Disclaimer: I do not own Repo! The Genetic Opera or any of its' characters. This story is written for the entertainment of others, no profit is involved.
Pavi stood a bit longer on the side of the stage, hidden in the shadows caused by the dimmed stage lights. The audience slowly filed out of the Opera House, chattering contentedly amongst themselves, oblivious to the events that had transpired this evening. Once the last person had exited the large, ornate doors closed with a loud thud. It was almost completely silent, asides from the muffled sounds of weeping coming from the backstage area. Pavi turned and began to gracefully make his way through the assorted props and stray ropes held down by sandbags. The lighting was dim and although he moved fluidly he almost tripped twice. The weeping had ceased a few minutes ago and he would have turned around had Luigi not appeared before him, mouth set in a narrow line. He grabbed Pavi's upper arm and roughly dragged him down a side hallway and into Amber's personal dressing room. Pavi was shoved forward as Luigi crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall of the small but elaborate room. Amber sat in her chair in front of her large mirror, applying some finishing touches of make-up onto her newest face.
"It has-a set better than-a the previous?" He asked with a smirk, which was hidden by the perpetually smiling mouth of his mask.
Amber stood and before Pavi could even think to move, a sharp, biting slap sends him stumbling back two steps. He is shoved forward once more by Luigi and he only just manages to stop himself from plowing into Amber. He slowly straightens up and faces her, planning on giving his best death glare and feels his blood run cold. The expression on Amber's face is nearly identical to the hate filled stare that was Rotti Largo's last. Her face changes, and she smiles sweetly.
"I don't believe that's an appropriate way to talk to the new Head of GeneCo." Her smile widens, showing off perfectly, straight, even teeth. His eyes widen and he knows she has noticed because she laughs- a bright, merry sound. She reaches behind her and picks up a wrinkled, folded, paper. She hands it to him, he snatches it away and scans the text, cold sweat breaks out on his skin.
"This is-" he begins.
"His will." Luigi finishes, barely concealed rage hiding beneath a calm exterior. He walks forward until he is standing beside Pavi. "He left the company in her hands." Pavi notes that his brother is visibly shaking.
"But-a why?" Pavi asks, dismayed by the hurt in his own voice. Amber scoffs.
"Please. What other choice did he have besides me? His eldest son is a raving, murderous, lunatic. And his middle child a face-carving rapist, who also happens to have half the number of brain cells than the average Gentern. I was the obvious pick."
Pavi opens his mouth to ask a question but Amber cuts across.
"Everyone believes tonight events to be all part of the show. That girl's claim to GeneCo. Can be played off as completely invalid." She holds out her hand for the will, and Pavi places it gently in her fingers. She folds back up, until it is the size of large stamp, and places it in her pocket. She fixes both her brothers with a look that says clearly that she has plans for them. She sizes them up, all the while that sweet smile never leaving her blackberry painted lips. Luigi breaks the silence after nearly a minute has passed.
"You wanted us both here. I doubt you wanted to just gloat and wave around your new power. So, why don't you tell me whatever the fuck it is that you want so I can get the hell out of here." The last part of his sentence tapers off into a soft growl. Amber continues to smile, and Pavi childishly wonder why Luigi was not slapped for his disrespectful tone towards her. She spreads her hands, fingers splayed wide open.
"Oh, but is about waving my power about. Partially. You see, the things you two have done over the past few years alone could put you in jail for a dozen lifetimes each. Now that I am the Head of GeneCo., I have access to all of the photos, files, and other embarrassing items our dear father didn't want getting out to the eye of the press…" She lets the the word dance off her tongue and hang in the air between the three of them. Pavi feels as if he is suddenly being compressed into a very small space by a great amount of pressure. He glances at Luigi and notices his face is shiny with sweat. His eyes are bright with fear, and that is when Pavi feels the pressure crush against his chest. He can't breathe. Luigi seems to find his voice.
"You wouldn't." He almost whispers, voice hoarse. Amber's eyes stare into her eldest brother's and she tilts her head slightly.
"Oh, of course not," she says softly. "As long as you do exactly as I say." She pauses and looks at each of them, making sure they are paying attention, then continues.
"You will both continue to serve in the name of GeneCo. What, with all the responsibilities I'll have, I won't be able to show my face to the public as much. So, instead of going out and doing whatever obscene acts you may feel like, you'll be kissing the ass of the press members and making sure our image looks good. You will assist me with any task I may ask of you, which may range from speaking in a conference to fetching my morning coffee. Think of yourselves as my special personal assistants. If you fail to comply to these terms, I might accidentally slip some files onto the desk of one of the city's news anchors. And we wouldn't want that, would we?" That sweet smile, as if she is offering them the treat of a life time and not the life line between freedom and incarceration.
"Do I make myself clear?" She asks. Pavi doesn't understand, he meant to start over, to leave this awful night behind. He didn't want to return to the 'perfect' life he had lived before. He didn't want to walk the pristine halls and smell the overhanging scent of death and gore that permeated the premises of his 'perfect' house. He wanted to leave. He was about to open his mouth and tell Amber she could threaten him as much as she wanted, he had lawyers that could fix any mess she landed him when Luigi spoke.
"Alright."
Amber's eyes were filled with glee.
Pavi turned his head and stared at his brother. He had always considered Luigi, awful as he was, to be brave. He never backed down from a threat, instead meeting it with unsheathed knives and leaving behind a fresh body for organ extraction. But now… he looked defeated. And Pavi realized, that although he wanted to leave. He didn't want to do so alone. Amber alone didn't frighten him, and Luigi alone wouldn't be all that bad. But both of them banded against him all on his own. It was a terrifying prospect. And so, he found himself repeating.
"Alright."
Amber walked forward and gave them each a hug. Then with a hand on one of each of their shoulders, glanced once more between the two of them. Satisfied, she continued walking and beckoned them to follow her.
"The press is probably outside waiting. We'd better go make out big announcement." She strutted along in front of them, hips swaying side to side. Pavi found the sight hypnotizing. They walked in silence until they reached the front doors of the Opera House, where Rotti's two previous bodyguards waited. Pavi felt the feeling of being simply an unwilling character in a story all over again. And, he supposed, he should attempt to play his part to the best of his ability. Amber motioned for the doors to be opened, and the bodyguards obeyed. They were met with a thousand flashes of light, and a deafening roar of noise from the large crowd that waited.
Showtime.
A/N: Thank you everyone who took the time to review this story. You guys and your enjoyment kept me wanting to keep writing. I know this update was long awaited, and I do apologize, but I wanted to make sure the final chapter was something you would all enjoy, and I hope I've succeeded. Thank you all once more, for all of your critique and support. Please, read and review.