Straight down highway 91, through the stark desert, there she was, ‘The El Rancho”. Peeler, her trusted bodyguard, drove to the newest casino and resort on The Strip. Aqua wanted to check the place out in person. This was one of the few times she could not afford to screw up anything on a night of such great importance. Today Fluffy_Tummy would take GodFather Chairman of the Strip and all of the cities were invited to join the celebration.

Aqua had asked lylithe to take charge of the decorating, as no one on this planet did glitter and lights like she. Chef Gordon_Ramsay would of course be in charge of the menu and he knew better than to make anything Pate, lest the cat puke his fluffy tummy up on his special night. GodFather Cork was in charge of libations, as no one seemed to trust Aqua for that job. Crates of the finest champagne were being ushered in and stacks of crystal flutes, and glasses were lined up. And, Tyki_Mikk, well he was in charge of both security and seeing each and every betting, card and dice table was prepared for some high rolling action!

Soon, The Stargazers, along with families of Las Vegas and friends would arrive. But, it was the napster king, the murder mitten slasher, the catnip hoovering, dice loving, Godfather-Chair Fluffy_Tummy they were all here to see! Aqua just hoped that he didn’t wear that ridiculous General’s hat!

Before the gloved doormen could get into place, GodFather Cork came in with a huge smile on his face. After a quick embrace, Aqua purred with a laugh, “Let’s get this party started! Oh shit..who’s in charge of picking up the Furba…GodCat”?! She barked at Peeler, her red lips curled into scowl, “Go get the car, and pick him up goddammit, you know his little legs can’t reach the peddles”!

As he arrived back at the newly renovated HQ, home to 'The Firm', he made his way upstairs, keen to finally get some rest after the busy events of the day. Upon opening the door to his personal chamber, something immediately caught his attention. As he cast his gaze down to the floor, he noticed an envelope had seemingly been slipped beneath the door. Arching his knee slightly, shifting his weight, he leaned down and collected the surprise item within his fingertips. The envelope was a vivid color of the ocean, bright, welcoming, peaceful and as he brought it closer, the sweet aroma quickly hit his senses.

"Aqua.", he whispered with a smile.

The note provided all the information he needed. The exact location of a selected Casino on The Strip, which would play host to the festivities for the arrival of Vegas' newest Godfather Chairman, his former Boss and friend, Fluffy. With haste, he worked on a few of his own preparations as the night soon came to a close.

━━━━━━ ◦ ❖ ◦ ━━━━━━

The following day, Vegas Casino

Upon his arrival at the destination, dressed in one of his luxury suits that he had the good fortune to purchase from this months lucrative takings, he adjusted his top hat and swiftly made his way towards the venue. The security was already in place to ensure that all guests were adequately checked, yet no name needed to be given on this occasion as it seemed his notoriety spoke for itself.

"Good evening, Sir Tyki Mikk. Please make your way through, the VIP lounge has already been set up."

His eyes scanned the area, three men of a large stature on the door, another four guarding the foyer, all dressed in elegant suits and seemingly packing by the way their bodies moved. This much, he could tell at a glance. However, he would revisit them all soon to ensure the security was completely solid and that all considerations had been met.

With a simple nod, he smiled to the man and made his way inside, prepared for the evenings festivities along with the celebrations and arrival of the one whom would now hold the title of 'Godfather Chairman'.

Cork was waiting there for them all. He was as excited as he'd been in ages. They were there to celebrate the catman that had brought all of their lives together. He had pulled out all the stops, the best champagne, the best brandy, the best milk in a weird looking cat bowl that he could find.

This would be an epic celebration and he couldn't wait to see it. Fluffy had been there for him the whole time. They had met as strangers and he now considered the man one of his closest friends. To see him get the Godfather chairman rank was something that he had been waiting on for quite awhile. No one personified hard work quite like Fluffy. He had been there time and time again for Cork when it wasn't necessary. Fluffy deserved the best and that was what he was going to deliver.

He motioned for champagne glasses to be poured and the staff to be on sharp attention. He wouldn't let anything go wrong tonight.

I hope everyone is ready. We have the fluffiest of people to celebrate tonight so I expect everyone on their A Game

Cork straightened his tie and waited patiently for his friend to arrive.

Gordon loved a party and tonight it was going to be a paaaaarty

The last few days had been sent slaving away in the casino kitchen, the casino chefs really didn’t know what hit them when the chef entered and started barking orders left right and centre. The prep work had taken many hours and there wasn’t a single pate in sight. There were great decorated sides of salmon sat on mirrors, glazed sucking pigs stuffed with apples and the master piece a gargantuan fifteen layer chocolate cake

Gordon took a look around and was happy with the food and the casino chefs and decided it was time to get changed into fresh exec whites and hand out his last orders 

“Oi waitress you fucking idiot sandwich hand out the fucking canapés but make sure the cat doesn’t eat too many of the the ones with caviar on or he will get fucking fat!”

”And you, you fucking useless donkey over cook the fucking steak and I will personally see that you never fucking work in a fucking kitchen ever a fucking gen!”

Heading out to the casino Gordon heads to the front entrance and awaits the cats entrance 

The dice table sat in the middle of the casino VIP Lounge, a pinnacle of the setting. Dealers, wait staff, doormen, kitchen staff, and friends all stood at attention, awaiting his arrival. Aqua stood stoic and proud, her hands clasped behind her back and chest heaving with anticipation. These feelings felt both strange and welcome and she did not hold them in, not tonight. There was not many, if any in fact, who she knew to work so tirelessly and so fiercely to lead and protect their family, their city and their allies, as Fluffy_Tummy. No ordinary cat was he, with other worldly reflexes and nine lives, he often appeared to be star gazing, napping or eating. These things tended to fool the outsider, but once he pounced into action, there was little hope for those who stood in his way. 

Facing the grand entrance, she felt her eyes swell with wet; but quickly gaining her composure, she looked at her friends and smiled. Guests were now pulling up to the valet and making their way inside. The music began and the lights turned up. It was time!

 She could not wait to greet the new GodFather Chairman of Las Vegas. She had a sudden thought of sneaking a free tummy rub and this made her laugh rather loudly, much to the wonderment of those who turned to look at her like she was crazy or something.

Touching down in Las Vegas at the airport was always an exciting feeling. Seeing all of the casino construction going on and all of the lights flashing down the strip. This was no normal trip, we were here to party like it was 1939. It was a good thing SpaceCowboy had upgraded the private jet because he brought just about anyone and everyone connected in Los Angeles along for the celebration. Gin and TM had their teams of bodyguard carrying their bags for them. Mostly cocaine and booze in TM-Scarface bags, but Gin came with a lot more baggage. His bodyguards carried them to the car one after another dropping them into the trunk.

I gave him a wide eyed stare and he responded with, "We going dicing tonight baby, YEAH!". He flashed the infamous loaded dice and yelled YEAH again.

Their were limos, town cars, and work vans for all of the hired help making their way towards the casino. JewishJake yelled at the driver and told him we didn't have time to fuck around and he needed to make some passes. While lines were being taken and booze passed around carelessly from Bruce_Lee to UncleSam we were all excited to arrive. 

Once we made it to the front of the casino I peered inside as I exited the limo and noticed Aqua_Tofana and Gordon_Ramsay standing just inside the doorway conversing with other patrons. With a glass of champagne and a warm embrace they welcomed us to see the cat of the hour bestowed with the honor of becoming Godfather Chair.

I handed over my gift to Aqua_Tofana to place with the others. A large cash gift in a paper bag along with some special cat treats I had taken from JewishJake stash.

We watched as the crowd from Los Angeles made their way one by one inside. Casino security now walking alongside Gins hired men taking his money to the vault. Her eyes grew wide as I just smiled and nodded. 

Getting deeper into the casino I could see that the turnout for the event was tremendous. I was seeing friends and family all over the place enjoying themselves, it was a warm feeling. I grabbed myself a few drinks and sat at the bar for a few talking with FishTheKitty and Salvatore-Lucchese. Though when I saw Gin making his way towards the high rollers room I had to wrap up the conversation and drag Sal along with me. We weren't going to miss out on the entertainment before the Fluffster showed up.

Tonight was one to be remembered, and Amira was more than ready. This would be her first official outing as Left Hand of The Firm; a position she was proud and well-prepared to hold thanks to Tyki_Mikk, and to her partner, CorradoConti. All in all, Amira's life had made a stark 180 from when she'd first crossed paths with the Stargazers organization, and tonight she was eager to celebrate the man who had ultimately accepted her into this new world for which she was finding herself quite well suited. 

Amira and Corrado arrived at the casino within a few  minutes of the appointed time. With her hand resting comfortably on Corrado's arm, she gave a kind smile to the doorman who took her coat. She'd chosen a black gown for the evening; a figure-hugging silhouette with a halter top that had a black-beaded overlay. The fabric flared just past her hips, leaving the skirt to glide elegantly over her matching kitten heels. As a special nod to the guest of honor, she'd had one special thing added to the gown: a black cat-like tail made from mink that was curled playfully up the back of the dress. 

Grinning, she waited as Corrado's coat was taken as well, then gave his arm a squeeze. 

"Ready?" 

SpaceCowboy was sleeping on top of one of the blackjack tables, he had been camping out here for a couple of days while waiting for his long time friend Fluffy_Tummy to arrive. 

"You ever going to get up off your ass and actually help us out setting things up!?"

Aqua_Tofana yells at SpaceCowboy while slapping him in the forehead with her dirty ass shoe.

"What the fuck was that for!? Hell, we've been waiting forever it feels and yet he still isn't even here and ready."

Rubbing the sleep from his eyes SpaceCowboy gets up and starts to clean up all of the drinks around the tables to clear them off. When in reality all he was doing was drinking whatever alcohol was left while throwing away the empty containers into Fluffy_Tummy's cat litter box for a present for later.

Everyone was here and present, anxiously awaiting to hear the good news of whether or not Fluffy would be taking the title of Godfather Chairman of Los Vegas.

"You guys don't think..."

SpaceCowboy pauses and sighs

"You guy's don't think that maybe he didn't make it? We all know he's used up all nine of his lives if not more."

Just then the door to the Casino opens up and Fluffy_Tummy staggers inside with a sliced-up finger inside his mouth as if he were bringing us a present. There was a ring on the finger that read "Godfather Chairman". Everyone began to smile knowing exactly what that had meant...Fluffy_Tummy had lived to take the reigns of Chairman!

SpaceCowboy nudges and pushes his way to the front of the line to congratulate the Fluff God before everyone else. 

"I guess they're just letting any and everybody get Godfather Chairman now days!"

Chuckling to himself and smirking SpaceCowboy wraps his arms around Fluffy_Tummy, giving him the biggest hug, a man could give to another man.

"Congratulations my friend! You and I have come a long way together to reach where we are today. I still remember when we both were teens getting shipped out to Los Angeles to work together, not knowing exactly how things would work out. Shit and look at us now! You're someone I consider to be my best friend, any time I've needed help or had questions you've always been there to help however you could. You've truly earned this title, unlike some of those who have tried to stop you from reaching this point."

SpaceCowboy pulls out a present for Fluffy_Tummy, inside was a neuter kit he had brought, waiting for the kitty to get intoxicated enough to be able to finally use it. The past few months the west coast had been swarmed with kittens roaming the streets waiting for their father to return from the catnip store. 

"You can open this one later, trust me you'll thank me later!"

Despite his Italian-American heritage and his service to the OSS, Corrado had largely absorbed French culture after his decades in Paris. 

Wine? French. Literature? French. Food? Was there any doubt?

Still, he had to admit that the English did some things best, and he hadn't been able to resist a stop in Brooks Brothers on his way out west. He'd brought a few suits back from Savile Row, saving them for a special occasion... a special occasion like tonight.

Corrado had ventured out to the desert for Yael and Amira; instead, he'd found Amira entangled in the webs of organized crime. Perhaps that was the wrong choice of words, as the young woman had taken to the work like a natural. It might not have been what her parents would have wanted for her- but it was what she wanted, and Amira was old enough to make her own choices.

If she'd been caught up with a bad crowd, maybe he'd have knocked her out and put her on a plane. But Fluffy, Aqua, and Tyki had helped Amira flourish. That must was certainly obvious tonight; Amira was positively beaming at the idea of celebrating the Godcat, and Corrado couldn't help but match her grin. Her black gown turned heads, and Corrado whispered his compliments as they searched for Tyki Mikk.

Aqua, Tyki, Cork, and Gordon had outdone themselves: the music was flowing as easily as the beat.

Corrado stuck close to Amira as they made their way over to Tyki_Mikk, but he seemed more relaxed than he'd ever had before.

"Watch your tail, Amira. I know that cats always land on their feet, but let's not test that out, no?"

Tonight, after all, was all about the powerful feline who'd taken him under his wings- er, paws.

He moved over to the other man who'd mentored him: Tyki_Mikk.

"Good evening, sir. Looking forward to the celebration."

Drinking had started very early we’ll before takeoff from Los Angeles earlier that day.  Gin has been waiting for today for sometime, he had grown very fond of the furry devil that ran the Strip and with their shared love of the dice table he knew it was party time.  As I entered the Casino of course only one thing was on my mind, dice…..no wait finding the newly crowned Godfather Chairman Fluffy-Tummy,  spotting the man of the hour I try not to fall flat on my ass like I had days earlier at the celebration for Goddather Chairman SpaceCowboy.

Yo yo, GFC Fluffy-Tummy honored to be here to dice, damn it I mean celebrate your big day.  You deserve every bit of this and I know Las Vegas in great hands.  G-G-Good thing you ducked just in time the other day huh?  Ok ok ok can we just get over the table already my man.  You and I both know that’s where the party is.  

Spots a cocktail waitress hold a tray of champagne glasses, the waitress grabs a glass off the tray and I grab the tray

You go ahead and have that one my lady let me handle these for you. A toast to you Godfather Chairman! Slams all 5 glasses 

He sees Godfather Giraffe shaking his head and remembered he told him to try and not go crazy on the liquor, but it’s a celebration! Seeing others coming to great the newly minted Godfather Chairman I stumble away towards the tables 

DICE IS LIFE! WOOOOOO

And with a quick stumble I make my way to take out the house