I wanted to take a moment, here in the wee hours of the morning, to say thank you while I still have this character name.  I'm not sure if Geordie has my number or not (I'd like to think I'll get his butt yet, however, he was pretty damn slick in this rogue effort so props to him - I did not see this coming!) 

FACELESS MEN

First off, I want to thank Arya and the Faceless Men (Wrench, Espresso, Oddy, George, Ellen, Nova et all)  There's been a lot said recently about my motives in this game - but to be honest, I didn't avoid going down with the ship out of some weird plan to avoid my fate or to be a traitor... but honestly didn't realize that it was a thing people did in this game. 

Now, yes, I see how that might not be believed and why some people may call me an idiot for not knowing, but there it is.  I guess I was an idiot.  When my CL said run - I did.  I had done that for my last two crews which were god struck by the Admins, so I didn't see any reason not to do it for Faceless.  We were dying, I didn't know why, and my CL gave me an order which I followed. 

Then I spent the rest of the night on the phone via text with her trying to reconcile how I was EVER going to stand being in a group she sent me to join ... a group that was hunting her even as I sat in their crew channel. 

I hated "those bastards" at that moment and I thought I'd never be able to forgive them enough to care if they lived or died.

FRANK 

Second has to be Frank. There is a lot I could say to my first "RP husband" (as opposed to my RL hubby who plays) here... but this is the part that matters... thank you for finding me and RP'ing with me before I gave up that this place had more than one or two people who gave a damn about story.  Because of you, I remained here and I kept writing and I kept helping others to write.  If anyone here is happy I stayed... they should probably thank you.

Till Death Do Us Part, eh?  We had one hell of a story and if I live, I look forward to writing what happens in the aftermath of Lucy's biggest loss yet.  You.

CHICAGO

Third.. "those bastards" - or as I know know you now, my Chicago Family.  Proof positive that the game is constantly in motion and isn't about the character names but the people behind them and how they treat each other.  

I started writing names of those who I wanted to know in particular how much you mean to me... but the list is so damn long I might as well be reading the shot report list.  :)

You guys won me over first by being classy while you hunted Arya.  I started to crack when I saw you remarking on her tenacity, your respect for her sending the last of her crew to survival, and when folks did try to get vicious and disrespectful - you shut that shit right down.  You remembered that Arya was a person first and foremost... not a stat, or npc on a video game to be killed.

Then, when the deed was done, you never once questioned my loyalty.  Granted, day one I had to join Broadway Mafia because Arya took Tyrion with her on the way out... I love you guys for saving my ass, but a small part of me did cheer for her.  ;)  

But Nikki... not a second of hesitation or distrust.  She and Broadway and later Broadway 2.0 under Charlie (for 24 hours) and then Blue Note and Divergent - you all just didn't blink.  You said, you're here... you're one of us.  You.  Are.  Home.

VARYS

When Tobias went down I figured that was it.  I didn't know Varys from Job really - even though we had been in Tobias' crew together I wasn't there long enough to get to know him.  He had no reason to trust me, but he's a good guy... (ruthless player but damn good man in RL) and he pulled me aside to ask some hard questions.  I hesitated only a moment in telling him how I played... what my "angle" was... but once I had I figured he'd either shoot me or he'd like me.

Turns out the later.  In fact, he didn't just take me in after hearing my game philosophy and about my real life... he made me his RHM.  For this, he had an ear full - every day - of how horrible I was.  Of how I wasn't really loyal or maybe I was in league with people who were corrupt leaders from the past (etc) and this from someone he trusted very much, someone he truly valued. 

I spent nearly every day wondering if I was going to be sent away and instead, when I did try to walk (several times) he refused to accept my resignation.  He believed in an untested new person on her first character... I hope, in some measure, I was worthy of that trust & faith.

SQUISHY / IZZY

Thanks for all you do here and the constant support you've shown every crazy idea of mine.  Thank you for MR and a chance to play here.  I appreciate you and your staff a ton.

THE BIGGEST THING FOLKS

Today, in real life, I turn 39.

I spent last night, prior to sleep, explaining to my nine year why very REAL and very LOVED people go to heaven... her teacher died unexpectedly and we got a call from the school last night.  It's why I logged abruptly - I was scared of her hearing it on the answering machine which picked up before I did.

So, perspective.  This... this isn't real. 

While I am proud of 100+ days on my first run.  Level 60 on my first run.  RHM to a Godfather on my first run... none of that really matters.  People matter.  Some of you here have become my friends and for that I'm incredibly grateful.  For your faith in me, for your kind hand in teaching a noob, for standing up for me against haters and trolls... and to those haters and trolls who later had enough kindness to come to me and actually talk outside of the boards - thank you.  

If I live through this, I'm gonna do what I said I wouldn't... I'm gonna lead a crew.  God help me.  :)  And I'm going to tell good story.  I hope I get that chance.  If I don't... well, I'll be back - but as a birthday gift to me, please post on my funeral if it comes to that.  I'd really enjoy to read your ic posts there while I get started on my second character.

It's Chaos Everyone.  Be Kind.

-LuckyLucy
Whose ironically chosen name, turned out to be right after all.  ♥

And then you live. :)

Reminds me of this:  http://www.trbimg.com/img-58262000/turbine/ct-truman-defeats-dewey-1948-flashback-perspec-1113-md-20161111

Ps:  look what paper published it. 

#ChicagoStands  :)