With slow, careful strides so he wouldn't stir up the water Basileus strode into the lake. He walked until he was up to his belly in water and then stilled. His gaze settled on the distance for a moment as he thought. He's spent far too much time sulking over the last season. It did him no good to wallow. He still believed in what had brought him so low - that without purpose a man was nothing - but he'd realized that he didn't have to wait for someone to assign him purpose. It had finally clicked that he could start over. He could make a name for himself and start his own business. He could give himself purpose. After a moment of thought the mafioso lowered his head and began to drink. He could see tiny minnows and small fish swimming just beyond his reach, but he wasn't there for them although it was tempting to take a break from the monotony of rabbit. He was too preoccupied with other thoughts to seriously consider fishing. If he was going to try to get a game running in this land and if he could gather enough loyal friends to be worth a damn, he needed connections. With no one, except maybe his brother, to back him at this point there wasn't much else he could do beside ingratiate himself to powerful and/or useful individuals. With his thirst quenched Basileus made his way back to shore. Once there he then shook out his coat and seated himself in the grass a few feet from the shoreline. The sun beating down on his back was warm and the heat was rapidly building up in his dark coat. It was tempting to seek refuge in the shade of some bush, but if he did he was sure he'd be wooed into taking a nap, and it wasn't time for sleep. It was time for schemes. "Talk" "You" Think

Swearing in a near constant stream under his breath had left Vincenzo’s throat sore and raw.  He had been up and down this dammable place and not found any sign of Enrico, nothing not a hair, not a paw print and all the loners he’d pressed for information had absolutely nothing to offer.  Enrico was long gone and at this rate they were never going to find the bastard.  Had he been looking all this time?  Of course!  Vincenzo was stubborn, he knew he was stubborn.  If his task was to dig a hole through a mountain he would do it no matter how impossible it seemed.  But this?  Pfft!  He had a better chance of finding a goat with three testicles.  

Vincenzo sat down with a thump and started taking deep breaths.  It’s ok.  It was ooooook.  He wasn’t going to let his anger get the best of him.  Velvet ears flicked as he caught the sound of splashing.  Water?  Oh, praise be!  He could use a drink.  Slipping through the reed and cattails Vincenzo walked right to the edge and lapped voraciously at the water.  The cool liquid felt incredible on his parched throat.  Once he’d taken his fill he started heading back to shore when he noticed a particularly distinct red coat. "Haha!  Basileus! Non pensavo che mi piacerebbe vedere di nuovo!"

"Speech"

Movement in the reeds captured Basil's attention immediately. Out of habit his eyes narrowed suspiciously, but the moment he recognized his old comrade Basileus' expression cleared. "Ah, Vincenzo!" With a nod of his head he invited the man over. "Sembra che la fortuna è dalla nostra parte." Indeed, he was pleased to see the man. Seeing an old friend offered some assurance that not everything was lost. Vincenzo was a reminder that more could have survived. "Il tuo momento è perfetto." He paused a moment to consider what he was going to say. "Non ce ne sono come noi in questa terra. Nessuna." His voice impassioned, he then said, "Con così poco sforzo potremmo possedere tutto." It sounded like an idea that was too good to be true, but Basileus firmly believed in the power of the brotherhood. He had yet to be impressed with the fortitude of any of the wolves he'd met here, and he strongly doubted even the strongest of them would be any match for a collection of made men. Granted, getting to power would be an adventure, but once a new crew of loyal men was gathered it would only be a matter of time. "Voglio portare la confraternita qui." "Talk" "You" Think

Was his fortune finally turning around? Vincenzo hadn't been expecting to run into Basileus but he was truly glad that he had. If anyone knew what to do next it was Basil. Vincenzo was no sheep but he was by nature more of a follower than a leader. He was used to taking orders. Used to working in a group toward a common goal and the aimless nature of the past season had been grating on already frayed nerves. Basil hinted that fortune seemed to be on their side and Vincenzo nodded his agreement. His silken head would tilt to the side. Perfect timing? Oh, he knew that look! He could see the gears turning in Basileus' mind and he relished the words the scarlet man spoke.

"Non?" Vincenzo blinked in surprise. There were none that practiced their line of business? Surprise faded into a cunning smile. He followed. Perhaps out of the ashes of this disaster they'd be granted with a new opportunity to turn a profit in a land with no competition. " Mi piace il vostro pensiero , Basileus . Senza la concorrenza ci sarà proprio questo paese . Cosa mi è necessario fare ? Chiedete e vi sarà fatto"

"Speech"

"Non," he confirmed with a hint of a devious smile on his lips. Absolute power was ripe for the taking in these lands. If they could do as they'd done in their homeland none would be able to stand against the organization. They could make it as it had been in the old days before factions had split from the group and betrayers had joined their ranks. They could be strong again. They could be kings. Vincenzo was a good man, a loyal man. That he was on board without hesitation spoke volumes in favor of his character. The business needed men like him. He appeared willing to do anything and while what Basileus was going to ask of him was great, he didn't doubt for one second that the man was incapable of doing it. "Abbiamo bisogno di uomini leali. Se vogliamo stabilirci qui abbiamo bisogno di riempire i nostri ranghi con fedeli, giovani capaci." He nodded to himself as he thought. "Abbiamo bisogno di reclutare persone per la nostra causa." "Talk" "You" Think

Basileus would confirm that there were none like them here. Oh, how exciting! His tail would almost start to wag at the news, almost, before he'd still it. He was not a child and such puppyish delight was beneath him though he had to admit the fact that there were no mafiosi in this land made him immediately suspicious. Was it simple the wolves of this land were to spoiled and lazy to apply their ambitions? Or was there another reason that could be a threat to him and his brothers? It was definitely something to consider but even if there were those that had tried something in the past they were not the Fratelli Rossi.

Vincenzo nodded solemly at Basileus orders. They did indeed need to recruit more to the cause and again he felt a wrathful fire burning in his gut for the men they'd lost do to Enrico's stupidity. Somewhere he hoped that karma would catch up to the man if neither Vincenzo or Basileus could. Consideralo fatto. Come mi vuoi condurre le interviste , il processo di. Vincenzo had spent most of his time as muscle, he'd never had to go out and recruit men before and had only his own experience to go off of. An experience which had certainly taken time. It would be best to gather a small, elite group. Ci sono delle prove particolari che dovrei dare loro ?

"Speech"