Immortal spying an empty milk crate flips it over and then sits down on the flat side of it. Watching people walk by she lights a smoke and then inhales deeply. She exhales a bit watching the smoke disappear in the air. Thinking a bit she finally stands up and then steps up to where she was sitting briefly.

Excuse me? I have a question! She watches as a few people stop to listen. It seems that things have changed lately. The word loyalty to some might not mean what it once did, or shall I say it doesn't hold the same precedence it use to to some.

Now I know that this subject has been beat to death with a bloody hammer so many times many are tired of hearing about it, but I truly want to know what this one word means to you.

Is it simply a word you use to get in a city, make yourself a home, and then when the time is right attempt to plan a revolt on those that took you in? Is it something that you are willing to throw away because you don't get your way or what you want? Something that you wouldn't mind losing over trying to be stealthy and sneak in a few kills to try to achieve being a great sniper?

Or.. Immortal stops for a moment and looks hard into the distance then snaps to. Is it something that means you will live and die for those that you surrounded yourself with? Is it a statement that runs deep in your veins that makes you work and strive for more then you ever achieved just to help each of those do the same in your city?

Now I do realize that for most it is the latter. Your cities blood pumps in your veins and you do everything you can for your city and your leaders. You aren't concerned with where you are or what "things" you have. You simply care for all those that you see work as hard as you do, and your leader that took you in and helped you along your path. So to each of you how do you view and explain the word loyalty?

For those that are the as I should say "what about me" people. Those that would turn their backs on those that were so called family and friends. Those people that should you not get your promotions when you asked for it, or a position you asked for and wanted, and you felt it necessary to stoop, or stand as someone might say, to extreme measures how do you explain the word loyalty?

I'm simply being curious here, as my definition of loyalty is breathing, living and dying for those in New Orleans. Everyday coming into this world being there to help those that I can in my city I work with. Knowing that everything I do is simply for those I watch work so hard daily, and it drives me.

Immortal takes the last drag of her smoke then snuffs it out on the ground. Looking up she nods to those around her hoping to hear their responses.

takes a deep drag of her own cigarette before pushing herself off the wall and confidently walking towards Immortal to give her own thoughts.

Immortal, I know you have your own thougths about this and I for one, my loyalty goes to my family and city. Did you think I would say anything else? However, I am at a point right now that I speak my mind no matter who poses the question so aside my city, who whould I be loyal to? The city who got authed by my Godfather! Once that is done, then only mass mail will tell! It concerns us or it doesn t!

Loyalty, it goes to who you are told it goes to

There is NO free will in loyalty, you follow your leaders and if you drift off, then cement shoes it is.

Loyalty has no free will and is dictated...it's up to you to choose!

This is my opinion!

Popcorn was walking around the streets soliciting his Butchery to as many shops as possible when he sees Immortal speaking

"Awww Loyalty. I think a lot of people hide behind this word hoping that if others perceive them as being Loyal they can get to higher places faster. Loyalty to me is a way of breathing, a way of life for me. It has never mattered to me whether or not I have gotten exactly what I wanted, not saying I haven't wanted anything, but that everyone I work with as a whole is well taken care of. I've always told my kids that Respect and Reputation is what matters the most. They will be the things that follow you to your grave and beyond. No matter what I would always like to be remembered as a very loyal person, even if it brings me to my demise. Most that know me can tell you how passionate I am about being a part of New Orleans. This city took me in not having a clue about me, but the fact that they protected me and taught me everything I know so far is something I will never be able to repay.

Loyalty is not something for the selfish. Its about putting yourself, and your emotions second. Its about making sure you do what it takes to keep those your loyal to safe, even if it means putting your life on the line.

I myself am loyal to my Family and the city of New Orleans. I will try my best to protect them from threats both internal and external. That is Loyalty to me"

He then hands Immortal a paper promoting his butchery and begins to chuckle

minding his own business, shuffling up the streets, disco hears immortal talking, he throws a box split in the air( again another dancey, technical term, with a great leap and a mid air split) he pirouetted over towards her....

Immortal, being a new entity to this world, this a conundrum that I have been asking myself, the question I have struggled with is, what should it mean? And I'd like to think the answers, where pretty simple ones, maybe I'm far off the mark but for me, at this point it would be to simply give my upper structure, family and my city my all. Some would say that would be a vague and maybe niave way too look at it, maybe so but In no way, at this time in my life will I be thinking what about me, as it would simply be the absolute wrong way to approach it. My logic would be more, I'll put in everything I can, work hard, show my worth through loyalty and stay strong for my city, after all I have signed my family rules, in picking my city I have Pledged myself to it. I will die for it, I will fight for it, I will try to help evolve it and I will do all this and fully not expect a thank you, why, because this is my show of loyalty, this is my thank you for housing me and keeping me safe.

As has already been stated I think it could be easy to hide behind the word and false actions that could accompany loyalty, after all most crew leaders, godfathers or city heads want loyalty from their members, not that the majority would follow such paths and go to such lengths to creat this whole image to just creat havoc. But what is apparent is, if this is your agenda then it would be safe to assume that you will never prosper and will always come unstuck. I think it's a natural reaction to want to progress up the ladder but there are the correct channels to explore and exsaust and if you don't get to were you want to be, well work harder, re-asses.

I'm sure as/if my life goes on maybe my perception will change, maybe not but I will always abide by the simplest of principles and work hard.

with a click of his fingers, a nod of his head, he pulls up at his crotch, kicks out his leg, disco shimmies off down the road

leaning against a lamp post he takes a long draw from his smoke and listens to what has been said before offering his own piece.

This is a subject that hasn't been far from my thoughts for sometime. I've looked around these streets and begun to wonder how many hold true to the loyalty they claim. We all have goals in our lives, many wish to become a Godfather and run their own city. This seems to be breeding a selfish attitude. There are those that expect to receive their ranks from their Crew Leaders simple based on passing the required tests at the required time.

takes another draw from his smoke before continuing

The fact that so many find it easy these days to pass these tests, it almost seems like they feel they are entitled because of only that. Now don't get me wrong we have always had people in our world who cry and moan about being held back, but is this a loyal person, just because you've made a bit of money, maybe killed a few bums, assisted in a mass jail break or two does not make anyone loyal. These are all done to advance the self, yes they benefit the family. But how many actually think about the family when doing so?

takes a final draw before stubbing out his smoke

There are those who claim loyalty, but when it comes right down to it they are loyal for only as long as it benefits them. This sadly seems to be something that is a growing trend, it goes hand in hand with those that think because they can reach a rank they are automatically entitled to it.

Skorpeon was listening in on Immortals conversation on the streets as it sparked a very interesting conversation. She wanted to know what a solo meant to people and when you do that you open the stage for many answers. He nodded to everyone as he stepped forward to give his statement on what the word meant to him.

“ Loyalty comes in many shapes and forms. Some may even get loyalty confused with pride or honor, because those are all different terms. Being loyal is having the pride to put yourself to the side and show that you do care about those around you. When you are loyal to someone you would literally do anything for them, no matter what that might be. In a family this goes both ways to truly get that bond you want. The crew leader must show loyalty to his loyal members. Those members are the ones you always want to have by your side whenever you need them the most. It is hard to progress through this business without loyalty towards someone, almost nearly impossible. The members that you have loyal to you are the ones that are willing to do whatever it takes for you and not for themselves. If you do not show your gratitude towards those individuals then it becomes a lost cause. It is a relationship in its own that is unique with every person.

One must swallow their pride for this to work completely. The chance in the road that comes when you ask yourself what is best for me and what is best for everyone I care about. Sometimes you have to just take the bigger stand and worry about those you care about over what is best for self benefit.

Loyalty goes to the backbone of the relationship. It is more in the attitude of all of us and not just one of us. It represents showing that person that you have their back no matter how rough the situation may seem. It can be broken down into a form that goes much deeper then just respect. Without respect you cannot achieve loyalty and respect is just one small piece of the whole puzzle. People die for people they are loyal to, not so much as respect. You can’t always tell who is loyal to you and who isn’t, but it does show it’s head one day. When someone puts themselves in front of those that are loyal to them then you go into the area of pride. This is not a loyalty to someone but more like their self beliefs. Then we come back to the word of the moment, loyal, as it takes self control show loyalty to fullest extent.”

Benji smiles at Immortal this is indeed i question that has been on his mind for sometime its somthing he has allways felt towards anyone he or his kin have worked for.

I think it shows Immortal those that know of me would know i care more about the people i work with then myself my kin have died for that and will continue to, Though i think some out there feel more Loyalty to there friends then there family or city. Me that is not the case i have always been of the belief that my loyalty is to my Crewleader, City and if i have one My Godfather. If that is old School then i am old School i can live with that. The loyal people you will know when push comes to Shove are those that despite the odds will stand and fall with you.

And that is somthing that any person who is a leader feels pride with to know that they would rather die beside him/her then go anywhere else and i know i would do that for Swaggy in a heartbeat.

Devils was walking down the street when he sees a woman standing on a milk crate as he thinks to himself he remembered his grandfather telling him of this woman! Devils listens to the woman and to others opinions then decides to slide his own in to the mix!!! "Now i know im only a lowly thug but as for loyalty in my opinion its what you have when you would die protecting your crew, crew mates, and city! Other than that your loyalty doesn't go anywhere else it stays to your city and CL! Myself i would do anything my Godfather or my Crew leader told me to do with no questions asked! There loyalty for you!!!" As devils finishes he walks away and into a dark valley.

Gene walks through the crowd to see what the nice lady is saying and after pondering for a few minutes Gene says "Loyalty is what ever you yourself makes it out to be. To me loyalty is an undieing commitment to your city and its leaders especially your own leader!" Gene then walks away to a corner.

Loyalty to me means one thing and one thing only, support your Family until you die. If they fall then one of two things should happen you die fighting those who killed them or you kill those who attacked your Family and now take over.  This business of jumping ship as soon as your CL falls to me is extremely distasteful.

     I agree with ISEEYOU, when you join a family and sign thier rules, you pledge your unwavering loyalty and willingness to protect your fellow family members and CL. If war happens, even if its you and your family against the rest of the country you stay and protect those who showed you the way and as they had once promissed to protect you, you should return the favor no matter what the odds. You never, no matter what your crew leader has done, betray him and the family in an attempt to save your own life.

Immortal smiles at the answers she hears.

Many of you I completely agree with that have responded. She thinks a moment. I'm going to steal someones lines "You pledge your unwavering loyalty and willingness to protect your fellow family member and CL." I can't say that I personally can say it better either.

And thank you each of you for your responses. She lights her another smoke and inhales deeply

Thank you very much, Immortal.

I disagree that you can just claim to be loyal. Many people have silver tongues and just say what benefits themselves the most. Its pretty easy to put the words together but not mean them.

When a person joins a family theres a trust on the leader's side that the person will be loyal when it matters most. Often loyalty isn't proven or disproven until something significant happens in this world. Theres many examples of people leaving their crewleader to die just to benefit themselves, even multiple times. Those people believe in "I'll stick around as long as you can protect me" which isn't the loyalty that people idealize.

I guess the simple explanation is that the average person is "loyal" to the strength that can kill them. That way of thinking says something for the character of the people involved.

As for me and my definition of loyalty, after saying so much about how words can be construed to be meaningless theres no simple statement that will define anything. I fully intend to prove myself by my actions when it matters the most. Everyone can watch as closely as they want because I'll be act with the utmost honor and be whatever my city needs me to be. Thats all I can do on my end and thats how I'll define my loyalty.

Loyalty is sticking with your crew/city through thick and thin no matter what. If your leader dies then you should go after the ones who killed him or her. Your life shouldnt matter when it come to protecting your CL you should be prepared to die at any given time for them.

I can only speak for myself, but I also know how my own ancestors have behaved in various situations.  None of my bloodline has ever turned their back on their Crewleader, or his/her hands or on the city she belonged to.  I made an oath to the family I am with, and I would die before being disloyal to anyone in that family for any reason.  This is the way I am, and the way my ancestors were.  It is good to see that others stand their ground with loyalty as well.