It was the usual wintry afternoon out in the Windy City. The odd snowflake could be seen in the air and the freezing gusts of wind took the breath off of you as it hit you head on. It wasn't the type of weather Kleopatra would usually be seen out in if she could avoid it, however today was an important day in the latest developments of The Loop and so she braved the weather as she headed on down to a recently closed down warehouse, not too far from the main HQ of the Ptolemaic Kingdom.

As she headed inside she instructed a number of her entourage to stand guard at the entrance of the building, ensuring it was secure of any prying eyes from the local authorities that may be around. Inside she found that HyacinthBucket had already arrived. Wearing a blue short sleeved dress covered from top to bottom with small white flowers and topped off with her favourite hat that she wore only on special occasions, she looked as impeccable as ever, even if it was quite the picture.

"Has nobody else arrived yet?" Kleopatra asked. 

"Afraid not Kleo, I received a call from Isorin around 20 minutes ago. He and Qahnaarin are arriving together however they're running a bit late. Something about a disturbance at the betting office." Hyacinth replied. 

Just at that, the two men entered the building through the side entrance. "Sorry we're late ladies, something cropped up that we had to see to." Qahnaarin calmly explained. "They on their way over?" he asked. 

"Yeah, Skorpeon is driving them here. They should be here at half past." Kleopatra replied.

The four of them stood chatting for a few minutes as they waited for the others to arrive. A short while later Skorpeon pulled up outside of the building. As he got out of the car, he nodded at the bodyguards stood outside of the entrance and out stepped with him Baloo and Dominick. 

"Arms open" one of the guards said to the two gentlemen before searching them and confiscating their weapons. "This way." he then said before escorting them into the building.

Both Baloo and Dominick gave each other a slightly weary and worried look. It was obvious something didn't quite add up. Being led into a shut down warehouse, unarmed and where only last week the Chicago Tribune reported of two separate homicide cases. They had every right to feel as though something bad was about to happen. 

As they were escorted into the far room, they both noticed the familiar faces of Hyacinth, Isorin, Qahnaarin and Kleopatra all standing in a line. After a few minutes of complete silence, Kleopatra stepped forward placing her piece on the table.    

"Gentlemen, I assume you know why you're here. Let's make this quick." She said.  

"Baloo, over the past few weeks I have been observing you rather closely. I must say, I have been mightily impressed with how you have gone about business up to now. Teaching the 'cubs' all you know about our way of life, you have been a fantastic help. I have no doubt you'll one day make a great leader yourself." She continued with a wry smile on her face.

"Actually, that is one of the reasons I have summoned you here today. It is no secret that I am looking to expand our operations here in The Loop as a part of the continuing efforts to rebuild our fine city. It is in our best interests that I would like to bestow this opportunity and responsibility upon you, with the capable hands of Dominick right at your side. I have every confidence that the both you will be nothing but a success, I can think of nobody better to help us strive towards our goal of bringing wealth and prosperity back to Chi-Town." 

She then walked over to a somewhat speechless Baloo and placed a set of keys in his hands. "Congratulations. Welcome to your new home." She said as she smiled at him. 

Baloo took the keys into his paw from Kleopatra with the half smile that had gotten him so far in this life to date.  He gave her a wink and had a look around the old warehouse.

"It ain't much now, but we're gonna make this place shine! This will be a place for the simpler things here in this sometimes fucked up place that make us all feel goooooood...."

Baloo looked around and pointed over to an open section of floor and had his eyes light up.

"Over there will be the honey station which is imperative to make things right around here.  There's only Dominick and I right now, but eventually I'm hoping we got plenty of little worker bees to help us produce that beautiful liquid! Plus - There's of course the bar!!  Booze has to be bountiful to make this thing work! Ya gotta enjoy yourself, that's what I always say!!" Baloo's voice raised an octave as the excitement continued to mount.  "I want this to be a place of good times where people feel comfortable and at ease.  I want people here to do what they do best and together I am hoping that we all come together to achieve great things!"

Baloo quickly and conventiently found a can of black spray paint and a piece of barn board.  On it, he wrote:

The Bare Necessities

With that, he headed out to the outside of the old warehouse and nailed it onto the outside.  He walked in dusting his hands off with a big mischievous smile.

"There.  That'll do for now.  The Bare Necessities are open for business, and we couldn't be prouder to play this role in the growth of Chicago!" 

Making his way over to Baloo Isorin smiles and pulls out a bottle of his Sake from inside his jacket, recently imported from his ancestors home of Okinawa this was the good shit.

"Congratulations Baloo always good to city the city grow and prosper, I am sure you will do the city proud" Isorin hands Baloo the bottle of Sake "It's not quite honey my friend but I'm sure it will give you great enjoyment all the same" smiling Isorin shakes Baloo's hand "I wish you all the best in your future endeavours, if I can help in anyway don't hesitate to ask"

Isorin looks around the old warehouse and then back at Baloo "This place will fix up just nice if you need any interior design idea's I am sure HyacinthBucket will be more than happy to help, she has an eye for these things you know, well that's what she keeps telling me anyway"