The Aurian Chronicles Chapter 6: Crossing Capryse

 Amanda Scouted the area as she pulled into the impressive estate of the Capryse manor. It was at least three stories high, and about seventy-five hundred Square feet. It had recently been painted White with wooden brown trim, and the curtains were all solid gold, made from fabric that obstructed flash photography. The path inside the gate was actually a modified greenhouse with coffee beans slowly growing for harvest. Amanda noted that temperatures were in defiance of the cold weather. It was like Mr. Capryse's home was on a whole different side of the world.

"He certainly has done well for himself... I'd feel like I was in heaven waking up to the smell of fresh coffee." She said while parking into the allotted guest driveway, after stepping out of her electric-powered BMW, she made sure she looked presentable. Rather than coming in her NYPD uniform, she opted for a Lavender Dress and a pair of Yellow pumps. She even undid her bun to let her raven hair flow three inches under her shoulder blades. "Let's hope we can make this all a huge misunderstanding.. he's done too much for this state... Hasn't he? She asked while walking to the front door.

As she approached, she saw a short man pummelling on the door. He stood at about four foot eight and beyond obese his blonde hair was short, and spiky and for some odd reason beyond Amanda's guess, he had frosted tips. From the look of his face and build, Amanda guessed this was Zachary Farley. He made Albert Farley look like an Olympic medalist, and from his mannerisms he made Albert look like the perfect gentleman as well.

"Step off sushi roll, I was here first!"  Said Zach as he spat at her feet while waiting. Amanda just narrowed her eyes at him. "Perhaps, but I called and made an appointment with Mr. Capryse himself three days ago!" She answered. Zach just sneered at her. "And that means what? This is business with men sweetheart, now why don't you go flirt with some other fuckin' billionaire bitch!"  He yelled. Right as Amanda was about to show her badge, the Door opened to reveal a young rabbit girl with a blue chef apron on.

"Daddy will see you now Mr. Farley..." She said with ire in her voice. Amanda studied the young lady carefully, aside from the apron, all she seemed to be wearing was a white T-shirt and a black hairband to keep her blonde and brown hair straight. Amanda had recognized this to be New York's own 'Autumn Capryse' who a few years ago, had competed in and won a Golden Fork chef award.

"Thanks, Rabbit stew. Don't let me catch you skulkin' near your old man's room. You don't wanna see none of this." He said as he marched off. When Zach was gone, Autumn turned her head and bowed to Amanda. "He'll be done shortly, in the meantime... How bout some Coffee and refreshments?" She asked. Amanda's heart beat loudly at the mention of coffee. "I'd love some!" She said happily while following her.

Mr Capryse sighed happily as he finished his paperwork for the day and relaxed in his crystal blue chair. "Getting close to lunchtime! And I saw the brick pizza oven being used! Time to get spoiled againnnnnn!" he said as he saw the door open, his smile now showing teeth as he saw Zach instead of Autumn barging in. "Ahhhh Mr FARLEY! To what do I owe THIS visit?" He asked with a cheerful tone.

"Cut the fucking act Tony, I know it was your Grape-headed lapdog who went after my son! Darkness was the only one working last night, and he only takes contracts approved under YOU!" He said while Mr Capryse shrugged. "You and I both know not to check the names on the reservation list Zach, if his name DID pop up, it's not on me. And if you came here demanding an address... You're in for a disappointment due to the rules of the business!" He said as he sipped his coffee.

Zach growled and leaned forward. "Listen here you coffee-sucking, pizza-eating, Smile faced FREAK! You better play ball, I can make life hard around here, I Know where your wife and daughter are at all times... it's nothing for me to send the boys down and have a little fun with them before they kill them!" He said as he adjusted the Red tie to his white suit. Zach just seemed to wince at the wide guttural laugh that Mr Capryse belted out.

"I Never tire of our games old friend... Reminds me of back when I was a young up-and-comer working under Saryn's father Mr. Agranov! He was a ruthless man, but he taught me everything I know about using Fear as the ultimate weapon!" he said as he got up and pulled a book out of a nearby bookcase, causing the walls to drop sound-dampening sheets over them. He then pulled a mask out from the empty spot behind it. The mask was rusted out and had bandages dangling from behind it.

"You see once upon a time... I was tasked with Disposing of certain kinds of people... They called me 'The bad day killer' or ' Mr Bad Day.' all while wearing this silly little mask." He said as he held it in his hands. "Oh, it was dreadful! All the blood made it rust, so I had to wear bandages to keep it from getting on my face... just a MESS ya know?" He asked as he sat it on his desk facing towards Zach, who swallowed hard.

"So one day, I decide I don't like this mask! so my boss makes me a deal... become scarier than the mask! Sounded easy enough... just kidnap some targets, and torture them! But when this mask was on? Oh, just the soft stuff... A little kneecap bludgeoning and whatnot.. But when the mask came off? THE FUN BEGAN!" He with a bit of saliva in his voice. "I Remember one time I Gouged a man's eyes out and forced his little friends to help him walk his way around the underground catacombs... good times." He said while watching Zach wipe his brow in panic.

"Then I go down in the mask, right? promising to set them free if they cooperate, but if they didn't... I'd send 'the guy without the mask' after them again... They sang like canaries! It was beautiful! Ahhh but when they gave me what I wanted... I took the mask off to thank them... One of them even committed suicide in their cell to spare themselves the pain... Some very good times indeed." He finished as he put his hand on Zach's shoulder, causing him to squirm.

"The point is that today you've come into my home, insulted me, and threatened my family... It is not 'nothing' for you to send your men after my family, it's a DEATH sentence! But I'll tell you what... get your affairs in order, and then get the HELL out of my state! I recommend the syndicate down in Florida, I know a real Slime Bucket lawyer who can get you set up... Last name's Lancaster. He's Slime, but one who can get other Slime off well!" He said as he put the mask and book back, Causing the room to go back to normal.

Zach stood up red in the face and glared. "TH-THIS ISN'T OVER CAPRYSE! YOU HAVEN'T HEARD THE LAST OF ME!" He said as he stormed out. Mr Capryse shrugged and finished his coffee as he saw Amanda Cross on the Security camera feed on his desk. "Oh well... Then let the games begin!" He said while standing up and popping his neck before going down to enjoy a conversation over lunch.