Chapter 2.41- Black Shadow

          “Wait a second,” Tibi’s voice shook as she suppressed her giggles. “Wait wait wait wait wait. Your Roger is older than mom’s Pilar? Like, as in Roger’s aunt is younger than he is?”

          Ottawa frowned at the little half-sister in front of him. It wasn’t that big of a deal to him, but it was almost as if Tib was making fun of their shared parent.

          “Hey, Mom was just a kid when I came along,” Ottawa’s voice held just a hint of a reproach. “She’s still got plenty of time ahead of her.”

          Tiburcia put on a blank face, surprised that her ‘big brother’ (she barely knew him- the blood bond was a mere formality) could gloss over Melly’s many shortcomings. Soon enough Tibi would be a young adult, legal and on her own. When that happy day occurred she would officially, finally, write her mother off. In her opinion, Ignacio was the one who raised her, (with the help of Abuela and Layla,) and was thus the only one who counted.

          Standing in the corner where he could see everything as well as he wanted, Ignacio watched his little girl attempting to talk to one of the siblings she barely knew. At least she had the opportunity to be around Mariah enough that she could say she knew at least one of them.

          And Mariah would be a lot easier to connect with after this. A child has far more attraction for a teenager than a toddler with a somewhat morbid view of life.

          Morbid… Speaking of morbid…

          Why wouldn’t Raul stand still? Act like nothing was going on? Instead he kept fidgeting, clearing his throat loudly, staring a hole in Ignacio’s head.

          The pair had already managed to attract Nalleli’s attention; they didn’t need any one else staring at them either.

          “I swear to PlumbBob,” Raul’s voice was taut. “I swear that you said you needed to talk to me. Now all you’re doing is staring at everyone else in the room. Iggy I’ve lived with you long enough to see you stare at people before, it’s nothing new. If you don’t start talking soon-”

          “Shut up!” Ignacio hissed throwing a sharp look over his shoulder. “Don’t you see Nalleli? She’ll go away faster if she thinks we’re just standing here.”

          “Oooooooh,” Raul sighed. “Yeah, I didn’t see her there.”

          “You’re missing a lot fidgeting and trying to see how hard you can stare at me,” said Ignacio.

          “Well, then maybe we can just slip away?”

          “No,” Ignacio whispered. “Layla would notice.”

          “Then tell me another time.”

          “No!” Ignacio winced, looking around furtively and sighed. Thankful his exclamation hadn’t attracted attention and that Nalleli had wandered off.

          “No, it needs to be now,” Ignacio continued over his shoulder. Why wouldn’t Raul stand next to him? It was weird talking over his shoulder like that.

          “Why now?”

          Sighing instead of answering, Ignacio just shook his head. He couldn’t give his real reasons to her brother, and it saddened him. But telling his brother that he wouldn’t be assisting with his smuggling any longer was best done in a room full of happy, talking, noisy, watching, people.

          “You’ve gained Mami’s attention,” Ignacio had spent weeks trying to come up with what to tell his brother, how to start it. He could hardly march up to him and quit. And what he wouldn’t give to be able to do just that. “And then Mami went and pulled Layla aside and blabbed to her.”

          Raul moved fractionally closer to hear better.

          “They don’t know anything do they?” asked Raul.

          Tiburcia looked through the milling crowd at her Daddy’s taut face. Something was up, but she was too far away to hear.

          “It’s not like they actually know what we’re doing,” Raul said. “I mean, Mami hasn’t touched any of us in ages.”

          “Tha’s not true,” responded Ignacio. “She touched me while Layla was gone and I don’t know what all she got. It was enough to scare my wife though.”

          “Scare your wife! It’s not like we’re doing something horrible…” Raul’s voice trailed away at the quelling look his brother gave him.

          “Quit lying to me,” Ignacio spat. “Mami could only get confirmation of what I know, everything else is guess work and matching the ends of the different paths we choose. But she is damn good with her guesses and her latest guess is tha’ whatever we used to be doing isn’ what you’re doing anymore.”

          Chest swelling slightly, Ignacio’s eyes were slits when his brother failed to contradict him immediately.

          “I want out.”

          “No, no,” Raul’s voice higher pitched than usual. “No, don’t quit. I’ll tell you- I… I got caught.”

          Stomach sinking to his toes it took everything in Ignacio to keep his mouth closed. This wasn’t what he’d been expecting to hear at all. Then the questions began forming and the implications of those three words finally sunk in.

          “I got caught by the Simgolean army one night.”

          Sighing, Raul continued. “They took me into custody right there, brought out a bunch of guys with rifles, said they were going to kill me but they had to wait for this one guy. So I just knelt there waiting figuring the guy was one of those twisted sicko’s who get their jollies watching others snuff it, but that wasn’t it. They’d been watching me and they were going to offer me a deal. But it’s kind of one of those ‘A deal you can’t refuse’ things, because if I’d refused to go along with it they would have killed me.”

          “They wanted me to start bringing in supplies for their army,” Raul continued. “Food to keep them going, blankets, medicine, really it was the same stuff we were already sending over there only the army was going to pay me a lot more for it.”

          “You should have said no,” Ignacio interrupted. “We weren’t doing it for the army we were doing it-”

          “-For the Lee’s.” Raul interrupted the interruption. The Lee’s were the family Raul had stayed with all those years ago. “They said they had the Lee’s in custody. And if I went along they’d take care of them using my supplies just like always, but they would kill them too if I refused. So the Lee’s are alright. And that’s why I can’t say no.”

          “The Lee’s are one family,” Ignacio said. “One. We were supposed to be helping the people, not their government. This isn’t a mercy mission anymore. And how do you know they haven’t already killed the Lee’s just to simplify matters?”

          “You’re not the only one with a brain brother,” Raul growled at Ignacio, his apologetic manner of only moments before vanishing. “I insisted on seeing them that night, and have on many other occasions. And not just one of them, but their entire family to make sure they are well fed and taken care of. I take care of my people.”

          “You haven’ taken care of me,” said Ignacio. “I’m donating fish to a foreign army for free. How does that take care of me or my family? You drive the nicest car in town! How is that taking care of starving people?”

          “You want a cut? Is that what this is about? I’ll give you a cut.”

          “It’s not about money.”

          “Of course not,” the sarcasm in Raul’s words made Ignacio cringe. “It’s never about money. No. What is it about then Ignacio? Because to me this is about life and death. They’ll kill me. They’ll kill the Lee’s. Is that really what you want on your conscience?”

          “It’s not about my conscience,” Ignacio sneered back. “It’s about yours.”

          As he walked away from his brother Ignacio felt like scum. Raul was right that that his life would be on Ignacio’s head now. But he’d already promised Layla he’d get out, and hearing that he was no longer helping innocents caught in a political battle made her right to want him out. Was the cost worth it in the end though? Or had his Mami not seen the correct sim lying dead?

          Behind him, he could still feel the black shadow his brother was. No matter how much he tried to focus on his baby girl and this joy that should be her birthday, the shadow was there. For him, it would always be there now.

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          With only a half understanding of what was going on, Mariah blew as hard as she possibly could at her candles as Layla watched anxiously. Somehow, this was supposed to trigger something magic according to Mommy. Mariah hoped it would make the cake explode.

          Tiburcia looked down at the cake and remembered her last one, how this tiny little mite had arrived on that day. She’d have another cake of her own soon leaving her small sister behind to keep their parents entertained. Or shocked depending on what new tales Mariah might come up with.

          Required Blackmail Shot to show future boyfriends.

          Oh, that hair is for sure going to have to be changed. The Clipping! The Clipping!!

          When her eyes didn’t automatically uncross as normal Mariah got a little flustered and had a mini- princess- tantrum until she could finally see straight enough to walk to her cake without tripping on the edge of the rug.

          Mariah quietly selected the largest slice of cake. The smile she first grew up with had disappeared, replaced by a prim look. Sweeping her gaze around the room, she smirked. There’s no way that cake would feed this many people. And she laughed to herself knowing she had hers, envisioning those remaining brawling to get a slice. It was good to be the queen.

          When Mariah found out there were adults who purposely skipped the cake, while others asked for only tiny tastes and no one had fought she was most disappointed. How rude of them not to think her cake worth fighting over!

          As her family prepared to leave, Sally stopped before Layla.

          “Come by tomorrow,” Sally said, smiling at her cousin. “Roger will be having his birthday and it’s time we caught up.”

          Despite her efforts to the contrary, a single tear snuck out of Layla’s eye. It had been too long since she caught up, really caught up, with those who matter most.

          “We’ll be there.”

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          So there you go. I’m going to pretend it’s not painfully obvious what’s coming up and I’m sure you all will as well. ;) Nah. We all know what’s coming. I’ve been too distracted too really do good work on the smoke and mirrors I prefer to have going so I beg your forgiveness. But things seem to kind of actually be settling back into routine (after nearly 2 months of it) at last which gives me the time to work out some of the kinks a little better. There are bloopers for this one. A lot of them, lol. But with 28 sims in the house you know there had to be a few funny moments, and with Cyrus in there? How can I resist making fun of Cyrus? It’s just so easy sometimes. So go have a peek.

          And for the record- Tibi has 4 days until she moves out as a YA, just for the math freaks out there. ;)

Chapter 2.26- Out the Door

          Rain was still falling as she pushed the button on the doorbell with a heavy heart. Merry sounds of children inside playing touched her ears, but the tinny sound of the shrill bell over the clamor was all she really heard.

          Then she heard a baby’s cry, and one of the girls calling for her mother to go and soothe it. The doorbell had startled the poor thing again.

          Unfortunately, the baby’s cry only made her remember that here was another person who would never know her mother. Henry would never know his grandmother now. And Layla dissolved into the tears she’d been holding back since Tiburcia’s mother had stormed off of her porch into the rain leaving so many questions behind.

          “Hey sis,” Cyrus pulled the door open just as Layla managed to scrub her eyes and get a deep breath.

          “Can I come in?” she didn’t even allow space to ask.

          Frowning, he glanced about furtively before stepping back and allowing her room to pass into his home.

          “Sure,” he said. “Sure, yeah, come in.”

          “So what’s going on? What do you need?” This time Cyrus was the one to not allow Layla a moment. Over his shoulder Olivia’s narrowed eyes and pinched lips made her feel as though even Olivia still held her in judgment.

          “Well,” she said slowly. After all, wasn’t she still digesting the news herself? “I got a call this morning from Daddy-”

          “Oh,” Cyrus cut in, nodding and breathing through his teeth. “That’s nice. What’s up?”

          Layla blinked. Was she missing something?

          “Well,” she tried to continue, though she was worried he’d cut her off again. “Daddy called to tell me that last night- last night.” She stopped, her words cut off in her throat.

          “Mom’s gone, Cy,” she finally choked out. “She passed away last night.”

          Cyrus bowed his head, closing his eyes.

          “She’d been ill for a long time,” Layla said. “Uh, Galen’s wife, Arden. Arden had insisted she move that PlumbBob awful couch and mom wasn’t up to it. She was hurt pretty badly and after that she was just constantly in pain, and in and out of the hospital with these nasty infections, and pneumonia and Daddy said this last week- this last week was-was-bad-”

          Cyrus’ head came up, just in time to catch his baby sister as she hurled herself at him as she had flung herself at Iggy earlier.

          “Hey!” He cried, startled as she cried into his shoulder. “Hey, hey, hey! It’s alright! It’s alright!”

          But Layla ignored his pleas and continued until he finally had to push her off of him.

          “Really, it’s going to be okay,” he said, wide-eyed and looking at her as though wary she might do it again.

          Putting on a grin that he figured looked as goofy as it felt, he tried to get her to smile back.

          “Anyway,” she finally found her voice again. “Daddy said she passed last night in her sleep. So at least she’s not in pain anymore and that in some ways it’s a relief to know that she’s not suffering.”

          Cyrus nodded as behind him Olivia loudly cleared her throat.

          “Hey,” Cyrus cleared his throat as well, as if answering his wife. “Hey, uh, this is really awful about Mom-about Helen, and all, but I’m- we’re- but we’re kind of expecting company over soon.”

          Arching a single brow, Layla looked back at her brother quizzically. Was he really not that affected by their mother’s death? Surely he wouldn’t carry his grudge against their mother beyond her death?

          “And it would be really awkward if you were here,” he continued. “If you are here still, when he arrives.”

          Jaw dropping slightly, his words hit her like lead in her stomach.

          “Really, Laydee,” Cyrus still went on. “I hate to ask you to leave at a time like this, but I kind of have to.”

          Blinking, nodding, it took her a few moments to gather herself and formulate a response. How could he kick her out? Wasn’t she more important than a guest?

          “Oh. Okay. I’ll go,” she said, ashamed of how bright her words sounded to her. “No. No. I wouldn’t want to make things awkward for you.”

          She took a step around him as his own mouth opened as though he wanted to say something.

          “See,” she said before he could get anything out. “See, I just thought that family always stuck together. Thought you’d want to know that the woman who gave birth to you had died. Oh well. Have fun with your guests.”

          And without a backward glance, she walked out the door.

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          Ignacio heard the front door close from the kitchen. He’d been tempted to call Layla to see where she had gone to. Arriving back home and finding her gone had worried him. His mother’s prediction that she might go to Cyrus hadn’t sat well with him either, as he was fairly sure of the welcome she’d receive as Ned was her brother’s employer.

          Coming into the living room swiftly and quietly he found a scene that took his breath away momentarily. Layla was cuddling his little girl

          “The gems are pretties aren’t they?” Layla crooned, her voice pitched higher than usual in an imitation of baby talk.

          Ignacio turned to sneak back out of the room. Layla freaked out if she thought the little girl had touched the gems. She said she was terrified she’d choke on them, though she still hadn’t removed them from the girls reach.

          “See the pretty butterflies? So pretty. Butterflies,” she continued as Ignacio slipped back out, his stomach flipping even as the muscles in the corners of his mouth twitched.

          Ignacio had just managed to make it back into the kitchen without detection when Layla turned around, scanning the room.

          She’d kept hold of Tiburcia, enjoying the child’s warm weight on her arm. Turning, she buried her nose in the soft dark hair on her shoulder, inhaling the sweet scent that clung to her.

          “We need to get you a room with us so you can stay with your Daddy and that mean old woman won’t need to come get you from him,” Layla looked around again, as if she half expected Ignacio to have materialized since she last looked around. “We should tell him.”

          Raising her voice a little: “Ignacio? Iggy? Where are you?” she called.

          Ignacio’s heart leapt a little when he saw that Layla still held Tibi. He also noted the hard look in her eye that hadn’t been there earlier.

          “Hey,” he said. “There you are. I was a little bit worried when we got back and you weren’t here. Are you alright? Where did you go?”

          Layla’s eyes narrowed fractionally as Tiburcia began to fuss and wriggle trying to get down to a toy she’d spotted.

          “Hang on, let me put her down.”

          Putting the girl down Layla slowly walked back to where Ignacio was standing.

          “So,” she said, putting on what she thought was a seductive face. “So, I’ve heard tell that the greatest real estate mind in town is currently living with me. That is, if what you’ve told me is true at least.”

          Ignacio took half a step back, narrowing his own eyes as she had earlier. What on Sim Planet had gotten into her?

          He put a fist on his hip, nodding at her slowly.

          “Uh-Huh,” he acknowledged warily. “That is true.”

          “Hmmm,” Layla’s fingers walked up the buttons on his shirt front and he nearly shivered from anticipation over whatever the hell she was about to do. “Well, isn’t that convenient.”

          “Uh,” his eyes darting about as he tried to puzzle her words out. Where was she going with this. “Uh, that is good? I guess? Why is it convenient?”

          “Because I think I’m ready to be a homeowner,” grabbing his shirtfront  in her fists, pulling him an inch or so closer. “And you’re going to find me a house to buy.”

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Yeah. I had fun with that bit.

Ok. Cyrus. Layla is not going to know this for a long time. Maybe never. But Cyrus and Olivia were expecting Ned at any moment and as Ned is his boss (in story only, it’s backwards in game) Cyrus did not relish a meeting of those two in his home, especially with Layla all emotional like that. Cyrus is genuinely sad Helen had died. Really. The news, however, was a lot more shocking to him than it was to Layla and sometimes that takes a bit more time to sink in. So don’t think too horribly of him right now. Let Layla do that.

And in game that was the first time Layla had autonomously done something with Tiburcia. So be proud of her folks. There might be hope for her yet. I couldn’t not use it. It was so sweet! And I still love how when I want her too Layla gives great face.

Chapter 2.14- It'll All Be Over

          Early morning the day before Election Day saw Layla in front of her brother’s house. As early as she had arrived he should have a little bit of time to spare for her before he had to be at Ned’s Campaign Headquarters downtown. And Layla wanted every moment he could offer her. She had questions.

          “It’s a little early for you to stop by,” he greeted her warmly. “But Phedra and George have already left. You missed them.”

          “That’s fine, it’s you I wanted to see,” she said. “Can I come in?”

          “Yeah! Yeah! Come on in, looks like it’s about to rain.”

          “So, what's up? Wanna read Corinne a book before she goes to school?”

          “Maybe another day, I have some questions about Ned’s campaign,” Layla was afraid that if she wasted time on small talk he’d have to leave before she learned what she needed to know.

          “Oh? And you didn’t want to ask him?”

          “He’s told me before that it’s going very well. But I’ve heard rumors that that isn’t the case. What’s going on? Really going on.”

          “Ned is going to lose tomorrow,” Cyrus said bluntly. “And it isn’t going to be narrow.”

          “Is there anything that can be done?”

          Looking at her closely, Cyrus waited a moment before answering her. The pause made her uneasy.

          “How much do you really get out in town, Laydee? Like, really get out and get to know the people in town.”

          “I don’t.”

          “Alright, then this might be difficult for you to understand.”

          “Try me.”

          “This town is a very tightly knit, small farming community,” he said. “They live their lives together from birth to death. Outsiders are suspect, newcomers are strange and people they don’t know they secretly fear. And these people don’t know Ned. They didn’t see him grow up, they didn’t know his father well, and they pitied his mother in private. His wealth doesn’t help him win their affections either.”

          “Wow, you’ve haven’t been here as long as I have and you seem to know the town very well.”

          “It’s part of my job, Laydee.”

          “So there’s no hope at all then?”

          “Not unless you can get the entire town to change their habits and minds overnight,” Cyrus told her sadly.

          “Habits?” she asked.

          “Yes, their habits too. They all stick together like glue, for one. They’re used to Mayor Martingale. And they like to infuse almost all situations with a little drama. This is a fantastic tragi-comedy for half the gossiping citizens of Appaloosa Plains. The stuck-up wealthy son of the marriage for money versus the small town farmer who overcame his father’s infamous behavior to run the town is how they see this election.”

          “But Ned isn’t stuck-up at all!”

          “I know that,” Cyrus answered in a soothing tone. “I know that and you know that, but Ned hasn’t gone out of his way to do anything for the town since his return. They just don’t know him and so they assume.”

          “But that’s not fair!” Layla nearly shouted.

          “It’s not fair,” Cyrus answered, trying to shush his sister before she upset his kids. “But it’s the way things are. And there is nothing we can do to fight that.”

          “Have Ned go out and meet the people!”

          “He’s done that. They smile politely and turn their backs.”

          “Have him donate to local charities!”

          “His entire family has done that for generations.”

          “Have him-”

          “-Layla? There is nothing more that can be done. It would take something monumental happening to make the town look at Ned in a favorable light. And it would have to happen now.”

          Her head drooping with her shoulders, she’d never felt so defeated.

          “Wow,” Cyrus breathed. “You really like this guy don’t you?”

          She didn’t answer. She didn’t want to tell a half truth.

          “You know,” he continued. “You know when I first came to town I kind of thought you and Ignacio had a thing going, but I can see I was wrong. Ned’s a good guy Layla. He’ll be good to you.”

          A new thought struck Layla suddenly and her blood ran cold.

          “What happens to you and Olivia and the girls if Ned loses?”

          He smiled at her ruefully.

          “With both of us working and getting paid well we’ve been saving up. When the campaign is over one of us will travel somewhere larger and will look for work. With any luck, we’ll get something quickly and we’ll just relocate again.”

          “But what about Henry?”

          “Fay and George are going to be sending us a little each month to make sure we can take care of him. We’ll be fine Layla. We’ve done this before.”

          “Hey,” he smiled at her. “Hey, there’s no need to look so sad. At least we’ve had this little bit together, and you’ve got to meet the girls. We’ll keep in touch now, too.”

          Nodding, Layla tried to talk of the weather for the few remaining minutes before he had to leave. She couldn’t imagine having Cyrus move away again, she’d barely gotten used to having him nearby.

          With her thoughts still in a whirl she left to let Cyrus and Olivia leave for work.

          To her surprise she saw Aunt Estella leaving Skeet and Rosemary’s house across the street and assumed she had been visiting Rosemary and the new baby. At first she didn’t really want to stop, she wanted to get to Ned’s before he left for work to hear his opinion, but then something struck her. Who better to know how the town really thought of Ned than Estella. After all, Sally hadn't got her gossipy streak from Trigger.

          “Aunt Estella!” She yelled, running across the street. “Aunt Estella!”

          “I hear ya Honey Girl! There is no need ta shout,” the older woman chuckled.

          “Aunt Estella what do you think of Ned Hale?”

          Estella’s face went blank and she stared long and hard at Layla.

          “I think yer a lucky woman to have caught ‘is fancy,” she said guardedly.

          Layla shook her head in exasperation.

          “No,” she said. “No, what do you think about Ned personally? Honestly.”

          “Honestly? I think the boy needs some more time to grow up afore ‘e runs the town.”

          “But what about his platform?”

          “What about it? As far as I know 'e doesn’t have any experience playin' politics and so I’m sure he’d have no idea how to implement his platform even if ‘e did win.”

          “Now, Laydee,” Estella cutoff the hasty words Layla had been forming. “We all know that he’s yer special friend, but really. He’s jus’ not cut out to be Mayor here. And no one really knows ‘im very well. But I’m sure once the two o’ya settle down together you’ll be able to get ‘im to mix more with the townfolk ‘stead of just paying off the church alms box. That might go a long way toward getting’ ‘im a seat on the council one day, too.”

          There was nothing Layla could say to express her righteous indignation at such a speech. Did the town’s gossiping old biddies do this just to Ned? Had they labeled her in such a way too? Had they done it to Cyrus? Sally? Ignacio?

          “Now, then,” Estella continued. “I’ve got ta run back ‘ome. I just wanted ta see if Rosemary needed me today. Ya know how new babies make their Mama’s. It were good to see ya and talk to ya Honey Girl. I’m sure you’ll be awfully busy the rest o’today and tomorra with your young man, so I doubt we’ll see you afore it's all over.”

          She patted Layla’s cheek and left.

          Standing on the sidewalk alone Layla saw the carefully constructed safe world she had around her crumbling. She couldn’t just stand by. Maybe it wasn’t too late to get Ned to do something to eke out a win.

          On the way the clouds above parted and the sun warmed the air. It did nothing for the chill Layla felt though.

          “Well this is a pleasant surprise,” Ned greeted her at the door to the cottage in the backyard. The maid had informed her of his whereabouts when she rang the front bell. "Won’t you come in?”

          Layla nodded her acceptance of his invitation and stepped after him into the cool little building.

          “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you this early in the morning?”

          Suddenly uncertain of how to proceed, Layla hesitated.

          “Will you come to headquarters tomorrow evening to be with me while we await the results?” Ned broke into her thoughts. “I’m sorry to interrupt your thoughts, but I’m so excited and I’d like nothing more than to have you with me as the vote counts come in.”

          Taken aback, Layla’s eyes widened.

          “About that Ned, how is your campaign going?” Layla was nearly breathless with all she’d heard that day. “I-I mean, have you gotten an indication of how the vote will fall?”

          “Ah,” Ned beamed at her. “Of course. But right now we’ve only got preliminary polls and guesses. According to those figures things might be a little slim, but I have no doubt that when the voters actually go to the polls that I’ll come out on top in the end.”

          Her shoulders fell, there was no response she could give. She hadn’t wanted to believe Ignacio’s grim outlook and so had gone to other sources she believed to be reliable. All seemed to confirm that there was nearly no way Ned would win. Was this simply bravado for her sake?

          “You look startled,” Ned went on, still smiling confidently. “But I understand how these things work. I majored in politics and I know how this will all end. Now then, will you be with me?”

          “Uh, yeah, sure. Sure I’ll be there,” Layla stuttered. He was bluffing for her sake, and that made it so much worse.

          Reaching for her, Ned pulled her into a tender embrace.

          “I’m so sorry I haven’t been around nearly as much as you deserve,” he whispered in her ear. “And as soon as it’s all over I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

          Not trusting her voice, Layla nodded into his shoulder feeling her stomach churn.

          She pulled away first, unable to keep herself that near him any longer without flinching.

          “Tomorrow night then,” he said. “By tomorrow night it’ll all be over.”

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Dun da DUN! Yeah. This should be fun.

Oh, I mentioned Angelo Martingale's infamous father above. He's a son of Kanoa Parrot. One of the mob of them around town that popped up before I disabled Kanoa's ability to sire children. However, he's good looking so he didn't get killed in the Master Controller Killing Spree I had before moving the Sixkillers over to AP. Just FYI.