The grinding never stopped. Logen found himself growing heavy with fatigue as he crossed into his home, the heavy door with think frosted panes of glass closing behind him. He let out a sigh, letting the day slowly melt away as he made his way up to his office. He systematically removed his coat and holster, hanging them on a dark oak stand positioned just behind his desk, keeping his pistol within reach in case something was to suddenly transpire, a habit his father beat into him as he was growing up. 

Feeling a little tug at his mind, Logen moved for a box at the corner of his desk, freeing a fresh cigar and allowing just a short burst of the earthy tobacco scent to waft into the immediate area. He inhaled instinctually as his free hand moved to strike a match and began lighting the fresh cut end of the cigar, a bright orange cherry slowly fading to a deep red as he puffed away. He let out a few small clouds, savoring the bold and slightly spicey flavor of the burning tobacco as it filled his mouth. He began to smile as he moved to pour himself a drink to pair.

“I take it things didn’t quite go to plan?” Came a new voice, one familiar to Logen’s ears.

“Ah…. Someone tipped them off, but the result was the same.” Logen replied, not sparing a glance to the new arrival as he finished his pour. He stoppered the bottle and replaced it on the shelf before him as he grabbed the glass and turned to take his seat at his desk.

“If anything, this whole ordeal with those zealots has just exposed we have a weak link.” Logen started, pausing long enough to drink down a finger worth of the amber liquid in his glass. “I trust you’ll have no issue getting me a name.” He finished, his icy gaze locking on the slender man before him.

“Easy day bossman.” Came the voice once more as he turned and sent one of the burly men at the door off with a sharp nod. “I did have something else for you, though. I know you just sat down but I’m afraid this can’t seem to wait.” The man started.

“Out with it Jack, no need to beat around the bush.” Snapped Logen as he leaned back, trying to enjoy the firm embrace of his chair now knowing it would not last very long.

“It’s Soul. The bossman wants to see you. The message came in about an hour ago, but you were out. I told the runner to let him know you’d be over when you returned.” Jack finished, his eyes searching Logen’s gaze.

“Di-“ Logen started

“No, he didn’t say what he wanted, but the messenger had a sense of urgency about him.”

“Very well….” Logen replied before laying his head back against the chair, working up the willpower to leave the comfortable clutches of his chair.

“Well, let’s not keep him waiting any longer then.” Logen finally said as he stood and donned his holster and coat once again before making for the door.

A short walk through the neighborhood later, Logen found himself walking through the door to Soul’s home, his guards nodding as he passed and made way for the stairs. Logen pushed through the doors to Soul’s office and came to a stop just before his desk.

“Apologies for the wait, Don. Had some business with them zealots that have been encroaching on our turf.” Logen began as he caught his breath, warm beads of sweat now beginning to form on his forehead.

“What can I do for you?”
 

Soul_Hooligan breathed a deep sigh of mixed relief and satisfaction, as he threw himself back in his leather chair. His office in the back of the hat factory had been transformed from a dusty, dark, empty storage room to a grand office, with a mahogany desk and some retro framed photographs lining the freshly painted dark green walls. Signing off some orders and shipments under his other alias, he was almost done for business for the day. He had chased some people about a shipment due in from New York that his Capos were taking care off, he had met his cop for his usual meeting and he had had dinner with his cousin who was in Town, visiting from the west coast. 

The sun was gradually setting over the Delaware River, casting long shadows across the dirty streets of Philadelphia and the warehouses lining the docks. He took a moment to reflect on the past couple of weeks. Things had happened fast, really fast - he had built his empire from the ground up as a made guy in @cadhla's crew, and now, only short time later, his name was notorious and both feared and respected across the city. He had influence with the law, his decisions could make or break the lives of people not only across the city, but across the country.

Focusing his mind now on the next piece of business, now he was about to bring someone close to him in to the fold to run things across the city, alongside himself, @cadhla and @johnnytheman. Business in Philly was absolutely booming. They couldn't get enough drugs in if they tried; the state was in all of their pockets, new housing was popping up everywhere bringing floods of people in, and this blast brought with it business opportunity, the likes of which they could have never anticipated.

He heard footsteps, and suddenly @Logen appeared, and stood in front of the desk, his posture straight, his eyes steady. He was a young man, sharp and loyal, a product of the streets. He’d been on the West Coast himself, working under Don @StripheCorelli, and since returning home to Philly had been second-in-command acting boss and of the Mad Hatters in Soul_Hooligan's absence, running errands, managing things out of hours, taking the dirty work and the heat off the boss, and building his reputation up as he went.

"Logen," Soul_Hooligan said, greeting him with his arms outstretched, cutting through the quiet.

"I wanted to make sure I was here when you called for me," Logen replied with respect, nodding slightly, "You asked for me, boss."

Soul_Hooligan gave a low, approving grunt. He leaned back in his chair once more. "I’ve been meaning to tell you for a long time, Logen. You’ve got guts. You’ve got a work ethic I admire. You’ve put in the hours, taken punches, and never once flinched. But I’m not gonna hold your hand forever." He smirked. Logen nodded, not needing to hear the rest. He had heard enough stories about the boss’s way of doing business to know what was coming. You worked hard, earned trust, and when the time was right, you got your shot.

Soul_Hooligan paused, reaching into his desk drawer for a bottled of imported whiskey. One of the same bottles off the same shipment from that same morning, in which he'd wandered down through the mud to collect personally off the ship as it docked. Grabbing two glasses from the other side of the big desk, he poured a plentiful amount in to each. "You’re gonna set up and start running things, with my blessing. It’s your time to step up. Cadhla and Johnny approve, of course, I spoke to them already."

Logen’s heart skipped a beat, but he kept his composure. He took the glass with a steady hand. "I won’t let you down, boss. I’ll handle it." "You’re gonna make a lot of money, Logen, but you’ve got to keep your eyes open. Not everyone in this game is loyal. Not everyone in this game has your back."

Logen was no stranger to the dangers of the mob. He had seen betrayal, double-crosses, and blood spilled on the streets, but he wasn’t afraid. Not anymore. His boss, the godfather and the boss in South Philly had faith in him, and that was all he needed to hear.

"You’ll need a name for your crew, Logen. You can’t run Philly without one. Think about it."

Logen stood before his leader's desk as he internally steadied himself, calming his racing mind. It was only a matter of time, he knew having worked closely with @Soul_Hooligan for as long as he had. Still, it was one thing to know the day would come eventually and another entirely to be facing that moment in what felt like a blink of the eye. He stepped closer to the desk, finally breaking the silence as a smile spread across his face, betraying his usual stoic expression.

"I've actually given some thought to that already, you know, in my ample amounts of down time." He sarcastically stated, a chuckle escaping his throat. "We exist in a world between heaven and hell. We, in particular us mafioso, thrive in a rather unorderly and constantly changing underbelly. At least unorderly as society at large might see it." He continued as he reached the desk.

"Some would say we live in a constant state of chaos. As such, people either grow stronger or become weeded out so that another may grow stronger from their loss. A cruel and cut throat existence to be sure." He nodded, sure of his thoughts and words as they spilled forth.

Logen reached for the filled glass sat upon Soul's desk, raising it up in a gentlemen's toast.

"Here's to the rise of Khaos Eternal."