when he heard some noises. It didn't take a second to notice who that voice was. Charles. Great, and when they were talking about him too. Paul stayed silent as Charles and his lackeys came in. That man with the bandages was new though so when Kayden asked him who that guy was, all he could do was shrug. Everyone seemed to be talking and a bit into an argument when Eve told Charles that it was over. He smiled when Masaru defended Eve as well. "Well you heard them Mr. Paladin. I think it's better for you to go now before your face gets stuck like that." He pointed to a mirror which was reflecting the anger that Charles was showing.

"The Family will be the top at the end."

Masaru Hattori
Mr. Lotus
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"Hey! Don’t you dare underestimate me! I’ll prove to you that looks can be god damned deceiving!”
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Masaru scowled after Charles as the man approached the window, passing off the man's ranting as just another monologue--up until red streaked the sky, and a massive explosion rocked the area just outside of Highend.
Masaru's eyes widened--he'd barely seen the beam at all--he'd thought it'd been his eyes playing tricks on him. But, it most certainly hadn't been--the sound that had assaulted their ears, and the clouds of dust that were wafting up into the sky from the explosion site that they could see through the window made things all too real.
He hadn't expected anything like this...he had honestly thought that Charles had just been full of hot air...but now, things had just gotten a lot more dangerous. He paused for a moment, taking in a deep, silent breath to regain his composure, then looking to Eve. In the end, when it came down to it, he would listen to her word--so he was waiting for her to answer.

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Masaru’s Theme - Mystline

Atticus Benedict
Who are you...and why do I feel such hate coming from you...?
Atticus' theme- Reborn in a Cloak of Metal

Atticus listened to Charles intently. He was gonna say something, but then the explosion outside caught his eyes. He looked for a moment, and then put his eyes back on the other two. He didn't know what happened, but someone was going to explain it, so he was gonna wait for that. He put a hand on Eve's shoulder, not looking at her.

Kayden Levard
Mr. Nightshade
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“Whaddya mean, I'm a 'madman'?! I'm not angry at all, guy! Ahahaha~!"
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Kayden looked over at the conversation going on curiously--then, suddenly, heard the huge explosion outside, feeling the aftershock shaking the floor slightly. He leaned over to peek out the window, seeing the smoke billowing up.
".....So I'm guessin' that that's not a barbeque?" he asked, breaking the tense silence in the most awkward way possible. "Too bad--we coulda done s'mores--"

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Kayden's Theme – The Million Way of Drum