Chapter 28: Chapter 28: First Date With Maria
Later that night,
Pulling up to the Profaci compound, Ricky was immediately recognized by the guards, who swiftly opened the gates to allow him entry.
He drove down the long, winding driveway, finally parking in front of the grand mansion that loomed ahead.
Stepping out of the car, Ricky smoothed his clothes and picked up a bouquet of roses from the passenger seat.
The fresh blooms contrasted sharply with the austere surroundings, their vivid colors standing out against the mansion's imposing facade.
With a purposeful stride, he walked up the marble steps, the weight of the occasion reflected in every measured step.
*Knock*
*Knock*
*Knock*
Ricky knocked on the heavy wooden door, the sound echoing in the quiet of the evening.
Moments later, the door swung open to reveal a haggard Profaci, his eyes weary and shoulders slumped.
Upon seeing Ricky, Profaci let out a sigh of relief, the tension momentarily easing from his worn features.
"Oh thank god you're here." Profaci looked as if he was on the verge of tears, his eyes glassy and full of confusion while gesturing for Ricky to come in, his hand trembling slightly.
"Are you al-"
"No, Princess has been running me and the entire family around town to prepare for your date." Profaci confessed, stumbling over to the side before grabbing a bottle of wine and downing it within seconds.
"I swear on baby Jesus, she has bought every dress at every boutique in New York city." Profaci rubbed his forehead in distress, looking as if he aged a couple years.
"PRINCESS, SLICK'S HERE!" Profaci suddenly hollared up the stairs, his voice cracking slightly though instead of Maria, Ninfa appeared.
"Ricky sweety, Maria's not ready yet can you wait a minute?" Ninfa said in a elegant tone, making Ricky slowly nod at her words.
"Great, she'll be out soon." Ninfa clasped her hands together with a smile, walking back into a particular room.
"Then I guess I'll entertain you for the next hour." Profaci cracked a joke, drawing a genuine laugh from Ricky as he followed him into the living room.
"Princess, you need to calm down." Ninfa hurried deeper into the enormous room, revealing the sight of Maria surrounded by dozens of dresses.
"Aunty I need to be perfect, PERFECT!" Maria reached up to grab her hair but froze, realizing she had almost messed up her freshly done perm.
"Baby girl, he's gonna love whatever you put on-"
"YOU DON'T KNOW THAT!" Maria stood up and began anxiously tossing the dresses around, while Ninfa sighed in exasperation.
"This might take a while."
30 minutes later,
"PUAHAHAHAHAHA!" Ricky cracked up in maniacal laughter while Profaci took a puff of his cigar.
"I swear that to this day, whenever I step into a train I always smell sh*t." Profaci sighed heavily as Ricky frantically tried to process the story he had just heard.
"Uncle you're crazy." Ricky wiped his eyes, snickering throughout his words only to see Profaci simply shrug.
"Tell that to the operator-" Profaci tried to retort until his whole body froze, making Ricky instinctively follow his line of sight until he also froze.
"Maria?" Ricky stood up in shock as Ninfa pushed a shy Maria into the living room with the most beautiful blue sundress Ricky had ever seen.
Black lines that elegantly curved into the images of flowers adorned the dress as dark blue pulled them all together.
"You're beautiful." Ricky spoke out his genuine thoughts as Maria cheeks flushed red in embarrassment.
Profaci felt a pang of emotion, almost on the verge of tears, as he recalled the image of a young girl sobbing at her father's tombstone.
Now, standing before him was a proud and graceful woman.
'If you could see her now Tony, I did right by you.' Profaci sniffed while rubbing his eyes before pushing Ricky forward.
*Sniff*
"I'll put your balls in a jar if you don't come back with her by ten~" Profaci spoke in a voice that trembled with emotion, wiping his watering eyes.
Ricky initially thought he was joking, but the intensity in Profaci's deadly gaze quickly dispelled any doubts.
"UNCLE~" Maria whined while stomping her foot on the floor, but Profaci didn't budge.
"I'm serious Ricky, I got a collection-"
"URGH, YOUR SO GROSS!" Maria grunted, pulling Ricky who tried to keep his smile though it was faltering with every glance he took at the deadpan Profaci.
"By hun hun, have a good date~" Ninfa waved with a proud smile, clearly pleased with herself for having done the makeup.
*Sigh*
"I swear, I don't know whether I want to be happy for my princess or strangle Slick." Profaci shook his head, absently fiddling with his pinky ring, while Ninfa rolled her eyes and tugged on his tie.
"What are you-"
"I want to have a fun time too~" Ninfa winked and led him up the stairs, causing Profaci to break into a wild grin.
Meanwhile outside the mansion,
Ricky opened the car door for Maria, who carefully eased herself inside, taking great care to ensure her dress remained unblemished.
"Ready?" Ricky asked and without hesitating Maria nodded her head, twiddling her fingers in a clearly anxious manner.
"I'm nervous too." Ricky suddenly spoke as he pressed the gas pedal, causing the car to lurch forward as Maria looked up, startled by the abrupt words that correlated with her own thoughts.
"R-Really?" Maria asked with a note of hope in her voice, finding a small measure of comfort in knowing Ricky was in the same predicament as she was.
"Of course, I'm scared out of my mind that I'm going to ruin my chances with such a great gal like yourself." Ricky lied a bit since he wasn't scared in the slightest and was actually in a good mood from talking to Profaci.
However, to avoid making their date awkward, Ricky told a small fib, hoping it would help Maria relax and enjoy herself.
"M-Me too." Maria smiled warmly as she glanced at her finger, which playfully danced with the light.
The car ride became increasingly pleasant as Ricky gradually drew Maria out of her shell, engaging her in conversation about herself.
By the time they arrived at the circus, the atmosphere between them was much more relaxed.
Ricky kept the conversation flowing effortlessly, seamlessly shifting between current events and past memories, which had Maria chatting up a storm the entire time.
However he didn't simply monopolize the conversation since she might have intrusive thoughts about why she was only talking so every now and again, so to supplement this Ricky would ask questions.
These questions wouldn't be vague but focus on a certain topic so as to make it seem that he was completely attuned to her every word.
"And you actually fell?" Ricky chuckled as Maria nodded with a toothy smile but instead of looking down at her hands, however, her gaze fixed directly on him.
"Yep, it was a good thing that Uncle caught me or I could've been in serious trouble." Maria spoke with such vividness that it was as if she could see the memory as clearly as if it were unfolding right in front of her.
"So did you-oh, we're here." Ricky looked genuinely surprised, as if he had just realized he was the one driving the car, before they finally arrived at the circus.
"Really?" Maria also showed a shocked expression before jerking her head to the front until her eyes widened when gazing at a large tent.
Light maneuvered all around, casting playful shadows across the enormous tent adorned with red and white stripes.
The air buzzed with anticipation as people began shuffling in, eager for the night's spectacle.
"Maria, you okay?"
Maria suddenly flinched, seemingly entranced by the grandiose sight as she turned to the driver's seat only to see Ricky not there.
Only when she heard the sounds of laughter did Maria glance over to her car door, noticing it was already open with Ricky standing beside it, offering a warm smile.
"Now I'm really glad I took you here." Ricky held out his hand, his eyes warm with a gentle invitation.
Maria laughed softly, her eyes sparkling, before she gently rested her hand in his, their fingers intertwining naturally.
However, just as she expected Ricky to release his grip, he tightened his hold and led Maria forward, his fingers securely wrapped around hers.
"Come on, I think it's about to start." Ricky pointed with his other hand as Maria fully came out of her shell while rushing forward with him, arm in arm, hand in hand.
They purchased two tickets for the front row, and upon entering the tent, their eyes were immediately drawn to the circular arena.
Seats wrapped around the center, which held a small platform and hanging prominently from the top was a large sign that read 'The Freak Show'.
"So this is what a circus is like." Ricky purposely spoke loud enough for Maria to hear him while leading her to their seats.
"You've also never been to a circus?" Maria curiously asked, plopping down right next to him.
"I've always wanted to go, however I never had someone to go with, at least until now." Ricky bluntly flirted with Maria who smiled warmly at being special to him.
"PEANUTS! GET YA PEANUTS HERE! ONLY 5 CENTS FOR A BAG OF PEANUTS! GOT TO HAVE THESE PEANUTS THERE SELLING LIKE HOTCAKES OVER HERE!" A man bellowed as Ricky took out a five dollar bill before waving it causing the man to immediately walk over.
"We'll take one bag." Ricky handed the five-dollar bill to the man, who looked surprised at the generous tip, as Ricky took the bag of peanuts in return.
"Sir I don't have change-"
"Keep it as a tip." Ricky nodded in acknowledgment as the man, visibly appreciative, returned the gesture before hurrying off to sell the rest of his peanuts.
"Wow fifty cents, these peanuts made of gold or something?" Maria gasped as she reached into the bag to inspect the peanuts, and Ricky laughed at her reaction.
"What, what's so funny?" Maria asked, cracking open one of the peanuts.
"Nothing, you're just my kinda girl." Ricky nudged her playfully, his words catching her off guard as she flinched, then ducked her head and took a slight nibble of the peanut.
"HELLLLLLLLLLLO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" A loud roar sounded as all eyes turned towards the center to see a man dressed head and toe in a cliche ringmaster outfit.
"BE PREPARED AND HOLD YOUR STOMACHS, TODAY YOU WILL SEE SIGHTS THAT WILL MAKE NOT ONLY GASP IN EXCITEMENT BUT HURL IN DISGUST!" The ringmaster called out to the crowd who laughed at the last part of his speech before he turned to the side.
"NOW BEFORE YOU ALL IS NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT THREE REFRIGERATORS!" The ringmaster pointed toward three refrigerators being wheeled out into view, while Maria tilted her head in curiosity.
"What do you think gonna happen Ricky?" Maria whispered to Ricky who tilted his head in confusion.
"Honestly I'm stumped about this one-"
"NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GIVE IT UP FOR MY FIRST OF MY MANY FREAKSHOWS!" The ringmaster pointed as a large man in overalls stepped into view, making his way out from behind the stage.
"CHORES MACGILLICUDDY!" The ringmaster roared with enthusiasm as Chores calmly emerged into the spotlight.
With bright orange hair, a small underbite, and an otherwise unremarkable appearance, he might have left the spectators puzzled.
That is, until he stepped confidently beside the ringmaster.
Standing at an impressive 6'9", Chores towered over the ringmaster, his large bulky figure complementing his formidable height.
"NOW WATCH AS CHORES THE GIANT JUGGLES THESE REFRIGERATORS!" The ringmaster screeched in excitement as all of the spectators widened their eyes including Ricky.
Then before all of their questioning eyes, Chores grabbed the refrigerators as his finger dug into the metal before he held it up into the air.
*GASP*
Large gasps echoed through the tent as Chores effortlessly lifted another refrigerator, now holding two in each hand.
With a steady gait, he walked behind the last refrigerator and in a feat that seemed to defy human capability, he threw one refrigerator into the air, quickly picked up the remaining one, and began juggling the massive appliances.
The sight of Chores effortlessly juggling refrigerators left every spectator in the tent wide-eyed and speechless with amazement.
"How is he doing that Ricky?" Maria tugged at his sleeves but Ricky's eyes were dead set on his figure.
'He's got to be a mutant.' Ricky's eyes were locked onto Chores since his fathers words from a while ago rang in his ears.
'Slick, I want your gifts to be recognized by god.'
Ricky wasn't bothered by being perceived as a mutant since in his past life, he had grown accustomed to the disgusted whispers and hate-filled glances he received while begging for change out of boredom.
However, his father wasn't immune to the hateful eyes glaring at the stigma that made up his being.
Lucky Luciano, a man known for his ironclad control and ruthless tactics, found it difficult to protect Ricky from the prejudice and fear that came with his extraordinary abilities.
The Luciano family's acceptance of Ricky's gifts came at a high cost as anyone who dared to speak out against Ricky, calling him a freak, found themselves at the bottom of the river or swimming with the fishes.
Lucky's ruthlessness ensured that no dissent would be tolerated, and in a twisted way, this made Ricky feel more accepted.
Ricky, though, was conflicted at Lucky's constant plans for acceptance since it all seemed like too much work but went along with it primarily for his father's sake, easing his worries seemed like the least he could do for everything Lucky had done for him.
But as Ricky pondered his future, he realized he wanted to build something of his own like his father before him, a group of individuals like him, but with powers and mutant abilities like himself.
The challenge, however, was immense since the so-called "X-gene" that granted him his powers seemed to be incredibly rare.
Finding others like him in this time was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack since a large portion were either in hiding or were killed.
Despite this, Ricky was readily determined as he envisioned a new family, one that wasn't bound by blood but by the shared experience of being different in a world that feared them, that all rallied under him to make him a profit and do all the hard work he didn't have the patience for.
'Oh yeah, mission 'find a bunch of powered lackeys to do all my work' is finally starting to form.' Ricky's evil smile slowly started to form, seeing the first target as he cracked open a peanut.
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
*BOOM*
The refrigerators suddenly crashed into the ground as a large dust cloud blew into the air before it cleared to reveal Chores bowing.
"GIVE IT UP FOR THE FREAKISH GIANT CHORES, EVERYONE!" The ringmaster shouted at the top of his lungs as a thunderous applause roared in response.
"NOW NEXT IS THE BEARDED LADY-"
The next 'freaks' didn't even make Ricky amazed as Chores was the only noticeable act, at least in RIcky's opinion, in this entire circus.
Until the last act came on.
"NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FOR OUR LAST ACT WE'LL BRING OUT OUR NEWEST AND MOST INTRIGUING FREAK." The ringmaster pointed to the side as a medium sized dog started prancing out from the side.
"BARKO!" THe ringmaster introduced Barko who pranced onto the stage before sitting down in front of all of them.
"A dog?" Ricky's questioning words were repeated throughout the crowd as they looked at these seemingly normal black labrador.
However what set this dog apart from the regular dog was that he was wearing thick rimmed goggles.
"NOW BARKO, SPEAK!" The ringmaster roared as Barko sighed before looking up with a disgruntled expression.
*Ahem*
"Good evening everyone." Barko spoke with an air of disbelief, sounding as if he were a middle-aged man, causing Ricky's jaw to drop in astonishment.
"Holy sh*t, it can talk." Ricky let out an exasperated sigh as Maria giggled incessantly, finding Barko to be the cutest thing in the entire circus.
The crowd roared in amazement though Barko seemingly was used to this response and starters scratching himself.
"NOW BARKO, WHAT'S MY NAME!" The ringmaster called out though faced the crowd.
"Carl." Barko rolled his eyes as the ringmaster's eyebrow twitched.
"CORRECT!" The ringmaster saved it and the crowd simply ate it up, laughing hysterically.
The ringmaster began asking Barko a series of routine questions, such as the name of the current president and basic arithmetic problems, before eventually turning his attention towards Ricky.
"YOUNG MAN, ASK BARKO ANYTHING!" The ringmaster pointed at Ricky as Maria jumped up and down in her seat from excitement.
All eyes shifted to Ricky as the crowd waited with bated breath for him to speak as Ricky, meanwhile, took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Barko, were you a man before you became a dog?" Ricky asked a question that not only shocked the crowd but the two of Barko and Ringmaster.
"Well yes, I was-"
"NEXT QUESTION!" The ringmaster interrupted the happy Barko who was pleased that someone would ask him something different than weird and intrusive questions, like if he licked himself.
Ricky frowned but shrugged, understanding the situation before sitting down next to an irritated Maria.
"I can't believe he ignored you like that!" Maria crossed her arms before Ricky used this chance to slink his arm around hers.
"A hug would make me feel better." Ricky shamelessly said, taking Maria into his arms as she started panicking.
Before she could say a word, Ricky pulled Maria into a warm embrace as her face nestled into his shirt, the comforting scent of his cologne soothing her as she wrapped her arms around his back.
Ricky released her shortly after, but he kept her close, sitting side by side rather than next to each other, simply enjoying each other's company in silence.
As Barko pranced off, he glanced back at Ricky and after seeing that Ricky wasn't paying attention to his departure, Barko sighed and continued on his way.
"I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY FREAK SHOW AND I HOPE YOU COME BACK SINCE WE WILL BE HERE ALL OF THIS WEEK AND THE NEXT ONE AFTER THAT!" The ringmaster took off his top hat before bowing as Ricky stood up with Maria.
"Hey Maria, want to see the acts up close?" Ricky whispered to Maria who looked at him with a questioning gaze.
"What do you mea-eep!" Maria asked only to see Ricky lug her to the side causing her to let out a little squeal.
"Come on."
Instead of following the other excited people out of the entrance, the both of them sneakily followed the departing Ringmaster.
"Ricky we shouldn't-"
"Don't you want to pet Barko?" Rick quickly enticed her as Maria shut her mouth, biting her lip since she really wanted to pet Barko.
"Ok." Maria whispered cutely as Ricky resisted the urge to hug her, slowly following the ringmaster backstage.
Meanwhile in Manhattan,
"Rocco, I don't think this is a good idea." Edward spoke nervously as Rocco drove them into a deserted parking lot.
"Oh come on Edward, grow some hair on yer balls and shut up." Rocco nudged Edward while he got out of the car.
"These betty's are seriously out of this world and-speak of the devil!" Rocco interrupted himself, his attention drawn to a girl sitting in the distance, partially obscured by a thin veil of fog.
"Come on Eddy, they're waiting for us!" Rocco urged him, walking in a certain direction as Edward bit his lip but got out of the car to follow him.
"Ladies, I didn't mean to make you two-AHHH!" Rocco stayed cool and collected until his eyes fell upon a horrifying sight.
The two girls who were supposed to meet them were sitting on the bench, but instead of living beings, their brutalized corpses lay slumped there.
Each victim had a chunk of their necks brutally ripped out, leaving gaping, bloody wounds as some stray streams of blood trailed down their pale skin.
Their eyes were rolled back in their sockets, frozen in a ghastly expression of terror, suggesting they had been conscious during the attack.
The color of their dead skin mirrored Rocco's own as he turned ghostly pale, his eyes shrinking as if forcing him to observe every horrid detail.
The grotesque scene churned his stomach, and he instinctively covered his mouth, struggling to keep from vomiting.
"BLERGH!"
However Rocco couldn't hold back his dinner and threw it all up, stumbling backwards before Edward rushed over to him.
"Rocco what are-JESUS CHRIST!" Edward yelled before a echoed laughter sounded from a nearby alley.
"Isn't it ironic of you to depict my actions in such a holy light." A dark, husky voice resonated in the alley, its sinister tones sending shivers down Rocco's spine.
Suddenly, a pair of red eyes pierced the darkness, glowing ominously as the malevolent gaze seemed to bore into Rocco's soul, filling him with a dread he had never known before.
Their horrified eyes locked onto an elegantly dressed figure stepping out from the shadows, exuding an aura of nobility.
But it was only upon seeing the man's face that they realized his true nature as he bore the unmistakable features of a monster of Dracula himself.
"What shall I do? You saw something you weren't supposed to see yet I'm completely full." Dracula caressed his chin with intrigue, looking at the scared little blood bags before him.
"S-S-S-S-Shall I take care of these two Lord Dracula?" One of Pep's most loyal subordinates, Harold, tentatively asked Dracula who side-eyed him.
"With what? That little contraption you call a 'gun'?" Dracula wore an amused smile as Harold looked down in shame.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
Rocco, despite Dracula's apparent disinterest in the two teenagers, fired off four bullets as the bullets sliced through the air, each embedding itself in Dracula's body.
Dracula let out a small, amused chuckle that gradually morphed into hysterical laughter.
Both Edward and Rocco's eyes widened in terror, their hands shaking as the sinister sound echoed in the alley.
*Dink*
*Dink*
*Dink*
*Dink*
The bullets were seemingly ejected from Dracula's flesh, clinking on the ground before settling beneath his feet.
Then, in a split second, Dracula closed the distance, grabbing the petrified Rocco's arm as his smile twisted into a bloodthirsty grin as he loomed over the terrified teenager.
*SPLAT*
Dracula ruthlessly tore Rocco's very arm from his body, the sound of his flesh ripping forcing itself into the horrified ears of Edward who fell to the ground in shock.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Rocco let out a screech of maddening pain as his blood sprayed everywhere, painting the alley in crimson and just as the horror seemed unbearable, something miraculous occurred.
The blood, instead of falling to the whims of gravity, suddenly stopped in the air, slowly gathering into a swirling ball which hovered to the side.
Dracula, annoyed by Rocco's incessant screaming, didn't wait to drain him entirely and with a swift, cold motion, he grabbed Rocco's neck, silencing him instantly.
*CRUNCH*
*GULP*
Dracula bit into Rocco's neck, crushing his windpipe, and greedily gulping the gushing blood.
The once horrified alley was now filled with the sickening sound of Dracula's feeding, his teeth sinking deeper into Rocco's flesh, his eyes gleaming with a sinister hunger.
Blood poured out, coating Dracula's lips and staining his immaculate attire, but he paid no mind, lost in the ecstasy of the kill.
*THUMP*
Rocco's body, now nothing more than a dried husk, dropped to the ground with a lifeless thud while Dracula straightened, a look of satisfaction crossing his features.
His eyes, still gleaming with that monstrous hunger, surveyed the scene with a cold, detached amusement.
The alley was silent except for the faint rustle of the wind, a stark contrast to the horror that had just unfolded.
"Now I'm full~" Dracula let out a refreshed sigh, taking out a weird looking flash before ordering the ball of blood into it.
"R-Rocco?" Edward was letting out tears of grief and sorrow as it wasn't because he was scared, but because one of his best friends had perished before his very eyes.
"Take care of the fat one, I'm on a diet." Dracula beckoned to the shivering Harold who nodded and pulled out his pistol.
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*BANG*
*THUMP*
Harold fired five shots into Edward's body, the bullets tearing through him and leaving him in a lifeless, immobile state.
The young teenager collapsed onto the pavement, his eyes filled with tears as he watched the departing figures of the two assailants.
"Now let us go back." Dracula beckoned as Harlod simply nodded though started gathering courage.
"About helping Dutch-"
"I'll send some of my ghouls." Dracula scoffed, recognizing the request of the insignificant human named Harold.
With a dismissive wave, he watched as Harold, eager and insistent, bobbed his head in agreement.
Dracula then turned and glided into the alleyway, disappearing from view as Harold followed, his footsteps echoing in the narrow space.
Edward gazed up at the night sky, his body wracked with new wounds that caused his blood to flow out like a raging river.
It pooled on the pavement around him, creating a disturbing scene in the dimly lit alley as only one word coursed through his mind.
'Why?'
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone