albamendez

[albamendez]

Alba smiled when she saw Etienne enter the room and waved at him. She had never seen him intoxicated, primarily to them always having met during the day. Not that this didn't stop most people from having a tipple every now and then, but Etienne appeared to be quite relaxed and not drunk yet. She smiled back at him.

"I am happy that it is you, a familiar face. How are you, my friend?" Alba responded as she sat down next to him. The room was grander and far nicer of a meeting place than their usual places but it was nice to feel a bit more comfortable in such a grand place where Alba otherwise felt completely out of place.

"What brings you here?"

.

Etienne had drank far too much, but he wasn’t worse off for it. His mood was merry, his bow tie hanging loose around his neck, a smile permanently etched on his cheeks. Inebriated as he is, though, he knows his limits. If he wants to last the remainder of the night, he needs to take a moment to cool off, to sober up, just a little, so that he might continue drinking.

He stumbles into the drawing room, the first place he can recall where he might find a quiet moment to himself - unfortunately for its current occupant. But she smiles, and Etienne returns it with one of his own. “No, no, don’t be sorry. It’s my own fault for swanning in unannounced.” He makes his way to the plush couch, lowering himself on to it with a plop. “Come for a little quiet, too?”

[albamendez]

The politeness of the gentleman who entered put Alba at ease. He didn't seem like he entered with a nefarious purpose or drunk beyond comprehension, two situations that must be most unfortunate to find oneself in as a woman. Alba smiled softly.

"That's alright, it happens to the best of us." Alba replied, kindly. She watched as the man walked up to the books and appeared to look at them with a calculated gaze. As if weighing up the weight of their value, maybe in knowledge or money, Alba wasn't sure. Alba took a second to think as he asked her a question.

"I was browsing as of first, I don't think I have ever been a home that has held this many books, only libraries." She replied.

"I did end up looking to see if I could find the latest Agatha Christie." She replied, blushing. "I've not had a chance to read it and was curious to read the back to know what it's all about."

"then it seems it must be me who ought to be making apologies, if that's the case" connie says, hand going to his chest in a gesture of admitted misstep even as a too-clever mouth doesn't actually actualise any apology. instead, he turns his attention towards the shelves, steadily walking up to them, fingertips already reaching out to caress spines both well-worn and still yet rigid; frigid blue eyes scan over whatever titles he could read from aged cloth and boiled leather.

an ever-critical eye, his mind is already calculating the sums that the books might fetch for, even as the more sentimental part of him luxuriated in even being able to be in such a room, in such a place, in such a life. "please," connie continues, "don't let me be a hindrance to your browsing." he offers up an encouraging smile. "but tell me: were you generally just browsing, or is the gentlelady looking for anything specific?"

[albamendez]

Alba found Bruno incredibly hard to read, part of her was incredibly intimidated by him but she could tell there was more to him. If he was just a mean, intimidating fellow, he wouldn't be the considerate cop who would take her with him on beats that he did. Something which most of the other male of officers didn't think of inviting her along. It had also been clear from day one that his name packed quite a punch but Alba didn't realise that herself until she heard rumours about the Vincelli family. Any family that has rumours spread about them like wildfire was not any ordinary family and Bruno didn't seem to be quite an ordinary part of the family either.

Alba felt her nerves triple under Bruno's intense gaze, but it only lasted a second as he conceded. When Bruno looked away, she felt herself let out a soft sigh. She followed his gaze as he transformed into a different version of himself in front of her eyes.

"I don't think I've heard of that one," Alba said softly, "What is it about?

Alba turned to look at the bookcase to see if there were any familiar titles. She had read many books from the school library but never had been able to own many books herself.

Alba nodded, "Noted, I think we will be alright for now. It's also good to go around town, get to see some sights without having work to do." She replied with a smile.

Something about Alba was off. Not in this particular moment maybe, but there was a sense in Bruno's stomach that was...off. She was quiet as a mouse more often than not and got on with the job, but every now, he felt he could catch an air of something in how she acted. An aura of secrecy. Then again, he knew he was fairly paranoid and just chalked it up to that. It just sat there in the back of his mind, resurfacing every now and then. "Invited? You?" He put his hands on his hips, dark eyes studying her with an intense squint before giving a sigh and shrugging. "Well I was invited, so I guess anything is impossible." Bruno finally conceded with a sigh, and turned back towards the books. His gaze scanned it with familiarity and he quickly seized one of the heavier tombs, a green book.

He smiled as he gazed down at it, fingers tracing the book cover. There was a gentleness behind his eyes that he normally never showed at work, but alcohol and drama were a strong mix to bring down walls. "Il nome della rosa. The Name of the Rose. My favourite book; surprised it's still here."

"We don't need to leave." He finally offered her a question, and he paired it with a shrug.

"You're a free woman. If you want to leave, I'll help you. If you want to stay...well, we're not on duty. I just think it may be a tad unwise."

[albamendez]

Alba felt her nerves increase tenfold when an unfamiliar man entered the room. She had been enjoying reading the covers of the books and was innocently spending time here instead of the throngs of people, which was frankly quite overwhelming. Her nerves got the best of her as the blurted out:

"Nothing illicit!" Her cheeks flushed due to nerves as she clasped her hands together as well.

"Um, I mean I was just feeling too overwhelmed in the main areas of the house. I thought I would just cool down here before heading home." She smiled, sheepishly.

Even if he didn’t look like it, he was on the job. Vera’s words had repeated in his head for the whole evening so far. And when he found Alba in the drawing room, somewhat squeamish, he couldn’t help but wonder if she was up to something. “What are you doing in here all alone?” He knew the drawing room was probably one of the quieter rooms, but now with himself on guard, he wasn’t giving her the benefit of the doubt. Trust no one but family. That’s something that he kept true to heart. 

[albamendez]

Alba's eyes widened even further when she saw her colleague walk into the room. She knew he was a Vincelli but she somehow didn't think she would run into him at the party. She was used to the cloak of anonymity that fell around her when she was at work, unfortunately, Bruno was one of the people who did actually know her and saw right through it.

"Oh officer," She cleared her throat as she looked at her feet and back up, nervously.

"I, um, I was invited..." She paused as she continued, "To the party, it was a bit loud so I came here and got distracted by the books."

Alba frowned at his statement, "Not safe?" She looked at him, as she pondered what he thought of himself in this situation but didn't feel comfortable enough to confront him with that. Instead, she said:

"So we should both leave?" She questions instead.

"I'm afraid I got a bit lost and I'm not sure if I can find my way out, especially not with all these people."

After a few chats, Bruno was starting to feel thoroughly done with the evening, but he knew running from the house would solve very little. He wanted to leave with his head held high at the very least, even if his chest was constricting at the myriad of watching eyes that seemed locked onto him from the very moment he had walked in.

The house walls felt familiar and alien all at once, and each time he brushed against the wallpaper, it felt like he was transported to another time. Maybe not a happier one, but...he had family back then.

The drawing room immediately came to mind as an escape. Even when he was young, it had a quiet serenity that he appreciated. Plus, Rosa Vincelli never liked to go in there, so it was a grateful hideout as well.

The policeman stepped in a hurry, not really looking in when he closed the door. But as he heard the voice echoing out, his head snapped to attention, eyes wide. Officer Mendez was the last person he expected here.

"Alba? What the hell are you doing here?"

"This is not a safe place for an officer." He, in a classic fashion, ignored the fact that the notion applied to him too.

[albamendez]

Open. Date: Saturday, September 27th, 1924 Location: Drawing room at the Vincelli mansion The party was starting to get in full swing, the alcohol was free-flowing and the entertainment was beguiling everyone. Alba had taken a moment to herself, she was still really worried about running into anyone she knew. She had moved into a separate room, and when she stepped into it, she realised it was the drawing room. The books were a relaxing and familiar sight. Unlike home, there were so many books here, Alba took a moment to take it all in. She was lost in thought, so much so that she didn't hear someone open the door and walk in.

Alba jumped when she heard the door close, she turned around and wrapped her arms around herself as she smiled politely out of etiquette. "I apologise, you made me jump."

[albamendez]

Alba was stood in the corner of the bar, well, the room really. She observed those around her keenly but did everything she could to fade into the background. Word of the party had travelled around quickly and even though Alba hadn't initially thought of going, her friend managed to persuade her last minute. That was until she actually rocked up and saw the vast Vincelli mansion loom in front of her and Alba felt all her courage and comfort drain away. She had quickly moved through the crowds and made her way to the bar. The bartender hadn't heard her at all and she ended up with a very dislikable strong drink which she hadn't had more than one sip of. That was until a hand appeared, swooping in and downing it before she could warn them, already grimacing.

She smiled back, softly. "That's quite alright, I think you did me a favour, actually. It was not that drinkable, as I'm sure you noticed."

She shook her head. "I honestly have no clue, the bartender here just made it for me and I would much rather prefer something else to drink." Alba said honestly as she looked around the room to see if anyone had noticed her. Outwardly, she seemed as shady as can be, which was quite a feat while surrounded by gangsters. But it was just the nerves, the constant thought she might see a fellow officer or, worse, a nosy member of the press ready to take a snap.

𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 , at the main hallway of the vincelli mansion on saturday, september 20th, 1924 , the engagement celebration. for anyone attending.

when he finally emerges from the lavatory , he loses all the nerve that he worked up in front of the mirror. jack was only now fully aware of the fact that he was in over his head : the vast display of vincelli wealth was enough to bring the nausea back. not too long ago , he was tending to simpler business at a bar on the lower eastside of manhattan. after having his sorry ass saved by the newest matriarch of the rueng legacy , good ol' jackaboy found himself engaged to her daughter and their engagement party is at the vincelli's mansion.

oh , if only mam could see me now.

immediately , jack reached for an arbitrary drink because for the moment : he didn't care who's it was or what it contained. glass in hand , he downed the contents and set it back down where it was. he grimaced , whatever it was it was not champagne. only then , did he make eye contact with the presumed owner of said drink.

" i — " he hesitated for a moment before offering an apologetic smile , doing his best to put on his best façade. " — just robbed you of your drink , i'm sorry . " jack sighed , rather nervously. " i'll just fetch us another. " he turned a bit too quickly towards the champagne , but upon second thought , he turned back to face the other. " what was that , exactly? "