Cold Days [Open](FINISHED)

[Darel N. Franchetti]

Blood and bullets everywhere as Darel's boots began to get soaked. "I'm done here." as his arm which was in the form of a Gatling gun changed back into the regular flesh. Sighing he looked around, this place would have to be destroyed. The men were bad, not that he cared. Darel was told to kill them, all he knew about was they were mobsters. With a kick to one guy he just exited the area, setting a few bombs they soon exploded.

He stood there waiting for his ride to pick him up, unknowing that they would be late. So he stood there obeying his commands. He taught he senses another emotional signature, but paid it no mind considering he didn't feel like it. The cold air felt good against his skin. His bones were cold and the cold air reminded him he was still alive.

Those and the multiple cuts against his veins. Then he felt the emotional signature again and he knew there was something else. As he pulled out his gun from his pocket he pointed in the direction of where he thought he felt the other.

[Admin]

Business seemed to be booming in Washington, DC. Jackie didn't exactly like the idea of expanding the family into the nations capitol, but, he knew that more territory for the Franchetti's meant more cash for the family, and that was what kept everyone loyal to him. That, and the fact he kept their families safe, too. Even in the worst gang wars, Jackie only went after the soldiers and the leaders, bringing relatives in was lower than he'd sink.

He'd heard that there were a few families in this city, and Butcher had informed him that they had a meeting with one of the big empires out here... Some Russian group, the Mikhallovich's or something. Entering into the darkened warehouse where the meeting had been organized, Jackie was less than pleased when the Darkness informed him what was going on. He'd left a few Darklings in the warehouse a few days ago, knowing they'd be able to watch and hear everything for him.

"Psst, boss... Some guy just killed all them Russians... It's a blood bath in there, and we weren't even invited to the party!" Shifty, one of the smaller Darklings, rasped into Jackie's ear, as he covered himself in the Darkness armor.

"Butcher, get the boys outta here, I'll figure out what happened, make sure they don't make anymore trouble for us." As Butcher and the small security detail went outside the building, Jackie walked further in, surrounding himself with an army of Darklings, and slithering eels of Darkness.

As he moved, he saw a smaller man point a gun in the direction of one of the bigger Darklings. Apparently whoever this was, was very paranoid. Slinking a little closer, Jackie tapped the man on the shoulder, ensuring that he was surrounded with Darklings, so that all the man would see upon turning would be Jackie in his armor, and all the Darklings.

"There a reason you in here? You the one killed them Russians? What, you working for the cops, or one of the other families?" Jackie was willing to reason with this guy, after all, everyone knew how hot headed and violent the Mikhallovich family could be. They were notorious for their cruelty in gang wars, it was why Jackie had decided to give them a chance, he didn't have any reason to kill them, and he didn't enjoy too many wars. If they had agreed to work under him, he would've left them be. Now that they were dead, it was probably more a help to him then anything else, but, he still knew to be wary of this new guy...

[Darel N. Franchetti]

Darel turned around and held his gun still at the man, he looked weird, not normal. Not human. Either way Darel would stay his ground. He would wait out in this specific place, hearing the other person question he turned his head to his side. His eyes were wide but had no sort of emotion to them. His face kept the same blank yet a hint interest. He wants to know why I did it. Why?

"Because he told me to." he said bringing the gun towards his face, rubbing the cold metal against his cheek. Turning his attention back to the person he pointed the gun back at the other, "Are you one of the mob people? Then I'll have to kill you." he asked. Darel would know if he was lying.

Still standing his ground he stared down the other weird looking man. Staring a bit at the snake like beings on coming from his body he couldn't think of a way to handle them. As his hand aimed the gun at the slightest movement. It was natural.

[Admin]

"Was I one of them Russians? Nah, am I with a family? That ain't none o' your business. Now, if I were you, I'd stop pointing that gun at me." Allowing the armor to fully cover his body, Jackie was covered wholly in Darkness constructs. Looking the kid up and down, he realized the kid was probably going to attack now matter what. In each hand he created a pistol from the Darkness.

As he stared the other guy down, a few of his Darklings made sure to cut all electricity to the building, ensuring they'd be in the dark. In their own element.

Oh, Jackie... This is rich... This kid is trying to read you... Must be some kind of empath or something... He doesn't realize that we're not one and the same... That we can't be read emotionally, since we aren't emotion...

Despite the Darkness laughing at the kid, Jackie knew better. If the kid could read emotions, even if the Darkness were right in claiming he was well masked, the lack of emotions would probably just agitate him more.

"Hows about you put your gun back in your pocket, and go home, before you spend the rest of your life sleepin' with a night light on, kid?"All around the kids back, Jackie had tendrils of Darkness, ready to grab the kid as soon as he made the wrong move.

"Boss... Why not just let us tear his face off? We were gonna take out the Russians anyways... Why not have a little fun outta this?" One of the Darklings spat from the dark behind Jackie.

"We ain't gonna kill him,'less he tries an' attacks us, boys. No need to make unnecessary enemies..."

[Darel N. Franchetti]

"Not a Russian...yet still a witness." as the other cut out the lights Darel's eyes settled to where he thought the other was. He then noticed a dim black, it was the other, it was strange...it was hidden. But Darel could still just barely make out the other. Darel just stood there gun still pointed in the same position even if the other did move.

"I never slept with a night light. I'm used to the dark it brings me peace." Darel said. With that he lowered his gun. Raising his hand in the air into the air in a slow fluid movement he kept in the air. "I have a question..." he began. As he stared out into nothingness. His body began to shift in a soft blue glow as his age revert to that of a nine year old.

"Why are you trying to kill me?" he asked with sadness in his eyes. He made an attempt to mess with the other's psyche by inducing guilt into the other. A classic trick he used multiple times and has worked. The he added the transforming into a child to add onto the effect. Who would want to kill a little innocent kid. Darel didn't want to be in this place any longer as he stared a the other. Gauging his emotions at the moment, his aura was nothing like his handler.

[Admin]

After the kid made himself look like a little kid, in some kind of attempt to make Jackie feel like a monster, Jackie sighed a little. He'd been a hit man since he was 16, hell, he'd been running the Franchetti family for a few years now. He wasn't stupid enough to fall for a trick like that. What, did the kid think he'd forget that he was a teen a minute ago?

Allowing the Darkness tendrils to grasp and hold the kid in place, Jackie moved forward, allowing the gun to be held in place against his chest. "Tryin' to kill you, kid? I ain't touch ya, an' if I do now, it's cause ya think I'm stupid."

Fading back into the dark of the warehouse, Jackie released the boy, as he gave form to a massive, draconic beast. Something looking similar to the European idea of a dragon, made entirely of Darkness. "You put the gun down, kid... Scaly here'll disappear. Piss me off, and I'll let him eat you. Or, I might let the Darklings at ya..."

"Ooh, let's do that one, Boss! We wanna tear into this guy! Come on, let us have a good time! We'll do something worth writing about!" Of course the Darklings jumped at the chance to battle some guy they'd just met, any kind of violence seemed to put them in a good mood...

[Darel N. Franchetti]

Darel felt the grip against his body increased he, he struggled for a few moments before stopping. As he was let go while listening to the other he just blinked. Looking at the dragon he backed his self into the wall, once he was sure he it was a wall he moved his hand over to break through the wall. His adamantium bones adding more strength to his punch, plus it was only a wood place.

Light poured in as he easily slipped through the hole he just made. Stepping out into the somewhat light as the moon and street lights were the only source of illumination. Putting his gun away he held out on arm as it changed itself to a Gatling gun, he fired multiple rounds as his adamantium laced bullets ripped straight through the weak wooden warehouse.

What he worried about a bit if they struck the guy, walking back to his spot his arms still a Gatling gun as he went to his spot. Waiting...for another attack, or the car to come get him. Still he would wait for one of the other and handle the situation accordingly.

[Admin]

Jackie watched from the shadows as the man destroyed the walls of the warehouse. Apparently, he'd pieces together that the Darkness didn't work so well in the light, however, he'd failed to realize that the night was when the Darkness rules. The streetlights would cause some trouble, were he to find himself directly under them, where the moon did nothing to deter the Darkness or its constructs.

As the dragon followed the man into the streets, several of the Darklings poured out after the kid, using Darkness guns of their own to take out the street lights, before retreating. Stepping out of the warehouse's remains, Jackie created a pair of wings on his back, taking to the sky the way his dragon had. Landing on it's back, Jackie removed the wings, and looked down to the kid.

"Alright, kid... I'ma give ya one last chance to tell me who sent ya ta take out the Russians, before you never what the light looks like again. Any weapon you can make, I can too, pal... Sure, maybe you'll end up killin' me, but I'll be right back... Can you say the same thing?" To prove his point, Jackie held his arms out as a Darkness Gatling gun formed itself in his hands. "So, ya ready to talk? Tell ya what, you give up soon, I'll let ya walk away... Won't have the Darklings tear ya apart."

"Aww, come on, Boss... We was lookin' forward to rippin' this little bitch to pieces of himself..." One of the Darklings rasped from the shadows, before the group of them began laughing, somewhat maniacally...

[Darel N. Franchetti]

Darel turned his head at the other as he saw the dragon come back out and the other create wings. This was different, he could be a problem, and yet...why was Darel smiling? A grin was plastered on his face as he found his self trembling, it wasn't fear, no fear here at all. It was excitement this was one of his emotions his smile became twisted with a look of confusion. Face twitching, he wasn't supposed to feel anything, they promised him!

It was just a momentarily set back as Darel fell to his knees, this feeling of excitement was new to him. He didn't know how to handle it. A person he could possibly couldn't beat logic tells him to quit. While this other feeling tells him to try. The boy was deep in confusion, "What should I do?" he asked causing a man to appear with his illusion powers. The man's face was completely faded as if standing in the shadows.

"You have no heart. Go with what you need to do. Can't you ever think for yourself!" The man said. The other was right sparked in Darel's mind, listening to Jackie he let the illusion fade as he looked up at the other. "Darklings? Is that what you call that confusion? That chaos?" he said his face back to its blank expression. "I would like to taste that." he said as he focused on the chaotic aura Jackie had. Accessing its abilities Darel's eyes widened as he felt the chaos and darkness flow through his own aura.

From his back blackness spewed out he was in pain, "This isn't a pain I know. Cancel." he replied as he stopped channeling Jackie's powers. As he panted he looked back up, "Why do you care so much about why I killed the Russians. Or who hired me. Why care about the dead? Either way my handler sent me, I am to wait here at this spot," With that he walked over to the spot he was told to stand, it was under a street light, "For someone to pick me up."

[Admin]

Jackie... He tried to tap into our strength... He can access powers, but he can't handle us... He doesn't realize we're more than just power...

"Hahaha, the Darklings are a little crazy, sure, kid... But they ain't confusion... They're the little monsters running around at my command... And there's a reason you can't handle what I can... These aren't just powers, kid... The Darkness is more than you can understand... It's some kind of being or force of nature on it's own... I'm just it's current user." As he listened to the kid, and saw him walk to a specific spot, Jackie once again allowed tendrils of darkness to swarm around the kid, though this time they merely wrapped loosely around him, ready to tighten at a moments notice.

As the dragon disappeared from beneath him, Jackie recrafted the wings, and descended back to the ground. "As for why I want answers... I was workin' a deal with them boys... Or, was gonna try to... Course, all I know, you just did a job for me... Still, I don't know where your interests lie... How about I offer you a job? You work for me, kid, I can take ya places... New York is mine... DC'll be mine soon enough... Business is boomin' right now, and with me... You at least work under a guy with a sense of morality, ya dig?"

"Boss... He said he was waitin' for pick up... Ya want us to make sure that don't happen, in case he turns down your offer?" One of the Darklings asked from somewhere behind the kid.

"Do whatever ya feel is necessary, just remember that if ya kill 'em, make sure they're dead." Jackie responded, as he turned back to the kid. "So, whaddya say, we have ourselves an arrangement, kid?"

[Darel N. Franchetti]

Looking at the tendrils Darel just looked up at the guy. Was he really think this would keep him here if he wanted? He listened once more to the guy talk about a deal. Places were his...places that actually interest him a sense of greed fell over Jackie's aura. No not greed power, Darel's eyes widen as he forced his empathic sight to see through the darkness of Jackie's aura, something else lied there. A familiar sensation, that related the other to his handler.

Power they both wanted power, how interesting. Sticking the tip of his finger in his mouth Darel bit down on it. "Me...making a decision on my own is prohibited." he replied. "But...I-I-I...I say..." Taking in all the possibilities Darel just pointed his finger into the air, "Yes. Why not. People have been telling me to branch out. I do believe this is what they mean by the term."

Darel wasn't a free soul, he followed those who had the aura. This isn't the first time he has changed sides. He has met many people over his time with the aura and deemed them his handler. He isn't an independent mind he needs structure and demands without it he would be in a dreadful world of his own. Clicking his feet together and putting his hands at his side, he bowed, "What is it you would need me to do?" he asked.

[Admin]

"For now? I'ma need a representative here, in DC... My home is New York City... My city... I'm just expandin' the empire... Somethin' Uncle Frankie always wanted to do, but never did... He never had the sense to keep the civilians happy with him... Me? I keep them protected... Here's the deal, kid... My name is Jackie Estacado, and I run the Franchetti Family. Long as you work for me, you're part of that family. You'll be stayin' here, mostly...Keepin' things runnin' properly... We don't attack civilians, only people we kill are rival families and gangs, who don't respect honor. Any other families, we give a chance to join us, before runnin' them outta town." Releasing the Darkness tendrils from around the boy, Jackie walked forward, and held his hand out for the boy to shake it.

"Welcome to the family, Kid. You'll be runnin' things in this city... You say you don't make you're own decisions? I can respect that, you need anythin' decided,you give me a call... Any trouble, you come ta me, I'll take care of it if it's big enough." As he spoke, he removed the mask from his face, looking Darel in the eyes. "Ya turn on us, and I'll feed ya to the Darklings."

"Ya promise, Boss? Here that, boys! This kid turns traitor, we get a free meal!" At the taunt from the smallest Darkling, all the impish beings began jumping up and down, rather happily...

[Darel N. Franchetti]

"Franchetti? Like the composer?...Probably not." Darel said, "He composed music not bullets." Darel mumbled, either way his attention was completely on the other. Running a place wasn't Darel's thing considering he isn't the leading type. Looking at the other's hand he placed a glove on his own hand before shaking it, "I rather not review you whole life story from this handshake." he mentioned as he shook the other's hand.

Family is also something new a term Darel wasn't at all familiar with, he had never had such a thing like a family. "Call you for decisions, I understand that." looking at the other he couldn't help but smile. "Betrayal not my thing. I just change and adapt. Right now I have an imprint to get rid of, then I'll be a blank slate again." He took out a piece of paper and changed his finger into a pen, it read"Darel Nathaniel Franchetti" With that Darel removed his one glove and touched his temples, "From what hatred is, I believe I can say that I hate this part." from his head small white particles traveled from his skull into his fingers down into his body. His imprinting of Darel Vinter was being removed and quite painfully.

Starting over a new imprint by still keeping the memories of his powers and parts of his own past, this is how Darel lives. A hollow being with a wired mind different personalities, different memories, whole different lives. As he was done Darel found his self dizzy as he fell against Jackie his hand slipping against him as Jackie's life flashed in front of Darel's eyes.

Not as if that didn't hurt as well his eyes felt as if they were searing. His brain at the melting point, "Ow, ow, ow. Yeah...hate that part." Darel still retained his personality but removing the other memories from his head made his self a new person. "So now...I'm Darel N. Franchetti. Almost rolls off the tongue...what am I doing here again Jackie?"

[Admin]

"Darel N. Franchetti? Guess you took joining the family to heart, kid? Either way, you're in charge of our operations in this city, now. We have a lot of turf now, and I'ma need you to take care of my turf here, make sure none of the other families move in, understand?" Jackie was glad to know the kid was more reasonable than he'd originally assumed.

Of course, it was a little bit upsetting to know that his history was now open to the kid. Sure, thanks to the Darkness, he wasn't exactly an open book, and the kid probably only knew about Jackie's life until his 21st birthday, everything after that becoming jumbled with the memories of The Darkness, something he doubted the kid would be able to sort out. Even if he did, for now, the kid was an ally... And if he changed who he was every time he got a different boss, well... All the better for Jackie, meant his history wasn't permanently part of the kid.

"And, remember Darel... Any questions you have, any problems you encounter... You go ahead an' call me. But, just to keep things flowin' smoothly, I'm leavin' you with one of my boys as your... Uh... Assistant. You can call him Pancho... He's an old friend of mine, an' I know he'll help you with anythin' that may come up. Anythin' he says, you do... Unless it's against the family code. Never hurt any civilians, never turn on the family, you understand? If any of the boys attack you, defend yourself, aside from that, they're you brothers, now."

[Darel N. Franchetti]

"No one comes on turf," Darel said as both arms turned into a Gatling gun. "Got it." changing back he listened even more. He now knew he would have someone to talk to at least. Don't hurt civilians, Darel hadn't had that problem before. He knew how to follow rules to the T.

"I understand perfectly." Darel replied a short monotone. Eventually he heard a car coming by. That was the person who was suppose to pick him up. He had a new life, no time to deal with that. "Hey Darel, why ya' talkin' to strangers! C'mon we got another job for ya'." a man said. Darel just ignored the other. "Haven't the time, new memories means new me, a new me means a new life. New life means no more you guys."