A Promessa

Amica

Giulia makes a friend.

—*—

His favorite part about Giulia was picking her outfits. He'd chosen most of her baby clothing; nowadays, he loves picking her dresses and ribbons. Granted, getting his four-year-old daughter to stay still was easier said than done. 

"Gotcha!" Alessio cried out triumphantly as he caught Giulia and lifted her into the air. She was pouting adorably, arms crossed as he took her back to bed. "Don't make that face, bambina. You'll get to play at the party, but we need to dress up accordingly."

For this occasion, he dressed Giulia in a bright red and white dress with a bow on her back. White frills adorned the edge of the sleeves, and the bottom half poofed out in a large, wide bell shape. 

"Aw, Giulia, you look beautiful." Alessio chuckled. 

"Papa, I can't put on this stupid tie! " Pietro groaned, hands struggling with the garment.

 Alessio knelt down and fixed his son's disastrous attempt at tying the tie. "There. It's similar to tying your shoelaces, figlio."

"Why can't we wear normal clothes?" 

"It wouldn't be proper, Pietro." Alessio hurriedly went to the bathroom to check that his own tie was properly tied. "Alright, it's time to go. We don't want to be late."

That said, the consigliere ushered his children into the car and drove off through Notamafia. Unsurprisingly, many streets were overwhelmed with traffic as everyone went home.

That evening, in Mammon's very own palace, the Deadly Sin was hosting the Pre-Sinsmas Ball, not out of the kindness of his heart or festive spirit, but as a sort of 'publicity stunt.' Everyone who was somebody would attend: pop stars, celebrities, Ars Goeria, and most notably, the 'big bosses' of all the Mafias, including the Italian Commission and the Triads.

Anyone with common sense would know that bringing all the Mafias together in one place was a bad idea. The rivalries and hostility between the attendees were so evident that it could be felt in the air. 

But, surprisingly, whatever bad blood the gangs might have is swept under the rug tonight. No one is stupid enough to start a fight on Mammon's doorstep.

Giulia clung to her father when she spotted the robo-Fizzes at the front door. The two robots opened the door for the newcomers as they entered the decorated interior. Pietro and Giulia stared in awe at the huge Sinsmas tree—which stretched all the way to the ceiling of the several-stories high foyer—at the end of the vibrant red carpet. Demons of all species—mostly sharks—all dressed in fine suits and fancy dresses dotted the room.

Soon, they found themselves at the doors to the grand ballroom. Like the foyer, it was decorated in every possible way for Sinsmas. The tables were covered in green and black tablecloths, and a holiday centerpiece with a candle sat on each one. 

The host, a Robo-Fizz programmed specifically for this task, slipped up beside Alessio and the children. Giulia hid behind her father and clung to his leg.

"Name?" The Robo-Fizz asked, pen and clipboard in hand. 

"Alessio Carouso from the Knolastname Family. Party of Three."

Host-Fizz flipped through the papers on the clipboard and then placed a checkmark. "Table fifteen. Dinner will be served in an hour, appetizers on the buffet table, blah, blah, blah. Feel free to leave your kiddies at the brats' table and mingle until you're asked to sit down.

With waiter-Fizzies all over the room serving drinks, Alessio picked Giulia up as he took his children to the kids' table. He caught sight of Crim, Jawns, Nickel, and the other guys—some of them with their wives at his assigned and surrounding tables; the other Dons and their men were seated nearby at their own tables. Alessio casually spotted the Chinese Triads, the Yakuza, and the Irish Mob, all of them in different areas a good distance from one another.