Chapter 62: Inside A Supposedly 'Normal' Day

The next day

*DING*

(Uncommon Skill) Beginner Archery: Beginner Archery is the introductory level of proficiency in the skill of archery, which involves the use of a bow to propel arrows towards a target. Individuals with this skill are typically in the early stages of learning and mastering the fundamental techniques, including proper stance, grip, aiming, and release.

"Good, young Ricky." Alexander applauded as Ricky's arrow finally struck the center mark of the target, his practice bow skillfully crafted by a reliable carpenter from Little Italy.

*Huff*

Ricky exhaled deeply, tilting his head back as he tried to catch his breath, his chest rising and falling as his gaze shifted to Alexander, who stood proudly, eyes fixed on the impaled arrow.

Alexander was an unforgiving instructor, his methods relentless and exacting. For the past hour, he had pushed Ricky to his limits, demanding precision and consistency with no room for error. 

The target was small, barely the size of a fist, and placed at a distance that seemed almost unreasonable for someone of Ricky's experience. 

Yet, Alexander insisted he hit it ten times in a row without a single miss as each miss earned a cold, unflinching critique, and every successful shot was met with a brief nod of approval before the next command. 

As Ricky trained under Alexander's watchful eye, objects around them began to lift from the ground like small stones, leaves, and even a few scattered arrows hovered gently in the air, suspended by an invisible force. 

Ricky's mental powers, though still in their early stages of development, responded to the strain of his archery training, pushing him to multitask in ways that stretched his concentration to the breaking point. 

Other than reading books, something Ricky had reluctantly begun to do in his spare time,neither he nor Alexander truly knew how to train his growing mental powers. 

Still, Ricky had taken it upon himself to learn about this power more, diving into whatever material he could find. 

Alexander, always strategic, believed multitasking between combat and mental focus would sharpen Ricky's skills. 

That's why, whenever Ricky had a moment to himself, an object would hover in the air, balanced on an invisible pedestal of thought as he practiced maintaining his concentration over whatever he chose to lift.

"Alexander, I wanna try-" 

"That is a bad idea, Ricky." Chester said by the side, already knowing what Ricky wanted to do. 

"Oh yeah? Watch this." Ricky said, setting the bow on the ground gently since god forbid if he tossed it, Alexander would lose it.

"Three sunflower seeds say he falls on his face." Chester rushed to Alexander's side as the gerbil let out a weary sigh, exasperated by his student's reckless actions.

"Two sunflower seeds say he crashes into a nearby structure," Alexander remarked, glancing back at Chester with a smirk. 

Below, a controlled burst of fire ignited beneath Ricky's feet, lifting him slowly into the air like a space shuttle preparing for launch. 

The flames were steady but fierce, glowing in hues of red and orange as they carried him higher with calculated precision.

Ricky had little trouble forming force fields to ride on, having already understood the concept of creating an invisible path beneath his feet. 

The real issue was his speed, in Ricky's opinion, was moving at an agonizingly slow pace, which frustrated him to no end. 

To make up for it, he began integrating his pyrokinetics, using controlled bursts of fire to propel himself forward. 

With the addition of his newfound flames, Ricky aimed to ride on a stream of fire, though his execution was far from stable. 

More often than not, he'd crash spectacularly, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake as nearby structures crumbled under the force of his failed attempts.

"I'm doing it!" Ricky let out an excited shout, but Alexander remained silent, simply waiting patiently. 

The surge of his emotions caused the flames beneath Ricky to flare up unexpectedly. 

However, only the tips of his feet ignited, causing an imbalance to form at his heels which sent his entire body flipping upside down.

Ricky flew into the nearby fountain with a dramatic splash, while Chester sighed and handed Alexander his sunflower seeds.

"Now grab your fashioned spear." Alexander commanded Ricky, who sighed from the fountain before crawling out and approaching the spear with a disheartened expression. 

Gripping the weapon, Ricky assumed his stance as Alexander circled around him, checking for any necessary adjustments.

"Begin." Alexander nodded to himself as Ricky swiped the air with the spear, then lowered his stance until his legs were bent.

"Stab."

"Heyah!" Ricky yelled, piercing the air with his strength while Alexander nodded his head.

Alexander always specified that Ricky make this sound, as it allowed the air to circulate around his body rather than being trapped when brandishing the spear, supplementing his breathing control and body movement

Additionally, it may help to release tension and ensure proper airflow, which can improve overall effectiveness and reduce fatigue.

"Retract."

"Retract."

*PFFFT*

Henry, the mocking bird, suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started mocking Alexander as Ricky immediately tried to hold in his laughter but was failing.

Ricky had named his new mockingbird Henry. 

First, Ricky thought it would be hilarious to name a bird after the trust fund kid, Henry Ford Jr. II. 

Secondly, the bird's tendency to repeat others' words, combined with the confusion it created, made Ricky laugh. 

Upon receiving Henry, Ricky discovered that the bird couldn't speak like the others and could only 'mock' their words, though it seemed to do so specifically to Alexander for some reason.

Henry's favorability with Ricky had risen to 67, as the bird evidently enjoyed Ricky's encouraging laughter when it mocked others. 

Ricky's constant laughter seemed to please Henry; however, the bird only mocked Alexander, as Chester completely ignored Henry's existence whenever it tried to imitate him.

Now faced with only one option, Henry wholly turned his sights towards the gerbil as Ricky knew that Alexander was a bit fiery at times, but Henry really brought out the worst in him.

"UGH, I'LL KILL YOU!" Alexander finally lost his temper, adorning himself in his armor as Henry copied him and they butted heads.

"UGH, I'LL KILL YOU!" Henry mocked with a grin, Alexander's eyes turning red though when he went to swipe at him, Henry flew into the air.

"GET DOWN HERE AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN!"

"GET DOWN HERE AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN!"

"UGHHHHHHHHHHH!" Alexander grabbed his head and let out an annoyed shriek as Henry started to snicker.

"Alright Henry, that-"

*PFFFT*

Ricky couldn't help it and let out another loud, hysterical laugh as Alexander started angrily throwing small pebbles at Henry, who easily dodged them.

"Seriously though Henry, I really need to do this training." Ricky waved him off while Henry looked at Alexander, gave him a smirk, then flew back to Ricky's room.

"YOU BETTER FLEE YOUR POOR EXCUSE FOR A WINGED CREATURE!" Alexander reprimanded Henry as he fiercely turned to his young pupil.

"WHY MUST YOU ENCOURAGE THAT UNRULY BEAST!" Alexander stomped while watching Ricky get into his stance.

"Why do you always fall for his provocations?" Ricky retorted back at Alexander and went to respond but simply sighed.

"Forget that useless thing, let us continue."

Although Ricky was a slacker by nature, the fight with Xarus had really spooked him and for the second time in his life, he had helplessly lain at death's door, awaiting an unruly fate. 

But in the last second, he had help from the random shopkeeper Elijah who took pity on his situation and rushed to save him. 

However, Ricky knew he couldn't rely on luck every time, and for that reason, he didn't want his life to be left to the flip of a coin.

This realization drove Ricky to focus on improving himself through natural means, rather than waiting for a skill to come by chance or through an accidental outcome.

'I need to go on a trip or something, that way I can let off as much steam as possible.' Ricky thought to himself as he swung the spear, only for Alexander to reprimand him loudly.

He often thought about it, wanting to simply go and knock up a few girls to get instantly stronger. 

However that was a simply temporary fix since even though he attained more abilities, he was still very poor at wielding them and secondly, the fear of child support and responsibilities that came with fatherhood from his one night stands tracking him down.

That had actually happened to Ricky in his last life, having gone on a drunken bender all the way through Mexico and as a result, wound up in the most awkward conversation of his life 18 years later.

However, if Ricky decided to go all out on a trip, this era would be ideal and information wasn't readily available at everyone's fingertips, which made things incredibly challenging but also offered some unique advantages.

An hour passed, and Ricky decided it was time to move on to swordsmanship. 

Grabbing the sword, he readied his stance, feeling the weight and balance of the blade in his hands as his muscles tensed in anticipation as he prepared for the rigorous training session ahead.

"Literally, the spitting image of Percival." 

Ricky turned his head to the side to see Abraham taking a swig of a metal flask, sitting on the wall that surrounded the mansion.

"Guys-" Ricky immediately looked to the side, about to call for the guards supposed to be sweeping the compound throughout the day.

"Whoa c'mon kid, can't you at least hear me out?" Abraham eased him with a nervous sweat, jerking his head to the sides to make sure the coast was clear while Ricky raised an eyebrow.

"Listen old man, I get your memory is fading on you but I'm not about to become a celibate priest." Ricky shook his head since the priesthood wasn't for him.

"Ha, you look like a virgin to me so what's the problem?" Abraham joked, hopping off the wall and plopping down next to Alexander before scratching his little head.

"Are you kidding?" Ricky asked genuinely, having seen his own reflection, and Abraham's words didn't seem to match what he saw.

"Have you seen me? I look like a greek god, my jawline looks like it was chiseled by de vinci himself, my jawline is so goddamn sharp it can cut f*cking granite." Ricky arrogantly boasted about himself, prompting Abraham to scoff and side-eye Alexander, who mirrored the same expression of disdain.

"Alright be real with me, can this gerbil understand me?" Abraham asked, his gut telling him that it could but wanted to make sure. 

"Thank you!" Alexander spoke, though it was more to himself, as they rarely assumed he could understand them.

"Are you sure you want to know?" Ricky asked Abraham who raised an eyebrow while looking at Alexander.

"Yes?"

"Abraham van Heisling, meet Alexander The Great trapped in the body of a gerbil." Ricky didn't bother to hide it and revealed the truth, causing Abraham to look surprised as he glanced down at the gerbil.

"Pleasure to meet a mighty warrior such as yourself." Alexander stuck out his paw, but all Abraham heard were squeaks as he awkwardly shook the rodent's tiny hand.

"I-.....I really don't get this one." Abraham confessed since this didn't make a lick of sense.

"Welcome to my life." Ricky spoke while pulling out a cigarette, causing Abraham to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"It's to cut down on my drinking, if you're wondering." Ricky said since he's been a little too f*cked up lately and thought it was time to substitute one problem for another.

*Sigh*

"You're literally nothing like Ernst." Abraham said as these two were complete polar opposites.

If Ricky inherited Percivals looks, then Erst inherited everything else since he was everything that a black knight should be except for a small problem.

'At least he's not a fanatic Nazi.' Abraham took a swig from his flask, watching Ricky get into his stance with the cigarette still in his mouth.

With Hitler's rise to prominence in the last year, the Nazi campaign has gained considerable traction due to the deterioration of Germany.

Preaching for a better tomorrow, the Germans latched onto Hitler's fantical ideals easily as Ersnt was one of those foolish few.

However, compared to regular Nazi's, due to Hitler's 'Master Race' ideologies combined with Ernst's blond hair and blue eyes, he was treated considerably well.

Though this was mostly due to the fact that he was a part of the old noble family which inherited the black knight every generation and after Hitler found this out, personally recruited the young and naive Ernst.

"Listen Ricky, I'll be real with you. You can't let your distant relative Ersnt inherit the mantle of the Black Knight." Abraham was up front with his intentions but Ricky continued to swing the sword with Alexander guidance.

"The guy is a lunatic and won't ever shut up about his ideals, which seem to get crazier every time I see him." Abraham sighed, rubbing his head as he felt an oncoming headache settle in.

"And although I haven't been to Germany since they closed their borders, I've only heard horrible things that have come with the rise of these so-called 'Nazi's'." Abraham spoke, watching as Ricky casually flicked the cigarette from his mouth to the side.

"Listen Abraham, you seem like an asshole so I'll break it down for you slowly this time." Ricky exhaled a cloud of smoke, pausing in his stance to glance at Abraham.

"I'm not some chivalrous person nor do I care about others to do good deeds, because just like you, I'm also a self centered asshole." Ricky informed Abraham, who scrunched his eyebrows in irritation at being compared to him in such a rude manner.

"I only do things that really benefit me in one way or another and maybe if they seem fun, but this Black Knight thing? Yeah, that sounds like too much sh*t on top of my already full plate." Ricky said, pointing his sword at Abraham.

"So stop-"

"I can't, I know what you're going to say and even if I wanted to, I literally can't leave until you come back to the Vatican with me." Abraham sighed, Ricky resting the wooden sword on his shoulder.

"Why not?" Ricky asked, baffled at this scummy old man actually adhering to something since he couldn't imagine himself doing the same.

"Because that stuffy place is all about the old rules and like I said earlier, if you even cared to remember, there cannot be a black knight with two potential successors." Abraham stood up and Ricky frowned.

"But I don't-"

"It doesn't matter, do you think I wanted to be born a Van Helsing? F*ck no, I wish I was a farmer out in wisconsin, yet here I am, being a goddamn vampire hunter." Abraham scornfully laughed as he pointed to himself.

"Some people are lucky to be regular, but people like us are cursed to be things we don't want to be. You think when I was your age that I wanted to live my life on the road while never being able to see my family?" Abraham continued with a scornful smile, while Alexander frowned from the side, impatient with how long it was taking.

"No, but one way or another, you're going to be dragged into this. Don't ask me how, because I don't know. All I can tell you is that either Ernst will get tired of waiting and track you down to kill you for the position, or you'll come back with me of your own volition," Abraham said, giving Ricky an ultimatum as Ricky's brows were furrowed in confusion and concern.

"Neither." Ricky gave his option but Abarham shrugged.

"Welp, come find me when you're forced into one of the two scenarios since it doesn't matter." Abraham turned and started walking back to the wall as Ricky turned to him.

"All I wanted was to be recognized by the church so that the mafia would just f*cking accept me, I didn't want all the baggage that came with it!" Ricky yelled at Abraham who started to laugh hysterically.

"Well, there is a price for everything Ricky and unluckily for you, the church knows you have the power to wield a weapon that can literally cut through anything!" Abraham yelled back as he crawled up the wall.

"I'll be at Old Pal's pub when you want to find me, since I can't leave this place until I bring you back." Abraham said before hopping off the wall and disappearing from Ricky's sight.

*SIGH*

"Whatever, I'll just ignore it."

2 hours later,

And ignore it, Ricky did, completely forgetting about it after exiting his shower following a long day of training.

"Henry, Alexander, let's be civil." Chester held up his wing between the two familiars as Ricky, already prepared to tune them out, focused on getting dressed.

"I will literally tear out his vocal cords, make a fiddle, then play the tune that Hades plays for all those tortured souls of the underworld!" Alexander threatened Henry, actually flinching for once, before smirking which only infuriated him even more.

"Alexander, calm down-"

"WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS SIDE CHESTER, HE IS NOTHING BUT A LEACH ON THE BACK OF ACTUAL CIVIL CONVERSATIONS!"

"WHY ARE YOU TAKING HIS SIDE CHESTER, HE IS NOTHING BUT A LEACH ON THE BACK OF ACTUAL CIVIL CONVERSATIONS!"

"ARCK, I'LL LITERALLY BATHE IN YOUR BLOOD WHILE I PLUCK OFF YOUR FEATHERS TO WASH OFF THE SHIT I HAD ONCE FEASTING ON YOUR FLESH!" Alexander screeched, rushing toward Henry, who took to the skies in response while Chester sighed, and Ricky emerged from the closet, now dressed.

"What's with him?" Ricky remarked, noting that Alexander only makes these kinds of threats when he's truly enraged.

"Alexander accused Henry of cheating by looking in the reflection of your coke bottle when playing go fish-" Chester informed Ricky, trying to be the mediator of peace between them, but Alexander wasn't having any of it.

"ACCUSED, I KNOW THIS BIRD CHEATED!" Alexander pointed at Henry as Ricky adjusted his long sleeve.

"Do you have a date with Maria?" Chester inquired, and Ricky nodded slightly in response.

"I need to check in with Jake about the club, but afterwards, I'm taking Maria to dinner," Ricky informed the two as Chester nodded in acknowledgment.

"Be good to her and don't let her slip away-and he's gone." Chester tried to inform him, only to realize Ricky had left.

"Let's start a new game, shall we?" Chester asked, Henry and Alexander squinting at each other before looking towards the crow with a burning intensity to win.

Driving into the Cotton Club, Ricky headed to the office, only to be met with a sea of papers that overwhelmed his vision as he was taken aback by the countless stacks surrounding Jake's desk.

"Jake-"

"Yes!" Jake emerged from a stack of papers, jittering side to side, while Ricky looked around the cluttered office.

"What's with all the papers?" Ricky grabbed a nearby paper with his face on it that read 'Ricky Lucinao is looking for the next big boxer, do you got what it takes?'.

Ricky had wanted to get into boxing but instead of participating, he wanted to sponsor someone like Madden, the previous owner of the club.

Although Ricky didn't care much for the man, he understood how lucrative boxing events could be as the money from these events and the associated gambling ring was highly profitable.

"Whoa, this is a really good picture of me." Ricky complemented himself while rubbing his chin, putting it back in place as Jake shook his head.

"Those are the flyers I spent all night accumulating. After convincing Madame, they started circulating this morning, and her reach is far more extensive than I originally imagined," Jake said, looking up at Ricky with an excited expression.

"I mean for a person of color, she really has a knack for business, especially connections. I see why my big bro and Lucky think so highly of her!" Jake jittered out, Ricky taking out a cigarette while raising an eyebrow, scanning his figure. 

"I mean, her reach extends all the way to Mississippi, it's very impressive!" Jake said before pausing, lost in his own thoughts.

"Oh, OH! And that shipment you told me to watch is going to arrive from Egypt in two weeks." Jake notified Ricky who nodded with a small smile.

"As impressive as ever, any updates with the other two clubs?" Ricky asked, not seeing any problems with Jake, nodded while handing him a piece of paper that he didn't care to glance at.

"They'll open come the end of summer, been stirring up a real buzz about 'em." Jake notified as Ricky held a thumbs up.

"Coolio, great as every Jake." Ricky gestured only to reach the door and sigh, turning back to Jake starting to scribble something down.

*Sigh*

"Jake, when did you start using?" Ricky then walked back to Jake, standing in front of the desk as the man showed a baffled expression.

"Using, like the flyers, I started using them to distribute-"

"Jake, cut the sh*t, how many times have you been using." Ricky waved Jake's words away, pointing his cigarette at him.

"Once." Jake said, Ricky squinting his eyes and looking at him.

"Once a day-" Jake finished his sentence as Ricky facepalmed at this confession.

"Jesus christ." Ricky pinched the bridge of his nose, Jake rubbing his teeth while shrugging.

"I really don't see what the big problem is, I mean, I'm more efficient-"

"The problem is that you don't know how to pace yourself, I mean, drugs already f*ck you up enough but you're bumping coke not once a month, but once a day?" Ricky explained for experience, rubbing his eyes as Jake simply looked at him.

"I'm doing all the work you asked, what's the problem-"

"The problem is that you're going to fast and sooner or later, you're going to crash-"

"I NEED IT TO DO EVERYTHING YOU ASK OF ME!" Jake slammed his hands on the desk, sizing up Ricky who didn't back down.

"I NEVER ASKED YOU TO F*CKING BUMP LINES OF COKE TO DO PAPERWORK, IF IT'S TOO MUCH THEN I'LL GET SOME GUYS AND MEYER-"

"NO!" Jake screeched, Ricky becoming surprised at his intense reaction.

"I'm really fine and I don't need any help, I'll taper off but don't tell my big bro, please Slick." Jake rubbed his arm, Ricky looking at him with a lot of mixed emotions.

"Jake-" Ricky was put in a dilemma but Jake wasn't going to make it easy for him.

"Slick, I never ask you for nothing, just please." Jake looked Ricky dead in the eye as the man heaved out a deep sigh.

"Fine, but this isn't over, but for now, give it to me." Ricky held out his hand, looking at Jake who avoided his gaze.

"I don't know-"

"Give. It. To. Me." Ricky uttered every word slowly, showing that he knew their was a stash as Jake opened the drawer.

Ricky immediately frowned, noticing the bag that he hadn't left here. It meant Jake had found a supplier, which pissed him off.

"No f*cking more, I hear your like this again then I'm dragging you to Meyer's doorstep, you understand me?" Ricky was serious, aware that while he wasn't one to talk, his own substance abuse never led him to deeper drugs, but Jake's fast track actually made him a little concerned.

"I understand." Jake ducked his head, Ricky looking at him for a long time before deciding to give him the benefit of the doubt.

"Go home Jake, take the rest of the day off." Ricky pointed at him, walking out of the room as Jake stood there for a long time.

Only when he was sure Ricky was gone did he reach under the counter, grabbing a small vial and dabbing it on his forehand.

'Just a little more than I'm done, swear.' Jake thought, but his eyes continued to delve deeper into this rabbit hole.

Ten minutes later, Ricky stood in front of the house as Maria hurried out, a bright smile lighting up her face.

"Hey Ricky, you ready!" Maria asked they pecked their lips together as Ricky started to car.

"How you doing, beautiful?" Ricky asked, his usual greeting reserved specifically for Maria.

"Amazing! But is it true that you're taking me to Sardi's?" Maria asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. 

Sardi's was not only one of the most famous restaurants but also considered off-limits and a neutral ground for the mob. 

Vincent Sardi, the owner, had a long and respected background in Sicily that even the mafia bosses held in high regard.

Usually it would cost an arm and a leg to get a reservation but with the help of Lucky, Ricky was actually able to get one.

'Connections are a hell of a drug.' Ricky thought as he saw the completely enamored expression Maria was showing towards him.

"Nope, we're going to Italiano's." Ricky said, watching as Maria's face immediately sank, which made him crack a smile.

"I'm just messing with you, of course we're going to Sardi's." Ricky laughed, pulling her into a hug which made the girl let out a sigh of relief.

"Ricky~" Maria whined, slapping Ricky's shoulder with a playful expression.

Eventually, Ricky made his way to Sardi's with Maria in his arms, tossing his keys to the valet.

"Ah Slick, we've been awaiting your arrival." The server said politely as the other couples waiting shot them envious glares.

"Please, let me escort you to your table." The server gestured, and Maria squealed in excitement as she eagerly led him forward.

"Here you are and must I say, you are the finest couple I've seen today." The server needlessly flattered them as Ricky pulled out the seat for Maria and then turned to the server.

"It won't be an issue to have on demand service, will it." Ricky said, sneaking a hundred dollars into the server's front pocket as his face lit up.

"For such honored guests, that should be the standard." The server greedily flattered them, and Ricky patted his shoulder. 

In stuffy places like these, being served could often be a pain and although it wasn't the case at the Stork Club, Ricky wasn't the most patient person nowadays and preferred to be served as quickly as possible.

"Oh my god!" Maria whispered in an excited tone, almost shouting, as Ricky sat down and she gazed at the centerfold of the dining establishment.

"T-That's Katharine Hepburn!" Maria discreetly pointed to the side, Ricky holding out his glass as the server poured the champagne.

'I mean, cutting back is only when I'm outside of such a fancy establishment.' Ricky made an excuse for himself, knowing that Maria wouldn't get made at him for one drink.

"And?" Ricky asked, having no clue who the hell she was nor did he want to turn around for a specific one line.

"Who cares about other girls when I get to see you?" Ricky landed the one-liner that had been on the back burner for a while now, catching Maria off guard and causing her to let out a playful scoff.

"Ricky, I'm serious. I absolutely adored her in 'The Animal Kingdom' and have seen it over ten times with Aunty Ninfa." Maria gushed at her absolute idol, picturing the broadway show in her mind again.

"Do you want to meet her?" Ricky asked, already knowing the answer as Maria hesitated.

"I-"

"Joseph, wanna earn a quick twenty bucks?" Ricky looked over, reading his server's name tag as the man's face lit up at the sight of the tipping machine in front of him.

"How may I help you sir?"

"So I said to him, Joshy, the only one who is smelly here is you. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" The man across from Katharine told a joke that didn't hit as she forced out a fake laugh.

"Oh Luddy, your a real comedian-"

"That's exactly what Smithy says, do you think I should gear up for the front stage like you? Ah, I'm just joshing, however I do think about it sometimes, if I could be a comedian." Luddy waved his hand, circling back to his own words in contemplation as Katharine let out a disbelieving sigh before taking a sip from her glass.

"Excuse me sir, madam, but Ricky Luciano has requested if you two would care to join his date this evening and says that he will pay for your meal." Joseph walked up to them as Katharine turned to Maria, who shyly looked away. 

Maria then shifted her gaze to Ricky, who raised his glass in acknowledgment while the timid girl tugged at his sleeve with an embarrassed blush.

"Tell them thank you but we're fine-" Katharine, wanting to celebrate their anniversary privately, tried to refuse, but Luddy interjected.

"Of course we'll go!" Luddy quickly responded on Katharine's behalf, while Joseph gestured for them to follow as Katharine's eyes narrowed in response.

"Luddy, this was supposed to be our special evening-" Katharine tried to communicate with him, touching his hand but Luddy was looking at Ricky.

"Baby, that's Ricky Luciano, I know that a doll like you wouldn't know but he and his father are a big deal in these parts." Luddy adjusted his collar and waved at the two, while Katharine rolled her eyes and downed the rest of her glass in one gulp.

"Hurry up!" Luddy whispered while grabbing her arm, Katharine eventually got up to follow as they arrived at their table.

"Good evening, I'm Ludlow but you can call me Luddy and this is my beautiful wife Katharine, say hello dear." Luddy nudged her as Katharine forced a smile and looked Ricky in the eye.

"Hello." Katharine repeated what Luddy wanted her to say, receiving a glare from her husband. Before the tension could escalate, Ricky let out a laugh.

"I'm Ricky Luciano however everyone calls me Slick, and that beautiful girl over there, is your absolute number one fan." Ricky deliberately embarrassed Maria, causing her to cover her face with a napkin. 

Katharine, usually stubborn, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Maria's cute expression.

"You got a name, honey?" Katharine went to sit next to her as Maria reddened to an unfathomable degree.

*Quiet murmur*

Maria whispered at such a low level that both Ricky and Katharine burst out in pure laughter as Luddy also forced a laugh, not quite understanding why it was so funny.

"Slick, it's a pleasure to meet you and I'm honored that you'd want to host us at your table." Luddy sat next to Ricky, who had his second glass refilled by Joseph.

'Alright, I deserve this second one, for being a supportive boyfriend.' Ricky convinced himself, looking at his second glass of champagne.

"Well, my girl over there is such a diehard fan that I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see her embarrassed. I think it's just adorable." Ricky mused, watching with a smile as Maria buried her face deeper into her hands.

"Ricky~" Maria whined as she couldn't face Katharine who was patting her back.

"You're a real bully Slick, give the girl a break-" Katharine playfully said, trying to make a joke only for Luddy to frown.

"Katharine!" Luddy yipped at her, causing her face to visibly contort at the rude gesture from her own husband.

"Slick, I apologize for her-" Luddy tried to find common ground and kiss up to Ricky who outright ignored him.

"I can't help it, there's something about Maria that makes me want to hear her whine-" Ricky joked while ignoring the awkward atmosphere between the two, drinking more of his champagne while looking at Maria intently.

"Ricky, please stop~" Maria quietly said as Ricky understood and stopped while holding his hands up.

"Anyways, thank you for indulging my offer and I'm sorry if I ruined your night." Ricky said, watching the two as Katharine stared at Luddy with a neutral expression.

"Oh don't worry Slick, you didn't ruin anything since nothing was going to happen later anyways." Katharine snarked at Luddy, making his eyebrow twitched

"Sir, is there something I can start you off with?" Joseph, hanging to the side, pulled out a notebook.

"Give me and my lady your recommendations for an appetizer and can you bring some bread." Ricky spoke out his order, Joseph eagerly nodding his head and writing it down as if his life depended on it. 

"We've specially flown in mushrooms from Sicily and stuffed them with the finest breadcrumbs, herbs, and Veneto cheese you've ever had." Joseph gave Ricky the pitch and he shrugged, before turning to Luddy who hesitated.

"Don't worry it's on me, dine to your fullest." Ricky patted Luddy's shoulder as he nodded with a hesitant smile.

"I'd like the same as Slick-" Luddy wanted to say only for Katharine to push in front of Joseph's view with a shameless smile.

"Can I get the oysters Rockefeller and the shrimp cocktails paired with a 1909 red, thank you." Katharine didn't hesitate to order the most expensive dishes, Luddy's face twisting in anger at his wife's shameless attitude.

"Can't hate a lady that knows what she wants." Ricky joked to lighten the mood since these two were like animals, snapping at each other's throats every three seconds.

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?'' Katharine smiled cynically, setting down her menu as a vein appeared on Luddy's forehead.

"Very well, it will be out momentarily."

Minutes passed, and after some persuasion from Katharine, Maria began to speak hesitantly and gradually, she grew more comfortable around the Broadway star.

"I just don't know if I can make it in hollywood-" Katharine confessed, sighing a bit only for Maria to grab her arm.

"Don't say that Katharine, you're amazing and your stage presence is second to none!" Maria encouraged her, while Katharine looked down with a small smile. 

Luddy rolled his eyes at this topic that always popped out of his wife's mouth every now and again, downing his fourth glass of champagne.

"That's a decision that requires your husband's input-" Luddy snarked from the side, clearly annoyed at this topic.

"I can't think for myself?" Katharine snapped at Luddy, only making him scoff at her words.

"You can, but the decisions are for the men, the leaders of the household." Luddy snarked back, Katharine gritting her teeth while Maria gave Ricky a look as he stopped eating his stuffed mushrooms with a sigh.

'Do something.' Maria didn't even have to say anything, but that was what her eyes implied, meaning that Ricky had to break up the cat fight, again.

*Gulp*

"Who wants to hear a joke?" Ricky asked with a wide smile as Maria shook her head, her expression turning pale.

"Ricky don't-" Maria held out her hand, knowing his jokes well and aware that most of them were dirty and funny only to him.

"Okay, A millionaire walks into a bank in New York City and says 'I need to borrow five hundred dollars' and the bank officer says they have security for the loan at their establishment." Ricky continued anyway, smiling wider at Maria's embarrassed expression, already covering her face.

"So the man hands over the keys to the guy and says 'The car is parked on the street in front of the bank'." Ricky then caught their attention, the fight slowly breaking up as he pressed his joke in between their clear disdain towards one another.

"The bank agrees to accept as security for the loan. Then the man working at the bank gives the man a few papers and says' Please sign here' after that they're done." Ricky stops himself from laughing and continues, Maria shrinking in her seat thinking there was some hidden sex joke ahead.

"He gives him five hundred dollars and the man walks away. The bank's president and its officer all enjoy a good life with the man that used a 25,000 car against a 500 loan." Ricky smiled, seeing he had effectively gained the complete attention of the two of Luddy and Katharine.

"An employee of the bank then drives the car into the bank's underground garage and parks it. Two weeks later the millionaire returns and repays the 500 dollar loan and the interest which comes to .79 cent. The loan officer says 'We are very happy to have had your business, but we are a little surprised. Why would you bother to borrow 500 since you drive this type of car?' The man responds, "Where else in New York City can I park my car for two weeks and only pay seventy five cents?'." Ricky finishes the punchline, using a joke that wasn't sexual to save Maria some face in front of her idol.

"BUHAHAHAHAH!" Luddy cracked up almost immediately, and Katharine giggled at the joke, while Maria let out a relieved sigh at his more 'tame' humor.

"You are a riot, Slick!" Luddy flattered Ricky who ate a stuffed mushroom while Katharine nodded.

"And here I thought you'd be another stuck up man with a broom up his ass-" Katharine laughed, the wine doing it's damage as it made her more forward.

"Katharine-"

"Hahahahahaha!" Ricky laughed before Luddy could finish his reprimand, causing Luddy to retract his words upon seeing that Ricky found it amusing.

"Don't mind him Kathy, he's always like that." Maria laughed nervously to Katharine but Ricky shrugged.

"If you mean incredibly handsome, then you're right, Maria. I am what God created, which many call art, but you can call me yours." Ricky complimented himself before twisting it into a cheesy pickup line as Maria rolled her eyes, while Katharine giggled.

"Seriously Ricky." Maria asked, shaking her head as Ricky started touching his own nose, seeing that it didn't extend.

"Well, at least I'm not lying." Ricky made another joke, and this time it hit. 

The only reason Maria finally laughed was that Pinocchio was her favorite childhood story, and the air was cleared of any hostility.

1 bottle of champagne later,

"And here is your dish, Lobster Fra Diavolo basined in the finest truffle oil with a side of fresh caviar and a pairing of a bottle of 1867 wine, enjoy." Joseph bowed as he set down the four plates. 

Maria, Katharine, and Ricky all gazed at their food, while Luddy happily drank the last drop from the champagne bottle.

"Whoa, this food smells real goooooooooooood~" Luddy drunkenly said as he stabbed his fork into his plate.

"Luddy, manners-" Katharine tried to reprimand him, only for Luddy to scoff.

"And you're one to talk? What about those manners when you wear those short skirts on stage?" Luddy countered, stuffing his face while Ricky sighed and Maria looked a little anxious.

"That is my job-" Katharine calmly said, her tone seething at him about bringing this topic up again in front of strangers no less.

"What about your job as my wife? When are you going to give up on these fantasies, stop playing dress up, and be the good wife I know you can be?" Luddy seemed to plead with Katharine, who looked as if she was about to explode.

'We just had to invite these two to our dinner-' Ricky inwardly clicked his tongue at his night with Maria being once again ruined.

If he knew they were a trainwreck of a couple, then he wouldn't have even considered it as he wanted to do something nice for Maria which seemed to backfire like it always did.

"Slick?" A man with slicked-back hair and a toothpick in his mouth approached the table, accompanied by a fairly attractive woman on his arm.

"No, we're fine, thank you." Ricky raised his hand, trying to stop Luddy from stirring the pot further, while Maria attempted to help Katharine, who was struggling to keep from throwing her drink in Luddy's face.

"Are you serious right now?" The man asked in an Italian accent, clearly surprised that Ricky didn't remember him.

"It's me, Bass." Bass pointed to himself, while Ricky glanced at Maria, who looked clueless.

"Genovese right hand? We've shaken hands before." Bass tried to jog Ricky's memory but only ended up embarrassing himself.

"Oh, Bass." Ricky said in the most unconvincing tone, causing Luddy and Katharine to stop bickering as they became aware of the awkward atmosphere encroaching on their conversation.

"Is this the famous Maria Profaci?" Bass tried to hide his disdain, changing the topic as he extended his hand. 

Instead of offering a handshake, however, he attempted to touch her chin, but she avoided his gesture.

"Oh come on doll, I was only messing-" Bass, seeing the gesture went unappreciated, tried to backtrack only for a deathly atmosphere to permeate from Ricky.

"Bass, was it?" Ricky asked, and Bass turned to him with a smile.

"Yeah Slick, does my name finally ring a bell?" Bass joked, still annoyed at being forgotten, while his lady let out a forced chuckle.

"You know what, it does." Ricky forced a smile of his own, Maria looking at him from the side with slight worry.

"In fact, can I talk to you for a second, alone?" Ricky wiped his mouth as he stood up, and Bass nodded vacantly.

"Of course, I actually wanted to come over and say congratulations about your recent escapade." Bass tried to start a conversation, leaving his companion alone while following Ricky all the way to the back alley behind the restaurant.

"Lucky talks about you all the time-"

*Crack*

As they exited the restaurant and entered the back alley, Ricky seized Bass's finger, twisting it sharply until he heard a sickening crack as he watched as Bass grimaced in pain, his face contorting with shock.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH-" Bass screeched from the top of his lungs, falling to his knees before Ricky.

*BAM*

Without a word, Ricky's fist connected with Bass's mouth, a brutal, clean hit that sent him sprawling into a pile of grimy trash bags. 

The impact was accompanied by the sharp, metallic clink of the trash cans tipping over, and the muffled thud of Bass hitting the ground.

"Bass, do I look like a f*cking loser who'd let a guy flirt with my girl, right in front of me?"Ricky asked Bass, clearly enraged that he would make such an advance right before his eyes. 

Bass looked on in horror, his face paling as he realized the gravity of his mistake as Ricky slowly stood over him.

During his time being indoctrinated into the mob by Lucky, Ricky had learned many things, but the most important lesson of all was about respect.

Respect is something that's earned, not given.

However, what Bass was doing was considered 'disrespect,' which only had one consequence in the mafia: a beating. 

In the mob, you didn't negotiate or appeal to HR and if someone stepped out of line, it was your responsibility to set them straight and if necessary, forcefully.

"Slick listen, I didn't-" Bass crawled backwards amidst the garbage, trying to create distance between them.

"You didn't mean to try and touch my girl's cheek with those dirty fingers?" Ricky genuinely asked with a disdainful expression as he followed Bass, who was desperately trying to scramble away.

*BAM*

*COUGH*

Ricky delivered a powerful kick to Bass's stomach, the force causing a sharp crack as one of Bass's ribs broke. 

The impact made Bass further crumple to the ground, gasping in pain while laying in the fetal position.

Ricky was uncertain whether Genovese was orchestrating this, but given his awareness of Genovese's stance on him, Ricky suspected that either this was a deliberate move or Genovese's men simply lacked respect for him.

"Did Genovese put you up to this?" Ricky prodded Bass with his foot as the man gasped for air, struggling to catch his breath.

"N-No, I just wanted-" Bass replied instantly, and Ricky's immediate frown made it clear that the man was telling the truth. This meant only one thing.

"Does Genovese talk down about me in front of his other lackeys?" Ricky asked Bass, but the man fell silent. 

'Dammit Genovese.' Ricky honestly didn't care that Genovese didn't like him since there wasn't much to like, however to preach these things to his underlings was something that couldn't stand.

"S-Slick, if ya hear me out-"

*BAM*

*BAM*

*BAM*

However, Ricky didn't hear him out. 

Aggressively kicking and stomping on Bass's body, ignoring his cries, until Bass could barely move.

"You tell Genovese that if he wants to say something, he'll say it to my face, got it?" Ricky bent down, his face close to Bass's as the man lay on the ground, barely breathing.

"GOT IT!" Ricky yelled with a trace of fury in his voice, his pupils narrowing as he loomed over Bass. 

The sheer intensity of his gaze made Bass below him start to piss himself, the realization of his dire situation sinking in.

"YES, YES I PROMISE!" Bass squeaked out, his voice trembling as tears streamed down his face. 

Ricky let out a resigned sigh, recognizing that his actions would undoubtedly lead to complications. 

He turned on his heel and walked back into the restaurant, leaving the broken man behind him.

"You're pathetic Bass, I better never see your face around my girl." Ricky delivered one final, sharp jab before pushing the door shut behind him. 

As it closed, the sound echoed through the alley, leaving Bass sprawled on the ground, battered and bruised, his face contorted into a scowl of pain and humiliation.

"Aye doll, I sent Bass on a mission, so why don't you use this to catch a cab." Ricky handed the girl a five dollar bill and shooed her to the front of the building.

"So Luddy, what do you do?" Maria asked, trying to get the conversation back on track.

Ricky, who was about to dig into his meal, saw Katharine discreetly pointing towards her wrist as Ricky raised his eyebrow until he realized that there was a splash of blood on his skin.

Quickly wiping his hands, Ricky winked at Katharine before diving into the meal he had been eagerly anticipating. 

Meanwhile, Luddy, oblivious to the scene's tension, continued to embarrass himself with his antics.

"Unlike a certain someone, I actually have a real job-"

"He just runs his daddies company, then uses his daddy's money." Katharine twirled her fork in her plate, deflating Luddy's ego further.

"The same money that buys you all those fancy dresses." Luddy scowled, taking another aggressive sip of his wine and started downing it right there on the spot.

"Well, they're really beautiful dresses, you have really good tastes." Ricky chimed in as Maria nodded her head enthusiastically.

"Very beautiful, Katharine." Maria praised Katharine, her frown turning upside down and looking up at Ricky.

Adjusting her hair and slinking it behind her ear, she gave Ricky a piercing stare before turning to Maria as Ricky raised a curious eyebrow.

Another hour passed, and Luddy had completely lost himself in the trenches of a fine red wine, while Maria was having a hard time keeping her eyes open.

"Thanks again Joseph, here's for your dedicated help." Ricky settled the bill, leaving a generous tip for Joseph, who bowed appreciatively before them.

"It's always a pleasure Sir, have a great night." Joseph faltered, glancing around in confusion as Ricky draped Luddy's arm around his shoulder for support. 

Katharine, meanwhile, helped the weary Maria toward the car, ensuring she got in comfortably.

"Let me get Maria home since it's almost ten and I'm not about to get into it with Profaci." Ricky informed Katharine as he settled Luddy into the front seat of the car and Katharine nodded in agreement, relieved to have Ricky handling the situation.

Ricky eventually arrived at Maria's house and carefully carried her out of the car, her head resting against his shoulder. 

As he made his way to the front door, Katharine and Luddy remained in the car, the awkward silence almost painful.

"I've been having an affair." Luddy, barely able to keep his balance, confessed to Katharine with a slurred speech, his words spilling out between hiccups. 

Katharine shut her eyes tightly, her lips trembling as she struggled to maintain composure. 

The emotional weight of the confession and Luddy's inebriated state clearly took a toll on her, and she fought to hold back tears while processing his words.

"I know." Katharine felt a chill in that moment, rubbing her arms in a futile attempt to warm herself.

"Sorry about that, let's get you two home." Ricky adjusted his mirror as he got into the car, only to find Katharine's gaze fixed on his reflection. 

As soon as their eyes met, she seized the moment, slipping her hands sensuously down the curves of her black dress in a provocative manner.

Ricky was taken aback as he watched Katharine subtly slide her hand up her dress, her body beginning to sway gently from side to side.

It might seem forward but Katharine's actions were driven by a deep sense of loneliness and growing disdain for her husband. 

Her husband's behavior, which had been embarrassingly public and dismissive, coupled with his blatant unfaithfulness, had left her feeling isolated and unappreciated. 

This emotional void, compounded by the dissatisfaction in her marriage, pushed her towards seeking validation and attention elsewhere. 

Ricky's presence offered a temporary escape from her unhappy reality, and her provocative gesture was a way to assert her own desirability and reclaim some sense of control and affirmation in her life.

Ricky paid no mind to whether Luddy was awake, his attention divided between driving and watching Katharine's provocative display in the backseat. 

By the time they reached the couple's home, he assisted the still-sleeping Luddy out of the car, with Katharine trailing closely behind him.

Ricky tossed Luddy onto his bed and turned around to find that Katharine had disappeared. 

Raising an eyebrow, he stepped out into the hallway to see her leaning against the wall, her demeanor a blend of vulnerability and anticipation.

Yet her posture was relaxed with hints of confidence, leaning casually against the wall, her gaze fixed intently on Ricky.

Her eyes, sharp and filled with an enigmatic sparkle, seemed to pierce through the shadows, drawing him in with their magnetic intensity.

The soft light catches her features just right, accentuating her high cheekbones and the delicate curve of her jawline.

Her hair, styled in soft, effortless waves, frames her face and highlights the graceful elegance of her neck.

Her back dress hugged her figure perfectly, the fabric catching the light with every subtle movement.

The neckline, slightly daring, adds a touch of intrigue while still maintaining her classic charm to her bust.

Her lips, slightly parted, suggest a blend of anticipation and playful curiosity that allured him forward.

"No wonder you're on stage, you put on one hell of a performance." Ricky approached Katharine, placing her hands on his firm shoulders.

*DING*

[Mission Received: Katharine Hepburn]

Difficulty: Easy

Character Sheet: A

Description: The up and coming broadway star, Katharine is someone who shines brightly in the spotlight yet once the play ends she is left with a mediocre reality. Recently, she's found out about her husband's infidelity and wants to get back at him for breaking her heart. 

Objective: Don't simply let her have one mistake, but two, as the user seeks to give her something beautiful.

Reward: 10,000 IP

Impregnate Katharine Once:

Rewards: 50 Gacha or Katharine skills

Impregnate Katharine Twice:

Rewards: ?????????

Additional Missions:

Impregnate Katharine in the vicinity of her husband(Incomplete):

Rewards: Epic Skill Coupon

Have Katharine Climax for the first time(Incomplete):

Reward: +3 Stamina 

Bonus Missions:

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[Do-

'Yes.'

"Oh honey, you've never seen the kind of performance I can give." Katharine purred as Ricky's hands trailed down her lower back, settling on her perky ass.

"Then show me."