Companion Quest: Cheryl Gandolfini

(Starts at Gandolfini Mansion) While you aren't always invited to dinner at the Gandolfini mansion, you always accept when you are. Tonight is such an event. You are sitting at the main table with the leaders of the family. At least, the leaders who attend such functions. Persephone is once again absent, as is her husband. The Hounds are there, of course. As is Mr. Grey and a few select others. You're honestly not sure why you are here. [[The food arrives]]

It is splendid fare. The Gandolfinis take care to splurge precisely in enough excess to be ostentatious but will never cross into arrogance. That is their way, your way. Pride, glory, but always knowing its fragility. The first course is a seaweed salad with hamachi and an oni puree vinaigrette. You notice look up at you from her phone that she is messing with under the table. Both she and Russ seem uninterested in the meal. She is staring at you, bright orange eyes unblinking. "This fish crap again?" She says to the air. "What the hell's wrong with this place?" Could even this be a test? How do you eat you food? [[Messily]] [[Cleanly]]

Looking Cheryl directly in the eye, you painstakingly consume each morsel delicately and precisely. Making sure to chew twenty times on each side like you saw on that ViewTube video a few months ago. "Well, that's what I like to see." Burr commends. "A civilized palate!" He offers you a rare smile, and you can't help but grin back at the leader of the Dogs. "Well just great." Cheryl scoffs, pushing her plate away. "I knew you were a lousy mutt, but now you're a pretender as well." Sometimes it feels like there's no way to please her. Not that that really matters. Still though, you feel the need to impress her. Maybe the pack mentality of the Dogs is rubbing off on you. [[Honestly...]]

Looking Cheryl directly in the eye, you pick up the plate and wolf down the salad. Most of it misses your mouth and winds up on your shirt and table napkin. After you're finished, however, she's looking away from you. "Oh for the love of- Will you behave?" Mr. Grey frowns at you, displeased. "I expected you to be a civilizing influence on Miss Cheryl here, not the other way around." "I honestly haven't the faintest idea what's gotten into the mutt." Cheryl says, her voice uncharacteristically posh. You feel your heart sink into your gut along with the fish. "So uncouth." That traitorous.... However, when Mr. Grey looks away from her Cheryl flashes you a wicked grin. You can't help but smile back. [[Honestly...]]

Conversation during the meal is oddly sedate given present company. It's always this way in the Gandolfini estate, as though a cloud of propriety comes over these otherwise bloodthirsty mobsters. It happens to you as well, whenever you sit at this table. "Things aren't going as smoothly as they used to." Cheryl sighs, "People are saying we're getting soft. You're to blame for this, I swear." She says shooting daggers at Mr. Grey. "Whatever do you mean, Cheryl?" He retorts, shrugging his shoulders. [[You sip your deep ruby wine and wait for the entree.]] [[Interrupt]]

You cough perhaps a bit too loudly. You'd rather not hear Cheryl rant about how incompetent you are, however. Mr. Grey catches on and begins to extol the merits of various forms of organized crime. Russ chimes in and between the two of them Cheryl's temper begins to calm down. She chimes in every now and then with her own ideas on what makes good business. This usually involves violently killing people until they do what she wants. You have a good laugh. Cheryl's eyes only really light up when she's talking about murder. It would unsettle you if you weren't used to it by now. [[Flirt: You remind Cheryl of a particularly good kill]] [[Look for the waiter]]

"I mean, look at this sorry mess." Cheryl jeers, shifting her gaze to you. "Green as... as grass." She says, stumbling over something no doubt more vulgar. "Barely able to do their job right. I've had to watch their back the second you've thrust them on me." "I don't know," Mr. Grey says calmly, "I've heard nothing but good things. You're doing an excellent job, my friend." "Well there's another thing..." Cheryl begins to Russ and Burr's loud sighs. [[Interrupt]] [[Look around for the waiter]] [[Flirt: "I haven't minded you watching my back, Cheryl."]]

"What's with all this special treatment for 'em, eh?" Cheryl continues, pounding onto the table. The waiters bring in the entree, Chilean sea bass. They look at Cheryl cautiously, as though afraid to bring her the fish. "They've barely been here at all and they're moving up faster than anyone." She kicks away from the table, her chair sliding into the filigreed wall. "You just think you're better than us, don't you, Mutt." She says quietly. [[Before you can protest, she storms off.]]

"And where's the #&$%ing MEAT!" She shouts down the hall. "Well." Burr says to Russ, who looks frightened. "That could have gone better." He looks at you levelly. "A word of advice, new blood:" As always his demeanor compared to Cheryl makes you wonder how they are even related. "Don't let her get started. Cher's her own worst enemy." "Indeed." Mr. Grey says, "Actually, I called you here because I had a mission for you two." He slides a photo towards you. [[Look at the photo]] [[Ask about Cheryl]] [[Ask about Dogs of Hades]]

You flip the photo over to look at it more clearly. It's surveillance, or, at least it's candid. The person in the shot looks anxious, shorter than average, and is carrying more than their satchel on their shoulders. "They're a fence." Mr. Grey says, "A good one. Only we gave them two conditions to operate in our city. First, they're supposed to cut us in on a very reasonable percentage for the leeway we give them. That is something they've been more or less on the level for. The second, any artifacts or objects of note, they are to deliver to us directly." Mr. Grey points to the satchel. "That is ours. Retrieve it." You nod. [[Could you even say no?]]

"She always like this?" "Not always." Russ smiles wistfully, not quite looking at you. "She's sometimes very nice. She's like an angel." "Our youngest brother has some peculiar ideas." Burr says flatly, "Cher's a mad dog on a leash, make no mistake. Even as her brother I know that. Anything you see besides that is when the beast's asleep or full. But, and I can attest to this, an animal is only really themselves when they're hungry." You gulp. [[Look at the photo]]

"What's it like in the Dogs?" Mr. Grey chuckles as Russ and Burr get a faraway look in their eyes. "Freedom." Burr decides on, finally. He scoops a flaky morsel of fish from his plate into his mouth and chews on his words. "The feeling of wind in your hair. That nothing can stop you. It's like being a Gandolfini," He concludes, "But more." You nod. [["What about Cheryl?"->Ask about Cheryl]] [[Flip over the photo->Look at the photo]]

She glares at you, her cheeks flushed. "Well, don't get too used to it. I'm not going to be babysitting forever, Mutt. I'm only with you because Dad's making me. Don't forget it. I think of you as meat, and that's it." You shrug, pleased with the reaction. [[Drink more wine]]

Cheryl and you are both quickly rounded up into a car. She's driving. Oddly enough, despite her temperament, Cheryl is one of the calmest drivers you've ever ridden with. It's honestly a little spooky. You're on the way to your target's house. The Gandolfinis don't mince words. You're going to, as Mr. Grey put it, take what's yours. (if flirted is true) Cheryl looks at you suspiciously. [[You blush.->if flirted]] (else) Cheryl looks at the road solemnly. [[You stare out the window.->not flirted]]

"That reminds me." You say nonchalantly. "Remember (mention a common mission most players would have undergone that involves physical violence)?" Cheryl uncharacteristically blushes, smiling at you warmly. "I didn't think you remembered." She says. You smile, pleased with the reaction. [[Drink more wine]]

The food arrives in due course. Chilean sea bass in a buttery sauce that you quite enjoy. Russ and Cheryl pick at their food, seemingly put out that their meal isn't bleeding. You find it absolutely delicious, but wonder if what you're seeing between the two of them is the fate that awaits you as a member of the Gandolfini Family. "I did have a reason for calling you here," Mr. Grey says, "Both of you." He passes a photograph to you. "Cheryl, please have a look as well." She sighs loudly and marches over to you, leaning against your head. [[Look at the photo]]

You continue to offer compliments to Cheryl who seems to be warming up to an idea. "You're a pretty loyal mutt, aren't you?" She croons, causing an uproar of laughter from Burr and a small titter from Russ. You blush and shrug, not really sure what to say. In any case, Cheryl seems to blown herself out. [[You look for the waiter->Look for the waiter]]

The streetlamps pass by, illuminating both of you in an instant before plunging you both back into darkness. It's a few more minutes until you reach your target's house. The silence is nice, but there are a few things you might want to ask your partner. [["So... your brothers..."]] [["What do you think of me?"]] [["Have you always been a werewolf?"]] [["Don't you get tired of killing?"]]

"So," Cheryl says, her dark curls shining from the passing streetlamps. "What's with you lately? You getting soft on me, mutt?" She glances at you a little nervously out of the corner of her eye. [[Flirt: "Never for you."->Relationship Start]] [[Flirt: "I'll do whatever you like."->Relationship Start]] [["It's just how I am, don't read into it."]]

"Ugh, flirts." She says, the latter word falling from her lips like poison. "I know your type. No thanks. But hey, maybe you'll get us something extra now and then." You shrug, maybe? Then fall back into silence. [["So... your brothers..."]] [["What do you think of me?"]] [["Have you always been a werewolf?"]] [["Don't you get tired of killing?"]]

She stares at you, confused, then starts to laugh. "Y-you don't honestly think that I... I would-" She swerves as hiccupping laughs hit her. "Oh god, no, nonono. Screw that." She takes a deep breath. "Mutt, you're sweet. You might possibly even be a good person." She flashes you a wicked grin. "Not my type. Best thing I could do is romp with you and break you in half." You swallow. That might even be what you want. But after that reaction... [["So... your brothers..."]] [["What do you think of me?"]] [["Have you always been a werewolf?"]] [["Don't you get tired of killing?"]] [[Relationship:"Tell me about you"]]

"So... your brothers..." "What about them?" [["Russ."]] [["Burr."]]

"Maybe tell me about you, Cher?" You say quietly. Cheryl taps her hands on the steering wheel, pounding out a tune to a song that you don't recognize. "Me, huh?" She looks uncomfortable. "You don't really need to know about my past, mutt. Just know that I'll keep you alive when things get rough, but if you ever show me weakness like this again..." She shakes her head. "I don't know if I could stop myself from taking advantage. You're just oozing fear right now. It's kind of hot, in a predator sort of way." "But, you know," She continues, speaking rapidly. "Grey wouldn't be happy and Sephone seems to like what you're doing so... I guess I can't kill you or touch you yet so. I mean, I don't want to. But..." She trails off, twisting her mouth into something resembling a smile. "Can we talk about anything else?" She asks. "Literally, literally anything else." [["I'd like to ask about something else."]]

"Have you always been like this?" You ask. "A werewolf, I mean." "Hm?" She doesn't seem to understand the question. "Um... yeah, I think so? I mean... I've always been like this." She amends. "Not with the powers but... like, thirsty." She swallows, sighing. "I guess it's good I turned into a monster anyway." After a few moments of silence, you feel like you might have touched a nerve. [["I'd like to ask something else."]]

"How've I been doing? Any notes." Cheryl thinks carefully, drumming her fingers on the steering wheel. "Notes." She says, arching an eyebrow. "Like, at school? Mutt, I don't have anything to say to you about your freaking performance review. That's Grey's job. Maybe my brother'd have something about it, but so far as I'm concerned, you're meat to me until proven otherwise." Before you can interrupt she adds: "And before you say anything, no, you haven't proven jack-all yet." She finishes with a huff, keeping her eyes on the road. "Any other stupid questions?" [["I'd like to ask something else."]]

"Nope." She says. "Not at all. I love meat, mutt. I love it everywhere. I love meat that's moving, that's alive... Makes up for something I guess." She bites her lip nervously. "I guess I'm a monster, huh?" [["I don't know."->Killing response]] [["I guess."->Killing response]] [["We're all monsters."->Killing response]]

"What about Burr, he seems so... so..." She laughs, although she doesn't sound very convincing. "Burr? He's hopeless. Wolf in sheep's clothing if ever there was one. You think he's better than me, don't you? More civilized or something? Heh." She pauses at a stop light, the first one she hasn't run all trip. "He's... the one who killed mom and dad the first time we transformed." She shakes her head. "I never said that, okay?" "Okay." "Any other dumb questions about my screwed up brothers?" She begins to move the car again. (gain Knowledge: Burr's Familicide) [["Russ."]] [["I'd like to ask something else."]]

"Russ seems kind of quiet doesn't he?" "Oh, yeah. He's always been like that. Beast when it counts though." She chews her lip thoughtfully. "I guess we both find ways to express ourselves. Being human doesn't really suit either of us. I just... manage better, sometimes? I guess." She twists her mouth into something of a smile. "We take care of each other." "Anything else?" [["Burr."]] [["I'd like to ask something else."]]

A few more minutes to fill before you reach your target. May as well ask what you can. [["So... your brothers..."]] [["What do you think of me?"]] [["Have you always been a werewolf?"]] [["Don't you get tired of killing?"]] [[Finished talking->Target's House]]

You arrive at the target's home. It's nice. A place a family lives. Two stories. Something filled with memories. You feel sick. Cheryl gets out of the car and is already beginning to transform. "Ready?" She growls. [["Ready."]]

"I guess so." She says. "So long as you're being all chatty, anything else you want to ask?" [["I'd like to ask something else."]]

You slam the front door open with your boot and Cheryl charges in after you, howling like a wild beast. Maybe she isn't any better than that. You find the target quickly. They're in bed with their spouse. They look terrified. You wonder if you look like a monster to them too. Cheryl pulls back, her bestial cry filling the air. [[Let her kill them: "This is for keeping secrets from Tartarus."]] [[Threaten, don't kill "Do this again and Tartarus will end you."]]

"This is for keeping secrets from Tartarus. You knew this was coming." You give Cheryl the signal, and the Dog of Hades descends upon the couple. They scream for only a little while before they cannot any longer. You look away as Cheryl devours them. You take the satchel. [[You get back into the car.->Murder return]]

"Do this again and Tartarus will end you. We get what we want, don't forget that." Cheryl looks at you confused, her muzzle gaping and filled with serrated teeth. You shake your head. Not this time. She growls at you, howls. But, finally, she acquiesces. You take the satchel. [[You get back in the car.->No murder]]

Cheryl is furious. She howls and screams at you the entire ride back. You repeat the same thing over and over, that your mission was a success. You were to recover the item and instill fear. Fear can't harm the dead. She clenches her jaws, shifting hideously back and forth between forms. She hates you. But, maybe, if those eyes tell the truth. Maybe she's thankful that, for once, she didn't have to kill. Maybe she's tired. Maybe. END

Cheryl is blood-soaked and glutted. She sighs contentedly in the back seat. You drive back listening to her moans and gasps of ecstasy. You worry that someday you will become like her. You worry that someday you will want to. For now, though, you're stuck with each other. A mutt and a Beast. At least you have each other. END