The Family Gets The Scoop

"Where did you hear this, Philomena?"

Her eyes narrow as she glares at us. "Where do you bleached numbskulls think I heard it from? The glittery grapevine is always on the case."

Leo's expression turns troubled as he leans against the counter. "They've already started building?"

Philomena nods grimly. "Yes, and it will be completed in a matter of days. Mayhem enlisted some old Company friends, unknown to us, to help with construction. They kept it hidden by choosing a location just inside our bubble, near the bridge to the Cabal Quarter. Not many people live out there."

She takes a slow sip of her martini, her focus unwavering. "My boys are ecstatic, despite the place looking like a total dive."

A thought crosses my mind. "The cat's going to be furious when she finds out."

Philomena lets out a heavy sigh. "Oh, she already knows. It was the coyote and her bulldog who arranged all of this behind everyone's backs. They didn't even tell their own families. And they didn't waste any time - everything has been in the works for weeks now thanks to their deep pockets and connections." Her lips curl into a sneer. "But of course, the glamor guys are thrilled - it's right up their alley."

Hex slams his fist down on the counter, seething with disgust. "That pathetic waste of space from the south. She's always starting trouble. Now I understand what Chaos was ranting about - singing about bottles and cans, empty chairs and empty tables, rebels and rogues. It's been like she's watching Les Miserables on repeat."

"The real issue here," Sandrine drawls, "is that this dog is furious that one of her pack has gone to the enemy. So she's sending a clear warning: if anyone crosses her, she'll unleash hell."

"They're trying to establish their business in our community without even consulting the council," I grit my teeth in frustration. "Taking over land they claim is public domain. It doesn't matter if it's true or not. They've built their building there and are now posting their ‘rules' for everyone to follow as if they have the authority. And appointing trailer trash as their bouncer? It's like saying they have a pet shark in their pool, but inviting people over for a swim." My braid whips around as I shake my head.

"That was precisely their intention," Siren interjects from behind us. "They want to assert dominance, knowing our leader is preoccupied. And they plan to use brute force to enforce their own set of rules, causing conflict within the community. There can't be two sets of regulations for members to abide by. It's a small-scale revolution."

"Fuck this. Why can't these pathetic assholes just shut the hell up and leave well enough alone?" Hex's face twists with disgust as he struggles with his girlfriend's crazy family, causing chaos in their lives.

"Listen up, minions," Philomena slams her glass onto the counter. "This is not a war zone. It's a damn karaoke bar. Our beloved droid bartenders are here for one thing: fun. They don't give a damn about our petty dramas, parties or designer clothes. And for once, we need to let them do their job without interfering. Because if we don't, things will go to shit real quick. So instead of plotting like children, let's agree to keep our families out of this mess. The cat and librarian can deal with their own problems while we handle ours."

She's right, but it won't be easy.

The cat is seething with anger and betrayal, but she'll have to put that aside for now. If I can redirect her focus towards taking down the arrogant peacock in their midst, maybe she'll see it as a challenge rather than a burden. And hopefully, the clueless bimbo from the backwoods will get bored and stop meddling in our affairs like she always does.

I sigh and look over at my family. "Someone get the straws because I am not going to be the one to break this news."