Dripple stepped into the streets worn and haggard. It had been a rough night and his closest friend and mentor bip had fallen in the struggle to save their city. To say that his losses were horrendous would be an understatement. The lines crinkled around the old man's face as blood slowly dripped down his arm from a stray bullet that came far to close too ending his life.

Dripple stared straight ahead and kicked back the soapbox that his bodyguard had put down in front of him. He shot the man where he stood and the rest of the onlookers took a step back. He started slowly at first, taking time to form his thoughts into sentences.

Firstly, you must forgive me for being late to the party. I normally like to be on time to these events. I've always believed it to be a victor's duty to come out here and inform the public the why and how wars are started and ended.

I would love to come out here today and give you a lovely speech, but I am still coming to terms with the losses on both sides. These losses have impacted me personally, as well as physically.

Dripple said as he held up his arm, another drop of blood falling to the ground. He sighed for a moment and then continued.

So, today you get the straight up no politically correct bullshit version. As I already have seen some rather beautiful and creative twists added to the FACTUAL story. So for the people, who decided to stick their mutt in and whisper shit behind the scenes you can shut the fuck up and pipe down while the big boys talk.

It wasn't actually too long ago, that I teamed up with Cantona to take down Spike and Jack. Now, many of you will be in the dark about a certain someone helping in that war. We did all of the calculations to see what was needed, and to be frank we were a few guns short of what was needed to ensure immediate success. Cantona wanted to involve Solastalgia, and he mentioned they had talked on previous occasions about this day and was sure he would help. He ensured me that his bond with Solastalgia was great enough to overcome any doubts I might have.

Success! Solastalgia, was in on the first wave but he wanted to remain 100% anonymous because of his ties with JakeLuciano. We totally agreed and accepted this, he could've been the difference between winning and losing the entire war. We gave him a name and location and the deed was done. He chose to keep the remainder of his district in the dark, and that was his right at the time.

We eventually went on to win the war thanks to the help of the North/West side of Chicago, New York and Philly. Things are always wonderful when you manage to survive such massacre.

Unfortunately, in every war there is always a price to pay, for us it was NiNe and some of our fierce members. So it took a few days after for me to pick myself up and carry on. Maple and Jake will vouch for myself, when I tell you I distanced myself from them. I had destroyed something they worked hard to build. I can't turn back time, I did what I felt was necessary but had that slight guilt feeling inside. I wouldn't be standing here today without them.

When I finally moved on, I reached out to someone very dear to myself in Maple. I took her down to our favorite coffee shop and we chatted and laughed like nothing had ever happened. Everyone was happy, things were getting sorted with districts and progress was moving on. We all understand the risks in this line of work after all.

Then I started hearing rumors about myself and bip wanting to take down Jake and Maple. We laughed them off and obviously knew them to be false. The next day rumors about Solastalgia and Cantona wanted to take myself and Bip out. I didn't think about it too much, I mean we just placed our lives in their hands. They could have just told Spike and Jack at any point before our wave had landed and just like that the tides would've changed. However, now it appeared that Solastalgia had bigger plans.

So once again I called my Maple and asked to sit down and discuss a few things. I confided in her again and broke the sworn secrecy on keeping quiet about Solastalgia's involvement. At this point Maple explained how Solastalgia had come to herself and Jake as we started our wave on Spike and Jack. That a counter attack on myself and Bip should be made. The call to have Dripple and Bip's head was rejected.

So now we have Solastalgia helping us, but at the same time trying to get Jake and Maple to in fact attack us. Now that's pretty fucked up if I say so myself. Had it of worked it was a brilliant political move. Smart move, you would've managed to wipe us all out without lifting a finger. Thankfully my ties with Maple and Jake were stronger than Solastalgia had first imaged.

At this point I'm pretty pissed off. This was enough for me to make the call for war, if any of you say it's not a 'worthy' enough reason then I'd love to know what fucking is.

I asked Maple to try feel out Solastalgia and asked him about his reasons for wanting to counter attack Bip and I, and Solastalgia's responses was simple. "It doesn't matter anymore." I should never put Maple in this position but i needed to know where we stood.

Thing just don't add up, you want us dead one day and then the next it doesn't matter? How the fuck does that work?

My other concern was Cantona, was Solastalgia trying to have him killed as well? At the end of the day I don't know. It's all assumptions. We drew up plans for attacking and came to the decision that Cantona was authed by Solastalgia, likewise Ares was as well. To eliminate the threat of a counter attack they all had to be removed.

Now, I have been bashed repeatedly for killing my long time friend Cantona. Let me explain, it's not easy to break friendships. Only a few days ago he mentioned in his war speech that his family is his number one priority. We have spent that long together that his views are very similar to mine. I did what I did to protect my family, my district and my city. 

I'm reminded of an old friend who once swore by "Family first, Family forever". I stuck to that and I lost a friend, but how many of my family did I save? That's why I believe they still stand by me through the good and the bad. Was it right or wrong? Could I have changed the outcome? Who could I of saved instead? 

I can't answer these now, I did what I did and I have to follow through with my beliefs. I have to stand by the decisions that were made here.

No bullshit, just fact. Don't like it? Who gives a toffee.

Dripple sighed at the crowd and slowly started to walk away. He had some funeral arrangements to see to. The cost to him personally for this last war was horrific. Not only did he lose friends, but he lost far more family than anticipated.

Jesus, I must say freaking finally.

Freaking finally we once again get a leader that knows how things should be. Listening to your speech, made me remind of a great time where people put family first, a time where friendships didn't interfeer in business and in family.

Nowadays it seems that the most important thing for everyone is their little groups on the coffeeshops, they forget  the power of family, they forget the promises they made since the moment they joined a family.

There is nothing that should be stronger then Family first, Family forever. A true great leader will always follow that but will also be hated by many for doing anything needed for the survival of their family.

Cantona was a long time friend as well, just like he was your friend, but his line is from a time that we beleived in family first and family forever, he will come around eventually and you will see that you have not lost a friend. 

I will honestly tell you that I'm proud to see a leader that thinks and acts that way again, its been a long time that I haven't seen that. A lot of past leaders talked the talk but never walked the walk.   It's not your case though, maybe this will be a bit of a light in the end of the tunnel around here.

I can't say i am surprised by such a sly move, after Cantona recently mentioning the cracks in Czylharz people will always search for ways to do damage, however i am grateful this was intercepted and dealt with before Detroit was just another flattened district.

The good thing is people have long memories about people recently turning on their own, so wise up quick.

Sir, It is never easy to make decisions when it concerns friends. You made a choice that would future impact all our lives. At the time being only an associate, I was proud to stand by this fine city and next to the men and women who chose to so faithfully protect it. 

I feel proud to be a part of this city knowing I have a godfather who puts us first as family before friendships.One thing to remember is by potentially losing one friend sir, you gained many new ones. Many passed , many are healing and rebuilding but one this is for sure business must go on. The best way to honor all the dead is to forge ahead and be better then we ever will.

Thank you for coming out and clarifying a lot of questions many people had.

Long live Godfather Dripple.

Oh god.... Every time I hear a speech on a war, I laugh till my ribs hurt. Why does it always start with a rumor ? Why does it then proceed with a sit down with shh shh shh a trusted *wink* friend, next it proceeds to having a person tested blah blah, then it proceeds to the great plan of numbers wins wars and then to the final sweetest bit in the whole world "it was them or me, my family or theirs, my mother or his". 

No offence to currently leaders but why don't you guys ever mediate with other leaders? You know talk and try to make peace , before you wipe out districts. haha a great thought for the next war speech! We tried to talk it out but ended up killing them because it was our family or theirs.

Solastalgia was a good man. Jake and he (and me because of that relationship) worked together since the time the two were authed in Chicago. On the night that Spike and Jack were taken out, I flat out asked Solastalgia if he knew. He told me he knew there was a tension there but did not know they were going to kill them.

When someone lies to my face about something like this I really have to question what the motive is. Going from one side to the other and back again tells me one of two things: either they are not sure where they want to stand, or they have an ulterior motive. I had had enough and knew where I stood and took this information to Jake.

Many people have asked what proof Dripple provided me. I will address this publicly. Dripple provided me his word. Dripple started his life with Jake, where I also started. This is the relationship Dripple and I have. I stand firm in my decision and my recommendations to Jake.

Solastalgia was a great man. I do not want to tarnish his name and how much work he put in to rebuild this place after the May war. I had my reasons to go to my Godfather with a threat and that is all there really is to it. 

Vindicator swoops into view. The ever-vigilant Defender of The Realm (the realm, of course, being dear Canada) always had something profound to add to a discussion. As he stepped forth into the crowd, a few of the people closest to him heard him humming the last verse of One Tin Soldier.

Well, after a response like that gentleman before the ever so sweet Maple, I'm quite sure that a mediation would be a grand idea for the future. We should all take a hint from the man named "Gunnin' 'em" and, er... HEY LOOK, A SASQUATCH!

As the crowd turns the direction Vindicator pointed, he swoops out of view leaving nary a trace.

Oh god.... Every time I hear a speech on a war, I laugh till my ribs hurt. Why does it always start with a rumor ? Why does it then proceed with a sit down with shh shh shh a trusted *wink* friend, next it proceeds to having a person tested blah blah, then it proceeds to the great plan of numbers wins wars and then to the final sweetest bit in the whole world "it was them or me, my family or theirs, my mother or his".
No offence to currently leaders but why don't you guys ever mediate with other leaders? You know talk and try to make peace , before you wipe out districts. haha a great thought for the next war speech! We tried to talk it out but ended up killing them because it was our family or theirs.

Gaius stepped into the fray after standing behind his Godfather for what seemed like forever as he gave his musings to the crowd. Naturally, the younglings were back to bark and bitch about something or other, it didn't matter to Gaius this was expected.

At the end of the day a decision had to be made. Our families or theirs. Everyone I know would've made the same one. It was a true shame to see the losses on both sides as both lost some amazing friendships.

However, family must ALWAYS come before friendships. When you choose to step into this life a decision is made, you tell yourself, YES I want to be a mafioso. I want to make bucket loads of cash and work for an amazing leader. Most don't realize that they are also ensuring their lifespan is cut by forty or more years. 

It's true, we don't see life last as long around here because of some of the changes the gods have done, but is the remaining lifespan we do have better? I think so.

Solastalgia was playing a dangerous game, he underestimated his opponents in said game and ultimately paid the price for it.

Cantona was a very unfortunately casualty. I was sorry to see the order being given to attack him as well, but followed it nonetheless. At the end of the day, he was a FRIEND, not family.

Those of you that are out here to bitch. Please show me a single speech that was made in the past oh lets say 6 months that have this much clarity? I do admit, Cantona is the one exception to this request. When I read over the notes from the speeches made by some of the other Godfather's I am a little disgusted. I am honored to see that my Godfather was taught the old ways, and learned from his ancestors that communication is absolutely vital.

Gaius flicked his cigarette into the street and nodded to this throng of bodyguards to keep a lookout while he made a "withdrawl" from the bank across the street.

Louie-lepek I'm not saying it's bullshit, it could be but I'm not a mind reader. I'm just stating that all these war speech play out the same way, and nobody ever seem to talk with the other leader it's always back door whispers. Now in the old days people just shot people, these days you think with all the structure around here leaders would at the very least have an open talk with one another at a sit down before a war. I've never once heard a speech were one leader said "We talked and things took a turned for the worse..." instead you get the same old "I heard a rumor, I talk with others, I thought they would" ahhhh... Never mind there is no point to continue..... birds always flock together.

Family First, Family Forever lovehand.

Family was something the West Side of Chicago viewed you as. The bond was close, the future was bright as the bloodlines went back forever.

The use of the gun is strong but the use of words can be stronger. Had you spoken to the West Side, explained the double cross I would suggest that the betrayal of trust Solastagia displayed would have not been viewed especially well. But that is a reaction we will never know, isn't it? I can say anything now after the event. Whats done is done.

Pocket is right though. You do what you have to do to protect your family. It's fair enough. To the victor go the spoils. But to kill two people who would have gone to the end of the earth for yourself and Bip (GRHS) weaken, and not protects, your respective families. It may sound ridiculous that I can claim Family comes first but Cantona would have rode to your aid but you know it's true. Even if you try to deny it.

I would also suggest that those people coming round to what went on is incredibly unlikely.

Good luck in the coming weeks.

Sadly trying to talk things out is hard to achieve. As soon as you bring up the idea that there is a potential threat, it brings up the want of being the first to hit. Sure you can try to solve something with talk but this requires relentless trust in the person who is at the moment considered an enemy.

Louie-lepek I'm not saying it's bullshit, it could be but I'm not a mind reader.

nobody ever seem to talk with the other leader it's always back door whispers.

Do you want explanation Louie-lepek?  I was simply debating the fact they don't sit down and that all the speech are pretty much the same. If they talked more, I think we would be living long then we do know. My great grand father lived to be about thirteen times older than the age you are now and his father lived about eight times your age. I'll leave that simple math with you kiddo

Goten walks out into the streets and congratulates Dripple.

You went out, and got the job done.  You had a goal in the war, and you achieved it.  Nothing else to say. Congratulations, and thanks for the explanation.

kiddo”…. Brilliant pal, excellent choice of words given my rank to yours, but ill leave it up to your upper structure to explain that one.

If you think the current set of godfathers “don’t communicate at all” then you’re severely deluded and slightly green around the edges. They go as far as using devices not even know to this world yet to keep in contact with each other. To say they do not communicate, is just terribly stupid, of course they do.

Without getting into schematics’ of our world, we live far too long anyway, the gods never intended us to live like this, so count yourself lucky, you live “8 times longer”.  

I do not want to turn this speech into a slanging match; you will see I have respectfully replied to you. Have a good day now, Kiddo.

I'm glad jokes can be shared. Hundreds of lives lost, but fuck, let's lighten the mood. A lot of us lost our mothers and fathers, but fuck we got a good joke out of it. Yeah, whatever.

I will just ignore the points about Solastalgia. Not because I don't care about the man, his bloodline was close to mine and will stay that way, but I can't answer on behalf of him. I would like to address the mystery behind what would have been Cantona's actions behind this war. Of course, this would be speculation, not fact, just the same as he was killed because of speculation, not fact. Cantona was a great God Father (I don't think anyone has denied that, so kudos to you guys). He was a person that valued each and every member of his district and who's main goal was to build West Side Chicago in to a budding metropolis (and was succeeding too). He saw each and everyone of West Side's residents as family. So here we are, the big point about how Cantona would do anything for family. Going against the sheer numbers and size of the deserters from North Side, the numbers from New York, Detroit and Philadelphia, would Cantona really sacrifice all of this new family (which it would be just that, sacrifice) for the sake of Solastalgia and Ares? No offence to them but outweighing the two, I think he would have chosen the future of his district, after all we were family. I mean, Cantona went to bat for Czylharz on several occasions and never faltered once. Surely this was a good sign?

As for the rumours of Cantona wanting to attack Bip and Dripple? I'm glad they were dismissed, as they couldn't be further from the truth. But I can't help but feel that this had a weighing in factor of whether or not to attack West Side. To sum up, hundreds of lives lost from a prosperous district for nothing. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Well that's all I have to say about this matter, my Father wouldn't want me to go on and on. Feel free to pick apart what I have just said, for it won't make much of a difference to what I think and what the many bloodlines of West Side would think.