Raise Your Glass (Ozzy, PM to join)

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It was a seemingly harmless dinner. Roars of laughter bounced off the walls of the room as the group exchanged stories and jokes. The Falcone Family had rented out the restaurant for a private party this evening without spending a single dime of their outstanding wealth. It was not an unusual thing for the infamous crime family to display their wealth and inhabit local Italian Restaurants. Their reputation alone was sure to result in their meals for free when they did dine out, though this situation was different entirely. This one in particular watering hole had an alliance with the Falcone’s, offering some of their restaurant as ‘storage’ in order to repay a long owed debt. The owner and his wife tried to turn a blind eye to some of the activity that went on in their cellar though each knew it was not an option to oppose at this point. The elder couple catered to the family as if they were their own, and the endless list of secrets they had collected with the family was sure to go with them to their grave.

Sofia sat amongst the group near the head of the table. Her shrill laugh was the most distinguished amongst the group. Joining the family sat a great number of individuals who were equally corrupt including some of Gotham’s boy’s in blue, business owners, city councilman and other government officials. The wealthy lot indulged in bottle after bottle of wine and some of the greatest food found on this particular side of the city.

Excusing herself from the crowd, the brunette stood up and sauntered into the back of the kitchen. Many of the eyes at the table watched her as she left, though she hardly noticed. Angelo moved to get up as well, brushing himself off when Sofia called dully over her shoulder. “Stay.” As always, he obeyed.

Feeling the massive amount of wine that she had ingested start to take effect as she started walking, her heels clicked on the tile floor of the kitchen. She opened the back door, leaving it propped open so that she would be able to get back inside. She needed a bit of fresh air and took a deep breath of the city outside. The noise of traffic filled her ears as she clutched the front of her fur coat shut. With her free hand, she ran her fingers through her long black hair and moved it out of her face. For the occasion she had abandoned her wild curls for a sleek, straight hair-do. Sofia pulled a long cartoon of cigarettes out of her pocket, pulled one out and held it in her lips. Lighting it quickly, she took a sharp inhale and exhaled slowly. Wisps of smoke fled her lungs and mixed with the icy night air. Propping herself up against the wall she continued to smoke her cigarette in piece, taking a break from the rambunctious crowd inside and the overwhelming smell of all of their cologne mixing together. She typically would have enjoyed her cigarette inside, but she needed a few moments to herself.

OOC: Let’s thread it up? Options: A person passing by who strikes up some kind of conversation? It’s pretty unusual for Sofia to be so out of place and not surrounded by followers or at least accompanied by Angelo so if you need to speak with her alone – now is your chance. Surprise me-er her? Me? Both. She’s a wittle tipsy so I have not decided if that makes her slightly less horrible or ten times worse....lol. If you fit the criteria of someone above that might be attending the dinner you can come out and speak to her…but I do not think we have too many people on this site that she would be dining with. I suppose the location would be in some kind of alley way or area between the restaurant and the next building, so not blatantly on the street. I just ask that it is realistic that a character would be there. I guess I am a little picky on this one. Just IM or PM if you have any questions, suggestions or you are interested in joining.
Sofia is wearing: See picture above.

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

As strange as it might seem to some of the criminal minds in Gotham Oswald's attendance at what was essentially a party with the family and friends of his mortal enemies it was in fact a perfectly normal affair. Yes Cobblepot and the Falcones were officially in a permanent state of war and would back stab each other the moment they had an excuse but that didn't mean they couldn't pretend to be civil the rest of the time either for the sake of keeping the peace or perhaps just as a show off their strength.

The entire relationship between them was best described as complicated. Outwardly Oswald was respectful, polite and acted as if many members of the family were old friends. He expected the same treatment in return and as a fellow crime boss who could just as easily collapse the city into chaos it was generally more beneficial for both sides to simply keep up the act like a constant game of chess where each player smiles as they figure out their next move. Oswald had a long history with the family right back to his days openly operating as the Penguin before he had to change his tactics, in all that time neither side had managed to destroy the other and they seemed in no great rush to make any rash moves to do so.

Still, ever cautious, Oswald came with an entourage, it was like bringing his own family except he paid them to be there. Both Mike and Terry were in attendance, they stuck close to their boss though as it would be impolite to stand and look menacing all evening they even sat and ate. Terry chatted freely, favouring the cops above the government men to joke with. Mike was largely silent and reluctant to socialise as normal, he made some small chat with people he knew or had worked with in brief times of cooperation but he preferred to watch the room and listen, remaining alert for dangers so that Oswald could more easily act relaxed.

Oswald was very good at acting. While he chuckled and joked with other guests Sofia's departure alone was noted out the corner of his eye, a Falcone unaccompanied was a rare occurrence indeed, perhaps so rare it deserved some action. Oswald gave it a couple of minutes to neatly lead to a suitable break in conversation and make it appear as if he's not simply following her before he politely excuses himself, pulling his own cigarette case from his pocket as an excuse. Though he signals Terry to stay with the table and keep talking Mike silently follows Oswald as he determines just where Sofia must have disappeared off to.

Leaving Mike to hang back in the kitchen at a respectfully non-threatening distance yet easily within calling distance Oswald steps outside, lighting a cigarette on the way out the door. A glance into the alley and he pretends to be surprised to see her there "Sofia" he greeted warmly as he tipped his hat politely to her "It has been a while and my how you've grown" while he'd never be left alone with the younger Falcones Sofia wouldn't have even been ten by the time his criminal career began. He had been a steady part of this world for a long time, long enough to see children grow to adults. It paid to butter up the younger generation, one day they would be the ones looking to cause trouble "The party is a little much?"

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The sounds of the city surrounded her as wisps of smoke fell from her lips. She could still hear her fiancés loud, distinct laugh from outside. Despite her annoyance, Sofia’s expression remained blank as if it didn’t affect her in the slightest. She hadn’t had that much to drink – at least nearly not as much as Rocco – though she was beginning to feel the effects as she wobbled for a moment in an attempt to keep her balance. The designer dress that she sported stood out amongst the backdrop where she stood. Still, it was the serenity that she needed to avoid any nasty outbursts. Taking another drag of her cigarette, she had hardly noticed that someone had joined her until the sound of her name punctured the silence.

She turned in the direction with the warmest smile that Sofia Falcone could muster, nodding her head graciously. “Yes, it has. I’m so glad you could make it out this evening.” The smile faded fast to her typical emotionless state. Anger seemed to be the one emotion that she demonstrated and this was not the time for it. Though, she did not particularly like Oswald Cobblepott. The upcoming crime queen considered him more a pain in her side than anything. He had rivaled her family in the past and had sent hindrances his way as well, though for the sake of image – here he was….and Sofia wouldn’t have it any other way. Keep your friends close and keep your enemies closer.

Exhaling once more, she shook her head with the hint of a smile once again appearing. “No, not at all.” She informed, always one to imply that there was not anything that she couldn’t handle. “I’ve just heard Rocco tell this story half-a-dozen times now.” That part held some truth to it, but she was beginning to feel a bit trapped in the cozy restaurant. “That….and he’s already had way too much to drink. I think he plans on being so hungover for the flight tomorrow morning that he will sleep right through it. He doesn’t fly very well.” The brunette admitted with a chuckle that faded into a sigh. “He sets off for Italy around 8 a.m. to visit his parents, so I’ll be on my own for two and a half weeks.” Thank goodness. He was smothering. She couldn’t wait to loosen the reigns and explore some of her darker habits and indulge in her handful of neglected affairs.


Sofia is wearing: See picture above.

[Oswald Cobblepot - The Penguin]

Peaceful meetings with the Falcones where there was no business to be discussed were unusual in Oswald's line of work. Seeing Sofia at work would be even rarer, he kept tabs on all the important people in Gotham of course but the Falcones were very experienced at looking after their own.

Sofia's opinion of Rocco was welcomed though Oswald only appeared to nod along to the words and kept his dislike of the man out of his tone despite his less than flattering words "I believe even I have heard that story before, if he continues as usual I imagine it will be a couple of minutes before we risk the chance of a change of subject and the possibility of missing anything new, perhaps more if he loses control of his drink again" He chuckles to give the impression that it was supposed to be a joke of some kind. He was quite convinced the man was simply a drunken idiot but it was not the thing you say when you are pretending to be polite, particularly when speaking to the man's fiancée "You are clearly a saint to put up with him" A Falcone, a saint, ha!

The information about the flight and Rocco's two and a half week absence was filed away in Oswald's mind even if he didn't currently have a use for the information the more he knew the better "I would think flying would only be worse under the effects of a hangover" Another chuckle though he's really hoping Rocco feels like hell tomorrow "Quite the extended visit though, how ever will you keep yourself entertained? Revisiting of friends Rocco would take exception to?" Oswald left the interpretation of those words up to her, he was ever so careful not to blatantly comment on the status of their relationship.

"Should you become dangerously bored with your time alone you are always most welcome at the Lounge. A drink, perhaps a game or two to pass the time?" He liked the Falcone's visiting the Lounge, they were rarely foolish enough to bring the fight into his stronghold and he could get all the recordings he wanted with ease. They also had money and that was always welcome on the gambling tables.

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Sofia managed the closest thing to a chuckle she could muster as Oswald was quick to recollect the story that he had also heard more than once. While it was hard to disguise her annoyance with her fiancée at the moment. While her drinking problem was not anything that she was working on, his was practically out of control. He wasn’t concerned with his actions nor the larger-than-life act he was portraying. All of the symptoms were there and within the next hour, her darling Rocco would be belligerent. While everyone encircling him at the table seemed to get a good laugh out of it, it was Sofia who would have to deal with his erratic behavior until he passed out.

“He’s being a complete fool. The man on his left is a horrible influence, though I may just semd Rocco home with him if he pushes another drink into my endearing idiot of a fiancées hand.” Sofia smirked as she took another drag from her elongated cigarette, nodding her head in acknowledgement to his compliment. And you are a fat, pompous troll. She thought to herself. “I’m sure you would do the same thing with your own partner. The crazy things we do for love.” Love was an exaggerated word to say the least. With a marriage that was technically arranged since the age of nineteen, Sofia had managed to grow comfortable with the idea now that the celebration was less than a year away.

“Oh I can only imagine that it can’t be any better. Though regardless he will spend the entire time sleeping.” She ran her free hand through her long, silky mane. His next question resulted in an obvious change in her expression. Her nostrils flared and she turned to meet his gaze in a swift motion, nearly dropping her cigarette. What did he mean by that? Though the brunette had engaged in a handful of various affairs, he husband was blind to such information. However, it was only a matter of time before her dirty little secrets were exposed. Still, Cobblepott wasn’t entirely specific, perhaps it was nothing more than trying to continue the conversation. Sofia quickly remedied her expression with a small sigh, a force laugh peeling from her dark lips. “Oh no, I’m sure I will just spend the time making preparations for the wedding. It’s almost easier to do without him and October will be here in no time.” Her face was still hot, though she tried to disregard the comment, if such an insinuation might arise once more, she would take the bait. The last thing Sofia needed was Oswald Cobblepott knowing her dirty little secrets.

She nodded once more. “Thank you for the invitation. It’s been a while since I visited your Iceberg,” The last thing she wanted to do was send even more of her money in the man’s direction. “How is business?”


Sofia is wearing: See picture above.