#bkevent03

Emir would do what needed to be done though. It was only a matter of time. The Faction was getting sloppy, but so were they. They had managed to stop one shipment and it had crippled their enemies for a moment. It wouldn’t be long until they picked themselves back up and did what they needed to do. That was what Emir would do, at least. Every time he got knocked down, he would get back up. There was no time to dwell on everything happening with his mother right now. He had to focus on everything else. No, that wasn’t his responsibility. He wasn’t a capo. It was up to the rest of the family to come up with a plan, wasn’t it? Bullshit. He had never stepped down from his role. The only thing different about him now was a title. Respect had to be earned and he was certainly not going to give it away so easily. Especially to people he knew didn’t even hold a candle to his ability to lead.

Looking up at the Board of Trade, he took it all in. The Mayor was sure to rile up the citizens of Chicago and he was very curious to hear what they had to say. Maybe it would be amusing to hear, once again, the messiah of this god forsaken city let their mouth write a check that their ass can’t cash. “Well, this is sure to be entertaining. Maybe I should go get some popcorn to watch the production.”

Who: OPEN TO ALL

There was some entertainment to be found in the Mayor’s speech- and the visceral reaction to it was alarming. The cleansing had been promised, and it seemed it had finally come. If only Lennox had been able to acquire a contract for the Mayor, she might’ve been able to stop this. Even so, her gun lay across her lap in the driver’s seat of her Lexus.

 Her phone rested in the empty cup holder, eyes trained on the crowd as they descended into chaos just as the first of the storm’s droplets began to splatter across her windshield. She couldn’t help but wonder why her phone hadn’t rung yet- why none of the members had called her. 

She’d seen the Jade in her review as it was raided and could only hope whatever they found did not incriminate her. Her thoughts lingered on those very few friends she had- Azra, mostly. Just as she was about to press the button to start the car, a loud thump threw her out of her concentration and before she could move, a pedestrian had yanked open the door and ripped her from the drivers seat. 

The news traveled through the compound like wildfire and struck fear to Cassidy’s very core; if Rafal had been hell-bent on revenge mere days after he was roused from his slumber, she knew that Irena’s ire would be much worse and much more deadly. There was no telling what would happen next, which left people like her in a state of uncertainty and panic. If Cass knew that the lone Carcone heiress could not remember a thing about her life, perhaps she would feel a bit differently...

She managed to catch glimpses of the mayor on televisions throughout the compound, though they were often quickly shut off after Kovali members did their fair share of mocking. They were on a high from their latest set of victories and it seemed as though nothing and no one could tear them down. The only way Cass would be able to figure out what was actually happening as to get away, and so she managed to come up with an excuse to leave the compound. She walked further into Lincoln park, almost nearing the zoo, and stopped at a newsstand to pull that morning’s paper off the rack. MAYOR CALLS TOWN HALL was splashed across the cover and Cass’ teeth lightly caught her lower lip as she focused on the words that followed.

It’d been seven weeks since the shootout at Taste of Chicago, but the panic and unease rippling through the city hadn’t calmed at all--and Alp didn’t blame them.  He’d heard the news about the little boy who’d been killed; seen his picture on signs as people converged into the crowd he could hear chanting in the distance.  People were right to be angry and suspicious. 

And so was Alp--although maybe for different reasons.  Every passing day, every new attack, increased the likelihood that someone could find out about Seb’s ties to the Faction--and considering what Alp considered to be sloppy work at both Navy Pier and Taste of Chicago, it didn’t look like the gang was organized enough to hide anything.  And he didn’t trust any of them not to throw his boss under the bus if it’d help them.  After all: Jasper had already turned on Alp.

His shoulder was healing, but still not back to normal, and knowing he’d be at a disadvantage in a fight only made him more wary, especially heading toward the crowd.  The last two big events he’d attended, the welcome party and the Festival, had descended to chaos, and trouble seemed as certain as the storm brewing overhead.  But then, as he passed the Jade Lounge, he saw police cars and officers swarming the place--and it looked like the chaos had started early.  Hurrying past the scene, he ducked into a doorway to call Seb.  “They’re raidin’ the Jade,” he said, “who knows what they’re gonna find--where’s your records of all this?  I’ll get ‘em.”  Surely making sure the bank was clean, in case the police found any trace to it, was more important than sticking around for the Mayor’s speech, right?

For all the advantages a lithe frame has when passing by unnoticed, it renders you somewhat helpless to the pulls and shoves of rabid reporters. She doles out sharp elbows and climbs over feet herself, though, and knows the story comes first. Such is the oath of any journalist worth their salt. All forms of niceties trickle down to the bottom of one’s priorities. It’s everyone for themselves – though, Ines can’t say she minds. She rather revels in the pulsating frenzy; comforted by the notion of being caught in a stormy sea. On a lone dingy, drifting along with the tumbling waves.

Protestors roar and the sky cracks in the distance. The air feels tight, puts pressure on the lungs. Somehow the clouds choose not to let out before the conference comes to an end. Ines feels some stray drops of rain on her skin as she tries to escape the throng of people. Her phone receives a slew of messages, contacts at the hospital having witnessed the arrest. Ines smiles to herself then sees the mess of traffic lining the street. Knows no cabs can reach her there. To make matters worse, her phone buzzes and goes dark. “Figures,” she mutters. 

♛somewhere a queen is weeping, somewhere a king has no wife♛

(P U R G A T O R Y) There’s no sound of music, silence disturbed only by boots and police shouting as the Kovali watch on. Clean. Innocent. Each room had been cleared time and time again to ensure legitimacy, whatever fingers that could be pointed seemed like an impossibility. It’s the watchful eye of the Cataclysmic and the Phoenix that kept the business afloat all these countless years... and while loyalty permeated the ranks of the Kovali, wildcards existed. The Infiltrator knows what they’re doing when they placed the papers on the desk, details regarding the bombing. The most recent shoot out. The death of the Carcones. It’s one name that burns into the eyes of the young police officer...

(N O R T H W E S T E R N) The doctors stare in shock at the squadron barrelling through the hallways, brandishing a single sheet- warrant for arrest. It doesn’t make any sense to the staff until they see the group stop at door 1402. Irena Kovali. The Queen sits tight-lipped in her bed, memory leaving a gape as handcuffs mark her wrists. Association with organized crime, terrorism, extortion, illegal firearms, first-degree murder..

(J A D E L O U N G E) Furniture is turned upsidedown, patrons forced against the walls as the Forgotten backs into one of the offices. Eyes scan the area when she remembers. It’s sitting in the file cabinet, evidence that could take down the Gambler, the Zhangs. The Faction. And while her intention of going to the group was to burn down the other, she knows losing her best chance at revenge could leave her where she started. It’s worth the risk... Through the window, she slips out, hurrying with paperwork regarding the shipments as the sky above threatens to rain down hell.

(B O A R D O F T R A D E) Rumbles of thunder mimic the feeling of the crowd, protestors beginning to crash with police before a microphone sparks. On the stage enters the Messiah, chest puffed out in bravado- they know they’ve played their cards, they know their announcement will cause waves. To their right is a new champion, brought on by the mayor. An unknown face. Quiet settles to the best of its ability, chants fading to whispers...

“Chicago, for too long have we lived under the hold of criminal organizations, our home becoming their playground as we suffer. I promised you when I took hold of this office, the violence would end with me. I am here to tell you that I am keeping my end of the bargain...” They clear their throat, lightning flashing. “Earlier today, we conducted a sting operation raid on known criminal business. It is during this raid that we have found suspects with ties to the bombing on Navy Pier, the attack on the Taste of Chicago and previous crimes that have yet to be brought to justice.”

The Visionary rises, planting themself at the side of the Messiah, cold eyes staring into the audience. “Today, we have appointed a new District Attorney... and upon finding probable cause, we’ve put out warrants for the arrest of-”

The screams start all at once, cries for blood and vengeance bringing forth pure chaos as bodies rush the area. Up above, a wicked storm tears at the sky, rain falling hard as if it can cleanse a city of her sins. The kingdom sits on the tip of a knife...

♛chandeliers inside the pyramid tremble from the force♛

Storm clouds gathered overhead, the streets surrounding the Board of Trade were filled with citizens that waited for the mayor to speak. They killed him! Save our kids! Each protestor chanted in unison, a terrible blend of hatred and hurt coming together while they waited. On the few scattered signs was the face of the young boy- the most innocent of lives lost to Chicago’s gang violence. The harsh contrast of desperation mirros that of the police, all units converges on the streets.

(N E A R B Y) Its the echoes of a door busting open that shocked business owners alike... if only there was something to argue against. No, with civil law suspended due to the state of emergency, the patrons of the Jade Lounge and Purgatory watch in horror as members of the police force begin to rifle through offices. Through papers, as though damnation might be around any corner. 

The omnious sky seems to darken...

The tension is undeniable in a tumultuous crowd, five minutes to six. Five minutes until the Messiah took the stage...

♛ In my dreams, I saw it in my sleep ♛

The sun sparkled through the windows, Northwestern Memorial slowly roaring awake as night nurses and doctors finished their overnight shifts. On the ICU floor, the beep of monitors carried throughout the sterile air... a harsh contrast to the crash heard in room 1042. As The Doctor made his way inside, his eyes couldn’t help but widen at the sight: the fabled Kovali Queen, finally awake. 

“Who are you?”

“Mrs. Kovali, I’m on your care team... you’ve been in a medically induced coma to help aid with your injuries...” Footsteps shuffled into the space, faithful soldiers looking on as the woman’s gaze drifted towards the window. When she turned back, her features were painted with a strange confusion. “My name is Kovali?”

T H E M E S S I A H clears their throat, steely eyes all but burning into the camera as they begin to speak. Each neighborhood has seen a rise in aggression, tension becoming a rallying cry as the protests take to the streets: down with the gangs, protect our sons and daughters. All around, the ABC7 news team holds their breath...

We know your anger Chicago, because it is our own. When the best of us, when an eight-year-old becomes a victim to senseless violence, it’s something we cannot stand by. I made a promise to you when I was first elected- to get rid of the scum that continues to paint our city black. We’ve taken the steps we think necessary, but they are only the beginning of our plans. I grew up in this city, and I’ve seen just how tough it can be. When we hold each other responsible and bring criminal to justice, we show that Chicago doesn’t break. This is why I will be calling a town hall meeting at the Board of Trade. It’s time to give you the answers you want, it’s time to keep my promises.