Basics
Full Name: Lucania Cleodora Melia Castalia
Goes By: Lucania Castalia
Other aliases: The 6th Castalia, Sottocapo's Kid, Heiress, Princess, The Lady Boss, Bloody Sleeves, Lucky Lucia, The Voice that Soothes
Age: 27
Appeared Age: Late Teens/Early 20s (17-23)
Height: 5' 1/2''
Weight: 121lbs
Eye Color: No single color. Lucania's iris colors seem to change with her mood, who she's with, and other mental and physical stimuli.
- Brown = Neutral
- Hazel = Multiple complimentary feelings
- Blue = Sadness
- Teal = Pain
- Green = Envy
- Red = Anger
- Orange = Greed
- Gold = Happiness
- Yellow = Affection
- Violet = Pleasure
- Purple = Sexual attraction
- Pink = Love
- Gray = Fear
- White = Pure altruism, understanding of the self and directionless compassion, as of yet unseen
- Black = Pure misanthropy and directionless hatred, as of yet unseen
- Any type of heterochromia iridum = Cognitive dissonance
- (If Lucania were to ever truly feel nothing, her irises would become like mirrors, reflecting all she saw back at the world)
Hair Color: Brown, with ends becoming bleached blond in the sunlight.
Physical Identifiers:
- Flowers and leaves grow from the locks of hair on Lucania's head. They grow at an incredibly accelerated rate and don't appear to be able to survive if they are removed from her hair. They tend to follow the seasons of the old world, with more colorful flowers appearing around the time it would be spring and summer and duller colored leaves appearing in winter and fall.
- To onlookers, this tends to appear as though she has merely braided flowers into her hair.
- Her body naturally exudes a very flowery scent, often becoming stronger based on the intensity of her own emotions.
Appearance: Lucania Castalia, one of the forbidden gems of Dust, possesses a Hellenic, almost mythical beauty. The type of beauty men (and women) spread rumors of, the type of beauty that can control those who don't look beyond it's surface, the type of beauty that can start wars, end nations, and inspire a peaople; Lucania possesses this beauty, and she's completely aware of it.
On a flawless ovular face with high check bones rest large, doelike eyes that draw admirers in. The shades of irises fluctuate between eye colors both normal and fantastic, and possess an almost hypnotic quality. Her face is surrounded by brown locks of curling hair that possesses it's own voluptuous volume, the ends of which tend to become bleached blond in the sunlight. The flowers that grow from her long hair tend only to increase the otherworldly glamor her appearance carries. Her face is one without blemishes, completed with a roman nose and full heart-like lips.
Lucania carries herself with an almost regal air, her face, while kind, is also arrogant, she knows she's attractive and her smirk conveys this. Although not quite buxom, the woman is well-endowed and has the luck of having the fat gained from a life in the cities accumulate in places such as her thighs and hips giving an hourglass figure. The dresses she wears tend to exaggerate the parts of her that already look good, such as her flawless olive skin and her overall figure, and tend to downplay those parts that are not, such as her weak arms and un-toned belly.
Background
Residence: Bella Vista Suite, Castalia Casino & Hotel, Serenity
Profession(s): Socialite, Cabaret Singer, Entrepreneur, Mafioso and Figurehead of the Castalia Family, Heiress of the Castalia Family Businesses, Fortune, and Criminal Empire
Aligned Faction: The Castalia Family of Serenity, Parkland, Harlem, Laguna & Wolfwater; Motum Diversum by default
Relatives:
- Luciano Leoluca "Lo" Castalia IV - Grandfather, current Don of the Castalia Family
- "Lucky" Luciano Castalia V - Father, current Underboss of the Castalia Family
- Rita Castalia - Mother (status unknown, believed deceased)
- Lucina Castalia-Rivera - Younger half-sister
- Paolo Rivera - Brother-in-law, married to Lucina, current acting Consigliere of the Castalia Family
Other Relatives (deceased):
Other Relatives (living):
Castalia Family Distant Relatives/Associates:
- Rosemary Riina-Castalia - Paternal ancestor (deceased)
- Luciano Castalia - Paternal ancestor (deceased)
- Amanda Morello - Maternal ancestor (deceased)
- Viddani "the Peasant" Morello - Maternal ancestor (deceased)
- Luciano "Junior" Castalia II - Great-Great-Greandmother (deceased)
- Cleodora Morello-Castalia - Great-Great-Greandmother (deceased)
- Luciano "Silencio" Castalia III - Great-Grandfather (deceased)
Other Relatives (living):
- Leoluca Castalia - Uncle
- Salem Castalia - Aunt through marriage, married to Leoluca
- Sammy Gravino - Uncle through marriage, Salem's brother
- "lil Devil" Joe Castalia - Cousin
- "Big Devil" Tommy Castalia - Cousin
- Margaret Castalia-Jackson - Cousin
- D'Angelo Jackson - Cousin through marriage, married to Margaret
- Tycho Jackson - Nephew
Castalia Family Distant Relatives/Associates:
- Diane Shelby - One of Lucania's private guards
- Carmela Rizzuto - One of Lucania's private guards
- Vincenzo Terranova - Manager of several Castalia owned brothels, with Nicholas
- Nicholas Terranova - Manager of several Castalia owned brothels, with Vincenzo
- Joe Valachi - Major Narcotic Mover
- Mia "Mildred" Clooney - Designer of the 'Bloody Sleeve' dresses
- Salvatore Maranzano - Club singer
- Bernard Brown - Manager of the "Ice Box" club, defacto overseer of criminal operations, Harlem
- Vito Genovese - Manager of the "Taste of Gold" club, defacto overseer of criminal operations, Laguna
- Totò Riina - Defacto overseer of criminal operations, Wolfwater
Backstory:
"They say money is the root of all evil, I say money is the root of all people."
~~~
The Diary of Rosemary Riina
~~~
Dear Diary,
04/02/2024
My name is Rosemary Riina, but you can call me Rose, everyone else does. I was born on April 2nd 2013 and today I am officially eleven years old! Momma says she’s real proud of me, and Daddy said he got me this diary—that’s you!!!-- Because he wants me to record life because he said I’d be a star one day! I didn’t even want to play with my other presents after that, Daddy and Momma know that I want to be a singer more than anything in the world, and you being here shows they believe in me!!
You will be the one I confide in. I promise to tell you everything that happens, everything I feel, everything I desire, every single thing I think. And every song that comes to my heart. There are some things I can't tell anyone. I promise to tell these things to you.
Today was absolutely perfect. Momma let me sleep in, and when I woke up to see the time I almost died! I rushed to get ready for school but Momma stopped me at the door, she said “We’ll just tell them you sick today.” Then we ate pancakes and watched cartoons all morning, and she let me open a few of my presents before Daddy got home from work!
He got home late, but when he did get home we all got into a taxi without a word. Apparently Daddy had taxi driver friends, because he wouldn’t tell us where we were going—when we did get there I almost died again. He had gathered all my friends from school at Central Park! We had cake and ice cream, everyone got me gifts, and it was so fun!
It has been such a good day!
I’m so happy I can tell you about it all now. When you and I get there, we’ll make Momma and Daddy even prouder than they already are. Well, I’m beat, I will see you tomorrow, Diary.
Love, Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
12/25/2025
You and I have become great companions over the last few months. Everyone notices how old fashioned it is to carry around a diary that you have to write in, but no one knows how special you are to me. Every time I write in you I feel like I’m that much closer to getting to where I want.
You’re special to me.
I know that’s dumb and childish, but I don’t care. Daddy got you for me because he believes in me, I do too. So why don’t they? It doesn’t matter, because when I’m writing in you I feel even closer to being a famous singer than when I’m practicing singing or performing at a show…
Speaking of shows—Merry Christmas! Daddy got me the role of the lead angel in this show they’re doing about the birth of Jesus. You know I’ve been practicing hard for this, but I can still barely believe it will be me singing! I’ve been resting my voice all day, going over my lines in my head, I barely noticed the presents under the tree this morning! Let’s hope I can make it a Merry Christmas for everyone who came to see me on stage!
Wish me luck!
Love, Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
06/15/2026
It was such a boring day. Dad had to go to the hospital again, so me and Mom just lazed around the house and did the chores. She made me do more than her, and she thinks I didn’t notice, but I’m okay with it. After all, she has been crying a lot lately, so I figured it’s the least I can do to help her.
I think they think I’m too young to understand what’s going on, but I know something’s wrong. Daddy is rarely around anymore and Mom is sad all the time. I wonder if they are getting a divorce?
This might seem mean, but honestly I already know I’d have to live with Daddy. He’s my agent, and he’s the one helping me get better at singing. I know! I’ll buy Mom a mansion when I’m rich!
Oh, Dad just got home. I had better go see what’s up. I’ll be back in a sec
(later)
06/15/2026
It’s not a divorce.
Daddy is… dying? Mom was crying so hard that we had to leave the apartment for him to explain, but apparently he has cancer. He says he’ll be around as long as possible, but the doctors say he’s only got a few months left.
I don’t know what this is I’m feeling, but it’s more than sadness.
What did I do to you, God?
Thank you for being here, Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
8/04/2029
He’s been gone for exactly 1 year today.
I haven’t cried today, which I think is good, I’ve been dedicating more time to singing. It’s all I can do, I never see mom anymore, so I won’t pretend like I don’t want to become rich, because I do, that’s the honest truth.
But…
I also remember why he got me you, Diary. I don’t want for him to have been wrong, so I have to keep singing, I have to keep hoping that I can be that 1 in 1 million. I will achieve the dream for both of us.
Nothing else in life really matters anymore.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
01/01/2030
Today is the start of a new year, and with it, I am running away.
This comes after some time thinking things over, and after mom’s new boyfriend, I decided it’s best for me to just leave altogether. There’s a club in Brooklyn that needs singers, I know a girl in Harlem, she dropped out and lives on her own there, and she told me she’d love to have me as a roommate. Honestly, this couldn’t have worked out better.
This isn’t me over reacting, either. I’ve been planning this for months; this is just the first I’m telling you about it. Sorry. I know I said no secrets, but I didn’t want her or one of her creepy boyfriends finding out. No like she’d even care, I don’t think she was sober for a single day in December.
I’m still going to make it, it’s just going to be a little harder. I’ll talk to you in a bit, Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
01/23/2030
It’s been a hard month, but I finally landed the job! More than that, I think they really like me.
When I sung for them, they looked like they couldn’t believe what they were hearing. At first I thought that was a bad thing, but then they started fumbling over each other to get a chance to welcome me on board!
I’m just glad I can finally start living my life.
I’m beat. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow. Goodnight Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
04/05/2032
18 was a hump that I am so glad I’m over. I can’t say that enough! Yeah, I’m still technically a “teen,” but only technically. 18 is like that point between two great things, adulthood and childhood, well, great for most people. For me, childhood was something I couldn’t wait to get over—In fact, I didn’t wait! Take that age!
19 is the year of the adult, and today marked my first major adult purchase! Amanda Morello, you know, my backup singer and bestie from the Bronx, well she and I are going half and half on that apartment on 5th street! I’m going to miss Harlem, but I think this is for the best.
Too many bad memories in Harlem. (Plus this new place is LOADS better looking)
Now, I know what you’re thinking “What ‘adult’ still writes in her diary?” To this query, I refer you to my current social status. Google me, go ahead, Diary, I’ll wait.
Hmm? What’s that? The Google search only turned up a bunch of Italian cocktails and a single list of clubs I’m singing for like 5 pages in??? I’m singing—I’m so so so happy for that, I’m telling you, sometimes I feel like a kid when they announce my name with the band and I get to sing to a smoky room full of distinguished looking men, but that’s all I’m doing right now. One bar, no recognition on the streets, BARELY making enough to live… I’m not done documenting my rise yet.
You’ll see. I’ll be making enough money to make Daddy turn over in his grave.
In other news, I saw a guy today.
Now, you, my most confidential of confidantes know I’ve never had boyfriend trouble; I’m usually the one going after guys. But he was… different. Not like, mysterious, but like… heroic? He had this look about him that was easy-going and serious at the same time, and he was the first Italian I’ve ever seen with hair that actually flowed in the wind. I tensed up when he walked past me.
Me. Queen of Drama-Gift of Gab-Rosemary, tensing up?
I know. But it happened. I asked Amanda for his name, and apparently he’s some bouncer’s cousin from Chicago or something, goes by Luciano.
When I saw him, I couldn’t help but think of home.
I’ve never felt like this over a guy before, Diary. I do hope I see him again.
R. R.
~~~
Dear Diary,
02/14/2033
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
He’s such an old-fashioned cornball, but God do I love him.
We’ve only been officially dating for a few months, but today we go on a wonderful date for Valentine’s, Coney Island, and he’s just staring at me right? We’re sitting on a bench, eating churros or funnel cake—I don’t even remember, all I remember is those beautiful brown eyes, and his hair, God, his hair. Diary, I wish you had eyes so you could see Luciano’s hair. It’s like a model's.
Anyway, he’s staring at me, so of course, like the competitive idiot that I am, I think we’re playing or something and I stare right back. And we just sit there like that for… probably a few minutes, but it felt like hours. My heart always beats so fast when I’m looking at him, and he just seems so cool. Anyway, my eyes are red, I’m probably on the verge of tears, and his eyes are still so clear and cool and he just whispers; “Behind you, Rose.”
I nearly dropped my funnel cake when I turned. It was one of his mafia buddies, Viddy? Something like that. I’m sure they both got a kick out me yelping. Anyway, Viddy pulls out this red velvet pillow from behind his back and it’s got a ring on it. (And this rock on this thing, it’s huge, like I’m talking they stole the Hope Diamond or something)
Anyway, THAT surprises me, I turn back to Luciano to see he’s already on his knees, I only start freaking out more, Viddy walks over give the ring to him, and then my Lucian just looks at me with those big brown eyes of his, and the wind blows perfectly through his hair and a crowd is gathering…
You know what happens next, he’s still so cool, but he asks if I “want to be his girl?”
My heart felt like it would leap out of my throat!
But of course, I said yes.
OH MY GOD, DIARY, I SAID YES!
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Love, soon to be Mrs. Castalia
~~~
Dear Diary,
05/07/2034
Small entry today, Diary.
This is our first anniversary after all!
I guess I just dusted you off this morning to recap this last year, first; I got married!!!
Lucian is working a lot, but it’s okay, because I am too, our time together is that much more sweet. He said the Family needed a private singer, and they’d be lucky to have one as good as me. I’ve been BUSY, really busy, but, for the first time in a long time, also really happy.
Amanda also got married! To Lucian’s friend no less! That made moving out easier, though.
I can’t believe it’s been a year.
Hey, Dad? How about you? Do you think I’ve been doing alright?
I miss you.
I think I just woke Lucian—we’ll talk later.
Love, Rose Castalia
~~~
01/02/2035
I
I don’t even know why I’m writing this.
I couldn’t write you when I found out yesterday, I was just crying—I still am
I just
Oh God.
It’s just this feeling of absolute emptiness, tearing at me, as if it wants me to just end everything now and make it easier than just waiting, and knowing the end is going to come, with nothing I can do about it.
I found out yesterday that the world was going to come in a month. We won’t get to have our second anniversary—I won’t even get to turn 22!
Luciano is in and out, I think he’s trying to figure out what’s going on—I don’t see how he can be so calm about all this!
Ugh
I don’t know what I should do. Besides cry, I mean.
Should I go pray, Daddy? Please talk to me, I miss you so much…
~~~
01/05/2035
Luciano is working on something.
The National Crime Syndicate is working together; of course, all the fighting is behind them when faced with absolute destruction. But Luciano say that even if they do organize a bunker for the New York Outfit we won’t get in.
I told him that we should pray for anything that might help us get through this, that it might be a blessing from the Lord.
Luciano got this cold look in his eyes, like he saw something that I didn’t. He gave me a gun and told me that I should pray enough for the both of us, that he was going to put something together. Then he left.
That was 2 days ago, now.
Don’t worry diary! I’m not alone, Amanda’s here, she didn’t feel safe in her house, and she said that she wanted to spend her last moments with family, and I was the closest thing to a living relative she had.
I do wonder what my mother is doing. Is she even still alive? Part of me regrets leaving her—another part of me is just glad I’ve got someone here with me, blood or not.
What does Luciano think he’s doing? He’s smart, but…
I don’t know.
I guess I’m just so sad about so many things, but I can’t cry anymore, I’m all dried out. So I can only think of how sad this all is and just feel it.
Useless, that’s it.
I feel completely useless.
~~~
01/22/2035
I got a call from Luciano today!
Which is good, I was beginning to think he had died. Amanda was right to fear the panicking. The people in the streets have become violent, I’ve had to use this gun in the name of protection several times and I haven’t even had time to reflect or pray on it.
We can no longer leave the apartment. We just cower and wait, in fear.
I’m so scared of death.
I’m so scared of death.
Luciano knew that, too. He couldn’t call for long, I’m surprised that he even still has service, but when he did call, he told me some things that didn’t make much sense, that he was organizing a group, that he’d come for Amanda and I soon, and that I shouldn’t “lose hope.”
What else is there to do?
~~~
01/31/2035
Amanda and I had fallen asleep together, crying, but not alone. Then I heard the door, that was enough to twitch me awake, enough to draw the pistol on memory alone.
In the dark of the night, I had pulled a gun on my own husband!
I practically screamed in excitement, but Luciano told me to quiet down. He was bloody, but not injured, his eyes weren’t the eyes I was used to seeing, they were tired, serious, the carefree Lucian was--is gone, it seemed.
He didn’t—still hasn’t explained what his plan is. He’s determined to get us somewhere; I know that he has people waiting for him, rendezvousing at a certain place at a certain time.
I don’t know how I feel about this. Amanda is asleep in the backseat of the car, I’m in the front seat with Luciano- he hasn’t even glanced this way. He seems very worried.
I don’t know.
Wait. No. I do know something. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful. Confused, yes, but I prefer this over whimpering and crying in a Manhattan high-rise.
His hair is still flowing beautifully.
~~~
02/01/2035
I might cry tears of joy.
There has been shooting.
A lot of shooting. But he isn’t dead! He said he needed most of the month to put this together, but he organized a coup.
It’s a bunker.
It’s a musty, poorly made hole in the ground. Millions of dollars of illegal money went into its making, the Dons it was originally made for would die, and there would be millions billions more who died because they weren't as lucky as she had been. But that didn’t matter.
This is survival.
This is hope.
Diary. I feel like singing.
~~~
~~~
(A woman speaks, she has a soothing, smokey voice, with a slightly foreign sound to it)
"I wonder if this is even recording...?"
(you can make out a faint fumbling)
"Hello, my name is Lucania, Lucania Cleodora Melia Castalia, I am known by many other names but I prefer Lucania, simple Lucania, above them all. I feel I am lucky to have been given a name that fits me so well."
"At birth, we are given names, and it is only when we are old enough to see the hubris of our parents, to think they know their children so well as to name them, that we may change them. I have the fortune of not having to do that. For this, I am blessed."
(sigh)
"That was my singing, I wanted to start out this recording with a song, one with significance to myself and my Family. I shall explain the significance of Blue Velvet, but I suppose first I should explain the purpose of this recording, shouldn't I?"
(dry chuckle)
"My father, Luciano Castalia, the current Sottocapo of the Castalia Family, perhaps not the largest, but certainly the smartest criminal family in all of Dust, is a very devout believer in records. You know, diary's, journals, logs, and... I suppose now, recordings."
"He believes, my father, that records such as these help each new generation improve, by learning of the mistakes of our past, as well as simply keeping ourselves alive through the memories of our progeny."
"When I was younger, my father fervently tried to get me to write a diary, to which I always replied that I was simply too busy to handle such a task. To be honest, I knew he knew I was lying, I had ample amounts of time to dedicate to the endeavor. The fact of the matter is, I simply didn't find the idea of waxing poetic about which books I had been reading to be that appealing."
"So then. What changed? I am tempted to say 'age' and get on with the prologue, but honestly, it was something more than that. I never disagreed with my father about the importance of records from the past, you see. I consider myself an avid reader, in fact, my favorite book is a document from the past, detailing the very eventful life of Rosemary Castalia, the 'Godmother'-- my great-great-great-grandmother, if I recall correctly."
"Without people like my father, and Rosemary's, I would never have had a chance to adopt Rosemary as a role model as I have."
"No... There are a myriad of reason I choose now to record this, but overcoming a lack of historical appreciation is not one of them. I'm lazy, for one. While I am one of Dust's educated elite, and I certainly can write, I don't particularly want to. So I won't."
"Another more prominent reason, I think, is that the level of activity in my life has gone from singing and reading, to becoming the dreaded Bloody Sleeved Lucia of the Castalia Family. As much as I enjoy reading a young Rosemary's gripes with her first period, I myself, would like my story to involve more... glory."
"How dramatic. Perhaps I should become a thespian?"
(She laughs a little)
"This is the life of Lucania Castalia. I'll be sure to skip over the boring parts."
"I was born on warm and dry morning on September 2nd, in the year 2354. My birth was one without complications, I didn't give my mother any pain, and the Gaen nurses all gave me a perfect bill of health."
"I was born in Serenity, and for the most part, I've been here my entire life. Although I have no memories of it, apparently I was born in the lobby of the Castalia Casino & Hotel. I don't doubt it. In those days, it seemed, the Hotel was nothing more than a gambling hall and a few rooms scrapped together. Hardly the testament to the resolve of humanity's perseverance it is today."
"My father used to tell me all the time how mother would fawn over me, my eyes in particular. He said that she described them as these 'beautiful, brown things,' like they 'belonged to some beautiful animal.'"
"Clearly, my mother's talents did not lie in the construction of lyrical prose."
"Regardless, I'll never truly know what she saw in them. A few months after my birth, I came down with a terrible illness. A type of intense fever, I'm told. My father had the best doctors brought in, some from as far away as Aspin, and after a few days that I'm sure felt like an eternity for my mother and father, I recovered."
"But, that's when I developed my...'conditions'"
"My eyes began spontaneously changing their colors, from my head and hair... flowers grew, and my father described my scent as smelling of... sunflowers."
"...This has continually confounded me. I haven't the slightest inkling of what a sunflower is or what they smell like."
"That's irrelevant. It's my development of these conditions that now rob me of knowing what my mother saw in my brown eyes."
"I don't find myself holding these conditions in contempt, though. For example, I find the flowers in my hair and my flowery scent to be quite pleasant, actually. My eyes are something of a bother to explain, but they've never caused me much trouble. However... there is something else I've become aware of."
"These mutations I've developed are not an isolated occurrence, there are others like me, and not like me, in that they develop aesthetic changes in their physical form and are then granted fantastical abilities."
"For me, this seems to be my voice."
"My father once told me that I was generally a quiet baby, but after my illness, he said whenever I did cry, I might wake up the entire street I was so loud. Sometimes it got so bad they had to move me to a different floor altogether. Today I've developed this, through singing, through yelling and sheer volume, and through vocal intimidation that is, in a word; fantastical."
"Enough of that for now, though."
"My childhood, despite the tumultuous nature of our Family business, was generally a quiet one. I enjoyed reading-- I picked up singing after Rosemary, I spent time with my mother and father when they were available, but generally, I was content with my books and my voice."
"I remember much from this time, but I told you I wouldn't bore you with unnecessary details. I think the most significant event of my childhood is when my mother ran away."
"It happened on an unusually dark night a few days after my tenth birthday. I remember, father had been away for some time, business, perhaps. We had expanded beyond Serentiy into Parkland by that point, so he must have been finalizing a few deals in Harlem or Laguna..."
"Wherever he was, it wasn't there. I think that had something to do with why mother... my mother, Rita Castalia... why she just left. I don't think they had been fighting, I think she was just, not fit for city life? That isn't to say that she was a bad mother-- she wasn't. I've only got fond memories of her, and I suppose that's what makes remembering this so hard."
(There is a faint sniffle)
"She woke me up in the night. I remember her kneeling by my bed, she didn't look sad, but she wasn't happy either. ...Somber. Somber is the word I'm looking for, she was somber, and she explained to me why she was leaving, and why it was okay, why I shouldn't be sad."
"Of course, I still bawled my little eyes out."
"She wasn't dressed for the deserts of Dust, but I knew that was exactly where she was headed. They were her home, before father and I. I don't think she ever held allegiance to any faction, she just traveled between free towns, helped out with problems. Really, I don't know what she and father had, but I think we all knew it was doomed. She wasn't some stay at home Mafia Dame... She was..."
(her voice breaks a little)
"...incredible. She was my hero. But I suppose Dust needed her more."
(She sniffles again)
"Right. I remember what she told me, I remember her exact voice from that moment. I would like to use my ability and quote her here but..."
(A final faint sniffle)
"I think that, right now, that would just be too painful."
"Mother was a fan of jazz singing, and the moment before she left, she actually made a request of me. It was tearful, but I obliged. She asked me to sing for her 'Blue Velvet.'"
"Moving on. Father returned to find his wife gone and fell into a depression. I never told him what she told me, or that I could have stopped her, I felt that would have been wrong. I still do."
"He loved her. Her leaving broke his heart, and made him ineffective at his job. Despite my young age, during this time some of his responsibilities fell to me. While he used the months following her passing to drink himself into stupors and sleep with every Call Girl in the Family's employ. I found myself becoming immersed into the business my Family had been building for over 300 years."
"I assisted with administrative things, book keeping, occasionally tagging along to collect payments. I was never in any real danger, and the amount of work I was actually helping with was probably negligible. But. I found it all enjoyable. And from the beginning, I found I was actually quite good at it."
"No one expects to be kneecapped by a pre-pubesceant girl."
"I was apprenticing under several capos around this time, and it was at this time that father was able to pull himself out of his depressive rut."
"With the unexpected birth of my younger sister."
"It was one of the Family's sex workers. He had gotten one of them pregnant in his quest to fill the love lost in his heart with physical pleasure. It didn't work. But I think the arrival of Lucina, technically a bastard, did remind him that he had other responsibilities, more than I or the Don ever could."
"Following her birth, I became his sole apprentice, he took my training personally and very seriously... I often wonder if the passion and aplomb with which he took to educating me as his successor was in part because he saw in me my mother?"
"Hmmm..."
(she sighs, then laughs)
"Well, I suppose this makes me a bit of hypocrite. I started this with the intention of skimming over my time as a girl so that I might weave an epic tale of blood shed and conquest in the name of the Castalia Family... and yet, now that I'm here, I don't know what to say!"
"It could simply be that I've spent so much of my life immersed in this..."
(She chuckles)
"I became father's apprentice at the age of 11. It wasn't until 13 that I became involved in thefts and kidnappings, acts reserved for lower level members. At 14, I believe, is when I took my first life. 14 is also when I began singing at the club our Family owns here, The Blue Room, it was back-up for an older jazz singer, whose name escapes me at the moment, but he specialized in Old World renditions. He assisted in mentoring me, vocally."
"When I was 16, I commissioned my first dress. I had often wondered how to better conceal weapons, when the idea came to me in a dream."
"Stitching the blade into your clothing!"
"My father thought the idea was silly. I didn't allow myself to be discouraged, however, and I took the idea to the Don himself-- and he challenged me to prove it's use. He allowed me to have one dress made, and then demonstrate his use to him. He gave me a list of names of people that owed the family."
"We tracked each individual down. They all got this confused look on their faces when I raised my arm, letting my sleeve cover my hand-- that look was immediately replaced by pain and horror when I would bring my arm down, though."
"I returned to the Don with a necklace made of their ears on a string the very same night."
"Our Call Girls have similar blades stitched into their sleeves now, as well."
"On my 21st birthday, I became an official made member. Receiving the Don's-- my Grandfather's blessing, it was the happiest I had ever seen father since mother left."
"Hmmm... since then?"
"Well, as a headliner, I've been instrumental in the popularity of all four of our clubs, the increase in sales of narcotics correlate with this. I spearheaded our spread into Wolfwater's organized prostitution and narcotic sales. And currently, I'm slotted to be the next Sottocapo, or Underboss, of the Family!"
"And... well... That's it so far. This is my life, the life of Lucania Castalia. For anyone listening to me in the future, I hope this has helped you come to understand who I was."
"And to finish, I will leave you with another song."
(you can make out the shuffling of what is probably sheet music)
~~~
Gear
Weapons:
- Snub-nosed Revolver: Although only for emergencies, Lucania makes a point of keeping a reliable weapon on her person at all times-- her gun of choice? The Colt Detective Special, a 5 chambered revolver designed for undercover law enforcement of the Old World, making her use of it somewhat ironic.
Ammunition:
- High Grade Rounds: 18; 5 bullets chambered, 2 speedloaders containing 5 bullets, 3 loose bullets
- Money, The Diary of Rosemary, Family Documents, Lighter, Cigarettes, Old World Make-up, Rags, Speedloaders
- Money, Revolver, Tinted Glasses, Razors, Loose Bullets
Lucania's Guards:
Diane Rizzuto:
- Armour: Suit
- Weapon: Switchblade
Carmela Shelby:
- Armour: Suit
- Weapon: Tommy Gun
- Ammunition: --
- Dirty Rounds: 30
Immortalis Information
Manifested Phenomena: Sound/Sonar
Unique Abilities:
- Audio Manipulation: Lucania can detect and influence the manner in which her voice travels. Granting her a unique form of communication, as well as primitive echolocation. Sound still dissipates over time for her, she simply possesses a 6th sense for maximizing it's path. A whisper for her could only travel the length of an average sized room.
- Banshee Scream: Lucania, very briefly, can summon a damaging, ear shattering scream from within her. Although the scream only lasts for a few seconds, the effects it may have on a person's hearing can be permanent. While typically the Scream only deafens its victims for a few minutes, those too close to high intensity screams may suffer permanent ear damage, or have their ear drums outright destroyed.
- Vocal Imitation: Given time, Lucania can project her voice as an imitation of anything or anyone, be it the growl of an animal, the sound of an instrument, or the voice of another person.
Strengths:
- Cunning: Lucania is clever. Raised in 'the family business,' and given access to the knowledge of the Old World from a young age, the woman has accumulated a good balance of book and street smarts.
- Wealth: As heiress to the Castalia Family, Lucania has access to considerable wealth compared to the common man in Dust. Leading a lifestyle free from the worries of day to day survival has allowed her to focus her time on intellectual pursuits.
- Castalia Family Mafioso: As a mafioso for the Castalia Family Lucania is no stranger to the brawls that come with operating a gang in Dust or the politics that come in dealing with Motum Diversum law enforcement and businesses. While her style of fighting typically relies on intimidating the enemy with numbers and surprise, one doesn't earn the nickname "bloody sleeves" without having taken her fair share of blood.
Weaknesses:
- Sheltered: Lucania has been, for the most part, isolated from the truly harsh realities of the world. While she might not be completely ignorant to things that aren't the high society of Dust, her position of privilege has undoubtedly given her a much different view on society than the average person.
- Low Stamina: A sheltered life has deprived Lucania of the chance to build the stamina held by those used to walking for days on end in the deserts of Dust. Not only that, but her dresses impede her ability to run very fast.
- Weak: Lucania isn't the most physically active. Having spent all of her life in cities, with protection, she hasn't needed to build the muscle scavengers and those regularly subjected to the poorer sides of life in the cities need to live.
- Castalia Family Honor: A disadvantage of following the ways of the mafia of the Old World. Lucania follows a strict code of honor when interacting with law enforcement and others whom The Family would consider their enemies, this is one of the things that sets the Castalia Family above other Dust gangs.
- Vocal Fatigue: Lucania, while insulated from the damaging effects, can only summon the Scream once or twice per day, and typically experiences fatigue after its use, often losing her voice for several hours.
Basics
Source
Full Name: Lucina Viddani Castalia-Rivera (Née Castalia)
Goes By: Lucy Castalia
Other Aliases: Sottocapo's Bastard Girl, Bloody Sleeves' Sister, Paolo's Whore, Troia
Age: 17
Appeared Age: Early 20s (20-24)
Height: 5' 7''
Weight: 102 lbs
Eye Color: Golden Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Physical Identifiers:
- Slightly lazy left-eye
- Small scars and bruises on both arms
- Large scar across back
- Castalia Family resemblance; occasionally mistakable for a Lucania clone (sans eyes)
Appearance: If Lucania is a gem-- then Lucy is costume jewelry in comparison. The girl is attractive in her own right, possessing the tall, slender build of a model of the Old World, she simply doesn't possess the youth and beauty granted to Lucania.
Years of substance abuse have aged her beyond her age. Lucy's Castalia brown eyes have an almost lazy droop to them, they, along with her aquiline nose, give her face a very distinctive appearance. She tends to wear clothing that makes fashion statements with her taller, lean muscled form, as opposed to the evening gowns and blouses that Lucania is known for, she re-purposes Old World clothing.
Another difference between Lucy and her sister is make-up, while the 6th Castalia is known to wear lipstick and eyeliner in moderation, Lucy tends to cake herself in the stuff. To the untrained eye, a fully made-up Lucy, wearing a dress, might just be mistaken for Lucania.
Background
Residence: Room 1818, Castalia Casino & Hotel, Serenity
Profession: Apprentice dressmaker and tailor under Mildred Clooney, Figurehead of the Castalia Family, Socialite
Aligned Faction: The Castalia Family of Serenity, Parkland, Harlem, Laguna & Wolfwater; Motum Diversum by default
Relatives:
- Luciano Leoluca "Lo" Castalia IV - Grandfather, current Don of the Castalia Family
- "Lucky" Luciano Castalia V - Father, current Underboss of the Castalia Family
- Unknown Mother - (Status unknown)
- Lucania Castalia - Older half-sister
- Paolo Rivera - Estranged Husband, current acting Consigliere of the Castalia Family
Backstory:
WIP
Gear
Weapons: No set weapon; Skilled in improvisation and unarmed combat, she prefers broken bottles.
Armor: N/A
Purse:
- High-quality Bartering Ammo, Assorted Drugs (Gaen Blow(Coke), Gaen Green(Cannabis), MDMA, Meth), Cigarette Holder, Cigarettes, Flask, Matches, Make-up Kit
Immortalis Information
Manifested Phenomena: N/A
Unique Abilities: N/A
Strengths:
- Fat $tack$: Lucy doesn't have access to the full Castalia Family fortune like Lucania, but her monthly stipend is enough to feed a small town for a year. (Yet she always manages to blow through it early)
- Bar Fighting Black Belt: Lucy learned to fight through the oldest martial art; getting drunk and anger and fighting other drunken angry people. She started from a young age (younger than she is already) and accumulate her scars entertaining the seedier bars of Serenity.
- Stronger Than I Look/Popeye Drug User: Lucy has a slender figure composed almost entirely of wiry muscle, surprising most combatants with the power held behind her punches. Further surprises come from the power she is able to summon when fueled in a Drug Rage.
Weaknesses:
- Lightening Bruiser/Glass Canon: Lucy is a fast, hard hitter. Naturally then, one or two good hits tend to be enough to put her out of commission. (If she isn't on a drug rage, of course)
- Guns Don't Kill People...: Lucy doesn't know how to use firearms, a result of her position of wealth and protection, as well as her own skill in CQC.
- Smoke Weed Erryday: Lucy is addicted weed and several other downers. She exhibits slowly worsening withdrawal symptoms the longer she goes without using.
- You'll Cowards Don't Even Smoke Crack: Lucy is addicted cocaine, crack, and several other stimulants. She exhibits slowly worsening withdrawal symptoms the longer she goes without using.
- High As A Kite In An Opium Den: Lucy goes through life without thinking much, instead preferring hedonistic pleasures of the now. Leading to a personality heavily influenced by the Id, often while high.
- Now, Tell Me That Ain't Insecur: Lucy, ultimately, is extremely insecure. She sees herself as an unwanted bastard child in a family that only keeps her alive because of tradition. The one person who does love her, Lucania, is much more beautiful, intelligent, and driven to expand the family business than she is. Her cripplingly low self confidence leads her to become too paralyzed to gain the ambition she admires in her sister, as well as leading her to self-medicate heavily.
- Not The Brightest Fork in the Drawer: Lucy relies on animalistic instincts for her improvisation in combat, outside of bar fights, she isn't exactly renowned for her cognitive abilities.
The Dust, pt. 1: http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/75889-the-dust/ic
The Dust, pt. 3: http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/81648-the-dust-relaunch/ic
Basics
Full Name: Lucania Cleodora Melia Castalia
Goes By: Lucania Castalia
Title: "Lei Eccellenza Lucania Cleodora Melia Castalia, Capo del Governo, Duce del Castalai e Fondatore dell'Oro-Inverno"
"Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Tax Officer (CTO), Chief Strategic Planning Officer (CSPO), Chief Risk Management Office (CRMO), Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chief Investment Officer (CIO), Chief Creative Officer (CCO), Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of Wintergold Conglomerate"
Other aliases: Capo of the Castalia Family, Duce of the Dust Gold Standard, Prime Minister Madam Castalia, Goldeneye, Gold Singer, The Weasel's Kid, Lucia, Lulu
Age: 28
Appeared Age: Mid-to-Late 30s (34-39)
Height: 4' 10'' (flat-footed), 5' 1/2'' (w/ heels)
Weight: 121lbs
Eye Color: Lucania's iris naturally changes color to correspond with her emotional state, displaying the full range of the color spectrum. Lucania currently wears a contact lens in her right eye to numb the color-shifting of her iris to more subdued shades of her her family's trademarked brown eyes.
The contact doesn't make her right eye completely static, however. Her iris still shifts color, and perceptive people will be be able to detect when the color of the iris of her right eye changes and glistens golden-brown whenever she experiences positive emotions, or becomes a darker brown as she experiences negative emotions.
Lucania's left eye has been replaced by a prosthetic made of gold and glass.
No single color. Lucania's iris colors seem to change with her mood, who she's with, and other mental and physical stimuli.
- Brown = Neutral
- Hazel = Multiple complimentary feelings
- Blue = Sadness
- Teal = Pain
- Blue Velvet = Soul/singing/Immortal vocal ability use
- Cyan = Embarrassment/surprise
- Green = Envy
- Red = Anger
- Orange = Greed
- Gold = Happiness
- Yellow = Affection
- Violet = Pleasure
- Purple = Sexual attraction
- Pink = Love
- Gray = Fear
- White = Pure altruism, understanding of the self and directionless compassion, as of yet unseen
- Black = Pure misanthropy and directionless hatred, her vision seems to blur and become darker with this eyeshade
- Any type of heterochromia iridum = Cognitive dissonance
- (If Lucania were to ever truly feel nothing, her irises would become like mirrors, reflecting all she saw back at the world)
Hair Color: Naturally brunette, with ends becoming bleached lighter in sunlight.
Physical Disabilities:
- Missing her left eye after a bullet wound.
- Has trouble moving her left arm after an old bullet wound.
Physical Identifiers:
- Her left eye is made of real gold plated in glass.
- She has scars from bullet wounds on her left shoulder and on her right check next to her left eye.
- Before Lucania got shot, Lucania's hair grew flowers on a daily basis. After recovering from her wound, flowers appear in her hair at a much lower rate.
- Her body naturally exudes a very flowery scent, many would say she smells of sunflowers.
Appearance:Lucania Castalia, one of the forbidden gems of Dust, possesses a Hellenic, almost mythical beauty. The type of beauty men (and women) spread rumors of-- the type of beauty that can control those who don't look beyond it's surface-- the type of beauty that can start wars, end nations, and inspire a people; Lucania possesses this beauty, and she's completely aware of it.
On a flawless ovular face with high check bones rest large, doe-like eyes that draw admirers in. With a specially designed contact lens, the shades of her iris fluctuate between eye colors of brown and golden and possess an almost hypnotic quality. The left side of her face has a prosthetic eye, made of glass and gold, and a scar only barely covered by makeup. Her face is surrounded by brown locks of curling hair that possesses it's own voluptuous volume, the ends of which tend to become bleached blond in the sunlight. The flowers that grow from her long hair tend only to increase the otherworldly glamor her appearance carries. Her face is one without blemishes, completed with a roman nose and full heart-like lips.
Lucania carries herself with an almost regal air, her face, while kind, is also arrogant, she knows she's attractive and her smirk conveys this. Although not quite buxom, the woman is well-endowed and has the genetic luck of having the fat gained from a life in the cities accumulate in places such as her thighs and hips, further giving an hourglass figure. The dresses she wears tend to exaggerate the parts of her that already look good, such as her flawless olive skin and her overall figure, and tend to downplay those parts that are not, such as her weak arms and un-toned belly.
Background
Residence: Longinus Mansion, Laguna, Wintergold Territory
Profession(s): Capo/Don of the Castalia Family Remnants, Financial Director, Prime Minister, & Co-founder of the Wintergold Conglomerate Territory, Political adviser and ambassador, Investor
Aligned Faction(S): The Castalia Family Remnants of Harlem, Laguna, Wolfwater, Russelgrad, Tas & Sel ; Wintergold of Wolfwater, Harlem, Laguna & Russelgrad
- Moscow Echo of Wolfwater
- Allied with several Independent Gaen Scientists
- Allied with the Dustian Catholic Church of Laguna
- Alliance with the United Triads of Aqueous
- Co-owner of the 'Taste of Gold' club, Laguna
- Co-owner of the 'Ice Box' club, Harlem
- Rival criminal organizations in Dust
Enemy Faction(S):
- The Hedonists
- The Forsaken
- Aqueous Yakuza
- Motum Diversum
Relatives:
- Rosemary Riina-Castalia - Paternal ancestor, Idol (deceased)
- Luciano Leoluca "Lo" Castalia IV - Grandfather, past Don of the Castalia Family (deceased)
- "Lucky" Luciano Castalia V - Father, current Underboss of Paolo's Hedonists
- Rita Castalia (Dream!Rita) - Mother (status unknown, believed deceased)
- Leoluca Castalia - Uncle, current Underboss of Lucania's Castalia Family Remnants
- Lucina 'Lucy' Castalia-Rivera - Younger half-sister
- Paolo Rivera - Brother-in-law, married to Lucina, current acting Don of the Hedonists
Other Relatives (deceased):
Other Relatives (living):
Castalia Family Distant Relatives/Associates:
- Luciano Castalia - Paternal ancestor (deceased)
- Amanda Morello - Maternal ancestor (deceased)
- Viddani "the Peasant" Morello - Maternal ancestor (deceased)
- Luciano "Junior" Castalia II - Great-Great-Greandfather (deceased)
- Cleodora Morello-Castalia - Great-Great-Greandmother (deceased)
- Luciano "Silencio" Castalia III - Great-Grandfather (deceased)
Other Relatives (living):
- Sarah Castalia - Aunt through marriage, married to Leoluca
- Sammy Gravino - Uncle through marriage, Sarahs brother
- "lil Devil" Joe Castalia - Cousin
- "Big Devil" Tommy Castalia - Cousin
- Margaret Castalia-Jackson - Cousin
- D'Angelo Jackson - Cousin through marriage, married to Margaret
- Tycho Jackson - Nephew
Castalia Family Distant Relatives/Associates:
- Diane Shelby - One of Lucania's private guards
- Carmela Rizzuto - One of Lucania's private guards
- Vincenzo Terranova - Manager of several Castalia owned brothels, with Nicholas
- Nicholas Terranova - Manager of several Castalia owned brothels, with Vincenzo
- Joe Valachi - Major Narcotic Mover
- Mia "Mildred" Clooney - Designer of the 'Bloody Sleeve' dresses
- Salvatore Maranzano - Club singer
- Bernard Brown - Manager of the "Ice Box" club, defacto overseer of criminal operations, Harlem
- Vito Genovese - Manager of the "Taste of Gold" club, defacto overseer of criminal operations, Laguna
- Totò Riina - Defacto head of Wintergold and overseer of criminal operations, Wolfwater
Other Relations:
- Salem - Fiancé (deceased)
Backstory:
"They say money is the root of all evil, I say money is the root of all people."
~~~
The Diary of Rosemary Riina
~~~
Dear Diary,
04/02/2024
My name is Rosemary Riina, but you can call me Rose, everyone else does. I was born on April 2nd 2013 and today I am officially eleven years old! Momma says she’s real proud of me, and Daddy said he got me this diary—that’s you!!!-- Because he wants me to record life because he said I’d be a star one day! I didn’t even want to play with my other presents after that, Daddy and Momma know that I want to be a singer more than anything in the world, and you being here shows they believe in me!!
You will be the one I confide in. I promise to tell you everything that happens, everything I feel, everything I desire, every single thing I think. And every song that comes to my heart. There are some things I can't tell anyone. I promise to tell these things to you.
Today was absolutely perfect. Momma let me sleep in, and when I woke up to see the time I almost died! I rushed to get ready for school but Momma stopped me at the door, she said “We’ll just tell them you sick today.” Then we ate pancakes and watched cartoons all morning, and she let me open a few of my presents before Daddy got home from work!
He got home late, but when he did get home we all got into a taxi without a word. Apparently Daddy had taxi driver friends, because he wouldn’t tell us where we were going—when we did get there I almost died again. He had gathered all my friends from school at Central Park! We had cake and ice cream, everyone got me gifts, and it was so fun!
It has been such a good day!
I’m so happy I can tell you about it all now. When you and I get there, we’ll make Momma and Daddy even prouder than they already are. Well, I’m beat, I will see you tomorrow, Diary.
Love, Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
12/25/2025
You and I have become great companions over the last few months. Everyone notices how old fashioned it is to carry around a diary that you have to write in, but no one knows how special you are to me. Every time I write in you I feel like I’m that much closer to getting to where I want.
You’re special to me.
I know that’s dumb and childish, but I don’t care. Daddy got you for me because he believes in me, I do too. So why don’t they? It doesn’t matter, because when I’m writing in you I feel even closer to being a famous singer than when I’m practicing singing or performing at a show…
Speaking of shows—Merry Christmas! Daddy got me the role of the lead angel in this show they’re doing about the birth of Jesus. You know I’ve been practicing hard for this, but I can still barely believe it will be me singing! I’ve been resting my voice all day, going over my lines in my head, I barely noticed the presents under the tree this morning! Let’s hope I can make it a Merry Christmas for everyone who came to see me on stage!
Wish me luck!
Love, Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
06/15/2026
It was such a boring day. Dad had to go to the hospital again, so me and Mom just lazed around the house and did the chores. She made me do more than her, and she thinks I didn’t notice, but I’m okay with it. After all, she has been crying a lot lately, so I figured it’s the least I can do to help her.
I think they think I’m too young to understand what’s going on, but I know something’s wrong. Daddy is rarely around anymore and Mom is sad all the time. I wonder if they are getting a divorce?
This might seem mean, but honestly I already know I’d have to live with Daddy. He’s my agent, and he’s the one helping me get better at singing. I know! I’ll buy Mom a mansion when I’m rich!
Oh, Dad just got home. I had better go see what’s up. I’ll be back in a sec
(later)
06/15/2026
It’s not a divorce.
Daddy is… dying? Mom was crying so hard that we had to leave the apartment for him to explain, but apparently he has cancer. He says he’ll be around as long as possible, but the doctors say he’s only got a few months left.
I don’t know what this is I’m feeling, but it’s more than sadness.
What did I do to you, God?
Thank you for being here, Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
8/04/2029
He’s been gone for exactly 1 year today.
I haven’t cried today, which I think is good, I’ve been dedicating more time to singing. It’s all I can do, I never see mom anymore, so I won’t pretend like I don’t want to become rich, because I do, that’s the honest truth.
But…
I also remember why he got me you, Diary. I don’t want for him to have been wrong, so I have to keep singing, I have to keep hoping that I can be that 1 in 1 million. I will achieve the dream for both of us.
Nothing else in life really matters anymore.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
01/01/2030
Today is the start of a new year, and with it, I am running away.
This comes after some time thinking things over, and after mom’s new boyfriend, I decided it’s best for me to just leave altogether. There’s a club in Brooklyn that needs singers, I know a girl in Harlem, she dropped out and lives on her own there, and she told me she’d love to have me as a roommate. Honestly, this couldn’t have worked out better.
This isn’t me over reacting, either. I’ve been planning this for months; this is just the first I’m telling you about it. Sorry. I know I said no secrets, but I didn’t want her or one of her creepy boyfriends finding out. No like she’d even care, I don’t think she was sober for a single day in December.
I’m still going to make it, it’s just going to be a little harder. I’ll talk to you in a bit, Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
01/23/2030
It’s been a hard month, but I finally landed the job! More than that, I think they really like me.
When I sung for them, they looked like they couldn’t believe what they were hearing. At first I thought that was a bad thing, but then they started fumbling over each other to get a chance to welcome me on board!
I’m just glad I can finally start living my life.
I’m beat. I’ll tell you more about it tomorrow. Goodnight Diary.
Rose
~~~
Dear Diary,
04/05/2032
18 was a hump that I am so glad I’m over. I can’t say that enough! Yeah, I’m still technically a “teen,” but only technically. 18 is like that point between two great things, adulthood and childhood, well, great for most people. For me, childhood was something I couldn’t wait to get over—In fact, I didn’t wait! Take that age!
19 is the year of the adult, and today marked my first major adult purchase! Amanda Morello, you know, my backup singer and bestie from the Bronx, well she and I are going half and half on that apartment on 5th street! I’m going to miss Harlem, but I think this is for the best.
Too many bad memories in Harlem. (Plus this new place is LOADS better looking)
Now, I know what you’re thinking “What ‘adult’ still writes in her diary?” To this query, I refer you to my current social status. Google me, go ahead, Diary, I’ll wait.
Hmm? What’s that? The Google search only turned up a bunch of Italian cocktails and a single list of clubs I’m singing for like 5 pages in??? I’m singing—I’m so so so happy for that, I’m telling you, sometimes I feel like a kid when they announce my name with the band and I get to sing to a smoky room full of distinguished looking men, but that’s all I’m doing right now. One bar, no recognition on the streets, BARELY making enough to live… I’m not done documenting my rise yet.
You’ll see. I’ll be making enough money to make Daddy turn over in his grave.
In other news, I saw a guy today.
Now, you, my most confidential of confidantes know I’ve never had boyfriend trouble; I’m usually the one going after guys. But he was… different. Not like, mysterious, but like… heroic? He had this look about him that was easy-going and serious at the same time, and he was the first Italian I’ve ever seen with hair that actually flowed in the wind. I tensed up when he walked past me.
Me. Queen of Drama-Gift of Gab-Rosemary, tensing up?
I know. But it happened. I asked Amanda for his name, and apparently he’s some bouncer’s cousin from Chicago or something, goes by Luciano.
When I saw him, I couldn’t help but think of home.
I’ve never felt like this over a guy before, Diary. I do hope I see him again.
R. R.
~~~
Dear Diary,
02/14/2033
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
He’s such an old-fashioned cornball, but God do I love him.
We’ve only been officially dating for a few months, but today we go on a wonderful date for Valentine’s, Coney Island, and he’s just staring at me right? We’re sitting on a bench, eating churros or funnel cake—I don’t even remember, all I remember is those beautiful brown eyes, and his hair, God, his hair. Diary, I wish you had eyes so you could see Luciano’s hair. It’s like a model's.
Anyway, he’s staring at me, so of course, like the competitive idiot that I am, I think we’re playing or something and I stare right back. And we just sit there like that for… probably a few minutes, but it felt like hours. My heart always beats so fast when I’m looking at him, and he just seems so cool. Anyway, my eyes are red, I’m probably on the verge of tears, and his eyes are still so clear and cool and he just whispers; “Behind you, Rose.”
I nearly dropped my funnel cake when I turned. It was one of his mafia buddies, Viddy? Something like that. I’m sure they both got a kick out me yelping. Anyway, Viddy pulls out this red velvet pillow from behind his back and it’s got a ring on it. (And this rock on this thing, it’s huge, like I’m talking they stole the Hope Diamond or something)
Anyway, THAT surprises me, I turn back to Luciano to see he’s already on his knees, I only start freaking out more, Viddy walks over give the ring to him, and then my Lucian just looks at me with those big brown eyes of his, and the wind blows perfectly through his hair and a crowd is gathering…
You know what happens next, he’s still so cool, but he asks if I “want to be his girl?”
My heart felt like it would leap out of my throat!
But of course, I said yes.
OH MY GOD, DIARY, I SAID YES!
AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
Love, soon to be Mrs. Castalia
~~~
Dear Diary,
05/07/2034
Small entry today, Diary.
This is our first anniversary after all!
I guess I just dusted you off this morning to recap this last year, first; I got married!!!
Lucian is working a lot, but it’s okay, because I am too, our time together is that much more sweet. He said the Family needed a private singer, and they’d be lucky to have one as good as me. I’ve been BUSY, really busy, but, for the first time in a long time, also really happy.
Amanda also got married! To Lucian’s friend no less! That made moving out easier, though.
I can’t believe it’s been a year.
Hey, Dad? How about you? Do you think I’ve been doing alright?
I miss you.
I think I just woke Lucian—we’ll talk later.
Love, Rose Castalia
~~~
01/02/2035
I
I don’t even know why I’m writing this.
I couldn’t write you when I found out yesterday, I was just crying—I still am
I just
Oh God.
It’s just this feeling of absolute emptiness, tearing at me, as if it wants me to just end everything now and make it easier than just waiting, and knowing the end is going to come, with nothing I can do about it.
I found out yesterday that the world was going to come in a month. We won’t get to have our second anniversary—I won’t even get to turn 22!
Luciano is in and out, I think he’s trying to figure out what’s going on—I don’t see how he can be so calm about all this!
Ugh
I don’t know what I should do. Besides cry, I mean.
Should I go pray, Daddy? Please talk to me, I miss you so much…
~~~
01/05/2035
Luciano is working on something.
The National Crime Syndicate is working together; of course, all the fighting is behind them when faced with absolute destruction. But Luciano say that even if they do organize a bunker for the New York Outfit we won’t get in.
I told him that we should pray for anything that might help us get through this, that it might be a blessing from the Lord.
Luciano got this cold look in his eyes, like he saw something that I didn’t. He gave me a gun and told me that I should pray enough for the both of us, that he was going to put something together. Then he left.
That was 2 days ago, now.
Don’t worry diary! I’m not alone, Amanda’s here, she didn’t feel safe in her house, and she said that she wanted to spend her last moments with family, and I was the closest thing to a living relative she had.
I do wonder what my mother is doing. Is she even still alive? Part of me regrets leaving her—another part of me is just glad I’ve got someone here with me, blood or not.
What does Luciano think he’s doing? He’s smart, but…
I don’t know.
I guess I’m just so sad about so many things, but I can’t cry anymore, I’m all dried out. So I can only think of how sad this all is and just feel it.
Useless, that’s it.
I feel completely useless.
~~~
01/22/2035
I got a call from Luciano today!
Which is good, I was beginning to think he had died. Amanda was right to fear the panicking. The people in the streets have become violent, I’ve had to use this gun in the name of protection several times and I haven’t even had time to reflect or pray on it.
We can no longer leave the apartment. We just cower and wait, in fear.
I’m so scared of death.
I’m so scared of death.
Luciano knew that, too. He couldn’t call for long, I’m surprised that he even still has service, but when he did call, he told me some things that didn’t make much sense, that he was organizing a group, that he’d come for Amanda and I soon, and that I shouldn’t “lose hope.”
What else is there to do?
~~~
01/31/2035
Amanda and I had fallen asleep together, crying, but not alone. Then I heard the door, that was enough to twitch me awake, enough to draw the pistol on memory alone.
In the dark of the night, I had pulled a gun on my own husband!
I practically screamed in excitement, but Luciano told me to quiet down. He was bloody, but not injured, his eyes weren’t the eyes I was used to seeing, they were tired, serious, the carefree Lucian was--is gone, it seemed.
He didn’t—still hasn’t explained what his plan is. He’s determined to get us somewhere; I know that he has people waiting for him, rendezvousing at a certain place at a certain time.
I don’t know how I feel about this. Amanda is asleep in the backseat of the car, I’m in the front seat with Luciano- he hasn’t even glanced this way. He seems very worried.
I don’t know.
Wait. No. I do know something. For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful. Confused, yes, but I prefer this over whimpering and crying in a Manhattan high-rise.
His hair is still flowing beautifully.
~~~
02/01/2035
I might cry tears of joy.
There has been shooting.
A lot of shooting. But he isn’t dead! He said he needed most of the month to put this together, but he organized a coup.
It’s a bunker.
It’s a musty, poorly made hole in the ground. Millions of dollars of illegal money went into its making, the Dons it was originally made for would die, and there would be millions billions more who died because they weren't as lucky as she had been. But that didn’t matter.
This is survival.
This is hope.
Diary. I feel like singing.
~~~
~~~
(A woman speaks, she has a soothing, smokey voice, with a slightly foreign sound to it)
"I wonder if this is even recording...?"
(you can make out a faint fumbling)
"Hello, my name is Lucania, Lucania Cleodora Melia Castalia, I am known by many other names but I prefer Lucania, simple Lucania, above them all. I feel I am lucky to have been given a name that fits me so well."
"At birth, we are given names, and it is only when we are old enough to see the hubris of our parents, to think they know their children so well as to name them, that we may change them. I have the fortune of not having to do that. For this, I am blessed."
(sigh)
"That was my singing, I wanted to start out this recording with a song, one with significance to myself and my Family. I shall explain the significance of Blue Velvet, but I suppose first I should explain the purpose of this recording, shouldn't I?"
(dry chuckle)
"My father, Luciano Castalia, the current Sottocapo of the Castalia Family, perhaps not the largest, but certainly the smartest criminal family in all of Dust, is a very devout believer in records. You know, diary's, journals, logs, and... I suppose now, recordings."
"He believes, my father, that records such as these help each new generation improve, by learning of the mistakes of our past, as well as simply keeping ourselves alive through the memories of our progeny."
"When I was younger, my father fervently tried to get me to write a diary, to which I always replied that I was simply too busy to handle such a task. To be honest, I knew he knew I was lying, I had ample amounts of time to dedicate to the endeavor. The fact of the matter is, I simply didn't find the idea of waxing poetic about which books I had been reading to be that appealing."
"So then. What changed? I am tempted to say 'age' and get on with the prologue, but honestly, it was something more than that. I never disagreed with my father about the importance of records from the past, you see. I consider myself an avid reader, in fact, my favorite book is a document from the past, detailing the very eventful life of Rosemary Castalia, the 'Godmother'-- my great-great-great-grandmother, if I recall correctly."
"Without people like my father, and Rosemary's, I would never have had a chance to adopt Rosemary as a role model as I have."
"No... There are a myriad of reason I choose now to record this, but overcoming a lack of historical appreciation is not one of them. I'm lazy, for one. While I am one of Dust's educated elite, and I certainly can write, I don't particularly want to. So I won't."
"Another more prominent reason, I think, is that the level of activity in my life has gone from singing and reading, to becoming the dreaded Bloody Sleeved Lucia of the Castalia Family. As much as I enjoy reading a young Rosemary's gripes with her first period, I myself, would like my story to involve more... glory."
"How dramatic. Perhaps I should become a thespian?"
(She laughs a little)
"This is the life of Lucania Castalia. I'll be sure to skip over the boring parts."
"I was born on warm and dry morning on September 2nd, in the year 2354. My birth was one without complications, I didn't give my mother any pain, and the Gaen nurses all gave me a perfect bill of health."
"I was born in Serenity, and for the most part, I've been here my entire life. Although I have no memories of it, apparently I was born in the lobby of the Castalia Casino & Hotel. I don't doubt it. In those days, it seemed, the Hotel was nothing more than a gambling hall and a few rooms scrapped together. Hardly the testament to the resolve of humanity's perseverance it is today."
"My father used to tell me all the time how mother would fawn over me, my eyes in particular. He said that she described them as these 'beautiful, brown things,' like they 'belonged to some beautiful animal.'"
"Clearly, my mother's talents did not lie in the construction of lyrical prose."
"Regardless, I'll never truly know what she saw in them. A few months after my birth, I came down with a terrible illness. A type of intense fever, I'm told. My father had the best doctors brought in, some from as far away as Aspin, and after a few days that I'm sure felt like an eternity for my mother and father, I recovered."
"But, that's when I developed my...'conditions'"
"My eyes began spontaneously changing their colors, from my head and hair... flowers grew, and my father described my scent as smelling of... sunflowers."
"...This has continually confounded me. I haven't the slightest inkling of what a sunflower is or what they smell like."
"That's irrelevant. It's my development of these conditions that now rob me of knowing what my mother saw in my brown eyes."
"I don't find myself holding these conditions in contempt, though. For example, I find the flowers in my hair and my flowery scent to be quite pleasant, actually. My eyes are something of a bother to explain, but they've never caused me much trouble. However... there is something else I've become aware of."
"These mutations I've developed are not an isolated occurrence, there are others like me, and not like me, in that they develop aesthetic changes in their physical form and are then granted fantastical abilities."
"For me, this seems to be my voice."
"My father once told me that I was generally a quiet baby, but after my illness, he said whenever I did cry, I might wake up the entire street I was so loud. Sometimes it got so bad they had to move me to a different floor altogether. Today I've developed this, through singing, through yelling and sheer volume, and through vocal intimidation that is, in a word; fantastical."
"Enough of that for now, though."
"My childhood, despite the tumultuous nature of our Family business, was generally a quiet one. I enjoyed reading-- I picked up singing after Rosemary, I spent time with my mother and father when they were available, but generally, I was content with my books and my voice."
"I remember much from this time, but I told you I wouldn't bore you with unnecessary details. I think the most significant event of my childhood is when my mother ran away."
"It happened on an unusually dark night a few days after my tenth birthday. I remember, father had been away for some time, business, perhaps. We had expanded beyond Serentiy into Parkland by that point, so he must have been finalizing a few deals in Harlem or Laguna..."
"Wherever he was, it wasn't there. I think that had something to do with why mother... my mother, Rita Castalia... why she just left. I don't think they had been fighting, I think she was just, not fit for city life? That isn't to say that she was a bad mother-- she wasn't. I've only got fond memories of her, and I suppose that's what makes remembering this so hard."
(There is a faint sniffle)
"She woke me up in the night. I remember her kneeling by my bed, she didn't look sad, but she wasn't happy either. ...Somber. Somber is the word I'm looking for, she was somber, and she explained to me why she was leaving, and why it was okay, why I shouldn't be sad."
"Of course, I still bawled my little eyes out."
"She wasn't dressed for the deserts of Dust, but I knew that was exactly where she was headed. They were her home, before father and I. I don't think she ever held allegiance to any faction, she just traveled between free towns, helped out with problems. Really, I don't know what she and father had, but I think we all knew it was doomed. She wasn't some stay at home Mafia Dame... She was..."
(her voice breaks a little)
"...incredible. She was my hero. But I suppose Dust needed her more."
(She sniffles again)
"Right. I remember what she told me, I remember her exact voice from that moment. I would like to use my ability and quote her here but..."
(A final faint sniffle)
"I think that, right now, that would just be too painful."
"Mother was a fan of jazz singing, and the moment before she left, she actually made a request of me. It was tearful, but I obliged. She asked me to sing for her 'Blue Velvet.'"
"Moving on. Father returned to find his wife gone and fell into a depression. I never told him what she told me, or that I could have stopped her, I felt that would have been wrong. I still do."
"He loved her. Her leaving broke his heart, and made him ineffective at his job. Despite my young age, during this time some of his responsibilities fell to me. While he used the months following her passing to drink himself into stupors and sleep with every Call Girl in the Family's employ. I found myself becoming immersed into the business my Family had been building for over 300 years."
"I assisted with administrative things, book keeping, occasionally tagging along to collect payments. I was never in any real danger, and the amount of work I was actually helping with was probably negligible. But. I found it all enjoyable. And from the beginning, I found I was actually quite good at it."
"No one expects to be kneecapped by a pre-pubesceant girl."
"I was apprenticing under several capos around this time, and it was at this time that father was able to pull himself out of his depressive rut."
"With the unexpected birth of my younger sister."
"It was one of the Family's sex workers. He had gotten one of them pregnant in his quest to fill the love lost in his heart with physical pleasure. It didn't work. But I think the arrival of Lucina, technically a bastard, did remind him that he had other responsibilities, more than I or the Don ever could."
"Following her birth, I became his sole apprentice, he took my training personally and very seriously... I often wonder if the passion and aplomb with which he took to educating me as his successor was in part because he saw in me my mother?"
"Hmmm..."
(she sighs, then laughs)
"Well, I suppose this makes me a bit of hypocrite. I started this with the intention of skimming over my time as a girl so that I might weave an epic tale of blood shed and conquest in the name of the Castalia Family... and yet, now that I'm here, I don't know what to say!"
"It could simply be that I've spent so much of my life immersed in this..."
(She chuckles)
"I became father's apprentice at the age of 11. It wasn't until 13 that I became involved in thefts and kidnappings, acts reserved for lower level members. At 14, I believe, is when I took my first life. 14 is also when I began singing at the club our Family owns here, The Blue Room, it was back-up for an older jazz singer, whose name escapes me at the moment, but he specialized in Old World renditions. He assisted in mentoring me, vocally."
"When I was 16, I commissioned my first dress. I had often wondered how to better conceal weapons, when the idea came to me in a dream."
"Stitching the blade into your clothing!"
"My father thought the idea was silly. I didn't allow myself to be discouraged, however, and I took the idea to the Don himself-- and he challenged me to prove it's use. He allowed me to have one dress made, and then demonstrate his use to him. He gave me a list of names of people that owed the family."
"We tracked each individual down. They all got this confused look on their faces when I raised my arm, letting my sleeve cover my hand-- that look was immediately replaced by pain and horror when I would bring my arm down, though."
"I returned to the Don with a necklace made of their ears on a string the very same night."
"Our Call Girls have similar blades stitched into their sleeves now, as well."
"On my 21st birthday, I became an official made member. Receiving the Don's-- my Grandfather's blessing, it was the happiest I had ever seen father since mother left."
"Hmmm... since then?"
"Well, as a headliner, I've been instrumental in the popularity of all four of our clubs, the increase in sales of narcotics correlate with this. I spearheaded our spread into Wolfwater's organized prostitution and narcotic sales. And currently, I'm slotted to be the next Sottocapo, or Underboss, of the Family!"
"And... well... That's it so far. This is my life, the life of Lucania Castalia. For anyone listening to me in the future, I hope this has helped you come to understand who I was."
"And to finish, I will leave you with another song."
(you can make out the shuffling of what is probably sheet music)
~~~
Audiolog. Castalia Family History. The Life of Lucania Castalia Pt. 2
(A woman speaks, she has a soothing, smokey voice, with a slightly foreign sound to it)
"Ahh... and she finds herself making another one of these recordings... Why? Was the first not enough of the history of my being?"
"Hmmmm. I don't know. I couldn't sleep; not a nightmare-- I couldn't get that far. No, I was recalling this awful memory... and... as I lay in my bed, I thought it would make a good tale for someone in the future, trying to understand who, exactly, I was better."
"So, I suppose you could say I'll be making more of these as the memories come, for my own ego's sake."
(She stifles a yawn)
"I've read my share of books about psychology, and it seems to be a common theme that simply talking about one's own troubling memories is a major step towards solving the trauma associated with them. I suppose you could call this memory 'repressed' then, as in, I have tried for a good amount of my adult life to avoid thinking about it. But tonight, perhaps so I can sate my own egotistical desire to talk about myself, the memory won't go away."
"This audiolog is the story of my first love."
~~~
Audiolog. Castalia Family History. The Life of Lucania Castalia Pt. 2
"In my life, one of the things I was never confused about was my sexuality. For as far back as I can remember, I've always identified with the heroes of the stories I would read, the brave knights and princes who would slay some great evil and be rewarded with some attractive princess in the end-- I didn't identify with them character wise, no, in that regard, I've always sided with villains-- I think, mostly, I found myself wanting a wealthy happy ending with a princess."
"Obviously I hoped that when I found my princess, she would have more character than the ones typically portrayed in Old Earth fairy tales."
(She laughs)
"I think mother always knew, she never had a problem with my tendencies. Although to be fair, the sexual behaviors a 10 year old displays are very different from the ones a 16 year old displays. To father, my preference was a surprise, and while to his credit, today he accepts who I am, admittedly he's slightly annoyed at the prospect of the next Castalia being adopted, but he accepts me."
"When he found out over a decade ago, he though my preference was the result of some chemical imbalance caused by The Sickness."
(She laughs again)
"I still think it a tad ironic that father was the one who introduced me to her."
~~~
Audiolog. Castalia Family History. The Life of Lucania Castalia Pt. 2
"Her name was Salem."
"I know. What an odd name, right? Odd though it may be, I thought it was beautiful-- I still do, beautiful in an odd way, just like her."
(She sighs)
"Please don't get the wrong impression, when we became acquainted Salem and I were barely 18, and the relationship didn't even last a year. I'm not still pining after the affections of a love long lost, quite the opposite, in fact. I just think it's important to recall the emotions associated with a particular memory when we relive the past. Blame my father."
"As I said before, it was my father who introduced us. She was the daughter of a Guardian some cretino had killed without orders. When something like this happens, The Family puts together funds to ease the suffer of any widows and find work for any children. It doesn't always work out smoothly, but it's nice when it does. This was one of those instances."
"Well, as it turned out, we needed a bookmaker, and Salem was willing, but she needed to learn."
"Who do you think father dearest chose to mentor her?"
(She laughs)
"Honestly, I don't think we even lasted a week before we found ourselves raiding utility closets whenever we could, looking to steal kisses from each other."
(She sighs again, taking a longer pause, as if reflecting on the past)
"She was beautiful. She had this short blonde hair that was almost white in the sun, she didn't like that about her, I recall multiple instances of her trying to hide it all with a hat she was rather fond of, that didn't matter though, she was beautiful without it. Her skin was soft and dark and freckled... she might have had some Aqueon ancestry now that I think about it... Oh, how I wish I could have asked her."
"Ah well..."
"Her real beauty was how she interacted with the world. This was a time when attitudes toward Immortals, people like me, in Serenity was almost as bad as Russel City today and despite that... when I revealed my nature to her... we hadn't even known each other for 2 months at that point, but..."
"...She said she loved me."
(She sniffles)
"Did... you know... that one of the changes to my body, after my Sickness, was that my tears taste like honey?"
"I'll tell you this, that had nothing to do with how sweet the tears I cried with her that night were."
~~~
Audiolog. Castalia Family History. The Life of Lucania Castalia Pt. 2
"What followed was one of the best years of my life-- Although I suppose that's really only what I felt at the time, isn't it?"
"Actually... I think it was only about 8 months. I guess the exact time I spent with her doesn't really matter, does it? She's gone. But the love we shared exists in a place where there's no space or time. I love her, and I know she wants me to be happy."
(You hear her move away from the microphone, her voice was breaking)
"In a word, the time I spent with her was; dreamy."
"We had so many dreams. We would get married! We would have children, adopted orphans, of course, and eventually grandchildren! We planned on spreading her father's ashes all over Dust and... Oh! We were going to be Mrs. Castalia, I'd be her Don, and she would be my doll... I'd retire early, and we could move to Aspin! She adored Aspin. I think, in another life, she was a mathematician, her skill as a bookkeeper supports my thinking. It would be safe and quiet in Aspin-- She wanted so bad to see it."
"I had already been several times by that point... I promised her that I'd take a weekend off and just go there..."
"I'm sorry, Salem..."
(You can hear light weeping, for several minutes following this, there is silence)
"I... apologize for losing my composure. I suppose I've underestimated the therapeutic value recording these audiologs might have!"
(She giggles)
"I..."
"Before I move on to her passing, I'd like to discuss about why I loved Salem. I think that it is... important. Perhaps just as much for progeny as my own mental health."
"She was accepting and open, when she thought of something, she put her all into it-- and when she felt something, everyone knew it. She wasn't just aware of her flaws, she wore them like badges of honor. She wasn't original, and she didn't try to be, she was a truly authentic soul, and I loved that about her. This beautiful gestalt, abstract mosaic of a woman..."
"And the sex..."
"How would Lucina put it?"
(Her voice becomes more girlish and high pitched)
"Well, it was off the charts!"
(Her voice returns to normal)
"Is it odd that, in many ways, she reminds me of my mother?"
"Perhaps I have some kind of reverse Oedipus complex?"
"More than just their shared slender physique, too. They had similar senses of humor, they were both kind and adventurous in the same way-- they even possessed the same taste in music!"
"Salem loved hearing me sing, like mother, and her favorite song of mine, by far, just like mother, was Blue Velvet."
~~~
Audiolog. Castalia Family History. The Life of Lucania Castalia Pt. 2
"..."
"I remember the exact date; March 2nd, 2373. I found her, in my old suite, at 11:38 that night. I remember it being warm, almost unbearably so. I didn't need to alert father, or the Winged Guardians, my yell was so loud, I know everyone in Serenity knew."
"Someone had raped and killed her."
"The events leading up to it don't matter. I've gone over them more times than I care to mention, and it was, literally, an average evening up to a single point. There was a Family meeting I needed to attend, so I let Salem go to my room herself."
"That's the point-- the single point I wish I could undo that evening."
"That is the point where nothing else matters. This wasn't a gang killing, but it wasn't a random act of violence either. It was a crime directed at me, who ever the man was, he was waiting in my room, waiting for me."
"Instead, however, he got Salem."
(She is quiet for several minutes)
"I've been angry for a long time. I won't pretend that I'm not anymore, I am. Whoever it was, managed to get away with it for this long, and is still out there, and... this has only increased my rage. But it has also driven me. He forced my hand, for years I've chased him, I feel something more base than the void child of apathy and raw hatred towards him, but in a way he's molded me into the person I am today."
"It wasn't enough to steal one life."
"That's alright, though. I haven't let it consume me, I haven't completely moved on, yes, but I have continued living, and soon I will be able to move on."
"I now know who he is."
"Russel City, where we soon plan to make our presence know, harbors a an animal disguised as a man. Fitting, that he should be a captain of the Winged Guardian pigs."
This may sound rather cliche, but I think I crave the release revenge may finally provide me. To him, at least, I will be his ultimate undoing."
"I am become death."
(She yawns, then laughs)
"I suppose that's enough for tonight, isn't it?"
Gear
Weapons:
- Snub-nosed Revolver: Although only for emergencies, Lucania makes a point of keeping a reliable weapon on her person at all times-- her gun of choice? The Colt Detective Special, a 5 chambered revolver designed for undercover law enforcement of the Old World, making her use of it somewhat ironic.
Ammunition:
- High Grade Rounds: 18; 5 bullets chambered, 2 speedloaders containing 5 bullets, 3 loose bullets
- High-quality Bartering Ammo, The Diary of Rosemary, Family Documents, Lighter, Cigarettes, Old World Make-up, Rags, Speedloaders
- High-quality Bartering Ammo, Revolver, Tinted Glasses, Razors, Loose Bullets
Lucania's Guards:
Castalia Family;
Leoluca's Boys
Cullen The Windcaller
Octavia Rowena Atalanta Gabriele
Carmela Shelby:
- Armour: Suit
- Weapon: Tommy Gun
- Ammunition: --
- Dirty Rounds: 30, access to more
Immortalis Information
Manifested Phenomena: Sound/Sonar
Unique Abilities:
- Audio Manipulation: Lucania can detect and influence the manner in which her voice travels. Granting her a unique form of communication, as well as primitive echolocation. Sound still dissipates over time for her, she simply possesses a 6th sense for maximizing it's path. A whisper for her could only travel the length of an average sized room.
- Banshee Scream: Lucania, very briefly, can summon a damaging, ear shattering scream from within her. Although the scream only lasts for a few seconds, the effects it may have on a person's hearing can be permanent. While typically the Scream only deafens its victims for a few minutes, those too close to high intensity screams may suffer permanent ear damage, or have their ear drums outright destroyed.
- Vocal Imitation: Given time, Lucania can project her voice as an imitation of anything or anyone, be it the growl of an animal, the sound of an instrument, or the voice of another person.
Strengths:
- A Mind Needs Books: Lucania is clever. Raised in 'the family business,' and given access to the knowledge of the Old World from a young age, the woman has accumulated a good balance of book and street smarts.
- The Ecstasy of Gold: As heiress to the Castalia Family, Lucania has access to considerable wealth compared to the common man in Dust. Leading a lifestyle free from the worries of day to day survival has allowed her to focus her time on intellectual pursuits.
- Castalia Family Mafioso: As a mafioso for the Castalia Family Lucania is no stranger to the brawls that come with operating a gang in Dust or the politics that come in dealing with Motum Diversum law enforcement and businesses. While her style of fighting typically relies on intimidating the enemy with numbers and surprise, one doesn't earn the nickname "bloody sleeves" without having taken her fair share of blood.
Weaknesses:
- What Do You Mean They Can't Eat Cake: Lucania has been, for the most part, isolated from the truly harsh realities of the world. While she might not be completely ignorant to things that aren't the high society of Dust, her position of privilege has undoubtedly given her a much different view on society than the average person.
- The Lady Is A Tramp: A sheltered life has deprived Lucania of the chance to build the stamina held by those used to walking for days on end in the deserts of Dust. Not only that, but her dresses impede her ability to run very fast.
- Do You Even Lift: Lucania isn't the most physically active. Having spent all of her life in cities, with protection, she hasn't needed to build the muscle scavengers and those regularly subjected to the poorer sides of life in the cities need to live.
- Castalia Family Honor: A disadvantage of following the ways of the mafia of the Old World. Lucania follows a strict code of honor when interacting with law enforcement and others whom The Family would consider their enemies, this is one of the things that sets the Castalia Family above other Dust gangs.
- Vocal Fatigue: Lucania, while insulated from the damaging effects, can only summon the Scream once or twice per day, and typically experiences fatigue after its use, often losing her voice for several hours.
The Dust, pt. 3: http://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/83695-the-dust-begin-again/ic
