Laurence Zelkovii

With an exhaust loud enough to set anyone's teeth shaking, Lanny pulled the muddied Bronco up to the club and shut it off. He took a moment to look over his attire, seeing vegetation stains and a few tears in his shirt where he'd been plowed down. And then, with a bit of a shrug and a half-hearted grin to Cassidy, he spoke, "At least we're just going to the Night Club." In all honesty, he didn't care too much about his appearance, since very few would dare to say a word to him about it. Stepping out of the vehicle, Lanny absently brushed a few blades of grass from his pants and shirt, and strolled towards the Club door to open it for Cassidy. It was as much out of courtesy as it was a statement - a bold warning to let everyone know that she was accompanying him, and wasn't to be hassled.

Cassidy

She had to laugh at that comment, looking deprecatingly down at herself as assessed the mud all over her slacks and the wetness of blood that didn't show on her black shirt. She'd managed to calm her hair, at least, by pulling it back into a common ponytail, which was difficult when she didn't feel comfortable enough to raise her arm very fair above her waist. But as ever when he did something for her, Cassidy favored the young man with a smile when he opened the door for her, and stepped inside. Her eyes cast instantly around for the short, spry figure of her uncle, and when she spotted his flannel-shirted, blue-jeaned self seated against the wall with a whiskey in front of him, she knew instantly that there was more to his request that they meet here than just to exchange information. Lanny probably wouldn't notice it, really; it was so subtle... just the way he held the drink as he downed the shot and called for another, and the way he held his head as he did so. These things, after a lifetime of studying that wizened face and learning all she knew about disguising emotions from him, let her know that though he was holding the liquor well, as he always did, he'd been drinking for some time already.

But she behaved as though she'd seen nothing, instead moving toward him with a swish in her step and folding into the embrace he offered as he stood up to greet her. "There's my girl," he murmured, and then turned a solemn face to the co-head of the gang. "Lanny. Please - have a seat, both of you." He waited until the waitress had come back with his refill and had taken whatever orders the other two had before he watched her walk away and then focused his sharp-eyed attention on Cass. "So - you wanna explain that to me?" He asked pointedly. He didn't say it, but she knew he'd felt the wetness and warmness of blood when he'd hugged her, and he wanted to know why his little girl was hurt.

Lanny Zelkovii

Taking the man's cue, Lanny pulled a chair out for Cassiday, and one for himself before seating himself at the table. Putting himself directly across from the older man so that he would have the best angle for eye-contact, the brother had been light on his drink order - a coke, 'minus the captain' he had told the waiter. He'd come here often enough that they knew what his usual preferences were, but today he was in a better mood than he had been in a long time, and so he declined the alcohol.

Had he noticed those slight quirks in behavior that Johann had displayed, from the very subtle positioning of his head and his handle on the drink... he would have been worried. As a general rule, he was very adept at reading behaviors in others, a skill that he had developed during the countless meetings with this person or that in the world of blackmarket dealing and gangs. But Johann's subtleties were all his own.

"We had a mishap out on the ridges." The young man returned evenly, holding Johann's gaze unflinchingly, but in a light way so as not to disrespect the man that he knew Cass seemed close too, "We were hunting snakes, and got jumped by wild animals."

Cassidy*Others

Seating herself and favoring Lanny with another smile, which was warm and pleasant in a way that even her practiced smirk could not accomplish, Cass turned her attention to the old man's question, and though the smile never faltered, there was sadness in the depths of the blue eyes as she watched him down another shot. It was difficult - watching the only two people that she cared anything about fight what seemed to be a never-ending battle with a liquid that was taking over their lives. She was glad to note that Lanny had ordered something softer today, but her distress over Johann's hard drinking offset that until the smile she offered him was her everyday one again.

But it didn't matter, because the man's face hardened when he heard they'd been hunting snakes, only the slight widening of his eyes letting his fear be known, since there weren't, at current, any in the room. To accompany this, he muttered dryly, "Told you no good'll come of them reptiles, didn' I? I'm tellin' ya - it doesn't matter how good a fighter you are. When you start messin' around with poisons, you're dead - period. You can't fight something that takes over your body." That was his usual, fairly-well expected spiel, before he continued, "Wild animals? Judging by the size of those scratches, girl, I'd say big cats. Which in this area, means everything from bobcats to pumas to snow leopards. Are the two of you insane, or do you just enjoy brushes with death?" The last, at least, was a form of sarcastic joke, coming from the old man.

To complement this, Cassidy let out a bit of laughter that she didn't feel, and laid a hand on her uncle's arm. "I'm fine, Johann. You called us up here for some information?" Trying to turn the conversation away from her injury and the snakes, which she knew that he'd never be happy about, she sought out their reason for coming. And he finally bent over in his seat and came up with a backpack, which he scooted over casually next to Lanny's chair, as if merely adjusting it to get it out of the way of his feet. "You'll find what you need in there," he said, his eyes hard on Lanny's, the light blue depths that could be so kind when looking at Cassidy now harsh and direct... fortunately, Cass didn't see it, as she'd turned about to look at a noise that had sounded behind her. "Maps, files, everything from personalities to best weapons - give you a decent chance of succeeding in your venture. I don't think any of them have the brains to rewrite their lives for this."

Zelkovii

For the second time today, Lanny noticed how her smile had changed from something sincere to something... a little less. At this point and time, he didn't know enough to relate it to Johann's drinking, but given time he would start to work together the pieces of the puzzle. Especially when he inevitably sought out the bottle again to wash away his thoughts and sorrows.

It didn't take Lanny much to pick up on Johann's apparent distrust of snakes either, a fact that he kept a special note of. While he never planned to go against the old man, in this business it never hurt to know the weaknesses of those around you. To his sarcasm at the end, the young man added a grin and a nod, "Maybe a bit of both." From there, the conversation took on more serious note, for which Laurence abandoned his good-natured look and adopted a sterner one. Again he matched Johann's eyes, holding them with an equal share of intensity and a flare of dominance, "Very impressive, Johann." His eyes dropped down to the bag, studying it a moment, "We'll definitely put this to good use."

Cassidy*Others

If she noticed how Lanny's gaze honed in on her artificial smile, Cassidy never said anything, or made any indication that she was aware that he was watching her. Really, it wasn't liquor that she minded so much - after all, she had been known to kick back a few herself, when she needed to unwind or to derail certain memories that wanted to consume her, or even to seek out the darker road that illicit substances provided. But it was something she had control of, something that would not result in any behavior that could be dangerous to herself or those around her, and could not hurt anyone. In Lanny and Johann, she saw addiction, and a lack of control over the problem; and in two people she cared so much about - that frightened her. Made her afraid that one day, one of them would go too far while their judgment was compromised - and there would be nothing she could do to stop or help them.

But none of this crossed her face as the old man moved to flag down a waitress for a refill. Her only indication was the hand she laid on Johann's arm, and the gaze she fixed the girl with, which made her freeze, and then back away. It was clearly a request on Cassidy's part for him to stop as she stroked at the flannel sleeve with her thumb, and his eyes turned to her, fiery in annoyance - but he could never hold that look for long against her. After a moment, it was the man who looked away, turning his eyes back to meet with Lanny's.

He read easily into the show of authority that the younger man put over in his gaze, and met it with something that was firm and unafraid. Lanny was trying to remind him that he was co-head of this gang, and Johann the informational officer. Pointing out his place, rather. And Johann knew that, of course - but his eyes said, 'I was fighting in this gang before you were born. I know what you need. Don't mess with me.' All of this he said without ever speaking a syllable, but of course it wasn't the gang authority issue that had him particularly riled today. He'd seen the smile Cassidy had directed at Lanny, watched him return it - and he'd had just enough to drink that he wasn't as reserved as usual. The staring contest might have evolved into something ugly - except Cassidy experienced a rare moment of gracelessness, dumping her water into her lap. It was iced and freezing, and what with the air turning colder, she was instantly soaked, and chilled. She gave a low cry of frustration and surprise and hopped to her feet, sweeping ice out of her lap with a napkin and wiping at the front of her slacks. "Cripes, but that's cold!" She hissed, wiping still at her pants. "And it's not coming up with just these napkins. Excuse me for a moment, won't you - I'll just run to the ladie's room and get cleaned up right quick. That'll give the two of you time to discuss your business, anyway."

Laurence Zelkovii

Attention was switched to the brief, wordless battle between the girl and the older man, where Lanny got his first impression on just where that feigned smile had come from. It was just a hint though, and he couldn't be sure whether she was displeased by his continued drinking, or whether it was another issue between them. He'd kept quiet but thoughtful before meeting up with Johann's gaze again and... 'splash'

"Waiter!" Waving a hand in the air to summon the nearest help, in order to get a new glass of water and a towel to clean up what ice and water had missed her lap, Lanny watched Cassidy retreat to the ladies room. Then he seized upon the sudden opportunity of the young woman's absence and leaned forward on the table. "Listen, Johann. I appreciate your help - honestly, I do. But you've got to remember, this is our town." His light eyes hardened along with his voice, turning him into a strikingly different character than the one that had spent the earlier part of the day with Cassidy. He wasn't nearly so in-your-face as his brother, but he could certainly hold his own. Lowering his tone for Johann alone, he went on, "Don't think, just because my brother's laid up right now, that you can start pushing boundaries with your authority.' He was tempted to say more, but... he couldn't be sure if this little tussle of power had anything to do with the older man's defensiveness over Cassidy or not.

Johann*Others

Watching the girl until she'd gone out of sight behind the restroom door, the older man returned his attention to the pale-eyed younger one seated across from him, his wrinkled face unreadable as Lanny spoke. But when the yonger Zelkovii had finished, he shook his head, and spoke in just as soft a tone. "And don't think, just because I brought you the information you need, that I'm doing it because of my loyalty. I did it only because Cassidy asked me to. I don't have the authority position here, and I don't want it - you can be assured of that." He said that, point blank and so clear that it had to be the truth, and then continued, "This isn't about the Silvers."

Laurence Zelkovii

That was what finally clued him in and told him what this was all about. "So it's about Cass?" No beating around the bush or shying about the topic - he laid it right out in the open. "If you've got a problem with me being around her, you'd best say it right now." It was the vaguest admittance that he was starting to prefer the girl's company, though even he had yet to fully realize it himself. Lanny took a moment to glance in the direct of the restrooms, making sure that Cassidy was still back there and at no risk of hearing their conversation. He could just imagine how well that would go, to hear Johann and himself squabbling about her, "If I want to spend time with her, that's no concern of yours."

Johann*Others

There was absolutely nothing to indicate that the topic he'd chosen to cover was the one Johann'd had in mind. But his voice turned quietly vicious when Lanny tried to denounce that he had any concern over whom Cass showed interest in. "Like hell it's not my concern! I raised that girl from a babe in arms after her folks died, gave her the first knife she ever had at three years old, taught her to use it. I raised her in the gang, and I knew I was doing it at the time. When she was sixteen, I let her go to work out on the bridge, 'cause she was low on money and we were havin' a hard time gettin' by, and 'cause she asked me. She's been doin' it a while, and she's learned to separate what happens between the sheets and makes home to her heart. She'd got it all straight - and now you come along, tangling up her lines. I won't have my girl trifled with, Laurence Zelkovii."

Laurence Zelkovii

Johann's viciousness was quickly matched by Lanny's, who had no problems setting up and defending his own ideas and thoughts. "Trifled with?" He snorted indignantly drawing his hands together and leveling his broad shoulders, "She's a grown woman, and she can make her own choices on what she wants to do. If she wants to spend her time with me, you're going to just have to accept that." The young man's eyes narrowed a little, bringing a furrow between his brows and deepening the shadows that cut across his shapely face, "If you think I'd do wrong by her, you don't know much about me, Johann. And I sure as hell would put a stop to the kind of work she does."

Johann*Others

"I know too much about you. That's what I'm afraid of." That was flat and honest, and then he continued, "You forget Lanny, that I watched all of you grow up - you, James, Carl, Conner, Dan, Brian. Know all of you from when you were just pups. That's what worries me. You're too close and too familiar - she's comfortable, and that's a bad spot to be in, in her position. And you're not makin' it any easier for 'er to stay neutral."

He let that scolding out, a reminder of just how long he'd served his time in this gang, how much of his life he'd given to it, and then after a moment, he softened some, and the fierceness in the blue eyes faded a little. "I realize she's a grown girl now. And don't get the idea that I'm gonna be ona them that tries to dictate her whole life to her. Do I want her out of the work she's been in these years? Sure I do - hell, if I thought I could stop her without hurting her, I'd stop it right now. She's got so much more potential than that. Out of everybody, I think I know that best. And I won't have her taken for a ride."

He let the man consider than information for a moment before he darkened his tones again and said, "It's not particularly you I've got something against, Lan. But I'm givin' you fair warning, before this gets beyond the smiles I've seen her givin' you - you hurt my girl, deliberate or not, and you'll answer to me. Co-head of Silvers or not. Is that clearly understood?"

Laurence Zelkovii

Even Lanny, as high a position as he had in the gang, had to relent to the knowledge of an elder member. That didn't mean he had to abide by it by any means, but Johann was well respected by the collective family for his years of service to the Silvers, and when he spoke of his knowledge, it was an unstated rule that he was to be listened too. In the careful game of gang politics, Lanny couldn't afford to disrespect Johann beyond the particular subject they were speaking on.

He remained quiet because of this, listening unwaveringly to what the other said and reminding himself that the other man was an invaluable asset to the team. All of this tempered his response to what Johann said last, for which Lanny continued on with his silence to prevent himself from saying things he shouldn't. "It's not a bad thing for her to feel comfortable around us. Sure it's a liability for her if she started getting that way with others, but you know I wouldn't hurt her. That's not our way." He knew that Johann was speaking on other levels than physical-related abuse, and for that, Lanny was prepared to defend himself as well. Although, with all of the flings and previous girlfriends he'd had before, he could see where Johann was a little worried of him hurting Cass. Instead of touching on that, he turned a more serious voice to the man, "I'd be careful about who I was threatening, if I were you. You're well respected, but don't you dare think you can step out of your rank against me.'

Johann*Others

None of the minimal facial expressions the younger man used passed Johann unnoticed, and the words he chose. Cassidy had learned most of her tricks from this old man, and though she had developed it to a finer art than he, Johann was still a cool, hard customer. So Lanny's bristling at the threat made him speak calmly. "I have made no threat, Laurence. I have given a warning. It is not a threat until I have made an active promise to accomplish what I have said. And if it comes down to that... I seriously doubt that either of our ranks in this little group will matter at that point."

But at long last, after bristling back against the younger man's returned threat, he let out a long sigh, and his whole demeanor softened 'til he was the sweet and awkward man Cassidy loved so dearly. "You're a smart fellow, Lanny. You know the risks she takes in getting comfortable, with anyone. It comes with the territory, in that kind of job, whether she's dealing with customers, or others. It's not that I don't trust you - I've worked under you and your brother's rule for these seven years, and that demands a sort of trust. But you'll forgive me for a guardian's protectiveness over my girl... she's all I've got, and she's more sensitive than you think. I'm just asking - be careful with her." There, that sounded more like what he'd started out to say - the whiskey he'd consumed had riled his temper, had altered his words from the calm request to the soft tirade he'd set off on against the younger man, but this was what he had truly wanted to say... and now that the edge had worn off of his anger and his alcohol, he was able to say it.

Laurence Zelkovii

For a long time, Lanny's stony expression remained just as it was, clearly expressing just how serious he was in upholding his authority and respect. Eventually, this began to simmer down as the alcohol-tainted words of the elder man cooled down and became something far less threatening. It didn't take long for Lanny to relax more and give a low sigh, as if clearing away the last of the brief aggression in his body, "I understand it, Johann." This time around, his words were softened and given without the harsh glare, "She's a special girl, and you raised her right." He wasn't going to mention how he disapproved of her profession of course, but the fact that she was one of the most able and skillful members of the gang certainly earned some respect. "I promise, I would never do anything to harm her. You have my word on that."

Johann*Others

With a consensus reached, now that the fiery tempers of both men were satisfied, Johann offered the younger man one half of a quirked smile, and waved down a waitress, asking her for a chaser and a water; the first to clear his head a bit, the second to comfort Cassidy when she came back. As the girl moved away to do as she was told, the older man nodded solemnly to Lanny. "I'll take your word on that. And I'll hold you to it." Then, he waitress came back with his order, and he downed the chaser, sending the glass back with her. He'd started in on the water by the time the restroom door swung again, and their companion came back toward them.

Not only had she dried her slacks, but her hands were clean and white, and her black shirt newly washed, which both men might notice by how it was more wet than before. While in the bathroom, she'd shrugged out of her shirt and rinsed the blood out of the garment, using the mirrors to assess the wounds, since she was alone. Finding them as mild as she'd thought, she'd bandaged them so as to offset the slight weakness she was feeling from the bloodloss, and this had been what had taken her so long - it was an awkward thing to wrap bandages around one's middle anyway, but when there was a huge scratch wound along one's side... But she'd managed it, and as she meandered back to the two men and sat down between them, she offered them both a smile that was a degree or two warmer than her everyday one. "I trust you two found plenty to talk about while I was away."

Lanny Zelkovii

The slight smile was returned, showing that there was no hard feelings following the quick, hushed-voiced conversation between the two of them. It was business as usual, even if it pertained to a much more personal matter, and came with the implications that Johann would definitely act in an unfavorable way if Lanny overstepped his own bounds. Lanny was entirely truthful in what he agreed too, yet as he had the tendency to flirt a little too heavily with alcohol lately, there was no telling how Cassidy would take to that... though her earlier response to seeing Johann downing his drinks was a good hint.

By the time that Cassidy came back out, Lanny bore no hint that he'd just been in a heated talk with Johann, and turned a pleasant smile to her, "Guy stuff." The smile transformed into a bit of a grin as he said this, easily moving back to his light-natured manner.

Cassidy*Others

Cassidy had noticed that Johann had changed his selection of drinks, and so it was easier to keep her smile genuine as she settled herself between them again and looked back and forth to each face. To Lanny's words, she offered a laugh, and teased, "Ye gods, glad I wasn't here, then. You ask Johann, Lanny - I get all confused just watching football - I can't keep straight which team is which, much less what penalties are what and which rules apply in which division - too confusing." She smiled then, but Johann caught the glint in her eyes - even though neither of them had indicated anything other than pleasant talk, Cassidy was not completely fooled. She didn't know what they'd discussed, but she knew it wasn't 'guy stuff' in the way Lanny meant for her to understand it - or not only that. It wasn't a lie, precisely - but neither was it entirely true. Very clever.

But she never indicated this, instead murmuring to Lanny, "So, is there anything else we're going to need for this little project? I came up with a basic list for Johann to get, but can you think of anything else?" Mostly saying this in order to have words to speak while she watched the two men, she waited quietly for his answer.

Laurence Zelkovii

"What, don't understand football? Cass, that's only the best game ever invented." He exclaimed in mock surprise, turning around in his seat to fully face her for a moment, brandishing a good-hearted grin to follow it up. This time around, he failed to notice that little look in her eye that signified that she didn't entirely buy his earlier words, but since she did not pry, he was willing to move right along with business at hand.

"The only big problem I can think of now is their damned animals. That's going to be an obstacle to get around." Where so many of the other groups had a horde of pets and guard critters, the CrypticSilvers were more for weapons, "I'm not sure how to get through them without giving the Akatsuki plenty of warning about our arrival."

Cassidy*Others

She shook her head and rolled her eyes for effect, and her voice was sarcastic as she said, "A bunch of grown men running back and forth with a ball, and allowing others to tackle them to the ground, sometimes sustaining injuries, without fighting back, and with no other satisfaction than to say 'we won'. Oh yeah, clever."

Her tone was snarky, but the merry glitter in her eyes said she was teasing, and even Johann had to chuckle. It wasn't often these days that he could get this sort of good-natured conversation out of the girl - recently she'd been prone to deep bouts of depression, and disappearing off by herself for days at at time to think things over. He didn't know what had caused this in her, though of course there were things she'd never shared even with him, but it had disturbed, and sometimes frightened him when she just vanished like that. Each time he'd set his skills to the task, touching base here and there and working his hardest to find her - and always she'd returned before his efforts yielded results, and would not discuss where she'd been or what she'd been doing. And it had gotten worse as time went on - this was the first time in several months that he could look at her and believe that, just for a moment, Cass was happy. Knowing that it was Lanny that had brought this to her, he altered his opinion of the younger man just slightly; anyone who could help Cass out of that couldn't be as unstable as Johann had first suspected.

Fortunately his input wasn't required at this point in the conversation, because he'd fallen silent with these thoughts. Cassidy had taken up the slack, now saying, "They've got mostly rotts and dobes, right? And a stable full of horses. Why not use fire?"

Laurence Zelkovii

Getting that playful rise out of Cassidy doubled the grin on the young man's face and earned an laughing acknowledgment, "Well, if you put it that way..." He'd noted too how this sort of manner in the girl was something that was few and fleeting. Like Johann, he and James alike had found the girl simply went off the radar and vanished for a time. At first, James had pressed her for information, and made it clear that he didn't like her disappearing acts for the simple reason that he couldn't be sure if she'd been taken by an enemy or not. But eventually, when she'd not divulged where she was going or why, he had dropped it. And though Lanny was more keen on his worry, he had since stopped trying her for answers.

"Ah, good thinking. A few moltovs ought to clear them out." Lanny added with an interested nod, "Put a few through the windows too, and we'll smoke the bastards out." His mind went fleetingly to James, but he hesitantly declined seeking his elder brother out about this. The Akatsuki had to pay for what they did.

Cassidy*Others

That had been one of the first things she'd ever found to like about Lanny, in that he seemed instinctively to know when not to question her on things. She'd respected him before that, as a shrewd fellow and a bold and gifted fighter, but it was the first characteristic that had endeared him to her, that he was able to understand when he simply was not going to be given the knowledge he sought, and gave up actively asking for it. That was not to say he gave up wanting it, but that he decided that he was not going to prod for it any longer. But at this moment, she seemed as far from those darker days as she'd ever been, fofr once seeming like your everyday, pretty young woman about her business, having a drink with her friends. And that didn't disappear as the conversation descended to darker matters, though her eyes altered to give out keen intelligence. "Yes, yes that should do nicely."

Laurence Zelkovii

Taken up in the moment of planning and revenge, Lanny was taking just as much unspoken joy in having Cassidy in a mood that was much lighter and free than it had been. And unlike James, he was wise enough not to comment on this, instead continuing on with the task of smoothing out their assault. "You know, we can always gather the rest of our supplies at Somher's place." The young man grinned deviously, picking out his cellphone from his pocket and checking the time, "At this hour, he's started his shift at the Wallocks, and he'll be there for the rest of the night." He wasn't going to mention that some of these 'supplies' including some poisonous reptiles, having known enough that Johann would like to hear that. And if he were trying to prove his trustworthiness to the uncle, he certainly didn't need to be aggravating him like that.

Cassidy*Others

With that end of the plan settled, Cassidy turned her attention to Lanny's idea, taking pointed notice of how he did not mention to Johann just what was at Ryan's house. "Sure, that sounds good - might as well get all of it in one swoop, right?"

And Johann smiled, "Alright, off with the two of you. Don't do anything I wouldn't." Which, as they knew all too well, didn't really limit their options all that much. Getting to her feet and beginning to lay down money for everyone's drinks, Cassidy stepped to hug her uncle tightly for a moment, turning her face up to peck his cheek quickly before turning her attention to Lanny. Reaching for the young man's hand as casually as could be, seeming not to notice that she'd done so, the girl flipped her hair behind her and turned that smile to him. "Shall we?"

Zelkovii

Lanny stood swiftly, following her lead at first as she took his hand, and then he himself taking the lead as he headed for the door. "No worries, we'll behave." He threw back cheekily at Johann, which sounded almost ridiculous from the young man since they were planning on breaking into a cops house and stealing things for arson and murder. But recalling the conversation they'd had while Cass was absent, it was meant more a subtle reminder that he would be very thoughtful of the girl's safety.