Anne was out and about doing her normal routine when a family messenger approached her telling her that Garou had requested her company at the UnEven Bar. He knew she hated that place and that she had even set a fire in it at one point in time. She smiled to herself as she remembered the pandemonium it had caused. She knew it must be important though so she made her way to her car and headed to the one place she said she would never go again, oh the things she did for family.

Upon entering she noticed that the place was cleared out except for Garou and the right-hand man of Awakened, _________I__________, sitting at a back table waving her over. Just as she got to the table, the left-hand lady of the family, her lovely wife Tethis, came in smiling. Anne looked at the people around her and was happy, well except for those damn chairs which were still uneven and made her frown at the thought of sitting on them. Feeling the chair rock she quickly grabbed a peanut and threw it at _________I__________ from the bowl sitting on the table before smiling at Garou with a cheeky grin. 

"Sorry Bossman, I couldn't help myself. So what's the big emergency?" she asked.

All the people he needed were gathered in one place and he knew that the time was right. Calling over to the bartender, aptly named ____I_____, Garou arranged for a round of drinks to be brought to the table along with a few bottles of Champagne. Opening his wallet, he removed a wad of cash and handed it over to cover the expenses.

"Ah, here she is, the Lady of the hour. Take a seat Anne, we have been expecting you."

With the drinks promptly arriving at the table, he stood up and poured a few glasses for everyone before taking his seat once more and lighting one of his Cigars then leaning forwards and resting his elbows on the table. There was a slight wobble to it which was to be expected in this place but he simply needed to grin and bear through his desire to flip the table on it's rear.

"Firstly, allow me to say that its been an absolute pleasure having you with us in Awakened. You were here from the start and I have seen you blossom more than I could possibly have imagined. Everyday, you are out doing deals or welcoming the new recruits that showed up at our doors seeking work. Above and beyond, every time I asked something of you."

Knocking back his whiskey quickly, he continued.

"With all that said and done, you must realise that when someone shows the amount of effort and improvement which you have, there occasionally comes a time when that work ethic simply demands more of you. For the wonderful Anne Oakely of Awakened, that time is now."

Opening the pocket of his expensive tailored suit, he removed a set of keys and placed them on the table, sliding them across to her.

"These are for you. To be more precise, they are for your new HQ. An operation of your own alongside me in Manhattan. Whilst I don't like seeing you leave, I know that this opportunity is something you will grab by the horns and give your all to make work. My HQ is busy every day now and that doesnt leave much room to allow others in. I need you to offer the same courtesy which you have been doing all this time for me and build you own little family too."

Placing his hand on the chilled Champagne flute, he lifted it into the air.

"Enough of the formalities though, a toast to you and your new operation Anne. I know you will do me proud and continue in the exact same fashion which saw you put yourself into the position to earn this in the first place."

Anne sat in silence as Garou spoke, unable to believe this day had come. She had worked hard and long to build this family. She had taken lumps and would do it all again. She sat, expected to say something in response but the words would not come out. What to say, how she was beyond grateful to him for all the help he had given her, the bond that had formed in her for the family she never had out west when she traveled.

She leaned back in her chair, barely noticing the wobble this time, caught up in her emotions. So many here were people she had brought in and helped grow and she would be leaving them to only see occasionally in the streets. The HQ she had helped design, mostly just shooting glitter every where. The thought made her smirk. 

Anne looked around at those seated around her and a tear rolled down her cheek. She stood up and smiled. "Sir, it has been a true honor working for you, helping you build this amazing family we have. I can not tell you how happy I am that you are giving me this chance to both prove myself and help you build this city." 

She thought of the building she would have on lower 12th street on just the other side of town from the Boss. She had wanted that older brick style mansion for something and this was it. 

"Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah!" She said with a shy smile. "I am going to hate leaving this HQ but I refuse to leave the family, instead I am just going to create the 'The Scholars', a branch of Awakened, with the goal to continue your work and teachings and to help others grow the way you have done for me. To help create a city that reflects the kind of leaders you and Petah have been and continue to be." 

Turning to her lovely wife she smiled. "My love, would you do me the honor of being my Right Hand in this new adventure? You would have free reign of the interior decorations." 

Turning back she raised her glass in a toast.

Tethis grinned, taking her seat beside Anne and wobbling the chair back and forth with a soft giggle. She had known this was coming, having spoken to Garou about it previously. She didn't want anyone to think she was playing favorites, but it would be a lie if she said she wasn't a tad bit biased. Patiently waiting her turn, she smiled and lifted her flute in honor of her beautiful wife. 

"Of course I will join you! I'm thinking pink, or maybe green... Blue? Hmm... So many options! I'll see what I've got in stock, and maybe make a special order or two for the headquarters. Don't worry though, I'm sure you'll love it!"

She couldn't contain her excitement, wrapping her arms around Anne with a little squeal of joy. She had watched Anne day in and day out do everything she could for the family, watched her quickly rise through the ranks, and her heart swelled with pride to see the love of her life heading up a family of her own. She wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world.