Chapter One
He was sitting at his vanity surrounded by his beloved mirrors. One in front of him attached to the ornate piece of furniture and several on each surface, always within reach. Fleeting sunlight had broken through the polluted sky over Sanitarium Island for a quick moment and danced across Pavi's latest and greatest face as he gazed at his own sapphire-eyed reflection. It was a day that he had been looking forward to, Amber's 26th birthday, not for Amber's sake of course. Amber, being the "beautiful" (as some would say) owner of GeneCo, she had many beautiful young friends. That being said, one could guess what was on Pavi's mind.
It's not that Genterns weren't satisfying, they were just so... abundant. And willing. Pavi needed variety in his love life. Genetic Opera came only so often, and Luigi murderous habits were proving to be an obstacle when it came to hiring new Genterns, and with the whole "Shilo Wallace" affair at the last Opera, people seemed to be hesitant when it came to the Largo Family.
A feminine sigh escaped the overly-soft lips of Pavi's ivory mask as he decided that he had had enough time to bask in his, well, self. Longing eyes parted from their own. He stood and sauntered over to his master bathroom and to the shower before he readied himself for what he was sure would be an eventful night.
Pavi always undressed slowly. "One should always take-a the time to appreciate themselves" he thought to himself on his overly-Italian accent. He could get a great view of his perfectly toned naked body in his gilded floor-length bathroom mirror adorned with about the gaudiest frame one could choose (hand-picked by none other than himself). Pavi stepped into the marble shower for a steamy, not to mention drawn-out bathing. He chose his outfit for tonight carefully, as always. The man dressed to impress. Tonight was no exception. He wore his usual knee-high leather boots, complete with silver buckles, the tightest pair of leather pants he owned and his favorite silk shirt (a pale gold) he had recently bought to replace the one stained while retrieving his most recent mask. Then all was topped off with a black tightly knit, wool vest.
On the way down Geneco's 300-odd floors Pavi's reflected on her last birthday party. Amber had insisted that her part be classy, and oh was it. Champagne, caviar (the real stuff, not the imitation that had been sold in the supermarket's lately) and all of the finest Italian foods. The party was topped of with the best entertainers in the country, including Blind Mag. But being Amber Sweet, thing could never go as planned, seeing as she invited, oh what was his name? Oh yes, Graverobber. And who would Graverobber bring as his dates? A multitude of raving Zydrate junkies ready to turn the gathering into an utter disaster. And oh, it was. But with disaster comes distractions, so Pavi had no complaints seeing that he had multiple chances to get laid, and he did.
Ding! The elevator opened to the first floor of GeneCo. It was meant to be a lobby to the giant building but it was so much more. Rotti Largo of course had to make a good impression on his guests and did he ever. The grey exterior of the building greatly differed from the elaborate interior. Shining slate floors and carven marble walls decorated the giant space Amber's party was held in. Pavi stepped in to the expansive room now bustling with the high society of Sanitarium Island. He was immediately encircled by slightly drunk Genterns and various other ready and willing young ladies.
"Bellas! And-a how are we to day mi amores?" Paviche basked in the attentions he received as tipsy women flocked to him and he gazed into his reflection in his beloved mirror. Cameras flashed for the newspapers and periodicals. Pavi loved his women, he loved being in tabloids and he loved that this would totally irritate his sister. Soon Luigi entered the brightly decorated hall, shirt crisp and yet to be blood splattered. He frowned and mumbled obscenities at the way Amber decided to decorate. The entrance hall to GeneCo had basically been turned into a rave, complete with strobe-lights, dancers and of course a multitude of disco-balls.
"Where the hell is my coffee?" Luigi barked, " Amber better have sense enough to not serve any goddamn decaf!" Luigi shouted at his current assistant.
"Sorry Mr Largo, I'll find you a cup as soon as possible." The panicky young man scurried off in search of a good cup of coffee.
"Brother! There-a you are, what a spectacular turnout!" Pavi had to raise his voice over the dance music currently being blasted throughout the overly decorated hall.
"It's a fuckin' circus in here, Pavi." Luigi sneered at his younger brother currently being groped by Genterns. Pavi admired the dancers and the groups of beautiful people (obviously addicted to the knife) mingling throughout the sparkling space. Lights bounced off the perfect, dancing silhouettes throughout the illuminated hall, and Amber made her dramatic entrance through the front archway of GeneCo.