Morning Mist by Anthony Greninger

Two days had passed since the murders of the Wayne's and in those two days, it was what Viola liked to call 'calm before the storm'. Viola liked those two days, she liked the brief period of calmness and solitude. On the day after the murders, the morning consisted of breakfast and piano playing for Viola and Victor, till it got to midday when Don Falcone walked in and gently asked the silent hitman to leave. Once gone, Don Falcone sat in a chair near the piano and watched as his ward played. Once done they spoke of the night before, and it made Viola feel…more content. She understood that Don Falcone had to keep secrets, so was happy enough when he told her only the things he could. She now knew more about the murder of the Wayne's and just that 'it was their time'. She now understood the deal behind the replica and real pearls and the involvement of the late Mario Pepper, a name was needed to end the business of the crime.

Viola had asked who was the real murderer, and was replied with silence, till Don Falcone replied, "I will tell when time unfolds." It was better than being told a lie in the woman's opinion. From there she dropped the ordeal for her guardian's sake. That day was also the Wayne's funerals.

The second day Viola was craving smoothies. Once she told Victor who was in the lounge reading a magazine, Lilly resting her legs on top of his and reading a book they both fancied smoothies too. Slight problem was that they were out of fruit. Once kitted and booted and had notified Don Falcone, they left the house, reached the middle of Gotham and picked out a large variety of fruits. Viola loved kiwis. Victor wasn't fond till after he became acquainted with the Falcone ward who always put kiwis in fruit salads and smoothies that he now enjoyed them. Once home, the three and soon joined by Marina spent the afternoon making a stock load of smoothies – enough for the whole house.

Halfway through, however, Lilly forgot to put the lid on the blender and soon the clean white kitchen was covered with the green smoothie. So was the four adults.

After cleaning herself up and changing, Viola wore baggy jogging bottoms and a tank top and after dinner, she played her piano. Victor soon joined her and Viola stopped playing to smile at him. He too had cleaned up and changed, wearing a shirt untucked from his black trousers and for the first time since he had arrived at the house, he was barefoot. Victor took note of her laughter and relaxed nature at the smoothie incident and decided he wanted to see her like that once more. Once he had entered he couldn't help but smile back at her smile of the small act of no shoes. Silently, he walked to her and sat beside her and after looking at each other for a moment, Viola turned back to play.

Victor continued to watch her with a ghost of a smile on his face.

The morning after Viola awoke with a sense of calmness in her and without knowing why she felt happy and couldn't help but smile gently at the space and objects in her room. Humming a tune, Viola changed from her nightclothes to light blue dress with embroidered flowers climbing up from the bottom of the dress, which reached her knees. Brushing her short hair, Viola was done and out of her room.

As per usual, Victor was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs, clad all in black and dressed properly, complete with shoes and his guns. It was different from last night where they were rid of formalities and shoes, joking about as music was being played. Once they made eye contact they both smiled, soon realising they had an inside joke. Without speaking, they made their way to the dining room to see Don Falcone's chair empty. "Where is Falcone?" Viola asked, the two henchmen in the room merely shrugged.

"Want me to go find him?" Victor asked as Viola took her seat.

"No, he might be working. Let's give it a moment, come sit." Viola replied, patting the seat beside her. When Victor had started his first job for Don Falcone, he would stand behind Viola as she had breakfast. The henchmen would either eat in the kitchen or eat with the Falcone's. It was allowed, but Victor wasn't used to this sort of life at that time and would wait till he got his orders, then go eat in the kitchen quickly before seeing to his day. But as time got on, Viola began leaving a seat beside her open, telling anyone who was about to sit in it that the seat was reserved, leaving Victor to be curious till after breakfast and the pair walked out Victor asked and was shocked when Viola's reply was, "It's for you, one day."

The next day he sat beside her.

The same was today, where the pair began eating when Don Falcone entered, "I'm sorry my dear. Work started early."

"We were wondering if we were being graced by your presence Falcone," Viola replied jokily.

Falcone walked behind the hitman and ward, stopping quickly to kiss the crown of her head, then resuming to take his seat at the end of the table. "With the murders of the Wayne's closed, I needed to finalise some things to ensure stability. But after Fish Mooney's action that day…I'm afraid I need to go see her." He explained as he began eating.

"Do you want me to come with?" Viola asked.

Falcone looked at her for a moment, "If you have time-"

"I'll always have time when you go see that woman," Viola replied, saying the last word with venom. Victor took note of the tone as he knew how much Viola distrusted the Mooney woman. When she had returned from the meat warehouse, Viola told all to him as she kicked her shoes off and flopped on her bed, Victor standing by the door. He understood why, from Viola, some of the henchmen and whispers around Gotham, Fish Mooney was more of a snake than a fish.

"If Viola wants to go, I will accompany as well." Victor inputted for the first time that morning.

Falcone looked from the hitman to his ward and nodded, "Okay then, we leave this evening." Viola smiled and nodded in agreement. The rest of the day passed in a blur. Viola spent most of her time in the lounge, sitting on the window seat drawing and at times looking out to the foggy scenery of Gotham. Victor was in the room with her, reading the same book from the day of the smoothie incident. It was peaceful, and rare when it ended with Falcone walking in with his coat on. "It's time my love."

Viola grabbed her black pump shoes that she brought down earlier and slipped them on. Quickly putting on a light coat, she left her drawing behind and got in the car with Falcone and Victor. The ride was quick and silent when they arrived at Fish Mooney's place, bright with neon lights and alive by the numb sound of music, singing and people. The trio got out of the car and walked into the bar, taking in the busy sight and atmosphere. "I'm going to have a talk with Fish, both of you stay at the bar," Falcone ordered, more to Viola than Victor.

As the song came to an end the pair took their seats at the bar. For Victor, the music at the bar was vastly different from the music Viola played and preferred the latter.

Falcone made his way to Fish and took note of her brief startled look, as Gilzean stood to allow the Don to take his space. "Don Falcone, what a wonderful surprise."

"Thank you, my dear, can we talk?" Falcone asked.

Fish nodded slowly and took in the moment of silence as a waiter came over and poured wine for the pair. Falcone took note of the brief looks the waiter was giving Fish but didn't press on it. Instead, once the man left raised his glass in a signal of toasting, "Men who are about to die are very honest. It's good to remember that."

They clinked glasses, "That's some toast." Fish commented.

After taking a sip of wine Falcone commented, "I spoke with your late umbrella boy, Cobblepot before he died. He told me that the Wayne's murders would bring troubled times for our families."

"What did he know?"

"Oh, he was right. The Wayne's and the Falcone's were the pillars. Now that the Wayne's are dead, there is an imbalance and Maroni senses weakness."

"Don't lose sleep over Maroni."

"I'm not losing sleep over enemies, but I might over family. Cobblepot told me that you said how I'm weak, soft, and ready to be taken over and by you."

Fish looked from the Don to her wine and back to the man. "I would never say that you have been like a father to me. Speaking of family, how is Viola?" Falcone didn't answer her. "Last I saw her she was eighteen, nineteen? I wish she," Fish paused and looked over at the bar, seeing Viola and the infamous Victor Zsasz conversing. "Oh, there she is! You know, I might say hi and catch up."

Fish made a move to stand, causing the Don to speak, "I wouldn't advise seeing her now. Victor is with her and can be…hostile with new people."

Fish stayed in her seat and looked at the pair, smirking, "I can tell."

"Speaking of tells, I hear you have a lover."

"If by a lover you mean someone around for exercise." Fish replied, not liking the feel of the tables being turned on her once more.

Falcone snapped his fingers and Fish watched as the waiter who brought their wine came over, with a little help of Falcone's henchmen who had arrived at some point in the conversation. "What's your name?" Falcone asked.

"Lazlo sir." The waiter replied.

"Be good to this woman, if you break her heart, you break mine," Falcone advised. Lazlo nodded with a small smile, till Falcone snapped his fingers and Lazlo was grabbed by Falcone's henchmen, carrying him past Viola and Victor who saw the commotion and seeing the man get beaten to a pulp. Falcone stood and made his way to his Viola and Victor. The three walked out followed by the other henchmen and the distant sounds of Fish screaming in fury.

On the journey home Falcone filled Viola in on the conversation and Victor watched as Viola went from straight-faced to smirking to finally smiling. She enjoyed the story and on the inside, Victor enjoyed it too, especially when Falcone got the last moment after Fish tried to bring Viola into the conversation.

Viola knew about the ordeal with Cobblepot being killed by the hands of James 'Jim' Gordon. She knew nearly all police officers in the GCPD had killed someone to show alliance to the Falcone. If she was any normal woman, she would be against that, but her whole life has revolved around crime and more when taken under the wing of Don Falcone Carmine, so her take on normal was…this life.

Once home, Viola bid goodnight and made a beeline to her room, refreshed from a quick shower, put on some comfy clothes and wrap herself in her duvet and sleep. Falcone followed suit and made his way to his bedroom. Victor was tired yet, he never felt tired till near early in the morning where he would only get a few hours' sleep. He decided he would read for a bit. Heading into the lounge, Victor picked up the book from earlier and was about to leave when he saw Viola's sketchbook still on the window seat. Walking towards it, Victor put the book down beside the sketchbook to pick it up, flicking through Viola's detailed drawing till he stopped on the very last one.

It was half complete, the sideways face, head and neck of Victor Zsasz himself detailed and shaded. The other section of his chest and the book he was holding and reading were rough, faintly drawn out, waiting to be completed. Victor smiled at the drawing, closed the sketchbook and with the other book, took both to his room.