Wilmington, North Carolina.
November 17th, 2004.
A black limousine left Wilmington International Airport and headed into town; the passengers in question were two of the most notorious mob bosses in all of Roanapur: Sofia Pavlovna Irinovskaya, better known as Balalaika of Hotel Moscow and Chang Wai-San, better known as Mister Chang of Hong Kong Triad. They also had quite the…complex rivalry to say the least, but now they didn't travel so far to continue their feud nor engage in any unethical or illegal activities. Balalaika and Chang came all this way to meet up with two longtime associates with an important announcement.
Their chauffeur kept his silence as he drove closer to their destination while Chang and Balalaika sat far in the back. "Y'know…I've never been to North Carolina. Much less, America.", Chang commented while glancing at the surrounding buildings. "It is quite a peculiar sight, isn't it?", Balalaika replied in agreement, "I can see why Rock and Two-Hands would move here.".
Chang nodded before lighting a cigarette from his pocket and taking a small puff and blowing it out, "Speaking of those two, still can't believe they ended up having a kid.", he said with an intrigued tone as he quickly put it out in the ashtray next to him.
"Yes, that's right…", Balalaika recalled in the same intrigued tone as she gave off a slight smirk, "A child with the genetic combination of Two-Hands and Rock…quite formidable.", she said in a semi jokingly and fascinated manner. "Now hold it right there, Bal.", Chang playfully warned with a slight chuckle, "Kid's living a normal life and not heading to Roanapur anytime soon lest Papa and Mama Bear tear us to shreds.". "Yes, I know that.", Balalaika responded, "For the best as well that the child avoids following in her parents' footsteps.", she added.
Chang then thought to himself for a moment before speaking, "Did they ever tell us the kid's name?", he asked. "I don't think they have.", Balalaika answered. "Wanna take bets on names?", Chang offered her a challenge, the hint of mischief in his eyes hidden by his sunglasses. "Well, we still have plenty of time before we reach the Okajima residence so…why not.", Balalaika shrugged, accepting her rival's wager. "$400 if either of us get her name correct. We each have three names to choose from.", Chang said as he pulled a stack of cash from the pocket of his trenchcoat. Balalaika smirked at the sight of the cash being put by the cupholders keeping them separate.
"Eliza, Katherine, and Yukio.", Balalaika said. "I'm thinking…", Chang pondered for a moment for a name before speaking, "Mei, Laura, and Samantha.", he said. "Well, now it's only a matter of time before we reach the Okajima residence.", Balalaika folded her arms and looked over the windshield as they entered a more suburban area, "Only question I have is what if neither of us are correct?", she asked. "Closest combination of syllables.", Chang promptly answered. "I accept your terms.", Balalaika grinned competitively. Soon enough, they eventually reached the house where the Okajimas resided and the limo parked itself in the driveway. Balalaika and Chang exited the backseat of the limousine as they walked towards the front porch with the $400 back in Chang's pocket.
He then rang the doorbell and much to the mob bosses' surprise, it was neither Rock nor Revy who answered the door but a small little girl with short dark brown hair, a green shirt with a red skull, gray shorts, and red sneakers. This was without a doubt, Rock and Revy's daughter which Balalaika and Chang could only awkwardly exchange stares with. "Do you have pizza?", Riley innocently asked. "No.", Balalaika answered, "But we are here to-", "Then GET OUT!", Riley suddenly shouted before closing the door on them. "Yep, that's their kid alright.", Chang commented.
Riley huffed as she walked away from the door with her parents suddenly showing up behind her. "Riley, who was that you just slammed the door on?", Rock sternly asked her. "It was a lady with a burn on her face and a guy in sunglasses and they don't have the pizza!", Riley answered in a grouchy tone. Rock sighed, "First off, don't answer the door without checking who it is first and don't slam it on them. Second, the pizza's gonna be here soon. Try to be patient". "Wait, didn't Big Sis and Mr. Chang say they were gonna come to visit?", Revy chimed in. "Yeah, why-", Rock was about to ask before realizing who their daughter just slammed the door on upon recalling the descriptions he was given and went to correct that.
"I'm very sorry about that…", Rock apologized as he opened the door, "Riley gets very grumpy when she's hungry sometimes.". "Riley?", Chang questioned. Rock paused for a moment before uttering, "Oh that's right…Balalaika, Chang, this is our daughter; Riley.", he introduced her as Revy soothingly held Riley from behind; she still glared at the two mob bosses as they begrudgingly handed each other $400 over their bet ending in a tie and walked further in the house. "C'mon Riley, these are old friends of mine and your Dad.", Revy assured her.
Chang crouched down to Riley's eye level, "Wow, you look so much like your mother.", he complimented. "Yep, she takes a lot after her mama.", Revy nodded."Yes, I can see that...", Balalaika nodded in agreement as her eyes also looked at the young child. "What brings you two here anyway?", Rock asked. "We have important news to share with you two.", Balalaika responded, "Lagoon is already aware of it, so it's best we also tell two of its former employees as well.". "You mind if we all take a seat?", Chang asked as he stood back up. "Yeah, we'll go sit by the kitchen table.", Rock answered.
With that said, Rock, Revy, and Chang headed to the kitchen but Balalaika stayed behind after noticing Riley scowling at her. Despite her rude demeanor, there was something about Riley that the Russian mob boss couldn't help, but find…amusing to say the least. "What's the matter, Riley? Don't you appreciate my company?", Balalaika asked in a teasing manner. "No, I don't!", Riley pouted. "And why's that?", Balalaika asked, folding her arms in the same mocking demeanor. "Because I hate you now, Burnt Face Lady!". Unfazed by Riley's insult, but still wanting to mess with her more, Balalaika formed a fake frown, "Now that's not very nice, is it?". "I don't care!", Riley snapped back.
Slightly chuckling and smirking at her again, Balalaika can't help but feel a sense of enjoyment out of Riley's little outbursts, "I think after I talk to your parents, I'm going to have them take you to a place where all the bad kids go and teach you some manners.", she jokingly threatened. Riley visibly jumped at that threat and her expression turned to that of fear. "No no no! Don't tell them!", Riley frantically told her, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!", she repeatedly apologized only for Balalaika to laugh at the girl's panic-fueled begging. "Hey Big Sis, you wanna sit?", Revy called out to her. "Yes, I'll be there now.", Balalaika replied, reverting back into her more professional tone before walking away to the kitchen.
"Don't make them go to that bad kid place!", Riley begged again, to which Balalaika merely smirked at her in response. "I don't know…", Balalaika pretended to ponder, "Maybe a week will do.", she teased one last time before sticking her tongue out at her. Riley was taken back and got genuinely angry before sticking her tongue out back. Before they could continue though, Balalaika went further towards the kitchen table to sit down and Riley went back to her room now extra grouchy over the constant teasing.
Rock, Revy, and Chang sat quietly as Balalaika took a seat. "So, what seems to be the big news?", Revy asked the mob bosses. "Well…", Chang began to explain, "It's safe to say that after many, many years, Lady Balalaika and I are-". "You two are getting married.", Rock guessed which earned a confused silence from the three others before Chang continued. "We're retiring from the game.", he simply explained, which still managed to surprise Rock and Revy. "How come?", Revy asked. "Simply put, we have managed to come to reconcile most of our differences and came to the realization that we're not getting any younger.", Balalaika answered, "It'd be in our best interest to decide our successors and keep both Hotel Moscow and Hong Kong Triad operations going on for the foreseeable future.".
"Who's going to take over?", Rock asked. "Boris will be Hotel Moscow's new leader in my absence.", Balalaika answered. "And I have my very own lieutenant taking over from now on.", Chang added. Rock and Revy both nodded in response to that. "That's not all either.", Chang said as he pulled out some handwritten checks he and Balalaika had made and gave them to Rock and Revy. "As a thanks to your service over the years, we've provided quite the farewell gift for you two as well as your associates back in Lagoon Company.", Balalaika explained at the rather bewildered expression the Okajimas had upon looking at the checks they were given, "We hope this would suffice.".
"Yeah…this is great.", Revy nodded as she inspected the fat check she was given; it definitely will benefit when it comes to paying bills and providing for Riley. "Thank you so much, it truly means a lot.", Rock said as he shook hands with Chang and Balalaika before Revy did the same. "It's the least we can do.", Balalaika replied. Suddenly, the doorbell rang again. "It must be the pizza.", Rock said as he got up and headed to answer the door. Sure enough, it was indeed the pizza guy who was there with Rock grabbing the box and paying him.
"You two want a slice or two?", Revy offered as Rock put the box down on the kitchen counter, "We ordered a large.". "We'd like to, but we have to head back now.", Chang replied. "That's fine.", Rock said as the mob bosses got up from their chairs. "We should try having dinner together sometime.", Balalaika suggested. "That I oughta agree.", Chang nodded. "Yeah, come by whenever ya want.", Revy generously said before heading by the staircase. "Riley! Pizza's here!", she called out to her daughter.
Riley promptly walked out of her room and started heading downstairs while the mob bosses were being led out the door. While Rock, Revy, and Chang were talking more about each other's current whereabouts and the plan to eventually eat dinner sometime in the future, Riley and Balalaika exchanged looks again. Once again, she stuck her tongue out at Riley with an added pulled lower eyelid which infuriated her. "Stop that!", Riley shouted at her which grabbed her parents and Chang's attention but Balalaika remained unfazed.
"I don't know what her problem is.", Balalaika smugly shrugged, pretending to be oblivious. Rock simply sighed, "C'mon Riley, let's eat lunch now.". "Burn Face Lady was making fun of me!", Riley whined at her father as he walked her down the remaining stairs. "I was simply waving.", Balalaika retorted. "No! She was sticking her tongue out like this!", Riley said before mimicking the tongue and eyelid gesture. Rock looked over at Balalaika who feigned innocence once again and merely shrugged her shoulders. Fortunately, Rock was in a good mood with the checks he and Revy were given so he'll let it chalk up to Riley being hangry before ultimately leading Riley to the kitchen.
Chang glanced at Riley's sour expression with a hint of sympathy, knowing she might've been correct before Revy grabbed his and Balalaika's attention again. "Hey Mr. Chang, Big Sis.", she said, "Thanks again for the checks.". "Yeah no problem.", Chang replied, "We figured they could make for good use especially with Lil Two-Hands over there.". "Yeah, kids ain't cheap.", Revy slightly chuckled, "But our little girl is priceless.". Chang nodded at that. "She's very fortunate to have you two together.", Balalaika chimed in. "Yeah, I guess so.", Revy responded.
Riley overheard her mother converse with the two mob bosses for one final time with a pouty face before they ultimately left and then suddenly getting a gentle nudge from her father. "Come on Riley…", Rock said, "You've been wanting this all day, eat your pizza.". "Burnt Face Lady was being mean to me…", Riley whined. Rock shook his head, not fully believing Riley but not wanting to dismiss her either, "What did she say to you?". "She-she…she said that she was gonna send me to a place where all the bad kids go!", Riley spouted. Rock merely snickered, trying not to laugh at his daughter's statement. "Daddy, it's not funny!", Riley shouted at him.
"What's going on?", Revy asked as she grabbed a slice and took a bite as she sat at the table. "Mommy, you gotta believe me!", Riley turned to her. "Believe…what?", she asked in a confused tone. "Burnt Face Lady said she's gonna take me away to a place where all the bad kids go and Daddy thinks it's funny!", Riley angrily explained while Rock simply covered his mouth to muffle his laughter. Revy smirked while rolling her eyes at her daughter's explanation, "Sweetie, Big Sis is not gonna take you away.", she assured in a playful tone. "Get Daddy to stop laughing!", Riley whined as she pointed at Rock's widened smile while he ate his pizza slice.
"Okay Rock, that's enough.", Revy told her husband before he ultimately drank some water to calm himself down. "Beat him up!", Riley demanded. "No…I'm not gonna beat up your dad.", Revy firmly replied, "Besides, Big Sis is too professional to pick on little kids.".
Riley's eyes looked down, still upset over the fact her parents weren't taking her seriously before she started eating. She couldn't believe what had happened to her today and it was infuriating. From that moment going forward, Riley learned something new but not necessarily pleasant; she learned HATE …at least, she thinks so.
Regardless though, this encounter wouldn't be the last time Riley and Balalaika would meet and the young child has prepared herself for war. A war that will change the landscape of the Okajima residence forever.
1 Year Later.
It was an average afternoon at the Okajima household except Riley had math homework to do which Rock was helping her with. "Okay Riley, these ten math problems are a little harder than before but I'm gonna help you through them.", Rock said as Riley looked over the paper with the remaining ten addition and subtraction problems, "What's 15 take away 5?". "Uhhh…", Riley pondered to herself before answering, "10!". Rock nodded, "That's right.". Riley wrote the answer down onto the homework sheet. "Okay now, what's 9 plus 4?", Rock asked. "13!", Riley answered and wrote it down. "That's good, you're getting better at this!", Rock complemented, much to Riley's glee.
Suddenly, the house phone rang. "I'll get it!", Revy shouted as she put the laundry basket on top of the washing machine before heading over to the kitchen to pick up the phone. "Hello?", she answered. "Hello Two-Hands.", Balalaika greeted in her limo. "Oh hey Big Sis, you're here already?", Revy asked with slight surprise. "Did we come at a bad time?.", Chang chimed in. Revy shook her head, "No, no, just surprised ya guys made it here so fast.". "That's the charm with private jets!", Chang replied, "No need for pesky security to stop you every five seconds.". Revy briefly snorted and smirked at Chang's response, "Well alright then, I'll tell Rock you'll be comin' soon.", she affirmed, "We can pay for lunch too if ya want.". "There's no need.", Balalaika assured, "We can take care of ourselves. See you three soon, Two-Hands.". "Yeah, see ya guys later.", Revy responded before she hung up the phone and turned to her husband and daughter.
"Just got off the phone with Big Sis and Mr. Chang.", Revy informed, "They said they'll be here soon for lunch.". "As soon as I finish helping Riley with her homework, I'll start cooking the roast beef I have out!", Rock said as he sat up on his chair. "Wait, who's coming?", Riley asked in a confused voice. "Balalaika and Chang.", Rock answered, "Remember? The two fancy-looking friends of ours.". "Fancy…guys?", Riley pondered to herself only for her eyes to widen upon realizing just who her father was talking about and she glared at him. "Burnt Face Lady and Sunglasses Guy!", Riley recalled with barely concealed venom in the first nickname. "Yep, that's them.", Revy nodded. "NO!", Riley shouted, "I don't want Burnt Face Lady here!".
"Sweetie, we already invited them over last week.", Rock said. "Well make them go back!", Riley demanded, "At least Burnt Face Lady, I dunno about Sunglasses Guy!". "We can't do that, that's not nice.", Rock replied. "I don't care if it's not nice! I don't want her here!", Riley whined. Rock sighed, "Look I don't know why you don't like Balalaika so much but try to behave. Okay?". "Okay…", Riley folded her arms and pouted, "Burnt Face Lady better not be mean again.". "Now let's get back to your homework.", Rock said as he refocused on the question-filled paper on the desk. Riley's mood, however, was already soured and she answered the remaining questions more spitefully.
Eventually, the doorbell rang and Rock went ahead to answer. "Hello Rock.", Balalaika politely greeted, holding a gift bag containing only the finest vodka in her collection. "Ah Balalaika, Chang, welcome again!", Rock said, opening the door for them, "Lunch will be ready pretty soon, we're having roast beef.". Chang smirked and chuckled, having a bottle of whiskey in hand, "Quite fancy of you, Rock. Guess we oughta come here more often.", he snarked in a semi-intrigued manner. "Yeah, maybe so.", Rock jokingly replied, "Revy's in the kitchen and Riley's up in her room now if you want to see them.".
The two retired mob bosses then walk inside the house and into the kitchen where Revy was sitting by the table. "Hey Big Sis, hey Chang!", Revy greeted. "Hello, Two-Hands.", Chang replied, "How's everything?". "Eh, same shit, different day.", Revy casually shrugged. "And Lil Two-Hands?", Chang further asked. "Riley's been acting cranky today and hasn't left her room since she finished her homework.", Revy answered in a somewhat more weary tone. "I wonder what her problem could be.", Balalaika feignedly pondered.
Chang subtly shook his head at the Russian's superficial obliviousness before putting his bottle of whiskey by the liquor cabinet and glancing at the oven. "Roast beef should be done cookin' in like five minutes.", Revy said, "Rice and mashed potatoes are gonna be served too.". Balalaika chuckled, "It seems your husband is trying to open a 5-star restaurant.". "His mashed potatoes are alright.", Revy shrugged, "He's at his best when it comes to noodles though.". "I'll keep that in mind next time I visit.", Balalaika noted. Soon enough, the oven went off and Rock came back to the kitchen putting on oven mitts and grabbing the food.
"Ms. Balalaika, Mr. Chang, hope you two are ready for mouth-watering roast beef!", Rock proudly said as he placed it on the kitchen table, " Plus some rice…and mashed potatoes.", he added as he placed them on the table as well. "And what to drink?", Balalaika asked. "Well for now, it's just water and lemonade.", Rock answered as he grabbed two pitchers containing water and lemonade respectively and placed them next to the food on the table, "Revy, can you call Riley down?", he asked his wife. "Yeah, I'll go get her.", Revy nodded before heading on her way to Riley's room. Meanwhile, Rock had Balalaika and Chang sit at the table and poured himself some water. Chang also had some water as well while Balalaika got herself lemonade.
Revy walked up to Riley's room door and lightly knocked on it, "Riley, lunch is ready!", she announced. "I'm not hungry!", Riley pouted from behind the door. "Sweetie, you gotta eat.", Revy sighed, "We're havin' roast beef. Ya like when your dad makes it for you.". "As long as she's here, I don't want it!", Riley defiantly replied. Revy pondered for a moment, trying to figure out what to do to get her daughter out even if she doesn't want to herself. "If you come out, I'll let you have… two cookies during dinner later.", Revy bribed. Reluctantly, Riley came out of her room. "You promise?", she suspiciously asked her mother. "Pinky promise.", Revy answered, holding her pinky out which Riley held hers out as well before enacting the pinky promise. Mother and daughter then walked downstairs and towards the kitchen table.
"Well, look who's come out of their room!", Balalaika greeted Riley with a snarking tone. Riley wasn't all too pleased to see her again, but kept her silence as she sat at the table. "Hello Riley.", Chang waved at her from the other end of the table. "Hi Sunglasses Guy.", Riley replied bitterly, much to the mob boss's concern at her tone. "Do you want lemonade or water?", Rock asked her. "Water.", Riley answered with the same bitter tone. Rock grabbed the pitcher of water and poured it into Riley's cup before cutting her food. Revy poured herself some lemonade before Rock sat back at the head of the table.
They all then started eating with Riley particularly glaring at Balalaika. Balalaika simply gave her a mocking smirk in return as they sat across from each other. Revy sat next to Riley, but somehow didn't notice her associate subtly mocking her child. "I have to say Rock...", Balalaika began speaking, "You cooked quite the scrumptious roast beef.", she complimented. "Thank you, I'm glad you'd like it.", Rock replied. "You usually cook for the house?", Chang asked. "Yeah, I'm basically the chef of the house.", Rock smiled and nodded. "Don't ask him to use the grill or the barbecue though.", Revy jokingly warned, "They tend to jump in the pool on his watch.".
"Hey, that was my first time ever using one! Gimme a break!", Rock defensively responded only for his wife to mischievously snicker at him. "How's retirement going for you two?", Rock asked the mob bosses. "It's a pretty relaxing change of pace.", Chang answered, "I won't lie though, part of me does miss being more involved in the action sometimes.". "It definitely gives us more free time, I will say.", Balalaika added, "We've managed to travel quite a lot these past few months.". "You guys go together?", Revy asked. "Nah, we just so happen to meet each other every time.", Chang answered. "That sounds about right.", Revy shrugged.
Everyone on the dinner table continued eating their food in silence before eventually finishing up. "Well Rock, that was a great meal.", Chang said as he cleaned his mouth with his napkin, "My personal chef oughta know a thing or two regarding roast beef.". "Thanks, Chang.", Rock replied, "If you and Balalaika want dessert or anything, we have cookies in the pantry and ice cream in the freezer.", he offered.
"I could use some ice cream.", Balalaika said. Rock then checked the freezer to see the flavors he has, "We have strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, and…caramel. Which one would you like?". "Strawberry is preferred.", Balalaika replied. Chocolate for me.", Revy chimed in. Rock nodded and grabbed the buckets of strawberry and chocolate ice cream from the freezer and put it on the table while Riley got up from her seat to the pantry to grab some cookies.
She opened the pantry as the adults got themselves ice cream and ate from their plates and saw it was on a rather high shelf for her and tried to reach it. Unfortunately, Riley had no luck as she tried climbing it but falling off. She then tried repeatedly jumping up and down with her arm stretched upwards in hopes of at least touching the bag of cookies, but the results ended up the same.
"Do you need help?", an elegant sounding voice asked behind her, turning out to be none other than Balalaika much to Riley's annoyance. "No, Burnt Face Lady…", Riley sneered. Balalaika blew out a huff and teasingly smirked at Riley, "Tell me something, Riley.". Riley turned around with a curious but still annoyed expression. "Does it make you angry that you need my help to get those cookies?", Balalaika asked with a smug smile a mile wide, "Surely it does, I know it.". Riley simply growled and despite a much taller person being behind her, she still insisted on getting the cookies by herself, something Chang noticed before walking up and grabbing the bag of cookies himself. "Here ya go, Lil Two-Hands.", he said as he opened the bag and gave her two chocolate chip cookies before grabbing one for himself and putting it back in the pantry.
Riley glared at the cookies then at Balalaika, still maintaining that smug expression on her face. "What?", Riley irritatedly asked. "Sooner or later, you're going to need my help~", Balalaika playfully taunted Riley, making her furrow her brows and grit her teeth before stuffing her face with the two cookies. "Be sure to not stuff your face like that next time.", Balalaika 'advised' before sitting back at the table. While the adults continued conversing among themselves, Riley decided to head outside to play with a ball by herself.
She wasn't exactly having a good time, especially with Balalaika's constant teasing and her parents' obliviousness to it. Riley knew the visit was only temporary, but it barely did anything to help.
Suddenly though, the back door opened and out came Chang once again. "Hey Lil Two-Hands.", he waved. "Hi Sunglasses Guy…", Riley replied before putting the ball down. Chang glanced at the back door, making sure nobody else was around to see them before crouching to Riley's eye level. "That mean burnt face lady really likes to pick on you, huh?", he asked in a more sympathetic tone. "Yeah…", Riley solemnly answered, "And Mommy and Daddy don't believe me when I tell them!", she whined.
Chang sighed, "Yeah, she's really good at tricking people…but I know her better than either of your parents ever did.". Riley perked up with an interested expression, "Really?". "Yup.", Chang nodded, "So I can teach you ways on how to get back at her, make her pretty mad.". "But then I'll get in trouble.", Riley retorted. "No you're not.", Chang assured, "I'll make sure of it and even better, the mean burnt face lady won't be able to do anything to you either.". "Why not?", Riley asked. "Did you forget who your mom is?", Chang rhetorically asked, "Anyone who messes with you too much is practically poking a sleeping bear when she's around.".
"Yeah, Mommy gets really mad when people are mean to me.", Riley recalled, "Sometimes she makes me close my eyes and cover my ears or go to another place.". Chang nodded at that before thinking of a way to at least annoy his former(ish) rival, "Do you maybe have any toys that you could use up in your room?", he asked. Riley pondered for a moment, "Yeah, I got some stuff in my room.", she answered. "Show me whatcha got and I'll tell you the best ways you can use 'em.", Chang instructed her. "Okay!", Riley eagerly nodded before quickly heading up to her room. Chang followed her up there as well while Rock, Revy, and Balalaika continued talking and eating some of the ice cream.
Riley searched deep within the toy chest to see what she could use while Chang folded his arms leaning on her room door. It took about a minute or two before eventually, Riley found the perfect tools. "Sunglasses Guy, I think I found the best things to use!", Riley happily exclaimed. "Whatcha find?", Chang walked up to her before she revealed not one, but two water pistols from her toy chest! "Water guns!", Riley excitedly proclaimed as she held them out. "Water guns, that's perfect.", Chang replied with a slight clap, "She really is Two-Hands' daughter…", he thought to himself.
"Y'know how to use those right?", Chang asked her. "Yeah.", Riley nodded, "You shoot the water at people's faces.". Chang chuckled at her answer, "Already such a clever girl, kid. Little fun fact: I actually taught your mom everything she knows.", he proudly informed. "Mommy learned all about guns from you?", Riley curiously asked. "Yep.", Chang nodded, "Practically raised her for quite some time too.". Riley raised an eyebrow and tilted her head, "Does that make you my grandpa?", she asked. Feeling his hairs gray from that question alone, Chang hesitated to answer. "You…could say that, maybe.", Chang shrugged before the two stayed silent for a brief moment before he opened his mouth again.
"Now as much as you want to just go up to the mean lady and spray her with the water guns, that's not the way to go.", Chang informed. "What do I do then?", Riley asked. "Just follow my lead.", Chang answered, "And of course, don't tell anyone I'm helping you; that's our big secret. Got it?". Riley nodded in compliance. "Good. Now here's what to do.", Chang pulled Riley closer to him before whispering in her ear with the five-year old girl listening intently.
Sometime later, Rock grabbed three bowls of what used to have ice cream and put them in the dishwasher after rinsing them. "Gotta say Big Sis, I never knew ya liked ice cream so much.", Revy commented. "I have my sweet tooth too, you know.", Balalaika replied with a shrug. "Should we check on Chang?", Rock asked, "He's been in the bathroom for a while.". "Don't worry, I'm still alive.", Chang jokingly stated as he walked back in the kitchen, "I had to deal with some phone calls from back home.", he 'explained'.
"Is everything alright?", Rock asked. "Yeah no worries, just had to make sure business was going smoothly as usual.", Chang answered. Balalaika checked the time on her watch, "I should be heading off now.", she told the Okajima couple, "I have an online call to attend to later.". "Ah alright, guess we'll lead ya guys out then.", Revy said. "Eh, no need for that, Two-Hands.", Chang chimed in, "You guys already set up quite the unforgettable luncheon.". "Once again, I'm glad you guys liked it.", Rock smiled before he shook Chang and Balalaika's hands. "Yes now, farewell Rock and Two-Hands.", Balalaika chummily bid adieu before she and Chang walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. "Was nice seein' you too, Big Sis and Chang.", Revy replied as she and Rock gave a small wave before heading to the table to further clean up.
Before the retired mob-bosses could exit the household, Chang glanced at the staircase and noticed that a certain someone wasn't there in position and needed to create a distraction to keep Balalaika from leaving while avoiding attracting attention from Rock and Revy at least for a few minutes. Thinking quickly, Chang 'tripped' and stumbled before catching himself which successfully made Balalaika's head turn to him with a raised eyebrow. "Did you just trip?", she asked in barely concealed amusement. Chang sighed, "I'm telling you these old bones are just getting older…".
Balalaika shook her head, "Do you need help to the limousine?", she offered in a semi-mocking tone. "No, I got it.", Chang answered, slowly getting up and seeing Riley's still not there before purposely making himself fall again. Balalaika rolled her eyes, "You're retired now, Mr. Chang. There's no need to keep holding onto your pride and not ask your former rival for help getting off the floor.", she said as she forced Chang onto his feet. "You're one to talk about pride.", Chang mumbled, "C'mon Lil Two-Hands, where are you?", he thought to himself.
Little did Balalaika and Chang know, Riley was formulating a plan on her own and it involved quite some deception. While Rock and Revy were still cleaning the table, Riley snuck in and quickly grabbed two plastic cups from the garbage before running away. Thankfully, neither of her parents took notice before heading to the bathroom…
Meanwhile outside, Balalaika and Chang began waiting for their limousine after Balalaika gave the chauffeur a call to pick them up. "I'm not going to lie, Mr. Chang… I thought the mashed potatoes were a little too watery.", Balalaika spoke up. "I think they shoulda added more salt if you asked me.", Chang commented, "But hey, they were nice enough to invite us over for lunch.", he pointed out. "Yes, that's true.", she nodded in agreement. The chauffeur then pulled up to the two former mob-bosses before unlocking the doors.
Before they could enter though, Riley suddenly ran up to them. "Hey Burnt Face Lady, Sunglasses Guy!", she called out to them much to their surprise as she came up to them with two cups. "Before you go, I wanna give you some water!", Riley offered them. "There's no need. We have plenty of water inside here.", Balalaika replied with a hint of skepticism at Riley suddenly being nice to her. "But I wanna give it to you and tell you I'm sorry for being bad to you so long ago!", Riley begged. "Oh?", Balalaika's eyes slightly widened in surprise, "Asking for forgiveness?". "Uh huh!", Riley nodded, "I forgive you for being mean to me too so next time you visit, I'll be good and not be mad at you ever!", she said.
After a moment of silence pondering the situation, Balalaika shrugged, "Okay child, I'll take your token of forgiveness…but you need to act on it.", she replied before Riley gave out the two cups of water and she began stepping inside the limo. Chang was baffled at the seeming 180 Riley had made. However, he then noticed Riley slightly shake her head at him. He didn't know what exactly Riley was planning now, but he'll be sure to figure it out soon and so he chose not to drink it.
"Well anyway, we're leaving now.", Balalaika announced, "I'll see you next time, Riley.". "Bye Burnt Face Lady! Bye Sunglasses Guy!", Riley waved at the two of them. "Take it easy, Lil Two-Hands.", Chang waved before he entered his side of the limo and Riley left the scene. "A little odd she decides to apologize as we're about to leave…", Balalaika mumbled. "Eh, y'know little kids… sayin' things they don't mean all the time.", Chang shrugged his shoulders. Balalaika nodded in agreement and went to drink her cup of water…
Only to immediately widen her eyes and spit it out the window much to Chang's and even the chauffeur's surprise. "Are you okay, ma'am?", the chauffeur asked in a concerned tone. "Yes, just…something very awful about the water.", Balalaika answered with an incredibly sharp edge in her otherwise sophisticated voice. "What do you mean?", Chang asked. "I mean it tastes like something out of the sewers!", Balalaika answered which made Chang genuinely shocked at Riley's plan; he really didn't know whether to be impressed or horrified that she conjured a decent plan at such an early age.
The limousine made a quick stop at the garbage bin the Okajimas had left out so Balalaika and Chang could throw away their cups of toilet water. To say Balalaika was irritated that she was tricked by a child, the same child she's been teasing, would be an understatement. But considering who exactly her parents were in addition to the nice lunch they provided, she had to drop it for now until a familiar voice suddenly called out for her.
"Hey Burnt Face Lady~!", Riley called out, making Balalaika turn around with a glare sharp as glass. Before she could react or make a comment, Riley pointed her water pistol at her face and pulled the trigger...
SPLSSHHHHTT!