Sean stood in the doorway of his bar, Luna's, and looked nervously outside. As he knew from his other business dealings, it was the planning that made the difference between success and failure, and more than anything, he wanted today to be a success. Holding a street party had not been his idea, but had come from his number 2, Katerina. Detroit had begun to blossom recently, but Sean knew that no matter how well the city appealed to those who resided here, they needed to project an image to the rest of the nation, and to their fellow businessmen.....something to remind them that they were constantly looking to improve their city. Invitations had gone out to the powerful and influential across the country!

Venturing outside alongside his recently appointed advisor Medea, Sean looked across at the Old Red Barn....it was something of a fixture in the city, and he thought PhillipMarleau had done well to bring it everyone's attention, despite not even residing here. Of course, not far from there, down a side street and known only to those who frequented the establishment lay Destro's place. Rumor had it that it held arm-wrestling matches, more whispered rumors had it that the late NotoriousBIG had chickened out of a match there (unsubstantiated rumors, of course).

Further on down the street, Sean glanced upon Donnacha_Myrick setting up her poker school...he chuckled to himself as he thought about how many unsuspecting punters would be going home to explain to their partners why their rent wouldn't be paid this week! Then there was Ray_Keech! Sean couldn't think of anyone better to be in charge of the selling of beverages – some of those had one hell of a punch, Sean thought, as he tried in vain to remember the previous Saturday evening....damn, it must've been good!

Elsewhere, Sean could see Jadon looking as extravagant as ever...she was lucky she had the majority of the police in the area on her payroll, or her side businesses would attract far more attention from the men than they already did. Sharpe had said that his Company would ensure the safety of everyone who attended, both the citizens and those from out of town, and he could see from their discreet presence that they would do just that.

Amongst the various snack stalls and activity booths, he caught sight of NikkiOsavkovska – she never ceased to take his breath away, but today she looked even better than usual. She was in her element. Sean couldn't help but wonder what she had planned for the day!

As Sean stood talking to a couple of associates, a group of children crowded round him, firing questions at him as they often did when his security detail was lax.

“One at a time”, he said sternly, although he had to make the effort because he'd been told by Nikki that he had to make a good impression of EVERYBODY!

The questions, however, were mostly the same....

“Are Godfathers Mikhail, @John_Walton and Aegor going to be here? How about Don Dominick, he's a dish?”

“What about Don Viktor?” and “Will his wife Princess be with him?” And “Is she beautiful like everyone says?”

One particularly “knowledgable” kid even had the cheek to ask....”What about Don Viktor's other friends- @Stephanie_Plum, Nessa_Pryde and lOOPercentThatWitch....will they be here too???”

Sean couldn't help but laugh...he was still amazed how word got round so quickly, even though it was the rule of code that some business was never to be discussed in front of civilians.

Looking down at the youngsters, he admitted....”Perhaps, but if you go see that nice lady over there, you wouldn't believe it...Callisto makes the best damn cookies EVER!!”

Sharpe had posted his men around the outskirts of the event. Following recent events he knew all too well that a gunman could appear at any point.

Leaning against a nearby try he considered the benefits Destro could bring to proceedings now. A light hearted wuip to relieve the tension. A snide remark to a young recruit. Sharpe would miss that fellow more than he would admit.

Snapping out of his daydream he could see dust in the distance. Crouching down he went round his men. "Remember lads. Leaders first then everyone else. A snake with no head is incapable of coming forward..". 

Sharpe looks down with his trusted telescope, a gift from Wellington, when he realises this is not an enemy but the good folk of Las Vegas.

"Stand down boys. These are our friends. Dont reveal yourselves but let them pass. You'll ensure they're kept safe.."

Quite the party.

I can't wait to read slimy Dominic's take on it:

The Star-Examiner EXTRA! STREET PARTY 

This is a special update from the staff at The Star-Examiner.

People gathered and had a party.

Oh wait, I just did. 

Marian got wind of a party in Detroit and being someone who enjoyed drinking and partying she was not going to miss this one. There was this blue backless dress in her stitchery that she had wanted to try out and this was the perfect occasion for it. A silver necklace and a black high heeled shoe completed her outfit. She was ready to party.

As she stepped out of her cab into the streets of Detroit she noticed a few familiar faces. SeanCallan was someone she ran into frequently at the underground scholars club. Another member of that club, Donnacha was also present and she waved at her. Then there was don Nikki looking sexy as ever, not as sexy as Marian herself but then who was. 

The server came up to her and offered a drink which she accepted gleefully. She was sipping on it when she heard someone make a sarcastic remark about the party. Turning sideways she saw a man wearing a business suit sizing her up. He reminded her of a slimy snake and just the way he looked at her made her skin crawl. She downed her drink and moved away before the wretched creep approached her.

A jolt of excitement puckers Nikki's cheeks into a sweet smile, her first real smile for days. She was hoping that she wasn't that late but she could already see a few people had turned up. When she spotted Sean, she approached him and welcomed him in her arms for a hug. "The bags under your eyes are getting real deep, Sean. It's good to see you though. I haven't had anything to drink since the morning. I'll be back." As she walked away into the direction of Ray_Keech, she felt herself get a little dizzy. The dehydration was real. "Any alcohol beverage will do, bear. Bring it on." She said when she finally reached him.