Not too long ago – today actually – Luna had stumbled across an encounter with signore Jack Mezzo in the streets in which she started to discuss with him the point of peace of just being a utopia. 

As anyone tends to do after hearing about the imbalance of something regarding power or prosperity, they question their morals. In this case, Luna questioned the ability of humans to hold off conflict for a long period of time. Is this possible?

“The obvious answer is that conflict is inevitable – but that doesn’t mean that the chance of long lasting peace can be diminished.

Remember the last few rogues? Correct me if I’m wrong, but they hadn’t even lasted 24 hours before being captured. Then we go back to our normal routines, the only difference that would be made is that stronger protection and prevention strategies for situations relating to those type of situations are implemented.

That says to me that we are evolving.

Don’t you think we can finally invite peace into our world now? Stop being so negative towards those who just want a reconceptualization of peace, I say! Lets welcome this new era!

Am I being too optimistic and naïve?

Debatable. If you have something to say about that, please do make your thoughts known. Maybe I can help you see the greener side of things.

Am I wrong for wanting to enjoy a peaceful era in human history?

Hopefully your answer to that is no.

If anyone has an urge to correct me on this, please do, but from my observation I notice that we have reached a level of STABILITY. Less amount of people abandoning crews to becoming a rogue and less people dying (excluding retirement.

I admit that I have been perceiving peace as a threat to our community – but don’t let paranoia cloud up your judgement! Open your eyes! We are working towards something great!

Here is what I think – I won’t say you’re wrong if you tell me that we can only hold onto this peace for so long before resource and population pressure drives us to violence. Detroit gained a new district. Philly has gained a new district. Power is being spread throughout the nation. Eventually we fall into the trap of thinking that this is the start of a riot.

BUT – I truly believe in my heart that if each of the cities continue to grow and create greater resources for dealing with the few areas of conflict, peace is very, very close to becoming a reality. A realistic reality.”

---

So, now you have listened to me ramble on about my thoughts – what are yours? Can we achieve the longest period of peace in recorded mafia history? If so, what other things should be in place to maintain this period of time?

If not, why do you think so? Have you been around for so long that you have lost hope in world peace? Are you continuously struck by wars or vengeance?

With saying that though, I have not been around as long as other people have so I would like to find out - with evidence – has there been other times that peace has been attempted that ended up failing miserably in the past? Why did that happen? What went wrong?

Killian absentmindedly rubbed his cheek while he listened to what Luna had to say. He'd been trying to avoid meaningful conversations in the past, stuck in some unwarranted fear of making connections here in America. Recent events changed that, and now he knew that he needed to step out and make these connections. Part of that process was participating in these conversations. He internally laughed at himself, excited for the future, and this caused a slight grin to creep up his face. 

He took a moment to consider her questions after she finished speaking. He dropped his hand and leaned forward in his seat, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together in front of him. He hadn't yet had the pleasure of meeting Luna, but he knew of her. In fact, if all went according to plan, he'd be working directly with her in the near future. His green eyes met hers and he smiled warmly. He'd been trying to refine his Irish accent, but it still shone through.

"Peace, darlin', is easier said than done. I've been around the block with war and peace back home, and let me tell yah, it takes willin' participants to uphold peace, and only a few dissidents to ruin said peace."

He leaned back and held his hands up in a surrender. "Aye but don't think I'm bein' negative. Quite the opposite. I've seen war and what it does to a person, and I've also seen how these same people can put transgressions aside for the better of all. Peace is possible, but it takes sacrifice. Sometimes what we want isn't always the best for the group as a whole. We've got to be willing to put aside personal gain for societal growth, which can be tricky in this line o' business."

He rested his elbows on his knees once more and toyed with a ring on his right hand. "People will also have to learn to forgive. When someone makes a selfish action it tends to reflect on the group as a whole. We'll need wisdom to discern the heart of the matter in these situations. If someone is acting of their own volition and it gets misconstrued as sanctioned things could quickly spiral into chaos... believe me, I've seen it first hand.

Peace is possible, but it takes work, hard work and a change in mindset and culture. I've not been around long enough here in America to see whether or not such a thing could be possible here, but I like to think of myself as an optimist. I'd rather die thinking we could actually do this than live in fear of failure."

Gives KillianQuinn a cookie for his glass-half-full views. 

"No... that's not right..." 

Luna smiles mischievously and ends up giving him the whole shipment of crack contained cookies for being a beacon of light.

"Agreed. Peace is possible! Sadly, you and I are the only one talking about it though. Lets not forget it can be made even more possible if more people show their support on this. Majority wins, isnt that right?!"

"Luna, I was just involved in a similar conversation not long ago. I addressed some things and then discovered that I had answered a question that had not been asked."

KTI lets out a slight laugh and shrugs

"I for one do not believe that anyone who strives for peace in this profession or anywhere for that matter is either "too optimistic or naive" period. I happen to think it's a very noble idea and one that should be pursued." 

KTI pauses and let's out a sigh of slight sadness

"However... Pardon the pessimism here but humans have a certain level of selfishness to them. Now most of us are selfish about normal things like wanting that promotion, making money, training a skill, gaining power or whatever the case may be. Now with that said, most of us also pursue these things in a normal and healthy way.... And in this way of life normal and healthy are terms used loosely." 

"But, the problem isn't always just the people.. It's the situation that we work in. As this peace continues and the country stagnates.. certain people will get restless or even flat out bored and want things to change. How they accomplish that may differ from case to case but the common theme from previous experiences is that it ends violently." 

"Essentially, selfish people and the nature of this business all but ensures peace doesn't last forever. I do think that peace is a great thing, it brings more creative and nontoxic conversation to these streets. More competitions, tournaments, you name it."

"Sadly though... Some people just suck and will find a way to ruin it."      

"KTI, I am thankful that you cleared up the fact that I'm too naive. I'm just... very hopeful and proud for the future. There's nothing wrong with that." 

Luna smiled and nodded as she listened to KTI. She too had to take a pause when she heard him mention the selfishness of certain people. 

"Well, yes. You said it yourself. Humans do have a certain level of selfishness. So when you put a selfish person in this type of lifestyle, it usually does result in greediness and conflict. I just wish that next time someone is bored with the current situation, that they seek out someone for ideas. In my opinion there should always be something new to talk about everyday, but I understand if a casual street discussion isn't their cup of tea. Maybe that's why people just focus on wanting to gain power through other... means." 

"Thank you KTI for providing your opinion. I know this peace won't and can't last forever, but I'm just making the best of the situation we are in right now." 

"Let The Good Times Roll!"

Charlie was singing a tune, as he was cut off like a record when he heard the familiar soft voice of the now Made, Luna, or better known as Luna Baloona. He beamed and wondered what she was talking about now, he still remembered the talk they had in the street, which after they had gotten coffee, to which he had enjoyed immensely.

He then remembered the suitcase exploration, something that he had walked into, but he had also remembered that the pen was something he ordered, he was not sure what happened to the pen, but he would have enjoyed that he kept it. Only Luna's eyes were on the suitcase and never left, which the pen had never been recovered, by him at least.

"Luuna...Again? And here I thought that if I gave you the coffee, you would have stayed away, but it turns out to have given you more energy then usual, especially now."

Charlie grinned knowing that the coffee was never really going to help matters, but he wanted to see if Luna was going to off again and he liked it when he was right, plus he enjoyed the debates oddly, it allowed for a great back and forth, but also a great opinion between the people.

"War. It never changes, it is the same cycle that we have seen many times over, people die, businesses lose money and fall, famillies torn apart, brother killing brother, sister killing sister, all for the sake of their family, but not their actual family, no the family they have sworn too. It is truly a process of thinning the herd and allowing for the newborns to roam free, but for how long?"

Charlie pressed his advantage, knowing that he needed to get people to see that the cycle was the same and war was going to come, but it would depend on how long they could keep this peace going.

"The newborns eventually become the bosses and they will have to eventually see that peace is the way to prosperity and not war. I say, the cycle will continue and we will always come back to this question, Peace or War?"