July 6th, 2025
Los Angeles, U.S.A.
The Day Before the Gavinners Concert w/ Lamiror

Klavier was having a bad day, and Ema was receiving the brunt of it. She had somehow become his errand girl for the day, and she was not happy about it, considering she had her own work that was piling up on her desk, plus a side investigation she was doing for Phoenix. She didn't realize how exhausted she was until she sat down at her desk that afternoon and tried to make sense of the disaster area that had become her desk. She hadn't been sleeping well lately, and her paranoia had gotten worse. Ema hated having to keep all her curtains closed in her tiny apartment, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. And now it extended into her work. She stole a quick glance around and found a couple of interns typing away in their cubicals and one of the other prosecuting attorneys talking with Chief Barker. Klavier was in his office talking on his cell phone and flipping through paperwork on his desk, not even paying attention to her. She blew out a puff of air and shook her head.

"Ema, you have a piece of mail that arrived late." Rob had suddenly appeared before her desk as she started at his presence.

"Wha-" She yelped. "I swear, you must have been a ninja in your former life! Where the hell did you come from anyway? You weren't here a minute ago."

"Heh," Rob chuckled. "I like to think that life is one big surprise to be discovered. Anyway, I have this package for Klavier, Mr. Imafreakinrockstar, Gavin." He held up a rather large package and Ema chuckled at his statement as she scrutinized the envelope that Rob had thrown onto her desk. It had no return address.

"Mail boy! I've been waiting for that package! Bring it over here, ja!" Klavier called from his office door.

Rob rolled his eyes and Ema followed, forgetting about her letter, as he walked over to the prosecutor's office.

"It's been a popular package." He said as Klavier took it from him and set it on his desk. Ema bit off a piece of snakoo and peered at the package. "Daryan seemed to be interested in it as well, kept askin' me about what was in it. I'm surprised he didn't follow me up here."

"Well, he should be interested, ja? This beautiful instrument is the third star of our show tomorrow. Will you grab my guitar case over there?" Klavier gestured to the corner of his office as Rob went to grab it. "Oh by the way, Rob, I hear you're pretty good at the drums?"

"Ah, er yeah..." Rob blushed slightly as he handed the other the case.

"Good, I need a drummer for tomorrow's concert. I don't usually sub at the last minute, but I'm going to trust Ema's instincts on this one and take a chance on you. I will fire you instantly if you screw things up, ja."

'Asshole', Rob thought to himself. Then aloud, "Yeah, I understand."

"Klavier, where is Borginia?" Ema said as she read the address.

"A tiny country in northern Europe." Klavier stated as he carefully placed the vacuum packed guitar in the case then locked it. Ema and Rob both noticed the cutesy key chain he had, both for separate reasons. "It's a beautiful country. I'm surprised Corvin never mentioned it to you, ja? He fell in love with everything about that place."

Neither Ema nor the prosecutor noticed Rob flinch when he heard his real name. Klavier was right. He did love Borginia, he was going to take Ema there on their honeymoon...

"Oh, one last thing Fraulein," Klavier dug through his paperwork and produced two tickets which he handed to a scowling Ema. "I need you to deliver them to Apollo and Trucy, bitte."

Ema growled and grabbed Rob's hand on her way out of the office.

"You're a diva Klavier, and this is the last thing I'm doing for you today!"

"Uhh..." Rob was still dazed, thinking about Borginia. "Where are we going, Ema?"

"Shh...I'm calling Apollo right now." The young woman said as she punched the main floor button on the elevator and dialed a number on her phone. Rob watched her as he fidgeted nervously. It was getting harder and harder for him to be in close company with Ema without revealing his true identity. But he kept his sisters words in the forefront of his thoughts.

"Alright!" Ema exclaimed after she hung up. "High quality vodka here we come."

"Huh?" Rob threw her a confused look as the elevator came to a stop. He stepped out quickly. "What are you talking about?"

"Am I that bad that you can't be in an elevator with me?" Ema had her hands on her hips and was tapping her foot. "You were a nervous wreck the whole time in..." Her eyes widened as she stepped out before the door closed on her. "You're afraid of elevators aren't you?"

"I-I ... no! I'm ...ah claustrophobic...yeah, that's it..." He shoved his hands in his pockets and started to walk off. Ema caught up with him.

"Heh," She chuckled and shook her head. "Who'd have known, a tough guy from New York, claustrophobic..."

"Yeah, well, don't let the harsh accent fool ya!" He flashed her a smile that almost made her heart melt, then continued. "You never answered my question, where are we going?"

"Ahh, yeah, the Borscht Bowl to drink good vodka and watch Apollo loose his ass in poker to Phoenix!" Ema said with a huge grin on her face. She didn't notice that Rob wasn't following her any more.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

She turned around. Why was everyone trying her patience today?

"We're just going to have one drink." She sighed as she walked up to him and touched his arm. "I promise." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He clenched his jaw and his fists as his self-control was being tested beyond all boundaries. He bit his lip as he smiled and nodded at her.

But it wasn't the vodka he was worried about. It was running into his uncle with Ema in tow; would he act irrationally? With every aspect of his life under a microscope, Corvin could feel himself coming closer to a breakdown everyday.

His question was answered twenty minutes later when they arrived at the Bowl. Konstantin greeted them right away, with no sign of surprise or acknowledgment. In fact he treated Ema like she was part of the family. She introduced Konstantin and Rob, not knowing, of course, that they already knew each other. Rob played along. As Ema asked the gruff Russian where her friends were, Rob spied Olga out of the corner of his eye and glared. She unknowingly hindered and helped their plans; she helped send Kristoph to jail. Their original plan was to send Phoenix to jail for the murder, with Olga's and Shadi's help. But Kristoph got in the way and killed Shadi, and sealed his own fate and kept him from talking. Olga was not only working for Shadi Smith at the time, but Konstatin kept Olga on staff after she served her time. She was a waitress up above and below she helped Phoenix as a dealer. Phoenix didn't trust her much, but she was bringing in the customers just as much as he was, so he didn't complain.

As Ema started downstairs, she called for Rob, but Konstantin stopped him, saying that he wanted to give the boy a tour. Ema's brow knit with confusion, but she let it go, and continued downstairs.

"You do realize I could set everything into motion and destroy everyone you know and love, right now?" Konstantin spoke in perfect Russian with a dark look on his face.

"I realize that." Corvin replied in perfect Russian. "This wasn't my idea, she had an errand to run and she grabbed me to go with her. I had no choice."

"We all make our own choices, son. Once you realize this, the world is your oyster." Konstantin shifted his weight and crossed his arms.

"Yes sir." Corvin answered as he looked away.

"Boy, you and your sister have made me very proud, don't ruin everything that we've worked for. Listen to me carefully," Corvin froze, and his world suddenly became focused on what Konstantin had to say. "I need you to set everything in motion tomorrow at the concert. It's planned out perfectly. Daryan makes a great pawn to use at my disposal. I'm sure that the Gavinners will have their original drummer shortly, if they can find him."

Konstantin was cut short by a gasp in the shadows. The doorway to the kitchen was swinging slightly, as his eyes narrowed at the motion.

"Hmm...Looks like I have someone else I need to take care of as well."

"How was the tour?" Ema's sweet voice brought Corvin out of his trance as the older gentleman turned toward her.

"He's a very astute young man, maya devochka. You have made a good friend in this one."

"Ahh...thanks, sir." Ema smiled and blushed slightly.

"We should get going," Rob smirked. "I've got some sets to practice before tomorrows concert."