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Krasnaya
Я Баба Яга, переварил?
- Joined
- May 29, 2023
Standards for you and me:
November.
Sky blanketed by the endless miles of grey clouds as the silence hung over the cemetery like a willow. Statues of angels stood around the gravestones, solemnly staring into the ground or up into the skies. Crows flew into the leafless trees, almost as if they joined the ceremony, adorned in dark feathers like those who have gathered around the freshly dug hole.
Like eight years ago, it had been raining the whole week, only today it was lighter, as if the heavens wept softly at the departure of yet another soul from this realm.
The priest stood on the side with bible in his hands while the men slowly descending the coffin into the grave. Women softly wept and whispered words of comfort to each other, but the silence had been so heavy that it seemed as if any sound made was swallowed by the hollowness of the space.
Lorena stood there, always straight and proud, even with the black veil across her face and a pale and empty expression gracing her face. Sight of her wearing black was not novelty. Ever since Francesco had been killed, Lorena almost always wore black as if her time of mourning had not passed. While no death had affected her like her brother's, Lorena still felt the sadness she did not experience in eight years.
Aunt had lost her fight against cancer. It was the last family member that tied Lorena to her late mother. While she had burned many bridges after Francesco's death, he aunt was the only person who would breach through the impenetrable walls of depression and loneliness that Lorena lived comfortably in.
Bless Brigita's heart. She would be reunited with Veronica in heaven, if there is such thing. Women like her mother and aunt deserve to be graced by the angels and united with God. But Lorena knew that she would never see the two of them again in the afterlife.
Lorena felt this way before. She watched silently as they slowly buried the coffin and she found herself talking to God once more. All the confessions. All the silently voiced regrets. All the self-loathing she hides behind her emotionless front...
She does not deserve heaven, even though she knew God would forgive if she repented. She might find her place there, among her family that loved her very much. But Lorena could not disgrace them or God that way.
It would not be correct. She was a monster.
A slight frown formed on her face, hidden underneath the shadow of dark veil as she looked at Giovanni right across her. Dressed in dark suit, with an even darker scowl across his face as he stared at the hole that was slowly being filled up. Surrounded by his goons and family that were at his mercy, praising him for the tablespoons that he would give them. He was like a messiah, so revered. Without a flaw and without a fault.
Lorena wondered where did she go wrong. She did what every daughter would do for their father's love and went above and beyond to make him proud. To remind him that he is not alone and that she would be able to do everything Francesco had been doing.
Giovanni was the devil. He dragged her into this hell. Yet she was still trying. She did not understand why she was so compelled to go so far anymore. As if she was stuck in this purgatory and competing with a dead man for a place in the family that would not accept her.
After the ceremony was finished, the family flocked around each other, sharing words of comfort and encouragement, majority of them surrounding Giovanni. Giovanni's older sister went to each and every person to shake hands, hug and share a kiss on the cheek along with the warm words of affirmation and support, only to hopelessly look around for one person that everyone seem to forget.
And she saw her walking away among the gravestones and underneath the weeping angels. Lorena was like a wraith that belonged among the dead. Never turning back, never stopping. Lost in between the past and the present, yet somehow moving towards the future. She was a hopeless case among the Benedittis, seen as a person damaged beyond repair. Her cruelty would be praised among men in this business, the sadism that brought the fear of God onto the opponents, but as a woman it outcasted her, unsuitable despite her manners and grace, she had lost all glow of softness and femininity that people seem to respect and seek. Lorena was nothing but a tool and a name for the Benedittis. Giovanni's only remaining offspring.
She sat there in front of her vanity mirror, veil slowly coming down from her face. Sometimes when she looked into a mirror, she thought that a stranger was staring back at her. It was as if it was not her. It was as if time or things were not real. It was so strange to feel so worthless and unloved, yet still have this spiteful drive within her, fueled by absolute abhorrent feeling towards everyone around her. The desire to be better. To prove them all wrong.
Her jaw clenched as she looked at the waist-long hair that was unstyled. Aunt would often come to braid her hair, trying to pry out whatever conversation she could from the redhead. Lorena had nothing to talk about but business, money and death. And all the torture. All the lives she had snuffed out. The amount of times she would see Francesco's face on the bodies of men she would kill.
Her hands started to tremble the more she stared at her hair. Realization that no one ever will touch it again awakened something dark within Lorena that it shook her to her core. Her breathing got heavier and her eyes stung as her gaze lowered to the table in front of her.
It was right there. Within her hand's reach. Her revolver. It gleamed from the light that breached through the balcony windows. It was smooth and inviting. A solution to all problems. Just like the rats from the famiglia. Just like the mutts that dared to oppose their empire. Just like the worthless thugs who tried to be smart and sabotage the flow of money.
Lorena knew it so well. All it took was a click and pull. Problem eliminated. The world went on. Nothing has changed beside a pest that was removed.
It was so inviting. To just end all problems in two quick moves. Just like that.
Her hand moved towards the handle. Her heart began to ring in her ears just like that night, exactly eight years ago. For the first time since then, she felt the fear open up a pit in her stomach.
The hand inched closer to the handle. It was right there. She could almost feel it nestling perfectly in her grasp... And with a quick motion, Lorena slammed her hand right next to the gun, slamming it into the table.
Her chest started to hurt now. The cross that hung on her mirror started to dangle and gently click against the mirror. Lorena stared at it as the time seemed to stop and it was like she just woke up from a nightmare. And then she felt something else in her hand - a pair of scissors.
"God..." she whispered breathlessly. Perhaps she was superstitious like all Sicilians are, but it almost felt like it was not a coincidence. And it was like she fell into a manic state as she angrily pulled the scissors and pulled at her long, luscious hair and began cutting it frantically as she panted heavily, eyes on the dangling cross.
Snip. Snip. Snipsnip. Snipsnipsnipsnip.
She cut the hair right to the length of her shoulders. It was uneven and rough, but Lorena could not stop herself. The thought and realization that she would no longer have someone to do something so minor and insignificant for her had broken something she didn't know could break.
And just like that, a minute later, she was staring at her reflection, breathing heavily. Her heart slowly began to slow as the manic moment subsided. As she saw the new image of her. It didn't feel any better, but it was enough to calm that voice inside her mind.
There was no need for anyone to do any gesture for her anymore. It died along with her aunt. And suddenly, as if it was a closure that she needed, Lorena felt a sudden wave of peace and tranquility within her as her features switched to one of neutrality.
It was time to start over. And it was time to take matters into her own hands.
Themes for this story:
The main cast and concept of the story
Your main character
(I'll refer to him as YMC)
They don't make men like these anymore in the US. From the late 20s or older in age, a tough, dangerous and rugged man, strong and masculine, someone you just don't wanna mess with. Someone notable in this specific gang that rule over the streets. They're like the rabble, weapons, drugs, sex work, underground clubs - all of the unwanted people of the society will come here to find success and wealth, living a liberated life. The gang could be like a group of bikers or something similar: informal and the types of people that would make you want to cross the streets or at least be in their good graces. They're direct rivals to MC's side.
YMC and MC are two different worlds that would clash throughout the story. However, differences attract, which would become a fatal attraction.
Your (side) character 2 (optional) or just an important NPC
(I'll refer to him as YC2)
This is if you want to deal with a little bit of an "affair" but even if you don't want to take on this role, I suggest you read it as it is relevant to the story.
An ambitious man from an influential Italian family. They're a mafia, while their roots in this business are not running deep, they have been breaking through. This character's father has been friends with MC's father for decades and now they're coming with an agreement to arrange an engagement between their children: YC2 and MC. This would not be an easy task as MC is an incredibly difficult woman who wants nothing to do with this engagement and is being forced into this position, the feelings of YC2 about both the situation and MC is up for discussion. Regardless, neither of them have enough authority to have much say in this scenario, as there's deeper reasons why this arrangement is created.
He can be a decent man, he can be manipulative and cunning, he could be abusive, there's plenty of choices to go about it, whether he's a side character or story important NPC.
My main character
(I'll refer to her as MC)
Her character sheet
It would seem like she has it all, a mafia princess. Old money family, conservative, strict and misogynistic, the Beneditti empire was built long before her and even her father, Giovanni. Standards have been set and traditions are followed. It is an elite, it is formal, pristine, Christian on the surface. And MC needs to adhere to these standards. She is no soft woman, she is cold and sharp as a blade, she had done terrible things in order to be where she is today, yet she feels like she has nothing. And after her brother's death, Giovanni could not have illegitimate bastard sons to run the family and he never married again after his wife's death. Without a man to run this family, Giovanni was left with a dilemma: allow his very capable and relatively young daughter to take on the nearly a century old burden or find a man who will continue the tradition.
He couldn't have a woman lead the Beneditti empire. That would be ridiculous. So he decided to mask the weakness as an offering of good faith to his good old friend by introducing an arranged engagement, which would mean that the other family will get some of that Beneditti power in their grasp. Who would pass up on this spectacular opportunity.
MC knows she deserves all the credit and power. And she would never settle for a man. So she needs to be smart and sneaky in the way she deals with this situation. She has few of the men under her authority that answer only to her, but it is far from enough for her to deal with this unfortunate situation.
And it just so happens that strange circumstances bring her face to face with the rival of the Benedittis...
How does the story start?
I have a few ideas. One is that she is forced to stay over at YC2's place where she is trapped in some way if you decide to make this character your secondary one. MC is forced to be around him and they can develop an interesting relationship through the interactions, but he is not the focus. He may be romancable with MC, but like I said, he's not the focus. In the meantime, she would try to seek men out that she can pay, with the intention to have them under her belt as she's trying to figure out how to get herself out of this predicament (she's not below figuring out a way to kill YC2 and his whole family if necessary). As to how she meets YMC, I had this one spicy idea. She comes across a "neutral ground" where a lot of criminals of different statuses come to make quick and dirty buck through selling drugs, offering other services and, most importantly, is like a fight club where all the money is. And that's where YMC is, coming out of a ring, sweaty and bloody, looking at her with a smirk on his face, recognizing the princess in this shithole of a place, where she does not belong. And that's where the story begins. They are rivals and also enemies, so their dynamic should be "enemies to lovers". Which also means intense gun pointing, hate sex and I am a sucker for intense falling in love.
The second idea is that YC2 is actually coming to the Beneditti estate on and off as the arrangements are being made, which would work even better if YC2 is just going to be a story important NPC. Meanwhile, there was an incident that involved drugs and the Benedittis men - which is unacceptable, as Giovanni prohibits any dealing or using of substances among his made men. Fingers are pointed immediately at YMC's gang, as they're the kings of the drug deal market. Giovanni is willing to start a war, but MC has noticed that something is quite off and she chooses to investigate, which leads to YMC and her meeting up. Turns out that there's a third party trying to sabotage the two biggest gangs in the city so they could do whatever they want to do and claim the streets. And this is where MC sees the opportunity to get an upper hand on everyone to free herself from the shackles of the family and be the queen of the empire she believes she deserves to be, but naturally that's easier said than done as there's many odds against her and YMC in the picture could either make that harder or easier for her.
Or we can do a mix of both, which I'd love! Or you have your own ideas and suggestions, which I would love to hear!
- 3rd person narrative
- At least 200 to 500 words on average, 1k+ for setting the mood and introductions of the scenes/characters/other (I wrote posts that were long several google doc pages when I'm particularly inspired)
- 3/3/3, no fluff, no fade to black, words worse than f-bombs being thrown around
- Use of more characters
- Use of realistic art or real life people references (no anime characters or simplistic drawings, I'm a very visual person)
- Use of imagery and music for roleplay (optional for you)
Stoic theme
November.
Sky blanketed by the endless miles of grey clouds as the silence hung over the cemetery like a willow. Statues of angels stood around the gravestones, solemnly staring into the ground or up into the skies. Crows flew into the leafless trees, almost as if they joined the ceremony, adorned in dark feathers like those who have gathered around the freshly dug hole.
Like eight years ago, it had been raining the whole week, only today it was lighter, as if the heavens wept softly at the departure of yet another soul from this realm.
The priest stood on the side with bible in his hands while the men slowly descending the coffin into the grave. Women softly wept and whispered words of comfort to each other, but the silence had been so heavy that it seemed as if any sound made was swallowed by the hollowness of the space.
Lorena stood there, always straight and proud, even with the black veil across her face and a pale and empty expression gracing her face. Sight of her wearing black was not novelty. Ever since Francesco had been killed, Lorena almost always wore black as if her time of mourning had not passed. While no death had affected her like her brother's, Lorena still felt the sadness she did not experience in eight years.
Aunt had lost her fight against cancer. It was the last family member that tied Lorena to her late mother. While she had burned many bridges after Francesco's death, he aunt was the only person who would breach through the impenetrable walls of depression and loneliness that Lorena lived comfortably in.
Bless Brigita's heart. She would be reunited with Veronica in heaven, if there is such thing. Women like her mother and aunt deserve to be graced by the angels and united with God. But Lorena knew that she would never see the two of them again in the afterlife.
Lorena felt this way before. She watched silently as they slowly buried the coffin and she found herself talking to God once more. All the confessions. All the silently voiced regrets. All the self-loathing she hides behind her emotionless front...
She does not deserve heaven, even though she knew God would forgive if she repented. She might find her place there, among her family that loved her very much. But Lorena could not disgrace them or God that way.
It would not be correct. She was a monster.
A slight frown formed on her face, hidden underneath the shadow of dark veil as she looked at Giovanni right across her. Dressed in dark suit, with an even darker scowl across his face as he stared at the hole that was slowly being filled up. Surrounded by his goons and family that were at his mercy, praising him for the tablespoons that he would give them. He was like a messiah, so revered. Without a flaw and without a fault.
Lorena wondered where did she go wrong. She did what every daughter would do for their father's love and went above and beyond to make him proud. To remind him that he is not alone and that she would be able to do everything Francesco had been doing.
Giovanni was the devil. He dragged her into this hell. Yet she was still trying. She did not understand why she was so compelled to go so far anymore. As if she was stuck in this purgatory and competing with a dead man for a place in the family that would not accept her.
After the ceremony was finished, the family flocked around each other, sharing words of comfort and encouragement, majority of them surrounding Giovanni. Giovanni's older sister went to each and every person to shake hands, hug and share a kiss on the cheek along with the warm words of affirmation and support, only to hopelessly look around for one person that everyone seem to forget.
And she saw her walking away among the gravestones and underneath the weeping angels. Lorena was like a wraith that belonged among the dead. Never turning back, never stopping. Lost in between the past and the present, yet somehow moving towards the future. She was a hopeless case among the Benedittis, seen as a person damaged beyond repair. Her cruelty would be praised among men in this business, the sadism that brought the fear of God onto the opponents, but as a woman it outcasted her, unsuitable despite her manners and grace, she had lost all glow of softness and femininity that people seem to respect and seek. Lorena was nothing but a tool and a name for the Benedittis. Giovanni's only remaining offspring.
She sat there in front of her vanity mirror, veil slowly coming down from her face. Sometimes when she looked into a mirror, she thought that a stranger was staring back at her. It was as if it was not her. It was as if time or things were not real. It was so strange to feel so worthless and unloved, yet still have this spiteful drive within her, fueled by absolute abhorrent feeling towards everyone around her. The desire to be better. To prove them all wrong.
Her jaw clenched as she looked at the waist-long hair that was unstyled. Aunt would often come to braid her hair, trying to pry out whatever conversation she could from the redhead. Lorena had nothing to talk about but business, money and death. And all the torture. All the lives she had snuffed out. The amount of times she would see Francesco's face on the bodies of men she would kill.
Her hands started to tremble the more she stared at her hair. Realization that no one ever will touch it again awakened something dark within Lorena that it shook her to her core. Her breathing got heavier and her eyes stung as her gaze lowered to the table in front of her.
It was right there. Within her hand's reach. Her revolver. It gleamed from the light that breached through the balcony windows. It was smooth and inviting. A solution to all problems. Just like the rats from the famiglia. Just like the mutts that dared to oppose their empire. Just like the worthless thugs who tried to be smart and sabotage the flow of money.
Lorena knew it so well. All it took was a click and pull. Problem eliminated. The world went on. Nothing has changed beside a pest that was removed.
It was so inviting. To just end all problems in two quick moves. Just like that.
Her hand moved towards the handle. Her heart began to ring in her ears just like that night, exactly eight years ago. For the first time since then, she felt the fear open up a pit in her stomach.
The hand inched closer to the handle. It was right there. She could almost feel it nestling perfectly in her grasp... And with a quick motion, Lorena slammed her hand right next to the gun, slamming it into the table.
Her chest started to hurt now. The cross that hung on her mirror started to dangle and gently click against the mirror. Lorena stared at it as the time seemed to stop and it was like she just woke up from a nightmare. And then she felt something else in her hand - a pair of scissors.
"God..." she whispered breathlessly. Perhaps she was superstitious like all Sicilians are, but it almost felt like it was not a coincidence. And it was like she fell into a manic state as she angrily pulled the scissors and pulled at her long, luscious hair and began cutting it frantically as she panted heavily, eyes on the dangling cross.
Snip. Snip. Snipsnip. Snipsnipsnipsnip.
She cut the hair right to the length of her shoulders. It was uneven and rough, but Lorena could not stop herself. The thought and realization that she would no longer have someone to do something so minor and insignificant for her had broken something she didn't know could break.
And just like that, a minute later, she was staring at her reflection, breathing heavily. Her heart slowly began to slow as the manic moment subsided. As she saw the new image of her. It didn't feel any better, but it was enough to calm that voice inside her mind.
There was no need for anyone to do any gesture for her anymore. It died along with her aunt. And suddenly, as if it was a closure that she needed, Lorena felt a sudden wave of peace and tranquility within her as her features switched to one of neutrality.
It was time to start over. And it was time to take matters into her own hands.
Themes for this story:
- Complex characters that should be more fleshed out as we go, these will be bad people
- Organized crime and action, some intrigue
- Multiple characters involved
- Forbidden romance, affair, character differences/polar opposites, age gap, enemies to lovers
- Modern day, big town in the USA (Chicago, New York, fictional American city)
The main cast and concept of the story
Your main character
(I'll refer to him as YMC)
They don't make men like these anymore in the US. From the late 20s or older in age, a tough, dangerous and rugged man, strong and masculine, someone you just don't wanna mess with. Someone notable in this specific gang that rule over the streets. They're like the rabble, weapons, drugs, sex work, underground clubs - all of the unwanted people of the society will come here to find success and wealth, living a liberated life. The gang could be like a group of bikers or something similar: informal and the types of people that would make you want to cross the streets or at least be in their good graces. They're direct rivals to MC's side.
YMC and MC are two different worlds that would clash throughout the story. However, differences attract, which would become a fatal attraction.
Your (side) character 2 (optional) or just an important NPC
(I'll refer to him as YC2)
This is if you want to deal with a little bit of an "affair" but even if you don't want to take on this role, I suggest you read it as it is relevant to the story.
An ambitious man from an influential Italian family. They're a mafia, while their roots in this business are not running deep, they have been breaking through. This character's father has been friends with MC's father for decades and now they're coming with an agreement to arrange an engagement between their children: YC2 and MC. This would not be an easy task as MC is an incredibly difficult woman who wants nothing to do with this engagement and is being forced into this position, the feelings of YC2 about both the situation and MC is up for discussion. Regardless, neither of them have enough authority to have much say in this scenario, as there's deeper reasons why this arrangement is created.
He can be a decent man, he can be manipulative and cunning, he could be abusive, there's plenty of choices to go about it, whether he's a side character or story important NPC.
My main character
(I'll refer to her as MC)
Her character sheet
It would seem like she has it all, a mafia princess. Old money family, conservative, strict and misogynistic, the Beneditti empire was built long before her and even her father, Giovanni. Standards have been set and traditions are followed. It is an elite, it is formal, pristine, Christian on the surface. And MC needs to adhere to these standards. She is no soft woman, she is cold and sharp as a blade, she had done terrible things in order to be where she is today, yet she feels like she has nothing. And after her brother's death, Giovanni could not have illegitimate bastard sons to run the family and he never married again after his wife's death. Without a man to run this family, Giovanni was left with a dilemma: allow his very capable and relatively young daughter to take on the nearly a century old burden or find a man who will continue the tradition.
He couldn't have a woman lead the Beneditti empire. That would be ridiculous. So he decided to mask the weakness as an offering of good faith to his good old friend by introducing an arranged engagement, which would mean that the other family will get some of that Beneditti power in their grasp. Who would pass up on this spectacular opportunity.
MC knows she deserves all the credit and power. And she would never settle for a man. So she needs to be smart and sneaky in the way she deals with this situation. She has few of the men under her authority that answer only to her, but it is far from enough for her to deal with this unfortunate situation.
And it just so happens that strange circumstances bring her face to face with the rival of the Benedittis...
How does the story start?
I have a few ideas. One is that she is forced to stay over at YC2's place where she is trapped in some way if you decide to make this character your secondary one. MC is forced to be around him and they can develop an interesting relationship through the interactions, but he is not the focus. He may be romancable with MC, but like I said, he's not the focus. In the meantime, she would try to seek men out that she can pay, with the intention to have them under her belt as she's trying to figure out how to get herself out of this predicament (she's not below figuring out a way to kill YC2 and his whole family if necessary). As to how she meets YMC, I had this one spicy idea. She comes across a "neutral ground" where a lot of criminals of different statuses come to make quick and dirty buck through selling drugs, offering other services and, most importantly, is like a fight club where all the money is. And that's where YMC is, coming out of a ring, sweaty and bloody, looking at her with a smirk on his face, recognizing the princess in this shithole of a place, where she does not belong. And that's where the story begins. They are rivals and also enemies, so their dynamic should be "enemies to lovers". Which also means intense gun pointing, hate sex and I am a sucker for intense falling in love.
The second idea is that YC2 is actually coming to the Beneditti estate on and off as the arrangements are being made, which would work even better if YC2 is just going to be a story important NPC. Meanwhile, there was an incident that involved drugs and the Benedittis men - which is unacceptable, as Giovanni prohibits any dealing or using of substances among his made men. Fingers are pointed immediately at YMC's gang, as they're the kings of the drug deal market. Giovanni is willing to start a war, but MC has noticed that something is quite off and she chooses to investigate, which leads to YMC and her meeting up. Turns out that there's a third party trying to sabotage the two biggest gangs in the city so they could do whatever they want to do and claim the streets. And this is where MC sees the opportunity to get an upper hand on everyone to free herself from the shackles of the family and be the queen of the empire she believes she deserves to be, but naturally that's easier said than done as there's many odds against her and YMC in the picture could either make that harder or easier for her.
Or we can do a mix of both, which I'd love! Or you have your own ideas and suggestions, which I would love to hear!
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