The safehouse kitchen feels smaller than it should, lit by the fridge glow and a tired overhead bulb. Takeout boxes crowd the counter, bottles collect near the sink, and Joey is hunched over the mess like it is the only thing holding him up.
Michael "Mickey" Capozzi steps in from the hall, with Vicky and Nikki lingering back by the doorway. Vinny stays nearer the entrance, watching without interrupting. The room settles into an uneasy, almost domestic quiet.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
He finally looks up. "Oh. Hey. I thought everyone was doing the dramatic family meeting thing in the other room."
Michael "Mickey" Capozzi
"Yeah. We needed a minute," Mickey says, keeping it light.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
Joey gives a slow, sleepy shrug and leans one elbow on the counter. "Good. The other room feels like homework with knives."
Nichole "Nikki" Capozzi
Nikki snorts softly from the doorway. Vicky folds her arms, but her posture loosens a little. Joey notices that, and his expression eases into something more attentive.
For a beat, nobody pushes. The kitchen noise hums around them, a refrigerator motor, a distant clink from the sink. Joey taps the edge of a takeout box and waits, finally ready to listen.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get Joey to take the sisters seriously
“I playfully grab an empty takeout container and toss it into the toothy maw of a void on Joey's torso to see what happens”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled +0)
Mickey flicks the empty container underhand. It arcs cleanly across the cramped kitchen and drops into the dark opening in Joey's torso with a soft, papery thump.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
...Okay. That is not normal.
Joey straightens off the counter, eyes widening as the void swallows the box without a trace. Vicky and Nikki both stare. Vinny's attention sharpens from the doorway.
Nichole "Nikki" Capozzi
You can just do that?
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
No, seriously, what the hell is that?
Joey presses a palm to his shirt, then looks from Mickey to the sisters like he is finally seeing the shape of the whole mess.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
Yeah. Okay. I am listening now.
Quest Complete
Get Joey to take the sisters seriously
“We're gonna talk with dad. Tell him what roles we want in the family and the business. You coming with us?”
FAILURE (Good Diplomacy, rolled -2)
Michael "Mickey" Capozzi
We’re going to talk with Dad about what each of us wants in the family, and in the business. You coming with us?
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
Yeah... I think so. If I am going to listen, I should probably hear it from all of you.
Victoria "Vicky" Capozzi
Good. Because we are done pretending this all works just because nobody says it out loud.
Nichole "Nikki" Capozzi
And if he acts surprised, I am going to be so annoyed.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
He lets out a slow breath, eyes moving between Mickey and the sisters, as if the room is finally making sense.
Joey drags a hand down his face, then gives a small, uneven nod. Vinny stays near the entrance, silent, his lingering gaze fixed on the four of them.
Joseph "Joey" Capozzi
I am not promising I will be useful. But I am not brushing you off either.
✓ Quest Accepted
Talk with Dad about what each of us wants in the family and the business