Big Trouble in Little Moscow

Posted on Wed Aug 12th, 2020 @ 2:53am by Black Market Arturo Rosso & Plexie El Plexuco & Civilian Xiulan Song

Mission: This Week's Special
Location: Arturo's Apartment, Donuts Czar Us, Petrovich Residence
Timeline: Current

After spending an afternoon 'getting something straight between them', Arturo and Xiulan decided they'd better pay their respects to Old Man Petrovich, either directly or through one of his lieutenants, and report the incident from the other night. Though Sasha Alexeyovich already knew about the incident, they felt it was important for him to know they weren't hiding anything from him. So they headed to Donuts Czar Us on the way to the dojo (for Xiulan) and eventually the Lucky 38 (for Arturo). Axe Tong's attempts to muscle in on Petrovich territory was an insult. Threatening relatives and employees of Sasha's allies was worse.

Arturo made sure he had his knives, put on his frock coat, put his hat on his head, put on his gloves, and picked up his sword cane. "Are you ready, Orchidea?" he said to Xiulan, who was putting herself to rights. It didn't take much. She'd be dressed for teaching martial arts, and so just had to put on those clothes again. Arturo, on the other hand, was getting ready to work security at a high end casino and had to dress the part.

"Ready," Xiulan said as she finished fastening the last toggle on her Mandarin style jacket, then slipped on her cloth shoes. Her hair had already been neatly braided and hung down her back, the long wispy tail almost reaching her thighs. "You good?" she asked, finding her cane in her pocket and then snapping it open.

Artuo looked at Xiulan and sighed. "I am good," he said. "You, Orchidea Aggraziata, are a true bella donna, a beautiful woman... a stunningly, beautiful and captivating woman. I apologize for stopping there, but if I continue, we will have to postpone our meeting." He did, however, kiss Xiulan. "Shall we go?" He said when they broke their kiss.

"Take it easy with all the sappy talk, remember you're still on probation," Xiulan said. "Let's go."

"Sorry," Arturo said, sounding sheepish, then changing to a teasing tone. "But you have to admit, it was suggestive sap. I'll try to be more crude in the future." Arturo opened the door and let Xiulan exit ahead of him, then closed the door behind him and locked it. He grinned. "If I offer you my arm, will I get it back in one piece?"

Xiulan sighed, then chuckled, folding her cane and pocketing it. "Don't worry, you'll get your arm back; I limit myself to training one amputee at a time," she said jokingly, taking his arm just above the elbow.

Arturo chuckled but also worried. Xiulan wasn't like other women he'd been with. While he felt she actually wanted to hear him say the kinds of sweet things he usually said more than she would admit it to him or even herself, too much of that might annoy her. If he became an annoyance to her, she wouldn't want to be with him. She would get angry with him, frustrated with him for not being smart enough or aware enough to know what to say. Arturo could honestly say that few things scared him more than hearing Xiulan scold him or call him stupid and mean it. It would break his heart into a thousand pieces. But he also knew, in his head, anyway, that worrying a problem to death in his guts was a sure way to turn his worries into realities. So he calmed himself down, centered himself in the present moment, and enjoyed his walk with Xiulan to Donuts Czar Us.

When they got to Petrovich's shop, Arturo asked asked to see Sasha. He and Xiulan were as ked to wait while someone went to tell the Old Man someone was looking for him.

A tall blue eyed man with strong slavic cheek bones walked out from the back wearing the Donut Czar Us branded polo shirt. "How is it that I can help you today?" he asked politely, but with a stern voice, eyeing the two visitors.

"Mister Petrovich," Arturo said. "This is my business partner Song Xiulan. Miss Song and I just opened a business, a dojo within your territory. We, of course, immediately joined your merchant guild through one of your lieutenants. Last night, members of Axe Tong attempted to extort us for protection money. I understand from our neighbors that other businesses in the Petrovich guild were approached by Axe Tong as well. We were able to run them off before they did any real damage. Most of our neighbors were not so lucky. We understand from Miss Song's Jiejie (Elder Sister), Chief of Security Mackensie Shepard, that you are already aware of these problematic occurrences, but we felt that we should approach you ourselves, personally, to assure you that we did not shirk our obligations to the Petrovich family."

The big man put his hands to his hips. "I see. Thank you for reporting to us personally, I will pass your information on to my father. I know he is aware of the situation and it will be taken care of. Do not feel intimidated to pay the Tong money. They will not bother you again. My Uncle Konstantine will directly watch your shop for you if you are concerned for damage."

"Spasibo, Dimitri Alexeyovich," Arturo said. "Your family's support is most appreciated."

"Your success is our success." Dimitri replied. He suddenly got a distracted look about him as he toyed with something on his ear. "Da Papka. he said nodding." He stepped forward slightly. "My father would like to see you. News of your plight has already reached him and he would like to converse with you. Please follow me." He started walking toward the front of the donut shop. "Okhranyat' magazin!" he shouted to the young man behind the counter.

He led them out into the corridor of Deck 3 and around the shop to an access hallway. "We will be going to the Family Suite. You will need to remove your weapons before entering." Dimitri informed them.

Arturo hesitated for just a second, then handed over three slim folding knives, each with a 10-inch stiletto-like blade (one from each boot, one from the back of his belt), a smaller folding knife he kept in his pocket, and a folding straight razor he also kept in a pocket. Then he drew his sword cane far enough out that Dimitri could see what it was and handed that over. "Each of those was either passed down to me by a family member or custom made for me. They are important to me. Sem'ya (Family)."

"Family traditions are important. I will make sure your blades are returned." Dimitri stated with a slight bow.

"I carry no weapons, just my folding cane and an encyclopedia with a custom tactile interface, both are in my pocket if you feel the need check," Xiulan stated simply, still holding onto Arturo's arm to keep from getting lost.

"The family suite is secured with scanning portals, if there is something else, we will know soon." Dimitri replied factually. "We will take the lift up to level one."

Arturo fought and won the battle, just barely, to give in and feel insulted, at least openly so. Dimitri was just being thorough, not calling Arturo's honor into question. Arturo did the same thing at the Lucky 38, and would do the same in Dimitri's position. "I understand," he said. And then, With Xiulan on his arm, Arturo followed Dimitri.

Dimitri pressed the button for the lift. A young man shoved past the three of them in the Cooridor. He took several steps then turned around holding a Tang Dao long knife. They could hear sound of several others coming up behind them. "Tell your daddy shops closed today," The man said and lunged at Dimitri with the knife. The tall Russian rolled with the attack driving the man into the closed door of the lift.

Apparently targeting the smallest of the group a pair of arms wrapped around Xiulan's hands attempting to restrain her.

When Xiulan was grabbed, Arturo saw red. Dimitri had dropped the young man's blades and cane. Arturo deftly scooped up his sword cane and without thinking, drew the blade and drove it through the jugular of the man nearest him, kicking the Axe Tong thug in the chest to retrieve his blade, twisting it as he pulled it out, widening the wound, causing blood to spray. Parrying with his cane and thrusting with his sword, Arturo cleanly dispatched two more of the thugs. They were wary of him now, trying to decide the best way to kill him. As Arturo faced off with his attackers and kept an eye on Xiulan, he silently cursed Dimitri for disarming him. His stilettos would be better for this in close work, but the cane was easier to grab. Still, once the sword was drawn, he still had the cane as an off-hand weapon. "Orchidea," he called out calmly. "Do you require assistance?"

"Maybe with another shower," Xiulan said as she wiped the spray of blood off her cheek. With her arms now free, she entered the fray, finding an axe-wielding thug to beat the crap out of with her powerful kicks. "I'm gonna get more trophies!" she sang as she threw the man over her shoulder and to the ground then wrenched his arm clean out of the shoulder socket.

Killing was not something Arturo was familiar with, and when this was over, he'd have to come to terms with what he'd done and what he would do. There were too many to play around with. He needed to whittle them down but... perhaps less permanently. What he needed was one of his knives or his razor, but those were out of his reach. Before he could make a move to retrieve one or the other, Two more made a play for him. He parried one attack with his cane and sliced his attacker behind the elbow and behind the knee, then swept the man's legs out from under him and brought his boot heel crashing down on the man's nose. He parried another swing, cutting that man behind the elbow as well, before kicking him hard in the chest, as if attempting to put his foot through the man's chest. The man managed to recover, but on his next attack, Arturo hamstrung the man, swept his legs, and repeated the boot heel to the nose maneuver. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Xiulan breaking her opponents down. She was, as always, astonishing.

And she was having the time of her life! Xiulan loved the thrill of a good fight, and had no trouble at all disarming and taking down her opponents. Watching her was like seeing poetry in motion as she moved with an effortless grace, perfected and honed by years of studious practice. When she had dealt with the last of her little section of the mob, she stood still, frozen as she listened; her hair was slightly tousled from the fray, the few wispy hairs framing her face sticking out wildly, and though her expression seemed tense and focused, the fire in her blind gaze spoke to the intoxicating rush she felt, utterly addicted to this feeling.

"I don't hear anymore coming," Xiulan said, then jumped back into action to help Dimitri with his remaining foes.

Dimitri held one of the assailants in a locked hold around the neck as the fighting commenced. By sheer brute strength he snapped the man's neck and proceeded to plant his fists into the next nearest target. What Arturo and Xiulan demonstrated in grace and speed, Dimitiri demonstrated in quiet unleashed fury. Shortly no assailants stood before them, or at all for that matter.

"Dyadya, cleaning crew to lift 4 deck 3. Quiet." He spoke into the device connected at his ear. "I am sorry my friends for the inconvenience, come my father awaits." The doors to the lift opened, no one was inside. He gestured to Arturo and Xiulan to follow. "I see you have skills you teach at your school. Do you accept corporate clients?"

"It's no inconvenience to me, I always enjoy a good brawl," she admitted with a grin as she entered the elevator. She made no attempt to tidy up her appearance, not that she realized how much of a mess she looked like after such an engaging fight. "As for corporate clients, it's something we're willing to discuss."

Dimitri hadn't asked for Arturo's sword cane back, so while Arturo did sheath the blade, he did not offer it back to Dimitri. It was clear to him that Petrovich security left something to be desired, at least at the moment. Arturo had to concentrated to sheath the blade into the cane, because he was fighting to keep his hands from shaking. This was the first time Arturo had taken anyone's life, and on his first go around, he'd killed three people and seriously injured several others. Prior to this, the only time he'd gone for someone with murderous intent, blade in hand, was the duel that got him exiled. No one had died that time. But now... when he saw Xiulan in danger, he reacted on pure instinct. But there would be time for second guessing himself later. For now...

"Those men had tattoos similar to the ones on the Axe Tong thugs from last night," he said.

"They are becoming an annoyance. Worry not. Their kind will meet their fate soon." Dimitiri stated ominously as the lift doors closed behind Arturo.

The lift quickly ascended the two floors to the main residential ring. Dimitri guided them through the blocks of cooridors into hallways decorated with increasing affluence. In time they reached a section with windows in the roof looking out on the Black. "Just to the left please." Dimitir added. a large ornate archway spanned the hall. clearly a security arch. As they walked through any non biological objects were traced in red outlines. Dimitir himself showed several points of metal within his body where surgery or bullets had left their mark. He gestured for the others to follow.

Arturo followed through with Xiulan on his arm. He glanced at her and saw the blood on her face. He'd been so distracted that he hadn't even thought to help her clean it off. Now wasn't the time, either. He touched his own face and found drying blood there as well. His countenance hardened. Perhaps it arriving stained in the blood of their mutual enemies would win them points with Old Man Petrovich.

Passing through the security arch, Xiulan's head lit up with red outlines, detailing a number of non-organic components in her brain, namely the implant within her visual center, as well as cabling to a port behind her left ear, long ago sealed up and covered with skin grafts. Sensing the sudden increase of tension in Arturo's body, she gave his arm a slight squeeze as they continued forward, a silent reminder that she was there for him.

Dimitri led them to a door on the left, apparently on the outermost edge of the habitation ring. The door suddenly flew open, several large Russians came out and marched quite determined down the hallway. "My friends come in." a cheerful sounding Sasha Petrovich called to them. The man stood in the doorway to his suite, a stylish jacket and work slacks, his hair combed over his balding head. Dimitri gave him a nod. "My son told me of your unfortunate encounter on the way here. And that you dispatched these ruffians so effectively. You have done us a great favor. It is appreciated. Come refresh yourselves."

"Eh, it was no big deal," Xiulan said casually, unimpressed with the show of riches and style. She brushed up against something, then felt Arturo guide her free hand to the back of a large-back lounge chair, and for once Xiulan could start to appreciate the decadence of the decor as she felt the fine materials and craftsmanship that went into the chair. She was still unimpressed because she didn't much care for fancy things, but she still appreciated the labor that went into such things. "So, seems like the Axe Tong are getting a bit uppity," she remarked simply, wanting to get right down to business.

Arturo took a seat close to Xiulan. "Yes," he said. "It does at that. and they'll keep coming, attempting to regain lost face."

Sasha sat down in a large wooden chair opposite them in the room. On the walls behind him were images of family spanning several generations. "The Axe Tong have become a great annoyance to me in the last few days. They overstep their territory and attack good merchants such as yourself. Certainly we will file a formal complaint with station security. Although after your rebuff of their advances I fear they may be a bit short handed. Never the less, I have heard rumor of a prominent Chinese restaurant coming available in the near future, have your considered the culinary arts as a profession?"

Arturo smiled. "That is a generous suggestion," he said. "But I believe I'll have my hands full," he said. "In exchange for her help in extricating me from an unfortunate situation, my parents placed me in service to Donna Zenobia Lastra, head of Famiglia Lastra. Through what arrangements I know not, Donna Zenobia placed me in service to Nikolai Udinov, for whom I work security at the Lucky 38. How long this arrangement is to be in place, I do not know. Between my obligation to Mister Udinov and teaching at our school, I would likely find myself too busy to run a restaurant." His grin widened. "Besides," he said. "I'm better with Italian food anyway. Just ask Miss Song."

"He can make do in a Chinese kitchen, but his Italian really is the best," Xiulan confirmed. "And don't ask me to cook, I'm more likely to light everything on fire," she added, then waved her hand in front of her eyes as if to demonstrate her blindness. "We both really do have our hands full with the school, but I'm more curious about what a restaurant has to do with the Axe Tong? Do you think they might be trying to set up shop in the same way your family has the donut shop? And they are fantastic donuts by the way, really the best."

"Thank you, feel free to get a second dozen next time you come in. You'll take care of that, yes?" he called over to Dimitri who just nodded in acknowledgement. "You are right it is better to stick with Italian. I have a feeling Chinese is going to be a little hard to come by around the skyplex shortly. Just an idea." Sasha stated quite plainly. "I have heard good things of your martial arts studio. Your dojo. So you require anything to help you gain new students. I am sure many of the local businesses might be interested in learning from, excuse the phrase, blind girl who fought off the Tong."

Xiulan grinned, clearly not taking any offense from his words. "To be honest, the attack was the best thing to happen to us," she admitted. "Not even ten minutes after we sent the Axe Tong running, another shop owner came to thank us, and by the morning we already had people lining up to learn from us; you can't pay for advertising like that!"

"It was valuable advertising," Arturo said. "Though I'm glad I didn't draw my blade in that instance. That would scared people off. I only drew it here because... when they grabbed Miss Song I... I could not allow that." Arturo's voice, awkward and halting at the beginning of his statement, became hard and unforgiving at the end. "I will never allow that."

"Excellent. All news is good news if you use it right. And I would dare say your heroics here tonight will become legendary across the Skyplex and beyond. My humble attempts at stopping the relentless Axe Tong were nothing compared to your precise and thunderous success. It will be remembered for a long time, I assure you." Sasha extended a container of water to his guests. "So I take it you two are an item? Good for you. Young love is a precious thing. It makes the story of your triumph even more poetic and touching. For Love! I salute your both."

Xiulan blushed crimson at the mention of the evil four letter L word. "Uh, um, n-no, we're just... it's not..." she stammered for a moment before finding her nerves. "We're together, but we're still getting to know each other," she explained, still sounding incredibly embarrassed for having her relationship pointed out like this.

Arturo actually chuckled at that, lightening the mood in the room. "It's a work in progress," he said, mischievously. "And as you can see not ready for public exhibition."

"I have embarrassed you devushka. I apologize. It is just so inspiring to see two people who can find a connection in this Verse we live in. Treasure the time together however awkward. My Antoinette was the same. Very uncomfortable being seen as a couple in public. It was not until we married that she became accustom to it. Perhaps a suggestion, no? In time, in time. Your relationship must blossom first."

"Apology accepted," Xiulan grumbled, still embarrassed. Then she cleared her throat. "So, is there a plan to put down these uprisings? We don't want to go looking for trouble, but if we can help in some way, we are willing to come to your aid."

Sasha smiled broadly. "You have already helped more than you know. As we speak, the Axe Tong is loosening its grip on the Skyplex. I dare say you will not hear from them for some time. There will be no more harrassment, no more violence. If they decide to seek retribution, it will be handled most harshly. I would recommend you stay here in my suites for a bit longer. You are quite safe here. No one will harm you."

"I believe in this situation, it would be rude of us to decline such an offer, so I thank you," Xiulan replied with a slight bow to show her appreciation. "Although, we can't stay for long; I have lessons to give and he has a shift at the casino. Would it be possible for one of your men to deliver a message to the casino so they know not to reprimand Arturo for his tardiness?"

"It would be my pleasure. I can wave Nikolai himself and let him know you are staying as my guests." Sasha said with a broad smile. He signaled to his son to bring a thin sleek cortex unit over. "With the situation being as unstable as it is, I would not want you wandering out into the dangerous cooridors of the station. My family is securing matters. It won't take overly long."

"Thank you, Alexei Alexeyovich," Arturo said. If he had to work for the likes of Nikolai Udinov, the work he was doing was not a bad job to have and he didn't want the man to cut ties with him, or worse to be asked to prove his loyalty to Udinov by doing something really distasteful. Arturo repressed a shudder. Even thinking about that brought images of the recent fight to his mind, and shook him.

Unable to see or feel his shudder, Xiulan remained oblivious to Arturo's inner turmoil, and quickly got bored with waiting, drumming her fingers on the arms of the chair she sat in. "So..." she said to break the silence, "why donuts? Don't get me wrong, I love them, but it's not what one expects when thinking of mob connections," she said to Sasha with some amusement.

Sasha gave Xiulan a highly exaggerated expression of pain. "A mobster? We are just a family business looking out for the good of our fellow merchants. Besides everyone loves donuts. It keeps us a central spot in the community. No one asks question if you are picking up a dozen donuts. Plus it keeps us in good status with local security officers. What should we run, a pawn shop?"

Xiulan grinned; she really liked this guy! "What's so disreputable about a pawn sho- yeah, you might have a point there," she said, then chuckled. "I dunno, I think you mighta hit this one the head with the donut shop. Although now that I think about it, I could really go for some pierogi; too bad there's not a restaurant on the Plex that makes a decent pierogi..." she added teasingly.

"Donuts are simple, that is why I like them. These is no pretense, everyone knows what they are getting and feels satisfied with the transaction." the big man smiled warmly. "I try to keep that philosophy with all my business dealings."

"Your Pierogi, you like I might make one special for you. Xiulan's Pierogi I will call it. Special menu. You come around. I make it." he continued.

Arturo chuckled at that. "Be sure to have plenty on hand," he said. "Or she will devour your whole stock with in moments, belch, and then empty the doughnut shop for dessert."

"Hey, I pay for what I eat," Xiulan replied in her defense. "But thank you for the offer; I'll have to think of something special to cook for you in return," she said to Sasha, offering another small bow.

Sasha seemed rather taken by the offer. "You see, I do something special for you, you do something special for me. That is soobshchestvo. You are family here on the Skyplex. Together we are strong and safe."

"Well that settles it then: hand pulled noodles," Xiulan declared. "It's been a while, but it is quite a show, and the texture... Mmmm, nothing quite like it! And I only make these noodles for family." Not that she was calling Sasha family like Mack was family, but she was comfortable enough with the connection to make the offer.