The streets were busier than normal, with various activities happening around, but the one that Circle-of-Fire and Andraste were headed to was the one with a picket line. The voices were muted at the moment, but as they drew closer the cries of, “No Container Crews! Let us Auth our own!” started to become clearer.

“Well I guess the memo about you making a speech went out to the cities.” Andraste said as joke, hoping to lighten the mood. “Don’t worry, if they hate you already there isn’t much you can do to make it worse at this point.” She added, being ever optimistic about things.

Circle-of-fire glanced down at his new Right Hand and with a smirk and a shake of his head, “Inspiring as always, Andraste.” He said dryly before taking the stairs to the stage, Aang and Andraste following behind him. Stopping in front of the microphone that had been set up he attempted to get the attention of the angry mob, but when that didn’t get anywhere, he just shrugged and started speaking, they’ll either listen or they won’t, it wouldn’t change things.

“While I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome, this seems to be the most well presented Auth announcement on these streets as of late.” He said into the microphone, “I just wanted to introduce myself, my hands and let you know what our goal is in the time we’ve been given.” Circle-of-fire continued even when a shoe went flying towards the stage, stopped by a mysterious gust of air, and falling harmlessly to the stage.

“Thank you,” Circle-of-fire said to both Aang and the thrower of the projectile. “The Starting point aims to be just that. A place for new faces to find their feet, learn about how things are done in the cities, and answer their questions and guide them. Eventually we’ll help them find a family among the current leaders in the world.”

“If we weren’t before, we are well aware of the feelings the masses have for our position in Las Vegas, but I’m hoping we can work together for the betterment of the world.” He said to the crowd, some were still chanting, some had actually stopped to listen. “But for the sake of keeping things short, I will just finish with that this is A Starting Point, not an end.” And with that Circle-of-Fire stepped back from the microphone, signalling that he was finished.

As they crossed the picket line Andraste quickly did a hand signal and then sent up a silent prayer to the Maker that this excursion out of the Headquarters in Las Vegas would end in bloodshed. She had been nervous when the call came in, but as a woman of the Maker, her higher power, she had prayed on the question for many hours, so many hours spent on her knees, and when the call came she knew what she had to do. 

Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for at least one familar friendly face, while she stood on the stage shaking from her nerves and the fact that this could turn violent at any moment. Another prayer to the maker, but this time to give her new leader the strength, she understood the difficulties of public speaking and it would be even more difficult with such hostility openly on display for all to see. The shoe was an interesting touch, but as the speech wrapped up, she had to move quickly to dodge a tomato that had been hurled her way. 

Hoping there would be no more produce thrown their way, although if it was ripe enough she may take it home with her and have a nice salad for dinner, she waited with her hands clenching the fabric of her dress, waiting to see if anyone would comment or ask a question.

Mikazuki looked on from the crowd at a rather bland looking individual address everyone. They seemed to believe that there was animosity in the crowd. Mika looked around and saw nothing of the sort. He shook his head and stepped up towards the bland circular form and addressed the crowd himself.

"Hello circle. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to the streets and wish you well on your noble endeavor of training new souls. If there is anything I can do to assist please do not hesitate to ask."

Mika then turned lifting his arm towards the crowd.

"I'm detecting that you believe the crowd to have some form of animosity towards you. Allow me to dispel this. I can assure you that the emotions held by the vast majority is nothing less than complete indifference. You had just as little say as to your current position as any other member of the crowd. For that reason, it's simply a pure emotion of nothingness. We accept the reality, and wish you success anxiously awaiting the 30th day when you leave just as suddenly as you appear."

Mika looked back to the crowd, stepping off and back into it looking over his shoulder.

"Best of luck."

Snacks walks in with his entourage and a turkey leg in his hand.

"Congratulations Circle-of-Fire!! If the gods have deemed you worthy to help usher in and train new talent then you have my support."

Snacks pauses. 

"Although I would like to add as a reminder to any new talent that their are plenty of great crews across the nation that are more than capable to offer a lending hand to any newcomers. My family being one of those places in which we would love any chance to work with an up and coming mobster. I look forward to seeing if this new strategy is helpful in creating the stable envirionment the gods are hoping to establish."

Snacks nods and exits.

As Shady walks down the busy street strip, he see a large gathering and figures he would go check it out. He notices Circle-of-Fire giving a speech. He stands there listening to what the new leader has to say given the situation of his newly HQ. He notices a few unruly people protesting with there signs held high up in the air. He makes his way through the crowd shaking his head at the nonsense. He approaches Circle-of-Fire and his esteemed right hand. 

It appears you know how to make an entrance. I know folks are upset at this but as I stated before as you arrived in Vegas that you are welcomed. Currently, you have a fan base of disgruntled folks but I'm sure with time their minds can be changed. The climate always seems to change when things like this happens but whats the point of being angry? There isn't a point really so instead I will be embrace the fact you are here on the west coast. I will always welcome anyone and everyone over this way regardless if their ancestors have been to these shores or not. I wish you the best in Vegas and I will look forward to see what you have to offer over this way in the wild wild west.

Shady takes his leave waving goodbye as he pushes through the crowd. 

Andraste stepped forward hesitantly towards the microphone that had been set up. While Circle-of-Fire had been eloquent and well spoken, she feared that her own words would be slightly less than his. Clearing her throat she said, "Thank you to those who have offered support and encouragement, it really does offer solace in troubling times to know that not everyone and their Brother's-Cousin's-sister's-dog's-Vet is out to get you." her laugh sounded hollow, even to her ears. 

"And although he has not woken up from his nap after some very important doctoring-business, Dr. Kenneth Nosewater would be saying a few words as well," she scrunched up her face, "Well at least I think he would, I could probably convince him if I had enough cookies." she shook her head, "Anyway, Just wanted to say thank you to those who have reached out to us. It does mean a lot, and hopefully our presence isn't required for long," Andraste said before stepping back to join the others. 

After a few rounds of high-stakes operation, Dr_Kenneth emerged from the HQ to an already forming crowd of people.

"I hadn't expected so much fanfare over a simple board game. But at any rate I'll continue to do my best to teach people to play at the highest possible caliber." 

Andraste leans in and whispers something in Dr_Kenneth's ear. 

"And uhh we'll do our best to keep newcomers safe and what not."